So, it’s 2-0! Yes! Awesome! Sigh.

Exhibition games are so meaningless. You can’t take anything good or bad from them, really. They’re essentially practice, just practice against other teams.

So I really can’t say anything about what we’ve seen so far. I’m disappointed that Moon is starting and Kapono is coming off the bench - I still believe Kapono is the better option. But again, pre-season is about working out the kinks and seeing what works and what doesn’t. By the end of camp, maybe I will see that Moon is the right starter, or Mitchell will see that Kapono is the right starter.

Early indications are Moon has been a disappointment… he’s out of shape and showed up late and hasn’t contributed much of anything in the two games. But, I have to defend the guy a little bit - and condemn the modern media for always being so quick to judge.

Even though I’d rather have Kapono start, it’s too early to make a blanket declaration that Moon doesn’t have what it takes. So, he’s struggled. But it’s two useless games and a week and a half of practice. Some out there are declaring Moon is resting on his laurels, that now that he’s made it to the bigs he thinks he doesn’t have to work anymore. I don’t buy it - yet. Give him a little time, give the coaches a little time to work with him. It’s disappointing, sure, but it’s not time to panic yet. Mitchell’s plan was to start Moon. Can you be sure that after two exhibition games that that plan isn’t going to work?

If he hasn’t picked up the slack by preseason game #5, maybe you start Kapono and see if that gets Moon’s attention. If he’s still coasting and out of sync by game #8, then there’s obviously a problem, but for now, give the kid a break.

(And my belief that Kapono should start is not slamming Moon, and I will not be happy if Kapono starts because Moon is struggling. I want Kapono to start because in my opinion, his offensive skills are better used in that starting line up and Moon’s defensive skills are better used in the second unit. But no matter who starts or sits, I want them both in shape, playing well, and in sync with their teammates!)

Anyway, you know what, I’m going to lay off the starting SF spot for now. I’m making myself tired with this debate.

Back to the meaningless games… well, I guess the one good thing you can take out of it, is that victories, no matter how small, always build confidence. Even if it’s just a little bit. You know the Raps players, coaches and management have to be happy that Bosh and O’Neal are playing well together, that Bargnani has played well, that Calderon has been solid.

But, the real thing is still three weeks away and there’s a lot of work to be done in the meantime.

This entry was posted on Friday, October 10th, 2008 at 5:32 am and is filed under General Raptors, Players, Season Preview.You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.