On Dec 19, 12:11 pm, "Robert Chin" wrote:
> "kenzaburo" wrote in message
>
>
>
> I'm from Toronto, so since their inception ('95) I've been a Raptors
> fan.
>
> Prior to that, I grew up a Knicks fan, but had put my Knick-fandom on
> hiatus during the Isiah Thomas years (I have no problem supporting a
> bad team - obviously - but IT seemed determined to collect every
> player in the league I hate and put them on the Knicks.) While I now
> find the Knicks approaching something I can cheer for (I'm becoming a
> big fan of David Lee), my first love has to be the Raptors. Sadly.
>
> **************************
>
> I think you're being a little hard on yourself. The Raptors are surely
> underperforming but they really aren't a bad team. There is a LOT to like
> about Chris Bosh. I thought he might have been the 3rd best player on the
> Olympic team.
>
> So what is the word on the rather suprising performance of the Raptors?
> It's okay to bring it up here because a lot of people really thought that
> they would be pressing up against the C's a little better this season. Is
> the problem Jermaine O'Neal? Is it something else?
>
> Being a Knicks fan is no fun. They are a symbol of the city the represent.
> Expensive mediocrity, hype that seldom matches the reality. Being a Raptors
> fan is more rewarding, IMO. Less baggage and Toronto is a way better place
> to live than NYC.
Thanks for the kind words about Toronto - we'll agree to disagree re.
NYC. It, along with Boston, are two of my favorite places in the
US. :)
As for the Raptors: The O'Neal acquisition was controversial with the
Raptors faithful - some thought he was a lot of salary on a player
whose best years were behind him. Others, myself included, thought he
would bring some toughness to a team woefully short in that regard. I
believe the latter has been the case. O'Neal has brought a great
attitude off the court and a bit of much-needed intensity on it. His
numbers, while not staggering, are climbing and his absence has been
very notable in the games he's missed, particularly on defence. I
think he's brought everything I'd hoped for - if he's guilty of
anything, he tends to run his mouth a little early... You may recall
him lighting Perkins up in the first half of the Boston game... And
then disappearing in the second. But, JO isn't the problem with the
team.
And you won't find a bigger Chris Bosh fan than myself. He's slowed a
little for the last several games, but he started off the year looking
like a legit MVP candidate, Homerism aside, I think it's a fair
assessment.
Ditto Calderon. We may have gotten ahead of ourselves when we thought
Jose was ready for all-star status, but he's more than solid and I
still think one of the best young PG's playing right now. (emphasis on
"one of")
So, where's the problem? We're terribly shallow. At the guard spot,
behind Jose is one player who probably shouldn't be in the NBA
(Solomon) and another who needs a year as a third backup (Ukic).
Bargnani started the season strong but has regressed to his typical
self - soft defence, lazy offence (too many three's, bad shots, etc.)
The team was poorly coached under Mitchell and I think needs to
relearn some key fundamentals (amazing thing to say about
professionals). Triano, while having no NBA experience, is a solid
fundamental basketball guy who can hopefully re-teach these pro's some
of the little things. I do think they're playing below their heads
right now and when all is said and done, they should finish the year
around .500, but everyone in Toronto had hoped for a lot more. Suffice
to say Colangelo's star has fallen a bit in Toronto and he'll need to
make some big moves in the next couple of years if we're expected to
keep Bosh beyond 2010. Clock's ticking and the early results aren't
pretty. Toronto fans aren't known for their patience, but I think 13
years of awful-mediocre has earned us that :)
>> Stay informed about: 16 in a row 
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