The AltRaps Blog

RaptorsTalk will have the videos up later today, I’m sure, but just so you have a peek at what is being said….

BOSH:

- first thought: how can it get better
- spoke to Bryan & Sam about addressing weak points
- they told Bosh what he can do to be better
- not a frustrating season, just tough. shows we are human
- lots of injuries to key guys
- need to play with a chip on our shoulder
- rebounding need a combination of new guys and also harder work from current players
- orlando was well prepared
- dwight camped out in the lane the whole series
- still committed to Olympic team
- feels physically good
- andrea has to get down low to be a dominant force
- if you look at top 3 teams you have defenders and rebounders
- either a roster change or developing current players
- when AP drove in the season, it created shots
- team always encouraged andrea
- comaraderie is still alive in the locker room
- sam should be back. he has earned the right.
- year from today, still be playing
- if both jose and TJ are back, need to address their tandem.
- when bosh was hurt, it was during a rough road stretch
- tj came back and needed to get his footing
- not sure if the team needs to choose one PG over the other
- wants to get physically stronger

PARKER:

- content if he is traded
- wants to be here
- BC will not do something just to do something, but if possibility is there to improve, he expects BC to do it
- as a team we can play better if everybody is back
- but to advance in playoffs, something needs to be added.
- chris needs help scoring wise, either a wing player or inside help
- good group of guys, play hard, play the right way
- anybody new has to fit into that mould

FORD:

- hasn’t met with Sam or BC yet
- he feels he will be back, but has no control over changes
- would accept change if given to him
- 2 starting point guards can co-exist
- would have liked to play together more often
- team felt it unnecessary to take minutes away from Kapono, Delfino, etc
- considers himself a starter and not coming off the bench
- after fall in Orlando, training was tough away from the team, but felt better when back
- felt he showcased determination and heart
- felt he got back to where he wanted to be physically and mentally
- was tough adjusting to new role
- jose got a lot better from rookie season to this season
- jose grasped an opportunity and shut up his critics
- tj isn’t trying to be controversial with his relationship with Jose
- everybody in the NBA wants to play
- wants to be considered one of the best point guards in the NBA
- coach felt it best to have Jose close games

MOON:

- looking to beef up
- 7 years since having a summer off
- doesn’t play golf
- only way to appreciate winning is to lose
- wants to come back around 215lbs
- team needs to improve rebounding
- need to finish games better
- no clue about team changes
- doesn’t know if he is a big deal back home.

CALDERON:

- going back to Spain for the summer
- relaxed about the contract
- whatever is best for him and his family
- will play in the Olympics
- thinks the team should be better
- would like to be back
- things he and TJ can share
- BC gave no indication he would re-sign him in the interview
- just wants to win, doesn’t care about being a star or starter
- wants to be on a winning team, with players at the same level as you
- already sacrificed a lot this season
- have to get to the second round and be better
- feels really comfortable with his teammates
- confidence from the coach and teammates is more important than starting

MITCHELL:

- in interviews talk about the season, their thoughts, give them ideas on what to improve
- disappointed they aren’t playing
- didn’t score enough points against Orlando
- opportunity to decompress
- take some time off and then prepare for the draft
- same feeling today as last year at this time
- he and Bryan and the rest of the coaches sit down tomorrow
- BC will discuss what he feels Sam needs to do to get better
- as a coach all you can do is your job to the best of your ability
- loves the team, love the city
- grateful that BC gave him the opportunity to grow with the team
- what little control he has, he tries to be professional and do his job
- whenever guys are available that you have had a long relationship with (Colangelo/D’Antoni) you expect to hear rumours
- no complaints, except wish they were still playing
- if Riley called to say he wanted to coach her, Sam would expect Bryan to listen
- not that insecure
- qualified for the playoffs two years in a row and won a division title.
- BCs job is to always try to improve
- feels he has done his part, but would like the opportunity to improve
- proud of Jose
- was constantly on Jose during his first year and is proud to see how much he has grown
- he trusts Jose’s instincts on the court and allows him to call plays
-  Jamarios first words in the interview was to thank BC and Sam for the opportunity
- believes Jamarios coming out party was against Chicago
- takes partial blame for Andrea
- needs to put him in better/easier situations
- Andrea will be the guy they expect him to be
- Andrea stuck his nose in there against Dwight Howard and should be appreciated
- Andrea is excited about what he needs to do and understands it takes time and effort
- only 22 years old
- shows in his work ethic that he wants to be good
- physically he wasn’t ready to play centre.
- maybe Sam should have brought Andrea off the bench, but he was a big advocate of getting Andrea in there to play as a starter
- by putting Rasho back out there, it was a sign of knowing Andrea needed to go slow
- TJ/Jose situation only became one when Jose played so well in place of TJ
- might have put TJ back in as a starter earlier and just shorten his minutes at first

COLANGELO:

- not too early to assess the team, it’s a constant process
- too early for knee jerk reactions to losing a playoff series, though
- all season long we needed to address situations, but didn’t
- really missed Garbajosa
- not having that savvy, experience, shooting and toughness hurt
- seemed to weather injuries, but couldn’t shake missing Garbo
- need to address defence and rebounding, Andrea, need another 20pt scorer, need to get help for Bosh
- set the bar high last year and this year was a disappointment
- didn’t deliver to the expectations of the fans
- lots of speculation about 2 playoff coaches that he finds ludicrous
- absolutely no intention of a coaching change
- first round loss means nothing….just speculation and story telling
- Sam put himself in a situation to win COY and get a new contract last year
- across the board you can point fingers, but nobody is alone at fault, it’s collective
- everything is done on a concensus basis, together, as a team
- any shortcomings fall on BC’s shoulders
- Sam is not facing firing or a buyout
- solid effort in 5 games against a great basketball team
- TJ/Jose is not a new issue
- doesn’t blame TJ for wanting to be a starter
- wonders how they can co-exist
- Jose will be back
- between now and then there will be talk with Sam, TJ’s agents, Jose’s agents. If it looks like it will work, both will be back, if not, decisions will need to be made.
- it is a problem that needs to be resolved
- draft prep and free agency prep as well as trade possibilities need to be looked at as well
- some trade deadline discussions may be rekindled
- 12 months ago, the PG position was our greatest strength, and BC isn’t ready to just throw it away
- team just needs to get better
- Rasho is 32, AP is 32…
- only player BC feels we lost from last year is Garbo
- last year was great with 47 wins and a division title. Had to let this season go on with what we had and now can look back and see what needs to really be addressed.
- team needs to do a better job of nurturing the talent we have, Andrea and others
- Garbo will not be playing in the Olympics as long as he is under contract with the Raptors.
- team will be over the cap, but below the tax threshold
- #1 priority is getting better, but bulk of money will go to Jose
- we are unlikely a player in free agency this year
- expiring contracts a big bargaining chip
- expiring contracts begin July 1
- many expiring contracts on our roster are attractive players
- any player coming in with a long contract will be a tough pill to swallow since it would hurt flexibility next offseason for a big 09/10 free agent season
- would be a strategic move if done.
- may hand select someone via trade rather than wait for 09/10 free agency
- if something is done, combined with the new contract, we must advance the process by winning
- disappointment and angst from fans is better than being un-responsive