The AltRaps Blog

Bargnani - in an odd way, when I think of Bargnani, I think of that kid in phys ed that, when teams were being chosen, was picked third or fourth on physical appearance alone. You’ve seen him walking around the school, all awkward and friendless, but you think he has some size, so maybe he can help you win. Then, to your horror, he plays like your Aunt Ruth dances to Michael Jackson. I’ve been on record since the draft that I was against the pick. I still am, but I still believe he can break through. If some sort of agreement can be made as to what and where he should play, it will benefit all parties. Yes, it was a sideways step year, if not a slight step back, but at the feet of whom?

Baston - I continue to contend he could have helped this year. 10-15 minutes a game here and there, some rest for Bosh/Rasho. I am a fan of his athleticism and court sense, but his handle on the ball and passing ability have never made any fans. I’m not ready to say he was a bad pickup by Colangelo, but I do think that if you brought him in as “insurance”, he should have seen more playing time when Bosh went down with injury.

Bosh - I admittedly wasn’t a fan of the YouTube ideas and I was happy to see them go away fairly quickly. I can appreciate you want to be loved, but let you on-court abilities do the talking in-season. Your desperate plea for AllStar love was pathetic. On court and in the dressing room, though, he was a stud. He continues to grow, he never dodges the press, he has embraced being the face of this team like no other Raptor has in history, including Vince. He is not a perfect specimen and has a few tweaks to make this offseason, but I would be shocked if he doesn’t take care of them. His admission of not having faith in some of his teammates was brutally honest and can also be read as a shot against the bow of management. I took no misery from our ouster at the hands of the Magic and I can honestly say a lot of that is due to the effort of Chris Bosh.

Brezec - I’ve always been a fan of reading the optimism of you young people when the Raptors get a new player. Makes me realize how old I am and how much I have seen. When Primoz came to town, he was heralded like the second coming of a thin white Charles Barkley. As is most often the case, he maintained his play from whence he came….stretching during timeouts and wondering if he is to wear a suit on the bench or his warmups. Kudos for trying to stir some stuff up when he first got here, but word to the wise: burning bridges in a contract year isn’t too smart.

Calderon - I do agree with Ford on one thing: I’m happy Jose played so well this season that he will be able to look after his family for the rest of their lives. Might shock some, but I’m not convinced he is a fantastic point guard. I think he is a great floor general. I think his ability to slow down the game and move his pieces into good places on the floor is extraordinary. Is this stricken off the positive side of the ledger by his weak defence? You bet. Assist to turnover ratio means nothing if you do nothing on the other side of the ball. He was taking 500 shots a day two summers ago…this summer he needs to work on stopping 500 drives a day.

Delfino - all season I’ve heard how he was a steal for 2 second round draft picks. Maybe. Maybe not. Like those VC trade haters, it will take a while to see how it shakes out. I find it hard off the top of my head to think of 15 or more quality games from Carlos. If you dump on Andrea for only showing flashes, you should keep some for Delfino. We took on a contract that affected our cap and sent away 2 futures for someone that rarely delivered. A steal? More like the Raptors holding a sack and shrugging for the camera.

Dixon - part of a nothing for nothing trade at the deadline, I was a constant ripper of all things Juan. I would refer to him as a poor mans less talented TJ. Means well, but plays better in NBA 2k8 than in real life. I honestly kept waiting for news to come out that he went nuclear in practice and jumped on Maceo’s back yelling “I’m da man, I’m da man….you’ve been served!!” to the rest of his teammates.

Ford - rather the rehash what everybody knows, let’s ask if he did his job when on the floor. The majority of time? You bet. Did he play out of control sometime? Sure did. Show me one starting PG in the league that doesn’t (not named Chris or Paul). Looking back, though, I never (okay, rarely) worried about him not producing for us. As with Jose, TJ needs to remember that D is a letter just like O is, but unlike Jose, I don’t think TJ will ever learn. I also think he is just the start of a new crop of players that think along his lines, which doesn’t bode well for the league.

Garbajosa - he will spend more time in-court than on it, it seems. While I don’t think his absence was as large as BC made out yesterday, I do think he would have helped a little bit. It will be interesting to see what playing times he receives when cleared to play.

Graham - as athletic as most of us can only dream to be, and about as unmotivated as, well, me. If ever the NCAA needed a poster child for getting into the NBA and coasting for a few years just to avoid lifting boxes in a warehouse, Joey is it.  Sounds amazing to say, but he really is undersized for this league and his lack of shot is what is keeping him where he is. I’d love to see him play in Europe, where I think his physical game might make him a moderate star.

Humphries - a motivated Graham. Admittedly I am a big fan, but I also am aware of his poor shot selection and his ability to let his mouth do a little too much talking that his game can’t back up. Would I have liked to have seen him in there against Howard for some burn? Yup, if only to see him give some elbow-payback. Far from a starter and far from being the first forward off the bench on any NBA team, he is still a valuable piece in that he keeps the dressing room loose, brings some hustle on the floor, and is a great insurance policy at the PF position.

Johnson - another player that some people thought would come in and provide good service. I’ve left a message for the ballboy and will let you know.

Kapono - after a strong playoff showing, people are second guessing his usage in the regular season. Not sure how Sam had influence on him not shooting 3s in the time he was on the floor from January on, but I believe it was more a case of Kapono not feeling comfortable in the system. No real proof here, but I have a feeling that it takes Jason a little bit longer than some to adjust to a new program and also might need some incentive to do so. For the first time as a professional, he had some negative press and some pressure on him consistently,and I believe it took him aback and played some head games. The playoffs were a fresh new start, he fed off the excitement and you saw the results. Hopefully this lasts through next season.

Martin - still think his “release” was a huge gamble heading into the playoff season. Had TJ or Jose gone down, I still shudder to think of Delfino running the show. A class act and a player who has personal characteristics that are hard to find in todays game.

Moon - An incredible find and unquestionably a feel good story to start the year, but a near crash & burn from January onward. He never really hit a wall, in my opinion, but it can’t come as a surprise that the wheels fell off a bit. What is frustrating, though, is he was Sam’s project this year and to not remember plays and take nights off is a shame. You are a starter on an NBA team and, as such, you should be earning the respect of your competition by coming out well prepared and active. On too many nights he wasn’t and that has to change next season if he plans to stick around.

Nesterovic - again, no hiding my feelings on him. An amazing late season, for which he deserves every good word written about him, does not make up for a disappearing act in the playoffs for the second straight year. The biggest anvil attached to the legs of the Raptors being over the salary cap for little return, is always trumpeted for his experience and good attitude. I appreciate that, but those two qualities are magnified during the post season and I am still waiting for return on the third highest paid Raptor.

Parker - I remember going to see the exhibition game between Maccabi Tel Aviv and the Raptors and saw a long time season ticket holder wearing a Parker jersey. We had a great conversation and she spoke of him like he was her son. At the close of this season, I can understand why. His show of class at the exit interviews yesterday was indicative of him as a person. Not a flashy player, but one that gives you the impression that he lives for those 48 minutes and rarely takes any down time during the season. Needs to work on his drives a bit more as well as moving in the offensive sets. Of all players that may be gone between now and the trade deadline, he would be the one that I would be sad to see go. Everything that an ambassador of this game should be…and more.