This is a post about Raptor`s potential but I still have to start off with the franchise man, Chris Bosh. He has been unstoppable all year and he`s putting up some huge numbers on very efficient shooting percentages. Not only can the guy score at will, but now with the experience and growing maturity he`s able to find the open man off the double team and the other role players are making plays. Andrea Bargnani is in my opinion the top candidate for the most improved player award because he`s being consistent every game and he`s looking to attack the gaps instead of settling for jumpers. The Raptors point guard situation has never looked better either. Jarrett Jack and Jose Calderon are making great decisions with the ball as usual but they are also attacking the hoop when they get the chance. If you play them for the pass they will just score on you. Turkoglu`s starting to come into his rhythm as of late as well. He`s been shooting the ball extremely well and making key buckets when they need a hoop. He hit a couple of clutch free-throws against the Lakers too which led them to win it by 1. In my opinion the key to the success of the Raptors has been the bench. The main guys are always going to get the job done but they need help. It has been guys like Sonny Weems, Antoine Wright and Amir Johnson, as well as Jose Calderon who have been bringing energy off the bench.
Antoine Wright has averaged around 12 points per game in the last 5 games which was huge because Turkoglu and Derozan were out a few games. Sonny Weems is becoming more confident with his mid-range game and last night against Philly he even hit a three. He`s not known for 3-point shooting but he was open and he was feeling it. Amir Johnson is just working hard, he’s altering a lot of shots on defense and most of his buckets he gets on offense are second chance points or tough moves to the rim. Toronto is really establishing themselves as one of the top teams in the East and they have made a big push before the all-star break. I look for them to continue to play well in the remainder of the season. If Atlanta or Orlando or maybe even Boston started to slip I could see the Raptors possibly moving up to the 4th spot. They are a long way from that right now but if they continue to play as a team and play with grit on the defensive end it is definitely a possibility.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
The Playoff Race in the East
5&6- Heat & Bobcats: Currently tied at the fifth spot, Miami and Charlotte are two teams who seem very capable of maintaining a spot in the playoffs this season. Miami has one of the most unstoppable scorers in the league in Dwayne Wade. Other role-players like Jermaine O'Neal and Michael Beasley have been stepping up and adding some nice numbers as well. The Bobcats as of recent, have been playing very well as a team. Led by Gerald Wallace and Raymond Felton. Wallace dropped 28 against Sacramento to go along with 5 rebounds and 2 blocked shots. Felton was one assist away from a triple double, going off for 17 points 10 rebounds and 9 assists. The Bobcats are not one of my favorite underdog teams, but playing the way they have been they will be a tough team for anyone to beat. The Heat will maintain their spot in the playoffs because they have so much talent and D-Wade will not slow down.
7- Raptors: The Raptors started off the season very slow, with a brutal losing record in their first 25 games. The Raptors are a team who are not dependant on one or two players, different players play differently every game. Recently Andrea Bargnani has been hungry for some wins and he seems to be coming into his own and understanding his role on this team. Obviously they have Chris Bosh who is going to give you 20 points and 10 rebounds every night. He is in my opinion one of the most consistant players in the NBA and is a deffinite candidate for the most valuable player award. Jarrett Jack has also given the Raptors great productivity in the absence of Jose Calderon. With Calderon back the Raptors are currently making a great run in the East. Much of this recent success has to be credited to the coaching and the 9 new faces finding their fit into the rotation. Hedo Turkoglu is a great addition and is a veteran who has NBA Finals experience, which is sure to help this team should they make it to the playoffs. He has stuggled recently but his confidence is never lacking and he is sure to come out of this slump soon.
8- Bulls: Chicago is a team who had great success in progressing their young players last year. Led by Rose and Ben Gordon. This year it is evident that the Bulls are missing Gordon's clutch threes late in the game. They have a lot of talent but they are missing that go-to guy late in the game. The way this team has been playing lately, it would not surprise me to see the Knicks take their 8th spot in the playoffs this year. The Knicks have been one of the top teams in the league since Christmas. David Lee has been leading them well and they will continue to improve as the year progresses.
Here are my final predictions for seats 5-8 in the Eastern Conference at the end of the season:
5- Toronto
6- Miami
7- Charlotte
8- New York
7- Raptors: The Raptors started off the season very slow, with a brutal losing record in their first 25 games. The Raptors are a team who are not dependant on one or two players, different players play differently every game. Recently Andrea Bargnani has been hungry for some wins and he seems to be coming into his own and understanding his role on this team. Obviously they have Chris Bosh who is going to give you 20 points and 10 rebounds every night. He is in my opinion one of the most consistant players in the NBA and is a deffinite candidate for the most valuable player award. Jarrett Jack has also given the Raptors great productivity in the absence of Jose Calderon. With Calderon back the Raptors are currently making a great run in the East. Much of this recent success has to be credited to the coaching and the 9 new faces finding their fit into the rotation. Hedo Turkoglu is a great addition and is a veteran who has NBA Finals experience, which is sure to help this team should they make it to the playoffs. He has stuggled recently but his confidence is never lacking and he is sure to come out of this slump soon.
8- Bulls: Chicago is a team who had great success in progressing their young players last year. Led by Rose and Ben Gordon. This year it is evident that the Bulls are missing Gordon's clutch threes late in the game. They have a lot of talent but they are missing that go-to guy late in the game. The way this team has been playing lately, it would not surprise me to see the Knicks take their 8th spot in the playoffs this year. The Knicks have been one of the top teams in the league since Christmas. David Lee has been leading them well and they will continue to improve as the year progresses.
Here are my final predictions for seats 5-8 in the Eastern Conference at the end of the season:
5- Toronto
6- Miami
7- Charlotte
8- New York
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Best in the West
1- Lakers: The Lakers are my personal favorite to win the ring this year. Led by last years finals MVP Kobe Bryant. With improved play from Lamar Odom and Andrew Bynum and the addition of Ron Artest they will be a tough team for anyone to beat. Shannon Brown brings L.A energy off the bench and Jordan Farmar is capable of going off for 20 points on any given night. The key to this teams success will be the health of Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol down the stretch of the season. Kobe being the warrior he is, I'm sure he will not miss the opportunity to get ring number five.
2- Mavericks: The Dallas Mavericks are always an underrated team in the west for no good reason. They have the second best record in the west right now and they have one of the best players in the world in Dirk Nowitzki. Jason Kidd is playing exceptional basketball for someone in their mid 30's and the Mav's have great support from Josh Howard and Jose Barea. Jason Terry brings huge contributions off the bench and is able to hit big shots late in the game. He is my favorite for the 6th man award. The Mav's are not a team to be taken lightly and they are capable of beating any team in the league if they play their best.
3- Spurs: The Spurs are a team of veterans and they are the decades best all around team for a reason. Tim Duncan has been an all-star for the past number of years and he is going to give you consistant basketball every night. Tony Parker is one of the quickest players in the league and has rediculous finishing ability in the lane. Manu Ginobili is going to keep hitting big shots and he is always able to step up when he needs to. With the addition of Richard Jefferson and George Hill this team is going to be very dangerous in the playoffs this year.
4- Nuggets: The Denver nuggets are in my opinion the most improved team in the league since the beginning of last season. Chauncey Billups has to be credited with a lot of this recent success, however, Carmelo Anthony is having an MVP caliber season and he does most of the heavy lifting for this team. Nene and Kenyon Martin are playing great post basketball. This team made a great run against the Lakers in the playoffs last season and I would expect them to be very hungry this year. The team is much improved from last season because they have had more time to adjust to the way Billups wants to operate the floor. Chauncey knows how to win championships because he did it with the Pistons a few years ago.
2- Mavericks: The Dallas Mavericks are always an underrated team in the west for no good reason. They have the second best record in the west right now and they have one of the best players in the world in Dirk Nowitzki. Jason Kidd is playing exceptional basketball for someone in their mid 30's and the Mav's have great support from Josh Howard and Jose Barea. Jason Terry brings huge contributions off the bench and is able to hit big shots late in the game. He is my favorite for the 6th man award. The Mav's are not a team to be taken lightly and they are capable of beating any team in the league if they play their best.
3- Spurs: The Spurs are a team of veterans and they are the decades best all around team for a reason. Tim Duncan has been an all-star for the past number of years and he is going to give you consistant basketball every night. Tony Parker is one of the quickest players in the league and has rediculous finishing ability in the lane. Manu Ginobili is going to keep hitting big shots and he is always able to step up when he needs to. With the addition of Richard Jefferson and George Hill this team is going to be very dangerous in the playoffs this year.
4- Nuggets: The Denver nuggets are in my opinion the most improved team in the league since the beginning of last season. Chauncey Billups has to be credited with a lot of this recent success, however, Carmelo Anthony is having an MVP caliber season and he does most of the heavy lifting for this team. Nene and Kenyon Martin are playing great post basketball. This team made a great run against the Lakers in the playoffs last season and I would expect them to be very hungry this year. The team is much improved from last season because they have had more time to adjust to the way Billups wants to operate the floor. Chauncey knows how to win championships because he did it with the Pistons a few years ago.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Eastern Power
1- Cleveland : The Cavs have been playing amazing basketball lately led by LeBron James. The guy gets 20 points in the first quarter against the Blazers the other night and somehow it's still a nailbiter down to the wire.
Definitely one of the best teams in the NBA right now and they will surely be more prepared for the playoffs this year with the addition of the all-time great Shaquille O'Neal. LeBron is sure to be hungry this year after losing last year but one guy can't do it all. He needs more support from the other big players on the team in the playoffs. If Mo Williams shoots in the playoffs like he does in the regular season, I expect the Cavs to make a strong run in the playoffs.
2- Boston: This team is still my favorite to win the Eastern Conference this year: not because they are my favorite team but because they are so well rounded and they have 4 superstars on their team. Rondo is having a career year and is obviously a leader on this team. Paul Pierce will continue to do his thing and finish games in the 4th quarter. KG is always a huge factor in the paint because of his shot blocking ability and intimidation and then theres Ray Allen, who in my opinion is the greatest 3 point shooter of all time. No disrespect to Reggie Miller either in saying this. Also, you have a huge addition since last year in Rasheed Wallace. He is a veteran in this league and can punish teams in so many ways. This team is a definite contender.
3- Orlando: Dwight Howard is unstoppable when he gets the ball in the paint. Every team has to double him as soon as he catches the ball in close and he is a valid MVP candidate this season because of it and the huge numbers he puts up. He's also not getting nearly as many touches per game as he should be so when Orlando starts dishing him the ball more they will only get better. With shooters like Rashard Lewis, Vince Carter, Jameer Nelson and Jason Williams it makes it hard for teams to double Dwight because Orlando is such an awesome 3-point shooting team. It would be hard for Orlando to top last years playoff run since they made it to the finals but they have the experience now and I look for them to be very hungry this year.
4- Atlanta: This is a team who has been to the playoffs for many consecutive years now, they haven't had the best of luck but this year they are showing that they can compete with any team in the league. Joe Johnson is having an outstanding year and he has lots of talent around him to help carry the load. With the addition of Crawford and the increased level of play from Josh Smith and Al Horford this team has a lot of options that can hurt teams down the stretch of the season. Joe Johnson has been hitting some rediculous shots lately and hes probably one of the best clutch players I've ever watched so I look for them to surprise some teams this year in the playoffs.
Definitely one of the best teams in the NBA right now and they will surely be more prepared for the playoffs this year with the addition of the all-time great Shaquille O'Neal. LeBron is sure to be hungry this year after losing last year but one guy can't do it all. He needs more support from the other big players on the team in the playoffs. If Mo Williams shoots in the playoffs like he does in the regular season, I expect the Cavs to make a strong run in the playoffs.
2- Boston: This team is still my favorite to win the Eastern Conference this year: not because they are my favorite team but because they are so well rounded and they have 4 superstars on their team. Rondo is having a career year and is obviously a leader on this team. Paul Pierce will continue to do his thing and finish games in the 4th quarter. KG is always a huge factor in the paint because of his shot blocking ability and intimidation and then theres Ray Allen, who in my opinion is the greatest 3 point shooter of all time. No disrespect to Reggie Miller either in saying this. Also, you have a huge addition since last year in Rasheed Wallace. He is a veteran in this league and can punish teams in so many ways. This team is a definite contender.
3- Orlando: Dwight Howard is unstoppable when he gets the ball in the paint. Every team has to double him as soon as he catches the ball in close and he is a valid MVP candidate this season because of it and the huge numbers he puts up. He's also not getting nearly as many touches per game as he should be so when Orlando starts dishing him the ball more they will only get better. With shooters like Rashard Lewis, Vince Carter, Jameer Nelson and Jason Williams it makes it hard for teams to double Dwight because Orlando is such an awesome 3-point shooting team. It would be hard for Orlando to top last years playoff run since they made it to the finals but they have the experience now and I look for them to be very hungry this year.
4- Atlanta: This is a team who has been to the playoffs for many consecutive years now, they haven't had the best of luck but this year they are showing that they can compete with any team in the league. Joe Johnson is having an outstanding year and he has lots of talent around him to help carry the load. With the addition of Crawford and the increased level of play from Josh Smith and Al Horford this team has a lot of options that can hurt teams down the stretch of the season. Joe Johnson has been hitting some rediculous shots lately and hes probably one of the best clutch players I've ever watched so I look for them to surprise some teams this year in the playoffs.
Introduction
Hey, I`m Colton, I`m eighteen and I love basketball. I thought it would be a good idea to start keeping track of my thoughts and opinions on current basketball. I play basketball myself and I also follow most of the NBA action. My favorite teams are the Raptors and the Lakers. Raptors are my home team because I am Canadian and the Lakers have been my favorite team since I was younger. My goal here is to start getting people to follow my posts and post valid opinions on my thoughts. I would appreciate it if you could refrain from cursing and keep it G-rated please, as there may be some younger audiences.
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