Post by beatonz on Feb 1, 2022 16:55:59 GMT -6
A look back on the Toronto Raptors season can easily be described as disappointing. Coming out of season 1, the Raptors had high expectations coming into season 2 expecting to make a playoff push improving on Season 1's second round elimination to the Chicago Bulls. Returning into Season 2, familiar faces were seen on the team with little roster changes during the offseason. Small transactions were made to improve depth in the offseason but the core member of the team remained the same.
Notable Team Changes:
1. Ben Gordons Transition to PG
Ben Gordon came into this league as a pure scorer with great outside shooting and quickness. The idea long term was the transition Ben from the SG position to the PG once his handling and passing developed enough to man the point. His development occurred faster than expected and in 2022 Gordon took over the starting PG spot in the second half of the season. He has flourished in this position putting up close to 30 ppg and 8 asp in the starting role. Turnovers remain a concern, but are going to be a focus of his going into next season.
In the playoffs, Gordon showed the regular season stats at PG were no fluke, putting up 26 ppg and 8 apg. Look for Ben Gordon to be recognized as an All League PG next season.
2. JR Smith Acquisition
Bringing in JR Smith to man the SF position at the trade deadline was a absolute need for the Raptors during Season 2. Michael Redd was playing out of position without the inside scoring to effectively play the position. JR Smith brings an extra element of excitement to the team with his outstanding jumping ability and scoring ability. He still lacks the defensive foundation to not be considered a liability on the defensive end, but at only 19 years old and good potential, this shouldn't hold him back in the long term.
Raptors Highlights:
1. Going to Game 7 Against the #1 Ranked Chicago Bulls
Toronto Raptors ended up with the #8 seed in the dominant Eastern Conference coming into the 2002 playoffs. Despite, the confidence of the Toronto Raptors GM going into the series, predicting a 4-0 sweep, the Raptors came up short in game 7 against the league leading 60 win Chicago Bulls. This marks the consecutive second year the Bulls have eliminated the Raptors in the post season but this season the Raptors didn't go down without a fight.
The Raptors took the Bulls to game 7, and heading into the fourth quarter the Raptors actually had the lead. It's unfortunate the young Raptors players couldn't pull out a win, but it is promising to see such a young core battle to take down the best team in the league.
2. Rafael Araujo
After being named an All Star and All League Third Team in Season 1, expectations of Rafael Araujo were not only surpassed by the Toronto front office but across the league. Being selected in the 4th Round, the expectations weren't all that high and putting up 21ppg and 10rpg in his rookie season demonstrated he was built for greatness.
Rafael followed up Season 1 with great progression in the offseason training camps becoming one of the most dominant inside scoring presences in the league. The hard work payed off putting up 27ppg (4th in league scoring) and 10 rpg and being named once again a league all star. Araujo also was named to the All League First Team.
3. Luis Scola (D League)
Selected 25th overall in the 2001 draft, Scola was heading straight to the D League to hone his skills. With already impressive scoring ability and descent defense as a rookie, expectations were high for Scola to dominate the D League. He did just that, winning defensive player of the year and putting up great offensive numbers on good percentages.
It isn't clear at this point what the plan is for Scola heading into the 2003 season, one year more of D League development or to play with the big boys. We will have to see how training camp turns out along with the Raptors off season aquisitions.
Raptors Lowlights:
1. Ben Gordon Injury
Gordon was obviously the building block the Raptors envisioned when they selected him in the 1st round of the inaugural draft. So without him on the court, the Raptors should be expected to struggle. This is exactly what happened when Gordon was injured for 40+ days this season after a run in with arguably the dirtiest player in the league, Damian Lillard of the Charlotte Hornets. Although not confirmed, it has been rumoured the Charlotte head coach was sick of Ben Gordons ability to destroy their defense and had their star player take care of it. Lillard has yet to comment, but I think we all know what happened here.
During Gordon's prolonged broken leg injury, the Raptors struggled to keep up with many of the top teams in the East putting them outside of playoff spot and fighting the majority of the season just to get that eighth seed.
2. Day 111 Raptors vs. Celtics
The Raptors and Celtics GMs got into a discussion in the Celtics press conference and decided to wager some cash on the Day 111 match up between the two teams. $100 cash was put on the table and the Celtics came out victorious. A match up of two of the leagues top bigs in Araujo and Embiid did not disappoint, both putting up great performances. It was the unexpected play of SG Kevin Martin who stole the show on this night, putting up 29 points while shooting 13/18 from the field.
The Raptors have learned their lesson when it comes to betting with Pope.
Looking Ahead:
Going into the 2003 offseason, the Raptors are looking to improve on a number of depth positions but no major changes are planned for the core foundation of the team. Toronto feels the current makeup of the roster is capable of competing for a championship, especially with the overall youth on the team and great potential for the core to grow, specifically JR Smith, Michael Redd and Ben Gordon all of which have 80+ potential.
The back up SG and SF positions is a focus area for the Raptors and the plan is to address that during the free agency period. Jordan Adams and Rafael Addison held these positions last year and showed they are just not the caliber of players needed to play this position on a team trying to compete.
There are also a number of key players expiring this offseason, main focus will be on maintaining Kenyon Martin and Tyler Ennis while players like Jarnell Stokes and Ricky Minard may be on the chopping block. The Raptors would like to have all four of these players return but it will be dependent on the asking price.
2nd Team Article
Notable Team Changes:
1. Ben Gordons Transition to PG
Ben Gordon came into this league as a pure scorer with great outside shooting and quickness. The idea long term was the transition Ben from the SG position to the PG once his handling and passing developed enough to man the point. His development occurred faster than expected and in 2022 Gordon took over the starting PG spot in the second half of the season. He has flourished in this position putting up close to 30 ppg and 8 asp in the starting role. Turnovers remain a concern, but are going to be a focus of his going into next season.
In the playoffs, Gordon showed the regular season stats at PG were no fluke, putting up 26 ppg and 8 apg. Look for Ben Gordon to be recognized as an All League PG next season.
2. JR Smith Acquisition
Bringing in JR Smith to man the SF position at the trade deadline was a absolute need for the Raptors during Season 2. Michael Redd was playing out of position without the inside scoring to effectively play the position. JR Smith brings an extra element of excitement to the team with his outstanding jumping ability and scoring ability. He still lacks the defensive foundation to not be considered a liability on the defensive end, but at only 19 years old and good potential, this shouldn't hold him back in the long term.
Raptors Highlights:
1. Going to Game 7 Against the #1 Ranked Chicago Bulls
Toronto Raptors ended up with the #8 seed in the dominant Eastern Conference coming into the 2002 playoffs. Despite, the confidence of the Toronto Raptors GM going into the series, predicting a 4-0 sweep, the Raptors came up short in game 7 against the league leading 60 win Chicago Bulls. This marks the consecutive second year the Bulls have eliminated the Raptors in the post season but this season the Raptors didn't go down without a fight.
The Raptors took the Bulls to game 7, and heading into the fourth quarter the Raptors actually had the lead. It's unfortunate the young Raptors players couldn't pull out a win, but it is promising to see such a young core battle to take down the best team in the league.
2. Rafael Araujo
After being named an All Star and All League Third Team in Season 1, expectations of Rafael Araujo were not only surpassed by the Toronto front office but across the league. Being selected in the 4th Round, the expectations weren't all that high and putting up 21ppg and 10rpg in his rookie season demonstrated he was built for greatness.
Rafael followed up Season 1 with great progression in the offseason training camps becoming one of the most dominant inside scoring presences in the league. The hard work payed off putting up 27ppg (4th in league scoring) and 10 rpg and being named once again a league all star. Araujo also was named to the All League First Team.
3. Luis Scola (D League)
Selected 25th overall in the 2001 draft, Scola was heading straight to the D League to hone his skills. With already impressive scoring ability and descent defense as a rookie, expectations were high for Scola to dominate the D League. He did just that, winning defensive player of the year and putting up great offensive numbers on good percentages.
It isn't clear at this point what the plan is for Scola heading into the 2003 season, one year more of D League development or to play with the big boys. We will have to see how training camp turns out along with the Raptors off season aquisitions.
Raptors Lowlights:
1. Ben Gordon Injury
Gordon was obviously the building block the Raptors envisioned when they selected him in the 1st round of the inaugural draft. So without him on the court, the Raptors should be expected to struggle. This is exactly what happened when Gordon was injured for 40+ days this season after a run in with arguably the dirtiest player in the league, Damian Lillard of the Charlotte Hornets. Although not confirmed, it has been rumoured the Charlotte head coach was sick of Ben Gordons ability to destroy their defense and had their star player take care of it. Lillard has yet to comment, but I think we all know what happened here.
During Gordon's prolonged broken leg injury, the Raptors struggled to keep up with many of the top teams in the East putting them outside of playoff spot and fighting the majority of the season just to get that eighth seed.
2. Day 111 Raptors vs. Celtics
The Raptors and Celtics GMs got into a discussion in the Celtics press conference and decided to wager some cash on the Day 111 match up between the two teams. $100 cash was put on the table and the Celtics came out victorious. A match up of two of the leagues top bigs in Araujo and Embiid did not disappoint, both putting up great performances. It was the unexpected play of SG Kevin Martin who stole the show on this night, putting up 29 points while shooting 13/18 from the field.
The Raptors have learned their lesson when it comes to betting with Pope.
Looking Ahead:
Going into the 2003 offseason, the Raptors are looking to improve on a number of depth positions but no major changes are planned for the core foundation of the team. Toronto feels the current makeup of the roster is capable of competing for a championship, especially with the overall youth on the team and great potential for the core to grow, specifically JR Smith, Michael Redd and Ben Gordon all of which have 80+ potential.
The back up SG and SF positions is a focus area for the Raptors and the plan is to address that during the free agency period. Jordan Adams and Rafael Addison held these positions last year and showed they are just not the caliber of players needed to play this position on a team trying to compete.
There are also a number of key players expiring this offseason, main focus will be on maintaining Kenyon Martin and Tyler Ennis while players like Jarnell Stokes and Ricky Minard may be on the chopping block. The Raptors would like to have all four of these players return but it will be dependent on the asking price.
2nd Team Article