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May 26, 2003
COMPLETING THE GRADES OF A VERY POOR RAPTOR SEASON Last week I began the grading process for the individual Raptors after the horribly disappointing 2002-03 season. A year that began with much promise soon degenerated into a quagmire of injuries, poor play, and indecisiveness, and the team fell all the way to the bottom of the NBA pack. Much is expected of the team next year, as this is not a roster that should park themselves for very long in the NBA’s cellar. Here are the grades for the remainder of the players: Antonio Davis did not have a typical A.D. season. He seemed to be lost in the mess that was the Raptor season and though he tried he could not lead the team through the jungle. Injuries were a part of his season, the way they were for every Raptor, but Davis never seemed to be able to focus this year. From run-ins with the media to rumours of his imminent departure Davis was always on the cusp of losing his composure. It is a testament to his strong will and his perspective that he never allowed the difficult season to break him. As the acknowledged leader and senior citizen of the team if he had cracked then the rest of the team would have drifted away from the game, and the togetherness the team showed that kept them in most games would have disappeared. For the team to rebound next season Davis will need to rededicate himself and return to being a dominate inside presence on defense. He needs to be more than just a decent player to earn his substantial salary. C- Alvin Williams has become the poster child for professional basketball in this city. He is constantly overworked, which leads to many nagging injuries, but Alvin would rather take an elbow to the jaw than sit out a game. His work ethic is second to none and as long as he remains relatively healthy he will be a leader on this team simply from his style of play. Never one to complain the trials and tribulations of the season could be seen on Alvin’s face each game as another loss was at hand. His play has improved each season and if he is given some assistance in the backcourt he could return to being a shutdown perimeter defender as well as being a consistent force on offence. A- Voshon Lenard was a godsend for the team early in the season. With Carter and Davis out Lenard took it upon himself to replace the missing offence and he was the leading Raptor scorer on a nightly basis. He is a smart veteran who found ways to open the floor up for himself and his teammates. The deficiencies in his game became more notable as the season progressed. Lenard believed that he needed to score each time he handled the ball and he would often take on several defenders and put up difficult shots in crucial times. His defense has fallen drastically over the years; he is not quick enough to keep up with most shooting guards in the league. Lenard is still a useful player and would certainly be helpful on the Raptors’ roster but after a year in which he averaged double figures in scoring he will likely want more money that the Raptors will think he is worth. B- Rafer Alston burst onto the Toronto scene like a whirlwind, shooting and passing and defending far beyond any scouting report had conveyed. As the season progressed his mediocre shooting skills became more apparent, but his skills as a passer and a ball handler were assets to a club that has been unable to replace the Chris Childs of two seasons ago as a back-up point guard. Alston’s defense was average, but there does seem to be an upside to his game. Regular playing time improved his confidence and allowed him the opportunity to prove that he was an NBA point guard. He could be back as a 10-18 minute per game back up if the Raptors do not find another option. C+ Lindsay Hunter was exactly as advertised—an out of control ball handler and scorer. Hunter has always been out of position as a point guard but he is not a good enough shooter to be a two guard. Hunter accumulated a myriad of injuries early I the year and soon was persona-non-grata on the floor. Hunter’s big moment as a Raptor was his deep three ball at the buzzer that tied a game in Milwaukee that the Raptors won in overtime—one of the few highlights from the season. Hunter’s game does not fit in with his teammates, but he is under contract for one more year. If at all possible the Raptors will attempt to package Hunter off in a deal. D- Chris Jefferies never looked comfortable in an NBA uniform. He always looked as if he was out of place and was waiting for someone to tell he where to go and what to do. He showed some skills as a shooter and as a defender, but seemingly his claim to fame will be as a bench player who can come in and shut down an opposing player. It is possible that the knee operation he had before last season’s draft affected him all year, but there were reports that the reason he did not play much was his lack of intensity and a work ethic in practice. He’ll never see much court time if that does not improve. D- Eric Montross was counted on to be the team’s starting center, but the foot injury he suffered at the end of the previous year never healed and he spent the entire year in a suit on the bench. There is some concern that he may never play again. If he does overcome his foot problems Montross is a reliable inside presence that can play some quality minutes. Incomplete Jelani McCoy will never be much more than he was last year—an occasional performer who can provide the team some points and some rebounds, but being a below average defender he will always find himself in foul trouble. He could be back if the Raptors can’t find anybody else. D+ There you have it. Fourteen players and one general manager, and only Alvin Williams scored anything as high as an A. Most of the players, as well as GM Grunwald scored either a C or a D, and the team as a whole would have to be given a D+. This past year was one of frustration and of boredom. We can only hope that this was an isolated season and that the energy and the enthusiasm comes back and the Raptors return to being a competitive playoff club next year.
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