November 14, 2005

RELAX RAPTOR FANS—A SLOW START WAS INEVITABLE

      If you happened to be browsing through my site in the recent past, or are doing so as we speak, you have noticed the optimistic headline beaming from the right side of the page.  Or, if you happened to have read the article at some previous juncture, on one of my linking sites, you are probably snickering to yourself and are ready to dismiss any and all of my future opinions.  After all, how can I see a ray of sunshine when it appears to simply be the beginning of an utterly bleak Raptor season?  I know…I know…I must be filling my head with the same poor air that is filling the balls down at Raptor-land.

       However, if you scroll down through the article you will notice that I did state that the club would struggle through at least the opening month of the season.  For that, you must agree, I was bang on.  Most pre-season prognosticators had the Raptors as a solid last place club in the NBA.  Are they the worst team in the NBA?  So far, you betcha.  It’s actually not even close.  Atlanta is likely the only team that could possibly be talked about with the same ghastly descriptions.   The Raptors are struggling to find cohesion—on offense and on defense.  Do I think they will find it?  Somewhat.  Not enough to contend for a playoff spot, but enough to be competitive in most games.

       I could dwell on the negatives…like poor defensive rotation, horrible perimeter defense, too many cheesy fouls made by defenders that are beaten to a spot on the floor by their man, too many poor perimeter shots on offense, not boxing out under the basket, the poor communication among teammates, and the lack of a creative defensive strategy by the coaching staff.  Sure I could dwell on these facts, but I’m a glass half full type of person and I’d rather point out the positives…like the solid play of the rookies, the quick integration of a still very young Chris Bosh as the team leader, and the, albeit slow, maturation of a young head coach in Sam Mitchell. 

       Surprisingly, it hasn’t been the young players that have been the fulcrum for the losses.  Morris Peterson came out and criticized the team and his role after scoring precisely zero points in a game against Utah.  Jalen Rose…well, has anybody seen Jalen Rose?  These two were supposed to be the leaders, being the most experienced players in the regular rotation, but they haven’t helped the team one little bit.  I think Jalen is just biding his time until his inevitable trade to the Knicks is culminated.  But, with Larry Brown in New York it may be much more difficult to convince dopey Isiah Thomas to take on a bad contract. 

       So, relax Raptor fans.  This is a process.  There are enough good young players on this club—who isn’t absolutely thrilled with Jose Calderon?—and with another couple of first rounders scheduled to arrive next season you must believe that there is an upside.  It won’t happen soon—the club probably won’t win a road game until the new year—and it likely will take until the all-star break before the club can find its groove.  And even when they do this club will still lose two out of every three games. 

       That’s why I called it a season of development.  Be patient.  Look for the signs.  See if Bosh and Villenueva start anticipating each other’s moves.  Watch Calderon slowly take charge of the team on the floor and push Mike James to shooting guard.  Closely observe Joey Graham to see if he is learning how to guard the other team’s better players.  I see Graham as a Tayshaun Prince type player—a defensive stopper who will slowly grow into his offensive game.  Look for passion, for pride, for a continuous work ethic…and if you begin to see these things take place then you can smile even as the losses mount, for you will know that it will soon turn the other way.  Now if only they can find a center.