Crossword

Assuming we re-sign Cook and Bonner, how do we match up with all the other teams in the Atlantic?

I personally think we can hang with the Knicks, and possibly Boston and Philly, and we could probably beat the Nets a couple times, too. That's only game-to-game matchups though.

Over the year, IMO we're gonna be last in the division, but in individual games I think we can hang with them. After all, this is the worst division in the league. Your opinions, both on individual and over the year standings in our division?

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Turkish Delight

Things don't look too good right now. I expect us to be last in our division, but not too far off everyone else.

By the way, I will soon be posting individual match ups versus other Atlantic Division teams.

speedythief

The Knicks are unpredictable. They could be good enough to make the playoffs or they could suck hard again. Odds are we're going to be last in the division.

Turkish Delight

Nets vs Raptors Individual Matchups



Starting Lineup
Kidd > Rafer
Carter > Peterson
RJ > Rose
Collins < Bosh
Krstic > Araujo

Rookies
Antoine Wright - Joey Graham
Mile Ilic(Europe) - Charlie V

Bench

Marc Jackson - Pape Sow
Jeff McInnis - Calderon
Clifford Robinson - Matt Bonner
Zoran Planinic - Eric Williams
Jacque Vaughn - Omar Cook



Looking at the starting lineups of both teams, individually, we are clearly outmatched in every position except at the 4.

However, with the additions of Charlie and Joey, we have a much better bench than the Nets IMO.

bigbabyjesus

I completely agree with Bud_Boy when he says that we will most likely be last in our division, but in one on one matchups we will hold our own.

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TRON

I think fan expectations are more in line with reality than in years past, not many overly optimistic this year..

The Raptors will still look bad against teams with strong post presences, but considering that none of our Atlantic division bretheren have upgraded that much in that area, I think think we can still hang with them, even though we are clearly the weakest link in the chain

Our rookies will have to seriously shine for us to even compete in the Atlantic, but overall I think games in our division will all be very close, no dominant teams and win-loss differential from the top team to the bottom one to be the closest in the league.

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"and they aware of us though,
but we don't give a flying 747 **** though,
stayin on my hustle" -Nas

"To be honest, sometimes in this game, telling the truth is the best smokescreen of all." - Raptors GM Bryan Collangelo

bobtastic!

I love how raps fans are actually realistic. On the realgm knicks board there was a whole thread on how the knicks are better than the phoenix suns b/c of their immense depth at the SG/SF position.

Talking about the raptors its really hard to be too optimistic right now. But i still think we match up rather well against Boston, philly and we might be able to steal a few from NJ (bosh seems to have bad games against them). As for the rest of the league, its hard to see us having a much better record than last year. I just hope bosh can take another losing year....

Krstic

New York has really only added a coach. A coach doesn't take the final shot and there team is a bunch of loosers.

Celtics have lost Walker and will have Jefferson who is young and unexperinced playing.

Philly may have a break down but I wouldn't think so.

SkywalkerAC

I think we're going to hang with a lot of teams but come out on the short end of the stick. We're going to be playing a very young lineup and I think even coach is going to be thinking development. We're not in the strongest division but it sure isn't weak either. I think we match up pretty well but we're a little short on experience as soon as you get past Jalen in the lineup. As our offense should be fine, it should all come down to defense, rebounding, and clutch play. I even think we match up well in those regards, I just can't be too optimistic at this point.

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AC

Crossword

That's exactly what I'm thinking, right there.

By the way, welcome to the Raps board, hope to see you contribute here more!

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speedythief

Losing sucks. I don't ever want to see Chris comfortable with losing. I just hope that he understands and can see the track that the team is on.

Turkish Delight

That's why it's important that this season we take a step into the right direction. 49 losses in each of the last two years, hopefully that number is a lot lower next season.

bigbabyjesus

I don't think that will be the case next season. That may be a good thing (in terms of getting a higher pick), it may be a bad thing.

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Divine Spammer

Yup
No one likes to be in a losing team.

I'll be pleased if the Raptors do very bad or very good (=41-41).
I hate it when the team doesn't lose enough or win enough.

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Arguments, agreements, advice, answers,
Articulate announcements
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CrimsonShadows

Last in the division by about 10 games and second last in the East, top three pick.

Honestly I think even the Hawks are better then us.

But do really like Mitchall, he has a way of getting our players to game hard. so maybe we'll suprise people and get 30 wins.... X(