So the Raptors are 7-0 in the preseason. Here's seven reasons why this means something (and thanks to petroleum-product based colleague Doug Smith for a couple of these):
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| David Cooper/Toronto Star |
| "Il più definitivamente." |
Since the draft lottery, Bryan Colangelo hasn't lost. Except for John Salmons.
They're going to finish October ahead of the Leafs in W's.
Morris Peterson has learned to say "most definitely" in four new languages.
It'll be a hell of a lot easier to sell tickets next October with that Maccabi monkey off their back.
Eight more wardrobe changes for Sam Mitchell.
They went 3-5 last year, and look what happened in November.
Raptors Hardwood Classics needs something to show other than Game 7 against Philly.
And here's seven reasons why it doesn't:
Zach Randolph is leading the league in scoring (Troy Murphy is top rebounder).
It's the preseason.
It's the preseason.
It's the preseason.
It's the preseason.
It's the preseason.
It's the preseason.
the salmons thing was not a loss for Colangelo. It's a blessing in disguise. The raps came out a winner with his replacement - fred jones - a lot better baller and more suited to the new style of play !
Posted by: coach | October 26, 2006 at 01:24 PM
I was at the Boston game last night, all i managed to see was that the bench is very deep, lots of options, but this high pace offence promised wasn't there, there was no inside game, and a few too many missed defence assignments...Teams looks better then last year, and that is a plus, but playoffs i think its a year away!
Posted by: IZZO | October 26, 2006 at 04:14 PM
ITS ONLY THE PRE-SEASON. NO NEED TO CELEBRATE.
Posted by: Dave | October 26, 2006 at 07:56 PM
Re the Raptors "high pace offence"
TJ Ford is the KEY-he needs time to fit in with his new team-mates and learn their abilities (has only had 5 games)-did not play the last 2 games. Calderon is a different type of PG-team was running only in spurts, and missed a lot of lay-ups
Posted by: Johnn19 | October 26, 2006 at 08:12 PM
Even if it is only preseason 7 wins in a row is 7 wins in a row. A very important achievement for a team with 9 new players from 5 different countries learning to play together(with their best player, Bosh only playing 3 games)
Posted by: Johnn19 | October 26, 2006 at 08:23 PM
The 7-0 record means nothing!! We've played 4 games in which the opposing team was coming off a back 2 back. Plus we've played Maccabi. That equals 5 not so earned wins.
Posted by: Mike Miller | October 27, 2006 at 02:37 AM
The biggest thing about the 7 wins is that they've looked GOOD doing it! they had a plan from game 1, and have executed it as well as could be expected. They will fall behind early in many games this year, but that bench (The Toolbox, if you will!) will play them back in to every game.
Posted by: Niall | October 27, 2006 at 07:47 AM
My biggest concern for the Raptors is that in their zest to get up quick shots, their inside game will greatly suffer. It works now because you get lots of practice time between exhibition games, but once the season starts and practice becomes harder to fit in, you have to go inside to score high percentage shots. This especially becomes true on the road. They made great strides last year establishing an inside game, let's hope they don't abandon that philosophy completely this year.
Posted by: tony | October 27, 2006 at 09:05 AM
the raps will go 8-0 in the pre-season. i heard they would for 82-0 in the regular season !
Posted by: nike | October 27, 2006 at 06:57 PM
our inside game won't suffer much, fred jones can get to the basket at will, and bosh and peterson can also create in the paint.
Posted by: Marius | October 28, 2006 at 10:14 PM