I know, its still early to preview the East, since many free agents still remain unsigned and there is still talk of some teams looking to make some major moves (ie/ McGrady to Detroit etc).  However, with the start of summer league action underway, all of the major unrestricted free agents signed, and the Raps all capped-out, its time to look forward to the fall - to get a sense of where this team fits (as it is constructed right now). Continue Reading

As we sit back now and wait for the July 1st deadline to pass and bring with it the start of free agency and the next round of NBA transactions, there still appears to be several topics of concern on the minds of NBA fans and Raptors fans everywhere. Continue Reading

Given two deals on the table, which one would you pull the trigger on:

Scenario 1:
Send TJ to Charlotte for Gerald Wallace.

Scenario 2:
Send TJ, Rasho, Baston and a draft pick to Indiana for Jermaine O’Neal and a pick (worse then the one we sent them). Continue Reading

Eastern Conference contender? A move like this should instantly catapult them into contention…IF O’Neal stays healthy and recaptures his All-Star form from a couple seasons! Continue Reading

no really…TRADE BOSH NOW! Continue Reading

Quickly- by a show of hands, how many Raptors fans thought that if they drew Detroit in the first round this year that they stood a chance of winning that series (put your hand down Chuck Swirsky- you’d think that they could beat God and Ditka in tennis match, and Chuck Norris in just about anything). The truth is…even the most staunch Raps fan must concede, that beating Orlando seemed really possible this year, as did Jersey last season…but Detroit…fuggeddaboutit. Continue Reading

Just a quick note from our boys at The Hoop Doctors, word on the street is that the Raptors and Knicks are having preliminary talks about Jamal Crawford. One can only assume the main piece going back is TJ Ford (maybe Jose?). Stay tuned as they break the story.

Technorati Tags: Jamal Crawford, Jose Calderon, New York Knicks, TJ Ford, Trade Rumours

Those of you out there dreaming about some big name accusation for the Raps in the off season may want to think again for the simple reason that at the current moment, the Raps don’t have a lot of room under the salary cap. Every summer only 1-2 teams find themselves in a position to be significantly under the cap to take a run at the big name free agents. Last summer it was Orlando and Memphis, this summer it looks to be Philly and Memphis, and in 2009 it will be Toronto. Continue Reading

Now that the draft order is only days away from being established, and mock drafts are flying across the internet faster than a CP3 drive to the basket, lets breakdown some of the more common players linked to the raps at #17.

MSNBC: Nicolas Batum SF 6-8 210 France

ESPN: Chase Budinger SG 6-7 205 20 Arizona

Hoopshype: Alexis Ajinca 7-1 C Hyeres-Toulon (France) / 1988

Inside Hoops: Nicolas Batum (SF 6-8 212 France)

Real GM: Nicolas Batum (SF 6-8 212 France)

NBA draft: Russell Westbrook 6-4 187 PG UCLA

My NBA draft: Chris Douglas Roberts Memphis SG

Draft Express: Alexis Ajinca C 20 years old; 7′1″; 225 lbs.

SI Fannation: Chris Douglas Roberts Memphis SG

Hoops Addict: Hibbert 7′2 Center Georgetown

The truth is, no one knows what Colangelo is going to do? Will he draft for size, need, or best available? Will he draft a back up PG and deal half of Forderon, or a center and deal Rasho, package his pick to move up in the draft, or deal out of the draft all together?

However, assuming the Raptors were to keep the pick at 17 and that their roster was going to be exactly the same at the start of next season as it was after they got spanked by Orlando: then my money is on CDR!

Chris Douglas-Roberts comes from a top-flight program (Memphis) that had 2 final four appearances and won 90+ games over the last 3 years. Under Coach Caliperi, he was on a team that ran a high-octane offense, like Colangelo would like to see, he runs the floors, is an active rebounder from the guard position, has a high basketball IQ, and most importantly, he can score!

On a team like Toronto where Bosh is the go to guy and a PG like Calderon or Ford make it easy to get open looks, he could really flourish. He has played in the shadow of Derrick Rose and Tyrus Thomas, but is still acknowledged as one of the best flat out scorers at the college level over the last 3 seasons. In fact his numbers are pretty good when compared against teammate Rose who is likely to go #1 this year (Rose: 14.9 pts, 4.5 reb, 4.7assts). Here are his stats at Memphis:

SEASON MIN PTS REB AST
2005-2006 <22.6 <8.3 <3.3 <1.5-
2006-2007 <26.6 <15.4 <3.4 <1.7-
2007-2008 <28.7 <18.1 <4.1 <1.8–

Here is the ESPN scouting report on CDR:

CDR Scouting Report

And here is the You Tube proof:

The raps don’t need Magette or Richard Jefferson as many bloggers have them linked to making a deal for. CDR can bring the size, speed, athleticism, offensive flare, and ability to drive to the basket- that the raps so desperately need from the wings. He is 6-7, 200llbs, and could player the 2 or 3 in the pros (although probably best suited for the 2).

As always, Standing in the key, I’m the Dr., I’ve got my feet planted, and I’m planning on taking a charge.

Phdsteve.

Technorati Tags: Alexis Ajinca, Bryan Colangelo, Chase Budinger, Chris Douglas Roberts, Chris Paul, Corey Maggette, Derrick Rose, Jose Calderon, Nicolas Batum, Rasho Nesterovic, Richard Jefferson, Roy Hibbert, Russell Westbrook, TJ Ford, Tyrus Thomas

Dear Raptors Fans, its time for us to say we’re sorry and move on.

Rob, on behalf of the Raptors Nation, we’re sorry for getting you fired. Now before you get too excited, this is not a letter of forgiveness for drafting Arujio over Iggy, but it is a letter of admission that since that move, you did a lot of good that you never received credit for: i.e. you had the vision and foresight to sign Calderon, you drafted Charlie V, who when he decides to show up is a pretty nice player, and you unlike many other GM’s were able to recoup from a couple of early blunders. Continue Reading