Changing styles between Calderon and Ford was successful; why do you think Calderon / Jack wont work?

Honestly, even if he does fit into an end of game role, I think that’s almost the only time he’ll spend at the 2. Maybe five more minutes earlier in the game, but that’s it. No way the coaches should play Jose over 32 minutes a game, which sets up Jack for 16 + 5 end of game + 5 elsewhere = 26 minutes. Plenty for an NBA backup. Especially whent he 2 spot is stacked the way it is.

Seems like you guys are getting geared up for the season!

Agree with most of your points, and I think with the consideration that Kapono played a significant chunk of minutes last year, that defensively (and offensively) the wing spot has improved significantly.

The same thing happens in music, where pianist who mostly play solo, get into an orchestral group and love it .. because of the team ‘play’.

Once played in a bball game against a team composed of CFL players, guys from the US and they were decent at the game … and tough … another example of cross-athletics.

So when I read all the statistics being thrown around about players and the t.h. speculation and delusion, I laugh … obvious non-players masturbating about bball.

My comment – as Hedo goes so goe the season. Defensively, offensively, everything… Bargnani and Double D bring upside but our downside risk is 65% hedo, 20% bosh and 15% jose.

Your punishment is to compose at least a decent 3 paragraph explanation of why you think the Raptors will NOT make the playoffs this season. Now get to work and start assembling your thoughts and share your opinions with the forum .. if you aren’t {{{chicken}}} ….!!!!!

Jose get’s hobbled when he plays too many minutes .. and Jack will have to back him up with significant minutes.

The problem is this … they have different PG styles and mentalities, and the rest of the team must continually adjust, which is an opportunity for the opposition to take advantage of the Raptors as they alter their play.

This was very apparent between the different styles of Jose and TJ … the re-gearing of the team was palpable, and they floundered..!!!

A big challenge for Triano and the coaching staff will be to create a seamless as possible change when the PGs are changed. If the other players cannot adjust quickly, the Raptors will be vulnerable.

Other positions can be subbed easily, but not with the PG position .. and that’s why I believe the PG position may well be a big problem for the Raptors considering that Bosh and Bargs are slow to adjust their play. It’s tough for big men to adjust … believe it.

Also regarding minutes, Jose played 34 a game last year with a bum hammy. I understand that the lack of even a mediocre backup had a lot to do with that, but shouldn’t a healthy Jose, who was in consideration for the All-Star game just two years ago, be able to handle 33 minutes a night and still be ok for the postseason? He’s not an old man by any stretch.

I think most of my thoughts have been touched on by the posts above. I hear the Kokuc comparison but Toni was much longer and we don’t have Scottie and MJ playing the passing lanes to make those deflections turn into dunks.

Shooting Guard is the weak spot. Marco is all offense, Wright is all defense and will have to play minutes at the 3 behind Hedo. the X Factor for this season is on Derozan as he is the only player on the roster that has the potential to play both ends at a starting level. He is going to get 20 minutes almost regardless due to our lack of a definitive starter. However, he’s just a 20 year rookie. I think he’s a much better shooter than he showed last year but he looks very deliberate and doesn’t seem to be able to improvise when he has the ball. The pull up jumper or drive with a spin back middle is all he seems to have at this point and you can see them coming a mile away. I think he could be very effective some games and not others which none of us need a crystal ball to predict. Think Jamario although I think he is smarter and in time won’t miss rotations etc. like Jackie Moon.

This is why I think Jack should and will play 15-20 minutes per night at the 2. I completely agree that the majority of STARTING shooting guards are too big for him to handle. But Eric Gordon, Ben Gordon, Jason Terry (should start this year), C. Lee, Barbosa, West, Foye or any of the guys in Golden State he would be effective against. Once you get to the guys in the 6′ 5″ range althought I think its silly to put a number on it he becomes to easy to shoot over as he isn’t long or a leaper. For instance a 6′ 4″ Mayo would just shot at will over him. Pretty much any back up 2 is also fair game so if Triano can find those minutes in the game where Calderon comes in after a few minute breather and he can slide Jack to the 2 (most likely end of the 2nd and 4th quarters) he can help us out big time.

We are really thin at the Small Forward position as well. Behind Turk we have Wright and thats really it. I think we might be some big line ups this year when Turk is on the bench hoefully DeRozan can slide to the 3 if you have Evans and Bosh or Rasho on the floor. But thats a sketchy plan. If Turk goes down we are in trouble.

We are reallt goin gto miss Parker more than people think. Its not as bad a the point guard point last year but we will need someone to step up at the 2-3 spot for us to be successful and it looks like the Rook is the key which is exciting because we have no reason to think he isn’t capable with his physical gifts but scarey comsidering he didn’t really stand out in College with the exemption of a great conference tourny which shouldn’t be over looked.

I think the major upgrade is that at now we have multiple guys who on a given night can have a big game. We know Bosh, Bargnani, Turk and Calderon will give you consitant production and now Jack can provide a bench player who can be more than a stop gap but a real difference maker. I really think DeRozan will have 10-15 nights where he looks like a star. The coaching staff has to figure out a way to balance the rotation to make sure the team doesn’t have the droughts it did last year. We out played the other team in many games last year for the majority of the time but a 17-5 run would always sink the ship. Lets hope Triano, Ivoroni and company are up for the callenge as they to are new working together.

The one thing that stands out in all-round bballers is their complete game .. on offense and defense. There are so many players who can’t think without the ball in their hands .. they just vanish .. like TJ who I carefully watched when he wasn’t holding the ball … a total loss.

Hopefully, Hedo will be our Garbajosa++ replacement … and Demar … does he have enough NBA bball IQ …????