Holy crap guys.

The reality is we do have 9 new players. Our main free agent was injured for parts of training camp. One of our key acquisitions is sitting on the bench (the guy that can rebound). Out of all the players we picked up only 2 can really play D. We have a “new” head coach, we have a tenured assistant and the former head coach of Memphis.

What did you guys really expect?

That we’d be 7-0 to start the season? That we would click and gel in a matter of a whole month?

Let’s be realistic and take more of an optimistic approach to the season. It really isn’t going that BAD. Bad would be an 0-7 start and Bosh or Bargnani had a season ending injury.

This team has 3-4 defenders and none of them are lock down guys and considering we picked up one guy that can really play “D” why are we surprised to see the same crap as last year?

To all the Bosh and Calderon haters, if Bosh wasn’t on the team to start the season we would be 0-7. Calderon is starting to play better he is never going to be amazing on defense but as far as an effective ball handler, sharp shooter and passer theres only a few ahead of him. Don’t forget there really aren’t a lot of amazing defensive point guards in the league either.

Trust me I hate excuses and I hate hearing the same old crap but I’m not going to bash this team and give up on them.

YET.

What are you smoking pal?!?

Raptors stink in Memphis (2 & 6 – who knows why?), Dallas and San Antonio (because they are great teams over the past decade and beat up on teams like the Raps)

Maybe it’s just in their heads that they aren’t supposed to win there? So they don’t bother trying on defense having already lost before they step on the court?

Not enough early season confidence?

Now Chicago is a team they should know can be beat!

In my view, Calderon is superior to two all-stars from last year, Jameer Nelson and Mo Williams. Both are bad defensive players. I’d also point out that with the rules being what they are, it is impossible to stop any point guard, and that’s how the league wants it.

Don’t forget that Calderon is out of shape and rusty right now.

Last night, Triano was asked after the game whether the defensive scheme was flawed. The question had barely been asked when Triano snapped “Oh, there’s nothing wrong with the scheme”. That struck me as an almost desperate protest. The way the Raps are currently playing, 3 or 4 guys get bunched together and the ball gets kicked out for an open shot. The rotations and switches are too complicated and these guys aren’t in good enough shape to make them happen.

I wonder if playing a simple zone or man defense with no switching or rotating or double-teaming wouldn’t result in better defense at this point. Stay with your man, or challenge any shot in your area, box out, allow the bad guys one shot. Simple.

also, for the future, a Calderon for Hinrich trade works straight up. Hinrich is a much better defender and a much worse offensive player than Calderon, so the deal might work for both teams.

If they don’t start taking pride in what they do, and take offense to the fact that they LOSE more than they should, they’ll never put in the effort to WIN.

Scott.

Turk, Bargnani, and Derozan don’t suck. The second unit doesn’t suck.

Calderon does. But we knew that years ago, didn’t we? He’s never played defense, his shot is streaky at best, and his inability to do basic PG duties (ie: pick n roll, pass to bosh, etc.) speaks for itself.