Lowry to Toronto - Contest involved

[armyatc22]

This now gives you a reason to visit Canada and find a female to lick maple syrup off your Canadian bacon

[pastmyshades]

Originally Posted by armyatc22

This now gives you a reason to visit Canada and find a female to lick maple syrup off your Canadian bacon

I don't have to go to Canada for that

-James

[tupark82]

Originally Posted by pastmyshades

Lol you guys are funny. We might have a few winners...

I hear a lot of "toronto has a good team" but I just don't see it. Then again I don't watch too many Raptors games. I do see there is reason to be optimistic, I just don't feel a playoff-bound season is imminent.

The starting five has two rookies in Ross and Jonas which is never a recipe for success. Derozan is a good player. Bargnani can space the floor and shoot but is the softest 7 footer in the history of 7 footers. Bench looks decent but I just don't see how this team could possibly be any better then the Rockets team that couldn't reach the playoffs. They were both filled with role players except the Rockets role players were better then what Toronto is fielding.

Whats the coach like? What kind of offense do they run? How about their rotations? Are they sound or do they seem idiotic? Can they play defense at all?

Mostly important, do they play hard? If they don't, Lowry is going to be all over them. You won't find a more passionate player. Its all about winning ball games with Kyle.

-James

Not doing this for the contest, but hopefully this will help you out, James.

Raptors were actually one of the stingier defensive teams in the league last season (top 10 in points allowed), thanks to Dwane Casey (the guy behind the championship defense of the Mavericks), despite having to deal with a number of injuries in a shortened season. In comparison, the team was 5th worst in the league in points allowed the season before Casey arrived. Lowry is a great fit for a defensive-minded coach like him.

Bargnani being soft is more hype than reality, mostly because of the fact that his game is primarily on the outside. When healthy, he's actually quite a matchup nightmare and can be lethal offensively. He's not the best defender in the world, but not the worst either. We don't really understand what their offense is under Casey, mostly because their most important offensive players were so injured last season. As a result, they were one of the worst offensive teams in the league.

They were very competitive for the most part last season, but simply could not close out games because their best option was often Demar Derozan, who regressed from his second season. If Lowry plays like he did last season, this could be a team to be reckoned with. Making the playoffs could be a challenge due to a suddenly stacked Atlantic Division, but the Raptors are not going to be a team to overlook next season. The key is the health of their main players. If Lowry or Bargnani misses extended period of time, they are doomed.

You'll have to watch them next season to find out more.

[puregreen5]

Terrence Ross is better then DeRozan. Random

[PackAttack419]

i wish he went to the mavs instead!

[GoJays]

To make you optimistic, Toronto is a large market with a good amount of passionate collectors who will overpay for what they want. We do it with hockey (see Toronto Maple Leafs) and if the Raptors become a solid club they will overpay for Raptor cards. And if Lowry is the star of the team (which it appears he will be) fans will pay a serious premium for their golden boy.

And besides, I highly doubt he'll be a Rap forever. Who knows, he might feud with management and demand a trade to, oh let's say Miami, where his cards will skyrocket and you'll make some serious DOUGH.

And btw, the answer to your skill testing question (because apparently we Canadians are mentally inferior!) is 8

[n1nesports]

Originally Posted by GoJays

And btw, the answer to your skill testing question (because apparently we Canadians are mentally inferior!) is 5.

3x5 is 15.

[GoJays]

Originally Posted by n1nesports

3x5 is 15.

Cant believe I put that! Read the question too fast I guess .

[Jin]

Advantages of playing for Toronto: more playing time and terrible teammates = better numbers. That's about it