Jonas Valanciunas in T.O means Raptors 2012 season almost here .

[Dawgger]

A win streak may help with dressing room chemistry . A present roster who has all bodies giving it their all means no finger pointing .

Or it may really make it ugly. A lot will depend what they do when Bargnani and Lowry are healthy. Fields is back in the line up but has yet to play. If they do that or something similar when/if the other 2 return it should be interesting. I hope neither one starts unless they earn it by performing when they are sent out off the bench!
As long as they continue to perform with Calderon as the starter I think he continurs to start and Davis has earned his start position as well. That 3 spot is still up fgor grabs IMHO.

 

[mightymouse007]

I hate to say it. I think this team runs alot better with calderon coordinating the pg spot.

 

[JamesDouglas]

4 wins in a row and Calderon already has 2 triple doubles this season. I hate to say it too, but Calderon is a true leader and with him as our starting point guard, we might just sneak into the 8th spot in the East. The same thing has happened many times over the past 6 years. First he was competing with TJ Ford for minutes, TJ became starter, then got injured, Calderon comes in during his injury and starts winning them games, TJ gets shipped out. Same thing happened with Jarret Jack, and the same thing is about to happen with Lowry.

As for Bargnani, he's a poison to the team, Casey should not let this guy suit up another game, he should be traded immediately, or benched upon his return. If he is allowed to come back, and if he starts, it's over the Raps, they're going to start losing again and again and again, we need Ed Davis to start, dump Bargnani already.

Lowry can stay, but only if he comes off the bench with reduced minutes. For whatever reason, Calderon is never good coming off the bench, he needs to start and be our leader, and he should be playing significantly more minutes than Lowry. Another option is to ship Lowry out of here, we don't need another PG, Lucas is okay being the backup to Calderon, we should focus on getting some bigger bodies to help Davis and Valanciunas out.

 

[jazzpig]

I hate to say it. I think this team runs alot better with calderon coordinating the pg spot.

I agree but he seems to respond better when he's fighting for the starting spot.

 

[dcpine]

as for bargnani he is a forward not a center and not even a power forward . they have to figure it out what to do with him . i like he's shooting capability

 

[jazzpig]

as for bargnani he is a forward not a center and not even a power forward . they have to figure it out what to do with him . i like he's shooting capability

I agree. Just let him focus on what he's good at, they have other pieces around him now.
He does have to ratchet up his defence though, the Raptors look amazing defensively with the current lineup.
The team grows balls when they play tough on D.

 

[Powershot]

as for bargnani he is a forward not a center and not even a power forward . they have to figure it out what to do with him . i like he's shooting capability

But he cannot defend anyone who is not a power forward or center, and he is average (being kind) 3 pt shooter compared to others who shoot it often.

 

[Dawgger]

Bargnani could hang around the 3 point line and bomb away if he was a consistent lights out shooter.He's not!He has to get his ass under the basket guard and rebound, he's a friggin 7 footer, and if he's under the basket he will get rebounds whether he wants them or not. He is going to have to get tougher and stonger play with some intensity. We saw last year he can when and if he wants!
IMHO the best thing to do is trade him, I believe this team is better without him. He will go somewhere else and they will find a way to feature him and he will be a decent player. As a Raptor, he will have to have an attitude adjustment in order to be effective.

 

[JamesDouglas]

It's funny how nobody likes Bargnani. Does Bargnani have a single fan in Toronto besides Colangelo?

 

[Dawgger]

It's funny how nobody likes Bargnani. Does Bargnani have a single fan in Toronto besides Colangelo?

Bargnani is his own worst enemy. He can play inside when he wants but he rarely wants to. If he put forth the effort and showed(just a little) emotion, it would not take long and he would be a fan favorite. He has to rebound, pass, play defense, run the floor and show he gives a shit. At the moment he is an inconsistent outside shooter and little else. There is a ton of talent there, someone just needs to find a way to bring it out and keep it out.

 

[JamesDouglas]

Bargnani is his own worst enemy. He can play inside when he wants but he rarely wants to. If he put forth the effort and showed(just a little) emotion, it would not take long and he would be a fan favorite. He has to rebound, pass, play defense, run the floor and show he gives a shit. At the moment he is an inconsistent outside shooter and little else. There is a ton of talent there, someone just needs to find a way to bring it out and keep it out.

I remember when Colangelo drafted Bargnani back in 2006, trying to sell everyone on the fact that he's an athletic 3 point shooting 7 footer that can play inside and out, and was the next Dirk Nowitzki. A few people drank the Colangelo kool-aid, but after 6 long years not a single person is buying it. Bargnani is no Dirk Nowitzki, and it's blasphemous to even put Bargani in the same sentence as Dirk.

Dirk is a future hall of famer, the greatest European player in NBA history, and one of the top 20 players overall in NBA history. Meanwhile, Bargnani hasn't even made a single all-star game appearance and likely won't for the rest of his career.

 

[Dawgger]

I remember when Colangelo drafted Bargnani back in 2006, trying to sell everyone on the fact that he's an athletic 3 point shooting 7 footer that can play inside and out, and was the next Dirk Nowitzki. A few people drank the Colangelo kool-aid, but after 6 long years not a single person is buying it. Bargnani is no Dirk Nowitzki, and it's blasphemous to even put Bargani in the same sentence as Dirk.

Dirk is a future hall of famer, the greatest European player in NBA history, and one of the top 20 players overall in NBA history. Meanwhile, Bargnani hasn't even made a single all-star game appearance and likely won't for the rest of his career.

Unfortunately, you are right on. I still say there is a mountain of untapped talent in Bargnani, but there just doesn't seem to be enough dynamite to blast it out.

 

[Bargnani_]

I remember when Colangelo drafted Bargnani back in 2006, trying to sell everyone on the fact that he's an athletic 3 point shooting 7 footer that can play inside and out, and was the next Dirk Nowitzki. A few people drank the Colangelo kool-aid, but after 6 long years not a single person is buying it. Bargnani is no Dirk Nowitzki, and it's blasphemous to even put Bargani in the same sentence as Dirk.

Dirk is a future hall of famer, the greatest European player in NBA history, and one of the top 20 players overall in NBA history. Meanwhile, Bargnani hasn't even made a single all-star game appearance and likely won't for the rest of his career.

Don't blame Colengelo on the drafting of Bargs . Blame Bargnani . Dirk became Dirk by his work ethic . Bargs has became Bargnani by having no work ethic .

 

[ZeroSumPlus]

4 wins in a row and Calderon already has 2 triple doubles this season. I hate to say it too, but Calderon is a true leader and with him as our starting point guard, we might just sneak into the 8th spot in the East.

I realize the goal of the Colangelo Era is to "sneak into 8th spot"...
But this accomplishes what exactly?

 

[teassoc]

I realize the goal of the Colangelo Era is to "sneak into 8th spot"...
But this accomplishes what exactly?

Right now that would be a minor miracle. Something for the fans.

 

[Dawgger]

5 game winning streak Spurs in S A next

 

[jazzpig]

I realize the goal of the Colangelo Era is to "sneak into 8th spot"...
But this accomplishes what exactly?

What do you want the team to do?
Lay down and die, not score points, not play hard on defence?
This is probably the only city in the NBA where a team wins 4 or 5 in a row and fans get pissy.
It's not like there's 6 games left in the season and we're playing our way out of a top lottery pick.

 

[catherinetog]

5 game winning streak Spurs in S A next

That's a tough one! Stay focus on defense!!! Offense rebound! Mission possible.

 

[frankcastle]

This streak is just proving that the Raps are a bottom tier team that can win a few games..... but I think 8th spot is still too far away.

If they get the 8th spot it will invovle the current contenders for 8th spot to implode due to injuries and what not.

Bargs needs to be trades while there is some value in his stock. He could be that third or fourth piece to the puzzle. We are still trying to use him like he's the first piece of the puzzle.

Calderon.... I feel bad for the guy he's had to fight for his spot numerous times. He's a decent PG who has had to prove himself against unproven PGs. That has to be frustrating. I mean Lowry had good buzz and I'm not saying get rid of him but seems to me the Raps are more effective with JC as the starter.

Hats off to Jose for staying classy. He's had to put up with a lot of shit. Most players are clearly defined as starters or reserve. JC keeps flip flopping rahter than being given the chance that he deserves.

 

[frankcastle]

To me Bargs is closer to Pietrus than he is Dirk in terms of expectations and role.responsibilty on the team.

Bargs is far away enough from being a rookie that we need to admit that what we see now is what we get. There's not much more to squeeze out of him.