1. Run and gun offense: Where are you?

Where's the run and gun offense? That's what I'd like to know. TJ
Ford, every time he started a fast break, he would turn the ball over.
Every time any other player started a fast break, it ended in a 3-pt
attempt or a fadeaway jumper. DRIVE!!

2. Garbajosa is the real deal.

If you saw the game, you know exactly what I mean. He's a smart
player, he defends well, challenges every shot, he's good on rotations,
matchups and can shoot. He's like an older (slower) but tougher (and
bigger) version of Manu Ginobili.

3. TJ Ford has mad hops.

He easily looks like the shortest guy on the court, but I'm totally
amazed by his leaping ability.

4. Anthony "MVP" Parker

If Joey Graham stopped progressing at this point in his career, and
remained in the league for another 5-6 years, he would be a clone of
what Anthony Parker is today. He just doesn't seem all that good to
me. Is it me or does Parker seem very gun shy and unsure of himself?
He hesitated on almost every shot, very reminiscent of Joey Graham.
Defensively.. okay, I'll give him that but personally I still think
MoPete is better. No one takes a charge better than Peterson.

5. Bargnani takes too many 3s.

This is the only complaint I have about him at this point. Even if he
had hit all 5 of them, I would still be saying this. In fact the
entire team takes too many 3s, but Bargnani personally should cut down
on them. We know he can hit them. But what we want to see is him
banging down low. Develop that game first, then show us your range
after. That'll make him a more complete player.

6. Mitchell needs to look at matchups more carefully.

I honestly think that when playing teams with 6'7"+ guards who are the
best players on their teams, we cannot have Ford and Jones playing at
the same time. Yes they can run circles around the team when they're
not turning the ball over, but then they can't defend for shite. The
height disadvantage really shines through in those situations. Jones
should play with Calderon. Peterson and/or Parker must be on the floor
whenever Ford is playing.

7. Chris Bosh can shoot the 3?

Adding this facet to his game makes him all the more impressive and
dangerous. No one wants to see him spot up for too many of these, but
if he can hit them on the odd occasion that he's wide open, holy crap
he is unstoppable.

8. Opening video

Unless they're waiting til the season starts to unveil a new video,
they have gone totally old school with the Raptor flying around with a
jetpack. I don't mind this though, it bring us back to our roots and
makes us forget the past 3 years, and that's a good thing.

Sure a great player. Complete, very clever and smart.
You'll fall in love with his "slow motion".

Garba, we miss you.... ;-)


Did he improve his muscles? Can he play as Center in your opinion?
Also in Italy we sid "too many 3s", but usually he hits them ;-)

Bye, Skuer

In alt.sports.basketball.nba.tor-raptors on Thu, 12 Oct 2006 17:33:31 +0200
Skuer wrote:



So did Villanueva. It was obviously part of the offensive scheme to have him
shoot over smaller guys from behind the arc, and it doesn't look like this
is going to change. I like it. Remember that a 30% 3-pt average is still
better than shooting 40% on long 2s.


The guy who played the most minutes at center last year is 6'11 (13" of
which is neck) and looks like he weighs 220 pounds. Bargnani is already
bigger and stronger than Bosh. But neither of these guys will need to play
much center (hopefully) with Rasho here.


I watched him in summer league games, and he usually got the ball on the
wing or high post in a pick and roll situation, where the team cleared out
for him and let him go one on one. I got the feeling they were trying to see
how well he could handle the ball. I was surprised at how good he was,
although he turned the ball over a lot. I can us using him the same way we
used Villanueva: oversized 3, shooting a lot from behind the arc, driving
into the paint on occasion. I'd like to see more of his post game. The 3s he
took were mostly spot up 3s, in rhythm, but he didn't look really good
shooting them. This is an area, traditionally, that players can make huge
improvements.