So the schedule is out, and at first glance it looks like we will know what this team is made of Come November 1st in Milwaukee. IMHO, the Raptors should go 9-5, which will go a long way to setting a tone for the rest of the season, and maybe get them 50 wins. As we all know, the last couple seasons, the Raptors haven’t been so quick out of the gate, and that has cost them. Continue Reading

There was a lot of discussion around my predictions for the eastern and western conference seedings for the 2008-2009 season. Continue Reading

I know, its still early to preview the East, since many free agents still remain unsigned and there is still talk of some teams looking to make some major moves (ie/ McGrady to Detroit etc).  However, with the start of summer league action underway, all of the major unrestricted free agents signed, and the Raps all capped-out, its time to look forward to the fall - to get a sense of where this team fits (as it is constructed right now). Continue Reading

Quickly- by a show of hands, how many Raptors fans thought that if they drew Detroit in the first round this year that they stood a chance of winning that series (put your hand down Chuck Swirsky- you’d think that they could beat God and Ditka in tennis match, and Chuck Norris in just about anything). The truth is…even the most staunch Raps fan must concede, that beating Orlando seemed really possible this year, as did Jersey last season…but Detroit…fuggeddaboutit. Continue Reading

24 hours after losing to the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Toronto Raptors (5-6) will do battle at home against the struggling Chicago Bulls (2-8). The Raptors beat the Bulls earlier this season in a blow out 101-71. Carlos Delfino led the Raptors with 16 points and 7 rebounds. Andres Nocioni led the Bulls with 20 points and 5 rebounds. Continue Reading

I want to start by apologizing to the 12 or so people who read my blog for being so quiet this off-season. Aside from the rumors and the trades, nothing interests me about it. With little on the line, pre-season game’s lack focus and intensity, and really, I can’t stomach watching Graham, Baston and Moon playing 20+ minutes of WNBA caliber basketball. I am too emotionally invested in this team to watch half ass ball…my nerves are strictly reserved for regular season/playoffs. Continue Reading

With their win over Philadelphia combined with New Jersey’s loss to Chicago, the Raps clinch their first ever Atlantic Division crown. Now the Raptors focus will be on holding off the Miami Heat and clinching 3rd overall in the Eastern Conference.

If the Raps are able to clinch 3rd, they could meet the Washington Wizards, New Jersey Nets, Orlando Magic or Indiana Pacers. The Wizards are injury ridden and hold a 4 game lead on the Nets for 6th, but with seven games remaining including a home and home series with the

Nets, it will be tough for them to hold 6th place. The Magic aren’t deep at all and they would need Dwight Howard to put up monster numbers if they wanted to make any noise in the playoffs. The Pacers don’t really have an identity right now, but they do have a talented squad and I wouldn’t want them to come alive in the first round.

I feel confident that the Raptors would do well against any of those team in a playoff series. They have a deeper bench, better team basketball and a building that has proved to be a tough place to play. GO RAPS GO

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