So, as promised, here is my revised order of how I see the west playing out this season based on off season moves made (or not made) to date. Continue Reading

You see, the problem with this years free agent crop is just that….everyone is…restricted.

A couple of days a go it looked like only Arenas would be the only real FA of any value, but then the crazy Elton Brand and Baron Davis opt outs happened and the result has been even more craziness. Continue Reading

As we sit back now and wait for the July 1st deadline to pass and bring with it the start of free agency and the next round of NBA transactions, there still appears to be several topics of concern on the minds of NBA fans and Raptors fans everywhere. 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

Those of you out there dreaming about some big name accusation for the Raps in the off season may want to think again for the simple reason that at the current moment, the Raps don’t have a lot of room under the salary cap. Every summer only 1-2 teams find themselves in a position to be significantly under the cap to take a run at the big name free agents. Last summer it was Orlando and Memphis, this summer it looks to be Philly and Memphis, and in 2009 it will be Toronto. Continue Reading

Now that the draft order is only days away from being established, and mock drafts are flying across the internet faster than a CP3 drive to the basket, lets breakdown some of the more common players linked to the raps at #17.

MSNBC: Nicolas Batum SF 6-8 210 France

ESPN: Chase Budinger SG 6-7 205 20 Arizona

Hoopshype: Alexis Ajinca 7-1 C Hyeres-Toulon (France) / 1988

Inside Hoops: Nicolas Batum (SF 6-8 212 France)

Real GM: Nicolas Batum (SF 6-8 212 France)

NBA draft: Russell Westbrook 6-4 187 PG UCLA

My NBA draft: Chris Douglas Roberts Memphis SG

Draft Express: Alexis Ajinca C 20 years old; 7′1″; 225 lbs.

SI Fannation: Chris Douglas Roberts Memphis SG

Hoops Addict: Hibbert 7′2 Center Georgetown

The truth is, no one knows what Colangelo is going to do? Will he draft for size, need, or best available? Will he draft a back up PG and deal half of Forderon, or a center and deal Rasho, package his pick to move up in the draft, or deal out of the draft all together?

However, assuming the Raptors were to keep the pick at 17 and that their roster was going to be exactly the same at the start of next season as it was after they got spanked by Orlando: then my money is on CDR!

Chris Douglas-Roberts comes from a top-flight program (Memphis) that had 2 final four appearances and won 90+ games over the last 3 years. Under Coach Caliperi, he was on a team that ran a high-octane offense, like Colangelo would like to see, he runs the floors, is an active rebounder from the guard position, has a high basketball IQ, and most importantly, he can score!

On a team like Toronto where Bosh is the go to guy and a PG like Calderon or Ford make it easy to get open looks, he could really flourish. He has played in the shadow of Derrick Rose and Tyrus Thomas, but is still acknowledged as one of the best flat out scorers at the college level over the last 3 seasons. In fact his numbers are pretty good when compared against teammate Rose who is likely to go #1 this year (Rose: 14.9 pts, 4.5 reb, 4.7assts). Here are his stats at Memphis:

SEASON MIN PTS REB AST
2005-2006 <22.6 <8.3 <3.3 <1.5-
2006-2007 <26.6 <15.4 <3.4 <1.7-
2007-2008 <28.7 <18.1 <4.1 <1.8–

Here is the ESPN scouting report on CDR:

CDR Scouting Report

And here is the You Tube proof:

The raps don’t need Magette or Richard Jefferson as many bloggers have them linked to making a deal for. CDR can bring the size, speed, athleticism, offensive flare, and ability to drive to the basket- that the raps so desperately need from the wings. He is 6-7, 200llbs, and could player the 2 or 3 in the pros (although probably best suited for the 2).

As always, Standing in the key, I’m the Dr., I’ve got my feet planted, and I’m planning on taking a charge.

Phdsteve.

Technorati Tags: Alexis Ajinca, Bryan Colangelo, Chase Budinger, Chris Douglas Roberts, Chris Paul, Corey Maggette, Derrick Rose, Jose Calderon, Nicolas Batum, Rasho Nesterovic, Richard Jefferson, Roy Hibbert, Russell Westbrook, TJ Ford, Tyrus Thomas

Carlos Delfino has had a great season. Picked up for two future 2nd round picks from the Detroit Pistons in the off-season, he flew under the radar as an inconsequential pick-up, a move meant to add bench depth and continue to grow the Raptors’ international flavor. Continue Reading

50 wins, I think not. You don’t win 50 games in a season when you lose to a Clippers team missing Brand and Cassel. You don’t win 50 games in a season losing to a Clippers team where Maggette drops an easy 35 points and grabs 9 rebounds. You don’t win 50 games in a season when your franchise player lets a rookie abuse him in the last 2 minutes with 6 points off the drive. You don’t win 50 games in a season when an NBDL player pretending to be a starting small forward in the NBA jacks a three pointer, and misses, with the Raptors trailing 3. To top off this ridiculous game, the TV feed was absolutely horrible. Audio and video was not synced up, making shit really annoying for me. Continue Reading

The Toronto Raptors (26-21) host the Los Angeles Clippers (15-31) at the ACC Friday night. The Raptors knocked off the Clippers 80-77 back on December 18th in Los Angeles. Chris Bosh led the Raptors with 24 points and 9 rebounds while Chris Kaman had 12 points and 16 rebounds for the Clippers. Continue Reading