Toronto Raptors 2007-2008 NBA Season Preview

Estimatated Starting Lineup
PG - TJ Ford
SG - Anthony Parker
SF - Carlos Delfino/Jason Kapono
PF - Chris Bosh
C - Andrea Bargnani

This is one of the lineups the Raptors tried out during the preseason. Either Chris Bosh or Andrea Bargnani will be taking the center position, but it is absolutely interchangeable. This lineup seemed to work well because there are a lot of options when it comes to scoring.

Estimated 2nd Unit
PG - Jose Calderon
SG - Juan Dixon
SF - Jason Kapono / Carlos Delfino
PF - Kris Humphries / Jorge Garbajosa
C - Rasho Nesterovic

This second unit is a unit coming off the bench and capable of scoring and surely able to do more than keep the team in the game while the starters are taking a rest. Lead by the play-making Jose Calderon, the second unit consists of solid players who play at 110% and show that they can perform just as good as the starting lineup.

Coming Season Break-down

For the upcoming season, my general prediction is that they will make the Playoffs, indefinitely. They most likely will have a good shot at earning the title of Division Champions again, and possibly even get to the Eastern Conference Finals. Personally, I am a Toronto Raptors fan, so I am hoping they will make it as far as they possibly can. Plus, with their ability to spread the defense for the opposing team, and with scorers and shooters at almost every position, their chances of being successful are high. With Andrea Bargnani still developing but already capable of putting up some decent numbers, and Chris Bosh working the low post, the Raptors should not have a problem with the inside game. And on top of that, the Raptors now have Carlos Delfino and Jason Kapono, both talented shooters and smart defensive players. In order to improve their game, the players are in need of working on their defense, ultimately. Scoring now is not a major problem, but the defense definitely has room for improvement.

Don't expect the road to being the Atlantic Division Champions to be smooth though, there are some pretty tough teams in the Atlantic Division. My prediction is that the teams which are going to be a threat to the Raptors in the Atlantic Division are Boston and New Jersey.

Boston is one of the most anticipated teams out there in the entire league. With the recent additions of Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen, the Celtics now have three star players, Paul Pierce being last but not least of the newly established "Big Three". Even though they have three star players now, critics ponder on their rate of success, because of the fact that they are short of developed guards. Rondo's long term effectiveness is still a question, but further development of their guards is a must. Regardless, the Boston Celtics are clearly going to be one of the top teams in the NBA, respectively.

New Jersey, on the other hand, is a team that has proven itself as an authentic playoff contender during the past seasons. Lead by the veteran Jason Kidd, and held up by Richard Jefferson and the Toronto-hated Vince Carter. Kidd is in charge of making the plays, while Carter and Jefferson break down the defense and score. There's no doubt the Nets will be one of the contenders throughout the league.

Some of the teams in the Eastern Conference that will be a tough fight include Detroit, Cleveland, and Miami for sure.

Detroit has always been known as a strong team, with their previous experiences consisting of winning the NBA Finals in 2004, they have had strong performances during the past few years. But aside from that, keep in mind, they don't have Ben Wallace anymore. The effects of that trade are uncertain, but the Pistons have shown that they are fine without him. Detroit will undoubtedly have a flourishing season.

Cleveland is a team that has been successful, even though an enormous amount of success was not expected from them. Making it to the NBA Finals in 2007, Lebron James has been given the credit he deserved, basically carrying his team to the NBA Finals. Hopefully Cleveland has learned from their loss in the Finals, and will come out strong again. What will be in store from the Cleveland Cavaliers for the upcoming season?

Miami revealed their skill during the 2006 Season, in the end winning the NBA Champions title. With Dwayne Wade and Shaq's outstanding clutch performance, the Heat were able to come out victorious over the Dallas Mavericks. Many question the health of Dwayne Wade and his injury, but my prediction is that they will come out fighting again for a chance at the Champion title.

The Players

Chris Bosh (4) F
Height: 6-10
Weight: 230 lbs.
College: Georgia Tech
Years Pro: 4
Preseason Stats: 17.5 PPG, 9.0 RPG, 1.0 APG
Chris CB4 Bosh is the face of the Raptor franchise. Being the leader of the team, Chris Bosh is an All-Star and also a member of the USA International Team.
Bosh averaged 22.6 PPG, 10.7 RPG, 1.3 BPG, and 2.5 APG in the 2006-2007 Regular Season.

Andrea Bargnani (7) F
Height: 7-0
Weight: 250 lbs.
College: Italy
Years Pro: 1
Preseason Stats: 16.3 PPG, 5.7 RPG, 0.7 APG
Andrea Bargnani, #1 Overall Pick of the 2006 Draft, is the one definite player fans will be looking forward to seeing develop. With the ability to take the three beyond the arc, Bargnani has been working on his inside game and low post scoring, as well as a more aggressive to-the-basket type of play.
Bargnani averaged 11.6 PPG, 3.9 RPG, and 0.8 APG in the 2006-2007 Regular Season.

T.J. Ford (11) PG
Height: 6-0
Weight: 165 lbs.
College: Texas
Years Pro: 3
Preseason Stats: 13.7 PPG, 1.0 RPG, 6 APG
T.J. Ford, Toronto's starting point guard last season, is a relatively offensive minded point guard. Ford has the ability to score, as well as create plays.
Ford averaged 14.0 PPG, 3.1 RPG, and 7.9 APG in the 2006-2007 Regular Season.

Jose Calderon (8) PG
Height: 6-3
Weight: 210 lbs.
College: Spain
Years Pro: 2
Preseason Stats: 7.7 PPG, 1.3 RPG, 4.7 APG
Toronto's other point guard, Calderon usually plays off the bench, but playing time is almost evenly split between the two point guards. Calderon can drain the outside jumper, as well as cut into the lane and score, but his focus is to create plays for team mates.
Calderon averaged 8.7 PPG, 1.7 RPG, and 5.0 APG in the 2006-2007 Regular Season.

New Additions

Carlos Delfino (20) G
Height: 6-6
Weight: 230 lbs.
College: Argentina
Years Pro: 3
Preseason Stats: 4.0 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 1.0 APG
One of the new additions to the Toronto Raptors, Carlos Delfino was previously on the Detroit Pistons, but hardly received any playing time because of Detroits known starters. Delfino is known for his defensive aggresiveness and ability, but also has the ability to shoot on the perimeter or drive to the basket.
Defino averaged 2.3 PPG, 1.3 RPG, and 0.5 APG with Detroit in the 2006-2007 Regular Season.

Jason Kapono (24) F
Height: 6-8
Weight: 215 lbs.
College: UCLA
Years Pro: 4
Preseason Stats: 9.3 PPG, 2.3 RPG, 1.0 APG
Jason Kapono was signed as a free agent by the Raptors before the preseason. The winner of last years 3-Point Shootout during All-Star Weekend has a quick release on his jumper and is an amazingly accurate 3-point shooter.
Kapono averaged 10.9 PPG, 2.7 RPG, and 1.2 APG with Miami in the 2006-2007 Regular Season.

Maceo Baston (9) F
Height: 6-10
Weight: 230 lbs.
College: Michigan
Years Pro: 2
Preseason Stats: 4.0 RPG
Even though Maceo Baston did not earn much playing time during the preaseason, Maceo Baston played for the Raptors back in the 2002-2003 season. He is a defensive player with a fairly good athletic ability.
Baston averaged 2.9 PPG and 1.6 RPG with Indiana in the 2006-2007 Regular Season.

Jamario Moon (33) F
Height: 6-8
Weight: 205 lbs.
College: Meridian CC (MS)
Years Pro: N/A
Preseason Stats: 4.0 PPG, 3.0 RPG
Jamario Moon is a rookie out of Meridian CC. His scouting report told of his outstanding athletic ability, but needs of improving his physical strength and size.

Conclusion
So as you can see, the Toronto Raptors have many new additions and the team is now armed with a variety of weapons both on the offensive end and the defensive. The anxiety generated by the potential of this team has built up and many are waiting for the arrival of the 2007-2008 season. Meanwhile, other teams in the league are also preparing for the start of the new season. Remember, this is only a prediction.
We'll have to wait and see what is really going to happen!