Post by kmatrixg on Dec 9, 2010 21:35:29 GMT -5
2004 Toronto Raptors Roster:
387 DeAngelo Collins C 24 6'10'' 230 B- C- C- C B A
646 Pavel Podkolzin C 19 7'5'' 260 B- D+ F+ B C+ B *
486 David Andersen C 24 6'11'' 237 C C D+ B B- C
308 Malick Badiane* C 21 6'11'' 225 C+ D+ C- B+ B B
495 Brandon Bass PF 19 6'8'' 240 B- C- D B B B *
497 Andy Ellis PF 24 6'11'' 225 B- B D+ C+ C+ B
537 Josh Smith SF 19 6'9'' 220 B C C- A- C+ B *
579 Tommy Smith SF 24 6'10'' 210 C+ B- C B C B
628 JaRon Rush SF 25 6'7'' 207 B C+ C+ C+ C B
592 Dwyane Wade SG 22 6'4'' 210 B B B- A C B *
477 Tyrone Nesby SG 28 6'6'' 225 C+ B- C A- C- C
246 Ricky Minard SG 22 6'4'' 200 C+ B- C+ B- C B
20 Paccelis Morlende PG 23 6'2'' 185 C+ A- B+ B+ C- B *
256 Raymond Felton PG 20 6'1'' 200 C B A- B- D+ A
113 Tito Maddox PG 23 6'4'' 190 C+ B B+ B- D+ B
646 Pavel Podkolzin C 19 7'5'' 260 B- D+ F+ B C+ B *
486 David Andersen C 24 6'11'' 237 C C D+ B B- C
308 Malick Badiane* C 21 6'11'' 225 C+ D+ C- B+ B B
495 Brandon Bass PF 19 6'8'' 240 B- C- D B B B *
497 Andy Ellis PF 24 6'11'' 225 B- B D+ C+ C+ B
537 Josh Smith SF 19 6'9'' 220 B C C- A- C+ B *
579 Tommy Smith SF 24 6'10'' 210 C+ B- C B C B
628 JaRon Rush SF 25 6'7'' 207 B C+ C+ C+ C B
592 Dwyane Wade SG 22 6'4'' 210 B B B- A C B *
477 Tyrone Nesby SG 28 6'6'' 225 C+ B- C A- C- C
246 Ricky Minard SG 22 6'4'' 200 C+ B- C+ B- C B
20 Paccelis Morlende PG 23 6'2'' 185 C+ A- B+ B+ C- B *
256 Raymond Felton PG 20 6'1'' 200 C B A- B- D+ A
113 Tito Maddox PG 23 6'4'' 190 C+ B B+ B- D+ B
* - Denotes Starter
Preview by Position: The Starting Five
Center:
Pavel Podkolzin - The 7'5" Russian has proven to be quite a force on the court in the SSBL. The 19 year old rookie played all 12 games in the Preseason and despite common belief, posted great numbers against the rest of the leagues starting centers. Game details are unknown, however the coaching staff designated Pavel as the No. 2 option on the offense, and he didn't disappoint. Over his 12 starts, Podkolzin averaged 18.9 points, 9.5 rebounds and 1.2 blocks on pretty surprising shooting percentages. Pavel ranked 1st in the league in FT attempts during preseason on 64%, showing he can capitalize much better than other notable players like Jermaine and Shaquille O'Neal late in games.
Power Forward:
Brandon Bass - Another preseason surprise was LSU rookie Brandon Bass who was picked just 3 slots ahead of Podkolzin. This rookie frontcourt received very little support from around the community when Mr. Stephens released the proxy lineup, however he stuck with the duo, and is now hoping to have two perfect gems from the past draft. Bass, who was listed as No. 3 on the offensive strategy, averaged a lofty 17 points, and 9 rebounds on 51% from the floor. Not only did he prove to be a solid scorer and rebounder, but his .8 steals and .9 rebounds prove he has some capability on the defensive end that can only get better as he learns the speed of the SSBL. The biggest attribute taken from the preseason is the fact that both rookies were able to stay on the floor for more than 30 minutes a night, while limiting the personal fouls - something nearly unheard of for a rookie bigman.
Small Forward:
Josh Smith - Rounding out the rookie starting frontcourt is high-flying and explosive Josh Smith. Yet again, Smith was able to surprise the coaching staff with his ability to score the ball. As the No. 1 option on offense, nobody in the organization expected Smith to be able to score more than about 12 points per game off putbacks and alley oop lob passes. However, Smith showed a great jumpshot and back to the basket game which is something he had neither of when drafted back in June. While he refined his offensive ability, his defense has gotten even better. The Raptors were amazed at Wade's nomination for All Defensive First Team last season, while averaging over 1 steal and 1 block. Well, deja-vu, as Smith is doing the same thing in his rookie year. It seems Toronto has an incredible duo of great perimeter defenders that can grow together, and dominate future All Defensive Teams.
Shooting Guard:
Dwyane Wade - Wade returns in his sophomore year as a better perimeter defender, and 3 point shooter. Rumor is the team set up a long range shooting training camp after Wade failed to improve his shot over the summer. It is unclear whether or not the camp was effective, as Wade sat out the preseason and is set to start the 2004-2005 season tonight. Wade is the clear cut leader on this young squad, and the fact his fellow rookie teammates were able to accomplish a 5-7 record should be a good sign for the Marquette standout. Look for Wade to step his game up to a new level this season, as he enters the realm of the SSBL elite.
Point Guard:
Paccelis Morlende - Pac-Man, oh Pac-Man, what has he gobbled up this time? It seems to be some sort of alien artifact that can amplify any physical gift you already possessed. Or maybe he went back home to France and had some wonderful cuisine. Either way, the Pac-Man literally blew up this summer. Going from an average scorer, passer and defender, to one of the most well rounded point guards in the Eastern Conference. He's gained a three point shot, has become quicker with the basketball, and his lateral quickness on defense has improved greatly. The team wasn't quite sure where they would go with Morlende after last season, hence the drafting of Raymond Felton. However, now set to be the teams starting PG for now, and the future, Felton has reportedly become expendable. Fans and management alike are very excited to see how Pac-Man performs this season.
