Post by kmatrixg on Jan 3, 2011 18:01:47 GMT -5
The 2004-2005 offseason was a very busy one for the Raptors, making numerous trades and signing some important role players. With that, the lineups are set in stone and the rotations are being worked out. The biggest additions by far was the introductions of All-Star center Yao Ming and 3 time MVP Jason Kidd.
Center
Yao Ming: A huge force inside, standing a giant 7'5" and weighing in at 300 pounds. Has incredible footwork for a player his size and can easily make a turnaround jumper over his defender from up to 20 feet out. His handling needs a little work as he turns the ball over frequently, however he doesn't hold the ball for more than a few seconds on a normal possession.
Career Stats:
2002 33.3mpg .473fg% .774ft% 20.8ppg 9.8rpg 2.1apg 1.9bpg 3.0topg
2003 32.mpg .458fg% .809ft% 19.0ppg 9.9rpg 1.4apg 1.8bpg 2.4topg
2004 32.0mpg .486fg% .797ft% 22.0ppg 10.4rpg 1.6apg 2.0bpg 2.7topg
Power Forward
Danny Fortson: You know the lineup is great when Danny Fortson can be seen as the weakest link of the 5. The only reason Fortson may be a weak link is his below average defense for the position. While he thrives against lumbering Centers, guarding quicker forwards is not his strong suit. Regardless, Fortson is a force down low on the offensive end scoring at will, and on the boards, as one of the best rebounders in the league throughout his career.
Career Stats: 554 Games
29.6mpg .434fg% .618ft% 14.2ppg 11.1rpg 1.9topg
Small Foward
Shareef Abdur Rahim: Shareef continues to be a defensive force on the wing, with the ability to run the floor, stay in front of his man, and block shots and steal the ball with his incredible long arms. On the offensive end, Abdur-Rahim is a polished player in the low block, and continues to work on his outside shot each year. It was only until last year that Abdur-Rahim starter making 3's consistently, hitting 37% of the 56 he took.
Career Stats: (527 Games)
33.6mpg .441fg% .769ft% .270 3pt% 19.1ppg 8.9rpg 2.8apg 1.3spg 1.1bpg 3.1topg
Shooting Guard
Dwyane Wade: The human phenom has continued to play consistent basketball on both ends of the floor - averaged 20 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists for his career. However, he is really known for his defensive abilities, as he was selected to the All-Defensive 2nd team as a rookie, and an All-Defensive 1st team in his sophomore year. Yao was brought in specifically to take the offensive pressure off Wade who is obviously still getting used to the speed of the pro offense.
Career Stats:
2003 34.9mpg .458fg% .769ft% .335 3pt% 20.0ppg 6.2rpg 3.7apg 1.6spg 1.1bpg 3.5topg
2004 35.5mpg .460fg% .721ft% .380 3pt% 19.8ppg 6.1rpg 4.3apg 2.0spg 0.9bpg 3.4topg
Point Guard
Jason Kidd: The best natural point guard in the league, Kidd will be the court leader and clutch performer the team needs. Winning 3 MVP awards, and 2 championships, Kidd will look to lead the Raptors to their first ever championship ring. With career averages of over 20 ppg, and 10apg, there is simply nobody better at distributing the ball and leading their team to victory.
Career Stats: 546 Games
38.8mpg .458fg% .784ft% .368 3pt% 23.4ppg 6.1rpg 10.8apg 2.4spg 2.9topg
The Bench
The Raptor bench consists of a few players who could start on some teams around the league - Matt Harpring, Paccelis Morlende, Tito Maddox and Melvin Ely make up the primary backups for each of the 5 starters, however it's apparent not each of them will play all consistent minutes. The Raptors managed to hang on to 2nd year point guard Paccelis Morlende who has shown signs of greatness since his first start almost 2 years ago. Averaging 14 points and 8 assists last season, he can only learn more from the all-time great Jason Kidd. He will be the most valuable bench player on the team.
Rookies and Overseas
Martynas Andriuskevicius: The young 7 footer from Lithuania is looking to hone his skills in the D-League this year, however he has already shown promise by improving the defense and rebounding aspects of his game. He started this preseason, but showed he needs a lot of improvement in his offensive game, averaging only 6 points as a number one option.
Dijon Thompson: There must be something about UCLA wingmen and defense, because Dijon is following his former teammate Trevor Ariza so far in the SSBL. Dijon improved his defense, outside shooting and ball handling over the summer, and while he won't see any playing time this year he might in a few if he keeps improving.
Prediction:
With the addition of Yao Ming and Jason Kidd to a team that nearly made the playoffs last season, the Raptors vault to the top of the power rankings with one of the most versatile and deep rosters in the Eastern Conference, and possibly the league. With 8 players that could be viable starters on any team in the league, the Raptors should be contenders to win a ring this season.
Center
Yao Ming: A huge force inside, standing a giant 7'5" and weighing in at 300 pounds. Has incredible footwork for a player his size and can easily make a turnaround jumper over his defender from up to 20 feet out. His handling needs a little work as he turns the ball over frequently, however he doesn't hold the ball for more than a few seconds on a normal possession.
Career Stats:
2002 33.3mpg .473fg% .774ft% 20.8ppg 9.8rpg 2.1apg 1.9bpg 3.0topg
2003 32.mpg .458fg% .809ft% 19.0ppg 9.9rpg 1.4apg 1.8bpg 2.4topg
2004 32.0mpg .486fg% .797ft% 22.0ppg 10.4rpg 1.6apg 2.0bpg 2.7topg
Power Forward
Danny Fortson: You know the lineup is great when Danny Fortson can be seen as the weakest link of the 5. The only reason Fortson may be a weak link is his below average defense for the position. While he thrives against lumbering Centers, guarding quicker forwards is not his strong suit. Regardless, Fortson is a force down low on the offensive end scoring at will, and on the boards, as one of the best rebounders in the league throughout his career.
Career Stats: 554 Games
29.6mpg .434fg% .618ft% 14.2ppg 11.1rpg 1.9topg
Small Foward
Shareef Abdur Rahim: Shareef continues to be a defensive force on the wing, with the ability to run the floor, stay in front of his man, and block shots and steal the ball with his incredible long arms. On the offensive end, Abdur-Rahim is a polished player in the low block, and continues to work on his outside shot each year. It was only until last year that Abdur-Rahim starter making 3's consistently, hitting 37% of the 56 he took.
Career Stats: (527 Games)
33.6mpg .441fg% .769ft% .270 3pt% 19.1ppg 8.9rpg 2.8apg 1.3spg 1.1bpg 3.1topg
Shooting Guard
Dwyane Wade: The human phenom has continued to play consistent basketball on both ends of the floor - averaged 20 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists for his career. However, he is really known for his defensive abilities, as he was selected to the All-Defensive 2nd team as a rookie, and an All-Defensive 1st team in his sophomore year. Yao was brought in specifically to take the offensive pressure off Wade who is obviously still getting used to the speed of the pro offense.
Career Stats:
2003 34.9mpg .458fg% .769ft% .335 3pt% 20.0ppg 6.2rpg 3.7apg 1.6spg 1.1bpg 3.5topg
2004 35.5mpg .460fg% .721ft% .380 3pt% 19.8ppg 6.1rpg 4.3apg 2.0spg 0.9bpg 3.4topg
Point Guard
Jason Kidd: The best natural point guard in the league, Kidd will be the court leader and clutch performer the team needs. Winning 3 MVP awards, and 2 championships, Kidd will look to lead the Raptors to their first ever championship ring. With career averages of over 20 ppg, and 10apg, there is simply nobody better at distributing the ball and leading their team to victory.
Career Stats: 546 Games
38.8mpg .458fg% .784ft% .368 3pt% 23.4ppg 6.1rpg 10.8apg 2.4spg 2.9topg
The Bench
The Raptor bench consists of a few players who could start on some teams around the league - Matt Harpring, Paccelis Morlende, Tito Maddox and Melvin Ely make up the primary backups for each of the 5 starters, however it's apparent not each of them will play all consistent minutes. The Raptors managed to hang on to 2nd year point guard Paccelis Morlende who has shown signs of greatness since his first start almost 2 years ago. Averaging 14 points and 8 assists last season, he can only learn more from the all-time great Jason Kidd. He will be the most valuable bench player on the team.
Rookies and Overseas
Martynas Andriuskevicius: The young 7 footer from Lithuania is looking to hone his skills in the D-League this year, however he has already shown promise by improving the defense and rebounding aspects of his game. He started this preseason, but showed he needs a lot of improvement in his offensive game, averaging only 6 points as a number one option.
Dijon Thompson: There must be something about UCLA wingmen and defense, because Dijon is following his former teammate Trevor Ariza so far in the SSBL. Dijon improved his defense, outside shooting and ball handling over the summer, and while he won't see any playing time this year he might in a few if he keeps improving.
Prediction:
With the addition of Yao Ming and Jason Kidd to a team that nearly made the playoffs last season, the Raptors vault to the top of the power rankings with one of the most versatile and deep rosters in the Eastern Conference, and possibly the league. With 8 players that could be viable starters on any team in the league, the Raptors should be contenders to win a ring this season.
