Toronto Raptors Season Preview

[kmatrixg]

This will be done in quite a few different articles, that will be posted once the previous has been graded.

2003-2004 Toronto Raptors: The New Era; Old Faces

Over this past off-season, the Toronto Raptors pulled off an unprecedented move by allowing their freshly fired GM to pick all 4 draft selections in the draft, even after being told his services would no longer be needed. With those 4 picks, 3 have turned out to be cornerstones of the franchise, while there have been rumors Luke Walton is on his way out of the practice facility.

What new GM Mr. Stephens walked into wasn't entirely a lost cause, yet the team needed substantial help. With most of the 2002-2003 season being spent in the "Rebuild or Conquer" limbo - the team struggled mightily to find an identity - and a winning streak.

Headlining the shipwreck was Shareef Abdur-Rahim, who averaged nearly 20 points and 8 rebounds in his 2 year tenure with the team. Even though he was just a fresh 26 years old, his contract was too much for Stephens to swallow. Owed nearly 12 million dollars on average over the next five years, he would have been 31 years old by the time new superstar Wade would be entering his prime. Just before the Free Agency Period opened, Shareef Abdur Rahim was traded to the Detroit Pistons, the team Rahim was traded to the Raptors from.

"I found it effective to surround Wade with talent of the same age, that way we aren't paying a guy max money to help us rebuild. The equation made no sense. We save cap, and got a great player and a great opportunity out of it."

The great player Stephens referred to was 2nd year forward Tayshaun Prince, drafted 9th overall in the 2002 draft. He has shown some great strides in his first year after most critics claimed he was too frail to play the forward spot, yet too slow to play the guard spot. After starting the entire season for the Pistons, Prince showed an incredible defensive awareness nobody expected.

While his offensive abilities have been limited, Prince still has a very solid jumpshot, and found his 3 point shot later in the year. He has above average vision for a player of his size and shape, and can rebound very well with a great vertical leap. While defensive statistics weren't prevalent in year one, his shut down coverage has proven substantial against the opposing forward, and seems to be his focal point in forward training.

"The coaching staff has high hopes for this kid" says Stephens. "Prince has shown great potential in his first year, and we believe we got a hell of a player in this deal."

Eight year pro Damon Stoudamire had an extensive run in Toronto after being drafted, then traded to Portland, then back to Toronto in 1999. In his 4 seasons with the Raptors, Stoudamire averaged a respectable 14 points, 8 assists and nearly 2 steals. He was never able to establish himself as a leader, and therefore, his reign as the Raptors point guard was always tarnished with losing seasons.

Unfortunately, his age was his biggest downfall in Stephens' eyes. In nearly the same day, Stephens pulled off a second trade that shipped Stoudamire to Charlotte for a pair of draft picks in the 2004 draft. Stoudamire's reaction was fairly solemn, signifying his desire to end his career in Raptor Purple.

"Ya know, it's always a business. At the end of every day, every game, every season - we're all in it for money and glory. I can't say I'm disappointed, although I loved the city, the fans, the organization, I'm just as excited to help another young team get to where we all want to go."

Stephens was quoted on seeing Stoudamire at such an emotional point in his career, "I've always been a fan of the Raptors, including when we drafted him as a kid out of Arizona. He had some great years in our inception, and then something happened out in Portland that he never seemed to recover from - he never got that quickness back and it showed late in games and late in the season."



NEXT UP: THE ROOKIES

[nick24]

$250

[ib4]

nice write up, mr stephens

[kmatrixg]

A Look at the Toronto Raptors: Rookies

Before the 2002-2003 Season began, the Raptors taunted fellow teams with a lackluster tandem of Shareef Abdur Rahim and Damon Stoudamire. While the two have proven to be adequate additions to nearly established teams, they never could seem to put together a decent win streak to get the confidence instilled in their teammates through their two seasons paired up.

Dwyane Wade

This summer, the organization made a change at the head, hiring Mr. Stephens to run the group of misfits. He was handed a couple great draft selections in the process - Marquette stand out Dwyane Wade and High School unknown Kendrick Perkins.

Both players have proven something in the past preseason, with Wade proving he was worth a top 3 selection. In 12 games, Wade averaged nearly 20 points per game, 5 rebounds and 4 assists - nearly becoming one of a few rookies to achieve such a statistical line.

With Wade's emergence as a rookie star, the Raptors have one less position to worry about, and with the recent trade for Tayshaun Prince, it could be even one less fans have to question.

"What Wade brings to the team is something you can't measure - a winner on every level of competition in his life, getting to the final four, winning a state championship, and hopefully now at the professional level, bringing the Raptors out of their perennial slump." Stephens said after a recent practice.

Kendrick Perkins

"With the 10th selection in the 2003 NBA Draft, the Toronto Raptors select...Kendrick Perkins of Cliftin Ozen High School" You heard it right. In what is most likely the last year the NBA will allow High School players to declare for the draft, the Raptors nabbed up a highly skilled, yet highly unproven big man in Kendrick Perkins.

Perkins has an incredible knack for finding the ball on the offensive end, mostly because of his huge frame - 6'10" at 280 pounds - and his defensive abilities must have really impressed the coaching staff so far. While still very raw on the offensive end, Perkins holds his own against his opponents, proving that sentiment by averaging 8 rebounds and a block per game this preseason.

Perkins still has a long way to go to become a dominant low post presence on either end, but reports are indicating the team sent him to a special offensive oriented training camp a week before the season is slated to begin. Apparently this camp cost the team nearly half of their expendable cash reserves, however Stephens feels the camp was well worth the money spent.

"Every step we get Kendrick closer to being that dominant low post threat, is one step closer to a championship. You can't win in this league without a deadly seven footer. It's just not possible"

Paccelis Morlende: LDA Dijon

The teams second round selection, relatively unknown on this side of the pond, Paccelis Morlende was a French pro, who played for JDA Dijon from 1998-2002. In his final season with JDA, he averaged 14.4 points and 4.9 assists as the teams starting point guard.

He has shown promising defensive capabilities, and a great awareness for protecting possessions for his team. His deep threat shooting still must be worked on, especially for his size, however he has shown a great ability to drive, and score effectively, which could become a great asset to the second team with shooters Juan Dixon, and Andy Ellis patrolling the perimeter.

Overall, the coaching staff is extremely excited to start the season and evaluate the progression of the teams 3 cornerstone rookies. While Wade is expected to make a huge impact, Stephens is looking forward to the offensive progression of Perkins, as well as Paccelis Morlende.

"I'm expecting big things from Pac-Man. He has had some great moments in practice and this preseason - and the organization is certainly aware of his work over in France. He's got great potential and could become a top PG in the East if he puts in the work."

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A Look at the Toronto Raptors: Offseason Moves; Abdur Rahim Shipped Right Across the Border

There have been a slew of roster changes since trigger happy GM Mr. Stephens has taken the reign. Some in own office have been quoted, anonymously, as referring to Stephens as "a western shootout flick hero" and if dinosaurs were still alive today, "He would be the one that stopped the meteor."

While he brushes off any compliments, as they are "part of the job", his body of work so far has proven to be a positive one since he declared the organization in complete rebuilding mode. Relieving the books of a $55 million dollar Shareef Abdur Rahim, and an aging Damon Stoudamire was his top priority. His first deal was trading Abdur Rahim to Detroit and sending the in-division opponent their best player was a risky move, even in his own eyes.

But, as he was quoted, "if your neighbor offers you a million dollars to sleep with your wife for the night, why not take it if the next best offer is from Japan for 300,000 yen?"

Outspoken yes, with a purpose yes. Confident his team will make the playoffs next year - no. "I'm not going to stand up here and tell everyone this team is destined for the O'brien trophy next season. What I will say is that it's our goal, and we will get there. I just can't say when."

Let's examine that deal:

Pistons Trade:
Tayshaun Prince
Tyronne Lue
2004 Pistons First
2004 Pistons Second

Raptors Trade
Shareef Abdur-Rahim

What Toronto Got:
Tayshaun Prince is set to be a very gifted defensive player, and his offense is almost certain to follow. He has a very solid all around game, combining steals, blocks and rebounds with assists and the occasional double digit scoring night. Next to Wade, he's a great complimentary player who can help shut down opposing perimeter threats.

We all know a team built on defense is a defense built from a team, therefore, Stephens stresses the importance of shutdown defense at every position on the floor. Prince is the mold from which Stephens wants all succeeding trades to fit.

Along with Prince, the Raptors got back a great cheap Point Guard option in Tyronne Lue, who is slated to start for the team. While he played second fiddle to Stoudamire last season, he showed great strides while filling in the few games Damon was injured. The coaching staff has given the utmost confidence in Lue's ability to stretch the floor with his dribble drive, and his keen eye in his passing game.

What Toronto Lost:

Toronto lost it's true leader and veteran in Shareef Abdur Rahim, who arguably was the reason the team won even 24 games last season. A legit 20 point per game scorer, he was a shut down defender at his position and a great rebounder to boot. While all of these things point to a bad trade for the Raptors, his 55 million dollar deal was the kicker for Stephens.

"If I'm going to write a guys checks, I want to be sure I'm the one who hired him, especially at that level of salary."

Overall, with the addition of Prince, Lue and 2 draft selections this year from Detroit - the Raptors look to be in a great position for a young core, and decent contracts. During the rebuilding phase, that's exactly what you need - money, and picks. Entering the 2003 season, that's exactly what the Raptors have.

[kmatrixg]

2 More articles - separate ones that is.