Post by kmatrixg on Nov 18, 2010 22:41:01 GMT -5
A Look at the Toronto Raptors: Offseason Moves; Mighty Mouse Packs Bag Full of Cheese; Chandler Brings Beer Pong Table He Packed for College to T.O.
Just a day after the Raptors traded away Shareef Abdur Rahim for Tayshaun Prince and a couple draft picks, GM Stephens dealt the teams main veteran presence for 2 draft picks in 2004.
Stoudamire averaged 12 points and 7 assists for the Raptors in 2002, and many had him finishing off his career north of the border. However, the youth movement occurring in Toronto left no room for the big mouse.
The picks that came back to Toronto were from Charlotte, and Vancouver, being the defending champs. So far, a month into the season, Charlotte is 2 games out of the playoff hunt, while the Grizzlies pick was traded away in a later deal.
GM Stephens is banking on the performance of Charlotte to justify trading away a fan favorite player. With the draft class supposedly lacking the depth of previous drafts, there is no room for error in scouting and working out potential picks. With 3 of the 5 positions in Toronto's starting lineup pretty much locks, the Raptors plan to use their 3 first round picks to fill those holes, and build a deep, talented bench.
The trade that sent away the Grizzlies first brought back 2nd year bigman Tyson Chandler, who is playing superb defense for the young team this year. With Perkins struggling, Stephens needed a defined game to man the low post - and he had his eyes set on Chandler from the day he took office.
"Chandler possesses excellent speed for a man his size, and his ability to step in on a drive and block shots is incredibly reassuring to a young guard like D-Wade. He knows that even if he gets beat off the dribble, which rarely happens in it's own right, there is another wall the offense must climb over - a big 7 foot 250 pound wall."
As of this season, Chandler looks like a potential building block for the Raptors and their future. With Center counterpart Kendrick Perkins learning the ropes of the game, Chandler not only has a guy to teach his skillset to, but also to improve his own offensive game against. Coach W. Stephens thinks this dynamic duo will only make each other better down the road.
"Watching them practice against each other when we hold drills is like watching a pair of gladiators fight to the death. The way these two battle down low is inspiring - chasing a rebound down, diving for a loose ball, pump faking and taking an elbow to the face... These are all things that neither Kendrick was known for in high school nor Tyson was known for in his first couple years. So the competition these players present each other with has been great for their progression."
As of late November, both Kendrick and Tyson are starting in the low post for the team. While there have been struggles, both seem to be getting accustomed to each other from all that time fighting for the boards in practice. If Perkins can stay aggressive all game, he could turn into a real monster for the team.
Just a day after the Raptors traded away Shareef Abdur Rahim for Tayshaun Prince and a couple draft picks, GM Stephens dealt the teams main veteran presence for 2 draft picks in 2004.
Stoudamire averaged 12 points and 7 assists for the Raptors in 2002, and many had him finishing off his career north of the border. However, the youth movement occurring in Toronto left no room for the big mouse.
The picks that came back to Toronto were from Charlotte, and Vancouver, being the defending champs. So far, a month into the season, Charlotte is 2 games out of the playoff hunt, while the Grizzlies pick was traded away in a later deal.
GM Stephens is banking on the performance of Charlotte to justify trading away a fan favorite player. With the draft class supposedly lacking the depth of previous drafts, there is no room for error in scouting and working out potential picks. With 3 of the 5 positions in Toronto's starting lineup pretty much locks, the Raptors plan to use their 3 first round picks to fill those holes, and build a deep, talented bench.
The trade that sent away the Grizzlies first brought back 2nd year bigman Tyson Chandler, who is playing superb defense for the young team this year. With Perkins struggling, Stephens needed a defined game to man the low post - and he had his eyes set on Chandler from the day he took office.
"Chandler possesses excellent speed for a man his size, and his ability to step in on a drive and block shots is incredibly reassuring to a young guard like D-Wade. He knows that even if he gets beat off the dribble, which rarely happens in it's own right, there is another wall the offense must climb over - a big 7 foot 250 pound wall."
As of this season, Chandler looks like a potential building block for the Raptors and their future. With Center counterpart Kendrick Perkins learning the ropes of the game, Chandler not only has a guy to teach his skillset to, but also to improve his own offensive game against. Coach W. Stephens thinks this dynamic duo will only make each other better down the road.
"Watching them practice against each other when we hold drills is like watching a pair of gladiators fight to the death. The way these two battle down low is inspiring - chasing a rebound down, diving for a loose ball, pump faking and taking an elbow to the face... These are all things that neither Kendrick was known for in high school nor Tyson was known for in his first couple years. So the competition these players present each other with has been great for their progression."
As of late November, both Kendrick and Tyson are starting in the low post for the team. While there have been struggles, both seem to be getting accustomed to each other from all that time fighting for the boards in practice. If Perkins can stay aggressive all game, he could turn into a real monster for the team.
