Young Gunz
Link: doctorhoops.com
"The Raptors are gunna suck".-Charles Barkley.Well with Mr.Barkley being known for his crazy assumptions and brutal honesty, this is a very typical statement. I do not think (with current roster, trust me, there will be changes), that we will be a very successful team next year, BUT at the same time, I think we are going to be extremely entertaining and WONT be as bad as people think.
This is largely in part of the newly dubbed trio, the "Young Gunz", featuring Amir Johnson, Sonny Clarence (...yes his name is Clarence) Weems, and Demar (Air Canada) Derozan. These three are going to be one of the most exciting group of people to watch next year with all three of them being cutters and having hard offense, something that "Soft Toronto" has never seen with Prettyboy Bosh taking his mid range most of the time. All of these players are younger than 24 (Weems being the oldest), their potential is very high, and this coming season will very much shape the rest of their careers in the NBA. They will all develope before our eyes.
In addition to these three Young Gunz, we have Ed Davis, the defensive-minded NC Star, whom I think will take huge strides in his developement this year with a fair amount of PT for a rookie.
With this core of young guys (of course Andrea included (Colangelo would never let his baby go)), we are seeing a very different Toronto team then we have in the past, with a group of players who just love the game of basketball. The addition of Barbosa will also help the Raptors in their run and gun offense, and Kleiza can help in the shooting department (without Bosh and most likely Calderon, our mid range and beyond the arch shooting will take a bit of a hit this year).
The point guard situation will be dealt with, and make no mistake, Colangelo will find a point guard that will fit in with our run and gun system. If he is able to find the right piece at the point position, there will be a pretty good group of players out there, very capable of making the playoffs.
The main thing I like about this team is that, right now, there is no superstars on this team, just alot of potential. This allows the players to go out everynight, and try 110% to earn that superstar status.
With all these factors accounted, all the naysayers who said that the Raptors will be in the bottom 3 in the league will bite there tongue. The Raptors will finish around 9-10 in their east with their current roster, and with an upgrade at PG or C, make no mistake, they will make the playoffs. So Charles Barkley, get ready for a long season of biting your tongue, not that your not used to it by this point.
-Zach Stewart
Let us not all forget about Bargnani. He is young, came from different country, and has adjusted well to NBA game and North American culture. Compared to Dirk, he has progressed much more quickly. Give him time. Run offence thru him. Future All Star and tough cover for anyone.
As far as Canadian content, NASH !