Editor’s Note: Last Word on Sports is pleased to announce the launch of our new and improved, and greatly expanded upon, NBA coverage. We have brought on two new and exciting writers in Jordan Leung, and Kaine Elmy. Jordan’s first piece was launched earlier today. This is Kaine’s first piece for the site. A long-time fan of the NBA, Kaine quite literally eats and sleeps basketball, watching the games at odd hours from his home in New Zealand. We are pleased to announce that Kaine will be a regular columnist bringing you his insight and analysis into the latest NBA news. In reading his work, we like his fresh perspective on the game and hope you will, too. We hope that you will make Kaine and Jordan’s columns regular reading material when you look for NBA news, analysis and opinion. Now, on with the show…
It’s no secret that the Toronto Raptors under-performed last season. With twenty-three wins and forty-three losses in a lockout-shortened season, they placed fourth in the Atlantic Division and eleventh in the Eastern Conference. However, Toronto played the hand they were dealt and with a less than impressive roster, coach Dwayne Casey was able to enforce significant improvement within the team, particularly at the defensive end of the court. After a quietly exciting off-season, it finally appears the Raptors are heading in the right direction as an organization, and maybe, just maybe, they can give their fans a reason to stick around.
Last season’s top performers include Andrea Bargnani, DeMar DeRozan and Jerryd Bayless, who has since left for Memphis. Andrea Bargnani, the first pick in 2006 draft featuring Brandon Roy, Rajon Rondo and now teammate Kyle Lowry, has been a dominant and successful power-forward/center with Toronto since his rookie season. Having averaged 19.5 points in thirty-one games and snatching an implausible one hundred and seventy-two rebounds, Bargnani provided a promising core with DeMar DeRozan. DeRozan, a thrilling guard, averaged 15.7 points in sixty-three games, however fell into a slump following the injury of Bargnani. DeRozan is effective on the fast-break and can create his own shot opportunities, but needs to keep his field-goal percentage at an acceptable level having dropped significantly each season since his rookie year. However, after providing a core for the Raptors last year, expect Coach Casey’s influence on the pair to improve both players dramatically.
Undeniably the most impressive off-season move on the Raptors part was the signing of one of the top point guards in the Eastern Conference; Kyle Lowry. Lowry is an exceptional upgrade to the lackluster Jose Calderon. As a starter, Lowry averaged 15.9 points, 6.6 assists and 4.5 rebounds per game with Houston last season despite recovering from injury. A relentless defender, Lowry will replace Calderon in the starting five, which makes one wonder why Toronto is paying him $1o million to warm the bench. Expect Lowry to become an All Star this season and easily become Toronto’s best player.
Despite his mediocre 2011-2012 season, the four-year, $20 million dollar signing of Landry Fields will lift the Raptors significantly. Drafted by the New York Knicks, Fields had a remarkable rookie year, averaging 9.7 points per game, shooting 39.3% from behind the arc and 49.7% from the field. Fields was named on the 2010 NBA All-Rookie First Team after winning Rookie of the Month in the Eastern Conference in November and December. However, his performance his next season regressed dramatically. His average from behind the arc dropped to 25.6%, his free-throws plunged from 76.9% the season before to 56.2% and his points per game fell to 8.8. However, the lock-out shortened season and the unexpected and rapid preparation for the season would have effected Fields’ preparation greatly, and a full off-season to prepare will benefit the young guard significantly. Expect a comeback season, and Fields to start at small forward in 2012.
An excellent rebounder and a strong defender, rookie Jonas Valanciunas should be the starting center for the Raptors this season. Valanciunas will be mentioned in the ‘Rookie of the Year’ talks and is a big man who will step up when Bargnani cannot; a possible show-down against New Orleans’ Anthony Davis would be spectacular to see. Quincy Acy, second round pick for Toronto, will get minutes this season. Reportedly drafted for his hustle, rebounding and shot blocking, expect him to be a crowd favorite. Terrence Ross on the other hand, drafted at number eight by Toronto, should have a much more influential role this season. Ross is enormously athletic and a brilliant shooter, as well as being a great rebounder for his size. Coach Dwane Casey should attempt to play Ross and DeRozan together at times for ultimate effect. If Casey, who has now had a full season with the Raptors, can continue to motivate his players again this season and enforce a strong defensive performance day in and day out, expect the Raptors to make a push for the top eight and a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
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