TheNBAGeek.com: 2014 SURPRISE! (Toronto)

[mcHAPPY]

StatGeek porn, right here.

Toronto!? But They Lost a Star!

Bargnani was no star player. He was terrible. Simply removing him from that rost makes Toronto better. Yes, Andrea Bargnani was that bad. Replacing him with an average player will make a big difference. JV is going to improve, and Tyler Hansborough will contribute. A lot depends on Lowry's health, of course. And they'd be better if Rudy Gay and DeMar DeRozan weren't getting heavy minutes. Maybe Masai will find a way to trade them. But they can flirt with the playoffs. In the East, this doesn't equate to being "good", but it does mean 40 wins is a real possibility.

Utah, Atlanta, Boston also on the list of surprises.


Accompanying picture is priceless for any Dexter fans:

[Chr1s1anL]

Agreed. I feel that Rudy and DD will be able to co-exist. I don't agree that Tyler will beat out Amir for that starting 4 spot. Won't make that much of a difference beacause their both get around 26 mins each.

[swingman]

I think it's weird how Atlanta not doing terrible would strike many as a suprise. Al Horford, Paul Millsap, Elton Brand, Pero Antic and the Brazilian afro kid is some serious frontcourt depth.

And yeah, Bargs being addition by subtraction is only suprising to people who didn't watch Toronto last season.

[mcHAPPY]

Agreed. I feel that Rudy and DD will be able to co-exist. I don't agree that Tyler will beat out Amir for that starting 4 spot. Won't make that much of a difference beacause their both get around 26 mins each.

Not being a dick but did you misinterpret?

The Gay and DD reference was to their inefficiencies with the Raptors being better off if they play less than the near 40 minutes per game they play or if one or both are traded.

The PF minutes has more to do with ANYONE other than Bargnani getting them. Doesn't really matter if new PF (Hansbrough) starts or comes off bench. But I definitely agree with you comment about both getting roughly 26 minutes per game.

Maybe I misinterpreted?

[mcHAPPY]

I think it's weird how Atlanta not doing terrible would strike many as a suprise. Al Horford, Paul Millsap, Elton Brand, Pero Antic and the Brazilian afro kid is some serious frontcourt depth.

And yeah, Bargs being addition by subtraction is only suprising to people who didn't watch Toronto last season.

Bebe is playing another year in Spain.

[Chr1s1anL]

Not being a dick but did you misinterpret?

The Gay and DD reference was to their inefficiencies with the Raptors being better off if they play less than the near 40 minutes per game they play or if one or both are traded.

The PF minutes has more to do with ANYONE other than Bargnani getting them. Doesn't really matter if new PF (Hansbrough) starts or comes off bench. But I definitely agree with you comment about both getting roughly 26 minutes per game.

Maybe I misinterpreted?

I pretty much agree with the whole piece except for the Dd/Rudy comment. I feel thier just being ruled out. Which makes sense since we can only go with thier history. Rudy's history also shows us how productive he could be if comfortable?

[S.R.]

I think we've seen Rudy and DeMar are actually better playing together, which is a little counter-intuitive to outsiders. You'd think their skill sets overlap too much, but they actually create space for each other on the wings.

Amir Johnson also continues to be underrated by virtually everyone in the entire league.

I'd agree with the "flirt with the playoffs" final analysis, though.

[connected]

I'd agree with the "flirt with the playoffs" final analysis, though.

Toronto is always flirting with the playoffs. Turns out the playoffs just don't like us that way. #friendzoned

[Rapstor4Life]

Toronto is always flirting with the playoffs. Turns out the playoffs just don't like us that way. #friendzoned

I Lol'd

[ceez]

[S.R.]

Toronto is always flirting with the playoffs. Turns out the playoffs just don't like us that way. #friendzoned

Tried to "Like" it, but not working for some reason. +1 the old-fashioned way!

[Mr.Z]

I'd really rather have a player you can say is productive without needing a list of qualifiers. Like, he's productive if he's wearing those rocket shoes that make the coyote as fast as the roadrunner etc.

That's a bit of an over exaggeration...

[Mr.Z]

Christian didn't name a list of qualifiers, all he did was say Rudy plays well when comfortable.

[S.R.]

That's a bit of an over exaggeration...

At least he didn't under exaggerate.

[Primer]

You know it's a slow offseason when we're digging up articles from the middle of July to comment on around the middle of September.
The analysis for the Raps is pretty apt though. No reason we shouldn't be a 40+ win team just by swapping Bargs for Hansborough (someone who rebounds and plays D). If we're not looking like a 40 win team then some mid-season trades will be made.