2011/2012 Power Rankings

[Apollo]

Dec 2, 9:56 am EST

28 Toronto (22-60)
Pace: 95.4 (12), Off: 103.3 (20), Def: 110.0 (30)
Dwane Casey will keep the Raptors from being the league's worst defensive team for a third straight year, but Toronto will need more than a coaching change to escape the Atlantic Division basement. They do have to be pleased with the summer of No. 5 pick Jonas Valanciunas(notes), who won't arrive until next fall.

Source: Yahoo Sports

Over or under on 18 wins?(2010/2011 win % x 66 games)

[Bendit]

Shall wait until after the dust is settled (f/a, amnesty, trades before season start).

[planetmars]

It's still early of course, but I'm thinking 16 wins.

[Apollo]

Shall wait until after the dust is settled (f/a, amnesty, trades before season start).

You could but its starting to seem like they're not going to do much...

[ezz_bee]

I went with under, i don't think they'll casey is going to do very much this year because there just isn't much practice time

[Mack North]

I think 18 is bang on, but they'll have some moral victories in there as well so I took the OVER!

[NoPropsneeded]

25 is what im thinkin

[Tim W.]

25 is what im thinkin

When the shortened season is taken into account, that's about a 10 game improvement. TO what are you attributing that much improvement without any external additions apart from a new coach?

I said 15 earlier and they haven't done anything to change my mind about that.

[NoPropsneeded]

When the shortened season is taken into account, that's about a 10 game improvement. TO what are you attributing that much improvement without any external additions apart from a new coach?

I said 15 earlier and they haven't done anything to change my mind about that.

well everyone sounds like they improved on something during the off season and they will most likely improve on defense as well. So i think they might do ok this year. We lost a lot last year due to injuries

[Tim W.]

well everyone sounds like they improved on something during the off season and they will most likely improve on defense as well. So i think they might do ok this year. We lost a lot last year due to injuries

But where are those wins coming from? Pretty much everyone else in the bottom half improved (or are looking to) other than Charlotte. Did the Raptors improve more than all those other teams?

[Matt52]

Sweet 16.

[NoPropsneeded]

yes i think they did.

[Papa Burgundy]

But where are those wins coming from? Pretty much everyone else in the bottom half improved (or are looking to) other than Charlotte. Did the Raptors improve more than all those other teams?

Another gigantic year of growth and development from Demar Derozan, a more suitably defined role for Andrea Bargnani, a full healthy preparation for a season from Ed Davis and another year of experience, training camp and roles for Bayless and James Johnson, a hamstring injury free Jose, thumb surgery free Barbosa ... Coach Casey's dirty defensive mentality and an overall more experienced winning coach on the bench ... ?? No one can throw hate on people for being optimistic, maybe our youth is another factor that allows us to be fresh on these crazy back-to-backs and road trips, where older veteran teams, or teams with no depths could drop games.

Maybe not, but I don't think it makes sense to pretend to KNOW it's not possible.

[Tim W.]

Another gigantic year of growth and development from Demar Derozan, a more suitably defined role for Andrea Bargnani, a full healthy preparation for a season from Ed Davis and another year of experience, training camp and roles for Bayless and James Johnson, a hamstring injury free Jose, thumb surgery free Barbosa ... Coach Casey's dirty defensive mentality and an overall more experienced winning coach on the bench ... ?? No one can throw hate on people for being optimistic, maybe our youth is another factor that allows us to be fresh on these crazy back-to-backs and road trips, where older veteran teams, or teams with no depths could drop games.

Maybe not, but I don't think it makes sense to pretend to KNOW it's not possible.

Who's throwing hate on people or "knowing" it's not possible. Why is simply being realistic hating? It seems to me, though, that I had very similar conversations at the beginning of last season.

Cleveland- A healthy Varejao, additions of Omri Casspi, Kyrie Irving and Tristan Thompson.
Minnesota- Rick Adelman as coach, additions of Ricky Rubio and Derrick Williams, continued growth of Kevin Love, Wesley Johnson, managements desire to win right now since they gave away their lottery pick
New Jersey- Full season with Deron Williams, probable free agent additions, continued growth of Brook Lopez
Sacramento- Healthy Tyreke Evans, additions of J.J. Hickson, John Salmons and Jimmer Fredette, continued improvement of DeMarcus Cousins and Jason Thompson
Washington- A healthy Rashard Lewis playing at natural position, additions of Jan Vesely and Chris Singleton, continued improvement of John Wall, JaVale McGee and Andray Blatche.

I think you get the point. A lot of Raptor fans look at the improvements of their own team without really thinking that ALL the young teams go through similar improvements. You ask all those other teams' fans and they'll probably say the same thing.

And while DeRozan and Davis will probably make some big improvements, Reggie probably won't be coming back, I wouldn't be surprised if Barbosa gets trade sooner rather than later, and with Bayless playing more minutes, it means less experience at the PG position, which means probably fewer wins.

Again, I'm simply being realistic.

[Tim W.]

Plus, you have to assume that there will be some injuries. An injury free season is incredibly rare, especially since several of the players have continued to struggle with injuries throughout their career.

[Puffer]

I think 18 is pretty much smack on. And I will enjoy watching the games this year as well. As has been mentioned in another thread, they were pretty entertaining (to me at least) last year, and I expect another year of the same. I will enjoy seeing this team grow together and have hopes for significant improvement next year.

[Apollo]

Plus, you have to assume that there will be some injuries. An injury free season is incredibly rare, especially since several of the players have continued to struggle with injuries throughout their career.

Condensed schedule means more injuries. This should balance out though because the Raptors aren't special here.

[stretch]

Maybe the poll should be who will win less than the Raptors this year? Perhaps Cleveland and the Bobcats.

[Matt52]

Maybe the poll should be who will win less than the Raptors this year? Perhaps Cleveland and the Bobcats.

Nope... just Bobcats.

[Apollo]

Plus, you have to assume that there will be some injuries. An injury free season is incredibly rare, especially since several of the players have continued to struggle with injuries throughout their career.

Pretty much everyone else in the bottom half will get injuries. Are you taking that into consideration? I do not see it.