3. The progression of Jonas Valanciunas. It’s not all doom and gloom for Raptors fans. The most exciting thing to watch will likely be the development of Valanciunas, their young center. The fifth pick in the 2011 draft showed flashes of brilliance in his rookie season. But it was his MVP performance in the Las Vegas Summer League that really turned heads.
If Valanciunas stays healthy, this season could represent a breakout campaign and would give the Raptors their first elite big man since Antonio Davis. (With obvious apologies to Rafael Araujo.)
4. The progression of Terrence Ross. Toronto’s other recent lottery pick is Ross, an athletic wing and another player fans will be watching this season. While his rookie season didn’t prove to be as big of an on-court success as that of Valanciunas, Ross still had his moments, including an exciting win in the Slam Dunk Contest at All-Star Weekend.
However, Ross’ recent Summer League performance could be classified as invisible at best. Pistons big Andre Drummond, drafted right after Ross in 2012, continues to cast a long shadow.
Should Ross take a big step forward, it could push management to move one of the larger wing contracts (Gay, DeMar DeRozan). But if Ross struggles, he could easily find himself being used as trade bait in an effort to shake up the roster.
5. The Point Guard Situation. Last season, the Raptors looked to have a dynamic 1-2 punch at the point with pass-first Jose Calderon backing up ever-in-attack-mode Kyle Lowry. Unfortunately that combination never materialized due to injuries to Lowry and his rocky relationship with the coaching staff, issues that eventually saw him sit in favor of Calderon.
Calderon’s expiring contract was moved in the deal that landed Gay, so the show is Lowry’s and Lowry’s alone to run this season. Sure, he will have some backup options thanks to Ujiri’s offseason acquisitions of D.J. Augustin and rookie Dwight Buycks. But the bottom line is that it’s Lowry’s job to lose.
Considering his reputation with coaching staffs isn’t exactly stellar and the fact that Lowry is in a contract year, there are myriad reasons it is essential that Lowry gets his career back on track this season.
Adam Francis has been covering the Toronto Raptors since 2005 when he created RaptorsHQ.com, one of the web’s first NBA fan sites. Now part of SB Nation, RaptorsHQ has been an accredited member of the Raptors media since 2008. Adam’s work has been featured in MacLean’s Magazine, Dime, the National Post and on CBC TV. He suggested to David Stern that the NBA should create a version of soccer’s Champions’ League and is still alive to tell the tale. You can follow him on Twitter.
Different website same stuff.
Anyway the things to watch for the Raptors in 12-13.
1. Hansbrough vs Valanciunas – Who will get more fourth quarter minutes. Hansbrough is the better player at this point in all aspects of game including defense and rebounding, except for shooting. They both get to the FT line at a high rate and convert at a high rate. With Colangelo not around to force Casey to play Valanciunas I expect to see a lot of Johnson and Hansbrough.
2. The bench. Casey may decide to bring Johnson in off the bench and start Hansbrough which could make a lot of sense. Without Johnson coming off the bench the Raptors bench is a big question mark at this point. If it develops into a decent unit the Raptors could win 48 – 50 games. If not 40-42. After the Calderon trade which resulted in Casey starting Lowry and Johnson the Raptors bench was awful.
Can Buckys win the backup job from Augustin. Buckys has a lot of upside and if he can win the backup PG job it will help the Raptors bench. Will Fields regain a somewhat decent three point shot as Gay’s backup. Will Ross improve enough to become a fairly consistent backup SG? Will Johnson start or come off the bench.
3. Will DeRozan get moved by the trade deadline?
Those are the things to watch for. As far as Wiggins goes. It would not surprise me if he he was not the #1 pick next June. There will be an awful lot of talent next season in NCAA basketball. Kentucky is loaded again. My guess is that the #1 pick in the June draft could come out of KY. I would also keep an eye on Parker at Duke and Walker at Florida. Big men have a history of going #1. Right now my pick to go #1 next June is Randle simply because he could be the best of what could be another very dominate KY team.
Corr: Things to watch for in 13-14
You’re out of your mind if you think Hansbrough is going to play the 5 over Valanciunas. Val’s minutes are going up..way up. “Hansbrough is the better player at this point is all aspects of the game” ?????? Well not in offense, post moves, blocking, running the floor, free throws, etc. etc. What you on about mate?
All I Can Say Is… Just Like Sixers Fans Hold On Masai Ujiri Has Inherited A Pure Mess Of PLayers That Will Never Mess Together… Trust In Ujiri & Sam Hickie …These 2 Will Turn Your Franchise around & make a good decision s for your team …I have seen nothing but good moves from both Espically getting rid of Bargnani for the Raptors & Bynum for the Sixers.. Future Looks Bright Now you want be the West Bucks As Bill Simmons would say #8 place for the last 10 years