gabe91

For the first time in 3 years....

We don't have pressure to be a top 5-6 seed and risk underachieving.

The whole world is against us going into this year, and I personally love it...

It'll be sweet if we come out of nowhere and shock the world...especially with all media basically LOCKING us in to the 14th - 15th spot in the east.

I know there are a lot of fans who think we'll stink real bad, but I personally like our team and think we can make some noise.

Jack/Jose/Banks
Demar/Barbosa
Kleiza/Sonny
Amir/Ed
Bargs/Alabi/Dorsey

With another trade probably looming in the horizon plus the trade player exception to work with at the trade deadline when struggling teams will be looking for financial relief we can be dangerous.

I think we're focusing on being a fast, athletic, defensive-minded, and mentally tough team. More emphasis on ball movement without Mr. Stuck in a cage..

To conclude, I don't think we're gonna finish in the bottom of the East, and could shock a lotta ppl. I love being the underdog, especially with a lot of high character, rising stars on our team.

MikeToronto

yes.

jeffb

All i know is that i expect us to be in the running for 7-8th and i'm looking forward to seeing us play without having Bosh get the ball 15-18 ft out and holding onto the ball for 6 seconds killing any ball movement. Another move or two are coming that will help.

Gurk

I don't mind and I don't really care if we do good or not. I just want to see some exciting games in which our players can improve in

gabe91

Demar average 8.6 points on what like 50 percent shooting....feed him the ball

gabe91

I think guys like Demar, Sonny, Amir and a few others had some solid development and learning time last year. I think they're ready to play this year.

jeffb

His 50% would drop to 42%, especially if he jacks up more 3's.

gabe91

I don't expect him to take more than like one three per game. I expect him to take it to the rim and a lotttttt more midrange.

Rye

Bosh and Turk gone can only help this team. Bosh is the softest power forward in the league, and turkoglu... forgedaboutit

We won't have a star player, every single player has to improve this year for the Raptors to be successful. Derozan and Amir and Bargs have serious potential without Bosh. I can't wait to see how things will turn out 1H.

MrClutch

i like that were underdogs, no pressure means they can play hard each game and surprise some teams

Shadowfax

i'm actually looking forward to watching this team...and i'll go out on a limb right now and predict an 8th place finish...yes, i said 8th place

Cleveland will more than likely fall apart
Boston is getting older by the hr
Indiana, NY, Philly, Washington and NJ look to be treading water (as of right now)

i honestly can't see why ( with a couple more moves from BC) this young, get out and go team can't compete for an 8th seed

gabe91

I am personally hoping for a little more this year than an 8th place first round exit..unless we beat the heat

Still think some of our players are extremely underrated. Just because we don't have a *dare i say it* superstar, doesn't mean we can't be good.

SeanMarks Fan

I don't get why you guys are all so optimistic. We'll struggle to score in the paint due to a real physical presence. Bargs will get out muscled on D when being backed down and I'd hate to think what will happen when we bring our number 2 centre on. Amir=meh Davis needs time to settle into his role. Klieza seems good so expect hopefully 12-16ppg from him, Sonny is a bit of a hit and miss but I don't expect him to offer to much. Huge wieght on Demars shoulders if he has improved his outside shot he may be able to carry us through some matches but until then I only expect 11-14 ppg from him. Barbosa's coming back from an injury so NOONE knows what we are getting here.

I don't expect us to finish any higher than 3rd from the bottom when imo we potentially only have 4 scorers who can get over 10pts at the start of the season with Ed hopefully starting to hit that mark by the end of the season.

Shifty.py

Being underdogs is nice

The pressure is once again on Triano. How will he handle team this deep and inexperienced? Team without one leader. This could crash spectacularly, although everyone secretly expects 06-07 repeat

SomeDPlease

Everyone's expecting us to be at the bottom of the pack, but I think we can pull out 8-10th place.

VanCity

in that case....be prepared to be hugely disappointed...

jeffb

Wouldn't be the first time. But look at the bottom 7 teams in the East .. we're no worse then most or any of them for that matter.

VanCity

i think its gonna be a complete gong show...there are some teams that could either be really good or terribly bad....like the 76ers, wizzards, nets and the knicks....they all could be running for a playoff position or be at the bottom of the conference....its just too early to tell...

Ammo

I like entertaining ball and it will be nice to call these guys "our" team, but getting punched in the mouth by league bullies will only feel good at the end of the year looking forward to a high draft pick. Without some tweaking, I can't see 8th place. There are too many games to play against very strong teams. I am not picturing too many smiles on the bench if they end up with 13 wins of their first 41 games. Consolation prize might be the top 1 or 2 PGs in the 2011 draft.

TORaptor4Ever

Lol..... when have we NOT been an "underdog"?