NBA 2006-2007 Preview: Toronto Raptors

Toronto Raptors
Coach: Sam Mitchell, 3rd Season (60-104)
General Manager: Bryan Colangelo
’05-’06 Record: 27-55, 4th Atlantic Division


Projected Starting Lineup (’05-’06 Stats)

PG – T.J. Ford (w/MIL: 12.2 ppg., 1.7 rpg., 6.6 apg.)
SG – Anthony Parker (16 games w/ORL 2000-2001: 3.6 ppg., 1.7 rpg., 0.6 apg.)
SF – Morris Peterson (16.8 ppg., 4.6 rpg., 2.3 apg.)
PF – Chris Bosh (22.5 ppg., 9.2 rpg., 2.6 apg.)
C – Rasha Nesterovic (w/SA: 4.5 ppg., 3.9 rpg., 0.4 apg.)


Key Additions: G/F Anthony Parker (UFA); PG T.J. Ford (trade – MIL); SG Fred Jones (UFA – IND)

Key Subtractions: PF Charlie Villanueva (trade – MIL); PG Mike James (UFA – MIN); PG Andre Barrett (released); C Loren Woods (UFA – SAC); PG Alvin Williams (released); F Matt Bonner (trade – SA); F Eric Williams (trade – SA)


2006 NBA Draft
Round 1 – F/C Andrea Bargnani (1st overall), International – Italy
Round 2 – SF P.J. Tucker (35th overall), University of Texas


Positional Breakdowns

Guards
The Raptors were looking to improve their team speed and offense over the past offseason, and one way they were able to do both of those things was by acquiring T.J. Ford from Milwaukee. Ford brings to the team a true point guard who can make plays by scoring and my finding his teammates. He’s got the quickness to get out in front of everyone else and start a break or just take it himself. He’s quick with the ball and makes solid decisions. What Toronto will have to do is keep him involved and motivated, something that was his eventual downfall in Milwaukee. He was expendable for the Bucks because of his problems with the coaching staff and the accusation that Ford often didn’t play his hardest on the court. He’s got every opportunity to prove himself with this young team that is going to grow around him. Hopefully, he does a little bit of growing on his own.