79 days may seem long, but compared to the first 117 we went through, this is nothing.
In next couple of months we will be finding out more about our teams. First comes Training Camp and then Preseason. Of course what happens during that time will not relate much to what happens throughout the regular season, but it will help give us an idea with what were working with.
I feel with the talent we have on this team we can only get better then we were last season. If next season is a disappointment we can only blame the players and coaching. You cannot deny Colangelo has made this team better. He has set the pieces for next season and it up to the players and coaching staff how they are going to use it.
Next season each player has a goal to reach, and think if they reach it, we can be a winning team.
Marcus Banks’ goal is to be traded or unloaded before the season, no before preseason. Maybe Dallas wants him. They will soon realize Shawn Marion isn’t the same with Marcus Banks cheering him on from the bench.
Andrea Bargnani is going into his 4th year and has shown signs of his improvement through the second half of last season. It had even reached the point where people were begging for him to have the ball in his hands during crunch time. Or Maybe that was just me. But after that Boston game, [Watch from 4 30 mark] who can blame me. I feel like his goal for this season is to show how consistent he is. Dropping around 15 points and grabbing more than 5 boards a night wouldn’t be so bad. I really expect Bargnani to show everyone that he can score for this team and lead this team if Chris Bosh chooses not to resign.
Marco Belinelli, like Bargnani previously, has been a disappointed to him team. Which would explain why Golden State would just hand him over to us for Devean George. However, I feel he hasn’t been put in the best position to showcase his skills and now is his chance. Belinelli’s goal for next season is to show GS what they were missing and to also be a reliable scorer off the bench, if he doesn’t start.
Chris Bosh’s goal: Show us why you deserve Max money. That’s all really. Well that and improvement. It’s getting tiring watching CB get owned by Garnett, even when he’s on the bench
Jose Calderon needs to stay healthy next season and shoot more. It was frustrating watching as one of our best shooters past up a good shot and give the ball to someone who couldn’t shoot consistently (Kapono). Working on his defence wouldn’t be so bad either.
DeMar DeRozan has to stay cool and confident. I don’t want him to feel pressure and have to do things he’s not ready to do. It’s his first year and all he has to do is PLAY. His goal is to keep it simple and at least make the All Rookie first team if he doesn’t get ROY.
Quincy Douby’s goal is to get rid of that Uni-brow and then we can talk about what he brings to the court or where he is on our depth charts. (He did show some good signs in … Summer League)
Reggie Evans, who I keep forgetting is on our team, just needs to be himself. Don’t do too much and be the toughness we’ve been lacking.
Last year, Jarrett Jack, became an important piece to what the pacers where doing. When Danny Granger went down, he stepped in and help lead the team to a couple of “wins”. Unfortunately, Pacers decided (ok they were somewhat forced) to let the 4 year Guard go. This year Jack will most likely be coming off the bench, which I feel is a good idea. His goal for this season is commit less turnovers and become a reliable scorer/passer off the bench. Good thing he takes it too the basket.
Rasho Nesterovic’s goal is to continue where he left off before he was unfairly traded. Our big slow Centre who came through for us in his own way.
Patrick O’Bryant needs help! I mean he’s got some game
or he wouldn’t be here, but if he’s still here October 28th I say he chills on the bench unless needed. If he does play, he needs to grab more rebounds and stop chilling out 17 ft from basketball. We don’t need anymore soft big men who can shoot jumpers.
Jay Triano’s goal is to utilize his coaching staff! It’s his first year without the Interim tag and the pressure is on. I have faith in him, because he’s been here long and this isn’t his first time coaching. Hopefully he has Sam Mitchell’s first year as head coach erased from his head.
Hedo Turkoglu has beat me too it and said he wants to make the all star team. That’s goal number 1. Number 2, is to not fall into the laziness that is the Raptors. Actually I think that goes for all new acquisitions. Too many times our players become lazy, even though they were pretty good on their previous team. Turk is 30, and I think he’s still got it for a few more years. His real goal is to sustain that ‘game’ he had through out the play offs and help us out. He can become a threat at the SF position, one we haven’t had in a while.
Roko Ukic, wow. I know he has potential but he has a bit to go before he reaches it. This year if he doesn’t improve, I say we D-league his derriere or get rid of him. His goal this season is too improve and not to hold the ball till the last 5 seconds in the clock.
Antoine Wright … I don’t know much about him. However, from what I’ve read he’s a great perimeter defender, he’s tough and he’s an ok shooter. The kicker? He doesn’t use his athletic ability as much as he could. Yup, he relies on his jumper. His goal for next season: defend, rebound and take it to the rim. Shouldn’t be too hard.
These are I just what I feel each individual needs to do. Of course they have their personal goals, but I feel these are important. Nobody wants another failure of a season.
I’m very excited for the 28th of October, when open up at home against Lebron and Shaq! Don’t forget AP and Moon are coming home too.
I’m not going to make any predictions team wise. I don’t want to be disappointed again, so I’ll just play it safe and say, we can’t predict how this team will click, we can just hope that it all works out. =]
