I think the Raptors, assuming Vince is on the team and the roster remains the same, will maker the playoffs. They won't win the division, but they will be 7th or 8th in the east. There record will be 42-40 and they will lose in the 2nd round or 3rd round. Detroit vs Raptors: Don't get me wrong, I know detroit pistons are the champs, but I think the raps can win assuming Vince C is back. If we are optomisitic ,Raptors in 7. The realist: Pistons in 5, or 6. Indiana vs Raptors: It depends on Chris Bosh's maturity, and Vinces aggression. If he can outwork Artest, and dominate him unlike Paul Pierce, the Raptors can win. Chris Bosh just has to make sure Jermaine Oneal doesn't get 30 and 15. Optomist: Raptors in 6. Realist: Raptors in 7, or Indiana in 7. Miami vs Raptors: Even if we see the old Vince, there is no chance for the raptors. Optomist: Heat in 7. Realist: Heat in 5. Orlando vs Raptors: Vince is still clearly the best player in both teams. But Steve Francis can play well, and he is much better than Rafar Alston. Chris Bosh however can be a huge factor in this series. Raptors in 6. Raptors vs Philadelphia: Ai and Vince are both pretty much in their prime. Especially AI. I no longer think his body can out do the wear and tear like in the past. He is still a great player, and easily has the heart to win. At this point in time, I think the Raptors can waste Philadelphia. Raptors in 5. Raptors vs Celtics: The celtics are looking real good right now, real good. In their history, Vince has actually won the personal battles with Pierce, and the Raps usually beat the Celts if Vince is playing. But this year, they got the high school beast Al Jefferson, and two other good rookies while the Raps gotr a janitor. I don't know but, the Raptors didn't improve much, while the celts got much better. Celtics in 6. New York vs Raptors: Now that Jamal Crawford is on New York, its double trouble for Raptors. Last year Raptors couldn't contain neither Marbury (33,40), or Crawford (50 i think). Hopefully Raptors are a good defensive team this year, and actually guard the guards. But I think this year Raps will get the better of New York. Raptors in 7. Summary: If Raptors can become in 4th, 5th, or 6th seeds, that will be great, because otherwise they have a risk facing Detroit or Miami. They could possibly get luckily against a team like Detroit or Indiana, but there is no chance against Shaq.
I can't say that I agree with your assessments. I'd take Big Ben in a second over Bosh. Nice player, but man, Ben is a beast, his impact transcends his statistics. And Marshal vs. Rasheed, damn, that's another easy one. Rasheed is a terminal underachiever, but even at that, he gets the nod bigtime over another underachiever. Now here's the strange one, Prince vs. Carter. Obviously, VC gets the nod here, but Prince may be the biggest factor when Detroit plays a team like the Raps. Look how mortal Prince made Kobe look, and he'll do the same to Vince. So take Vince out of his game, in a seven game series Detroit would win in 4. Also, you might be interested in this Hoops Hype Preview
Ya, I think that is a bit optimistic. I belive the Raps will make playoffs and maybe win the first round, but then they are out of their league. As for Detroit, the would take the Raps in 5 or 6. Billups would beat Raefer, RIP is way too much for Jalen, Vince would take Prince, Marshall would not match up to Rasheed, and Wallace is more of an impact then Bosh. I can't see the Raps matching up with Detroit at all.
This is all assuming based on the fact that the vincanity of three years ago returns, and bosh improves quite a lot.
You must be out of your mind if you take Bosh over Wallace, Wallace would murder Bosh any day and would probably remind Bosh that he is still a "sophomore"... or Don't forget Detroit has a deep long bench.... with still amazing players that may be capable of starting on some Eastern conference teams... cough* ATL*
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Gotrunks226:</div><div class="quote_post">You must be out of your mind if you take Bosh over Wallace, Wallace would murder Bosh any day and would probably remind Bosh that he is still a "sophomore"... or Don't forget Detroit has a deep long bench.... with still amazing players that may be capable of starting on some Eastern conference teams... cough* ATL*</div> Watch Chris Bosh become the most improved player this year, and watch him dunk right over wallace this year, facilized thats right. And Wallace is the most overrated player of all time. I mean the man is a liability on offense. His career high is like 18 or somethin. The man can barely hit half of his freethrows. The only thing he has is defense. And everybody thinks that the man is great. I haven't seen him get anything no one else hasn't. I mean he ain't no Rodman. Now that guy was a defensive specialist. Rebounds- Ben Wallace hsn't even reached the level of even 16rpg yet. A lot of players are better than wallace at steals, blocks, rebounds, but nooooooooo, they want to give big Ben the credit. Ben Wallace sux, and Vince did it right, dunking right over <font color="DarkRed">(edited:no profanities please).</font>
Oh my goodness...arhieboy get out of the Raptors forum, you're a disgrace to Raptors fans. Do you even know what you are saying???? Wallace is the most overrated player of all time??? Ugh...AHH! I won't even say anything and leave it to the rest of JBB to tear you up. Good job.
...... Did Vince help his team win the championship? I don't think so... Vince is way more over rated by ppl like you, has Vince even helped his team even make the playoffs in the past two years? i don't think so. And Don't say Vince has no help, he has had help. Plus those defense, rebounds, blocks, steals etc makes you win games... u can't just go point for point like Carter does, He plays absolutely no defense, has no team leadership, whines every freaken time he gets sore. And ppl like you think he's like God or something.
Yor pretty funny man,the point is that Ben Wallace has a ring and Bosh doesnt really,and so what if Ben Wallace isnt a very good offensive player...have you ever heard of defense wins chapionships?This thread is a JOKE.
lol archie...i m a very optimistic raptor fan....and even at that ....i still wouldn't predict raptors lasting past 6 games against detrioit
Man, whoever thinks that Donyell Marshall would beat Sheed is sadly mistaken. Alston can not break anyone down. Unless the NBA decides to have the playoffs at Rucker. Bosh over Big Ben? I am never coming into this forum again.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Gotrunks226:</div><div class="quote_post">...... Did Vince help his team win the championship? I don't think so... Vince is way more over rated by ppl like you, has Vince even helped his team even make the playoffs in the past two years? i don't think so. And Don't say Vince has no help, he has had help. Plus those defense, rebounds, blocks, steals etc makes you win games... u can't just go point for point like Carter does, He plays absolutely no defense, has no team leadership, whines every freaken time he gets sore. And ppl like you think he's like God or something.</div> I dotn think he's overrated, ppl rip him up more than complement him, so how is he overrated?
^Well said. Over the past two seasons, Vince has been really overrated. But now, how can he be overrated if everyone is hating on him and critisizing his game? Currently, Vince is not an overrated player anymore...he's simply just a good but not great player.
First off, Bosh will almost certainly be a power forward, rather than center, and Marshall will come off the bench. Secondly, Bosh over Wallace? Sure, Bosh is skilled and talented, but the guy guarding him is a two-time defensive player and arguably the best post defender in the league. So how could Bosh be over him? Thirdly, being a Lakers fan, did you see how Tayshaun Prince shut Kobe Bryant down in the Finals? Carter will not score 20+ unless Prince slacks off. Finally, the Pistons are a team; they're not about one-on-one offense and defense. Altohugh they have no real superstar, they know how to work with each other and that was how they won the championship. So matching players up by position won't really count.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">And Wallace is the most overrated player of all time.</div> i dont think anyone really cared wut u sed after that. <font color="DarkRed">(edited: We don't make personal attacks here)</font>
hmm Raps vs Pistons eh? I THINK they could maybe win but it would be luck. Most of the time when the raps played Detroit last season they got a decent lead then just through the whole game away so Im prety sure pistons would still win. As for Bosh and Big Ben who knows maybe Bosh has improved dramasticly but know one can say anything till the season starts
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"> This topic is proof of why many people don't ever take Raptor fans opinions seriously. </div> There are overly optimistic fans for every team and this guy happens to be one for the Raptors. If you poll this forum and ask how many Raptor fans actually agree with the statements he's made, you'd see that it's not very many. Don't let one fan disguard your judgements on all the other. I'm not accusing you of that, but maby people seem to react that way.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting spawn:</div><div class="quote_post">There are overly optimistic fans for every team and this guy happens to be one for the Raptors. If you poll this forum and ask how many Raptor fans actually agree with the statements he's made, you'd see that it's not very many. Don't let one fan disguard your judgements on all the other. I'm not accusing you of that, but maby people seem to react that way.</div> I have been here since this board basically got started, my opinion is not being judged on this one topic. You see it over and over again, each month through every season. There's nothing wrong with having confidence in your team's chances but It's another thing to completely disrespect other teams and their players just because certain people happen to be blind homers.
