Toronto Raptors: Season Expectations for Each Player

With the NBA free-agency and training-camp periods being shortened due to the lockout, NBA fans will see a shortened preseason as well.

For Raptor fans, we will get to watch the Raptors take on the Boston Celtics in a home-and-home series starting on December 18 in Toronto and on December 21 in Boston.

These two games will allow the fans to see how each player has progressed ever since the season ended on a bad note. If each player can live up to expectations, then fans will have a fun and enjoyable season to watch and hopefully see the team get a good SF at the upcoming draft.

Only usual rotation players will be in this article, excluding Sonny Weems (playing overseas, not allowed to come back until next season), Linas Kleiza (injury) and Reggie Evans (free agent).

Enjoy!

Andrea Bargnani: Improved Postgame and Defense

This past season, Andrea Bargnani averaged a low 5.2 rebounds, lowering his career rebounding total to 4.9 rebounds per game.

These are numbers that a 6'5'' forward or shooting guard would average, but the thing is—Bargnani is a seven-foot center, not a shooting guard. 

Bargnani has shown flashes of rebounding and defensive brilliance, but these little stints ended up being one or two games before he would go back to his old self again.

In an interview at the end of last season, Bargnani said that he was going to try to focus less on offense and a little bit more on the defensive side of the game.

And with Dwayne Casey as the new sheriff in the town, Bargnani's goal may come a bit easier.

Il Mago has the ability to rebound the ball, but the problem is that he hasn't seemed passionate about that aspect of the game in recent years. Hopefully this year it will change that. 

Demar DeRozan: Improved Jumper

Demar DeRozan is the future of this Toronto Raptors team, and if it was not obvious by the end of the season, you should make it your goal to understand why.

DeRozan entered this league known mainly as a slasher, and that is the way he has played his past two seasons in the NBA. In his second season, he definitely got better at it, finding routes and using moves to get to the basket.

DeRozan is still the high-flying player we all love to watch. With a better jump shot, however, DeRozan will not only be devastating when driving in, but teams will have to pay closer attention whenever he is on the court. If he can knock those shots down, DeRozan can be a 23-plus PPG player.

In the video, it is mainly dunking, but you can see that the jump shot is there and has improved over the years.

Jerryd Bayless: Less Selfish Play

Jerryd Bayless was known as a trouble maker in Portland and New Orleans, but that all seemed to change whenever he came to Toronto.

Bayless was still playing backup in the NBA, but once Jose Calderon was hurt for the rest of the season, it was Bayless who was thrust into the role as starter and point man; Bayless did not disappoint.

NBA teams knew Bayless had the ability to score, but in Toronto, he got to actually show his abilities to the fans. In total, Bayless averaged exactly 10 PPG as a Raptor, but since he started, the numbers have drastically improved.

In the last month of April, whenever Bayless started all but one game for the Raptors, he averaged an amazing 23 points and six assists per game, much improved compared to his season totals.

If Bayless can increase his assists total and shoot the ball a little bit less, then the Raptors will have found their gem at PG in Bayless.

James Johnson: A Better Offensive Game

James Johnson, just like Bayless, was viewed as a completely different player before coming to the Raptors. Before being traded for a late first-round pick, Johnson was known as a lazy player who did not add up to much on the court, but as he was thrust into the starting SF role for the Raptors, Johnson did not disappoint much.

His scoring numbers tripled as he went from three PPG to nine, and he was able to average one block and one steal per game as well, showing off his defensive game.

Johnson will probably be the defensive anchor in the backcourt, but even with the fat he has lost, as well as an improved offensive game, Johnson will, at best, be a great backup player if the Raptors can find a more consistent SF.

But for now, Johnson is what we have at SF, and with the way he played for the Raptors, good things are coming for the third-year player.

Ed Davis/Amir Johnson: Improved Offensive Games

Both Ed Davis and Amir Johnson are mainly known for their post presence on defense. On offense, they are rarely paid attention to, mainly because both of them are inconsistent—unless it comes to easy layups and dunking.

Amir Johnson is the better shooter of the two, but still needs work on his post game, and it is evident that Dwayne Casey will try to utilize both these players for their defense. Both have the potential to be good offensive post players, which makes them more reliable on offense.

If Davis and Johnson bulk up and get a better feel for the paint, then the Raptors will finally have that post presence that is largely needed.

Leandro Barbosa: Nothing Different

Leandro Barbosa completely passed expectations as the sixth man for the Raptors. He bounced back from a down season in Phoenix and felt like a completely rejuvenated player.

He is currently the oldest active player on the roster, and there is not much to expect from him other than repeating his antics from last season and acting as a mentor for these young players.

Barbosa will probably be playing a little better this season since his hand is much better compared to last season, and with the time off the players have had, his hand should be in tip-top shape for this season.

Jose Calderon: Better Leadership and Defense

Jose Calderon is one of the best passers in the league. He was ranked fifth in assists per game this season and ranked second in assist-per-turnover ratio, only behind Chris Paul.

Calderon is a point guard who likes to play it safe. He is never too flashy and rarely tries to make a play more complex than it is. Sometimes this proves to be effective, but other times it just slows the game down.

Other than being known for his passing and shooting ability, Calderon is better known as one of the worst defenders in the entire NBA. If the opposing PG is faster than him, consider the matchup to be won by the quicker point guard, as speed is another one of Calderon's weak points.

With Dwayne Casey as the new coach, we may see a small change for the better in Calderon's defense, as it is most likely that Calderon backs up Bayless this season.