3 Bold Predictions for the Toronto Raptors in 2011-12
The Toronto Raptors enter the 2011-12 NBA season with a new head coach who brings a much-needed defensive mindset to the team. After giving up an average of 105.4 points per game last season, Jay Triano was reassigned at the end of the 2010-11 NBA season.
Head coach Dwane Casey, who was with the Dallas Mavericks as part of Rick Carlisle’s staff for the past few years, is looking to make changes north of the border. This is a great move for the Raptors organization as GM Bryan Colangelo continues to search for ways to make the team a legit contender.
The Raptors will look to build their team around a group of young players led by DeMar DeRozan, Andrea Bargnani, Ed Davis and Amir Johnson. The Raptors will also add Jonas Valanciunas to the mix next season. Bryan Colangelo hopes that the addition of Casey will allow the Raptors to be a better overall team (on both sides of the basketball) in the future.
Dwane Casey Is the Right Coach for the Toronto Raptors
1 of 3General manager Bryan Colangelo made a bold move by bringing in Dwane Casey as the coach for the Raptors this season. Colangelo felt that it was the right time to change the culture of the team and Casey can use the next two seasons to evaluate which players “fit” that mold. Those that don't meet his requirements can be sent off via trade or not brought back.
The Raptors will also be another team looking to lure free agents during the summer of 2012. The question however, will always be whether free agents are even considering Toronto as a legitimate destination.
The Raptors Will Continually Tinker with Their Current Roster This Season
2 of 3The Raptors will continue to bring in role players to surround their core group in an effort to see which players are worth keeping around long term. With the new cap rules in place, the Raptors will do everything possible to stay below the luxury tax line.
With the additions of Jamaal Magloire, Anthony Carter, Rasual Butler, Aaron Gray and Gary Forbes, the Raptors will turn to short-term solutions to make it through the 2011-12 NBA season. The hope is that by bringing in these veteran players, it will allow the younger players to experience the other nuances of the game.
The Toronto Raptors Will Not Make the Playoffs This Season
3 of 3Despite the addition of head coach Dwane Casey to the fold, the Raptors will fail to make it to the postseason. However, the team will play the role of spoiler and may make some noise out in the Eastern Conference.
