Raptors End Of Season Grades

We continue to look back on the season that was and wasn't for the Toronto Raptors here at the Dino Nation Blog. I had a chance to be a guest on Raptors Rundown on the Game Point Blog. Thanks to Kris for the invite to be a guest on his podcast. He mentions that I am an inspiration to him and his blog. When I started the Dino Nation Blog it was never thought that it would inspire people to start doing this. It really is a honour that people feel that way. I have a love and passion for what I do, if that is inspirational to someone that is fantastic. It is nice that so many young people have taken a liking to what I am doing. I joke around about my age, but even though I don't have kids, young people are important to me. From the littlest fan like a Kid Raptor to these young people starting their own blogs is great. One of the goals of the Dino Nation Blog was to build the interest and love of basketball in general in this country. So hopefully we are doing that and the legacy of people inspired by the Dino Nation Blog can continue to grow. I believe that Charles Barkley was right in that no one is a role model in Pro Sports. I don't consider myself one ether. However I do try to represent myself and this blog in a positive light. So thanks again to Kris and anyone else that feels I have had an impact on them in that positive way. This was really not something that I expected to come out of doing this thing.

Now on to the Dino Nation Blog's report cards. If the Raptors were taking these home to get signed by Mom and Dad they may get grounded. Given how they finished the last semester of basketball it is hard to think of many that will improve on their mid-season grades. When your team goes form 6 wins above .500 to out of the playoffs and 2 games below .500 that can only be expected...Right? A reminder that these grades are based on the expectations compared to reality. So if a bench player gets a higher grade than a starter it is based on the expectation level being lower. They also are based off the previous grades and if they improved from there or regressed.

Jose Calderon (Mid Term Grade- C+) He did get his starting job back. But was that based on his great play or a drop off in Jarrett Jack's performance that allowed it to happen? Clearly getting his starting job back did not help matters with Jose. His numbers on offense were down across the board this season and his defense is the same. Which is not a good thing obviously. In fact when we look back to when Jose signed his sizable contract it is safe to say there has been a steady regression in his performance. Some Raptor fans were outraged by the fact Kenny Smith suggested a few years ago that Calderon was not a starter in this league. This was at the peak of Calderon's performance where some were even talking him up as a potential All-Star. Well as we look back Kenny Smith was closer to being right than those folks thinking Jose was an all-star. Bryan Colangelo may be hard pressed to move Calderon in the off-season. However he must make this move, because if he moves Jack instead and Jose continues to perform at this level fans will never let him forget it- (Final Grade D+)

Jarrett Jack ( Mid Term Grade B ) Jack really had taken this team by the horns in the first half of the season. He lost his grip to the point it allowed Calderon to replace him as the starter. It took Jack some time to accept being back to the number 2 guy again. Ultimately he needs to pick up his defense as well. He is hands down better than Calderon in that respect but we must see that every time he is on the floor. Jack down the stretch when few players seemed to care if this team made it or not, he did and it was written all over his face. He needs to make his 3 point shot more consistently. He can take some pride in the overall success of the Young Guns. He has been the wise old man that advises this youngsters on the ways of the west and life in the NBA. (Final Grade- B-)

Marcus Banks ( Mid Term Grade C+) Can a guy that rarely plays and people were praying Colangelo could trade for a bag of balls actually be the Raptors best defender at the position? It is hard to tell to be honest with you, because we don't see enough of him. Despite being vastly overpaid you can not question Banks effort when he is given chances. Offensive side of thing he still drive me nuts when he gets in there. However I really have lost the fire to say get rid of this guy. Perhaps hearing him on "The Hoops" show was a turning point for me. It helped make you understand that Marcus Banks is a pretty solid guy and he has given all he has when called upon. (Final Grade C+)

Demar DeRozan (Mid Term Grade B-) He lost his starting spot but at the very end of the season closed with a career high. DeRozan unfortunately has to be compared to folks in his draft glass like Evans, Curry and Jennings. DeRozan is not going to ever measure up this season in comparison to those guys. However he never had as a big a role on his team as those players as well. On defense Demar got taken to school a lot this year. However part of his problems are based on the Raptors overall sucking on defense. It is hard to learn how to play defense correctly when the people around you are not performing up to snuff as well. In the interview I did with Kris, I said that I would feel massive disappointment if Demar is not one of the most improved players on this roster next season. It was a year of learning and the test of what he learned will come next season. As for this year he was up and down and very inconsistent on both ends. ( Final Grade C+)

To find out how everyone else did including Colangelo, Triano and even me Read the Rest at Dino Nation Blog

As well as a link to that interview mentioned in the intro

Blog – 1 year, 9 months ago by Dino_Blogger to Basketball. 814 views.