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| Monday, September 18 Updated: September 19, 12:24 PM ET Tracy's gone, Vince is only one man ESPN.com |
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Everyone loves Vince Carter, there's very little debate about that. But fans of the Toronto Raptors are, in general, realistic about the team's chances now that No. 2 scorer Tracy McGrady skipped town. Some people like Corliss Williamson, some like top draft pick Morris Peterson, and everyone seems to like Hall of Fame coach Lenny Wilkens. But will the Raptors win more games. The responses we got were mixed.
Anyway, here are some of the better e-mails we received on the Raptors and the Team Offseason Spotlight. Enjoy, and check out our spotlight index page to read our breakdowns and your user comments on each NBA team.
Let's get real. Losing Tracy is a great loss that the Raptors will not be able to overcome. Vince is extremely athletic, but does not possess the raw skills of McGrady. They say one man can't win a game, but there was MJ. However, Vince is no MJ, contrary to all the comparing that has been done. The only twin of MJ is planning his wedding and plays out west in California. I look for Vince to have a killer season offensively. He will start to get more calls from the refs, but Toronto will only make the playoffs as an eighth seed. Kevin Smart Holbrook, N.Y.
I agree with the lack of depth in scoring for this team, but heart and hustle make up for some of the void. Oakley and Jackson provide not only off-court leadership, but on the court leadership in hustle and heart. I think that Lenny Wilkens has a team he can run and gun with, and has the personnel that will not only respect him, but play for him. Look out for a breakout season from Corliss Williamson. He is due, and with Vinsanity running the show ... Corliss will be a featured attraction. Darryl Greenberg Toronto, Ontario
Very well put, a great analysis of the current situation of the team. But I think you overemphasized the lack of scoring on the Raps. Sure, McGrady could fill it up, but he was a very inconsistent shooter, and couldn't really make people pay for double teaming Carter. Dell Curry is useless because he has no mobility. But Mo Pete, by all accounts, is a very good shooter and should help. Corliss simply didn't have the shots because there were so many other weapons in Sacramento. I think his scoring will definitely go up. Center is an issue as well as defending quick point guards, but Alvin Williams actually is a good defender!! Miguel Ottawa, Ontario
I agree with your overall prediction that the Raptors are playoff bound, and will win 40 to 50 games. I think it will be the top of your range for the following reasons. First, coaching will be much better. Butch admitted that he was learning on the job. I think team defense and consistency will be much better with good coaching (look at improvement in Orlando and LA last year). Second, look at team chemistry. Last year there were several players at different times with issues. They say they only want to win, but at the end of the day they had contracts coming up (McGrady, Brown) or were unhappy with their contract (Christie). Third, Vince will be even more effective at shooting guard, where he won't have to worry about being overpowered by players 45 pounds heavier and four or five inches taller. If any one of the younger Raptors step up (Alex Radojevic, Michael Stewart, Alvin Williams or Morris Peterson) with quality minutes the Raptors will definitely improve. And these guys will hopefully get a much better shot than under the last coach. Finally, only two teams in the East have significantly improved -- both are in Florida. In summary, I think the Raptors will improve on 45 wins. Don Morrison Mississauga, Ontario
The Raptors will struggle this year, because there will be too much pressure on Vince Carter. He will be getting double and triple teamed this year. There were no key additions to the team and with the loss of Tracy McGrady, look for coach Lenny Wilkens to struggle just like he did in Atlanta. It just may be past his time as a coach. But Vince will be the man, because he has added a lot more to his game as you can see on the Dream Team. On the other hand, when free agency hits, oh boy, look for Toronto to be a poor team. Jarrard Brookins Tallahassee, Fla.
I love watching Vince, but Air Canada is going to experience some turbulence this year. The guy has been under so much pressure to perform, and that pressure will only increase this year. As I look into my crystal ball, I see Vince over-exerting himself on offense and defense, since his team lacks both. Oakley plays fine scrappy ball, and Davis can hold the middle to some extent. But Vince will have to pick up ALL the slack, and play too many minutes. What were they thinking sending Christie for Corliss? The spirits tell me that Vince will be out at least a couple of games this season due to injury. I hate to be the harbinger of doom, but this is the kind of stuff that happens when one guy has to do everything. Good luck, Vince, you're gonna need it! Boris Chernin Los Angeles, Calif.
The Raptors are always going to be competitive because they have Vince Carter, but the loss of McGrady is going to really hurt. In some games he took a lot of pressure of Vinsanity and his defense on multiple positions helped get the team in the playoffs. If Vinsanity is going to have any success he is going to need someone to be that 1-2 punch with him. I expect Morris Peterson to show a lot of people that he is a great player. Antonio Davis is a great player, but the Raptors' defense suffers when they have to use him and undersized Charles Oakley to guard opposing centers. They need a center who can defend. Mark Jackson will bring leadership to the team, but if the Raptors are to go to the next level they will need a center and another scorer to step up, or they will watch the playoffs instead of being in them. Michael Head Randallstown, Md.
I am very disappointed in basketball people underestimating the addition and impact Morris Peterson will have on the Raptors. He was a senior and the best player from the defending NCAA champions, one of the top programs. Morris possesses intangibles, fundamentals and skills that will allow him to eventually start (by midseason) and become the outside shooter and No. 2 scorer the Raptors need. The impact of mature college players on teams in recent years has become more dramatic. What Tracy McGrady brought to the table was tremendous basketball ability, but what we can't underestimate is his immaturity and lack of focus. Do organizations really want to build teams around these characteristics? Not only will Morris help the Raptors achieve more this year, but in years to come. Matt Carr Toronto, Ontario
Losing TMac and Christie were big blows to the team, especially defensively, and I don't believe that the new teammates will make up for those losses on the other end. What I really look forward to is the huge upgrade in leadership skills. I'm hoping that Wilkens can coax the focus that was often lacking last season, through Jackson -- who has said that he must be the on-court extension to the team. All said, I soundly agree that the improvement of the team lies heavily on how well Williamson adapts and scores. James Tung Montreal, Quebec
The brief Olympic exposure for Vince Carter already shows the fact that he is an international sports superstar. Oh yeah, and he plays in, uh, where, Toronto? I think it is obvious he will get the exposure he deserves regardless of what city he plays in. Why would he leave Toronto? He is the man, and what McGrady really wanted to be. Vince will get the most money here, and has a great situation in terms of teammates, coach and organization. I think if the media plays the same role that McGrady's handlers and entourage played in his trade last year, then Vince might leave. There's an old phrase though, something about not knowing what you really had until it's gone. Good advice. Chris Graham Mississauga, Ontario
I think it's great that Toronto finally has a "real" point guard. But I believe the problem that really needs to be addressed is at the center position. Antonio Davis is great as a power forward, but he is often overmatched in his current role. Instead of paying for an older (but definitely accomplished) point guard, maybe the Raps should have gone after a center that could be molded. And don't tell me that either Yogi Stewart or Aleksandar Radojevic are that guy! Adam Bernstein Toronto, Ontario
That McGrady stuff is bull. It is true that we lost 17 ppg and some pretty good defense when we lost McGrady, but to say that a downhill slide or staying pat is quiet likely is ridiculous. Here is why: 1. Mark Jackson will find the right people and get them the ball in the right place. His assists alone are going to take care of more than half of McGreedy's points. 2. Corliss Williamson is the perfect size for a small forward in the East. His post-up game will punish the teams that constantly double Vince. 3. Lenny Wilkens is a real coach who knows how to bring up a superstar, and most important of all, knows how to run the defensive schemes. He will draw up the right plays to get the best out of everyone (Antonio Davis). 4. Doug Christie is gone. Finally his inconsistent shooting and complaining is out of here. The guy had great defense, but he turned the ball over too many times when it counted. 5. Vince Carter is the man. Wait until this guy releases his new game. One word -- DEADLY. 6. Overall team chemistry will improve. With a stabilizing force like Wilkens the team will finally be a team. There will not be as many losses to losing teams as there were last year, I can guarantee that.
I'll see you in the No. 3 or 4 spot in the East.
Just when you thought another dynamic duo was arisin' one of them bolts for a new partner in Orlando. The Raptors lost a gem in McGrady. I think that they lost more when they traded Christie for Williamson. No offense (I mean that literally and sarcastically) to Corliss, but Christie could do a lot more on the floor than he can. The addition of Jackson, despite his age, is a welcome one. Finally the Raps got a true point who can run the show. But for a relatively new team, they look relatively old, too. I hope for the team's sake that they can keep up with Vinsanity and surge a bit deeper into the playoffs. Paolo Aguenza Manila, Philippines
No way, the Raptors will not win 45 games; they will be lucky to win 40. With only one legitimate scoring threat coupled with a mediocre team defense, Toronto will struggle to make the playoffs. But this is not to disrespect the teaching abilities of Wilkens, because he can only do so much. Vincent D'Angelo Cincinnati, Ohio
I do not believe that Vince will be able to keep the Raptors at the level of competitiveness that they were last year. I do not feel that he has the skill level of Iverson, Kobe, Garnett or Shaq. His highlights have put a lot of pressure on him, which I do not feel he will be able to handle. I believe he will run from it like Grant Hill and Penny did, while players like Kobe welcomed the challenge. Out of Toronto's top six players, five of them are at the end of their careers. So I believe they will fall short of the playoffs. Sherman Gipson Three Rivers, Mich.
I think you're right on when you said the Raptors will be in the playoffs but won't necessarily be any better or worse than last year. They picked up some key guys like Williamson and Jackson; Morris Peterson was probably the biggest steal in the draft, so watch for him to produce and get a lot of playing time after he proves he can play in the NBA. But the loss of McGrady will really limit this team in the playoffs because without that extra scoring, there will be tons of pressure on Carter to put up big huge numbers every night. To make it even worse on the defense side, Jackson, Carter and Williamson aren't the best defenders. I don't believe this year they'll make it past the first round no matter who they play. Nate Edwards Minneapolis, Minn.
Generally speaking, I can't quibble with the analysis, but offer these two points: 1. Vince Carter was almost constantly double-teamed last year whether Tracy McGrady was around or not. So it's not like he's going to see something he didn't last season, as you suggest. And frankly, as he showed in the playoffs, he can pass well out of the double teams. It was the failure of other Raptors to hit their open shots that largely sealed Toronto's fate against the Knicks in the first round last season. The Raptors were 3-21 from behind the arc in Game 3.
2. Corliss Williamson doesn't have to recover his form of three seasons ago to replace the scoring of McGrady and Doug Christie. He just needs a starter's minutes. Last season with the Kings, Williamson averaged 20.7 points in the 10 games in which he played over 30 minutes. He brings a low-post game the Raptors didn't have last season, meaning he can be a more effective second option than either McGrady or Christie were last season.
McGrady's departure is tragic, but I wouldn't be surprised to see Vince leading the league in scoring this season. The Raps are two players away from being a legit contender (even Jordan needed a sidekick). They are not as talented as they were a year ago but that was with Butch Carter, whose poor play calling cost us a few games, including one against the Knicks in the playoffs. If the young kids like Peterson and Radojevic play well, I think Lenny Wilkens can lead this team to the playoffs and maybe into the second round. Bottom line: As Vinsanity goes, so do the Raptors. Gary C Toronto, Ontario
Toronto's problem is simple; they need a legitimate young center (guess we missed on Brad Miller, too!). Having someone would enable them to match up better with the top teams, and Davis gets to play his natural position. Two big men with power would make it tough to double Vince. Problem is, who do they have for trade bait? How about the power forward Davis bumps out? This would give them a starting lineup that matches up well across the board. Add in some luck with Peterson as sixth man, and they could nudge to 50 wins, and maybe even make Vince happy enough to hang around? Naaa, just kiddin' on that last one! Rod Budgell Mount Pearl, Newfoundland
Here's the way I see it: Lose Tracy McGrady: (-5) from win total Lose Butch Carter/Add Lenny Wilkens: (+7) to win total Lose harmful influences Dee Brown and Doug Christie: (+3) Vince Carter actually improves his game (yes, it is possible, as we've seen from early Olympic tune-ups): (+3)
So based on this highly scientific formula (get out the calculators), that would mean up to eight more wins for the Raptors this season.
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