I prefer to save my team evaluations for training camp which isn't
for a long time yet, but I'll do a short one right now. The Raptors
have some decent talent, but have large flaws in the make up of the
roster.

Center: Too small with 6-9 Davis and skinny 6-10 Moiso. Bateer has
good size but likely will watch more games than he plays.

Power Forward: 6-8 JYD is also too small. Bradley is slow, unathletic
and untalented. Bosh is green but may be the swing factor for this
season. Much depends on him.

Small Forward: Peterson and Murray give the Raptors much needed depth
and scoring, but again are not big for the position. How Murray plays
coming off last season's injury will decide whether SF is a position
of strength or weakness.

Shooting guard: It is all Carter and how many games he plays. He
isn't the solution to the size problems the raptors have, but he can
make people forget about them. He isn't the player he was, but he can
still be everything we need as long as he continues to expand his
game.

Point guard: Average. Williams does not make things happen, he is a
safe player who does the predictable, but nonetheless Williams is
acceptable as long as he stays healthy. Palacio is just more of
Williams with less scoring. Brunson brings little aside from injury
insurance.

If the Raptors were in the west they'd be considered an AWFUL team,
but in the east the raptors have a chance at the playoffs. It would
not surprise me if the raptors finished 8th as the final playoff
team. The problem I see is that it will likely take 45 wins to get
there. That is double what the raptors had last season. Doubling your
win total in one season is not something that happens often.

I've put the Eastern Conference teams in categories. Any one of the
teams could probably move up or down one category, but it is unlikely
any team will jump two or fall two. For instance I can't see Toronto
jumping up to be as good as Jersey or Detroit.

New Jersey
Detroit

Indiana
Orlando
New Orleans
Boston
Philadelphia

New York
Toronto
Chicago
Washington

Miami
Cleveland
Milwaukee
Atlanta








--- In rappak@yahoogroups.com, "nbafan_6969" <andy_dude_381@h...>
wrote:
> Hi. I was wondering what some of you predict about the raptors next
> season. Several powerstandings for next season place raptors at the
> end, 26 or 26. I just wanted to know what some of you predict about
> the raps 03'-o4' season and where they might finish in the eastern
> standings. Thank you.
>
> email: andy_dude_381@h...