The Toronto Raptors: NBA Surrogate Euroleague team?
NBA fans everywhere take note: The European basketball feel is coming soon to an arena near you! Ball movement, unselfish play, and all the things the league used to stand for are about to experience a long awaited revival.
The Marco Belinelli trade adds yet another piece to the European conglomerate that is the Toronto Raptors.
Why do European Players prefer to play in Toronto anyway?
I will see this bench only if I am injured in Toronto! (Credit:picapp.com)
Look at this international roster:
Italy: Andrea Bargnani and Marco Belinelli
Turkey: Hedo Turkoglu
England: Pops Mensah-Bonsu
Croatia: Roko Ukic
Ljubljana (Slovenia): Rasho Nestrovic
Las Vegas: Marcus Banks
This Raptors team is capable of the best ball movement and unselfish play we have seen for quite some time. The shooting ability of the Italian duo will spread the floor, allowing Chris Bosh and the super-athletic DeMar DeRozan to terrorize the paint.
Calderon has a huge shot, if he stays healthy, of leading the league in assists.
"This is how Euro style is done son" (Credit: picapp.com)
The Raptors have a huge chance of hosting a first round playoff series in the East.
Kobe could be the only one–we know Danilo Gallinari won’t be on the court– understanding the dialogue between Belinelli and Bargnani.
Maybe Kobe will ask them for recommendations for good Italian food in Toronto. Then maybe he’ll drop 81 on them.
It will be very interesting to see if Belinelli breaks out in Toronto. He has proven to be a capable offensive weapon in decent stretches of minutes, which he should see in Toronto.
"Ersan, Hedo is turkish too. Come to Toronto! (Credit:picapp.com)
Another question is whether his presence will have a positive impact on Bargnani.
Early on, all signs point toward a big ‘yes’.
Calderon, Jarrett Jack, Belinelli and Roko Ukic fill out a deep guard rotation.
Toronto is poised for a deep run into the Eastern Conference Playoffs this season.
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Fri, Jul 31, 2009 by Adam Sedie
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