re: the player interest and effort levels appeared to be wanting, as well

IMO, it depends on what you were looking for in the place and to what you’re comparing this collection of players and coaches.

e.g. Jay Triano is not like Thom Thibodeaux, Erik Spoelstra, Mike Fratello/Hubie Brown, Jerry Sloan, or Pat Riley and these players are not the Celtics, Heat, Grizzlies/Hawks, Jazz or Knicks.

It may not be realistic to have an expectation of Triano and these players being more overtly “engaged” during this pre-season.

Unlike others, I have no expectation that the Raptors are going to be an improved team defensively under the direction of a coach like Jay Triano, given his specific background in the game.

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re: On the positive side, Bargnani’s shown up looking engaged and more polished offensively than I anticipated. However, this development is offset by the very poor play we’ve seen at the point guard position and by the fact that the injury to Calderon did not appear to be his only problem.

PART 1
Bargnani is going to continue to improve on offense. He has always been an “offensive” player.

The question is, “Can he improve on defense and in terms of rebounding to the point that he can be a dominant player combining all three main phases of the game?”

IMO, the jury is still out … which is not what you want from a former No. 1 [overall] Draft Pick, 3 years into his NBA career.

PART 2
Calderon had 2 injuries last season:

1. Strained hamstring; and,
2. Dislocated finger;

the first of which he’s rested this off season; the second of which he’s had surgery this summer AND then rested, as part of his on-going recovery.

Both of these injuries he should be able to recovery from in time.

The other aspect of Jose’ current condition, however, which is more troubling is his loss of 15 lbs from his playing weight last season.

Unlike others, I am not someone who wanted to see Jose “get quicker” this summer, in an effort to “keep the smaller PG’s in front of him more” this coming season.

IMO, smaller and quicker was not a major problem for a “bigger and slower” PG like Calderon last season, or the previous seasons … given the advantages that come with Jose’s “size” at the PG position, in the NBA game.

The fact is … Jose Calderon, at 6-3, 210 lbs was one of the very best PG’s in the world.

The jury is now out, however, on whether, or not, Jose Calderon, at 6-3, 195 lbs SHOULD be properly classified as fitting into the exact same category.

e.g. The Jose who I have seen play thus far this pre-season, at that height and weight, I would like to see get physically “stronger” than he is today … in order to do battle against the likes of Deron Williams, Chauncey Billups, Derrick Rose, Jason Kidd, Jameer Nelson and Devin Harris [etc.].

On the positive side, Bargnani’s shown up looking engaged and more polished offensively than I anticipated. However, this development is offset by the very poor play we’ve seen at the point guard position and by the fact that the injury to Calderon did not appear to be his only problem.

There are a number of things which have happened in the pre-season, so far, that portend of poor times ahead for the Raptors this year.

John Hollinger used the word “dysfunctional” to describe this group of Raptors’ players. At this point, I’ve seen nothing to indicate that John’s observation will turn out to be wrong.

I know its just preseason, but I’m wondering if you are seeing some of the same things I’m seeing. Is it just me, or do the Raps look a little disinterested at times - especially on the defensive end? Normally I wouldn’t be reading too much into this, but I thought the team might respond well to Triano’s new offensive and defensive systems with a little more enthusiasm - given that it seems a lot more enjoyable than the half-court predictability of the Sam Mitchell playbook. I’m getting the sense that the team isn’t fully buying in. Your thoughts?