Tanks and Dynamite

     DUCKKKKKK, SHES GONNA BLOW!!!-  nothing like a cheesy quote to start off my first blog.
      I'm imagining tanks and all kinds of explosives entering the raptors training camp as I type this, with Masai Ujiri leading the way ready to pull the trigger and blow this squad up. Clearly I don't watch many movies with explosives because that would make a horrible scene. But I've got it on replay in my head and really it's quite entertaining. Just picture Valanciunas in a camouflage getup and Rudy Gay running somewhere for cover, using DeMar DeRozan as his shield. Ok, now its getting kind of creepy. End scene.

      If you haven't guessed already, I'm pro tank, I have been for awhile now. I was part of the fan base that was quietly praying for the Rudy Gay trade rumours to not come true. And with a little more volume, praying that Andrea Bargnani wouldn't be traded for Carlos Boozer or Amare Stoudamire or any of the other players named at that time. But that was last season.
      This season Rudy Gay is on our team and Bargnani isn't. Bargnani was traded for a nice little haul - cap relief, an elite sharp shooter in Steve Novak (who does nothing else remotely well) and not 1, not 2, but 3 DRAFT PICKS (gotta love new york and their detest for picks). Along with Gay, this raptors starting squad features Kyle Lowry who is looking slimmer, Derozan who has been beast in preseason, Amir Johnson who is everyones favourite, and the bigger and bulkier Jonas Valanciunas. Besides the fact that this group seriously lacks 3 point shooting. And all the other problems a Demar/Rudy wing duo creates (something I'm sure, I will write about). It is a decent starting unit, there is potential, its a young unit with room to grow and the talent to do it as well.
     The question is, how much can they grow? Can this starting unit grow to be one of the best in the east? I'd argue no, especially with this bench behind them - theres a turnover joke I want to make here, but someone just stole it ( haha that was horrible, don't hold it against me)  which is the simplest explanation for why I'm calling for a tank.
    I know, I know, most of you guys are rolling your eyes and saying that that isn't a good explanation, but it is. It's just the beginning and I plan to write all my reasoning in detail in later posts. So if you're not already on board the tank, you might want to make sure you're carrying your boarding pass because who knows, I may just convince you.