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Sept13, 2009-Sept20, 2009 |
New Raptors turn the team European-style
VP Maurizio Gherardini on Nesterovic, Bargnani, Belinelli and the season ahead
By Mario Cagnetta
Originally Published: 2009-08-30
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Raptors president Bryan Colangelo with vice-president Maurizio Gherardini
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More talent compared to last season, another Italian to strengthen an already well-prepared squad, and a strong desire to make up for a disappointing season. These are the ingredients the Toronto Raptors are using in preparation for a comeback season after the stinging disappointments last time around.
Vice-president Maurizio Gherardini speaks on the present and future as he discusses what fans can expect to see next season: a very European-style team with good offensive skills, the versatility to entertain as well as grind it out, and the hopeful anticipation that Chris Bosh – who becomes a free agent next year – will shed his reservations and renew his contract.
Tell us about the Raptors team we’ll see next season. What kind of team will they be and above all, are you satisfied with the new acquisitions?
“Many players have changed, there’s no doubt. But we’re very satisfied with the way things fell into place. We certainly feel that we have a highly talented team that is more realistic, deeper, more complete, and therefore much more versatile. If we look at the team we had at the start of the summer, it has obviously changed a great deal. On paper, it appears to be a very interesting team.”
Last season you also had high hopes of doing well with the arrival of Jermaine O’Neal to Toronto. Then we saw how things ended up. What has changed compared to last summer?
“During summer, you tend to look at the positives and ignore deficiencies. Everyone appears strong and optimistic. Seeing the arrival of Turkoglu, Jack, Evans, and the return of Nesterovic, and the skill of our first pick DeMar Derozan – putting all these pieces together, there is reason for optimism and to aim for the playoffs. It would be a disappointment if we weren’t in the running for a playoff spot.
Then again, it’s always better not to create false hopes. However, when you have such a complete roster, I think that you can feel confident of being able to play on par with most teams. Of course, ultimately only one of the elite teams will go all the way, but the Toronto Raptors could be close.”
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