Bosh Island Is A Lonely Place

I have mentioned it before in this blog about being a Hornets fan prior to the Raptors being around in the NBA. Along with Bogues one of my favourites on those Charlotte squads was Dell Curry. The irony that both would become Raptors made it exciting for me when they arrived on the scene in Toronto. Stephen Curry was seen out on the floor nailing jumpers at the ACC long before he ever wore a Davidson or Warriors jersey. Prior to the game he was a popular person with the media including me. He said that he really likes Toronto and that playing here was fun, just like playing in Charlotte was as his dad spent a ton of time there. He lived here in Toronto for the final season of his father's career in Toronto which lasted 3 years. Curry admitted this was a little more special than the average NBA game.. "There are a few arenas that my dad played like in Charlotte or here, or games that I play against some of his former teammates". He was asked of those former team mates of his dad who gave him the hardest time and his answer was Vince Carter. He as a kid use to play against Vince back in the day as well as T-Mac. Curry was not just the star of the pre-game he was one of the stars of the main event in the game itself.

Raptors came in off a game that never should have went to overtime. The extra work was going to make this one an even tougher task. Warriors have the awful record they do for a reason. Just 5-31 on the road this season heading into this game. However the Warriors do 2 things well....Run and shoot the 3 ball. The one thing the Raptors have struggled to do for the majority of the season is defend the 3 point shot. It is why the Warriors crushed the Raptors in Oakland and it would play a big factor in this game allowing the Warriors to build a lead. In total the Warriors would end the night 13 of 26 from behind the arc and the younger Curry making 5 of 11. He would end up having a big night as would Chris Bosh. However Curry had a lot of help and Bosh didn't. Especially early as the Warriors blitzed the Raptors to take a 37-24 1st quarter lead.

Bosh would lead a furious charge back. They say one man is not an island and even thought at times in the NBA that theory can be challenged by a Lebron or Kobe. Most nights guys need at least some help. Raptors as a team shot 39.1% which is horrible. However now let's take away what was an 11-19 performance by Bosh en route to a 42 point and 12 rebound effort. That leaves the Raptors 23 of 73 on the game for a pathetic 31.5%. which is even worse. That being said the Raptors fought hard and out scored the Warriors 30-20 in the second quarter to trail by just a 57-54 margin at the half.

The Warriors would answer the challenge lead by their rookie point guard along with Corey Maggette who had a team high 31 and Anthony Morrow. The 3 players combined 85 points of the Warriors eventually finishing total. Curry ended the night with a monster line and some other things involving a line will get to in a minute. But first the impressive final tallies for young Curry. He had 29 points, 12 dimes, 8 rebounds...just 2 shy of the Triple Double. If that is not enough how about 3 steals and 2 blocks as well.

The Raptors would be down 9 heading to the 3rd. However Chris Bosh was determined to not have his team lose. He drove like a demon and was rewarded with 23 trips to the line and he made 20 of them. This game in the end would come down to Curry and Bosh again. First when all hope looked lost..Curry would miss free throws to allow the Raptors to keep hope alive. Even with less than 3 seconds to go hope was not dead. Sonny Weems who did not enjoy the offensive success he had in the Sixers game, was able to save a ball and get it right into the hands of Bosh. Time was running down and Chris may have rushed the shot a little but it didn't fall and Bosh would hit the ground in pure agony. He played 41 minutes and averaged better that a point a minute what more can you do? Make that shot to make it 44 comes to mind. However this 113-112 loss is on the players around Bosh. Chris admitted in the post game that this loss given everything that goes into it will sting a little more than others.

Before I get to what Bosh said I want to say something. Chris Bosh regardless of what happens in Toronto with his free agency has earned my respect. I guess what sparks me to say this is Lebron James who after his team lost to Boston today. King James had decided to go watch the Yankees play against Red Sox to kick off the MLB season. Yeah, with his Yankees hat of course. Enough with the games already. The red shoes the Yankee hats and all. I am convinced the more James does this, the more he is likely NOT to become a Knick. Bosh has played no such games with his intentions. Leborn is going to be the MVP, He also has said he wants to win a title in Cleveland. The only people as mad as Knick fans next season when they don't land Lebron is the Cleveland Indians. They have the biggest star in their town cheering for the Yankees, is it just me or is something that seems wrong about that. Bosh made it to a Blue Jay game once and is likely the only close to 7 foot guy to throw out a first pitch. Bosh has handled the issue with class about 2010. Lebron has while not letting it impact him on the floor, off of it this all seems a big game to Lebron. Ironically the guy dropping the most hints about leaving is for me the least likely to move. O.K end of rant.

Back to Bosh and his thoughts on that miss to close the game...." Sonny made a fantastic play. Everything else just happened so fast, I really didn't have time to react. I just wanted to get a shot off. I guess I missed it. I didn't really get a good look at how it came off...it is a tough break"

Bosh was unclear on if Ronny Turiaf was able to get a piece of his shot. This Raptor team has lost a lot of close games and likely speaks to why they are battling for their playoff lives. Kobe Buzzer beater and Mello had one as well, those are 2 that jump out of my head at first thought. However, Bosh who I have always said is one of the more slick individuals when it comes to answering questions even admitted this one was especially painful. Bosh said the following " We have had some games where we have had some tough breaks. But this one stings a little bit. Given our situation and how we need every game. To have it come down to the wire like that. But that is what I love about the game. It is always different. But I am sure will get a chance next time".

Raptors are clearly running out of next times though, sitting only a game in front of the idle Bulls. Bosh has made it clear that he likes being the man and wants to be a franchise player in the past. Even Lebron James does not always come through as he failed to get the Cavs a win earlier in the day over Boston. The head that wears the crown for any team, be it King James or CB4 is a heavy burden. When you score 42 points and have the story be about the 2 that you never got at the end, that can be hard to deal with. Such is life when you are the guy that is tagged with the label of "Franchise Player".

Jarret Jack pointed out the fact that a few of the guys on this team including himself have never made the post season. Guys like him and Sonny and Demar. he said they were learning on the fly. When the tough sked that lies ahead for the next 3 games was mentioned, Jack said that this team had to take on everybody regardless and they are ready to put up a dog fight and are not afraid of anybody. He may not be, but it is safe to say based on this fan base's attitude, that most fear the Cavs and King James. That is what is up next and could be a playoff preview. However if the Raptors have any more disappointments, it may not be a preview of anything. Triano after the game just remarked on how the team shot the ball in a way that is out of character at rate below 40%. He didn't seem concerned about his team's effort or defense. I would suggest he should be about his defense. When you face a team that you know is going to shoot 3's and allow them to make 50% of them something is wrong.

Tonight reminded me of some games early in the season where Bosh played out of his mind, only to see the team around him crumble and not rally behind his great performance. Back then nights like that concerned me for Bosh's future here in Toronto. Now this late in the year, they give me cold sweats. I firmly believe this team to be successful needs Bosh to remain. Not just in the basketball sense but in the marketing sense. To have yet another star walk away and be forced into yet another re-construction is just not anything to look forward to with any really sense of hope. If this team does not at least make the post season the chances to keep Chris Bosh you have to figure go down to almost 0. Nights like tonight do not help matters.

Bosh in a lot of ways must feel like a man on an island. In part because he was not able to close the deal in this game. But also because his team around him did not exactly help him offensively and of course because of the decision that lies ahead for him. Chris Bosh if you ask him will tell you he focused on winning and getting this team to the post season. I have no doubt that is true. I also have no doubt that the thoughts I have just as an observer have entered his own mind as well. He would not be human if they hadn't. It can be lonely at the top and on a night like tonight, very lonely.

Raptors have till Tuesday to pick up the pieces before facing the near impossible task of beating the Cavs at home. Which as I touched on they will not be in a good mood after a loss to the Celtics. In addition likely want to sent a clear and direct message to a team that they very well could face in round 1. This game could be a true classic or an ugly beat down. In the end the Raptors will have a large say in which it is.

West Coast Trip Ends Tonight

It is finally coming to an end. The Raptors will conclude a long road trip that even in watching it seems like it would never end. Maybe it was that awful start in Oklahoma City that just made it seem to take longer. There was also a 3 day break for Christmas in there as well. For the Raptor to be in decent shape at the beginning many folks myself included said this team at worst would need to go 3-3. Well heading into the last game against the Warriors that is still possible. But the Warriors are flying high after an unexpected win over the Celtics. The two teams met already this season in the Raptors home opener. It would take overtime for the Raptors to come away with a win. A lot has changed since then. The Raptors after that 3-0 start to the season have not been able to put 3 wins in a row together since that time. They had a chance to do that in Portland only to watch Brandon Roy take over the game and secure a win for the Trailblazers.

The Golden State Warriors are a little different looking than the team that visited the A.C.C for trick or treating. They made a trade with the New York Knicks that saw Al Harrington go to New York and Jamal Crawford come to Oakland. Crawford has been one of those guys that has had the Raptors number in the past. He once scored 50 points as a Bull against the Raptors and he has looked to be much more engaged since the trade. They also still have Steven Jackson and he is a talented guy as well. The Warriors are team that you never know what you are going to get. But what you can be sure of is that they are going to run and they are not likely going to be able to play very good defense. That being said down the stretch they did hold off the Boston Celtics who were on the second half of a Christmas and Boxing Day back to back.

The Tough Home Schedule Ahead

When you look at the 3 game homestand that awaits the Raptors when they do finally return to Toronto. It makes a win tonight almost required. The Nuggets, Rockets and Magic are the next three teams and all of those will be a tough challenge for the Raptors to find a win. Those 3 teams combined have a 64-27 record. Nuggets and Rockets are 20-11 and the Magic an impressive 24-6. While the Warriors are only 9-23 but are a decent 5-7 on their home floor. It would make sense that Warriors may have a bit of a letdown after a big win over Boston. So if the Raptors can get off to a good start it may help their cause. However the Raptors starts to basketball games have not been the issue this season as it has been in the past. The ability to hold leads they have built has been the problem. Also with the Warriors style of play they can both lose a lead quickly or gain one quickly. The Raptors will do their best to play at their pace and not the Warriors. They should have a big advantage on the inside with Bosh and O'Neal. Jermaine has been playing well of late and the Raptors will hope he can keep it rolling in this one.

Trade Winds Always Blowing

The Raptors and Warriors have also been rumoured to be likely trading partners as well. Marco Belinelli and Corey Maggette have been names that the Raptors have had interest in previously. But Maggette has a contract that he signed that he has not lived up to with Golden State. But he is a player that would serve a glaring need for this basketball club as someone that has the ability to slash and get to the basket and draw fouls as well. Belinelli open eyes in summer league after he was drafted but has not been a huge factor with the Warriors to this point. Maggette is averaging 19.1 points and 5.7 rebounds. He is also labeled with a tag of being a black hole as far as passing the ball. His 1.8 assists per game would confirm that. Belinelli has averaged just 9.2 points per game. The major sticking point is that it would seem that if any move between these two teams were to happen that deal would have to included Andrea Bargnani. Some Raptors fans would not have a problem with that. However Bryan Colangelo just might. If he is going to move Bargnani he has to be certain of what he will get in return and Maggette and Belinelli do not offer that kind of security. But those are just rumours and there is a lot of those flying around. The latest is the Raptors have interest in Joe Smith on the OKC Thunder. He is said to be on the move because the Thunder are planning to sign former Net and restricted free agent Nenad Krstic. New Jersey is not likely to match the offer sheet for him given they seem happy with their first round pick Brook Lopez and the other young big men they have on the roster.

So To Quote Al Davis " JUST WIN BABY"

I am not friends with Chris Bosh or anything but I do know we both love the Dallas Cowboys. So obviously we both are not exactly happy with yesterday and the result. So for all Cowboy fans I encourage Chris Bosh to take all that angry of a season gone wrong and take it out on the Warriors. I mean Chris Bosh can likely relate to Tony Romo, T.O and the rest of the Cowboys. The Raptors have had their struggles just like the Cowboys. They had big expectations as well that they have not lived up to. But unlike the Cowboys there is still hope for the Raptors to turn things around and make it to the playoffs. But it will take a commitment to excellence and a just win baby attitude the rest of the way. Here is hoping it can happen for Chris and the Raptors. But for that to happen they have to start beating the better teams once in awhile and never have another blow up like they did in Oklahoma City.

Calling The West Coast Later

So that is a wrap for this morning. I am suppose to be talking with Matt Devlin today. The funny thing is I am not sure if we will be talking at 1pm my time or his time. So if it is his time, that will likely be for the blog tomorrow. But we will see it is funny how you can forget your time zones when you are e-mailing on the west coast. Oh well it will be good to talk with him regardless of when it is. Over on Raptors.com you can catch his latest game preview from on the bus with Jack Armstrong it is informative and comedy all at the same time.