Bargs Big As Raps Sink Rondoless Celtics

Not that the Celtics will ever admit it but did the fact they played the Raptor play a role in Rondo being missing in action? Barbosa was reporting back for active duty and based on the Raptors trade he really didn't have much choice. Gone was Jack, Gone was Banks and the Raptors were left with only Jose. Peja and Bayless will make their debut vs Philly so the Raptors were 11 deep with Barbosa their only real option at back up point guard. Celtics came in off an embarrassing loss the the Thunder minus their best player in Kevin Durant. Everything was set up for a Boston Massacre of the Raptors. But it seems fitting to say, that on any given Sunday, or in the case of the NBA any other day of the week, anyone can win.

It sure started off the way one might have expected. Boston got the first 5 points and took a quick 5-0 jump start with little Nate in for Rondo. It would continue as Robinson was playing well in a rare chance to make a start and before the Raptors got a chance to realize Jarrett Jack was gone they were down 22-9 and the ugly beat down was underway it appeared. Raptors were being lead in scoring by Reggie Evans at this point and no that is not a joke. Raptors would find a way to the lid off the basket and at least stop the bleeding but it was the Celtics leading 31-23 after 1.

Bargs would hit a 3 early in the 2nd Quarter and he was BALLIN. Screw Like A BOSH where is LIKE A BARGS. That would spark the Raptors and before the Celtics knew it they were in a basketball game. A Reggie Evans free throw gave the Raps their first lead 43-42. The Raps and Celtics would swap the lead a few times. Bargnani will still not rebounding with just 1 but he was getting a lot of trips to the line. A lot of those being and 1's as well. when the dust settled on the first half it was Raptors leading 61-58 and Bargs and Nate Robinson the games high scorers with 18 points a piece.

The Celtics were playing defence very Raptor like. After a Doc Rivers/K.G verbal beat down at the half the Celtics would surely pull it together. Not so much the plucky Raptors refused to give up the lead. They couldn't really get away from Boston but they would keep a 1 to 3 point lead for a big portion of the 3rd. Celtics would take the lead on a pair of Shaq free throws a rare event. But a couple of Jose free throws would give the Raps the lead 73-72 and from there the Raptors would build a lead it got as high as 9 points. Raptors would end the quarter with a 7 point lead and an 82-75 lead after 3.

Raptors would continue to keep it rolling and it was 90-79 and Raps were cruising to an unexpected win. But this is the Raptors do you really think they were going to make it easy? That wouldn't be the Raptors. A turnover here a Ray Allen 3 there and the once 11 point lead of the Raptors would be gone in a flash. Raptors would get stuck on 94 and were firing up nasty air balls and Demar had perhaps the ugliest and it was a rough day for Demar today. Boston would pass the Raptors by and took a 98-94 lead. Finally Amir Johnson at the line would get scoreboard off 94.

Hope in the live blog I was doing for The Score was fading and it appeared so were the Raptors. Raptors would hang around though and with 21.3 second left were down 101-98. Weems would settle for a quick 2. Raptors need to foul now and hope for a miss. No they wouldn't they got a steal instead and whistle blew with 2 7 seconds left what was the call? A foul sending Amir to the line. Wasn't on Shaq though he fouled out early in this one with still about 8 and change to play I think. Amir steps to the line. makes the first and were tied....2nd counts as well..Raptors LEAD 102-101..WOW!!! But Boston had one last chance. Pierce a fading jumper......BUT NO IT DOESN'T FALL. Raps get the win.

The Raptor get the 102-101 Win. Calderon in his debut as the undisputed starting point guard was good not great with 11 points and just 2 dimes but actually played a little D today. The Classic Bargs 29 points and just 2 rebounds line. Amir with a more tradition big line with 17 points and 11 rebounds and game winning point at the line. Demar and Kleiza struggled with 6 points and 2 points in that order. Reggie Evans was 1 point shy of a double double with 9 points and 16 boards. Raptors are on a roll to welcome their new team members winners of 3 straight. Boston meanwhile is on a bit of a mini slide.

Angry Celtics Come A Calling

The Raptors will be undermanned today as the take on the Celtics. Gone are Jack, Andersen and Banks. The new Raptors are expected to be ready for action on Wednesday. So the no brainer of the day is Jose Calderon will start at point guard. Leandro Barbosa could return today and given the trade made I would almost guarantee he will. Why I say that is the Raps would have no experienced point guard to back up Jose if he doesn't. Rajon Rondo is a game time decision but he did travel to Toronto and I am betting he plays as well.

The Basics: Boston 9-3 (4-2 Road Record) Raptors 4-9 ( 2-3 at Home)

When Last We Saw Them: The Raptors looked good and rebounded from a bit of a 3rd quarter meltdown to re-take the lead and get a win over Houston. It was a great performance from the bench with Calderon, Klezia and the now departed for New Orleans David Andersen all having good performances.

Key Match-Ups: Shaq and whoever the Raptors decide to put on him. Shaq in a loss to the Thunder had a retro performance early in that game and was able to get easy scores in the paint. I am saying Rondo will play and if he does Jay Triano would be a crazy man if Jose Calderon is guarding him so it would probably be DeRozan or Weems matched up with Rondo. Anytime Calderon is on Rondo he will get beat it is that simple. If there is one point guard who has taken Jose to school more then Rajon Rondo I am not aware of who he is.

Other things of note: You can check me out liveblogging this game for The Score.com and Mobile. The Celtics as mentioned are coming in off a loss to the Thunder who were without K.D and Boston was without Defence for 3 Quarters of this game. Glen Davis thinks he is a jumper shooter and he is not. Along with Rondo, both K.G and Paul Pierce were banged up vs the Thunder but I expect all 3 to play and play well. Just in case no word on if Paul Pierce's wheelchair made it through customs.

DNB Scavenger Hunt Clue # 2- This DNB guest was historic as she was the first female we had in the Starting 5. I even mention it at the start of the Interview

B.C Says Hit The Road Jack

The trade we reported earlier in the Dino Nation Blog and talked with Jack Armstrong earlier in the day in now official. It was made official in a press release by the Raptors just before 11pm this evening. Here is that Press Release:

The Toronto Raptors announced Saturday they have acquired guard Jerryd Bayless, forward Peja Stojakovic (stoy-AK-o-vich) and cash considerations from the New Orleans Hornets for centre David Andersen and guards Marcus Banks and Jarrett Jack. “Acquisition of another emerging talent and the creation of additional salary cap flexibility in the coming years were the key drivers in making this deal,” said Raptors President and General Manager Bryan Colangelo. “Our plan of developing our existing young players and acquiring future assets remains our focus in retooling this Toronto basketball team.”

Bayless, 22, is in his third NBA campaign. He was selected 11^th overall in the 2008 NBA Draft by the Indiana Pacers. He is a career .820 per cent (297-362) free throw shooter. He netted a career-best 31 points in his first career start December 23, 2009 at San Antonio.

Bayless averaged 13.5 points, 3.8 assists and 27.7 minutes in six postseason outings with Portland last season. In 138 career games (11 starts), the former Arizona Wildcat has averaged 6.6 points, 2.0 assists and 15.3 minutes.

Stojakovic is in his 13^th season in the NBA. The three-time All-Star has appeared in 777 regular season games and 76 postseason contests. He has averaged double figures in scoring in 11 of his 12 seasons, with a career-best 24.2 points in the 2003-04 season when he garnered second-team All-NBA honours.

Stojakovic played eight seasons with Sacramento (1998-2005), part of the 2005-06 season with Indiana and the past five campaigns with the Hornets (2006-2010). He owns a career regular season average of 17.3 points, 4.8 rebounds and 34.0 minutes. In postseason play, he has contributed an average of 16.2 points, 5.7 rebounds and 36.3 minutes.

One of the top three-point shooters in league history, Stojakovic has placed in the Top 10 in made three-pointers four times and twice in three-point field goal percentage. In 2003-04, Stojakovic made a league-high 240 three-pointers and finished sixth with a .433 (240-of-554) three-point shooting percentage.

Andersen was acquired from Houston on July 28. He averaged 5.1 points, 3.1 rebounds and 13.6 minutes in 11 contests as a Raptor.

Banks appeared in 25 games with Toronto where he averaged 4.6 points, 1.2 assists and 10.6 minutes. He was acquired along with Shawn Marion from Miami on February 13, 2009.

Jack averaged 11.3 points, 5.0 assists and 27.3 minutes in 95 appearances with the Raptors. He was one of two players to appear in all 82 games for the club last season. Jack was signed as a free agent July 21, 2009.

Bayless and Stojakovic are expected to be in uniform Wednesday when the Raptors play host to the Philadelphia 76ers at Air Canada Centre. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m.

Jack Armstrong Makes His First Visit This Season To The DNB

This will probably be our last guest in our 3rd year of doing the Dino Nation Blog. We enter year 4 a week from today. Jack Armstrong I am proud to say has been a regular guest here and I enjoy each and every time we have the honour to have him with us. It is also pretty cool that Raptors happen to make some news today, so we have Jack's thoughts on the potential trade between New Orleans and Toronto. Jack was kind enough to give us a bit more time then usual to fit that in, as well as get his thoughts on the start to this Raptor season. Thoughts on Jay Triano, Sonny Weems, Demar DeRozan and his take on something I wrote about the chance to finally have a Canadian Raptor. A lot of good info with the odd laugh along the way. So sit back and enjoy hearing from one of the most knowledgeable and honest people I know in terms of basketball. Jack always gives us his prospective in an open and direct way and it is why so many people both respect him and love him.




He may never be on Twitter but that will not matter a bit. People will always want to hear from Jack Armstrong where ever he is on. We are always grateful that one of those places is here. Still no confirmation on the trade. So we are having a De Ja Vu moment from the summer. Let's hope this one happens because Jack, as well as myself think this would be a good move for the future of the Raptor Organization's future going forward.

Raptors/New Orleans Trade??? White Flag for 2010/11 and Green Beyond

After the Summer in Raptor land, a trade is never a trade until I get an e-mail from the Raptors saying they have made it. But this one is being widely reported and may in-fact have legs to it but has some issues as well. Bryan Colangelo just can't make a simple trade...EVER!!! Only kidding but a nice simple trade would be nice. So here is the deal as it is being reported according to several sources .

To Toronto:

G Jerryd Bayless
F Peja Stojakovic

To New Orleans:

G Marcus Banks
C David Andersen
G Jarrett Jack

Ok on to the problems. Bayless may not be able to be traded. He was acquired in the off-season and was with Portland last year. The only loop hole to this is if he is dealt in a straight 1 for 1 trade. Doesn't that apply to Andersen as well? Not sure he was never traded for actual players so might not. In fact my research says it doesn't.

It may work if you trade Bayless for Andersen straight up.......DING DING WINNER WINNER.

So that problem is solved. Thanks to Real G.M Trade Checker. Now does the rest of it work? Nope it doesn't. Ok so something involving cash or exceptions will need to happen. Raptors do not have to use ALL of the Bosh trade exception so could use a portion of it, to get the big fat expiring contract of Peja, to add to the remainder of the Bosh exception. That would work but only if Bayless was traded in the package. Which he can't be until sometime in December. I believe the date is the 10th but don't quote me on that. Do Bloggers need to start getting capologists? maybe.

But assuming the Hornets and Raptors have them I am sure this stuff will get sorted out. So for the sake of argument we will say this can happen even though how it would is a little foggy to understand.

So if the Raptors do this deal they have basically raised the white flag on the 2010/11 season. But they have set themselves up to be a giagantic player in the NEW CBA free agent period which depending on if there is or isn't a lockout will happen eventually. It would also be a safe bet that this new CBA will be far more cap restrictive and make cap space even more valuable. Talk of the elimination of the MLE and Hard Cap have been thrown around.

So in theory the Raptors become an attractive landing spot for free agents. All except for that whole Canada thing. Raptors would really only have one of their own players that they likely would want to re-sign in Sonny Weems. This is just a rough estimate but the Raptors should have somewhere between 25-30 Million to spend. Let's assume Sonny really kills it this year he still likely gets no more then 5-6 Million? That is if he seriously steps up. Any thing less then a complete blow the doors off season the number goes down. Actually that amount of money to spend might be a little more because Reggie Evans would also be expiring as well. Bottom line the Raps will be loaded with cap space.

So based on Bryan's moves this off-season this trade should be no surprise to anyone. His plan has clearly been to reset the Raptors for being a player under the new CBA. That is what was so attractive about the Charlotte deal for Evans and Calderon that never happened. It also in the short term might have helped the Raps be slightly more competitive.

The down side is this is clear proof that Jose Calderon as of this moment is just untradeable. That is the only conclusion you can draw. He also for the short term is your starting point guard with 2 combo guards backing him up in Barbosa and Bayless. Jose has played well in recent days but in the past when he has moved from back-up to starter the results have not been positive. The lone exception to that in his contract year when Ford was hurt and that set up a number of dominoes that led to Calderon's over priced contract and Ford being shipped to Indy in what turned out to be a brutal trade. Anyone seen Roy Hibbert lately he is pretty good. Nathan Jawai was last seen in Summer League. J.O is now sucking in Boston.

Andersen would give New Orleans a back-up center that can do a number of things they do not have at the moment. Jarrett Jack is a great back-up to Paul and if things go south and you need to move Paul eventually he can be a stop gap starting point guard. Banks is expiring and at least gives them part of what they gave up in Peja's fat contract. As for Peja he has past his prime like 3 years ago at least and really does not offer the Raps a lot other then a guy that use to be able to light it up from 3 point range.

The Bottom line to all of this is that if you had hope for this season and Raptors trying to be a playoff team....FORGET ABOUT IT. But if you were accepting the Raptors reality and looking towards the future this gives you reason to be optimistic. It also may just be the thing to give Bryan Colangelo and Jay Triano a free pass on this season. Not sure if I like that. But as we all learned in the Summer...A Deal is not a deal until a team is announcing that is. So far on that front the Raptors and Hornets have not said anything. What we do know is Brown or Jordan will not screw this trade up. So will wait and see if this thing gets done. Sooner or perhaps later if they can't figure out a way to move Bayless.

Raptors/Rockets DNB Game Notes

So I was on assignment for The Score doing some advanced scouting as well covering the Thunder vs Celtics and with no Kevin Durant the Thunder still found a way to win 89-84. That does not bode well for Sunday for the Raptors. The Celtics will not be happy. But how would the Raptors do tonight back home against Houston? Time to find out...well I already know but time to find out how it happened.

1st Quarter

• DeRozan takes to rack no finish, Weems bad shot selection but shot clock was low
• Sonny take to hoop this time and scores gets raps on board.
• Sonny for 3...No...Yes Good Shot.
• Jack the pull up makes it, also the D has been good (Raps lead 7-3)
• Jack turnover and Houston on 5-0 run get score in transition.
• Run is 7-0 Houston timeout Triano(Will say this Triano's Time Out Usage better this year)
• Play out of the time out is for Bargnani and he sticks the shot.
• Good Energy and pace to this game early (Raps lead 11-10)
• Weems looks on the money again tonight.
• Brad Miller making that mid range J(Hou Lead 14-11)
• Teams swapping baskets like crazy and not much D to be found (Hou lead 18-15)
• Weems another 3 attempt...miss...More Drive PLEASE!!!
• Next possession Sonny scores on break in paint.
• Bargs the 3...tied at 20
• Rebounding Good....Jump Balls...Not so much
• Bargs in the paint...nice score in post...Raps as Jack likes to say...Stuck 3= Down 3
• Whistles and mistakes on both sides slow the pace. (Hou lead 27-24)
• Amir with Malone like miss and self rebound and put back.
• Bargs misses to close Quarter but end it on an 8-2 run and lead 28-27 after 1

2nd Quarter

• both teams struggle to score but former Rocket Andersen sticks a long jumper.
• Klezia the nice post up and score. another score with jab step then jumper..BOOM.
• Andersen again this time for 3....Raps lead been built to 8.
• Andersen scores again this time for 3 and lead back to 8 at 39-31.
• Lee for 3 you can put it on the board.
• Raps bench already with 17 points.
• This is the Kleiza and Andersen show this time Kleiza with the jumper. (Raps lead 43-34)
• Bargs scores extends lead to 11....does it again make it 13
• DeRozan cuts to the hoop and the pretty finish.
• Battier for 3....red alert can't leave 3 point shooters open.
• Reggie Evans with 2 points...that is about his average.
• At Half Raps shooting 53% Houston just 43%
• Raptors lead 51-43 at the Half

3rd Quarter

• Note: Tristan Thompson should not watch Reggie for free throw help
• Silly foul by Weems
• DeRozan keeps getting to the rim but can't finish. elbowing Miller in head making him bleed might be why on latest attempt.
• Houston chopped lead to 3.
• Wide Open 3 for Martin
• Battier a 3 and he nails it...Oh that leaky perimeter defence.
• Houston leading this QTR 15-4 and in game 58-55.
• Tough shooting night for double d at 2-10 to this point.
• Weems takes a blow to the face and he checks out to get checked out.
• Bargs fouled on the first time he has been to line tonight...needs to get to line more.
• Game getting a little chippy and DeRozan in the middle of it takes out a Rocket with foul.
• Calderon in and makes a bucket lead is just uno for Houston.
• another for Jose and keeps the lead at uno for Houston.
• Rockets push out to 5 point advantage.
• Amir forces Scola turnover
• Jose hooks up double D with easy deuce.
• Amir a basket and more nice D and Raptors back to within a bucket.
• Houston a couple easy buckets. Triano seen enough time out. Raptors down 6.
• Time out works Raps go on 7-0 run out of time out to take the lead.
• Raptor Lead After 3- 75-74

4th Quarter

• DeRozan the steal and takes it the distance to draw the foul with game tied at 76
• Only gets 1 of 2 and Miller hits his mid range J.
• Klezia and Martin trade 3 pointers.
• A Kleiza explosion like we saw in the 2nd as he scores again to give Raps the lead.
• Turnover and smart point guard play from Jose leads to Amir being fouled
• like the second as well here comes Andresen now with a jumper. Raps lead is 5
• Bench has 30 points
• Andersen misses a 3 but got back on D and made a steal.
• Play out of time for Demar and he gets to the line.
• makes both and lead is a touchdown.
• more double D attacking the hoop. Again back at the line.
• Again 2 for 2 and lead is 90-81 Raptors
• Bargs trying to hard to get his shot off and it doesn't fall.
• Houston makes a little push to pull back to 91-85
• Double D again drives and draws contact.
• Big corner 3 by Lowry....Andrea 2 point answer..95-90 Raps
• Raps been to line 15 times in Quarter Demar leading the charge.
• More double D driving like a demon and drawing contact.
• Rough night at the line 7-12
  
• 1:25 left Raps lead 98-94.
• Corner 3 for Houston...No.
• Calderon the sneaky speed drive to the hoop and the finish.
• Amir Johnson the block... Jose the TD Pass....WEEMS KABOOM!!! BALL GAME!!!
• Make THE FINAL.....Raptors 106-96

For first time this season Raptors on a winning streak...2 in a row. Good effort and it could have slipped away in the 3rd but the Raptors would not allow it to happen. They fought back and closed it out with a tight rotation but an effective one as the bench was huge. All those warm fuzzy feelings could go away fast with a angry Celtics team coming to town on Sunday. Boston was terrible on D for 3 quarters but stepped it up in the 4th and almost stole a win from the K.Dless Thunder. But for now Raptors win and move to 2-3 at the ACC on the the season.

Welcome Back Raps

It has been awhile since the Raptors have been home but now they have a lot of home date on the schedule. There are 12 of the next 17 at the Air Canada Centre prior to Christmas, and 7 of the next 8 games. So at least in theory this is a time for the Raptors to get some wins and get their record back to a more respectable level. It all starts tonight with the Houston Rockets.

The Basics: Houston 3-8 (2-5 on The Road) Toronto 3-9 (1-3 @ACC Just Raps 5th Home Game)

When Last We Saw Them: I was at Real Sports bar and saw the Raptors led to victory by Bargnani and Weems as they pulled away late and avoided being in the basement of both the Atlantic Division and Eastern Conference with a win on the road in Philly. Raptors finished their 4 game trip with a 2-2 record. Weems had a career high 25 and Bargnani had 30 points and 7 rebounds.

The OW!! Report: Arron Brooks has a left ankle sprain (I knew this he is on one of my Fantasy teams) Yao also a bad left ankle and to keep things to the left Chase Budinger also issues with a left ankle issue. In short Santa the Rockets would like good left ankles for Christmas. For the Raptors only folks listed on injury report are Barbosa with a shoulder strain still and Ed Davis still waiting to make his debut making progress after knee surgery prior to pre-season. Lots of other with some bumps and bruises but all ready for action it would appear.

Key Match Ups: Sonny Weems has earned a spot in the Raptors starting 5 and he will have a tough test matched up with Shane Battier a crafty defender that can cause some of the NBA's best to be frustrated. Weems is coming off a career high vs Philly and will face a much tougher test tonight. Andrea Bargnani and Brad Miller make for an interesting match-up. Miller is a good shooter not with the range of Bargnani but can make a mid-range jumper if left unattended. Also can be a force on the glass if Bargnani does not get a body on him. Aside from those match-ups with no Arron Brooks that should give the Raps a significant advantage at the point. Calderon of late has been out performing Jack and if Jarrett wants to remain a starter a good game vs Houston is required.

Other Things of Note: Despite their record offence is not the problem in Houston. They average 105.5 points per game which is around 6 better than the Raptors at 99.4 PPG. In fact across the board the Rockets lead in all statistical team stats with the exception of steals where the Raptors average 7.8 to the Rockets 6.7 per game. Luis Scola is a beast and averages a double double on the season with 22.9 points and an even 10 rebounds. David Andersen will suit up against his former team as he was acquired from Houston in the off-season. For what it is worth the teams split the season series 1-1 last year. All Time the Raptors are 12-17 vs Houston but the good news is 9-5 at home.

In Case You Missed It: I wrote an article on the Raptors maybe looking to find the next Canadian Star as away to stop the exodus of star players. This was prior to last night's Texas vs Illinois game at MSG. Under the bright lights Tristan Thompson went off with 20 points and 5 blocks. This kid is legit and some day needs to be trading in burnt orange for Raptor red and white. Cory Joesph also of Toronto had a nice night playing the point for the Longhorns. Raptor Fans need to start being Texas fans and say Hook'em Horn Eh!!! As much as the say Let's Go Raptors. Early days yet but if these group of Canadian kids (Myck Kabongo also from Toronto is declared for Texas next season) can end up Raptors, people may just forget at about Chris, Vince and all the others that came and left. It really could be the start of something big. When the Raptors were established part of the goal was to grow the game here in Canada. This is that generation starting to take shape. If the Raptors don't cash in on it they are beyond foolish. But let's give them credit for developing the game here and if they land some of this kid's like a Tristan Thompson it might have been worth 16 years of a lot of suffering.

Another thing that will be missing from this game is me as I will be covering the Thunder and Celtics for The Score. But on Sunday I am liveblogging the Celtics and Raptors. What that means in practical terms is the re-caps of these games may not be right away. I always believe you have to watch a game before you can write about it. Very old school way of doing things I know.