Do They Know It's Christmas Time In Raptorland?

After a tough loss yesterday the mood in Raptorland has sunk to even lower levels. In a time when people should be happy with thoughts of Santa and presents under the tree, it is instead more about what is wrong with the Raptors. Not unlike in society as a whole which is concerned with the global economy and how to pay for Christmas gifts. These are tough times. Sports is sometimes used as an escape from all of that doom and gloom but when you turn to the Raptors there is just more of the same to be found. Now if the Raptors win or lose is not the same as if you can afford to do any Christmas shopping. But still, it is important for people that care and love this franchise. When you look forward for signs of hope it can be tough to see any on the horizon. The Raptors next game is against the Cleveland Cavs. They are on a roll with the third best record in the league. Despite my thinking that Moe Williams would not be the point guard that the Cavs needed. But we all can be wrong once in awhile and Cavs fans and Lebron James would be happy to tell me that I was.

I have went through the schedule in the blog before. If you take the time to look at the rest of the games prior to Christmas try to find a easy win for the Raptors. It isn't an easy task to do. Maybe the Pacers would be the answer for some. But the fact you will have a lot of motivated folks based on the trade between to the two in the summer. Also despite a poor record like the Raptors, the Pacers have shown an ability to rise to a higher level. The Pacers have beat both the Lakers and Celtics in this young season. They are the only team in the NBA that can make that claim. So the message is if they are a motivated group with the Raptors on the second half of a back to back it will not be easy.

My fellow Blogger Scott Carefoot was not a fan of Twitter. I will be honest I am on Twitter and I really don't get it exactly. But I noticed that Chris Bosh is on Twitter as well. So I am following Bosh on twitter. He rarely makes entries on it. But his last one is interesting. "To struggle is to grow". That entry was made after the game versus Utah. I think it says a lot to the mood of this Raptor team. They are struggling in a lot of ways. They are struggling to meet expectations from the Organization, the fans, their team and their own personal ones. By having expectations you run the risk of failure. But if you do not have expectations or goals to reach it can making getting ahead very hard. I may not understand what it is like to play in the NBA and live the life of someone that does. But I do understand having expectations and goals. That is something that we all can relate to I think. Think back to when you were a kid if you are older. If you are not just think back. How did you feel when you did bad on a test or exam in school. Were you concerned that your parents would be unhappy with you? Were you unhappy with yourself? Well every game in the NBA is a test of sorts. But in this test there is only 50% of the people taking it that will pass. So back to the Bosh comment of "To struggle is to grow". Sometimes in life we need a failure or two to learn how to get to a new level of understanding. That is how we can grow as people and in this case for Bosh as a basketball player as well. He had done a lot of that heading into this season and maybe he thought he was ready and got it. But life can always make you re-evaluate and often when you think you have all the answers that is when new questions come along.

The other thing that happens in times of struggle is you find out who you can count on and who is truly loyal. Some folks will jump on and off a sports team's band wagon. The frustration level of even the most loyal fans will have a lot of angry and passion to it. Everyone wants to find that magic answer as to why this has happened and how you can fix it. I am no different in that respect. If I could find a way to fix the Raptors I would want to do it. But at the top of that list is Bryan Colangelo who actually can do it. He is likely the least happy of all when it comes to the performance of this team. He will not sit by and watch this team continue to lose. He proved that in firing Sam Mitchell. If that is not enough I do expect there will be more changes to come.

That is why the one point loss yesterday was so painful. This team needed something good to happen for it. They did show more fight and effort. But they still failed to get the ultimate goal. But as they wake up this morning and look in the mirror they can feel a lot better about the effort they put in. The Raptors have had some U.S exposure as of late so many eyes have watched them fail. The last game with the eyes of America on the Raptors is Tuesday on NBA T.V against the Cavs. So let's see what the Raptors can do for a last impression on the U.S.A.

It is hard to think about Christmas when things on your job are a mess. The thought of what to buy for the people you love is not exactly at the front of your mind. But that being said despite all of this every player in the NBA, be it a Raptor or a member of the truly struggling Thunder, they all can be safe in the knowledge they are blessed to have the money to buy the gifts to go under the tree. That is why some fans who are likely not as fortunate can not understand when they see a lack of effort from the teams they cheer for. A game like yesterday in painful to lose for players and fans. But if fans can believe that the team gave all that it could and made the effort that is something most can live with. That is all sports fans can truly ask for and expect is the best effort of all the people in the organization they support.

So while many of us get set for the Christmas holidays it is important to remember some things. There are far worse things than losing streaks and under performing players in a sport. Some people are truly in need in this holiday season. So if you stop just for a second and remember that it may give you some much needed prospective in all of this. I had that message hit home for me. A few days ago. Scott Carefoot who writes RaptorBlog and is responsible for bringing the Dino Nation Blog in to be part of the Score.com Sports Federation was given some tough news in this holiday season. Here is what he wrote about it a few days ago.

Scott Carefoot (Raptor Blog)-I'm closing this shootaround with something a little unusual and a lot more personal than what I usually post. Yesterday, my son, Max, was officially diagnosed asautistic by a pediatrician. My wife and I had suspected this was the case for quite a while now, so it wasn't really a shock to have our suspicions confirmed. However, we have a long road ahead of us working with Max towards living a relatively normal life, and research and support for autistic children is sadly underfunded in Canada. So, from now until Christmas, I will post a link asking you to donate to Autism Society Canada on Max's behalf. (Click here to find out what your donation would help support.) Max is a terrific little dude and he's my pride and joy, and any bit of support the smart, attractive and talented readers of RaptorBlog (how's my sucking up?) can give would be greatly appreciated.

I have just started getting to know Scott over the past few months. I have never met his family or his little boy. But it is a reminder that there are lots of worthy causes that can use your support. I hope that for those that can help would do so. If not for this cause. There are a ton of others that all would be grateful for the support. So for those of you that have the means in this Christmas season please remember people out there can use help if you can afford to give that help you should. The Raptors win or lose have always been out there in the community helping people. Chris Bosh has donated huge amounts of money to a lot of worthy causes in his time in Toronto. Let's all try and follow that example. So if you can give to Scott's cause or any worthy cause in this Christmas season please do so.

After that if you want to write a letter to Santa to bring us a back-up point guard or a small forward that can score feel free to do so. But always remember as bad as it gets with the Raptors or any other sports team does it really matter in the grand scheme of things? I love the Raptors and am making or trying to make a living based on them. But the health of my mother is more important to me than any game win or lose. Christmas is not about gifts and money it is about family and caring and sharing. We all share a love of basketball and the Raptors and that is a great thing as well. So hopefully that made you forget about all the problems that face this Raptor team even if for just a minute or two.

Raptor Rewind- Homecourt Defense Edition

The Raptors are back at the ACC where they actually are on a 2 game winning streak. But a lot has changed since the win over the Atlanta Hawks. Sam Mitchell will not be at the ACC in his usual seat on the bench for the Raptors. Jay Triano will be looking to improve a lot of things for the Raptors including there home record which is only 4-4. The Blazers are also only .500 on the Road this year. But the difference is the Blazers are 7-0 at home. They look to rebound after getting taken a part by the Celtics. That is something the Raptors can relate to as far as that goes. But the task for the Raptors will be tough as the Blazers are a young and talented club with an embarrassment of riches. Brandon Roy could have been a Raptor but instead he was a Blazer and if you feel bad about that, think how T-Wolves fans must feel as they traded both him and O.J Mayo to other teams on draft day of each. I will say as well that no one expected Andrea Bargnani to be the best player right away. Colangelo expected that it would take time for him to grow. Some may think that Sam Mitchell did not to a good job in that process and that could be one of the reasons he is now gone. So it is now the task of Jay Triano to get most out of Bargnani and the rest of the Raptors. That task continues today.

1st Quarter

So off we go in Toronto on a Sunday afternoon. Raptors missed on first chance after winning the opening tip. Blazers would score on their first trip. Raptors after getting it tied showed a lot of effort of a steal and the ended up cashing in on a J.O dunk for a early 4-2 lead. Anthony Parker was able to hit a jumper and the Raptors had an early 6-3 advantage and looked to have some more spirit and jump. Calderon scored on a drive and Raptors had an early 8-3 lead. Chris Bosh had a rare 3 pointer and Raptors were play defense as well and had an early 11-3 lead.
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Parker scores with a three ball and the Raptors were looking very good early up 14-3. This was a very different looking Raptor team and a Joey Graham dunk that made the score 20-8 for the Raptors this is what fans wanted. Effort and defense was the difference. This was the Raptor team that fans wanted to see. Basically if not for the 3-ball the Blazers would be in much worse shape and they trailed 27-18. The Raptors looked like a whole new team up 31-20 after the first quarter at the ACC.

2nd Quarter

A rare event the Raptor bench was actually outscoring the Blazers. amazing what a new coach can do. Raptors continued with the effort from the bench and had built a 36-20 lead. Chris Bosh returned to the game and tried his best to look like a point guard and was able to get the ball in the basket. Raptors were effective with Will Solomon running the show getting Jose some much needed rest that he has rarely seen this year. Raptors still were looking good with a 40-27 lead in the second quarter.

Bosh drives strong to the hoop and gets fouled. He seems more like the old Chris after the struggles out west. Jamario Moon had a big monster jam the Raptors were getting effort from everyone. But the Raptors defense was slipping a bit but still had a 46-36 lead. Jamario Moon got another basket and both he and Joey Graham had brought their game today. Raptors lead was back up to 12 with a 48-36 lead.

The Blazers would start to emerge, maybe it was the early start time but they looked better down the stretch of this half. The Raptors improved defense was leaking fast and furious and the Blazers had fought all the way back to down just 2 points with the score 50-48. That would be the score at the half.

3rd Quarter

Bosh gets to the line and makes two free throws to start for Raptors. Blazers answered with a score. A failed Raptor trip and a Blake 3-pointer in the corner and the Blazers had first lead since 2-0 with the score 53-52. Another 3-ball by Aldridge and the Blazers start the quarter on an 10-2 run and now lead 58-52. A Jose Calderon 3 pointer would bust up the Blazer 12-2 run. But the Blazers were back on track and continued to score. They would build the lead to 66-57 the largest of the day for them to this point.

The Blazers would continue to maintain that advantage and once again the Raptors could not mange a complete 48 minutes of effort and execution. Parker got a 3-ball and J.O a big bucket while Chris Bosh had to go back to locker room and change having blood on his shorts and jersey from a cut on his forehead. Bosh still MIA and Jose Calderon gets a 3 pointer and the Raptors had climbed back to just down 2 with the score 71-69.

We had a close game again and the teams exchanged buckets. A second straight basket for the fresh clothed Bosh had the Raptors tied at 73. But the Blazers would hit a 3-ball to reclaim the lead. Joey Graham had a big dunk and that gave him 10 points. But Raptors still were down 3 points with the score 78-75. Raptors had a final chance to cut into the lead and they would not get it down and trailed by that 78-75 score.

4th Quarter

The Raptors were in the game despite blowing a rather large lead. But the perimeter defense was leaking and key 3 pointer by the Blazers gave them a 83-78 lead early on. The Blazers would continue to push and the Raptors fell in love with the 3-ball the result was an 88-78 lead for the men from Portland. Raptors finally decide to go inside to J.O and get reward with a basket and one from J.O. Jermaine would get it inside again and this time kick it out to Jose for a 3-ball. That is how it is suppose to work inside out. The Raptors were once again back in the game and down just 88-86.

A Jason Kapono 3-ball from the corner and the Raptors had stormed back to take the lead 89-88. Greg Oden would score on the inside and it was back and forth. J.O was having a tremendous game perhaps his best as a Raptor. He scored to take the lead back and he would draw a charge on the other end of the floor. That would turn into a Jose Calderon bucket on the drive. Another basket from Jason Kapono and the Raptor lead was 5 and the crowd at the ACC was alive.

Raptors had 2:35 left and a 95-92 lead and everyone was desperate for a win and you could just feel it. A key possession out of the time out and Raptors went inside and than out but missed a 3 point shot. But J.O would draw an offensive foul on Greg Oden. But the second chance would not be taken advantage of as Raptors turned it over. Raptors would get a block from Bosh but Oden would get the ball and head to the line after that. A key board off an Oden miss on his second foul shot. The Blazers would get another key offensive board. The lead was just 2 points and Blazers called a time out.

The Blazers were able to get a nice jumper from Brandon Roy from right at the foul line. It was all tied at 95. Chris Bosh would answer Roy on the other end with a fading mid-range jumper. Time out Blazers as they were down 2 with about 27 ticks left on the clock. Blazers would miss a couple times but got the key offensive rebound and it would end with a Blake 3 pointer to take the lead by 1 with 8.7 seconds. Bosh would get a chance to win it on a drive to the hoop but he would miss it and that was the ball game.

The play called looked like it broke down but your best player had the ball and took the final shot that is all you can ask for. But that would do little to make Raptors feel better who now have lost 4 straight. the Blazer got key offensive rebounds down the stretch and that was the difference between a W and a L on this day. A tough loss for sure and It was Jermaine O'Neal's best game as a Raptor by far. But it did not result in a win. O'Neal had 24 points and 8 rebounds with 6 blocked shots. But the Raptors were a few key rebounds a way from a victory. A much better effort but the result is the same. A loss by 39 counts the same as a loss by 1. For the complete boxscore check it out below

Portland/Toronto Boxscore

Tough December Marches On

The Portland Trailblazers are coming into Toronto after getting taken care of by the Boston Celtics 93-78. That made them 7-7 on the road this season. But they have not lost a game at home this season. They are 8-2 in their last 10 games and have an overall 14-7 record. The Raptors left for the west coast hoping to be able to steal a win out of the 3 game trip. They come home with no wins and no Sam Mitchell. I think it is one of the worst road trips in the history of this franchise. The early Sunday start time of 1pm is not playing in the Raptors favour as well coming off that west coast swing. Jay Triano has had little time to work with this basketball team. I think by the performance against Utah it was evident. The Raptors under Triano are going to look different eventually but it is going to take time. However with the Raptors on a 3-game losing streak and facing a very tough schedule that is not exactly the message fans want to hear.

Nicolas Batum who was someone the Raptors had brought in to work out. He was thought to have heart issues ironically and it caused a lot of teams to pass on him. But those concerns have not stopped Batum as he was having a nice start to his rookie season with the Blazers who acquired him in a draft night trade. But he has cooled off as of late with just 3 points in his last 3 games. But prior to that Batum had been tearing it up.

But the Blazer rookie that is the center of attention is Greg Oden. He has not exactly tore up the league as many had said he would. An injury in his very first game after a year out prior to that. It has not been exactly the dream season for Greg Oden. I thought him winning the ROY was going to be a lock. O.J Mayo, Derrick Rose and a number of others disagree and have shown their stuff. Even on his own team Rudy Fernandez has been better than him. The Blazers are a young and hungry talented team that will be looking to bounce back from a tough loss to Boston.

For the Raptors Kris Humphries is listed as day to day with some knee soreness. The Raptors will be in a tough battle to get a win this afternoon at the ACC. They need to be much better on defense and need to start shooting like the team with great shooter that they are billed to be. Raptor Rewind will have the answers but you can also check in on the live blog over at the score. Scott Carefoot of RaptorBlog will be at the controls. So here is a link to that live blog

How Bad Was It? Breaking Down The West Coast Trip

I may need my head examined to have done this. But I decided to sit down and crunch some numbers of this past 3 game road trip out west. So here are some of the scary numbers:

• Raptors lost by an average of 26.3 points in the 3 games
• Raptors allowed 358 points an average of 119.3
• Raptors only scored 279 points for an average of 93
• Raptors shot only 39.5% (104-263)
• Raptors 3 opponents combined shot 53.9% (145/269)
• From 3pt Range Toronto was 33.8% (20-59) opponents were 40% (22-55)
• Raptors were out rebounded by an average of 50.6 -34
  
• On offensive glass it was 10.6 - 8.6
• The Raptors only bright spot was they out shot opponents from the line on avg 82.2% - 75.4%

There are lots of scary numbers in that mix. The most shocking of which is the shooting. The Raptors as a team our suppose to be a team with a lot of dangerous shooters. It is suppose to be the strength of this club. But you see no evidence of that in these stats. The obvious is of course the lack of defense and the glaring difference on the glass. I also looked at turnover numbers which were fairly close actually but it is a case of when they were being made. The fact these were blow out games offer reserves that are in general more prone to make turnovers extra time on the floor. So those numbers did not reflect the true numbers in my view.

That is the stats but basketball is only in part stats to me. They are the evidence that people use to make their points. But seeing as these are humans and not robots we need to look at the human aspects. Those are just as disturbing as well. In the process of this trip as we all know Sam Mitchell was fired. That was done for a lot of reasons. But the one main reason you make a coaching change is to get the attention of your team. Also the next game the Raptors would play was on ESPN in the United States. I am not sure what that means to guys like Jose Calderon and Andrea Bargnani. But even they understand it is a big deal. So you had a brand new coach and you were playing on National T.V. That would be a clear combination that should energize a team. But much like in Denver that energy lasted all of 2 minutes.

Something is fundamentally wrong with this Raptor team. What it is I can not tell you. No one in the established media says that they see any kind of problems in the locker room. I mean it is kind of like the Raptors have been turned into pod people. I say that joking around but seriously if this was happening to you wouldn't you be angry? I would. I'd like to see J.O kick a trash can, or Jose chuck a gatorade bottle at halftime. Show me some kind of anger and emotion. I am begging you. But the way things have gone for the Raptors if J.O kicked the can he would break his foot. The gatorade bottle who hit Bosh in the head and cause him to forget how to play basketball. Maybe that would not be a bad thing. Forget all of it. The expectations, The M.V.P talk, the future. Just worry about this next game. Worry about getting 1 win and not 50 wins.

I do not envy Jay Triano the task he has seems to be a hard one. This team has lost it's way and is in need of some kind of energy injected into it. Everything that has happened is making everyone look backwards instead of forward. Did the Raptors pick the right point guard? Did they make a good trade to get J.O? Was is worth risking the cap space for two years? What is Chris Bosh thinking and what is Bryan Colangelo thinking? Is Colangelo losing the heart and mind of his star player? Can he get it back if he has?

Raptor fans are getting frustrated and angry. But if you listen to Charles Barkley he would say we only have ourselves to blame. I base this on his recent comments that the Raptors are a good team but basically a .500 team and people who had higher expectations had been wrong to think that. Kenny Smith went further in attacking Jose Calderon and saying that he was a first rate back-up point guard in this league. That is a far cry from the best point guard in the Eastern Conference and deserving All-Star talk in Toronto until very recently. Chris Webber also chimed in but he also was on the record as calling the Raptors his surprise team earlier in the year. So he seems to flow with the way the wind is blowing.

To me all of this can be summed up in one word PRIDE. A classic example of that was shown in the NBA last night. Kevin Garnett who is a guy that I may respect but do not like. He got in the face of Glen Davis to the point he made him cry. Garnett demands accountability from his team and he is willing to make sure it happens by any means necessary. Maybe to extreme but still. Chris Bosh and Jermaine O'Neal how bout showing some of that to your team. I remember Bosh laying into a young Andrea Bargnani in his rookie year. He didn't make cry but the point was made. This Raptor team seems to accept it's fate far to easily of late. Someone in that locker room has to say enough and instill some pride into this Raptor team. Without that this team will be doomed to be at best a .500 team just praying and hoping that will be good enough to make the playoffs.

I did get to have a positive thing to do despite all of this negative stuff going on. I was able to contact our contest winner Brett. He is going to be taking his final exam of the his semester at Western. He will be able to focus on the fact he is going to be seeing the Return of T.J Ford with me. I hope that a lot of folks have learned just how important T.J Ford was over these past few weeks. He deserves to get cheers from the crowd at the A.C.C when he returns. I am not thinking that will happen but I will be at least on person that will clap my hands for him. I am not going to get into a Calderon vs Ford rant but let's just say without Ford you can see just how special that combination was together here in Toronto. Forderon was really a great combination and when we look back on this season if it goes wrong many may wonder if we should have tried to keep that together. Were there issues between the two and the team? Absolutely but the team has some serious issues right now. It is just a case of if those issues could have been worked through. At this point you may even wonder if it was a terminal case that could not be solved if the Raptors should have taken the risk on Ford. But this is all could have and what if. Raptors can not worry about any of that. They also can not wait for Bryan Colangelo to make a trade to save the day. Sam Mitchell being fired was meant to send a message and to this point the message still has not been answered.

It is not as much that the Raptors have lost 3 games as much as it is about how they have lost. Win or lose on Sunday against Portland the effort and energy must improve. That is the only way out of this whole. Chris Bosh wants to be a leader and an M.V.P well that is done through helping you team recover from tough times like these. It is his team by being the franchise player and he needs to address his team and let them know this is not acceptable. That is the first step on the road back.

Congratulations To Our Contest Winner

This will be pretty short and sweet. The Dino Nation Blog is happy to congratulate Brett Lockwood the winner of our Return of T.J Contest Winner. I thank all who entered and our 3 finalists in the contest. All were great and did a good job making it a tough choice. Brett will now be taking in a game with yours truly at the ACC. A pretty exciting one at that with the return of T.J Ford to Toronto. I hope to make it a great experience for him and see it as a way to thank all of the readers in making this a fun experience for him. So Congrats to him and I look forward to meeting him on Wednesday.

Also thanks to Raptorman.ca that was kind enough to put up the tickets for the contest.

Raptors Rewind- Triano Era Begins

Well unless you have been living under a rock you know that tonight is a new era for the Toronto Raptors. Sam Mitchell was fired and Jay Triano has been named his interim replacement. All of this and the Raptors will be on ESPN as well against the Utah Jazz. To know what we can expect is anybodies guess. Jay Triano has had one practice as the head coach so you can't expect a lot of changes as far as scheme. The attitude is another matter. If the Raptors can not get up for this game they really are the walking dead. National T.V and your coach has been fired. Raptors need to respond with effort. The Jazz were having some injury issues but playing through them and doing well. No Carlos Boozer which will be helpful for the Raptors effort to get a win. But his replacement Paul Millsap has been taking advantage with Boozer sidelined. AK-47 has had a bad ankle of late and is a question mark for this one but he would go.

1st Quarter

First play of Triano era a success a feed down to Bragnani for a dunk inside. Jermaine O'Neal would score in the paint and the start and this game had started like the one in Denver. Raptors started that game well which we forget. But just as in Denver the Raptors had a 6-0 start. Anthony Parker had 4 straight points still sporting that black eye. Raptors were off to a 10-4 advantage early. Jazz would rattle off 7 straight to take an 11-10 lead. Bryan Colangelo was helping out on the broadcast. But he could not have been liking the now 9-0 run by the Jazz. Causing Jay Triano to burn his first time out as the Interim head coach.

The run has now climbed to 11-0 and the Jay Triano era did not look much different from the Sam Mitchell era. The Jazz now had a 17-10 lead and a Raptor turnover gave Jazz a chance to extend it and they did. Raptors were 0-7 and the Jazz lead was climbing thanks to a 15-0 run. Jose Calderon would finally break the run with a 3 point shot. But Paul Millsap would get a two in response and Deron Williams had a steal and score. Williams had 10 and Raptors looked much the same as they had on this entire trip. Raptors got a basket and a foul for Bargnani and later a 3-ball from Kapono and the lead was down to 4 for the Jazz. But the Jazz started another run of 6-0 highlighted by an AK-47 alley opp dunk. Jermaine O'Neal had 3 fouls already in the first quarter and Almond was at the line for the Jazz. He extended the run to 8-0. Roko Ukic would score on a drive but the Raptors trailed by 10 after one 33-23. New coach but a pretty similar effort compare to what we have seen on this trip. That was obviously a concern.

2nd Quarter

Utah would start the second quarter on yet another run. They would score the first 5 points of the quarter. Joey Graham would break the run with a drive, a basket, plus a foul. Joey made the free throw for the 3-point play the old school way. Joey would drive and score again but the Jazz were getting it done on offense and the Raptor defense looked like swiss cheese. A Bosh basket followed by a created turnover and score for Toronto and the Raptors cut it back to 10 point lead at 42-32.

Kyle Korver made a 3 pointer and Jazz get another 2 pointer and they were up 15 with the score 47-32. Millsap had a very easy basket in the paint and this was looking like a replay of what happened in Denver minus Sam Mitchell. A Bosh turnover would lead to Matt Harpring getting fouled. He would split a pair and it was 52-34 Jazz with still well over 5 minutes to play. Joey Graham adds to his highlight reel with a dunk. Joey had 7 for the Raptors and was playing well but he was one of few that were. Another basket for Joey and he was trying to bring the Raps back with score 52-40. But Kyle Korver had a 3-ball to answer for the Jazz. Jose Calderon would pick off a truly brutal attempt at a pass. Calderon would take it all the way for rare transition bucket. That is something Jay Triano has indicted he wants to see more of with the Raptors running. Raptors were showing flashes of hustle but flashes were not going to be good enough. Williams would get banged up but remain in the game for the Jazz who had a healthy lead of 64-48. Chris Bosh would miss a shot and he was just 3-9 on the night. Raptors would get one last chance to score with a time out called with 3.9 seconds left in the half. A Bargnani shot from half court was not what Triano drew up in the huddle I am thinking. But that is what the Raptors would get and it would not fall. So the score remained 64-48 Jazz at the half.

One thing I forgot to mention is that Bryan Colangelo mentioned in his visit to broadcast booth a couple interesting things. The first that he was having a lot of conversations about finding another big to bring in to the roster. He also said we should hear something on Nathan Jawai soon. Do the two go together? Only Bryan Colangelo knows for sure. But you can bet he will be working the phones a bit harder after that first half.

3rd Quarter

So could Jay Triano come up with a good half time speech and get this team on the comeback trail? I mean what kind of a speech really could you say. I'll give it a shot. Hey WAKE UP, YOU COST A MAN HIS JOB. YOUR ON NATIONAL T.V AND GETTING YOUR BUTTS KICKED. SHOW SOME PRIDE AND PLAY SOME BASKETBALL!!! Something like that would seem about right to me. Raptors were getting killed on the glass being out rebounded 29-18. The first play of the second half Bosh fumbled the ball and turned it over. He had not looked like himself. The Jazz would convert that turnover into a 3-pointer. Jermaine O'Neal would block a shot and come down awkwardly on that left leg. He would remain on the floor and have a terrible miss on the offensive end and he was back on the bench. The trainer looking him over. The risk of that O'Neal trade was becoming a concern. But O'Neal was quickly back up and ready to check back into the game. But maybe he shouldn't have been as the Raptors were getting killed much like they had in Denver. J.O was back and had a dunk but the Raptors were down 75-56. This game was off the rails again with an Okur 3 pointer. It was just as ugly and a little more painful to watch than the game in Denver.

Kris Humphries was out with a sore knee for Toronto. I missed that bit of info. So no Hump in garbage time which was fast approaching. Jermaine O'Neal must have felt ok as he tried to draw a charge but in stead would get called for the block his 4th foul of the game. Raptors were down 24 points. Bosh would drive to the hoop and draw a foul and head to the line. Bosh would make the free throws but it was not going to matter. The Raptors chances of winning are about as good as O.J Simpson getting out of jail on parole in 9 years. I mean Jay Triano has only had a practice and a shoot around to work with this team. So maybe this is expected. However I would have expected my effort and energy from the Raptors and I have seen little evidence of that. People blamed T.J Ford for a loss of chemistry on this team last year. But T.J is long gone and I suggest that same lack of chemistry is still here. You can blame T.J Ford, you can blame Sam Mitchell but fundamentally there are issues with this team that have extended beyond that. What they are I am really not sure. Raptors were down 87-65 by the way. The beat went on to the end of the third quarter with the Raptors down 91-67.

4th Quarter

I'm not really sure what I can say again in this 4th quarter. I will give Jay Triano credit for one thing. Chris Bosh was not in the game for this 4th quarter. No sense in having him be out there in a situation like this. I was on Sam Mitchell at the end of his run for that. Chris Bosh gets hurt and you can start thinking about the draft lottery. Ok scratch that praise for Jay Triano cause in comes Bosh and Calderon with the Raptors down 28. I mean what the heck is the point of this. Sure Triano wants to get guys use to playing under him but there is no reason to risk you best players in a game like this under any circumstances.

I tell you this has been one of the most frustrating West Coast road trips that I can recall. I mean there have been some bad west coast trips in this team's history but I just can't recall a more disheartening one. Please take out the starters it is 97-69 for my personal sanity. This was just painful to watch. The Raptors were being totally out classed in every single way. Raptors trailed 100-71 and when Raptors give up 100 or more they are 1-8 heading to 1-9.

If this team does not find itself quickly by the end of this month of December the season could be lost and without much hope of saving it. This was always going to be a tough month. I think everyone knew that. But no one expected it to be like this. Thankfully garbage time was here without a stupid injury. That is about all there was to be thankful for. Will Solomon and Hassan Adams in with a cast of reserves. This was more than a losing streak it was a total loss of confidence. Your beat down update is Utah 108-82 with thankfully under 3 minutes to play. I am really asking myself when is pride going to kick in for this Raptor team. 110-85 is another scoreline that is a humiliating one and on ESPN to boot so everyone saw it. Jazz will dribble it out for a shot clock violation and the ugly final was 114-87. Raptors had 23 turnovers and were out rebounded 52-38 those were just 2 of about 100 reasons why the Raptors lost. The boxscores need to start coming with a parental advisory or something.

Raptors/Jazz Boxscore

I am reminded of a line from Sam Mitchell in his early days with the Raptors. " We need to find some men on this team that want to play and if you don't than just quit " I think I nailed the quote but close enough. Some where Sam was watching this game and saying see it wasn't just me. Time will tell if he would be right in thinking that if he in fact was.

Mitchell Aftermath

CB4 Was That You?

As many folks that read the blog are aware I call in to the Hoops show on a regular basis. I had just saw the comments of Chris Bosh on the firing of Sam Mitchell. He was asked a pretty typical media question given the events that have happened. The question was asked if Chris Bosh felt the team was responsible for Sam Mitchell being fired. I expected to hear the typical answer that was given by Bryan Colangelo. That answer is that we were all responsible for what has happened. But that is not what Bosh said. He said a flat out no. This was a choice made by management and the team was not responsible for it. I am not a fan of that. That is not the answer that I expect from the leader of this team. He would go on to defend that the team was only 8-9 and that there was a lot of the season to go. But I just really was disturbed by the comments and the way he said it.

Up to this point in the Dino Nation Blog I have taken the position that I was confident that Chris Bosh would re-sign with the Raptors and I was secure in that belief. I even went as far as to lay into Jalen Rose of ESPN for his comments about Bosh being a lock to join Lebron James in New York with the Knicks. Jalen said he knew and it was a sure thing. The question for me was how on earth would he know. I mean does he know Bosh? Sure and they may even still talk but I really have no idea. But given the character and loyalty that Bosh has shown I dismissed what Jalen said as a way to get ratings for ESPN. I am now not sure if I was wrong or right. Sam and Chris at least seemed to have a great coach and player relationship. I can not understand why Bosh would not feel some element of responsibility for him being fired. I am willing to give Chris the benefit of the doubt. It was obviously a shock to him to see Sam get fired. But who was Bosh angry with in those comments? Is he angry with Sam, was he angry that Bryan fired him? Or just frustrated by the question and the fact his team was in this position at this point.

I think everyone understands what a great season Chris has been having. I am not saying as an individual he should feel responsible for Sam being fired. I think you could build a case that Bosh and his development are a key factor in Sam Mitchell remaining the coach of the Raptors for as long as he did. It all just seems strange and out of character for Chris and I just don't know if it was a case of a bad day or something more. I have always said Chris Bosh is a smart young man and is one of the more media savvy players in the NBA and pro sports in general. I can't imagine he makes a statement with microphones in front of him that is not well thought out. I did not want to become one of the masses living in fear till 2010 but a few more comments like this out of CB4 and I may be on the worry express all the way to 2010. I always write this blog in a way that I try to tap into my honest feelings and emotions at the time I am writing it. That emotion and feeling right now is DEEP CONCERN.

Raptors Can't Get Up For This One, Check For A Pulse

This is far from the time for the Raptors to be hitting the national stage on ESPN but that is what is in front of the Raptors. Jay Triano and his Raptors will debut against Utah on ESPN. It will be interesting to see how this team responds to all of this. The return of Jermaine O'Neal should have provided a spark to this team but instead they laid a huge egg that cost Sam Mitchell his job it would turn out. So now they have had a coach fired will that motivate them? I mean if you take Bosh's answer at face value you would say no. Being on ESPN though may provide some motivation. I will say this with everything that has gone on and the situation of this game vs. Utah if they are not up for this game they never will be. Bryan Colangelo will need to act fast and make a move. If the Raptors are not a much more inspired team. You fire a coach for a lot of reasons. But one of those reasons is to shock the culture of your basketball team to the core. Every player has a new person to answer to and impress. If you are a Joey Graham you can not say well Sam doesn't like me and that is why I don't play. Every player as a new person that knows them all but will have his own view of them. That view will dictate to them things like playing time and roles.

Pressure Now Shifts To B.C

I think at the end of the day the spotlight by making this move has fallen to Bryan Colangelo. We are going to find out if Colangelo was right to say this was the most talented roster in his time hear with the Raptors. I never understood that comment myself. It added a lot of pressure on everyone. It was clearly a roster with holes in it as well. Maybe the most talented starting 5 he has every had? I could have bought that argument. But it was clear to me that by adding J.O the bench was being made on the cheap. They also had to pay Calderon a ton of cash to resign him. So Bryan is not dumb he knows his bench had a lot of high risk cheap options on it.

I think as far as things sit now the honeymoon for Bryan Colangelo is over with Raptor Fans. Colangelo in his first few seasons had an almost God like or saviour type feel for this fan base. But now people are not as afraid to express that doubt and question Colangelo. Some are even wondering about things like if T.J Ford should have been moved. I as many know was a huge supporter of T.J and I am happy to see people understand that T.J was a key part of this team. That is not to say you do not make the move that Colangelo made. My feeling was and still is that if this team decided to trade Ford they needed to replace what T.J brought to this club. Bringing in Jermaine O'Neal was a good move for the long term of this franchise and could be a good move for short term despite the start this team has had. But Roko Ukic was never going to be ready and Will Solomon was not a guy that has shown any signs of being an NBA level back-up point guard. Jose Calderon as I had said was not the perfect point guard. The Raptors would have face issues if they had kept T.J and moved Calderon in a sign and trade. T.J is a flawed point guard as well. But in the end when you took away one you needed to provide a legit back up to play behind the other. In Indiana they still went out and brought in Jarrett Jack to play behind T.J with them. Ford and the risk of injury was high and that was obviously part of the choice to move him. But in not bringing in a legit option behind Jose his health became key for Raptors. If Ford goes down with Pacers and Jack comes in I think the Pacers could still win games. The Raptors without Claderon were doomed.

There are lots of other things people can point to if you care to pick a part Colangelo. Hassan Adams was brought in and is a total stiff to this point. Many wonder about Andrea Bargnani has the first pick that Colangelo made. I will stick up for Bryan on this point. Andrea was always meant to be player that was drafted for his long term out look. He is starting to show the signs of what Bryan had in mind in drafting him. But it is not like Colangelo has not made mistakes. Fred Jones comes to mind as a guy that did not work out for Bryan. The problem is even if Bryan feels he has made mistakes with this roster can he ultimately make the adjustments he wants to going forward? We are going to find out. The point is now everyone will look at Colangelo and evaluate him as any other G.M now. Colangelo has made wise moves for the future of this franchise. But he needs to make it to 2010 and most importantly not lose Chris Bosh in the process. I mean lose him in the sense of having the faith in Bryan to build a winner around him. I think Colangelo understands that losing Chris Bosh in this city with the history it has could be a terrible blow to this franchise and the fan base.

Good Luck To Our Contest Finalists

I just want to encourage you all to vote and support our contest finalist for the chance to see the Return of T.J Ford with me at the A.C.C. Check out the entries of Brett, Jonathan and Maurice. After you have give the one you think is the best your vote. The winner is the one that best expressed their love of the Raptors and the Dino Nation Blog. I have been working on a few extra surprises for the winner as well. We will see how that works out. But for you voters I have extended you chance to vote till Saturday Morning. Given all of the events with Sam Mitchell being fired it delayed me getting to do some of the things related to the contest. I wanted to give people a fair chance to vote and the contestants a fair chance to earn your support. Your vote will be the poll winner. I also get a vote and a third guest judge I have selected that works on a Raptor forums that I take part in. So show some support and vote for one of these guys they worked hard and I am sure all would like to go to the game. I know I am excited to be going with one of them.