Toronto Raptors may get to the point that the ACC feels like they are on the road. It is a brief stop over for the Raptors to take on Portland before they hit the road for a murderous 5 game road swing. Given the Raptors history on west coast trips, to steal a game vs the Blazers would be big for team moral. But the Blazers are a solid club above .500 in the tough Western Conference. Still no word on if Bargnani or Bayless will be back. Seems like Bayless is more likely than Bargnani at this point.
Raptors in the 4 games without Bargnani are 122-280 from the field shooting 43.5% they have only averaged 77.75 points in those games. That is not going to win you many basketball games. While the Raptors miss him on the defensive end as well, it is his offence that is what they miss most. In that time with no Bargnani, Demar DeRozan is just 24/63 for 38% from the field and is averaging just 14.7 points per game. That is just a 0.4 increase in his scoring from his season average. You can make the argument that things become a lot harder for Demar with Bargnani out. Not only does he become a bigger target for defences, but the spacing on the floor changes without Bargnani. Making it more of a challenge to get to the rim.
As for the Blazers when a team basically has lost 2 first round picks to injuries and is able to be this good you have to be impressed. Greg Oden has been a bust and Brandon Roy was not a bust but is done far to soon. Still the Blazers have kept on keeping on. Adding talent like Gerald Wallace and Raymond Felton to play with Lamarcus Aldridge who is rounding into one of the top power forwards in the game. Oh and they also added Jamal Crawford who is one of those "Raptor Killers" and is coming in off a 22 point game for him recently. Portland after a surprising 4-2 start have lost 4 of their last 5. The lone win against the NBA owned and New Orleans operated Hornets. Who are struggling much like the Raptors. As proof the NBA schedule is not kind to anyone this is the 5th of 6 games on the road for Portland on a trip has seen them bounce around North America.
3 keys:
Ball Movement: Blazers have 6 players that average 10 points or more and average 21.6 assists per game. Raptors need to do what they can to keep the Blazers from sharing the rock. Meantime the Raptors on offence need to pass the rock a lot better. There have been too many turnovers and not enough ball movement. In everyone of the games the Raptors have won part of that winning formula has been excellent ball movement.
Win on the Glass: Portland you would think would have an advantage on the glass but they have been out rebounded on the season by the average 2 a game. They do hold a slight advantage on the offensive glass. Raptors can not afford to give up second chances to this team they will make you pay for it.
Get to the Line: Raptors have not exactly got the benefit of calls on this road trip. Well now you are at home take advantage of it and attack the basket and get to the line. A first quarter like we saw in the last game with Boston is unacceptable. You have to get to line in the NBA and get some easy points. The Raptors shooting troubles at times make that even more vital.
Raptors will be hard pressed to find the winners circle but will attempt to do it at 7PM game is on TSN 2 and you can catch me tweeting my face off during the game @Dinonationblog on Twitter as always.
Showing posts with label Blazers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Blazers. Show all posts
2/11/11
L.A Closes The Show At The ACC
Demar DeRozan is officially the Raptors sole survivor as we got word prior to the game from Jay Triano there would be no Amir Johnson. Despite the fact if it was up to Amir you got the impression from Triano he would have tried to play. So that means the only Raptor to play in ever game this season is Demar. Blazers know injuries as well, Oden, Roy, Camby and on and on. But the Blazers despite their injuries have managed to stay a float in tough Western Conference. Bargnani bashers will take note the Lamarcus Aldridge is on a tear of late as well. The man selected right after Bargnani in the 2006 draft. Also according to some was the guy Chris Bosh wanted too.
Away we went from the ACC. a steal by Sonny Weems, but then a turnover and Blazers throw it away. Sloppy start for both sides. It continues with an inbound pass that Sonny Weems was not able to handle. Almost 2 minutes before anyone got on the board Dante Cunningham would strike first blood for the Blazers. Weems and Aldridge would trade hoops after that and it was 4-2 Blazers with 8:45 to go in the first. First team to 70 wins? Raptors would go on a snail paced 5-0 run and make it 7-4 with jams from Davis and Weems along the way. Raps were off to a decent start all things considered up 13-8 on a Bargnani bucket that would draw a time out from the Blazers. The 2nd pick in the 2006 draft scores and the first pick answers on the other end make it 15-10 Raptors. Blazers got on a little run and forced Jay to burn a time out with score 17-14. Rudy three ball would bring the Blazers back to even. DeRozan would score and then another Rudy 3 and Blazers were back on top. Blazers in the end had a 23-19 lead after 1.
Raps perimeter D in transition was horrible, after a Dorsey two, the Blazers get a wide open Rudy 3 and that is bad math for Raps trailing 30-25 early in the 2nd. This was the Rudy Fernandez show and we were spectators he already had 11 off the bench for Portland. Mills a steal and you are not catching that Aussie he speedy to the easy score and Blazers were up 35-29. Blazers were pulling away from the Raptors getting it up to 40-29 before getting a basket. But another couple Rudy 3's and this was off the rails. Your halftime score was Blazers 55 and Raptors 47.
Raps were trying to at least hang around as they often do. Bargnani with a basket to cut the lead to 7. Raptors had Bargnani and DeRozan with 14 a piece. Ed Davis was doing a good job filling in for the missing rebounds from Amir with 11 boards on the night to this point. (He would finish with a career high 13) There were some positives but the one glaring negative of perimeter defence was overshadowing it all. But the Raptors would clean things up on the perimeter and shut out Fernandez in the second half. But that is where Lamarcus Aldridge took over. He had 25 of his eventual 37 points in the 2nd half. He had a point to prove as Toronto passed on him for Andrea Bargnani. Someone else with a point to prove was Jerryd Bayless. The Raptors took a 8 point half time advantage for Portland and chopped it down to just two points. The Raptors best quarter on defence on the night holding the Blazers to just 17 points.
The 4th was the story of two guys more or less. Jerryd Bayless got on a tear and was nailing 3 point shots at almost the same rate as Rudy Fernandez was in the first half. He exchanged words often with the Blazer bench as he was nailing shots. Post game when asked who was giving him a hard time and who he was chatter with he claimed "I forgot". But just like Bayless had a point to prove so did Aldridge. This was much like when the Bucks pounded Andrew Bogut at the Raptors down the stretch and in overtime to get a win. Only more so and it seemed in the last 6 minutes that everything was going to Aldridge and most of the time he was finishing it himself. After one time out down the stretch Jay Triano had some words for Andrea. When asked about it post game Bargnani also appears to have selective amnesia. He said there was no incident or exchange between him and Triano. It may well have been a one sided exchange with Triano just talking about his defence in likely not glowing terms. The defence might not have been better, but Bargnani to picked up his level of play as well on the night with 24 points 6 rebounds (Which For Andrea is like 12) and 4 assists. In the end it was to much LA for the Raptors and he willed the Blazers to a 102-96 win.
The Raptors were knocking on the door late but a play out of a time of that Jay revealed was called for Bargnani as the 1st option ended up in the hands of DeRozan as Bargnani was well cover. DeRozan would try for a three with the Raptors down 4 and it was not a good decision. Heading into last nice Demar was only 4 of 15 from 3 point range on the season. Why he didn't try to drive is perplexing. But talked with Demar pre-game and he talks about his confidence from this season to last season increasing. In this case the confidence was not warranted. But you do like the fact he is comfortable with making a play and taking a shot late in a game with the outcome in the balance. The line the you will keep hearing over and over from people that it is something he can learn from and grow from. As I had speculated the Raptors have reached 40 loses on the season prior to the All-Star Break. They become just the 3rd team to reach that low point, with Minnesota at 13-40, and the we didn't lose 27 in a row Cavs at 9-45. For all the losing the Cavs have done they sit only 4 games ahead or behind the Raptors depending on your point of view. For those that cheer lottery balls it is ahead, for those that don't it is behind. But clearly despite some solid play in the last two games the Raptors have nothing but two more L's and that ever talked about experience to show for it. Oh and for the record the Cavs beat the Clippers in OT. That should make them oh so happy as they roll into the ACC next. Clippers will be an angry bunch you have to figure and the Blake Griffin Show should be in full effect come Sunday.
I was able to talk with Reggie Evans and Demar DeRozan pre-game and those Interviews should be up some time over the weekend at the latest Monday. I say that but knowing how I am you likely will have both with in 24 hours. Back to work for me.
Away we went from the ACC. a steal by Sonny Weems, but then a turnover and Blazers throw it away. Sloppy start for both sides. It continues with an inbound pass that Sonny Weems was not able to handle. Almost 2 minutes before anyone got on the board Dante Cunningham would strike first blood for the Blazers. Weems and Aldridge would trade hoops after that and it was 4-2 Blazers with 8:45 to go in the first. First team to 70 wins? Raptors would go on a snail paced 5-0 run and make it 7-4 with jams from Davis and Weems along the way. Raps were off to a decent start all things considered up 13-8 on a Bargnani bucket that would draw a time out from the Blazers. The 2nd pick in the 2006 draft scores and the first pick answers on the other end make it 15-10 Raptors. Blazers got on a little run and forced Jay to burn a time out with score 17-14. Rudy three ball would bring the Blazers back to even. DeRozan would score and then another Rudy 3 and Blazers were back on top. Blazers in the end had a 23-19 lead after 1.
Raps perimeter D in transition was horrible, after a Dorsey two, the Blazers get a wide open Rudy 3 and that is bad math for Raps trailing 30-25 early in the 2nd. This was the Rudy Fernandez show and we were spectators he already had 11 off the bench for Portland. Mills a steal and you are not catching that Aussie he speedy to the easy score and Blazers were up 35-29. Blazers were pulling away from the Raptors getting it up to 40-29 before getting a basket. But another couple Rudy 3's and this was off the rails. Your halftime score was Blazers 55 and Raptors 47.
Raps were trying to at least hang around as they often do. Bargnani with a basket to cut the lead to 7. Raptors had Bargnani and DeRozan with 14 a piece. Ed Davis was doing a good job filling in for the missing rebounds from Amir with 11 boards on the night to this point. (He would finish with a career high 13) There were some positives but the one glaring negative of perimeter defence was overshadowing it all. But the Raptors would clean things up on the perimeter and shut out Fernandez in the second half. But that is where Lamarcus Aldridge took over. He had 25 of his eventual 37 points in the 2nd half. He had a point to prove as Toronto passed on him for Andrea Bargnani. Someone else with a point to prove was Jerryd Bayless. The Raptors took a 8 point half time advantage for Portland and chopped it down to just two points. The Raptors best quarter on defence on the night holding the Blazers to just 17 points.
The 4th was the story of two guys more or less. Jerryd Bayless got on a tear and was nailing 3 point shots at almost the same rate as Rudy Fernandez was in the first half. He exchanged words often with the Blazer bench as he was nailing shots. Post game when asked who was giving him a hard time and who he was chatter with he claimed "I forgot". But just like Bayless had a point to prove so did Aldridge. This was much like when the Bucks pounded Andrew Bogut at the Raptors down the stretch and in overtime to get a win. Only more so and it seemed in the last 6 minutes that everything was going to Aldridge and most of the time he was finishing it himself. After one time out down the stretch Jay Triano had some words for Andrea. When asked about it post game Bargnani also appears to have selective amnesia. He said there was no incident or exchange between him and Triano. It may well have been a one sided exchange with Triano just talking about his defence in likely not glowing terms. The defence might not have been better, but Bargnani to picked up his level of play as well on the night with 24 points 6 rebounds (Which For Andrea is like 12) and 4 assists. In the end it was to much LA for the Raptors and he willed the Blazers to a 102-96 win.
The Raptors were knocking on the door late but a play out of a time of that Jay revealed was called for Bargnani as the 1st option ended up in the hands of DeRozan as Bargnani was well cover. DeRozan would try for a three with the Raptors down 4 and it was not a good decision. Heading into last nice Demar was only 4 of 15 from 3 point range on the season. Why he didn't try to drive is perplexing. But talked with Demar pre-game and he talks about his confidence from this season to last season increasing. In this case the confidence was not warranted. But you do like the fact he is comfortable with making a play and taking a shot late in a game with the outcome in the balance. The line the you will keep hearing over and over from people that it is something he can learn from and grow from. As I had speculated the Raptors have reached 40 loses on the season prior to the All-Star Break. They become just the 3rd team to reach that low point, with Minnesota at 13-40, and the we didn't lose 27 in a row Cavs at 9-45. For all the losing the Cavs have done they sit only 4 games ahead or behind the Raptors depending on your point of view. For those that cheer lottery balls it is ahead, for those that don't it is behind. But clearly despite some solid play in the last two games the Raptors have nothing but two more L's and that ever talked about experience to show for it. Oh and for the record the Cavs beat the Clippers in OT. That should make them oh so happy as they roll into the ACC next. Clippers will be an angry bunch you have to figure and the Blake Griffin Show should be in full effect come Sunday.
I was able to talk with Reggie Evans and Demar DeRozan pre-game and those Interviews should be up some time over the weekend at the latest Monday. I say that but knowing how I am you likely will have both with in 24 hours. Back to work for me.
11/7/10
0 For The West Coast.
This won't exactly be a re-cap because I came on board half way through the game(Was working for The Score). The Raptors from what folks told me on Twitter had poor effort and lousy offence. Only 36 points at the half makes that believable to me. Sonny Weems was a no go for this one as it was revealed Weems had some tendinitis in his knee that caused him to be pulled from the Lakers game. Julian Wright would take his minutes and in a game with little bright spots his play was one of them. He had 11 points on 3-6 shooting and got to the line 8 times. Also 3 steals was nice as well in 16:30 of floor time.
The Raptors starting 5 such as it is only accounted for 38 points of the Raptors 82, led by Jack with 16 points. DeMar DeRozan had been showing signs of improvement this road trip starting it off tying his career high with 24 points. But the trip ends with a thud with just 2 points and shooting a brutal 1-10 from field. Linas Kleiza continues to disappoint with just 6 points a couple rebounds and 0-4 from 3 point land. I was taken back by how quickly expectations for him went through the roof in pre-season. This was a role player for the Nuggets and was in Europe for a season. He returns to the league as a starter? Other than Cleveland I can't think of another team in this league he would start for. Regardless of that he needs to be much better. After an explosive offensive start to the season Andrea Bargnani has come back to earth. He did get on the boards again yet again in a game the Raptors were never in. Told you that happens a lot. Maybe if I keep making mention of it people will notice it like I have.
Amir Johnson after a bounce back night vs L.A was back to questionable at best. 6 turnovers and 5 fouls are both not good numbers for Amir. The Raptors again were loose with the ball having 17 turnovers overall. But the stat the killed them was their shooting % of 36.8 percent. Just awful and this team can not afford to shoot that poorly if they expect to beat anyone. Bucking those trends was Jose Calderon who has been playing better. He committed none of those turnovers and he shot the ball well going 5-7 from the field and had 12 points 4 rebounds and 4 assists. On a night when the team as group defended so poorly it would be unfair to single out Jose so I won't.
I think the thing that bothered me the most was the fan reaction to the Raptors 3 point streak which almost died tonight until being saved by Jarrett Jack midway through the 4th. I seem to be in the vast minority at wanting to see the streak now at 948 games with a 3 to die. But as I tried to explain on Twitter what does it really mean? The Raptors if we went back and did the research have a losing record during this streak of alleged greatness. Is being 1 for 17 and shooting 5.6% from 3 point line great? Far from it. I don't like fans cheering for a silly slice of Pizza and I am not a fan of fans cheering for a streak that means nothing to anyone outside of Toronto. The team next on the list behind the Raptors I believe was the Dallas Mavericks. Not sure if they still are but for the sake of things let's assume they are. Do you think Mark Cuban would give a damn about this streak. He just wants to win games. All that this streak is to me is a representation that this Raptors team has been far to dependent on the 3 point for far to long.
People on Twitter a number of them responded to my dismay over the streak with the similar response of it is all we got. If the Raptors existence is going to be measured by a meaningless streak that represents nothing I would rather have just old fashion nothing. But the truth is that Raptors have a basketball team and are one of only 30 cities that can say that. Take pride in that not some streak that means nothing. After 16 years of few successes if this streak is all that people think we have that is pretty sad and depressing. This is going be a long season and I honestly hope that somewhere along the line this season the streak ends. There seems to be a real belief that this streak means a lot to this team. I am not as convinced of that. It sure doesn't to Jay Triano it would seem when he was asked about it.
At some point at around 0 for 11 or 12 the Raptors should have stopped taking 3's altogether. Some nights the shots are not falling. I am not saying the Raptors should abandon the 3 point shot altogether. However on some nights when it isn't there the smart thing to do is stop taking the shot. At the end of the day this team needs to be about only one thing. Winning and nothing else matters. Until that is the complete focus they are not going to achieve anything beyond this odd ball trivia question answer streak.
If you think I am grumpy and angry about this road trip. Well I am but my feelings about this streak I have made known before. I think it is as stupid as a bunch of people in seats that cost at the least that cost 10 X more then a stupid piece of pizza cheer for it like they have never had pizza in their lives. These are bush league attitudes that need to change. It isn't just this team that needs to change it is some of the attitudes in this fan base. The Toronto Raptor fans should not want and demand silly streaks continuing or Pizza for 100 points. You should demand better and demand winning. Chris Bosh has been made out to be a villain for leaving. But at the core of why he wanted to leave was to win. I am not suggesting to go find a new NBA team to support. More that you support the one you have been in a different way. 16 years a lot of people have been loyal to this franchise as fans and supporters. That is worth more than pizza and streaks. It deserves winning and holding people accountable for winning. If the Raptors are rebuilding again then let's get it right on all sides of things.
As for the ending the the Raptors road trip that had no winning to be found. It was the Blazers cruising to an easy win 97-82. The Raptors limp home with the tough task of facing the up tempo Warriors after this 0-4 trip. It will not be easy to snap this losing streak facing them. I will be there covering it win or lose.
2/24/10
Ready Or Bosh Here We Go
So the biggest question will be is if Chris Bosh is able to go tonight vs Portland tonight at the ACC. This will be a tougher challenge then the Wizards or Nets that is for certain. Blazers are 33-26 and unlike the Raptors side on the edge of the playoffs in the West in the 8th spot in the West. Portland is just 5-5 in their last 10 games and enter the ACC tonight with 14-13 road record on the season. Portland had acquired Marcus Camby at the deadline and he may not play tonight as he turned his ankle vs the Nets in a win for the Blazers last night. Andre Miller, Brandon Roy and LaMarcus Aldridge combined for 75 points against the Nets. The Blazers have been bitten by the injury bug more than a few time in this season but have some how found a way to make it work. Makes you wonder why they would have taken a risk on Marcus Camby who from even the start of his career with the Raptors had his issues with injuries.
Be it a returning Bosh, Bargnani or someone else guarding LaMarcus Aldridge will be a challenge. Not to mention Roy and Miller. Earlier this season Miller went of for 50+ and Roy is also a guy that can go off as a scorer as well. Those 3 were pretty much 75% of the Blazers offense last night. Even with getting rid of what they did to get Camby this team does have a lot of depth not unlike that Raptors. Bayless, Fernandez, Webster and the ageless fab 5 member Juwan Howard give the Blazers lots of capable bodies coming of the bench.
Oh yeah there is some hockey game tonight so only the hardcore folks will be paying attention to Raps. For everyone else it will be some Hockey game between Russia and Canada. In fact if you catch games via the Radio tonight's game has been moved to the Dino Blogger's home town on CHML 900 AM. Which makes total sense because they have had me on as a basketball guest so many times. Oh wait no they haven't. But my hometown does have basketball fans. I will be addressing that issue come March with an event that will be starting in March. Details coming very soon in the Dino Nation Blog about basketball in my hometown.
It won't bother me a bit that Canada is playing Russia at the same time. Many won't believe it but I have not watched 1 second of Canada's Men's Hockey team. The theme of this Olympics has been "I Believe" and there is a song that if you have watched the Olympics you have heard at least 100 times by now. What I believe in is basketball and that is what I do everyday. If you enjoy hockey and care to watch it feel free. I have gotten to the point the over media coverage of hockey has made me tune it out. There is nothing where that is more clear than with the national Men's Hockey Team. I will watch the women play for Gold against the United States but in terms of the men's squad unlike the majority of this nation I am not obsessed with if Canada wins over Russia and goes on to win a medal or not. I am not cheering against them or anything just for me I would prefer to cheer for the rest of team Canada.
For example Joannie Rochette was amazing. To skate with all that she must be feeling I really have no words. Anyone who has lost a parent understands. She is representing this country just days after her mother died in Vancouver as she had just arrived to watch her compete at the games. Joannie's performance last night was good enough to sit in 3rd place. However the courage that she showed will rival anyone in this basketball game tonight or this hockey game. In fact rival isn't even doing it justice. Surpass any performance we will see given her circumstances.
Pro athletes be it in Basketball or Hockey get paid very well to do what they do. Most of these athletes in Olympics do not make big dollars to compete in their sport. But they do not love it any less than pro athletes. I love my country and love basketball that I am proud to say it was invented by a Canadian. You can be a proud Canadian without watching hockey. I know that is a foreign concept for many in this country but it is true.
So be you watching Hockey or the Raptors the Dino Nation Blog will be here for you to make sure you know what went down at the ACC tonight. The indications are Bosh will be doubtful for this one. The idea to save him for when King James and his new friend Antwan Jamison coming to town Friday.
Couple Notes for you all. First some history for you all. I use to be a wrestling fan so I like to think of this as a Mega Powers like moment. The Dino Blogger for the first time EVER crosses the boarder and goes into the Raptors Repulic. Go check out my interview with PH-D Steve who was also my opponent in the Pros vs Joes Contest. Steve won are battle and I am pretty sure will win the contest. Good luck to him and I plan on having him come to visit our site in a future Starting 5. We had come up with this idea based on meeting each other through the contest.
Also I will be liveblogging the next 2 Raps games for The Score so if you must watch the Hockey game you can keep up on Raps with me on the liveblog while you watch. I will have linkage for you later today.
Be it a returning Bosh, Bargnani or someone else guarding LaMarcus Aldridge will be a challenge. Not to mention Roy and Miller. Earlier this season Miller went of for 50+ and Roy is also a guy that can go off as a scorer as well. Those 3 were pretty much 75% of the Blazers offense last night. Even with getting rid of what they did to get Camby this team does have a lot of depth not unlike that Raptors. Bayless, Fernandez, Webster and the ageless fab 5 member Juwan Howard give the Blazers lots of capable bodies coming of the bench.
Oh yeah there is some hockey game tonight so only the hardcore folks will be paying attention to Raps. For everyone else it will be some Hockey game between Russia and Canada. In fact if you catch games via the Radio tonight's game has been moved to the Dino Blogger's home town on CHML 900 AM. Which makes total sense because they have had me on as a basketball guest so many times. Oh wait no they haven't. But my hometown does have basketball fans. I will be addressing that issue come March with an event that will be starting in March. Details coming very soon in the Dino Nation Blog about basketball in my hometown.
It won't bother me a bit that Canada is playing Russia at the same time. Many won't believe it but I have not watched 1 second of Canada's Men's Hockey team. The theme of this Olympics has been "I Believe" and there is a song that if you have watched the Olympics you have heard at least 100 times by now. What I believe in is basketball and that is what I do everyday. If you enjoy hockey and care to watch it feel free. I have gotten to the point the over media coverage of hockey has made me tune it out. There is nothing where that is more clear than with the national Men's Hockey Team. I will watch the women play for Gold against the United States but in terms of the men's squad unlike the majority of this nation I am not obsessed with if Canada wins over Russia and goes on to win a medal or not. I am not cheering against them or anything just for me I would prefer to cheer for the rest of team Canada.
For example Joannie Rochette was amazing. To skate with all that she must be feeling I really have no words. Anyone who has lost a parent understands. She is representing this country just days after her mother died in Vancouver as she had just arrived to watch her compete at the games. Joannie's performance last night was good enough to sit in 3rd place. However the courage that she showed will rival anyone in this basketball game tonight or this hockey game. In fact rival isn't even doing it justice. Surpass any performance we will see given her circumstances.
Pro athletes be it in Basketball or Hockey get paid very well to do what they do. Most of these athletes in Olympics do not make big dollars to compete in their sport. But they do not love it any less than pro athletes. I love my country and love basketball that I am proud to say it was invented by a Canadian. You can be a proud Canadian without watching hockey. I know that is a foreign concept for many in this country but it is true.
So be you watching Hockey or the Raptors the Dino Nation Blog will be here for you to make sure you know what went down at the ACC tonight. The indications are Bosh will be doubtful for this one. The idea to save him for when King James and his new friend Antwan Jamison coming to town Friday.
Couple Notes for you all. First some history for you all. I use to be a wrestling fan so I like to think of this as a Mega Powers like moment. The Dino Blogger for the first time EVER crosses the boarder and goes into the Raptors Repulic. Go check out my interview with PH-D Steve who was also my opponent in the Pros vs Joes Contest. Steve won are battle and I am pretty sure will win the contest. Good luck to him and I plan on having him come to visit our site in a future Starting 5. We had come up with this idea based on meeting each other through the contest.
Also I will be liveblogging the next 2 Raps games for The Score so if you must watch the Hockey game you can keep up on Raps with me on the liveblog while you watch. I will have linkage for you later today.
12/27/08
Raptors Rewind- You Never Promised Me A Rose Garden Edition
1st Quarter
Well the first six minutes of this game was making me look pretty smart. I had said prior to this one it would be a battle between the young bigs of Oden and Aldridge and the more experienced Bosh and O'Neal. Well 26 of the first 28 points of the game were scored by those 4 players. Brandon Roy would break a 14-14 tie with a basket and he would follow up with another basket to follow that up and the Blazers had a 4 point advantage. The is after the Raptors had come back from being down 12-6. Bosh got to the line and made a pair and Andrea Bargnani who checked in for O'Neal made his first jumper. We were tied again at 18. But the Blazer again would push back in front. scoring 4 straight until Jose Calderon would respond with a jump shot. Jose would get another basket via his jump shot and all even at 22 again.
Anthony Parker would hit a big 3-ball after Portland had scored to take the lead. Andrea Bargnani would score on a second chance for the Raptors thanks to J.O rebounding his own miss. Channing Frye would score at the buzzer but the Raptors battled back for 6 points down to have a 28-26 after the first quarter of play.
2nd Quarter
Rudy Fernandez would score the 3-ball for the Blazers and they were back in front. But Andrea Bargnani had his groove on with another 3-ball. Will Solomon would get another 3 pointer for the Raptors and they had a 34-31 lead. Andrea Bargnani would score a 2-ball this time and Raptors had their largest lead of the night of five points with the score 36-31. Raptors would build the lead up to 7. But the Blazers would respond with an Outlaw 3-ball cutting the lead down to 4. Will Solomon was doing a good job leading the Raptor offense and they would build the lead back to 6 points with the score 40-34.
Greg Oden was back on the floor had he had his first basket since in flurry early on. But the Raptors would answer that with a 3-ball. Brandon Roy had a bucket that would be answered with a Jamario Moon jam. Raptors lead the game 45-39 with 4:10 to go in the half. Blazers and Raps exchange two point buckets and the lead remained at 7 points. Chris Bosh showed Greg Oden a little something with a nice move and a jam and a foul. It would give Bosh 3 points and the Raptors a 50-40 lead. Oden would get sent to the line and make a pair. Brandon Roy would follow up with a jumper for 2 for Portland. But Parker had a 3-ball and Bosh would score again and he now had 15 thus far tonight. Most important to him his Raptors had a 55-44 lead. Oden would make a pair from the line but Jay Triano would draw up a play that would get Bosh a score. But Travis Outlaw would get a miracle toss from half court to cut the Raptor lead to 8 at the half leading 57-49.
3rd Quarter
Raptors shot 52% form the field and they were 6-8 from 3 point range. But it was Lamarcus Aldridge that would open the scoring. But Chris Bosh responded with a basket from him to start the half he had 19 points to this point. Greg Oden was having a nice night with a number of powerful slams and he had 16 for his side including his latest monster dunk. Jermaine O'Neal would respond with a bucket for bucket. The Blazers would drain a long range bomb to pull with in 5 points and Lamarcus Aldridge would make that a 3 point Raptor lead with the score 61-58. Bosh would drive and looked to be fouled but no call came. The lead remained at just 3 points for the Raptors. Bosh was forced into a fad away jumper from a long way out which he would miss but Jamario Moon was there to jam in the rebound. Steve Blake would come down to the other end and knock down a 3-ball with ease. Blake would get another look to take the lead but that would catch iron. J.O would miss his first attempt but the Raptors would get a second chance with a rebound and J.O would drive to the basket on his second chance to score and not miss. Raptor lead 65-61 with a time out on the floor.
Travis Outlaw would score on a fading jumper in the land out of the time out. Lamarcus Aldridge would tie the score on the next trip up the floor for the Blazers. The lead that late in the first half had grown to 11 was all gone. 65 all and a brand new ball game. Aldridge would get to the line and make a pair to give the Blazers the lead. They would score again to extend the lead to 4 points. Chris Bosh would drive and draw the foul and almost made it an and one bit it would fall out. So he would head to the line for a pair that he would make. Andrea Bargnani had a chance to put the Raptors back in front but he would miss the 3-ball. Will Solomon would make a bad pass that would go out of bounds and the Raptors missed another chance to pull even. Raptors would trail 69-67 after 3 quarters of play.
4th Quarter
Raptors shooting % sunk down to 43% after the 3rd quarter. But they were still in the basketball game. Took over a minute and half for someone to score. But Chris Bosh would bust open the score sheet with a basket to tie it at 69. But after that the Blazers would run off 4 straight. But Andrea Bargnani would answer that with a 3-ball which Brandon Roy would answer with a 3 pointer of his own and it was 76-72. Lamarcus Aldridge was being good all night long.He scored again and Roy followed that up with a basket and another. Raptor were now looking an eight point deficit square in the face.
Jerrmaine O'Neal had the ball swiped away by Roy and wanted a foul. Instead it would be another Aldridge score and an 84-74 lead for the Blazers. Moon would respond with a score only to have Brandon Roy answer with a 3 pointer. He would get another basket and Jay Triano like his team was frustrated with the non-calls as well and get a technical foul. But in reality he was likely as frustrated his team had no answers for Aldridge and Roy. Raptors who once lead by 11 now trailed by 13 points with the score 89-76. Roy would continue to dazzle with another score. J.O would come back with a jam plus a foul and pull the Raptors back to down 10 points at 91-81 with just under 4 minutes to play. There was time left to make a comeback but it would not be easy. Bosh would get to the line with 3:08 left on the clock for a pair. He would make both and the lead was 8 points for the Blazers. Bosh had 27 points on the night for the Raptors. Brandon Roy would take a tumble at hands of Jamario Moon and head to the line and calm as can be make a pair. Bosh quickly answered with 2 for the Raptors. Steve Blake would score with a one handed runner. J.O would respond but the Raptors needed stops. But they were not coming as the Blazers got a dunk to push the lead back to 10 points at 97-87. This game was done for the most part. Raptors once again played well but not good enough. They could not find that complete 48 minutes it would take to beat a quality opponent. Raptors would fumble and bumble their way down the final minute or so. The Blazers would dribble out a season sweep of the Raptors with a 102-89 win over Toronto.
Blazers/Raps Boxscore
I am a bit under the weather so if there is some editing that is lacking it will get done tomorrow morning. I also had to reboot the computer right before the start hence the bit of strange start to this Raptor Rewind with no set-up and Raptor Rewind Logo. But I was able to stay healthy enough to keep hitting keys. So I will be happy for that. Got an interview to put together tomorrow as well. It will get done but may be a little slower then I would like. But it is for a good cause getting Raptors on TSN 2 for everyone so I will get it done. I may just have to stop to blow my nose or but some ice on my head. But enough complaining from me. Raptors have a tough loss tonight and once again can't close the deal on a good team. Nothing new to report there.
Well the first six minutes of this game was making me look pretty smart. I had said prior to this one it would be a battle between the young bigs of Oden and Aldridge and the more experienced Bosh and O'Neal. Well 26 of the first 28 points of the game were scored by those 4 players. Brandon Roy would break a 14-14 tie with a basket and he would follow up with another basket to follow that up and the Blazers had a 4 point advantage. The is after the Raptors had come back from being down 12-6. Bosh got to the line and made a pair and Andrea Bargnani who checked in for O'Neal made his first jumper. We were tied again at 18. But the Blazer again would push back in front. scoring 4 straight until Jose Calderon would respond with a jump shot. Jose would get another basket via his jump shot and all even at 22 again.
Anthony Parker would hit a big 3-ball after Portland had scored to take the lead. Andrea Bargnani would score on a second chance for the Raptors thanks to J.O rebounding his own miss. Channing Frye would score at the buzzer but the Raptors battled back for 6 points down to have a 28-26 after the first quarter of play.
2nd Quarter
Rudy Fernandez would score the 3-ball for the Blazers and they were back in front. But Andrea Bargnani had his groove on with another 3-ball. Will Solomon would get another 3 pointer for the Raptors and they had a 34-31 lead. Andrea Bargnani would score a 2-ball this time and Raptors had their largest lead of the night of five points with the score 36-31. Raptors would build the lead up to 7. But the Blazers would respond with an Outlaw 3-ball cutting the lead down to 4. Will Solomon was doing a good job leading the Raptor offense and they would build the lead back to 6 points with the score 40-34.
Greg Oden was back on the floor had he had his first basket since in flurry early on. But the Raptors would answer that with a 3-ball. Brandon Roy had a bucket that would be answered with a Jamario Moon jam. Raptors lead the game 45-39 with 4:10 to go in the half. Blazers and Raps exchange two point buckets and the lead remained at 7 points. Chris Bosh showed Greg Oden a little something with a nice move and a jam and a foul. It would give Bosh 3 points and the Raptors a 50-40 lead. Oden would get sent to the line and make a pair. Brandon Roy would follow up with a jumper for 2 for Portland. But Parker had a 3-ball and Bosh would score again and he now had 15 thus far tonight. Most important to him his Raptors had a 55-44 lead. Oden would make a pair from the line but Jay Triano would draw up a play that would get Bosh a score. But Travis Outlaw would get a miracle toss from half court to cut the Raptor lead to 8 at the half leading 57-49.
3rd Quarter
Raptors shot 52% form the field and they were 6-8 from 3 point range. But it was Lamarcus Aldridge that would open the scoring. But Chris Bosh responded with a basket from him to start the half he had 19 points to this point. Greg Oden was having a nice night with a number of powerful slams and he had 16 for his side including his latest monster dunk. Jermaine O'Neal would respond with a bucket for bucket. The Blazers would drain a long range bomb to pull with in 5 points and Lamarcus Aldridge would make that a 3 point Raptor lead with the score 61-58. Bosh would drive and looked to be fouled but no call came. The lead remained at just 3 points for the Raptors. Bosh was forced into a fad away jumper from a long way out which he would miss but Jamario Moon was there to jam in the rebound. Steve Blake would come down to the other end and knock down a 3-ball with ease. Blake would get another look to take the lead but that would catch iron. J.O would miss his first attempt but the Raptors would get a second chance with a rebound and J.O would drive to the basket on his second chance to score and not miss. Raptor lead 65-61 with a time out on the floor.
Travis Outlaw would score on a fading jumper in the land out of the time out. Lamarcus Aldridge would tie the score on the next trip up the floor for the Blazers. The lead that late in the first half had grown to 11 was all gone. 65 all and a brand new ball game. Aldridge would get to the line and make a pair to give the Blazers the lead. They would score again to extend the lead to 4 points. Chris Bosh would drive and draw the foul and almost made it an and one bit it would fall out. So he would head to the line for a pair that he would make. Andrea Bargnani had a chance to put the Raptors back in front but he would miss the 3-ball. Will Solomon would make a bad pass that would go out of bounds and the Raptors missed another chance to pull even. Raptors would trail 69-67 after 3 quarters of play.
4th Quarter
Raptors shooting % sunk down to 43% after the 3rd quarter. But they were still in the basketball game. Took over a minute and half for someone to score. But Chris Bosh would bust open the score sheet with a basket to tie it at 69. But after that the Blazers would run off 4 straight. But Andrea Bargnani would answer that with a 3-ball which Brandon Roy would answer with a 3 pointer of his own and it was 76-72. Lamarcus Aldridge was being good all night long.He scored again and Roy followed that up with a basket and another. Raptor were now looking an eight point deficit square in the face.
Jerrmaine O'Neal had the ball swiped away by Roy and wanted a foul. Instead it would be another Aldridge score and an 84-74 lead for the Blazers. Moon would respond with a score only to have Brandon Roy answer with a 3 pointer. He would get another basket and Jay Triano like his team was frustrated with the non-calls as well and get a technical foul. But in reality he was likely as frustrated his team had no answers for Aldridge and Roy. Raptors who once lead by 11 now trailed by 13 points with the score 89-76. Roy would continue to dazzle with another score. J.O would come back with a jam plus a foul and pull the Raptors back to down 10 points at 91-81 with just under 4 minutes to play. There was time left to make a comeback but it would not be easy. Bosh would get to the line with 3:08 left on the clock for a pair. He would make both and the lead was 8 points for the Blazers. Bosh had 27 points on the night for the Raptors. Brandon Roy would take a tumble at hands of Jamario Moon and head to the line and calm as can be make a pair. Bosh quickly answered with 2 for the Raptors. Steve Blake would score with a one handed runner. J.O would respond but the Raptors needed stops. But they were not coming as the Blazers got a dunk to push the lead back to 10 points at 97-87. This game was done for the most part. Raptors once again played well but not good enough. They could not find that complete 48 minutes it would take to beat a quality opponent. Raptors would fumble and bumble their way down the final minute or so. The Blazers would dribble out a season sweep of the Raptors with a 102-89 win over Toronto.
Blazers/Raps Boxscore
I am a bit under the weather so if there is some editing that is lacking it will get done tomorrow morning. I also had to reboot the computer right before the start hence the bit of strange start to this Raptor Rewind with no set-up and Raptor Rewind Logo. But I was able to stay healthy enough to keep hitting keys. So I will be happy for that. Got an interview to put together tomorrow as well. It will get done but may be a little slower then I would like. But it is for a good cause getting Raptors on TSN 2 for everyone so I will get it done. I may just have to stop to blow my nose or but some ice on my head. But enough complaining from me. Raptors have a tough loss tonight and once again can't close the deal on a good team. Nothing new to report there.
Can Raptors Make It Past A Road Block In Portland?
Toronto Raptors have got back to back wins as the head north to Portland. Now I understand the Clippers and the Kings will never be confused with a top tier team in the NBA. But the fact the Raptors have been able to build on what Jay Triano is trying to do is a good thing. No matter who is in front of you the fact that you are winning games is positive re-enforcement for what the team is trying to do. Everyone was upset by the events in Oklahoma City but you have to move forward from it. The Raptors have done that. A good effort in a lose to the Spurs and two wins over Kings and Clippers. It is a start to what will be a long road back for the Raptors.
J.O Starting To Show Signs
Jermaine O'Neal had one of his best efforts as a Raptor last night. He was getting just about anything he wanted as he shot an amazing 15-19 from the field. Even though the trade that brought O'Neal here has been questioned. I think J.O himself has been a solid player for this Raptor squad when he has been healthy. He was done what he can to contribute on both ends of the floor. He may not have been as a big a rebounding force that some might have hoped. But he is bringing effort and energy to a defense that has been badly in need of it. What has been disappointing is that the players around him have not been as effective as people expected to this point. I really felt the Raptors would be better defensive wise with J.O. They have started to show signs of that under Triano but it is far from perfect.
I have been impressed with Jermaine and his attitude to this point. He has shown a real professionalism in dealing with the media and has been a model citizen from the outside looking in. I liked his latest comments that there is no more time for excuses. O'Neal said it is time to start putting those words into action on the floor. He did that last night and was key to the Raptors success. A much different challenge lies in front of him tonight. Greg Oden and Lamarcus Aldridge are a good test and challenge for O'Neal and Bosh. A true match of youth versus experience. It will really present a challenge for O'Neal who started his career with the Blazers and was not able to get much time on the floor straight out of high school. He has to be amused at looking at this team now that is all about youth and letting young players play. But it is hard to argue the talent the Blazers have with Brandon Roy, Oden, Aldridge and I could list a few more. J.O was not the problem in the trade made. The problem if you were looking for one might be that the Raptors failed to address the loss of depth it created. J.O's contract and not J.O is to blame for that. However that was always part of the attraction in taking him is that 23 million dollars that he is due to be paid next season. It is an impressive bargaining chip to have as we head towards the arms race of the NBA in 2010. Bryan Colangelo for all the abuse he is taking at the moment may end up being the smart guy we all thought he was in 2010. But people see what is happening now and are worried to angry about the short term outlook and with good reason.
What I thought the Raptors did wrong was over selling O'Neal after the trade. I can't tell you how many times I heard how he was a 6 time All-Star. But that was in the past. In the present J.O still can have All-Star like nights but to suggest or imply he was going to be an All-Star level play this year was wrong. For him to have a healthy and productive season should have been the pitch. The Toronto Maple Leafs as much as I hate to admit it did something right this year. They under sold the team so much that fans are impressed with there above lousy performance this year. But it was hard for the Raptors to under sell a player that they gave up so much for to bring here. But at the end of all of it from my perspective I am getting the Jermaine O'Neal I expected to see. The only surprise for me is the fact he has been such a stand-up guy with the media and fans. He stays focused on the task and not even this latest side show like attempt from a porn star to get attention has stopped him from sticking to the task at hand. Being such a huge fan of T.J Ford it is possible that I wanted to hate J.O in some way. But I promised that I would keep an open mind and I have done that and it has allowed me to become a fan of him.
Oh Andrea What To Do About You?
It is really a hard thing to figure out what to do about Andrea Bargnani. Please don't tell us about how we could have had Brandon Roy. Drafts are wonderful to look back on years later. But the reality is that Roy was a projected number 5 pick. You want to make an argument about Aldridge or Bargnani I will listen to that as they were projected to go near the top of the draft. I have always said you want to look at a team that should be sorry go to Minnesota. They not only traded Roy this past year they traded O.J Mayo. Maybe that is why Kevin McCale has been called into duty as coach of the T-Wolves and I would suspect has not much job security left in Minnesota.
The problem of what to do with Andrea Bargnani is a tough one. The danger is if you trade him and he has success, those same people that are singing the praises of Brandon Roy will be saying they should have kept Bargnani. That is the thing about writing a blog you can't be so easy to blow with the wind. There is a written document that is out there that can be used against you if you do. In the history of this blog I have flip flopped on Bargnani a couple of times. But I am convinced of a few things that make me think you need to trade him. Here is what they are in no particular order of importance:
- Andrea Bargnani in his head is convinced he is a power Forward(4). I see him try to play at other spots on the floor and he does at times make effort. But there is no real confidence in him to play those spots on the floor. So do you really want a first round draft choice as the back-up to your star player that plays at his best position? I think not. I also don't think you trade Bosh and keep Bargnani. Bosh has proven he is good and Bargnani has only shown he has the talent to be good. That is a major difference.
- Confidence issues will haunt Andrea forever. I remember reading and hearing about how well Andrea tested out as far as intellect and confidence. Well I am not here to get into a debate on if you can actually test those type of things. Paul Jones has a masters in sports psychology I will make sure to ask him next time we talk. But all I know is the test was flawed in the case of Andrea. He may have the smarts and basketball IQ. But the confidence was never there for very long and he just seems to be always in a state of a crisis of confidence
- Bryan Colangelo claims he takes many calls on Andrea. I say answer the phone and make a deal out of one of those calls. The reason being is what happens when the phone stops ringing. Eventually people are going to lose confidence in Andrea and his ability to be a steal or diamond in the rough. The longer you wait in my mind the worse the offers will become.
- The improvements on defense are not enough to out weigh the regression on offense. He does not shoot the ball with any kind of consistency and I am deeply concerned for a guy who is a shooter he does not seem to make enough shots. Jason Kapono takes a lot of abuse from Raptor fans but I am more confident in him making a shot or a good choice than I am Andrea.
CB4 Is Not For Sale
About the only thing that has been made clear by Colangelo is the Chris Bosh is not for sale to any buyer. Why on earth would he be. I find it totally crazy to hear people talking about trading Bosh. Some of those same people were saying he was playing like an M.V.P a month earlier. It is hard for me to imagine a trade situation in which Bosh would not be the best player in a trade. People are using terms like blowing up this team and starting over. That is not the plan and likely will not be any time soon. Bryan Colangelo has designed this roster to be able to be rebuild in 2010 and it is not going to happen until that point. He does not have to cash in his chips early to react to a losing season and cure the short term concerns of the fan base. He is not going to give up the cap space he has been building unless he feels it is a move that can address both the short and long term needs of this franchise.
In thinking of Bryan Colangelo I tend to see him in terms of poker. This season has been to this point a lot of bad hands for Colangelo. But it is a foolish poker player that tries to force his hand when he does not have the cards to win. The last thing I would call Bryan Colangelo is foolish. He may take a small risk and look for a high reward at this point but he is far from pushing all in with a weak hand and taking his chances.
Maybe some just didn't understand what the deal was with the O'Neal trade. Bryan Colangelo sold it strong as it was a move for the short term. Maybe he was bluffing us all with saying this was the most talented roster ever. But he know the big pot of this poker game that is the NBA happens in 2010. You can bet that he wants in on that pot and wants to take home as much as he can. That to me was always the end game of the O'Neal trade. If it works in the next two years great but it was not the end goal. I do suspect he expected a lot more return and better results on the way to that. But thus far it has not worked out that way.
But make no mistake in thinking that the goal at the end of the day is to keep Bosh in 2010 and add another significant player to the mix to play along side him That was always the plan and I don't think that will change no matter what happens in the time leading up to 2010. The only way that will change is if Chris Bosh declares his intention not to remain in Toronto prior to that. Despite what Jalen Rose and others may believe I do not think that event has happened at this point.
Another Chance For A Statement Win
Turning attention back to this game in Portland. This is another chance for the Raptors to get a win over a good basketball team. It is something that has been lacking on the resume this year and if they do not figure out how to accomplish that goal it is going to be tough looking forward. Denver,Orlando and Houston are all teams that are better than Toronto. You need to feel you can sneak a win ever now and then against teams that are better. The Raptors must find the confidence and ability to do this. We have seen it in flashes against several teams including the Blazers back in Toronto. They must break through and get a win like that soon. Tonight a win would go a very long way in restoring some confidence in this team. Golden State is up next and they are coming off a huge high in beating the Celtics. Apparently K.G was right in saying that anything is possible and it is. But it takes work and effort along with the belief that you can do it. The Raptors need to show they have that if they are going to break through and get a quality win over a quality opponent.
Do Your Part To Express Yourself
Tomorrow I will have an interview with someone who is putting together a protest about the TSN 2 mess that still remains unsolved. I found it interesting to chat with someone that is a true fan of basketball and cares for his fellow Raptor fans. That is something I have always tried to express in this blog. Basketball fans and Raptor fans need to stick together and support each other and speak with one voice. That does not happen very often but this is a chance to do that. December 30 will be the chance for you to do just that. We all know the Rogers/TSN2 mess. Well a protest has been put together for you to show your support. Even if you have been not impacted by this personally still this is a way to support your fellow fans. Show folks that basketball matters and you want to be respected as a basketball fan and a Raptor Fan. I will talk more about this tomorrow. But the protest is set to take place at Rogers Building which is located at 333 Bloor St in Toronto. Bright and early at 8 am but is planned to continue through the day. So if you are able to do so, go down and lend your voice to the cause of basketball. If you do go though act in a proper way and do not do anything that is going to cause trouble for you or others. Represent Raptor fans in the right way.
12/26/08
Raptors Look To Continue To Rally On Boxing Day
Well it is time to get back to work for the Raptors and for me. But before I do that I just wanted to say I hope everyone had a very enjoyable Christmas. It was made a little easier to get in the holiday spirit with an impressive Raptor win to head into the break. The Clippers were a team missing some major players and played an awful game. But hey we will take it at this point. Some interesting news over the Christmas break. So let's get to it.
Carlos is Bringing Sexy Back To NBA?
Reports are coming out of New York that the Knicks are looking at signing Carlos Delfino to an offer sheet. The Toronto Raptors still have the right to match an offer that Delfino would get. It is just as it would work in the off-season. Delfino was a restricted free-agent and the Raptors continue to hold those rights should Delfino return to the NBA from Russia. The reason for Delfino making a return is because the team's in Russia are hurting for cash. Some teams have not been able to make payroll. Delfino is playing on a team with another Ex-Raptor Jorge Garbajosa. The Raptors hold no rights to Garbo as he was bought out of his contract. But in the case of Delfino the Raptors would have 10 days to match any offer that is tabled to Delfino. Carlos was a restricted free agent and that is why the Raptors would be able to match. Many feel that given the Raptors struggles that should the Knicks or anyone else make an offer the Raptors would match it. This could be another part of a trade puzzle for Bryan Colangelo. If he brought back Delfino he would be able to move a Joey Graham or Jamario Moon. Even could move Delfino in a sign and trade perhaps? Not sure on that one. But it would be another chip for Bryan Colangelo to have. This could be why he has not made a move to this point but there is no way to know until Bryan tells us and to this point he is not talking to us. But he is doing a lot of talking on the phones from what we are lead to believe.
Vince Is On Colangelo's Wish List?
There was a report based out of Oregon, that says Colangelo has 3 guys he has been targeting to trade for. Antwan Jamison of the Wizards, Gerald Wallace of the Bobcats and Vince Carter of the Nets. I am not sure how much stock you can put into this story. But it would not seem likely given the Nets surprising start that they would be looking to move Vince at this point. Not to mention Vince Carter is still public enemy #1 in Toronto for a lot of the Raptor fan base. Jamison who is Carter's Brother In-Law, if you did not know. He was originally drafted by the Raptors and traded for Carter. He is a different matter. I had conversations with him years ago at Carter's All Star Games. I know he likes the city of Toronto and it sure looks a lot better than his current situation with the Wizards right now. What is would take to bring him to the Raptors would be the question. It would also be a question of where he would fit in here once he did come? Most likely a very big man to play at the 3 spot? Anyway it is just talk. Gerald Wallace has been talked about for a long time as someone on the Raptor wish list.
There was also talk of a trade between the Knicks and Raptors that would include Marbury and Eddie Curry. But the Raptors have claimed that they have not talked to the Knicks since the draft. However with this Carlos Delfino situation that could be coming maybe that will spark talk between the two clubs. Being in the same division and both sitting with about the same records it seems more unlikely these two teams make a deal. Also when you factor in that these two teams have yet to meet and will play 4 times. Basically don't hold your breath on any Knicks Raptors deal unless it were to be about Delfino and a draft pick in a sign and trade.
So Bring On The Kings ?
For a start this game is on the main network over at TSN. Wow, gee thanks!!! But more on TSN 2 mess later. The Kings are an awful 7-22 and a team that once had one of best home court advantages in the league, is a less than impressive 5-9. The Knigs come into this game on a 4 game losing streak. About the only good thing about working for the Kings is you can get a free room at the Palms when you visit Las Vegas. Teams have been laying the smackdown on the poor Kings scoring almost 106 points per game against them.
Both teams record in the last 10 games is nothing to be proud of. The Raptors are just 3-7 but the Kings are worse at just 2-8. John Salmons who had once been a guy that was going to becoming to Toronto. He would back out at the last minute and head to Sacramento. He said that a higher power told him to do so. How has that been working out for you? Well personally at least this season pretty good. He is averaging 20 points a game. Some are even saying that Bryan Colangelo is looking at him as a guy he might still want to bring to Toronto. If there is any truth to that this will be his audition for him and Raptor fans to check him out. The only higher power that needs to be consulted for a trade in the NBA League office in New York City.
So we will get to see if the Raptors big win over the Clippers was able to be the spark to get this team heading back in the right direction. I had said if not for all the doom and gloom the Raptors should have a chance to save this road trip. The also play the Golden State Warriors who Jeff Van Gundy challenged anyone to name their starting line-up at this point. However before that a real test against the Portland Trailblazers will be tomorrow. The Raptors are racking up there frequent flyer miles for sure in this holiday season. What their record is when they come home to face the Nuggets on New Years Eve will be interesting and important. After that New Years Eve tilt followed by the Rockets and Magic as part of a 3 game homestand through 2008 to 2009. All 3 teams are among the top teams in the playoff race. Not easy tasks at all.
Your Christmas Rewind
I wasn't thrilled about there being 5 games on Christmas Day. Having said that there was some pretty good basketball games. A Laker win to snap the Celtics 19 game winning streak. Chris Paul and his steal streak are done. His Hornets got hammered by the Magic. Dwight Howard had a Christmas gift for NBA fans as he announced that Superman will return to defend his Slam Dunk Title in Arizona. The Spurs got a win on a buzzer beater from an unlikely source to beat the Suns speaking of Arizona. But for a complete wrap on Christmas Day you can check out Holly Mackenzie over on The Score's Court Surfing Blog.
Raptor Fans Have Had Enough And Are Not Going To Take It Anymore?
I always try to see what is going on with the Raptor Fan base. Well someone has decided enough is enough. They are putting together a protest over this whole TSN 2 mess. It is set to happen on Dec 30 th at the Rogers building in Toronto. I have reached out to this person and they are going to come by to do an interview prior to the event. But before that time you can check out some info on it from a event group on Facebook. You know if not for Facebook I would never get invited anywhere. People have a stag and doe, a birthday party or whatever it is on Facebook. But as for this Raptor Protest here is you link for that.
Rogers Protest on TSN 2 Affair
So that is it for this morning. A late night battle with the Kings and A Raptor Rewind to come after that. The break is over and it is back to work for me. I love it though and hope you had a great holiday and have come back to visit and read the Dino Nation Blog. Well if you are reading this I guess you have right. Anyway hope is not dead in Raptorland just yet. But it is a flickering flame that a strong breeze could blow out. Let's hope it keeps burning strong.
12/21/08
Raptors In A Free Fall
So when this trip got started many folks said that this team needed to go 3-3 or 4-2. So after a loss in Texas to the Spurs that would mean the Raptors need to win 3 of 4 at least. Let's take a look shall we.
If this Raptor team was playing well this would be an easy 3 out of 4. However this team is in a free fall losing 5 straight. A lot of Raptors fans are trying to remember a worse point for this franchise that they can recall? I am not sure it was worse but the season this is starting to remind me of is the one that saw hope reach record levels. Vince Carter had re-signed and so had Antonio Davis, Alvin Williams and JYD. Not to mention the cherry on top Hakeem "The Dream" had signed to close out his career in Toronto. Glen Grunwald was thought to be a genius and was widely regarded as having one of the best off seasons of any G.M in the league. I even remember David Stern himself saying what a wonderful job had been done here in Toronto. The Raptors were declared to be pre-season contenders in the Eastern Conference.
Now we all know how that turned out. The Dream was a bust. The Raptors over paid for Davis and the two Williams. Vince Carter would get injured and start the path to going from hero to zero in Toronto. The Raptors were declared for dead. It would take an amazing late season push with Vince Carter injured for this team to sneak in the playoffs. As the 7th seed they would push the Pistons to the (at the time) 5 games series limit in the first round. However the damage that had been done in that off-season would be long lasting.
For all the beating that Bryan Colangelo is taking let's at least give him credit, for the fact that he is not invested in anyone long term beyond Jose Calderon at this point. He has given the Raptors a chance to be players in 2010. The question becomes home much of that is he willing to give away to save this team from a short term disaster. I don't know this for a fact and I highly doubt Bryan Colangelo would admit this in any way. However my thought was always that he made the Jermaine O'Neal trade to be in the 2010 game. He may have truly thought that Jermaine could help this team and keep them in the playoffs. But he would have to count on finding a lot of talent at a discount rate. That part of the plan has not worked out. Moon, Adams Solomon and a second round guy with upside and raw talent in Nathan Jawai. Still the bottom line goal was to create cap room in 2010. If the Raptors could just manage to make the playoffs and perhaps win a round things would be on course for Colangelo. He could have fired Sam Mitchell if the team did not have playoff success this year and brought in a coach for 2009 to get the team prepared for 2010. It all seems very logical and it had a chance of working.
The things he was not counting on was that Jose Calderon would not play to a level that he would expect. He really could not hold on to T.J Ford and let Calderon walk or do a sign and trade that would not bring back the value people would want. Ford was to high of an injury risk to make him the winner of the point guard battle. I think if that was not the case that the Ford and Calderon choice would have been a much tougher one to make.
The other thing he was not counting on is his star player being at odds with the fan base and frustrated. I never thought I would be reading people seriously talking about trading Chris Bosh at this point in the season. But that is what I am seeing and hearing. It really makes no sense to trade Bosh now. He will come out of this and be the guy fans chanted M.V.P for again. Besides even though 2010 seems like it is only weeks away it isn't. The short term out look for the Raptors is not good. But the long term outlook can be fine. The only thing that might screw that up is if all of this hostility between Bosh and the fans and media grows. The comparisons to Damon, T-Mac and Vince are not fair. Bosh has done nothing to convince me he has not been committed to working hard and making things work in Toronto. He is no doubt going through a tough time at the moment. But I think he has the character to come out of it on the other side a better player and person for it. The only question is will people give him reason to walk away in 2010. Bosh said that fans are important and play a role. If that is true I think they can at least play a minor to major role in where Bosh ends up in 2010. Unless you can find me some proof that Bosh is behind the rumours that see him going to places like New York in 2010, I am not going to blame him for them. Bosh has said a lot of things lately but the one that sticks out the most for me is when he said that if fans are upset how do you think he feels? This is a kid that when Vince Carter was here laughing and joking after a loss. Chris Bosh was in tears because he wanted to win that much. Remember that the next time you want to talk trash about CB4. He cares and I never question that.
- @ Clippers (8-19 and 3-10 @ Home)
- @ Kings (7-21 and 5-7 @ Home)
- @ Trailblazers ( 17-10 and 9-2 @ Home)
- @ Warriors ( 8-20 and 4-9 @ Home )
If this Raptor team was playing well this would be an easy 3 out of 4. However this team is in a free fall losing 5 straight. A lot of Raptors fans are trying to remember a worse point for this franchise that they can recall? I am not sure it was worse but the season this is starting to remind me of is the one that saw hope reach record levels. Vince Carter had re-signed and so had Antonio Davis, Alvin Williams and JYD. Not to mention the cherry on top Hakeem "The Dream" had signed to close out his career in Toronto. Glen Grunwald was thought to be a genius and was widely regarded as having one of the best off seasons of any G.M in the league. I even remember David Stern himself saying what a wonderful job had been done here in Toronto. The Raptors were declared to be pre-season contenders in the Eastern Conference.
Now we all know how that turned out. The Dream was a bust. The Raptors over paid for Davis and the two Williams. Vince Carter would get injured and start the path to going from hero to zero in Toronto. The Raptors were declared for dead. It would take an amazing late season push with Vince Carter injured for this team to sneak in the playoffs. As the 7th seed they would push the Pistons to the (at the time) 5 games series limit in the first round. However the damage that had been done in that off-season would be long lasting.
For all the beating that Bryan Colangelo is taking let's at least give him credit, for the fact that he is not invested in anyone long term beyond Jose Calderon at this point. He has given the Raptors a chance to be players in 2010. The question becomes home much of that is he willing to give away to save this team from a short term disaster. I don't know this for a fact and I highly doubt Bryan Colangelo would admit this in any way. However my thought was always that he made the Jermaine O'Neal trade to be in the 2010 game. He may have truly thought that Jermaine could help this team and keep them in the playoffs. But he would have to count on finding a lot of talent at a discount rate. That part of the plan has not worked out. Moon, Adams Solomon and a second round guy with upside and raw talent in Nathan Jawai. Still the bottom line goal was to create cap room in 2010. If the Raptors could just manage to make the playoffs and perhaps win a round things would be on course for Colangelo. He could have fired Sam Mitchell if the team did not have playoff success this year and brought in a coach for 2009 to get the team prepared for 2010. It all seems very logical and it had a chance of working.
The things he was not counting on was that Jose Calderon would not play to a level that he would expect. He really could not hold on to T.J Ford and let Calderon walk or do a sign and trade that would not bring back the value people would want. Ford was to high of an injury risk to make him the winner of the point guard battle. I think if that was not the case that the Ford and Calderon choice would have been a much tougher one to make.
The other thing he was not counting on is his star player being at odds with the fan base and frustrated. I never thought I would be reading people seriously talking about trading Chris Bosh at this point in the season. But that is what I am seeing and hearing. It really makes no sense to trade Bosh now. He will come out of this and be the guy fans chanted M.V.P for again. Besides even though 2010 seems like it is only weeks away it isn't. The short term out look for the Raptors is not good. But the long term outlook can be fine. The only thing that might screw that up is if all of this hostility between Bosh and the fans and media grows. The comparisons to Damon, T-Mac and Vince are not fair. Bosh has done nothing to convince me he has not been committed to working hard and making things work in Toronto. He is no doubt going through a tough time at the moment. But I think he has the character to come out of it on the other side a better player and person for it. The only question is will people give him reason to walk away in 2010. Bosh said that fans are important and play a role. If that is true I think they can at least play a minor to major role in where Bosh ends up in 2010. Unless you can find me some proof that Bosh is behind the rumours that see him going to places like New York in 2010, I am not going to blame him for them. Bosh has said a lot of things lately but the one that sticks out the most for me is when he said that if fans are upset how do you think he feels? This is a kid that when Vince Carter was here laughing and joking after a loss. Chris Bosh was in tears because he wanted to win that much. Remember that the next time you want to talk trash about CB4. He cares and I never question that.
Last Night With Spurs
I think no one expected the Raptors to win that game and they did not. They did show a lot of effort and fight despite a humiliating loss the night before. But the Spurs exposed the Raptors perimeter defense in a major way. Tony Parker did much of the same to Jose Calderon. The one thing that I took away from that basketball game was about a former Raptor. Matt Bonner really has come a long way in his time with the Spurs. In the starting line-up and making key baskets. I am very happy for Matt Bonner. I still can not get use to the fact he has an NBA Championship ring. It seems wrong in some ways that he does and great players like a Barkley or Ewing do not. But that is not Matt Bonner's fault. He is becoming a pretty quality player in the NBA. I hope he gets to become a pretty quality player for Team Canada as well. Matt still comes back to Toronto and has a home. He married a girl from Toronto this past summer. I will always enjoy Matt Bonner he may never be an all-star or a huge talent in this league but he is a good person. However after last night I venture to say he is becoming a better player than a lot of people would have thought in his time in Toronto.
There was also Roger Mason Jr. He on the other hand I just can not stand. He always seems to get up for the Raptors and seems to be fired up about it. I seriously don't understand what the Raptors did to him? I mean players come and players go. What did we do Roger Mason Jr? I mean if we were wrong I am willing to admit it. But it is hard to say sorry for something that you do not know what it is. Although I am not married and I am sure many married men can explain to me how you can be sorry for something and not know what it was. Anyway whatever it is Roger Mason Jr. has been a Raptor Killer no matter the uniform he is rocking.
Christmas Is Coming Thank God
The best news of all is just one more game prior to the Christmas break. I think players and everyone connected to this team will be happy for that (even bloggers). So it is the Clippers on Monday on the TSN that we all can get. What a concept a game on T.V that everyone can watch. I may be forced to get NBA League Pass to watch my home team. How crazy is that. I think I will send a copy of the bill to Rogers, TSN and the Raptors. They can all pitch in and pay it for me. I expect that would take a month just for them to agree on who should pay and how much. They could do that or they could ignore my request for payment just like they have ignored the fans left out in the cold by this mess. Anyway that is not very Christmas spirit like. I hope despite all the Raptors troubles people are enjoying this holiday season. I had spoke with one reader who had been at a Christmas Party and missed the Oklahoma City game. We both typed in the same word...Lucky. Raptors could use some luck or anything that equals a W and not an L. Please Santa Just one early gift I have been really good this year. The Clippers have no fans anyway we need a win more.
Correction: Seems I was mistaken. The game is on TSN2. I was watching TSN this morning and they had done a promo for the game saying it was on TSN. That was the reason for the mistake. I should have realized being Monday they have the contract for Monday Night Football. I guess we are all allowed a turnover ever now and then. Sorry for that. Santa is going to have to bring me league pass that is all there is to it.
12/7/08
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
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
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