What Does It All Mean The Rest Of The Way?

Despite getting revenge on Thunder and a 3 game winning streak for the third time all year. But with the Raptors on the verge of mathematical elimination does it matter at all? In fact are we not just costing ourselves ping pong balls with every win the rest on the way in these last 10 games? It is enough to drive you crazy. Add in the fact this team we see now is likely nothing like the one that takes the floor next year. Jose Calderon has decided to play out of his mind to a point. All this being said check the schedule and look at the teams the Raps have been beating not exactly a list of the NBA Elite there.

The Raptors take on a Bulls team this afternoon that is playing for something. That will be a true test. The Bulls have won 4 straight and emerged from a sea of mediocrity at the bottom of the East to claim the final playoff spot. We often make a big deal about trade deadline. Not has much as the folks in hockey do but still it is viewed as significant in the NBA. However it is rare when you find a team that actually takes deadline moves and dramatically change their outlook. The Bulls in getting John Salmons ( remember him the guy that said God told him to go to the Kings and ditched the Raps) and Brad Miller have truly made a difference for the Bulls. If not for those moves the Bulls likely are not going to the playoff Derrick Rose or not. It was a long fall from a team that not that long ago was considered on the verge of being a contender in the Eastern Conference. The Bulls have moved on from that disappoint with some good fortune in the lottery and are looking to climb the mountain back to respectability.

The Raptors much like the Bulls of last season have a similar story. They were full of expectations heading into this season only to see this team crash to the bottom of the Eastern Conference. In my recent interview with Adnan Virk he talked about how quickly you can recover in the sport of basketball. I agree with that statement. Basketball is a team sport but it only takes a few individuals to come along to change a team dramatically. There is a lesson for the Raptors in what the Bulls have done. You can not over react to the failure. Changes need to be made for sure. However you must pick yourself up and dust yourself off and start to climb the mountain again.

Lots of people are suggesting that the Raptors need a complete face lift at this point. The may not need a face lift as much as they need a make over. There is a difference and the Bulls are a great example of that.

Raptors Rewind- King Me Edition

Not much time to set this one up. I just came from live blogging the Spurs and Lakers. This is not a high profile match-up like that for sure. The Kings are 0-17 vs the East this year and they only have 3 wins on the road the entire season. It goes with out saying that this is a must win for the Raptors on their home floor. I guess it doesn't because I just said it. If they lose this game there truly would be no excuses that would be acceptable for a loss. The Raptors had to get this one if they have any thoughts of the playoffs at all. So no pressure guys just win.

1st Quarter

Both teams fail to score on their first possessions. Jason Thompson the rookie gets a score to open the scoring. They get a 3 pointer and start on a 5-0 run. Jose Calderon would end that with a basket and 1. He now has made 84 straight from the line. Martin who did not play in first game is in this one and makes a 3 pointer. Raptors get baskets from Moon and Bosh to pull it back to 8-7 Kings. Martin would extend that with another 3 pointer. But Anthony Parker from his house on Parkerville court answers with a 3 pointer for the Raptors. Andrea Bargnani drives and scores to give the Raptors their first lead 12-11. But the Kings answer back and take the lead. CB4 answers that and Salmons responds to that and Kings still lead 15-14.

Jamario Moon settles for a jumper that he missed. Turnover to the Kings off the miss and Salmons drives to the hoop and scores.Andrea Bargnani makes a mid range jumper. The Kings turn it over and we have the first time out of the early evening start. After the Kings split a pair from the line, Chris Bosh would make a jumper to tie the score at 18. Jermaine O'Neal had checked in for Bargnani and he wasted no time and got a score. He lit up the Kings for 30 plus on Boxing Day. Chris Bosh was heading to the line looking to build the Raptors advantage. He makes both and the Raptors lead it 22-18. Bosh had his jumper working as he made another off the O'Neal pass. Raptors leading by half dozen late in the first. Brad Miller would end the Raptors run, He made a shot from long range. O'Neal would respond scoring on the curl to the hoop after he got the pass from Bosh. Miller was hot from outside making another 3 pointer. Bosh though he had a hoop and 1 but instead he called called for going out of bounds and a turnover. Sac-town was back in front 27-26. Spenser Hawes split a pair and an Andrea half court bomb would barely find the glass lead alone the hoop. Raptors trailed 28-26 after the first and this was far from the ideal start for the guys in the white and red.

2nd Quarter.

Raptors shooting well at 57% but defense was less than ideal as Kings shot 52%. That along with 5 Raptor turnovers and Kings had a lead. Joey Graham missed a dunk but O'Neal would hammer down the follow. Bobby Brown with the jumper and it was cruel for the Raptors. The Kings would follow up with a 3 ball. Roko Ukic would drive and score but the Kings still lead 33-30. Garcia makes a long two pointer and the Kings lead by 5. Jermaine O'Neal found his way to the line and made a pair. Mikki Moore the former Net now King made the a basket. Chris Bosh would score and get fouled in reply. He would have a time out to think over the and one chance.

Bosh would make it. But the Raptors would still trail 37-35. Anthony Parker would even the score at 37 with a made jumper. But the Kings answered with 2 of their own. Kevin Martin would score another and the Kings lead 41-37. Calderon would check in and have an instant impact making a 3 pointer. Thomson the rookie out of Rider would score on the break and the Kings lead was 3. Bosh had his shot blocked by Thompson.
He would clutch his head and not get back on defense. But the Raptors would survive the power play and Bosh was ok. In fact he would score to cut the lead to just 1. Calderon would make a jumper and another and the Raptors were suddenly up 3 points with the score 46-43. A blocking call on Parker that he and coach Triano would not like. But the Kings would take the charity and make both. Andrea Bargnani would find his way to the line. He would make both and Raptors were back up by 3. Jamario Moon would double that lead with a 3 that he should take for a change. But he would get burned on the other end for an easy basket for the Kings. Raptors were up 51-47 with under 2 minute to play in the half. Moon again would get torched by John Salmons and the Raptor lead was 2. Jason Thompson would score to tie it up at 51. Chris Bosh would make a fading jumper and he was doing more then his part with 17. Andrea Bargnani would make a huge 3 pointer. Thompson would get a chance to answer. Raptors were leading 56-53 at the half. But they looked far from impressive defensively.

3rd Quarter

Bosh and Claderon have a combined 27 yet the Raptors only lead by 3. Reason for that turnovers and poor defense. Salmon and Martin have made 7 long range bombs that have been costly. Chris Bosh gets the first touch of second half and he drives and draws a foul on the rookie Thompson. He makes the shots. Bosh would miss a very long jumper for 2. Brad Miller would make his jumper on the other end. Andrea Bargnani would answer for the Raptors. Parker curls to the hoop and misses a lay up but Bosh has his back with the Offensive board and put back. Raptors extend lead to 7 but Miller would score again and cut the lead to 5 once more. Salmons left wide open by Moon and he drains a 3 pointer. Raptors lead was just 62-60. Triano had enough of Moon and Joey Graham checked in for him. I am glad to see that as Graham for whatever I think of him has been doing more than Moon of late.

Kings had several chances to tie it and never did. A couple of turnovers and easy scores for Bosh and Parker and the Raptors were up by 6 points with the score 66-60. Miller would get to the line and look to cut the lead and he would making both. Joey Graham like a bulldozer would take it to the lane and draw the foul. He made both from the line. Raptors lead it 68-62 with 6 and change to go. Andrea Bargnani would load up and hit a triple to give the Raptors a 71-62 lead. Raptors would win a jump ball on a double foul call. They would get Andrea Bargnani heading to the line as he was fouled driving to the hoop. He would split a pair from the line. Graham and Bosh set the Kings up to draw an offensive foul. But a loose ball foul on Bargnani off his own miss would turn it over. Garcia would get a needed basket for the Kings. Another turnover and Kings score from Martin. Jason Kapono would drive for a lay up to push the lead back to 8. Andrea Bargnani would get hooked up by Jose and he would score and get the and one foul. Raptors lead by 11 with the score 77-66. Calderon would take his own shot the next time up the floor. Raptors leading now by 13 with the score 79-66.

Bargnani was having a good day as he drove to the hoop and got to the line again. He would make to more and the Raptors lead 81-66. Kapono would hit a jumper and the Raptors were on a serious run. Garcia would respond with a 3 pointer. Bargnani would get fouled hard by Garcia on the other end and a bot of a scrum would take place. Bargnani was not taking it. Raptors were showing some more of that toughness we saw in Chicago. Bargnani would make a tech and the two free throws. The score was 85-69. Raptors were turning it on with another basket. Hawes got a 3 pointer. But the Raptors still lead by 15 with the score 87-72. A foul on Kapono right before the buzzer to end the 3rd quarter. Kings would make them but the Raptors had a heck of a third quarter. Bosh and Bargnani had 23 and 22. It was so good Matt Devlin would bust out the Killer Bees line. Vince McManon legal action pending with the 80's wrestling team the Killer Bees wanting their due.

4th Quarter

So a 13 point lead to defend. John Salmons would make it 11 but Parker pushed it right back to 13. Chris Bosh hit a jumper and made it a 15 point lead with Raptors up 91-76. Pizza looked to be a lock for the fans at the ACC. J.O scoring a basket would make the win start to look as much of a lock as the pizza at this point. Jermaine O'Neal in just 20 minutes had a double double and was heading to the line looking for more. He would miss on the second. Raptors were up 18 though with score 94-76.

Beyond Jamario Moon I can not think of a Raptor that was having a bad night. Let's start ever game at 6pm if this is the results. Bosh has 27 now as he scores and heads to the line looking to make it 28 but he missed it. Raptors still lead it 96-78. Raptors with all hands on deck for two straight games have looked very solid and more like the team that had been advertised prior to the season. Kings were making a bit of a push back. But they were still down 14 with score 96-82. Bosh would head to the line looking to extend the lead once more. Which he would do making a pair. Udrih would make a 3 pointer but Bosh would respond with a basket and that would give the fans the pizza and the Raptors a 100-85 lead. Jose Calderon would continue hi free throw streak and the Raptors were on the way to the first ever season sweep of the Kings. Raptors much like in the Bulls game picked up the defense in the second half. Raptors were loving life up 108-91. Nathan Jawai would make his home debut. He along with a crew of reserves hit the floor. Big Nate would lay the hammer on one of the Kings. Roko Ukic had a rare 3 pointer prior to that. Jawai's first attempt as a pro would not fall as he took a fading jumper that missed. But it was all smiles regardless as the Raptors lead by CB4 with 31 points. The Raptors get a 113-97 win. Another reader friendly boxscore for you to enjoy.

Raps/Kings Boxscore

So two wins and a couple days before the Raptors head to the IZod center to take on Vince Carter and a Nets team that has been struggling. Raptors have won 2 in a row and look to do something they have not done since the start of the year and that is win 3 games in a row. They must do it if they want to stay alive in the playoff race.

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.

Thank You Santa

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.