Just where would the Warriors be if they had just kept Jeremy Lin? Answer is probably the same place they are now and we never would have had Linsanity at all. Steph Curry was not going to be dethroned by Jeremy Lin anytime soon. So consider that Golden State's Gift to the NBA. This is a franchise that has seen little success in the last 20 years. Aside from the one year they made the playoffs and upset the Mavericks in Dirk's MVP Season. They brought in Mark Jackson with zero coaching experience other than what he learned sitting next to Jeff Van Gundy for a few years. Jackson has guided the Warriors to a 14-19 start. Rumors that Monta Ellis is on the market will follow this team around for the next 11 days. It seems the Warriors have never been big enough for both Curry and Ellis to live in harmony. Still on a team lacking a lot of talent aside from maybe a David Lee can they really afford to let Ellis go?
Warriors have won 3 of their last 5 games with note worthy wins over the Clippers and Hawks as part of that. Golden State seems to be one of those Western Conference teams that is not good enough to be in the playoff mix but not bad enough to cash in via the lottery. Forever in that 10-12 range in the West is not the place to live. What Jackson has tried to do is similar to what Dwane Casey has tried to do in Toronto. Take a team that rarely considered what defense was and make them more defensively aware. This comes at a price of less offense to a degree. The break neck up and down running Warriors are being slowed a bit. Still the Warriors can score the basketball with 7th best points per game in the league.
As for the Raptors it is the same old story in many ways. They have been close but can't close the deal. At least that is the way they want to look at it. If you just look at simple things, like how they start games more often than not, along with how they tend to finish quarters in general, you see the problems. While it is better to lose by 1 than it is 21 on some level. If you consistently lose regardless of the difference on the scoreboard at some point the margin doesn't matter. You see that in Demar DeRozan taking his frustrations to Twitter recently. I would see this as an important time for the Raptors if they are going to remain competitive and scrappy. It sure seems like they are just about at the boiling point in terms of losing. See this is the problem with the whole tank way of thinking. Human beings don't like losing and they tend to react to that fact in negative ways more than positive ones.
3 keys TO STOP THOSE MEN
1. Shooters all over the place. Warriors will not be shy to fire at will from 3 point line so perimeter defense is essential today.
2. Transition Defense too. When they are not chucking up 3's they will look to be running in transition so hope you got your rest on Saturday Night.
3. Little Things Matter. How you start the game, how you finish a quarter, Playing a consistent 48 minutes rather than a scattered one. All this little things are what is costing the Raptors. Take care of the basketball while your at it.
This is one of those stupid 6pm tip times that I have never been a fan of. So be advised.
Showing posts with label Stephen Curry. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Stephen Curry. Show all posts
11/9/10
ACC Is Curry's House
As a kid his day was make shots for the Raptors while he was drop shots on the Raptors practice floor. Now it is the younger Curry on the big floor and looking just as good as Dad every did. In late April as the Raptors were trying to hang on to a playoff spot on of the key losses was to these same Golden State Warriors. Curry was a big reason why the Raptors were not successful in that one. He had 29 points 12 assists and 8 rebounds, 3 steals and 2 blocks in a dominate performance. Speed ahead to last night and his second game as a pro at the ACC. Another impressive line for him with 34 points 5 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 steals. He combined with Monta Elllis who left the game late with an injury that looked pretty bad. But before his crash landing he has good too, with 28 points 3 rebounds and 3 assists. Ellis injured his back and is going to be checked out tomorrow spending the night in Toronto and getting an MRI on his back. He was motionless on the court and it was a pretty scary moment. I was live blogging football on the weekend and watched Austin Collie of the Colts get knocked out. He would need to be stretchered off. At least Ellis was able to get to his feet.
It all started so well for the Raptors with an 8-0 run to start the game. Warriors would call a time out and after that the game changed. The Warriors who were coming in off to a loss to Detroit did not want to drop their 3rd straight on the road this season. It was a 15 point turn around by the end of the quarter that saw the Warriors lead 26-19. They would never trail the rest of the night.
The one thing that has to be frustrating for fans and I would imagine the coaching staff and players as well, is the lack of consistency of the various players on this roster. Calderon was on the comeback trail and maybe becoming the starter? Nope, it was Jack that bounced back tonight and Jose barely saw the floor. Jack had 24 points 8 assists and 3 steals going all out to try and match his opposition on the other side. I wish you could have seen Jarrett Jack in the locker room prior to the cameras going on post game. He looked like a guy that had fought 15 rounds and had nothing left. If you could feel frustration in the air it was oozing out of the Raptors locker room.
The Raptors did try to fight back after digging a hole that was far to large for them to fight out of. The Raptors won the second half of this game 61-54. It would have been very easy to roll over and accept defeat. Like the Dallas Cowboys did on Sunday Night Football. It would cost their coach Wade Phillips his job today. A 1-6 start is far from a great one for Jay Triano, but at least for the moment his team is still fighting hard for him. The Raptors unlike the Cowboys are not a team blessed with a lot of star talent. The Cowboys have been massive under achievers this season. The Raptors are more like a team like the Buffalo Bills. The Bills are winless despite having 2 loses in overtime and a narrow loss in Toronto this past weekend. I guess the point to all this is that, effort is great but without the validation of wins, it is hard to keep coming back game after game. For now, the Raptors locker room is determined to find answers and make it work. But to remain focused and not let losses start to get to you is just not realistic.
The problem in a post Bosh world is that you need a number of players all to play well on a given night. Think of it like a Proline ticket. You can pick 5 winners but if the 6th doesn't win you don't get anything. In the Raptors case they need a number of guys to come through on a given night to stand a fighting chance. I can not honestly think of 1 player on this roster through 7 games that you can say has been consistent in terms of performance. That is really hard for a coaching staff and for a team to be successful.
Add in the fact that Barbosa left the game with a shoulder injury. Jack has a banged up knee but he did say that he will live. Weems was back in the line-up after some knee soreness. Judging by his aerial attack tonight he looks healthy. The Raptors talent is thin as it is, add on some injuries to the mix and you could have a really mess. The Raptors face dare I say a must win vs the Bobcats? After that they hit the road for Orlando and Miami and the Raptors will have little chance at finding a win in those. As the losses mount up, the harder it becomes to remain positive and find a way to win.
For those who were ready to declare Bargnani the new leader and ready to make that big jump. It looks like he has regressed and is now having trouble getting his offence going. Although in this one he only had 10 attempts from the field and made 5. His defence and rebounding remain major concerns and when he does not get the points that becomes even more glaring. But he does need more touches for a guy that "should be" the Raptors top scorer.
The Raptors despite the scrappy comeback attempt fall short 109-102 in what is becoming a far to familiar script for this team. I have always been saying, being entertaining and scrappy is not enough. That losing is not fun. A look around the Raptor locker room tells you that story very well. It is not a question of guys not caring or not trying. It is a case of guys maybe trying to do too much. That was Jay Triano's thought in the pre-game and it is a valid one. It is a tired, banged up and frustrated group of Raptors that desperately need a win, if for nothing more then team moral.
It all started so well for the Raptors with an 8-0 run to start the game. Warriors would call a time out and after that the game changed. The Warriors who were coming in off to a loss to Detroit did not want to drop their 3rd straight on the road this season. It was a 15 point turn around by the end of the quarter that saw the Warriors lead 26-19. They would never trail the rest of the night.
The one thing that has to be frustrating for fans and I would imagine the coaching staff and players as well, is the lack of consistency of the various players on this roster. Calderon was on the comeback trail and maybe becoming the starter? Nope, it was Jack that bounced back tonight and Jose barely saw the floor. Jack had 24 points 8 assists and 3 steals going all out to try and match his opposition on the other side. I wish you could have seen Jarrett Jack in the locker room prior to the cameras going on post game. He looked like a guy that had fought 15 rounds and had nothing left. If you could feel frustration in the air it was oozing out of the Raptors locker room.
The Raptors did try to fight back after digging a hole that was far to large for them to fight out of. The Raptors won the second half of this game 61-54. It would have been very easy to roll over and accept defeat. Like the Dallas Cowboys did on Sunday Night Football. It would cost their coach Wade Phillips his job today. A 1-6 start is far from a great one for Jay Triano, but at least for the moment his team is still fighting hard for him. The Raptors unlike the Cowboys are not a team blessed with a lot of star talent. The Cowboys have been massive under achievers this season. The Raptors are more like a team like the Buffalo Bills. The Bills are winless despite having 2 loses in overtime and a narrow loss in Toronto this past weekend. I guess the point to all this is that, effort is great but without the validation of wins, it is hard to keep coming back game after game. For now, the Raptors locker room is determined to find answers and make it work. But to remain focused and not let losses start to get to you is just not realistic.
The problem in a post Bosh world is that you need a number of players all to play well on a given night. Think of it like a Proline ticket. You can pick 5 winners but if the 6th doesn't win you don't get anything. In the Raptors case they need a number of guys to come through on a given night to stand a fighting chance. I can not honestly think of 1 player on this roster through 7 games that you can say has been consistent in terms of performance. That is really hard for a coaching staff and for a team to be successful.
Add in the fact that Barbosa left the game with a shoulder injury. Jack has a banged up knee but he did say that he will live. Weems was back in the line-up after some knee soreness. Judging by his aerial attack tonight he looks healthy. The Raptors talent is thin as it is, add on some injuries to the mix and you could have a really mess. The Raptors face dare I say a must win vs the Bobcats? After that they hit the road for Orlando and Miami and the Raptors will have little chance at finding a win in those. As the losses mount up, the harder it becomes to remain positive and find a way to win.
For those who were ready to declare Bargnani the new leader and ready to make that big jump. It looks like he has regressed and is now having trouble getting his offence going. Although in this one he only had 10 attempts from the field and made 5. His defence and rebounding remain major concerns and when he does not get the points that becomes even more glaring. But he does need more touches for a guy that "should be" the Raptors top scorer.
The Raptors despite the scrappy comeback attempt fall short 109-102 in what is becoming a far to familiar script for this team. I have always been saying, being entertaining and scrappy is not enough. That losing is not fun. A look around the Raptor locker room tells you that story very well. It is not a question of guys not caring or not trying. It is a case of guys maybe trying to do too much. That was Jay Triano's thought in the pre-game and it is a valid one. It is a tired, banged up and frustrated group of Raptors that desperately need a win, if for nothing more then team moral.
11/8/10
Welcome Home Raptors?
Welcome home Raptors after an 0-4 West Coast Trip. They bring a piece of the west home with them taking on the Golden State Warriors. Not exactly the ideal team to return home to face.
The Basics: Warriors 4-2(0-2 on the Road) Raptors 1-5 (Last Win at home vs Cavs)
Last Time We Saw Them: The Raptors closed their west coast trip in less than impressive fashion dropping a game to the Blazer 97-84. The Raptors shot season low 36. 8% from the field and a season low 1-17 from 3 point range. The Raptors had 17 turnovers after the night before committing 21 to the Lakers. It was not a pretty night at the Rose Garden for the Raptors.
Common Opposition: Both these teams have faced the Jazz. Warriors were winners 85-78 and Raptors losers 125-108. Jazz shot 39.5% vs Warriors and 56.5% vs the Raptors. Warriors won the battle on the glass 52-46, Raptors also won that battle 36-35. Raptors forced 14 turnovers and Warriors forced 19. Both teams also played the Lakers as well. Raptors losing 108-103 and Warriors 107-83.
Key Match-ups: As the Raptors were slip sliding out of the playoffs last year you might remember a late season visit from Steph Curry in which it lite up the Raptors on the way to a Warriors win. Curry has been making jumpers on this floor long before any Raptor on this roster. When his dad Dell was a Raptor a young Curry was burning up the nets at the ACC. He has had an ankle injury early this season but it is not slowing him down scoring just over 20 a game. If you stop him you still have to figure out how to deal with Monta Ellis who is averaging like 28 points a game. Can Jack or Calderon stay with Curry or Ellis? That is with out even saying the load it will be for DeRozan to deal with one of them as well. If the Raptors can't stop them the odds of winning this game become very long. Not to mention both are more than capable 3 point shooters. Although they only shot 31% and 38% from distance so staying in front of them is likely the best strategy if you can do that. But if they start hitting the 3 they might be close to unstoppable.
Other Things of Note: David Lee is now a Warrior and is averaging 12 and 12. He has never been much of a defender though and this might be someone to target and try to take advantage of. The extra hour of sleep we got back on weekend might help the Raptors a little with the time shift heading home. However the history of Eastern teams coming back home in that first game after a extended visit out west is never good. Raptors are tied for last in the East and the only teams with worse records in the league are Clippers and T-Wolves. That was the bad news. The good news is the Raptors are tied for last in the East with the Bobcats who they play after this game on Wednesday.
In Case You Missed It: I made my weekly radio appearance on The Franchise Radio Show on the Team 990 in Montreal. It is live 7:20 am on Saturdays but if that is too early you can always look for a link to it here on Monday. Also I said there will be a big announcement for you folks that read the Dino Nation Blog this week. There will be. Just have to hammer out a couple details. I am off to cover the Raptor game tonight so look for some interviews over the next few days and check me out tweeting from the game tonight @dinonationblog on Twitter.
The Basics: Warriors 4-2(0-2 on the Road) Raptors 1-5 (Last Win at home vs Cavs)
Last Time We Saw Them: The Raptors closed their west coast trip in less than impressive fashion dropping a game to the Blazer 97-84. The Raptors shot season low 36. 8% from the field and a season low 1-17 from 3 point range. The Raptors had 17 turnovers after the night before committing 21 to the Lakers. It was not a pretty night at the Rose Garden for the Raptors.
Common Opposition: Both these teams have faced the Jazz. Warriors were winners 85-78 and Raptors losers 125-108. Jazz shot 39.5% vs Warriors and 56.5% vs the Raptors. Warriors won the battle on the glass 52-46, Raptors also won that battle 36-35. Raptors forced 14 turnovers and Warriors forced 19. Both teams also played the Lakers as well. Raptors losing 108-103 and Warriors 107-83.
Key Match-ups: As the Raptors were slip sliding out of the playoffs last year you might remember a late season visit from Steph Curry in which it lite up the Raptors on the way to a Warriors win. Curry has been making jumpers on this floor long before any Raptor on this roster. When his dad Dell was a Raptor a young Curry was burning up the nets at the ACC. He has had an ankle injury early this season but it is not slowing him down scoring just over 20 a game. If you stop him you still have to figure out how to deal with Monta Ellis who is averaging like 28 points a game. Can Jack or Calderon stay with Curry or Ellis? That is with out even saying the load it will be for DeRozan to deal with one of them as well. If the Raptors can't stop them the odds of winning this game become very long. Not to mention both are more than capable 3 point shooters. Although they only shot 31% and 38% from distance so staying in front of them is likely the best strategy if you can do that. But if they start hitting the 3 they might be close to unstoppable.
Other Things of Note: David Lee is now a Warrior and is averaging 12 and 12. He has never been much of a defender though and this might be someone to target and try to take advantage of. The extra hour of sleep we got back on weekend might help the Raptors a little with the time shift heading home. However the history of Eastern teams coming back home in that first game after a extended visit out west is never good. Raptors are tied for last in the East and the only teams with worse records in the league are Clippers and T-Wolves. That was the bad news. The good news is the Raptors are tied for last in the East with the Bobcats who they play after this game on Wednesday.
In Case You Missed It: I made my weekly radio appearance on The Franchise Radio Show on the Team 990 in Montreal. It is live 7:20 am on Saturdays but if that is too early you can always look for a link to it here on Monday. Also I said there will be a big announcement for you folks that read the Dino Nation Blog this week. There will be. Just have to hammer out a couple details. I am off to cover the Raptor game tonight so look for some interviews over the next few days and check me out tweeting from the game tonight @dinonationblog on Twitter.
4/5/10
Bosh Island Is A Lonely Place
I have mentioned it before in this blog about being a Hornets fan prior to the Raptors being around in the NBA. Along with Bogues one of my favourites on those Charlotte squads was Dell Curry. The irony that both would become Raptors made it exciting for me when they arrived on the scene in Toronto. Stephen Curry was seen out on the floor nailing jumpers at the ACC long before he ever wore a Davidson or Warriors jersey. Prior to the game he was a popular person with the media including me. He said that he really likes Toronto and that playing here was fun, just like playing in Charlotte was as his dad spent a ton of time there. He lived here in Toronto for the final season of his father's career in Toronto which lasted 3 years. Curry admitted this was a little more special than the average NBA game.. "There are a few arenas that my dad played like in Charlotte or here, or games that I play against some of his former teammates". He was asked of those former team mates of his dad who gave him the hardest time and his answer was Vince Carter. He as a kid use to play against Vince back in the day as well as T-Mac. Curry was not just the star of the pre-game he was one of the stars of the main event in the game itself.
Raptors came in off a game that never should have went to overtime. The extra work was going to make this one an even tougher task. Warriors have the awful record they do for a reason. Just 5-31 on the road this season heading into this game. However the Warriors do 2 things well....Run and shoot the 3 ball. The one thing the Raptors have struggled to do for the majority of the season is defend the 3 point shot. It is why the Warriors crushed the Raptors in Oakland and it would play a big factor in this game allowing the Warriors to build a lead. In total the Warriors would end the night 13 of 26 from behind the arc and the younger Curry making 5 of 11. He would end up having a big night as would Chris Bosh. However Curry had a lot of help and Bosh didn't. Especially early as the Warriors blitzed the Raptors to take a 37-24 1st quarter lead.
Bosh would lead a furious charge back. They say one man is not an island and even thought at times in the NBA that theory can be challenged by a Lebron or Kobe. Most nights guys need at least some help. Raptors as a team shot 39.1% which is horrible. However now let's take away what was an 11-19 performance by Bosh en route to a 42 point and 12 rebound effort. That leaves the Raptors 23 of 73 on the game for a pathetic 31.5%. which is even worse. That being said the Raptors fought hard and out scored the Warriors 30-20 in the second quarter to trail by just a 57-54 margin at the half.
The Warriors would answer the challenge lead by their rookie point guard along with Corey Maggette who had a team high 31 and Anthony Morrow. The 3 players combined 85 points of the Warriors eventually finishing total. Curry ended the night with a monster line and some other things involving a line will get to in a minute. But first the impressive final tallies for young Curry. He had 29 points, 12 dimes, 8 rebounds...just 2 shy of the Triple Double. If that is not enough how about 3 steals and 2 blocks as well.
The Raptors would be down 9 heading to the 3rd. However Chris Bosh was determined to not have his team lose. He drove like a demon and was rewarded with 23 trips to the line and he made 20 of them. This game in the end would come down to Curry and Bosh again. First when all hope looked lost..Curry would miss free throws to allow the Raptors to keep hope alive. Even with less than 3 seconds to go hope was not dead. Sonny Weems who did not enjoy the offensive success he had in the Sixers game, was able to save a ball and get it right into the hands of Bosh. Time was running down and Chris may have rushed the shot a little but it didn't fall and Bosh would hit the ground in pure agony. He played 41 minutes and averaged better that a point a minute what more can you do? Make that shot to make it 44 comes to mind. However this 113-112 loss is on the players around Bosh. Chris admitted in the post game that this loss given everything that goes into it will sting a little more than others.
Before I get to what Bosh said I want to say something. Chris Bosh regardless of what happens in Toronto with his free agency has earned my respect. I guess what sparks me to say this is Lebron James who after his team lost to Boston today. King James had decided to go watch the Yankees play against Red Sox to kick off the MLB season. Yeah, with his Yankees hat of course. Enough with the games already. The red shoes the Yankee hats and all. I am convinced the more James does this, the more he is likely NOT to become a Knick. Bosh has played no such games with his intentions. Leborn is going to be the MVP, He also has said he wants to win a title in Cleveland. The only people as mad as Knick fans next season when they don't land Lebron is the Cleveland Indians. They have the biggest star in their town cheering for the Yankees, is it just me or is something that seems wrong about that. Bosh made it to a Blue Jay game once and is likely the only close to 7 foot guy to throw out a first pitch. Bosh has handled the issue with class about 2010. Lebron has while not letting it impact him on the floor, off of it this all seems a big game to Lebron. Ironically the guy dropping the most hints about leaving is for me the least likely to move. O.K end of rant.
Back to Bosh and his thoughts on that miss to close the game...." Sonny made a fantastic play. Everything else just happened so fast, I really didn't have time to react. I just wanted to get a shot off. I guess I missed it. I didn't really get a good look at how it came off...it is a tough break"
Raptors came in off a game that never should have went to overtime. The extra work was going to make this one an even tougher task. Warriors have the awful record they do for a reason. Just 5-31 on the road this season heading into this game. However the Warriors do 2 things well....Run and shoot the 3 ball. The one thing the Raptors have struggled to do for the majority of the season is defend the 3 point shot. It is why the Warriors crushed the Raptors in Oakland and it would play a big factor in this game allowing the Warriors to build a lead. In total the Warriors would end the night 13 of 26 from behind the arc and the younger Curry making 5 of 11. He would end up having a big night as would Chris Bosh. However Curry had a lot of help and Bosh didn't. Especially early as the Warriors blitzed the Raptors to take a 37-24 1st quarter lead.
Bosh would lead a furious charge back. They say one man is not an island and even thought at times in the NBA that theory can be challenged by a Lebron or Kobe. Most nights guys need at least some help. Raptors as a team shot 39.1% which is horrible. However now let's take away what was an 11-19 performance by Bosh en route to a 42 point and 12 rebound effort. That leaves the Raptors 23 of 73 on the game for a pathetic 31.5%. which is even worse. That being said the Raptors fought hard and out scored the Warriors 30-20 in the second quarter to trail by just a 57-54 margin at the half.
The Warriors would answer the challenge lead by their rookie point guard along with Corey Maggette who had a team high 31 and Anthony Morrow. The 3 players combined 85 points of the Warriors eventually finishing total. Curry ended the night with a monster line and some other things involving a line will get to in a minute. But first the impressive final tallies for young Curry. He had 29 points, 12 dimes, 8 rebounds...just 2 shy of the Triple Double. If that is not enough how about 3 steals and 2 blocks as well.
The Raptors would be down 9 heading to the 3rd. However Chris Bosh was determined to not have his team lose. He drove like a demon and was rewarded with 23 trips to the line and he made 20 of them. This game in the end would come down to Curry and Bosh again. First when all hope looked lost..Curry would miss free throws to allow the Raptors to keep hope alive. Even with less than 3 seconds to go hope was not dead. Sonny Weems who did not enjoy the offensive success he had in the Sixers game, was able to save a ball and get it right into the hands of Bosh. Time was running down and Chris may have rushed the shot a little but it didn't fall and Bosh would hit the ground in pure agony. He played 41 minutes and averaged better that a point a minute what more can you do? Make that shot to make it 44 comes to mind. However this 113-112 loss is on the players around Bosh. Chris admitted in the post game that this loss given everything that goes into it will sting a little more than others.
Before I get to what Bosh said I want to say something. Chris Bosh regardless of what happens in Toronto with his free agency has earned my respect. I guess what sparks me to say this is Lebron James who after his team lost to Boston today. King James had decided to go watch the Yankees play against Red Sox to kick off the MLB season. Yeah, with his Yankees hat of course. Enough with the games already. The red shoes the Yankee hats and all. I am convinced the more James does this, the more he is likely NOT to become a Knick. Bosh has played no such games with his intentions. Leborn is going to be the MVP, He also has said he wants to win a title in Cleveland. The only people as mad as Knick fans next season when they don't land Lebron is the Cleveland Indians. They have the biggest star in their town cheering for the Yankees, is it just me or is something that seems wrong about that. Bosh made it to a Blue Jay game once and is likely the only close to 7 foot guy to throw out a first pitch. Bosh has handled the issue with class about 2010. Lebron has while not letting it impact him on the floor, off of it this all seems a big game to Lebron. Ironically the guy dropping the most hints about leaving is for me the least likely to move. O.K end of rant.
Back to Bosh and his thoughts on that miss to close the game...." Sonny made a fantastic play. Everything else just happened so fast, I really didn't have time to react. I just wanted to get a shot off. I guess I missed it. I didn't really get a good look at how it came off...it is a tough break"
Bosh was unclear on if Ronny Turiaf was able to get a piece of his shot. This Raptor team has lost a lot of close games and likely speaks to why they are battling for their playoff lives. Kobe Buzzer beater and Mello had one as well, those are 2 that jump out of my head at first thought. However, Bosh who I have always said is one of the more slick individuals when it comes to answering questions even admitted this one was especially painful. Bosh said the following " We have had some games where we have had some tough breaks. But this one stings a little bit. Given our situation and how we need every game. To have it come down to the wire like that. But that is what I love about the game. It is always different. But I am sure will get a chance next time".
Raptors are clearly running out of next times though, sitting only a game in front of the idle Bulls. Bosh has made it clear that he likes being the man and wants to be a franchise player in the past. Even Lebron James does not always come through as he failed to get the Cavs a win earlier in the day over Boston. The head that wears the crown for any team, be it King James or CB4 is a heavy burden. When you score 42 points and have the story be about the 2 that you never got at the end, that can be hard to deal with. Such is life when you are the guy that is tagged with the label of "Franchise Player".
Jarret Jack pointed out the fact that a few of the guys on this team including himself have never made the post season. Guys like him and Sonny and Demar. he said they were learning on the fly. When the tough sked that lies ahead for the next 3 games was mentioned, Jack said that this team had to take on everybody regardless and they are ready to put up a dog fight and are not afraid of anybody. He may not be, but it is safe to say based on this fan base's attitude, that most fear the Cavs and King James. That is what is up next and could be a playoff preview. However if the Raptors have any more disappointments, it may not be a preview of anything. Triano after the game just remarked on how the team shot the ball in a way that is out of character at rate below 40%. He didn't seem concerned about his team's effort or defense. I would suggest he should be about his defense. When you face a team that you know is going to shoot 3's and allow them to make 50% of them something is wrong.
Tonight reminded me of some games early in the season where Bosh played out of his mind, only to see the team around him crumble and not rally behind his great performance. Back then nights like that concerned me for Bosh's future here in Toronto. Now this late in the year, they give me cold sweats. I firmly believe this team to be successful needs Bosh to remain. Not just in the basketball sense but in the marketing sense. To have yet another star walk away and be forced into yet another re-construction is just not anything to look forward to with any really sense of hope. If this team does not at least make the post season the chances to keep Chris Bosh you have to figure go down to almost 0. Nights like tonight do not help matters.
Bosh in a lot of ways must feel like a man on an island. In part because he was not able to close the deal in this game. But also because his team around him did not exactly help him offensively and of course because of the decision that lies ahead for him. Chris Bosh if you ask him will tell you he focused on winning and getting this team to the post season. I have no doubt that is true. I also have no doubt that the thoughts I have just as an observer have entered his own mind as well. He would not be human if they hadn't. It can be lonely at the top and on a night like tonight, very lonely.
Raptors have till Tuesday to pick up the pieces before facing the near impossible task of beating the Cavs at home. Which as I touched on they will not be in a good mood after a loss to the Celtics. In addition likely want to sent a clear and direct message to a team that they very well could face in round 1. This game could be a true classic or an ugly beat down. In the end the Raptors will have a large say in which it is.
3/14/10
Raptors West Coast Free Fall Marches On
This past Monday I happened to watch the Warriors play. Anthony Morrow was shooting the lights out from 3 point range in what would be another loss for the Warriors. But I walked away thinking the Raptors could have trouble with this team. Monta Ellis back in the mix and son of Ex-Raptor Dell Curry were also part of the reason things did not go well for the Raptors last night. The Warriors only dressed 9 guys and played 8 but that would be more than enough to beat the struggling Raptors 124-112. It would be a script similar to the one written Wednesday vs the Kings. The start was good the Raptors held a 35-25 lead after the first quarter. They would survive a 2nd quarter where they gave up 31 points to take a 4 point lead to half.
The Raptors would lose this one with yet another brutal start to the 3rd quarter. It got ugly for the Raptors from there. The Raptors would go on to lose this game for 2 reasons. Turnovers 17 of them and 6 of those from the franchise player Chris Bosh. Along with a 3 point defense that is proving to be one of the worst in the NBA. The Warriors made 16 long range bombs and shot 58% from behind the 3 point line. Bosh had 24 points and 11 rebounds but the 6 turnovers mentioned erased that performance.
If it is possible to give kudos to anyone in a night where your team loses to a 17 win team it would go to Jose Calderon. This game would have been far worse if not for Jose. He shot 7-8 from 3 point range and scored 24 points and had 12 assists. Jarrett Jack only scored 7 with 3 assists and 3 turnovers and was not good at all. Amir Johnson had a nice night but as it seems is always the case foul trouble limited him. Demar DeRozan also had 18 points and when this game had got out of hand Demar was finding ways to score.
The mood in the fan base of this team was bad heading into this one. It now has climbed to epic levels and no one is safe from the anger. I saw tweets and comments blaming Colangelo, Triano, Bosh and almost everyone in between. Raptor fans want someone to blame for this post All-Star break free fall that now sees the team back at .500 at 32-32 in 8th in the Eastern Conference.
The Raptors close this terrible road trip tonight at the Rose Garden vs a tougher opposition in Portland who beat the Warriors that the Raptors could not. Brandon Roy who some Raptor fans point to when they are unhappy with Andrea Bargnani. Also Portland fans are expected to get on Hedo who basically left Blazers at the alter in free agency. However having watched Hedo all year they should be holding a parade he didn't come. Perhaps a video tribute saying thanks. HeDon't last night had 8 assists which is great...but the 4 points and 5 rebounds....not so much last night vs Warriors.
Now I want to make it clear THIS WILL NOT HAPPEN. That being said could you imagine what would happen if Sam Mitchell came back to coach this team? It would be like a storm hitting this team and would do some serious damage. The one thing Mitchell always got right was how he pushed and challenged Chris Bosh to be great. Chris has had one of his best season prior to his injury. Since returning he has not been the same. Sam Mitchell always would never allow Bosh to settle and pushed to get more out of him. Could you imagine a Sam Mitchell post game scrum after the last 2 games this team has played? For the entertainment value alone it would have been worth watching. Triano clearly has a different style on motivation than Mitchell. What is also becoming clearer by the day is Jay's way is not hitting home with this team. If the Raptors some how manage to miss the playoffs can he honestly keep his job? It is hard for me to imagine that he can.
Here is your worst case scenario for the Raptors. The Raptors back into the playoffs in 8th. Triano keeps his job and Bosh leaves via free agency. This would leave the Raptors in a terrible spot and if you think things are bad now a next season under that scenario would be far worse.
The Raptors would lose this one with yet another brutal start to the 3rd quarter. It got ugly for the Raptors from there. The Raptors would go on to lose this game for 2 reasons. Turnovers 17 of them and 6 of those from the franchise player Chris Bosh. Along with a 3 point defense that is proving to be one of the worst in the NBA. The Warriors made 16 long range bombs and shot 58% from behind the 3 point line. Bosh had 24 points and 11 rebounds but the 6 turnovers mentioned erased that performance.
If it is possible to give kudos to anyone in a night where your team loses to a 17 win team it would go to Jose Calderon. This game would have been far worse if not for Jose. He shot 7-8 from 3 point range and scored 24 points and had 12 assists. Jarrett Jack only scored 7 with 3 assists and 3 turnovers and was not good at all. Amir Johnson had a nice night but as it seems is always the case foul trouble limited him. Demar DeRozan also had 18 points and when this game had got out of hand Demar was finding ways to score.
The mood in the fan base of this team was bad heading into this one. It now has climbed to epic levels and no one is safe from the anger. I saw tweets and comments blaming Colangelo, Triano, Bosh and almost everyone in between. Raptor fans want someone to blame for this post All-Star break free fall that now sees the team back at .500 at 32-32 in 8th in the Eastern Conference.
The Raptors close this terrible road trip tonight at the Rose Garden vs a tougher opposition in Portland who beat the Warriors that the Raptors could not. Brandon Roy who some Raptor fans point to when they are unhappy with Andrea Bargnani. Also Portland fans are expected to get on Hedo who basically left Blazers at the alter in free agency. However having watched Hedo all year they should be holding a parade he didn't come. Perhaps a video tribute saying thanks. HeDon't last night had 8 assists which is great...but the 4 points and 5 rebounds....not so much last night vs Warriors.
Now I want to make it clear THIS WILL NOT HAPPEN. That being said could you imagine what would happen if Sam Mitchell came back to coach this team? It would be like a storm hitting this team and would do some serious damage. The one thing Mitchell always got right was how he pushed and challenged Chris Bosh to be great. Chris has had one of his best season prior to his injury. Since returning he has not been the same. Sam Mitchell always would never allow Bosh to settle and pushed to get more out of him. Could you imagine a Sam Mitchell post game scrum after the last 2 games this team has played? For the entertainment value alone it would have been worth watching. Triano clearly has a different style on motivation than Mitchell. What is also becoming clearer by the day is Jay's way is not hitting home with this team. If the Raptors some how manage to miss the playoffs can he honestly keep his job? It is hard for me to imagine that he can.
Here is your worst case scenario for the Raptors. The Raptors back into the playoffs in 8th. Triano keeps his job and Bosh leaves via free agency. This would leave the Raptors in a terrible spot and if you think things are bad now a next season under that scenario would be far worse.
6/19/09
Make it 7 Day- Basketball Editon
Today in Hamilton they are having a huge rally about this whole hockey team mess. I was on Fan 590 this week on Game Plan and suggested I'd rather of a NBDL franchise than an NHL one. Not that I am against my home town getting a hockey team. Just that living here all of my life I have come to doubt it would ever happen. I also have grown to be sick of the media and it's attempt to make Hockey the be all and end all in sports. If there ever is a make it 2 day in Vancouver I would be more likely to hop a plane and go to Vancouver for that than to hope in a car and drive to downtown Hamilton today. Also beyond it being make it 7 day it is The Score's Cabrel Richards aka Cabbie's Birthday. No idea how old he is but he has a child like nature that makes him who he is. So Happy Birthday to him. So in honour of Make it 7 day I have a bunch of lists of 7 for your pleasure today. We had a blog earlier this week brought to you by the letter D. Well today it is lucky 7's.
NBA Draft 7 7. @chrisbosh- CB4 Honourable Mention to- @Nat77- Heels on Hardwood, @raps_fan- girl who loves basketball, @scottcarefoot- Raptor Blog and A guy I owe a ton too, @tj_ford- My Fav PG no matter what, and lots more should be on this list. But that will have to do.
1. L.A Clippers will select Blake Griffin
2. Memphis will select James Harden
3. OKC will select Haseem Thabeet
4. Scaramento will select Ricky Rubio
5. Washington will select Jordan Hill
6. Minnesota will select Tyreke Evans
7. Golden State will select Demar DeRozan ( OH NO Raptors Fans)
and a bonus pick at 9 your Toronto Raptors select...
Jonny Flynn
It is Friday as well. People who are on Twitter know that as Follow Friday. So I will give a little Follow Friday love here at the Dino Nation Blog with my 7 favourite twitter folks. I can not include myself but if you want to follow me it is @dinonationblog. Now on to my list.
6. @Rapsfan- One of the crew from Raptors Republic
5. @ JustinRWalsh- Recent guest in Dino Nation Blog
4- @NBATVAndre- Andre Aldridge of NBA T.V
3- @ Eric__Smith- Raptors own Eric Smith from @fan590
2- @jeskeets & @Tasmelas- Put these two together as they are together on The Basketball Jones
1-@stackmack- The lovely and Talented Holly Mackenzie of The Score Court Surfing and Slam
To close out this list of 7's, Draft Express had a ton of interviews up on there site and You Tube. I watched a ton of them yesterday and here are 7 that stood out. They are in no particular order. Most come for the combine held in Chicago in late May.
DeJaun Blair (Projected 13th pick on Draft Express)
Pat Mills ( Projected 31st pick on Draft Express )
Stephen Curry ( Projected 7th pick on Draft Express )
Gerald Henderson ( Projected 12th pick on Draft Express )
Hassem Thabeet ( Projected 3rd pick on Draft Express )
Demar Derozan ( Projected 9th pick on Draft Express )
Jonny Flynn ( Projected 10th pick on Draft Express )
So that does it for me today. If the mood hits I may write something on the weekend but if not see you all Monday and enjoy your weekend. If you want to see more of these interviews head over to Draft Express I consider it the best draft site out there.
5/14/09
Let's Get Two
The one thing that stood out for me in the Bryan Colangelo state of the Raptors address was the desire to acquire a 2nd first round pick. It makes a lot of sense to me. Now if you have that second pick your options become a lot more open on what you can do with you pick at 9. Just for an example let's say the Raptors take Jonny Flynn or Ty Lawson at #9. Both should be their if you scan the mock drafts. If you were able to acquire a pick in the late teens or early 20's you could select a player like a Sam Young. Young was here for a workout but was injured during testing for his vertical jump. That would make a dynamic duo for the Raptors to add to the mix. In a draft with a lot of point guards/shooting guards in the mix it makes sense for the Raptors to look at those guys. Roko Ukic has not done enough to not look at it. But the desperate need for a legit wing player makes it almost required for the Raptors to have 2 first round picks to address both.
If the Raptors won the draft lottery that would offer a different issue as it would be hard to pass on a talent like Hassem Thabeet who would make a quality option at the 5 coming off the bench behind Bosh and and Bargnani. There is also Ricky Rubio who Jose Calderon knows well. But the odds of the Raptors winning the lottery are very long and it would seem highly unlikely they get lucky. That being said the odds of the Chicago Bulls were long as well last year. Magically they won the lotto and low and behold the hometown kid Derrick Rose was there for the taking. This is good news for Thunder fans if you believe that the lottery is not on the up and up. The fact that Blake Griffin went to Oklahoma is playing in your favour. It would be good news for Griffin as well does anyone really want to have to go play for the Sacramento Kings who have fallen back to the level of The Clippers after a short run at the top of the west the Kings are back to being the joke they use to be.
So dealing in reality it is likely the Raptors will look to stay at 9 and look for a second pick later in the draft. Most years in the draft I would not be that optimistic about that strategy. But this year I like the plan. There is a lot of question marks in the draft. I would say that a guy picked from those later picks might have just as good a shot as some of the late picks in the lottery. The last time the Raptors had 2 first round picks it landed them Charlie V and Joey G. In the case of both they have had mixed result. Charlie clearly is the guy that may turn out to be a very good player when all is said and done. Joey is well frustrating and a guy that has lived on that potential word for a long time.
Bryan Colangelo said he wants to get tougher. Well that is why I mentioned the two players I did in Lawson and Flynn. Both in the NCAA Tournament showed a great deal of toughness. Sam Young has that kind of tough swagger too. Playing out of the Big East makes anyone a little tougher in the case of Flynn and Young. Lawson played the entire tournament with turf toe. How you get that playing on hardwood is another story. But the injury sounds like not a big deal but it is very painful. I played football in my high school years and can remember a few folks having this type of injury it is painful and what makes what Lawson did in the NCAA tournament that much more amazing.
A couple other names that I feel deserve mention are Brandon Jennings and Stephen Curry. Jennings is the kid that bucked the system. He took his skills to europe rather than being forced to the NCAA. He wanted to enter the draft right out of high school but the new rules that David Stern brought in just a few years ago. Jennings at one point was a legit option for the Raptors at 9. But he is climbing up the draft boards and will likely not be there for the Raptors. Curry is the pick of some including Draft Express for the Raptors at 9. There is some common sense in all of this. Curry did after all start hitting jumpers on the floor at the ACC. Not the conference but the Raptors home arena. His father Dell played for several years with the Raptors. It makes sense that Stephen would not have any issues with coming to Toronto. He is undersized and a lights out shooter. Many question if he can do that on the next level. I think he can but I am not sold he makes a solid fit for the Raptors. How can he guard his position on the next level would be my major concern. I watched him go head to head with Pat Mills in the NIT and he did light up the scoreboard but so did Mills who he was guarding most of the time. Mills is a smaller point guard that is lightning quick. But if Curry can't stop him how does he stop bigger and stronger folks on the next level. The answer to be says that he does not. He has a roll in the NBA but on a team looking to improve on the defensive end it does not seem like a good selection.
Put hey we have lots of time to talk about it all. The draft is still over a month away and we have yet to even find out where the Raptors will be selecting. To find that out come join me as I host a live Blog on NBA Lotto night that is set to start @ 7pm on May 19th.
If the Raptors won the draft lottery that would offer a different issue as it would be hard to pass on a talent like Hassem Thabeet who would make a quality option at the 5 coming off the bench behind Bosh and and Bargnani. There is also Ricky Rubio who Jose Calderon knows well. But the odds of the Raptors winning the lottery are very long and it would seem highly unlikely they get lucky. That being said the odds of the Chicago Bulls were long as well last year. Magically they won the lotto and low and behold the hometown kid Derrick Rose was there for the taking. This is good news for Thunder fans if you believe that the lottery is not on the up and up. The fact that Blake Griffin went to Oklahoma is playing in your favour. It would be good news for Griffin as well does anyone really want to have to go play for the Sacramento Kings who have fallen back to the level of The Clippers after a short run at the top of the west the Kings are back to being the joke they use to be.
So dealing in reality it is likely the Raptors will look to stay at 9 and look for a second pick later in the draft. Most years in the draft I would not be that optimistic about that strategy. But this year I like the plan. There is a lot of question marks in the draft. I would say that a guy picked from those later picks might have just as good a shot as some of the late picks in the lottery. The last time the Raptors had 2 first round picks it landed them Charlie V and Joey G. In the case of both they have had mixed result. Charlie clearly is the guy that may turn out to be a very good player when all is said and done. Joey is well frustrating and a guy that has lived on that potential word for a long time.
Bryan Colangelo said he wants to get tougher. Well that is why I mentioned the two players I did in Lawson and Flynn. Both in the NCAA Tournament showed a great deal of toughness. Sam Young has that kind of tough swagger too. Playing out of the Big East makes anyone a little tougher in the case of Flynn and Young. Lawson played the entire tournament with turf toe. How you get that playing on hardwood is another story. But the injury sounds like not a big deal but it is very painful. I played football in my high school years and can remember a few folks having this type of injury it is painful and what makes what Lawson did in the NCAA tournament that much more amazing.
A couple other names that I feel deserve mention are Brandon Jennings and Stephen Curry. Jennings is the kid that bucked the system. He took his skills to europe rather than being forced to the NCAA. He wanted to enter the draft right out of high school but the new rules that David Stern brought in just a few years ago. Jennings at one point was a legit option for the Raptors at 9. But he is climbing up the draft boards and will likely not be there for the Raptors. Curry is the pick of some including Draft Express for the Raptors at 9. There is some common sense in all of this. Curry did after all start hitting jumpers on the floor at the ACC. Not the conference but the Raptors home arena. His father Dell played for several years with the Raptors. It makes sense that Stephen would not have any issues with coming to Toronto. He is undersized and a lights out shooter. Many question if he can do that on the next level. I think he can but I am not sold he makes a solid fit for the Raptors. How can he guard his position on the next level would be my major concern. I watched him go head to head with Pat Mills in the NIT and he did light up the scoreboard but so did Mills who he was guarding most of the time. Mills is a smaller point guard that is lightning quick. But if Curry can't stop him how does he stop bigger and stronger folks on the next level. The answer to be says that he does not. He has a roll in the NBA but on a team looking to improve on the defensive end it does not seem like a good selection.
Put hey we have lots of time to talk about it all. The draft is still over a month away and we have yet to even find out where the Raptors will be selecting. To find that out come join me as I host a live Blog on NBA Lotto night that is set to start @ 7pm on May 19th.
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