Raptors Rewind- Rare Monday Afternoon Edition

These are exciting times that we live in. Obama becomes President tomorrow and it is Martin Luther King Jr. holiday in the United States today. Even some excitement in Raptor world with talk of a trade of Jermaine O'Neal. The Raptors will play the Hawks in the city that was home to Dr.King. I would like to think we will have a classic to talk about. But I am not sure of that happening. The Raptors on the second half of a back to back after playing the Suns. But here is something to get excited about the debut Nathan Jawai. He has been pressed into action because Jermaine O'Neal is a no go again. Raptors had said he would try to go today but not happening. You can draw your own conclusions as to why that is. Chris Bosh will play after turning an ankle late in the loss to the Suns. Jason Kapono is out of sick bay, as he sat yesterday with the flu. No Jose Calderon in this one still out with a bad hamstring. Kris Humphries is also a no go as he picked up some injury in the game yesterday.I mean that was a long list. Well who ever the Raptors have to throw out there will have a tough task. The Hawks are not flying as high as earlier in the year but are still 4th in the east. In fact they have lost 6 of 8 heading into this one. But the Raptors have lost 5 straight with lots of close calls for the injury filled Raptor roster. After yesterday no surprise that Parker and Graham will start at the point and shooting guard spots. So here we go ready or not.

1st Quarter

Raptors need a win, any way possible that is the bottom line. Raptors lose the tip but get a steal and a score from Andrea Bargnani. The Hawks get an answer from Mike Bibby. Joey Graham has career high 22 yesterday. He gets his first two point of this day with a mid range jumper. Mike Bibby has another basket this time a 3 pointer. The Hawks lead early 5-4 just under ten minutes to play in the quarter. Both teams were shooting a little cold with the early start. But Bargnani was looking good with his second basket. But Mike Bibby again scores and he has 7 and the Raptors have 6. Jamario Moon would give the Raptors the lead with a jumper for 2. The Raptors would get a couple from Bargnani for the line. The Raptors had a 12-9 lead. Atlanta would get a 3 pointer to even up the score. Chris Bosh was looking ok despite the ankle turn and he scored on the glass. Joey Graham would score on the break off a turnover and Raptors. Joe Johnson would hit a 3 pointer to pull the Hawks back again. He was now getting his stroke from range with 2 three point shots. Jamario Moon had an answer from 3 point range. Raptors lead 18-15 with about four and half minutes to play in the opening quarter.

Raptors would extend the lead to 5 points the largest of the day. Raptors would get a chance to build on that after a Hawks turnover. But they would not get it done but an air ball from the Hawks that went out of bounds would give them another chance. However Parker would miss on that chance. A third chance to get it done but a miss and a 4th with offensive rebound. Chris Bosh would get to the line and finally give Raps a chance to extend the lead.

Bosh steps to the line after a time out and makes both. They have a 22-15 lead with under 3 minutes to play. A nice Mike Bibby pass leads to a score. A turnover and another Bibby dime drop leads to another 2 points. Raptors respond with a basket and Josh Smith responds to that with a truly wonderful throw down. Hawks would continue the run from the line making a pair. Hawks on a 6-0 run and cut the Raptor lead to just 24-23. A rookie mistake by Roko Ukic would lead to a turnover. But the Hawks failed to take advantage and grab the lead. They would get a buzzer beater half court chance as well but it did not fall. So the Raptors hang on just barely to a 24-23 first quarter lead.

2nd Quarter

Bosh and Bargnani had 8 each to lead the Raptors. Johnson had 8 and Bibby had 7 for the Hawks. Jake Voskhul had checked in and missed a jumper to start the second quarter. Roko Ukic would get to the hoop and score on the next trip to open the scoring in the 2nd. Bargnani would miss a 3 pointer for his first attempt of the second quarter. Andrea would curl into the paint and make a jumper in the paint to score on his next chance. Raptors lead by 4 points with the score 28-24 and 9:57 to play in the half. Joe Johnson would get his first score of second quarter on a jumper. Jason Kapono as mentioned was back and he made a jumper to reply.

A steal for Raptors would not turn into point as Jake Voskhul missed a turn around jumper. Jason Kapono would get his shoot to fall and Raptors lead 32-26 as the scoring pace had slowed to a slow crawl. Chris Bosh with a nifty little one handed effort in the paint. Joe Johnson would respond with his 3rd make from beyond the arc of the day. Raptors still lead 34-29 with under 6 minutes to play. But the Hawks would get a score to cut the lead a little more. Parker on the move hit a fading jumper.Mike Bibby answered with a score plus a foul but he would miss the shot. Roko Ukic showed his skill and quicks driving to the basket for a score. Flip Murry had a counter for the Hawks as he drained a basket. Raptors hanging on leading 38-35. Chris Bosh would get fouled and head to the line making both. He had 12 points and 7 boards already.

The Hawks would get a score and there was more bad news then that for the Raptors. On the play what looked like a moving screen would send Anthony Parker to the ground in pain. The Raptors already were very short handed. They could not afford another player going down. Parker would get attention during the time out and remained in the game. Perhaps a good acting job to try to sell the non-call. Let's hope so. Bosh meanwhile would get to the line. Making the first but missing the second. Roko Ukic would show some speed and skill again to get a score. Raptors lead 43-38 with just over 2 minutes to play in the half. Bargnani would get to the line and he would make both and Raptors had a 45-38 lead. Bosh had an easy chance to extend the lead miss and Josh Smith would make Raps pay on other end. Bosh would not make a mistake a second time as he scored. He would then find Moon for a score as the Raptors got a turnover and scored on the break. Raptors were showing that they could close out a quarter as they had a 10-2 run and a 51-40 lead. A late foul on Joe Johnson allowed the Hawks to get 2 points closer to make halftime score 51-42.

3rd Quarter

Chris Bosh and Joe Johnson shared game high scoring honours as they both had 15. Bosh had 8 rebounds as well with no J.O helping on the glass. No Nathan Jawai as well I am hoping we get to see the big Aussie get on the floor. I won't lie in saying I am rooting for Nathan Jawai. I have learned a lot about him and think he can still be a great story. Raptors shot the lights out going 50% from the field and 11 of 12 from the free throw line. But the Raptors would miss there first attempt of the second half. After the missed screen in the first half the refs saw one early in second half. But the Raptors could not take advantage of the extra possession. Mike Bibby would make the pay with a 3 pointer on next Hawks trip. He would follow that with a 2 point effort. Anthony Parker would finally get the Raps on the board and they now lead by just 6 with score 53-47. Chris Bosh would get to the line thanks to Zaza who had 4 fouls in the game. Bosh would split a pair. Zaza would take a seat with his 4 fouls. Parker would get the score on the break with a pretty ball fake and then take to the hoop for two. Raptors had re-established their nine point lead they had to start the half.

Hawks out of a time out would have Mike Bibby pull up and nail a jumper. Andrea Bargnani would answer with a jumper of his own. Josh Smith would get a score for the home side Hawks he had 13 on the day. Mike Bibby tried to cut the lead more with a 3 ball that would be short on the mark. Parker made a bad turnover and Mike Bibby was off to the races. But he was looking in his rear view for Jamario Moon and forgot to make the lay up. Raptors catch a break. Joe Johnson was not offering another as he made a jump shot from the baseline. Hawks had closed the gap to 58-53. Raptors had missed 6 straight attempts on the offensive end. Josh Smith did not miss in a chance to cut the lead to 3 points. Flip Murry pressured by Parker would fumble away a chance for the Hawks to close further.

Raptors struggles continued with an ugly miss by Bargnani. But he would get on the glass and rebound a Kapono miss to score and end an 0-9 or 10 effort from the Raptors. Hawks would answer with a score right away. Raptors were hanging on to a 60-57 lead thanks to creating turnovers . Kapono would get a basket and extend the lead. Josh Smith answered to keep the lead at just three points. But a Kapono miss gave Bibby a chance to cut the lead to 1 with another score for him. There was 1:16 to go and Hawks had a chance to take the lead but Joe Johnson had a rare misfire. Roko Ukic not the high end shooter Johnson is but he would find a way to get a score with a nice little fading jumper. The Raptors were not playing well but still on top. Hawks had another chance to tie but Jake Voskhul got on the glass and made a rebound which would end up keeping the Raptors on top after 3. But it was now only a 64-62 lead after 3 quarters on a Monday Afternoon.

4th Quarter

How many times have we been here this season? Raptors with a lead but looking like they could lose it at any moment. Raps shooting % had dropped from 50 to 40%. That is how bad they shot it in the 3rd quarter. Josh Smith would waste no time driving straight to the basket and getting to the line. Foul would be on Joey Graham and just like that we were tied less then 10 seconds in. Ukic would commit a ill timed turnover after that. However the Hawks would not be able to score and take the lead. But another Raptor jumper that did not fall. But Hawks again miss. Jason Kapono would make the first 3 pointer of the day for the Raptors. So fans of that 3 point streak can rest easy. More important to me was Raptors managed to take back the lead. Hawks would get a two pointer to pull back to just 1 down.

Chris Bosh would travel and turn it over. The Hawks took the lead on a Flip Murry jumper. Joe Johnson would extend that lead with a short little jumper just outside of the paint on the baseline. Hawks now had a 70-67 lead in a battle of two teams that looked like they were in bad need of a win. Not that they were playing well more like the opposite from both sides. But the Hawks were the team looking the least brutal at the moment. Raptors already had 3 turnovers in the quarter and we were just 3 minutes into it. Parker would make a baseline jumper for 2. Mike Bibby who is on that list of Raptor killers and he would make a big three pointer to answer the Parker jumper. Flip Murry would find himself as open as can be and make a three. But it was not joking matter as the Raptors were looking like they were going to blow another basketball game.

Andrea Bargnani would get a basket plus a foul which he would miss. But that was a good thing as Bosh would tap it back in for a unconventional 4 point play. It had pulled the Raptors back to down just 76-75. Joe Johnson would shoot a technical foul that was called on Bargnani. He got that for arguing a call against him on a foul. To be honest I never saw what happened. Hawks end up with a net two out three free throws. It gave the Hawks a 78-75 lead. Josh Smith would make his way to line looking to build the lead but he missed both his attempts. Jamario Moon on other end made him pay for that by nailing a 3-ball all tied at 78. Bosh after Atlanta could not answer he would make a jumper. Raptors 80-78 lead would be short lived as the Hawks were quick to tie the score. Raptors got to work on the offensive glass and Bosh would eventually cash in and score. Joe Johnson was quick to respond. That would be answered by Anthony Parker and it was Raptors on top 84-82. There was 1:50 left. Could the Raptors close it out this time? Joe Johnson would draw a foul on Jamario Moon. Bosh was upset with Moon's effort. But Johnson only could make 1-2. Raptors still lead but failed to score on offense. Moon would get tagged for another foul. It made Moon luagh but CB4 was not amused. Bibby meantime would make the shoots and give the Hawks the lead. Raptors down 85-84 with 54.4 seconds and a time out called. Raps inbounded ball to Bosh who turned it over but Hawks could not convert. But Jamario Moon took a quick 3 pointer and missed it. Joe Johnson would make Raps pay and extend the lead to 3 points with just 12.5 to play. Raps had two chances at a 3 pointer the first blocked and the second missed. Again the Raptors found a way to lose and that is 6 in a row and this is just starting to become predictable. Hawks take it 87-84. The trip gets no easier as the Raptors head to the Motor City to take on the Pistons. The boxscore of this one for you to figure out how the Raptors lost again.

Hawks/Raptors Boxscore

Moon and Bosh who both made key mistakes had very different looks on their faces. I am not trying to start anything by saying this. But it seemed very clear that Chris Bosh was less than thrilled with Jamario Moon. Fans will not be happy with Bosh or Moon as both made key mistakes down the stretch. This is just starting to have the look of a team that has no answers for the problems they have. Whatever trade or moves that are coming I am not sure what they will do to change that. Not exactly a happy note to end on. But it is an honest one. Even the fact Nathan Jawai never got a chance to get in there left me personally disappointed. FREE BIG NATE. I promise once you do you'll be surprised. He can't do any worse then some of the stuff we are seeing out there that is for sure.

Matrix Not Yet Loaded

Well if you have not heard about the rumoured trade between Miami and Toronto. Where have you been? But this morning Pat Riley has poured some water on to the fire that a deal may happen right away. What was true is that both Jermaine O'Neal and Shawn Marion both did not play yesterday. In a strange touch of Irony the Raptors and Heat were part of the only 2 games on Sunday in the NBA. Still this article in the Miami Herald suggests we are all putting the cart before the horse according to Riley. Here is a link for you to check it out.

Miami Herald on J.O/Marion Trade Rumours

But in that article there is no denial of the deal happening down the line. If you noticed yesterday Bryan Colangelo in his normal (little bunker as I like to call it) place was working his blackberry. That may not mean much. The fact he declined to talk on CBC about the issue may have meant just a bit more.

But the sober reality trade or not is the road to a playoff spot keeps getting longer and longer for the Raptors. As we sit here today the Raptors would need to go 25-15 just to finish with a .500 record. That is one thing the other is how many teams are in front of the Raptors. No matter what the Raptors do they will need help from a lot of teams not doing as well as they do to move up the ladder.

Atlanta Is No Joke

I was one of the people that did not believe in the Hawks this year. But it looks like taking the Celtics to 7 games in last year's playoffs has been a building point for the Hawks. No Josh Childress was not a big deal as they let him walk to earn some bigger bucks in Europe. Joe Johnson has really grown into a star in his own right since leaving the Suns. He is the major scoring force that drives this team. The Hawks have taken a lot of heat for passing on point guards like Deron Williams and Chris Paul. Those were still terrible moves but a trade to bring in Mike Bibby has proved to be a success for the Hawks.

They sit with the 4th best record in the Eastern Conference. They are 23-16 far behind the Top 3 teams in the East. They have a number of teams looking at them as the only shot they would have to get home court advantage for the Playoffs.

Raptors have split to match-ups with the Hawks back in November. The most recent was a 93-88 win on November 28th. However it was the Hawks that handed the Raptors the first of what would be many losses this year. They beat down the Raptors 110-92 in Atlanta on November 7th.

Boxscores- Nov 7 th- Hawks and Raptors
Nov 28th- Hawks and Raptors

So that is a quick set up for today's game. It is going to be a good week here at Dino Nation Blog as we have some guests scheduled to come visit. So it should be a good week. Will we have a trade to talk about? That is a good question that still does not have an answer yet.

Round Ball Review Hits The Streets

Another tough loss today. The chances of a deal for Jermaine O'Neal indeed seem to true. It is the talk of Raptorland. So J.B and Joey were sent out to the streets to get some fan reaction to the news. Here is a look at how they made out:




Don't forget the Raptors have an early tip tomorrow as it is MLK day in the United States tomorrow a holiday for our friends south of the border. They will tip it up in the ATL at 2pm and that game can be seen on The Score.

Raptor Rewind- Steve Nash Return Edition

Steve Nash the starting point guard for your Toronto Raptors!!! Well no that is not the case. But just typing that felt good and I would not mind doing that more in the future. But it is another former Sun that is the talk of the town. Shawn Marion of the Miami Heat. He is rumoured to be on the market and the two front runners to trade for him are the Toronto Raptors and Dallas Mavericks. Pat Riley is interested in J.O so says the rumour mills. He is said to want to evaluate how J.O does over his next 4 or 5 games coming back. But I think the honest answer is that contract is attractive for Riley to build a plan to keep D Wade on the Miami Heat. Point is seems like there will be a bit of a wait for a move to happen. Here is some sober news for the challenge the Raptors face today in the Suns. Since Steve Nash signed with the Suns the Raptors are 0-8 against them. Not good news and if Jose Calderon plays or not it will not change that stat. Suns are a much different team and finding their way with a re-birth of Shaq and they have added Jason Richardson. I do not hold out much hope for a Raptor win today. Nash had also been rumoured to head to Toronto but given the Suns starting to find their stride those hopes have faded to a non existent level. But hey, figuring out this Raptor team has been a challenge this year. I did not expect any of what I saw in that Pacer game at all. The strange line-up that got Raps going in the 4th would make an appearance today. No Jose and A.P as your starting point guard with Joey Graham at shooting guard? That is the starting line-up a weird on for sure. Your regular starters of moon Bargnani and Bosh.

1st Quarter

This is going to be fun to see Steve Nash regardless of the Raptor effort against him. Also late word that J.O and Jason Kapono will not play today do you smell a trade I do. Kapono is said to have flu, while no reason was given for J.O being out. But the Raps had a game to play trade or no trade. Nash and Triano have a nice moment before the tip. The Suns win the tip but miss there first chance to score. Parker on Raptors first offensive play posts up Nash scores and draws a foul. He makes that and Raptors get another basket from Andrea Bargnani and Raptors have an early 5-0 lead. Shaq gets an offensive foul and the Raptors are having as good a start as you could have hoped for.

Amare Stoudamire slams it down and snaps back a little reality to my head. However Chris Bosh answers on the other end making his first attempt of the game. Joey Graham is fouled and Shaq has 2 fouls and makes an early exit. Joey made both and it is a 9-2 Raptor lead. Jason Richardson gets a score to hopefully for the Suns get them going. They would get their first back to back baskets. But the Raptors get another basket from Joey G who was looking good as a shooting guard today. The Suns were getting burned early as Parker would score and the Raptors were up 16-8 early on the Suns. Andrea Bargnani got called for a foul on Grant Hill who made a pair from the line. Bosh would attack the basket and draw a foul and get to the line. Bosh made both and the Raptors were a perfect 6-6 from the line. Moon makes a long two ball and the Raptors had a 10 point lead.

So far this new line-up was doing well. Suns would get a basket and try to build a comeback. Steve Nash has an assist on every made basket for the Suns. Bosh found his way back to the line and he could only go 1 for 2. It was the Raptors holding on to a 21-12 lead with 5:39 to go in the first. Parker playing from the point calls his own number and he had 7 points early. Amare Stoudamire would get to the line and make a pair. Bargnani tried to drive and score but could not finish. Suns get out in transition and make the Raptors pay. So the Suns were creeping back with the score now 23-16. But Parker got to the line to make a pair to put Raptors back up 9 points again. Grant Hill would nail a 3 pointer and Richardson a drive and score and like that the Suns were back to within 4 points with score 25-21. But CB4 would drive to the basket for a score. But a Richardson 3 pointer and the Suns were looking to get it rolling now. The Suns would score again and they had a 14-4 run going and were down just 27-26. But Joey Graham would save the Raptor lead for now making a jumper. But Matt Barnes would score and draw a second foul on Bosh. He would make the and 1 and the Suns had fought back to tie it up. But Andrea Bargnani who checked in for Bosh made a big 3 ball. Barbosa who was in for Nash quickly answered with a 2 pointer for the Suns. He is called the Brazilian Blur after all. Richardson would get to the line and give the Suns their first lead 33-32. Kris Humphries was in the game and made his way to the line. He made a pair to put the Raptors back in the lead. But Barnes hits a 3 pointer to close the quarter and the Suns after a slow start lead after 1 with the score 36-34.

2nd Quarter

Triano's new back court had 18 points that was the good news. Bad news was the Suns were rolling on offense and they started the second with a fast basket. Moon takes a 3 ball he like should not have but made it. Roko Ukic had checked in at the point for the Raps. Barbosa would hit a bucket from distance wide open. Parker shifted over to the shooting guard and drains a 3 pointer. The Raptors thanks to a couple 3 balls were hanging around. The Score was 43-42 but the Suns were a team that has potential to score more. Shaq would get tangled with Jake Voskhul and get called for a technical foul. The Suns after all of this lead 46-43. Bargnani would make a 2 pointer and pull the Raptors to down just 1 with the score 46-45. Jake Voskhul ran over Steve Nash for an offensive foul.

Barbosa makes the Raptors pay with a 3 pointer and the Suns lead 49-45. Shaq would add to the lead with a basket in the post. After a Raptor score Matt Barnes showed a little something...something with a big dunk. Nash pushes the ball to Barbosa and the Suns had built their largest lead with the score 55-47. Matt Barnes a guy some Raptor fans have desired in a trade makes another shot and he was looking good as were the Suns. Raptors were now down 10 points but AP would get a basket and he was doing well. Joey Graham was doing well to as he got a basket to pull the Raptors to down 6 points. Joey would hustle back but got called for the foul on Shaq. O'Neal was perfect from the line today. He is said to have gone back to his high school routine and it has helped his shooting from the line. Bosh has never struggled from the line and he was going their thanks to Amare. He made both. But Shaq had a very big answer with a dunk. But Raptors were fight hard to stay in it. Parker had an answer with a jumper and the Raptors trailed 61-56. The effort was there but a much better team in front of them. Also the defense was awful on both sides. Joey Graham was at the line he and Parker were leading the Raps. Joey makes a pair and it was 61-58. Shaq missed on a dunk attempt but Raptors could not cut the lead more. The Suns would get a basket and get the lead back to 5 points. The pace was unreal for this game.

So there was still almost 3 minutes to play as the Suns reach the 65 point mark on an Amare jumper. Stoudamire would score again as Nash found him on the break. It was 67-58 for the Suns. If this was going to turn into a game of who scores the most my money goes on the Suns to win that battle. Barnes missed a chance to extend the lead to 11. But the Raptors would turn it over and the Suns would get another chance as Barnes got to the line this time. He would make a pair and the Suns were pushing 70 points for the first half. Jamario Moon got the Raptors in the sixties with a 3 pointer. Will Solomon had another basket. The Raptors clawed back to 6 down. But the Suns would get a basket to make the half time score 71-63 and this game looked like a throwback to the 70's ABA.

3rd Quarter

Raptors started the quarter with back to back baskets by Bosh and Graham. They were now just down 71-67 and still hanging around. Stoudamire would get the Suns back on track with a basket. Bargnani would miss on a 3 pointer but he would later get a chance to cut the lead from the line. He would make both to pull the Raptors back to down just 4 points. Shaq would then get the Suns rolling as he got a basket and made a foul shot. Bosh would answer with a make on a fading jumper. But O'Neal would score again and it would start a push by the Suns. It was part of what would be a 9-2 run by the Suns that would extend their lead to 82-71 with 6:37 to play in the quarter.

But Raptors had that fight in them that they found in 4th quarter in Indiana. Parker and a Moon 3 pointer and the Raptors had refused to go away. Stoudamire would get a score and Bosh would turn it over to Jason Richardson would take it all the way to the hoop for a dunk. Suns were back on top 86-76. But again here come the Raptors as Joey Graham who was having a career day would score,get fouled and make the and one. He was GOOD Joey today in a way we have not seen before. That would start a 7-2 push for the Raptors as they climbed back in it once again. They had the score down to 88-83. Steve Nash would take this moment to go from play maker to scorer with a great drive to the hoop that sparked the Suns to extend the lead to hang on to the lead. A silly foul on Barbosa with under 2 seconds left would give the Suns an eight point lead after 3 quarters in stead of six. They had a 95-87 lead after 3 quarters to maintain the advantage they had heading into the quarter. Both teams scored 24 points each and that was a bit off the crazy scoring pace of the first half.

4th Quarter

A dunk for Amare to start the quarter and again the Suns had a 10 point lead. But the Raptors again would refuse to go away. Hump was in for the short handed Raps and he got a score. A couple Stoudamire free throws were followed by a Bosh dunk and a Moon 3 pointer and again the Raptors were challenging to get back in it. Stoudamire would go back to the line and split a pair and Chris Bosh would make a turn around jumper and The Raptors were now with in sight with the score 100-96.

Roko Ukic who was backing up the surprise starting point guard in AP. He would get a lay up and the Raptors were now just one basket away from climbing that mountain. Stoudamire would get a slam dunk and extend the lead back to 4 points. However Joey Graham would score and then do what Joey does when he is good with an amazing dunk to follow the jumper. He had a career high 22 points and was on fire at the ACC. The game was all tied at 102. But a Shaq hook shot would start a 7-0 run for the Suns. The rest of that would be earned from the line as Nash was fouled behind the arc and made 3 free throws and fouled again to make 2 more. It is not the seventy whatever that Jose Calderon has had this season. But it was 5 clutch free throws that meant a lot for this game and getting a win.

So it was the Suns now leading 109-102. But as had been the story all game here come the Raptors again. A Parker 3 pointer and a Bosh jumper and the Raptors were again just 2 points from getting this thing tied up. Parker had 22 points and has having a big day as well. After the Suns split a pair from the line Parker would make another jumper and he had got the Raptors to down 1. Matt Barnes and Amare Stoudamire had back to back baskets to extend the lead back up to 5 points. Jamario Moon would show a flash of last year's Moon with a put back dunk. Both teams would go cold and it was not until AP got a bucket with 1:18 to play that the ice would go away. Raptors down again just one. But cue Steve Nash to kill the Raptors hope. He would find himself matched up on Bosh and blew by him to the basket for the great and stylish lay up. There was 12 seconds to go and Raptors were down 116-113. Parker would take a shot and miss the Raptors would get a couple more chance battling in the paint but in the end Amare Stoudamire got the ball and was fouled. He would make a free throw that would add to his stat line but the game was over. Raptors lose again in a heart breaking way 117-113.

Raps/Suns Boxscore

Raptors and J.O trade talk is heating up as there is talk a deal with Miami may almost be done. Jermaine O'Neal for Shawn Marion and Marcus Banks. So no idea who will be playing tomorrow. But what I can say is it will be early as the Raptors will play the Hawks with a 2pm tip time as it is Martin Luther King Jr holiday south of the border. So have no fear the Dino Blogger will be here. If you have to work I will be doing the Raptor Rewind that you can check out if you miss the action.

Mid-Point Blues For Dino Blogger

Here is the honest truth I do not have a lot of time today. So I was trying to come up with something that would be short but entertaining for you all. So I figure why not a top ten list. Seems to have done well for David Letterman. It also offers you a chance to add things you feel should have made the list. The reason for the rush is I am having a busy work day. I was up early on the air on CJLO this morning. After that ran through some quick things I had to do. Game prep for a live blog for Duke and Georgetown. Duke won which sucks cause I don't like them. I am doing this then it is supper and game prep for another live blog of NCAA ball.

Don't get me wrong I love being busy. Just like when the majority of that busy is about the blog. But hey this will be a good list. The 10 things I have been most disappointed about this season. I said that it would be good not uplifting. After last night if you can find someone with a positive thing to say about the Raptors please let me know. I would like to talk with them or read what they have wrote or hear what they have said.

#10- Sam Mitchell Getting Fired- I liked Sam and given how this team has performed since he has been fired why exactly was this done again? I feel bad for Jay Triano. I think he has been set up as a fall guy for Bryan Colangelo. It just is not fair for Jay in a lot of ways. Watching last night I really felt his pain.

#9- Jamario Moon Fairy Tale Ends- I am really sad that the guy that stormed on to the scene. His first NBA season had a fairy tale quality. This season it has been a rude awakening to the weak points of his game. There was no progression in fact we have seen regression in a lot of ways. To many 3 pointers and not enough driving and no improvement his handle and overall ball skills.

#8- People Turning On CB4- I am sick of people hanging things on Chris Bosh. I mean sure he is the face of the franchise and that comes with a certain amount of blame/responsibility. But all of this talk of him being like Vince Carter and he is going to leave in 2010. There is no proof of that. I think that the legacy and the growth of Chris Bosh has had mud thrown on it by some and that is just sad.

#7- Parker is Just Not The Same- A.P has just faded and become a shadow of the player that came here from Europe. He just as had age catch up to him and that often comes fast for players. He has had some brief good moments but they have been few and far between. It is likely a sad end to his run with the Raptors. To bad for a quality stand up guy.

# 6- Defense or lack of it- I honestly thought that Jermaine O'Neal could do what Kevin Garnett did for the Celtics to a lesser extent. But it was not happened at all. I think you can argue that the Raptor defense has got worse and not better. It was suppose to be one of reason the Jermaine O'Neal trade was made. More on the trade later

#5- Jose Calderon is not an All Star- I hate to be right about things when it means bad things for the Raptors. I have stood behind that I was not sold that Jose Calderon could just walk into the starting job after getting the job in the summer and be the man like that. I warned it would not be as easy has people thought. Well here we sit and Jose Calderon is not an all star and is not even close to being the best point guard in the league of the conference. The lack of a true back-up did not help matters. Sam Mitchell would show no faith in what he had been given to play behind Jose. He would play him large amounts of minutes and Calderon who was injured at the Olympics has had those injuries trouble follow him back from China.

#4- The Bench or lack of one- The lack of depth on this team is obvious and glaring and ultimately disappointing. From Jason Kapono to Joey Graham and everyone that makes up that group. They have both individual and as a group failed. I will give a pass to Roko Ukic and Nathan Jawai as they both are rookies and in Jawai's case has been unable to play to this point. That in itself has been disappointing. But the bench has flat out sucked.

#3- Expectations that were to high- Everyone said this team was going to be great and Raptors were going to be in the race to be contenders. Well not everyone but so many that it created a wave of expectation. I think that the complete failure of this team to meet those expectation is the most painful on this list. It has the making of a long hard winter turning into a spring with bleak playoff prospects. Not fun at all.

#2- The Trade- It is what has set up so many of the things on this list. You can go into a lot of details but to put it as simple as possible it is a short term total failure. It is in danger of being a complete failure if Bryan Colangelo does not turn the O'Neal contract in a team that has Chris Bosh with a group of talent around him that can help him win. If that happens now or in 2010 that is when finally judgement on this trade will be passed.

#1- Bryan Colangelo- A Man once rightfully thought of as the saviour of this franchise. From that he has turned into a mortal G.M and president. From the failure of the Raptors and MLSE to represent the fans and fix the mess that is TSN 2. The trade gone wrong, the lack of depth, the bad signings of people like Hassan Adams. When you are the President and General Manager it falls at your feet. I have had my faith in Bryan Colangelo shaken but not broken . But I think like most fans I know longer just accept that he knows what he is doing and will do the right thing.

Raptors Rewind- J.O Return From The Bench Edition

So J.O is a go and coming from off the bench. In my conversation today with D.J Bennett from Court Surfing we both are not believers that this can last. However for now J.O is saying and doing all the right things to this point. He really does not have much choice as Bargnani has been on fire. So for now it is a happy fuzzy feel good story. But the Raptors need wins much more then positive public relations. Jose Calderon is in Indiana but will only be an on looker as he watches the guy who's job he now holds in T.J Ford. It has been a similar story for T.J with injuries just as J.O has faced in Toronto. In fact in recent games Jarrett Jack has started with Ford coming off the bench. Not sure if they will have a Jack vs Ford feud with the Pacers. It doesn't seem as likely as Jack has been used a shooting guard as well. So it should be an interesting night in Indiana as the 14th place Pacers take on the 12th place Raptors.

1st Quarter

So both principles in the big trade would indeed start looking on. The Pacers would get off to a decent start with the first 4 points of the contest. The Raptors meanwhile were not getting it done on the offensive end. Will Solomon would final bust the lid off the basket. He scored on a drive on a second chance opportunity courtesy of a CB4 offensive board. Moon would score and we were all tied at 4 almost three and half minutes in. For the Pacers this was unusual as they normal have no problem scoring they are one of the best in the NBA. They are also one of the worst defensively. Andrea Bargnani would get a basket in the post to take their first lead of the night. Solomon would score again and Raptors were on a long and drawn out 8-0 run. But it was more like a crawl. Jeff Foster was sent to the line and he split a pair to break the run. But Chris Bosh would blow by Murphy to get a Jam. Raptors had a 10-5 lead. Jim O'Brien did not like what he was seeing and called for a T.O.

Danny Granger who is getting a lot of All Star talk despite the Pacers bad record. He scored and Jarrett Jack would follow it up with another score. The Pacers would score again and on strength of 6-0 run to take an 11-10 lead. Chris Bosh would get fouled and sent to the line he would split a pair and we were even steven at 11. A Murphy three pointer would fall and change that even score. Bosh would answer with a score on the offensive glass as Jermaine O'Neal was waiting to check in for Bosh. The Pacer would respond and they had a 17-13 lead with T.J Ford in the game as he had checked in prior to J.O had. Jermaine took his first shoot and missed it he had received a real mixed reaction from the Pacers fans. Roko Ukic who had been playing well lately would drive and score to pull the Raptors back to within 2 points. Raptors would get a steal by Moon but Raptors just took it back and Ford advanced it to Jack for the score. Andrea Bargnani would make his way to the line driving and drawing a foul. Here would make both from the line. Ford would get himself to the line but miss his first and make the second. The Pacers hold a 20-17 lead late in the first. Andrea Bargnani would do what he has been doing nailing a big 3 pointer. He had a chance to give the Raptors the lead but that one would not fall. So it was all even at 20 after one quarter on play.

2nd Quarter

Not a classic first quarter for sure but at a pace that would favour the Raptors you might think. T.J Ford would open the quarter with a jumper for the Pacers. Jason Kapono would answer for the Raptors with a 2 point effort. Granger scores for the Pacers and Joey Graham had a highlight reel dunk showing off for his twin brother Stephen who plays for the Pacers. Joey would pick up two quick fouls after the impressive dunk. That is your typical Joey G performance. Danny Granger would head to the line and make a pair as the Pacers lead 29-24. Joey Graham now had his 3rd foul and that was it for him. Roy Hibbert technically the Raptors first pick checked in he was part of that trade along with Nathan Jawai who has yet to play for the Raptors. The Pacers would build the lead up to 7 points with another basket and their offense was showing signs of getting back on track.

Chris Bosh would get to the line and split a pair. Roy Hibbert would respond with a basket for the Pacers. Bosh would get sent to the line driving past the slower Hibbert. He would make a pair from the line. But the Pacers were rolling on offense as they would score again. However Moon would have a rare drive and score plus the foul that he would make. Raptors had got back to down just 5 with the score 35-30. But an easy dunk for Murphy off a screen and roll. It would set off a 6-0 run as the Raptors made some silly turnovers. It was 41-30 Pacers with a time out called by Jay Triano.

Out of the time out Bosh feed it to Bargnani in the paint with the one handed hook shot that falls. But the Pacers were getting whatever they wanted on offense. The Pacers would keep on rolling and they had their largest lead of the night off a Granger score in the paint. It was a 14 point lead with the score 46-32 for Pacers. Jay Triano was desperate to make something happen and decided to go with the 3 big line-up as J.O checked in. The team would shift on defense to zone with the big line up. Raptors would cut the lead back down to 10 points. They had a chance to cut it to single digits but instead they would commit their 11 turnover of the night and we were just in the first half. Troy Murphy had an open look from the 3 point line that he would make. Indiana was up 51-38. But it was not done there they would make another 3 pointer to build the lead by even more. This was an ugly and pathetic effort on defense from the men in the red jerseys. The big three experiment was over and had little impact as Indiana was at the line and extended the lead to 14. The Raptors were getting beat down by a Pacer team that was second last in the East. Pacers would have a chance to extend the lead going in to the half but the would not be able to make it happen. Still after being tied after one the Pacers would be happy with a 56-42 lead. That is 36 points in the 2nd quarter for all of you math majors out their in Raptorland.

3rd Quarter

The 3rd quarter begins with a Jamario Moon air ball and that was not a good sign. A turnover after a rare missed Pacer trip. The Pacers would score the next time down. Andrea Bargnani would come down and make a 3 pointer that was historic. It was the 10 game in a row he had made multi-three pointers an NBA record for a center. Jarrett Jack would get a long pass after yet another Raptor turnover and it lead to the easy lay-up. It would get worse with a three pointer from Danny Granger and his team had it's largest lead of 19 points.

Raptors would get 3 straight points and pull back to down 66-49. I am going to be straight up honest this team was playing with no pride or heart what so ever. However The Pacers must have just been tired for a sec cause they were pack to scoring and build the lead back to it's highest point up 71-51. The lead was growing at an alarming rate with the score 75-51. Will Solomon would hit a 3 pointer just to prove the Raptors actually could get a basket. I mean when you work at this everyday and you really run out of words that speaks to how bad this is. Matt Devlin and Jack Armstrong on T.V and Paul and Eric on the Radio were earning their money on this night. Josh McRoberts would loose it and get a technical foul. Raptors were not getting much closer though as it was 81-59. Raptors offense was pathetic and the only thing worse was their defense. This game was starting to look like something you could see at your YMCA with guys jacking up shoots on both sides. I really feel for Jay Triano this had the same feeling as the game that cost Sam Mitchell his job in Denver. The main difference was the Nuggets just had more talent to run up the score. Danny Granger just may be an All Star this year and as much as it sucks to say it Chris Bosh may not be. Stephen Graham was out performing Joey Graham and man for man the Pacers were out playing the Raptors. T.J Ford would make a shot and it was 87-63 Pacers. The 3rd Quarter was finally over with the score Pacers 89 and Raptors 65. If you stopped reading and skipped to the end at this point I would understand. If I didn't have to write about the 4th quarter I would not. But hey, this is what makes you hardcore right? Or maybe it is insane, none the less it is only one more quarter to endure.

4th Quarter

Raptors were shooting a pathetic 36% from the field and deserved that beating they were getting. Chris Bosh never stops trying I will give him that. He got the first basket of the quarter for the Raptors. The Raptors actually started the quarter with the best effort of the night so far. But it was far to little and far to late. Despite the fact that the Raptors had pulled back to down 89-72. There was a lot of smack talking and why I am not sure. Pacers would get sucked into another stupid technical foul. Raptors had rolled off an 11-0 run and that was the good news. Here was the bad news. They were still down 13 points and most of the fans had long turned off their T.V sets if they had any good sense.

The Raptors if they had played anything close to the effort we had seen in the first 3 minutes of this quarter they may have had some chance to win this game. Greg Foster would end the 11-0 Toronto run with a easy drive to the basket and score. The Raptors have no hope so guess who has his game pick up? You know the answer it is Joey Graham with 8 points and 7 rebounds. Make it 8 and 8 for Joey. Bosh would get a couple baskets and he was having a solid 4th quarter as well. I still don't believe the Raptors can come back in this game. However they were not playing with the lack of pride and energy they had in the middle two quarters. To be fair the Raptors did a average job in the first quarter. Raptors had a 17-5 run going but still were down big with under 6 minutes to play down 94-82. Bargnani would make a 3 pointer and the Raptors got it to a single digit lead. But just when you may have started to believe Mike Dunleavy would hit a 3 pointer in response. Raptors still kept coming though. Parker would get a basket and Andrea Bargnani would make his way to the line. He could only split a pair. Raptors were down 98-89 with 4:11 to play. Parker would make a pair from the line and it was 98-91. T.J Ford checked back in got a steal and a score and the Indiana lead was back to 9. Jason Kapono hits a 3 pointer and the Raptor amazingly were down 100-94. They had taken a 24 point Pacer lead to start the quarter and chopped it down to 6 points. I feel bad now saying people should not have read the 4th quarter summary.

Andrea Bargnani would get fouled and would get a chance to get the Raptors even closer with 2:36 to play. He could only split a pair. Indiana had gone ice cold and a Jack miss gave Raps a chance to cut lead even more. But a turnover the 19th on the night would not be what was required. But the Pacers kept missing. Bosh would get to the line with 1:37 to play. He made both and if you can believe it this was a single possession basketball game. A Pacer turnover and the Raptors could tie it with a 3 pointer. I can not remember a more wacky basketball game in my life. One of the things Triano had done was put Parker in to play at the point guard and it was having success. Parker would make a jumper to cut the lead to 1 point with the score 100-99.

If the Raptors could pull this out it would be the biggest comeback in team history. Pacers had the ball with 57 seconds to play. A costly foul on Chris Bosh that would send Mike Dunleavy to the line for 3 free throws. It was a pump fake that Bosh bit on and he would pay the price. All 3 were made and the Raptors would get called for a travel by Jason Kapono and the dreams of a comeback were dying fast. Danny Granger making a shot would likely seal it as the Pacers now lead 105-99. It was a fitting game to mark the half way point of the season in a lot of ways. It was totally frustrating on so many levels. Much like the season to this point. Jason Kapono would hit a 3 pointer and the Raptors just would not go away. Forced to foul now the Raptors sent Jack to the line and he would make a pair with 19 seconds left. Kapono would miss another 3 pointer out of the time out and now I think we can safely say this game was done. It is just to strange for words what went on here. I mean the Raptors had a really brilliant 4th quarter. But that would be lost by the way the played in the first 3 quarters and most notable the second quarter that may have been on of the worst of the season that has seen a lot of them. Jarrett Jack would put this game on ice at the line. The Pacers get a big scare but hang on for the win. The final score was 111-104 for the Indiana Pacers and the Raptors fall 9 games below .500 on the year. Here is one of the more screwy boxscores you may every see in the NBA.

Pacers/Raps Boxscore

Things do not get any easier for Toronto as Steve Nash and Shaq who is looking a bit reborn of late come into Toronto for an Afternoon visit to the ACC. That is not going to be easy in any way shape or form. I am emotionally spent so that is it for me. I will try to get a blog up tomorrow as I am busy doing a Radio appearance for the guys on CJLO and Live Blogging to NCAA games on the Score. Duke and Georgetown and UNC vs Miami. You are welcome to pop by and say hello and start your scouting for the Raptors and your NCAA pool as well. Go to The Score website and click on LIVEBLOGS and you will see the games listed.

Raptors Need To Pick Up The Pace

Tonight's game against the Indiana Pacers will mark the half way point of the season. Some help in the form of Jermaine O'Neal.He is expected as he is going to make his return in the Raptors first visit to Indiana since the big off-season trade. It is safe to say both teams had a bit higher goals for the trade they made in the off-season. Both T.J Ford and Jermaine O'Neal have had to deal with injuries throughout the year. This latest injury for O'Neal has lead to the emergence of Andrea Bargnani. O'Neal stated yesterday that he will come of the bench as he makes his return. Jose Calderon is also making the trip but not expected to play. So for now everything is calm in Raptorland. Well except for the fact they sit in 12th place with the Bobcats and Pacers close behind. You hear a lot about how the Raptors schedule will turn for the better later in the year. That is the truth it is not an urban legend or myth. In fact a March 15th another match-up with The Pacers marks the last chance stand for the Raptors. In the last month of the season the Raptors have a legit chance to go 12-3. They have 10 of the last 15 games at home. It could set up a run to the playoffs like the Raptors put together behind the amazing play of Antonio Davis lead crew down the stretch in 2002. If memory serves me right that team won 16 of their last 17 games and did not clinch a play-off spot until the last day of the season.

So why mention this point now? It is January after all and if you need proof just step aside your front door if you live anywhere in Canada. Well if the Raptors were to lose tonight that would put the Raptors 9 games below .500. So basically consider that 9 games under .500 mark as like the Mendoza line. It is a baseball reference to Manny Mendoza was a baseball player that was an above average fielder who was a terrible hitter. In order to stay in the majors he was told he would have to hit at least a batting average of .200. So for the rest of this season 9 games under .500 is the Raptors Mendoza line. If the Raptors are not above or at that mark at March 15th it is pretty much all over. This only gets the Raptors to the .500 mark which hopefully would be good enough to make it in the East. Some will say that you can get in the playoffs with a under .500 mark but I am not willing to bank on that.

Don't Tell CB4 The Season Is Lost

Chris Bosh was asked yesterday something along the lines of most people thinking this was a lost season. He replied that he was glad none of those people play on this team. So I guess my 10-day contract with Raptors is not going to happen. But to be serious Bosh is right for whatever we as fans or the media may think it really only matters what the people inside that locker room think. If they thought like that the season truly would be over. If the Raptors are to get out of this hole they have created they will have to come together and dig out. They may need some help to do that in the form of a trade. However the Raptors can't sit back and wait for Bryan Colangelo to make something happen. While some have taken the Raptors struggles to point out the flaws of Chris Bosh. I will contend this is showing you what is best about Chris Bosh. He refuses to give in no matter the situation that is in front of him. The amount of respect I have for him as a player and a person can not be summed up in just written words.

People continue to speculate about the future for Bosh and what might happen in 2010. I think that people looking to that is unfortunate but understandable given this team and it's history. Chris Bosh is not like the people that have come before him. I think Chris Bosh has worked harder and done more to earn the respect of Raptor fans and the media. I don't think to many people were expecting when he was drafted that he one day would turn into the best player ever to wear a Raptor Jersey. Vince Carter had this honour and it seemed that he would hold that title for a long time to come. Bosh is not as flash or athletic as Carter. However Carter is not the hard worker and mentally tough competitor that Chris Bosh it. I have no doubt that a number 4 will one day hang in the ACC rafters and be the first number to hang there. It will represent how far the kid from just outside as Dallas as come. Maybe I am idealistic in thinking the Chris Bosh will not stop writing his Raptor story in 2010. But I have faith in Chris Bosh and believe that he is different from the others. Faith in anyone is hard to have and it is the ultimate form of trust you can put in someone. People wonder why people still boo Vince Carter. I never do because it is pretty simple when it comes right down to it. He shattered the faith that people put in him. That is something that you do not get over quickly if at all.

Court Surfing In The Dino Nation Blog - D.J Bennett

Part of why the Dino Nation Blog signed up to be part of The Score.com Sports Federation was to hopefully have some more guests from The Score to call on to be guests here. I felt it could add to what is an already impressive line up of guests we have the fortune to talk with on a regular basis. We had Sherman Hamilton visit just before the time the Sports Fed got rolling. Now I am adding some more folks to the roster. D.J Bennett is part of Court Surfing on The Score. He along with Randy Urban host the live blog that goes along with the show. They also do some video hits on The Score.com on the Raptors and The NBA. I have referenced them a couple of times in the past. I often try to pop in and take part in the live blogs and get in on the conversation. So I decided to offer him and Randy an invite to visit my world. Today I talked with D.J about the Raptors and the first half of the season in the Starting 5. Given the topic it is far longer then 5 minutes but hopefully it is worth the extra time. Besides the Starting 5 has never hit 5 minutes yet with any guest. But it is a cool title and why change it. So have a listen as we look back and forward on a Raptor season that has not gone as it was advertised.

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There was more to our conversation that you will be able to read about on Sunday or Monday. The focus of that Conversation looks at the NBA as a whole. D.J gives some of his picks for NBA awards at the half way mark. So you can look for that then. Randy his partner in crime will be visiting sometime next week. The plan is to have them pop in and visit from time to time. It is always great to have more guests and a variety of opinions. I think it is part of what makes the Dino Nation Blog what it is. Everyone has different takes on this great game of basketball and it is cool to hear as many as we can.

So that is all for today. Later tonight you can see the Raptor Rewind back in it's normal format. Pacers and Raptors from Indiana. Should be fun.