This might be a wet blanket on what was a great win for the Raptors against the Magic. However the Cavs lost to the Wizards last night. Is anyone saying that the Wizards have finally got it? Is there talk that their interim coach will return next year? That being said the Wizards actually have Gilbert Arenas back and he had 11 points and 10 assists. You have to wonder why the heck Arenas is playing in these games down the stretch for the Wizards. But the point is the Cavs should crush Wizards with or without Gilbert. So the Raptors win over the Magic could be considered a bump in the road and the fact the Raps actually split with the Magic on the season a strange thing. Not unlike how the Bobcats always seem to have the Lakers number. The Raptors winning 5 in a row is nothing to get that excited about though. It has just allowed people to try to put a positive spin on an ugly season but I am not buying in. Raptors are already starting drop in the lottery standings. They passed the Knicks who have been in a free fall of late. A few weeks ago the Knicks still have a outside shot at the playoffs. Those days are long gone. But if the Raptors keep winning there are other teams like the Pacers, Bucks and others they could pass and decrease their odds in the lottery. I am not a big fan of cheering for a team to lose. However when you consider that this team is more than likely going to get a huge overhaul in the off-season, it is not like the Raptors can build off this heading into next season really.
It is becoming increasing likely that Jay Triano will remain and that is shocking for most fans. When you listen lately though a lot of folks are drinking the Kool Aid about Triano. I am not among them. This win streak at the end of the year should not impact on how you feel about Jay. He took over a team that was 1 game below .500 and that would be likely good enough to make the playoffs. No need to list all the excuses as to why Triano has been let off the hook by most of the media and Bryan Colangelo. Injuries, a major trade and a new system. I get all of that. However despite all of that Jay Triano is part of the organization and has been part of the culture of this team. I think that is not a good thing. Raptors need someone that will have a new prospective and push this team to perform when it matters. I just think this team needs a new prospective from someone who is an outsider. Someone who is not committed to pushing that Jose Calderon is the greatest thing since sliced bread. Someone that has not watched Chris Bosh grow to the point he is at. Someone that can come in and shake up this team. Triano through no fault of his own can not offer any of that. If he had been successful I would not feel this is required. However he has not been. I am a huge supporter of anything Canadian and that includes Jay. However I am not willing to ignore his record and because he is Canadian just look the other way. I just can't do it as much as part of me would really like to do it. I hope if Jay remains he can prove me wrong. However I am not feeling optimistic that he can.
I would thing that part of the sell job in keeping Triano will be a re-tooling of the coaching staff. That could see both Alex English and Mike Evans shown the door. That would leave a spot open to bring in Mark Ivaroni as the lead assistant and perhaps coach in waiting if Triano fails. It has long been rumoured that Colangelo is a big supporter of Ivaroni and if Ivaroni is not able to find a head coaching job this would be the next best thing. Given what he did in Memphis I am guessing the people will not be pounding on his door to offer him a head coaching job. He was in town already under the guides of being a consultant. Ironically the Raptors started winning. I am not sure if that means anything at all other than it is ironic.
On of the things I admired about Sam Mitchell was he would never allow anyone on his clubs to use injuries as an excuse. Yet since his departure it has been excuses of injuries and lots of other ones that have been made to justify a horrible season. There is no excuses that I will accept. Jose Calderon has been playing through injury through out the season and people say now he is healthy and that is the real Jose we see now. Here is also the real Jose that he played through an injury that he should not have. It was a bad choice by him and this team. It made his injury worse and it cost this team. I can hear people screaming at me for that. However I am not blaming Jose totally for this in fact he is not the major person I blame on this issue. Bryan Colangelo is the one I blame. He failed to address the back-up point guard position and that leads to all the issues at least in part. Calderon was over used and coming off an Olympics that he was injured in as well. To enter this season expecting Will Solomon and Roko Ukic to be the back-up for a guy in his first year as a starter coming off an injury was a major blunder. In fact main will point to the Jermaine O'Neal trade as the biggest mistake Colangelo made this season. No doubt it was a bust of a move. However the lack of a true legit back-up point guard was just as big a mistake for this team. Jose Calderon despite how some view him is not immortal and not able to leap buildings in a single bound. He can dunk a basketball though...who knew? Colangelo gambled far to much on Calderon and it cost him greatly. People will pump up Jose as this all-star in waiting heading into next season and I remain unconvinced of that. He is a good to great point guard that has skills. That being said he is not a stand alone play 35-40 minutes guy. So is Roko ready next season to fill that role as back up? If not Colangelo needs to find a legit point guard to play behind Jose. That is assuming that Calderon is back which is likely a safe bet as well. That being said the Suns not making the playoffs could present an option to have Steve Nash be moved. Colangelo no doubt will have some interest in that. You would think. Jose Calderon is not as good as Steve Nash and likely never will be. But Nash only has a few years left in the tank. It would be an interesting choice if it ends up on Colangelo's desk.
You also have the future of Bosh that will be determined. If he is traded this team clearly will be totally different and likely not for the better in the short term. The fact Bosh made a comment on the future of Jay Triano is a bit of a sign that Bosh expects to be back next year perhaps. However if he is not in it for the long haul it would seem highly unlikely that he will remain. Colangelo without a long term agreement with Bosh at least in principal if not in writing it would not seem likely that Colangelo would not move him. In fact it would be insane for him to do that.
You also have lots of other questions on this roster. Shawn Marion at the top of that list. Do the Raptors want to keep him? But more importantly does he even want to stay at all. The pay cut for Marion is going to be large and you would think that if he is going to take that hit he would rather do that on a contender. However the Raptors will have money to spend. At the very least a sign and trade for Marion is a likely outcome that could happen. Joey Graham and Pops Mensah-Bonsu as well as a returning Carlos Delfino(??) would all be restricted free agents as well. Pops seems a lock to be back if the Raptors can get him on a reasonable deal. Colangelo said he would be interested in bringing back Delfino as well. Joey Graham of the 3 is likely the odd man out. That will disappoint the Joey Graham fan base but it likely makes the best sense. Anthony Parker has expressed he is willing to stay in Toronto. However do the Raptors want him to remain? Should they? Great guy that A.P is the answer seems likely no. He is a free agent and could go where ever he likes. Unlike Marion he would not command the dollars that would make a sign and trade an option with him.
The worst case scenario for the Raptors is that they take to much from this late season push and think it means something. This team needs change. Colangelo is smart enough to know that and I hope will be at his best this off season. It is clear he will need to be. The returning of Jay Triano is far less of a concern the more new faces he would see at his first training camp. If he returns it could be a sign that major change to the roster is on the way. Even if the Raps roll off 6,7 and dare I say 8 wins in a row it will not change anything. It will just give fuel for supporters of a Triano return and offer excuses for the people that choose to make excuses for this team. There is not excuse that can explain this season away. There just isn't.
4/1/09
Raptors Rewind- Drink The Kool Aid Edition
It has been awhile since we had a Raptors Rewind. My work schedule has not exactly made it easy. Besides the fact that anything you read should be taken with a grain of salt. Raptors are hot and burning up ping pong balls at an alarming rate. Winners of 4 straight games. But this has to come to an end against Orlando right? The second best team in the east and they had already lost to the Raptors. So there is no way they would look ahead to the Cavs game would they? Stan Van Gundy would freak out if that were to happen. However thanks to TSN2 I am watching a replay of the game and no what happened. I listened to Paul and Eric on the radio. But I need to see it for my own eyes to believe it. Raptors after this one face Knicks in a back to back and it is hard to think they will not be competitive against them. If they were to sweep that home and home that would be bad news as it would advance them ahead of the The Knicks in the standings but would fall behind them in the Lottery Standings and those are the ones that count. Can the Raptors do anything right this year? Even when they win they are shooting themselves in the foot. People are buying into the mirage. Colangelo was on the radio and pretty much without saying it endorsed Jay Triano for coming back next season. I am total against that. I don't care if the Raptors don't lose another game all year. Unless the plan is to gut this team I can not imagine Jay Triano remaining. Even Bosh has endorsed him. I don't get it. Sam Mitchell was a game under .500 and fired and Jay Triano has a record far below .500 and he gets a contract? Say what? This game will make you say that as well. What the heck is going on. I happy the team is playing better but it just does not matter. I mean that is the reality and ping pong balls have more value than W's. You may not like to hear that but that is the reality. That being said I am pulling for the Raptors to be the bridesmaid in the lottery. I am even more for that as Colangelo without saying his name basically suggested that Blake Griffin would be the Raptors pick if they selected number 1. Not down with that at all. Thabeet is the guy and he would be there at 2 and maybe 3. But at the rate the Raps are going there chances of winning the Lottery will be as good as mind winning the Super 7. Time for basketball from Orlando.1st Quarter
Magic win the tip and away we go. They go right to Superman inside for 2. A steal and a Rafer Alston lay up and the beating was on? Andrea Bargnani would make a jumper for 2. Great ball movement leads to a Marion lay-up. Rafer Alston the former rap with a 3 ball. Bosh answers with 2 on the other end. Bosh making a stop on other end getting a piece of a Lewis shot. Bargnani with a score answered by a Superman jam and it has 9-8 Magic. A.P would give the Raps the lead with a score. Howard would answer again and put the Magic back up 1. Jose Calderon is good on his first shot of the night. Lewis the score and was fouled but missed the and 1. Defense was a rumour in Orlando. Dwight Howard with a block but it was goaltending on the Marion shot. Marion would score again of his own steal on the defensive end. Bosh feeds Bargnani for a jam. Raptors lead 18-14 and this was shocking to say the least. I am very high on the Magic and a Raptor win over this team is no joke. Unlike the last 4 games that beyond the Bulls win could be considered that.
Dwight Howard is not good on a curling hook shoot. Bosh would also have troubles on the offensive end. Bosh lays the wood to Courtney Lee sending him to the line. He makes both shots at the line and the Raps lead is 2. Magic would tie it up at 18 and have a chance to take the lead. Howard looked to tear the Rim down with a dunk but a foul and no finish on the dunk. He would split a pair at the line. Andrea Bargnani would hit a jumper to but the Raps back in front. Shawn Marion would follow that up with a score. Howard would respond with 2 points. Calderon with a nice drive and reverse lay-up. Pietrus has an answer for that and this was an entertaining game in Orlando early. Bargnani good for a pair at the line. Raps lead it still 26-23. Raptors continue to hang to the lead. Dwight Howard thought he tied it up with a dunk but instead he had a foul. Magic missed another chance to tie it up. The score remained 28-26 for the men in black. Calderon money at the line makes it a 4 point Raptor lead. Hedo would cut the lead back to two points. Joey G showing some point guard like skills before hitting a jumper. Making the score 32-28 Raptors. Calderon would be long on a jumper and Parker chuck at the buzzer both do not fall. So Score remains 32-28 for the Raps after one.
2nd Quarter.
Roko Ukic in to start the second and would pick up a quick foul on a reach in. Pops got rejected by Gortat. Both teams were struggling to fine a basket after shooting the lights out in the first quarter. Anthony Johnson would finally open the scoring in the second with a basket. Pops would pick up a foul and Hedo would have a chance to tie the game at 32 after a time out. Hedo would make a pair and it was all tied at 32. Jason Kapono would break the tie quickly with a basket in response. Bosh would eventually get a basket from Bosh showing good hustle and leading by 4. Hedo was back at the line and this time splits a pair. Bosh with a nice score the other way and Raptors lead was 5. Roko would miss a lay-up that could have made the lead 7. Johnson would hit a 3 ball on other end and instead of a 7 point lead it was a 2 point lead like that.
Lewis missed on a 3 that would have given the Magic the lead. Shawn Marion with a huge throw down on the other end. Lewis would not miss a second 3 ball as he hit it this time.Jose Calderon doing a good job on D. Did I just say that ? I thought April Fool's end at noon. But he serious did do a nice job and set Johnson up to take a charge. Raps could not take advantage of the extra possession though. Dwight Howard would slam it home to give the Magic the lead. Rafer Alston would add to the lead with a 2 point effort. Some end to end play would end with a CB4 dunk. Howard and Marion would exchange baskets. Marion would rebound a Magic miss and Raps would have a chance to take the lead back. Bosh would miss on a fading jumper and fail to give the Raps the lead. Howard would have a shot fall out and Bargnani would put the Raps in from with a jumper for 2. Howard would get fouled and sent to the line. He would make both to but the Magic back in front. Calderon with the drive and score and Raps were up 1. Hedo would return serve with a score. Bosh would get called for a foul on Howard. But Dwight would miss the first of his 2. He would make the second and we were all tied at 48. Joey Graham would get a score plus a foul but he would not convert that and 1. Magic would score to tie at 50. Parker would hit a 3 ball. Gortat would answer with 2. Raptors lead at the half was 1 with the score 53-52.
3rd Quarter
Raps blazing the nets shooting 51.1% at the half. Bosh missed Shawn Marion on a pass and the Magic convert the turnover into 2 points. Bosh would make up for miscue by making a jumper. Andrea Bargnani would pick up his 3rd foul and that was not good as Bargnani had a solid first half. Bosh on the same possession would get called for a foul as well. All tied at 55 when Rafer Alston would break that tie with a basket. Bargnani would respond and even the score once more. Marion would also pick up his 3rd foul. He to was having a good night and this was a growing concern. A Marion miss on offense and Lewis made the Raps pay with a 3 ball from the corner. Bosh would make a jumper to pull the Raps to down just 1. Lewis would turnover the ball on a travel. Marion would get fouled and head to the line. He would split a pair and we were tied at 60.
Bosh would get called for his 3rd foul and now Marion, Bosh and Bargnani all had 3 fouls. Lewis would fire up an air ball and Raps had a chance to take the lead. But the could no deliver. The would get another chance as Lee would miss a 3 from the corner. Anthony Parker shows him how it is done making a 3 from his office. Howard would draw the 4th on Andrea as he would score and make the and 1 foul. Tied at 63 with Bargnani replaced by Jake Voskhul. Bosh would hit on a jumper to give the Raps the lead back at 65-63.
Lewis was hot and cold in this quarter. Hot on this latest effort from behind the arc and Magic take the lead. Howard was back at the line fouled by Jake Voskhul. Raps did not like the call. But no worries Dwight went 0-2 and the Magic lead remained at just 1. Calderon would hit on a 3 pointer set up by Joey Graham off an offensive board. Jake Voskhul would get another foul and the Magic were in the bonus. Dwight was only good on one of two. Calderon would score on the following possession and the Raptors lead it 70-67. Parker with a steal and he gave it to Marion on the break for a dunk. Another steal off a pass in for Dwight Howard that would be stolen and lead to another Marion dunk in transition. Raptors leading 74-67 late in the 3rd quarter. Stan Van Gundy was not a happy man. Not that he ever is that happy. But trailing to the Raptors this late was not a good thing for the Magic trying to secure 2nd in the East over Boston.The Jake Voskhul foul total climbed to 3. This time he whacked Hedo who made both his free throws. Calderon makes the basket and is fouled by Anthony Johnson. Calderon is as money as it gets at the line and he would be on the and 1. Calderon on the next possession would hit a 3 and the Raptors led 80-69. Howard with a slam and Magic cut the Raptors largest lead of 11 down to just 7. Voskhul would miss on a very long jumper at the buzzer of the third. Raptors would take an 80-73 lead into the 4th Quarter.
4th Quarter
Raps had done a good job guarding the arc as the Magic were just 5 of 17 from behind the 3 point line. Jason Kapono would open the scoring in the 4th. The lead was back up to 9. Andrea Bargnani was back in but not for long as he picked up his 5th foul. Triano did not like the call and neither did Jack Armstrong. However regardless of the Hedo would take and make 2. Bargnani would take a seat on the bench. Bosh a score and Hedo would answer that with a 3 ball. Raptors lead had been cut to 84-78. Jason Kapono would bounce it off his foot and a turnover. Hedo Turkoglu would take advantage with the score plus a foul shot that he would make. The Raptors lead was just 84-81. Bosh would hit a jump shot over Dwight Howard and Raps lead was back up to 5.
Dwight Howard was back at the line yet again. He would split two on this latest trip to the line. Bosh had it stolen away and on the offensive trip Howard would be fouled again and back to the line we go. Howard 1 of 2 again and Raptors lead 86-83. Howard was fouled by Andrea Bargnani who has just checked back in with 5 fouls and he was out before you noticed he was back. Howard would go 0 for 2 at line. Kapono would nail a jumper for 2. Pietrus a long miss for them Magic.Bosh would miss on a jumper over Howard and the score remained 86-83 for the Raptors. Someone else actually go to line for Orlando. Think it was Pietrus but regardless of who it was they split a pair. A steal and Magic would get an Alston basket and the lead was. Bosh would have a turnover and Magic has a chance to tie or take the lead and the Magic would miss on 3 ball. Raps lead was 88-86 and Joey G was at the line looking to add to that lead. He would make both and it was 90-86. Lewis for 3 from the corner on the Alston feed.
Bosh another turnover and it was the Magic charging down just one and they would have a chance to take the lead after a time out with the score 90-89 for the Raptors. Lewis would take a 3 ball and miss it. Graham a long miss and a foul on Rafer Alston on the miss. Bosh would draw a foul as the possession would continue. Bosh had not been to the line all game. He would make bith and Raps lead was 92-89. Lewis with a solid fake and it would lead to a wide open lane and drive for a slam for him. Calderon would answer that and Howard would answer the answer. It was 94-93 Raptors as Bosh would draw a foul and head to the line. Bosh would make a pair with 50 seconds left and the Raptors up 96-93. A foul on Calderon would send Hedo to the line. He would make a pair and it was 96-95 Raptors. Calderon would have it knocked out of bounds with 8 left on the shot clock. Bosh would make a very long jumper for 2 on the inbound play. Raps lead was 98-95. Magic had 23 seconds left and Lewis would get a wide open look for 3 but it would not fall. Marion would get fouled and head to the line he miss both at the line. But the ball would end up in the hands of Joey Graham who would be fouled. Joey missed the first but mad the second and that was it. Raptors take this one 99-95.
So a huge quality win and the Raptors win streak grows to 5 games. That being said it is killing there odds in the NBA Lotto. Raptors look like a different team from the one that got cruised in back to back games by the Bobcats. That being said the Bobcats also beat the Lakers and on this night lost a game to the Celtics by just 2 points. However it is all kind of frustrating to watch this team play well at this point. There is no way they did not get the best punch of the Bulls and Magic in the last 2 games. The happy basketball boxscore below:
Raptors/Magic Boxscore
So bring on the Knicks and watch ping pong balls go up in smoke as the Raptors play the Knicks in a Saturday and Sunday back to back.
Birth Of Bobcat Nation and Bobcat Blogger....
I took yesterday off and reflected about this. I decided the heck with it. Chris Bosh endorsing Jay Triano was the last straw. I am becoming the Bobcat Blogger. The Dino Blogger is DEAD. So is the Dino Nation Blog. This season has been a joke. I can actually see more Bobcat games than I can Raptor Games. Another TSN 2 classic for all you Raptor Fans out there. Bosh is as good as gone. Jose Calderon is just not someone I like. I will take the future of D.J Augstin over Jose Calderon's any day of the week. The Bobcats have Gerald Wallace they don't have to dream about having him. They also have Raja Bell and Boris Diaw from a very smart trade. I am not sure the name of the Bobcats G.M but hey I will learn. Bryan Colangelo has been a huge disappointment. I am just done with this team. Thanks Raptors it has been a fun ride. Well it really hasn't I endured having my hopes dashed by this team since 1995. So thanks for nothing. I suggest you all do the same and find a new team to get behind because this thing is never going to be right in Toronto.
So I am beating Bosh and getting out of town while I can. Sure it will mean some extra work and building a new audience and all of that. But at least I will have hope again. The Bobcats beat the L.A Lakers when is the last time the Raptors did that? In fact the Bobcats have a winning record in their history vs the Lakers. Kobe is not scoring 81 on them is he?
Wait a second I have an email I need to read. Oh this is big!!! It says today is April 1st and this is April Fool's Edition of the Dino Nation Blog.
That is true about Bosh endorsing Triano that was strange. If Bosh truly thinks he is leaving why would he bother endorsing Triano. Just saying that does not make a lot of sense. I am deeply concerned about this team's future but I will go down with the ship if need be. The Raptors no doubt need a face lift. I do admit that I am pulling for the Bobcats. I don't think I can live with Chuck Swirsky making the playoffs and not me. Bobcat fans could become huge Raptor fans as the Raptors will close out this season against that Bulls. Chuck got to meet Barack Obama that is better than your team making the playoffs.
For the Raptors when you look at the off season Bryan Colangelo has a lot of work to do. Here is the Bryan Colangelo to do list.
1. Determine the Future of CB4
2. Draft an impact player regardless of position
3. Free Agent and Restricted Free Agents to decide about ( Anthony Parker, Shawn Marion, Pops Mensah-Bonsu, Joey Graham, Carlos Delfino[Raps Still own his restricted rights in NBA]
4. Who is the coach? Is it really Triano? If it is does the staff survive?
5. Target Free Agents that can have an impact.
6. Make a major trade to find an impact defender.
That is a lot to do and there is likely more than that but hey it will make the summer a lot more interesting for the Raptors. This is the most important off season in the the history of this team. The truth about why there was no blog yesterday? Well my mother is having some minor eye surgery and I needed to do some things for her so she was all set for that. I also had not had a true day off in months so I decided that I deserved one. So if things are a little out of whack for the next few days that is why. March Madness has also had a major impact on the Dino Nation Blog as well. However college basketball is important as this is going to be a huge draft for the Raptors. There are a lot of guys that have major question marks. So we will see. That is all for today. I wonder how many people were buying that first bit? Did I get anyone? Leave a comment and let me know.
So I am beating Bosh and getting out of town while I can. Sure it will mean some extra work and building a new audience and all of that. But at least I will have hope again. The Bobcats beat the L.A Lakers when is the last time the Raptors did that? In fact the Bobcats have a winning record in their history vs the Lakers. Kobe is not scoring 81 on them is he?
Wait a second I have an email I need to read. Oh this is big!!! It says today is April 1st and this is April Fool's Edition of the Dino Nation Blog.
That is true about Bosh endorsing Triano that was strange. If Bosh truly thinks he is leaving why would he bother endorsing Triano. Just saying that does not make a lot of sense. I am deeply concerned about this team's future but I will go down with the ship if need be. The Raptors no doubt need a face lift. I do admit that I am pulling for the Bobcats. I don't think I can live with Chuck Swirsky making the playoffs and not me. Bobcat fans could become huge Raptor fans as the Raptors will close out this season against that Bulls. Chuck got to meet Barack Obama that is better than your team making the playoffs.
For the Raptors when you look at the off season Bryan Colangelo has a lot of work to do. Here is the Bryan Colangelo to do list.
1. Determine the Future of CB4
2. Draft an impact player regardless of position
3. Free Agent and Restricted Free Agents to decide about ( Anthony Parker, Shawn Marion, Pops Mensah-Bonsu, Joey Graham, Carlos Delfino[Raps Still own his restricted rights in NBA]
4. Who is the coach? Is it really Triano? If it is does the staff survive?
5. Target Free Agents that can have an impact.
6. Make a major trade to find an impact defender.
That is a lot to do and there is likely more than that but hey it will make the summer a lot more interesting for the Raptors. This is the most important off season in the the history of this team. The truth about why there was no blog yesterday? Well my mother is having some minor eye surgery and I needed to do some things for her so she was all set for that. I also had not had a true day off in months so I decided that I deserved one. So if things are a little out of whack for the next few days that is why. March Madness has also had a major impact on the Dino Nation Blog as well. However college basketball is important as this is going to be a huge draft for the Raptors. There are a lot of guys that have major question marks. So we will see. That is all for today. I wonder how many people were buying that first bit? Did I get anyone? Leave a comment and let me know.
3/30/09
4 In A Row...Oh No!!!
The Raptors are playing basketball at a high level of late....kinda. They have won 4 in a row and 5 of last 7. The most impressive of that was the win yesterday versus the Bulls. It was a game that was much like a lot of others we have seen through out the season. The difference is after blowing a large lead and being pushed to overtime the Raptors did not fold. They won the game. Jose Calderon tied a record for assists in a single game. Shawn Marion has come to life in last few games as well. I admit because of work commitments for The Score I only caught the end of this game.
Recap- Bulls/Raps
Bulls/Raps Boxscore
That being said every win for the Raptors down this stretch run really means less ping pong balls and that is about all. I don't think anyone thinks the team we see on the floor will be back together next year. However it would seem that Jay Triano just might be and I don't know if I am cool with that. I understand that there are lots of reasons you can give for why Jay Triano can not be held responsible for things. He never had a training camp, the team made a major trade and had a major shift in the way they play. All that being said it really doesn't matter to me. Jay has been a loyal employee of the Raptors for years as an assistant. However this team needs someone that has not been around to shake this thing up. I just can't see how you as Bryan Colangelo can stand up there and say Jay Triano is the coach of the Toronto Raptors for 2009/2010. This latest winning streak is not reason to keep Jay around. When you look at the possibilities out there for coaches there are a lot of candidates that I would be interested in having a look at. The top of my list is Eddie Jordan. I find it hard to believe that if you conduct a full search and look for a new head coach at the end of that you say Jay Triano is the best candidate.
Every since that off court non-sense had hit the public Chris Bosh has been playing like the old CB4. Is that a shock? Not for me. The basketball court can be a place for Bosh to just focus on the game. The fact that people now understand what has been on Chris Bosh's head all year you can see why things have been the way they have for him. If Jose Calderon can get a pass from a lot of folks for being injured and not 100% physically. You would have to give Bosh that same pass for despite what anyone says not being 100% right mentally. Who can blame him.
When it comes to Calderon I really am not sure what to think anymore. I just do not know what the deal is with him. It was mentioned above the injuries. You could say that if you are a Calderon fan that he has just not been healthy all year and now you are seeing the true Jose Calderon. That could indeed be true. However I am just not sure if the answer is as simple as all of that. I guess when all is said and done the answer will be found next season. I can not imagine the Raptors will agree with me and decide to trade Calderon. However if they were going to and he finishes the season strong you could certainly get some value for him. That same sales pitch that is being made Calderon fans and the organization to trade him. Would Steve Kerr buy that? He was convinced that Shaq had life left in him so I am thinking selling a Jose Calderon would be a much easier sell. I still believe that Steve Nash even at his advanced age is a better option for the Raptors in the short term for the Raptors. I also think he can turn Roko Ukic into a solid option for the long term. You are already starting to see signs in Roko that he could be much better moving forward. But why waste time talking about it the Raptors are not going to do it. I just can't imagine it happening.
So down this stretch run it is hard to say what it is made of what happens. However not matter what does it does not change anything about this team other than where they could select in the draft. Less ping pong balls and all of that. The key for everyone from fans to Bryan Colangelo it is important to remember the 65 plus games that came before this little run at the end of the season. The Raptors will face two really good basketball teams down the stretch in the Magic and Hawks. Do not get fooled by what you see down the stretch. This team is the team there record says they are and that is a team that is not good enough.
Part of me wants to be excited and enjoy the Raptors finally playing well. But I just can't let myself do it. If this team was in a playoff run the entire blog would likely be written about the TSN2 mess. That is because 2 of the next 3 games wind up on the deuce. So even if you have got excited about this run by the Raptors you will be forced to find TSN 2 by any means necessary to continue to watch. It has been the other thing that has endured through this lousy season and it is annoying and frustrating. I have talked about it a ton of times and really have nothing new to add about it. However the reaction of Richard Peddie said it all to me. I wrote a whole blog about it and you can look it up if you missed it with the search engine over on the right. There just really is no way to create a happy ending to this lousy season.
Recap- Bulls/Raps
Bulls/Raps Boxscore
That being said every win for the Raptors down this stretch run really means less ping pong balls and that is about all. I don't think anyone thinks the team we see on the floor will be back together next year. However it would seem that Jay Triano just might be and I don't know if I am cool with that. I understand that there are lots of reasons you can give for why Jay Triano can not be held responsible for things. He never had a training camp, the team made a major trade and had a major shift in the way they play. All that being said it really doesn't matter to me. Jay has been a loyal employee of the Raptors for years as an assistant. However this team needs someone that has not been around to shake this thing up. I just can't see how you as Bryan Colangelo can stand up there and say Jay Triano is the coach of the Toronto Raptors for 2009/2010. This latest winning streak is not reason to keep Jay around. When you look at the possibilities out there for coaches there are a lot of candidates that I would be interested in having a look at. The top of my list is Eddie Jordan. I find it hard to believe that if you conduct a full search and look for a new head coach at the end of that you say Jay Triano is the best candidate.
Every since that off court non-sense had hit the public Chris Bosh has been playing like the old CB4. Is that a shock? Not for me. The basketball court can be a place for Bosh to just focus on the game. The fact that people now understand what has been on Chris Bosh's head all year you can see why things have been the way they have for him. If Jose Calderon can get a pass from a lot of folks for being injured and not 100% physically. You would have to give Bosh that same pass for despite what anyone says not being 100% right mentally. Who can blame him.
When it comes to Calderon I really am not sure what to think anymore. I just do not know what the deal is with him. It was mentioned above the injuries. You could say that if you are a Calderon fan that he has just not been healthy all year and now you are seeing the true Jose Calderon. That could indeed be true. However I am just not sure if the answer is as simple as all of that. I guess when all is said and done the answer will be found next season. I can not imagine the Raptors will agree with me and decide to trade Calderon. However if they were going to and he finishes the season strong you could certainly get some value for him. That same sales pitch that is being made Calderon fans and the organization to trade him. Would Steve Kerr buy that? He was convinced that Shaq had life left in him so I am thinking selling a Jose Calderon would be a much easier sell. I still believe that Steve Nash even at his advanced age is a better option for the Raptors in the short term for the Raptors. I also think he can turn Roko Ukic into a solid option for the long term. You are already starting to see signs in Roko that he could be much better moving forward. But why waste time talking about it the Raptors are not going to do it. I just can't imagine it happening.
So down this stretch run it is hard to say what it is made of what happens. However not matter what does it does not change anything about this team other than where they could select in the draft. Less ping pong balls and all of that. The key for everyone from fans to Bryan Colangelo it is important to remember the 65 plus games that came before this little run at the end of the season. The Raptors will face two really good basketball teams down the stretch in the Magic and Hawks. Do not get fooled by what you see down the stretch. This team is the team there record says they are and that is a team that is not good enough.
Part of me wants to be excited and enjoy the Raptors finally playing well. But I just can't let myself do it. If this team was in a playoff run the entire blog would likely be written about the TSN2 mess. That is because 2 of the next 3 games wind up on the deuce. So even if you have got excited about this run by the Raptors you will be forced to find TSN 2 by any means necessary to continue to watch. It has been the other thing that has endured through this lousy season and it is annoying and frustrating. I have talked about it a ton of times and really have nothing new to add about it. However the reaction of Richard Peddie said it all to me. I wrote a whole blog about it and you can look it up if you missed it with the search engine over on the right. There just really is no way to create a happy ending to this lousy season.
3/29/09
What Does It All Mean The Rest Of The Way?
Despite getting revenge on Thunder and a 3 game winning streak for the third time all year. But with the Raptors on the verge of mathematical elimination does it matter at all? In fact are we not just costing ourselves ping pong balls with every win the rest on the way in these last 10 games? It is enough to drive you crazy. Add in the fact this team we see now is likely nothing like the one that takes the floor next year. Jose Calderon has decided to play out of his mind to a point. All this being said check the schedule and look at the teams the Raps have been beating not exactly a list of the NBA Elite there.
The Raptors take on a Bulls team this afternoon that is playing for something. That will be a true test. The Bulls have won 4 straight and emerged from a sea of mediocrity at the bottom of the East to claim the final playoff spot. We often make a big deal about trade deadline. Not has much as the folks in hockey do but still it is viewed as significant in the NBA. However it is rare when you find a team that actually takes deadline moves and dramatically change their outlook. The Bulls in getting John Salmons ( remember him the guy that said God told him to go to the Kings and ditched the Raps) and Brad Miller have truly made a difference for the Bulls. If not for those moves the Bulls likely are not going to the playoff Derrick Rose or not. It was a long fall from a team that not that long ago was considered on the verge of being a contender in the Eastern Conference. The Bulls have moved on from that disappoint with some good fortune in the lottery and are looking to climb the mountain back to respectability.
The Raptors much like the Bulls of last season have a similar story. They were full of expectations heading into this season only to see this team crash to the bottom of the Eastern Conference. In my recent interview with Adnan Virk he talked about how quickly you can recover in the sport of basketball. I agree with that statement. Basketball is a team sport but it only takes a few individuals to come along to change a team dramatically. There is a lesson for the Raptors in what the Bulls have done. You can not over react to the failure. Changes need to be made for sure. However you must pick yourself up and dust yourself off and start to climb the mountain again.
Lots of people are suggesting that the Raptors need a complete face lift at this point. The may not need a face lift as much as they need a make over. There is a difference and the Bulls are a great example of that.
The Raptors take on a Bulls team this afternoon that is playing for something. That will be a true test. The Bulls have won 4 straight and emerged from a sea of mediocrity at the bottom of the East to claim the final playoff spot. We often make a big deal about trade deadline. Not has much as the folks in hockey do but still it is viewed as significant in the NBA. However it is rare when you find a team that actually takes deadline moves and dramatically change their outlook. The Bulls in getting John Salmons ( remember him the guy that said God told him to go to the Kings and ditched the Raps) and Brad Miller have truly made a difference for the Bulls. If not for those moves the Bulls likely are not going to the playoff Derrick Rose or not. It was a long fall from a team that not that long ago was considered on the verge of being a contender in the Eastern Conference. The Bulls have moved on from that disappoint with some good fortune in the lottery and are looking to climb the mountain back to respectability.
The Raptors much like the Bulls of last season have a similar story. They were full of expectations heading into this season only to see this team crash to the bottom of the Eastern Conference. In my recent interview with Adnan Virk he talked about how quickly you can recover in the sport of basketball. I agree with that statement. Basketball is a team sport but it only takes a few individuals to come along to change a team dramatically. There is a lesson for the Raptors in what the Bulls have done. You can not over react to the failure. Changes need to be made for sure. However you must pick yourself up and dust yourself off and start to climb the mountain again.
Lots of people are suggesting that the Raptors need a complete face lift at this point. The may not need a face lift as much as they need a make over. There is a difference and the Bulls are a great example of that.
3/27/09
Thunder Rolls Into Toronto
This has been a season with a lot of low points. One of the lowest came on December 19th. Sam Mitchell was still the coach of the Raptors. They would roll into Oklahoma City for the start of a 6 game road trip that would extend through the Christmas Holidays. Raptors needed to get their road trip off to a good start after blowing a game to the Celtics and coming off a lose to the Mavs. We all know what happened. The Thunder who at the time had just 2 wins would defeat the Raptors. It was a loss that many felt was based on a total lack of effort on behalf of the Raptors. Sam Mitchell would no survive that road trip as another awful lose to Denver later in that same road trip would mark the end of his coaching run in Toronto.
Future Prospects For Raptors
Press the fast forward button and the Thunder although still struggling have what most experts would agree a solid young core and perhaps a bright future. Kevin Durant I had said should have been the number 1 pick in his draft year. I was total at the time that was crazy as Greg Oden was the choice of many. But look at it now. Durant is looking on the verge of being a break out star. Some even thought he deserved a trip to the All Star Game this year. I am not one of those who thought that. But it is clear that the Sonics now the Thunder can thank Portland for Kevin Durant. Westbrook is another talented kid. You add in a former Big East player of the year in Jeff Green it is an impressive young core. The point is Thunder fan have a lot of reasons to be optimistic when they look to the future. It makes you think what exactly do Raptor Fans have to look forward too? Andrea Bargnani has developed a bit that is something. However I would be much more excited about the prospects of a Durant or a Westbrook. You have a Superstar in Chris Bosh that many feel is on his way out the door in Chris Bosh. The Raptors just don't have a lot of young talent that people are excited about. I was very excited about Nathan Jawai and still am to a point. However his first season in the NBA has been not what anyone would have expected. If Jawai is going to develop into something or not is a real question mark. Roko Ukic has talent and shown signs of perhaps being something when all is said and done. But again still you can not be sold on him to any great degree. I am not thinking anyone would lay money Roko or Nathan becoming great NBA players. They are both second round picks and you rarely see a second rounder turn into any kind of star.
Draft Is Full Of Questions...Raptors Need An Answer
That is why in the upcoming draft which is full of question marks. Blake Griffin the number one pick projected by most is even not a lock to be a star. The Raptors need to find that young star in this draft. Some may question if there will be that guy in this draft class at all. A couple names that people have been high on fizzled in the NCAA Tournament. James Harden was a train wreck for ASU. While Gerald Henderson who I liked a lot, he was a non-factor as Duke was taken out by Villanova. Obama had it nailed. But the issue is who can you believe in when it comes to this draft? I believe in Haseem Thabeet. he is 7 foot 3 and is a great shoot blocker and rebounder. His offense has a long way to go. However what does this Raptor team need most? Defense and rebounding would be at the top of the list. However with UConn on a run in the tournament. In addition to the fact that they could face NCAA actions based on recruiting violations. Thabeet seems a lock to enter the draft and to be selected at the very least in the top 5. That would mean the Raptors would need some ping pong ball help to get him. You are probably saying the Raptors don't need a big. They need a wing man. Well at this point the Raptors need a lot of things. So no matter where they pick it should not matter, they need to take the best player on the board regardless of position. Besides if Bosh is truly to go, Bargnani could slide into the 4 spot and you have a young Thabeet as you center at a legit 7 foot 3. I truly hope Bosh remains mind you. However Bosh or no Bosh the Raptors need to get this draft right in a year where the potential to be wrong is very high.
Final Thoughts
So with that said bring on the Thunder. They may have a bright future ahead of them. The Raptors future on the other hand is very much a question mark. That is the real story beyond if the Raptors can extract revenge for an awful lose that was pretty much their own fault. Win or lose it really doesn't matter. It would be a 3 game winning streak and that has only happened 2 other times that I can recall this season. However people have moved beyond the game to game, wins and loses and are now thinking about the big picture. That big picture is a scary uncompleted mess at the moment. Can Colangelo turn it into fine art by the time he is done this off-season? That will be a question that is answered over the coming months.
Future Prospects For Raptors
Press the fast forward button and the Thunder although still struggling have what most experts would agree a solid young core and perhaps a bright future. Kevin Durant I had said should have been the number 1 pick in his draft year. I was total at the time that was crazy as Greg Oden was the choice of many. But look at it now. Durant is looking on the verge of being a break out star. Some even thought he deserved a trip to the All Star Game this year. I am not one of those who thought that. But it is clear that the Sonics now the Thunder can thank Portland for Kevin Durant. Westbrook is another talented kid. You add in a former Big East player of the year in Jeff Green it is an impressive young core. The point is Thunder fan have a lot of reasons to be optimistic when they look to the future. It makes you think what exactly do Raptor Fans have to look forward too? Andrea Bargnani has developed a bit that is something. However I would be much more excited about the prospects of a Durant or a Westbrook. You have a Superstar in Chris Bosh that many feel is on his way out the door in Chris Bosh. The Raptors just don't have a lot of young talent that people are excited about. I was very excited about Nathan Jawai and still am to a point. However his first season in the NBA has been not what anyone would have expected. If Jawai is going to develop into something or not is a real question mark. Roko Ukic has talent and shown signs of perhaps being something when all is said and done. But again still you can not be sold on him to any great degree. I am not thinking anyone would lay money Roko or Nathan becoming great NBA players. They are both second round picks and you rarely see a second rounder turn into any kind of star.
Draft Is Full Of Questions...Raptors Need An Answer
That is why in the upcoming draft which is full of question marks. Blake Griffin the number one pick projected by most is even not a lock to be a star. The Raptors need to find that young star in this draft. Some may question if there will be that guy in this draft class at all. A couple names that people have been high on fizzled in the NCAA Tournament. James Harden was a train wreck for ASU. While Gerald Henderson who I liked a lot, he was a non-factor as Duke was taken out by Villanova. Obama had it nailed. But the issue is who can you believe in when it comes to this draft? I believe in Haseem Thabeet. he is 7 foot 3 and is a great shoot blocker and rebounder. His offense has a long way to go. However what does this Raptor team need most? Defense and rebounding would be at the top of the list. However with UConn on a run in the tournament. In addition to the fact that they could face NCAA actions based on recruiting violations. Thabeet seems a lock to enter the draft and to be selected at the very least in the top 5. That would mean the Raptors would need some ping pong ball help to get him. You are probably saying the Raptors don't need a big. They need a wing man. Well at this point the Raptors need a lot of things. So no matter where they pick it should not matter, they need to take the best player on the board regardless of position. Besides if Bosh is truly to go, Bargnani could slide into the 4 spot and you have a young Thabeet as you center at a legit 7 foot 3. I truly hope Bosh remains mind you. However Bosh or no Bosh the Raptors need to get this draft right in a year where the potential to be wrong is very high.
Final Thoughts
So with that said bring on the Thunder. They may have a bright future ahead of them. The Raptors future on the other hand is very much a question mark. That is the real story beyond if the Raptors can extract revenge for an awful lose that was pretty much their own fault. Win or lose it really doesn't matter. It would be a 3 game winning streak and that has only happened 2 other times that I can recall this season. However people have moved beyond the game to game, wins and loses and are now thinking about the big picture. That big picture is a scary uncompleted mess at the moment. Can Colangelo turn it into fine art by the time he is done this off-season? That will be a question that is answered over the coming months.
3/25/09
Woulda, Coulda ,Shoulda, Win
So I got to see the beginning of what turn of to be a Raptor win over the Bucks. 115-106 Final. I did watch what I missed but I will allow The Score to give me an assist with the Recap and Boxscore.
Recap
Boxscore
The Raptors had 40 points in the second quarter. The ball movement has perhaps the best it had been all year. Jose Calderon was more like the All Star level player that people expected him to be. Bosh after a tough time with the off the court news about him had a solid 18 points and 14 rebounds. So why am I not happy at all? I mean aside from the obvious that the season is a write off and even if the Raptors are mathematically alive they have been out of it in my mind for well over a month. In fact maybe longer. A look around the league tonight will explain. You start with the Bucks here in this game. This is a team fighting for the playoffs? It sure didn't look like it tonight. The Bobcats remember them? That was the team that blew the doors off the Raptors on Monday and Friday last week. They lost to the Washington Wizards. I mean nothing says playoff run like a lose to the Wiz. This is without the soon to be returning Gilbert Arenas. The logic or lack of it as far as he goes is for another day. Remember the Clippers? They scored a 140 to beat the Knicks by 5. The Nets lost to the Cavs. The Pacers shocked the Heat.
Aside from recapping the night that was, what is my point? The east beyond the top 3 teams, pretty much sucks. I was working covering two of those 3 good teams in a real playoff like battle that the Magic held on to win over the Celtics. The point is if the Raptors had played half way decent in this season they would have easily been a playoff team. Even the Sixers who were awful to start this season. So awful that like the Raptors they fired their Coach just like the Raptors. They have rallied back and our a playoff team. When the Raptors win and play to the level they did tonight is makes me angry. I mean they could have and should have easily been a playoff team this season. In what most are calling a weak draft year the Raptors will be in the lottery. A lottery that even the first pick, or who likely will be, Blake Griffin is a question mark at what he can and will be in the NBA. Basically there are few if any locks in this draft even when you are picking in the lottery.
It just really is sad how this team has totally under achieved. We have learn that the star of the team had some obvious personal issues that have been on his mind all year. Bosh can say it has had no impact on him. Triano and Colangelo can agree. I am not buying it because that would go against common sense and logic. Jose Calderon has been injured and inconsistent. He has the longest term left on his contract on this team. It deeply concerns me who and what the real Jose Calderon is. I have never seen him as the future All Star that others have pegged him to be. That being said I never expected this kind of train wreck. Injuries can explain it away for some. I think it is a factor and it makes the weak points of Jose glaring and obvious. If you had said to me at the start of this season that Andrea Bargnani would be the bright spot of this basketball team and the only one at that, I would have laughed you out of the room. However Bargnani has been perhaps the most consistent Raptor and if you move that ahead to just this calender year it is not even debatable.
Add in the fact the Chuck Swirsky leaves and goes to the Bulls and they are playing the best basketball of the bottom feeders? I mean Chuck is going to the playoffs and we are not? Who would have bet money on that when Chuck left for Chicago. I am thinking not even Chuck himself. It all just makes you think of what might have been. It is clear with all the moving parts the Raptors have this off season this team will look very different next year. This will go down for me as the worst season in Raptors History. That is saying a lot considering this team had a 16 win season back in the day. But no one expected a lot from that team. There was hope they were heading in the right direction. But no kind of expectations like this season. I guess what I am most frustrated about is people are talking about a major reconstruction job and sending Chris Bosh elsewhere. I am not really in the mood to watch this team get scrapped again and live through what it seems like I just did in the post Vince era. A post Bosh era in Raptors Basketball may have a better base to start from. After all Colangelo is the G.M and not Babcock. That being said it would be an admission that this team is years away from being good again. I guess as well beyond Pops Mensah-Bonsu in a post Bosh era there is not really anyone on this team I feel strongly about. There is no guarantee that Pops is even around. I am not a Calderon fan..I know your shocked. I don't dislike Bargnani but I am not a huge fan by any stretch. Until he came around this season I was ready to trade him away and would not have missed him.
I really have no idea what I would think about this team. I don't think I would have any passion for them personally. I have passion for T.J Ford, Bosh and guys that get me excited. Bargnani can have flashes of excitement. Jose can as well. But I can't explain why but I am just not into it. The obvious thing might be the whole Euro thing. Maybe I just don't relate to them or connect with them. Whatever it is I think if Bosh is going to leave be it in the off-season in a trade or in 2010, I think it will change me and perhaps not for the better. I will still cheer for the Raptors, I will still write the Dino Nation Blog. However I am not sure if it will ever be the same. I have lived through the Mighty Mouse Era, The V.C era and now the Bosh era. Whoever the next one is to be. Can I real get attached to whoever they are? That is a good question and I don't have an answer for that yet. All I know is this season has been one I would rather forget right from before it ever started with the trading of T.J Ford. It has all went down hill from there.
Recap
Boxscore
The Raptors had 40 points in the second quarter. The ball movement has perhaps the best it had been all year. Jose Calderon was more like the All Star level player that people expected him to be. Bosh after a tough time with the off the court news about him had a solid 18 points and 14 rebounds. So why am I not happy at all? I mean aside from the obvious that the season is a write off and even if the Raptors are mathematically alive they have been out of it in my mind for well over a month. In fact maybe longer. A look around the league tonight will explain. You start with the Bucks here in this game. This is a team fighting for the playoffs? It sure didn't look like it tonight. The Bobcats remember them? That was the team that blew the doors off the Raptors on Monday and Friday last week. They lost to the Washington Wizards. I mean nothing says playoff run like a lose to the Wiz. This is without the soon to be returning Gilbert Arenas. The logic or lack of it as far as he goes is for another day. Remember the Clippers? They scored a 140 to beat the Knicks by 5. The Nets lost to the Cavs. The Pacers shocked the Heat.
Aside from recapping the night that was, what is my point? The east beyond the top 3 teams, pretty much sucks. I was working covering two of those 3 good teams in a real playoff like battle that the Magic held on to win over the Celtics. The point is if the Raptors had played half way decent in this season they would have easily been a playoff team. Even the Sixers who were awful to start this season. So awful that like the Raptors they fired their Coach just like the Raptors. They have rallied back and our a playoff team. When the Raptors win and play to the level they did tonight is makes me angry. I mean they could have and should have easily been a playoff team this season. In what most are calling a weak draft year the Raptors will be in the lottery. A lottery that even the first pick, or who likely will be, Blake Griffin is a question mark at what he can and will be in the NBA. Basically there are few if any locks in this draft even when you are picking in the lottery.
It just really is sad how this team has totally under achieved. We have learn that the star of the team had some obvious personal issues that have been on his mind all year. Bosh can say it has had no impact on him. Triano and Colangelo can agree. I am not buying it because that would go against common sense and logic. Jose Calderon has been injured and inconsistent. He has the longest term left on his contract on this team. It deeply concerns me who and what the real Jose Calderon is. I have never seen him as the future All Star that others have pegged him to be. That being said I never expected this kind of train wreck. Injuries can explain it away for some. I think it is a factor and it makes the weak points of Jose glaring and obvious. If you had said to me at the start of this season that Andrea Bargnani would be the bright spot of this basketball team and the only one at that, I would have laughed you out of the room. However Bargnani has been perhaps the most consistent Raptor and if you move that ahead to just this calender year it is not even debatable.
Add in the fact the Chuck Swirsky leaves and goes to the Bulls and they are playing the best basketball of the bottom feeders? I mean Chuck is going to the playoffs and we are not? Who would have bet money on that when Chuck left for Chicago. I am thinking not even Chuck himself. It all just makes you think of what might have been. It is clear with all the moving parts the Raptors have this off season this team will look very different next year. This will go down for me as the worst season in Raptors History. That is saying a lot considering this team had a 16 win season back in the day. But no one expected a lot from that team. There was hope they were heading in the right direction. But no kind of expectations like this season. I guess what I am most frustrated about is people are talking about a major reconstruction job and sending Chris Bosh elsewhere. I am not really in the mood to watch this team get scrapped again and live through what it seems like I just did in the post Vince era. A post Bosh era in Raptors Basketball may have a better base to start from. After all Colangelo is the G.M and not Babcock. That being said it would be an admission that this team is years away from being good again. I guess as well beyond Pops Mensah-Bonsu in a post Bosh era there is not really anyone on this team I feel strongly about. There is no guarantee that Pops is even around. I am not a Calderon fan..I know your shocked. I don't dislike Bargnani but I am not a huge fan by any stretch. Until he came around this season I was ready to trade him away and would not have missed him.
I really have no idea what I would think about this team. I don't think I would have any passion for them personally. I have passion for T.J Ford, Bosh and guys that get me excited. Bargnani can have flashes of excitement. Jose can as well. But I can't explain why but I am just not into it. The obvious thing might be the whole Euro thing. Maybe I just don't relate to them or connect with them. Whatever it is I think if Bosh is going to leave be it in the off-season in a trade or in 2010, I think it will change me and perhaps not for the better. I will still cheer for the Raptors, I will still write the Dino Nation Blog. However I am not sure if it will ever be the same. I have lived through the Mighty Mouse Era, The V.C era and now the Bosh era. Whoever the next one is to be. Can I real get attached to whoever they are? That is a good question and I don't have an answer for that yet. All I know is this season has been one I would rather forget right from before it ever started with the trading of T.J Ford. It has all went down hill from there.
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