If any of you were holding out and not a believer yet in to Toronto Raptors shocking turnaround they might have provided the most evidence of it ironically in a loss to the Miami Heat. The Raptors had already played Miami twice at home with their old roster and surprising to no one were not even close to being competitive with Miami. As snow fell outside for most folks in Ontario down in South Beach the Raptors were making some noise against the two time NBA Champions.
Miami came out guns a blazing looking to make an example of the upstart Raptors. Maybe a sign of the Raptors gaining some respect around the league Miami would play their full roster complete with Dwyane Wade. He was playing for the first time this season in the second half of a back to back for Miami. He and James hooked up for an alley-oop to get Miami off to there hot start.
But by the end of the first quarter the Raptors had fought back and were trading blows with the defending champions. A couple of things were clear by the end of the first quarter. The Raptors were not just in this game to show up. The Raptors based on their play of late believed they had a chance to shock the world and beat Miami. DeMar DeRozan started this game trading shots with the best player in the game today. The other thing that was clear in not DeRozan or Ross had much of a hope in guarding Lebron. That said the Raptors managed to fight the first round to a 29-29 draw.
The Raptors would continue to battle and narrowly lose the second quarter despite poking their nose out in front a few times. It was up for debate on who would lead this game going into the half. In the end it would be Miami with a slim one point advantage.
What you would likely expect is the Heat to storm out of the halftime break and put the plucky Raptors away. Instead the exact opposite happened and it was the Raptors building an eight point advantage about 4 minutes into the second half. The Raptors in the end would hold on for a four point lead on the strength of a 33 point third quarter.
I found myself as this game went on being far less concerned with the outcome and if the Raptors could hang on. I was just flat out entertained by this contest and it was likely the most entertaining game I can recall since dating back to the Vince Carter Era.
Yes, Chris Bosh never was as exciting as this was and he wasn’t for a large part of this game dealing with foul trouble and remained scoreless into the third quarter. Bosh in the end of it all was 2-9 and had just 8 points against the team he once led and called his team. This was now DeMar DeRozan’s team but he was having his issues in the second half after being lights out in the first half.
It has been a team effort that had been powering this resurgence though. It would be that which would keep the Raptors hanging around. Amir Johnson was bringing his energy into the fold as he and Jonas Valanciunas both chipped in with 17. Kyle Lowry struggled to score in this game with just 14 but did have 9 assists to keep the ball moving around. In the end it would come down to Lowry getting a fairly good look at three to try to tie the game but failed to hit it as the Heat had an 11-2 run to start the quarter and were able to hang on to get the win 102-97.
James led his Heat with 30 points but was pushed to bring his “A” game on a night he normally would find himself on bench rooting for the reserves at the end of it. DeRozan managed to get 26 to lead the Raptors game effort to knock off Miami.
Dwane Casey went with a tight seven man rotation for most of the night and Raptors seemed to be running on empty at times in the fourth quarter. It was an effort that was to level we have rarely seen from the Raptors in years. It almost cemented the fact that the Raptors rise to above .500 and the top of the struggling Atlantic Division was no fluke.
The Raptors will spend the night in Miami as they are unable to fly out for a re-match with the Pacers who they beat on their home floor. Snow in Indy has shutdown the airport and left the Raptors stranded in Miami which is not a bad place to be stuck.
I had many people on Twitter commenting that I had changed and I was no longer a negative Nancy. Maybe I had made some New Year’s Resolution to be more positive. Sorry to break the news to you all but that was not a resolution I have had made. I have always been a realist and remain one. I still worry if the Raptors can keep this thing together beyond this season. Kyle Lowry and his future with the team now replaces the narrative of tanking for Wiggins. Those days are done and it is now about what this group can do and if Masai Ujiri can hold it together in the long run. You see I haven’t changed what has changed is our Toronto Raptors.
I am happy for two guys more than anyone else in all of this. DeMar DeRozan and Amir Johnson were kind of left holding the bag when Chris Bosh decided to take his talents to South Beach. They have had to endure all the losing and hard times that have followed. Now they are part of an exciting team that has turned the corner and is winning. You can’t help but feel very happy for both who I have had the privilege of getting to talk to and know throughout those tough times.
I wonder too what Chris Bosh thinks of all of this. You can’t argue that he never had a team as deep and talented a supporting cast as the one DeRozan now enjoys. Hey maybe the old expression of good things coming to good people could be true after all.
Most Raptors fans are great people as well as I have had the good fortune to learn over the time of doing this blog. We all have a team that we can be proud of and gives us the entertainment and effort that fans of this team have so rightfully deserved.
1/4/14
Raptors Are Fun To Watch Again: Believe It
The Raptors are fun to watch again. It has been a long time coming but this team is entertaining and playing basketball the right way. It has been a transformation from a team that started the season playing like individuals and thanks to the removal of one individual it seems like everything has changed.
This was once again on full display in Washington last night as the Raptors took on another surprising team this season in the somewhat improved Wizards. These new look Raptors make you question all the things you just accepted as being typical traits of the Raptors.
In terms of the offensive side of things it is all about the passing and it has made the Raptors a tough team to game plan for the teams they face. While DeMar DeRozan is the first option and the Raptors best talent his supporting cast of characters can be almost anyone on a given night.
Kyle Lowry has done an exceptional job of running the show and knowing when he is needed to score but at the core is the guy running the show distributing the ball. Terrence Ross with more minutes has had just an amazing turnaround. He is a legit scoring threat more nights than he is not. His much talked about struggles on the defensive end have been far less. If trouble happens in that area John Salmons has been a defensive stopper.
The improved ball movement and more use of pick and roll ball has helped the bigs become more engaged in the entire process. Jonas and Amir Johnson have been better on both ends of the floor. Patrick Patterson has also become part of this rotation and has proven to be effective coming off the bench. Last night the Raptors had to go without Tyler Hansbrough and he was barely missed as Patterson led the bench with 18 points. He was one of five players in double figures for the Raptors.
The Raptors got up big in this basketball game in the third quarter by 20 points on the Wizards and unlike teams of the past the Raptors managed that lead well and were able to find their way to the finish line with a win.
One of the things that have been a major issue with this team even dating back to when Chris Bosh was a part of this roster was accountability. It always seemed to be lacking and with that it made the Raptors a team easy to break down. If things went wrong for the Raptors fingers pointed in every direction accept to the person in the mirror.
Now there seems to be a direct accountability and if you fail to perform not just Dwane Casey but the other 4 guys on the floor are going to let you know about it. It is really about the team first and the individuals second. At some point this team will face some adversity and it will be interesting to see if this group responds to that challenge.
The educated guess is they will because of the way they are managing their way through games. In those short term times of adversity this team is responding.
Many times I have heard guys in the Raptors locker room say they are capable of beating any team in this league. You almost had to roll your eyes at that suggestion in the past. Now you can honestly believe that to be true. Not that it matters what we think but as far as what they think it is a realistic statement.
I think when you get to a playoff situation that will not be the case in a drawn out 7 game series. In fact things should get tougher for the Raptors as their streak of great play has caught the attention of the national media in the United States. Teams are starting to learn there is a new Raptors team that is not the same as the one we all knew.
The Wizards learned that lesson having their home fans that bothered to show up boo them off the floor after a time out with Raptors up by 20 points. The element of surprise will be soon gone for the Raptors. Miami might be the best test of this theory, which they play next. In the past Miami would almost play with the Raptors like a cat with a rubber mouse. It might not be the case anymore. The Raptors are earning that all important word in life: Respect.
Which if you noticed is coming from officials of late as well. Maybe there was no bias against a Canadian team after all. Maybe it was just the regular average bias that happens to bad teams in this league regardless of location.
Raptors have won 5 in a row now thanks to a fairly easy 101-88 win over the Wizards. The Raptors are on a roll and even if that roll hit’s a bump in the road with Miami and re-match with Pacers on their home floor it still is likely to continue. The fundamentals of why this is happening have a strong foundation that leads you to believe this can last. This just might be who the Raptors have become. It will take some time to buy in and believe for long suffering fans that have become really jaded. Trust once lost is hard to get back but this team more than any in a long-time might just earn that trust.
Just a note we changed the ad banners for Amazon to make them .CA to make it easier for you to use the links and shop here at the DNB and support us. Click on the Amazon link and make it your home page for Amazon and when you purchase goods that you normally would you are helping support the DNB. It adds nothing to your bottom line cost for your items but it helps support the DNB and more directly myself. So if you can take that extra second to do this it would be greatly appreciated. If you don't want to make it your home page just come back to the site and click on the links and use Amazon as you normally would.
This was once again on full display in Washington last night as the Raptors took on another surprising team this season in the somewhat improved Wizards. These new look Raptors make you question all the things you just accepted as being typical traits of the Raptors.
In terms of the offensive side of things it is all about the passing and it has made the Raptors a tough team to game plan for the teams they face. While DeMar DeRozan is the first option and the Raptors best talent his supporting cast of characters can be almost anyone on a given night.
Kyle Lowry has done an exceptional job of running the show and knowing when he is needed to score but at the core is the guy running the show distributing the ball. Terrence Ross with more minutes has had just an amazing turnaround. He is a legit scoring threat more nights than he is not. His much talked about struggles on the defensive end have been far less. If trouble happens in that area John Salmons has been a defensive stopper.
The improved ball movement and more use of pick and roll ball has helped the bigs become more engaged in the entire process. Jonas and Amir Johnson have been better on both ends of the floor. Patrick Patterson has also become part of this rotation and has proven to be effective coming off the bench. Last night the Raptors had to go without Tyler Hansbrough and he was barely missed as Patterson led the bench with 18 points. He was one of five players in double figures for the Raptors.
The Raptors got up big in this basketball game in the third quarter by 20 points on the Wizards and unlike teams of the past the Raptors managed that lead well and were able to find their way to the finish line with a win.
One of the things that have been a major issue with this team even dating back to when Chris Bosh was a part of this roster was accountability. It always seemed to be lacking and with that it made the Raptors a team easy to break down. If things went wrong for the Raptors fingers pointed in every direction accept to the person in the mirror.
Now there seems to be a direct accountability and if you fail to perform not just Dwane Casey but the other 4 guys on the floor are going to let you know about it. It is really about the team first and the individuals second. At some point this team will face some adversity and it will be interesting to see if this group responds to that challenge.
The educated guess is they will because of the way they are managing their way through games. In those short term times of adversity this team is responding.
Many times I have heard guys in the Raptors locker room say they are capable of beating any team in this league. You almost had to roll your eyes at that suggestion in the past. Now you can honestly believe that to be true. Not that it matters what we think but as far as what they think it is a realistic statement.
I think when you get to a playoff situation that will not be the case in a drawn out 7 game series. In fact things should get tougher for the Raptors as their streak of great play has caught the attention of the national media in the United States. Teams are starting to learn there is a new Raptors team that is not the same as the one we all knew.
The Wizards learned that lesson having their home fans that bothered to show up boo them off the floor after a time out with Raptors up by 20 points. The element of surprise will be soon gone for the Raptors. Miami might be the best test of this theory, which they play next. In the past Miami would almost play with the Raptors like a cat with a rubber mouse. It might not be the case anymore. The Raptors are earning that all important word in life: Respect.
Which if you noticed is coming from officials of late as well. Maybe there was no bias against a Canadian team after all. Maybe it was just the regular average bias that happens to bad teams in this league regardless of location.
Raptors have won 5 in a row now thanks to a fairly easy 101-88 win over the Wizards. The Raptors are on a roll and even if that roll hit’s a bump in the road with Miami and re-match with Pacers on their home floor it still is likely to continue. The fundamentals of why this is happening have a strong foundation that leads you to believe this can last. This just might be who the Raptors have become. It will take some time to buy in and believe for long suffering fans that have become really jaded. Trust once lost is hard to get back but this team more than any in a long-time might just earn that trust.
Just a note we changed the ad banners for Amazon to make them .CA to make it easier for you to use the links and shop here at the DNB and support us. Click on the Amazon link and make it your home page for Amazon and when you purchase goods that you normally would you are helping support the DNB. It adds nothing to your bottom line cost for your items but it helps support the DNB and more directly myself. So if you can take that extra second to do this it would be greatly appreciated. If you don't want to make it your home page just come back to the site and click on the links and use Amazon as you normally would.
1/2/14
The Rudy Gay Effect
The Raptors feel like the girlfriend that cheated on you that wants you back. I mean after all the pain you have had to endure as a fan of this franchise it is hard to trust them again. Will Kyle Lowry be the latest in a long line of people that have left us disappointed and feeling like we are not good enough some how?
If you are one of those people that can live in the moment and not remember the past or worry about the future you can truly enjoy what is happening with the Raptors right now. It has reached the point you can no longer consider what the Raptors have done since the Rudy Gay trade just some sort of fluke.
A win over the best team record wise in the NBA was the latest point of proof this group of Raptors offered to the world. The Pacers are a legit team and perhaps the largest roadblock to Miami winning a third straight NBA Championship. Paul George and Roy Hibbert are now considered legit superstars in this league.
The reality of folks dreaming for a Cinderella like story of Andrew Wiggins coming to the Raptors and being the franchise Savior is all but dead. According to statistical analysis that ESPN provides the Raptors are a 99% lock to make the NBA Playoffs in the terrible Eastern Conference.
While I have been one of the people that think the Raptors getting Wiggins would have been a franchise altering event it is clear to see that day is not coming in the short term for this franchise. What I have always said is the simple fact that the players that make up this roster and Dwane Casey had no interest in losing and always had the goal of winning.
The Rudy Gay trade to the Kings has had an impact that has been more than any trade I can recall in recent memory in any sport. It is not just about what the Raptors got rid of or what they acquired completely. In that regard what they got rid of was a clear anchor to their offensive success and in return they added a group of players that has given them a legit second unit.
It has had a significant impact on many of the remaining Raptors as well in addition to this. The Raptors struggled with ball movement prior to Gay being moved and now they have excellent movement of the ball. They now have a free flowing offensive attack and with addition of Greivois Vasquez bringing back the pick and roll play the Raptors lost in acquiring Gay.
This has led to more inspired play and a greater offensive contribution from both Amir Johnson and Jonas Valanciunas. That contribution has made them more energized and excited and carried over to defensive end of the floor as well.
Kyle Lowry who may very well have been the only player that misses Rudy Gay still has been playing at the elite level he did when he first arrived with the Raptors. He would be injured and never really got back to that level until recently.
Terrence Ross who was struggling to see time on the floor has suddenly been thrown into the fire with more minutes and is producing on the offensive end of the floor at the best rate of his young career. When he struggles on the defensive end Dwane Casey has been able to plug in a veteran like John Solomons to close the gaps when the game is on the line. Ross is given a longer window to prove himself on a night in and night out basis. While I have been highly critical of Ross it would be foolish to suggest he has not answered the bell since the Gay trade.
Perhaps the biggest thing of all has been the impact on DeMar DeRozan from all of this. He was a huge defender of the fact he and Rudy could make an effective duo for the Raptors. The truth be told when Gay was acquired he was considered the better of the two players. The reality of things is since that time I would venture to say that DeRozan has passed him and is the better and more consistent player.
In addition DeRozan seems ready to take on the role as the number one option for a team something he has not been in the past. His confidence in being able to make long range shots has allowed him to have more success in making that shot. It in addition has opened up his game to a whole different level. His steady improvement as passer and playmaker has also made him a far more effective number one option in comparison to Gay.
The most rewarding thing of all for someone that has been here since he was drafted and first talked with him as a rookie in Ottawa is that he is a true leader. You see how much this young man has been made sick of losing and he now has started to figure out what he can do to stop it.
DeRozan has always worked hard but he now is not just working hard but playing smarter and having a greater understanding of the game and his role in it. The fact he has become a father seems to have matured him and settled him off the floor as well. All his fire, passion and frustration seems to be much more under control. I have always seen DeRozan as a player with some deep down anger in him that when he is able to channel it correctly can make him highly effective. DeRozan is not a bad person in any sense the exact opposite but on the floor I see a different guy that has a lot of fire and aggression in his game.
The Raptors for the moment have captured lighting in a bottle. If they are able to keep it beyond this season is a real question but as for this season they have more than stated their claim to what they are capable of doing.
The Challenge for Masai Ujiri is to do what Glen Grunwald and Bryan Colangelo failed to do in keeping that together for a long period of time. The reality is the Eastern Conference can not possibly get much worse than it is this season. Can Masai keep the Raptors growth to the same level that the Eastern Conference is going to improve? His acquiring draft picks for Andrea Bargnani is something that could help in that regard. In general though he needs to make Toronto something it has never really been as a viable destination to come play basketball with a group that is growing and building towards being a contender.
Grunwald and Colangelo failed at this badly. If Ujiri can re-sign Lowry that would be the simplest answer to many to solve the problem moving forward for the Raptors future. It may not be the only answer if he could find someone to plug in that position. The fact the Raptors now have a one-two punch at point guard has been a big difference resulting from the Gay trade. Heading into next season they need that combination to maintain success. Vasquez will also be a RFA heading into the off-season.
The Raptors from the very beginning have been a team that has been a franchise that has been as good as their point guard position has allowed them to be. It will remain to be a key to their future going forward.
For now a lot of Raptors fans just want to enjoy the moment and quite honestly with all this fan base has endured you can understand that. Losing sucks and winning is fun it really is that simple. Even people that support tanking are not truly gleeful at losing as they often get portrayed. They come to a realization or a hope that enduring the pain of losing in the short term will be rewarded with a more secure and winning future. Everyone wants a team that can not only win now but win in the future and improve to win more.
The Raptors have proven that they are at least good enough to compete in the winning now part of equation. For a lot of long suffering Raptors fans that is enough for now.
If you are one of those people that can live in the moment and not remember the past or worry about the future you can truly enjoy what is happening with the Raptors right now. It has reached the point you can no longer consider what the Raptors have done since the Rudy Gay trade just some sort of fluke.
A win over the best team record wise in the NBA was the latest point of proof this group of Raptors offered to the world. The Pacers are a legit team and perhaps the largest roadblock to Miami winning a third straight NBA Championship. Paul George and Roy Hibbert are now considered legit superstars in this league.
The reality of folks dreaming for a Cinderella like story of Andrew Wiggins coming to the Raptors and being the franchise Savior is all but dead. According to statistical analysis that ESPN provides the Raptors are a 99% lock to make the NBA Playoffs in the terrible Eastern Conference.
While I have been one of the people that think the Raptors getting Wiggins would have been a franchise altering event it is clear to see that day is not coming in the short term for this franchise. What I have always said is the simple fact that the players that make up this roster and Dwane Casey had no interest in losing and always had the goal of winning.
The Rudy Gay trade to the Kings has had an impact that has been more than any trade I can recall in recent memory in any sport. It is not just about what the Raptors got rid of or what they acquired completely. In that regard what they got rid of was a clear anchor to their offensive success and in return they added a group of players that has given them a legit second unit.
It has had a significant impact on many of the remaining Raptors as well in addition to this. The Raptors struggled with ball movement prior to Gay being moved and now they have excellent movement of the ball. They now have a free flowing offensive attack and with addition of Greivois Vasquez bringing back the pick and roll play the Raptors lost in acquiring Gay.
This has led to more inspired play and a greater offensive contribution from both Amir Johnson and Jonas Valanciunas. That contribution has made them more energized and excited and carried over to defensive end of the floor as well.
Kyle Lowry who may very well have been the only player that misses Rudy Gay still has been playing at the elite level he did when he first arrived with the Raptors. He would be injured and never really got back to that level until recently.
Terrence Ross who was struggling to see time on the floor has suddenly been thrown into the fire with more minutes and is producing on the offensive end of the floor at the best rate of his young career. When he struggles on the defensive end Dwane Casey has been able to plug in a veteran like John Solomons to close the gaps when the game is on the line. Ross is given a longer window to prove himself on a night in and night out basis. While I have been highly critical of Ross it would be foolish to suggest he has not answered the bell since the Gay trade.
Perhaps the biggest thing of all has been the impact on DeMar DeRozan from all of this. He was a huge defender of the fact he and Rudy could make an effective duo for the Raptors. The truth be told when Gay was acquired he was considered the better of the two players. The reality of things is since that time I would venture to say that DeRozan has passed him and is the better and more consistent player.
In addition DeRozan seems ready to take on the role as the number one option for a team something he has not been in the past. His confidence in being able to make long range shots has allowed him to have more success in making that shot. It in addition has opened up his game to a whole different level. His steady improvement as passer and playmaker has also made him a far more effective number one option in comparison to Gay.
The most rewarding thing of all for someone that has been here since he was drafted and first talked with him as a rookie in Ottawa is that he is a true leader. You see how much this young man has been made sick of losing and he now has started to figure out what he can do to stop it.
DeRozan has always worked hard but he now is not just working hard but playing smarter and having a greater understanding of the game and his role in it. The fact he has become a father seems to have matured him and settled him off the floor as well. All his fire, passion and frustration seems to be much more under control. I have always seen DeRozan as a player with some deep down anger in him that when he is able to channel it correctly can make him highly effective. DeRozan is not a bad person in any sense the exact opposite but on the floor I see a different guy that has a lot of fire and aggression in his game.
The Raptors for the moment have captured lighting in a bottle. If they are able to keep it beyond this season is a real question but as for this season they have more than stated their claim to what they are capable of doing.
The Challenge for Masai Ujiri is to do what Glen Grunwald and Bryan Colangelo failed to do in keeping that together for a long period of time. The reality is the Eastern Conference can not possibly get much worse than it is this season. Can Masai keep the Raptors growth to the same level that the Eastern Conference is going to improve? His acquiring draft picks for Andrea Bargnani is something that could help in that regard. In general though he needs to make Toronto something it has never really been as a viable destination to come play basketball with a group that is growing and building towards being a contender.
Grunwald and Colangelo failed at this badly. If Ujiri can re-sign Lowry that would be the simplest answer to many to solve the problem moving forward for the Raptors future. It may not be the only answer if he could find someone to plug in that position. The fact the Raptors now have a one-two punch at point guard has been a big difference resulting from the Gay trade. Heading into next season they need that combination to maintain success. Vasquez will also be a RFA heading into the off-season.
The Raptors from the very beginning have been a team that has been a franchise that has been as good as their point guard position has allowed them to be. It will remain to be a key to their future going forward.
For now a lot of Raptors fans just want to enjoy the moment and quite honestly with all this fan base has endured you can understand that. Losing sucks and winning is fun it really is that simple. Even people that support tanking are not truly gleeful at losing as they often get portrayed. They come to a realization or a hope that enduring the pain of losing in the short term will be rewarded with a more secure and winning future. Everyone wants a team that can not only win now but win in the future and improve to win more.
The Raptors have proven that they are at least good enough to compete in the winning now part of equation. For a lot of long suffering Raptors fans that is enough for now.
12/31/13
Raptors Look To Finish 2013 Strong
As crazy as it sounds the Raptors after back to back wins over the struggling Knicks are now looking like front runners to win the Atlantic Division. That is almost as bizarre as envisioning a black and gold Raptors colour scheme which is rumoured to being considered as part of the team’s re-branding efforts that will happen in two seasons in conjunction with hosting the NBA All-Star Game.
The one thing that still keeps me from buying into this change of direction for the Raptors fortunes for this season is Kyle Lowry. I don’t think as a Raptor fan or someone who has covered this team to be afraid of this team not being able to re-sign him. He has been a big part of why the Raptors are winning and as there stock goes up so does his as a free agent this off-season.
If you think about it the Raptors short term thinking has always been their downfall even at the points the franchise was successful. Once again a bright shinny short term full with a ticket to playoffs is there for the Raptors. It seems quite appealing for a team that has not seen the playoffs in going on five years. It would make sense if you could have some reason to believe you can keep this group together and they will continue to improve.
There is no question you have seen that improvement in guys like DeMar DeRozan who is looking like a guy capable of being the number on option on this team. A young guy like Terrence Ross, who was in a dramatic tail spin after winning the dunk contest and having an off-season that at Summer League looked to be going totally wrong has turned a corner. He still is a major liability on the defensive end but with the added depth the Raptors got in the Gay trade they are able to hide him when needed. On the offensive end he is a scoring threat of late on more nights than he isn’t
Jonas Valanciunas has also been given some sort of re-birth in the aftermath of the Rudy Gay trade. He is starting to show the promise he did last season that had everyone excited about his future coming into this year.
The Raptors have no time to party and bring in 2014 as they face a game against Chicago tonight who are on the second half of their own back to back and struggling. This is followed by a New Year’s Day match-up with Pacers who have been the only other team in the East aside from Miami that has been a true contender. If the Raptors can take care of business and save something for the Pacers that would be the ideal circumstance. How the Raptors do against the Pacers should be interesting to watch. A win recently over a top team like Oklahoma City has to give the Raptors some confidence to match up with the Pacers.
Unlike many teams in the East Jonas while still raw and young does have the size to match-up with a Roy Hibbert who is a big piece to the Pacers puzzle.
In any case or any colours no one could have imagined the Raptors contending to win their Division prior to the start of the season. Thanks to injures for the top two teams in New York and Brooklyn combined with uninspired play even when healthy this is where the Raptors find themselves.
Things schedule wise for Toronto really turn in their favour now it was just most never saw them being competitive and still looking to win games at this point of the season. They are though and obviously are trying to balance this somewhat underwhelming success without much attention being paid to their uncertain future as far as the roster going forward.
What the Raptors decide about Kyle Lowry will ultimately go a long way in deciding their ultimate fate for this season. Unlike trading Rudy Gay there is little chance a Lowry trade makes the Raptors anything but worse. Where they stand come the trade deadline will make that choice tougher assuming they can continue on this roll till than. Their schedule definitely offers them the chance to do just that.
It is great to see a competitive and exciting basketball team for the first time in a long time. The really worry is can it be sustained and last. That is where the Raptors have struggled in the past.
It has been a pretty difficult 2013 for me personally and keeping this thing going. I have no idea what 2014 will mean as far as me trying to keep this thing going. Will see what the future holds for both the Raptors and DNB I guess. But what I really want to say is Happy New Year and all the best in 2014 for all of you that have stuck with me. If you can help out by using are Amazon banners and get yourself some new stuff for the New Year please do.
Will talk with everyone in 2014 likely after the Raptors and Pacers game is in the books. Can’t remember a year where the Raptors have got stuck with this lousy New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day back to back. I am about as thrilled about that as having the colours of a rapper for the team’s colours. In retrospect I am starting to think this Drake idea might have been one of the dumbest things the Raptors have done and that cover a lot of ground.
The one thing that still keeps me from buying into this change of direction for the Raptors fortunes for this season is Kyle Lowry. I don’t think as a Raptor fan or someone who has covered this team to be afraid of this team not being able to re-sign him. He has been a big part of why the Raptors are winning and as there stock goes up so does his as a free agent this off-season.
If you think about it the Raptors short term thinking has always been their downfall even at the points the franchise was successful. Once again a bright shinny short term full with a ticket to playoffs is there for the Raptors. It seems quite appealing for a team that has not seen the playoffs in going on five years. It would make sense if you could have some reason to believe you can keep this group together and they will continue to improve.
There is no question you have seen that improvement in guys like DeMar DeRozan who is looking like a guy capable of being the number on option on this team. A young guy like Terrence Ross, who was in a dramatic tail spin after winning the dunk contest and having an off-season that at Summer League looked to be going totally wrong has turned a corner. He still is a major liability on the defensive end but with the added depth the Raptors got in the Gay trade they are able to hide him when needed. On the offensive end he is a scoring threat of late on more nights than he isn’t
Jonas Valanciunas has also been given some sort of re-birth in the aftermath of the Rudy Gay trade. He is starting to show the promise he did last season that had everyone excited about his future coming into this year.
The Raptors have no time to party and bring in 2014 as they face a game against Chicago tonight who are on the second half of their own back to back and struggling. This is followed by a New Year’s Day match-up with Pacers who have been the only other team in the East aside from Miami that has been a true contender. If the Raptors can take care of business and save something for the Pacers that would be the ideal circumstance. How the Raptors do against the Pacers should be interesting to watch. A win recently over a top team like Oklahoma City has to give the Raptors some confidence to match up with the Pacers.
Unlike many teams in the East Jonas while still raw and young does have the size to match-up with a Roy Hibbert who is a big piece to the Pacers puzzle.
In any case or any colours no one could have imagined the Raptors contending to win their Division prior to the start of the season. Thanks to injures for the top two teams in New York and Brooklyn combined with uninspired play even when healthy this is where the Raptors find themselves.
Things schedule wise for Toronto really turn in their favour now it was just most never saw them being competitive and still looking to win games at this point of the season. They are though and obviously are trying to balance this somewhat underwhelming success without much attention being paid to their uncertain future as far as the roster going forward.
What the Raptors decide about Kyle Lowry will ultimately go a long way in deciding their ultimate fate for this season. Unlike trading Rudy Gay there is little chance a Lowry trade makes the Raptors anything but worse. Where they stand come the trade deadline will make that choice tougher assuming they can continue on this roll till than. Their schedule definitely offers them the chance to do just that.
It is great to see a competitive and exciting basketball team for the first time in a long time. The really worry is can it be sustained and last. That is where the Raptors have struggled in the past.
It has been a pretty difficult 2013 for me personally and keeping this thing going. I have no idea what 2014 will mean as far as me trying to keep this thing going. Will see what the future holds for both the Raptors and DNB I guess. But what I really want to say is Happy New Year and all the best in 2014 for all of you that have stuck with me. If you can help out by using are Amazon banners and get yourself some new stuff for the New Year please do.
Will talk with everyone in 2014 likely after the Raptors and Pacers game is in the books. Can’t remember a year where the Raptors have got stuck with this lousy New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day back to back. I am about as thrilled about that as having the colours of a rapper for the team’s colours. In retrospect I am starting to think this Drake idea might have been one of the dumbest things the Raptors have done and that cover a lot of ground.
12/28/13
Raptors Short Term Stock Is Rising In NYC
The Raptors were playing their best basketball of the season winning 2 of 3 on the road against high level Western Conference competition. The Knicks have struggled all year and took a loss to the Bulls on Christmas Day. They would be without their best player as Carmelo Anthony would not suit up in this one. It had the makings of an easy win for the Raptors on paper.
In true Raptors fashion when you get confidence in them they often disappoint and at the start of this game this seemed to be the case. In addition the Raptors would face something they rarely had seen in a motivated Andrea Bargnani. The former Raptor number one pick played with a noticeable difference from his normal effort level on a night to night basis.
The Raptors had a terrible first quarter and for the rest of the night it was a pattern that developed until the fourth quarter. Toronto would make a little push to make the game close and the Knicks would respond. The Raptors would head into halftime down 9 points and looking pretty terrible for the most part. Andrea Bargnani would get a double-double early in the second half as he rebounded his own miss and scoring on Amir Johnson who had a very sluggish night at the office. After that, as Bargnani had done many times as a Raptor he would fade into the background failing to produce much the rest of the way. He would only get a few points and a couple more rebounds on the night to finish with a Knicks team high 18 but shot just 6 for 17 and had 12 rebounds. Bargnani had failed to record a double-double in his entire last season with Raptors.
As Bargnani faded Jonas Valanciunas would come to life in this game especially in the second half and specifically the forth quarter. He had on the night 16 points and a career high 18 rebounds 7 of which came on the offensive glass. Kyle Lowry continues his great play of late with 15 points and 11 assists for his own double-double on the night. It was DeMar DeRozan as he is on most nights that provided the most consistent effort with 25 points on 7 of 13 shooting to lead all scorers in this game.
The Raptors would manage to cut the lead to 5 points heading into the final quarter. Both teams would start out cold as could be in the fourth. The Knicks were almost begging the Raptors to take the lead in this game. They finally took them up on it and once the Raptors got rolling they would not be stopped. They out scored the Knicks 29-12 in the final quarter to win it 95-83.
The Raptors creep closer to being a 500 team at 12-15 as the Knicks fall to 9-20 on the season. If the Raptors win the second half of this back to back it makes it seem unlikely they would come back from this. While much was made of the difficulty of the Raptors first two months of the schedule they have for the most part survived it and now the schedule starts to turn and the chances this team changes direction and plays for the draft becomes far less likely.
If the Raptors do decide to go all in to maintain their lead in the Atlantic Division and make a push for the playoffs there are still some long term concerns. The most glaring is the future of Kyle Lowry beyond this season. He was rumoured to be traded but if the Raptors are in it to win it you would think that likely doesn’t happen. If that is the case the Raptors run the risk of Lowry walking away in the off-season for nothing. If they are able to re-sign him how much will it be to keep him? Lowry currently has a very friendly contract in terms of the cap for his position. It is safe to say if his play continues he will earn a huge raise where ever he decides to play next year.
The combination of that and missing out on a top pick in the lottery would be a significant blow if they lost Lowry as well. The Raptors short term has never looked this bright in a long time. The long term remains clouded with uncertainty no matter what they do this season that is positive.
Masai Ujiri has a tough minefield in front of him to balance the short term success and secure a future that is a viable one to build on that success. If he is able to retain Lowry and this group stays together it might grow into something that can be competitive. DeMar DeRozan making strides to be a legit number one option obvious helps build the case to roll with this group. Valnciunas gave you a sample of what he could be in this game against the Knicks. While Terrence Ross struggles on the defensive end he is becoming more consistent on the offensive end.
The Raptors are a house of cards that you could easily see fall down if things go the way they have in the past for Toronto. It is becoming pretty clear though that they will have a hard time avoiding being good enough to win their Atlantic Division. It is hard not to argue they have the most talent that is performing well in the division. Heck outside of Miami and Indiana who is playing better ball in the East right now? Atlanta might have been an answer but they just took a huge blow losing Al Horford with a torn peck muscle which the last time that happened he was gone for four months.
It seems like it or not the Raptors and Andrew Wiggins or any top lottery pick are not going to be matched up in the short term. The Raptors look on a path to the post-season like it or not. In terms of the players and Dwane Casey you can put them into the like column for that. Raptors are looking like a different team since Rudy Gay left town. It was like Gay was holding back a number of folks on this roster. Gay was able to get a win in overtime last night for his new team over Miami but Raptors fans will not miss him. He never was the leader the Bryan Colangelo promised him to be when trading for him to try and save his job more or less.
In true Raptors fashion when you get confidence in them they often disappoint and at the start of this game this seemed to be the case. In addition the Raptors would face something they rarely had seen in a motivated Andrea Bargnani. The former Raptor number one pick played with a noticeable difference from his normal effort level on a night to night basis.
The Raptors had a terrible first quarter and for the rest of the night it was a pattern that developed until the fourth quarter. Toronto would make a little push to make the game close and the Knicks would respond. The Raptors would head into halftime down 9 points and looking pretty terrible for the most part. Andrea Bargnani would get a double-double early in the second half as he rebounded his own miss and scoring on Amir Johnson who had a very sluggish night at the office. After that, as Bargnani had done many times as a Raptor he would fade into the background failing to produce much the rest of the way. He would only get a few points and a couple more rebounds on the night to finish with a Knicks team high 18 but shot just 6 for 17 and had 12 rebounds. Bargnani had failed to record a double-double in his entire last season with Raptors.
As Bargnani faded Jonas Valanciunas would come to life in this game especially in the second half and specifically the forth quarter. He had on the night 16 points and a career high 18 rebounds 7 of which came on the offensive glass. Kyle Lowry continues his great play of late with 15 points and 11 assists for his own double-double on the night. It was DeMar DeRozan as he is on most nights that provided the most consistent effort with 25 points on 7 of 13 shooting to lead all scorers in this game.
The Raptors would manage to cut the lead to 5 points heading into the final quarter. Both teams would start out cold as could be in the fourth. The Knicks were almost begging the Raptors to take the lead in this game. They finally took them up on it and once the Raptors got rolling they would not be stopped. They out scored the Knicks 29-12 in the final quarter to win it 95-83.
The Raptors creep closer to being a 500 team at 12-15 as the Knicks fall to 9-20 on the season. If the Raptors win the second half of this back to back it makes it seem unlikely they would come back from this. While much was made of the difficulty of the Raptors first two months of the schedule they have for the most part survived it and now the schedule starts to turn and the chances this team changes direction and plays for the draft becomes far less likely.
If the Raptors do decide to go all in to maintain their lead in the Atlantic Division and make a push for the playoffs there are still some long term concerns. The most glaring is the future of Kyle Lowry beyond this season. He was rumoured to be traded but if the Raptors are in it to win it you would think that likely doesn’t happen. If that is the case the Raptors run the risk of Lowry walking away in the off-season for nothing. If they are able to re-sign him how much will it be to keep him? Lowry currently has a very friendly contract in terms of the cap for his position. It is safe to say if his play continues he will earn a huge raise where ever he decides to play next year.
The combination of that and missing out on a top pick in the lottery would be a significant blow if they lost Lowry as well. The Raptors short term has never looked this bright in a long time. The long term remains clouded with uncertainty no matter what they do this season that is positive.
Masai Ujiri has a tough minefield in front of him to balance the short term success and secure a future that is a viable one to build on that success. If he is able to retain Lowry and this group stays together it might grow into something that can be competitive. DeMar DeRozan making strides to be a legit number one option obvious helps build the case to roll with this group. Valnciunas gave you a sample of what he could be in this game against the Knicks. While Terrence Ross struggles on the defensive end he is becoming more consistent on the offensive end.
The Raptors are a house of cards that you could easily see fall down if things go the way they have in the past for Toronto. It is becoming pretty clear though that they will have a hard time avoiding being good enough to win their Atlantic Division. It is hard not to argue they have the most talent that is performing well in the division. Heck outside of Miami and Indiana who is playing better ball in the East right now? Atlanta might have been an answer but they just took a huge blow losing Al Horford with a torn peck muscle which the last time that happened he was gone for four months.
It seems like it or not the Raptors and Andrew Wiggins or any top lottery pick are not going to be matched up in the short term. The Raptors look on a path to the post-season like it or not. In terms of the players and Dwane Casey you can put them into the like column for that. Raptors are looking like a different team since Rudy Gay left town. It was like Gay was holding back a number of folks on this roster. Gay was able to get a win in overtime last night for his new team over Miami but Raptors fans will not miss him. He never was the leader the Bryan Colangelo promised him to be when trading for him to try and save his job more or less.
12/23/13
Raptors Perform A Christmas Miracle In OKC
The Toronto Raptors had evacuated Toronto and the ACC not because of the ice storm that rolled through Toronto but because they can’t seem to win there. Realistically though the road trip that was awaiting them had losing streak written all over it. This seemed even more the case after dropping a contest to their unlikely bully the Charlotte Bobcats.
The Raptors would make an amazing comeback in Dallas and surprise the Mavericks earning their first win in overtime in four tries heading into Sunday. The stop on Sunday was in OKC where the Thunder came in on a 9 game winning streak and was a perfect 13-0 on their home floor. The Raptors had about as much hope of winning as some in Toronto had in having power in time to watch the game.
Call it a Christmas miracle or a statement but the Toronto Raptors fought hard for four quarters and by the end of it all had beaten the OKC Thunder. In a strange way the Raptors are the Thunder’s Charlotte Bobcats it seems. Toronto for whatever reason seems to be able to compete with one of the Western Conferences best teams of the past few seasons. Sometimes it was catching the Thunder at the right time with Kevin Durant being injured and other times they just find a way to get it done.
It is not that long ago the Raptors last won at OKC just back in 2011. The Raptors were pretty competitive for the majority of the night. They took a six point lead into halftime scoring 62 points. They would have some turbulence in the third quarter and it looked as if OKC would flex their muscles and put the plucky Raptors away.
However, the Raptors refused to lay down for the 22-4 Western Conference contender. Individually and collectively the Raptors stepped up to the challenge. Kyle Lowry going up against one of the best in Russell Westbrook brought out the best in Kyle. Lowry had one of his best games of the season with 22 points, 9 assists and 7 rebounds.
As much as Lowry was the heart of this win he is also the source of debate with this franchise going forward. If he continues to play well he increases his stock around the league and likely have several attractive offers and like others in the past could walk for nothing. Masai Ujiri could face a decision similar to the one that Bryan Colangelo had with Chris Bosh. We all remember how that worked out. It is why as really exciting as the Raptors have been it is hard to get behind this group and think this is any kind of a long term core group.
Lowry has been far better than the other options the Raptors had prior to the Rudy Gay trade. Even since the trade with the Kings he has been on a different level from Vasquez who is reminding people a little of Jose Calderon who Lowry beat out and ultimately was the reason trading Calderon was possible.
As the Raptors keep adding to their win total the choices that Masai Ujiri get tougher to make. The safe bet is any kind of short term success could be short lived if you can’t secure Lowry to a contract. Another player that will definitely draw interest on trade market is likely Amir Johnson who prior to the Gay trade was struggling and had just been sent to bench in favour of Tyler Hansbrough. Since Gay left town Amir Johnson has been a force on both ends of the floor. He has regained his position in the starting line-up and looks unlikely to be giving it up anytime soon. He had 17 points and led the way on the boards with 13 rebounds.
If the Raptors decided to change direction and suddenly become a buyer in the trade market it would be interesting. There is no question it will be a buyers market with so many teams looking to head in the opposite direction. I can’t see a situation where the Raptors don’t move Lowry by the deadline in February.
As for the here and now the Raptors finished the fourth quarter strong out-scoring the Thunder 29-14 to seal the 104-98 upset win. The Raptors only allowed Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook to get to double digits scoring. The Raptors face another tough Western Conference foe in their house in the San Antonio Spurs.
The Spurs laid a whooping on the Raptors back at the ACC on December 10th winning the game 116-103. The Spurs had 7 players in double digits scoring including four from off their bench setting a record with 72 bench points against the Raptors. It seems hard to believe but 13 days later the Raptors look like a true contender to win their Division and make the post-season. It is one of just two losses the Raptors have had in the seven games since the Rudy Gay trade.
The trade gave the Raptors some depth that was on display in this unlikely win against OKC. None of the players from the trade were able to suit up for that game with the Spurs they would debut 3 days later in a win over Philadelphia. John Salmons lead the way with 14 as he along with Vasquez and Patterson accounted for 26 of the Raptors 29 bench points against OKC.
The Raptors have a winning record on the road for the first time since 2008 and have a 4 game winning streak on the road for the first time since 2002. You would never expect them to have a chance against the Spurs but you could have said the same for this game tonight in OKC.
The best analogy I can come up with for where the Raptors sit at the moment relates to this time of year. Let’s say you go out and Christmas shop and decide to spend more than you should. It seems worth it when you see the joy you give to people with the gifts you bought. You feel good until the bills come in January. That is what this Raptors season to me is like. Sure we would all like to see Toronto get back in the playoffs. However the fallout of that can be just like those bills that come in the mail when you have an over generous Christmas. Sometimes you need to look to the future and not be caught up in moment. It isn’t easy or fun but it is right thing to do.
Which with as entertaining and fun as the Raptors have been it is hard to say that. It is the harsh reality and truth of situation though. If you want to be a constant and consistent playoff performer you have to think ahead and be smart.
The Raptors as far as the players and Coach Casey they do not want any part of this future talk. For players and coaches the future is always now and it should be. Masai Ujiri has a much different responsibility and his job is not easy based on his squads’ unexpected success. Heavy is the head that wears the crown. I wouldn’t want to be King or G.M of this franchise it is not an easy job at all.
My thoughts go out to any of you being impacted by the power outages and weather issues going on here in Southern Ontario and primarily Toronto. That said if you don’t have power you likely can’t read this at the moment but never the less I hope everyone is able to have a happy holiday despite the challenges Mother Nature provided.
The Raptors would make an amazing comeback in Dallas and surprise the Mavericks earning their first win in overtime in four tries heading into Sunday. The stop on Sunday was in OKC where the Thunder came in on a 9 game winning streak and was a perfect 13-0 on their home floor. The Raptors had about as much hope of winning as some in Toronto had in having power in time to watch the game.
Call it a Christmas miracle or a statement but the Toronto Raptors fought hard for four quarters and by the end of it all had beaten the OKC Thunder. In a strange way the Raptors are the Thunder’s Charlotte Bobcats it seems. Toronto for whatever reason seems to be able to compete with one of the Western Conferences best teams of the past few seasons. Sometimes it was catching the Thunder at the right time with Kevin Durant being injured and other times they just find a way to get it done.
It is not that long ago the Raptors last won at OKC just back in 2011. The Raptors were pretty competitive for the majority of the night. They took a six point lead into halftime scoring 62 points. They would have some turbulence in the third quarter and it looked as if OKC would flex their muscles and put the plucky Raptors away.
However, the Raptors refused to lay down for the 22-4 Western Conference contender. Individually and collectively the Raptors stepped up to the challenge. Kyle Lowry going up against one of the best in Russell Westbrook brought out the best in Kyle. Lowry had one of his best games of the season with 22 points, 9 assists and 7 rebounds.
As much as Lowry was the heart of this win he is also the source of debate with this franchise going forward. If he continues to play well he increases his stock around the league and likely have several attractive offers and like others in the past could walk for nothing. Masai Ujiri could face a decision similar to the one that Bryan Colangelo had with Chris Bosh. We all remember how that worked out. It is why as really exciting as the Raptors have been it is hard to get behind this group and think this is any kind of a long term core group.
Lowry has been far better than the other options the Raptors had prior to the Rudy Gay trade. Even since the trade with the Kings he has been on a different level from Vasquez who is reminding people a little of Jose Calderon who Lowry beat out and ultimately was the reason trading Calderon was possible.
As the Raptors keep adding to their win total the choices that Masai Ujiri get tougher to make. The safe bet is any kind of short term success could be short lived if you can’t secure Lowry to a contract. Another player that will definitely draw interest on trade market is likely Amir Johnson who prior to the Gay trade was struggling and had just been sent to bench in favour of Tyler Hansbrough. Since Gay left town Amir Johnson has been a force on both ends of the floor. He has regained his position in the starting line-up and looks unlikely to be giving it up anytime soon. He had 17 points and led the way on the boards with 13 rebounds.
If the Raptors decided to change direction and suddenly become a buyer in the trade market it would be interesting. There is no question it will be a buyers market with so many teams looking to head in the opposite direction. I can’t see a situation where the Raptors don’t move Lowry by the deadline in February.
As for the here and now the Raptors finished the fourth quarter strong out-scoring the Thunder 29-14 to seal the 104-98 upset win. The Raptors only allowed Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook to get to double digits scoring. The Raptors face another tough Western Conference foe in their house in the San Antonio Spurs.
The Spurs laid a whooping on the Raptors back at the ACC on December 10th winning the game 116-103. The Spurs had 7 players in double digits scoring including four from off their bench setting a record with 72 bench points against the Raptors. It seems hard to believe but 13 days later the Raptors look like a true contender to win their Division and make the post-season. It is one of just two losses the Raptors have had in the seven games since the Rudy Gay trade.
The trade gave the Raptors some depth that was on display in this unlikely win against OKC. None of the players from the trade were able to suit up for that game with the Spurs they would debut 3 days later in a win over Philadelphia. John Salmons lead the way with 14 as he along with Vasquez and Patterson accounted for 26 of the Raptors 29 bench points against OKC.
The Raptors have a winning record on the road for the first time since 2008 and have a 4 game winning streak on the road for the first time since 2002. You would never expect them to have a chance against the Spurs but you could have said the same for this game tonight in OKC.
The best analogy I can come up with for where the Raptors sit at the moment relates to this time of year. Let’s say you go out and Christmas shop and decide to spend more than you should. It seems worth it when you see the joy you give to people with the gifts you bought. You feel good until the bills come in January. That is what this Raptors season to me is like. Sure we would all like to see Toronto get back in the playoffs. However the fallout of that can be just like those bills that come in the mail when you have an over generous Christmas. Sometimes you need to look to the future and not be caught up in moment. It isn’t easy or fun but it is right thing to do.
Which with as entertaining and fun as the Raptors have been it is hard to say that. It is the harsh reality and truth of situation though. If you want to be a constant and consistent playoff performer you have to think ahead and be smart.
The Raptors as far as the players and Coach Casey they do not want any part of this future talk. For players and coaches the future is always now and it should be. Masai Ujiri has a much different responsibility and his job is not easy based on his squads’ unexpected success. Heavy is the head that wears the crown. I wouldn’t want to be King or G.M of this franchise it is not an easy job at all.
My thoughts go out to any of you being impacted by the power outages and weather issues going on here in Southern Ontario and primarily Toronto. That said if you don’t have power you likely can’t read this at the moment but never the less I hope everyone is able to have a happy holiday despite the challenges Mother Nature provided.
12/21/13
Role Reversal Night In Dallas
You have to admit this about the Raptors if nothing else they make it entertaining. It sure didn’t seem like that would apply on Friday night in Dallas. The Raptors had a terrible first quarter allowing the Mavericks to score 33 points while shooting close to 70%. It would get worse before it got better as the Mavericks extended their lead to 19 points. It seemed time to check if your favourite holiday movie was on as alternate entertainment. The Raptors would suddenly find a way to play on defensive end of the floor. They would go on a crazy run and actually hold the lead briefly late in the half. The Mavs would re-take the lead and make it to the locker room with a 3 point advantage. The second half was a dog fight back and forth affair that ultimately could not be decided in regulation. The Raptors seemed to be hanging on with their finger nails as their former point guard Jose Calderon was answering everything the Raptors threw at the Mavs.
The Raptors were coming off an overtime loss to the Bobcats and having two other losses in OT including one to a very good Rockets team. The outcome seemed to be obvious to everyone except perhaps the Raptors. The Mavericks would be down one and have a chance to win it but they could not score on their final possession and the Raptors surprise everyone with a 109-108 overtime win.
It also makes the Raptors 5-5 on the road which defies all logic as bad teams just don’t play well on the road. Even good teams the Raptors have had have struggled on the road. The Raptors great home court advantage with passionate and dedicated fans has produce just 4 wins in 12 tries. It just goes to a long laundry list of things that don’t make much sense. Like losing to the Bobcats and beating the Mavericks. A move that most felt was the start to the team accepting its fate and looking toward the draft sees the Raptors in a playoff spot.
The one thing that does make sense is DeMar DeRozan and his attitude and play this season. He doesn’t want to hear about Andrew Wiggins but more to the point he doesn’t want to hear about losing. He has said he is sick of the losing and saying it is one thing but trying to do something about is another. For any basketball website to be suggesting the Raptors are going to trade this kid of their own accord is simply not paying attention. DeRozan has shown improvement year after year and a work ethic that is hard to match.
Many including myself were not sold when DeRozan proclaimed he had a three point shot in his bag of tricks. Well he does and at the very least he is confident in it which makes his release smooth and in rhythm. This makes it a lot easier to make those threes. But it was not is new found range that was on display in Dallas. It was a skill that he has been improving on slowly but surly. Rudy Gay wasn’t passing but DeMar DeRozan has been and it was on full display with a team leading 9 assists.
All of the starting 5 was in double digits which included the Raptors sophomore class of Terrence Ross with 15 and Jonas Valanciunas had a double-double with 18 points and 13 rebounds. Ross made some big buckets at times in this game but never saw much action down the stretch or in overtime. The biggest challenge facing Terrence Ross is proofing he can defend his position. While Jonas has had his struggles this season and while Rudy Gay has been shown the door opened one up for Jonas he is still not walking through it on a nightly basis.
Kyle Lowry must have been drooling at the prospect of going against Jose Calderon. Lowry had a nice night but Jose was better. Still the Raptors will happily take the 20 points, 6 assists and 5 rebounds on the night. Calderon was a little better with 23 points to lead all scorers and 9 assists. But the overall point guard battle goes in favour of the Raptors as Vasquez who is kind of like a poor man’s Jose Calderon had 14 points to lead the Raptors bench.
This is probably the Raptors most impressive win of the 10 they have. As great as the Raptors played tonight it is hard to imagine them having much chance of beating the Thunder or Spurs on their home floors. If the playoffs started today the Raptors would be in them and facing the Pacers. Let’s face facts the teams that finish in both seven and eighth in the East are pretty much the biggest losers. They miss out on the lottery of perhaps one of the best and deepest lottery picks in sometime. As much as DeMar DeRozan and Amir Johnson are truly desperate to see the playoffs come back to Toronto getting swept by the Pacers or Miami is not going to help the future of this franchise.
Kyle Lowry is the real fly in the ointment as far as if this team decides to go all in to make the post-season. You would have to assume he would play well in order for the Raptors to accomplish that goal. This would up his value as a free agent and likely means he would look to go elsewhere at the end of the day. The Raptors have made this mistake before with Chris Bosh and I can imagine Masai Ujiri making that same mistake. To let Lowry walk for nothing would be a mistake. Vasquez and how he performs is also something to consider. In reality the Raptors are in the position that coming into the season they just couldn’t or shouldn’t be in.
The Raptors remind me of the Bobcats team that made the playoffs a few seasons back. That was a one year thing and the team was quickly dismantled. The Raptors have stated that they want to be consistent visitors to the playoffs and that will be hard to do with what they currently have. Every game the Raptors win that they are not suppose to win makes Masai Ujiri’s job more difficult. Not to mention the pathetic Eastern Conference that has all of 3 teams with a winning record.
So if you’re asking Santa for something for the Raptors a clear direction might be nice at this point. The issue is the one that people that want to start up the tanks have never understood. A coach in the last year of his contract and a young player that has never seen the playoffs in his career collectively has little interest in losing. This goes for the rest of the Raptors as well. They showed that in this gutsy comeback win. There are so many individuals and this team as whole that are wildly inconsistent it is enough to drive you crazy. It is not a case of lack of effort with this group on most nights though.
So that is about it. I am back in the saddle and riding this crazy roller coaster once more. A reminder if you’re doing any shopping on Amazon this holiday season please use the link on our site up at the top. DNB will get a little cash from your purchases and it has zero impact on your price of purchase. It just takes you taking the time to come to the site and click on the banner. Once you have bookmark it and you can help the DNB out every time you make a purchase with Amazon. DNB has never been making those Rudy Gay dollars so your help and support in this endeavour is greatly appreciated. So if you’re boxing day shopping on Amazon do it here.
Happy Holidays to everyone and I can honestly say it is nice to be back.
The Raptors were coming off an overtime loss to the Bobcats and having two other losses in OT including one to a very good Rockets team. The outcome seemed to be obvious to everyone except perhaps the Raptors. The Mavericks would be down one and have a chance to win it but they could not score on their final possession and the Raptors surprise everyone with a 109-108 overtime win.
It also makes the Raptors 5-5 on the road which defies all logic as bad teams just don’t play well on the road. Even good teams the Raptors have had have struggled on the road. The Raptors great home court advantage with passionate and dedicated fans has produce just 4 wins in 12 tries. It just goes to a long laundry list of things that don’t make much sense. Like losing to the Bobcats and beating the Mavericks. A move that most felt was the start to the team accepting its fate and looking toward the draft sees the Raptors in a playoff spot.
The one thing that does make sense is DeMar DeRozan and his attitude and play this season. He doesn’t want to hear about Andrew Wiggins but more to the point he doesn’t want to hear about losing. He has said he is sick of the losing and saying it is one thing but trying to do something about is another. For any basketball website to be suggesting the Raptors are going to trade this kid of their own accord is simply not paying attention. DeRozan has shown improvement year after year and a work ethic that is hard to match.
Many including myself were not sold when DeRozan proclaimed he had a three point shot in his bag of tricks. Well he does and at the very least he is confident in it which makes his release smooth and in rhythm. This makes it a lot easier to make those threes. But it was not is new found range that was on display in Dallas. It was a skill that he has been improving on slowly but surly. Rudy Gay wasn’t passing but DeMar DeRozan has been and it was on full display with a team leading 9 assists.
All of the starting 5 was in double digits which included the Raptors sophomore class of Terrence Ross with 15 and Jonas Valanciunas had a double-double with 18 points and 13 rebounds. Ross made some big buckets at times in this game but never saw much action down the stretch or in overtime. The biggest challenge facing Terrence Ross is proofing he can defend his position. While Jonas has had his struggles this season and while Rudy Gay has been shown the door opened one up for Jonas he is still not walking through it on a nightly basis.
Kyle Lowry must have been drooling at the prospect of going against Jose Calderon. Lowry had a nice night but Jose was better. Still the Raptors will happily take the 20 points, 6 assists and 5 rebounds on the night. Calderon was a little better with 23 points to lead all scorers and 9 assists. But the overall point guard battle goes in favour of the Raptors as Vasquez who is kind of like a poor man’s Jose Calderon had 14 points to lead the Raptors bench.
This is probably the Raptors most impressive win of the 10 they have. As great as the Raptors played tonight it is hard to imagine them having much chance of beating the Thunder or Spurs on their home floors. If the playoffs started today the Raptors would be in them and facing the Pacers. Let’s face facts the teams that finish in both seven and eighth in the East are pretty much the biggest losers. They miss out on the lottery of perhaps one of the best and deepest lottery picks in sometime. As much as DeMar DeRozan and Amir Johnson are truly desperate to see the playoffs come back to Toronto getting swept by the Pacers or Miami is not going to help the future of this franchise.
Kyle Lowry is the real fly in the ointment as far as if this team decides to go all in to make the post-season. You would have to assume he would play well in order for the Raptors to accomplish that goal. This would up his value as a free agent and likely means he would look to go elsewhere at the end of the day. The Raptors have made this mistake before with Chris Bosh and I can imagine Masai Ujiri making that same mistake. To let Lowry walk for nothing would be a mistake. Vasquez and how he performs is also something to consider. In reality the Raptors are in the position that coming into the season they just couldn’t or shouldn’t be in.
The Raptors remind me of the Bobcats team that made the playoffs a few seasons back. That was a one year thing and the team was quickly dismantled. The Raptors have stated that they want to be consistent visitors to the playoffs and that will be hard to do with what they currently have. Every game the Raptors win that they are not suppose to win makes Masai Ujiri’s job more difficult. Not to mention the pathetic Eastern Conference that has all of 3 teams with a winning record.
So if you’re asking Santa for something for the Raptors a clear direction might be nice at this point. The issue is the one that people that want to start up the tanks have never understood. A coach in the last year of his contract and a young player that has never seen the playoffs in his career collectively has little interest in losing. This goes for the rest of the Raptors as well. They showed that in this gutsy comeback win. There are so many individuals and this team as whole that are wildly inconsistent it is enough to drive you crazy. It is not a case of lack of effort with this group on most nights though.
So that is about it. I am back in the saddle and riding this crazy roller coaster once more. A reminder if you’re doing any shopping on Amazon this holiday season please use the link on our site up at the top. DNB will get a little cash from your purchases and it has zero impact on your price of purchase. It just takes you taking the time to come to the site and click on the banner. Once you have bookmark it and you can help the DNB out every time you make a purchase with Amazon. DNB has never been making those Rudy Gay dollars so your help and support in this endeavour is greatly appreciated. So if you’re boxing day shopping on Amazon do it here.
Happy Holidays to everyone and I can honestly say it is nice to be back.
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