The Opening Tip tells you about Stromile Swift’s post-NBA plans. It’s the Nets tonight in New Jersey, also known as the asshole of New York. Everybody knew the Nets had young talent but not many counted on them being 2.5 games ahead of us at this point of the season and I have to say, I am a bit envious. Lawrence Frank needs to be given a lot of credit for the way his team his is playing, Devin Harris being in a contract-year definitely helps and Carter showing up for 2 out of every 3 games is a bonus that’s helping them gather momentum for their Brooklyn move. Seeing how they’re playing so well you wonder if they’re still looking to deal Vince Carter at the deadline, his recent play is definitely upping his value, question is do the Nets renew their faith in him? And dare I say we do need a small forward….Oh no I didn’t just suggest that! Or did I?
I was going to talk about this and other stuff with Fred Kerber from the NY Post but a bad throat came in the way – damn Pacers game – so we’ll settle for him reminding us that the Nets haven’t found their groove at home and are playing .400 ball in the swamp. The Nets give up the 5th most points in the NBA at 103.3 per game (we’re 9th at 101.95) so it’s likely that this game will follow a similar format as the heart-breaker from a couple weeks ago. First team to play some defense wins. The coaching change has definitely resulted in improved defensive techniques but it isn’t reflected in the overall points allowed which stands at 103.5 under Triano.
Our attitude coming into this one should be that of exacting revenge and hours of game-tape needs to be watched in advance. The way Devin Harris dissected Jose Calderon at the point-of-attack in the 4th quarter and OT was something to behold. We don’t have a lockdown defender that can contain Vince Carter when he’s in the zone but we can try to get the ball out of his hands if he starts to get hot. This is the first time Triano gets to face a team we’re already played once so its a good chance to see what he’ll do different than Mitchell. I think Triano’s going to be up to these neutralization tasks and the usual coaching mismatch that exists when we play the Nets isn’t there tonight. The other player that really hurt us in that game was Brook Lopez who gave Jermaine O’Neal a lesson in post-up execution and finished with 14/6 on 7-11 shooting. O’Neal in that game went for 7/7 on 3-11 shooting. Other than Bosh, the Raptors rarely have a favorable matchup in a game so when O’Neal is matched up with a rookie, it is very important that he win his individual battle because we can safely count on Parker, Bargnani and Moon losing theirs.
Stating the obvious and running with isn’t something restricted to blogs anymore, the mainstream media is figuring out that they too can put out an article based on very little actual facts. Take for example this piece in The Star which says Bryan Colangelo is likely to make a small move rather than a big one.
Fact is we can’t make a big trade because we’re not willing to part with Bargnani, now his value might not be that much but there are always teams looking to take a gamble on a talent like that (just like we did). If the bait isn’t good, the fish won’t be big. We’re basically looking to trade Parker’s expiring contract and maybe Graham. I don’t see the Raptors giving up on Humphries because frankly he’s a pretty good piece and we’re already paper-thin up-front in terms of rebounding, especially if JO goes down. I thought we’d trade Kapono but it makes no basketball sense, we got two post-up options on the team and trading away the NBA’s best shooter to make them pay for doubling sounds ridiculous. It would be going totally against the grain of how this team finds success – incite double, swing ball, make three. Graham’s coming on of late and Triano obviously likes him. So maybe we trade Moon? I don’t know, its small fries no matter how you slice it.
Doug also says it could be as small as signing an “unemployed free agent or minor leaguer to a contract for the rest of the season.” Awesome, I just jizzed in my pants.
The talk in the clubhouse is positive despite the 1-3 record under the new coach because of the little things that have been going right lately. Calderon says
Right now, we’re not the best team in the world, but we’re getting better and we’re better today than we were yesterday, we have to continue to take little steps. We still need time to get used to what Jay wants us to do and how he wants us to play. In time, we’ll be a much better team, but we need to be patient and stay together.
O’Neal says:
Our confidence was wavering a little bit, that’s what happens when you lose five in a row. Everyone is trying to adjust to Jay and winning shows everyone what Jay is attempting to accomplish. We were trying, but it just wasn’t happening. Now we can build off a win. It’s different building off a win than it is building off a loss.
The article also says Bryan Colangelo is working the phones as part of his “daily due diligence”. I don’t know if that means a trade is coming because part of my “daily due diligence” is to see if I can find a better job but that never happens. Here’s John Hollinger’s take on the Raptors recent win and Jay Triano, and of course Jamario Moon who he looovvveess.
New Raptors coach Jay Triano implemented my suggestion to bench Andrea Bargnani and start Jamario Moon, and it worked out well in Wednesday’s 101-88 win over the Pacers. Moon had 17 points and eight boards and, as one might expect, was a far more effective defender than Il Mago, especially at the 3. As for my other suggestion, that might have to wait. With Kris Humphries battling right knee tendonitis, there’s no chance he’ll be stealing Bargnani’s minutes as the top frontcourt reserve just yet. In fact, the Raps are down to a three-man frontcourt rotation and likely will use Moon and the suddenly relevant Joey Graham at the 4 for stretches until Humphries can return.
The Nets game on Monday is on TSN2 but Rogers and TSN and are still fighting about who gets to make more money. Screw ‘em, we’ll put the stream up anyway. Chris Bosh is struggling to beat Lebron and KG in the All-Star voting and rightfully so, usually the fans are pretty dead on about who deserves to get in (except for VC a few years back) and this year sounds fair to me. KG and Lebron’s teams are #1 and #2 in the East and they’re the driving force behind their success whereas Bosh has yet to prove that he can have a similar impact on his club than those two.
Swamp tonight, join us at Philthy McNasty’s at 7:30PM. Let’s go you Raps!!
65 Raps
re:
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Everybody knew the Nets had young talent but not many counted on them being 2.5 games ahead of us at this point of the season – by Arsenalist
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Good fit for the Nets : )
re:
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New Raptors coach Jay Triano implemented my suggestion to bench Andrea Bargnani and start Jamario Moon, and it worked out well in Wednesday’s 101-88 win over the Pacers. – by John Hollinger
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There are those who do not think Mr. Hollinger is a funny guy.
Do not count me amongst THAT group.
HIS suggestion?
LOL, LOL, LOL … : )
Goodbye Chris?
http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=jy-boshraptors120908&prov=yhoo&type=lgns
The better defined Bosh’s role becomes for the Raptors the stronger pull he develops with the other Free Agents around the NBA and the more likely it becomes that one or more of them will be interested in signing with Toronto for the 2009-2010 season, or beyond.
An inferiority complex is not something which residents of Toronto SHOULD have, as it is unquestionnably one of the premier cities on the planet earth.
[now, others who are not from the T.dot, and are still Raptors fans, I can devfinitely understand how THOSE folks might have an inferiority complex about Toronto's place in the NBA hierarchy of cities : )]
Khandor,
No one ever argued about the reputation of “the T.dot” as a premier city on planet Earth, just it’s reputation and place in the NBA hierarchy as a basketball organization and destination amongst the best players/FA in the NBA.
The way things stand right now, it is much more likely he will be leaving TO then staying here. The fact that some fans may not be willing to accept that as a possibility or reality is another story.
(Lots of people like LA, but wouldn’t want to play for the Clippers.)
Owned? Jejeje, comedy, thy name is Krusty.
Seriously, got a laugh out of it and then wondered when owned (pwned -Br. Eng.) will be done.
I don’t like Hollinger’s Raps analysis generally, He’s based out of NY I believe so he probably gets to check out the Raps a bit, but I think he goes with his stats too much. At least he and Stein give Raps some ink.
Jizz in my pants, throwing the word cunt around? Man, you guys are not really reaching to the female basketball readership. I suggest a ladies corner with news on the Raptors presented in a less 49% bias. I don’t know, call it the Rap Smear or something.
Stop the Bosh leaving talk and focus on the here and now!
We need to assemble a better team if we want to win this year!
We need a trade!
Go Raps Go!
Tim, have you clicked on that link. It’s the funniest thing in the world.
Where FAQ when you need him to comment on that link Flux posted?
I’m going to make a prediction: we’re going to hold NJ under 90 points and get the win. It’ll be one of those defensive performances that will make you want more.
PS: since Doug said there will be no major moves you can guarantee that there’ll be a massive shakeup.
Jammer,
you must be a leafs fan.
that loss against the nets when vc buttfucked us and sam rubbed his eyes till an 18 pt lead dissolved sent us into a tailspin of epic proportions.the nets were behind us in the standings,had zero confidence and in one stinking game we reversed roles with them.they went on to win a bunch of games,grew nuts, exuded confidence and swagger and we went on to fire a coach,lose a whole lotta games,lose all confidence and play nutless ball like a bunch of spineless bitches.the nets are in our spot in the standing and we are in theirs.a bizzaro world unfolded…..payback tonight motherfuckers?…..lets get shit right.i say the boys brawl tonight and take their nuts back.
Flux,
As you know … since the days of Arsenalist’s old site … it’s my perspective that the elements for a top shelf NBA franchise have existed in Toronto for a long time, stretching back now, at least, 3 GM’s ago.
What’s held the franchise back has been the ineptitude of MLSE … and the poor decisions which have stemmed from hiring the incorrect/wrong people, in the first place, from the top down, to operate a championship calibre franchise in a North American pro sports environment. Nothing more and Nothing less than this.
IMO, neither of the two B’s [Burke nor Colangelo] has the Right Stuff to establish a perennial contender and eventual champion in the NHL or the NBA for the Maple Leafs or the Raptors.
Historically speaking, “bullies” [in the NHL] and “golden boys” [in the NBA] have/do not fit into that category.
BTW …
Spidey Senses are saying that the Nets will make it two-in-row over the Raptors this evening, in the swamp.
One step forward, one step back … that’s how the dance goes.
Arsenalist – the Nets move to Brooklyn is no longer a sure thing, which is a blow to New York City residents like myself who hate traveling to the “asshole” of New York (well put) to see the Raps!
http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/brooklyn/2008/12/11/2008-12-11_atlantic_yards_will_go_up____when_econom-2.html
here are a few thoughts i have for tonight.
Some game keys to watch for.
1) Turnovers – we will not be able to turn the ball over 20+ times against this quick back court or we will pay a huge price for it. Jose and Roko Ukic or Will Solomon will have to work hard at making the right pass and keep the turnovers under 15.
2) Rebound on both ends – the Raptors will not get away with a soft night on the glass at this point. Teams know this Raptors team has no desire to get after balls and will gladly do the work it takes to control the ball and the pace of the game.
3) Balanced offense – 6 players in double digits is a good sign for this team. When the ball movement is there, Chris Bosh has his room to do what he does and take the ball to the hole and get to the line. Another double double from Jose would look great as well.
4) Protect the paint – we can’t continue to give up 40+ points in the paint and expect to win many games. NOT IN MY HOUSE has to become the mantra on defense of this team.
i second the motion that the nets will make it two wins in a row. however, they will get the next one at home. the dance continues.
Dino Gunners: you must be an idiot.
I am not, nor was I, nor will I ever be a Leafs fan.
This team as constructed will not do well this year-we need a trade.
Not sure what “suits McGee” aka Mr Colangelo can do, but I sure hope he pulls off something sweet.
Raps need this one tonight, badly. I am pretty sure they can still taste VC’s nuts on their tongues!
Go Raps Go!
Jammer you are a moron, this team is gonna win it all this year
NBA Champions 2008/2009-Toronto Raptors
Yawn Flux,
Another Bosh is leaving article from the Rumour Machine that is Yahoo! Sports. Save me the clicks next time, it’s the same story over and over again. Let’s concentrate on the next two seasons and see what happens. Way to earlier to say anything about Bosh yet.
Let’s hope Jay’s “clog the paint” defense helps against Devin’s dribble-drive-kick. Ocho is in tough for this one.
Jammer, didn’t mean to offend you, just thought that the optimism from making a trade with assets we don’t have to compete for a championship this year was pretty ridiculous. Even if we did manage to get a starting quality 2 and 3 for depth like parker and kapono (impossible) we would still have to compete with the lakers, jazz, boston and cleveland for the title. Definately no shot happening this year. The reason I said leaf fan was because leaf fans generally think that their team has a shot every year and are always ‘just a trade’ away from seriously competing.
Sorry for that everybody else, I didn’t want this to turn into a pissing match and then, in turn, a real gm thread. Words were typed before I though, my bad Jammer.
I think the Raps will compete a bit better against NJ tonight. THey have a point to prove and I agree with what some people said, just clog the paint. Make harris and carter beat us from the perimeter not in the paint. Im predicting a 6 point win 98-93 for the raps.
No mega-deal is necessary this season. What they need to do instead is:
1. Basically, Sit Tight.
2. Address the back-up PG situation with an internal tweak [e.g w/AP @ #1, behind Jose].
3. Address the lack of depth up-front … by adding a FA Big [e.g. Davidson].
4. Use the Wings they’ve got already … in the proper rotation.
5. Gradually move O’Neal [C] to the bench, in favour of more time for Humphries [PF] and, then, Bargnani [PF].
6. Continue to develop Mr. Bosh, as a Top Flight under-sized Center, in the NBA [whose primary reponsiblity should not be scoring!].
If they do these things this season … in addition to the fact that Triano is now the head coach, and the internal conflict between Colangelo & Mitchell has been dissolved … when the time is right, and they can move O’Neal’s contract, in return for multiple additions to the roster … including an upgrade on the Wing … then they can continue to build gradually into the future with solid draft picks and a series of minor adjustments.
The time for a NBA championship in Toronto, in the immediate future, is now gone … but, if they can retain Bosh, there is nothing stopping them from becoming a legit conteder during Chris’ peak years, as an elite level athlete, e.g. 27-32 yrs of age …
except, of course, the previously stated ineptitude of MLSE.
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Let’s sincerely hope, they can get it right, this time.
Tim,
I’m pretty sure Hollinger is based in Atlanta…but your point about his lack of current Raps knowledge still holds
Khandor, I know!! right? That’s what confuses me about you disclaiming the notion that it’s very much possible and likely CB4 is strongly considering leaving.
Endo, I know, eh? And like FAQ says, unless his agent it incompetent, how is he not telling Chris what Khandor is saying? CB4 will fall into the “establish themselves as legit NBA players” category, out of the ones the Raptors serve in the landscape of the NBA. Farm team for Euros (Jose and Bargs etc.), confirmation of belonging in NBA (CB4, everyone else that has left) and finishing off career (the Dream, Marc Jackson, Chris Childs JO etc.) The Toronto RevolvingDoors.
B star, you sound like a Cavs fans. What does Bosh have to do? Break out his own Big Apple shoes for you to get a clue? Walk around draped in NY or Detroit gear? Come out with a statement that says “it will be a big day? and 2 years? 18 months, bro! You think like we are talking 2020 here.. that summer will be here before you can blink. Here and now, right? Like every smart business owner with a new groundbreaking product? Yeah, yawn.. go back to sleep.
I guess I was wrong, the optimism is back in full stride after a “win” vs Indy. Oh well, let’s see what happens.
Andiamo says: “lmfao…u dumb fucks.this team will be a million times better with triano in charge.we will make the playoffs and all you moron sam supporters should be forced to have vasectomies for the betterment of the planet.” “we will be leaps and bounds ahead of a sam coached team.we will be prepared,we will run plays,we will make sensible sub patterns,we will be better.” how many times have we heard “gogogo” from JT? lol
I COMPLETELY agree with the suggestions khandor proposed in comment twenty. It is the most sensible way to achieve a sustainable foundation for the then-present and future.
Just two questions Khandor,
1.How would bosh combat the dwight howard’s and andrew bynus’s of the world. We would have a serious disadvantage at the denfensive end with him as an undersized 5.
2. For both the short and long term, if you propose bosh not as a score, who will take on that load. Currently we have nobody capable of creating their own shot and will a o’neal trade realistically bring in a guard of that capability?
For now, I propose use bosh and bargnani (when in) as point forwards initiating the second part of the play at the top of the elbow. Bosh would be able to nail that shot and has the option to drive but if we play off screens and cuts, thats how we should get our points.
Finally, I was watching the jazz-blazers game, and I think bargnani should be best compared to okur. Solid defense and post game, with the ability to shoot when necessary. That would be a perfect ‘best case’ scenario for bargnani.
flux – that last part (’go go go!) jarred my memory of something i meant to mention the other day. why can’t the raps actually OUTLET the ball? is it so ingrained in jose to NEVER look to make himself available for an outlet pass that he always goes back, often circling BEHIND the rebounder, to get the ball? when i was really young, just learning the game, my coach showed us something which, looking back, should have been obvious (but like i said, we were young).
he took our fastest, best ball-handler, and asked him to go full-steam down the court while dribbling the ball. on ‘GO!’, the coach threw a relatively ’safe’ 1/4-court outlet pass. in the time it took the ball to arrive, the ball-handler had taken about 3 steps, about a 10th of the distance the ball travelled.
this principle seems completely lost on the raps. the only time i remember seeing them actually look to push it is when roko’s been on the court. if you want to push the ball, you have to move it quickly. passing is much more effective. even if they aren’t looking to breakout most of the time, having jose come back, often deep into the paint, to retrieve the ball tires him out needlessly, and wastes time off the clock.
HA! Khandor, you didn’t strike me as one that operates on hope. ; ) It would be fair to say Chris would be taking a huge gamble on hoping “MLSE changes its stripes”.
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And the thing with Bosh is..if you put yourself in his shoes..(let’s remember now, you are not from T dot, “one of the premier cities on planet Earth”)… do you really resign with this team and then wonder what could have been (for the rest of your life) (when) if things go wrong or as desired, or do you get outta dodge and then if things go wrong you can at least say “Well, at least I tried and found out”. I dunno, seems to me the latter is much more likely then the former, but that’s just me.
as for the rotation change – not sure it could hurt, but as before, i simply question both AP’s ability to handle the point, and moon’s ability to handle more ball-handling responsibility as a 2. that’s all. i’m all for AP coming off the bench (even as a 3, in certain matchups).
Wow – I agree with most of Khandors 6 points. Beg to differ on O’Neal.
Look for DWade to join the Raptors in 2010.
yertu, that one falls under the crop circles and Stonehenge category for me. I dunno man. I really don’t. I’m no x’s and o’s guy, everyone on here will tell you that, but that seems like pretty “common sense stuff” to me. I have no idea how many times I’ve scream pass the freaking ball, guy. How many times does he push the ball on the break and then puts on the breaks and goes back to the top of the 3point line? WHY ARE YOU RUNNING THEN? Or how he pushes the ball from the inbound full speed and then stops again when he crosses the half court line? I dunno.. I have no idea what’s going on.
All I can think of is that Jose has been told that the way to get to the NBA is to be conservative, take care of the ball, don’t take chances and risks, only make passes you know lead to assists, protect your ratio, etc. How this guy got to the NBA and how he reached the All Star material chatter, beyond being a nice guy and solid back up who hands out Gatorade, I have no idea. And if he is so great, how did 29 other team miss him?
And as far as wasting clock, he doesn’t bother me as much as JO does. How many times are we playing 4 on 5 and then this guy comes into you screen like: “Oh, game on? My bad” because he is collecting himself off the ground for half an hour or is having wardrobe malfunctions with his knee brace. Ir ri tat ing.
Khandor, point #6 implies that we need another big time player who is bigger than Bosh on the Raptors. Don’t know if that’s going to happen with CB4 around. Don’t know about #1 either, there’s no reason to believe AP can play the backup PG for more than 3 minutes a game without getting exploited.
My personal opinion is that if we continue our current trend of getting bounced in the first round, Bosh is out in 2010, so he’ll be spending his peak years in a differnet uni. Need something to bridge the gap between then and now and I’m afraid the current crop ain’t cutting it.
I dunno, maybe no one else is trusted with ball handling or passing, at all.
How is it possible for the drips who call the Raptors game to note Troy Murphy’s “unusually” good game and not mention Bosh’s classically feeble defense and lack of boxing out on him?? Ooops, forgot….Bosh has a different standard than any other “superstar”…
Maybe this city will stop being such a fucking joke when the dopes who inhabit it stop calling it T.dot…. possibly the lamest, most enfeebling, least evocative of anything interesting, nickname of any city ever.
The kind of people that didn’t see potential in the Nets this year are the Doug Smith sort of assholes who have zero instincts and intelligence and only base their opinions on what they read and who they’ve heard of.
Like the dipshits who assumed that the Raptors had an advantage in the point guard position over Orlando in the last series…
Anyone who thought at any level that the Kidd/Harris trade was a good one for Dallas…anyone who underestimates L Frank….anyone who would choose J O’Neal over B Lopez.
..anyone who thought sacrificing a third of your payroll and all your depth for a has-been who hasn’t helped a team in years…
Anyone who thought Bosh’s big games against Charlotte and Miami meant that he had moved to a new level and didn’t laugh when he declared himself ready to pursue MVP.
Right, Arse. The way things are going, this year, if we even somehow make the 7 or 8 seed, we are playing one of 3 teams that will bounce us. Sooo, what’s the point?
Blow this popsicle stand up and pull a Miami!! Tank the season, trade Bosh, get into the lottery, start all over.
HAHAHA nunya!! Lopez working JO!!! Oh man, that’s great. How DOES JO live with himself? Just retire, dogg! Wait wait wait… he brings… wait for it… SWAGGER!! One of those immeasurable stats the greats like Red, Sloan, Jax and Hubie preach about and look for in every player.
the other issue i think would present itself with moon starting at the 2 is that we’d see much more full & 3/4-court pressure on jose, as teams try to get the ball out of his hands & into moons. i’m all for moon being an energetic hustler, defender, rebounder (when he’s at his best), and a guy who CAN hit open j’s. but as a ball-handler? not so sure. it didn’t take teams long to figure out that one of the best ways to disrupt the flow of the raps’ offense is to pressure the ball, and force jose to start the offense from well outside the 3pt-line. if moon is his backcourt mate, and the default 2nd option for bringing the ball up &/or initiating offense (’cause remember, it’s mr. roboto, hump & bosh in this lineup), well, that just gives me the shakes. higher probablility of turnovers (both from the increased pressure on jose & moon handling the ball more often), and more exertion required of jose, leading to more minutes for roko and, GASP!, swill.
double shake.
flux u mad jc teabagged your boy tj the other night?…hahaaaaa.sucka.
ah, that’s classic. very well thought out & articulated.
Flux,
I forgot that it’s always doom and gloom for you. 18 months of depression until Bosh leaves. Then what? I say lament over the Toronto Raptors becoming the Las Vegas Raptors. That’s only 36 months away bro!
yertu, if there are two posters whose “back” I have, it’s Andiamo and nunya. They’re allowed to spit out anything.
I also miss this poster called “Muh Dik” who used to be present on arsenalist.com. A theologian, philosopher and basketball aficionado mixed into one.
Yertu, Moon’s handles are not that bad, are they?
B-star, I see no sun on the horizon, the dark cloud has been over the Raps since the JO trade (not because of TJ, just the unbalanced/non nonsensical transaction), and it doesn’t look like it’s clearing up anytime soon. I wouldn’t lament about the Las Vegas Raptors, but that’s a scenario I don’t envision, too many optimists like yourself will keep the team in town, no worries. See: Leafs, Maple.
lol,word,thx arse…i come in here and half the time the shit i read is like most of us are battling dudes who aint even raptor fans,just wack goofs,with wack know it all agendas for self aggrandizement and people that want to see the raptors fail so they can say “i told you so”…ive supported the players through thick n thin regardless of race,creed,colour or ethnicity since inception …..and on that note,the raps are going to beat the nets tonight and to jakoffs that have written them off prior to the game even being played,please, get another fucken team u pathetic fucks.
Surprised no one is discussing the potential big BC is bringing in next week.. who do we want to see? Why are we even bringing a big in? Bargs, JO, CB4.. we’re stacked baby.. these guys are feared monsters.
I see Dikembe fits the Raps bill perfectly.. old, end of career, international, stand up guy. Bring the REAL finger wave to the ACC.
How bout Scot Pollard? Ha? C’mon.. champion, samurai, all around tough guy. Make it happen BC!
Dale Davis?
Or a blast from the past… HOFFA?!!
Love to see the Kandiman.. that would force me to actually buy a jearsey for the first time!!
It would not shock me to see us sign Jamal Sampson for the second time.
Juwan Howard’s out there too. Rod Benson? I don’t know. I can’t believe I’m saying this but I wish we had resigned Primoz to half a mil or so so he could be the 14th guy on the roster.
Bryan Colangelo I think is just saying were looking for a Big so not to discredit his wings and make them look bad. Rival GM’s can always taste blood during your weakest times. Eg Rod Thorn and Babcock scenario. I would assume he is really looking for a wing who is athletic and can play D.
Off topic, but I stand by what I said since last year. With Maurizio pasta boy here to brainwash Bryan, had a lebron James, Dwayne Wade, Dwight Howard been in the 2006 draft, they still would have choose Bargnani with the #1, no question about it. And eveyone agrees with me – friends, family
Why Arse? Why bring him in now.. different coach?
Something about the FabFive crew all having bad karma..me no likey the Howard call. Rod’s tied up in France, no?
Still going with Scot… offensive boards galore, never takes plays off, plays to kill, instigates.
Arsenalist Bryan says Jamal Sampson is a stud, he just needs the right coaching to bring it all our to the forefront. Messina coming in will bring hope to the club and make Hassan Adams and Will Solomon into All Star caliber players.
last year this team was so deep,the thinking was sam mismanaged the players at his disposal so bc’s job is to put the entire squad in a position to succeed,bc didnt want to fire sam so he traded off depth in a quality for quantity move to alleviate sam of the decision process and shorten the bench.nobody on the planet envisioned us being this shorthanded,jc’s hammy,hassan comin in injured,jawais heart,hump,jo’s ankle…these are not excuses,but reality…the players have lost confidence and it all started on the alley oop to vc.ball is a game of runs and that set us off on a disastrous tailspin…..we need to stay strong and have faith.we have to learn a new system and we can only get better….doom n gloom is for quitters and faggots using derogatory slurs like “pasta boy”need a slap in the face.
I gotta love Andiamo condemning the user of derogatory slurs one word before he says “faggot”. Gotta love it.
From the little I’ve seen of Triano, I like. He’s not a motivation guy. He’s counting on the players to show up ready to play and he’ll provide a system that if you buy into, will make you successful. He’s trying to sell something to the players and wants them to buy it, as opposed to Mitchell’s who had a feeble idea of basketball in his mind and thought it was the be all and end all solution. So far I’ve seen good things in terms of ball-movement and off-the-ball movement. He seems to have scripted plays to get Bargnani shots early and is making a point of using Graham’s strength in the post. Saw this a few times against CLE and IND, Bargnani didn’t come through but the opportunity was there.
His mandate is to push the ball and that doesn’t always mean getting FB points, its about setting up your offense with enough ticks (18-20) on the shot-clock, he’s been able to achieve that. He’s not tolerating people ball-watching and his benching of Bargs for Moon is evidence of that. I think a lot of defense is effort and we have trouble getting that, to make matters worse Mitchell got the tactical part of defense wrong too. Here’s something simple we’re doing: not leaving shooters open. It sounds almost moronic but its true, we’re doing a much better job of just sticking with the oppositions perimeter shooters because we’re not leaving them to help on someone for no good reason (minus Calderon on Blake). Small stuff that’s adding up, I think if this team struggles from here on out, the blame is 100% with the players, Triano is trying hard and pushing the right buttons so far.
Define “struggles” for me, Arse, please. (I know we are waiting until the 50 game mark now, to see “where we are at”.
I am hearing ya on the changes, but does it mean much when it’s not translating to wins? (yet, I guess, not that I like that “time” excuse). Also, theses changes are still not solving issues like huge holes, chocking when it matters, giving up leads, etc. (Again, so I don’t have to see people crying, yet, I guess)
Also, say the “blame” does go to the players, does that exonerate Sam in any way, or is his still riding the short yellow bus to coaching class? And are we assigning all his wins based on luck and players, while he was a pylon out there, showcasing suits?
lol at #46.
that loss against the nets when vc buttfucked us and sam rubbed his eyes till an 18 pt lead dissolved sent us into a tailspin of epic proportions.the nets were behind us in the standings,had zero confidence and in one stinking game we reversed roles with them.they went on to win a bunch of games,grew nuts, exuded confidence and swagger and we went on to fire a coach,lose a whole lotta games,lose all confidence and play nutless ball like a bunch of spineless bitches.the nets are in our spot in the standing and we are in theirs.a bizzaro world unfolded…..payback tonight motherfuckers?…..lets get shit right.i say the boys brawl tonight and take their nuts back.
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Nice contradiction there buddy. And don’t tell people they need a slap unless your willing to do it yourself. Word of advice
Fluxland I agree. Your the most reasonable person on this site who tells it like it is unlike the other ass kisser
Pasta boy is a slur – yet you use the term faggot ?
Both equally offensive.
FLUXLAND Identicon Icon FLUXLAND
Dec 12, 2008 3:09 pm | Permalink
I see Dikembe fits the Raps bill perfectly.. old, end of career, international, stand up guy. Bring the REAL finger wave to the ACC.
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LOL. Brilliant
Why do I have a feeling that Andiamo is smarter than Fluxland?
Joey, I’m sure I am not the only reasonable person on here who tell is like it is or at the very least how they see it, it all comes down to the glass half full or empty deal. Lots of Rap fans, IMO, will never be critical of anyone within the organization regardless of what happens. Their positive outlook on everything allows them to see the glass half full. Like, their entire house is up in flames and they are like: “Wow, that’s burning well, look at the pretty colors! Quick, grab some marshmallows”
Now, just because for some that’s not the case and they see the glass half empty, these people “aint even raptor fans, just wack goofs, jakoffs with personal agendas, dumb fucks, moron sam supporters, quitters and faggots, suckas, bitches and pathetic fucks” who need a slap in the face (on the face I assume) while they are even tempered humans who support the players through thick n thin regardless of race, creed, colour or ethnicity since inception, and they are free of any bias except for when it comes to others opinions or if they happen to be named TJ Ford aka “lil cunt” or MoPete aka “inconsistent lil bitch”.
Shockingly, this is the type of people who’s “back” Arse has.
It’s a fantastic world we live in, isn’t it?
Arse, looks like Howard is off the market, just signed with BrownCats.
True. Great point. I am a fan of the team and catch as many games as I can but on that note, I’m also a realist. This team as currently constructed will not make any noise in the playoffs, if they even make it there. We have below average NBA players at SG and SF, I’m just telling it how it is. I just like the game of Basketball and I enjoy the opponents we face on any given night.
But what can you do. People like Sean Avery speak his mind and now he’s the black sheep of the League. Not 1 player will stick up for him either not even him teammates or Brett Hall. Atleats say, he made a mistake, he’s still our guy and were happy to have him. One thing I hate about the NHL is everyone is such a nice guy and is cut out of the same mold.
NBA, the players watch eachother’s back and that’s what I love about the game.
were 4-7 on the road.nets are 4-6 at home.its there for us.730pm cant come soon enough.this game is massive tonight to get our confidence back.
Same here, Sir, I agree. Not sure why some people think that a coaching change will change the level of talent on the team. Sure, it MAY change the production of some of the players, but at the end of the day when facing elite/better teams or IF they get into the playoffs, it’s not even the same ball game.
so lets just concede and forfeit the rest of the season because we know our talent just isnt better than the elite or supposed better teams talent….lmao…jesus christ some of you must be failing horribly at life.
Any the playoffs is when real tough minded people are needed to win it all. lol
I wonder if these people get offended when they watch Drive This and listen to real sports minds who pull no punches and tell it like it is
Andiamo did you not read your first post at the top of the page? If you were beside me I would have given you coin to buy a tampon.
I never said anything about blowing the team up or tanking. learn to read. I said this team should give it there all, no question, but they need upgrades in there lineup. You brought up forefiting not me man
Games have to be played no doubt, some of us, however, are not delusional with grandiose ideas of being 2nd in the East and making the Finals or hoping and praying all the planets line up correctly and that everything will go right. And then when it doesn’t, pull out the excuse train with injuries and being shorthanded, something the GM is supposed to account for or happens because of the decisions he made.
No, we should definitively keep bringing out praying beads and sing kumbaya while the franchise keeps eternally missing the playoffs, being a middle of the conference team or gets bounced out of the playoffs in the 1st round. That’s much better. MEDIOCRITY, that’s what we strive for. FANTASTIC. Hey, at least we go a team right? And it could be worse right?
Joey, no doubt.. sitting around wondering about confidence and mental state. That’s the recipe for success in the playoffs. Starting games with turnovers, blowing leads, choking, the cornerstones of Champions, really.
Totally unrelated.
I know arsenalist follows TFC from his arsenal/tfc/raptors days for arsenalist and this is for anybody else who watches TFC. TFC traded for De Rosario, a canadian native for julius james and allocation money. I think this is a great trade and a solid addition for the reds.
A question, did you join the score blog with the arsenal blog arsenalist?
Yes Dino, I did join the Score network for that site. RR however remains free from ads and generates exactly 0 dollars for the people involved.
Off topic, but I stand by what I said since last year. With Maurizio pasta boy here to brainwash Bryan, had a lebron James, Dwayne Wade, Dwight Howard been in the 2006 draft, they still would have choose Bargnani with the #1, no question about it. And eveyone agrees with me – friends, family.
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well joey,you and your family and friends must come from a long line of morons if you all think that.congrats on inheriting the dumb gene and spreading the stupidity.