Next time I hit up Dave and Buster’s, I’m bringing Ray Allen with me. He might as well have been playing Pop-A-Shot in the first quarter the way he was dropping those daggers. Money. Of course, when you’re that good and you have Kapono trailing behind you like an eager little brother instead of playing defence, it pretty much IS playing Pop-A-Shot. When were down big early, everyone knew it was over. The Raptors haven’t shown the ability to close a gap, and the way they play from behind, they’ll never be a top.
Jose was back in the lineup (and totally surprised the crowd) with the start. Unfortunately, Ocho looked more like an eighty-year-old out there, his mobility slightly faster than Stephen Hawking without his scooter. He didn’t look comfortable, had little impact on the game (other than getting picked off by Brian Scalabrine, of all people), and probably should have sat this one out. Rondo executes the dribble penetration as well as any PG in the league, and today he took burning Jose off the dribble to a whole new level. Rondo would have had more than 11 assists if Big Baby didn’t have hands of stone. Seriously, I bet Glen drops his bacon-double cheeseburger at least twice a day.
Speaking of Scalopini, his big pasty red ass was another surprise start. With Perkins out, you’d think Rivers would start Davis, Powe, or even benchwarming tree trunk Patrick O’Bryant. But I guess he figured that Scalabweenie is a better match for Bargnani. Matching goofy white for goofy white is good thinking, except Scalabeanie is way too slow to stay with Bargnani, who’s no speed demon in his own right. Big Red picked up three quick fouls and dropped his freckled easily-sunburned rump back on his “reserved” seat. His 6th foul got a bigger ovation than Jose’s return. I hate the guy, but I’m sure he gets that all the time.
We had good ball movement early in the game and jumped out to a 12-6 lead, which is only worth mentioning to say that it’s not worth mentioning at all. The Raptors keep a lead about as well as Barkley keeps a diet. Point proven as I barely blinked before Ray Allen dropped 15 quick points on us, at one point outscoring the entire Raptors team 15-14 in the first quarter. It was a basketball bukkake all over our faces. And it’s not that a 30+ player with bad knees stuck in a long shooting streak outscored your whole team on his way to a season high, it’s that ANY player outscored your whole team. Embarrassing.
I won’t linger too long on Ray’s first quarter performance, other to say that if they kept passing him the ball he could have had three or four more buckets, easy. He was that zoned in. I swear I saw him jogging back down the court before the ball left his hands on a couple of them. Somehow, our defence has YET to learn their lesson this season and continue to leave the arc wide open, despite being torched for longball after longball. We should have brought Graham in the game earlier.
Next Big 3 member: Paul Pierce. When he went down and grabbed his ankle in the first I got excited, hoping he’d be helped off the court only to miraculously return in the 3rd and deliver a 360 jam, followed by him tilting his head to the sky and doing his laughable little “can you heard me God? I’m screaming!” routine. Instead, we were spared the drama as he limped his way into an 11-6-6 performance. I guess I’ll take it.
Watching KG today, five things are clear:
1. If NBA rules allowed Garnett to wear his championship ring on the court, he would.
2. His close-talking, head-banging thing against the support padding before the game is creepy and quasi-psychotic.
3. He sets moving screens better than anyone since the Mailman.
4. He considers Chris Bosh his bitch.
5. Chris Bosh IS his bitch.
Garnett takes every opportunity to push, nudge, bump, grab, and rattle CB. The result, of course, is obvious. He not only gets up in his face but in his head, causing Chris to play hesitant, like a JV player being asked to sub in and cover the varsity All-Star in practice. Chris Bosh had to find a way to score on Garnett for us to steal this game. He did not, and we did not. As I told the guy sitting beside me: “When Jamario Moon is your leading scorer (he was until the 4th), you’re not going to win against the Thunder.”
To our credit, we were a Jumpshotio Moon pass away from being down 2 very late in the 4th quarter. Kapono was wide open in the corner, Bargs at the top of the key, yet Moon hesitates and jacks a three that even he knew wasn’t going in. Oh, did I mention that Kapono was 5/6 for 12 points in the quarter and that Bargnani’s been shooting 60% from behind the arc lately? Just sayin’.
That was one of five big mistakes today that drove me nuts. The other 4:
- Jose not getting to ball to Moon when Pierce injured himself in the first. I mean, dude could barely stand, but instead of exploiting the injury Jose turned the ball over. He’s that against passing the rock to Jamario.
- Andrea triple pump-faking his way to a shot clock violation, despite being covered by Stay Puft Marshmallow Davis.
- Ray Allen killed us all game. Ray Allen has 5 fouls with 7 minutes left in the fourth. Ray Allen does not foul out. Why? Because no one took it to him. Getting Allen out of the game should have been priority #1, especially with every other Celtic struggling to hit a shot.
- Not exploiting mismatches. At one point, Bosh had Rondo covering him IN THE POST and he:
a) Backs him down for the easy two
b) Turns and shoots over him for the easy two
c) Passes the ball bask to Solomon at the top of the key, who turns the ball over
I’ll let you guess the answer.
Despite making our regular mistakes protecting the perimeter and stopping dribble penetration, as well as committing the specific errors above, we were in this one to the end. Who would have predicted that Ukic, Kapono, Graham, Moon, and Bargnani would be the lineup to bring it from a 20 point game to a 5 point game? The only thing more astounding would have been for Hassan Adams to be in on it. Oh, and that comeback was without $43,201,099 worth of our “big three” on the floor. That 43 million contributed a -27 and a DNP, for the record.
Moon and Graham both had great games, but we’re obviously outmatched against the Celtics. Tomorrow night should be more of the same, with Boston returning to the comforts of their home court and Toronto travelling without Jose and JO….but I’ll let Arsenalist handle this one tomorrow.
Some DiNotes:
- Cabbie was sitting a few rows over…wearing a Boston cap. Tsk tsk. And he calls himself the Black Gerry Dee.
- Overheard in the crowd:
Kid: “Is Roko Ukic from Croatia?”
Father: “No, he’s European.”
- Has Bosh finished a contested dunk this season? Every time he’s fouled on the way to the hoop, he rims out.
- With 5 minutes left at halftime, the whole Celtic team was out shooting and getting warm. We had Bosh, Voskhul, Solomon, and Parker. We were down 20. WTF? At the very least, Roko should be the first person out there, every game.
- The top of the refs head must have been freezing, because he was tapping it all afternoon. There were more shot clock violations in this game than I’ve ever seen.
- Watching Tom Thibodeau off the bench screaming out defensive assignments as they’re up 18 proves he’s a head coach in an assistant’s body.
- I did not miss Kendrick Perkins’ me-so-ugly scowl one bit.
- I’m not sure the comeback speaks to how we played as much as it speaks to how much Boston has lost their killer instinct. Can’t blame them, Popovich learned that you can’t play every game like it’s Game 7 many moons ago.
Finally, today’s “Alice Fine” line: Joey Graham Makes Good Things Happen™.
He set the tone, brought energy and toughness, and lit a fire under us. Hard fouls, the shoving match with the Ginger Giant, firm defence on Garnett – his best game of the season. Good/Bad Joey is now officially Joey – a beast on the boards, including a few possessions where he boxed out Big Baby so that other Raptors could grab the board. I hope Joey picks up Triano’s dinner tab after every game, because this kid owes him his career.
26 Raps
Ray Allen was seriously smooth today. I’m pretty sure he slept with my wife…
amazing thing is, he managed to do it even though I’m not married.
Rap of the day. Close the thread.
That’s how scared Bosh is of KG.. he passed the ball with Rondo on him cuz KG was lurking with the help D. Disgusting! That’s what MVPs do?
Its too early to start Ukic, but I would play him major minutes over Solomon and let him run the 4th. He is probably the only Raptor that can keep up with Rondo. Hopefully Triano has learned something today, how he adapts tomorrow will speak volumes about his coaching prowess.
PeaceDog – agreed. Solomon was getting beat by Gabe Pruitt, Roko was at least keeping keeping House in front of him.
Flux, when that play happened I exploded in the live chat. That right there told me his head wasn’t right. It wasn’t even a double, they were playing him straight-up and he passed out.
I already said this in the Roll Call but Calderon’s D gifted the Celtics their lead which was fatal because we’re not a team that handles adversity well.
Graham at least played well, Im hoping for a better effort 2moro. Im not asking for a win, just keep it close all game, I don’t have the NFL playoffs to watch 2moro.
Excellent analysis on the game. It was pitiful to watch and now we have to go through it again tomorrow night. Why can’t both these games be on TSN2 so I won’t be able to see it?
Anyone on our team should be available for trade.
nice post-game dinosty.
i laughed, and i cried.
Yeah.
I laughed. And I cried. And I cried. And I cried.
calderon for howard!
we need T.j ford back simple as that. calderon is amazing, the american broadcasters praise him.. but we all know calderon is not the RIGHT fit for this team.. neither is he for Pacers, Calderon can excel in a halfcourt offense that WE FOR A REASON JUST CANNOT DO.. and if we do.. WE RUN OUR PLAYS SOO SLOW.. ITS ALWAYS AN OBVIOUS MOVE.. and why the HELL DOESNT MOON GET THAT ALLEY PASS OR THAT PASS WHEN HE CUTS.. i mean.. WE ALWAYS SEE HIM DO LIL GIRLY HOPE AND PUT HIS HAND AND STOP FOR A GOOD SECOND.. JUST COMES TO SHOW … THE PLAYS THAT WE DO RUN FOR THE WING PLAYERS ARE NOT EXECUTED ACCORDINGLY THANKS TO OUR BRILLIANT PLAY AT THE POINT. Sure hes hurt, but was he any better on Defense prior to his injury? nope.. loll i like his game.. im not hating, but truth be said.. our offense should not have guys standing for seconds and doin the SAME play which the opposing team KNOWS !! Jose needs to be a leader as a pointgaurd.. he is not a leader yet.. just cause he hands out water bottles and gatorade at halftime doesnt mean SH*T. lol he needs to do the right thing even if triano might freak out.. like whats triano gonna do? BRING JOSE OFF THE BENCH cuz he makes HIS OWN DECISIONS ON THE COURT? cp3/deron/kidd/even NASH/nelson/felton/stuckey/fisher&farmar/alston/ridnour/andre miller.. ALL are TOLD SET PLAYS.. THEY ALL HAVE COACHES WHO WANT IT DONE THERE WAY.. BUT YOU CANNOT LISTEN TO INSTRUCTIONS 110% OF THE TIME ON OFFENSE.. THATS JUST NOT RIGHT.. WHEN JOSE BEAT CELTICS LAST YEAR SINGLE HANDEDLY IN THE last minute or two.. DID SAM TELL HIm “JOSE, ITS ALL YOU BABY.. TAKE IT TO THE RACK AND DO A LAYUP DONT KICK IT OUT”.. NO.. HE REALIZED HE HAD NO OPTION AND READ THE D.. AND DID WHAT HE THOT WAS RIGHT..we need him to get MENTALLY SET and comfortable.. somethings WRONG WITH HIM.. shit this is LONG.. lol im OUTTT.. plz tell me.. some fans in canada AGREE with what i said.. partially atleast.
The clues about caldy starting were evident on this site before the game. Game over. Now it would appear he may not even be capable off the bench, as this team now has better movement and he can not keep up. If they have it in their mind that he is the starting PG, I guess I lose interest, but I think they know that BB has become the focal point. It’s all we’ve got here, and they will have to deel with the caldy somehow, among other things. BB is a pretty good starting point though. Fortunately, it is only the fans who focus on Solomon’s early season comedy. Playing under control now, it appears he is a pretty good fit for the BB. It is what it is, and it was working as well as the 2/3 spot during the recent brief success. No further comment on the caldy.
Who is BB?
I think he is referring to the ‘killer bees’. Bosh and Bargs…
No way. Killer B’s is something different (and stupid). I think this post is about 12 years old and he’s talking about Benoit Benjamin.
What is this love affair with Joey. Played one of his best games of the season (wow 12 points), but as usual missed two lay-ups, missed a defensive assignment, leading to a open Ray Allen 3 late in the 4th and allowed Powe an offensive rebound, when he had him boxed out.
Meanwhile the player we should have chosen Danny Granger put up 42 yesterday.
I am tired about these Toronto fans cheering on marginal players and making them fan favourites (Tie Domi, Tiger Williams, Kris Humphries and now Joey).
Does Benoit Benjamin count in your group??
Anthony, a day doesn’t go by that we don’t think about Rudy Gay, Roy, Iggy, Bynum, Granger and whoever but what are you going to do? We’ve been blessed with mediocre management for a while now and dwelling on the past after every big game by one of those players doesn’t help.
As for Joey, think about this: This guy was in the doghouse for the past two years, imagine how far he would’ve been if Sam had just given him consistent burn.
The point is Graham is just okay, quit making him out to be a game changer. A game does not go by that he does not miss defensive assignments, misses a gimme lay up, forgets to block out and is unable to grab a rebound.
I do watch him closely and his mistakes are glaring. For people to clamour that he needs to start is a sad indictment as to where this team is…..
Bosh is the big black timeclock black hole.
No matter where he gets the ball he holds it and ponders for a 4 count.
I CAN DO THIS OR DO THAT OR DO THIS OR DO THAT OR DO THIS OR DO THAT OR AHHHH FUCK IT I’LL JUST SHOOT FROM HERE WEEEEEEEEEE HERE I GO!
Anthony, you must not visit here very often. Suggestions regarding lineup and experts on how to fix “the problem” are unlimited and abound around here. Everyone is Tex Winter, Jax, Pop and Doc all in one. So, really I am not sure what you are getting all bent out of shape about. The sad truth is this team does not have the personnel to compete at at high level against top teams in the NBA. Shuffling around different broken down parts still results in a broken down unit.
Not to mention, there is no team here. All these clowns take turns at “showing us what they got” and slapping high fives in between shows. One night its Andrea, one night it’s Parker, then Bosh, then Kapono, Hump proving his point every time he gets the ball, Solomon jacking up shots to prove he’s the man, Moon the same. It’s like some sort of show case. Just look at how they play D. There is no unity, no talking, (occasional yelling by Bosh, showing us his MVP skills), no anything. Just I do my job you do yours, and then when you mess up, blame the other guy.
I am sooo sick of this, it’s sickening. Just blow it up already. Can it be more obvious they do not enjoy playing with each other.
Wow, how negative can one be…. The team certainly has lacked cohesion and seem incapable of playing 60 minutes (oops 48), but they do seem to be fairly close. Problem is they are not and have not played well. If this continues, you may be 100% correct, but I refuse to be so down. Certainly we are not doing a good job of moving the ball and not playing with reckless abandon.
I hope you are wrong, time will tell…..
As for the coaches you conjured up are we going to the four corners offense soon?
lmfao..damn flux is a loser.hell,i think flux may be a bigger loser than the raptors.
Losers make excuses.. winners make it happen. All I hear all day and everyday from the organization, players and “true fans” is a bunch of excuses. Oh we don’t matchup well, oh Jamario had a baby, oh we had a tough schedule, oh Jose’s hammy, oh we got a new coach, OH STFU already.
But hey, we will be a million times better with Triano, we will make the playoffs, right? HORNS UP, bitches!!!
Whether they make the playoffs this season or not is irrelevant at this point. But what they must try do is improve and develop the BB ’cause, well let’s face it, that be all they got, as evidenced by the past seven. But they can win a lot of games. Remember they weren’t even beating OKC prior. We will know soon enough on the caldy. But what a potentially colossal mistake that was yesterday.
fluxy,we already are a million times better with triano,it may not have showed up in the standings yet, but that’ll come.we will make the playoffs and yes,lol,horns up u bitch.