Charlie V needs no motivation against the RapsSomebody come over here and slap me silly for thinking that the “red hot” Raptors would cruise at home against the Redd-less Bucks. A three game winning streak against Chicago, Sacramento and New Jersey wasn’t exactly highly impressive but it did signify one of the best stretches of ball we’ve played all season. So coming into this one you’d think the momentum, playoff hunger and desire to salvage this season would push them through against the Bucks on their home floor. The first half had me feeling exactly the way I did against Memphis, you know, not a good half but the opposition isn’t exactly great and if we just wake up in the third and play with a little bit of intensity and passion, we should be able to push this team around. Right? Wrong. This is what happened in the third quarter where we shot 25%. I haven’t seen so many jumpers since the three-point contest.
We shot too high of a percentage in the first quarter which always makes me nervous because it gives us a false sense of confidence, we start thinking that we can shoot like that all game long and our defense lets up because things are coming too easy on offense. Those percentages always even out and they did again last night. At the end of the first quarter we were shooting 60% and the Bucks were at 45%. By the end of the evening we were at 43% and the Bucks were at 47%. ‘Tis better to shoot consistently well rather than spectacularly in one quarter and flame out for the other three.
Andrea Bargnani went 5-7 for 13 points in the first quarter, he was receiving the ball at the top of the key/arc after the high screen and nailing his jumpers. He was shooting over Bogut, driving past Charlie V, and drawing fouls leaving the Bucks defense utterly confused as to how to stop him. Turns out we did the job for them, Bargnani did not attempt a single shot in the second quarter as the Raptors got outscored 25-17. He was taken out at the 3:15 mark of the first, brought back at the 8:37 mark of the second and taken out at 5:13 of the second for good. Is Triano alright? He had our hottest player play only 3:24 seconds in the entire second quarter? Insane coaching.
Bargnani was asked to close-out RidnourThe defense was never great to begin with but with Bargnani out of the picture the offense dried up and we went back to seeing Chris Bosh try to draw fouls on jumpers by getting the defender in the air on pump-fakes. It worked in the second quarter but failed in the third and fourth, that’s how jumpers work. Charlie V and Francisco Elson must be laughing it up as Bosh tried to multi-fake them 18-feet out and try to draw contact against a vertical defense. The refs didn’t buy it and neither did the fans, he’s supposed to be the leader of the team and when he plays as passive as he did last night how can you expect anybody else on the team to be aggressors? A scout once said that Charlie V has more basketball sense than Chris Bosh. I agree and so do his seven ubiquitous turnovers agree. Elson was giving him the space up top and Charlie V was playing him tight in the block challenging Bosh to beat him for quickness. Bosh tried but failed and looked unsure, uncoordinated and unnatural in the process. That’s what a lack of a post-up game does to a player, it forces him to beat a player for quickness when he should be beating him for height and strength in the post. Everybody agrees that the +/- is a red-herring of a stat but Bosh’s game-high -18 says something.
Give credit to the Bucks, they’d lost 5 out of 7 and smelt blood coming into the building and why not. Ramon Sessions, Charlie Bell and Charlie V beat their man off the dribble all night long without the help of a pick forcing the Raptors defense to rotate, which it did to some degree. But after the second rotation you’ll end up having a matchup like Bargnani or Bosh trying to check a guard on the perimeter and if that guard decides to ball-fake and drive there’s just no way your defense can handle it. Case in point was Jermaine O’Neal unsuccessfully trying to guard Mbah a Moute one-on-one on the perimeter in the fourth quarter or Bargnani stepping out to close-out Sessions only for him to whiz past him as he’s coming out. Our perimeter defenders always over-commit on anything they’re trying to do, if they have to challenge a shot they’ll challenge so hard that a simple fake will get the defense a clean look. If they have to close-out their footwork and stance will be such that it’ll give the offensive player a clear path to the rim. Against an unmotivated team you might even get away with it but the Bucks meant business and we didn’t.
The other problem of course is the unnecessary shading. If Charlie V is catching the ball in the low-block, there is zero reason for the weak side defense to be out of position or lose track of their man. I lost count of how many cross-court passes were thrown by a Bucks post-up player for an open look on the weak side which invariably led to a score. Inexcusable and confusing stuff because we have no idea whether this is some sort of strategy to deter drives or just plain bad perimeter defense, nobody in the post-game interviews seems to ask that question. They did ask Triano about effort:
“I give them credit because they outworked us. We told our guys we can’t be outworked and we were. They’re a good defensive team, they locked our guys up. Jose Calderon couldn’t shake their defense and (Bosh) couldn’t shake their defense. We got behind and that was it.”
The Bucks came out with great intensity and effort in the third and went on a 13-4 run to start the quarter as Jefferson finally hit a couple shots. The Raptors were the complete opposite, we simply refused to drive the ball and settled for jumper after jumper, ending with a whopping 2 PINP in the frame. The plan at halftime was to get Bargnani involved and he came out looking for his shot but if you haven’t taken a shot for 40 minutes you’ll be cold. To his credit he tried to mix it up by going to the rim when his jumper didn’t fall and managed to throw off the defense which came to help but there were no offensive rebounders to take advantage of a scrambling Bucks defense. We’re dead last in the NBA in offensive rebounding and this quarter was an example of why – nobody wants to hit the glass. Even when Triano called a timeout to settle the team they came out shooting two straight jumpers which were missed. Nothing was working, it was as if they were shocked that the Bucks had dared to compete with them with Michael Redd being out.
SF on Bosh = Bosh neutralizedThe Bucks never felt a need to double Bosh as Elson, Charlie V and Mbah a Moute were keeping him in check. This meant that somebody else needed to step up on offense and it wasn’t going to be Jose Calderon. Much like Bosh, his game is primarily perimeter oriented and if his off-the-screen jumper is working then the offense opens up but if he’s firing blanks he becomes a non-factor. He’s supposed to be the #2 scoring option on the team and he went 3-11. Still did a good job of sprinkling the shooters with the ball and racked up 11 assists but pulled back in transition too many times opting to go for a wing option rather than straight to the cup. It’s not like the Bucks were making a serious effort to get back, a little aggressiveness was needed and Jose didn’t bring it. Watching Ramon Sessions attack the paint you can’t help but feel that that’s an element of the game that Calderon needs to add to his arsenal before he is seriously talked about as “one of the best PGs in the league”.
The fourth quarter was pointless, the Bucks had built a 70-59 lead and the Raptors offense remained toothless. Our best weapon on the night was Jermaine O’Neal who finally figured out that Charlie V is too weak to defend his post-up game and went straight at him for 10 fourth quarter points. Unfortunately, Richard Jefferson, who had been quiet most of the night, knocked down key fourth quarter jumpers and Charlie V continued his assault against Parker, Kapono and Bosh by continually slashing and creating/scoring. Their big guns held down the fort for them, Chris Bosh and Jose Calderon had 2 and 3 fourth quarter points, respectively.
The only mini-run we made in the fourth was Bargnani hitting a three and then Calderon getting a mid-court steal for a layup. That cut the lead to 10 and got the crowd back into it but the Bucks responded quickly with a hard Bogut dunk after he cut and O’Neal/Bosh lost track of him. There were definitely a couple questionable calls in this game, Jermaine O’Neal was called for an offensive foul when Mbah a Moute was incorrectly adjudged to be outside the circle. O’Neal picked up a technical for arguing. Later on with the Bucks up 9 with 2 minutes left, frustration kicked in and he shoved a Buck after the fact, Charlie V took offense and after the double technical his night was over. He finished with a tidy 16 points (7-10 FG), 8 rebounds and 2 blocks, easily one of his best games this month. Should help the trade value.
A word about Charlie V. He seems exactly the player the Raptors need, an athletic scoring option that can slash. There’s no doubt he’s an inconsistent offensive player and that his defense is shoddy, but so was TJ Ford’s and so is Jermaine O’Neal’s. It’s a joy to watch a player when he’s playing hard and in the groove and he was in it tonight. He had a couple drives against a clogged paint tonight that he had no business finishing. He was emotionally into it and his aggressive play gave his team an example to follow.
One-Liners:
- It seemed like Sam Mitchell was coaching this game.
- Very disappointing result, especially on the heels of a 3-game winning streak. As always, just when you think this team might have an outside shot at showing some character and resolve they come out with a performance like this.
- Jason Kapono played the first 9:13 of the fourth quarter and went 1-4. For a guy that’s put in entirely for his offense in a game he sure provide enough of it. I’m sure you can guess just how much he was exploited off the bounce in this stretch. BTW, our three main wings (Parker, Kapono and Moon) have the three worst PER48 PPG on the team.
- Best Lineup: Kapono, Bargnani, Bosh, Calderon and O’Neal going +8 in a fourth quarter stretch. It’s mainly due to to O’Neal getting his scores one-on-one. Worst Lineup: Graham, Kapono, Parker, Bosh and O’Neal. -9 in the early second quarter where we went all jumpery.
- Not enough is being done to make Joey Graham an effective player. We need to recognize that he has strength over players like Mbah a Moute, Charlie Bell and even Charlie V, something as simple as setting a screen for him on the elbow so he can slash to the block and catch the ball in the post would be nice. We saw it earlier under Triano and I have no idea why it doesn’t happen enough.
- Has Chris Bosh checked out? I’d hate to think so but his play in the second half spoke of a man that didn’t seem to care much about which way the game went.
- Jamario Moon played good enough defense to earn him a hate-free post, certainly played much better than Anthony Parker who despite all his recent successes cannot guard a player with a half-head of steam under him earning him a deserving -16. We need to trade him ASAP!
- Roko Ukic and Will Solmon got the call, Triano tried everything he could to find a spark to light up this dead time and maybe find a defensive answer for the Bucks’ guards. Nothing worked. I have to give Roko credit for continually trying to drive the ball despite getting rejected almost 50% of the time he gets to the rim.
- Hopefully Victor didn’t lose too much money.
- Maybe a loss like this is needed to remind everybody that this team isn’t going anywhere and can expedite the process of fixing it.
- Jose Calderon’s FT streak ended.
Up next we have…get ready for this…Orlando, Cleveland, Lakers, and New Orleans. There’s a great chance that this season will be put to bed in the next four games.
63 Raps
Can we… can we just stop? Is that allowed? Why do we need to wait for the next four beat downs to finally accept that we blow chunks. Barring us drafting a rare superstar talent in June (that we won’t be able to verify for a few years anyway), Bosh is going to walk. We need to trade his “All-star” ass while he still has value, otherwise we are going to be rebuilding for the next 30 years a la Leafs.
Players I want to keep: Bargs, Ukic, Graham, Humphries, Calderon*
(*Calderon is BYC and has a long ass deal. Not this year.)
Everyone else should be shopped around to get the best return value possible.
I don’t think I’ve ever sighed so much in the span of 10 minutes.
I could not have said it better. Also this is a great story by Arsenalist…it’s refreshing to read a post that shows someone was watching the same game as you…Great Post!
Cannot believe they froze out Bargnani when he was scorching the Bucks…however look back to Mitchell days and even Triano days..this team has a habit of doing so. I think it’s not just they freeze out Bargs because he’s too hot but they feel the need to get Bosh his touches even when he’s a piece of shit.
The season was put too bed during training camp when we lost all our pre season games
By the way.
No team wins anything with an incompetent ownership group. You need all the stars to align right to win the big one. Phoenix and Chicago are in the same boat as we are.
When you have a Teachers group running a basketball franchise with 12 different owners as well as having 25 games broadcast on a tv channel no one in Toronto has, yet our GM/Ownership does “nothing” about it, your not winning in this L, period. ( Colangelo has made the second round only twice in 20 + years ). He knows nothing about winning.
CHRIS BOTCH -18, 7 turnovers….biggest game of the season and the fabricated all star…botches it.
Funny thing is I don’t see him helping out a great team either. He lacks playoff experience and mental toughness. How would Lebron respond to him chocking against good competition? He would destroy him.
I would rather have Varajao, Rashard Lewis, Gasol, Millsap, Aldridge, Amare, Dirk, as they are mentally tough and can defend and rebound
He is at best a good player..but will only get worse unless he starts realizing that’s all he is. As long as Botch thinks he’s a superstar MVP he will only get worse and so will the Raptors. What ever hapened to really great talents letting others say it, instead of the player boasting about himself…No Class.
Millsap – 700k and is a top power forward right now.
Bosh – 14 million and in 6 years, count em, has yet to take over in the 4th quarter and win the game by himself. Still waiting
The teams in this city are just wretched…thank God this decade is almost over. Maybe the 2010’s will be more favourable for the T-Dot…
I agree that it seemed like Smitch was coaching this game. Poor, poor substitutions. Nothing like taking out the hot hand, making him chill on the bench and losing any momentum. Maddening!
Bosh did not want to win this one. His head was not in it and he’d rather take pussy shots. I f***ing hate it when he stands there with the ball, gives a couple of half ass fakes and then pops up a jumper. You know what he is going to do… talk about telegraphing it. Franchise player my ass!
That’s his game.I can’t stand watching Bosh hold the ball and hold the ball and hold the ball, and then do what everyone knew the piece of predictable shit would do!
Bosh is not a franchise player! He’s a talented player who’s at the very best a second or third banana like Shareef Abdur-Rahim and Pau Gasol.
Enough pretending, Bosh isn’t leading this team anywhere and if BC gives him Max money (~20 mil a year) he’ll just cripple our salary cap.
How many times do we need to watch Bosh fold against any .500+ team (save Orlando) and choke horribly in 4th quarters.
The last thing the Raptors fanbase deserves is more disappointment (ie. looking back & realizing in 2015 that most of us just expected too much from Bosh and that we’re just a repeat of the early millennium Atlanta Hawks).
The best thing for our team’s future is to trade Bosh for multiple draft picks, some good young players & tough, gritty veterans who can lead.
Turned the corner… into the East basement!
The Bucks wanted it more. Come out with about 1000% more energy in the 3rd.
It’s like these clowns started to believe into the 3 game wins streak hype and thought the season is over. Or now the games will just win themselves because they caught a break and Devin missed a jumper.
Triano!! HA! I thought we will be a “million times better” and make “sensible substitutions”.
Arse, it’s taken this long to wonder if Chris has checked out?? That was approximately 3 months ago.
I’m hoping, not that the FT shooting streak is over, thing will change. I think that’s the curse this team has had. Weird, I know… but we will see.
Anyone who thought we had turned the corner hasn’t been watching very closely. They beat three bad teams and didn’t play all that well, especially defensively, in at least two of them. I’ve come to the conclusion that despite all of the roster flaws, this team’s biggest problem is lack of effort on a consistent basis. I can’t count the number of times that this team has barely shown up this season. A concerted effort would change a lot of things but I think it’s fair to say that is not going to happen. The chemistry on this team is not good. Why? I don’t know and it doesn’t seem to be because they don’t like each other. JO was the only one who seemed to care last night.
This team is way too soft. It needs a Charles Oakley type guy to come in and kick some ass, including Bosh who in my mind is not turning out to be the leader this team needs. He’s far too passive and his game has become very jump shot oriented. Let’s face it, the rest of the team watches him and I think that’s why this team gets so jump shot happy. I never thought I would say this but Bargnani goes to the rim way more than Bosh does. He still shoots lots of jumpers but you can see him always looking for the opprtunity to drive. Bosh, not so much.
You answered your own question sg60, these guys MAY actually like each other (and I doubt that anyway) personally, but that doesn’t mean they like playing with each other. You think they like watching Bosh half assing the d, turning into a shooting guard and collecting all the glory when thing are going well and then them getting all the blame when things are going wrong? I don’t think so. Someone inflated Bosh’s head into all this primadonna MVP talk, now he thinks his team mates should cater to him. I really doubt many of these guys actually enjoy playing with him. This will sound effed up, but I wish he would go down with an injury for a while, just to see how they would respond. I bet you would see more effort and team play. I know I wouldn’t want to play with someone who calls himself MVP, disappears during games, yells at team mates and takes zero responsibility for how the team is playing. I swear everytime he says “We..” it’s like he’s saying “Them MF suck, I’m doing my job”. He is being forced into a leadership role (and he wants the leader glory), but doesn’t have the skills to execute them and do what it takes. He just doesn’t get it, and it’s not really his fault, people have inflated his head with talk of superior skills. Think it’s just a plan to get him to leave TO, for a team where he will just contribute… not lead or be forced to lead, really.
I agree…if we won’t trade Bosh then at least let’s hope the pansy ass MVP gets injured so we can see what it’s like when our team doesn’t have a Prima Donna that wants the ball when he can’t do shit with it and doesn’t deserve it because his so called defense is crap. He must get the least amount of fouls for any real big man in the league cause he’s a pansy. I’m sick of his ego and think this team would be way better off without his self loving ass. I am sure most of the players cannot stand him and his arrogance. Just once I would like to see him dominate another star big for a whole game. This team was supposed to get to the second round of the playoffs but can anyone imagine getting there with Botch? Look at his record against great players, and especially look at his record in the playoffs when someone actually plays defense on him and the refs don’t blow the whistle every time someone breathes on him. The only games he scores big is when the refs give him calls for charging through guys with no real mindset to score but to get fouled and get to the line because it’s the only place he can score without a defender. He needs to go before we get nothing for him. Plus even if some fans want to keep him is he worth $20 million? Not a chance!!
You’re right fluxland, we I watch the raps play when bosh is on the bench, the halfcourt sets are dinamic, and we move the ball really well. But when Bosh gets the ball he starts with the fakes and put the ball in the floor to go nowhere and takes a bad shot when the double team is on him. He’s so worried in beating his man and making the basket that he forgets that he’s playing with 4 teammates on the court. Every player would hate to play with him.
No player has to hold the ball in his hands more than 4 seconds unless he’s attacking the basket or playing a pick and roll because the team lost the offensive dinamic
* I meant when i watch no we i watch
Raul, and the irony, to me anyway, is that this is EXACTLY what people were complaining about with TJ. “Oh, when TJ gets the ball everyone just stands around!” Well, like you said, that’s what I see now with Bosh. Guy is over rated, as a leader and franchise player.
Pizzaman, he does get to the line often for a big guy, just not when it matters, right? And then everyone is like “Oh the refs screwed Bosh!” I can’t count the times I’ve read that line when he doesn’t get a call down the stretch. I swear, with the exception of Noah… I repat NOAH! blocking his shot, it’s never his fault. It’s always that Moon or Kapono. But never our little darlings Jose and Bosh. Had Devin made that shot, you think you would hear about Jose bricking that jumper just prior? No, you would hear about Moon not driving at the 6:57 mark of the 3rd quarter, or something like that, as the reason for losing the game.
absolutely!! I hate when he holds the ball long enough to go have a piss, get double teamed and then try to go on two guys who absolutely know he won’t pass, plus he’s a shitty passer because he’s never learned to pass or had to pass because he’s conditioned to think this is his team. I can’t stand watching him play anymore. The team moves the ball way better when he’s off. He thinks the other four players are there for defense and to keep guys away from him while he pads his stats. Time for a major change!!
Chris Botch. Good one.
The biggest thing for me was how much Triano used Bargs in the 2nd quarter. I just don’t understand how you keep a guy like that on the bench, unless you’ve been asked to showcase another.
And I’m only throwing that one out there because I cannot believe Triano is as stupid as Mitchell.
I hope you’re right about the showcase thing because that’s the only answer I could almost accept for taking a guy who’s hot and the other team has no answer for and gluing him to bench. Hell the few minutes he did play in the second quarter he didn’t get one pass on offence but he was there to play defense for Botch. He sat and got stone cold for almost 40 minutes..only an idiot coach would do that…and if they say it was because he had two fouls that’s a piece of shit Mitchell answer. Bargs was on fire..let him foul out if it happens …big shit since when is that a mortal sin? They should have kept him going and built up a lead because God knows this team needs a big lead, because even if Bargs was still hot at the end of the game he’s only touching the ball if Botch misses and someone rebounds or something unplanned happens like against Boston with the three at the buzzer. I hope he was showcasing Botch instead of O’neal. We can trade O’neal later.
Botch cannot beat a .500 team for some reason. I just think it’s mental with him. The talent is there. He has Jose, Jermaine, and Bargnani who are capable players and he cant even get them to play to there potential? Maybe play with a killer instinct? He’s too passive and gives up easily. He will never be a tough guy, that’s an innate born trait.
Doesn’t sound like a leader to me.
Give Dwayne or Lebron those players and we can get a 6-8th seed and not be 15th in the East like we are currently.
lol
I just realized we only beat 1 .500 team this season. The Orlando Magic 2 weeks ago.
Miami twice, Atlanta, Philly…. Let’s at least get our facts right.
lol the bosh hate is hilarious. NO PF/C In this league wins a game in the 4th quarter, big guys get neutralized easily. This is a league For Guards in the 4th, and the raptors dont have anybody.
And his defence? when you waste so much energy on offence, it’s difficult to have enough energy on defence.
The best big defenders KG/Duncan, play amazing defence SINCE they have so much help on offence (I understand, theyre both pretty good defenders to begin with).
Bosh just needs to improve his back to the basket game (to post up long 3’s) and his help defence (needs to block more shots on the weak side). His post up defence isn’t the greatest, but Bargs will take on the better post player with both of them starting.
If the raps had even a slightly above average wing, we would be really good.
Im confident that next year, we’ll be glad that we struggled this year.
Smitch is gone.
Bargs is getting steady PT, and is a good 5.
Both things will help us going into the future.
I think Bosh is an normal #1 option, and AMAZING 2nd option on a championship team.
To compare him, to Milsap, Shareef and Pau? You’ve got to be kidding me.
And on another note, I love that Mbah Moute kid, great pick up.
Probably the best, and most level headed, post yet. I agree with you completely. Trading away an all-star power-forward just coming into his prime is just plain silly. He needs players around him, in particular a good gaurd who can take over in clutch moments.
The hate is not necessarely about Bosh, just the Bosh perception and image that was built. If he can’t do the things a franchise player does, why is he the franchise player? We can all have different opinions, I for one do not start or build my team around Bosh. I may add him as a contributor. But after 6 years, I’m pretty sure you don’t build around him. You are free to ride the Bosh excuse train and hope a 6 year player is still developing his game..
The Shareef comparison is simply career path wise.. and it is, thus far, accurate.
Bringing in a good guard who can take over in the clutch.. and those are a dime a dozen right?
Agreed,
But know that we all know that Bosh isn’t a full-blown #1 option, can you move past that?
I would take Pau Gasol for Bosh even up with my eyes closed and I would thank God every day for the rest of my Raptor loving ass days! At least Gasol knows he has teamates! Botch might exert less energy on offence and have some left for defense if he didn’t hold the freakin ball so long when he gets it and do something with it. In two to three seconds a real basketball player drives, passes or shoots. Botch is still thinking and faking and thinking and faking..it’s tiresome to watch!
Gasols teammates and Bosh’s are not even close. Why give it to Parker to watch him brick it.
Forget the Lakers for a sec, he’s not the leader of that team.
Have you seen his Memphis teammates?? Check and see who he played with in Memphis and then ask yourself why he couldn’t win a single playoff game in 3 tries.
Compare the “successes” of Pau-led (Lakers dont count) and Shareef-led Hawks & Grizzlies teams’ to what Bosh is doing. Scoring, team records, highs, lows, everything… You’ll see that they’re mirror images.
If you think that Bosh is young at nearly 25 and has the entire future ahead of him and will lead us to success, well I hate to tell you but that’s just what the Grizzlies and especially the Hawks thought about their “superstars”. Well you saw how that turned out.
You dumb cunts are just catching on to what I’ve been saying for years, even when they won the Atlantic….Groundhog Day…the dumbest fanbase in the NBA being led on by the worst fucking NBA media coverage in the NBA…fucking hockey town….(and American coverage that only looks at stats and highlights)…
This team is based on a faulty premise and has at it’s core a culture of weakness, passivity, complacency and arrogance that prevents real progress.
It’s all over guys!
The Cavs got a shitload of cap space in 2010 as do NJ, NYC, Miami & Dallas. If any of you think that any of the star free agents would choose to play for our dysfunctional “team” over those 5 teams you are mistaken!
After going through what he’s gone through this season – regardless of whether you think of him as a superstar or a pretender – Chris Bosh has to be already planning on how he’s gonna bounce out of here.
Halleluia!!!! At least something great will come out of this piece of shit year. No way Botch is worth $20 million and we can get some great players for that.
All of us rap fans who know Chris going to bounce in 2010 lets get something for him
http://games.espn.go.com/nba/features/traderesult?players=1998~2173~862~1977&teams=28~28~28~19&te=&cash=
We get the perfect 3(Hedo) for the system and get a underrated 3 (Pietrus) and a big with an expiring contract. Bosh and Howard would playoff each other well and would be instantly make the big three (Lakers,Cavs,Celtics) the big 4.
They can mover Bargs back to 4 and keep JO (or trade him next year)
What do u guys think.
I like it Hedo is way tougher than Botch and way cheaper!!
Now that I think most people are with me thinking that this season is over, what is our best option? If we trade Bosh we likely won’t get anyone in return that could help this team now, it would consist of a bunch of first rounders and young players with promise. But how many times can we go through this kind of rebuild?
That said, in my opinion, the keys for the future are:
#1 Keep Bosh:
Our best bet is to use Bosh’s presence as a reason to attract other players here, coupled with a willingness to spend money. In the quest to keep LeBron the Cavs are spending such a stupid amount of money it is crazy. I am not suggesting we do that, but next year, we need to make some real investments on our wings and at the back-up pg position. And we need Bosh to do that. I think the only reason someone would consider coming here is because of Bosh. I don’t think that Bosh is the kind of player that because of his talent, can win us ball games alone. But i do think that he is enough of an incentive to attract a decent wing player. We talk about #1 or #2 scoring options on a team. This is not a good way to look at it. Rather, Bosh is the kind of player that offences can run through – WHEN he is on his game, AND trying, Bosh can attract the double-team and pass off to cutting wings or open three shooters.
#2 If we keep Bargnani, he needs to be better on D:
In the off-season Bargnani needs to develop into the kind of defensive player that Jermaine was brought in to be. We need that kind of rebounding presence in the paint in order to succeed. Maybe get him on some plyometrics to increase his jumping height. If he can’t do this, then I don’t think that Raps can be a contender. We don’t have Tim Duncan that guards opposing centres – this task needs to fall on Bargnani.
#3 Get a rebounding and defensive #3
We need a #3 who can lock down on the perimeter and force opponents to take shots as opposed to driving and dishing. In addition, he should be able to sneak into the paint when a shot goes up to grab those long boards that the Raps just seem to always miss. Odom would be perfect, and so would the old Marion – but this is some serious cash we are looking at for this. Either this player, or our number needs to be a star player.
#4 Get a star #2 if our #3 is not a star:
No team that wants to be a contender can have only one star. This relates to the comment about a #1 or #2 scoring option above. We need a star-quality player that can handle the ball, create shots and collapse defences. I would like Joe Johnson – but, I am not a GM, and I have really no clue how player deals are negotiated, if this is even reasonable. But I am convinced that this is necessary for any contending team to have offensive players that can suck in defences.
#3 Lock up a back-up pg:
If Roko works out, then great. But what I think this team needs is a solid defensive minded point guard. If we keep AP at this position, I am okay with that, as long as this is the ONLY position he plays. No more of this switching him from 1 to 2. He is on the floor way too long and he either needs to be the point guard, or not be the point guard.
I think Calderon is a very good point guard. And I think that he will be plagued by hamstring issues all season which will throw off his shot and prevent him from driving to the hoop. And we will all call for his head as a result. He has habits we do not like, like pulling back when he reaches the 3 point line on a break, and passing, but even this I could live with if I saw that he looked sure footed as I have not seen since last season.
- – - – -
By the way, Tim Chisolm’s article in the Web Articles section is awesome – check it out.
btw, last #3 should say #5
Btw, another perfect #3 would be a Tayshaun type of player. If he were complimented with a scoring #2 like JJ, we would be contenders for sure.
We can go through this as many times as needed. Rebuilding breeds hope and revenues. No reason for MLSE to mess with their business model. Until a group own this team who’s actual GOAL is to win a chip, nothing will change. Like Cuban did, like Banner17 Celtic ownership group did, like Jerry Buss has been doing for decades..
I’m sure everyone has their Championship plan in place. When the people in charge don’t want to execute it, who cares what the plan is? Again, the current/past business model has made MLSE filthy rich, what in the world would make them change it?
Sadly, as a former Leafs watcher and avid fan, I know it is true. I can only hope that they will realize that the Raptors are not a mainstay like the Leafs, and that winning now will bring revenues for years to come from fans that can be won by a long drive to the finals.
I should add a qualification to the above comments:
IF MLSE IS ON BOARD TO BUILD A CHAMPIONSHIP CONTENDER, then this is what I think should happen:
I never read any TO media, but I did read the TSN article you recommended. You are right, it is good. Some of the Bosh lovers on here need to read that.
where’s the article? I’d like to read it
It the one on the front page.. “Raptors digging big hole” or similar title.
Oh you mean Chisolm’s blog. I always read it but didn’t know there was a new one today. Wow he really nails Botch good. It’s about time someone in the media calls Botch out for exactly what most of us have been saying. Botch will no doubt read it or get told about it because Chisolm is well read. I’m hoping he rteads it and gets fed up with Toronto and demands a trade.
One of Chisolm’s best blogs.
Tim Chisholm is rock solid, I talked to him a couple times:
http://raptorsrepublic.com/blog/multimedia/podcasts/
The guy deserves to be a beat-writer for the team.
i think chisolm is completely right – but, like I have said, Bosh is the only way we can build a championship team – I like him as a personality representing the Raps, and most times on the court. I think that this season has been awful for everybody, and he can’t bring it mentally anymore. The team is bad, and he doesn’t have what it takes to make them better than they currently are. Bring in JJ!
Of course, the JJ thing is more of a dream – a wonderful dream where Calderon drives to the hoop and Bosh has zero turnovers and Moon keeps his feet planted on shot fakes, and Il Mago drains 30 and 10 per night!
I don’t have too many issues with Bargnani’s defense unless by D you mean his rebounding which I’ve also come to accept. If January is any indication of his future play then we’re set at the 5.
I like Option #3 and/or #4. Marion could provide the rebounding and defense that you’re looking for at the SF. If we can sign him to a reasonable contract I’m all for it as long as we don’t neglect the SG which to me is one of the biggest holes on the team. I know you like JJ and so do I but realistically speaking he’s not going to come here so we have to look at other options. A couple days ago Hedo’s name was thrown around, he’d be ideal but would probably prefer to stay in Orlando. How about we go with RJ or make a play for Azubuike? If we can get a player like that in addition to signing Marion to a contract, I’d be happy with the direction.
i didnt want to do this…but here we go…
http://games.espn.go.com/nba/features/traderesult?players=1977~1703~3015&teams=26~28~28&te=&cash=
my reasoning for this…let us make the wonderful decision the jazz dont want to have to make…either way we get to resign whichever one we choose (hopefully milsap) and we dont have to worry about 2010 until we have a boatload of cash for JO’s expiring…i think this gives calderon a more aggressive pick and roll guy plus an active rebounder/a little bit of toughness.
or
http://games.espn.go.com/nba/features/traderesult?players=2983~2015~2795~1977&teams=28~28~28~22&te=&cash=
and a draft pick from us….gives us depth at the wings…my only problem is aldridge…dont think he and bargs would work well together being that he is chris bosh light (and im really not a fan)…id rather take raefs expiring contract…and maybe a mix and match with bayless…
i would do either of those trades in a heartbeat…sorry chris…love you (sometimes)…but you dont love me.
agree with everything arse said…seriously read like someone who watched the same game i did….poorest job by triano yet.
Hey Fluxland, Pizzaman;
How do you get the seat inside the dressing room so that you know what’s going on in there? Hell y’all must be telepathic, since you even know what the players are thinking, right?
These guys get paid to play, they’re supposed to be professionals. Who gives a crap if they like each other or like playing with each other? Neither is required for success.
The issue with this team starts at the ownership level and extends through to the coaches. I’m exempting BC till he gets a shot at picking HIS coach – Smitch wasn’t and I can’t believe Triano is. A GM needs time and control for a plan to work out. Patience is not something that happens in sports in TO.
Blame Moon and Kapono all you want, because $#!+ does roll downhill. This is a soft team but they’re coached that way and they rise to the expectations. Watch how the perimeter guys switch before there’s even contact. Count how many times somebody hits the floor for a loose ball. Players need a known framework to work in to succeed. Many of them are as dump as posts, but if the situation is right to take advantage of what they do well, then they’ll do well. Bargs is an example of that. both positive and negative.
Triano needs to go, but if he stays, then keep the players too, ’cause you can’t evaluate the talent under his leadership. I’m so tired of watching Parker/Kapono dribble out a key possession, then run a weak hi screen with Bosh to get off a pressured jumpshot as the 24 sec clock expires. That’s the best we’ve got? We run one back door lob play a game for Jamario, then he ends up spotted up behind the 3 pt line and then we groan when he takes it. What’s he supposed to do?
Folks are frustrated because this team can be good but it isn’t happening.
The ghost of Babcock and the curse of Isiah remain.
Th reason Moon and others are sitting behind the 3 point line is because that’s the way they are coached so they supposedly can open up the middle for Botch to mess things up on his own without interferance from his own players who should really be getting involved. For two years people said all Bargs would do is take threes or stay outside and that was not Barg’s fault but Smitch’s for keeping him there so the star could operate. Bargs was merely a decoy. When Botch lovers say they stink because he doesn’t have great players with him, great players would never put up with having to do the shit the Raps have to do so he gets to do whatever he wants. Only under Triano have the Raps actually started calling plays for others once in a while ( not often enough) like Parker, Bargs, Kapono etc.. Biggest problem this team has is it’s built around and through Botch and they will never go anywhere until that changes. Botch is a very good player, but not a superstar, and definitely not dominant.
Yo Ambogio, are you new here?
What are you telling me that I already don’t know? They are playing as professinals.. they are individually doing their jobs, but that doesn’t mean they are playing as a team.
As far as being telepathic, maybe you have a reading comprehension problem, but if read what I wrote…I am basing my observations on what happens on the court. But you want to bring in the locker room stuff, sure. Maybe you are new here.. because I posted this here a week ago or so, from a reporter, who you know.. has access to the locker room.
“….It’s no wonder he dropped 18 on the Raptors Sunday.(Nash) The Suns have something the Raptors don’t. Regardless of records, the Suns have chemistry. They have comfort on the court and they have each other. While they’ve had their struggles to start the season with a new coach, new philosophy and new offence, you step into the Suns locker room and they are together. New guys (Jason Richardson, Jared Dudley), old guys (Nash, Amare Stoudemire, Shaquille O’Neal, Grant Hill, Leandro Barbosa) and young guys (Alando Tucker, Goran Dragic, Robin Lopez), combined, you feel like they are a team.
Moving down the hall to the left, this is just not the case in the Raptors’ locker room.
The ship is sinking and as long as we’ve got this crew at the helm, it doesn’t look like it’s going to stop.
With a bus that was leaving for their flight at 5:30 p.m., the Raps locker room was as silent as a study hall in session. A Louis Vuitton bag sat at JO’s locker. Andrea Bargnani was silent as he got dressed, not making eye-contact with anyone. Anthony Parker was the diplomatic Raptor, the media saavy vet, the one who says the right things in an effort to show he supports both his teammates and management.
As I look around the room to see who else will be talking, there is no one else.
As the losses seem to multiply with each passing day, the locker room feels like it gets heavier with each one. I don’t know how to make the Raptors woes stop and it’s not my job to. What I do know is, when you can feel the tension hit you as you round the corner to step on the plush Raptors mat while waiting for guys to be ready for their closeups, that is not where things will get better.
the Suns locker room to the Raptors locker room felt like the difference between the weather in sunny Phoenix and snowy Toronto.”
So whatever man, I guess that means I am telepathic. Maybe you should watch how you come at people before you start blasting, or maybe you know… read what they actually type.
Ya man!!
Whoa a REPORTER said that!!
No way!
MUST be true
Cause they would never try to make up a story to sell it or anything
Ambogio, maybe I should have said: How do you know, are you a GM for an NBA franchise? You a business analyst with years of experience in the sports management field? Or maybe you have been coaching at the pro level for decades and know exactly what is wrong with this team. Or does God just come down at night and tell you the answers? Are you a prophet?
It’s called speculation and opinion, Champ.
Folks are frustrated because they realize this team, in fact, can’t be good, contrary to what BC is feeding them.
Khandor V 2.0
Ou know Ots is right. If we go back, what teams really won thanks to their power forward? The best ones, Malone, Barkley, Garnett all had tough times in the 4th because they are so dependent on others for feeding them the ball and spacing the floor. NOw is Bosh as good as Barkley or Malone or Garnett? probably not. The best pf was / is Duncan, and look at a) who he has played withe (Robinson, Parker, Elliot, Ginobilli, Finely even guys like Bowen, Avery J and Barry) His teamates have often been all-stars or super intellegein glue guys- can you really make any argument that other than Calderon or MAYBE AP two years ago any of Bosh’s teammates are on par with the guys Duncans had around him?
YOu know Ots is right. If we go back, what teams really won thanks to their power forward? The best ones Nowitzki, Malone, Barkley, Garnett all had tough times in the 4th because they are so dependent on others for feeding them the ball and spacing the floor. Now is Bosh as good as Barkley or Malone or Garnett? probably not. The best pf was / is Duncan, and look at a) who he has played with (Robinson, Parker, Elliot, Ginobilli, Finley even guys like Bowen, Avery J and Barry) His teamates have often been all-stars or super intellegent glue guys- can you really make any argument that other than Calderon or MAYBE AP two years ago any of Bosh’s teammates are on par with the guys Duncans had around him?
Then you add the coahing issue and THEN the fact TD is the best PF to play the game, and you get the idea that Bosh can’t be compared to him.
So look, let’s be realistic. Bosh is developing, and he’s an amazing talent and asset
Calderon doesn’t drive as much as he should, but all sorts of guards have needed time to develop (bibby, Parker, Arenas, Too Easy even -gasp- stockton and Nash.)
Yeah they’re flawed, yeah they need to sort stuff out, butlets not overreact. Some pieces are lousy, some are great and the fact is right now they’re just not fitting.
BUt they will