Comments on: We need to beat Boston

By: mark

mark — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 03:55:53 +0000

I think the elite teams are measuring sticks for where your at and the Celtics proved they are ina different world. I think the Raps are similar to the magic and Hedo will not slow for afew years because he is more of a skill guy. He does use athletic ability to get by. He is not the savour but he is a gamer who isn’t afraid to make plays. I agree that the whole “Clutch” thing is a over used under proved quality. But as I said he does,kt run from the big shot, isn’t caught in the momment with that shell shocked expression you see on the Raptors faces when the tough situations arise and does’t demand X number of shots. He is a complimentary player that can give you 30 and be the best player on the floor on a given night.

By: FLUXLAND

FLUXLAND — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 15:32:52 +0000

Shoulda, coulda, didn’t.

By: duiduidui

duiduidui — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 21:51:22 +0000

Great Article , very true

Chris Bosh pisses me off everytime we play against the Celtics. KG made Carter look like he has more heart compare to Bosh.

By: siggian

siggian — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 15:38:08 +0000

I’m not even convinced that they will win the conference. I’m not saying it won’t happen and that they don’t have the talent or will to do it. It’s just that I think Boston will need a little bit of luck to do so.

By: Raptoronto

Raptoronto — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 13:42:30 +0000

I just think there are very, very few players in any sport who have been truly “clutch” players (it’s cliche to me)…I don’t see one clutch player on the Raps but with the players we have now we’ll have a better chance of making a clutch shot than we did last year (Hedo will be a big reason).

“he will school you. He’s good, really good” – Flux

By: Hardcore Raps

Hardcore Raps — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 12:47:49 +0000

“I’m looking for this coming season more than a certain number of wins or spot in the Eastern Conference standings”

-this is EXACTLY the case. Too many people have been talking we need to contend, or get to the 2nd round, or have a 45+ win record etc. for this year to be a success. But that is not the case. If the Raps can compete against the good teams nearly every game and beat the bad teams nearly every game this year will be successful. Although, I will say if they don’t make the playoffs (or getting man handled in the playoffs)it will be a serious dissapointment. This years East is a lot tougher than the eastern conference of the past.

By: Hardcore Raps

Hardcore Raps — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 12:36:59 +0000

Hedo should have been an all-star the last two years.

By: Hardcore Raps

Hardcore Raps — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 12:34:15 +0000

A speedster like Rondo tears EVERY PG apart. Same with Harris, Nash, Paul, Parker and Williams. The only way to effectively cover this guys is with length (ie, a relatively tall and quick SG or SF… but then you give up positioning else where).

Those guys simply can’t be covered… they can’t even cover each other. What is necessary is solid team defense (stepping in, hard fouls, shot blocking, taking charges)… question is will Toronto’s bigs be able/willing to do all that?

By: Sam

Sam — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 08:12:27 +0000

If the moves made this summer mean the team is no longer a bunch of pussies who fold when they get pushed by a team like the Celtics (who are good, sure, but you’ve got to hate them if your not a Celtics fan), they can be considered a success. That’s what I’m looking for this coming season more than a certain number of wins or spot in the Eastern Conference standings. I remember the first game against Atlanta last year (I think) when the same old Raptors showed up and folded against a team they could definitely beat just because that team took it to them. Boston does the same every time they play. I’m sick of seeing it.

By: Dave

Dave — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 08:11:13 +0000

I think the only way the Raptors beat the Celtics is if they shoot 72% from three point range again.

The Raptors are starting from such a massive disadvantage, relative to the Celtics, in both defense and rebounding … that’ll take a phenomenal freakish effort in some area to even the field.

That, or, the Celtics have one of their worst games for the season. A game where it’s more about them losing than the other team winning.

By: Dave

Dave — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 08:05:58 +0000

Jack is a poor man-to-man defender at the point guard spot … mainly because his lateral quickness is lacking

A speedster like Rondo will tear him apart whenever he wishes … especially if, and they likely will, the Raptors repeat their awful pick and roll defense from last season.

By: Marc

Marc — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 00:29:44 +0000

Are Bargnani and Bosh not mismatch nightmares? Or at least bad dreams?

The good thing about Howard and Lewis is that they were different types of mismatch nightmares, while Bosh and Bargs have similar advantages.

That’s not to say a clever coach couldn’t still use them effectively. I don’t see much difference in Turk’s role here as opposed to in Orlando. He is still the 3rd (or maybe even 4th) option.

By: FLUXLAND

FLUXLAND — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 23:24:19 +0000

“be hard to recreate here”. Well said.

By: FLUXLAND

FLUXLAND — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 23:23:17 +0000

An All-Star, ha? Interesting.

By: FLUXLAND

FLUXLAND — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 23:21:47 +0000

That sort of clears it up, but it def. didn’t come across that way. Maybe I lost something in the “translation”, Arse.

By: FLUXLAND

FLUXLAND — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 23:07:20 +0000

OLR,
Fair enough about Sacramento and San Antonio, (it was more to give you a “complete” picture… but talk to me about that Orlando Laker Final that I also mentioned? Is that recent enough? With the chips down, Ariza shut him down. Look at the game logs… same story from 8 years ago. A zebra does not change it stripes, not matter how much big it grows (or player develops) Shaq developed his game, but them FTs didn’t, did they?

By: FLUXLAND

FLUXLAND — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 23:01:32 +0000

Wow… DOMINATE, ha? Talk about putting words in my mouth. I say the guy will not be garbage as stated… so that means he is going to DOMINATE? Right on.

Yes, IMO people are overhyping him. Look at his history, IN THE CLUTCH, which was the topic btw.. and it doesn’t give me any confidence he gets it done. If it does to you… so be it.

As far as calling out people – I see people on here get absolutely destroyed for having an opinion that’s not of the “Raps are the best” sort.. (you know who I mean) kind of like me today. Well, I think it’s time they (the destroyers) get a taste of their own medicine. Fair enough, no?

Clutch… c’mon. I know you know what I mean. Can you honestly say that you think we have one on our team? Like, last possesion.. 0.4 on the clock.. who do you give the ball to and lay your life on?

Good to “see” you too, Raptoronto. {handshake}

By: Arsenalist

Arsenalist — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 22:43:26 +0000

When I say his “best years are behind him” I don’t mean he’s an old man with one foot in the grave. The situation for him in Orlando was perfect, he was often the second or third threat on the team behind Howard and Lewis – two mismatch nightmares – and was afforded space accordingly.

Jordan and Kobe are just recent examples of superstars who were at their best in their 30’s so I’m not saying what you think I’m saying. I just feel that the situation in Orlando allowed Hedo to have an amazing year and that situation will be hard to recreate here.

By: Marc

Marc — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 22:38:12 +0000

He is due

By: Marc

Marc — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 22:36:44 +0000

I’d love to see my name in print.