LeBron’s future hangs over Cavs’ slow start – NBA – Yahoo! Sports
The Raptors have been deftly restored under general manager Bryan Colangelo?s watch, but beside him in the tunnel stood Maurizio Gherardini, the assistant GM out of the Euroleague whom Prokhorov tried to hire for his Moscow power, CSKA. He is considered Prokhorov?s top choice, sources say, to eventually run the Nets ? despite the mistake it would be to replace Rod Thorn.
NBA.com: Raptors overcome James triple-double to beat Cavs
"To struggle the way we did on both ends of the floor is going to result in a loss," said Brown. He went on to address the second quarter which has been the downfall for his team, "It's been two games now where in the second quarter we have gotten outscored 30-17. That's a 60-34 point differential. We have to do a better job." Rookie DeRozan summed up his first night of NBA action simply, "Coming out here in front of thousands of people, with my parents out there, and just going out and playing and getting a win, I couldn't ask for more."
That was a big Opening Night hit, wasn’t it? – Doug Smith
I know Cleveland’s offence was atrocious and they looked like five guys who’d never seen each other at times but if you hold any NBA team to 35 per cent shooting, you must have done something right.They did shrink the court and take away the lane, they never doubled too aggressively in the post that would leave them vulnerable to outside shooting and I swear I heard more communication on defence in that one game than I have in one in quite some time.
Yes, there will be nights when they revert to form and are quite bad defensively but I think there’s a chance they might be pretty good, too.
Raptors offer Toronto fans some hope – The Globe and Mail
It has been a remarkable pall hanging over the Big Smoke, what would seem a statistically near-impossible run of lousy teams, lousy organizations, lousy everything.The local baseball franchise, after a bright opening few weeks, tumbled into one of the more dispiriting seasons in its history. And mired as the Blue Jays are in a division with the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox, in a game where money most often does buy happiness, it’s awfully tough to see the bright side, even with the ever-positive Paul Beeston in charge minus the asterisk. The World Series going on now seems like life on another planet.
Raps take precautions to prevent flu – Toronto Sun
GM Bryan Colangelo said his medical staff led by Dr. Howard Petroff and Dr. Paul Marks have been on this thing since training camp, when the team held a half hour information session for the players and staff.Since then, the team has installed hand sanitizers every where from the practice court, to the locker room and weight room. It also has mandated that anyone showing any symptoms of the flu stays away from the team until he is cleared.
"We have to make sure if somebody's sick they don't come to practice and find out how sick they are," coach Jay Triano said. "We leave them at home and we'll send somebody over there to evaluate them and we'll do a swab test to find out if it is positive and keep them away from everybody."
Bargnani sets tone – Toronto Sun
Though Bargnani was forced on to the bench for much of the second half because of foul trouble, the fourth-year Raptor electrified the crowd at the Air Canada Centre, scoring 28 points, 21 in the first half, as Toronto opened the regular season with a 101-91 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers, a supposed NBA contender this year that now is 0-2."I was talking about that with a friend the other day. I was saying if Andrea gets going, if he's scoring the basketball a lot, then we're going to be tough to beat," said Raptors forward Chris Bosh, who had a rather big game himself. "He had a great second half of (last) season, but we haven't had that consistency with him scoring so many points. So that's a plus for us."
"I think there's not too many 7-footers who can do the things he can do," added Toronto point guard Jose Calderon, who picked up 11 assists. "Maybe (Dirk) Nowitzki is the only one."
Feschuk: Plenty for Raptors to build upon – thestar.com
"Shaq couldn't guard him. He was everywhere," said Calderon of Bargnani. "There's not too many guys, seven feet, who can do what he does. … If he plays like that he's going to be one of the best at his position. It's going to make things easier for us."Big-picture NBA watchers will tell you Toronto's success had as much to do with Cleveland's shocking offensive paralysis as Toronto's defensive competence. Still, the Raptors were five-point Vegas underdogs, and teams coming off 33-win seasons don't get picky about their dubyas.
Key Raptor playmakers step up late in game – thestar.com
"We've got so many guys that can make plays," the coach said. "It was a great thing as the game was going down to have Jarrett and Jose and Hedo all on the floor. Those three guys can all make plays and they can all handle the basketball."I think that's why we don't turn it over as much and, when you've got three guys who share the ball like they do, you're going to be effective."
The Raptors committed only 13 turnovers in the game, a far cry from the 21 they had in the final pre-season game. A tighter rotation, improved play and a better understanding of where players are going to be are the reasons.
Big men come through for Raptors – thestar.com
The 21-point lead had vanished completely with two minutes left in the third quarter, and the feeling around the Air Canada Centre had gone from delirious to dread.The Raptors had blown a big lead, the Cleveland Cavaliers – LeBron James, Shaquille O'Neal and more hype and swagger than anything remotely associated with the Raptors – were rolling.
Pete Marasmitch – a Toronto Raptors blog » Blog Archive » Rapping with Raptors Republic’s Raps Fan
(Ugh. That was too much alliteration, even for me.) This is part of a continuing series of Q&A’s and chats with GMs in my fantasy league. In this one, I ask Raps Fan of Raptors Republic about his websites, the potential Big Bosh Problem and more.
Bargnani's Baseline Dunk
Post Game Interview with DeMar DeRozan
Post Game Interview with DeMar DeRozan
Post Game Interview with Jarrett Jack
Post Game Interview with Jarrett Jack
Post Game Interview with Jose Calderon
Post Game Interview with Jose Calderon
Post Game Interview with Chris Bosh
Post Game Interview with Chris Bosh
Post Game Interview with Andrea Bargnani
Post Game Interview with Andrea Bargnani
Post Game Interview with Jay Triano
Post Game Interview with Jay Triano
Game in Six
If you want to impress fans on opening night, this is how you do it. It looked like a playoff game out there with the full house in the ACC. Lebron James did his thing with a triple double (23 points, 11 rebounds, 12 assists) but the Raps came out strong on opening night and made Bryan Colangelo look like a genius (at least for one night). Andrea Bargnani broke out and led the Raps with 28 pts (11-15 shooting) and Chris Bosh had a strong performance with 21 pts and 16 boards.
This is two nights in a row that this club looked incredibly underwhelming, in particular when Lebron wasn't in the game, and sitting close to the Cavs' bench last night, I had to wonder if this club was even a top 3 seed in the East. There just isn't much besides King James on the roster, especially from an offensive standpoint, and I'm pretty confident the offensive issues the team experienced last year against Orlando in the playoffs will rear their ugly heads over and over. Mike Brown is a great defensive coach, but I felt he got out-schemed by Triano, who did an impecable job of doling out minutes and moving players in and out depending on the situation. To that end, he played 10 players, but gave two, Amir Johnson and Rasho Nesterovic, only short bursts based on game situations.
44 Raps
[shameless plug]
Beyond the Boxscore: some stats tallied that don’t show up on the box score like fouls incurred, charges taken, charges attempted, deflections, and “half assists”.
http://www.raptorshq.com/2009/10/28/1105607/beyond-the-box-score-cavs-raps
[/shameless plug]
Some people are making light that its only one win ,even Bosh said ya I remember last year we started out 3 and 0…must I remind him that it was against the 76ers,Warriors,and the Bucks,no offense to theses 3 teams but none of them are favoured to be in the top 3 in the East,and some even have going to the finals !!!Enjoy the win…when the Cavs tied up the game I thought here we go again…but I have to say Hedo and Jose’s maturity kept it together.
The raps didn’t look particularly impressive in winning any of those games last year ….
last night they looked great
I think the crowd had a huge impact on the game which is new! They got on the refs and in my opinion had a big effect on the energy of the team.
However, I had a guy who was sitting in front of me ask that my friend and I stop talking so much! Gotta love it. Did he think he was at the Library? Gotta love the suits!
How to submit a link?
ESPN Daily Dime (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/dailydime?page=dime-091028)
WEDNESDAY’S BEST
Andrea Bargnani, Raptors: He connected on 11 of 15 shots from the floor on the way to 28 points to help Toronto overcome a triple-double from LeBron James in a 10-point Raptors’ victory.
A bit off topic but perhaps someone in the know-how could elaborate on this:
GSW are looking to deal Stephen Jackson. I’m a big fan of what he could bring to the table on the wing.
Is it possible to get this guy without giving up important pieces you think?
Not really possible since GSW wants someone decent in return. Plus, why would he trade for him at all? He’s bad for team chemistry and we already have a number of players fighting for minutes at the wing position.
Financially? Sure, Banks and O’Bryant together would make it work. Realistically? Not unless Golden State only wants expiring contracts in return. Toronto is unlikely to trade either Evans or Jack, and Golden State already gave away Belinelli once so they must not be that high on him. If BC gets involved, it’ll be much closer to the trade deadline when we know for sure what the team has and what it still needs, and it’s far too early to speculate on that.
…and nobody wants an attitude like that with a contract like that.
SJ has a bit of history (not v. good). He runs with the gangsta set and plays ball that way as well. Definitely brings talent and moxy in the crunch to the table…but wants to be in the mix consistently (at least the 2/3 option). I wouldnt get him with the team we have…too much of a chemistry risk. Besides we have enuff scoring and Hedo provides for crunchtime plays. He is a lockdown defensive player though. imo the minuses overall outweigh the pluses overall. This team should be allowed to define its identity in its first year together.
Only if the shit hits the fan would I consider it
Bargs played great – we were seeing this last year.
Bosh played like he’s supposed to play as an all-star.
Jose got 11 assists – just like we know he can.
Hedo made King James work for everything – NOW that’s new!!!!!
Bosh played like he was an option for scoring, not as a #1 guy, or Triano made system that the ball does not always have to go to Bosh for a score at every minute. Bosh just seemed to work like an All-Star that game even if his FG percentages were not that good. Of those 16 rebounds 5 of them were well earned and some of them he out-fought Verajao for them, which till now he never won against Sideshow Bob.
Marco option exercised for to 2011…raptors.com
I’m sure it is not a reward by B.Co for just tonight’s performance, but it does make us worry less about our bench next year and with Bargs staying here longer, Marco’s play might improve too….
Gotta say BC is masterful at closing contracts timing wise…if he inks this deal two days ago fans would be in an uproar…he did the same with Bargs (signed him when everyone was focused on Turk).
From Cavs: The Blog
“-Also, I’m really worried that I was fooled by Moon. Not to venture into Simmons territory here, but you know how you’ll be at a party, and there’s a cute girl who’s friends with a bunch of your friends, and actually seems pretty cool and nice, but everyone looks at you and sort of shakes their head and laughs? Every discussion I’ve had about Moon with people that know his game has been EXACTLY LIKE THAT. On paper, he just seems so nice. Great finisher, solid shooter, good defensive numbers, great defensive tools-seems like a money role player, right? So why do I find myself cringing every time he launches a jumper, and get nervous every time he tries to lock on defensively?
For anyone who got the Raps broadcast on LP tonight, there was a moment where Moon was guarding Hedo, who should under no circumstances be able to drive by Moon one-on-one. But I got that sinking feeling, and before I knew it he bit on the smallest of up-fakes as Hedo got into the paint and drew contact. After that happened, the Raps broadcaster said “well, we know Jemario will bite on up-fakes,” then shared a knowing, gleeful cackle with the color guy. I cannot impress upon you enough how creepy and unsettling this was. I’m spooked by Moon now. I defended signing you over Matt Barnes, darnit.”
haha….awesome
Absolute gold…Cavs fans, you’ve just been Mooned.
Bill Simmons has nothing on you my friend…That was a beauty!
Side Note….No comments from FAQ today? He must be furious and unwilling to accept the win? I suspect if we lose in Memphis he will resurface!
That fucker gave me my first gray hair.
i’m not surprised ferry signed moon over matt barnes. dude is the worse gm in sports, he is wasting lebrons youth.
It’s amazing how gm’s cannot see (or scouts do not scout) what fans in a previous stop of a player have determined as weaknesses. I think it must have been a money thing. Going on the cheap with the supporting cast while paying the monster contracts of Lebron, Shaq & Z (and throw in Varejao for about 10m I think).
That Varajao contract is the worst. No way that guy is worth that much money. Now they are playing Z and Shaq together because it’s the only way to unclog the paint. Too bad they’ll just get burned in transition and on the pick and roll instead. Sounds like a lose-lose-lose situation to me.
Well said about Ferry. Shaq and Big Z? Why would that work?? Two slow piles of expiring dog shit on the court. After Mo Williams that team has no consistency offensively. They will struggle this year to 50 wins.
Cavs are no longer in the top tier of teams. When LBJ scores 38 in one night and 3×2 in the next and they have no wins. Tisk tisk.
Did you notice how Shaq started the game against Boston? Chugging down the court at full-blast, shoulders down, head straight like he meant business. Crowd went nuts but as soon as the adrenalin wore down, Shaq looked old and immobile.
Now flashback to his first game with the Suns, he started off exactly the same way and I mean, exactly!!
He is spent, other than an occasional good game here and there, he’s not going to provide much. Part of it is because the game around him has changed, the NBA’s not a post-up center dominated league anymore and the value of what he brings has diminished. I thought the Powe signing was a much better move than Shaq, a more agile, wiry player who won’t dominate but will be consistent in his play.
What are you talking about…
first of all Dwight Howard owns the NBA right now… no one has an answer for him,If he could just get his FT% up a bit, i would take over anyone in the nba.
Secondly, Shaq in his prime could take on anyone in the nba right now, that guy was priceless. Right now he is old and imobile, and he gets tired very fast, but still his presence in the post will make a difference.
Thirdly, how can call the deal the cavs made a bad deal, they literally gave up nothing to get shaq. Even if shaq doesn’t play a game, the money that he will bring from the fans and advertisement to the organization will be worth it…
It is funny, how a lot people would think so differently, if the cavs started the season 2-0. Guys RELAX they have only played 2 games…
I was saying the Shaq pick-up was a bad move well before the 0-2 start. He either takes teams to championships or runs them into the ground. I’m hoping it’s the latter.
His presence in the post has already made a difference. Did you not see how he seemed to clog up the paint that used to be LBJ’s territory?
I forget which quarter this was, but LBJ gave Shaq an angry look at one point, as if to signify how Shaq wasn’t helping at all.
what are YOU talking about? dwight isn’t a post up center…. he has no post up moves…..
and how is shaq a bunch of years ago relevant to a discussion about todays cavs?
-dwight isn’t a post up center-
What. Dwight is THE post up center. All he does is post up turn and dunk on people. He may only have one or two moves… but thats all he needs. He is a replica of Shaq at a younger age.
But Arse is right… there are very few true post players in the league. This has turned into a guards league.
Ya, but then the Suns realized that if he plays every other game then he can still be somewhat effective.
Shaq will probably start every other game. Also I think that a team with LeBron cannot play that poorly throughout a whole season, especially when we know there can be great chemistry with LBJ and Mo Williams who hasn’t started to play well yet.
Don’t sleep on LBJ and the Cavs yet.
“Two slow piles of expiring dog shit on the court.”
LOL I almost spat out my coffee all over the monitor. Hilarious, but only because we won last night. Otherwise, Shaq is a hall of famer and an NBA icon. I’m not a fan of Z, but he was at least a former All-Star.
Not hating, just trying to keep things in perspective.
People are too quick to forget the evil that Shaq created way back when…
http://www.shaqfu.com/ourmission.php
That is absolutely hilarious. They should change his nickname from Apollo 33 to the Space Shuttle Challenger.
Too soon?
Maybe..
Poor Cavs fans, lol.
perfect way to describe moon…. golden
i was shocked he was given another nba contract, i thought he was done or at best scrub on a scrub team (like he was for us last year). guess hell be a scrub on a halfway good team
..and the first time since 1983 that I’m proud of something Leo had to offer.
“If it was 35 games into the season, I’d be disappointed,” (LeBron) James said. “But it’s not at this point. …I get frustrated when guys make the same mistakes, but that hasn’t been happening here.”
– In that case I don’t think James relationship with Moon is likely to be very smooth 35 games in…
Unfortunately for Moon, when James bitches him out, James can back it up.
Mike Brown doesn’t strike me as a guy who can help Moon. He needs a disciplinarian head coach who will make him ride the pine and give him an earful every practice in front of his teammates to get the message through. Moon couldn’t be motivated to play smart in his contract year so what hope is there now?
To his credit, the guy is a gifted athlete designed to play defense. If he could just follow good direction from a hard-nosed coach, he’d make something out of his career. Although, Lebron could be that guy, don’t know yet.
I remember doing a podcast with celticsblog.com last year and he was salivating over what Moon might bring to them. As somebody already pointed out, I think the best people to ask about a player’s potential/tendencies are the fans who watch the full 82 games.
The Cavs definitly took a step back this year with the signings in the offseason. That being said, I still think they will finish 3rd or better in the East just because of LBJ. At times, he looks possessed, taking over games and ruining teams. All they need is decent support from the new bums they signed, Shaq included, and they should notch 50+ wins.