The “just turn it on in the fourth” edition.
Banks – I was looking forward to a little Evans v Banks mano-a-mano action. Damn you Jay….damn you.
Bargnani – if ever they need some footage of his help defence for NBA True Stories, they can use this. A couple of ugly ugly examples early and then he turns around and plays good D in the 4th. I’m beginning to think he is a rhythm defender just as some rely on rhythm on the offensive end. He seems to be the go-to guy late in the shot clock lately, too. Not a good situation for him.
Belinelli – was nominated as the party planner for the SB party tonight, so took the game off.
Bosh – man did he ever appear irritated by the quiet crowd. I can understand the crowd getting quiet in the first half as the Raptors let the Kings look Celtic-like, but during an important stretch late in the game? Come on. Bosh had a monster game and literally could have had anything he wanted. 14/18 from the field, 11 trips to the line, 11rebs and 5 assists is a pretty complete game. That monster block kinda stands out too.
Calderon – back from injury and showing some ramifications of it. Been said often enough the past 2 seasons, but he “just didn’t seem himself” in stretches. He didn’t hurt the team, necessarily, since he did indeed bridge the gap between Jarrett’s stints on the floor, but I’m sure the allstar break will be a welcome one for him. He needs to get himself straight for the stretch.
DeRozan – back on the floor as well, showing his hops in advance of his time in the national spotlight. Clearly outplayed by his teammate today, but it was a solid return that saw him play up to his standards this year.
Evans – this could have been his last game in a suit. Time for POB to head to International Clothiers.
Jack – didn’t have his shot, but he had his facilitator badge working for him. Good court vision, crisp passing, made Evans work (when he could catch up to him). His little tantrum of throwing the ball into the crowd was a bit silly, but I can understand the frustration. Still, keep that stuff in check and get your team on track to win a game, not give away points.
Johnson – more suckage than what happens at the Spaghetti Factory. Just a horrible horrible showing. The only Raptor in the – today…and boy was he: –13.
Nesterovic – the Raptors version of a big headed Mardi Gras float. Go Saints.
O’Bryant – he went to the Leafs game yesterday. He wore a Leafs jersey. He wants Leafs season tickets. We may have lost his soul.
Turkoglu- full credit for playing so well with a hunk of plastic on your face. Obviously it was bothering him, but be it the rest or just the irritation at being told he had to wear it, he came out and played like a man possessed. Sure, he fouled out, but that was more indicative of how he was all over the court (in a good way).
Weems – that spark was something we needed more than a grilled cheese needs cheese. Sonny is quickly becoming our under-the-radar guy that other teams don’t scout and we need to take advantage of that as much as possible.
Wright – the groans in the arena were audible early as he had a bad defence/offence back to back early. This was made worse by an Amir-like 3 fouls in 4 minutes. Then the closer showed up. 6/7, 5 rebounds, and the ever growing appreciation of a fickle fanbase. More importantly, the team knows what they have in him and Triano finally seems to have stumbled upon how to use him. Great timing.
Driving The Bus: Chris Bosh
Under The Bus: Amir Johnson
Game Theme:
136 Raps
This game, like many others this season, gave me the confidence to believe that Chris Bosh IS in fact worth the max contract and is a legitimate franchise player.
Bosh played 41+ minutes … again … which does not bode well for the rest of the season and the playoffs. Can Bosh survive this torrid rate of play .. I don’t think so …. unless BC has told JT to play Bosh to the max because he’s not for long playing for the Raptors … ya think ???!!!!!
Why are you perpetually negative?
More like perpetually demented…
You and your conspiracy theory’s FAQ!!!!
Do I understand correctly? If Chris Bosh, a 25-year old professional athlete with nothing to do but play ball, work out and live it up, had played 5 fewer minutes of basketball today (prior to a three day rest until his next game), that would be ok and would not signal a trade being in the works. Those extra 5 mins must have been awful.
Is this drawn from your experience as a defensive minded scrub playing post-secondary basketball or straight from your arse?
Pwned.
He hadn’t played for 4 days and he won’t play again for 3 days. Not exactly top secret information.
Oh yeah. That’s what I did. Instead of making the playoffs, I told JT and Bosh to pretend to care about winning by winning games. That way, it will be easier for me to cash in all our assets to rebuild the team from scratch.
You’re dumb.
Balls,
Bryan Colangelo
Or Maybe Triano and Bosh like winning, YA THINK!
Maybe Bosh isn’t 35 and can play 40 minutes on occasion without any negative repercussions – like maybe when they just had 3 days off and have 3 days off before they play again, YA THINK!
You sure you aren’t just some random RR avatar thrown out to create extra comments? No one could be a real person person and come up with the lines you toss out?
First “Bryan Colangelo” steals my “I am BC schtick” (which, admittedly, I abandoned cuz it just wasn’t me) and now you’re recycling my “FAQ is really Raps Fan” theory?
Et tu brothersteve?
.
Does FAQ stand for F**king Alotta Questioning
As asinine as your thought is there – if you had suggested injury potential I might’ve thought different. Never-the-less, it’s a point that JT must pay some attention to as the All Star game comes and goes.
Reggie returning will give Jay more options – to make sure Bosh remains dominant into the play-offs. Or at least has the energy to.
.
Agreed!
until he actually gets the max contract and then floats back down to earth.
Thank you for that ringing endorsement and approval …!!!
Do people still read FAQ’s posts? He’s been blocked out of mind for months now. The only reason I know he posted was because someone else mentioned his name. Boycott him folks. He knows nothing and is not a fan.
If FAQ posts a comment, and nobody reads it, does it really exist?
Agreed. I will second that boycott. I’m also going to boycott Fluxland, as he admitted that he believes that the Raptors will never be anything more than a farm team to more successful teams, no matter what they do, and has shown a rather annoying habit of ignoring major points in an argument if it goes against his.
Why these two would continually visit a site dedicated to something they don’t even like is bizarre to say the least.
I’ve decided FAQ isn’t an actual real person. No one could come up with those lines unless they were computer generated – or from a comic book..
+1 for boycotting Fluxland.
He must live in a lonely world if he truely believes in his conspiracy theories.
This game, like many others this season, gave me the confidence to believe that Chris Bosh IS in fact worth the max contract and is a legitimate franchise player in this league.
woot! 1st!!
simple game plan.
pass the ball to bosh.
also wright is looking like a keeper.
I say make no trades B.Co
damn 2nd.
Couldn’t even get that right…
I meant 2nd person to comment not 2nd comment on the list
you trollin’ ass clown.
LOLOLOL
NBA halftime show for the Boston Orlando game:
highlights of the Raps game lasted 15 seconds. raptors success attributed to turk fitting in. bosh leaving is not even a question.
i guess the Raps need to take over 4th spot before they get any love.
They were certain Bosh was leaving or not? Leaving? They must issue blinders to US cage journalists.
Yea pretty brutal considering they were the ONLY highlights from the NBA. But they did give them props that they have been playing well. Better then when NBA TV had Hedo on and Eric Snow asked him about his pre-season….
i like wilbon’s take…that the rap’s have been playing well lately because hedo is starting to get comfortable with the team & his role, or some other such nonsense. i guess that one big game he had caught some attention. not enough that they let some actual facts interfere with their easy assumptions (’bosh is definitely leaving,’ ‘hedo is responsible for the raps good play.’).
“Better then when NBA TV had Hedo on and Eric Snow asked him about his pre-season….” Are you SERIOUS, he asked Turk about his PRE-season AHAHAHAHAHH!!!
I wonder why we have not officially offered Bosh a max deal yet…
It is time…Sure he said he wants to wait but now the team has some mojo going and once he sees all the zero’s right in front of his face maybe he signs….
Worst he can say is no but if you don’t offer it to him he can’t say yes.
He said he wanted to wait to see how this team plays…
Were playing good now…and he is the man here…offer him the deal go into the tax or if your not going to offer max or go into the tax we might as well trade him… NO????
Atleast try….If he says he wants to wait untl the end of the year then you have a tough call to make…
Personally I would beg and plead him to stay and sign but if he does not commit. I would trade him…
i may be waaaay off on this, but i don’t think they can do an actual extension before jul 1st.
I think you could be right…Can anyone confirm????
Bosh is playing out his contract to be a Free Agent, will not accept an extension offer.
Free Agents, your own , or someone else’s cannot be signed until July 1st, when Rap’s can offer a max deal.
technically speaking, bosh doesn’t become a FA until he opts out of the final year of his deal…which doesn’t happen until jul 1st (i think).
There’s some confusion here (this thread, not just the immediate post I replied to), so I’ll attempt to clarify:
- Rules for rookie scale contracts (and some other exceptions) are different, so keep in mind that everything I state below only applies to Bosh’s situation.
- Bosh’s current contract is a “3-year + 1-year player option” contract extension he signed back in July 2006.
- The player option can only be invoked during a window starting on a date negotiated in the contract (which we are unaware of) and ending again on a negotiated date, but no later than June 30th, 2010. Since there is no mechanism for rejecting the option (if you don’t want it, you simply let it expire), we won’t know until it actually happens (or expires).
- Players become free agents on July 1st.
- The earliest a team can extend a player under an already extended contract is 3 years after the extension was signed. The latest a team can extend a player no later than June 30th before the player becomes a free agent.
- You can sign an extension whether or not you invoke your player option. The extension lasts for a max of 6 years, including any existing option years.
Following the above, Bosh could actually be extended now until June 30th if he wanted, but I think it was already made clear that he wanted to test free agency. I think it’s safe to say that if Bosh wants to test free agency, he has already communicated that to BC. Thus, it’s kind of moot to do what was suggested above (offer an extension anyway and trade him if he doesn’t accept).
I’m sure that if another team made a good enough offer, BC would trade Bosh rather than risk losing him, but he’d rather risk losing him than trading him for anything less than value, even if incoming player value > chance of bosh staying x bosh value.
Are you insane?
I’d rather see him walk than get back a bunch of scrubs.
Bynum is not a scrub…
The biggest misconception out there is we would not get shit for Bosh…
who ever gets him can offer him max…If we traded him to the Lakers for Bynum. You think he would not sign a max deal from the Lakers???
I do not want to trade Bosh but what I want even less is him to walk for nothing we can only go over the cap/tax to sign our own free agents if he walks you can’t replace him with a max player.
That is my concern…
I would love to keep Bosh…I want to keep him as he has clearly demonstrated he is a francise/max player and deserves every penny.
Is BC shopping Bosh by playing him 41+ minutes a game .. because at this pace he will burn out by the playoffs…???!!!!!
uh, maybe you should just fuck off for a bit? i get that it’s always fun to be the ‘voice of reason,’ but at least bring some facts along with you. 41 minutes sounds like a lot…but they haven’t played since last wed…and don’t play again until this wed…and then they have the break. if there’s a time in the season in which they can afford to run him (and other regulars) a little heavier, it’s now. and if there’s a grouping of games that are absolute ‘must-wins,’ it is these. and, to be honest, i don’t see a whole lot of drop in his play from playing such an incredible, overwhelming amount of minutes. the raps aren’t the spurs, or the lakers, or any other top-tier team. they need these wins, and games in february DO matter. if, in order to assure victory, they have to play their franchise guy 40+ minutes, so fucking be it.
Finally…thanks yertu!!!
So glad there’s an /ignore command here on the forums.
/ignore FAQ
a franchise max player that’s never led his team to a significant victory (playoffs), never recorded a triple double, can’t play D and O at the same time, cannot take the game over in critical junctions or impose his will on the game..ever, and dribbles the ball of his foot when it matters. AND wears a f tire boot on his knee.
Yeah, he deserves every penny no doubt. See how you feel about that when his knee gives out, he’s missing 30 games a year and you are paying him top dollar…because you know… we had to ride him during the soft part of the schedule since we are a crap team. That will be good times.
Everyone is entitled to their opinion.
But given your opinion, I guess we shall hear no complaints from you if he is S/Ted and you get nothing of value back. After all, one can’t expect to get much back for a fake franchise player..
I would love to keep him – in a different role and for less money. For less time even.
What we get in return depends on a million things, but if we get nothing spectacular, I will not be shocked, yes. I still get the right to complain, how does that change? BC gets the same players all the time – shooters and suspects on D.
Look, it is quite simple…here is an analogy. I would love to buy spaghetti at half of the listed price. But that doesn’t mean the store is willing to give me a discount.
I see no reason for CB to give anyone a discount. If you aren’t willing to purchase his services at his price (6 year max contract), then that is your choice. But there are plenty of teams who are willing to pay this price.
He will get his money regardless of any playoff victory, triple double, defense, clutchness, or injury concerns that you might have.
That’s fine and dandy. That doesn’t mean this team is the one that has to take that risk. Simple, enough?
Fluxland: you are stating the obvious…if the Raptors don’t want to, they don’t have to.
Well, are we not being led to believe that in fact they will?
Yes. They’ve come to a different evaluation than you have…
…. and we are back to me having a different opinion, that you said I am entitled to. So, what’s your point?
I don’t understand the tired argument that Bosh is not of the same caliber as future HoFers LBJ/Wade/Kobe/Duncan/Garnett. We get the picture, and we agree, but that was obviously not the question being asked. Even better, put Wade/Kobe/young Duncan/young Garnett on any of the teams Bosh has been on, and tell me if they would have done any better.
How many first-round playoff series did future HoFer Garnett lose while on the Timberwolves? Correct answer is 7 of 7, going 7-22 over the span and getting swept twice. Only in his 9th year, did Garnett finally get past the first round, only to fail to make the playoffs the 3 years after that. Okay, Bosh has failed to make the playoffs 4 times and hasn’t gotten past the first round in two tries, going 3-8, big whoop.
Future HoFer Duncan had HoFer David Robinson his early years, and then a much better cast after Robinson retired. All the while, he had the NBA’s all-time third highest win % coach. Future HoFer Bryant had HoFer Shaq along with the NBA’s all-time highest win % coach his early years. How many first round series did he win when he had to lead the team alone? He was eliminated twice (4-8) and failed to make the playoffs even when Jackson left the team. Only when the Lakers acquired Pau Gasol did he get out of the first round again. Only Wade and LBJ have led their team to a significant playoff series win by themselves, and Wade only did it once (2003-2004, into the 2nd round). What happened when Shaq went downhill? Three years, two first-round exits (3-8), one year no playoff appearance.
And triple-doubles? Don’t be dense. I suppose Andre Miller and Baron Davis are more max contract worthy than Duncan and Dwight Howard because they both have more triple-doubles? Odom has a higher triple-double per season rate than Bryant and Garnett, so I guess he must be better too!
It’s amazing that only with Toronto Raptors fans is Bosh not a max player, because most everywhere else in the league, they’d be more than happy to have him.
No offense.. but if you missed the point, perhaps you should reread the dialogue rather than asking me to explain it to you.
Yeah, I agree.. it’s more than the players. Never said it wasn’t. All these players individually have something to offer.. but putting them all on the same team and chasing chips via Nelly Ball is not going to work, IMO.
All the players you mentioned – HOFs. You really put Bosh in the same group?
Of course they would be happy to have him, I said I would too. I doubt they would love to have him as the focal point of the franchise or offense. Not counting the crap teams of course.
Ripp, we all know how dumb I am…break it down for me.
J: This is sometimes why I think it best if Bosh is traded. I enjoy watching the Raptors a lot, but I also don’t like seeing good players waste their prime years. I don’t want CB to end up like KG, an amazing player never given the right supporting pieces.
Compare Bosh’s supporting cast to that of Carmelo. If you gave him a cast of that caliber, he goes to the ECF every year. It is only now, nearly 7 years after Bosh was drafted that we are assembling the right pieces. A sad waste.
Then to add insult to injury, you have idiotic fans like Fluxland who blame the lack of success of the franchise on Bosh, rather than the front office.
Lakers aren’t going to trade Bynum for Bosh…that rumour was squashed a while back.
Actually it is the Raptors who aren’t interested in Bynum… and squashed that rumour. :)
I’ve been saying this since the end of last season, and I still think it holds true:
Bosh isn’t going to commit to the Raps until they get out of the first round of the playoffs, which is likely going to involve beating one of the Big 4 in the East. Even if Boston keeps slumping and falls to fifth, we’ll still probably end up playing them, so barring an amazing second half by the Raps and a crappy second half by two of the big 4, we’re going to have to get through Boston first.
If we can get through the Celtics (or whoever we match against), Bosh stays.
It works the other way too. BC isn’t going to bank everything on Bosh unless he can show that he can take a team out of a playoff round.
I think with a first round win, even if they do lose in the Conference Semi-Finals, Bosh will have the confidence that he is on a winning team that can be successful in the playoffs. The team is still young, and with some playoff experience and perhaps a couple trades that would bring over some big names that want to join a team that has had playoff success, he could see himself taking the team to a championship.
Also, some playoff success will give Bosh the recognition that he deserves in the US market, and will open him up to more endorsement opportunities without having to join a big market team. People forget that Orlando, Denver, Cleveland, New Orleans, and Phoenix are much smaller markets than Toronto, but Howard, Mello, LeBron, Paul, and Nash are International superstars because ESPN shows games with teams that have playoff success, and companies want to be associated with these players because they are on these teams.
Basically, none of the Raptors’ recent success really matters unless they can play well in the playoffs. If Bosh is going to stay, we need to win a playoff round for the second time in franchise history.
Well said!
What are you talking about? Of course I’ve offered him the max already. Not in any formal way, mind you. I just told him and his agent last summer, “Listen: the second you want want to talk about an extension, my door is always open.” It’s not even a matter of negotiation. He knows we’ll max him out.
Guys, you have to understand that Bosh as been here for almost 7 years, and has worked really hard to have as many options as possible this summer. It would work against me and the Raptors to try and pressure him right now. Whatever Bosh decides, it really has to feel like it’s his decision.
I’m not going to start whining like an long-term girlfriend, harrassing Bosh constantly. Can you imagine how awful that would look? “When are we going to get maaaaaaaaarrried?” or “If you looooooooved me, you’d sign an extension.”
My friend (who is very reputable and has been right many times) tells me that Miami and Cleveland would consider doing a 3 way trade that lands both LBJ and Wade in for a package containing both Bosh and Bargnani. You, sir, are such a dumbo for not making that deal!
Just kidding, in case the sarcasm wasn’t noted. =) How cool would it be if you were actually B.C. replying? Hahaha…
OF COURSE I’m the real Colangelo. Do I need to post a picture of my big Italian balls to prove it?
Sheesh!
Get up Bird!
Good win today – dominant 4th quarter stretch for the last 8 minutes.
Strikes me that the real key to this team’s success is how to best balance the defensive intensity vs. the offensive ability. Funny how we are in close games with a player at 30+ pts and 4 others right around 20 pts.
Once guys like Wright contribute (like he has the last several games) on both ends of the floor the team as a whole begins to really put pressure on the opposition.
So much has been said about Jose’s defence, but one thing I haven’t heard mentionned is how the guy NEVER boxes anybody out…I was watching him on the defensive end today and when he half-heartedly made switches (not trying to fight through any screens) he didn’t even bother to find a body…I used to be a big fan but I think now I have to join the chorus saying that he has to go, if there’s any way someone would take on his contract…I think he will always put up decent numbers but he’s not a great PG for playoff basketball. My 2 cents (probably about what it’s worth too).
Having said that, it was great seeing the bench in the fourth quarter cheering and having such a great time (maybe a little cocky, but that’s something we’ve been lacking).
not gonna pile on jose. the automatic (and at times completely unnecessary) switching seems to be more an overall game-plan than him deciding he’s gonna be lazy. i’m sure he’d prefer – at least at times – to fight through a pick than switch onto a big & defend in the post. or not, i dunno.
True, it always switching could be the game plan, but I’m sure never boxing anyone out isn’t…If you don’t have the physical tools to be a great defender you can at least play with a little heart/grit…
The never boxing out is definitely not part of the game plan, and as you can see, plenty of the Raptors wings/guards fail to put their body on a man. If Jose was a good, gritty defender, it would be part of his play, but I don’t think anyone ever confused him for a good, gritty defender. However, to say he doesn’t play with heart, I can’t agree with that. Heart and skill are two different things, and I’m sure Jose plays with a lot of heart (I think he’s one of the top Raptors in terms of passion), but at the same time lacks a lot of defensive skill.
Jose is an above average backup PG…
Clearly that makes him overpaid…
However Jack does not make huge dollar….It’s funny when we signed Jack how most people on here said we overpaid for Jack…
His salary is not too high for a starting PG….
The same people also said Stephen Curry would be shit and a bust and I said he would be a star…He is no Tyreke Evans but damn he is good one…I said a cross between Mark price and Joe Dumars (offensively only offcourse as Dumars was a top defenedr and Curry is not)
I am not trying to say I told you so but can we get some love for Curry and Jack now please….
love.
and…curry actually isn’t all that bad defensively. that aspect of his game has been overstated.
Cheers…
Love the Jack signing…Where would the Raps be without him.
Jose can’t stay healthy for 82 games…
That is true. I don’t think Jose can ever play starter’s minutes, without getting injured. He doesn’t have that kind of body, and the luxury of having Jack on this team has and will win this team about 10 more games than they would have won without him.
Playing for less than 30 minutes a game definitely makes Calderon overpaid. His performance as a starter earlier this year also made him overpaid. However, the contract was good value for his play in the 2006-2007, 2007-2008 seasons (and maybe even last year), where performance metrics taking into account his defense placed him in the bottom of the top 3rd of starting point guards. Him being injury prone has definitely been a problem though.
I agree that the early Jack hate was funny. What’s more amusing is how both camps — 1) the Jack signing sucks because he’s overpaid, and 2) the Jack signing was a good one, and he had to be overpaid a little to steal him from the Pacers (restricted FA and all) — were wrong. Turns out he wasn’t overpaid at all. Where would we be without him, indeed!
However, while I agree he’s *good* value at his current salary, I have to point out that he’s not *great* value because he is still, in my humble opinion, an average starting PG at best, made to look better because of how our offense runs with Turkoglu. On most other teams, he’d be a below average PG. I’m sure most people can count off 15 better starting PGs (ignoring the system and assuming no injuries or suspensions for playing with guns). A PG duo of Jack and Banks would definitely be one of the weaker ones in the league; a PG duo of Jack and an above average backup would be rather average.
You need to watch more games – Jose is a quality starting PG. Most teams desperately search D-league and rookies in their attempts to get someone/anyone who isn’t as good as Jose.
dude… If you didn’t notice that it was the game plan, you are a… It was so obvious he was told to do so, and it actually worked… The kings couldn’t capitalize on the switch, and kept missing. Please stop being a hater, Jose is playing great basketball right now, and trust me, if Jose gets traded, all the team chemistry we have, will be gone with him…
I agree with you RAPMAN.
People really underrate Jose, he’s the glue that keeps the 2nd unit and this team together. If we lose him we will lose more games than losing Jarrett.
Jose is a guy who makes everyone around him better, a way better passer, he has more impact on this team, doesn’t matter if he starts or not.
The second unit has done a great job of extending a lead when they come in or getting us back into the game when we start off slow. The main cog in that engine is Calderon. He is matched up against inferior guards when he hits the floor. I agree that the chemistry would take a beating if he was traded.
“The second unit has done a great job of extending a lead when they come in or getting us back into the game when we start off slow.”
I’m glad I’m not the only one who has noticed this. Calderon has been criticized many times for giving up an easy score in the final minutes of a game, but people forget that often those close games are a result of Calderon and the so-called 2nd unit.
It’s not only because he’s matched up against inferior guards either, since the 2nd unit PG doesn’t only play against the other team’s 2nd unit PG. From counting the shifts played in each game’s play-by-play, it’s evident that Calderon spends a considerable amount of time playing against the opposing starting PG, and Jack also spends a considerable amount of time playing against the opposing backup PG.
Four comments today:
1) I am starting to say it over and over again these days. But I think this was one of Jay’s best coached games. I mean putting Wright on Evans, and Weems on Martin was brilliant. This move just won us the game, and changed the momentum of the game. He should start doing these match ups more often at the end games. As much as I hated your coaching in the first 3 months of the season, Jay Excellent JOB!
2) Bosh’s image is starting to change in my mind now. I think of him as a franchise player right now. I mean he hustles, he has decent defense, awesome offense and rebounding, he is not forcing anything, and he just brings it every night!
3)Although we won today, the last 4 games have been really concerning. I mean we should be blowing these teams out every day of the week. Yes we have some games in the last 2 months, but how many blow outs have we had? Other than the Dallas game, I can think of any. I mean are you kidding me? We lost to Indiana, barely beat the nets, and we were about to lose to a team that has only won 3 games on the road this season. Yes we have won a lot of games lately, but almost none have been convincing…
4)Antoine Wright is starting to make me forget about Mo Pete nowadays, as he is starting to become my favorite Raptor. He is doing everything that is asked of him to perfection. Good for you Wright! Players like Weems (not so much nowadays) and Belli should learn from this guy. If they stop forcing shots, and just go with the flow like Wright, we would have one of the best bench players in the NBA…
I am a little concerned as well, thay take bad teams too lightly. Saying that they do step up (most times) against the better teams
Kings average 102 points per game and give up 106. Raps beat them by a big margin and kept them within a bucket of their average. That’s not evidence of taking a team lightly.
Wright has definitely found a groove with the team. He’s been killing it from 3 lately
“Rapman”!, I understand your concern in regards to the last four games but keep a few things in mind.
1) Indiana is not that bad a team. They have had some injury woes and have made 20+ point comebacks in at least three games. They are very tough at home and have beaten Phoenix, Orlando and Boston at home this season. They are brutal on the road but they play a style that is very difficult to defend if you don’t have the speed. They are also very streaky and if on, make life hell for the opponent.
2) New Jersey- Even though they are battling for the worst record of all time, they are playing a lot better and have given some very good team a tough game. They play hard and don’t seem to give up though they are down and out. Even though they have lost their last six games, none was by more than nine points. They battle.
3) Sacramento has lost their last six in a row including today but look at the opponents they have lost to.
a) at Utah
b) Charlotte
c) at Denver
d) Phoenix
e) San Antonio
f) at Toronto.
All six teams are playoff teams and Utah, Toronto and Denver are three of the best home teams in the league. They are not as bad as their record indicates.
4) This is the NBA and these players are professionals. Sometimes a dog has a good day and beats a strong team. At least the Raptors managed to hang on and pull away in the fourth.
I have felt the same as you Rapman but when I look at things like I just posted, I don’t worry as much.
Well, my concern is that it is not sometimes, lately it has become “always”. I understand some games here or there you get down by double digits to very inferior teams, but it is really concerning that it is starting to become a habit. How many games have the Raptors blow teams out? I can only think of the 2 chicago games, Dallas, 1 New Jersey game, and 1 Detriot game. All the other games that we have won, have been close and have almost been decided in the last 2 minutes of the game. We have just been lucky that we have won the late game battles, or we could have easily been below the 20 won game range…
To me the problem is with our defense. We don’t play defense for the first 3 quarters, and because we are good offensive team, we stay in games. In the fourth we actually play some defense and win the game we have won.. But my question is why? The Raptors have a very risky style of play, which in the long run, it will hurt them greatly.
To imply that the Raptors are the only team that plays this way is ridiculous. When we have played top tier teams this year like Boston, Cleveland and Orlando, they have let us stick around until the fourth quarter and then turned up the D and went on to win. I’m sure everybody thought the Lakers were going to do the same thing…and the Raptors are still a second tier team that is still coming together. It’s the nature of an 82 game season to coast a little bit during games. It’s not until the playoffs that teams seem to crank it up a notch and play all 48 minutes. Complaining that they are not blowing out teams when they have the second or third best record in the league since December after a horrible start is just silly.
A big +1 to Rapman. Yeah, that defence scares me. Defence doesn’t win championships but balance does and the Raps still seem all O/no D. Anyone know what their defensive efficiency (or similar stat) is if you weed out the first 20 games? They seem to have been able to get it together for a quarter or so (like the 4th against the Lakers) but other than that, scary stuff.
And Flux, you’re better than that man. Sure there’s a lot of spin that comes out of BC’s office but name a team that’s struggling to get good that has the luxury of just letting its game be its marketing strategy. If these guys miraculously got it together and made the conference finals or something, you’d be there cheering right? So criticize their game and ignore the rest.
FAQ, you are well and truly an idiot. If you’re so much smarter than the rest of us, why can’t you figure out how dumb you sound.
There defense ranks around 12th in the league since December 4th. Heard it broadcast on one of their games so can’t site a reference.
If you are saying you are not really concerned with the way we are winning the games we are, I have nothing to say anymore.
I am not at all convinced with the way we have been winning. I mean, we almost have had a injury free season compared to other teams in the league. Bosh, Bargs, Jack, DD, Weems, Wright, Johnson, Belli, and even Hedo have all been almost injury free this season. The only real injuries we have had are Evens and Calderon. It sometimes scares me when I think that with all the positive stories we have had on this team (Take Johnson, Weems, Wright, Belli, DD, Jack, Bargs, and even Bosh, who have all exceeded our expectations that were set before the season)we are only 5 games over .500. I mean what if one of Bosh or Bargs had a serious injury and missed several games this season, like the Celtics. What if Johnson and Weems were not playing at the level they are playing now… Lets face it, we are almost riding a perfect season and we only have a record of 28-23 to show for it, and almost 3/4 of those have come in the crunch time. So if you are saying you are not concerned at all with this team, then…..
No, I’m not saying that I’m not concerned…of course I want the Raptors to play better D and win more efficiently, but I do feel the Raptors are still (and I hate to use this word) gelling. They are playing much better as a team after a miserable start, with 9 new players and a difficult schedule. But they are still improving and as I mentioned above even top tier teams allow lesser teams ro remain in the game until the fourth quarter. And where we are in the standings (5 games above .500) is probably the best most informed fans would have guessed at this time due to the schedule/new players/new coaching schemes. In a sense you have to gauge where they are now based on their record after December 4th where they are 21-10 with and offense that ranks 2nd and defense that ranks 12th. We are still seeing improvements on D from Wright/Sonny/Marco/Andrea/Amir and I think it will only get better.
Damn, we’ve stayed healthy….. If LeBron stays healthy, it doesn’t matter injuries to any other players on Cleveland. Kobe, while fighting injuries have played all season (Pau missed some games). Denver playing well with Carmelo injured and have missed Billup’s a few games…. Portland has been decimated by injury, Chris Paul’s injury is a season ender (btw we beat them twice with Paul playing), Orlando missed Nelson for some time and Boston has had some injuries but that is about it…. Atlanta has been injury free, Utah, Phoenix, Memphis, OKC, Charlotte are just some others not hit by the bug….
So the Raptors have had Calderon injured, Hedo playing way below expectations, DD out and other aches and pains….
BTW, Bargnani is still only approaching his potential, Amir & Belli & Wright inconsistent, Bosh having a great season, but #’s wise only marginally above his last 2-3 years….. So please explain why the vitriol…..
The one thing to worry about is their road record, which is still very shaky at best….
Hey Sam!
I hear ya.. just hard watching the team being used as a guinea pig for BC’s musings.
Post more often, damn it! Cheers.
In four games, Wright has gone from my “trade for value” player to an “untouchable” – brings us that AP-type player that we desperately need. If he continues this pace, watch out.
Amir was just horawful.
Wright deserve to be kept unless his demands are unreasonable. If we can afford only one of Johnson or Wright , I would say keep Wright.
He takes pride in playing hard defence, dives for loose balls and has given us the bonus of hot shooting. I heard that he has come to the gym early a lot lately and has stayed after practice to work on his shot. This is heart and dedication. How can any teammate not want to work hard watching him? I agree that he is untradeable right now.
Good points. Early in the year, he was just “talking the talk”. Lately he definitely has been “walking the walk”.
My favorite “Shack-ism”!
Is 32-9 possible? 50-32 is the goal…
bad math… 22-9
Hell yea
Here are the upcoming games, and the ones I think we might lose. Roughly 10 more losses.
So 49 wins, 33 losses optimistically? I’d feel more comfortable in this estimate if our defense weren’t so horrible. Better defense means less likely to play close games against bad teams..
Feb
Wed 10 vs Philadelphia
Wed 17 vs Memphis
Fri 19 @ New Jersey
Sat 20 vs Washington
Wed 24 vs Portland
Fri 26 vs Cleveland L
Sun 28 @ Oklahoma City L
March
Mon 01 @ Houston
Fri 05 vs New York
Sun 07 vs Philadelphia
Tue 09 @ LA Lakers L
Wed 10 @ Sacramento
Sat 13 @ Golden State
Sun 14 @ Portland
Wed 17 vs Atlanta L
Fri 19 vs Oklahoma City
Sat 20 @ New Jersey
Mon 22 @ Minnesota
Wed 24 vs Utah
Fri 26 vs Denver L
Sun 28 @ Miami L
Mon 29 @ Charlotte L
Wed 31 vs LA Clippers
April
Sat 03 @ Philadelphia
Sun 04 vs Golden State
Tue 06 @ Cleveland L
Wed 07 vs Boston L
Fri 09 @ Atlanta L
Sun 11 vs Chicago
Mon 12 @ Detroit
Wed 14 vs New York
I agree pretty much on those picks, but you really think we can beat Portland in Portland? I also think we can beat Cleveland at home.
Agree with almost all your predictions except the portland win on the road in the second night of a back to back, no way we can win that game.
Also think that maybe we can beat Oklahoma on the road, and Cleaveland at home.
This is the key streach:
Wed 24 vs Utah
Fri 26 vs Denver L
Sun 28 @ Miami L
Mon 29 @ Charlotte L
Four games in six nights with a back to back on the road against two 5th seed rivals, if we can be 2-2 in that week, i’ll say we’re a 50 win team. If we go 3-1, I’ll move to Canada
Co-sign. i think that if we can beat beat down the midrange teams (OKC/MEMPHIS/maybe denver) we can be 50 plus in the win column. its that simple. hopefully bosh gives us his seal of approval.
Mask!
That comment by Jack Armstrong was priceless. He drove me nuts the other night by referring to Vanilla Ice a million times but the “Mask, that’s all I have to say!” joke was terrific and by far his best line. Matt Devlin’s response was hilarious. He was as stunned as the rest of us.
Mask. thats all i have to say
Rumour of the Day:
Bargnani to BC: “Trade Bosh or trade me!!”
Ya think ..???!!!!
is there a point to your posts other than to see how much vitriol you can conjure up?
No chance. He knows that Bosh’s post game helps him create his drives from the 3-pt line and many, many of his clean looks. He seems very genuine in every interview about liking Bosh and what Bosh does for his game. Bargnani needs help to get his motor running, but is not an egomaniac. He doesn’t need to be the big wheel.
Rumour of the day:
FAQ to God: “Give me a brain, please”
Ya think..???!!!!?!?!?!?!????
Fact of the Day:
FAQ is a trolling imbecile.
Me knows.. !!!!!!!!!!!
Do you just have a list of crap that you decide to post here?
Why isn’t RP not blocking the IP of this moron !!
Imagine the day that Bargs actaully says that kind of stuff… Maybe Bosh will, but never Bargs…
Andrea is very happy in Toronto , he is rich , handsome , must have a lot of girls friends . He has a brain , heart and courage . FAQ will have to go to the land of Oz to acquire those 3 things.
Bosh and Bargnani actually help each others game. It’s tough to get away with double teaming Bosh when Andrea is shooting the lights out. Bosh even said in his post game interview that he has confidence in his teamates ability to knock down shots when he get’s double teamed.
I have been hard on Hedo this season but I have to admit that he showed a lot of heart today. I also respect Colangelo for standing his ground on the mask issue. It was a win win all around.
As long as you mean OZ as in the Wizard of OZ and not OZ as in Australia.
We don’t want him here, if he came here it would lower the national IQ by 50 basis points.
Hey maybe FAQ is really a yankee ESPN spy who wants him to go so his fellow ESPN writers don’t look like complete idiots when Bosh does actually stay in Toronto.
lol cesco, hilarious. “We are off to see the wizard!”
Is your last name Troll?
We are so screwed if Bosh leaves. Bargs and Turk will make us compete but if we don’t land a major play in a trade or via FA we are screwed.
Entertaining game. A little to close for comfort but a W is a W.
You suppose many teams could lose their star for nothing and not suck for a while afterwards? But its not going to happen this season, so why worry?
nodoby noticed that jack made a joke about hedo today? he said that if he asked hedo about the game today, hedo would answer “mask”. Kinda funny.
it was noticed. har har. ‘kinda’ funny is about right. par for the course…
I am glad Hedo didnt pout and showed enough gumption going inside and making shots starting the game. I believe he is a team player and good guy…just a bit different…like the odd cousin.
“Turk” The odd cousin… Yup, that sums up Hedo…
it’s altraps surprise
Good work AltRaps. It’s tough to dial up spontaniety and humor on a regular basis; but you deserve a lot of credit.
O’Bryant and Johnson …….A1 !
Also, you make some subtle observations…..Bargs, late in the clock ; Bosh being pissed at the crowd; and, Yeah, Jose isn’t quite “right”
No TRADES PLEASE. All the ingredients are there.
Raps have scorers. Raps have depth. Raps have players that will share the ball.
Raps have a go to guy when they need it
Raps have athleticism to pick up tempo/intensity
Raps have multiple options in any given game.
Raps have a coaching staff which have them prepared
Raps have young guys keeping the older guys young and loose.
Keep this group together as long as you can
was at the game today and saw a few things that made me think that this is actually a good team – beyond stats etc., little intangibles that give a team phenomenal swag (all thanks to agent Zero)
1. The turn on the jets and finish them off fourth quarter
2. Reactions to mistakes. after a botched possession or call from a ref (like the defensive goaltending) they respond like “eh, that sucked, lets bear down and get it back (i’ve always thought thatgood teams might make the same number of mistakes as bad ones, bad ones just group them together at terrible times which turn into losses)
3. The jumping around enthusiasm at the end of the bench. For example Marcus Banks has taken about as much crap as a person who hasnt done anything other than sign a contarct for a whole lot of money, yet he’s jumping around with sonny weems (who’s awesome) and even being the “hey everyone stay off the court while we jump around and wave our towles” guy.
4. Jarret Jack turning into an emotional leader. I loved his throw of the ball then explaining it was a shot attempt. Couldn’t you just see him coming back to the bench all “f that! lets get them queens’ – or something to that effect.
Sonny Weems enthusiasm is infectious. The guy has started jumping on the ad box beside the bench to start each game and pandering to the crowd. Jumping around and dancing after every good play – the kid is fun to watch when he’s not playing.
faq you are the biggest retard ever do you really want to see the best player in franchise history gone for nothing
i done like torono women to skanki fr my tast
shut the fuck up :)