Raps/Nets Game 2: That Nachbar 3 was in and thankfully out!
Posted by Arsenalist on April 25th, 2007
>> Scroll down for the videos <<
What a game, after RJ hit that three all signs pointed to an 0-2 hole but Ford hit some big FTs and AP came up with a huge steal to pull the Raptors through. This might be the first ever playoff game which was won without the winning coach ever running a single play in the game. No joke. Sam Mitchell almost ruined the night: With the Raptors down 3 and about 10 seconds left, New Jersey was actually able to get an open three for Nachbar, a shot he had drained a few times during the course of the game. If that shot would’ve gone in, Sam would’ve probably been fired after the game. How Nachbar was allowed to actually attempt a three that wide open with that little time left is perplexing, you would think the Raptors would foul and play the FT game. We got lucky in that regard. Big Time.
The crowd was UNBELIEVABLE. The ACC staff gave away red flags (had to fight for mine, they ran out) and the arena looked awesome at times, especially during a Raptors run. Playoff games are far and away more exciting, more tense and more fun than regular season games. I don’t think I’m going to another Raptors regular season game ever, it’s a waste of money compared to this. The major chants were “VC Sucks”, “Defense, Defense”, “Let’s Go, Raptors” and “Bullshit”. Bullshit was used consistently after the refs blew several calls – all going against the Raptors. That offensive foul they called on Mo Pete was complete garbage and could’ve cost us the game.
Our transition defense was excellent and that scum RJ was trying as hard as he could to cherry pick some points but we completely shut that aspect of the game down for New Jersey. You could tell that New Jersey wanted to duplicate their success from Game 1 in that area and the Raptors made the correct adjustment. For what its worth, kudos to Mitchell on that one. Anthony Parker was looking for his shot much more often tonight and hit some big ones with the defense all over him. If his feet are set he is about as automatic as Allan Houston. His late steal plus the TJ Ford late FTs and huge three were what pulled us through.
TJ didn’t have the same success he had in Game 1 and neither did Calderon but both managed to limit Kidd’s passing to a degree which the Raptors could handle. There were only about two bad TJ moments (out of control, erratic) in this game which is a number I’ll take any day. When Calderon came into the game the Raptors used the pick ‘n roll much more and a couple times he nailed a jumper to keep the NJ lead low. The PGs weren’t spectacular but they played through a tough night and came though on defense and in TJ’s case, late in the game on offense.
Chris Bosh’s stat-line looks impressive but I have to say he looked very tentative early in the game repeating some of the mistakes he was making in Game 1. Even in this game he didn’t make his move quickly but instead took time and allowed the defense to set. On the couple occasions he made his move immediately after catching the ball, he either got fouled or scored. One of these was the huge three-point play dunk. If we would’ve lost this game, I think I would’ve had to hold Bosh responsible for not asserting himself more. Lucky for him Anthony Parker volunteered for that chore.
It looks like the Joey Graham experiment is over. He was sloppy and slow again but this time COY Mitchell actually took him out and put in the Raptor everybody seems to love, Mo Pete. Peterson hit a couple big shots, one of them is what I would call crucial because it came at a time when the Nets looked like they might extend their lead beyond 5+ (I know its not much but in tight playoff games, its huge). Peterson only had one bad moment when he was owned by Carter on a pass/shot rejection, besides that he played good defense on RJ and even on Nachbar when he was matched up with him. I think he might even have earned a starters spot for Game 3.
Before I talk about Carter, here’s a picture of him:
Carter had a Carter game. He was settling for jumpers and if I were a Nets fan I’d be pissed off at him. The guy was shooting deep threes for no reason which I was thankful for because it kept the ball out of RJ’s hands. I think Jefferson is far more dangerous than Carter in this series for us. Vince can be contained because he makes life easy on the defense, Jefferson does not and keeps you guessing on what he’s about to do. IMHO, he’s also the better shooter and swingman. I am scared of Nachbar, I really am. He can hurt the Raptors by putting the ball on the floor and shooting it from outside, he was impressive again today and his highlight came when he took Bargnani (still bumbling around) to school on the baseline. That was epic.
Moral of the story is that even when we don’t play our best game, we can still beat New Jersey. I think the road will do good for us, it puts less pressure on the players and they can play loose and free. We can get a game in New Jersey, no doubt about it.
I’ll add to this blog post more or maybe even create a new one because I really want to talk about what a farce the Mitchell Coach of the Year award is. That’s it for now. I uploaded a couple videos I took on YouTube, check ‘em out. I’ll add some more tomorrow.
Final Minute
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ESPlTFfV4pY]
VC Sucks Free Throw[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VfndmrXYqwI]
VC Sucks and More Noise
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UJhLI4ndJWw]
Late Defensive Possession
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IRNqV57LpqA]
Make Some Noise
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ekkSYbS4mts]
#1 Baby
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RyLadkKfQCA]
Anthony Parker shot clock violation – What the hell was that?
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UqvBV6NbHU8]
Andrea Bargnani gets fouled, for some reason VC Sucks chants continue
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YlHeYyCmBn0]
Check out Chasin’s highlights in the RealGM thread, he’s got post-game interviews and more. There’s more discussion of this post here.
April 25th, 2007 at 2:36 am
Great post dude. I don’t know how you keep up with three teams.
April 25th, 2007 at 8:28 am
When that three went up I couldn’t believe it. That was a defensive breakdown. Much smarter to foul in that situation. Sam got lucky for choosing not to foul.
April 25th, 2007 at 9:50 am
I have to completely disagree with you on that final Nachbar three. I’ve always enjoyed your posts, but blaming Sam Mitchell for that fault is the most ignorant statement I’ve ever heard.
You cannot blame Sam Mitchell, but have to give credit to Lawrence Frank for drawing up such a smart play.
It was genius: feed Carter, have Carter drive in so the Raptors (who are feeding off this crowd and will want to stop Carter more) collapsed in on him quick, allowing Carter to kick it off to an open Nachbar. Naturally, Carter was the one to drive and kick because with the Raptors vendetta against him, the Raps will be drawn to him like flies to the light.
You have to remember that Carter is one of the best in-the-paint players of all time. He can blow by anybody at will (when he is motivated to).
And you would blame Bosh if we lost? Bosh, the man showing pure heart and soul and playing his 100% into it? You got problems buddy. He fought out there like a true soldier, playing his hardest. This is a team game, there is no such thing as one player to blame. Except Joey G.
I agree with you on Joey G.
April 25th, 2007 at 9:58 am
Adam man, Bosh is my second favorite Raptor after AP. And I thought he played the hardest today, no doubt. He even had a cold. But I’m starting to hold him to much higher standards now.
In the first half, he was off and looked unsure on offense. Moore was scoring on him because he wasn’t even checking him on defense. In the second he was much better but still playing up to potential. Listen, I don’t care if he misses 10 shots in a row. I just want those shots to be ones of quality and come though quick moves instead of letting the defense settle in (Leo always talks about this).
I really like Bosh but I just expect more from him since he’s a “superstar”. He had a decent game today. No point crying over this, we won.
April 25th, 2007 at 10:29 am
I agree, Bosh has to be measured against a higher standard. Just like how we put win/loss on Carters shoulder back in the day, same can be expected for Bosh.
He has made Mikki Moore look like an allstar at times, and needs to realize that he can do whatever he wants on the floor against the Nets.
Thank God Mitchell came to his senses and did something about Graham. He did however make a blunder by giving Bargnani too many of Humphries minutes. I still think it is too early for Bargnani to be getting that many minutes, considering how good Humphries has been playing as of late.
Nachbar, also scares the crap out of me. He hits dagger after dagger. I was actually surprised he missed that three at the end. Thank God, but I thought it was academic when he launched that bad boy.
April 25th, 2007 at 4:12 pm
Vinceeeeeeeeeeeeeee loves Toronto….
April 25th, 2007 at 7:58 pm
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April 26th, 2007 at 9:21 am
You know, fouling is really tough because you put sooooo much pressure on your team to then make free throws. And I haven’t watched many Raptors games this season, but the only one I trust is TJ. You know, what if the ball ends in someone else’s hands, or even TJs (he’s gotta miss some free throws) and they miss one or both. On the other hand Kidd keeps making his, as he undoubtedly would.
Of course it still might be a better strategy, but I think that is a big concern.
Anyway yeaaaaah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Let’s go Raptors.
I’d actually blame Mitchell for not instructing his players to watch Boki. Or his team for not listening to him.
April 26th, 2007 at 1:49 pm
great post ! thanks for the pics. the crowd was reallt the difference.wonder how the nets fans will react ?