Raptors take out frustration on Miami
Posted by Arsenalist on March 19, 2008
This game was not a barometer to measure how effective the Raptors are but merely a simple test to check whether the Raptors are still interested in playing basketball this season. Turns out they are.
At some point in this game you had to feel sorry for the Miami Heat. Given their lineup it’s almost impossible to compete, let alone win games. Just when you thought the injured list which includes Dwayne Wade, Shawn Marion, Udonis Haslem, Marcus Banks and Alonzo Mourning couldn’t get any longer, Jason Williams jams a finger and misses the game. This presented a Miami team featuring Ricky Davis as their best player. If the Raptors had won by less than 20, it wouldn’t have been satisfying. 42 sounds about right.
Chris Bosh looked mobile and active, he looks to be on his way to regaining his pre-injury form and it’s just a matter of time before he feels comfortable going full-force. This game was a glorified practice session where he stretched his legs, moved hard laterally and prepared himself to go all out on Friday night against Cleveland. A win against Miami doesn’t count for much and the best thing to come out of this game is perhaps gaining back some of the lost confidence after the West-coast humiliation. Jamario Moon admitted that the team had lost confidence and thought this win would aid some of the mental issues stemming from the road. To quote Jamario on the PA system after the game while talking to Leo:
“Sam was in our butt.”
I’m not going to quote many stats from this game because it was boys against men out there, but it’s worthy to note that we held the Heat to an all-time franchise low of 54 points. Pat Riley figured they left everything in Milwaukee the previous night. The only time this game was remotely interesting was in the first quarter and the Raptors need to be given credit for coming out with some energy and determination. The prospect of a home loss to Miami would’ve been grim as death and maybe that’s what prompted Andrea Bagnani to come out attacking the rim, showing some emotion and playing hard. Coincidentally the last time he did that was against Miami. You know how Richard Hamilton never takes of his mask even though he really doesn’t need it anymore. I say Andrea should start wearing the mask, it makes him look tougher and maybe eliminates some of the fear of driving and getting hit (not that he has issues with that). Interesting to note Alex English sounding so relieved that Bargnani was driving to the rim, you can tell it’s on the mind of the coaches that Bargnani’s camping a little too far out.
The Cleveland game is a statement game if there ever was one. There’s a good chance we’ll finish 5th and face the Cavs and a win in Cleveland will go a long ways towards building belief in this team that they can pull off the job. Overcoming Cleveland’s sheer size, rebounding and Lebron is going to be a tall order even if Bosh is at the top of his game, so it’s that much more imperative that a second and third scorer and rebounder emerge for the Raptors. As Jamario Moon was grabbing away his 14 rebounds, one couldn’t help but wonder how many he’d get on Friday night when the competition is stiffer and the stakes higher. I’m not undermining the Raptors performance, simply pointing out that laying a beating on Miami is much easier than playing even against Cleveland.
TJ Ford with a controlled performance where I only counted two outright “bad” decisions. But then again, Chris Quinn isn’t going to trouble you as much as Ronnie Price would. The crowd was great tonight and encouraged Ford every time he made a play, you can tell the fans are behind him and want him to get through this literally insane stretch of basketball that he’s been playing. He has his detractors and those who think he’s a selfish and spoiled brat that has a me-first attitude and is jealous of the success of Calderon, but that’s stretching it big time and being unfair to TJ. He’s not been playing well and he knows it, I do think you’ll see a different TJ over the next few games. He hit rock bottom in Utah and from here on out things will improve. What would facilitate this process was if he’d start so things would return to “normal”. There’s been plenty of discussion over this point for the last two days, no point regurgitating it again.
No Liners tonight except one: Yes, it sucks that you didn’t get your pizza and you can moan all you want but to boo? I know it’s not a real boo, just a slight “Aww, man, WTF?” boo but even then, it sounds horrible when you’re team’s up by 42.
Sportsnet recently chose not to renew their contract with MLSE to air Raptors games. At the time I was laughing at Sportsnet but after reading this Globe article, you understand just how big the MLSE thieves are and why there is no incentive for channels to renew.
Bargnani - Top Rap.
March madness is everywhere. KU’s the #1 seed in the Mid-West but they’ll probably fizzle out as usual. I shouldn’t get my hopes up too high.
Later.
March 19, 2008 at 10:28 pm
i’m glad i missed this game. out of respect for rasho not starting, i boycotted it. i feel good right now. we all knew the raptors would win, it was just a question of by how much. 42 sounds about right. bring on the cavs, i have a good feeling for that game…the feeling isn’t based on anything other than its shit or get off the can time.
March 19, 2008 at 10:39 pm
[...] out Arsenalist, I think he summed up the game perfectly….men and mice, that sound about right? addthis_url [...]
March 20, 2008 at 3:58 am
A win ia a win … it being Easter let us hope for
- Garbo fully recovers from his injury and next year plays like it never happened
- the PG from Europe works out (can really play D)
- the law suit works out (cash always helps)
- the draft pick turns out to be the sleeper of the draft
For this year I would love to see them finish strong !!
March 20, 2008 at 6:44 am
RF Although I agree that Rasho has earned a starting 5 spot over Bargs, you have to take into consideration how many NBA years he has left in him. I doubt he will be resigned after his contract expires and you have to look towards building a center.
You have to keep pushing Bargs to come out and play, if not for the sake of building another franchise player then at least for building his trade value.
March 20, 2008 at 7:02 am
Yeah not a lot to really breakdown other than that was the worst mask ever haha.
I believe RIP does have to wear his mask because he has broken his nose so many times, if it happens again his face is toast and he won’t be ballin anymore.
I only watched the first half and the last five minutes (just to make sure)
big game Friday.
Let us all rest and relax today and watch some college ball.
March 20, 2008 at 7:04 am
Nice work, Arsenalist!
- Jamario’s putback dunk was… a treat!
- Bargnani doesn’t have a broken nose… he had a root canal done. That’s why the mask! Also, like you said, I don’t think he has an issue with going to the hoop, I think he was just hesitant after the elbow he had to eat a few weeks ago.
- PIZZA! PIZZA! - wow! The fans at the ACC have done this before..what a disgrace.. Do other arenas have this promotion cuz I swear I have never seen a game where fans do that. IDIOTS!
- has anyone else noticed that Juan Dixon’s personal site is still a link on Raptors.com. I’ve been watching this for weeks now..what the heck?
March 20, 2008 at 8:10 am
Cuzzy, I think you’re right about Rip. Smith said as much on his mail bag a few weeks ago.
If Andrea plays that well as the Phantom of the Raptors, I want the mask grafted to his face.
March 20, 2008 at 9:49 am
[...] - Arsenalist [...]
March 20, 2008 at 10:29 am
MLSE wants ad revenue and a fee! That is ridiculous. They raised ticket prices by 10% this year and robbing the fans isn’t enough. It’s unbelievable how heartless these bitches are.
March 20, 2008 at 10:33 am
kidm Says:
March 20, 2008 at 6:44 am
You have to keep pushing Bargs to come out and play, if not for the sake of building another franchise player then at least for building his trade value.
………………
Bargnani has to be developed to eventually replace Bosh who may well decide to leave in 2010. I imagine Bosh would love to play for a Texas team.
March 20, 2008 at 11:16 am
If the mask helps, then let the masked man play! But–as much as I was impressed by Bargs performance last night, I’ll wait until he can string together more than a few good performances before I can laud his play.
Sucks for Rasho, who I thought deserved to start. Imagine if we lost?
As much as the Score sucks, I have to agree that watching basketball on Hockey-centric sports channels sucks greater–regardless of how money-grubbing MLSE is.
Did anyone catch Denver/Philly? Talk about broadcast HOMER-ism. And you guys thought Swirsk was bad (well he is :) … salami & cheese is really–chessy now) …
March 20, 2008 at 11:54 am
The best thing to come out of the Miami slaughter was a good workman like performance by TJ Ford as a back-up PG with 6ast,1to, 8pts.
Hope it’s a sign of things to come as Rap’s need him to manage the 2nd unit efficiently to compete with the better teams.
Other than that it was a glorified practice to fit CB4 back into the defense and offence.
March 20, 2008 at 3:38 pm
FAQ, i doubt bosh leaves toronto to play second fiddle on a texas team (third if he goes to the spurs).
March 20, 2008 at 9:29 pm
^^^Raps Fan^^^ … by the time 2010 rolls around, and Bosh’s contract is expiring, a lot of changes will happen in the NBA, particularly in the three Texas teams. I’m sure the Raptor executives are preparing now for the contingency if Bosh leaves the Raptors, or asks to be traded. You can’t assume Bosh will stay here for his entire career. KG didn’t …!!!
March 21, 2008 at 6:09 am
KG didn’t stay in Minnesota for his entire career because the T-Wolves GM didn’t do his job properly, i.e. building a legit championship contender - that could consistently get out of the 1st Round of the Playoffs (and become a threat to win the title) - around one of the great players in the history of the NBA.
Sound familiar?
Making a tonne of money for your franchise, winning a whole bunch of regular season games, being named EOY, and (even) making the playoffs consistently are NOT what determine who the ‘top notch GM’s’ are, in the NBA … cause that’s not how it works in this league.
Former Rockets guard Kenny Smith said it best … in 1994:
“The regular season is where you make your name. The post-season is where you make your fame.”
This is how it works … for players, coaches, GM’s and entire teams.
March 21, 2008 at 6:19 am
Arsenalist,
——————————————————————–
re: The Cleveland game is a statement game if there ever was one.
——————————————————————–
The Cavaliers just put a licking on the Pistons, this week.
This evening, they are going to do likewise to the Raptors, in yet another ‘Friday Fright Night for the Dinos’.
Right now, Cleveland is the 3rd best team in the Eastern Conference, behind numbers 1 & 1A (Boston & Detroit) … by a country mile.
March 21, 2008 at 10:16 am
To think of where the Celtics were in the NBA standings last year, at this time (#30?) … what they accomplished in the 2007 NBA Draft, despite the fact they lost out on both Greg Oden & Kevin Durant … compared to where they are today … (1) with established All-Stars like Garnett, Allen-R & Pierce … (2) to go with a few solid young players, e.g. Rondo, Allen-T, Powe, Perkins, Davis … (3) plus the best W-L record in the League (55-13) … and, (4) just having completed a 3-game sweep, on the road, vs the ‘dreaded Texas Triangle’ (W’s at San Antonio, at Houston - ie Where 22 in a row once happened! - and at Dallas) …
in contrast to where the Raptors are today (35-33, 2nd place in the Atlantic Division, 5th place in Eastern Conference … but teetering just ahead of Philadelphia/Stefanski & Washington/Ernie Grunfeld, who are both gaining fast) … almost 2 full years after finishing 27-55, under the direction of Rob Bacock … and, then, bringing Bryan Colangelo on-board (Feb/06) … trading Charlie Villanueva for TJ Ford, selecting Andrea Bargnani No. 1 Overall (2006 Draft) … with Chris Bosh (a young all-star) and Jose Calderon (a burgeoning all-star) on their roster prior to Colangelo’s arrival … and ‘winning’ their 1st Atlantic Division ‘banner’ (47-35, 1st Round Playoff loss) last season.
An unbiased ranking of the 15 teams in the Eastern Conference, right now, but which also looks forward to the next 5-10 years, would see an astute NBA observer develop a list that looks like what exactly?
——————————————————————–
(for example)
#1. Boston (55-13)/Danny Ainge … Notable Vets: Garnett, Allen-R, Pierce, Posey, Brown-PJ & Cassell; Solid Pups: Rondo, Allen-T, Powe, Perkins, Davis & Pruitt
#1A. Detroit (49-19)/Joe Dumars … Notable Vets: Billups, Wallace, Hamilton, McDyess, Prince & Ratlif; Solid Pups: Maxiell, Johnson, Stuckey, Affalo & Hayes
——————-
#3. Cleveland (39-30)/Danny Ferry … Notable Vets: James, Ilgaukas, Smith, Wallace & Szczerbiak; Solid Pups: Gibson, Pavlovic & Varejao
——————-
#4-7 (order?)
Orlando (45-25)/Otis Smith … Notable Vets:Turkoglu, Lewis, Evans, Dooling, Cook, Foyle & Garrity; Solid Pups: Howard, Nelson, Bogans, Redick
Toronto (35-33)/Bryan Colangelo … Notable Vets: Bosh, Nesterovic, Garbajosa & Parker; Solid Pups: Calderon, Ford, Bargnani, Humphries, Moon & Graham
Philadelphia (34-34)/Ed Stefanski … Notable Vets: Miller, Iguadalo, Dalembert, Evans & Green; Solid Pups: Young, Carney, Williams & Smith
Washington (34-33)/Ernie Grunfeld … Notable Vets: Jamison, Arenas, Heywood, Daniels, Butler, Stevenson & Songaila; Solid Pups: Blatche, Young, Mason, McGuire & Pecherov
——————-
#8-11 (what order? … and, how far behind #4-7?)
New Jersey (29-39)/Rod Thorn … Notable Vets: Jefferson, Carter, Krstic, Diop & Nachbar; Solid Pups: Harris, Williams-M, Williams-S & Boone
Atlanta (29-39)/Billy Knight … Notable Vets: Johnson, Williams, Childress, Smith, Bibby, Pachulia & Claxton; Solid Pups: Horford & Law
Chicago (27-41)/John Paxson … Notable Vets: Gordon, Hinrich, Hughes, Gooden, Deng & Nocioni; Solid Pups: Sefolosha, Thomas, Noah & Gray
Indiana (27-41)/Larry Bird … Notable Vets: O’Neal, Dunleavy, Foster, Tinsley, Murphy, Murray & Daniels; Solid Pups: Granger, Williams, Diogu, Diener, Graham & Harrison (Rush?)
——————-
#12-13 (what order? … and, how far behind #4-7?)
Charlotte (24-44)/Rod Higgins … Notable Vets: Richardson, Wallace, Okafor, Felton, Mohammad, Harrington & Carroll; Solid Pups: Dudley, May, Morrison, Davidson & Hollins
Milwaukee (23-44)/??? … Notable Vets: Redd, Bogut, Williams, Bell, Mason & Simmons; Solid Pups: Villanueva & Jianlian
——————-
#14-15 (what order? … and, how far behind #4-7?)
* Miami (12-55)/Pat Riley … Notable Vets: Wade, Marion, Haslem, Mourning, Williams & Davis; Solid Pups: Wright, Alexander, Cook & Banks
* New York (19-48)/Isiah Thomas … Notable Vets: Crawford, Randolph, Curry, Richardson & Rose; Solid Pups: Lee, Robinson, Balkman, Collins & Chandler
——————-
Q1. With the changes (improvements?) that have been made to the Basketball Operations side of Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (MLSE), since Feb/06 (when Bryan Colangelo was hired to run the show), have the Raptors clearly separated themselves from ‘the pack’ of middle-of-the-road teams in the Eastern Conference … as so many of their ardent supporters would have you believe, parroting the propoganda put out by the team’s ownership group … or, are they, in fact, firmly entrenched in the midst of an expanding group of (mostly) mediocre organizations … with little tangible reason for overt optimism, relative to the other members of this group?
A1. Only time will tell for sure … but it certainly appears that … there is no definitive answer yet … and, the proverbial ‘clock is ticking’ for the Raptors, as a 1st-Class ‘pro’ sports franchise with legitimate designs on capturing the NBA championship on day in the no-too-distant future.
No. 1 Overall Draft Picks don’t just drop in a team’s lap everyday.
March 21, 2008 at 10:42 am
Khandor: Looks like you have the Raptors pretty much where they are and should be at this point. This is only stage one in BC’s 3/5 yr rebuilding plan with hopes of no further injuries, and some progrss from last year in the playoffs.
Definately need more help at SF and rebounding for next year. With Bosh and Bargnani continuing to improve and the PG situation settled, and a second priority scorer who can draw the double team progress will continue.
March 21, 2008 at 12:10 pm
John19,
At this point, I see little difference between the bottom 12 teams in the Eastern Conference.
The Raptors are one of several ‘average’ teams in the weaker half of the NBA, with no better and no worse chance for moving up or moving down over the next few years.
As was seen last week, an injury to their cornerstone player is all that separates this franchise from sliding pretty far down the standings.
Is this what MLSE brought Bryan Colangelo on-board to do during his first two years in Toronto?
Personally, if I owned the Raptors, right now, and could trade GM’s, coaches and the current player roster … lock, stock & barrel … there are several EC teams I would gladly make this ‘wholesale swap’ with … e.g. Boston, Detroit, Orlando, Philadelphia, Washington, Chicago, New Jersey, Indiana, Charlotte and (even) Miami.
Do not delude yourself into thinking that Bryan Colangelo somehow has the market cornered on a ‘3-5 yr development plan’ for building an elite level team in the Eastern Conference … something which experienced men like Pat Riley, Joe Dumars, Rod Thorn, Ernie Grunfeld, Larry Bird/Donnie Walsh, Danny Ainge, John Paxson and Ed Stefanski are well-versed in themselves, either as a former player for an NBA titleist, a former head coach who has taken his team to the NBA Finals, or a GM.