High quality Raptors beat Pistons for feel-good win
Posted by arsenalist on March 26, 2008
It’s good that Jose Calderon could see what Sam Mitchell couldn’t: that TJ Ford is best suited as a starter and coming off the bench for him isn’t exactly second nature. These sentiments were being echoed by fans well before the media had the temerity to even suggest a switch in the starting lineup. So when Chuck Swirsky and Leo Rautins were going on and on about how TJ’s nature is that of a starter while acknowledging that it has nothing to do with him being selfish, I couldn’t help but wonder why they couldn’t say this while TJ was coming off the bench. Anyway, it’s obvious that TJ’s comfort level is higher when he’s starting and if Sam Mitchell had maybe recognized that earlier, maybe we’d be a couple games higher in the standings.
Getting to the game, it’s important to note Richard Hamilton (sore left hip) didn’t play for the second game in a row so the Raptors caught a bit of the break with Arron Afflalo starting at SG. The Pistons are locked into the second seed and according to Flip Saunders have motivation troubles. You wouldn’t have noticed it in this game. Perhaps they were coasting in the first quarter and a half but after that it was business as usual. The Raptors played aggressive basketball and both PGs had great tremendous success off the bounce against Billups, Stuckey and Afflalo in getting to the rim. Detroit’s usually stellar interior defense was often late in rotating with Wallace and McDyess late in providing help to the beaten point guard. Give the Raptors credit for getting points in the paint by finishing when the help wasn’t there, and when the defense did cover, they swung the ball back outside to get quality shots. 26 points, 13 assists and 2 turnovers from the PG combo is reflective of their offensive dominance.
For the first time in weeks there was constant movement on offense, Rasho Nesterovic was playing the two man game with Calderon, Ford and Delfino. There were criss-cross patterns being run once the ball was dumped into the post, even Jamario Moon cut to the rim with a purpose! TJ Ford reminded us that he still remains the only Raptor that can completely and utterly break down his man, get to the rim and make a good decision once he gets there. I felt it a couple games ago against Cleveland, but I’m positive that Ford’s head is back on straight.
Chauncey Billups and Afflalo were going at TJ Ford by posting and re-posting him up to get good shots. This seemed to be a cow that Detroit was going to milk all game long but Sam Mitchell reacted correctly and played Calderon and Ford at the same time, thus allowing Billups to be guarded by the bigger Calderon and Ford to cover the smaller Stuckey or Hunter, a much easier task. Usually when both of them play together the result is defensive chaos but not tonight, the matchup fit perfectly and we were able to move the ball fluidly on offense going East-West at will and leaving Detroit reacting to our guards. In the fourth quarter, Detroit cranked the defense to NBA Finals level but the Raptors and their two guards stood tall and drained key threes to slam the door on Detroit.
If this game would’ve gone south in the fourth quarter, all eyes would’ve been on Bosh who chose to jack up some very questionable jumpers. Funnily enough, it was his 19 footer that prompted the Salami and Cheese to make an appearance after quite some time. The Raptors defense held the Pistons to 40.8% shooting while shooting 49%, quite a feat against the NBA’s 3rd stingiest defense. Calderon’s pressure on Billups was very effective and the shots (even the interior kind) were contested with the Raptors registering 8 blocks - twice the season average. Sam Mitchell’s had a telling post-game comment:
“Our defense for 48 minutes was as good as it could have been”
Delfino waking up from his deep slumber with 10 points was huge on a night where Anthony Parker’s contribution was a meager 10 points. As for Andrea Bargnani, it doesn’t seem to matter if he’s starting or coming off the bench, the problems remain the same. Aggressiveness to him is only a word that may or may not have a metaphysical meaning. He’s far from understanding and accepting what a 7-footer’s role should be on a team that lacks aggressiveness and toughness, I think Leo Rautins put it well today by saying he needs to stop being “scared” and play like a 7-foot center.
This win has given us a perfect platform to build something, New York, New Orleans and Charlotte are there for the taking. Can the Raptors have a repeat performance or will they revert to playing stagnant basketball and listless defense? If today’s any indication of how they’ll play the rest of the season and playoffs, there’s a chance we might enter the playoffs carrying enough momentum to knock off a convenient opponent.
Liners:
- Very disappointing to see the fans boo TJ after he missed a wide open 3-pointer in the first quarter.
- I’m going to miss Rasho Nesterovic. Sure, he’ll get rejected by Tayshaun Prince and Aamir Johnson once in a while but his mid-range jumper is reliable, his defense is sound and his finishing isn’t that bad. Plus he’s a legit 7-footer and uses his body well. In other words, he’s a pretty damn good backup center who I wouldn’t mind seeing on this team long-term.
- For us to have a chance in this game the rebounding battle needed to be even, it ended up 41-35 in their favor but we limited the influence of Jason Maxiell and Antonio McDyess, holding them to a total of 9 rebounds and not allowing them to dominate a critical stretch of the game.
- Jose Calderon is a team player and a smart man for figuring out what’s wrong with the Raptors. But let’s move on now and not go on about this like he gave up his first born. Jose is all about winning and seeing his team and teammates do well and the sweet part about it is that his niceness isn’t reflected in his playing stile and attitude on the floor. Love it.
- We avoid falling under .500 with a gritty and hard-fought win against a tough team. It would’ve been very easy to lose this game but the Raptors played with a sense of urgency not seen in weeks.
- Jason Kapono: 0-2 FG in 9 minutes. There isn’t a single matchup here that he’s well suited for. If we do end up playing Detroit in the playoffs, Maceo Baston is likely to have a bigger role than Jason Kapono. The Pistons are simply too good to allow a one-dimensional shooter to get off the mark.
- Jose Calderon is The Top Rap.
- If you missed the RapCast, do check it out.
March 26, 2008 at 11:33 pm
Solid win tonight by the Raptors with positive contributions from several of the key players on the roster.
Coming down the stretch … Rasheed’s missed open 3, followed by Billups’ missed open 3 and, then, Billups’ offensive foul, sealed the defeat for the Pistons … who, for the 2nd consecutive road game, looked more interested in experimenting with different line-ups, sets and defenses than in putting away their opponent.
March 27, 2008 at 12:46 am
This was one of those games that I’m not sure we won as much as they lost. The Pistons were only 2/3 a team tonight, at best. Billups still held a knife to our throat and we were blessed with some poor shooting from the Pistons. They missed a few gimmies and some wide open looks. In a strange way, it was like both teams swapped roles for the night.
I had a feeling going in that we would win. Sadly, that same feeling has me pegging NY and NO as losses. I’m not sure why many people are saying the New Orleans game is easily winnable. They are a solid team with a PG that will make Billups look like he was playing in a wheelchair.
March 27, 2008 at 1:11 am
sdp04,
The New York game Toronto SHOULD be able to win … but, what the Hornets did tonight, winning in Cleveland, is impressive.
Still, New Orleans goes into Boston, on March 30, prior to the game here; and, if the Hornets suffer any type of emotional letdown after playing the No. 1 team in the NBA, there’s a chance the Raptors might be able to take advantage of that, in a similar way as they did tonight, vs a Pistons team that was obviously in pre-playoff ‘experimental’ mode.
The two games that stick on the upcoming slate, as meaningful barometers of where this team is at, in the stretch drive, are the following match-ups @ Charlotte and @ Atlanta.
If the Raptors can win both of those … after taking down Detroit, New York and New Orleans … they will have successfully righted the ship (temporarily?), heading into April.
March 27, 2008 at 1:32 am
A few of my observations:
1. I didn’t catch the first few minutes of the game until Jose was playing the point. Apparently TJ was only in for the first 3 minutes before he was subbed out. I assume it was because Billups was posting him up. Jose was playing his usual superlative control game at PG.
2. I’ve noticed this all season and it irks me to no end. Has anybody noticed how TJ just lazily lopes up the floor with the ball as if he doesn’t know what he intends to do until he gets over the centre-line? Jose on the other hand moves the ball quickly up the floor to put pressure on the defense and possibly find an open opportunity before he runs the play. Occasionally TJ will pass the ball quickly down the floor without dribbling, but not often. When I see TJ doing his lazy shuffle, I just lose confidence in him. Maybe it’s only me …
3. Playing TJ and Jose together as a PG-SG tandem only reveals TJs limitation and Jose’s versatility. Jose has a stabilizing effect on TJ when both are on the floor. It may also tell us that Sam is not happy with the SGs on occasion ..!!!
4. Detroit were coasting in this game and didn’t want anybody to get injured for nothing. They obviously pulled back on their interior defense which is usually solid.
5. Bargnani is not ’scared’ … he’s ‘confused’ because of his new role and having nobody to mentor him in his difficult situation. I wish you wouldn’t be so down on Bargs without understanding the extent of the conversion he is going through. To expect more just because he was picked #1 is not reasonable and certainly not his fault. BC and Gherardini put Bargs in this situation .. and if Garbo was playing, Bargs transition would not be so extreme or sudden. A 7 foot man cannot easily change his movement patterns, and Bargs appears to be trying his best, and if that’s not good enough for you and the fans, ignore him because your feeelings are not at all helpful nor enlightening.
March 27, 2008 at 7:06 am
Nice solid game by the Raps. Sam (or one of the assistant coaches) finally figured it out that in this situation TJ and Jose could play together effectively. Rasho continues to look solid. Too bad that Sam did not see the benefit in him starting him the last couple of months.
Even though I am sick to death of him with his verbal diarrhea, Leo did come up with a couple good observations; like you said about Bargnani has to stop being scared and play like a 7 footer. Let’s hope AB goes to a big man’s camp this summer instead of playing tennis. It’s time for him to grow some balls.
March 27, 2008 at 7:10 am
Well, well, well… excuse me while I bask in my glory.
Looks like all my comments on this here website have been vindicated. I know, it’s only one game, against a less the full force Pistons, but it is nice to know while I was defending Sam and TJ, 90% of you mofos on here were throwing them under the bus and raping their wives.
Also, last nights game made khandor aka The Realist look like a total bafoon. You, Sir, couldn’t manage a herd of cattle into an open filed. I guess the difference between analyzing and managing are astronomical. You know, I even question if you are a Rap fan.. you really come across as a Rap critic. Oh well, we all look at the world with different glasses on, I suppose.
March 27, 2008 at 7:57 am
FLUXLAND > :) You have to be the most awesome person commenting here :) Wow. You make my day. Wow. You really do. *clap* *clap* I cheer for your honest and inspiring wisdom on basketball and the Raps. Amazing!!! You are right. No one was figuring out the rotation for THIS club to win FOURTEEN GAMES AGO on THIS VERY blog. Or how your mighty Smitch is a GENIUS in discovering what would work as the lineup here. Wow. *clap* *clap*
March 27, 2008 at 8:18 am
Sam is COY —>No one said anything about rotations, dude. Clearly you have not ready any of my comments, as I have never used the word rotation so WOW.. I guess reading comprehension is still something you are working on. No worries, you should have that covered by grade 3. Although, I’m not sure what the curriculum is at a school for the mentally challenged. Do they still allow 16 year olds into grade 3?
March 27, 2008 at 8:40 am
FLUX,
He who laughs last … always … laughs best.
ROTFLOL
March 27, 2008 at 8:46 am
Remember the day you wrote that post, right there ^^^ , cause there’ll come a time (real soon, perhaps?) when the “baffoon” tag might best be used to describe you, Sir … accurately.
Tic, tic, tic, tic, tic, tic, tic …
Implosions do not happen right away.
ROTFLOL
March 27, 2008 at 9:46 am
FLUXLAND > mentally challenged? :). Congrats on the good win though.
March 27, 2008 at 10:35 am
I wouldn’t be taking too much from a win over a disinterested and disjointed Pistons team. If that was as good as we can play and we still barely eeked it out….I would be concerned more than happy.
March 27, 2008 at 10:41 am
Funny how you all now feel the Pistons need you to make excuses for them losing to the Raptors, after yesterday saying that Rap’s had no chance against the all powerful 50 wins a season Detroit.
March 27, 2008 at 11:08 am
khandor rosen - I will remember, Sir! No worries.
My point is this really: while you are able to breakdown games that have already happened (rosen), and list various scenarios/options available regarding any situation in the Raptors organization (something that really, we can all do.. in our heads.. yet don’t find it compelling to break down in a comments section), that doesn’t mean your personal pick out of possible scenarios is highly accurate, if ever accurate at all. This is the people management/organizational behavior part, of some of the courses you say BC has not mastered, that you seem to forget about.
Some gems from the above mentioned:
”
… with Ford, i.e. THE ONE … is remove him from the rotation, completely, and go ahead with Jose Calderon, ………….. and, then have TJ Ford work out HIS PROBLEM (exclusively) during PRACTICE.
Until this situation is fixed … in practice … TJ Ford should not be representing the Toronto Raptors during NBA games.
Then, and only then … once it’s fixed … and Ford can ‘willingly’ accept his ‘new’ role on this team, ………..This is THE MOVE for the Raptors to make, right now, which is … ‘Kobayashi Maru’ style … simultaneously, in the ‘Best Interests’ of the Raptors and TJ Ford. ”
Just because you can think of all the options, doesn’t mean you know the right move. Stat dudes and analysts are only complimentary tool to a “top notch GM”.
Oh and please don’t let me forget the inner Spock you were asking TJ to unleash, that, ironically, Jose showed last night. Although, not willingly might I add.. his body language spoke volumes. It kind of makes you wonder who the selfish p*rick was the entire time.
It think the implosion has only begun now.
P.S. I already mentions it was only one game, against a wounded opponent, I just had to enjoy my moment for a quick minute, ya know?
Sam is COY - your comprehension skills are scary. You put me on blast and make yourself look like a fool,guy. Leading me to believe you maybe mentally challanged? Congrats on being yourself, champ!
March 27, 2008 at 11:14 am
[...] - Arsenalist [...]
March 27, 2008 at 11:23 am
Arsenalist,
If I hear Chuck say: “…the former number #1 pick out of…” when its some guy that got drafted in the 20th round, my head is going to explode! Does this guy realize what kind of moron he sounds when he says that?!
Juan Dixon is still a member of the Raptors according to Raptors.com! Current and up to date? That we are not!
Did anyone catch Leo saying: “…Chuck!, He just comes out and plays. Whatever happens… happens!” Is this guy kidding me? No wonder he lasted 30 seconds in the NBA! Does anyone know who he was talking about? “Whatever happens… happens? What is this? Las Vegas? Are we at a slot machine?
March 27, 2008 at 11:50 am
I don’t get why some of you aren’t giving the Raptors credit for this win and saying Detroit was disinterested or didn’t play hard. I thought they were going at us pretty hard from the beginning. Sure, the defensive intensity might’ve varied from quarter to quarter but that’s true with any team, you play tighter later in the game than earlier.
I thought this game was won by the Raptors, not lost by the Pistons.
Fluxland, Chuck and the #1 pick bullshit is so ridiculous, he probably even confuses Leo with those kind of statements. Funny part is that I called him out on it too and he insisted that it was a matter of “semantics” even when it’s more a matter of common sense.
March 27, 2008 at 11:59 am
[...] - Raptors Roll Call March 26 vs Pistons Arsenalist - High quality Raptors beat Pistons for feel-good win Cuzoogle - Change is good, wins are [...]
March 27, 2008 at 12:19 pm
Yeah, I remember the email exchange…semantics… it’s not like calling a car an automobile. Is he that dumb? Does he not realize “THE” implies “first”.
Ask him why he distinguishes between different passes then. I’m mean c’mon.. a pass is a pass.. bounce/drop/forward/outlet .. who cares Chuck! Why even call the players by last name? Just say “one of the Raptors”
I swear if I ever meet this guy, I’m challenging him to a duel to the death! Cretin!
March 27, 2008 at 3:15 pm
Their disinterest was mentioned in a few articles today as well.
Don’t know what to say, Arsenalist. Just a feeling I got from being there. Rasheed was floating, at best. They had a lot of open looks and didn’t make them. Many of their turnovers were ones that I was surprised to see a Pistons team make.
The Raptors played well and better than they have in the past few games, absolutely. They deserve credit for adjusting to a “new” starting lineup and pulling out a victory they needed.
That said, the energy in the building until that last quarter was quite reflective of the game from the Pistons: lukewarm at best.
It’s all good, though. Now that we have flushed away Darrick Martin and can’t use him in the playoffs and signed Linton Johnson, I feel much better with our chances in round one.
March 27, 2008 at 3:56 pm
FLUX,
Try as I might, your post #14 is impossible for me to decipher.
As a result, I will simply ask you the following question and make a few statements to clarify my position, re: the decision the Raptors made last night to annoint TJ Ford as the Starting PG and return Jose Calderon to his former back-up role.
Question 1. (to you) With Ford as the ’starter’ and Calderon as the ‘back-up’ … Do you believe the Raptors will win their 1st Round playoff series this year? (yes or no)
Please provide your answer at your leisure. :-)
Statement #1. (from me) With Ford as the ’starter’ and Calderon as the ‘back-up’ … the Raptors will lose their 1st Round playoff series this year.
Statement #2. (from me) With Calderon as the ’starter’ and either (a) a content Ford, or (b) a serviceable back-up like Darrick Martin, as the ‘back-up’ … the Raptors will win their 1st Round playoff series this year, as long as their opponent is not Boston or Detroit.
Satement #3. (from me) With Ford as the ’starter’ and Calderon as the ‘back-up’ … the Raptors W-L record next season will be at or below .500.
As always … it’s a pleasure doing business with you. :-)
March 27, 2008 at 4:39 pm
STOP THE PRESS:
Raptors sign forward Linton Johnson to 10-day contract.
khandor, your statement #2 above makes no sense. Ford cannot be content as the back-up point guard, and Martin is NOT a “serviceable” back-up, as you put it. Don’t you pay attention? Regardless, maybe Darrick will do better in the unemployment line.
March 27, 2008 at 5:59 pm
i’d like your thoughts on the following:
The Raptors are very adept at PR and media relations. BC is a smart guy. Assuming they were the ones who came up with the switch (which I think is a good probability), framing Jose as the guy that made the decision benefits everyone involved.
1/ Gives Jose tons of positive publicity for being unselfish.
-Look at all the papers, it’s ALL OVER the media.
2/ Raises his stock if they want to trade him.
3/ Gives Jose a reason to agree and gives Jose a safety net in his own mind. -He hasn’t been playing as well, and with the club under added scrutiny lately, it’s safe to agree to come off the bench.
4/ Benefits the club’s play on the court from the team’s perspective
5/ Makes a guy they have under contract for a lot of cash happy (TJ). He might not be able to be moved, or could be their guy going forward
6/ If they want to deal TJ, gives them a way to showcase his talents and raise his trade value while keeping Jose happy (all the positive praise he’s getting)
7/ Who would say “no” to a ploy like that if asked? From Jose’s standpoint, it’s all positive if they were going to make the move regardless.
The key messages that are repeated in everything Jose says in this ploy:
- it’s all about the TEAM, whatever is best for the TEAM
-Toronto Raptors come first
- I play for the Toronto Raptors, not myself
- being a good teammate
(note how the word “TEAM” appears in all of Jose’s responses when dealing with the media)
March 27, 2008 at 6:08 pm
I knew it.. as I mentioned in comment #14 I didn’t think Jose was taking this demotion willingly.. his body language was sooo obvious.
Turns out Jose has been quoted saying things like:
“I sacrificed for the team, I hope they pay me back”
and
“If anything, I will get more offers”
So, let’s all take a big step back before we start calling Jose the Prince of Raptorland and talking about what a class act he is and how everyone wants him to date their mother/sister/daughter.
Get it straight - these mofos think about nothing but themeselves”
All that talk about “I don’t work for Jose Calderon ” is smoke and mirrors, gents!
in the words of khandor.. tic, tic, tic, tic, tic,
Parkerville .. what’s your point? Of course that’s what they did.
March 27, 2008 at 9:05 pm
Wow, this site is turning into RealGM…which isn’t a compliment.
Now we have conspiracy theories as to “what really happened”. Who cares…? It happened. Jose would be getting good/great offers in the summer either way. Fact of the matter is, we will re-sign him at any cost and luckily there isn’t a lot of money floating around this summer. Maybe if Jose wants to screw us, he signs a 2 year deal and waits to see what comes of the new CBA and make some good money and a long term deal after that.
Birdman, you state something that was mentioned in a post prior to Khandor’s post. Sometimes people overlook an hour-old news item in their haste to make a point get across. Now the even better question to ask is if TJ or Jose goes down…what then?
March 27, 2008 at 9:57 pm
Birdman,
Do you know who Jeff Ma is?
Have you ever heard him say the following:
“No one who’s intelligent hates analytics.”
If you have, then, great, you should have no difficulty understanding the latter part of this post.
If you haven’t, well, you should try looking him up on youtube, and then search for his description of his first meeting with ‘the Logo’ … and hear what Jeff (a brilliant young guy, in his own right) learned from his exchange with ‘the Master’ of NBA GM’s.
I could send a link your way … but that would be self-promotional … and we wouldn’t want you to perceive anything I write here as somehow being condescending, in some way or another … now would we.
Statement #2 makes complete sense …
——————————————————————–
Statement #2. (from me) With Calderon as the ’starter’ and either (a) a content Ford, or (b) a serviceable back-up like Darrick Martin, as the ‘back-up’ … the Raptors will win their 1st Round playoff series this year, as long as their opponent is not Boston or Detroit.
——————————————————————–
to anyone who’s intelligent.
Enjoy the rest of your evening. :-)
March 27, 2008 at 10:41 pm
AltRaps,
Thank you. :-)
The multiple snipits in your daily ‘Linkage’ is a wealth of pertinent information, and lends an interesting ‘context’ to the situation that’s unfolding now in Raptorland.
——————————————————————–
re: Fact of the matter is, we will re-sign him at any cost
——————————————————————–
Since the deal for Ford was first made (2006 off-season), one of the things which has troubled me is the nagging thought that … when push comes to shove … what Bryan Colangelo will do in the end to solve the PG dilemma HE CREATED with this team is to trade away Jose Calderon, instead of TJ Ford, just as he did with a young Steve Nash for the Phoenix Suns.
Why might Colangelo make the mistake of trading away Calderon instead of Ford … despite his stated intent to “re-sign Jose no matter what it takes”?
* Because Colangelo himself isn’t a prime-time evaluator of top notch NBA talent, and (mistakenly) thinks that Ford is the better PG.
* Because Calderon can fetch more in return for the Raptors than Ford.
* Because Calderon was initially brought to the Raptors by Rob Babcock; while Ford was acquired by Colangelo.
* Because Toronto/Colangelo has invested $8 million/year in Ford, in a rookie contract extension, compared to his minimal financial stake in Calderon.
* Because trading Ford, at this point, would be tantamount to admitting that Colangelo had made an error when he dealt Charlie Villanueva to Milwaukee in exchange for Ford, in the first place.
For those who think that Ford is the better PG … such a move by Colangelo would not be seen as a crippling blow.
But for those who think that Ford and Calderon are FAR FROM BEING EQUAL but DIFFERENT Point Guards … with the massive edge to Jose … this would be a fatal blow to the Raptors’ chances of winning an NBA championship sometime in the next 10 years.
Count me in the latter group.
March 27, 2008 at 10:47 pm
FLUX,
Good to know that we can agree on something … i.e. despite yesterday’s W the implosion process with this team has already begun.
(the only question is … How long will the fuse be?)
PS. Migrating our specific ‘exchange’ elsewhere might be a prudent move. I will see you there shortly. Check Ball. :-)
March 28, 2008 at 7:31 am
khandor
you Sir are a prophet - “what Bryan Colangelo will do in the end to solve the PG dilemma HE CREATED with this team is to trade away Jose Calderon, instead of TJ Ford, just as he did with a young Steve Nash for the Phoenix Suns.”
I cannot stress enough how true this seems. BC is raising this kids stock to the ceiling and making everyone believe he’s the better point guard.
Then only thing is will have to disagree on is that this will be a bad move. This will be a great move. BC learned from Nash that no matter how efficient you are, and how much of a nice guy you are, no matter how much you make you team mates better.. none of those things bring rings to your fingers.
NBA championships are won by teams that have KILLAZ on their team.
We have none, expect for TJ.
AltRaps - you underestimate how important it is the way the domino fall. Who cares? We do, Sir… you know… the REAL Raptors fans.. not the ones that are abandoning ship every five minutes because we had a bad half.
“Fact of the matter is, we will re-sign him at any cost”
That my friend is a huge overstatement. And if you think BC is not going to come out and say “Yes we will resign him” so he can get max or more back for him.. you really are missing some key points in how the NBA works or any business for that matter.
March 28, 2008 at 9:12 am
FLUX,
Was BJ Armstrong a Killa?
How about D-Fisher? or, Kenny Smith? or, Avery Johnson? or, Gerald Henderson? or, JoJo White? or, Bob Cousy? or, Walt Frazier?, or, Phil Chenier? or, Gus Williams? or, Dave Twardzik? or, Maurice Cheeks?
The fact is … Jose Calderon is the type of PG who, as the Starter, a team can win an NBA title, down-the-road … while TJ Ford is not.
When you cut away all the other B.S. … methinks that this might be actually be one of the few things you and I actually disagree about … if it is the case that you do not share this same opinion with me.
(is this the case or not?) :-)
btw … a (true) prophet is never appreciated less than in his own ‘home’ town.
:-)
March 28, 2008 at 9:49 am
khandor, not sure what Jeff Ma has to do with this thread - all I was saying was that TJ is NOT happy in the backup role so your statement will never hold true; we’ve all witnessed evidence of this over the last dozen or so games prior to last. Analytics supports this theory (look at his numbers as a backup) as well as less quantitative methods of observation.
Your predictions are bold and I doubt Jose starting will make THAT much of a difference over a 7-game playoff series against a team like Cleveland or even Orlando. This team has much bigger holes to worry about than is created by the drop-off in performance b/w Jose and TJ. We can’t forget this.
Having said that, your point the reads “because trading Ford, at this point, would be tantamount to admitting that Colangelo had made an error when he dealt Charlie Villanueva to Milwaukee in exchange for Ford, in the first place” is very interesting. I’m in full agreement that Jose is a better PG, and TJ is just too combustible/volatile in terms of performance to carry this team through the playoffs (at least at this point in time). It all comes down to trust.
I wonder if Colangelo will try to cut his losses with TJ and deal him. However, you’re right in assessing that Jose can get more in return, which may be the bottom line - but nobody has ever done well dealing assets when they are at the trough of their value.
March 28, 2008 at 10:01 am
Birdman,
* IMHO … ^^^ that’s a solid post you made … whether I agree entirely or disagree with certain specific parts, is irrelevant.
* Bold? … yes, Sir, that I am.
* Right or Wrong? … only time will tell.
* Basketball is not about … the drop-off in performance, individually, between one player and another.
Basketball … in the NBA … is about Team Productivity and ‘the How‘ involved rather than just a single player’s game stats.
* Overall … good job, on your part!
March 28, 2008 at 10:13 am
khandor
I never said that said killa had to be a PG. Also, I said killaz.. meaning more then one.. ;-P
“The fact is … Jose Calderon is the type of PG who, as the Starter, a team can win an NBA title, down-the-road … while TJ Ford is not.”
That’s not a fact.. that’s an opinoion.. one that, I, as you well know.. very much disagree with. ;-P
I think we also disagree on BC .. lol!
Prophets are always appreciated in hindsight!
March 28, 2008 at 11:16 am
FLUX,
‘Fact’ is … only time will tell if my ‘opinion’ right now eventually becomes ‘accepted’ fact … at a later date.
Reality is, however … if it does become accepted as ‘fact’, one day in the future … it will not have changed, in essence, from its present ‘form’ today.
(which would mean that when it was first spoken … it was in fact, fact, rather than mere opinion … LOL, in a positive way)
Maybe … some of my facts … as you say, as a prophet(eer) … are indeed just the same as other people’s opinions are today.
But, then again, maybe they’re not, ‘Really, Truly, Madly, Deeply’.
[PS. Do you think others here are appreciating this 'material' as We (not Me) are? ... Prophets eventually get killed.]
March 28, 2008 at 11:31 am
HAHAHHAHAHHA!!!! THAT WAS AWESOME!!!
That reply was Gold, I tell ya!
And not the Jose “FoolsGold” Calderon kind either! LOL! ;-P
P.S. Absolutely not! And you are right they do get killed..that’s why I said “appreciated in hindsight”.. you are ahead of your time, my man! Just don’t start wearing wizard hats and carrying a cane.. that might be grounds for a torching or stoning. LOL!
March 28, 2008 at 12:15 pm
Ah, hah …
Merlin, Dumbledore … and, (We not) me.
:-)
March 28, 2008 at 10:36 pm
flux,
I said “who cares” to how it happened. The end result is what is important. As an outsider you either support the move or you don’t, full stop. If the Kris Humphries and Garbajosa quotes are real, then the players had no idea until the decision was made, so, again, how it happened is neither here nor there in the players minds. They will have their opinions and beliefs just as we do as fans.
I’m also pretty comfortable in how the NBA and it’s business operations work. Trust me. Very comfortable. I can also tell when people talk out of both sides of their mouths.
I will say this: if Jose is not re-signed or is traded away in favour of TJ Ford, this city may see an uprising akin to when Lanny McDonald was traded by the Leafs. If you have been to any of the past few Raptors games, you’d be able to tell that. At this point, no matter who you got back for Jose, the team would be put in a position of damage control the likes it may have never seen.
March 29, 2008 at 10:15 pm
18 Parkerville,
Upon what basis would you say the Raptors are ‘good at PR’?
My impressions …
Based on the facts revealed, so far, about this player flip-flop … Calderon made this request some time ago and was initially turned down; then, after the losing continued, the meeting we’ve now heard about was called and the change was agreed to by all parties, excluding Ford, of course, who was not involved in the meeting.
Which puts the order of events like this:
- losing happened
- Calderon asked for the change
- Management/coaching staff said no
- more losing happened
- Management/coaching staff then said yes to the change
- the change was announced to the media, crediting Calderon as the initiator
The Raptors’ P.R. machine ‘crafted’ nothing in this situation.