Toronto Raptors 2012/2013 season

[octothorp]

Three game win streak!

Very solid team effort (against a weak team). Anderson is really bringing it off the bench. Davis had a rough game, but he and JV are starting to get some chemistry as starters in terms of passing and communication.

Another winnable game tomorrow. Despite the back-to-back, Detroit's been crap lately, and Casey was able to protect the minutes pretty well tonight, so nobody should be too tired.

[The Big Chill]

This team is so much more watchable without Bargs. That was a great game.

[Karl]

Great game from the Raps tonight. The ball movement was well-executed and many guys were making the extra pass for an easier shot attempt.

The Cavs looked like they were starting to tire near the end of the 3rd and then in the 4th the Raps just tore up the Cavs' defence, when all Cavs players stopped moving their feet and looked like they were gassed.

[octothorp]

Also, how bad was the technical call against Lucas? Irving with the fore-arm to Lucas' throat, Lucas backs off, Lucas gets the technical. Truly baffling, I have no idea what the referee thought he saw (other than an NBA-anointed superstar player needing a bit of a lift).

[Machiavelli]

Highlight for me was when they played "What's up with that?" in the arena. Perhaps they've done that before in other venues but I haven't heard it.

[moon]

3 wins in a row and tough to complain about that but still not a team that looks like long term success is in its future.

I hope this doesn't fool Colaneglo into thinking this team is something to keep together.

[Karl]

Originally Posted by moon

3 wins in a row and tough to complain about that but still not a team that looks like long term success is in its future.

I hope this doesn't fool Colaneglo into thinking this team is something to keep together.

Yeah, hopefully they can trade Calderon & Barney for something decent. To me, it is looking more and more clear that they will be better off without Andrea, and Calderon's trade value will get better and better if he keeps up this good play while Lowry's out.

[moon]

Originally Posted by Karl

Yeah, hopefully they can trade Calderon & Barney for something decent.

Its the NBA hopefully they trade them for something that gets them the first pick overall.

[Karl]

On the Raps' broadcast they were talking about whether Calderon should remain the starter once Lowry comes back. I can understand why Calderon surpassed T.J. Ford and then Jarrett Jack when those guys were here as Calderon was emerging as the better player and those other two weren't working out so well.

I can see a point for Jose still starting when Lowry comes back if they're showcasing him, but other than that, I don't think so.

What do you guys think?

[moon]

I think it depends on what the team thinks of Lowry long term. If he is the point guard for this team for the next 5-10 years then he start.

[octothorp]

Zero chance that the Raptors don't start Lowry when he returns. Might give him one game off the bench to ease in a little, but even that would be surprising to me. And that's because of what happened in Houston, with Lowry and McHale/Dragic. He took it really personally that he was playing at an all-star level, he got injured, and wasn't the starter when he got back. Obviously the circumstances are a little different here, but I think you want to be sensitive to the history.

That said, I hope that he's learned a lot by watching Calderon's success these last few games. He needs to learn to trust his teammates defensively and figure out what he needs to do to help them succeed offensively.

[The Big Chill]

If Lowry isn't willing to come off the bench then he can take a hike. I'd ease him back in for a couple games from the bench. There was a significant drop off in his level of play the first time he came back from his injury, and I see no reason why the team should suffer through that when we are getting such good PG play at the moment.

If Lowry isn't willing to fight for his minutes and earn his starting spot then he isn't the point guard of the future for me.

[St. Pats]

Is this a comedy routine. Jose is a guy on his last legs and an expiring contract. Lowry is younger and a far superior player. Jose as per usual has some good games against crappy teams. You trade him as no doubt the plan has been all along. Right along with the useless Italian tit.

Both of them can take a hike. A few meaningless wins like the ones that cost them a top pick last year mean NOTHING. Only absolute stupidity would have them yet again banking on Jose.

Sell high for once.

[bluejays]

I somewhat agree with St. Pats. I really like Calderon, but he definitely has value around the league. I'd deal him and sign him as a backup in the offseason. Normally I'd be all for loyalty and keeping the guy around, but if he has value (not many on the team do), and not in the longer term plans (2+ years), he's worth the lower 1st round draft you'll likely get. Again, Calderon has been great for the franchise during his time here, and a great professional, he deserves to retire as a Raptor by signing him in the offseason.

[octothorp]

Yeah, I love all Calderon's done for the Raptors, but the Raptors aren't good enough that they can afford to be sentimental. Is this guy going to help us win in three years when the core is going to be competitive, and if not, can they turn him into an asset that will help us then? I think a late first-rounder is about right, especially with the Raptors likely losing their own this year.

[The Big Chill]

A late first rounder in the NBA doesn't hold that much value. I'd rather see a package put together for someone like a Derrick Williams.

[The Big Chill]

4 in a row! The refs really tried to bring Detroit back in the last 2 minutes, but we still pulled it out.

I really don't understand how they called a jump ball on the Amir steal at the end. Either they should have said that no possession was gained or it should have been a timeout. They did neither though, as they set the shot clock at 22, saying that Amir gained possession.

Anyways, good win. I really enjoy watching good defensive basketball.

[Hockey_Ninja]

[Hockey_Ninja]

5 in a row!!!! First time in two years since they have won 5 in a row. What a game by Ross. He should enter the dunk contest. His hops are insane.

[octothorp]

Sweet win tonight. Early on, really sloppy for both teams. Ross blew a dunk early then had a couple spectacular ones and great shooting. Derozan missed a lot of layups. Valanciunas fractured a finger. No word on how bad it is.