07-08 Raptors Season

[octothorp]

Originally Posted by fleury

I hate to be debbie downer here, but today's game, as exciting as it was, was frustrating as hell to watch with some of Toronto's clutch shot choices. Bargnani looks awesome when playing aggressive in the key, but his sweetspot 3's just get frustrating when they don't go down. Kevin Martin looks like a waste on the court during the 5 minutes he gets - brings it to midcourt and passes it off to Bosh, and never gets it back - if he does, it's a last second airball lob for him. As for Bosh, he's never really been dominant, but recently like you said, it's nice that he's taken it upon himself to try to end it the last few minutes. This game though, iirc, he missed a ton of FT's and missed a few buzzer beaters. Roy looked great, and for a guy who was said to have already reached his peak at the draft, he looks to be a solid clutch starter. But yeah, Bargnani better get his shat together...it's too frustrating to watch a mobile 7' with a sweet shot not able to drain it or drive every single play.

Even though Bosh missed some early, I really liked his shot choices; I'd much rather see him drive, get to the line, and miss his foul shots, than settle for a mid- or long-range jumper and miss; the whole team is playing better when he drives. Bargnani was invisible... just zero impact on the game. I'm really not sure what to say about him, such a regression from last year. The fact that they're doing okay with Garbajosa and Ford out of the lineup and Bargnani and Kapono both struggling is impressive. This team has a lot of room for improvement just by a couple players on the team getting back to their regular form.

[CaramonLS]

Originally Posted by fleury

I hate to be debbie downer here, but today's game, as exciting as it was, was frustrating as hell to watch with some of Toronto's clutch shot choices. Bargnani looks awesome when playing aggressive in the key, but his sweetspot 3's just get frustrating when they don't go down. Kevin Martin looks like a waste on the court during the 5 minutes he gets - brings it to midcourt and passes it off to Bosh, and never gets it back - if he does, it's a last second airball lob for him. As for Bosh, he's never really been dominant, but recently like you said, it's nice that he's taken it upon himself to try to end it the last few minutes. This game though, iirc, he missed a ton of FT's and missed a few buzzer beaters. Roy looked great, and for a guy who was said to have already reached his peak at the draft, he looks to be a solid clutch starter. But yeah, Bargnani better get his shat together...it's too frustrating to watch a mobile 7' with a sweet shot not able to drain it or drive every single play.

You have to realize that Martin is our 3rd PG and normally would not see the court if it was not for the injury to TJ Ford.

[octothorp]

Anyone else watching the game tonight? They're actually hanging with Boston midway through the third... I hope I don't jinx them by posting; just great to see them finally not look intimidated by Boston. Bargnani has had a great game, one of his best this season.

[CaramonLS]

Agreed Octo. They've been hitting a TON of 3s which has kept them in the game too, but easily their best effort of the season so far against Boston.

[CaramonLS]

If you're not watching this, you've missed one hell of a game. RAPS WIN!

[octothorp]

Yeah, loved the way that ended! All five guys on the floor at the end -- Bosh, Calderon, Parker, Bargnani and Delfino -- all of them had great games.

[kobasew19]

58% from the floor, 71% from 3pts! and 100% (19 of 19) from free throws! That's some amazing shooting by the raps! That tells you how good Boston is...you have to shoot the lights to have any chance of winning. Parker, Delfino were great and Calderon, wow! What determination on that last play to drive to the net.

[JohnnyFlame]

Amazing game. How can a team play so poorly defensively, have brain fart after brain fart, be out hustled up the court every time and yet win the game?

The answer is they never folded despite being brutal in every area of the game except offense. Mitchell played it like a playoff game with hot hands on the court and with guys like Kapono(who did zilch when he was out there) pinned to the bench.

BC musta loved that game -- It was pure Suns basketball --All O and no D.

[CaramonLS]

Originally Posted by JohnnyFlame

Amazing game. How can a team play so poorly defensively, have brain fart after brain fart, be out hustled up the court every time and yet win the game?

The answer is they never folded despite being brutal in every area of the game except offense. Mitchell played it like a playoff game with hot hands on the court and with guys like Kapono(who did zilch when he was out there) pinned to the bench.

BC musta loved that game -- It was pure Suns basketball --All O and no D.

Yeah for a team who protects the ball as well as the Raptors do (best in the NBA) they sure were careless with turnovers that game. What a fun game to watch though.

[Sainters7]

What a finish for the Raptors in regulation!! Parker nails the 3 with no time left to send it to OT. Too bad the Wizards still pull out the win. Fun game to watch though.

[Trojan97]

Originally Posted by Sainters7

What a finish for the Raptors in regulation!! Parker nails the 3 with no time left to send it to OT. Too bad the Wizards still pull out the win. Fun game to watch though.

Was totally stunned that Parker hit that 3 at the buzzer after shooting so poorly. Hump and Calderon really stepped up at the end of the game to force OT.

With that being said the effort on the boards was once again a HUGE embarrassment, they really need to bring in someone who is willing to bang down low because last night was just terrible.

[JohnnyFlame]

Originally Posted by Sainters7

What a finish for the Raptors in regulation!! Parker nails the 3 with no time left to send it to OT. Too bad the Wizards still pull out the win. Fun game to watch though.

You found that game fun to watch? Personally I could barely stomach it!! They continue to play some of the most pathetic excuse for defense I've ever watched. Literally Smitch's "the shats weren't fallin" blanket statement for every loss is so true.

They are such a wimpy, sad on defense, pathetic rebounding team that they are nothing more than first round playoff fodder.

A game just sitting there for the taking and the Wizards scrubs take them to the cleaners -- BRUTAL!!!

[Trojan97]

Originally Posted by JohnnyFlame

You found that game fun to watch? Personally I could barely stomach it!! They continue to play some of the most pathetic excuse for defense I've ever watched. Literally Smitch's "the shats weren't fallin" blanket statement for every loss is so true.

They are such a wimpy, sad on defense, pathetic rebounding team that they are nothing more than first round playoff fodder.

A game just sitting there for the taking and the Wizards scrubs take them to the cleaners -- BRUTAL!!!

Every team has off games, I wouldn't go so far as to call them first round fodder. Parker, Delfino and Moon all had awful games, Bargnani got into foul trouble because of a couple ticky tack fouls and barely played, the Wiz got ALOT of breaks. It just seemed like one of those games where you knew the other team was going to get the lucky bounce off the rim more often then not (ie Roger Mason Jr's 3 in OT to put them up 4)

I agree the rebounding was not nearly good enough, paticularly the boxing out which was atrocious. Had the rebounding numbers even been close I'm pretty sure the Raps would have one by 10+ but it was just one of those games. How many times will Andre Blatche be hitting 3's and long range 2's? Not very often. I thought the Raps did a good job of limiting the Wiz to long range shots they just all seemed to fall. We'll get them tonight, there's no way McGuire and Blatche repeat last nights performance and I would be surprised if the Raps don't win this one walking away.

[JohnnyFlame]

Originally Posted by Trojan97

Every team has off games, I wouldn't go so far as to call them first round fodder. Parker, Delfino and Moon all had awful games, Bargnani got into foul trouble because of a couple ticky tack fouls and barely played, the Wiz got ALOT of breaks. It just seemed like one of those games where you knew the other team was going to get the lucky bounce off the rim more often then not (ie Roger Mason Jr's 3 in OT to put them up 4)

I agree the rebounding was not nearly good enough, paticularly the boxing out which was atrocious. Had the rebounding numbers even been close I'm pretty sure the Raps would have one by 10+ but it was just one of those games. How many times will Andre Blatche be hitting 3's and long range 2's? Not very often. I thought the Raps did a good job of limiting the Wiz to long range shots they just all seemed to fall. We'll get them tonight, there's no way McGuire and Blatche repeat last nights performance and I would be surprised if the Raps don't win this one walking away.

You are obviously not much of a Raps fan. They were fodder last year and have done nothing to change that status this year. The poor defense and lack of rebounding has been evident all year.

They quite literally only win games where they are hot shooting. In other words when the intensity level goes up they are done. Plus every rolly polly dufus they play has a good game against them. They have no interior defense whatsoever. Could have some if they played Rosho but they don't and his limited offense would subtract from the only way they win games.

First round fodder is right on the money!!!!!!!

[I_H8_Crawford]

Raps are blowing out the Wizards tonight; making up for last night's poor performance.

Shooting 81% from 3 range.

[Trojan97]

Originally Posted by JohnnyFlame

You are obviously not much of a Raps fan. They were fodder last year and have done nothing to change that status this year. The poor defense and lack of rebounding has been evident all year.

They quite literally only win games where they are hot shooting. In other words when the intensity level goes up they are done. Plus every rolly polly dufus they play has a good game against them. They have no interior defense whatsoever. Could have some if they played Rosho but they don't and his limited offense would subtract from the only way they win games.

First round fodder is right on the money!!!!!!!

Three things.

First of all, you have no idea how big a fan I am so get off your high horse buddy.

Second of all, this "first round fodder" has played the 4th toughest schedule in the NBA this season to date and has come out of it looking pretty damn decent. Of the top 10 hardest schedules to date, only 2 other teams are even over .500. The Raptors have a cakewalk of a schedule to finish the season so I'm sure you'll be comfortably on the bandwagon by the end of the season.

Third, yeah they're not a great rebounding team but look at the other "fodder" that is directly above/below them in the avg rebounds a game category...

Spurs-41.1/game
Pistons-40.8/game
Raptors-40.7/game
Suns-40.6/game
Jazz-40.6/game

I think that goes to show quite well that rebounding isn't the be all end all to be a successful team. Obviously the Raptors need to continue to work on boxing out but you cannot expect a team full of perimeter shooters to have great rebound numbers as well.

This team is going to be dangerous come playoff time, feel free to have your opinion though, keep in mind the Raptors were one point away from getting to play the Wizards last year and that was essentially a guaranteed series win because of how beat up they were by that point. For you to call this team "fodder" at the halfway point of a season is frankly humorous and not much else.

[JohnnyFlame]

Originally Posted by Trojan97

Three things.

First of all, you have no idea how big a fan I am so get off your high horse buddy.

Second of all, this "first round fodder" has played the 4th toughest schedule in the NBA this season to date and has come out of it looking pretty damn decent. Of the top 10 hardest schedules to date, only 2 other teams are even over .500. The Raptors have a cakewalk of a schedule to finish the season so I'm sure you'll be comfortably on the bandwagon by the end of the season.

Third, yeah they're not a great rebounding team but look at the other "fodder" that is directly above/below them in the avg rebounds a game category...

Spurs-41.1/game
Pistons-40.8/game
Raptors-40.7/game
Suns-40.6/game
Jazz-40.6/game

I think that goes to show quite well that rebounding isn't the be all end all to be a successful team. Obviously the Raptors need to continue to work on boxing out but you cannot expect a team full of perimeter shooters to have great rebound numbers as well.

This team is going to be dangerous come playoff time, feel free to have your opinion though, keep in mind the Raptors were one point away from getting to play the Wizards last year and that was essentially a guaranteed series win because of how beat up they were by that point. For you to call this team "fodder" at the halfway point of a season is frankly humorous and not much else.

My opinion? Check whatever pundit source you care to and see what their opinion is on the Raps. Check out the official messageboard for the Raps and see what the prevailing opinion is. Check out their record during the season vrs. over .500 teams. Check out how they lose the majority of games against the better teams. Check out a team that has not been able to elevate their game? Last year in the playoffs they got hammered inside and on the boards. This year in every game of note including a big win recently over Boston they got hammered inside and on the boards.

So yeah I don't have any doubt that you are a casual basketball fan. None whatsoever. IF you can't recognize they haven't corrected what cost them last season is still their Achilles heel your basketball IQ is mediocre at best!!!

[StrayBullet]

In the midst of all this love between Flame and Trojan... I'm gonna be at the ACC tonight for the Lakers game!! If any CP'ers are attending this game, I'm in Section 103.

GO LAKERS!!

[StrayBullet]

Apparently, tonight's game against the Clippers, is the 1000th game for the Raptors franchise. Congratulations!!!

[CaramonLS]

Watching the game tonight, it is apparent that the Clippers have exactly what the Raptors need. Imagine Kaman + Maggette on the Raps?

/pipedream