Raptors 09/10 season thread - Page 2 - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

pria(kin)16 · 10-28-2009, 07:48 PM

Really impressed with Marco and D-Ro tonight. I'm liking the make-up of this team. Here's hoping for a great season.

moon · 10-28-2009, 07:54 PM

The Cavs look terrible so far this year.

It is only two games but they have a lot to work on if this is how they are going to play this season.

killer_carlson · 10-28-2009, 09:37 PM

didn;t see the game but thought the 3rd quarter comment was interesting. Last season they seemed to be incapable of making any adjustments at the half, only to be blown out in the 3rd quarters. The coaches have to wear the horns on that one, but I don't think Triano is going to get outcoached that often.

Trojan97 · 10-29-2009, 06:13 AM

Nice first game for the Raps, everyone who saw minutes seemed to do a good job of executing their role. Demar DeRozan in particular impressed me. He didn't stand out for any specific reason but played a strong all around game and looked extremely comfortable on the floor. Didn't force anything nor did he shy away from any open looks, he was constantly moving and getting free on backdoor cuts, didn't look terribly out of place on D. If I didn't know, I wouldn't have guessed he was a rookie in his first ever NBA game.

The 1st, 2nd & 4th quarters were great for the Raps. The guards were doing a great job of cutting to the basket and it seemed to consistently result in either dunks/layups or fouls. Bosh did a great job of mixing it up down low and earning some well deserved 2nd chance points off contested rebounds.

Watching the Raps standing around the perimeter in the third quarter and chuck with no support on the glass brought back painful memories of years past. Seeing them re-group and re-establish what was working for them earlier in the game was real nice to see. Even when the Cavs came back to tie from 20 down, the Raps never seemed to panic or get down. Kudos to Triano keeping the team focused.

Definitely a positive start for the boys, November is a death month for the Raps having to play the class of the East & West almost exclusively all month long. Hopefully this provides the Raps a chance to come in and surprise off some contenders early. If they can be sitting at around 7-11 or better coming out of November, they will be in a great position to make some noise in the East.

Regorium · 10-29-2009, 07:44 AM

Thank you Raps for beating my most hated team, the Cavs. Raps actually look really good this year and could actually make some noise.

Really exposes how overrated the Cavs are. They were overrated last year, the year before, and will continue to be overrated as long as Lebron has flashes of brilliance. I imagine that they Cavs will go ~50-32, way under expectations.

Saint Troy · 10-29-2009, 09:15 AM

Nice game last night, though that third quarter was pretty ugly when Bosh went cold. Belinelli and Bargnani had excellent games and I liked the defensive intensity in the first half and fourth quarter.

I wanna be like Miikka · 10-29-2009, 10:00 AM

Wasn't able to watch but was expecting a loss since the Cavs were beat the night before. However it was nice for the Raps to come out and get a big win against a tough, but struggling Cavs team.

octothorp · 10-29-2009, 10:20 AM

The unfortunate tendency (not only for the Raptors but for any team) is that when you're opponent starts making threes, your naturally instinct is to answer those with threes yourself. And as soon as Gibson and the Cavs other outside shooters started to get hot, the Raptors changed their gameplan (or rather, the players on the court likely deviated from the gameplan the coaches were giving them). They need to be okay with responding to a three by going inside and getting an easy two and riding out the other team's hot streaks. I really like the combination of Jack and Calderon on the floor at the same time; neither had a great game last night, but there's potential there. And the chemistry between Bosh and Bargnani just gets better and better. Bargs' intincts for moving without the ball are getting really good, and with his size he's such an easy target for passers. Did have a couple slip through his fingers though. Bosh, Bargs and Turkoglu all had really good high-low movement, which seemed to be the thing that the Cavs' defense had the most problems with.

And Derozan definitely looks like a good pickup; great athleticism, and good poise.

octothorp · 10-30-2009, 06:55 PM

Bosh outscoring the rest of the team so far, 21 of the team's first 40 points. The rest of the team needs to pick it up. Defensive intensity isn't there at all compared with last game.

bluejays · 10-31-2009, 08:22 AM

For such a big lineup, how do they allow much smaller guys so infiltrate the key, every single time? Is it really that hard to learn to collapse down low? Frustrating game to watch because Bosh was the ONLY one who worked last night.

Trojan97 · 10-31-2009, 09:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fleury

For such a big lineup, how do they allow much smaller guys so infiltrate the key, every single time? Is it really that hard to learn to collapse down low? Frustrating game to watch because Bosh was the ONLY one who worked last night.

I thought Rasho played his butt off and did extremely well, he got forced into taking a couple bad shots at the end of shot clocks but other then that I thought he did a damn good job. That said, you aren't going to win very many games when Rasho is outplaying almost everyone else. Bellineli is quickly becoming a favourite of mine as well.

I've been unimpressed with Jarrett Jack so far, he really seems to be struggling with his game offensively right now. I have no doubt he'll get his act together but he's a big reason why we struggled offensively down the stretch I thought.

Another nice game from DeRozan, I'm loving the hustle he shows on the glass. He outmuscled Randolph for one that left me extremely impressed.

Very winnable game on Sunday vs. the Magic with VC likely out. If we can limit the damage to mostly Howard I think we have a good chance at winning.

bluejays · 10-31-2009, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trojan97

I thought Rasho played his butt off and did extremely well, he got forced into taking a couple bad shots at the end of shot clocks but other then that I thought he did a damn good job. That said, you aren't going to win very many games when Rasho is outplaying almost everyone else. Bellineli is quickly becoming a favourite of mine as well.

I've been unimpressed with Jarrett Jack so far, he really seems to be struggling with his game offensively right now. I have no doubt he'll get his act together but he's a big reason why we struggled offensively down the stretch I thought.

Another nice game from DeRozan, I'm loving the hustle he shows on the glass. He outmuscled Randolph for one that left me extremely impressed.

Very winnable game on Sunday vs. the Magic with VC likely out. If we can limit the damage to mostly Howard I think we have a good chance at winning.

I was exaggerating a bit with saying Bosh was the only one working. I agree with you on every count though. I like the way Triano is using DeRozan sparingly too...he's too small right now to be an integral part of the team as a starter, so it's good he's just getting the basics down. His block on Randolph (?) was great. When is Evans going to be cleared? I have huge hopes for the Evans/Rasho combo in providing defence. Bargs and Hedo just have to be consistent on both sides for this team to go anywhere. Jose's less-than-stellar game was just a one off IMO.

octothorp · 11-01-2009, 01:27 PM

Perimeter defense is proving to be a big weakness with this team through their games thus far. Orlando's shooting has just been ridiculous, but still, far too many open looks.

A few things I like though in today's game thus far: each of Bargnani, Bosh, and Turkoglu have had great runs. That third scorer makes a huge difference. Also, this offense has the potential to get any team in the league into foul trouble. Combine that with generally good free-throw shooting (not so much today) and it's a dangerous combination.

Also I've loved how DeRozan has played so far this season for a rookie; so many of his points have been second-chance points. Strong offensive rebounder and an ability to finish inside. I like it a lot.

Regorium · 11-01-2009, 02:02 PM

Pretty clear that when Barg, Bosh and Turkoglu build up their chemistry that it is going to be a very difficult team to stop. Backcourt is a serious issue though. Calderon is very efficient, but it seems like he's the only guy back there. At the moment he's playing poorly, which just exposes all of the Raptor guards.

Orlando shot well from beyond the arc and from the free throw line, but overall their percentage was very poor. It could've been a lot worse for the Raptors.

octothorp · 11-03-2009, 10:37 AM

Armstrong has what I think is a very good article about the early defensive woes that the club has:

http://tsn.ca/nba/story/?id=296986

Machiavelli · 11-04-2009, 06:15 PM

Jack....new starting PG?

bluejays · 11-05-2009, 05:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Machiavelli

Jack....new starting PG?

Hopefully not. I wouldn't mind the guy at SG, but over the long run, Calderon is the better PG. Who knows what's wrong with him this early in the year, but like I said, over the long run, Calderon is my choice for PG.

Gozer · 11-05-2009, 10:29 AM

Jack can play defense, so yes.

Calderon can run the offense when the primary scorers sit down.

mykalberta · 11-05-2009, 02:37 PM

I have to say I like the early formula I see developing. Keep it close then let Turkish Delight win it for you late

Machiavelli · 11-06-2009, 08:23 PM

Great beat-down on the hapless Hornets.