Awesome finish to the games for the Raps, 33 pts for Bosh, 28 for Bargs, and a great pass by Bosh to Bargs for an open game-winning 3. Turkoglu left the game with an injury, hopefully nothing serious.
Knee contusion (bruise)....hopefully doesn't miss any games.
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5 in a row now, albeit against weak teams. The point to take from this is that they have started winning against teams that they should be beating. Also, they have only played 2 division games and are in the worst division in basketball so they should be able to pile up a bunch more games within their division.
It wouldn't surprise me to see Calderon's salary moved in the next few weeks.....
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I've been away for the past couple weeks, but has Calderon's play still been that bad? I can't believe he's this bad this year. Last year he and to a degree Bosh were the only sparks on the team, and this year he hasn't done crap. I don't think there's a chance he gets dealt unless he has an expiring contract.
I've been away for the past couple weeks, but has Calderon's play still been that bad? I can't believe he's this bad this year. Last year he and to a degree Bosh were the only sparks on the team, and this year he hasn't done crap. I don't think there's a chance he gets dealt unless he has an expiring contract.
He's been injured the last couple weeks, and the defense has improved remarkably, which is leading some fans to think that it's addition by subtraction in his case. I don't necessarily see it that way, but he's definitely a more moveable asset now that the team has shown they can beat some average teams without him. Still, they could really use his outside shooting on nights like tonight where nobody else has it going.
too bad the Raptors don't have any games against Washington coming up. The whole Arenas gun situation would make them easy pickings for a focused team.
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"OOOOOOHHHHHHH those Russians" - Boney M
Glad I missed the fourth quarter last night. From the sounds of it, I might have thrown something at the TV. Instead, I just remember how absolutely in control they looked for the first three quarters.
I'm starting to get dangerously optimistic about this team, in regards to how they finish the regular season, and their chances of keeping Bosh. And Bargnani has played two great games against two of the best big men in the league this week, his development seems to be back on track. Evans may be back mid month. Calderon seems okay (at least for now) with coming off the bench, where he could be a really effective player.
The flip side is that this team is still mentally a little weak, although that's improving. But if they get some bad losses and start to doubt themselves, things could turn south in a hurry. The two NYK and two Milwaukee games this month will be crucial tests: they've got to beat those teams to keep them from getting back into a race in the standings.
Good to see a raptors game story where a team blows a 13 point lead in the second half (largely due to a terrible third quarter) but see that it was the Raptors who came from behind and pulled out the win.
Not calling for the parade to be planned, but these sorts of wins help build mental toughness.
Damnit though, Bargniani has to get tougher on the glass. A 7 footer who isn't coming near 10 rebounds despite 30 + minutes is embarassing.
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"OOOOOOHHHHHHH those Russians" - Boney M
too bad the Raptors don't have any games against Washington coming up. The whole Arenas gun situation would make them easy pickings for a focused team.
Good to see a raptors game story where a team blows a 13 point lead in the second half (largely due to a terrible third quarter) but see that it was the Raptors who came from behind and pulled out the win.
Not calling for the parade to be planned, but these sorts of wins help build mental toughness.
Damnit though, Bargniani has to get tougher on the glass. A 7 footer who isn't coming near 10 rebounds despite 30 + minutes is embarassing.
No kidding hey. He really needs to bulk up and gain some size. Hopefully it won't affect his mid-range and outside game too much
Rondo, Wallace, Pierce, Allen and Perkin's on the offensive glass... Pick one. They all carved us up. The ballhandling ability of rondo, allen and pierce coupled with their experience was causing problems all game long.
I was somewhat impressed with the performance. They did play better defence and were willing to make more of a needed sacrifice to finish at the rim, but the raps couldn't sustain the efforts needed to comeout on top. Turkoglu is paid to be a major contributor and did very little in this match. The raps need him to be a difference maker in these types of contests.
Bosh and bargs played well. Derozan had ups and downs. Calderon is a sieve. Belinelli is streaky as hell. Turkey was terrible. This team is still bottom calibre eastern playoff team. However, the one encouraging thing I take away from this team is that they could surprise someone in the first round not named boston.
But this team does have some of their defensive issues worked out, but they are in need of more against the tougher pg and team matchups. Banks may have been able to neutralize Rajon but would he have played within the flow of the team. Boston is just too savvy for this squad. The raps' record now vs the celts is 1-11 over the last week. Just not good enough for a team with aspirations of playoff success.
I don't think that Turk and Calderon can be on the floor at the same time. They both need to touch the ball each posession.
Evans - I've pretty much given up on him. We need the toughness on the glass but if he is going to be injured all year like Garbojosa, then we need to move on.
I don't know why Rasho isn't put into games when the other team goes on a run or we go soft on D. He isn't afraid to hammer someone and has the resume to be able to do so with some credibility.
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"OOOOOOHHHHHHH those Russians" - Boney M
I don't know why Rasho isn't put into games when the other team goes on a run or we go soft on D. He isn't afraid to hammer someone and has the resume to be able to do so with some credibility.
I like Rasho but I don't think he's that guy.
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It amazes me that Boston isn't first in the league; the amount of skill and effort is insane. It's rare that visiting teams start those early Sunday games well in Toronto, but they were certainly ready to play yesterday. The Raptors played pretty well outside those first two minutes, but until they're definitely a bit of skill and a lot of effort below an elite team like Boston.
As for Turkoglu, he's had some good games over their last 10, but to me he's a bit like Jokinen: his value can't be really evaluated until we see how he does in the playoffs. He's had great games against his old team, and an Orlando/Toronto first round matchup is very possible, and very winnable (easily the one of the top four in the east that I'd like us to play).
Bargnani's rebounding stats aren't pretty good, but he's definitely doing a better job of boxing out lately, and the Raptors' team rebounding has improved as a result. But he still has a ways to go before he's even average. Also, I was disappointed in his perimeter defense yesterday: he was usually the guy who was late getting out to Wallace. As a big man who can shoot well from the outside himself, he should be better at recognising those situations on the other end of the court. His shot-blocking is vastly improved though.
I really like what Calderon is bringing off the bench. He's being way more aggressive himself, while still distributing really well. But yeah, managing him and Turkoglu and Jack is proving to be a bit difficult for Triano.
Anyway, the schedule is still in the Raptors' favour for a +500 record and fifth in the east. Two important road games against weak teams (Indiana and NY) this week, before a five game stretch of very tough ones (Dallas, @Cleveland, Milwaukee, @Milwaukee, LA Lakers). Even though Milwaukee is a mediocre team, they're a tough matchup for the Raptors. After that stretch, their schedule turns very favourable: 30 of their last 39 are winnable games.
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