Media Watch for October 25, 2006 - Raptors/Celtics Game Day Preview

by RaptorsHQ - Archives on Oct 25, 2006 11:25 AM EDT

Sam Mitchell wants his team to run.

He also wants to see his team shoot more.

And in case you missed it, NBA TV on Monday night showed just how much emphasis Mitchell is placing on both of these facets.

NBA TV, in their on-going pre-season coverage, dropped in on the Raptors' practice facility to get a look at the 5 and 0 (6 and 0 if you count the Maccabi win) Raptors and viewers were treated to Mitchell consistently telling his team to "get out and run." One of the drills that has been alluded to by the media is Sam Mitchell's "get a good shot off in nine seconds" drill and this was on full display. In tonight's rematch with the almost equally up-tempo Boston Celtics, expect to see lots replication of this drill.

The Celtics are coming off a tough 109-107 loss to the New Jersey Nets last night and played without Paul Pierce. Pierce may not play in tonight's matchup either but that would of course be negated by the fact that Chris Bosh will once again be sitting out for the Raptors. In fact, Andrea Bargnani, whose ankle continues to bother him, may not play either. As it is still pre-season, we are glad to hear that the Raptors' staff is being cautious with both players, especially Chris Bosh. As Jorge Garbajosa can apparently attest to, Bosh's injury is something that needs considerable rest...especially with the long season ahead.

So who is playing tonight?

Well it sounds like TJ Ford will be back in action so we can expect another break-neck game of cat and mouse pitting him, Jose Calderon and Fred Jones on the Raptors' side against Boston's Rajon Rondo, Sebastian Telfair and Delonte West. And without Bosh, and maybe Bargnani, expect Kris Humphries to see the lion's share of minutes down low with Garbajosa, PJ Tucker and Uros Slokar helping out.

The Raptors won their last match-up with the Celtics by playing solid defense and exploiting the Celtics' own defensive lapses and turnover issues. Doing so again tonight should result in win number seven keeping them atop the Eastern Conference standings and tied with Golden State for the best record in the league.

Aaaah pre-season.

FRANCHISE

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Comments

I saw Boston played lat night vs. the Nets . They used 'smallball' again and almost beat NJ ( THEY LOST BY 2 ) despite falling by double digit in the last 2 min. or so .
I think Doc is enamored with using 3 guards together . Telfair , Rondo and now Delonte West . Watch out Raps !

by nike on Oct 25, 2006 12:46 PM EDT reply actions

Chris Bosh and his injury is that going to be an issue for the upcoming season?

Seems like all the media outlets are talking about the foot problem he has
"playing in pain"

Does not sound good

by Mansoor on Oct 25, 2006 12:50 PM EDT reply actions

good shot in 9 seconds vs small ball . it's going to be a fast and high scoring game . if it's the reg . season , free pizza for toronto fans and free burritos for the celtics fans .
it's interesting how our tv coverage will compare w/ that of boston's tommy heinsohn and partner . i intend to watch both coverage to see who is better.... or worse !

by coach on Oct 25, 2006 2:31 PM EDT reply actions

Free pizza for 100pts. applies to the preseason Raptor games too... And why not, they charge full price for the tickets! Though they force season ticket holders to buy the exhibition games at full price, they at least allow those games to be part of the "ticket swap" option.

I know lots of teams are playing small-ball these days, but Telfair, Rondo, and Delonte West on the floor together? That's tiny-ball!

I couldn't see the Raptors giving TJ, Calderon, and Freddie Jones any run at the same time, although if they did it for a few minutes against the Boston 3 it would make for an interesting bit of game-watching!

by MattK on Oct 25, 2006 3:43 PM EDT reply actions

It'll be interesting to see how well the good shot in 9 seconds actually works. I've been reading about the practice in the toronto star, but they dont' say much on how good their shots are. I just remember reading that mo pete was dying after the first minute and a half of the drill. don't know if they can do it for a whole game.

by Jason on Oct 25, 2006 3:48 PM EDT reply actions

Didn't see the game, but I am curious to hear from anyone who did if they have any impression of just how good Rondo is. He really didn't impress me in college at all. He's a very good athlete, ball-handler and defender, but it seemed to me he couldn't run a team effectively, and his jump shot made Calderon look like Ray
Allen. All of a sudden, Rondo is the cat's meow. What gives?

by Skywalker on Oct 26, 2006 9:46 AM EDT reply actions