Tip-In: CB4...the Win

by RaptorsHQ - Archives on Nov 9, 2006 12:00 AM EST

Maybe RaptorsTV commentator Jack Armstrong summed it up best with the following baseball analogy:

"Some games your starting pitcher might be having an off night...that's when you need your middle relievers to give you a strong enough performance so that your team hangs around until the closer comes in..."

Well last night when Mo Pete, Rasho Nesterovic, and TJ Ford at times, struggled, Joey Graham, Kris Humphries and Jose Calderon stepped up as the middle relievers, keeping the Raps in the game.

And then Chris Bosh played the role of the closer.

With less than 3 seconds on the shot clock and 6.1 seconds in the game, Chris Bosh, off a broken play, grabbed a loose ball, dribbled to the top of the three-point line and calmly raised up, draining a 3-pointer with Chris Webber's hand in his face.

And when Andre Iguodala's desperation 3-pointer missed its mark at the buzzer, the Raptors had knotted their season mark at 2-2 with a 106-104 victory over Philly.

Game set match Miloche.

While watching the final minutes of this game, I admittedly had flash-backs of last season. Oh...and the season before. Maybe another year, the story would have gone like this:

Raptors get close, but Bosh's shot doesn't drop and Philly closes out the game.

Or how about this one:

Bosh hits the shot, the crowd goes crazy, looks like the Raptors have this one in the bag. Only after fouling the 76ers at the other end, Philly pulls within 1 point after they make both free-throws and Toronto only makes one at the other end leaving the door open for a winning 3 from Philly...

...and of course Iguodala races down the court and with time winding down, hits the game-winning three-pointer all the while wrenching the hearts from the Raptors' collective.

Sound familiar?

Ok, maybe a bit melodramatic.

However Toronto was out-rebounded 53 to 45 and out-scored in the paint. Philly's bigs put on a block party as well, sending back 12 shots. Toronto also allowed Philly to shoot almost 50 per cent while only shooting about 40 per cent themselves...and yet still won.

The difference? The aformentioned bench.

While none of their numbers individually will put them in the running for sixth man of the year awards, together, Toronto's bench outscored Philly's 47 to 30 and were the real reason Toronto stayed in this game long enough for Chris Bosh to win it.

Oh...and someone named Sam Mitchell. Mitchell's come under fire for his rotations already this young season but last night he did exactly what an NBA coach needs to do. He used the right players from those at his disposal at the right time. And he didn't hesitate to sit players who weren't performing up to par but also to go back to them for the final push.

Witness TJ Ford.

Ford had a subpar game if you look at last night's contest as a whole, but his play in the final quarter was another reason the Raptors got the W. Sam Mitchell wants his team to push the ball and attack the rim and TJ simply did not do that enough in the first half of the game. Calderon however did when he replaced Ford and helped set the example for when Ford returned. The same could be said for Kris Humphries and Joey Graham. Both brought energy off the bench not to mention rebounding, scoring and even defense.

Wait, we're talking about Joey Graham
still right?

Yes, and Joey once again gave fans the type of match that he's teased us with
so often. I'll need to see many more like this to be convinced but it was definitely a step in the right direction. In fact it got to the point where Sam Mitchell was subbing Joey in for DEFENSIVE purposes at the end of the game! The Raptors really do have a bench that will be able to help grind out some wins this season and Joey Graham and others may prove to be the difference between a win and a loss on many an occasion.

I also think this speaks to something else. Granted it's still very early in the season but if you've been watching various other games lately you may notice something in the league this year.

Parity.

Especially in the Eastern Conference, I really think that any team is going to be able to beat any other team on any given night. The Pistons just don't look like a contending team, I think the Cavs' supporting cast needs work, the Heat look tired and old, the Bulls need some time to gel and I don't trust New Jersey's health or bench. That's not to say that as the season progresses, some teams will emerge as somewhat dominant clubs, but I just don't think this year you can circle your schedule and say "oh good, Hawks are in town next." Or, "Bobcats this Friday, easy win." Even Portland who experts picked to be the worst team in the league has started at a respectable 3-2 while Phoenix is only 1-4!

With that in mind, I feel that Raptor fans are going to be treated to many a game like last night's tilt with the 76ers...close until the end until one team makes a key play or two down the stretch for the win.

The difference this year, is hopefully it's the Raptors making these plays.

FRANCHISE

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Comments

raptors winning in the last second?thats something you dont see too often. hopefully this year will be different.but i rather see raptors win the game before expiring time.

by saramon on Nov 9, 2006 12:00 AM EST reply actions

Oh last night was a GAME, it was exciting, it was a misterious, it was a suspense, I did not know what to do, those guy acted like it was a dog fight they scratch, they bit and wow they got out in front of the pack, GO RAPS GO

by Marcia on Nov 9, 2006 12:00 AM EST reply actions

The Raptors looked ugly in the shooting department in the first half of the 3rd Quarter(didn't get a chance to see the rest of the game after that but saw highlights). That being said, they really need that great consistent shooter if they're going to keep shooting it up from 3. But very exciting game in the end.

by Jason on Nov 9, 2006 12:00 AM EST reply actions

Amazing game, thank god that Sam had the sense to leave Peterson on the bench. I'm still not happy about how little playing time Bargnani is getting. I don't care if Mitchell "doesn't want to rush him". WTF??? He's the number one pick, look at all the other rookies playing. The guy is never going to be ready if he doesn't get playing time, thats a normal process of transitioning a rookie to the big stage. Joey Graham had a nice game but lets face it, he's gonna play like this 1 out of every 10 games. He's handicapped like that. How about Dalembert raping us with his blocks and rebounds? Buddy had like 18 rebounds, and he blocked Bosh like 3 times. I agree with you on the parity, that should make the league more exciting this year.

by Damir on Nov 9, 2006 12:00 AM EST reply actions

Nice to see the bench provide a win. That's the biggest difference between this year and last year. However, this team doesn't seem that much more inclined to play consistent defence than last year's; witness Philly's 49% FG percentage. That has to change if the Raps are going to make a run at a playoff spot.

by Skywalker on Nov 9, 2006 12:00 AM EST reply actions

Now that's how to work a bench! If your rotation guys don't have it, try one of the 9 through 12 guys to see if they'll be able to give you something. Last night, Sam got ALOT from Graham and Humphries....pretty much the reason that they had a chance to win the game at the end.

Somebody please show TJ Ford how to make a layup. Then maybe we'll work on the jumpshot.

by Jeff on Nov 9, 2006 12:00 AM EST reply actions

In some obscure article TJ Ford compared himself to Iverson and thought he was as good as him or close to it, not in this lifetime. TJ was ranked 39th by some NBA source and that's where he belongs. CV and Marcus Williams would have looked good in Raptors uniforms.

by Roger on Nov 9, 2006 12:00 AM EST reply actions

Hey everybody remember this is game 4 of 82, with Sam having to integrate 9 new players with Bosh into a new offense. It will take time. Still 2-2 is a big change from 1-9 last yr. Don't give up on Joey G. He will be a player.

by Johnn19 on Nov 9, 2006 12:00 AM EST reply actions

I thought the Raptors in general and Bosh in particular going right at Dalembert was huge.

I thought Graham played great and TJ was terrific late as well. Hopefully that will shut the Charlie V posts down for a bit. He's gone now, you can all get on with your lives.

by Toolsy on Nov 9, 2006 12:00 AM EST reply actions

Is it just me or is TJ turning the ball over at an alarming rate? Moreover, he seems to be uncomfortable taking open shots. Isn't this the reason people were so low on Calderon last year?
Unless, TJ starts taking and hitting open shots, I don't see this offense going anywhere. Eventually, defenses are going to adjust the way they did to Calderon last year.

by RZ on Nov 9, 2006 12:00 AM EST reply actions

One thing I didn't talk about was how TJ NEEDS to at least THREATEN to shoot. For those of you who saw the fourth quarter, TJ passed up a ton of looks and if he's not going to go to the rim each time, defenders will just play off him. That's the main difference between him and Iverson too in terms of comparison. Iverson can heat it up quickly from outside forcing you to guard him closer...and that's when he burns you with his quickness.

by Franchise on Nov 9, 2006 12:00 AM EST reply actions

I thought the Raptors in general and Bosh in particular going right at Dalembert was huge.

I thought Graham played great and TJ was terrific late as well. Hopefully that will shut the Charlie V posts down for a bit. He's gone now, you can all get on with your lives.

by Toolsy on Nov 9, 2006 12:00 AM EST reply actions

I think everyone should lay off Bargnani, and off Mitchell for how much he does/does not play him. He's only played 4 regular season games - there is no need to panic on his PT. He's the 1st guy off the bench every game and gets his chance. We are hoping for a playoff spot - we can't leave someone in the game who is a defensive liability and offensive non-factor, rookie or not. I've read that he's in every day doing extra work on the court and in the weightroom. His body is probably a little broken down from the extra work - give him some time to adapt, get used to the NBA system. Check him out after the all-star break. He'll be fine.

by Dave on Nov 9, 2006 12:00 AM EST reply actions

Mike Who?

Ahhhhh, well on our way to 40-42 wins! :)

Joey G., 6th man of the year! (I kid, I kid!)

Nail Bargs on the bench as long as we need to, and only put him in favourable situations.

Only thing I've been disapointed so far is Garbs toughness and Rebounding.

by Ustation on Nov 9, 2006 12:00 AM EST reply actions

By the way, what was up with the intro's last night? Are we seriously going to introduce Season Ticket Holders before the players every game, or did this guy cough up a whole bunch of money to get that privelege. It kinda reminds me of rich people paying to go into space on missions.....shouldn't be allowed.

by Jeff on Nov 9, 2006 12:00 AM EST reply actions