Tip-In: Double Team

Off Topic
See the new Italian rookie of the next year: Marco Belinelli.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MPan7Iw8DjU

Still think that TJ needs to slow down and Bargnanai (outside of Bosh) need to get more touches than Garbo at crunch time. I'm still not a fan of Sam inspite of the win. Nevertheless, this team has real bench depth and can make the playoffs this year.

The Raptors are starting to show the team that they can be. Though it worries me that a team as weak as NY was let back into the game. Toronto needs to do a better job closing out games, yes they get the win, but they could have put this game away earlier. Better teams like those they will see on the west coast swing will jump all over it if you give them an opening to get back in the game.

Where has Fred Jones dissapeared to?

Garbo is a very intelligent player and I feel very comfortable with Garbo having the ball along with TJ and Chris in the crunch.

The Raps have some winable games at the Cavs, Bulls and Blazers before they go through a period of 9 games in 14 days.

Good move by Sam starting TJ,Chris,Garbo, Rasho & AP.

Great team game defence ( AP/Garbo/andrea) in keeping the 1 point lead & not letting NY get the lead down the stretch.

Big rebound by Garbo at the end - its hard not too like this teams chances. Two quality pg's and our big men are getting more comfortable each game.
December is starting out nicely.

Hey Guys,
A win is a win and I'll take it, but let's not get too hyped yet. A few key plays down the stretch go the other way and we are all on here demanding Mitchell be fired immediately. The raps were still letting the game slip away at key times. An 11 point lead with a minute left in the half became a 4 point lead at the half. Not exactly solid. There is much work to do.

Why doesn't Calderon pass the ball to Bargnani?? Did anyone notice that? There were a few obvious times in the game where Andrea was wide open and Jose decided not to pass to him, instead passing to a player for a more difficult shot. I love how Leo and Chuck praise the Marbury and the Knicks like they are auditioning for a job in New York. I don't think there are 2 commentators in the league that give more props to the opposing team then Leo and Chuck. I know Chuck says he loves the Raps, but he just doesn't show it, he's more enthusiastic about the opposing teams plays then that of the Raptors. Just venting a little. haha.

Yay Raps Win!!!!

It sure was great to see the Raps bend and not break in the 4th and make key plays down the stretch on the road.

It was also great to see the Raps doing a better job of rotating on D and crashing boards on long jumpers.

Despite the challenging schedule and the challenges of integrating 9 new guys the Raps are starting to look like a dangerous team in the East

And oh yeah, did you see Joey G working the post in the 2nd Quarter? Niiice!

Hopefully a healthy Mo Pete will add yet another dimension when he's back in the rotation into a Raps team that is over the hump evolving into a Threat in the Mighty Titanic Division!!!

Go RAPS GO!!!

Awsome couple of games by the Raps. It's crazy how Garbo stayed out of the leauge as long as he did. Personally I think Sam's a good coach, any of the players still on the team from last years rosters have improved and some of the credit has to go to Mitchell. I can't wait till Mo gets back to push Fred down the depth chart.

I'm wondering what Colangelo's next move would be? What are this teams needs now?

Howland and I actually watched the game at a bar last night and therefore couldn't hear Chuck or Leo...which combined with the win was true bliss.

Yes, the Raps didn't hold the 11 point lead, but they didn't completely blow it either, something I don't think I could say for this team last year. Anthony Parker really impressed me getting around screens and finding the open man on rotations. I think by year's end we'll really be thanking Colangelo and co. for going out and getting him and Garbs. And yes, I can't wait till we get a healthy Mo Pete back. What this team still needs is a slasher though unless Fred Jones finds his game off the bench. If he could even be a Dahntay Jones type for the Raptors, it would open things up even more for the likes of Bosh and Ford.

PS - Anyone see of the Raptors' rewind games from last year? PAINFUL. I've already seen three that Toronto lost in the final seconds or at the buzzer.

Great to win 4 out of 5 but lets remember Rap's are still a Work in Progress, as shown by constantly letting the Knicks back in the game after getting up 9/10 points.

True enough about watching the rewind games. Mike James couldn't create assists unless his shot was falling. Garbajosa is a way more versatile player than Bonner.

The raps are a work in progress but I think they have the right poeple. Bosh and Ford are only getting better and Bargnani is proving himself- here's hoping he can establish himself as the second or third scorer by seasons end.

Who would you rather have Bargnani or Villanueva?

Blake - As much as a I loved the idea of the trio of Bosh, Bargnani and CV the addition of Ford was huge for this franchise.

Before we get on the Raps for "blowing leads", remember that bball is a game of runs. An 11 point lead can vanish in less than a minute. The key is being able to hold off the other teams runs, which the Raps are doing a much better job of than last year. I agree that they are a work in progress and are progressing nicely. Let's be honest they're not going to win many games on the West coast. The key is that the win the games they should and beat up on their division (i.e. not lose to the Hawks anymore).

...oh....and Howland saying that the players are not grown men? You think no one was watching Joey Graham during the Madness in March? A lot more than were watching the Raps v Celtics, that's for damn sure.

Sports fans in general are sometimes baffling.

As much as I'm not a Sam Mitchel fan (can't believe I'm defending Sam), if we had Red Auerbach, Don Nelson, Avery and Phil the Zen, how many more wins do you think the team would have? Or versus if we had a coaching staff of Zeek, Lenny Wilkins, Doc Rivers, and Scott Skiles?

If the goal is .500 (which I think is high, but reasonable), the team is on par. You can't use the West Coast trip as a barometer, all the Eastern teams have gotten destroyed out there, and many teams have yet to get there. And the first 1/3 of the Rap schedule is brutal!!! If they can finish December up to -6 from .500, I think they've got a chance.

A GREAT coaching staff may have won 1 or 2 more games (maybe the Utah Game), and a POOR staff may have lost 1 or 2 more games (maybe the Boston game)? I think Sam is meeting expectations, even though I don't like the philosophy.

Totally agree Ustation...

I've personally found it interesting to watch this team improve defensively this season. No, not Heat or Knicks circa '97 styles but just doing a much better job rotating when the opposing team is trying to get open looks. And Sam's mixed zone in well, something that makes sense as the international players seem very comfortable in it.

PS - Who's the first coach to go this year? My money's on Doc Rivers.

Like I said before any of the players on this team from last years roster have improved. I think Sam has improved as well. His rotation seems more competent this year; he's not as driven by emotion. Also I like how he handled Mo Pete last year instilling him with confidence and the same can be said for Bosh.

Speaking of Mo. If this team is gonna get to .500 in the month of December he needs to get back to his old self. TJ worked awsome with Redd last year and needs to work with Mo to help him get it going.