Tip-In: "Pointed," in the Right Direction

I don't understand the boos either; it doesn't make any sense. the one thing mike can never be critized for was his efffort here in toronto. sure there were plenty of questionable shots, (usually at the end of the game,) and yes he probably thought at times that he had the skills of a kobe, (which he obviously doesn't,) but at least he showed up to play every single game and never looked like he was just mailing in an game.
if anything, it just looks bad on us, as fans.
it was such a great game too. so dissapointing that had to happen.

You had to Boo James, every Toronto Raptor Fan knows what James is capable of when he catches fire, and anything that can prevent that is needed. Toronto fans are the best sixth man in the league, and no more can they be called unknowledgable fans who know only hockey.
Ford is turning out to be a steal for BC, how can anyone question his ability to find talent, he was also called crazy for signing Nash for such a huge contract and we all know how that turned out.
Rasho had a fantastic game too, hopefully Bargnani can learn from him how to play defence against stars like Garnett, then he can become a complete player and a star in his own right.
Humpfries also had a solid game for the few minutes he played, that drive to the basket for the slam was great to see, he has a nose for the basket, definately another great piece to the Raptors puzzle.
The Raps do need some work on scoring more in the paint, they reverted back to taking perimeter shooting again too often, and they need work on shooting free throws too. This game should not have been as close as it was at the end.
But with Bosh ready to come back soon, this will change and make the team that much better.
Still a lot of games left, but you can't help but get excited about this squad, I don't remember a Raptors team play as well as they have as a complete unit as this one.
Go Raps!

I don't know, with a guy like james, I'm thinking the more you boo him the better he's going to do. ignore him and he'll probably get freaked right out and start chucking air balls. a guy like that loves the attention.

so if we're going to get all psychological on ex-raps asses everytime they come back here, we should at least get it right.

Franchise – Great article. I agree that TJ has been unfairly criticized this year. Put it this way, could anyone honestly say that Charlie V could have won games for us on his own, with no Bosh? TJ has put the team on his back. BC has to be congratulated for re-building this team in such a short period of time. I think about last year’s bench and it sends a shiver down my spine. In retrospect, maybe Smitch deserves more credit for getting 27 wins last year with such a pathetic bench.

Yes I'm sure it was the booing that threw James off his game (!?!?!) like it did VC, TMac, Doug Christie, AD, Damon, Chanucy, Kenney Anderson, Egg Man (Marcus Camby),Gone'Zo. Holy crap we boo a lot of people. Sometimes I think this city watches too much wrestling. Well at least the raps fans are doing something, as opposed to the (corporate)leaf "fans" who are usually in the platinum lounge most of the game.

I was scolded by some coworkers a few weeks ago when talking about the possibility of an AI trade with the Raps (more of a fantasy talk at the time), but I had suggested that Ford could be a really poor man's AI if given the right opportunity. Same quickness and size, and ability to get into the paint. It's just that Ford was in less control when in the lanes and therefore unable to finish. I said if he got that under control and improved his range another 2-3 feet, he'd be right there. Who knew that transformation would happen in such a short period!!!

Though Buck fans will tell all of us they stole CV. The play of Mo Williams for them has been fantastic. Win win for everyone.

Can you believe this franchise has a real guard (two in fact) and a real centre?

I wonder what it would have been like with Salmons, dude's been on fire!

I was at the game and the booing of Mike James was a little uncalled for. I tried cheering during the introduction but all I got was a nasty look from some dude in a Humphries jersey (I'm not kidding).

In a game where there was a lot of excitement, the best part was when TJ beat James on a cross-over move and nailed a jumper. When it happened people didn't cheer. It was more like all the air was sucked out of the ACC as the folks shared a collective gasp. Even after TJ hit the shot people weren't cheering. They were just giving each other looks, like when you see a woman slap a man in the street. Remarkable.

Good game by the Raps. Definitely one that they would have lost last year. What's their record in tight games with margins of less than 5 points? Without CB4? Last year it was disastrous.

I too was one of the fans that didn't like the TJ for Charlie deal but that's why BC is an NBA exec and I ain't (although I think I could do a better job that Isiah).

PS TJ's crossover on Mike James was helped by the fact that James got tripped up by Rasho's left foot.

"I tried cheering during the introduction but all I got was a nasty look from some dude in a Humphries jersey"

Great comment, that's like some situation from of Curb Your Enthusiasm ha ha! Now was it a "Raptors" Humphries jersey or a Utah one? Or even a Golden Gophers one?

UStation - I think this city is too WWE crazy...so much booing. Soon we'll be like Philly and start booing Santa Claus. I agree with you Papa, booing Mike James is only going to make him play that much better - he lives off of stuff like that. I'm just glad that it was KG trying to make that three at the buzzer, James has hit crazier shots before...

"When it happened people didn't cheer. It was more like all the air was sucked out of the ACC as the folks shared a collective gasp. Even after TJ hit the shot people weren't cheering."

I was at the game, and this isn't true. There were cheers mixed with gasps after the crossover, but when the shot fell, it brought the house down.

Also, on the topic of Mike James, people seem to be forgetting that this is his first game back in TO... I doubt people harbour bad enough feelings for him that they'll keep booing him like Vince.

And Mike James decision to leave wasn't exactly forced upon him, like people seem to think. Towards the end of last season Mike James made many comments which indicated half-hearted (at best) support for returning to the Raptors. Mike James made it clear all along that his heart was set on going to Houston, and was making just a token effort to reach a deal with the Raps. Also, word was that Mike James was unwilling to accept a reduced role with the team and possibly come off the bench, and yet proved himself incapable in many ways of being a starting NBA point guard. No, Mike James brought a lot of it on himself.

I didn't see the game, but the raptors are so much improved this season. They should be a playoff team. I was wondering what role Bosh will have when he comes back. Obviously he will be the man, but who loses their minutes. Rasho, Garbo and Bargs have all been playing really well. I would like to see them play Bargs at the 3 more as well as Garbo. Both them have the perimeter skills. Lets reduce Fred Jones Minutes and totally scrap Mo petes minutes.

You can't say enough about TJ Ford. His playmaking down the stretch in the last few weeks has just been phenomenal. I trust him to make the right play. Charlie Villanueva? He's a good player, and he made big shots, but I don't ever remember him flat out winning a game for us. TJ has done it a few times in just the last week.

Man, it's great to be a raps fan right now. Close games are so exciting - I actually feel like we can win! Hope has returned to this team. Real hope, not the pathetic desperate hope a guy on death-row has, but actual real hope.

Todd- Great question, the Raps are 7-1 with games +/- 5 points this year. Last year (off the top of my head), I'm pretty sure they were 1-11 (although I think I recall that being +/- 3 points).

For those who were with us, earlier in the summer when we lost MJ, there was a discussion here about clutch shooting, and how James was so clutch. That was so absolutely bogus, MJ took a lot of "clutch" shot attempts (shots under 2 mins that would either tie a game or take the lead) bad if my memory recalls correctly he shot somewhere less than 15%. TJ Ford probably made more "clutch" shots in the Portland OT win than MJ did all last year!!!

I hope these comments have been archived somewhere.

So when do we trade Mo Pete to get an Oak type player? A big mean nasty rebounder.

A Jeff Foster (IND) / David Lee (NYK)? Would NOK give up on Tyson Chandler? Chandler just can't score, but would fit here perfectly! Or maybe a Kenney Thomas from SAC. Others on my short list: Nick Collison (Sea), Chuck Hayes (Hou), Tony Battie (Orl)

Booooo!

I watch the game and I was so nervious, and I really cannot see why Mike was booed, fans please save your booing to welcome back Mr. Carter yes!!!!