Tip-In: A Sloppy Sunday

by RaptorsHQ - Archives on Apr 10, 2006 8:56 AM EDT

As I mentioned in one of my last recaps, Sunday's game against the Bobcats was a great opportunity to cop some cheapo tickets. I was right as I picked up $160 tickets for $55. Now maybe I should have known that a game that featured two of the worst teams in the L, both missing arguably their best player, would not be that great of a match-up, but I figured a close game would at least provide some solid entertainment. Well it was a reasonably close match-up, but it was not that entertaining.

The Raps continued to show why locking up Bosh long-term is an absolute must. Without the face of the franchise in the paint this team is sadly lacking in talent. Some of the scoring deficiencies have been compensated for as of late by the large number of three balls being launched on a nightly basis, but no matter how many threes you put up (26), or more importantly hit (9), when you turn the ball over 19 times you are even less likely to get the W.

The game itself was a rare 3:30 start, and if today's performance is a reflection of the strange start time this may be the last mid-afternoon tip off we see for a while. The only guy who really brought his A-game was Space Mountain, Mike James. The other usual suspects had unusually suspect performances. Charlie had a mere three points, and Mo P did not hit his first shot until the second half, and finished with 9 points on 4-16 shooting.

Guys who did manage to contribute? Bonner, Graham (I question the lack of minutes here), and gasp.....Loren Woods. Regardless of the surprising performances that some of the Raps managed to put together, the Bobcats starters were too much in the end with all of them scoring in double figures. Much like the last few games though there is little to be gained or lost from these match-ups provided the young guys are getting time. At least that is what I have been telling myself....but the strange thing is not all of the young guys are playing.

The two prime examples of this are Hoffa and Calderon. Although the latter managed to play 13 uneventful minutes, Rafael did not step onto the court. I am begging someone to tell me why. Why is Loren Woods getting minutes and Hoffa isn't? What is the thinking here? Is there not more benefit, long-term, to playing Hoffa now when the pressure is off, in particular now that he is starting to show some things? Since the game ended I have been trying to determine why Hoffa didn't get off the bench. Against the Suns I understand, but the Bobcats? I cannot figure this out.

Maybe the writing is on the wall. Maybe no matter what Hoffa does his ticket has been punched and he is headed out of town, regardless the return. If that's the case then why has he been played at all? I think the most painful thing for Raptors' fans would be to see him shine in a few games, then ship him out, and then see him develop into a contributor somewhere else. No, he has not been a game changer on the court lately but his improved play has been noteworthy.

Remember when Babcock said that bigs take longer to develop? He said three years. Well we all know that Woods has maxed out talent wise and may be lucky to find another team next year, but we don't really know what Hoffa could become. Is a guy who could average 6 points and 6 boards a bad guy to have on the team? Is a big who can hit a nice 12-15 footer and could still develop into a reasonable rebounder a bad asset?

Obviously I have a ton of questions about this situation and I welcome all theories on why we are seeing Loren Woods grab minutes while one of our most recent investments is left wondering what his role is on this team, if any. I don't get it. Sam explain this!

The game itself today barely deserves a recap of any sort. The bad turnovers killed us and frankly the Raps just got beat - and they were beaten by a team with less skill I might add. It is not that the Bobcats don't have talented players, the 1-2 backcourt punch of Felton and Knight was surprisingly solid and both had over 10 assists, but the Raptors simply should have won this game.

This game was one most will have already forgotten, and in hindsight paying $55 per ticket was probably $54.75 too much. It also made what is supposed to be a day or rest, more of a day of confusion. In the last few weeks of the season I really hope some answers start to appear, of course even if they don't we, as Toronto Raptor fans, are not far off from the summer of Colangelo, and that is when the real answers will probably come.

HOWLAND

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Comments

Here's a theory. We all know that Sam is big on working hard in practice (although its been said that Hoffa has great work eithic yet still hardly leaves the bench). Maybe Hoffa has had a string of bad practice's, and its showing through DNP's. Hoffa could feel a little relaxed now that he has had a couple games where he has shown to be capable, and has coasted through a couple practices.

That's just a shot in the dark though.

by RaferMadness on Apr 10, 2006 9:45 AM EDT reply actions

Sorry about the crap performance, Howland! I completely agree about Hoffa's PT - it's an enigma, wrapped in a riddle, covered by an Armani suit (Sam Mitchell reference here). The one thing I could suggest, besides the above though on practice time, is that maybe Brezec is a difficult match-up for Hoffa since he's mostly a mid-range jump shooter. We've seen Sam fiddle around with the 5 spot match-up wise...remember when he started Bonner against Yao in Houston? But that doesn't explain giving him no playing time at all.

Here's a cheap-shot at Sam...isn't this when he's suppose to be really earning his pay? When our star is out, isn't this where coaching becomes the difference? Think about the job Carlisle did with JO out, and Artest AWOL. Shouldn't we be seeing our young cats really be motivated by our coach in these remaining games...if to just show their support for his return next year? Just a thought.

Keep up the great job, guys!

by Hen on Apr 10, 2006 11:19 AM EDT reply actions

Aside from an undiscplosed injury, there is no good reason that Hoffa doesnt play. He has shown good progress in the past few games, when he does get minutes, and he showes flashes of competency every now and then. I still believe that he will develop to be a decent player in this leauge.

There must be something wrong with Mitchell. I noitced after we loose games, he likes to blame "the young guys"..I think the issue is his lack of insight. The bottom line is that LW will not develop anymore.. Hoffa still has opportunity.

Mitchell has got to go. Hopefull we will get a real coach soon

by theabstract on Apr 10, 2006 11:39 AM EDT reply actions

Mitchell has to go. There's no excuse in not playing Hoffa. He looked good (for Hoffa) the last few times he played. We're not playing for anything, why not let the young guys play.

by TJ on Apr 10, 2006 12:08 PM EDT reply actions

The Raptors need a new coach, a new philosophy, and a plan to keep rising Dunkadelic Mega-Star Chris Bosh in town. This team will be best remembered for allowing Kobe Bryant to score 81 points on them. I can't believe in this day and age one man could drop 81 points in a NBA game, nuff said.

by Rap City Dunkadelic on Apr 10, 2006 3:02 PM EDT reply actions

It's nice to see the Raps are competitive without Bosh and finishing the season with a flourish. (I mean they only lost by six to the mighty Bobcats.) Better yet, they are still mathematically alive for the worst record in the NBA and the most ping pong ball in this summer's draft lottery.

Oh, well....if you're bored, I guess you can always start bashing Vinsanity again. Oops, he's actually playing very well these days and leading the rejuvenated Nets into the playoffs again. I'd much rather have Eric Williams, Aaron Williams and Alonzo Mourning though. I mean Eric Williams and Aaron Williams. My bad....I mean Eric Williams and two future second round draft picks.

by Raps Hata on Apr 10, 2006 5:42 PM EDT reply actions

I do not think that mitchel has to go. This would only lead to more unstability, and make the signing of bosh, and other free agents next to impossible. Mitchell has made mistakes. But he has done a hell of a job motivating players to play. Although they ahve lost 8 in a row, at least they are being competitive. I think it would be a huge mistake to fire mitchel.

What are the assistant coaches there for. Should some blame not be placed on Keady and Triano for not telling Sam "lets get hoffa some playing time". The only reason I can think Hoffa is getting no time is because Colangelo said not to play him because he wont be back. Hence, Sam is putting the most competitive team out on the floor.

But I would like to see hoffa stay in TO. Come of the bench, bang with the bigs for 15 a night, grab a few rebounds, get a few points.

Is Jeff Foster a free agent? I think he would be a perfect C for the raps. Getting a ton of rebounds, and garbage points.

Keep up the great work. I love the posts. I cant wait till the draft discussion start after playoffs.

by scott on Apr 10, 2006 7:47 PM EDT reply actions

Every loss under 10 points probably has its roots in questionable coaching - used to be a Sam Mitchell fan, now I just think he needs to learn a bit more. And on another team. Hoffa not getting playing time is just plain crazy - I mean, even if he is out of town, does that mean Loren Woods stays hence he plays?! Hoffa needs to stay. Imagine getting him shipped out and having him break-out somewhere else - I really think it is the matter of coaching him and letting him actually play through mistakes as opposed to getting him out 5 minutes into the game... Hope Colangelo has a plan, if not, get ready to see Loren Woods, Eric Williams and Matt Bonner be in your starting five. Oh, yes, with Darrick Martin, of course...

by MM on Apr 11, 2006 12:13 PM EDT reply actions