The Ultimate Flow

by RaptorsHQ - Archives on Oct 27, 2007 12:00 AM EDT

Lacing them up:

"It’s like a double-edged sword, a catch 22, you’re damned if you don’t, you’re damned if you do…"

Those lyrics from the Clipse track "ultimate flow" echoed in my head as I watched Toronto absolutely destroy Washington last night. The Wizards seemed utterly demoralized and who can blame them? Toronto lead by 30 points for most of the game and like the lyrics to the song, whenever Washington tried to defend one aspect of the Raptors game, Toronto would turn around and kill them with another.

A Numbers Game:

17.

That’s how many steals the Raptors recorded last night. For a team that has had defensive issues the past two seasons, I’ve found that so far in the pre-season, especially the last three games, things look much better in that regard. I mean, what a team of ball-hawks? Carlos Delfino and TJ Ford in particular, who had seven steals between them, seemed to be everywhere on the court and I loved seeing the double-teaming of unsuspecting Washington post players.

Other key numbers from last night?

The Raptors shooting almost 50 per cent from the field (49.3), 44 per cent from beyond the arc and almost 95 per cent from the free-throw line…pretty hard to top those numbers.

Finally, Toronto dominated Washington on the glass out-rebounding the Wiz 47 to 30. This was great to see as minus Etan Thomas, this Wizard team looks to be one of the worst rebounding clubs in the league. And Toronto took advantage.

The Turning Point:

Third game in a row without a turning point…hmmm. Maybe you could argue that the moment it was announced that Gilbert Arenas wasn’t playing was the moment things turned in the Raptors’ favour. However if you witnessed this juggernaut of an offense that was the Toronto Raptors last night, I’m not sure a team full of Agent Zeroes would have made a difference.

Who’s Hot, Who’s Not:

Hot – Let’s give a little love to TJ Ford. As many readers have noted on the site, TJ looks to be playing his best ball ever and I concur. He forced one shot last night with the shot clock winding down and the ball trapped in the corner but the rest came in the flow of the game and he took only five shots. He also would have had about 20 assists in the first half alone had Jason Kapono knocked down some of his open looks.

Hot – The Raptors. Wow. Yes, it’s only pre-season, yada yada yada. However ask yourself this - Would a full Wizards, or any other squad have affected the way Toronto got in the passing lanes, ball-hawked and moved the rock on offense? I doubt it. This team was just running on all cylinders. As I alluded to in the intro, the Wizards just had no answer for whatever the Raptors threw at them. It was like watching Thomas Hearns in the 80’s…a few short jabs represented by the Raptors going to the rim which would then open things up for the long bombs, in this analogy, Toronto’s dead-eye three-point shooting. Pick your poison and swallow hard.

And everyone got in on the action again – Rasho and Darrick Martin were the only two of the 16 Raptor players not to have scored and Delfino, Bargnani, Dixon, Kapono, Parker, Calderon and even Luke Jackson hit from long range.

Not hot – The Wizards with the exception of DeShawn Stevenson. I expected this to be a high-scoring affair on both sides but had it not been for Stevenson, who looked like he had switched bodies with Caron Butler prior to the tip-off, the Wizards would have been down by about 40 points at various times in the game. I know they missed Gilbert’s scoring, but yikes, defence like last night’s showcase aren’t going to get them back to the post-season in an improved East.

WILL IT BE DIXON WHO BECOMES THE ROSTER CASUALTY FOR THE RAPS?

Moving On:

Can't we just keep them all?

As much as I think Jamario Moon is the right choice in terms of who to keep for that last roster spot, you gotta feel for Luke Jackson, who did a few nice things last night and seems to be a great team-mate. In fact, it was pretty ironic that one of the game’s final plays, and highlights, was a Luke Jackson alley-oop pass to the player he may be replaced by in Moon.

And what’s all this Juan Dixon buy-out talk?

I haven’t thought that Dixon has been that bad in pre-season, in fact I’ve been impressed by his scoring ability and feel he could be a useful contributor at times this season. But with the current depth of the team, perhaps the Raptors would rather keep the youngsters Jackson and Moon and buy Dixon out to give him the opportunity to join another squad where he could receive more minutes.

As the Toronto Star’s Doug Smith points out however in today’s article:

Is Jamario Moon, a 27-year-old rookie with mesmerizing athletic skills but zero NBA experience, worth keeping? Will he ever develop into someone who can contribute in the regular season? Is he more worthy of a one-year contract because of his skills or because he would be a feel-good story for the franchise? If the answers are yes, and Colangelo can’t work a deal, Toronto will have to eat the salary of someone with a guaranteed deal and the fact Luke Jackson hasn’t played a significant minute the whole pre-season would have him at the top of the list.

Besides this obvious personnel decision that is looming, it’s an exciting point for Raptors’ fans:

-Chris Bosh has looked healthy the past few games,

-Jorge Garbajosa survived the summer’s national team play and looks ready for the regular season,

-TJ Ford looks ready to take the next step in his development as an elite point guard,

-Andrea Bargnani had a great pre-season and improves with each game at his new position, especially in terms of aggressively attacking the rim and rebounding the ball,

-And even the Raptors’ off-season acquisitions Delfino and Kapono are rounding into shape. While Kapono has been streaky in the pre-season, I’m starting to understand what the Legomaster saw in his signing. Even if Kapono isn’t knocking them down, he’s such a threat that the fear of leaving him open should be enough to break double teams on Bosh and open things up for the other Raptors.

So let’s get this season rolling.

Enough of the pre-season with its constant "Stop Mom, STOP!" Canadian Tire commercials, solo Chuck Swirsky commentary and "Game-In-An-Hour’s." Bring on the "Hellllllllo’s" from Jack, starters playing major minutes and most of all, the Boston Celtics and New Jersey Nets. I can see why experts always refer to teams that have been together for a while as having an advantage and perhaps that’s the one thing that’s been most evident this pre-season from Toronto. Therefore I can’t wait to see them take this level of experience into battle against the aforementioned Celtics and Nets and any other team for that matter.

This team looks primed to do some damage in the East and I can’t wait to be along for the ride.

FRANCHISE

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Comments

Great article Francise, include me as another who can't wait for the season to get started. It seems every piece that the lego master has assembled is playing up to everyone's most optimistic expectations. Literally, every player on the roster (save D-Mart, but that is another story) brings something exciting to the floor.
I agree with how exciting it is just to see this team stick together. This team has all the right parts that I want to keep together. There isn't any use keeping a team together if the parts don't fit, but all this team's most important parts fit well together and are improving.
Any improvement by one of the parts will improve the game of the other parts. Bargs is really going to open it ip for Bosh, meaning he won't face as many double teams. Ford is finding everyone nice open looks.
I suppose Bosh is our only true threat down low, so if he were to go down that would be the hardest skill for this team to make up for. Though Rasho and Hump have shown that they can do well as a short term fix there too.
I am just babbling, it is just so nice to be so confident coming into a season...

by Robert Archibald on Oct 27, 2007 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

I guess the only worry you could have so far with this team is overconfidence but damn if I don;t see this team rolling over most of the conference from here on out. Saw flashes of a Bargnani and bosh two man game that could be killer for them. Barg being so aggressive is great to see. hopefully it continues even when the better defenses slow him down a bit.

Garbo still doesn't seem right to me.

Can't wait till nov 4, got tix. raps/celtics should be a battle. go raps!!

by axl on Oct 27, 2007 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

I have watched a lot of basketball and the only reference I have for this style of play is, I hate to say it the Pheonix Suns. The only difference is, with Pheonix the play and style of game changes dramatically when Nash goes out, and of course the dominant play of Nash and Stoudamire. In our favour the play doesn’t change no matter who comes in and who goes out. Are we any worse with our two best players Bosh, and/or Ford out of the game? Why we aren’t as good as Phoenix? Well you can’t duplicate Nash and Stoudamire, but other than that. Yikes!

I cannot ever remember watching a team this good without one player that absolutely terrified you… ever.

And that’s what I think we are missing we just don’t have that one dominant player to break a teams spirit when they feel confident in victory. Dirk, Nash and Rasheed all crushed our spirits by taking over game we had in the bag last year. Who will do that for us?

btw: Three times we gave up multiple open looks, to shoot three pointers with the shot clock expiring, and hit all three. We were toying with these guys.

by hope on Oct 27, 2007 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

As Supernova pointed out last post - I was one who wanted Rasho to start but last few preseason games will admit that AB has earned the right to start. Last night he was about as agressive as I've ever seen him. Think he is gonna take a huge step forward.
What can you say about last two games - this team, when moving the ball,is a joy to watch on offense. Our defence has also stopped two apparant playoff bound teams rather handily as well.
Hard not to feel good about this team and anyone thinking Sam will let them get overconfident is just plain wrong - not the character of this team.
Am curius where Garbarosa is gonna get his minutes. Sam hasn't played him much these last two games.
Finally season opener is on the score.
Next Sunday is a great sports day -RAPS/Celtics and then Colts and Patriots

by Tinman on Oct 27, 2007 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

Always used the argument that having a weapon like Barghani coming off the bench is a big advantage over most of our opponents. I can really see Delfino taking over that role.There's a reason why everyone says we stole him from the Pistons. With the youth of this roster, the next two drafts are not that important.
Delfino, Calderon, Garbarosa(unless he starts over Kapono) Rasho, Humphries, Graham, Dixon, Moon and my guess is Jackson - all coming off the bench. This team has got even deeper. Sam has so many options to choose from - tough to balance minutes. When he thinks back to two years ago .. my how times have changed.

by Tinman on Oct 27, 2007 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

Mom:whats this?
Kid: left turn
Mom: whats this?
Kid: stop sign...

worst commercial ever...that and the goodyear one, i'll be glad when I dont have to watch that anymore.

But back to basketball,

I too am concerned and curious to see garbos role this season, last year, prior to his injury, he was such a huge peice of the rotation, mr.intangible.
Last night he didnt even come in till the 3rd quarter, now i dont know if its cause coach wants to rest him cause of the injury or if hes not 100% yet, but he looked good in other games, but the last 2 he didnt see a lot of court time...i still love how he moves the ball tho.

Just a thought.

cant wait till the season starts...gonna be a big night on wednesday..sunday is even bigger

by bigd23 on Oct 27, 2007 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

I’ve been around the block a few times so excuse me if I’m not falling over myself as so many of you are over the recent blowouts. I am confident that Raps will avoid the slow start of last season and develop positive early momentum.

I’ve not watched any of the games but:

It would be too bad if GM is unable to trade either Luke Jackson or Dixon and is forced to cut one of them. Of those of you have watch the games, couldn’t Delfino be the backup 3rd point guard if pressed during the season thereby releasing Dmart and providing GM more time to make a trade? Since that is not going to happen, lets hope a trade can be worked out soon.

As excited as I am to see the start of season, a true feel good story would be for Jamario Moon to make the team. I know he’s a deep bench player but heard him on the FAN. Sounds like a good kid. I’m crossing my fingers.

Curious as to why Garbajosa did not play until game outcome was already decided. I thought he was to backup Bosh? Only asked after reading the Toronto Star article this morning.

by OldSchool on Oct 27, 2007 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

How could anyone not be excited for this season. When I looked at the scoreboard the Raptors allowed the least points against the past two nights. I can't wait to see how Colangalo handles the bench situation. I'd personally ship Dixon (if possible). He's actually impressed me by passing, playing a team game, and playing a little D the last two games. I would think of moving Martin to the coaching staff. Luke and Moon have a ton of upside. Luke averaged 50 percent from beyond in College and can drive the basket. Moon plays great defense and has confidence on offense.

by speedbag on Oct 27, 2007 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

They do look great, don't they? It's hard not too get excited, even though those were just exhibition games. As for Garbo, he will get back to his old self as the season progresses and he regains his confidence in his ankle.

It's really a shame that someone won't be on the roster when the season starts. I really like every single player they have. I'm betting that Moon or Jackson will be looking for work elsewhere once the season starts.

by Sorael on Oct 27, 2007 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

I agree with axl. Garbajosa just doesn't look right. He walks/jogs with a slight limp and is nowhere near as aggressive as he was last season. I believe that Garbo himself doesn't feel 100%, which is why he keeps hiking up his socks (he probably isn't confident that he will never see his leg in that gruesome position again). I wish he had forsaken playing in the Euro Cup and had instead taken the advice of the Raptor doctors and had that second surgery. I also found it a bit odd that Doug Smith doesn't mention Garbo in the Rap's nine man rotation in his article in today's paper...an oversight I'm sure...hopefully not foreshadowing!

by Assistant GM on Oct 27, 2007 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

Assistant GM,
I noticed that as well, Garbo was glaringly absent from Smith's 9 or even 10 man rotation. I'm sure it's an oversight but he has not looked right at all over the last two games (especially last night...ugh). I guess you can only play so long on A BROKEN LEG! Really wish he opted for the surgery.
On another point, after watching the last three games, gotta give some credit to the Smitch! This team looks really, really sharp. The offence is uber-crisp, even the new additions (Kapono and Delfino) are starting to fit in well. I don't think Smitch gets enough credit for the fluidity of this offence and the fact that they already look in mid-season form. BC has done a great job of acquiring talent, but they are thriving due, at least in part, to Sam's unselfish offensive philosophy. The defensive personality and strategy of this team has looked absolutely solid as well.

by Matt on Oct 27, 2007 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

Everyone, I was listening to NBA TV today, and it seem everyone seems to think out beloved Raptors will not get anywhere into the playoff. They seem to think that we did not sign or trade for anyone good. But you know the way I look at it is last year they said the same things about us, and I hope out guys hear what they say and react to it, go raps go.

by Marcia on Oct 27, 2007 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

Everyone is trying to figure out who will be let go. People are forgetting that D-Mart signed a non - guaranteed contract just before pre-season. Is is spot on the team really sacred? I know the coaching staff sees him as another assistant on the bench, but I really think the guys are responding to expectations well. Lately, there's been lots of stories about T.J's sessions with coaches after practice. Does he really have much to gain from a guy who's recent stat lines were 0-3 (Wizards) and 3- 12 (Bulls)?? BC seems to make his decisions analytically and he did give himself some wiggle room by that non - guaranteed contract a few weeks ago. It would not be unthinkable to see Dixon, Jackson and Moon stick. It just means a timely goodbye to D-Mart .

by chicane on Oct 28, 2007 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

Realistically Dmart does make the most sense to cut. The law of diminishing returns means that he is the most expendable out of all the players people mention as possible cuts. I mean in the event of a catastrophe does any one see him playing 20-25 mintues a night anymore? I didnt think so. Jackson and Moon both have upside and both know their roles with the team. Dixon provides a lot of versatility out of the back court in the event of a serious injury to any of our guards and for that reason isn't going anywhere in the near future. That leaves Dmart. It will be difficult because of all he has contributed behind the scenes to just let him go but I think it is what is best for the franchise.

by McGateway on Oct 29, 2007 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

Dmart should really just hang up the shoes and join the coaching staff now instead of wasting a roster spot. everyone agrees that he is a good mentor and is practically like a coach on the bench, so why not just make him a coach and keep the young guys with the upside. Cause i think jackson and moon should stay.

by bigd23 on Oct 29, 2007 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

I said a month ago that D-Mart should be the one that goes. At the time I got bitch slapped by everyone, even Marcia. The thing I said at the time, and it is true now too, is that to keep D-Mart you have to cut someone else. Even still I think it is Luke that will go, but I think he has more value to the team as a player than Martin does.

(I think in my original post i called Martin middle aged and fat, so I was't really too respectful)

by Robert Archibald on Oct 29, 2007 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

It's official, Luke Jackson is the odd man out. Still can't understand justification for keeping Dmart but there you have it.

by OldSchool on Oct 29, 2007 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

...because there are too many white guys on the team? And most of them play SF? I feel bad for Luke, but I'm sure he'll catch on somewhere; maybe he'll join the Sonics to play with Frodo his college boy.

48 hours and counting....

by jjdynomite on Oct 29, 2007 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

Can't wait for the new season to start.

Being a pro-Argentine, I'm happy that Carlos DELFINO is well acepted in Toronto and last pre-season match is testimony to his ability and strength for someone who is an Olympic gold medal winner.

I hope this international flavoured Raptors could go all the way

Please check out the following article about this South American ace. Your comments will be highly appreciated

http://mundoalbiceleste.blogspot.com/2007/10/tip-off-time-for-six-aces.html

C'mmon Raptors

John
Please visit my blog @ http://mundoalbiceleste.blogspot.com/

by John on Oct 29, 2007 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

There's no doubt that Luke Jackson can contribute more to a team on the court then D-Mart. That's precisely why its best for him to go. The inactive spots on a roster are best reserved for players who are either still a work in progress ala jamario moon, or past their prime veterans adding some wisdom to what still is a young team in terms of NBA experience. Luke Jackson is what he is, and right now he needs actual game time with a team that can use his skills.
Depthchart wise, he was a team wide salmonella epidemic away from playing, so that team isn't the Raptors. Here's hoping he catches on with a Euroleague team somewhere and comes back to the league someday as the next great Euro-shooter.
Lukas Jacksonovich anyone?