Tip-In: Toronto Raptors Post-Game: Hitting On All Cylinders

didn't see this game but i did notice that joey had 4 boards in less than 7 minutes, which seemed not a bad effort after not playing for so long.

keeping my fingers crossed for bosh and bargnani. raps could really use a winning streak, not this!!

I'm a little ashamed of myself for thinking this but I hope Lebron sits tomorrow.Raps could use a little winning streak.

Its tough ...after this type of win with our deep bench ,but there were some question marks,is Hump and Dixon in the dog box or what? Props for Rasho... nice to have his muscle back in the line up.Now can someone help me with... why the use of Mr.Chubby Chiken with(Dixon on the bench)come on he was on the floor i minute ,and sure enough launches a three,sit you fat a.. on the bench and continue to coach or whatever it is you do!!!thats sounds terrible,but the truth hurts..come on Lucky Luc (or unlucky Luc ) gone ? to keep Humpty Dumpty...lets hope our big three return healthy sooner than later...

Howland, how on earth did you end up being a Rams fan? At least tell me it was because of Eric Dickerson or something.

Well it looked like the Grizz just laid down. Pau and buddies looked like they were playing the El Passo defence. Something you'd see at the Y.

I think the only thing the game showed last night, is that Rasho is our only other
inside presence. Well, and that Joey got in for 3 or 4 possessions with a 25+ point lead and got taken out because he missed every one of his defensive assignments.

I too am depressed about the state of the Rams. I have been following the team since I was a teenager in the 80's (man am I old or what?). I just shake my head that Linehan was hired as the head coach when the team he was hired from was mediocre on offense.
Yesterday I considered throwing out the idea of finding an upgrade at SG as I have not been as impressed this year with Parkers output. Then he goes and has a good game so now I dont know what to think. Last year he was solid throughout and maybe his inconsitency this year is more a result of my expectations of the team then anything he has done. Still, I would like the team to at least look around and see if they can find a player who could provide more offense at that position though I wouldn't know who would be available around the league. I really think that this team needs that "guy" who can help Bosh by providing constant offensive pressure out of the 2 spot. It's nice that we have such great depth but the truth is this team stagnates most of the time if Bosh isn't "on" and having a second threat would do wonders for them. I realise that Bargnani is suppose to provide that threat but he is still young and it will take time for him to develop to that point. Maybe I should be more patient with this team as it is structured but I can't help but think what a second option would do for this team in a still weak East (just look at Orlando).

I'm happy for the win, the Griz couldn't keep up with the Raps when they were playing man. However, what concerned me was when they switched to zone in the 3rd/4th quarter. There was no dribbling, they just kept passing it around hoping someone would get open. And if it hadn't been for the Rap's sizzling shooting, Memphis could have crawled back into the game.

Also, I think it's time to let D-mart go as a player (unless we need a 3 at the end of a game to keep our streak alive). The offence became very stagnant once he took over. I think a better option would be Delfino. He's got good dribbling skills and the few times he led the fast break, his vision was really good. He's also quick enough to guard the 1 spot as well.

Also, how sweet was that pass by Moon to Bargnani for the dunk in the first half. Moon needs to do that more, drive the ball and either dish it off or tear down the rim. I think he settles way too much for the jumper.

Bosh being the only guy getting to the FT line is a huge problem for us. It doesn’t usually get much attention, but this is the difference between being a 42 win team and a 50 win team. With Bosh out, this problem is highlighted but even with Bosh in it needs to be focused on.

Can Joey at least get a chance to play before we all condemn him to Hoffa’s team in Russia? There must have been a reason he was extended. I don’t agree with Sam’s decisions last night on a couple of fronts. The first was his use of Joey. Joey’s been out for a while, what better way to get him back into the swing of things than giving him garbage time? I thought Joey did a decent job and didn’t understand the quick hook. He had a decent shot, played defense rather well on occasion, I thought. Was he perfect? No. But you’re up by 20 points, let the guy play and figure it out on the court. After the hook, he went with Hump who displayed far less than Joey did but he stayed with Hump for much longer. Although I haven’t given up on Joey, I’m starting to give up on Joey with Sam. I think that he will never get the opportunity to succeed here and he will likely flourish once traded. Too bad because I think he has a lot to give.

The second disagreement I have with Sam comes back to D279’s point. Now you’ll have a hard time finding any posts by me that complain about Sam or have any disparaging remarks about him. However, if he pulls this crap again I will single handedly lead the campaign to fire Sam. Putting Martin in the game when there are 20,000+ better choices in the arena shows your lack of basketball IQ. Martin should not be anywhere near the active roster. In fact, I’m beginning to think that Martin should no longer accompany the team as the temptation for Sam appears to be too strong. It seems as though Sam stopped wearing his Martin-ette patch. I don’t know what his problem is with Dixon, but kiss and make up already because you are proving your critics right and showing your incompetency!

Now back to our regularly scheduled program.

In the likely event we do have to face LJ tomorrow night (index finger on non-shooting hand can’t possibly keep him out), I hope the coaching staff watched the Celtics – Cavs game the other night. Yes, the Celts lost. Yes, LJ had a good game. But, I thought the Celts did a fantastic job on defense. What they did is put Pierce on LJ one on one and stayed home on everyone else. They also tried their best to keep LJ from driving. What this accomplished is giving LJ his 38 points but it really limited the rest of the team. I like this approach better than the one we utilized last time which involved 5 guys guarding LJ yet still giving him 37 points and leaving everyone else wide open. But maybe I’m just oldschool.

Certainly agree with Erezona about Joey. My impression is that the chemistry is not there between Joe and Sam but to his credit Sam has given Joey a lot of chances over the last couple of years

With respect to Martin, I don;t think it's fair to call him names. I saw an interview with him a few weeks ago and he comes off as a good guy who has done what was asked of him and contributes with his experience as well. He hasn't played much and yet I don't think his turn overs are terrible. So whats with the insults?

On a completely unrelated note, I have created a facebook group dedicated to fans of Carlos Delfino's facial expressions. Please feel free to join and share a laugh when he gets a call against him, as the looks he gives the refs are absolutely priceless.

Last night's game was the type that scares me as a fan. Afterwards, all the RapsTV folks were ra ra raing about the win when really, I thought there were a few warning signs. In particular, the free throw shooting. As you mentioned Zona, this is the sort of thing that loses games, especially close ones, and for a professional basketball team to shoot only nine free throws is outrageous. The game reminded me a bit of the New Jersey and Chicago blowouts, our gunners were just "firing on all cylinders" as Howland said so it masked some of the other issues like the points in the paint, where once again we were pounded. Toronto's not going to be able to do this against better teams so they NEED to get some guys into the key. I'd actually like to see Sam play Joey at the 4 in some situations, especially if Bosh and Bargs aren't 100 per cent.

Branden How do You find the place on facebook?

Tks

I typed in Carlos Delfino and found it along with a bunch more groups including some Raptor groups fun stuff

Gotta disagree with two points.
Erezona - although we can discuss whether Martin should be on the roster or not - can't complain about Sam using him last night - the game was never in doubt from about the midway point of second quarter. These are the times he should be used. What if JC got hurt? There was no need to keep Jose in for 40 minutes. Bosh and Bargnani went down - do you want to lose a third key member?
McGateway - how can you criticize AP's production. Our team offense is clicking and with the way this team is built, Parker takes whats given to him. We do not require a 20 point nightly effort from him. Thats not the way our offence works.
And finally D279 - With all the resources Sam has available to him its not gonna be uncommon for some players to not get many minutes some nights. You best get used to it. The game was never really in doubt last night, why bring up the fact that Humphries or Dixon got hardly no time. THey weren't needed - no doghouse, no conspiracy, they just got a rest.

Mr.Tinman,..you should be ashamed,regarding beating the Cavs, with the King out ....I want to beat them with him on the floor !!!In regards to your ever lasting love for D.Mart,I can appreciate it,however down the stretch I would think that Dixon would be on the floor if need be.In regards to your comment regarding the deep bench and Dixon and Hump resting !!!! when was the last time either one of them got some real burn? In closing with the game in the bag,Calderon is the one that should of been resting...can you imagine him getting hurt and have to play ....(I wont mention his name ,in fear of the bleeding hearts responses).

looks like a great discussion, not time to read it now, but was wondering what people thought of strombolopolous (sp.??) and virk in the pregame show? I like it. PJ, your time is up!

d279 - agree wholeheartedly with you regarding Martin. Can't really blame him for "wanting to get his" and not stepping aside for Luke. The real fault lies at the feet of whoever wants him on the roster, period. Maybe I'm being too harsh

Tinman, two points.

Firstly, I was not suggesting the Raps should have gone with JC longer. What I was suggesting is leaving Martin on the bench where he belongs and going with our current 2nd option at the 1, Dixon.

Secondly, when Martin came in and started his 'what, there are others on the floor with me?' show, the game was very much in doubt. I think we were either tied or up by 2 at the time.

Martin came in with about 1 minute left in first quarter(to give Jose a break)and was out about two minutes into second. The bulk of his 14 minutes came after game was long in the bag.

Which is why I was more upset by his entry in the 1st quarter than the 2nd half.

I don't think you really need to force the issue at the line when you're dominating and shots are falling. Individually though, you'd think guys like JG and hump would do it because they need the practice.

But the whole "oh no, we're a jump-shooting team" is going too far. We are a jump-shooting team, and, on paper, one of the best. Every team shoots a ton of jump shots. The raps just need to establish some kind of threat in the paint and be quick to turn the switch when the shots dry up or the defense gives the easy opportunity. But at the end of the day we're purposely built as a jump-shot first team. I like it. In fact I'd say our three point shooting potential is unprecedented the history of basketball. I'd like to se smitch really exploit that some time.

NB - why are we talking about dmart?? He's on the team, he's earned his minutes. He gets to play and some day we might really need him - how rusty do you want him to be?

Did anyone notice a fan yell out 'D - don't shoot the ball' in the 4th quarter?? after D.Mart threw up an ugly brick? poor guy..he tries.

I would have to agree with axl. they weren't pounding the paint because they didn't need to - they were making all their shats. why slow the game down when a) you're shooting 60% from the field as a team, and b) the other side is letting you.

now if the shats had stopped falling and they needed to turn things around and nobody stepped up down low, then okay - it's a problem.

the raps play very differently when bosh isn't on the court. especially if he's gone for good.

the game flows much quicker, more euro. it's not about feeding the post.

I think that's a benefit most teams don't have. the ability to play different styles, on different nights.

I just don't see it as a bad thing.

Of course, without playing time, D-Mart's a bit rusty. However, coming in and sucking is not going to help his cred if they're primping him to become a coach in the near future.

I imagine the chance we'll retain Calderon are slim for next year. As much as I hate to say it, would probably be the best time to package him in a deal and bring in a banger. Funny how we would be bringing in Calderon's present replacement (Rokmeister U) to replace him next year. Calderon will be able to command the bucks next year, and I don't see it in the Raptors big picture. Bring in Boykins, etc., for one year and let them earn a contract somewhere else for next year.

Did anybody see the Nicks and Boston game tonight???It was embarrassing to New York and the league. 10 Min into the game I thought I knew how it would turn out. All one on one play slow no ebergy at all.No NBA team should lose by that amount!!!!Something has to be done there and quick. And yet Thomas said His team did not quit on Him lol what a joke!!!

I know parker plays within the offense but sometimes that just isn't enough. My point was that Toronto needs another option, preferably out of the 2 spot. Moon is doing a good job defensively and provides more athletism than Parker and he is younger. People are Forgetting that Parker is 30 years old. He aint no pup. Finding a better option at the 2 who is younger would help as we need that guy who can take over games.

are he Lakers for real?

Ahhh.. poor Zeke. That may have been the most embarassing basketball game last night that I've ever seen. I couldn't help but watch and enjoy every minute of it, right up until Nate Robinson hit a 3 at the buzzer from half court. I think Zeke should realize coaching or GMing really isn't his thing. Yes he drafted Damon and Marcus but he also brought in a Starbury(though I like his kicks)!

It was a bad blowout between the Knicks and Celts, and even I don't remember a game that bad during the Skydome years. At least the young raps then tried and gave a crap. Watching Starbury, Crawford, and Randolph was painful.

anyone notice that moon is now #2 in the rookie rankings? unbelievable, what a great find by BC.

In response to mcgateway

I agree with your point about having a number two scoring option from a swing position, who can initiate their own opportunities without relying on the pg.

However, players like that, that can play within a TEAM concept, are very valuable and hard to trade for.(unlike say ricky davis)

I'd say their best bet is to target a slashing wing in the 2008draft, (will be pretty raw considering how low they'll be picking)and just develop them using the spot minutes that juan dixon currently gets.

(ex,Rodney Stuckey from detroit)