Tip-In: Toronto Raptors Post-Game: CB4's Return

by RaptorsHQ - Archives on Dec 10, 2007 12:00 AM EST

Lacing Them Up: Coming off a poor two-game slide, the Toronto Raptors were looking to get one at home against the Houston Rockets. And things looked to be starting off on the right foot as CB4 was ready to lace them up and get back onto the hardwood. This was just what the doctor ordered as CB4's return could not have come at a better time. Let’s face it, this team needed a lift.

On top of CB4's return the Raps are doing all they can to take advantage of the Sunday matinees, now having moved the traditional start time from 1:00 to 12:30. That’s right folks if you are on the West Coast after a Saturday night you will likely sleep through a Raps home game on Sunday. Man, 12:30 is even early here for those with Christmas parties and the like this time of year.

With Bosh’s return the questions that had to be asked were whether CB4 could be effective and how many minutes would he log. The other big question was how the Raps were going to stop the giant Yao Ming.

A Numbers Game:

There’s no question that the Rockets are a solid rebounding team. Alongside Yao the Rockets front-court includes a bunch of players with a nose for the ball. Chuck Hayes, Luis Scola, Bonzi Wells and even Shane Battier are above average rebounders and if there was one major concern heading into this game was the likely rebounding differential. That major concern actually became a major advantage for the Raps as the home team out-rebounded the Rockets 48-35 and 18-8 on the offensive glass.

You can’t say enough about those 18 offensive rebounds. On a day where the Raps shots were not falling early, the second and sometimes third chance points were essential to staying within striking distance and then helping them get over the top. Bosh’s return obviously helped in this regard as he had a double-double but it was the supporting staff that really helped pave the way to a Raps victory. Delfino had 8 rebounds, an energized Humphries had 9 and Rasho, who played a real nice game on both ends of the court, had 7. This effort makes you realize that the Raps do have the size and players to stay with some of the better rebounding teams, the question is whether they can do it on a regular basis.

The other big number that jumps off the page is 10. That’s the number of shots taken by Ming. For as much as we can praise the Raps today for shaking off a slow start and getting the much needed win, some of the credit has to go to the Rockets for playing some of the dumbest basketball I have seen in a while. Out of the gates the Rockets went to Yao and the offense ran smoothly. Having gathered a nice (albeit far from safe) lead they went away from the most dominating centre in the league. Why? Did this giant of a man just become invisible? Does he carry a Harry Potter invisibility cloak? It was astonishing how Yao essentially became a non-factor in the second half of yesterday’s affair. As a Raps fan it was great to watch and I kept asking myself when the light was going to go on...hoping that it never would. As a Rockets fan this has to be concerning. Not only did they go away from Yao but it seemed like Adelman didn’t either (a) care, or (b) notice.

The Turning Point:

There were a few turning points in the game for me but clearly the statement was made when Bosh turned T-Mac away with the sick block on the break. There was no doubt that Houston’s lack of focus had cost them a winnable game.

You have to wonder what the end result for this Rockets team will be. There are some new faces on the team, including Mike James, Steve Francis and Luis Scola and they are clearly still trying to find their roles. They obviously have a ton of talent but in such a talented Western Conference they have a lot of jelling to do before they can be considered a threat. The PG position has to be a serious concern as none of their current options are good enough to help this team get to the next level. Watching the game I couldn’t help think that Calderon would be the perfect fit on this team. Let’s hope that doesn’t happen though.

Speaking of Calderon, he has definitely been my MVP for the Raps thus far. Whether he has been starting, off the bench, crunch time or garbage minutes he has done everything that has been asked of him and done it with a smile. He has stayed healthy and he also has not let the Garbo issues affect his play in any way. I know there is a lot of ball left but Colangelo has to be thinking about his impending free-agency, along with having TJ Ford locked-in long term and what the best case scenario will be by say Feb’s trading deadline.

Temperature Check:

Hot: Humphries. Solid game by the bruiser. On top of throwing down from a distance I never thought he could make, he did an excellent job mixing it up in the paint, throwing his weight around and just getting it done. Hump also managed to stay out of foul trouble which is key for him. His four offensive rebounds were huge and it is nice to see some solid production out of one of the big men that start the game on the bench. He is still growing as a player and very raw. You have to like the long-term signing at reasonable dollars a lot right now.

Cold: The Houston PG Situation. This is an ugly situation right now. Mike James is a poor fit for this offense, Steve Francis is a shell of his former self and is doing his best impression of a Jalen Rose fall from grace in record time, and Rafer is just not a PG that can get you to the next level. At the end it will be the guy who realizes that Yao Ming is not to be ignored in any circumstance that will log the most minutes. Man this team is just screaming for a pass first point guard.

Hot: Carlos Delfino. Try a +30. New hair cut and all this guy played an amazing game and Sam Mitchell was quick to recognize it when pulling Jamario Moon less than two minutes into the second half to get this guy on the floor. He is becoming the swingman this team has been missing for a number of years. Yes he can shoot, but he is also more than willing to go to the rack and get in on the glass. Joey Graham could learn a thing or two from this guy. The worst part is he, like Calderon, is also an unrestricted free-agent at seasons end. Are there two more valuable guys to this team right now?

Moving On: Great to see the Raps pull this out and now it is crucial to build on the momentum. Up next is the Atlanta Hawks who continue to struggle despite their solid talent. The Raps stepped it up against a stronger opponent and now it will be essential not to play down to their next.

With CB4 and Ford back in the mix it shouldn’t be too long until Bargnani finds his way back onto the court. It will be a sight for sore eyes when the Raps can put their full squad on the hardwood and start to develop, or re-develop some chemistry.

HOWLAND

Tweet Comment 18 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Even down early, raps looked like they were in this one. The best part was that CB4 didn't look injured at all.

This houston team reminds me of the magic last year - I was always thinking if they'd just keep feeding howard (yao), they could put us away. But they never did.

Looking at the magic this year, it must have been the coach.

by axl on Dec 10, 2007 12:00 AM EST reply actions

How about Yao post-game? Anyone see his rant? I couldn't believe it...I've never seen a more candid post-game interview and man, this Rockets team has major problems. Not Knicks size, but Jersey sized for sure. When one of your two best players, and the league's best center comes out and says "it was the worst game of his career," and that he "hated this game" - whoah. Even T Mac looked really frutrated. As Howland said in the recap, this team really needs someone who can orchestrate the offense. Otherwise I just don't see them being more than a .500 team in the West.

On the Raps side, one thing I noticed in this game was that Toronto made T-Mac work at both ends. Delfino, Parker and Kapono all made shots and kept him on his toes. Toronto didn't do this at all against Boston and hopefully Mitchell uses the game footage to show his troops what a difference aggression makes. It also makes a difference at the free throw line were coincidentally Toronto went over 20 times!

by Franchise on Dec 10, 2007 12:00 AM EST reply actions

Had to shop with my wife and missed the game; but had the misfortune of watching the Celts demolish us earlier. I agree that Colangelo needs to lock up both Jose and Delfino long term next year.

by tfan on Dec 10, 2007 12:00 AM EST reply actions

Why wait? Get them locked up now... Jose and Delfino have been, along with AP, our most consistent players, and have had plenty of games where they've been the best Raps as well.

By the way, Are they both definitely unrestricted FAs? Has that been confirmed? I've seen conflicting descriptions of their status, just wondering...

by MattK on Dec 10, 2007 12:00 AM EST reply actions

Whats this about law suits being filed because Garbo played for Spain in the summer???

There is a blurb about it on InsideHoops.com.

I hope its just rumors.

Howland, Franchise: do you guys know anything about this?

by benjo on Dec 10, 2007 12:00 AM EST reply actions

Lock up the Spaniard & Argentinian NOW

by D279 on Dec 10, 2007 12:00 AM EST reply actions

First of all both Delfino and Jose are restricted free agents since they've been under contract for 3 years. Second of all you can't offer extensions at this point of the season so there is now way to "lock them up now". I'm sure BC will make them fair offers in the off season or match any (non-crazy) offer made to them.

by nohops on Dec 10, 2007 12:00 AM EST reply actions

right on about the houston PG situation. if they had a solid PG they could be a very strong team. but, as they are now, i wouldn't call them a 'stronger opponent' than the Raps. they have the same record but less depth than the raps.

by benjibopper on Dec 10, 2007 12:00 AM EST reply actions

The rebounding was huge last night, except for that one moment when that Rocket got his own offensive rebound 4 times in a row.
Odd why Houston stopped going to Yao inside. They have issues to work out. Too much talent to be under 500.
Calderon and Delfino have developed into the two key factors in this albeit short season. Calling Bosh(who has an excuse- not been healthy) Ford and Andreas the big three just don't seem appropriate anymore. Lets get all clicking and see what happens.
Moon has come down to earth fast - although still like he brings.

by Tinman on Dec 10, 2007 12:00 AM EST reply actions

Interesting point about TJ and Calderon and the February trade deadline, I've been having similar thoughts myself. The reality is that if you want to win a championship, you have to spread your resources around the various positions on the floor. It would cost too much money next year (we know MLSE won't want to go over the salary cap) to have two players of their caliber at the same position - one has got to go if we want to receive fair value in return and not risk Calderon walking at the end of the season. As it stands right now teams don't just trade players, they trade contracts, TJ's contract is the one that reflects his value as a player, whereas José is playing at a bargain. Anyone worth getting in return for either player would most likely have a contract that matches TJ's (unless he's named Kevin Durant). I agree with you Howland, BC will have to make a move with one of these guys and it looks to me right now that TJ will be the one to go.

P.S. Despite what I said above about the same position, I'd pull the trigger on a TJ Ford + change for Jason Kidd trade if it was offered.

by Sam Bowie on Dec 10, 2007 12:00 AM EST reply actions

i was lucky to catch this game since it was a human time in germany. well at first i thought i might regret watching it but it turned out in a good way. liked humph and delfino and bosh of course.

by Frederik on Dec 10, 2007 12:00 AM EST reply actions

Yeah, Jose and Del the Funky Homosapien are both restricted free agents so Toronto has some leverage. However if you look at the salaries for next year, Jose and Delfino aside, Juan Dixon and Darrick Martin are the only two that come off the books so there's not a lot of "cap wiggle room." BC might have to get quite creative around the trade deadline.

As for the lawsuit benjo - I've heard that Toronto may look for some financial compensation if they believed that Garbo broke rehab orders. Right now though it sounds like just whisperings so we'll just have to stay tuned on that one...

by Franchise on Dec 10, 2007 12:00 AM EST reply actions

In regards to the financial compensation for Garbo’s injury it is my understanding that the insurance company contracted by the Spanish national team may be on the hook as they pulled Garbo from the line-up before the policy expired. I think any lawsuit that is being rumoured would be directed at the insurance company and not Garbo.

As for Sunday’s game vs. the last to debacles against Phoenix and Boston… It is amazing how this team falls into place when Bosh is in the line-up and playing well. His inside presence allows the rest of the pieces to fit in. His defensive presence is much improved this year. Also, he has become much more demonstrative on the court and truly looks like a leader out there. You can see the level of confidence of his team mates is raised when Bosh is in the line-up. I think the Raptors depend on Bosh more than is widely recognized. It was absolutely astonishing to me that commenters on this site were seriously discussing the pros and cons of trading bosh for Pau Gasol earlier this year… sheesh.

by MAS on Dec 10, 2007 12:00 AM EST reply actions

Sam Bowie... I will gurantee you Jose will go before TJ, 100% sure TJ will not go. Jose messed up on the playoff in Jersey, TJ was not even playing he had a stinger, and Jose did the same thing on Friday with Boston, he is a good player but not in cluch time or to win a game TJ has proven many times that he is a clutch point guard, if it is not broken leave it alone, and stop dreaming, TJ is going no where soon. When you become the GM of the Raptors team then I will believe TJ will be traded, but since you are not, just cool out yow!!

by Marcia on Dec 10, 2007 12:00 AM EST reply actions

I don't know if you should be dissing people for talking like they're the gm after that rant!!

by axl on Dec 10, 2007 12:00 AM EST reply actions

Is it just me, or does anyone else out there in RaptorLand agree with me?

Who does Kapono remind you of?
I mean looks wise..
I was watching the game the other day, when all of a sudden this commercial came on.
An ad for this wicked looking game, (PS3-i think) albiet its a Tomb Raider Rip off.
Iam talking about......
....Drake's Fortune....im telling you...carbon copy!!

Im Like Screaming, 'Wow thats KapOne!!'

Peas&Luv

by Keon Clark on Dec 10, 2007 12:00 AM EST reply actions

Marcia says "if it is not broken leave it alone"

Tj has been broken last year and again this year. This stinger thing could be worst than it sounds how many games can the raptors afford to play with no TJ if JC was not around? Will/can TJ stay health? I was concerned at the fall he had late in the 3/4 against Houston Every time He falls it could be serious. For that reason I think they will try to keep JC

by Davl on Dec 11, 2007 12:00 AM EST reply actions

Marcia, I don't usually post a response to your comments because I believe in the freedom to have an opinion. BUT, Jose didn't have a bad playoff last year. He was an inch away from being a hero, instead of a goat. That series, Jose was playing Jason Kidd very tight defensively if you can remember, and many of us were commenting about his positive play during that series. Please let's not discuss how many games TJ has cost us. That being said, I like both players for what they bring to the table. Sam has to play TJ as the starter because BC brought him in for that reason. So why don't we let BC make the decision (if he even plans on trading either one of them) and take this discussion from there.

by Assistant GM on Dec 11, 2007 12:00 AM EST reply actions