3 in the Key – Raptors Game-Day Preview vs. Bobcats

by RaptorsHQ - Archives on Dec 3, 2007 12:00 AM EST in 3 in the Key

Last year if someone had told me it was Raptors vs. Bobcats on a Monday night, it probably would have elicited more than a few yawns from my direction.

The Bobcats were that team last year that no one wanted to play. Not talented enough to make the playoffs but the type that made you work every possession to get the win. Bernie Bickerstaff had his troops playing grind-it-out basketball and teams knew that they couldn’t just expect to waltz out of Charlotte with a win.

This year, that’s even truer. In the off-season the Bobcats added superstar swingman Jason Richardson from Golden State, re-upped Gerald Wallace and Matt Carroll and had Sam Vincent take over for Bickerstaff. The team is a solid six and nine and hanging around a playoff spot early this season.

Now I’m not saying the Bobcats are Eastern Conference finalists material but check the stats – this is one of the better defensive and rebounding clubs in the league, and are only games back of teams like New Jersey, Washington and of course, our beloved Toronto Raptors.

As the Toronto Star’s Dave Feschuk pointed out,there’s also an interesting sub-plot to tonight’s game as Alabama rivals Jamario Moon and Gerald Wallace face off for the first time in the NBA. Both have become starters in the league through round-about ways and we may see them guarding each other at various points. In fact it looks like both Chris Bosh and Andrea Bargnani will be sitting this one out so Toronto will be forced to play small ball all night.

And this of course brings us to key number one of three in terms of Toronto getting their tenth win:

1) Rebound the ball. Okafor. Brezec. Wallace. Richardson. Each of these guys is capable of going for over 10 boards on a given night. Without Bosh (sore right groin) and Bargnani (hyperextended left knee) it’s going to have to be rebounding by committee for Toronto or else Charlotte is going to put a quick end to their five game losing streak. Okafor in particular is going to be a test and I expect to see a lot of Rasho and Humphries to try and move him out of the paint.

2) Get to the rim. This one seems pretty obvious. Toronto has been struggling to get to the line as of late and it’s been costing them dearly. The Bobcats have a solid shot blocking club so if the Raptors are going to drive to the cup, they need to finish strong. This is where I’m hoping to see a certain Mr. Joey Graham have an impact. I ran into Joey at the local Loblaws and he certainly had enough groceries to help fuel him for the match. Graham could provide the Raptors with some much needed help in the paint both on the offensive and defensive ends. And while this might be asking a lot of Toronto’s most inconsistent player, you can’t help but think that he’s one player who could give Charlotte major problems in terms of mismatches. The Raptors outside shooting has been solid of late, but it’s the extra dunks and free throws that could really put them over the top tonight.

Which Joey Graham will show up tonight if either?

3) Perimeter defence. Finally, Toronto needs to do a better job on the perimeter tonight than they did against Washington on the weekend. With some of the best slashers in the league in Richardson and Wallace, Toronto needs to be able to play with their feet and keep these guys from getting into the paint for easy dunks or open passes out to bombers like Matt Carroll. In this regard Toronto needs big games from the likes of Jason Kapono, Carlos Delfino and Jamario Moon. Moon in particular could be Toronto’s secret weapon and I have a feeling the Raptors may have him more on attack mode tonight.

With Phoenix up next on Wednesday night, this is one the Raptors need before getting into the trickier part of their December schedule.

FRANCHISE

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Comments

So bargs has a hyper extended knee and he still played through the wiz game?

Reason for 2 of 13?

by Dikweed on Dec 3, 2007 12:00 AM EST reply actions

So, since Garbo is gone for the season, and we desparately need a rebounder/shot-blocker/hustle player, how about Chris Andersen (the birdman)?

I think that his 2-year drug suspension should be done in January/February???

He would seem like a cheap alternative to Varajeo or some of the other names floating around.

by BC on Dec 3, 2007 12:00 AM EST reply actions

Missed both games. I hope CB4 and Bargnani will be available against the Suns. As for tonight, I think we'll be out-manned in the paint and falls back to 500 unless the supporting cast comes to play and play hard.

by tfan on Dec 3, 2007 12:00 AM EST reply actions

Very interesting idea re: Birdman BC - in his prime he was the Keon Clarkesque type player that would be a great addition to this club. Teams would think twice about going to the rim with him, CB4 and Moon all lurking...problem is who knows what shape he's in etc...saw that he was in attendance at last night's Heat/Nuggets game so maybe he's ready to play again...

by Franchise on Dec 3, 2007 12:00 AM EST reply actions

I expect zero out of JG. He's never been a guy to spark a hurting team. His success is always of the "ride the wave" sort. Would be ecstatic if he proved me wrong.

Moon, too, is due for a reality check and I just hope he stays with it.

Missing mopete (hey only second time of the season, not as bad as I thought) as he often bailed us out of situations like this.

I just can't imagine how raps might win without scoring bigs.

Man, I just hope bosh and bargs can somehow be healthy for december. They get to play all the good teams, could be a huge learning experience for them.

by axl on Dec 3, 2007 12:00 AM EST reply actions

ps - like the birdman idea, read some stuff on him, sounds like he's got things tturned around

by axl on Dec 3, 2007 12:00 AM EST reply actions

I hope the Hump remembers to bring his lunch pail tonight. Hopefully Sam remembers that he's still on the team.

by 89tempo on Dec 3, 2007 12:00 AM EST reply actions

WoW..all these injuries, I am glad its happening early in the season. This is a very tough week for the Raps with Stevie Nash and the boys coming in and then on the Road at Boston. We need Bosh and Andrea to get back in the line up. I notice Bosh always said his injuries is not that bad, but in the mean time this will be the 3 game that he misses. Everyone has to bring their A game tonight. I was reading something from one of Jamario old coach and he said that Jamario use to own Gerald Wallace whenever they go up against each other. So we will see what transpires tonight. I expect Moonshine to have a huge game. Sam should make him the #1 option whenever he is out there tonight....Raps4Life...Go Team.

by raps4life on Dec 3, 2007 12:00 AM EST reply actions

Not to be too pessimistic, but if the Raps are counting on Joey Graham to step up, they're in deep trouble.

by Sorael on Dec 3, 2007 12:00 AM EST reply actions

I agree about Joey G. If the Raps need him they are in trouble. It is ironic however as if at the beginning of the season someone had said that the Raps would need Joey G to step up for Bosh and Bargnani you would probably think he was a big part of the Raps instead of being a scrub.
My thinking on Bosh is they are holding him out as long as possible. If these were Playoff games he would be playing. More than likely, upper management and coaching staff probably realise that at this stage pushing their players too much will only hurt their chances as their brutal (and in some cases I believe technically against the rules) 7 game road trip at the end of the month will need every body they can get.
(I said technically against the rules because I thought there was a rule that a team couldn't play a games less than 24 hours (from tip off) after another game which the Raps do once on the trip. Maybe that is a rule in hockey only and I is getting my rules all mixeledplixed up).

by McGateway on Dec 3, 2007 12:00 AM EST reply actions

guess joey g. proved us wrong tonight. the raps also proved their depth tonight, winning without a minute played by 'the big 3'.

by benjibopper on Dec 3, 2007 12:00 AM EST reply actions

Can you imagine what would happen if Boston or NJ or Washington had to play a game without their respective "big 3's"?

by 89tempo on Dec 3, 2007 12:00 AM EST reply actions

I really liked how Kris might have played his way back into the lineup. I really like his attitude, his willingness to drive the lane and elicit fouls. He is my choice for player of the game. Wish he had more court time more often.

by gerry on Dec 3, 2007 12:00 AM EST reply actions

My vote is for Joey G. I cannot stand the guy, but he played great. High flighing emphatic dunks galore, high percentage shooting....

by observer on Dec 3, 2007 12:00 AM EST reply actions

Can I have some comment on my blog about todays performance against the Bobcats

http://mundoalbiceleste.blogspot.com/2007/12/nba-news-another-big-night-for-delfino.html

by John on Dec 3, 2007 12:00 AM EST reply actions

sick game especially by joey g. also liked delfino, moon and jose.

by Frederik on Dec 4, 2007 12:00 AM EST reply actions

Boston ,Jersey,without their big three...not missing one,but all three...we saw what happened earlier this season with Vince sidelined ....wow ,what a strong bench...I like Bargs,but I think Hump just parked his butt on the bench...The only negative up by 20 and Dixon still didn't see the floor.D.Mart did ok,but still scares me (doesn't exude confidence)all and all it was nice to see the hunger ...

by d279 on Dec 4, 2007 12:00 AM EST reply actions

Calderon - simply amazing demonstration of good decision making
Moon - becoming an intimidating shot blocker
Graham - tremendous performance considering the coach has little confidence in him.Probably will sit the next game.
Hump- great hussle as usual and showed some offensive skills which coaching staff should encourage.

by Rt on Dec 4, 2007 12:00 AM EST reply actions