Tip-In: The Hunger For More

by RaptorsHQ - Archives on Feb 24, 2007 12:00 AM EST

Ya gotta feel for Uros Slokar.

He finally gets up off the bench, even just to get some garbage minutes, and the Raps run out the clock leaving him sitting on the sidelines as time expires...

I guess I had to start with that as it was just about the only negative I could find from last night’s 110-88 win Raptors’ win over the Pacers.

Other than a ridiculous Darrell Armstrong full-court heave and a fourth quarter 18-1 run by the Pacers to get them within 10, the Raptors played maybe their most complete game of the season putting on an absolute clinic offensively. Toronto shot 56.2 per cent from the field (including going a ridiculous 13 for 20 from beyond the arc) and had 32 assists in the game.

They were no slouch defensively either holding the Pacers to 38.6 per cent from the field and did an outstanding rotating out on shooters. Anthony Parker, Chris Bosh, TJ Ford, Jorge Garbajosa and Rasho Nesterovic each made a number of great defensive plays that really set the tone for the Raptors and Toronto did a great job on the glass out-rebounding the Pacers 48 to 37.

In fact for those who saw the game on RaptorsTV, it was as if Toronto was playing like a team possessed. Maybe it’s because I recently took in a viewing of Ghostrider (which was actually a lot better than I expected) but at times last night I could have sworn that Jorge Garbajosa had flames emanating from the back of his skull!

Even when the Pacers made their run, Toronto seemed to have this look in its collective eye as if to say "is that the best you’ve got?

And that was my favourite part of last night’s win.

Not that nearly had seven players in double figures.

Not that Chris Bosh was once again serenaded with chants of "MVP" by a chorus of a near sold-out ACC faithful.

And not that Toronto won its thirtieth game of the season, a mark that seemed like such a huge hurdle only a season ago.

But that the Raptors came out with the energy and intensity that they needed to get this important win and just looked to be on a mission all night.

Now (regardless of the fact that our schedule says Toronto plays the Cavs again next) the Raptors have to bring that same sort of mentality to Charlotte tonight against a Bobcats squad that’s won four straight.

And just like last night, Toronto needs to focus in on similar things to get the win, namely doing a number on the glass. Emeka Okafor had 16 points and 16 rebounds last night in Charlotte’s win over Philly and the Raps’ bigs need to rebound with the ferocity they displayed against the Pacers in order to keep him in check.

They also need to move the ball on offense to get open looks like yesterday evening. Jose Calderon and TJ Ford had 20 assists between them and their play tonight will be key in determining tonight’s victor.

But perhaps the player who I’m starting to notice as a nightly X Factor, is Andrea Bargnani.

When Il Mago comes into the game and is on, it’s downright scary. He’s such a threat from long range and now he knows it. Last night he used the deep threat fake on Jeff Foster to get to the rim and more and more he’s getting to know when to put the ball on the floor and when to pull the trigger from downtown.

On top of this, Bargnani seems to have no problem hitting the big shot. He’s done it countless times this year already and last night when the Pacers got within 10, it was Il Mago who drained the three after a number of jab steps to put the Raps ahead for good.

In one of his most humorous columns of the year yesterday, Bill Simmons aka The Sportsguy even touched on Bargnani’s mean streak and gave Bryan Colangelo an A+ for his work with the Raps. (Wait till you read what the rest of the GM’s got for grades...) It was Simmons who after the draft believed that the Raptors made a huge mistake taking Bargnani over Morrison.

Ironically, it will be those two facing off tonight and I for one am looking for some more Ghostrider fury and a 31st victory.

FRANCHISE

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Comments

Good post - I agree- last nite we were a team on a mission. That one point loss to Cleveland might well be the best thing thats happened to this club. The characters on this team will not tolerate have efforts any more. Everyone was worried about Febs schedule but guess what - with three games left were 7-2.
You mention Barghani but another key will be Rasho. Quiet but effective- he'll be seeing more ptime against the bigs for the remainder of the season.

by Tinman on Feb 24, 2007 12:00 AM EST reply actions

Yesterday's game had some very good news for the Raps: not only do we get the same notable performances by the usual suspects (Bosh, Parker, Calderon...) but we also see signs of new developments which could be very important further down the season: Garbo seems to have now adapted to the NBA 3 point line and is shooting like in Europe, Rasho's contributing a lot more on both offense and defense, and Bargnani adding more weapons to his game as mentioned in the recap... The future looks really bright!

Also I loved that play where Garbo jumped over the table after that great steal... reckless! :-)

by Sergi P on Feb 24, 2007 12:00 AM EST reply actions

The next three games will be a good test. First, a back-to-back against a rising Bobcat squad. Lets see if Mitchell's rebounding edict will hold forth for Charlotte.
And I am looking forward to seeing them tested in SA and Houston. I will be happy with a 2-1, but incredulously in a testament to how far Bosh and his merry men have come, I don't think a 3-0 is out of the question!

by Rubik Kube on Feb 24, 2007 12:00 AM EST reply actions

^I agree, the next few games could really send Toronto on its way towards securing a top 3 spot in the East and maybe even winning the whole thing, if the Pistons were to stumble. I was at the game last night and it was exactly as Franchise said it was. The Raptors dismantled the Pacers, offensively and defensively. This, after J. O'Neal claimed that the Pacers should be considered among the East's best. A well executed game plan, top to bottom.

Now, what the Raptors need to show is that they can beat good teams on the road. Otherwise, we might end up being more like the Kings, of a few years back, than the Suns.

by RZ on Feb 24, 2007 12:00 AM EST reply actions

It is amazing to look back and see where we were just one year ago. This may be the best Raptors team ever. Better yet, ever contract is a good one and the core is very young.

by raptorville on Feb 24, 2007 12:00 AM EST reply actions

just to follow up on yesterday: the raptors offered morris peterson for darko. orlando insisted on a draft pick and the entire deal got shot down. kris humphries was not involved.

http://www.hoopsworld.com/article_20944.shtml

by dkmo on Feb 24, 2007 12:00 AM EST reply actions

I hope Peterson resigns. A good professional player accepts His role in the rotation with no complaints.An asset to any team.
And most of all My favourite Raptor

by Davl on Feb 24, 2007 12:00 AM EST reply actions

I hope Peterson resigns. A good professional player accepts His role in the rotation with no complaints.An asset to any team.
And most of all My favourite Raptor

by Davl on Feb 24, 2007 12:00 AM EST reply actions

well said davl.....i think i agree with you second point over the first....oh wait

by edubski on Feb 24, 2007 12:00 AM EST reply actions

RaptorBall @ its best.
When TJ & Jose are on their game & Garbo/Bargnani are making 3's it leaves the post open for CB4 & Rasho.

The 2nd Qtr was perfection, 14 of first 15 shots and Jose with 9 assists & 40 Pts.

by Johnn19 on Feb 24, 2007 12:00 AM EST reply actions

Why would anyone trade MoPete for Darko. Mo can actually defend people and he has a defined role on this team as a scorer off the bench at the 2 guard spot. Where does Darko play? Do you want him taking minutes and/or the ball from Bargnani? Didn't think so. Trust me, Darko will never amount to borscht in this league.

As far as last night's game goes, let's just say that the biggest reason for the Raptors' resurgence is the improved play at the point. There are those who think that having two quality PGs is a luxury we can't afford (i.e. trade one of them for an inside presence) but I say keep 'em both.

The Simmons article is hilarious and it's nice to see him give BC his props, even if he's still hedging about the Ford/CV deal (although to be fair, Charlie's had an injury-plagued season). Thank god we took Bargnani over Morrison - I think he does virtually everything better than Adam. Morrison's not shooting the ball well, and if he's not then he really doesn't have much to offer.

by Skywalker on Feb 24, 2007 12:00 AM EST reply actions