Tip-In: Hard Day’s Night

Please don't talk about "gory details" unless you refer to Shaun Livingston's injury last night. If you missed his dislocated kneecap, then you're lucky. I actually felt a little nauseous after seeing it . . .

Ah, the "feast or famine" nature of Raptors TV (which I do not have): when the Raps play a great game, like last week against the Pacers, you curse the day they privatized television while, on the other hand, you're glad that you don't have the channel on days like last night when you miss drubbings.

If Parker is out for, let's say 4-6 weeks, who becomes the starter? It can't be Peterson because his defense against starters is laughable; it can't be Joey because he stinks . . . so, Juan Dixon???

Yeah, we got killed, but i was kinda impressed when the raps cut it to 16 in the fourth and popovich put duncan and parker back in. Part of me was expecting a bigger comeback, like we've seen a few times this year, but without AP there was no chance. We really are screwed without his defense.

For anyone who actually watched the game, what happened with Bowen? Did he pull his usual "stick my foot where you will land" trick or was this more innocent?

This was totally innocent, IMO

Not quite ready for primetime. This year's edition of the Raptors are so much better than the teams of the last few years. I think people expect a little too much from them at this point in time.

Teams like Phoenix, Dallas, Detroit, San Antonio etc have been playing together for YEARS, not months. To join the elite teams you need experience. Still I like the way the Raptors didn't give up even though down 28 pts at one time.

They'll make the playoffs, maybe even the second round but they still need some seasoning and time playing together. Next year is when they'll really start gelling. Detroit is winning the Eastern Conference this year.

If AP and Garbo are out for any length of time the Raptors will really have to pull it together over these last 20 so games to keep the Atlantic division lead. Those two players bring so much poise to the team that you would hate to lose them.

Aaron, he dislocated his kneecap AGAIN? He just can't catch a break at all. I just read the story about him in ESPN the magazine and they just basically shit on him for 3 pages and then Sam Cassell comes in and he shits on him too

Whew! Now I know what Indiana felt like a couple of games ago when they took a pasting at the ACC.

Every time Bosh is defended well on single coverage is when the Raps offense grinds to a halt. Have noticed it against the Pistons (Wallace), first half against Bobcats (Okafor) and y'day with Elson. Bosh just has to make the defender pay and if that is not happening the offense is in trouble. Mitchell better come up with a decent Plan B if we are going to go into the 2nd round of the playoffs.

Blaxx--if you can believe it, this is his OTHER kneecap, meaning that he has dislocated both of them in the past three years. You have to feel bad for the guy, he's only 21 years old too.

Living here in Scotland, I could only listen to the game on the net. When I heard who hurt AP and how it happened i nearly blew a gasket. I am nowhere near a puckhead, but damn it would be nice if we could send out a goon to kick Bowen's ass. This guy is unbelievable! Someone who saw the game please tell me if this was one of his usual moves. If so, this guy needs to get a suspension or something.

And Aaron, I dunno what pipe you are smokin, but did you say that Mo Pete plays bad D? And that meant we should start Juan Dixon? I don't think we lose much between AP and Mo Pete in the starting line up, but someone on the bench will have to seriously step up.

I know this isn't exactly news, but Bosh is a terrible defender. Especailly when needing to help on the weak side. Parker had him confused all night. And he gets abused one on one against versatile big men. Tim duncan rarely even noticed his presence. Also, on offense, he doesn't seem to have confidence in his right hand (inconsistent use), so if his shot isn't falling he becomes one dimensional. I'm not trying to shit on our best player, but as goes Bosh so do the Raptors (especailyl when they stop moving the ball), and last night Bosh played terrible; and against Detroit, Cleveland and half of Charlotte, he played terrible. I hope there isn't a new book on how to stop Bosh, a book authored by 'Sheed.

Also has anyone else noticed that if the raptors offense is struggling they stop playing D. It's like they lose all motivation. But at the same time when their shots are falling, they step up their defensive intensity and quickness on the rotations. So the team is either playing really well, or stinking it up. This is just a sign of a young team. But ideally a team's defense is somethig they should be able to count on night in and night out.

Just some sour grumblings after a an obvious loss.

Maybe Mitchell didn't get outcoached in the X's or O's but this team did have two full days to prepare for the Spurs - that has to say something about Mitchell.

An NBA coach should have been more than aware about the defensive sets that the Spurs were going to bring along with a way of trying to stymie the offense of Parker and Ginobili. An NBA coach also should be able to motivate his players for a big game like this.

As a side note, all of the posters who keep saying how deep the Raptors are - wouldn't that mean that we could at least keep the score close even though we lose a player like Parker or Garbajosa?

My big thing is that the Raps recent success has been a bit overhyped. Yes, we'll make the playoffs but we are far away from contending for anything.

there was an article just a few days ago about a scouting report on bosh, and how to contain him. it mentioned the left hand issue, staying in front of him.

I guess that's the thing about becoming an all-star and all that. you have to produce like one. off nights are no longer just off nights. people are watching.

Ouch! I thought I was wathcing an episode of "Invasion of the Body Snatchers" last night cuz that had to be our JV team on the floor! Who the heck were those guys in the Raps uni's??? Well hopfully the real team will show up in Houston or we could have a problem! Hey TJ meet your new owner...his name is Tony Parker and you are his Beeatch! Wow that was one ugly loss......let's see what happens next??

I'm out!

Fresh 1

The only chance Rap's had vs Spurs was to have a hot shooting night & outscore them.Did not happen except for the first 7/8 mins Lets remember this team has won 3 NBA titles,Raps never past 1st round. Duncan 9 yrs Hall of famer, Parker 5 years, Ginobli 4 yrs exp. Raps TJ
1-1/2 & Jose 1 yr. With Spurs at the top of their game & Raps not, no way to compete. 2nd qtr Raps 33% & 3 TO's 16 pts. Spurs 67% & 7 FT's,35 pts game over.

Just to correct you. Raps have gone past the 1st round

Wow...lots to dscuss...

First off, I think Mo Pete is a good defender, whether a starter or not. Last night he did look a step slow, but so did the whole team. And really, there's no way I want Juan Dixon in the backcourt with TJ...he seems even smaller than Ford.

As for Bowen - tough to say. He definitely didn't mean to injure Parker...but like numerous coaches have said in the league, he challenges jumpshots so closely that a lot of the time his feet end up under other players when they land. That's how both Ray Allen and Vince Carter got hurt...well...Allen anyways ha ha. In this case though it really looked like players just came down awkwardly from a rebound. Still no word yet on how bad the injury is apparently but no...it pales in comparison to Livingston Aaron...which I wish they'd stop replaying on NBA TV...

Finally, Bosh on D. I don't think he's a terrible defender, but he's no Duncan or Jermaine O'Neal. I think he's still growing in that capacity but he's a better help-side defender than one on one player. It's interesting how Bosh is getting scouted so heavily now in any event. I'm betting he comes out with a vengeance tomorrow night.

Any word if TMac is still sick?