Tip-In: Cruise Control

was that a coming out article? it sure sounded like it! it's so true though, for the first time in a long, long time I don't have to explain why I'm a raptors fan, and people now have also mysteriously stopped asking about vince. (I'm not sure there's a correlation there, but it sure feels like it.)

and it's funny that you should write this, because yesterday morning a few of us were actually contemplating getting together to watch the game over lunch - something that never happens. problem was we couldn't find a place that would show the game. (soccer being the culprit.)

for me, the game of the month is on sunday at detroit. that's the one I'm looking forward to more than the temperature going back over zero this weekend.

Amen. Amen. :)

Amen!

What a fantastic game! It was broadcasted live here in spain and i had a lot of fun watching the team play so well. Both Calderon and TJ were superb, Bosh's first half was unbelievable, and then I was delighted at Garbajosa finally scoring 3's like he used to in Europe. Also notable contributions by Bargnani, Mo Pete, Parker, i could just go on and on...

As several fellow posters have said lately, this team not only wins but plays with such a compelling display of teamwork, chemistry and attitude that it is not only fun to follow but something to be proud of. An All-star player who plays incredibly unselfish, an often trade-rumoured veteran who gives it all and doesn't complain for his reduced PT, a backup PG who energizes his teammates with his energy and attitude... I mean, how can you not root for these guys?

Ladies and gentlemen, this is what we call a T-E-A-M. Congrats to both Colangelo and Mitchell for making it happen so quickly.

go phillY!!!

Question, if the Raps get 4th in the East by winning their division (or even 3rd in the East, given how some of the top teams are playing) does anyone see Bryan Colangelo not winning the Exec. of the year?

Not only is watching them win games enjoyable, the fact that this is a team with high character players who think of the team first is quite a luxury.

I think getting rid of Carter, no matter how little we got in return, was crucial to this re-building process. Carter, while he puts up some good numbers, is more of a curse than a blessing to any team...Just look at the Nets.

I can't believe how good the team chemistry is...and the point guards have been making all the right decisions of late.

One guy I have been really impressed with over the last month is MoPete...after all the trade rumors swirling around, he has been excellent of late. He's way too valuable to be traded if he keeps playing this way.

the future is bright. it's hard to believe. none of the core (bosh / ford / bargnani) is in their prime yet.

does colangelo deserve the award? probably not. albeit, if you credit him for the phoenix suns performance (essentially still his work), then he hands down deserves the award.

and in that regard, i think we should acknowledge the dirty work rob babcock did to get this team rebuilt. he may not be an imbecile afterall.

Big win. Against a team with a better than .500 record, something many were questioning whether the Raps would be able to do last month.

I think the game against LA will be interesting. Detroit and Chicago are must-wins against good Conference opponents if this team has the character I think it does.

PS: Time for a new poll! :)

First, the Raptors made three playoffs, not two. Losing to New York in a sweep, Philly in round two and Detroit in five. Second, It was definitely cool to be a Raptors fan in the early Carter era.

However, on the rest I agree. I have such positive feelings during each game, instead of waiting for the loss to come. The thought of the playoffs. The respect in the media. Two more wins to match last year and the All star break is still to come. This year feels so good after so many bad seasons.

GREAT POST
I think a lot of hardcore raps fans really deserve to feel this kind of pride. We stuck with our team through the storms. We died with them after every (and there were many) loss. Now there's a chance for playoffs... man, i feel like im in a underdog sports movie.

Raptorville - thanks for the correction, yes, 3 playoffs. I was counting the two times vs. the Knicks as one playoff run in my head...my bad.

Interesting about Colangelo for Exec of the year...probably a good article too as we get closer to season's end and see how this team fares down the stretch. Who else would you pick right now? Not many other teams that have been "good" surprises...plenty of bad ones like Memphis, the Nets and even the Cavs to an extent. I think in terms of what he had to work with, you gotta give it to B.C...however I could be accused of bias...

The game was also broadcast live in Japan with the Pistons game next. Hopefully we'll get a Raptors play-by-play for one as the Clips' was awful (except for the comment on Ford "He's like a cartoon!")

Whoooaaa nelly, exec of the year? Mo Pete for MVP? As much as I didn't jump off the balcony when they were 6 games below .500 earlier this year, I'm not adding a new fresh coat of paint to the bandwagon just yet either now that they're 2 games above .500

The prediction/goal was 41 wins, and they're still nicely on their way. We were hoping they'd be battling it out for the last playoff spot, but now that Jersey lost again in overtime - they might be done and Raps become the Kings of Antarctica.

Mo still needs to become way more consistant! He can't have anymore games like against Utah (3-10 FG, 0-4 3pt) or Indy (0-2 FG, 0-2 3pt). If Mo can take good shots and shoots over 50% from the field, and gets to the line 3-4 times a night, the raps will be in great shape. When was the last time you saw Mo take a charge?? He used to flop two to three times a night. I can't remember the last time.

Sorry to rain on anyone's parade.. I swear I'm not Aaron!

Hey Urstation, while I agree that MP3 is not the MVP player, BC is definitely a major contender for GM of the year. Why shouldn't he be?? Look where this team has come from and the futility it has had to put up with from years past??? Doesn't anyone else see a trend in the Isiah / Glen show in NY??? Ok, I think that the team is brimming with confidence and that all of this headway is going to run smack dab into the new "juggernaught" named the Detroit Pistons. I believe that we can hold our own against every team in the East, but the real test of this team and it's progression will be the game against Rasheed and Co. they absolutely destroyed the Cavs the other night, and CWeb is loving his new home.
Hey Franchise, comment the other night in Atlanta from Swarsky was that the other coaches in the L, are saying that our bench is one of the deepest in the L. Weren't we just discussing how the Raps need to make a trade to improve their situation?

Now i'm not so sure???

I'm out!

Fresh1

Further to my point about BC winning the exec. of the year, I think there are only a couple other serious candidates. One would have to be Larry Bird for trading half his entire team. If Indy can keep it together or improve slightly, then I think he has to receive consideration. Also, maybe Carrol Dawson in Houston for bringing in Battier and Wells or even the exec in Denver for bringing in Iverson and gambling on J.R. Smith. I'd say that's about it for other candidates. But given the roster turnover and the talen upgrade, I don't see any way that BC doesn't win this thing - assuming the Raptors can keep it together down the stretch.

Also, I think five years from now, we'll be talking about the Raptors in terms of BC and AD...before Colangelo and After Division title. Yeah, sorry, that was rediculously cheezy. My bad.

Wow, I'm getting cheap shots now? I didn't think it was that bad--I believe that criticism and realisitc expectations are a nice balance to all the "Raps are the greatest ever" bloggers out there.

Didn't see the game because where I am has no TV--a nice thing, actually.

If Elgin Baylor can win Exec of the year last year, and Jerry West for the Griz a couple of years ago, it could be the touch of death. And how can the Nelsons (Donnie and Don) not get one for the Mavs?

Aaron, hopefully you know I kid! We need people like you to balance off the rose coloured glasses folks! It's the Ying and the Yang of the mysterious life force. And I'll just keep on trying to walk down the middle.

I don't think anybody in their right mind is calling for mo pete for MVP - that's just ridiculous. 6th man? maybe, possibly. he needs to bring some serious consistency to the mix though - for the rest of the season - before that happens.

and colangelo for Exec. of the year? I will say this: if the raps manage to come out of the next few weeks with more wins than loses, it's going to be hard not to consider him the guy to beat.

I just saw Fred Jones on King of Courtcuts - on TheScore. Man - imagine if this kid was playing to his full potential and we could drop him off the bench to rattle the rim a few times a game .... sigh

McGrady will beat him out though in this round.

Dude, if Fred jones would either watch Court Cuts, or read this blog, he might actually look motivated to want to play harder. It seems that he has been tucked away on the bench and even reporters aren't giving him even a line or two in the dailys. Freddie, y'all better find somethin quick cuz you aren't going to land in any better of a situation. Not unless Ap's former team comes a callin....Yikes did I just try and tell Indiana Jones that he'd be better off playing in Israel??? Egos are such a fragile thing. That is why i like Chris Humphries. Gets minutes, does his job, goes out. Looks like he wants to play the 3 - 8 minutes and enjoys it. C'mon Freddie lose the ego for a teenie weenie bit and you might find you're a part of something really really exciting!!! We haven't (the Rap's loyal) given up totally on u, but throw us a bone or a scrap once in a while!!!

I'm out!

Fresh 1

Whoa whoa whoa!! MP3=MVP was meant to be facetious!!! Wow, people do have delusions of grandeur! Jose would rank significantly higher for 6th man waaaaay before Mo.

You couldn't have put it any better. I've always been a Raptors fan and can't remember feeling this optimistic about the team. It's not that they're leading the Atlantic currently, it's that this tema looks to be an Eastern Conference powerhouse for the conceivable future. Their core is young and talented. This team has great chemistry and is unselfish. We have a great GM, again, because Grunwald was just that before he was fired. At the risk of being overly optimistic, I think this team is going to be a real treat over the next half decade or more.

BC Exec of the Year
Bargs Rook of the Year
Smitch Coach of the year

That's an interesting point ustation, I completely forgot about Calderon -- he just doesn't ring in my mind as a bench guy, and not just because of the recent starts, he just has sat that way with me all year.

When was the last time a point guard won sixth man? To my mind it always seems like Forwards tend to win it, but that could just be horribly flawed perceptions.

Hah! Wikipedia wins: Bobby Jackson, Sacremento in '02-'03. The list still seems to favour Forwards though.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_Sixth_Man_of_the_Year_Award

well shep, that's exactly what's going to happen, (a point guard taking the 6th man award) - and his name is barbosa. that guy is running away with it, literally.

Previous 6th Man winner (starting last year):

Mike Miller, Ben Gordon, Antawn Jamison, Bobby Jackson, Corliss Williamson, Aaron McKie, Rodney Rogers, Darrell Armstrong, Danny Manning, John Starks.

Too many people having good 6th man #s this year for JC to win (Ben Gordon as per always, Correy Maggette)

Great article man. I've been a Raps fan since I've been a basketball fan. I was preaching on HL MsgBoards that the Raps would make the playoffs and were going to have a good year ( not too many believed me) but look now! I'm a freaking prophet. Great article.