Tip-In: Perfect Play

by RaptorsHQ - Archives on Mar 24, 2007 12:00 AM EDT

Can you find a better word to describe the Raptors play last night other than perfection? I can’t. Last nights match-up against the Denver Nuggets was an absolute joy to watch as the Raps came out of the gate with guns a blazing. Before you could blink the Raps were up 12-0, and 36-15 at the end of the first quarter. The team never let up and after tearing off 72 points at the half the final result of the game was never really in doubt.

They took it to the Nuggets and all the team from Denver could do was grin and bear it.

If you watched last nights game what you saw was what happens when 12 guys all pull in the same direction, know their role, and do their part. Whether it was TJ Ford getting the rock to guys the rock where they like it (he almost racked up a double-double in points and assists by the end of the first quarter) or Morris Peterson coming off the bench and giving the team a scoring lift (welcome back Mo Pete) these guys looked like a true team, in every sense of the word.

Unfortunately the same thing cannot be said for Denver. Now I can’t really judge the Nuggets on one game and I don’t watch many Denver games, but this team looks totally out of sync and I have to wonder whether the AI - Carmelo experiment is one that is going to work out. Their starting five looked like five individuals all trying to get theirs, the complete polar opposite to the Raps. Maybe it was just a bad night for them and statistics would evidence that as Iverson and Carmelo were held to 24 points between them five less than Anthony’s season scoring average, but I can’t help but think that even when this team is on that they headed for nothing more than a first round exit.

Holding Carmelo Anthony to 3-15 shooting is no small feat and much of that credit has to go to a guy who has fallen off the radar screen as of late, Jorge Garbajosa. As we at the HQ have mentioned a few times, when the playoffs role around Garbo is the ultimate x-factor and last night he showed why. Not only was he effective on the offensive end, scoring 21 points in the first half, but he was primarily responsible for shutting down the Syracuse product. Garbajosa will never be mistake for an athletic specimen but that does not stop him from playing hard nosed D. He uses his high basketball IQ and years of experience more than anything else to make it difficult on his opponent. If the team can rely on him to play at this level when the playoffs come around things could get very interesting.

Of course it is hard to talk about the teams defense when it was clearly their offense that stole the show last night and a show it was. At one point the Raps were shooting 70% and could do no wrong. When Mo Pete hit a ridiculous the three to end the first quarter you knew it was just the Raps night and the fans were eating it up. One guy that apparently didn’t appreciate all of the Raps success on the offensive end was Reggie Evans.

Late in the game Bosh took his patented jumper from just above the free throw line with Evans guarding him. In a Bruce Bowen sort of way Evans managed to get his foot under Chris’s "space" forcing the Raps star to roll an ankle and forcing him to leave the game. Much of the post game discussion surrounded the play and the subsequent action when Rasho put a hard foul on Evans resulting in a bloodied mouth. It now seems that Bosh should be ok (this team cannot afford another bad ankle) and you have to love Rasho stepping up to send a message.

It will be interesting to see if the Raps can ride this wave and clinch a playoff spot earlier rather than later as despite the great performance, these guys could use some rest before the games really start to count.

On a final note, whether it was the fact that everyone got a Chuck Swirsky bobble-head or just the anticipation of playoff basketball the ACC was live last night like it hasn’t been for a Raps game in years. If you have not been to a game yet this year or are looking for playoff tickets I would get them now because they are quickly becoming the most entertaining show in town.

HOWLAND

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Probably that was, if not the best game season, the most fun to watch, specially the first half. I was delighted by Garbajosa's performance, not just by his ridiculous first half shooting, but by his really smart defense on Carmelo and his solid rebounding.

It is this kind of all-around performances that earned him fame in Europe, where he was never your typical star: in most of his teams there were usually a couple or three guys who were better offensive guns, but in many games he would overshadow them with his all-around play including a key steal here or a key 3p there, so while not posting 20ppg figures he would still end up being invaluable... Same with the Spain national team, where Gasol and Navarro are the undisputed stars, but everyone knows Garbajosa is a key factor, he is just the perfect teamplayer.

By the way I really liked the decision by Mitchell to sub him on the last minute of the first half (just after draining those 3s) so he could hear a well deserved ovation from the crowd. My congrats to Mitchell for giving Jorge a lot of confidence this season from early on, and even after some quite bad shooting nights he did not pull him from the starting lineup... It may not sound remarkable, but i can't imagine many coaches from other teams doing that with a 29-year-old unknown rookie from overseas, and this has allowed Jorge to still play his usual self with performances like that of yesterday.

by Sergi P on Mar 24, 2007 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

Rasho gets my player of the game. Took care of business with Evans. Raptors have lacked a bit of toughness - look for that hard foul on Evans as a key moment in this teams continued growth.
Nice words after the game by Coach Karl and if you think about it - he's probably right, cannot think of any other team in the east with the talent of our top ten.Add a year or two of experience playing together- all the while keeping Sam, and us fans in TO are in for some exciting ball.

by Tinman on Mar 24, 2007 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

Haven't posted in a while...

Greg Oden looks like he's at least 40 yrs old.

by brutalsnax on Mar 24, 2007 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

First game I've been able to watch in awhile. Flawless victory. Can't remember a time the Raps dominated so thoroughly and I'm just talking about the defensive end.

Quick rotations, fast double teams, fighting through screens, and contesting every shot. Denver was worn out from their Chicago game and Toronto had no mercy.

If this is Euro ball it's interesting to see. Less individual one on one and more team play. I still like the spectacular dunks but the passing and cutting to the hoop is great.

Good for Rasho laying a lickin on Evans. Gotta have CB4's back. Anytime someone tries to Bruce Bowen your star player you gotta respond.

by Todd on Mar 24, 2007 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

well, the offense may have stole the show, but the defense had to be the most encouraging display since the all-star break. Denver was on a back to back coming off a absolutely soul-crushing defeat to the bulls (both teams played fantastic) and the raptors came out with the incredible lockdown D. There were no lanes to drive or pass, and denver was so rattled they didn't score for like 8 minutes.

man that was beautiful to see

by axl on Mar 24, 2007 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

Just in from Raptors.com
Raptors have released PJ Tucker and are looking to add another scorer to come off the bench.

by Johnn19 on Mar 24, 2007 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

Word on the street, Bryan C has picked up Luke Jackson. I think this is yet another sly move by Mr. C. P.J tucker was not being very productive and he has picked up an energy player who has been shooting lights out in the D-League. Collangela is really great at finding players who can contribute for people who weren't. Ie; Arujo for Humphries, Jones for Dixon, and now (looks like) Tucker for Luke Jackson.

I hope the raps can clinch early, so they can rest some of their players. I would really like to see them close down Calderon for the playoffs, and get Bosh, and TJ some rest while increasing the PT and confidence for Mo, Graham, Humphries, Jackson, Dixon. These guys will become important in the playoffs.

by Rahulan S on Mar 24, 2007 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

I posted here a week or so ago that an energy guy who will go get some boards could be already on the raptor team. Humphries is proving Me right I liked this guy in pre season and more and more every game.

by Davl on Mar 24, 2007 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

Raptors signing Luke Jackson to a 10 day contract at least to add scoring off the bench while AP & Andrea off.

Jackson a SF from the NBADL @ 6'7-215 14.6ppg 4.5rb 3.9ast 48.6% 3ptFG. Primarily a scorer. To be activated vs Boston monday.

by Johnn19 on Mar 25, 2007 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

Hey Raptors Fan, quess what the Raptors are 3rd in the eastern conference. Lets all hop washington loose so Miami can take their place so we end up playing Washington. Go Raps Go

by Marcia on Mar 26, 2007 12:00 AM EDT reply actions