Tip-In: Trap

by RaptorsHQ - Archives on Mar 3, 2007 12:00 AM EST

This was a trap game. It had all the makings of one and it was exactly that. The Raps have obviously been flying high as of late and the Bucks, having been ravaged by injuries this season are not exactly known around the league as a force to be reckoned with. Their record before last nights game was 21-37. The thing is, a healthy or even near healthy Milwaukee Bucks team is a solid squad that should not be overlooked. Unfortunately the Raps seemed to do just that.

With their money man Michael Redd having returned and Charlie Villaneuva recently back from injury as well this Bucks team has some real talent, make no mistake about it. On Friday night at the ACC they put that talent on display as players like Charlie Bell, Mo Williams and others not only did some nice things offensively but as a unit they held the Dinos to an ugly 36.8% shooting performance.

Yes, ugly it was. Early on in last night’s match-up it was turn-overs. Later in the match-up it was resorting to outside jumpers to get back into the game. It was those same outside jumpers that were just not willing to fall. Of course bad shooting nights are inevitable during an 82 game season, but not all of this 36.8% shooting can be attributed to simply missing. Some props need to be given out to the Bucks coaching staff (never in my life did I think I would praise Terry Stotts) who clearly decided to focus all of their squads defensive efforts on getting the ball out of CB4's hands...even if it meant fouling before the shot. The plan worked however as Bosh had a tough time last night only managing four field-goals to match his four turn-overs.

As a result much of the pressure was on guys like Bargnani, Peterson and Ford to pick-up the slack but a combined 12-38 for the floor and 5-19 from behind the arc is just not getting it done and the Raps had their lowest point total since December 11 against the Miami Heat. I mean 81 points? That number seems familiar...oh yeah the same number of points one guy put up against the Raps last year.

The thing about last nights game that made it interesting was that the Bucks players knew they were making it hard on the Raps and their team showed an enormous amount of energy. During time-outs guys were doing the usual high-fives and the like but they were also pushing each other to keep up the intensity. Leading the way was Michael Redd who during the fourth looked like a man possessed knocking down some big shots and helping lead his teams way to victory. After the game Redd was quoted as saying "We’re hungry now." That much was obvious. It’s also obvious that these guys like playing with each other.

Along with Redd there is a lot to like about this Bucks team and although injuries have essentially killed their season, if there is one team in the East who could challenge the Raps for years to come it could be this squad, not Orlando like many people think. You saw last night the tough battles being wages between Bogut and Bargs, CB4 and CV Smooth and others. These big guys will be doing battle against each other for years to come. With Redd, a re-signed Mo Williams, a healthy glue guy in Bobby Simmons and even Earl Boykins, this Bucks team could be a force.

If there was one positive to take from last nights game it is that the team continues to play hard and the players consistently do the little things to make a difference. Two plays in particular stood out in my mind, the first was the charge that Calderon took at mid-court when Ruben Patterson turned and absolutely flattened him. For hits like that you need football gear and you would be hard pressed to find more than a handful of guys in the L who would try and take that charge. The second was Garbo’s willingness to hit the deck on a number of occasions. This guy does so many little things on the court that go unnoticed. One of my old roommates from university who played varsity ball was at the game with me last night and said, "Garbajosa is going to be a beast in the playoffs". Considering how important all the little things are come playoff time I couldn’t agree more.

There is one thing I completely disagree with though. Booing after a loss. The booing is totally unnecessary and shows a complete lack of respect for what the players have done this season. The guys didn’t play their best, but no wonder some people still question whether fans in Canada really understand the game....one minute they are chanting MVP, the next booing the team off because they had an off night. Pathetic.

Up next is the Cavs for the second time in just over-two weeks and if you look back on why the Raps lost the last time these two teams faced each other it was the "little things" that didn’t get done. This will be a test for the Raps. Parker remains sidelined which could make containing Lebron that much harder. Big pressure on the likes of Peterson, Dixon (who is currently the first guy off the bench), and Joey Graham to bring some defensive intensity to the game. Bargnani will miss this match-up which takes away some serious fire-power despite his 33% shooting last night, and of course this is the second game of a home-away back-to-back.

The key to victory for the Raps is simple. Get Bosh a ton of touches and when doubled (which is inevitable) the guys around him have to make some shots. It is sounds simple in theory but if there’s a cover on the hoop like there was last night it may not be so easy in practice.

HOWLAND

Oh and a shout out to Evelyn for the great seats last night.

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Comments

Howland,

Great article as always, couldn't agree more about it being a trap game. A few other observations:

- After a western road trip, with a snow storm, and a flight to Cleveland waiting last night, this game was one of those 'road games at home'. Still no excuse for losing at home though.

- The absence of Anthony Parker had a very big effect on the Raptors. As the Raptors best three point shooter, as well as a threat to cut to the basket, Parker serves as Bosh's essentially serves as Bosh's best protection from double teams. While Bosh had a lot of assists on Houston, he has been seeing far more aggressive double and triple teams the last two games.

- Bosh himself is off right now. It's a long season, and some months or weeks are always going to be better than others. Since the All-star break, his shot just hasn't been falling. That allows defenders to play off of Bosh more, and makes it harder for him to get to the basket.

- TJ Ford is still clearly not on top of his game either. Loved what he did when Bosh was out, but the injury took him out of rythm.

- The refs were brutal last night, they don't seem to have much respect for Bosh, and none at all for Bargniani. Hopefully a playoff run will change that.

- To get back to the Marty York subject, Marc Stein published an ESPN article today saying:

"But since we're focused on this specific chunk of 27 (or so) games, you'd have to say Webber's value to his new team stands out in a close call over Toronto's Chris Bosh.

Bosh's Raptors have been a revelation in 2007, going 19-8 in the New Year entering Friday's play … and he does have my lefty bias in his favor."

York is clearly a bitter and irresponsible hack, who is probably upset that the Coach he was trying to get fired earlier this year is now being mentioned as a coach of the year candidate, not to mention the fact that he writes for the METRO and not the Star or Sun! I guess it is a Toronto thing, but why is it that some people feel the need to insult those of us who are loving the Raptors this year after so many years of dissappointment. And is it just me, or isn't it sort of pathetic that Mr. York obviously feels the need to cite an American comentator to validate his whining about the Raptors. Get over it Marty, no one cares what you think.

Thanks guys for the great site as always.

by Simon on Mar 3, 2007 12:00 AM EST reply actions

What a dog of a game last night!

I thought that both point guards were poor last night. TJ in particular played out of control last night. I think that spread to the rest of the team, as there were alot of bad shots taken.

You can really see how badly this team misses Anthony Parker. He's their best defender and he's a calming influence on the offensive end. Not only that, but it puts Mo back in the position that he really should be in...coming off the bench. That's not to say that Mo isn't a good player, but he's not complete enough of a player to be getting starter's minutes on a consistent basis.

Chris Bosh looks tired. Chuck and Leo kept talking about how they weren't getting the ball to Chris enough, but when he did get it, he wasn't being aggressive with it. To me, he looked like he was waiting for the double team, as opposed to just going and reacting if/when it comes.

On the bright side, I thought Bargnani and Garbajosa played real well in all facets of the game last night. Bargnani's shooting percentage wasn't great, but he did a good job of mixing up his game...something that will help him and this team down the road.

Tonight will be tough...the Raps need to REBOUND THE BASKETBALL to have a chance. Last time, Cleveland killed them on the boards. That can't happen this time.

by Jeff on Mar 3, 2007 12:00 AM EST reply actions

Playoffs are not a sure thing although schedule favours the raps. But only a small distance to get 2nd overall but also just a few games from not being in the playoffs. Raps cannot aford to give games away. Tonight will be a test with no Bargnani and maybe no Parker. NJ playing well lately and have the next two games they should win and Raps will be in tough. East is getting very close in the standings with only Detroit safe.

by Davl12 on Mar 3, 2007 12:00 AM EST reply actions

Arrrgghhh! Watching the Cavs manhandle the Raps tonight. So frustrating seeing them take outside shot after outside shot when they're not falling.

Are the Raps that small in comparison that they avoid taking it to the hoop? Glad to see PJ Tucker and Humphries get some burn. Dixon is a nice pickup. CB4 can't di it all and even he is settling for the outside J.

This summer the Raps better acquire someone who can create their own shot off the dribble and DUNK the ball.

by Todd on Mar 3, 2007 12:00 AM EST reply actions

What the hell was this Cavs game?! I come home from a night of drinking to see the Raps have performed like this!! Well, Juan Dixon had, like, 24, so that's a bonus.

by Frank on Mar 3, 2007 12:00 AM EST reply actions

Toronto fans are idiots though for booing the team last night. I agree with Franchise. There was an older gentleman behind us who yelled at everyone that was booing when leaving the stands. He shouted "Stop booing this team, they're still in 1st, you are all a$$holes!" and we cheered him on. He is right though.

I was as frustrated as anyone else watching yesterdays game (thank goodness I missed tonights), but I hope the booers never get tickets to the playoffs.

by ustation on Mar 3, 2007 12:00 AM EST reply actions