Tip-In: All the King's men....

by RaptorsHQ - Archives on Mar 4, 2007 12:00 AM EST in NBA Draft

When I think of the Cleveland Cavaliers I think of Lebron James holding a "Help Wanted" sign. The Cavs are 34-25 and there is some talent on that roster, but truth be told that team really is a one man show. Without #23 this team would look no different from the Cavs during the pre-James era....they would SUCK. Drew Gooden is average, the big Z seems to have lost his role on this squad, Larry Hughes who is arguably their second best player cannot stay healthy, and the rest of the roster is made up of players who on occasion can contribute or are simply to young and inexperienced.

Then I watched last night’s dismantling of the Toronto Raptors and I couldn’t help but think that maybe it’s not that James doesn’t have help.....he just doesn’t have consistent help. The sign that James should be holding is "CONSISTENT Help Wanted".

In putting a short-handed Raptors team to bed early in the third quarter, the Cavs got solid contributions from a number of players on the floor outside of James and his 36 point, 6 assist, 5 rebound, 3 block performance. Larry Hughes looked like he was back in Washington playing for a contract, Varajeo continued to play his best ball against the Raps with a double-double, Donyell Marshall found his groove and even former Michigan St. alum Shannon Brown managed to put up some numbers.

When James gets at least a little bit of help this team looks quite good. Add in some tired looking and weak defense by the Raps and what you get is a 120-97 blow-out loss. Oh the defense...or lack thereof.

The Raps just looked a step slow all night. Rotations were late, close-outs we almost non-existent, and generally the team looked a little lax out there. It also didn’t help that the open shots were falling for the Cavs, in particular behind the arc where they went 12-22. This ability to hit from outside for the Cavs also managed to open things up for Lebron who took advantage of every opportunity and willed himself to the free-throw line 17 times.

Now most people will quickly point out the fact that Anthony Parker is missing and he is a key element to the Raps D. I agree that we miss AP but is there no-one else on this so-called deep roster who can step up their defensive intensity? Was it that long ago that Jeoy Graham played James tough early in the season at the ACC? The Raps cannot be that reliant on one guy to be an average defensive team. Is the team better with Parker? You bet. Should they be this bad without him? No-way. There was a lack of intensity shown by the team last night. There was also a bit of questionable coaching. Juan Dixon on Lebron with little or no help coming? That doesn’t make much sense to me.

Dixon, although abused on the defensive end, was Toronto’s best offensive weapon on this night and went 10-18 from the floor for 24 points. Juan showed that he can score anywhere from the floor, inside, mid-range and beyond the arc and if he keeps this up the fact that Fred Jones was ever a Raptor will be the answer to a random NTN trivia question. Leo Rautins kept harping on the fact that Dixon was getting his in the flow of the offence. At times last night that seemed a little contrived (and probably inspired by the fact that it is becoming increasingly obvious that he has no time for Joey Graham, or any uber athletic player not lighting the place on fire), but when the shots are falling you do have to keep feeding the hot hand.

Outside of Juan the only other player to bring his A game was Humphries who in just 14 minutes scored 12 points and was banging around down on the block. Unfortunately he got himself into a little foul trouble. Of course with Bosh on the squad one wouldn’t think that Humph getting into foul trouble would be that much of an issue but Bosh quickly tired over the course of the game. Early on CB4 was going to the glass hard, almost heroically, in what looked like a 1 on 4 match-up each time. As the game progressed though, Bosh tired as evidenced by his willingness to settle for outside jumper after outside jumper...including an airball from 3 point-land.

But what about the rest of the squad you ask? The PG duo of Ford and Calderon had a tough time. The Cavs were using Hughes and James at the point for most of the night making it very difficult for either of the two to get on track either offensively or defensively. Garbo pulled a disappearing act, and Mo Pete struggled again. In fact in the third quarter I felt like I was watching last years squad. Sure the names were different on the backs of the jersey’s but it felt like they were just holding on in the first half and then were destroyed in the third quarter, never to rebound.

So after losing two in a row what now? Well first off no more performances that remind anyone of last years team, and secondly to get back on the winning side of things ASAP. That is exactly what Mitchell wants as well giving the team a day off to forget about the last two games. The Raps have been resilient all year and need to continue to show they are a team that will bend but not break. If the team can get through the next 10 games over .500 then they should be in a pretty good place for locking up the Atlantic even though Richard Jefferson is soon to give a much needed boost to a Nets squad who could still put some heat on Toronto's Atlantic Division leader.

HOWLAND

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Comments

Did Mitchell leave Bosh along with the scrubs in garbage time to let him regain some confidence? Sure looked like it to me.

I like the day off and temporary amnesia from the coaching staff about this weekend's games. When my kids do something naughty, but you can tell from their eyes they are repentant, the best thing is to do nothing and let them deal with it. This is the growth in Mitchell's coaching experience. If the Raps can bounce back strong, this is the moment he solidified his COY status.

by Rubik Kube on Mar 4, 2007 12:00 AM EST reply actions

The overall team looked tired,lacking the aggresive play that featured their wins. Still poor shooting and too many jump shots. Jose and Jorge especially were lacking in their usuall enthusiastic play 1/3 & o/5. Jorge looked to be trying to score inside which is not his game. Rap's are in a tough stretch now with 3 straight back to backs of which they have lost the first 2. They need to as aminimum split the next 2. Let's remember this is the first time in 2 months they have lost back to back games.

by Johnn19 on Mar 4, 2007 12:00 AM EST reply actions

Three things to be a good coach. Be a master motivator, have good character and be a good strategist/ tactician.

Mitchell is a master motivator. To intergrate 9 new players into a winning team takes some doing. From what I hear he has good character. But the x's and o's thing needs some work. I am sure that BC will point this out to Sam if he plans on giving him a new contract.

Bad mismatches, poor rotations, and lack of intensity seemed to be the theme for the last two games. However, if Sam can take this team to the playoffs I still think he deserves an extenstion.

by Todd on Mar 4, 2007 12:00 AM EST reply actions

Great point Rubik, the shots of the Raptors' bench in the fourth quarter last night were priceless in terms of showing that "eyes down, we know we played terribly" look. And like you said Todd, totally agree in terms of Mitchell being a players coach, he's done an amazing job of integrating all those players. However he might have to do something to shake this team up. The body language the past two games has been just like Howland said in the recap - reminiscent of last year's club when they got down.

Bosh looks tired and the team just seems to be lacking that punch (sort of like my Blue Devils at present against N.C.) and I'm looking forward to both the return of Bargs and Parker.

by Franchise on Mar 4, 2007 12:00 AM EST reply actions

One thing about the depth of this club is that if people aren't performing they can ride the pine and Mitchell can bring in some bench players.

Dixon, Humphries, and Tucker played well, and even Slokar looked plenty scrappy against Varejao. He might have to give them more minutes cuz they played hungry.

I like Mo Pete's hustle but I don't like his jacking up shot after shot when they ain't falling. A vet like him should know how to mix the inside with the outisde. Unless he adapts he'll be on the trading block this summer.

Joey Graham seems like a nice kid, is strong, and has some hops but the b-ball IQ is not improving. Unless he breaks out and soon he's on the trading block come summer time.

Free up Darrick Martin's space on the roster and make him an assistant coach already!

What's the scoop with Pop Sow? I like his hustle but if the Raps aren't gonna use him let him go find a team that will.

I know the Raps will be close to the cap next year but I hope they find a free agent/ draft a rookie who CAN'T shoot a three pointer and knows how to attack the hoop like a rabid dog.

Any suggestions?

by Todd on Mar 4, 2007 12:00 AM EST reply actions

This stumble is necessary for the team to not lose itself in the hype. And let's face it, the Raptors surprised a lot of teams on their hot streak. Now that NEARlY EVERY major sports publication in the US that follows the NBA has done a piece on the Raptors, the element of surprise is no longer possible. For this reason, it's kind of a pity that the team gelled so early in the year. It's expected of the team to win at least a first round playoff series. (according to Adrian W. from Yahoo Sports, the Toronto is a "one and done" playoff team)

BUT, now that the weaknesses of the Raptors, and in particular that of Chris Bosh, are being better exploited by the other NBA teams, the timing is such that it gives the team ample time to adjust before the playoffs. well, hopefully.

this is when Mitchell proves that he is coach of this team in the future. if the team doesn't recuperate, bring in Ivaroni. AND, let's face it, if colangelo wasn't looking for any excuse to bring in his man, mitchell would already have a contract.

by dkmo on Mar 5, 2007 12:00 AM EST reply actions

Bosh is playing like he was when he was hurt earlier in the season. That plantar fasciitis doesn't just go away, so could be that or the knee that's giving him troubles.

by PayMoPete on Mar 5, 2007 12:00 AM EST reply actions

Let's just call this a good time to lose a couple. Ican only say one word. TIRED> all of them. With Bargs, in the homeland, AP out, Good to get the others invovled. Kris Humphries proves again that he can Bang when needed and he can flush it on anyone if given half a step. BC, Sammy and the staff are going to get things right, we've been doing so much so well, all season, having a couple of bad games doesn't mean the end. Chins up boys, Juan showed why he's a better pick up!

I'm out

Fresh 1

by Fresh 1 on Mar 5, 2007 12:00 AM EST reply actions