Tip-In:  Bravehearts

I loved the "Ole Ole..." chant as well, that was awesome!!

Great win! We need more touches for Bargs or whoever's shooting well (if he's hot) in game 6. Love Calderon, Mopete (a great last game in T.O.) and Golden Graham. Bosh need to step up if we hope to extend this to a game 7. Love to see that Cater was too chicken to take the last shot.

Go Raptors!

I believe if was 'José José...." chants...atleast that's what I was screaming.

Also enjoyed the game but, as mentioned above, what killed me was our halfcourt execution, expecially in the second half. I love the high screen-and-roll with Bargnani and Jose/TJ, the problem is Andrea has no idea what to do after he sets the pick. He just kind of floats between the two defenders leaving the PG kind of lost. Andrea really needs to learn how to be decisive when setting the pick and then once the PG is around him, either go to the basket or find an open spot. This floating is driving me nuts...The coaching staff has to see this when they review film. Now do something about it! He's a 7-ft'er and having him roll to the net or find an open spot is like money in the bank. Now just tell him to do it!

I'll definitely give credit to Sam for coaching an excellent game. The starting lineup worked and Bargnani got Collins and Moore out of the paint early on. His substitutions came at the right time and he even made some defensive adjustments, getting Calderon to trap Kidd and prevent him from pushing the ball up too fast. I also saw some more motion in our halfcourt plays.

The one complaint I have with him is that last play he called. With about a minute left, we needed a bucket to ice the game and he called the same "TJ Ford isolation" play that he always calls. Its too predictable, and in this case, Calderon isn't the type of player you set up an isolation for. They should have moved the ball around and tried to feed it into Bosh.

The crowd was awesome. Seriously, they remind me of a soccer crowd (the Ole chant last night, and in Game 2 they were chanting the guitar riff from "Seven Nation Army," just like Italian soccer fans). I loved how they can turn one or two good Raptors play into a run, by just giving the team momentum.

The starting line up we saw last night is the future, ladies and gentlemen. With maybe a tweak in the SF position, but if this was indeed Mo Pete's last home game as a Raptor what better way to walk away than outstanding contribution in a crucial W as well as a standing ovation from a revved up capacity crowd.

Forget Friday, win or lose, the ill will from the playoffs is gone. The kiddies are learning and are right on track. I believe we will get the effort in Jersey. Probably the lack of healthy bodies will make the difference, but at least I would be able to walk away as a Raptor fan with my head held high and team colors showing, something I might not have been able to say with confidence a night ago.

it's funny when starting 5 was introduced I said to My Son I wonder if CB4 or AB will get into early foul trouble. Jose was great MO Pete as I have been saying all along just needed quality time He is playaing with such passion. He will be missed next year. Hopefully the TO fans will get to see Him play one more time in Toronto this year!

I really hope that we have one or both of our PGs. If they're both out, say goodbye to the rest of the season. I like Martin and all, but I don't see him leading this team to a tough road win.

Hey I have an idea, maybe Bosh could play the point. He takes enough jumpers anyways, and given TJ and Jose can drive the lane, maybe that will be his inspiration to for once this series. :/

Win or lose Friday, I CAN'T WAIT UNTIL NEXT YEAR. Can you imagine what this team might be able to do then?

So can anyone organize the Red Army to invade Jersey this Friday? That would be so much fun.

I think last night's game shows NBA coaching is the second most overrated sports profession next to Baseball Managers (I don't know much about Cricket, Soccer, or Jaialai - so I'll the the major North American Sports). Larry Frank didn't turn stupid in the first Q. The two key differences was VC decided to stop attacking, and the raps J's were falling...well and Bucky Ball didn't fall.

I did like the defensive pressure on Kidd as I was advocating yesterday. The two half court traps on the side managed to cause turn-overs and wished they did more.

And when the Raps J's stopped falling, the Nets made a comeback.

Here's hoping it keeps raining for the raps.

Great win! Great job by Calderon, Bargnani, Peterson and Graham!

The press is still talking about teams that are up 3-1 in best-of-seven series "are a telling 158-8 in series won". One thing though, we are not down 3-1, we are down 3-2. At this point, the relevant stat is how many teams came back from a 3-2 deficit. It’s like any game of chance, say blackjack at a vegas table. Winning three hands in a row is tough. But once you win won, you are no longer trying to win 3 in a row, only two in a row. Your odds of winning the next two hands have nothing to do with your success in the previous hand.

Some thoughts about the game:

There were many times during the season when Bargnani would get off to a great start only for the team to forget about him in the second half. The same thing happened last night (I think he only scored one point in the second half.) There were many times he was guarded by Kidd at the top of the three point line and he would pass out. Why? You have a little shrimp guarding you that even if he jumped up with his hands way above his head, you wouldn’t notice him unless you looked down. Why not go up with the wide open 3 point look? Burn them! They are gambling on defence by playing the big man down low, we have to take advantage of the mismatches, not pass out of them for a worse look.

Great move to bring in Jackson. Although he doesn’t look for his shot as much, he is a good decision maker and I was glad to see him in there in relief of Dixon. I was actually calling at my TV for Sam to sub in Jackson for Dixon. Both such at defence, at least with Jackson, some of his shots may go down.

Did anyone else think we won because of, not in spite of, Bosh’s foul trouble? Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying we are better without him, only that we really need to examine our movement (or lack there of) with Bosh on the floor. It’s almost as though the rest of the team just waits for Bosh to rescue them and doesn’t move.

One play that should have been repeated over and over and over and over and over again but for some reason wasn’t, is what will break NJ’s stifling defence. Bosh gets the ball on the low post. He’s guarded by one of the bigs. Carter cheats off of Calderon (or maybe it was Parker) and goes for the double. Bosh passes out to Calderon (or was it Parker?) for an open look. It didn’t fall. But that’s what you have to do to break the double teams. They need to run an isolation play for two players. Ideally this is played with Bargnani. Bargnani has the ball on the top of the three point line. Bosh goes to the low post. The rest of the team clears out. Bargnani into Bosh. Bosh has a one on one OR the defender on Bargnani goes to help out leaving Il Mago open for the three. This will be there all night if they run it! NJ was running this play at the beginning of the series. It’s payback time. If one of the other defenders comes over to help, Bosh needs to hesitate with the ball to get the illegal defence call. If the player comes right over, swing it back through Bargnani to the open player. This will create the movement that will make us successful. If they run this play instead of the let’s do nothing for 14 seconds and then run from side to side a couple of times and swing the ball to Bosh with 4 seconds left, they will easily break the defence. Any thoughts why the Raps don’t run this play?

The referees were atrocious. Not just in our game. For those of you who watched the Dallas game, how do you call a phantom 6th foul on Baron Davis? There was no contact there. The refs have to stop calling what they think happened and just call what they see. I wouldn’t be surprised if the league reviews some tape today and you see less whisles in tonight’s games.

Anyone know anything about tickets for Sunday? Have they already put them up for sale? Are there any available?

One win baby, one win. That’s all it takes. Win on the road and the rest will take care of itself.

Nobody else has mentioned this, but we had a HUGE lead throughout this game, and frittered it away in the 4th qtr. I went from 'we have a safe lead', to 'I think I' having chest pains' in less than 5 minutes.

- Something is definitely wrong with Bosh. Three games in a row under 20 points, and lacking in explosiveness.

- Bargnani is back. If he can play like that first quarter for a whole game, we'll see a game seven at home. I also think he's proving to the team that he can start at the 5 which means matchup issues for everyone else as he develops his game (and did I see him actually post-up Collins?)

- TO fans have climbed into Carter's head. You just know he's hearing every insult right now. Keep it up.

- Good Joey showed up long enough to grab 10 rebs and sat back down before Bad Joey arrived. Excellent

- So that's why everybody thinks Mo Pete can play defense! Up till now, I thought that was a sort of a myth, like Keyser Soze, the Led Zeppelin 'fish' story, or NBA ready Euro-leaguers.

- I'm with Art, the crowd was singing 'Jose'. And even it was Ole, it should be Jose.

- Outside shooting. In games 3-4 the Nets blitzed us with 3-bombs, but last night, they stopped falling long enough for us to get a lead - and then they started falling again. With so many quality three shooters (especially Carter and Nachbar) the Raps have to get a hand in the face those perimeter shooters.

- I know this season isn't even finished yet, but I echo everyone else who is already amped about what the team will look like next year. They are walking through fire right now, and that will only harden them for the future.

unbelievable game.

all this sam loves isn't sitting well with me though. in my opinion, he took out andrea too soon, and left him out of the game for waaaaaaay too long. he effectively never got back in the game after that. also: dixon, humps, and graham on the court at the same time??? check the score line on that one...you'll see how quickly a 20 point lead turned.

I just think he relaxed a little too much with the big lead, getting cute with the substitutions, instead of going for the kill before the end of the half.

another thing that bothered me was how he handled bosh. I think some of what's happening to bosh is on sam. I think he makes too much a big deal with the foul trouble.

I mean, bosh is struggling. no doubt. but he's playing for his life in what could be the last game of the season - let him play!!!! if he fouls out he fouls out. but the taking him out everytime he gets a foul business is obviously giving bosh a complex. he was useless on defense worrying about his foul trouble. everybody was attacking him - richardson, carter, kidd. it was stupid.

I would rather see something like what mo pete did, which is play hard right down to the last foul and leave the floor knowing you did you part. if you have to go, you have to go. it's not like he's dominating the series and not having him on the floor is going to suddenly ruin everything.

so no, I don't agree with you guys about the genius of sam mitchell last night. I think they won in spite of him.

but enough with the negative. a win is a win is a win. and now I think it's safe to say that no matter what happens on friday, I believe we'll all be content knowing the young raps at least went down fighting.

here comes iavaroni!

Papa, there is no way you keep Bosh in with 4 fouls. He gets his 5th and Mitchell is out of the league! Bosh was on the bench because of the way he played (with a little help from the Refs), not because of Mitchell. There are three basic rules, never start a land war in Asia, never interview Bruce Willis on live TV, and never, ever, ever, leave a star player in with 4 fouls in the 3rd quarter.

And who is richardson? Do you mean Jefferson?

Papa, I whole-hearted agree. Sam has to let Bosh play. Maybe, he can finally wake up, like Dirk did last night, and takeover game 6 and get win for us.

For the first time in this series, Sam decided to put the pressure on Lawerence Frank regarding matchups.

Bargnani had such a good first quarter because Collins, Moore and Boone can't guard him on the perimeter. He was able to get to the basket if they played up on him, or was wide open if they played off. Frank first tried to put Kidd on Bargnani, hoping to discourage him, but Andrea just shot over him. After the first quarter, Frank went with one of Carter, Jefferson, Wright or Nachbar on Bargnani. The which is why Bargnani's offense sputtered after the first quarter. But that's ok, because that means that Bargnani has a mismatch down low. I look for more post ups from Andrea in Game 5. If done well, we can get one or more of their guards in foul trouble.

I also liked the way Sam used, or more appropriately, intended to use his point guards. If you noticed, TJ started, but was pulled early so that Jose could play Kidd. This is because Kidd can't post Jose up as easily, and Jose can still abuse Kidd on the other end of the floor. When Marcus Williams came in, I noticed that Sam immediately went to TJ, because Williams is smaller and TJ can really disrupt him on the defensive end. Unfortunately, we didn't get to see alot of the matchup because TJ got hurt, but hopefully, if both are available, we'll see more of it in Game 6.

I also liked the 3/4 court pressure put on Kidd. He's old, so why not make him work? Plus, it gets the ball out of his hands and makes somebody else, usually Carter, a distributor instead of a finisher. Keep that up!

I'd like to see Joey get posted up a little more too. He was a power forward in college, and he looks comfortable in the post, so why not give him some looks down there. I don't think the Nets have anyone strong enough to handle him.

If we run a high-low with Bosh at the top, post-ups should be available all day. They're already doubling Bosh, they won't be able to get down to cover whoever is in the low post in time to stop it. This will either create easy baskets and fouls, or they'll have to adjust by doubling down low, which will free up Bosh.

Finally, I don't actually believe in Jinxes, but why does Chuck have to wait until the MOST IMPORTANT FREE THROW OF THE GAME to mention that "the raptors are 11 for 11 from the line in the 4th quarter". Seriously? Does he want him to miss. Just shut up about it. Mention it after he makes it. As soon as he said that, I put my head down because I knew Bosh was missing. Fortunately, it looks like Nachbar has a little case of the yips at the end of games. He's probably not used to getting that shot, as Vince is usually the one to take the last shot.

From my vantage point in Section 118 I had a very clear view of Bosh's 4th block, er, 4th "foul" on RJ (it would have been his 4th rejection if it wasn't called).

Very serendipitous that I logged on this morning to find out my Dad emailed me this article:

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/02/sports/basketball/02refs.html?pagewanted=1&ei=5070&en=e738eb8c20e09f0d&ex=1178769600&emc=eta1

Title: "Study of NBA Sees Racial Bias in Calling Fouls." I think Delaney's time as an undercover operative has gone to his head, but this time racial profiling has been done in front of 20,000 spectators and an audience of millions. Whiteboy Barg's block at the end of the half had just as much (ergo, just as little) contact as Bosh's.

Speaking of the former, win-or-lose Game 6, I have super high hopes next year, 100% attributable to the Italian Stallion.

Barg's release for a big man is simply remarkable in quickness and, when locked-in, accuracy. Subjectively, his release appears quicker than most SHOOTING guards in the league, and on par with professional scorers like Kobe, Redd and Rip.

I see no reason why, this time next year, Bargs can't execute a trey-block-trey like Dirk did last night to save his Mavs. Hell, maybe he can do it Friday night. Wow.

I too felt we were a little better with bosh sitting than with bosh playing. He seems shaken and subdued, even in his post-game interview. He's so hesitant with the ball and his teammates have become hesitant too.

He gets the rock, AP flashes through the key, two tumbleeds blow through, everyone else stands on the perimeter and watches bosh take a one-footed turn-around fadeaway. No pump-fakes, spin-fakes, no attempt to split double team, no back down to the jump hook, no ones cutting so no dump inside, so it's either a tough shot or ball back tj or jose. The revserse dunk attempt and the blocks were the only signs of life. He needs to be like mikki moore or any GSW - assume every shot is going to miss and get up there to put it back.

I mean, is he psyched out or are boone and collins really stronger than him, is he getting cheap shotted, all of the above? I don't know, but if bosh could figure it out, I'd have some hope for game six. As of now, I'm having these ideas that bargnani will be the man in years to come and not bosh.

I also thought smitch should've tried to run the lead up a little more early when the nets were still on their heels, but who knows if they would have had the gas at the end. At least he didn't play dixon.

Finally, some decent spacing on the floor in the 1st quarter. It was nice to see the Raps of old.
I'm still not sure how Bosh got called for a foul on Richard Jefferson in the 3rd Q. Jefferson was pushing with his off hand and Chris had all ball up top. Terrible call.
It would be nice to see some more double screening. The one play they ran for Chris coming off a double screen, he was open underneath the basket and Jason Collins had to foul him. I hope they realize they need to move Chris around on screens like that (rather than just posting up or him just setting a screen for TJ and Jose at the top of the key).

yeah sorry, my bad. jefferson, not richardson. was reading the article just before about him fighting with a fan.

Almost had a heart attack when Nachbar sent up his shot.

Give credit when it's due if you're gonna blame him for losses blame him for the wins too. Sam did a good job switching the lineup.

Too bad he got injure but TJ could learn some lessons about mixing it up from the back up PG. He needs to hit that jump shot and MAKE his layups. I love the full court pressure Jose put on Kidd. I hope his ankle is OK and he can start the next game.

Bargnani has ice water in his veins. The Nets have no answer for Andrea when he is aggressive and doesn't hesitate. Sam needs to kick some ass cuz they forgot about Andrea in the 2nd half.

Maybe CB4 needs some lessons frm the rookie. Stop hesitating and attack the hoop. Dare the refs to not make the call. Sam should be getting the team to run double screens like the Nets do to free him up. On defense if someone drives to the paint, foul 'em hard a la Mo Pete. If you're gonna get called for the foul ANYWAYS make it a good one.

Stevie Wonder could see the Nets play they run with Kidd driving and kicking back out to the trailing VC fo a 3 pt. Hopefully Sam will have the Raps put the kibosh on this play next game.

I was pleasantly shocked by this game but hated to see the lead dwindle away like it did. If TJ and Jose are still hurt by Friday I hate to say it. Nets win at home.

Sam finally got it right starting Mo Pete, and I'm surprised that it took him four games to figure it out. Morris Peterson and Jose Calderon were a joy to watch defensively. Peterson was all over Carter, and Calderon harassed Kidd up and down the court. This was as much a key to victory as the shots going down in the first quarter. If he can walk, Calderon should start in the sixth game.

Great Lineup last night..finally sam got it right..Is it me or do we play better with Calderon running the show then TJ???...Let's not go getting excited...We blew a 20 pt. lead and left one of the best shooters in the league wide open for a SERIES ending shot..We got lucky..but, The pressure is on the nets to win Game 6, and not have to come back to the amazing place ..the DINO DEN..

Sam has to go though, THe way he has handled Bosh is a disgrace.. 1st quarter pts. mean the same as 4th quarter points..Let him play, he is a smart guy..

I think BC lowballs him an offer, insulted Sam goes to Charlotte.. BC smiles, signs Iavaroni.. story over, raps in a better situation..

What about trading TJ to Atlanta, for their pick, and taking Corey Brewer...or TJ, RASHO's expiring, and something else for Josh Smith..

WAR IVARONI...
WAR JOSE STARTING....
IM OUT LIKE NETS IN 7...

-Coach

KP - GREAT point about Bargs and something I forgot to mention during the recap. His "rolling" off of pick and rolls is hillarious. Sometimes he rolls back towards the defender, sometimes he rolls to the basket, and sometimes he just sort of stands in never-never land. I was screaming about it at one point in the second quarter, he's gotta come off those plays ready to catch the ball and shoot or drive as right now, he's looking like our best offensive option.

Which brings me to your point about Bosh Erezona and Axl - it WAS pure tumbleweeds when he was getting the ball and the offence has just been struggling with him in the post. I'm hoping Mitchell gives him the hook Friday if he keeps being indecisive. On one occassion he held it till the clock was at about 4, only to dump it BACK out to Parker who was forced to hoist up a shot from almost half-court...if he's not going to slash to the basket (which he should have for the last 5 minutes of the game when Collins had 5 fouls) then he's at least gotta be a creator...

As for Sam, I really did think he managed the game well. Yes, the lineup of Graham, Dixon et al got creamed but at some point he HAD to give his wingmen a breather...I gulped when I saw that lineup trot out but not much else you can do and I didn't think he left them all in too long. Need a lot more from Dixon though right now, he's been the worst player in the series so far for Toronto...

One more thing..

Bagnani is a stud.. not next season, but the start of his 3rd season, hell be 22.. THINK HOW GOOD HE WILL BE EVEN THEN... COuld he be better then Bosh, by the end of it all???

What was the song playing for the Raptor's introductions? It was a lot more appropriate than the previous U2 song.

I agree that the wings need to sit and take a breather...but do they need to do it all at the same time?? again, dixon, humps and graham should probably never be on the court at the same time. in the playoffs. down 3-1 in the series.

and I also agree erezona about the never, ever, ever, never star player thing with foul trouble.

trouble is, bosh isn't playing like one. hasn't this whole series. I say let him deal with it on the court, not on the bench.

Thanks Franchise..glad to see someone else was stressing about this. I almost threw my brother from the 300 Level I was getting so upset.

Another problem we have is we get away from what's working unlike NJ. They find plays that work and go back to them ie. RJ coming off high screens and then catching the ball around the foul line ahead of his trailing defender. He either scores or gets fouled. NJ must have done this play a good 6 times and come away with a positive results atleast 5. The other is fiding Vince in transition for 3. Nothing kills the ACC crowd more than that and they go back to it consistently.

For the Raps? Well..I can't say we've a play consistently work but setting mid-level screens for Jose/TJ/AP seem to be working well. All can hit the 18ft jumper pretty consistently. I say we play a two-man game giving these guys the shot they like and then have 2 players from the weekside crash the boards. The shooter, and one weekside player can head back for transition D and voila!

Ha! I make it sound so simple and trust me, I know it's not...It's just frustrating when you see something working and then all of a sudden, the team stops doing it...

The Fan 590: Calderon's injory is a minor ankle sprain. He expects to be back Friday.

OK, the Raps but won. But down the stretch the defense was awful, time after time the Nets were wide open for 3's caused by bad rotation on part of the team's defense. In game 4 they got burned by 3's, Thank God the Nets didn't hit as many 3's this contest. Sam Mitchell better address the perimeter defense next game. And one more thing NO MORE REVERSE CRAMS FOR CB4

Unfortunately i could not watch the game, i envy you guys who got to attend live. From the recap, though, it doesn't seem like the Raps brought their A game to the table (more like their B), but winning is all that matters at this point...
By the way, what about the Vince booing (i didn't read anything about it in the recap)? Was it as loud as games 1 and 2? Dit it affect him?

Also, the spanish hoops media is all over Calderon's breakout game, i'm very happy for him because he deserves it a lot, he's a great guy and a great basketball player. Grande Jose!!!!

And now... can't wait for friday's win-or-die!

The crowd was on Vince just as much and loud as games 1-2, but after some shaky FT shooting early on it didn't seem to affect him as much as the first two, evidenced by his shooting 45% from the floor and 60% from the line.

Haven't been able to find final voting totals yet to see if Bargnani finished second, but apparently Brandon Roy was 1 vote short of unanimous for ROY, with Bargs getting the 128th first-place vote.

The comments attached to the story at TrueHoop are indicating that Swirsky was the one dissenter who didn't pick Roy, and people sound bitter about it...

http://myespn.go.com/blogs/truehoop/0-24-9/127-Out-of-128-Ain-t-Bad.html

Sergi, being at the game I can only assume that Wince was rattled by the "VC Sucks" chants during his free throws; he shot only 6-for-10 and he made 80% on the season. Wince did have a pretty good game overall from the field, but if he didn't have Kidd facilitating most of his open treys it would have been a lot worse. He also had 3 TOs.

And Frank, you are right. I forgot to mention that Bosh made a very poor decision going for the reverse dunk; yeah, he makes them usually, but he was off from the field for most of this game and 2 minutes to go was DEFINITELY not the time to get fancy. My whole section groaned when he missed. Thank the lord he is pretty decent from the line for a big man.

Big fan of picking up Kidd as soon as the ball is inbounded to him, the less time he has the ball in his hands the better. I think Rasho should just club whoever tries to enter the lane if he's only in there for reserve minutes.

Apparently Delaney - the worst offender in last nights reffing debacle which the raps were mostly the victim of - is disgruntled with the league over the crawford thing. Anyway, interesting story about reffing from the denver game at this link.

http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/sports_columnists/article/0,1299,DRMN_83_5515828,00.html

Axl, interesting article. I don't think Delany is acting alone. There have been a number of questionable calls on Bosh in the series. Typically, you don't get those calls in the playoffs, especially on your superstar.

Yeah, erezona I felt like the reffing was a big issue in game 3. They were letting a lot of stuff go in toronto (which I like in the playoffs), then in jersey they were calling a bunch of crap. They favoured the home team slightly all around which is a given these days, but the nets adjusted to the refs quickly whereas the raps seemed to get deflated when a mistake or two got compounded by a bad call or two. Anyways, refs don't affect made baskets, so I'm don't think they're fixing games, just affecting them based on their mood, personality, feelings about certain players, etc. Hate that but whadayagonnado?

axl, very enlightening article. Slight dispute to your comment of "favouring the home team"; I haven't seen that at all in the Games #1 and #5 I attended live.

Not to be a total homer, as Moore and Collins also got called for a bunch of ticky tack fouls, but let's face it, they aren't that integral to the success of the Nets.

On the other hand, the literal "blocking foul" on Bosh in the 3rd was shocking. I'm not sure if the TV cameras stayed with him, but I've *never* seen CB4 so pissed in all the Raps games I've attended. He had to be physically restrained by Smitch.

I really don't know why NBA refs are such puss..., er, so thin-skinned. NHL refs and MLB refs take boatloads more abuse (see: a John Gibbons field appearance on any missed Blue Jay call for reference).

T-Dunc laughs on the bench and gets tossed? S-Jax claps "sarcastically" and gets tossed? What's next, Wince playfully slaps MoPete on the face and then MoPete softly shoves Wince and gets tossed? Oh, wait....

jj - with the raps I probably always feel they're biased against us (I'm too much of a fan), but I've read some convincing articles that use stats to show refs favour the home team. I guess the ultimate question is "Is players and coaches influencing refs part of the game of basketball and is refs making calls based on their personal feelings part of the game of basketball?" I don't know the answer to that one. There's so many more calls compared any other sport and refs have to make judgement calls all the time and admit mistakes and even give payback calls to rectify them. I really don'tr know - just throwing that out there.

They called that a *blocking* foul on bosh?! I thought it was for contact on the shot. That's extra brutal. Wasn't there a raptor between bosh and whoever he fouled(jefferson I think?)? When it was MJ with foul trouble back in the day, seemed like they'd blatantly give a foul to another guy seemingly just so they wouldn't foul out the superstar.

axl, I was kidding about the "blocking foul" part, I said "literally" because Bosh "blocked" the shot but was called for the contact.

MLB and NHL has a lot of "bang-bang" plays as well, but the difference is that, unless they pull a Bertuzzi, it's pretty rare for said players to get ejected. It just seems too easy for NBA players to get ejected, and/or accrue 4-5 fouls, especially in an intense playoff atmosphere.

Watching Thhe Franchise sit and stew for minutes on end due to foul trouble doesn't happen in any other major team sport. Let the players play.

Speculation about the Raptors considering an Euroleague coach:
http://www.aolsportsblog.com/2007/05/02/will-the-raptors-go-international-for-their-next-head-coach/

As I said a few weeks ago, i think that although Euro coaches can surely be as good as americans, bringing the first euro coach would be a very risky move: he'll be under a very heavy scrutiny, and i don't see much upside because coaches cannot star on their own like a Pau or Dirk can, i mean he can be good but it's very unlikely he will be "great" (very few coaches are).

That said, though, if you hire an euro coach i think Ettore Messina is clearly the best one. He's had a lot of success in quite different teams, he's very respected by everyone and is a very professional hard-working coach... Interesting stuff to discuss once the season is over (hopefully not until a few more weeks go by!)

I'm not sure, what's going on with our point guards, but I'll be there for game six in New Jersey. We have had a wonderful year so far and I'm just proud of our guys.

Come on Rap fans. There are a ton of tickets still available. I was able to get eight 45 dollar seats in a row. We can't even get singles in the T. Dot.

Let's Go Raptors!!! VC Sucks!!!

P.S. If this is our last game, I would just like to thank RaptorsHQ for the ride. Your articles on the Raps was a must read every morning at work. Keep it up boys!!!

Thank god Bargnani looks like he's coming back. He's our biggest X factor - Jersey doesn't really have anyone who can match up with him.

If neither Calderon or Ford can go on Friday though, it'll all be academic. Was Calderon ever brilliant last night. I wonder if we'll be having arguments next year over who should be the starting point guard?

We'll see how the point guards look tomorrow in our Game Day preview but so far not good...ESPN.com is reporting that both missed practice and it sounds like neither are going to be close to 100% come Game Time. (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/playoffs2007/news/story?id=2858256)

The bigger concern for me, is that seeing how integral the point guard play has been in the series, how effective is a practice when it's only D-Mart running the show? Are we gonna see Juan Dixon playing the 1? I'd rather see Luke Jackson at this point I think...

Looking at the sadness in the eyes of the Nuggets and Lakers last night, it hit home. There will be 15 playoff teams that will have that look sooner or later. But for the Raptors, tomorrow is neither the time, nor is the swamp the place.

I truly believe what I said before game 5. This will go down as the greatest playoff come back in Raptors history. It’s one thing if we competed and played our hearts out and were down 3-1, but we didn’t. We are capable of more and are starting to show it. That miss by Nachbar at the end of game 5 has the "if only that shot went down" feel to it. I think the Nets will look back at that last play as the closest they came to moving onto the next round. Why am I so confident? For the following reasons:

1. The Raptors are a better team
2. The Raptors have not played to their capabilities yet and are more than capable of getting there
3. You can’t keep a good man down for long. Bosh is a good man and will have a huge break out game
4. We’ve had most of the bad calls and all of the bad luck (flu, injuries, etc.) It’s time things even out and I believe they will
5. Our point guards have had to make up for Bosh. If he plays his game, we don’t need as much scoring from them, just bring the ball up. How many games this season did we have the point guards score a lot? Not many. This has only become important as the rest of our offence disappeared. I think we can get back to our main scoring guys.

Franchise, I like your suggestion of using Jackson as the point. Not sure how good his ball handling is and you know NJ is going to press on the inexperienced 1. You just have to help out with screens to negate the pressure. With Jackson we have a player who looks to distribute the ball and is more than capable of getting his own offence. He won’t be able to abuse Kidd as much, defensively on Kidd, he won’t get posted up as much either. Maybe this is the surprise Mitchell is talking about.

I’d love it if after the Kidd knee injury story, both TJ and Calderon come out on Friday at 100%. I know it’s just a dream, but it would be awesome!

I was much more optimistic yesterday after Calderon declared he will be ready. But after seeing him hobble around, I’m convinced there will be no Calderon. I think we stand a better chance of getting TJ back, as long as he feels better.

tough to speculate who's going to be running the show tomorrow. luke jackson could be interesting...but his defense has been pretty suspect so far, and I can already see vince or jefferson dreaming about switching on the kid with j-kidd to abuse him. but if he can pick up the 2 man game with bosh and hit some shots if they go under the screen...interesting. but to be perfectly honest I don't know what kind of handles he has. dixon? don't even get me started.

but I would be very surprised if the starting 5 weren't dmart, parker, mo pete, bargs and cb4. (if the 2 true points can't go.)

after that, it's anybody's guess.

Mo Pete also has good hands.

"Ok, follow closely: ESPN's Andy Katz talked to Rick Barnes, who coached T.J. Ford at college in Texas. Katz says Barnes says he has talked to T.J. Ford's dad (somewhere in there this just stopped being journalism) who says T.J. is fine, should play in game six, and all x-rays were negative."

Quote of Truehoop on ESPN.com. Hopefully this is correct.

and to quote a realgm-er who quickly posted a reply when this qoute was posted over there...'fantastic news! anyone hear anything from jose's dad?'

1 out of 1,000 posts over there are interesting, relevant or funny. this one's a 1 in 1,000,000.

Luke Jackson running point??? Y'all can't be serious...

With regards to TJ and Jose's condition, the Nets have gone from 6.5 to 7.5 favourites in the past 24 hours...

'did you hear anything from Jose's dad'..HA! ha! That is hilarious....

yur right, one in a million...

peace

wow, if we're even suggesting to look to Luke Jackson to run point, of which he's never done - even in highschool, weezy, we're in trouble.

Maybe we can hope he could score 40 points like he did vs Colorado.

Though Luke Jackson is one of only three players to have back-to-back triple-double games in the Pac-10, joining Jason Kidd...and Loren Woods.

Here's hoping the 2003 NCCA Player of the year finalist (he lost to TJ Ford) gets in a game of his life.

I stand corrected, Luke wilson didn't lose to 2003 NCCA Player of the year winner TJ Ford, but Jameer Nelson in 2004.

Chuck Swirsky is getting some nasty emails from some Blazer fans re: him being the only one to not vote for Brandon Roy for ROY. I guess they have nothing better to do since their players are playing golf

Swirsky being a homer is OK by me. The Raptors don't get enough respect in the States as it is. Besides, Il Mago is a contributor on a play off team. What more do they want?

Sure Swirsk is a homer (as are most of us), and it is too bad Bargs missed the last month to give Swirsk more amunition (Roy missed a lot of time earlier in the season, but he finished strong).

I guess it is nice that Portland fans care so much about their JAILblazers, but the fact is, last year Deron got one first place vote by a Utah broadcaster over CP3, which is even more egregious in my opnion as Paul was a Top 5 PG *in the leauge*. Deron has narrowed the ga this year, true, but do you think Roy is a top five SG this year?

Here's the excerpt from the Portland papers about the whole ROY and the Swirsk thing:

Sort of a funny read from a Raptors fans' perspective considering how well we know Chuck and his mannerisms:

http://blog.oregonlive.com/behindblazersbeat/2007/04/roy_will_not_be_unanimous_roy.html

Game 7 will be on ABC. Just announced on the TNT broadcast of the HOU UTAH game. Finally national coverage on a major US network in primetime. Also, we can get an alternative to Chuck. More interested in what the US broadcasters will have to say as we pull this off.

All the stars are lining up, we will be there for game 7!

Chuck Swirski is the man!!!Most people will just follow the pack! Good going Chuck for having the balls to vote the way U like

Dirk Nowitzki,eight points and 2-for-13 shooting, MVP??? please! give the MVP to the person who deserves it. Nowitzki was beat at 3-1. Talk about a player who gave up.

Can the Raptors play hurt and beat NJ? Go Raps Go!

Nowitzki MVP NOT!!!!But will still get it a real rip off.

dirk received the same treatment bosh is getting - the double, triple team treatment.

if you deny them the ball, there isn't much they can do.

seems to me the playoffs are made for guards. (or massive c's.)

Is Dave Feschuk (Toronto Star writer) an idiot?

"He (Bosh) should know, though, that when they put your face on the side of the building you've got to face the music. Passing the buck, when you're making 12 million of them, won't play."

Has Bosh ever passed the buck? If there's one thing that's always impressed me about Chris is that he is accountable. He's no Vince, Damon, or Marcus, and that's a good thing.

Here's an interesting Portland take on the Swirsky vote, and on the man himself (Swirsk agreed to be interviewed by the blogger):

http://www.blazersedge.com/story/2007/5/3/34814/13636

I BELIEVE!