Game Six Preview - Raptors vs. Nets

I'm surprised there's no mention of bargs, considering how he pretty much set the tone for winning game #5. he's been getting better every game, which hopefully means he should be good to go for a solid outing tonight. and if he's doing well, we all know that means more space for bosh.

what peaked my ears the last game was that bullet pass andrea tried to send bosh from the top of the key down low in the post - bosh missed it, but it was a sign to me that andrea is getting his confidence again and is looking to be a play maker.

if the trend continues, he should be ready for a game changing outing tonight.

so in my opinion he's one of the keys to this game as well.

the future of andrea and bosh will arrive tonight. that's what we'll be talking about after this game.

I'm not sure if Bosh is ready to be all that we and the Feschuks want him to be this season; he's been playing like Dirk this series, getting easily frustrated and kind of giving up on plays when he's not getting the calls. Andrea has shown more preternatural ice in his veins than Bosh.

However, the Grange/Globe article has value; it reminded me that similar inside players like Bosh got killed in their first (couple of) series, from D'Black to JO to KG. The reason why T-Dunc escaped that same fate early on is that he has always had accurate long bombers, from Sean Elliot to Big Shot Bob, for the kick out. D-Rob helped too, of course.

Even if they lose, I'm glad the Raps faced a playoff-savvy team like the Nets; if they faced the wounded Wiz, this would not give them an accurate feel for the intensity of playoff bball.

As well, a loss will give this overall young team concrete goals for next season, from getting 48 wins to set the team record to making it past the first round. If the first round was just handed to them, reaching the next level would be much harder in 2007-2008 and more open to disappointment. Just look at the Mavs!

Franchise, that's a nice assessment of what might work tonight. The problem is that without TJ/JC at full strength it's going to be very hard to dictate tempo. I imagine we're wind up playing slower since Martin isn't going to get up and down as fast as the other two. This is probably going to fit into the Nets' likes and we're going to have to play great transition defence to make them play halfcourt too. I'm hopeful we can pull it off, I'll admit that it's probably a longshot

Pins and needles - 8 o'clock can't come fast enough.
We have so many guys capable of breaking out, AP,AB,CB4,JG,MoP,Dixon - heck even Lucky Luke. Here's hoping a few step up.
ACC will be rocking if we can bring this home for game 7.

It would be great if the Raps could win tonight but they are 0-4 at the sawmp this year. I don't think it's gonna happen.

Still I would like to see CB4 attack the hoop. None of this hesitation until the double team comes b.s. If you're gonna go down, go down swinging. If you're jump shot ain't falling take it to the hoop. Even if you get some charges called against you try something for gawd's sake.

I wonder if AP will play some point tonight. Does He have any history playing point guard. I believe He has the smarts and playmaking ability to pull it off in a pinch

My heart wants to see a game 7, but my head says no. All I want is a competitive game to-night and not get embarrased by double digit scores again. In oether words, I want to see them go down fighting! Can't wait!

Davl - I was thinking exactly the same thing. I think putting AP, Mo and JG out on the floor is our toughest defensive lineup and so lng as we are sharing the ball around the offence, it shouldn't matter who is bringing the ball up the court. I think Martin and Dixon will see increased minutes, but I hope Smitch doesn't try to replace TJ and Jose with those two.

The raps/nets game has a lot in common with dallas/gsw, but we're the slow paced, low percentage shooting team that keeps losing their men in transition. It's almost like raps had to start picking guys up at half court just to remember to guard them. That can't happen tonight because open shots go down for the nets period.

If we're shooting at our potential early we will be ok until the second half where the nets like to turn up their defense. We've seen what happens when the raps can't match that defensive intensity plus find a way to score.

I'm putting a lot of it on bosh, but not to score from the low post, but get every board, push the ball, consider every shot a miss and go up there and put them in, plus a game winning three point attempt. The only failure is not trying and not fighting to the last possible second.

Come on raps!!!!!!!!!

rapstress pr. rāpp - strєs
- noun
1. the physical pressure to punch a wall based on the performance of the Toronto Raptors, NBA Franchise
2. the reason for pre-mature male pattern baldness of men aged 18-40 who have lived in the GTA for a period of greater than 2 years
3. a specific response by the body, manifested as fear or pain, as a result of blowing 12 point 4th quarter leads by above named Franchise

Todd, what about in ten years if they are 0-24? Is it really impossible to believe that they can win a game in NJ ever? If they can, then why not now? They didn’t win a game in Chicago for a few centuries but managed to do that this year. The two games during the season, I believe we didn’t have Bosh for.

I think Jose will start. He said yesterday he can walk ok, which means I expect him to play. Also, I’d be surprised if TJ is not out there. He is feeling better and the doctors I understand have cleared him.

If they are both gone or ineffective, I expect to see lots of Dixon. No way Martin gets more than some relief time. Dixon is quick, an offensive threat and can guard Kidd just fine. Thank goodness we don’t have Fred Jones!

Papa, I’m with you. Tonight will be a night that defines this Raptor squad.

A little concerned about the results in Oakland last night. Our series has mirrored that one, right down to the shutting down of the superstars (Bosh and Dirk). I only hope we can now make a break from that series and carve out our own future.

Go RAPS!

My bet is that Calderone is good to go and will play heavy minutes. I'll be shocked if Martin gets significant burn, and that Mitch will be moving AP to point to cover for Jose's nap time.

I also think that the Raptor's braintrust collectively threw up in their mouths at the nature of Ford's injury. That Vince Carter is the guy who injured him just makes it worse.

I'm in agreement with everyone else, if you gotta go out, go out HARD.

Go Raptors!

If Jose/TJ unable to start I would start Parker @ PG, MoPete @ SG vs VC & Joey & SF vs RJ. AP would be able to keep ahead of Kidd on Def.
& limit his efectiveness.
On offense his BB IQ in seeing the floor & passing,as JC does,combined with his 3 pt shooting should force the NETS to come off Bosh & guard him freeing up Chris & making the pick and roll effective. AB can alternate between outside/inside with Bosh and have 3 pt shots with MoPete from the corners.
The KEY to a win is if Rap's shoot the JS like they can @ 45/50 % and play decent defense.

There is no shame losing to the Nets. It was, for all intents and purposes, the Raps first post-season experience and they went up against a team with three all stars that has gone through its share of playoff experiences/heartache.

I do have an issue with the bandwagon-esq TO sports fan that have started ripping on the Raps. I'm not sure what people expect from this team - remember they were not even supposed to make the playoffs and technically, we are still 'rebuilding'. Give this team some time and just watch. Unfortunately, Raptor Nation has become infiltrated by Leaf fans, and so it seems that the collective sports IQ of Raptors Nation has taken a big hit.

the only "real" surprise is if they bring back Alvin Williams.

I'd bet on Juan to get some solid time at PG. He's been a PG and that's why they brought him here, like Freddy before him, just in case a PG was to go down. If you notice when JD gets on the fast break, he's got PG skillz. He got the A on MoP's only dunk this series.

Good points on the Bosh/Dirk comparison. Watching last night's game I was thinking the same thing however I'm HOPING that Toronto plays the "we've got nothing to lose" style of Golden State tonight.

Papa - Yep, Bargs and Joey have been our X Factors all series and when they produce, the team looks pretty tough to beat. I didn't single Il Mago out but yeah, was thinking of him specifically when talking about a TOTAL team effort as a key tonight.

I'm worried about the point guard play tonight above everything. A lineup of AP/Mo Pete/Joey G etc looks good on paper but I'm just not sure how well the offence will run without someone who's been running it all season at the helm. ESPN.com is reporting that both Ford and Calderon are still game time decisions as of two hours ago (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/playoffs2007/news/story?id=2860341) so we might see up to five guys running the show this evening. Whoever it is (Alvin Williams ripping off the warm-ups would make for a nice story) I just hope Toronto comes out hard like Eightball and MJG...

4 hours to go...

PS - KP - Loved the definitions...think next year we need a "Wikiraptorpedia?"

Also from ESPN.com...interesting stuff on Kidd ala Hollinger:

http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/playoffs2007/insider/columns/story?columnist=hollinger_john&id=2860239

Erezona,

I am not sure what your point is? Of course losing streaks eventually stop. The Raps had a 15 game losing streak against the Bulls until they beat them this year twice. All I am saying is this year's edition of the Raps have not played well in Jersey.

For the Raptors to win they must be clicking on all cylinders and they are not. Both point guards are injured. The star player is not playing well especially in New Jersey. Sam was out coached in the first 4 games.

I hope the Raptors win but things ain't looking good.

For me, Bargnani is the key guy (outside of the PG situation, of course). He can really stretch the defence out and perhaps alleviate the double teams on Bosh. Plus, New Jersey doesn't really have anyone who can guard him effectively on the perimeter. He's too quick for their bigs and he's tall enough to shoot over Jefferson and Carter, although the latter had a nice block on him in game one, I believe.

I suspect Calderon will start, with Martin and Dixon manning some time at the point. In a pinch, AP might have to bring the ball up the floor. I wouldn't be surprised to see MoPete, Graham and AP on the floor at the same time.

Well it's over too bad it was on a turnover great game looking forward to next year. Also will be hitting refresh button often for Our Recap. and musings on the game.

What a choke job on those last two plays. How can Parker get held up on screens like that? How can Parker/Bosh just let Jefferson lay it up without ripping the arms from his sockets. Ha! Calderon, the choke of his life!!!!

I can't even remember why I like sports right now.

if it was not for Calderon there would not of been a game 6. The team played hard and never gave up. Being in the other teams barn with the ball and down 1 with 8 seconds to go I think the Raptors will take it anytime. Experience does not come overnight. Great season

What a scrappy game by the Raps! Too bad they lost but at least they put up a good fight. Nothing like the last two games.

Bosh still took too many jump shots and starting taking it to the hoop too late in the game. He's lost his playoff virginity now and will be back next year with some stripes.

Andrea is a bad MF. Can't wait to see his low post game next year. KG never had this kind of help in Minnesota (maybe the year he had Sprewell and Cassell).

If this was Mo Pete's last game as a Raptor he's earned nothing but love from the fans. VC could have taken lessons on how to leave a team from Mo.

Great season guys! I am not going to bitch about any play or lack of plays. We got maximum effort and the team grew up. Sure I feel like I got punched in the stomach and will need a day or two to recover, but remember 15 teams (and their fans) are going to feel like this in the coming weeks. Next year we have the same great core and if you think about how much Calderon advanced between his rookie and sophomore year in the NBA, its scary to think where Bargnani, Jose, and Garbo will ne next season.f65c2

Oh Man that hurts!

It hurts but looking back the Raps had a good season. Today on the last day of the Raps season I'm calling it..Raps Eastern Conference Champs next year!

With Garbo back (hopefully healthy), a better developed AB look out!

Jays suck, the Maple Laughs are where they always are, and the Raps run is done.

Whew! I can turn my attention from watching the sports news for 6 months and use the time more efficiently.

Watching out for the Raps was surely more fun, gotta admit.

Outstanding effort by all most especially Jose & TJ with combined 33 pts with both injured. Jose had great difficulty moving side to side. Bosh had great 4th qtr but took too many shots. AB & AP were shooting better and should have taken more.
Bench was MIA. Look FWD to the off season moves by BC.

I have to change my name, because I'm not really feeling too much pain anymore. What a great year. Maybe we were a couple of inches on that last pass from moving on to the next round, but there is much reason for pride and optimism.

Kudos on the refereeing. This was the first game where a ref had the balls to call a travel on Kidd and didn't give an advantage either way. We saw Bosh arrive as a result. There is much to build on for next year.
I'm a little worried that the PG situation might become a little strained with the look on TJ's face. Either they start finding some small combinations that get both guys on the floor or there is going to be a some strain developing. It would be too bad because I love our points.

The wings need a little more and a little more banging would help. We especially need a future at the 2. Also, a real banger might find a home on this team (could we get Magloire cheap?). Rasho just got dropped the last 2 games. Obviously Bargs is the future at center and someonelike a Collins suits the spot role more than Rasho.

We are out of the draft, and getting in may be pointless. We don't really need a rookie when we need to have our young guys play. They need the court time to develop. It's off to you, BC.