3 In the Key - Toronto Raptors Game-Day Preview vs. Knicks

Beautiful breakdown of the Knicks. That's what we've come to expect from you guys.

I think with all the trade talk of late that no one has mentioned the Knicks as potential trading partners. True there isn't a lot there but they do have some useful pieces that could be had for the right price. As much as Franchise might be joking about trading Baston for Lee (from what I remember Isiah said Lee is untouchable) maybe there is something to that. Lee would solve a lot of Toronto's rebounding problems and he could probably even start a lot of nights in the 5 spot (not ideal but workable). The Raps could offer Rasho's expiring deal and one of Martin or Dixon and a draft pick. Maybe Toronto could even weasel one of NY's backup guards in the deal. So you ask why would Isiah take such a deal? It would give him some flexability down the road (assuming he keeps his job). Dixon comes off the books this year and I think Rasho has only one year left. Rasho gives him a true centre to back Curry up, one who can do all the things Curry doesn't do )(like rebound, pass the ball, not turn it over, play defence etc). Ok I know I am dreaming but hey who knows with the Knicks.
Seriously though, as much as I want to give the Raps the W tonight, you just never know with the NBA. The Raps have been inconsistent of late and they have no solution for their backup point guard woes (though I don't understand why Delfino just doesn't take on the job even if it means a few extra turn overs when teams pressure him). If Calderon has to play 40 minutes a game over the next while they will be short two points instead of just one. Dixon has value for cap reasons so the Raps need to use that and get something that can help them. The Redick/Dooling idea really sounded good to me and I do not see why Orlando wouldn't consider doing it other than having to take on Kapano's salary. I hope BC comes up with a solution before the Raps end up behind the 8 ball cause if I am the knicks and desperately needed a win I would be slamming Calderon on almost every drive to the basket (not that teams ever purposefully target players or anything right?).

I think the coaches have been drilling rebounding into our guys head this week. I expect to see us very agressive tonite and look for us to outrebound a better rebounding team tonite.

NBC Triple headers on Sunday afternoons.....ahhh the good old days before golf became "cool" and the "cameo" haircut was the "in" doo. Man I miss that! Raps gonna clear the boards and run over the lowly Knicks!

Go Raps!

I'm out

Fresh 1

McGateway. goog points as usual. Who knows with the knickerbockers so why not give it a shot? After all, things could get really desperate in New York to the point where they decide tehy need to start over. No better way to do that then with expiring contracts so hello Rasho and Juan. I even think Crawford would be a great sixth man on Toronto under Mitchell. Its weird but I think he's actually the most mature guy on New York right now.

You have to remember when figuring knicks trade scenarios that things like "cap space" and "expiring deals" hold no value for them.

Besides would BC trade a raptor to the knicks? That would just be mean.

I notice that the Canadian Press has presented that Calderon is on pace to set a point guard record for efficency. There is something wrong with this whole All Star selection process when someone with his creditials is not even on the ballot. And finally, with respect to Ford and Calderon, I believe that in the fourth quarter especially in close games, Ford should move to the 2 spot with a green light to score while guarding the opposition's point guard. Calderon could run the show while guarding the bigger 2 on the opposition team. TJ has that fire to score that AP doesn't

The Raps can't take the KNicks lightly. Raps have to come out aggressive and take the lead. We have not seen NY yet this year and we dont want them to think that they can come out of there slump agaist us. I like the idea of Crawford coming to Toronto I remember when he was with Chicago he droped his first 50+ point game against the Raps. I think he would strive in the Raps system. But I would hate to see any Raptor going to the Knicks. Go Raptors big W in the Big Apple.....Raps4Life

Couple points....someone mentioned playing both Jose and TJ during the end of close games.

I think thats a bad idea. Jose should play and not TJ. The end of games is where things slow down and everyone buckles down. I can tell you right now every team we play would run a post up against one of our two pg's and given the fact that we're already weak defensively with no real strong weakside help defender we'd be in a lot of trouble.

Also TJ is a high risk/high reward player...he might win you some might lose you some...I'd prefer to go with the steady hand of Jose who won't turn the ball over and is a good outside shooter. I'd also prefer to have AP and Delfino at the 2 and 3 spot as both are good defenders however they can shot much better than moon and create much better than moon.

However this is a very general case and you'd likely have to look at it from a game to game perspective. Maybe there are some teams in which it would be good to have both pg's (not many) some games we might need moon out there for his shot blocking...changes all the time.

In regards to today's game the Raps should win. The Knicks are horribly defensively and Calderon and Bosh should be able to carve them up. We don't have to be too afraid on the boards either as Eddy Curry isn't much of a rebounder. How sweet it would be if Eddy Curry had to guard Andrea....

However on the opposite side of the spectrum I'm sure Knicks fans are thinking they can pick up a win because they're telling themselves andrea can't defend...andrea can't rebound...andrea isn't going to block shoots.

So do you go with rasho to defend and rebound against the knick's big men or do you go with Andrea who can destroy the Knicks big men from the offensive end.

I'm guessing we'll see what we've seen the past few games. Andrea will start...if he gets going offensively and can be average on defence he will play a lot. If the game comes down to the wire Rasho will be brought in to close out the game.

Bosh should dominate this game....there isn't anybody who can do anything to stop him with his size, speed and agility.

If Bosh scorers above 20 and the raps can stay even on the boards I expect an easy win..

If the knicks can beat up on the raps from the inside and get their energy guards going then they should have an easy time.

Raps by 7 or 8.

Thanks observer - the Knicks really are a case study in what happens when owners hire names and not proven experience. Hmmm...that probably applies to other teams like Minnesota as well.

Funny that a few of you have mentioned BC's reluctance to deal a Raptor to the Knicks, I had the same thoughts ha ha. A few trades work in terms of grabbing a David Lee or a Jamal Crawford but would you really want to punish a player by dealing him there? B.C. has often spoke of making trades if it works for both the team and the player so I'm not so sure.

Perhaps the least offensive deal that works salary-wise if a new GM were to look to clean house is Rasho for Lee and Malik Rose. Rasho would only have to endure New York for a year and would provide a professional attitude, and winning experience to a team sorely lacking in both departments. We'd get Lee but also take Malik Rose's ridiculous deal off of the Knicks' hands thus saving them a good chunk of change when Rasho's deal expires a year before Rose's.

The only problem of course is that both Dolan and Isiah are still living in dreamland and don't think they need to blow things up. Couple that with the fact that New York could care less about saving money and that we'd have about 18 under-sized 4's if we made this deal and it becomes mere conversation fodder. Maybe David Stern can step in...

Interesting couple of articles...one has BC saying getting a PG is a priority (goodbye D-Mart) and the other says Ukic might be coming to TO (hello D-League?).

http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Basketball/NBA/Toronto/2008/01/11/4767699-sun.html

http://torontosun.com/Sports/Basketball/2008/01/10/4765475-sun.html

My hate (which is considerable) for the Knicks starts and ends with Isiah. I can't believe we have to see that smirking fool during parts of tonight's game.

Shouts out to John Wallace, the original "instant offence" from Leo's vocab....it would later lead to the now nightly used "this guy is instant offense Chuck".

Anyone catch last season when Chuck said "I like Gay, Leo"
taliking about Rudy Gay...Leo just left him out there on that one, there was a 10 second pause after.

What about Chuck's "eating some Air Canada Rim"...if it has anything to do with the Dance Pak then I might be down with it; otherwise no thanks!

Hate to one up ya DayOner as I'm still laughing my ass off at the rim comment, but the original instant offense was Acie Earl.

I feel sorry for Knicks fans - they basically have nothing to look forward to until Isiah gets fired. What a horrible roster of me-first players (other than David Lee and - it must be said - the much maligned Renaldo Balkman). How on earth does Zeke keep getting these chances?

The guy just ruins everything he touches. What a sorry state of a team. The talent is there - Isiah is just a lousy coach. He should step back and become a scout. He's got a great draft record.
Will take the road win - Bosh was great. Parker seems to be back to his solid self. Moon had a good game as well. Feel a bit for Bargnani - but he'll get back on track.

Bang bang the witch is dead. Time for the Blazers.

I like Lee and there's no reason he should be untouchable like Sean Connery, but wouldn't give up much for him.

Surpised I haven't seen it, but Shaq the Rap? We have enough pieces. The Heat ain't going to win in the next two years. Would be great for Kapono, who we already have a lot invested in and worked well with Shaq in the past. Gives Shaq a chance to leave in style. I've also been big on SamIam and BMill, though they're trade values have been going up.

Anyway, wishful thinking.

BTW - let's hope Calderon doesn't make the All-Star game. Guy could definitely go for a break for the second hald and an all-star appearance will drive up is off-season asking price a-la-Antonio Davis, Jamal Magloire, et al. However, it's out of our hands.

rasho for rose and lee, and then we have no centre?

2.5 games separating first from seventh in the west right now, crazy.

Nice shout-out franchise. Triple headers will never be forgotten. I'm die-hard Knicks but the team, the management at this point....below amateur. It sickens me....they're a true laughing stock. Thanks Mr. Daddy didn't love me enough Thomas.