Tip-In, Toronto Raptors Post-Game:  Wecanbeatanyteams

I was saying the other day about Boston being one injury away from a skid. Well, here you go...

""It felt like I got sniped from the rafters or something, you know," Garnett said. "I just had a sharp pain come from my stomach and I just wanted the doctors to look at it. They looked at it and said I was fine, so I came back out." Kevin Garnett

And abdominal sprains are tough to heal up.

Now it sounds cheap to hope for other teams to get injuries. But, all I'm saying is, with JG and TJ out with their problems, it would be nice to see how Boston handles this, if it happens. And I would say they are about a 500 team without Garnett, maybe less.

What I liked about the game was the stat sheet showing Kids stats vs Jose. Not even close and Jose on a winning team.Franchise U should of included that in the numbers lol

Solid win for the Raps. Couple of points:

1. The coach of the Bucks is TERRIBLE. He totally mis-used Charlie V who was a force on the offense glass in his limited minutes. And did not at all take advantage of the fact that no one on the raps could guard Bogut. The Bucks should have kept pounding the ball inside and then kicking it out when the Raps doubled.

2. Bargnani needs to SLOW DOWN on offense. It's obvious that he's in a rush. I think that was biggest difference in the boston game. He'd catch the ball, ASSESS the situation and then decide whether to shoot, pump fake and drive, or pass. It's when he has his mind made up before he receives the ball that he gets into trouble.

3. Bosh had it going on.

4. The RAPS really need a back point, be it TJ coming back or someone through a trade or free agent, but the offense falls apart when Jose not's in there. I think at one point the line up was, Martin, Delfino, Graham, Kapono (who was ice gold) and Rasho. I was screaming at my TV, "where are the point going to come from?!?" Sam needs to do a better job staggering Jose and Bosh's minutes. Also did anyone else feel that Sam left Jose in the game a little to long. He eventually subbed him out, but it was well after the salami and cheese had come out. This team is one Jose Calderon ankle injury away from a losing streak.
5. Minnesota HAD THAT GAME WON. That loss to Boston is going to keep them up at night for a while. They had the lead and couldn't miss offensively, but their inability to grab a defensive rebound (sound familiar) as well as not being able to inbound the ball after a time out, was just pathetic. That team has talent, but it's obvious they don't know how to win.

Most of the game I was wondering what Krystowiak as doing. He cleary had no idea what was going on or how to use his players. It is like he uses the fresh prince forumla "pass the ball to Will" Will being Redd and hopes the guy gets 50 points.

They have some serious front court talent that is going to waste.

The Wizards games will be tough. The Raps never play well in DC.

Should be interesting

thanks for the nugget of info on the chicken nugget. No Rapstv for me.

I guess we will not hear soon Colangelo and Mitchell stating at every opportunity "TJ is our starting PG and Jose is his back-up". This organization didn't even put Jose on the All-Star ballot.
The tables are turned now. Everybody in the organization has to tip-toe around this issue because Jose has the upper-hand in the contract negotiations. Even if we have the right to match, it will still be Jose's decision. We have 8 million tied up in TJ's contract and the Raps will not be able to pay between 10-12 million/year which is Jose's market value now.
Actually I have to say that the fans were always one step ahead of the Raptors brass in regards to Jose. The silent majority always supported Jose and wanted him more than TJ. I am really proud to be a Raptors fan. I believe Jose feels the fans' love and together with the team chemistry it will count in his decision to stay with us.
This is not a knock on TJ. I really think that a healthy and under control TJ coming off the bench would boost the second unit immensely and it will make us unstoppable offensively. Only if Andrea would become the shade of a defensive anchor! (one can always hope....)

I actually think Andrea played ok on offence. Yes he shot a bad percentage however it wasn't like they were all bad and unforced shots.

They were similar to the looks he had against Boston....however when you make them its great...when you miss them its terrible.

IMO Andrea Bargnani is a shooter and shooters have to take the shot if they're getting a decent look. I think with time it will start falling with more consistancy.

I'm glad Sam heard my screaming and took both bosh and jose out of the game in the 4th and put andrea in. I also think it was a good move to take him out after he hit the two shots.

Next up the Wiz...both teams are in the exact same situation. Both are missing their starting pg, both have still kept winning, both have pretty much identical records, both will have 1 allstar maybe 2, and both are saying the have to at least split this series if not win both.

I think the raps are the better team....hopefully we can find a matchup that doesn't allow Caron to dominate us whether its moon, carlos or AP. Bosh should have a slight advantage over Jamison and the raps have more depth than the Wiz do.

Daniel ..you are such a hateful person, everyone else is happy their team won you are talking nothing but hate, I understand JC is your favorate player, but be happy for him, because he has accomplish a lot since TJ has been out, don't hateful TJ will always be our starting point guard, and JC is not complaining, and I think he is a grateful person when no other team wanted to take him in the NBA Toronto did. So learn how to be a fan and not a hateful person.

Awesome! Raptors are coming out of their shell after the injuries, lack of play & fans/media riding them like a bunch of loosers.

Sam found a roatition that gives him consitant effort & points. Bargnani is finally learing the physical American play and proving people wrong. Now that the team is playing well Delfino is scoring effectilly and not being forced to do too much. Kapono will come around once we have a PG off the bench setting him up. Calderon was re-incarnated into one of the top PG in the league. Just wait for TJ to come back! He'll come off the bench and distroy other teams bench PG's! It will probably be the BEST PG combo in NBA history, especially with Calderon's elavated play.

We are hitting stride right at the perfect time. I think Bosh's will elavate to another level after the All Star game. He'll finally see how the entire league looks upto him as one of the new rising stars!!! Same with Calderon!!!!

!!!!!Go Raps Go!!!!!

10-12 million is too high. Jose will resign, and we will continue to debate the TJ/ Jose role for years to come.
Heard no hate in those comments.

Marcia,
I used to think that TJ got a bad rap and Jose was being unjustly promoted to the starting job because of good play against 2nd units. That argument has long gone. Jose is a fantastic point guard and I have no problem with him starting for this team. He was given an opportunity and he has more than proven that he is qualified. Usually I take your comments with a grain of salt, or just ignore them, but, what you just said is absolutely ridiculous...

Good Game By the raps, took care of business. Liked how parker played. Jamario needs to beef up over the summer, he was getting pushed around by simmons which didn't help our rebounding. Once our perimeter guys can stay in front of their players. bargs and bosh will be jus fine with rebounding.

I read somewhere that we didn't put Calderon on the All-Star ballot?? Does anyone think that's partly because he's a free agent at the end of the year and if he was labeled an All-Star his contact $$$ would be consiterably higher. Is this a sly move by Colangalo to keep Calderon's $$$ down so we can sign both TJ & Calderon next season. I heard and interview with Colangalo 2 days ago saying he is going to keep re-sign Calderon for sure. Did anyone else catch that interview????

didn't read any hate either...

At the beginning the Bucks were getting the ball to Boguts hands..it was effective. Imagine if they stayed the course..would've been a different game. Redd would probably have gotten better looks.

Can you explain the hate part again? =P

didn't read any hate either

What I like about JC is this is His 3rd year league and only about 1 year playing time. only mid 20's tons of upside. Think of what He will be like in 5 years!!!!!

Marcia TJ is injury prone don't think all the rehab in the world will change that. I like TJ but Raptors cannot stake their furure on Him imo

Davl - Forgot to mention that sign - props to the Swirsk for including it on the show as by the numbers, it's pretty obvious that Jose should be in the game and not Kidd. Now we'll just have to see if the coaches put him in over someone like a Richard Jefferson I suppose. We'll be talking more all-star stuff tomorrow.

Thoughts on the Bucks side of things from Brewhoop:

http://www.brewhoop.com/

and The Bratwurst:

http://thebratwurst.com/

Keeping with Jose, he wasn't on the ballot but I'm not sure if there was any strategy behind it. It sure is going to be interesting come this off-season though, regardless of how many times BC says he's going to keep him.

And for the record, I'm pretty excited to see TJ as a penetrating guard coming off the bench when he returns.

Finally - if anyone wants to see the top prospect in this coming draft, tune into the score right now to see Derrick Rose and Memphis vs. Gonzaga in a tight one. Lots of prospects who would look good in a Raps uni including Chris Douglas-Roberts and Ben Wallace clone Joey Dorsey.

Wow !!!! 2 great guards....leave it the F... alone everybody....Who cares who starts,I just want to win ballgames...With all the bitching !!!
Is this becoming another "site"...I wont mention any names..

didn't read any hate either...

Franchise

Nice touch on other teams bloggers take on the game. Could U include these web address after each game? At least the good ones lol

The link for the BC interview is
http://www.altraps.com/
A couple posts down. It's a audio feed with ESPN.

No, no hate at all. You gotta give respect to Jose, and I don't think there's anything wrong with expressing an opinion that he should be the starting PG, especially for this year. In fact, the best thing about this site is the knowledgeable and insightful commentary by Howland, Franchise and the commenters, unlike the often unreadable, and I will say it by name, Real GM.
I severely want a special Raps HQ VH1 Biography on Marcia; tempted to know if her room is covered in signed TJ posters. And that's not a dis. I understand you love the guy as our PG, but please stop getting personal with other people who prefer Jose as starter.
As for Jose-TJ, I don't see this as the oft-mentioned Lou Gehrig-Wally Pipp scenario. TJ is too good to lose all his minutes. BY the way, what would it be like to be Pipp's grandkids? Bet they never take a sick day from work.

LOL...Franchise, Howland, get on that documentary idea for Marcia. You could call it "HATE - The anti-Calderon story."

On basketball related note, man I hate that Celtics team...no way they deserved that win last night, crushing for the Wolves.

fromlongrange: Completely agree...it took a Corey Brewer "brainfart" to beat the T-Wolves and KG is poppin' collars, screaming "That's what I'm talking about!!!".

Yeah, KG, we get it...it's your former team...but they did you a huge favour dealing you. More importantly, THEY SUCK.

Save the collar pops for the Usher video...

End rant...back to "8 Diagrams" and this somewhat intriguing UConn-Indiana matchup...

Yeah, I read hate. Hate at the slightest suggestion that Jose is preferable to TJ.

Here is my dream scenario. TJ comes back around the All-Star break sparking the second unit. The Raps become a much better team as he is a HUGE upgrade over Mr. Potato Head D-Mart and Juan Brixon.

After a week or two, a more controlled, thoughtful TJ (but still explosively quick and constantly changing pace) regains his top form and begins to play 25 minutes a game or so to Jose's 33 minutes. TJ keeps Jose fresh and Jose keeps TJ healthy. By this point, Bargs has dug his confidence out of the muck, Kapono is involved in the O as he has a legit PG setting him up and the Raps are firing on all cylinders. This scenario should get us past at least the first round of the playoffs (which is hugely important for this franchise and will be a massive step forward going into next season).

No one can deny that the days of Jose getting no more than 25 minutes a game (as was often the case when TJ was healthy) are now long over.

My dream ends with Juan Brixon being shipped to Siberia and Vince Carter suffering a severe public humiliation (a Richie Tanenbaum-style mental breakdown comes to mind).

My dream ends with Juan Brixon being shipped to Siberia and Vince Carter suffering a severe public humiliation (a Richie Tanenbaum-style mental breakdown comes to mind). thats funny

my dream Mourning hurts himself career over (oh happened ya hoo!)One more Garnet pops a vain on one of his idiot screams!(not a Garnet fan never been one think He is nuts)

I've long been a fan of jose starting over tj, not becuase he's better, but just because he's better at getting all 5 guys going and takes less risk and I hate to see turnovers early in the game, sets a bad tone.

But every day tj sits, the more I feel that he's one more stinger away from retiring. He's clearly rattled and I don't blame him a bit. Colangelo admitted that some of the doctors were less optimist than others about tj's situation.

It's a tragedy of epic proportions really, hope I'm wrong.

More Jose love:

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/dailydime?page=dime-080126-27

Also some interesting Nets chat...loved their collapse last night...

My dream..... a winning team in Toronto that's respected through the league!

Us Toronto fans have been feed bread crumbs for a long time. I will personally run out to center during a game and 'Moon' the entire Toronto Managment if the Raptors turn into the Leafs and trade all thier talent away!!

I can't believe where the Raptors are compared to 2yrs ago. Unbelievable Upside!!!

I was watching the Raps highlights on nba.com and the commentators says Jose is an Allstar for sure. Right now Jose is the 3rd best pt gaurd in the league..wow..Bobcock did a lot of bad things but finding Jose was a great move. BC has to match whatever Jose is offered in the off season we can't afford not to. TJ's health is a big question mark and if he get injured again he might consider retirement and with the speed of TJ's game anything can happen. So even if we have to into the Luxury Tax to keep Jose BC has no choice. I am glad MLSE gave all the power to BC to run the club. But we can't afford to loose Jose wouldn't that just break all the Rap fans heart see JC on another team. I couldn't watch. Imagine when TJ comes back Sam can go small and use TJ at the 2 the sky is the limit for the Raps...I am so excited about this group of guys if BC could just pull a move and get Corey from the Clips we would be right up there if not ahead of Boston, Pistons,and even the Western powerhouses.....Nice break in the Action for the Raps on a winning note....See ya Tuesday..........Raps4Life.

Interesting article by si in regards to the raps and some other stuff i cared less about

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writers/ian_thomsen/01/25/weekly.countdown/index.html

First off, no hate there whatsoever, and I agree with the others who believe that the level of discourse here at the HQ should remain at its current high levels.

As for Jose, Colangelo is clearly trying to put out strong signals to the rest of the league that any efforts to sign Jose will not be successful. That interview with Chad Ford couldn't make this any more clear. The benefits are clear in that any team signing him to an offer sheet will risk losing out on other free agents since their cap space is tied up during the week that we have to match the offer. IMO, the only way a team is going to be able to land Jose is if they make an outrageous offer in the area of max money in the hopes that Colagelo just will not be willing to match it or will decide to do a sign and trade instead. I don't see this tactic working though because the deep pockets at MLSE should be willing to pay the luxury tax, particularly if it ensures the long term health of the franchise.

Just saw the top ten plays of the week from nba.com

No Jose turning the corner for a three-point play to win the game on the list.

If we don't show JC some love on this site, no one will. American media sucks.

d279 I agree with, it seems like some of these fans love to small talk and complain about which PG should start, as far as I am concern if the Raptors were loosing every game since TJ left they would be screeming trade JC TOronto fans are so fickle, 2 years ago JC was not playing they way they wanted him to the Toront fans were screeming trade JC and sign Mike James so fickle and insecure. Stop trying to create problems with our PG, because it will be like this, TJ will come off the bench until he tells Sam he is ready to start, and our bench will have JC as their leader again and we can win games and go on to the 2nd or finals in the playoff, like it or not this is the way it is going to be.

Marcia.....you and I agree on nothing !!! How can you say that you and I are on the same page....you keep bringing up TJ.....GET SOME HELP,OR GET BACK ON YOUR MEDS !!!!

You do realize Marcia that you are calling yourself out. You ARE the type of fan that you so ignorantly describe. I for one love the fact that we have two good young PG's leading our team. I recognize both of their skillsets and what they both bring to the table. You just can't see JC for what he has become. If JC was nothing more than a backup, which you allude to, why is he being considered by so many to be in this year’s all-star game? Next question…If TJ remained healthy this year; do you think that he would have been the topic of discussion around the league for this year's all-star game? Some food for thought.

d279..You are right you and I could never agree, wrong writer, I think you should stick to hockey because you know nothing about Basketball, GM and Coaches decide on who play or starts, go back to the game of when TJ got hit, did you see the way Sam Mitchell react, he was ready to fight someone because they hit TJ, do you remember the game when Johnson from the same team hit JC and he went down, how did Sam react, think about that baby, that's what its all about, hockey is your game Basketball is our game baby. TJ is our starting PG and that is a quote from Sam and Brian. Be cool it's only a rap session. Peace out Baby!!

Forget the Point Guard discussion, as the facts are:

1. Calderon is the Raptors starting PG as of now.
2. There is no timetable for TJ Ford to return to the team. In fact he may not return, although he says he will, but has obviously not made that decision yet.
3. Colangelo is looking to sign a back-up PG for Jose.
The sooner the better for the team to improve the play of the bench players and reduce the dependence on Jose playing 40+ mins.

Marcia: "Basketball is our game"?
I'm not really sure I want to ponder what you're trying to say there. Cause the answer might leave me cold. And, if d279 is a hockey fan, I'll help him out here, I think that was an offside comment you're making.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writers/ian_thomsen/01/25/weekly.countdown/1.html

someone already posted it...but the confrontation with Mitchell is hilarious

Well it is JC job to play when his counterpart is not able to, and if he wants to get good money when it is time to sign then he better play hard, that's what he is paid to do, when TJ comes back then it is JC job to lead the bench just like it will be TJ's job to lead the starters and when TJ comes back Jason K will be able to play like we all know he can. Let us not discuss PG who starts let us just enjoy the game until TJ comes back to take us to the payoff. I hope Mighty Mouse sign with us, we don't need anymore Euro players in Toronto..here you go guys go get it!!!!

"Marcia says:
January 26th, 2008
Well it is JC job to play when his counterpart is not able to, and if he wants to get good money when it is time to sign then he better play hard, that's what he is paid to do, when TJ comes back then it is JC job to lead the bench just like it will be TJ's job to lead the starters and when TJ comes back Jason K will be able to play like we all know he can. Let us not discuss PG who starts let us just enjoy the game until TJ comes back to take us to the payoff. I hope Mighty Mouse sign with us, we don't need anymore Euro players in Toronto..here you go guys go get it!!!!
"

Did she just write all of that?

I worry about stoudamire. Has he grown up? Is our locker room ready for a potential bad apple? Guy can't shoot either.

Why would stoudamire come to Toronto we have too many euros! (Kidding)

Would You if U had a chance rather be in Boston or Pheonix and have a chance to win a championship? Toronto won't win this year. Unless everything including Grama Davl crosses Her toes the right way, and finds her glass eye by looking for it with Her blind one.My guess is He will go to Boston if a buy out happens for Him.

Marcia,I suggest you find yourself another team to root for,because our Euros are here to stay....why did I even bother to enter into this conversation ?In a few years you will be hard pressed to find a team in the league without a Euro....Get used to it !!!!and Tim,I am not a hockey fan....maybe the "Meds" was offside...but I just had to....you know just like "you must have T.J. autographed posters on your wall" I have to say that made me laugh .

Marcia = disconnected from reality. TJ wasn't that great, even when he was playing healthy. He'd dribble up the court quickly, then really slow down, and make a slow, boring pass. He wasn't really using his speed effectively.

Anyhow, its probably useless arguing with Marcia. I don't think that there is anything that Jose Calderon can do (in his/her mind) that would warrant him getting the starting position. And no matter how crappy TJ is (and even if he is injured for the rest of his career) he is apparently the starting PG for the Raps for life. Whatever.

I hope that TJ does come back, though. He's still a good PG with incredible potential, and Martin at point is an abomination.

Are we in fact trying to get another pg? I for one, don't think so. I expect TJ to be back after the Allstar break, mentally ready to compete.Who gets starting, I think logically TJ will be eased in off the bench and as some one above mentionned, he could be a very productive weapon off the bench.
With all the love in my heart......

A non Rapture post!

I live in Lloydminster Alberta and was at the College game against Our Rustlers and Grant Mcewan (big personaal hate on for that teams coach)first place showdown.

Our team won back to back games this weekend and took over first place. The way the north div is set up probably for rest of season. Ya Hoo! and a Toronto Kid (good story here)got MVP for weekend play. It sure is nice to win over the GM big city team and have first round playoff game at home.Especially great for our MVP!

You go Tinman, lets see, 4 Euro players in the Toronto Raptors team, how many players on the team, how many North American, figure out the math. Sam wanted TJ BC wanted TJ JC was a carry over and he did a good job give credit where it is deserve, BUT study BC and Sam TJ is the starting PG BC has told everyone that, he said we are looking for a PG to come off the bench, who would not mind playing less time when TJ comes back because TJ is our starting PG and JC is our second PG, like it or not buddy TJ starts and guess what whom ever do not like it can watch another team, NBA was created by a Canadian and Canada is in North America not Europe. CHeck this out 95% of NBA players are North American and it will never be 95%Euro league and 5% North American this is not Socker baby!!!

check www.hoopshype.com right on the front page from New Jersey a colunmnist is reporting that Thornn will not deal Sean Williams however he willing to deal Marcus Williams, a young true pg who Brian did everything in his power to try and get on draft night.

Plus his contract is minimal and the raps don't have to exercise the option on him if they don't want to.

Today's Star now says Stoudemire IS going to get a buyout.

http://www.thestar.com/Sports/article/297841

I guess it would get awkward when TJ returns. Would Damon still get 5-10 mins? Prob not.

TJ 20 min?
JC 20 min?
Mighty mouse 5 min?

Doubt it. Those numbers are weird, right?

As for the future:
We're gonna have 2 potential perrenial all-star PG
playing 20 mpg and yet hauling in 8 mil in salary each?

Why not I say as a fan.

Stoudemire would be insurance for this year only, paid the vet minimum, and may be relegated to the bench come April.

I think he'd love to chose Toronto, but he would have a chance to be a bigger contributor on a contender.

I'm not saying it's impossible for us to beat Boston in a series....especially if TJ returns....

As for the question on how TJ would fare in All-star consideration, remember he was injured having his best game of the year, and was really starting to come on. Jose's efficiency is off the charts and has really forced him into consideration.

Impressed with both players' shots this year.

marcia - bc will do whatever it takes to win, that's why tj started. He simply earned it.

He'll either earn it back or not. Watch the games and see if your prediction comes true! Because right now you're just wasting your breath.

Hope it does, because that'll mean we have 2 all-star points.

d279, I was actually referring to Marcia's comment as offside, not yours.
Man, it sucks not having the Raps on a Sunday. A game today, then Tuesday or Wednesday (not back to back, home and home against The Wiz - I'm The Wiz, Nobody Beats Me!) before Friday's tilt against the Lakers would be perfect spacing for this team. They looked good this week with a restful sked.

Marcia, hmm I wonder if its worth my effort.
Situations change. TJ's situation is extremely serious, if it wasn't he'd be playing tight now. Raptors are playing good basketball lately, with Calderon doing a magnificent job. There is no need for TJ to jump right in, and I guarantee you Sam will not put him in that position. Once he gsts his legs back then who knows - like I said, situations change

Finally got to a game on Friday. It was a typical "Friday" night crowd. Not sure why, I remember commenting on it before when I was a season tix holder about Friday crowds being more dead.

Absolutely horrible coaching by Cyrstal Clear Krstowiak

Bogut was killing Andrea. I was yelling for AB to use up his fouls against Bogut, as that was the only way to stop him. I know AB the first, picked up quick fouls against CB4, but a simple switch would have sufficed, as it was unlikely AB the second was going to drive on him.

And CV was on fire scoring 8 points in what seemed like 30 seconds. Then we didn't see him or AB again. What was up with that?

The bucks are a horrid team from the line.

Well.. a win is a win.

I've created a new game. Every time Marcia mentions TJ or Barshater mention Andrea, we all take a drink. Cheers!

You guys are boring now, I am sure there must be other subject within the NBA that you can discuss except TJ and JC, because nothing will change for the 2 JC Comes off the bench and TJ starts.

I have been reading these comments, and it all seems to surround with Marcia, but it looks to me like she is very passionate about her player TJ, just like some of you are JC fans, and I don't see anything wrong with that, except she is very loyal to her player, and sometimes it seems to me that she is laughing at you guys because you all seem to be angry at her, loosen up have some fun it is only a Blog.

Marcia, two things.

First, BC did say that TJ is our starting point guard. That was before he got injured, before going through a series of tests and meeting with top specialists regarding his neck injury, and before JC started playing like an all-star. But, you are right. BC did say that TJ is our starter...just not recently.

Second, how about when TJ comes back, he leads the second unit and JC continues to lead the starters (since he has them firing on all cylinders). Then, your hero/idol TJ can help get Jason K to play the way we all know he can. Also, last I checked, it was potential all-star (fingers crossed) JC taking us to the payoffs.

I won’t even touch the Euro-Hate comment. In a few days, we are going to be celebrating Black History month. I want to reflect on the positive strides that we have taken as a society. Unfortunately, your comments set us back…way back.

…I don’t even know why I bother.

Couple things....the guys on the fan were saying this and I think it works well and I've modified it to include some of my own thoughts.

You don't lose your starting spot because of injury. Fine.

However if there are 10-15 games left in the regular season and TJ makes it back....well then too bad...we don't need any distruptions to our chemistry Jose will start and TJ will back him up.

If TJ comes back say after the allstar game then bring him off the bench until he gets back into form and then start him if there is more than 10-15 games remaining.

If TJ does start this year then you see how it goes....give him a while to adjust....we know what Jose can do and if he's not playing as well as Jose was as a starter then send him back to the bench.

Oh and don't count on TJ coming back anytime soon. Many of us not know what TJ's condition is or when he's expecte back but Brian surely has a clue....and thats why he's looking for a backup PG....becuase he's pretty confident that TJ is going to be back this week or next.

Take care Marcia, and enjoy the rest of your weekend!

Marcia:
At this time there is no timetable for TJ Ford to return to Toronto. He may return, he may not. He may play as well as before, he may not. When he returns to practice Mitchell will determine who plays PG starting and back-up and when. End of story. Everything else is meaningless comments.
In the meantime BC must find a back-up PG who can play.
If TJ does not return it will be a tragedy, but things happen in sport.

Boston loses again to Orlando, KG doesn't play. I am telling you, they are vulnerable right now. I stand by my prediction: February has a 4-game losing streak for the Celtics.

The Wiz - They lost to the Cavs by almost 40 points couple days ago. And Milwaukee beats Washington in OT today. Bogut has a big game. Bogut, the one CB abused in the last game. Bosh should OWN the Wiz in this 2-gamer. And AP and Delf will shut down Caron. JC, rack up those assists, baby.

And, I will say JC gets 28 dimes over this home-and-home series. How do you like THEM apples, Marcia?

I'll say this, Marcia has the rights to write whatever she likes, and I'll defend that to the bone -- and I have a right to make a drinking game out of it! :) We all win!

If people can't deal with someone speaking their mind on a blog (without using profanity or insults), how do you people live in the real world?!?!

She said TJ, that's one drink for now. I think I'll have to try and invite the RapHQ drinking game period, like also whenever Franchise mentions the Blue Devils after a win. =) Or me, when Big Blue wins the SB.

"I hope Mighty Mouse sign with us, we don't need anymore Euro players in Toronto"

This is ridiculous. Marcia, you say we are talking about basketball, not race, but there are some serious undertones to pretty much all of your statements. It makes me wonder if this is more than just a Jose/TJ debate.

If the Raps had Pape Sow (Senegal), Luol Deng (Sudan) and Mutumbo (Congo) and someone said "we don't need anymore Africans", I would similarly have a very serious problem. Every player should be judged on their own merit, regardless of where they are from. Oddly enough, even though it's often said that Euro's are "soft", Delfino is pretty much the toughest player on the Rap's roster.

Well said super, I take offense as well, I'm a euro from way back (mayflower).

Their grassroots basketball may not produce as many body bangin', elbows-up type players as US high school/D2 does, but after watching the worlds (esp. croatia) this summer, I'll be damned if they can ALL be labelled soft.

"rights to write whatever they like"

No, there are no such rights. "Rights" are guaranteed to the extent that we respect and accomodate one another, out of a common good will.

Some forms of speech and communication are simply unacceptable in civilized societies. We have agreed I think that all people are created equal, regardless of differences. When someone says "no, Euros are not equal to North American players", that is an offensive generalization. SonicSuper is right on with his objection.

People do NOT have the right to be intentionally offensive. As a community we can disavow that behavior, and say, no that does not fit the standards of civility and courtesy that we expect of this community.

No apologies: that is simply not welcome.

Franchise, I think we would all (apart from 2 or 3 posters) appreciate it if this issue were simply removed from the blog. Anyone who brings up racially-motivated examples, and does not exercise civility, will be banned from the site. Would you consider this please? At first this discussion was boring; now it has entered the offensive.

delfino isn't european

Amen! Thanks for articulating it so well gerry. 100% agree SonicSuper. I really hope that we can all move on from this.

the sun probably says the Raptors have popularity woes because they don't know what they're talking about half the time.

Yikes, let me start off by saying I don't condone hatered of any kind, especially since I'm of a ethnic minority myself.

Secondly, I usually skip over reading Marcia's comments so I didn't see anything about her making a hatred remark.

Thirdly, I'd still rather see the wolf, than a wolf in sheep's clothing. Stop feeding the wolf, and it goes away.

Anyways, let's get back to the basketball.

Well I might as well ring in with a racial opinion....

I'm a Swiss/Newfie/Canadian and I don't care if someone says we don't need more Euros...she's probably right.

I don't think Marcia was being racist at all....guilty of stereotyping but who isn't?

Truth is we all agree we need more toughness, and stereotypically, these players are North American and usually of the dark skin persuasion.

That doesn't mean every whitey is soft, and every brother is hardcore, but that is more of the norm in the NBA, like it or not.

Bosh even alludes to it in today's star:

http://www.thestar.com/Sports/article/297959

Quote:
"It's also evidence of an NBA truism, said Bosh: American players like to test the toughness of their European brethren, both with words and with force."

I agree let's get back to BBall, but I don't need to score any political correct points around here.

Sorry, didn't mean to stir the pot further, but I had to weigh in.

Off to a job interview, wish me luck.

I've got a question about Damon Stoudamire. Don't we have 15 gauranteed contracts on the roster right now? Would we have to negotiate a buy-out of one of our existing players to sign Damon?

Wow.... I found this site the other day.... looked good but when I check back on people's post's everyone is talking crap about each other. Just ignore the bad posts & stick to the important points....

I'm going somewhere where people talk about basketball, maybe I'll check back....