3 In the Key – Toronto Raptors Game Day Preview vs. Bobcats

Quote from Charlotte newspaper. Can you guess who said it?

""This was the first game in a long time, I think, when we really made shots," Brown said. "We've had some open looks before. We just didn't knock them down."
--Larry Brown

Sound familiar, apparently this is a commonly used excuse by coaches.

My personal favorite was when Bargs was asked about his career high in points..."The shots were falling, so it was a good day."

I think the key to this game, as silly and simple as it might be, is the effectiveness of Roko Ukic. We've seen him play some aggressive D, run the floor, drive and dish. He could be the key to our second unit, hampering the bobcats.

Also, bargnani, the mis-matches are going to be pleantiful, and he will simply need to stay competent on D.

in addition, this will have to be a brute force win, because there is no way in hell Smitch will be able to out-coach mr. brown... then again, the same could be said about a smitch and a can of soup.

My concern as a fan is that we are forced to watch an impaired product on the floor because BC has his hands tied by MLSE Board in regards to firing Mitchell. Of course Mitchell is not the only culprit however a change of coach may bring a new dynamics and a new life onto the team.
The other possibility is that BC really believes Mitchell is the coach to take us to the second round of the play-offs. If this is the case, then i believe the entire responsibility falls on his shoulders. In the delicate balance between the management, the coaching stuff and the personnel we all know where the personnel and the coaching stand: it is up to the management to make the necessary changes to be successful.

Can of soup...great stuff. As I said earlier, I am so torn about this game. A loss, considering the upcoming schedule, would certainly dramatically increase the probability of Sam being cut loose (fingers crossed), but my natural inclination is obviously to pull for a Raps W. Ultimately though, it remains fairly obvious that Sam is not the long-term man for this position. People seem to be really cooling off in the intensity of Sam bashing. Yesterday on Court Surfing, Sherman Hamilton was saying we all need to chill, and take a deep breath (similar to many of the sentiments expressed by the authors here). Been doing that for 4 years there Sherm, it's time for change. Enjoy the inevitable tonight guys (i.e. Sam scrambling to try and stop the bleeding when Brown makes a wise adjustment). We may pull out a W, but this will happen tonight. How great is that? Going into each game knowing your coach will not be out-coaching the opposition. Where are all the Obama nuts, I need some change I can believe in.

Who would of thought the Bobacats would be a crucial game?

Do not want to oversimplify the game but making shots are a big part of the game. To win, you got to nail your open shots. It decides the outcome the majority of the games. Not rocket science.

Is it sad that to convince me that the Raptors are somewhat on track, that they have to pull off a convincing "easy" win?

Daniel - I think that Bryan painted himself into a corner with that COY stuff a couple years ago. I thought that at the time, Colangelo was tied to Sam because he won the award, and he couldn't have given him a smaller contract. The hope for me was that Colangelo would be able to augment things with assistant coaches. I wonder just how much Jim Todd is missed.

What's the difference between going 1-4 over the next 5 and 0-5? or 2-3? This team has to make a clean break with how it's played over the last 10 games. It pains me to say this, but until it seems like the team is playing well, I'm not sure I'm going to watch and I'm going to try not to care.

I'm a fire Sam guy at this moment but does anyone think firing him will make a difference this year? I don't see how it can. Sam's not the only one to blame if this team disappoints. BC's got his work cut out for him, this year and next.

Honestly, the Sam bashing is a bit much, and although I've done my share of openly questioning Mitchell's coaching, I think we should be a little more respectful in our dissent. Honestly, a can of soup? Please. What happens if the coach is replaced and we lose ten games in a row? Who will we channel our frustration at then, the GM? I imagine the task of coaching on the professional level is very difficult. I also imagine that emotions get the best of us sometimes in our fraternity of fandom. When Larry Brown was in New York was he being out-coached in all of the games he lost? He is likely going to finish below .500 with Charlotte this year regardless of how much he gets out of the team. Sam may have very well taken this team as far as he can and the change to move us to the next level might be necessary, but the man is not stupid, and given his experience coming into the job he has done fairly well in his transition from player to coach. If we disagree with his still holding the job we can do so without belittling him.

I have three words for you. Lack of talent. Sure Sam has to take some responsibility, but the team has a very serious lack of talent beyond the starting 5. Moon?? Graham?? Hassan Adams?? Soloman??
If you all are going to blame Sam please make sure you distribute the blame evenely to all those D-League players currently in the roster.

Insidehoops.com and hoopsworld are reporting that Memphis are searching for a shooter... Kapono!?... who could we get from memphis that you think is worthwhile? I have my thoughts, just want to think what you all think...

can of soup is all in fun, but at the end of the day, we've never out-coached another team in sam mitchell's 4 years.
I remember a game 2 years ago where we lost because we couldn't handle a full-court press...
We currently have a guy like kapono averaging 0.8 3pts a game... I criticize Kapono often for this, but honestly, we're wasting 5mil if we can't draw a play to get this guy a shot.

Wanted to talk a bit about the JO injury for a second. It's interesting that during interviews yesterday he mentioned that his ankle was bothering him more than his knee. So is everyone overreacting based on his past?

I'm not sure what to think. If his ankle is too sore to go that's one thing, but during the Boston game it looked like it was his knee that lacked strength and stability. I just don't want this to be a case of on and off knee issues all year.

PS - Would Memphis move one of their guards for Kapono - maybe Crittenton and/or Lowry? Along with G State, the Grizz are a team that I always thought would make a good trading partner.

JO's sprained ankle may be his knee's (and all Rap fans) saviour. I'd much rather have him rest a week or two than try to stomach him grimacing on every play while playing at half-speed with the potential for a season ending injury to an area that is trying to compensate for one of his weakened body parts. Doesn’t the Raptors medical staff know the hip bone is connected to the knee, the knee to the ankle and so on?

If he is hobbling at any point in time in today’s game someone in the Raptors organization better step up and yank 'em ASAP.

Completely agree with OneAndDone…

As I get back on my soapbox yet again, for you young’ins who maybe a little impatient, being a basketball fan may not be for you! Unlike all the other sports, b-ball is about eras. It's probably because you require the fewest people on your team vs all the other sports and getting to being an elite team takes a long (long) time, and those who are elite stay there a long time. Case in point, look at the Spurs & Detroits of the world. If you think the Raps are close to being an elite team – well I’m sorry to tell you it might be a while yet. So sure, we can fire the coach, trade your bench, it’s not going to leave us any closer, and.

Let’s go back and look at the champs over the last 25+ years:

1982 Los Angeles Lakers 4–2 Philadelphia 76ers
1983 Los Angeles Lakers 0–4 Philadelphia 76ers† [38]
1984 Los Angeles Lakers 3–4 Boston Celtics† [39]
1985 Los Angeles Lakers 4–2 Boston Celtics† [40]
1986 Houston Rockets 2–4 Boston Celtics† [41]
1987 Los Angeles Lakers† 4–2 Boston Celtics [42]
1988 Los Angeles Lakers† 4–3 Detroit Pistons [43]
1989 Los Angeles Lakers 0–4 Detroit Pistons† [44]
1990 Portland Trail Blazers 1–4 Detroit Pistons [45]
1991 Los Angeles Lakers 1–4 Chicago Bulls [46]
1992 Portland Trail Blazers 2–4 Chicago Bulls† [47]
1993 Phoenix Suns† 2–4 Chicago Bulls [48]
1994 Houston Rockets 4–3 New York Knicks [49]
1995 Houston Rockets 4–0 Orlando Magic [50]
1996 Seattle SuperSonics 2–4 Chicago Bulls† [51]
1997 Utah Jazz 2–4 Chicago Bulls† [52]
1998 Utah Jazz† 2–4 Chicago Bulls† [53]
1999 San Antonio Spurs† 4–1 New York Knicks [54]
2000 Los Angeles Lakers† 4–2 Indiana Pacers [55]
2001 Los Angeles Lakers 4–1 Philadelphia 76ers [56]
2002 Los Angeles Lakers 4–0 New Jersey Nets [57]
2003 San Antonio Spurs† 4–2 New Jersey Nets [58]
2004 Los Angeles Lakers 1–4 Detroit Pistons [59]
2005 San Antonio Spurs 4–3 Detroit Pistons [60]
2006 Dallas Mavericks 2–4 Miami Heat [61]
2007 San Antonio Spurs 4–0 Cleveland Cavaliers [62]
2008 Los Angeles Lakers 2–4 Boston Celtics†

You kinda see a pattern right?

With all the Mitchell bashing (of which I was and am a part of), there is no respectable coach out there that would walk into this and change it in an instant. The fact that we have a group of players that we do is not the deciding factor either as I can name a few teams with similar mediocre-ish talent. The issue has to be effort and until we have every player out there fighting for loose balls, rebounds, taking offence is a player goes past them and generally playing like their careers (looking at you Raptors bench) depend on it, this team will be a roller-coaster one. So I truly hope they are as bruised by NJ and BOS game as we all are and come out with a simple thing we all have to have - effort.

Why are the Raptors 6-7 after 13 games this year???

1. Roster Flaws-Back-up PG inexperience, Wing positions depth/talent
2.Coaching-Creativity on offense.
3. Players-Inconsistency on offense & defense.

There is no QUICK FIX-everyone has to improve, from the GM, Coach, and the players, it is a shared TEAM responsibility.
It is very hard for moves to be made now, until possibly the trade deadline, when there may be some flexibility.

Let's remember it is game 13 of 82, lots of games to go, to get it together.

In 06/07 they started 7-14 and 13-17 after 30 gms, before finishing 47-35. The 2nd half schedule is easier than the first half also.

Last thing, I do not see BC making a coaching change mid season, and taking away off season flexibility.

Ustation makes a good point about eras and taking a long-term view of the team. But the summer of 2010 makes it possible that some team is going to cook up an instant dynasty. There might even be 2 or 3 teams that do - once James, Wade and Bosh sign, there is still Stoudemire, Joe Johnson, maybe Nash and others to plug into a team. Here's hoping BC resists the urge to blow our cap space in 2 years - even if he knows Bosh is unlikely to stay (because I feel it in my bones that he goes with Lebron). A better era, even IF this team's current problems continue, might be closer than it looks.

I do not see Bosh wanting to go and be 2nd banana to LBJ or someone else, on any team.

He wants to be the MAN and lead his own team. Whats to stop BC from signing DWade (or an equivelent player) to play with Bosh, on the Rap's.

in a heartbeat will you trade calderon for caron butler ?

Ustation - It's not so much about era's as it is about the having the the best player in the most important position (crucial with only 5 players on the court). Each of those teams, outside of Detroit, had a dominating two-way center who was the consensus #1 pick in their draft year or they had the clear-cut best player in the game on their team (insert Air here).

Like it or not Bargnani is the key to Raptors future championship aspirations. I think, and have always thought, that Andrea will be an exceptional player in the league but "dominating center" has never entered into my mind. So unless Kobe or LeBron stroll into town where does that leave us?

I also think that Bosh will be gone in 2010 even though he's a nice guy and likes TO. Let's face it, its tough to play in Canada and not be noticed by the ESPNs of this world. Besides, playing with Lebron in New York will be a dream come true for him. I certainly hope that I'm wrong. Go Raps!

If Bosh and lebron go to the knicks in 2010 i think i instantly become a knicks fan...i mean dont get me wrong...im a die hard raps fan and have been since 95 and will always be a raps fan...but i will secretly watch the knicks play and cheer for them in the post season cause if bosh leaves it will be a while before we see the post season again as raps fans...just think about how entertaining that team would be to watch...not to mention you would have a boston effect where every other free agent role player will want to sign with the knicks for cheap just to win a championship...i dont think im gonna turn off my tv or leave my computer in the in 2010...its gonna be CRAZY.

Update on JO - sounds like he's not gonna go tonight and play it safe.

Unfortunately, I think 2010 is the year that will form the new era of basketbal. Whomever can form the 2 or 3 headed monster of Lebron/Bosh/Wade will win the arms race. Till then, based on the history of bball, the Celts should continue to win with their 3 monsters.

Like it or not, that's the NBA, and whether its Smitch or Red Auerbach, the Raps are mid teir team that hopefully makes it to the playoffs, and pulls an upset or two.

With the cap space issues, 3 years is not a long enough time for any GM to make an impact, unless you blow it up like they did in Boston.

Really, aside from Bosh, everyone else is just a piece (no disrespect to JC). In another arguement I've had in the past, even superstar PGs can't win you championships. It's all about the Cs and SF/SG. Two exceptions, Boston, who's PF/SF can play a C. And the Detroit teams, who really played as a team.

The thing this teams needs to do is dig deep, scrap for everything and just play like maniacs. Less of this slow paced, pistons style - they're not there yet. They need to run the ball and ram it down the other team's throats. Except bosh, no one should even consider "pacing" themselves. And they have to play like that against every team and whether they're up 18 or down 18. They should forget arguing calls, forget slouching their shoulders and their plaintive gestures - just run to the other end and get to it guys!
/rant

if JO plays... I hope he plays it safe

Dynasty Building Contingencies:

Option 1: Bosh & Bargnani in place.
Most appropriate philosophy: Go Big.
Steps: Find size at all positions and focus on acquiring a defensive minded starting point guard who can facilitate the offense and make open shots. Bargnani continues at the 3, Bosh at the 4, and they complement the two with a solid (not necessarily spectacular) centre. Bargnani evolves into a post-up three who capitalizes on mismatches (perhaps in the Corliss Williamson mold with more skill and an outside game), Bosh remains Bosh, and the wing positions are defense first players who can make the open shot and drive to keep the opposition honest.

Option 2: (Bosh & Bargnani in place)Traditional Build
Bosh remains at the 4, Bargnani becomes a 5 in the mold of Rik Smits or a poor man's Sabonis, the wing players have to thus be more dynamic all round players, but I still suggest that long term, with championship aspirations the point position needs to be a defensive strength as opposed to an offensive one.

Option 3: Bosh leaves and Bargnani is our lone star player

Best Philosophy: Get on our knees and pray

I agree with SAM...firing smitch at this point will be useless, the same players will still be going on the court...the last time I check the coach, does not play defence or jack up shots,or get blown by by opposing players, the Raptor players have to be accountable for their lackluster play. The team lost 3 games that they have double digits leads in..if they won those games they would be 9-4 how many of you would be calling for Sam's head then. The players need to go out and execute the plays Sam can only call the plays he can't make them. Gosh. We just have to tough it out until 2010 when we have some Cap space to get Bosh the legit help that he needs. But right now this roster of Raptors players are good enough to win 50 games, they just have to start playing like it and that's why Bosh was frustrated the other day. ITS NOT THE COACH...HATERS.......RAPS4LIFE

To be clear, belittling Sam as a person was never my intention. I am not living in Candy-land, where his unemployment automatically means Top 4 team in the East for the Raps. I just think we need a clean break from the current line of thinking. I am not a proponent of trading everybody not named CB4, Bargs or Calderon. I just think that the team is not currently, nor has it been (since the 06/07 season), maximizing it's talent. Whether it is Kapnono's lack of generated shots, the delayed and on-going development of Bargs, the disappearance of Joey G/ constant barage of Moon, the piss-poor execution late in tight games, the inability to draw up an effective in-bounds play, the constant scrambling to stop being exposed for our various weaknesses on a nightly basis, the porous perimeter defense, the uni-option offensive sets (P and R) etc., Sam is largely responsible for these things to be flowing somewhat smoothly. If even a few of these could be resolved, we might have 3-4 extra W's. So by that logic, Sam is costing us games. To whomever argued that we could be 9-4 if we hadn't blown a few big leads (so don't be mad at Sam); could you not also argue that taking a few time outs while those leads were being depleted, making a personnel change on the court, changing defensive schemes etc. might have done exactly this. And whom would make such a decision? To whomever was making the arguments for patience and eras, I think
that you are absolutely right. I don't think the Raps, even with a coaching staff of Larry Brown, Phil Jackson, Jerry Sloan, and Greg Popovich is championship caliber. However, I do not feel that if the day were to come where we had the personnel for a run at a championship, Sam would be the guy to lead us there.

Interesting read on the Hornet's coaching situation:
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=simmons/081126&sportCat=nba

Some interesting points here and I too think that the summer of 2010 could shape basketball for years to come. The whole Lebron to New York thing though is so premature. Lebron has said himself on many an occasion that he just wants to win and so New York is going to need to have other pieces in place to entice him.

For the Raptors then, the key is for this team to get to that next level and I too think that Bargs is the key. If he keeps developping it suddenly gives the Raptors some lethal options up front and ones that can easily be added to. As Raptors fans, we just need to be patient for now and hope that some of the other pieces continue to develop.

Sam, if we're going to gel this season, it'll be using a bench optimally. If you don't beleive in any of the players, tell Bryan to get someone else. I'd rather we sit both O'Neal & Calderon until they're relatively healthy, and play the subs. Find out what they're made of. Show them, and us, that you believe in them. If you can't do these things, then maybe you're the one that should be replaced?

I'm going to be a contrary opinion here, in that I don't know just how much movement there will be with players. We've seen very few players make the move during free agency over the past few years, and a lot more so via trades. The last time we had a crop of free agents like this, everyone stayed put. Yup, maybe a lack of further success will be enough of a catalyst for a player to choose another team, but I believe we have a GM that understands how to play that to his advantage, and is not unwilling to pull off the big trade in case someone gives the indication that they're planning to bolt.

Anyways, 2010 is still far away, and I think it's really hard to see how Colangelo will approach dealing with the deficiencies at the SF position and has (so far) been very good at keeping a lid on things until a deal is signed.

a lot of talk about off-court stuff here. which is great, but it's starting to get me hella depressed and we're not even 1/4 of the way through the season!

so, I'm gonna go towards the light today. I really liked roko last game out. he pushed the ball up, (something calderon hasn't been doing as much as of late,) and he had a couple of nice steals. hopefully he can bring that same energy tonight as well.

also, with JO being out and bargs probably moving back to the 5, I would expect moon joey to get a bit more (relatively speaking) playing time depending on how moon plays.

and it also sounds like kap one might get some looks tonight out of specific plays. or so doug smith says on his blog. (strictly on opinion though, not actual fact.) should be interesting to watch.

so, to sum up: I'm gonna watch the game and try to enjoy some bball. it was a long spring/summer without.

Franchise,
JO's knee certainly appeared to be very weak during that game, so I would imagine his ankle injury was a result of that weakness.

All Sam bashing aside, it's frustrating to watch this team, knowing:

1)BC has to wait until mid
December to make some changes, but really, what chips do we have to bargain with.

2)BC has (subconsciously) written off this season. Next year he has more flexibility (with expiring contracts), plus JO will be worth something to a team needing a large expiring contract -- in order to go after that James guy. And CB, for that matter.

All that being, this begs the questions:
Why isn't Joey or Adams playing?
And why isn't Ukic getting "trained" ?

a 3 headed monster of wade/LbJ/Bosh would be amazing, but there are other young players out there who could compete. chris paul is phenomenal and i'd be surprised if he's not a champ sometime within the next 5 yrs. as for Lebron going Knick well, the Cavs are looking very strong so far this year (contrary to my expectations). Maybe he'll get the 'ship he wants in Cleveland and won't be gong anywhere.

These days I'm fantasizing about JC, D-Wade, Bosh and Bargnani as our 4-headed monster in 2010.

Back to reality: will be interesting who starts at the 3 tonight if JO sits it out and Bargs plays the 5.

OneandDone,

I couldn’t agree more. Those blaming Smitch for all that ails this team are over simplifying the problems that face the Raptors team as
presently constructed. Sure, Sam is not John Wooden or Pat Riley, however I don’t think he’s any worse than Doc Rivers (who just won a chip) as he does poses some strengths. Most importantly, you must admit there isn’t one player on this team that
gives less than 100% effort on a nightly basis. While these guys aren’t the most
talented in the league they kill themselves on a nightly basis and Mitchell deserves some props for that.
OneandDone, as you’ve pointed out (Moon?? Graham?? Hassan Adams?? Soloman??) the Raps are saddled with some marginal (at best) NBA talent at key positions.
Ustation, absolutely right, Rome was not built in a day. On that point and the 2010 mega frenzy that apparently we are stuck in until October 2010 (uuuugghh), if Bosh stays the player I would target if I was BC is Joe Johnson. This guy will have made
his cash in Atlanta and would probably by amenable to going to a team (if we resign Bosh) that can be a winner. With Bargs, Bosh, Calderone and Johnson, now you’re talking about the Raptors era!

Raps4Life, totally agree. As I posted last earlier this week, those games that the Raptors lost big leads speaks more to the tenacity and pride of the players on the court than it does to Mitchell’s coaching ability.

Finally, can we stop asking questions like "why isn’t Joey Grahm playing more?" or "Why isn’t Hassan Adams playing more?". Come on, like playing time for Joey Grahm or Hassan Adams are the problem. The reason they are not playing is because they are not that good. Joey is a walking brain fart and Adams is a 16th man on any legit NBA team. And YES I know that there are only 15 players on an NBA team.

Is it just me or are we overvaluing Calderon's potential contribution to the team reaching the elite level? When I contemplate the pieces that could contribute to championship level play, Calderon just isn't one of them. He would either have to be a lightning quick game changer offensively or a sturdy defensive presence at the PG slot and he is neither of those. It would be interesting to go back and list the starting point guards from the championship teams posted earlier. Calderon, when healthy might be our most valuable trading piece, so I don't mind the two years we have to wait to see Ukic develop given that his physical traits (size AND quickness) lend more to idea of this team being built to be big at all spots on the floor. When this all plays out in a couple of years, will Calderon be an integral piece given his deficiencies?

On another note any GM worth his salt will have contingency plans in place in case their franchise player moves on. BC doesn't strike me as someone who hinges his future to one player so I'm not even going to worry about Bosh. I trust Colangelo will do what he must.

Mas,
I'll go with you on the Joey not playing -- he's had his chances -- but Adams has only played 11 minutes in 13 games.

How the hell does one judge a player based on those stats? Especially when his position (Bargs aside) is nowhere near turning up roses. Thorns maybe.

I love reading these post you Raps fans are the best in the NBA...LET THE GAME BEGIN...MAS.. THATS FUNNY I HAD TO LOL...ABOUT ADAMS...BUT TRUE

Rapthoseleafs,

I hear you, Adams hasn't had much burn and hey, I can understand the argument that our 2's and 3's aren't exactly tearing up the league. But I'll say two things on Adams PT.
1. He would have to get minutes ahead of Parker and Kapono and I don't think that's the answer.
2. He wasn't even in the league last year...

So JO was a brace away from watching his season go down the toilet? Great $40 mill investment there.

Since everyone's throwing around trade scenarios, what about shipping JO back to Portland for LaFrentz and a couple of their young studs (ie. Frye or, wishful thinking, LaMarcus and one of the Spaniards). Portland is in need of a veteran leader and won't be able to pay everyone in a couple years unless they clear some space. Oden with JO at his natural position could go head-to-head with the Lakers and less wear-and-tear on JO.

Just witnessed Graham dunk on the entire Bobcats team so again I ask...

WHY ISN'T HE PLAYING MORE?

Joey G!

Nothing like Joey's annual Bobcat massacre. Now back to normal.

OK so just forget what I said about Grahm... Big game from Joe, brought some great aggressiveness and was a spark off the bench. Still wasn't an impressive win, but good to get one we needed. Bosh is starting to scare me... Freaky good.

I think if Lebron is going to go he is going to go regardless of whether he has a good team in Cleveland. In fact you could make an arguement that if he were to win a championship in Cleveland he would have even more incentive to move to NY and get paid (Endorsement Deal).
There is no easy formula to winning a championship. Sometimes you have to get lucky (or unlucky in some cases). This is especially true in the Lottery era. Look at San Antonio. If Robinson didnt get hurt and land them in the lottery and the balls didnt bounce the way they did, they probably never win a championship. Conversely, what happens if Toronto hadn't been banned from a first overall pick when Iverson came into the league? Would he have refused to play here or came and been traded for even more pieces? Luck always plays a factor when it comes to getting the best players. The real difference between championship caliber teams and the rest of the league is all the spare parts that they pick up and almost all of the dynastys have GREAT COACHES. This isn't a knock on Sam as I have no idea whether one day he will be a great coach or not, but Popovich is on a level all his own.

Mas,
I'm already forgetting what you said.

Good Joey showed up. It must been my spider sense tingling.