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

Nice post Franchise lets hope Camby don't out rebound the entire raptors team.

Bionic O'Neal will be needed tonight

In other news raptors are looking to acquired Kings swing-man John Salmons. If BC can get this guy without given up AB (I still have fate in this guy)that would be great.

Chris Wilcox would also be a great back up but only if BC can get him for nothing.

Source:
http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=11009

30th...

http://www.nba.com/powerrankings/

I think the biggest problem with this team is that nobody has much of a handle.

Think about it. Sure Jose and Ukic can, but they're PG's. AP, he's OK, but too slow now. Hump? Joey? Bargs? Bosh? Moon?

That is the real problem with this team.

the tough schedule has shown that we're no better than last year, I think the next ten will show if we are worse with six winnable games by last year's standards...

I check the ticker every day for news of a Raptor trade. This roster just isn't working. Parker has aged about 7 or 8 years in his time here, and at this point his sister would be a better player for this team. Also, I'm concerned whether Bargs will be able to flourish under the new system. Can't trade him at this point, so we'll just have to wait and see.

Katyusha,

You are absolutely right. There are no creators on this team outside of Calderone. That is there is no one who can penetrate, usin the live dribble and create his own shot or a shot for someone else. Even Calderone gets his assists more from the flow of the offense (someone mercifully hitting a jumpshot out of a pick and roll) than from creating opportunities.

Also agree with Katyusha, though I think part of it is confidence. They just need to force the issue more, play aggressive despite mistakes (bargs, Joey) and bad calls - especially arguing with refs, how many times have we been scored on in transition while CB or JO scowl at the refs...

You make a good point about ball handling Katyusha, but you can't ignore the lack of toughness on this team. True grit has been missing for a long time now. Other teams are laughing at our guys DURING the game and they do nothing to shut them up. Not that I want to see anyone hurt by a flagrent, but let them know that if they drive, they pay the price physically.
It's not always just about blocking the shot.

Gotta love this quote from Walter in Feschuck's most recent lament:

"Walter in Oakville has a question for a scribe: "At Colangelo's next press conference, will you be throwing your shoes on behalf of Raptors fans?"

LOL!
Topical, maybe a little over the top (comparing Colangelo to Bush), definately a bit extreme... and totally hilarious! I would pay good money to see Feschuck throw lofers at BC...

MAS, you are starting to sound like Bargsbust. Going on and on about how bad the raps are during their worst stretch of the season, very tough schedule, new coach. Give us a break with the i told you so's and sit back for a bit. Just a little patience, maybe they'll turn it around. If not it is made worse by the armchair quarterbacks breaking their arms patting themselves on the back, congratulating themselves and celebrating the Raps ineptitude. We got quality bigs and a good PG. If we can't work it out we will trade a big for a wing, I don't see that as panic.

almost forgot... great artwork Franchise. LOL.

Archibald... You're one to call me an "armchair quarterback". I remember you calling for Smitch's head all the way from the bonnie shores of Scottland! Sheesh, you're probably a Rangres fan too! LOL
For one thing, I'm not trying to convey an "I told you so" message. I'm just trying to re-enforce the now obvious, that the Raptors problems ran and continue to run much deeper than Sam Mitchell. In fact, I recently posted that I’m glad that Mitchell got fired. Now everyone is forced to realize that this team has deep structural problems that had little to do with coaching. No more scapegoating kids.
I'm speaking out because the same over simplification, ignorance and mob mentality has started to rear its ugly head again recently on this site. Now the mob is calling for Bosh's head. The one player who has given his all for his entire career in the NBA to this franchise and all the while being surrounded by NBA cast-offs, D-leaguers and Euro trash. Then after a few bad games (after a month of all-world play) the petulant Raptor fans booed the poor kid, at home against Dallas (Bosh’s home team with friends and family watching no doubt). Despicable and embarrassing.
Oh and don’t say I’m happy with the Raptors fall, I’m pissed off. But I’m going to keep the focus where it belongs . On this teams problematic roster.
Oh, and go CELTIC! (not Boston Celtics, but the footy team from the east end of Glasgow).

Lol, my woman is far too Irish for me to support Rangers, Queen of the South, Go Doon Hamers!

I was calling for Sam's head before he left, not going on and on about it after the fact. Sam's gone, it was the right move. I like Bosh, he is just what you want to build a team around, though he clearly can't put a team on his shoulders. If Chi-town offered Noah, Thomas, Thabo and Heinrich for Bosh and filler I would think about it. Unfortunately, trades lke that only happen in Mcclarky's brain. I am happy with BC, though there are some chinks showing in his armor (coulda had Azabuike for around the same as Adams, Salamon and Voshkul). I think MLSE is keeping him on a tight budget.

LOL.. I resemble that remark Archibald.

For the record that deal sounded do-able. I think it's gonna happen. ;o)

Sory Archibald, now you lost me... First you say Bosh is just the guy to build around and in the next sentence offer him up for the Joahkim Noah poo poo platter... uggh... Maybe you should come accross the pond and watch a game every now and then before calling for coaching and roster changes. Maybe all the Irn-Bru and deep fried Mars bars are getting to your head! LOL
Let's just agree to disagree and also agree that Dundee United is the true class of Scottish premier. :)

Fair enough, we can disagree. I wasn't saying that we should/shouldn't trade Bosh. Just that anything can happen. So sit back and enjoy it. The only real expectation of this team is to get past the first round. Although it doesn't look good now, this team has plenty of time to learn how Triano wants them to play with each other plus whatever new parts are brought in. If we are hot going into the playoffs the whole season can turn into a success and no one will be worrying about a cold stretch in December.

ps you shock me with your awareness of Scottish pop culture, how could I fight with ya! Now I gotta go drink some whiskey and chat up a sheep.

Great now we are fighting about soccer...

For the record; I have celt roots. More anglo - than saxon. Rockin the Red Dragon...

I have always had a spot for Dundee United though. Not that I go around screaming pro-orange (or some shade of tangerine), Tannerdice songs.

Whats so bloody special about Dundee? A bridge disaster - but aparently some folk think 'it's the best place in the world'.... News to me!

Actually one of my best mates s'from Dundee...

End of 3rd Quarter:

Commentators just said:

Bargnani looks so hesitant. He has no idea what he is doing... or where he is going.

Wow! It's the lords truth though... I like Bargs, but I see this often when he is in the high post on offence (as was the case on the play that drew the comment).

Do you guys think this high post anxiety is fixable?

Another blown lead to another garbage team! Up 21 in the first half, now down to 6 in the 3rd quarter.

Bargani is a champ again:
-16 +/-, 20% (1-5) shooting, 5 fouls in 3 quarters.

Bargs is the new Zan Tabak. He makes me yell at the screen.

Bargnani and Moon could start their own league and play 1-on-1. They are pretty evenly matched, considering that neither can dribble, pass, post-up, or recognize a good shot vs. a bad shot.

Jake Voskhul is a one man wrecking crew. Clippers are going to feel this one tomorrow.

Voskuhl is a one man wrecking crew. Loving it!

He certainly knows how to hand out free one way trips to the hospital.

I like Voshkul, he seems to actually box out on the offensive end and has a bit of that grit that everyone but O'Neal lacks on the team. It might be hard to find a spot for Bargs under the new style.

Wow - the "retaliation" for Voskuhl taking out Randolph and Thorton was to bring in Brian Skinner and his Ying Yang Twins beard to smack Bosh in the face and nail Calderon on a couple of picks.

Good to see the subs in there with a 20-point lead. I don't think even Moon, Joey, and Solomon can blow this one.

Bosh showed he can beat Steve Novak and DeAndre Jordan pretty easily... would have been nice to see that dominance against Tin Duncan or Dirk or even Collison/Wilcox/Joe Smith of OKC.

I do question bargs hustle sometimes, but he been jerked around too much, he needs to just be a backup centre for a while...

hallelujah

axl: bargs back to the 5? He hasn't been to the 2-guard spot yet!

he he, 2 guard, he he, perfect.

I think Renato posted a quote from Bargs a week or so back where Bargs was talking about being a SF but being the same size as JO. I still have plenty of patience for Bargs. Until we trade JO, he is in the perfect place to develop his big skills.