Tip-In, Toronto Raptors Post-Game: Disgrace is Spelt D-I-S-GRACE

Thank God for wrestling!!!

good plan, don't let them ruin your team as well.

http://cuzoogle.com/2008/03/15/seriously-did-anyone-watch-the-second-half/

I try being a supporter of Sam's since he one of the few coaches out there with some stones but after seeing last night's effort I only have one question, "Has Sam lost the Raptors?"

Players don't play like that for coaches that they respect. Something must going on behind the scenes.

Next starting line up:
PG D Mart
SG AP
SF Joey G (why not)
PF Hump
C Rasho

If the rotation players can't bring it but in the 11th and 12th players.

I don't think there is any doubt that Sam is losing some of his players. Significantly on these EuroRaptors, I think most of the players Sam has lost are the Euros.

Way back when Babcock was around, a large part of Sam's job was to mentor Bosh and to change a losing atmosphere on the team. However, when BC came in he changed the personnel radically. The players he brought in were winners. BC doesn't need Sam to do that job anymore. Heck, Bosh has developed into the quiet leader of this team, with all the characteristics you would want from your leader. Whether or not this is due to Smitch is a different conversation.

BC was in a tough spot coming into this season. Sam just won coach of the year. Even if it was due to BC's own personnel changes, it is tough not to re-hire the COY. There is still a lot of season left, and playoffs - and Sam is going to need that time to turn things around.

February was an easy schedule and the raps were ordinary. This West Coast trip is tough, and they suck. Sam is being exposed.

I don't think it will be so tough if BC wants to get rid of Sam this year. He won't even have to replace him with a big name (as he might have if he replaced COY Smitch last year). If the Raps continue to lay at this level, I think Sam is done for several reasons...

-He has failed give players defined roles that they thrive in, his substitutions are curious at best

-Bargnani has developed very little under him, and working with youth was supposed to be a strength!

-He hasn't used BC's off season free agent acquisition at all

-He seems to have lost the club

-He hasn't been able to get the most out of TJ. Ford is a huge part of this time, and Smitch has only rewarded his selfish play of late. Why is TJ still getting more minutes than Jose? Rewarding TJ's selfish play is actually ruining BOTH PG's (TJ's humility and Jose's confidence)

I have posted similar rants before and almost find myself waiting for BC to fire Smitch already. Sam at his best still isn't a great coach! I disagree with other posters that have suggested that a developing team meshes well with a developing coach. A young developing team needs an experienced coach that has a plan of where he is taking the team. Unless things change radically before the end of the season, for this team to continue to develop, Sam Mitchel has to go.

A question to the RapsHQ fan base (maybe Sergi can help). Last year, when we were talking about new coaches, there was an American coach that has been winning loads in the Euro leagues. Last year I think he changed clubs to coach some Russian team. Anyone know who I am talking about? He sounded like a dark horse and exactly the type of coach to fit this club. I'll check back...

Robert: you're talking about David Blatt, the american coach who led Russia to winning the Eurobasket last september. This season he is coaching at Efes Pilsen in Turkey, but I haven't heard much about his impact there. I only know that they have been unable to qualify for the quarter-finals of the Euroleague, but this is quite normal for a club which is only middle-class in European basketball.

As for the coaching discussion, I have to say that it is hard for me to put the blame only on the coach. I've never been a fan of Mitchell, but I believe the players must share a lot of the blame too, specially in such a team-oriented sport like this. I can't comment on yesterday's game because i could not watch (it's all Lakers and Gasolmania in spanish TV), but from the stat line of these last few games I would think only Parker and Rasho are playing at a decent level.

To sum up: I am critical of Mitchell's decisions like you, but it is fair to put part of the blame on the players too.

Robert Archibald

that had to be one of the best posts on here in quite some time.

I have questioned SM as coach for about 2 months now.

Very strange line ups.

Playing TJ and JC split minutes don't cut it.

Neither are in the league of a Chris Paul but look at starters minutes of most starting point guards.

I almost think the team is tanking and have 6th place in mind. Like I have said 7th is not out of the question.

If the Raptors think they will have a better chance in beating Orlando than Cleveland they are nuts

I don't think they could of beat Carleton University last night.

Don't know if a coach from euro league is the right answer. How about a Van Gundy type? They need an experienced NBA coach.

This team is lost. Don't want to get into TJ thing but to Me it all started when TJ came back.

Is that the reason I don't know. I hope not.

I saw most of the first quarter at one bar and then left for another bar. By the time I got the game back on, midway through the second quarter, it was way out of reach.

I find it tough to get too upset about these blowouts. It's the games against LA and GS that frustrate me, because those turned out to be winnable. The difference between winning and losing those games really came down to a few plays and some decision making by the players on the floor.

This loss? Not much they could have done, in my opinion. I mean, they're not suddenly going to become 12 lock-down defenders. I'm not a defense first, or a grind it out half-court-set fan. I can't bring myself to watch the Cavs or the (2-3 years ago) Pistons and I found it a struggle to watch the Kevin O'Neill games of the past. So, I guess I see these types of games as inevitable if you want to play the style that I like to watch (and the style that the Raps seem to be trying to play).

This was truly a 'make more shats' type of game.

What NBA coach would not have Rashio in starting line up all year long?

What NBA coach would pull a shooter like AB after 2 fouls and park His butt on the bench for most of the rest of the game?

What NBA coach would try to make that same player a centre when He looks like that is not His natural position. Sure He has some usefulness down low but not full time

What NBA coach would start AB as a centre?

What NBA coach would have the best 3 pt shooter in the nba sitting on the bench and not have anything set up to exploit His skills?

What NBA coach would allow an injured point guard to return to duty and run amok?

What NBA coach would take His current starting point guard and give Him less than 35 minutes per game?

What NBA coach would sit Graham so much? (I know that is a debatable subject but last year the same coach had Him as a starter for much of the year and He played pretty well)

What NBA coach would start Moon?

What NBA coach would have rotations like SM?

No defense strategy (man on man or zone) lets figure out a way to help weak wings

What NBA coach accepts the team rebounding like it is

What NBA coach would keep Bosh in blow out games His team has won? For 40 plus minutes?

To Me imho SM has not put His players in a position to succeed

Maybe this team lost it's heart when Mo-Pete left?? New Orleans is playing with the same type of intensity that the Raps did last year, probably not just because of Mo but you never really know what kind of locker room presence a player bring to a team. I know we really couldn?t keep him.....just a thought.

Maybe this team lost it's heart when Mo-Pete left?? New Orleans is playing with the same type of intensity that the Raps did last year, probably not just because of Mo but you never really know what kind of locker room presence a player bring to a team. I know we really couldn?t keep him.....just a thought.

This team can make the playoffs so that is one positive. At this point they need a complete analyisis from within in order to make things right. I think Colangelo needs to step in with the help of Embry and get all of the coaching staff together and take a real hard look at their problems. I think there is discord among the players involving Sam's relationship with Bargnani and Ford and with others over playing time and strategy. A P. is not happy. You can see that the chemistry has gone to hell.It is Colagelo that must sort this out and soon. Once the problems in chemistry and personnel are sorted out, the desire to play defense should return. Also, I think they need to seek advise on their offensive and defensive strategies because they are helpless to defend the perimeter or the dribble. penetration. After this is completed, it may mean that Mitchell has to go.

Welcome BigC

Good points Archibald, hard to argue there...think BC was expecting more improvement? (my major grievances are player rotations and plays.)

Yeah, good questions about Mitchell
there Davl, it's like the 911 inaccuracies....one by one they don't mean much, but all together listed like that, makes an intriguing argument.
(Don't worry I ain't going political on anybody, I think this is the last place on the web I can post without being ridiculed for an opinion, and I'll keep it that way.)

That was a pretty entertaining display by the Nuggets. Matador defense was hilarious.
Can Jose improve his 1 on 1 d?

Love Kapono, but I thought we should have given him the night off and let a pylon get his minutes instead.

Hey Franchise and Howland. Don't let your computer and internet skills go to waste. Start another website petitioning for a big shake-up (starting with Sam and TJ if it were me in charge). Things will get a bit better when Bosh finally comes back (if they don't give us an honest update about him soon I'm going to snap). When this up-swing occurs, many of the fans will become pacified and complacent again. It is the down times that show you the character and back-bone of a team. That back-bone should start and end with the coach on a developing team. We don't have a back-bone. Fire Sam. Fire Sam. Fire Sam. Picket line anyone?

I have not been wanting to write any comments over the last five or six games. So DAM frustrated/angry.

I turned to game off and watched Junior A hockey that was way more entertaining and competitive.

As I cover my mouth and cough here!!! (and under my breath scream) fire the whole coaching staff.

BC needs to fill some holes on rebounding and someone who will take the ball to the hoop, but first and foremost get us a coaching staff. The basics are not being done here.

A lot of fans including myself are withdrawing some their emotional investment in the Raps and judging by last night's effort the players may be doing so as well. Hope the team is just going through a slump and will get back on track soon. Winning and time heals all. Patience grasshoppers.

Stuck at work anybody have a internet link for college games. I'm having no luck in finding one

Wow - am impressed by the above comments and its hard to argue with many of the valid points made. Always been a big fan of Sam and always will.
West-Coast trip, no CB4, and with TJ spiralling out of control - the calls for firing are way too premature.

Its okay boys, raps are doing this on purpuse. We're trying to get to the 6th spot so we can play orlando instead of the cavs in the playoffs.

Yes, they have dwight and we don't have any bigs to stop him, but remember what LBJ did in the postseason last year? scary.

So take your pick...Superman Howard or King James? I'm going with Dwight. The cavs are going to be a very good team once they get gibson and Z back (and pavlovic returned a couple days ago)

So dont worry, BC always has a plan, and this is it.

And with CB4 out of the lineup we can use that as an excuse for us losing games, but when he comes back and were in position to face orlando, we'll be laughing

Ktown, I don't know if you have seen those commercials trying to get seniors to take out some of the equity in their homes. There on a lot in the southern Ontario area, if you live in the region. Anyways, they play a song in these commercials (for one company in particular, even though I can't think of their name at the moment) that sort of implies that the possibilities are endless if seniors sart doing this (ie. pulling equity out of their houses for some extra cash). It goes... "Wouldn't it be nice? Wouldn't it be nice? Wouldn't it be nice?" (repeat). This song started playing immediately in my head upon reading your post. These are professional players we are talking about. The play of late is in no way intentional. Orlando and the Cavs are both much better teams than us, it doesn't matter who we play. You also need to consider that even in the near impossible event we were to get past the 1st round against one of these teams, we still eventually run into Detroit and/or Boston, then what? Or how about we throw the absolutely impossible out there and suggest this team makes it to the Finals. What happens when they go up against anybody (1 through 8) in the West? Making it to the playoffs in the East is not an accomplishment to be content with. I know it would seem this way with the Babcock era not too far in the rear view mirror, and it seems the Raps organization as a whole buys into this mindset. What happened to demanding more, accountability, or developing a winning environment? Even if the Raps were mailing in efforts for the sake of playoff ranking, this would make me more disappointed. To be the best, you have to play and beat the best.

Anyways, while I respect your optimism, I am a realist. Our supposed depth was a myth, and if I'm BC, all the Raps not named Bosh or Parker (and maybe Calderon) are available come the off-season.

Davl - this is the only place I could find for viewing - looks like it's a pay site:

www.Live-Sports-Network.com

Some others via google search, but looks like the options aren't there until the tourney. ESPN360 is another option but pay as well...sorry to hear you're stuck at work.

On the Raps side of things, some great comments, and Howland will be touching on these tomorrow in his pre-game breakdown.

Toronto REALLY needs this next win, not just from a standings perspective, but from a confidence one too. Mitchell was pretty close to losing it on the team post-game (not to mention the media as usual) but we might see some drastic line-up changes tomorrow night...live footage of his chat can be found here:

http://www.nba.com/raptors/index_main.html

Check the Post Game Reaction clips on the Raptors NBA TV section on the left.

thank god I was at a bday bash last night, having a good time, and was absolutely smashed when I finally was able to find a tv to tune into the game. unbelievable. seriously. I can't even imagine what's going through BC's head right now. he's probably extremely pissed, that's for sure. looks like his plan to hold off until next summer to make the serious moves is going to be a lot more painful than originally planned.

this team is missing a catalyst. (other than bosh.) someone like the bargnani of last year, when he would get that crazy ass look in his eye, with ice flowin' in his veins. and no, tj isn't good enough to be that guy.

there just aren't any leaders on this team. bunch of lambs running around trying not to get slaughtered. (sam) that's what they look like to me.

now I'm going to go have my hangover special breakfast. more beer.

"You can not change the stripes of a leopard." -Emmitt Smith

Not a lick of ‘D’.

Mitchell’s Coaching Tactics are turning into all BARK and no BITE (why is he sitting on the bench when we face our toughest competition, but paces the sidelines when playing Eastern Conference foes?)… Are players tuning him out? Is he coaching himself out of a job? The sign of a good coach is to bring together the troops in times of desperation (ala the missing link – CB4). As of late, this team is showing no signs of cohesion whatsoever. The ship ain’t sinking yet… because CB4 will eventually return… but I think this team is putting too much emphasis on playoff match-ups. I’m torn because I want us to win in the first round, but then again I don’t want us to play to lose…

How about Rick Carlisle? He is definitely a teacher of the game...especially defence.

I would much rather play Orlando because Howard has really struggled covering Bosh in the past. Stan even called him out the last time these two teams met with Bosh in the lineup. A couple of weeks back (sans Bosh), the Raps kept it close until the fourth quarter when finally Howard became hot. Mind you this was due to poor coaching...Rasho sat out the entire quarter after doing a great job of keeping Howard off the scoresheet for most of the game, in favour of an over-matched Bargnani...but I digress!

Wow... great comments on all sides here, but I agree most with Davl and his criticism of Smitch.
I was really peeved last night when I saw the post game interview with Smitch where he says something to the effect of "if you're not gonna play D you're gonna sit" and I just about punched the screen.
If that's his stance, then why was TJ out there so dang much? Obviously TJ is going through a tough time for some reason and doesn't feel like trying AT ALL.... sit TJ... sit.
And yet there is Bargs... on the bench for nearly half the game after torching KMart and showing some life.
I just dont get it anymore, and I can imagine that there are a LOT of guys in his lockeroom who dont get it either.
Sit Mitchell....sit.

Franachise

already signed up for the tourny thanks for the links will just watch highlights this weekend :(

We knew this road trip was going to be difficult.

I can only guess that the demographics of the Raptors fan base is fairly young given the hysteria amongst the chattering masses to fire Sam Mitchell and trade TJ Ford. I myself have been very critical of some of the Raptor players and how Mitchell has deployed them but to demand radical changes based on a rough stretch of games is way premature.

Even if you’re right that leadership changes are required, you are still wrong because it based on too small a time span. The correct course of action will reveal itself in due time but until then let’s hope adjustments are implemented and executed in time for the playoffs.

No doubt, last night’s game was painful.

I watched it. I watched that whole game. It was like watching some dude screw your girlfriend. Just awful.

Way too angry to say anything intelligent about that loss.

i was actually hoping for a little more anger and disgust and raptor slamming.. reading your pages after a tough loss usually makes me feel a bit better.

for those interested here is like for ccaa (cdn college) bronze and gold medal games.
This is video webcast starting now6:30 mtn time enjoy!

www.champlaincavaliers.com/nationals.

For those wondering.....

Kleiza wasn't amused. He said he was talking to a Raptors assistant who worked him out before the 2005 draft and the official misconstrued it.

"I don't talk trash to anybody up 30 points," he said.

Im more pissed at BC, it's like he doesn't care about rebounding and defense in basketball. Jus Points and More Shats lol........Seriously, there better be some turnover next year.
And the defense is horrible, cuz AB/Jamario/Jose all have obviouse defensive weaknesses. Jose can't play one on one, Jamario wants only blocks and steals, And AB is still struggling with team defense.

Anywayz these last 20 or so games will be interesting

DENVER -- The Toronto Raptors filed a statement of claim against the Spanish Basketball Federation on Friday for nonpayment of insurance related to Jorge Garbajosa's injury.

Advertisement



Garbajosa underwent more surgery on his left leg and ankle on Dec. 11 in Baltimore.

The 6-foot-9 forward broke a bone in his lower leg and dislocated his ankle while trying to block a shot last March. The injury ended his rookie season.

Although the injury looked as if it would keep him out until training camp at the earliest, Garbajosa declared himself healthy enough to suit up for Spain at the European championship in Madrid over the summer.

At first, Toronto balked at Garbajosa's participation after general manager Bryan Colangelo said that tests showed the forward's fractured fibula wasn't completely healed. However, the two sides struck a deal after the Spanish federation agreed to insure his contract.

"It is unfortunate that we've reached this point," Toronto officials said in a statement. "The matter is now before the courts. Therefore, we will respect the court process and not comment further."

Chus Bueno, the executive director of the Spanish federation, told Spanish website Marca.com that the claim had already been paid.

"We've read the news, but we haven't received any official notice of anything, so it's hard to analyze. The federation paid Jorge's insurance claim," Bueno said. "We won't make any other statements."

look out 76'ers win again beating good teams too 7 out of 8 game streak,

Washington LAC charity foul with 2.3 sec in game 3 foul shots all good overtime

OldSchool, I don't wish to dispute your general point of view that a lot of these calls for Sam's head, and TJ's ticket out of town SEEM (key word) premature and based on only a 6-7 game streak. However, if you think and look back, you will see that people (like myself) have been calling for change (especially with regards to Sam) for a much longer period of time. The TJ deal is, from my perspective, a much more recent issue. I think you are much more correct there, but certainly, Sam has not been adored by all up until this past week or two. He's been making slight variations of the same mistakes for years now. Look what Adelman (a guy I said we should have got this off-season) is doing with what most analysts consider a non-contender in Houston (and they arguably lost offensive option #1 or at least #1a, during their winning streak). To be able to keep a team focused in the face of losing Yao, the ever-increasing attention of the winning streak and all of the non-believers is amazing. Sam can't keep his players heads in the first quarter of one game lately, nevermind 21 full ones consecutively.

OldSchool,

I believe you unintentionally insulted many of us Raptor fans with your comments. Your post is mildly self-righteous and assumes ignorance in regards to the Raptor faithful. Why? Because we have high expectations from both players and the coaching staff. This team prided itself on unity and cohesion last year, which was one of our team's major strengths. Lately, this has not seemed to be the case. When a classy guy like Parker openly suggests that a certain player is making the rest of the team feel less involved, it's a hint (a very subtle one at that) that there are some unhappy campers in the locker room. The question then begs, if indeed the team is either tuning the coach out or are feeling slighted by that same coach, should BC not evaluate the situation in order to help right the ship? These are just assumptions, but what has Sam really done this year that has shown you an improvement over last year? You also mentioned in your post about the coaching staff making adjustments before the playoffs. I'm afraid that you will be waiting a very long time for that to occur, since adjusting is definitely not in Sam's vocabulary...just my thoughts.

just saw Acadia upset Carleton in double ot....what a great game!, im glad their is still some good ball in Canada, considering the raps aint playin it anymore.

Some Random Raptor's notes.

At $4mil/yr for the next 2 Sam Mitchell is here to stay.
He needs to settle on his PG rotations and give direction on how he wants the team to play.

Everywhere I read about predictions of this trip to the wild west were 0-5 or 1-5 at best. Right on track @ 0-3. A 7/10 pt loss or a 30 pt loss is still 1 loss. The whole team played terrible defense and the Nuggets (AI & Melo) were on fire, & at best Rap's do not have good match ups to them. Rap's have had terrible games before and will again.

The coaching staff prepared the team for Denver. The players all 12 who played did not play as a team on defense, or follow the coaches instructions, for whatever reason. Raptors can play team defense, and will again in the future.
It's quite obvious that they struggle against talented 2's and 3's and need upgraded talent in the summer.
There is no reason for them not to be competitive in team rebounding if they concentrate on it, although this is another area for upgrading in the summer.

When Rap's get back home with Bosh back, the last 15 games will be an easier schedule with opportunity for them to set up for success in the playoffs.

Regarding the Bosh factor:
Raptors have one STAR player who is the top scorer and rebounder and defensive leader on the team. When he was playing the team was 7-3 in the 10 games prior to his injury in the Indy game. Since then they are 2-7 without their key scorer and leader in the game.

Is that a surprise??
Everybody has to adjust to do more. Not easy to do quickley. Last 8 games 2 home and 6 away, little practise time. Is it a surprise that team is struggling to adjust with its leader, and key player missing, and having to change its offense and defensive plans??

John, while your patience is admirable your logic is seriously flawed. If you look closely, I think you'll find that the majority of discontent stems from back farther than this game or this roadtrip.

The raps have been failing to beat the mediocre teams of the East even with Bosh healthy. In most cases, anyone with a basketball sense had a sinking feeling in their stomach. Especially with regards to the selection of players on the court.

Sam is starting to be exposed without Bosh to carry the team. I highly doubt Sam is even on the same page as his assistants. He looks lost in games now and his substitutions are highlighting it (small ball against Indiana?).

Unfortunately his progress hasn't been as quick as this team needs. We've got a lot of smart players who it seems are starting to realize Smitch may not be the genius that his COY trophy is telling the world.

In any case, this discontent has been brewing for a while now and only stands to get worse with every bit of rhetoric out of Smitch's mouth while the losses mount.

Hey Johnn19, don't know if you'll see this question, but figured I'd ask anyway. What made you feel that "The coaching staff prepared the [Raptors] for Denver"? A 44 point first quarter by the opposition sure does not suggest preparedness on the part of the Raps coaching staff to me.

Hey Brandon:
When I saw the game I did not see Mitchell, Triano, Evans, etc. on the floor standing still as the Nugg's ran by, I saw 12 players all in a daze, unable to follow instruction for this game.
Shit happens in blowouts, not the first time or the last for Rap's eg. Milwaukee,Boston,Lakers.
Happens to all teams good and bad.