Tip-In, Toronto Raptors Post-Game:  Meltdown

Spot on! TJ is poison. I was actually hoping he'd be kicked out earlier, because it was clear Sam would not pull him out not matter what happened (in fact, most of his decisions in general don't seem to be based on "what happens", aka reality). Its bizarre!

Even if things even out, and they right the ship, this should not be forgotten. In my opinion, we've seen this to some degree out of Sam and TJ for over a year.

Is it a coincidence that we had one of our best games when Triano coached?

This relationship between Mitchell and Ford is a real mystery. It seems to be an extremely strong chemistry and certainly is a blind love. It is as though Ford is the dominate personality. Imagine what this is doing to the moral in the team.It is my opinion that Ford has the potential of a Chris Paul physically but he needs a coach that can control and teach him and get his mind right. It is now on Colangelo to resolve these serious internal problems. Colangelo's job is not just to make trade deals.

Maybe TJs meltdown came at the wrong time - but you have to respect that he cares that much about the game. As a fan, there is nothing worse than the team being blown out and seeing shots of the bench a) looking like they don't care; or b) giggling away

It would be better for the team if more players brought the intensity and passion that TJ has

I don't think anybody has ever questioned T.J.'s passion for the game....its the brain stingers that he gets that throws me off.I understand B.C. is doing some scouting...hope he's looking for a coach !!!It almost seems like Smitch is intimidated by TJ.Sam grow a set of b.....and retake control of your team (sorry,I meant to say playa)It seems like Sam has no problem parking anybody's ass on the bench,but his favourite son.....nice to see Jose getting back to normal....Can someone find Bargs a big man coach,English was one hell of a player,but big man coach he isn't.

I used to always defend Sam but this Whole meJ fiasco has made me do a complete 180 on him. He doesn't reign in TJ, he encourages him. The same way he couldn't reign in Mike James. How hard is it to bench meJ when he doesn't pass? How hard is it to bench Moon when he fails to drive? He's in love with these two players. What mystifies me is that not only does he fail to bench them, he encourages them with more PT.

We've been talking about TJ for a few weeks now. Yet game to game, the situation continues to escalate. He went from a near catastrophic injury, to a little selfishness, to A LOT of selfishness, to last night's freakout. How is this going to end? I see a Richie Tennenbaum style meltdown with TJ sitting on the court, taking off his shoes and crying in front of the cameras (Royal Tannenbaums -- if you haven't seen that movie, you should).

Two things really amaze me. First, Paul Graham, Jumpin' Johnny Rusin and Troy Clara are all raging alcoholics.

Second, the way the media tiptoes around the TJ situation and fails to report on what is so clearly obvious to everyone with half a brain.

Observer are you Jay's mom?
I agree with you Rt there is a strange relationship between Smitch and TJ. I mean if anyone other than TJ had similarly run amuck, that player would be pulled real quick. The only explination I can find and I mentioned this on another Raps' blog is that TJ has had a some personality changes from the head trauma suffered in the Horford incident. Prior to his return the word was that physically he was healthy but mentally he was not ready to return. Hmmm?Smitch, the players and BC are all protecting him. Smitch is handling him with kid gloves, Parker's comment about helping TJ to be effective and BC's hiring of Lucas point at deeper issues than a hissy fit. The fall along the side line TJ took in the 4th Q as Harpring was covering him looked awkward and in landing he didn't seem to put his arms out ahead of him to cushion the landing. A baby's develpment is judged by aquistion of this protective instinct. I hope my speculation is off base for TJ' sake and it turns out the guy is just a lttle jerkoff.

I've been waiting for one of the too polite Raptors to blow a gasket when down 20 and the victim of crappy officiating BUT not when you're away and in a very close game against the Jazz winners of their last 18 home games. WOW! What a clusterf*ck.

I know that Sam has a soft spot for TJ after all the injuries but if a coach can't control his players he's not in control of anything. I would never question TJ's passion or talent but it's his immaturity that is costing his team.

Last night was the first time I saw Sam leave Bargnani in after getting into foul trouble. This should have happened a long time ago, not with only 15 games left in the schedule. What other #1 pick would have been allowed to rot like Bargs has this season?

Players don't make teams GM's do. I like what BC has done in two short years but if Sam can't reign in TJ and continues to let Bargnani regress then BC has to do something.

That funny feeling Sam should be getting after this season should be BC's foot in his ass. "Get better at X's and O's, substitution patterns, and teach AB some sh*t or I'll be getting a new coach."

I was ready to throw the remote when TJ did his me against the world stuff at the beginning of the 4th quarter. Sam should have pulled him after two minutes. It was, to my surprise, a winnable game as Utah was off. I really hope that we finish 7 or 8 so that heads will roll this summer.

Sonic Super - Love the Richie Tennenbaum comparison. Also the comment on the "boys in the trucks." Hideous job again last night. At one point they tried to show a replay of a foul on Jose and we got a paused shot of Jose with his mouth open.

Nice work.

As for the media, two different takes on TJ this morning.

The Globe's Matt Sekeres who we've had on the site before has the bright side of things via Michael Grange's blog:

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/blogs/wbbasketball

while Doug Smith looks at the dark side of the force in his:

http://thestar.blogs.com/raptors/

Interestingly, I actually agree with Smith for a change. Not for his NCAA picks, but for his take on Ford as he brings up a good point about the team going forward.

"My opinion? He’s (Ford's) not handling being a backup well and I think he knows he’s a second stringer for as long as he remains in Toronto. He’s hurt, his emotional state isn’t good and he doesn’t know how to handle it. The explosion at the ref had as much to do with the last two weeks as it did the preceding five minutes.

This is going to be the biggest challenge of Sam Mitchell’s coaching career, he’s got to get to T.J. and make him understand they need him to be steady, not spectacular, not a one-man show. Who knows if Sam’s up to it."

I think the last sentence can not be understated. What seemed like a season of so much promise could end up being one of the most disappointing in the team's short history if things continue to spiral out of control. The onus is on Sam to get TJ's mind right and like Doug says, who knows if he's going to be able to do it.

The turning point was when Price went behind the back around TJ. It embarrassed him and he wanted to show him up the rest of the game.

I was a lifelong Jazz fan until about 3 years ago (when raptorshq.com started ;). Last night was tough for me.

How happy is Kyle Korver? I mean really!

How happy is Kyle Korver? I mean really

Not as happy at MO PETE

OK I’m gonna play devil’s advocate for this post and present another side to this argument.
1) Was TJ out of line? ABSOLUTELY. However, I think he is in a tough place right now coming back from an injury where he faced the possibility of retirement. I’m not a TJ apologist, just providing a different spin on this issue.
2) Mitchell not calling out TJ in post game interview: Yes this would really help the situation… Throw TJ under the bus on National TV, great idea.
3) TJ should’ve been yanked: There is merit to this argument at face value. However, this team is much better with a healthy, confident TJ playing the way we know he is capable of. It is obvious to me that Sam is providing TJ some latitude in order to allow him to regain the level of play he had before the injury. That makes a little more sense than some of the other ridiculous theories posted here (Smitch is intimidated by TJ, Smitch has a blind love for TJ etc.). If that is the case, how can you chastise Smitch for trying to develop TJ and not for continuing to trot out the less than impressive Bargnani in the starting line-up? It is obvious this team is trying to win but at the same time develop it’s young players, so I can understand the logic in allowing TJ a certain amount of leeway.
4) One thing that is irrefutable is that this team is pathetic without Bosh. Both defensively and offensively.
5) This brings me to Brian Colangelo. He often escapes criticism, but with the manner in which this team is currently constructed, I am not that surprised with an 0 and 5 west trip without Bosh. It is obvious that this team needs a true second banana, better rebounders and a defensive upgrade. This team truly lacks defensively talented players. Asking Smitch to do more with this team as it is constructed now is asking a lot. Should Colangelo have been more aggressive at the deadline, maybe, but one thing is for sure the talent on this team will have to be upgraded in the off-season if we are truly to contend in the east.

Oh boy. I was hoping to be writing under happier circumstances, but this was predictable. I had predicted 1-4 on the trip, hoping for a miracle, but deep down, I think I knew the 0-5 was a very distinct or even probable possibility.

Prior to the start of the season I had also predicted a slight step back in progress for this team, however, I too drunk the happy juice and believed the hype during their warm streak.

But if you really think about the team without being a fan, I think it is predictable. Think about the current starting line-up.

1) A 31 y/o Centre who was a backup albeit on a very good team 2 years ago.

2) A sophmore who was a non consensus #1 pick who we all knew was going to be a bit of a project

3) A guy was who in the Developmental league a year ago

4) Another guy who wasn't even in the league 2 years ago, playing in the Euro League

5) A starting guard who was a back up 2 years ago to one of the worst teams in the league.

If you really look at it objectively, where would you rank this team?

Even with an All-Star PF, who I consider very good but not in the mega-star category, this team is only slightly above average, which I think is what their record represents.

I agree with MAS. We are all blaming TJ for every loss the Raps take but other than last night, the team has started out flat and looked disinterested to start almost every game from even before Bosh went out. I guess TJ is to blame for that because he was hogging the ball on the bench. Stop blaming one player and letting everyone else off scott free.
I agree that BC should have gotten another guy who could carry the team when Bosh is having an off game or out but it would have been extremely hard to do in mid season so there is not point worrying about that now.
As much as everyone has been riding TJ about his ego the last few weeks, am I the only person who thinks that Calderon has been affected by TJ's return as well. He looked lost on most nights and maybe he was too busy looking over his shoulder worrying that TJ would regain the starting job instead of what he was doing on the floor. After all the rumours the last few days that Mitchell was going to start TJ maybe he finally realised he needs to play better (hence his performance last night). The truth is we are all spectators in this little drama and we don't have all the little details of what is really going on here. All we can do is speculate about what is going on as none of us have contacts on the team that could shed some light.

One final thought. I also agree that it is ridiculous to bust Sam for playing TJ, Bargnani and Moon so much when this team is going nowhere even if everything was going swimmingly. I mean 3 weeks ago, did anyone with half a brain truly believe this team had a brighter future then maybe a 2nd round appearance? Does it make sense to kill Moon's and Andrea's developement for that? And as TJ is still young and needs to get his game back, how else is he going to do that unless he gets minutes?

On a less morose topic (are we allowed lightening the mood today?), what did you guys think of the Raps, as well as the other teams', St-Patty's green alternates? I'm not a huge fan of the green and black combo, but I think green is a very underused color in general in sports uniforms (name one major sports team who's main color is green that doesn't look good, and the Seahawks faux blue-green monstrosity of a uniform doesn't count), so I always enjoy seeing them. The Knicks green+orange combo in particular looks nice if you ask me.

Today's Uniwatch article has pictures:
http://www.uniwatchblog.com/2008/03/18/kiss-me-im-amish-irish/

Mas, you win the prize for the only reasonable post to date today. I agree completely with your view.

For comparrison of the other Raptors attitude and play look at a PRO basketball player in Rasho Nesterovic who after sitting on the bench this year and then being asked to sub in for Bosh as the go to BIG MAN.

By comparrison TJ Ford is an Immature CHILD in a FUNK while being paid $8 mil a yr to play the same game.

Ustation, you captured my thoughts on the make-up of this team precisely! I truly think we have to re-evaluate our expectations of this team. Instead of calling for heads to role after a tough West trip, let’s temper our emotions a bit and accept that there obvious deficiencies talent wise on this team and stop scape-goating. Again, not saying TJ wasn’t way out of control or that his play has been terrible of late.

By the way did anyone else realise the irony of the "meltdown" at Energy Solutions arena? Energy Solutions is a corporation that dabbles in the disposal of nuclear waste… I don’t know… I thought it was funny.

well MAS, I almost agree with everything you had to say except for the BC part.

Dude went from Zero to Hero (my Vanilla Ice tribute) in a matter of weeks!

On a team that had nothing of value, to a team that at least now has a roster of valuable parts is something. It's not exactly turning water into wine or the Midas touch, but darn it, it's been pretty good.

Garbo, Parker, Moon, Humphries literally appeared from no where. We lost nothing in building those parts. Any other team could have had the same - but missed it. To sign two players that won a rookie not via a draft is a pretty darn good magic trick.

Sure beats any previous other era.

The only magic trick that good during Raps history was Zeke picking Mighty Mouse and then Camby. Dude might not be able to do anything else basketball management related, but he can draft.

What it comes down to for me is that this teams strength is the half court game because it suits our one star player, CB4. Calderon plays that style better than TJ, so TJ will have to accept being a backup or be moved to another team. Sam will have to also accept that or BC will have to whisper in his ear like he did the past season regarding AB's (lackof) playing time.

As for TJ, I believe he is only signed for 2 more seasons (unless the option is a player option). Perhaps BC can package him with an expiring contract (Rasho) at the trade deadline next season. At $8M/yr he is reasonably priced for a "starting" PG. I know it's too early to start talking about moving him, but it's obvious to me that his style of play just doesn't fit with the rest of the team's makeup. BC went out and got Kapono because he wanted to emphasize our strengths (FG%), but if you ain't got the ball you can't shoot it. So something has to give - you either get a PG who can pass, or you change the style of the team.

Yeah, that was something last night, but I don't think Colangelo's trying to win the Championship this year.....
And last time I checked Rafer has turned out to be a pretty good player.

I'm not defending TJ after last night, but I say chill.

By 2009-10 he'll be awesome,I know that's not what any of us wanna hear, but that's the way I see it. Until then, hold on for the ride, hopefully he can get comfortable coming off the pine.

Personally, I think Mitchell is much more of a concern, even though I like the guy....this isn't a high school popularity contest so kick him to the curb...

I guess you could say Mitchell would be improved by then too but we need a good coach now, to get us there as a contender.

Would love to see him as an assistant, but hey that'll never happen.

ustation..yes I agree that B.C. has done a good job,however having said that ,L.A. picking up Gasol for a bag of chips is a magician

I listened to the last quarter on the fan and I'll give Eric Smith credit. After TJ's ejection he bluntly stated that TJ has issues that he, and he alone, needs to deal with, and that his play since his return has been selfish and erratic. Refreshing to hear from any of our broadcast crew.
I find it hard not to sympathize with TJ, something just ain't right. The man was our best player our first dozen games this season- what the hell has happened?

Some thoughts on the recent play of the Raps.

Everyone is forgetting that this team is built around Bosh. The idea is you feed Bosh all night and if he is double teamed, you have the complimentary players around him to make a team pay. So what happens when Bosh isn’t in the game? You are left with complimentary players with not much else. Think about it, where does our offence come from? When feeding the ball to Rasho is our best option, you know we are doomed. Not taking anything away from Rasho, but he is a role player, not a go to guy.

So you are left with 5 players that can’t draw a double team, can’t penetrate and can’t generate much offence. That means that players like AP and Ford have to create more and generate scoring opportunities. This is why Ford is trying to score. Why he is told to take more of the scoring burden which is why he isn’t benched for doing so.

There is no point passing when the person you are passing to isn’t open. They aren’t open because you don’t have a big man down low commending a double team. It’s not the extra pass that gets you the open look (as the Raps TV in studio guys keep superficially stating), it’s the fact that you have someone open because of the double team that creates the opportunities. A pass out of a double team means that a defender is going to rush to close out which creates tremendous opportunities to pass around to capitalize on the defensive break downs. Ford does have to look for more passing opportunities when he cuts to the basket, but when you are that close to the basket, it’s a higher percentage shot to take then to pass back out to the perimeter.

There are no easy answers for this team with Bosh out. This is why Calderon has looked lost. Without Bosh down low, the assist opportunities are few and far in between. That’s why the offense looks so stagnant.

I think people need to temper their expectations. Without Bosh in the game, we are a team of role players that are in the bottom third of the league.

Here’s a grim thought: Last time Bosh returned from an injury, it took him many games to get in shape. How long is it going to take him this time around?

On a different wave length, how does a professional athlete reconcile that fact that Iverson can play with the throbbing paid of a broken finger while he sits out because he just wants to be careful?

On a positive thought, it may not be so bad if Washington overtakes us. We are not catching up to Orlando and it looks like the Cavs aren’t either. Therefore, it may be better to be in 6th than 5th.

Observer, it was not a coincidence we had one of our best games when Triano coached, it was New Jersey.

The Green uniforms were awful. Felt like I was cheering on the Celtics.

How can you explain the crew able to figure out how to turn the TOR in the score board green but they can’t figure out how to keep score?

Was really disappointed last night. I tuned in to watch an entertaining spectacle between the Cleveland Indians and the Orlando Magic, as the Globe had promised, but instead had to sit through some good basketball between the Cavs and the Magic. I think last week they also promised that the New York Rangers would be playing the Pistons. Alas, disappointed again.

In my mind, the issue with TJ would seem to be his unhappiness to accept his role as a bench player. While at one point the 2 PGs were seen as one of the team's best strengths, it seems higly unlikely that both will be able to co-exist in the long term. TJ is unlikely to accept being a backup and Jose seems to have been effected by all of this as well. It seems inevitable that Colangelo will likely have to move one of the PGs - most likely TJ.

I hope that we fall to 7th, 8th, 9th??? I just want BC to have the grounds to fire Sam and get rid of TJ without a huge public backlash. Many people still have the perception that this would be premature and that we should give them more time. If (yes it is now if) we make it into the playoffs, we are going out in the 1st round no matter what, so this season is essentially done for me. Let's move forward. Sam is simply not a top-tier coach, and we are re-signing Jose to be our starter, so TJ and his ego need to be shipped out to. Simple as that.

Some great comments folks as usual.

Reading them made me think back to one of my first posts of the season, from Spain in fact:

http://www.hooplife.ca/raptorshq/viewHQArticle.php?id=241

Take a quick read as almost 70 games later, it's interesting to see that things really have not changed.

Without Bosh, Jose is not as effective, the offense is stagnant, and our defense and rebounding is in shambles for long stretches, something that in turn hurts our offense as well.

Many of you have touched on the fact that without Bosh, the team is really just a number of role players (or spare parts as I mentioned in yesterday's post) that don't individually have the ability to carry the team. A perfect example of this was late in the game against Sacramento. When the Kings needed baskets in crunch time, they could turn to two devastating one-on-one players in Ron Artest and Kevin Martin.

Toronto on the other hand?

We were upset that Jason Kapono wasn't getting enough touches!

Think about that for a second.

It's not meant to be a slight against Kap-one, who has been playing aggresively of late, but the other team features two players who can use either their brute strength or quickness to get to the rim and Toronto's best choice is a jump-shooter...

Was really disappointed last night. I tuned in to watch an entertaining spectacle between the Cleveland Indians and the Orlando Magic, as the Globe had promised, but instead had to sit through some good basketball between the Cavs and the Magic. I think last week they also promised that the New York Rangers would be playing the Pistons. Alas, disappointed again.

I too looked forward to inter sport games. Thankfully the Raptors don't have to play Tiger Woods this weekend. Hell His winning streak is longer than any streak the Raptors put up this year (Sad but true)

Pau Gasol to Lakers wasn't a Magic Trick, it was Rape! Come on, every other team had the same opportunity.

Unless Wallace must have pulled an Elliot Spitzer.

Zona and McGateway.

YOU have swallowed the brown acid! It is dangerous! Seek help ASAP.

Nurse Marcia is being sent to talk you down from the TJ-euphoria.

Get well soon.

You know I was wondering where Marcia was in the midst of all this TJ hating. She is not regaling us, in her patented broken English, with tales of how TJ is the savior of the Raptors franchise, and will be the starter forever.

I believe Marcia got a (much deserved) ban for the reasons you mention, Branden

Soon to be joined by all the Sam bashers.....

Seriously its seems that you've all abandoned the ship.

I grew up in Seattle and as a teenager, I was convinved that Lou Pinella had an ongoing sexual relationship with Norm Charlton. That was the only way I could explain the coach's decision to keep the 'Sherrif' as the Mariners' closer back in the late '90s. I'm beginning to wonder if there is a similar love affair in Toronto between Mitchell and Ford.

Couple thoughts the Clippers are in desperate need of a pg, if Corey Maggette (soon to be replaced by Al Thorton) exercises his contract option perhaps we can make a deal or perhaps a sign and trade.

Absolutely no way the bulls resign Duhon after all the minor incidents he's been involved with. I'd much rather have a combination of Jose (30 minutes) and Duhon (18 minutes) compared to TJ Ford (24 minutes) and Jose (24 minutes).

And not to mention we could probably get Duhon for about 4 million which would save us 4 million to use elsewhere.

Calderon/Duhon
AP/Delfino
Maggette/Moon
Bosh/Hump
RASHO/Bargs

Not to mention we still have Kopono and Garbo and will have a cap space and expiring contracts

Coach: Somebody other than Sam

I'd even be willing to throw in our first rounder with TJ for Maggette

Who is gonna take TJ in a trade? A silly thought.He will be on our books until the final year of his current contract.
Our hope is that he staraightens his head out.

Hi guys. As usual, here's the Raptors-related material from ESPN's John Hollinger's latest chat...

==================

Matt (Toronto): TJ Ford is an absolute mess right now, and it seems to be contagious with the way the rest of the team is playing. Is he moveable this summer? It seems like it would be best for both sides.

SportsNation John Hollinger: (3:16 PM ET ) Certainly he isn't responding well to the idea of coming off the bench, and it does seems that paying to keep two PGs of this quality isn't the best way to maximize their resources. I'm guessing the late swoon increases the Raps' odds of dealing one or the other this summer.

==================

Dave (Toronto): With the recent struggles on the road for Toronto. Is it safe to say that the playoffs will be a short one in Toronto?

SportsNation John Hollinger: (3:51 PM ET ) I want to see them with Bosh before I starting writing their epitaph. However, they're no longer locked into No. 5, so that's a big issue too -- they could go as low as No. 7 now, which would be deadly.

=======

Tristan (Toronto): Bosh gets an MVP in the next 5 years, true or false? Possible or impossible?

SportsNation John Hollinger: (3:56 PM ET ) Possible, but not particularly likely. He'd need everything to go right, the Raps to overachieve and for nobody else to have a Garnett-in-'04 type season.

==================

Woodstock. This aint about defending TJ so much as it is laying the blame where it belongs. It is easy to blame TJ because we were in games when he came in but like I said, he didnt start any of the games since he came back and the Raps have started out behind the 8 ball in almost all of them accept against Miami. Think about that. The fact is this team is not built to withstand an injury to Bosh and with his history you would think it would be. If you recall when Toronto went 6-6 last season with him out Ford was the starting PG and the lineup was a little different. Now we are starting virtually the same starting lineup (seemingly designed to work with Bosh in there) yet everyone is acting like the results should be the same. BC and Sam need to sit down and really look at what they have and ask themselves if maybe they erred when they didnt shake up the lineup but changing it. Ford starting and Moon sitting to start the game might have given the Raps a better look to start games (not bashing Moon but his offensive deficiencies are painful when he has to produce because our options are so limited).

Oh Tinman, you never cease to amaze with you passion for defending Sam. I didn't think you would so far as suggesting people reasonably, calmly and without using any vulgarity should be banned from the RapsHQ site for debating Sam's capabilities as a head coach though.

Franchise I still wonder if your "start tj, for now", gambit would have resulted in some wins on this trip. Though I do feel it would be a hell of a lot to ask from calderon, without whom raps'd probably be out of the playoffs.

I'm still firmly planted on the fence with tj. Finally watched the game today on replay and though ford's game is seriously off, he was vitimized by the refs like the raps have been this entire road trip. In one sequence, he gets yanked down by harpring, does commit a dumb foul, but then gets an obvious "and one" taken away and called a charge. Not to mention the jazz were targeting him as a defensive weakness.

Hopefully his passion fires everybody up. That's the only reason I can imagine mitchell let him play past the first minute in the fourth.

My attempt at humour failed.
I would miss our discussions and you would miss your bball education(haha).
I have questioned many of the roster moves this year. But ya know its too easy to coach after the games has been played. With the depth of this team that will always occur. His handling of Bargnani can be questioned, but put off that discussion til the end of net season because the kid'll be allright. The minutes given lately to Moon and Ford can definately be questioned, earlier in the year they both deserved their minutes, but lately....?
Not too many things have gone good this year beginning with the loss of Garbo, who's contribution is greatly underestimated, and various other injuries to keys like TJ, who still has not recovered and Bosh. Bargnani's lack of progression is a big factor.

Must add that last years record really increased our expectations and so far I do classify this as an extremely frustrating season. But one playoff series win will make it all worthwhile.
Hears hoping
1- a return of a healthy CB4
2- TJ Ford getting his groove back and giving us the play that this team needs to be taken seriously. We are all rooting for ya TJ
3- starting minutes for Jose Calderone
4- a consistant Andreas Bargnani
5- Anthony Parker playing, well like he has been playing since mid last season
6- Kapono and Delfino getting hot at same time
7- less minutes for Jamario Moon
8- hoping we don't meet the Pistons or the Cav's in round 1

Some great posts, few thoughts

Moon vs. Graham

Now that the glitter has worn off, I am starting to take a harder look at Moon. I mean, if we started Joey and played him for 30mins a game would you expect 8.5 pts and 6rebs? Would you expect more? Those are Moon's numbers, but he is treated like a sensation. Moon gets more blocks, but who's tougher? Just as Joey got drafted at 16 for a reason, Moon didn't get drafted for a reason. Graham is two years younger than Moon. In a dream world, if both players realised their full potential, who would be better? I dare say Joey might have the higher ceiling. I wonder if Sam will let him come in at the end of the year, like he did last year when Garbo went down, and Joey went off.

-Remember Brezec's first game? The one where he played heavy minutes with Bargs? Didn't they seem to have a good chemistry? Has be been used the same way since?

-And about Bargs, why does it hinder his development o play him 30 mins a night off the bench? The assassin on the bench? Didn't he excel in that role last year? What is his role this year?

- Fire TJ vs Fire SMitch -

TJ is playing like some weird freak right now. In the past, he has played all star level ball and has taken his team to the playoffs every year. He is not cheap and he has had serious injury problems yet we locked him into a long term contract. We are probably stuck with him for a while. HOWEVER, the TJ we are seeing now is the WORST we will ever see him. He is an above average NBA starting PG and will be for years to come. This year he has gone from key franchise piece, to possibly out of the game, to back up. Coach has to sit him down and get his role into his head.

Sam won COY. He wasn't BC's guy. He was on the firing watch just before last year's magic turned on adn kept going until the Nets. His contract is around the same as what Wilkens was, and they paid that dude for years after he left the club. Doesn't effect the cap.

We can fire Sam real easy. Maybe the new coach can put players in situations where they succeed so we won't have to trade them.

I don't understand why people are so against firing Sam? Nobody that defends him argues that he is the best coach for this team. Sam has had a long coaching life here in Toronto. He will get hired elsewhere. He has shown an ability to work with young players and I think he deserves a lot of credit for changing the losing culture. Sam will be fine, I just think the raps might be better off with a new coach.

As far as Isiah T, his drafting record isn't half bad.
However, I'd sub his drafting of Camby with the drafting of McGrady. Drafting high schoolers was still rare at that time, so props to him for going for the home run pick and coming out on top.

If we're really in the second year of the Colangelo plan and not the defending Atlantic champs, what's the mentality going into the draft.

Do we draft for another team and try to use the player in combo with our expiring contracts for that second scoring option.

If you keep the pick, how dedicated are you to the "draft best player available" moniker. How about if the BPA is a jumpshooter? How about if its a rebounder with no jumpshot?

Or if you're looking to add to the foundation of the team itself, do you (as Isiah did) go for the unproven youngster who has the highest boom/bust potential?

Hey, does anybody think Raptors TV is going to pull those "this is the greatest PG situation the Raps have ever had" commercials anytime soon? It's funny to watch them with b/w footage of Rafer and Mike James, and now TJ is doing his best impersonation of both of them...

No offense to all the Mike James, Rafer haters, but come on....

I'd take those two guys on my team any day of the week. In fact, I'm starting to feel a real similarity with TJ = Rafer.

Mitchell didn't reign in James when he was here, not that James had any better passing options. Oh but do any of you remember him HITTING all those shots?

If you watched any of those games, you remember a fire that has seldom been seen here since.

Funny thing is we got rid of Rafer TWICE for nothing.

Oh yeah, Zeke drafting McGrady was more of ineptitude and risk aversion from the preceeding 8 GMs.

Moon > Graham

I was thinking the same thing about those TJ-Jose ads. Not only are they so overplayed now but yeah, right now it looks like a Rafer-Jose combo might be better than the current one.