3 in the Key – Toronto Raptors Game-Day Preview vs. Magic

We have 24 fouls in the post to use on Howard and that does not count any of the wings. I suggest we use them all and make them count for a change (hurt a little bit)

Bargnani usually plays well against Orlando. I am feeling pretty good about tonights matchup.
I think this team could use a little shakeup at this point and starting Delfino over Moon would be the place to start. Sam's gotta be able to hold face and giving Moon starters minutes, with his play of late, contradicts everything that Sam preaches about players dictating their own minutes.

There were so many times last year that this team surprised the hell out of me, by either pulling out a tough game or giving some elite teams a real scare.

Is that gutsy team still around? Have they tuned out sam and begun to float mentally? With no glue guy on this team, can they somehow stick together?

With all these questions, I feel like I went back in time two years.

What's the over/under on the Man-Child's rebounds tonight? 35?

And the topsy-turvey season continues. Logic says the Raps should get smoked tonight. The PG play has been bad, the rebounding is non-existent, Bosh is injured, Bargnani has no consistency and Kapono's last attempted 3 point shot was a multi-coloured money ball in New Orleans.

In other words, I'm predicting a Raptor W. The Raps will then blow apart the Heat and the Wiz, and just when we're all getting excited that they're rounding into form and gearing up for the playoffs, they'll get trounced at home by the Sonics on Sunday.

Axl,I 'm starting to wonder the same thing,if some players are starting to tune Sam out ?
We have a shit load of fouls to give...I want to see us use them all attacking the rim...and on the defensive end dont let anybody near the rim....I know easier said than done !!!

110-85 Magic.

Bargs scores 4 with 1 'bound, Raps outrebounded 54-38. Mitchell inserts himself into the game (suit and all) and leads team in rebounds (7) and flagrant fouls (2). Rest of players yawn--"jeez that guy tries too hard, let's go out for dinner."

lol thats some funny stuff

I remember when the season started and Bosh was having knee problems Andrea really stepped up. Our GM also mentioned something like that on an interview with Bob McCowen on the fan 590 a while back.

We saw Bargs step up against the Pacers however he was a noshow against the Bobcats.

If he wants to step up he needs to stay out of foul trouble. Won't be easy guarding a bruiser like Howard or small forwards like Rashard and Hedo.

I pray that Sam doesn't throw in another small lineup....we'll get destroyed.

Go Cavs!

I am going to have to go with Aaron on this one. I love this team to death, and it absolutely pains me to see two games like those against Indiana and Charlotte, but would anybody in here really be willing to bet (significant money, I mean) that we will see a different team tonight? I have commitments and won't be able to see it, but I will be praying that after the game all sorts of people are calling out us non-believers because the Raps shocked everybody. With that said, I won't be holding my breath.

yeah d279, it seems like the problems are with concentration and focus. I haven't given up on sam (partly because I don't think there's anyone better out there) but when we struggle against bad teams, you have to wonder about their mental preparation.

Knowing everything we did about Bargs coming into the draft and after his first season who would have though he'd be struggling to hit his shots.....

however his ability to get looks, his ability to get to the basket and his shot mechanics lead me to believe that sooner or later he will get it going.

Glad to see his rebounding and mixing it up down low.....thank god he hasn't picked up 2 fouls already

half way through the 4th quarter....TJ for is the only raptor who has shot...and he has 7 of there 11 turnovers.....something is wrong when ur point guard is the the only person who has shot

he needs to traded..this is ridiculous
how can he even still be on

So, yes, certainly I am the panicky sort . . . but this team is going to hell.

32-50, 26 straight losses, lottery pick? These all seem plausible after tonight's further disaster. No sugar-coating this one--more terrible shooting, and PGs with a combined 5A 9TO. Calderon must be hurt . . . and TJ is still an idiot.

T.J.....YUP!!!!! SAM SIT HIS FREAKING ASS ON THE BENCH BESIDE YOUR SORRY ASS.....yes I was screaming!!!

Sorry TJames shows up tonight and Mitchell....let Me ask this question...The best defensive and ost experienced centre We have is Rashio why did He not come off the bench the same time Howard did in the 4th??????and Why did our gangsta not get some time in the 4th to punish Howard?????Hump tried but not big enough!!!!Poor play on TJ's part not getting team play involved and again poor coaching....(I like SM)6 or 7th place is in the cards folks unless something changes in a hurry

Hi, my name is TJ and I think I'm MJ.

I am a point guard but often I don't even bother pretending to want to pass to my teammates. Although my ego is larger than my home state of Texas, I have the basketball IQ the size of a peanut.

For some reason, the Raptor media is either to nice, to scared, or to stupid to criticize me.

If you look at my #'s (8-13, 20 points) you would think I played well. But in reality, I hurt the team by shooting every time I touched the ball, and playing like a selfish ass.

For the life of Me I still don't understand why Howard got 30 min and Rasho only 19!!It just makes no sense!!!!Sure Rasho was not scoring but in 19 min He had 7 boards and Howard under control. Parker again played great until TJ took over

Correct me if I am wrong, but are the Raps the biggest pussies when it comes to taking the ball to the hole? My favourite player Jose may be the worst offender! But, hey, he has competition from Moon, who has Winced it since the last time he was put on his can - actually, head. Okay, Delfino has balls, but he's alone. You have to go at Howard to get him in trouble. They have him with 4 fouls and they don't even try to attack him. No reason to. It wasn't like he was putting up a ton of points when the game was being decided.
No one on this team does the dirty work. When Moon, Ford, Calderon were being put on their asses, we were worried about breaking a nail. We need a little Don Cherry here. How about a little grit from the players Sam. Weren't you that kind of player.

What has just happened? I am lost for words.
Has TJ just dissed Bargnani on the bench? What is going on in our locker room since TJ came back? Is he on drugs or something?
Why hasn't Mitchell reacted to what happened? For 6' your PG didn't even try to pass the ball?
The team is falling apart, not because it's losing but because of the way we're playing. Only 2 weeks ago we had a great game against Orlando and today we are unbearable to watch.
Colangelo must be shocked and furious. He has only himself to blame.
Seriously, has anyone witnessed anything like this? I'm watching b-bal since 1977 and I cannot remember anything similar.

bigd, hey I know what your saying but right now TJ can shoot bricks all night if he's if he's doing it in the paint as far as I'm concerned. He's the only rap with the "onions" to do it, seems like. Even AP, but moreso bargnani, delfino and moon: they get stopped a couple times and they give up.

I do say they fought hard, but as many have been saying, we're just not aggressive enough with the dribble drive. TJ at least goes for it.

Last season we took a good 5 steps forward.

This year it looks like we won't move at all.

Can't fault Bosh, can't fault Jose....even Moon who we've all screamed at has to have exceeded expectations for a guy who only makes 500 000.

Reasons for not taking any steps forward:

Sam Mitchell - I said don't play a small lineup and what does he do...when the game's close he makes andrea guard Howard while Brezec, Hump and Rasho sit on the bench. Nice move sam.....I don't think sam is anything more than a product of GM Colo

TJ Ford (Al Horford)- TJ was actually playing well until his injury. However now he hurts as more than he helps us. Move him for a good back up pg and some cap space so we can make a splash at the 2/3 spot.

Andrea Bargnani - This season has been a tremendous disappointment. Absolutely inconsistant. You really have to wonder how much of this is mental, how much is a lack of proper coaching and how much of this is just he isn't good enough to be a star. I don't think its the latter probably a combination of the first 2.

Thank god for Brian Colo....we have argubly the best GM in the league and I'm sure he knows what needs to be done, how to do it and most importantly will do it.

Wow, TJ single handedly decides to take every shot in the first 7 minutes of the 4th quarter and ignores even making any attempt to set up a single shot for any of his teammates. And, in doing so the rest of the lineup loses all offensive flow. Just when you think that TJ has figured out that his role is to be a PG not a shooter, he goes and plays a game like this.

Of course, it didn't help that Sam decides to sit Rasho until their were 5 minutes in the game.

At this point I am hoping the Raps slip to 6th. With the Raps Slipping to 6th I think with Bosh back TO can take Orlando in the first round and get into the second round. With some momentum of Cleavland, Boston or Detroit I would rather have TO play Detroit and even if they just have a good series...thats a good step for this year.

Rest Bosh for the next 6 - 7 games and work him back slowly, get him in game shape for the play offs.

One last thing, the 2 PGs on the court experiment has got to end - it just doesn't work as neither PG knows their role or has played well when they are together.

So havn't seen any highlights, and think I will try to avoid them, but by the sounds of it I saved 2 or 3 hours of my life. Much like many of us predicted it would work out, it seems. This could very well be the start of a spiral which finally ends with the conclusion of the Babcockian era (bye, bye Sam).

TJ Ford's play is the most embarrassing performance I have seen in a long time. His 4th quarter completely exposes his ego and smallminded-ness. I would hate to play with a guy like that and I'm sure it's affecting the locker room. Why doesn't anyone say anything?????

I hope he the coaching staff (assistants - not Sam - since he obviously does not see it) show him this game. I wouldn't mind it so much if it was Kobe Bryant - but he's not. Dear God, he is not.

ya its one thing when Kobe has taken all of your teams shots in the first 7 minutes of the 4th quarter...i mean hes kobe...but its another when ur point guard (not even close to being the best shooter on the team) is the one taking all the shots...someone should really define the term point guard for TJ, cause apparently he was looking under MJ in the dictionary

I thought we got rid of Mike James

Chill out Rap fam...the Raptors were never that good to begin with. A first round exit - that's what we're heading for this year. The team is too soft, can't rebound and lacks a cold-blooded winner - all KEY to actually be a serious threat come the Spring. I'm sure BC knows these things and will hopefully turn things around - but people...you can't whine about how the Raps are so far from being as good as you thought and then at the same time, defend Barg's offering of dog droppings as part of his 'growth into a great player'. We had a chance to secure a proven winner in Roy and we passed on a project with supposedly more upside. Those who defend Bargs should realize that we ain't going anywhere until he develops into what his fanboys believe he will become. Until then, enjoy bball purgatory.

Well, it looks like most of the Raps weaknesses were exposed tonite. I must say the biggest is coaching. Firstly Mitchell is not fair with his players. He beats on Moon or Graham for any and all mistakes and yet says nothing when his boy TJ leaves his brain on the bench. Ford's immaturity is a reoccurance of what he did against Marbury in New York so he obviously didn't learn from that and Sam's not going to deal with it. This team does not take advantage of their hot shooter. Good teams keep feeding the hot shootter but not the Raps. Again, why is there no correction to this pracice - it's coaching. Rasho could provide much more offensively now that Bosh is out but they don't look for him and at times don't even have in on the floor when they need him. Again where's the coaching. You know, Mitchell always has some smart ass answers in his interviews but it's time he starts changing his ways in interviews and most importantly on the bench

Not to pile on, but at least Mike James hit big shots. Gotta defend my boy there.

I honestly couldn't believe what I was seeing in the 4th last night.

At least this game was more watchable than the last two...until the TJ show pre-empted the end of a good game.

Mr. Positive says: It's the contrast of PG styles that is attractive to keep around, and will benefit us in the future.

Oh well snow day for me!Yay! (I'm temping as a roofer! Suckers at your cubicles!)

I missed the second half - what occurred between TJ and AB?

I'd like to partially retract my statements on the Canadian media and their poor basketball coverage.

I've just bookmarked Doug Smith's blog, thereby ending my boycott of the print media's sports coverage. He's actually being critical of the team's play. That's amazing & insightful. I'm blown away and have to give credit where credit is due.

That is all.

One more thing - I'm looking forward to the post game wrap-up where everything gets put into perspective. Please give me some good news about this team...

Hmmmmm. TJ did act a little funky but Smitch didn't give him the hook. You have to wonder if Smitch told TJ to do that? I am sure he didn't tell TJ to completely ignore his teammates and turn the ball over constantly but if you think about it, it was the right move (it just didn't work). The reasoning is simple, TJ can eat Carlos Arroyo for breakfast and he did. The problem was TJ caught himself going one on 4 too often as everyone seemed to be away from the basket and was left by himself too often. Is this his fault or the teams? Hard to say, I really didn't see a lot of movement from the other players on the floor so I wouls say it was a combination of the two.
I noticed the dissing of Barg boy on the bench as well. Basically Bargs got yanked from the game and TJ, and I think it was Kapono and another player basically wouldn't move from their spots to let him sit. I think one of the ast coaches intervened finally because they did move (eventually). I think there might be some fracturing of the locker room going on as maybe the older players are wondering why Bargs is getting so much burn and not producing the results to justify it. It might also explain some of the other weird things that were going on in this game or maybe we are all just reading more into some good natured ribbing of Bargs then is warranted.

McGateway, Give Sam a little credit. No coach would instruct TJames to play that way. Like it was said above, that was an embarrassing display by Ford. He didn't even look to his teammates, so it didn't matter if he was standing by himself, or if people were cutting to he basket.

Sure, Sam was late in giving Ford the hook, probably hoping he would snap to it and start getting some easy buckets for his teammates.

The funny thing is, eventually Sam did give him the hook. But then he decided to bring him back on the floor, and the first thing TJames did was jack a 3!

If I can blame Sam for anything, its for playing the invisible man (Kapono) too much in the 4th, and for giving Rasho only 19 minutes after playing his usual stellar D on Howard. Why sit Rasho? It's not like Bargs was lighting it up.

basically to sum up the arguments of everyone above:

Sam Mitchell cant coach and needs to be fired

he loves tj ford

and tj ford thinks hes the second coming of mike james

SonicSuper

nobody was visable in the 4th except TJ

Rashio gets no respect should of played when HOWARD DID AT THE VERY LEAST