Tip-In: Toronto Raptors Post Game - The Losses Build

a couple thoughts and comments on last nights game:

anyone see the look on rashos face when he got subbed out late in the 4th for someone small? He had that look of disgust on him, and rightfully so, he was playin well and he shouldnt have been taken out, especially considering their rebounding woes.

TJ ford has to go this offseason, its pretty straight forward, unless he can magically open his eyes and notice that hes not number 1 and that there are actually 4 other guys on the court with you before the end of the season, if not, he has to go cause hes bringing this team down with him. The numbers between the two point guards last night, including the plus/minus, say it all too.

My favourite play of the game was after a made basket by washington, humphries took it out of bounds, and instead of passing it to the wide open ford standing right in front of him, looking for the ball, he passed it to delfino near midcourt. Dont know if it was intended to avoid TJ but i like to think it was, at least delfino knows what a pass is and even if he doesnt, hes a better shooter.

That's it?

No mention of Bargs play? Mitchell leaving him in instead of Rasho and then losing the game in OT because of key offensive rebounds? What about players like Nick Young and their play? Looks like you lost interest in recapping this one Howland, not sure I blame you I guess after the way they lost.

I know BC had to sign smitch cuz he won coach of the year. But I think there's a disconnect...... between "smitch type" players and what bc envisions for this team. case and point ab and kapano. 2 of bc prized acquisitions are both struggling in general under smitch. What worries me even more is that bc was tryin to acquire belleni (sp?) during the draft, someone who did not address any needs this team has. we have the same weaknesses that phx has, rebounding and defense. And until we get a young guy like sean williams that can block some shots, or thabo that can guard the perimeter. We'll always be weak in those areas. Our nine man rotation should be caleron/parker/bosh/bargnani/kapono/ukic/rasho or some other big man+swingman....ford/calderon are our only trading pieces+future 1st rounds (plus the expiring contracts of rasho/parker/maceo/joey). we'll see if bc can get something done.

Anywayz unless we flick the switch after the west coast trip and turn up the intensity. we're destined for another 1st round exit.

here's hoping bc like batum over gallarini during the draft. cuz if we get one more shooter. i will personally slap bc with smitch.

Ford needs to sit a game. He's spiraling out of control. I've never liked jhim but even I find his ridiculously selfish play of late surprising. He says the right things in front of the cameras, but he's clearly pouting with his play. I admire the guy for overcoming adversity with the scary injuries, but he needs to sit. Just for a game. Get his head straight.

Raps forgot about Bargnani for too long last night. When he's in that kind of rhythm, he should get more touches on O. There were long stretches where Bargs didn't get to touch the ball.

This team has regressed. Pure and simple. Doesn't look like the players care at all about each other (as evidenced on numerous occasions by their non-reaction to their teammates getting hammered). The chemistry of last season is gone. We really miss Garbo.

Bosh: Come back fast. WE NEED YOU.

Smitty...I generally don't try to touch on everything as the readers always come with something we either didn't touch on or didn't see. I thought Bargs played well enough to stay on the court in OT and actually liked the idea of both him and Rasho on the court at the same time.

Six guys in double figures covers Nick Young. They had a balanced attack at it paid off.

I wanted to focus on the TJ Ford minutes as this was the most important part of the game and is the biggest issue the team faces.

Pretty much agree with what has been said in most post-game comments (also in the previous article), here are my other points:

-Feeling good about Bargnani. I've been skeptical about him from day one, but the truth is that he can be a pretty decent NBA player, we just need to stop thinking him as a former number one pick and potential franchise changing Nowitzki-like and accept him for what he is. Had he been taken at number 4 or 5 we would all be quite happy with his progression so far.

-Mitchel has yet to find a good rotation rotation in the C and PF positions. He's been doling out minutes pretty inconsistently to Rasho, Primoz and Hump. With the team not rebounding well and Bosh out, we should get the best of these guys.

-Nobody mentioned that Jamario had another disappointing game, he's outside shooting has ben awful as of late.

-It is quite frightening to think that we have so much money invested long term for TJ and Kapono, arguably the most underperforming players this season.... and that both Jose and Delfino, the better performing Raps along with CB4, need big new contracts next summer.

There are some things that can be done to right the ship. The players and the coach are not about to change in the short term so the offensive and defensive can and should be adjusted. It is necessary for the coaching staff to recognize hot is shooting and playing well on a particular nite. It is then necessary for them to communicate this to the point guards (they should recognize it themselves) and then DO IT. Everyone says they need to use Kapo differently. DO IT. Ford needs to be straightened out. DO IT.
There's more but it all points to one thing COACHING. HELLO.

Smitty - agree, this wasn't one of the HQ's most in-depth breakdowns. Possibly the result of another balllathon????

Interesting post by Grange today:

For those who haven't been following, there were some indications out of Miami that Ford was showing signs of chaffing in his role coming off the bench. I wasn't able to talk to the man himself before the game, but after some poking around confirmed that Ford was have some adjustment issues.

Not that he's got a problem with Calderon, not that he's got an issue with Mitchell, not that he's headed into a long-term pout. Just that as a 24-year-old who's been a star since he was in sixth grade, he's having some issues imagining himself as a second-unit player, even if he does, intellectually, understand why he's in the situation he's in.

The way it was explained to me was that Ford started talking about his rough fourth quarter against Orlando and it turned into a long session on his role and his state of mind. This, of course, is very T.J. Although he might seem a bit scowly on the floor, he's very much heart-on-his-sleeve of the court. If he's happy -- which is most of the time -- everyone knows it. And you can tell when he' s less so too.

Crisis? No. But an interesting little sub-plot to follow.

Depending on what happens in the playoffs, this coulbe a very interesting offseason.

Marcia, if you think that Calderon was responsible for last night's loss, you must have been watching a different game. While he did have a couple of turnovers, he smartly orchestrated the offence, made some clutch shots and gave them a chance to win the game.

Very few NBA teams win games when they shoot 39% as a team. They stayed in the game because of their defense and turnovers by the Wiz, and Calderon's play after a slow 1/6 start.

Re the rebounding Rap's missed 60 of 99 shots, unbeleivably, Wiz only 41 of 82. Who do you think had the most opportunity for rebounds ?? Wiz by only 11. What would you expect ??

The game turned on the play of the Wiz bench who badly outplayed TJ and the Rap's bench by 44-24pts & 15-5rbs.

TJ has to grow up and be a man and put the TEAM 1st & play like he can, instead of acting like a spoiled kid who had his fav TOY (starting) taken away by the Coach.
If not Rap's will likely continue to struggle, as they need their depth (bench) to contribute to win, especially with Bosh likely to be out long term.

Marcia is getting annoying and making no sense .Jose not the problem here. You know it and just don't like it. Sit down girl chill out a little maybe route for the knicks (mostly american team U will like them)

Must agree – Howland’s analysis was not the best but I’m surprised you would contribute to the piling on in regards to TJ Ford. TJ was not the only culprit for this loss.

Although TJ Ford’s play was not up to standard and the lead was lost when he came into the 4th, Calderon did regain control of the game. Missed assignments and errors in the last 5 minutes of the game was what did us in.

Apparently TJ and Marcia are still adjusting to the new reality…just give them time.

Marcia - Please start editing your comments as they are completely incomprehensible.

Thanks.

I more thing Marcia let me have it I won't be replying to You as U waste My time

Ya i agree she is making no sense whatsoever. and if she did actually watch the game yesterday, she must really love TJ cause he clearly was one of the big reasons that the raps lost...whereas jose was trying to fix the hole that TJ created.
but with her comments like "I can't wait to see him go down this time maybe a broken foot"
it basically just destroys her own credibility anyways. No one should be wishing injuries on anyone.

big d,

You got it. As soon as the Smitch took Rasho out and put in Parker this game was over. Washington kept the game tied on 2nd Chance points. Maybe the move is defensible at end of 4th. But Mitchell kept the same lineup in OT, and Raptors suffered defensively.

But the bottom line is this, when the raptors shoot 50% or higher they win, when they shoot less than 50% they lose. That's just this teams fate. If it wasn't for all the layups that came from a lot of great steals, the Raps would have been closer to 30% for the night.

The fact that this game was close was a testament to how well Calderon and Bargnani played.

Marcia could not of seen the game. Otherwise she's as ignorant(at least about Bball)as her comments indicate. Jose's fault? You've upped your last stupidest comment.
I'll give props to Washington, do not think we played that bad. Shooting % was off. I 'll disagree with Oldschool - TJ was the reason last night- that seven minute stretch he had last night - ah don't wanna pile on.
TJ has issues he needs to work out - he is completely out of sync with what this team tries to do.

oh Marcia, Marcia, Marcia!

Thats pretty low to wish a broken foot on anyone.

Bad Team Game last night but two mistakes were taking Rasho out and leaving TJ in. Rasho is one of the best +/- guys on the raps team...why? He plays good defense, he gets boards, tips and tip backs.

AND ON +/- FOR LAST NIGHT'S GAME. JOSE...+10, TJ...-14....AND HOW MUCH DID WE LOSE BY?

On Jamario...his man to man D is getting better, much better actually. I think it is better than Delfino or Kappono, but he is too trigger happy. If he can be more aggressive I still like him starting, cause Carlos gives us a good punch off the bench.

oh and Marcia, I believe this is a privately owned website. And even though it is an open forum, the private owners probably can edit as they wish.

Unfortunately, TJ's recent antics are what happens when you have a system where the same rules do not apply to everyone (I blame Sam Mitchell for this). Everyone else seems to have had to earn their PT, especially Calderon.

What's quite amazing to me is how immature he is acting. Even Sam has commented on this- how TJ is young, and will be a better man at 30.

With all the panic buttons being pushed these days, I feel like I having a bad dream – stuck inside a Leaf blog site!

The fact is, we were spoiled last year. And this year’s version is not heading to the finals – as much as I’d be overjoyed with this remote possibility. With our developing talent, and a few right pieces, who knows what can be accomplished.

For the most part, I’ve been a great supporter of the duelling PG’s. Now, I’m beginning to wonder if Calderon and a decent back-up will be the eventual course we take. With a great rebounder/passable shooter and the right bench strength, we might be onto something.

As for Bargnani, he's had an inconsistent year, but I’m still a big fan. It`s little things – like altering shots -- that stand out for me. As Leo said, it’s tough to get a decent 3 pt shot when you have a 7 footer coming at you. And seeing him make those 2 foul shots, right after the 'football tackle', certainly impressed me. That, and coming back to pump in 27 points only strengthens that feeling. What bothered me most about some media reports, is how AB committed a stupid foul in OT. Yeah, it wasn`t a bright move, but nowhere near as frustrating as watching TJ turn around the game for Washington.

Patience is a virtue -- not a Leaf fan trait either. Give it time.

I've cooled down a bit now. And was amazed even with jamario/andrea and caldy/ford costantly missing assignments on d, we're 10th in hollingers def. eff. better than cle/orl!! Another thought i have is if kapono continues his season like it has gone, i wonder if bc trades him awa........cuz if kapono doesn't get traded in the summer, he's implying sam didn't figure out a way to use him yet.........if he does a trade, he's admitting that kapono jus doesn't fit and it was a mistake to sign him. we'll see what he thinks this summer

and ab is looking good........the defense we'll take awhile and the positioning/effort may take a couple seasons, but the quick fouls are disappearing and he's looking comfortable. the raps need to consider him a legit 2nd option (10-15 shots) cuz when his offense is goin......this team is scary. Also I Knew AB would play the wiz game, he realizes games w/o bosh are his only opportunities to play through all of his mistakes and gain experience.

No More Rants people

Tinman – Agree with your comment on TJ however the game was still ours to win going down the stretch. I thought Mitchell’s decision to leave Bargnani in the game when his shots stopped falling made him a defensive liability. The rotations were very questionable when couple times Jose was guarding DeShawn Stevenson and then Antawn Jamison. Bad decisions were taken when you have Moon taking clutch 3 pt. shots.

Unfortunately I did not tape the game for reviewing but those are just a few things that jump to mind. The game loss was not just on TJ…not this time.

Please everone stop encouraging Marcia....

I've been playing with the trade machine, and this one works:

TJames + Garbo+Baston (both expiring contracts next year) for Brad Miller + Quincy Douby.

What do you guys think?

Sergi - surprised you would want to consider trading Garbo. I am going under the assumption that he will recover from his injury. Our current team could use a dose of Jorge - you cannot teach what he brings to the game.

Nothing against doobies though.........

Well if you're going to declare a must win against anybody, Sonics are probably as safe a bet as any. Even more so since they got rid of Kurt Thomas.

As far as Sergi's trade idea, it does have its merits.
Miller's contract runs one year less then Fords(since Ford would be stupid not to invoke his player option in 2010/2011.

TJ would be a great fit with all the shooters on the Kings and Udrih would be a solid change of pace back up.

Cons:
The trade would take away 6 million dollars in summer of '09 capspace.

He'd make Nesterovic redundant.

I wouldn't make this trade.

I think at this juncture, TJ has more value to us then he does trade value to other teams. If he has an injury free season next year, then MAYBE his value goes up to what it was when we traded for him.

Yardly

TJ would be a great fit with all the shooters on the Kings ?

That would mean He would have to pass lol

For those who are interested, Swirsk interviewed TJames and it can be heard at www.fan590.com

Tinam, yeah I'm one of the biggest Garbo fans, it would be a pitty but it was one of the very reduced options to make the salaries match. It would be very sad to see him go, but i think the sacrifice might be worth it to the team if we can pair Bosh with a true and proven center like Miller, that would be a huge upgrade. Nothing against Rasho though, his work ethic and consistent performance are always welcome. If the Kings are in rebuilding mode, they may want to exchange an aging Miller's contract for a young PG with "lots of potential", (hey hopefully we can sell them on that :-)