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

by RaptorsHQ - Archives on Apr 16, 2008 12:00 AM EDT in 3 in the Key

Joey Graham started in last year's playoffs at one point...somehow we don't see that happening this year...

41 and 41.

If someone had told you that prior to the season, they expect Toronto to finish at .500, would you have been disappointed?

Perhaps so, but what if you were told that Jorge Garbajosa would be out for the year, Chris Bosh and TJ Ford would miss large chunks of time, Sam Mitchell and his staff would never figure out how to correctly use Jason Kapono, Andrea Bargnani would have a fairly terrible sophomore season and Toronto would start a career D-Leaguer at the 3?

Sorta brightens the picture a bit doesn’t it?

Not to mention that some were not as enthusiastic as others about Toronto’s chances at the start of the season. I had predicted 48 wins but worried about the injury factor and the Kapono signing as perhaps hindering this total in the end. This was definitely the case although it’s hard to say just how many more wins the Raptors would have had if everyone would have been healthy.

Unbelievably, we’ve come to the end of the season and with a win tonight, Toronto can grab its 42nd of the season. With a loss, the situation as I just described presents itself.

And really, I’m expecting a loss tonight.

Not that I don’t think Toronto can’t beat the Bulls, but in all seriousness this game means little to Toronto and Sam Mitchell should be focussing all his energies on the impending match-up with Orlando.

So tonight he just needs to keep everyone loose and healthy.

And Chicago? Well the Bulls had arguably the most disappointing season of any team in the NBA other than maybe the Miami Heat. Chicago was viewed by many as an Eastern Conference finalist and instead, are looking to win their 33rd game of the season. That’s a far cry from the near 50 that many expected or even the 41 from the 2005-06 season, and as further proof, SI.com had the Bulls ranked as the eighth best team in the pre-season. The Bulls finished 15 spots below that on their final tally, at 23rd.

Chicago is playing for pride. Win or lose the team is looking at having the eighth best shot at the top pick in this summer’s NBA Draft.

So let’s have a little fun with the 3 keys then shall we? It’s been a long and strange season, and really, this game should be all about seeing lots of the Raptors’ bench. Here’s what I’d like to see tonight:

1) Primo Brezec versus Joakim Noah. I'm hoping these two play 25 plus minutes each and consistently dunk on each other until either Brezec has enough of Noah’s yells and clothesline’s him, or Noah has enough of Brezec pointing at the sky and gives him the Captain Kirk two-handed axe chop. The NBA – Where Beeker versus Noah happens.

2) Joey Graham and Maceo Baston getting playing time. Talk about two guys who epitomize the term "practice player." For the life of me I still don’t know why either is under contract so hopefully tonight they’ll get to show that they can do more than absorb Sam Mitchell’s cursing. Baston has been a complete bust to the point that he’s only played in 15 games this year, and Bryan Colangelo had so much faith in his abilities that he traded for another big man who plays only sporadically. And does anyone remember when Joey started against New Jersey last year?

3) Jason Kapono, Carlos Delfino, Andrea Bargnani and Kris Humphries getting major minutes. These four represent big X factors for Toronto in the next round.

-Kapono is going to be needed to counter Orlando’s perimeter shooting and to help stretch out the Magic defense,

-Delfino’s scoring off the bench will be key against the Magic (not to mention he may need to play some point if Ford gets hurt),

-Andrea desperately needs to re-emerge as a second scoring option

-and Hump’s rebounding and toughness may be in need if Rasho gets into early foul trouble against Dwight Howard.

James Augustine played last night for Orlando. I guess that's a good indicator of how little these final games mean to most teams...

Therefore while this game doesn’t mean anything in the standings, it does actually mean a lot in terms of preparing for the next round. Who knows when Sam Mitchell is going to call one of these guys’ numbers? So tonight the entire bench needs to go out against the Bulls with the mindset that they have something to prove to Mitchell and co. I saw it last night in the game between Orlando and Atlanta; guys like Salim Stoudamire, Acey Law and Zaza Pachulia looked like they were auditioning for a playoff spot and the same was true with JJ Redick and Pat Garrity on the Orlando side.

I’m guessing that Mitchell plays his starters about 20 to 24 minutes each so there should be lots of time for "auditioning." We’ll start breaking down the Orlando match-up Friday and hopefully there will be some encouraging signs of life from the bench tonight that will warrant discussion.

FRANCHISE

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Comments

Will watch tonite with mild interest. Want to see Bargnani play 48 minutes, Kapono take some shots and Brezec provide some humour.

Hard not to agree with Bargnani's role in this upcoming series. He will be the key.

by Tinman on Apr 16, 2008 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

This one might actually be a breath of fresh air. Like you said franchise, give the bench some confidence goign against Orl. Like to see Brezec push the Bulls around tonight. Might set teh tone for the team.

by fromlongrange on Apr 16, 2008 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

Free Joey Graham!

by LAs Only Raptors Fan on Apr 16, 2008 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

Thanks for a reasoned perspective on this year. I too only predicted 46 wins this season so given the injury woes, I guess Raps did okay. Besides, I could not pick a better team for the Raps to play in the opening round than Orlando.

Perfect match up. Ah, got to love it when the plan comes together!

by OldSchool on Apr 16, 2008 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

If the concept that a NBA player is only one made basket away from breaking out of his slump, then perhaps this game could be the one that helps Bargs and Kap-One break out of their respective slumps. If this is the case, look out Orlando.

by OneandDone on Apr 16, 2008 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

Things that make me go hmmm…

- If Rasho’s elevated play continue into the playoffs and Raps beats Orlando, is it likely that Rasho opt out of his final contract year? What impact would that have on Colangelo’s plans?

by OldSchool on Apr 16, 2008 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

Old School - interesting point. Rasho's been playing out of his mind lately and if he helps shut down Howard, what does that do for his value? Does that make him irreplaceable given the derth of productive 5's in the East? Or does that make him a bigger trade chip for the Raps? Lots of questions and I think what's interesting is that whether Toronto wins or loses this series, there are going to be a ton of questions about the team going forward.

by Franchise on Apr 16, 2008 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

Rasho playing well only helps the Raptors by increasing his trade value (good, solid, veteran, Big man with only one year left on his deal). There is no, NO way Rasho opts out of his deal. How do I know this, because Donnie Walsh now runs the Knicks and not Isaiah Thomas, and Isaiah would be the only GM that would give Rasho more than 8 Mil a year for multiple years based on less than a season's worth of good production (that’s right Jerome James I’m looking in your direction).

by MAS on Apr 16, 2008 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

I, for one, am looking forward to this game. It seems like it has been a while since I (or anyone on the team) has been able to relax and enjoy the game. Tonight I fully expect to see Bosh and Parker jumping off the bench to celebrate a Graham dunk.

It does seem ironic that this year may be our best chance at getting to the second round. It feels like the year has been full of disappointment, yet we are in position for success that matches our franchise best!

by Robert Archibald on Apr 16, 2008 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

I think this game will be alot of fun. Raps have to come out like a playoff team. I really think Sam should play his starters for about 30 min..why? Remember last year when he rested the team and Jersey come in on one or 2 days rest and took the first game...You have to ready for the playoffs your timing has to be there. There is 3 or 4 days before the Raps play their 1st game and that is plenty of time to rest his players. They will be really anxious to get back on the court, so sam should play his regular rotation tonite and pick up the 42nd win..500 is not a good record for a 6th seed. I expect we will see a lot of Bosh, Rasho, TJ and JC tonite. Kapono and Bargs should play 40 mins tonight with the green light to just keep shooting the rock. I think Kapono will have a very good series against Orlando, he and not Bargs will probably be the X-factor for the Raps....Raps4Life

by Raps4Life on Apr 16, 2008 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

I wonder if Humphries will take a 15 foot jump shot tonight, just to let Sam know he's ready to come in and take that shot when needed.

I thought Maceo Baston worked security, he looks like a taller version of that other security dude...can he ball?. What a bust.

Hear what you're sayin Raps 4 Life, but if I had my say the starters would ne watching from the Loose Moose....no injuries please.

Bulls biggest bust by far, every one was picking them at start of year. Ha Ha!

by DayOner on Apr 16, 2008 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

who james Augustine...at least Orlando won the game..I expect the Raps to do the same...mmm the Loose Moose so that's what happen to the Bulls this year..Too much time at the Loose Moose..lol

by Raps4Life on Apr 16, 2008 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

I find it disgusting that ford comes in and plays half-ass in the last game of the season. bosh is laughing on the bench, down by a bunch...nobody really taking the game seriously.

this team isn't good enough to do that.

I can't help but think of a garnett type player watching this happen...he would be furious.

I don't know...I'm just not happy with this team right now. if they beat orlando...great. whatever.

they're not going anywhere as is.

by papa on Apr 16, 2008 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

Best part of the game was when it was finally over!!!

I do believe Jose made a hugh mistake taking a back seat to the whiner! His value must be going down big time right now.

by Davl on Apr 16, 2008 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

Damn, that game was hilarious. Beaker tosses the headband and the refs don't even notice (or care).

Yay! no one got hurt!!

Super pumped for the playoffs myself.

by axl on Apr 17, 2008 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

Agreed papa! We all know about TJ. I'm not sure that Bosh is a first-class leader either.

Making awkward videos asking his own fans to cheer more doesn't exactly instill confidence. I imagine that some of the guys on the team from proven winners think that its a bit pathetic.

by observer on Apr 17, 2008 12:00 AM EDT reply actions