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

by RaptorsHQ - Archives on Apr 9, 2008 12:00 AM EDT in 3 in the Key

There's not much to say in this preview - Toronto just needs to beat Redd and the Bucks tonight....

Alright – so everyone ready?

With what seemed like a much-needed break in the action, Toronto now looks to close out its season with five games in eight nights. The line-up isn’t exactly the Western Conference, but it’s a grind nonetheless for a team that’s been so inconsistent this year. And with playoff seeding still on the line, it’s imperative to stack up some wins starting tonight with Milwaukee.

So what’ll it take to get a win?

A whole new team? Sam Mitchell lacing them up?

How about the same things we’ve been talking about for what seems like a month now, starting with some desperation.

1) One and Done. Milwaukee is coming off an overtime loss to a Boston team that rested all of its big guns. Yep, that means the fatigue factor comes into play for the Bucks tonight and there should be no excuse for the Raptors not to jump on this team early. More importantly, it’s time to see this Toronto team playing with a sense of urgency. That doesn’t just mean urgency in each of the final games, but drilling down to making each possession count.

2) Bench Play. Some of the current Bucks starters would be bench players on good teams which means that a bench with the likes of Michael Ruffin and Royal Ivey doesn’t exactly instil fear in opponents. Toronto’s bench has really struggled of late and tonight the Raptors need them to be sharp and give the team a boost. This is an area in which Toronto should have a distinct advantage and the team can’t afford to have players like Delfino and Kapono combine for 0 points.

3) Rebound, rebound, rebound. This is the one area that really concerns me tonight. Andrew Bogut, Charlie V, even Yi, Simmons and Mason can all rebound the ball. The Raps can’t allow these guys to get offensive rebounds tonight as waiting on the perimeter players like Michael Redd will make Toronto pay for giving them extra possessions. Even in their recent losses the Raptors have actually held their own on the glass, and that needs to continue this evening.

There’s not much more to say is there? The team needs to simply go out and get the job done and I think they will tonight.

I’m expecting a win, and maybe nothing to keep permanently in your PVR, but a win nonetheless over a Milwaukee team that has had yet another disappointing season. If Toronto can notch a W tonight, then maybe they get a little momentum going down the home stretch. And this is the perfect game to get that momentum going as the combination of 3 days rest, home court, and the Bucks playing a back-to-back should be all the ingredients necessary for a Raptors' victory.

Let’s put it this way. If Toronto with all of its starters playing, can’t beat a Bucks’ team that lost to essentially the Celtics’ bench last night, then we’ve got big problems come playoff time.

FRANCHISE

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Comments

Just wanted to post a comment I have read on the Toronto Star regarding the Red Party. Comment is courtesy of one of the players I will have to cheer on tonight from section 118, row 2 and hope we win...
'Though some athletes cringe at contact with the unwashed, Ford called it "the best team event" he'd ever attended. "Season-ticket holders are pretty nice people. It's not like regular fans where you have to sign autographs and get harassed."

Class act, this guy...

by Double M on Apr 9, 2008 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

I saw that comment just now and cringed. I understand what he means but he's going to get pilloried for saying this one.

by Tim on Apr 9, 2008 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

Saw that too. HQ - you guys should do a collection of Ford's greatest soundbytes.

Gotta win tonight.

by fromlongrange on Apr 9, 2008 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

Perhaps Mr.Ford can reimburse my $250.00 face value dollars for my "regular fan" game.
What a class act !! or he is simply too stupid.

by d279 on Apr 9, 2008 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

that's funny, I read that too and thought damn, is he just PMS-ing cause he's been getting a ton of heat lately?? or is he just stupid?

either way, it's not going to help his cause out around town.

about the game? nothing to say. just get a win. wouldn't surprise me if they lost somehow either, though. I'm starting to get that feeling like when traffic is slowing down on the highway in front of you..must be a bad crash up ahead...

by papa on Apr 9, 2008 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

BC should demand a public apology from TJ for this one if he intends to keep him in town past this off-season. This guy is just so out of touch with reality, I wouldn't take his autograph for $100.
In regards to the game, I feel like the last 5-6 pre-game posts have ended with something about feeling good about the coming game and looking at it as an opportunity to get some momentum. I think that this trend should end if they lose tonight. I am really hoping they pull one out tonight, especially after catching the 4th and OT of the Bucks/Celts game last night and watching their bench hold off the Bucks starters. But really, if they lose this one, can we stop with this artificial hope for a turn-around and face reality? Just a thought.

by Branden on Apr 9, 2008 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

another sponge brick at tv when tj's name is announced as starter.(notice small letters on purpose here) It's quality people like Him the team does not need.

by Davl on Apr 9, 2008 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

Gentlemen, let's be honest, the majority of regular fans are a bit much and do harass players. I would rather have TJ be honest about his sentiments than try to bs everyone like 99% of the players in the league. If you were in his shoes you would do the same - but you are not. So give the guy some slack and just enjoy the game and not make drama out of nothing.

P.S. I don't buy the argument that athletes are paid to be nice to fans. Please find me the fine print where in their contracts it says this? Thank you

by Oyster Boy on Apr 9, 2008 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

oyster boy, i beg to differ. the majority of people does not harass but buys tickets, merchandise, watches on tv... and without all those things, the aforementioned player would not have a contract that pays him so lavishly. and no, he doesn't get paid to 'be nice' (as he is clearly incapable of doing anyway) but i am sure it pays him for a little thing called 'do not talk smack about the people supporting your team'. basic PR, i guess...

by Double M on Apr 9, 2008 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

I have a dream where the Raptors win the next 5 games in a row, role into the playoffs strong and beat Orlando! TJ and Bargs gets packaged for a defensive center and our team takes off. Of course you can't have many dreams as a Raptor fan when they disappoint you at every turn of events, starting with Bargs draft pick, the road schedule back around Christmas time, March easy schedule, and our relatively recent easy schedule. Raptors are so bad right now that it really can't get worse - or can it?

I too have much respect for Howland and Franchise because they are able to report on all these frustrating games knowing that there are much better basketball teams in the NBA.

by BargsBust on Apr 9, 2008 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

Double M, I'd add the saying "Don't bite the hand that feeds you". I mean, every fan has to start somewhere, no sense shelling out the big bucks unless you like the product from afar.

However, and this is playing devil's advocate here, look at the lead in for quote by Feshuk, "Though some athletes cringe at contact with the unwashed..." I'm pretty sure Feshuk had a nice leading question like "Doesn't it bother you to be that close to the fans?" or something of that ilk.

Doesn't justify what he said by any means, but looking at it as an unsolicited attack makes it look worse.

by yardly on Apr 9, 2008 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

I just hope smitch walked into the locker room and dropped a little pulp fiction on these kids...'alright, alright, we got the win, but let's not start sucking each others...just yet.'

by papa on Apr 9, 2008 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

Mrs. SonicSuper got a 3 ball shout-out from Chuck tonight. It was very exciting.

by SonicSuper on Apr 9, 2008 12:00 AM EDT reply actions

By the way, I was at the Red Party. It was terrible. The players all stuck to cordoned off VIP areas, and those of us who weren't VIP's were left milling about the periphery watching the players mingle with the VIP's. $250 is a lot to pay to be treated like a 2nd class citizen. Of course, it was all for charity and it's all good. But still ...

The only people who were available to talk to were the broadcast crew. Chuck and Jack are class acts. Very approachable and extremely friendly. I also saw Eric Smith, Paul Jones etc etc but didn't get a chance to talk to them.

I didn't see Paul Graham unfortunately. I wouldn't have minded to give him a polite reminder that replays during live action is a definite NO.

by SonicSuper on Apr 9, 2008 12:00 AM EDT reply actions