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

by RaptorsHQ - Archives on Jan 23, 2009 12:00 AM EST in 3 in the Key

Is this team headed for the edge? Tonight's game against Chicago may go a long way in letting us know...

If you're a Toronto Raptor right now, how do you regain confidence?

Confidence, in my experience, is something you gain with experience. It is simply a belief established by your history and how you've handled yourself in the past.

However, turning around a barrel headed off of Niagara Falls can be quite difficult. It's not as though the Raptors have not had their chances in the past two weeks. Sub .500 teams have been a dime a dozen lately and the excuse of a tough schedule is starting to fall apart.

But momentum is a funny thing, and once that ball start rolling in one direction, it's really hard to fight the flow. Even the worst teams are giving the Raptors a hard fought battle, and it seems like ages ago since we talked about the strong push to start 2009.

Which is why many of us have been calling for a trade.

We never thought that Sam Mitchell by himself was the lone problem of this team. He was simply the first piece that had to be changed. And while I thought Bryan Colangelo had to make another major move before the end of the year, I could also understand a need for Colangelo to play possum and make it look like he thought this was still a good team.

Nevertheless, the fan base has grown restless, speculation has ramped up yet another level thanks to Alonzo Mourning's retirement (http://www.thestar.com/Sports/article/575559), and the question seems to no longer be about if a trade will happen, but when and for what pieces.

I for one, will leave that speculation for others and will instead focus on tonight's match up.

Against Chicago last time, the Raptors gave such a lackluster effort that we at the HQ were ready to sell every single piece off and blow up the team like it was 2006 all over again. Sure, Bargnani saw himself hit the 30 point plateau, but the rest of the team seemed far behind and unable to punish one of the lower tiered teams of the NBA. A string of four more losses later, and the Raptors now find themselves looking for yet another opportunity to start to pull things around. With those four more losses though, it'll be that much harder, which is why they've gotta execute these three keys:

1) Out Rebounded? Look at the Wings.

I think we've written about rebounding just about every single time this year, and it's not going to stop until the Raptors do something about it. For one thing, I believe my own will is stronger than the Raptors'. For another, the Raptors cannot allow guys like Luol freakin' Deng to be the top rebounder for the night like they did last time. Deng managed to grab 14 rebounds to lead everyone on both teams, while also grabbing five offensive rebounds, to which I say if you don't box out, you should get nailed to the bench.

2) Pick a Rose, any Rose.

Kris Humphries, one of my buddy's personal favourites, is going to be out for weeks with a broken fibula, which probably means that Jake Voskhul is going to need to get in the game. And well, if Jake's in the game, I sure as heck don't want to see him take 10 ft jumpers like he has been the last few games. The reason why Jake was so effective in his first games was that the Raptors tried to use him to set hard picks on just about every single player. In the past while, I've not seen those picks nor have I seen the Raptors offense even attempt to establish him as a screening candidate. Perhaps emblematic of a struggling team, the Raptors simply forget about what got them those tough wins at the beginning of the month, but I think it's about time we reminded them.

3) Quick rotations with communication.

I know I'm asking for a lot with this last one. However, if memory serves me correct, it was the quick, decisive passing of the Bulls that got our Raptors in trouble the last game. As the ball moved from one side to the other, the rotations of the Raptors frequently fell behind thanks to a lack of communication between players and blown assignments. There's only really two ways to counter that kind of ball movement. The first is to disrupt passing lanes, and the second is to rotate effectively so that the Bulls simply use up too much of the shot clock. The Raptors are capable of doing this at times, but doing it for a full game has to be the goal. Otherwise the Bulls will hit almost 49% of their shots again.

I've gotta wonder though, just how much more a coach can do in this situation? Triano's already pulled out the stick more than once, practically refusing to coach the team because they played so poorly, but such antics are merely a simple fix. If I had a fourth key to this game, it's be simply to not create new problems for themselves. In the past while, we've seen areas that were once not problems now suddenly become top issues. Turnovers, interior defense, three point shooting, and the list goes on. If at least the problems were consistent, I'm sure the coaches would be able to focus on drills to improve those areas, but unfortunately, that's not the case.

I just hope this team doesn't find a new way to lose tonight. I just don't know if our fanbase can take much more of this.

Vicious D

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Comments

The three keys you mention are fundamentals. They are certainly the weaknesses displayed with the Bulls last time. The frustrating thing is that the Raps may very well do all of that and more tonight and then turnaound the next game and do none of it.
On another note, does anyone know what options the Raps have in securing a promising player from out of the D league and what potential is in that league?

by Rt on Jan 23, 2009 12:00 AM EST reply actions

4) stop the mismatch switch.
Make Rose shoot a contested 3 instead of easily switching between the point guard and our centre on a high pick and roll. Watch the game - you'll see it all the time.

Nobody does this better than Garnett. Bosh and Bargs - take notes on how to help your point guard recover and guard off the screen.

by utes on Jan 23, 2009 12:00 AM EST reply actions

Surprised about the iavaroni firing - its not like memphis is a good team and had much for him to work with.

Sounds like jose is back tonight - team needs a win badly.

by fromlongrange on Jan 23, 2009 12:00 AM EST reply actions

I really can’t figure all the frustration out there in Raptor-land. We know we lack a 2 and 3 (we’re rated right near the bottom with those positions), and with Jose on the sidelines, the fact that we’ve made some games close (and exciting) is the real surprise to me. And for the games where we’ve sucked – well, the proof is in the pudding.

The Raps have had only 2 starters for every game (at least the last 10 or so), so to say we’re a disappointment – over and over again – just gets tiring. The sad part is, if we went on a 5 or 6 game winning streak (with Jose and maybe Marion), the bandwagon would be so full, we wouldn’t know what to do with ourselves.

From "let’s blow up the team" to "trade Bosh, cause he’s not Lebron", we have comments that focus more on what’s wrong, then what’s ahead. I’d prefer trying to understand our future options, and whether we should make our move in 09/10 season, or wait for 10/11 sweepstakes season. Hearing that AB may create a 15 million cap hold (this is a new issue for me), is something I’m more interested in deciphering. As opposed to why Moon can’t start – HE’S NOT A STARTER – can we frame that thought any different.

I guess I’m just as frustrated as the next Rap fan. And not because I want immediate results, but more because I hope the next moves BC makes, take all that future into account. There’s no need to panic – a JO exchange can wait till next year, if that’s what needs to happen, in order to get that 2 or 3 player we desperately need.

Until that time, I'm just gonna keep seeing my dentist, so he can rebuild that enamel I'm losing from all this grinding.

by RapthoseLeafs on Jan 23, 2009 12:00 AM EST reply actions

Anyone see that polished game Jawai had going on the other night? lol. We're only allowed 2 steps here in North America before a travel is called (ok, with the exception of the elite in the league). Just joking around...I don't expect much of Jawai...not for at least 3 years.

by Nick on Jan 23, 2009 12:00 AM EST reply actions

I think Toronto wins tonight and gets on a roll. Call me an optimist but last time they lost to Chicago because of poor rebounding and interior play.

With Jo back hopefully that addresses that area and with Jose back the ball distribution should be much improved.

Curious though to see if Parker's offensive effectiveness is reduced again when he's got to chase All-Stars around all night again.

by quincy on Jan 23, 2009 12:00 AM EST reply actions

Even though i have been been pulling my hair and having crooked teeth by now watching my raps team lose i am still a big fan. i know that lots of (negative)things can be said this year's rap but i am still happy watching them. I like the way AB's defense and JO on our team. I also like how Roko is finding his way as a back up pg. I also feel that i would rather wait till next year to trade JO. The best that we can hope for is that we get a lottery draft pick. I am trusting BC to do the right thing. I believe next year will be our year since Bosh, JO and AB will work their butts off on the contract year and i am sure it will be an explosive team. I am hoping at least...

by mremann48 on Jan 23, 2009 12:00 AM EST reply actions

I think Toronto is going to win tonight too as long as Jose is back. I really think it's key to have him in terms of offense, and maybe now we see Parker playing some back-up 1.

Also, as I was mentioning yesterday, JO's gotta start playing well again. Maybe not dominating, but showing that he can still be a benefit to another team. This way even if he's still a Raptor after the trade deadline, at least he can accumulate some value for this off-season and trade scenarios.

by Franchise on Jan 23, 2009 12:00 AM EST reply actions

Got to pull for the Raps their the only home team We have!

by Davl on Jan 23, 2009 12:00 AM EST reply actions

jose will probably need a while to get timing back, while the bulls have had some painfully close losses and look hungry... at least battlestar galactica is back!!

by axl on Jan 23, 2009 12:00 AM EST reply actions

IMO Jose should come off the bench at first. No point in rushing it.

by benjibopper on Jan 23, 2009 12:00 AM EST reply actions

I agree with you RapthoseLeafs. I feel optimistic about our play as of late (excluding a few performances of course). They are undermanned, but at least have made games exciting. I also believe that a Marion trade would help this team. He is averaging just above 9 boards a game, plays good perimteter D, and he compliments Bosh and Bargs' games.

by Assistant GM on Jan 23, 2009 12:00 AM EST reply actions

Axl, Jose went 9/10 with 10 dimes, so I would say he did not have to wait too long to get his timing back. Different sport, but it kind of reminds me when Tim Raines of the Expos played his first game May 1st after missing Spring Training and the start of the season and hit two homers, one from each side of the plate, including the gamewinner. Unreal job and welcome back Jose!

by Brian Gerstein on Jan 23, 2009 12:00 AM EST reply actions

A game the Raps should have put away earlier and the score not really an indicator of how close it was. Another example of how Bosh and O'Neal can't play together. Has to be one of the top 5 worst Raptors trades to date (even though it hasn't helped Indiana any..). Was that already covered in the pre-season?

Calderon definitely brought the team back to respectability tonight though what happened to the ole pick-and-roll that used to work so well?

by Acie on Jan 23, 2009 12:00 AM EST reply actions