Raptors Rapid Recap: Toronto 98 – New Orleans 92
by Raptors HQ - Vicious D on Dec 20, 2009 3:16 PM EST
in Game Day
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Print- The Raptors pulled out a victory with some good defense, some key blocks from Andrea Bargnani and three players with double-digit rebounding numbers. The Raptors out rebounded the Hornets 52-50 despite giving the Hornets an 18-12 edge in offensive rebounding.
- Once again, it was Toronto's "energy unit" led by Amir Johnson which really kept this game from getting out of hand. The Raptors still took too many outside shots against a team that doesn't really have a good inside presence. We'll discuss it further in the recap.
- CP3 was hampered by a re-injury of his ankle which probably slowed down New Orleans's offense for the game. However, Chris Paul did return to give his team a fighting chance. The Raptors just wouldn't let him completely take over, thanks to some great work by *gasp* Marcus Banks!
- Peja Stojakovic shot a horrible 4-15 and the Hornets were only 3-21, missing several wide-open 3s. Not sure if you can say that it was the Raptors' defense rather than the Hornets' ineptitude, but it was a major contributing factor to the Hornets' loss this afternoon
-And finally, Morris Peterson came home to a standing ovation. Classy move Toronto. He's a guy that you would love sitting next to Alvin Williams as an assistant one day.
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Amir Johnson Another Good Quote
After the game against the Nets he said. “We put them in the mud”
After this game he said when referring to the Raptors effort on Paul “We took away their brain”
Love those quotes!
Young gun is pretty perceptive!
amir is the shit
yo i wish amir improves his offensive game so we can trade bosh n start him at pf because it seems eminent tht bosh will stay
by raptors_run_the_show on Dec 20, 2009 3:38 PM EST reply actions
Calderon
Is he “tradeable” now that Banks has shown he can play?
NO
It will be more a matter of “what can we get for Marcus Banks?”
hmmm
I’m no expert but I don’t think Banks would bring back much we can use. Calderon on the other hand might be able to fretch a useful piece or two. We could use a first round draft pick in 2010 (strong/deep draft) and a legit SF who can take over from Hedo in a few yrs if not sooner. Not saying we should tradr Jose, but for the right pieces I would.
They should definitely gauge the market for Calderon. As soft as our frontcourt has been at times, our backcourt and perimeter D has been atrocious. You can’t have a guy like Calderon providing a free path to the basket all the time when you don’t have a guy like Dwight Howard or Greg Oden to send back shots.
Despite the rough start, the Jarrett Jack signing is paying the HUGE dividends lately.
by RaptorsHQ - Defensive Stance on Dec 20, 2009 5:01 PM EST up reply actions
Uhmmm
I am sure the “Oden” thing came out of “potential”, at this point he is basically a pylon not doing much
I actually do not think Howard would be of much help, Given the zone of no charge as he could not block much, nor he could come up to block the penetration like Bar&Bosh do
Oh renato...
Howard could not "come up to block the penetration like Bosh and Bargs do?!?!? Huhhh??!!?
Definately agree, the play of Banks has to have BC thinking about looking for a deal for Calderone. Jack has shown he can start and lead this team IMO. I’d rather pay Banks 4.5 mil per for the next season and a half than Calderone’s contract. Especially since Turk seems to need the ball in his hands to have an impact on the game.
I think in order to make this team fit better together you have to trade either Bargs, Turk or Calerone for more well rounded players (that play some D). Since Turk is untradable and BC is tied to Bargs like a ship to an anchor, Calderone makes the most sense…
That’s a pretty fair assessment. You’re not getting rid of Hedo for at least 3 seasons, and Colangelo will probably quit before he gives up on Bargnani. Calderon isn’t the BC guy, so he’s the logical choice to go.
I can’t believe I’m saying this because I absolutely hate Hedo’s game, but it probably makes sense to have Turkoglu, Jarrett Jack and Marcus Banks form a PG-by-committee approach. And hopefully we don’t have to witness anymore backup journeymen PGs like Anthony Johnson lighting us up like they’re First Team All NBA.
by RaptorsHQ - Defensive Stance on Dec 20, 2009 5:35 PM EST up reply actions
I’m pretty sure the 2008-09 Defensive Player of the Year would provide a bit more interior D than Bosh or Bargnani… I’m not sure what penetration Bargs and Bosh are blocking? In case you haven’t noticed, the Raptors are historically bad on defence.
by RaptorsHQ - Defensive Stance on Dec 20, 2009 5:29 PM EST up reply actions
Oden led the league in block rate prior to his injury.
hire tim grover
#52
by Cablinasian on Dec 21, 2009 12:14 AM EST up reply actions
Jack & Banks Combo
is providing the kind of tough perimeter cover that makes a big diff in our overall defence. It all starts on the perimeter and both Jack, Banks and Weems are offering more resistance than I’ve seen in a long time.
weems/derozan/amir
I’m hoping we see more and more minutes for these guys, need that athleticism. too bad about belli not in this conversation… he can do everything but finish…
Not surprising to see this type of result with starters like Bosh and Turkoglu playing 38 minutes, energy guys like Sonny Weems and Amir Johnson getting 30 and 22 minutes respectively, and Antoine Wright nailed to the bench. Jay Triano has been going to his bench way to early and giving a lot of minutes to unrproductive guys like Wright.
I’d love to see Marco Belinelli snap out of his shooting slump. But Marcus Banks is like found money right now.
by RaptorsHQ - Defensive Stance on Dec 20, 2009 4:57 PM EST up reply actions
Squeeked by
Not mpressed.
Paul was off.
Good for Banks, he has taken his lumps on all the blogs. Built like a brickhouse.
With two of the five down we got two wins. Looks like we are 13 and 17 til Wednesday when we meet the Pistons and in what is the slowest home and home again next Sunday.
I’m more impressed by this win against the Hornets than Friday night’s romp over the Nets. But even though this Hornets team has Chris Paul, it’s still a sub .500 outfit. We’re still not seeing the Raps knocking off quality teams, and I will hold back on the kudos until I see this Toronto squad beat better competition.
by RaptorsHQ - Defensive Stance on Dec 20, 2009 5:25 PM EST up reply actions
Marcus Banks
Banks has been, is, and will be a 3rd option @ PG, primarily for defense, some scoring, and playing with Turkoglu to facilitate the offense, he can contribute. He is not worth his salary, but its not his fault, but he can be of value as insurance @ PG.
not sure I agree
Banks may have taken this long to find his place in the league but it is entirely possible that he could be a legit back-up. I don’t believe in labeling guys based on their past; all that matters is what we see in front of us today. If he continues to make the contribution that he has lately, I’d have no problem with coming of the bench for 15min/game to relieve Jack (assuming we could trade Calderon for some nice assets)
Just enjoy it...
That was one of the only exciting games we’ve had all year. Decent defensive intensity, some blocks, offensive boards (both sides), and enough points in the paint to get the W. Our hustle and D won this game, not our elegant offense. I would rather watch a 98-92 game than a 130-124 game.
Banks
has always been solid, when healthy. He earned his contract and then had some lingering injuries, couple of trades, and voila trouble finding minutes.
While I think we are jumping the gun calling for Calderon to be traded he does remain a marketable piece for a team looking for PG depth.
trade calderon
i think calderon could be traded for monta ellis if we wanted to but it would be better to trade calderon for a forward or a centre who can play some d i like this deal alot calderon nesterovic for hasheem thabeet and a first round draft pick this trade is good because thabeet is doing to well in memphis n i think memphis would like to have calderon some1 who can phisilitate there offence maybe we can get some1 like mike conley too because memphis has alot of guards
by raptors_run_the_show on Dec 20, 2009 7:41 PM EST reply actions
I don’t think BC has much interest in a rookie project C. If Jose is going to get dealt (which I doubt), it will be for a piece that can help NOW. A deal for Thabeet would be a clear sign to CB4 that Raps are sacrificing the present for the future — probably not the right message to get him to stay.
overly-positive on Banks?
I think he’s been ok… plays somewhat physical defense (rare on this Raps team), gets a few steals, drives to the basket once in a while.
But – he doesn’t seem to get a lot of assists, and definitely can struggle with his shooting.
Let’s wait another 10 games before talking about trading Calderon – I don’t want another Milt Palacios as the backup PG.
Another Quote From Johnson
Referring to possibly taking a three point shot as the clock ran out Johnson said “I was going to throw up one of those Calderons”
The Raptors’ so-called energy guys did not provide solely smiles and cheers, though. With the ball in his hands and the game conceded, Johnson could have got the Raptors to 100 points in the waning seconds, getting the fans a free slice of pizza. Surely thoughts of a windmill dunk danced in his head.
"I was close to doing it," Johnson said.
"All I heard was, ‘Pizzzzzzzza!’ I was going to take a three, throw up those Calderons (the point guard’s hand gesture after a three-pointer)."
Alas, he dribbled out the clock.
http://www.canada.com/business/money/DeRozan+Weems+help+Raptors+buzz+past+Hornets/2364858/story.html
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