Lunchbox Links

by RaptorsHQ - Defensive Stance on Dec 23, 2009 11:38 AM EST in Daily Links Comment 11 comments

Let's kick off the links by welcoming Detroit Bad Boys to SB Nation! Let's hope they get to blog about the Detroit Pistons' sixth straight loss this evening.

Check out previews of tonight's game from NBA.com, the National Post and Raptors Republic.

Do not confuse the Raptors' Young Guns with these Young Guns.

The endless source of comedy that is Doug Smith's Toronto Raptors blog has yet another gem today. Mr. Smith thinks Jose Calderon is "not nearly as bad a defender as so many of you think." I guess making opposing point guards look like two-time MVP Steve Nash on offence qualifies as being "not bad" defensively. Even if you're a fan of Numero Ocho, you have to admit he'd probably have trouble keeping a WNBA player in front of him.

TSN's Tim Chisholm weighs in on the emerging point guard issue in Toronto, as well as the impact Jarrett Jack has had on guys like Hedo Turkoglu and Andrea Bargnani.

Which free-agent signing from last offseason might be causing a team to have buyer's remorse? The name Turkoglu seems to come up a lot during SI.com's roundtable.

But I'm confused. Why doesn't Mr. 4th Quarter show up on this NY Times list of clutch performers?

Turkoglu was also part of the decade's worst draft class (although he'd probably be selected second if they had to do it over again).

One of the more troubling aspects of watching the Raptors struggle is the fact that their expansion cousins, the Memphis Grizzlies, are beginning to roar.

Being dad has Chris Bosh feeling festive.

Former Raptor Charles Oakley on the good, the bad and the ugly in NBA style. (via Ball Don't Lie)

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Poor DS

They handed over the key of the house to you and left you working while they all disappeared to enjoy Christmas. Start the Game thread this evening, I’ll keep you company, I promise.

by renato on Dec 23, 2009 11:52 AM EST reply actions

Haha. I’m starting my Christmas vacation in a few hours!

I’m also anticipating a very positive game thread this evening. Pistons could be missing their top three scorers and they don’t have a front court to begin with. Bosh and Bargnani need to have monster games tonight.

by RaptorsHQ - Defensive Stance on Dec 23, 2009 11:57 AM EST up reply actions

well, the new year is approaching

normally Bargs always fired it up with the start of the year, good that he would be starting from a higher level…

by renato on Dec 23, 2009 12:36 PM EST up reply actions

True enough. If he enjoys an uptick in January – March 2010 like he did last season, then the Raptors might be onto something.

by RaptorsHQ - Defensive Stance on Dec 23, 2009 1:33 PM EST up reply actions

Detroit at full strength is a compelling matchup for the Raptors.

On the Piston side you’ve got former Raptor Charlie V. He usually puts on the offensive fireworks in a matchup with his former team. Gives us a chance to revisit the “Trade Charlie to draft Andrea” choice that BC made, except have it played out on the court. And as Charlie continues to establish himself, he gets a chance to take on his former leader Bosh. This is high drama at its finest, perhaps only bested by Jarrett Jack and Calderon taking turns facing off against TJ. Sadly I’m guessing Charlie is one of the top three scorers you mentioned as sitting this game out.

And we’ve got Amir hustling his way into more playing time. I’m not sure if he’s removed enough from his Piston days to not let returning to his old stomping grounds effect him.

I wonder how the Piston young players will match up against us. That Swedish kid Jerebko has been getting some attention recently. Apparently, he’s one of those energy types and could hit us up for some extra possessions via loose balls and crashing the boards. Having Evans would’ve been nice to save our starters the wear and tear of competing against Maxiell.

Hoping for a relatively close game. This team needs to develop confidence that they can slug it out in the trenches and still come out the victor.

by Yardly on Dec 23, 2009 4:31 PM EST up reply actions

Enjoy Christmas?
Actually, Franchise has a personal emergency, so we’re trying to figure things out. That’s why you’ve already had 3 straight days of me this past weekend already.

Kinnon "Vicious D" Yee
Author - RaptorsHQ.com Twitter @RapHQVicious

by Raptors HQ - Vicious D on Dec 23, 2009 2:37 PM EST up reply actions

oops

sorry to Hear that, I hope it is nothing serious

by renato on Dec 23, 2009 2:51 PM EST up reply actions

No worries dude. Yup, I’ll pass along the well wishes.

As for me, I’m still working. I only get Christmas Day and New Year’s Day off. I dunno about the rest of us, but I think everyone has their own Christmas stuff to take care of. lol. But yeah, everything will be back to normal soon, we hope :)

Kinnon "Vicious D" Yee
Author - RaptorsHQ.com Twitter @RapHQVicious

by Raptors HQ - Vicious D on Dec 23, 2009 3:06 PM EST up reply actions