Raptors Rapid Recap - Detroit 95 Toronto 102

by RaptorsHQ - Howland on Dec 27, 2009 4:02 PM EST

- A bit of a strange game at the ACC today. In the first half the Pistons couldn't hit the broad side of a barn and the Raps looked to be well in control. In the second half the tables were turned and the Pistons made a game of it. In the end however, it was too little too late. The Pistons just couldn't hit the shot to get them over the hump.

- The Pistons were absolutely dominant on the glass and it was their ability to create second and third opportunities that allowed them to stay in the game. Jonas Jerebko had 6 on his own...the same number as the Raptors team.

- After a dominant first half CB4 was very quiet in the second half (contributing to Detroit's ability to get back into it). He had an impressive statistical game but the Pistons really made it tough on him in the second half and he didn't seem comfortable with the consistent double teams.

- Props to the Pistons for getting back into it. Guys like Richard Hamilton and Tayshaun Price have too much pride to simply roll over. They continued to fight and made what looked to be a boring Sunday matinee into an exciting match-up with a decent finish.

- Jarret Jack continues to improve and all the doubters seem to have disappeared. He has good control of the offense, plays some solid defense and is doing an excellent job filling in for Calderon. Not sure the Raps would be winning some of these games if Roko or Will Solomon were running the offense. Even Marcus Banks has been doing a good job as the back-up.

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Good win to pull out

Happy Holidays. Home and home sweep against the Pistons tops off the season nicely.

Not gonna fool myself, the Pistons killed us on the offensive boards last two games and a better team would of capitalized..

by Tinmann on Dec 27, 2009 4:24 PM EST reply actions

Charlotte game is not going to be easy. Bobcats are playing some nice ball lately. Will be a good measuring stick — probably a better one than today’s game. Saw some definite rust on Detroit’s Big 3 today, so hard to gauge the boys level. I was impressed by the last 4 minutes though. Raps had lots of chances to roll over and give up the lead, and showed good toughness.

Need to see a good effort by the bigs, especially on D, to stop Gerald Wallace. And if JJ and Banks can stop the easy penetration, Cats will need to hit an unusually high percentage of outside shots to win.

by Aaron Craig on Dec 27, 2009 5:04 PM EST reply actions

Not sure why everyone is acting so surprised with marcus banks, everytime he keeps proving his doubters wrong and still people act like he is playing above his potential, face it people marcus banks is a solid NBA point guard and stop acting like he is anything less than that

by mystro88 on Dec 27, 2009 5:05 PM EST reply actions

marcus banks

i agree, everyone was sayin trade him, buy him out, etc. but the fact is since he’s had playing time he isnt hurting the team and is a solid point guard. there was a reason he got the contract he got cause he earned it so now hes showing what he can do.its time 2 stop being surprize that he can actually play i think he has shown now that he can

by sherwin316 on Dec 27, 2009 6:04 PM EST reply actions

Marcus Banks is a competent 3rd string back-up PG, capable of playing 10/12 mins, and running the team with minimum turnovers or mistakes, and playing defense, no more or no less. As with Jack, playing with Turkoglu takes the pressure off of them of always having to make the correct offensive decisions.

by Johnn19 on Dec 27, 2009 7:21 PM EST up reply actions

Johnn19

I wouldn’t limit Banks to simply a 3rd string back up. It really depends on who the point guards are on the team he’s on. As a raptor yes he’s a 3rd string back up but in Sacramento for example he’d be a 2nd pg easily. I know he’s disappointed a lot of teams in his career but if we look at his contribution this season and we’re being unbiased, we’d all have to admit he’s been perfectly solid.

by Member29 on Dec 27, 2009 7:49 PM EST reply actions

Not so sure he's our 3rd String

Sure when Jose comes back, there’s going to have to be something done… But on this team, with Hedo, we really don’t need a PG who needs the ball… I’d trade Jose, use Jack, and Banks becomes a very good backup playing 10-12 mins per night… We’ve got Marco who can help run the offence, Hedo, Jack, Banks…

On a side note… How about the Raptor’s Reserves… Weems, Amir, Marco, Banks all look very solid…

by Lanky07 on Dec 27, 2009 8:26 PM EST up reply actions

Weird Game

I had that familiar sinking feeling in the 3rd quarter when the Pistons got it down to 5 and when it got down to 1 in the 4th. Still that was the typical game we would have folded last year but thankfully we held on. Bosh did disappear in the 3rd quarter but was there for us at least defensively in the final 3 mins.

Question: Since JJ has started our perimeter defense seems to be way better… coincidence?

by lolcat on Dec 28, 2009 1:00 AM EST reply actions

Stop with the Banks love

He is clearly not worth the contract he currently has. However, he has proven to be a good team mate and has been ready to play when called upon.This gives him some value. What holds him back from being a reliable backup PG is that he cannot run the offense reliably. Fortunately for the Raptors, Turk can do that when Banks is on the floor. That is why Banks has looked so good.

If another team wants Banks, I’d make that trade in a heartbeat. I don’t think that there is though. But in the mean time, full credit goes to Marcus Banks for playing well and within his skill set.

by siggian on Dec 28, 2009 10:07 AM EST reply actions