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

by RaptorsHQ - Archives on Feb 20, 2009 12:00 AM EST in 3 in the Key

Things didn't work out so well in G State or Boston but can the former first-rounder find new life in TO?

God, I hate doing previews after trade deadline.

I mean, there was a lot to say after the Raptors finally made their big trade and brought Marion in, but now New York goes and changes half their club!

Ok not half the club but how do you evaluate either team's schemes?

Heck, how can I even figure out the rosters and the line ups?

Toronto of course made an addition to their club just before the trade deadline yesterday when they shipped out Will Solomon in a 3-way trade with the Celtics and Kings and acquired former Bradley Brave, Patrick O'Bryant.

For those not familiar with the 7-footer, I'll let Franchise give his thoughts:

O'Bryant was a sleeper from the Missouri Valley Conference in college. It wasn't really until mid-way through his sophomore season when several outstanding rebounding and shot-blocking performances put him on the map. He never had much of an offensive game, but by the 2006 draft (he was selected 8 picks after Andrea Bargnani) he was viewed as the top center prospect and was selected by the Golden State Warriors.

Unfortunately he had a tough time getting much of a look, and considering he needed to add strength and size, he eventually was discarded as the Warriors were in the midst of a veteran-laded suprising Western Conference playoff run.

He showed enough for the Celtics to take a flyer on him but again this season has had a tough time making his mark.

Can he do it in Toronto?

I'm not sure. I liked O'Bryant as a shot-blocker in the NCAA but was never sure just how effective he'd be in the league based on his lack of strength and thin frame. Raptors' fans aren't going to want to hear this but he also had the dreaded "soft" label at Bradley, and would disappear in games from time to time.

However considering Solomon was probably never going to play another minute, this is one of those "Hoffa" deals for BC; exchange a player who is of no use for someone who at least might be down the road. As we've seen with "bigs," you just never know when they're suddenly going to "get it" so it's really a win-win situation by removing Solomon and acquiring Bryant.

We're not sure which number O'Bryant will be wearing tonight or if he'll get any burn at all. What we do know is that Toronto is going to need all the shot-blocking help they can get against the high-flying Knicks tonight.

On the one hand, the Raptors seem intent on playing a style that requires a high tempo and lots of ball movement. The team seems much better for it, but we've seen them try this before in the middle of the season and they just can't seem to maintain the pace for an entire game. A quarter here and there, yes, but none of the Raptors are conditioned in a way to do such a thing. Toss in a shortened bench, and I really questioned Triano's decision.

I mean, how do you play high tempo and only score 76 points?

The good thing is that Bosh is back in the lineup, but just like Jose, I'm not sure Chris is back at 100%. Yesterday at practice he claimed it was the "healthiest he's felt in a long time" so who knows.

So here we go, with a final attempt at pushing for a playoff spot. It'll start with this home-and-home and lead into a whole month or so of "must win" games. But more importantly, these final months have to be used to determine Marion's worth to the team as well as any off-season moves Colangelo absolutely must make. The Raptors, as they are, have a fragile psyche which won't be fixed overnight. But they have to take steps towards that goal. Just like a few years ago, the Raptors have to remember the attitude of winning and that winning is a state of mind. Re-establishing a culture of winning is a long process and it will be interesting to see the Raptors climb back up into that mentality. Anyone without such a mentality has to be jettisoned over the summer.

But it all starts with the Knickerbockers. In Madison Square Garden, the Raptors will be facing a newly put together Knicks team that will be looking to establish themselves. The Raptors will be looking to establish themselves using these three keys:

1) Push the Pace When Possible -

The difference between smart and reckless is usually the difference between being confident and rushed. The Raptors, when playing at a high speed, have to make mental adjustments. The natural propensity when playing at a high speed is to rush your shot, but in actuality, the key is to move quickly enough so you have more time to make informed decisions. It's not simply about moving fast whenever you can, but rather choosing your spots carefully and executing precisely. It will take some time, but rest assured, Shawn Marion has already begun to exert some impact on the Raptors by being a player who constantly cuts and is looking to make the smart play. The most important thing is for Toronto's point guards to make the necessary adjustments to accomodate this style and develop chemistry with Marion. Yes, with Will Solomon now off to Sacto, even Marcus Banks has to make adjustments.

The Raptors, therefore, have to control their bursts. Not every opportunity will be a fast break point and sometimes, the Raptors will have to slow down their pace and try not to get caught up in D'Antoni's running game. Toronto will not simply be able to out-run a team built on running. They have always been more San Antonio Spurs than Phoenix Suns even in their best of times, so pushing the pace in a controlled manner is essential.

2) Attack the Newbies -

If Chris Wilcox and Larry Hughes play in tonight's contest, the Raptors will have to look to use some screens to confuse both players who are coming in without a practice. Attacking a team's weakness has always been the key in sports, and the Raptors will have the benefit of having at least two practices and a game with their new players (outside of Patrick O'Bryant obviously.) Bargnani in particular will have to attack Wilcox aggressively, while Marion and Graham will have to manage Hughes and Harrington, both of whom can find their offense quite easily. If the Raptors can at least manage to rack up some fouls on the new guys, it should make their life easier.

3) Control New York's Guards -

Chris Duhon and Nate Robinson. Against this duo, the Raptors will be tested from both guard positions. The Knicks will be looking to attack the Raptors at their weakest point. If both Duhon and Robinson get into a groove early, the Raptors will find themselves in for a long night. Both guards are quick and are adept at slashing. In fact, you almost wish that Calderon was out of the line-up so that the more physical Banks or quicker Ukic would be able to put some more time in. I mean, if Calderon is largely ineffective I really think Triano should not hesitate to shut him down for the night and allow Parker, Banks, and Ukic some time to figure out the New York tandem. Personally, I've always been an advocate of setting some hard picks, but every time I call for it, the Raptors seem unable to do such a thing.

Whenever I watch the Raptors play at Madison Square Garden they seem bogged down in molasses. Everything seems slower, more methodical, and a lot more plodding. With the Knicks slowly reworking their team with an eye towards speed, the Raptors will have to be cautious about getting caught up in Mike D'Antoni's pace. Nate Robinson managed to score 32 points against the Spurs. These are not the same Knicks we've seen in years past. Instead, the Raptors will be facing the fourth highest scoring team in the NBA. Against a team like the Dinos who continually struggle to even make 90 points, tonight's match could still turn ugly, fast.

Therefore, the Raptors have to focus on their offense. I know Jack Armstrong continues to talk about focusing on the defensive end first, but at this point in the season, the offense is something that the Raptors have not focused a lot on. Against the Cavs, the Raptors managed to cause 20 turnovers! And yet, they still couldn't even manage 80 points. Those kinds of games are just simply unwatchable, and yet, we've seen more than our share this year.

Or at least we would if the games weren't on TSN2.

Thank god for corporate bureaucracy for saving my sanity.

Vicious D

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Comments

On the TSN2 thing: I noticed that Larry Tanenbaum bought half of CTVGlobeMedia's stake in MLSE. So, this essentialy means that the owners of TSN/TSN2 have less control over MLSE. From the report I read, CTVGlobeMedia only has 7-8% ownership of MLSE now.

I wonder if now is the time to bombard the MLSE staff to get their sh*t together and revoke the TV deal and/or force TSN to show all of these Raptor games instead of TSN2?

(since apparently Rogers still can't be bothered to carry that channel)

by BC on Feb 20, 2009 12:00 AM EST reply actions

Solid point BC - we got the press release concerning the change but never thought about things from that angle.

Regarding tonight's game, it's sort of funny that TO is trying to implement a running style and now they face the best running team in the league in back-to-backs...and that team is one they need to leapfrog to make the playoffs. Both games should be entertaining but I'm just not sure Toronto can score enough to keep up with the Knicks.

by Franchise on Feb 20, 2009 12:00 AM EST reply actions

Was it really impossible to do the trick that Boston did and got Mikki Moore, instead of getting Patrick O'Bryant? I see that PO's salary plummeted from 4.6 to 1.6 or so, and Mikki Moore is at around 4.7, but was there really no way? Mikki Moore seems to be way better than PO. We surely know that from the time he was scorching us when playing for NJ. Yes, he's been less effective with Kings, but yet..
Unless BC has talked to God and found out that PO will be a great player, after being a total bust. BTW, check the Wiki on PO...
BTW, this is my first post here after visiting for a loong time. Great blog. I wonder if anyone from the Rap organization ever reads this.
Cheers and Go Raps!

by NBA Champs on Feb 20, 2009 12:00 AM EST reply actions

NBA Champs - Just theorizing here, but I don't think Moore really cares all that much about money, and I don't think our fans would want him signed to a multi-year deal that will put us over the cap. I think the opportunity to win a ring with Boston or Cleveland will be his main concern, wherever he lands.

by Vicious D on Feb 20, 2009 12:00 AM EST reply actions

True VD, I concur that MM would not be as interested to come to TO. I also agree on the multi year contract (did he get that in Boston?) and over the cap.

But if the first 2 issues could have been addressed, maybe the cap issue could have been addressed by dumping salary on a salary dump transaction, even though dumping Will would have likely not suffice.

Well, just wishful thinking. I hope that PO turns out to be a huge find that will really make Warriors and Celtics cringe..
Cheers.

by NBA Champs on Feb 20, 2009 12:00 AM EST reply actions

Haha. As long as he's a bit more refined than Nathan Jawai, I don't see the harm in keeping him. The league is littered with big men who are just there to take space on a team, and at a minimum contract, I'm not sweating bullets.

I think the whole league knows that the Raptors need a slashing SG, so that's gotta be on Colangelo's shopping list. But we'll see

by Vicious D on Feb 20, 2009 12:00 AM EST reply actions

The PO signing struck me as another case of BC filling a need on the cheap - but with an upside. O'Bryant was highly regarded going into his draft year (8th overall) but hasn't made a peep since. His contract is small, his wingspan large, and the possibility of him being a decent depth player for a team lacking in depth makes him a good fit next to Jawai.

Is he a long term solution? I doubt it - but his upside is higher than Jake Voskuhl.

by Bedhead on Feb 20, 2009 12:00 AM EST reply actions

It really goes to show you how poor the 2006 draft year really was. After Rudy Gay at # 7, it really plummets aside from a Ronnie Brewer.

Especially for bigs - you had only Bargs, O'Bryant, Hilton Armstrong, and Oleksiy Pecherov drafted as a "C". Also goes to show you how rare a true C is.

by ustation on Feb 20, 2009 12:00 AM EST reply actions

After all these years though.. I still fantasize about where this team would have been if we drafted Andrew Bynum and Danny Granger in 2005 or even a David Lee + a Andray Blatche in the second round. *sigh*

by ustation on Feb 20, 2009 12:00 AM EST reply actions

NBA Champs - I think we get some readers within the Raptors Media Crew...probably the reason we've gotten media access to various things where other blogs haven't. However if we keep bashing MLSE for their treatment of the whole TSN2 fiasco, that could change ha ha...

Looking forward to some Marion dunks tonight that make D'Antoni long for his days as the Suns coach...

by Franchise on Feb 20, 2009 12:00 AM EST reply actions

I surely hope that tonight Marion will be vicious and Bosh back to his early season form. If we get something good play from_any_PG as well - we may secure a nice win.

But most of all I am looking for some new found swagger. Truth is, last game, when Bargs went out due to his quick PF trouble the team looked like a highschool team playing with the big guys from NBA... I was really staring in disbelief.

Anyone here having a hope that Banks and/or PO will be reborn and be a success at Raps? I really can't, but at the back I am holding crossed fingers.. That would be nice.

Maybe there will be a New Raps era starting tonight, after all. Sure, the slashing G addition is a must, and getting rid of Kapono in the process is a must, but we're getting there.

How about this strategy?..
Have Jake make the bigs wobble from some manly basketball, down low, as he used to, when he arrived.. and then get PO in and slam some nice dunks - after all... he's well rested...

Go Raps!

by NBA Champs on Feb 20, 2009 12:00 AM EST reply actions

I surely hope that tonight Marion will be vicious and Bosh back to his early season form. If we get something good play from_any_PG as well - we may secure a nice win.

Anyone here having a hope that Banks and/or PO will be reborn and be a success at Raps? I really can't, but at the back I am holding crossed fingers.. That would be nice.

Maybe there will be a New Raps era starting tonight, after all. Sure, the slashing G addition is a must, and getting rid of Kapono in the process is a must, but we're getting there.

Go Raps!

by NBA Champs on Feb 20, 2009 12:00 AM EST reply actions

Honestly guys, I think the Knicks are evidence of what a major difference a good coach makes. Forget talk about who to draft or who to sign as a free agent, let us begin to ask ourselves..what coach will get the most out of this team next year? Think about it, as presently constructed, the Raptors have Bosh, Calderon, Bargnani and Marion as four of their starting 5. When healthy isn't this core supposed to be VERY good? Of the four, assuming a player of Marion's quality can be retained as part of a starting core next year, Calderon concerns me because when he is not 100%, his drop off in performance is SIGNIFICANT.

That aside, I think our collective confidence in the team's fortunes has taken such a downward spiral that the actual talent seems to be lost on us. We talk about bench depth continuously but honestly, isn't the difference in talent from bench to bench marginal in most cases? In play off runs, the rotation is at best 8 men long, and I can't remember the last championship team that won because of it's bench.

What the next few games should tell us is if Triano can be a good coach in this league. Development of some pieces aside, 14 games under 500 is not something that allows for a re-hire.

Whatever the decision on coaching, I hope that it is arrived at very early so that this team can move forward and really lay the groundwork for an identity that wins.

by Interloper on Feb 20, 2009 12:00 AM EST reply actions

The Raptors are in serious trouble and I am disappointed in Colangelo. The salary cap looks like it will come down which makes newly drafted players (with their salary limits) a real assett BUT we've now traded away so many draft picks that we will be stuck with pricier, mid-level vets and a short bench for years to come. Welcome to mediocrity. Welcome to the Toronto Maple Raptors.

by Ian Johnson on Feb 20, 2009 12:00 AM EST reply actions

I think that's the million dollar question and problem here:

1 - Is this the right coach going forward? Based on record, you'd have to say no but what if he had a healthy crew and a stable roster?

2 - Would any coach matter considering how strange the direction of the team has been? What started as a "let's bring in veteran Euros who have consistently won and we'll out-gun our opponents" has turned into "let's play half-court with twin towers" and now has gone to "let's get out and run..."

Only now we've got this miss-mash of personnel from all 3 ideas and now nothing works.

by lurker on Feb 20, 2009 12:00 AM EST reply actions

Interloper - Actually, I'd say the Knicks are more of a team with a real identity. They're determined to play D'Antoni's style, which means that they have jettisoned most of their slower players for athletes who have speed. Basically, win or lose, the Knicks will play the same way. I wouldn't say they've acquired that top tiered talent quite yet (I'm not a big Nate Robinson believer) but the identity is there at least.

The Raps on the other hand have tried to/had to (because of injuries) switch their identities over the past three years. Everything's become muddled as the years have gone by that we can't say for sure what this team needs to do every day to win. We can point at shooting numbers and such, but there's just not one thing that this team does better than any other team out there. Until they figure that out again, we'll continue to struggle to define what this team exactly needs as well as what they need to do on a daily basis to win.

by Vicious D on Feb 20, 2009 12:00 AM EST reply actions

Lurker :"Only now we've got this miss-mash of personnel from all 3 ideas and now nothing works."
It certainly looks that way to me as well, when looking at who's left on the roster.

Like Interloper says, a high level coach would hopefully work with BC to create a vision of the team, and what kind of additions and subtractions need to be made. I think we should equip ourselves to play run and gun while still being competent in the half court. We've got the mobile center, that can be "lifted" to the perimeter, to open up the paint for drives. We've got the pass-first pg. And for the time being, we've got a small forward that can rebound and finish at the rim. Let's see how this goes, and if we resign Marion, maybe we draft his eventual replacement. Keeping Marion could buy us the time to draft a freshman or soph SF that will need 2 years to figure things out. We could then establish the system, and as Marion ages, start limiting his minutes and letting the new guy take over some of the burden. This type of sucession plan was never in place for AP and I think he's been hung out to dry in that respect.

As a Canadian market, we need every advantage we can get when it comes to recruiting players. An uptempo style, with more possessions and creative offenses is easier to implement then say waiting for a eccentric billionaire to spend us to the promised land, or hope we draft the next underated wing superstar.

by yardly on Feb 20, 2009 12:00 AM EST reply actions

In terms of a team identity I think the past few years have been heavily influenced by Smitch. First it was Smitch who quashed BC's theory of a seven seconds or less style of play - in part because we didn't have the bodies for it, but also I suspect because Smitch vastly preferred to play a less wide-open style.

This ultimately culminates with the signing of JO - the perfect Smitch center. With the teams struggles early on, Smitch is kicked to the curb, and Triano - a coach with a wider repertoire of styles he can coach is elevated to take over.

Out with JO in with the Matrix.

So its a gradual team evolution. Look for them to run more, to focus on higher tempo of play, and I suspect a serious effort to re-sign Marion moving forward.

Next years team, with drafted players in hand and either a signed Marion or a new SF like Childress, will be much closer I suspect to what BC had in mind all along.

by Bedhead on Feb 20, 2009 12:00 AM EST reply actions

JO 27 minutes - 1 Reb
Moon 5 Mins - -9 plus minus
TJ Ford 35 Mins - 5 turnovers 4 ast 6 points
Nesterovic 18 Mins - 1reb
Hibbert 5 fouls in 16 mins
Alston got traded again
McGrady never has one a playoff round and is back on the DL
Vince - Team wanted to trade him, but couldn't
Mo Pete - Plays 12 mins a game - 6 million a year

Just wanted to show that all is not bad in raptorland.
But in saying this, it's all the guys we haven't drafted (Granger, Josh Smith, IGGy) that hurts. My point is, - Let's get that freaky talented athlete in the draft and not pass it up this time.

by Doug on Feb 20, 2009 12:00 AM EST reply actions

ustation- dont forget abbout paul millsap in the second round of 2006 draft. hes a beast. and anyone in the draft of arujo would have been better than well.... arujo

by tea time on Feb 20, 2009 12:00 AM EST reply actions

Its the end of the 1st quarter.

Since I couldn't watch the last Raps game (thanks Rogers) I decided that I wanted to stay home even if it was Friday night to see Bosh return and Marion play.

What a waste....

by wtf on Feb 20, 2009 12:00 AM EST reply actions

is this some sort of joke?
Don't know what it will take but sure as hell not cb4 jc ap sm or anybody else on this roster Fans should ask for their money back in NY its pros against high school

by Davl on Feb 20, 2009 12:00 AM EST reply actions

The Raps need to add more players around Bosh of the calibre of Marion. Marion is standing out right now and u can see the difference in talent between him and the rest of the team. Our other 3 building blocks, Bosh,jc and Bargs, look average tonight and it's games like this that make me wonder what the heck BC is thinking wanting to make resigning Parker a priority in the off season.

by Member29 on Feb 20, 2009 12:00 AM EST reply actions

I'd like to thank Graham, Bargnani and Marion for showing up tonight. It's too bad they couldn't bring some teammates with them.

What an awful defensive performance. How many wide open 3's are we going to give up? We've given up 101 points and it's still the 3rd quarter!!! Pathetic!!!

by Jeff on Feb 20, 2009 12:00 AM EST reply actions

almost a 30-point loss to the team we have to catch in the standings.

Wow. wow. this is bad.

Smitch got fired after the debacle in Denver, I think it was. I put this one on Triano. Not sure what the heck happened here, but the team was not ready to play from the first quarter.

wow.

by gerry on Feb 20, 2009 12:00 AM EST reply actions

You go out on a Friday night, missing a game you wanted to see, come home and find out the score, and you scratch your head. Is this the sort of thing that can be fixed in ONE off-season? You recall the quotes reported in a newspaper's blog that morning from what many believe to be the best player on the team, saying something to the effect of how he wanted to make sure he came back healthy, so that he could perform with intensity on the defensive end. You take a second look at the score. 30 point loss to the Knicks. So, the words were meaningless. The team is sh!t. You have stopped believing. Sigh

by Interloper on Feb 20, 2009 12:00 AM EST reply actions

Couldn't agree more with Member29....Marion looked out of place on the Raptors tonight...and unfortunately for us Raptors fan its because he looked great and everyone else looked like crap.

I'm getting pretty tired of this....when you need a basket I think there are two key ways to get it one is you feed the block and have a big man back down the opposition and take a close high percentage shot. The other is to have a guy who can create off the dribble and get an open look or drive past his man for another high percentage shot. The raps have neither.

If Bosh had been healthy and the Raps had shown up it would have been a close game. However that still isn't good enough...the Knicks aren't even a playoff team.

What is most frustrating about this team is their inconsistancy. The look good some nights, ok some nights and then terrible on other nights. Right when I want everything blown up and started over (like right now) the next game the Raps come out and give you some hope (which is what I'm expecting sunday).

A lot of people say coaches are overrated and you need talent. I think D'Antoni is showing everyone what a difference a good coach can make.

Also don't let Andrea's numbers fool you. He's only been shooting 36% from the field in the month of Feb and 23% from 3 point land. He has answered the question of whether or not he belongs in the league however nothing he has done has indicated he can be the main guy or even the second guy on a winning team....not to mention a championship team.

When I wake up tomorrow and read some rumours about Bosh being a possible target for other teams in 2010....games like today make me care a lot less. I know he is coming off an injury however I still think this team needs to be ripped apart and started again.

Note: A raps win on Sunday will likely change my entire opinion and I will post about how great the Raps can be....

But deep down I will always believe that things need to be restarted.

by wtf on Feb 20, 2009 12:00 AM EST reply actions

Only more ridiculous than the game was MLSE putting out a press release on the Raptors website saying "ACC recognizes Ten years of Excellence"!
Can they look any more ridiculous, arrogant and out of touch?

by Nigeln on Feb 20, 2009 12:00 AM EST reply actions

Doug says:
February 20th, 2009
JO 27 minutes - 1 Reb
Moon 5 Mins - -9 plus minus
TJ Ford 35 Mins - 5 turnovers 4 ast 6 points
Nesterovic 18 Mins - 1reb
Hibbert 5 fouls in 16 mins
Alston got traded again
McGrady never has one a playoff round and is back on the DL
Vince - Team wanted to trade him, but couldn't
Mo Pete - Plays 12 mins a game - 6 million a year

But........they are all on a better team!

by Davl on Feb 20, 2009 12:00 AM EST reply actions

I hate this team more then life. Just watching Bosh charge out on Robinson and leap in the air, leaving his feet, why ever do that? I saw for the first time the highlight of Bosh tweaking his knee against the Lakers, In that replay Bosh should have never been running that fast on a guy who's already covered, he was just out of control. He gets Defense about as much as Bargnani gets Defence.

But we can still build. Because Bosh played great D in the Olympics. If Triano is such good friends with coach K, then why can't they put Bosh in that type of D.?

by Doug on Feb 20, 2009 12:00 AM EST reply actions