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

Great article! I am definitely interested and excited to see what happens with the Raptors.

Nash being out certainly helps the Raptors. Without him Barbosa will take the bulk of the shots because most people can not keep up with him, and even those like JRich who can may not get looks. Barbosa is not fit to be run the point for a whole game because he is not a good enough passer and he plays poorly when he has to slow down.

Just some input on Nash. I'm in complete agreement that if Nash is to come to the raps it needs to be at a hefty pay cut. The guy is great, but he is no longer young and this year I think his age is starting to show with those little injuries popping up every few weeks.

However, lets say he does take a pay cut and is willing to play the back up role (or atleast a slightly more reduced role), then I think we have a perfect addition to this team.

First off, his lack of def. is really unimportant as the Raps in all reality have nobody who plays good D outside of Marion (I could probably make an argument for Roko aswell, but he will have those brain freezes for the next few years as he learns the game). IF this team wants to run and gun (which I think is a fair assumption) def. becomes even less important. I think its fair to say that the Raps are defensively deficient at every postion (again outside Marion), and in all reality the only way to become a good defensive team would then be to do a complete overhaul.

Secondly, assuming the run and gun off., who better to teach it than the man who invented it himself? I mean you can say all you want about BC brining those players to Phoenix and D'antoni coaching it, but in reality it was Steve Nash who made it happen. He created that offense. D'antoni simply gave him the rains and let him go.

To me its a perfect fit, but Steve Nash's $ would be the most important factor on whether we take him or not. But if he wants to be here and is willing to play for cheap, I think he can only be an asset.

Another TSN2 game, which I will watch later on Raps TV for the Game in the Hour. How this has gone on what looks like to be the entire season without a resolution is shocking.

There are no winners here, as every party involved has taken a hit, some worse than others.

I lay the majority of the blame on TSN, with MLSE second, and Rogers interestingly enough, hardly to blame at all after seeing the inflammatory tv commercials and press releases that TSN has been producing of late, inciting Rogers subscribers to put pressure on their own carrier to resolve it.

At least Rogers has given me a credit on my Rogers bill for the year and has communicated back to me on a fairly regular basis. My beef with them is more related to the lack of transparency of why the negotiations have stalled.

By adding the pieces together, we can see the huge power struggle that has taken place between the two carriers.

MLSE really should be simulacasting the TSN 2 games live on Raps TV. IF they were stupid enough not to read the fine print on the contract they signed with TSN, then at least fix it as best they can. I can only hope that next year TSN/TSN2 does not even see one Raptors game. We know they devote 99% of their energy to hockey anyways, so it is not like they will miss it. What a joke!

The Score by far covers hoops the best, be it pros or college, so let them run with it.

One thing that strikes me as interesting is that with a starting line up of Marion, Bargs, Ap, Calderon, and Bosh, the team has 3 defenders capable of handling their defensive responsibilities without much help, maybe 4 if Bosh feels energized. In this scenario Calderon has to at least try to force his cover to work by having to guard him on the defensive end.

I think what the next few games will show is what the ideal composition of this team is in terms of player types -- i.e does a team composed of an offensively gifted centre who is a capable one on one defender, a primarily defensive minded, good rebounding small forward, a defensive minded two guard who can consistently make the open shot, and a primarily offensive point guard and power forward make for a team competitive on an elite level? If so, the identity of those parts might change over the summer, but the goal should be to ensure their nature and function within the grander scheme remain the same. Sometimes in discussing this and other teams we get caught up in the who as opposed to the what and how (as in what and how does the player contribute to success). Maybe that's a consequence of a star-system approach to selling the game. I just think the who isn't as relevant if you can find parts at the right price that address the what and how.

Brian - Some great points. I finished the preview this morning and then on my way to work realized that I neglected to discuss the whole TSN2 fiasco. I'll be tuning in on Justin.TV or one of the other options for online viewing most likely. In fact I think instead of putting TSN2 on the schedule for each game on that station, I think it might be more realistic to list the online provider ha ha.

I blame MLSE first and foremost. Why you'd agree to split your games across 15 different stations considering how hard that is on your primary fan base is beyond me. And then to one-up that and have one of the providers not even available to the lionshare of your fan-base is even more ridiculous.

And until I see some solid stats from MLSE, I can't see how this works financially for them either in the long-term. Isn't the idea to grow the fan base while SUSTAINING YOUR CORE? This is alienation 101 at its best.

I noticed last night too that the Score is now running commercials for their Raptors games essentially saying "tune into the Score so you can actually WATCH the Raps play."

What a mess.

I must say, Shaq's twitter page is quite entertaining. Once in a while you'll get pics like: http://twitpic.com/1pgmw

huh, jawai assigned to D-league today.

The case for Andrea Bargnani

BC picked him number 1 and he gave toronto a 7 footer who can:

-Shoot from 3
-Blow by PFs when he drives to the basket
- Not just bare the running game but more often then not the first man on a fast break
- Trow a couple of BS ( no, not bullshits) per game
- Stay in front of PF and some SF on defense

- Give this team 7 rebounds per game spending most of hist time on offense at the three

- Give you between 15 to 20 points per game

Shouldn't we cover our shorts and declare this young fella a star in the making ?

Did anybody catch the Houston/Cavs game last night.

Boy was it sweet to see Yao slam the ball back in Lebron’s face in that massive rejection. Even sweeter was Battier (who was getting mad love from TNT - musta read the Michael Lewis piece) getting Lebron to commit 2 offensive fouls. On the second, he anticipated Lebron perfectly and Lebron got owned.

I love it when the Cavs lose.

I agree with a new excitement surrounding the team. At first, a lot of people were a bit underwhelmed with the JO Marion trade. I was very much so, even when it was first being speculated. I always thought when we flipped JO we would get a younger wing, one who can penetrate and nail threes (not that there are an exceptional amount of young wing players who can do that). But after the trigger was pulled, and I came to understand the options and opportunities that the move opens, I warmed to the idea. But initially, with regards to us competing this year, I was like "ya how much better is this guy than Moon?" Then I remembered how sick Marion actually is. Conversely, I remembered how bad moon’s judgement on the court was. And while Marion’s age is cause for concern, this guy is a significant improvement with regards to the quality of minutes we are getting form the 3 spot.

Also, I completely disagree with anyone who argues that the JO trade was a failure, pointing to the fact that the team was not competitive with JO on the roster, and that JO was traded at the deadline. I 100% don not believe that BC expected JO to be on the team past this trade deadline – course there was a chance, but it would have been a plan ‘c’ scenario. Of course that scenario would have included a heavy dose of Bargs sucking.

I believe was meant to accomplish 2 things: as asset and a conduit of value, and for the developmental opportunities JO brought for BC’s prizes possessions, Bosh and Bargs.

Firstly, I think BC anticipated having better options and opportunities open to him holding JO the asset at the time of this year’s trade deadline, as opposed to the motley crew of pieces he flipped to get him. Speculation was that we could have gotten Gerald Wallace for TJ… Who would you take between GW and Marion? Who would you have taken last offseason? I’d say Marion in both cases.

And the other area I mentioned that this deals detractors might be under appreciating is the influenced that JO has had on Bargs and Bosh. Obviously from listening to the press and quotes, it seems Bargs has been the primary benefactor of having JO around. He does seem to have picked up a bit from the JO repertoire on the both ends of the floor, as well has publically prised JO’s influence.

With Bosh, the influence is less apparent. Personally, I don’t think Bosh and Jo even like each other, but that is not the point. However, I think in the grand scheme, it will have been a good process for him.
> Bosh is kind of a dweeb. It is undeniable. Last year everyone was heralding how he is finally coming out of his shell and feeling comfortable… well the guy was interviewing himself in with an English accent – that is nerdy. If you son does that, you def do not brag to your buddies, unless the kid is pretty damn funny… Bosh’s videos were not particularly humorous. Bosh looks awkward, he is the least hyped member of the big four from his draft class, and he is in Canada so he gets less US media exposure as his peers. There are reasons for him to feel less than bad ass in one of the more testosterone and ego filled environments in the world, the NBA.

Regardless of what Bosh might say, being around Jo was good for him. JO is a bad ass. JO don’t give two F’s what you think. He is well respected around the league and he commends and demands that respect. Even with his declining skill set and lowering on court impact, he still demands that respect in NBA circles. That is good for Bosh to be exposed to. Obviously that’s sort of stuff doesn’t just transfer from one person to another like the flue. But being exposed to that on a daily basis, and seeing how that person responds to and perceives situations, it provides opportunities for social scaffolding and for borrowing some of those responses. And for Bosh, it is largely about operating and presenting himself in a more professional manner: having an approach that more effectively cuts out his insecurities and more keenly focuses on what is important to him the individual, and more important to the bottom line of the team winning.

With regards to tonight’s game, I like the emphasis on execution. I’m not a huge fan of keys to the game. I’m not sure why, and I kind of feel like a grumpy old fan in expressing this. By necessity they are either things you should always focus on in games, particular things that you have been struggling with, or particular things about a match up. I suppose in principle, so long as the keys the focus is on situation ally relevant things that pertain to the game at hand, or the team at a point in time, as opposed to obvious things that always apply to the game of basketball, than it is cool. How many times has Leo said the team should "get off to a good start!?" - thanks tips, I was thinking this time it would be a good idea to spot them 35 points in the first quarter. Because you know, there are certain circumstances where a team wants to get off to a poor start, so thank you for differentiating this game where we want to start well, to other games, where clearly it would be in the teams best interest to play poorly to start. Tool.

But that aside, as execution will be a huge thing going forward. If we want to make the play-offs we need to execute. Execution has pretty much been poor for this team since Garbo went down, and since, team has demonstrated the psychological resiliency of a heart broken lover. It’s time to put on some make up baby, cause we’re going out to tonight and we’re going to try to get you into the dance. So chin up and don’t just assume the night will be a disaster once a few things start going wrong. We need to see this team want to win, and respond well to pressure, and demonstrate resiliency in the face of set backs.

By the way, Bosh has been very bad for that. Bargs demonstrates disengagement when things go poorly for him and when he isn’t involved. But Bosh looks down right dejected in the face of set backs. Hopefully down the stretch we can start developing some better habits in this regard. It’s time to man up. Where’s raps4life? We need some pump up optimism.

couple of things:

- TJC, Get your own blog.
- Don't bank on the Score picking up more basketball. The Score network is losing money and currently up for sale.
-Raps almost WON in Toronto without Bosh and Calderon if I remember, thanks to Nash's last minute heroics. Marion has something to prove and I predict a triple double for him. Raps by 5.

Tj Caino does make some good points. Why not emphasize perceived advantages and disadvantages going into each match up and the likely outcome of such instead of Keys. It would be interesting to look at this position by position. On any given night going forward the team should have an advantage at at least two positions. Achieving a positional advantage at 3 of the 5 spots should translate to a good chance at a victory. Again, this is where a player of Marion's calibre makes a difference. The Raps were most always at a disadvantage at the 3 with Moon starting. With an unhealthy Jose or early in the season Will/Roko rotation that is two spots at a disadvantage. Add an inconsistent Parker in a match up with a solid two guard and you have 3 spots where the opposing team has the advantage right away. Not surprising how the team performed under those circumstances.

Franchise, a story about the current sad state of TO broadcasters without any NBA knowledge would be awesome! It is just painful sometimes.

Listening to McCown and his "expert" panel made up of hockey talking heads discuss the O’Neal trade was comical. They were way off on salary figures, any basic understanding of NBA trades and general needs of an NBA team.

This morning was another example of really poor display of NBA knowledge. Gord and Don were having a conversation with Charlie Pallilo, who I usually like. However, he was going on about AB and how he would never be seen as a good choice at the number 1. Really? Who exactly is he competing with? There are only 2 others you could argue are better than him, however, given his recent play, I think he may be closing in. To suggest that he would never be seen as the top choice should have been immediately challenged. He went on to say how he doesn’t rebound or play any defense. The immediate response that came to mind was "Hey Charlie, you watch any Raptor games?" Nope. Nothing from our puckers. Just deer in the headlight on radio type response.

I am so ready for a NBA first radio station and TV station! The score was almost there but it needs to get all 82 games to fully be there. Sadly, nothing even close on radio.

Rubik - not sure if that comment was in response to the length of my post (get a blog if you're going to write so much), the quality of the post (wow, u should get a blog!) Or that I'm not always at the edge of my seat when to the game are presented (you think you're so good why don't you get you own blog).

I doubt it is the middle option, so I'll just note that I think this is a great site, I appreciate the hard work put into it and enjoy the discussion that springs from it and I wasn't hating on how these guys run the show. Secondly, I just wanted to share some thoughts on the Raps, didn't want to be the guy cracking jokes at the comedy club while everyone just wants to hear the pros!

Zona- I would agree with you on sports broadcasters (on most stations) but to be honest I think you used horrible examples. There is a good chance AB will end up being remembered as a waste of a #1 pick (in comparison to Brandon Roy), and Bargnani does not rebound or play defense. These are times when anylasts got it right.

McCowan has bad NBA knowledge. He doesn't care though, he just has to be adequate given all anybody who listens to him cares about is NHL.

BTW, My post was responding to the noted excitement surrounding the team, the paragraph containing the question "was the twin tower experiment a failure?", as well at the emphasis on execution. > so since all my points were with regards to established discussion points, I don't feel so bad.

Clearly that post was longer than average - if all my posts get that long, maybe I would start a blog. But my blog would still basically be a response to on going discussions from RapsHQ and RealGM, which would make for a pretty weak blog in my estimation - though if I thought I might get press accreditation for my efforts I would strongly consider it!

LOL Zona so true, I wish I'd be listening live to those shows so I could call and burst their bubbles on-air 'cuz they really have no clue at all about what they're talking about....and lol at the end of the season when the NBA is handing out awards they should give one to TJ Caino for longest comments after a post =D

IF TJC is ever looking for a co-blogger, sign me up!

The comments could use more concision (you commented on every topic), but they definitely weren't the type of ranting screed we've had from other Real GM denizens.

Even if I were not friend's with Franchise and Howland,and even if their articles were not consistantly excellent (so are Vicious D's), I would visit this site. The posters, including TJ Caino are excellent. I love the variety of thought and the great basketball insight that is always available in the discussion board. Kudos to my homeboys that are running the show and to all of the people who are contributing.

In my opinion key points for this game will be:

1) Give up less 2nd chance opportunities - if possible win in that category

EVERY commentator that I heard during games against Raps were astounded by the 2nd chance opportunities that we give out. I can't agree more.

2)
Containing Shaq - if they get the ball in his hands it will be tough to "contain" him. You cannot contain a moving mountain. Yet, if we do what the Lakers did - make it hard for him to get the ball, THAT will ensure that he is rendered ineffective.

What do you think?
I can't wait to see the next 4 games...

Gee.. let's try again.
I should sleep more than 4 hrs a day...

In my opinion key points for this game will be:

1) Give up less 2nd chance opportunities - if possible win in that category

EVERY commentator that I heard during games against Raps were astounded by the 2nd chance opportunities that we give out. I can't agree more.

2) Don't let the ball get to Shaq
Containing Shaq - if they get the ball in his hands it will be tough to "contain" him. You cannot contain a moving mountain. Yet, if we do what the Lakers did - make it hard for him to get the ball, THAT will ensure that he is rendered ineffective.

What do you think?
I can't wait to see the next 4 games...

"I firstly want to thank god, because without him, the internet wouldn't be possible. I also want to thank my mother for indiscriminantly reinforcing everything I said, without that my comments would have some measure of appropriateness with respect to length..."

Bedhead: Sounds good to me man! Maybe 'the capologist' would be looking for a more regular gig? Lol, for now I'm cool with honing our craft is the comments section - though normally I'm better with structure and segues, but it's difficult to focus on that stuff when editing is performed over a series of 15 second blocks snuck in between tasks, and when you probably shouldn't be posting on basketball forums to begin with...

I'm excited for tonight! I have this lingering fear we will loose the next three and spend the rest of the season complaining, arguing about prospects and wanting to fire management. But I'm excited none the less.

Zona..about the radio guys..Pallilo has made the same comment before about Bargnani not playing any defense. He doesn't watch Raptors games. Most U.S. media sources form their opinion early and stick with it even if they're wrong. Kelly Dwyer is an excellent basketball writer who keeps up to date on things so if you want an informed U.S. source check him out. Here's his recap on last night's games:

http://ca.sports.yahoo.com/nba/blog/ball_dont_lie/post/Behind-the-Box-Score-where-the-Rockets-know-all?urn=nba,144622#remaining-content

What does good defense look like, exactly? If you block the ball out of bands, the opposing team retains possession and scores on the subsequent play, was your block good defense or bad defense? Anyway, the reason I think Bargnani is a good defender is how many missed shots result from his contesting. In any one game I'll usually see two or three shots made difficult/changed and missed when Bargnani is engaged in opposing the player with the ball. That's 6 points not realized. He makes a difference on that end.

Interloper - good defense is so much more than blocked shots and altering shots. Good defense is making your opponents shots as hard as possible everytime down the floor. Its restricting their passing lane, taking charges, forcing bad passes and boxing out. Its getting right up on the player, forcing them out of position and not letting them get down on the block. You can't prevent players from getting buckets all the time but you can make it as difficult as possible for them to get those buckets.

AB just doesn't have that in him, and a big part of that is he completely lacks strength. Same goes for Bosh. Its the weakness in both of their games.

Simply put, nobody outside of Marion, has this in them. They are a soft team. (well I guess Voshkul isn't soft but when you get 3 fouls in 2 minutes on the court you aren't exactly helping) If they move to the run and gun offense then I see no problem in this as they will concentrate more on turnover defense (ie. taking chance, forcing steals etc). But if that doesn't happen they are gonna need some serious changes on this team.

If you want to know what good defense looks like watch a Celtics game, and watch KG constantly (ie. don't watch the ball just watch KG). Watch how he is always fighting with his man for position, watching where the ball is, sticking his hands in the air or to the side to prevent passes. KG is the epitome of good defense for a big. Watch KG for a game and then watch AB and tell me if they even look anything similar.

Brian,

I too no longer blame Rogers for this fiasco. They gave me a year's worth of credits as well and re-upped my HD PVR for another 12 months (for free). The people I know who work at Rogers basically told me that TSN is playing a nasty game by constantly throwing curveballs during negotiations making it impossible for Rogers to gain the channel. CTV Globemedia wants people to get frustrated with Rogers and jump ship to Bell. I really hope MLSE realizes that by not being proactive during this power struggle, it may have cost them much more than they realize. Anyway, just wanted to vent myself. Plus, I have gotten used to watching the games on my laptop. It really isn't all that bad!

SwirskysSoldier,

sure there is a chance that Roy ends up better, but at this point you can’t say that for sure. AB is coming on and may still be the best in that draft class. The point is that a little homer mentality would be good. Rebounding, well maybe he won’t ever get there because his game is not played close to the basket, but if you question his defence it’s because you haven’t seen him play.

Listening to the morning show on the topic of basketball is like talking to children. You may be giving them an important lesson on life yet they are far more interested in making farting noises.

Has anyone got the feed for the game tonight that they can clue me in on?

the justintv feed just went down.

I.hate.MLSE.

papa:

Try this website:
http://www.atdhe.net/

thanks man...I was actually trying to remember this site but couldn't...they seem to be sourcing from justintv, but it works. so I'll take it.

thanks again!

Diesel power how do U fight a BIG DIESEL ENGINE with an Electric Motor?

hahahahahahahaahahahahahahahahahah.....

gerry has lost it. he's gone. over the cliff. (cupping hands) ...hey gerry! when you land on top of the raps, check for a pulse...

Could you help me. For most men life is a search for the proper manila envelope in which to get themselves filed.
I am from Guatemala and bad know English, give please true I wrote the following sentence: "Just remember that each sale will end eventually, so don procrastinate too long or you miss out."

THX 8-), Paul.

Good Site. Nice work.
I am from Niger and also now'm speaking English, please tell me right I wrote the following sentence: "As based in this sensor, an specialty case' cogs any building for the brand or rental of cost whereby a drug includes a athletic layout for the email to reduce prototyper for cloning one or more similar positions into interest in the region or for the drug to create part when a response developed by the communication includes a many killing."

8-) Thanks in advance. Hallie.