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

by RaptorsHQ - Archives on Feb 6, 2009 12:00 AM EST in 3 in the Key

You won't catch Franchise watching David West on Rogers OR TSN tonight...

One thing I left out of yesterday’s recap was an interesting event late in the game.

The Air Canada Centre’s announcer Herbie Kuhn was addressing the Toronto Raptors’ upcoming schedule, and relaying the information being shown on the large-screen scoreboard above the court. However upon announcing that the next two games would be shown on TSN2, he was greeted with a chorus of boo’s from the ACC faithful.

I was among the booers, and to hear the rest of the arena respond in kind, was a sight for sore…um…ears.

When it was first announced that many of this season’s games were to be shown on TSN2, I was disappointed. Yes, I knew that this was a business decision but I figured that things would get sorted out sooner rather than later.

Apparently many others felt that way too.

I can recall both Michael Grange at the Globe and Mail, and Doug Smith at the Toronto Star guessing that fans would miss the first two games, but then TSN and Rogers would come to an agreement and Rogers would carry TSN2.

However the season is suddenly nearing a close, and a deal between the warring factions of TSN and Rogers (or should we say Bell and Rogers) is not.

I think the final two straws for many fans were not being able to see the Lakers game on Wednesday night, a game usually viewed by many non-Raptor and basketball fans, and then last night not having access to an epic tilt between the Boston Celtics and aforementioned Lakers.

The most frustrating thing in the midst of all of this for me is MLSE’s complete and utter lack of attention to the entire situation. We’ve yet to hear any sort of apology, and instead, have had to endure a continual bombardment of Rogers commercials which have the gall to advertise having "the most variety and the most HD sports etc available."

Regardless of bickering between two conglomerates, what exactly did MLSE expect when they made this agreement with TSN?? Of course TSN is going to ask for a higher rate than usual for Rogers to carry the channel! And of course Rogers in return is going to want something that helps their cause – like TSN carrying more Blue Jays games or curling or something.

In as disappointing a season as this has been for fans in terms of on-court production, this off-court mess has been almost equally as frustrating – especially because the early returns in terms of viewers on TSN 2 has reportedly been quite

The booing on Wednesday night was a start, but as Doug Smith proposed yesterday in his blog, perhaps boycotting some of MLSE’s other sponsors will get the message across. (And really, does it take that much to not want to shop at Loblaw’s thanks to Galen Weston’s annoying commercials?) Because from a few recent reports I’ve had, Rogers is clamping down on giving discounts to fans unhappy about the lack of TSN2, so calling to complain seems to have fallen on deaf ears.

The other answer is to look to another source (no, not Bell) and numerous readers have thankfully posted some online options.

There is http://www.justin.tv/ and the one I’ve been using the most now, http://atdhe.net/.

Both should be carrying tonight’s game and tomorrow night’s match against Memphis so like Toronto’s playoff hopes, I’m putting this whole TSN2 thing to bed. It’s a ridiculous situation and in a season where the Raptors should be trying to appease the fans as much as possible, they’ve in fact done the complete opposite. Imagine if the Dinos did make the playoffs and fans were unable to watch some of the games??

However before we even start entertaining that notion, Toronto is going to have to go on a major winning streak. Without Bosh and Jose at 100 per cent I don’t think this is possible, as discussed yesterday, however tonight’s match against an undermanned Hornets club should be a good test.

Since Chris Paul went down with a groin injury a few games ago, New Orleans has hardly looked like last year’s dominant squad and on Wednesday night they ended up getting beat pretty soundly by the Chicago Bulls. They’ve lost four in a row, and without Paul and Tyson Chandler, this club lacks most of its ability to score in the paint with David West their only true threat.

And that leads us to our first key…

1) Attack the Interior –

One thing Toronto was very successful with Wednesday night against the Lakers was attacking their interior. Bosh, Bargnani and O’Neal put up over half of the club’s points between them and Joey Graham used his size and strength at times down low as well. Without Tyson Chandler swatting away shots, it leaves the Hornets with only Hilton Armstrong and Melvin Ely up front. While both were former first-round picks, neither matches up well with either JO or Bargs and I’m expecting the Dinos to go down low early and often in this one. Armstrong started the last game but New Orleans’ coach Byron Scott has stated that he will probably be coming off the bench again tonight. That probably means Ely gets the nod next to David West and while West is making his second-straight All-Star appearance, he alone shouldn’t be enough of a threat to Toronto in the paint.

The Raps need to keep him off the glass, and do a good job rebounding the ball overall to take advantage of New Orleans’ lack of size and depth up front.

2) Defend the Perimeter –

While I’m not so worried about the interior play tonight, I am concerned about the perimeter. Last time these clubs met the Hornets absolutely destroyed Toronto from beyond the arc with James Posey and Rasual Butler doing most of the damage. In addition, players like former Rap Morris Peterson and Peja Stojakovic can do light it up from long range so it’s imperative that players like Joey Graham, Jamario Moon and Anthony Parker contest shots and keep these guys under wraps. Peterson probably won’t be in action tonight but the last thing Toronto needs is to dominate inside only to have any such advantage negated by open 3’s from the Hornets.

3) Take Good Shots –

One of the other reasons the Raps had so much success against Los Angeles was that they didn’t force many shots. Anthony Parker did a good job running the offence, and it was only on the rare occasion that Toronto settled for perimeter jumpers.

This has to continue tonight. That means taking shots in the flow of the offence and looking for mismatches down low. It also means attacking the rim and getting to the free-throw line. Toronto did this early Wednesday night but let off later in the game. As a result, the Raptors stopped getting calls and the Lakers, who continued their attack, started getting whistles courtesy of the zebras. I’ll be looking tonight to see if the Dinos can take advantage of an undermanned Hornets’ squad and putting players like West and Posey on the bench due to foul trouble would be a good start.

This is a very winnable game tonight and with Jay Triano’s new and compressed line-up, I’m anxious to see how they do.

Although you won’t catch me trying to watch it on TSN2...

FRANCHISE

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Comments

I was able to watch the last 3 minutes of overtime on the score, I just assumed that they showed the whole game (Lakersvs Celtics).
Trading Kapono is a must. Even if he starts lighting it up he really doesn't fit on this team. So some trades that work.
1. Kapono and Will Solomon to Cleveland for Eric Snow. Snow's contract comes off the books at the end of the year.
2. Kapono to Dallas for Jerry Stackhouse. I believe this cuts a year off the contract though ESPN's trade machine is usually off on contract lenght.
3. Kapono to Lakers for Chris Mihm and Trevor Aziza. Teams are daring Aziza to shoot the 3 so why not get someone who teams won't dare.
4. Kapono goes to Bucks for Malik Allen and Damon Jones.
5. Solomon and Kapono to Suns for Barbosa. Rumour is Suns are looking to unload the Brazilian.

by McGateway on Feb 6, 2009 12:00 AM EST reply actions

If our core going ahead is Jose, CB4 and Andrea then we need 2 elite defenders at the wings. This is the only way we can balance this roster. They don't have to be great offensive players - slashing would be a bonus though.
My dream scenario is trading CB4 now for LMA, Fernandez and a 1st round pick which I realize it will not happen.
In any case, I still trust Colangelo. Now all the rsponsibility rests on his shoulders and he has the inner desire to be a champion, not just a good manager.
I'm still in Camp A in regards to the future of this team. There are positives to be taken so far in this season: Sam firing, the emergence of Joey, the resurrection of Andrea and the chance to really evaluate our entire roster when the going got tough.
What's missing from our team is not necessarily talent but chemistry. The problem is that chemistry is an intangible that is very hard to create: it is impossible to predict how a team would mesh. That's why Colangelo is nostalgic about Garbo: for whatever reason the team was much stronger with Garbo healthy than after we lost him. Talent-wise Garbo was just an above-average player however everything clicked with him on the floor. After all, maybe there are b-ball Gods!

by Daniel on Feb 6, 2009 12:00 AM EST reply actions

McGateway

I'm not sure any team would want Kapono and his awful contract given that he is an awful player,
but one can hope

by Statement on Feb 6, 2009 12:00 AM EST reply actions

That is why I picked Teams that have a shot to go deep into the playoffs and choose scrubs for the most part coming back. I don't believe the problem is with Kapono but in how he is used with the Raptors. On a good team he would still have value and although he is over paid for a specialist, he would provide more help to them then most of the players coming back will.
One more trade scenario that might work and makes some sense for both teams. Oneal to NY for Marbury. I know everyone hates this deal but with Calderon being in and out of the lineup and the Raps having no chance to make the playoffs, it would at least allow them to compete on a nightly basis and Marbury's contract comes off in the offseason.

by McGateway on Feb 6, 2009 12:00 AM EST reply actions

Well I love the Ariza/Mihm proposal, but I just don't see the Lakers parting Ariza when he can defend athletic wings as well as he can when Kobe is off the floor.

Kapono and Solomon for Barbosa? Highway robbery - which means it will never happen. Barbosa would be an excellent fit with the Raptors having good defense, speed and slashing ability in spades - and he can back up the 1 when necessary. In other words, he's simply too good to be true.

JO for Marbury? Please. No.

Trade CB4 for Aldridge? Worse.

For me the best move I can see would be some sort of a deal where we move bench guys (JG or Kapono or both in package) to GS for the injured Bellinelli and then wait out the rest of a bad year for a lottery pick to take a SF with size and defense.

A starting five of AB-CB4-Aminu-Bellinelli-Calderon

Would cover all the bases.

by Bedhead on Feb 6, 2009 12:00 AM EST reply actions

tomorrow nights game has been switched to TSN, from TSN2.

not the raps/lakers game, or the boston/lakers game...but the memphis game.

I almost feel like that's even more of a slap in the face.

by papa on Feb 6, 2009 12:00 AM EST reply actions

Why not Marbury for Oneal? Marbury will get to play and he will behave as he will be trying to show the league that NY has been making him look bad. More importantly, his numbers come off the books now not after next season. I am just not convinced that Oneal will move until next years trade deadline and that means Toronto is screwed next year as well. Is that what we really want?

by McGateway on Feb 6, 2009 12:00 AM EST reply actions

Why would we trade O'neal for Marbury? O'neals contract should be able to net us a major pickup at some point down the road. i dont think marbury counts as a major pickup

by Money on Feb 6, 2009 12:00 AM EST reply actions

Money - His 20 million that comes off the book at the end of the season counts as a major pick up. I don't know what you think you are going to get for Oneal's contract other than long term deals in return. Isn't the point of getting him to free up cap space for Bosh in 2010? Do you really want to trade Oneal for 2 or 3 players with 4 years on their contracts thus tying up money and reducing our ability (assuming that there is an chance) of resigning Bosh? That money would allow the Raptors to sign someone who can move this team in the right direction.

by McGateway on Feb 6, 2009 12:00 AM EST reply actions

JO vs. Starbury trade

JO at next years deadline is:

1. A powerful piece that can help a team win a championship;

2. A massive expiring contract that we would be looking to unload. I'm not sure if NYK wants to see Starbury expire in a different jersey - there was all this dilly-dallying soap opera.

3. We have no idea who we would be able to get for JO - but we would be buyers rather than sellers. This is a good thing.

4. If there is any time in Raps history - then this is the time to bust the cap - leaving MLSE to pick up whatever bill is neccessary.

5. Why sell a stock just before its going to go atmoshpheric? Oh wait - its the f***ing salary cap... so let's let it bite us in the ass...again...

by JENGE on Feb 6, 2009 12:00 AM EST reply actions

CONTINUED...

If we are that worried about cap space then note:

1. The cap is GOING UP big time next year (I hear about $6M).

2. Dumping Kapono $6M (gives us an extra 12$Mil in room)

3. or Dump Hump? $3M (9mil in cap)

4. Signing Delfino and/or trading him for another asset will require cash? $4.5M hi-ball?(uggh)

5. Sign and trade Jamario ..or trade him now..

6. Re-sign Parker.. ball park $4.5M

I we dump Kap, Hump and Jamario we will have about 16Million or so under the new cap.

Keeping Delfino (hi-ball park) brings us down to 12Mil.

Am I smoking crack cap?

by JENGE on Feb 6, 2009 12:00 AM EST reply actions

unfortunately JENGE you are smoking cap crack.

Yes the cap is going up, but so are the salaries of Bosh, Calderon, Bargnani among others. So that eats in to the cap. So does our first round pick (and it eats in even more the higher it is).

Secondly, the worry is that with the ever worsening economy, teams will be frugal as over spending this summer will hit them hard when THE CAP NUMBER SHRINKS for the 2010/2011 season. That is the fear, which would put many a team over the luxury cap. Revenue is expected to plummet next season.

Right now the only assets coming off the books are Parker and Garbo, which doesn't net us much space. And remember we are over the soft cap, meaning we can't sign any free agents but our own (or a mid-level exception) unless we get below that number... which will require more than the expiring contracts of Parker and Grabo.

by lessthanzero on Feb 6, 2009 12:00 AM EST reply actions

We should trade O'Neal for something that will give us some cap relief this summer, but still enough cap relief to bag a max money player in '10 too. We should try to get back a big replace O'Neal as the first big off the bench, and a couple of defensive wings that could protect the perimeter, maybe one with enough skills and an attractive enough contract that we might be able to keep him around. Heck, we should also try to package Kapono in the deal to end that experiment. That would be the perfect trade, but how could it happen?

O'Neal & Kapono to Chicago

for

Gooden, Hughes & Nocioni

All three are relative spare parts on Chicago that Chicago would likely be willing to part with to finally gain some kind of inside scoring presence. O'Neal could be everythng we hoped he would be here, except he wouldn't be behind anyone on the depth chart. Kapono is also a useful tool off the bench. Chicago is looking to move these players anyways and O'Neal and Kaps might be a strong offer for castaways.

What do the Raps get? Gooden is a solid energy guy that boards well, his 7 mil also come off the books at the end of the season. Hughes is still useful and would be playing for a contract next season, he does well in contract years. Plus his 13.5 mil come off the books for the essential '10 free agent period. Finally, Nocioni is the perfect Garbo type player that we all miss, only better. His contract is cap friendly and he would be a solid starter or excellent off the bench. The Raps suddenly get tougher and more defensive, maintain cap flexibility for the next 2 off seasons, and address the 3 spot in one swoop.

Do the games even matter anymore or are we now just looking at player stats?

by Robert Archibald on Feb 6, 2009 12:00 AM EST reply actions

JENGE,

Where did you heard that the cap is goin up? And where did you get the (very specific) $6mil number?

by MAS on Feb 6, 2009 12:00 AM EST reply actions

MAS - I believe it was on this board and the CNN/SI website rumblings. So call that information more substantiated than a S.Smith 'source'...

If I hear anthing else I'll post it..

by JENGE on Feb 6, 2009 12:00 AM EST reply actions

The cap space is moot. 6 Mil plus Parker and Garbo's, Moon's and Solomon's salaries coming off the books won't make much difference as we will need to replace Parker, Moon and Solomon with what, like 13 mil total? Considering that the Raptors are currently 12 mil over the cap now, that means they will have 1 million to sign 3 players (7 million if the cap does indeed go up). Either way, it doesn't amount to much. That is why trading Kapono and/or Oneal now is imperative. I have no idea why everyone believes that trading Oneal's expiring deal will net very much. People will be looking to dump long term salaries onto us for it so they can get under the cap for 2010 not looking to trade a great player. At best, you are looking at a Jamal Crawford, J Rich type player which I just do not think will be enough. It is better to deal him now for an expiring contract that comes off the books this year, which will give the Raptors a lot more space to get someone who can make us competitive and leave room to sign bench guys. That is the rub of our team right now, it is already short on guys and even with contracts expiring the Raptors will be hard pressed to cobble together a competitive roster for next season.

by McGateway on Feb 6, 2009 12:00 AM EST reply actions

MAS - I am trying to track down that article that speculated the cap was going to increase dramatically this year (I think due to the financial crisis and the devaluation of the US$ affecting previousily set cap-agendas );

It's something I read while having my morning cofeee this week while pouring through a half dozen or so draft tables, NCAA profiles and assorted articles. There is a small chance I 'dreamt' it. But I doubt it!

I guess I was intensely focusing on looking at what the upcoming draft offers us in potential stud wing players...

Regardless, this years cap is set - and until any future cap is set - this is all speculation.

Personally - I would like to see MLSE give BC the keys to the wall-safe...

by JENGE on Feb 6, 2009 12:00 AM EST reply actions

Some people are bears for punishment and others are good at second guessing and I'm as bad as anybody. I was just watching the tape of the Cleveland game, 1st quarter, (did I mention I was a bear for punishment) and I just had to make a comment on how selfishness & lack of effort expands to from 1 player to all. There were 2 plays in a row where Calderon came down, dribbled around some picks and shot without anybody else touching the ball. Just what you want from your point guard. The second time he pointedly ignored everybody's favorite, Jemario, on the wing. At this point Calderon was subbed and Parker became the point guard. Next possession, Parker pushes the ball up, passes to Moon. In retrospect I can see Moon's thought process. "I was passed up once, I'd better shoot". He shoots , he misses, Cleveland breaks. Jermario is first back on D, a Cav is driving. Does Jemario try to draw a charge? Does he challenge the Cav in a duel of highwire artists and try for a block? He ducks out of the way. Why? Raps are losing by 15, why would he actually dig down and make a super effort. Did I mention that selfishness and lack of effort was contagious? I'm sorry I didn't see the Laker's game because by all accounts there was good team play and effort. If only it was consistent.

by melon on Feb 6, 2009 12:00 AM EST reply actions

First off, I forgot about the whole TSN2 thing being i the U.S, but I have to say that it sounds like a bonehead move from the MLSE standpoint. It just seems that this is the wrong way to sell basketball in Canada, and placate Raps fans who have had to watch a mdeiocre to bad team for all but a few seasons since the Raptors' inception. I hope people inflict some financial damage on MLSE for not having the foresight to address this issue in advance. Anyways, MLSE rant over.......

JO rant commencing......
Anyone who thinks that we are going to get anything of value for O'Neal, needs to take a step back and be objective (or just put down the pipe) because nobody is going to give us an asset (I define asset as a talented player with a manageable salary/contract). JO is old (he's been in the league for 12 years now), overpaid, and most importantly injury prone. If you were the GM of another team why would you give up an asset for this guy? seriously. Best case scenario, JO plays until next years deadline at a high level and injury free; so a market is created. However, the market will be playoff teams looking for one more piece to help them win it all. That kind of a team will NOT give up ASSETS, because it will be looking to make a run. So that leaves a team looking to get under the cap, who wants to unload it's own 20 mil a year player, or a combination of players who make that much. I don't see many players who fit into this latter category and make sense for the Raptors. In any case, by this time if the Raptors still suck they are going to be sweating because of Bosh's potential departure and this will only cause more off court distraction. All in all, I don't see this ending well if JO isn't traded before the deadline or in the summer for a wing that makes this team immediately better next year. Otherwise, we might just be talking about legit Bosh deals next year at this time; and no matter what your position on Bosh is, you have to admit that if this team has to unload another legit NBA star for pennies on the dollar it will be an unmitigated disaster for basketball in Canada.

This is why, if BC really doesn't think Bosh will re-up as an FA in 2010, he needs to trade him this summer. Otherwise, we will be dealing from an inferior bargaining position come next years deadline, and everyone knowing Bosh will leave as an FA.

And guys, I've seen some interesing trade Bosh proposals (I've even posted one myself), but we will not get back the best overall player in a one for one deal; GUARANTEED!

Think about it; Bosh for Stoudemire means we get back a me first, no defense PF/C. It only gets worse from there. For that reason, I agree with some of the people on here that IF you decide to move Bosh (before he forces your hand), you have to target a team with young talent where you might come away with two good to very good young players and a pick:

Portland---Bayless,Outlaw, Fernandez,Aldridge

GState---Ellis, Randolph, Wright, Biedrins

Utah---Millsap, Brewer, CJ Miles,

Memphis---Gay, Mayo, Gasol
(We would probably have to take Milicic in any deal, but they may be enticed if they think they can re-sign Bosh; OK OK it's a stretch)

I'm not saying we could get all of the players listed above, but these are the types of deals we should be looking at for Bosh. I especially think that the Jazz would be amenable to a Bosh/Kapono for Millsap (sign & trade), Kirilenko and Miles deal if Boozer leaves this summer. We would still be losing the best player overall, but our team would get better and we would still have JO coming off the books or as trade bait.

In any case, I really really do NOT want to see the Raps lose another very good player for nothing or virtually nothing; it'll be like Vince all over again and I don't think any of us want that.

Rant over.......

by 2nd Raps fan in LA on Feb 6, 2009 12:00 AM EST reply actions

I hear a lot of trade scenarios involving JO, CB4, Andrea. How about this? Don't trade any of them.

Trading CB4? How are you going to get back equal value? He's a multiple all star, points leader, rebound leader, double double leader etc.

Andrea is starting to show his worth. Bout time. Can't trade him. Just when he starts to get better

JO is one of the few Raptors that is willing to fight to the hoops. On such a soft team why would you wanna trade him?

Offer him reasonable money $10m/ yr and a reasonable role to stay when his current deal expires. Does he think he'll get more than that from another team with those knees of his?

PS Bring back Delfino! Stop letting go players who can take it to the hoop.

by Todd on Feb 6, 2009 12:00 AM EST reply actions

Wow...

now atdhe.net is blocked and justin tv...

Fuck mlse

by Blanco on Feb 6, 2009 12:00 AM EST reply actions

Wow...

now atdhe.net is blocked and justin tv...

Fuck mlse

by Blanco on Feb 6, 2009 12:00 AM EST reply actions

nevermind..its fixxed

by Blanco on Feb 6, 2009 12:00 AM EST reply actions

I was the one who posted the news of the cap increase, on Feb 2.

"Still...the NBA relies more on ad revenues than gate, esp. as compared to hockey. The NYT says that the cap has been raised by 25% THIS YEAR to accomodate rising salaries:
"The salary cap for National Basketball Association teams will increase to more than $6 million next season, an increase of 25 percent over the previous year. As a result, the average player's salary is expected to increase from $440,000 to $510,000 a year. Each team will be allowed to spend a maximum of $6,164,000 on player salaries in 1987-88, compared with $4,945,000 last season."

by gerry on Feb 6, 2009 12:00 AM EST reply actions

All you need to know about the cap:

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?page=predictions09/nba

Scroll down to Hollinger (I know his PER is not an exact science... but he's a numbers man... so I trust his analysis of the finances of the NBA).

If he's right, and all signs point to yes, the cap will shrink soon.

by lessthanzero on Feb 6, 2009 12:00 AM EST reply actions

At a total loss for words on this one. It's just come down to the fact that this team is so mentally fragile that they can have games taken away from them. Next year can't come soon enough. I know Triano is a nice guy and a respected coach but it comes down to being able to win some games sometimes in spite of your roster. Maybe I'm off base, but I don't think he can come back next year because I wonder if the team will have any confidence in his ability to lead them to victories.

by Interloper on Feb 6, 2009 12:00 AM EST reply actions