Tip-In, Toronto Raptors' Post-Game Report: Brains over Brawn
by Raptors HQ - Vicious D on Jan 29, 2010 8:00 AM EST
in Feature Stories
68 comments
Back-to-backs have been the bane of the Raptors and people covering them alike. With the Raptors at MSG after taking on the Heat, it took just about every single tactic and strategy in their arsenal to pull out a win.
I hate it when the Raptors play in Madison Square Garden.
With the exception of a few games including the Huskies win earlier this year, the Raptors have had a lot of sloppy games filled with fouls at MSG. Things seem to move at a snail's pace and nothing ever seems to go the way it should, and if you factor in Toronto's back-to-back record, this Knicks game was just one that you knew was not going to be on any Raptors classic reels.
And true to form, the Raptors did plenty to re-enforce my aversion to MSG games.
Starting the game by letting the Knicks score 34 points and finishing the game with 21 turnovers was just a recipe for disaster. The Raptors were then also without the help of DeMar DeRozan who was still recovering from rolling his ankle in practice, and Andrea Bargnani, also was listed with a sore foot and playing a very limited game.
However, a funny thing happened.
Hedo Turkoglu caught on fire.
Turkoglu, who has been the most disappointing piece of this iteration of the Toronto Raptors, has been completely enveloped in a slump since December. Missing shots he normally makes, creating turnovers where his passes used to be crisp, and recently, complaining about his place within the Raptors offense, Hedo needed a game where he had to break out. Starting aggressive early, the "Turkish Jordan" began revving his engine as the game went on. In the third, we saw him dunk the ball multiple times and attack the basket as well. He picked up rebounds, dished out passes and was just about the most efficient Raptor in the second half. Finishing with a double-double of 26 points and 11 rebounds, Turkoglu was simply the missing piece and needed x-factor that allowed the Raptors to finish with the win. Toss in another 20-10 performance from Chris Bosh, some well needed offense from Antoine Wright, Jose Calderon and Amir Johnson, and the Raptors overcame all the holes they dug early for themselves.
Heck, even Bargnani, with a horrible 1-9 shooting night, managed to be effective by getting three blocked shots on the evening.
The Knicks on the other hand, relied on blind determination to get their lead and keep the Raptors at bay for most of the game. With David Lee going off for 29 and 18 in a "revenge game" for not making the All-Star selection, players like Danilo Gallinari and Wilson Chandler also benefited from the extra energy and made life a living hell for the Raptors by being active and pushing the Raptors around on the defensive end. Chris Bosh bore the brunt of the attacks and as the game wore on, Bosh's effectiveness was clearly in the decline.
Nevertheless, it was heady plays that won the day for the Raptors. Even when pressed by the Knicks' youthful exuberance, the Raptors pushed on with their know-how. New York would often make some spectacular plays but would then turn around and make a boneheaded play. Hedo Turkoglu managed to pick up a 3-point foul on Al Harrington way beyond the 3-point arc, while Jarrett Jack continued to make smart plays on both ends of the floor including picking up a charge against Harrington on the last play of the game. It was a new way to win and quite unexpected, but well needed if the Raptors are going to make noise during the playoffs.
In the end, the Raptors persevered because they got some unexpected monster stats from a guy who has been quite quiet for quite a long time. They also kept their cool under the Knicks pressure and just remained within striking distance all night before putting the game to bed with lots of heady plays that outmatched the Knicks' use of heart and wreckless abandon. It will be those kinds of plays that will matter the most during the playoffs and it's the first time I've seen the Dinos rely on that talent to pull out a win. It fills me with some optimism as we approach the All-Star break, that the Raptors will do more than just "hang around".
And just maybe, this team can surprise some people.
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vYnhnIDuqkI&feature=player_embedded
around 27 second mark
Let's go Raptors!!
Well written article, you can write!!
Couldn’t agree with you more. This team normally would have dropped this game after two big wins against the heat and lakers. Raptors have always had talent but it’s been a long time since the raps showed this much focus and determination. Not since AD and Oakley have we seen this team win on pure grit.
This team is a lot better than the 2006 team and maybe just as good as the team that lost to Philly in the second round.
Maybe this brings up an interesting point about the Raptors. Is Hedo’s problem just that he doesn’t have the ball in his hands all the time or is that he has to defer to Bosh and Bargnani all the time? I am guessing the latter as it cannot be a coincidence that Hedo had his best game as a raptor in a game where Andrea was limited with a foot injury.
Does it matter though? What good is it if he’s a player that only produces when he gets the ball a ton? On this team, that’s not what’s really needed and that makes him a bad fit, doesn’t it?
Kinnon "Vicious D" Yee
Author - RaptorsHQ.com Twitter @RapHQVicious
by Raptors HQ - Vicious D on Jan 29, 2010 10:22 AM EST up reply actions
Great Point!!
I never thought he was as good a fit as Matrix. Perhaps he’s showing off his skills so he can get out of town? Antoine seems a better fit at the three with his recent play IMHO.
by raptor rabid on Jan 29, 2010 11:40 AM EST up reply actions
well it is not black and white
I believe we could agree he was producing in Orlando, was he surrounded by lesser talent? by lesser personalities? by lesser star power?
I must admit I did not watch the game, but was he a ball hog? Did you ever get the feeling he was hanging on the ball too much? sometimes it is a matter of intangibles differences (and or excuses)
I think the point is that he is here so how do you make him work. What is the point of complaining now about him being a bad signing? If he needs the ball a ton then maybe you have to find ways for that to happen. Its not like anyone in the NBA is going to banging down the Raptors door to trade for him so why complain about the situation unless you have an actual solution (my example is move him to the bench and have him as a 6th man, don’t know if that would work but it would be worth a try).
I think having him be the big producer off the bench works too. I just don’t think he’d be willing to accept the “demotion”
Making it work is the thing that I’d like to see happen, but if it doesn’t the Raptors must find a way to unload him before he becomes an albatross that they can’t get rid off.
Kinnon "Vicious D" Yee
Author - RaptorsHQ.com Twitter @RapHQVicious
by Raptors HQ - Vicious D on Jan 29, 2010 6:30 PM EST up reply actions
I don’t think Turk had the ball any more than usual, he just was more aggresive and did something to attack, rather than pass and make plays. He got off to a slow start, and I believe when Andrea struggled and he made a couple of shots, he took off. Scored !8 of 26 pts in the 2nd half, 14 in the 3rd.
Agreed
It’s not that he wasn’t getting touches before, he just wasn’t making his shots. He was shooting a horrible percentage and he started to get hesitant. I’m sure he’d like everyone to believe he needs the ball more, but that ain’t going to happen. He’s the third scoring option on this squad. Instead of asking for more touches he ought to use that “veteran savvy” to make the most of the touches he gets. Which he seemed to do last night. I didn’t like his locker room comments in which he repeatedly stated that the key to his success against the Knicks was that he had the ball more. Once Andrea is back to 100%, Hedo’s touches will drop. Hopefully his shooting percentage won’t plummet as a result.
http://www.thestar.com/sports/basketball/nba/raptors/article/757515--feschuk-turkoglu-hits-new-heights-for-raptors
Turkoglu shrugged when he was asked about his high-flying antics.
“Just wanted to show my young guys I still can jump and dunk the ball,” he said.
“I guess tonight I had the ball in my hands more than I usually do. It’s a simple answer to your question,” he said, when asked to explain his best night as a Raptor. “Tonight I was able to get the ball early and I was able to be more aggressive and I had the ball in my hands. If I have the ball from the get-go, I can be more aggressive, but if not, I just go through the motions, still try to do my best and help the team to get a W.”
so war bargs injured thts why he didnt play?
by raptors_run_the_show on Jan 29, 2010 10:30 AM EST reply actions
He did play, but was not effective on offense. If Amir had not fouled out, Bargs probably would not have finished the game.
not an apologist but..
gee a guy can’t get a break? the guy had one bad game after a string of good ones……let’s trade him.
Not saying that. He was injured. Can’t help that. He really had no lift.
Kinnon "Vicious D" Yee
Author - RaptorsHQ.com Twitter @RapHQVicious
by Raptors HQ - Vicious D on Jan 29, 2010 1:42 PM EST up reply actions
not an apologist but..
gee a guy can’t get a break? the guy had one bad game after a string of good ones……let’s trade him.
Reaffirming
Blanco: Your point reaffirms what I said yesterday, there is not enough shots available in the game to have Turk, Bosh and Bargani averaging 20 points and still have others involved in the game.
If Turk had the ability to turn it on when needed, then that would be the ultimate situation.
Question
Did Colangelo bring Turk in to convince Bosh to stay or as defense against a Bosh departure. Recent performance aside, I wouldn’t put it past Colangelo to make preparations for any contingency, including having Turk as one of the focal points of NEXT YEAR’s offense in case Bosh has to go. Turk being an exceptional passer could very well help re-jig the offense in a way that allows it to make up for Bosh’s absence.
We could have our winning streak continue through February
As of Jan. 29, Road record 9-16 Home record 16-6
Raptors are doing really well this year against teams that are under .500
Already on a 4 game win streak…. Raptors next face,
1. Pacers 16-30
2. Pacers 16-30
3. Nets 4-40
4. Kings 16-28
5. 76ers 15-30
6. Grizzlies 25-19 (at home)
7. Nets 4-40
8. Wizards 14-30
I expect the Raptors to win the next 8 games even though Bargnani and DeRozan is injured. We have enough talent in our team to win against weak opposition. Bargnani and DeRozan should be recovered in two weeks from their ankle injuries before the Memphis game.
Hopefully, by Feb. 24 we have a full healthy lineup. We have one of the best Eastern Conference home records. We should be able to beat the next three teams we face. We have already beaten cavaliers once, the last time we played the cavaliers it was tied with 2 minutes left. We just recently beat the Lakers at home.
Feb. 24
9. Blazers 27-20 (at home)
10. Cavaliers 36-11 (at home)
11. Thunder 24-21 (away)
If we win the next 11 games we would be on a 15 game winning streak and the entire NBA would take notice. Of course they would say that our schedule was weak for February, but, hey, a win is a win.
Then….
- CB4 would be a serious candidate for MVP We might even catch up to the top 4 teams and have home court advantage in the first round
-
— I think I’m drunk on optimism LOL. Who wants to drink the optimism with me?
But, based on our record, this is sooooooooooo possible to happen……
Just gotta stay tuned to see what happens next
I highly doubt
that we’re gonna go on a15 game winning streak. I’d love it, but i think we have to think logically, and get our heads out of the clouds, per se. 8 of 11 would be wonderful.
Bargs Bust!
Where ya been!?
Totally agree though – anything less than 8 and 2 over this stretch at this point is uncacceptable.
by RaptorsHQ - Franchise on Jan 30, 2010 9:19 AM EST up reply actions
Strange...
That’s weird, post crossed auto crossed out “CB4 would be a serious candidate for MVP”
Is JC unhappy? http://es.eurosport.yahoo.com/29012010/47/nba-calderon-satisface-juego.html
Need a spanish translator.
here I am
the guy says he is happy but he has been better. He is not overly satisfied with his playing time but he wants to help the team. He would like to keep playing in Toronto as he has been here for five years and he feels at home (he was a bit enigmatic and overly diplomatic about it, like he has been told that he could be part of a trade). Nice comment on Bargs: " there is nobody in thr NBA like him, besides, at times Dirk" (meaning sometimes Dirk can get to Andrea’s level).
All in all I got the impression of a player trying to say the right things, who feel that injuries did not give him the possibility to play his best basketball when he has had the chance to be a starter (meaning since last season) who is happy where he is, but who feels his chance has passed him by
" there is nobody in thr NBA like him, besides, at times Dirk" (meaning sometimes Dirk can get to Andrea’s level)
That has to be one of the funniest quotes I’ve ever read.
I bet Dirk is sitting at home right now dreaming how he can be more like Andrea. Or not.
by RaptorsHQ - Defensive Stance on Jan 29, 2010 2:19 PM EST up reply actions
don't shoot the messenger
I just did the translation
Definitely not shooting the messenger. Thanks for the translation — it was much appreciated (and a great source of laughter for me this afternoon).
by RaptorsHQ - Defensive Stance on Jan 29, 2010 2:27 PM EST up reply actions
Unfair statement
My mission statement is not to cheer Andrea up, I often speak about him just to balance the biased opinon you read here. Not biased meaning they are necessarily wrong but biased because they are one sided on just Andrea.
I made fun of DS once (not sure if he read my post at the time) saying that if he saw Andrea walking on water his comment would be: “He can’t even swim”
I have no idea what that means, but I want to print it on a t-shirt with Andrea’s face on it.
by RaptorsHQ - Defensive Stance on Jan 29, 2010 2:37 PM EST up reply actions
re JC
Go to his website JoseManuelCalderon.com for his take on his situation.
Hint, Jose is the ultimate TEAM player.
“I will never generate a discussion about who should play, how much and when. I’ve always respected my coaches and I’ve always thought it was a decision for them and in this case, there is no differentiation. Jay knows he has my respect, just as it was with Sam and all the coaches I played for. I will accept what the coach or the team decides, and if someone is waiting for me to start a controversy about it, I can only say that this is not my way of being, not my style.”
His comments were very diplomatic also in the spanish version
Althought you had the perception of a player at a crossroad
Example:
Q: Are you really doing good**?
Calderón: “(Pause) I could be doing better, let’s say I am not doing bad”
perhaps he meant are you doing good in terms of his quality of play
as in…he could be playing better
re Calderon
He signed a 5 year $45 million 5 year contract, he and his family love TO, and he loves playing with the Raps, where he can start or come off the bench at his coaches pleasure, and contribute to a winning team.
At this point he is more valuable coming off the bench, leading the reserves and picking up the team from the disatrous starts by Jack and the starters, and averaging the same minutes as the starter, and finishing games. What’s wrong with that for $9 mil per year? Why would he want to leave, to be a starter somewhere else for another 5/10 minutes ?
Completely agree
He’s a key player in the rotation on a good NBA team, and he gets to close out games more often than not (though sometimes he gets sub’d D for O at the very end). That sounds like a pretty fine situation.
Question: Was the “doing good”/“could be doing better” a comment about his physical health? Emotional state? Quality of play? Or is it not clear?
It was about
How he overall feels about his situation in TO
Jack Armstrong is very amused by Turk
They’re playing it over and over again on the Gameplan for whenever they need to say BALL.
I am not sure about the need to trade wright for a backup SG/SF
Beli was never given big minutes to see what h could do, maybe that would be a worthy experiement? Given the Raptors salary circumstances between he and DD, they should cover the spot for a few years at a reasonabe level?
Or we could turn the question: Has Beli been such a disappointment to look for a better SG/SF in that price tag? Beli comes quite cheap.
Belli
Belli had about a six week period where he struggled with his shot. He definately had oportunities to play. His play is much improved over the last 2 to 3 weeks however…
I think the trade speculation surrounding Wright is more a comment on how the Raps have become more of a “Buyer” than “Seller” as we approach the deadline. With the recent improvements, winning ways and overall optimism, the Raptors brass is now in the position that a decision to throw the chips in and take on more talent (and maybe more salary) to make a push makes much more sense than it did 6 weeks ago. Which is an exciting prospect for Raptors fans!
I believe Beli can be a starter i this league
I am not sure he has been give that opportunity yet
With good reason...
He didn’t excell when given minutes off the bench (until very recently) so what is the rationale for giving him a starting oportunity?
You’d have to have huge stones as a coach to start Belinelli given how inconsistent he can be (unless you have no choice). He’s even more bipolar than Joey Graham.
Except defensively, he’s constantly put in the effort against some of the tougher players in the league.
Kinnon "Vicious D" Yee
Author - RaptorsHQ.com Twitter @RapHQVicious
by Raptors HQ - Vicious D on Jan 29, 2010 6:32 PM EST up reply actions
Marco's still young
This is only his second year in the NBA. He’s another guy that seems to have a very high BBIQ, and he’s figuring out the league, the rules, the refs. Of course he’s going to be inconsistent. His ceiling is probably a Manu Ginobli level (please please please). Maybe a J.R. Smith.
Best attributes: fearless, outstanding range, flashy passing, smarts
Weaknesses: Shot selection, flashy passing, hair
LOL
Loved that last “Weakness” – “hair”
Aaron, I see the Ginobli parallels as well, but I think his ceiling is more “poor man’s Manu Ginobli” or conservatively, “homeless man’s Manu Ginobli”. But you’re right on as far as the comparison.
Also, one thing I would love to see from Belli is the ability to consistantly take a propper jump shot. Becasue he’s always off balance, even when he has no need to be. He cannot become consistant until he gets a consitant motion for his jumper.
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