Raptors Rapid Recap: New York 98 Toronto 93

by RaptorsHQ - Howland on Oct 27, 2010 9:46 PM EDT in Raptors Rapid Recap

- Not the start Raptors fans were looking for. The Raptors, despite clawing back into what looked like a blow-out early, fell just short in the home opener starting the season with a loss to Atlantic division rival New York Knicks. It sure wasn't pretty basketball with both teams turning the ball over frequently, but it was an entertaining one.

- A brilliant start to the season for Andrea Bargnani. Early in the game Il Mago was putting the full arsenal of moves on display. He posted-up, shook his man and created on his own. By half he had 18 points. Unfortunately he only managed 4 in the second half. Hopefully he has a lot more first half performances this season.

- Raptors MVP? Try Reggie Evans. For a player with so many flaws in his game he has learned how to have a tremendously positive impact on a game. Evans had 16 boards, 2 steals and a block, played great defense and not once did he force the action offensively. Someone should send this game tape to Kris Humphries.

- Early results show that the Knicks were not crazy to give Amare that massive contract. Amare had a really good night and was clutch down the stretch. When motivated he really does look like a dominant force. Unfortunately for Amare he is going to see a ton of double teams this season and the jury is out on whether the Knicks have the talent to make opposing teams pay. Tonight Amare got help from a variety of teammates including Ray Felton, Landry Fields and Wilson Chandler.

- Some small victories to tonight's game? The Raps didn't have a quarter where their opponent scored more than 30 (a common event last season), there shouldn't be any further debate as to who should start at the PG spot for the Raps and the bench, despite a slow start, looks like a real positive. The team also did a decent job on the glass.

- The biggest disappointment tonight? The intro. Laughable.

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Comments

We still need that one on one player

that we can go to for a bucket down the stretch. Bargnani had a good game but some of those reverse lay ups and finesse moves he was trying with under 2 minutes left just won’t cut it. I would have liked to see a clear out for DeMar , although i think he blew a layup down the stretch as well.

A little better defense and this one could of been a ‘W’

by CalexanderJ on Oct 27, 2010 10:16 PM EDT reply actions

Attempted finesse + tired legs = why bother?

Agreed. Bargnani was great in the first half when he had his legs, but in the second half when he started getting tired he need to simplify things. Either take it strong to the hoop or make a pass because some of those floaters were ugly. His stat line at the half looked great, but by the end of the game he had taken 21 shots to get his 22 points. Gotta be more selective. When you are getting tired you have to make sure you are taking good shots.

by DW19 on Oct 28, 2010 11:40 AM EDT up reply actions

I would’ve liked to see a lot more post-ups in the second half – get to the line, or easy hook shots.

by dhackett1565 on Oct 29, 2010 9:04 AM EDT up reply actions

Defense was lacking early on and got in a hole, but overall they really hustled. Nice to see. A little disappointed in Kleiza. Expected a little more aggressiveness on O.

by axl t on Oct 27, 2010 10:33 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

I liked the intro

by nhayhoe on Oct 27, 2010 10:54 PM EDT reply actions

Amir was the #1 dissapointment in game 1

His inability to stay with Chandler killed the Raps

How big is this contract again?

by B.C. on Oct 27, 2010 11:28 PM EDT reply actions

I wouldn’t blame amir on that..Chandler is a wing player..asking your power foward to guard a wing player isn’t a fair match-up at all..I’m more disappointed that he is still having trouble staying out of foul trouble.

by sherwin316 on Oct 28, 2010 6:54 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions