Tip-In: Toronto Raptors Post Game Report - You Can Only Hope to Contain Them
The Raps may not have had the Sunday matinee advantage but they managed to out away the Indiana Pacers with some hot shooting and a total team effort. The final score, a 117-102 victory.
The Raptors are now a team officially on a roll.
Well it sure didn't start pretty, but the end result was a good one for the Toronto Raptors.
In a game where the Raps were already missing their starting two guard the Raps lost Hedo Turkoglu early in the first quarter when his face was rudely introduced to the elbow of Mike Dunleavy. Hedo was out for the game and at this moment it is not clear whether he will miss any time.
For most teams missing both of your starting wing players would be a major blow. Luckily for the Raps (in this case) they have been getting limited production from these two spots all season so the insertion of Sonny Weems into the starting line-up, accompanied by heavy minutes for Antoine Wright and the team barely missed a beat.
Really last night's game spoke to this teams depth. Just look at the box score and you will see a lot of pretty numbers, the most obvious being the seven Raps that scored in double figures. During the course of the game almost every Raptor managed to contribute in a meaningful way and almost everyone had the offensive mojo going. Even Rasho Nesterovic had 6 points in a mere 4 minutes of action.
The one player who really couldn't get on track for the Raps? Marco Belinelli. His shot was simply not falling, but to make matters worse it was his non-existent defensive on Luther Head in the third quarter that allowed the Pacers to climb their way back into the game. Marco was actually the only Raptor who had a negative plus/minus in last night's match-up.
Yup, the offense was on fire and the Pacers really didn't stand a chance as they allowed the Raps to shoot over 60% from the floor.
Of course to me the Pacers didn't stand a chance from the moment that Jim O'Brien decided to use Danny Granger against both Bosh and Bargnani. Talk about a miscalculation.
Although there have been times when Bosh has had some trouble against smaller defenders in the past, forcing Granger to guard the All-Star led to foul trouble which in turn led to a complete lack of rhythm on the offensive end. Granger struggled mightily all night long going 3-13 from the floor for eight points. Meanwhile Bosh was flirting with a triple double posting another MASSIVE stat line of 26 points, 15 rebounds and 7 assists. Those are, ladies and gentlemen, MVP numbers.
I was lucky enough to attend last night's game, not through press access but through courtside tickets generously given to me by friends of mine. It was a great opportunity to get real close the action and there were a few things that really stood out.
First and foremost, there's good reason why Antoine Wright and Jarrett Jack are known as the Raps best defenders. They are easily the most vocal players on the defensive end. Time and time again they were telling people where to go, directing traffic and taking ownership of defense. Bosh would be a close third in this regard but these two really work defensively. For the Pacers the most vocal player defensively was Dhantay Jones, another player known for his defense.
Second, Amir Johnson is incredibly active. Even when he is not grabbing the rebound he is fighting for it or creating space for others. He is becoming a major asset for this team and I can't help but wonder how Jay Triano is going to distribute minutes when Reggie Evans comes back. Maybe by that point the Raps will be able to rest Bosh and Andrea Bargnani a little down the stretch. The thing about Amir is he does very little wrong and a lot of things right. He is effective, efficient and you can tell just how confident he is becoming on the floor. He is more controlled around the hoop.
Third, as far as I could tell Roy Hibbert was wearing Velcro sneakers. Yup, Velcro.
The Raps are now heading into a relatively easy stretch of games with the Pacers again, the Nets, Kings and 76ers. This is a real opportunity for the team to make a push and they seemed primed to do so despite a few injuries. This team has players ready to step in and fill any void.
Should be a great week.
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Comments
"Of course to me the Pacers didn't stand a chance from the moment that Jim O'Brien decided to use Danny Granger against both Bosh and CB4."
Granger defended Bosh and his alter-ego?
by B.C. on Feb 1, 2010 8:44 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Oops. Nice catch.
Editing now.
Dave "Howland" Randell
Co-Creator of RaptorsHQ.com
by RaptorsHQ - Howland on Feb 1, 2010 8:47 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Velcro sneakers?
I don’t even know what to say about that. My 4 and 6-year-old boys are both fans of the velcro shoes. NBA players? Who knew?
by RaptorsHQ - Defensive Stance on Feb 1, 2010 9:41 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
A few knocks:
- Weems has to be more receptive to passing to people in the corner. When shooters are ready and open, it’s gotta be that next pass that gets the Raptors the open shot.
- Not liking Belinelli’s stat line, but he should have been more aggressive going to the hoop.
- Same goes for Bargnani, who also was continually being ignored while he was posting up the Pacers. Guards and point guards are extremely slow getting the ball to him, and on a couple possessions, Bargnani was quite disorganized by posting up at the same time Bosh was.
Good stuff
- Rasho. Just great work coming into things with very little prep
- Johnson and Calderon. Spanish fly electrifies Johnson. That would be my header :p
Kinnon "Vicious D" Yee
Author - RaptorsHQ.com Twitter @RapHQVicious
by Raptors HQ - Vicious D on Feb 1, 2010 9:51 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Maybe I’m wrong, but I saw a number of times that Bargnani posted up and then demanded the ball, but did it too early. That is, he got in position and put his hands up to receive the ball but the guy with the ball couldn’t pass it too him because he was still getting clear of his own defender. By the time he’d done that, Bargnani’s man had recovered and was in a position to defend against Bargnani’s move.
by siggian on Feb 1, 2010 10:10 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
That did happen a couple times too. Oh, and firing a pass at Bosh two times in a row while he had his back turned and was gaining deep position.
But in general, I think Bargnani should have gotten the ball a lot more in the post.
Kinnon "Vicious D" Yee
Author - RaptorsHQ.com Twitter @RapHQVicious
by Raptors HQ - Vicious D on Feb 1, 2010 10:13 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
bargnani
i think bargs doesn’t get the ball enough in total and unless hes having an amazing shooting night he doesn’t get the ball he should get the ball 2Nd after bosh if bosh isn’t open go to bargs
by raptors_run_the_show on Feb 1, 2010 10:34 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
re the "Ball"
Only so many shots to go around:
CB 21
AB 12
AW 10
JC 10
SW 8
JJ 8
Pretty good distribution with everybody shooting the lights out.
by Johnn19 on Feb 1, 2010 10:45 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Make way...
on the Raps bandwagon, as I sense an overwhelming line-up beggining to form. The only reason it hasn’t exploded this morning is because of the Leaf trade, but it they’re able to convert their games by all-star break, this town will be all-in.
Bargs was good on the O last night, but just miserable vs the smaller players defensively. The only time he looked remotely comfortable was when he was guarding Hibbert. As a commercial once stated… “Maybe it’s because of the shoes”.
I was okay with AB not getting more touches as Bosh scored at will, which is why I called for the deli sandwhich without the onions by 3rd Quarter. Pacers made their run when Bosh was off, but as soon he came back, it was lights out. Okay not exactly right when he got back on the court. Did any see Triano’s post game interview? He took a major jab at Bosh, in a kinda-not so funny humoresque way? He said something like "Bosh must be playing some kind of prank on me. He was scoring at will down low, then in the 4th with his opponents all with 4 fouls, he decided to only take jumpers. When the pacers came all the way back, he went back down in the post and finished the game. I think he’s trying to do something to me. " I hope someone can find that quote, but it was EXACTLY what I was thinking while flipping between the Grammies and the final quarter.
by Ustation on Feb 1, 2010 10:41 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
what made it so interesting was the even though Jay was laughing, he looked absolutely befuddled and pissed off.
by Ustation on Feb 1, 2010 10:44 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
re Bosh
Nothing wrong with his decisions with 57% FG% 26pts,15rbs,7asts,2blks MVP Numbers
by Johnn19 on Feb 1, 2010 10:50 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
it wasn’t about his decision making per se, but that he was turning it off and on a bit. He couldn’t be stopped in the post at all, and especially with everyone in foul trouble, he took 3 straight jumpers (and missed all 3) when he was shooting 60something plus. He could have single handedly taken out Murphy and Granger out of the game if he wanted to. I love Bosh more than most, but that’s where the killer instincts need to kick in. IF the Pacers had managed to take the lead, it could have been a different story today.
When you were as dominate as he was in low (i.e. see the offensive rebound, vs 3 Pacers and still dunking it – which by the way should be a top 10 franchise highlight reel) there’s no reason to take Jumpers. That’s why Triano (and myself) was confused.
by Ustation on Feb 1, 2010 10:58 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Hollinger
Anyone understand Hollinger’s ranking system? The Heat lose by 11 points to Milwaukee and their ranking goes from 102.003 to 101.998. A 0.005 decrease.
The Raptors Beat the Pacers by 15 and their ranking goes from 101.155 to 100.984, a decrease of 0.171.
Does this make sense to anyone?
by Zona. on Feb 1, 2010 11:39 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
I’m guessing it’s due to other factors, not simply the scores or teams they were facing. I know he looks a lot at things like point differential and the Raptors, despite their winning ways, still don’t have a great one in that regard.
by RaptorsHQ - Franchise on Feb 1, 2010 12:23 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Bosh For 1st team All NBA Consideration
This guy is the premier player at his position. Scoring, rebounding and heart. We cant lose this guy. Listen Up Colangelo. We cant lose this guy. Put his other buddies on the payroll. Lets GO T.O. Playoffs baby
by raptor4Life on Feb 1, 2010 12:08 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
We really don't know...
How this team would perform without Bosh. We don’t know if Triano could devise a scheme to keep the team humming offensively. We don’t know how other members of the team might perform as the focal point of the offense.
Bosh becomes “un-loseable” if the projection going forward is that this team, primarily as is, can contend for a championship, given a few more years together. Otherwise, this summer is as good a time as ever to use Bosh as the piece that gets the pieces that will make this team into a championship contender. And as we know, those pieces don’t have to come from a single source.
Let me draw an analogy for you: Tony Fernandez and Fred McGriff were the best players on a play-off calibre Toronto Blue Jays team, but trading them for Roberto Alomar and Joe Carter helped convert the Blue Jays to a championship contender (in addition to their willingness to spend more than any other team in baseball at the time) even though Alomar was a bit of an unknown. Maybe the Raptors can “Catch the Taste” of something special by being as creative going into this offseason.
Also consider the nuclear winter coming when the CBA comes up for renewal, with threats of lock-outs and such. Looking carefully, I think Colangelo has done a decent job preparing for this by tying up key pieces for good numbers. Most concur that Bargs is turning out to be a bargain at 10M, Jack at 4+ mill is a sound investment. Taking a step back from the buzz of this current run, does Bosh at 18 or 20, fit the pattern? We don’t know. My hope is that he doesn’t become another Jermaine O’Neal when considering value for money.
by HQ Interloper on Feb 1, 2010 1:11 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Is Bosh worth a max deal?
Absolutely, without a doubt, yes. He’s arguabley the best player at his position in the whole league. So yes, I would pay him the max. The real question is what is the right fit of players to put around him.
by MAS11 on Feb 1, 2010 7:21 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I would have to disagree with you based on how they decide All-NBA teams. they dont necessarily pick a SF and a PF, they could just pick two forwards. With Lebron being a lock, you’d have to think kevin durant or carmelo anthony would get serious consideration as the second forwards, along with Bosh, Nowitzki, Duncan.
by HDave on Feb 1, 2010 2:46 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
LListening to the Rap last night
on the FAN last night. Jonesy said something that makes sense when it comes to trade deal discussions
The Raptors are in a position to bring in Reggie Evans, who no, will not be our saviour but adds depth to a talented, yet thin front line. And you have to consider that we haven’t seen a consistant Hedo, lately as well. That’s two nice additions to a team that has been on a roll lately.
I know Amir is a free agent at season’s end. What is his situation? Do Raptors have first dibs? Or is he unrestricted? Can the Raps offer him an extension now?
by Tinmann on Feb 1, 2010 1:47 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
hedo
ive heard philly is willing to trade iggy i think we should get him somehow we need to go over the hump n if we get iggy we should be considered a title contender we should trade turk for iggy tht would be a good trade for the raps as iggy is an allstar well he should be and hes a good defender exactly wht we need i wonder if bryan is going to make a big trade like his namesake brian burke
by raptors_run_the_show on Feb 1, 2010 2:05 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
If Philly offered that trade Colangelo would take it in a second, but I think the Sixers are looking to rebuild and Hedo probably would not suit their plans.
by DW19 on Feb 1, 2010 2:09 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
maybe like turk and 2 first round draft picks and another player like rasho tht would be a good deal for philly and raps
by raptors_run_the_show on Feb 1, 2010 2:28 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
NBA.com Top 10
I don’t know if you guys noticed but Chris Bosh’s highlight where he dunked over the whole Pacers team wasn’t even in the NBA top ten highlights, but his block was there…
To me the Bosh dunk was one of the best plays in this entire season…
by sparda2020 on Feb 1, 2010 3:46 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Not enough love for Bosh...
Maybe its just me, but I don’t think CB4 gets enough love, even from his home town fans… The guy goes an efficient 12 of 21 from the floor, scores 26 points grabs 15 rebounds and dishes out 7 assists and people are griping that Bargani didn’t get the ball enough. This drives me nuts. Your All-Star Cnetre is being guarded by a series of shooting guards and the strategy is to take offensive oportunities AWAY from him and pass it to Bargani?
I truely believe that Bosh is taken for granted too much in these parts. I can understand the argument that he should be held to a higher standard as he is the team’s leader, but every now and then we have to take a step back and appreciate what we are getting from Bosh (especially this season). If Bargani put up numbers like Bosh did last night there would be a whole lot of hoopla. But the thing that routinely gets lost is Bosh has been putting up these numbers CONSISTANTLY all year, night in and night out…
by MAS11 on Feb 1, 2010 7:16 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
That Dunk Was Sick
I understand the analogy between the raps and the jays, however when the jays traded McGriff and Fernandez they were the best but not the whole team, The jays had a lot of weapons on those teams (aah the glory days) and Carter and Alomar(greatest 2nd basemen ever) were just the icing on the cake. The Raps now without Bosh would be a 400. team , with Bosh they are the 5th place lock in the conference. add another couple complementary pieces or 1 big gamer and we’re at elite status. I get your opinion but this team can not lose Bosh.
by raptor4Life on Feb 1, 2010 7:18 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Here's the issue
Many times fans say so and so is worth a max deal because he is putting up great numbers, but we shouldn’t be resigning him at several million over his current number as a reward for what he’s doing this year, it’s about what he would be able to deliver in the future considering how much of the available resources he’s going to be consuming and whether using those resources differently with a complement of useful players will put us closer to championship contention than we would be with Bosh and what’s here for the foreseeable future. As i said previously, the question is whether this team as presently constructed can grow into a championship contender or whether the mix will never achieve those heights and needs changing, still. I’m not saying don’t keep Bosh, more like don’t assume the sky will fall if the team absolutely has to.
by HQ Interloper on Feb 1, 2010 10:00 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

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