Tip-In:Toronto Raptors Post-Game Report - Welcome Back CB4

by RaptorsHQ - Howland on Apr 1, 2010 7:30 AM EDT in Tip-In (Post Game Reports)

Maybe it was the opponent.

Maybe it was the rumours about him mailing it in.

What ever it was Raps fans saw the pre All-Star Game Chris Bosh on the floor last night at the ACC.

There is no denying the fact that when Bosh is on he is really good and last night was a perfect example.

The line? 34 points, 11 rebounds and perhaps even more importantly 10/13 from the free-throw line. That's a dominant performance.

Now where that sort of performance has been as of late is still up for debate, but Bosh can, when at his best, do things on the court that very others can. He is not only a great scorer he is also an efficient one. He ability to get to the line 10+ times a game sets him apart from so many other big men in the league.

Bosh's return to form was a sight for sore eyes - not just for the fans but apparently for the rest of his teammates as well. As great as Bosh's performance was last night against the Clippers the whole team came to play and the result was one of the team's best performances is what feels like eons.

Take a look at the box score last night for the Raps and it is a thing of beauty. The team on a whole shot over 60%, took good care of the ball and won in almost every statistical category. Everybody contributed.

Andrea? Solid offensive output, in particular in the second half, to go along with 8 rebounds (good) and three blocks (even better).

Weems? Unbelievable. A perfect 8/8 from the floor as well as 5 rebounds, 4 assists a steal and a block.

The point guard combo? They combined for 11 points and 17 assists. Although Jarrett Jack did not score the basketball, he had a very strong game with 10 assists and many of them of worthy of highlight reel.

Even Hedo contributed in limited minutes with 6 points and 6 assists (although you would think he was the league's MVP considering the praise Devlin and Armstrong were giving him).

It's game like these that make you wonder if Triano had made the line-up changes earlier whether we would be taking about how high in the standings the team could be as opposed to debating the pros and cons of the Raps making the playoffs.

Nonetheless, last night's game was a pleasure to watch.

The only flaw in the Raptors performance?

The Clippers had 15 offensive rebounds compared to 5 for the Raps. Actually Chris Kaman had more offensive rebounds than the Raptors team on a whole.

I don't think there is much to be taken from the discrepancy. Kaman, Gooden and Craig Smith did a solid job but they also had many more opportunities to get on the offensive glass given the Clippers shot 43%.

The rebounding problem last night did however make me wonder where this team will get it's rebounding should Bosh leave. Finding guys that average 10+ rebounds a game don't exactly fall off tree's. The next best rebounder for the Raps is Andrea at 6.2rpg and everyone else is below 5. If Bosh leaves it will leave a hole in the roster that can't be filled, but perhaps where it will hurt the most is on the glass. Whether you think Bosh is or isn't a "max" guy or whether you think you can build a winning team with him as the center piece what you can't argue with is the fact that he is going to be impossible to replace.

Ugh....back to happier thoughts..

Although the Raps opponent last night was a very weak Clippers team it was just nice to see this team running on all cylinders. The second half really was a thing of beauty and it has been quite some time that this team has been on the right side of a blowout.

If last night's win did anything it helped to lift, just slightly, the dark cloud hanging over this team as of late. If you are like me last night lifted your spirits about this team, even if deep down you know the sense of optimism is only temporary. Could this win against the Clippers be the start of a late season surge? Unlikely, but a win like this one gives you some hope that all is not lost and this team may still have some fight in it.

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great points

Great points,the second half showed that when this team is going it can blow out anybody.don’t matter if its the clippers or not their players on that team I’d take in a heart beat so great win regardless.the bosh part is so true on all counts guys averaging 24 and 10 dont come around very easy.that’s why I hope he stays cause when he’s goin not to many bigs in this league can guard him pure and simple.we got philly and golden state next I think we can get these 2 games..7 spot isn’t out of the question.who would you guys rather play the cavs or magic?

by sherwin316 on Apr 1, 2010 8:24 AM EDT via mobile reply actions

Hedo

I’ve been ripping on him all year, but I noticed something strange last night. When the team was heading into the locker room after the halftime buzzer, Hedo was actually sweating profusly. You are right that he doesn’t deserve any praise for doing what he should have been doing all year, but at least it seems he is making an effort for the time being. I also think the timing is good because the playoffs are right around the corner so there isn’t much time for him to regress back to the lazy Hedo we are used to. I mean you have to admit he did look like he was trying last night.

by PNUTZ on Apr 1, 2010 9:30 AM EDT reply actions

I’ve noticed what looks like more effort the past two games too…maybe all the media mockery etc has finally gotten to him.

Adam Francis - Publisher - RaptorsHQ.com

by Adam Francis on Apr 1, 2010 11:08 AM EDT up reply actions

I think...

…the love handles Hedo has been sporting as of late might have more to do with him looking gassed after the game than his effort. ; )

by Posterized on Apr 1, 2010 2:05 PM EDT up reply actions

BC on Fan

Saw the thread started on the side, but just wondering if you-all would have a breakdown of BC’s interview on the Fan. Interested to hear your thoughts on the points he spoke of.

by Kballer on Apr 1, 2010 10:00 AM EDT reply actions

Going to discuss this on the weekend

Lots of stuff to break down for sure…

Adam Francis - Publisher - RaptorsHQ.com

by Adam Francis on Apr 1, 2010 11:21 AM EDT up reply actions

Better than nothing

It seems like whenever Bosh comes back from an injury it takes him quite a while to get back up to speed. Maybe it takes a while to get his confidence back in whatever appendage he damaged. Who knows, but at least he seems to be back near 100%.

While it is way too late in the season for the Raptors to do anything major, it would be nice to see them at least make a run for 7th. Even if Bosh has already decided to leave it is still in everyone’s best interest for Toronto to finish as strongly as possible. Bosh could use some positive publicity to re-inflate his value, the Raptors could use a playoff appearance to raise the franchise’s profile around the league and the better the team does the better Colangelo’s bargaining position will be come the offseason.

Hey, it might be just a home win against the Clippers, but it’s better than nothing.

by DW19 on Apr 1, 2010 10:54 AM EDT reply actions

killer b

i watch the game online and it was stream through the Clippers fox network and those guys do basketball a lot better than our broadcast team here in toronto. They were totally impress with the Raps mainly Bosh and Bargs and even Reggie Evans but I love the way they do the games they don’t cry and speculate like Matt and Jack and leo. They set up the fans for failure from the raps, but the Clippers team they just do the basketball game.

The Raps are getting it together, that’s 4 games now that they have played really good basketball and with the attitude that the team has now, I can see them winning 6 of the next 8 at least. I have them beating Cleveland and Boston and lose to Atlanta with the 3 top ten teams that they have to play……remember you hear it here first..raps4life.

by raps4life on Apr 1, 2010 2:18 PM EDT reply actions

Ifs and Buts

Could easily be riding a 6 game winning streak, but for the Denver out-of-bounds/missed FT/going small lineup/Melo second chance confluence of events, and the brutal offensive stretch during 8 crucial minutes in the 4th quarter against the Heat (with a bunch of 3 pointers that rimmed out, including some that JJ makes in his sleep).

On a larger scale, if the Memphis game hadn’t gone to overtime, then CB4 doesn’t hurt himself, and then we’re possibly fighting for the division title and home court advantage in the first round . . . crap crap crap.

by Aaron Craig on Apr 1, 2010 2:52 PM EDT reply actions

I don’t know if I buy that Bosh’s injury was the reason for the team free fall as that is simply convenient. In the games leading up to his injury there were signs that this team was heading for a fall. They had a tendency to fall behind and then have to play catch up way too often for my liking. Not to mention that Hedo stepped up with Bosh out of the lineup, although I guess you could argue that it gave him a taste of what it would be like if he was top dog and he then sulked when Bosh came back and took it away from him. Who Knows? I just think they would have started losing anyway although it may not have been as pronounced.

by McGateway on Apr 1, 2010 11:20 PM EDT up reply actions

The Future

Separate issue — while the future’s uncertain (and the end is always near) for the Raps, the other teams in our “division” would die for our going-forward uncertainty. Celtics have all their money tied up in a sharply declining Big 3 (though I love Perkins and Rondo), the Sixers are in love with prospects with low ceilings (Lou Williams, Jrue Holiday, Marrese Speights, even Thaddeus Young), the Knicks are all-in on LeBron, and the Nets . . . well even if they get John Wall, I see his ceiling as a D. Rose, which is no slouch, but not enough to turn a team into an instant-contender, at least for several years.

The Celtics look to be in the best shape for 2010-2011, but after that it’s wide wide open. Of course, a lot can change — injuries, trades, good signings, albatross signings, etc.

That’s not to say that winning the worst division in basketball should be good enough, but I think at the least, with or without Bosh and Jose (assuming decent value in return), the nucleus here will be a favorite for the Atlantic crown in 2011-2012.

by Aaron Craig on Apr 1, 2010 2:59 PM EDT reply actions

I feel if the Raps sign Bosh this summer we still need one more player an all star caliber shooting guard. Someone like a Caron Butler or joe johnson not sure if Caron is available but I know Joe will be and looking for about 10 to 12 mil per. I cant wait to see how BC improve this squad over the summer….for now lets just get behind the boys and bring back the sea of red……

by raps4life on Apr 1, 2010 4:49 PM EDT reply actions

NBA Playoff Simulation

ESPN has a new NBA Playoff Simulation on their site.

You can set up whatever matchups you would like to see. But just so we are all clear that this is just fiction and has nothing to do with basketball or stats, the NY Knicks, the same ones that are 0-3 against the Raps this year and have 11 more losses, those Knicks are 64% favourite to beat the Raptors should those teams meet in the playoffs.

Ladies and gentleman, you can stop playing with the simulator as it’s got more Knicks in it than Spike Lee.

by Zona. on Apr 1, 2010 8:50 PM EDT reply actions