3 In the Key: Toronto Raptors Game Day Preview vs. New York
by RaptorsHQ - Howland on Apr 14, 2010 6:44 AM EDT
in 3 in the Key
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PrintIs this the last Game Day Preview for the 2009-2010 Raptors season?
Will the team be cleaning out their lockers in the next few days or will they be getting ready to face the Cleveland Cavaliers?
I will keep this short and sweet - because all that matters tonight is a W.
Whether or not the Toronto Raptors make the playoffs simply comes down to this - the Raptors must beat the Knicks and the Bulls must lose to the Bobcats. I could probably end the preview here.
The Raps need to play well, while the Bulls need to continue their recent hot play having beaten the Raps and the Celtics in the last two games.
Everyone knows what is at stake here (I won't repeat what has been said 100 times) and there will be a lot of scoreboard watching as the games progress - if you were wondering both tip-off at 8:00 EST.
Despite the fact that the Raps will be looking to sweep the Knicks this season and that organization the has long forgotten about the 2009-2010 playoffs and solely focused on what changes will occur and who they will sign this off-season (hey maybe this will convince CB4 not to leave), this game won't be a walk given the Raptors injury woes.
The only question tonight is what Raptors team will show up and by the end of the night, will it matter?
With all the ups and downs and ins and outs this season it has come down to the last game of the season.
Here are tonight's three keys:
1. Dig Deep: If the Raps hope to secure the 8th spot they are going to have to get some big performances from some unlikely players. With Bosh, Wright and Weems out for tonight's match-up someone, actually EVERYONE is going to need to put it all on the floor. Don't think for one second the Knicks don't know what this game means to the Raps - they do, and they are going to want to play spoiler.
2. A Repeat Performance by Bargnani: Anyone have a gut feeling on which Andrea Bargnani is going to show-up tonight? The guy who disappears at the worst time or the guy who was unstoppable in Detroit? The Raps need the latter in order to get the W. If the big Italian doesn't show tonight that will tell me a lot about his ability to rise to the occassion - something this team has struggled with all season long,
3. Start Quick or Face the Wrath of the Fans: I feel comfortable saying that less than half of the attendees at tonight's game with realize the Raps lose their first round pick if they make the playoffs. Consequently, should the Raps start slow expect the fans to turn on this team in a hurry. The fans have become jaded with this team. If the players do hope to make the playoffs they need the fans on their side.
For the record: I hope they lose.
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Bulls look like a lock
They played like they actually cared, making Boston look very very old (or very very fat w/ short arms in the case of Big Baby).
I can’t see the Bobcats putting up much of a fight, with nothing to play for.
The Knicks are always a wildcard — they are a team of streak shooters, so any given night they can pull out an upset. The Raptors should hope that NY plays all of the rookies/benchwarmers to get them some floor time for management to justify cutting them this off-season after they blow the payroll on Joe Johnson and Bosh (assuming Lebron stays in Cleveland).
The Bosh Decision
How do you all see it?
1. Bosh walks and signs with another team.
2. Bosh requests a sign/trade with Raptors and another team
I know money is a factor (he gets more with the sign/trade scenario).
I he leaves....
I would be shocked if it was not via sign and trade.
Dave "Howland" Randell
Co-Creator of RaptorsHQ.com
by RaptorsHQ - Howland on Apr 14, 2010 9:15 AM EDT up reply actions
I would as well...
…although I’m not expecting much in return.
Adam Francis - Publisher - RaptorsHQ.com
by Adam Francis on Apr 14, 2010 11:37 AM EDT up reply actions
Why Charlotte Might Win / Lose
- 2nd game of a back to back for the Bulls, beneficiaries of hot shooting from Heinrich and Rose that might not repeat itself on Heinrich’s part.
- Charlotte, having never been to the playoffs as a team, might not want to go in taking it easy and avoid losing that edge prior to a set of games where every advantage counts.
- Jordan Factor — the two teams (Charlotte and the Bulls) are unlikely to meet in the playoffs so perhaps Jordan might want to stick it to his old team now
Why Charlotte Might Lose
The Bulls team is made up of a a few players that experienced tournament success in college. Noah and Rose in particular led their squads to championship games and maybe it should be to no one’s surprise that they are the ones leading the charge now. Something has to be said about the internal motor that allows certain players to really excel in these situations – Big Gamers, both of them
I think Toronto wins tonight and Chicago loses thus giving the Raps the final seed. I won’t be happy about it, but that’s my gut.
Adam Francis - Publisher - RaptorsHQ.com
by Adam Francis on Apr 14, 2010 11:39 AM EDT up reply actions
Both Win
I think Raps and Bulls both win tonight.
Feschuk
Feschuck had the best line to sum up being a Toronto sports writer today: “But it beats following war and pestilence.”
LOL
He’s been on fire lately.
Adam Francis - Publisher - RaptorsHQ.com
by Adam Francis on Apr 14, 2010 11:39 AM EDT up reply actions
Thanks
I just wanted to thank the entire HQ team for their tireless work and for doing such a great job this season. This is the best site for high level, intelligent discussion on basketball. Thanks everyone for all the interesting comments.
Oh and I think we should tank tonight because a good draft pick along with pieces from a sign and trade involving Bosh might very well get us back into the playoffs next year.
by Member29 on Apr 14, 2010 10:37 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Thanks!
It’s been a bizarre year that’s for sure, not to mention a difficult one on various levels.
However what always keeps us coming back are the readers – we’ve got the best in the business.
Adam Francis - Publisher - RaptorsHQ.com
by Adam Francis on Apr 14, 2010 11:40 AM EDT up reply actions
I don't know...
how to respond to this.
Dave "Howland" Randell
Co-Creator of RaptorsHQ.com
by RaptorsHQ - Howland on Apr 14, 2010 6:53 PM EDT up reply actions
Prospect of keeping Bosh
I really don’t think that Bosh will be playing in a Raptors uniform next season. The star players that have come in and out of the Raptors organization have never embraced the city as their own. It boils down to a commitment factor that leads players to actually want to put out an effort to make a team a winning club. An argument could be made that Bosh’s numbers have increased this year, but is it not a coincidence that he is in his contract year?
I don’t want to compare players, but LeBron, Wade, and Melo have all played at a peak level that have transcended into wins. On the other hand, Bosh has sought to be included in those list of players from the time he was a rookie. The main difference with Bosh and those players is that he has not realized or accepted that this is “his” team.
I don’t want to blame this season on the circus around Bosh’s departure. Nor, do I want to undermine his efforts he made during the season (when healthy). I feel that his mind was made up during All-Star break when players told him of the potential of playing next to another all-star next season. Like it or not he is easily manipulated.
Media Access Tonight
Just a note to say that I’ll be at the game live for media access in what should be an interesting night, win or lose.
Fire over any questions you might have and I’ll do my best to get them to the right people.
Adam Francis - Publisher - RaptorsHQ.com
Raps win and Charlotte wins.
Raps sneak in the playoffs and play what will do down in history as the most uncompetitive series in the history of professional sports.
All aboard the Vernon Wells Bandwagon!
by craig in calgary on Apr 14, 2010 11:50 AM EDT reply actions
I Am Not So Sure About That
The Cavs – Pistons series last year was very, very uncompetitive. In fact the only time that the Pistons even looked like they belonged in the same area as the Cavs was for about 10 minutes after Amir tackled Lebron on a drive to the basket. Varejao wound up getting a technical and for about 10 minutes afterward with Johnson on the court going up against the Cavs starters the Pistons actually out played the Cavs. However, that was it. The rest of the series it looked like an NBA team playing a YMCA team.
I do find it interesting that Weems and Wright are expected to sit out tonight. If the Raptors truely wanted to win and get in the playoffs they would both be playing as it is do or die time. It makes no sense to bench Wright especially as he is a FA after this season (unless he is saying he “can’t go”) so it is not like he is in the long term plans of the Raptors.
I think both are sitting because neither can play tonight. I think Jay would play them if he could because they are his best defenders.
Wright’s not that old and he’s played OK after the first month or two the season. I wouldn’t mind seeing him back at a reasonable price and in the right role. He’s a useful player.
Weems is another useful player who should be back for the right price.
Weems is a go
His agent texted me saying he’s ok to play, and Holly Mac from the Score noted that he was in practice this morning.
Sounds like Wright will be sitting though.
Adam Francis - Publisher - RaptorsHQ.com
by Adam Francis on Apr 14, 2010 3:48 PM EDT up reply actions
Love this site!
Hey guys, I read this site absolutely everyday! Its one of my check first websites in addition to my university email and hotmail. You guys are great writers and Im gonna miss reading the pregame and postgame reports! Cheers
Thanks!
Always great to get reader feedback, both positive and negative. And yes, pre-season could be a long one but have no fear – should the Raps miss the playoffs we’ll be all over the draft with exclusives as usual (maybe even heading to NYC once more) and all over Summer League as well!
Adam Francis - Publisher - RaptorsHQ.com
by Adam Francis on Apr 14, 2010 3:47 PM EDT up reply actions
lol you have weem’s agents number?
by raptors_run_the_show on Apr 14, 2010 6:47 PM EDT reply actions
and you guys should try getting mike ulmer to try and blog with us on game days
by raptors_run_the_show on Apr 14, 2010 6:50 PM EDT reply actions
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