Raptors' Rapid Recap - Boston Celtics 76 - Toronto Raptors 75

I would add, Forbes looked very promising and DD looked better as well both on D and O. He seems to have worked on his 3 pt shooting and he was more aware and aggressive on D.

JJ and Forbes could be a solid and complimentary pairing at the 3. I know it is early, but sometimes you just wanna believe and right now, I believe he could be a solid starting 3 in the NBA and JJ could be a defensive stopper who backs him up.

Ed, Amir, Jonas and AB could be a solid frontcourt.
Jose, Bayless, DD and #1 draft pick could be a solid guard situation

Good game and good summary.

I having NOT been a Raptors viewers until this year am surprised to see the horrid outside shooting.
Well, I didn’t see it since I had no view…but listened live and watched the box score.

Was this normal?
Were the players intimidated by the Cs?

I don’t care WHO you have in the middle…IF your players are 4 for 14, 2 for 8, 0 for 4…whatever…it ain’t gonna happen inside!
AND LOTS OF THE MADE SHOTS CAME AT GARBAGE TIME, AS DID MANY OF THE BETTER STATS.

The Celtics played their 2nd and 3rd string when our run began!

I was struck silly by the praises during our comeback during the live blogs! It was against their bench!!!

I hope we gel soon this week!

where is the best live stream discussion for the games?
I love bantering and cannot find the Raptor’s sights…
Please advise asap!

I take home that I hope never to have to watch a game from an unofficial feed. It is shameful the official nba feed does not cover pre season

Raptors talked about chaning the culture and last season (including preseason), they held a team to 76 points once. If they consistently give the effort they will be better defensively.

This line was interesting, “A missed jumper and an Andrea Bargnani put-back that wouldn’t fall was the difference in this one between a Raptors’ win and loss.” Not a DD missed jumper and Bargnani put back that wouldn’t fall. Two people missed chances but only one is singled out and while everyone complains about 4-14, he had 9 rebounds (check the box score), a block and got to the line 7 times, and played better defence. Isn’t that what people wanted?

Anyways, is it just me or is the Raptors wing position a complete disaster. After DD we have Butler, Forbes, Johnson, Barbosa (combo guard) and Kleiza.

Biggest argument against AB, Ed Davis looks like he could be a star. Long and athletic, alot stronger, lefty and a great motor on him. Really looks like he could replace Chris Bosh and already better on the D end than AB, him n JV could really be the frontcourt of the future. Really hope his improved fitness translates into more games on the court.

Gray and Magloire seemed to be big bodies but not too much else.

Jose and Bayless came as advertised. Bayless seems best suited for a Crawford role of 6th man, and to get a green light when he comes in the game.

Waiting on Amir cause of the ankle but I don’t know how the Raps lineup will work if Davis keeps developing (and that is a focus for the team). They seem to be committed to AB, JV and Davis, where does that leave Amir?

I think four big men can work. Even Gray as a fifth guy and used sparingly could work. The issue becomes if we like all four and keep them all, does that mean we can’t draft a big next year? Or do we pick one up and then move one of the 5? Could we really be discussing that we have too many big men?

We’re back in business!!!! 1st game in way too many months…..The shooting was bad, and the coordination was kinda terrible…but i kinda expected that. Actually the team shot decent from 3 point range (7-19 for 36.8%). Compared to last season that is solid. With the exception of AB not much from the line today.

Defence looked great——→ in random spurts throughout the game. After awhile it just looked like they were over matched. Suddenly they go from putting pressure in the passing lanes and Blocking shots to Garnett getting open looks at the top of the key and Marquis Daniels slipping behind everyone to get the easy lay in.

I really can’t complain though, I was generally quite happy with the effort that the entire squad put in. I be happy to see if we can continue this trend, while also picking up our offense. Love to see the Raptors back on the floor…..gonna take a while for me to get used to seeing Forbes lol…I see that beard and im like why is Amir camped out in the corner??? haha I hope for another fun season, lets make it happen my fellow HQ members :P

ps. Got tickets to the home opener!!! So Excited!! :)

And that’s all it should be.

• If I was handing out awards, I’d give Davis the “mini” MVP – on account it was the best 20 minutes out there. I don’t know if Ed will become an All-Star, but if he could put up 14 – 9/10 most nights, it will help Raptors become post-season bound – and beyond.

• Andrea played how one would hope a Casey inspired effort comes to fruition. A “first” … an enjoyable first – although one has to be reminded it’s just that. For the most part, it’s a glass that’s half full, that we hope Casey can haul out the mojo – and make things happen.

• Demar seemed off to me – although his two – 3 Pointers caught my attention. They were nice clean shots. We need that – considering our stat there. – 11 needs to be better.

• Still haven’t changed my mind about the Jose/Jarryd debate. If anything it reinforced my perspective, although again – it was only one game.

• Some people sighed that the 4th quarter featured opponent Scrubs – forgetting that both Derozan & Bargnani played 32 minutes, while the very fresh Scrubs barely outlasted a 10 point collapse. Reality is, the Raptors played the whole game with Scrubs. lol

• While I’m on the Scrub thought ……. These guys can run circles around me. They make a million or more. Can’t figure out why they’re called scrubs. What does that make me?

• Amir is really f#@king big – and yet can still move. If he can stay healthy he’ll do well. Every time he fell though, I cringed. That aside – and with these crazy Centre salaries – we may find AJ’s contract an absolute bargain. With the shortage of quality defenders in the NBA, BC might find himself being approached on a regular basis. Especially as the trade deadline counts down. .

• Forbes – I like this guy. I liked him since I saw that first interview. Could be a piece going forward.

• Barbosa. The Blur suits him – he’s still fast. Trouble is, his shooting sights can be a blur as well.

• Johnson – good hustle … still somewhat out-of-control. Is that a symptom of a first game, or have we just lowered our aim.

• Scoring- I’m a bit nervous on this one. Hate to see us drop opponent scoring by 5 – 8 points, and see offense lose most of that. I do believe DD & AB’s efg% will rise – it’s the scoring elsewhere (Davis excepted), that could be a concern.

• Grey – Magloire – Butler ….. meh …. next game.

• Casey – considering it was only a week, it’s the first game, and this IS the Toronto Raptors – I have to give the game ball to the Dwayner.

.

It’s only one preseason game, but about the only player I’d give a positive mark to would be Davis. Bargnani certainly had the effort, and his defense was improved, but it was still far from good. DeRozan’s defense was about at the same level. Amir played pretty well, but needs to get in shape after his surgery in the offseason, Bayless looked like he most definitely is not going to be part of the Raptors future and the fact the team couldn’t beat the Celtics DEEP bench in crunch time tells me a top 5 pick is almost a sure thing.

Again, it’s only one preseason game, so I take all that with a grain of salt.

Still, it was damn nice to be seeing some Raptors basketball again.