Tip-In: "Bad Meets Worse" - Raptors Laughable in 38 Point Loss to Warriors
by Adam Francis on Mar 26, 2011 9:00 AM EDT
in Tip-In (Post Game Reports)
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The Golden State Warriors emphatically beat 9 guys in Raptors uniforms last night. The HQ's Sasha Kalra tries to make sense of what happened and looks forward to tonight...
While the majority of Raptors' fans and beat writers were watching the dramatic finish that saw Kentucky upset Ohio State, I opted to watch the Toronto Raptors play a Friday night game in Golden State.
The game got off to a quick start as the Raptors led by James Johnson were matching the Warriors point for point early on. That offensive spark would soon dry up though, and when you couple that with the club's worst defensive game of the season, things soon began to get ugly.
The Warriors were gifted countless open looks to get their juices going and by the time that the Raptors started to give a damn, G State had already gotten into their shooting groove. This was illustrated by the 84-58 lead that the Warriors carried into the half and it didn't get any better in the 3rd. Matt and Leo were forced to talk about Jays spring training and Dell Curry's private life, as they ran out of things to keep viewers on board.
In the end, the Raptors lost by nearly 40 in a 138 to 100 laugh-fest that sparked tweets like these:
@KNelsonDX: In NBA news, James Johnson and Andrea Bargnani posted +/-'s of -41 and -40 respectively. Is this a record? Does anybody know?
@thekidcanada: Their game is over, but VCU somehow just scored 12 quick points on the Toronto Raptors.
@Tortacular Indeed. The end of this season might just be uglier than a lockout.
Looking back over the past few games, the Denver loss was bad, but somewhat understandable I suppose.
The Suns loss?
Less so, although again as Franchise noted in his recap of the game, the same issues that plagued the Raptors all season were the team's undoing.
But tonight?
It was bad meets worse, as the Raps looked like a team that wouldn't have stood a chance against either Ohio State or Kentucky.
But let's pile on the "worse" some more.
Speaking of Ohio State, star forward Jared Sullinger, a player who looked to be a lock as a top five pick and a nice fit skill-wise for the Raps, swore that he was returning to school for his sophomore season.
Translation, a weak draft could get even weaker.
Then there was Jose Calderon, who injured his hamstring midway through the 2nd quarter and sat for the rest of the game. Again, not great news, especially if this turns out to be the same troublesome hammy.
And finally, post-game, when asked why Julian Wright failed to see any action, Jay Triano disclosed that he had in fact asked Wright to go into the game, and Wright had refused.
Uh oh.
Now Triano also noted that Wright was in the bathroom right before the request, so perhaps he was ill. (A chunk of the team is currently under the weather.) But until someone on the Raptors' beat currently on the road trip gets to the bottom of this, it's an ominous sign of what could be a coach losing a team - something I'd add that the past few games would back up.
But maybe these issues are good long-term considering the team's need to get as high a draft pick as possible.
I'd like to say that I'm all for tanking under the right circumstances.
I would love for the Raptors to lose every game from here on out, so long as they compete, play hard and can hold their heads high afterwards. That wasn't the case last night and the Raptors play the 2nd part of a back-to-back against the LA Clippers tonight.
Tonight the team will try and bounce back from that debacle and get a win against the Los Angeles Clippers. Ed Davis was the standout performer last time these teams met as he got the better of Blake Griffin over 4 quarters.
The Clippers are also playing in the latter part of a back to back as they had a "road" game last night against the Lakers. Forget getting a win, here are our three keys to a much better performance...
1. Blake Griffin. It's no secret that Blakezilla is the Clippers' best player and talisman. When he shows up to play, the Clippers are a tough match-up and if the Raptors are to escape the Staples Center they will need to contain him. It looks like Ed Davis will get the start and he needs to stay out of foul trouble and remain on the floor because if Griffin is matched up against Ajinca, things might get ugly. Or...even uglier.
2. Defence. Last night's Raptors D was the worst that I have seen in years. The Warriors' offensive game is great, but there is no way they should have scored 84 points in the first half. The team needs to show some pride and be accountable on D. They can't revert back to more lazy closeouts and semi-lethargic rebounds.
3. Pride. And finally not to sound so much like a broken record but the Dinos need to show some pride. This young team has had their fair share of blowout losses over the course of this long and arduous season but last night's debacle at Oracle Arena was a new low. It's time for them to get their act together, stand up and be counted.
Sasha Kalra
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while I generally don't support
someone not doing their part for a team. I find it very hard to not agree with JW if he didn’t get into the game out of anger.
Here is a guy that earned playing time, a guy who’s contributions outweighed his weakness and his reward? Being benched. When is he asked to help the team? When the games out of reach. I mean after 3 minutes you couldn’t tell that this team needed to take almost all the starters out of the game and replace them with a few guys who actually gave a damn?
This organization needs a big F-you from anyone who is willing to give it to them.
by Not so Friendly Stranger on Mar 26, 2011 9:14 AM EDT reply actions
It’s hard not to watch a trainwreck, so I tuned into this one briefly when the lead had ballooned to 40+ points. And it was hilarious to listen to a dumbfounded Matt Devlin, who seems to believe a fluke win over OKC was more indicative of the talent on this Raptors team than the blowout that was taking place at the hands of the Warriors.
The Raps were missing two of their most productive players in Reggie Evans and Amir Johnson. One of the only players on the team who can defend was either sick or has simply refused to play along with Triano’s inexplicable rotation. Jose Calderon only played 14 minutes. And Andrea Bargnani took 10 shots to get seven points while registering a stellar -40. Sounds about right, actually.
Perhaps this Golden State game was just what the doctor ordered. Maybe now the organization can put the five-season Bargnani nightmare to an end and move forward this offseason with a high lottery pick, a trade or two, a new coach, and maybe even a new general manager.
Geoff Rahal
Author, RaptorsHQ.com
by RaptorsHQ - Defensive Stance on Mar 26, 2011 9:42 AM EDT reply actions
"Perhaps this Golden State game was just what the doctor ordered"
I hope so, but then again I remember an Atlanta Hawks game last year that supposedly “turned the team around”… and 1.5 years later here we are.
by Not so Friendly Stranger on Mar 26, 2011 10:27 AM EDT up reply actions
BC & Triano need 2 shut it down , they should have never let Reggie put on a Raps uni again this season. Ed Davis should have been getting every available min. We need 2 go 0-10 the rest of the season & hopefully get a top 3. Just play the young guys you want 2 check out 40 min a game. i think the fans Etc.. will understand.
Acronym for RAPTORS = RapsAreProbThinknOfRebuildingSeasonally
by RapsAreProbThinknOfRebuildingSeasonally on Mar 26, 2011 11:25 AM EDT reply actions
I’d be all in for losing out as well.
Adam Francis - Publisher - RaptorsHQ.com
by Adam Francis on Mar 26, 2011 2:50 PM EDT up reply actions
Great knowing you Julian Wright… hope you like riding the buses in the D-League
by Al Bundy is my hero on Mar 26, 2011 11:44 AM EDT reply actions
Sad thing is I don’t blame him for not going in. He’s worked his ass off all year, has seen other less-deserving guys get minutes over him, and then is asked to go into a game that’s a complete blow-out…
Adam Francis - Publisher - RaptorsHQ.com
by Adam Francis on Mar 26, 2011 2:50 PM EDT up reply actions
I don’t feel bad for him. He might have not got the minutes he deserved, but when you are the 10-12th man on a team that is 20-52 you do not look the other way when the coach call’s your number unless your name is Michael Jordan. Anbody that is lucky enough to be collecting an NBA pay cheque is required to play when told to by management.
by Al Bundy is my hero on Mar 26, 2011 4:30 PM EDT up reply actions
thing is
he shouldn’t have been the 10-12th man on the team. Rather he was forced into that position because of the ignorance of this organization.
Hard to get mad at the janitor when you shit on the wall and then tell him to clean it up. I’d stick the bucket in your hand and tell you to fuck off to.
by Not so Friendly Stranger on Mar 26, 2011 4:59 PM EDT up reply actions
I love the analogy. With that said, he shouldn’t have done it. I don’t blame him, but it’s not a good career decision.
I do blame him
What he pulled is a bunch of crap. Be a professional. He’s not a game changer. He is a role player at best. This is going to be his career, irregular playing time. Deal with it.
If the janitor doesn’t want to clean up shit then he can piss off and go stand in the unemployment line. I’m sure there are plenty of people who would love a regular pay check right now. Especially making the type of money Julian is making.
Send his ass to the D-league where he belongs.
its not a matter of doing a job or not
its a matter of respect. You don’t show your employees respect, and you won’t get it back. Sure one or two may not matter at first… but its only a matter of time before more join them.
Pretty sure alot of us talked about something like this happening a long time ago. The way BC/Triano were not holding people accountable, and not giving players who earned minutes time, yet treating those who were screwing up with kid gloves.
My concern is this starts to spread…
by Not so Friendly Stranger on Mar 26, 2011 5:42 PM EDT up reply actions
The problem I have with that is
If I recall correctly, shortly before he started getting benched, Wright wasn’t playing particularly well. As such, he lost minutes. Deal with it. A new guy, who essentially fills the same role, but better (J.J.), was brought in. As such, Wright lost minutes. Deal with it. By refusing to play, he’s pretty much proved that he deserves any self percieved lack of respect he thinks he’s suffered.
I too am concerned this will spread. Sonny Weems will be next to fall. As the last Triano fan in this forum, I suspect my boy will be seaching the want ads next season.
he got moved to the bench because
Sonny came back and got the starting role. He then moved to 3rd string (ie. no playing time) when they made a move for JJ
We all know he is better than Sonny (and he was better than Kleiza).
he is then not played until the game is out of hand when he clearly could have been used earlier. Instead those who don’t try stay out on the floor.
The straw that broke the camels back.
Just as a side note… I am not really anti-triano. I’m not impressed by him, but I think the bigger issue is the commands from above. Certain players HAVE TO play minutes. Thats where the real problem lies.
by Not so Friendly Stranger on Mar 26, 2011 6:08 PM EDT up reply actions
He’s better than Weems, I’ll give you that. He’s a better defender than Kleiza (Kleiza is better offensively), however, I would argue the Raps need defense more, so I’ll give you that. But when the coach puts you in the game, you go. You can’t tell me he’s got competitive spirit when he refuses to play. That is unprofessional. What I am taking exception with is everyone saying “I don’t blame him”. That is crap.
You and I are on the same page with regards to Triano and BC.
Where is the respect for the coach… and the organization that is signing your cheque. If Julian Wright thinks he can find a better gig than he currently has with the Raptors…. more power to him.
by Al Bundy is my hero on Mar 26, 2011 6:06 PM EDT up reply actions
he showed it
by working his ass off when given minutes before. It was not however reciprocated.
by Not so Friendly Stranger on Mar 26, 2011 6:14 PM EDT up reply actions
Julian Wright, Who Cares
JJ is a far better player than both Weems and Wright so he should get the vast majority of the playing time. Who cares if the crumbs are given to Weems or Wright, neither are likely to be with the Raptors after this summer.
Yeah…hence the note in the recap. Would be a big blow to the Raps if that’s the case, because there are only five guys I’m really keen on.
Adam Francis - Publisher - RaptorsHQ.com
by Adam Francis on Mar 26, 2011 2:36 PM EDT up reply actions
Quote from Feschuk's article in the Star this morning....
Wright, who left the locker-room in haste after the game, refused to answer a reporter’s questions about his non-performance.
"I don’t want to talk about it," Wright said. "Speculate on anything you want."
Think we actually broke the story on Twitter last night, seeing Triano’s comments live post-game. We’ll see what happens tonight, but I’m guessing that yes, Wright will be suspended a game, but we’ll see if it has any echoing effects on the final 10 games of the year.
Adam Francis - Publisher - RaptorsHQ.com
by Adam Francis on Mar 26, 2011 2:44 PM EDT up reply actions
EJ Will Come Breathing Fire Tonight
After last nights sub-par game trying to guard Kobe and being guarded by Kobe I look for EJ to come out tonight on fire.
30 + tonight wouldn’t surprise me.
The Clippers back court of EJ, Mo, Bullet Bledsoe and Foye could put up 75 + points tonight. after only getting 49 points last night
No idea…I didn’t even know that it was!
Adam Francis - Publisher - RaptorsHQ.com
by Adam Francis on Mar 26, 2011 2:45 PM EDT up reply actions
I believe he is Eric Ambrose Gordon Junior, so he his nicknamed EJ. “Eric Junior.”
by dhackett1565 on Mar 26, 2011 9:20 PM EDT up reply actions
Sullinger not avaialble
What about the boy/man from Moorehead? Does anyone here think he will be a high draft pick, even if we don’t take him?
To me, his skill set really lends itself to the NBA game and I look for him to have the chance to develop into a player similar to Rodman. Problem for us is he plays the same position as Amir, Reggie and Davis. The only position we are deep at on the entire roster.
The age old question, do you draft the best athlete or do you draft for position? I always sided with the best athlete available. Still not sure who we should take but I hope it is someone who is seen as a good defensive athlete for their position.
Then we could package Amir or Davis with Andrea and get something really good (hopefully) in return. I hate to lose either Amir or Ed but it may be something that needs to happen for this team to move forward.
Wouldn’t it be great next year if we were a young team that maybe was a bit rusty on the offensive end at times but was young, gritty and a defensive juggernaut that really showed hustle and promise? It would seema lot better than a team that scores 100 points in a game only to lose by 38 pts.
if this team is at the point to
draft a player who plays pf (ie. thats the best player available)… I’d package that pick with Andrea, rather than package Amir or Ed. Unless ofcourse that player was realistically better…. I’m not sure if anyone this year will be now.
by Not so Friendly Stranger on Mar 26, 2011 2:39 PM EDT up reply actions
Faried
Like him a lot, but not in terms of a lottery pick.
He’s a Reggie Evans-esque type with a similar offensive skill set.
Adam Francis - Publisher - RaptorsHQ.com
by Adam Francis on Mar 26, 2011 2:46 PM EDT up reply actions
I thought he looked a lot more athletic than Reggie
Isn’t his skill set closer to Dennis Rodman’s than Evans?
Also, please note I am not saying he’s an obvious pick or that we should pick him, but of all the defensive rebounding bigs in the tournament he looked like the most intriguing NBA defensive big.
Sullinger is no chopped liver either, but he’s not coming out this year.
I am a little worried we will end up with a player who is undersized and overmatched defensively at their NBA position but that excelled in college.
by defensive rap on Mar 26, 2011 6:17 PM EDT up reply actions
I fear that this draft is going to be pathetically bad. The upside is that next year’s college basketball season should be amazing, and we will be awful again next year, so a quality player should be available to be had.
I also think that with all these guys going back to school, you’ll see alot of Europeans declaring knowing that if there’s a lockout, they can just stay in Europe for another year.
Good year for coaching
Now i keep saying fire the coach but people keep saying < why , he’s a good coach , its bosh fualt for leaving , it a young team, he’s a new coach , and need more time to improve , he’s a good coach, yet the team still loses, If Sam was still the coach to this date and was losing as bad as Jay triano is losing now , people will be asking for his head , but its OK for this Canadian to keep losing ,but only time will tell , Jay has had more years than Sam Mitchell has had and has had nothing to show for it , but is still given more repected for nothing and inexperience,
Jay never Played in the NBA , i don’t count his nationally team cause ,there was no talent there anyways but u can see he has no true respect from his players or the nba and i dont count assist Team USA cause that’s Bull shit
Actually i was against Smitch’s firing at the time as I thought it was an over reaction by BC. If you want to be successful you need stability in the coaching spot and GM spot. I agree that if you let BC go (which I would be very happy about) then Jay has to go to but until this team is adequate enough that Jay’s lack of coaching ability starts to sink it, there really is no reason to fire him. Who would want to coach such drek knowing that in 2 years when things start to turn around the team will likely hire a bigger name coach?
Kemba vs. Kanter
Bad luck (what else is new) with Sullinger opting out of the draft. With the Raptors drafting fourth or fifth, there are no surefire picks available. There is a lot of chatter about Kemba, but really with D such a huge problem why go that way? Assuming Kanter’s knees are not the second coming of Greg Oden’s, IMO Kanter makes way more sense. Draft Kanter then trade Bargs for a point guard or simply wait for 2012 to get a shot at drafting Kapongo.
Kanter or Valenciunas would be good consolation prizes if the top prospects have thinned by the time the Raps pick.
by dhackett1565 on Mar 26, 2011 9:21 PM EDT up reply actions
Change is in the air
I think Triano’s had his shot – it would have been a nice story had it worked out, but he’s just not that good a coach.
Didn’t see the Golden State game but I saw Bargnani’s stats online – absolutely atrocious. The Raps need to admit they aren’t going to win with this guy.
Would love to see Kemba Walker in a Raps uniform (depending where they pick). If you’re trying to improve your defence, anybody but Calderon at PG is an improvement. Kemba isn’t big, but he’s quick and smart and will at least keep his man in front of him. Of course, I’d really love to see Derrick Williams in a Raps jersey but that ain’t going to happen unless they win the lottery.
BC and Jay
Most of the year, I have thought it makes more sense to keep Colangelo and Jay if for no other reason that stability. But, I really am beginning to wonder whether the stink in the air is just too thick to keep going in this direction, Does anyone trust Colangelo to make the most of our picks and to sign free agents? Don`t think so. Does anyone trust Triano to get the most of his players? Don`t think so. Time to start again, at least there is cap room and some picks and a few decent prospects on the team for someone more skilled to work with.
Julian Wright was in the wrong – no question. But this is a symptom of not holding unproductive guys like Bargnani accountable. Plain and simple. You could see it coming a mile away. And I’m only surprised it didn’t happen sooner.
Geoff Rahal
Author, RaptorsHQ.com
by RaptorsHQ - Defensive Stance on Mar 26, 2011 10:40 PM EDT up reply actions
Two wrongs don't make a right
Not impressed by Wright’s behaviour and whatever punishment he gets is warranted.
It is MLSE’s job to judge whether Colangelo and Triano are perfoming to expectation’s not Wright’s. What Wright should be focusing on doing is demonstrating that he is a co-operative role player so he can get a contract for himself with some team next season.
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