RaptorsHQ Rapid Recap- Los Angeles Clippers 103-Toronto Raptors 91

by Scott Campsall on Jan 22, 2012 6:32 PM EST in Raptors Rapid Recap

-The Toronto Raptor's struggles continued, as they dropped their 8^th consecutive game 103 to 91 at the hands of the upstart Los Angeles Clippers. The game was not as close as the score indicates-the Raptors took advantage of extended garbage minutes to close the gap a bit in the fourth quarter.

-The Raptors once again got out to an awful start, scoring just 11 points in the opening Q. They dug themselves a 16 point hole which, in the end, they were unable to dig themselves out of. This is the 4^th time in their last 5 games that the Dinos were unable to reach the 14 point plateau in the first quarter.

-Heading into the game the starting front court battle was going to be a key for the Raptors if they hoped to steal one from the Clippers sans Chris Paul; unfortunately, the Clippers absolutely dominated that matchup. DeAndre Jordan went for 16 points and 16 rebounds, and Blake Griffin scored 18 points and grabbed 9 rebounds. Conversely the Raptors got relatively little out of their starters. Amir Johnson played just 6 minutes, scoring a single point and grabbing a solitary rebound. Ed Davis fared slightly better, grabbing 5 rebounds and scoring 7 points.

-The Raptors offensive woes continued without their leading scorer Andrea Bargnani in the lineup. The Raptors shot just 35% from the floor and 38% from beyond the arc. DeMar DeRozan had another rough shooting night, hitting on just 4 of his 19 shot attempts and tallying 15 points. The other Raptor starters, James Johnson and Jose Calderon combined to shoot 4-16 and scored just 10 points between the two of them.

-The Raptors bench provided the lone bright spots for the club. Leandro Barbosa scored a team high 19 points and Linas Klieza added 16 points of his own, looking much more fluid on the offensive end. Aaron Gray also showed signs of coming around; he grabbed 8 rebounds in 15 minutes of work.

-In the end, the Clippers got great performances out of their front court starters and a nice one-two scoring punch off the bench from Caron Butler and Mo Williams who combined for 41 points to sink the Raptors at the Staples Center. The Raptors will now look to end their 8 game losing streak on Tuesday night in Phoenix against the Suns

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I know Amir is banged up, did he sit because he was ineffective or hurt? Or was it both?

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by JumpShootersRUS on Jan 22, 2012 6:48 PM EST reply actions

Would Barbosa be of any use to the Lakers off the bench? I know that they were cutting costs, but he is expiring…Barbosa to LA for their TPE and the protected 1st round pick they got from the Mavs? If that is asking too much, we could throw in our 2nd rounder…

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by JumpShootersRUS on Jan 22, 2012 7:12 PM EST reply actions

Yes, a few posters discussed this the other day. Makes a lot of sense for both parties. BC should be on the horn to the Lakers ASAP.

by MAS11 on Jan 22, 2012 7:35 PM EST up reply actions

Did not see that. I agree that he should be working quickly. Barbosa can only cool off…

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by JumpShootersRUS on Jan 23, 2012 7:27 AM EST up reply actions

Why would we give the Lakers our 2nd? Its not like we are desperate to move him.

by McGateway on Jan 23, 2012 11:34 AM EST up reply actions

Agreed – no giving away 2nd rounders this year – that’s practically another first round pick – 31-35 as we expect it to be.

Mind you, I still hope the Lakers bite.

by dhackett1565 on Jan 23, 2012 11:41 AM EST up reply actions

because I honestly do not think that Barbosa will draw much attention. Getting the Mavs pick which I guess would be about number 20, plus a TPE for him almost seems to good to be true.

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by JumpShootersRUS on Jan 23, 2012 1:46 PM EST up reply actions

Obviously I would rather not include the Raps 2nd rounder, but I would trade Barbosa for a jump of 15 picks for sure…He is not needed here.

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by JumpShootersRUS on Jan 23, 2012 1:47 PM EST up reply actions

Sure – but if the team in question makes a run for a top 5 spot, suddenly you’ve traded away that asset for a jump of only 5 spots and have to give in all likelihood the same player you’d get in the early second round a guaranteed rookie scale salary.

by dhackett1565 on Jan 23, 2012 3:21 PM EST up reply actions

Although I would bet that they would end up jumping more than 5 spots if they swapped their 2nd round pick for the Mavs first round pick, I see your point.

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by JumpShootersRUS on Jan 23, 2012 8:20 PM EST up reply actions

True but you can also use the late rounder on a Euro league player who won’t be over for a few years, giving yourself a gift for when the team is on the cusp.

by McGateway on Jan 24, 2012 12:03 AM EST up reply actions

Same goes for the 2nd rounder.

by dhackett1565 on Jan 24, 2012 8:31 AM EST up reply actions

so

guess I didn’t miss much today.

we should be awarded first overall pick automatically at this point.

by TFC Academy on Jan 22, 2012 7:21 PM EST reply actions

Buddahfan, I believe Dwayne Case is now in the "Amir Doubter's Club"

His post game comments regarding Amir were not kind, accusing him of being lackadaisical and explaining that he sat for most of the game due to his inability to compete. Yikes, not good.

by MAS11 on Jan 22, 2012 7:34 PM EST reply actions

Wow

i didn’t hear that. that’s rough

by Scott Campsall on Jan 22, 2012 8:07 PM EST up reply actions

Is it just me or is it comforting to see a coach holding players to that type of standard? That hasn’t happened in Raptorland for a long, long time…

Now, that being said, you’d think Amir Johnson would have a bit of rope given the fact that he’s one of the few productive players on the current roster.

by RaptorsHQ - Defensive Stance on Jan 22, 2012 9:48 PM EST up reply actions

Agreed, Amir is all hustle

but still gotta support the Coach. I think Amir has been tentative lately, since he seems to of regressed back to his old fouling habits.

It’s Casey’s job to get the best out of every player, and maybe sitting and watching will be the best thing for Amir.

by Tinmann on Jan 22, 2012 9:57 PM EST up reply actions

I just hope Casey is equitable when holding folks accountable. God knows its going to get worse before it gets better…

by MAS11 on Jan 22, 2012 11:03 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

Yeah its not like we can’t think of another player who starts and puts minimal effort in on D where his future with this organization lies.

by McGateway on Jan 23, 2012 11:35 AM EST up reply actions

Colangelo can thank God this isn't the Leafs

When it comes to losing like this.
.

Toronto’s ice version franchise fans don’t have this patience, even if the long run would’ve paid bigger dividends. But as much as Raptors would like more attention, rebuilding is much easier for BC – then it is for Burke. That’s a positive when it comes to waiting it out until next season. Stability for the Raptors is important (especially if we hope to attract F/A’s).

It helps that not making the play-offs is good for the future. For Leafs, missing the post season means someone has to be a martyr.
.
As rough as the Raptors have been, they’re only 4 losses from the play-offs. Mind you, 1 loss out of last. At this pace we’re headed for 15 – 16 wins, which should make the Tankers happy.

Stumbling aside, things could change though. Raptors have had a tough schedule. 13 games in 20 nights – with 2 back-to-backs, a triple backer, and another back-to-back. That’s 9 games out of the 13, that are tough on a team. Especially without the guy who provides a quarter of the offense. Raptors also haven’t had much of a homestand either. And they seem to have collected a lot of frequent flier miles.
.

With an easier schedule, and a more ingrained culture that has made itself known (like Casey calling out Amir – wouldn’t have seen that before), and we could see enough of a change. Add a healthy & confident Andrea, a Bayless who’s up to speed (I hope), while Kleiza continues to get his bearings, and there’s no reason why we can’t steal a few.

And at least give us hope. As for patience, Rap fans just need to get through 49 more preseason games. The real season begins in 6 months.

If I agreed with you, we’d both be wrong.

by RapthoseLeafs on Jan 22, 2012 10:12 PM EST reply actions

you want the tank?

You can’t handle the tank

by renato on Jan 23, 2012 4:53 AM EST via mobile up reply actions

haha

by defensive rap on Jan 23, 2012 5:02 PM EST up reply actions

I have been hearing idiots on sports radio talk about the Leafs trading away their future picks to add someone when there is probably no one you can add that will make this team a Cup team this year. JUST TO MAKE THE PLAYOFFS. The problem with the Leafs isn’t the fans but the playoff advertising starved media who are the team’s biggest hurdle. Thank goodness I became an Oiler fan years ago.

by McGateway on Jan 23, 2012 11:37 AM EST up reply actions

Nymburk vs Lietuvos Rytas Jan 22nd

Jonas

Minutes 20
Points 9
Rebounds 10
Blocks 2
Turnovers 3
Personal Fouls 2

by Buddahfan on Jan 22, 2012 11:03 PM EST reply actions

Danilo Gallinary

sends a postcard to the doubters….

by renato on Jan 23, 2012 7:39 AM EST reply actions

*Gallinari

by renato on Jan 23, 2012 7:39 AM EST up reply actions

doubter here

but he’s been playing great and so far this season and is proving me wrong.

by defensive rap on Jan 23, 2012 5:03 PM EST up reply actions

respect to D rap

For always manning up when he is proved wrong. Still waiting for something, anything from Buddah about Amir’s recent woes…

Walker McKenna

by Robert Archibald on Jan 23, 2012 7:16 PM EST up reply actions

Oh man, Buddha has been all over slagging Amir last couple games...

It’s been absolutely Twilight Zone in here…

"the Truth"

by Mikthaniel on Jan 24, 2012 3:37 AM EST up reply actions

identity theft?

Is it really the same guy? Man, the name Buddhafan suggests a sense of inner calm and peace but to turn from #1 fan to hater in so short a time?

Amir must have pissed him on twitter or something.

by defensive rap on Jan 24, 2012 4:31 PM EST up reply actions

when you have opinions and voice them....

you are bound to be wrong sometimes. Hopefully not that often, but when it happens, don’t deny it. It’s like denying reality exists. Where does that leave you? Nowhere I want to be. It’s just opinion based on fact. It can be wrong. That’s why we play the game, to see what will happen. If we knew……go to Vegas then if you know what’s going to happen. When you are wrong, say you are wrong. Thanks Robert. I always enjoy your posts.

BTW, I did predict 15 wins for the raps this season and I am kinda liking my guess on that one right now. Worried we may pick up a few unearned wins due to the schedule, but I think we are lacking enough in talent to get a top three pick.

Truth be told, I wish almost all these people the best of luck. I hope these NBA players, all of them, give back to their families and their communities and make this world a better place. I am judging players based on statical evidence (Rubio) or what I have seen (Danilo) and I thought very little of both players. Much like Andrea, they look better now than they did a month ago. I hope them all continued success.

So far I am really impressed with Rubio as well and I really hated the scouting reports that came out on him. If he can continue to shoot at an average rate, the rest of his game will take him very far.

by defensive rap on Jan 23, 2012 10:33 PM EST reply actions