RaptorsHQ Rapid Recap - Toronto Raptors 103 - Detroit Pistons 93

by Adam Francis on Feb 22, 2012 10:10 PM EST in Raptors Rapid Recap - 2010/11

-What a difference a few days off to rest and practice makes. A sharper, hungrier, more prepared Toronto Raptors squad finished the first "half" of their lock-out shortened season with a win, 103 to 93 over a tired Detroit Pistons club. The Pistons were coming off an implosion the night before against Cleveland, and looked more keen to head to the All-Star break than fight this one out to the finish.

-Evidence of fatigue from Detroit? (Or lack of caring, depending on your vantage point.) The Pistons just didn't have the lift in their shots, hitting only 42 per cent from the field, and only two of 12 long-range bombs. Also, they were out-worked on the boards, 47 to 37 by the Dinos.

-However let's give the Raps some credit here too. This was a complete team effort with six players scoring in double figures, and DeMar DeRozan continued his recent offensive production, posting a team-high 23. Jose Calderon was only one of four from the field, but his 15 assists set the table for the Dinos all night and the Pistons had no answer. In fact Rodney Stuckey had zero impact thanks to a nice zero points, zero rebounds and one assist line on the night.

-But the game-ball in this one goes to Aaron Gray. We've already seen Gray be extremely effective in limited minutes of late, but tonight he was dominant, posting a 12 and 12 dub-dub in just under 30 minutes of action. Fans even chanted MVP at one point when he was shooting free throws. I mean, can a win get any better?

-Well...maybe if there's pizza involved.

-Yep, you knew it was another lottery bound season for the Dinos as fans chanted "pizza, pizza, pizza" as time ran down and the Raps approached 100 points. The team hit the mark, got their tenth win on the season, and now are off on the All-Star break for nearly a week. All in all, a pretty satisfying night.

-Wait. Unless you're a fan of Anthony Davis in a Raptors' uniform next season...

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Where Is Anthony Davis Going To Play For The Raptors?

Carrying the shoes of Andrea and Jonas.

Wasting a top five pick on a guy who will never start unless there is an injury is beyond bad.

by Buddahfan on Feb 22, 2012 10:24 PM EST reply actions

I say we worry about the draft, when we are assigned a spot…

by keepit4real on Feb 22, 2012 10:29 PM EST up reply actions

Speak For Yourself

by Buddahfan on Feb 22, 2012 10:37 PM EST up reply actions

Adam wrote:

Wait. Unless you’re a fan of Anthony Davis in a Raptors’ uniform next season..

I responded

by Buddahfan on Feb 22, 2012 10:39 PM EST up reply actions

I think it was more of a general comment about tanking this season for a higher pick and less about Davis.

by Al Bundy is my hero on Feb 23, 2012 7:16 AM EST up reply actions

Usually they try to take the best player available. Last time the raps drafted for need, we ended up with hoffa…

by axl t on Feb 23, 2012 12:50 AM EST up reply actions

Derozan!

The man is finally showing some consistency! But the real question is how will he adjust with AB in the lineup. At least he is starting to get better after a bad start.

by keepit4real on Feb 22, 2012 10:28 PM EST reply actions

If Barnes Is There Raptors Take Him

no matter who else is available.

Age 20 in May
Height 6’8"
MPG 28
PPG 18
3FG% .429

by Buddahfan on Feb 22, 2012 10:37 PM EST reply actions

Barnes is the best fit for the Raps

I like MKG but the more I watch him the less he looks like a traditional perimeter player to me. He’s all hustle and heart but can’t do much of anything in a half court setting with the ball in his hands. He plays like an inside player but at 6’7 that won’t translate to the NBA. On the fast break/in transition is where he excels but I haven’t seen much else in terms of definition in his style of play.

To me Barnes has the whole package despite not being a franchise changer. I’d still take a good scoring SF like him any day. In Barnes you’re getting a sure thing, maybe/maybe-not an all star but a very good player no doubt.

Side Note – Tyshawn Taylor is a decent PG. I always watch Kansas trying to scout Robinson but notice Taylor doing a good job every time. If he could get physically stronger he’d make it in the NBA easily. Good little PG there. I don’t remember him being this good last year; to me last year he was a little wild. Looking much better this season tho, more mature.

by Member29 on Feb 22, 2012 10:58 PM EST up reply actions

I disagree. This team is bad enough that you draft the best player available and worry about positions after the fact. You can always make a trade later to solve any overlaps to fill weak spots. Drafting Barnes 1st overall just cause he fills a position of need is not smart managing.

by McGateway on Feb 22, 2012 11:48 PM EST up reply actions

heres the meathead buddahfan again..

im sick of commenting on your idiotic assessments. your the only one that thinks anthony davis wont be a good nba player. he’s by far the #1 pick in this draft

by Traptors on Feb 23, 2012 1:17 PM EST up reply actions

I'd draft Davis easily before Barnes

But other than Davis, Barnes to me can be equally as good as say Drummond, Robinson, Lamb or MKG. So then it comes down to fit, MKG def fits but I find Barnes to be the overall better player.

by Member29 on Feb 23, 2012 12:40 AM EST reply actions

MVP! MVP! MVP!

Where you at ppellico? Gray is like our very own scalabrine!

by axl t on Feb 23, 2012 12:52 AM EST reply actions

I Am Sure It Has Happened Before

But tonight was the first time I can recall running the Pick and Pop play for the Other Johnson, in fact twice in a row.

Nice add to the offense.

by Buddahfan on Feb 23, 2012 1:00 AM EST reply actions

At the end of last season it was a fairly regular occurance, but with the wrist injury this year Amir's shot went down the crapper...

Nice to see him closer to healthy again…

"the Truth"

by Mikthaniel on Feb 23, 2012 3:37 AM EST up reply actions

With Felton moved to the bench and Portland looking for a PG would this make sense:

http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=7w4x8bu

Raptors get Portland’s first Round Pick (Currently 14th)
Portland gets Raptors second round pick and rights to Sonny Weems

Portland does this to get a good PG they can rely on while acquiring a young and upcoming Big they can use to back up Aldridge. They are also looking for help on the wing so Weems will be good fir there off the bench.

Raptors do this to clear more CAP space this summer as Felton expires but more importantly they get a draft pick between15-20 where they may have some options for a young PG or pretty much anything since this team needs help everywhere. They could resign Felton for a more reasonable amount as well if he plays well here.

by Member29 on Feb 23, 2012 1:42 AM EST reply actions

I've never been

a Felton fan. In fact I think he is a pretty terrible PG. That said, the trade in general makes sense as its more about a pick/cap space than Felton… except I’m not sure why Ed is included?

by Not so Friendly Stranger on Feb 23, 2012 7:23 AM EST up reply actions

Can’t trade Sonny’s rights as he is a free agent. Only rights to unsigned draft picks can be traded.

What makes more sense is Jose for Felton and their 1st. We keep our 2nd and Ed, they keep Johnson.

by dhackett1565 on Feb 23, 2012 8:48 AM EST up reply actions

I somewhat like this idea..

except for the including ed davis part. Its way to early to bail on ed. I’ve seen lately an improved ed davis you can tell hes working on his offense a lot more. hes changed hit shooting mechanics and if he can add a short mid range jumper that would go a long way. not to mention his rebounding and shot blocking game. calderon for felton and there first seems a lot better to me.

by Traptors on Feb 23, 2012 1:16 PM EST up reply actions