RaptorsHQ Rapid Recap - Toronto Raptors 106 - Washington Wizards 89
by Adam Francis on Feb 3, 2012 10:00 PM EST
in Raptors Rapid Recap - 2010/11
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-It's one thing to get a much-needed home win but to get it big, AND reward the Air Canada Center faithful with pizza? Well the Toronto Raptors must have been playing the Washington Wizards. Indeed, the Wiz, were in town and despite fighting through a half and part of the third quarter, eventually succumbed to Toronto's dominant inside play, losing 106 to 89.
-Yep, I said it, DOMINANT INSIDE PLAY. The Raptors had 68 points in the paint tonight, exposing Washington's weak interior, not to mention 23 offensive rebounds, which in the end was too much for the Wiz to combat. Washington tried to shoot their way back in this one, but hit only 38 per cent of their shots from the field, including 26 per cent from long range, and were outplayed by the Raptors in virtually every way.
-Leading the way scoring-wise for Toronto was Leandro Barbosa with 19 points off the bench in 28 minutes, however four other Raptors hit double digits in points and Jose Calderon was brilliant with 8 points and 17 assists. Among the double digit point getters was Amir Johnson, who also stood out, playing his best game in weeks not only netting 18, but more importantly hauling in 13 rebounds, blocking three shots and being everywhere on the court, finishing +23 for the evening.
-Nick Young scored 21 points for the Wizards but considering his shot selection and his field-goal percentage (he hit only 7 of 17 shots), it's hard to say he "lead" his team. John Wall, Trevor Booker and Jordan Crawford hit double figures in points as well, but most of these buckets came in isolation, not due to great ball-movement or teamwork. Jose Calderon in fact had more assists himself than the Wizards had as a team!
-Unfortunately now the Raps go from the bottom to the top as they turn around and head to Miami to take on the Heat this Sunday. This will no doubt be one of their toughest challenges on the schedule so getting the win tonight, and an eventual laugher at that, is big. Even bigger though is seeing players like Amir Johnson and Jose Calderon getting back on track. Jose still didn't shoot well (2 of 6 on the night) but played with a lot more spark and precision than he has over the past while.
-Now if the club can just get DeMar DeRozan on that same path...
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I Guess $5.5 Million A Year Isn't Enough
for Amir to man up every night.
Evidently it turns out according to Casey Amir’s crap play has been due to personal issues. Casey went to Amir to find out what was wrong and their talk helped tonight. So a +1 to coach Casey for straightening Amir out for at least for one game.
But why the hell didn’t Amir go to Casey two weeks ago or so and man up about the problem? Or better yet why hasn’t he just played through it?
When you get paid $5.5 million a year you don’t let personal issues affect your performance on the job.
Hold on minute
I also think this can’t be glossed over so cavalierly.
For 2 damn weeks we have all been subjected to pouting and poor play.
Then the announcers begin..as well as some here…suggesting ingury and personl stuff.
Well, OK…so what did happen?
Suddenly you become super plyer?
The nnouncers were gushing Amir as if the second coming of the Beatles lst night.
I had to ask…wait. hold on …wht is this?
I for one STILL want n explanation of wht we witnessed for these past weeks and fully expect one.
THIS was the Wized, after all, so you don’t go from the jail to the penthouse just holding this nights stats.
I still feel there was a little poor attitude here and nothing in my life gets so turned round so quickly.
This ain’t the movies!!!
Let’s hope he truns into the super PF he cn be.
The guy unloads some baggage onto his coach and probably teammates, feels some weight off his shoulders and has some motivation to fuel a good game against a bad team.
All I’m saying is the $5.5 million isn’t automatically going to have that kind of cause effect relationship. And He’s a guy who play his best year after he got paid – if it’s not about money, it’s not about money.
buddah bash
I have been reading raptors hq and have created and am posting my first response to ask about Buddafan. This Californian guy, who has tons of time and has followed Amir Johnson since discovering him in high school. For the last few years, he would smash anyone how implied that Amir wasn’t a top notch talent if given the right situation. I have been impressed with, first Budda’s available time to follow basketball, and second his devotion to a local guy he saw early and chose to follow. I think he’s become a Clipper / Jordan fan now, was the reason I thought we was posting less on this site. And now this BOOM on Amir, I don’t get it. Am I missing something?
I think Buddha really wants Amir to get traded to a contender, ahead of wanting the Raptors to become a contender...
And I will say, as crazy as he can come across sometimes, he doesn’t stay disillusioned forever… The size of the mountain of evidence required is somewhat proportional to his affinity to the individual…
"the Truth"
by Mikthaniel on Feb 4, 2012 10:29 AM EST via Android app up reply actions
well as for myself
I follow the raps this year because my man Aaron Gray is on the team.
BUT be very clear…IF Gary is on the team…I root for that team. NOT that he be traded…that the entire program be successful and his being added to the team was a reason for that.
So I might come across as sort of one sided for Gray, and perhaps most times I am…but I still wish all teammates success and the team.
I even wish Amir to be a top player and even the started.
I think Gray is a good 15 to 20 minute center…unless needed other wise.
But I do expect some reality checking here.
I was really upset with Amir these past weeks and am not willing to just anoint him the starter and back to the start level or even the prospect he has been spoken of.
He needs to do this EVERY night.
He needs to still explain why he dropped off…and then suddenly like magic is back against the Wizards.
Not the Miami or Atlanta or New York teams…it was Washington.
So I will hold off the parade until it happens as expected.
I Have Been A Clippers Fan For Years
I was very patient on Amir. I have known about his weaknesses for years and they do not include lack of physical basketball talent like people have said about him.
The guy has a lot of all around physical basketball talent.
If people had gotten it correct about what his weaknesses as a NBA player are then I wouldn’t have been adamant in defending him.
HIs main weakness has always been mental not physical and obviously still is. When he has his head on correct and concentrates on what is going on on the court he is a damn good player period.
His problem has always been his inability to stay focused on the court. That is the main reason he picks up so many dumb fouls.
However, I have finally given up on his ability to be mentally prepared to play every time he is on the court or at least 90% of the time. I have finally come to conclusion that he just doesn’t have the mental ability to stay focused when he plays. When he is focused and healthy he is one helluva player. Unfortunately he has been neither for most of the time for his NBA career except for last January and February.
Maybe he needs to take up meditation or get hypnotized before each game. Whatever it takes to play focused night in and night out regardless of distractions.
The Raptors have no idea which Amir will show up each night or even each half for that matter. Nothing has changed for him in this regard going back to his Pistons days. He was forgetting plays even back then.
IMO unless he can ever get focused consistently he isn’t worth $3 million a year yet alone $5.5 million a year.
Tonight gets me thinking
that their are eight or nine potentially lousy teams in this league and the Raptors are in that group, better than a few.. Our low lottery pick is by no means a gimme.
We beat the Wizards at home because we should of beat the Wizards at home. They stink Not much else to say.
We need Drummond or Lamb
Heres a write up on two players Id love to see in a Raptors Uniform. Super Human Drummond or the consistent yet athletic Jeremy Lamb. Drummond could be the second coming of a Amare/ Howard clone and Lamb seems to have the athleticism, basketball IQ, and experience we need at the gaurd spot. He can create his own shot, has great handles, can shoot the spot up 3 and has the length to be a defensive presence. Sorry Demar.
http://www.sbnation.com/nba/2012/2/3/2767421/nba-draft-2012-andre-drummond-uconn-basketball
by VancouverIslandRapsFan on Feb 4, 2012 2:19 AM EST reply actions
ahh the Wizards. So many jackers. So much one one one. So little bball IQ.
(Is there a more selfish ‘not that special’ player in the league than Nick Young?)
And ofcourse that has now lead to one less ping pong ball for the Raps.
Raps still tied for 6th, but there are 5 teams right there with them with 8 wins. A pick outside the top 10 is not unlikely.
God damn BC you can’t even tank right!
by Not so Friendly Stranger on Feb 4, 2012 6:56 AM EST reply actions
No centers on the team?
Washington had one center last night…Mcgee.
He played only 13 minutes, mostly against Gray.
My question…why?
How can you go into the seson with only one?
I am not aware of their full roster, but were they without some top players last night?
If so…then I feel a whole lot less happy today.
Washington had one center last night…Mcgee.
He played only 13 minutes, mostly against Gray.
My question…why?
How can you go into the seson with only one?
The Raptors went into this season without any NBA Centers and still don’t have one.
Gray is only in the league because he is big. Players like Gray, Darko, Kwame Brown are all examples of how a guy can makes tens of millions of dollars in the NBA just by being Big even with a minimum of NBA level basketball skills.
McGee suckssssss
He’ll block some shots and throw down some nasty dunks but after that, he’s got nothing. I hope he develops some fundamental skills so he can become all he can be.
I was sure sick of Shaq yelling his name earlier in the season declaring he was a lock to be an allstar this year. Shaq sure has brought down the TNT broadcasts with his IQ.
by VancouverIslandRapsFan on Feb 4, 2012 8:35 AM EST up reply actions
Agreed
At the beginning of the seaosn I was really excited to see him along side K Smith E Johnson and Barkley. Now I just wish he’d shut up most nights.
He Will Probably Never Be As Good As His Mother Was - LOL
Pamela McGee
Pamela McGee (born December 1, 1962) is an American retired professional women’s basketball player and assistant coach. At age 34, Pamela was the second overall pick in the 1997 WNBA Draft. She played in the league for two seasons with the Sacramento Monarchs and Los Angeles Sparks.
McGee grew up in Flint, Michigan, where she attended Flint Southwestern Academy before graduating from Flint Northern High School.
Pamela won back-to-back NCAA Championships as an All-American at the University of Southern California, where she was a teammate of twin sister Paula, and Cynthia Cooper and Cheryl Miller. In 1984, she won Olympic gold in Los Angeles before embarking on a professional career that included stints in Brazil, France, Italy and Spain.
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