Raps

Quickly take a look at the NBA Eastern Conference standings. The Raptors are sitting in the 5th position right behind the Celtics...wait. Yup, the All-Star break has come and the Celtics have hit a slide that has seen their lead over the Raps fall from double digits to only 4 games!

I had a friend ask me a few days ago if the Raps could win the Atlantic division for the second time in franchise history and I replied with, "no!" Seriously, do you honestly think the Raps can take the Atlantic division from the Celtics? With the depth they have the Raps would have to go on a pretty big binge of wins to over take the Celtics.

Injuries will be the wild card. KG and Allen are both on the older side and with trade talks starting to swirl around the NBA, Allen might not even be wearing the green and white when the trade deadline comes and goes.

The Raps will bring Toronto the playoff atmosphere that is badly needed but a chance at the Atlantic conference, I don't think so.

Update: Envy

Just when I talk about how I envy Kobe and his winning ways and how I'm stuck in loserville, the Raps defend home court with a 106-105 win over Kobe and Co.

Fight to the End

This is what I want to see every time the Raptors take to the court, a full 48minute game from start to finish. Falling behind to the Clippers by 22 points at one point, the Raptors found a way to scrap some points together and ended up on the winning end of a 104-89 game.

It is always encouraging to see a game like this but it doesn't mean anything to me unless they can do this consistently. After a pretty brutal couple of years watching the Leafs, Raptors, and Jays, this group of ball players are keeping me tuned in and entertained. Hopefully it continues and leads to a playoff team come April.

Just looking at the road ahead for the Raptors, I have a little feeling in my gut we're going to hit a rough patch. I know the Raps can handle themselves and scrap for points but with the likes of the Suns (twice), Celtics, and Magic in the weeks to come.

Killer Instinct

This is why the Raptors are going to be fighting for their lives when it comes to making the playoffs. Losing to the Spurs is nothing to be ashamed of but when their two leading stars, Tony Parker and Tim Duncan, are out of the lineup the Raptors had no excuse for not leaving San Antonio with a victory.

In a close 131-124 game, the Raptors didn't come out with the killer instinct and bury the Spurs from the get go. Instead, they allowed Manu and, former Raptor, Matt Bonner to go 10 for 16 from beyond the arc. This was absolutely disgusting and the entire Raptors organization should be ashamed of how they played.

Going over the points per quarter, the Raps traded bucket for bucket until falling apart in the 4th. Wouldn't the Raptors have a deeper bench since they weren't missing their top 2 stars? Guess my logic/reasoning doesn't always hold up.

If the Raptors want to be a playoff team, they need to find that killer instinct to dismantle and dominate teams that are weaker or short-handed and play a full 48min game. Until they find a way to put teams away they will be nothing more than a team fighting for the 8th and final playoff spot.

81 to Go

Opening night at the ACC and the Raptors gave the fans of Toronto something to cheer about. The Raptors opened the new NBA season with a victory over the Cavs, who are favoured by many to take it all this year. What a game it was down at the ACC.

The city of Toronto and their loyal fans are in need of a team we can all rally behind and support for an entire season. The other tenants at the ACC are brutal and not showing any sign of playoffs, albeit it is still early. The Blue Jays had a great opening to their 09 season but faded quickly and descended to the bottom of the AL East. The Argo's, which I barely even notice, are 3-13. Enough said.

Toronto needs a team and the Raps, for one night, gave them some a team to support. I know it is only 1 game and bringing your A-game for opening night is not unusual, keeping it over the next 81 games is where the contenders stand in front of the pretenders.

Be honest, did any of you honestly, think the Cavs would come in and leave with an 0-2 record to start the 09-10 NBA season? Great night for Raps fans.

10/28/09 - Raptors vs. Cavs In 6 Minutes

This Week in Basketball

Things are moving pretty quickly now that the Laker's have been crowned the 2009 champs.

Hedo to the Raptors

If the Raptors sign Hedo to the reported 5yr $53million deal, I will be forced to find a new team to cheer for. This deal makes no sense! Dude is 30 years old. If he was named Kobe Bryant than being 30 at this point would be fine but he's not, he's Hedo Turkoglu. As expected his stats peaked when he was 28 years old. This season, his stats dropped just a little. He is not worth $53million over 5yrs. I know this move is all about making Bosh happy so he will stay in Toronto (in my mind he's already gone but I'll leave that for another day) but this move doesn't help Toronto keep Bosh. The only way this move helps Bosh is if the Raptors take the championship away from the Laker's next season which is not going to happen. Hedo is not the solution for the Raptors. If this rumour does come true, the Raptors will be screwing themselves for years to come.

Artest to the Laker's

I love this move! Having a guy like Artest on the team adds that physical, gives no mercy, I'll kill you, get the hell out of my way, mentality that the Laker's will need when they defend their championship next season. Artest can play lockdown defence which allows Bryant, and his 30 year old body, some down time on the court instead of him shutting down the opposing superstar on defence. Just looking at the Laker's team it seems more and more like the Jordan, Pippen, Rodman, and Jackson combo. Absolutely dirty!

The Rockets are Cursed

This is an off-season that the Rockets wish never happened. McGrady is most likely out for next season and if he does return he's a shell of what he used to be. Artest is off to the Laker's and rumoured in return is Trevor Ariza. Ariza is a role player and nothing more. His great play in the playoffs will bring some cash but the GM who signs him (thinking he'll be a true leader instead of being a role player) for big bucks is going to look stupid when the season unfolds. Now to the big news. Yao Ming, their superstar centre, seems to on the side of not returning next season due to injury. I feel for the Rockets. Losing their "big 3" is something no GM could anticipate. I always thought that the combo of Ming and McGrady would do damage in the NBA and bring them to the Finals but it never happened.

Arenas is Back

When Gilbert Arenas finds his spot on the court after suffering injury after injury, all I have to say is I am indifferent to the whole situation. People make it seem Agent Zero is going to come back and save the Wizards but having a record below the Raptors is not something that can be saved at this point in the season. There seems to be a huge deal over his return but I just don't understand why. He has the skill and talent but there is something about him that turns me off. Is it his blogging, narcissism, or his ability to say the stupidest thing at the wrong time I just don't know. It might be all of those things.

To finish this post, I am indifferent.

Sunny Skies for the Raptors?

With the bottom-feeding Raptors taking a step back in there pursuit of a playoff position by losing game after game, this is news I welcome. Chris Bosh made an appearance on CTV as a weatherman and I thought it was kind of funny to see. We all know the story about how there is going to be "the free agent class" coming up in 2010 and Bosh is going to a part of it. GM Colangelo and the people of Toronto need to do everything in the world to try and sign this guy because if he leaves, the organization might as well get use to the bottomfeeder status because it will take a long time until we see a true playoff contending team at the ACC.

Or does our GM see something else in his crystal ball. Is he going to let Bosh sign somewhere else and try to build a team around another high prize player. Maybe with the likes of Wade, Stoudamire, or even, I know I shouldn't say his name, LeBron. Just wait and let me explain. We all know that LeBron is looking for world exposure and of course the championship rings. Exposing yourself to Canada, check. Winning championships and bringing it to a team outside the US would classify LeBron as the king of a franchise and he wouldn't have share it would the likes of former greats who played for the Knicks (assuming he signs with the Knicks). Taking and giving the Raptors 3-5 Larry O'Brien Trophies would classify him as a saviour, king, and what LeBron is searching for, arguably the greastest player ever to step foot on an NBA court.

Okay, I just woke up and I am back in the real world. Enjoy the video and the pictures of Bosh.

For the win...

Mr. Wade seems to be on a tear lately and is trying to put his name in the hat for MVP. Every time I turn on the news or my computer all I hear is Wade this and Wade that. I guess having won an NBA championship with Shaq and then returning the following year with injuries and not being able to keep himself on the court, he came into this year and the Olympic games with a chip on his shoulder. He had something to prove and he was going to do it by adding losses to any opponent's record that stood in his way.

I wish the Raptors had someone like that. Someone who could just bring a brilliant game to the ACC on a daily basis. Someone who could keep my attention while I watch the Raptors. As the losses keep piling up, it is hard for me to keep my eyes on the TV during Raptors games. I love the game of basketball and I will continue watching even if the Raptors are crap.

Just wish there was someone special like Wade.

2 in a Row

"I am so important!"

The Raptors just won their second game in a row since starting point guard Calderon returned from a hamstring injury. Even though it was a against two terrible teams, the Bulls and the Kings, the Raptors have shown me what I feared since the starting training camp, they are super thin at the PG position. The injury to Calderon just proved it.

Colangelo, you better do something quick fast to secure another reliable back-up PG because at this rate your o-so-valuable Calderon is going to be run into the ground with all the minutes he's going to have to log to win.

Calderon On The Line

Jose Calderon is shooting for the most consecutive free throws made in NBA history.




Via blogto.com

Welcome Back!

Jose Calerdon - 29:26mins - 23pts(9/10FG, 4/4FT, 1/1 3Pt), 2Reb, 10Asts, and 1Stl.

Raptors - 114
vs.
Bulls - 94

Poor Performance

As I skimmed through the box scores of tonight's games I bumped into a stat I usually don't see sitting beside Steve Nash. In a game that brought together former teammate, Boris Diaw, Steve Nash found a way to finish with 4pts, 6to's, and only 5asts. Right after seeing his stats I started to wonder where Nash will sign when his contract is finished with the Suns. He still has a team option for the 09/10 season.

Going into free agency, Nash has the right to choose any team he wants to sign with. As a veteran who is in search of a NBA championship and having the one true equalizer, age, creeping up on him, I do wonder where he will land.

Of course, the only team in Canada, the Toronto Raptors, would be a plausible choice. This season isn't going well for the Raptors but if GM Colangelo can turn things around with a few trades and FA acquisitions you never know. Nash is there last priority right now since Bosh's free agency is looming and Colangelo needs to make him happy before doing anything else.

How about the Big Apple. Listen to this scenario. Former coach D'Antoni is there. They are clearing cap space for the huge free agent period of 2010. Imgaine the Knicks pulling off a Celtics kind of big three. Bring in Bosh/LeBron/Nash. You could also think about Nash bringing his current teammate, Stoudamire, along as well.

What about New Jersey. Jay-Z and his friendship could bring in LeBron and his favourite players of choice. They have to either find a bidder for VC try and build with VC there. You know how I feel about VC, former post.

Or even the Cavs. LeBron could sign with his current team and have management bring in players like Bosh and Nash.

So many scenarios that could play out. With a free agent class that boasts Bosh, LeBron, and Wade most forget about the "smaller" players out there.

Toronto Transactions

I begin with the trade of Hassan Adams of the Raptors to the Clippers. Breakdown. Raptors send Adams and some cash to the Clippers for a future second round draft pick. The Clippers then, a few hours later, decide to waive Adams. Let me get this straight. The Clippers gave a way a second round draft for the right to waive Adams? How the hell does this make sense. Please, someone come out and explain this to me because I have looked at this from many angles and it all comes down to, WTF?!?!

Yes, there could be some other little part of the agreement that isn't being reported for example, the Raptors doing the Clippers a favour later down the road. Anyways, just one of the weirdest things I've seen in a while.

Moving onto the Maple Leafs trade for Brad May. Breakdown. Leafs give up a conditional 6th round draft pick in 2010 and, as mentioned, receive Brad May. Tell me why we made this trade? Are we trying to unload contracts for expiring ones? No. Are we acquiring someone with upside that some other team just lost faith in? No. Are we trading for a future draft pick? No.

Why the hell are we doing this trade? Didn't the Leafs lure Burke into the GM office for a reason, as in building a winning hockey team. Burke better have something up his sleeve because this, yet another trade, makes no sense to me. According to Mr. Burke, May should bring some veteran presence to the locker room. Why the hell do we need to give up a draft pick for this? Yes, it's a 6th round pick but still, it could be one of those needle in a haystack guys. A draft pick is a draft pick. We should be accumulating and piling up the draft picks so we can rebuild.

The Leafs are not going anywhere this year and bringing in a guy for veteran leadership doesn't do anything for the team except bring some attention to the team and show us Mr. Burke is doing something with his time.

Oh why do the Leafs do this to me.

Rod Benson

Boom Tho!!!!

For all those of you who follow Rod Benson over at Ball Don't Lie, he is back in North America after a stint over in Europe and is suiting up for the D-League. I am no pro scout but I wonder why this guy hasn't been offered a spot on an NBA roster after putting up 12.1 rebounds and 13.6 points a game during the 07/08 D-League season.

Most teams in the NBA need a guy that just picks up the garbage and does the dirty work down low. A guy who can come off the bench and bring some energy while pulling down some boards and blocking or altering shots. What team doesn't need that.

I wouldn't mind seeing Brian Colangelo of the Raptors take Benson on for a 10-day contract and see what he can do. With O'Neal out with an injury to his knee, Benson could come in and give the Raptors some cheap insurance. That is what the Raptors need, a dude that can grab boards.

The Raptors are ranked ahead of only three teams in team rebounds per game. What can they lose except more games?!

LeBron the Dunker

Guy just loves throwing it down. Poor Raptors.

Soloman to the Rescue

The Raptors went into the game against the Heat on Sunday extremely short handed with Jose Calderon nursing an injury to his hamstring.

Luckily, the Raps were helped out by guard Will Solomon and even pulled out a win against Dwayne Wade and the Heat, 107-96.


Solomon ended the game with 33:49mins, 15pts, and most importantly found a way to dish out 11 assists while only turning the ball over 4 times. For his first game as a starting point guard for the Raps, I was very pleased with his performance, even with the 4 turnovers.

This is of course not a long term solution for the Raps and if Calderon does not come back soon I don't think the Raps can continue adding to the W column. The Raps are fairly thin throughout the point position with Solomon and rookie Ukic, so if Calderon is out for an extended period of time, the Raps might be in trouble.


Photos Courtesy of Yahoo! Sports.