| Playoffs 101 - Raptors Go Back to School |
[Apr. 22nd, 2007|09:10 am] |
This article is mirrored on HoopsAddict.com
Today’s loss might mark the beginning of heartbreak for Toronto Raptors fans, but at the same time, I believe it should be time for optimism. During this year, we've known the Raptors always bounce back and gain focus before they win. It's part of the education process, and these Raptors are some quick studies. It's a part of their pattern. It’s why I’ve believed that they would lose this first game to the Nets, and why, more importantly, we should not lose track of this series.
As the great Bill Russell pointed out, you could almost throw away this first
game. It’s a feeling-out process and the Raptors are the young team that people will expect to need some time to get into their groove. Today, though, I think it’s important to focus in on what Joey Graham brings to the table and why he will be a pivotal point for this club.
While Anthony Parker might be the guy that is our most consistent defender,
we need another guy with strength and length to defend against this particular New Jersey team. Let’s go down the list. Juan Dixon, a fairly good rhythm shooter, has difficulties matching up with Carter or Jefferson, because he’s giving up about 5 inches to both. It’s a no-go as far as that is concerned, as both players can front him, beat him off the dribble, and shoot over him. Next up, Morris Peterson. I think long time fans have been waiting for Mo Pete to step his game up, and while he rebounds and defends well enough with most people, Sam can’t afford Peterson’s sketching 3 pt percentage this year, and frankly, his tendency to jack a shot up whenever he pleases (especially with his percentages this year). Humphries and Bargnani can play out of position at times to defend both Jefferson and Carter, but they’re a bit slow. (Actually, Bargnani would be perfect if he didn’t miss 3 weeks, and damaged his great conditioning.)
The only option for Sam, therefore, is to rely on Graham.
( In Graham, we Trust ) |
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| Here We Are, Together Again |
[Apr. 21st, 2007|09:40 am] |
It's now a few hours before tip-off time, Raptors TV is going through their "Raptors Today" from yesterday, and it's time to look towards this New Jersey Nets team. I've tried to think about what I should actually say about this first game, but to anyone who's been listening, I wholeheartedly expect the Raptors to lose. I expect TJ Ford and Chris Bosh to use their two-man game to the detriment of the team, and it'd be hard to say whether then can recover within this first game to pull it out. Their track record hasn't been great, with both of them really trying to do too much in several games (their first games against New Jersey and Dallas, their game against the Nets to take the Division Lead, and their game against San Antonio). As an optimist though, I believe this team can win this series in 6 or 7, less if they do the unthinkable and win their first game.
( The Analysis Continues )
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On a side note, I've been asked by Ryan McNeill to post my thoughts on his blog. I'd also like to say that my journal here will continue, but most thoughts and articles will be mirrored through HoopsAddict.com. I'm happy, because it'll interesting to see if a larger community agrees with my insights, or believes that I'm just full of you-know-what. |
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| Thanks Detroit |
[Apr. 14th, 2007|01:13 am] |
That has got to be the worst win I've ever felt as a Raptor fan.
Winning barely, against Detroit's Scrubs, Toronto was exposed completely and totally as soon as their nice, little 8-0 run at the beginning of the game evaporated. Without hot shooting, we've seen that the Raptors are very susceptible to the "zone".
Detroit, unlike Minnisota, closed out on our shooters, and even on 2nd chance opportunities provided by Bosh and Humphries, we can see that Toronto had consistent trouble scoring, shooting less than 40% for the game.
So, I'd like to say, thank you, Detroit. Not many teams can play the zone like you do, but it gives Sam something to really get on his team on as the playoffs come into view. With Bargnani hopefully entering the game on Sunday, it gives us another high-accuracy shooter than can defend and has great length. I think if Bargnani was in the game against Detroit, we might have seen a different outcome, and Joey Graham would have seen his minutes dwindle to nothing. As I noted to my friends, the best lineup that the Raptors can put on the floor is Bosh, Bargnani, Humphries, Parker and Calderon (maybe Ford). A great group that has great defense, good rebounding, great shooting from the outside, decent free throw shooting and length and speed to defend just about anyone in the league.
Look for it in the playoffs. |
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| Idiots. Every Last One. |
[Apr. 11th, 2007|09:18 pm] |
So, in the time that I've been writing about the Raptors, or thinking about the Raptors, I don't really rip into Coach Mitchell much. In fact, I give him the benefit of the doubt most of the time. I only question his rotations, and his Xs and Os, but I've never called for his head on a platter.
It seems, though, that every Raptors fan WAS calling for Colangelo to fire him. Even now, in his time of ascention to a possible Coach of the Year candidate, there were many who said that it was overhyped, that all of it was due to Colangelo.
Overnight, that's changed.
And how, might it have changed? Well, it's due to this video (mirrored by me again, from Huskie's capture on the Raptors RealGM board.) which went into a look behind the scenes of the Raptors' locker room.
Suddenly, Sam doesn't seem so bad, and actually seems to do stuff.
What, are you all idiots?
No one's recognized that in three years, Sam's crafted the ultimate team leader that brings "it" every night... The kind of effort that Torontonians DEMAND of their teams, has been brought out of EVERY Raptors team since Mitchell's tenure. Do the fans just believe that it HAPPENS because of the players?
What have we, as fans, learned in the 10 years that we've had a franchise?
I'll bring us back. WAY back, to the eras of both Brendan Malone and Butch Carter; the two coaches that managed to bring us the biggest HUSTLE teams out of our entire storied history. These two men, motivated our teams to play OUT OF THEIR MINDS, regardless of the talent on their teams (especially Mr. Malone). It's no wonder that the Raptors got the best out of Carter and McGrady from Butch as well, as he kept on them to have some kind of work ethic; an ethic that was further reinforced through Butch Carter's voice, Charles Oakley.
So, let's see. Sam Mitchell finally gets a team that's actually half decent, and has the intelligence AND skill to receive his commands. He got two teams that were severely undermanned and injured to produce SOME wins, and keep games at least close enough to POSSIBLY win. Now, it shouldn't be any kind of surprise that with THIS year's team, he's managed to get them to exceed their expectations... He HAS been, after all, doing it his entire career.
So yeah. I'm glad fans have now realized that Sam is actually a good coach. It's about time that they realized what I've known for two years. |
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| Numbers Game |
[Apr. 9th, 2007|03:59 pm] |
Sitting in 3rd, with a two game lead over Miami, and 1.5 back of the Bulls... Well... What needs to happen?
I think though, as a Raptor Fan, I don't want to play New Jersey. As shitty as that sounds, playing in Jersey is going to be life sucking for this team. It has been twice already, and we can only watch the same thing happen come playoff time. (We should really think about getting a roadtrip down to Jersey to go support them).
However, I think to get Washington (what everyone is hoping for) we need the 2nd seed.
Honestly, I don't see Washington winning that many more games, and Jersey has the tiebreaker, AND another game against Washington in the near future.
On the top half, that means I want the Raptors to play either the Wizards or the Cavs. So, if we assume that Jersey overtakes Washington, it means that the Raptors need to finish 2nd or 4th. 4th is easy. Just lose more than the Heat and the Bulls (both of which have easier schedules than the Raptors). 2nd place, it means that the Raptors need to overtake the Bulls, and the Bulls simply are too good of a team, especially with Nilcioni back, to fold it up and lose.
So, out of the final games, which ones might the Raptors lose? Well, everyone is pointing to the two Detroit games and , but for my money, I'd be REALLY worried about tonight's game, which is going to be a back to back after yesterday's awesome win. Note, that both TJ Ford and Bosh played around 40 min that previous game. That makes it 3 games that we can potentially lose, with a 4th one possibly on the back to back with Philly.
So yeah. Cavs and Washington. New Jersey, dangerous, especially on the road, where the Raptors have severely underperformed twice this year.
No more Leafs. We're the only real play in town! |
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| Raptors Clinch but... |
[Apr. 7th, 2007|01:02 pm] |
Ho-hum...
No one really cares. Not the players, not Sam Mitchell... Not me. In the end, it really doesn't mean all that much, mainly due to how the NBA's retooled their playoff matchup indications. It really just means that the Raptors are masters of their division, but there's no affect on their home court advantage.
But what I'd like to say, should be said loudly, by every Raptor fan out there.
This team is good, but it becomes great when it plays defense.
It's funny, but everyone in the states always mentions the ball movement, the great ability to find the open man and the spacing. Heck, the players on the opposing team say it a lot. But really, no one gives the Raptors credit for having long, fast defenders who can also make shots.
It's why I think Juan Dixon is getting too much time at times. For two games now, we've seen him get burned by Iguodala and Turkolu. It should be an indication of what the Raptors will need to consider for their rotation once Bargnani comes back, and they tighten things up for the playoffs.
In a way, I think Luke Jackson is a better fit. A guy that can produce offensively, but at the same time, is a good sized defender. Then again, it's hard to complain when your team is winning, and doing the right things.
Nevertheless, TJ Ford really needs to stop dribbling INTO trouble. People keep calling for his head, and all the broadcasters keep defending him. That's fine. But as I've said all year, he needs to think more about the pass that leads to the assist that leads to the shot. He also needs to work on evening out his distribution a little more, and to stop trying to make personal statements on the court. The problem was pretty glaring last night when he was rejected a few times around the hoop, and no more glaring than when he tried to take on Tony Parker in San Antonio a few months back. BE LIKE CALDERON mentally. That's what he's gotta think about. |
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| The Best Situation |
[Apr. 6th, 2007|08:46 am] |
I've been thinking about it more and more... Wondering about this Raptors team and how it will possibly advance to the 2nd round of the playoffs, and what seed the should WANT to finish in....
Everyone is saying "third seed, third seed, gotta get home court advantage".
Ok.. Let's take a look. If they win 3rd seed, the chances are, they will play either New Jersey or Washington. It's not inconceivable that it WILL be Jersey, setting up the biggest playoffs we've ever seen, with the most hated person in the world to Toronto Raptors fans. Home court advantage will also mean that the first TWO games we play will be at home.
And this is a problem. If we play Washington, I'm not worrying about the first round. If we play New Jersey, I'm EXTREMELY worried that we will blow our first game in Toronto, due to nerves, TJ Ford trying to do too much, Chris Bosh never seeing the pressure of the playoffs and a playoff defense, and heck, the pressure of a crowd that just wants it SO badly. In fact, I think the Raptors SHOULD lose their first playoff game, and we should expect it, and plan for it.
So why do I want the Raptors in the 4th seed, without homecourt advantage, playing either Chicago or Cleveland?
If we lose the first game, on the road, the 2nd game will also be on the road. If there's one thing that's been proven, it's that this team needs its time on the road, and some loses to figure things out. In fact, I would argue that everytime this team loses, it always seems to "figure something out" and come back with a vengence. It's how we learn in real life, and heck, it's how THIS team learns in real life. So... Let's say they lose the first game, either by a close or large margin. The 2nd game, also away, will probably be won by the Raptors because by then, they'd have gotten their first game under their belt, and "figure it out". I'm sure they'll start moving the ball and get good open looks, because people will remember what got them to their position in the first place.
So now, they've won their 2nd game, and they're going home, with the series tied 1-1, to play in front of their home crowd, with lots of energy, after having "figure out" the playoffs and this first team. They'll be brimming with confidence, KNOWING that they can take whomever they face.
I think that's the ideal scenario right there...
Raps for Fourth. |
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| 2 for 12 |
[Apr. 3rd, 2007|09:55 pm] |
| [ | Current Mood |
| |  angry | ] |
TJ Ford's biggest problem is that his ego gets in the way of his game making and game playing. A guy who has great decision making skills does not try to hoist a 3 pointer after going 2-12 for the game, only to finish 2-13. There were a lot more Raptors on the floor, and it's just surprising to me how often he tries to put things on his shoulders. It's an admirable quality, but, he's a POINT GUARD. He's not Mike James. He shouldn't TRY to be Mike James. He should have thought a LOT more about who was hot.
So what. Fire TJ out of a cannon into another team?
No.
But like I said, he needs to figure it out. "It" being what Calderon brings, which is a cool head that makes the correct decision 80% of the time. That also means not trying to shoot the lights out when your shots aren't falling. It also means keeping your dribble alive so you can place the ball in the hands of players that might be able to pass to make a play. Too often, when TJ and Bosh are on the floor, it becomes the TJ and Chris Bosh show. Throw it in to Bosh and then Bosh tosses it back out for TJ.
Finally, I'll reference back to earlier in the year when TJ got back from his injury and Calderon stayed in the starting line up. It was during this time that TJ played his most consistent and effective ball. Why? Because for the majority of the time, he wasn't on the floor with Bosh at the same time, so it wasn't just him and Bosh doing pick and roll constantly. On the second unit, he had to distribute the ball effectively. |
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| Shot Heard Roun' T.O. |
[Mar. 31st, 2007|01:11 am] |
Mo Pete's Shot
 It was a game the Raptors should have put away in the 3rd Quarter... But the Raptors, being the Raptors, and being on the road had to make things difficult. The strange thing about the shot is that it really goes to show how beatable the Wizards are, against the Raptors, and against anyone. In fact, you could argue that outside of Detroit, there is no other team that has that same balance of offense and defense that Toronto has. Just about every team in the East really relies on offense to bring them through to their wins. It's how Toronto really differentiates themselves. They can play defense when they HAVE to. Other teams need to shoot HOT to win.
Which brings me now to something I said at the beginning of the year... Something that EVERYONE is starting to pick up on...
Mitchell's contract is up. There's still a question of his X's and O's, but there's no denying the team chemistry on this Toronto team, and the amount of hard work he puts into this team keeping it the way it is. I've said it before, and others are now echoing it, that the Raptors DO NOT need to make a coaching change, but rather, the Raptors need another assistant coach who IS strong in X's and O's so that Mitchell's staff can suggest the proper schemes and plays. There's enough room on this team for a guy like that. We saw that last year when Keady showed up on the team one day.
I'm not saying that this shot solidifies him, but look... The team's lost one of their most prolific scorers, and they've lost one of their best glue guys/experienced players. And yet, the Raptors don't really miss a beat... And they don't miss it often, when they do. Who can you really give credit to then? |
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| Yeaaah. My foot, your foot.... |
[Mar. 25th, 2007|12:13 am] |
Fun, rolicking game yesterday, that contained lots of energy and great performances on both the offense and defensive end.
But let's look at the "incident".
You know the one.
Bosh goes up for a shot. The shot's gone and in, and he lands on Evan's foot. Bosh leaves the game, but was fighting to stay in. Raptors up an obscene amount by then, so why risk further injury?
So the game gets played on, and in the FOURTH QUARTER, Evans gets nailed in the face by Rasho.
Chants of Rasho erupt.
Well... It was no Red Rocket on KG hit, but it's a nice little payback, even if it wasn't "intentional". Look. Here's the thing. If it WAS intentional, Rasho had plenty of OTHER opportunities to do something. Like, I dunno... A QUARTER AND A HALF OF BASKETBALL? Not to mention about 3 more blocks immediately after Bosh got injured.
To top it off, Evans had this to say after the game:
Evans denied any wrongdoing, saying, "I know deep down inside I ain't doing anything but hooping."
Ok, fine. The Raptors said it was dirty, meaning you had intention. They should have said you're a fuckin' retard who can't put together a coherent sentence, so THAT'S why you left your foot underneath Bosh's space. My bad. |
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| You Seem Familiar |
[Mar. 14th, 2007|10:29 pm] |
| [ | Current Mood |
| |  sleepy | ] |
| [ | Current Music |
| | R.O.D. - Intro | ] |
Ahhh... It's been a long time... You see, there was this TJ Ford that I saw at the beginning of the year. You know, when Bosh went down, and someone had to step up? Well TJ did that and basically dominated the game. He played in control. He made all the correct decisions. He was "the man" and played like it.
However, he went down with an injury, gave up his starter's job to Calderon for a bit, and we haven't seen that guy since.
Until now.
I think that if he never went down with that injury, the Raptors would have beaten Phoenix and Dallas, and would be much higher in the Eastern Conference. It was that injury that took Ford out of his groove. And unlike Anthony Parker, or Andrea Bargnani, he hasn't got the mental ability to get back into that groove on his own..
Which is great, because Calderon went down with a rolled ankle, and who knows how long he will be out? We are, essentially, down to one PG, with Darrick "I can make 3s to keep useless records" Martin backing up again. It'll be interesting, though, to see how long TJ can keep this pace going, and if they CAN keep it going, this Raptors team will be very dangerous.
So yeah. I'm worried about Calderon. He's the guy that I think keeps TJ in check, and gives Sam that needed insurance for when TJ starts trying to do TOO much in a game. We need him on the court because he is just that important towards keeping a good rhythm and ball movement, while keeping TJ rested. Anthony Parker, as well, nicked his knee/ankle, so hopefully, he won't see any time off, because we SAW how this team was without him. I mean, how big was he in today's win? Without Parker, the Raptors never get into an offensive groove. I guarantee it. |
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| Not quite there... |
[Mar. 12th, 2007|09:40 pm] |
Far be it for me to complain about the Raptors winning...
But do these past few wins reek of January more so than February? You know... When the Raptors kept bad teams in the game by not playing to their strengths. I guess I just expect this team to bury every sub .500 team they meet.
Today, TJ Ford was definitely huge. It's actually interesting that unlike other players, TJ Ford plays better when he has LESS intensity. Home games in his home state, and his first games against the Bucks, he didn't really have "it" because he was forcing the issue. In fact, both he and Bosh tend to suffer and make the team suffer whenever they try to do to much and forget that ball movement will do it for them, more than the pick and roll will.
So what happened in that 2nd half against the Bucks? The Raptors were up by 16 and had a chance to just put everything away. It just goes to show how much Anthony Parker means to this team. Playing on a fairly sore ankle, and still making an impact, this is the kind of game that the Raptors probably wouldn't have won because Redd and Bell would have absolutely destroyed the Raptors.
So. What have we learned... Mo Pete, Dixon, Bargnani, Calderon and some Humphries will make up our bench. Graham might play if there's a guard that's too big for Mo Pete and Dixon, but overall, I think that the Raptors have settled on their rotation for the rest of the season, if everyone stays healthy.
Next up, the Knicks. It's gonna be a battle. |
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| A week of... Not so good... |
[Mar. 8th, 2007|09:52 am] |
So for the better part of a week, I haven't been following Raptors ball as closely, therefore, I don't have much to say. Without Parker, the team loses its best defender, and without Bargnani completely tuned in, the Raptors have no real bench scoring. I guess that's how I'd categorize the last few loses.
But really... Even in a win, Calderon made 7 turnover? TJ shot waaaaay below 50%?
So this is how it goes: TJ Ford needs to remember and get his GROUP together to remember that sometimes, he's going to penetrate and pass that leads to the assist, and not just go directly for the assist. It's something that he's really not good at, and needs to pick it up.
Calderon, on the other hand, gets into trouble when he picks up his dribble constantly, instead of keeping it alive and moving. It's his one remarkable characteristic that really makes him into a "Steve Nash"-esque player, rather than a... Milt Palacio.
Is this team bad?
No.
But, it does need time to make adjustments. Just like when Bosh went down, or TJ went down, the Raptors looked lousy. At least for a couple games. They made adjustments, and then things turned around. For instance, Juan Dixon is fitting in more perfectly than Joey or Mo Pete. It's not hard to see that he will be the next swingman off the bench, once Parker gets back. Then, Mo Pete, and maybe Joey, if they need a stronger guy.
So. An adjustment. I'm looking forward to seeing what happens on Sunday against Seattle. The Raptors shouldn't have any difficulties at all, as long as they contain Ray Allen. |
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| Bosh Who? |
[Mar. 1st, 2007|09:54 am] |
In the first time in a long time, Bosh wasn't the leading scorer on the Raptor's squad while he was playing.
He wasn't even 2nd.
Heck, he was behind two PGs, Bargnani and KRIS HUMPHRIES?!
No, last night, in Houston, you got a glimpse that maybe, just MAYBE, Bosh can get a triple double.
I mean, 13 pts, 9 rebounds, 6 assists.
If the Raptors shot better in the 3rd, he would have had higher numbers. But really, what's there to complain?
This game was a complete (expected) turnaround of the San Antonio game. The things that jump out that need some improvement are Free Throw shooting and... minutes? Well, with the refs swallowing their whistles for most of the game, I think you can give them a pass on that. The question is, with another back to back, this time against the Bucks and Cavs, will the Raps have enough in the tank to keep Jersey from gaining any more ground this week? Jersey's had a fairly easy schedule, so it'll be up to the Raps to at least split this weekend's contest in order to ensure that Jersey doesn't gain much ground, if any at all. |
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| Wanted: Ball Movement |
[Feb. 26th, 2007|09:49 pm] |
So I'm sitting in the middle of this Spurs game, pissed off at refs for not calling any fouls on the Spurs, and also ticked off at this blowout loss.
Did we learn nothing from playing Charlotte?
We can suck and play and win against shitty teams, but it always seems to take some kind of wakeup call to bring everyone back into MOVING THE GODDAMN BALL.
Did anyone else notice that Bosh and Ford always play bad in Texas this year? The blowout in Dallas, and now the blowout against the Spurs. This begs to ask how your team will react in the playoffs. Not because of pressure, or tension, or because they want to be "the man"... But because if you can't play in front of your family, a game that's more important than most, and play the way that GETS YOU WINS... Well... You risk shooting yourself in the foot.
So this game, was over a long time ago, but the Raptors came back and brought it to 15. From down 30. The Raptors should take this game as the sound thumping they got, with two injured players in Anthony Parker and Jorge Garbajosa. Could it get any worse?
PS - Ford, you really did a bad job shooting the ball, but I really liked how you fouled Parker HARD. This team needs to display that kind of grit in this kinda game. You're frustrated? Fine. Set up plays so everyone dunks. Everyone draws fouls. That's how you win. Get everyone else involved in your anger and next time, you'll have sent a message.. |
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| Lucky Sam |
[Feb. 24th, 2007|10:59 pm] |
Sam Mitchell is pretty lucky. If Chris Bosh doesn't go down earlier in the year, he wouldn't know to trust his bench as much as he does now.
Consequently, he's damn lucky that Bosh picked up two quick fouls tonight, otherwise we may have seen shades of the Detroit and Indiana 2nd end back-to-backs.
I mean, honestly, Bosh didn't look set, took the ball to the basket and turned it over. He looked tired and not his usual self.
So you see, Mitchell HAD to sit his ass down when the Raptors reached the 2nd quarter cause of those 2 fouls. As a result, he HAD to rely on Il Mago to carry the team rebound wise.
In the end, this game was pretty damn boring, full of errors, and no energy. Oh yeah, horribly inept refs that couldn't call a foul against the HIGHEST RANKED fouling team when our franchise player went up hard against them... It was kinda ridiculous and slow, without much passing.
On the other hand, Juan Dixon didn't look COMPLETELY out of place on the defensive end, and Uros Slokar (my fav non-player) got some quality time on the floor. Honestly, I think he (Slokar) needs some more time ahead of Kris Humphries. One of them plays with control that will help in the future. The other will always be a bit player that tries to do a little too much. |
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| Raptors Getting R? |
[Feb. 24th, 2007|04:46 pm] |
According to Bill Walton (that old guy that does all the playoffs, and had been working at NBC for... EVER), the Raptors are just Chris Bosh and no one else.
According to commentators of the Golden State v. Clippers game, Shaun Livingston is a great player and the Clippers wouldn't part with him.
It's nice that when you watch more Raptors games, you get to appreciate Jack Armstrong, Leo Rautins and Chuck Swirsky for the kind of research they attempt to do. I know... Chuck is overly enthusiastic and often blows calls, but come on. I want excitement. And no matter what Scott Carefoot says (he of the out-of-touch bloggers), Chuck provides emotion to his commentary which is more than most can say about the rest of the league. Sure, I miss good ol' John Saunders, but until the day Eric Smith and Paul Jones graduate the Fan 590, we should appreciate the knowledge of our broadcasters as well as their enthusiasm.
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Why is it that no one will admit that Calderon has been far, FAR more consist than TJ Ford? Look at the turnover ratio, as well as their field goal percentage. It's obvious why fans have some kind of controversy on the outside of the locker room (in spite of what's inside the Raptor's locker room). I do NOT think this makes TJ Ford expendable, but everyone says that Ford is our starter and that's that. I still think Ford needs to learn from Calderon in terms of keeping his dribble alive. But honestly, until Ford develops some kind of consistency, Calderon will be #1 unchallenged in my books. |
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| How did we get here? |
[Feb. 13th, 2007|10:53 pm] |
| [ | Current Mood |
| |  cold | ] |
Raptors up 110-100. TJ Ford comes in. Bulls take the lead.
Calderon plays well. Extremely well.
Raptors win.
.......
It shouldn't have been close. The Raptors were supposed to win. And inspite of words, Mitchell put Ford in to do what exactly? Relieve the hottest hand and decision maker on the floor with a guy that got injured earlier in the quarter?
I've said it a lot lately, but it's showing up more the past few games... Mitchell's greatest weakness is an over confidence in his players, and not in his coaching ability. His rotations and substitutions are suspect as a result. And despite what people say about his Xs and Os, he MOTIVATES his players quite well, which is important for games. However, it's rotations during the games that are the most concerning factor, as it's the largest control that a coach has over his players and the game in general.
So yeah. A good last second win by the Raptors. No thanks to TJ Ford at all. It's starting to make me question his (premature?) return to the starting lineup. With suspect defense, difficulty creating plays for OTHERS, and his reluctance to keep his dribble alive, we're seeing a TJ Ford who isn't synched up with the team as much as Calderon as much. And well, if Calderon is playing THAT much better, I don't care WHO's starting but rather WHO's ending the game. And last night, my boy, Calderon, was taken out for a guy who was sucking it out of the Raptors last night.
So yeah. Luck got the Raptors through. Ford almost gave it away on the last play by fouling Gordon, so we should be thanking our lucky stars that we escaped with a win. Great play by Bosh, Bargnani, and Calderon kept the Raptors moving and building up to that 110-100 lead which should have been enough to have iced everything up. I didn't talk about that much because I was so pissed off about the ending that I forgot about them until now, watching Game in an Hour. |
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