Skip navigation

 Login or Register | Member Centre

Raptors close out with a win

Associated Press

Latest comment posted at 5:06 PM EST 03/01/08

Bosh scores 29 points as Toronto ends 2007 in triumph ...Read the full article

This conversation is closed

  1. Yertu Damkule from Canada writes: i'm home for new years (been sick for about a week - wip-dee-frickin-hoo)...couple thoughts. weird game...up early, let the lead slip, but fought back really nicely. if anyone had told me before the game that kapono & delfino would take one shot & go scoreless (combined), i'd have guessed they'd lose by 20. some really nice signs...it's just frustrating how inconsistent they are. smitch shortened the bench, realizing just how important this game was (as close to a must-win as they've had this season). bosh had a step-up game by a guy who has to start taking charge of this team, especially with TJ out for who-knows how long. AP finally had a good game. overall, i saw a lot more intensity offensively, guys taking it hard to the hole (moon had a couple sick/wicked/nasty moments...oh, and 3 blocks, 10 boards and some pretty good D). in general, it seems they took sam's message to heart. i'm not sure what to make of the rotation, other than that sam knew they needed the win, so played the starters heavier minutes than normal...i can't remember the last time 3 (THREE!) raps played more than 40 minutes in a non-OT game. bargs followed up his stinker vs. houston with a solid game (so, next game, does he crap the bed again?). finally...what can you say about the PG play in this game. jose did what he does best...nothing spectacular, but made the shots he needed to make (HUUUUGE 3 late) and found open teammates, and generally controlled the flow well. and chris paul...man, i've been a fan for a while, and wished i was able to see more of him. he's got some skillz, as the young people like to say. if he makes those FT's late, the game turns in another direction. actually, if the HOU & NO's games can be broken down to a single component, the FT shooting might be it. just over 50% vs. houston, 87% vs NO. so, do we resume the planning for the parade?
  2. Roger S from Canada writes: To be honest I think Jose Calderon is spectacular. He didn't shoot the ball a lot, and he only has 17 point with 12 assts. He should have been more aggressive. On the other hand, Chris Paul couldn't make free throws when the team needed the most, that said all. Paul is a very good player, however the way he played, makes all of his teammates role players. I'd say this kind of player can be easily shut out at end of the game.

    The game could have been easier for Raptors, the turning point could lead to diseaster is Sam let Dixon to finish the first half, I can't believe my eyes. Give Sam the credit for correcting his own mistake and not playing Dixon second half. Juan should stick to bench forever, and Delfino should be the man handling the ball when Jose takes the rest. Juan Dixon sucks.

    Overall this is a great win.
  3. Big Cayman from South Toronto, Canada writes: Roger S from Canada writes: "To be honest I think Jose Calderon is spectacular." hahaha, really? I think most around here think that you would get on all fours for him, but to trying and say that he is better than Chris Paul makes you look even more pathetic. Get a grip, as much as Calderon is integral in a Raptors win, he is just as blameworthy in a Raptors loss. And on your other point, Delfino is not a PG as much as you would fantasize that he should be...Chris Bosh stepped up, and so much for your ridiculous statement that the Raps are only a jump shooting team, they finally took the ball to the cylinder. Hopefully Parker has learned a lesson, and bargs builds upon a nice outing.
  4. Big Cayman from South Toronto, Canada writes: ...and BTW JMac, Allan, John P, Tee Dot, Andy C, Massimiliano, Funk, Yertu, Albert, HC, J L, Archie, ImTheOne, HAPPY NEW YEAR! Keep the good discussions coming. If any of you can make it to the Blazers game at the ACC on the 13th you should go for it, it will be worth the money. All the best to you and yours in the coming year.

    Cheers!

    Big C
  5. albert strauss from Toronto,Ontario, Canada writes: Unquestionably Bosh made the difference in the last 1/4. An excellent New Years gift from the players and a fine result in spite of some questionable sustitutioning. A good varied offence worked
  6. Larry Boutilier from Sydney Forks, Canada writes: Am I the only one that thinks the Raptor players aren't getting
    along like they used to. Too many unhappy campers. How come
    they aren't passing the ball to Kapano?Few passes to Bargnani.
    Main culpret seems to be Dixon.

    L.D.B.
  7. Allan Wexler from Canada writes: Big C - Happy New years to you as well. Let's hope for an exciting and healthy year. I hope to get down to see the Blazers. They're worth seeing.
  8. albert strauss from Toronto,Ontario, Canada writes: AHA someone else suspects people problems. These were evident at Bargs first decline. And if this coach is incompetent in basketball he is even less so with people problems. At least a year ago I suggested he take Psych 101 at Ryerson when he was blatantly using "minutes" as an incentive. A "team" with so much money at stake is always a delicate situation and needs to be managedwith much care by a mature coach of the Adelman, Wilkens, school. I hope what we have achieved as a good group is not jeopardised by a heavy insensitive hand. Watch out Bryan!
  9. Joseph Daniel from Oakville, Canada writes: Big C Happy New years to you to man. Roger S So in your opinion Calderon is a better PG than CP, OMG! Roger Big C said it best what you would do for Jose. Take off those rose coloured glasses man. Jose is a good to pretty good PG. CP is going to be among the all time greats if he remains healthy. There are already comparisons by SMitch of all people to Nash and others as the top PG's in the league right now! Roger S I respect your opinion on Jose and I do agree that Jose is pretty good. But to try and twist some facts around to point out that Jose was better than CP in One game you are just out of it man!
  10. Big Cayman from South Toronto, Canada writes: If I missed anybody else like Joseph D Happy New year to you too!!! Roger S your New Years resolution should be to get a reality check. Albert I forgot all about your Psych 101 at Ryerson comment from last year. However minutes and performance are always linked in some capacity on every team. Remember that performance doesn't always mean scoring. Sam has come out and said specifically that if you can't score but you do the other things right you will stay on the court, that's a good philiosophy. This is a pretty solid group of individuals, if they seem unhappy about anything its this brutal road swing. Let's see what they look like when they are back home at the ACC.
  11. JOHN PALANDRA from Toronto, Canada writes: Happy New Years Big C, Yertu, Allen, JMAC (where are you btw), Tee Dot, Albert, and even you Roger, and to anyone else who posts on this site. I was very happy with the effort the raps gave on offense, i just hope they can keep the momentum rolling in 2008. Quick observation on Moon, who else here thinks that he somewhat resembles Josh Smith, only with less to offer offensively. Now i know this may seem like a stretch but when he first broke into the league, he very much looked like Moon does right now, the only difference i guess is that their probablly isnt much more room for Moon to grow. Anyways he still offers alot of intagibles to this team and im happy with that.

    As for the Portland game, i will be their Big C and am very much looking forward to it, along with the detroit game this friday. Anyways let us all have a great 2008 and hope for good things in 2008 for the Raps, leaving Mike Berezin with alot of sleepless nights.
  12. Roger S from Canada writes: In stead, I see Jose could be becoming one of the all time greats. Be realistic, both Paul and Calderon are potentials as of now, however I see Jose is more like Nash or Stockton, those are people who can change the game. I don't blame anybody saying I am crazy, nobody could see today's Steve Nash when he played at Santa Clara. From my rank of all NBA PGs, Jose and Paul are in 4th and 5th positon.

    Back to Delfino, he is not a point guard, but it doesn't mean he couldn't play emergency PG for this team's best interest. 10min/per game is enough before TJ back or new PG coming in town.He could be effective, brings the ball in front court and distributes to whoever in better position. At least he will never be a negative factor as Dixon does, the guy is totally a joke at PG position. He can cause damage in every minute.
  13. albert strauss from Toronto,Ontario, Canada writes: To round out our representation I am attending the Cavs game Sunday. Healthy year to all!!!
  14. andy c from Canada writes: happy new year ya'all. i missed the last two rap games and most of the first Q of this one thanks to T S N. if i'm building a team to compete for the next ten years chris paul is my point guard (with deron williams coming second) both chris and deron will get maxed when there rookie contracts are up; Now i know why smitch is so pissed are moon. a guy who can finish like that has to take it to the hole every chance he gets; i had to google cow tipping to make sure it was what i thought it was; chris paul missing two free throws, bosh and calderon missing key jumpers in the last 2 mins... i say they cancel each other out; the game's turning point was when chandler fouled out. it opened up the hornet's interior and bosh went to work; considering this article was written by AP and not grange all the comments here will probably be gone by tomorrow.
  15. Shadreck Nyathi from Behchoko, Canada writes: A happy new year to you all , well let us give credit to all raptors players , in different proportions they all contributed even if they did not score a dime . Well done to coach Sam Mitchell, the pep talk worked and produced results . If Toronto can play the way they did against such a fearless and aggressive opponent ,they can win against any team including the Celtics . We now look forward to the Detroit game with very high expectations . I wish we could equitably look into the big picture than focus on individual players as everyone has their good and bad days ,we still have a long way to the end of the season.
  16. Tony Irwin from Burlington, Ontario, Canada writes:
    Nice to see the change in direction. Better late than never. It will win games for us. Look at our FG% and FTA. I hope CB doesn't have to play 40 MPG for us to win.

    Will it be enough, particularly with this lineup, to beat the Celtics ?

    We'll see.

    P.S.

    Delfino CAN run the point. He did it for the Argentine team that finished 2nd last summer without some of its best players. He's 6'7", defends, and rebounds.

    Worth a look. We need more from our 2nd unit now that Jose starts.

    Go Raps
  17. Shadreck Nyathi from Behchoko, Canada writes: Regarding Chris Paul, you cannot compare him to any point guard at the moment in the league , he is in his own class and this does not mean he cannot be stopped but he is a hell of a very good point guard and I do not see any guard as good as him in the entire league at present .
  18. HC Bargs from Canada writes: Happy New Year everyone :)

    Let's hope that 2008 brings many more victories for the Raps...oh, and world peace ;)
  19. D M from King City, Canada writes: Happy New Year to all posters!

    I was quite happy with the play and would have been OK even if they had lost. Coming back to win in the 4th is just a new year bonus. BTW, I do agree that Jose's got the makeup of a premier point guard in this league. Although I'm a big fan of TJ (get well soon), his injury is a lucky break for the Raptors as Jose is allowed to shine, just like injuries in the pitching staff led to the emergence of Arcardo and McGowan with the Jays.

    Go Raps and Jays in 2008.
  20. Yertu Damkule from Canada writes: oh, roger, humourous so is your jose love. we all so stupid thinking he not super-spectacular, clearly, he better than chris paul, just look, raps win, that say all. paul ok, but will never make his teammates better. 16 assists, sure, but he also had a turnover, so that prove he no good...just a flash in pan, for sure. he is just one player, and there is no team in 'I,' remember? D M - interesting analogy, and while it's nice to see jose do so well with this opportunity, the situation is a bit different - namely, jose's an RFA this summer, meaning that his current play isn't going unnoticed by GM's in need of a good, quality PG...meaning the offers he's likely to get come july are going up & up, meaning it's going to cost more to retain him. MLSE has a definite budget (i.e. the cap) that they will NOT go over, so how much they're willing to pay jose has an impact on what other moves they're able to make (delfino's a FA as well). so, while we all sit here & talk about what the raps need, those needs cost $$$$...if a significant portion is to be tied up in 1 position (PG - latest estimate for jose is b/w $6 & $8 M/year), and there's already money tied up in bosh (not sure exactly, but he's around $14M, right?), so that's around $30 mil tied up in 3 players (but only two positions)....where does the cap space come from to sign (or trade for) the miracle worker who'll solve all their problems in the post (D & rebounding)?...oh, and he should be an 'athletic wingman' too.
  21. Roger S from Canada writes: Yeah, Raptors have cap problem to sign Jose or any other prime player. The long term contracts given to TJ and Kapono are very questionable. As I said, Raptors have Four key players guaranteed through 2010-2011 season, most among all NBA teams. However, there is one possibility for Jose's case, which is if TJ Ford decides to retire. The follwing exception is regarding to retired player against CAP:

    "This is when a player is forced to retire for medical reasons and a league-appointed physician confirms that he is medically unfit to continue playing. There is a waiting period of one year following the injury or illness before a team can apply for this salary cap relief. If the waiting period expires mid-season (on any date prior to the last day of the regular season), then the player's entire salary for that season is removed from the team's team salary. "

    Therefore, there is posibility Raptors could get relieved from cap requirement if TJ decides to retire this season.
  22. andy c from Canada writes: Roger S; this news outlet and others have reported that TJ will be playing basketball again (according to TJ himself no less) so that option is out of the question. now kapono's contract i can see the raps bundling with a few others (rasho's) to go after a impact player this year or the next.
  23. Roger S from Canada writes: Raptors will host Pistons on Friday. Detroit has been playing their best basketball lately. Let's beat them at home.
  24. Roger S from Canada writes: If TJ decides to play again, it is going to be very tough situation for BC. I think Raptors need to sign Jose at all cost. From my part, I have ZERO confidence in TJ running this team by himself, while I have full confidence in Jose alone.

    It's time for BC to play his magic.
  25. mike iber from Canada writes: Jose should be the starter for this team and about 25 others in the league hands down. Nothing against T.J., just bad luck on his part, BC makes a HUGE splash trading FORD for the wingman we need, perhaps Artest and 1 rd pick?
  26. Bubba The Pas Huskies from The Pas Manitoba, Canada writes: Happy New Year one and all. Got in heck with the missus last night as we were going out to a NY party and I kept finding reasons to hang around the tv and watch the end of the game. It was worth it... Anyways, a win but not pretty. The end of this road trip must be hard on the youngun millionaires... BC will sign Jose with hopes of a newer Tony Parker for the Raps... Moving a damaged TJ will be very, very hard. As well, part of the centre of the universe's problem is that NBA players have had a difficult time moving to fair TO. To that end, BC will have to show suitable care in how he handles a once promising player, now hurt, and subsequently how he can gain a benefit in moving him gracefully. Many agents will be watching... Methinks the Raps will take a bath when they try to move him. It'll have to be part of a larger package deal, cus alone TJ doesn't have the marketability at this point. Good luck to him on regaining health and struggling with what could have been... Long term thinking is still at works in BCs head... CB, Bargs, and Jose are the new cornerstones... and put Humps in there for good measure! Look for a large Delfino sighting friday against the Pistons. Thats Smitch will use to light a fire... Speaking of fires, gotta go stoke it... Caiu
  27. Allan Wexler from Canada writes: Albert - I'll be at the cav game on Sunday as well. Maybe you want to join me to congrats Sam on such an excellent coaching job he has done. I know you're a big fan of his!
  28. Shadreck Nyathi from Canada writes: I think Jose is playing his best basketball for Toronto right now and has demonstrated that perhaps he deserves more deployment as a starting guard because he really gives it a go and he is one player you can never doubt what he is bringing to the team every single game . TJ is a different type of guard, he has his ability in speed that he can create havoc when it comes to penetrating the opposing teams and he scores very high when the need is there . I think the coach is able to handle this one without armed chair advisors like ourselves . Who would not want to keep Jose in this league?BC himself said there had been approaches for guards and said they were not for trading.
  29. albert strauss from Toronto,Ontario, Canada writes: Allan: I prefer to keep my distance from you both. AAS
  30. Edwin Green from NS, Canada writes: jose is a great player dont think he is as good as paul under sam he would not have played out at end of game wish the rap would not fall in love with the three ball so much when it is not working for them their players can p[lay inside hope TJ makes it as he seens like a nice kid but would hate to see him hirt for life Happy New Year to all
  31. Yertu Damkule from Canada writes: edwin - if you look below the 'K' & 'L,' you'll find the punctuation keys for a 'comma' (looks like this: , ) and a period (looks like this: . ). i'm not trying to be a prick (hey, i don't capitalize...), but it's hard to read your posts sometimes, i can't tell where one thought ends & another begins. as to your point re. the raps reliance on the 3-pter...statistically, it makes sense. they shoot a league-best 40% from 3, and almost 45% from 2. as such, if they take 10 3-pt shots, statisically, they'll hit 4 of them, equating to 12 points. if they take 10 2-pt shots, they'll hit 4.5 of them, equating to 9 points. of course, there are other factors (i.e. drawing a shooting foul occurs much more frequently on 2-pt attempts, resulting in free points from the line - where the raps are 2nd in the league, just a %-pt behind dallas). of course, this doesn't mean they can foist up ill-advised 3-pters, or get away from their inside game, but the body of evidence available shows that they will hit 3's at almost as a high a rate as 2's - since a 3-pter is worth 33% more than a 2-pter, it just makes sense to shoot more 3's than an average NBA team (actually, they don't shoot an overwhelmingly higher number). even if they're struggling from deep, they can't give up on it entirely...as anyone who plays knows, the only way to get out of a shooting slump is to keep bombing away 'till they start going in. and one of the reasons they can play inside (well, at least bosh) is that they have multiple threats from deep that require defensive attention.
  32. mike iber from Canada writes: Hey Yertu, shat up! Who cares what you can and cant read, get over yourself bud! Raps 97 Pistons 89!

Comments are closed

Thanks for your interest in commenting on this article, however we are no longer accepting submissions. If you would like, you may send a letter to the editor.

Report an abusive comment to our editorial staff

close

Alert us about this comment

Please let us know if this reader’s comment breaks the editor's rules and is obscene, abusive, threatening, unlawful, harassing, defamatory, profane or racially offensive by selecting the appropriate option to describe the problem.

Do not use this to complain about comments that don’t break the rules, for example those comments that you disagree with or contain spelling errors or multiple postings.

Back to top