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Toronto sunk by rebounding woes

MICHAEL GRANGE

From Monday's Globe and Mail

Latest comment posted at 3:25 PM EST 04/03/08

No one able to take up slack in Chris Bosh's absence as Raptors fall 110-98 to Charlotte ...Read the full article

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  1. Roger S from Canada writes: This was a very frustrating game, enough is enough, Sam Mitchell should be fired immediately.

    And TJ Ford, he can't shoot, he doesn't know how to lay up, his style of play does NOT make his teammate better.

    Always, it is extremely difficult to bring together the players and establish good game flows, but the thing could go wrong a lot easier. Raptors' last 20 games with Jose running the team exclusively will be solely missed for many reasons. It is hisotry now.

    Anybody think it will matter if Bosh comes back next week when team starts their west coast trip? Don't rush back. I think Bosh may take as long as he is fully recovered, and wait for April.
  2. andy c from Canada writes: that was harder to watch then the indy game. everyone get's a hand in the blame from players to coaches. good start by the raps but the cats made there adjustments in the second quarter and rode those adjustments the rest of the way. the list of sins is long enough i really dont feel like getting into the gory details.
  3. Rich Chan from Vancouver, Canada writes: Okay, so yes, this was a hard game to watch. It's hard for this team to win any game because Bosh made the game a bit more structured. The point guards tend to always look for him, but I was wondering why Smitch took out Nesterovic when he was playing so good and only made him play 27 minutes. Definitely should've played him a bit longer.

    I was really surprised that Charlotte beat us tonight in all honesty. I thought that the Raps would've come out hard knowing that they didn't have Bosh. Let's not even begin with TJ because I don't want to go there, and don't want to get blasted by TJ fans.

    Other than that, we got out scored and out-rebounded, and that's all, hopefully we can surprise Orlando.
  4. TKO aka Borat from via London, ON, Kazakhstan writes: Jak Sie Masz?

    Borat here, Raptors take it in dairyare.

    How can team with best fans in NBA, sheet bed again?

    Raptors play like Maple Leafs of old.
    Maple Leafs play like Raptors used to.

    Gods of pro-sports are laughing, Borat is crying :-(
  5. Big Cayman from South Toronto, Canada writes: The fortunes of the Raps rise and fall with the only allstar on the team Chris Bosh is proven time and time again. I mean what do you expect when the Raptors inside game without Bosh is two cinder blocks who get tired if they are on the floor more than 5 mintues at a time and our 7 foot rookie sensation first overall pick who lives off 3 point set shots only because the Raptors can stretch the floor and take advantage of the extra defender Chris draws. Don't ask ill Mago to post up, he doesn't know what you are talking about, he probably thinks you're saying "Pasta". Well at least he lived up to his namesake and pulled off a great disappearing act. I dont think there is a worrd in Italian or Spanish for BOX OUT, or PLAY HELP, I mean when the other team gets 18 offensive rebounds you got some real problems. Hey Colangelo if you're reading this I hear Ronny Turiaf can speak both Italian and Spanish... Thank you Lord for showing the Lakers - Dallas game this afternoon, enough said.
  6. R 27 from Canada writes: By now if you're still not convinced that TJ Ford was a huge mistake...then you either don't understand the mental aspect of the game or you're a TOOL!

    Gherardini is getting closer and closer to that coaching seat. That's the bright spot in all of this.

    Sincerely,
    True Basketball Fan.
  7. EJ L from Markham, Canada writes: I think BC should trade TJ and Kapano for Michael Redd for Joe Johnson... or someone who has similar style... cause ford isnt doing much for the raps, and we're not utilizing on calderon, and kapano defense is terrible.
  8. lost ontarian from Canada writes: First, trade talk is ridiculous until the off season. Second, I am still not a Mitchell fan. Passion is nice but progress is better. The measurement of a coaching staff is improvement. There is none between last year and this year...either in the team defence or basic individual skills. Humphries, Graham, Bargnani and Ford have the exact same game weaknesses as they did 18 months ago. The team does not have a rebounding presence and in some areas Mitchell must take the heat. Bargs does not position himself anywhere near the offensive basket. Actually, when he releases a three he trots backward as he watches it. Ford's decision making is as erratic as last year with ill advised shot attempts every game. I love Mitch's comments that TJ's shot is rusty cuz he still hasn't got his game legs. Shut up! he has the same percentage as the last two years at .450. No improvement in shot selection. this screws up his team-mates most of the time cuz they have no idea where his spots are! I had no dreams of a championship yet, but really hoped for a second round playoff appearance at the least. A bit of improvement. But this style play Sam against the Cavs!? I dunno!
  9. C Ta from Richmond Hill, Canada writes: We can have all 5 of our guys against a lone opponent contesting for the rebound, and it seems more often than not we'll give up that offensive board. Our problem of course is we have too many spectators instead of box-outs or aggressive moves to snag the rebound. You'd think they'd "get it" by now.

    And Kapono's reluctance to spot up for the 3 drives me nuts. Yeah, I know he's closely guarded because of his reputation, but all it takes is a pass and pass-return to hoist it up. Of course if it's TJ he's on the floor with, Kapono will never get that pass return. If we exchange Jamario's brain with Jason's, our offensive efficiency would improve.
  10. albert strauss from Toronto,Ontario, Canada writes: This loss was the direect result of the failure to have a Plan B for the forseeable result of Bosh "going down". This is an unforgivable fault of a coaching oversight. When will m'ment realize that Sam is an anchor around the teams neck full time. It appears that more of the commentators are beginning to note this. Even in winning he attracts nothing positive.
  11. albert strauss from Toronto,Ontario, Canada writes: Where are you when we need you Dennis Rodman. At least we had Marcus Camby for a while. Remember this fellas - You have to pay the price. Keep your feet apart and your elbows up. Contact free sport? Ha Ha
  12. Yertu Damkule from Canada writes: WOW. That was just pathetic. The most baffling team I can remember following in quite some time. Was there a bright spot at all? Did ANYONE play even decently? Rich – there’s a limit to just how long rasho is physically able to go before he needs a blow. Having him out on the floor beyond his limit would reduce his effectiveness. And anyone who thought he’d be able to sustain the impact he had in the 1st Q hasn’t watched enough ball. Here’s a fun test to predetermine if the game’s going to be enjoyable to watch: see who’s officiating, and if the name BENNETT SALVATORE is listed, it won’t be. Chuck & Leo need to keep their flappers shut about ‘salami & cheese’ – they must have been bored with the game, so got off on one of their idiotic tangents with time left in the FIRST QUARTER!! Apparently, they don’t believe in jinxing, or karma, but this isn’t the first time they started sounding like a win was a foregone conclusion, only to have the Raps prove how awful they can be at putting teams away. If they had even a marginally decent 2nd Q, they’d have been up big going into half. PG play was brutal. The Moon experiment plateaued (is that even a word?) in December. Still no inside presence w/o Bosh. Most of Rasho’s points came off mid-range jumpers, but I guess that’s ok (just not ok when it’s Bargs shooting ‘em, eh?). BigC – I’ve found myself agreeing with you more lately in general, but disagree w/ your continued hatred of Bargs. For sure, he was just as bad as anyone else, but if he’s not on the floor for the majority of the game, how is the inside obliteration his fault? Hey, I guess we all see what we want to see…Roger sees TJ miss his shots, and thinks he’s the worst PG alive…you see the Raps get beat on the glass, and blame Bargs. At least blame THE GUYS ON THE FLOOR who are supposedly good/decent interior defenders/rebounders. Overall, just a pathetic performance, from top to bottom. Guess we can cancel the parade (again).
  13. JOHN PALANDRA from Toronto, Canada writes: Yertu you hit it bang on with your post. Im not sure why you are bashing Bargnani Big C because he was the victim of at least 3 weak foul calls and wasnt even on the floor for most of the game. Rasho and Hump were the ones getting killed on the glass and they failed to box their man out for most of the game. Also to say he is a "seven foot spot up shooter who lives off the three, nothing more" could not be further from the truth. Bargs is consistently taking the ball to the rack and is one of the team leaders in FT attempts. You need to be a little more consistent with your criticism and spread it around, especially when you are talking about posting someone up, something that Bosh doesnt do effectively either.
  14. Joseph Daniel from Oakville, Canada writes: Wow the passion in here today!. I love it Raps fans. Too bad our team didn't have this passion in the last couple of games. I think I am as disappointed as anyone in here about that loss. Big C, when the Raps played Charlotte last time in toronto they were missing bosh and a couple of others and handled the Bobcats quite easily. I am suprised Sam didn't go to PB earlier in the game. Why not use him in the second quarter when things started going away. Could have used a little emotion out on the floor. Yertu tottaly agree on the Moon expriment. I said after friday's game when he commited the offensive foul when the raps were on a 16-0 run to get within one that it was another boneheaded play. So yeah I guess that the experiment peaked around december and declined since the Portland game that he commited the foul on a three point shot that went in and thus tied the game sending it to OT. I remember Smitch's comments after that game "we don't throw players away around here". Moon may be your pet project but perhaps it is time to move on and let him sit. Perhaps starting Delfino at the three will help some, though you will lose a lot on the second unit. I guess there are no real answers at the three, Kapono? Joey G? Bargs? I don't know but like someone mentioned earlier I really don't like this line up against Cleveland in the playoffs. Lebron will take care of business and the Raps may win one game.
  15. JA M from Our Town, Canada writes: What should have been two wins end up being two brutal losses and paid to watch one of them.

    Hey Chuck Swirsky the next time you do a pre game blurb at the ACC don't trash the opposition while they can hear you on the court!!!
  16. M Spiker from Ottawa, Canada writes: I missed the first quarter and half the 2nd so it was even more of a brutal game to watch.

    AB-apologists: he isn't getting the minutes because he is getting benched...something that has happened in almost half the games this season.

    As for PB, read the Charlotte quotes about him and you wouldn't want him on the team never mind the court.

    Good news for the ORL game...it's going to be the NBA TV game of the night so I won't have to suffer through Chuckie Cheese. It will be nice to hear some independent analysis and opinions on the Barney's even though the over-under on Howards rebounds is 55.
  17. andy c from Canada writes: M Spiker; i'm sure more then a few of us were watching the lakers and mavs finish up before watching the raps lose (what a great finish)
  18. Greg Ast from Nanoose Bay, Canada writes: Watch Sam Mitchell during a game. When the Raptors are losing because he has been out coached or his strategy is being effectively countered by his opposition, then he sits quietly fuming on the bench. Charlotte was the better team because their coach outcoached our coach.

    I predict, that won't happen again. Sam will find a way to deal with the temporary lose of CB4.
  19. Yertu Damkule from Canada writes: Spike - i don't think of myself as one, but i guess i could be considered an AB apologist. i just don't get what they're doing with him...if he's playing like crap, they yank his a$$ to the bench, where i'm sure he's going to be doing all kinds of improving. i think moon could take a dump in smitch's oatmeal and still stay on his good side (& still start, and still get good minutes, and still not know how to defend the perimeter or enter the key). i'm not sure what you're saying re. bargs: he's not playing (i.e. not getting minutes) because he's not playing (i.e. getting benched)? what i find troubling is that the guys who are sent in in his place do no better than him. if that's the case, then why not leave him out there to learn how to fight through his struggles? are they planning on investing the future of the team in rasho, JG, hump or PB? F-NO!!! they are, however, investing in AB, so why not just let him figure it out, especially if the guys who are supposed to be doing the things that he hasn't been can't do it either? it's not like ANYONE on the frontline had ANY success keeping dudley or okafor (among others, like, the whole bobcats team) off the glass. taking bargnani out in place of hump or PB makes sense in theory if they're actually going to be successful defending & picking up boards. it does take a fairly good offensive weapon away...unless they're hoping that rasho's 13-pt quarters are going to become a habit. i'm sure we'd all prefer to see JG or hump foist 15-footers. it seems to be the same old story, unfortunately...except now, they're having trouble winning even if they do shoot well. whether this is a blip on the radar, or a sign of things to come, who knows. last week, i actually allowed myself to consider the possibility of them winning 50 (at the time, they'd have had to go 18-8 to close out the season). at least i don't have to worry about that...
  20. Clark The Mighty from Canada writes: Not much talent on this team besides Bosh.

    Mitchell still can't coach.

    Toronto sports media are intimidated due to their lack of bball knowledge and Sam's aggressive interview style.

    Raps SUCK!
  21. Yertu Damkule from Canada writes: clark, i agree, the raps suck...we should root for another team that doesn't suck. that way, we won't have to come on here & complain about them. you start.
  22. Jason J from Markham, Canada writes: If Raps can't get to seed #3, then lose as many as needed to fall to seed 6, so they will avoid Cavs and take on Magics in the 1st round of playoff, and it seems to be the only hope to get to the 2nd round.

    No need to talk about this Raps-Cats game.
  23. John Nicholson from Oshawa, writes: Raptors played poorly for 2 games and lost them both. The sky is falling, fire Mitchell, fire Colangelo, the PG's are useless replace them.

    This is still a young NBA inexperienced team that is dependent on Bosh as the focus of their offense, defense, and rebounding. With him not there, someone (Bargnani) has to step up as that focus, or if not then everyone has to increase their role, and contribute more in those areas.
    Each time Bosh has been out it has taken some time to adjust as it will now.
    Bosh contributes 23pts & 9rbs plus double team coverage in the post to open looks for the shooters. Someone has to pick that up on top of their usual contributions. If not Rap's will continue to struggle.
  24. j k from Canada writes: "We can have all 5 of our guys against a lone opponent contesting for the rebound, and it seems more often than not we'll give up that offensive board. Our problem of course is we have too many spectators instead of box-outs or aggressive moves to snag the rebound. You'd think they'd "get it" by now.

    And Kapono's reluctance to spot up for the 3 drives me nuts. Yeah, I know he's closely guarded because of his reputation, but all it takes is a pass and pass-return to hoist it up. Of course if it's TJ he's on the floor with, Kapono will never get that pass return. If we exchange Jamario's brain with Jason's, our offensive efficiency would improve."

    Had to quote that because it's dead on....perfect.

    The only thing worse than watching a pathetic effort like the Raptors displayed is having to listen to Chuckie Cheese babble during it...just excruciating.
  25. andy c from Canada writes: John Nicholson; sorry but i don't buy the young inexperience excuse. this is a team that has been to the playoffs before with more or less the same players (delf and kapono have playoff experience with there previous teams). they are in the home stretch of the regular season fighing for playoff seeding. every player on the team should know what's at stake; this team has also played without bosh over 20 times the last two seasons; i'm not saying they will win every game without bosh, but yesterday it looked like they've never played without him before.
  26. Bobby S from Toronto, Canada writes: If Steve Nash has won the MVP based on the fact that he is the most valuable to his team, then shouldn't Chris Bosh get some consideration as well? The last two games should be evidence of that. No doubt Lebron and Kobe are the two most talented players, but the way the criteria is for MVP, I think Bosh should be considered. As for the game, I unfortunately (or fortunately) didn't get a chance to watch it, but judging by the outcome I'm glad I didn't. Not sure why there are so many of you who are calling for Mitchell's head, as he is not the one rebounding. Do you guys even remember some of the other coaches we have had? Does K.O or Lenny ring a bell? I would take Mitchell over them in a heartbeat. I think the expectations on AB need to be reduced. He's a shooter, pure and simple. He's not going to get you double digit boards, and he's not going to the be the inside presence we all want. It's kind of like how everyone wanted Vince to drive the basket, but he would end up taking 15 foot jump shots. Either we appreciate AB's game or we hang him out to get raked every night. In terms of the PG situation, I am still fan of the 2 guards the Raps. I would like to see JC get a bulk of the playing time (say 65-35) but I like T.J's energy and he can only help out the 2nd unit. Everyone needs to relax, this is a part of the schedule that they have taken too lightly and it has shown. There is still a number of games to go for the Raps to get that number 3 seed, but they will need a healthy Bosh in the lineup for them to make any run.
  27. HC Bargs from Toronto, Canada writes: Why is Moon not getting benched? I'd rather see him there than AB. Cripes.

    I don't want to be a pessimist, but even when the Raps are going well, there D is still crap - mediocre at best. When things tighten up in the playoffs they are going to struggle much like they did last year (unless they play Orlando - an equally mediocre defensive club).

    I have my sights set on next year. BC is going to have sort out his PG situation (ideally, keep both...but if it's too expensive, trade TJ and have someone decent and less expensive back up Jose). And then he'll need to figure out which wing player is available that is a significant upgrade to Moon (defensively and offensively). I'm not sure who said it, but the Raps will need a second superstar on their team if they plan to do anything serious in the upcoming years.
  28. M Spiker from Ottawa, Canada writes: Yertu, they don't have a choice but to play AB especially with CB out.
    Unfortunately AB is getting benched a lot. By my calculations 31 times this season he has played less than 24 minutes in a game and 20 times in the teens (not including his 4 DNP's). Considering he starts and is guaranteed the first 8 minutes or more this isn't good.

    I am saying AB is given a chance every game (unlike their other bigs they invest minutes in him). He is given these minutes to show what he can do...31 of 54 games he has failed to deliver, impress his coach, and/or keep out of foul trouble (take your pick) enough to play 1/2 the game.

    I think AB is better at PF and if the 3-way the Barney's have backing up at center could actually play collectively for 48 minutes every game they'd be OK. The problem here is the lack of consistency at 5.

    SM can pull AB (especially so when CB is playing) because they have the other 3 bodies (plus Joey and Maceo if he is really desperate) who may be able to do something for a few minutes. They are so thin at 3 that Moon has been cut a lot of slack. Has there been any confirmation that Delfino will be starting at 3 for a while (this is the media rumor)?
  29. tino care from waterloo, Canada writes: BC is are a great GM and we have great respect for all he has done for the Raps.We may not share the same feeling for R. Babcock,who failed to assess the real talent of those he drafted,but it seems to me that as misguided as he was,unlike BC,he stuck by his choices imposing his will on Sam,for example forcing him to play Hoffa.Now the Raps go and select AB(who is certainly a better player) as one main part of the Rap's future.Last year BC has to strongly suggest he play the kid,this year after Sam played with Andrea's mind and confidence,by starting and then benching him for no reasonable excuse,sending him in the funk of all funk,Sam bested BC by coming up with a "comical" resolution to starting him again,thus committing to the Raps draft choice.However,He still is able to find a way to play AB 14/mxgame while letting his seemingly "favorite son" Jamario play 27,in spite of really poor play.Maybe now it's the time to be a Babcock kind of like gm.,unless our BC thinks Sam is doing it rigth...
  30. Yertu Damkule from Canada writes: i see what you're saying, Spike, but my point is (& has been) that the guys who are coming into the game to replace him aren't doing any better, and are certainly not better offensively...so, they basically take out an offensive option (& sometimes legit threat) in place of guys who can't get the job done defensively either, and who aren't much of a threat offensively. i guess part of my frustration is that i don't see a plan for him. the message has been very inconsistent - basically, he's told to play D & rebound, not to worry about his shooting...but i've seen plenty of games where his D & rebounding are fine (ok, decent), but his shot isn't falling, and before you know it, he's on the bench. i realize they're 'deeper' at 5 (meaning they have more bodies that play the role) than the 3, leading to moon's undeserved PT, but my point all along is that if the guys they bring in to replace AB DON'T DO THE THINGS THEY WANT HIM TO DO EITHER, then what, exactly, is the point? it's not like hump or PB made any difference defensively or on the glass, so why not just ride it out w/ AB, let him pick up some fouls, play heavy minutes...it's not likely that he's going to be around for the 4th Q anyway (either by benching or fouling out). and from what i've seen over the last few months, he needs time to get going...he's simply not a guy who comes into the game (whether starting or off the bench) on fire. so, he starts, plays ineffectively, gets yanked early (he's almost always the first subbed off), so he rarely gets into any kind of rhythm. if they truly believe he has a future either in the league or w/ the raps, they need to start letting him go, & see what happens. what would be so wrong if he fouled out? do they think it would cause irreperable harm to his psyche? he's shown over the course of the year that the more he plays, the better he plays...it just seems takes longer to get into the 'playing well' phase than most.
  31. M Spiker from Ottawa, Canada writes: Yertu: I wasn't defending pulling AB in favor of the other bigs as I agree they as a rule do not play any better. But SM clearly has a problem leaving AB out there to learn on the job -- he must see something that he really doesn't like and feels he needs to pull him to win games. What else can SM do with what BC has given him this year (and likely next year)?

    An interesting contrast is AB vs. Kaman. Kaman is playing for a bad team but he is playing the most minutes on the team and hasn't played less than 32 minutes in a game this year. Clearly his coach likes what Kaman is doing and thinks he is as good as they have got -- so he gets the playing time. If you watched LAC play DET this weekend, you could see while Kaman wasn't being very effective vs. DET's big-3, it wasn't for the lack of trying.
  32. Yertu Damkule from Canada writes: yeah, i get it...i just fear we have the 2nd coming of darko. darko may stink (actually, he's not that bad), but is that who he really is, or is that the result of riding the pine for those years in detroit, getting yelled at every day by larry brown? at a certain point, you just have to give him a chance to play his way out of the funk. they lose when he puts up points (pistons, pacers), they lose when he sits for extended portions of the game ('cats, about 15 other games this season)...so, what to do? does he get better watching? doesn't look like it? is hump/PB/JG/rasho a marked improvement? meh. i can live with them losing games, but i can't stand when they lose, and gain nothing from a development standpoint. i mean, what did they 'learn' from this loss other than something each & every one of 'em already knows (that, y'know, if you want to win, you have to try).
  33. Big Cayman from South Toronto, Canada writes: Yeah, its not really about Bargs (my post), but the fact that we all know the deficiencies on the Raps, and it is up to Colangelo to fix it and he has not done it. Some poster mentioned that Gheradini will be the head coach, while I think that this would be a very dumb move given that he cannot even get Bargs to do the things that he should be doing, that move would not surprise me. BC's recruitment efforts thus far have pretty plain: It was easy to improve on the end of the VC era as a monkey could have improved on Araujo. Right now I feel pretty pessimistic about next year, we don't have the right personel to compete in a sustained way at an elite level. Colangelo thinks he can raise the dead, and too many people are buying this garbage. The D has improved thanks to the coaching but because we do not have an active player in the paint (at either end of the floor) outside of Bosh, we are doomed to inconsistency. We have to get rid of the cinder blocks or at least Brezec, he's useless. Nesterovic would never start on any NBA team. The only real NBA starters on the Raps are Bosh, Calderon and TJ, everyone else is at best a 6th man. Sure I love when the Raps win or Bargs hit a bunch of 3's in a row, but that still doesn't make me blind to the real short comings of this team... Have any of you guys read this? http://www.tsn.ca/nba/news_story/?ID=229012&hubname=nba tell me what you think!
  34. Clark The Mighty from Canada writes: FIRE MITCHELL!
  35. Yertu Damkule from Canada writes: i'm not one for 'alltime' teams, especially for the raps...too painful. oh, to have had the foresight to keep TMac & trade VC when his stock was sky-high. i mean, we've rehashed it to death, and 'what if' gets real old real quick...but what if? i mean, has any other team lost two legit all-NBA-type players who were just entering their primes in such a short period & gotten ZERO in return? oh well, it is what it it is. yesterdays misery will be tomorrow's elation, followed by misery, then elation, then misery, then..............whatever. sports is like life...if no one ever lost, the games wouldn't mean anything, just like death gives meaning to life.

    i do find it funny, BigC, that of the 3 legit NBA starters you mentioned, 2 of 'em play the same position. typically ironic. the raps essentially have 2 legit starting positions, and a bunch of fill-ins/scrubs/castoffs. conference finals, HERE WE COME!
  36. andy c from Canada writes: i'd probably put AP on your starter list Big C. i think he can be the starter on at least 3 quarters of the teams in the NBA as a shooting guard. i think BC's plan was always to get the big free agent or trade done next year as the raps have a ton of expiring contracts to offer but no, i too dont think this raptors roster can make it out of the second round and the only player on the team that has a chance of any meaningful growth/development is bargs.
  37. M Spiker from Ottawa, Canada writes: The Barneys are setup well at 4 (CB) and 1 (assuming they re-sign JC) and they can compete with anybody at these 2 positions.

    But for a contender, they don't have legitimate starters at 2, 3, and 5. They have very good backups and depth guys but not anybody who is going to start for their top competitors. Not everybody can be DET (studs at 1 thru 5) but they need to upgrade at least 2 of these positions.

    To make it worse, all these guys are under contract for 08/09 and almost all are overpaid -- ergo no cap room next year. Note, every one of these contracts has BC's signature on it.
  38. M Spiker from Ottawa, Canada writes: Andy: I like AP but he puts up average numbers for an SG and his salary is in the top quartile -- not enough value.
  39. Big Cayman from South Toronto, Canada writes: I like AP too, but the nba is super rich at the 2 so AP is easily replaceable, but I think saying he could start on 3 quarters of the teams is a little too high too. But don't get me wrong, he could make any team in the NBA and I can't say that about many players on this roster, especially if we don't include role players. There is this myth that fans have that role players are necessary and that you can't have two of the same players on the court at the same time. I think it was either Pat Riley or Phil Jackson that said they would love to coach a team with 6'7" to 6'10" athletic players who could play all positions. A team full of Magic Johnsons or Michael Jordans. is quite intriguing If you look at the Bird Celtics or the Magic Lakers they were quite close to this. I guess my other point is that when I look at the Raps I don't see any direction, we don't really seem that young either, it seems like a patchwork or a couple of mixed puzzles with pieces missing from the box. Other than some ill conceived notion regarding the feasability of stacking a team with mediocre Europeans will somehow bring about a team game that will have NBA success. And I'm suspicious that its all a marketing ploy because this team needs to be sold to a muticultural Toronto maket as well as an untapped European market for revenue purposes rather than trying to build a winning team which will draw crowds by actually, well, WINNING. I'm also watching other teams get better before my eyes at a much quicker pace. Sure we have a better record then Portland but I'll take a shot in the dark and predict that Portland is going to eat us alive in 1 or 2 years. The usual suspect like Phx, Dal, Det have also made moves that keep them competitive for the next few years too never mind the other good teams like Bos, Utah, SA, blah blah blah the list goes on. So what's BC's plan?! Pretty sure he'll be adding more salami and cheese.
  40. Roger S from Canada writes: OK, regarding who are capable of being NBA starters at NBA: I think Bosh, Calderon, Parker, Rasho, Andrea and Delfino are all capable of starting at any team in NBA, not TJ Ford, you don't need to doubt this. Second, it is unrealistic to keep both Jose and TJ together next season, since they can not play at same time. TJ has to play point when they are on the court at same time since he can't shoot; unfortunately this guy doesn't know how to pass and run the team either, he is not capable of being a point guard at all, albeit either of them can defense. Even playing those two guys sequentially will not be effective well since TJ Ford can disturb the game flow whenever he is on the court. At last, I want to classify the difference between TJ Ford's deficiency and Kapono's: TJ Ford is not effective since he is USELESS, while the reason for Kapono is MISUSED. Ford is doing more damage to this team than Juan Dixion did, mainly because everybody know Dixon sucks, including Sam Mitchell, thus his damage is contained. TJ Ford is another story, Sam pretty much gives his pet greenlight whatever he wants to do. His damage to this team is unlimited. Kapono can shoot, but Raptors didn't run any play for him after putting him on court. The guy can't do anything other than shooting, he is misused.
  41. Roger S from Canada writes: OK, regarding who are capable of being NBA starters at NBA: I think Bosh, Calderon, Parker, Rasho, Andrea and Delfino are all capable of starting at any team in NBA, not TJ Ford, you don't need to doubt this. Second, it is unrealistic to keep both Jose and TJ together next season, since they can not play at same time. TJ has to play point when they are on the court at same time since he can't shoot; unfortunately this guy doesn't know how to pass and run the team either, he is not capable of being a point guard at all, albeit either of them can defense. Even playing those two guys sequentially will not be effective well since TJ Ford can disturb the game flow whenever he is on the court. At last, I want to classify the difference between TJ Ford's deficiency and Kapono's: TJ Ford is not effective since he is USELESS, while the reason for Kapono is MISUSED. Ford is doing more damage to this team than Juan Dixion did, mainly because everybody know Dixon sucks, including Sam Mitchell, thus his damage is contained. TJ Ford is another story, Sam pretty much gives his pet greenlight whatever he wants to do. His damage to this team is unlimited. Kapono can shoot, but Raptors didn't run any play for him after putting him on court. The guy can't do anything other than shooting, he is misused.
  42. andy c from Canada writes: rog, after analyzing your last comments carefully i've come to the conclusion that you have some sort of unnatural hatred (is that too strong a word?) for TJ Ford. is my assessment accurate? i mean, it's reads like some glorious revelation on your part mixed in with some deep analysis only someone with an exceptional understanding of today's NBA would be able to deduce.
  43. M Spiker from Ottawa, Canada writes: ...or unnatural love for Rasho and Andrea (smiley face)
  44. Roger S from Canada writes: I said many times, and I said long time ago. Smart people can see future;ordinary people appreciate what is happening; only stupid people refuse to recognize the fact. My assessment to TJ Ford is accurate, I see this guy's illusive stock value will shrink to ZERO. He is not capable of being a point guard since he lacks vision, and he is also without some of game's fundamentals. Rasho is capable of starting at most NBA teams, he is proven player, you don't need to have any doubt, Sam Mitchell really sucks and wastes our resource. And Andrea, if you play him right, he can contribute more than you can think of. The problem is, Sam Mitchell can never get it right.
  45. Roger S from Canada writes: BTW, Rasho, Andrea and Kapono combined contribute 18M salary each year, nearly 30% of Raptors' payroll, yet I believe the team only get less than 20% of potentials from those three guys.

    What a job by Sam Mitchell !!!
  46. andy c from Canada writes: again, extraordinary analysis by rog (i keed, i keed). it totally reeked of awesomeing. do your observations extend beyond basketball? economics? subprime? kazakhstan politics? hot earth?
  47. Big Cayman from South Toronto, Canada writes: Roger S from Canada writes:"OK, regarding who are capable of being NBA starters at NBA: I think Bosh, Calderon, Parker, Rasho, Andrea and Delfino are all capable of starting at any team in NBA,..."ANY NBA team??? most of the guys you mention could not start for ANY NBA team but putting the cinder block Rasho here?!Hahahahahahaha!!! Man you just love to come here and make a fool of yourself. Your last two post are the ramblings of a true simpleton. I'm not sure what's sadder, your illiteracy, your gibberish, or your parrot like repetition of the same thick headed BS spewing out of your mouth. Thank God you keep people laughing.
  48. Roger S from Canada writes: Big C, I remember, not too long ago, you said Jose is not All Star, now you ate your words. You have no idea how good this team is, otherwise Sam Mitchell, who is doing the random coaching my 9 yr old nephew is capable of doing as well, would not win coach of year last summber. I repeat this team is two pieces away from accomplishing something big.
  49. Yertu Damkule from Canada writes: uh, jose isn't an allstar. i know 'cause i watched the game, and didn't see him. i find it helps to watch the game. you should try it sometime, rog. maybe your 9-yr-old nephew could watch it with you & help you understand.

    and, uh, i didn't realize that 'smart people can see future.' did you 'see future' & predict the PB for dixon trade? did you foresee shaq to miami? can you help me out with my lottery #s? how big a cut will the fed make to the prime rate today? is gold due to crash? will oil keep rising? help me, roger, help me...or at least get your nephew to help me!!!!!

    let me guess what you think the 'two pieces' are - firing smitch & trading ford? does that qualify for 'seeing future?'
  50. Big Cayman from South Toronto, Canada writes: Roger S, Jose isn't an all star you big loser. He was not a selection of the fans nor was he a selection of the coaches, so how am I eating my words?? It's hard to believe what a sucker for punishment you are
  51. Conrad Sola from United States writes:
    Read this about Jose

    http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/sports/120443011240840.xml&coll=7
  52. Conrad Sola from United States writes:

    http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/sports/120
    443011240840.xml&coll=7
  53. Big Cayman from South Toronto, Canada writes: Good Article Sola (though its not really about Calderon, as it is more about replacing 3 mediocre guard with one who is available and better than mediocre) , but of course Calderon is on the mind of any GM who needs a PG now, and this is the only Blazers position (if there is one) to be determined, and the Raps have 2 good ones. The Blazers PG salaries combined are low, Rodriguez doesn't even come close to making a Mil and Jack is barely above that. It makes sense to go after Jose because he's soon an RFA, and Portland according to some reports will pay luxury tax if they have too because they are rich, very very rich. Don't be surprised if at the end of the season they max out an offer the Raps are unwilling to pay to keep Jose and do a sign and trade. The money is not because Jose is that valuable as it is that they can afford it. But if you read the article further you read this, "Perhaps feeding Pritchard's desire to be patient is the fact that outside of Calderon, there will be no top-tier point guard available this summer through free agency. The Raptors will be able to match any offer made to Calderon, which they are expected to do because of the uncertain health of T.J. Ford, Toronto's other point guard, who is battling serious neck and back injuries. The best point guards -- Utah's Deron Williams and New Orleans' Chris Paul -- become free agents after next season, the exact time when the Blazers expect to have money to spend." Obviously the Blazers have planned their moves superbly, unlike the Raptors.

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