February 1, 2007
Quality Performance
Jay wrote this today:
Well, we here at RF tend to harp on all of the things the Raptors do wrong (and God knows, there is more than enough ammo), but let’s give some credit when things are done well.
Bosh was Bosh…and then some. 15 straight field goals is something to take notice of, especially when you get bumped and hacked as much as he does (am I the only one who thinks he doesn’t get his share of “touch” calls?). If you were lucky enough to see Bosh’s spin and dunk, then you probably said the same thing I said to the TV, “THAT’S what he should be doing more often!”. When you have the kind of speed and agility Bosh has, you should be posting and making those moves regularly.
Now on to Jose. Easily the best game he has played this year and not even so much because of his 24 and 11 (and let’s not forget the 1 turnover…that’s important), but because he played a big role in shutting down Agent 0 (which could be the best nickname around right now). Arenas was not able to get on track and he scored 12 of his 27 in the 4th quarter when things were essentially out of reach (although as we saw last time against the Wiz…hehe…the Wiz…that no Raptor lead is safe). Jose played him about as effectively as one could hope and didn’t foul him all night, which is what Arenas thrives on. The guy lives on the foul line and Jose did a good job of effectively defending him while not hacking him. A great job and all around performance by Jose.
It was good to see TJ get back in and get some minutes, but even more important was that TJ was A MAN last night. How? He was supposed to start (Mitchell, what are you thinking? Ease him back in!), but told Mitchell that if he wasn’t 100% healthy, that Jose should start because he has earned it and that the team is rolling well with him. THAT’S being a good teammate. THAT’S putting the team first. When you see things like that, you have to believe the Raptors when they talk about being a family and getting along well.
Before last night’s game, I thought the best plan to counteract Agent 0 would be to run a strict zone, but Sam didn’t do that (probably because they didn’t run into huge foul trouble and Bosh was on fire afte r starting 0-4). So while Sam may have lucked into it last night, it ended up working out.
Now let’s hope we don’t see the ever so famous “flop against a bad team after beating a good team” on Friday against the Hawks.
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February 1st, 2007 at 11:12 am
Gah, went to some bar last night to watch the game and they turned on the damn Maple Leafs!! I missed one of the best games yet!!! Frickin Pourhouse!
Mitchel is a poor coach, he needs to be an assistant for a few years first, learn how to feel the game’s flow and how to use his assets properly. I have a feeling he’ll be gone at years end, nice guy but they need someone a little more experienced to guide this young team to the next level.
And I was super impressed with TJ, finally a ‘team’, a stark contrast to many other NBA teams (or what seems to be the norm all around) who have one or two ’stars’ which the rest of the team operates around (read old Philly and Iverson type of situation). They never go far in the playoffs.
February 1st, 2007 at 12:06 pm
Lol…that was the first good laugh I’ve had today. Yeah, as Lang and I mentioned when we first started RF, this is a hockey city, no two ways about it. Just before Christmas, I asked at my gym if they could put the Raptors game on one of the TVs (the Leafs were already on) and they looked at me like I had asked them to put on hardcore porn. Note: The Harbour Bar & Grille is usually pretty good about having things split up well.
Mitchell is improving and if the Raps keep playing well, he won’t be gone in the offseason. Colangelo can look like a hero if he’s known as the guy who stuck with the coach nobody wanted and still had it end well.
Yep, a team usually functions better than a collection of individuals, although there have been some teams that have still won championships while not completely liking each other and being selfish (Lakers). Personally, I think the media have tended to be a little harsh on AI, concentrating a lot of things he said and did in his early years in the NBA. He has really matured and I think sometimes that is forgotten. That being said, his “Practice? Practice?” press moment is one of my all-time favourites.
February 1st, 2007 at 6:41 pm
This Just In for January for the East NBA
Coach of the month Sam Mitchell
Player of the month Chris Bosh
Rookie of the month Andrea Bargnani
Well deserved recognition for outstanding performance by all.
February 2nd, 2007 at 12:57 pm
Steady progression…5-10, 8-8, 10-5…good things to come.