December 1, 2007
Raps vs. Wizards Preview
Jay wrote this today:
Well, I already had one wish come true this year concerning the Raptors and Wizards. I was hoping that Agent 0 wasn’t going to play. Miraculously, that has fallen into place. I am also hoping that the Wizards pull out those hideous 1980’s Wales Conference All-Star jerseys, just to inject a little pain with our pleasure. Man, those are supposed to be the jerseys that management came up with to generate additional revenue? Wow, fire your marketing department…all of them.
Anyway, back to the preview. When are people going to really, seriously, start talking about Caron Butler in the manner he deserves? Last year, he averaged 19.1 points, 7.4 rebounds, 3.7 assists, over 2 steals, shot 86% from the line…and this year? 22.8 points, 3.3 assists, 7 rebounds, over 2 steals and almost 89% from the line. If those aren’t solid numbers, I don’t know what are. But here’s something to keep in mind. While he has the All-Star numbers, he also played over 44 minutes tonight (?!!!) in a loss to the Sixers. The Raptors might be able to capitalize on this.
Brendan Haywood should get more rebounds for a guy with his size and ability. Problem with him is that some games, he pouts. If he misses anything early, gets knocked a bit or doesn’t feel he is getting the touches he deserves, he shuts it down. Disappears. You don’t even notice him out there. You also can’t like a guy who shoots 63% from the line and considers that a marked improvement. Ouch. For a man of his size (7′0″, 263 lbs), he should play better defense, using that length to at least alter shots, but a lot of the time, it just looks like he doesn’t care. Attack him early and you’ll see some early foul trouble there.
So how tired are the Raptors going to be? Well, they weren’t really challenged all that much against the Cavs and it’s not like they have to travel that far, so they should be okay. I’m not exactly sure why Sam went with the short bench tonight, could have saved some minutes there, but I guess there is some logic to it (somewhere…).
If I’m Sam, I don’t bring Bosh back in this game. This is one where you might be able to afford having him out. The Wiz give up 103 points per game, with a perimeter D that is frightfully slow. Actually, everything on their D is slow, but their inability to get out on guys is astonishing. Teams shoot 37% from 3-point range against them, so as soon as the Raptors hear that in the locker room (please coaching staff, don’t tell them), it’s going to be raining 3s.
Enjoy the game.
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