A New Confidence Found Behind The Mask

"Andrea played well. I asked him, ‘Who was that masked man?’ Andrea seemed like he had a lot more confidence in the things that he did. " That is a quote of Sam Mitchell and I could not agree more.  Confidence has been a very fragile thing for Andrea in his short NBA Career.  Maybe like in the movie "The Mask" by putting on that mask Andrea Bargnani transforms him into a more confident guy.  Many mentions of Rip Hamilton when seeing the new look Bargnani. Hamilton did try to take his mask off and had a bad game and thus the mask went back on for good. To me Andrea was looking more like Bill Laimbeer the former Bad Boy Piston now WNBA head coach.  Sam Mitchell would not complain if Bargnani added a little bit of Bill inside him he wouldn't mind. Hamilton's mask is a little more attractive then the one Andrea had but if it works screw the way it looks.  The reason why for Andrea may not be clear as to where his confidence came from. But the rest of the team that is a no brainier. Chris Bosh, he himself did not do a lot, but his team mates we're confident playing with just his presence on the floor. 

Look not further then Jamario Moon for the proof.  Four hi-light worthy dunks for the fans and a better defensive effort and 14 rebounds for his coach and team. That is the perfect Moon night.  Calderon had a double double, Rasho Continue to step it up, More controlled T.J Ford and everyone just seemed to do what they are expected to do. After the road trip from hell the Toronto Raptors got the perfect match-up to make all right in their world.  But only one freebie per NBA Team. Actually there will be another freebie coming but not yet. Next 3 games are 3 quality teams and all have reason to think the Raptors are the underdog to them.  Raptors have to get ready for the playoffs and what better way to do it. Answering challenges like this down the stretch will go a long way in determining what Raptors think of themselves and what the fan base does as well.  Clearly Chris Bosh is a key part to what makes this collection of players work. He will be a factor in not just how he plays but how his team around him plays. The often measure of a "great" player is how his team plays around him. Does he make his team better?  Steve Nash has to M.V.P Trophies based on the philosophy. 

Chris Bosh is not in the running for that award but game in game out it becomes clear to all that watch he is the Raptor's M.V.P.  That is not something that could always be said for Vince Carter in his time in Toronto. They never chanted M.V.P for Vince at the A.C.C.  Fans have for Bosh and it is well deserved.  He has come such a long way and you have to appreciate the leader he  has become.  He took the mess that Vince Carter left and turned it into something through hard work and working with management not against it. Carter is now having the things that made him fall from grace in Toronto are now happening in New Jersey. Many feel that he was a big reason in why Jason Kidd wanted out of New Jersey. Toronto fans have to smile and say that the Nets should have known better. The Raptors can now laugh off the horrible trade that sent Vince to Jersey. They can see it now as a good thing for if not for it then we may not have Bryan Colangelo.  He along with his superstar and his coach can take pride in what Bosh has been able to do.

The Toronto Raptors set 5 team Records Last night:

• Least Points allowed in a half
• Least Points allowed in a game (3rd lowest total in NBA History in Shot Clock Era)
• Largest lead ever in Team History
• Largest Margin of Victory
• Lowest amount of field goals allowed (20)

Here is something I never thought I would say. It may be a one night event but Philadelphia fans showed more class then the folks at the ACC. Allen Iverson returned to Philadelphia last night to a hero's welcome. Iverson is truly on of the toughest athletes in pro sports. He gives his body to the game and thus gave his body for many years for Philly Fans. They had the intellect to understand that and appreciate that. While in Toronto when the Raptors were taking the boots to the Heat. Fans at the ACC were chanting for Pizza. They booed the Raptors when they committed a turnover that ended the fans dream of pizza . THIS IS STUPID. IT IS A SLICE OF PIZZA. GET OVER IT. This is the second time this issue has been a factor at the ACC. Fans that are TRUE basketball fans don't care if they get a free piece of somewhat quality pizza. They would be happy seeing team history. These people that cheer about Pizza need to get a clue. The Raptors need to end the embarrassment that this promotion has become. If Raptors win you get Pizza cut and dry. If not that get rid of the promotion altogether. May not be popular but it is better then letting your fan base embarrass your organization. The fact the ACC is full every night is great. But it is not great when fans who spend far more to go to a game then the cost of a pizza slice , It seems silly that these people to get bent out of shape over something that likely cost less then it did to park at the game. In short GROW UP PEOPLE. True fans are embarrassed by your behavior. 

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NCAA TOURNEY starts today. I have not figured out how exactly I will work NCAA Stuff but check back at some point if you have the Madness.