Little Love Please!!

Note From the Dino Blogger James Borbath

OK, before we get down to today's blog. I had wanted this to be a day for you the readers to have you say. Unfortunately there was not enough response to make this come together. So I have decided to handle it like this. If you ever have a question or comment send it to me @ DinoNationBlogger@hotmail.com. If you are a reader of Doug Smith's blog he will often add in questions and comments even on his non-mail bag days. So till there is enough support to make this a weekly or Bi/weekly feature I will add any things I get as part of the daily blog. It may not guarantee that I can include all of them. But I will do my best. I really wanted you all to have a chance to have a day that is more about YOU the readers as opposed to ME. But As we grow this blog it takes time to get a reader base and get you all to want to interact. Hopefully you enjoy the Blog regardless of if you want to be a part of it in this way. Your thought and suggestions are always welcomed. In fact the facebook group I have established is made for just that purpose. So if you care to be involved you are welcome to be. The fact this is a growing project and that many of you have gotten in on the ground floor you real will have a chance to have a real voice in the process. If you are just happy being a reader and nothing more that is fine and you are no less appreciated by me. I am happy to see the numbers growing and the great loyalty of man of you to coming back everyday. I may not know you all but I consider you all like a extended family of basketball fans. So Thanks. There is always room in this family for more people as well. I also thank all of you that take the extra step to click on the Google ads or do you Google searches on are podcasts site. For those that do that just a tip. If you load a site please click on a option on that site as that makes it credited to adsense. Again if you don't do this that is fine just understand that I look to get some benefit from my effort in doing this daily. I always want you to know that nothing is ever required of you but by doing it you are helping out someone who hopefully is adding something to your day. I Try my best to do that. So with all of that said let's get to why you come here each day. Today's Blog

Respect is earned that is what my father said to me when he was alive and I was a young boy. I never have forgot that fact in everything I do in my life. It is why I do my best to respect all of you readers. You earned my respect by supporting me. Raptors can not say that for a lot of people out there. We will start with the biggest person that is guilty of not respecting the Toronto Raptors. The good people of the American media. I know some of them are getting lumped into this but in general the Raptors are almost always over looked. The latest proof comes from last night. I was finishing up the Raptor Rewind and getting it out there to all of you in the Internet World. I had on my T.V the feed from NBA TV that you will get on Raptors T.V up here north of the border. The conversation that was being discussed was could any of the bottom four teams in the east win a playoff series. The Sixers were talked about as the best option. There was mention of the Wizards that had the return of Gilbert Arenas to the line-up last night. The Raptors were not even a though worthy of a comment. The actually recap off the Raptors game last night was all about the BELOW .500 Hawks and how it would be a shame that such a exciting team would end up as nothing more then the appetizer for the Green Monster that is the Celtics. The worst way to disrespect someone is to completely ignore them. Basically that is what the folks at NBA TV did to Toronto on this night and do on many nights. But they are not the only ones. TNT does much of the same. If not for Charles Barkley having the odd reference to Toronto I would not even know they were in the league let alone the playoffs. ESPN has given the Raptors the most publicity out of anyone. But most of that comes from the Internet arm of the company and does not make it to the broadcasting arm very often.

The Raptors may never get the true attention they deserve until they go out and take it from the U.S Media. Short of getting to the conference finals the Raptors will not get on the Radar. Vince Carter and his high light real show were able to break through the American bias towards the team from north of the border. The Toronto media gives the Raptors lots of love as long as the Leafs are not doing anything. But there is lots of room in the big media market for the Raptors to get a lot of notice. They are likely to most in the Media that #2 team in the city and short of a championship that would give them a brief moment as the #1 story for a day or two, that is not a bad place to be. Toronto Blue Jays use to be in that spot and have never fully gotten back to it thanks to the Raptors. The media though gives the rap tors a lot of negative attention and the majority of it is based around the key issues with this team that never seem to go away. Jose vs T.J, Sam Mitchell and Andrea Bargnani. These 3 things are the common focus. The brilliant play of Chris Bosh has become a expected event and not worth mention as often as it probably should be. The media got caught in the buzz and expectation of it viewers and readers and bought into the idea that this team was going to do big things. They were less optimistic as opposed to fans. But there was a thought this team was good and heading somewhere. Now there is not as much of that feeling and calls for trades of T.J Ford and changes can be found daily these days. The days of the early vacations for these folks when the basketball season ends for the Raptors have become a thing of the past. Most media people will not mind that though as making the playoffs is good for them as much as the team. More eyeballs get focused on them when the playoffs come around. That is a good thing. But still this playoff drive for Toronto has been cover like the march to a funeral far more then a march to the playoffs.

Doug Smith said in his blog when asked if he was a fan of the Raptors he said No. He gave the standard media answer of being objective and not getting emotionally invested. I think that is wrong. I like Doug I enjoy his work. I however will never trade in my right to be a fan to write a blog, be on the radio or t.v. Chuck Swirsky is the opposite of Doug. I think he is a fan and maybe to much of one. I think there is a balance of objectivity and being a fan of players and a team. I am open and honest about who I like and who I don't when I write. Does that throw away my ability to evaluate people and this team? I sure hope not I do my best to make sure it does not. You the reader each as individuals will make that choice for yourself. But to say you are not a fan and ultimately could careless about the result other then that it gives you something to write about is wrong too. On that other end Chuck's over the top cheering/broadcasting is not my idea of the answer. It takes a lot of to steal a line from Chuck ONIONS to walk the fine line between objective media member and fan of Toronto Raptors. I think I walk that line everyday with this blog. I have a minor media background and education in the industry but I have never got into the big time as person that you would know. I think that makes for an interesting take on the Toronto Raptors. Somewhere that is in between You the Fan and the Media. That is me I think.

So do the local media respect the Raptors? Kinda but not totally. How bout the rest of the country. One of the things in writing this blog that has surprised me is it reach throughout the world and spread through this country. The Media outside of Toronto has not exactly embraced this idea of Red and White and Canada's team. But still folks in Saskatchewan, The Atlantic provinces and out West you will find some Raptor fans. They are also one of the more popular teams on a global scale with it's united nations type roster. But here in Canada the Raptors outside of Ontario are not on the media map that much at all. Good for me if it gets me readers from those places. But bad for those fans that they have to seek out Raptor news and coverage. I can't accuse the rest of the countries media for anything other then ignorance of the fact that basketball is a growing game in this country and the Raptor fan base stretches far beyond Southern Ontario. So if you are from those places I give you my stamp of approval to send this next line to them on my behalf and yours >>WAKE UP!!!. I mean if we can get European soccer being covered in many parts of this country should we not have been supporting are own things first. Basketball is invented by a Canadian and does not get enough respect in this country. I'm not anti-soccer. I don't watch it and honest care little about it. But what I am is PRO-Basketball.

You are probably saying at this point so what. Some anyway I think might. The Raptors need to go out and get it done screw what everyone thinks. So that includes you to right? Because the Raptor fan base itself is the worst maybe of all that have been mentioned. The violent swings of emotion can be a sight to see indeed. The pure hate that gets directed and individuals is just sad and pathetic. I understand these are the few and not the many. I am at least going to believe that for my own personal belief in humanity and it will allow me to sleep better. Still the lack of meeting the lofty expectation the entire fan base held in general has got fans feeling disappointed and looking to point the finger of blame. Well it is cool to point that finger if you yourself are not part of the problem. But if you are a idiot that booed based on not getting Pizza or you booed T.J Ford after cheering him earlier in the year. You turned your back on Andrea Bargnani after calling him the second coming. basically it it rare that you will find a bible quote in this blog, I am not a very religious person by nature, but here we go a blog first. Let he who is without sin cast the first stone. So have you all been faithful to what you believed from day 1 about this team? Blame is easy to look for but hard to find. Everyone holds a small part of it. That includes all of us as fans. No our level of blame is not equal to that of Sam Mitchell or T.J Ford or Bryan Colangelo, but it is there. Just like when the team wins and fans get credit for it they should also take there blame as well. Just because you fill an arena and pay for a seat does not mean you have done your part to make this team better. Yes in the money sense you have. But the collective actions taken have impact on this team good and bad. If you were T.J Ford and 18,000 people that cheered you in December now BOO you it is silly to think that doesn't impact on the man. So as an individual you voice may have no impact. But as 18,000 plus it does.

I'm not saying the Raptors should not take responsibility for the thing they have done wrong they should indeed. I am just saying that some of these things are beyond the control of this team. They never asked you to think they would win 50 games. They never asked the Media in the States to ignore them . All of these things are some points that will always be there. Good or Bad have the Raptors outlook honestly changed that much? Still the best match-up for them is Orlando and Still Cleveland would a hard if not impossible match-up.  Raptors may not be firing on all cylinders but really nothing much has changed. Sure some issues about this team have come to the light and there will be changes that have to be made. But the overall out look is the Raptors are a playoff team not yet on that elite level yet. That was what they were starting this season and that is what they still are today. If you expectations were higher then that you were far to optimistic. Realistically this team although the record is some what disappointing is really in the same type of spot you expected them to be. The first round series will be tough and the result of that series will determine a lot of what people thing going forward about this team. Fair or not though respect needs to be earned. But bias and expectations enter into the conversation and do factor into that whole aspect of earning respect.

The fact of being a Playoff team is something that this team and it's fan base craved for 5 long years and in less then 2 years it has been taken for granted by some. I am not among those who have. The mass panic and comical over kill of the Leaf Nation should prove as a lesson to all that are part of the Dino Nation. Playoffs still mean something. If you are not jumping on and off the bandwagon I think and hope you understand that fact. 

One last thought from around the NBA. Walsh is in and Thomas is out in New York. Would it not being fitting that Thomas gets fired twice instead of just once. He has done enough wrong to earn that honor in his work in New York.

Hawks Steal A Win

If all went right by the end of this night the Raptors could be heading to the post season officially for the fifth time in franchise history officially. They were not as life and death to make the playoffs as the team they were facing in the Atlanta Hawks who had the final invite to the playoffs should they start today.The Hawks played like the more desperate team in the start of this one. The fast start would be put on ice courtesy of T.J Ford. He had scored 7 straight points for the Raptors. The Hawks were doing a good job getting to the basket though it would be turnovers that would be costing the Hawks from building up a lead. Chris Bosh had a very quiet first six minutes of this ball game and had yet to register a point. Back to Back three point shots by Joe Johnson and Mike Bibby busted open a tie ball game giving the hawks a six point advantage. A new combo for the Raps has been Ford to Moon and it is getting to be a nightly happening to see a T.J to Jamario Alley Opp. Ford had 5 assists but none of them to Bosh who remained scoreless. Calderon would check in for Ford with the Raptors down just 3 points. Bosh would also head to the bench in favor of Andrea Bargnani. He would get a put back tip on a rare Rasho misfire . The hawks though when they were taking care of the ball were getting the ball in the basket. The Quarter would end with a rare sight for the Raptors though. In Fact it had never happened in this man's NBA Career. Rasho Nesterovic made a 3 point shot in the regular season. Rasho had made a 5 pointer in the playoffs with the Spurs. Just what the Raptors need another shooter.But in all to be serious Rasho closed out a great quarter with the long distance shot giving him 11 in the quarter. but the Raptors still trailed by 4 points with the score 31-27.

The Raptors started quarter on a run and Bosh finally had a basket. Raps started the quarter on a 7-0 run. Jason Kapono who was a DNP the last time out against the Bobcats. Jose Calderon was doing a good job in relief of Ford and maybe Calderon could find a way to get Jason Kapono back on track. He had 0 points in 16 minutes as a starter the game before his DNP vs. the Bobcats. Raptors were getting it taken to then on the glass by the Hawks as several Hawk points had come via offensive rebounds and easy put backs. The lead would be traded back and forth and Chris Bosh after getting a donut in the first quarter he was producing in the second. Mike Bibby the newest Hawk had yet to face the Raptors in his new jersey and was having a solid game himself. Jason Kapono was on the board in this game with a couple free throws he would then make a shot and Raptors had a 1 point advantage. Speaking of struggling Raptors Andrea Bargnani was having a decent night so far doing the things fans have wanted to see driving and getting the odd board. the Raptor defense that had struggled as well was slowly coming alive too. Bargnani was really getting dialed in getting a three and then made another he had 14 points off the bench and lead the Raptors in scoring. Raptors would end up with a 59-54 advantage heading into halftime.

If T.J Ford had an nervous feeling about this return to Atlanta it sure was not showing. He took over from Jose and lead the charge throughout the 3rd quarter. Everyone would get there chances on the offensive end. The Raptors has a team shot 75% from the field and Ford had himself a double double.  The Raptors were threatening to put the Hawks away early and sweep the season series vs Atlanta on the season. The Raptors would be hard pressed to find a better offensive quarter in this season and had extended the lead to double digits heading into the 4th quarter. It was a great team effort and a slightly better on on defensive end.

The 4th quarter would begin with the Hawks making one final push to try to get back in this ball game and the would cut the advantage down to 9. This would have Sam Mitchell looking for a time out and time to refocus his basketball team. The Hawks had got off the floor and come up swinging much like how they started this basketball game. The Raptors who at one point lead by 17 were now just up 95-89 with still 9 minutes to go. Chris Bosh sensed the danger his team was in and was driving to the hoop again and again racking up the free throw attempts. When this team needs something Chris Bosh will make it happen or bust his butt trying to make it so. Like the Bobcats though the Hawks were not going away and with good reason having much more to play for then the Bobcats did. They had battled back to just down 3 with 6 minutes to play. Again Bosh would have a very emphatic answer with a dunk right though Josh Smith. Bosh was fired up and so was his team. Raptors had taken the momentum back in this ball game. A battle between two of the NBA's young stars in Bosh and Josh Smith was developing down the stretch of this game. Both were trying to be the catalyst for their respective teams. The Hawks Joe Johnson would miss a 3 point shot that could have tied it. But the Raptors could not take advantage. This ball game was in the balance with less then 2 minutes to play. Another Hawk mistake with under a minute and thirty seconds to go but again Raptors did not make them pay. Atlanta would have one final chance to tie this game down 3 points with 11 seconds to go. Whoever loses this ball game can point back to several key mistakes in the final couple minutes that could have changed the outcome. What that outcome would be was yet to be determined. Atlanta missed 2 good chances at a three point shot from Bibby and Johnson. The Hawks as the ball went out off a Raptor. Just 3.8 seconds to play and Mike Bibby would hit the big money shot. Raps had half a second to make a miracle happen. T.J Ford would make that happen if replay would agree. he converted an alley opp pass from Delfino. The drama of this game would continue after it's final buzzer. The Referee's would say no basket and more basketball would be ahead we were going to overtime.

As we got set for overtime yet another scorer's table controversy in Atlanta as Ford basket likely should have counted as the clock started before it touched Ford's hands on the alley opp. Could the Raptors win the game regardless? They would start the overtime scoring the first 4 points. This two teams have developed a heck of a rivalry this season. The last game of the season series had as much drama as any of three previous. Atlanta would fight back and take a one point lead on a 3 point shot. Raps would answer only to see hawks come right back and score. Chris Bosh would once again take it to Josh Smith and Score and draw a foul to give the Raps a slim 2 point advantage. It was short lived as Mike Bibby would hit a 3 point shot. Josh Childress would block a Ford shot and Atlanta would go down and hit another 3 ball to have a 4 point advantage with less then 30 seconds to play. Bosh would miss a simple lay in and this game looked to be over. Should the Raptors go on too lose which was likely lots will be made about that final play of regulation but the Raptors had a 17 point lead and realistically it never should have got to the point where that play was necessary to happen at all. Atlanta was going to escape with a much need win for them. On the out of town scoreboard the Wizards had lost and if Raps had of won they would be fifth. Raps lose it 127-120. Raptor fans will recall the the Moe P three ball that at the time vs Washington last season was thought to be a great thing. It ultimately would be what forced Toronto into a series with the Nets and not the Wizards. On this night A disallowed Ford basket looks bad now but should it mean a series vs the Magic and not the Cavs it may be the biggest favor the Hawks have ever done for Toronto. Still this was a game Toronto should have won and the fact of a bad call or the future of what it might mean does not take away from the sting of a disheartening lose.    

BOXSCORE
http://scores.espn.go.com/nba/boxscore?gameId=280402001

PODCAST

http://dinoblogger.podbean.com/2008/04/02/screwed-in-hotlanta-again/

 Mental Toughness Required

December 11th 2007 will not soon be forgot by Raptor Point guard T.J Ford. He may have remembered it had he not been smacked to the floor by Al Horford. Ford was having one of his best games of his NBA Career. Instead he had his whole future flash before his eyes. The concern for Ford was felt from around the NBA. Some were even saying that Ford's career could and should be over. Raptor fans had nothing but good thoughts for T.J Ford. When the story of this Raptor season is written this night was the start of many things. It would be the loss of Ford for a good chunk of time. It would make Jose Calderon the starter and he would take the chance and become considered by some a legit all star candidate. Everything that has gone on since then can be traced back to this event in Atlanta. The return of the Raptors to the place this all happened will be interesting to say the least for a variety of reasons.

The most obvious will be how will Ford handle this return to the scene of the crime so to speak. It will be a true test to the mental toughness of T.J Ford. I am sure we will here all of the quotes that it is just another game and the playoff race is all that he is thinking about. A Sam Mitchell quote that will say much of the same. I could be wrong but I'd be surprised if Ford or Mitchell will volunteer much about the events of that night. The truth is that by stepping on that floor regardless of how he plays will be a real step in T.J Ford's mental recovery from the events of that night. Ford has been playing very well since his return to the starting line-up. This will be a far different challenge for him though. He has gone from the tragic hero in Toronto to the selfish villain to many. I think it can be understood by the rational thinking Ford fan or not what a mental challenge this will be. 

Al Horford was the man who sent Ford crashing to the floor on that night. Many debated the action by the rookie and the one thing that most agreed on was that Horford did not intend to injury Ford. About a month later Anthony Johnson would be kicked out of a game in Toronto for a far more deliberate elbow to the back of Jose Calderon's head. This lead to some questioning the Raptors toughness by once again letting it go without a response. It also made some wonder if the young Hawks were becoming a rival for the Raptors. They currently are battling with the Raptors main Rival the New Jersey Nets for the right to get beat in 4 straight games by the Boston Celtics. In other words the 8th seed in the Eastern Conference. Here is another reason to hate the hawks for Raptor fans. The newest Hawk Mike Bibby is taking legal action against former Raptor Jerome Williams. It is alleged that Bibby is owed money by a company that Williams is a part owner of that details cars. The amount of money owed is said to be around 70,000 dollars. I think that is a lot of money TO ME. For an NBA star this is like me going out to get a McRib combo at the McDonald's.  Just more fuel to the fire for why Raptor fans may start to hate the Hawks. This was also the place that T.J Ford was never credited for a basket thanks to a score keeping error. The Miami Heat would have a successful protest against Atlanta for another mistake made by the Hawks scorekeeper. It would result in the replay of the final moments of a Hawks vs Heat game. The first double header most NBA fans can ever recall. 

The Atlanta Falcons had the nickname the "DIRTY BIRDS" but I think the name now belongs to the Hawks. Micheal Vick scandal has made the Falcons looking to be the squeaky clean birds. So give the tag to the Hawks. Not like they couldn't use a new marketing plan. They play to a half empty arena every night. Atlanta is a horrible pro sports town when you get right down to it. More people saw Chris Bosh play at Georgia Tech in his one year college career then will see him in his entire NBA career in Atlanta. Sam Mitchell is also from the area and it is a place both Bosh and Mitchell feel comfort in. The two cities of Toronto and Atlanta do have ties from the baseball world as the Blue Jays first World Series win in 1992 was over the Braves. Hard to believe how long ago that was. Could a new basketball rivalry be on the horizon? Perhaps as both teams are young and should be part of the mix in the Eastern Conference for years to come. The bad blood that has come between the Hawks and the Raptors has kind of come out of no where. Tonight will not be the night the Raptors smack the bully Hawks back in the mouth. 

The race is far to tight for playoff positions to worry about getting some payback on the Hawks. That race got tighter last night with a Sixers win last night. Raptors need a win to keep pace. The Hawks as I mentioned are in their own battle with New Jersey. Making this game far to important for them as well to have any kind of nasty incident. If anything was to happen it would come out of the highly charged battle that will go on as both teams are in a must win mode for this basketball game. The Hawks should be nice to the Raptors if they stop to think. Raptors play the Nets two more times and will have a great deal of influence on the Hawks future in the short term. Ironic that the team that Atlanta has had these incidents against will be the team they will be cheering for to help secure them a playoff spot. It isn't just politics that makes strange bed fellows. Sports does it too. 

A lot of emotions for many heading into this basketball game. it should make for an interesting setting for what has the promise of being an entertaining contest. Just make sure you keep score at home while watching. You can TRUST THESE DIRTY BIRDS!!!!

You can trust the Dino Nation Blog though to have a full Raptor Rewind with a game recap, the boxscore and Podcast. The number of games left is shrinking and the excitement is growing as we head to the playoffs. I encourage you all to make the Dino Nation Blog part of that excitement. We will even take any of you that are hoping on the bandwagon for the playoffs. We have lots of room.

Tomorrow was suppose to be your day to take over the Blog. I have not got enough questions and comments to do it at this point. So please drop an email with your Question or comments to DinoNationBlogger@hotmail.com

This is important to me that you all are given a chance to be part of the blog, This is your chance to do so, Please take advantage of that. The odds of you getting in Doug Smith's blog or Eric Smith's are not as great as here so hopefully that is motivation for some of you to drop me an e-mail.  I guess we will all find out tomorrow if you did. Keep in mind whatever you contribute needs to get published so language should be something of a level that my mom and your mom would approve of.

 Playoffs Are All About The D

There are lots of jokes made on this day. The one thing that is no joke is the Raptor defense. The frustrating thing about it to everyone is that at times they have shown the skill to be effective. Last night in the 3rd quarter they held the Bobcats to just 10 points. But when you have given up over sixty points in the first half it doesn't get you much respect. The Playoffs are all about defense and the Raptors learned that lesson last season we thought. But the way the Raptors have played defense this past month it is hard to make the argument that they did learn that lesson. It really is something that can be puzzling. It to most people comes down to effort and attitude. That is the base of defense to the average fan. It is taking pride and saying your not going to beat me.  A more complex explanation would start by looking at on the ball pressure. That is the primary responsibility of the point guard. They do not keep stats on this of course. That does not mean it is any less valuable then points or assists your point guard creates. In this issue both Ford and Calderon can do much better. Ford is undersized most times but has the speed to stay in front of anyone he puts his mind too. Calderon is often beat far to easy off the dribble. It leads to a series of events that have the Raptors break down. 

Jack Armstrong always uses the expression that the word help is the weakest word in the defensive vocabulary. If you begin to become dependent on help you get lazy and you are not giving a max effort. The end result is you see other teams getting wide open looks. That comes from the help defense getting caught out of position. You have heard the expression the help the helper. Well that helper needs help too. Eventually that series of rotations breaks down and you see the end result being an open look. Less help needed will mean less rotations and ultimately less open looks and more contested shots. 

Another expression is that when you defensive rebound that is the completion of your defense. This is also something the Raptors fall far short. One of the biggest reasons Rasho Nesterovic was inserted in the starting line-up because of this fact. Andrea Bargnani has not shown enough effort on the glass. But one man can not make a complete difference. The team as a whole must finish defensive sets with hitting the glass and boxing out. Simple basic concept that as all of these things the Raptors at times have shown the ability to so. It is not a question of if they can do it. The question is are they able to do it consistently? They need to do it if they hope to be able to go anywhere as far as the post season.

If these things are so simple why do the Raptors not get it? Well they understand it these are basic fundamentals not rocket science. So Why? The answer would be that they are so confident they can score on the other end they sometimes get lazy on the defensive end. No one is having issues with the Raptor offense from night to night. They have more then enough scoring to go around. The reason the Raptors brought in Linton Johnson was as much to drive home the fact the focus needs to shift to the defensive end of the floor. Johnson is told to go out and play defense and rebound he will do it or he will be gone. Some Raptors if they do not figure that out may be on new teams this coming off-season.

Many people point the finger of blame for all of this at Sam Mitchell. Ultimately he is the coach and he is held accountable. It should be said though from day one Sam Mitchell has preached defense. Sometimes they have listened to him and other times they have not. That message was told never louder then it was in a locker room in Charlotte last night. To the teams credit they responded. Eventual you can only say things so many times. Mitchell is responsible for what they do but the team as a whole must share in the responsibility. They will all rise and fall ultimately based on what they do on the defensive end of the court. 

Just eight games remain and no matter who ends up the Raptors first round match-up it will come down to how well they play defense. Some teams may be easier to defend then others but it still will be about the basics that are talked about above. Defense wins Championships is the old expression we have all heard and the reason we have is it stands the test of time in almost every sport in every year. Ultimately if Raptors have plans on building a championship team it needs to do that through defense. That is no April Fool's Joke that is a harsh reality.

Air Ford???

For those thinking a trip to Charlotte would mean an easy win. Not so fast. Charlotte was hot and they beat Raps on this floor earlier in the season. The effort of yesterday would not cut it if Raptors want a win on this night. It started out as a good old ABA shoot out. Both teams were shooting well and defense was only a rumor that was drifting through the small crowd in Charlotte. Bosh was off to a good start taking advantage of his match-up with Emeka Okafor. Bobcats had 3 big road wins over Portland and Seattle and L.A Lakers. So the Raptors needed to respect this basketball team. Bosh was doing his part by continued effort going at the shot blocking Okafor. The plan seemed clear to try to get Okafor in foul trouble. T.J Ford was starting to heat up dropping a Dime to Moon via the alley oop and then a smart quick pass to Bosh. Chris Bosh next would hit a rare three point shot only his 7th of the season and that was the Raptor lead Ironically 27-20.

Ford was lightning fast on this night and causing all kinds of issues for the Bobcats. He was making good choices mixing in his own offense when needed and Raymond Felton could not handle Ford on the defensive end for the Bobcats. Ford was looking just amazing the best he had since that night in Atlanta that sent his season off course. The T.J Ford show was keeping the Raptors ahead but the Raptor defense was not putting the Bobcats away. A fun quarter of basketball as the Raptors had a 39-32 lead and Ford and Bosh were the 1-2 punch that Raptors had visualized when they acquired him from the Bucks. Bosh had 17 points a lot of them courtesy of T.J Ford passes. But Bosh was finishing them off. The Raptors shot a staggering 81% from the field and yet only lead by 7.

Jose Calderon would take over for Ford to start the second. The Bobcats back-up point guard little Earl Boykins would come in and spark the Bobcats to 12-0 run to start the quarter. A time out and after that time out a Carlos Delfino 3 point shot would break the run. Bosh would get in the books with a basket his first of the quarter. He had played all 18 minutes so far. Ford would Return and Bosh would take to the bench. Jose and T.J would attempt to rally the Raps together. The newest Raptor was on the floor as well Linton Johnson. He was less then impressive after a nice outing yesterday. Things were going from bad to worse as the Bobcats now lead by 10. The Raptors had gone cold and the lack of defense was now catching up with them. Raps were getting it back together a bit. At least on the offensive end. But it could not stop the trend on the other end. Defense was just brutal and Raymond Felton was doing the same to the Raps That Ford was doing to him in the first quarter. The Raptors were lucky to be down 5 at the half after shooting 80% from the field in the first quarter bizarre but true. Sam Mitchell needed to find a way to get his team to play some defense if they hoped to win this ball game.

Bosh would start going after Okafor again drawing another foul. Raps started the quarter on a 7-0 run to get the lead back. The Raptors had come out and started this half with purpose and jump. Sam Mitchell had at least done his job to get his team back in position to win. The starting unit was doing a good job all in double figures half way through the third. Jamario Moon was looking energized back in the starting line-up. The Raptors were frustrated throughout the night with the referees and some calls but they battled through. The defensive effort that was lacking in the first half was there in this quarter. Rasho Nesterovic often over looked was contributing he had a double double already before hitting the bench to rest up for the 4th quarter. Raptors held the Bobcats to just 10 points in the quarter and had a 79-73 lead for their effort on defense. Could they maintain that effort for another quarter and close out the Bobcats was the question.

Calderon would start the 4th quarter and would need better effort then he had in the second. He would be matched against Earl Boykins again. Boykins would hit a shot on a broken play to pull Bobcats to with in two points. The Raps would answer the mini Bobcat run not allowing them to retake the lead. Raptors were doing what they could not to slip backwards but the difference between point guards on this night was evident on the offensive end. Calderon was struggling and the Offense was running better with the ball in Ford's hand on this night. Sam stuck with Jose though just like he had when T.J struggled. The team would help out Jose picking him up on many night he had done the same for them. Raptor were battling hard and trying not to let this one slide away. Both teams were struggling to score and every point was hard fought to be earned. Raptors still had a slim 4 point lead with about half a quarter left to be played. Jason Richardson was coming off an Eastern Conference player of the Week honor and has having a decent nice with 20 so far. He would have to score more and his team would have to deal with T.J Ford who checked back in for the final 5 minutes. Calderon remained on the floor as the Raptors used both point guards down the stretch. Bosh was continuing to take it to Okafor he hadn't got him out of the game but he was dominant against him.

The line-up of Ford, Calderon, Parker, Rasho and Bosh were doing what it took to walk away from Charlotte with a win. Rasho and Bosh were battling hard down low. The change of Rasho to the starting line-up has been just as big as the return of Ford to it. You may even say bigger when you consider the dramatic difference between Rasho and Bargnani. Calderon and Ford are far more close in what they produce. For the record Bargnani had been ineffective again on this night and would be a spectator for most of this game. Jason Kapono was also in the dog house on this night never seeing the floor at all. Two minute warning and Raps just had a three point advantage. It was a much tougher effort to get a win then the fans would have expected heading into this basketball game. Bosh played heavy minutes as you can see that he is healthy and needed on the floor. Bobcats had nothing left to climb that last little bit to get back into the lead. Raps were playing rope a dope all night long but had enough left to deal the knock out blow. Jason Richardson would miss a three point shot and that would end the Bobcat hopes as they were down six points with 30 seconds to play. Next up for the Raptors would be the Hawks who are in a battle of their own to make the playoffs. They were putting the boots to Memphis. Another team that many will feel that Raps should handle but it won't be easy. These Bobcats were battling to the end and will do the same when they meet up with Toronto later in the week. Later tonight the Wizards will be taking on the Jazz. Raptors had a 104-100 win and could make it to even with Washington should the Jazz get a win in Salt Lake. Jazz are one of the best teams at home so it is a good bet to think they would. A tie at the end of 82 games would favor the Wizards if you call playing Lebron James and the Cavs as a favor.

Boxscore: http://scores.espn.go.com/nba/boxscore?gameId=280331030

Podcast:http://dinoblogger.podbean.com/2008/03/31/bosh-and-ford-lead-way-to-win/

Chance To Advance Lost

In a season that has to this point had a lot of is the glass half full or empty moments another one happened yesterday. While the Raptors were getting the wood taken to them by Chris Paul and his  Hornets.  Good news from the NBA out of town scoreboard as the Sixers and Wizards both lost as well. Some will say that news is bad as Raptors had a chance to gain ground on both. It is all in how you look at it. Currently the Raptors are in what many would agree is the ideal spot to be. The 6th spot has been the focus of many Raptor fans based on the fact you get the Magic in round 1. The race for 5th through 7th is about as tight as you can get.

• Wizards 38-35
• Raptors 37-36
• Sixers    37-37

The one disappointment that has no good side to it was how Jason Kapono responded to a chance to be in the starting line-up.  Kapono got paid a lot of money to come to Toronto and he has been a disappointment. Many Raptor fans were saying that they wished we had just kept Morris Peterson. I love Moe P as much as anyone. But his time in Toronto was done and Kapono and Peterson are just two of many gunners that make a living in the NBA. Was the signing of Kapono a mistake? It sure may seem that way. But I choose to think about it in the sense of when this team is complete would I want Kapono? That answer is Yes as he still is a very solid shooter. If the Raptors got another player that was able to draw double teams Kapono becomes highly effective. I point to yesterday's game  vs. Hornets. Paul and West both can draw to defenders and who benefits from this the most? Peja who was getting open looks and being a solid shooter he was making them. Kapono has the issue that he can not create his own shot. The other issue that keeps him on the bench is that he is a weak defender and is not able to guard the athletic type players that dominant at his position. 

It was also shown yesterday that as good as both sides of the great debate of Calderon and Ford may make out their guy. Both are not to that elite level at this point. Chris Paul is at that level and it should have been made clear to any Ford or Calderon fan.  So this rush to run one out of town for the other may not be wise. I think of both on that next level down from guys like Paul or Nash. I think as much as people refuse to except it the Raptors need both. It is rare that you have a day like yesterday where at least one of the two can compete no matter the player on the other side.  If you stick with Ford you have the obvious injury history to be concerned with. If you stick with Jose you run the risk of counting on Roko Ukic to be a real player in just year one in the NBA.  That along with realization that Calderon is not a solid defender and has moments where he has not been effective. He is having an outstanding break out season.  He deserves all the credit in the world for his play and his actions. There is a reasonable expectation that after such break out season that his play will dip or level off. Not trying to Jinx Jose but if you look back at other NBA stars that have had these break out season you look to the next year and see a slight dip or a leveling off at the very least. Few Players have been able to improve the next year as well. There is no rush to make this choice for Toronto. Bryan Colangelo knows that even if the media and the fan base don't. 

He is not that April Fool after all he is the 2 time executive of the year. He clearly will have work to do this off season. If the chance to make a trade that would include Ford or even Calderon I think he would look at it. The fact is Colangelo has built this team to give him options and has not painted himself into any corners.  I have confidence in Colangelo and have no doubt there is Plan A-D already made. What happens the rest of the way may alter those plans slightly but the most clear thing that this season has shown is the need for a big defensive force that can defend and rebound. That is at the top of the wish list for Toronto. 

The off-season will be here soon enough. Before I am reduced to waiting for Canada's attempt make the games in China. There is a Raptor season to finish.  You never even know the Raptors may figure things out just in time to make a bit of a run heading into the playoffs.  I am not a baseball fan and grow less a hockey fan everyday so the Raptors and the NBA are all I got. So please don't hit the fast forward button on the rest of the Raptor Season. I am not ready to sit in front of my T.V half asleep watching a NHL Playoff Game that never ends or a Baseball game that seems to last almost as long. I want my B-Ball and I still have it for as long as the Raptors can manage to hang around. Sure once they are out I will still watch the playoffs but it will not feel the same anymore. So enjoy this month ahead Raptor Fans because it is a long cold off season. Well it is technically summer but the way the weather has been I have forgotten what hot feels like. Spring and the Playoffs are coming for Raptor fans. Leaf Fans Golf courses will be open soon too. That being said Raptor Rewind tonight after hopefully a Raptor Win in Charlotte.

Friends To Foes

The Toronto Raptor fans did the right thing as far as it goes with Morris Peterson. They cheered him and he kissed the logo at center court.It was a good moment for a good guy and for once the fans did the right thing in a season where they have done there share of bad things at the ACC. The warm fuzzy feelings would melt away and a basketball game important to both teams would take place. New Orleans part of the race in the wild wild west also had a news years eve lose as motivation to take it to Toronto. They would do just that early on lead by David West who had been huge in that loss on New Years Eve. Hornets were scoring with relative ease and were looking to run the Raptors off their home floor. The general on the floor is Chris Paul  and he was looking to make his team successful and out play the Raptor duo of Ford and Calderon.  So far so good as Paul and his Hornets lead 37-28 after one quarter of play.

The Paul Mastery of the court would continue into the second quarter as he would feed the fire that was David West. Carlos Delfino would try to respond with a neat trick of his own but his team was trailing by 12. The real problem to be solved was how the heck to stop David West. They never really did it in New Orleans and they had yet to do it here. West was a happy surprise All Star selection for the Western Conference along with Paul who was not. Paul in fact is rapidly becoming a part of the M.V.P race. Things were looking to easy for New Orleans. Raptors were doing very well on offense but with little defense to be found it was not going to matter. A run and gun game was what New Orleans would favor and that is what they were getting thanks to poor Raptor defense.A Raptor mini rally to get back to within 9 would be short lived. Raptors need to make stops if they wanted back in this game. Chris Paul had 9 points and 11 assists one shy of a double double. A lot of those 11 assists went to David West that had 24 at the half. Raptors trailed 69-58. Hornets were shooting 65% is was ugly sight to see for Sam Mitchell.

That bad feeling would carry over into the the 3rd quarter were the Hornets lead by Paul would but this game on ice for the most part. They would out score the Raptors 32-21 in the the quarter and it would send Paulwould and West to the bench for the start of the 4th with a big lead. The Raptors woulld also go deep into the bench and we would get are first look at Linton Johnson who is on his day contract and played like it. He along with the rest of the garbage time crew but a 4th quarter charge on that would at least concern Hornets coach Byron Scott enough to put Pual and West back in the game. But the Raptor comeback was not going to happen as th Hornets showed why they are one of the best teams in the west. Raptors are thankful to be done with the Western Conference for this season. The next west team they will face would be in the NBA Finals if they were to get there or next season. The way they played defense on this day the mention of the finals is just comic relief. They will be hard pressed to escape the 1st round if they can not improve the defense in this last stretch of games. There is no time to fix it as they are on the plane to Charlotte hoping they fair better vs the New Charlotte franchise then they had vs the old one on this night. Chris Paul showed Rap fans why many are saying he just might be the M.V.P and is starting to be considered the best point guard in the game. On the native land of Steve Nash he made is case that he is just as good if not better then the Canadian 2 time M.V.P. T.J Ford and Jose Calderon are both good but not that good. Both got a reality check of what Elite point guard means in the NBA.

The Raptors only have 1 team above .500 remaining that being the Detroit Pistons but the Bobcats are on the radar for now as they will face the Raps in 2 of the next 3 games. The first being tomorrow night in Charlotte. Some soul searching on the plane ride will be needed. I forgot to mention Jason Kapono was inserted in the starting five but that is ok because he forgot to take advantage of it. Sam Mitchell said this was done for match-ups vs. Hornets but if it was an audition to join the starting 5 in favor of Moon then Kapono failed. He had 0 points in 16 minutes that is not exactly taking advantage of the opportunity. The final score of 118-111 was very much flattering to the Raptors who really were not in this game at any point.

Boxscore:http://scores.espn.go.com/nba/boxscore?gameId=280330028

Podcast:http://dinoblogger.podbean.com/2008/03/30/cp3-is-mvp/

Tried adding some more photos to the Raptor Rewind. What did you think? Let me know if you like it. Also Don't Forget You are the star of the Blog this Thursday so send in those comments to DinoNationBlogger@hotmail.com (AFTER TODAYS GAME REMINDER THESE WILL BE POSTED NO SWEARING LOL)

Ready To Roll?

Has the storm clouds lifted around the Toronto Raptors. The point guard controversy has it's answer for the short term. Chris Bosh seems to be back to 100% and looking every bit the NBA ALL-STAR PLAYER. The Defense is better and recovered from getting smacked around on the west coast trip from hell. You also have a forecast that includes nothing but clear skies as far as the schedule. The Run that people have waited on this entire season may finally be here. If the Raptors have any chance at all in the playoffs it has to be.

The Raptors have looked a much better team since the line-up shuffle that saw  T.J Ford and Rasho Nesterovic go back to the starting line-up. Jose Calderon has been given the credit for this taking place. A lot of credit and it seems that Jose and the Raptors are a long term thing. This personal sacrifice was great for the short term future of the Raptors. The key is how giving will both he and the Raptors be when working out his new contract. There is no question Jose Calderon has earned a raise. The question is how much of one and is Jose so happy in Toronto that he would take less money to remain here. If he does that then I truly him to earn my nickname for him of Saint Jose. I mean the guy honestly is the closest thing to a saint in pro basketball. Steve Nash has that same kind of off court persona. Jose is even getting compared to him on the court now. I had a friend through the Internet who told me of Jose long before people knew him here and he referenced him as the Spain's equal of Nash. I am not thinking Jose is on that level today. Is he heading in that direction sure. But is true love of Toronto will be told by the numbers that go on that paycheck for next season. Many would say it is crazy to think a player in today's modern world would take a hometown discount for a team that can't even guarantee him the starting spot. It does not make sense to us here in North America where athletes commonly play for contracts and names on backs of jersey's come first. Jose may just shock everyone and take a lesser number and stay a part of things in Toronto. It would not shock me if that happened based on what Jose has done in his career to this point. If there came a point that T.J Ford was gone due to injury or trade Calderon could make an agreement that he could get a chance to get his deal re-done with a extension added to it. Basically there are ways to make this happen if the parties want too. I admit this is all speculation so take it for what it is worth. But Jose could surprise everyone and do the right thing for his team again in the off-season. I will say this though Jose may be indeed saint like but I can bet you his agent is not. Agents are always looking to maximize what their client gets not just for the client but for them. Ari Gold of T.V's Entourage would LOVE to be Jose's Agent right now. He is the typical stereo type of an agent and pretty funny all around. I think Jose would select an agent more like himself though but still an agent is an agent.

But contracts are not on the mind of anyone at this moment. Wins are the thing and getting a bunch of them to head into the post season strong. The Irony of it all is the strongest team out of Toronto,Washington and Philadelphia as a reward ends of with King James!!! That is not right!!! But it is what it is and you will take whatever match-up you end up with. Yeah right. You know everyone wants to finish 6th. How you think all that plays with Dwight Howard. He just might find a phone booth and make the silly team that wanted to finish 6th pay for it. If Raptors do play the Magic the need to bust out those ugly green uniforms again. The Green wave at the ACC!!! Just remember if Boston comes to town to change back. I don't need to here another smart ass Richard Jefferson type remark made by a Celtic. 

The Playoffs are coming fast. The return of Morris Peterson we talked about yesterday. It should be a great moment at the ACC. I also want to mention an end that will happen today. It has a very loose connection to basketball and the Hornets. Ric Flair will wrestle his final match today if I am reading my wrestling script write. Flair was approached by the Hornets when in Charlotte if they could use his WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!! as part of the in game sound effects. At least I think they did. The Hornets have change addresses since then but still in New Orleans you here the WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! of Ric Flair. He has been a part of wrestling for 4 decades and will go down as the sports greatest legend of all time. On this Wrestlemania Sunday you may not even be a fan of Wrestling but I say to you Ric Flair is a guy that gave everything to his chosen profession and if NBA players have that kind of heart and drive in them they may not be 16 time NBA Champions but they will find success. Many basketball players are big wrestling junkies and they will all agree that Ric Flair is a Champion too.  He coined so many great phrases that I love to steal. He will live on through his words and video long after his wrestling boots are collecting dust. So Everyone together with me one time like you mean it WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!

Great people are great people and we can all take something from the past. In wrestling based on how it works you can have a career that lasts over 30 years. Basketball and other pro sports are not like that. So I say to you if you never have done this. Go find ESPN CLASSIC CANADA or something like it and watch the players like Russell and Kareem and Jerry West and hundreds of others I could mention. You can gain a lot of respect for this games history and the people that made it. They are responsible for you having the game you see today. Hope people take that advice. Tonight we will have the usual recap and podcast. In case you decide to choose Wrestlemania over Raptor Basketball or even if you don't.  Whatever the case the Dino Nation Blog always as got your back with Raptor Rewind.

Return Of A Class Guy

The title of this Blog is what I suggested to put on a sign for a Raptor fan that was going to the game tomorrow. He is also a reader of this Blog if memory serves me right. I have no idea if he took my advice for his sign but for myself it is how I truly feel. I have maybe spent about 20 minutes of my life in the company of Morris Peterson.  In that short amount of time I learned that he is one of the nicest guys I had the chance to interview in my small broadcasting career. He comes off more like your buddy that just happens to play in the NBA. I had wrote about these encounters before in the blog. I am a native of Hamilton and he is a native of Flint Michigan the two cities are joined by an event called the Canusa games. It is a annual competition between the two cities is a variety of sports. Basketball is one of them and Track events and a whole bunch of other sports. 

The fact that an NBA player knew the city I lived in was pretty cool to me. I don't know about Moe but I imagine thinking back to his youth was nice for him as well. Maybe that is why we had a connection in are short meetings ever summer for 3 years running. I am not saying we were buddies or anything but by year 3 with a little mention of past conversations he would remember who I was.  He was just a great happy going guy and got along with everyone even Vince Carter would have fun if Moe was around. I have interviewed him as well at it is a far different feeling. Vince Carter kind of let's you know he is Vince Carter and it is obvious. It isn't to say Vince is a bad guy. Although in a Toronto Raptor Blog who would complain if I said he was. It was just you got that feeling that he was this star and you were a guy with a microphone that was part of his job and nothing more. I never got that feeling from Moe. He would shake your hand and say hello. When the questions were asked and the work was done he would do the same when it was done. I mean I think it was obvious I was not a regular member of the media and maybe that is why. But whatever the reason he did it and I remember it.  That is probably why I will always have a place in my world for Morris Peterson. Even if he did go to Michigan State and I cheer for Michigan he was a good human being. Not college he attended or team he will play for will change my opinion of him.  Please understand I am not saying any of this to build myself up. I do not care about that. I worked in the media a bit got to meet a few people and I enjoyed it as much as I enjoy doing what I am now. The point is I think fans don't often get long and repeated chances to met athletes and get to know them.  You know them pretty much from what you read and watch. I will say the Raptors do a good job in trying to give fans chances to interact with the players though. Far more then any team I can think of.  I just wanted to share my experiences and let you know that if you thought Morris Peterson was a good guy I wanted to confirm to you he indeed is that great guy you think. It doesn't always work that way.

I also think Morris Peterson is a good example of being careful of not falling in love with the guys you might be watching in the NCAA Tournament. Peterson was not the Star on his Michigan State team that won the National Title. Mateen Cleeves was the star and drafted ahead of Peterson. He has bounced in and out of the league ever since. Morris Peterson has become a solid NBA pro. So just because you are a huge success in the NCAA does not guarantee you anything in the NBA. Raptor Fans wanted Ed and Ed was a bust but Damon Stoudamire was the rookie of the year. Isiah Thomas did and does one thing right. That thing is draft well. His coaching record is not that great his record as a G.M other then the draft is God Awful. But he does draft well. After last night I will tell you that doesn't do anything close to enough to help him keep his job. But back to the NCAA. Now that I have warned you not to fall in love with NCAA Prospect based on the Tournament I am going to go against my own argument. Stephen Curry is just like his dad. I am sold on the fact he will be a solid NBA pro. He has all the reasons that you would think he could be. His only challenge is a lack of size. He like T.J Ford at times can look like a child in size compared to everyone else. But he can shoot the air out of the ball and that is why Curry will follow in his dad's footsteps to the NBA it is just a case of when. His run with Davidson has been truly fun to watch. T.J Ford's project from this summer was a young kid that played at his old school Texas. D.J Augustine gives a lot of credit to Ford for his success and he is heading to the elite 8 and looking to match what Ford did by getting Texas to the Final Four. So in these times of praise for Jose Calderon there is a kid down in Texas that will tell you T.J Ford is a good dude too.

Raptor fans I would hope will give Peterson the welcome he earned through his many loyal years in Toronto. I am confident they will. The Fans Cheering For Pizza and the contestant booing of T.J Ford is becoming a hypocritical joke to me. You cheered the guy a few months ago after his injury and now you boo him that is weak. But all that said fans loved Moe P and it will be on display on Sunday. The return of Raptors is always a big event one way or the other. I just hope I am not talking about a return of T.J Ford or Jose Calderon in this way next year. I have heard all the talk and the reasons. But I may be alone in my belief but I think last night showed you why despite what salary number you want to attach to them, Ford and Calderon are a good combo and pick each other up on off nights. The boldest move that Bryan Colangelo could make is to keep both. I think this team needs both. I am not will to just follow the trend and say one or the other will be gone. If I am wrong so be it. But I don't think it will work out as well as people hope and expect if it does.

I promised an update on the Jack Armstrong effort. I have to say it was great hearing Jack last night on Raps TV. I am sure hoping it also will continue. So far 298 people have signed a petition that states they want Jack back. There is also my podcast up on the Score.com Bullhorn. I will provide the links once again for those who would like to support Jack and keep him part of Raptor broadcasts. I urge you to do so he like Moe is a quality human being. 

http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/bringbackjack/

http://www.thescore.com/bullhorn/ViewBullhornDetail.aspx?ID=2586

Eyes On Playoff Race

The Toronto Raptors were coming off a big win over Detroit but no room for a letdown vs the New York Knicks. They would start on a 7-2 run and look to take control and have the 20 win Knicks roll over and play dead.If you believe the New York media that would be an easy task as the Knicks have been accused of tanking it down the stretch. If you think back to the first Raptor season and the dispute that took place between Brenden Malone and Isiah Thomas over Damon Stoudamire's minutes down the end of the season you could make a case they are right. Thomas wanted Malone to lower the minutes for the eventual rookie of the year and Malone would disagree wanting to win and it would cost him his job.

Ex-Raptor now Derrick Martin was on the bench in a suit and looking every bit the coach he may likely become. Linton Johnson the newest Raptor was in uniform and hoping for a chance as he looks to cash in on his 10 day contract into a more solid position with the Raptors. The Knicks were able to beat this Raptor squad and it was a lot to do with Jamal Crawford. He and his team were hanging around. Crawford was not exactly tearing it up and the Raptors would hope it would stay that way. Crawford once as a Bull dropped 50 on the Raptors and is one of those players that seems to have good nights when matched up against them. He averages 32 points a game in his career vs. Toronto. Raptors good but not great and doing enough to be in front. But they were starting to build a bit of momentum late in the quarter. The Knicks to this point were not going away though and staying close. Andrea Barganani would hit a 3 pointer and give the Raptors there largest lead of the night which was 7 points. He would add a couple free throws next time down the floor and the Raptors end the quarter up by 9 points 32-23.

Jose Calderon got Chris Bosh rolling in the second with a lovely feed for an easy bucket and easy assist for Jose. Raptors were shooting the ball very well and getting great ball movement. They had an 11 point advantage and were looking to build on it. Andrea Bargnani was having one of those night that tell you all that bust talk may just be that talk. These flashes of greatness are what ultimately lead to the frustration about him throughout the organization and Fan base. The plan in the Off-season is to have Bargnani head to Texas with John Lucas as he will not have to compete for Italy as they failed to qualify for games in China this summer. Raptors were hitting the long ball and pounding the disinterested Knicks who had no Curry and No Randolph and no chance it would seem. Raptors had extended their advantage to 17. Knicks would go on a 14-0 run and get back to within 3 points. So the thoughts of a blow out easy win were gone for now. Chris Bosh would end the run with a jump shot to close out the half. Raptors were up 5 points but could not have been happy despite the 49-44 lead.

Sam Mitchell would have had a strong message given the way his team closed out the half. How would they answer the challenge that the coach no doubt laid out at the half? Raptor would respond as they built off Bosh's last shot of the half to go on a run of their own taking advantage of the Knicks lack of size to go on a 8-0 run. But again the Knick would not go away clawing back into it again. Raptors were not playing great but they were doing what it took to stay ahead of the Knicks and did just enough to keep a level of comfort. Sam Mitchell got fired up about a missed call by the officials and he would win a rare battle with officials as they reversed the call. Raps would not cash in on the extra offensive chance. Isiah Thomas meanwhile looked emotionless and ever bit the dead man walking that people feel he is. Despite that his Knicks were putting in a quality effort as they were playing short handed with Randolph being a late scratch with the flu. But like that cream that rises to the top the Raptors were starting to build on it's lead again behind the their All Star Chris Bosh. Bosh coming off his injury was starting to show that jump shot that is a big part to his game that makes him a nightmare to guard. It was really a sleepy kind of affair though as there was little to get excited about. Bargnani was showing some of that aggression that people have wanted to see. He had a 5 of 6 night from the free throw line a place the Raptors would like to see him get to more. There would be a delay late in the third as a referee would end up get slammed into on of the advertisement display walls. He would be ok and remain in the game and called a foul against the home side. Which would end the quarter with a 76-68 lead.

The Raptors would like to start the 4th quarter and put the Knicks to bed. They had been able to close against Detroit something they had struggled with the two games prior to that. New York was far less talented then any of the Raptors recent competition. Jose Calderon would start the quarter out right with a 3 point shot his first points of the night to extend the lead to 11. After that he would make a few mistakes and Sam Mitchell would call for time. He would remain in the ball game and run a play for Bosh and get the basket out of the time out. Bosh despite a pretty ugly game was playing like the best player on the floor which he was on this night. You had the sense that he would not allow the Raptors to let this game slip away. He would get the support of his team with Parker and Delfino making key shots to maintain the advantage. Bargnani would exit with foul trouble picking up his 5th foul but he had 12 points and played decent on this night should he not return. A better team could have challenged the Raptors but the Knicks were not that team. Raps were doing enough to beat the level of resistance that was being provided which was far less then earlier points on this night. Bosh was on the floor for almost all of this one and was showing what the Raptors had missed when he was out. This was the type of game the Raptors would have to win down the stretch run. Only 2 teams above .500 remain in New Orleans on Sunday and one more date with Detroit who the Raptors just beat. Both point guards would be on the floor for the closing minutes as it seems this is what Sam Mitchell has chosen to do when teams give him the option by not having great height. Raptors by the end of night should be back in the magical 6th spot. The Suns were pounding the Sixers back to a little sense of reality. Raptor fans had Pizza and Raps looked to have a win barring a major self destruction on behalf of the Raptors. there was no sense of that happening. T.J Ford schooled his friend and Ex Rap Fred Jones and it was all but over. Raptors were seconds away from a win 103-95 win to take the season series 3 games to 1 over the Knicks. Up Next the return of Old Raptor Favorite Morris Peterson and his very good New Orleans Basketball team lead by Chris Paul. A team the Raptors beat to close out 2007.

Bosh had 29 points and 10 rebounds for the rest of the stats check out the boxscore below.
Boxscore:http://scores.espn.go.com/nba/boxscore?gameId=28032802

Podcast:http://dinoblogger.podbean.com/2008/03/28/knicks-raps-post/