10:30am Eastern
It’s little consolation - given the final outcome of Game 1 - but yesterday’s 114-100 loss to the Magic did produce at least one positive sign for the Raptors.
Jason Kapono, the sniper who struggled to find his shot (and his minutes) this season, had a career day off the bench.
Plus, Kapono was good enough on the defensive end that Sam Mitchell was able to keep him on the floor for longer stretches. Kapono’s “D” is the biggest downfall of his game and it often forces him off the floor in crucial stretches of games. But whether it was Keith Bogans or Maurice Evans … neither player really exposed JK’s defense. Thus, Mitchell left him out there, and the swingman responded.
Kapono had post-season career-highs in:
- Field Goals (6)
- Field Goal Attempts (9)
- Three Point Field Goals (4)
- Three Point Attempts (6)
- Free Throws (2) * TIED
- Free Throw Attempts (2) * TIED
- Steals (1) * TIED
- Points (18)
Again, Kapono’s personal glory meant little given that the Raptors lost the game. However, if his performance was any indication of further things to come … that could bode well for Toronto as they hope to steal Game 2 and even their series with the Magic at 1-1.
Whether or not Andrea Bargnani continues to start is anybody’s guess. But if the second-year forward does stay in that role, Kapono and Carlos Delfino become that much more important in the reserve squad … for the offensive lift they (hopefully) provide.
E. Smith
If Kapono could just play decent defense to any level he likely would be the starter. Colangelo on the fan this morning seemed to hint at changes do you have any inside dirt for us on the changes he meant? I am talking about for game 2. Don’t want to get all the Fire Sam people fired up.
- James BorbathEric
What shocked me about Kapono is he is normally the only shooter the other teams covers. The criticism I have heard of Sam was he did not design plays to get Kapono open. Orlando did not appear to care if Kapono shot?
Howard is not Duncan a seasoned champion.
1.Do you think it is better to complain about Howards flailing hands and attack him and try to get him to foul or just play our game?
2. By the time Jose got in the game we were already in huge trouble. Don’t you think it is better to Play Jose 40 minutes and make sure the ball gets to the team and especially we get Bosh going early? I believe in January Parker and Bosh were unreal. When TJ came back they slumped.
3.If you are concerned about them shooting threes would you not start Moon. I believe Andrea will be great when we get him a coach and he plays center but to go out and cover a three shooter is not his game. He fouls like crazy during the season trying to cover smaller men. He did as well as anyone against Howard? Andrea banged around with Howard.
- MilesI’m not a big Kapono fan because there were times during the season that I felt he was a liability on the defensive end.
- nicoleHowever, I really appreciated that he showed up to play yesterday. He knows when to turn it on.
Kapono had a good game and I hope he continues to deliver and this is the time he delivers - right when we need him to - I would like to see the regular startling lineup being used by mitchell…no need to experiment new lineup now..this is not the right time..its only one game…game 2 is big for the raps and i will not be loosing hope even if they loose game 2 as long as they can fight and have a chance to win the game…no more slow starts - Raps need to respond..and make a statement..believe that they can compete and this is not going to be a walk in the park for Magic..LETS GO RAPS
- Waqas