10:25am Eastern
For the second time in three games, Sam Mitchell is changing the starting line up for his Toronto Raptors.
But the big question right now – which is anybody’s guess – is exactly ‘what’ change will be made? Who will be the new starting five?
Based on what Mitchell told the media yesterday … here’s what we do know:
- Chris Bosh (obviously) will start.
- Anthony Parker will start – and he’ll have to step it up in Game 3. After a solid performance in the opener, AP went scoreless in Game 2. Toronto needs his offense … to help take pressure of Bosh if nothing else.
- Andrea Bargnani will start in place of Rasho Nesterovic. The second-year forward has been inconsistent in this series … much like he’s been all season. However, his athleticism and range make him a better fit than Nesterovic right now. Toronto’s best runs against the Magic have come with a ‘smaller’, more athletic line-up … and that doesn’t bode well for Rasho. Take nothing away from the big man though; outside of Bosh, Nesterovic was Toronto’s best and most consistent player for the final month of the season (if not longer).
- TJ Ford will start. Something in my gut tells me that this could change before the game actually tips off right now … but maybe that’s just the Conspiracy Theorist inside of me trying to bust through! Mitchell said yesterday that he does not plan to start Jose Calderon and send Ford back to the bench. The coach explained that if he were to make a move like that he might risk ‘losing’ Ford. It was proven during the regular season that for whatever reason(s) … Ford is nowhere near as effective as a back-up as he is as a starter. Conversely, it doesn’t seem to matter to Calderon whether he starts or comes off the bench. Thus, stick with status quo … but know that the leash on Ford is likely MUCH shorter. If Mitchell doesn’t like what he sees early, I have no doubt that he’ll have Calderon in the game ASAP. Clearly Mitchell has no problem worrying about egos and attitudes once the game starts; just look at the minutes that were distributed in the second half of Game 2. Calderon played the bulk of the minutes and Ford didn’t see the floor in the 4TH quarter. But I can understand where the coach is coming from in sticking with Ford – for now – on a very short leash.
So that leaves the starting SF slot. That’s where the change is coming.
Jason Kapono has had a terrific series thus far – tallying 18 and 20 points respectively in Games 1 and 2. If I were a betting man, I’d say Kapono has in the inside edge on getting the start tonight. His offense helps stretch out Orlando’s “D” and he has been surprisingly efficient on the defensive end as well … something he normally struggles with.
Carlos Delfino is going to get some consideration as well … given that he has the size to deal with a guy like Rashard Lewis or Hedo Turkoglu. That gives Mitchell options on how he’ll guard Dwight Howard (Bosh? Bargnani?). And Delfino has proven to be one of the only Raptors who will not shy away from contact … and get to the hoop. Yes, he loves his 3-point shot. But Delfino will put it on the floor and drive as well. And even on the defensive end, he’ll put his body on the line. Think back to Game 2 when he went up to attempt a block on Howard. Delfino got crowned and picked up a foul … and he drew a technical on Howard after the big man taunted Delfino by trying to get in his face. However, the fact that Delfino even ‘tried’ to stop Howard was all I needed to see. He went chest to chest with Superman. He wasn’t backing down.
The final candidate is Jamario Moon. I’ve said on the air … and I’ll say it here: If a guy is good enough to start 70+ games for you in the regular season and help you secure the 6TH seed in the East, why is now not good enough to start in the post-season? While I stand by that statement, it does come down to match-ups. If Toronto were to advance to the second round, and (for example) play the Detroit Pistons, I don’t doubt that Moon could be back in the starting 5 … drawing the assignment of guarding Tayshaun Prince. However, in the opening two games, Moon has appeared to struggle against Lewis and/or Turkoglu. But it’s his offense that may be keeping him off the floor for long stretches. His jumper has been inconsistent and he hasn’t been driving the ball either. Thus, the Magic seem to have taken the approach of simply leaving Moon open. They’re doubling on Bosh … or they’re doubling on the perimeter on guys like Kapono … and ‘taking their chances’ with Moon. They’re daring him to shoot. And so far … it’s paying off.
So take your pick. Kapono? Delfino? Moon?
We’ll see how it all plays out at 7:30pm tonight. The pre-game show goes on the FAN at 7:00pm
E. Smith
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I was thinking the same things…but I would to take it one step further and put some grit and rebounding in there. I am talking about Humphries. He will not look for the ball on offense but he will go after it will everything he’s got. He can take some of the pressure and responsibility off of the other big men just by being in the hunt for the ball consistently.
- Johnny P.TJ on a short Leash?
Our two big problems are Howard’s rebounding and TJ has always been more interested in dribbling and shooting than running our offense.
It does not appear like Sam is addressing Howard. TJ is still starting.
- MilesBargnani Starting
- Aaron McMillanI hear what you’re saying how Bargs is quicker than Rasho, but Rasho has proven that he can handle Howard and he can play some “o” while doing it. I feel we need to try and control the tempo of this game and if we are trying to play quick Bargnani will have problems on defense. The raps have proven they can play an efficient half-court style game and I just don’t see Bargs showing up like Rasho would. Hey, but I could be wrong and I hope I am. We’ve proved that we we had in the reg season vs. the magic worked.. I don’t understand why we would change it now – at the most vulnerable, stressful time of the year. Oh well.
Totally agree. Moon needs to start and attack the basket.
- D12Whatever the Raps Line-up is I hope fans show support and continued support for 48 minutes. It can be a huge factor as Bosh made clear when he made his comments about the fans near the end of the season. 48 minutes from the TEAM and 48 minutes from the FANS it is what the Raptors need to get back in this series.
- James BorbathThe party is over. Turn out the lights.
- JimI would rather see Jose start but the way Ford reacts when he comes off the bench, it will just destroy the locker room if that happens again and where we are in this series, down two games, thats the last thing we need..Kapono should get the start and Delfino can come off the bench – lets hope its a good game and Raps get a good start and lead by some points at the end of the q1 for a change…GO RAPS!
- WaqasIt dosen’t matter whether Jose starts or comes off the bench because he is a TEAM comes first player. TJ unfortunately to his and the teams detriment is a ME first player who will be GONE as soon as BC can find a good replacement and an adequate return in a trade.
Calderon with his leadership attitude, better 1/2 court offense, and 3pt shooting is a better fit for the Raptors offense.
- Johnn19Ford’s play vs Nelson to start the games is a major reason for the Raptors poor starts. He has to be a positive influence and at least match Nelsons play or exceed it. A line of 1/8 6ast and 4 turnovers, 6 pts for 24 mins if repeated is a sure road to the golf course for Raptors.
- Johnn19Aaron, Rasho got torched in game one. He didn’t prove he could body Howard at all.
- ShepMoon can’t start. He refuses to drive the ball and his jump shot and defense has been inconsistent for a while now.
I think they should start Delfino just because of his defence and if he gets hot he’s lights out and he likes to drive the ball. And i also think Bargnani shouldn’t start i would go with Rasho/Humphries at Center.
And as far as i’m concerned they should put Calderon/Ford on together more often. If you’re going to go small why not put them out there together, it proved to be very successful during the season.
- jeffAaron – I agree but with a mandate.
Humphries pushed Howard around last year when they went head to head Humphries also pushed Shaq around.
I think it is nuts to put a guy on Howard and hope to out rebound him but Humphries is a beast. If his only job was to move Howard out of position I think he can do it. As a matter of fact if anyone of our big guys were told there only job is to get Howard out of position we would be much better off.
- Miles