By: David Alter
Jermaine O’Neal did not practice with the Raptors following their latest loss at home to the Boston Celtics. Having only played 14 minutes getting 6 points with just 2 boards, head Coach Sam Mitchell says O’Neal remains day-to-day and if O’Neal feels he can play at a high level, who is he to say that J.O. shouldn’t play. “Jermaine has been in the league 12 or 13 years so he understands and knows how to play” says Mitchell after practiced wrapped up. “So if he can go, he’ll let me know and he’ll play.” O’Neal has had a history of knee problems which has plagued his career.
With the Raptors under .500 for the first time this season at 6-7 and the injuries taking their toll, it’s not unnatural for the Raptors to be feeling a little bit of pressure to snap out of their current mini-funk. Chris Bosh talked about the problems with the team and says nobody is panicking on the team, at least right now. “Shoot, just not being where we are supposed and not helping each other” said a frustrated Bosh. “We just have to bring a certain energy. We fell off a couple of games, it’s going to happen, it’s a long season. We just have to get back to it and hopefully we will stay consistent from here on out.”
Perhaps Roko Ukic is the answer. While waiting for Mitchell to talk to us, we watched Mitchell give Ukic a little shooting tutorial. Enjoy.
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-Looks like Sam was at least .500 shooting there – let him suit up on the wing and earn a bit more of his pay cheque :-)
I disagree with one point you make Eric in the prior blog – if the Raps are only .500 at Christmas, there will be a whole lot of boos (fairly or not) at every home game. We can’t afford that atmosphere at the ACC. The Raptors have to find a way to beat some teams that they shouldn’t on paper.
Expectations are higher this year.
- Garyfirst of all, there wont be boos if the raps are .500, if raptors play with maximum effort, you will see improved defence and close games (albeit some of them might be losses)….
- adityaDid anyone actually believe that the Raptors could win against the Celtics with O’Neal hurt and Calderon slowed by injury? This year is all about the development of Bargnani and Ukic (and keeping O’Neal healthy).
The Raptors have to focus on the talent within their team. I think fans are expecting too much right now–they certainly deserve to see full effort, but this is not, at this point, a mature team.
- OlgaI thought you are supposed to have your feet square to the basket when shooting jump shots? Thats not what Sam is showing
- D12Least all the talk of Sam and his job being on the line has not impacted on his jumper.
The new starting small forward for the Toronto Raptors…Sam Mitchell Player/Coach.
This is humour people not being serious.
- James Borbathman i don’t know why the fans are booing their home team in their own arena, we suppose to cheer them and support them. The raps might not be that good right now but we are not doing that bad either.
- andyAgain, Bargnani starts at pf. Bosh has to go. Last year the raptors had two starting pgs and now they have three starting PF. If not a star sg or sf than a top three pick would be nice. After this season bosh’s value will drop and after he signs with whoever his value will drop some more. He has never been worth more to the raptors future as he is today on another team. Great player but hes gotta go.
- Rob from brantfordRaps are 3-7 in last 10 games .
- Chas CalzDo you think Bosh is starting to develop an “attitude” .. a bit of the Vince Carter “I’m bigger than the team and this hockey town ” ?
Jose cannot ever defend the top PGs in the Business. He will always have trouble defending any PG; he’s too slow. (Ukic becomes Toronto’s #1 PG in 2-3 Years or they Draft One).
- Richard SpackmanGive McD whatever he wants to sign him away from Detroit. Or train Hump in the 4/5 rotation with Bosh, O’N and Bargs. (No other choice).
Find a trade(s) that upgrades this team or go for a Lottery Pick. (Moon, Adams, Kapono, Graham and Solomon MIGHT IMPROVE – but NOT enough).
If oneal is not a 100 percent on wednesday he should sit. If this guy goes down for any period of time. We are done. We can handle charlotte without him. Rest for the big game on friday. Atlanta will be tough. We have no answer for joe johnson.
The thing no one is talking about is jose defense or lack there of. He gets beat off the dripple almost everytime and is always looking at someelse for help. But at some point you have to be able to keep your guy infront of you. The guy that helps on jose man is always open because the other rotation is always late. THis is the Main problem with our defense. It all starts with jose guarding his position.
What do u think eric
- Jeff CarterVince Carter and Chris Bosh should never be in the same sentence in terms of attitude. Bosh bust his butt every night. You don’t see him smiling and joking when his team is getting it’s butt kicked.
I mean honestly I don’t know what some folks are thinking. Chris has done everything right in his time with the Raptors. I feel insulted for him when I read stuff like people comparing him to Vince.
- James BorbathJohn Hollinger at ESPN.com makes the point that although the Raptors were 2nd best 3 pt shooting team by shooting % .. they don’t take enuf 3 pt shots to press that advantage .. Maybe Eric will write a column on this soon
- Chas Calz