Saturday December 6 2008 - 10:07am Eastern
Well, last night was ugly folks. I didn’t see that happening — not like that.
For the second-straight game, the Raptors got hammered and for at least one night / one game … the coaching change meant nothing.
This ship has to be steered back on path in a hurry!
Jonesy and I are probably on a plane as you’re reading this - or close to it. We’re leaving from Salt Lake City at 8:00am Mountain and arriving back in Toronto some time after lunch.
But before we left - in fact, it was last night RIGHT after we got back to the hotel from the arena - we recorded another VLOG for ya.
Enjoy.
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E. Smith
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This was exectly the result I saw coming for this game and why I thought Bryan Colangelo would wait one more game to fire Sam.
Now is the time to regroup, learn the new running system and keep this season from crashing.
Quote from Utah’s Harpring last night that every Raptor should be forced to write on the blackboard 100 times before recess:
- Gary“If we don’t just take the first shot, trust the offence and cut and move, we can get so many layups.” Or easy flushes…..
LOVE the “vlogs”! Jonesy and E. Smith have great rapport. Was worried that incisive, hard-edged commentary on Raps was missing - good to see it here. Look forward to you guys on Hoops - not the same without you.
- J. MannetteThe Vlogs are awesome.
- Happy Raptor FanI am as dissapointed as you guys are. And the thing that’s puzzling is that in the interviews just prior to the Utah game, everyone involved was talking about how they will not be making major changed to the way they play atleast until they find some practice time. But the post game interviews were all about how they lost because they need time to get used to the completely different style of play that has been implemented. And no one owned up to how bad the defence was. The excuses have to stop at some point.
- CJAnother cool blog.
I think this was to be expected considering they had one practice but I did notice big changes offensively. They only went inside to Bosh on that usual play off Utah makes and chose to run off turnovers and misses, which was nice.
The problem is how will they stop teams? Jermaine O’Neal was VISIBLY upset last night at getting blocks and his teammates allowing Jazz players right under the basket to put the blocked shot back up for a field goal. If you’re going to play faster, you’re going to be more tired so the rotation has to get a little bigger (to 9 or 10 guys when Hump is healthy). I don’t recall a lot of good defensive teams that chose to run as often as they could, so we’ll see what happens.
The lack of practice time is going to absolutely KILL these guys and I have to be honest - I don’t mind. I think we all know this team as it’s currently put together isn’t good enough to do anything in the playoffs. BC needs to do something with this roster to improve the D. Offensively, it looks like the new style could actually work.. I wasn’t expecting such a drastic change after just one night.
Triano’s a smart guy, hopefully he has an equally-effective defensive scheme up his sleeve. At the same time, it comes down to individual willpower and we haven’t seen that on this team in weeks..
- Mark R.Hey Guys, Love the VLOG.
I think that this game was horrible!!! But, we shouldn’t expect Jay to work magic over night. I am still an optimistic Raps fun but the outlook doesn’t look good for the rest of the season. Andrea might have to be traded! And always,
Go Raps Go
- MichaelI am frustrated just like you guys. I had said the Roster as it stood would not be good enough. Bryan Colangelo tried to find a cheap option to replace the loss of T.J Ford. Guess what it has not worked. I am really happy I won’t lie that some are coming around to praise T.J. What is that expression you don’t know what you had until it is gone. I am not saying the Raptors shouldn’t have made the deal to move Ford. But I do feel they needed a quality NBA experienced back up if you make that move. Solomon is just not that guy. I heard all about his experience in Europe and what not but that is not the NBA. Ukic may turn out o.k but that was NEVER going to be till late in this year. A Damon Stoudamire or any kind of a veteran presence was need to back up Jose. A guy that can play defense well. That may not mean Damon but at least he is experienced.
When you look at what Pacers did when they took on Ford they had the right idea because they also brought in Jarett Jack. T.J has his flaws as well and Indiana brought in a reasonable back up. Toronto is running Claderon into the ground and it is making his weaknesses glaring. No one is saying Jose should be an All-Star now. Devin Harris is a guy that deserves it more. Even T.J himself could make a case.
Ultimately for the Cap it makes sense to do the J.O deal but if Chris Bosh loses faith in this team in the time leading up to that point it makes it a harder job to bring him back. Unless Jack and his D-Wade and Bosh theory can happen. But still there is what’s left of this season and the next to get through. Raptors have to make smart choices if they are going to try to invest in cheap talent. Hassan Adams, Will Solomon and Jamario Moon are all cheap options that are not playing to a high level that Raptors badly need.
- James Borbath