Wednesday December 17 2008 - 10:40pm Eastern
Mavericks @ Raptors
Final Score:
96-86, Mavericks
“Alice Fazoolis” Player of the Game:
- JASON TERRY
27 points
7 rebounds
8 assists
0 turnovers
10/16 FG
“Smith and Jones” Player of the Game:
- DIRK NOWITZKI
27 points
10 rebounds
4 assists
2 blocks
11/20 FG
Shout-out to the Raptors:
- JERMAINE O’NEAL
19 points
7 rebounds
3 blocks
Stats that stood out:
- Rebounding: 47-37 Mavs
- Raptors cough-up two separate 13-point leads in the 1ST half
- Josh Howard’s 20-point performance gave Dallas 3 players with 20+ (Dirk, 27 … Terry, 27)
Thumbs Up:
- Statistically, lots. Only 6 turnovers for the Raptors. Toronto holds Dallas to only 14 points in the paint and just 7 second-chance points. That’s outstanding. But it means nothing when your offence goes ice cold (see below).
Thumbs Down:
- Chris Bosh just 6 of 20 from the floor; Andrea Bargnani 1 for 5; Toronto with only 37 second-half points (heck, they had 33 in the first quarter alone!). After the 1ST quarter, Toronto was out-scored 75-53 over the 2ND, 3RD, and 4TH.
Smith says:
- “It’s mental now. It’s gotta be. There are still some positive signs in what the club is doing, but minor errors are now amplified that much more. As soon as ’something’ goes wrong for Toronto, they don’t seem strong enough to overcome whatever sort of adversity is thrown at them.”
Jones Says:
“After blowing yet another double-figure lead, it’s obvious right now that the Raptors mental approach to the middle portion of the game needs to change.”
“V-Tech” 3-In-To-Win Give-Away:
The Raptors were 4 of 11 from 3PT range
Next game:
- Raptors @ Thunder
– Friday December 19 - Tune in at 7:30pm for the pre-game and just after 8:00pm Eastern for the “Pizza Pizza” starting line ups
E. Smith
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A couple of games ago I made a comment that Bosh was beginning to suffer from VC syndrome, i.e. falling in love with his shot. I saw glimpses of it the past few games, it became evident tonight. Perhaps he’s tired; worn out from the summer and the heavy minutes this season but if Bosh doesn’t take it to the basket, the Raptors have no chance. Tonight, at about the 5 minute mark of the fourth quarter, Bosh made his first strong move to the basket…the rest of the game he was fading away; taking a couple of dribbles and shooting and testing out his range from the three point line. Maybe the team is rubbing off on him…when the shots fall, they look like money but when they don’t…
re: Jose, I love the guy with all my heart but his first attempt to take it to the rack tonight was at the end of the game when Dallas stopped covering him…lets face it, this team is a jump shooting team and the only thing that’s falling is their winning percentage!! Forget trading for a slasher or a shooter or another point gaurd, this team needs some veterans that can help this team get over the hump, a Kevin Willis/A.D. type player…someone who doesn’t mind getting dirty while getting it done, someone who can challenge the likes of Jose, C.B., Moon, et.al. every night, someone who doesn’t accept his teammates taking any possession off, that wont allow his team to settle for jumpers…This team is giving me an ULCER.
- Mr. TForget trading for a slasher? I completely disagree. The Raptors have had slashers and that’s when we thrived. T-Mac, VC. Slashers that left us because the team around them was mismanaged. I’m starting to think some Raps fans forgot how effective and slashing SG is in basketball. Think of Brandon Roy with Bosh. I have a question for Colangelo. Why draft Bargnani over a popular demand #1 Pick (Aldridge)? Then after knowing that Aldridge was working out with Bosh all summer of the draft year, I ask the same question. Why? A seven footer that can shoot the three? So a perimeter big man gets surrounded by…..perimeter swing men. C’mon Man?!! It doesn’t add up.
- SlimDitto to what Mr.t said.
- JulesWell, it’s been a couple weeks since I posted my original remarks regarding the firing of Sam Mitchell and it’s insignificance with respect to addressing the needs of the Toronto Raptors.
I’m not one to throw stones, so I won’t say “I told you so” to all those who criticized my comments and blindly supported Bryan Colangelo’s decision to use Sam Mitchell as a fall guy. However, it is now all to clear that this team’s problems stem from it’s players, and not from it’s coaching style, past or present.
I called for Bryan Colangelo to take significant responsiblity for the plight of his team. As such, he has taken a small amount of blame; however, his insistence on discussing how his players are performing at a lesser level than expected still points the blame at others. His seeming arrogance infuriates me. As a longtime season seat holder, I am now as close to ending my finanical support for the team as I have ever been.
Even worse, it appears that Chris Bosh, the cornerstone of our team, is equally deflated. He seems entirely distracted, and his commitment to the franchise appears to be seriously wavering, on both the court and in post-game interviews.
The future for this franchise seems grim. There is nothing worse than hearing professional try to convince themselves that “being closer to winning games” is some form of improvement. It’s rather sad and reveals little more than mental weakness.
- brentoP.S. I really miss Chuck Swirsky and would love to learn of his genuine feelings about the current Toronto Raptors situation.
- brentoWhen looking at the raptors rebounding over the last three years the last thing they need in the starting lineup is a player like chris bosh. He is far from a banger under the hoop. Good thing his offence overshadows his defence so he is tradeable. Keep in mind this is the NBA and blockbusters happen very often. Shake it up already. (we all know vince carter will tourch anyone in the NBA but will Harris tourch Parker?) Maby a switch would help on this calderon killer come 4th quarter next time eh!
- Rob from brantfordEric,
You and Jones(y) do a great job covering the game. I usually turn the volume down on the TV ang listen to you guys on the radio.
Listented to your post game last night and you hit the nail on the head. There is something lacking mentally with this team. For Bosh to come out in the media and say I do not like being booed. Somebody should have told him that if he showed up to play the last five games he would not be getting booed. What has happened to him under Triano, was he really that close to Mitchell and this is sour grapes? The Raps need to watch some Celtics game tapes this year and see the level of intensity that the Celtics bring at both ends of the floor. The Raps need a leader to make a few of the other players cry on the bench (Big Baby). Man it is getting tougher to drive down from Waterloo to watch the games.
Just my two cents. I am kind of glad that I have Rogers at home on TV and have not had to watch the last two games.
Anyway, I will still be chirping behind you guys in the stands at the games in the new year. See both of you guys in the new year, have fun out west.
Big Kitch
- Chris KitchenThe one thing i never really noticed is that this team seems to be out of shape. You would think nba players are in shape, but most guys are holding their shorts in the 4th quater. Oneal looks good, but is out of shape. If this guy can stay healthy and get in good shape he will be good. He missed some easy shots last night because he was tired. Instead of 19 and 7. We would be talking about 27 or so and 12. He has the ability to be better. I liked his effort last night. I like jose, but he is killing us night after night. This time terry lights him up. harris the other night. he for sure has the heart and the qualities of a great teammate, but lacks physical ability. Like one of the bloggers said. HE NEVER DROVE TO THE BASKET TILL HALF WAY THROUGH THE FOURTH.
- Jeff CarterI am a big fan of Bosh. Yes he needs to start waking up and start driving. Triano and his hockey rotation kills the vibes on the players. Another thing is that we have 74% of players that just think by taking jump shots will earn them a championship. Think again!! I look @ this roster and I see that we need to get rid off the International garbage and start doing NBA streetball style!! And “Slim” this is for you. The only reason why BC overlooked Brandon Roy who I heard snapped 52pts last night and LaMarcus Aldridge is because his Senior VP Maurizio Gherardini and rather Bargnani is because the Italian thing. That killed the chemistry for the team. Who really should be up in Raptors management is a guy who is an NBA legend and would have made this team get all the respect for basketball. DR. J.
- Stevendude you missed an uncontested dunk! take the boos like a man.
- neilever since Vince hit that 3pt shot, this team has never been the same.
- neil