Friday January 30 2009 - 9:45pm EasternMilwaukee @ Toronto

Final Score:
96-85, Bucks

“Alice Fazoolis” Player of the Game:
- CHARLIE BELL
11 points
2 rebounds
5/11 FG
“Smith and Jones” Player of the Game:
- CHARLIE VILLANUEVA
26 points
13 rebounds
2 blocks
10/20 FG

Shout-out to the Raptors:
- JERMAINE O’NEAL
16 points
8 rebounds
7/10 FG
* Sluggish for much of the game, but had a BIG 4TH quarter with 12 points before he got ejected after picking up his seconds technical foul

Stats that stood out:
- 17-4 Bucks to start the 2^ND quarter
- 13-4 Bucks to start the 3^RD quarter
- Raptors 5 of 20 FG in the 3^RD quarter
- Calderon misses a FT in the 4TH quarter to end his consecutive streak at 87
- Bargnani puts up 13 points in the 1ST quarter then scores 3 the res of the game (16 total)

Thumbs Up:
- The Bench.  Jermaine O’Neal (8), Jason Kapono (10), Joey Graham (15) combined for 33 big points

Thumbs Down:
- The 2ND and 3RD quarters … when the Raptors scored 29 points TOTAL

Smith says:
“The officials lost control of this game, but despite that it was a disappointing effort from the Raptors in a game that meant SO much.  This certainly doesn’t build much confidence going into the next four against Orlando, Cleveland, LAL, and New Orleans.”

Jones says:
N/A

“V-Tech” 3-In-To-Win Give-Away:
The Raptors were 3 of 12 from 3PT range

Next game:
- Magic @ Raptors
– Sunday February 1 2009 - Tune in at 11:30am for the pre-game show and just after 12:00pm Eastern for the “Pizza Pizza” starting line ups

E. Smith

Missed the post-game show? You can listen to it here:

[audio:http://qml.quiettouch.com/files/radio/fan590/hotaudio/rapspostgamefull-fan-20090130.mp3]

Friday January 30 2009 – 3:32pm Eastern 

Almost a week ago, I gave out my All Star Reserve selections. 

As a friendly reminder, here’s who I had on my team(s):

WEST:
Dirk Nowitzki, Al Jefferson, Chauncey Billups, Carmelo Anthony, Tony Parker, Shaquille O’Neal, Brandon Roy

EAST:
Danny Granger, Chris Bosh, Paul Pierce, Devin Harris, Joe Johnson, Jameer Nelson, Hedo Turkoglu

Well, 6 out of 7 in the East is pretty good and 5 out of 7 in the West isn’t too bad.  Maybe I have a future reading tarrot cards or something!

Here’s how the Reserves OFFICIALLY unfolded – announced last night on TNT:

WEST:
Nowitzki, O’Neal, Roy, Billups, Parker, Pau Gasol, David West

EAST:
Pierce, Bosh, Granger, Nelson, Harris, Johnson, Rashard Lewis

The two biggest surprises for me were David West and Rashard Lewis.  Both are solid players, and I’m not saying they aren’t All Star calibre players, but I still think Turkoglu is slightly more deserving than Lewis and I don’t think West is having the same kind of season this year as he did last year, so I wouldn’t have preferred to see Al Jefferson make it.

When it comes to the supposed “snubs” that are now making the rounds in columns, emails, blogs, and chat rooms around the league, I don’t agree with any of them.  Not with these 2 at least:

- Jose Calderon:  He’s had a great year but he missed 10 games and I just didn’t think he’d make it.  I don’t buy that he got “snubbed” at all.

- Steve Nash:  Again, a solid year, but his impact on the Suns this year hasn’t been as big (perhaps because of the new “system” in Phoenix – and the constantly changing bodies (SO many trades)).  He’s still all-world, but other PG’s have been better this year

- Rajon Rondo:  I’ll be the first to admit that I never saw Rondo being THIS good.  But as good as he has been – especially this season – Nelson and Harris have had even better years and are arguably more important to their respective teams (Rondo is “hurt” by the fact that he plays alongside Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen, and Pierce)

Other alleged “snubs” that could have / should have maybe got more consideration:

- Allen, Vince Carter, Manu Ginobili, Deron Williams, Mehmet Okur, Mo Williams, David Lee

E. Smith 

Nothing new and exciting to pass along from practice.

Such is the life of a team that is suddenly healthy and winning.

You’ve gotta give the Raptors credit… they never got too down during their 7-game tumble… and they’re not getting carried away with their first 3-game winning streak since the start of the season, either.

The biggest tale of the tape today was Chris Bosh, and his impending (one would assume) selection to be an East All-Star reserve for the 4th straight season.

We’ll find out for sure around supper time tonight – if it doesn’t leak out before.

Bosh admitted that it’s important to him… but seemed to direct the conversation a little more to the importance of tomorrow’s game against the Bucks – who, along with the Knicks, are just 2 games up on the Raptors for 8th in the East.

After hosting Milwaukee they’ll have it  tough against the Magic, Cavs, Lakers and Hornets.

…they really need this win.

Thursday, January 29, 2009 - 12:24 a.m. Eastern

After the Raptors/Nets game, I tracked down Chris Bosh and got these EXCLUSIVE comments from CB4 regarding Jalen Rose’s comments on ESPN the other night (that Bosh is supposedly leaving Toronto next year):

[audio:http://qml.quiettouch.com/files/radio/fan590/hotaudio/chrisboshexclusive-es-20090129.mp3]

Listen and enjoy.

E. Smith

Wednesday January 28 2009 - 10:10pm Eastern

Toronto @ New Jersey

Final Score:
107-106, Raptors

“Alice Fazoolis” Player of the Game:
- JOEY GRAHAM
15 points
5 rebounds
4/4 FG
7/9 FT

“Smith and Jones” Player of the Game:
- JOSE CALDERON
17 points
11 assists
4 rebounds
7/13 FG

Shout-out to the Nets:
- DEVIN HARRIS
25 points
10 assists 
3 rebounds
7/17 FG
10/12 FT

Stats that stood out:
- Anthony Parker:  21 points, 6 assists and 7 rebounds in 35:25 minutes
- Toronto turnovers:  14 total, but only 4 in the 2ND half
- Vince Carter had 16 points in the 1ST quarter but then scored only 11 the rest of the game

Thumbs Up:
- The Bench.  Jermaine O’Neal (8), Jason Kapono (10), Joey Graham (15) combined for 33 big points

Thumbs Down:
- The late-game surge by NJ.  Toronto NEARLY blew another double-digit lead (up 12 with 4:47 to go)

Smith says:
“Three in a row – gotta love it if you’re a Raptors fan.  They picked up a full game on both the Bucks and Nets tonight – getting even closer to that final playoff game.  HUGE game on Friday now against Milwaukee.”

Jones says:
N/A

“V-Tech” 3-In-To-Win Give-Away:
The Raptors were 11 of 22 from 3PT range

Next game:
- Bucks @ Raptors
– Friday January 30 2009 - Tune in just after  7:00pm Eastern for the “Pizza Pizza” starting line ups

E. Smith

Missed the post-game show? You can listen to it here:

[audio:http://qml.quiettouch.com/files/radio/fan590/hotaudio/rapspostgame-fan-20090128.mp3]

Wednesday January 28 2009 – 1:38pm Eastern

Vloggin’ from New York City …

The Raptors play the NJ Nets tonight, but the team stays in NYC instead of Jersey (smart choice).

Be sure to tune in to the pre-game show tonight at 7:05pm where we’ll be joined by Jay Triano, Jack Armstrong, and more.  The tip-off goes just after 7:30pm, live on the FAN.

‘Til then, enjoy the vlog.

E. Smith

By: David Alter

After taking a day off, the Raptors were back at practice  ahead of a big divisional match tomorrow night in Jersey against the Nets.  Since Jose Calderon has come back to the lineup after resting his hamstring, the Raptors seem to have found a decent solution to their backup point guard woes.  Check out the video recap special to FAN590.com.

Tuesday January 27 2009 – 11:20am Eastern

I still plan on checking in with my Western Conference musings today, but before I get to that, I wanted to share a link that came along from a poster/contributor to this blog.  I watched this last night, and planned on bringing it up, but a fan beat me to the punch with the link from YouTube:

(skip ahead to the final 20-30 seconds if you don’t want to watch the whole thing)

No, I don’t know if what Jalen Rose is saying is legit or not.  To my knowledge, Rose and Bosh aren’t tight.  I’m not saying they don’t get along, but I don’t think they’re buddies; chatting regularly.  And I also don’t think Rose can say – FOR CERTAIN – that Bosh is leaving Toronto … and here’s why …

“What If” …

- Toronto makes it to the playoffs this season and actually advances?
     – Makes it to the playoffs next season and advances … far?
     – Makes a huge trade this season or this summer that Bosh loves? 
               – That drastically changes the look and make up of the team?
     – Bosh decides he wants the max years/money, and doesn’t want to leave $$ on the table?

There are so many “What Ifs”. 

I truly believe that nobody other than Chris Bosh himself can say FOR SURE what is going to happen at the end of next season.  Thus, I think Rose is simply stirring the pot, which his producers at ESPN probably love. 

Jalen may have a credible source or multiple sources, but unless his informant is Bosh himself – saying “I AM LEAVING – NO MATTER WHAT” – then I think we need to take Rose’s comments with a grain of salt and realize that it might be a spoonful of sensationalism and showmanship.

That’s my two cents.

E. Smith

Monday January 26 2009 – 1:10pm Eastern 

It’s an off-day for the Raptors – and for me as well (though I am going to tape the latest edition of “Double Dribble” at Raptors TV very shortly).  So I thought I’d check in with some thoughts from around the league.

Today, I’ll look at the East …  

1. Al Horford needs to get back into the Hawks line up ASAP.   
2. The Bucks are done without Michael Redd.
3. Boston has a deal in place for Marbury?  Uhhh, tampering anyone?
4. Anybody still think the Raptors should trade Jose Calderon?  There are/were some of you out there.
5. THANK YOU for NOT voting Yi Jianlian into the All Star game.
6. How ’bout them Bobcats?  Raja Bell has been proving – lately – that he can score too.
7. If I’m Gilbert Arenas, I’m not coming back this season.
8. The Pistons are proof that “talent” alone won’t win games consistently; you need chemistry too.
9. I told you that was just a lull for the Celtics a few weeks ago.  They’ve now rhymed-off 8 wins in a row.
10. Cleveland has yet to slip despite losing Big Z and Delonte West.  Impressive.
11. Philly is 8-2 over their last 10 and now they have Elton Brand back as well.  Wow.
12. David Lee is putting up the numbers but I think he’ll fall short of an All Star nod this year.
13. Chicago needs a shake-up.
14. I’d take Jeff Foster on my team any day.
15. Dwight Howard, 3RD in the conference, and a new building coming:  good times in Orlando

I’ll be back tomorrow with some Western musings

E. Smith

Sunday January 25 2009 - 9:15pm Eastern

Sacramento @ Toronto

Final Score:
113-97, Raptors

“Alice Fazoolis” Player of the Game:
- ANDREA BARGNANI
24 points
7 rebounds
7/14 FG
8/10 FT

“Smith and Jones” Player of the Game:
- CHRIS BOSH
31 points
8 rebounds
2 blocks
12/22 FG

Shout-out to the Kings:
- JOHN SALMONS
21 points
7 rebounds
3 assists
8/17 FG

Stats that stood out:
- Jermaine O’Neal:  11 points and 10 rebounds in 22:17 minutes off the bench
- Jose Calderon:  8 assists and 0 turnovers (16 points as well (on 6 of 9 FG))
     – In his 2 games back, Jose has 18 assists, 0 turnovers, and 39 points on 15/19 FG
- Kings were just 15/43 from the field in the 2ND half (34.9%)
- Toronto shoots 52.5% for the game
- Raptors hold one of the league’s top scorers, Kevin Martin, to only 12 points on 4 of 15 from the field
- The Kings are now 0-18 against the East

Thumbs Up:
- The 3 bigs – Bosh, Bargnani, and O’Neal – combine for 66 points, 25 rebounds, and 4 blocks

Thumbs Down:
- Tough to criticize much.  While the 1st half was back and forth, the Raptors slammed the door shut in the 2nd half on both ends of the floor.  Perhaps the turnovers were the biggest issues:  13 … leading to 20 points for the Kings.  But I’m stretching here.

Smith says:
“The work isn’t done.  Toronto has to get the next two as well – against New Jersey and Milwaukee.  Both of those teams are clubs the Raps have to leap-frog in the standings.  Is a streak building?  Two in a row against the Bulls and Kings is a good start.”

Jones says:
“Solid defence in the 2ND half by Toronto – holding the Kings to under 35% – and there’s a nice big man rotation going right now with Bosh, Bargnani, and O’Neal.  Hopefully the winning makes O’Neal happy enough to accept this new role.”

“V-Tech” 3-In-To-Win Give-Away:
The Raptors were 6 of 10 from 3PT range

Next game:
- Raptors @ Nets
– Wednesday January 28 2009 - Tune in at 7:05 for the pre game show and just after  7:30pm Eastern for the “Pizza Pizza” starting line ups

E. Smith

Missed the post-game show? You can listen to it here:

[audio:http://qml.quiettouch.com/files/radio/fan590/hotaudio/rapspostgame-fan-20090125.mp3]