Saturday February 28 2009 – 6:40pm Central (Dallas, TX)

Vloggin’ from a chilly Dallas, Texas.

We’ll be back with another VLOG tomorrow, but for now … enjoy Part 1.

Off to find some Mexican food, I think.

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E. Smith

Friday February 27 2009 - 9:44pm Mountain (Phoenix, AZ)

Raptors @ Suns

Final Score:
133-1113, Suns

“Alice Fazoolis” Player of the Game:
- GRANT HILL
14 points
12 assists
4 rebounds
2 steals
2 blocks
6/9 FG
“Smith and Jones” Player of the Game:
- SHAQUILLE O’NEAL
45 points
11 rebounds
2 assists
3 steals
20/25 FG
5/8 FT

Shout-out to the Raptors:
- SHAWN MARION
27 points
11 rebounds
3 steals
11/21 FG
5/6 FT

Stats that stood out:
- Raptors use an 11-0 in the final :63 seconds of the first half to close the Suns’ lead to one (68-67)
- Bosh picks up his 5th foul :15 seconds into the 4th quarter
- The Raptors shoot just 4 of 18 from the field in the 4th quarter – getting out-scored 37-21
- Chris Bosh – playing in foul trouble – with just 5 points and 2 rebounds in the 2nd half (19 PTS, 10 REB overall)
- Toronto gives up *90* Points in the Paint to the Suns
- Career-high 20 points for Louis Amundson

Thumbs Up:
- Shawn Marion with his best game (statistically) as a Raptor – active on both ends of the floor and all over the glass

Thumbs Down:
- The defence.  It was terrible.  Let me remind you:  90 Points in the Paint and 56% from the floor for the Suns.

Smith says:
- “This was an entertaining ball game, but it’s a tough loss to take, considering TORONTO was the rested team and it was the SUNS that had the fresh legs in the 4th quarter to close out this game and hammer the Raps by 20.”

Jones says:
- N/A

“V-Tech” 3-In-To-Win Give-Away:
The Raptors were 6 of 16 from 3PT range

Next game:
- Raptors @ Mavs
– Sunday March 1 2009
- Tune in at 8:30pm Eastern for the pre-game show and just after 9:00pm 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-20090227.mp3]

Friday February 27 2009 – 6:02pm Mountain (Phoenix, AZ)

Just a quick update folks …

Joey Graham will NOT play for the Toronto Raptors tonight.  His strained hamstring is just a bit too tight still, so the Raps will hold him out of action against the Suns and hope to have him back for Sunday’s tilt against the Dallas Mavericks.

As for Steve Nash …

I’ll believe it when I see it at tip-off … but the early rumbling around the arena is that Nash will NOT play tonight.

A number of sources have said that Nash is simply not ready to go; the ankle is too sore.

Again, I’ll believe it when I see it, but that would obviously be a huge loss for the Suns and a potentially big plus for the Raps!

E. Smith

* UPDATE – 6:19pm Mountain – Marcus Banks WILL dress for the Raptors tonight

Friday February 27 2009 – 12:45pm Mountain (Phoenix, AZ)

Vloggin’ poolside in Phoenix.  Gotta love it.

We’ve got updates and info on the big tilt tonight – Raps @ Suns.  Check out the VLOG.

And be sure to tune in to the pre-game show tonight.  Jonesy and I are on the air at 8:30pm Eastern, with the tip off set to go just after 9:00pm

E. Smith

Thursday February 26 2009 – 12:30pm Mountain (Phoenix, AZ)

It’s supposed to be 80+ degrees here today – sorry to rub it in folks!

Man, I could get used to this.

Enjoy the VLOG – we’ll do another one tomorrow.

E. Smith

* FYI – Joey Graham (hamstring) took part in practice today.  He’ll get some treatment today/tonight and see how he feels when he wakes up tomorrow.  He’s a game-time decision for Friday’s game against the Suns.

** UPDATE:  3:20pm Eastern

The Toronto Raptors have decided to send centre Nathan Jawai down to the NBA’s D League. Jawai is flying from Phoenix to Boise today, where he’ll suit up for the Raps’ affiliate, the Idaho Stampede. There is no timetable on Jawai’s stint in the D League, but there’s no doubt that this is the best move for the big man’s development as a player — ’cause he’ll actually get a chance to play now.

Wednesday February 25 2009 – 8:01pm Mountain (Phoenix, AZ)

The following was released by the Toronto Raptors PR staff earlier today … and I thought ya’ll would be interested in it:

With Jose Calderon’s three-pointer at the 7:56 mark of the first quarter February 24, 2009 versus Minnesota, the Toronto Raptors’ streak of consecutive games with at least one made three-point field goal reached the 10-year mark. The streak began when Vince Carter recorded the first triple at the 7:43 mark during the first quarter February 26, 1999 versus Minnesota. A decade later, the streak continues to grow – 837 consecutive games and counting. Toronto’s next game is Friday at Phoenix.

TOP CONTRIBUTORS OVER THE YEARS:

E. Smith

Tuesday February 24 2009 - 10:23pm Eastern (Toronto)

Timberwolves @ Raptors

Final Score:
118-110, Raptors

“Alice Fazoolis” Player of the Game:
- CHRIS BOSH
26 points
6 rebounds
2 blocks
10/19 FG
6/6 FT

“Smith and Jones” Player of the Game:
- ANTHONY PARKER
24 points
7 rebounds
6 assists
2 steals
8/10 FG
5/6 FT

Shout-out to the Timberwolves:
- RYAN GOMES
23 points
9 rebounds
5 assists
8/12 FG
5/5 FT

Stats that stood out:
- Back to back double-doubles for Jose Calderon (Tonight – 15 points, 13 assists, 5 rebounds, 2 steals)
- Andrea Bargnani ties the team high (with Bosh) with 26 points (5 rebounds and 3 assists as well)
- Raptors out-score Minnesota on the fast-break, 17-8
- Points in the Paint:  44-40 Minnesota
- Toronto gives up 37 first quarter points to Minny (37-25) but then wins every quarter after that
- The Raptors had 22 points off 13 Wolves turnovers

Thumbs Up:
- The up-tempo style continues to look good for T.O.  A balanced attack for Toronto with 3 players (Bosh, Bargnani, and Parker) going for 24+

Thumbs Down:
- The defence has to pick up.  Giving up 50% from the floor and 110 points won’t cut it on most nights.

Smith says:
- “It didn’t look good early – giving up 37 points in the first quarter – but the Raptors used a balanced attack to chip away at the Wolves all night.  Bosh was solid – which was good to see – after struggling in his ‘comeback’ in the last two games.”

Jones says:
- “An all-offence win tonight.  The Raptors simply out-scored Minnesota with the up-tempo style helping everyone’s offence.”

“V-Tech” 3-In-To-Win Give-Away:
The Raptors were 6 of 15 from 3PT range

Next game:
- Raptors @ Suns
– Friday February 27 2009
- Tune in at 8:30pm Eastern for the pre-game show and just after 9:00pm 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-20090224.mp3]

Tuesday February 24 2009 – 12:01pm Eastern (Toronto)

TONIGHT

It was exactly two weeks ago today that the Raptors were in Minnesota to face the Timberwolves.  The Raps were riding a 6-game losing streak and the Wolves proved to be the perfect tonic for what was ailing T.O.

The Raptors used a 37-point 4TH quarter that night to knock off Minnesota (110-102) - riding the shoulders of Jermaine O’Neal in that monster final frame.  The veteran big man went right after rookie Kevin Love and took the youngster to school.

But O’Neal is now in Miami, and Jay Triano said he’ll look to Chris Bosh (who didn’t play in that tilt two weeks ago) to pick up the slack in J.O.’s absence.  If the Raptors can run like they did against the Knicks on Sunday, they should have success (exposing mismatches, etc) against Minny’s thin front line. 

The Wolves will have some help though – as Craig Smith (broken rib) is healthy again and back in the line up.  And recently-acquired forward, Shelden Williams, gives Minnesota more depth up front as well.

NAME GAME

For what it’s worth … apparently folks in the Timberwolves organization and community are quite particular about the name of their franchise.  “T-Wolves” should be stricken from everyone’s vocabulary according to the folks in Minnesota.

So, when referring to the franchise, word has it that “Timberwolves” or “Wolves” is acceptable, but “T-Wolves” is simply sacrilegious. 

Alrighty then.

NUMBER CRUNCHING

Just going through some statistics – provided by TV stat guru John Rusin – and I thought these ones sorta stood out:

Shawn Marion – 3 games with Toronto:
PPG – 13.3
REB – 11.0
ASST – 4.0
FG% – 43.1
Min – 37.7
Season Average – 12.1 PTS, 8.8 REB

Jason Kapono – Last 5 games:
PPG – 14.6
FG% – 46.0
3FG% – 46.2
REB - 4.2
MIN – 29.8
Season Average PPG – 8.3

Joey Graham – In February:
PPG – 13.0
REB – 4.6
FG% – 53.6
FT - 24/28
MIN - 28.4
Season Average PPG – 8.0

Be sure to tune in to tonight’s broadcast – with Jonesy and I – at 7:00pm.  We’ll have the post game show (“The Rap”) after the final buzzer as well.

E. Smith

By: David Alter

While there is no doubt that the presence and play of Shawn Marion saw the Raptors play one of their best running games of the season, the improved health of Chris Bosh and Jose Calderon has been a contributing factor.

With Calderon dealing with hamstring issues and more recently Bosh’s return from a knee injury, Head Coach Jay Triano has to factor the juggling act with minutes played as the season winds down.

“It’s a fine line between managing minutes and pushing the envelope as far as trying to challenge them and trying to get them into better shape and get them used to the style we are playing” says Triano.  “I think their have been a couple of game where in the first 10 minutes we look great and then the fatigue factor sets in.  I don’t know if we know how to fight through that.”

Marion added the speed and proper mix to a team that has been struggling on the fast break all year.

And while also providing the help on the offensive rebounds, Marion says it was the collective effort of his team that produced one of the Raptors more complete games of the season.

“It’s a little bit of everybody” says Marion. “Not just me alone but collectively as a team, I think everybody pitched in very well yesterday, We all came together, buckled down and got it done.”

It’s efforts like the one against New York on Sunday that Triano has been preaching all season, whether or not they can keep it up down the final 24 games will a battle of consistency, one the Raptors have been fighting all year.

Monday February 23 2009 – 3:22pm Eastern (Toronto)

In just over 30 minutes, I’ve already had more than 10 emails come in … asking me about my comments on “The Game Plan” with Jack Armstrong and Doug McLean.

If you missed it, McLean asked me:  “One word … Yes or No … Will Chris Bosh be here long-term?”

Because McLean asked for a “yes” or a “no” … I gave it to him.  My answer …

“No.”

Now let me use this blog to explain my answer.

Doug asked for a one-word answer.  But had I been allowed to give a bit of a qualifier … this what I would have said …

I still don’t think Bosh is going to be moved this summer.  I think Bryan Colangelo will keep the 4-time All Star in Toronto.  In fact, I still think CB4 will sign a max contract with this team when he’s a free agent in the summer of 2010.

However, a year or two into that deal … if the Raptors still haven’t done anything / gone anywhere in the post-season (i.e. – Conference Finals?  NBA Finals?) … then I think he will quietly ask to be moved (much like Vince Carter did) … and the Raps will accommodate his wishes and get the best package they can for him at that time.

The only way I see that scenario NOT going down … is if Colangelo gets a commitment from Bosh THIS summer.  The GM will ask the player if he’s thinking about staying or thinking about going.  If Bosh says he’s leaving – or even hints at that fact that he might go – then, clearly, a move has to be made. 

So, this issue here is McLean’s definition of “long-term” versus my definition (and your definition while reading this) of that same term.  No … I don’t think Bosh is here “long-term” – unless Toronto wins.  Why would he or any other player want to stay with a team that is stuck in neutral?  But conversely, why would he or any other player want to move from a team if the club is moving forward and competing as a top 3-4 team year after year?

I’ve said it before … and I’ll say it again:  Winning cures all. 

Bosh wants to get paid but Bosh wants to win as well.  Thus, “short-term”, I think he IS a Raptor but “long-term” … it’s up to Bosh, the players around him, and the organization itself.  You’ve got to win.  Period.

E. Smith