Wednesday February 18 2009 - 12:33pm Eastern (Toronto)
The headline says it all.
Despite having more than a week off to rest his injured knee, Chris Bosh is still not ready to suit up for the Toronto Raptors. Thus, T.O. will go at it tonight - against LeBron James and the Cavs - without the All Star big man.
This will be the 5th straight game that Bosh has missed.
Chances are … Jay Triano’s starting 5 tonight will be: Jose Calderon, Anthony Parker, Joey Graham, Shawn Marion, and Andrea Bargnani.
Calderon’s hamstring is ready to go again and Graham has healed from the shin injury that had briefly sidelined him.
The Raps likely won’t have to deal with Ben Wallace of the Cavs. Wallace cut his arm - taking 14 stitches - and though he is with the team … he’s expected to sit.
If Wallace doesn’t play, it’s probably a good bet that Cleveland coach Mike Brown will start Anderson Varejao.
The Cavs are still without Delonte West (wrist) and Sasha Pavlovic (ankle)
Jonesy and I will have the call at 7:00pm on the FAN - with full post-game coverage as well (with “The Rap”) ’til 11pm.
E. Smith
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Jose has came back prematurely far too often this year…maybe its a good idea to have him sit and see what Roko and Banks can do (while Jose rests up for the Knicks), especially b/c Bosh is also out and our chances of beating the Cavs are slim. Sitting Jose would allow Triano to take a good look at what Banks is capable of and how he can contribute to this team. The problem is now, even when Bosh does come back the Raps are very thin at the 4 and 5 (with Hump also out)…BC must make a move for another capable big if he is serious when he says he wants this team making a run at the playoffs.
- Mr. TI’m starting to wonder if Bosh doesn’t need a few sessions with the Raps sports psycholgist ..She may give him a swift kick to get him going .
- Chas CalzHe’s not exactly a warrior these days .. Let’s run and gun tonight like the Suns decided to do finally . Marion and Crawford can run . Parker Calderon too .. Let’s go for the upset win …3 in a row ..
Friends at the NBA and Adidas tell me Bosh will not play tonight as the Raptors will announce tomorrow or Friday that he has been traded. Teams involved are Phoenix and Chicago in a 3 way.
- JCChas you gotta realize that Bosh is still fatigued from his work over the summer involving the Olympics and has not rested since. Just like Calderon who is having the same problem with his hamstring. Unfortunately you wanna blast Bosh and have him gone means you also in your hockey loving mind that you wanna keep Bargnani with no sense and his soprano ways along with BC’c assistant wanna destroy this team by playing the euroleague level which is messing Bosh up. You TRADE BARGNANI!!!!
- Vegita