Thursday April 16 2009 - 10:48am Eastern (Toronto, ON)
RE: General thoughts on the season:
“We’re not so far out from those teams that are in the playoffs.”
“We’ve got to learn (from) this season.”
“We’ll be back in the playoffs.”
RE: His hamstring/groin and his health overall this season:
“I’m 100% right now - and maybe that’s a little bit too late. I couldn’t play like myself for a while - and you guys know I don’t like making excuses. I feel responsible … ”
“I couldn’t play defence at all - I couldn’t make plays for my teammates. I think I can compete against anybody when I’m healthy.”
RE: Thoughts on playing for Spain this summer:
“I haven’t thought about it. It’s a long way (away). We’ll see what happens.”
“I need time to think about it. It’s a long summer - and we’ll see what I’m going to do.”
RE: If the Raptors asked him to NOT play for Spain this summer, how he’d react:
“Not play. That’s easy.”
RE: Jay Triano:
“I think he’s (done) a great job. It’s not the best way to have a team. I think he did a pretty good job - and he made it clear (to us) what he wanted. It’s been great with him (and) I think everyone was more comfortable with him.”
RE: Shawn Marion:
“I think he was important. We made a difference with him. We were playing faster and running more. He helped with the rebounding (too). He helped for sure.”
E. Smith
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FYI folks … these are direct quotes. However, they’re not always “full” quotes. I can only type so fast! So don’t read into things too much if answers are short - or not as “in depth”. Chances are, the players said much more than what I’ve typed — I just couldn’t keep up. I’m not a court stenographer!
- E. SmithIt seems like each of Bosh, AP and Calderon are in agreement on the following:
1/ Triano is back. With this team from the beginning, we’d be in the playoffs. They were finally buying into both his offensive and defensive schemes.
2/ Marion was a good addition and should be brought back.
I think both of these will happen but many more CHANGES are needed.
As far as Jose’s comment below, he’s a TOTAL TEAM PLAYER AGAIN and I would ask each of Bosh, Bargs and Jose to relax and just work out over the summer.
RE: If the Raptors asked him to NOT play for Spain this summer, how he’d react:
“Not play. That’s easy.”
- GaryI’d like to see:
Locker Clean Out: The Matrix !!
- PhilCan you tell Bryan that the fans want Jose to rest this summer? Too much basketball last summer killed our playoff hopes.
- JoeDon’t forget to check out “Hoops” tonight from 7-9pm
LIVE on Raptors TV and on Fan590.com
- E. SmithYo Eric no playoff RAP 4 the Raptors this year It’s going too be a long summer.Objective # 1 CB4 2CB$ 3 CB4 get him committed & we can look foward to the Fall… Biggest let down the play or lack of play of J Moon & J.K. needs inprovement defensive communication, A.B. do not 4 get want ya did last summer…. Hey Bryan C bring back A.P. First round up-set Boston could go down down. Yo Eric U is my MVP. Raptorized John.
- john artisGary…why do you so easily say that the Raptors would have made the playoffs with Marion?
I don’t get it.
The Raps won a handful of absolutely meaningless games during the last three weeks of an entirely lost season. Many of the teams they beat were either well under .500 or were clearly sleepwalking through the games, trying to stay healthy while waiting for the playoffs to start (ie. Orlando).
I’m not saying the Raps aren’t better with Marion in the lineup. But, to suggest that they would have made the playoffs with him, just doesn’t carry any validity.
Believe me, he is not the missing piece. And even if he was, please remember that making the playoffs was NEVER the objective of the team and management. After so many first round losses, the goal was to finish in the top four, get homecourt advantage, and have playoff success.
Have we all forgotten this?
- brento