Quick Reaction

Quick Reaction: Raptors vs. Clippers

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cavsraps
Toronto Raptors 83 Final
Recap | Box Score		 102 Los Angeles Clippers
Linas Kleiza, SF 30 MIN | 5-11 FG | 2-3 FT | 3 REB | 2 AST | 17 PTS | -6

Probably kept the Raptors in the game longer than they should have with some answer-back threes. He looked like he could have been a threat in the post, but this advantage was not exploited by the Raptors.

FOCUS FACTOR: Very focused (when shooting threes)
Andrea Bargnani, C 33 MIN | 5-15 FG | 0-0 FT | 2 REB | 2 AST | 12 PTS | -10

When you take more shots than points, that`s not good. For a guy who`s main (only?) skill is offense, he`s having quite a few of these games. Question: Is Andrea Bargnani at 27 already starting to decline as a player? Conditioning/dedication is what allows good players to maintain their performance (see: Kobe Bryant, Steve Nash vs. Vince Carter, Steve Francis)

FOCUS FACTOR: Off the charts (One word: Caliper)
Jonas Valanciunas, C 19 MIN | 0-3 FG | 1-2 FT | 3 REB | 1 AST | 1 PTS | +1

Foul trouble and the looong arms of DeAndre Jordan were a little too much for our kid warrior to handle on this day. He`ll respond once he`s back to the friendly confines of the ACC. Could be rebounding a little better, actually a lot better considering who his starting mate in the front court is.

FOCUS FACTOR: High
Kyle Lowry, PG 32 MIN | 2-6 FG | 0-0 FT | 6 REB | 9 AST | 4 PTS | -13

It seems like he decided he would be more of a facilitator before the game, and it produced a controlled effort. But the approach seened top scale back his aggressiveness, and the team needs him to put up points, especially when one of DeRozan/Bargnani is not producing. 0 free throw attempts is especially disappointing. Hope he doesn`t check out, he`s the best we got.

FOCUS FACTOR: Declining
DeMar DeRozan, SG 42 MIN | 10-17 FG | 3-4 FT | 5 REB | 4 AST | 24 PTS | -18

One of his more complete games this season. Great third quarter. But he was nowhere to be found in the fourth when the team needed him during a very dry run. That three he hit was a nice surprise, but honestly, good shooting guards should be able to make that kind of play on a regular basis.

FOCUS FACTOR: 75 (three quarters)
Ed Davis, PF 17 MIN | 2-6 FG | 2-2 FT | 3 REB | 0 AST | 6 PTS | -9

Could have rebounded better, the size of the Clippers front court gave him troubles just like it did for Val. You would think he`s deserving of 20+ minutes after his recent stretch of games. Apparently his GM thinks he has inconsistency issues.

FOCUS FACTOR: Very high except when Bryan Colangelo is watching
Amir Johnson, PF 27 MIN | 4-7 FG | 3-4 FT | 12 REB | 0 AST | 11 PTS | -20

One of his better games in what`s been a disappointing season. Trying to put on a show for friends/family? Maybe the Raptors can bring them along for every game.

FOCUS FACTOR: Average + hometown boost = Slightly above average
Jose Calderon, PG 16 MIN | 1-5 FG | 2-2 FT | 3 REB | 2 AST | 5 PTS | -6

He was left on too long in the 4th, game was over by the time Lowry subbed back in. Just not enough aggressiveness for a team that lack`s clutch scoring.

FOCUS FACTOR: Low
John Lucas, PG 1 MIN | 0-0 FG | 0-0 FT | 0 REB | 0 AST | 0 PTS | 0

FOCUS FACTOR: Most intense, focused minute played in Raptor history. Not very talented though (Shhhhh!)
Terrence Ross, SG 23 MIN | 1-7 FG | 0-0 FT | 2 REB | 2 AST | 3 PTS | -14

Not a good game. Bryan Colangelo just realized that the kid has no handles. Kinda late don`t you think? The shooting has been sporadic, although some shots were contested. His man defense is legit, however.

FOCUS FACTOR: Too low

Three Things We Saw

  1. As mentioned above, Lowry was subbed back in way too late in the 4th. The offence had dried down considerably and they needed him.
  2. Things are pretty bleak right now, why not throw Quincy Acy in there to help out with the rebounding?
  3. Listening to Bryan Colangelo talk about how FOCUS is the issue and not talent was high comedy. Interesting that he chose to show his face in an opponent`s arena and not in the ACC. Worried about getting booed Bryan? The guy`s smart, just not in a basketball kind of way, y`know?