21-18

(Posting may be light over the next couple days because I’d rather be sitting in the sun than typing out game notes…can you blame me?)

Now THAT’S the type of game BC was dreaming of while startching his collars and assembling this roster. Crisp ball movement, aggressive paint play, and decisive decisions made this guy smile for three straight quarters.

When we play like that, we’re awfully hard to beat. If/when* Bargnani loses the body snatchers and gets in on the fun…break out the umbrellas, it’s raining ~~men~~ Raptors. Hallelujah.

* I’m still a believer. Disappointed, sure, but still a believer.

Watching the Raptors through an American feed was a whole different experience. No Leo, no Chuck-isms, and therefore, no headache for me. Plus, I love to hear what the rest of the league thinks about the Raptors.

Two gems from last night’s Sacramento broadcast:

“Calderon is the new John Stockton…the most underrated player in the entire NBA.”
“The Raptors are the Jr. Varsity Suns.”

Of course they showed Bosh’s first YouTube video. I was watching at the home of an ex-pat ballfreak (I felt like I was at Hunter S. Thompson’s place with all the sports betting, minus the guns and owls) who told me that (because out here they only get the American feeds through LeaguePass) every city we go to shows the video. It’s more popular than we can understand back home, where we expect to see it everywhere. This is far and away the most US press Bosh has ever gotten.

Sacremento had to deal with inserting Bibby and Ron-Ron back into the lineup in the same night, and the lack of chemistry showed, both on offense (they managed a measly 19 assists and racked up 20 turnovers), and on defence where we were free to swing the rock to an open player, making the extra pass on almost every possession to drop 34 dimes, 12 more than our 22.4 season average.

On offense, we was hot hot HOT! Delfino, Calderon, and Bosh shot 26-33 combined. To appreciate this from another angle, how about 74 points on 79% from the field? Wow. That’s equal testament to the intelligence of their games tonight and the lackluster, lazy defence the Kings brought.

Gotta bookend the next paragraph after a performance like that.

Bosh dropped perhaps the most efficient line of the NBA season, missing only one field goal and only one free throw to rack up 31 points on just TEN shots. Most players drop 30+ on lines like 12/28, or 10/24. Bosh took less shots than most players make. He’s also making quicker (and smarter) decisions out of the double team. That’s a huge plus for a team that thrives on open jumpers.

He scored at will, but ON Mikki.

The Spanish Fly’s back in business after a couple subpar performances. 17 points, 14 assists, 3 steals, and one awesome fake alley-oop to Jamario on the fast break that freed him up for the wide open lay in.

Senor Stockton pour dos.

And then there’s Delfino. This porous Sacramento D allowed him to heat up from the perimeter, which then opens up the lane. Carlos is the best Raptor (better than Bosh) at mixing up his offense to keep defenders guessing. A career night for Delfino, well deserved.

A decisive win against a team that just didn’t show up to play. How’d we do on our Keys to Success?

Protect the Perimeter: Not so much. They did drop 12 three’s on 44%. That being said, we also attacked from behind the arc, so let’s call this a wash.

Box Out: We didn’t have to, because the Kings showed no interest in going after their missed shots, and we outrebounded them 42-29. When Bargnani grabs 6 boards (and he didn’t have to fight for any of them), you know a team’s not crashing the glass.

Forgive the pun, but Jamario flies to the Moon for a rebound.

Get to the Line: Bosh and Humph owned the paint against Mikki Moore and Brad Miller (Kenny Thomas and Reef were MIA – thanks for the gift, Reggie), and Delfino got to the line for some gravy. So the teetertotter continues, but 19-22 from the free throw line is as good as it gets for the Raptors.

GAME NOTES:

If there were a stat for lowest total team body weight, at least the Kings would come out on top of something this year. Kevin Martin and Francisco Garcia look as if a strong breeze might snap them in two…when you make Quincy “Earthworm Jim” Douby look like Vin Diesel, it’s high time to hit the weight room. Let’s not forget Mikkie Moore in this conversation, which is tough because he’s so very forgettable.
This might be the worst rookie prank of them all.
Can you believe Swirsky was the Bulls PA announcer when Reggie Theus played for them? Amazing. Swirsky’s somehow found the Fountain of Youth, and he’s not sharing it with anyone.
Oh, and congratulations to Chuck for becoming a Canadian citizen. Now show us where the damn fountain is.

The New Captain Canada.

Joey Graham narrowly avoided the heralded “Two Trillion” stat (2 minutes of play, zero contributions across the boxscore) last night…but committing 1 foul. Way to contribute, Joe! Your bags packed yet? Or are you planning on buying all new things to try and wipe the last two years out of your head?
Why does Bargnani always look like he’s just eaten a lemon?
I can’t think of anything that would make two total opposites like Delfino and Artest slack-jawed in awe…unless it was Bosh’s amazing game.

I know, I know, it’s probably a rebound.

The three’s were flying in the second quarter, Toronto starting out 5-5 from behind the arc. A flurry of Sac turnovers turned into 3-balls. So when Juan Dixon gets into the game, he tries to get in on the action…and gets swatted hard by Artest.
Speaking of Juan…we need a backup for Jose. Though I’m sure I know more than a few ladies who would gladly help us give Jose a blow, we need a man for this one, and the Darrick/Dixon Experience is not a good one. Forget about TJ coming back anytime soon – we’re going to run Calderon into the ground if we can’t find a competent spotter for him. Let’s get Mighty Mouse back!

See ya on Friday for Hotlanta. And if you haven’t voted for us yet, click the links below to show your DinoLove.