This game was not a barometer to measure how effective the Raptors are but merely a simple test to check whether the Raptors are still interested in playing basketball this season. Turns out they are.
At some point in this game you had to feel sorry for the Miami Heat. Given their lineup it’s almost impossible to compete, let alone win games. Just when you thought the injured list which includes Dwayne Wade, Shawn Marion, Udonis Haslem, Marcus Banks and Alonzo Mourning couldn’t get any longer, Jason Williams jams a finger and misses the game. This presented a Miami team featuring Ricky Davis as their best player. If the Raptors had won by less than 20, it wouldn’t have been satisfying. 42 sounds about right.
Chris Bosh looked mobile and active, he looks to be on his way to regaining his pre-injury form and it’s just a matter of time before he feels comfortable going full-force. This game was a glorified practice session where he stretched his legs, moved hard laterally and prepared himself to go all out on Friday night against Cleveland. A win against Miami doesn’t count for much and the best thing to come out of this game is perhaps gaining back some of the lost confidence after the West-coast humiliation. Jamario Moon admitted that the team had lost confidence and thought this win would aid some of the mental issues stemming from the road. To quote Jamario on the PA system after the game while talking to Leo:
“Sam was in our butt.”
I’m not going to quote many stats from this game because it was boys against men out there, but it’s worthy to note that we held the Heat to an all-time franchise low of 54 points. Pat Riley figured they left everything in Milwaukee the previous night. The only time this game was remotely interesting was in the first quarter and the Raptors need to be given credit for coming out with some energy and determination. The prospect of a home loss to Miami would’ve been grim as death and maybe that’s what prompted Andrea Bagnani to come out attacking the rim, showing some emotion and playing hard. Coincidentally the last time he did that was against Miami. You know how Richard Hamilton never takes of his mask even though he really doesn’t need it anymore. I say Andrea should start wearing the mask, it makes him look tougher and maybe eliminates some of the fear of driving and getting hit (not that he has issues with that). Interesting to note Alex English sounding so relieved that Bargnani was driving to the rim, you can tell it’s on the mind of the coaches that Bargnani’s camping a little too far out.
The Cleveland game is a statement game if there ever was one. There’s a good chance we’ll finish 5th and face the Cavs and a win in Cleveland will go a long ways towards building belief in this team that they can pull off the job. Overcoming Cleveland’s sheer size, rebounding and Lebron is going to be a tall order even if Bosh is at the top of his game, so it’s that much more imperative that a second and third scorer and rebounder emerge for the Raptors. As Jamario Moon was grabbing away his 14 rebounds, one couldn’t help but wonder how many he’d get on Friday night when the competition is stiffer and the stakes higher. I’m not undermining the Raptors performance, simply pointing out that laying a beating on Miami is much easier than playing even against Cleveland.
TJ Ford with a controlled performance where I only counted two outright “bad” decisions. But then again, Chris Quinn isn’t going to trouble you as much as Ronnie Price would. The crowd was great tonight and encouraged Ford every time he made a play, you can tell the fans are behind him and want him to get through this literally insane stretch of basketball that he’s been playing. He has his detractors and those who think he’s a selfish and spoiled brat that has a me-first attitude and is jealous of the success of Calderon, but that’s stretching it big time and being unfair to TJ. He’s not been playing well and he knows it, I do think you’ll see a different TJ over the next few games. He hit rock bottom in Utah and from here on out things will improve. What would facilitate this process was if he’d start so things would return to “normal”. There’s been plenty of discussion over this point for the last two days, no point regurgitating it again.
No Liners tonight except one: Yes, it sucks that you didn’t get your pizza and you can moan all you want but to boo? I know it’s not a real boo, just a slight “Aww, man, WTF?” boo but even then, it sounds horrible when you’re team’s up by 42.
Sportsnet recently chose not to renew their contract with MLSE to air Raptors games. At the time I was laughing at Sportsnet but after reading this Globe article, you understand just how big the MLSE thieves are and why there is no incentive for channels to renew.
Bargnani – Top Rap.
March madness is everywhere. KU’s the #1 seed in the Mid-West but they’ll probably fizzle out as usual. I shouldn’t get my hopes up too high.
Later.