So the road trip ended the way most of us expected, but the Raps put up a good fight, you could argue, in each and every one of the four games. Even the Chris Bosh versions didn’t fare this well, or maybe thats what we’d all like to believe. These killer left coast trips are always early on in the schedule and it’s got to be a disadvantage because it’s a game of catchup every year. Right now the record does look pretty bad, but this team will probably not be the worst in the league, unfortunately enough for those who drool over the Harrison Barnes and Kyrie Irvings of this world. The teams defends well enough and has just enough offense to beat below average teams at home. It would definitely help Toronto’s cause if they could avoid that one horrific quarter where the ghosts of yesteryear turn this team into a proverbial red carpet that leads right to their own rim.
Let’s make one thing perfectly clear: Andrea Bargnani is still a really, really bad team defender and rebounder. Not really going out on a limb there. But he’s taking steps in the right direction. He deflected an interior pass from an attacking wing player, which meant he didn’t have his back to the play. He fouled LaMarcus Aldridge on a decent rotation, which was surprising because Bargs usually has avoided any kind of contact that early in the game to avoid getting a quick hook due to foul trouble. Bargs ended up picking up a second foul which brought him out late in the first quarter, and he ended up playing about 15 minutes in the first half. But it was a very good first half for him. He continued to bring energy, rebounding balls in traffic, even a sweet offensive board followed with an aggressive move for a dunk. Now here’s a crazy idea…why not bring Il Mago down to about 30 minutes a game? He might not have to worry as much about pacing himself, getting into foul trouble. His struggles on back-to-backs is well documented, but he still ends up playing heavy minutes, especially for a big man. Yeah, yeah, he’s our only real offensive threat, but you’re not going anywhere as a team with just one, you might as well try to develop another threat, like DeMar in a rebuilding season like this.
Jarret Jack was playing at his typical helter-skelter pace, which has been not very effective recently. While this kind of play does seem appealing in contrast to Calderon’s style, it would be a lot more useful if Jack actually found his teammates on a regular basis. Instead, we’ve gotten used to the stead assortment of acrobatic floaters and layups, many of which don’t go in. The only consistent offense early came from Andrea, who was being given some space out of repect for his drive. Whether or not that was the right approach, teams are starting to plan for him, and it’ll be interesting to see how well he’ll adapt.
Does Nicholas Batum have a motor on him or what? He ran Kleiza ragged around the court, constantly moving through screens and to open areas. The Raptors showed in Utah that they struggle tracking players moving off the ball, and Batum drove that point home. Kleiza, slightly wounded perhaps, tried to assert himself offensively as well, with limited success. Julian Wright, who did end up having a decent game by his standards, should be summoned to minimize the athleticism of a guy like that in the future. Or Sonny Weems if you want more balance offensively, but Wright has all the tools to be a better defender.
Very disappointing night for DeMar DeRozan, one of the major X-factors for this season. Sadly, players are who they will be generally by their 3rd year in the league, and DD really struggled with, pretty much everything. Not sure if it was the length of the Blazers, his shot was off, which is worrisome and he kept getting his pocket picked on the drive, which is even more worrying. What we’ve seen this year is that he is more comfortable handling the ball, but that’s because last year those skills were almost non-existent. The problem is that he still can’t drive into traffic like the more elite players can. Let’s hope he can, but some of these skills are just natural talent. Brandon Roy, Kobe Bryant, Tyreke Evans, guys still fresh in everyones minds, they already possessed this skill at DeMars age (21). There’s still something mechanical about him, not like Joey Graham bad, but a lack of fluidity that he needs to work on. That’s why he’ll continue to be inconsistent, because instead of taking it to the opposition, he’ll have to be more opportunistic. Maybe then he’ll also learn the art of being aware of his teammates as he makes his move and become someone who makes him teammates better as well.
Another thing about Bargs. There’s always a point every game where Andrea tried to post up on a mismatch. He needs to get deeper into the post before collecting the ball. Again, its about working to establish that position. Expending energy even when you don’t have the ball in your hands.
The Raps were clearly struggling in the first quarter, but a lineup with Jose and Amir went on a run to bring Toronto back into the game. Both of these guys are rounding into form. Amir Johnson is a difference maker defensively and he will be worth his contract if he can learn to stay on the court. Jose’s shot is back, and he’s starting to look really good. Better than Jarret Jack, good. Jose at his best is easily a better point guard than Jack, but we just haven’t seen that player in a while. He showed a bit of that second gear he used to have turning the corner, as well, and his defense looks better. Bosh may not be here but he knows the importance of high-percentage plays and he has a pretty good one where he lobs the ball to Amir near the rim.
The 2nd quarter was the Brandon Roy show. Have to admit, it’s really fun to watch him play (when he’s not destroying the Raptors, of course), because he seems effortless in his approach. He thinks the game better than a lot of his peers. Roy scored 13 points, mostly on an assortment of jumpers, the Raps began rushing possessions with quick jumpers and a beastly LaMarcus Aldridge delivered some key points on putbacks to extend the lead. The problem is that those 2 players are just too talented for the Raps to handle. They’ll find a way to beat you 9 times out of 10. It’s appalling how lacking this team is offensively 4 years into BC’s tenure, former GM of the Pheonix Suns. Wasn’t this his forte? It’s becoming obvious how reliant this team was on Chris Bosh’s highly efficient 24 points a game. Sure, it was boring to watch, but it got the job done.
LMA and Marcus Camby put the Raptors away for good in the 3rd quarter. This is definitely a big team, they have good size at every position, and they used every inch of it to their advantage. The Raps did climb back later in the quarter, with some good defensive pressure against the subs, causing Portland turnovers. This is where Toronto may have an advantage all year, their bench has brought them back into the game more often than not. This is also where we learned Julian Wright is the new Milt Palacio, who was afflicted with the inability to run a fast break and pass the ball at the same time.
The Blazers restored their double digit lead by the end of the 3rd quarter, and Leandro Barbosa continued to shoot horrible looking shots from outside. Just get the surgery Leandrinho, we ain’t going anywhere anytime soon. Bargnani was nto much a of a factor in the second half, and it’s hard to figure out why. It could have been fatigue . But that wasn’t the major concern at that point. The Streak, was in jeopardy, but Jarret Jack channelled Darrick Martin’s karma and plopped a not-very-open trey to keep the franchise’ arguably biggest claim-to-fame alive and kicking.
One game removed from the Eastern Conference finals, Atlantic Divison champs, or the Streak?
Well, the Streak is the gift that keeps on giving, even in times like this. I think we have a winner.
