<div align="center"> - <font color="Navy"><font color="Navy"> Washington Wizards (0-0) @ Toronto Raptors (0-0) TV: Toronto (RSN), Washington (CSN) Radio: Toronto (Fan590), Washington (WTEM 980 AM) Venue: Air Canada Centre Date: Wednesday, November 2nd, 2005 TipOff time: 7:10 PM Eastern</font></font> <font face="Comic Sans MS"><font size="7">.......</font></font> <font color="Red">Starting LineUps</font> <font color="Black">The Raptors: </font> <font size="1">Mike James-Jalen Rose-Joey Graham-Chris Bosh-Loren Woods</font> <font color="Black">6th Man:</font> <font size="1">Charlie Villanueva</font> <font color="Black">Coach:</font> <font size="1">Sam Mitchell</font> Team Leaders (2004-2005): <font face="Comic Sans MS">Scoring: J.Rose - 18.5 Rebounds: C.Bosh - 8.9 Assists: R.Alston - 6.4 FG%: M.Bonner - 53.4% FT%: J.Rose - 85.3% 3PT%: L.Murray - 43.8% Blk: C.Bosh - 1.4 Steals: R.Alston - 1.5 </font> <font face="Comic Sans MS"><font size="6">.......</font></font> <font color="Black">The Wizards:</font> <font size="1">Gilbert Arenas-Jarvis Hayes-Jared Jeffries-Antawn Jamison-Brendan Haywood</font> <font color="Black">6th Man:</font> <font size="1">Caron Butler</font> <font color="Black">Coach:</font> <font size="1">Eddie Jordan</font> Team Leaders (2004-2005): <font face="Comic Sans MS">Scoring: G.Arenas-25.5 Rebounds: A.Jamison-7.6 Assists: G.Arenas-5.1 FG%: B.Haywood-56.0% FT%: J.Dixon-89.7% 3PT%: S.Blake-38.7% Blk: B.Haywood-1.7 Steals: L.Hughes-2.9 </font> <font face="Comic Sans MS"><font size="7">.......</font></font> <font color="Red">Keys To The Game:</font> <font face=""Comic Sans MS"">- Home Energy:</font> This is the home opener, so the Raps must come out and agressive and take advantage of home court and the energy that comes with the home opener. <font face=""Comic Sans MS"">- Rebounding:</font> This is a key that will be in almost every game thread. After a horrendous season on the glass last season, Raptors got outrebounded badly in the preseason against average frontcourts. Loren, Hoffa, Aaron, even Chris and Charlie have to crash the boards and box out on every shot if they want to get playing time from Sam. <font face=""Comic Sans MS"">- Great Start:</font> We can't afford to fall behind. Despite the loss of Larry Hughes, the Wizards are still a deep team that has multiple offensive weapons. We must have a great start and feed off the crowd to avoid getting caught under a big lead. <font face="Comic Sans MS"><font size="6">.......</font></font> <font color="Red">Game Matchup:</font> vs Antawn Jamison vs Chris Bosh Despite the amazing performances by Joey and Charlie in the preseason and the presence of Jalen Rose and Mike James, this is still Chris Bosh's team. The offence has to run through him most of the time and he has demand the ball as well. He seems to be more polished this season, and this is his first year without Vince's shadow floating over his head, so he should take matters into his own hands. Jamison however, is one of the few players who have given Chris constant problems on both ends of the floor. As a verstile forward, Jamison possess the speed and athletisicm to keep up with Bosh. The winner of this matchup will pretty much determine the outcome of the game. <font face="Comic Sans MS"><font size="7">.......</font></font> <font color="Green">The X-Factor:</font> Rafael Araujo We're all excited about the preseason Hoffa, but the big question remains: Can he take this unexpected emergence to the regural season? For the last few preseason games, Hoffa was one of the teams best players on the floor rebounding the ball, moving well at both ends and more importantly, looking more and more confident as played. With the centre spot being the most unsure thing about this team, Hoffa could very well own the starting spot and the majority of the minutes if steps up like he's been doing in preseason. Talent is not a question with Hoffa, it's a matter of confidence and playing "smart". <font face="Comic Sans MS"><font size="7">.......</font></font> <font color="Red">Say What?! (Prediction)</font> Ranked 30th overall in two consecutive ESPN rankings and getting major heat from almost every media outlet, the Raps enter this season with a chip on their shoulder. With the first game being at home against an eastern confernece, expect the Raps to come out agressive looking start out the season strong with a win. Raps win 98-91. <font face="Comic Sans MS"><font size="7">.......</font></font> </div>
Good Preview but at the very start it say's Philadelphia instead of Washington, And I still dont know why Washington is starting Jared Jefferies when they could have Caron Butler in the starting lineup, it just doesnt make sense to me. Anyways I think the Raptors should come out on top with a good game from Calderon and Bosh will show up too. 101-91 is my Prediction, Raptors win.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Buckets:</div><div class="quote_post">Good Preview but at the very start it say's Philadelphia instead of Washington, And I still dont know why Washington is starting Jared Jefferies when they could have Caron Butler in the starting lineup, it just doesnt make sense to me. Anyways I think the Raptors should come out on top with a good game from Calderon and Bosh will show up too. 101-91 is my Prediction, Raptors win.</div> I was listining to ESPN radio few days ago and they had Legler on, he said the Wizards are looking to bring Daniels and Butler off the bench to add balance and depth to their squad. As for "Philladelphia", I was having an argument about the Eagles with someone while doing the preview so it was a typo.
Great Preview, I think we have a great chance only if our bench will step-up, While we have short bench in rookie Charlie Villanueva and Morris Peterson, the Wizards will have Antonio Daniels, Caron Butler, Chucky Atkins and Etan Thomas. If we will see game from Araujo and Calderon or veteran Alvin Williams- We have a chance.
Great preview. I see the Raps coming out on top by 6. BTW, that's a great picture you put in there, Purple.
I just can't see the Raps losing this game. Call is false starts or inconsistency, but we've beaten two contenders in our last two home openers. In 2003, it was the Nets, and last year, it was the Rockets. Against a Wizards team who's being vastly underrated this season, the Raps should win again. Keeping Gilbert Arenas in check would be key, and the rookies will need to play well.
Yea thanks for the preview Purple, I've really been itching to see some CV31, Joey Graham, and Calderon. Not to forget, some Bosh and Bonner! Go Raps Go! Can't wait until Wednesday.
Nice preview, im looking for us to come out with a win mainly cause we've started with one for a couple years now. Prediction: 99-95 raptors win.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Mr.Wade:</div><div class="quote_post">You're forgetting Bonner, Calderon, Arajuo on our bench.</div> I mean REAL bench.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Proz4k:</div><div class="quote_post">I mean REAL bench.</div> Well if Mo and CV31 are 6th and 7th guys. Then having Bonner(who hustles with the best of them) at 8th and Calderon(who is unproven in the nba), but seems to have the right style and Hoffa at 9th and 10th isn't a terrible situation.
cant wait to see this game.. i see Raps winning and charlie playing amazing in his first home game as a raptor btw are you guys sure graham is starting instead of Mo?
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting PlaTsanity:</div><div class="quote_post"> btw are you guys sure graham is starting instead of Mo?</div> Yes.
I'm gonna be there opening night, I can't wait. The last two years, I've predicted a Raptor loss, and I've been wrong - twice. Both times I've based my prediction on the Raptors sucking, and the other team being better (great sentence, haha). This year, it will be no different; I predict the Raptors will lose, Washington is just too deep. Hopefully I'm wrong, opening night is always the best part of the Raptors' season.
no way the raps will win this one. First mistake u made in a review (which is good by the way) is Jared Jefferies over Caron Butler, i mean id expect Butler to be out there from the start, to keep the three man punch wizards had last year going. Also i think Aaroujo is still a waste of a pick, he wont do much in this game. I live in Tdot and i have faith in him, but i dont think that he is worth the 8th pick, and also if raps were to draft in the second round i bet ya aroujo would still be around. And i think mo pete will be the sixth man for the raps. he will get more looks and Villanueva isnt experienced enough to make a BIG impact.
I predict Washington is going to go out on top, last year, Toronto got killed on the boards by the Wizards during first game they played against them.. I see Washington winning 93 to 86.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting LakeTown:</div><div class="quote_post">no way the raps will win this one. First mistake u made in a review (which is good by the way) is Jared Jefferies over Caron Butler, i mean id expect Butler to be out there from the start, to keep the three man punch wizards had last year going. Also i think Aaroujo is still a waste of a pick, he wont do much in this game. I live in Tdot and i have faith in him, but i dont think that he is worth the 8th pick, and also if raps were to draft in the second round i bet ya aroujo would still be around. And i think mo pete will be the sixth man for the raps. he will get more looks and Villanueva isnt experienced enough to make a BIG impact.</div> Ok so you think "Aaroujo" is a waste of a pick and you're convinced he wont do much in this game for some reason...and then you throw in there "i have faith in him" ??? Anyways...its off-topic but i HAVE to respond. Hoffa wouldnt of been there 2nd round you can count on that. The Jazz were gunna take him with the 18th(correction?) if he wasnt scopped up before then. The Raps drafted a talented player in the position they needed, who they felt was ready for the NBA. They were wrong he wasnt as ready as they thought he might be, but the fact remains he has talent and he was the position they needed. Did they need Iggy? no they didnt they had Vince Carter still, and the Raps felt he was gunna stay with them. Could they of drafted Iggy still? Yes they could of but then Vince is gunna pull the "you're using your 8th pick to draft my backup; meanwhile I'm here complaining about wanting to win NOW" The Raps tried shopping the pick but in the end drafting a solid big man like Hoffa who should/could of been NBA ready seemed like the best move. Was it? Maybe not..but at the time i can see the bind Babcock was in. Besides, If Hoffa shows everyone wrong this year and plays solid, every half assed fair weather fan is gunna be saying they new it all along. Sometimes things GM's do work out..other times they dont, thats how it works. Nearly every move they make has the possibility to blow up in their face, so everyone needs to appreciate that they're human and sometimes make mistakes. Babcock is doing well in my book Back on topic. Raps should be able to pull this one out if they play solid team ball. in my opinion the game comes down to two deciding factors 1) Does Chris Bosh demand the ball as much as he should. 2) Is Jalen giving up the ball as much as he should.
Just wondering, assuming Gilbert Arenas will play a large amount of minutes, and Antonio Daniels will as well. Who will guard these guys when Washington has PG: Arenas SG: Daniels
i cant wait to see this game.. and so far graham and cv31 are really excited aswell.. they both have invited family members across the globe and CV31 wants to prove doubters wrong while Joey said he is going to work really hard and try to get ROY
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting PlaTsanity:</div><div class="quote_post">i cant wait to see this game.. and so far graham and cv31 are really excited aswell.. they both have invited family members across the globe and CV31 wants to prove doubters wrong while Joey said he is going to work really hard and try to get ROY</div> wow mad props to Joey Graham, we all know that he will hard, lets just hope that his hard work pays off.
