it was a good "hustle" game from the rooks, i think what frustrated me the most was the fact that when they ran the screens off of bosh, they never seemed to pass to him, even though he was wide open! that really got me ticked off. Bonner was off his game, and u know what? jose does have a little robbie williams in him. but i love jose. he will be starting very soon it seems, even though he cant speak english, he can sure as hell speak ball! jalen wasnt into it, even though he scored. At times bosh seem baffled by the triple teams that were being sent. they need to work on bosh being quadruple teamed so he knows how to handle it, during game time. i dont know why bonner was in the game in the 4th. villa shoulda stayed in, along with calderon. mike james seemed a lil too eager at times! but i liked what i saw overall. im down with loren starting, and hoffa of the bench!
I thought Washington underachieved in this game. At times, watching the Raps sloppy defense, I was surprised that the Raps were ahead. The game brought positives and negatives: The play of the rooks was definitely great. Calderon, especially, lived up to his billing and showed that he belongs in this league. With Calderon with us now, and Roko developing in Europe I think we won't be as weak at the 1 as we have in the past. I was also impressed by the versatility of the lineup. It seemed like Mitchell could have thrown any 5 players from our lineup and they'd be able to complement each other. CV and Bosh were able to play together and not be exploited too badly against a decent Wizards frontcourt. In fact, I was surprised how many second chances we got together on offense. Although he had a poor offensive game, Bosh was rebounding well tonight and that one play where he backed down his opponent was impressive. It looked like he had gotten a lot more physical in his play. On the other hand, our defense was poor. We had problems switching men on picks, and got exploited off the fast break. We rebounded well, but we still couldn't stop Washington from scoring in the paint. On offense, we couldn't give Bosh the ball at the proper position to beat his man off the dribble (he was either too close or too far). Mike James and Jalen Rose had a very one dimensional offensive game: come off a pick and shoot. Their decision making was poor. Also, I was disappointed in Sam Mitchell's performance. He put out good lineups, but didn't seem to have an answer to the Wizard's zone defense and couldn't fix our own lousy defense. And the worst part was that he didn't call a timeout when we had the ball in the last 20 seconds. We could have gotten the lead, but with no direction or set play, Rose just charged into Jamison and we lost the ball. Overall, I'm not too disappointed or excited. I thought the rookies played much better than I expected. But then again, the players I expected a lot from (Bosh, Rose, James) didn't really step when the team needed them to.
I liked this game. Even though we lost and played like crap I still have managed to take away a lot of positives from this game. Off the top of my head: - Bonner's shot was off today, which kinda surprises me. I'm always used to him being money from midrange. - Bosh was really forcing it offensively today. Opening day jitters I guess. At the end of the game he really settled down and went to doing things that he is good at doing ie. taking his man off the dribble, taking the midrange jumper etc... He was also all over the place rebounding and altering shots all night. - Jalen Rose pisses me off. - Mike James still hasn't sold me on that starting point guard thing. Calderone will be starting pg at some point this season. He's just too trigger happy. - I liked the rookies Calderone, Villanueva and Graham. All made mistakes, but all of them played their asses off tonight. Calderone didn't play much in the 2nd half. Probably because of his defence. But then again Arenas had his way with everyone tonight. Villanueva is solid. Good player in years to come. Graham had some nice defensive moves especially against Caron Butler. His defence will only get better. Overall we still suck. But I have a more positive feeling about this season.
Bonner was trying to create his own shot too much or trying to shoot off the dribble. He needs to try and score of a catch and shoot, that's more his game.
I liked what i saw from the rooks, they all had pretty solid games. We had our chances to win but we just went flat out cold, as well as some crucial turnovers down the stretch. Chris had a bad shooting night, as well as Bonner(surprisingly) and pretty much the whole team actually. But its the first game so shots will come as they play more.
Don't quite know why we didn't go for a two for one at the end. Don't remember the last time I saw a team go for a three with 12 seconds left in the game like that. Don't know why Bosh wasn't out there and was sitting on the bench. At the very least he should be out there to get the rebound. How many times have a team let their best player and rebounder (not named Shaq) sit out the last few seconds of the game? Don't know why Bonner was out there, he did nothing the whole game. A lot of questionable moves by Mitchell in my opinion. Rose really needs to quit complaining/flopping at every perceived lack of a foul call. And he did push off at the end so that was the right call. But overall, the young guys played well and the Raps kept the game competitive, which is all that I can really ask for at this point.
Bonner was the guy who really screwed up this time. when the raps were neck and neck in the last few minutes, bonner missed a 3 that could have put the raps over the top. i was in the arena and after that, every time bonner got the ball the whole crowd started yelling "don't shoot" in the last second he just fumbled away the ball. usually he's pretty consistent though.
The turning point was when we missed three consecutive 3 pointers on the same possesion and then Jamison came down and got a basket. That just sucked the life out of the Raptors.
GREAT GAME !! The World was expecting a loss from the Raptors anyways. We aren't going to win a championship this year so I am more interested in seeing where our rooks will fit. AND THEY WILL FIT SUPERBLY! All three played incredible. I really like Calderon's game. I like the starting line up, I think it provides you with a great bench. I hope Peterson embraces his role coming off the bench. With his love for the Raps, his ability to play D and his leadership qualities, we could see one of the most productive 2nd line in the NBA. I know those are bold words but production doesn't rest soley on pure talent. I think the bench has a great chemistry. Infact, the entire team has a great chemistry which will go a long long way this season. It was great to see us play so well when our star player was struggling. That is really encouraging. No longer do we have to depend soley on our star for our wins. Remember when VC was off, we would lose for sure. Our team can keep us close when CB4 is struggling and hopefully he can return to form by the second half, which he did, to give us a chance. Interior D was a concern, but we knew that before the game started. They Raps rebounded the ball really well I thought, but we just couldn't stop Haywood. Ridiculous point in the paint for Wash. 3 plays at the end lost the game for us. Bonner threw up a awful shot under the basketball. Why the Raps DIDN'T Call a time out with 14 seconds left is beyond me, that mistake costed us the game. I was happy about those 3 quick 3 pters taken near the end of the game. We should have went inside. All in all, a great game for the Raps, something we can absolutely build on. All we need is 1 decent center and we would be a playoff team IMHO.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting CourtVision:</div><div class="quote_post"> - Bosh was really forcing it offensively today. Opening day jitters I guess. At the end of the game he really settled down and went to doing things that he is good at doing ie. taking his man off the dribble, taking the midrange jumper etc... He was also all over the place rebounding and altering shots all night. - Jalen Rose pisses me off. - Mike James still hasn't sold me on that starting point guard thing. Calderone will be starting pg at some point this season. He's just too trigger happy. </div> I don't know why I find that part so funny..... Last nights game had negatives (b/c we obviously still stink) but a lot positives too..... mainly our rookies. - I never really got to see CV in action before and I liked wat I saw.... he really showed his versatility when he controlled the ball on the break, faked a pass, then made a sweet lay-in..... he has a nice stroke from the three point line also. -Calderon played more like a pg in the first 5 minutes he came into the game than Alston did all season long..... I'm really looking forward to seeing him develop and who knows, he could become the captain of our team in the near future. Oh and btw, I too noticed he looked like Robbie Williams while he was playing last night... -Graham made a lot of rookie mistakes but his solid jumper and stingy defence made me forget about all those mistakes. - I don't know why Mitchell chose to go w/ Bonner at the end. - Bosh put up good numbers but it wasn't very efficient production. His back to the basket game is a pleasant addition. - Although I get annoyed w/ Rose's antics, I kinda missed seeing him whine - I don't think we'll ever solve our interior defence woes - I like our new court (purple is not a good team colour imo) - MoPete played pretty good... translation: he will suck for the next 3 games - Mike James will lose his starting pg spot to Calderon very soon... i'm hoping.... - We should stop jacking up 3's all night long and find a way to score inside - Last but not least..... y the hell aren't these games broadcasted in HD??? If the Blue Jays get every single one of their home games in HD, y can't the Raps get the same thing?? damn, I just got an hdtv in hopes of watching some hi-def raps.....
Bonner probably had his worst game ever as a Raptor. He wasn't picking the right spots on both ends of the floor and once teams covered him on the perimeter, he couldn't do anything. If teams play defense on Bonner like Washington did last night, then we could label Bonner overpaid. Woods did a nice job, but I thought Araujo was rebounding with more ferocity and he knocked down a nice shot. Both I think had morale-boosting performances. One thing I noticed Bosh try to do is beat his man off the right hand. It was evident last night that he can't do anything with his right yet as far as shooting the ball, and I would like him not to try it again in games until he's sure he can get a firm grip on the ball while going up. Started the game badly but ended it on a high note. The rookies played well, and I think that Graham defended Antwan Jamison the best. He didn't give up a lot of ground on post ups and made sure he had a hand up every time. It was pretty funny to see Calderon being so animated; he looked like a great tempo changer, although James also did a great job of creating for teammates last night.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Locke:</div><div class="quote_post">Bonner probably had his worst game ever as a Raptor. He wasn't picking the right spots on both ends of the floor and once teams covered him on the perimeter, he couldn't do anything. If teams play defense on Bonner like Washington did last night, then we could label Bonner overpaid. Woods did a nice job, but I thought Araujo was rebounding with more ferocity and he knocked down a nice shot. Both I think had morale-boosting performances. One thing I noticed Bosh try to do is beat his man off the right hand. It was evident last night that he can't do anything with his right yet as far as shooting the ball, and I would like him not to try it again in games until he's sure he can get a firm grip on the ball while going up. Started the game badly but ended it on a high note. The rookies played well, and I think that Graham defended Antwan Jamison the best. He didn't give up a lot of ground on post ups and made sure he had a hand up every time. It was pretty funny to see Calderon being so animated; he looked like a great tempo changer, although James also did a great job of creating for teammates last night.</div> i agree with you...the rookies impressed and seemed solid for 1st regular season game... it was also good to bring in calderon with the second unit when things almost seemed stagnant with the offense...the way i look at it is that mike james should continue to be the starting point guard as he's a veteran who can create and score, and calderon should continue to come off the bench with the second unit as he brings a spark to that unit of mo pete, cv3 and they seem to gell well together in the first game...as we saw, mike james is not good with the second unit and wasn't really able to create anything...calderon already seems to be drawing defenders and leaving his teammates open for high percentage FG. the first unit seems to know how to create shots, but it's execution that is needed, as far as i saw last night, there were A LOT of open three's with high percentage three point shooters, but just failed to execute,... overall, i hope the defensive mishaps are worked on in practise today, the biggest thing i noticed is failed coverage on pics by wizards, but overall i was really impressed and encouraged of our team, and impressed with the boards we pulled down yesterday..., it should be an exciting game against NJ on friday...
man, sam mitchell said it best...its tough to win a game when you shoot %39 raps played well enough to win the game, we just couldnt knock down the shots when it counted. that sequence where we got 2 offensive rebounds, and mo pete, jalen, and mike james all jacked up 3's...if only one of those had gone down, the game would have been tied...not ot mention the last two we missed at the end. kind of a heartbreaking loss cuz of that i was really impressed with joey graham's defense though. he's gonna be a really good defender for us in the future what bad can you say about calderon though eh? couple rookie mistakes, but he more then made up for them with his play. he's the goods...glad we got him
anybody else think bosh is much hype with little substance? his passing especially under pressure is horrendous, his tendency to be physically dominated by almost everyone highlights his lack of strength and lack of work ethic to put on weight and his escape to the perimeter jumper gives me flashes of vince. this dude is vince without the skills- he's a mama's boy and anybody else find it strange that he lives in a city like ours with gorgeous girls with his girl cousin who happens to be the same age as he? weird dude.
When Jose "Robbie Williams" Calderon came in I went insane. I hadnt been so excited with a new player since Jerome Williams in the famous Knicks series 4-5 years ago. I was actually jumping up and down my couch (he really lit a fire under the raptors). And what can I say about Mat " " Bonner. He blew it. It doesnt help that Im not his biggest fan, but he didnt know what he was doing when he got the ball near the end. Btw, Jalen's charge was bull ****. The guy is like 290 pounds (over JAlen's 205-210) and he flew like he got hit by a mac truck. Oh well...this friday Vince is coming to town. I dont want to lose to him.
Jalen was pushing with his fore arm, it was a charge and it was a good call imo. However I liked Jalen's postgame quotes. He said he takes this loss upon himself, that's a good thing for a leader to say. I hope we improve our pick and roll defense and not have their big man rotate down low wide open.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">anybody else think bosh is much hype with little substance? his passing especially under pressure is horrendous, his tendency to be physically dominated by almost everyone highlights his lack of strength and lack of work ethic to put on weight and his escape to the perimeter jumper gives me flashes of vince. this dude is vince without the skills- he's a mama's boy and anybody else find it strange that he lives in a city like ours with gorgeous girls with his girl cousin who happens to be the same age as he? weird dude.</div> I thought his cousin was older than him? I don't agree with the assesment. I agree Bosh has a lot to work on still, and right now he can't be a good go to player at end of games because his handles are still a little sloppy, and his main offense is putting the ball on the floor. Against tight defensive pressure, it forces him into situations where he's fumbling the ball, or making bad passes. He did play well in other areas though, he rebounded well, and moved on defense, and yes, he has some work to do, but he plays hard.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Btw, Jalen's charge was bull ****. The guy is like 290 pounds (over JAlen's 205-210) and he flew like he got hit by a mac truck.</div> It may have been a huge flop, but there's no question that Jalen pushed off to create separation. It was a smart move on Jamieson's(i think) part to realize the push off and take the charge. At first it didnt look like a foul, but after seeing the replay's I can't argue that it wasnt a foul.
