Should the Raptors players have retaliated?

There's been a lot of criticism directed at the fact that Toronto's players didn't get in the refs/Hawks face after the hard foul on TJ. Writers, fans, and analysts in Toronto (and even Lebron James) have argued that Sam Mitchell shouldn't have been the first person in their face and that this reflects a lack of toughness on our roster.

I personally find it a bit ridiculous. Some of it has to be the fact that Toronto's still primarily a hockey market and they expect a "hockey mentality" in these situations. But really, I can't blame the players for not initially getting angry. This was TJ Ford here, a player with a well-documented problem with his spine, who was dragged down and hit his head against the floor. The first player on the scene was Anthony Parker and he immediately went by his side. Honestly, I think the players were just stunned/shocked by the whole series of events and anger wasn't the first emotion that arose (rather concern, fear was). I know, watching the game at home, my first reaction was stunned silence. The anger came afterwards and really was still second to that fear for Ford's well-being.

I also take offense to the idea that this reflects a lack of toughness within the team. If you want to talk about toughness, how about the way they came played in the second half of a back-to-back after just seeing their starting PG go through a "potentially career-ending" fall? They smoked a tough Mavs team and showed a hell of a lotta grit and toughness, IMO.

What do you guys think?</p>

 

I agree Chutney... One thing is being tough and another thing is being an idiot. I'm pleased that there are no idiots on our team... like Jermaine O'Neil and Melo! Last thing we needed was for one or two of our players to be tossed for the next game or two for being over involved in the incident! Call it the baseball fan in me, but I believe the argument should be left for the coaching staff and the players should just do their jobs and play the game.</p>

And yes... we showed lots of toughness the next night against the Mavs!!</p>

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (BigWilly)</div><div class='quotemain'></p>

I agree Chutney... One thing is being tough and another thing is being an idiot. I'm pleased that there are no idiots on our team... like Jermaine O'Neil and Melo! Last thing we needed was for one or two of our players to be tossed for the next game or two for being over involved in the incident! Call it the baseball fan in me, but I believe the argument should be left for the coaching staff and the players should just do their jobs and play the game.</p>

And yes... we showed lots of toughness the next night against the Mavs!!</p>

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Agree.</p>

You don't want players to be suspended and then start losing games.</p>

What happened was just a foul, it wasn't a fight or anything to that extend, so there was no need to escalate matters.</p>

</p>

 

It would have been nice if someone other than Smitch had a reaction besides fear.</p>

Who would that guy be though? Seriously? Hump may grow into the guy and there's nothing wrong with a big guy telling another big guy to lay off with a few choice words.</p>

I'll put it to you this way, the same thing happens to the Spurs or Pistons and all the concern in the world isn't going to stop someone from getting in your face.</p>

 

You also got to consider the danger of starting a fight or argument near where TJ is lying on the floor. I don't know, I think its being looked into too much. The game against the Mavs really seemed to answer any doubts I had about this team's toughness. We aren't one of the toughest teams in the league but our players sure aren't pushovers like they've made out to be the last couple games.</p>