tough game, Knicks played well, especially Randolph and Jamal, Raps just weren't up for it tonight expect a 30 point win on Sunday
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Chutney @ Feb 22 2008, 10:18 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Weak...</div> that describes it, i thought this team could go far, but with games like this and the clippers game it shows we can't yet
I don't know guys. The more I look at it, the more it seems like we're just a glorified jumpshooting team. Our first plan is to come out shooting the ball well and that's all well and good. But there are bound to be nights when we don't shoot the ball well and it seems like we don't have another option. Teams collapse on the pick and roll and Bosh iso's don't work because they double him hard. Our PG penetration is virtually non-existent this year. Calderon isn't a huge threat to drive and TJ still doesn't have any control overhimself.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>TJ still doesn't have any control overhimself.</div> Ding Ding Ding, we have a winner. He is possibly the most out of control player I've ever seen since Jason Williams in his first couple of years in the league. Ford just drive and he turns on the jets, but he gets to close and just throws a horrible pass in to traffic. It's like watching a young running back who doesn't realize when he's in the end zone.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Chutney @ Feb 22 2008, 10:43 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I don't know guys. The more I look at it, the more it seems like we're just a glorified jumpshooting team. Our first plan is to come out shooting the ball well and that's all well and good. But there are bound to be nights when we don't shoot the ball well and it seems like we don't have another option. Teams collapse on the pick and roll and Bosh iso's don't work because they double him hard. Our PG penetration is virtually non-existent this year. Calderon isn't a huge threat to drive and TJ still doesn't have any control overhimself.</div> I agree bud. And nothing I've seen this season makes me think the Raps have improved enough on the defensive side to make up for the lack of options on the offensive end. I can't believe the Raps couldn't shut down Crawford, who as talented as he is, isn't a superstar the Raps can concede points to like they do with Lebron or Kobe. Smitch knows, or should know, what Crawford is capable of and this ain't the first rodeo between these teams with these lineups. How do you come out with no plan to take Crawford out of the game? Oh and Chut, my avy is of a boxer but you're spot on that Raps fans usually like their combat sports.
The one thing I've noticed the past few games is that we really can't keep Jamario Moon on the floor at the end of close games. As frustrating as it was to watch the Raps let Crawford go off, they still were withing two points of the Knicks with a couple minutes left in the game. Within that span they must've made 3-4 consecutive stops on the defensive side of the ball and there were countless New York mistakes that gave us more chances. We lost last night's game because we couldn't execute on the offensive end. Sure we couldn't hit shots, but the main reason we struggle is because we aren't able to dump it into our franchise player in the clutch. Bosh is our best source of high percentage shots, but when it came down to the end of both the game against Orlando and New York, we couldn't give him a reasonably open look. This is because we aren't able to space the floor properly with Jamario out there. Defenses have shown no respect for his game and we end up playing 4-on-5 on offense. Its all related to reputations. Jamario's insistence to remain a jumpshooter on offense is well-known around the league and so is his 30% shooting percentage from beyond the arc. Last night, Moon actually was shooting the ball well and nailed 4 threes. But the Knicks still were willing to let him have the ball as long as Bosh didn't get a look. We got away with the same thing on Wednesday because Jose hit back to back 3's, but the problem still remains there. If we want to have a fall-back plan when we're not shooting well, we need a way to get Bosh some space to operate. Personally, I think we have to counter this by giving teams a taste of their own medicine. If they want to sag off Jamario because they don't believe he's a threat, then we should stick Kapono out there (at least on offense). He doesn't even have to touch the ball, but having the league's best shooter on the floor demands respect from the other teams. Who would cheat off a 50% three point shooter, even if it is to double Bosh? Worst case scenario, we get an open look for our best shooters. But, I can't stand watching Moon get the ball, hesitate for a while with no one really on him, and proceed to brick an open 3. Colangelo brought weapons on this team over the two seasons and I don't think Smitch is using them all towards the end of games.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Chutney @ Feb 22 2008, 09:04 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Bargs is playing like crap again. Damn, I was worried about how he'd come out after the break. btw, is there some sort of unwritten rule that Raptors fans are also MMA fans? lol, It seems like everyone on this forum has an MMA avatar.</div> lol ya, its kinda like the unwritten rule that Nets fans have to make ten new topics for every time a New Jersey Net sneezes.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (AirJordan @ Feb 23 2008, 08:17 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Chutney @ Feb 22 2008, 09:04 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Bargs is playing like crap again. Damn, I was worried about how he'd come out after the break. btw, is there some sort of unwritten rule that Raptors fans are also MMA fans? lol, It seems like everyone on this forum has an MMA avatar.</div> lol ya, its kinda like the unwritten rule that Nets fans have to make ten new topics for every time a New Jersey Net sneezes. </div> I have to come and infiltrate your forum. Topics keep the forum active. Don't be jealous.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (BasX @ Feb 22 2008, 10:09 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>tough game, Knicks played well, especially Randolph and Jamal, Raps just weren't up for it tonight</div> Now you know how we feel. <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (The Joker @ Feb 23 2008, 08:21 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (AirJordan @ Feb 23 2008, 08:17 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Chutney @ Feb 22 2008, 09:04 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Bargs is playing like crap again. Damn, I was worried about how he'd come out after the break. btw, is there some sort of unwritten rule that Raptors fans are also MMA fans? lol, It seems like everyone on this forum has an MMA avatar.</div> lol ya, its kinda like the unwritten rule that Nets fans have to make ten new topics for every time a New Jersey Net sneezes. </div> I have to come and infiltrate your forum. Topics keep the forum active. Don't be jealous. </div> Why is everyone sooo jealous of us?
Bargnani goes to the line and drains both... Raps up by 18, 2:43 to go in the third. The boys need to keep their foot on the gas and finish strong!
I'm still a little worried about our team when it comes to the comfort of playing at home vs. the discomfort of playing on the road. There was no reason we couldn't pick up both these games. I hope we get a little more consistent heading into the playoffs. Mago looked great tonight.
