1 - <span style="color:red">Rasho Nesterovic</span> Vs <span style="color:blue">Dwight Howard</span> Dwight Howard is the big name is this series and he is out to prove exactly why that it. Dwight averaged 20.7 PPG, 14.2 RPG and 2.1 BPG during the regular season while playing in all 82 games. Versus the Raptors, Dwight Averaged 24.3 PPG, 12.7 RPG and 1 BPG. You really have to wonder if those number versus the Raptors will continue to occur, and the reason for this question is Rasho Nesterovic. You might be asking yourself, Rasho?!?!, what. Well Since the beginning of February, Rasho has averaged 14.4 PPG, shooting 57% including 5 games with double-doubles and 6 games scoring more then 20 points per game. Rasho's oncoming offensive performance is very crucial to the Raptors in this Series. Not only does he become another option down low for the Raptors, but it forces Dwight to have to work at the defensive end and get him into foul trouble. Dwight averages 3.3 Fouls per game compared to Rasho 1.9, but this is a skewed statistic because of minutes, but still one that needs to be mentioned. Here's a stat i found interesting; Dwight averages 3.21 turnovers per game, compared to Rasho's 0.85. Rasho's whole goal during the series is to frustrate Dwight and force turnovers. With these stats and Rasho's Championship ring, you have to atleast have confidence that Rasho will be fine with Dwight. Oh and Dwight shots 59% from the line, Hack Superman? 2 - <span style="color:red">Assist to Turnover Ratio/Point Guard Situation</span> Toronto had the highest Assist To Turnover Ratio in the NBA (2.13) by .12 over the next closest opponent (Detroit). Orlando Finished 23rd at 1.5. This is a direct correlation of each teams point guards. Jose Calderon lead the league in A/T at 5.38, which was 0.76 higher then the next closest player. T.J. Ford is 15th on the list at 3.07. Both Orlando Point Guards (Arroyo and Nelson) fall out of the top 20 with 2.84 and 2.72 respectively. Oh and Jose averaged more minutes then the other 3 and played in all 82 games, starting 56 of them. Jose and T.J. also averaged more PPG then the Orlando duo; 11.2 and 12.1 respectively. I just do not seeing the Magic's Point Guards having a chance against the Raptors duo, now Dooling can come into play here but i don't believe that will be enough to stop Forderon. 3 - <span style="color:red">Free Throws</span> This is simple Dwight averages 3.3 PFPG + Raptors Shoot 81.24% on the year = Attack Dwight and get to the line Toronto Averages 20.2 Free Throws per game, compared to Orlando's 27.9 (30th and 3rd) Raptor fans know this drill, GET TO THE ****in line, I'm looking at you Jamario. Final Thoughts -Everyone knows what Hedo can do, and he is their Mr. Big Shot. Moon needs to be huge but both teams know this, no need to talk about that, yet. -Toronto has the least Technical Foul calls in the NBA with 11, while Orlando has 28 -Which bench is better, on paper it's the Raptors, and if Chuckfino, J-Kap and A-Bargs show up, i don't see how the Raptors lose, but they don't always show up Prediction Raptors in 7, but this will be an awesome series and if Magic win i will cheer for them in the 2nd Round!
You make some good points but do you really think Rasho will even bother Dwight? if so, Rashard Lewis is going to have a field day with Chris Bosh.
What I'm scared of most, is Sam trying to match up with their smaller, faster lineup. That's been his M.O. from the beginning, IMO. He's always been a reactive coach and, as a result, we never really impose our style in a game and force teams to significantly adjust to us. I think we have the ability to abuse the Magic in a halfcourt game. Neither Dwight nor Rashard can guard Bosh and the quickness in their lineup is negated significantly in a slower tempo. And, yes, I really do think Rasho can hold his own against Dwight. Not shut him down, but he can certainly prevent him from dominating.
Dwight Howard scores a lot of his points mostly on his athleticism and strength, I don't see Rasho giving him any trouble there. Also, Chris Bosh was taken out of the playoffs last year by Jason Collins, I'll wait to see how he does this year before giving him any advantage.
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<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Dark Defender @ Apr 18 2008, 07:11 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Dwight Howard scores a lot of his points mostly on his athleticism and strength, I don't see Rasho giving him any trouble there. Also, Chris Bosh was taken out of the playoffs last year by Jason Collins, I'll wait to see how he does this year before giving him any advantage.</div> Couple corrections: Dwight Howard scores his points with athleticism and strength, within 5 feet of the basket. Rasho does a good job of denying him that position before he gets the ball. Like I said before, that doesn't mean he'll shut him down. But he definitely limits him and prevents him from going off. Chris Bosh was taken out of the playoffs by Jason Collin, and two help defenders. I'm legitimately scared of the same thing happening this time too. Sam Mitchell's gameplan involves so little motion and is so predictable, that its very easy for defenders to key in on Bosh and stop him before he even makes his move to the basket. The one difference that we have over last year is that we're a better shooting team, so we could overcome this if we're shooting the ball well. But that's a big "If."
Technical Fouls Both young teams, can Orlando keep there cool? Orlando Magic T's Toronto Raptors T's Consider for the Raptors -Brezec never plays significant minutes and 2 or TJ's 3 T's were in the Utah Also, Magic Players have 24 T's, meaning by Math, that SVG has 4 Raptor Players have 9 T's, meaning Smitch has 2 irrelevant stat yes but i thought it was interesting
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Um, your point guard comparison thing is in vain. Sorry. The Orlando "point guards" are merely scorers. If you wanna compare playmakers, however, you'd have to compare Hedo vs. Calderon. Don't underrate Hedo, either. MIP right there. Oh, and Rasho doesn't have a chance against Dwight, unless he flops on every play.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (pegs @ Apr 18 2008, 10:15 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Um, your point guard comparison thing is in vain. Sorry. The Orlando "point guards" are merely scorers. If you wanna compare playmakers, however, you'd have to compare Hedo vs. Calderon. Don't underrate Hedo, either. MIP right there. Oh, and Rasho doesn't have a chance against Dwight, unless he flops on every play.</div> 1 - I didn't underrate Hedo, the only reason there isn't a big mention of him is because everyone knows Moon has to try to control him, especially as a playmaker. But PG is the position that might as well dictate the control of the series. 2 - Rasho does have a chance, he's 7'0" tall and plays good position defense, Chutney made the point above for me. And Rasho may be European, but he ain't Oberto or Varejao here 3 - If they are merely scorers, then the Raptor got them there too, Raps got them everywhere on the PG front except for Calderon's D, which is sub par EDIT: i completely missed Jameer's 3 point numbers, 42% better then i thought, should force Ford or JC to stay home a little bit
but i do want any opinion I'm not great on this topic but how is Orlando pick and roll defense? i haven't seen enough of them to know
Like I said earlier, a lot depends on if Toronto can dictate the tempo and make it into more of a halfcourt game. In that setting, their lack of playmaking will be more exposed and give us a significant advantage. Bargnani's play will be huge too. If he warrants playing time (hitting shots, being producting on offense), we'll have a lot more flexibility on defense. He's not an excellent defender, but he fairly decent and his combination of size, length, and speed allows him to match up with 3's, 4's, and 5's. So many people have declared the Rasho/Dwight match as a cakewalk, but I'm honestly wondering how many have actually seen them play against each other. As I said in another thread, this isn't a situation where you can check the statsheets and understand what's happening. You need to have watched his defense to understand what we're talking about.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Chutney @ Apr 18 2008, 10:49 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>So many people have declared the Rasho/Dwight match as a cakewalk, but I'm honestly wondering how many have actually seen them play against each other. As I said in another thread, this isn't a situation where you can check the statsheets and understand what's happening. You need to have watched his defense to understand what we're talking about.</div> So you understand the value of Jason Collins
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (cpawfan @ Apr 18 2008, 09:54 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Chutney @ Apr 18 2008, 10:49 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>So many people have declared the Rasho/Dwight match as a cakewalk, but I'm honestly wondering how many have actually seen them play against each other. As I said in another thread, this isn't a situation where you can check the statsheets and understand what's happening. You need to have watched his defense to understand what we're talking about.</div> So you understand the value of Jason Collins </div> ... or Trenton Hassell . The way to stop Chris Bosh has been well documented over the past couple seasons, as has our coach's inability to recognize those strategies.
Man, correct me if im wrong but didnt Rasho stop Dwight Howard in their last game against each other when Bosh was injured? Anyways Lets Go RAPTORS!!!
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (MosDefinitely @ Apr 19 2008, 12:35 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Man, correct me if im wrong but didnt Rasho stop Dwight Howard in their last game against each other when Bosh was injured? Anyways Lets Go RAPTORS!!!</div> The only people who can stop Dwight Howard are the refs.
i have three points 1) do stats really matter in playoffs? last yr GSW killed the best team in the nba in the first round, while everyone had predicted them to win a championship. 2)This is Smitch's final chance, and im 75% sure he'll have new game plan come playoffs, y? because his job is on the line, do you really think BC will let him keep his job if we get knocked out the first round? 3)Yes Orlando has arguably the better line up, guys that have been in playoffs, know a thing or two on how tough playoffs are, but Raps have seen what it feels like to be knocked out, and to prove that they are a better team then last year, they HAVE to pull through. Its been a very inconsistent season for the raps and they have to show that the goal has been advancing in the playoffs. I cant wait till tmrw, this series is gonna b SIIICKKK
meh stats don't mean much, you can't in love with them ie Hollinger but they can interesting debating point and there are a few there at are important, A/T ratio being maybe the top, because ironically our season ended on a turnover last year
