<div align="center"> <span style="font-size:18pt;line-height:100%"><span style="color:#c8362d"><span style="font-family:Impact">Toronto</span> </span></span><span style="color:#c8362d">(0-0)</span> vs. <span style="color:#BA9753"><span style="font-size:18pt;line-height:100%"><span style="font-family:Impact">Philadelphia</span></span></span> <span style="color:#BA9753">(0-0)</span> </div> <div align="center"> When: Wednesday October 29th, 2008 @ 6:00PM EST Where: Wachovia Cener, Philadelphia, PA TV/Radio: The SCORE, FAN 590 </div> <span style="font-size:18pt;line-height:100%"><div align="center"> <span style="font-family:Impact"><u>THOUGHTS ON THE GAME</u></span></div></span> I consider the Philadelphia 76ers to be the doppelganger of this Toronto Raptors squad. Both teams were fighting for similar playoff seeding towards the end of the '07 season, both brought in high profile big men to complete their starting lineups, and both seems to have a similar vibe and set of expectations for this year. It seems almost fated that they should both kick off the season against each other. As such, I think its completely fair to measure our team's success in terms of how well they stack up against the Sixers (with the overall record and their individual matchups). There couldn't be a wider discrepancy between the team's vibe and that of the fanbase. The lackluster competition for the small forward spot, the lack of cohesion that O'Neal and Bosh had during the preseason, the overall defensive play of the team, and the recent set of injuries has spawned a negative mood among blogs and forums. Nevertheless, the team's rhetoric thus far has downplayed the significance of the season and the players have all stated their desire for real games to start. They can really emphasize that point to the fanbase with a win or an impressive, consistent performance tonight. Many of the highly anticipated training camp position battles really lacked resolution when it was all said and done. As a result, I expect those battles to play out into the early part of the season. The play of Will Solomon & Roko Ukic (backup PG), Jamario Moon, Jason Kapono, & Joey Graham (starting SF), and Andrea Bargnani & Kris Humphries (backup F/C) will be worth paying attention to. <span style="font-size:18pt;line-height:100%"><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Impact"><u>STARTING LINEUPS</u></span></div></span> <div align="center"> <span style="color:#c8362d">Jose Calderon - Anthony Parker - Jamario Moon - Chris Bosh - Jermaine O'Neal</span> <span style="color:#BA9753">Andre Miller - Andre Iguodala - Thaddeus Young - Elton Brand - Samuel Dalembert</span></div> <span style="font-family:Impact"><span style="font-size:18pt;line-height:100%"><div align="center"><u>KEY MATCHUP</u></div></span></span> <div align="center"> <span style="color:#c8362d">Chris Bosh</span> vs. <span style="color:#BA9753">Elton Brand</span></div> This one's fairly obvious. While Jermaine may be the hyped acquisition, Bosh is still the best player on this team and will be matched up against the best player on the Sixers. Both teams have strong frontcourts whose offense starts and ends with Bosh and Brand respectively. Bosh has shown himself to be able to play against Brand in the past and he will need to keep up with him on the boards. Look for several iso plays designed for both players. <div align="center"><span style="font-size:18pt;line-height:100%"><span style="font-family:Impact"><u>LEO RAUTINS' INSIGHTFUL THOUGHT OF THE DAY</u></span></span></div>
If anybody has a hot girl pic feel free to post it as the girl of the game. I'm at a school library and don't really feel like drawing stares.
woooo! Excited for this game, good thing I am on the west coast and it plays early cause homework is really hindering my B-ball watching. I think this game will be a good one but on paper it seems the 76ers are stronger or equal to the raps at every position and I am kind of worry.
Man I'm pumped. It's been a loooong off-season. It's too bad I have work tonight and will probably miss the second half. =(
Game starts at 6PM instead of 7, because the World Series is in Philly tonight too. Make sure y'all adjust your schedules accordingly. Fuck baseball.
Raptors have a huge test tonight in the new and improved 76ers. The 76ers match up great against in every position, even their bench. Now, I want to say Sam Mitchell well be a good coach and make proper adjustments, but that's not who he is. He's going to let his guys play and use the guys that work best together. Even though everyone is biting their nails on JO, I'm very confident in what he'll do tonight. He's a proven guy, who's young, and has ran in to some injury trouble. He can play at a very high level and knows his roll. I expect a huge defensive game from him on the boards and in blocks. I know he'll do his best to help Chris out, and it should be hell up fun to watch. Jamario is Jamario. Not much we can say there. He just needs to come out, play hard and don't take to many shots. Parker and Calderon are just solid. Both guys have shown they know how to play and are 2 of our best players. I expect a good game from both and consistent play throughout the game. As for out bench, well, we'll see. Bargnani, Kapono, Hump, Ukic, Adams and Graham. I really have big faith in our second unit that they can come out and play hard and make shots. Not the best defenders in the league, but all these guys can play. I'm really hoping for Graham and Bargnani to have big games. Both need a confidence booster, and what's better than the first game of the season.
LOL at the Leo quote. I don't know how he will survive without Chuck to rag on. This is the least interested I've been in a season opener in... dunno, a decade? I just have so many doubts about this season. Hopefully I'll see the game regardless.
Finally got home from school. I hate this adjusted start time. Can't believe the amount of rebounds we've given up so far. Joey Graham's looked better than Jamario so far.
JO looks a little slow...taking some bad shots. Graham looks great! If he takes it to the hole all year i'd resign him!
