The Raps have moved from 18-32 to 23-35 (+2) and people are talking about catching up to the Bucks. If not for a two game losing skid and the Bucks picking up two wins, the Raps would be four games back instead of six. POSITIVE SIGNS The Raps had won six of seven before laying an egg against the Wizards at home. The win streak included what might go down as the best of the season at the Fieldhouse where the Raps fought back from behind against an overly physical team and took the game in overtime. Rudy Gay's shooting 39% from the field (don't ask what he's shooting from three) in February but it is almost of no importance. Gay's otherwise impressive play has provided on-court leadership for the team and taken pressure off DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry to provide all our offense. His defense has been especially good, racking up 30 steals without fouling out. John Lucas III, perhaps coming into his own in the absence of Jose Calderon, or perhaps fighting for his spot with the rumours and eventual arrival of Sebastian Telfair, has been shooting the lights out. Terrence Ross won the dunk contest. Confidence builder for an underused rook. The team still plays like there is something worth playing for. I think this is partially due to the Rudy Gay factor. We've seen Raptors teams get listless at this time of year in the past. So far, with a few exceptions, we're still motivated. NEGATIVE SIGNS The return of Andrea Bargnani has been worse than anticipated. The Big Italian's shooting 41% and has the look of someone who has lost all confidence in himself. He has hit only one three point shot in the month of February. His rebounding is down to less than two per game and he's been a non-factor on the court defensively. The home crowd is booing him like he's Rafael Araujo. The Raps should almost go for broke and put him back into the starting lineup to see if they can get him going again. Off the bench has been a bust. Toronto's 90-84 loss to the Wizards was one of the most pitiful performances in recent memory. The Raps had just managed a close win over the Knicks at home three days prior and had plenty of rest. Apparently they spent the time off making Harlem Shake videos and eating ice cream because they were flat and lifeless against a struggling Wizards crew. Performances like this one threaten to capsize what was, this month, an encouraging voyage for the team. Terrence Ross' often inspired play at the beginning of the season has gone away. When he gets his minutes these days he takes poor shots and doesn't play good defense. Much of the blame goes to Coach Casey who seems disinclined to play young players in favor of journeymen he can rely on. Speaking of Alan Anderson, hard to blame AA for playing the way he does when he keeps getting his name called. Apparently what he brings to the table is what Casey wants him to bring. If Landry Fields could shoot even a little bit... The Raps need to go something like 18-6 to give themselves a solid chance of making the playoffs. Tough hill to climb at this point but at least we're talking about the possibility. Didn't look like they had it in them a month ago.
Tonight's loss to the Cavs (without Irving) and Bucks beating Rockets make the playoffs highly improbably. However both Gay and DD played well but Casey's insistence on "small ball" with Bargs as the only big lost us the game. Val isn't getting any minutes in the fourth. I understand wanting to play veterans but Bargnani and Aaron Gray aren't really helping us win anymore than Val. #FreeJonas
