Rounding into the Home Stretch, by Mike Ball <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">February 23, 2004 (TORONTO) -- With Vince Carter on the injured list until at least the 29th of the month and Jalen Rose resting broken bones only a doctor can locate, the Raptors margin of error has slipped from small to virtually none. Evidence of the above was seen this past weekend versus a pair of teams that can be classified as elite, even though the Raptors fought hard and ultimately ran out of steam. E-mail photo | Buy photos The Raptors will have to battle through this week with both Carter and Rose rooting from the bench. (NBAE/Getty Images) The stretch the team is closing out now hurts in that it came at a time that Carter and Rose are both out. However it may help in the end if the Raptors can come together and figure out how to get a win or two against some lesser opponents on the horizon. Even with Carter and Rose in the lineup, wins against San Antonio, Sacramento and New Jersey are not easy to come by, so although the naysayers are waiting for the team to implode over them, these losses can come as no surprise outside and inside the Raptors? locker room. The Raptors take on Jersey a second time this week with whatever home-court advantage the Nets might have considering their 5,000 loyal fans. But let?s face it, that one doesn?t fall into that must-win category for the Raptors. The must-wins start coming fast and furious later in the week when Toronto heads into a stretch where they don?t have to play teams with Conference Champion in front of their nicknames. The Raptors see Boston twice, Washington twice and Miami and New York once apiece in the next two weeks. These are the games the Raptors have to take care of in their quest to get back to the postseason. Furthermore this is a stretch on the schedule where the Raps won?t have to face a team with a record above .500 for 11 days and they absolutely have to make good use of it. --------------------------- Projected from today, a team with somewhere around 38 wins will get you the final playoff spot in the East. The Raptors still need to come out on the winning side of 13 of their final 32 games to reach that plateau. </div> Full Article This is an article I found on Raptors.com, Mike Ball addresses the possibility for the Raptors making the playoffs. Remaining Games: <u>February</u> Feb. 24 @ New Jersey Feb. 25 vs Washington Feb. 27 @ Boston Feb. 29 vs Boston <u>March</u> Mar. 2 @ Miami Mar. 3 @ Washington Mar. 5 vs New York Mar. 7 vs New Orleans Mar. 9 @ Indiana Mar. 10 vs Cleveland Mar. 14 vs Atlanta Mar. 17 vs Utah Mar. 18 vs Chicago Mar. 21 @ New Orleans Mar. 23 @ Memphis Mar. 24 @ Houston Mar. 26 @ New York Mar. 28 vs Memphis Mar. 31 vs Golden State <u>April</u> Apr. 2 @ Indiana Apr. 4 vs Milwaukee Apr. 6 @ Cleveland Apr. 7 vs Indiana Apr. 9 @ Detroit Apr. 11 vs Chicago Apr. 13 vs Detroit Apr. 14 @ Milwaukee ***All home games in bold print*** Predict these games individually and come up with a final record for the remaining games. Base this with Vince returning in early March.
They have a chance but a slim one. February Feb. 24 @ New Jersey Lose Feb. 25 vs Washington Win Feb. 27 @ Boston Lose Feb. 29 vs Boston Win March Mar. 2 @ Miami Win but not sure they are playing great recently Mar. 3 @ Washington win Mar. 5 vs New York win Mar. 7 vs New Orleans lose Mar. 9 @ Indiana lose Mar. 10 vs Cleveland win Mar. 14 vs Atlanta win Mar. 17 vs Utah lose Mar. 18 vs Chicago win Mar. 21 @ New Orleans lose Mar. 23 @ Memphis win Mar. 24 @ Houston lose Mar. 26 @ New York lose Mar. 28 vs Memphis win Mar. 31 vs Golden State win April Apr. 2 @ Indiana Lose Apr. 4 vs Milwaukee lose Apr. 6 @ Cleveland win Apr. 7 vs Indiana lose Apr. 9 @ Detroit lose Apr. 11 vs Chicago win Apr. 13 vs Detroit lose Apr. 14 @ Milwaukee win I predict they might have a chance of winning 13 enough to go to the Playoff
you severely underestimatin' the Grizz playa..I don't see the Raps beatin' them twice....nor do I see them beatin' the Bucks at home
^ Exactly what i was about to say. The Grizz have developed into one of the best teams in the league man...i find it highly unlikely that we'll beat them even once.
Nice post.. With Jalen's injury, I'd be pretty optimistic to see him in action anytime before the playoffs. I hope Vince can be fully back in the swing of things for early April.. From now to April our lineup is pretty limited. So, with this in mind.. Here's a swing at bat of the ones we've going to win.. Which happens to exactely be 13 games.. <u>February</u> Feb. 24 @ New Jersey Feb. 25 vs Washington Feb. 27 @ Boston Feb. 29 vs Boston - home game <u>March</u> Mar. 2 @ Miami Mar. 3 @ Washington Mar. 5 vs New York Mar. 7 vs New Orleans Mar. 9 @ Indiana Mar. 10 vs Cleveland Mar. 14 vs Atlanta Mar. 17 vs Utah Mar. 18 vs Chicago Mar. 21 @ New Orleans Mar. 23 @ Memphis Mar. 24 @ Houston Mar. 26 @ New York Mar. 28 vs Memphis - home game Mar. 31 vs Golden State - home game <u>April</u> Apr. 2 @ Indiana Apr. 4 vs Milwaukee - home game Apr. 6 @ Cleveland Apr. 7 vs Indiana Apr. 9 @ Detroit Apr. 11 vs Chicago - home game Apr. 13 vs Detroit Apr. 14 @ Milwaukee
Do you Believe the Raps Will Make the Playoffs? There is gonna be a hot debate about this. Honestly, from my point of view, I still believe that we will make the playoffs but logging in at the 8 spot. The Eastern conference seems to be too potent this year than before. I just hope that the bottom feeders can remain bottom feeders and not make it difficult for Toronto to enter the post-season. Why oh why do we have this much luck with our best players? I remember when I said that if Vince was not playing that it didn't matter because we had Rose and Marshall, but we had to lose both and almost Chris Bosh. Anyways, we'll see what happens in the not too distant future. I feel we are still going to make a later run that will give us enough momentum going into the playoffs to make a push for one round. I just hope it's not Indiana
I don't see the Raptors making it this season. I couldn't see them getting anything above 7th even with Jalen and Vince healthy, and now that they're both out for a bit, I don't see the playoffs likely anymore. Marshall has been great for you guys this season, but that's about the only bright spot this year. If the Cavs keep playing the way they are and Miami can stay healthy, I don't think Toronto has a chance. With Vince's luck, he'll probably get injured atleast one more time this season anyway.
I still think the Raps are going to make playoffs. I think that KO is resting Alvin now since there is no chance the Raps will win anything without Jalen and Vince in the lineup. Even the games they should win are going to be difficult. Once Vince is ready, I think Alvin will return to. Then Jalen around mid March. Just enough time to make a push to get into the playoffs and with any luck might get as high as 6th.
I actually thought they were going to make it , but with Jalen and Vince out for now is looking really hard to make it , unless Cavs , Sixers and Celtics don't have a good run , you guys will have a safe 8th spot to have Vince and Jalen back for playoff time.
With Jalen and Vince out I really can't see it happening. Unless they come back when we still have a spot we can hold it down for sure. But its looking like they will miss the playoffs this season. Its hard to make a run at the playoffs without your two stars and a hobbled rookie. Donyell Marshall needs Vince and Jalen to be more effective
Don't you think that if things start falling apart, that Vince will come back before he is 100%? After last season, I would think that Vince wants to make the playoffs more than anyone. As long as he can run, I think Vince will play. I can't see them being out for the rest of the season. I thought it was only another week until Vince comes back?
They will not make the playoffs this year, the 8 teams that (IMO) will make it(in no order) Cleveland Heat Knicks Bucks Hornets Nets Pistons Pacers Although if they do make it, they won't pass the 1st round. Chris Bosh will not be able to play C through a whole series, even in the East. Yes, he bulked up, but won't be suitable for center unless he bulks up more. Also, at playoff time, PG is a very important position. On offense, Jalen can hold is own, but he couldn't defend anyone decently .If they play the Pistons, Nets, or Knicks in the 1st round, the pointguard of their respective team would kill them.
My list is like this. Pacers Nets Pistons Hornets Bucks Knicks Raps Cavs I don't think the Heat will make it unless someone other than Wade steps up. Cleveland is just a team that is starting to gel and they have a team that is in tune with what they need to do. Raps make seventh, but barely.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting jenike:</div><div class="quote_post">My list is like this. Pacers Nets Pistons Hornets Bucks Knicks Raps Cavs I don't think the Heat will make it unless someone other than Wade steps up. Cleveland is just a team that is starting to gel and they have a team that is in tune with what they need to do. Raps make seventh, but barely.</div> Please, someone other than Wade step up Lamar Odom has been 17 pt 10 reb 4ast guy all season, Eddie Jones is averaging 17 pts along with decent defense,those 2 along with Caron Butler's defense and Udonis Haslem's toughness are enough to get to the playoffs.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting ObieCent:</div><div class="quote_post">Please, someone other than Wade step up Lamar Odom has been 17 pt 10 reb 4ast guy all season, Eddie Jones is averaging 17 pts along with decent defense,those 2 along with Caron Butler's defense and Udonis Haslem's toughness are enough to get to the playoffs.</div> They had those guys for most of the season (with the exception of Wade) and they still don't have a winning record. I don't know what that says about the team. I think they have mad talent but I'm always wondering whats holding them back.
I was going to edit to add that even if they make it , they won't make it thru the 1st round , I don't think the Knicks will either ...they are missing something Rasheed and Dampier not this season , Nets , Pacers , Pistons , Hornets are just too much , Raptors deserve to at least get in the playoffs.
<font color="red">Threads merged by thefranchise3. I suggest whoever made the duplicate thread about the Raptors making the playoffs, read the sticky at the top of the forum. I shouldn't have to find duplicate threads daily.</font> Hopefully the Raptors can make the playoffs, the injuries to Vince, Jalen, and Alvin came at a terrible time. I say that if Vince and Jalen can come back as quickly as possible, and make an immediate impact, they have a shot at the playoffs, however it will be a tight race between the Raptors, Heat, Knicks, and possibly the Cavs. To me it all depends on how early Vince and Jalen can return.
We Will bne making the playoffs. Albeit @ the 7th seed...at best.... We have always had the ptoetntial to win. The Raptors jsut need to hang on before Rose and Carter come back. The home stretch is gona be tough, but the Raptors can do it.
I'm just hoping the raptors is going to the playoffs. But if they keep losing game i think ill might as well paint a BIG C on my stomach and stand right next to the raptors.
