<div align="center"> <span style="font-size:18pt;line-height:100%"><span style="color:#412367"><span style="font-family:Impact">Sacramento</span> </span></span><span style="color:#412367">(10-24)</span> vs. <span style="color:#c8362d"><span style="font-size:18pt;line-height:100%"><span style="font-family:Impact">Toronto</span></span></span> <span style="color:#c8362d">(17-28)</span> </div> <div align="center"> When: Sunday January 25th, 2008 @ 6:00 PM EST Where: Air Canada Centre, Toronto, ON TV/Radio: TSN, 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> This Kings team has been even more sucky than the Raptors. Despite being a lottery team last year, they seemed to show signs that they had the young talent to jumpstart the rebuilding process. Instead, it's been a clusterfuck of a season for them with very little redeeming aspects. Kevin Martin is a month-removed from an ankle injury and has been as explosive a scorer as usual. However there's reason to think he's still recovering as he's turning the ball over a lot more since then and his perimeter D has been more porous than usual. The Raptors did an excellent job being active defensive (especially their guards), which led a bunch of tips, deflections and inevitable turnovers. When they're active like that, and now that Jose's back, it makes the game so much easier for them. This game was originally set for TSN2, but they've moved it back to regular TSN. I guess the curling match that bumped the Raps to TSN2 fell through, saving most of us from crappy internet streams. It still boggles my mind that MLSE got most of their fanbase to buy a channel specifically devoted to the Toronto Raptors, and yet a significant portion of that fanbase still isn't getting access to all their games. It must be the only situation like that in North American professional sports. <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:#412367">Beno Udrih - Kevin Martin - John Salmons - Jason Thompson - Brad Miller</span> <span style="color:#c8362d">Jose Calderon - Anthony Parker - Jamario Moon - Chris Bosh - Andrea Bargnani</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:#412367">Brad Miller</span> vs. <span style="color:#c8362d">Andrea Bargnani</span></div> Brad Miller's been relatively healthy this season, but has also been consistently inconsistent. Case in point, he totals a combined 6 points and 7 rebounds against Denver and Washington, only to follow it up with a near triple double against Milwaukee the other night (14 points, 13 rebounds, 9 assists). Andrea's task will be to ensure that Miller doesn't bust out for one of his excellent performances tonight. That entails being aggressive defensively early: deny him post position, box him out on all defensive rebounds, and exploit his inability to step outside of the paint on the offensive end. Bargnani really has the capability to have a great game against this Kings squad. If you look at the teams that he's really performed well against (Miami, New Jersey, Chicago), they have a mix of bulky big men that can't step out to guard his shot, and rail-thin tweeners that he can bait into committing fouls. Sacramento's no exception, and I think Bargnani's gotten to the point where we should expect him to take advantage of this mismatch rather than hope for it. <div align="center"><span style="font-size:18pt;line-height:100%"><span style="font-family:Impact"><u>MARTY YORK'S INSIDER DISINFORMATION OF THE GAME</u></span></span></div>
When they finally give everyone TSN2, they will love it. Anyway, Go Raps? Let's see how this team is sitting on February 2nd. That could dictate what to officially do. Tank or go for the Playoffs. Regardless, with a Core of Jose, Andrea nd hopefully Bosh, this future is bright.
We face Milwaukee next, but that's followed by a tough stretch against Orlando, Cleveland, LA Lakers, and New Orleans that'll take us to the 6th of February. I'd like to hope that we could tread water and remain in the playoff race, but I'm betting on us being out of it after that run.
Now, sadly, I am hoping for the Marneal trade to finally go through, and then get a legit top 10 pick. Therefore we go into next season with at least C-Bargnani, Jawai F-Bosh, Humphries F- G-Kapono G-Calderon, Ukic, Banks Then draft either Harden, Aminu, Henderson or Teague. And sign some good FAs
Also, FWIW, According to Draft Express, if we drafted today, we would pick Brandon Jennings. That actually could make sense, not pick wise, but what BC would do with the pick.
Jack and Matt are giving it to Moon for his defense tonight. Every year we have a scapegoat. Might be Moon with the way things are going.
Give an award to Jose, seriously he deserves one, raps have rly improved with him in the line up. P.s. there are rumours about JO gtn traded to bucks, detroit, and miami!! Detroit: Not happy with Iverson Bucks: Just lost Redd and need a good PF Miami: Resting Marion for a trade!
