BuzzerBeater Forums

Hey, Canada has its own non-BB forum now. I'm going to make the first thread an open discussion of anything Raptor-related.

To start... I'm going to be in Toronto Friday to see them against Indiana, and I'm excited about it. First NBA game I've seen in person since watching overmatched rookie Mike Bibby and the Vancouver Grizzlies lose at home to the Golden State Warriors, led by Donyell Marshall at the time, who really stood out as the best player on the floor.

Edited by oeuftete (11/14/2007 5:19:35 PM CET)

Last edited by Mod-oeuftete at 11/14/2007 5:19:35 PM

A little mini game report from my visit to the ACC on November 16th for the Pacers and Raptors (http://www.nba.com/games/20071116/INDTOR/boxscore.html):

- It's very loud. Some form of music or noise is piped in extremely loudly all the time. (They occasionally take a break when the ball is in play.) If I go again, I'm bringing earplugs. I'm not joking. That aspect sucked.
- Anthony Parker was awesome in the third quarter... he got his hands on all kinds of routine passes, and capped the quarter by making a bomb at the buzzer from the other side of half.
- You can definitely see the game quite well even in the upper levels of the ACC. You certainly can't hear anything on the court, though (see above).
- No Pacers really stood out. Jermaine O'Neal is not what he once was. The Raps did their best to make Jeff Foster look like a star early though.
- The Raptors were leaving Jamaal Tinsley open for threes a lot, and he was missing them. I say to my buddy knowingly, "That's the shot they want him to take." Tinsley proceeded to hit a lot of threes after that.
- Calderon looked very good, as usual. Ford was OK. Bosh took a lot of awkward shots... we were pretty shocked to look up and see he had 20+ points.
- Garbo got a huge cheer every time he came on, and even bigger ones when he made a couple of threes. Not sure that would happen today. (http://sports.aol.com/fanhouse/2007/11/27/in-the-end-garb...)
- I personally saw Andrea Bargnani eat a baby.*

* May not be true.

Edited by oeuftete (11/28/2007 12:16:01 AM CET)

Last edited by Mod-oeuftete at 11/28/2007 12:16:01 AM

I can't remember seeing Bosh pass to Bargnani, but memory is not my strong suit. I'll watch for it.

I've heard rumours about this free LeaguePass. If my memory wasn't so hazy, I might even remember watching the Celtics and Raptors on it a few Sundays back when the game wasn't broadcast here.

I've never seen CB pass the ball to AB. NEVER. were you luckier than me?

Proof! (http://www.nba.com/games/20071120/TORDAL/playbyplay.html)

Scroll down to when the Raptors made it 26-16.

Domenico, thought I'd respond here about Bargnani. Great to hear about Bargnani's big night. I really mean that. I think we both want to see him do well... we just have different reasons rooting for him, and different ideas about what his abilities are versus his potential. I see neither of his turnovers were travelling, so maybe he's learning.

I do love Bargnani's potential, and I can't wait to see how good he gets, but there are a few things it seems like you are overlooking.

First....I think that you are the only person I have ever heard question Bosh for his shot selection before. Bosh is now considered one of the top 4 or 5 power forwards in the league by nearly everyone but you (and apparently the rest of Italy) ;)

Second...Mitchell runs a flow offense which require next to no set plays, this is why they fit on a napkin. The offense is effective, and since Mitchell came to Toronto it has been only their defense which has been questioned. Few truly successful coaches run a lot of plays. D'Antoni uses about 3 plays, Jackson uses maybe 2, Riley only uses about 4 or 5. A good offense tells players where to be on the floor and leaves the decision making up to them. You only run a lot of plays when your team is not good and you have to over-coach them. He gives the press answers like he does because he doesn't like to give them specifics....that is all.

You also mentioned that Bargnani should get more playing time because he is one of only three legit big men, but you also talked about his deficiencies playing in the paint, so he is obviously not really legit big man as of yet. Furthermore, if you ever want him to be one the Mitchell is the perfect man for him. Garnett himself credits Mitchell with mentoring him into the star player he is now.

It is tough to play him big minutes yet because he has not yet learned defensively how to handle either 4's or 3's and he is not strong enough to guard 5's. Once in a while he puts out a good game defensively, but often he has been a liability.

You also mentioned that Bosh does not pass to him but there is good reason for that. When Bosh has the ball and is looking to kick where is Bargnani standing? He is setting up on the weak side 85% of the time. This is designed (by Mitchell) to try and get Bargnani open looks on the swing. In other words, the person usually to blame if he is not getting shots off of Bosh posting up is not Bosh or Ford but usually Parker, Kapono, Moon, or Delfino.

Anyways...I just am having trouble figuring out what it is you don't like about Bosh and Ford because the rest of the world loves their games AND thinks they are a good fit for Bargnani as teammates.

As a Canadian I sure like Steve Nash, but it never occurred to me to blame his teammates when he struggled early in his career.

Anyways, I do understand your desire for him to play well, cause I have felt it for other players, and I hope as much as you that he becomes the star he has the potential to be. I just wish you wouldn't blame people who have widespread reputations as good teammates and unselfish players.

Whew...I never meant to write an essay ;)

the raps are soo deece