The Raps now off to the 3-0 start. All done by good defense, and I think the team as a whole can be even better defensively as the season moves along.
It will be interesting to see how Sam manages Calderon's minutes. Jose played big minutes last night against the Bucks. Granted Jose's style of play is more read and pass, him playing 36 mins a night is not the same as a guy like DWade, who bangs and crashes all game.
And did I not say the Sixers would struggle early on, they let a 22 pt lead slip away against the Hawks. Everyone is talking about Brand transforming the team, no doubt he brings the low post 2 way play they sorely lacked, but I am not convinced Igudola's jumper. His jumper is below average.
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Thursday, October 30, 2008
It's easy as 1, 2, 3
So easy...like a baby.
Last night was pretty much what anyone would expect from this Raps squad.
O'Neill's impact and output was exactly as advertised. When he drew the 3rd foul on Dalembert, it pretty much indicated the Raps as a squad can handle the Sixers.
Overall the impressive stats was holding the Sixers to shoot only 34.5%. That just means the team played solid defense. On offense, moved the ball well enough for 24 team assists.
The Raps have Golden States for the home opener. Warriors lost at home last night to Chris Paul's double double. They let the Hornets shoot 50% from the floor and Tyson Chandler killed them on the board. The key would be turnovers, if the Raps can keep the ball, they will win.
Last night was pretty much what anyone would expect from this Raps squad.
O'Neill's impact and output was exactly as advertised. When he drew the 3rd foul on Dalembert, it pretty much indicated the Raps as a squad can handle the Sixers.
Overall the impressive stats was holding the Sixers to shoot only 34.5%. That just means the team played solid defense. On offense, moved the ball well enough for 24 team assists.
The Raps have Golden States for the home opener. Warriors lost at home last night to Chris Paul's double double. They let the Hornets shoot 50% from the floor and Tyson Chandler killed them on the board. The key would be turnovers, if the Raps can keep the ball, they will win.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Gamblor's neon claws!!!
First night and Oden got hurt. Ouch, let's just pray he doesn't become Sam Bowie 2009. Bulls over Bucks no suprised there. Players always want to show off against an old coach that they never liked.
Here are the Vegas odds for the 08-09 season first coach to be fired.
Lawrence Frank (NJN), 6/1
Sam Mitchell (TOR), 5/1
Mike Brown (CLE), 7/1
Mark Ivaroni (MEM), 5/1
Eddie Jordan (WAS), 8/1
George Karl (DEN), 5/1
Randy Wittman (MIN), 3/1
Field (Any Other Coach), 5/2
I am not really suprised at any of them.
One guy I would put my money on is George Karl. I like him since the days at the Sonics. But the makeup of this Denver team and the his style just doesn't mix. The situation resembles a highschool teacher trying to teach an out of control underachieving class in a movie. But instead of Hollywood ending, he is dealing with Carmelo, AI etc. This team is 1 bad stretch from imploding and they will need to bring in a new coach with a new approach.
I also like Lawrence Frank as a coach...I think he has done a good job with the components. The team didn't destroy itself after trading 2 stars. In fact, if I am management I would consider keeping Frank around, the team is in a rebuilding mode anyways. Plus, whoever you bring in is going to have trouble with Vince anyways, if Frank is doing a decent job, let it be.
Here are the Vegas odds for the 08-09 season first coach to be fired.
Lawrence Frank (NJN), 6/1
Sam Mitchell (TOR), 5/1
Mike Brown (CLE), 7/1
Mark Ivaroni (MEM), 5/1
Eddie Jordan (WAS), 8/1
George Karl (DEN), 5/1
Randy Wittman (MIN), 3/1
Field (Any Other Coach), 5/2
I am not really suprised at any of them.
One guy I would put my money on is George Karl. I like him since the days at the Sonics. But the makeup of this Denver team and the his style just doesn't mix. The situation resembles a highschool teacher trying to teach an out of control underachieving class in a movie. But instead of Hollywood ending, he is dealing with Carmelo, AI etc. This team is 1 bad stretch from imploding and they will need to bring in a new coach with a new approach.
I also like Lawrence Frank as a coach...I think he has done a good job with the components. The team didn't destroy itself after trading 2 stars. In fact, if I am management I would consider keeping Frank around, the team is in a rebuilding mode anyways. Plus, whoever you bring in is going to have trouble with Vince anyways, if Frank is doing a decent job, let it be.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
It is go time
As I indicated earlier this month, the first and most important point of the 08-09 Raps is starting out hot.
I think we can do so this year, the Raps come out of pre-season with virtually no injuries. Raps play a revamped Sixers team to start the season. Then we come for Golden States, who has Ellis out. Yes, 30 games are a lot, Ellis is a star and he signed that big contract in the off season. Mullins wanted to set a statement he is no different from any other player on the team.
Elton Brand had look just awful in preseason...so don't be suprised if the Raps go 2-0 early and set the pace in this division.
I think we can do so this year, the Raps come out of pre-season with virtually no injuries. Raps play a revamped Sixers team to start the season. Then we come for Golden States, who has Ellis out. Yes, 30 games are a lot, Ellis is a star and he signed that big contract in the off season. Mullins wanted to set a statement he is no different from any other player on the team.
Elton Brand had look just awful in preseason...so don't be suprised if the Raps go 2-0 early and set the pace in this division.
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Sexy time
Raps are now 2-0 in pre-season. Again, we don't need to really read into the stats or win-loss of preseason. But the Raps' bench did show they got game.
- Bosh had 20. O'Neill and Calderon could have done more, but they know it is what they do at practice that prepares for this year.
- No wonder people in NY love Derek Lee more and more. He does everything for the team.
- The Italian played well. Even with the latter fouling out, he was quick and committed to play defense. And the bulking up and added conditioning are just great positives.
- I was surprised too, Kapono can dribble the basketball and a left handed layup. I loved how he is adding this part of his game. Calderon isn't a hard drive and kick player, Kapono will need to create his shots at times this year.
- I wouldn't mind coaching the Knicks and making millions either.
- and are you fucking kidding me...
- Bosh had 20. O'Neill and Calderon could have done more, but they know it is what they do at practice that prepares for this year.
- No wonder people in NY love Derek Lee more and more. He does everything for the team.
- The Italian played well. Even with the latter fouling out, he was quick and committed to play defense. And the bulking up and added conditioning are just great positives.
- I was surprised too, Kapono can dribble the basketball and a left handed layup. I loved how he is adding this part of his game. Calderon isn't a hard drive and kick player, Kapono will need to create his shots at times this year.
- I wouldn't mind coaching the Knicks and making millions either.
- and are you fucking kidding me...
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Cheeky Sam
Raps won their first pre-season game of the year over the Cavs last night.
Solid production from Bargnani (15pts, 8rb). Soloman led all scorers with 17.
Pre-season games aren't really that to teams like the Raptors. They held the same core players and only made one major swap. Sam Mitchell's major concerns would be injuries and conditioning. Not only to the starters but especially to the reserves. The Raptors has a thin bench this year, these times are very important to the team when it comes to the playoff run.
Sam is merely using the KISS model, make sure everyone gets some time on the court. I think the real key is that the Raps maintain the same sense of unity (they look like they do), so make a quick start to the season.
The Raps open the season against Philly, Golden State, the Bucks. The first 2 had major changes in the offseason and might take time to gel, then the Bucks... But it is really in second week of November and on when the Raps gets some easier games against team projected to be in the lottery.
Solid production from Bargnani (15pts, 8rb). Soloman led all scorers with 17.
Pre-season games aren't really that to teams like the Raptors. They held the same core players and only made one major swap. Sam Mitchell's major concerns would be injuries and conditioning. Not only to the starters but especially to the reserves. The Raptors has a thin bench this year, these times are very important to the team when it comes to the playoff run.
Sam is merely using the KISS model, make sure everyone gets some time on the court. I think the real key is that the Raps maintain the same sense of unity (they look like they do), so make a quick start to the season.
The Raps open the season against Philly, Golden State, the Bucks. The first 2 had major changes in the offseason and might take time to gel, then the Bucks... But it is really in second week of November and on when the Raps gets some easier games against team projected to be in the lottery.
Friday, October 3, 2008
Packing Heat
Reports this morning are that Livingston is going to Miami, Tinsley is going to Denver.
Good to hear Shaun is back in the game, he had such talent until that injury. If he comes back and have a good season, the NBA should just market it as the "feel good" story of the year.
Training camp is going on around the league now. Most articles around the league surrounds power rankings, stats and the East's player improvements. I think one of the more important things for the Raps this year is to start hot right out of the gate. There was one significant change in the addition of O'Neill, Jose had already proved he can start.
I look at the other teams in the Atlantic and only the Sixers improved. Boston came off the the long championship run and their concern is the health of the big 3 down the stretch. The Celtics came out of the gate red hot last year, but can they do it again this year.
The Sixers is going to need time to gel with Brand. Both Brand and Iguodala can't let the big new contracts distract them.
Also the Raps really faded last year near the end. Partly due to TJ's bullshit, but they just didn't play well. This year when the bench is supposed to be thinner than last year, starting out hot might actually position this team to get that home court advantage.
Good to hear Shaun is back in the game, he had such talent until that injury. If he comes back and have a good season, the NBA should just market it as the "feel good" story of the year.
Training camp is going on around the league now. Most articles around the league surrounds power rankings, stats and the East's player improvements. I think one of the more important things for the Raps this year is to start hot right out of the gate. There was one significant change in the addition of O'Neill, Jose had already proved he can start.
I look at the other teams in the Atlantic and only the Sixers improved. Boston came off the the long championship run and their concern is the health of the big 3 down the stretch. The Celtics came out of the gate red hot last year, but can they do it again this year.
The Sixers is going to need time to gel with Brand. Both Brand and Iguodala can't let the big new contracts distract them.
Also the Raps really faded last year near the end. Partly due to TJ's bullshit, but they just didn't play well. This year when the bench is supposed to be thinner than last year, starting out hot might actually position this team to get that home court advantage.
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