Raptors Win Raptors Win!!!

[the_big_E]

Mike James is no Jason Kidd in any regard. Kidd is a great passer, James isn't as his 3.6 assists/game career passer indicate.

Secondly, interestingly enough, this is James' 6th team in 7 years (Miami, Boston, Detroit, Milwaukee, Houston, Toronto).

 

[frankcastle]

Earlier in the season I think Mike James demonstrated one aspect of his game which was scoring.

Now I think he's demonstrating his ability to do that within the team concept. This is probaly the result of the team being used to playing with each other and rookies like CV and JG and JC getting accustomed to the NBA pace.

 

[Meister]

Mike James is no Jason Kidd in any regard. Kidd is a great passer, James isn't as his 3.6 assists/game career passer indicate.

The 3.6 doesn't tell the whole story. He may not have been the last guy to pass to the scorer, but he developed the plays and a lot of opportunities for other players.

 

[Kwazy]

Jason Kidd nah...

Tim Hardaway....maybe.


Forget the comparisons.....we havn't had a "lethal" guard for quite some time...the team has needed someone unafraid to penetrate and cause "havoc" and Mike James does that very well AND he is a pretty gooder outside shooter.....I have a hard time thinking of Mike James as "fill in til" Calderon gets comfortable or Ucic(???) comes over....He is a pretty good player.

More importantly when Mike James gets hot he demands attention and that takes the emphasis off Bosh, Villanueva, Bonner, Rose and Peterson.

Its funny how things change after just a few games. All of a sudden it wouldn't be so ridiculous for a "max" player to come to Toronto.....

BUT LET'S NOT GET AHEAD OF OURSELVES.

 

[PHNINE]

True but that is what the Toronto market is all about. Once the Raptors start to play well, which they have been, the city jumps on the band wagon and supports them. I will always be a fan, but I can feel the excitement growing in terms of buzz around the city for the Raptors. And I am happy for them. I am predicting we will have a pretty good month and feed off the momentum of the past few weeks. We just needed time to gel and let our rookies learn the NBA game. Mitchell knows what he is doing, and deserves some credit. The one thing I will credit to Babcock despite his poor drafting, and questionable trading, he has made our team deep. We have a very deep bench, which many teams in league don't have. That is one credit I will give to Babcock...

 

[benn]

Tim Hardaway....maybe.


Forget the comparisons.....we havn't had a "lethal" guard for quite some time...the team has needed someone unafraid to penetrate and cause "havoc" and Mike James does that very well AND he is a pretty gooder outside shooter.....I have a hard time thinking of Mike James as "fill in til" Calderon gets comfortable or Ucic(???) comes over....He is a pretty good player.

More importantly when Mike James gets hot he demands attention and that takes the emphasis off Bosh, Villanueva, Bonner, Rose and Peterson.

Its funny how things change after just a few games. All of a sudden it wouldn't be so ridiculous for a "max" player to come to Toronto.....

BUT LET'S NOT GET AHEAD OF OURSELVES.

Mike James is mike james but he can be a poor man's Tim Hardaway since Hardaway was a 20 and 10 player when healthy in his prime.

 

[PHNINE]

That was a really tough loss. I thought we deserved the win there. The fact that Mopete was tossed for that bullshit call was what swung the momentum. We all played well, and it came down to that final shot by Carter to win the game for the Nets. I'll gvie credit to Carter for making that shot, but I still hate him. We really should have won this game. I feel really bad for MoPete, as he is probably boiling in the locker room. Raptors lose a tough one.

Raptors 104 Nets 105

 

[tonytwist007]

Tough loss but they can start a new win streak tomorrow. Very winnable games this coming week against Chicago, Charlotte and New York.

 

[frankcastle]

Regardless of whether they won or lost against the Nets the key is that the Raps of Dec/Jan look competitive rather than like the Washington Generals.

I hope they can keep the positive things that have been happening with them and keep rolling into all star weekend. It'll be interesting to see where they are at the halfway point.

Anyone think they can realistically catch the 8th spot by then?

 

[PHNINE]

If we continue to play like we are now, then I think for sure we can catch that final playoff spot. As for going far in the palyoffs, that is just asking too much. But as for playing hard and keeping on track with what we are doing now, it will not shock me if we make the playoffs. All I can say is that the Raptor's nation has once again been awaken. People are excited and really supporting the team after a real shitty start.

 

[frankcastle]

My hope is that they make the playoffs and the teams that owe them draft picks stink it up this year.

But yes I agree going deep into the playoffs is unlikely barring plane crashes or major injuries to the other team.

 

[PHNINE]

Raptors lose a tough game tonight. It was nice to see them come back from such a huge deficit, but they just couldn't close it out in the 4th. Mike James was forcing the ball a little too much tonight and didn't give Bosh enough looks. It was weird that Mitchell didn't give CV more playing time tonight. Hoffa was in early foul trouble and should have calmed down a bit. One positive note though is that we are for sure a team that can easily put up 100pts a game. We'll give up a 100pts, but at least our offense is coming together. Oh well, I guess we'll just have to prepare for Charlotte. Raptors lose.

Raptors 104 Bulls 113

 

[benn]

i don't understand Mitchell, how come he didn't play his bench. The team clearly was out of gas and he didn't sub them in.

 

[Kwazy]

Raps defense really needs work...

Even in the 1st quarter, the announcers were talking like it was great...sure shooting percentage was phenomenal but that never lasts...the worry was even with such success on offense Chicago was also scoring at will. Trading baskets like that was no success story. It gave them nothing!

Mitchell really needs to get on the guys to put pressure on the ball...far too often the opposing point guards just walk right in on us.............and when guys like J.Kidd and Heinrich are killing us with penetration,shooting and assists then maybe they better put pressure on them immediately!!

 

[tonytwist007]

Whew! That was a god awful first half. Didn't think they'd be able to pull it off but they proved me wrong. Bring on the Knicks!

 

[PHNINE]

I turned the game off in a fit of rage when I saw the Raptors losing to the Bobcats. I should of kept it on, but I had other things to do (hobby). So when I turn on the TV and see the highlights I am surprised to see that our boys actually came back. Nice one !!! Raps Win!!

Raptors 95 Bobcats 86

 

[Kwazy]

I have to admit...

When Bonner is hitting his outside shot, he is a pretty good guy to have on the team....

I don't even mind when Chuck and Jack get on him about dribbling to the basket........noone expects it and he gets a pretty good look/shot in.....there's obviously always a better rebound available from inside shooting than outside shooting too.

His defense and rebounding are going to get better and better......he's a smart guy and a good guy to have around.


I hope Mike James learns to stop taking the outside shot early in the game especially when Bosh/Bonner/Peterson/Rose are already hot.....the whole team has to realize who's hot and go to them instead of worrying about their own stats.

 

[natureboy123]

what a fuckin joke

............................

to all managment and former manager & coaches !

Why was carter traded?? I REALLY don't know why
as well as all the other good players we had.


Raptors are the same way they were in there first seasons a Brand new team

 

[Kwazy]

Can't remember how many times...what if????

what a fuckin joke

............................

to all managment and former manager & coaches !

Why was carter traded?? I REALLY don't know why
as well as all the other good players we had.


Raptors are the same way they were in there first seasons a Brand new team

The latest what if????..........What if Carter stayed, Bosh, and James with Villanueva growing............Peterson and Rose and Graham???

 

[daryll77]

Rookie Wall

You talk about guys being hot, but lets talk about the cold. What's up with Villanueva and Calderon; have they hit the rookie wall? They've been play horribly in 2006.

Seriously, I hope these guys can get over the recent phunk they are in. I have yet to see Joey G's hyped defense. Defense is a team effort, however some elements just seem to lack till JG gets to that Artest level everyone raved about.