Game Day Preview: Raptors against Detroit

Raptors roll into the Auburn Hills to face the Deeeeeeeeeetroit Pistons. The Pistons are having some issues of their own, especially since acquiring Iverson, and are at 23-17. They are well off the pace of 55 wins and have solved the 3 guard problem by placing Rip Hamilton on the bench.

The Raptors have traditionally never matched up well against the Pistons and today is no different. If Bosh is KG's bitch, then Rasheed is Bosh's creepy uncle teddy, he'll just have his way with Bosh. Stuckey should abuse Parker/Solomon/Ukic both with his size and his athleticism. Prince is just an extremely rich man's version of moon, so we are at a disadvantage there and Graham can only dream of keeping up with Iverson.

I don't think we have a chance tonight, but I have been enjoying watching Bargnani play recently and I can see the starting of a system, so maybe just maybe, no ... we're not going to win.

Raptors Republic have a good preview of today's game, and includes cheerleaders, which is always good.

NBA roundtable has an analysis of Rip as the man of the bench. I still can't believe they chose Iverson over Hamilton as Iverson would destroy bench players and Rip is used to playing with this group. Rip has my favourite routine for making free throws, I use it in pickup hoops and it works for me.

The globe and mail has an interesting article about Prince comparing the Pistons and the Raptors, saying both teams have had some difficulty adjusting to a 'big time' new player. He also mentions that he can't believe Smitch was fired and that he was a good coach (which I find funny, seeing how he has played under Carslie, Brown and Saunders).