This accurately sums up last night's gameFirst, I would like to say that I am more of the more optimistic Raptors fans, you can attest it to my sometimes ridiculous trade rumors, hopeful performances and general support for the team when it is far more logical not to. Last night, Friday January 16, turned me off of the team. For the first three quarters we played as lethargic as I have ever seen the team play.
The first quarter was fought tooth-and-nail. We quickly went down 4-0, not making a shot for the first three minutes. We fought back to a 10-5 lead through excellent spacing, and finding the open jumper. Indiana came back and it was a 20 -20 tie at the end of the first.
The second quarter killed the team as the Raptors were outscored 36 -22. Indiana went a 13-5 run to start the quarter and the raptors didn't challenge the open shooters, kept giving up easy layups on screen and rolls and too many uncontested layups. It was disgusting to watch and it looked like the Raptors didn't care. Mike Dunleavy and Troy Murphy absolutely killed us in this frame scoring inside, outside by the three pointer.
The third quarter was more of the same. The Pacers really blew the game open, even TJ Ford and fricken Stephen Graham were scoring at ease against us. The majority of the shots taken by the Raptors were of the jump shot variety and they were usually missing. We entered the fourth down 24.
The Raptors surprised everybody and started it with a 11-0 run. Indiana didn't score in the first four minutes which greatly aided the raps run. I am not going to give Raptors credit for the huge run; cutting the lead to 1 because it was Indiana taking the foot off the pedal. The Raptors have given up multiple double digit leads and I do not credit the opposition for playing, I am critical that the Raptors do not have the mental strength to stay up. I offer the same criticism for the Pacers. It was false hope and I knew that this year's Raptors would not have pulled it off. We committed far too many silly turnovers (travelling), and if we were to win it would have been tainted victory.
Danny Granger did not impress me at all. He went 8 -24 in the game for 23 points. He is an extremely high volume shooter and his basketball personality would not have fit with this team. I think he is already overrated and should not be getting all the praise he seems to get. Troy Murphy and Mike Dunleavy had great games, knowing when to shoot and drive and keeping hte Raptors defense unbalanced.
Bargnani played well for my money, scoring 20 points and grabbing 5 boards. His shot wasn't falling as easily yesterday but he still managed to get points in other productive ways. He has started to show some offensive post presence and that really impressed me.
O'Neal came back today and was extremely unproductive. He has disappointed me recently with his long injury delay and lack of offensive contribution.
This game left a bad taste in my mouth and hopefully Jay can regroup the troops for the game against Phoneix.
The first quarter was fought tooth-and-nail. We quickly went down 4-0, not making a shot for the first three minutes. We fought back to a 10-5 lead through excellent spacing, and finding the open jumper. Indiana came back and it was a 20 -20 tie at the end of the first.
The second quarter killed the team as the Raptors were outscored 36 -22. Indiana went a 13-5 run to start the quarter and the raptors didn't challenge the open shooters, kept giving up easy layups on screen and rolls and too many uncontested layups. It was disgusting to watch and it looked like the Raptors didn't care. Mike Dunleavy and Troy Murphy absolutely killed us in this frame scoring inside, outside by the three pointer.
The third quarter was more of the same. The Pacers really blew the game open, even TJ Ford and fricken Stephen Graham were scoring at ease against us. The majority of the shots taken by the Raptors were of the jump shot variety and they were usually missing. We entered the fourth down 24.
The Raptors surprised everybody and started it with a 11-0 run. Indiana didn't score in the first four minutes which greatly aided the raps run. I am not going to give Raptors credit for the huge run; cutting the lead to 1 because it was Indiana taking the foot off the pedal. The Raptors have given up multiple double digit leads and I do not credit the opposition for playing, I am critical that the Raptors do not have the mental strength to stay up. I offer the same criticism for the Pacers. It was false hope and I knew that this year's Raptors would not have pulled it off. We committed far too many silly turnovers (travelling), and if we were to win it would have been tainted victory.
Danny Granger did not impress me at all. He went 8 -24 in the game for 23 points. He is an extremely high volume shooter and his basketball personality would not have fit with this team. I think he is already overrated and should not be getting all the praise he seems to get. Troy Murphy and Mike Dunleavy had great games, knowing when to shoot and drive and keeping hte Raptors defense unbalanced.
Bargnani played well for my money, scoring 20 points and grabbing 5 boards. His shot wasn't falling as easily yesterday but he still managed to get points in other productive ways. He has started to show some offensive post presence and that really impressed me.
O'Neal came back today and was extremely unproductive. He has disappointed me recently with his long injury delay and lack of offensive contribution.
This game left a bad taste in my mouth and hopefully Jay can regroup the troops for the game against Phoneix.
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Cmon dog Granger had an off shooting night. You think that the Raptors couldnt use him instead the dead weight that is "the human travel" Kapono or Joey. And his "basketball personality"??? What because he didnt take any shit from that pansy Bosh u think hes a headcase. C'mon man.
ReplyDeleteOkay, I agree that the Raps should have drafted Granger over Graham, especially at that position in the draft. I completely agree that he would be a major upgrade over Kapono and Graham, no doubts there. But some people are saying Granger should be an all-star this year and such and I cannot believe that. He average 26.3 points a game and has taken 712 shots in 37 games. Without factoring shots which are called for fouls, he takes 19.2 shots a game, he is an increadibly high volume scorer.
ReplyDeleteBy 'basketball personality' I wasn't talking about the incident where he shoved Bosh, I was referring to the fact that the high number of shots he takes would take away from the potential shots for Bosh / Bargs and this would be bad for the basketball-wise for the Raps. My bad, I should have been more clear in the article.
ReplyDeletelol, great title!
ReplyDeleteMe again.
ReplyDeleteGranger is a 40% 3PT shooter for past 2 yearswhile actually ATTEMPTING 3's, unlike our 3PT specialist "J-Killa".
http://tinyurl.com/7eo38g
The reason Granger's taking so many shots is because he doesnt have any other good scorers around him. I mean Marquis fuckin Daniels is attempting 15+ shots a night on that team.
http://tinyurl.com/9jxp6d
If he did I dont see any reason why he wouldnt defer to his teammates.
The biggest thing Ive seen form Danny is that he made his shots in crucial situations. In the CLUTCH, where our franchise player couldnt buy a basket the whole season.
Thanks Raps fan, I was pretty unhappy with the performance from the Raptors.
ReplyDeleteAnon: I agree that Granger doesn't have much to work with and also that he is pretty clutch. Heaven know we need some clutch for the Raptors and especially for CB4. At Bargnani is showing us that he has that killer instinct and could win us a game late.