Familar Faces Playing Pivitol Roles in Playoffs

As if Raptor fans weren’t feeling bummed out enough with the fact that once again we are all on the outside looking in when it comes to playoff basketball. Not only do we get to watch other teams competing for ultimate prize in basketball, but Raptor fans are witnessing a number of former teammates playing key roles on teams that may just win it all.

As always, there is a Raptor spin to this years post-season.  Players we gave up on, begrudgingly traded or didn’t appreciate enough at the time are playing key roles in this years playoffs.  In fact there are a number of players who may end up tipping the scale in their teams favour this year.

In no particular order here they are.

Ex Raptors in the 2013 NBA Playoffs

Marco Belinelli – On a Bulls team that seems to be put together by MacGyver (with duck tape and chewing gum) , Belinelli has been a key, unexpected contributor.  If you’re a Raptor fan, you’re likely as blown away by his presence as anyone.  He came up huge in game 7 of the first round series against the Nets and is continuing his clutch play in this second round matchup against the Heat.  Belinelli has always been a streaky shooter, but in these playoffs he has been someone his team can depend on late in games and at key points when the Bulls need a bucket.  Not something he showed much of in his Toronto days.  He has also held his own on the defensive end and at times has had LeBron James guarding him.

Belinelli has found his shooting touch just when the Bulls needed it most and helped the banged up Bulls advance to the next round. Bryan Colangelo, if he’s watching, is seeing the player he was hoping he acquired a few years back for the Raptors.  Only now, is he playing up to his abilities.

Jarrett Jack – Jack was originally brought in to Toronto to be a key backup combo guard for a team that was supposed to make many playoff appearances. He didn’t get that chance in Toronto, but he’s making  the most of the opportunity now with Golden State.

He has become a huge part of everything that is going right for Golden State.  He’s a veteran leader that is really helping take charge of this exciting young team.  When they needed clutch shots against Denver, Jack was there.  When they needed a veteran facilitator he was their man.  Jack has looked like a very valuable asset on this playoff team.  Against San Antonio he has been a strong veteran presence who knows where the ball needs to go.  He also isn’t afraid to take a tough shot when needed.  Don’t the Raptors wish they had him coming off the bench now.

Jarryd Bayless – When Bayless was in Toronto, everyone knew he had the potential to be something special.  It was simply hard to find a role on this Toronto team and they let him go in the offseason.  He’s found his role with Memphis, that is for sure.  In these playoffs he has been a spark plug for the Grizzlies off the bench.  He’s been the perfect mix of passer and shooter; exactly what you want in a combo guard.

The Grizzlies simply do not get past Denver without Bayless.  He was a classic clutch playoff performer.  He came in and hit big shots and came up with huge efforts when his team needed it most.  The Grizzlies bench looks a lot more scary now as they play a very difficult 2nd round opponent in the Thunder.  Watch out for Bayless again in this series.  He has the speed and ability to cause big problems for Oklahoma City. The Grizz are gonna need him if they hope to beat the defending Western Conference champs.

Bayless is showing Raptor fans what could’ve been as he has helped the Grizzlies during these NBA playoffs.

Chris Bosh – Once upon a time Chris Bosh was absolutely everything for the Toronto Raptors. He was the focal point of any and every opposing defense he faced and felt huge pressure in the playoff battles he had here in Toronto.  Fast forward to now and Bosh is still an amazing All-Star talent, but opposing defenses can’t always apply pressure on him because they are focused on stopping LeBron James and Dwayne Wade.

Bosh wasn’t a huge factor for the Heat in the first round against the Bucks, but then again, he wasn’t really needed.  If the Heat are going to beat the more troublesome Bulls and eventually the upstart Pacers,  Bosh is going to be a key part of any chance the Heat have to win. Joakim Noah and Carlos Boozer present huge issues for Bosh inside and if he handles them he has to face a Hibbert/West or Chandler/Stoudamire combo.  If this team hopes to beat either of those teams they will need major contributions from Bosh on both ends of the floor.  With Wade still not looking 100% and opposing defences ready to pounce on Lebron James, the secondary scoring from Bosh will be paramount to a championship repeat.  Look for him to heat up in this second round, if he doesn’t the Heat may face more difficulty than was originally expected.

Matt Bonner – Matt Bonner was a fan favourite in Toronto and an energizer off the bench for a bad team when he was here.  Since moving to San Antonio, he has become a very important part of the team off the bench and in spot starting duties over the years.  This year he, once again, finds himself in the role of energizer and a key three-point threat off the bench.

Bonner isn’t a major factor for the Spurs but he can be a dangerous player off the bench at various times.  He is a big body and can hit the three with consistency. Matt Bonner is to the San Antonio Spurs as Steve Kerr used to be to the Chicago Bulls.  Bonner likely won’t get heavy minutes, but he may come into the game late to take very important shots, especially if Danny Green keeps struggling with his three-point shot.

Tracy McGrady – Was once a building block in Toronto and was the best player for Toronto in the franchise’s first ever playoff appearance against the Knicks.  He was a star in Orlando and the major offensive threat when he was in Houston.

Now McGrady is relegated to the bench in a cheerleading role.  But what an intriguing player to have at the end of your bench.  I wouldn’t be surprised if Greg Popovich has something up his sleeve when it comes to McGrady.  He could provide some instant offense off the bench and he has been a solid defender his entire career.  If the Spurs get into trouble don’t be surprised to see a little bit more McGrady then you ever thought you’s see again.

Roy Hibbert – He never played for the Raptors, but is technically a former dino.  Traded as part of the Jermaine O’Neal deal, Hibbert has been a perennial All-star and looks like he might be the key to the Pacers playoff chances this year.

Hibbert is gonna have to step up to beat the New York Knicks who will send Tyson Chandler and Amare Stoudamire against him.  So far he’s answered the call and has been the difference for Indiana thus far.  He has been unstoppable inside and provided Indiana with much of their offense.

If the Pacers get to the conference finals against Miami, it may be Hibbert that provides the biggest challenge for the defending champs.  He is a tough matchup for Chris Bosh and plays a position that the defending champs have trouble with.  Miami has trouble inside all season and Hibbert, who is just hitting his playoff groove, may be too much for them to handle.

Once upon a time a Raptor floor general, now an upstart coach who is leading the warriors to a surprising playoff run.

Mark Jackson – He wasn’t a Raptor for long, but this former PG great is now in charge of one of the most exciting teams in the playoffs.  He has this Warriors team playing the best basketball the franchise has ever seen.

Jackson may seem to be in over his head in a coaching matchup against the great Greg Popovich, but he’s held his own thus far.  He’s got this young team energized and believing in itself.  He is getting key contributions out of rookie (and almost Raptor) Harrison Barnes, journeyman Jarrett Jack and a returning Andrew Bogut, plus he has had to overcome injury issues to his star Stephen Curry.

Jackson, and his coaching decisions to come, will have a major impact on how the Warriors perform the rest of the way.  When Jackson was a point guard he was known for his ability to get steals, with any luck he may just be able to steal another series from the Spurs.

Photo Credit http://basketballschedule.net/hawks-vs-grizzlies-photos

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Kristoffer Pedlar
The Zan Tabak Herald

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Ex Raptors become X-Factors in Round Two

As round two begins in the NBA, we’ve said goodbye to a few old allies.  Jarrett Jack and Marco Belinelli have packed their bags after a very succesful first round series against the Lakers.  Matt Bonner had a disappointing first round with San Antonio as they were bounced by the Grizzlies and Roy Hibbert and TJ Ford find themselves spectators as round two begins.

As the second round begins,  a few former Raptor favourites could tip the scales in their second round series.  Let’s take a look at the key Ex-Raptors that will likely be X-Factors for their respective teams.

Miami vs. Boston

The Big three vs. the Big Three.  This is a dream matchup for the NBA and any fan who enjoys good basketball.  We know that Lebron and Wade are going to score in bunches and we know that Ray Allen will be tossing key three pointers throughout the series and Kevin Garnett will be intense.  What we don’t know is how Chris Bosh will play against some really tough playoff competition.

If Miami has dreams of championship glory, they will need Chris Bosh to fight like he has never fought before.

Chris Bosh will be the key to winning this series for Miami.  Bosh has played very well thus far against Philly, but he is about to match up against Kevin Garnett who he has never played well against.  He will also have to play against the likes of Big Baby and Jermaine Oneal.  These are not finesse players.  They get dirty and fight with everything they have for a loose ball or a rebound.

If Chris Bosh is to be successful against these tough players he is going to have to channel is inner Reggie Evans and JYD.  Bosh needs to be less finesse and more banger.  He will need to fight like he has never fought before and be the player that keeps possessions alive and gives Wade and Lebron second chances.

On the flip side, Boston will rely heavily on Jermaine O’neal.  There likely won’t be a Shaq appearnce until later on in the series so Jermaine will be handed the task of containing Chris Bosh.  This is someone he knows quite well from his days in the T-dot.

Jermaine O’neal has been through the rigors of playoff basketball and is no newcomer to intensity in the playoffs.  His Indiana teams played their fare share of tough games.  He will need to be defensively sound and provide help defense when Lebron and Wade bust through the key.  If you need a hard foul to send a message, Jermaine O’neal is your guy.  He backs down from no one and may be the last line of defense for the Celtics.  He will be a key if the Celtics hope to head to the Eastern Conference Finals.

If Bosh can find that inner fight, Miami wins this series.  If he gets bullied on the glass by Garnett and O’neal and is shut down on the offensive end then it will be a second round exit for the boys from South Beach.

Dallas vs. LA Lakers

This series will be a shoot out.  Scoring is going to happen in bunches and defense will likely take a back seat as it often does in Dallas.  The mavericks have a number of players that can score in bunches in Nowitzki, Terry and Jason Kidd.  These three will score but might have trouble keeping up with Kobe, Gasol and Bynum.  If they are going to keep up, they will need their supporting cast members to step up.

Enter Shawn Marion and Peja Stojakovic.  These two players have the offensive skill set to be deadly to an opposing team.  While the defense focuses on Dirk and Terry,  Peja and Marion will likely get their fair share of good looks.  Marion is a player that makes those around him better.  He can pass effectively, shoots the ball well and knows how to get to the foul line (a valuable asset in the playoffs).  Peja Stojakovic has enjoyed a resurgence with Dallas and simply needs to stand on that three-point line and deliver.

Neither player was in Toronto for very long so we never had the chance to see them at their best.  But this is the playoffs an both are very familiar with the battles of playoff ball.  If used properly these players will help Dallas overthrow the defending champs.

Throw in “Almost Raptor” Tyson Chandler and you have an absolutely lethal rotation that can beat you in a number of different ways.

If Dallas spreads the floor, shares the ball and gets plenty of supporting effort from their bench they will win the series.  If the bench can’t contribute against the defending champs then the Lakers will continue their quest for another title.

Atlanta vs. Chicago

Do not underestimate the Atlanta Hawks.  Pundits and “experts” are already counting them out.

Don’t.

They are a young team finally coming into their own and might surprise the Bulls, who looked a little sluggish against Indiana.  This is a Hawks team that was able to defeat a pretty good team in Orlando.

Although I expect the Bulls to win the series I think it will be a longer  series than anyone thinks.

Watch out for Al Horford.  He will be a tough matchup for Carlos Boozer and Joakim Noah inside. He is tough to match up against in the post and provides sturdy defense that could give Chicago’s Bigs fits on the inside.

The ex-Raptor to watch here is Chuck Swirsky, who may just faint when his team reaches theEastern Conference finals.  If the Bulls win he’ll likely look more lost than Tomas Kaberle during the Bruins game 7 celebration earlier this week.

It is likely that the Salami and Cheese will be brought out for the Hawks.

Oklahoma vs. Memphis

This series has no Raptor connections, but the Raptors should take note of these young teams and how they have built themselves into winning franchises.  It wasn’t long ago that a 22 win season was considered a success for the Thunder and Grizz.  These teams were able to build themselves back into contenders and the Raptors should hope they follow a similar path.

Neither of these teams became a success overnight and they surely didn’t do it by trading draft picks or signing  a slew of veteran players to bad contracts.  They built themselves slowly through the draft and then added veteran pieces to compliment those young players.

Watching Durant, Westbrook and Ibaka face Randolph, Gasol and Conely could very well be what Raptor fans will see in a few years from Derozan, Davis and Amir.

In terms of X-Factors for this series I would go with Shane Battier and Kendrick Perkins.  Perkins has been a non-factor thus far in the playoffs but he will need to help lead this young team as they focus on Playoff advancement.  He’s been through the wars before and they will need him to help contain the beast that is Randolph. Hopefully he wakes up soon or the surging Grizzlies might be too difficult to defeat.

Lots to watch as a Raptor fan, as some old friends will likely be keys to the teams that ultimately prevail.

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Kristoffer Pedlar

The Zan Tabak Herald

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To Everything There is a Season

The song by The Birds states “to everything there is a season” and for the Raptors the season is upon them.

Media Day is the onset of the basketball season.  With it come hopes, dreams, predictions, smiles and laughter.  The Raptors, like all of the 30 NBA teams, took part in Media Day.  Players discussed their off-seasons and coaches and management discussed the potential of playoff berths and successes.

For the Raptors, one word rang louder than any other word : Team.

With the off-season departure of leading scorer and franchise player, Chris Bosh, the Raptors players and management are selling fans on the prospect of playoff basketball in the Spring.  To do this, they say, the Raptors will need to work as a team and share the role of leader.

Bryan Colangelo was the centre of attention at Raptors Media Day as he tried to explain how the Raptors were going to be effective this season.

Bryan Colangelo spent much of his off-season acquiring players with a pedigree for team basketball and eliminating players that didn’t fit that mould.  Gone are discontents Hedo Turkoglu and Marco Belinelli and that Chris Bosh guy.  Adding to the team-first feel of the 2010-11 Raptors are Linas Kleiza, Leandro Barbosa, Julian Wright and Ed Davis.

It has become clear that with the absence of Chris Bosh the Raptors will have to find scoring and rebounding from a number of different sources.  Many of the Raptor players exhibited great teamwork during the World Championships as well as great scoring touches.  Both should help translate into an exciting team.  Hopefully points, defense and rebounds also follow.

But didn’t the Raptors play as team last year?

Jose Calderon spoke on the issue of team scoring during media day, “We go into the season with great expectations, we can be a better team. I think we have a lot of players who can play, maybe we don’t have that star role for somebody, I prefer sometimes it’s better to have five guys scoring 12, 15 points than to have one get 35. We have to play like that, share the ball more than ever and play like a team.”

With the number of times the Raptor players mentioned the word “team” during the media scrums, it would appear that perhaps too much of the offense was focused on its star player and impending free agent Chris Bosh last year.  The Raptors are hoping the idea of sharing the ball will translate into wins.

It also appears that too much was made of Bosh’s leadership credentials.

Jay Triano recently spoke on Chris Bosh “deffering”  vocal leadership to other veteran players and that his lack of vocal leadership last year could have been a cause of the Raptors end of season woes.

Jarrett Jack added : “If you look at Chris, he’s more an example guy… Twenty-four and 10 is not a bad example to put up out there…Different people do it different ways.”

The ball is in the “teams” court and together they will have to find a way to make up for Bosh’s absence and find new leadership as a unit or individually.

Perhaps the Raptors will be better off this year without Chris Bosh.  A new beginning. A new philosophy.  A chance for others to finally step up in Bosh’s absence.

Media Day.  Where hope springs eternal. 

To everything Turn, turn, turn.  There is a season Turn, turn turn.

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Kristoffer Pedlar

The Zan Tabak Herald

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Raptors Playoff Hopes Grow Dimmer

It was a big game.  Probably the biggest game of the season.  A game that separates the men from the boys, the players from the pretenders and playoff teams from lottery teams.  It was a must win.  As “must win” as a game can get.

The Raptors fell short.  Plain and simple.

The team could not buy a bucket for large stretches of time.  They settled for jump shots instead of driving the net and did not play an ounce of defense on the other end of the floor.

When your best offensive player is out and, arguably your best defender, someone needs to step up.  No one did.  Derek Rose was a one man show and without the inside presence of Chris Bosh, Joakim Noah had a field day in the low and high post.  On the other end, the Raptors could not put a solid run together and looked discombobulated on offense.

All hope is not lost as there is still two games left and the Raptors do hold the tie-breaker.

With two games left the Raptors need to find leadership and a hunger from within, if they intend on fulfilling their goal at the beginning of the season and make the playoffs.

Derek Rose was in total control in a pivitol match against the Raptors.

The Zan for Three

Spotlight

In a game of this magnitude players need to step up.  These are the types of games that players use to make names for themselves.  Hedo Turkoglu has made a name for himself throughout his career by playing big in games such as these.  Tonight, for the Raptors, no one was able to take control.  No player made a name for himself.  Hedo had a great game, mind you, but it wasn’t the type of game that propels a team to victory.  19 rebounds is nothing to laugh at but his 2-1o shooting doesn’t cut it.

On the other side, the Raptors allowed players like Taj Gibson and Flip Murray to make a name for themselves.  These players, role players, stepped up and helped propel their team to victory.  Where was Marco Belinelli? Demar Derozan?  Jose Calderon?  This is the time to step up.  If not now, when?

The Importance of Chris Bosh

So, still think this team will be just fine without Chris Bosh next season?  This was not a good indication that the Raptors will be able to fill the void a Chris Bosh will leave if he chooses to go elsewhere this summer.  The Raptors were abused inside and could not get anything done on the offensive end.  Chris Bosh gets stops on the defensive end and he scores on the offensive side.  Amir Johnson and Reggie Evans were not able to do the job that #4 does on a nightly basis.  With Bosh in the lineup this is a much different game.  No way Joakim Noah goes off for 18 boards with CB4 playing.  If this is how the Raptors play without Chris Bosh, it could be a long, long season in Toronto next year.

Italian Meat Ball

Andrea Bargnani has been an enigma wrapped in a puzzle during his Raptor tenure.  He shows flashes of absolute brilliance and then disappears for no known reason for large stretches of time.  He is, quite possibly, the player the Raptors will look to if/when Chris Bosh leaves as a free agent.  Maybe he has been playing beside an All-star for too long, but he needs to learn to take control of a game.  When you’re shooting 50% and your team is down, it’s okay to shoot the ball a bit more.  When you drive the net and get calls, it’s okay to do that more often.  Even at the expense of being labelled a bit “selfish”.  After all these years in the league and after all the wonderful words of praise, he still looks hesitant to take control and allow himself to be the focal point.  Stars in this league demand the ball, hell, even guys who come off the bench demand the ball.  This is a player that needs to demand it and do whatever he wants with it.  With Bosh out, Bargnani should be the focal point of this offense.  Why hasn’t he figured this out yet?

…Plus the Foul

Keep Hope Alive

It is easy to get discouraged after a big loss like this, but there is an even bigger game tomorrow and another on Wednesday.  This game was rough, but we get a second chance tomorrow.  The Raptors hold that all important tie-breaker and Chicago has a tougher remaining two games (Boston and Charlotte).  The Raptors must go into Detroit tomorrow and play like winners.  Shrug this loss off and go get the prize.  The Raptors are still very much in the playoff race. We mustn’t hang our heads.

Zan of the Night

It's easy to hang your head after a tough loss like this one, but there are still two games remaining in the race for eighth.

Derek Rose and Joakim Noah.  In a game that could have effectively eliminated them from the playoffs, it was important that the Bulls’ stars show up and control the game.  These two played like stars.  18pts and 18 rebounds is a pretty good day at the office.  Noah took full advantage of a Bosh-less Raptor squad.  Rose was in total control.  He used Calderon as a pylon for most of the game and scored and dished the ball at will.

Not Zan of the Night

Marco Belinelli. It is hard to choose just one Raptor as there were so many to point the finger at, but Belinelli really disappointed me tonight.  He could have been an x-factor tonight.  He has a great three-point shot and plays well on the defensive end.  Tonight he was useless.  His statline looks like a Tim Hortons’ display case.  Maybe Don Nelson was right.

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Kristoffer Pedlar

The Zan Tabak Herald

Warriors Break Raptor Hearts at the ACC

What an ending to that game.  The Raptors, down one, make a steal off the inbounds and get it to Bosh who misses a contested layup with no time on the clock.  Bosh did, basically, everything a human being could have done to get the Raptors the victory, scoring 42 points, but in the end Corey Magette and Stephon Curry were too much.  This loss will hurt a lot more in a couple of weeks if the Raptors aren’t able to find some magic against their next few opponents (Cleveland, Boston and Atlanta).  Wins are imperative at this time of year and the Raps really could have used this one.

Chris Bosh reacts to missing the potential game winner. He did everything, but hit that shot, tonight scoring 42 in a losing cause.

The Zan for Three

Rotation, Rotation

The Raps had the right unit on the floor at the end of the game with Weems, Bargnani, Jack, Wright and Bosh, but it took a long time to get it right.  Triano pulled Bosh out for what seemed to be an eternity mid way through the fourth and the Warriors quickly went up by 15.  When he came back in the Raptors slowly clawed their way back but didn’t have enough gas.  It was nice to see a defensive unit on the floor to end the game.  The Raptors could have used that intensity throughout the game.  Turkoglu, Calderon and others were largely ineffective tonight and it took a lot of mixing and matching for Triano to find the right chemistry out there.  Coaching is not always an easy job, sometimes it comes down to trial and error.  What works one night will not always work the next.  Hell, what works one quarter, won’t always work the next.

Holy 3 Pointers Batman!

The Golden State Warriors were 13-26 from downtown!  Are you kidding me?  That is an unbelievable amount of three balls.  The Warriors really lived and died by the sword tonight.  The Raptors were better defending the three-ball near the end of the game, but you can’t really fault the Raps for letting the Warriors take those shots.  Many of them were contested, they just went in at an alarming rate.  An incredible shooting display.  It was like watching 5 Dell Curry’s out there at all times for the Warriors.  Golden State has some talent and can certainly shoot the ball, but when you go for the money ball everytime you’re gonna lose some games.  Not surprising this team finds itself in the basement of the Western Conference.

Don Nelson

He has now tied Lenny Wilkens as the All-time winningest coach in NBA history.  He has been a consistent force on the bench for a long time.  He will best be remembered, I’m sure, for his very successful years in Dallas and for leading his Warriors to huge upset in 2007 over those same Mavs. Nelson is also known for his public spats with players and for being very opinionated about players on his team (See Marco Belinelli).  Always one of the more animated coaches, he has been a pleasure to watch out there.  He has earned every bit of the honour about to be bestowed on him.

Plus the Foul…

Stephon Curry had a lot to celebrate on Sunday night, leading his team to a thrilling road victory at the ACC.

The Raptors have a tough schedule ahead of them over the next three games.  It would have been nice to have a win against these Warriors, but now comes a true test.  If the Raptors are to make the playoffs they will have to face a top four team.  They now get the pleasure of three games in a row against the top of the Eastern Conference.  If this doesn’t prepare them for the riggors of the NBA playoffs, nothing will.  Buckle up gentlemen, the next week will be a bumpy ride.

Zan of the Night

Chris Bosh.  Stephon Curry is equally deserving for his near triple double and the way he took it to the Raptors in the second half.  Jarrett Jack helped lead  the Raptors back with 16 points in the fourth quarter alone.  But Chris Bosh scored 42 points and 12 boards tonight and got to the rim 23 times. He was the best player on the court, by far, and had a chance to close out the game with a big layup at the buzzer.  The only thing he did wrong was to stay on the bench when Triano told him.  An absolutely amazing night from CB4.  Here’s hoping Boshtown did enough tonight to convince him to stay in town.

Not Zan of the Night

Jose Calderon.  He was thoroughly outplayed by Stephon Curry, that was to be expected.  But a -15 on the night?  He was essentially useless.  It took Triano too long to ride the Jarrett Jack train tonight.  When you have two starting point gaurds it is hard to pick which one you want to go with and at what times.  Triano made the right choice, eventually leaving Jack in to stay.  Calderon had nothing going tonight.

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Kristoffer Pedlar

The Zan Tabak Herald

Without Chris Bosh the Raptors Will be Tested

Chris Bosh has a sprained left ankle and is listed as day-to-day, he will miss Friday’s game for sure and possibly Saturdays as well.  This is, obviously not good news, if you’re a Raptor fan.  It may however shed some light on what exactly this team is made of.

Bosh sitting on the bench may be a common occurance over the next few games.

The Raptors have been challanged this season with Jose Calderon injured for a while and Reggie Evans missing the majority of the season.  Those losses were difficult to absorb, but do not come close to comparing to a Bosh injury.

The Raptors offense is centred around Bosh.  The team is centred around Bosh and without him it will be interesting to see what the players and coaching staff decide to do.

A team that has used its bench and depth to its advantage all year long will surely depend on it for the next two games.  Amir Johnson will play big minutes and Marco Belinelli will have to find his shooting touch if the Raptors are going to be successful without their leading scorer and team leader.  Andrea Bargnani will have more touches than he has before and Reggie Evans will have to play important minutes for the first time this season.

One player that will be under the microscope the next few Bosh-less games will be  Hedo Turkoglu.   Hedo was open with the fact that his “head wasn’t in the game” against the Grizzlies.  Without Bosh, he will have to play the role of team leader.  He will be asked to control the tempo, take more shots and drive the net.  He will need to be the Hedo Raptor fans have yet to see.  The Hedo from last years playoffs.  The one making $53 million.

This may also be a time for Raptor fans to think about the future.  Bosh is an unrestricted free agent this summer.  Teams all over the NBA cleared out capspace this afternoon in an effort to lure Bosh, Lebron, Wade or Amare to their respective team.  These next two games without Bosh may be what 2010/2011 looks like in Toronto.  As scary as that may sound for Raptor fans.  These next two games may be a sign of things to come.

The Raptors will have to play well these next two games, without their star, in order to convince Bosh that this team is for real.  They will have to convice themselves as well.

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Kristoffer Pedlar

The Zan Tabak Herald

Raptors Miss an Opportunity

With the eyes of the city focused on Dion Phaneuf and Jean-Sebastien Giguere , the Raptors decided it was good time to take a night off. As a result the team missed an opportunity to extend their winning streak to six games against an inferior opponent.

Missing DeRozan and Turkoglu the Raptors played terrible defense for the better part of three quarters and then ran out of gas. Maybe it was a short bench, maybe it was looking past the Pacers.  In any case it was a game that they should have, and could have had, especially with the numbers Bosh and Bargnani put up.

If that wasn’t bad enough it looks as though Jose Calderon may be added to the long list of injuries after rolling his ankle.  All in all it was a bad night for the good guys.

The Zan for Three

It was that kind of night for Jarrett Jack and the Raptors as they got spanked in Indianapolis.

Shallow Bench

The Raptors have lived and died by their bench this season.  The depth of the team has been a major reason for victories on many nights.  Tonight the bench wasn’t effective as it has been.  Only three players on the team were able to reach double digits. While Antoine Wright, Amir Johnson and Jose Calderon were not effective on offense or defense. Big nights from Bosh, Bargnani and Belinelli were wasted by an overall lethargic effort by the rest of team.  Let’s hope Calderon is back healthy soon as the bench is most successful when he is on his game.

Inside Presence

The Pacers abused the inside tonight.  Hibbert, Dunleavy and Murphy all had big nights and the Raptors were unable to stop them.  Bargnani, Bosh, Rasho, Belinelli…it really didn’t matter.  Get a hand up in the faces of these guys.  There is no reason the Pacers should ever be allowed to shoot 76% for any quarter ever.  72pts in the second half?  Are you kidding me?  These are the Pacers.  Granger over Bargnani I can handle.  But Watson over Bargnani?  Should never happen.

There’s Always Tomorrow

A poorly played game is tough to take but there were some positives.  Belinelli played well on the offensive end as a starter.  And you have to like what Bosh and Bargnani were able to put up on the offensive end.  The best medicine for a tough loss?  Knowing that the next game is against the New Jersey Nets.

Zan of the Game

Danny Granger.  My writing partner wants to punch  him and so do I after the way he played tonight.  He had a rough first half but he made adjustments, quit shooting the three and took it to the rim.  The results were a 23 point night and a W.  He recognized that he wasn’t shooting the ball well and decided to draw fouls instead.  Smart moves by a smart player.  I still can’t believe we took Joey Graham in the 2005 draft instead of this guy.

Not Zan of the Game

The Refs.  Don’t get me wrong the Raptors were architects of their own misfortune but these guys could not possibly have made more incorrect charging calls against the Raptors.  The number of times the Pacers used flopping to get calls was ridiculous.  Sometimes I wonder aloud whether the referees hate Bargnani.  He didn’t help himself at all tonight but he is victim of some of the worst calls out there.

Bring on the Nets!  Please

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Kristoffer Pedlar
The Zan Tabak Herald

Redemption, Thy Name is Turkoglu

Chris Bosh and Jarrett Jack embrace after an emotional win over the defending champions

The Raptors rode a productive bench and clutch play of their stars in the fourth quarter to take the huge “W” over the Lakers.  This is probably the biggest win of the season for the Raptors and they did it by making smart plays late in the game.  A win like this builds confidence going into a very favourable stretch of the schedule.  The fact that Hedo Turkoglu made the two biggest free throws of the game to clinch it is a very positive sign for this team going forward.  If Hedo gets going this team will continue to be tough to beat.

The Zan For Three

A Monkey off the Back

No player in the last few months has been criticized more that Hedo Turkoglu. Hell, his acting was even being criticized.  How nice it must feel to have made the deciding baskets to win a game against the best team in the NBA.  He wasn’t having a great game tonight but Jay Triano and the Raptors’ players showed confidence in him and Hedo rewarded them with a strong drive at the right time.  Let’s hope this lights a fire under Turkoglu  and we will all look back at this moment as a momentum change in the race for the playoffs.

Bench Depth

Andrea Bargnani doesn't let Andrew Bynum get an easy basket. One of many strong defensive plays by Number 7 on the night.

The Raptros relied heavily on their bench today in order to snatch victory from the clutches of defeat.  Marco Belinelli was phenomenal off the bench and is looking more and more confident all the time.  Amir Johnson also played strong minutes. And in the final seconds of the game who was asked to guard Kobe?…Antoine Wright.  If the Raptors are going to continue to be successful this season they are going to have to continue to use their bench strength.  It really does separate them from some of the other pretenders in the league.

4th Quarter Smarts

The Raptors were battling back and forth with the Lakers in the fourth quarter and instead of relying on their jumper they drove the net.  Bargnani, Jack and eventually Turkoglu all drove the net on key possessions.  These decisions led to points in all instances and were possessions that decided the game.  I hope Jay Triano and his staff jotted that note down because it is something the Raptors need to keep doing.

Plus the Foul

Mr. 4th Quarter

Hedo made the crucial freebies at the end but I’m talking about Andrea Bargnani.  He played great defense on Gasol and Bynum down the stretch, contesting every shot that came near him and almost coralled a huge steal at a key moment in the 4th.  Bargnani was also incredibly smart with the ball.  He had 12pts in the frame but made smart passes and took the shot when he knew it was wise to.  His drive with only a couple of minutes left cut the lead to one and inspired his team to fight for the win.  He didn’t take the final shot but he was the reason the Raptors had the opportunity to.

Zan of the Game

Andrea Bargnani

He made the shots at the right time, played excellent defense and continues to look more and more confident in his game.  This is a period of time we all may look back on as the beginning of something special.

Not Zan of the Game

Anyone who wasn’t at the game.  That was one of the more electric crowds I’ve seen at the ACC this season; and they got a treat of a match up.  Yes, it was the Lakers.  Yes, it was Kobe.  But the crowd was in it every step of the way and was much more concerned with the result on the court than the free pizza each of them will receive tomorrow.  An awesome night for anyone lucky enough to see it live.

Kristoffer Pedlar
The Zan Tabak Herald

The Evolution of Andrea Bargnani

In 2006, the Toronto Raptors selected Andrea Bargnani with the first overall selection.  Selecting a number one overall pick isn’t always as easy as it sounds.  For every Lebron James there’s a Kwame Brown.  The process is, by no means, foolproof.  Bryan Colangelo selected the little known, but highly touted Italian, in a year where there was no consensus number one.  It was bold move at a pivotal time for the Toronto Raptors, having  just come off one of the worst seasons in team history and losing star Vince Carter.

Bargnani was inconsistent for his first three years as he struggled to find his game and his role under Sam Mitchell.

Colangelo passed up the talented Brandon Roy and the athletic duo of Lamarcus Aldridge and Rudy Gay.  Fans, writers and so-called “experts” openly questioned the move, but Colangelo stuck with his gut and bet his reputation on the 7-ft Italian.

Over the first few years of the “Bargnani Era” there were flashes of brilliance, but also periods of shaky defensive play and inconsistent minutes from former coach Sam Mitchell.  The whispers in the ACC grew louder.

“He can’t play defense.”

“He plays the same position as Bosh”.

“He can’t rebound to save his life.”

“He’s just a 3-pt shooter”.

Bargnani responded with inconsistent play.  Coaches didn’t know what to do with him.  He had the skill set of someone who was difficult to guard, but he just couldn’t seem to put it together and the coaches couldn’t seem to help.

Enter Jay Triano.

No longer would Bargnani have to worry about getting yanked from a game at a moments notice.  He was the starter plain and simple.  He was a centre and was going to be given time to adapt to that role.  No more quick substitutions, no more questioning his position, no more self doubt.  This vote of confidence from his coach ignited a flame under Bargnani and he finished the season averaging 20pts a game.  He was starting to look like a legitimate number one.

This season has once again been flashes of brilliance and moments of head scratching – until this last stretch of games. Something changed. Something happened. Bargnani has exploded, looking every bit a number one selection, looking every bit a dominant big man.

Over the last 5 games (not including last night)  he’s averaging 20pts per game, 9.2 rebounds plus 2 blocked shots.  He looks dominant on offense and solid on the defensive end. Not bad for a guy that was openly called a “bust” by many announcers, pundits and media types who believed the Raptors should have gone with Brandon Roy.

What changed? A lot.

Andrea Bargnani has put it all together this year and is finally showing the promise Bryan Colangelo always knew was there.

Andrea is confident.  His teammates trust him in key situations. He isn’t waiting for the ball he’s demanding it.  He hasn’t let tough calls deflate his intensity.  He’s using his size and jump shot to attack the defense.  He’s more passionate. More emotional. He still likes to lurk on the 3-pt line but also takes the ball to the rack  – which has made him nearly impossible to guard.

Bargnani doesn’t just look like a kid with exceptional promise anymore; he looks like a star.  The countless number of hours he spent in the gym, practicing his post game or his pull up jump shot, has paid off.   The amount of times he was called for offensive fouls while learning to drive, has made him adapt. He’s becoming a complete player with a very impressive arsenal of weapons. A skill set approaching unguardable. Especially for a seven footer.

Dirk Nowitzki, a seven footer of his own, mentioned Bargnani’s development.  “He’s way more athletic than I ever was in my career…He’s got a quick first step. What you have to do as a young player is improve year over year and I think he did that. He’s always a tough matchup. … The sky’s the limit.”

It appears that Bargnani has turned the heads of the league’s elite and  a corner in his development.  He may be on his way to taking the next step towards being a legitimate NBA star.

Kristoffer Pedlar
The Zan Tabak Herald

 

The One That Got Away

It was a tough game to lose as the Raps played well enough to win against the very talented Lebron James and the Cavs.  The Raps battled and hung with Cleveland all night but missed opportunities, especially in the fourth, and as a result watched what could have been a big win fall through the cracks.  Free throw shooting, rebounding and a rough end to the game did them in.  A lot of positives to take away from the game but definitely a missed chance.

Lebron James draws another foul (surprise, surprise) en route to a tough win over Raptors.

The Zan for Three

4^th Quarter Efficiency

Lebron and the Cavs are an elite NBA team and the Raptors hung with them all night and had many chances to steal a win, but if you’re going to be considered an elite team yourself you need to come up big in the fourth quarter.  The Raps didn’t make the right calls in the fourth opting for jumpshots instead of finding cuts and taking the ball to the rim (Which is what had them in the game all night).  Toronto played well enough to win but didn’t get the job done in the fourth.

Flu Shot for the Win!

Marco Belinelli has not played the last couple of games because of the flu but he looked well rested and healthy tonight.  Belinelli was one of the key reasons the Raps hung around so long.  He made smart cuts, drove to the basket and shot the ball really well.  He brought a lot of energy , on a night that Hedo Turkoglu couldn’t and didn’t , and was a major reason the Raptors played so well.

Lebron Factor

The man really is an amazing player to watch even if he looks like Sanford from “Sanford and Son”.  The play of the game, from my point of view, was not his dunks or nice passes, but his steal on the Calderon pass to Bosh in the fourth quarter.  Say what you will about the refs when he plays (and they were their regular star-loving selves tonight)  but he is quite an efficient player and a marvel to watch on both ends of the floor.  His shots are so confident, he drives the net with ease and his defence is nothing to sneeze at either.  There was no stopping him tonight, whether the refs would have let that happen or not.  He is a tough player to beat.

Zan of the Night

Who Else?

Lebron James.  He was the driving force behind the Cavs (as he is most nights).  Points, Assists, Defence.  You name it, he did it.   It was also rare to see Shaq actually back him up tonight with some decent play.  Shaq is looking older and older but tonight he gave Lebron some decent offensive support..

Honorable Mention to Demar Derozan.  The Kid is starting to play with confidence and is earning his minutes.  He played another great game tonight and is hopefully turning the corner this year as he heads to a very important second half for himself and the Raptors.  He could be a big part of the success of the Raptors down the stretch.

Not Zan of the Night

Hedo Turkoglu.  He picked up two quick fouls and was from that point on, a non factor.  There are, oh I don’t know, $50 million reasons why he should be a factor but continues to underwhelm and disappoint.  It has been a rough patch for him.  Let’s hope he pulls it together because if we are going to compete in the playoffs and maybe steal one from a big club like Cleveland we will need Hedo Turkoglu.  Could have used him tonight.

By the way….  I miss Anthony Parker.  Just saying.

Kristoffer Pedlar
Zan Tabak Herald