Recap: Two Games
Two games, two losses, too ugly, too bad.
I’ve lamented over the fact that the Raptors this year can’t seem to close out game against teams that seem to have something going for them. In many ways, this Raptors team feels like it’s very unstable. We’re never really sure what ugly monster is laying in wait. For example, are free throws going to be a problem? Is our offensive output just going to be, well, offensive one night? Is our lack luster defense going to allow the other team to score unimpeded?
So after barely squeaking by against a decimated Clippers squad, the Raptors rolled into the Portland area to play a tight game against the red hot Blazers. Keeping up with a quick pace for most of the game, the Raptors were playing a Blazers team that had found their stride thanks largely to a lot of spectacular play from the Blazer’s athletic core. In fact, the Raptors were doing more than their share to keep up with the team, but like so many other times this year, the Raptors were unable to close out with the win once they found the lead.
If there’s one thing that I can say that’s extremely different, it’s the fact that the Raptors simply found ways to win at the end of games. They might have been down, but you felt like they could turn it on just a bit and get through it with the win. It didn’t matter how, but the Raptors would try to go to the line, or start pounding the ball inside, or play with defensive tenacity that was often absent for most of the game. However, this year the Raptors have found many ways to lose instead. In the Portland game, the Raptors suddenly went cold from the field and unfortunately for this team, they’re at a loss for answers once that happens. There are many that will blame Darrick Martin and Sam Mitchell for this loss, and some blame has to go with them. After all, Sam has the much quicker Juan Dixon on his bench, but elected to use the older Martin against Roy. Nevertheless, the Raptors are supposed to play with the poise of an experienced team, but instead, allowed the Trailblazers rattle their cage.
It’s also why the Seattle game was so infuriating for me. Against a team that shoots around 40%, the Raptors allowed Seattle to get precisely the kind of looks they wanted, and did not do a good job marking Durant and Wilcox for the entire game. Was it entertaining? Well, there was certainly a lot of offense but as we’ve seen multiple times this year, the Raptors biggest asset is the ability to knock down shots yet play passable defense. Instead, they let Seattle do what they wanted from the field and tried to match them in a track meet. In fact, other than Carlos Delfino, the entire Raptors team was in the minus category, and it certainly wasn’t on the offensive end this night, where the Raptors struggled.
So what does it all come down to? Squandered chances. If the first part of this year can be summed up, those are the words that I would use. The Raptors can determine how good they are by which teams they allow to beat them, and which teams they beat in turn. At the beginning of the year, I said that Carlos Delfino might eventually get the start. It’s funny, but the actual conversation began when Ryan McNeill and I were first discussing the merits of getting Delfino from Detroit so many months ago, and it was Ryan and Nathalie (from Need4Sheed) that caused me reassess my initial claims. It’s looking like Delfino might be asked to answer the call as Jamario has looked lost at times playing a perimeter game, and unable to defend quicker players. I’m not sure if it’ll solve all of the Raptors’ problems, but something needs to change soon, or this won’t be a very merry Christmas this year for our boys in red.
Next Game: Toronto@Phoenix
Comments
By Anthony on December 22nd, 2007 at 4:58 pm
This team is acting complacent as a whole. I wish I can say TJ Ford may be the one thing missing that could of prevented this, but we have enough “Talent” on this squad to have beaten all the last three road games, EASILY. We need another talented inside scoring or driver to the basket. I don’t know what we have to do, and for enterainment purposes a trade for a FT hungry guy wouldn’t bother as well. Time to bend over and take one hard from Mr. Nash in PHX.
By Johnn19 on December 24th, 2007 at 11:04 am
Inconsistent play by Parker and Moon on defense and offense has really hurt, as well as the abscence of Jose from the second unit. The defensive rotations have suffered, with the team trying to unsuccesfully outscore it’s opponents. Bosh and Calderon have been the only consistent starters. Two out of five is not enough.
Mitchell’s move to start Bargnani at C and Dixon at back-up PG should help, as they get their games in shape. They really miss TJ and if he is unable to return in the new year BC may need to make a move for a PG.
Ultimately BC has to find a SG who can consistently create his own shot, get to the basket and score, or be fouled, be it Parker, Moon, Delfino or a (Roy/Durant clone). This is still the one missing skill that is required.