Game Recap: Pacers 122, Raptors 111
Ugly doesn’t even describe this loss against the Pacers.
If there was a better time for the Raptors to really show what they were made of and put a bad team away, today was it. Instead, we have one of the worst losses in recent memory thanks to that lovely bit of “Prayer Defense” the Raptors played again tonight. To make matters worse, things were just exasperated when our coach didn’t make the correct substitution.
As the Raptors struggled throughout the first half and I looked at the five chumps on the court staring me back in the face, it became clear that Sam Mitchell’s greatest weakness was rearing its ugly head again. Against a depleted Indiana team, Mitchell refused to insert Rasho Nesterovic, Kris Humphries, or Primoz Brezec for the injured Chris Bosh in any kind of meaningful minutes. Instead, he decided to go small, and at one point, had Jason Kapono, Jose Calderon, T.J. Ford, Anthony Parker and Joey Graham on the floor. If the Raptors weren’t lost on the floor, they were lost on the bench. Mitchell’s usage of substitutions was highly suspect as the Raptors had various groups that were unfamiliar with each other and worse of all, could not run the bread and butter play of the Raptors.
The pick and roll is the most basic weapon that the Raptors have and with guys like Nesterovic and Brezec on the bench, it meant that a small group could not run such a play since switches would not matter. On the defensive end, it was equally as bad, as the most vocal guys and the best help defenders in the paint (once again, Nesterovic and Brezec) were left on the bench. When a team goes small, and your team refuses to defend the drive, you absolutely need someone to defend the post. It’s too much to ask Andrea Bargnani to do it, and yet, that’s what Mitchell decided was going to be done for most of the game. Therefore it’s fortunate that Bargnani decided to play some defense and get his legs into his jump shot in the third. As one of the very few effective Raptors, Bargnani showed it all for at least two quarters, and without he or Parker playing well, the Raptors would have easily lost by 20 plus points.
It’s therefore inexcusable that Jamario Moon and Carlos Delfino played for most of the second half. Neither man played effective perimeter defense on their man, routinely allowing blow-bys and thereby getting Bargnani into foul trouble once he tried to give some help D. If it wasn’t horrible dribble drive defense, it was horrible perimeter defense as the Raptors in general allowed Indiana to keep a lead for the entire night by shooting 50% from the floor. This was not the exclusive fault of either player, but as the Raptors and their fans have decided to pin their hopes on the pair, these “hiccup” games are becoming more and more frequent, as the two of them are the worse offenders. Topping it all off was the horrible decision making on the offensive end as neither player learned from their mistakes. Moon continued to attempt threes and perimeter shots for most of the game, while Delfino could not make any headway from the free throw line and therefore attempted to avoid contact.
So at the end of today, Nesterovic and Brezec should have been the two guys that could have changed the game. Without a legitimate big man presence, the Raptors laboured all day. If Nesterovic’s foot speed is an issue, then Brezec’s better foot speed should have been an option. If guys like Moon and Delfino could not guard Marquis Daniels, Mike Dunleavy, or Troy Murphy, then the Raptors should have at least entertained the idea that they needed more size on the court in the form of Kapono or Graham on the wing with a legitimate center/power forward tandem. Once again, the Raptors attempted to adapt to their opponent’s schemes rather than force their own agenda down their opponent’s throats. It’s that forceful nature and identity that has been entirely lacking this year and what ultimately separates the Raptors from reaching the elite level of the NBA.
After today’s game, I hope that the Raptors took matter into their own hands. First, Bosh should light up into his team for their poor performance. Then, Bryan Colangelo comes in immediately after and gives every single player outside of Parker and Bargnani one of his cold stare downs. Because with a team as talented as this, there should be no excuses. Not from the players. Not from the coaching staff.
Losses such as these are absolutely unacceptable if the Raptors hope to make headway in the playoffs.
Next Game: Toronto @ Charlotte
Comments
By Connor on March 1st, 2008 at 1:45 am
How frustrating was it to witness Stephen Graham score a career high while Joey showed why he languishes on our bench? Argh. I think I just threw up a bit in my mouth.
By Gagan on March 1st, 2008 at 2:28 am
Joey showed hustle, grit and determination, and what does Sam Mitchell do? He takes him out of the game. I don’t get his use of players.
I am not afraid to say that I am not a big Jamario Moon backer, it’s no wonder it took him so long to make it to the NBA.
Also, before I click Submit Comment, how in the blue he– does Brezec get no playing time in a game like this? I’d understand if it was close or what not, but when you’re down 10 for 35+ minutes of this game. I don’t know what to think anymore.
Bryan Colangelo CANNOT be happy with the coaching and may be having serious doubts about his decision to retain him over the summer.
(It was THAT bad).
By Mike from Illinois on March 1st, 2008 at 4:36 am
I was really stunned when I saw the final score. I thought the Raptors would easily win this game after seeing the struggling Bulls beat the Pacers in Indiana a few nights ago.
Even though Bosh got hurt, there is no way a team as talented as the Raptors should lose at home to a sub-,500 team like the Pacers. No wonder you said that you don’t think the Raptors can catch the Magic in the standings.
On the other hand, you guys play the Magic next week, and the Raptors almost always look like world-beaters when they play the Magic, like they did 10 days ago in a 17 pt win. We’ll see what happens in Orlando.
This loss to the Pacers might prove to be a much-needed wakeup call for the Raptors, though the loss to the Knicks last week should have been.
By Tfan on March 1st, 2008 at 9:39 am
BC had no choice but to extend Mitchell after his COY award last year; and with 3 years to go with a hefty contract, I don’t think he’s going to be let go. Besides, the Raps should make the first round and barring a quick exit, there’s no way Sam’s going to go.
After seeing your comments, I feel lucky to have missed the game for a nice dinner out with my wife.
By Kinnon Yee on March 1st, 2008 at 10:10 am
Connor - I was going to say it felt like someone else threw up in my mouth. You know…. There’s a party in my mouth, and everyone’s throwing up
Gagan - I’ve been a defender of him, except in that area. And it’s something that just doesn’t seem to be changeable, as he loves “going small”. Here’s a question. Why doesn’t he go big instead? See if he can force the issue anyways? I mean, Andrea was covering the PG about 20% of last night’s game and doing a GREAT JOB of it. Can’t he guard a fast PF or SF?
Tfan - I get it. He deserved it to a certain extent. And look, I’ve always liked his work from a personnel standpoint. But this kind of rotations and substitution pattern is clearly unacceptable and has been his weakness since day one.
By Kinnon Yee on March 1st, 2008 at 11:29 pm
Mike - yeah, it’s losses like these this year that have made me look at our team really poorly. It’s been a huge concern for me for about 4 months now, and it’s really annoying to see our team fall apart consistently to the “bottom feeders” of the league.
Anthony - Thanks for the compliments, but I doubt they’d be receptive to my style. I fancy myself as a Bob McCowan kinda guy, and the Raptors crew is largely a “Raptors first” crew.
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