Game Recap: Wizards 110, Raptors 106
Published by Kinnon Yee on March 8, 2008
This was another tough loss for the Raptors as they were unable to slow down Antawn Jamison, Darius Songaila, Andray Blatche, and an assortment of shooters.
The Raptors rallied in the third and built a small lead with the strong usage of a traditional NBA line up for most of the night. Unfortunately, as a result of the substitution patterns in place, the Raptors placed the familiar “one big with four smalls” lineup on the floor which allowed the Wizards to once again take over the pace.
Adding to the difficulties was yet another game full of the selfish-side of TJ Ford who was locked into his own shot, and as a result, the Raptors let slip their lead within the first five minutes of the fourth. It wasn’t very soon after that Sam Mitchell made the correct decision and reinserted his most productive lineup.
That is, until the final minutes of the fourth and into overtime.
Carlos Delfino was inserted into the lineup to play the power forward position with Jamario Moon in an experimental lineup that continues to be trotted out again and again, yet never seems to bare fruit. The reasoning behind this lineup was that the Raptors could switch their players consistently on defensive assignments. However, the flaw in this game plan was clear, as Andrea Bargnani was not a strong enough post presence to rebound the ball. As a result, the Raptors allowed their earlier rebounding woes to become a factor late in the fourth and continue into overtime. The Raptors, though, gave effort and showed enough hard work to warrant a win, but just could not turn the corner at the opportune times.
A positive for Raptors fans was watching Moon have his best all-around game on the floor since the All-Star break. By being a defensive presence throughout most of the game, he managed to keep in front of his man and register a flurry of blocks. The type of blocks from being one step ahead of his man, rather than dropping down on help defense. However, what won’t show up on the score card is how he managed to keep his hands busy and cause a multitude of deflections, while being one of the few Raptors to show any kind of consistency on the glass. As an energy player, Moon finally managed to show some of his promise.
Speaking of energy, it was a pretty nice game put together by both Jose Calderon and Bargnani. Calderon once again attempted to jump start the offense whenever possible. With the Raptors showing some poor shot selection at times, and not even cracking 40% from the floor, the Spanish point had to work extra hard to try and get people shots in rhythm. Incredibly though, the Raptors managed to get 98 points by end of regulation, despite shooting such a horrible percentage.
The other main contributor was Bargnani, as he was one of the few consistent shooters on the floor. Hitting five threes, and using an assortment of dribble drives, shots, and long bombs, Bargnani gave Songaila a headache for the majority of the game. It’s unfortunate, however, that his touches became sporadic as the game wore on, and it’s here where the Raptors began to falter.
Why is it when the Raptors find something that works they then go away from it? It’s a question that’s plagued many fans for the majority of the season. That inconsistency and unawareness of what’s effective can vary game to game, or even minute to minute. Unfortunately, it’s not an affliction that only attacks the players, but the coaching staff as well. In a game as closely contested as this one, does Ford not see that a certain style of game is effective on the floor? When the Nesterovic need a rest, and Mitchell absolutely has to go to his bench, why did he make the decision to insert Kris Humphries instead of Primoz Brezec? Besides the technical foul he earned early in the game, the drop off between Brezec’s play and Nesterovic’s was minimal.
It’s games like today that really encompass the Raptors’ season so far, as the team continues to struggle through a myriad of questions.
Most importantly though, are these problems that can be solved with coaching, or do they require personnel changes?
As a result of tonight’s loss, the Raptors find themselves being pushed by the Wizards, and slowly losing hope of gaining home court advantage in the playoffs. With the season series now settled firmly within Washington’s favour, the Raptors now find themselves in danger of being overtaken by the Wizards down the stretch. As Bosh’s return will be a slow process due to his lack of activity while injured, the question will soon turn to if the Raptors can get in a proper state of mind for the playoffs.
Unfortunately, neither the Raptors nor their fans know the answer.
Next Game: Seattle @ Toronto
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Connor
on Sat, 8th Mar 2008 1:27 pm
Whoa… you finally managed to give Moon some props and stopped sipping the Hateraid? Atta’ boy!!
Did anyone else notice Calderon’s slow start? Mitchell yanked him early in the first quarter because he was forcing things - anyone else think this was due to a desire to show Agent Zero he was wrong for putting him on blast on his blog?
Anthony RapFan
on Sat, 8th Mar 2008 1:37 pm
I bet he was trying to show Agent Zero Brains something and he was, but too bad he couldn’t show it all in the 4th quarter because of TJ.
KY:
I’m tired of TJ, I believe he needs a serious benching to get his mind straightened out, he made the mess in the 4th quarter none the less and Jose should take all the minutes if he has to. I mean i thought Sam’s motto was: if you can’t play, you get bench? It included if you can’t play to win and throw us down a 10-0 run to an opponent because of your STUPID play, you get benched. The coaching staff has to send a massage and sacrifice someone else’s ego to let the team win. These are 500,000+ wintesses that saw how TJ played and put us in this position in the first place, this is more disgraceful than Darrick Martin in the Portland game back in December.
Anthony RapFan
on Sat, 8th Mar 2008 1:39 pm
“one big with four smalls” –> you mean four smalls and one tall guy who can never plays like a center?
Kinnon Yee
on Sat, 8th Mar 2008 1:45 pm
Connor - I don’t believe so. The whole entire offense was kinda not flowing properly, outside of Bargnani. Then again, I’ve seen Calderon force a couple paces lately that make me feel he’s doing his best TJ Ford impersonation.
Moon gets props when he deserves them :p lol. I’m still waiting on that consistency, and a better finish close to the basket. But last night, he played unbelievably well.
Anthony - TJ gets grace from Sam, I feel, because Sam really pulls for him. It’s not something new for Sam, or TJ, but you’re right… It’s playing itself out and is becoming very clear to many. I don’t know where his mentality has gone from the beginning of the year, but it’s just not there. Two different styles, for sure, but he’s still a point guard, and still a guy that has trouble finishing consistently. And yeah, except Hump was on the floor at the time, before Sam threw Bargs back in. I just don’t get it.
tfan
on Sat, 8th Mar 2008 3:46 pm
I started watching at the end of the third quarter and was really upset with TJ’s play. IMHO, between TJ’s selfishness and Bargnani’s two missed free-throws sealed the deal for us in regulation.
I really like Jamison’s game. I wish we had kept him instead of trading him for Vince, in which case we may even still have McGrady playing for us.
If we lose tomorrow we’ll be lucky to be at 500 at the end of this upcoming road trip.
Kinnon Yee
on Sat, 8th Mar 2008 10:56 pm
Tfan - I’m really upset too, but I think it’s to be expected. On one hand I can kinda understand if Ford is thinking “I just came back from this life-threatening decision, and you want me to be BACK UP?” To me though, I just don’t know what TJ’s future in basketball is in general, let alone with the Raptors. Looking one, two years down the line, do you want him to be your leading man when his future is uncertain, and he’s such an inconsistent force on the floor? I really hope he “gets it”, cause I like the guy.
Johnn19
on Sun, 9th Mar 2008 12:47 pm
TJ is definately the X Factor, and needs to play like TJ can to lead the 2nd unit.
His play will determine how well the Rap’s do especially without Bosh available.
The Rap’s depend on TEAM PLAY - Pass as a Team, Defend as a Team, Rebound as a Team, with contributions from everyone who plays. When they get it they WIN, when they don’t they LOSE. No Superstars and no room for ME not WE attitude.