Wednesday, October 22, 2008

As then Preseason ends, so does Jamal Sampson's Raptors Career

Anybody watch the last game? I did, don't want to talk about though. We lost and thats all that matters. It wasn't an important game, so it doesn't need to be talked about. Unfortunately It does prove things about team. I have no idea what happened to the team that averaged 11 turnovers.

Some notes on The Preseason:
  • Averaging more freethrow attempts
  • more offensive rebounds
  • Bargnani has been making most of his shots, and he been taking it to the rim
  • Jamario Moon hasn't changed; Says he's 'holdin' back for the regular season
  • Roko is interesting, and has potential
  • Our bench is very somtimeish
  • Hump has lost since he cut his hair
  • Sam let the players, play through their rough patches
  • Bosh is in good shape
  • J.O. is not dispointing, Seems to be getting better each game
  • Hassan is the new Delfino, just less explosive

Well lets move on. Some of you might have noticed that Jermaine O'neal disappeared after the first quarter it is alright. Just some stiffness in his lower back causing a strain in his leg. So the season is not over, and at least he looks comfortable with Bosh.

Jamal Sampson was waived today, along with other no names. He didn't play much, so there was no attachment and this really isn't important. Nathan Jawai seems to still be waiting on those results.

Finally Preseason is over, and I can take week long vacation, well, until the Regular season starts. first two games, At Philly and at home with the Warriors, are on the Score. Here is the Full broadcast schedule. TSN2 pops up in November. Can't wait.

Sherm speaks with Bargnani, in one of those one-on-one things. If you're bored watch it.

Tomorrow will be another uneventful day(i say this in hope that wont be). Thus, I shall take my week break. See younext week Wednesay =]

Monday, October 20, 2008

Toronto Raptors 89 Los Angeles Lakers 112

32-13 in the 4th quarter is what won that game. Well not only that, but we were in the game for the first 3 quarters. In a sick way I enjoyed that game last night. Underneath some Raptors love and Canadian pride there is a soft spot for the Los Angeles Lakers. So watching them have their way with us, isn't too hard. Its become expected now, ever since that day.

SWEET, eh? Anyways I watched the Game on the P2P site, only to find out that they aired it on RaptorsTV. My poor Laptop. So I said some things yesterday about some players, and they must of read what I said. First, Mr. Parker. Love that guy, really do. He goes 6-7 in 17 mins. Nothing else though. But that didn't stop The Commentators from gushing on him. Actually they wouldn't stop going on about J.O and Bosh. Is that all our team is about? Actually yah.

Hassan Adams is a smart man. Make evey think he's worthless, but then comes and scores 14 points in 22 minutes. But this is Preseason, he'll jus revert back to his old self on tuesday.

Some Mentionable stats:
  • The lakers got 26 points off our 18 turnovers
  • The lakers had 14 steals!!
  • Surprisingly 12 Offensive Rebounds, but only 35 rebounds in total compared to the Lakers 50
  • we shot 42.1% from the field, 45.5% behind the arc and a measly 60% at the line
I have to mention that at some points the we played some good defense but the Lakers would get some ridicuulous shot in, and that would hide the good defense we were playing for 20 before that. I thought the starters wouldn't play more then 20 mintues, but I'm not a coach and I don't know what best for these guys, so BOsh ended up playing 34 on the second night of a back-to-back, in the preseason.

The Section for Our Swingmen
Only AP showed up for work. Even thought it was for 17 minutes. Joey had one of his 'meh' games. Atleast he went to the line. Jamario, the man who is 'fighting' for his starting spot, went 0-8, in 14 mintues of nothingness. Grabbed 4 boards. Only shots JK made were from behind the arc. The commentators had fun making jokes about his one talent. Which made me twitch. When he was at the line they suggested he take his freethrow shots from the 3-point line. So Roko Ukic is Shooting Guard now (says ESPN), But i got a specialplace for him. Hassan was the only bright spot.

The Section for the battle of the PGs (Roko vs Willie)
2 minutes to 20 minutes is all I need to say. Though Roko impress much in 20 minutes. I think he could done better, maybe Kobe scared him.

Last thought
We weill never beat the Lakers this year =]

~will add pictures later

Sunday, October 19, 2008

Toronto Raptors at L.A. Lakers 10:30 EST

It is the time we've all been waiting for. The Shoot-out finals!! Raptors fans, be sure to wear your red and cheer your team on!!! Oh, wait. It's still preseason? I forgot for a second there. Today's game will be like yesterdays, no local TV or Radio. I will check again if there is a change. I watched the Lakers game last night, and FC could have one that. Lots of turnovers from the Lakers helped bring the Barca back in the game. Maybe they will do it again tonight and we might actually win.

I would be surprised if our starters play more than 20 minutes. Same with the Lakers. Back-to-back in the preseason is just stupid. We could win this game if Hassan Adams drops 81 points. Seriously though, that guy is hard to watch. What was Bryan thinking. Let me just get this off my chest. HE SUCKS!! Maybe its just preseason and he hasn't gotten his rhythm of flow, but I cringe when I hear him subbing in. Poor kid, when the fans get a piece of him their gonna eat him alive, unless he becomes a 'gangsta'. Then maybe they'll love him.

Back to the 'game'. Couldn't find any highlights of lastnights game, shows you how unimportant it was. Tonight however, there will be. I just checked (while writing this) and the game will be on FS (maybe Fox Sports) West HD and AM 570. Should be able get highlights, or see it on the internet, if you search. But I will be back later tonight or in the morning with a recap.

Keys to winning:
  • No unforced turnovers
  • Defense
  • Rebounding
  • Going to the line
  • Quick start
  • Bench
  • AND OFFENSE DAMNIT
  • Oh yah, and Maybe AP, and Jamario Moon should show up to work, and play like they are getting paid.

I think the Lakers might take this one. With Bynum and Gasol down low. Kobe might kill us in the 12 minutes he plays. Thats all for now.

Just know I'm trying to keep this going till I get some readers. Feels like I'm talking to myself right now =]

Saturday, October 18, 2008

Toronto Raptors 93 Los Angeles Clippers 89

I was going to start this article off by talking about the last 2 minutes of the game. About when Hassan Adams entered the game, but we won, why complain. So I couldn't watch or hear the game to see how we did so I watched the ESPN Gamecast. The Gamecast thing is very creative with the little animations and such. You have to have patience though. I'm going to totally base this recap on stats, which doesn't always help.

First I clap my hands for J.O. He went 7/15 and it all came from the first three quarters. He went to the line 6 times and made all of them and finished the game with 20 points, nine rebounds, 4 offensive. I should also add 5 BLOCKS!! That is a pretty good stat line. Chris has his share too, finishing with a double-double 26 points, 11 rebounds. AND he went to the line nine times. So our twin towers we're doing their 'thang'. Which is probably why we won. Our bench guys showed up to work for a bit. No Il Ravioli, Leg Contusion, which sucks. And we didn't get to see the Clippers newbies (OK veterans) Davis and Camby. Some mentionable stats:
  • 7 turnovers!!
  • Went to the free throw line 33 times
  • Our 3 PGs combined for 13 assists out of 18, with only 3 turnovers. Good Ratio
  • Ukic played more minutes than Solomon
  • But than Hassan Adams got floor time. He went 0 for2, no free throws...
  • Humphries did his mediocre thing 12 points, 5 rebounds
Now for the section called Swingmen.
All four men, who shall remain nameless because they know they are, combined for 6-26 from the field, 3-9 from behind the arc, 11 rebounds, 19 points and a full 48 mins of absence. I am soooo disgusted. One was playing like an old man with weak legs, Another was playing like a one trick pony who kept going for the 3, even though he was missing, another was having one of his USUAL bad days and the other, well, he just wasn't competing. I hope this isn't how we will be all season, Cause that would just be a waste of time. Most teams' star player is a swingman so if that is our weakness its going to be looong year.


As a team we shot bad, but the 20 points off of 13 Clipper TO, and the 27 points we got from the charity line is, in the end, what saved us from another lost. 38.8% isn't going win games especially if your opponent is shooting a nice 44.4%. So we owe this one to our bigs. Because we won this game, we will be facing either FC Barcelona at 7:30 or Kobe and Crew at 10:30. Oh the Joy! These games wont be on TV either. Hopefully LA Radio, or TV. But I doubt it. SO I will See ya'll tomorrow





Some more info on Tonight

They how tonight works is, if the Raptors win tonight, they will face either the Lakers of FC Barcelona. That depends on who wins their game at 10:30 EST. So its like a mini tournament with no prize. So Recap:

Toronto Raptors at LA Clippers 7:30 EST and FC Barcelona at LA Lakers 10:30. Winners of both will face each other on Sunday. It might be at the at Staples Center too. Not so sure.

Toronto Raptors at L.A. Clippers, 7:30 EST

Tonight our 'Redeem' Team will be going out west for a 2 game swing. First tonight in LA then Tuesday in Edmonton The Defenseless Nuggets. Sorry tonight's game wont be on TV, but you can listen, if your an All Access Member, on NBA.com. This will probably be another meaningless game, but if bored and you have nothing better to do listen. I listened to Cleveland game because it was the first, and I actually enjoyed it. According to NBA.com Elton Brand is still on the team.

Tonight we'll get to see (hear) our first glimpse of the new look Clippers, with their addition of Baron Davis and Marcus Camby. It funny how three guys on the team have the same last name but none are related. Anyways I expect this should be an easy (underestimating is goooood) win if the we play well. And for once I'm worried about the offense, especially if Willie Solomon transforms in to T.J. again. I'm sure He laughing at us right now. Some keys to winning this game:

  • Defense, and I mean rotating and not getting lost. Plus help defense
  • Offense. Simply put, we need to make our shots. Our starting 2, as much I love him, needs step up a little and prove that his age isn't getting the best of him.
  • JO, he needs to show he's comfortable the team. His shot will take time, but we don't have time to wait for him to mesh
  • Second Unit, they need to step up. Especially if they are the ones left in the game at the dying seconds.

Also, If you haven't heard, 23 of the regular season games will be showing on TSN2. Rogers currently doesn't have that channel in their cable program, or what ever you want to call it. It caused a tizzy in the last 3 days, but I heard they, Rogers, TSN2, etc, will be discussing this problem and it should be fixed in time. The first would have been in December so that should give them ample time.

Next. Jamario Moon should be stepping up. His last game game was a weak attempt at fighting for his spot. So if he really wants it back, he should have a good game tonight.

Thursday, October 16, 2008

Fiiiine Minnesota T'Wolves 90 Toronto Kitty Kats 86

When you see King Solomon handling the ball in the dying seconds of a game you know this is a pointless game. And I actually to go this game. So they did not come back like I thought they would. Oh well. When Sam Mitchell lets Willie Solomon run his team in the dying seconds, I know he doesn't care. So we shot 39.2. That's the percent chance of Raptors winning tonight. That can not be our team... right? At least we grabbed 45 rebounds with 13 coming off the offensive end. They finished 21 assists 31 made field goals. Unfortunately it hidden by that wall of 19 nasty turnover, some unforced. In the end this game was just a preseason one.

Now onto the good stuff. Some points our offense was smooth, and it gave me some hopes. When they pass the ball it makes my mouth water, then Someone is open... and they miss. That was story of tonight. Some players were giving good looks, but they missed. Then there Il Ravioli, because he's packed with muscle now, he had a good game, if you ignore his lack of rebounds and foul trouble. Everytime I flipped back to the game he was making jumpers and driving. He even had 'and 1'. The defence at some points was good. Teammates were actually helping eachother.

Thats all I have to say right now, I missed some parts of the game because their were other less depressing things on the tube at some moments. I didn't see much of J.O. and Calderon, but they were probably their usually selves.

One last thing. I heard booing during some points in the came. Just change the channel, Oh wait you paid a ticket to watch a ball game. Sorry I forgot. Things like that make you wonder why Upper Management is sooo Messed up.

Well I got class in the morning, Might post some info up tomorrow in class. I realize this post game recap is kind of crap. But if the players playing for an off the bench spot, are not putting effort, neither should I, right?
night.

Minny Pups 52 Red Dino's 37

So, After Two halfs I feel like giving up hope. Am I the only one who thinks the subs are not getting better? Guess not... Joey made an appearance. I mean in the starting line-up. Glad to see he's healthy and ready to do some Dr. Joey, Mr. Graham. I say this so he can prove me wrong. Anyways The battle of RealEuro vs. FakeEuro has officially begun. So Roko came in first, scored a quick 40 points, Sam fell in love him and BC traded King Willie for King Blake. Now back to reality Ahearn, yah the miami reject, ok maybe not, but HE almost outscored the raptors for the second Quarter. And no, he didn't score 2 points it was 15. Im too Lazy to Continue. We sucked! Second half is back so see ya later.

Hey

So, I know people are probably not reading this right now, but I'll right something anyway. This is my first blog, and I've always wanted one. My Blog will be about the Toronto Raptors and other Random things of life that involve the 'Red Dinos' Three things you should know:

1: I've watched the Raptors play on and off. On: 00-01, 01-02 and Since Bosh was drafted. Off: The other sad years.
2: I'm young. I didn't caring about what they did on till I was 16 (05-06). So If Im asked who were the better players back then, i would say Donyell Marshall because he shot a lot of 3s, or Jalen Rose because his Last name was Rose.... You see were I'm going with this right?
3:I have a soft spot for Jose, AP, Andrea and Roko (see European). Why? Isn't it Obvious.THEY'RE good looking =]

Anyways I will try to Blog about this team. I will start tonoght after the Minnesota Pups