Why Are Raptor Fans So Stupid?

Posted on | November 22, 2009 | 6 Comments

I remember watching a game during the Vancouver Grizzlies inaugural season against the Chicago Bulls the season they won a league record 72 games. It was the first time Vancouver basketball fans had a chance to see his Airness play without having to take a trip down to Seattle. For all but a handful in the building, it was the first time they’d ever seen him play in person.

The game was going well for the Grizzlies, who had only won 2 games up until that point. With just six minutes left, they were ahead by 6 points. Sure, a lot of time left, but in the Vancouver years, that was almost as good as a victory. Yes, the Grizzlies were awful, but here they were, holding the best team in the league and the best player in the league, down to their level.

And then Derrick Martin did something really, REALLY stupid.

I can still remember clearly watching, in utter disbelief, as Martin started jawing with Jordan, who was relaxing on the bench, after Martin hit a couple of big shots. Was Derrick Martin really that clueless? Did he not realize the only reason Jordan and the Bulls were not crushing the Grizzlies was because of a lack of motivation going against the worst team in the league? And Martin just gave Jordan some motivation.

The next six minutes are now part of Vancouver Grizzlies history, as Jordan went on a rampage that showed exactly why you never, ever wake a sleeping giant. He scored 18 points in the last 6 minutes and reversed the Grizzlies lead, giving the Bulls a 94-88 win over Derrick Martin and the lowly Vancouver Grizzlies. Just over a month later, Martin was traded away to the T-Wolves.

Read Derrick Martin’s recollection of this event.

It’s ironic that Martin ended his career in Toronto after Vince Carter had become villain #1 for Raptor fans. He could have told them the folly of giving a great opposing player motivation. It’s a lesson Raptor fans have yet to learn.

Yes, Vince Carter was back in town, this time with the Orlando Magic. I was only able to watch half the game, but what I saw made me shake my head. I know Raptor fans hate Carter giving up on Toronto and forcing a trade. They’ve shown their displeasure over the years.

What I don’t get is why they still boo Carter. Yes, for the first couple of years, the booing seemed to have an effect on the sensitive Carter, who didn’t generally play well and didn’t lead his team to victory much whenever he came back to Toronto. That changed last season.

I don’t know whether Carter finally got over his relationship with the Raptors, or whether he simply got used to the booing, but last season, Carter and the Nets’ record in Toronto was 2-0, versus 0-2 in New Jersey. And as he showed by his 39 pint scoring outburst last season, he can still be a devastating scorer when motivated.

That’s always been the problem with Carter: Motivation. He certainly had the talent and athletic ability to become one of the all-time greats, but even with the injuries, it was his head that kept him from fulfilling his potential.

Well, like Jordan, Carter was motivated today when he played his former team, and it showed. He wasn’t motivated because it was the Raptors. Only Bosh is left from the team he played on. What motivated him were playing in front of his former fans, in his former building, in his former city. At one pint, he started jawing with a couple of fans on the sidelines, and then proceeded to ice the game for the Magic.

Good job, Raptor fans.

Now shut up.

Category: Bulls, Grizzlies, Magic, NBA, Raptors

Soooooooo Close!

Posted on | November 16, 2009 | 2 Comments

Who’d have thought it would end up being a defensive battle, and not the ultra high scoring game most of us expected. In the end, it all came down to one shot, and the guy who the Raptors signed for more than $50 million this summer to take that shot, was the guy who took it. And missed.

Okay, so 101-100 doesn’t sound like a defensive battle, but when the two teams average 111 and 108 points, and like to run the way these two teams do, 201 combined points is about 50 points less than I was expecting.

Even though it was a heart breaker, and the Raptors could have easily won, I’ve gotta say that I think I was more impressed tonight with the Raptors than in any game so far this season. They played hard for 48 minutes, played consistently solid defense and actually looked like a team that can play with anyone. They just happen to score a couple of points less than they needed to.

They held a 8-2 team that scores 111 points on 49% shooting to 101 on 45% shooting and came up just short.

KUDOS

THE WHOLE TEAM

I think everyone deserves kudos here, right down to the coaches, who drew up good plays and gave the team a good strategy to follow. I think it was their best defensive effort this season, and although there were a few miscues (like Nash getting a couple of open threes near the end), they never let the Suns go off. Even Bargnani played solid defense most of the game. Nash made some circus shots despite being defended well. Yes, Channing Frye went 6-8 from the three point line, but that was the shot the Raptors were giving the Suns, and he just happen to hit most of them. And most of the time, he had someone in his face, a far cry from when the Raptors were playing the Spurs or Memphis.

RUNNING LAPS

Although I’d like to point out Bargnani’s continued aversion to rebounding and how he should have gone into the paint a lot more instead of settling for jumpers, I won’t. Okay, I guess I just did, didn’t I. Still he impressed me more in this game than most others, despite having an off night from the field. I’d rather he play like he did tonight every night, and score a few less points.

NOTES:

First Boston, and now the Lakers. Both teams, favourites for the Finals, are on a two game losing streak. Right now, the two best teams in the league look like Phoenix and Atlanta.

Category: Celtics, Hawks, NBA, Raptors, Suns

Will The Sun Rise For The Raptors?

Posted on | November 15, 2009 | 1 Comment

Right now, the 8-2 Phoenix Suns are tied for first place in the league with the upstart Atlanta Hawks. What’s even more amazing is the Phoenix and Atlanta are 2 and 3 in the league in scoring. And right behind them are the Toronto Raptors. In fact, 8 out of the top 10 scoring teams have a record above .500.  Maybe Colangelo was onto something after all.

What team has a PG who was born abroad, is one of the top assist men, shoots a high percentage, and is not a great defender, a center who shoots a lot of threes and hits a high percentage, but doesn’t rebound well, a high scoring PF who gets to the line a lot but isn’t known for his defense, and a versatile SF who is getting on in years and previously signed as a free agent with Orlando. Oh, and they recently drafted a physically gifted swingman who is currently averaging less than 20 mpg?

If you said both Toronto and Phoenix, you’d be right. Yes, the Raptors and Suns are very similar in so many ways. The difference, though, is that Steve Nash and Phoenix know how to win with their style. The jury’s still out about the Raptors.

Without a doubt, this has the makings of an incredibly entertaining game. Two of the top scoring teams going head to head. It also may be the biggest nightmare for the Raptors. As I’ve stated, the Raptors seem to do the best against lower scoring teams that don’t shoot well, or much, from outside and aren’t great rebounders. None of that sums up the Phoenix Suns. The Suns are 2nd in scoring, 1st in three pointers made per game, 3rd in field goal percentage, and 9th in rebounding percentage. I’m not overstating it when I say this will easily be the toughest test for the Raptors.

Since the Raptors are going to have a hard time outscoring the Suns, the only way the Raptors are going to win this game is by playing defense.

BIGGEST BATTLE

As I said, neither Bosh, nor Amare are known for their defense, but they are known for their scoring. Amare has certainly not been playing like he has in the past (he’s averaging the lowest PPG and RPG since his rookie season), and he may still not fully recovered from microfracture surgery, or perhaps he hasn’t gotten used to his new goggles.  it doesn’t mean you should sleep on him, though. Both players should get up for this, and the fans will enjoy watching.

BIGGEST MISMATCH

Since both teams are so even, I don’t know if there are any real mismatches. Bosh will probably end up having a monster game, but it’s certainly not a mismatch.

WORST MISMATCH

Channing Frye, for all his weaknesses, does have the ability to guard Bargnani on the perimeter, but Bargnani has shown a weakness, shall we say, with guarding other players on the perimeter. He’s going to have to, or Frye will light it up.

BURNING QUESTION

Will this be the highest scoring game so far this season?

FINAL PREDICTION

While it should be an entertaining game, I don’t see Phoenix losing this one. There are just too many things working against the Raptors here. I’m guessing both teams will score over 120, and I’m going to say Phoenix by 12.

Category: NBA, Raptors, Suns
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