Game 53: Raps vs. Grizzlies - Post-game
Sorry for the lack of a post game against the Hornets or a pre-game for this one, but come to think of it, it’s actually good that I didn’t get around to doing the pre-game for this one, because IT WOULD HAVE BEEN AN ABSOLUTE WASTE OF TIME.
Seriously, what the hell was that? First, I was surprised to even see the game on, since I decided I wasn’t heading out to a pub to watch it and then when checking our message board here, saw that the game was being moved from TSN2 to TSN. So I had a nice surprise and settled in to watch something quite below mediocrity. That was embarrassing. It was like watching two geeks fight in the schoolyard. No damage was really being done by either guy, it wasn’t really entertaining, in the end you guess somebody won, but you walk away feeling cheated of some entertainment and you suddenly feel like beating somebody yourself.
First, let’s start with Jason Kapono. Outside of the 4th quarter, this guy has been shooting like he has never played the game before. His elbows are all over the place, he’s off balance, he’s going catch-and-shoot on everything. I like that he’s not shying away from shooting, because unlike say, a guy like Jamario Moon, I’m okay with a real shooter trying to shoot away his woes (and I guess he did by the 4th), but Jesus man, look like you have a clue.
You would have to think that with the Raptors looking absolutely miserable and JO continuing to play well (throw out tonight’s game), BC just might have his hand forced. I don’t think BC is the kind of guy who gets pressured into things, but with JO playing some solid ball (again, throw out tonight’s game) with not a lot of support, you would have to think that a few teams are starting to wonder if he could be that piece to secure a championship for them. As for the Raptors, things can’t get a whole lot worse right now and there comes a point when you have to start thinking about that fateful decision: this season or next?
When a team can run Darko out there for almost 20 minutes on you and still win, you have issues. This is the essential litmus test. The Grizz ran Darko out there for 20 minutes, he went 1-7 and 0-2 from the line, pretty much Darko kind of stuff. But then again, let’s look at some of the Raptors:
Bargs: 30 minutes, 1-11
AP: 40 minutes, 2-10
JO: 32 minutes, 2-9
The list goes on, but really, the Raptors can’t afford that kind of ineptitude, especially with Bosh out of the lineup. When you have a short bench, a PG who isn’t going to be at 100% for a while and your star player out of the lineup, you can’t shoot 29% and expect to win. Hell, you can’t shoot below 30% on ANY night and expect to win. The tough part to handle about this game is that the 30% was achieved with not a lot of contested shots. The Raptors had more than enough good looks on the night, they “just weren’t hitting shats” to quote Sam.
So yes, in a season that has had it’s share of lows, mark a new one for the Raptors. The losing continues and so does the way in which they do it.
5 Comments
Jay on February 8th, 2009
Yeah, just a little worn out (I guess it showed when I wrote “pre-game” for what was actually a “post-game”.
Anyway, yes, last night was ugly. I would have been embarrassed to have been on the court last night.
Doc on February 8th, 2009
No worries dude …. take a hiatus for the rest of the season why don’t you. 
Linkage for Feb 7 11pm to Feb 8 3pm - Raptors Republic on February 8th, 2009
[...] Game 53: Raps vs. Grizzlies - Post-game [...]
the kaptain on February 8th, 2009
only way we can go is up? lol
ahhhh, trade day can’t come fast enough ;D
Doc on February 8th, 2009
No worries on missing some games Jay. I don’t blame you. Last night was definitely a whole new low for this franchise.