Raptors Coverage: Dec 31, @ Houston

Game 32 - @ Houston (L 114-105 / +-11-21) Friday December 31, 2010

Watched the whole game

The Raptors just let the lead slip away again in this one. The Rockets just took over and the Raptors started taking bad shots when they became demoralized. Then Houston goes on a run and never looks back, they look solid throughout their lineup and most players are able to have good games. Houston’s bench dominated the Raptors’ bench 65 – 23. Chase Budinger had 22, Kevin Martin with 20 and the Rockets score 40+ in what proves to be another agonizingly defensiveless second quarter for Toronto that sets the Raptors up for a lackluster second half. DeMar DeRozan had a great game with 29 points in the second half towards a career high 37 points (no assists), and Linas Kleiza was once again solid in the starting rotation with another double-double (17 and 12), but something is just missing from this team. The Rockets fight to a 16-16 record, while the Raptors end up at 11-21 to end 2010. It’s been a long road trip out West with plenty of ups-and-downs, so look forward to being back home January Second in the ACC against the Boston Celtics. I’ll be there, and I’ll be cheering optimistically for a reinvigorated 2011 Toronto Raptors team. See you next year!

Top 10 360s

These are the best 360s, in my own opinion. If you have any suggestions or if you know I've made a terrible mistake, contact me. These are not including TFB or And1 stuff, and no 540s or 720s allowed. Pretty much all this stuff is NBA players past and present. Enjoy!

Top 10 360 Dunks

1 - JR Smith 360 Alley Oop in-game

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RfsrQCBzJIg

2 - Vince Carter 360 windmill dunk contest

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p_e931PFwz0

3 - Nick Young (still in college then) 360 behind the back http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IdTh1RPIVAU

4 - Blake Griffin/ Kobe Bryant 360 fast-break reverse

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H1Qvt2p1iCQ

5 - Jason Richardson 360 windmill dunk contest #3 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q5q8ioTg5Pw

6 - Josh Smith 360 dunk contest #2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q5q8ioTg5Pw

7 - Jamario Moon Dunk contest 360

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jrp-VRA6Cpo

8 - Young Kobe 360 in-game vs Boston http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YG6ZXT2KnHg&feature=related

9 - Vince Carter 360 Shoulder-Shrug vs Cleveland at 0.40in the link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=njLIzxnVQ7A&feature=related

10 - Darryl Walker #8 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q5q8ioTg5Pw

 

A Double Shot of Raptors Lovin

What do you want first the good news, or the bad news?

Game 30 - @ Memphis (L 96-85) Monday December 27

Listened to second quarter

From what I heard this game sounded just like the last one against Detroit. An undermanned and under-experienced Raptors team couldn’t compete and were unable to focus. After leading by as many as 13 points early in the game, the Raptors had another disappointing second quarter with ten turnovers. The radio announcer aptly said they were “opening up a bakery with all these turnovers.” The starting post spots of Amir Johnson and Joey Dorsey couldn’t match up with Z-Bo and Marc Gasol. Triano tried to juggle the lineups a little with the absence of Bargnani and Weems, but this lead to players handling the ball more who were not used to it and ended up turning it over a total 25 times. This number was also a product of good Memphis defense. The question now is who will step up and lead the offense without Bargnani and be a go-to scorer. After 30 games the Raps sit at 10-20 with little optimism for a dramatic turn-around.

Game 31 - @ Dallas (W 84-76) Tuesday December 28

Wasn’t able to watch

Who could have expected much from this game? The Raptors coming off two ugly losses and headed into Dallas on the second game of a back-to-back where they haven’t won since December 30, 1999. Nevertheless the Raptors proved how unpredictable they are with a win over the Nowitzki-less (but still rock solid) Mavericks. The Raptors were still without Bargnani, but Ed Davis filled in nicely with a 17-point double-double. After a solid 14 point first half, Linas Kleiza is ejected for arguing a traveling call in accordance with the “love of the game” policy. Jerryd Bayless also leaves the game on two separate occasions after spraining his ankle twice. All-in-all a positive note for the Raps who needed this win as a confidence booster, both for the players and coach Triano. They play next on New Years Eve in Houston.

Raptors Coverage: Dec 22, Detroit

Game 29 – Detroit (L 115-93) Wednesday Dec 22

Watched as much as I could bear

The Raps really put up a stinker in their only game of the week. T-Mac was booed at the start (as if fans actually remember) and the Pistons just took off in the second quarter. The Raptors second quarter is the worst that I’ve seen. Turnovers. Turnovers. Turnovers. Oh, yeah and defense. All I want for Christmas is a consistent effort.

An Artest's Perspective

An Artest’s Perspective
By Devin Gray

Redemption. It’s sweet for any man trying to recover his image and his sense of self, and it encapsulates Ron Artest’s transformation from NBA shit-disturber to community humatarian.

  Two very contrasting images surround Ron Artest. The first involves infamously being lead out of a brawl with fans at Detroit’s Palace of Auburn Hills with his jersey neck stretched far too low for primetime television. This is public menace Ron-Ron. The second image is Ron today, in true “before-and-after” fashion as he reaches out to children (including four of his own), the community and even puppies. He understands “now I’m at a point in my life where it’s not just about me. I don’t think it’s about you, it’s about the kids.” Lately Ron Artest has curbed his image by first helping himself through anger, parenting, and marriage counseling and he attempts to pass this on through support of mental health awareness, helping people who have no idea who “Kobe Bryant” is.

  Artest has discovered he can use his celebrity for good, but Ron has never been about image, he doesn’t care what people make of him and his antics. He says “I’m the kind of person who’s going to do what I want to do anyway.” He understands that image is only on the surface. Ron’s essential character has always been present, but it is the deeper sense of self that Ron has discovered lately and the rest of the world is catching on, and he’s not done yet with tentative plans to donate his NBA salary to charity. “I wasn’t worried about what people thought. People was calling me crazy when I first started this. I’m not crazy. I’m just trying to help,” he asserted.

  When you Google Ron Artest, the results come up as if telling the story of his life, reading “Ron Artest Lakers, Wife, Hair, Fight, Champions” in that order. In a society dominated by the power of the image the tendency is to stereotype and one-dimensionalise real people into characters. These characters are supposed to contain a finite amount of definitive characteristics to make them understandable, relatable, exploitable and easy to recognize. Ron Artest avoids all of these things.

As Freedarko says “By the time you read this, Ron Artest may be dead, playing in Poland, or out of basketball entirely.” Sure, Ron has always been unpredictable, there’s lots of evidence of his trials as a young and “crazy” NBA talent with little discipline, but the transformation of Ron’s image has lately taken an unexpected turn.

  Ron Artest has recently been described as “selfless,” “humble” and a “hero” to children. He may never shake the role of villain that he once played, and he may be the one that inspired the NBA dress-code and de-ghettoization of the league, but “hero?” Ron Artest has been called many things in his career. For now, an appropriate title may be “Lovable Badass” the name of an art exhibition at Narwhal Art Projects in downtown Toronto, a three-day show beginning December 18, that has been extended because of the show’s success. With his Lakers in town for their yearly beatdown appointment on the Raptors at the ACC, Ron took the time to support this local gathering of artists who celebrate the highs and lows of Ron Artest’s life. 

  Needless to say, Ron was “blown away” by the perspective on his life says organizer and artist Steve Manale who explained “I think he’s a fascinating guy and totally deserving of celebration or examination.” In college at St. John’s, Artest’s first Major was art, so he can appreciate the varying takes on his own transformation. He described the impact of the show saying it was “definitely special. It was unexpected. Overwhelming… it was a total picture” Ron enjoyed the show, interacted with artists, signed various pieces and offered to buy several (including the plastecine bust of himself holding two puppies). He sees recognition like this as representative of the community bond he values where “people gave back to me, so I’ve been trying to give back to others.” These pieces of art are not meant to “fix” the character of Ron Artest into one category or another, but rather to show the contrast between fame and infamy and how sometimes the greatest influences on the game don’t come from simply putting the ball in the net. 

 He has attained redemption on the court providing clutch defense and a knack for being in the right place at the right time with the NBA champion L.A. Lakers. Maybe someday Ron Artest’s image can be salvaged in the public eye, but Ron will always be himself wherever that takes him. As Ron Artest remembers “There was times when I let everything around me kind of raise me, kind of shape me, rather than me shaping myself.” Count on the “new” Ron Artest to continue his Hollywood makeover and NBA winning ways, but always be prepared for the unexpected.

Raptors Coverage: Dec 19, LA Lakers

Game 28 – LA Lakers (L 120-110) Sunday Dec 19

Didn’t Watch

Couldn’t get near a TV, today was Christmas tree cutting day with the fam-jam. The Raptors ran into an LA Lakers team, that was “not to be underestimated” despite their 20-7 record (which towers above Toronto’s lowly 10-17). The defending champs also brought a healthy Andrew Bynum to Toronto for their only visit to the ACC this season. Toronto started well and defended Kobe with aplomb, but couldn’t match up with Gasol and Bynum in the post. Defensively the Raptors struggled and LA ended up on the free-throw line 39 times for 31 of their total points. Bargnani missed this game as well, some sort of stiffness or soreness and Amir Johnson simply couldn’t match up. Kleiza was the lone bright spot for the Raptors with a 26 point, 10 rebound double-double.

Special Edition: Trade Capper

Big News
Orlando gets: Gilbert Arenas, Jason Richardson, Hedo Turkoglu, Earl Clark
Phoenix gets: Vince Carter, Marcin Gortat, Mickael Pietrus, ORL 1st Rd Pick, Cash
Washington gets: Rashard Lewis

NBA.com recap video: http://www.nba.com/video/channels/nba_tv/2010/12/18/20101218_gametime_arenas_trade.nba/?ls=iref:nbahpt1
SLAMonline recap: http://www.slamonline.com/online/nba/2010/12/magic-trade-for-arenas-jrich-turkoglu/

The biggest and most unexpected shakeup. Orlando clearly believed something needed to be done after slipping behind Chicago into 4th in the east. If we are to believe as David Aldridge says, Orlando is trying to keep Dwight happy heading into a contract year in 2012, the emphasis is on winning now. Orlando brings in some scoring power and ship out the (ever-)slumping Vince, and the bloated contract of Rashard Lewis. For Washington, something had to give on the Gilbert Arenas front and they found a deal they liked for Rashard Lewis. Phoenix gets to ship out the slumping Hedo Turkoglu back to Orlando, the only team that has ever wanted him it seems. This should make things interesting, as midseason chemistry is tough to build with a tough traveling schedule and games, these teams will have to gel on the fly. Orlando should be able to take back the third spot in the east, but this deal can't put them ahead of Miami or Boston. Phoenix may be able to re-awaken Vinsanity with some Steve Nash passes, and the secret fountain of youth that Grant Hill is hiding and slip into the playoffs. Washington hands the reigns and the face of the franchise permanently to John Wall. Where Amazing happens.

Raps Coverage Dec 17, New Jersey

 Game 27 – New Jersey (W 98-92) Friday Dec 17

Watched final four minutes

After literally not being on a computer since my last blog entry I was able to view the final minutes of this game. Out and about I moved my cousin from Niagara to Toronto, picked up two other friends there then traveled up to beautiful Pefferlaw, Ontario for the work Christmas party. The Raps game was on Halleluja. After everybody left and the bar was dead and awkward, I insisted that we watch the final minutes. Raps win, couple of big baskets down the stretch with DeMar DeRozan throwing it down through a parting sea of Nets big men, then a Barbosa 3-point dagger to seal the deal. Exciting stuff. The Bargnani cram over two defenders was the highlight of the game though as it capped off his 30 point, 9 board return to the lineup. Kleiza also stepped up on the glass with 12 rebounds. Raps moving on to take on the Lakeshow at home Sunday matinee-style. 

Raptors Coverage: Dec 15, Chicago

 Game 26 – Chicago (L 110-93)

Watched about 40%

So many good games on tonight. This was not one of them. The banged-up Raps? Doesn’t exactly have a ring to it, but still missing Peja and Reggie, Calderon’s mysterious foot, and Bargnani, who sat this one out with a “sore left knee.” Fans leave with a bad taste in their mouth on Italian night with no pizza (for 100 points) and only a limited edition Bargnani bobble-head and he didn’t even play. It was supposed to be his night, I never understand when players just won’t act like basketball is entertainment too sometimes, so way to ruin it for everybody. The Bulls can’t even savour the win, their seventh straight, because they announce after the game that Noah will miss 8-10 weeks. Just a brutal heartbreak all around. Except for me, who traded Noah for Dwight in my fantasy league just two weeks ago. Besides that, the Celtics’ Pierce topping the Knicks in New York + Amar’e “almost” game winner = Classic, Ginobili’s game winner over the Bucks, and the Cavaliers in Miami, why dwell on unpleasantness.

 Botched Italian night or Pierce quiets the Garden? Tough call...

Raptors Coverage: Dec 14, @ Charlotte

Game 25- @ Charlotte (L 97-91)

Watched first half, listened to final five minutes

Yeah, like on the radio. Seemed like the Raps couldn’t get a handle on this one. They built a lead several times but could never settle into a lead and contain the game. Solid D was needed and it seemed like they didn’t get it as Charlotte scored 58 points in the paint. Two teams with similar records but different playing styles, the control and poise by the Bobcats allowed them to finish the game on an 8-2 run and secure the win. A learning game for Bayless who almost finished with a double-double with 9 assists (in 3 quarters), but may have cost the Raps the game down the stretch. Bargnani and Sonny never really got rolling either on offense which threw off the whole game. On the bright side, DeMar threw down the Slamaday @ http://bit.ly/gjc164. Raps facing Chicago tomorrow, better bring a better defensive effort, and we better have Calderon back to guard Rose…

 DeMar DeRozan - Flying since birth

Raptors Coverage: Dec 11, @ Detroit

Game 24- Detroit (W 120-116)

Watched one minute

Didn’t really watch because I was at a Christmas party/ sectret santa gift exchange/ potluck dinner and had it qued up on the laptop behind me, but was watching the score and ended up closing it. Tracking the game on my phone I saw the game was at 93-78 and had been as much as a 25 point deficit. Ben Wallace had a career high 23 points and 14 boards too, while T-Mac got up with a big semi-windmill oop. However, stuck 25 with 5 to go in the third quarter, the Raptors turn it on and come from behind for the biggest comeback in franchise history. This is unbelievable, the one game I miss all year and it’s a huge one.

I can’t help but feel guilty, it’s just my third blog since starting to blog immediately following games and didn’t expect much out of this one. It’s very tough to always be watching, something talked about in a sports blogging and social media panel I attended. With online technologies, time expectations have shifted. People want their news immediately and can find it in quality and quantity from a variety of sources. The world runs on a 24-hour clock and as a sports journalist your job must follow you all of the time.

In this game, the Pistons start the game strong with contributions from their patchwork family of NBA players. They seem like a random bunch of NBA players without a team, seeking refuge and playing together. Detroit lacks the cohesion they once had, certainly. They get a huge lead and blow it, and it’s really inconsequential. What they need to do is blow up the whole team, every player in Detroit has another team written all over his future. So many trading chips, why wait?

The Raptors come back strong with three-pointers raining and run the fourth quarter score up to 37-17. Bayless starts again in place of Calderon and has 31 points, Bargnani and Barbosa clicking too. Great win and hopefully it lends the Raptors some momentum heading to Charlotte Tuesday night.

Raptors Coverage: Dec 10, Denver

Game 23- Denver (L 123-116)

Watched whole game

An absolute shoot-out. Fun, yet awful to watch. No basketball strategy was employed in the playing of this game as both teams jacked up shots all night. Barbosa is one of the best at indiscriminate shooting in the league so he excelled with 8 for 12 and 22 points. Kleiza was also out to ruin his old coach George Karl’s quest for 1000 total wins. Kleiza had a season-high 26 off the bench, but a combined 48 bench points from him and Blur were not enough. As good as the Raps bench was, Al Harrington came off the Denver bench for a quiet 31 points. The Raptors forget about defense just a little, becoming accustomed to a running, scrimmage-style game. Nene punished Bargs down low all night long for 26 and 6 boards. Karl joins an elite club with just 7 total coaches to reach the #1000 mark, and he did it without Melo (or Iverson for that matter). Another loss in the books for the Raps who are now down 4 straight and are headed out on the road. 

 "Has it been that long?"

Raptors Coverage: Dec 8, @ NY

Game 22- @ New York (L 113-110)

Watched whole game

Raptors lose a heartbreaker as Felton sinks a miracle, step-back, soft-rim-clanking three pointer to go up 3 with only 2.7 left. All this, just after Bargnani hit a long distance miracle of his own to tie the game at 110 that should have been the icing on the cake for his career high 41 points tonight. Bargs played well all night and grabbed 7 rebounds and had 6 assists too. Amar’e continued his streak of 30+ point games to six straight with 34 and 14 rebounds. Amar’e also had plenty of highlight dunks, prepare to see them in tomorrow’s top 10.

Take My Crown

Steal My Crown

words and art by Devin Gray

“Go on, take it” he dares. LeBron’s crown has grown thorny as he has dealt with the pressures of performance and NBA idol status. It’s just not easy being the king as LeBron James has found, not just recently, but throughout his much-scrutinized career. LeBron has become the caged lion that roars for freedom, bound as he is on display for a judging public.

After two MVP seasons without an NBA title for his hometown Cleveland, LeBron decided to seek the easy route to dynastic titlehood, empire, and adoration via Miami and a new “Big Three” /family unit. All hell broke loose. The King was free, or so it seemed, but his persecution now permeates his entire life. Fame is a dangerous thing, and legacies are fickle. Built up by media and fans as Ohio’s savior, the “next Jordan,” and “Chosen One,” he was dismissed as a quitter, liar, “narcissistic coward,” and worse.  LeBron’s career has been under the spotlight at all levels beyond any other player, ever. LeBron has lived up to the hype, but didn’t ask for this kingship and will always be chasing unrealistic expectations.

He is mortal in a world of demands and expectations. No one man is an island, and LeBron is no exception. He was gifted with the skills, talent, and prophecy to perform at an unprecedented level. In other words, he had to win. On-court, his pressures remain the same, but off the court LeBron’s celebrity has opened him to a world of criticism. What Kobe and Mike earned (NBA kingship), LeBron has had thrust upon him.

 

Sternbot remarked, “Fans feel disappointment. You might feel jilted. We’ve seen that in other circles. Maybe not quite as dramatically.” The hero and the people’s champ is hated, simply trying to live up to expectations. James and the Heat seemed comfortable being hated, until they started losing. LeBron is framed as innocent, he is the specimen of NBA perfection so something else must be wrong. LeBron has blamed the Heat’s overly-high expectations, coaching, chemistry, and over-playing, but has never admitted fault.

These high expectations aren’t unfair, we’ve seen that next gear that he can possess when he takes responsibility and steps up. James Johnson glimpsed this last year in the first round for an instant. The court should be LeBron’s sanctuary, free from the media and the hate, where he can just play. “What should I do?” LeBron asks. He should rise to the occasion, play, win and let his game speak for itself. Titles and legacy are within his reach, but he must be clutch amid the pressure. His cage is not permanent, he can free himself if only he roars and really lets the league have it. Then he will be free. Then we’ll all have some real fun.  

You can try to be the best but you never winning/
money longer than a mile, and we never slipping
You coming for the top, wishing to be the king but you're not/
You should probably take another minute.
Cuz you ain't gonna knock my throne

 – “Knock My Throne,” Jimmy King

Raptors Coverage (g 16 - 21)

 Game 16- @ Boston (L 110-101)

Didn’t Watch

Apparently I missed a massacre. After beating a complacent Boston squad in their previous meeting, Toronto couldn’t stand up to a united Celtics team determined to crush the Raptors. Rondo came back, went up 19-5 early. Garnett was also intense, took his matchup with Andrea personally, and scored 26 and 11 while limiting and intimidating Barnnani to eleven points. Shaq had 16 and 9, Rondo was tossing half-court oops to everybody, it wasn’t really close in the Garden. Five Celts in double figures, Reggie Evans breaks his foot, closing out a nice run for him and the Raps who end a four-game win streak. Kleiza plays well.

Game 17- Atlanta (L 96-78)

Watched whole thing

Hawks have the best road record in the East. Reggie and Peja out so Joey Dorsey starts and plays wellish 4-8. Reggie really will be missed, when he went out was third in rebounds and huge for a team that had struggled in the category for as long as anyone can remember. Josh Smith has a great game, notching his third career triple-double. Game was tied and close until the end of the first half. The Hawks passed the ball around and made great team plays and Toronto didn’t have much chemistry today. Marvin Williams had 17 and 12, plays great defense. Hawks shut Raptors down.

Game 18- Washington (W 127-108)

Watched second three quarters

It was a whole different game and whole different energy level for the Raptors on this evening. Last game the Raps could only manage a total of 78 points, today they set a season record with 72 in the first half. The rookie Ed Davis made his debut and played well, massaging the fact that they just announced that Reggie will miss eight weeks. Bargnani played well early. Money Weems set up a couple of highlight dunks. Jerryd Bayless filled it up again while going at John Wall like it was something personal, crossing him over huge with five minutes in the fourth quarter. With this victory the Raps sit 7-11 to start the season, exactly where they were this time last year.

Game 19- Oklahoma City (W 111-99)

Watched whole game

Another solid effort and win. Durant out with knee sprain though. Raptors have a different feel since the trade, injuries, and return of Ed Davis. The Raptors of the first 16 games were so different… Lots of highlight dunks for Sonny Weems. Raptors are able to get out on the break and both teams exercise their running offense. Raptors a little sloppy and trailed by seven at half, but came back to take the lead in the third and held on the rest of the way. Harden and Westbrook have good games but the Raptors seem to be deeper and their bench is becoming mentioned even by the other teams’ broadcasters. Watched this game via the Thunder broadcast to catch a different bias on the game. It’s always interesting to hear anti-raptors announcers.

Game 20- New York (L 116-99)

Watched last three quarters

Knicks up by about a dozen most of the game. Looking hot and playing like a complete team, which Toronto does at times, but is sooo very streaky. Bayless and Amir kill it at one point and go on a big run to bring it within 7, but New York comes out with the solid 17 point win. Amir gets a career high 16 rebounds. Are the Knicks legit or are the Raptors just not? Fans don’t even get pizza.

Game 21- @ Indiana (L 124-100)

Didn’t watch (thank god)

Pacers got the lead then worked to expand it all game long. Was sitting in class watching the boxscores update and saw it go to 68 – 44 at the half for the Pacers and was glad to not be watching. Raptors unable to hit down their shots all night apparently. Pacers are where the Raptors wish they were after this win sitting at 10 and 9, just above .500.

Raptors Coverage (g 11 - 15)

 Game 11- @ Washington (L 109-94)

Watched about first 40%

John Wall didn’t bother playing with a strained arch, but his Wiz coasted on Blatche and none only but Gilbert Arenas. The Wizards dominated the game and won by a fair margin.

Game 12- @ Philadelphia (W 94-86)

Watched second quarter onwards

A much better effort for the Raptors, Calderon gaining the clutch guard spot. Sonny Weems continues his hot streak and he and Bargnani lead the Raptors for a big win. Both teams kind of plodded along neither really committing to winning, with the game tied and less than a minute left the Raptors just got the right baskets at the right times. Bargnani had a great night but could have taken more opportunities that he passed up, he may have gotten a little too used to deferring in his early Raptor days. Solid bench play. Iguodala was out for the Sixers. Both teams were 2 – 9 coming into the game, struggling at the bottom of the Atlantic division. Solid win for the Raps and another nondescript win for the stat sheet.

Game 13- Houston (W 106-96)

Didn’t Watch

Raptors win a clutch game. Turns out to be their last with Jarred Jack he is traded after the game to New Orleans for Peja and Bayless with Andersen and Banks. A big Amir Johnson block to Weems run-out dunk caps off the big win. Rockets without Yao, Kevin Martin steps up with 31 points. Raps win back-to-back for first time in season.

Game 14- Boston (W 102-101)

Watched second quarter onwards

The Raptors banded together with an 8 man rotation to solve the Boston Celtics. They are playing without Jack, and Andersen who have just been dealt. Celtics are missing Rondo though. Leandro Barbosa returned tonight after missing eight games and poked the ball away from Ray Allen with about ten seconds left and the Celtics up by one, to give the Raptors free throws for the lead. Amir Johnson sinks both and the Raptors survive a buzzer miss from Pierce for the victory after being up by 12 in the 4th. Wild ending including a 17-1 Boston run, and the Celtics will look at the game as an uninspired mistake where they failed to flip the switch. Bargnani has 29 points, Reggie finishes with 16 rebounds, Calderon looks solid in the starting position. Raptors end an 8 game losing streak to the Celtics and win their third in a row.

Game 15- Philadelphia (W 106-90)

Watched about half

A big momentum game for the raptors. Really a high point of the season so far. Jarryd Bayless comes off the bench for the first time and notches 13 points including a buzzer-beater three. Peja also debuts and the crowd goes nuts when he goes 2 for 3. Bargnani also had a solid game and finished with 24 points. Just seemed to be clicking and firing on all cylinders in a blowout. Lots of optimism after this game.

Raptors Coverage (g 6 - 10)

 Game 6- @ Portland (L 97-84)

Watched about 20%

Just didn’t have the go-to guy like Brandon Roy. Had the tendency to go to one player, but as soon as anyone gets the hot hand they decide to share the ball around. Calderon getting lots of time, difficult for team to adjust to having a different point guard every night. Could run a second unit with Calderon like Alvin Gentry in Phoenix with Dragic last years playoffs. Bargnani faked and drove to the net for a dunk and it looked so easy for him one questions why he won’t do it all the time.

Game 7- Golden State (L 109-102)

Watched final 1:00 of fourth

Raptors trailed 45-26 when I checked earlier in the night, but actually brought it within four and ended up losing by only seven. Couldn’t keep Ellis and Curry in check so defense was the issue yet again. If the Raptors could ever shut down the dominant scorer on the other team it would be a start. When watching the highlights, the announcer on he Score, “It’s a nice little excursion north of the border for Steph Curry and Monta Ellis,” it shouldn’t be. Those are two of the smallest, easiest to knock around backcourts in the league, something the Raptors never do. It shouldn’t be a friendly sojourn into Canada, it should be like they are trespassing and coming into Raptors country to get their butts kicked back where they came from. Once again perception; Canada= soft

Game 8- Charlotte (L 101-96)

Watched the whole thing.

Already wrote this recap well, word unexpectedly quit just as I was finishing it, which belies the nature of this game. Both teams coming in 1-7, a ‘must-win’ for Toronto before they head out to face Orlando and Miami. The Raptors just cruised along in this one, seemingly content to trail by two or three all game. Sometimes were able to grab a lead, but never hold on to it nevermind build on it. Don’t know if it can be called Triano’s fault with the lineup he’s got, and I’d like to give him some time, but he’s just not clutch. His last-second plays are either just bad, or executed poorly. With seconds left on the clock and the Raptors trailing by 3, the ball goes to Bargnani beyond the arc where he doesn’t hold on to the ball tightly enough and gets stripped by Stephen Jackson. The crowd booing and Bargnani shaking his head, and its just the beginning of a long season. Charlotte has trouble scoring, while being able to lock down on defense and play gritty, winning basketball. If the combined Raptorcats were to join the league, they may not even be top 4 in the east. Also, it seems the injury bug has hit Toronto (as if it couldn’t get any worse), with Barbosa, Anderson, and Davis out, Reggie leaves the game and Kleiza and Weems not at 100%. See you in Orlando…

Game 9- @ Orlando (W 110-106)

Watched first quarter and fourth quarter

Didn’t look so good in the first period as the Magic get to the basket with ease, however the Raptors seem full of surprises. They manage to pull out an upset in Orlando. Sonny Weems ices it with a big three which sends him into a mini- hot streak for the next couple of games. DeMar plays well too with a crucial dunk down the stretch. Reggie Evans matched up with Dwight fairly well too.

Game 10- @ Miami (L 109-100)

Watched the first about 40%

Expecting another surprise? Chris Bosh and the Heat delivered exactly what they needed, getting a solid win against an obviously inferior team. At times it looked like Miami was cruising, did we really ever think they would let the Raptors beat them. Both Wade and James hot to the basket repeatedly. It was Chris Bosh’s first game against his former team and he performed underwhelmingly.

Raptors Coverage (g 1-5)

I've Been keeping track of the Raps pretty closely this year, watching as much as I can and making notes. At the end of the season, i hope to compile my notes into a report entitled "What's wrong with the Raptors? A Comprehensive Study." It's ambitious and not meant to be pretentious, here is my log of the first 20 games, from now on they will be updated immediately following games. Thanks keep it tuned to 360, Devin

Game 1 – New York (L 98-93)

Watched about 40%

At home versus the Knicks, gave up early before making a comeback. The attitude of losing was already written on the teams faces along the bench and in the way the announcer was speaking, when they were only down eleven with 5 left in the second quarter. Down the stretch couldn’t contain Amar’e, conversely didn’t have their own go-to guy down the stretch. This resulted in a wild three-point attempt to tie it with Barbosa jacking a fade over double coverage for a left baseline three on the kick-out from Jack. Triano looked like he could’ve drawn up a better play than that wild attempt. Get used to it.

Game 2- Cleveland (W 101-81)

Didn’t watch

Big win. Used team defensive intensity and just wanted it more. Reggie Evans has lots of rebounds again. Kleiza heats up in the third quarter.

Game 3- @ Sacramento (L 111-108)

Watched about 80%

After looking solid the whole game it wasn’t so much that the raptors collapsed, the Kings just caught fire in an emotional wave and the raptors couldn’t slow down the play and compose themselves with the lead, blowing it in the final minute and a half. Reggie once again kills it with 19 boards, essential, the first Raptor with swagger in a long time, the rest of the team needs to build a swagger/ identity.

Game 4- @ Utah (L 125-108)

Stopped watching when Raps trailed 15 – 2 in the first quarter.

Game 5- @ LA Lakers (L 108-103)

Watched about one quarter.

The Raps actually played pretty well in this game, but if Bosh was no answer for Gasol at times last year how are the Raptors supposed to contain him and 81. Made it a close one and gave the Lakers a scare, but did we really think the Lakers would lose this game?

Time Machine

 * a letter I wrote into SLAM trying to get in Trash Talk, obv too long for that

What’s up SLAM? I’ve just awoken from my time machine-induced four-year hypersleep. I have always been an avid NBA follower and as I am rehabilitated, I’m looking into the NBA of today. SLAM, I was a subscriber and fan before I went to the future (today) and I would like to know what’s going on in the NBA? The last ish I got was the Greg Oden “Next Big Thing” cover with a great Shawn Marion article. First of all, how about those Miami Heat? Congrats to them, Wade and Shaq have many championships ahead of them. Future Heat dynasty! This new dress-code thing is never going to work, the players will rebel! I heard rumors that they’re changing the game ball, and it will bring the NBA to a whole new level. I think those Spurs are done now for sure, they had their chance and they will be out in the first round next year, while the Mavs (or Suns) will be back in the finals with the Heat once again as 2007 champs. Sure, Kobe can drop 81, but he’ll never get another chip. SLAM, please tell me Kobe never got another chip? And LeBron, that’s a guy that will be able to take on a whole team by himself some day as long as he follows in Wade’s footsteps and can lead his team deep into the playoffs. What ever happened to Tracy McGrady? I heard he was going to make a comeback. I’m excited to see how much the NBA could have possibly changed in four short years. Anyways, hope to see this in the next ish, as I will be allowed out of air-lock soon. Here’s to the new NBA world of 2010-2011, I can’t wait. Devin Gray.

Jordan's Shadow

Jordan’s Shadow

Devin Gray

As I walked through the fairgrounds of Sutton, I was taken aback to find a slightly-less-than –lifesize cardboard cutout of ‘the man himself’ standing to my immediate right. Lost in the cacophony of carnival equipment and candy floss was the immortal image of Michael Jordan, his body modified into a full-length menu of all of the delicacies that the booth had to offer. Jutting out from where “BULLS” should have been emblazoned on the crest of the jersey was a plaque that read “I would come out of retirement for some Coffee Zone.”

First of all, this board was clearly old. At some point this would have been a fresh, topical joke and a common point of departure that even casual observers would recognize. Three retirements later, and the cut-out holds irony for those well-informed and versed in NBA not-so recent history.

For the common man at the tractor pull in Sutton, Jordan’s image carries meaning in a different way. It certainly speaks to MJ’s continuing legacy as a spokesperson and salesman. Jordan’s shadow stretches long, and even if an individual has never seen Michael Jordan play his image permeates society on a global level.

For players in the league it is unavoidable to be compared to Jordan. He is the undisputed benchmark by which all past and future NBA talent are graded by. If a player plays in Chicago or wears the number 23 there are certain expectations and connotations. The pressure may have influenced LeBron’s ‘decision’ this past offseason, as it is unappealing to try to fit into Jordan’s shoes. To try to bring the Bulls back to stardom would be to doom himself to failure, as neither LeBron nor anybody else can reach the high pedestal that society has placed upon Jordan. As it reads on his statue “The best there ever was, the best there ever will be.”

Today, more than seven years since he retired for good, twelve years since he checked out, and sixteen years since he first teased us, it doesn’t feel like Jordan was the one always leaving us, it feels like he hardly left at all.

Jordan still appears on magazine and videogame covers, promotional packages, and other products, a tribute to Jordan’s marketability. His image transcends basketball and permeates greater society proving that sports heroes are remembered, but true legends can never be forgotten.

hostility caught on tape

apparently, it's not all good, LeBron

http://bit.ly/ekOikB

SHAQ

 

Can't wait to see Shaq live when Raps host Celtics Jan. 2

Okay, got a blog!

Wow, first post.