Raptors Coverage: Feb 23, Chicago

Game 58 – Chicago (W 118-113 / 16-42 / streak W1) Wednesday February 23, 2011

Didn’t watch

Wished I could have, but I was out on the town in T.O. Walking along Queen’s Park, I could see the lights next to the ACC dancing against the CN Tower and didn’t need to check my score tracker to know that the Raptors had won. The first time the Raps ever beat the Bulls, in a meaningless regular season contest, the city rocked harder than was necessary to the tune of fireworks, streamers, confetti and rushing the court in Skydome in ’96. Times have changed since then, and both teams have dipped to new lows to secure a number-one overall draft pick, and reinvent their basketball culture. Toronto is centred around speed and grace with European stars and youthful talent and athleticism, but without toughness or defensive intensity. The Bulls have a defensive-minded coach, super-star point guard, and yin and yang post players to provide a scoring punch and a shot-blocking presence. 

Two different teams met in Toronto tonight and one man made all the difference. James Johnson was traded to the Raptors by the Bulls, just one day previous to this game, and stepped into the Raps starting lineup against his former squad. His energy and adrenaline made up for his inexperience and unfamiliarity with the Raptors offensive and defensive schemas. And he brought a little bit of what the Bulls had in plenty, and the Raptors desperately seeked, toughness. The trivia tidbit that had followed James Johnson throughout his professional career is that he possesses a ‘blackbelt.’ Whether this translates to in-game toughness is yet to be seen, but the thought is nice, and maybe he’ll wrestle Bargnani into submission in the dressing room for good measure. Nonetheless, this was Johnson’s night and he performed well enough to ensure a story-book ending. The Raptors, under his guidance, prevailed at home against the Bulls who, although they are not in the midst of a 72 game season, have emerged as an Eastern conference powerhouse, with Derrick Rose as potential league MVP.

As for the game itself, Joachim Noah returned after missing 31 games with thumb surgery, and had ten rebounds in the first quarter en route to 7 points and 16 rebounds in his return. Rose looked like an MVP with his control of the game and 32 point, 10 assist double-double, including a clutch three that had Raps fans gasping for air. Carlos Boozer flushed out the trio with 24 points and 6 rebounds. A Bargnani reverse dunk and DeRozan clear-path one-handed dunk overshadowed what probably should have been the highlight of the night, with DeMar serving it up top to James Johnson for the big alley-oop throwdown. The winner of this game though, was the Raps dependable big man (and original Johnson) Amir who posted up Boozer for the game-sealing bucket with 11 seconds remaining in the game, and blocked Rose on the other end. The Johnson’s had three blocks apiece, Amir finished with 17 points, 4 rebounds while James finished with 9 points and 5 boards. Calderon had 17 assists and continues to pile up the dimes, although his scoring woes continued. Bargnani and DeRozan each had 24 points and Bargs collected a respectable 8 rebounds. Weems, Barbosa and Davis played strong off the bench and secured a strong Raptors win, and a new beginning, for at least one new Raptor.

"James Johnson catches the DeMar alley, throws it down"