Raptors Coverage: Jan 12, Atlanta

 Game 38 – Atlanta (L 104-101 / +- 13-25) Wednesday January 12, 2011

Watched about 80%

Raptors Heartbreaker. Who wants to read an article with that title. Not a Raptors fan, not any disgruntled Toronto-area man so accustomed to mediocrity that he scans the lines just to see that overarching theme of failure pinpointed to one moment of the season, no, most people would just push their plate away. It provides for him one person, player, or scenario to express his frustrations over a much larger part of the season and this franchise’s progression. Yet, as it fades he knows he will find another moment, another player, another tangible bit of evidence that will explain to him once and for all ‘what is wrong with the Raptors?’ But as he does, he relaxes, untenses himself and even laughs, it will happen again won’t it?… such is the dilemma when rooting for a team that you don’t believe in, and in a basketball culture not built around the mentality of winning.

But I digress, the Raptors do indeed come up short in this one, losing a heartbreaker at home to the Hawks. It was a good, exciting game and DeRozan started the game well with a nice reverse dunk. Barbosa played well with 26 points and some sweet drives. Bargnani played well and had a huge three-pointer that I could hear live through the phone while talking to my Dad who was at the game. Up by two, with one minute to go, the Raptors are unable to maintain the lead. Off an inbounds pass Mike Bibby hits a three-pointer to go up 102-101 with eight seconds remaining. Timeout called, let’s see what Triano draws up here in the clutch, for the win (I’m thinking Bargnani), but nooooooo Calderon drives it all the way to the net, trips over himself and flails against the defender in an effort to draw a foul, as he falls the ball lands on his back and he slides out of bounds. Game over. Jamal Crawford proved to be the x-factor for the Hawks putting up 36 points to drown the Raptors who couldn’t seem to stop him. Next up for the Raptors is at home Friday against Detroit.

ps Happy News in Raptorland, the Raps sign Sundiata "The Miracle" Gaines to a 10-day contract. Check out the "Miracle" d-league call up in a Raptor uniform as early as Friday against Detroit, but first check out the reason for his nicname below (and the game link)

Gaines Story: http://www.nba.com/raptors/news/20110113/9293/raptors-sign-gaines-10-day-contract 

Gaines Miracle Shot: first game in the NBA, at home, to beat LeBron's Cavaliers - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=llArRqrdNcg

NBA.com Raptors v Hawks gamelink: http://www.nba.com/video/games/raptors/2011/01/12/0021000563_atl_tor_recap.nba/index.html

Raptors Coverage: Jan 9, Sacramento

 Game 37 – Sacramento (W 118-112 / +- 13-24) Sunday January 9, 2011

Watched the whole game

A high-scoring affair, the Raptors took it to the Kings in a home game Sunday matinee. The Kings were without Tyreke Evans who rolled his ankle in his last outing, so it was Toronto’s super sophomore who came through with 28 points (his season high at home). Bargnani also played well and added 30 points of his own for a season-high 58 points for Toronto’s leading duo. Bargnani had a very telling series of possessions to end the first half, where he ended up in the right place at the right time for an easy dunk, then failed to get back on defense to block an easy Dalembert dunk. Kleiza had a big LeBron-like jam where he barreled in from the three-point line. With one minute remaining in the game the score was a close 110-109 lead for Toronto when Bargnani seals it with a high three-pointer. Raptors get an easy, but well-earned win.

NBA.com link: http://www.nba.com/video/games/raptors/2011/01/09/0021000544_sac_tor_recap.nba/index.html

Kobe Bryant Watch

This has been a season of milestones for Kobe who soldiers on setting records and passing the all-time greats. Starting the season in 14th all-time in total NBA points, Kobe has now moved into 9th place with a basket last night bumping him above Big "O" Oscar Robertson.

1. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar	1,560	15,837	6,712	24.6	38,387
2. Karl Malone	1,476	13,528	9,787	25.0	36,928
3. Michael Jordan	1,072	12,192	7,327	30.1	32,292
4. Wilt Chamberlain	1,045	12,681	6,057	30.1	31,419
5. Shaquille O'Neal	1,197	11,299	5,922	23.8	28,521
6. Moses Malone	1,329	9,435	8,531	20.6	27,409
7. Elvin Hayes	1,303	10,976	5,356	21.0	27,313
8. Hakeem Olajuwon	1,238	10,749	5,423	21.8	26,946
9. Kobe Bryant	1,058	9,297	6,773	25.3	26,720
10. Oscar Robertson	1,040	9,508	7,694	25.7	26,710

Raptors Coverage: Jan 7, @ Boston

Game 36 - @ Boston (L 122-102 / +- 12-24) Friday January 7, 2011

Didn’t watch

I was at Carleton covering Ravens vs Ryerson Rams. It was a similar blowout. Where the Carleton team looked like seasoned veterans, grilled to perfection by an excellent basketball program and coach, the Ryerson team looked young, raw, inexperienced and underprepared to take on a team of the Ravens’ magnitude. Similarily the Celtics simply outclass their division “rivals” the Toronto Raptors on many levels (on-court, coaching, front office, basketball culture). This game was a predictable blowout for the Celtics who cruised to their 3000^th franchise win, joining the Lakers above the milestone. Ed Davis had a nice dunk on Jermaine O’Neal, Rondo continued his stellar play, Shaq reached down an alley-oop or two from the lowest shelf, and Boston lead by 22 at halftime. Luke Harangody finished with an ungodly 17 and 11, Pierce matched DeRozan with a game high twenty points each. Also, remember the Celtics are without Garnett so the Raptors can’t exactly blame injuries. They’re slipping… will they make it to my predicted 27 wins?

Raptors Coverage: Jan 5, @ Cleveland

Game 35 - @ Cleveland (W 120-105 / +- 12-23) Wednesday January 5, 2011

Should’ve watched

This game coincided with the Gold Medal game for the World Junior Hockey Championships. Canada vs Russia and the team blew a 3-0 lead in the third period to lose 5-3. Soooo shitty. Meanwhile the Raps were doing their thing, beating up on the emotionally damaged Cavaliers (move on already, we did with Bosh…). The Cavs are trying to prevent an 8-game skid, and the Raptors are no better. Calderon returns after one game off with 20 and 17 assists. Julian Wright had a solid game, DeRozan played strong and came back even stronger after hitting his head on the hardwood, with 9 of his 13 in the final frame. Raps get a much-needed win.

Raptors Coverage: Jan 4, @ Chicago

 Game 34 - @ Chicago (L 111-91/ +- 11-23) Tuesday January 4, 2011

Didn’t Watch

Toronto lost 11 of last 14, and when they narrow a 24 point lead to 11 points and everybody gets excited, you know there’s something wrong with the Raptors. I predicted Rose would go for 32 and 9 in this game as he could get whatever he wanted around Toronto’s notoriously generous “defensive” point guards. He ended up with 19 and 6 because this one was such a laugher he simply rested himself once the win was in hand. Luol Deng had a strong game with 24 and 4, and Boozer racked up an easy double-double. Even with the return of Bargnani, who had 23 and 6, couldn’t rally the Raptors who lose another one.

Raptors Coverage: Jan 2, Boston

 Game 33 – Boston (L 93-79 / +- 11-22) Sunday January 2, 2011

Went down to the ACC, watched live

The crowd at the ACC were noteably apprehensive about this game. After Boston’s semi-toned introduction was littered with applause from the Toronto Celtic faithful, the Raptors starting lineup paled. Joey Dorsey on Shaq? He looks even bigger in real life, as we sat so close (and yet so far) eighteen rows from Shamrock and the rest of the Boston All-Stars. Even Rajon Rondo was nice enough to grace us with an appearance after sitting out the previous 7 contests with a sprained ankle, and he returned to vintage form even though he took frequent breaks. Toronto’s injury corral was not so lucky, with the end of the bench looking poised for a mob hit rather than an NBA game. You really notice at the game how many Raptors are sitting in suits, Bargnani, Weems, Bayless, Stojacovic, and Reggie (unfortunately nowhere to be seen). The game was an exciting one though filled with classic plays and highlights from the best of both teams. DeRozan lit up the scoreboard with hard work, and smooth jumpers for 26 points, including a steal that lead to a breakaway dunk, and a fast break alley-oop conversion that could have been lobbed a couple feet higher and he still would have been able to grab it. Still, Pierce finished with a “silent, but deadly” 30 (even his highlight dunk over Toronto’s entire backcourt was understated, Ray Allen had 23, (KG was out), and the Celtics distanced themselves when it mattered. It was remarkable the Raps were even in the game at all, trailing by 5 with four minutes remaining despite shooting 38% from the floor, 7% from deep, and merely 45% from the charity stripe. All-in-all a great experience and a wonderful opportunity to check out the Raptors live, and also witness some of the all-time greats before it’s too late.