Gotta get a win before we hit the road.

Anybody going to the game better leave now, it's ugly out there! Raps win.

Honestly is there any other explanation for small ball other than us tanking the game? We've got Rasho, Bargs, Hump, Primo, and even Graham, yet we play a 6'8 rookie who can't weigh more than 200 pounds at power forward to close out games. Don't get me wrong, I'd almost rather have the loss at this point... but still

TJ is a cancer....

and Chuck... like can you please act like you've been to a damn basketball game before? The amount of times he said 'this is basketball at its finest folks', to have Leo painstakingly agree, last game, was amazing. Like I can even take the blatant homerism, just don't try to tell me how good of a game it is, I can make that call on my own thanks...

Too soon to be labeling TJ a cancer.

Agreed

I think a bigger problem than TJ is Bargs, he sux ass. I'm sorry but this guy hurts the team more than he helps it. The amount of games where he just bricks shot after shot after shot... it's ridiculous. The Raps get caught up in passing it to Bargs, he bricks it, and then the other team runs it back for a score. Then the Raps fall further and further behind. That is what is happening in this game. I think you gotta just pull him out and give his minutes to Kapono, JK would be hitting those shots.

This Seattle game is embarrassing so far, looks like the Raps are gonna lose. Sonics are getting everything they want, they look like Phoenix before the Shaq trade.

TJ can't make a layup. Him and bargs are ruining this game, put Jose back in. Bargs and TJ are an awesome 3 for 16!! WOW!

Might be too soon, but it's nice to see Bargs get his groove back coming out after halftime. It's almost Bosh-like in that respect, where both can have a horrible first half, but still be good (for Bosh, dominant) in the second.

This team needs Wilcox, I love his game. Just throwing everything down.

I both like and dislike how even though Bargs has missed every 3 he's taken all game, he never loses faith in his shot.

I especially like all the assists that Rasho and Bargs are getting by passing the ball to each other. That's the kind of chemistry I want to see from Bosh and Bargs.

And how on earth is Rasho leading this team in assists?

Rasho's the MVP

Anyone feeling Jose has lost his swagger since TJ's come back?

Not pretty but I'll take it. Hopefully we can steal one of the 'probably lose' ones this week.

You can ring up 3 straight losses next week. We have trouble with bad teams at home without Bosh. Any chance against good team away?

yes

to add... 's no secret i think calderon is better than ford and should be our guy, of the two. but, calderon is like nash. his defense is bad enough that, to be effective and a net positive to the club, he has to overcompensate offensively. but, with tj needing minutes, its like jose hasn't got into the offensive rhythm that he was in when he was playing 40 minutes a night.

this might be blown out of proportion, cause of calderons dependence on bosh, both with the double teams and their pick and roll, and with bosh out, caldy doesn't have his bread and butter. but.. i still think we would be better without needing to give TJ minutes, rather than this situation we are in now.

I think that Rasho has played his way into the starting lineup when Bosh gets back. Bargnani's been showing signs but I think, especially coming up to the playoffs, Rasho's veteran savvy helps the Raps and is clearly more effective on the boards that Bargnani.

I agree that he's playing well and should deserve to start... but I wouldn't do it. The thing I like about Bargs is that he floats outside. It creates a lot more room for Bosh. I'd like to know what Bargs' shooting stats are in the 4th quarter though. It seems like he's usually colder than normal in the 4th. That is when I'd rather see Rasho in the game... when it's usually slow tempo half court offence on both ends.

thank god for AP, and Rasho. I agree with Jose being all offence like Nash and no D. Hes young, and think he will learn. This is what i expected out of Bargs at the start of the year. Unfortunately it took him so long out of the gate to start showing some effort.

Great game from Hump too. Only one jump shot, and it just squeaked in.

It's so funny how the TJ haters will pick apart his every FACIAL EXPRESSION and use it to show why he blows yet you almost never hear about Jose's terrible defense.


I'm begining to think there are other reasons why one is so well-liked.

Jose always seems to be looking out for the team first. TJ always seems to be looking out for himself.

I suspect you are suggesting a skin tone reason. I have never heard here or anywhere else that that has anything to do with it.

Besides, how many people like CB4 over Bargs?

Toronto is above such things.

How was that box efman?

We have a TJ lover. Hey i admit i think Jose is the better PG. Flat out based on skill, knowledge, and heart. Jose wins in all 3 categories. TJ might be quicker, but he cant control his wheels sometimes. But i have always noted Jose's defense is not up to par. If u read my blogs you will see that. As well is TJ's defense that much better? C'mon he can be a terrible mismatch at times.
It has nothing to do with his 4 year old, mom wont take me to Mcdonalds facial expression when Sam takes him out of the game. But all to do with his game.

And if you can back up what those other reasons are id like to hear it.

Box was very cool. Basically its a rec room with an opening to the game. We got 8 hotdogs and a couple pizzas. One on the guys bought a WHOLE bottle of Grey Goose vodka! It was a good mix of rabid fans. Everyone knew their Raptor stuff. Scott and emminen enterprises were there representing the "Blog".

And Scotts Dad is 2-0! He never lets the Raptors loose.

I'll do it again if one comes available. Good time had by all.

In my opinion both of them have serious problems defensively. TJ is more gritty and quicker, but his size leaves him very vulnerable to switching and post up plays. Im not saying Calderon would be great in these situations either, but his size does give him some advantage. I also think Joses biggest problem is trying to pressure some opposing PG's too much when he would only need to keep them from driving. He gets blown past too often because of this.

But the true problem here lies in the fact that our inside guys are not good enough defensively to help when guards and wing players get blown by. Moon gives you some nice blocks every now and then, but you would need your PF and C guys to step up under the basket to make opposing smaller players think twice before attacking the rim. Rasho in my opinion is our best big guy from team defense perspective, but he doesnt get minutes. Bosh is decent and Bargs not even that. Bargs has developed this season in one-on-one defense, but he still needs to learn to help others.

But those facial expressions are important to team spirit also. Of course we dont know how others in the team feel about TJ's seeming pouting when benched, but from what we can see, I would much rather play with Jose who always seems to engourage others and jump up from bench anytime his team mate does something positive.

Good point EF, Everyones views are valid, and if TJ is your man thats cool too. Even though i don't agree, I'm willing to hear everyones views. Don't bring race into this. Last year the majority were against my views about Calderon being the better half. I don't think it was colour which changed fans views.

I think that's going a little far. I don't think people are ignoring the fact that Jose is awful on defense, anyone who has watched more than a couple of Raptors games this season can recognize that. Overall, his play has been a net positive for the team, in the same way (obviously not to the same degree) that people in Phoenix can overlook Nash's bad defense. Besides, I don't think the Raps have lost many games this year because of poor defense at the PG position, they've lost games because they've been lit up by swingmen or outrebounded.

I just hope that TJ can get back to the way he was playing before his injury because before all the talk of Jose being an all-star, TJ was looking like an all-star too.

I'm actually a die-hard Maceo Baston fan

I'm sure his sexy Spanish accent had something to do with it.