Tag Archives: Al Horford

by | April 16, 2012 · 10:01 pm

Raptors Run out of Magic Against Hawks

It’s been a great little run the Raptors have been on, but it was bound to end sometime and it made sense that Atlanta came back to exact some revenge on the raps after Toronto surprised them in Atlanta a night ago.

The Raptors looked pretty good for three quarters but simply ran out of gas against a better opponent.

 Still on the positive side it was nice to see Demar Derozan, once again, rise to the challenge of being a number one option and it was great to see Solomon Alabi playing meaningful minutes and contributing in some way.

This is the Raptor squad we were expecting these last few games.  A tough, competitive bunch that finds itself overmatched in most games. Despite the loss, the Raptors battled and had lots of positive to take away. 

Zan for Three

The Terrible Ivan

So Ivan Johnson is a really scary looking dude.  He’s also a huge pain in the butt for defenders under the basket.  Many times on Monday he was able to steal rebounds away from Raptor forwards and turn them into second chances or points.  He intimidates out there and plays the game fiercely.

The Hawks are going to need his toughness as they head into the playoffs without a proven big man.  Horford is out and they’ve also likely lost Zaza Pachulia for their first round matchup.  They are going to need someone strong to take on the likes of Brandon Bass and Kevin Garnett in the first round of the playoffs.

Ivan Johnson is their only hope.  He’s as tough as they come but he lacks the height.  Garnett and Bass will take advantage of that, but if Ivan plays with the toughness he did on Monday night he may give the Celtics front court more than they can handle.

James Johnson Back on Course

For a few weeks it seemed like whatever beef Dwane Casey and James Johnson had with each other was going to derail Johnson’s strong start to the season.  He wasn’t getting minutes and when he was he wasn’t very productive. He looked lost and like he no longer belonged in the Raptors plans.

A second strong effort in a row by James Johnson wasn't enough to prevent the Raptors from falling to the Hawks.

The last two night against Atlanta, Johnson has found his old form.  He’s filling up all areas of the stat sheet and contributing on both ends of the floor.

Early in the season it looked like Johnson might be a nice piece for the Raptors to hold on to as they look to the future and now it appears that way again.  Johnson is versatile, can play many positions and defends the ball very well.  He contributes with points, assists, rebounds and blocks.  He’s a multi faceted player and seems to be putting his name back into the off-season conversation.

Free Alabi

Tonight we finally got to see what happens when you release Alabi from the bench.  The results were as expected; mixed.  Alabi looked lost out there at times but occasionally found his way.  He was active in the paint and threw down a couple of nice dunks.  In the end he finished with 8 points and 9 rebounds.  Not a bad statline for someone who’s been getting only garbage time minutes all year.

Zan of the Night

Ivan Johnson

Active inside, defensive pain and ultimately the biggest difference in the game.  He worked the Raptors inside so that his more offensively gifted teammates could be open on the outside.  The Raptors had no answers to Ivan, he was simply too tough underneath the basket.

Not Zan of the Night

Tracy McGrady

Yes he was quite effective in his limited minutes and hd a pretty decent shooting night off the bench, but I just hate him so.  And apparently I’m not the only one who has never forgiven Mr. McGrady for leaving Toronto just before team embarked on its greatest run.  McGrady could have been part of a Raptor dynasty. Instead he left and now boos rain down on him every time he plays in the city.  One would’ve thought the fans would be over it.  Not likely ever to happen.

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Kristoffer Pedlar
The Zan Tabak Herald

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by | May 1, 2011 · 2:55 pm

Ex Raptors become X-Factors in Round Two

As round two begins in the NBA, we’ve said goodbye to a few old allies.  Jarrett Jack and Marco Belinelli have packed their bags after a very succesful first round series against the Lakers.  Matt Bonner had a disappointing first round with San Antonio as they were bounced by the Grizzlies and Roy Hibbert and TJ Ford find themselves spectators as round two begins.

As the second round begins,  a few former Raptor favourites could tip the scales in their second round series.  Let’s take a look at the key Ex-Raptors that will likely be X-Factors for their respective teams.

Miami vs. Boston

The Big three vs. the Big Three.  This is a dream matchup for the NBA and any fan who enjoys good basketball.  We know that Lebron and Wade are going to score in bunches and we know that Ray Allen will be tossing key three pointers throughout the series and Kevin Garnett will be intense.  What we don’t know is how Chris Bosh will play against some really tough playoff competition.

If Miami has dreams of championship glory, they will need Chris Bosh to fight like he has never fought before.

Chris Bosh will be the key to winning this series for Miami.  Bosh has played very well thus far against Philly, but he is about to match up against Kevin Garnett who he has never played well against.  He will also have to play against the likes of Big Baby and Jermaine Oneal.  These are not finesse players.  They get dirty and fight with everything they have for a loose ball or a rebound.

If Chris Bosh is to be successful against these tough players he is going to have to channel is inner Reggie Evans and JYD.  Bosh needs to be less finesse and more banger.  He will need to fight like he has never fought before and be the player that keeps possessions alive and gives Wade and Lebron second chances.

On the flip side, Boston will rely heavily on Jermaine O’neal.  There likely won’t be a Shaq appearnce until later on in the series so Jermaine will be handed the task of containing Chris Bosh.  This is someone he knows quite well from his days in the T-dot.

Jermaine O’neal has been through the rigors of playoff basketball and is no newcomer to intensity in the playoffs.  His Indiana teams played their fare share of tough games.  He will need to be defensively sound and provide help defense when Lebron and Wade bust through the key.  If you need a hard foul to send a message, Jermaine O’neal is your guy.  He backs down from no one and may be the last line of defense for the Celtics.  He will be a key if the Celtics hope to head to the Eastern Conference Finals.

If Bosh can find that inner fight, Miami wins this series.  If he gets bullied on the glass by Garnett and O’neal and is shut down on the offensive end then it will be a second round exit for the boys from South Beach.

Dallas vs. LA Lakers

This series will be a shoot out.  Scoring is going to happen in bunches and defense will likely take a back seat as it often does in Dallas.  The mavericks have a number of players that can score in bunches in Nowitzki, Terry and Jason Kidd.  These three will score but might have trouble keeping up with Kobe, Gasol and Bynum.  If they are going to keep up, they will need their supporting cast members to step up.

Enter Shawn Marion and Peja Stojakovic.  These two players have the offensive skill set to be deadly to an opposing team.  While the defense focuses on Dirk and Terry,  Peja and Marion will likely get their fair share of good looks.  Marion is a player that makes those around him better.  He can pass effectively, shoots the ball well and knows how to get to the foul line (a valuable asset in the playoffs).  Peja Stojakovic has enjoyed a resurgence with Dallas and simply needs to stand on that three-point line and deliver.

Neither player was in Toronto for very long so we never had the chance to see them at their best.  But this is the playoffs an both are very familiar with the battles of playoff ball.  If used properly these players will help Dallas overthrow the defending champs.

Throw in “Almost Raptor” Tyson Chandler and you have an absolutely lethal rotation that can beat you in a number of different ways.

If Dallas spreads the floor, shares the ball and gets plenty of supporting effort from their bench they will win the series.  If the bench can’t contribute against the defending champs then the Lakers will continue their quest for another title.

Atlanta vs. Chicago

Do not underestimate the Atlanta Hawks.  Pundits and “experts” are already counting them out.

Don’t.

They are a young team finally coming into their own and might surprise the Bulls, who looked a little sluggish against Indiana.  This is a Hawks team that was able to defeat a pretty good team in Orlando.

Although I expect the Bulls to win the series I think it will be a longer  series than anyone thinks.

Watch out for Al Horford.  He will be a tough matchup for Carlos Boozer and Joakim Noah inside. He is tough to match up against in the post and provides sturdy defense that could give Chicago’s Bigs fits on the inside.

The ex-Raptor to watch here is Chuck Swirsky, who may just faint when his team reaches theEastern Conference finals.  If the Bulls win he’ll likely look more lost than Tomas Kaberle during the Bruins game 7 celebration earlier this week.

It is likely that the Salami and Cheese will be brought out for the Hawks.

Oklahoma vs. Memphis

This series has no Raptor connections, but the Raptors should take note of these young teams and how they have built themselves into winning franchises.  It wasn’t long ago that a 22 win season was considered a success for the Thunder and Grizz.  These teams were able to build themselves back into contenders and the Raptors should hope they follow a similar path.

Neither of these teams became a success overnight and they surely didn’t do it by trading draft picks or signing  a slew of veteran players to bad contracts.  They built themselves slowly through the draft and then added veteran pieces to compliment those young players.

Watching Durant, Westbrook and Ibaka face Randolph, Gasol and Conely could very well be what Raptor fans will see in a few years from Derozan, Davis and Amir.

In terms of X-Factors for this series I would go with Shane Battier and Kendrick Perkins.  Perkins has been a non-factor thus far in the playoffs but he will need to help lead this young team as they focus on Playoff advancement.  He’s been through the wars before and they will need him to help contain the beast that is Randolph. Hopefully he wakes up soon or the surging Grizzlies might be too difficult to defeat.

Lots to watch as a Raptor fan, as some old friends will likely be keys to the teams that ultimately prevail.

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Kristoffer Pedlar

The Zan Tabak Herald
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by | December 16, 2010 · 12:22 am

Bulls Teach Young Raptors a Lesson

So that was ugly, wasn’t it?

Once it was confirmed that Andrea Bargnani wasn’t going to play because of a sore left knee, the Raptors were pretty much destined for an ass whooping.  This one got ugly by the half, but credit where credit is due, the young Raptors showed some fight and there is reason for hope for the future.

Chicago is arguably one of the top four or five teams in the East and, with Carlos Boozer back in the lineup, they are a hard team to beat each and every night.  The Bulls have a tough as nails coach, in Tom Thibodeau, who preaches defense and a young core that seems to be growing well together.

The Raptors should take notice.  This is a team they should try to build themselves in the mould of.

Zan For Three

2010 Free Agency Redux

So looking back at the circus that was the 2010 free agency period Lebron and Wade remain the biggest pick ups and are starting to make a tremendous difference with the Miami Heat.  They are beginning to be everything they were advertised to be but how about the pick up of Amare Stoudamire and Carlos Boozer?

Much was made of Lebron, Bosh, Wade and Amare but Boozer was almost a forgotten bridesmaid during that time.  His off-season injury also erased him from our minds during the first part of the season.  He is back and he is kicking some serious ass.

Carlos Boozer was unstoppable tonight at the ACC. He almost single-handedly defeated he Raptors. There simply was no way to stop Boozer on Wednesday night.

Boozer is, by far, the best player on the court for his team and that is saying something with a starting five that looks the way it does in Chicago.  Miami may have built a winning culture in South Beach, but Chicago picked up a piece that really puts them over the edge.

Forget that he dominated Amir Johnson and Joey Dorsey.  These are not playoff calibre power forwards yet.  Boozer’s dominance inside makes him a very tough match up going into any playoff matchup.  Bosh vs. Boozer?  I’ll take Boozer.  Horford vs. Boozer? I’ll take Boozer .  Kevin Garnett might be the only one who can shut him down, and he’s a bit slower and maybe not as tough.

Watch out Eastern Conference.  This guy is going to make a big difference this year.

Imitation is the Sincerest Form of Flattery

Jay Triano and his staff should be paying close attention to what Tom Thibodeau and his staff are doing in Chicago.  This is a team that can score, but man is their defense good.  Chicago allows their offense to dictate their offense and the Raptors still haven’t figured that out yet.

The Bulls forced stops on the defensive end and turned them into points on the offensive end.  The Raptors are still trying to out-shoot their opponents.  This strategy doesn’t work very often, if ever.

It’s time Colangelo, Triano and the rest of the organization look at teams like Boston and Chicago and start imitating what they see.  The players in Boston and Chicago both bought into Thibodeau’s system and have reaped the benefits.  Why would the Raptors not want to try the same philosophy?

Obviously a change of team philosophy requires some new players, and possibly coaches, but it may be something that the “big Wigs” of MLSE should seriously consider.  That is, of course, if they’re interested in winning at all.

Silver Lining

Tonight Sucked.  Let’s just call a spade a spade and move on.  We are not in the calibre of a team like Chicago.  We are not.  Plain and simple.  However tonight provided some opportunities to be hopeful and look, positively, into the future.

Joey Dorsey (12 pts and 13 reb on 5-8 shooting in 29 minutes)

This is an impressive stat line from the young power forward out of Memphis.  Yes, some of those points were scored in garbage time, but he is resembling something the Raptors may want to take a chance on.  He is a big body and possess some post-up skills and might be worth investing in.  He showed some fight tonight and banged inside against some pretty tough interior players.

Jarryd Bayless ( 20 pts and 4 Assists in 33 minutes)

Bayless has been the engine on offense.  Although many of us would like to see a point guard pass the ball a little more, he has played well since being acquired from New Orleans.  He is resembling more of a shooting guard, but this kid is 22 years old and certainly has some upside.  He gets to the rim, can shoot and is serviceable on the defensive end of the floor.

Ed Davis (10 pts on 5/9 shooting, 10reb, in 32 minutes)

His first start as a Raptor and he played well in spurts.  He was overmatched inside by Chicago’s bigs but Davis held his own against some pretty admirable talent.  This kid is going to be a decent NBA player.  I like the look of him, I like the way he plays the game.  He doesn’t force the issue and will only get better and better.  If the team, as I suggested earlier, starts looking at the defensive side of the ball then Davis could be a key player moving forward.  Definitely something to look forward to.

Zan of the Night

Carlos Boozer

The man is an absolute beast.  I would not want to meet him in an alley or in the paint.  He scares me and even thinking of him tonight gives me shivers.  He absolutely dominated the inside tonight and basically took whatever he wanted from the Raptor bigs.  Amir Johnson was his play toy tonight and there was nothing anyone could do about it.

Not Zan of the Night

Amir Johnson

Hey dude, I love you as a player.  On this current Raptor squad, you’re probably my favourite player, but tonight was not your night.  Mama told you there’d be days like this.  More fouls than points, not a lot of minutes for you out there because of the foul trouble and not much brewing on the offensive end either. Take it as a learning experience and move on.  Carlos Boozer is one of the best.  You have work to do before you are competing consistently with the likes of that bad boy.

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Kristoffer Pedlar
The Zan Tabak Herald
***
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by | April 23, 2010 · 5:45 pm

Playoff Dilema: Who to Cheer For?

So, the Raptors are out of the playoffs and I’m slowly getting over my bitterness and frustration with another season without home town playoff basketball.  I’ve been settling in to watch the Celtics-Heat series and have been flipping through the rest of the series’ on The Score when I can.

As a Raptor fan my allegiance is, and always will be, to the Raptors.  Therefore it is hard to decide who to cheer for this playoff season.  Who is a Raptor fan to cheer for?

Now don’t get me wrong, I love basketball.  I will watch two teams I absolutely despise play in a playoff series.  The NBA playoffs, much like the NHL playoffs, are a completely different game.  Every possession becomes important.  Every timeout is thought through.  Players begin rivalries that last for two weeks.  The intensity in the area from the fans and players is an unreal thing to bear witness to.

But who to cheer for?

What team is going to give me some satisfaction by winning it all?

What team do I want to see walk away with a championship?

I thought about this dilemma long and hard and started at the top, with the most likely finalists: The Cavs and Lakers.  There are elements of both of these teams that I love.  Kobe and Lebron are, obviously, a good place to start looking.  They are the two best players in the NBA bar none and can change a game on a dime.  However, I am one of those fans that cheers for the underdog.  Neither of these teams fit that description.  As much as I’d love to see the Laker dynasty take another one or watch Lebron, Jamario and Anthony Parker win their first.  I just don’t think I like their team enough.  Will I watch them?  Absolutely.  With pleasure.  But I don’t want them to win that much.

What about Orlando?  A great young team with some fantastic pieces.  Dwight Howard deserves a ring.  He is a monster and every bit a star player.  A championship calibre player.  The problem I have with Orlando is Vince.  Part of me wants to see him win a ring and the other part wants to see him fail.  I’m like the characters from the old Mini-Wheats commercial.  The Magic have a real shot, that cannot be denied, but I would both love and hate every possession.  Too torn on Orlando.

There are the Celtics?  Nope.  No way.  I hate the Celtics more than any team in the NBA.  In fact, whoever they play will become my new favourite team.  Garnett has become a prima donna and I can’t take any team seriously that has “Big Baby” getting into the faces of other teams. No to the Celtics. 110%

The Bulls beat my Raptors and I’m still not over it.

Milwaukee has a great young player in Brandon Jennings, but they just don’t do it for me.  Without Bogut they are dead in the water anyway.

Is there a more exciting team to watch than Josh Smith and the young Hawks in Atlanta?

The Bobcats helped the Bulls get into the playoffs.  I hold grudges.

Miami has Wade and O’neal who I love as well as Canadian Joel Anthony and they are playing the Celtics who, as we know, I despise.  They will also likely try to steal Bosh in the off-season and for that reason alone are not a team I can cheer for. They’ve already won recently and don’t need the win as badly as other teams.  Close, but not the team I will cheer for.

The Eastern team I’d like to see in the Finals is the Atlanta Hawks.  They have one of the best young lineups in the NBA.  All of their players play hard and there isn’t a player on that team I can dislike.  They’re a team that could surprise a lot of people.  Mike Bibby and Joe Johnson are two of the best leaders in the NBA.  Josh Smith and Marvin Williams are two of the most exciting young players in the game and Al Horford is going to be a dominant player in the league.  They’re likeable, exciting to watch and are well coached.

Go Hawks!

In the Western Conference, we’ve already discussed the  Lakers.  They will, most likely, take the championship spot in the West, but I want to cheer for someone different.  Someone that hasn’t won.

What about the Thunder?  In a couple of years we are all going to be talking about how 2010 was the year the Thunder came of age.  They are not ready yet and, more than likely, won’t get past the first round.  This young team is gaining some playoff experience.  This is the first year of many this team will be battling for the prize.  Soon, this will be the team to beat in the NBA.  Mark my words.

The Jazz are not an exciting team.  Deron Williams is, but after that not much in the way of excitement.  Unless you count Andrea Kirilenko as exciting.  Plus I still can’t forgive Carlos Boozer for the way he left Cleveland.  I hold grudges remember?

The Nuggets would be the scariest looking champions of all-time.  For that reason alone they are enticing.  I just can’t get behind them yet.  Maybe a few Billups daggers will get me going.

The Mavs are fantastic on paper and their owner is a whole lot more entertaining that the Teachers’ Pension Plan but Big D just isn’t for me either.

Neither is Portland.  A great looking young team, much like the Hawks, but no Roy equals no chance.

Steve Nash is a player Raptor fans should have no problem getting behind. Go Suns!

San Antonio is still plugging away, but they’re looking old and tired and not cheer worthy.

The Western team of choice is the Phoenix Suns.  Steve Nash is a Canadian.  check.  He is a very unselfish basketball player that makes others around him better. Check.  He can control a game like no other.  Check.  He makes Jason Richardson, Channing Frye and Grant Hill look like All-Stars.  Check Mate.

Phoenix deserves a shot. They ‘re a likeable team and definitely one that you can cheer for. Plus they are underdogs.

If it’s not going to be the Raptors, Go Suns and Go Hawks!

Let the second season begin!

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Kristoffer Pedlar
The Zan Tabak Herald

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by | January 9, 2010 · 7:23 pm

Reggie Evans: Man or Myth?

Reggie Evans is expected to bring defensive energy and intensity when he returns to the Raptors' lineup later this month.

When the Raptors traded Jason Kapono this off-season for Reggie Evans General Manager Brian Colangelo was banking on getting back an X-Factor, a game changer, and someone who could anchor the defence with his strong physical presence.  The guy is a beast and has a reputation around the league as someone you don’t want to match up with.  He embodies everything that has been missing from the Raptors lineup this season: hustle, defense, intensity and physicality.  Since his injury, and with the Raptors defensive struggles during the early part of the season, his importance to the Raptors has been discussed regularly by fans and pundits alike.

Reports are indicating that Evans may return some time during the month of January and from listening to Raptor Nation you’d think the Raptors were getting Charles Barkley circa 1993 back, or maybe Kevin Garnett.

His legend has grown during his time on the shelf and with every Raptor loss it grows more still.  When the Raptors get abused inside the announcers always mention “it would be nice to have Reggie Evans back”, “How much do the Raps miss this guy?Dominique Wilkens even strode up to the Raptors announce table during the debacle that was the Atlanta game and said two words to Devlin and Jack Armstrong: “Reggie Evans”.  In his mind, and in the minds of many, he is the missing ingredient that could help transform this team into a defensive presence in the East.

The Raptors have been playing very well recently and are starting to “turn a corner” as Jay Triano gets more consistent with his rotation, the players get to know each other better and the defensive effort becomes more consistent.  The presence of Reggie Evans can only expediate that process.  He could be the added shot of energy this team needs: a human can of Red Bull to lift them during the second half of the season.

Reggie Evans has built a career on rebounding the ball

In his time with Philadelphia, Reggie earned a reputation as a player you did not want covering you.  Ask Al Horford, ask Kevin Garnett, ask Jermaine O’neal, Ask Chris Bosh.  This is a tough guy to play against.  There are no easy baskets against Reggie Evans; he is going to make you earn every bucket you get.  On top of that, if you miss, he won’t let you get the rebound.  That ball, fine sir, belongs to Reggie Evans.  That sense of dominance and energy has been missing for the Raptors for large periods of time this season.

With Reggie coming back it will mean less time for Amir Johnson who has been consistently reliable and occasionally exceptional.  It may cause Triano to have difficulty figuring out how to distribute minutes.  A nice problem to have but one that could also disrupt the recent cohesion of this group.   His return will likely push Bargnani, Bosh and the young gun Johnson in practice and improve the help defense for the perimeter players (Calderon, I’m looking at you). It will also certainly mean more emotion from the Raps.  An intangible element that is contagious and incredibly beneficial in a seven game series, which the Raptors seem destined to be a part of.

…And the Legend continues.

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