Tag Archives: Atlanta Hawks

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.

***

Kristoffer Pedlar
The Zan Tabak Herald

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by | April 15, 2012 · 8:40 pm

Who are These Guys?

So the Toronto Raptors are all of a sudden playing like a team that could put a scare into a higher seeded team in the playoffs.  What has happened? Or more to the point, what took so long?

No Bargnani, no Calderon, no Bayless, no Problem.

Dwane Casey started a lineup that would have been considered a joke at the beginning of the year and came away with an impressive and decisive victory over a very good Atlanta Hawks team.

The last time the Raptors won in Atlanta, it was 2007 and Peyton Manning was winning his only Super Bowl championship with the Indianapolis Colts.  Yep, it was that long ago.

I don’t know what Dwane Casey has told this team or what he has done to make them so much better than they should be, but he has really turned the fortunes of this team around.  He is winning with a roster that shouldn’t be.

On Sunday night his defensive system held the high-octane, playoff bound Atlanta Hawks to 86 points on 40% shooting.

Much will be made of the effect this game will have on the Raptors eventual first round draft pick and on the “Tank Nation” movement, but how can you not like the way Dwane Casey has this team playing?

Break up the Raptors!!

Zan for Three

Kudos to the Coach

While many will thumb their nose at another victory and chalk it up to hurting our chances at a top pick in the NBA draft, much needs to be made about the way Dwane Casey has turned this team around.  While (arguably) three of his best players were out with injury, Casey willed his band of castaways to consecutive victories over Boston and Atlanta; both teams heading to the playoffs in two weeks.  His defensive system and preparedness has got this team playing the best ball they have played all season regardless of the names on the back of the jerseys.

The whole is greater than the sum of its parts.

With a roster that sports 3 D-League players and a host of others that would be hard pressed to crack the Bobcats lineup this year, Casey has gotten a lot out of this team.

Alan Anderson is playing his way into the hearts of the Raptor faithful and Justin Dentmon and Ben Uzoh are showing that they belong in the NBA.  Most importantly, for the Raptors moving forward, Demar Derozan is looking every bit a top flight player.

All of the success goes to the coach.

You may not know a lot them, but this Raptor team is playing some very inspired ball over the last few weeks. Dwane Casey deserves all of the credit for the turnaround.

Casey has his team playing hard and giving their all.  They’ve bought in to the “pound the rock” mantra and the results are becoming more and more consistent.

I don’t know about you, but I think it’s time to talk extension.

10 Day Factor

There are some out there who believe you have to be wary of players that are on 10 day contracts as they tend to play very hard until they get a full contract.  I say it’s time to test that theory.

All three of Toronto’s 10-day club have earned the right to be a part of the team this year and possibly beyond.  Alan Anderson has been an absolute revelation and deserves a guaranteed contract with the big club for next year.  His 16 points on 6 of 9 shooting has been a regular kind of statline and he is often the hardest working player on the court every night he plays.

If you’re a believer in rewarding hard work then you almost have to give this guy a guaranteed deal.  A great find by Colangelo and great faith shown by Casey.

Where do you buy the Anderson Jerseys?

Breaking out of the Dog House

James Johnson hasn’t been the same player since he was benched by Dwane Casey for unspecified reasons a few weeks ago.  He’s looked lost and he hasn’t seen anywhere near the minutes he was seeing before being benched.  He lost his starting spot to Aaron Gray and never got it back.  It’s been a bad month for JJ.

Tonight he got his groove back.  He played hard and made the most of his 23 minutes scoring 15 on 6 of 8 shooting and chipped in with 4 rebounds and a steal.  He was all over the defensive end and did a great job containing Atlanta’s high scoring forwards.

Hopefully, he’s back. 

Zan of the Night

Demar Derozan

Not enough is being made of the complete turnaround in Derozans game over the last month.  He has shed his rough first half and is looking every bit the player the Raptors brass envisions him to be going forward.  Dwane Casey has cracked the code with Demar and has him playing the best ball, possibly of his career.

This all bodes very well for next year as the Raptors will be gunning for the playoffs.  With a confident, effective Derozan that goal becomes a lot more realistic.

Not Zan of the Night

Joe Johnson

A rough night at the office for Johnson.  One of the better veteran shooters around, he had a simply dreadful game shooting 2 for 12 with only 7 points.  He was held completely in check by the Raptors defense and could not get his team going at all.  A lopsided loss to the Raptors says a lot about Atlanta’s playoff chances.  If the Hawks have any hope in the Eastern conference playoffs it will be Joe Johnson that must lead them.  Tonight he was a non-factor.

…finally

An Alabi Sighting!  0 points in 2 minutes of play, but he did get a shot off! More to come, I’m sure.  Free Alabi!

***

Kristoffer Pedlar
The Zan Tabak Herald

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by | February 1, 2012 · 12:14 am

Another Ugly Loss for Raptors without Bargnani

One game removed from Demar Derozan stepping up to fill the void of Andrea Bargnani, the Raptors and Derozan fell back to Earth at the ACC, getting absolutely obliterated by the Atlanta Hawks.

The Raptors had no answers for Joe Jonson who seemed to do what he wanted, when he wanted all night long.  The Raptors could not get any scoring from their starting lineup and need to start searching for an identity without Andrea Bargnani.

Bargnani is their best player, by far, and his absence only seems to be cementing how valuable he is to this team.  Without him the Raptors look lost on offense as no one seems able or willing to create their own shot or take over a game.

Demar Derozan was able to do it against the Nets, but he needs to find that effort  consistently if he is going to take that next step in his development.

Tonight Derozan and the Raptors were flat.

Zan For Three

Love and Hate

It was German poet Kurt Tucholsky who said; “those who hate most fervently must have once loved deeply…”  In the case of Toronto Raptors fans this rings true.  We see it every time Vince Carter, Chris Bosh, or Tracy McGrady come to town.  The entire stadium goes absolutely Roman on them.  There is so much venom and disgust it absolutely dominates the game.

Tonight Tracy McGrady was back in town as an Atlanta Hawk.  Make no mistake about it, his game is no where near where it used to be, but Raptor fans don’t seem to care.  They boo him every time he touches the ball.  

They boo because of the way he left this franchise and they boo his smug attitude.  On Tuesday they were also booing his mockery of our National Anthem.

McGrady jokingly sang the Canadian National anthem at the start of the game and shared a laugh with his fellow teammates about the incident.  As if this town needs more reason to dislike this guy.

He left Toronto right as he was about to explode into a superstar.  He could have had years playing alongside his cousin Vince as a potent one-two punch in Toronto.  He chose fame and fortune in Orlando and the Raptors never quite reached the height they could have if McGrady had stuck around a few more years.

Everytime the fans boo him it is with the image of what could have been in their minds.  They wanted to love Tmac, they wanted to buy his jersey and chant his name.  But he didn’t let them and he took away what was, seemingly an opportunity at Eastern Conference supremacy in his days in Toronto.

He will always be public enemy no. 1 in these parts, but I think he’s just fine with that.

Jose Calderon and Dwane Casey discuss strategies on how to stop Joe Johnson. I don't think they came up with anything.

Striving for Consistency

A game after igniting Raptor Blogs everywhere, Demar Derozan took a holiday.  He looked lost and discombobulated out there and not the same player he was one game ago.  Demar is a great player, there is no doubt about that.  He can shoot the mid range jumper well, drive with the best of them and is learning to hit that three-point shot more consistently.  What he hasn’t figured out yet is how to make his performance consistent each night.

Game in and game out you’re never sure what you’re going to get.  Will it be the confident high flyer who gets to the rim at will? or will it be the timid player that is content shooting low percentage jump shots?  We’ve seen both this year, but if Raptor fans are going to get excited about the future, he is going to have to start putting forth a more consistent effort.

We need this guy to be the player he can be on a more regular basis.

Alabi Time?

Come on! No Alabi in garbage time?  If not on a night like tonight, then when?  Coach Casey has to give this guy a look otherwise the fan base will never know what they have in him.  There is no time like the present when the team seems to be looking for some inside assistance.

Gotta give him a sniff sometime.  In a game like this, that is over quickly, it is imperative that guys like Forbes, Alabi and Ed Davis get an extended look.  It is integral to see what exactly the Raptors have on this team for the future and for the trade market.

Zan of the Night

Joe Johnson

The guy was lights out all night long.  He had 30 points at the beginning of the third quarter!  His performance was awe-inspiring and he could not be controlled.  He seemed to take full advantage of  the Raptors weak perimeter defense.  He manhandled them all night long and in the end was the key to the Hawks victory.

Not Zan of the Game

Amir Johnson

Would the real Amir Johnson please stand up? Amir is typically snagging rebounds and finishing beautiful passes from Jose Calderon.  Lately he has been all over the map, from non-existent to downright awful.  Tonight he was invisible. He just isn’t doing the things he needs to do on either end of the floor.  Hopefully for everyone, he picks up his game or the beneficiary will be Ed Davis who is starting to see more minutes.

***

Kristoffer Pedlar

The Zan Tabak Herald

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by | January 16, 2012 · 10:54 pm

Raps Effort Wasted in Atlanta

It was a strange game for the Raptors on Monday afternoon.  It was close on the scoreboard and yet never really felt all that close.  The Atlanta Hawks took it to the Raptors early and were able to hang on down the stretch despite the fact that the undermanned Raptors hung around all four quarters.

The Raptors were really missing Andrea Bargnani who was out once again with a strained calf.  The offense was stagnant without him.  Demar Derozan could not get anything going and became a jump shooter that failed to get to the line once.

Still the effort was there.

This may be a phrase that Raptor fans are tired of hearing already.  It seems they are always on the short end of the stick despite the fight.  The truth of the matter is that they lack their number one guy right now and don’t have anyone who seems ready to step up.

Josh Smith gave the Raptors fits on both ends of the floor, scoring at will and battling on the boards.

Without that number one option this team is dead in the water night in and night out.  If this effort is going to start being rewarded with victories someone (Demar Derozan) is going to have to show up for all 4 quarters.

The Raptors saw improved play from Ed Davis and solid point play from Jose Calderon, but the Hawks were able to abuse the Raptors both inside and out.  They got to the line 31 times and took full advantage of their opportunities.  Josh Smith was an absolute beast scoring, seemingly, at will and controlling the boards on both ends of the floor.

Atlanta is one of those teams that you can’t quite figure out.  Are they a contender in the East? or are they a treadmill team fooling themselves into thinking they have a chance?  On Monday they looked like both.

Unfortunately both teams were better than the Raptors.

Zan for Three

Rotation Issues

Man, are the Raptors missing Andrea Bargnani right now.

The scoring has not been there and Dwane Casey has got to try to find scoring from somewhere.  I’m not sure that the place to find the scoring is Rasual Butler.

I’m not a hater.  I don’t think he should be banished from the team, or nailed to the bench but he certainly should not be playing 30 minutes a game. Especially when Linas Kleiza, arguably the better player, gets ten minutes.

The rotation has been über tight the last little while with Andrea and James Johnson out but when those two come back I would like to see minutes go to players that actually have a future here.

That being said, I am liking the way Casey has been increasing Ed Davis’s minutes and I am very intrigued by the way Gary Forbes has been used.  Hopefully these are things we continue to see for the Raps whether we win or lose.

The Barbosa Factor

So Leandro Barbosa has quietly turned into our most potent scoring threat.  With Andrea out and Demar unable to create his own offense Barbosa has been the most consistent scorer on the team.

Normally I would be in staunch opposition to this, except for the fact that Barbosa stands to fetch a nice price at the trade deadline from a contender if he keeps this up.

Barbosa isn’t part of the core moving forward.  He could be dealt any day really, but his resurgance isn’t taking any time away from our young players really.  When Bayless comes back I expect the Barbosa trade rumours to grow.  Right now he is playing himself into a better return.

That’s a good thing for the Raptors.

Mr. Versatility

So Gary Forbes really is an enigma wrapped in a conundrum for the Raptors.  He did not look very good at all in the opening moments of this NBA season, but he is now proving himself to be a much more versatile player.

The Jarryd Bayless point guard experiment seems to be on hold even when he returns from injury and in its place the Raptors have begun a Forbes experiment. So far the experiment is, at least, intriguing. 

He’s playing the point, moving the ball well and once his shot starts to fall he could be an interesting project for the Raptors coaching staff.

I like the way he played on Thursday for the Raptors and I have enjoyed how the team has played when he is on the floor.  If nothing else, having another ball handler is a luxury the Raptors can certainly take advantage of.

Plus the foul…

Numero Ocho

Not enough love is given to Jose Calderon.  Until Rasual Butler came along, Jose was the favourite whipping boy of chat rooms and twitter feeds.  His defense is as infamous around these parts as a Shaq free throw attempt.  This year he is quietly having an outstanding year.

Once again he will be near the top of the league in assists and assist to Turnover ratio.  He has a fantastic shooting percentage and he is careful with the ball.

Tonight; another quiet double-double.

We’ve become so accustomed to the consistent play that Calderon exhibits that we often don’t give it enough credit.

He is a good player.  A solid point guard and a good leader and floor general for this young team.

Zan of the Night

Josh Smith

Early in the game he went right at Amir and Ed.  He got to the line at will and shot the ball very well.  Not only that but he was very active on defense and the boards despite giving up some size to the Toronto front court. The Raptors didn’t have an answer for Smith inside and he took full advantage of it.

Not Zan of the Game 

Demar Derozan

I’m still hoping this is just an extended slump, but Demar is not coming up big when we need him to.  Without Andrea, Demar is the number one option.  But he is not playing like the team’s number one.

He isn’t even doing the things he used to be great at.  His mid range shot is not falling, he isn’t getting to the line and his shot selection has gone completely to hell.

Toronto needs Demar to step up and step up soon.  Not only in order to give the team a chance to win, but to give the Raptor faithful some hope for the future.

***

Kristoffer Pedlar

The Zan Tabak Herald

***

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by | April 17, 2011 · 10:32 am

Who’s your Team in the 2011 Playoffs?

With the Raptors season now a distant memory, the basketball fan in me has to find a team to cheer for, a team to really get behind.  A team that will let me feel the ups and downs of a true fan with some sort of authenticity. I love watching basketball but it is way more fun when you have someone to cheer for.

Last year I chose Atlanta and Phoenix and it was a fun playoff to watch.  I a little heartbroken when Nash and company were eliminated after a surprise filled run.  Was it worth the feeling the morning after, watching a game go into the early morning on a Wednesday?  Yup.

So this year, who do I cheer for?

There are lots and lots of talent to cheer for in the Eastern Conference.  Could I get behind a guy like Derek Rose and his jaw dropping play?  For sure.  Or do I want to support the original Big Three in Boston? or the Evil Empire that calls Miami home?  or do I take a relative underdog that might surprise a few people?

I still Like Atlanta and their young team.  Kirk Hinrich has given the young scorers on that team a level headed leader.  Definitely a possible upset or two in the Dirty South this year.

In the West my usual choice would be Steve Nash and the Suns, but alas they weren’t good enough to get the job done this year.

So who now?

Dallas?  They’ve got some great talent and a veteran cheif calling the shots in Jason Kidd; a guy you just can’t hate.

San Antonio?  Old reliable. A team that quietly goes about their business and one that has Matt Bonner a definite favourite of mine and Raptor fans alike.

Then there are the defending champs from LA.  My hatred of the Celtics led me to cheer for them last year, but this is not my favourite team.  Kobe this past week irked me quite a bit with his homophobic slur and half hearted apology.  They’re not looking like defending champs and they might not be around very long. Not that I would be greatly disappointed.

Then there are your long shots.  The Thunder are exciting and the acquisition of Kendrick Perkins was designed for this time of year.  Kevin Durant is a great player to wach and provides a lot of excitement.  As does Chris Paul in New Orleans or LaMarcus Aldridge in Portland.

So who’s it gonna be.

In the West, I’m going with the Thunder.  They’re young, exciting and humble.  Kendrick Perkins is a game changer for them.  I think they will surprise the Spurs and Mavs in the West.  Watch out for this team because they have a chance to go all the way and do it while playing very exciting basketball.

Kevin Durant is one of the most exciting players out there and Russell Westbrook looks ready to bust out this year.  They might not make it all the way but they’re a team I can get behind.  They remind me of what I dream the Raptors to one day be.  And in Oklahoma you get an absolutely basketball-mad environment as your backdrop.  It writes itself.  GO Thunder!

Is there a team more hated in the NBA than the Miami Heat? This spring Im cheering for Anyone but Maimi.

In the East I’m taking an “ABM” mentality.  That would be “Anyone But Miami”.

There is nothing like an NBA playoff series with a clear villain.  Miami is that villain.  Everyone outside of South Beach, where Lebron took his talents, will be cheering against the Big 2.5.  Add me to that list.

I hate these guys.  I hate their attitude, their over confidence, their cocky swaggar, the referees love of blowing the whistle for everything that comes within a foot of them.  It’s everything I hate about the league wrapped up into one team.

So therefore: Go 76ers! Go Celtics! Go Bulls!  ABM!  Anyone but Miami!

If I’m calling a specific team to beat them I’d have to go with Boston or Chicago.  Chicago is the team I think will do it.  They have the same amount of scoring power, but Chi-town also has a strong inside game that Miami cannot contend with.

Carlos Boozer + Joakim Noah > Chris Bosh and Zydrunas Ilgauskas.

The greatest call of the playoffs will hopefully be when Chuck Swirsky gets out the Salami and Cheese for Lebron and his buddies.

So, for the next month and a half I’ll be sitting in front of my TV watching and cheering for the Thunder and Anyone but Miami!

Who are you cheering for?

***

Kristoffer Pedlar

The Zan Tabak Herald
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by | January 12, 2011 · 11:33 pm

Hawks Get a Late Assist From the Refs to Beat the Raptors

I don’t believe that sports are fixed or that refs have alterior motives when calling a game, but the fourth quarter at the ACC on Wednesday night looked awfully fishy.

One could call it a bad break, a lack of respect, or just sheer bad refereeing.

Whatever way you slice it, the Raps lost a game they seemed to have right in the palm of their hands.

A great effort from Leandro Barbosa and another dominant effort from Andrea Bargnani were not enough to overcome and absolutely unreal performance by Jamal Crawford a late dagger three by Mike Bibby ( a Raptor killer if there ever was one).

The Raptors shouldn’t hang their heads because the effort was there on both ends of the floor and the team got contributions from every player that touched the floor.  The team really seemed to channel the energy of JYD, who was present court side for this one.

In the end the Raptors had an opportunity to put it away in the fourth, but a very questionable call on an Amir Johnson screen turned the ball back over to the Hawks where Bibby hit his three-point dagger.  The Raptors followed with a Jose Calderon drive where he got absolutely hammered and the ball went off of him.  The Raps lost the ball and the game.

Refs can be your friends sometimes and then they can also be your worst enemy.  Tonight the Raps were beaten by the Hawks with an assist to the zebras.

Zan for Three

Refs Suck

Some might call it bad luck, others will say Jose flopped, but I think the refs missed the call at the end of the game.  Even if they got that one right, the earlier call on the Amir screen was tick-tack and they could have sent Derozan to the line several times and didn’t.  The Raptors played with heart out there and I’m proud of their effort, but it hurts to lose when so the calls by the refs were so one-sided.

Tick-tack foul on one side of the floor and total non-calls on the other.  Watching the game back again and it was a little ridiculous.  The Raptors couldn’t buy a call tonight.

I tack this up to being a young team that just isn’t respected by the league officials.  I don’t believe a league, with clear rules should award fouls based on reputation and status in the league, but no one can deny it is the way the league works.

Tonight the Raptors were robbed by the refs.  Yes, the Hawks made some tough shots down the stretch, but there is no way the free throw attempts should ever be so heavily weighted on one side of the court.  31 – 12 in favour of the Hawks.  That is just downright ridiculous and in no way representative of the way the game was played.

The Raptors fell painfully short against the Hawks at the ACC, but it wasn't for lack of effort.

I hate it, but I also know that the more Demar and co. drive the lane and get hammered, the better their calls will be down the road.  We may have to wait a few years for Demar to get foul calls he is not getting now, but they will come.

This is just how the NBA officials work.

Busting Out

Andrea Bargnani is beginning to bust loose on the NBA.  Ever since he was drafted, rather infamously, number one overall, Raptor faithful have mused: “if he can ever put it together consistently, he’s gonna be great…”

It would appear that we are on the cusp of that time.  Bargnani has been damn good for several games in a row and looks like a key building block going forward.  He is gaining confidence with every game.  The true mark of a great player is when they shoot the ball, you just know it’s going in.

Lebron has that feeling. Kobe has that feeling.  Vince used to have it. and Bargnani is starting to have that feel to his game right now.

When he let’s go of the ball, you can just hear the swish before it’s left his hands.  He feels like an automatic every time.

Tonight he carried his team.  Il Mago was the only consistent Dino, outside of Barbosa, and he put the team on his shoulders for periods of the game.  This is another mark of a star.

Now, I’m not suggesting that Andrea Bargnani be the centre of the Raptors universe and Bryan Colangelo should build around him like he did with Chris Bosh.  I think Bargnani is a great #1B or #2 on a competitive team.  He is showing that he deserves consideration for an All Star position and carrying  the load without the departed Chris Bosh.

It no longer feels like a matter of if, but rather when he will become a legitimate star.  He’s getting attention from around the league and has earned the respect of the officials.

Most importantly his coach and teammates trust him when the game is on the line.

Il Mago is on his way.

Northern Lights Out

Is it just me, or does Jamal Crawford love playing in Toronto.  The guy always seems to show up when he plays at the ACC.  Tonight he was absolutely unconscious.  There was a point in the game where I thought we might see another 81 point night.  Everything he shot went down.  His long, long three in the fourth quarter while the shot clock was winding down, was a shot that should never have gone down, but may have swung the game to the Hawks.

Jamal Crawford is a dangerous player and sometimes does not get the credit he deserves. Yes, he is a mostly one-dimensional player and could be classified as a “volume-shooter”, but he has put up some impressive numbers against the Raps and has really come into his own on this Hawks team.

Whether he starts or comes off the bench he always seems to have the Kryptonite  that shuts the Raptors down.

Plus the Foul

Welcome back JYD

Gotta love seeing JYD back at the ACC.  One of, if not my absolute, favourite Raptor of all-time.  He played the game the right way and fought hard.  He wasn’t the most gifted or skilled player on the floor, but he had the biggest heart.  He endeared himself to Raptors faithful on the first day he became a Raptor by driving himself to Toronto from Detroit and he never looked back.  Tonight the Raptors channelled a little JYD as they fought to stay in the game and had the chance to win it at the end.  Heart is something yo just can’t measure in Sports.  JYD had it in spades and it is obviously contagious.

Zan of the Night

Leandro Barbosa

He has been one of the most consistent Raptors this season. At the beginning of the year I predicted that Linas Kleiza would be the “X-Factor” of this season, but it has clearly been Leandro Barbosa thus far.  He has been an absolute gem off the bench for the Raptors filling in admirably at both the point and the wing position.

He doesn’t always pass the ball, but he also doesn’t always need to.  He is unquestionably still one of the faster players in league and certainly changes the tempo when he enters the game.  The Raptors have been lucky to have him and he rewarded his teammates tonight with a stellar shooting performance ( 11-16 for 26 points).

The Brazilian Blur gets the Zan tonight!

Not Zan of the Night

Demar Derozan

Yes, he is young. And yes, he is inconsistent.  This is something we are coming to know about Demar Derozan.  One game he looks like the next big thing, then he disappears for a game.  Tonight the Jekyll and Hyde routine continued as he was ineffective against the Hawks defense.  To his credit, he did take the ball to the rim, but was rarely rewarded for his efforts.  The kid is having a tough time doing what his coach wants and not seeing the payoff at the same time.

Demar just needs to keep doing what he is doing right now and eventually he will start getting to the line more.  A nice young player who just has to play through nights like this one.

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Kristoffer Pedlar

The Zan Tabak Herald
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by | November 28, 2010 · 4:15 pm

Hawks Claw the Raptors Apart

It was a rough day at the office for the Toronto Raptors as they were absolutely dismantled by the Atlanta Hawks 96-78 at the ACC.  The Hawks were deadly from the three-point line and without Reggie Evans and Peja Stojakovic the Raptors could not compete against one of the more deadly teams in the Eastern Conference.

What should be a concern for the Raptors is the deficiencies they have in the starting lineup.  They do not start games well, nor do they start the second half very well.  The Raptors have one of the better benches in the NBA, but their starters take them out of games early.  This is something that needs to be rectified as the road only gets more difficult without Reggie Evans in the lineup.

Today the Hawks absolutely destroyed the Raptors inside and ran circles around the starting unit, especially in the second half.  Josh Smith was brilliant on both ends of the court  and the Hawks spread the ball around the floor with all starters in double figures.

The Raptors need to get to the line more and play with intensity on defense.  Everything they had going for them in their recent four game winning streak was non-existent today.  Without Reggie it might be a long season ahead.

The Zan for Three

A Tale of Two Halves

The Raptors came out of the gate with a great deal of energy and took advantage of a Hawks team that was on the second game of a back to back.  The Hawks were ripe for the picking as the game was an early start and the Hawks played the night before.  Calderon and Bargnani were hot in the first half and Joey Dorsey was looking serviceable.  They ended the half a little rough but were still very much in the game.

The second half killed them.  There was no defense to be found, shots were not falling and nobody was trying to get to the free throw line.  As the Raptors continued to fall behind they insisted on throwing up three balls to get themselves back into it.  At one point in the third quarter the Raptors used four possessions in a row to toss-up a three, none of which connected.

What was more frustrating was the lack of team defense in the second half.  The Raps looked lethargic and uninterested.  The Hawks are a quick team, but a rested Raptors squad could not keep up with the Hawks on the defensive end.  The ball went inside and then outside and their was simply no guarding the Hawks perimeter shooters.  On top of it all the Raptors took bad shots and couldn’t buy a bucket for large stretches of the second half.

It was like watching two completely different teams from one half to the next.

Point Guard Controversy?

Tim Chisholm made a bold suggestion this weekend, only  two games into the post Jarrett Jack era, that the Raptors should think long and hard about bringing Jose off the bench and starting Jarryd Bayless.

I do not for a second think Jay Triano will make this change so quickly after the trade, but a couple more losses at home and why not?  Bayless is doing something that no one else on the team seems to be willing to do and that is drive the lane.  Bayless entered the game in the second half, with the result no longer in doubt, and brought his team back a little bit.  He play aggressive defense, which the starting unit lacks, and he drives the lane and gets to foul line, something the starting unit needs to do more of.

Bayless looks to  be a potential building black going forward and there is no harm inserting him into the starting unit, especially if the Raptors begin to fall out of playoff contention.

Without the contributions of Reggie Evans, the Raptors will be in tough, as they were Sunday against the Hawks.

 

The Reggulus Way

I love Reggie Evans.  Have I mentioned that yet this year?  The guy is a beast on the court and plays his heart out on every possession.  He has a broken foot is could be out for a long, long time, but there he was on the court, complete with crutches, with his team instructing them on some defensive ideas.  Let’s not get into the fact that his ideas obviously didn’t work out, but he was there with his team in body and in spirit.  In a city used to the Chris Boshs and Vince Carters of yester year, it was nice to see a guy who was trying to contribute any way he could despite his injury.  I know  Reggie is an expiring contract and he likely does not fit into the future plans of this franchise, but this is a character guy that would be a great veteran off the bench for a young team going forward.

Memo to Bryan Colangelo: Keep this guy!

Zan of the Night

Josh Smith

He was all over the court.  He played tight defense on the Raptors and single-handedly shut down Andrea Bargnani, holding him to just two points in the second half.  He distributed to his teammates and was active on the glass, out-muscleing bigger stronger Raptors.  He ended the game with a triple double and was the heart and soul of his team today.  With a guy like this working with the rest of this very deep team, the Hawks might be my sleeper pick to come out of the East this year.

Not Zan of the Night

The Starting Five

It would be easy to give this to one guy or another, but this unit just didn’t have it.  Yes Reggie is out, so let’s forgive Dorsey for being horribly out of his league on offense and defense.  But Calderon, Bargnani, Derozan and Weems were all simply awful.  Bargnani was good int he first half and then didn’t even show up for the second.  Demar was brutal on both ends of the floor and Calderon needs to learn to shoot the ball every once in a while.  I like his giving nature, but for the love of humanity shot the ball when you are open.  Weems was awful as well.  This unit needs to find its identity or a change is needed.

 

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Kristoffer Pedlar
The Zan Tabak Herald
***
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by | July 16, 2010 · 12:09 pm

What Lebrons Decision Means for the Raptors

With the creation of the Miami “Super Heat”, there will be a resounding domino effect felt throughout the league and, in particular, the Eastern Conference.  Cleveland and Toronto will probably be the most affected by the signings in Miami, but make no mistake about it, there will be shockwaves all over the NBA.  Teams will change their views of how to build a winner and teams that were close to contending before, may find themselves on the outside looking in.

Toronto will feel the effects first hand next season.

The Raptors came to within one game of making the playoffs in the Eastern Conference this year and one would have to assume that their chances have taken a big hit with the loss of their best player, and leader, Chris Bosh.

Bosh was the centrepiece of the offense in Toronto and the main go-getter of rebounds. He was a leader on and off the court and was the sole reason the Raps were able to keep pace with many teams night after night.  Without that kind of contribution, one would have to assume,  the Raptors will be hard pressed to see any kind of success next year or playoff basketball.

With Lebron joining Chris and Dwayne Wade in Miami, the entire balance of power shifts in the Eastern Conference.  Cleveland will likely no longer be factors in playoff discussions and Miami will likely be at the top of everyone’s prediction charts.

Playoff spots are almost certain, barring injury, to teams like Miami, Boston, Orlando, Atlanta, and Chicago.  All of those teams kept major players or made strong upgrades through free agency.  That only leaves three more spots for the playoffs next season.  Those spots are likely to be teams that are thrashed in the first round by the teams mentioned.  Teams like Milwaukee, New York, Charlotte, Detroit and Cleveland will all be vying for those last three spots.

Colangelo is moving forward following the departure of Chris Bosh and his efforts could finally land the Raptors in the playoffs.

Will Toronto be one of those teams?

My feeling is that the Raptors will be more competitive than anyone gives them credit for.  They will not be predicted as one of the top eight teams in the East, but they have as good a shot as anyone.

Without Chris Bosh, the Raptors must alter their game plan.  Good thing the Raptors have a GM that is good at changing up his game plan.

Chris Bosh was the focus of the offense for the Raptors and as a result their offensive sets often involved giving Bosh the ball and waiting for him to shoot, drive or kick out to a shooter.  This plan got a little stale and as a result teams found the Raptors easier and easier to defend.  Jermaine O’Neal, Shawn Marion, Hedo Turkoglu were all brought in to compliment him, but in the end the Raps couldn’t find a compliment to Bosh.

With no Chris Bosh, the Raptors will be able to change-up their offensive sets.  Triano has proven in the past to be a decent X’s and O’s kind of coach and now he has a variety of players around that can do a multitude of things.  Ball handlers, shooters, guys that can drive, guys that feed on putbacks.  The “Boshless Era” may end up being an exciting time to watch the Raptors.

The franchise will not have to force everyone to mould to Bosh’s style.  Players will be allowed to be themselves, focus on their strengths and compliment each other.

The American Dream Team had a very hard time defeating the Spanish National team over the last few years.  The Dream Team had the talent, as Miami now does, but the Spanish utilized an unselfish, team oriented style of basketball.  In the end the Spanish team gave the U.S.  all they could handle and took gold away in the 2006 world championships.  Colangelo watched as the Spanish team spread the ball around the floor and defeated the highly touted American squad.

Now Colangelo has the chance to build a team oriented style with this Raptors group.

He has at his disposal a number of exciting, young players that have no problem sharing the ball.  Amir Johnson, Demar Derozan, Jarrett Jack, Sonny Weems, Ed Davis and newly acquired Linus Kleiza and Leandro Barbosa.  Plus we’ll finally get a chance to see what Andrea Bargnani looks like as a focal point on offense.

Plus, Colangelo isn’t done dealing.  He has a massive trade exception at his disposal as well as expiring contracts in Marcus Banks and Reggie Evans.  You can also be assured that one of his point guards will be dealt before the season begins.  More weapons to help build his team-oriented strategy.

Team oriented championships have happened before.  One needs to look no farther than Detroit to see that a team can win without a proven star player.

Will the Raptors win this season?  Time will only tell.

One thing is certain though.  This team will be exciting to watch.  They will play a different style of ball and new players will share the leadership role. They have enough talent to compete for one of the spots not held by the upper echelon teams in the East.

While Bosh, Lebron and Wade will have difficulties sharing the ball next season, the Raptors will be full of players that want to share the ball and will do anything asked to make the team better.

Losing Bosh may end up being the best thing that ever happened to the Raptors.

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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 | April 9, 2010 · 10:39 pm

Altanta Hands Toronto a Loss, as the Raptors Cling to the 8th Spot.

Amir with the throw down. He's been one of the few bright spots for the Raptors this year.

Another game against Atlanta, another loss. That team is too athletic and too talented for us to beat at the best of times, even with Chris Bosh playing. The good news is, Chicago lost to New Jersey. God knows how that happened. But it should set up an interesting game against the Bulls on Sunday. A game that more or less decides who plays in the post season and who doesn’t.

The not so curious case of Hedo

Hedo Turkoglu has had a terrible year. No question. But let me paint you a picture.

Last year, with the Magic, he had 29 games where he scored over 20 points. This year? 7. That’s a big time drop off.

But here’s what’s interesting. With the Magic he took over 1000 shots. With the Raptors, only 600. Jay Triano has got to find a way to get Hedo more involved in a game. If not this year, then next year. His scoring average is the lowest it’s been since 2005. And I’m not sure it’s totally his fault.

Does any body care?

Looking around during the fourth quarter, the Raptors were all smiles. Laughing and joking and talking it up with the Hawks. If the Chicago Bulls managed to win their game last night we’d be one game out of the playoffs. We need to show some passion. Our team was down by two possessions, their season is on the line, and no one seemed keen on forcing the action. It’s furriating. Just because Chris Bosh is gone doesn’t mean the season is over. Let’s show some fight.

Basketball Gods, what did we do?

Why have you forsaken us? Every single year, something goes wrong. Our best players continually leave our team. The high risk signings we pick up, rarely turn out. And the one year, the one year, we get the first pick in the draft, is one of the weakest years in draft history. (The year before we could have has Chris Paul. The year after, Kevin Durrant)

Show us some mercy Basketball Gods. And now we’re clinging on to the final spot in the East, we lose Chris Bosh with a….broken face? Hedo is totally banged up. And now Antoine Wright seems like he’s gone for a few games. What’s it going to take to turn this franchise around? A little good fortune would be appreciated. Please for the love of god, show us some mercy. We could use a little.

Zan of the Night

Josh Smith

The guy’s a monster. When it comes to people talking about the best players in the game, he rarely gets a mention. But he most certainly should. He’s Mr. Consistency – bringing it every night

Not Zan of the Night

Andrea Bargnani

It’s not that he had a bad game. Although it struck me as odd when he didn’t play the end of the forth… It’s just that he needs to step it up a notch. He hasn’t developed that killer instinct that Dirk has and here’s hoping he can take a step towards.

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Jeremiah McNama

The Zan Tabak Herald

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