Tag Archives: Houston Rockets

by | December 16, 2012 · 11:09 pm

The Anderson Effect

The Toronto Raptors of the last two games are not the same team that lost 6 straight on the road and 13 of 14 dating back to Nov. 20th. This team is fighting, communicating with one another and getting results from unlikely sources.  On Sunday afternoon it was Jose Calderon, Ed Davis and Alan Anderson that stepped up, but the recent stretch has seen a change in the overall focus of the team. The Raps have been concentrating  on the defensive end of the ball, they’re sharing the ball well and are making smart basketball decisions. They also seem to be helping one another more and communicating on both ends.

So where did this change come from? The players did have a lengthy team meeting where they got a number of things off of their chest.  Perhaps that was the moment that caused this team to morph into what you now see on the court.

Perhaps it was addition by subtraction.  Both Andrea Bargnani and Kyle Lowry have been absent on this home stand due to injuries.  Both players were rumoured to be the focus of the vitriol during the team meeting and both players were admittedly not making good basketball decisions on their recent road trip.  Lowry was called out for calling his own number too much and Bargnani was called out for not delivering on the defensive end.  Bargnani has been the focus of so much negative press lately that his absence alone may have been a welcome blessing for both himself and the team.  Without the two stars, the Raptors look like a much improved team.

Or maybe it was the big meeting Casey, Colangelo and MLSE had this past week that was the impetus for change.  Maybe the players are playing with a bit of urgency because they know their job isn’t safe nor that of their coach or GM.

Alan Anderson doesn't always play extended minutes, but when he does, he makes the most out them. Another strong effort on Sunday was one of the keys to victory for the Raptors.

Alan Anderson doesn’t always play extended minutes, but when he does, he makes the most out them. Another strong effort on Sunday was one of the keys to victory for the Raptors.

One of the most subtle changes to the lineup during this time was the return of Alan Anderson.  He has played increasing minutes since his return and is doing the little things to get his teammates involved.  He makes the extra pass, fights for the ball, plays sound defense and encourages his teammates.

Anderson has been around a long time, bouncing in and out of the D-league, Europe and obscurity.  He came to the Raptors last season on a 10 day contract just hoping to do enough to earn another 10 days.  He did better than that, impressing Dwane Casey and Bryan Colangelo enough to offer him a brand new contract.

His work ethic, especially on the defensive end, is why he is a valuable asset to have hanging around a young team.  Anderson knows what is important for a team to focus on, knows how to play within a role and works hard every second he is on the floor. Having him on the court is like having a coach out there with the team.

Anderson, originally a point guard, is capable of playing many positions and has become known for his defensive intensity, a trait that surely earned the respect of Casey.  Casey often points to Anderson’s defensive effort as an example for the team to follow. 

When he is on the court the Raptors seem to have a clearer defensive identity. He energizes the rest of his team and gets them involved.  On Sunday he was one of the primary shooters, but he’s a smart player that plays within the flow of the game and knows when it is his place to take shots.  His timely play on Sunday was one of the keys to victory over the Rockets. It was his lay-up and free throws in the final minutes that sealed the victory for Toronto.

Anderson isn’t a player who is regularly asked to play heavy minutes.  This year he is averaging just over 20 minutes per game, but what he has been able to bring to the team in that time has been noticeable, just not always on the score sheet.  He puts defense first and this attitude is something that is beginning to rub off on his teammates. He is making use of his limited minutes and plays hard whenever his number is called.

This mentality could really come in handy for young players like Jonas Valanciunas or Terrence Ross, who have not seen consistent minutes this season.  They’re going to have to learn to make the most of their limited time on the court and earn those extra minutes.  Alan Anderson is a player they should watch and relish matching up against in practice.  He is not guaranteed minutes on this team, but earns them through his effort and commitment to the team philosophy.

If Jonas and Ross can put forth a more consistent effort on both ends of the floor and play within the flow of the game they are going to see a lot more minutes.  Ross, over the last two games, has looked more confident and has really let the game come to him.  In turn he has seen his minutes and production increase.  Anderson would be a great mentor for Ross.

Anderson also isn’t afraid to call out himself or his teammates when they need to be held accountable. This is a trait usually reserved for a teams’ star player or coach.   As of yet, not player on this team has become the vocal leader.  This may now be a role that Anderson has decided to take on.

Upon his return to the lineup this week he wasn’t afraid to call a spade a spade when discussing the teams misfortunes: “Our defense isn’t consistent as it can be and it should be…we’re playing three-quarters, three-and-a-half quarters and we disappear. So I think my experience…can sustain that and help us out some more.”

Whether it has been his words or his actions on the court, Anderson has clearly been inspiring his teammates. The effort of the team in the last two games has been a complete turnaround from the “road trip from hell”.  The last two games they’ve given up under 100 points and have held their opponents to 40% shooting.  They’re holding things together as a team and Anderson has been a big part of this resurgence.

On Sunday Jose Calderon was the best player on the court, recording a triple-double and playing some of his best basketball this season, but Anderson and his style of play, are beginning to make a larger impact on this young Raptors squad.

***

Kristoffer Pedlar
The Zan Tabak Herald

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by | July 6, 2012 · 8:37 am

No Nash, No Problem

I, like many in Toronto, counted their chickens before they had hatched.  Steve Nash is not coming home, he isn’t coming back to Canada, he isn’t even coming to the same time zone as us. Nash agreed to a 3 year $27 million contract with Kobe and the Lakers on Wednesday.

Raise your hand if you saw that coming…

Me neither.

One person did however, and that was Bryan Colangelo.

Less than 24 hours after losing out on Steve Nash and watching the phone lines at FAN590 and message boards all over the internet light up with calls for his head, Colangelo orchestrated a quick and effective move to fill the point guard position.

Acquiring Kyle Lowry will not have the same impact on merchandise sales or in the PR department as a Nash acquisition would have.  At least not yet.

While Steve Nash is looked upon in Canada as an icon and a saviour for the franchise, Lowry may be the better long-term option for the Raptors.

Nash is 38 years old and could at any time break down.  While I think that is unlikely he still is a little too long in the tooth to be a long-term option at the point for a very young Raptors team.

By comparison, Lowry is 12 years younger than Nash.  He possesses strong defensive skills and gets to the rim frequently.  He is also a very good rebounder for his position.

The Kyle Lowry acquisition may, in the end, work out better for the Raptors than Steve Nash would have, at least on the court.

Last year Lowry was instrumental in Houston’s rise back to prominence.  He averaged 14.3 points per game and helped his teammates get involved with 6.6 assists per game.  Those numbers climbed to 15.1 and 7.2 when he was appointed the starter.   He was an integral piece in their late season surge that almost ended with a playoff berth.

Toronto fans will like his game.  He takes the ball to the rim regularly and doesn’t settle for jump shots.  He isn’t a ball hog and gets his teammates involved in the flow of the offense and  is all over the court on the defensive end.  He’s a hard worker that will likely have fans at the ACC standing in appreciation.  He is a strong free throw shooter (86%)  and can hit with consistency from 3-pt range (38%).

In many ways, Lowry is a much better fit for this young Raptors squad than Nash would have been. Makes you wonder why he was even available, but his relationship with coach Kevin McHale was tumultuous.

Lowry won’t have that problem here. Dwane Casey loves to preach defense and he will now have a strong defender at the top of the circle leading his team on both ends of the floor.  Casey will likely put his trust in Lowry in a way McHale never did.

The icing on the cake with regard to Lowry is that he scheduled to make $5.75 million this year and $6.21 the next. That is a fraction of what the Raptors would have had to pay to get Nash to sign on the dotted line.  The Raptors now still have money and assets to go out and acquire another player.

Perhaps not landing Nash was a blessing in disguise.

For the many who were calling for Colangelo’s head after the Fields signing and the Nash debacle, things now appear to be a bit brighter.

Colangelo, like he has done many times as GM of this franchise, took a punch and quickly responded.  Plan B may actually turn out to be better than Plan A.

Fans in Toronto need to learn to wait until all the dust has settled before they snap to judgement.  Colangelo has been around a long time and is not one of the more respected GM’s in the league for nothing.  The Lowry deal proves Colangelo is a valuable asset in charge of this franchise.

In the end, the success or failure of these off-season moves cannot be accurately judged until the Raptors get on the court in the fall.  But Dwane Casey did a phenomenal job with lesser talent last year.  Fans wanted to see what he could do with an improved roster.  Adding Landry Fields and Kyle Lowry is certainly an upgrade.

Looking forward to seeing what Casey can do with his new talent and what moves Colangelo still has up his sleeve.

***

Kristoffer Pedlar
The Zan Tabak Herald

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by | March 9, 2012 · 8:36 am

Demar Derozan Moving to the Head of the Class

So the last week has certainly been interesting hasn’t it?

The Raptors are playing some great basketball.  Scoring in bunches, holding opposing teams off the scoreboard and taking care of the ball. 

At the centre of the Raptors’ second half turn around is Demar Derozan. 

Derozan has been a project since he arrived from USC in the summer of 2009.  He was young, raw and full of potential.  In his time as a Raptor, so far, he has gone from a rookie with lots of flash to a player stuck in neutral. 

Somewhere along the way the Raptors left him in the lurch.  Coaching changes and player movement have left him lost.  Like a student left behind after his classmates have graduated.  He was left to figure it out for himself.   

This season, Demar has been second-guessed and criticized more than any other Raptor during the teams difficult first half.  He wasn’t scoring, wasn’t driving the lane and wasn’t producing the type of numbers management, his coaches or fans were expecting of him. 

Whether those expectations were unfair is an entirely different story all together. 

Bottom line is that he has turned it around , so far, in the second half.  He isn’t just better, he is markedly better.  The stats are better, he is playing with confidence and since his fourth quarter benching against Houston and the “tweet heard round the city”, Demar is playing with more aggression. 

Dwane Casey has found a way to crack the code. 

He’s lit a fire under Demar and the results have been impressive. 

Since the benching in Houston, Demar has averaged 44% from the field.  This number is improving steadily as  he drives the lane more consistently and isn’t settling for mid range jumpers. 

After a rough first half of the year, Demar Derozan has exploded in the second half and is beginning to realize his potential, thanks in no small way to Dwane Casey.

He’s also slowly, getting to the line more and more.  Over the last stretch of games he has averaged 5 trips to the Free Throw stripe.  This number has gone as high as 8 in the most recent game against the Rockets and 12 against the Bobcats. 

Obviously, there is still a long way to go for Demar, but his numbers are increasing steadily, which is a positive sign for the Raptors and their fan base. 

Now, he still has his struggles. 

Demar’s three-point shooting still isn’t very good.  He has difficulty and still has not developed the range to shoot three’s on a regular basis.  His three-point shooting percentage has languished in the mid 20% region all year long, but it is a facet of his game that he has been paying attention to.  Maybe too much attention though.

Thankfully, since his benching, Demar is beginning to understand who he is as a player. 

His numbers as a shooter are significantly worse than his numbers in the paint.  He is simply more effective as a player when he is cutting to the basket rather than settling for jumpers away from the basket.   

That’s not to say he can’t create his own shot, just that he is a lot more consistent when he drives.  It’s also something he does very well. 

What makes his drives even better is when he is turning them into extra points on the free throw line.  Drawing contact is something that Demar does very well.  It is something he is getting better and better at, but has shied away from at time this season.  Likely, because he doesn’t always get the calls from the referees.  

That shyness appears to be over. 

Since the All star break he is getting to the line more frequently.  The more he draws contact, the more he gains the respect of the officials. 

For a young player, who doesn’t yet have the benefit of the doubt with the refs, I think Derozan is beginning to understand first hand what “pound the rock” means.  He needs to keep driving the lane, keep drawing contact in order to gain the respect of the officials.   Eventually he will be at the line 10-15 times a game.  He just needs to keep pushing though. 

Demar, for the first time in his Raptor career is letting the game come to him.  He isn’t forcing up shots because he feels he has to be the top scorer or because he feels he needs to expand his game. 

He is what he is and he’s beginning to accept that. 

There are lots of guys that ply their trade driving, dunking and shooting mid-range shots. This is the part of the game that Demar excels at and the aspect he needs to keep focusing on. 

Derozan is not a three-point shooter.  He just isn’t that guy.  What he does well is cut to the basket and he can finish when he gets there just as well, if not better, than some of the very best is the league.  

He’s quick and aggressive on defence.  And thanks to Dwane Casey, Demar is allowing his defensive effort affect the way he plays on the offensive end.  There isn’t a Raptor better suited to scoring in transition, so his defensive effort can (and has been) feed his offensive output. 

Once again, thanks to Casey, Demar is realizing that. 

Demar is still, very much, learning the game and how to be truly successful in this league.  For a while Raptor fans weren’t sure if he was every going to put it all together, but the last stretch of games has shown us that he is beginning to understand his role and slowly adapting to his new approach. 

He isn’t taking as many mid-range jumpers.  He isn’t avoiding contact under the rim. He is focused and energized on the defensive end.  He looks for his teammates and they, in turn,  trust him with the ball.  He is becoming a leader.  Finally becoming the player the Raptors envision in the 2009 draft.

All he needed was a good teacher. 

***

Kristoffer Pedlar
The Zan Tabak Herald

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by | February 28, 2012 · 11:53 pm

A Weird One in Houston

It was not a pretty game, but you could not fault the Raptors effort against the Rockets on Tuesday night.  They fought tooth and nail and got some inspired effort from their bench in a tough loss.

This second half of the season is all about moral victories and there were some to be had in Houston.  James Johnson and Ed Davis played well on the boards, Aaron Gray continued his ascent to “working class hero” in Toronto and Demar Derozan looked good for glimpses.

Still, this was a game that Houston seemed to gift wrap for the Raptors.  Houston threatened to pull away many times but kept allowing the Raptors to fight their way back into the game almost in spite of themselves.

Still, if you’re a Raptor fan there is plenty to be happy about.  Ed Davis had life in his body for the first time in I don’t know how long, Demar Derozan showed flashes of the player we all want to see and James Johnson was active on both ends of the floor.

Youth is often times going to let games slip away, it’s the nature of the beast.  Hopefully this team can learn to take advantage of opportunities presented to them and close out games when they have the chance.

Making things more interesting was what happened after the game, when Demar Derozan tweeted “Straight Bulls#!+”.  One can only assume that he was upset about being benched for the 4th Quarter after scoring 10 points in  the third. Does he have a point? Was a message being sent?

At least we all have some chatter for the next few days.

Yikes.

Zan for Three

4th Quarter Rotation

Okay, it’s the 4th quarter, who do you got on the floor?

Leandro Barbosa.  Yup.

James Johnson.  Yup

Ed Davis….er…Okay.

Jamaal Magloire….um…Seriously, really?…Okay

Anthony Carter?

WTF???

Yup, it was a weird night for the Raptors.  Anthony Carter is usually the human equivalent of a white flag, but tonight he saw his fair share of action in the fourth quarter.  Was it a signal to Calderon and Bayless, who struggled tonight? Was it a message to Demar? Who hasn’t played well this season.

Definitely a surprising choice.  Even more so when you consider that Carter was the one who fouled Kevin Martin late in the game sealing the Rockets win.  

Interesting rotation.

Not sure what Casey was going for on Tuesday night, but I guess he was looking for a combination of players that was going to get the job done.  Anthony Carter was worth the shot since the others were not defending the basket well.

Hopefully we see less of Dwane Casey’s crazy lineups.  But I like the fact he gave minutes to players like Magloire and Davis that were clearly earning them during their limited time on the floor.

Demar should have been there if the Raptors wanted to win this game.  He showed energy and fight in spurts, but certainly wasn’t consistent.  This wasn’t the game I would have chosen to sit him on the bench.  Lord knows there have been times to send a message to Demar, but tonight seemed a little misplaced.

Maybe there is more here than meets the eye.

Positive Signs

A loss is a loss is a loss, but when you’re going to lose more than your fair share of games it is imperative to look for positive signs.  Tonight they were few and far between but they were still there.

Despite the loss, Raptor fans could take solice in the inspired play of Ed Davis on Tuesday night.

Ed Davis looked great in his limited time on the floor.  He battled inside, found his teammates and finished when he needed to finish.  Ed is a player whose long-term future with this club is very much in question.  He needs to show he belongs with the big club and can play an important part going forward.  With Jonas Valanciunas on his way to North America next season, playing time is going to be even more limited than it is now.  Tonight, Ed played the way he needs to, to keep his name in the conversation next year. Big numbers and a big effort

Demar Derozan had a rough first half, but tonight he showed he can still be an important scoring threat in this league.  He got to the rim, finished with confidence and was an important option for the Raptors for much of the night.  It wasn’t a complete effort for Derozan, which is seemingly why he didn’t play in the 4th, but the signs of his bounce back are there.  His 3rd Quarter dunk was the highlight of my week.  Hopefully he allows this strange experience to inspire his play, the signs of return to form are there.

And let us not forget Jamaal Magloire who battled out there all night and earned his additional minutes.  He was tough in the paint and didn’t force the issue.  Nice to see him playing meaningful minutes this season as many had him written off last year.

Recalling Zan

Everytime the Raptors play the Rockets I cannot help but recall Zan Tabak and his days backing up another former Raptor Hakeem Olajuwan.  Those were the good old days in Houston as they went on to win back to back championships with the “twin towers” manning the middle.  Also of note is that Zan Tabak has more championships than Lebron (sorry I couldn’t help myself there).

Another player that is reminding me a lot of Zan Tabak of late is Aaron Gray.  He has carved out  little niche for himself and may have played his way into another year with this team.  He’s become a kind of  ”Working class Hero” for Toronto fans.  A hard-working journeyman that is having success.  We know how much Toronto loves them, don’t we?

Now, he certainly will not be our starting centre next year (not if anyone has anything to say about it), but he would definitely look good off the bench and in spot duty for any team in the NBA. Every team needs a guy like Aaron Gray. One who will work hard in practice, won’t moan about playing time, and is ready to play his role whenever his number is called.

When you’re a good team with a good starting C, you need a solid backup. Aaron Gray should be that guy for us next year.  If there is any justice in the world Aaron Gray will be playing key minutes off the bench the way that Zan did back in the Glory days of the Rockets.

Let’s make the “Gray Area” a certainty for the Raptors next season.

Zan of the Night

Kyle Lowry

He showed up in the 4th when it mattered and had the key drive to the basket that cemented his teams win.  Lowry has played well for Houston this season and tonight he, almost single-handedly, willed his team to victory.  On a night when no one could hit a shot to save their lives, Lowry was 8-12 and 4 of 4 from three-point land.  Lowry won this game for Houston.

Not Zan of the Night

Houston Basketball Fans

Houston, we have a problem! Where they heck were you tonight Houston? I have not seen an arena look that empty this side of a Coyotes hockey game .  What’s the excuse? Is something amazing happening in Houston? Was there a hurricane? Did fans forget the All-Star break ended?  Fortunately fans missed a pretty rough game, but that kind of attendance for a pretty competitive team has gotta be, at least a little, disconcerting.

***
Kristoffer Pedlar
The Zan Tabak Herald

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by | December 19, 2010 · 7:07 pm

Young Raptors Can’t Handle the Champs

That was a lot better than anyone would have expected.

The Raptors, without Andrea Bargnani, were able to hang with the defending champions for most of the game and turned what could have been a horrible blowout into  very watchable game.

The Raptors were able to hang with the Lakers so long because they worked hard all game.  The Lakers suffered early on from the early start (1pm EST is about 10am in L.A.).  The Raps took the lead after the first quarter and were able to keep it close going into the half.  Strong efforts from Jose Calderon, Demar Derozan and Linas Kleiza made a huge impact to the game as well.  Without Andrea’s contribution the Raptors needed their other players to step up and they did.

On the other side of the ball the Raptors had no answer to Kobe, Pau and Bynum and that was the difference in the end.  The Raptors worked hard and at various points in the game were able to control those players, but a moment here and a moment there is not good enough for the full 48 minutes.  The Lakers seemed to get better and better as the game progressed, probably because they started waking up from the time shift.  Today the Raps could not control those players, but then again, few can.

Despite their strong effort, the Raptors could not fight the power of the defending champs at the ACC on Sunday.

Return of the Mack

How about that Jose Calderon kid?  Two straight games where he has looked dominant for stretches of time.  A young team like this Toronto Raptors team really benefits from having a floor general that is so careful and meticulous with the ball.  Calderon made smart passes and shot the ball very well today.  He is getting into a nice groove and the Raptors played well today because the ball was moving on offense.  The defense?  Well, that’s a different story.

Jose has potential to be an impact player on the court.  We’ve seen it before and we’ll see it again.  This team plays well with him as the general and he makes the young players around him better.  It is very important for this team moving forward, assuming winning is the goal,  for Calderon to be playing well.

The Kleizanator Returns

Nice to see Linas Kleiza finally living up to his billing in the off-season.  I had this guy pegged as a key to the Raptors hopes this season and was totally expecting him to have a breakout year.  He has been anything but impressive for the most part this season, but seems to finally be finding his role.

He is not a player that can create his own shot.  He needs to be a catch and shoot type player or be put into a position to finish easily.  Having him play with Jose Calderon is a great idea and when Sonny Weems returns Triano needs to think long and hard about moving Sonny to the bench.

Kleiza is playing within the system now and seems to have accepted what his role is going to be.  18 points against New Jersey and 26 today shows that in the right position, with the right mix of players, Kleiza can be very, very effective.

Walk Like a Champion, Talk Like a Champion

This was not a typical Laker win.  They certainly had to earn the victory over the Raptors and had to work a lot harder than they may have thought with Andrea Bargnani out of the lineup.  But they are also the defending champions and it was easy to see why on Sunday.

The Lakers were tired after their trip to Toronto.  They started this game at the equivalent of 10am L.A. time.  They had a rough start to the game and the young Raptors took full advantage of the Lakers’ sluggishness.  The Lakers were getting beat on defense and couldn’t score when they wanted to.

But these are the defending champions.  they dug deep and were able to pull away from the Raptors in the fourth quarter.  Good teams get stronger as the game continues and the Lakers just kept powering up.  The Raps could not stop them in the last quarter and the Lakers blew the game open.

A valiant effort from the Raptors Young Onez, but you have to wake up pretty early in the morning if you’re going to beat the defending champions.

…Plus the Foul

The Soloman Alabi Era Begins

Nice to Soloman Alabi get some burn today.  The Raptors were down one of their bigs and Alabi came in to provide rest for Amir Johnson, who logged some pretty heavy minutes today.  There is something about this kid that I really like.  Maybe it is the fact that he is 7 foot 1.  Maybe it is that he is quiet and goes out a plays hard.  He isn’t going to get a lot of minutes, but he is going to try to make use of any minutes that he does get.

He reminds me a lot of our man Zan.  A player that works hard in practice and makes the best of the minutes that he gets.  Zan Tabak didn’t go on to become a perennial All-Star, but he played hard for seven seasons in the NBA and won a championship with the Houston Rockets.  Zan was a star in Europe with the Croatian National team and was a large part of that country’s success on the international stage. He’s got something Lebron doesn’t have:  a ring.

Soloman Alabi may not ever be a superstar, but he looks like a nice role player and good guy to have in the locker room.  I’m happy to say that today I witnessed his first minutes and hope he becomes a player the fans enjoy seeing.  He’s got Zan potential.

Zan of the Game

Linas Kleiza

Way to bounce back and prove your worth to the fans, the team and probably yourself too.  Kleiza has been a hot and cold player, but he is beginning to string together some good games.  He is shooting the ball well, playing decent on the defensive end and playing within the flow of the game.  The Raptors are going to need to lean on him a little more as the year progresses and today he showed that he is up for the challenge.

Not Zan of the Game

Jarryd Bayless

Dude, you need to look for your teammates more.  Despite the fact that you are more of a shooting guard in a point guards body, you can’t always be looking for your own shot.  Today Bayless reminded me of old Raptor point guards like T.J. Ford and Milt Palacio.  He was always looking for the shot instead of the pass.

Bayless is a very talented young player and one who I think will work out well over time, but he needs to play within the flow of the game.  Calderon is obviously a different player and that’s a good thing to have a change of pace in the second unit, But Bayless needs to be more careful with the ball and take his time on offense.

 

***
Kristoffer Pedlar
The Zan Tabak Herald
***
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by | July 5, 2010 · 1:05 pm

Bosh Roulette: Where Will He Go?

It is becoming increasingly clear that Chris Bosh wants to play in another city next year.  He seems to be revelling in his free agency and being wined and dined by various NBA teams.  The one glitch in his plan for a 6 year max deal seems to now be the Raptors unwillingness to accommodate Bosh unless the Raptors stand to gain as well.  This could throw a wrench into the plans for a super team in Chicago or Miami and may force Chris to take less money in a city he wants to play in.  Still, many possibilities exist for the Raptors and Chris Bosh to find a deal that will appease both sides.

Let’s take a look at his potential suitors:

Chris Bosh has a lot of options when it comes to where to play next year. Many of them will depend on the co-operation of Bryan Colangelo and the Raptor organization.

Miami Heat: Before the onset of free agency and in the first few days of the frenzy, Miami looked like the sure-fire destination for CB4.  Miami had a deal on the table including Michael Beasley, Mario Chalmers and Joel Anthony.  The deal would have combine Bosh with Dwayne Wade, but would have also left Miami’s bench pretty thin.  The deal fell apart and the Miami deal won’t happen unless Pat Riley ponies up some draft picks and a massive trade exception.

Odds are still high that Bosh ends up here, but he might have to take a little less money or a third team will have to be added to the deal.  Miami had hopes of combining Wade and Bosh, but those dreams are in danger of being dashed.  In fact, Wade has been visiting a number of other teams and could leave the sunshine state.

Verdict: Miami still looks like a possibility but Colangelo has made it clear that he won’t get taken to the cleaners. If Miami wants Bosh they are going to have to at least try to accommodate the Raps.

Chicago Bulls: The Bulls have dreams of building a super team with Bosh, Wade, Noah, and Rose.  Unfortunately for Chicago, they need other teams in their conference to help them do it.  A super team that looks like that would entice anybody.  Lebron is also a possibility in the windy city, so it could get crazy in Chi-town.

Bosh likes the look of the city and how could you not want to play with a starting five that consists of those players?  Again, max money will be hard to come by unless the Bulls are able to come to an agreement with the increasingly steadfast Colangelo.  Unless the Bulls are able to offer up a player like Joakim Noah, I don’t think a deal gets done.

Verdict: The Bulls are all over the free agent market right now, but seem to be unwilling to give up any sort of asset to get these players.  If Paxson doesn’t start to get serious about a sign and trade, the bulls could end up empty-handed.  I do believe a compromise can be worked out between the Raps and Bulls that is somewhere between Taj Gibson, Luol Deng and Joakim Noah.  The Raps are right to hold out for something more lucrative in order to accommodate Bosh and an Eastern Conference rival.

Houston Rockets: This would be the Raptors most preferred situation and Houston is close to Bosh’s hometown.  The Rockets were apparently the first ones on the “Bosh Scene” at midnight on July 1st.  They love the idea of pairing Bosh with Yao Ming.  That would be a pretty strong frontcourt.  The Rockets also have a sea of assets that intrigue the Raptors including multiple first round picks and skilled players such as Aaron Brooks, Trevor Ariza and Luis Scola.  The Raptors seem to be pushing Bosh towards Houston with their unwillingness to take the Bulls and Heat offers.  Bosh would also end up out West, away from the Raptors in the Eastern Conference, and couldn’t come back to haunt them the way Vince Carter has in previous seasons.

Verdict: This is probably the best scenario if you are a Raptor fan.  Bosh would bring back top dollar from the Rockets and we wouldn’t have to worry about “super teams” in Chicago or Miami.  Not only that but Bosh would be out west where Raptor fans wouldn’t be taunted by his potential success.  A definite possibility if Colangelo can stay strong and hold out for the best sign and trade deal.

New York Knicks:  This is the least likely scenario, but if Bosh is looking for fame and money New York could be his best option.  There is every likelihood that Wade and Lebron will return to their current teams leaving the Knicks out in the cold.  They would then put all of their energy into saving face with their fans and throw the moon at Chris Bosh.  Bosh has given every indication that he wants the moon this offseason.  So the Knicks might be a good fit.

Verdict: Unlikely, but possible as other dominos begin to fall.  A rumored Lee for Bosh sign and trade was talked about during the season and could be a deal Colangelo considers.  Not the best news if you are a fan of defense, but a possibility nonetheless.

Los Angeles Lakers: This was a team considered quite a bit during the year.  Every Raptor fan with access to the internet has posted about a potential Bynum for Bosh deal.  The deal would strengthen the Lakers considerably and would give Bosh access to the thing he craves even more than a championship :  attention.  He would be close to his buddy Jay Leno and he wouldn’t have to become the focus of the offense with Bryant and Gasol around.  He could be a key to returning the championship to L.A. for a thrid straight year.

Verdict:  A bit of a pipe dream if you’re a Raptors fan as Bynum would be a beast in the East.  A great idea, in theory, but one that is unlikely to materialize.  Los Angeles won the championship with their current roster and they don’t really need to bulk up with another max contract.  Bynum has potential to be as good, or better than Bosh in the long-term.  A long shot at best.

Cleveland Cavaliers: Playing with Lebron would be a dream come true for Bosh.  He would benefit from being a secondary option and playoff berths would be plentiful.  But, he would be playing in Cleveland.  If Bosh wants exposure and media attention, surely Cleveland isn’t the route to go.  Rumours indicate Bosh has no desire to play in Cleveland, but would love to play with Lebron elsewhere.

Verdict: Unlikely because of Bosh’s desire to be a media mogul or some such nonsense.  Playing with Lebron?  yes.  Playing with Lebron in Cleveland?  Not so much.

Toronto Raptors: Yes, there is still a glimmer of a hope that Bosh will return to the Raptors next season.  The Raptors can offer more money than anyone else and Colangelo seems steadfast in his desire to get a decent deal for Bosh, should he move to a new team.  If Bosh can’t get his money elsewhere, he might stay and collect it in Toronto.  This becomes even more likely if Lebron and Wade stay with their current teams.  Joe Johnson was rumoured to be on the move and he ended up staying, it could be in Bosh’s and his agent’s best interest to stay where he is a focal point of the offense and where he can get the most money.

Verdict: Borders on never going to happen, but there is a possibility that Colangelo’s game of hardball brings CB4 back to the ACC.  A long shot at best, but still possible.

In the end, I believe in my heart of heart that Bosh will end up elsewhere this offseason and the next time Toronto fans see Bosh on the court, it will be in a uniform other than a Raptors one.  My hope is that Colangelo is able to orchestrate a deal that will land the Raptors young players or financial assets that will benefit the team going forward.  So far, Bryan has shown that he won’t be taken to the cleaners by the Pat Riley’s and Paxon’s of the world.  Hopefully a deal will materialize that gives Bosh the riches he so covets and the assets the Raptors will need to take a step forward.

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Kristoffer Pedlar
The Zan Tabak Herald

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by | March 1, 2010 · 11:32 pm

Raptors Spanked in Houston. Spanked Real Bad.

Well that didn’t go well. And you can’t be surprised I guess. The Raptors looked not so hot last night against Oklahoma, they get a game the very next day against the Rockets and then you take away Calderon and Turkoglu. I’m surprised they scored 50 points. I’ll say this though, the coaches have their hands full over the next couple days. Not only did the Raptors look like the worst defensive team in the history of the NBA but their offense has suddenly come screeching to a halt. They were a mess tonight. Discombobulated in every sense of the word.

For three, plus the foul

Fantasy tip

If you’re in a fantasy pool this year, may I suggest picking up players on whatever team plays us. Anderson, Scola, Battier. It didn’t matter. As a team, the Rockets were lights out tonight. Putting on clinic from the three point land and scoring at will from everywhere else.

That’s a big wall

Well this picture sums it up nicely, doesn't it?

You can’t win em all rook. After a fairly solid first half, Demar Derozan has smacked into the wall like a seagull flying into a skyrise building. He’s been bad bad bad. But let’s not be all negative about it. He’s playing hard and that counts. He’ll break out of it soon, I’m sure. And you can really see the frustration in his eyes.

How do you say disappointed in Italian?

After a monster first quarter, Andrea Bargnani decided that was enough for the rest of the night and didn’t score again in the game. It’s not entirely his fault. Teams are really focusing in on him without Chris Bosh. But Andrea has to realize he’s the best player on the court for us when CB is out. And he will in time. I feel like these last three games are the first three games of him taking the next step. It’ll be interesting to see how he develops from here on out.

The next two

I can’t say enough about how important it is for the Raptors to right the ship over the next two games, against Philly and New York. Because after that, we’re on a west coast swing again.  Injuries or not, this little trip means a lot and we have to find a way to win. There are three teams behind itching to take our place. We have to play to win.

Zan of the Night

Jack Armstrong

Not enough love for Jack Amrstrong on this site, or around the world really. He’s the greatest. Keeping me interested in blow out games and always fun to listen to. Big fan of Jack

Not Zan of the Night.

Antoine Wright.

You could pick anyone tonight, so I went alphabetical

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Jeremiah McNama
The Zan Tabak Herald

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by | December 13, 2009 · 3:32 pm

Rockets swing and miss against Raptors

Jack with a big game on a Sunday afternoon affair

The Raptors showed heart and character in big win against Houston Sunday afternoon, dropping the Rockets 101-88.  It was a scrappy affair, not without a little bit of drama, after Trevor Ariza went for the TKO on DeRozan. It was good to see the team respond and it was good to see a quick 2 game losing streak snapped.

On to the three point shot…

The Zan for three:

That’s what we’re taking about, Hedo

The Zan will spank you when you deserve it, but we’re not afraid to offer a compliment when it’s earned. Turk was great today, and showed why he was handed a monster contract by Bryan Colaneglo. He was more of a leader out there this afternoon, finally scoring over 20 points for the first time this year. Much credit goes to Jay Triano for giving him the ball and allowing him to create.

Toronto hearts Pops

We’ve been waiting for it all year. That burst of energy that Pops brings to the game. Blocking dunking, getting rebounds. It was a beautiful thing. There was a bit of rust there. He really hasn’t had much PT, but he brought the crowd into the game and here’s hoping we pick him up for the season. If he can do that a couple times a game, he’s more valuable that the flexibility his roster spot provides.

New Jack City

Jack is looking good running the offense.  Now let’s not get into a Jose vs. Jack debate because these two point guards bring very different elements to the team and compliment each other well.  Jack was driving the net, drawing the foul and played tough D on Brooks.  He also gets huge respect for taking on “The Monster they call Landry” when Bargs wasn’t able to do it.  The Zan says we will miss Jose and his efficiency but Jack carried the load today in spectacular fashion.

Zan of the Night

Jarrett Jack

See above

Not Zan of the Night

Trevor Ariza

I understand there’s frustration going 0 for 9 from the field, but to swing at the back of a guy’s head like that speaks of bad character. A professional athlete should handle that better.

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by | August 23, 2009 · 7:40 pm

A Letter to Pops Mensah Bonsu

Dear Pops Mensah Bonsu,

So I hear it’s now official.  I hear you’re leaving the Toronto Raptors for sunnier skies and more playing time in Houston.  If this is the case then I want to wish you all the best in your future home. The city of Toronto will miss your energetic style of play and your constant hustle on the floor.  You embodied, for us last season, what Toronto fans wanted the Raptors to do more of: hustle, play hard, contest shots, block shots, rebound, and play with intensity.

82992864KS003_RAP_BOBCTThe sad part of all this is we never really got to know you better.  You were only in a Raptor’s uniform for a little over two months, but in that time you captured our hearts with your competitive spirit and enthusiasm towards the game.  You brought light to the Raptors team in a very dark year.  We are only left to imagine what you could have accomplished with all of these new players around you.

Raptor fans know, and hope, you will find great success in Houston and come back to haunt us like so many other former Raptors have. I only wish the current situation would have allowed you to return to the team and provide energy and intensity off the bench. Hopefully Houston will appreciate the player they’ve acquired and playing time will be plentiful for you.

One cannot help but feel that the Raptors might be missing out on something special here.  A player who has yet to achieve his potential and has a high ceiling in my opinion.  We haven’t had a player like you in a Raptor’s uniform since the days of Jerome Williams.  You were fun to watch and one can only hope that your energy and effort will rub off on what little team members remain for last year.

We will always have respect for your game and when you return to Toronto, on December 13th, we will have an arena full of fans ready to cheer on #44. Or is it now 21?

Until then; all the best.

Sincerely,

The Zan Tabak Herald

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