(C)RAPTORS - Should I finish it?

[Fresh8]

Since it's the East, you can be around .500 and still make the playoffs So this should be all good!

[Lamrock]

Raptors Above .500 Again With Win Over Nuggets

December 10, 2008 | Nuggets (3-3) @ Raptors (2-2)

Toronto, ON - After an awful outing in Washington, the Raptors returned to form in a home victory against the Denver Nuggets. Led by Chris Bosh's best game of the season, Toronto had a rare spectacular defensive performance, en route to a 89-78 triumph over the league's second best offensive team.

The game started at a high pace, with the two teams trading baskets and neither team ever going on a run. The Nuggets finished that period on top by a point. The second quarter was when the pace slowed, and both team's placed a focus on defense. The Nuggets had a 44-37 lead with two minutes remaining in the first half, before Joey Graham swatted a Nene shot, sparking a 10-0 run to finish the half.



That momentum carried over into the second half, as the Raptors would pick up a double digit lead that more or less stayed intact. Star Chauncey Billups hit a buzzer beater three to end the third quarter, but Denver still trailed by 10. When Andrea Bargnani hit a three pointer to make the Raptor lead 17, both teams put their bench on the court as Toronto cruised to an 89-78 victory.

Chris Bosh was the definite player of the game, scoring 21 points and grabbing 14 boards. Carmelo Anthony led the Nuggets in scoring with 22, while Nene chipped in a double-double and Billups has a nice line of 17 points, 9 assists and 6 rebounds. Denver falls to 3-4 and fourth in their division, while Toronto improves to 3-2 and takes the lead in their division.

DEN 24 20 14 20 78
TOR 23 24 21 21 89

Player of the game: Chris Bosh (TOR): 21 Points, 14 Rebounds, 4 Assists, 2 Blocks

Noteworthy Performances:

Raptors:

Shawn Marion: 15 Points, 6 Rebounds
Jose Calderon: 15 Point, 5 Assists, 5 Rebounds
Andrea Bargnani: 14 Points, 4 Rebounds
Joey Graham: 7 Points, 5 Rebounds, 2 Blocks

Nuggets:

Chauncey Billups: 16 Points, 9 Assists, 6 Rebounds, 3 Steals
Carmelo Anthony: 22 Points, 5 Rebounds, 3 Assists
Nene: 16 Points, 10 Rebounds, 3 Blocks
JR Smith: 13 Points, 4 Assists
Linas Kleiza: 9 Points, 10 Rebounds

[kibaxx7]

Liking the recap layout And as I said before, good pics

[Fresh8]

Your picutres look great So much clearer than mine!

[homicide1550]

Nice to see another Lamrock dynasty... Hopefully this becomes as successful as the ATL dynasty you did.. I'll be following! Good Luck!

[KlemenPipic]

wow i really like your style of recaps i believe you'll make the playoffs below 6th seed great game from Bosh!

[shadowgrin]

Lamrock, is progressive fatigue and team chemistry turned on for your association?

[Lamrock]

Whoa, my last post got deleted.

thierryhenry50, Thanks. I'm surprised at how well the pics are turning out.

Sit, Oh I don't know. Yours are pretty clear and have better angles. I don't think my last two recaps have had as good of pics as my first one.

homicide1550, Thanks for checking in man. I hope so too. Less trades this time.

KlemenPipic, Glad you like it. 6-8 seed looks like where I'm headed, but the Atlantic Division hasn't been very good lately. I could end up with a 14-15 record and the 4th seed. I'm also glad to see Bosh doing well. I almost considered trading him for Lee, a first rounder and an expiring.

shadowgrin, Yes and yes. These usually stay pretty high because of the short season and lack of trades though.

[deihatein]

nice win against the nuggets. hoping for moar updates from you

[IM2FLASHY_330]

Good game by your key players

Bosh looked too beastly in the game...

Aha... good luck in your next game...

[C-77]

Yeah good luck but if it's a weak team no need

[Lamrock]

Raptors Stun 6-1 Warriors At the Oracle

December 29, 2008 | Raptors (4-5) @ Warriors (6-1)

Coming off three losses in four games, the Raptors seemed to have no chance taking on the Pacific Division owning Golden State Warriors in the Oracle Arena. Basketball Reference.com has the Warriors listed as 92-8 favorites. Nonetheless, on the backs of the Raptors big 3 of the future: Andrea Bargnani, Chris Bosh and Jose Calderon, Toronto held off the Warriors to cap off the year with a big win.

Golden State started off strong, jumping out to an early 22-10 run, with the Raptors unable to catch up to their blistering pace. Coach Mitchell called a strategic timeout, telling his team to lock down on defense. The flaws in the Warrior offense started to come into light as they committed four turnovers and were outscored 14-6 in the final three minutes of the first period.

The Raptors continued this run into the second quarter, eventually taking a two point lead at one point. The Warriors regrouped, and behind a hot streak by offseason addition Corey Maggette, clung on to a 51-48 lead at the half. Chris Bosh wrote a Twitter message at the half guaranteeing a Raptors win, and he came through.



Both teams burst out of the gate running and gunning in the third quarter. Both teams could not miss a shot and it was quite a mesmerizing spectacle to watch. Then the Warriors started missing. Toronto used this opportunity to finish the period on a 14-2 run, and entered the fourth quarter leading 85-79.

Led by Andrea Bargnani's hot hand, Toronto jumped out to a fifteen point lead midway through the fourth quarter. The Raptors thought the game was won and let their bench back on to the court, and that was when the Warriors decided to turn it back on. A pair of Jamal Crawford threes put Golden State back into the game, and the game got as close as within two points, before Marcus Banks of all people came off the bench and sunk the dagger three. Toronto would go on to win it 110-104, improving their record to 5-5. Corey Maggette led all scorers with 26.

TOR 24 24 37 25 110
GSW 28 23 28 25 104

Player of the game: Chris Bosh (TOR): 17 Points, 10 Rebounds, 3 Assists, 2 Blocks

Noteworthy Performances:

Raptors:

Andrea Bargnani: 22 points, 3 rebounds
Jose Calderon: 18 Points, 8 Assists, 3 Steals
Anthony Parker: 18 Points, 5 Rebounds, 3 Assists
Marcus Banks: 10 Points, 3 Assists, 2-2 3PT

Warriors:

Monta Ellis: 19 Points, 7 Assists, 6 Rebounds
Corey Maggette: 26 Points, 2 Rebounds, 2 Assists
Jamal Crawford: 21 Points, 5 Assists
Andris Biedrins: 8 Points, 9 Rebounds
Stephen Jackson: 8 Points, 4 Assists, 2 Rebounds

[Fresh8]

You need a standout star player

[kibaxx7]

Ah, Chris Bosh twitting at halftime

[Valor]

nice win, did Bosh get fined for the twitter?

[Lamrock]

Are Joey Graham's Days As A Raptor Numbered?

December 30, 2008 | Sports | NBA | Toronto Raptors

Toronto, ON - So far this season, the Raptors have picked up from where they had left off last year: mediocrity. Despite the acquisition of Shawn Marion, the Raptors have shown little to no improvement this season, and while GM Liam Washburn doesn't claim intention to blow up the team just yet, it is rumored that there is a trade in the works.

The main player on the trading block is reserve swingman Joey Graham. Graham, 26, has been a solid contributor off the bench since being drafted 16th in the 2005 NBA draft. He has been played very sparingly in his career, but has shown signs of potential, leading many to believe he has a future in this league. He is currently averaging 6,2 points and 3 rebounds in 17 minutes a game. Also on the block is seldom-used point guard Roko Ukic, and overpaid benchwarmer/idiot big man Kris Humphries.

Further word on the street suggests that the Raptors are looking to cut cap while improving at the back-up Center position, where Jake Voskuhl is, as usual, disappointing. Potential candidates are Jerome James (more for the expiring than anything, since he's worse than Voskuhl), Jeff Foster, and Anderson Varejao. The package of players in the previous paragraph, as well as other draft picks and trade piece have been considered in these trade scenarios.

Of course, this could be all just speculation. But if the Raptors hope to make some noise any time soon, they may be wise to consider a shake-up. Send in your trade suggestions on the NBA-Live.com forums!

[deihatein]

|would rather get Varejao if it just for 6th-Man purposes. Jeff Foster is not bad either. How about improving your guard 6th-man position?. Hoping for your Raptors to improve more.

[kibaxx7]

As dei. said I would go for a guard as well, but Varejao is a good option

[Lamrock]

Well, right now Kapono has been playing great for me off the bench and is my current sixth man, backing up the two swingman positions. Might go for a combo guard though.

Varejao is easily the best expiring Center option available, but he'd be pretty hard to get. We'll see what happens.

[Fresh8]

I smell a big trade coming up... perhaps more in quantity than quality

[Lamrock]

Raptors Monthly Recap: December 2008

Toronto, ON - The Raptors came into the month of December as a .500 team, and they leave a .500 team. Canada's team opened the month with a victory over Chauncey Billups and the Nuggets to get them back above .500. Unfortunately, they lost a heart-breaker to the Heat, then got blown out by the NBA's #1 team, the Houston Rockets. Toronto rebounded with a win over the Jazz, but were sent back down to earth with a blowout loss in Los Angeles. Most expected the Raptors to finish the month with a 4-6 record, but they managed to pull off a stunning upset in the Oracle Arena and defeat the Warriors. They finished 2008 with a 5-5 record.

Chris Bosh shook off his disappointing play in November to improve his scoring and rebound averages to 16 and 10, respectively. Former #1 pick Andrea Bargnani is recovering from his sophomore slump and looks to be a candidate for the Most Improved Player award with his play. He is averaging 15 points and 5 rebounds on 56.7% shooting. Jose Calderon and Anthony Parker have picked up from where they left off last season by putting up basically the same stats. Shawn Marion had a poor month, suffering a minor hamstring injury, and saw his averages slip to 12-5.

Nuggets 78, Raptors 89 | Bosh: 21/14/4; Billups: 16/6/9 [RECORD: 3-2]
Heat 99, Raptors 93 | Wade: 24/5/9; Bosh: 20/11/5 [RECORD: 3-3]
Raptors 95, Rockets 113 | McGrady: 28/6/8; Bosh: 18/11/3 [RECORD: 3-4]
Jazz 94, Raptors 99 | Calderon: 15/3/13; D. Williams: 22/1/11 [RECORD: 4-4]
Raptors 78, Lakers 100 | Bryant: 28/7/7; Bargnani: 17/10/3 [RECORD: 4-5]
Raptors 110, Warriors 104 | Bosh: 17/10/3; Maggette: 26/2/2 [RECORD: 5-5]

NBA Standings

Eastern Conference Standings:

Atlantic----------------------Central-------------------Southeast
TOR 5-5----------------------CLE 9-1--------------------MIA 7-3
PHI 5-6-----------------------IND 6-4--------------------ATL 6-5
NJN 4-5-----------------------CHI 5-5--------------------ORL 6-7
BOS 5-7-----------------------MIL 5-6--------------------WAS 7-9
NYK 4-9-----------------------DET 2-7-------------------CHA 4-8

Western Conference Standings:

Pacific---------------------Northwest-----------------Southwest
GSW 6-2--------------------OKC 7-2---------------------HOU 11-1
LAL 7-3---------------------DEN 7-7---------------------SAS 6-5
PHX 6-4---------------------MIN 4-5---------------------DAL 5-5
SAC 7-7---------------------UTA 5-7---------------------NOH 4-7
LAC 2-5---------------------POR 4-6----------------------MEM 4-12

League Leaders

Points Per Game:
1. James (CLE): 28.4
2. NowitZki (DAL): 27.6
3. Bryant (LAL): 26.8
4. Durant (OKC): 26.4
5. Wade (MIA): 26.2
43. Bosh (TOR): 16.3

Rebounds Per Game:
1. Chandler(NOH): 11.4
2. Stoudamire (PHX): 10.9
3. Howard (ORL): 10.8
4. Jefferson (MIN): 10.4
5. Biedrins (GSW): 10.3
7. Bosh (TOR): 9.8

Assists Per Game:
1. Williams (UTA): 11.0
2. Nash (PHX): 10.7
3. Paul (NOH): 10.2
4. Billups (DEN): 8.8
5. Kidd (DAL): 8.6
6. Calderon (TOR): 8.3

Steals Per Game:
1. Paul (NOH): 2.4
2. James (CLE): 2.2
3. Ginobili (SAS): 2.1
4. Robinson (NYK): 2.1
5. Rose (CHI): 1.9
17. Calderon (TOR): 1.6

Blocks Per Game:
1. Howard (ORL): 3.3
2. Chandler (NOH): 3.0
3. Duncan (SAS): 2.9
4. Yao (HOU): 2.7
5. Turiaf (GSW): 2.5
39. Marion (TOR): 1.3

Field Goal Percentage:
1. Curry (NYK): .597
2. Nene (DEN): .577
3. Kapono (TOR): .575
4. T. Young (PHI): .568
5. Bargnani (TOR): .567

Three-Point Percentage:
1. Belinelli (GSW): .700
2. Scalabrine (BOS): .692
3. Gibson (CLE): .666
4. Kapono (TOR): .615
5. D. Cook (MIA): .600

Free Throw Percentage:

1. Stojakovic (NOH): 100%
2. M. Williams (CLE): 100%
3. Udrih (SAC): .975
4. Allen (BOS): .972
5. Nowitzki (DAL): .971
13. Calderon (TOR): .925

[Valor]

woot!! .500!!
Chris Bosh really needs to start scoring lol...16.3ppg?
and how did Calderon miss a Free Throw!! ><

[Fresh8]

At least you're leading your division

[Lamrock]

2008-09 First Trimester Player Evaluations

Chris Bosh - 16.3 PPG, 9.6 RPG, 3.4 APG, 1.2 BPG, 1.2 SPG, .497 FG% - Toronto's franchise player seems to be having a down season based on his current averages, but he shook off an awful November where he averaged 13 and 8 on under 40% shooting to return to his all-star form. The undoubted leader and star of the team, Bosh leads the Raptors in points and rebounds.

Andrea Bargnani - 15.2 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 1 APG, .9 BPG, .5 SPG, .567 FG% - This former #1 pick is disproving naysayers' claims of him being a bust by elevating his play in every way. While Bargs' improvement across the general stats could be attributed to an increase in numbers and role, he is also averaging an amazing 56.7% from the field, despite being primarily a jump shooter. Technically their best player this season. He is a likely candidate for the Most Improved Player award.

Jose Calderon - 12.7 PPG, 8.1 APG, 2.9 RPG, 1.6 SPG, 1.9 TOPG, .379 FG% - Calderon picks up from where he left off last season by being in the top 10 in assists and having a better than 4-1 Assist-to-Turnover rate. Calderon averages a poor field goal percentage, but makes up for it by being one of the best playmakers and free throw shooters in the league.

Shawn Marion - 12 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 1.3 BPG, 1.1 SPG, .5 APG, .424 FG% - Shawn Marion was arguably Toronto's MVP for the month of April, but the emergence of Bargnani and Bosh, along with a minor hamstring injury caused in a loss to the Heat has led to Marion's numbers dipping dramatically. Marion has still been a solid contributor for the Raptors, but many believe that he is only here for his big expiring contract.

Anthony Parker - 12.6 PPG, 3.3 APG, 3 RPG, 1.4 SPG, .2 BPG, .463 FG% - Toronto's least famous starter continues to be a solid contributor for the Raps. Toronto is expected to retain him, but at 34 and an expiring contract, Parker's future is not set in stone.

Jason Kapono - 10.8 PPG, 3.0 APG, 1.1 RPG, 1 SPG, .575 FG%, .615 3PT% - Kapono has been amazing so far off the bench, outplaying Shawn Marion and Anthony Parker, the guys he backs up easily. He averages a modest 10.8 points and 3 assists off the bench, but does so averaging the third best field goal percentage in the league (first among non-Centers), and fourth in three point percentage. Kapono has been a delightful surge off the bench.

Joey Graham - 6.2 PPG, 3.0 RPG, .6 APG, .431 FG% - Graham has been played sparingly as the second man off the bench. He hasn't performed poorly, but has had a small role on the team, and is unhappy about it. He is likely to be traded before the deadline.

Marcus Banks - 3.3 PPG, 1.6 APG, 1.1 RPG, .4 SPG, .7 TOPG, .307 FG% - Yeah, this guy sucks. Another guy who could be traded, if they find a team willing to pick up his lengthy, bloated contract.

Kris Humphries - 1.8 PPG, 1.3 RPG, .500 FG% - Doesn't really play much. He's pretty good for a bench warmer, but is overall just a waste of money. Another guy Toronto would be wise to unload.

Jake Voskuhl - 1.4 PPG, 1.1 RPG, .7 BPG, .4 APG, .454 FG% - Jake Voskuhl doesn't get very many minutes, backing up Chris Bosh. When he does play, he actually isn't bad though, blocking a surprising amount of shots in a short period of time.

Roko Ukic - 1.8 PPG, .4 APG, .4 RPG, .500 FG% - I wonder how it feels to be losing minutes to Marcus Banks.

Nathan Jawal - .5 PPG, .3 RPG, .500 FG% - Has played twice, registering a Mario in his first appearance. Might be good one day, but at this point, has no role.

[kibaxx7]

So I guess Marcus Williams just posted a Mario in my last game.