khandor’s sports blog

According to Doug Smith, the Toronto/Charlotte component of the 3-team trade initially reported to involve the Raptors, Bobats and Suns has officially been terminated by Michael Jordan:

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Charlotte end of Raptors deal dead

The part of a complex Raptors deal that would have sent Jose Calderon and Reggie Evans to Charlotte is dead, killed by Bobcats owner Michael Jordan according to league sources.

The teams had signed off on the transaction that would have shipped Boris Diaw and Tyson Chandler to Toronto early Monday afternoon – with Chandler being told he was to become a Raptor – before it died later in the day

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The key question then becomes:

Why was it not sufficient for Toronto and Charlotte to simply complete a straight forward 1-for-1 trade involving Boris Diaw [SF/PF] in exchange for Jose Calderon [PG] … which, in a sense, fulfills a positional need for each team, and appears to be doable, from a salary cap perspective … if the other part of the original 3-team transaction is still scheduled to proceed as is [i.e. Turkoglu to Phoenix, in exchange for Barbosa and Jones to Toronto]?

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Could it possibly be the case that the original trade proposal agreed to by Charlotte and Toronto did, in fact, look like this:

To Toronto: Boris Diaw + Tyson Chandler

To Charlotte: Jose Calderon + TPE from Miami

[i.e. requiring the Raptors to send their TPE obtained from Miami to Charlotte in exchange for Tyson Chandler, in a straight forward 2-for-2 transaction]

… and that as Monday’s talks progressed, it was actually Bryan Colangelo who attempted to substitute in some combination of Reggie Evans, Dwayne Jones and/or Marcus Banks, in favour of the TPE part of the equation?

… which is ultimately what caused Michael Jordan to raise objections, since it would, in turn, prevent Charlotte from completing Part IV of their preferred player personnel plans for this summer:

i. Re-signing Tyrus Thomas, as a RFA;
ii. Not re-singing Raymond Felton;
iii. Acquiring a new PG to replace Felton [i.e. by trading Diaw for Calderon]; and,
iv. Acquiring a legitimate interior front-court scorer [i.e. by trading their acquired TPE, from Toronto, to Minnesota for Al Jefferson];

in order to alleviate some of their offensive woes from last season, and speculated about for some time by keen observers of the Bobcats.

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Hmmm …

Going forward in Charlotte, it could well be the case that Michael Jordan, v.7 [i.e. as "the" owner of the Bobcats] may not be so easy to push around, as was Michael Jordan, v.5 [i.e. as the "quasi-GM" of the sad-sack Washington Wizards] and Michael Jordan, v.6 [i.e. as a "minority share" owner with the franchise once controlled by Robert Johnson].

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Update:

According to Adrian Wojnarowski [10 minutes ago], Charlotte has now agreed to trade Tyson Chandler [C] and Alex Ajinca [C] to Dallas, in exchange for Erik Dampier [C], Matt Carroll [G] and Eduardo Najera [G/F].

According to Rick Bonnell [Inside The NBA], the hang-up in the proposed trade between Charlotte and Toronto isn’t a case of cold feet on the part of the NBA’s most notorious ‘stone-cold assassin’ but, rather, a case of unrealistic financial expectations on the part of the former two-time recipient of the league’s EOTY Award:

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So, if this trade ever happens …

– The problem, I’m told, is Toronto general manager Bryan Colangelo’s financial expectations. I don’t know if that literally means cash or whether he’s demanding another team take a bad contract off his payroll.  But at the end of the day, Colangelo wants to make this work. It’s now so public, it would be hard to stuff the genie back in the bottle. Chandler and Evans already consider themselves exes with their former teams.

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Could it be that the proposed trade which Michael Jordan and Bryan Colangelo had originally agreed to was in fact not what has been reported to-date:

To Phoenix
- Hedo Turkoglu [from Toronto]

To Toronto
- Boris Diaw [from Charlotte] and Tyson Chandler [from Charlotte]

To Charlotte
- Jose Calderon [from Toronto], Dwayne Jones [from Phoenix, via Toronto] and Reggie Evans [from Toronto]

but, instead, this one:

To Phoenix
- Hedo Turkoglu [from Toronto]

To Toronto
- Boris Diaw [from Charlotte] and Tyson Chandler [from Charlotte]

To Charlotte
- Jose Calderon [from Toronto], Dwayne Jones [from Phoenix, via Toronto], Reggie Evans [from Toronto] and Marcus Banks [from Toronto]

which involves an additional player with a perceived to be ‘bad contract’ for the Raptors? … and, the distinct possibility that the Bobcats principal owner has, thus far, refused to take this on, given the viable alternative[s] at his disposal [i.e. one of which is outlined above].

While there should be no doubt that Adrian Wojnarowski is a credible writer/reporter/journalist for Yahoo! Sports, i.e. Jordan holding up Raptors trade … given his body of work to-date … so, too, is it the case that Rick Bonnell fits into a similar category for the Charlotte Observer … given a similar examination … and that sometimes two highly respected people can, in fact, simply see the exact same events in two very different ways with neither party really being described accurately as an out-right liar.

Indeed, it will be very interesting to see how this whole situation is eventually resolved and which of these two respective parties - i.e. Bryan Colangelo or Michael Jordan - is more inclined to accede to the demands of the other.

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PS. Contrary to what many so-called NBA ‘experts/observers’ realize, success/failure in the cutthroat world of pro sports is determined to a large extent by the ability of one participant to productively assert their/his ‘collective will’ over that of an opponent, in a head-to-head matchup.

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Update:

From a Raptors perspective, it can be highly informative to also read a solid blog – and the related comments – associated with another team which Toronto is thought to be in the process of doing business with, or, quite possibly, not.

If the Raptors are, in fact, presented with the opportunity to end this week with the following player roster:

PG: Jack, Belinelli and Banks
OG: Weems and Barbosa
SF: DeRozan and Kleiza
PF: Diaw, Johnson, Davis, Evans and Dorsey
C: Chandler, Alabi and Jones;

while being able to preserve the full ‘TPE’ which they just received from Miami …

as suggested in this blog entry 

… then, they should jump at it immediately, as:

i. A legitimate way out of their current mess with a 1-dimensional player like Andrea Bargnani [C] at the core of their team:

and,

ii. Yet another feasible opportunity to gradually build a legitimate contender in the Eastern Conference which could eventually be able to win a league championship in the not-too-distant future.

Bryan Colangelo is a resourceful and hard-working GM. He just needs to be pointed in the right drection by the people working around him.

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PS. That’s the sort of roster which just might allow the Raptors to obtain a player like Harrison Barnes [i.e. Exhibit 1 & 2] through the 2011 NBA Draft.

Update:

PPS. Just to clarify the specific trade proposal outlined here, for the benefit of those who still might be confused by it … and, to distinguish it from what’s been proposed by other ‘sources’ in the on-line hoops community … this is what it would actually look like, according to the ESPN NBA Trade Machine. And, you know what? Michael Jordan might then actually decide to go through with it, rather than getting cold feet at the last minute.

Every summer, since he was appointed to the position of President/GM for the Toronto Raptors, Bryan Colangelo has “wheeled and dealed”, in an effort to create a player roster which he believes is capable of competing effectively in the Eastern Conference AND – according to what he says each off season – making significant headway, long term, in the standings.

In reality, however, his series of moves each summer have turned out … in the end … to be wrong:

2006-2007, 47-35 [achieved by adding a series of 'stop-gap' players]

2007-2008, 41-41

2008-2009, 33-49

2009-2010, 40-42

and, basically:

1. Have improved the future of the franchise very little, if at all;

while,

2. Keeping the team’s fanbase thoroughly ‘engaged’;

and,

3. Consistently making huge sums of money for Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment Ltd.

This is what the Raptors have now done, since the 2009-2010 regular season ended:

[including the proposed trades which have been reported by the Arizona Republic]

- acquired Ed Davis [No. 13 Selection in the 2010 NBA Draft]
- acquired Solomon Alabi [No. 50 Selection in the 2010 NBA Draft]
- re-signed Amir Johnson
- added PJ Carlesimo as an assistant coach
- acquired Linas Kleiza [if Denver declines to match Toronto's offer sheet]
- traded Chris Bosh [to Miami]
- re-acquired one 1st Round Draft Pick [2011, Toronto's own selection]
- acquired one 1st Round Draft Pick [2011, Miami's selection]
- acquired a TPE [from Miami]
- traded Hedo Turkoglu? [to Phoenix]
- acquired Leandro Barbosa and Dwayne Jones? [from Phoenix]
- traded Dwayne Jones? [to Charlotte]
- acquired Boris Diaw with the acquired TPE? [from Charlotte] 

Has your head stopped spinning yet?

To this point, this is the response from the team’s rabid fanbase,

e.g. Hedo Turkoglu traded to Suns for Leandro Barbosa.

Which is to say … more-or-less … the giving of tacit approval.

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Q1. In that vortex of opinion, however, who should you pay close attention to when it comes to properly evaluating what these latest moves might mean for the Raptors going forward?

A1. The Jul 12, 2010 at 7:15 am comment belongs to yertu damkule:

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but, as it stands right now, the only question i have is: ‘does Bryan Colangelo understand what ‘rebuild’ actually means? this seems like just another patch job – middling players acquired who will have no long-term connection to the franchise and who will only ‘steal’ PT from those who do figure to be long-term fixtures.

of course, i guess we have to appreciate the fact that he’s ridding the team of turk, who would have been, IMO, locker room poison & a guy you just don’t want the young guys having anything to do with. still…part of me was kinda/sorta hoping that hedo would still be with the team in the fall, would come in with a changed attitude & play himself into a desireable commodity, so he could be moved for something of a little more substance than barbosa. all things considered, though, thumbs up. he (barbosa) ain’t the player he once was, but he was one of the few suns whose game didn’t seem entirely dependant on nash – he’s a capable backup PG/SG…great at neither, decent at both, but his speed & finishing ability is appealing. i don’t think he’s a great defender by any stretch, but he’s got a huge wingspan & more than enough quickness to disrupt passing lanes at the top of the key & to prevent the easy ‘turning of the corner’ by the ball-handler. the biggest concern is that he’s no longer an average shooter from distance, and that’s something that is really gonna hurt TO this year. they don’t really have ‘spread-the-floor’ guys in the backcourt & wing spots…i guess if they hold onto jose, and the kleiza deal goes through they’ll have a couple…and there’s always bargs.

as for diaw – i’ll hold off comment until it gets finalized. if yyma is correct, and it’s both diaw & chandler coming back (not sure how that would work, numbers-wise), it becomes a completely different deal.

as happy as i am about turk leaving, i’m still scratching my head over how these moves help the team find some kind of direction. they’re clearly not rebuilding – these are treadmill moves, designed to placate the mob, keep the raps ‘contending’ (for a playoff spot), etc. of course, they weren’t exactly gonna be rebuilding with turk either, so who cares?

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In this instance, his voice is the one of reason.

After spending 7 seasons with the Raptors franchise, what Chris Bosh finally realized last week, sadly, is that the Toronto sports franchises owned by MLSE are little more than intricately woven ‘dramas’, conceived and operated for the purpose of ‘profiteering’ in a highly specific way:

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Macbeth, Act 5 Scene 5

MACBETH
Wherefore was that cry?The queen, my lord, is dead.To-morrow, and to-morrow, and to-morrow,
Creeps in this petty pace from day to day
To the last syllable of recorded time,
And all our yesterdays have lighted fools
The way to dusty death. Out, out, brief candle!
Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player
That struts and frets his hour upon the stage
And then is heard no more: it is a tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
Signifying nothing.

SEYTON

MACBETH
She should have died hereafter;
There would have been a time for such a word.

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Are you truly aware of just how much money the owner of a laundromat is capable of making, at your expense, if you are willing to simply sit in a chair each week and watch as the ‘wash, rinse and dry’ cycle is repeated, ad infinitum? 

A pox on the house of MLSE! 

… for continuing to conduct its ‘business’ in this way, i.e re-shuffling the deck, yet again … with no real intention to put themselves in position to be able to contend for a league championship at some point in the not-too-distant future.

Kudos to Chris Bosh for finally getting out of this quagmire.

In all likelihood, given the collection of players and coaches on Toronto’s roster for next season:

[which might look like this in the next few days]

PG: Calderon, Jack and Banks
OG: Weems, Barbosa and Belinelli
SF: DeRozan and Kleiza
PF: Diaw [SF], Johnson, Davis, Evans and Dorsey
C: Bargnani and Alabi

Coaches: Triano, Carlesimo, Iavaroni, English, Nori and Hughes

the Raptors will be ‘stuck’ firmly in the middle of the Eastern Conference …

Tier One

Boston, Orlando and Miami

Tier Two

Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago, Cleveland, Detroit, Indiana, Milwaukee, New Jersey, New York, Philadelphia, Toronto and Washington

[NOTE: Tier Two will be further sub-divided as the off season moves along.]

‘competing’ for a mid-to-lower tier playoff position …

as a Treadmill Team, going nowhere fast.

Cha-ching!

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PS. FWIW, do not think for a minute that the Raptors are now done making personnel moves this summer. If nothing else, Bryan Colangelo has consistently shown himself to be a very ‘hard-working’ GM.

According to Tim Povtak, a senior writer at NBA Fanhouse …

Aging Theo Ratliff Has Sparked Bobcats’ Playoff Rise

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However …

If you take a closer look at the individual Game Logs for 3 specific players on the Bobcats’ current roster [shown below]:

Theo Ratliff’s Game Log This Season For Charlotte, since Feb 19

Tyrus Thomas’ Game Log This Season For Charlotte, since Feb 19

Tyson Chandler’s Game Logs This Season for Charlotte, since Feb 19 

you should be able to see clearly that the team’s recently improved performance has actually coincided with the return to good health of Tyson Chandler [i.e. Charlotte's Back-up Center] and the gradual integration of Tyrus Thomas [i.e. Charlotte's Back-up Power Forward] into their primary rotation, as much as [or, perhaps, even more than] the role and production of Theo Ratliff, as their Starting Center.

When a team like Charlotte finally turns the corner and morphs into a legitimate playoff contender it is rarely the case that there is only 1 player responsible for this actual transformation.

The simple fact is …

Charlotte has been engaged in the process of a long term build-up over the course of the past 2 years, given the additions of:

Larry Brown, Head Coach

DJ Augustin, PG [acquired via the Draft]
Alexis Ajinca, C [acquired via the Draft]
Boris Diaw, PF-SF [acquired via trade]
DeSagana Diop, C [acquired via trade]
Gerald Henderson, OG [acquired via the Draft]
Derrick Brown, PF-SF [acquired via the Draft]
Tyson Chandler, C [acquired via trade]
Stephen Graham, SF-OG [acquired as an UFA]
Stephen Jackson, OG-SF [acquired via trade]
Tyrus Thomas, PF-SF [acquired via trade]
Theo Ratliff, C [acquired via trade]
Larry Hughes, G-F [acquired as an UFA]

and,

Michael Jordan, Principal Owner,

in conjunction with the decision to retain the services of:

Gerald Wallace, SF-PF
Raymon Felton, PG
Nazr Mohammed, C

… and, the single individual most responsible for their success today is their once much-maligned General Manager, Rod Higgins.

Related:

Kudos to the Bobcats for resurrecting their once morbid franchise 

5 Men On A Single String … Kudos to Larry Brown

re: How an astute NBA observer might expect the first part of the schedule to unfold for the Raptors this year

Game 16 – at Charlotte [Wed Nov 25]

This is a back-2-back game for the Raptors. Although these two line-ups are relatively equivalent, in terms of individual match-up advantages, the additional experience which Raja Bell and Larry Brown have, in comparison with DeMar DeRozan and Jay Triano, respectively, gives Charlotte an edge which should be enough to secure a W in a close game.

Expect the Bobcats to be one of several improved teams in the EC this year battling for a lower tier playoff spot with the Raptors.

Raptors expected W-L Record: L, 6-10

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PS. This contest holds a high degree of interest, due to the presence of rookies DeMar DeRozan [No. 9/1st Rd, USC, OG-SF], Gerald Henderson [No. 12/1st Rd, Duke, OG-SF] and Derrick Brown [No. 40/2nd Rd, Xavier, PF-SF]. Brown, in particular, was a relatively unheralded player in this year’s NBA Draft who yours truly would have liked to see the Raptors trade down to obtain … in addition to receiving other assets, in exchange for the No. 9 [overall] Selection. Although it is still very early in the process, all three players seem to be acquitting themselves nicely in the NBA.

It’s interesting when others in the blogosphere attempt to rank NBA players, by position, according to a metric which is based, at least, in part, on standardized game statistics, e.g. PPG, RPG, APG, TS% and PER.

Ranking Eastern Conference Power Forwards
As always, these rankings are meant to project how I think they’ll perform next season, not what they’ve done in the past. The numbers next to each player are last season’s points, assists and rebounds per 36 minutes, their True Shooting percentage (TS%) and their Player Efficiency Ratings (PER).

1. Chris Bosh, Toronto — 2008-09 numbers: 21.5 PTS, 2.3 AST, 9.5 REB, .569 TS%, 22.1 PER
CB4 probably belongs on the top of this list even if he just delivers the same numbers he has over the past four seasons, but it’s a contract year and he wants to prove he’s worth a max contract. I don’t know if his scoring numbers will increase, but I think he’s going to jack up his intensity on defence and on the boards.

2. Kevin Garnett, Boston — 2008-09 numbers: 18.3 PTS, 2.9 AST, 9.9 REB, .563 TS%, 21.2 PER
Before KG screwed up his knee, he was easily the best power forward in the East. Since he’s 33 years old, I’m skeptical that he can return with the same athleticism and explosiveness he’s known for. Of course, Boston fans will tell you that he’ll more than make up for that with heart, intensity, and plain ol’ Celtic Pride. (Pausing to vomit profusely in wastebasket.)

3. Rashard Lewis, Orlando — 2008-09 numbers: 17.6 PTS, 2.6 AST, 5.7 REB, .580 TS%, 16.8 PER
Rashard scored in double figures in all 19 playoff games leading up to the NBA Finals — he was particularly devastating in helping to dispatch the favoured Cavs in the Eastern Conference Finals. He might end up sliding over to small forward while new team-mate Brandon Bass mans the four-spot, but without confirmation I’ll assume that Lewis will remain the starting power forward and an excellent complement to Dwight Howard’s power game.

4. Josh Smith, Atlanta — 2008-09 numbers: 16.0 PTS, 2.5 AST, 7.4 REB, .533 TS%, 17.2 PER
Sure, he’s a knucklehead, but a very talented one. If he stops jacking up ill-advised threes and returns to being one of the most devastating shot-blockers in the league, Smith’s $10.8 million salary next season might actually seem like a relative bargain.

5. Elton Brand, Philadelphia — 2008-09 numbers: 15.6 PTS, 1.4 AST, 9.9 REB, .484 TS%, 14.6 PER
If he was still in his prime, Brand would easily be third on this list. Unfortunately, he was in the bottom half of Eastern power forwards last season because he was labouring with a bum shoulder and he only played in 29 games. There isn’t a strong track record of big men in their 30s returning to their prior glory after a bad run of injuries (see: Jermaine O’Neal) but I’m willing to give him the benefit of the doubt that he can get his shooting percentage back up to pre-injury form since he claims he’s feeling like his old self again.

6. Antawn Jamison, Washington — 2008-09 numbers: 20.9 PTS, 1.8 AST, 8.4 REB, .549 TS%, 20.6 PER
Jamison has always put up good numbers and as far as I know, he’s always been a terrible defender. That might help explain why the Wizards had the second-worst record in the NBA last season.

7. Troy Murphy, Indiana — 2008-09 numbers: 15.1 PTS, 2.5 AST, 12.5 REB, .614 TS%, 17.8 PER
Is Troy Murphy a better athlete than Andrea Bargnani? And if not, how does Troy grab twice as many rebounds as Andrea per 36 minutes? Murphy is just as deadly from beyond the arc (45% last season) as Bargnani, but our guy gets the edge on defence because Murph is lousy on that end.

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Or, do they reveal a bias of some sort … i.e. in favour or against specific players; or, a specific “type” of player … at this position?

FWIW …

Here are the preferences of this corner when it comes to choosing the best Power Forward from the Eastern Conference, from this list, if the goal is Winning … e.g. a Do-or-Die Playoff Game … this coming season.

Two highly interesting points of view …

Steve Kerr – the lost interviews, part I
A mid-April conclusion to the Suns season just leaves more time for second guesses about last season and first suggestions about next season.

Suns General Manager Steve Kerr tackled both departments after a 46-36 that was better than 17 other NBA teams’ records but considered by many as the most disappointing outcome in the league. The season was marred by Leandro Barbosa’s absence and an uncomfortable coaching change early and Amare Stoudemire’s and Barbosa’s injuries later. In between, Kerr shook the team’s core up by trading Boris Diaw, Raja Bell and Sean Singletary to Charlotte for Jason Richardson, Jared Dudley and a 2010 second-round draft pick.

“I don’t see a massive overhaul as being necessary,” Kerr said. “We won 46 games in a season in which we endured a lot of turmoil, from the coaching situation to the injury to Amare to a pretty big trade. We had a lot of change.

“I know all of us in that room feel like that 46 should have been about 52, 53. I have no doubt that this team is a very, very competitive good playoff team. Unfortunately, we didn’t make it. That doesn’t mean we’re going to blow up the team and start over. It also doesn’t mean there couldn’t be some changes. We have to evaluate everything. We could’ve done better. This was not a championship team. This was a very good team that could’ve done better but we have to improve and we have to make improvements this summer.”

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Shaq – the lost interviews, part II
The Suns talked about trading O’Neal at midseason and will explore the idea again. He has made himself a tradeable commodity despite the $20 million price tag ($21 million cap number) and the Suns will be looking to begin to transform itself into a younger team. Part of that redesign could include seeking a center who is more mobile to defend and help defend.

“I realize every summer something might happen,” O’Neal said. “Something will change. I just told Steve (Kerr) that ‘I’ve been under a lot of general managers but no one treated me the way you did,’ ” O’Neal said. “Whatever happens, I understand the business and we all just have to move on. Steve was great. At the trade deadline, he didn’t have to call me and ask me if I wanted to go. A lot of guys would’ve just did it. He promised me if something would go down, that he’d call me and he called me. I love him for that. I respect him for that. I played for a lot of great GMs and he’s up there.”

“How to turn around the fortunes of your pro sports team”, NBA 101 Management Handbook, p. 23.

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Make a legitimate run for the 8th playoff spot in the 2008-2009 season

Add Vladimir Radmanovic [Lakers] in exchange for Adam Morrison

Add DeSagana Diop [Mavs] in exchange for Ryan Hollins & Matt Carroll

Decide NOT to trade Raymond Felton [PG]

Add Raja Bell and Boris Diaw and Sean Singletary [Suns] in exchange for J-Rich & J-Dudley

Add Juwon Howard [as a veteran Big off the bench] from the scrap heap

Decide NOT to trade Sean May AND to sit him on the bench  

Add Cartier Martin [OG/SF] and Dontell Jefferson [OG] from the pool of undrafted players

Add DJ Augustin [as a solid PG] from the 2008 NBA Draft

Add Alexis Ajinca [as a long term project, C] from the 2008 NBA Draft

Decide NOT to trade Gerald Wallace [SF/PF]

Hire Larry Brown to coach your team AND empower him to make trades

Retain Nazr Mohammed [as a solid veteran Big off the bench]

Re-sign Emeka Okafor, your 2004 No. 2 [overall] Draft Pick, as an emotionally stable, hard-working Center, who can Rebound & Defend his position, when others suggested that he was a “bad” long term investment for your team

Hire the most reknowned former player in NBA history to oversee the operation of your franchise [i.e. you know who]

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It’s not rocket science … and, your GM certainly doesn’t NEED to have been named a winner of the NBA’s Executive of the Year Award even one time, during his career to-date.

FINAL SCORE: TORONTO 89, Charlotte 102
Complete Game Info

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Offensively, Andrea Bargnani played well; and, Chris Bosh was okay.

Defensively, Bosh was a non-factor … primarily because he was, once again, checking the #4/PF position [vs Boris Diaw], which he cannot do at a high level, especially with an injured right knee.

However, the 2 absolute worst Raptors last night, on this end of the floor, were Bargnani [from a Team D standpoint] and Shawn Marion [who was simply embarassed by Gerald Wallace, from an Individual D standpoint ... primarily because he was checking the #3/SF position, which he should no longer be asked to do at this stage of his career].

Jose Calderon was okay defensively, any time he did not have to work against a Pick situation WITH Bargnani as the Picker’s defender. In this specific situation the Raptors simply get destroyed … because of Bargnani’s inability to defend without [i] fouling or [ii] getting blown by or [iii] shot over, not because of Calderon’s inability to keep his own check in front of him.

Calderon was victimized on the defensive glass several times in the 2nd half primarily because the Raptors’ #5′s/#4′s/#3′s could not get the job done rebounding wise and Raymond Felton was able to out-quick him to loose balls in the mid-range area of the court.

On account of Bosh’s limited mobility these days [see the lingering effect of his knee injury], it’s also become quite an adventure every his check goes to set a Pick on Calderon, as Bosh simply doesn’t have the lateral agility right now it takes to defend properly vs this action.

When you’re playing with an injury, it is much easier to move semi-properly on offense, since you are the one initiating that action.

On defense, since you’re the one “reacting” instead, it’s a different situation altogether.

Forget about the Debacle in Denver.
Forget about the Mishap vs Milwaukee.
Forget about the shellacking last week at Charlotte.
Forget about all the other losses incurred so far this season.

At home, last night, in a game they ABSOLUTELY had to win to justify Bryan Colangelo’s FAITH in them, as a group of players WHO HE HAS SAID REPEATEDLY …

“Is the best he’s assembled thus far for the Raptors, on paper …”

this collection of players and coaches came up whoa nellie woefully short and was thoroughly embarassed at the ACC by the once-lowly Bobcats … who have successfully turned their franchise around this season and are now heading in the RIGHT direction under the tutelage of Larry Brown … as was suggested in the summer was going to happen for this team this season, in comparison with the Raptors.

Right now, heading toward the future, there is NO REASON whatsoever for anyone who is not named Bryan Colangelo to believe in earnest [and with a degree of basketball sophistication] that any of the following teams will finish below the Toronto Raptors in the 2009-2010 Eastern Conference regular season standings:

1 Cleveland
2 Boston
3 Orlando
4 Atlanta
5 Philadelphia
6 Miami
7 Detroit
8 Chicago
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New Jersey
Charlotte
Milwaukee
Indiana
New York
Washington

None, whatsoever.

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RELATED:

Fans at boiling point [The best and most thorough basketball article these eyes have read from Frank Zicarelli in a long time. Kudos to him!]