Game 69 Preview: Raptors vs. Blazers
by Dave on Mar 13, 2010 10:54 PM PST
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PrintGame Time: 6:00 p.m. Pacific TV: Comcast and NBA TV
The Toronto Raptors make their annual visit to Portland tonight. We played them a couple weeks ago so I'm going to refer you to the more detailed preview here and simply go over what's new and different.
1. The Raptors have been getting knocked silly since we last saw them, losing 7 of 8. Coincidentally (or not) their only victory came in the only game in which they held their opponent under 100 points, a 102-96 jaunt over the New York Knicks. Other than that the 109 points they allowed to the L*kers last Tuesday marked the fewest points they've given up. The upper end ranges into the 124 territory versus Golden State and 126 in an overtime game against the Cavaliers. There have been a couple of close games but for the most part the Raptors have been getting handled.
2. Hedo Turkoglu returns to Portland tonight after his brief dalliance with the Blazers' brain-trust this summer. He's had ankle issues and has been performing poorly. I assume it wouldn't break Blazer fans' hearts to see him continue that trend.
3. The Blazers tend to do well against teams that don't defend well. Portland is also on a little run. Those are positive signs for tonight.
4. BUT...this is also a weird situation in that the Blazers get the week off after this game...at least until Friday when they face the Wizards. Obviously they'll be practicing but in terms of competition this is almost like a second All-Star break. Weird things happen before and after long breaks like this. Even a moderate amount of energy and focus should suffice to take this game at home but if the Blazers come out spastic Toronto has the guns to score their way to a victory.
You can read the thoughts of Raptors folks over at RaptorsHQ.
You can enter tonight's Jersey Contest form over here.
--Dave (blazersub@yahoo.com)
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REVENGE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Let’s get these canucks back for that hockey game. Damn canadians!!!! Revenge
argggggggghhhhhh! Revenge. REVENGE!!!!!
Sorry, forgot we don’t really care about hockey.
Go blazers, eh? Now take off you hosers!
by doomsdaymachine on Mar 13, 2010 11:03 PM PST via mobile reply actions 1 recs
As if Toronto is the same as Vancouver
Vancouver substitutes for Portland in “Life Unexpected”. Toronto is soooo cosmopolitan that Turkeyglue et femme chose it over PDX.
ENERGY!
The key to any Blazers victory is gonna be how the come out of the gates. The days we lose are the days people come out and don’t hustle, don’t try to force turnovers, and let them get settled.
We come out and deny Chris Bosh the ball, and pressure their backcourt early, we win.
(Well, assuming people can place the round ball-thing into the that netted thing)
(Insert something snappy)
The Raptors starters played badly against GSW. Good to hear. Hope Brandon keeps
up his new found role as leader/down to business championship calliber player!
Go to Brandon first
Two reasons:
1) They have no answer for him on defense.
2) They look like a team looking for an excuse to fold. Let’s give ‘em that excuse in the first quarter instead of the fourth, so they don’t decide to get all pesky.
Webster spoke to Roy! Roy made a comment in the post game interview after the
Sacramento game and there was a story in the Oregonian on Saturday about What Webster said when Roy asked his opinion.
In the interview Roy said Martell said Roy should be aggressive at the start of the game cuz the team follows his lead.
In the paper they went into more depth. Said Martell is a huge Roy supporter and made suggestions to Roy about how he could do better! So Roy listened, knowing that if Martell was saying this, then the rest of the Blazers probably really felt this way!
Not really related to this game in general.
But I want Bosh on this team next year.
Is my head in the clouds? Probably. All I know is LMA will never come close to CB level, and we need somebody of that caliber to play with Brandon if we really want to contend for a championship.
"B-Roy is the best shooting guard I have played against"
-Ron Artest
I'd rather trade somebody else for somebody somewhere else.
I’m not giving up on LaMarcus just yet.
"You be realistic," Oden said. "I’m going to stay happy. All right?"
by Berkeley on Mar 14, 2010 12:12 AM PST up reply actions 1 recs
Very unlikely Bosh comes here
LaMarcus is not past his potential and you are blind if you fail to notice said potential. Despite what is commonly said around here he is doing a lot of very good things this year (as i point out increased points/rebounds/assists/shooting%). While I will concede (easily) that Bosh is a better player, the difference between their skills (and particularly what we need from them) is not great enough that it will be the deciding factor on our ability to get to a championship.
Again not that it wouldn’t be somewhat of an improvement, but do you really want to say “Bosh and Roy could get it done, but LaMarcus and Roy cannot”? Aldridge is for sure championship material and as good a power forward as a team could ever expect, especially as someone other than the #1 guy (and on a lot of teams coughboshlesstoronto Aldridge could be the #1 guy)
Ah well i just checked the actual stats
his points per game is his lowest as a starter, though his FG% is the highest its ever been
Bosh's mental game is way further along than LMAs
And he’s only a year or two older. I seriously doubt we end up with him, but LMAs ceiling is right about Chris Bosh. If it’s possible, why not get LaMarcus 2.0, now with a dribble drive game? Also think Bosh could be at least as good a defender as LMA if he played alongside a center instead of Andrea Bargnani
admittedly a significant reason why not for me is the relationship factor
La Marcus is bonded with the team, and with at least SOME of the fans, including me. I really don’t know Bosh, so not saying anything against him, but I like LMA, we have some waiting for development to do regardless, so it’s just not that big of a rush to get 2.0 right now. Let’s see what happens with Greg, and others. The urgency is not there for that trade for me.
"You be realistic," Oden said. "I’m going to stay happy. All right?"
I'd do a sign and trade for Bosh
LMA+Rudy+Joel (he’s probably just a contract after his unfortunate re-injury) for Bosh+filler
Throw in any other incentives they want. Euros, picks, cash. Get it done.
The Raptors need to get something for Bosh and I doubt a better offer is out there.
Portland gets a true number 2 and clears up the remaining minute logjam.
"In Batum's case he must realize he is very likely the first Blazer to successfully fight over a pick all season..."
-Ben
I would rather trade Martell
Trade Martell, keep Rudy, get Bosh And Calderon and we could have the Spanish connection again and have three out side scorers in Rudy, Batum, and Calderon. The imported three-some shooting threes or some handle like that.
Actually I like LMA and Greg or Camby together, but since JJ has taken Calderon’s starting position and Dre has only one or two more years, Calderon would be a spicy fit. Maybe not better in the long run than JBay just a better PG then Jbay is now.
hg
It could be the heavy competition for play time is keeping Martel out of his "groove"
and, if given a team that really needs him and can commit the play time to him to settle in, he could realize the potential we keep hoping for. Personally, I would get back Travis, and let Martell go.
"You be realistic," Oden said. "I’m going to stay happy. All right?"
Disagree---maybe.
IMO, If Greg can stay healthy then LMA is a better fit then Bosh. If Greg can’t stay healthy then I agree we could use Bosh for inside scoring.
hg
nah
Bosh is just as good jump shooter as Aldridge.
10-15 ft
Bosh = 43.5% on 2.6 shots per game
Aldridge = 43.7% on 3.1 spg
15-23 ft
Bosh = 43% on 4.4 spg
Aldridge = 42% on 5.2 spg
Given that they’re basically the same on midrange shots, I’ll take Bosh drawing fouls on his way to 59% TS vs. Aldridge’s 53% TS. Bosh also rebounds at a higher rate.
Thanks for the heads up.
If they are that close and LMA is younger with time to learn, why trade?
It is just that I like LMA and I think we can go with him, but I realize many don’t and I don’t know.
hg
I dunno....because Bosh is just plain better at everything?
6% difference in TS is rather huge. Add in better rebounding and defense, not sure why Portland wouldn’t jump all over a Bosh trade if we have a chance at him.
Rebounding rate and willingness to go into the paint does not get better with age. defense might.
"I think he’s been doing some good things. I think he’s been doing some good things. He’s had to play a lot of minutes lately with Blake being out. I think he’s been doing some good things." -Nate McMillan
Hedo returns! When the game starts, we should get Jay out on the floor with the Blazer Dancers waving that sign.
Then the Blazers should hold an auction for that sign and donate the profits to buy tickets for Dave’s BEdge Night.
For me, even if the game counts the same as any others in the W-L column, there’s something a little extra in winning when Hedo returns.
On second thought ...
Doesn’t this look a little like a matador waving a red flag at a bull?
the sign, the smile, the boom box playing Turk-ish muzak
clearly one of the most cringe-worthy afternoons in Blazer history
“Thank you, Mrs. Turkoglu”
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
Ok srsly i was a fan of Bosh until he grew his hair out like that
total girl
Fan of Greg Oden, Joel Przy, Batum, and Andre miller
So what if Greg grow his hair out "like that"?
are you going to tell him he’s a girley-boy?
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
I feel bad for their fans
They always seem to have a great player on their roster but he always ends up being more Pippen than Jordan.
I feel like this game is an easy win, but if Portland goes into thinking that we will lose. This is an exellent chance for
Portland to get on a roll. We need to win the next two games badly. They are games you can’t give away.
You are totally right in my book.
We are already on a roll; we broke the losing streak to Golden State, we beat Sactown twice and are 5-1 for the month of march. I agree we need these next two games because they are games we should win. Plus that would help us win against the Suns as we might be tied or ahead of both them and SAS if we win the next two.
hg
I think the Blazers will be fine as long as Brandon stays on the same page he's been on in the
last few games. Maybe Martell will need to give him a refresher statement on how Brandon was slacking.
I think you are right and that surely wouldn't hurt.
I help older people like myself that is losing their game due to injury or old age. The first thing I tell them is stay aggressive as possile charge the foul line and follow through. In BRoy’s case, be aggressive, take it to the rim and explode.
hg
no go on chris
Its obvious that as long as Brandon is a Blazer we wont have another dominant offensive player on the team. Mr Roy is a rising diva and needs the spotlight shining brightly on himself. He deserves it. The four day rest should serve the hamstring well and also allow nate to introduce Marcus to more of our play sets. Have you looked at thier fan post?. No one responds to the post. Hedo is getting what he deserves.. Just sayin
if it can be conceived it can be achieved
by lyfefindsaway on Mar 14, 2010 6:19 AM PST via mobile reply actions
I am not sure what you are saying when you say you are just saying.
Are you saying that Bosh and BRoy can’t play together? Greg and BRoy will have to learn to play together and I hope that Greg becomes a dominant offensive player and LMA included. Of course it is still BRoy’s team and the spotlight will shine on him. But I don’t think BRoy is as egotistical as say, Kobe and Shaq was. More like Wade and Shaq was or like Kobe and Gasol is now. In both cases I think it is apparent that to get a championship, one needs the other. I also think that BRoy like with Dre has figured out that he needs the rest of his teammates to make his shots easier, he still needs to learn how to use his team mates, but knowing he needs them is the first step. Either that or forever have injured parts from abuse.
hg
Roy, Bosh and Oden?
There’s only one ball
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
Yeah the great thing about Roy is his efficient way of getting points
Means its possible for him to go 10-13 and rack up some assists. Of course he realizes he needs teammates to win. Look at the last few games, say on his 41 point game. 38 by the end of the third and only scored 3 points in the 4th… what? LaMarcus got hot and Roy realized there was no need to put the game on his back and gave it up to other scorers to bring it home.
I guess what I am saying is that Roy seems to be able to incorporate other scorers into his game. He has the superstar ability to pull off ISO’s but is able to make an impact playing off and with his team mates.
Absolutely no go on Chris
Last year he had the knock of not being able to finish out games with intelligence and passion. This year he’s capable of slumps spanning several months.
I think people are falling in love with YouTube highlight vids.
by FrederickT1 on Mar 14, 2010 10:16 AM PDT up reply actions
The JC form jumps back to the first entry Miller all the time for "Which Blazer earns us chalupas?" once you submit it
I’m starting to develop TiH feelings towards that.
by Norsktroll on Mar 14, 2010 7:58 AM PST reply actions 1 recs
My army is growing
http://www.blazersedge.com/2010/3/10/1367323/china-fans-perspective-about#32418808
http://www.blazersedge.com/2010/3/10/1367323/china-fans-perspective-about#32349233
I have people who e-mail me that support me and are afraid to come out because of the backlash.
I almost have 5 people who agree with me.
by tominhawaii on Mar 14, 2010 11:58 AM PDT up reply actions
What kind of reception does Hedo get tonight, I wonder.
More to the point, what kind of reception does he deserve? It’s not his wife taking the court tonight. And frankly when I look at his season in Toronto vis-a-vis that contract it seems like bringing him into the fold could have really sent this franchise in the wrong direction. Nevertheless, he’ll probably get some fairly robust boos in his direction.
Too bad we’ll never know if that story is true about Otis Smith confiding to KP that the Blazers caught a break when Turkoglu signed elsewhere. Certainly no reason not to believe that one.
"I take the little gummy bear Flintstones vitamins…I try not to eat the lady. I try not to eat the man. Just give me the car. I try to find the car. Yea, worst case scenario, I eat the lady." - Ron Artest, 2009
The Turk claimed
It is because Toronto uses him only as a 3 pt shooter and not letting him be the number one option and the impact player that he feels he should be that is causing him his grief. Do you suppose he thought he was good enough to take BRoy’s game away from him?
Anyway, he would have had just as much trouble fitting in with us or maybe more than he did with Toronto, therefore I think he did us a favor.
hg
Big "Thank you Mrs. Turkoglu" sign in the lower bowl, at the RG
has to happen
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
She's the team MVP this season..
as far as I am concerned. It’s just ironic that she’s an MVP for us rather than the Raps.
"I think he’s been doing some good things. I think he’s been doing some good things. He’s had to play a lot of minutes lately with Blake being out. I think he’s been doing some good things." -Nate McMillan
If the Blazers win a title they should build a statue of her in front of the Rose Garden
I’ve made that joke before, but baring an improbably finals run we won’t play them again this year. I had a friend who supported Hedo coming here when it looked like he was going to join us and then admitted he would have been a mistake once he went to the Raps, which was entertaining. In more ways than one Hedo’s 180 worked out great.
"Maybe we can't stroll to the music of the lute. We must march to the sound of drums." -Captain Kirk
by terryisntbald on Mar 14, 2010 5:14 PM PDT up reply actions
get nasty
I’d like to see Blazer fans do something really nasty tonight.
Give Turkoglu a standing ovation. (for saving the Blazers from a disastrous personnel decision)
Do you know that suddenly the Edge is not displaying properly in Firefox?
Called up Explorer to post this, but it is a mess in the other browser…
Looks fine in Chrome
Not sure what may have happened in Firefox/Mozilla
same here
You can measure skill and talent with your eyes, but productivity is shown through statistics.
Thanks - it's fixed now
I am running 3.6 as well,,,,but whatever.
by Memphremagog on Mar 14, 2010 3:07 PM PDT up reply actions
hedo hedont
I always get a bit nervous when the star of the team (Bosh) calls out his team for pathetic play (Warriors) and they
are then coming into my house….I am hoping that Jack and Hedo don’t turn it up too much tonight…we need this game…hopefully our boys will be thinking more about the win then about having next week off…GO BLAZERS!
Portland Trail Blazers - where injuries and people come together"
The Blazers did just fine when they played Phoenix right before the ASB. Phoenix is the team that had
started their vacation early.
Absolutely.
Nate won’t let them have a letdown just before a break. Now, in the middle of November for no apparent reason—that’s another thing…
by FrederickT1 on Mar 14, 2010 12:05 PM PDT up reply actions
I'm counting on it
I’m gonna be at the game…..I’m hoping they show up….I’m hoping I don’t have to watch them either try and catch up by double digits OR worse…let them back into the game….too many times I have had to endure this at the RG this season….should be fun….
Portland Trail Blazers - where injuries and people come together"
Yep. I think there should be NOOOO booing for Hedon't!! It will give too much attention
to something we shouldn’t even care about!!! Also I don’t want him to get all motivated to have a stellar game!!!
I think the Blazers will play well. Roy has his head on straight now and how he goes, so goes the team!
I was thinking the same thing
It seems like everybody either comes off a big loss, get a star back or geared up for some reason when they play us. I also know any team can beat any other team on a given night. If those outside shots that they tried with Golden State all falls which also happens when teams play us. I just hope my fear factor isn’t a factor in the game.
realistically, I know we can beat them and I love our chances. I guess I am just getting reserved.
If in fact we go out to win the game play hard and fight tooth and nail that is all we can ask
hg
Relax!!! The jump shots don't fall well on the second of a back to back!! Also the Raptors
played the GSWs! They were probably run silly and should be tired. Even if motivated I think the Blazers will bring it. I hope they know about Chris Bosh’s rant!!!
erm...welcome back jarrett jack?
jack and bosh…go gatech!
"There are a few teams you have to watch out for in the fourth quarter."
"Yeah, but Portland definitely is not one of them."
-New Orleans Hornets broadcasters at the end of the third quarter with the Hornets leading 74-59. Portland later ends up winning 97-89.
"They don't mind him shooting that shot at all. Rudy Fernandez is not that great of a 3pt shooter."
-New Orleans Hornets broadcasters right after a Rudy Fernandez missed 3pter. Rudy Fernandez finished the game with three 3pters on six attempts.
by Tofu Anonymous on Mar 14, 2010 10:36 AM PDT reply actions
THANK YOU HEDO'S WIFE!
You are a Blazer hero.
"Good evening Blazer fans, wherever you may be!"-Bill Schonely
Lets not give Toronto fans anything to cheer about
They need to realize they suck and need to rebuild after Bosh leaves. Hedo’s contract is stuck with them. what a blow to them. We got saved big time. OMG. i just kinda had a feeling hedo would stink it up. dude is in his 30s and wants 55 million?
Plus he is totally whipped. How can his wife even dare to complain about where she is living when her husband is bringing in the millions for her to enjoy.
Fan of Greg Oden, Joel Przy, Batum, and Andre miller
are you married?
If mama ain’t happy, then ain’t nobody happy
The real trick is to get your way and keep mama happy…it’s an art form
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
Just defending the guy who was called "whipped". though don't like defending Hedont!Saying it is a good thing to have
someone do whatever you want! Males or females. Not that it happens but hey, one can still think it’s a good thing!
Hmm...Jarrett Jack didn't play many minutes last night. But Bargnani did, and C Bosh did
considering he has a sore ankle.
STARTERS MIN
Hedo Turkoglu, SF 29
Chris Bosh, PF 36
Andrea Bargnani, C 39
Jarrett Jack, PG 17
DeMar DeRozan, SG 26
BENCH MIN
Antoine Wright, SF 11
Jose Calderon, PG 32
Amir Johnson, PF 21
Marco Belinelli, SG 7
Sonny Weems, SG 22
I think it's funny
that Roy is growing out that patchy beard again. Must be playoff push time again.
If I was going to the game, I'd give Jarrett Jack a big hand
Simply because the shoelace video makes me laugh every single time I watch it.
Time to show case Bosh
For when he comes here next year in a LMA+Martell+Rex+Mills for Bosh+Calderon+fillers trade. Can you even imagine how much havoc Bosh and Roy would reek onto the NBA for the next decade?
Lover of everything Batum.
#88
It is probably reasonable to expect some sort of push for him next year.
But every team will probably do the same, you dont want to get screwed over in a bidding war.
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