Raptors must come out with a sense of urgency

Taiyab_K · Post #1 » by **Taiyab_K** » Sun Feb 17, 2008 8:50 pm

51 games into the season, they are 28-23 this year and 27-24 this year. Not bad, my only concern is -- how are they going to go on a 5+ game winning-streak? This team has been on and off again, remember...they even had a bad start last year, 2-8. Something has gotta happen.

Trade?
Ford back at it?
What?

raps4life~ · Post #2 » by **raps4life~** » Sun Feb 17, 2008 8:52 pm

this is our time to shine. we need to come out with mad intensity. our schedule is very favorable the rest of the way and a 50 win season isnt out of reach.

Post #3 » by **Nolan** » Sun Feb 17, 2008 8:59 pm

Nothing needs to change. Everyone is healthy and playing like they can we are in a good position right now.

rapstarr · Post #4 » by **rapstarr** » Sun Feb 17, 2008 9:05 pm

it's all good right now. the focus is getting deep in the playoffs.

random_hero891 · Post #5 » by **random_hero891** » Sun Feb 17, 2008 9:12 pm

minor changes, trade dixon, maybe graham

HumbleBumbleBee · Post #6 » by **HumbleBumbleBee** » Sun Feb 17, 2008 10:26 pm

GARBOOOOOO!!!!

I just want this team healthy

TheMainEvent · Post #7 » by **TheMainEvent** » Sun Feb 17, 2008 11:17 pm

Well, I think one thing to be optimistic about is that Toronto had one of the best toughest schedules up until now, and will have one of the easiest in the second half.

But then again, the Raptors have shown many times that they often let 'winnable' games get away. So, meh.

_venom_ · Post #8 » by **_venom_** » Sun Feb 17, 2008 11:24 pm

The key to the Raptors season will be the stretch of games immediately following the Orlando game after the all-star break. That stretch will determine whether we will make a push for 3rd in the East or stay middle of the pack and if we will make a deal or not. Just look at it:

Feb 20 vs Orlando
Feb 22 @ NY
Feb 24 vs NY
Feb 25 @ Indiana
Feb 27 vs Minnesota
Feb 29 vs Indiana
Mar 2 @ Charlotte
Mar 4 @ Orlando
Mar 5 @ Miami
Mar 7 vs Washington
Mar 9 vs Seattle

That's 11 games and only 2 (both Orlando) are against teams over .500. If we can go something like 8-3 or better then we'll be in very good position down the stretch. Every single one of those games is winnable.

Mr.Raptorsingh · Post #9 » by **Mr.Raptorsingh** » Sun Feb 17, 2008 11:33 pm

Don't we have a tough March ahead of us in terms of schedule? I think that's when we go on our 2nd West Coast trip. So yes, it is imperative this team comes out and strings together a winning streak.

~ TeRRoR SquaD ~ · Post #10 » by **~ TeRRoR SquaD ~** » Sun Feb 17, 2008 11:34 pm

Need to go on a tear. Bosh needs to continue to bring it every night, Bargnani is showing me alot with his play of late, offensively and defensively, the return of Ford means that our PG situation is better than ever, Jose is posting historical stats, I noticed Sam has tightened the rotation a bit which is necessary to form a cohesive unit for the playoffs. I think everything is going our way and its all coming together at the right time.

Mr.Raptorsingh · Post #11 » by **Mr.Raptorsingh** » Sun Feb 17, 2008 11:37 pm

Bargnani needs to play consistently. I know many people here believe he is coming around which I think so too. BUT, he is getting his numbers w/o having a real impact on the game. You know what I mean? Like he doesn't play consistently throughout the game. It's like he is playing in spurts right now, we need him to play consistent basketball for 48 mins./game.

Brans · Post #12 » by **Brans** » Sun Feb 17, 2008 11:47 pm

Trade this team is still one and done in the playoffs. Teams are getting better. Even Atlanta would take us in a series.

_venom_ · Post #13 » by **_venom_** » Mon Feb 18, 2008 12:03 am

Brans wrote:Trade this team is still one and done in the playoffs. Teams are getting better. Even Atlanta would take us in a series.

No they would not. In my opinion the Raptors would get crushed in 4 or 5 games against Detroit and Boston. A series with Orlando and Cleveland could go either way and then I think the Raptors would beat everyone else in the East.

Fenris-77 · Post #14 » by **Fenris-77** » Mon Feb 18, 2008 12:45 am

Brans wrote:Trade this team is still one and done in the playoffs. Teams are getting better. Even Atlanta would take us in a series.

Does this even apply to any team in the east except Atlanta? I don't think so. None of the other bubble teams has improved, and at this point I think Miami is done, Marion or no. Add to that the Raps first half health issues (and Italian issues) and I think you can make a solid argument that the Raps have yet to play their best ball this season.

Even in the case of Atlanta I don't really think they'd overwhelm the Raps in a 7 game series, not if the Raps have the current roster healthy anyway. Bibby makes them better, no doubt, but not that much better. Personally I think the Raps mental prep for the playoffs this year is more important than the quality of the the teams (or at the very least equally important).

99 Problems · Post #15 » by **99 Problems** » Mon Feb 18, 2008 12:49 am

Double-digit win streak possible? When was the last time we had something like that? Or even a 4 game win streak?

djsunyc · Post #16 » by **djsunyc** » Mon Feb 18, 2008 12:53 am

not having tj and garbo took away 2 HUGE elements that this team couldn't replace.

tj is the only player on the team that can attack the other team's defense and force them to collapse. that element has not been replaced.

and garbo's toughness and grit, especially on the defense end from a big man has not been replaced.

General Ford · Post #17 » by **General Ford** » Mon Feb 18, 2008 1:02 am

djsunyc wrote:not having tj and garbo took away 2 HUGE elements that this team couldn't replace.

tj is the only player on the team that can attack the other team's defense and force them to collapse. that element has not been replaced.

and garbo's toughness and grit, especially on the defense end from a big man has not been replaced.

I think Garbo's contribution is a little over-rated. He couldn't even crack the lineup at the beginning of the season.

El Presidente · Post #18 » by **El Presidente** » Mon Feb 18, 2008 1:17 am

rapstarr wrote:it's all good right now. the focus is getting deep in the playoffs.

This is what people overlook. The team might have a decent record win some nice wins here and there but it's our record against other good teams that concerns me. I have no doubt that we'll finish with a 45-50 win record but that does not mean we're not going to get kicked out in the first round. Just look at the NJ series from last year and give me one area where we have significantly improved to the point where we can say that we could take out a team like Cleveland, Orlando or even Washington (three very likely opponents) in a 7-game series.

Taiyab_K · Post #19 » by **Taiyab_K** » Mon Feb 18, 2008 2:58 am

djsunyc wrote:not having tj and garbo took away 2 HUGE elements that this team couldn't replace.

tj is the only player on the team that can attack the other team's defense and force them to collapse. that element has not been replaced.

and garbo's toughness and grit, especially on the defense end from a big man has not been replaced.

Alot of people have forgotten, but think back to all the times TJ has 20+ points...and everyone else is just stagnant. With Jose, I don't recall it happening for some time -- if ever.

Taiyab_K · Post #20 » by **Taiyab_K** » Mon Feb 18, 2008 3:03 am

El Presidente wrote:-= original quote snipped =-

This is what people overlook. The team might have a decent record win some nice wins here and there but it's our record against other good teams that concerns me. I have no doubt that we'll finish with a 45-50 win record but that does not mean we're not going to get kicked out in the first round. Just look at the NJ series from last year and give me one area where we have significantly improved to the point where we can say that we could take out a team like Cleveland, Orlando or even Washington (three very likely opponents) in a 7-game series.

You're right, which is basically what my post is about. What is, or what will be the key to going deep in the play-offs?