Raptors Really Didn't Play Bad Today...

[AB_21]

They really didn't. They moved the ball well, played the best defense I've ever seen them play for 3 and half quarters and really didn't do that much bad. Their problems were rebounding and finding another solution to Lebron's hot streak. Parker had one of his best games all season. CB played really well. Bargnani didn't play great, but he was good. He really should have been put in late in the game. But I guess he wasn't getting the job done on the glass and smitch figured Bargs wouldn't help. They weren't perfect, but they had a good game. In most situations, that performance would earn a W but some rebounding troubles and Lebron getting hot really swung the game.

The bench was a bit lackluster, but really--who doesn't agree that if they played like this in most of their losses this season they would have come out victorious in those games.

Now, I understand the frusteration and a lot of people are going to flame me saying these things just cannot happen and I agree with you---to be a great team these breakdowns just can't happen. But other than the rebounding was there really a big breakdown on the Raptors side? No. This is one of those games where Sam and Bosh have to start getting into people's faces and start yelling. Get serious and refuse for these kind of games to happen. If they do that--the loss is worth it.

(I'm frusterated too. I was so mad after the game)

[Silk Wilkes]

It's all about the fourth quarter though. We still need to learn how to shut the door.

[raps4life~]

yup, they played well in the first three quarters no doubt. but it means NOTHING if you play like crap in the fourth.

[omeloon]

They continued to give guys like Damon Jones wide open shots. I don't get how they can continue to leave the other teams' best shooters wide open.

[Mrhankey123]

If our team was like Portland, I wouldn't be scared. They still have alot of time to learn. I remember Chuck showed the youngest to oldest teams? i remember we were pretty high up.

[kmatrixg]

Our bench has sucked ass the last 3 games, forcing our starters to play 40+ minutes a game, by the fourth quarter, they are burned as shyt. No wonder we gave up 36 points. Fuqk this bench man, overpaid bunch of losers. They need to step it up quick, or some of them will be traded real soon.

[OhMyBosh]

They continued to give guys like Damon Jones wide open shots. I don't get how they can continue to leave the other teams' best shooters wide open.

Well, when Lebron goes ape **** on us with threes and drives, someone has to double. You don't think Lebron is smart enough to drive near Damon's defender? It's not as easy as you think.

[AB_21]

We had flaws in this game...but we've played much, much worse in wins this season so I'm saying that this not the right reaction.

[kyrils]

They continued to give guys like Damon Jones wide open shots. I don't get how they can continue to leave the other teams' best shooters wide open.

I think when lebron has hit 6 or 7 shots in a row you may try to triple team him which will leave damon jones open.

The fourth was pick your poison.

[postup]

Was our de really that good or did the Cavs just suck?

This game reminded me a lot of the Spurs game. If either one of them could have hit a garage door in the first half, I doubt the Raptors would have been close, never mind win.

Our complete inability to somewhat contain one man, even if it's LBJ, was also reminiscent of Kobe's 81.

Fourth quarter execution was awful.

Again, ZERO toughness. Oakley as a player is ridiculous, but maybe he can come in as a "how-and-when-to-foul-a-guy-hard" assistant coach?

Foul shooting terrible.

Bench sucked for third game in a row.

Rebounding a la 2005.

Yes, we really were that bad today and I dont' buy Smitch's post game conference BS -- he's shielding his team.

[cxd13]

Good defense.. haha, maybe you can call it 'ok' defense when someone puts a hand in LBJ's face when he shoots.

[omeloon]

Is this the first team that has killed us with their best shooters getting wide open three's?? No. Damon Jones should not have been given all day to shoot a three end of story. Yes LeBron was on fire, but they couldn't do much more than put Jamario on him and hope for the best. We could have cheated off Devin Brown at the very least

[Death Knight]

4th quarter was bad, but honestly, the Raptors really didn't take full advantage of the Cavs in the first 3 quarters and failed to close out quarters properly.

At one point in the 3rd quarter, the Raptors were at 52% from the field for the game up to that point, while the Cavs were only shooting at a mere 33% or something.............yet, the Raptors were only up by 12+pts.

With a 52% to 33% difference, the Raptors should easily be up 25+ pts. Their inability to make free throws, along with the fact that they gave the them 20 offensive rebounds really keep the Cavs in the game.

[TheOUTLAW]

Offensive rebounding is what got the Cavs to the finals last year. The team really needs to rebound and play defense in order to be competitive. So while being outrebounded by 20 is pretty bad it's not all that outrageous for the Cavs to dominate the boards. Z, Gooden and Varejao are all outstanding rebounders (and LeBron as well when he has a mind to).

[HiJiNX]

WE didn't play that well, the Cavs just sucked for 3 quarters.

[postup]

WE didn't play that well, the Cavs just sucked for 3 quarters.

Bingo.