After three grotesquely comprehensive losses, Coach Smitch must have figured that the defence was letting the Raps down more than the offence based on his decision to start Rasho Nesterovic over Andrea Bargnani tonight in Philly.
For perhaps the first time this season I don't have a problem with Mitchell’s decision (unlike his decision to give Juan Dixon 21.8 minutes a game). Centre is arguably the most critical defensive position in hoops, and Rasho’s a good quarterback thanks to three years under Popovich in San Antonio. Plus, Smitch says that Il Mago will still get 30+ minutes.
As Ben Gordon, Manu Ginobli and Jason Terry have proved, a shift to sixth man certainly doesn’t mean becoming the sixth scoring option. Bargnani should get some better looks against teams’ second units. The move will also ease Bargnani’s transition to centre – a position which he only started playing last year. All things considered, Andrea has been doing a fine job.
The key word with the Raptors, since 19-fucking-95, has been “patience.” Looking at this team – and its cores’ ages – it’s a lot easier to be patient than in the past.
Tonight’s prediction: Raptors: 108 – Sixers: 97
For perhaps the first time this season I don't have a problem with Mitchell’s decision (unlike his decision to give Juan Dixon 21.8 minutes a game). Centre is arguably the most critical defensive position in hoops, and Rasho’s a good quarterback thanks to three years under Popovich in San Antonio. Plus, Smitch says that Il Mago will still get 30+ minutes.
As Ben Gordon, Manu Ginobli and Jason Terry have proved, a shift to sixth man certainly doesn’t mean becoming the sixth scoring option. Bargnani should get some better looks against teams’ second units. The move will also ease Bargnani’s transition to centre – a position which he only started playing last year. All things considered, Andrea has been doing a fine job.
The key word with the Raptors, since 19-fucking-95, has been “patience.” Looking at this team – and its cores’ ages – it’s a lot easier to be patient than in the past.
Tonight’s prediction: Raptors: 108 – Sixers: 97
3 comments:
On the bright side, Raptors win in Chicago and are now +.500 again. On the brightest side, New Jersey lost and are about to experience some of Vince Carter's patented injury time.
still, who did jersey lose to? we've gotta get a W against boston. and I know we can do it.
Well yeah... if Bargnani and Bosh each made 1 more shot that night (out of their atrocious percentage) the game never would've gone to overtime... That and they just couldn't get Garnett to foul out because they started shooting everything.
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