There was a notion floating around, curiously, that the Raptors didn’t necessarily need Chris Bosh to win regular season games. Their bench is deep, ran the argument, and they have a young stud named Andrea Bargnani waiting for an opportunity to carry the team.
Until Sunday, with Bosh sidelined by a groin injury, the Raptors were 10-10. Not bad. Then CB4 returns, and what happens? The Raptors win four in a row (versus Houston, Atlanta, Dallas and Indiana), in which Bosh looks like a rabid all-star on crank, averaging 20 ppg, 11 rpg and 1.5 bpg. Alternatively, Bargnani played in three of the four wins and is averaging 3.3 points, 1.0 rebound and 30% from the field in 12 minutes a game. Granted, Il Mago is coming back from a hyper-extended knee, but he’s looked clumsy, indecisive and vacant in those three games.
Bargnani’s career has been one of constant development and regression. Just when you think he’s comfortable, he’s injured. When you think he’s improving, he shits the bed. I still like his talent, but I’m increasingly souring on his game. Write these words on tracing paper, take them to a tattoo artist and ask to have them inked on your sternum: This year is an audition for Ill Mago. If he tanks it, or simply doesn’t impress Colangelo further, he will be dealt. His value is high in the eyes of the Association, but concerns about having two power forwards as the future of this franchise are legitimate. BC’s never hesitated to trade young players, and I can see it happening again. To be honest, I wouldn’t be disappointed. In the meantime, I desperately (seriously) want Il Mago to succeed.
A few more nuggets about the four-game win streak:
- the Raps are allowing 84.25 points per game over the streak.
- Kris Humphries is averaging 13.5 ppg, 7.8 rpg, 59% FG, in 27 mpg.
- I’ve never seen Toronto as a streaky team, win-wise, but checking last year’s schedule, the Raps did string together six wins in a row in early April ’07.
We’re continually reminded of the hellish December for the Raptors, but after Boston tomorrow, the Raps have games against the Clippers, Blazers and Sonics before facing Phoenix. Wins!
The word on Terrance Jerod Ford: After reading the Globe’s Michael Grange write this intense précis of TJ’s injury and injury history my brain and fingers conceded. There’s nothing else to add except that TJ plans to sit for a week before even approaching rehab. The post tends toward the apocalyptic at times, but it is ultra-informative. Respect to the best hoops writer in Canada.
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