April 20, 2008

SAME OLD SLOW STARTING RAPS—AND GOODBYE TO THE BIG WET NOODLE

you would  think after a regular season that saw them consistently put out mediocre first quarter efforts that the Raptors would begin the playoffs with the proper amount of intensity and fortitude.  But a leopard doesn’t change its spots just because the season changes.  A first quarter of abysmal defense caused by lacklustre effort and, to put it simply, out and out stupidity cost the club game one.

I can see in game 35 of the season how the club could begin games with a modicum of effort.  I certainly don’t agree that professional athletes should be so laissez-faire when it comes to their job–but with such a long season I can see how it occurs.  But this is the playoffs where 48 minutes of intensity is called for–isn’t it?  So, how do they think that to casually slide over to shooters rather than close hard on them is playoff defense I don’t understand.  This club has supposedly been waiting for the playoffs since they were ousted last year by the Nets–but nothing has changed.  The club can’t work their way into games–it’s too late by then. 

Orlando plays a very simply game–they penetrate and kick out to their shooters.  The Raptor wing players need to avoid the desire to help out on the penetration and feel confident that their bigs will protect the basket.  Trust is something that this club has in short supply however, and those perimeter players just kept getting sucked inside leaving shooters wide open.  The club was killed by the three pointer in the opening quarter.  Cut those out of the Magic arsenal and the Raps will win the series.  Otherwise it will be a short series.

BIG FRANK said goodbye to Toronto, and not a moment too soon.  So ends JP Ricciardi’s worst free agent signing and shows that both GM and manager feel the heat this season.  They couldn’t wait until August for big Frank to face second rate teams and second rate pitchers before he put up decent numbers. 

The best way to use the DH is the way the Angels do it.  They have 10 hitters…give their regulars a day off from the field, and rotate the position.  If you notice the three contenders that use a primary DH (Boston, Cleveland and Chicago) have left handed hitters in the role who provide balance and puch to their line-up.  Just because Frank had some awesome years a decade ago doesn’t mean he can still hit.   His time as a dominant offensive player is long gone.  It’s too bad it cost the Jays a ton of money and a lost season to discover that fact.

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