December 18, 2007

SCHOOLBOY RAPS NOT READY TO CHALLENGE THE BIG BOYS FROM BOSTON

      It was certainly a sobering realization when it hit the Toronto Raptors that they could not compete with the Boston Celtics.  The Celtics are an efficient machine operating at its highest level with the force and authority of Kevin Garnett leading them.  When it comes to a winning attitude the Raps are a developing entity—they know they have the talent to compete, but they aren’t capable of playing their game at the appropriate time.  The Celtics are the big bully at the end of the block and the Raps are going to have to figure a way to get around them if they want to defend their division crown.  It was more than evident on Sunday that they haven’t found an answer yet.

      It seemed like a perfect storm.  It was a chance for the Raps to avenge the thrashing they received 10 days ago in Boston.  The club had been operating at much higher level since then--Chris Bosh returned and key a strong defensive mindset that was highlighted by the destruction of a powerful Dallas squad.  This was the Raptor club everyone believed it to be coming out of training camp.  And it was just in time.  Revenge was the mood.  The Celtics had it coming.  

      On the other side of the court the Beantowners hadn’t had any missteps and weren’t, like the Raps, searching for their game.  The Celtics had been playing a dominating form of defensive basketball all season and had great success slowly suffocating their opponents to death.  The meeting with the Raps wasn’t a watershed moment for Boston--it wasn’t a contest between two challenging division rivals.  Boston does not consider Toronto a threat at this stage of the season—and the Raps haven’t earned that respect. For the Celts it was simply another game on the schedule, and an opportunity to improve their record with another win.

      It didn’t take long to see which team would dictate tempo, and which team was unable to match that intensity.  The Celtics began playing their suffocating style of defense and the Raps choked from the stress.  Players couldn’t get rid of the ball quick enough when harassed.  Bad shots were taken, bad passes were made, and bad fouls were committed.  The Celtics were slicing through the uncertain Raps with precision on offense, and forcing mistakes from the nervous home team with their intimidating defense.  Nothing had changed.  It was a carbon copy of the game played 10 days before. 

      Vengeance would have to wait.  It would not be fed on this night.

      In the aftermath of the thrashing the Raps were singular in their admiration for their opponents.  Both coach Mitchell and leader Bosh were effusive with praise.  They realized that if the Raps were ever going to compete with these Celtics they would have to increase the energy on defense, be more selective with their shots, and be aggressive at taking shots in the split second they are open.  Against stifling defenses like Boston and Detroit there isn’t much time.  Open shooters are only open for a moment as defenders quickly close in, and those shooters need to be immediately prepared to take the shots.  Hesitation will only result in a poor shot, or a turnover. 

      It’s nice to respect your opposition…but not to the extent the Raps respected the Celtics.  They were nervous, anxious, hesitant, and lacked the confidence they had shown the previous four games.  The Celtics are in Toronto’s heads.  If the Raps are to be considered a serious contender for the Eastern Conference championship they are going to have to learn how to play effectively, and beat the Pistons and the Celtics.

      They showed signs that they were capable of playing that suffocating style of defense when they completely shut down the Clippers in the first game of this long west coast trip.  The Raps came out for the second half and aggressively trapped the ball handler, closed out on prospective shooters and dominated the paint.  It was an impressive performance and looked as if the club had learned from watching the best.

      The loss to Portland was a little disheartening considering the club lead the entire game, only to lose it when fatigue set in at the end.  Even so, the Raps kept Portland to the exterior for most of the game, but the young and energetic Blazers are hot right now (the win was their ninth in a row) and they hit ten three-pointers and a litany of 18-22 footers.  On most nights against most teams the Raps would have won the game. 

      It’s a long season.  There is time for this club to find their rhythm and to become a consistent winner.   Hopefully they will do so.