Last nights 89-83 win over the Nets was a tough one to stomach. Sloppy play on both ends of the court, by both teams, raised my blood pressure and thinned out my hair line. Last nights game took a lot out of me, as I was cheering and jeering on the same play, far too often.
Fittingly (or is it ironically), on the night Mitchell’s coaching excellence was honored, I (and the group of guys I watched the game with), on more than one occasion, wondered about Mitchell’s decision making (wondering being the G-Rated description of conversation about it). Substitutions, and calling time outs were suspect, but I credit them with grinding out a tough win.
Game notes:
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I haven’t seen Bargnani play so bad all season. He should not have been on the court in the 4th, no excuses. He got way too many of Humphries minutes.
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Why is Bosh playing so timid? He is hestitating with his decision making. Everytime he decided to take it to the rack, he did. He needs to realize no one on Jersey can play with him.
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I am concerned with how TJ sat the first 9 minutes of the 4th, then was thrown into the game, cold, during the run. It worked out, but could have very easily went the other way.
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Morris Peterson/Anthony Parker/Joey Graham did a much better job containing Carter and Jefferson. The two combined for 33 points on 12-40 shooting from the floor.
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Bosh left Nachbar wide open, far too often in the 4th. The man can shoot, get up on him.
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TJ Ford played huge down the stretch. Call me a heretic, but he could very easily end up being the leader on this squad…I’m just saying…
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Anthony Parker is a bad ass…straight up…that’s all I have to say.
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Was it me, or did it seem that Dixon played way more than 4 minutes? He made some big plays in his limited time on the floor.
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It is almost humourous how Nesterovic plays the 1st and 4th quarters, and basically sits for the rest of the game.
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Chuck Swirsky sucks at picking the Gatorade X-Factor. I think he has picked the best one like 5 times in the last 3 years.
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As much as Swirsky is a homer, I hate Leo. His arrogance is unwarranted. He played in the NBA for a minute, and presumes to offer his expert opinion on everything.
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I don’t care what Bill Russell said, game 1 is very important. The Raptors have huge pressure to win a game in Jersey now to avoid going down 3-1 in the series.
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The refs seem to get worse game after game. At least it was equally bad on both sides (although the Raptors almost had twice as many trips to the line than the Nets). Something needs to be done, asap.
Technorati Tags: NBA Coach of the Year, 2007 NBA Playoffs, New Jersey Nets, Sam Mitchell, Andrea Bargnani, Kris Humphries, Chris Bosh, Morris Peterson, Anthony Parker, Joey Graham, Vince Carter, Richard Jefferson, Bostjan Nachbar, TJ Ford, Rasho Nesterovic, Chuck Swirsky, Leo Rautins, Bill Russel, Juan Dixon
April 25th, 2007 at 9:30 am
Sam Mitchell = amazing coach
For me the key to the game was mopete, him being on the floor didn’t let new jersey key in on whoever else we had on the court because he is an actual threat to hit a shot, or drive unlike joey graham. He did just as good a job, if not better, on the defensive end as well.
April 25th, 2007 at 11:07 am
What didn’t you like about Leo in specific? I went to the game so missed the TV version.
We didn’t run a single play all game, even the high pick ‘n roll wasn’t being used. This COY award is the biggest farce ever. But it’s a good thing because he’ll be in demand and hopefully leave.
This team will be so much better without Mitchell.
April 25th, 2007 at 12:02 pm
It wasn’t anything he said specifically during the game as much as an amalgamation of years of commentary. he gives obvious observations about what is going on, gives obvious solutions, all with a smug attitude. He does wear nice suits tho.
As far as COY being a farce…for sure it is. We can buy the case that was made for Mitchell. BUT, Sloan won 50 games in the west, and a division championship. He had better pieces than the Raptors, but the west as a whole has better teams/players.
Speculation has Mitchell going to Indiana now. I don’t see him going there. He would lose the rest of his hair coaching that team. O’Neal is a step down from Bosh, with no real upside for the team.
April 25th, 2007 at 6:18 pm
Big win for the Raps, yes it was sloppy, but a playoff win is a playoff win and now the series becomes a best of 5. Jersey looks like shite and so do the Raps, but at times the Raps can look like an absolute dominate team. i think if the raps find their game away from the ACC (maybe staying in the hotel and eating every meal as a team will bring them together). Raps will win I have faith
Parker is a bad ass and was the best free agent signing in raps history