This ACC should be packed tonight when the Toronto Raptors (25-20) take on the visiting Los Angeles Lakers (28-15). The last time these two clubs met was February 9th of last year. The Raptors knocked off the Lakers, 96-92. There were chants of “MVP” from the ACC faithful for their franchise player Chris Bosh.
The Raptors are coming off a blow out win over the Washington Wizards, 122-83. The Raps and Wiz did battle in a home and home series, in which each team won a game. Andrea Bargnani continued his strong play of late, scoring 19 points. The Raptors as a team shot 56% and drained 13 from beyond the arc.
Starting 5:
Derek Fisher/Jose Calderon
Kobe Bryant/Anthony Parker
Lamar Odom/Jamario Moon
Vladimir Radmanovic/Chris Bosh
Kwame Brown/Andrea Bargnani
Key Match-ups:
As long as I live I’ll never forget the 81 points that Kobe Bryant put up against the Raptors. I know there are a lot of “Kobe-haters” out there, but like em or hate em, Kobe can ball! If the Lakers were able to surround Kobe with better talent then the Lakers would be back to a dynasty.
You cant stop #24, but you can prevent his supporting cast from stealing the game. Fisher can knock down open shots, Odom can score every kind of way and there is always the chance that former #1 overall pick Kwame Brown could surprise everyone and live up to his hype. Anthony Parker will do his best to slow down Kobe, but it will be up to the rest of the Raptors to shut down his teammates.
Jose Calderon was left off the Eastern All-star team yesterday. Even though Calderon’s play has been amazing so far this season, it doesnt seem that he has earned the praise around the league. Calderon is averaging 12.3 ppg and 8.8 apg this season and has double digit assist games in his last five. I dont think the likes of Fisher and Vujacic have what it takes to prevent Calderon from his sixth straight.
Game Notes:
The Lakers are at the beginning of a 15 day, 8 game road trip; former Laker great Magic Johnson was quoted saying that the New York Knicks will make the playoffs this season; the Lakers are 11-8 on the road this season (as of 8:00 pm Jan 31, 2008).
Raptors guard TJ Ford could return to practice early next week. There is still no timetable for TJ’s return, but this is good news for all Raptors fans; former Raptor guard Damon Stoudamire has reportedly signed in San Antonio, ending the possibility of a return to the team that drafted him; Chris Bosh was named to the Eastern All-star reserves last night. This will be Bosh’s third all-star appearance; the Raptors are 14-8 at home this season.
Technorati Tags: Anthony Parker, Chris Bosh, Damon Stoudamire, Derek Fisher, Jose Calderon, Kobe Bryant, Kwame Brown, Lamar Odom, Los Angeles Lakers, Sasha Vujacic, TJ Ford, Toronto Raptors
February 1st, 2008 at 7:38 am
Too bad for Calderon, but even I can’t disagree with the players they put in.
February 1st, 2008 at 9:16 am
the raptors aren’t good enough to send two players. if he keeps playing like this, his time will come. gotta earn your stripes to get selected by the coaches.
February 1st, 2008 at 9:53 am
Raps should win tonight
T.J. on the bench will be a lift
Camby got jobbed on the All-star picks
February 1st, 2008 at 10:29 am
i really think coaches should pick the team, and fans pick the starters.
February 1st, 2008 at 1:14 pm
Interesting point, RF, with the Internet, the fans could choose the starters out of the coaches-chosen roster if given a couple of weeks.
The thing is, would the coaches have picked Jose over Kidd and Billups (the other 2 PGs) chosen?
February 1st, 2008 at 1:44 pm
cuzzy > I dunno about Camby. I still maintain that the AS game is for fans of the dunk-a-thon, shoot-the-lights-out-guys. Camby has been good this year–as a defensive specialist.
Yes, I understand the argument, but really, who wants to see defense at an AS game? Wouldn’t the “d” player of the year award be sufficient praise for the accomplishment?
February 1st, 2008 at 1:59 pm
maybe not billups, but i think you can make a case for calderon. that being said, this is his first year for being considered. unless your popping big time, you don’t make the all-star team out of nowhere. if he keeps up this pace, next year he will be a lock.
February 1st, 2008 at 4:24 pm
Kwame Brown for Pau Gasol??? ARGHHH!!!
February 1st, 2008 at 5:21 pm
we could have put a much better package together than that. also, we could offer more than collins for stromile swift. both of these guys would help out the raptors.
February 1st, 2008 at 9:11 pm
Conspiracy time again …
Boston > Minn. = Celtic connection ?
Lakers > Memph. = Laker connection ?
No one is talking about the refs anymore, and after the All-stars, are we going to be hearing more about the Green vs the Purple & Gold rivalry?
February 2nd, 2008 at 1:43 am
They kicked our ass. Handily I might add.
February 2nd, 2008 at 5:33 am
Good effort by the raps. Shows how far they need to go to compete. My guess is they are still 2/3 players away from competing. Should be interesting to see which 3 move on. After the all star break we can shift our focus to the draft.
Thanks to BC and company they will make the playoffs.
February 2nd, 2008 at 10:35 am
Pau is in the LAKERS right now