Each and every Monday we check in on the past weeks games and look forward to the next 7 days in Raptors land.

Seven days ago, the Raptors were 3-0 after impressive road wins against Philadelphia and Milwaukee and a gritty OT win against Golden State.  Feeling the love of the new season, The Dr. boldly predicted that Toronto would end its atrocious display of poor basketball against the motorcity boys, followed by rolling over the wannabe’s from Atlanta before crushing Charlotte on the road.  Then, within 24 hours of my post, Detroit trading Chauncey Billups and Antonio McDyess to Denver for Allen Iverson who would not be in uniform in time for the game at Toronto.- a 3-0 record, 3 days off, at home, against a Pistons team missing 2 STARTERS!!! my prediction of a 6-0 Raptors team heading into Boston tonight seemed not only possible but REALLY possible… and then it happened…

The Raptors laid an egg in what was a horrible display of defense against the Pistons at home on Wednesday.  Im not sure what was more disappointing- watching Tayshaun Prince and Rip Hamilton dismantle the Raptors wing players or wondering who was playing on the interior when NO ONE on the Raps team took advantage of the shorthanded and mismatched front court of the Pistons.  This was a game where O’Neal and Bargnani should have each gone off for 20+ points against a front court that would be forced to place Rasheed Wallace 1-0n-1 against Bosh, leaving smaller- less experienced players like Amir Johnson and Jason Maxiell to guard the crafty 7 footers on the Raps.  Heck, even Kwame Brown looked pretty good against a Raps team that only had 75 field goal attempts in the whole game?  Ouch.  This game not only deflated nay momentum the Raps had gained in the first week but also sent a message:

1) Detroit was still a team to be reckoned with in the East (even without Billups, McDyess, and Iverson) and

2) The Raps shortcomings in the areas of wing players, bench depth, and energy guys- may not be noticeable on nights when the team shoots 50% and holds opponents to under 45% shooting- but on many nights this season, will be the downfall of this team.

You would think coming off a loss a bad as the embarrassment at home against Detroit that the Raps would hit the road motivated to take the first 2 of a 3 game road trip against Atlanta and Charlotte before heading into Boston to face the champs…think again.  Now, lets get one thing straight- I am not here to bash Sam Mitchell all season- and I know that Sam likes to continually remind people that “it ain’t the xs and os but the Jimmys and Joes” but someone has to motivate the jimmys and joes to play- and last time I checked the coach’s job description motivation was pretty high up on the list of skills required.

Toronto didnt even show up in Atlanta.  Antony Parker followed up his 3-9 shooting might against Detroit with a modest 2-9 night in Atlanta, the back up guards looked lost and unsure and defense was ? I dont know?  Atlantas shot almost 55% from the field and 60% from behind the arc.  Jose Calderon is playing some nice offsenisve basketball but for the second straight game his defense got exposed- as below average (at best).  After letting Rodney Stuckey and , Calderon watched as Mike Bibby went off for 19 points in the first half, en route to 62 Atlanta first half points.  The Raps simply mailed it in from that point.  As a side note, I was not very high on Atlanta’s chances this season, but so far they appear to look more like the team that took Boston to 7 games than the team that only won 36 games all season las year.

So Charlotte then became the season’s first turning point- win here (and convincingly) and the team was back on track, 4-2, with the guarantee of heading home to face Philly on Wednesday at the very worst 4-3 (with losses to Bos, Det, and an unbeaten Atlanta- thats not only respectable but, hey, you can live that).  However, lose in Charlotte and you face the grim truth of heading into Boston on the back-to-back, with little confidence, at 3-3, and then heading back home to face Philly at 3-4, and the very real possibility that November 21st against NJ might be the next time the Raptors see the .500 mark.  It was encouraging then to see the Raps come out and play some seriously stifling D for the first 10 minutes.

Even though they weren’t making any shots, Charlotte only had 8 points with less than 2 minutes to play in the first quarter…and then the wheels came off.  From the 2 minute mark, when the Raps led 16-8 until half time, the Bobcats went on a 37-24 run to take a 5 point lead into the half and to make the Raptors wonder in their dressing room what was becoming of their season of change and high expectations in only game 6?  About half way through the third quarter, Sam Mitchell took a chance- he sat Calderon for extended minutes and turned the game over to Will Solomon, who responded.  He made smart passes (like the ones to Bosh, Bargnani, and Parker, all leading to easy baskets) and his ENERGY off the bench and 6 assists in 13 minutes were key components to this Raptors win in Charlotte.

But what really won this game was the  D.  for the first 10 minutes of the 1st quarter and all of the 4th quarter  (so almost 1/2 the game) the Raps held the Bobcats to just  20 points.  It was during this time that the interior D of the Raptors finally lived up  to its hype.  Moon, Bargnani, Bosh, and O’Neal made it almost impossible for Charlotte to enter the key for easy buckets.  Infact, the 4 Raps combined for 7 blocks and 31 rebounds!  Now, on the flip-side, AP again shot under 35% going 4-12, and JO still looked uncomfortable on offense going 0-5. Equally disturbing was Jose Calderon’s defense on DJ Augstin and Raymond Felton who combined for 26 points and 10 assists on almost 50% shooting.  However, what mattered most here, was the win.

So now its off to Boston where the Raps do have one advantage- Boston is also coming off a back to back, however they played last night against Detroit.  And having slugged out a big win their may be some fatigue and let down.  Look for the Raps to push the pace early and really attack the champs.  If the raps pound the ball inside to Bosh and O’Neal, and spread the floor with shooters who are making shots (AP is 9-30, Kapono is 8-22) then this is a winnable game.  However, if the Raps come out sluggish and tired and wihtout any real motivation, look for Boston to have put this game away before the half.  this in fact may be a theme for the rest of this Raptors season:  some games they are going to look like real contenders and some nights they are going to look lost.

Against Philly on Wednesday at home, look for the 76ers to really be aggressive.  After losses this season already to Toronto, Atlanta,  Miami and Orlando (and with a game the night before at home against Utah) Philly will be in danger of falling to 2-6 with a loss.  Even though they will be tired, they will be in a “must-win” situation.  For the Raps, a victory here would be huge!

Lastly, on Sunday the Raps get Miami at home.  Depending on the day, Miami can be a very dangerous team.  They are currently sitting at 3-3 but Dwayne Wade is looking strong averaging over 30 points a game in his last 3 games.  One question mark is Shawn Marion who currently is playing through a variety of injuries including a broken nose, torn ligament in his finger and a sore knee/ankle.  Wade is capable of winning this game by himself, but for the Raps, this is a game they should win.

This week the Raps should look to go 2-1 and finish the week at 6-3 and in a very good spot 3 weeks into the season.

As always, I’m the Dr., I’m standing in the key, Ive got my feet planted, and I’m planning on taking a charge!

phdsteve

Technorati Tags: Allen Iverson, Amir Johnson, Andrea Bargnani, Anthony Parker, Antonio McDeyess, Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics, Charlotte Bobcats, Chauncey Billups, Chris Bosh, Detroit Pistons, DJ Augustin, Dwayne Wade, Golden State Warriors, Jamario Moon, Jason Maxiell, Jermaine O’Neal, Jose Calderon, Kwame Brown, Miami Heat, Mike Bibby, Milwaukee Bucks, Orlando Magic, Philadelphia 76ers, Rasheed Wallace, Raymond Felton, Richard Hamilton, Rodney Stuckey, Sam Mitchell, Shawn Marion, Tayshaun Prince, Will Solomon