You see, the problem with this years free agent crop is just that….everyone is…restricted.

A couple of days a go it looked like only Arenas would be the only real FA of any value, but then the crazy Elton Brand and Baron Davis opt outs happened and the result has been even more craziness. Continue Reading

Given two deals on the table, which one would you pull the trigger on:

Scenario 1:
Send TJ to Charlotte for Gerald Wallace.

Scenario 2:
Send TJ, Rasho, Baston and a draft pick to Indiana for Jermaine O’Neal and a pick (worse then the one we sent them). Continue Reading

So the word is Garbo is on the way out. No real surprise here, I mean, the writing has been on the wall since the season began, and MLSE launched that lawsuit against Spain. What kills me though, is that instead of packaging him with a couple of the other expiring contracts for someone that will help, BC is going to buy him out, get nothing in return (Morris Peterson anyone), and potentially pay a 50% premium to replace him Continue Reading

Quickly- by a show of hands, how many Raptors fans thought that if they drew Detroit in the first round this year that they stood a chance of winning that series (put your hand down Chuck Swirsky- you’d think that they could beat God and Ditka in tennis match, and Chuck Norris in just about anything). The truth is…even the most staunch Raps fan must concede, that beating Orlando seemed really possible this year, as did Jersey last season…but Detroit…fuggeddaboutit. Continue Reading

Thank God:

1. That time ran out - if there was another minute or two, the Nets would have ripped this game out of the Raptors hands.

2. That Sam Mitchell finally was able to put the right team on the floor, even though he still didn’t run any plays, and couldn’t adjust to stop the Nets run at the end of the game.

3. For Jose Calderon stepping up and putting the team on his back (even though he injured his ankle).

4. For Morris Peterson playing like the veterain he is, and Anthony Parker regaining his form.

5. For Andrea Bargnani showing up, and covering for another ass game by Chris Bosh.

6. Joey Graham not playing like a fucking tool.

7. That the intimidating presence Milt Palacio commands did not distract the Raptors.

8. That the sea of red, was more like a shallow pond of red.

9. That the pressure is back on the Nets to win game 6 because if they come back to the ACC, I think the Raptors will take it.

10. That Nachbar can’t hit the big shot when the game is on the line.

Sorry for the week post, but I don’t have the time to eat/sleep, much less write something remotely interesting. I will hit you guys up later…

peace

Technorati Tags: New Jersey Nets, Sam Mitchell, Jose Calderon, Morris Peterson, Chris Bosh, Andrea Bargnani, Anthony Parker, Milt Palacio, Bostjan Nachbar, Joey Graham

To be fair, I only caught the game from about 2 minutes into the 2nd, but I imagine it played out like the rest of the game did. Hopefully the Nets put me out of my misery quick and not let this series drag on. You know me, I give credit where it is due, and Ves picked the Nets in 5 when we all were slave to the Raptors bandwagon. I picked the Raptors in 7 for both the pools I entered. I talked myself into thinking the Raptors would continue to play the same way as the regular season, and keep the Nets on their toes. I never thought this would deteriorate into a grind of a series (although the Nets lit the Raps up tonight). So on with my game analysis: Continue Reading

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:

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. Bosh left Nachbar wide open, far too often in the 4th. The man can shoot, get up on him.

6. 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…

7. Anthony Parker is a bad ass…straight up…that’s all I have to say.

8. 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.

9. It is almost humourous how Nesterovic plays the 1st and 4th quarters, and basically sits for the rest of the game.

10. 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.

11. 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.

12. 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.

13. 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

In what can only be described as a bad collapse, the Bulls had everything to play for, but couldn’t deliver. In a game I would have bet a lot of money on that they would win, the Bulls didn’t even show up. They went from facing the Wizards then Toronto (at home) to get the Eastern finals, to being on road against Miami and Detroit.

I imagine it is a testament to the Nets. They have coasted for most of the season, suffering injury after injury, and when the iron was hot, they struck, and secured an easier road in the playoffs.
So the circus begins. Carter, the steward of Bosh’s throne, returns to the ACC for first round series that has everyone in T-Dot buzzing. I wonder how much those blood sucking scalpers are going to get for their tickets now? Would I rather have had faced the Wizards? Yes. Can the Raptors beat Jersey? Yes. Will they beat them? Hopefully.

The Nets have put it together down the stretch, short of Krstic, they have everyone in the line up healthy, and ready to go. Mikki Moore has been a handful for the Raptors all season, and now with Josh Boone back in the lineup, things only get a bit tougher in the front court. My key to this series is how we defend Kidd, Carter and Jefferson. My tentative matchups look as so:

PG:
Toronto – TJ Ford, Jose Calderon, Juan Dixon
Jersey – Jason Kidd

SG:
Toronto - Anthony Parker, Morris Peterson
Jersey – Vince Carter

SF:
Toronto – Joey Graham, Anderea Bargnani, Morris Peterson
Jersey – Richard Jefferson

PF:
Toronto – Chris Bosh, Kris Humphries
Jersey – Bostjan Nachbar

C:
Toronto – Rasho Nesterovic, Kris Humphries
Jersey – Mikki Moore

Bench:
Toronto – Jose Calderon, Juan Dixon, Morris Peterson, Kris Humphries
Jersey – Clifford Robinson, Jason Collins, Eddie House, Josh Boone, Marcus Williams, Antoine Wright

I don’t like how we match up at the point. Kidd will be abusing Ford, Calderon and Dixon in the low post. They are dangerous on the wings, but we can keep up. The Raptors shine in the front court, but guys like Mikki Moore (Renaldo Balkman) have been a scourge on our house all season…as Big John McCarthy would say “LET’S GET IT ON!”

Technorati Tags: Chris Bosh, TJ Ford, Jose Calderon, Juan Dixon, Anthony Parker, Morris Peterson, Joey Graham, Andrea Bargnani, Kris Humphries, Rasho Nesterovic, Jason Kidd, Vince Carter, Richard Jefferson, Bostjan Nachbar, Mikki Moore, Clifford Robinson, Jason Collins, Eddie House, Josh Boone, Marcus Williams, Antoine Wright, New Jersey Nets