Two days after defeat at the hands of the Los Angeles Lakers, The Toronto Raptors (8-8) continued their 3-game road trip with a stop in the mile high city to play Chauncey Billups (11-3 since the trade), Carmelo Anthony, and the Denver Nuggets (12-6). The Raps were given the benefit of the services of Jermaine O’Neal, playing for the first time in three games. They would need him to have a big game to help combat the Nuggets. Too bad he, and the rest of the Raptors team, didn’t show up. Continue Reading

This week sees the Raptors continue their western trek after a loss to the Lakers in L.A. Sunday night. From there, they head to Denver to take on the rejuvenated Chauncey Billups lead Nuggets. With Carmelo Anthony injured and questionable for the game, the Nuggets come into the game riding a 2 game winning streak with 4 wins in the last 5 games with a loss to the Hornets last week and victories over the Bulls, the Rockets, the Clippers and the Timberwolves. At 12 – 6, they trail only the Lakers in the west and are 5th over all in victories this season in the league with the Trail Blazers. Since trading Allen Iverson to the Pistons for Chauncey Billups, the Nuggets are 8 – 3 having lost only to the Lakers, the Hornets and the Cavaliers in that period. Continue Reading

It seems that the Raptors season, again, hinges on one Andrea Bargnani. De ja vu as I remember saying this exact thing last season when the Raptors were “deeper” but had no clear # 2. This year, they have their second 20 point scorer, no controversy at the point - but the bench is thin. Continue Reading

So, as promised, here is my revised order of how I see the west playing out this season based on off season moves made (or not made) to date. Continue Reading

It’s been a few wonderful days since I haven’t had to report on game stats for a Raptors game. The quality of my life has increased 26%: I have my appetite back, the weather is getting better, my knees aren’t aching, heart is ok, it’s my New Years. With traffic to RaptorsTalk.com falling in the wake of a couples game without my play-by-play, the sadist in me was screaming for me to turn to the Denver game, I was more than happy to watch Hellboy in HD (can’t wait for the sequel), but my RFS was acting up. Continue Reading

Rasho wins the tip, putting into Calderon’s lap who skips the ball up-court to Parker who fakes the three from the corner, getting Carmelo in the air, and puts the ball on the court and drives to the rack. He pulls up and lobs the ball to a cutting Moon who puts down a massive dunk in Kenyon Martins eye, and 1 baby. Continue Reading