Raptors Breakdown: No Bite in Toronto

e league. He was befuddled by screen/rolls, he was lost while defending the paint, he was shoved around at will, he was completely unaware that Rasheed Wallace loves to shoot threes, his close-outs were pathetically clumsy and late, he didn’t challenge shots at the basket, and in 40 minutes of playing time, he grabbed two rebounds.

Even Eddy Curry will grab more than two rebounds in 40 minutes!

Bargnani also rarely created his own shot, instead looking for Calderon to spot him behind the arc, or attacking the rim off of busted plays. For a No. 1 pick, Bargnani is too soft, too defenseless, and too one-dimensional.

As unselfish as Calderon was on offense, he was that porous on defense. Whether posting up or off the dribble, Chauncey Billups was far too physical for Calderon to handle.

The only positive defensive plays Calderon made were on early first-quarter interceptions of lazy entry passes to Billups. Every other time he was attacked, the Pistons were rewarded with an open look.

While he’s an athletic rebounder, Bosh isn’t really a physical one, and Antonio McDyess was able to muscle him around for several offensive rebounds. In truth, though, Bosh was often working one-on three on the glass—and all things considered, he did an excellent job.

However, Bosh is timid in the post, and only wants to shoot turnaround jumpers. He was clumsy when trying to dribble away from a rare Pistons double-team, and once dribbled the ball off his foot out of bounds. He isn’t the physical presence this team needs to win playoff games.

Aside from some dive-cuts and rebounds from Humphries, the Raptor bench was abysmal. Jason Kapono, Carlos Delfino, and Juan Dixon were all completely defenseless, and couldn’t find open shots for themselves.

When the Raptors closed within five at the end of the third quarter, Sam Mitchell gave his starters their usual rest and put in Delfino, Kapono, Dixon, and Humphries to play alongside Bargnani.

Within two minutes, the Raptors turned the ball over twice, had Carlos Delfino brick a short jumper, and watched Rodney Stuckey dominate Dixon for two assists and a bucket to extend the lead back up to 11.

When Calderon was on the bench, the Raptor offense was crippled.

Only Calderon and Parker can create for others, while only Calderon, Bosh, and sometimes Bargnani can create for themselves.

The Raptors were soft on defense, and totally reliant on jump-shooting on offense.



If their jumpers are falling, the Raptors have the offensive firepower to make the playoffs. Also, credit Sam Mitchell for fielding a totally unselfish unit.

But unless the Raptors are converting their looks at a phenomenal rate, their playoff run will quickly face extinction.

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