Open Thread: Washington Wizards vs. Toronto Raptors, Regular Season Game 16
by Mike Prada on Dec 1, 2009 5:29 PM EST
in Game Threads
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PrintWashington Wizards at Toronto Raptors, Dec 1, 2009 7:00 PM EST
The Essentials:
Wizards (5-10) vs. Raptors (7-11)
7 p.m.
Air Canada Center
TV: CSN
Radio: 106.7 The Fan
Notable Raptors numbers this season
23rd in expected winning percentage (.362)
11th in pace (93.5 possessions per game)
3rd in offensive efficiency/offensive rating (112.2)
30th in defensive efficiency/defensive rating (116.9)
Notable Raptors numbers last season
23rd in expected winning percentage (.403)
14th in pace (92 possessions per game)
22nd in offensive efficiency/offensive rating (107)
22nd in defensive efficiency/defensive rating (110)
Pre-game links
Raptors HQ, SB Nation's Toronto Raptors blog
Raptors Republic, Toronto Raptors blog
RaptorBlog
Doug Smith's Toronto Raptors blog (Toronto Star)
TSN's Court Surfing with several awesome Canadian writers
Holly Mackenzie: Shootaround notes: Raptors vs. Wizards
Raptors Republic game preview
Raptors HQ game preview
GameDay Toronto
| Tonight's Projected Starters | ||
|---|---|---|
| Wizards | vs. | Raptors |
| Gilbert Arenas |
PG | Jose Calderon |
| Nick Young |
SG | DeMar Derozan |
| Caron Butler |
SF | Hedo Turkoglu |
| Antawn Jamison |
PF | Chris Bosh |
| Brendan Haywood |
C | Andrea Bargnani |
Tonight's game between the Wizards and the Raptors is essentially a battle between the two most disappointing teams in the East. Toronto is 7-11 and has lost three in a row (and seven of nine), all by wide margins.
How is Toronto doing it? With an unbelievably unbalanced attack. I wrote on SBNation.com a few weeks ago about how the Raptors were at one point simultaneously the league's best offensive team and worst defensive team. That hasn't held true, as the offense has fallen to just third in the league, but somehow, the defense has gotten even worse. I mean, 116.9 points per 100 possessions is just pitiful. For comparison's sake, the Wizards have been above 117 points per 100 possessions just twice this season (wins over New Jersey and Cleveland). Washington's offense is struggling, but that's still a pretty pitiful stat.
So if you had tonight's game in your "when do the Wizards and Gilbert Arenas officially break out offensively" pool, you've made a good bet. Jose Calderon in particular is really struggling on both ends of the court, so this is a good time for Gilbert to get aggressive and make plays.
The problem, of course, is that Toronto's offense poses so many problems for the Wizards. Brendan Haywood always owns the glass against Toronto, but he is never able to guard Chris Bosh and Andrea Bargnani on the perimeter. Antawn Jamison can't really guard either guy - Bosh is too strong for him, while Bargnani is too tricky. Hedo Turkoglu poses interesting problems for Caron Butler, though the good news is that Turkoglu's not the type of guy who can hurt you when he doesn't have the ball. Off the bench, Amir Johnson comes in with a lot of energy, while Jarret Jack always hurts us.
The bottom line is that tonight's game and Friday's game promise to be two of the most entertaining games we'll see all season. I imagine there will be a lot of bitching about how three-point shooters are open on both sides, and I only caution people to remember that Toronto does that even to the league's best defenses. I plan on sitting back, enjoying the display and hoping that nobody tries to throw the ball up in the air with time still left on the clock.
Other things I'm looking forward to:
- Bosh in general. He's been a terror all season and it's been a joy to watch. Hopefully, he shines in defeat, not in victory.
- The USC matchup at shooting guard between Nick Young and Toronto's exciting rookie, DeMar DeRozan.
- Earl Boykins coming in and running circles around Toronto's small guards.
- Antoine Wright bricking shot after shot after shot.
- Beautiful offense, on both sides.
- Mike James' revenge (even if he doesn't play)
GO WIZARDS!
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Comments
argh
i thought this might be a relatively easy opponent the way toronto has been playing but prada you reminded me that bosh and turkoglu always hurt us. matchups might be a problem.
i only watched the first minute of that mike james video but it was pretty darn funny.
by DarrellWalkerFan on Dec 1, 2009 5:53 PM EST reply actions
watching that video
felt so much longer than 7 minutes. kind of like how it would feel if he were to play for 7 minutes
Uhh ... Gilbert ... where were you?
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
Haywood needs to make a stronger move on Bargnani in the post
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
He needs to be more physical with guards off the ball.
On the ball any chest to chest contact is legal.
He looks like he is afraid he will hurt someone.
Great pass by Nick
I was initially annoyed they didn’t give Brendan the ball in the post, but he made a nice play.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
im glad he got the T
Hes not getting any respect and he cant drive to the hoop if hes not getting calls
He definitely got whacked there
Should have finished anyway though. He got caught too far under the rim. Pre-injury, that’s an AND-1.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
Incredible how “NBA Cares” shows all these players reading to children, handing out food, and doing other charitable work – 25 years AFTER Abe Polin required the same from his players, every year…..
Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......
by Rook6980 on Dec 1, 2009 7:34 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
Caron
needs to not take that contested shot at the end of quarters
Its always Roger Mason (Jr.) time!
What's up with Antawn's free-throw shooting
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
annoyingly
the only wizard i trust on the line out of the starting five is haywood
Its always Roger Mason (Jr.) time!
It looks like Flip isn't going to trust JaVale against all these shooters
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
That was also bad shot selection
When you have a big on you, you need to get something better than that.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
Gilbert needs to shoot that ball
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
Someone get a body on Amir Johnson, please
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
free4all
foye,arenas, butler, young are all playing 1on1. there was no rhythm whatsoever to the offense the last 6 possessions
by rzawrecktah on Dec 1, 2009 7:52 PM EST via mobile reply actions
I think it's time for Gil to go into takeover mode, honestly
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
belinelli
I met belinelli at sky bar in LA back when he was getting no PT behind the baron davis, mavs upsetting warriors. glad to see his gettin some reps for the raptors
by rzawrecktah on Dec 1, 2009 7:56 PM EST via mobile reply actions
Uch, don't leave Antawn on an island with Bosh
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
If we are getting torn up on the boards by the Raptors
Bogut is going to destroy us tomorrow
Its always Roger Mason (Jr.) time!
Toronto often does that to you because they spread you out
Their big advantage is on the offensive end.
Doesn’t excuse that last one though.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
That last O-board was JaVale's fault
But yeah, I hear ya. Just saying, Toronto poses some challenges.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
Caron really looks out of sorts
He just has no ability to drive anymore. I remember being concerned he wasn’t driving enough in 2008. Now, it’s that times five.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
If I knew, I'd be writing about it more
I’ve got no idea.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
I have stayed pretty quiet this year
while trying to figure this out. But some of these guys just don’t seem comfortable or like playing with each other.
Its always Roger Mason (Jr.) time!
It's odd
Arenas and Butler in particular have not had very good on-court chemistry.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
Maybe Flip banned straw-chewing?
Funny moment the other day – Flip walked out of his post-practice media session Monday holding a Mountain Dew. Claims he has always been a Dew guy. I called back to him “Does this mean Caron’s back on the Dew.” Couldn’t quite hear him, but I think he said no.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
Got to watch at least some of Obama's speech during halftime
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
I know we have to run the set plays
But I really would like to see people break them once in a while to drive to the hoop. Toronto has no shotblockers.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
He's doing better than Caron is at least
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
true
but if everyone is going to clear out, he needs to take it to the hoop
Its always Roger Mason (Jr.) time!
Yeah, that was a really bad lapse
He had no help baseline.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
We might be up by 10 if Caron
a. passed
drank mountain dewc. didnt punk fake/hesitate/jump in to the defender trying to make a fading away single handed hook.
Right there ... Gilbert's got to shoot that - too unselfish
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
He is having a great game
What do you mean?
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
That bad?
Eh, I’m not concerned. Eight assists, team is +6 with him out there — he’s playing well.
FG% is a very misleading stat. Better to look at how many points on how many shots.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
I was not looking at the +/-
so I rescind my comment a bit. It just look like he was bound for bigger things at the half.
Gilbert's starting to break plays and drive to the hoop
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
I wish I could say "I told you so about Haywood!"
But truth be told, I never thought he’d rebound like this.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
Etan wouldn't be the league's leading offensive rebounder...
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
Caron's been really bad
Very out of flow. Everything he does is an ISO, and poorly.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
What was that play?
Caron set up in the post while Jamison set a pick and roll. WTF. Wonder who was the one in the wrong spot?
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
blatche
moves real gingerly like derrik coleman in his golden yrs
by rzawrecktah on Dec 1, 2009 8:47 PM EST via mobile reply actions
If Caron is going to post up like that, he can't give up his position that easily
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
Earl is not playing well tonight
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
I'd like to see them run some plays for Nick
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
Maryland up a deuce at Indiana
"Would you like to shoot me now or wait till you get home." --- Daffy Duck
by George Templeton on Dec 1, 2009 8:52 PM EST reply actions
Five fouls for Blatch
Ugh!
"Would you like to shoot me now or wait till you get home." --- Daffy Duck
by George Templeton on Dec 1, 2009 8:54 PM EST reply actions
was that take by Boykins really necessary..
"We don’t have any rearview mirrors in our car,"- John Harbaugh
I thought everyone wanted to see that
Watch Boykins dribble around then take a low percentage runner!
"Would you like to shoot me now or wait till you get home." --- Daffy Duck
by George Templeton on Dec 1, 2009 8:56 PM EST up reply actions
They should make it a circus act
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
I loved EJ
but this reminds me of his worst rotations.Foye should be catching and shooting all game.
Its always Roger Mason (Jr.) time!
Definitely instead of Boykins at this point
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
Gilbert can't get a much better look than that!
"Would you like to shoot me now or wait till you get home." --- Daffy Duck
by George Templeton on Dec 1, 2009 9:02 PM EST reply actions
Gilbert just waived Haywood's screen off there
I think that’s a good thing – he wants to score.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
Lucky they didn't get a three-second call on Brendan there
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
That was a flash of the old Gilbert there!
What a shot!
"Would you like to shoot me now or wait till you get home." --- Daffy Duck
by George Templeton on Dec 1, 2009 9:07 PM EST reply actions
Don't count your chickens before they hatch
There’s a lot of time left!
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
lots of 3 point shooters
on the Raptors. and we can’t hit free throws.
Its always Roger Mason (Jr.) time!
What we need is to box out Bosh once in awhile!
"Would you like to shoot me now or wait till you get home." --- Daffy Duck
by George Templeton on Dec 1, 2009 9:08 PM EST reply actions
Beautiful feed from Boykins there!
"Would you like to shoot me now or wait till you get home." --- Daffy Duck
by George Templeton on Dec 1, 2009 9:09 PM EST reply actions
The Knicks are smoking the Suns right now
"Would you like to shoot me now or wait till you get home." --- Daffy Duck
by George Templeton on Dec 1, 2009 9:11 PM EST reply actions
Here's hoping they keep Butler out
If you take D-Mac out, put Foye or Young in.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
Talk about things that I never thought I'd hear/think
When he sat near the end of a game very early this year I thought “uh oh.” Now I’m wondering if we’re looking at trade bait near the deadline.
How about that play on Bosh!
Way to get those hands in there!
"Would you like to shoot me now or wait till you get home." --- Daffy Duck
by George Templeton on Dec 1, 2009 9:13 PM EST reply actions
Im so smart, my prediction was good
I predicted this where is that hater on the forum earlier? Not talking anymore.
I said Jamisons voice will give Arenas a breakout game. He needed that, why you doubted shows me your bball IQ.
Honestly, it's really annoying to read someone tooting their own horn
This is about being fans, not about being right.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
by Mike Prada on Dec 1, 2009 9:15 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Great D by Haywood and Jamison there on Bosh!
"Would you like to shoot me now or wait till you get home." --- Daffy Duck
by George Templeton on Dec 1, 2009 9:15 PM EST reply actions
is it me – or does it seem like Bosh plays a lot more physical this year than in past years?
Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......
Maybe a change since Jay Triano became coach?
"Would you like to shoot me now or wait till you get home." --- Daffy Duck
by George Templeton on Dec 1, 2009 9:16 PM EST up reply actions
I've noticed it too
I like it. He was coming off a really bad year and got stronger and became more of a force.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
he certainly just threw Jamison around
I don’t remember him the ability to take it to the hole
Its always Roger Mason (Jr.) time!
11 of 20 from the line
Thank goodness there aren’t too many sharp objects near me!
"Would you like to shoot me now or wait till you get home." --- Daffy Duck
by George Templeton on Dec 1, 2009 9:17 PM EST reply actions
Why does Toronto play Jack in crunch time?
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
There's the classic "Caron charge"
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
It's the right play, he just does it too slowly
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
That Jamison J was so pure
The net didn’t even move!
"Would you like to shoot me now or wait till you get home." --- Daffy Duck
by George Templeton on Dec 1, 2009 9:19 PM EST reply actions
Certainly looked like it
The old John Stockton move.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
You're a little over the top right now....
Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......
by Rook6980 on Dec 1, 2009 9:21 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Please stop calling out other posters
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
now is when the old Gil
starts going to the line every two seconds
Its always Roger Mason (Jr.) time!
It helped that everyone overplayed on the perimeter
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
Air tried to take the charge, but Caron got away with one
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
Those are some very Gil like Minutes
that he is logging right now. Also only 2 assist in the second but 12 points. Which Gil best suits this teams first half or second half
Looking like a .500 team
I prefer Gil playing his game
Washington-Toronto games always are
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
And he hits the free throws
Thank God someone does!
"Would you like to shoot me now or wait till you get home." --- Daffy Duck
by George Templeton on Dec 1, 2009 9:28 PM EST up reply actions
He's been pretty bad tonight
But those were big free throws.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
Offense-defense substitutions!
You mean the Wizards aare actually allowed to do that!
"Would you like to shoot me now or wait till you get home." --- Daffy Duck
by George Templeton on Dec 1, 2009 9:31 PM EST up reply actions
Really?
I have this weird wish they’d lose/lost/whatever. Can’t put my finger on why I’d want my favorite team to lose.
How many times did we scream for Eddie Jordan to do the Offense/Defense substitution thing???
Flip gets it..
Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......
by Rook6980 on Dec 1, 2009 9:30 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
Speaking of
Wow, why is he dribbling on the baseline?
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
Yea Buddy
Soooo happy terps got it handed to them in Hawaii. Gary’s got them playing now.
Nice….. Wizards are going to get this one
Gil was shooting a hair over 25% at the half
Guess he went to the phone booth and changed it up because agent zero was killing it in the second half.
Part of that could be playing with Boykins
Freed him up to concentrate only on shooting….
Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......
We're going to lose this game somehow.
It’s the freaking raptors
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=laydODN6xVk
If only they didn't have Jennings
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
New thread about to go up guys
Big win!
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
Has Gil been tossing his jersey all season?
He was pretty awesome tonight.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=laydODN6xVk
Good win…
Should be lots of people with abnormally high opinions of the Wizards tomorrow on the blog…. And if they win tomorrow… look out, everyone will be way over the top….
but first loss… will come the nay-Sayers…
Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......
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