Game Notes: Kaunus Vs. Raptors

Thanks to a good friend of The Jones — I see you, Setts — I managed to score a couple of free tickets to the Kaunas-Raptors pre-seazzle game last night. So, to steal a page from Grange’s playbook, here are a few random observations:

1. The Raps new pump-up/introduction song is U2’s “Vertigo.” You know, that iTunes-pimped “uno, dos, hello, hello” garbage from 2004. Ugh. Not quite as bad that Beyonce debacle from a few years back maybe, but still, if we play like ass this year I’m blaming it on this.

(Note: What was wrong so with last season’s Rage? Or better yet, why don’t we stop saving the Stripes’ “Seven Army Nation” — or, you know, “Seven Nation Army” — for the start of the fourth and use it off the top instead?)

2. T.J. posted 13 points, 11 assists and only two turnovers in just 24 minutes. He was easily the best player on the court for most of the night. And yes, I’m sticking by my prediction: T.J. Ford will one day come close to matching Scott Skiles’ 30 assists in a game record. I know, I know, sounds ridiculous. But trust me: one day, when the stars align and the gunners are on fire, you’ll look up at the scoreboard near the end of the third and T.J. will already have 20 or 21 dimes to his name. Then the game will go to OT.

3. We need to get Bargnani some Jumpsoles ASAP! While he’s apt at beating his man baseline, he can’t finish at the net with any consistency. It drives me nuts. I swear he draws back iron on about 80% of his dunk attempts. Get up, Magic Man.

4. Caught the Raps’ Mop Girl hand delivering a note — from the Kaunus bench — to some extremely attractive, extremely confused, Lithuanian chick about fifteen rows up. Grish figured they were asking her to join the team for some post-game Lithuanian fun. It appeared as though she checked the “YES” box.

5. The rest: Kapono has a ridiculously smooth release … Moon had a nice two-handed reverse in warm-ups … the Lithuanian national anthem is loooooooooong … Sabonis jerseys were everywhere … and that “new era” in the Raptors Dance Pak they keep promising us appears to have finally arrived.

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By J.E. Skeets at 3:39 pm on 10.18.2007 — Tags: '07/'08 Pre-Season, International, Raptors

The Celtics, The Raptors

I watched these two battle it out Saturday in Rome and let me tell ya, this is gonna be nice. Two teams on the rise that will not back down from one another are gonna wrestle four times this coming season, not to mention atop the standings of the Atlantic Division. This was the most intense exhibition game I’ve ever witnessed. Benches were jumpin’, chests were bumpin’ and players were a-yellin’. Just thought I’d share some observations from the game. Not sure if I’m jacked ball is back or that the Raps finally head in to a training camp with minimal problems, but I’m feeling good right now; like a boy tearing the plastic off a brand new video game.

Pre-game, when Kevin Garnett was head butting the stanchion and pounding his fist in to his chest, I felt like, easy fella, it’s kinda early for that, no? But, it’s always the playoffs for KG. He played well, and he gelled nicely with Paul Pierce and Ray Allen. The 3 looked like they had played together before. Maybe meeting up in Beantown weeks prior to camp really did pay off. There were times when the C’s were playing too much 1-on-1, but there were also instances when they shared the ball like the Suns, or, if you will, their Raptor counterparts. Ray Allen took what was given too him, Paul Pierce has had his usual, “I’m taking over” attitude at times, and KG, well, he was the dominant, versatile, 7 footer that he is.

The trio is gonna be great. As we’ve heard before, it’s the supporting cast that is the ? mark. Although, Eddie House’s yap was in mid-season form. A couple made 3’s and he’s chatting like a participant on “Yo Momma” (for you MTV fans). Speaking of House, Boston still needs some help at PG. Rajon Rondo was doing his job well for strecthes, but House, Allen or Gabe Pruitt won’t cut it. Now, I’m not sure if Tony Allen may be the answer, but he seems to lack the skills of a distributor. I had to wince when he grimaced after his dismount on that 4th quarter, high flying jam. He looked fine afterwards; guess he just needed to shake the cobwebs off his first game action dunk after that ridiculous injury. Kendrick Perkins has such an easy job and he appears to be grasping it. Be physical, establish positioning, rebound, work your butt off on D, and dunk the opportunities the big 3 serve you. When a role player simply has to play his role, things are rosy.

It was good to see the best mascot in pro sports, The Raptor, in Rome for this one. As for the Raptors new talent, I’m skeptical. Just what kind of auditions were held? I know it’s early, but I’m not sold on the new Dance Pak.

The duo of Chris Bosh and Andrea Bargnani showed flashes of what a terror these two will be to play against in the years to come. Bargnani is learning to compliment his pristine stroke with some hard drives and post moves, although, his finishing ability still needs a lot of work. Even on the defensive end, these two were showing glimpses by challenging shots with those long arms and stepping up to Garnett. It was also nice to see Bargs has packed on some bacon so he can bang a little more. With some dedication, I think these two have the b-ball intelligence and quickness to get it done in their own paint.

Bargnani is going to go some thorugh seriously tough stretches at the defensive end if he starts at center. With Il Mago on the first unit, Toronto’s second unit is deadly. Jose Calderon, Carlos Delfino, Joey Graham/Juan Dixon, Jorge Garbajosa and Rasho Nesterovic. Toronto’s third team could pound Boston’s second squad. The depth will make for some nice competition at practice.

What I didn’t like about the Raps’ first unit is their lack of a slasher. Anthony Parker and Jason Kapono on the wings didn’t seem to generate any cutting in to the lane. I’m not sure if Parker will step up his game to an even higher level this season, but Kapono doesn’t appear to be capable of scoring this way. That’s why I think Delfino should replace Kapono in the starting 5. The group that started Saturday seems to look too much like the stagnant bunch who got beat by the Nets in the ‘07 playoffs. Toronto can obviously move the ball and the team has 2 point guards that can penetrate, but Delfino will provide scoring in a facet the team lacks. Delfino is the Eric Byrnes of the NBA (for you baseball fans). He has all the tools of a natural athlete. Sam Mitchell seems to be tinkering with the idea as he started Delfino over Kapono in Sunday’s game versus Italian club team, Lottomatica Roma.

In conclusion, it’s baaaaaaaaaacccccckkkk.

Photo: via Ruth L

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By Tas Melas at 3:21 am on 10.08.2007 — Tags: '07/'08 Pre-Season, Celtics, Raptors

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