The Association

Did Webber Motivate Bosh to Call Out His Teammates?

By Craig Kwasniewski 

The Toronto Raptors are way too talented to be struggling to make the playoffs. They have Chris Bosh, a borderline superstar, Hedu Turkoglu, the go to guy from the Eastern Conference Champions, Andrea Bargnani, the feisty 7-footer with three point range, Jose Calderon, a very capable point guard and a slew of young, long and athletic wings... yet they're struggling at 32-32 and barely holding on to the 8 seed in the east. 

I saw them earlier in the week come within another Kobe Bryant game-winner from beating the defending champs. They had the Lakers on the ropes all game with scambling defense and outside shooting from all five spots.  This was the team Bryan Colangelo assembled, European-style on offense with just enough defense... then they laid back-to-back eggs against Sacramento and Golden State.  So why are they struggling? 

Chris Webber, during NBA TV's broadcast on Tuesday night, pointing out one reason the Raps can't seem to find their way: 

What I do see from Toronto right now is no leadership. I don't know who the leader is on Toronto because no one's taken it out and said you don't shoot this shot, come on, hold it up. I don't see that on this team. And if you don't have a leader on a team you can not win. 

C-Webb said this with 4 minutes left and the Raptors trailing the Lakers by 4 on their way to another loss. Who was the clear-it-out-and-give-me-the-damn-ball guy? Didn't they sign Hedu to do the same role as he did with Orlando? 

(Yes folks, Hedo was the clutch guy with the Magic, which is why I'm real curious to see if Vince Carter can actually be that guy in Orlando... you know, because he's never been that guy ever. Half-man, half-amazing yet not really clutch in the playoffs... but I digress...) 

Anyway, on Tuesday Bosh hit a HUGE three to tie up the game with 9 seconds left, but I didn't get the feeling he was demanding the ball. He was just left open because the Lakers saw him as the last option when down three. So who's THE GUY on Toronto? 

Maybe it was what C-Webb said last Tuesday night or maybe it was just a great player in a contract year tired of his team under-achieving, but Chris Bosh finally spoke up and called out his teammates. According to yahoo.com: 

It’s like if you look at the schedule right now and see Toronto, I’m sure people are checking something in the win box. I can understand if we lose the game going down fighting but we’re not fighting at all. Time is ticking and it’s counting down, and if we keep playing the way we are right now, we’re going to be on the outside looking in. Guys need to step it up, period. 

Asked what Toronto needs to do to turn things around, Bosh—the franchise leader in points, rebounds and blocked shots—was succinct in his reply. 

Just do it. Act like you care. I’m going down playing offense on (the Warriors) side of the court and their bench is louder than we are. That doesn’t make any sense. They’re not playing for anything. We’re trying to make the playoffs, maybe get a fifth seed, but that’s like slipping every day. This isn’t playoff basketball.

Strong words and very unusual in today's game for a star to call out his teammates, but it's the right thing to say and the right time to do it. There's time to turn this around and move up a few spots (read: avoid Orlando and Cleveland in the 1st round)... well said Chris... both Bosh and Webber.  And maybe this is Bosh's way of saying, this is my team and I want to lead it to the next level.  THAT we shall see in the next few weeks.

 

Photos: Kobe Bryant Saves the Lakers... Again

By Craig Kwasniewski 

The game wasn't pretty... the game wasn't inspiring... the game really wasn't memorable... but it was yet another game saved by the heroics of #24 with a sick game-winning jumper from the corner with 2 seconds left.  (A looong two in the corner with two defenders rushing him.  Impressive in the sense that EVERYONE knew Kobe was going to take the shot and he still created enough space to hit a difficult jumper.)

But that's the thing, how do I categorize a sub-par effort at home against an inferior opponent?  The Lakers DID find a way to grind out a W with their confidence fading over the past 4 games.  The DID pull together defensively just in time down the stretch to set up for Kobe to do what he does best.  Kobe DID work the refs all game, eventually wearing them down late, giving the Lakers the benefit of a few late calls (BTW - a very savvy veteran move).  Maybe this was the type of gritty win that only a team with championship experience can pull off.  The "how did they pull that one out?" type of victory that the early 00's Lakers seemed to crank out on a regular basis.  Of course instead of a sick Kobe fade, they got the game winner from a Robert Horry three... obviously.  

HOWEVER... this Lakers team continues to have trouble realizing that they are being chased.  They are no longer pursuing the Celtics, Spurs or Cavs, they ARE being pursued.  Teams will continue to bring their A-game, looking to size themselves up to the defending champs.  This is why continually average journeyman players like say Jarrett Jack blow up against the Lakers on a nightly basis (well that and the sieve that is the Fisher/Farmar defensive tandem).  The Lakers tend to play down to their opponents, except it's down to their 2009 versions and not the 2010 one.  This is why they aren't pulling out the late W's with the same consistency last last year. 

To me, this was a great shot that saved a lackluster and borderline embarassing effort by the defending champs.  Each offensive possession was a teeth-pulling, ginding and abusive affair whereas Toronto seemed to score with ease.  Gasol refused to dunk the damn ball on every low post move, blowing easy layups all over the paint (and getting obliterated on Lakers fans Twitter accounts).  Odom took an entire half to wake up.  Fisher continued to have a questionable shot selection.  In the end, despite Kobe's gave winner, this isn't going in my mental roll-a-deck.  But you can decide how memorable this game winner was to you, check it out:

 

Photos: The Dunk Contestants Needed to Channel Ruby Rhod Last Night

By Craig Kwasniewski 

What was that honey? It was BAD! It had no fire, no energy, no nothing! So tomorrow from 5 to 7 will you PLEASE act like you have more than a two word vocabulary. 

Or in this case some personality in the dunk contest!  Fitting that with Chris Tucker in the house, all I could think of what Ruby Rhod from the Fifth Element said to Korben Dallas (coincidence?) after showing zero personality.

Seriously, wow did THAT suck! I guess not every dunk contest is a home run. Not every one craps out an iconic dunk. In fact this was the worst contest since the 2004 one in LA... oh the ONLY one that I ever attended in person (heavy sigh). 

Anyway, Dunk contests have very little to do with the actual dunk itself, it's more to do with the entertainment and hype that surrounds each dunk. This is what Dwight Howard, Nate Robinson, Josh Smith and Gerald Green all understood in past competitions. Energy, pop, creativity, showmanship, pizzazz (doing the Hollywood producer finger snapping thing right now)... the dunk is just the finishing touch to each attempt, the icing on the cake if you will.  Again, just listen to my man Ruby Rhod... fire and energy!

Last night three of the four contestants went retro in a bad way and just assumed people just wanted to see dunks. Yeah that was great if it really was 1986 and we were in Reunion Arena, but that just doesn't fly today. Not after seeing Superman, Kryptonite, The Sticker Dunk and The Cupcake Dunk. It's just too bad the contestants didn't possess the same type of creativity as their pre-contest studio shots. Check it out, Shannon Brown, Gerald Wallace and DeMar DeRozan all exuded personality in these photos... personality that seriously failed to make an apperance in the American Airlines Arena last night.

   

Boy that Bynum/Bosh Rumor Died Pretty Fast

By Craig Kwasniewski

Trade rumors take on many different forms during a long 82-game regular season. Some are very real and just the right phone call from happening, some are created by the local media seeking that watercooler buzz on a slow news day and others are motivational ploys intended to light a fire under a player with very little motivation.

Hmmm, now that sounds a little too familiar. 

That Andrew Byunum for Chris Bosh trade was just that, a leak by the Lakers front office with the sole message: Pick up your game or we're shipping your ass to Toronto!

Andrew Bynum is signed under a very healthy contract through 2012-13 and is the favored son of Jim Buss (Jerry's successor). Pau Gasol goes down, Artest bangs his head, Kobe... well Kobe goes through his annual list of minor injuries (broken finger, back spasms, etc.) and Odom is Odom.  All eyes are on Drew, who's expected to rise up and carry the Lakers through the injuries.  Instead of busting out All-Star numbers, Bynum continues his very Benoit Benjamin disappearing act.  Two plays on, several minutes off, complaints that he's not getting enough touches... we've seen this before with every un-motivated big in the NBA. 

The Lakers simply got fed up with this act and played the only hand they could... the trade rumor.  What Bynum didn't expect was the excitement Lakers fans had and the fear generated in the rest of the NBA at the prospect of a very versatile Gasol-Odom-Bosh front line.

Drew responded averaging 20.7 points and 12.3 rebounds, way above his regular season numbers of 15.6 points and 8.5 rebounds as the Lakers went 2-1.  Safe to say, Drew got the message.

BTW - Bynum's not getting traded for Chris Bosh!  Besides being a motivational ploy, let's look at it further.  Bynum *IS* Jim Buss's guy.  Do not underestimate the power of that situation!  Many teams came through with interesting offers for Bynum and the Lakers turned down all of them.  Jim is slated to take over Jerry Buss's spot on the team and Bynum is his long-term cornerstone. Plus roster-wise Bosh doesn't fit.  Gasol is a 4 who can play the 5 and Bosh is a 4 only.  The Lakers, who's advantage is being long and big, find themselves getting a little smaller with Bosh.  It was never happening.

Lakers Starters Ice Down Early in W Over Toronto

by Craig Kwasniewski

Shades of the late 90's Bulls as the Lakers starters iced down their knees early in the 4th quarter during the the Lakers 112-99 win over Toronto. The Lakers have breezed through a flurry of mediocre teams and at 14-1 the they're headed for the Battle Royale on December 25th against Boston. Here are a few observations from my seats in Section 316:

Gasol is on fire! Lost in the LeBron to NY and Lakers going 81-1 talk is just how effective Pau Gasol has been on offense. It was predictable that that Gasol would get his fair share of good looks especially with defenses focusing on Kobe and bigs unable to double because of Bynum but Gasol has been NBA JAM on-fire in the past few games. And with every game his one-on- one game is more aggressive. Tonight he went right at Chris Bosh with a few post-ups and made it look easy. Plus as Phil Jackson pointed out in the LA Times, his rotational defense has been a pleasant surprise.

Bosh Off Night = Killing My Fantasy Team. My best fantasy hoops player Chris Bosh (a second round pick) has been a monster all season with double-doubles and 30- plus games left and right. Most of it courtesy of Jermaine O'Neal keeping the defense honest and preventing constant double teams. Tonight with O'Neal out (what's with O'Neal surnames and sitting out multiple games?) the Lakers swarmed Bosh, forcing him to take jump shots from the top of the key. So great... My Lakers roll while my fantasy hoops team tanks (staring five of Nowitzki, Bosh, David West, Brandon Roy and (heavy sigh) Rip Hamilton (bad draft pick because of too much alcohol because the draft was at Hooters and I drunkenly took Monta Ellis for my 5th pick thinking I got over everyone and forgetting that he's out for like 540 games, needless to say fantasy dratfs at Hooters has it's up and downs))).

Bargnani not living up to the #1 draft spot. Toronto got a quality 4th best player on their squad in Andrea Bargnani. CLEARLY he's no Dirk Nowitzki (as some scouts predicted)... he's a good role player (like Odom is to the Lakers) but nothing more. There's none of the "it" qualities that you see right off the bat in superstars. I'm not hating on the dude, I'm just saying that he's definitely second round talent and not the #1 overall pick.

Fisher - Calderon Clash: Maybe D-Fish took Rick Fox's criticism of the Lakers being soft to heart because his play was very Rick Fox confrontational tonight. Fisher was clear to establish a physical presence and was in Calderon's face all night even doing the I'm-not- fouling-him-while-leaning-in-with-an-elbow-to-the-face routine that Rick Fox was famous for. Or maybe he saw that youtube clip of the C's trying to get under Calderon's skin and went for a perceived weakness. Either way, it's nice to see a Laker play the role of enforcer... but the smallest guy on the floor?

WE WANT TAC-COS (clap, clap, clap-clap-clap)!!!!

And with the Lakers holding Toronto to less than 100, EVERONE got Tacos tonight!

NBA Draft Trade Roundup: Jermaine O'Neal to Toronto for T.J. Ford Is the Biggie

by Brett Edwards

A few quick trades to report today as we get ready for tomorrow night's draft.

Jermaine O'Neal to the Raptors in exchange for T.J. Ford: Good deal for both clubs. Indiana gets to rebuild with two first-rounders, and Toronto gets to team Chris Bosh and JO together (for at least the 50 games that O'Neal's healthy). Also, solves that silly point guard feud about who should start for the Raps.

Nuggets give trade their only pick to the Bobcats: Looks like Denver has no interest in the players who might be available at 20, and looks like Charlotte gets a chance to improve quickly with two first round picks. Nice move for the Bobcats, curious one for the Nuggets. Some possible reasons Denver might have done this.

Portland buys New Orleans' #27 Pick for $3M: Interesting move by the Blazers, who already seemed to have too many picks and players to begin with. Could they be stockpiling to move WAY up in the draft? Stay tuned.

A Few Links To Get You Caught Up

by Brett Edwards

To get you caught up coming out of the holidays, here's a sampling of what's been going on around the Association:

Kobe Bryant is considering a new type of surgery. Personally, I hope he doesn't try it, I think he's good the way he is.

Charlie Bell is having the worst season in NBA history. On the bright side, the Bucks only lost by 45 to the Pistons, so it's not all bad. Oh wait...

Lamar Odom received a one-game suspension for the flagrant on Ray Allen. Feel free to rest your starters there, Doc.

Chris Bosh going used car salesman to beg for All-Star votes. Funny? Sure. Will it work? Probably not.

Scottie Pippen is mouthing off in hopes of getting the Bulls head coaching gig. Yeah, I'm sure "obnoxious" is the first quality that the organization is looking for in their next coach.

Lottery Fever

by Craig Kwasniewski

The Raptors win, thaaaaaaaa Raptors win!

Trying feverishly to remove my ECF predition off the headline after Miami beat the Pistons in game 1, let's catch some lottery fever.

The Toronto Raptors will get the number one pick overall and a chance at...

Well this is a weak draft. But any good news should help the Raptors in their effort to keep Chris Bosh.

"I am very pleased with the outcome. It was a lot of stress at the end,” said Bryan Colangelo, president and general manager of the Raptors. "Now the Toronto Raptors find themselves in a situation with not only the number one pick but cap flexibility thanks to a couple of deals made by Wayne Embry. The combination gives us plenty of options and we are playing with a full deck."

For all you NBA Lottery history buffs and Elgin Baylor fans, here's a list of every lottery pick since the system was implemented in 1985. (Year-by-Year Lottery Picks)

Here's a link to the ridiculous amount of draft coverage on NBA.com. (Draft Lottery Central)

Mike James Fires Up The Quote Machine

by Brett Edwards

It took us a while, but now we're completely rolling on the Mike James train. James is having a stellar season for the Raptors, but he feels he's under too much criticism for not being a "true" point guard. So he did what makes the most sense: he apologized.

"You know I'm sorry I'm not the league's typical point guard. I'm sorry that I know how to put the ball in the hole at a very high rate. And I'm also sorry that I can still get over 10 assists while doing it."

Apology accepted. He also would like to know what will make people consider him a true point guard.

"What have I got to do in order to be called a point guard? Average 20 assists in a game. Is that what I got to do in order to be in this game?"

That would certainly help. Most of all it seems that Mike just wants to be trusted and left alone.

"I want to be able to roam the yard without no leash on, trusting that I'm not going to hop the fence or do anything stupid."

We'd like to trust that you won't do anything stupid, Mike, we really would. Oh, but we did hear that you want to become a boxer, would you mind clearing that one up for us?! At least we know he's thinking safety first. When asked if he would wear head gear when training, Mike ironically replied: "Of course, I'm not crazy."

Vanderjagt Night in Toronto?

by Craig Kwasniewski

The Toronto Raptors mascot dunks a football that was held by Dallas Cowboys kicker Mike Vanderjagt during first half NBA action in Toronto on Wednesday night.

In honor of the great Mike Vanderjagt, the Raptors players missed all three point shots wide right.

But seriously folks, I simply love the fact that those in NBA marketing have no shame. Just what the hell does the former choking kicker for the Indianapolis Colts have to do with the Toronto Raptors? I know he's Canadian and all, but does that mean that every single celebrity from Canada gets the special treatment at Raptor games? Call me when it's Graham Greene night.

Until then, here's a link for some cool Mike Vanderjagt t-shirts.