Raptors dominate struggling Nets
TORONTO -- Sonny Weems: slam dunk; Amir Johnson: layup; DeMar DeRozan: alley-oop; Johnson, once more: slam dunk.
Given the way this season has unfolded for the Toronto Raptors, there have been too many nights when it has been the opposition, not the Raptors, taking residence in the paint, turning games into glorified layup lines.
But, on four successive possessions in the first quarter of the Raptors' 118-95 win over the New Jersey Nets last night at the Air Canada Centre, Toronto actually finished at the rim. For a team that has battled confidence and energy issues all season long, the abysmal 2-25 New Jersey Nets were a sight for sore eyes.
"For the most part, through three quarters, we did what we wanted to do as far as our aggressiveness and the way we wanted to play," Raptors coach Jay Triano said.
In general, the Raptors got whatever they wanted offensively whenever they wanted it. DeRozan and Andrea Bargnani slashed to the basket, and the aggressiveness was not merely ornamental.
The Raptors led by as many as 24 points in the first quarter and the cushion swelled to 37 by halftime. When a fan in the lower bowl yelled, "Come on New Jersey!" in the third quarter, it was undoubtedly said out of pity, not an allegiance to the Garden State.
Chris Bosh, though, was feeling no such emotion. He remembers all too well what it was like to be on a comically awful team. In 2005-06, the Bosh-led Raptors started 5-20.
"Nobody felt sorry for me," Bosh said. "It's part of the gig.
"They're 2-25. I know how that feels. I [was there] about four years ago. That's what I was telling Devin [Harris, New Jersey's point guard.]. He was like, ‘I don't know man, you haven't seen this.' I was like, ‘Yes, I have. I know what it's like. Believe me.' It's tough. It's very unfortunate that guys have to go through that, but they're the only guys that are going to get them out of that hole."
Not any time soon, it would appear. The Nets have the electric Harris, promising centre Brook Lopez, and not much else in the way of top-of-the-line talent. The Raptors, as unreliable as they have been this season, exposed that.
Seven different Raptors scored in double digits, with Johnson leading the way with 18 points. Toronto shot 59% from the floor, in part because they had more dunks in the game than they have in most weeks.
The Nets' awfulness has been historic. They lost a NBA record 18 straight games to start the season. The Raptors have overcome their shortcomings for 12 wins. If Raptors fans are feeling world-weary these days, they should contact their Nets counterparts for a little comparative medicine.
The Raptors, understandably, were trying to not look past the Nets. They were coming off two embarrassing losses in Florida in which they displayed almost no enthusiasm and just slightly more defensive aptitude. A win, no matter the opponent, was necessary.
"It's about us and not who we're playing," Triano said before the game. "If you're a true pro, you don't look at the record of who you're playing."
There have been too many nights this year where there has been just cause to question the Raptors' collective professionalism. Last night was not one of them.
"We've got to build on stuff like this," Triano said.
National Post
Given the way this season has unfolded for the Toronto Raptors, there have been too many nights when it has been the opposition, not the Raptors, taking residence in the paint, turning games into glorified layup lines.
But, on four successive possessions in the first quarter of the Raptors' 118-95 win over the New Jersey Nets last night at the Air Canada Centre, Toronto actually finished at the rim. For a team that has battled confidence and energy issues all season long, the abysmal 2-25 New Jersey Nets were a sight for sore eyes.
"For the most part, through three quarters, we did what we wanted to do as far as our aggressiveness and the way we wanted to play," Raptors coach Jay Triano said.
In general, the Raptors got whatever they wanted offensively whenever they wanted it. DeRozan and Andrea Bargnani slashed to the basket, and the aggressiveness was not merely ornamental.
The Raptors led by as many as 24 points in the first quarter and the cushion swelled to 37 by halftime. When a fan in the lower bowl yelled, "Come on New Jersey!" in the third quarter, it was undoubtedly said out of pity, not an allegiance to the Garden State.
Chris Bosh, though, was feeling no such emotion. He remembers all too well what it was like to be on a comically awful team. In 2005-06, the Bosh-led Raptors started 5-20.
"Nobody felt sorry for me," Bosh said. "It's part of the gig.
"They're 2-25. I know how that feels. I [was there] about four years ago. That's what I was telling Devin [Harris, New Jersey's point guard.]. He was like, ‘I don't know man, you haven't seen this.' I was like, ‘Yes, I have. I know what it's like. Believe me.' It's tough. It's very unfortunate that guys have to go through that, but they're the only guys that are going to get them out of that hole."
Not any time soon, it would appear. The Nets have the electric Harris, promising centre Brook Lopez, and not much else in the way of top-of-the-line talent. The Raptors, as unreliable as they have been this season, exposed that.
Seven different Raptors scored in double digits, with Johnson leading the way with 18 points. Toronto shot 59% from the floor, in part because they had more dunks in the game than they have in most weeks.
The Nets' awfulness has been historic. They lost a NBA record 18 straight games to start the season. The Raptors have overcome their shortcomings for 12 wins. If Raptors fans are feeling world-weary these days, they should contact their Nets counterparts for a little comparative medicine.
The Raptors, understandably, were trying to not look past the Nets. They were coming off two embarrassing losses in Florida in which they displayed almost no enthusiasm and just slightly more defensive aptitude. A win, no matter the opponent, was necessary.
"It's about us and not who we're playing," Triano said before the game. "If you're a true pro, you don't look at the record of who you're playing."
There have been too many nights this year where there has been just cause to question the Raptors' collective professionalism. Last night was not one of them.
"We've got to build on stuff like this," Triano said.
National Post
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