It was only the Los Angeles Clippers, but the NBA does not put an asterisk beside wins in the column based on the strength of the opponent.
So if you are the Toronto Raptors the win over the Clippers puts a notch in the win category and puts the brakes on a five game losing streak.
The Raptors looked focused in Los Angeles; and it was apparent that the effort level on the dial was turned to "max" on the walk from the bus to the dressing room on Monday. While the other passengers disembarked the bus made their way to the locker room, there was President and General Manager Bryan Colangelo engaged in long conversation with Jermaine O'Neal. The two men took their time chatting as they meandered down the back hall of the Staples Centre.
Following his discussion with O'Neal, Colangelo made his way out to the court where he sat and had another involved dialogue with Jose Calderon before the starting point guard began his pregame paces.
Contrary to internet reports, there is no panic right now. Colangelo has gone on record saying that he will only make a move if it is the right one in both the short-and long-term.
"There is no fire sale. There is no panic," Colangelo said as he spoke to a small group of media court side before the win over the Clippers. "I would have traded Chris (Bosh) if I was panicking," he said comfortably. The words he used seemed to imply that all the reports that he was desperate were false. From his body language and spoken words he certainly did not sound like a panic-stricken general manager.
In light of the Nenad Kristic situation involving Oklahoma City and New Jersey, where it seems like the OKC club is in a real hurry to sign the big man having the offer sheet hand delivered, it will be interesting to see what happens with Carlos Delfino as things may not be working out for him in Russia. Although Colangelo has yet to discuss the situation publicly and probably will not as Delfino is still under contract. The Raptors, as a result of the qualifying offer extended last season that remained on the table right up until the point that Delfino signed with the Russian squad, still owns Delfino's NBA rights. You can bet that if the New York Knicks try to make a run at the Argentine, Toronto will match the offer sheet. With Delfino enjoying his year in Toronto a season ago, don't be surprised if he ends up back in Toronto at some point in the future. He would certainly be a welcomed addition at the wing.
The holidays will be a quick turnaround for the Raptors. After arriving home just after 7:00 a.m.ET on Tuesday morning courtesy of an overnight flight from Los Angeles following the victory over the Clippers, the team will reconvene for practice in Sacramento on Christmas night. The break could have been even shorter had Colangelo not requested a change to the schedule as the Raptors were originally slated to play back-to-back contests on December 22 against the Clippers and December 23 in Phoenix. The Suns game was rescheduled for late February.
Toronto will face Golden State on the second leg of the west coast swing and if you want to talk about a team in disarray just look at the Warriors right now. Owning a 8-22 record, the Warriors have already made a deal to get rid of an unhappy Al Harrington and it sounds like Stephen Jackson wants out of the Bay area as well.
After a six player tryout, the Phoenix Suns have filled their roster spot with Dee Brown.
When the Celtics won eight straight to start the season last November following a one point win over the Miami Heat, head coach Doc Rivers went into the locker room amidst the celebration and told the team that they hadn't done anything yet. To listen to Paul Pierce after this season's history making run, it seems like the message got through and it's "repeat or bust" for the Celtics.
Playing on Christmas Day is part of a regular routine for the Los Angeles Lakers as they will be part of a featured match up for the 10th consecutive season. But the holiday game is new for some of the Boston Celtics. I'm with Doc Rivers on this one as the league should at least let the defending champs play at home. Laker Kobe Bryant and his kids are used to it but it will be something new for Boston's Ray Allen and his family.
