Following the all-star break, it was agreed that the Raptors would have to post a won-loss record somewhere in the neighbourhood of 17-10 to have a shot at getting the eighth and final playoff spot. And as my broadcast partner Eric Smith put it Wednesday night, when looking at the schedule, a game against the now 41-11 Cleveland Cavaliers was not one of the 17 you would count in the win column as you went through the schedule.
That being said, the Raptors showed some flashes, particularly early on Wednesday, even without Chris Bosh that they could win some games coming down the stretch and make it a race for the eighth spot. But Toronto is going to find out the idea of saying "we want to run" is much easier said than done. It takes a relentless attitude and unselfishness to push the ball ahead, particularly via the pass to get this done and sustain the tempo over the course of an entire game. The pace of the game was quick and good early, but it slowed later and there is no way a team that is just learning to play together and integrating a new and important player into the line-up can get it done that quickly.
There were times in the game when Shawn Marion was looking for lob passes and didn't get them. The look on his face said "Hey man, we are trying to run and play up tempo aren't we? That's what I'm here for so throw it up there and I will go get it". In particular there were a couple of instances with Jose Calderon where he was totally caught off guard when Marion was open and did not deliver the ball. It will take a bit of time for them to get their signals straight.
And by the way, those were the Cleveland Cavaliers out there last night who happen to be a very good defensive team trying to be only the third team since 2000 to lead the NBA in opponents points allowed and opponents field goal percentage. Toronto fans need to understand that while the Raptors did not shoot well, the Cavs defence had something to do with it. That and the fact that when you are learning on the fly - at times when Marion was being directed where to stand on offensive sets - there is a tendency to think and not play instinctively until there is a certain comfort level established.
LeBron James was out early working with assistant coach Chris Jent who is credited with helping him rebuild his jump shot. So what exactly does it mean to rebuild the King's jumper? Well according to assistant coach, Michael Malone, son of first ever Raptors head coach and now assistant in Orlando, Brendan Malone, it means having his elbow tucked in and under the ball more than it was before as well as having a consistent release so the stroke is the same all the time. Malone pointed out many a great shooter in the NBA, both past and present, that may not have textbook technique but knocked down shots making the defence fearful of their shooting.
