Searching For '93

Hello everyone,

A brief disclaimer:

Any mention of the term “moral victory”, in passing, or, as the central theme of an article / post will be met with extreme prejudice.  Like, you know when Denzel Washington loses his cool in “Man On Fire”?  That’s my reference point.  Having said that, I’m not going to be drugging local writers and inserting plastic explosives in their rectums, so maybe the example doesn’t fit…  I’m getting sidetracked.  My point is –

Moral victories are for 9 year old gymnasts who break their nose attempting a new move on the balance beam.  Not professional athletes.

As you might be able to tell, this idea makes me wary.  And…  Here’s what they’re saying:

Dino Blogger live-blogged the game for The Score last night, interviewed Chuck Swirsky for his blog and performed ART on Jose Calderon’s hamstring.  I listened to his interview with Chuck Swirsky.  A few thoughts:

• I goof on Dino Blogger because I think (rightly) that his blog is basically PR for the Raptors.  Having said that, there is something to be said for somebody who is unwaveringly positive.  It’s one way of doing things, that’s for sure.  The tone reminds me of the time I phoned into a radio show to confront a commentator who was ripping on Walt Williams defense.  (I was 15, but that’s besides the point.)
• Chuck Swirsky responds to emails instantly.  True.
• Chuck Swirsky genuinely enjoys Toronto.  True.  (I’d rather date somebody with a venerial disease than an inferiority complex.  If you don’t get that reference it isn’t my fault.)
• Chuck Swirsky says interesting, controversial things.  False.  (Tiger Woods will release a sex-tape with Phil Mickelson’s wife before Chuck departs from the corporate-speak.)
• Is anyone else curious why Chuck would take a job in Chicago (on radio) when he had such a plum gig in Toronto?  I’m not going to suggest his wife made the decision.  That would be speculatory.  Just know that it isn’t exactly career advancement 101.  And, his wife definitely made the decision.

From Doug Smith’s Raptor Blog:

You know what immediately silences the Bosh critics? A wing guy who can create off the dribble. You know, like a Paul Pierce or some cheap facsimile.

Look down the Raptor roster. Who can beat his guy off the dribble? Watch almost every other team in the league. When they need a basket, they get someone on the wing driving and create movement among the defenders, scrambling the game a little bit and – presto! – space opens up. Space that big men sometimes fill, not space that big men are supposed to create.

It is, and has been, the fatal flaw with this team since that Carter fellow left.

Exactly.  Which is why the Raptors should trade Jermaine O’Neal to the Nets for Vince Carter and Stromile Swift.  I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again, this trade makes perfect sense.

Best case scenario: Vince Carter scores 21 points-per-game and, along with Calderon, becomes the offensive option at the end of the game.

Worst case scenario: Vince sulks, or, “Vince Carter’s” if you prefer that term, and the Raptors force him to become a member of the Dance Pack.

Really…  That’s not a win / win?

Micheal Grange’s blog is excellent.

Scott Carefoot has some nice things to say about Holly Mackenzie’s article.  So did I, but Scott doesn’t approve my comments, so…

Dave Feschuk obviously enjoys writing a column more than a game recap.  When Feschuk has to do a recap it reads like something that wants to be a column.  Is there an overbearing editor at The Star who insists on a certain type of format?  Because Feschuk writing a recap - when you could easily link to the AP - is a waste of time.

From The National Post:

The Raptors turned the ball over three times in their first four possessions in overtime, giving the Celtics a three-point lead they would not relinquish. Bargnani committed an offensive foul, Will Solomon was called for carrying the ball, and Chris Bosh allowed Kevin Garnett to steal the ball from him.

So, there’s that.

Well, we waded into a verbal soup and emerged unscathed.  A few thoughts of my own, then:

Bryan Colangelo whiffed.  It’s official.  If Jermaine O’Neal walked into Colangelo’s office right now, this is how I imagine it playing out.  The role of O’Neal will be played by Budd.  Colangelo will be played by the masoganistic, coked-up strip club owner.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tkyMee7KB5Y&feature=related]

So, the Raptors are realizing that they are a more capable team without O’Neal in the lineup even though it takes their bench from “uncomfortably thin” to “heroin-addled model”.  Splendid.

Meanwhile, evidence suggests - rather convincingly - that both TJ Ford and Jose Calderon are most capable in a platoon-scenario.  Shoot.

Personally, I think the Raptors, with Colangelo at the helm, navigate through this self-inflicted poop storm.  Square one is waiting.