Chris Bosh Chats With Eric Smith

Chris Bosh got candid with radio announced Eric Smith this morning after practice.

This is a must listen for any Raptors fan who wants to get into Bosh’s head during this seven-game losing streak.

Sports Illustrated Give Raptors Failing Grade

Sports Illustrated came out with their midseason grades and the Toronto Raptors got an F.

Ouch!

You can check out their full rankings by clicking here.

Miami and Toronto Exchange Medical Records

I’m watching the Orlando-Boston game on The Score and there was just an announcement that Miami and Toronto have exchanged medical records.

Here’s to hoping that The Matrix winds up in Toronto by this weekend.

Bosh Vents About Moon

Oh oh, things look to be getting a little rocky in Raptors Nation.

After a tough loss last night Chris Bosh vented to the media:

“Watch the film. He gives him a straight line to the basket,” said Bosh. “Joe Johnson. All-star. Whatever you want to call him, one of the best players or two-guards in the league and you give him a straight line? You can’t.

“That’s the mental thing we are talking about. We’re up by two. If he hits the jump shot and you contest it as good as you can, what are we going to say?

“But don’t give him a straight-line drive. He’s too talented for that. He’s too good for that and that’s what made me upset.”

Then, later in the article he dropped this bomb:

“We’re not in the right positions. We don’t make the right pass. We don’t get back on defence the right way,” said Bosh, rattling off three huge problems.

“We don’t do the correct coverages when it really counts at the end of the game and that’s all mental.”

Things may get worse before they get better…

What Would Bosh Fetch In A Trade?

It appears that RaptorBlog has joined the discussion about the idea of trading Chris Bosh.

My, my, my… aren’t Raptors fans a fickle bunch. It’s been less than two months since we were heralding him as an MVP candidate and now we’re ready to boot him out of town. True, he’s a free agent in 2010, but shouldn’t we at least wait until next fall to see how things shake out? Perhaps we could even wait until the trade deadline this time next year to pull the trigger on a blockbuster deal. With a roster limping through injuries we could just as easily be in a six game winning streak than the current losing streak we’re mired in.

Regardless, I  understand how Bosh’s impending free agency is sending chills down the spines of Raptors fans so let’s dig a little deeper into the idea of dealing the face of our franchise.

In Scott’s post, he talks about players that the Raptors have no chance of obtaining:

LeBron James
Dwyane Wade
Dwight Howard
Kevin Garnett
Tim Duncan
Kobe Bryant
Chris Paul
Yao Ming

And then there are players they would like receive in exchange for Bosh:

Deron Williams
Brandon Roy
Kevin Durant
Derrick Rose
Andrew Bynum
Greg Oden
O.J. Mayo

He also had a list of players you wouldn’t need to “twist his arm” to take back because they would look great in Raptors Red:

Andris Biedrins
Amare Stoudemire
Paul Pierce
Carmelo Anthony
Al Jefferson
Chauncey Billups
Devin Harris
Danny Granger
Pau Gasol
Tony Parker
Manu Ginobili
Dirk Nowitzki
Michael Beasley

Personally, I wouldn’t want Yao because of his inability to stay healthy and KG because he’s in the twilight of his career. But that could just be me being picky.

From the “twist his arm” list, the only real players I’d like to add are Tony Parker, Danny Granger, Devin Harris, Al Jefferson, Carmelo Anthony or Amare Stoudemire. How great would Stoudemire or Jefferson look here? I think this team would barely skip a beat with either of those studs playing power forward for us.

Now, for the players we have a realistic shot of snagging, I only like Mayo and Bynum out of that group of players. However, it appears the Lakers might be willing to take JO off our hands in exchange for Lamar Odom so I don’t think we need to break the bank in any deal with Los Angeles. I’d much rather see us shake things up by adding Odom to our starting five rather than deal Bosh.

Mayo is clearly the top rookie this season but adding him would mean we’re clearly in  rebuilding mode with Bargnani, Calderon and Mayo. Would that be the worst thing in the world? I don’t think so. However, it would be a bitter pill to swallow since many fans considered 50 wins in the realm of possibility this season.

One player I shuddered at was Brandon Roy. Besides his wonky knees, do you really think Bargnani wants to be reminded on a daily basis that the Raptors could have had him to pair alongside Bosh? I sure don’t.

What players do you see as a viable fit? Personally, I’d like to see Caron Butler and one of the Wizards young players (Nick Young? Andre Blatche?) return in a deal for Bosh.

Swirsky Feels Raptors Should Trade Bosh

Here’s something that’s sure to gets Raptors fans fired up:

What is going with the Raps? I know Calderon is out, O’Neal is back but something’s going on. They need a trade. How about a BOLD trade and trade Bosh and bring in multiple players to rebuild? The more the Raps lose do you think Bosh is going to stay past 2010?

Before the veins in your forehead burst, take a minute and think about this.

If this losing continues, will Bosh want to re-sign with Toronto?

No.

So, why not deal him for something of value and start rebuilding around Andrea Bargnani and Jose Calderon? If you were to deal Bosh right now you could get a player such as Caron Butler who is locked-up for the next few seasons. With a trio of Bargnani, Calderon and Butler you could start moving forward with the knowledge you have a core group of players locked up.

Besides, you can be rest assured that BC won’t get ripped off like Rob Babcock did in the Vince Carter fiasco.

When Bryan Colangelo showed up and guided us to 47 wins in his first full season rebuilding isn’t what fans envisioned. However, if the team lays an egg this season and fails to make the playoffs I really don’t see what other options BC has this summer.

Something To Help You Laugh

With the Raptors mired in a six-game losing streak I needed something to make me laugh tonight. Thanks to Lowposts I got my wish as I found out about their Quotes page which is brilliant.

Here are some of my favourites:

“It’s almost like we have ESPN.” — Magic Johnson, on his relationship with James Worthy.

“Left hand, right hand, it doesn’t matter. I’m amphibious.” — Charles Shackleford

“I don’t have the first clue who he is talking about, because all I worry about is Jerome.” – Jerome James, on Coach Nate McMillan’s comments about players on Seattle being selfish.

“I’ve never taken medication [to control moods] in my life. Doctors have suggested it and I say, ‘OK, give it to me.’ But I throw it in the garbage immediately.” — Ron Artest

A big thanks to Ball Don’t Lie for pointing out this site.

Elie Seckbeck’s Video Interview With Nathan Jawai

Click here to watch Elie Seckbeck’s highly entertaining video interview with Nathan Jawai. Seckbeck gets Bryan Colangelo, Anthony Parker and Jawai on camera chatting about what he brings to the Raptors. One of the more entertaining parts of the clips if when they get into the story about Jawai being “attacked” by a crocodile.

Does anyone know how to embed Viddler clips into WordPress? I tried but didn’t have any luck…

Time To Clamp Down

I understand that part of Jay Triano’s role as a coach is to foster confidence within his players. However, the problem with this is a couple of his players need to have their roles re-established.

Not only that, but when the Raptors are locked in a close game Andrea Bargnani and Chris Bosh need the ball fed through them.

Period.

There is no excuse for Bargnani and Bosh not attempting a field goal within the last 2:55 minutes of a close ball game. Throw in the fact that both players only attempted eight combined field goals in the fourth quarter and it’s painfully clear why Toronto lost this game.

I don’t want to see Jamario Moon chucking up three-pointers early in the shot clock.

I don’t want to see Jason Kapono throwing up an off-balance three with Bargnani open on the wing.

Just give the damn ball to Bargnani and Bosh and clear out of the way.

Help For Raptors Fans

Look, I know runs are part of the game of basketball, but Toronto’s inability to withstand leads after building double-digits leads is getting downright frustrating.

After watching the lead spoil so many double-digits leads this month this might just be what I need to watch the next game…