30 Copyright 2009, CBSSports.com http://takman777.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/view/5816897 en-us I will endeavour to keep up to date thoughts and musings about the NBA and some NCAA ball as I can. Please Join me and keep the discussion real, and keep it civil as opinion is just that, opinion. mine is no better or less valid than yours, just different... that IS a good thing. Sat, 07 Nov 2009 06:52:32 EST http://takman777.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/5816897/17493882?source=rss_blogs_NBA#comments NBA http://takman777.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/5816897/17493882?source=rss_blogs_NBA Raptors" style="float: left;" /> ... Fri, 06 Nov 2009 22:16:49 EST http://takman777.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/5816897/17493882?source=rss_blogs_NBA http://takman777.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/5816897/14543630?source=rss_blogs_NBA#comments NBA http://takman777.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/5816897/14543630?source=rss_blogs_NBA Raptors Post-Mortum ... Tue, 28 Apr 2009 13:24:19 EDT http://takman777.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/5816897/14543630?source=rss_blogs_NBA http://takman777.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/5816897/13525611?source=rss_blogs_NBA#comments NBA http://takman777.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/5816897/13525611?source=rss_blogs_NBA Week 15 – Catching up with the Raptors ... Thu, 19 Feb 2009 21:12:15 EST http://takman777.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/5816897/13525611?source=rss_blogs_NBA http://takman777.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/5816897/13348190?source=rss_blogs_NBA#comments NBA http://takman777.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/5816897/13348190?source=rss_blogs_NBA Well, here goes another attempt at trying to figure out the enigma that is the 2008/09 Toronto Raptors. With wins last week against the Bulls, the Kings and the Nets for their first three game win streak since opening the season 3 – 0, stopping ... Mon, 02 Feb 2009 11:36:11 EST http://takman777.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/5816897/13348190?source=rss_blogs_NBA http://takman777.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/5816897/13244135?source=rss_blogs_NBA#comments NBA http://takman777.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/5816897/13244135?source=rss_blogs_NBA Week 14 on the Raptors schedule offers them the opportunity to move back up towards the .500% mark and take a couple of steps back to the playoff race. With games against 2 teams within 4 wins of us at this point. After last weeks losses to the Suns, ... Wed, 28 Jan 2009 12:31:55 EST http://takman777.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/5816897/13244135?source=rss_blogs_NBA http://takman777.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/5816897/13202616?source=rss_blogs_NBA#comments NBA http://takman777.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/5816897/13202616?source=rss_blogs_NBA Week 13 saw the return of both Jermaine O’Neal and Jose Calderon as the Raptors wallowed in the midst of a 7 game losing streak. Since I have discussed the Pistons game and the Hawks game, I will focus on the Bulls and the Kings games which saw ... Mon, 26 Jan 2009 14:57:55 EST http://takman777.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/5816897/13202616?source=rss_blogs_NBA http://takman777.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/5816897/13123864?source=rss_blogs_NBA#comments NBA http://takman777.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/5816897/13123864?source=rss_blogs_NBA I must admit, it has become harder and harder to write about this Raptors team that continues to struggle at pretty much every part of the game night after night. After the two losses to the Celtics in which Ray Allen and Paul Pierce took turns destr ... Thu, 22 Jan 2009 14:09:45 EST http://takman777.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/5816897/13123864?source=rss_blogs_NBA http://takman777.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/5816897/13097945?source=rss_blogs_NBA#comments NBA http://takman777.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/5816897/13097945?source=rss_blogs_NBA I know we are all focused on 2010 when LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh become free agents and the rumours that are swirling around with that, but what about next years class? looking over the list i see a lot of pieces that many teams would ... Thu, 22 Jan 2009 12:23:47 EST http://takman777.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/5816897/13097945?source=rss_blogs_NBA http://takman777.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/5816897/12920460?source=rss_blogs_NBA#comments NBA http://takman777.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/5816897/12920460?source=rss_blogs_NBA I think at this point in the week, I need to pause and do some reflection on the two games we just witnessed with the Celtics. The Celtics came into the game Sunday having lost 4 straight games to the Knicks, the Bobcats, the Rockets and the Cavalier ... Fri, 16 Jan 2009 23:44:06 EST http://takman777.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/5816897/12920460?source=rss_blogs_NBA http://takman777.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/5816897/12853346?source=rss_blogs_NBA#comments NBA http://takman777.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/5816897/12853346?source=rss_blogs_NBA As 2008 came to a close, the Raptors struggled losing their last 3 games of the year to the Trail Blazers, the Warriors and the Nuggets. With a 12 – 20 record, they were looking for a new year that could offer hope that indeed had a team that c ... Sat, 10 Jan 2009 13:28:53 EST http://takman777.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/5816897/12853346?source=rss_blogs_NBA http://takman777.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/5816897/12736121?source=rss_blogs_NBA#comments NBA http://takman777.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/5816897/12736121?source=rss_blogs_NBA Week 11 begins tonight with a game against the 16 – 19 Bucks, currently in 8th place one place ahead of the Raptors for the last playoff spot in the East. In the past 10 games, they have won six including wins over the Spurs, the Jazz and the K ... Mon, 05 Jan 2009 17:26:04 EST http://takman777.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/5816897/12736121?source=rss_blogs_NBA http://takman777.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/5816897/12731626?source=rss_blogs_NBA#comments NBA http://takman777.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/5816897/12731626?source=rss_blogs_NBA Week 10 in the NBA for the Raptors provided an insight to this team long overdue. With games against the Warriors, the Nuggets, the Rockets and the Magic, we faced 3 teams with 20+ wins and a team that pushes the tempo any chance it gets. Starting we ... Mon, 05 Jan 2009 15:15:00 EST http://takman777.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/5816897/12731626?source=rss_blogs_NBA http://takman777.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/5816897/12637057?source=rss_blogs_NBA#comments NBA http://takman777.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/5816897/12637057?source=rss_blogs_NBA New Year’s brings with it a time to reflect on the year that was and unfettered hope for the year about to commence. Wednesday evening at the ACC in Toronto, the Raptors held their collective breath as they hosted the Denver Nuggets in the rema ... Thu, 01 Jan 2009 13:24:04 EST http://takman777.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/5816897/12637057?source=rss_blogs_NBA http://takman777.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/5816897/12575851?source=rss_blogs_NBA#comments NBA http://takman777.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/5816897/12575851?source=rss_blogs_NBA Tonight, the Raptors head to the Bay area for the conclusion of a dismal road trip that saw them lose to the Thunder, the Mavericks, the Spurs and the Trail Blazers while scoring victories against the Kings and the Clippers. Dirk Nowitzki, Josh Howar ... Mon, 29 Dec 2008 18:22:52 EST http://takman777.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/5816897/12575851?source=rss_blogs_NBA http://takman777.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/5816897/12572979?source=rss_blogs_NBA#comments NBA http://takman777.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/5816897/12572979?source=rss_blogs_NBA The conclusion of Week 9 in the NBA finds the Raptors with a 12 – 18 record after recording 2 wins and 1 loss in games 3, 4 and 5 of the 6 week road trip that winds up tonight in the Bay area against the Warriors. With victories against the Cli ... Mon, 29 Dec 2008 16:28:01 EST http://takman777.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/5816897/12572979?source=rss_blogs_NBA http://takman777.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/5816897/12541482?source=rss_blogs_NBA#comments NBA http://takman777.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/5816897/12541482?source=rss_blogs_NBA I guess there are many reasons why the Raptors lost against the Trail Blazers Saturday night in Portland, I will try to discuss a few of the biggest reasons I noticed while I watched. Firstly, the Raptors came into Portland with a small 2 game win st ... Sun, 28 Dec 2008 12:25:16 EST http://takman777.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/5816897/12541482?source=rss_blogs_NBA http://takman777.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/5816897/12526257?source=rss_blogs_NBA#comments NBA http://takman777.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/5816897/12526257?source=rss_blogs_NBA After a win Monday over the Clippers on a night when Jake Voskuhl looks more and more like Bill Laimbeer knocking Zach Randolph to the ground then leave the game, the Raptors went into Sacramento to play the Kings Boxing Day looking to keep the littl ... Sat, 27 Dec 2008 11:15:33 EST http://takman777.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/5816897/12526257?source=rss_blogs_NBA http://takman777.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/5816897/12449318?source=rss_blogs_NBA#comments NBA http://takman777.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/5816897/12449318?source=rss_blogs_NBA The week that is ahead offers the Raptors some hope as we arrive in Los Angeles to play the Clippers tonight before having a few days off before Christmas to re-group, then they play the Kings and the Trail Blazers on Friday and Saturday before finis ... Mon, 22 Dec 2008 16:55:22 EST http://takman777.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/5816897/12449318?source=rss_blogs_NBA http://takman777.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/5816897/12427104?source=rss_blogs_NBA#comments NBA http://takman777.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/5816897/12427104?source=rss_blogs_NBA Week 8 for the Raptors was a week of frustration for the fans and a week of tough losses for the team. After 3 losses at home during which the fans have begun the boo-birds have made their presence felt, the team has continued to seem lost as a group ... Sun, 21 Dec 2008 12:59:28 EST http://takman777.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/5816897/12427104?source=rss_blogs_NBA http://takman777.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/5816897/12390742?source=rss_blogs_NBA#comments NBA http://takman777.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/5816897/12390742?source=rss_blogs_NBA Tonight, the Thunder play host to the Raptors who are starting a 6 game western road trip at a critical point in the season. Having fallen to 10 – 15, this team is suddenly out of the playoff race in the Eastern conference looking up at the Buc ... Fri, 19 Dec 2008 16:30:31 EST http://takman777.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/5816897/12390742?source=rss_blogs_NBA http://takman777.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/5816897/12348751?source=rss_blogs_NBA#comments NBA http://takman777.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/5816897/12348751?source=rss_blogs_NBA Tonight, the Raptors host the surging Dallas Mavericks who have won 7 of their last 10 games with wins over the Grizzlies, the Bobcats, the Suns, the Hawks and the Pacers. They are 3 games above .500% right now and are .5 of a game out of 8th in the ... Wed, 17 Dec 2008 12:52:53 EST http://takman777.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/5816897/12348751?source=rss_blogs_NBA http://takman777.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/5816897/12306947?source=rss_blogs_NBA#comments NBA http://takman777.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/5816897/12306947?source=rss_blogs_NBA Week 8 for the Raptors feels like more waves of a tsunami as we have the Nets again in Toronto, then Wednesday we host the 13 – 9 Mavericks who play the Nuggets tonight. Friday we are in Oklahoma to play the Thunder then head south to play the ... Mon, 15 Dec 2008 13:31:55 EST http://takman777.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/5816897/12306947?source=rss_blogs_NBA http://takman777.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/5816897/12304149?source=rss_blogs_NBA#comments NBA http://takman777.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/5816897/12304149?source=rss_blogs_NBA Week 7 in the Raptors season saw the team move far away from the Sam team and become the Jay Triano lead Raptors. With games against the Trail Blazers, the Cavaliers, the Pacers and the Nets, we knew it would be a rough week. 3 of those games were ag ... Mon, 15 Dec 2008 11:23:32 EST http://takman777.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/5816897/12304149?source=rss_blogs_NBA http://takman777.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/5816897/12288204?source=rss_blogs_NBA#comments NBA http://takman777.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/5816897/12288204?source=rss_blogs_NBA Well, a tough loss to the Hornets Sunday on a day when the Raptors could just as easily pulled out the win. After a solid defensive effort in the 1st quarter, the Raptors began to lose track of shooters like James Posey and Rasual Butler as the team ... Sun, 14 Dec 2008 16:02:12 EST http://takman777.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/5816897/12288204?source=rss_blogs_NBA http://takman777.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/5816897/12271414?source=rss_blogs_NBA#comments NBA http://takman777.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/5816897/12271414?source=rss_blogs_NBA Sunday afternoon the Hornets visit the ACC to take on the suddenly 2 in a row winning Raptors with a new head coach and a new defensive attitude holding the Pacers and the Nets to a combined 34.1% field goal percentage in the last 2 games. Sunday, Ch ... Sat, 13 Dec 2008 17:55:40 EST http://takman777.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/5816897/12271414?source=rss_blogs_NBA http://takman777.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/5816897/12266608?source=rss_blogs_NBA#comments NBA http://takman777.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/5816897/12266608?source=rss_blogs_NBA Friday night in the Swamp, the Raptors faced the Nets in a game where both teams had something to prove. The Nets were looking to build on a 7 – 3 in the last 10 games and still enjoying the OT win in Toronto after being down 18 points for most ... Sat, 13 Dec 2008 11:37:17 EST http://takman777.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/5816897/12266608?source=rss_blogs_NBA http://takman777.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/5816897/12241337?source=rss_blogs_NBA#comments NBA http://takman777.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/5816897/12241337?source=rss_blogs_NBA Friday night, the Nets welcome the Raptors to the swamp and look to return to the win column after losing to the Knicks on Wednesday evening. Having won 4 of the last 5 and 7 of the last 10, this team is playing good and since beating the Raptors in ... Thu, 11 Dec 2008 22:15:32 EST http://takman777.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/5816897/12241337?source=rss_blogs_NBA http://takman777.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/5816897/12220883?source=rss_blogs_NBA#comments NBA http://takman777.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/5816897/12220883?source=rss_blogs_NBA Wednesday night, the Raptors and Jermaine O’Neal hosted the Pacers with T.J. Ford and Rasho Nesterovic in their return to the ACC. Emotions were running high on both sides of the floor as the Raptors had come into the game with a 4 game losing ... Wed, 10 Dec 2008 23:28:54 EST http://takman777.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/5816897/12220883?source=rss_blogs_NBA http://takman777.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/5816897/12207116?source=rss_blogs_NBA#comments NBA http://takman777.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/5816897/12207116?source=rss_blogs_NBA Well, tonight the Raptors return home to host the Pacers and one of the most beloved/hated players after Tracy McGrady and Vince Carter left town. T.J. Ford returns with Rasho Nesterovic and Danny Granger to take on a Raptors team with very little en ... Thu, 11 Dec 2008 13:33:35 EST http://takman777.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/5816897/12207116?source=rss_blogs_NBA http://takman777.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/5816897/12203877?source=rss_blogs_NBA#comments NBA http://takman777.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/5816897/12203877?source=rss_blogs_NBA What can be said about the Raptors game against the Cavaliers Tuesday night that hasn’t been said yet? Probably not much, so I will offer a few thoughts on what I saw last night and express some of the issues that I feel need to be addressed im ... Wed, 10 Dec 2008 10:30:52 EST http://takman777.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/5816897/12203877?source=rss_blogs_NBA 100 http://images.cbssports.com/images/cbsdm/spec/cbssportscom.gif http://takman777.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/view/5816897 100