Red Hot Crowd
I have had my issues with the fans that fill the ACC over this season. I am always willing to give praise just as easy as I give blame. The crowd last night was amazing and truly were the sixth man for their basketball team. Even a chant for T.J Ford. I admit it almost brought a tear to my eye. You all know what a supporter of Ford I have always been. It was a proud night for myself and any Ford fan. Jose Calderon fans can be happy this morning as well. Both point guards were great and did a tremendous job and were the number 1 reason the Raptors had a win last night. It was a proud moment for anyone that has stuck by this basketball team. The talk had all been so negative and to remain a supporter of this team was not an easy thing in this past few days. So for all of you out there that have done that yourself a pat on the back you have earned it.
Jameer Nelson did not make it out of the ACC on his own two feet last night. The Magic point guard collapsed on his way to the locker room for back pain. It was said that Nelson was fine later but what exactly fine will mean is unclear. Being an ex-football player (back in high school) I have had my back issues as I have gotten older. The problem with any back issues is they are very hard to judge. Sometimes you can have pain for an hour and be fine. Other times it can last for days. The one thing I can say for sure is that the Orlando Magic need Jameer Nelson. He was a major reason his team sits today with a 2-1 lead in this series. I am sure everyone will keep on top of the status of Nelson heading into game 4.
Another thing that was interesting and perhaps scary if you are a Magic fan. Chris Bosh was really a minor player in the Raptor win. I say that in the sense of scoring and stats. What happens if he starts getting his as well. It could have been an even more impressive win for Toronto. But looking closer it was the things the Magic did in defending Bosh that allowed the rest of the Raptors to shine. Bosh has took a lot of heat from fans and media. This whole idea of him being soft which can be traced back in recent time to the comments of Stephen A Smith. But it as always been a question for Bosh since he was drafted. He is never going to beat Dwight Howard in a gym on the bench press or any other work out exercise. But he has heard the comments of bulk on his 6 foot 10 frame since he was drafted from Georgia Tech. Bosh seems far less concerned with it then everyone else. He has developed his game using the tremendous speed advantage he has. Over the years it has lead to coaches trying to defend him with smaller players. Even sometimes throwing a small forward on Bosh. Bosh understand he is not going to win if Dwight Howard and CB4 meet on WWE Raw. But this is basketball and he and his friend are able to bring their different skill sets to the floor and both be effective.
On the other side of this battle. The crowd in Toronto chanted Superman Sucks. Ironically which was created by a Canadian. But the modern version of Superman in an Orlando Magic jersey was not getting any love at all. The crowd really made a weak point of Dwight’s game an even more difficult task. Foul shooting is a major strength for Bosh and he has never given those tips to his friend Howard on how to make them. Howard still had a fantastic night with 19 points and 12 rebounds. But the difference of changing arenas makes some things more of a challenge for Howard. I will say that Dwight Howard is a fine human being and a great basketball talent. The fans last year were all over Vince Carter because they honestly hate him. The thing with Howard is not about that. I don’t think to many honest basketball fans will say that Howard sucks. If you do you honestly have no idea. But the amount of noise is the same towards Howard and Vince is the same. It is just the content directed towards Howard is far more civil in nature. The things people yell at Vince Carter are not fit for printing.
Raptors broke 5 playoff records for the franchise and tied another. It was a great night overall. But the biggest thing the Raptors must have to do is keep focus and not lose the intensity they showed in Game 2 for 3 quarters and through the whole game in Game 3. They must have the same effort if they hope to go back to Orlando tied 2-2. Defending home court only makes us all aware there will be 6 games at least in this series. But you really feel the tide had turned in this series. The last shot Bosh missed could have had a negative impact on this team but instead it seemed to give the Toronto Raptors confidence. That would be grown through the tremendous show of support. That started far before last night’s game. Raptors surprised the players with allowing a few thousand fans into the ACC for the teams shoot around. Who ever had that idea deserves a bonus cause the result of the game was that good. But if they don’t win Game 4 it will all mean little.
Tags: T.J Ford, Dwight Howard, Jameer Nelson, Jose Calderon, Vince Carter, Raptor Fans, Game 4 Magic vs Raptors
