Raps And Dino Nation Blog Need To Stay Grounded
There have been points in writing this blog were there have been some direct parallels between this blog and the Toronto Raptors. It would be easy to have gotten a big head for me after getting mention on Raptors.com. thousands of folks have now visited the Dino Nation Blog. Before yesterday they never even knew we here. The Raptors in game 3 had a very dominant and impressive win. It would be easy for them to think they have now found the answer and can beat the Magic. But both the Dino Blogger and the Raptors need to keep grounded and do what we do. I can only speak for myself and say that I have my feet back on the ground today. That does not mean yesterday was not fun and exciting for me. It was and I got many messages of kind words from people. It was great I said to one person It was like I won the some kind of award. But you must move forward and take the positive feeling with you. The Toronto Raptors need to take all those good things they did in game number 3 into this afternoon.
The biggest reason the Raptors won game 3 was the play of the point guards. Why many people including me picked the Toronto Raptors to win this series was based on the huge advantage at the point guard position. Jameer Nelson in game 1 and 2 was better then Forderon. After game 3 he was done in a heap due to back pain. Well Nelson is back on his 2 feet and will play today. But he must play better then he did in game 3 which might be a tough task if he is not back to 100%. Just because he is playing is no reason to think he is a 100% and at playoff time it is not like anyone is going to tell us. The Raptors on other hand have a healthy T.J Ford and Jose Calderon and they need a repeat performance of game 3.
Chris Bosh numbers wise was not that impressive in game 3. But done get fooled by the boxscore into thinking Chris didn’t have a good game 3. He was passing out of the double teams and traps and that allowed his team to move the ball and get many open looks which they cashed in on. Bosh is an unselfish superstar and understands that as long as his team wins it doesn’t matter if he scores 4 or 40 he will take it. He has grown to have trust and faith in his team. He also is not afraid to put demands on them to their own various jobs. He can do that because he is not just the franchise player but he is this teams hardest worker and that is a combination that makes his coach Sam Mitchell smile. It makes his job much easier to do. Sam just has to come up with a game plan and deal with the media. No doubt the pressure is off a little bit on Sam who has been feeling heat in media over his job security. He says he never reads it and he is just focused on winning basketball games. But honestly you know he may not read it or watch it but he is well aware what people have been saying. It may just be the motivation Sam Mitchell needs after all he was declared dead last season and instead of being fired he got a brand new contract and a huge raise. Sam as an ex-player knows what it is like to feel the pressure and come through and he does it as a coach. I can say Sam has the Dino Nation Blogger pulling for him to prove people wrong.
Stan Van Gundy has no such worries in Orlando no matter the result of this series. He is no Billy Donovan and that likely is a good thing because Orlando may not be where they are without Stan. After the terrible way he was forced out of Miami I admit I am happy to see all Stan’s success heading north in Florida. The Gators can keep Donovan because the Magic Organization and their fan base have to be thrilled with what their new coach has done this season. Stan is good friend of Jack Armstrong the Raptor announcer and when I talked with Jack awhile back in our interview for the blog, he had nothing but great things to say about Stan Van Gundy. I also think his comments about game 2’s last shot were a classy move on his part. He basically came to the aid of Sam Mitchell in a way by what he had said. Seems a strange thing to do during a playoff series. But it was just proof of the respect that most coaches have for one another. So I give him a ton of credit.
So What are the keys to Game 4? I will take a shot at it. I don’t have terms like Mr. Hamilton. In fact I don’t even have a name for it. But here they are none the less.
3 Keys For Both Teams:
Raps:
- Ball Movement: The Raptors are most effective when they move the ball and make good looks into great looks. It is the key of any good Raptor win you want to look at in this modern version of the Raptors.
- Defending the Arc: Close out and contest and contain. That is a big key to keeping the Magic quiet. A Dwight Howard dunk no matter how jaw dropping still only counts for 2 points. A Rashard Lewis Open look from deep counts for 3. It adds up.
- Strong Start: Playing with the lead I said was a key for the Raptors in this series. In game 3 they did just that and they won the game. The crowd at the ACC was a huge help in getting ors out of the gate fast.
Magic:
- More Superman: Why does this guy not get more touches. He needs them and he deserves them. Superman is getting turned into Mighty Mouse if he doesn’t get more touches. Not that Dwight Howard looks a thing like Damon Stoudamire.
- Just Play: Fans are crazy and Refs are screwing us. So what shut up and play. I mean Hedo Turkoglu has been big for Magic in this series but Hedo can’t lose it and get technical fouls. Superman Sucks is fine but about the only way that is true is at the line. Howard needs to make free throws on the road. If Orlando advances It will get no easier for him moving forward.
- Find Shooters: Jason Kapono has killed the Magic. They need to be aware of the shooter on the floor starting with him. Problem is Raptors have a lot of them and should someone like a Andrea Bargnani or Anthony Parker get got based on people flocking to Kapono they would look bad. So quickly realize who is hot and who is not.
The crowd at the ACC is doing a great job. They also need to bring their game today as well. I have no doubt they will be up for the challenge of bringing the noise. Chris Bosh has a big smile these days because his Raptor fans listened to his words and have stepped up there game as he requested. The game 3 win will mean nothing if they do not follow it up with a win today. So go out there and get it. Raptor Rewind Win or Lose but we always hope it is win here at the Dino Nation Blog.
Tags: Chris Bosh, Dwight Howard, Forderon, Hedo Turkoglu, Jameer Nelson, Magic vs Raptors GAME 4, Sam Mitchell, Stan Van Gundy
