Quote Originally Posted by scalabrine:
Wait Wait Wait (is there an echo in here?)
I've got to pick this post apart because several things are inaccurate.
First up:
1) Shaun Livingston - Wouldn't you want an X-factor to be a guy who gets minutes? Livingston will play. The problem is that he just lost his starting job to Allen Anderson and Anderson contributed 9pts and 9Rebs and I'd be floored if Kidd starts Livingston over Anderson today.
So you are trying to sell an "X-Factor" who was essentially just jettisoned to the bench. While he can and will score, the "X-factor" label is too much given he just fell out of favor with Kidd in a must win Game 6.
2) Nerves -
Where were the nerves in Game 5 when they took an 18 point lead at the half in the game I believe will determine the winner of this series. All on their home court like they are here.
YES, they gave up a 24 point lead but what people don't realize is Lowry was incredibly clutch at the end of the game and the Raptors WON the game (and in some ways, some here treat it as a half-loss of sorts because of the comeback).
And the final score was not indicative of how the Raptors stifled that comeback.
If not for an Allen Anderson heave and 4 point play, that game could have ended up at a 7 or 8 pt margin of victory instead of 2 points and would be held is less favor than it is now (much like Game 3 where the Raptors cut a 15 point lead to 1 only to lose by 4.
I didn't see a nervous team in a MUST WIN in Game 2 either so they are young, but this serious has made them wear their big boy pants.
3) "This is a total mismatch"
No it's not. As a matter of fact it's precisely the opposite. On paper, these teams are very close in terms of points scored, three pointers made, FT attempts, fouls and on and on and on.
4)You are talking deron Williams, Paul pierce, Kevin Garnett and Shawn Livingston vs Lowry,derozan and who?
How can you call them "Who?"
You follow this team and you call them "Who?"
You do know the "Who" is mad up of a backcourt in Demar and Kyle that anyone would take over Deron and Shaun or Deron and Allen Anderson every single day of the week right?
And that "Who" is also made up of Valancinas. He outplayed KG/Plumlee AND Blatche in the first two games of this series COMBINED (go look it up and verify for yourself!).
Greivis Vasquez has been a godsend making crucial contributions in late game minutes.
So that Who is quite laudable.
5) The myth of KG and PP
Look at benhogan's post above and his first two sentences. He knows "The Truth" (Pun intended).
The guys can chip in in big spots but I want to remind you of something.
The Celtics were given NO CHANCE of beating the Knicks last year in a team lead by these two. Why? They were well past their prime. They will have big buckets and rebounds but to think you are getting 35/40 from this pair like the days of of is ridiculous.
6) The home crowd will be silent when BKN shuts them down
This is the best home crowd in the NBA maybe next to Golden State.
First, BKN needs to 'shut them down' and second if that doesn't happen they will be a force for the Raptors if they have the lead.
ALL the pressure is on the Nets here. ALL of it. The Raps are playing with HOUSE MONEY in, and this is the key, THEIR HOUSE.
I hope response put this post in perspective.
. You will be questioning why you wrote this article bud. If you knew basketball you would not be rolling on the Toronto raptors in a game 7 position. You will eat your words. Nothing to pick apart here man, I stand by my experience. Check my stats. Now show me the money.
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