Gameday Preview Charlotte Bobcats vs. Toronto Raptors

by David A. Arnott on Mar 29, 2010 11:30 AM EDT

Pump Up Music: Fall Out Boy -- "Of All the Gin Joints in All the World"

The Big Picture: The Toronto Raptors are in the midst of an epic slide that could see them actually drop out of the playoffs. They're 4-13 in their past 17 coming into tonight's game at the Cable Box, and they've lost their last three, including a heartbreaker in Miami last night. They're only a half game ahead of the Bulls, and they've been openly freaking out. For their fans, I'm sure, it's tough to watch a team that just a short time ago looked like they'd give the Hawks a tough time in a tremendously entertaining 4-5 slugfest, and now looks like they're doing everything in their power to not choke away the season. (Update: Including going clubbing the night you missed a game with a stomach virus issue...)

Key to Victory: I'm a huge Andrea Bargnani fan. He's still a face up shooter at heart, but I love that his shots at the rim keep increasing from year to year, to the point that he takes as many shots at the rim as from the midrange as from three. Sure, he's got defensive problems, but everyone on the Raps has defensive problems, and it was one of Bryan Colangelo's major failures this year that he didn't figure out a way to get a lockdown wing defender like, say... I don't know... Jamario Moon.

Anyway, hardly anyone in the league has an answer for both Bargnani and Chris Bosh; their frontcourt offense can do anything, from shooting threes to putting it on the floor, to muscling on the block, and all we can hope for is containment on that end.

On the other end, though, is where the Bobcats have to figure something out. Bargnani -- how to put this politely -- has holes in his defense, while Bosh is such a great athlete it's kind of tough for him not to be adequate on D, which he is. However, none of our available centers are going to challenge Bosh much, and Boris Diaw's skills match up to Bargnani's such that Bargs probably feels more comfortable on Monsieur Nonchalant than anyone else we'll throw out there. So, of course, the solution is to play more Tyrus Thomas. I've no doubt he can wreak havoc on Bargnani, and that would free up Boris to play nominal center, where he'd give up a lot to Bosh, but could be much more of a challenge for CB4 to defend.

Detail That May Interest .08% of You: Someday, I'm convinced, Marco Belinelli will make a team extremely happy as their sixth man. Until then, he can always take solace in the knowledge that he scored 37 points in his first summer league game, tied for second-highest scoring summer league game, ever.

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Comments

Does Stephen Jackson run with a limp?

This has been bugging me since he came here, but the guy runs awkwardly. Like he’s waddling on his tip toes. And he doesn’t seem to jump much when he shoots or attacks in the paint. Am I the only one who’s noticed this?

The guy has skills and is obviously a smart player so it’s obviously not a big deal. But if you combined a little more get-up with his moves then he might be a major player.

Otherwise known as SouthTunnel. Change is inevitable - except from a vending machine.

by ElBacano on Mar 29, 2010 12:34 PM EDT reply actions

Totally agree

I don’t know what it is. He takes small steps? Runs on his toes? It’s always looked a little funny to me. I think it’s the reason I always scratch my head when people talk about how athletic the Bobcats are, then mention Jax because he doesn’t come off as athletic to me.

Also, if you’re going to pick Fall Out Boy you have to at least take the best song on that album, “I Slept with Someone in Fall Out Boy and All I Got Was This Stupid Song Written About Me.” Can’t remember the last time I listened to these guys, but I always liked that song.

by drapht00 on Mar 29, 2010 3:31 PM EDT up reply actions

That is a very good song, but Gin Joints is my favorite song off the album, period. Next favorite would be the one that starts, “Are we growing up, or just going down?”

For the uninitiated, don’t write them off because of the bassist’s (Pete Wentz’s) attitude. The album with those songs is excellent, start to finish.

Rufus on Fire -- SB Nation's Charlotte Bobcats Blog

by David A. Arnott on Mar 29, 2010 6:15 PM EDT up reply actions

This is a big one in several ways.

Apart from wanting to string together as many wins as possible (and maybe even finish above .500) this game has potential healing implications for the Bobcats recent woes.

Toronto hasn’t got much in the way of reliable defense. While the Cats haven’t exactly burned down the league with their scoring ability this season, the month of March has seen them put on some of the most disgusting and sloppy quarters in the league. It’s been giving LB screaming fits. The Raptors could represent just what the doctor ordered. They take a lot of threes and that means long rebounds and fast break opportunities. They know how to throw a zone at their opponents, but it’s weak and innefective which will give the Cats chances to work on the crisp ball rotation needed to defeat zones. This will also give them ample situations where they can pass the ball to one another instead of some guy enjoying a beer in the front row. At the other end, the Cats can either sharpen their double-team efforts or switch up their players to throw different looks and matchups to keep the Raptors confused and disrupted.

The Raptors can give us some fits and they’ll provide tougher competition than the Pacers ever should have and thinking this team is as weak as the Wizards would be a bad mistake. But if the Bobcats are seriously prepping for the post season, this is exactly the sort of team we need to be facing in order to sharpen our skills for main event.

(side note, I was originally planning to be at the game and in fact my tickets are less than a foot from me at the moment, but my back is flaring up and that along with other issues should keep me right here for the game thread. I hope to meet up with y’all for our usual mayhem and madness.)

by Ourdaywillcome on Mar 29, 2010 1:23 PM EDT reply actions