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MoPete makes a winning return

MICHAEL GRANGE

From Monday's Globe and Mail

Latest comment posted at 9:51 PM EST 30/03/08

Former Raptor helps Hornets triumph at the ACC in his first game back in Toronto ...Read the full article

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  1. Roger S from Canada writes: So, New Orleans blew out TJ Ford's Toronto team. The plus/minus stats show stunning result: Past five games plus/minus ************************************* TJ as starter: New Orlands TJ Ford -18 Calderon 14 New York TJ Ford -3 Calderon 9 Detriot TJ Ford 1 Calderon 10 ************************************* TJ as backup: Detriot TJ Ford -14 Calderon 5 Cleveland TJ Ford -13 Calderon 6 ************************************** Average: TJ -9.4 Calderon: 9.2 ************************************** The result suggests that TJ Ford hurt the team and played loser's game for every minutes he was playing, no matter Ford as starter or backup. Even more, TJ Ford and Calderon were completely neutralized each other with average -9.4 vs 9.2 plus/minus pints. Bench TJ and fire Sam Mitchell immediately.
  2. Roger S from Canada writes: So, New Orleans blew out TJ Ford's Toronto team. The plus/minus stats show stunning result:

    Past five games plus/minus
    ************************************
    TJ as starter:
    New Orlands TJ Ford -18 Calderon 14
    New York TJ Ford -3 Calderon 9
    Detriot TJ Ford 1 Calderon 10
    *************************************
    TJ as backup:
    Detriot TJ Ford -14 Calderon 5
    Cleveland TJ Ford -13 Calderon 6
    **************************************
    Average: TJ -9.4 Calderon: 9.2
    *************************************

    The result suggests that TJ Ford hurt the team and played loser's game for every minutes he was playing, no matter Ford as starter or backup. Even more, TJ Ford and Calderon were completely neutralized each other with average -9.4 vs 9.2 plus/minus pints.

    Bench TJ and fire Sam Mitchell immediately.
  3. Andrew James from Toronto, Canada writes: The run in the fourth quarter proves the potential this team has. I've decided not to care for the rest of the regular season, but drastic decisions should be taken when we get into playoff time. TJ Ford today: 10 points, 6 assists, 4 TOs. Calderon today: 10 points, 11 assists, 1 TOs.
  4. andy c from Canada writes: Rog; last i checked playoff positioning was not determined by /-. raps are 2 wins and 1lose with Ford as a starter. also, did you think the raps had a chance against the hornets?
  5. Bubba The Pas Huskies from The Pas Manitoba, Canada writes: Rojer, I thought you were visiting Conrad in the States?
    I like the energy of the 2nd unit in the 4th quarter. Johnson didn't look out of place. And Hump and Moon seemed to respond to the new D man in town. Guess that's why he was brought in.
    Mo Pete showed a class act and the crowd responded in kind. Kind of a feel good sports moment. One of the reasons we watch I guess.
    Our premier player Bosh gets points in the 20s and the Hornets get 3 players with 30, 25 and 20... Leads one to believe that we need more heavy hitters on the team. This summer BC will hopefully be busy changing that.
  6. albert strauss from Toronto,Ontario, Canada writes: Enough, Roger S. It is becoming quite tiresome particularly when printed twice.. In another vein, the margin of victory does not reflect how badly the Raps were beaten. At most points in the game when NO played its starters the spread was at least 20 points. Poor Sam could not figure out what to do. Candidly I dont think there was much . They were just a better team and their superior coaching showed
  7. Alias No Name from Vanuatu writes: They surely like B-Ball.....
  8. David G from Toronto, Canada writes: I'm kind of surprised that Michael Grange didn't see fit to comment on the rather bewildering idea of starting Jason Kapono, especially against a fleet and athletic team like NO. It was an awful decision to start him in the first half and dumber decision to start him in the second half.

    It's time for Sam to pick a starting lineup that makes sense and stick with it for the rest of this season - and shorten the rotation while we're at it. I didn't have a vote in putting Ford back into the starting lineup, but it's done. Rasho, Bosh and AP are set, too, but it's time to either stick with Moon or start Delfino. If we shorten the rotation, using Calderon, Bargnani, whichever of Moon or Delfino doesn't start as our subs, that's fine with me. Just use Kapono, Johnson, Humphries and Primo in spot situations and garbage time.
  9. dan vanman from vancouver, Canada writes: Exactly Albert. I would wager this Roger and his hate campaign against TJ is because he is a frustrated never was that couldn't play the game at that level, and now he's mad. He rants on and on about TJ, but never gives him his props when the guy does good.

    Here's the thing Roger...no one listens to you any more. You keep saying the same thing, win or lose.

    Enough indeed. The better team won today, and the Raps will try and win next game.

    You really need to relax there Roger...and don't bother flaming back with your hateful invective. I am one you don't want to get into that with....and I did play the game in high school.

    Thats why I have the utmost respect for those that can play at the higher level.

    They've earned it.
  10. Roger S from Canada writes: Stats can speak itself, everybody saw how coward for TJ fans to face the reality. They are filling up the list of 'unintelligent fans'.
  11. Yertu Damkule from Canada writes: yeeeahhh...how 'bout those 'garbage' stats put up by jose when they were down 20 in the 4th? isn't that what they are (i.e. garbage) when it's TJ? jose must just be trying to 'fool' sam into putting him back into the starting lineup, right? look, it's pretty clear, rog, that you don't watch much, if any, of each game, but you do like to check out the stat sheet. to complain about TJ or smitch in this loss just shows how big the blinders you're wearing really are. the frontcourt was, simply, outplayed. west killed 'em (KILLED 'EM) in the post, no matter who was on him (bosh or the erstwhile defensive stalwart, rasho). both TJ & jose were given a clinic on PG play (say, rog, where does paul rank now on your 'top PGs' list? still 5th? that's what i thought). there's a reason the hornets are one of the best teams in the league. while their bench may not be the deepest, they can throw one of the best starting lineups in the league out there. the raps may be deeper, but they simply lack the talent to match up with that kind of ability. JK started over moon because smitch wanted moon to defend bonzi, who comes off the bench (bonzi kills the raps). considering moon's play of late, it wasn't a bad move, but not being able to spring him (JK) for looks is something they've struggled with all season, and something they'll need to figure out if they want to have any success in the future. look, it's dissappointing when they win, but the reality is that this is what this team is right now...able to beat, and lose to, any team in the league. when your core group of players are in their early- to mid-20's, that's what's going to happen. do they have the skill right now to compete with the upper echelon teams? F-no. is that new?
  12. albert strauss from Toronto,Ontario, Canada writes: I have a few credentials. I attended most of the Huskie games at Maple Leaf Gdns in 1945 and a lot of their workouts at Central Y. I played organized ball in high school, college, and one year at law school. I am a charter subscriber of the Raps. I have seen a lot of ball over 65 years exposure. Trust me Roger - Enough. Maybe that experience has made me hypercritical of coaches. I have had very fewgood ones. There werenr just many around. Probably the best was Barry Lowes who took us to the City of Toronto Juniot title in (I think) 1949. I am trying to carry my prejudice tastefully and with a little humour
  13. Dan Van Gageldonk from Canada writes: David G agree with your sentiments regarding Kapono. We were at the game last night and when we heard Kaponon announced as a starter we looked at each other wondering if Moon was injured. The most frustrating thing about starting Kapono is that he hasn't been doing anything for the last 4 months which is fine but they don't do anythign different with him at all. I can see starting him because Peja isn't that fast but if you are going to start him then use him. Set plays for him don't just have the team do with him what they have for the last 4 months and think something different will happen. After watching that game last night I believe this team won't do anything until they get rid of Sam M. Starting was brutal but if you do then you better run plays for him because Sam what you have been doing with him hasn't been working. That is a coaching problem. Also West was destroying them and it was obvious they needed to do something different with him. 16 pts in first quarter. Hump started to slow him down but it took most of the game for Sam to do something about it. Sam Mitchell was yesterdays goat of the day.
  14. R 27 from Toronto, Canada writes: Roger I'm with you. But from reading the posts in here - the same description of the Leafs fans applies to the Raps fans here. They're either truly loyal or very stupid.

    People lie numbers don't. For those TJ lover's in here, tell us what you're smoking because we can really make money on it. As for the coach, BC will not fire Sam during this season or in the off-season. But wait during the next season, when he takes him off for Mauricio to be on the bench.

    A little background on Mauricio...he's the equivalent of Phil Jackson in Europe. You think he's content to be the fat guy beside BC all the time, you must be insane. Look for BC to shake up this team in the off-season the way he did when he first got here.
  15. Yertu Damkule from Canada writes: for sure, numbers never lie. just check out the plus/minus from last night, the most reliable stat there is:

    bosh: minus 14

    JK: minus 22

    Rasho: minus 19

    AP: minus 22

    TJ: minus 16

    CD: plus 15

    Jose: plus 12

    moon: plus 13

    hump: plus 10

    LJ: plus 11

    AB: minus 3

    clearly, they should be starting hump, moon, CD, LJ & jose. the stats show that the team performed better with those 5 on the floor than the starters. and numbers never lie.
  16. L. C. from Canada writes: I really think Sam Mitchell is the cause of the problem for the team. A coach not able to control their players, lack of play and hot headed (stupid expression all the time).

    A new coach definitely able to shake things up a bit. Brian Colangelo gave all the weapons Sam Mitchell was looking for ( his so-call Depth ) and this is the reason. Either Mitchell is not bright enough to use what he is looking for, or his original thought was totally off line?

    -2 starting point guards? They can always subsitute this by a Point Forward (Delfino)

    -Bargnani vs Nesterovic?? We don`t really need a 3point shooting centre? a 7ft tall guy can`t get at least 6 or 7 rebounds a game?? That`s a defensive liability.

    Just way too many problems..
  17. John Nicholson from Oshawa, writes: Hornets currently 1/2 as the best team in the West. For Raptors to beat them on their current form they need big performances from their key guys. Did'nt get IT as West owned Bosh who was content to shoot jump shots and miss. Stojakovic 9/13 and 5/7 from 3, are you kidding? Raptors do not have anyone to compare. Parker, Bargnani, Kapono invisable and Ford 6ast and 4 turnovers vs Paul.
    Very disapointing effort from thr Raptors starters.
  18. John Nicholson from Oshawa, writes: All you Mitchell haters, forget about him as he is Colangelos GUY for this year and the next three. MLSE is not in the habit of paying coaches not to coach. Colangelo has lots of work to do this summer in finding some players 4/5 of them who can perform on a consistent
    basis for Mitchell.
  19. Dan Van Gageldonk from Canada writes: John I don't believe he is Colangelo's GUY. I do believe that he won't be fired for one bad year but wait until the end or middle of next year. The Raps have some roster deficiencies and I believe BC will rectumfy those by the end of next year. Then it will be time to get a coach that is alot more polished than Sam is.
  20. Stevie Dee from Canada writes: This game was no surprise. The Raps just aren't good enough in their current form. Entertaining, but they just can't compete with the elite teams unless absolutely everything is going right. Hopefully BC can package some of our starters and deep bench for an upgrade...really at almost every position. And as for Roger and CT and all you Calderon supporters, just for sh*ts and giggles I went to the Knicks thread to review your comments. I was at that game and the raps were BRUTAL. The box did not tell the story, that game was horrendous to watch. If it weren't for the Knicks playing 1 on 5 on every offensive possession, it could have been a very ugly loss. The story says the Raps dominated, couldn't be further from the truth, they allowed the Knicks to go on a huge run before half and stick around. The worst of all...Calderon. He made so many uncharacteristic turnovers, his shot was nowhere near the hoop. Conversely, Ford did not take any ill-advised shots, drove under control and fed his team-mates. What were the comments from the usual crowd? You guessed it, bashing Ford and elevating Calderon. And you have the nerve to call people on this board 'unintelligent fans'. Rog, you sir, have no credibility whatsoever and your (and the other bash TJ at all costs fan club) act is wearing thin!
  21. Rich Chan from Vancouver, Canada writes: Well Stevie Dee, I'm just going to assume after this post that you're a Ford lover and would prefer him to start. So let's just do your wish. Trade Calderon in the off-season and have Ford do his thing for the rest of this and next season. Obviously, you follow the Leafs and care more about not being as good as we can be and just barely not win enough to get into the playoffs. Cuz if you're a Leaf fan then I'm just going to assume you don't care about winning. You just care about trying hard and losing, which is what the Leafs do. I'm sick of Toronto fans being okay with mediocrity, so just spare your stupid comments and become a Knicks fan, if you really care about losing.
  22. Chris Yang from Toronto, Canada writes: Rich Chan and people like him are the reason Vancouver doesn't have a NBA team anymore.
  23. One For All All For One from Canada writes: I have to say there is an arguement to trade Calderon and not TJ. As much as I like Calderon, his value must certainly be higher in the league. Obviously this all depends on what gets offered, but really - if you were a GM, who would you give up more for?
  24. Stevie Dee from Canada writes: Sorry Rich, Forgot to lump you in with Rog, CT and Khan Dor. You know, I really like discussing games on this forum, but like others, you dimwits are really starting to grate on me. The problem is (as I and others have stated numerously but you guys seem incapable of registering) that we FULLY understand the value of Calderon to this team. We DON'T want to lose him in the offseason. He is a great asset, he facilitates the offense and has the lowest assist to turnover ratio in the league, he has improved his shot immensely and is now one of the top 3 point shooters in the league, AND he is competitive and generally a nice guy. There, have I given Jose enough love for you to actually pay attention to what I'm saying???? Thing is, why bother coming to this site and posting if we just going to say the same thing each game? Fact is, Calderon was sh*t on Friday, and if it wasn't the Knicks, his play (and not Ford's) would have cost them the game. Rog says stats don't lie, well Calderon was 1-5 with 6 assists and 3 turnovers, whereas Ford was 5-7 with 9 assists and 0 turnovers. But I read the comments afterwards, and you chimps are spewing the same garbage. What's the point, I may even agree philosophically with you that Calderon has earned the starting job and I'm not a big fan of SMitch's strategizing and playcalling...but once you've made your position known, move on! As for your assumptions, you've just proved my point about not even reading what is posted. I want the Raps to improve, and am not satisfied with the team in the current form. I have stated quite often that they need to package players (such as Rasho's expiring contract, AP, Ford, Moon or any other starter with useful pieces like Hump, Delfino, Kapono) so that we upgrade, but you come out with some asinine comment about the Leafs (???). Rich, it's funny, re-read your posts and try and figure out who the real 'unintelligent' fans on this forum are!
  25. Stevie Dee from Canada writes: Sorry Rich, Forgot to lump you in with Rog, CT and Khan Dor. You know, I really like discussing games on this forum, but like others, you dimwits are really starting to grate on me. The problem is (as I and others have stated numerously but you guys seem incapable of registering) that we FULLY understand the value of Calderon to this team. We DON'T want to lose him in the offseason. He is a great asset, he facilitates the offense and has the lowest assist to turnover ratio in the league, he has improved his shot immensely and is now one of the top 3 point shooters in the league, AND he is competitive and generally a nice guy. There, have I given Jose enough love for you to actually pay attention to what I'm saying???? Thing is, why bother coming to this site and posting if we just going to say the same thing each game? Fact is, Calderon was sh*t on Friday, and if it wasn't the Knicks, his play (and not Ford's) would have cost them the game. Rog says stats don't lie, well Calderon was 1-5 with 6 assists and 3 turnovers, whereas Ford was 5-7 with 9 assists and 0 turnovers. But I read the comments afterwards, and you chimps are spewing the same garbage. What's the point, I may even agree philosophically with you that Calderon has earned the starting job and I'm not a big fan of SMitch's strategizing and playcalling...but once you've made your position known, move on! As for your assumptions, you've just proved my point about not even reading what is posted. I want the Raps to improve, and am not satisfied with the team in the current form. I have stated quite often that they need to package players (such as Rasho's expiring contract, AP, Ford, Moon or any other starter with useful pieces like Hump, Delfino, Kapono) so that we upgrade, but you come out with some asinine comment about the Leafs (???). Rich, it's funny, re-read your posts and try and figure out who the real 'unintelligent' fans on this forum are!
  26. Stevie Dee from Canada writes: Apologies guys,

    Don't know how I posted twice. May not be a bad thing, though, might actually get through to these meatheads the second time around!!!
  27. Allan Wexler from Canada writes: The problem with many of these posts is the anger caused by unrealistic expectations from a team that grossly overperformed last year. This was a team that was not destined to win 50 games this year except in the minds of the fan base in Toronto. It has nothing to do with a poor coach, but with the talent level of this team not being quite good enough to get to the next level. I am confident that the management team in place can do the job and the fact that they have come such a long distance in the past 2 years is evidence of that fact. last year you were all calling for Iavaroni and he's turned out to be a bust at Memphis. And Albert, I know and respect the names you have mentioned as good coaches, but give me a break - they were decent Canadian coaches before Canadian coaches knew the shape of a basketball. The raps are developing and I doubt the final product will closely resemble the team that exists today. A lot of work had to be done when BC got here, and he is only into year 2 of that work. Chill out!
  28. albert strauss from Toronto,Ontario, Canada writes: There is a major issue of timing here which noone seem s to want to confront or even think of. Which come s first , the coach or the 'guys'? My preference is the coach who could offer some input on the selection of the guys. I am confident the Raps could be quite a different team today with only a change of coach to the right person. Someone who knew the difference between a finger roll and an egg roll or a screen door and a back door
  29. Big Cayman from South Toronto, Canada writes: I'm not sure Albert. While I do like Sam, maybe a change of scenery for him would be good. Some very intellingent poster broke down the progression of coaches in the NBA and I had to agree with his argument and logic. If Sam goes I wish him the best. But I think the real problem for this team is the playeer personel. There is not enough talent. Its a team stacked with sixth and seventh man. There are only 2 complete players on this roster Bosh and Parker, and outside of those two we have 2 excellent guards, but one who can't manage his talent, and another who can't play defense, but outside of those four who do we really need to hold on to? The Raptors really need to rethink their style of play because the shooting thing just isn't working and the run-and-gun supposed Sun style NEVER materialized. Once this is worked out then maybe Colangelo can get his head out of his fanny and build a team on basic basketball principles and get new personel who can play in the paint, can rebound the basketball AND play D...Stevie Dee from Canada writes:"...and you chimps are spewing the same garbage..." LOL! Nicely done on your post. You expose the never ending hypocrisy and blind stupidity of Rog and others. Rich, in all honesty your post about Stevie Dee was uncalled for. He was simply calling Rog out for his 'Calderon can do no wrong' bs. Of course Calderon can have a bad game just like anybody else. The comment was never about getting rid of Jose, or starting TJ.
  30. days ofcoleco from Canada writes: Hopefully BC will realize that the Euro Creampuff experiment is a failure.
  31. Rich Chan from Vancouver, Canada writes: I agree that Rog may be the person that makes defending Calderon hard to do because he can be one-sided, but this is not the point here. Nobody can remember how bad Ford had to play coming off the bench for Calderon to make the decision to come off himself. Steve and Big C, he's simply not a leader, and then hearing all of you come in here defending him during that time was just downright annoying.

    So now, after 13 games and then the last 3 with him starting, everybody forgets about the supposed controversy. Michael Grange, Doug Smith and Dave Feschuk all agree that he should be traded or may not be right for our team, but everything that he does and say does not equate to how he is on the court. Yet, you all defend him.

    days ofcolect, you're racist.
  32. Roger S from Canada writes: Yertu Damkule from Canada writes: clearly, they should be starting hump, moon, CD, LJ & jose. the stats show that the team performed better with those 5 on the floor than the starters. and numbers never lie..........................

    Yertu, the magtitude of your cluelessness even shocked me. Think in the right way: playing with Jose at same time makes every player look like they are deserved to be starters; on the other hand, if you are teammate of TJ Ford, you suck.

    It is very hard for TJ fans to think of things by using their heads, some time a hammer is needed.
  33. Jackie Moon from Toronto, Canada writes: TJ's brought all the negativity towards him on himself. If he wants to cause a big controversy and put his ego before the team he plays on then he better prove that he's all that he thinks he is. And while he's at it maybe he should get some lessons in PR because his interviews are just aiding the Calderon martyrdom case.
  34. andy c from Canada writes: rog: yet calderon could not make hoffa a starter without babcock's help...
  35. Big Cayman from South Toronto, Canada writes: Another terrible outing for Il Mago. We're not hearing too many Dirk comparisons anymore, but hey he is a Raptor so we should fully support him, and I think I've found the perfect coach for him to teach him how to post up, run the floor, as well as move without the ball to get open looks...:

    http://broadband.nba.com/cc/playa.php?content=video&url=http://boss.streamos.com/wmedia/nba/nbacom/news/lamarcus29andgamewinner080307.asx

    ...Hahaha, sorry couldn't resist LOL. I guess what I like about this is its from one game and not a montage of a whole season...BTW Yertu on yesterdays thread I waited all evening up to this morning on your response to Rog's shot at you, what happened? No retort or witty repartee?

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