Raptors=sad

The current Toronto Raptors basketball team is in a very sad state of affairs. Vince Carter, Jalen Rose and Alvin Williams are all out with injury. Add to that list Lonny Baxter and it all adds up to a team that has very little going for it. But they still could have won last night against the Washington Wizards.

New comers Roger Mason Jr. and Jannero Pargo have made contributions. But regulars Morris Peterson and Milt Palacio are still struggling. Peterson was 4-14 from the floor which isn't good. But all four were 3-pt field goals and nine of the 14 were 3-pt attempts. He made some big baskets but at the same time made some poor choices. Palacio doesn't look bad on paper either. As the point guard you want him to run the team and have a high assist to turnover ratio. Well he had 5 assists and only one turnover. That's respectable. But his shot is so flat. He attempted two free throws in the first half and I can honestly say those two shots had to rank among the worst I have ever seen. They were every bit as ugly as anything Shaquille O'Neal has ever thrown up. I have had trouble in the past understanding what the coaching staff sees in Palacio, but the more I watch him I can see that he is an excellent ball handler and he can penetrate the lane fairly well. These are two things that are very desirable in your point guard. But he is only an average passer and his shot really needs work. On the defensive end, he does very well. That is probably why the coaches stick with him.

Unfortunately for the Raptors they are quickly sliding in the standings. A seven game losing streak tends to do that. They still have to beat the teams they are supposed to beat, like the Washingtons and the Chicagos despite being without three of your starting five. The defense is doing a very respectable job on most nights. Better offensive execution will be the key.

Next up is Boston. Another team on a seven game losing streak. The Celtics are far better than they have been playing lately. With Pierce and Atkins they can score. But they don't play great defense. Raptors are going to have to step up their offense and take advantage of this weakness in the Celtics.