Its Groundhog Day In Raptorland
By RaptorTalkIs it just me or are you feeling like its Groundhog Day in Raptorland?
Despite the changes in personnel and in coaching strategies it seems that everyday Raptor fans wake up to the same thing day after day after day. Its just like Groundhog Day.
Nothing changes. The problems that have long plagued the Raptors continue to haunt this team.
The Raptors have become the masters in failing to hold on to big leads. Its early in the season, yet the Raps have already let significant double digit leads slip away against Boston, Orlando, Miami and New Jersey. Same problem as last year.
The Raptors continue to generally win against sub .500 teams and struggle mightily against teams which have records of .500+. A trend like this delivers a 41-41 record, which is the same as last year.
The Raptors have some of the best fans in the league, yet the Raptors can't take advantage of home court. The team, struggles at the ACC instead of being dominant. While many NBA teams play in front of crowds well below 10,000, the Raptors fill the ACC with 19,800 fans night after night. Yet, like last season - the Raptors suck on home court.
The Raptors are unable to seal the deal. Even up by seven points with less than a minute to play - the Raptors managed to lose the game to New Jersey. Again, we've watched this movie before.
The Raptors get outcoached in crunch time and this season is no different. Sam Mitchell draws up a lame potential game winning alley oop to Moon that fails miserably. Yet, Lawrence Franks designs a superb alley oop to Vince Carter that defeats the Raptors in double overtime. Haven't we seen this before?
Raptor players get brain cramps at crucial times and make (or don't make plays) at crucial times. Versus New Jersey, there were four such instances in the final 20 seconds:
1. Humphries fails to call timeout when trapped in the corner after coralling a loose ball - result: turnover
2. Bargnani fails to pull the trigger on an inbounds pass - result: violation and turnover
3. Parker misses a free throw which would have made it a two possession game - result: Nets have an opportunity to tie with a three ball
4. Raptors fail to foul on the floor and prevent a three ball attempt in the final 4 seconds - result: Vince Carter nails a long three ball to send the game to overtime.
How can a team mess up so often in such crucial situations? If any of these gaffes had not occured, the Raptors would have hung on to win.
The same problems plague the Raptors over and over again - season after season. Its like a bad dream.
Bryan Colangelo needs to put a stop to Groundhog Day. Major changes are needed. The flaws in this team are too deep to simply self correct over time. This team needs a mid-season overhaul to get back on track. Glen Grunwald did it back in 2001 and now its Colangelo's turn.
Get 'er done, Bryan!
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