By RaptorTalk


Going into this season, the Raptors new defensive philosophy was to protect an area which covers the paint and extends past the free throw line. No one and I mean no one would be allowed to score in that area called the ‘house’.

Well, the brilliant new defensive strategy to pack 'the house' has backfired two games in a row as the Raps let easy three balls rain down against Boston and Houston. Shane Battier exploited the Raptors Achilles heel and shot 88% beyond the arc while draining eight daggers.


Now is the time for mulligans

If the Raps are going to take a few mulligans, I suppose it is best to do it in preseason.

The good news is that the Raptors have discovered early on that the 'pack the paint' defensive philosophy is not very effective. Hopefully, Jay and Marc now realize that and will adjust accordingly. The Raptors cannot afford to play soft perimeter defence.

The one thing that bugged me from the start of training camp is the organization's notion that there was no rush to get the core together quickly. Jay repeatedly said "we have lots of time".

Now, here we are with two preseason games left and the Raptors are still a ways from gelling. It will be a tough opening to the season, because Cleveland and Orlando are experienced and the Raps are still playing "getting to know you".

Clearly, offence is not going to be a problem with the Raptors this season- it’s the defence that is suspect.

Look, I know it’s too early to panic and there have been good signs particularly from with Bargnani, DeRozan, Amir, Weems and even Hedo in limited action. So I am sticking by my prediction that Toronto will set a new franchise record for wins in a season.

        
                        
                         The new Beast under the Boards?

The New Bigger Faster Stronger Bosh

The story is now well known. Chris Bosh watched video of himself and was disgusted by the gangly, 225 lb. weakling he saw. Taking matters into his own hands, Chris worked feverishly all summer to add 25 pounds of muscle to his 6’11” frame. The result is a new ripped Chris Bosh who is noticeably bigger across the chest and shoulders.

Bosh also claims to be quicker and to now possess a more explosive first step. That proclamation certainly raised an eye brow with me, but who knows for sure?

Now, I'm not convinced it’s ever a good idea for a player to mold his body into something it’s not. Your frame is your frame. Long wiry people are long wiry people. That’s just who they are. Unless you're taking ‘roids, you generally can't add 25 lbs. and expect to maintain your speed and agility. Just my opinion. So I was a little skeptical from the jump that a pumped up Bosh would be a good thing.

My first impressions, having now watched him play are that the bigger, stronger Chris Bosh looks slower and more robotic than he was last season. He’s kinda like ‘good Joey G.’ with a few extra inches in height. The silky smoothness doesn’t seem to be there. The new Bosh doesn’t seem much like the old Bosh who destroyed the Bulls in the final game last April in Chicago. His mobility is not quite the same.

Now if this is what he's going to be like for the rest of this season, then CB4 damn well needs to go on a diet and lose 25 lbs. - because the old light, quick, wiry, agile Chris Bosh was more fluid and effective than 'Arnold' Boshinator (maybe that will be a new persona for Chris’ new YouTube video).

Chris is likely still getting into shape and needs a few more games to get back into the flow. But, I think I prefer the old explosive, smaller Bosh who had a deadly jump shot from 18 ft and who could take his man off the bounce.

I pray I’m wrong.  Just the idea of messing with a winning a formula that consistently delivered 20/10 for Bosh seems a little risky to me. Yes, it’s still very early. Chris’ performance has a ways to go if he is to become worthy of a new max money deal, which is his ultimate goal.

I hope this reshaping of the Bosh physique doesn’t prove to be a mistake and that the franchise player Toronto had last season delivers the goods again this year.

Raptors fans are looking for 20/10 and more!!!