http://www.yardbarker.com/content/player/4597 Recent articles about Darrick Martin en-us There were so many easy lines I could have used to start this post. I could have made some joke about the Raptors being Kryptonite or that the Raptors are going to have to drive the Lois Lane to win the game tomorrow, but that would be too easy…and while I can deal with being a man-whore, I simply cannot deal with being called easy. Oh yeah, we're talking about basketball here, right? As I am typing this, the Magic have just finished putting a hurt on the Pistons, which I am going to simply sum up as a little bit of emotional carry over for the Magic and a bit too much of a layoff for the Pistons. I am still not convinced that the Magic are the team that a lot of people think they are. True, tonight, with Howard only scoring 8 points, they still managed to find a way to light up the Pistons for 103 points, but again, see my rationale above. If there's one area of Howard's game that he will need to improve on, it is passing, which isn't anything abnormal for a big man to have to work on. People underestimate the importance of a big man being able to pass. If you want to see how much more dangerous a big man can become when he is able to pass, take a look at the career of Vlade Divac. When you look at Shaq, his ability to draw attention and then find men cutting to the basket has allowed him to diversify his game and force teams to respect his abilities at the same time. But here's the thing, you can't just throw a bunch of double teams at Howard, because he is strong enough to fight through them and if he is able to push the ball back out to its initial entry point, the Magic can get the ball around the perimeter and then you'd better pray they don't find Hedo Turkoglu…because we all know what happens when that guy gets in a groove. Let's just hope he doesn't pull off another November Miracle with another 15 rebounds…sorry, a CAREER HIGH 15 rebounds. It's pretty much a given that the Raptors are going to be outrebounded, but if they are going to get anything accomplished tomorrow night, they are going to have to have a lot of crisp passing around the perimeter in order to find a lot of good looks for Andrea, Kapono and Delfino…well, Delfino will let it go anyway, but either way, the Raptors are going to need the outside shot to be clicking. I just don't see the Raptors having the inside toughness to attack the Manchild, although I think it would be a good idea since before the All-Star break, the Lakers showed how they were able to get him in foul trouble by consistently going right at him. Howard didn't miss a shot in that game, going 8-8 with 19 points and 11 rebounds, but the Lakers were able to keep his production limited down the stretch, allowing them to pull away for the victory. The Raptors would be wise to learn a lesson from that game. So with it looking like TJ's injury woes are going to continue, Calderon is going to have to carry some serious minutes. With Juan Dixon and possibly Darrick Martin on the block, how much do you really want those guys in the game? Okay, that's a tricky question. First, how much do you want them in ANY game (gotta feel for Dixon here though, he's playing out of position…still think he's a talented player) and second, how much do you want those guys to go out and make crucial errors, lowering their value (if that's possible). Who knows if those guys will even be moved (I'm telling ya, D-Mart has some serious dirt on somebody in the organization), but either way, both of them have shown that when called upon to run the point, it just isn't happening. Well, enjoy the game Wed, 20 Feb 2008 09:36:25 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/153650 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/153650 Yes, broken dreams. Because for the Raptors to think that they were going to walk into the Palace of Auburn Hills and come out with a win against the Pistons after the Pistons lost to the Knicks the other night…well, that was just a dream. The Raptors actually had a few chances to keep this close and have a shot down the stretch, but the Pistons did what good teams do, capitalizing on each Raptor turnover, turning them into points the other way. 14 turnovers for the Raptors and on almost every one, there was an open Piston heading down the court with nobody on him. Breakaway points. The Raptors also had a lot of problems getting out on the perimeter, where the Pistons had good looks all night, resulting in 61.5% shooting from 3-point range. They were unable to break through screens, which left them two steps behind each shot, not being able to get a hand in the face of any Piston shooters. The Raptors looked tired all night, unable to keep up with the Pistons, especially Rip, who was able to run around the court, fighting for his opportunities. As I mentioned before, the only person who works as hard as Rip Hamilton does at getting open is Allen Iverson and the amazing thing is that they both still have the energy to get good shots and score. He could be the fittest athlete in the NBA and it shows night in and night out. It was another terrible night for Bargnani, with no points, 0 for everything, with no trips to the line. The amazing thing is that he was able to pick up five rebounds and he actually started the game with a couple of nice feeds to Bosh, resulting in quick points via good looks. He started the game looking like he was going to be a contributing factor. Well, he contributed all right, for the wrong team. Off the start, after receiving a pass, he spotted up for a three, faked it, brought it down and dribbled in two steps, where he had a jumper clang out. I actually love this move, but for Bargnani to be more successful, he has to take a few more steps in and then let the shot go. There's no difference between taking that 3 off the start or taking a step in for a 2. Take that 3 right off the start or take a few more steps in so that you're essentially shooting a free throw. His D even started okay, but that quickly went downhill and Sam was forced to put him back on the bench. Speaking of Sam, he gained a little bit of respect from me tonight when he went off regarding that absolute bogus phantom call when Maxiell missed what he wanted to be a monster dunk. There was no way that was a foul, nobody touched him and the call was embarrassingly late. Those are the kind of calls that the Raptors don't get, because, well, in my opinion because they are the Raptors. They aren't an elite team and they don't get respect from any refs around the league (look at the abuse Bosh takes…although he is starting to get more calls as he goes to the net more frequently). I have no problem with Sam getting T'd up in that situation and for me, I think he should have kept going until he was thrown out. Great work on the mic as you could hear him trying to get the ref to admit that he blew the call (he got the T when he dropped a couple of F-bombs) and great camera work during the timeout showing the stare-down he was engaged in. I'm not really sure what the point of the stare down was (you might as well say something to get yourself thrown out and make sure you get your money's worth on the way out the door), but at least Sam was standing up for the Raptors. You really had to like what you saw from Delfino tonight. He created looks for himself, played pretty good D and brought some energy to the Raptors whenever they needed to get the game back into striking distance. I'll say it again, I think the Raptors should give him some minutes at PG, because what we saw from D-Mart (how the hell did he miss that layup?) and Juan "Instant Offense Forced Shot" Dixon wasn't pretty. If people complain about TJ forcing shots, take a look at what Juan Dixon is doing right now when he brings the ball up the court and then come and talk to me. You can understand where Juan is coming from, especially when Sam encourages him to shoot, but his shots are getting a little ridiculous. Guys aren't even getting into position anymore because they know what is coming. Anyway, not a great game, but it wasn't like you couldn't see this one coming. Tough night at the Palace. Wed, 16 Jan 2008 13:51:47 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/73811 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/73811 The one thing Jamario Moon has always wanted and is now being given to him. Jamario Moon will be attending the Toronto Raptors training camp later this month, and will showcase all the talent he has. Never would you think an athletic freak from Goodwater, AL, from a community college, from the minor-leagues, would be given this once in a lifetime opportunity. Reality says otherwise. Coach Sam Mitchell has stated clearly saying to Jamario, "If you don't work, I'm going to cut your ass quick". This should be all the motivation Jamario needs. Sam Mitchell knows everything about what it takes to make the NBA. Jamario is now taking the same steps his coach took. Sam Mitchell came from a community college, through the minor-league's, into the NBA. He knows what it takes and the level he needs to work at. Anything but his best will cost him the final remaining roster spot. As of now, there are 14 players guaranteed leaving one remaining spot. Jamario has a non-guaranteed contract worth $427,163. His competition? Darrick Martin, an NBA hopeful who also made his way through the CBA (Continental Basketball Association). Darrick got his first chance with the Vancouver Grizzlies and then was traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves. He played for the Raptors briefly last year averaging 3.0 points per game. The battle moves on to Spain in October when the Raptors play in the NBA's Euro-League. Jamario has waited all his life for this. He regrets the bad grades he got and the people he associated with early on. He's very lucky to even made this far. Bounced out of NBA training camps, minor-leagues, and now is given his one shot to make it big. I've had confidence in him since the first time I saw him play. If there's anything I know about him, it's that his talent is no issue. His ability is no issue. It's his work ethic. If Jamario wants it as bad as I believe he wants it, don't be surprised to see him wearing red and black come November. -Frankie Anetzberger© Sat, 22 Sep 2007 01:09:56 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/28108 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/28108