 Flying the colours at Safeway... The security dude in the background kept on eye on me. Maybe he thought I was wearing gang colours? |
 Nothing better than watching the game with friends, even if it's via online chat session |
The Raps tossed out a couple stink bombs in New Jersey, but they made up for it with a brilliant 1st quarter in game 5. I love the "Let's Go Raptors, VC SUCKS" chanting, and also loved the Canadien's "Ole, ole ole ole oleeeee, oleeeeee" chant that broke out in the fourth.
I believe the first four games have exposed Mitchell's coaching ability; he's the type to "let the players play" which is not a bad approach... if you have Kidd or Nash running your team. With such playoff greenhorns as the Raptors, you need to have your Xs and Os down tight. I think Game 2 was won by Anthony Parker's amazing game - he showed why he was League MVP for the past two seasons in Europe. In New Jersey, the Raps looked tentative, confused, and even scared at times. They were completely outmatched and had zero idea how to respond to various adjustments the Nets made during the game. I blame that on coaching. The first game, okay, playoff jitters can override a player's abilities. But by game 3 and 4? The focus has to be locked in by then, following the coaching directives. If the coaching is not good, well, they'll come unglued and get absolutely pounded.
What a huge turnaround in game 5 for the Raps - they looked absolutely brilliant after playing like complete turdballs away from home. This Jekyll and Hyde act is driving me nuts. Does the game 5 showing indicate Mitchell's figured out what to do? Bargnani regaining pre-appendicitis form definitely helps, but I feel Mitchell made good adjustments to recover from New Jersey - starting MoPete, after having hardly played him down the stretch of the season, was a great move on Mitchell's part. Having said all that, I believe Frank is the better playoff coach as he's more capable of making in-game adjustments - look no further than the second half of game 5, where the Nets come on strong and got very, very close at the end. The only thing that saved the Raps was their stupendous first quarter where they received tremendous crowd support. They won't get that help in New Jersey, and they won't have such a strong opening to game 6. I hate to say it, but the Raps will lose in game 6. At least Vince didn't get to close out the Raptors in Toronto. (If, and this is a big if, the Raps manage to pull off the victory, I say they will take the series at home.)
Bring on game 6!!!!!