Are Raptors Showing A Lack Of Aggression?
Posted April 8, 2008 12:00 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Coming off last season, in which they tied a franchise record for wins with 47, the Toronto Raptors have arguably taken a step back this year, especially during March and April, when they slipped to seventh in the East and backed into the playoffs on the strength, or rather weakness of their conference opponents.
And yet with a roster that in theory was improved over last year’s, it’s a difficult phenomenon to explain, though many have opined that the club lacks a sense of urgency and fails to play the game aggressively.
At practice Tuesday, as the team prepared for its final five games, there was some debate about that as well.
“We’re competitive,” countered swingman Anthony Parker. “If you’re here in practice you’ll see tempers flare, guys get in each other’s faces.”
Raptor rookie and fan favourite Jamario Moon said although he happens to be a gentle giant, it has little to do with his performance on the court.
“Don’t try to change yourself and be this big mean guy and get outside your game,” he said. “Just be yourself and play basketball.”
But not every Raptor felt that way.
The team’s leader and lone all-star Chris Bosh said there’s definitely room for improvement when it comes to how hard the Raps battle.
“I think we have the potential to do that,” he said. “Have we been in the last month? I don’t think so.”
Bosh did offer a friendly reminder, however, that the season isn’t over just yet.
“That can be changed,” he insisted. “You just have to have some fight in you.”
As for coach Sam Mitchell, the man responsible for making sure his team comes to play, he was somewhat non-committal about the whole thing.
“If Chris feels that way, he’s in the locker room with those guys and he understands his teammates,” Mitchell said. “We just have to get back to being aggressive in the way that we play.”
The Raptors play the first of their final five contests Wednesday night against the Milwaukee Bucks.
