Built Ford Tough

Amir just got one of the strangest ejections I've ever seen. Lillard is at the free throw line and makes the first of two. Johnson goes to grab the ball, like so many players do, but the ref (David Jones I think his name is) wouldn't let him have it. The two of them proceeded to basically wrestle over the ball, Amir said a few things (looked like in good nature) and boom, tossed. Then Amir snaps. He starts walking towards Jones mouthing off at him, has to be restrained by DeRozan and Pietrus and then takes out his mouth guard and whips it at the ref. Highlight of the season so far.

http://www.cbssports.com/nba/gametracker/recap/NBA_20121209_ORL@PHO

http://www.cbssports.com/nba/gametracker/recap/NBA_20121209_IND@OKC

Bargnani sets foot in the paint on offense for the first time in 6 minutes and he hurts himself.

I love it when complete scrubs like Pietrus decide they should be the number one option. I'm having some serious Antoine Wright flashbacks right now.

UCLA sucks. A lot of people, myself included, are looking like idiots thinking that this team was a top 10 team in the country prior to the season. Sure, they are young but I haven't seen a single thing that would suggest to me that they are going to all of a sudden become a threat in the Pac-12, let alone for a National Championship. They're lucky to have beaten a very mediocore (and probably even worse than that without Kabongo) Texas team yesterday. Then again, I should've known better than to think a team with Lary Drew starting on it would be worth a damn. Speaking of making me look like an idiot, Anthony Bennet is doing a great job of that as well. I figured he would be a good player in a year or two, but I definitely didn't think he would become the best player on the UNLV team, the best freshman in the country and be playing like an All-American. After his 25/13 game today against California, he is averaging 19.5 ppg and 8.3 rpg on about 55 FG% and 37 3PT%.

It's just you.

Why did Kleiza have to hit that 3? I was looking forward to yet another sub 10 point quarter out of this team.

Oh great, both of them are on the floor now.

I don't know who is a bigger momentum killer; Calderon or Bargnani?

That was a dirty move by DeRozan. I have no idea why they have gone away from posting DeRozan up because he is damn good down there.

I know Kleiza is a huge chucker, can't really defend and is streaky as hell, but I really like him and always have. He is very limited ever since all the knee problems sapped him of most of his athleticism and mobility, but at least he plays with heart and has balls.

Sure, Bargnani made that 3 but it was a ridiculous shot when you consider DeRozan, who has been one of the most effective players in the post in the league this season, had Paul switched on him. That was about a half foot, maybe even more, size advantage for him and Bargnani chucks a 26 foot 3 instead.

Why would the Clippers send a 2nd defender at Valanciunas when he is 13 feet from the hoop? I realize Jordan isn't much of a man defender, but at this point in his career there is no reason to send a 2nd defender at Valanciunas anywhere on the floor (unless he has a small on him) let alone that far from the hoop. Their stupidity led to a wide open Kleiza 3. Now they completely fall asleep on the weak side and give up an unobstructed path to the hoop for DeRozan who converts on quite possibly the easiest half court ally oop imaginable. I understand that the Clippers are going to win this game anyways because they are simply 10X more talented than the Raptors are, but there is some serious lack of focus going on for the Clippers defensively. Even offensively there has been 2 straight possessions where they didn't even recognize the Raptors were in a zone.

A couple of gems that stood out to me: - Asked a question about Bargnani getting his consistency back (which was funny in its own right considering he has never been consistent) and he mumbles a few words and immediately spins it around to blame Bargnani's struggles on Lowry' injury and DeRozan's inconsistency, even though Bargnani sucked prior to Lowry's injury and DeRozan has probably been the most consistent Raptor outside of Amir. Sure, he is consistently average, but you at least know what you are generally going to get for him. But no, the reason Bargnani has been inconsistent is because the inconsistency of those around him is rubbing off on him. Good lord. - Vehemently denies that there isn't a talent issue on this team despite the fact that they have been starting Landry Fields, Dominic McGuire, Mickael Pietrus and Linas Kleiza at the 3, a raw rookie centre (I like Valanciunas, but on a team where talent isn't an issue, he is likely the backup) and have a grand total of 2 players (Davis and Lowry) who have a PER higher than what is considered average. - Criticized Ed Davis for his energy and compete level. What!? - Brought up when he started 0-13 in Phoenix, made a trade for Jason Kidd and them make the playoffs. Well, I'll be damned. All this team needs is to trade for a Jason Kidd in his prime type of player. Problem solved. EDIT: I actually forgot Amir so the Raptors have 3 players with a PER above 15.

Oh Bargs, how much I love you. What's better than watching Bargnani take a dump on the court? Listening to Colangelo on commentary while he is doing it! Lucky us!

Oh not, Pietrus is out. Raptors will lose by 35 instead of 34 today!

Andrea Bargnani - 27 minutes, 8 points, 3 rebounds, 3-14 shooting (0-6 from 3), -18 Ed Davis - 23 minutes, 13 points, 11 rebounds, 5-10 shooting, +9 Bargnani checked in for Ed Davis with 7 minutes left in the 4th. Toronto was up 87-86. Over the next 7 minutes, Bargnani went 0-3 (all shots were 3 pointers) with a turnover and Toronto was scored 21-13. To continue with the Bargnani bashing, he made his first 2 shots and had 4 points in the first 2 minutes of the game. The next 25 minutes he had 4 points on 1-12 shooting with literally half his shots (6) being 3 point attempts.

Did you notice Lowry sarcastically clapping as Casey is yelling out orders? I just about died laughing.

Casey screaming at Bargnani to foul Brooks. Bargnani stands there like an idiot. Pietrus has to come over and foul Brooks.

Nice defense, Bargnani.

Lmao, Tyreke Evans hits back to back 3 pointers with under 2 minutes to give Sacramento a 6 point lead. I'm not even surprised.

http://www.turbozone.ca/wp-content/uploads/Turbozone_Ed-Davis-Wrong.jpg

I think DeRozan might've [expletive]ed Stern's wife or something. I can't even say the officiating has been bad because it hasn't (other than some of the typical BS rookie calls against Valanciunas). The game has been officiated fairly but for some reason DeRozan just can't get a call. Hence, DeRozan must've gone down on Mrs. Stern.

Ed Davis >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Andrea Bargnani. Seriously, it is an absolute joke that Bargnani gets 35 minutes a game and Davis gets 15-20. It literally should be reversed based on how they've played for 90% of the season. I'm honestly getting to the point where I want Davis to get traded and to get away from Colangelo (since he will never be fired because he makes MLSE money, which is all they really care about). He is just waiting to break out yet will never be given the opportunity so long as that clown is pulling the strings.