I have to hand to Vince Carter, he is an extraordinary player, but MAN does he get looked after by the refs. You can't so much as give the guy a nasty look and you get called for a foul. He has a real attitude, too - trash talking with the people in the front row, and he and Mobley were going at it all night. Tracy McGrady was more interested in two girls sitting in the front row than in the game. He was flat out lazy from where I was sitting. Vince is SCARY in the low post. Your only chance to stop him is to get the double team over while he's still a few feet outside the lane, otherwise..lights out. Carlos Rogers, at 6'11'' and with his long arms and athleticism, is very effective when he gets over for the double team down low. I thought Shandon's movement on offense was nice. They ran a few plays early where he got the ball in a post up, but the shots didn't drop and they gave up on it. He's even better slashing to the hoop and I think the Rockets will eventually work into it. There were a couple of times in the game where all I could see was Anderson - defense, rebounding, taking it down the court. Maybe I'm just seeing him through rose coloured glasses but he is a class player.
Yeah there were a few times when Shandon grabbed the rebound and took it the full length of the court. Unfortunately the layup just rolled out. And after about 2 or 3 times he decided to stop. But I was happy that Shandon was being aggresive; the shots just didn't fall but they will soon.
Late Observations on The Raptor's Game Clearly, this was one game we would have won had Hakeem been playing and changing a few shots in the paint when he defended the deep slot. If for nothing else, he would have made every Raptor paint attempt a more honest effort. Point to ponder: 1. For what it's worth I for one, felt that they went to the right guys (Mobley and Drew) for the last two shots. 2. Is it just me, or is 'los coming to play every night and surprising the hell out of more and more opponents. BTW: He has some real nice fuzzies about Toronto and his family has close ties there. Could be he put some extra mustard on a couple of turnarounds and cotton slaps against the nationally (Canada) televised game. 3. As much as I like McGrady and have suggested at times we consider doing something to acquire him, I am getting so used to the infectious spirit and burgeoning ability Mobley brings to the court every night, that I have to admit Mobley's extension BEFORE this season ends may be in order. 4. Toronto is just one good point guard away from very serious contention for the big show. 5. Kevin Willis is still a very funny guy. I met him this summer and so he was kind enough to say hello to me and my family. I am not name dropping here, I just wanted to tell you what he said: " ... Jeez, like I wouldn't want to have the life insurance on (Carlos). He was crazy out there tonight." When it was pointed out that he did some banging in Carlos's direction himself, Willis said: " ... I was just trying to read his tatoos,man ..." When I compared Carlos to a younger Kevin Willis, he stated Rogers was ahead of him at the five-year mark. "He knows how to score, get (hit hard) and still walk away without a 'T'." I laughed and agreed of course. Cheers.
