Happy New Year!!!

First of all, Happy New Year to everyone! The start of 2009 hasn’t been terrible for the Toronto Raptors but, it could be much better.

I have to be honest, over the holidays I was away and didn’t really get a chance to see most of the final games of 08, just highlights-if you could call them that. The start of 09 was pretty sweet. An absolute crushing of the Houston Rockets was something the Raps needed, help them with some confidence. Two days later ‘Superman’ (Dwight Howard) and the Orlando Magic were in town to face the Raptors. The Raps were shorthanded as Jermaine O’Neal and Jose Calderon are both out with injuries, I’ll speak more on that in a minute. Despite a super performance by Howard, the Raptors came out on top 108-102 and got a clutch performance from young Roko Ukic. The following night the Raptors were in Milwaukee to take on a surging Bucks squad. You would think after defeating to 20-plus win teams, they could take out the 16-19 Bucks. However, this is the NBA and things don’t always work out the way they should. After squandering an 11 point lead at the end of the 1st half, the Raptors and Bucks went back and forth through the 2nd. It was the play of Michael Redd and Charlie V that eventually overcame the mediocre Raptors defense and Milwaukee went on a 13-0 run to end the game and win by 10, handing the Raps their first loss of 2009.

As for the injuries I mentioned earlier, Jermaine O’Neal has an uncertain return date, his knee is acting up again. Jose Calderon’s earliest game would be Sunday at home vs. the Boston Celtics. In the 4th quarter against Orlando, rookie point guard, Roko Ukic really turned a corner. His confidence was there as he made several great plays in a tight game to help his team win. I hope Jay Triano recognizes this and continues to give Roko opportunities to succeed. As for this week, the Raptors should win the next 2 before getting in tough. In Washington on Wednesday night, then back home on Friday to take on an athletic Memphis team. Sunday and Monday brings a home and home matchup with the Celtics…yikes! If everyone is healthy then the Raptors have a good shot against Boston, who as of recently have shown they aren’t invincible.

Questions, comments or concerns – devo@flow935.com or listen to the podcast at www.devobrown.ca