Fans walking into the final game of the 2009-10 season at the ACC were handed signs to hold during the game.
The front said, “We Want More”
The back said, “CB4″
But most of the fans were not thinking about CB4. They were thinking about the Raptors chances of getting into this year’s playoffs. At that moment, fans wanted to see more games.
The worst of it was when the arena announcers tried to get the crowd to start-up the chant with “We want more… CB4″.
After a few tries and a weak response, the announcers gave up and didn’t try again.
No disrespect to CB4 intended. But the Raptors were playing for their playoff lives and chanting about the team’s future free agent, who was watching from the bench in a suit, did not strike a chord.
Chris Bosh did get a nice hand from the crowd when he was put up on the big screens during a time-out.
The Raptors were at their scoring best in their final home game of the season and beat the Knicks 131-113.
But it became apparent to the fans during half-time that the Bulls were not going to lose to the Bobcats and the excitement in the ACC was left largely confined to the toss-ins of free t-shirts and jerseys.
At least the Raptors never stopped playing, even though it was a virtual certainty that the players were as aware of what was happening in Charlotte as the fans.
The game wasn’t a sell-out with just 18,333 fans in attendance. The Blue Jays game going on across the street undoubtably diverting some of the interest.
But most of those in attendance stayed late knowing the end result was not going to put their team in the playoffs. Even though they were frustrated, most of the Raptors fans wanted to watch as long as possible.
There were no boos on this night.
With barely a pause, we can now expect the dissection of this season to begin and speculation about what the anticipated busy off-season will bring to commence.
Maybe MLSE could arrange for Raptors fans to be able to buy Cavs playoff tickets to keep our minds off of our disappointment and delay the navel gazing?
Well, to be honest I think the Bulls deserved it. They did truly push for the play-offs while the Raptors just did not. The Raptors lost to Golden State (a game they really should have won), the Bulls (this was a must win for sure) and Boston (no fault there, apart from the fact that the Bulls managed to win against Boston). The Bulls did everything right towards the end of the season while Toronto was the negative example if you look at the last ten game stretch.
Certainly CB4 missing the last games was bad luck, then again this is a risk you face if you only have one superstar in your team. The season went well and they should have traded up before the deadline. As you said yourself, you go for as much as you can in a current season if things go well, never wait for the next if things are going well now.
To be fair I think the Bulls deserved it as they really did push for the playoffs while the Raptors just did not. The last 10 game stretch was a huge disappointment, the Raptors kept losing while the Bulls did better even if they had a more difficult schedule. The Raptors lost to Golden State (a game they should have won), the Bulls (you want beat them in the playoff race then beat them on the court) and Boston (nothing wrong with that but the Bulls just managed to win against them). So well, there is always next year.
The Raptors were just lacking energy and desire to be in the playoffs towards the end of the season. Yes CB4 being out did not help, then again, injuries do happen and you need more than one star player. Toronto did well until the All-Star break and should have traded up before the deadline, but they did not. That was a mistake in my opinion. As you said yourself. Go for the title this year if you can and never wait for the next year.
It will be interested to see what happens over the summer break. In my humble opinion, quite a few players that Toronto paid top dollar for have underperformed this year (Jose and Hedo come to mind). It will be interesting to see what next years roster will look like.
Bulls earned it.
Raptors got what they deserved.
The Raptors proved to be very fragile down the stretch – an inability to deal with adversity does seem to say changes will be coming.
I was really hoping for a trade at the deadline – the team was not a contender this season. But at the time, it looked like the Raps had dodged the annual CB4 injury bug and would finish strong – it just wasn’t to be.
There were 10,000 people (literally) at the Rogers Centre, so it was a non-factor.
I had no idea it was that bad!
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And, our misery comes to an end. That was our Toronto Raptors 2009/10 edition. From the 5th spot (practically having chance to make a run for a division title) spiraling downwards and losing to Philadelphias, Golden States and Sacramentos of the league. No desire, no heart and complete lack of accountability from the top to the bottom.
When I think of some of Triano’s post game lines like “Oh, I think we played pretty hard”, “The effort was there”… I don’t know if I would laugh or cry.
When I think of Hedo chuckling on the bench while his team is blown out, all I can say — thank god this is over.
It is time to watch some quality teams playing hard starting on Saturday.
I will look forward to watching the Cavs play and hope to get to Cleveland for a game or 2.
But I was hoping to save the 5 hr drive so I could watch the Cavs here!
That Triano line was getting hard to take.
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Thanks for the blob. Was fun reading and was good to have a chance to vent and talk.
Cheers.
Any thoughts on a wish list for next year?
All depends on which FA the Raptors hang onto.
Amir, Antoine, and Bosh could all be gone – that would definitely impact on any wish list.
Then there’s the draft – wings and bigs available but it’d nice to know who’s returning.
*oops I meant to say blo[G] not blo[B]
Might have been a blob this time – that was a frustrating game to go see.
Oh, on another note — while Bulls were still 4 games below .500 D. Rose guaranteed playoff appearance for his team. And, he delivered it. Isn’t that something or what?
That’s the attitude of the winner and true leader. Unfortunately, we don’t have anybody like D. Rose on our team.The worst part is my impression that our players don’t care too much either way. Win or lose, whatever.
To summarize it — this post All Star meltdown had more to do with their attitude (starting from the coaches) rather than their schedule.
Raptors have had a lack of leadership for a long time.
Jack was trying to take the reins but he couldn’t be a floor leader with him and Jose splitting minutes.
Bosh tried at times to lead – but it just doesn’t seem to be part of who he is.
Damn rookie coaches – always learning on the fans backs. I hope Jay pans out or this was just to painful.
I am in a blue funk today – the emotional highs and lows of this season were unbelievable. Too many ‘what-ifs’ and for me, one of the key, telling games was against the 76er’, where the Raps were badly outplayed. I was at the game and was totally depressed afterwards. I suspect that something happened during the all-star break (read: tampering with CB4) that completely changed the outcome of the season, and based on comments recently from the media and Bryan Colangelo, my suspicions seem to be correct.
Raptors missed the playoffs by not showing up to winnable games.
But they got hosed by the refs on a few as well – shouldn’t have mattered though!
How does a playoff team lose 2 to GSW? I guess they don’t.