Detroit 100, Toronto 93

Well if any Raptors fans were getting a little too high on the 3-0 start, last night was a dish of cold, hard reality. There is still a lot of work to be done to compete with the big boys in the NBA.and the loss to the Pistons made it clear what they are. Even without Allen Iverson in the lineup, Detroit never looked like they were ever going to lose even when Toronto made a second half run. The final quarter was close in score but never once did I feel the Raptors were going to get over the hump. Michael Curry and company did everything right and never let the Raps take control of this one. Based on this game Detroit still looks like they are one of the faves in the NBA but then again maybe it was not the toughest test for them. Oh well, Toronto still has a shot at 81-1 right? Now for the good and the bad from last night’s game.

The good

Jose Calderon contines to play well and a lot of the times is the clear leader on the floor. Matt Devlin thinks so, as he must of mentioned Calderon and the All-Star game about 30 times.

The comeback from 16 points down although that may have more to do with Detroit taking the foot off the gas.

Yep that is a short list

The bad

Jermaine O’Neal looks like his mind is younger than his body. He looks out of sorts, nervous and like he is trying to do too much. He continues to get in foul trouble and his temper is pretty short. Yes his tech did lead to a Raptors run but it is only four games in and he looks frustrated.

The bench is pretty weak. Bargnani had some points but overall there is nobody helping out in any significant way. Kapono has vanished and Joey still is making mental mistakes. Will Soloman did provide some spark in the second half but that is just not going to cut it.

Nobody could stop Prince. The guy was on fire and basically anything he tossed up went in.

I joined a live blog chat with a bunch of the other Raptors bloggers/fans for this one and we were all saying the same things.

This game showed the weaknesses in the Raptors game that were there in the first three but the competition was not as high. Detroit is one of the top teams and to get anywhere you have to learn how to beat them.

Next up a Friday night game in Atlanta, where the Hawks are 3-0 and coming off a win against the mighty Hornets. Yeah this one will be a joke if Toronto does not play better and get some help off the bench.

I can already feel the pain of watching Joe Johnson hitting three after three and there is nothing I can do about it.

Enjoy.

For more in depth ranting about last night’s mess, head over to Raptors Republic.

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