Romy (Hoop Heads North): Well, I think everyone and their grandma had high expectations from the Raps this season. I had really thought they would be like 4-5 seed and make some noise in the playoffs but boy was I wrong. The Raps started off strong early in the season and I thought Bosh would have a phenomenal season with the addition of Jermaine O'Neal. I had thought that Bosh wouldn't face the double team as much with the addition of O'Neal, and it would open up better shot opportunities for Chris.
But honestly, the Raptors have been completely unpredictable this year.
For one thing, they've struggled to find the right rotation. They've played around with Andrea Bargnani, putting him at the small forward, which didn't work only to find out that he should be utilized at the five. They've played around with the point guard situation, utilizing Roko Ukic and Will Solomon which didn't really work. And they still continue to try to find the right mix.
HHN: As far as Bosh? I have a hard time believing that he had the conversation with ColangeloColangelo making the right moves to create a winning roster for Bosh. but who knows. The nice thing about Bosh is that you can really see that he loves playing in Toronto. It's a rare thing to see a pro athlete that likes to play in Canada and Bosh has embraced the city of Toronto. I can't imagine him taking the Vince Carter route and make it known that he wants to leave. Vince Carter left a bad taste when he left Toronto and I can't see Bosh making that same mistake. I actually see Bosh here until 2010 and then who knows what happens then, but in the meantime, I see Colangelo making the right moves to create a winning roster for Bosh.
As far as trades, I see Jermaine O'Neal as the next guy to go. With the emergence of Bargnani and the inconsistencies of our wing players (Jamario Moon, Jason Kapono, Anthony Parker, Joey Graham,) I see the team trading O'Neal (and another player) for a more dominant, consistent wing player. With the exception of Anthony Parker, our wing players been terribly inconsistent and I think a guy like Shawn Marion would be good for the team.
HHN: Given the way the Raps are playing, I don't see the Lakers having an issue beating the Raptors. The challenges the Lakers face are that the Raptors are probably at their healthiest this season, Jose Calderon and Jermaine O'Neal are back from injury and Bargnani has started to show more confidence in his game. The way Bargnani had been playing in January, he's been Dirk-like as a three-point shooting big who can stretch the offense. The Lakers on the other hand, are short-handed a big man in Andrew Bynum which will open up more opportunities for Andrea Bargnani and Chris Bosh. If the Lakers can contain Bosh, this will probably just drain the energy right out of the slumping Raptors team. Also, as we've played the Orlando Magic recently, their strategy was to contain Anthony Parker who can get it going offensively. He has moved into the backup point guard role and has really flourished. I think the Magic had adjusted their defense to keep tabs on him, and it really worked. Parker only had 4 pts on Sunday. If Anthony Parker gets hot, he can go off for 20+.
Also, the Raps are hungry to turn this season around. So facing a hungry, losing team can be be dangerous for the Lakers.
WM: Thanks for joining us Romy...
*****
Now... to the game! LA come to Toronto with a day's rest after playing the Knicks, where Kobe dropped an emphatic 61 points on New York. Toronto return home after a loss in Cleveland.
Back-to-back with LeBron James then Kobe on a mission isn't my idea of 'fun'.
I think LA will be looking to really send a message on this road trip, and it started with the New York Knicks on Monday, and will end with Cleveland on Sunday the 8th. In the middle there, you have the game against Toronto, and one against Boston.
Having just lost Andrew Bynum, a lot of teams are looking at LA as suddenly assailable. With the big guy out of the center, things open up a lot for opponents. LA will be looking to have a very good road trip and really make a statement that whilst Bynum's gone, this is still the best franchise out West.
LA often seem to lack focus against lower ranked teams, and as a result have lost quite a few games that they shouldn't have.
Not this trip.
The Lakeshow will be very focused on what needs to get done against Toronto - as they did against the Knicks. Kobe was looking to remind the NBA that whilst Andrew Bynum is out, they still have the reigning MVP holding court in purple or gold. Kobe crushed the Knicks, and whilst detractors state
"...you take 30+ shots, and not a single rebound, it obviously means the guy intended to go out and score 50+ before the game even started...It was pre-meditated"
It's another thing entirely for them to be able to do it.
I'd suggest that maybe... MAYBE there's one other player even close to being able to say "you know what? Today I'm gonna drop a fiddy on you"... and be able to follow up on it.
Another thing a lot of people are ignoring this time around (with Bynum injured) is the presence of Trevor Ariza. Of course, he's never going to line up in Bynum's position, but it is a different LA to the one that found itself hit by injuries last season.On Bynum, it will be interesting to see which side of the prognosis Bynum's recovery falls. If he can do a Jordan Farmar and come back at 8 weeks (or even earlier), then LA will be in good stead for the final run to the playoffs. If it's closer to 12 weeks, then it's going to get interesting.
Either way, Lamar Odom needs to step up.
LA won't trade this time, or... at least nothing major. By not doing so they send a clear message to the team (and Bynum) that Andrew Bynum's important - and that they have faith in Gasol and Odom to shore up the hole. Defensive intensity becomes a priority.
Toronto - this is definitely a franchise that is fielding results that are at best described as puzzling. The roster they put together was one that most pundits had being amongst the elite in the East... and yet they sit 
at the bottom of the Atlantic division, and second from the bottom in the East. Only the truly deplorable Washington are worse. Whilst the playoffs are not beyond the Raptors, at least mathematically, one would have to consider that their season is done. Playing for pride now.
The question is, and we'll see at least a bit of that on Wednesday, how much pride do they have left... and will it be enough to stave off an angry Lakers team with something to prove?
In case you missed it, ESPN on Kobe's day at the office in NYC.
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