As is the case with every high paid player in professional sports, fans absolutely love to rip at and complain about the lack of productivity that individual provides on any given occasion.  Small forward Hedo Turkoglu has definitely been no exception to this, it’s just been 51 games that Turk has been a Raptor and he has already often been made the butt-end of fan and media attention.

Yes, Turkoglu’s numbers are down, he’s averaging only 12.4 PPG this year versus 16.8 last year, and 19.5 the year prior to that. Yes, Turkoglu is making a lot money, a total of $53 million to be exact, all to keep him in Raptor red until the end of the 2013-14 season. And yes, Turkoglu has missed a lot of shots that he always seemed to bury when dawning Orlando Magic blue. But aside from all of that, I am writing this piece to help Raptor fans realize the value this Turkish sensation really has, hoping to give them a greater appreciation for number 26.

Credit-isportsweb.com

Oh, and of course, if Turk just happens to read this and as result gives me a signed jersey and season seats, it would all become that much better.

Here is what I believe Hedo brings the Raptors…

• Lethal in the Clutch – I am definitely not the first person to tell you this, but we all know Hedo is more than willing to have the ball in his hands when the game is on the line.  In case you have never noticed, go in the NBA archives and watch a bit of last year’s playoff series between the Magic and Cavs.  Not only is Hedo willing to take the big shot, he is also very capable of making it, something very few players in the NBA can proclaim themselves to be adequate at.  Turk has already come through twice for the Raptors this season –the big shot over Caron Butler and the Wizards, and the free throws against the Lakers. Yes, Turk did miss that one opportunity against the Suns, but I wouldn’t hold that against him.
• Respected by the Officials – As with every professional sport, the bigger the name you are, the more likely you are to get the time of day from that league’s officials. To help prove this to you, just look at the number of calls Kobe Bryant gets in his favor, in comparison to let’s say a Kris Humphries.  Being in the league for 9 seasons, and having made it to the NBA finals last year, Turk is probably the only Raptor –outside of Bosh –who the officials will ever give the benefit of the doubt to.
• Respected by the Opposition – In basketball one thing is definitely true, a players history will always precede them. And lucky for the Toronto Raptors, Hedo Turkoglu’s play in the playoffs last year was quite the historical foundation. Whether his shots are falling as often as he would like or not, Turk’s history commands the attention and respect of the opposing team. Before Turkoglu came into the picture, no one on the Raptors –once again outside of Bosh –drew this attention, and this as a result has created more open looks and less double coverage for CB4.
• Play Creator – It may not show up on the stat sheets as predominantly as points or rebounds, but in addition to being a lights out shooter, Hedo has always been quite the playmaker.  He has done so consistently once again this year with the Raptors, even on the nights when fans seem to perceive him as useless solely because his shot isn’t falling.

It is these four factors that I feel truly make Hedo Turkoglu an incredibly valuable player, and a large factor in the Raptors currently being 5 games over .500. So please Raptor fans stop bashing on the guy, he just wants the ‘Ball’ and is more than capable of making good things happen when he has it.

For three quarters it was a back and forth affair at the Air Canada Center today between the Toronto Raptors and the visiting Sacramento Kings.  For every fast break and jump shot the Raptors made, the Kings were able to respond, led by Kevin Martin who poured in 24 points for the visitors. The one factor that the Kings couldn’t seem to have an answer for -like many other Raptors opponents this year -was the interior dominance of Toronto’s all-star Chris Bosh. For CB4 it was just another day at the office putting up an incredible 36 points, while pulling down 11 boards -another double-double for the man who seems to put them up naturally.

Credit-Lucas Oleniuk, thestar.com

After three days off, the Raptors received some re-enforcements for today’s game as Hedo Turkoglu, Jose Calderon, and rookie Demar DeRozan all returned to game action and made their contributions felt. Sporting a ‘Robin-esque’ protective face mask, Turk didn’t seem to miss a beat putting up 16 points, all while making an adjustment to the mask on what seemed to be every trip up the floor.  With this win the Raptors improve to 28-23, increasing their strangle-hold on 5th in the NBA’s Eastern Conference. The Kings on the other hand fall to 16-34, well out of playoff contention in the always impressive West.  The teams meet again on the 10th of March, when the Raptors will pay a visit to ARCO Arena as part of a 4-game road trip.

The Raptors next game is Wednesday, when former-Raptor Jason Kapono and the Philadelphia 76ers come into town for the first time this season. In their one previous meeting the Raptors squeezed out a 108-106 victory, due in large part to an instrumental 3-point play put up by Bosh. As mentioned in my previous post, there is a chance -although at this stage it’s still only speculation -that gritty forward Reggie Evans will make his Raptors regular season debut against his former club in that game. A preview for the game will be posted on Wednesday.

Raptors Player of the Game

Chris Bosh – 36 points, 11 rebounds, 5 assists

Fans Perspective

Despite getting beaten off the bounce and up the floor on various occasions by the quicks of Tyreke Evans and the rest of the Sacramento Kings, I felt that the Raptors played a relatively efficient game on both ends of the floor. Turk and Bargnani managed to put up some big shots, while Bosh dominated the interior throughout, which is expected since the Kings don’t really have anyone on their roster who can possibly challenge him. Even though we let them hang around for a great majority of the game, the Raptors once again showed that they are establishing quite an ability to outplay opponents in the 4th quarter -which is ultimately when it matters most. Go Raps Go!

Just wanted to post-up some quick game notes in regards to today’s game versus the Sacramento Kings:

• Hedo Turkoglu has opted to wear the protective face mask designed for him and will debut with it today against the Kings.
• Jose Calderon is also expected to be in the line-up today. And will assume his usual role off of the bench.
• Marco Bellinelli will not be available for the Raptors today.
• There is a chance that tough guy Reggie Evans will make his Raptors regular season debut on Wednesday versus his former club the Philadelphia 76ers. I’m excited to see how he is mixed into the rotation.

The bottom line is, things are looking good in Raptorland, and hopefully that can carry on with a win this afternoon. Go Raps Go!

After three days of much needed rest, the Toronto Raptors will be back in action tomorrow afternoon, as they welcome the Sacramento Kings to the ACC. It will be the first of two meetings between the two clubs, with the second date scheduled for the middle of March.  Winners of 6 of their last 7, the Raptors will look to continue their dominant play against a Sacramento team that has gone an astonishing 2-16 since the New Year.

Credit:Ron Turenne/NBAE-raptors.com

In their most recent contest the Raptors knocked off the lowly Nets by only 9, something that didn’t seem like much of an accomplishment until the powerhouse Boston Celtics, avoided a scare, beating them by the same amount last night.  The Raptors also received some good news on the injury front as both Demar DeRozan and Hedo Turkoglu are expected to be in action on Sunday.  Despite not being cleared by team doctors to play without a protective face-guard, Hedo made another splash in the media proclaiming that he was a grown man capable of making his own decisions. This comes as no surprise after the infamous ‘Ball’ remark made my Turkoglu after the Raptors beat the Knicks at MSG.

Sacramento on the other hand, will be coming in to Toronto after having lost to the Phoenix Suns at home on Friday night. Despite getting 31 points from second year guard Donte Greene, the Kings were outdone by the run-and-gun offence of the Suns losing 114-102 in front of 14,992 at the ARCO Arena. This meeting with Toronto, is the first game of a 3-game road trip for the Kings, which includes stops in both New York and Detroit.

Tip-off is at 12PM EST, a time that I am sure all Raptors fans have become more than accustomed to by now. My sympathies however go out to those hoping to watch the game in Sacramento, as I can’t imagine the annoyance of having to watch their team play at 9 in the morning.

Enjoy both the game and the Super Bowl. Go Raps Go!

Coming into the 2009-10 season, there was no topic more heavily discussed than the looming free agency of three big-ticket players in the NBA: Lebron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh.  Despite the known planned pursuit of formidable franchises such as the New York Knicks and Chicago Bulls for the services of King James and Flash, the one deemed most likely to be relocated at the end of the 2009-10 season is Toronto’s all-star Chris Bosh.  The six-year veteran, recently named to his fifth straight all-star team, has spent his entire career in Toronto but has always made his intentions clear – to be a part of a winning franchise.  It was because of this simple fact that CB4 was deemed the most likely to move, especially since the Raptors were coming off of a 33 win season in 2008-09.  However, since starting the season 7-13 and playing a quality of defense comparable to an elementary school squad, the Toronto Raptors now find themselves 5^th in the Eastern Conference and in the midst of winning 6 of their last 7 -which includes wins against both the L.A. Lakers and Miami Heat.  It is this remarkable turnaround that can be directly credited to helping Toronto’s cause at making Chris Bosh as unmovable a piece as LBJ and DWade.

Credit-Rick Madonik-thestar.com

Let’s think about this logically. In Toronto, Chris Bosh has not only established himself as the face of the franchise, but also as the face of an entire nation.  Despite not receiving the same level of media coverage as most American clubs, the Toronto Raptors are the only NBA franchise that can offer this degree of respect and adoration to CB4.  In Toronto, Chris Bosh also stands as the first-option both on the offensive and defensive end, as proven by the 24 points and 11.4 rebounds he is putting up on a nightly basis.  If Bosh were to sign in another winning environment it is more than likely he would become a secondary option, something that would not only lower his numbers, but also his praise.  In Toronto, CB4 is also engrained in a franchise being built around him, with one of the most aggressive and intelligent GM’s in Bryan Colangelo at the helm.  Colangelo has never been afraid to make a move or bolster his line-up, and has done so effectively this year by surrounding Bosh with an assortment of shoot-first, drive-first, and pass-first teammates –who all recognize and respect the presence CB4 has on the interior.  The Toronto Raptors also represent a team in the midst of continuous improvement.  Outside of the consistency of Bosh, players such as Bargnani, Calderon, Jack, DeRozan, and Johnson all seem to be improving on a consistent basis.  One can only imagine the capabilities of this team when all of its offensive weapons are clicking on full-cylinders –another lucrative factor that may play a role in keeping Bosh in Raptor red.

Including Wednesday’s 108-99 win over the New Jersey Nets, the Toronto Raptors continue to find themselves in the midst of a winnable stretch of games leading into the all-star break and trade deadline.  One can only imagine that the further piling on of wins will only help to make a case for Toronto remaining CB4’s permanent home.