Being a Raptors season ticket holder, I am usually down at the Air Canada Center twice a week. Yesterday was different though. The good folks at Gatorade Canada ( on Twitter) invited me to take in the Raptors/Celtics game from their courtside seats. I jumped at the opportunity because chances like this don’t come often. If you are a fan of any sport really, the closer you get to the action the more of a rush it is. Courtside is as good as it gets and soon that could be you sitting there. Along with a few other local blogger’s, we were given a sneak preview of something that is going to be launched country wide by Gatorade called “Experience G”.
On January 18 2010, Gatorade will be launching “Experience G” which will give sports fans the opportunity to score some unforgettable major league experiences – from court side at the Raptors or rink side at an Oilers game, to field side at a Bombers game, there will be tons of sporting events to choose from.
Fanatics can qualify by becoming a fan of the soon-to-be-launched Experience G Facebook page and uploading a video of themselves completing a specific a challenge that tests athletic ability and will to win – this could be anything from showing their best game face, touchdown dance or slapshot to a three point shot or crazy ball-handling skills. Tickets to sporting events across the country are available, so there are lots of chances to win.
I will get more details out to my readers as the launch gets closer. You can also read what had to say about his experience at the game. He has a nice Flickr photo set to go along with it.
Oh yeah, there was a game played yesterday so let me break it down.
The Raptors came in to this one having won 8 of their last 9 games, but similar to the last one against the 76′ers, they stumbled out of the gates. The turnovers piled up in the first half and before they knew it they were stuck 9 points going into the 3rd. This is not to say that the first half was all bad. They were sharing the ball and had a few big plays, but given their opponent and the fact that they are supposed to be at an advantage with the early start, this was not a team on the up and up.
Bosh who has been playing out of his mind pretty much all season, imposed his will early and racked up the points as the game went on. He even had THIS to say to Sheldon Williams. Andrea Bargnani may have been getting schooled by Rasheed Wallace on one end but he did make some nice plays, and for the first time I actually heard him talking on the defensive end. A shocker, yes! Bargnani apparently likes the month of January as he showed us last season and that has carried over to this season. He is scoring from all over the floor. Even though the blocks were missing yesterday, he seemed to be more zoned in even while his man didn’t have the ball.
The second half of the game was much of the same thing and while the Raptors did make a run they had already dug themselves a hole hard to get out of against elite teams. I actually think this team matches up better with the Celtics when KG is playing. The Raptors were scrambling all game long and never found a way to stop Rasheed Wallace who went on to score a season high 29. The Celtics play so composed that even when the Raptors went on a run late in the game, they never flinched. They executed their game plan and the result are 1 game away for sweeping the season series.
As the game buzzer sounded, two things stood out. Jarrett Jack has nothing on Rajon Rondo and Hedo mas as well have stayed in bed.
Rajon Rondo doesn’t get enough love from the media for what he brings the the floor each day. His 22-10-13 was a pretty good day at the office I would say. He isn’t flashy but does all the little things well. He even banked in a 3 off glass as the shot clock ran down. He is the perfect PG for this team where any of his flaws are easily hidden while still being effective on both ends. On this day in particular he had his way with Jarrett Jack and pretty much anyone who was trying to guard him. He was making the right passes, staying active on D and hitting the jumpers when needed. His reward? A triple double … and a good one at that.
On the other end of the spectrum, there is Hedo Turkoglu. Just when we thought he was settling in to his role on this team he has a game like this. He couldn’t make a basket if his life depended on it and his 9 assists, while they look nice, were not the only thing his team needed from him. This guy got the big time contract this off-season and he has yet to show me he deserved it. His clutch stats have been very average and he never looks to have his head in the game while the plays are developing around him. He has stated over and over that he wants the ball in his hands more. With both the PG’s playing well he needs to start finding other ways to impact the game and it needs to start now!
As I write this the team is warming up on the floor in Indiana. This team has been so Jekly and Hyde this season that I never know which version is going to show up. Here’s to hoping its the one that brings home the “W”