Just finished watching the raps game and I'm very impressed by the addition of Shawn Marrion. Obviously, it took a couple of games for the team to begin to gel and I really liked what I saw from Marrion. These guys are beginning to understand the idea of pushing the pace in the game and how it opens up the floor. I think this will be a huge positive change for the raptors as many of their players lack the ability to create shots off the dribble (ie. the Kaponos, Parker, Calderone, Ukic, etc). Calderon seemed to have some trouble with this idea but seems to be settling into the increased pace. The past couple of games you could just see the kind of awkwardness with Marrion pushing the ball upcourt while everyone kind of looked at him and slowly marched up the court waiting to get into a half court set. But today you could finally see that the lightbulb had gone off and everyone was looking to fill the lanes and look for those outlet passes. Marrion seemed to to lead the offense just by pushing the ball constantly.

 

I think this style can really work with the raptors and allow their stagnant offence to regain itself. Our team is young and should be able to run but has been still left in a half court set offence, the remains from the Smitch era in Toronto. I know making the playoffs is a long shot at best and I almost want to see the raptors tank just to resign marion and pick up a stud draft pick to make one last push before the 2010 free agent frenzy comes with Bosh, but at least the rest of this season should be watchable from a raptors fans point of view as the first half of this season has been painful.