MIAMI -- The Toronto Raptors recently spent three nights in Miami to get out of the cold in Canada. Including a blowout victory against the Heat, it was a relaxing trip, and the team was able to recharge for the second half.
With the All-Star break coming Feb. 15-18, the Raptors are setting themselves up for a strong run in the playoffs. They are getting healthy with the return of point guard T.J. Ford, and they are getting improved play from second-year center Andrea Bargnani.
Ford returned against the Heat following a 24-game absence with a head and neck injury. He played 17 minutes off the bench and finished with four points, four assists and two steals.
Ford, who was a quality Fantasy option before he got hurt, was pleased with his performance. He was expected to return Friday at home against the Clippers, but he felt good enough to play against the Heat.
"I put the time in, I put the effort in, the dedication to get back to practice," Ford said in an interview following the game. "No one saw me work out, and nobody had an idea or expected me to come back. I think the performance speaks for itself. I don't think people expected me to come in and do the things I normally do."
|
|
|
According to his coach, Andrea Bargnani is just now starting to feel comfortable with the NBA game.
(Getty Images)
|
|
While Ford was happy with the outing, Raptors coach Sam Mitchell said Ford still has a long ways to go. Mitchell plans to use Ford as a reserve, especially with the way
Jose Calderon has played with Ford out.
Calderon, who is averaging 12.4 points and 8.7 assists, was happy to see Ford return. When Ford entered the game in the second quarter in Miami, Calderon gave Ford a hug as he walked on the court.
"I just wanted to say welcome back," Calderon said. "I want everything to be good with him. It was a nice thing to do. We're happy he's with us again."
Calderon will lose some Fantasy value now that Ford is back, but it will take Ford a while to work into game shape. Continue to use Calderon as a starting Fantasy option, and gauge how Ford does in his first few games following the All-Star break before determining his status.
Eventually both players will split time, which will limit their Fantasy value. For now, Ford is just trying to get back to 100 percent, and that might not be far off. He looked good on a baseline dunk in garbage time that brought his teammates to their feet.
"It was all right," Chris Bosh said of the dunk. "He's like 5-foot-6, so I guess that was pretty good."
While Ford is getting healthy, Bargnani is starting to look like a solid NBA player -- and a pretty good Fantasy option. As a rookie last year, Bargnani averaged 11.6 points and 3.9 rebounds, but Mitchell said all he did was stand outside and shoot three-pointers.
Now Bargnani is starting to play an all-around game, and it shows in a recent three-game stretch. Over that span, the 2006 No. 1 draft pick is averaging 19.7 points and 3.7 rebounds while shooting over 50 percent from the field and three-point line.
Bargnani also had a reverse dunk against the Heat, which displayed the newfound versatility in his game.
"He's just now learning how to play in the NBA," Mitchell said. "There are a lot of things he can do. Right now I think everyone is just worried about if Andrea scores. I worry about if Andrea does the things that a center needs to do to help us win."
Added guard Anthony Parker: "I think he's grown. This last month, he's really stepped his game up on both ends. If he can continue to do that, the sky's the limit for us as a team."
If Bargnani can sustain this type of play then he should be started in all Fantasy leagues. The Raptors have several Fantasy options now, including Parker, rookie Jamario Moon and three-point specialist Jason Kapono.
The Raptors are in a good position right now. They are playing well heading into the All-Star break, and the sun is shining on them as the second half of the season gets ready to begin.
