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The Hang Time Hoops Shelter is currently at capacity with the Grizzlies and Kings sleeping in the guest rooms. But if the Raptors keep up their winning ways, we're going to have to make room for them, too.

If the Raptors keep this up, they're going to force a lot of people to change their minds about a team most folks had written off before Christmas.

They are also going to force the Hang Time Hoops Shelter (the Grizzlies and Kings already have their own rooms) to expand a little bit so we can add to the family.

Did you see what Chris Bosh and his crew did to the Magic last night in Orlando?

Did you notice the way the way they handled themselves at crunch time and on the defensive end, two areas of major concern for Jay Triano's team a month ago? Times have changed in Raptorland and for the better.

Those defense-free, uneven performances that marked their play earlier this season have given way to a scrappy bunch, at home and on the road, that refuses to accept a fate dictated by someone else.

The Raptors have a come a long way since stumbling out of the gate early in the season. They are inching closer and closer to the status many predicted for them before this season started.

Winners of seven of their past 10 games, the only team in the Eastern Conference playing as good or better is Cleveland (8-2 in their last 10).

The Raptors sent Magic coach Stan Van Gundy off on a postgame diatribe/rant that you have to see to truly appreciate (and while the coach tries to gather his thoughts and reflect a bit more we'll start clearing out some extra space for the shelter's newest family member):

Consequence wrote:I like Sekou Smith. Does he still write in Atlanta, or is this his new gig?

a scrappy bunch, at home and on the road, that refuses to accept a fate dictated by someone else.

roundhead0 wrote:

a scrappy bunch, at home and on the road, that refuses to accept a fate dictated by someone else.

Did anyone else think of the refs when they read this part?

roundhead0 wrote:

a scrappy bunch, at home and on the road, that refuses to accept a fate dictated by someone else.

Did anyone else think of the refs when they read this part?

MrBojangelz71 wrote:Funny how posters that possessed common sense, as well as certain media, predicted that the Raps would require time to gel and get going. Factored in with our very difficult early schedule, some of us said to remain patient and understand how this process needs to unfold. Low and behold, as the 2nd half of the season inches closer we are starting to come together. Better yet, as this team gels and gains confidence we are entering into the easiest part of the schedule. We could be 7 or 8 games above .500 by February's end.
I realize this board is plagued with bi polar insane ranters. I know those posters opinions change not day to day but quarter to quarter. Even though we experience a very similar trend back in 06/07, it's funny to watch people travel down the exact same road, apparently learning nothing from the previous experience.
This team is much better than many claimed it could be. Posters that ranted about blowing this up and starting over are now no where to be seen. This team has a legitimate shot at match or exceeding our best season ever and with a few breaks and a bit of luck, a shot at a 2nd round advancement in the playoffs. We still haven't played our best ball yet, I expect that to be reached around the end of February.

MrBojangelz71 wrote:Posters that ranted about blowing this up and starting over are now no where to be seen.

Mattd97 wrote:funny this is up at the same time as 'we get no respect/attention' thread. bi-polar must be in the water up here or something

MrBojangelz71 wrote:Funny how posters that possessed common sense, as well as certain media, predicted that the Raps would require time to gel and get going. Factored in with our very difficult early schedule, some of us said to remain patient and understand how this process needs to unfold. Low and behold, as the 2nd half of the season inches closer we are starting to come together. Better yet, as this team gels and gains confidence we are entering into the easiest part of the schedule. We could be 7 or 8 games above .500 by February's end.

roundhead0 wrote:I was among those who thought the tough early schedule and the new roster (and also training camp time missed) meant that this team would take time to come together.

However, I was very, very concerned because their continued failings did not appear to be from needing time to gel, but from:

a) effort

b) basic coaching strategies (defense, player rotations)

Those were the major failings as the 1st half of the season progressed, and the team was actually looking worse and worse, hence the doom and gloom. The turnaround is very welcome, and hopefully can be maintained.

MrBojangelz71 wrote:This team has a legitimate shot at match or exceeding our best season ever and with a few breaks and a bit of luck, a shot at a 2nd round advancement in the playoffs. We still haven't played our best ball yet, I expect that to be reached around the end of February.

MrBojangelz71 wrote:Funny how posters that possessed common sense, as well as certain media, predicted that the Raps would require time to gel and get going. Factored in with our very difficult early schedule, some of us said to remain patient and understand how this process needs to unfold. Low and behold, as the 2nd half of the season inches closer we are starting to come together. Better yet, as this team gels and gains confidence we are entering into the easiest part of the schedule. We could be 7 or 8 games above .500 by February's end.
I realize this board is plagued with bi polar insane ranters. I know those posters opinions change not day to day but quarter to quarter. Even though we experience a very similar trend back in 06/07, it's funny to watch people travel down the exact same road, apparently learning nothing from the previous experience.
This team is much better than many claimed it could be. Posters that ranted about blowing this up and starting over are now no where to be seen. This team has a legitimate shot at match or exceeding our best season ever and with a few breaks and a bit of luck, a shot at a 2nd round advancement in the playoffs. We still haven't played our best ball yet, I expect that to be reached around the end of February.