A Swirsk's Eye View

By Chuck Swirsky

TORONTO, May 7 -- What a weekend for the Raptors with two key road victories but let's turn the clock back shall we to Game 5 Friday night at the Garden in N.Y.

Swirsky

New York City: I love the Mecca ... the Garden is fantastic, but the New York fans showed no sense whatsoever, as they booed the Canadian national anthem prior to the opening tip. I felt badly for the singer. Can you imagine ... this is her big moment ... the center stage ... Game 5 of a playoff series ... she finally gets her break, and they boo the anthem because she's singing "O Canada?" That was bush league all the way.

The game itself was tremendous, and the Raptors came up big with Chris Childs hitting four treys ... Vince Carter was on his game and Alvin Williams demonstrated why he's becoming one of the great young rising stars in the NBA. Antonio Davis and Jerome Williams were fierce on the boards, and the Raps shocked the Knicks' world with a win.

After the game I had the pleasure of meeting Alvin Williams' entire family, and I can see why he's such a gentlemen. His folks are down to earth, and his sisters are his biggest supporters. As you know Alvin is a free agent at the end of the season, and in my book he's the No. 1 priority. It's hard finding solid point guards who play great defense as well.

The lockerroom was full of jubilation yet it was controlled in a manner in which the players understood that another challenge in Philadelphia was around the corner. Despite taking the final three games in the four game series with the Sixers, the Raptors knew Philly would be primed and ready for the Raptors.

Toronto got off to a good start and led by 10 at the break. Yet at home and with Allen Iverson leading the way the Sixers never gave up. Yet the Raptors again got a huge basket from Williams, Carter and Charles Oakley, and when Aaron McKie missed a 3-point shot from the left win to end the game, the Raptor bench erupted.

Carter was tremendous. Look for him to get double and triple teamed on Wednesday. Dell Curry was awesome shooting three ball after three ball. As I told him on the plane, that was vintage 1987 Dell Curry ball.

The Raptors will need to work on the press offense as Philadelphia trapped and double teamed Williams in the backcourt.

All in all, a tremendous weekend in Raptors' history. After Game 2 Wednesday, the Raptors are home on Friday and Sunday and make sure and rock the ACC. The Raptor players were still talking about the crowd that witnessed the Game 4 at the ACC against the Knicks -- the best crowd I have ever seen, period.

Always a pleasure and thanks for being great fans!

Chuck Swirsky