A Swirsk's Eye View

By Chuck Swirsky

I am actually writing this e-mail on the way back from Philadelphia to Toronto and I continue to marvel how skilled, graceful and athletic NBA players are.

Swirsky

Case in point: Allen Iverson. He scored a playoff career-high 54 points against the Raptors Wednesday night, and regardless who was on him, he was in a zone that every player either dreams or lives for.

He hit three balls, driving layups, mid-range jumpers, turn-around twisting shots -- he had the mojo going big time, and I tip my hat to him. Having said all this, it was anyone's game with 90 seconds left, and for that reason I remain optimistic the Raptors can win the series. Unless Iverson goes off again for 50-plus, which he is capable of.

I don't see the Sixers going 25-of-26 from the line as they did Wednesday. The Raps didn't execute properly on offense on several trips down the court, and a basket here and there and hey, Toronto goes up 2-0. But you can't live in the past, and the team needs to re-focus for Game 3 Friday night at the ACC. Antonio Davis is beat up, but he continues to lay it on the line each and every night.

The Philly crowd Wednesday night was tremendous, and it is a great challenge to the ACC to match their enthusiasm, intensity and noise level. The home court does make a huge difference in basketball. Just ask the Knicks about Game 4 last week. It should be a great weekend for hoops in Toronto.

On an unrelated note, I would like to congratulate the Maple Leafs on a fine season as they took the defending Stanley Cup champs to a seventh game. I'll take Cujo right now and put him in a Raptors uniform ... the guy is just an incredible star.

E-mail me with your thoughts at cswirsky@torontoraptors.com.

All the best and thanks for being a fan!

Chuck Swirsky