by Chuck Swirsky
--raptors.com
March 30, 2006

(TORONTO) -- A tough loss for the Raptors last night, but give Dwyane Wade his due. The guy was spectacular. His crossover, wrap-around, behind-the-back dribble to the cup was worth the price of admission. He took over in the fourth quarter. He was money.

I approached Wade after the game and told him that I was proud to be in the same league that featured a person and player of his magnitude. In my opinion, he is a top-five player in the NBA. Driving home I must have replayed play, after play, after big play. Talk about onions... Wow, wo-wo-wo-Wow! The Raptors simply failed to execute down the stretch and three-point baskets they were making in the first half weren't falling in the fourth.

Two glaring weaknesses once again struck the Raps. Rebounding and point-guard play. I'm sure this is on the "A" list of new president and general manager Bryan Colangelo. Up next for the Raps is Phoenix. The Suns play tonight in Indiana and then play their fourth game in five nights Friday against the Raps.

Chuck thinks it might be a good idea to just shut Chris Bosh down for the season. (Ron Turenne/NBAE/Getty Images)

Some things I ponder on a Thursday morning...

The NBA playoffs will be as exciting as ever this season. My opinions change like the weather in Toronto. One week I am all over the Pistons. The next week the Heat. Then the Nets come along and I'm thinking, Ok..maybe they can get in a groove and shock the world.

On the other hand if they win the East is it really a shock? Cleveland, Indiana? That would be a shock. Milwaukee, Philly , etc? That would be one of the greatest upsets ever.

The Bucks are young and Philly is too inconsistent. Plus, I'm not sure Philly is anything more than just a plain , ol' .500 team at best and that's saying something with Iverson and Webber on the court.

After watching the Bucks struggle against the Raps then torch the Suns I don't know what to think. Is Phoenix that bad? Have they hit the wall? They play the Raptors tomorrow night and that will mark their fourth game in five nights. Even without CB4 I believe the Raps can take the Suns.

Speaking of Bosh, no one asked me, but why risk further injury? Shut him down. Great season. All-Star season. Get ready for the US Olympic camp in July in Las Vegas... good night.

Charlie V.'s huge game against the Bucks was outstanding. Please send the Raps-Bucks score sheet to Stephen A. Smith - thank you very much.

E-mailer Robert asks if I am really convinced Joey Graham can play significant time. My response is yes. I believe in this guy and while I'm not saying he's a 20-point scorer in this league I think he can have a solid career. He has too many tools to fail.

The reaction I've received from the Raptors fan base on the hiring of Bryan Colangelo has been all positive. I've spoken to enough basketball people in the past month who tell me the Raps hit a home run when they signed him to a multi-year deal.

Fans are expecting a 40-45 win team next year. Let's see what Colangelo can do in the offseason. It is not a great draft year nor is it a great free-agent year so look for Colangelo to be creative. Will he deal up or down or completely out of the draft? Does he have his sights set on a veteran or two? Stay tuned.

I'm all over the LSU story, but two players I'm going bananas over: Washington's Brandon Roy and Villanova's Randy Foye. It will be very interesting to see what happens in the lottery. I think the Sonics will do everything they can to keep Roy in Seattle. Foye is one tough competitor. I love his game.

Having said all that, I still maintain the Raps biggest need is to add a rebounder/shot blocker in the middle. Don't believe me? Just look at the stats. Last in boards and blocks. A true veteran decision-making point guard will help too.

Props to Bev Deeth and Alanna Rubino for the job they did at the 11th annual Raptors Foundation Rap Up Dinner. Proceeds go to help children in need and the employees and volunteers of MLSE went beyound the call of duty to put together a faboulous event. It was a pleasure meeting so many loyal and new Raptors fans.

Pape Sow has shown some positive signs lately. (Ron Turenne/NBAE/Getty Images)

Things you learn ... I walk into the Bradley Center in Milwaukee last Sunday and run into my good friend John Steinmiller, VP of the Bucks. John is one of the classiest people you'll ever meet. He told me he reads CCI. Thanks, John and give my regards to Bango the mascot. Speaking of the Bucks, it's very apparent by his body language that Jamaal Magliore is not a happy camper.

I'd love to be a fly on the wall in Knicks conference room with Isiah Thomas, Larry Brown , scouts, etc as they try and map out a startegy for 06-07. Let's see... No lottery pick. $125 million bloated payroll. Poor chemistry. Players have tuned out the coach. The coach is fed up with the players' attitude. They flip picks with the Bulls in'07.

I wish I would have created the Blackberry.

I'm thrilled for the Clippers. I really am.

E-mailer Ellen wants to know if Sam Mitchell will receive a new five-year deal from ownership. Wow. How many coaches other than Larry Brown and Phil Jackson have five year deals. Flip Saunders? Gregg Popovich?

The new orange tea at Starbucks is a killer.

Joey Harrington gets blasted for the past three years by just about everyone in the sport now he's got at least five teams lining up to sign him. Go figure.

The NCAA basketball ratings (or lack thereof) on Sportsnet was disappointing.

Got to give some props to the"Baller" Adnan Virk of The Score. He's got the passion for NBA ball. Not just a reader. He cares. Love it.

I don't care what anyone says and I know it's part of the game but at this stage of the season a road team on the second game of a back/back is a death sentence. In my world I would start the NBA season in October and have fewer back to backs. Players would be more rested. Fans would enjoy better competition. The problem however is the mindset of most American sports fans is that October features baseball playoffs, college football and the NFL. The NBA is not on the radar screen ie: attendance would drag.

Regardless if they make the playoffs or not ,I think the NO/Oklahoma City Hornets are a remarkable story.

I enjoy golf. I admit I am a hacker. But playing eighteen holes is too much. How can you justify taking five hours away from your family on a Saturday? Nine is just right for me. People play nine holes don't they? Maybe not.

Paul Pierce is having an unbelievable year.

Minnesota owner Glen Taylor says KG will have plenty of input on the team's roster for 06-07. If I'm Dwayne Casey, that would send the first red flag regarding job security. I've said this many times. Should a player -a top player - be consulted on a player or two? Yes. This is the NBA . Should players make the final calls on talent? No.

The changing of the guard is about to start in Houston's front office.

Final Four: Florida over George Mason. LSU over UCLA. Floirida wins the NCAA . Congrats Matt Bonner!

E-mail me with your thoughts at cswirsky@torontoraptors.com. Or call me at 416-815-6189.

Always a pleasure,







Chuck Swirsky

Don't forget to catch the Chuck Swirsky Show weekdays from 1 until 4 p.m. on the FAN590.