Raptors Screwed!!! (By Sam Mitchell)

Closely scrutinizing the controversial video of TJ Ford's disallowed game-winning alleyoop last night proves quite telling. While the clock clearly started before TJ touched the ball, in violation of league rules, it's unclear that he scored in the 0.5 seconds left, so it's unlikely the Raptors protest will be successful. What can be determined from that video, though, is why the Raptors were in that situation in the first place. As Ford went up for the alleyoop, Mike Bibby looked on from the sidelines. That's right -- the sidelines, even though he's their best offensive player. Interesting concept that is: when in need of a stop, a coach might actually alter who should be playing. Sam Mitchell has not figured this out. With 11 seconds left, Atlanta had the ball down 3 points. Mitchell decided to leave TJ Ford -- the Raps' shortest player -- on the floor to defend the three-point line and try to secure the rebound. The Raptors ended up giving the Hawks three good looks from beyond the arc as they could neither defend the Atlanta shooters well nor corral the rebounds. On Bibby's game-tying 3, he shot it "over" the barely 6 foot tall Ford. Maybe, just maybe, that shot would have been more difficult had Anthony Parker been guarding him. Mitchell: you have three capable, athletic, defensive swingmen in AP, Delfino, and Jamario. Use them.