Raptors hoping Bosh can run with new style http://www.thestar.com/Sports/article/592092 Richard Griffin Feb 24, 2009 04:30 AM The Raptors changing their offensive philosophy to one of up-tempo running the floor, yet still with Chris Bosh as their franchise player may not generate the same head-scratching skepticism as Shaquille O'Neal going to the run-and-gun Suns, but with the Raptors clearly planning to maintain their new style, where does that leave Bosh? More at home in a half-court offence, if Bosh doesn't buy into the transition and return to his first-half numbers, could the clock be counting down to his free agency after the 2010 season? It would seem that pushing the ball up the floor, looking for fast-break points as the first option does not feed into Bosh's strengths. Coach Jay Triano disagrees with that easy perception of his star's future. "I've talked to him a little bit more," Triano admitted. "It's been hard with him because he's been (injured). I told (Chris), `Run and play as hard as you can for as long as you can and I'll get a sub. But don't try and pace yourself to go 40 minutes because otherwise we'll be plodding. I thought what he did in New York and was much better on Sunday ... shorter minutes in shorter spurts. We keep asking him `How's your leg?' He says, `My leg is fine. My lungs are burning.' He'll get used to it." Triano believes that in a short time Bosh could learn to take advantage of the new up-tempo style and get back to the numbers he had been posting before being hobbled by injury. One 30-point, 15-rebound game could cure all. "The big thing for Chris is if he's the first big (man) and gets down in the no-charge zone there (under the basket), we want to get him the basketball," Triano said. "We can't find a better play than to get our best player the basketball underneath the basket. If we can get him that in transition, we'll do that. I think he's athletic enough and in great shape that he can beat most players down the floor." This dramatic change in offensive philosophy won't be easy. Forgive them if over the final 24 games they still get blown out every once in a while. On some nights it will surely happen. But in between blowouts, if the Raps can win 13 of their final 24 games, even missing the playoffs, the Shawn Marion Era, even if he leaves this summer, will be a success. Make no mistake about it, there are significant problems for Triano in selling this crowd-pleasing run-and-gun style of basketball to a team that under former coach Sam Mitchell plodded in a half-court set, relying on Bosh's hotness. And, of course, this is an unusual time of year to be changing horses in mid-stream. "We're trying to teach on the fly here," Triano said. "Where if we had a training camp, we'd be better. When you run in transition, it's not for layups. We're looking to exploit inside and we don't have anything come back out. To me that's transition." One big problem in the Raptors' adjustment is the Euro-factor. Consider that in the European game patience on offence is de rigueur. Then look at the Raptors roster. The point guards (Jose Calderon and Roko Ukic), the shooting guard (Anthony Parker) and the starting centre (Andrea Bargnani) all have significant histories across the pond. "It's the opposite," Calderon agreed. "The game is kind of slow more than the NBA. It's more kind of basket control. It's a little bit more slowed down. But if you win, that's what's important. If you lose, the next day is going to be bad. It's been a tough season for us, so every win is important. We've got to try and build on that win (over the Knicks on Sunday) and get on a little bit of a roll." Even a little bit of a roll might not save their season as far as the playoffs. But Bosh buying into the new offence and being happy with his finish just may. --

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