Graham grabs his chance

DOUG SMITH
SPORTS REPORTER

It's been written and said so many times it might be the biggest cliché around the Raptors but if Joey Graham can provide some consistent minutes and effort, he's going to be a valuable member of the team.

The Good Graham arrived at the Air Canada Centre last night, all energy and effort and rebounding and defence, as he admirably filled in for Morris Peterson in a 95-87 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Graham, who had been used sparingly this season as the Raptors went with a swingman rotation of Fred Jones, Anthony Parker and Peterson, had 16 points and eight rebounds in 28 minutes that included all 12 of the final quarter.

"I just came out and tried to mix things up a little bit, tried to be as aggressive as possible and good things happen when I do that," said Graham, who guarded LeBron James well down the stretch. Graham's biggest contribution was his eight boards since that's an area Toronto's been terrible in so far this season. But, last night at least, Graham went often and hard to the boards, regardless of what size opponent was waiting for him.

"Just try to stay active," he said. "The Lord blessed me with this body ... and that's what I tried to do, go in and help the big men. (Zydrunas) Ilgauskas is humongous down there (he's 7-feet-3), LeBron's going to rebound, Drew (Gooden) is going to rebound.

"I had to throw my body in there and mix it up a little bit."

But the question remains: Can he do it consistently?

"That's the thing," said coach Sam Mitchell. "We need Joey to play like that more consistently because he's our physical, athletic guy who can guard twos and threes like that.

"That's what we drafted him for, to give us that, and we've just got to find a way to get him more consistently doing it."

Graham is sure to get more time now that Peterson is on the shelf. The veteran swingman has a slight tear in a tendon in his left elbow. He had received treatment on it through the Raptors' five-game road trip, and had been playing with a protective sleeve on the arm.

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