And the starting centre is ...

Tune in tomorrow because we don't know.

Rasho didn't practice today and as he walked out of the practice facility, he was even less, um, spry than usual so the early line would suggest he's not going to be able to go tomorrow.

So, who starts? Sam's not telling.

Does he have a contingency plan?

"Of course I do."

Would he like to share it with the world?

"Of course I wouldn't."

What a jokester.

Here's one theory, if Rasho can't go: If the only reason for the original switch was to maximize what they were getting out of Nesterovic -- and that's how everyone spun it from the start -- don't they have to go back to Bargnani? After all, he didn't lose the job, really; and there's no doubt he's not been himself in three games coming off the bench.

It could be Kris Humphries, I suppose, but he may be best suited to bringing his energy off the bench and changing the tempo.

But, and there's always a butt, Sam also said when he switched Rasho and Bargnani that he liked to have one scoring big man on the court at least and if he's going to use a fourth big in Nesterovic's place -- Garbo perhaps? -- he might be leaning to starting Hump.

All this boils down to this: We're going to drag our sorry selves to shootaround tomorrow to find out.

Comments

[Abbas]

Surely Garbo's role should increase based on Rasho's injury. Wouldn't it? But this is the same Sam Mitchell that benched Jalen and Vince when he was beefing with them, so you can never be sure.
I think it would be foolish not to start Bargnani now, he needs to step up his game and playing on the bench with the opponents scrubs won't improve him.
And Kapono ... is Colangelo's worst signing in my opinion ... even worse than Fred Jones because he's more expensive. What's so special about Kapono that Delfino/Parker/Dixon don't bring to the table? Not to mention his hideous defending.

Cheers.

[Travis]

If only Kapono would learn to stick to doing what he does best (obviously shooting 3's) and quit trying to be something he isn't (driving to the basket).
With our PG's and their ability to penetrate Kapono should be able to get enough open looks from the 3 pt line to contribute.
Also, I have never seen Kapono pump fake an opponent, I know he has a quick release but if he could work in the occasional pump fake I would imagine that he could draw some fouls from defenders leaving their feet.
Every player on the Raps plays a role, and just like how Hump shouldn't be taking 18 foot jumpers, Kapono shouldn't be trying to take his man to the basket.
But yeah I think its a little too early to say Kapono won't or can't fit with this team.

[kobe bryant]

Garbajosa needs to play! Raptors are playing selfish basketball they need him out there to show em how it's done

[Bay Street Lawyer]

I'm not ready to give up on Kapono. Clearly he is still adjusting to a new role on a new team with new expectations. Give him some time... at least until mid-Dec.

I think Hump will get the nod against the Pacers. If we come out flat, we can go to the bench for an injection of offence (assuming Bargnani can find his stroke). If Bargnani starts, who is your offensive lift off the bench? Dixon?

I'm hoping for a level 1 sprain for Rasho, which should mean a fairly speedy recovery (unless your name is Vince). I'm also hoping this is the break Garbo needs to re-assert himself.

Also going to throw this out there - Do we activate Baston for minutes against his old team?

[Blake Kennedy]

Pretty funny how people are so determined to give up on Kapono so quickly, and start filling out Jamario Moon's nominations for the Hall of Fame after 2 okay games and one mediocre half of a game.
Give the man some time, he can't even get consistent minutes and gets blamed for all defensive failures, even when he was playing excellently on the defensive end to start the season.
I suppose Sam Mitchell hasn't finished humiliating Bargnani enough yet (for what reason, God only knows), so I'm imagining that Humphries will get the start in the middle. Or Garbajosa. Or maybe Darrick Martin. "Anybody but Bargnani" seems to be Sam's attitude right now.

[Dan]

I think Kapano has played pretty well. He might not be scoring as much as people would like, but that's beacuse he's not taking very many shots.
If you watch him throughout a game he's pretty active and passes up alot of shots he could take.
I think he's really bought into the team game and doesn't worry about personal stats.
Only problem is shooting is what they need from him so if he is too passive guys like Delfino And Moon will see more playing time because they can score as well but also offer better defence and rebounding.