The Morning After The Night Before, VI

That was an odd finish, wasn't it? The Gang That Couldn't Shoot Straight returneth but they've still got a chance to win or tie in the final few seconds until they botch the game's most important possession.

(No, I don't imagine the Kris Humphries-T.J. Ford high screen and roll is on Page 1 of the playbook).

But, still a long season to go. So ...

Three Things I Learned

Deconstruction time

Okay, there’s no timeout with 17 seconds left ‘cause Sam wants T.J. to penetrate for a quick two, a foul, and an attempt to extend the game. Arguable but that’s okay. Not sure about the suggestion he didn’t call timeout because he didn’t want Utah to set up its defence – on a made free-throw, the defence is going to be set up.

The perfect scenario is to have T.J. drive and kick to an open shooter for a game-tying three, which gives Utah one last shot to win. If second-best scenario is for a quick two, a foul and – likely – two Jazz free throws, a three-point deficit again, the need to blow the last time out to set up a game-tying three. Worst-case scenario, they don’t score, foul, give up a free-throw and lose by four.

So, to recap: At some point, Toronto is probably going to have to use its last time out to call a play designed to get a game-tying three-pointer. Do you want to call that timeout with 17 seconds left? Or with, let’s say, six? Me? I want it with 17. But I’m not an NBA coach. And I don’t even play one on TV.

And here’s another thing to think about: During the Williams free throws, they subbed Jason Kapono for Jamario Moon, giving them a better three-point shooter in the corner. Why not send Andrea Bargnani in for Humphries? First, despite being 1-for-11, he’s an exponentially more dangerous offensive player. Second, if they left Hump in because of his rebounding, that’s silly. They’re probably not going to have to rebound anyway, if the free throw is made. And if 7-foot Andrea Bargnani can’t get the rebound of a missed free throw when every Utah player would have been skedaddling back down the court, that’s unbelievable.

With Bargnani in the game, the Jazz have to cover him behind the three-point line and maybe Ford gets a better look if he insists on taking a three. Or maybe Bargnani actually hits a shot. Whatever happens, we aren’t subjected to Ford and Humphries playing some sort of goofy hot-potato game with the outcome on the line.

With 20-20 hindsight, I’d call the timeout with 17 seconds left and, if I didn’t, I’d have Bargnani in for Humphries. Oh, and I’d make sure T.J. knew he was supposed to attack the rim, not shoot a three.

Not Sam’s greatest moment. But, as my son’s report card says, a Learning Opportunity.

Jason’s woes

Tough night for Jason Kapono, although he did keep his three-point shooting percentage right at 50. He was beaten off the dribble once by Gordan Giricek, who is as quick as sludge; committed two offensive fouls in his first five minutes in the game and, in one unmemorable moment, knocked a defensive rebound away from Jose Calderon that led to a turnover and two Utah free throws.

I’m not sure if he’s still getting used to new teammates and new system or if he’s just trying to find his place on this club, but he’s been average – at best – most of the season. On both ends of the court.

On the block

Okay, so everyone’s watching Chris Bosh shoot jumpers for the first 46 minutes and, if they’re like me, thinking ‘why isn’t he driving, getting fouled and shooting free throws?’

No real good answer. The Jazz did clog the lane, Carlos Boozer is an all-star but still …

So we asked him what’s up:

“I think I’m going to have to start doing a better job of getting the ball on the block,” he said. “I think I’ll start there the next game. I’ve been catching the ball at the elbow for the last two games but I have started or finished like I wanted to.”

We will be watching.

Funny statistical anomaly last night: Toronto had more field goals (35-33), more three-pointers (7-3) and lost because Utah made 23 free throws to 11 for the Raptors. Let’s say Bosh shoots 12 foul shots rather than four. A different result?

Three Things You Wondered

Q: Disappointing loss, but it was fun to watch Jamario Moon play. He plays a very explosive style of basketball that the Raptors have not had since Vince Carter was in town. He just plays all around good basketball on both sides of the ball. He reminds me of Keon Clark and Jerome Williams, but with a jump shot. If he keeps this up can you see him making the all rookie team?

Dan West, Newmarket

A: Moon was good last night, he took only good shots in the flow of the game and while three rebounds aren’t enough, he defended Andrei Kirilenko quite well.

All-rookie team? I suppose anything’s possible but let’s let the young fella play, oh, I dunno, 20 games before we start thinking about that.

-

Q: Is our depth a problem, when it leads to starters not playing enough minutes? Perusing the boxscore against Utah, I take away the following:

T.J. +9, 32 minutes; Parker +5, 30 minutes; Bosh +8, 31 minutes; Moon +4, 33 minutes; Rasho, even, 19 minutes.

I understand Rasho got banged up, but I really think Sam needs to settle on a normal 8-9 man rotation. Do you think the starters should be playing more minutes?

Brian Sherman, Toronto

A: Interesting numbers, aren’t they? Sam seems to have settled on 10 players, leaving Dixon and Garbo out and that may indeed be one too many.

But the question is, who doesn’t play? The trouble may be that there is no obvious difference in talent. Hump’s as good as Rasho some nights, Delfino, Kapono and Moon are all about the same and you can’t mess with either of the point guards or Bosh and Bargnani.

I think, eventually, you stretch out the starters five or six more minutes, cutting the time for the backups but that might lessen their effectiveness. It’s a tough balancing act. One they really haven’t figured out yet.

-

Q: Well it looks like Moon is turning out to be a pleasant surprise and all those Moonies out there have got to have those "I told you so" looks on their faces. Of course it’s a long season, but it looks like we got a real gem of a player that could contribute a lot.

But my question is, what's going on with Jorge? He was so great last year, and everyone rants and raves about his basketball IQ, toughness, hustle, defense, etc. And yet from the playing time (and the actual times in the game) he is getting its obvious that he is way down the list for Sam.

Randy Gabrielson, Warsaw, Poland

A: You cannot imagine the love for Garbo in the mailbag. He’s like Mo Squared.

Here’s the reality, after talking to people around the team.

Right now, they don’t think he’s as good a power forward as Kris Humphries, who rebounds better and is more energetic; and they don’t think he’s as good a three as Moon, Delfino or Kapono.

So where’s he going to play?

Things may change if Rasho’s out and they need another big, and if one of the threes struggles Garbo might get back in the rotation, but right now, he’s out of it.

It sucks for him, it sucks for his fans but this is a tough business and everyone can’t play every night.

--b

Now, don't forget, tomorrow's a mail bag day, just click here to send in a query and if you've got some post-game comments or questions, don't be afraid to send stuff along after the game or overnight, it makes for interesting reading in the morning.

Comments

[AK]

Looks like MJ Ford made a brief appearance last night. I was starting to finally believe in him earlier this season, and I see now what he can do when he plays within himself, but that display at the end of the game was absolutely ridiculous, particularly with JK parked in the corner. He clearly was trying to show the NBA world that he can run with Deron.

JK may need to take a more secondary role -- a pure spot-up situational shooter subbing in behind Delfino until he figures out the system and his role. Otherwise, though, there is definitely a lot of potential in his contribution to the Raps.

Last night was very disappointing...

[Emil Thas]

Doug, you pretty much echo the same sentiment I had regarding last night’s pathetic end to the game.
I certainly believe that Sam should have called a time out with 17 seconds remaining to set up a play.
Also they had enough time to go for a quick 2 and foul someone to extend the game.
Also when TJ was trying to be a hero, the other Raptor players just stood and looked around as well. Why weren’t there any movements without the ball? It was a sad end to a pretty poorly played game. Could have stole one from the Jazz for sure.

[Zack]

I agree AK, TJ is one of the best young point guards in the game but when he plays against certain players, he gets a big head and wants to take all the shots on his own.
I can't understand why he doesn't realize that assists are stats, too. and when you have shooters like the Raps have, he shouldn't be taking more than 5-10 shots a night.

[Justin]

Okay boys...time to get out of the revolving "I like him, I hate him" door that is TJ Ford.
He made a bad play at the end of an even worse game and that is all that's being talked about.
How about Bosh literally watching a rebound fall into his lap and then promptly getting taken out of his lap for a Jazz bucket?
Mind you, he probably was still trying to figure out how Parker lost the rebound to begin with, but it doesn't matter, every Raptor with exception to Moon and Hump last night looked like spectators.
If we Raptor fans have anything to be really upset with, then it HAS to be Bosh's passive attitude that allowed him to hoist up shot after shot instead of driving.
Doug was bang on about this point. Who cares if Utah clogs the lane, go at them Bosh, because the team fails each time you decide not to.

[Dan]

Thing is, I do like Ford. But I don't believe for a second that Jose would have forced a shot like that - he would have found a way to get somebody involved, either on a kick out, or a quick play inside for a score. It seems like TJ has more pure talent, but Jose just gets it on the court. Hopefully it comes with age. Interesting decision coming up with Calderon's contract running out.

[GM]

In the ongoing TJ/Jose debate, I side with Jose. However, that was the worst I've seen him play since his rookie season. He was awful, so some of the blame has to go his way.
As for Garbo, it's an old basketball adage that you don't lose a spot due to injury. I know it's a new season, but he should have been given his old spot back until he lost it. He may not, as Smitty points out, be as talented as the players ahead of him, but his basketball IQ is much higher. And every team needs role players, not just guys with tons of potential and crazy athleticism. As long as he's not actually hurting the team, he should be on the court.

[Damien]

Doug Doug Doug,

You're so down on the new +/- stats, but I don't think you quite understand it.

+/- is part of the SECONDARY stats. Which means if you want to see how a player is performing, you look at points, rebounds and assists first. THEN you look at the secondary stats (steals, turnovers, +/-, etc.)

For example, if Darrick Martin had 6 steals in the game, but only had 2 points, 1 assist and 0 boards. You obviously wouldn't say he was performing well, even with the steals. So why would you compare Martin to Calderon based on Martin's 2 points, 1 assist, 0 boards and +6 rating??

The only time you would make that comparison is if both Martin & Calderon had similar stats. Then +/- would act as the tie breaker. But you don't look at +/- first, that's just ignorant.

(+/- is actually *somewhat* of an indicator of defense. Obviously Martin's defense is sound, and that's why he attained +6 in that game. Similar to Lidstrom being a good defensive defenseman in hockey, and his +/- reflects it year after year.)

Blogger's note: The comment was partially tongue-in-cheek, actually.
But I don't put any stock whatsoever in such an individual stat in such a team game. But that's just me. I know thousands do and good for 'em.
Smith