The Morning After The Night Before, XX

Holy crap!

Wasn’t that something? Sure took the air out of everyone around the team, and the whole arena. Except for two idiots behind us who, not knowing how badly T.J. was hurt, were making wisecracks. Caught the attention of some of the Raptor players and staff, too, who shot some comments back.

Before the bad ending, the Raps had played hard, defended – against Josh Smith in particular – very well and it was one of those gritty rather than great games that good teams win on the road.

But, really, it was hard for any of them to care after. I’ve never seen Sam as distraught as he was trying to talk to us after the game.

I'll get to the many, many, many comments in there -- and thanks for them -- when I get back. Rright now, Delta Airlines wants me to get on my plane.

Three Things I Learned

Where were they?

I abhor basketball fights, mostly because, as Sam says, players can’t fight. But surely to all that’s good in the world, someone should have at least got in Al Horford’s face just a wee bit, don’t you think?

Not to punch him, but to say something, maybe push him, let him know smacking a kid in the head on a drive is stupid, very, very stupid.

I honestly think that if someone else had been knocked down like that, T.J. would have been the first to get at the guy who did it.

Tough to watch. Maybe know they’ll get it, sticking up for teammates doesn’t necessarily mean throwing punches, but it means doing something.

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A dirty play?

I have no doubt Horford had no thoughts of slamming Ford to the floor when he tried to foul him and maybe the rookie learns from it. Grab him around the waist, foul him at the free throw line or in the lane before he gets in the air.

Don’t swing your arm with no idea where it’s going to land.

And even though there was no malice intended, I really think the NBA has to suspend him a game and take some money away from him just to learn a lesson.

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A not so stellar return

Okay, so Andrea Bargnani only played 12 minutes and missed all four shots he took and that was hardly a good night coming back from injury.

But there were two signs, subtle, that were heartening to his coaches and which didn’t go unnoticed.

Twice, once on the wing in front of the Hawks bench, and once on the baseline on the right side of the basket, he passed up shots without a second shot that he normally would have taken.

First was to pass to AP, I believe it was; second, was to get in the lane and try to draw contact. Sorta looked like he knew he couldn’t make a shot so he tried to do something else and that’s not been a prevalent thought process in the past.

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Three Things You Wondered

Q: Just finished my last exam for the semester and what do i come home to? Ford getting mugged, Kapono hurt, Jose with a dislocated finger, and Bargnani, who is on my Fantasy team with 0 points? Ugh.

Anyway my question has to do with the draft. There are a lot of stars who come out of drafts and there are also busts. See Araujo, Jonathan Bender, Kwame Brown, and the entire class of 2000 save Redd and K-Mart and the holy grail of draft busts Sam Bowie.

Why is that? What happens to them when they reach the NBA that makes them not live up to their potential. Is it the coaches they get? Bad scouts? Or did they never really have "it: in the first place? And is Charlie V almost a bust or does he need more time to develop?

Matthew, Scarborough

A: Yeah, tough night for them and you. Hope the exam went well
It's hard to say why a dude's a bust. Most of the time, it's because some scout or GM fell in love with a guy and missed some obvious athletic flaws

And sometimes, despite a barrage of psychological tests teams do and interviews they conduct, many kids just can't make the transition to being a pro. It's hard.

Mostly, as you said, it’s “it.” Just knowing how to work, what to eat, how to get your rest, not living off a reputation that hasn’t been earned.

As for Chuck V? Too early, let's talk a year from now.

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Q: You would agree that the Toronto Raptors is Canada's Team, right? So, how come we don't have a SINGLE Canadian player on the roster? I mean, we have lot's of people in Canada. Isn't there one Canadian basketball player worthy of a roster spot on the Toronto Raptors (other than Nash)?

Kenneth L, Mississauga

A: Frankly, no. There is not another Canadian-born basketball player anywhere on the planet that would help this team right now. If there were, they'd give him a look. Just like if there was a guy from Mars or Europe or some other galaxy.

They might be Canada's team to the marketing dudes, but to the people who sign the players, nationality has nothing to do with it.

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Q: Thanks for the daily diversion from work! If I understand Garbo correctly, he should be able to play again near the end of the season. Will he be in game shape by playoff time? I can only imagine that a layoff that long will also take some time to get all the timing down pat.

Dino, Woodbridge

A: Glad to help take attention away from that pesky work thing.

Garbo's done for this year, I'm afraid.

They say he's 10 weeks before being able to put weight on his foot and even though we know how hard he works at rehab and how anxious he is to play, I cannot envision a scenario where he puts a Raptor uniform on again this season. There's no way in the world, given what transpired last summer, that they rush him back.

The interesting question, and one that we will debate in the next few months, is whether Garbo gets cleared to play for Spain in Beijing. The Games are in August. Very interesting.

Comments

[Manpreet]

Somebody should have definitely got into Horford's face for that, like the person above said, at least to push around a little. Bosh should have been the guy to do it considering he's the leader and Ford's closest friend.

[Tom D.]

Doug, I am disappointed in your comment that someone should have gotten in Horford's face for his foul on TJ. I saw the play on TV when it happened and watched the many replays. I thought Horford transformed in an instant from a large man playing basketball to a frightened child who realized he did something wrong and didn't know what to do. I almost felt more sorry for him. As far as the play, its hard to gage on TV how hard he hit him to pull TJ's neck back, but it looks a lot worse in slow motion than it does at normal speed. As Bosh said, the situation is worse because its TJ.

I am afraid that the fans of Toronto will give Horford a hard time when he plays next in Toronto and I don't think that will be fair. Your characterization that Horford "hammered" TJ to the floor suggests an intent that just wasn't there. If someone were just to read your article, they may be more inclined to react that way.

As for someone getting into Horford's face, give me a break. No one was near the play and the first player to catch up was Parker who went to his fallen teammate. Someone getting in Horford's face while TJ was lying on the floor would have only made it uglier. And to say that TJ would have gotten in the guy's face if it were someone else as some kind of indictment against the toughness of the rest of the team is silly. Last night that would not have been appropriate.

As for TJ, I obviously hope he's alright and reports this morning seem to suggest he is. I think though that he needs to face his own mortality and learn to go to the hoop in a way that protects his body. I know that its a fine line between sensible caution and playing scared, but he has to learn to adjust if he wants to have a long career. Last night he kind of hesitated and I wonder if he was indecisive about dribbling it out or going up. Still if he sort of stuck his butt out and kept the ball in front of him he would draw the foul but protect his body a bit more. As someone who blew out his knee playing basketball and never was able to drive to the hoop the same way again, I'm amazed at his fearlessness, when the neck injury has to always be in the back of his mind.

Anyway, please do not encourage boneheaded retribution in basketball and turn it into hockey. I'm a Canadian who can't stand hockey and thinks the fighting and mentality of the sport is disgusting. And I'm not some pacifist who plays "non contact" sport of basketball. I'm all for the hard foul and toughness in basketball and anyone who says its non contact doesn't understand the game. But what Horford did, as Bosh said, was a basketball play -- unfortunately it went wrong. Politically he had to get the flagrant foul, but I don't think he had the intent for it truly be flagrant.

One last point now that I'm going. I thought last night that Jamario Moon should look at Horford and say there for the grace of God goes me. I'm loving Jamario and don't think he should change anything, but he regularly does those windmill swats to try to block shots and he could easily miss and injure someone doing that. He doesn't have the bulk that Horford has so its less likely he would have the same force, but if someone is in the air he could miss, hit them in the head, and cause the same type of injury. Luckily him and TJ are on the same team but they should watch out in practice.

That's it. Enjoy your coverage of the Raps and guest spots on McCown's show, but disagree with you here.

[Glen, Regina, SK]

Doug I was wondering the same thing after Horford's hit on Ford... where are his team mates getting in Horford's face? I also thought there was no way Horford makes that 'basketball play' on a Piston. No way. He knows the Pistons are going to get physical with him.

I also agree about the suspension. If the league doesn't suspend him, if the Raps have any pride, look for a 'basketball play' to be made on Lue or Claxton next time the Hawks are in Toronto.

[leigh]

You're right Doug, Horford should definately be suspended for atleast 2 or 3 games. While there is no doubt he didn't mean to hurt TJ in the way that he did, but he should still be punished for his carelessness and stupidity. Horford showed class by visiting TJ in hospital afterwards, but it was an awful, clumsy attempt to stop TJ from scoring.
Maybe it's time the NBA looked into cracking down on these fouls, because we saw another example when Steve Francis steamrolled Delfino on Sunday, again, he didn't try to hurt him deliberately, but he certainly could have.

[DougG]

I hope TJ knows that the same people who are arguing about whether he should close games or not are now praying for his health. The Hawks probably didn't want him to play the 4th quarter either because he was scoring too many points.

As a long time hockey fan, and fairly recent basketball fan, I sometimes wonder about the lack of "toughness" shall we say, in basketball. However, it is against the rules to fight so the Raptors did the smart thing last night, as well as looking uninterested in defending their teammates in a street fashion, shall we say.

It appears that the young man who hit TJ acted very classy afterwards.

[scott]

thanks for the t.j. update! i thought anthony parker summed it up when he asked "why?" not an intentionally dirty play (by the look on his face afterwards) but you have to know where your body is and take responsibility when you get out of control.
it was hard to figure out why someone other than sam didn't lose it a bit. i know i was up out of my seat and my wife would have gone into the television hoppin' mad if this were some sci-fi world! then again i think she may have a bit of a crush on teeje (as she calls him). i guess everyone was just a bit stunned and it looked like a.p. just wanted to get to ford.
haven't felt that sickened since watching garbo go down.
in a way who cares about the basketball permutations but thank goodness for jose!
thanks for the great daily insights...i too use it to dispell some of the mundane moments of the workday!
scott in osgoode

[Jp]

It’s great to hear that Horford went to the hospital to see how TJ was doing, but that in no way excuses what was an entirely reckless play in which Horford was out of control. What was he doing swiping down on a player like that? There is a clear distinction between a hard foul and a flagrant and careless one. That was an absolutely bone-headed play, and Horford deserves a severe reprimand at the very, very least. Thankfully TJ seems to be doing reasonably well, but that still does not excuse Horford. Good intentions, class acts, or anything else in retrospect should not excuse anyone from having to face the consequences of their actions.

[GM]

You must have some hockey in you afterall, Doug. I don't think it was necessary for any Raptor to get in the face of Horford. The kid knew he screwed up. You know when you make a mistake. There's no need for macho posturing.

I've been a big critic of Ford, but last night all game I kept thinking, "This is the best game I've ever seen him play." He's shot that well before but it was usually at the expense of the team. Last night I really think he took what the defence gave him most of the night and wasn't thinking "shoot, shoot, shoot" -- it's just what was available. He had his eyes open for others. Hope he gets better soon and keeps up that type of play.

[CARLoS]

Where are the onions on these guys?!? You're absolutely right that TJ would've been the first to get in somebody's face if he wasn't the one lying on the floor. Where's Oakley when you need him?

This team plays like they're afraid. The rare instances of aggression - like Bosh's first play monster dunk or Jose's finger - during game play are magnified in situations like the flagrant foul on TJ. I've seen more spirited reactions on a kids soccer team! Other than good ol' Sam. Made me proud to watch him run down that court. How could the rest of the team not freak out on Horford?!?

They act like a bunch of millionaires and not passionate athletes. Makes me sick to my stomach.

[Jon]

So Bargnani's numbers are not quite up where we were hoping for his break-out year. Would it be masochistic to compare his numbers with Aldridge's numbers and indulge in what-if's? And while we are indulging, how about this : please tell me that the net gain of the Carter trade now amounts to more than Joey Graham.

[Shrugz]

in regards to the net gain of the carter trade:
bryan colangelo and all of the deals he had made so far

joey graham

we don't have Vince's big contract

Bosh signs extension

we have money to get TJ to extension

[matthew]

I agree with Doug on this one.

Of course Horford didn't 'intend' to injure ford. Very few players in any sport intentionally try to injure someone.

But he did 'intend' to foul him, and hard. If you look at the replay from the overhead backboard camera angle, he was not even close to getting the ball with his swing. The ball was at least 3 feet away from TJ's head when the contact was made.

If you're going to foul someone 'intentionally' on a fast break, just grab 'em around the waist, and put 'em on the line. No easy layups doesn't mean you have to decapitate the guy.

It was a stupid, reckless foul. These guys are finely tuned and trained athletes. Even most amateur athletes know when to pull back so they don't hurt their opponents.

I also have a hard time with everyone saying it was a basketball play. Basketball is a finesse game, and what
Horford did looked a lot more like something I'd expect to see in a rugby or hockey game.

Imagine if it was someone like Lebron or Kobe who got taken out that way? There would be an uproar/inquiry for sure.

The best thing that could come out of this is for the NBA to send the message out that this type of thing will not be tolerated in the future, 'intentional' or not. Even if one player's career is altered/ended by such a foul, it is one too many. A one or two game suspension would be helpful to get this message across.

[Grunt]

Leigh, while you make some good points i think the Francis foul on Delfino was almost the flipside of Horford's takedown of TJ. Francis was in full control, and did exactly what you're supposed to do when you want to stop a guy with a foul - wrap him up hard. There was no attempt at a headshot. In soccer, that's called a professional foul. Horford was out of control and, as you so aptly put it, clumsy.

[Marc Iturriaga]

Horford made a mistake. It is clear from his expression that he was extremely sorry and upset by his actions. He went and saw TJ in the hospital - classy move.

The incident is over and done with. No retribution, no playing tougher, etc. Just play basketball.

My first reaction wasn't where TJ's teammates were to get in Horford's face... it was "Oh my god, I hope TJ is alright." Which is what his teamamtes did worried about TJ rather than worry about starting something.

TJ did a quick dash under the net, avoiding Horford, who should not have been swatting they way he did, but it was an accident. Anyone who says TJ should be more aware of his body is just talking silly.. he did a simple layup that got turned ugly.

Horford should have been more in control of his body, true, and hopefully he learns from it. And he should be reprimanded for further games to show young players that they need to be careful.

For all of you wondering where the grit and toughness is - you try playing as hard as these players do, then you can open your mouth. Don't make the Raps, and the game of basketball, into something they are not - Goons!

[Jack T]

I could not agree with Tom D more. Excellent points all !! (and very true re J Moon's arm-windmill swat attempts...)

And speaking of being made 'sick to the stomach'...GM, you must be one of the 'proud' parents or coaches of one or any of those 'passionate' tyke hockey players in Guelph a couple weeks ago...you've got the wrong sport and forum bud. Basketball fans are hoping for a speedy recovery for TJ and thanking their/our lucky stars we don't have a team full of Nate Robinsons, Melos, Artests et al or (giving even more thanks here...) Belaks/Tuckers

[John M]

Basketball is a dangerous sport when you have the greatest athletes (arguably) going a mile a minute like TJ does. Horford got crossed up, tried to make the play and failed at it. The result was sickening but it doesn't change the fact that it was wholly unitentional. To say that some hockey mentality is in store for the raptors is kind of mind boggling, seeing as most of the players on the raptors are good guys.

There doesn't need to be a confrontation with Horford because it was obvious he knew he was in the wrong, no need to inflame a situation more when the most important thing was to make sure that TJ was ok.

When Atlanta comes to the ACC I am expecting all the people that know what happened to boo Horford and that would be unfortunate because Horford is a good guy who made a bad play, nothing else is needed to explain it.

All these hockey converts to basketball need to take a step back and realize that this isn't hockey, there aren't unwritten rules that you must go after someone in retaliation. To those who say that some of Atlantas players should be expecting something of the sort, stay with the leafs, you are better off.

Anyways Bargnani has been a big dissapointment, he really needs to suck it up and tough it out a little like you mentioned in a previous entry, the raptors are "soft" enough, we don't need a potential center sitting out because his knee is a little sore, a knee contusion isn't that bad. Yeah he hyperextended it when he came back but really deal with it, you aren't injured you are hurt so give what you can but don't sit out a few games because of it.