Sunday mail delivery, the fixed one

Once again, you’ve out-done yourselves. Here’s a big bunch more and there are a few scorekeeping specific ones I’ve got to run past some people who know and I’ll sprinkle ‘em in when I can.

Oh, and I've fixed the World vs. US thing now.

Q: You mentioned that Moon's appearance at this year’s dunk contest will be the first since Vince of 2000. I seem to recall another Purple Dino at that dunk contest, who's game at the time closely resembles Moon's right now. T'Mac at the time was able to do a little bit of everything pretty well, which is really what Moon's game is all about (although T'Mac 'took it to the rack'; a little more consistently). Question for you; I think we all know that Moon of today would have no chance in a dunk contest against Vince of 2000, but how about against T'Mac of 2000? Who would you take in that contest?

Ian M, Toronto

A: I can hardly remember what I had to drink, er, eat last week, let alone exactly what Tracy McGrady was like in 2000.

But I’m guessing that, if pressed, I’d say Moon’s a better athlete today than T-Mac was seven years ago. So I take Moon.

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Q: I was wondering a couple things: Does the NBA need to add two more stat lines? The hockey assist, and the RA (Rebound assist). These are some things guys should be getting credit for.

And, when a guy puts a shot up, doesn't sink, and jumps and puts it in, do they get a board credited to them as well as the two points because they got their own rebound?

Bryce F, Toronto

A: There are too many stats in the sports world as it is, there is absolutely no need for more. And yes, the dude would get a rebound and a basket, and a missed field goal attempt, if he had control of the ball.

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Q: Is Kris Humphries in line for the most improved player this year? Other than his shot selection I can't believe the improvement in his play. He has gone from the 12th man to first or second off of the bench. The other side of this argument does not reflect well on the other pine dwellers, specifically Kapono. Does the Humphries illusion end soon because I can't see him getting more than 5 minutes a game in the playoffs.

Kevin M, Maple

A: Nah, he’s got no shot at most improved. Andrew Bynum and Hedo Turkoglu are two names that come immediately to mind and that’s just thinking off the top of my head. You could put David West in that conversation, too. I bet I could find half a dozen more with time.

Illusion end? Well, you need at least a three-man bigs rotation so unless Sam goes back to Rasho or Colangelo swings a trade for a real veteran banger, the Hump is it.

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Q: I've got a basketball 101 question, can you explain the terms 'the block'; and 'the lane.' They seem to be the same thing to me. What's the difference?

TC W, Toronto

A: They’re different. The ‘lane’ is the painted area of the court; the ‘block’ is the little square outside the bottom of the ‘lane.’

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Q: Any idea if Sam Mitchell is a Hilary man or an Obama man? And do any of the players ever let their political beliefs known?

Pat K, San Diego

A: I have an idea but after several short political discussions with him, I don’t think his mind is entirely made up. Don’t forget Edwards, too. Some of the others do in private conversations but no one’s carrying signs or placards or anything.

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Q: In Saturday's NY Daily News article by Frank Isola, it says that BC spoke briefly with Garden president Steve Mills. Should Raptor fans be worried about NY poaching Colangelo from us? If not, who do you see replacing Isiah when he is eventually fired?

Todd B, Hamilton

A: No, don’t worry. Colangelo’s not going anywhere, especially to the cesspool that is New York. He had a conversation with Mills 'cause they know each other, it wasn't like it was a job interview or anything.

Other names: I’m sure the usual suspects will surface, like Bryan’s dad, Jerry; Nets consultant Kiki Vandeweghe and maybe they’ll dredge up Donnie Walsh’s and Chris Mullin’s name again. It’s boring. And if anyone can read Jim Dolan’s mind on what he might do, that’d be a first. This is, after all, the guy who gave Zeke the extension.

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Q: In spite of all the international flavour on the Raptors, Jamario Moon has the greatest accent in the history of the franchise. True or true?

Danny B, Gatineau, Que.

A: It’s a pretty good one. But Oak’s Mars accent might have been the best.

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Q: Watching that game against the Knicks, my suggestion was a drill to speed up his still developing offensive game and it would go something like ... feed him pass after pass after pass, not allowing him to hold onto the ball for more than a half-second. He either passes or takes the shot ... immediately.

Will G, Toronto

A: You must mean like the one they do almost daily with a coach throwing passes to him in the post while another coach defends him while holding something akin to a football blocking pad?

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Q: If I remember correctly, Dennis Rodman led the league in rebounds because he was a leaper, that could out-jump taller guys. Jamario Moon is also a leaper. Can't he study some old Rodman films, learn positioning, and maybe become an all-star? The Raptors really badly need a rebounder.

Mike B, Toronto

A: Actually, Dennis Rodman led the league in rebounding because of his hustle and his ability to read by shot where the miss would go. He was a smart rebounder, not an over-the-top athlete.

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Q: I'm watching the Raptor-Knicks game at the moment, and this had me wondering: when Balkman tipped the ball back into the net after a miss by Nate Robinson, he didn't get called for the offensive goaltend, as the camera clearly showed it was. Do people watching on the sidelines (Coaches, other players, scorekeepers, or even Chuck and Leo) ever ask the referees to look at a call like that again? Are they even able to tell them to?

Samantha C, Kingston

A: Oh, players and coaches ask all the time, they ask the refs to confer to make sure they get it right and the good ones, if there’s a doubt in their mind, will check with their partners. The scorekeepers are far too busy to get involved in that, and wouldn’t anyway, even if some of them know as much or more about the rules than some refs.

Broadcasters? Nah, they don’t get involved and the refs wouldn’t listen to ‘em anyway.

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Q: During the Raps-Pistons lesson I saw Bargnani receive the ball at the top of the key. Movement down low opened up the lane and Bargs flushed a wicked one. Five minutes later I saw Humphries curl off a screen and take a fadeaway 18-footer and wanted to cry.

The question I have for you is 'what is so hard about basketball strategy?' You have advantages over other teams, you focus your offensive efforts into exploiting those advantages.

The Raps have two or three advantages. The first is Bosh, the second is their shooting, the third is their shooting. Coming in dead last in the playbook should be Humphries coming off a curl.

I swear it still hurts to think of it- it was like walking in on your parents 'being intimate').

What plays do you think the Raptors should run more often?

Hudson, P, Windsor

A: Believe me, if you wanted to cry, imagine Sam Mitchell’s angst. And anger. And blood pressure.

Did you see Parker more active against the Sixers? And Bosh isolated at the left elbow? And Calderon turning the corner more aggressively? That’s what they need to have more of.

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Q: How about a trade involving Zach Randolph? He appears to be on the block in NY and knows how to rebound! - yes I admit he has a few issues.

Chris H, London

A: Actual conversation:

Me to scout: “Love that Portland team.”

Socut: “Yeah, they lose 22 points a game (Randolph) and get better. What’s that say about him?”

Me: “Look at how he’s turned the Knicks around.”

Scout: “Hahaha. You slay me!”

Zach Randolph? Yeah, he’s just what a team with an offence predicated on ball movement needs.

Sorry.

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Q: I like your idea, USA vs. The World.
What's your pick of starters and back-ups?

Wallace C, Markham

A: Think I may have done this before but here goes, I’m putting Duncan on the USA team ‘cause I want to.

World:

Starters: Nash, Manu, Deng, Nowitzki, Yao. Backups: Parker, Calderon, Diaw, Barbosa, Biedrins, Okur, Nocioni.

USA

Starters: Kidd, Bryant, James, Garnett, Howard. Backups: Billups, Paul, Wade, Anthony, Rasheed Wallace, Duncan, Stoudemire.

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Q: Question in follow up to your Keon Clark "Drunk and High" comment. How much do you agree with Oakley's assessment of players that come to play "high"? (His estimate 60%).

Atif K, Scarborough

A: I thought about this until about 4:20 yesterday afternoon, it’s a good one. Come to play “high.” None, less than 1 per cent, tops. Marijuana users? I’d say 40 per cent, maybe less.

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Q: As a more interesting follow-up to Dave's question about the most athletic Raptors of all time, how about a list of the LEAST athletic purple Dinos?

Oliver Miller, Popeye Jones, Zan Tabac, Rasho and Garbo all make my list.

Adam B, Muskoka

A: That’s a pretty good list and it starts and stops with Oliver. But how about Garth Joseph? Mengke Bateer? Rafael Araujo? Sharone Wright? All legitimate contenders, don’t you think? I’d take any of them over Rasho and Garbo. Oh, and toss in Mike Curry, even though he might have been one of the smartest Raptors of all time. Maybe Oak, too.

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Q: Since we all seem to be in the mood of discussing potential trade options, what is your opinion of Brad Miller? I think he can provide the rebounding and toughness that the Raptors need. Do you think he would fit in with this team? Do the Raptors have the pieces to acquire him? I'm thinking Rasho, Dixon and a pick.

Rick T, Toronto

A: Brad Miller is far more of an outside shooter and high post passer than these guys need. He’s not a good fit, in my opinion.

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Q: Being in New York must really agree with you, (Friday’s) mailbag seemed to be especially full of jokes and keeds.

Jason C, Port Perry

A: Good call on Marks, he was an outstanding athlete, not sure he was in top five class, but … Pape was pretty good, too. Mark Jackson? Good keeding.

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Q: I just figured it all out. The Raps might not make a move this year with a major trade, so …

Draft Kenny George in June, trade Rasho, put Kenny in at center, move Bosh to the 4 where he belongs, Andrea becomes sixth man, buyout TJ, bring in Roko as Jose's backup, and then use some cap space and one big trade in the summer for a true wing player.

Okay. That’s not realistic. But can you answer why the Raps would bring Ukic in if he is only essentially taking DMart’s spot on the roster behind TJ and Jose next year? It almost seems like insurance against TJ getting hurt again, and as TJ is totally untradeable, why would Ukic want to languish on the bench as the third option at PG instead of playing for a Euro powerhouse? It all smells a little fishy. C'mon Doug, spill the beans, you and the other grunts must know something about this.

Dean E, Whistler

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A: Yeah, that whole ‘start the unproven rookie, bench Bargnani, deal away veteran Rasho thing’ doesn’t make a lot of sense.

Maybe Ukic sees is future as an NBAer and wants to get started quickly; it’s far better to learn what it takes on an NBA team rather than watching it. I think he may be able to play a little two-guard so this languishing on the bench thing might be a stretch.

Fishy? Nah, no conspiracies over here and nothing is afoot with either of the guards they’ve got now.

Enjoy Whistler, see you in 2010.

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Q: Would you play Rasho over Humphries? Humphries seems to be slumping and Rasho gives us steady defence, rebounding and scoring.

Greg L, Toronto

A: Most nights, I certainly would. There are times against quicker bigs where Hump could come in handy but you get far more consistency with Rasho, who seems to be taking to this backup role nicely.

The Morning After The Night Before, XXXIII, The Moony News

Not a particularly entertaining game Friday, was it? At no time did anyone in the building really thing seriously that the Knicks would come back and win. Dead crowd, dead night, Raptors were okay except Bosh was great and it was one of those ‘team wins game it should’ victories.

But there were still lessons.

Three Things I Learned

Moon shines in Big Easy

Word got out after the game that Mr. Moon is going to New Orleans.

To dunk on all-star weekend.

Not sure who he’s going to be up against but, as many of us had figured, his shocking athleticism makes him the first Raptor to be in the dunk contest since Vince in 2000. And we all know how that turned out.

Great honour for a great kid who’s gonna wow ‘em with his stories of growing up in small-town Alabama and his tour of the alphabet soup of minor leagues.

A cynic might suggest now he’ll learn to go to the basket more often.

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Big time Bosh

Never mind the 40-11 he dropped on the Knicks – my man Grange ™ and I both thought he was going for 50 and he probably should have – he’s getting some cross-over appeal with that outstanding youtube all-star thing of his.

Picked up my copy of Newsweek on the way to New York (Barack Obama on the cover, for a change) and right the Perspectives page is wee note on Bosh’s video.

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A mirror image?

Every time I see Eddy Curry, he reminds more of Oliver Miller.

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Let’s go quickly to the mailbag for one:

Q: Seeing as Miami and Atlanta have to replay the last 51.9 seconds of a game due to Shaq fouling out in error, why didn't the Raptors and Hawks get a do-over last year when two Raptors points weren't counted? Isn't that even more critical to the end of a two point game then who is on the floor? I know they might not have an exact time of the mistake, but at least correcting the score and giving them say two minutes to play the rest of the game would have made sense.  Also, does Atlanta need to hire some new scorekeepers?

Jason C, Port Perry

A: No, it’s not. The Raptor points, you could argue, may have created a different strategical end of that game, but that’s it. The blown foul situation with Shaq directly determined who could play and who couldn’t.

That’s much more egregious, in my opinion. Of course, that won’t be shared by many of you but … And I'm not entirely sure the Raptors actually lodged an official protest when they found out.

But, yes, they need to whack that entire scoring crew down there.

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I’ve known Isiah Thomas for about 15 years now and the guy who was sitting in an ante-room doing a pre-game media session Friday night was not him.

Two-word answers to questions, none of the laugh that used to come so easily. Too bad, too. At many levels he’s a likable guy, at some he’s not.

But he’s really a Dead Man Walking and it’s too bad. If Jim Dolan were any kind of man, he’d do the inevitable now.

Seems Frank Isola in today’s NY Daily News thinks Dolan might just do that.

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How tough are the New York fans?
My boy Brian Mahoney of the AP recounts the Kid’s Day at the Garden this year when they had a little lass introduce the starting lineups.

Surely she’d get a pass from the boos that accompany every mention of Isiah Thomas’s name, right? Nope, they booed him – through her – no matter how it made the little girl feel.

Nice folks down there.

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That’ll be it for now, just got off a plane and on way to practice to see what Moon’s got to say for himself. Don’t forget, a bonus mailbag tomorrow.

The mail -- a lot of it -- gets delivered

You people are still too much. We’re over-capacity again in the mailbag this week. Some of ‘em are even good questions.

So, here’s a whole bunch of them, complete with snarky comebacks and witty replies; I’ll put another bunch up Sunday morning so I can sleep in that day before the big Portland game.

This week’s themes: A couple of trades, all about bathroom breaks and He Who Shall Not Be Named (and we’re not talking Lord Voldemort).

Q: Colangelo needs to start shopping Bosh around. What are the chances the dismal Miami Heat would give up D-Wade for our Gbbbumby-esque grasshopper man?

Craig H, Halifax

A: Here’s the conversation:

"Pat, it’s Bryan. How are you?”

"We’re 8-28, how the hell do you think I am?”

"Not that good? How’d you like to get rid of that pesky Wade fellow?”

"What? The only good player we’ve got? Nah, I don’t think so, not even for Bosh. But, how about Shaq? He’s only got about $60 million left on his deal.”

Click.

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Q: Unlike the travel tribulations that you beat grunts face, the players flying on the team plane must have an easier time getting through airports. I was wondering is the team goes through the same customs/immigration line process we mere mortals do? I can't imagine someone asking “Mr. Bargnani, you are travelling on an Italian passport, what is the purpose of your visit to the US, business or pleasure?”; or “Mr. Mitchell, you were out of the country for less than 48 hours, did you purchase any $1500 suits while you were away?"

The process that makes us apoplectic must be streamlined a bit for them.

Richard Y, Kincardine

A: Here’s the scenario Thursday at Pearson, I swear.

I’m in about a 60-person line to go through American customs and here come the Raptors.

They get not one, but TWO dedicated agents to clear them. A couple of them laugh and make funny faces at the poor dude in line.

I get through, eventually, and head to security. Wide-open lane, most of the players and staff have been through (they do have to take off their shoes and take out their laptops, just the like the great unwashed). I saunter over and the little lady manning the door shoos me away, “you’re not with the Raptors, sir.”

Stand in a 15-person security line before Little Lady motions some of us over when it’s obvious the Raptors are done. I’ve got my shoes off, laptop out, jacket off, belt off, boarding pass out and am about to slide luggage into x-ray machine when here comes Garbo. Wait, sir, they tell me. Wait for Garbo but, shockingly, am allowed to get my stuff x-rayed before Jose and Kevin DiPietro (the actual brains behind the travelling circus) go through.

Coming back? You don’t want to know. It’s even easier. Imagine a Canadian Customs guy coming on the plane to clear them. Yep. Although at Christmas, after that eight-day trip, Canada Customs did send about five guys over to check the luggage to make sure no one had exceeded the allowable limit of purchases.

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Q: First off, kudos to both you and Grange ™ for your blogs. Great stuff. As for rumours, I like your Mighty Mouse idea, and even Kurt Thomas. Not sure about Najera - I think he tends to disappear, and he's not much bigger than Delfino.

How about Matt Harpring? Tough, great defender, minutes are down in Utah. No idea what is contract situation is. Question - assuming what we get back is along the lines of grit, toughness, rebounding, who would you rather keep - Delfino or Kapono?

David L, Oakville

A: Harpring’s not a bad name to toss in the hopper at all. His contract? Two more years and just over $12 million, which is a pretty steep price.

Today? I’d keep Delfino if I had to make that choice for the rest of this season. And seeing how he’s not likely to get more than the full mid-level, he’s probably as good a long-term project as Kapono right now.

And Grange ™ and I thank you; From Deep is required reading.

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Q: Is the underhanded free throw extinct? How is it that arguably the best free thrower ever-Rick Barry-threw underhanded and we're hard pressed to even find one in today's game? Do you know of any within or outside the NBA.

Luka M, Toronto

A: It’s absolutely extinct. In this era of style over substance, I can’t imagine anyone having the stones to try it.

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Q: Hey Doug, wut’s up? I was just wondering, since you been covering the Raptors ever since their existence, and they basically revolve around your life, are you close to the players? I mean relationship wise? Can you joke around with them? Have a non-reporter related conversation with them?

Omar L, Toronto

A: Relationship-wise? Well, we don’t date. (Not that there's anything wrong with that)

But, yeah, we talk about other things, politics, movies, kids, the weather, fans, the league. You can joke with these guys (I believe Chris Bosh laughed the other day when I asked him if his girlfriend and cousin were friends with Andre Iguodala). This is a good group of guys, genuinely likeable, which makes it easier to work around ‘em six or seven days a week.

Oh yeah, “wut’s up” with that?

Q: For my first ever question to the mailbag I was waiting for the type of question that no one has probably asked before and I finally came up with it at work on Monday. Maybe it was the chicken salad I ate for lunch or just the thought of another long work week but whatever it was I was struck by a very immediate need to run to the bathroom. A movement of sorts.  Which got me thinking.

What happens when a player needs to do a number 2 during a game? As you probably know, sometimes holding it just isn't an option. Have you ever heard of anyone having to be taken out of the game to make a quick doodee? I appreciate your response even if this isn't the type of question you'd like to print but I assure you I really would like to know.

Jimmy, Toronto.

A: Ding! Ding! Ding! This week’s winner.

f the TV guys say a player’s had to go back to the locker room for “an equipment adjustment” you’ve got your answer.

One funny story: Two years ago, game at home. Matt Bonner’s not feeling all that well (maybe it was the chicken salad) but he’s on the court, gamer that he is. Now he’s gotta go, and fast, and the game’s going on. He signals the bench, everyone knows and they’ve got to foul to stop play so Matt can, um, go.

Except the guy they want to foul, right in front of the bench, is Jose, whose English at the time was a tad lacking. They scream and yell at him for about six or seven seconds before they finally make the universal gesture for “foul that guy” and Jose grabs the guy he’s guarding.

I swear, before the whistle stops blowing, Matt’s up the tunnel.

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Q: If Jose makes the all-star team, would it still make sense to send him back to the bench if/when TJ returns? I know Manu comes off the bench and is an all-star, but he closes out games for the Spurs and thus plays starters minutes.

Scott M, Burlington

A: It’s going to make sense whether Calderon’s in New Orleans or not. I would imagine that when T.J. comes back, he’ll spend a good chunk of time coming off the bench to get back used to the speed of the game and his teammates.

He did it last year for five or six games, I believe, and this year, too. I’d presume he’d do the same this time around.

Eventually, and who knows, it might not be until next season, T.J.’s gonna start again.

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Q: With the all-star game coming up, I'm wondering what the odds are that we'd ever see a format change to the game? Is there some way to avoid what is an assured 48 minutes of non-competitive, imaginary-defence basketball? I had the thought that something like a 3-on-3 tournament would work, but then that thought died of loneliness...

Mike D, Waterloo

A: I think they should do USA vs. The World to add a little juice to the game.

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Q: Watching the Raps play the Sixers and seeing Moon and Graham's athletic plays, it got me to wondering. Who do you think the all-time most athletic Raptors of are? Presumably, He Who Shall Not Be Named sits atop the list.

Dave G, Toronto

A: List time, like the olden days. Cool.

Nice shot. I’d put He Who Shall Not Be Named right at the top, with Moon second and Tracy McGrady third. The guy I’d have fourth, and maybe chasing Tracy, would be Martin Lewis. You may not remember him but the kid was a crazy athlete who was around the first season. Fifth? Joey’d be in the conversation for sure. How about Keon Clark? After all, by his own admission he was always drunk or stoned but he could do some wild stuff.

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Q: I have not heard any update on Garbo for a while. I mentioned at the start of the season, when Garbo was riding the pine, that the Raps could really use the guy at starting 3. Even though Moon has had some great moments, I still believe that we would be in a much better position if Garbo was starting. What's the chances of him playing again this season?

Troy S, Toronto

A: Garbo’s here in New York, think he’ll probably travel a lot now. He’s still in a cast that won’t come off until mid-February and I don’t think many are counting on him being back this season. If he is, it’s a bonus.

And, yes, they missed him greatly.

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Q: Do you think the Raps can go big for stretches with Bargs, Bosh and Rasho? Gives us a rebounder on the offensive glass (since both Bosh and Bargs are right now perimeter guys), and then go zone on D?
I'm not suggesting for long periods of time, but I think it would be an interesting wrinkle for five minutes.

Jim K, Newmarket

A: I think you might be on to something. Or maybe Bosh, Bargnani and Humphries. Bargnani’s defensive liabilities might be even more glaring playing threes but if they use some zone, and hide him other ways, it’d probably good to go real big for a few minutes, see how it works.

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Q: Here's one for Hoops 101. What does it mean when the announcer says a guy is going to the "left (or right) elbow" or in your blog where you talk about "Chris Bosh isolated at the left elbow?"

Andrew C, Toronto

A: The “elbow” is generally the foul line, maybe extended a few feet out from the lane. If the basket’s the head and midcourt is the feet, look at the basket and see where an “elbow” would be.

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Q: With all (?) the talk of retirement around here, is there a chance that you may give up your pen/typewrite/laptop to move onto greener pastures?

You've been on the beat since the beginning; maybe you want to write a novel?  Not that I pushing you out...your blog is a lunchtime fixture!

Jamie S, Thornhill

A: What pastures could be greener than watching 75 Raptor games a season, plus playoffs plus the pre-season? Nah, I’m not going anywhere, unless you’ve talked to my bosses and know something I don’t.

Now, if someone out there dangles five years guaranteed, at about $150,000 a year with a good travel plan) …

I keed, I keed.

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Q: If the Raptors are up at the half of a game, and I was to run into Chuck Swirsky in the bathroom during the break, would it be inappropriate to ask if he was Breaking Out the Salami and Cheese?  Would I jinx the team if I asked too early?

Geoff H, Toronto

A: I don’t know about jinxing the team but that’d be wildly inappropriate. And I’d give you a dollar if you do it.

I keed, I keed.

(Sometimes I slay me)

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Q: In an attempt to get Jason Kapono some more open looks, why not temporarily insert him into the starting line up until the point guard situation gets sorted out. Take Moon out and maybe he adds a spark off the bench.  He's athletic, can rebound, shot block, and at times beat players off the bounce which is what the Raps need right now from that second unit.

Michael D, Woodbridge

A: Been there, done that with Kapono as a starter. I think Kapono might even suffer playing with the first unit; not sure where his shots would come playing with Bosh, Parker, Calderon and Bargnani.

And he’s not the, um, best defensive player on the squad so it’s probably best he doesn’t have to guard starting small forwards.

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Q: Joey Graham goes from "lost man at the end of the bench" to getting non-garbage PT in 2 games in a row. Do you think this is at the behest of the GM, in an effort to showcase him for a potential trade? Sam doesn't seem like the kind of coach that would "fall in line" to do that.

Brian S, Toronto

A: I’ll take Sam at his word that Joey played 15 minutes against Philadelphia because he’d been practicing well and they needed his athleticism against a quicker Sixer team.

Showcasing isn’t really a thing that happens in the NBA, unlike, say, baseball.

But if they want to get something for Joey, having him out there, however he earned the minutes, is a good thing.

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Q: You mentioned the possibility of Roko Ukic being in T.O. next year. I love the situation we have now where TJ (injury issues aside) starts and Jose backs him up.

I think Jose has proven that he can handle more minutes than he gets when TJ starts so where does that leave Roko?

There's not much point of him coming to T.O. to pick up all of Darrick Martin's minutes.

Seriously, where would you see his place on this team?? I think he's close on 6-5 - could he see time at the 2?

Carl M, Port aux Basques, NL

A: I can see him playing some 2, too. I also see him watching and learning a lot by being the third point guard.

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Q: How about a trade involving Zach Randolph? He appears to be on the block in NY and knows how to rebound! - yes I admit he has a few issues.

Chris H, London

A: An approximation of a conversation I had with a guy this year:

Me to scout: “Love that Portland team.”

Socut: “Yeah, they lose 22 points a game (Randolph) and get better. What’s that say about him?”

Me: “Look at how he’s turned the Knicks around.”

Scout: “Hahaha. You slay me! (I said it was an approximation)”

Zach Randolph? Yeah, he’s just what a team with an offence predicated on ball movement needs.

Sorry.

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Q: Hey Doug, Reggie Evans was looking good last night, not great but good. He'd look even better bolstering the Raps front-line.

My question is, besides one of our superfluous players and some cap filler, is he worth a first-round pick keeping in mind that Raptors will be mid-bottom of the lottery the next few years? But also keeping in mind BC's keen acumen at uncovering mid-draft gems (Nash, Marion, Stoudamire, Barbosa!!)

Alex L, Sudbury

A: Reggie Evans is interesting. He’s got a rep as a dirty player (maybe worst in the entire league) but I’m told by someone who’s around that team every day that he’s a very good guy.

I don’t know if they could get him, or at what cost, but he’d be an interesting addition here.

Can’t shoot foul shots to save his soul but for rebounding and toughness he’d be solid.

Before the mailman gets here ...

Up early trying to wrap up the mailbag -- man, you ladies and germs are prolific -- have a couple items to get out of the way.

In a shameless plug (where have I heard that before? What a catchy phrase) for old friend Mike Katz, I'd be remiss if I didn't pass on the big weekend schedule for his U of T Blues.

(Actually, he wrote and asked to mention it, so I am).

Katz's Kats, a surprising 8-2 in league play, get unbeaten Carleton (10-0) and Ottawa (9-1) on back-to-back nights at home starting tonight. So, if you've got nothing to do, and who does a Friday-Saturday in Toronto? -- I'd suggest stopping by the gym and checking them out.

We don't do enough for CIS basketball, this is a good way to start.

Besides, in the Carleton gig, you have the wildly interesting matchup for former (Katz) and current (Dave Smart) national team assistants.

Winner gets a "framed commemorative piece."

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And Petro must hate me. Dude asked me days ago for my five "Pet Peeves" about the Raptors. I believe his were Bargnani, Bargnani, Bargnani, Bargnani and the outlandish price of beer at the Air Canada Centre.

Here's the problem: Unlike all of fanatics out there, I'm not overly concerned about Bargnani defending or Moon not driving or whether Roko Ukic will average 25 and 15 next year or be a bust and average 17 and 8.

I'm just a worker bee, I don't live and die with wins and losses.

But here goes anyway:

1. Night games (deadline horror).

2. Close night games (deadline horror squared).

3. No Oak, no zany quotes.

4. That dreadful March trip coming up (travel horror).

5. They don't serve meat loaf and scalloped potatoes (we pay) in the press room often enough.

Guess that's probably not what you wanted to hear.

Okay, now back to your cards and letters.

Be back soon with the mail.

The Morning After The Night Before, XXXII, with a twist

Who should get traded today? How about fired? Bench? Bought out? Oh, wait, they won! The coffee tastes a bit better today, doesn't it? And there's a spring in your step. It's a beautiful day. Until the next loss when it all come crashing down.

Gonna change things up a wee bit; we’ll still stick with the things I learned because you can never learn enough but we’ll sprinkle some other stuff in as well.

Way more fun this way.

And away we go:

Three Things I Learned

It’s 1-Up Reverse

Notice a new wrinkle in the Raptor offence last night? Chris Bosh isolated at the left elbow, point guard at the top, three others spaced out on the right side? Worked pretty well, too. Got Bosh to the rim more easily and also created a couple of open jump shots off ball reversal.

Asked an advance scout at the game about it. He said it was something they ran a lot last year, he's got it as 1-Up Reverse, but something he hadn’t seen in a handful of Toronto games this year.

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MIKE CASSESE/REUTERS

The Jamario Moon we love.

Do you cringe, too?

Love Jamario Moon’s defence and his athleticism and he’s the best shot-blocker they’ve had here since Marcus Camby, although Keon Clark might be in that conversation.

But when he spots up beyond the three-point arc, it’s scary.

He’s now shooting 26.2 per cent from long-range after missing two threes last night and I fear at some point Sam Mitchell’s head is going to blow apart when Moon launches one from out there.

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Who is this kid ref?

I’m a big fan of NBA refs, I think they’ve got an impossible job but do it well. And it takes time to learn the intricacies of the game.

We can only hope the young fella working last night – Mark Lindsay – is a fast learner.

You don’t often see one mistake corrected in a game, the dude did it twice last night.

Once blowing a block-charge call on Rasho, I think it was, ‘cause he didn’t see the Sixer was inside the restricted area and one of his co-workers corrected him.

Then he called a loose ball foul and was going to give the ball to Toronto before he actually looked at the colour of the uniforms and changed it to a call against the Raptors. A correct call but, still …

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First trip to the mailbag

Q: Where in the world is Maceo Baston?  Why sign him to sit?  Did Colangelo like Baston's cheerleading skills? Can't they at least eat some garbage (minutes) or package them for Steve Nash?

On a related note, how much does this team miss Garbojosa for the mere fact of eating minutes in the frontcourt with good basketball and his rebounding?  I'm going to guess somewhere between... a lot and A LOT.

Mike L, Beamsville

A: Steve Nash? Why stop there? Why not do Maceo and Darrick for Nash and Marion? Sure, there’d have to be some cap filler but Colangelo’s creative.

Maceo was in uniform last night, for the fifth straight game, I might add, but there was no garbage time.

They miss Garbo as much as you think. And more. He’d be a huge addition to this team.

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Still with the mail, here’s the weekly (or weakly) call to load up the inbox with your questions for tomorrow.

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Ran into Todd MacCulloch last night, he was in town doing his gig with the Sixer radio crew.

Aside from picking up some tips about places to frequent on the road – Todd’s an accomplished pinball player and knows all the places to go – he was telling me his feet are still bothering him a bit.

He’s got Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, a disorder that affects balance and mobility. Says he’s tried surgery, rest, acupuncture, various natural remedies and nothing’s worked.

That sucks.

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Saw a little note in the paper today that Portland’s Steve Blake left last night’s game with an injury.

Fans here better hope it’s not too serious because if it is, there’s no way the Blazers would even consider dealing Sergio Rodriguez.

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Back to the mail

Q: Who do you think gets fired first, Isiah Thomas or John Ferguson?

Evan G, Thornhill

A: Who is this Ferguson chap I keep hearing so much about and why does everyone want him fired?

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GM, who is a regular poster in the comment section, wondered yesterday about shootarounds and what we could possibly get there.

Here’s how it works:

We, well I because for the others would be a tad presumptuous, use shootarounds to gather material for early stories and other pieces we might be working on and, frankly, just to nose around.

This interweb thing, at least at our place, has created a need for a staff-written story to put up the moment the buzzer sounds. And because I cannot believe that anyone wants to read dry, boring, descriptive play-by-play copy off a game they’ve most likely seen, I like to write that web story with some quotes, and insight. I get those at shootaround.

And, every now and then, something newsworthy happens at shootaround. Like Oak throwing a ball at Jeff McInnis, or Oak slapping Tyrone Hill, or Oak saying something crazy (sense a theme here?). Or, in the absence of Oak, we get same to jokingly slag his marketing team or game ops folks for scheduling a Sam Dalembert tribute before a game.

And then I try to get that up on this site as quickly as possible so you can comment on it. After all, it's all about you folks. A true service industry we are.

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Speaking of Sam Dalembert, that was a very nice “framed commemorative piece” they gave him.

Not as nice as the maple doughnuts the nice folks at Canada Basketball dropped off for a peckish beat grunt before the game, but nice nonetheless.

I presume the soapstone carving is being carved?

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Here’s what the view from Philadelphia was of last night’s affair to remember (hey, someone should do a movie by that name!). I could have asked my man Phil to file me his story when we were sitting in the Harbour Sports Grille (home of worn out beat grunts of all ilk) but this is just as good.

Sam on Sam and ceremonies

You know, it’s a nice thing they’re going to do for Sam Dalembert tonight. They’ll let the Sixer centre stand at midcourt before facing the Raptors and bask in the applause of the fans who salute him for playing for Canada this past summer.

They’ll give him a “framed commemorative piece” according to the press release I’m reading (I presume they’ve run out of soapstone carvings and donuts) and all will be sweetness and light in the arena.

Don’t expect Sam Mitchell to get all warm and fuzzy. At shootaround today, he seemed less than impressed.

"Did the leave anything out?" Sam The Coach wondered. "Can they fly his mom and dad in or something? "All I can say is we’re supposed to be the home team. We’re supposed to make the visiting team be as uncomfortable as possible."

Dalembert, as you all know, got his Canadian citizenship and passport last summer, just in time to lead Canada to a fifth place finish at the FIBA Americas Olympic qualification tournament.

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Sam's little dig was the only thing newsworthy out of shootaround today. We got a lot of "it'll be a tough game, they're a good team, we have to rebound well, Reggie Evans and Sam Dalembert are a load down low, yadda, yadda, yadda."

Of scouts and trades and Sammy Dalembert

Been all sorts of visitors in town these past few days.

Scouts. All kinds of scouts and various brainiacs.

The Raptors had one of their high-level talent assessment meetings over the last couple of days as Bryan Colangelo summoned all his braintrust – the likes of Wayne Embry, Bob Zuffelato, Jim Kelly and Micah Nori – for a little chat.

Before anyone gets all worked up thinking this means trades are imminent, it was a previously-scheduled session to get ready for the big push through the end of the college season.

Still, you can imagine they did chat about the team’s immediate needs and how they might be met.

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You know who misses T.J. Ford the most?

Jason Kapono.

How many open looks did he get off Jose Calderon running the high screen and getting into the lane, a move Juan Dixon hasn’t quite mastered yet.

It’s part and parcel of the bench woes of late.

"(It’s) knowing how to manage the team, manage the minutes, manage guys’ shots, get guys shots," Sam said of the backup poing guard roll. “How good (Calderon) is at turning the corner, which sucks the defence in and creates shots for Jason and those guys.”

That’s what they miss.

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With my Philly Daily News man Phil Jasner apparently enjoying a game off, let’s turn to what the columnists are saying down there. Check out Sam Donnellon on Sammy Dalembert in the wake of Milwaukee’s win over the Sixers last night.

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If anyone’s looking askance at long-term point guard solutions around these fellas, I’m told by A Person Who’d Know that the legendary Roko Ukic will be here next year.

A sticky buyout problem seems solved and it’s make it or break it time for Ukic, who’s having a pretty good year in Italy.

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HEY!!! Dancing With The Stars on tour was here this week and NONE OF YOU wrote to offer free tickets. Shame!

Of course, Mel wasn’t here so the show wasn’t as good as it could have been. But still …

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Here’s a timely mailbag submission, and to make yours timely, just click here.

Q: With the Philly game coming up, you can't help but think of the 2004 NBA draft debacle where the Raptors ended up with the infamous Hoffa when they could have gotten Iguodala.

Now I know you don't think that he's a superstar, but obviously there's no question he would be perfect for the Raps now.

My question is, though, if you still think the Raptors would be better off if they picked him?

AARON HARRIS/THE CANADIAN PRESS

17-17 Raptors got you in a panic? Remember these days, folks.

If they had, they may not have been as bad as they were, Bryan Colangelo may never have ended up coming to Toronto, and we would never have had the great group of selfless guys who have gelled together so well the past two years (despite the the 'sky is falling' 17-17 predicament).

I love Iggy, but I think we're better off on the path we are now.

Dan P, Sarnia

A: If we could turn back time …(someone should write a song with that lyric)

Knowing what we know now, Hoffa was exactly the right pick; they wouldn’t have sucked so bad with Iguodala, they may not have fired the GM as quickly with Iguodala (although they would have eventually fired him) and they would not have been where they are today.

So, yes, selecting Hoffa was one of the greatest moves in Raptor history. And all the drudgery and hell everyone had to suffer through for two years was worth it.

Hoffa, though, is kicking some serious Russian butt.

There’s an ex-beat grunt, part-time musicologist and seer of all things political in the world (a guy who also has too much time on his hands) who reported last week that Hoffa’s averaging like 11.5 points, 7.4 rebounds, shooting 59 per cent from the field and leading his Spartak St. Petersburg team in fouls.

Go here to track Hoffa daily.

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I believe Eric Williams, Aaron Williams, Alonzo Mourning and two draft picks would not be enough in return for Mats Sundin.

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We are an insecure lot, aren’t we?

ESPN’s John Hollinger anoints Jose as an all-star and I get like a dozen e-mails telling me. It’s like we need vindication up here.

I know John, like him a lot, watched him and Sam have a very comical conversation about “European” basketball last time we were in Atlanta and I respect his opinion.

I concur. I think it’s a flat-out no-brainer that Jose’s the third-best point guard playing in the East today and I wouldn’t be at all surprised if he wasn’t in New Orleans.

It’s Chauncey Billups first and Jason Kidd second and then Jose. I think coaches will give Calderon consideration but if they go with just the two PGs, it’s going to take an injury for Calderon to get there. I don’t see coaches voting two backup PGs.

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My man Rob out in Waterloo, the same dude who wants old, injured, done, $20 million a year Shaquille O’Neal here, wonders if we ever concoct (leak, I think was his phrase) trade rumours that get GMs talking.

No, all we do is make GMs’ lives miserable for about the next six weeks. Most of the stuff you read about not only never took place, but it comes as a surprise to all those allegedly involved.

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Remember a few weeks ago in the mailbag there was a question about the court in Cleveland being raised a foot or so? I agreed with the writer who said it was a terrible idea and an injury just waiting to happen.

Well, was flicking between games last night and saw Seattle’s Jeff Green hurt himself falling off the court chasing down a loose ball.

Wasn’t a serious injury but it could have been and the NBA has to get the Cavs to change that next season.

Of 10-day guys and trade rumours

I’m sure a whole bunch of you are wondering why Darrick Martin’s not on waivers today so he could be released before tomorrow when his contract becomes fully guaranteed.

Two reasons, very simple:
The first, he’s got more value on the roster than off it. Not only does he continue to be an excellent presence in the locker room, I’m sure Bryan Colangelo wants his salary around to perhaps aggregate in some multi-player deal.

Second, the financial cost is miniscule. Martin’s deal was about two-thirds guaranteed in December and the savings now would be a couple of hundred thousand, which really is chump change.

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So it’s 10-day contract time, right?

Well, glancing back through old guides and in the dark recesses of my mind, here’s a list of five of the more obscure guys who’ve had 10-day deals here.

Dan O’Sullivan: Five games

Jimmy Oliver: Four games

Lloyd Daniels, Six games

Derrick Dial, Seven games

Art Long: Seven games and 10 days worth of denying the legendary story that he once punched a horse while a college player in Cincinnati.

Now, that’s a murderer’s row of 10-day guys.

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Let’s get into the mail bag early today:

Q: Your (Sunday) article on Bargnani's rebounding could not have been at a better time; it was a huge issue again on Cleveland's game.

My question is, why does Sam let it go when Bargnani loses rebounds to opposing players? When Joey or Hump or other young players make an obvious defensive mistake, they get benched on the spot. But Bargnani, a sophomore, seems to get the star treatment from his coach. For the benefit of this franchise, the coaching staff needs to make sure Bargnani plays the right way, even if it costs the Raptors a few games this season.

By the way, I disagree with your take that Sam should've put Bargnani back in fourth quarter. He deserved to be benched after being repeatedly out-rebounded by Gooden and Big Z.

Daniel H, North York

A: All players are not created equal. Sam, rightfully so, is going to let Bargnani play through more mistakes than Humphries or Graham because Bargnani has a much greater role in the future of the team and he needs to learn. And you learn by playing.

But, and this is a huge, but, it took all of four minutes in Friday’s game for Mitchell to hook Bargnani because of a huge defensive gaffe on a Chauncey Billups drive (Bargnani has his back turned to the paint instead of watching the ball and his man) and that was a solid message.,

And the reason he didn’t play in the fourth quarter against Cleveland was because of his poor rebounding and defence that game. Another message sent.

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T.J. Ford is off to the Cleveland Clinic this week to have another respected doctor take another look at his spine, neck and head.

Here’s the question and I have no answer: Do you think he’s looking for someone to confirm that he can play? Or that he shouldn’t?

However you slice it, I’ll stand by my mild suggestion yesterday that you don’t see him in uniform until at least after the all-star break.

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While we’re on the top of trading, and aren’t we all, here’s another name: Bryan Colangelo once obtained Kurt Thomas for his grit and his skill and his toughness. Could he obtain him again? That’d a solid addition, I think.

No idea what Seattle would want but …

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So, let’s say you’re Bryan Colangelo and you’re out there shopping. What do you offer? Despite pleas of the ‘sky-is-falling, they’re-17-17-and-it’s-like-the-KO-year-all-over-again’ segment of the population he is NOT going to shop Chris Bosh or Andrea Bargnani or Jose Calderon or even T.J. Ford.

Not gonna happen so quit bleating about it.

But what does he have? A bunch of swingmen who are the same guy, a veteran centre who has a year left on a substantial deal and some end-of-the-benchers.

What’s that get you? Nothing on their own but maybe in a package. So, when a deal happens -- and I honestly think there will be one -- look for it to be two-for-one, or three-for-two.

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I’m watching the Suns last night and all I hear Gary Bender talk about is their home court the ‘Purple Palace.’ Then I look at all my Suns media stuff and it trumpets orange.

They’ve got two colours? Cool.

Oh, then I switch over to the Golden State-San Antonio and all I can think of is, the Warriors have the greatest collection of uniforms maybe in pro sports. The one with the cable car, the one with the silhouette of California, the one with the numbers in the cable car? All outstanding.

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I love Gilbert Arenas. Good blogger, great player, outstanding quote machine.

Now, he’s not only talking about not playing again this season, he’s also suggesting it’s more important to him to win an Olympic gold medal than an NBA championship?

What a guy.

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One more from a regular mailbag contributor:

Q: (Monday) you mentioned the Raps should go after the Mighty Mouse to fill in for Juan. That would work for now, but what happens when TJ eventually comes back, which hopefully isn't too far away. Then he would just be another Darrick Martin. Isn't the whole reason he wants out of Memphis because he's not getting enough PT? And why's Sam sticking with Juan over Martin?

Amanda F, Barrie

A: Good point, Amanda. But I’m starting to think T.J.’s at least another month away and even then no one knows how good he’ll be.

Stoudamire would be a short-term fix who could be moved on somewhere else in the summer as he heads into the final year of his deal.

And I’ve spoken to Damon more than a few times lately, he wouldn’t have nearly the same issues sitting in Toronto than he does sitting in Memphis. He wouldn’t be on a championship team here, but he’d be on a playoff team; he’d be in a city he loves here instead of Memphis.

It may be a moot point anyway, I’m sure the likes of Boston, Cleveland and maybe even Denver will be calling about him, too.

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While we’re tossing out names of guys I think would look good on this team, add Eduardo Najera.

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That’ll be all for now, off to practice later, will let you know if there’s anything afoot. Doubt it, though. Oh, and to get into the mailbag, just click here, as you regular contributors know.

The Morning After The Night Before, XXXI

That’s the kind of loss that lingers. Seeing the mood in the Raptor locker room after the game – think dark, very dark – it’s going to take a day or two to get over blowing that lead against Cleveland.

VINCE TALOTTA/TORONTO STAR

The Raptors sure weren't laughing after this one.

Luckily for them, there’s no game until Wednesday. And I hate to put this out there but don’t you think all three that are left this week -- Philly, at New York, Portland on a Sunday afternoon -- are significant games?

Anyway ...

Three Things I Learned

Small lineup, small results

Watching the Raptors putter around on offence with a small roster in the fourth quarter – 20 points isn’t going to get it done – did it strike you that maybe they should have made a change? Maybe gone big? Put Bargnani back on the court and see if he could make some shots?

Asked Sam about it post game and he said: “We had to have guys who can try to help and then close out to their shooters.”
Which makes some sense but since LeBron was playing on one side of the court only, having Bargnani guard someone on the other side, where he wouldn’t have to help and recover, probably wouldn’t have hurt. It wasn’t like Devin Brown was gonna light ‘em up.

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Juan’s troubled times

Juan Dixon’s doing the best he can playing a position he’s not used to but the results of late have been bad. He hasn’t scored in two games and has had two assists total in his last three.

Here’s one for you: Go get Damon Stoudamire. Not sure what Memphis would want, but Stoudamire’s money isn’t too bad and he could be the kind of veteran presence this team could use.

The concern, in some quarters, is that the Raptors may not see T.J. Ford in uniform for another month (think post-all star) and I’m not sure they can go another 15 games or so in the current situation.

Would fans accept Damon back in a city where they boo him just about every time they see him? I’d think so.

One other name floating out there is Portland’s Sergio Rodriguez, who’s buried behind Steve Blake and Jarrett Jack. Even Sam Cassell would work, don't you think?

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Trickle down effect

Seven points in New Orleans. Five points against Detroit. Eleven against Cleveland. Some bench production, eh?

What used to be a strength is now a weakness and the reason, to these eyes, is simple. Force Jose Calderon to run with the first unit and it screws up the second. That may be an over-simplification but you’ve got to admit it makes sense, no?

Of course, some of the responsibility for the bench woes has to go to the guys who occupy it and Carlos Delfino, Jason Kapono and even the Hump simply have to play better.

Or else this is going to turn into a loooooooong few weeks.

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Three Things You Wondered

Q: Are the Raps the softest team in the NBA?

Jordan S, Toronto

A: No. They aren’t the toughest but they’re not the softest, either. I’d take ‘em over the likes of Minnesota, the Clippers, Charlotte and, yes, even Miami right now. I’m talking physical determination (like at the end of the New Orleans game) and mental toughness.

They could be better, sure.

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Q: Just watched LeBron go off on the Raps. We could not stop their "star" player. Varejao and Cleveland other bigs started banging our "star" around and he disappeared.
Franchise, max money players, have ability to shift to a higher gear and carry their team to victory when necessary. Is Bosh there yet and if not can he get there or is he as good as he is going to get.
Your thoughts on this issue please.

Brian A, Toronto

A: Bosh has not played well the last week, not up to the standards they expect at least. And until he brings that consistency every night, he’s not ‘there’ at all. He should get there, he’s got the physical tools and the mental discipline but it’s not been a quick process. It better become quicker because they need him. Every night.

I’m going to dispute the ‘disappeared’ tag. In the fourth quarter, Bosh had eight of Toronto’s 20 points, hit three of five shots, and three of Toronto’s five rebounds. He was a factor.

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Q: Hey Doug. Were you able to catch Boston-Detroit II (Saturday) night? Great game, lots of interesting storylines. I'm watching Glen Davis go off in the fourth quarter and I couldn't help but think of another undersized, second round pick of the Cavaliers a couple years back named Carlos Boozer. Do you think that Davis might have that kind of potential?

David T, Nashua, N.H.

A: Ready for the primary?

I don’t, actually. I like what Davis did in that game against Detroit but most of his shots were layups after others broke down the Piston defence. It’s not like he was making plays.

I do think Davis, despite being invisible in the three games against Toronto, will be a solid rotation player but never an all-star. Good, but not great.

He’d sure look good on this team, though, wouldn’t he?

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What they wrote

Check out today’s game story from my man Branson Wright in Cleveland.

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Mea culpa time

In Sunday’s paper, as a few of you pointed out, I wrote: "Toronto has had fewer than 10 turnovers in 12 games this season, they had fewer than 10 in the entire 2006-07 season."

Of course, what I meant was: "Toronto has had fewer than 10 turnovers in 12 games this season, they had fewer than 10 in 12 games in the entire 2006-07 season.

Oops.

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Don’t forget to fill up the mailbag by clicking here.

Another day, more mail

As I promised, here’s some more mail that could have been delivered yesterday. You folks continue to amaze. I see there's more in there today so guess I'll have some work to do this afternoon.

For now:

Q: A few weeks ago, I think after the Portland game, it was mentioned that a few of the Raps were perhaps getting on each others cases a bit. With everyone admitting that the time away from each other over Christmas was needed, I was wondering if you knew if any of the players, and who exactly, was perhaps getting a little bit chippy with each other during that stretch of games?

Rob F, Toronto

A: I think that was pretty overblown, as a matter of fact. I didn’t see any obvious friction outside of the normal, which usually manifests itself in questions about blown defensive coverages or ill-advised shots. This remains a close team – not as close as last year, I don’t think – and there have been no serious, specific flare-ups.

You’re going to get friction every now and then, they had a little last year, I’m sure. But that’s just normal. It gets forgotten pretty quickly.

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Q: Hope you had a great holiday. My wife and I both come from big Greek families so mine was all about gaining 20 lbs (my father-in-law's bbq'ed lamb chops are to die for) and visiting every uncle and aunt known to mankind. (Not so much to die for)

Now for my question: What kind of relationship do Bargs and Bosh have? I keep reading this locker room is great and everyone loves each other but does he push him, tell him his mistakes, is he happy that he's back in the starting line-up even though Rasho was playing great? Where do they stand as teammates and does it go beyond that?

Jimmy T, Toronto

A: On Bosh and Bargs: They have a good teammate relationship, they don’t hold hands and sing Kumbaya around the locker room or call each other every night to see what the other guy’s wearing to school the next day but they get along.

I have noticed more instances in the last four games of Bosh taking Bargnani aside during games to point out different things like defensive rotations and offensive ideas and that’s got something to do with them finally having to play extended minutes alongside each other.

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Q: J. Magloire plays only 4-5 minutes last night against Orlando.  What has happened to this guy? He seems to have lost it.

J.L., Toronto

A: Yes, I believe he has. I think as a backup centre who is supposed to rebound and defend, he’d be okay but I think he thinks he’s entitled to a larger role than that. On that Nets, he isn’t and it’s reflected in his time. If the Nets are starting Josh Boone ahead of him, that’s a signal that he’s far, far out of favour.

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Q: Do you think TJ would benefit by talking to Steve Nash about taking care of his back?  I know they are different problems but Nash seems to have a very good routine for keeping his back in game shape and this might have some significance.

Lyndon L, Toronto

A: Apples and oranges, unfortunately. T.J.’s problems are not muscular or anything that the kind of extensive preventative methods Nash undertakes could help.

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Q: I know you hate the whole trade speculation game, but I have to ask: what do you think about David Lee? Specifically, the chances of the Raps making a deal for him?  He's got the skills this team needs (rebounding and low-post play), he's not getting any minutes in New York, he reportedly wants out and he makes very little. Since Isiah seems capable of anything, can you see this happening? Would Colangelo be interested?

Nolan T, Toronto

A: I’m going to answer your question with a question: Is David Lee appreciably better than Kris Humphries? I don’t know the answer to that, honestly.

And I don’t think Lee, even if he is better than Humphries, is going to help Toronto win a playoff series.

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Q: I have a Basketball 101 question for you.  In close games nearing the end of the 4th quarter, I never understood the point of the trailing team trying to foul the leading team immediately after they inbound the ball. The leading team then gets free throws, which are relatively easy to make, thus increasing their lead even more. Does this strategy actually work for the trailing team? What is the advantage of this strategy?

Clement M, Toronto

A: To extend the game, it’s a simple as that. And hope someone misses a free throw. I know it’s not exactly the same but think of the other night, a 90 per cent shooter in Chris Paul missed two crucial foul shots with 25 seconds left in a one-point game, so it happens.

Fouling immediately stops the clock more quickly, which is why teams do it right away. If you’re going to extend the game, extend it as much as possible.

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Q: Hello Doug: Looking back don’t you think now that the trade Nesterovic-Bonner was a bad trade. Wouldn't it have been a lot cheaper to keep Bonner? It looks now that Nesterovic was a good idea to have only for last year, in Bargnani's rookie year. Now he is pretty much useless to the Raptors. What the Raptors need is a tough front-court guy who can rebound and play defence. Rasho and Bargnani are both soft, they don’t rebound well enough and they are both a defensive liability, the only difference is Bargnani is young and can score. By the way, Humps has been great, but they need another tough big man.

Thomas F, Edmonton

A: Hang on, you’re not suggesting Matt’s a “tough front-court guy who can rebound and play defence” are you? At the time, Toronto had no centres and Matt was very much a work in progress so it made sense then. And seeing how the Raptors have evolved, with more than enough outside shooting, it makes sense today.

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Q: Rasho has gone from starter to getting his first DNP-CD of the season.  Do you see Colangelo trying to move him (BIG contract with only next season left) in a big deal?

Brian S, Toronto

A: I’m sure Bryan will bring up Rasho’s name in trade talks over the next seven weeks but Nesterovic’s deal includes next year at around $8 million so teams might be leery of taking that on. A year from now, or in the summer, might be more likely.

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Q: Doug – would hate for you to actually have to watch commercials during the games (Thursday). Anyway, my question: Are the Raps running plays now to get Jamario a jump-shot from just inside the 3-point line? It sounds bizarre with so many bona-fide shooters on the floor, and given we all know Jamario’s better getting to the rim, but they seemed to run a pick-and-roll for him about a half-dozen times last game, and Sam didn’t look particularly exacerbated when he launched a 17-foot brick.

Alex L, Barrie

A: Commercials? I didn't have control of the clicker so I’m wasn't even sure what’s on besides the Iowa caucuses and Gossip Girls.

Anyway, my answer: If they are running plays for Moon, it’s to get him the ball to drive it, not shoot it. Every time he catches it on the wing, coaches and teammates want him to drive. A shot every now and then is okay to keep teams honest but when they give him the ball, they want him to go to the rim.

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Q: Over the years I have heard many references to Phil Jackson's 'triangle offence' with the Bulls and the Lakers. I must confess I don't exactly know what it is? Can you help?

Wayne M, Burlington

A: Probably not as much as some. I guess the short answer is that it’s a motion offence initiated more often by small forwards and shooting guards rather than point guards and doesn’t depend on a great low-post presence. It’s an offence of cuts and reads and really takes a team of familiar players to work at the optimum. It’s not something you can teach over night, or even in one training camp.

Of course, it’s easy to run a triangle offence when you’ve got guys like Jordan and Kobe to bail a team out when the shot clock’s running down and those reads and cuts aren’t working.

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Q: Any particular reason, other than cap space, that the Raptors didn't take a run at Richard Jefferson last summer? I thought then he was the type of player we needed, and it seems even more so now. He runs, drives, rebounds and just generally works hard. Average jump shot, but we already have a team full of so-called shooters.

Next, any comment on CB4's defence? He seems to be a good team defender but I've been suspicious of his desire in covering his own guy at times this year.  Few lazy turnovers recently as well.  Don't get me wrong, I think he's brilliant, but sometimes wish the intensity we see in him for short spurts was present for a full 48.

David L, Oakville

A: Um, they didn’t go after Jefferson because he wasn’t available.

Bosh’s defence? It could be better, no question. He’s a good help defender, not a bad off-the-ball shotblocker but he’s got to be tougher at moving his man off the block than he is.

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Q: Hey Doug, Doug here. Here's a B-Ball 101 question. In a tight game with the lead down the stretch and only a second and a bit left, on an inbound play like in the Hornets' game, why wouldn't the Raptors's toss the ball into their own court and collect it to kill the clock?

It seems to me like the easiest way to kill 1.5 seconds.  You would catch the other team sleeping and those ticks would slide off the clock once the ball was collected rather than trying to force the ball into a crowd in the defence's end and risk a turnover and (albeit a highly improbable) chuck down the court.

I guess it would go against conventional wisdom of keeping the ball as far away from your own basket as possible, but I'm sure most NBA players can pick a ball off the bounce with a very marginal chance of error (except for maybe araujo of course - haha).

Doug E, Toronto

A: On those plays, when the clock won’t start until someone touches the ball, all they want to do is complete a pass, anywhere on the court. If I’m reading you right, you’re saying throw it up and go get it? Why create a race when you can run screens and get the ball inbounds to someone?

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Q: Okay, here's my question: if you could turn the clock back to mid-2006 AND knowing what you know TODAY (please do not reply with "let's see where things develop in the coming months/years"; I'm strictly speaking about the knowledge we have available to us at the moment) would you do things differently so that the Raps line-up has Charlie V and LaMarcus Aldridge instead of TJ and Andrea?

Kevin R, Winnipeg

A: No. Because Charlie would be a backup three, Aldridge is the same player as Bosh and there’d be a weakness at point guard in Toronto.

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Q: I know you preach patience and I agree with you, but after the recent road trip I couldn't help but speculate on the longer-term future of the Raps.

Watching the play of the young teams in Portland and Seattle, one can't help but see an extremely bright future for both teams. Young stars, plenty of cap room, and strong draft positions for at least one more year. You could possibly add Atlanta and maybe even Charlotte to this mix.

When you compare the not-quite as young Raptors to these up-and-comers I wonder how good the future Raps will be. It seems local fans and media assume an NBA title challenge is on the not-to-distant horizon. But do the Raps currently possess the young talent the aforementioned squads do? Might it be quite possible that for the next three to five years, the Raptors will fill that Milwaukee Bucks/Indiana Pacers role - always finishing the season somewhere between 6th and 12th place in the East?

Joe S, Kingston

A: I think that’s the absolute worry, that they become some middle of the pack team that makes the playoffs but makes no noise. I do believe, though, that with continued improvement from within – Bosh, Bargnani and Ford, specifically – they will become a legitimate conference contender. I guess it’s possible, but I think they’ve got the talent, with continued improvement, to be much better than that middle-of-the-road team you’re referring to.

I see a much, much brighter future in Portland and Seattle than I do in Atlanta and Charlotte, by the way.

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Q: With no news yet of TJ even returning to practice it is pretty clear that the Raps need a serviceable back up to Jose. That appears to be Juan for now, but to me he still seems to look for his own shot too often. My question is why does Sam prefer Juan to Carlos at the point. Carlos did a great job doing it for Argentina this summer and too me just seems better suited to that position than Juan. Second question, do you think that this new role for Juan keeps him a part of the Raps after the trade deadline.

Paul M, Ottawa

A: He prefers Juan because Carlos already has a role and it’s less disruptive in the big picture to train Juan to fill that backup PG role than to give that job to Carlos and then have to find someone else to be a wing scorer/defender off the bench.

I saw Carlos in Vegas do an admirable job but I am quick to remind you that playing Paraguay and Uruguay and whatever other guays there were is not the same as running an NBA offence.

I do think Juan is off the table, tradewise, for the time being but there’ a long, long time ‘til the trade deadline.