The Morning After The Night Before, XLI

Zany game, isn’t it? Can’t make a shot or get a rebound one night, can’t miss the next and win the battle of the boards. Maybe Sam’s right, maybe it is just a matter of making shots. Everyone feel better today? Some love out there for Bargs. Sure. Today. Until the next time.

Oh, and you all went out into the night and gave your tickets to someone who could really use a slice of pizza today, right?

Here’s our regularly-scheduled stuff.

Three Thing I Learned

Coincidence? I think not.

RICHARD LAUTENS/TORONTO STAR

Pizza!

Did you notice that the two best three-point shooting games, and the two best scoring nights in a month (at Boston, vs. Washington) came when Bargnani got it going? No matter his shortcomings, he’s got to play because on nights he’s even okay from the field it just opens up so many more shots for everyone. Teams have to guard him when he’s on the floor and that creates space.

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Good things happen to good guys

From our department of late bloomers, we give you Roger Mason. Watching him drill three after three last night was cool. Here’s a good guy who kicked around a few years, stuck with it and is now playing a big role on a good team.

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One more Bargs

I swear on one move I saw him dribble with his head up. And the shot fake, two-dribble pull up jumper he hit in the third quarter was a sweet move.

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Okay, here’s why sometimes this job doesn’t suck.

Me and Sun No. 2 are in a cab to the airport in Washington the other morning and we strike up a conversation with the nice man driving. Small talk, mainly, ‘til he asks us what we do and we tell him we’re sportswriters.

"Have you ever heard of Oscar Robertson,” he asks?

Duh, sure, the greatest ever in the opinion of some.

Well, it turns out the driver had some stories. Great stories.

went to high school with Oscar and this might be the best cab ride ever.

The conversation, as I recall it unfolding.

"Oscar was the greatest, went to school with him,” says driver.

"When did you know he’d be great?”

"About the eighth grade, he could shoot your ass off then.”

"Did you play with him?”

"Nah, I was on the reserve team, he was varsity all the way. Did you know he had a brother?”

"Nope, didn’t know that.”

"Yeah, Bailey. Was a good player, too. Uncoachable, though, never made it.”

Wow, I’m thinking, this dude is cool. And then there’s more.

"You ever heard of George McGinnis,” Mr. Driver says.

"Um, yeah, of course. Who hasn’t?”

"Played with him, too; ran him off the playground when he was a kid, clumsy guy, couldn’t play. Guess we were wrong.”

Man, this is cool, I’m thinking.

"You guys see the movie Hoosiers?”

"Who didn’t?”

"I was at that game. Just like in the movie, Milan won, 32-30 and Bobby Plump hits the shot. We called Bobby “Country” back then. Wore a white T-shirt under his jersey. Country could shoot.”

Now we’re at the airport and all I want the dude to do is drive us around for a few hours telling stories.

"I’m retired now, my wife retired from the state department five years ago and I’m driving this cab ‘cause I’ve got to keep our marriage together. Gotta get out of each other’s hair.”

I know that the gentleman, a Mr. Proctor, will never see this but, man, did he make my day.

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Quick hit to the mailbag for a stats thingy:

Nik Wood of Ottawa wonders:

Another blowout win for the Raptors has me wondering if there is some sort of team record for blowout wins in a season. These guys seem to only win by 20 or more. How many have they had?

Interesting you ask. These dudes have now won four games by 30 or more points this year; they won three by 30 or more all of last season. The 39-point win against Washington tied the greatest margin of victory ever in a game (the last was against Atlanta on April 12, 2002).

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A quick tour of the web finds Ivan Carter’s take on Wednesday’s blowout.

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Okay, I’m going to say this once and only once. If the Nets, Portland and Dallas do that mega-deal involving Kidd it may end up that Jamaal Magloire is thrown in as cap ballast and waived.

If that happens, DO NOT SUGGEST THE RAPTORS SIGN HIM.

It is NOT GOING TO HAPPEN.

EVER.

NEVER.

Thanks for listening.

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Mail’s in, again

Q: Hey Doug, it's been bugging me for a while, and I figured I'd go straight to the source.  After each game, you put up the title, The Morning After The Night Before XL (This is 40 in Roman Numerals BTW); but the raptors played 44 games! What happened to the other 4 Mornings After the 4 Nights Before???

Louis K, Richmond Hill

A: Maybe I slept in? Or called ‘em something else? I do know I didn’t start until about Game 3, or Game III, as I recall.

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And, finally, you can forget about watching TV tonight to find out who the all-star reserves are. I’m going to tell you now:

East

Chauncey Billups, Jose Calderon, Chris Bosh, Antawn Jamison, Rip Hamilton, Caron Butler and Paul Pierce.

West

Steve Nash, Chris Paul, Carlos Boozer, Dirk Nowitzki, Marcus Camby, Brandon Roy, Amare Stoudemire.

You’re welcome and good day.

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Remember, it's mailbag day tomorrow. Send 'em here to give me something to do while watching games this evening.

Comments

[Dave]

What's the chance that the NETS make a trade with the Rockets? Kidd for Tmac +plus extra's to balance it out. We could see VC and Tmac again!

Blogger's note: Chance? None. The Rockets have about a billion point guards and the last thing the Nets need is an injury-prone under-achieving wing player. They got that Carter dude, remember?

[Mike]

Are you missing Joe Johnson from your East reserves? They're saying in Atlanta that he's in!

Blogger's note: They may be right, guess we will have to watch TV after all.

[Tigo]

sounds like i'll be rock'n the calderon jersey tomorrow at work

[yertu damkule]

am i the only one who sorta, kinda, maybe hopes jose gets overlooked for the allstar team? he could use the rest, and the snubbing would be a nice little rallying cry/motivator for the team heading into the (unofficial) 2nd half. don't get me wrong, i think he definitely deserves it (he's been the 2nd best PG in the east this year...and no, kidd ain't no. 1). it's not always a bad thing to fly under the radar, so to speak.

[steve hallman]

Doug,

can you confirm for sure that jose is in the all-star game....or should I actually watch tonight? where did you hear it from?

Blogger's note: You, and everyone else, should watch TV. I heard it in my mind, which is a cluttered place some mornings.

[DougG]

I guess the last two nights are an illustration of why one shouldn't have a nervous breakdown based on the results of last night's game. It also means one shouldn't get too excited about a win either I suppose.

I agree that the team is much better when Bargs is hot. The problem is the inconsistency, something that seems to affect all but Bosh and Calderon, who bring it pretty well every night.

Given that we do not have the pieces to get a star player is there a role player out there you think would help us on those nights when the shots are not falling Doug? There seems to be a consensus that we need a "banger" as BC puts it.

Blogger's note: I'm sure there are more, but I'm thinking Kurt Thomas or Reggie Evans fits; and, of course, any trade for a rebounder, if it doesn't involve Rasho or Hump, will mean the end of signficant minutes for Hump; Rasho would be the fourth big, behind Bosh, Bargnani and the new guy, in my opinion.

[Eric]

I think it's too easy for coaches to overlook Calderon this year and that's why they will. He's still seen as a backup, rightly or wrongly, perhaps the best in the league, but still thrust into the starter's role only due to an injury. His numbers are, as a result, borderline all-star in terms of ppg and even apg. It has nothing to do with his play, of course, more to do with his coming off the bench for the first 20 games, but it's still a factor. They don't want to be announcing this guy as an all-star with just 12 ppg and 8.5 apg. You're just inviting unhappy fans in Detroit or New Jersey who would have ready-made arguments! His starter's numbers ARE worthy but he simply hasn't been one for long enough. I would be shocked if he got in tonight. He's a nice guy, a great player and coaches like him, but coaches don't always vote for their favourites. They know how this game works, too.

[Fire Lord]

Jose an all-star?!! I can already see what's gonna happen on TV tonight. Charles Barkley is gonna be like "Calder-who?!"

I REALLY hope you're just toying with us and Calderon doesn't make all-star team... because it'll mean some team out there is gonna offer him a MAX deal. Think about it, Pau Gasol has a max deal and isn't gonna make all-star. Same with Rashard Lewis.

All-Star Calderon = ex-Raptor Calderon come September

Blogger's note: Only in Toronto do I think it's possible that a fan would be openly cheering against a Raptor to make an all-star team for fear of what might happen in July.

[><]

Bad Doug bad!

You're just fanning the Tj vs Jose flames with your cocky "I'm going to tell you now" predictions. All hell just broke loose on RealGM. For shame!

[Stephen]

So what is it? Is Joe Johnson in the AS game or not? There's conflicting information out there.

When you post something like that, seemingly claiming it being fact, you better be right.

[edgar]

yeah guys sorry to burst your bubble but there is no way any US coaches will consider Jose (a second allstar on one team) over Joe Johnson (Hawks are much improved). Joe Johnsons stats make him look like a poor-man's Lebron. I think everyone should be proud of Jose being a bubble player because, after all, Allstars are the best players on their teams and perennial allstars are franchise players (Joe, Dirk, Bosh) I agree that Jose making the team might not necessarily be beneficial to his career or the raptors....

Blogger's note: You gotta talk to that other dude. How in the world can you think making an all-star team is "not necessarily beneficial to his career?"
I don't get you folks at all.

[David Phillips]

Now that Stoudamire is gone to the spurs, where do the raptors look for a backup point guard? Dixon plays good in my opinion when hes playing off from the ball, I noticed yesterday when delfino was bringing it up it allowed dixon to come off screens and get comfortable.

Blogger's note: They look deep in the heart of Texas

[Ellie]

What a great photo -- huge contrast to the bench's lackluster response to Parker's OT-prompting three on Tuesday night.

[Mike]

What's with the demon beside Jose in that picture, and who is he casting a spell on?

[yertu damkule]

douglas - are you so obtuse as to not recognize the potential psychological benefit TO THE TEAM should jose be snubbed? collectively, they love the guy, and i think each & every one of them would feel insulted...and motivated to prove to everyone how valuable he is. doesn't hurt that the guy who'd be seen as the snubber would be the coach of their division rival, would it? i've heard you mention here before how valuable the mental aspect of the game is...doesn't that come into play in this case? think of charlie V - when he was drafted so high, the raps, and by extension, himself, were roundly criticized. he used that as motivation & had what you'd have to agree was an excellent rookie season. i fail to see how jose being snubbed may not have the same effect, but extended to the team as a whole. hey, i know you think i'm an idiot, but whatever. if you'd prefer all we commented on were ridiculous trade scenarios and 'what's a pick & roll?' questions, so be it.

what's a pick & roll?

Blogger's note: I am not going to get drawn into a series of back-and-forth comments, I am far too busy and you are obviously far more insightful than I and your interaction with these fellows on a daily basis would give you the ability to suggest they were be "insulted" by Jose not being added to the all-star game and play even harder against the East. Meaning, of course, that they don't play as hard as they can now.
Anyway, thanks, again, for writing.

[Robert S]

Hey Doug, with the Leaves sucking up the NHL, I think the Raptors are in danger of having too many Leaf-brained fans cheering for the best sports team in Toronto.

[Chi of Steel]

Hey Doug,

Why stop at snubbing Jose Calderon? I'm sure the Raptors would be fuming great if Chris Bosh doesn't get on the team as well! I mean, imagine how much better the Raptors would have finished the 2nd half of last season had Bosh not been voted by the fans. That extra motivation would have given us a new franchise record in wins! This year, the Raptors would have much more pride playing on a team with 0 all-stars than 2 in their starting line-up. That sounds perfectly logical, or maybe yertu dense to figure it out. [/sarcasm off]

[Stephen]

I've noticed that you didn't respond to my first comment (not that you were in any way obligated to). I guess you're sticking by whatever source gave you that information?

We'll see the truth tonight, I suppose.

Blogger's note: The "source" was my wee brain and imagination and a couple of conversations I've had over the past few days. I could be dead wrong, guess we'll find out soon.

[John M]

I love how all these guys talk for the players, what do they know. They aren't in the locker room, they don't talk with them. It makes me laugh sometimes, someone stating that X player would feel this way if something happened. Go to the raptors site and load up the interviews with the players, and you will see it isn't a big deal to Jose in his own words. Thats to the posters on this blog, not you Doug.

Anyways good game obviously last night, Bargs needs to get more consistent because having one good game out of 5 doesn't cut it. The rebounding is still brutal, and even though they "won" the rebounding battle last night they have a long way to go. Bosh and Bargs need to learn how to box out, at least attempt to put a body on a guy, not just let someone slip past you for the offensive rebound. There are too many times when both bigs just stand there when a shot is up and seem to blank on what they should be doing.

[TMF]

I will admit that I am slightly frightened by the possibilities surrounding Jose's agent being able to put "All Star" on his resume this coming offseason.

Rashard Lewis isn't even an All Star, and he got $120 mil!

[Damian]

I hope Bosh doesn't make the all-star team. Then they'll be SO insulted and play like demons, we'll end up needing to modify the scoreboard so it can accmmodate 4 digit scores!

Anyone but Bosh!!

[CARLoS]

My two cents on this whole debate of Jose being an All-Star.

Wouldn't it be beneficial to the team that Jose, CB4, Moon, and Bargs all go to NO? That kind of experience has ego-boosting qualities. Something that would help the Raptors, no? Imagine Moon as dunk champ, Bargs and Bosh each game's MVP, and Jose showing off his Assist-Turnover ratio.

Only good things can come of this. As long as Moon doesn't get hurt jumping over that Got Milk? cow.

[Travis]

Wow Doug you are letting Yertu have it. I think the point he is trying to make (which I agree with), is that if Jose Calderon makes the all-star team his contract automatically spikes up another couple million annually. I would love to see him make the game, but I would also love to see him in a raptors uniform for the next 4 to 5 years, and I would not want an all-star game appearance to jeopardize the raptors ability to re-sign Calderon (I know we can match any offer, but BC must have a limit as to how high he would be willing to match).

[RaptorMike]

Bosh And Billups Headline Eastern Conference Reserves
January 31, 2008 - 7:04 pm
TNT -
The NBA announced the reserves for the 2008 All-Star Game via TNT on Thursday.

Eastern Conference Reserves
Chris Bosh, Toronto Raptors
Caron Butler, Washington Wizards
Paul Pierce, Boston Celtics
Chauncey Billups, Detroit Pistons
Richard Hamilton, Detroit Pistons
Joe Johnson, Atlanta Hawks
Antawn Jamison, Washington Wizards

Blogger's note:
West:
Steve Nash, Phoenix
Brandon Roy, Portland
Chris Paul, New Orleans
David West, New Orleans
Amare Stoudemire, Phoenix
Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas
Carlos Boozer, Utah

[Stephen]

If you "could be dead wrong," as it turned out you were, you probably shouldn't have posted it the way you did.

Blogger's note: Probably not.