It's called a slump, pure and simple

And a fine good morning to you all.

Had a whole bunch of “What’s wrong with Jose?” questions over the last couple of days, given his rather ordinary play this last week.

I think it’s a combination of fatigue and the expected lulls that all players hit at some time during the season.

I don’t for a second think it’s got anything to do with T.J. coming back, as more than a few of you suggested. Calderon has played well alongside Ford in the past, he will again in the future and I know his personality, he’s not one to worry about who else is on the roster or on the floor or on the bench waiting to take his place.

A lot of the turnovers he’s committed have been silly and unusual for him, dribbling the ball off his foot, throwing Oakley-esque passes into the front row. That, to me, is nothing more than mental fatigue rearing its ugly head and I’m certain he’ll snap out of it.

His shot’s been a bit off, too, and while I don’t expect him to shoot 60 per cent from the floor the rest of the year, it’ll come back.

It’s called a slump, ladies and gentlemen, he’ll get out of it. As a wise old sage around baseball once said, slump’s are like the common cold, everyone’s got a remedy but they still take two weeks to cure.

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Stan (hearts) Jose

Take a read of Brian Schmitz in the Orlando Sentinel today. He hits the nail on the head about the playoff ramifications of the big game and Stan Van Gundy reiterates his love for all things Calderon.

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Story time:

When you're watching the game tonight as I am (I hope we get a halftime infomericial on how great the Marlies and FCs are) check out the media seating, which is on the baseline stretching out from right next to the basket on the same end of the court as the Raptor bench. It's a good seat, if a bit crowded, but a tad dangerous, too.

Can't remember exactly who it was (maybe Mike Clarkson of our paper way back in Year 1 or 2) but someone was sittng there minding his own business when, lo and behold, Shaquille O'Neal (in the slimmer, quicker version of Shaq) came barrelling out of bounds chasing a loose ball, tried to vault the press table and stepped squarely on the beat grunt's laptop.

We live perilous lives, us beat grunts do.

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Yes, they rebound horribly. They give up way too many offensive rebounds and second chance points. Yes, it’s got as much to do with blow-bys on the perimeter scrambling the defence and getting the bigs out of position.

But here’s one for you: The Raptors have actually out-rebounded the opposition in 28 of their 58 games so far this season.

Can’t imagine it happening tonight.

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Kevin in Toronto wonders:

Doug, can you honestly see the Raps making it to the Finals within the next three years? Your honest opinion, please.

No, not a chance. With two or three new pieces? Like two wing players and another big? Yep. I can.

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From yesterday’s mail:

Q: I'm not sure if this has ever been done before, but what are the chances of a charity game between Raptors' management/coaches and Raptors' media?

On the media squad, you could have Leo Rautins in the middle, Michael Grange at the 4 and Sherman Hamilton play a very small SF. In the backcourt, you could have the tandem of Jones and Smith with Jonesy running the point. Of course, you could be the first guy off the bench to be the Vinnie "Microwave" Johnson on this team of (not-so) Bad Boys.

For the management/coaches, Jay Triano could run the point, Mike Evans could play the two, Alex English at small forward, Sam Mitchell at PF and Bryan Colangelo in the middle.

This could be a great addition to Raptors' Fanfest with all proceeds going to the Raptors' Foundation. I, for one, would donate some cash just to see Sam take out some of his frustration with the media guys on the court. And seeing Bryan C in something other than a designer suit with his signature collar would definitely be worth the price of admission.

Mike M, Ottawa

A: Ding! Ding! Ding! We have a winner.

Chances are nil but I’m sure lots of people would love to see it.

And while I appreciate the kind words, the only thing I’ve got to do with a Microwave is how to use it to heat up pizza.

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Speaking of the mail, you see the link for questions now under that scary picture? Well, it seems to work. Had about 55 yesterday alone and that’s an awful lot. Trouble is, there’s simply not enough time to answer them all. So we’re going to have to be a little more discerning here, I’ll sill do lots and probably get up a couple of mailbags a week but if you don’t see yours, don’t despair. It’s not that I hate you or you’re too negative or too positive or not from a unique foreign place like Accra or anything. There may be other questions on the same topic or your topic might just be a tad out of date.

End of rant.

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Did you notice …

Caught that Jazz-Mavericks game last night and saw the horse-collar takedown Nowitzki used on Kirilenko.

As soon as Kirilenko hit the floor and it looked like a ruckus might have ensued, did you see the Jazz assistants? They immediately went and stood in front of the bench to make sure no player took even a step on to the court.

Bet they wish they had that kind of discipline in Phoenix. If they’d done that last year in the playoffs, the Suns might have an NBA championship to their name.

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One more from the mail

Q: I read your blog (Monday) morning and figured I'd rephrase the question I asked last night to keep it from seeming like I was dumping on Mitchell. I'm not. I'm a huge Smitch fan.
Now, my memory is likely failing me but last year there were times that Garbajosa played small forward for the Raps. I was wondering what the difference between Garbo and, say, Humphries, playing the position. It would seem that Hump could help with some of the rebounding problems (esp. when playing with Bosh and Bargnani) and would give up anymore defensively then say, Jamario Moon.
Anyways, I'm sure there is a good reason, just not sure what is.

Matt M, Calgary

A: Had a couple of questions yesterday on this possibility. Here’s the answer for all of you:

If Humphries ever gets Garbo’s basketball experience, intelligence, ability to knock down a three-pointer when needed and overall ability, I’d say Hump can be a three. That, my friend, is never going to happen. Which is why you’ll never see Hump at that position.

Comments

[Mike]

As far as the Jazz go, I wouldn't be as worried about the players coming off the bench as I would the coach. Jerry Sloan is one tough S.O.B. and I might also bet that could have alot to do with the Jazz players not coming off the bench to enter into an on court altercation. Who would want to deal with the wrath of coach Sloan?

[Ellie]

Calderon's most recent blog post acknowledges that his legs have been tired and that he's glad Ford is back to share the load: http://www.josemanuelcalderon.com/docs/080229_ben.pdf

[CARLoS M.]

I think this team is really missing Garbo. He just always seemed to make the right decision (except for playing on a broken leg) when it mattered. He hustled and played with some onions. Glue guy or whatever you want to call it, the Raptors are missing an on the court leader. Bosh puts up good numbers but his ability to raise the caliber of his team mates seems to be lacking. What are the chances he plays again this year? Would they resign him after his contract is over?

Blogger's note: I'd say it's slim, not impossible but very, very slim, that they get him on the court this season and it's far too early to even hazard a guess about the end of next season.

[GM]

As Yogi Berra once said (he may even have said it a couple of times): "I'm not in a slump. I'm just not hitting the ball." Or as some ratballers say (okay, I say it): "You're either hot or you're due." So keep firing away!

If Phoenix had that kind of discipline, they'd have won a championship?? Haven't you heard, Doug? Phoenix "couldn't win" the way they were built. That's why they're soooo much better now with Shaq... Er, wait a second.

[Mike S]

Basketball 101 for you: If a player puts the ball in his own net (a la David Lee last night) who gets credit for the basket? The last player that touched it?

Blogger's note: That would indeed be the lucky soul

[Fire L]

This is how Sam Mitchell needs to act to get the raps to rebound. For Michigan it was 25 offensive rebounds. For Raps, it was 32, meaning Sam needs to be 28% angrier and nastier than this guy.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/03/01/michigan-basketball-coach_n_89365.html

[AK]

Did anyone catch this quote from Joey Graham the other day?

"I'll play the one [point guard] if I have to," Graham said at Tuesday's shoot-around in Orlando. "I'll play the five [centre]. It doesn't matter. I'm the most versatile player, I think, in the league."

Doug please tell me you were there for this? If so, how did you and your fellow beat grunts keep a straight face?

Blogger's note: Unfortunately, I missed that great moment in Raptor quotes. Am not on this trip because the Lewis and Clark Adventure out west starting Sunday is long enough.

[Pete Z]

Reading that Joey quote, I am inclined to think it's high time the NBA Anti-Drug Program paid the Raps' locker a visit!!

[Mark M]

Cassell signed with Boston after March 1st does that mean he will not be allowed to play in the playoffs?

Blogger's note: No, a player only has to be on waivers by March 1 in order to be eligible for the post-season. Cassell was so he's okay.

[Ian]

This is one of most selfish displays of ball-handling by a guard I've seen in quite a while. If you ever needed to see the difference between the two guards, this fourth quarter couldn't draw a starker contrast.

Why aren't any of his team-mates, or more properly, Sam, smacking Ford upside the head for thinking he's the only Raptor on the floor?

[Dave]

Ford cost the Raptors another game. He took all 8 shots to start the 4th. Most of the shots were not only contested, Ford was smothered in a forest of big players. The hole was too big by the time Sam put Jose back in.

[Tom]

Hey Doug what would be a good plan to play good for a game? Its cause I have a school basketball game comming up and I really want to win this game. We have been losing 2 games in a row, and for me that sucks. Please tell me what is the best plan to beat another team.

Blogger's note: I always go with the 'score more points' philosophy

[Zack]

Forget TJ's 7 turnovers for a minute. What about Bargnani? He is the one who has the most to prove with Bosh out and he is not delivering. TJ's turnovers came with 20 points and can be chaulked up to frustration with his teammates. Bargnani's disapearance game after game when we need him most is just baffling and frustrating.

[Roger]

Doug, I need to ask you the question again, why Raptors had better record without TJ Ford's service for the past two years?

We may have the answer already. TJ Ford and Sam didn't give Raptors any chance.

What Ford was doing in 4th Q? He disallow his teammates having any shot ATTEPTS at all, he not just wants to beat Kobe for ballhogging, instead, this guy wants to take ALL shots. He made one, turned over the ball twice. How many turnovers this guy had?

And Sam Mitchell, not only he allowed this to happen, it appears that he encouraged him doing this.

It is unfair to all other hard working Raptors players, like Parker. You can't win any game with your point guard playing like this. TJ and Sam didn't give Raptors any chance.

As a sportwriter, you don't want to address this too "directly", however, Sam Mitchell and TJ Ford exactly are the problem of this Raptors team. When people repeately said 47 wins, they should ask the similar question, while everybody is important, how much Jose and rest of his teammate's contribution (less TJ) to it?

[P.]

I didn't like TJ's performance in the 4th of last night's game either, but let's not kid ourselves here thinking it would make a lick of difference if he passed the ball to his teammates. It's not as if they were lighting it up from the perimeter from passes from Jose, our "All-Star" PG.

[Uncle Zeke]

Doug, why no response to my letter from last week asking about Rap's staff mismanaging Bosh's injury? Looks now like Bosh might be out much longer than the 3 games of wishful thing... This could turn into something that derails the Raps season.

Are you not allowed to criticize Sam Mitchell? Has anyone actually seen you and Sam Mitchell in the same room at the same time? Seems like Mitchell has been getting a free-ride for along time in regards to strategy, Bargnani and now handling Bosh's injury. With a guy that talks down to the media so much I can't understand why you give him such an easy time. Is he that intimidating?

Coach of the year doesn't provide immunity from crticism. Rick Carlisle was fired the year after he won COY... Pistons won the title the year after... Mitchell is an extremely overrated coach and that Raps won't be any more than mediocore with him leading the way.

Blogger's note: I don't know where to start. Mismanage his injury? Oh, I think I recall it was your contention that the staff blew it by leaving him to play 41 minutes against Minnesota. Well, that contention went out the window when Bosh said he felt no pain that night. Anyway, I'll leave the rest out there as your little rant.
Thanks

[Uncle Zeke]

Every article I've read said Bosh felt pain in the knee directly following the Minnesota game. Maybe just maybe when your star player tweaks the knee he's had trouble with in the past you sit him in the 4th quarter of the following game's blowout. Plus the fact that they attempt to trot him out there again for the following game. Considering the fact that he's now facing an extended layoff there clearly appears to be an issue with the knee. Connect the dots...

Mismanagement is most definitely the word. Either the medical staff isn't staying on top of things or the coaching staff is willing risk their star player night-in-night out on meaningless regular season games. Sometimes you don't listen to the player in regards to their medical health. The Garbajosa situation for example... That's the reason they pay medical professionals to do their jobs.