The Morning After The Night Before, LVXI

Look at it this way, it’s almost over. The trip, not the season!

And for that we can all be thankful.

Here a look at the latest carnage, and I want to thank some of you usual ranters, the inbox wasn’t full to over-flowing last night. Some, but not as many.

Three Things I Learned

Time for a change?

The coaches spent about 20-25 minutes behind closed doors after the game and I can imagine they were talking about one thing: Is it time to change the starting lineup? Giving up 35, 44 and 32 points in each of the last three first quarters is inexcusable.

But here’s the question: Do you do one tonight (Moon) or do two on Wednesday (Bargnani and Moon)?

Me? I just do Moon but I wonder just who takes his place.

If you replace him with Kapono, what’s that do for the second unit scoring on nights when Delfino’s not making shots? And while Kapono’s defending better (“he’s trying to box out now,” one person told me on the weekend), can he guard starters?

The thing with Moon is all the stuff he’s supposed to bring: Defence, rebounding, energy, are lacking most nights. And teams have pretty much stopped guarding him.

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Looking good

Not sure if there’s a better matchup in coaching clothing and fashion than Sam Mitchell against Reggie Theus.

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How he got them

Yes, that was Jason Kapono out there scoring 26 points, the most he’s had in a game in the last 42. Every half a season, I guess, he goes off for more than 20.

But the interesting thing is how he got them. Most of them came in transition, when he’d either trail the break and get open looks, or get out in front and hit pull-up jumpers.

If they can get him those shots, and if he’s got the energy to play like he played Sunday night (he was quicker and more engaged than he usually is), he’ll play a big role in the final 15 games.

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A quick grab into the mailbag:

Q: I just finished watching that disgusting display of basketball against Denver. I am embarrassed to be a fan right now. Can you make a list of the most embarrassing Raptor moments ever? I'm sure 81 is #1 but today has got to be in there somewhere right?

K W, North York

Ever? Wow. There are lots

Here’s some that come quickly to mind:

81, ‘nuff said.

Chris Childs and math.

Giving up 152 to the Clippers in ‘98

Rafer wondering if he should ‘retire’ after Sam and he argue on the bench in Boston

The night in Year 1 when they handed out balloons after half to fans sitting under the basket to distract free-throw shooters. And gave them to fans at the wrong end, the end the Raptors were shooting at.

Late in Year 1, Brendan Malone plays four two-guards at the same time and at halftime, a seething Isiah Thomas rips him in an in-game scrum.

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The Fashion Police were out last night. No, not critiquing Sam’s and Reggie’s looks.

First Sacramento’s Francisco Garcia and then Toronto’s Moon get hit with delay-of-game warnings for getting ready to go in the game with their shirts out of their pants.

It’s a silly rule but it’s on the books. I’d hated to be the guy who cost his team a technical foul of his ‘shirt-out’ penalty was the second delay of game call of the night.

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They aren’t dancing in the streets of Sacramento over the win (at least not in the early-morning darkness of this hotel parking lot) but here's what they're writing.

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Speaking of Salt Lake, we’re there for St. Patrick’s Day and, as one guy joked on press row last night, he’s been told that means they’ll leave the bars open until 6 p.m. for the revelry.

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Here’s one more from the mail

Q: During the second quarter of the Kings game, the stars aligned for one of the most unprecedented plays in Raptors history. Jason Kapono attempted a rare three-pointer (missed) and Rasho threw down a ferocious put back slam. My question is why does a player of Rasho's size dunk the ball so rarely? It seems like he prefers flip up baby hooks when he could easily dunk the ball, but why?

Nick H-C, Vancouver

A: Why not? Still counts two points, right?

Why the fascination with dunks over layups or jump hooks? Who cares?

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You never know who you’ll meet where.

We’re pulling into the parking lot at the Arco Arena on Sunday, showing the nice lady directing us our passes so we know where to go.

"I know you,” she says. “I’m Andre Miller’s aunt, he was on fire last night.”

Yes, indeed he was. And his aunt’s a very nice lady.

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Okay, couple of people wondered what in the world Linas Kleiza would possibly jawing about at the Raptor bench in the final seconds of a 30-point Denver win the other night.

Well, seems he was pointing out to Kris Humphries that he didn’t feel Humphries was worthy of being a lottery pick back in the day.

And Jay Triano took exception to Kleiza’s chirping, which got Kleiza all worked up and ended up with him picking up a ‘T.’

The second delivery of the day

Hi again, kiddies.

Here’s the last of the weekend installment, hope you get a chuckle out of ‘em, or learn something from them.

Had a dude write in to suggest that I not answer questions about: TJ-Jose, Jose’s contract or, I can’t remember what the other one was. Not a bad idea and seeing how there are lots of good ones here and in this morning’s other mailbag, I think he’s got a point.

So let's keep those to a minimum, okay?

Thanks

Q: Do you think the lawsuit will affect the signing of Jose next year?
The lawsuit probably means the end of Garbo in Toronto?

Will S, Richmond Hill

A: No, I don’t think the lawsuit has anything to do with either of them, as a matter of fact. It’s business, pure and simple. It’s between the federation, the Raptors and the insurance company.

Whatever happens with Calderon and Garbajosa in the summer was going to happen, this lawsuit hasn’t changed Toronto’s thinking on either of them, the Raptors want them both back.

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Q: Given (1) what happened when the Raps let Garbo play for Spain last summer and (2) Bosh's rash of injuries this season, what are the chances that Bosh will even try to suit up for the U.S. Olympic team this summer? The Raps can't afford to lose him for a huge chunk of next season. He needs the summer to heal up - again. Your thoughts?

Rex R, Brandon

A: Interesting case. I fully supported Garbo’s decision to play for Spain and I’d fully support Bosh’s decision if he plays for the Americans.

I will say this, though, playing for Spain means more to Garbo than playing for the United States does for Bosh.

I think the Raptors will leave that decision entirely up to Bosh who, if you recall, bowed out last summer because he wanted to rest. However, the Olympics are way bigger than the Olympic qualifier so I’d imagine Bosh would want to play if it’s at all physically possible.

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Q: I came up with a theory as to why you're slightly more forgiving of Ford than many fans. You beat grunts always have your noses buried in your laptops in the second half, pounding out a story. You look up now and then, and certainly follow what's happening after the fact, but you don't see what leads to a particular stat lots of times in the second half. Is there anything to this theory? How much of a given second half do you think you see? That's gotta be one downside of the job. You get to see all these games live, but you have to work and thus miss the most compelling parts as you're frantically trying to get a story sent in within minutes of the final buzzer.

Guy M, Vancouver

A: Interesting theory.

But let me lay out a typical game night for you:

I do some interviews at shootaround and pre-game, transcribe the tape in the afternoon or in the final 45 minutes before the opening tip and formulate in my mind what the bottom of the game-over story might read like.

Then I watch the first half and type between 300 and 450 words at halftime, a chunk of copy that constitutes the tail end of that first story. I usually file that in the first minute or two of the third quarter of a late game or have it saved in a file for a 7 p.m. game

Now comes the second half, which I watch closely, typing in trends and notes and runs and the like during stoppages in play and the break between the third and fourth quarter.

It’s not until there’s about four minutes left in the game that I get serious about a lead and the top 350 or so words of the story because so much could still unfold. But, whatever transpires, I generally only type during stoppages so I can see what’s going on.

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Q: I see it took Gabriel L from HK 5 tries to get his question answered; I'm only on my 4th but I thought I'd give it a shot. Which active ex-Raptors would you like to see on today's team?

Ron F, Toronto

A: Marcus Camby. And Chauncey Billups. And Tracy McGrady. In that order.

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Q: Hey Doug, to follow up on your answer a few days ago regarding salary cap/tax threshold...you didn't answer the meat of the question.

Do you think its worth going a few million over the tax limit to get a key player here if that translates to more wins, more season tickets, more playoff home games, more profit?

I understand that no player guarantees instant success, that Toronto seems to have a "no-tax ever" philosophy, and that going over the tax isn't required for success (see Spurs, San Antonio) so try to go beyond that in your answer.

Alex L, Sudbury

A: For Kobe? Sure. LeBron? Absolutely. KG? Oh yeah. Anyone else? probably not. Teams have proven again and again that spending like drunken sailors doesn’t always work.

It’d have to be a case-by-case decision but there are few cases where I’d think it’s worth it.

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Q: Is there any chance that when the All-Star game comes to Toronto that it will be played at the cavernous Skydo...err... Rogers Centre instead of the ACC?

I remember that game where the Raps beat MJ and the Bulls at the Dome was one for the ages for the 30 000+ in attendance that day.

Being able to have 37 000 fans instead of   just 19 800 attend the game means us regular joes might actually be able to get a ticket. Also, ticket revenue would be almost double, and we all know the NBA is a business first and foremost.

Franny T, Markham

A: And let Rogers have all the in-house concession revenue? Don’t think so.

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Q: Your comment about how Rod Thorn did well with Kidd's trade (considering that Kidd went public with his demand) made me think about how well Glen Grunwald did in his first year as the Raptors GM.

With Isiah leaving, ownership turmoil, player injuries, Damon demanding a trade and in the middle of a 16-66 season, Grunwald was able to flip Damon for what became Antonio Davis (Anderson for Billups for the 5th pick in 99 for Davis), Alvin Williams, Keon Clark (1st rounders for Kevin Willis for Keon Clark) and Dee Brown.

Maybe it's debatable, but I think that the Raptors situation in the 97-98 season was worse than the situation in New York right now.  And GG was able to turn Toronto around within 1-2 years into a playoff contending team.

What is GG's capacity with the Knicks?  Does he have the authority to make trades or is it Isiah's (and ultimately Dolan) call?  If Isiah goes, is GG tied to him as well?

John S, Toronto

A: Glen, one of the all-time nice guys, had a good run in Toronto, and his steady leadership right after Isiah left calmed the waters incredibly. He made some very good moves, and some dubious ones (Michael Bradley, Yogi Stewart) but, on balance, he was very, very good.

In fact, if he’d had his way, the story is, the Raptors would never have hired Kevin O’Neill, which means Glen wouldn’t have been fired and who knows where we are today if that happens.

He’s the assistant GM in New York, think of him as the school of sober second thought over there. I’m not sure of his exact contractual situation but I can see him sticking around in transition if Isiah leaves simply because he’d provide a level of calm that organization needs.

The first delivery of the day

Good morning (well, at least it is here). This would be the first of a couple of batches that you’ll see today, give me a few hours to wade through the rest and get some answering done.

Have fun reading:

Q: Something occurred to me watching highlights of the Rockets' 20th win. T-Mac has been at both ends of the spectrum as far as streaks go. During the 2003-2004 season the he was the reluctant, angry and embarrassed face of the Orlando Magic when it endured a franchise record 19 straight losses. And now he's enjoying a 20-gamer.  I wonder if he is on a short/long list of ALL-STARS who've experienced both?  Can you think of any?

Richard A, Markham

A: Don’t forget Tracy was part of the 19-game losing streak with the Raptors in 1997-98, too.

Others? It’d be a very short list, I think. I’d bet Elton Brand is on it, he went through some tortuous times with the Clippers but at least got one playoff round victory under his belt.

More? None come quickly to mind but I’m sure the gentle readers out there will comb their minds and find some.

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Q: I'm a T-dot resident doing the school thing here in Ottawa and I'm always craving Raps news. Can you believe they don't even cover basketball in the SPORTS sections here?

Anyway just one quick question, Charlie V or Andrea, who's the better player now? And who's a better fit for this team if you had a choice?

Chi L, Ottawa

A: Let’s put it this way: Villanueva’s got better stats on a worse team; Bargnani will have been a starter in the post-season both of his years in the league, Chuck’s never sniffed the playoffs and likely loses his starting job to Yi next year. So, by the only thing that really counts – winning – Andrea’s better. Different, but better.

A better fit for this particular time: I’d say Bargnani, he’s younger, has more diverse skills and will be a better player when their careers are over.

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Q: Long time reader, first time writer, have a good appreciation for the qualitative and unbiased reporting you present. Love the Oak stories.

Question on Bargs. He has been staying out of foul trouble recently; I think something like 11 or 12 fouls in the last seven games (before Friday). So is this because he's getting smarter, is he getting more respect from the refs, or is it just a lucky streak.

Rahulan S, Winnipeg

A: He’s starting to realize you have to move your feet on defence every now and then, he’s avoiding – for the most part – the silly offensive fouls he’d get and the ones he’d commit 40 feet from the basket. It’s also got a bit to do with the kind of guys he’s covering, too.

But it’s also a bit a lucky streak because we all know he’s thisclose to committing two fouls in the first two minutes of any game he’s in.

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Q: Yeah it's me again... as if the mailbag is not yet loaded enough, huh Doug! Allow me to squeeze in some more...

1) You know, even a kibitzer would notice that Jose is not his normal player self lately. Do you think his emotions towards TJ's recent discontent and shade of selfishness might have some bearing on his focus and effectiveness, rather than fatigue? How far could the 'Me, Myself and TJ' attitude disrupt the team's chemistry, and what is Bosh doing as a leader of this team to restore order?

2) What is your perspective on the anti-youth movement direction taken by the Suns, Cavaliers, Spurs and Mavericks and how you would compare it the opposite stance chosen by teams like Blazers?  Do you know how BC and Smitch see it?

Rikki C, Burlington

A: I think this whole “leadership” issue tends to get over-blown. These are grown men, professionals, with lives and families and responsibilities. Bosh is there like any teammate would be, to offer suggestions when he’s asked, to encourage and help smooth over some tough times. So what he’s doing is what he’s always done. Be around, be professional, lead by example.

The anti-youth movement? I think it’s great, I think veterans with lots of experience winning are vital to championship-calibre squads. And I know Bryan and Sam feel exactly the same way. And I bet when Portland’s knocking on the door of legitimate contention, they’ll be looking for some ‘old heads’ as well.

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Q: When it comes to PG play, we seem to be on the wrong end of Shakespeare's "times" assessment, i.e. it is the worst of times. TJ is playing like a spoiled brat and screwing with the team's unselfish personality, just so he can become king of the sandbox again. And José has done just the opposite: he's become very passive all of a sudden, unwilling or unable to put his stamp on the game. Solution: sit TJ's skinny butt on the bench for all but 12 minutes a game until he gets the message. As for José, since the opposition has taken away his typical passing lanes sans Bosh, and Rasho's no real threat on the pick and roll, make Bargs the picker. He'll command the respect that Rasho fails to, and then, just like when Bosh is on the court, it's pick your poison time. This way, you'll have José more open for the midrange jumper, or Bargs will get some nice rolls to the hoop. Problem is, right now Bargs very rarely sets that pick. Your thoughts, Monsieur? (I only add that question because otherwise it comes off as a questionless rant that you won't publish. Whoops! Did I say that out loud?)

Lee Z, Ottawa

A: Nice recovery from rant to question; you’re a veteran around here and have done a fine job.

They do run the high screen-and-roll with Bargnani often, as a matter of fact, except that he always pops instead of rolls. Believe me, they want him to mix it up and either slip the pick and head down the lane or just simply roll. I actually asked Sam about this the other night in Oakland and he said:

"Why don’t you write a story about that. Maybe if they read it in the paper everybody will roll more often.”

The Afternoon After The Night Before, LVX

Okay, so we’re sitting is this great work room at the Kings practice facility, HD TV showing North Carolina-Virginia Tech, it’s about 15 C outside, sun’s blazing and, you know, it’s not so horrible.

The 4:30 a.m. wakeup call in Denver wasn’t the greatest, nor was the packed flight with two, um, substantial people sitting next to me but it is, as they say, what it is.

So here we go

Three Things I Learned

Not really much to say

They sucked, they know they sucked, they’ll likely suck again but probably not as bad. They went over the tape, saw their horrible defensive effort and they know where they went wrong. Friday night, it was execution rather that coaching. Talked to a bunch of players quickly after the game and they all talked about knowing what they were supposed to do but, inexplicably, not doing it.

It was a brain cramp, a collective brain cramp. One of many, too many, actually, but they do have 18 games left to get this thing turned around.

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Bad omen

In the first half, as the game’s over, it was interesting to see Sam call on Maceo instead of Primoz in that second quarter. I’m hoping the dude who has the Resign Primoz web site didn’t pay a lot for the name.

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How’s this for a stat

Since Feb. 1, Jason Kapono, the world’s greatest three-point shooter, has made three three-pointers. Since Feb. 1, 6-11 centre Marcus Camby of the Denver Nuggets has made four three-pointers.

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Here’s a quick one from the mailbag

Q: Watching the Denver game and hearing about people talk about the air in the arena being thin making it hard for players to catch their breath got me thinking. Does AI or Melo have trouble when on the road because they're not used to the air? If it doesn't matter then doesn't that give Denver an unfair advantage over the competition?

Ron Y, Markham

A: Interesting point. I do note that the Nuggets are 24-7 at home and 12-19 on the road. Maybe you’re on to something. Or maybe life on the road’s just too much damn fun.

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As we were thumbing through the record book as the first half unfolded, we harkened back to March 13, 1998, the infamous 152-point Clipper beating at the old urine-smelling L.A. Sports Arena.

And there were three of us, probably more, who witnessed both drubbings.

I was there, it was a Friday night, game started at 10:30 and I’m not sure with deadlines that anyone got to read about it; Marcus Camby was there, and so, too, was Clipper legend Darrick Martin.

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There’s really nothing going on in the local Sacramento paper setting tonight’s game (they’re all over the Kings-Suns in Phoenix tonight) but here’s how Denver played the Friday night atrocity.

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One more stat, sort of telling

In Toronto’s last nine games, teams have shot 50 per cent or better from the field in six games and in a seventh, they shot 49 per cent.

Oh, and on Feb. 29, the Raptors were 11^th in opposition field goal percentage; today, they are 20^th. That’s quite an alarming drop in a very short period of time.

I Learned I'll Be Late

Yet another early morning out here, yet another early flight.

And that's going to delay the usual morning after diatribe for a few hours. Maybe it'll give me a chance to try and make sense of it all.

Nah, I doubt it.

Anywho, talk to you from Sac-town sometime.

This may not be big news but ...

Just got back from shootaround and, lo and behold, what did we see but Chris Bosh doing a little jump-shooting and low post work.

And he mentioned after that he was going to try to get some running work in before tonight's game in Denver, which can only be good news for the Raptors.

Don't expect to see him in uniform on this trip -- I still think the earliest he'll play is Wednesday at home against Miami -- but if there's no lingering pain after tonight's workout, there's a chance he'll do some more at practice tomorrow in Sacramento.

I know it's baby steps but at least it's steps and figured you'd all want to know. I'm just that kind of guy.

Not much else to report from over there this morning except that they are a tad concerned about what AI and Carmelo Anthony might do to them tonight, seeing how the Raptors can't really guard twos and threes any night and should be especially, um, challenged by two of the highest scorers in the league.

Here's what Sam had to say:

"They’ve got guys who can really score the basketball and they really push it in this building so we have to get back on defence, our halfcourt defence is going to have to be good, we’re going to have to try to make them play in the halfcourt.

"We’re going to try to play some zone … you’ve got to try to show ‘em bodies. Those guys are both getting to the free throw line double-digits apiece."

And that'd be about all there is to report. You're welcome, now off to write the first edition plugger, you lucky, lucky readers.

Regular delivery, an irregular time

Sorry I’m a bit late, time zones and all, although we are an hour closer to home here in Denver.

Lots of good ones this week and a lot of, um, other ones.

But there are lots, enough that we’ll do an extra one on the weekend, as always, to clear up the backlog. So don’t fret if you don’t see yours here, it’ll get up soon, I hope.

Q: Since I've become strangely attached to getting my daily dose of your Raptors blog, I hope this one makes it in.

I've read comments about Jamario remaining in the starting line-up, and I wanted to know if you think it's because of the inconsistency of Delfino. It seems like he plays amazing for 3 or 4 games, and then hits a slump where he's shooting air balls. Do you think that's why Jamario remains a starter? Since he's more consistent and a better defender than Delfino?

Melinda F, Toronto:

A: Delfino’s play does factor into it a great amount. I talked to a couple of the coaches over the past few days and they are pleased with the way Jamario’s defending lately, he seems to have fought through that rookie wall, and I also think he’s played pretty well in the last 10 days or so.

One thing they do like is that he gets his points in the flow of play, rather than having to have plays called for him; and he doesn’t dominate the ball when he’s on the court. And they figure what he gives them defensively in the first few minutes – to set a tone – out-weighs his periodic lapses offensively.

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Q: Hey Doug, not getting much support from you for my get-Josh-Smith-to-the-Raptors-next year fan club. You'd rather have Nocioni? Please explain.

Max R, Toronto

A: I think it’s more realistic to look at a guy like Nocioni, or Jefferson or even Mike Dunleavy for a couple of reasons. When you’re trying to make a trade, you pick the teams you think want to trade. A team that under-achieves (Chicago), a team that’s going nowhere (Indiana), a team rebuilding (New Jersey) or teams with financial woes.

A young, up and coming team like Atlanta may not want to move a piece like Smith, which makes sense. I’m not saying Bryan won’t ask, it just might not be realistic at the other end.

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Q: Hi Doug. I met you briefly at the airport (old terminal 2) a couple of years back. Long time reader, first time writer. Keep up the awesome work!

My question is about the Nets, do you think Rod Thorn could be one of the best execs in the NBA? I watched them beat the Cavs last night. I honestly think they are better since the J Kidd trade as they added a serviceable defensive big man in Diop, and I love Devin Harris. Add in Jefferson, I like Boone, and he who shall not be named and they have a pretty solid team. Do you think they could be a dangerous team in the East? (if they make the playoffs)

PS I can't believe that the first question I've submitted to you is about the Nets. Kind of sad really..

Malik M, Oakville

A: I’m a big fan of Rod Thorn and what he did with Kidd was excellent. It helped that he had a willing over-spender in Mark Cuban to deal with but considering how Thorn’s hands were tied by Kidd’s public demand for a trade, he did a great job. But now he’s got to decide if the retooling is complete or whether he can turn Jefferson, or Voldemort, into some good young pieces. I think he can.

If they make the playoffs, though, I see them getting dusted quickly, and with very little fanfare, but either Detroit or Boston. They have no inside presence whatsoever and Harris, while good, is very young.

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Q: Hi Doug, I was just wondering who you think the better Raptors team is/was - The Raptors without Vince Carter back in the day when they made the playoffs with a late season surge, or this version of the Raptors without Chris Bosh? I actually think the team way back without Vince seemed to be much better than this group of guys. This group has more talent but that team worked so well together down the stretch and almost beat Detroit in the first round! Can you attribute the Raptors poor play without Bosh to coaching? It just doesn't make sense to go from an above average team to pretty much the worst other than Seattle, Miami and Minnesota. This team was supposed to be built on depth but I have not seen any depth yet. I would really appreciate your thoughts.

Ryan M, Uxbridge

A: I’m not sure it’s coaching because I think Sam right now is a better coach than Lenny was that year. But I agree that team was better, and played better. The one thing that team had was Antonio Davis, who provided a toughness and an inside presence this group doesn’t have.

The depth thing is interesting with this group: Yes, they have a lot of guys, but guys who are all inconsistent. You don’t know what you’re going to get each night from Delfino, and Kapono for that matter. TJ’s having his, um, issues at the moment, as we all know. Up front, Hump will make five shots in a row and then take two crazy ones and Bargnani can be all over the map. So the depth is there, it’s just not there every night.

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Q: This has probably been asked already but I thought you'd might want to humour us...

When a GM wants to sign a free agent (let's say it's a huge superstar like a Kobe or LeBron - ignoring the fact that they aren't available for signing), what tools can he use to convince that superstar to leave their home and start anew in a different city, other than money and playing for a better team?

If you were BC, in what ways would you convince players to come play for Toronto?

Mary L, Ajax

A: Technically, they can offer no inducement because of the rather strict salary cap rules. What GMs do use when they’re making their pitch is a chance to play more regularly in some cases (a guy who’s a backup may be told he’ll have the inside track on a starting job), a chance to play with different players who may allow a free agent to do more, coaching comes into it, too.

If I was Colangelo? I’d pitch the city, the promising nature of the team, the chance to play with an all-star in Chris Bosh, the way the organization treats its players (first-class travel, all the support systems they’d ever need) and good beat grunts to ask them probing questions. Okay, that last one might be a stretch.

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Q: This is the fifth time writing and it would be nice if you can print this out.

My question is, should the Raptors drop a few games in the standing on purpose to get a better match up in the 1st round of the playoffs?  Since if playoff starts today, they will be playing against LeBron and the New Cavs, but if they manage to finish 6th they will be playing the Magic.  From what I have seen this season, playing against the Magic is a much better match up for the Raps than playing against LeBron! What do you think?

Gabriel L, Hong Kong

A: And this’ll be about my zillionth time answering this particular question.

No, they cannot “try” to finish sixth, it’s folly. What if they try to finish sixth and Cleveland catches Orlando? What if they try to finish sixth, they can’t stop the losing and they drop to seventh and get Detroit?

It’s ridiculous to try and plan where you want to finish. You play games to win them and see where that gets you in the end.

The Morning After The Night Before, LVIX

Sorry to be a bit late, again. Time zones. Ack!

But apparently, lots of you stay up late with the computers on. Re-wrote the game story for the web (one of the benefits of the web, I guess, readers get fresh quotes and a new story that’s more detailed than the one in the paper) in about 45 minutes. Checked e-mail and had about two dozen in that time. That’s dedication, and passion. Or something like that.

And away we go:

Three Things I Learned

Here we go again

Lots of T.J. angst out there, and more than a little hate. Yes, he wasn’t very good dominating the ball in the fourth quarter; yes, he should have got the others involved more often; yes, he took some crazy shots. No, he wasn’t particularly good, as you’ve heard both Sam and AP hint at.

But there can be a balance, and when he finds it, it’ll be like last season when, if you all recall, pretty darn good and so was the team.

Right now, it’s a struggle but the first step in rehab is admitting you’ve got a problem and maybe last night was that step.

And there has to be some change in style; it's not like there are any other options this season. Jose's not playing particularly well and it's not like there's anywhere else to turn. Fans can only hope something clicks, or Sam gets to TJ to change -- just slightly -- his ball dominance at crunch time. -

I (heart) Golden State

That’s a fun team. No conscience at all, they play the same up 20 or down 20. It’d be torture to cover ‘em every game ‘cause you could never safely say a game was won or lost until the final minutes but to watch them: Very cool.

Monta Ellis might be the most under-rated player in the league (although a two-guard going off on the Raptors is hardly something unusual) and I will just say this once: Andris Biedrins was drafted 11^th in 2004; the size-starved Toronto Raptors chose Rafael Araujo eighth.

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Did you see that?

Bargnani’s in the low post, has the smaller Mickael Pietrus on him, backs him down patiently and then calmly hits a fadeaway jumper. That’s a big man post move and shows that maybe all that work in practice with Alex English is going to pay off.

Quietly, the kid’s been pretty good lately, hasn’t he?

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Oh, and One Thing You Should Learn

Guess I got this right.

Amid the dozens and dozens of e-mails I awoke to this morning, there was more than a few suggesting I am anti-Ford and more than a few suggesting I’m anti-Jose.

Perfect!

Like a trade where both teams win.

Here's the thing: I'm not 'for one' or 'against another.' If they mess up, you comment on it, or write about it. My definition of 'messing up' is obviously different than yours, and that's cool. I do think both are good, both have things they bring to the team that the other doesn't and if the Raptors are going to do anything in the post-season, like a win a series, both of them have to be playing at high level. Neither are right now. -

Once into the mailbag

Q: Okay Doug, I'm finally doing it, I'm posting a question, hoping you'll show it on your blog and my husband will be oh so impressed that I made it to the Big League (note: I did read that buttering you up helps get noticed, so I'm trying my best here...) 

Been a Raptor fan for a few years and I have my favorites (hello Mr. Jose). But - what's the deal with Darrick Martin?  He's not on the inactive list (at least, last game I was at on Friday), but he's in a suit.

Also, I saw your note on onions, and I thought it was related to seeing such a beautiful play, that it would put tears in your eyes, like, um, onions. I guess I'm still naive about these things...  Salami and cheese? Equals, game over, go make a sandwich?

Gavinder B, Toronto

A: I hope hubby’s duly impressed.

Darrick actually is on the inactive list, along with Garbo and Bosh. The list can change night to night, though, so maybe he gets a chance to put on a uniform sometime soon.

That’s a unique ‘onions’ explanation, wish it were true but, alas, it’s got more to do with the other stuff than tears to your eyes.

You’ve got the salami and cheese thing down, though.

Maybe we should do a Swirsk-to-English dictionary, put it on the shelf next to the Oak-to-English tome.

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Janny Hu in the San Francisco Chronicle chronicles the game like this.

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So, I’m travelling from L.A. to S.F. dressed rather casually on Wednesday, wearing a t-shirt my man Jack Armstrong gave me, a shirt wit his visage on the front in that classic “Hello!” pose. In fact, it’s got “Hello” written on.

Standing in line at some Starbucks at LAX chatting with a woman killing time, she looks at the shirt and says, “Is that Bush’s dad?”

Fast forward a few hours, get to San Francisco, standing in line at the car rental place and the lady behind the counter looks up and says, “Hey, is that Bush on your shirt?”

Jack Armstrong as the elder Bush? Never saw the resemblance.

But if people are thinking I’m wearing a shirt with Dubya’s dad on it, I gotta retire it for every trip to the United States lest people get the wrong impression.

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Here’s another one from the mail and I have to say, it’s waaaaaaaay more refreshing than a ‘what’s wrong with T.J. or when are they going to fire Sam’ query.

Q: Great game eh? This might be a stupid question but you know how in different sports, players in different positions use slightly different equipment. Example, a defencemen in hockey wears a harder skate to protect against blocked shots or how an outfielder in baseball uses a different size glove than that of an infielder.

Are the shoes that the basketball players wear tailor to various positions? Like does Steve Nash wear a point guard shoe while Tim Duncan wear a shoe for centres? Thanks!

Matthew M, Scarborough

A: Interesting question. Guys wear shoes that are tailored their feet, rather than their position. No difference in, say, weight, just difference in stuff like width and size.

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Speaking of Jack Armstrong and adult beverages (we were, weren't we?), you realize Monday is St. Patrick’s Day, right?

We’ll be in that bastion of Irish boozing, Salt Lake City, and I bet it’s standing room only in all the beer emporiums that dot the downtown core.

But you’ll also get to see the great green Raptor jerseys (I believe they may even on sale for you to fatten up the coffers of MLSEL because nothing says St. Paddy’s day better than a green dinosaur) and even green shoes.

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Baron Davis is at the free throw line late in the game and some of the yahoos in the stands starting the old, yet boring, ‘M-V-P, M-V-P’ chant.

Got me thinking there are apparently 31 MVPs this season. One from every team and Toronto gets a bonus one ‘cause of the, um, zanies who chanted when The Gangster was shooting free throws.

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Let’s finish off by checking in with our folks in Denver to see what’s up with the Noogies before tomorrow’s game.

The Morning After The Night Before, LVIII

About the middle of the third quarter, one guy on press row turns to the guy next to him and says, “I’ve never seen so many people wearing sunglasses inside.”

Dude on the other side leans over and says, “posers.”

Welcome to Staples Centre.

And, to cap a starlet-free trip, here we go:

Three Things I Learned

Kobe’s good

Now, wait. Kobe’s really good.

Hang on. Kobe’s freaking out-of-this-world good.

One play: He’s on the left baseline, gets by his man (easily and I don’t remember who it was) but has his path blocked. He ends up switching the ball over and taking a left-handed runner that gets nothing but net. At full speed. Two guys around him. I don’t think anyone else in the NBA makes that play.

Dude is other-worldly. As I may have mentioned, MVP voting stops and starts with him.

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A tribute?

In the second quarter, they flash Kareem’s picture up on the board, introduce him as The Captain and the place goes nuts. Standing O. Well-deserved. Guess T.J. got in the mood, too, because I swear that third-quarter quasi-sky hook he put up had to be in homage of Abdul-Jabbar.

Speaking of T.J., I got almost as many “he sucks” e-mails last night as I did after the Orlando game. I guess you can’t please everyone. Personally, I think 23 shots is a tad excessive but watching him last night, you didn’t think he was forcing as many as he did against the Magic. And it wasn’t like anyone else was really filling it up. He had an advantage over Derek Fisher and Jordan Farmar and he took advantage of it.

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Changing it up

Not sure what you call it, but they showed a kind of new-look defence last night that worked pretty well. It was something akin to a box-and-one on Kobe, or a floating matchup zone, a little twist that might have stolen a game if a Laker team that came into the game shooting 37 per cent range didn’t knock down 15 of 32 tries. It was a bit of a gamble but it worked as well as they’d hoped and maybe it’s a precursor to what we might see in the first round of the playoff if Cleveland and LeBron are the opposition.

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Quickly to the mail, because it’s 6:15 a.m. here as I type and I’ve got to be in the lobby at 7 to get to the airport.

Q: As a follow-up to the question about Dikembe's finger wag.

Apparently, the rumour goes that a while back when the NBA instituted stricter taunting rules, Deke went to David Stern because the finger wag was his signature move that he had been doing since the dawn of time.

Stern said that he could continue doing it, but that he could not wag his finger in the direction of any players on or off the court, which is why he turns to the fans and wags it with pride.

Any truth to that or is it just an urban legend?

Matthew S, Victoria

A: Not sure if Deke actually spoke to the commish but the rule does say you can wag, but only to the fans and Mutombo’s the only wagger in the league. The NBA is as much about the show as it is the game and it’s a good show.

Speaking of Deke, check this out, which was pointed out to me by the velvet-voiced yet sunburned E. Smith of the broadcast crew.

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Here’s an ominous sign, and then a good one.

Talking to Bosh before the game, someone asked him if he could play if it was the playoffs; you know, fight through the pain and all?

He says, “even if I wanted to play, I couldn’t. They’d score on me every time and I couldn’t move on offence.”

Guess his return isn’t imminent.

However, he was on his way to the court to get up some set shots, the first shots he’d taken since the pain in his knee arrived.

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The L.A. Times chronicles the game thusly. And the San Francisco Chronicle sets up tonight's contest like this.

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Take the over. No matter what it is. (although gambling, unless sponsored by the goverment, is illegal)

The Golden State Warriors lead the league in scoring, averaging 111 points a game. They also lead the NBA in points allowed, giving up 108.

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Here’s a couple more from the mail

Q: Lucky Doug. Enjoying the warm weather while I'm toiling with snow removal. Your blog and the mailbag are indeed great consolation for this winter turmoils!

1) O great one, why not Jefferson over Nocioni for BC's summer hunt?  Is it due to financial equation, or is it because Nocioni is the missing Argentinian to BC's (aka Noah) collection of twos?

2) If 'team performance minus the candidate' is the main criterion for MVP consideration, who will get your vote among Kobe, LeBron, Paul and Garnett?

3) Knowing that the Raptors are still playoff-bound even while losing all these 5 western trip games, is the lack of urgency a factor in keeping Bosh out of the lineup as long as the team's comfort zone?  Would you see his absence a blessing in disguise leading to matchup with a more preferable opponent in the first round?

Rikki C, Burlington

A: Hello, again.

Nocioni, I think, does more of the things the Raptors need than Jefferson, who certainly doesn’t suck and would be a good addition. But Noce’s defence, his ability to guard a couple of positions and his all-around game’s a better fit. The money’s cheaper, too.

I think if you read above you’ll know Kobe’s the MVP in my humble opinion.

You can’t manage where you’re going to finish, it’s folly. Let’s say they finish sixth and Cleveland ends up catching Orlando. What good does that do anyone? No, you’ve got to play to win every game and see what happens when the season is over.

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Q: I honestly think that Chris Bosh cannot be a true "franchise player". Even given time to grow and blossom to reach his peak, he will never be a clutch performer. It seems he should be a second superstar to be a "sidekick" of a true superstar. Either we should acquire a true superstar now, or trade Bosh while he is still worth something big for a huge name that may take the Raps to the conference finals. And honestly, why do we still have Joey Graham.

Greg H, Toronto

A: I honestly think, with all due respect, that you may be off your rocker. You don’t find a lot of 22 and 9 guys around the NBA these days. I’m all for them acquiring “a true superstar” but if it was easy, wouldn’t everyone be doing it. If anyone’s learned anything in the last two weeks, it’s just how valuable Bosh is to this team.

Joey? Well, you gotta have guys on the end of the roster and he’s as good as any other 11^th, 12^th or 13^th guy in the league.

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Okay, off the LAX, will check in later from lovely San Francisco. Keep the cards and letters coming.

Hey, guess what? Early mail!!!!!

Okay, so we’re going to try to change things up, see how this works.

It seemed to me that a lot of early week mail was getting, not lost, but usurped in the old system of Friday-Saturday-Sunday bonus mail.

So now we’ll spread out the mails, try to get one up sometime Tuesday and then Friday morning again.

Not sure if it’ll work with my workload but what the heck, you’re worth it. Sort of. (I … oh, you know).

Q: Sunday afternoon on CBC, the half time segment was a sit down with T.J. Ford, the suddenly disgruntled backup to Jose Calderon. T.J. revealed something to us Raptor faithful. He stated the player he would most want to be like is...wait for it...Stephon Marbury? Is that as worrisome as I think it is? Marbury has been a cancerous sore on every team he has played for. He is more concerned with his bank account, his "Starbury" clothing line and his ego to ever be a winner. He threw a hissy fit and left his dismal New York Knicks this year because he wasn't going to start a game. Somehow, Isiah didn't throw all of his belongings out of the closest open window at MSG.

My question is, will T.J.'s me first personality eventually start to hurt a team as close as the Raptors?  If he continues to struggle and the boo's continue to rain on him after turnovers?  Will he mope into BC's office and ask to be moved?

Chad N, Toronto

A: I didn’t see the interview, obviously, so I’ll take your word for it.

I don’t think it’s worrisome at all. Whatever you’re perception of T.J. is, it’s had no impact on the locker room and I don’t imagine it will.

Let me ask you something, and it’s not personal, it’s only ‘cause you’re here:

Let’s say you were tops in your job, the go-to guy from the boss for all the big assignments. Let’s say you got sick, like mononucleosis or something and you had to take eight weeks off. Let’s say you came back to work and your boss had changed your job. Let’s say he gave all the big assignments to the guy across the cubicle from you, all exactly the same things you did, and did well, for years.

Would you smile every minute of the day? Or would it take you a week or so to get over the expected disappointment?

Again, not you personally, but you get my point?

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Q: I am not understanding how the Rockets have won 19 straight. Besides T-Mac, they have not much in the way of scoring. I mean Battier is solid, but nothing special. Alston is not much of a point guard, in my opinion, and there is no Yao. I just don't get it. Do you know?

Zack B, Scarborough

A: Defence. That’s the easiest explanation. They might be the most aggressive on-the-ball defenders in the league. And Alston’s playing out of his head, as a matter of fact.

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Q: What do you think Delfino would go for on the open market? Would he get the full mid-level from anyone? If so is he worth that to the Raptors?

Jordan T, Toronto

A: An excellent question, difficult to answer. Put it this way: If Jason Kapono and Mo Pete got the full mid-level last summer, why wouldn’t Delfino get the same this time around?

And his worth to the Raptors is really going to be determined, I think, by what Bryan Colangelo does with trades around the draft and what they think Garbo can bring them next season.

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Q: Doug, like you mentioned before, NBA teams sometimes take bad teams too lightly and sometimes they get away with it or snap out before it's late and sometimes they don't. Putting aside some too-high expectations after last season from many fans, do you get the sense the Raptors can no longer be one of the franchises to take lightly and that attributes to teams playing them tougher, thus a few less wins. Or is that balanced by the natural development/improvement of the team from last season?

M.K. L, Mississauga

A: I think there’s no question that the rest of the league knows the Raptors are a good team and they know they can’t just show up and expect to beat them. And I’m sure that’s translated into some losses this season. Teams below Toronto in the standings and the league-wide perception – like Charlotte, Atlanta, Philly and Milwaukee in the East – know they are measured in some degree by what they do against Toronto.

And until the Raptors realize that every night, bad losses to lesser teams are going to pop up every now and then.

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Q: I'm a big fan of your shtick and usually sit along the railing of the players tunnel entrance at the games...I have often told you in person that I back your blog, and you seem to be able to feign a sense of genuine appreciation, so thanks.

Just a little heads up...a recent mailbag question asked about ex-Raptor players kicking it around as current assistant coaches and you seem to have forgotten about my boy Ed Pinckney, of Villanova lore, sitting on the Timberwolves bench.

Try to stop complaining about your travel schedule, you have a dream job and hardly show enough gratitude for how good you have it.

Jordan E, Toronto

A: Yeah, got the Pinckney thing in the comments section the other day.

"Feign a sense of genuine appreciation?” That’s not feigning, I genuinely appreciate readers and the hellos I get every now and then.