The Morning After The Night Before, LIV

That was, in a word, despicable.

CHUCK BURTON/AP

Let's see. How can we sum up the loss to Charlotte with an image? Hmmm.

No defence, little effort, poor execution. It had nothing to do with no Chris Bosh, it had everything to do with the 12 guys who played. And the four who coached. It’s one game out of 82, sure; but it was ugly. I imagine more than a few of you want someone fired or benched or traded. Luckily, it only counts as one in the standings and there are a lot more to go.

Anyway …

Three Things I Learned

Time for change

Jamario Moon’s done a pretty good job as a rookie in the NBA but it’s time for him to watch a bit. Like the start of every game. I’ve been suggesting for a while that he’s become a liability on offence and not a huge difference-maker on defence to justify starting. So turn it over to Delfino now, give him a few weeks to see if he can stay up on shooters because the guy out there now can’t, or won’t.

Sam told us before the season that he thought it’d take Moon half a year or more to make a significant contribution. Think he might have had it backwards. They got the best out of the kid in the first three-quarters of the season, he’s leveled off incredibly.

-

A little piling on but …

I don’t want to pick on Primoz Brezec because his Raptor career is over the day after the season ends but if he tries to leak out on the break one more time instead of staying on the glass, Sam should put a rope around his waist and the backboard for an hour at practice and make him stay at home. And I’m pretty sure him hugging every Bobcat in sight while the rest of his Toronto teammates slunk to the dressing room will go over well. Memo to Primoz: Say hi before the game.

-

Small isn’t to blame

The screamers are out about going small and how stupid it is and how Sam should be fired and Bryan should draft six giants and why the heck doesn’t he play Rasho, Primoz and Andrea at the same time because when they go small, they get killed on the boards.

Jared Dudley is, what? 6-7? Jason Richardson’s what? 6-6. How about Matt Carroll and Ray Felton? Maybe 13 feet between them? Not even.

Okay, those guys combined for 28 rebounds playing, mainly, guys their same size, if not smaller. They out-rebounded Calderon, Parker, Moon and Delfino 28-16.

And the reason to go big is to pound the ball inside, right? Which of Nesterovic, Brezec or Bargnani, and toss in Hump if you want, presents a low-post threat that would demand a double-team? Now about none. How about their defensive deficiencies against smaller, quicker, more athletic fours and fives would far out-weigh any possible minute advantage they’d have at the other end.

-

From the mailbag – well, sort of

Q: Picking up on the quotable players discussion in one of the previous mailbag threads, basketball players seem to be a lot more articulate than their hockey-playing counterparts (in this town, anyway). Is this because they lack a seminal interview to retool to whatever situation they find themselves in (ala the Canada-Russia series in the 70s) or because basketball attracts athletes with more articulate skill sets?

More specifically, it seems like AP gets thrown under the media bus each time the Raptors have a crappy game. I rarely see him interviewed in the post-up clips on raptors.com unless they've suffered a spectacular loss that he's doing his best to explain.

I like his sincerity -- he never takes the easy way out and avoids making excuses while being articulate -- and if I were a PR minion for Maple Leaf Sports I would want him to be my go-to quote guy for that kind of situation for exactly those reasons.

On the other hand, it sucks to see him taking it on the chin after every stinky game, particularly when, as in last Friday's game, he was one of the key guys making shots, rebounds and working his butt off to try and turn things around.

This might be my bias, but it seems like when they've had a great game, it's usually Bosh, Calderon, and whoever happens to turn in good percentages that night who get featured in the scrum.

My questions:

1) Does Parker go under the media bus because he's a co-captain?

2) Does he have better games when the Raptors are struggling?

3) Does his lack of "sexy quote" translate into getting passed over for quotes after better games?

Ellie, Toronto

A: Hi, Ellie. Sorry for the delay.

We do talk to him after big wins, usually, but I do agree he seems to get more quote time after big losses. And I think the reason for that is two-fold. He’s usually one of the more lucid quotes on the team and isn’t afraid to clearly and concisely explain what went on. That’s not to say the others don’t, just that he does it better, most nights. And the second one, and this is more anecdotal, is that he does seem to have big scoring nights when they lose big, like the last two games.

After better games for the team, it’s usually the high-scoring guys we go to, guys like Bosh and T.J. and every now and then Jose.

As you may know, I don’t do a lot of pucks, but it’s been my experience over many years that basketball players are generally more entertaining and insightful, than most other professional athletes. Maybe it’s because they’ve all had at least one year of college and get solid media training from their teams and the NBA; maybe it’s because they are more used to dealing with the media (there’s far more attention paid to college basketball than there is any minor hockey or minor baseball league).

-

I don’t care what happens in the final seven weeks of the season, the MVP voting is over.

If Kobe Bryant doesn’t win, they ought to quit giving it out.

-

Okay, as I said, I got/had to watch last night on TV.

I cannot believe there wasn’t a better halftime feature than an infomercial about some corporate party with the players? OH MY GOD.

That’s shameful

But at least I got caught up on some basketball when they ran down the afternoon games (Chicago-Cleveland and its repercussions for the Raptors and the brilliant Lakers-Mavs game) on their alleged sports update. Oh, wait! No, that was all pucks.

Shameful.

-

Here’s how Rick Bonnell in Charlotte reported on that display of quasi-professional basketball on Sunday. And here’s how Brian Schmitz in Orlando is setting up tomorrow’s important game.

-

Hey, Rikki, you can thank Chuck in Toronto for this:

As per Rikki C's request, here is a list of players I can think of, that got drafted by a team, traded away, and then traded back.
Vlade Divac (Lakers) Dale Davis (Pacers), Derek Fisher (Lakers), Al Harrington (Pacers), Lindsey Hunter (Pistons), Jason Kidd (Mavericks), Tony Massenburg (Spurs), Steve Nash (Suns), Antoine Walker (Celtics), Chris Webber (Warriors), Corliss Williamson (Kings), Kevin Willis (Hawks) and, an honorable mention, Steve Francis (Rockets).

I'm sure there's more that I missed. 4/12 played on the Raptors and one is Canadian so that makes this list very Raptor related. So go ahead and post it.

-

We’ll get back to the mail, and my peeps tell me there’ll be a permanent link up there today sometime so you won’t have to do stuff like click here to send one in. Of course, that’s just going to fill the mailbag up more and create more work at this end but that’s something I guess I’ll have to live with.

Q: I've just watched the first three quarters of the Raps/Bobcats game, and I am really disappointed. When the Raps lost the last game to the Pacers and looked horrible in the process, I just chalked it up to the Raps having trouble adjusting to the sudden in-game loss of Bosh. Now it seems like this team can't do anything without Bosh. Suddenly our role players are lost, and without our shooters shooting (Kapono and Bargs have been in a prolonged funk, even before Bosh got hurt), our PGs aren't able to make anything happen cause suddenly everyone's playing like crap.

It's very very clear now that this team needs an additional scorer, like Pierce to Garnett, or Kobe to Pau. Is there something I'm missing or are the Raps really shallow without an all-star commanding the double-team, scoring at will, and doing all the big-man work.

Duane C, Toronto

A: Well, considering no one on the perimeter, except maybe AP every now and then, can create their own shot, it does make sense that without the big guy in the middle, they’ll struggle. That’s where the big, slashing, defending swingman comes into play. And it’s got to be priority No. 1 for the general manager in the off-season.

Comments

[Josh]

Doug....

Steve Francis was a Grizzly pick. Come on.

[Contender]

You got your head so far up Smitch butt you cant see the truth

[Aaron Campbell]

Hello Doug

100% agree with you on the Moon experiment being over. Time to give Delfino a shot.

Tell me if you agree with this. I find that Mitchell sticks with his third and fourth quarter line up way too long in games like last night. During the first half he will throw Grahm, Humphries out there and let Rasho play extended minutes. But in the second half he sticks with the same five whether they are stinking up the joint or not. When things are not going there way late, i would like to see a few more chances taken with putting players in. Does this make sense or do most teams not tinker alot during the stretch?

Blogger's note: Most don't tinker, no. MIght make sense to try some other things if the game's getting out of hand. They did use 10 guys in the second half on Sunday.

[Tree Q]

Hey Doug -

I'm so glad to see you write that Moon as a starter should end. I've felt this way sine December, but always got the impression you thought otherwise. He's a good role player - the type I think every team needs - but off the bench. I have failed to understand his status as a starter. I consistently find myself wondering why he takes so many ill-advised jumpers; cringe when I see him line up a three; and see less and less effort on the defensive end. I like Sam as the coach, but watching the last few games, coupled with Moon's open-ended ticket as a starter, I do think he's costing this team wins.

Just my two cents.

Tree

[Huseyin N]

Technically speaking, you could add one of the great raptors, Alvin Williams, to Rikki C's request

Blogger's note: Alvin was drafted by Portland, never went back. So maybe not

[sara]

When you build a team of soft players and jumpshooters who cannot defend, rebound, and are unable to get to the paint,except Bosh , here are the results. I cannot blame Sam for this loss. He can't do miracles .Sure we cannot wait next season to make a change in our starting line : maybe is time to start Delfino and Rasho , instead of Moon and Bargs.Few words on Bargs : I like Andrea but the kid has 'zero' personality and, in my opinion, this is the biggest problem, for him and for us.

[yertu damkule]

sara - disagree re. bargs, he has personality, he's just been in a season-long funk (to put it kindly) which has tempered things. think back to last year, when he was consistently putting up good numbers & hitting big shots...he had a nice cold-blooded mercenary type thing going on, he way he carried himself, the way he'd stare down an opposing bench after drilling a deep 3. he's a quiet type anyway, but his on-court personality, when he's going well, is just fine. it just hasn't been going well. but i'll take that over the phony 'fired-up' guy (i'm looking at you, gangsta) any day.

doug - so, you're on side w/ moon coming off the bench. nice. a couple months late, but oh well, not like it'll happen anyway.

[Chris C]

Moon may not be a starter but Delfino is hardly a consistent performer. The real problem is that we have no one who can play the position that requires guarding the other teams stud, producing on offence and averaging 7 - 10 rebounds a game. Second chance points against have been a killer all season. It was only a matter of time before we set that record. As long as the 3 point streak is alive, thats the only this we have going for us anymore.

[CARLoS M.]

I recall an article on Moon (when he made the team) praising him for winning defensive player of the year in whatever league he played in last season. The article suggested that defense was the big differentiator in his play and what made him able to finally reach the NBA. It is so frustrating to watch him play off shooters

On offense, it hurts to watch him take those horrible 3pt and jumpers. It boggles the mind why he doesn't drive the lane and get fouled. I like Sam but he's got a shorter leash on Bargs that he does on Moon. makes no sense at all.

[Mike]

Technically, Derek Fisher wasn't traded back. He was let out of his contract by the Jazz because of his daughter's health and then he signed with the Lakers as a free agent. Presumeably because they have the specialized care for his daughter in L.A.

[tino]

Of AB's 10 fouls in the last 2 games, 7 were on a PG/SG/SF going to the basket with no one of our perimeter defencemen closer than 10 ft trying to help.Most breakdowns started with JM,having brain's cramps even on offense.Sam must be convinced that the Rap's present and future is best served by playing JM 27 mn/game and AB 14.Furthermore why Delfino should resign with the Raptors as a back up to Moon?It seems that no matter how bad the rookie plays,he'll be starting.It's time for BC to have a talk with Sam,so the coach "on his own accord"(like the "AB starting again" comedy act), will start Carlos and find a way for JK to earn his $4m/y.

[notfit]

How many players have scored their career high against the Raptors this year? Three guys have done it in the last two games alone. I'm convinced I could get to the hole against these guys. Sure I'd probably miss the shot but I like my chances of getting the rebound.

[Jay]

Your right Doug, Moon should be coming off the bench... i can't seem to fathom why he mostly settles for jumpers, is he ant-contect? Meaning, avoid contact as much as you can?? seems like it.

[King]

Brezec is a MAN. He isn't soft like the Raptors. Why the hell is Joey Graham in the game before Primoz? And what is Hump doing? Can someone tell him that he isn't MJ. Enough with the damn jump shots, YOU CAN'T MAKE THEM.

And it's time for Moon to go, He acts like he's a 3 point specialist. But hey, Kapono hasn't taken a 3 in something like 2 weeks.

[GM]

I'm not as down on Moon as many others. However I think you're right in thinking he shouldn't start if only to spur him on. Sometimes that's what it takes. Any parent knows that if there are no consequences, just constant screaming, the kid will tune out. Sometimes guys play better off the bench because they're trying to prove to the coach that they should start. It's time to give it a try. It certainly couldn't hurt.

Out of all the players, I'd say the last one you should have called out is Primoz whatsisname. If only the other Raps played with his fire last night. It's almost as if you feel that because he won't be around, and you won't have to deal with him, you can rag on him. So many more deserved it more.

How long was Bosh injured for last season? It was a decent stretch of games and the Raptors played great, with essentially the same team. My prediction is that they'll play decent against Orlando just because Orlando is better. I really think they've tanked these last couple of games because they saw the easy schedule and thought easy wins. They need a decent opponent to get their concentration back.

I don't think going big is just to draw a double team in the post. It's to get more rebounds. It's to get some inside shots, whether you're doubled or not. It's to shoot over your opponent when you're outside (like Bargnani would). Bottom line, though, when going small clearly isn't working, try another way.

Finally, I agree completely on your frustration with the hockey highlights. I've never understood that. There is some crossover, sure, but most people watching basketball actually like the sport. If we wanted to watch hockey, we could flip the channel. It's usually somewhere else on the dial. It just makes no sense.

[AK]

I agree that some adjustments need to be made. It is was as Doug said in a word, despicable. But really, in a 80+ game season aren't you going to have a game here or there where players just don't show up? Even good teams are guilty of this once and a while. For example, anyone remember when the Raps beat the Spurs in San Antonio earlier this season??

[Dinosty]

Please, please, PLEASE don't compare last night's game to the Raptors beating the Spurs in SA. The fundamental difference is that yes, teams do lay an egg some nights, but that loss wasn't indicative of the Spurs team as a whole. This loss was very much consistent with the way the Raptors have been playing all season, and even if they hit more shots and won the game it wouldn't erase the fact that the Mini-Ballers can rebound better than the Raptors can.

[Zack]

If I remember correctly, wasn't AP praised last season for his man-to-man defense on some of the league's best wingmen? What happened? Is his age becoming a factor?

[yertu damkule]

so, does howard grab 20+ boards next game vs. the raps sans bosh? i'll take the over...

hey doug: games like the fiasco in charlotte are coach-killers, and while i've been somewhat critical of smitch in the past, i hate to put blame on him when NO ONE from the raps seemed overly interested in competing last night. that being said - at what point does that lack of competitiveness/preparedeness, etc. go back to the coach? if his strong suit is 'motivation,' what explanation is there for his guys simply being outworked/outhustled/outplayed? do other teams view the raps as easy pickings defensively, in the paint, on the boards, and get psyched up to play them knowing that if they work hard & hustle on the offensive glass, they'll probably be able to swipe it? the raps just seem to have a laissez-faire attitude going into some games, thinking that they'll be able to shoot their way out of trouble.

Blogger's note: It's 80-20 on the players. They've obviously been given good enough defensive and offensive schemed to win six more than they've lost and beat some good teams in the process. It's easy to take shots at the coach but don't you think he tells them to guard their men on the perimeter, to hit the glass, to box out? Of course he does. Every single day. And on more occasions than not, it works and they win.

[Eric]

I'm sorry, AK. "Game here or there"? This is not an exception for the Raptors, this is the norm! THis team cannot continue to believe its own excuses! 32-0 second chance pts! There is no excuse!

Personally, while I don't have the answer I think this team is in need of something other than a better rotation or more mpg for this guy or whathaveyou! Almost every time we get embarrassed we look to the guys who didn't play as the reason for it! I've seen this team enough to know that there was no one last night- neither on the floor nor the bench- that would've made a difference. This team is probably in need of a makeup adjustment. I don't know if new personnel would be the answer for that but we've pretty much shown why teams with "15 locker room BFF's" don't succeed in pro sports. A little friction is good, if only to make things interesting and keep guys awake!

If I'm tired of anything, it's the apathy the Raptors have shown, win lose or draw! For a team that has no ugly parts, this team's act is pretty ugly. Might even explain why they've failed to improve in any category over the past year. If you never feel any urgency, you will never play with any urgency. Sleepwalking all the time.

And honestly, I'm not just reacting to the Indy/Char games! I've felt this way all year, even after wins. Maybe especially after wins! This team needs some fire or they will never get any better.

[Andy]

Small isn't to blame? That makes ZERO sense Doug.

Just because they're guards are better rebounders, why doesn't it make sense to go bigger?

Yes, they have better rebounding guards and forwards, so...we don't go big to match the rebounding?

No sense.

[yertu damkule]

AK - problem is, they've had stinkers waaaaay too often recently, considering that they're heading into a tougher part of the schedule & gearing up for the playoffs. they really needed to take advantage of the games against the knicks, pacers & 'cats. that's 3 losses that should have been wins. i can't even remember the last time they beat a decent team. had to check the sched, they beat orlando a couple weeks ago, a great game. that's one. before that, they're last 'impressive' win (sorry, i don't count blowing out teams that should be blown out as overly impressive) was the game vs boston in jan. by my count, they have 8 'impressive' wins this year - Nov30 (Cavs), Dec9 (Hou), Dec12 (Dal), Dec28 (SAN), Dec31 (NO), Jan13 (POR), Jan23 (Bos) & Feb20 (ORL). the rest of their wins came against teams that they were clearly better than & should win. on the flipside, they've lost to some pretty horrible teams: bucks, sonics, sixers, wash (twice, once w/o gil, the other w/o gil or butler), clips, knicks, pacers, charlotte. yuck. players 'not showing up' should happen once in a while, not consistently.

[Mat]

agree that moon should be coming off the bench. not only because he seems to have "leveled-off", but he seems to play more energetically and actually go to the bucket (at least without the ball) when ford is on the floor as apposed to calderon. not sure if this is related the different styles of ball the guards play or the offences that sam runs when they are on the floor (or both).

[Uncle Zeke]

As others have commented more than half of the players listed as traded back to their original teams were instead resigned after being waived.

[Gerald]

A few comments on the above:

I remain convinced that most of my fellow Raptor fans get their opinions from reading the opinions of each other. Certainly the opinions are rarely informed by any semblance of fact.

To wit: for all of the blathering about Moon taking "so many ill-advised jumpers", Moon in fact takes very few shots, and very, VERY few threes (the only time he will take more than two a game is when he is hot and should be doing so, as in the Knicks game). His shooting percentage is very respectable as compared to other small forwards. The only way this is even discussed is because it has become part of the Raptor Fan Canon of Received Wisdom. Frankly, it is unsupported.

As for Chris C.'s comment above regarding someone "who can play the position that requires guarding the other teams stud, producing on offence and averaging 7 - 10 rebounds a game" - exactly what fictitious player is this? FYI, here are the top 3 small forward rebounders in the NBA: Lebron with 8.1 rpg, Carmelo with 7.4 rpg, [and neither of those guys guard any "studs"] and - oh my!! - Jamario Moon with 6.2 rpg, in far fewer minutes to boot. And this is not some fancy rebs-per-48-mins or anything, this is actual rebounds secured. Moon is third best at his position, and he does it in 28 minutes per game.

So the Raps had a game where they were manhandled on the boards, and the Received Wisdom of the Raptor Fan says that the 3rd-best rebounding small forward in the league should sit.

Ahem.

One more thing - enough with the hockey nicknames for basketball players, please. I grind my teeth every time I see "Bargs". Of all the things to import from hockey, unimaginative nicknames are the last thing we need.