The Morning After The Night Before, LVI

Too bad so many of you decided after the Orlando game to quit watching, to start following hockey, to give away all your tickets and burn your Vincenzo Esposito replica jerseys.

Wasn’t too bad a game in Miami, they played pretty well and won easily. Pretty sure some of you might actually take another glance at them tomorrow.

But for the quitters, we’ll keep giving you stuff here to keep you up to date.

Like …

Three Things I Learned

Some toughness?

Lord knows my opinion of Bargnani’s “toughness” is quite low but I’ve got to give the kid credit. That was a helluva take down by Alexander Johnson. My immediate reaction was “career-threatening” but the dude shook it off, got up, spat out some blood and made free throws. Funny thing was, he’d been playing with more aggression than we’re used to, I’m wondering if there’s a trickle down effect and he avoids the paint now like it’s toxic.

Oh, and I’d think when the league gets a look at that hit, it’ll be upgraded to a Flagrant Penalty II and Mr. Johnson will get a night off. If they got Nowitzki for the takedown on Kirilenko, they’ll probably get Johnson, too.

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Issues?

So, T.J. huddles with his coach and his GM’s right hand man for a while before the game to go through some “personal issues.” What to make of it? Well, could be anything but it’s obvious something’s bothering him. The body language has sucked, his propensity to try and do too much was back again in Orlando and you should only hope he gets through it quickly. He wasn’t great in Miami but he wasn’t horrible. The easy thing to do is chalk it up to some simmering problem with Jose but, if you do, ask yourself, why now? Why not last weekend? Why not when he first came back? Maybe there are other life issues going on that are in his mind.

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The Heat suck

I don’t know how else to say it. No enthusiasm, no effort, no cohesion. And let me ask you something: Shouldn’t a team with all-star Dwyane Wade, all-star Shawn Marion, a serviceable big in Mark Blount, a streaky yet athletic Ricky Davis and a passable point guard in Jason Williams be better? That’s not a bad starting five, is it? So why do they suck? Maybe all those guys have talent but no heart because they gave up last night, early and completely. Pat Riley said after the gae he’d weed out the guys who didn’t care, I’m thinking nine or 10 new guys might be in order.

I’ll tell you one thing: If Marion opts out of a contract that pays him $17 million next season he should have his head examined. Him getting that salary in these times is stealing.

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Sorta from the mail:

Tim B. in Cambridge, along with several others, wonders:

Loved your take on what you would do if you were Bryan C. Could you elaborate a little as to why you put Nocioni first? I don't know as much about his game as the others. What do you see his benefits being over Kirilenko's.

Nocioni’s a tough defender, can stick the three-pointer, can defend multiple positions and is a good team player, that’s why I like him A lot. He doesn’t really need plays called for him to score and he’s got less money (about $28 million compared to about $48 million) left on his deal than Kirilenko does.

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It was brought to my attention for an old-time scribbler, a dude who was there in the dark days of the franchise’s existence with me, that the suggestion that Bargnani’s pump-fake-draw-a-foul escapade the other night might not automatically be the ugliest looking play ever.

He points to the existence of Acie Earl and a night against Houston when Zan Tabak missed the entire backboard with a wide open three-footer.

Those two are right there with Bargs.

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Saw highlights of that Boston-Detroit game last night and all I can say is the Eastern Final, if it’s those two teams, will be a war. Nice elbow by Ray Allen to Rip Hamilton I believe it was, lots of hard, hard screens and intensity unmatched in most regular season games.

Take a read of the Boston and Detroit papers and see what they were saying . Sounds like KG was a bit geeked for that game.

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Speaking of mail

Q: During the Miami game I noticed that Rasho tipped a lot of rebounds out to his teammates. Who gets credit for these rebounds? I thought it would be the player who grabs the ball, but I remember one play when Rasho tipped it out and Brags grabbed the ball. In the box score Bargs has zero rebounds. What up with that?

Alan S, St. John’s

A: If you “control” a tip, that is if you know where you’re hitting it, you get credit for a rebound. And I believe zero rebounds was on merit.

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And speaking of other papers, read Riley’s rant from my man Ira.

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No one’s sure if Agent Zero is going to travel here with the Wizards tomorrow night. Just in case, you might want to make some signs to, um, welcome him?

It will be interesting to see how Jose plays. The Jose I know loves challenges in his own little under-stated way and I’m pretty sure he’ll have a big game. Don’t let his relatively calm exterior fool you, that dude is a competitor, he takes losing maybe harder than anyone in the room not named Bosh and if he’s extra hyped to play the Wizards and show his stuff, he’s gonna go off.

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One thing I’m wondering is if Bosh will play. Read the reports today that says he’s still not running and if he’s not running and they’re not practicing today, I’ll be quite surprised if he’s in the lineup tomorrow. Of course, it now means mandatory attendance at shootaround in the morning to see what’s up.

Comments

[Tony W]

How we forget. Before the Arival of Michelle Carter's thumb sucking, towel holding son, Acie Earl held the team record for most points in a game with 40.

[Jim K]

Attempting to incite hate against Agent Zero?! Ugh - the NBA needs more people like Gilbert Arenas. Honest to a fault, superb player, and likes to have fun out there.

Calderon is great don't get me wrong, but made two Arenas' points that can't be argued.
1) Jose is not one of the top 15 players in the East. He is correct.

2) Jose is a backup point guard putting up great numbers. He is correct again. Until Ford gave up the reigns two weeks ago, Jose entire NBA career has always been as a backup point guard. He is playing just as good as a starting PG, but around the league, everybody still thinks he is filling in for Ford until TJ is fully healthy.

I think Rap fans are just too super sensitive to see the truth.

[Kevin]

I've had to stop watching a lot of Raptors games because we've only got one tv and the lady doesn't like watching me scream at the tv. All that is to say that I only watch in spurts now and if things start to head south I turn the channel.

Regardless, I always watch in the hopes of seeing Bargnani do what I know he can so it was nice to see him in the first 10 minutes of that game last night. Sinking shots, going to the rim, making smart passes. I never expect him to be perfect and he's obviously struggled this year so it's always nice to see him do a lot of good things. Spitting blood and sinking free throws doesn't hurt either.

[Mary]

In need of your opinion:

http://www.thestar.com/Article/309937

Do you think this guy is over analyzing a bit?

Blogger's note: That's what columnists do, analyze. I sorta made my point in the blog but I haven't talked to T.J. or Sam or anyone so it's all just opinion at the moment.

[nan]

TJ Ford is a problem...he is a selfish player with an inflated sense of his own abilities and he is going to disrupt the chemistry of this team....he belongs in New York. He is tainting the team with an unlikable brush....sloppy, selfish and short is NOT what this team needs.
The win in Miami means as little as any win can possibly mean...
This team is not capable of competing with the better teams in any sort of series.
Bosh is not going to hold up physically (and has not proven he can hold up mentally in tough situations) and cannot be relied on as the sole focus on either end of the court.
Nocioni is not the type of player that will help...another STAR with the ability to dominate at the wing position is required, one who has proven he doesn't choke in high stake situations.

[steve]

43 comments yesterday Doug....is that a career high ?

Blogger's note: I believe it might be. Nothing like a bad loss to bring out the comments.

[Ryan]

Will you admit now that us crazy Raptor fans are right in worrying about the Ford/Calderon tandem? The issue the fans have isn't how good they are; the issue is the fact that it obviously can't last. The sooner one of them is traded to a situation they can thrive in (for a valuable piece in return), the better. The Raptors have a missing piece still at SF; couldn't Ford be what makes the right deal happen? (In the offseason I mean, obviously).

Blogger's note: Nope. And I've got a 47-win season and another playoff year to back me up. Sorry. They can exist.
Who knows what the GM really thinks, though, and that's the only guy who really counts in this whole situation.

[voislav]

It's kind of funny that Raptors are starting to have all these problems just as they are getting good (last season was a fluke Eastern mess, any other year that would be 40ish wins). One thing that struck me is that TJ acted up just as Bosh got injured. This is CB4's team and I wonder if his absence allowed some of the stuff to come out, when it would otherwise be resolved in the lockeroom.

[tino]

I remember D. Smith writing that Andrea,when his knee was hurt, was soft,comparing him to a Ferrari that unless in absolute tiptop shape,would not leave the garage..Bosh also has knees problems and it seems he will stay parked longer until totally healthy.I wonder what car would Mr. Smith compare him to.

Blogger's note: You're gonna compare toughness, mental and physical, of Bosh and Bargnani? Okay. Bosh is tougher. Bosh's be a nice, cool Bentley.

[Ellie]

I'm on board with inciting some Arenas hate. Not because I think he doesn't have a point or two to make about Jose -- he does -- but because as someone (Grange?) blogged recently, every team needs a few good enemies. And lately ol' VC is looking so pathetic that the Jersey hate just isn't as much fun as it used to be.

[Chris]

Although no fault of his own, TJ Ford is one hard fall or foul away from a career ending injury. If the raptors for some reason fail to resign Calderon and are left with TJ running the show, we are all in for some long years of frustration rather than improvement. Even last night, TJ looked more selfish than ever. Yes he had a couple nice dimes, one to Delfino in particular, but there is no way the play at the end of the 1st Q was to let TJ throw up another prayer like he did in Orlando. The body language of the other players on the court at the time looked as if "we may as well just stand here and watch the little engine show". He is the one who needs to be traded but not sure of the value for damaged overpaid goods.

[GM]

Jim K, I agree the league needs more Gilbert Arenases. I disagree with his assessment of Calderon but love the fact that he speaks up. But I find it irrelevant that Jose was a backup. What does that even mean? Nothing on its own. Ford started most games but sometimes Calderon played more minutes and often finished games. It's not as if anyone ever said Kevin McHale shouldn't be an all-star because he was a sub. And all-star teams need position players so you don't just take the best 15. The question is if he's one of the top 3 point guards in the east.

As for Ford, I remember last year he kept saying the Raptors were his and Bosh's team and that he was the leader. I thought that spelled doom last year but they managed. Now we see maybe he can't exist as just a contributor; he feels he's got to be the man.

Since the 'g' is silent in Bargnani, do we pronounce Bargs as Bars?

[AK]

I have to give it up for Bargnani. I couldn't believe he came back to shoot (and make) those free throws. ESPN highlights said he busted 3 teeth! That's a tough dude.

[Alex]

Doug, belated comment on yesterday’s blog where you mentioned Primoz walloping the Magic’s mascot. Did your source happen to say whether the mascot was mouthing off to the Raptors’ bench? I find it hard to believe Primoz would just smack him/her/it without just cause. You call it bush league, as it he beat up a harmless furry animal – just remember there’s a person in there, and getting taunted by some goofy dude in a goofy costume while your team is taking a beating typically doesn’t sit well with a professional, competitive athlete.

(And yes, hitting is wrong, violence is bad, think of the children, etc. etc.)

[JC]

On the Primoz comment: "... with a professional, competitive athlete." If you're an athlete, you should concentrate on your team, what's happening in the huddle and what's on the court. If you can't take a few words from the mascot, what's next? A fan mouths off and you have to act tough with him? Common, it's pure bush league, no exceptions about it.

[dav]

i hope Jose makes Arenas eat his words tomorrow. Literally. Just force Agent Zero to eat the computer he blogs from.

[Ryan]

You may have a 47 win season to back up your claim, Doug, but frustration is generally something that takes time to develop. So maybe Ford won't blow up this season, but there's a good chance he's simmering right now, knowing he'll never be the starter on this team again. The "team" attitude can only go so far, and Ford has handled it so far like a pro. But do you really expect him to sit on the bench when he knows he can be an All-Star calibre player if he's not injured?

[tino]

Never doubted CB4's toughness.After all the only scrap he was involved in (with Bogut,last year),he let his smallest teammate (TJ) stand up in his stead..As per Andrea's mental toughness i like what i see,and time will tell, vis a vis CB4.Love to have a Bentley,but a Ferrari is a Ferrari.

[Sean S]

A report from last night's Celt-Pistons' game has Kevin Garnett saying that only Boston, Detroit, and Cleveland have a shot at winning the Eastern Conference. Agree, Doug?

Blogger's note: No, if Golden State-Dallas a year ago taught us anything, it's that nothing is for certain. I'd say Detroit, Boston and Cleveland are the favourites but favourites don't always win.

[rikki c]

Good analysis on those 4 players whom BC should target this summer. Putting on the GM's shoes, you preferred Nocioni, Kirilenko, Jefferson, Miller. How about this line - Jefferson, Nocioni, Kirilenko, Miller? Jefferson could be the slasher the Raptors might need, no fear and could create his own play just like Nocioni. I'm not however sure of the financial equation.

Blogger's note: I think Nocioni's tougher than Jefferson. But it's really a matter of opinion, and who is actually going to be available.

[Jose_Manuel]

I know I am late, but I wouldn't count on Miller . Having followed the Memphis Grizzlies I can say that Miller is prone to back injuries and that is the less needed thing in Raptorland.

[GM]

Do we even know if the source re: Brezec punching the mascot was even accurate? Was there a context he was missing? Was it in jest? Barkley used to fake punch mascots, too, to play up his enemy image. I just think it's hardly fair to rag on the guy when we don't even know the facts.

[Jason Ohashi]

Primoz hitting the mascot is bush league. I agree with JC and Doug completly on this. Regardless of what they say, the players have to show constraint. You don't want another Artest thing to happen. The Primoz thing reminds me of the Pittsburgh Pirates thing with Randall Simon and him hitting the mascot with the bat. Though maybe not as bad, I think would still look just as stupid.

I also agree with GM that the backup status shouldn't matter. Ginobili was an all-star and he jumps from starter to backup. I know there's a lot of arguments as to why he's more respected (plays starter minutes even though he comes off the bench, and probably a lot more) but the point is that coming off the bench shouldn't be a factor. It's about what a player does.

[sean]

andres nocioni? please! thats like another delfino,parker etc etc....

we need someone to light a fire under our players' arses..someone with attitude, heart and emotions...someone lilke ron artest

[Zack]

To Ryan's comment that TJ will never start for this team again. I don't know if that is true. If the injury bug doesn't creep up on him again next year, then I don't see why he wouldn't retain his position in the fall.