Biggest game of the year

RICHARD LAUTENS/TORONTO STAR

You gotta believe, people.

It’s sorta funny. I read the comments and go through the mail and the over-riding feeling is that the series is over. Maybe it will be; heck, maybe it is, but they do have to actually play more games.

Action: So, who starts?
Reaction: Gotta be Kapono. Or Delfino, right?

Not Moon, though and here’s why.

To start the third quarter of Game 2, they went to Moon over Rasho.

All Orlando did was keep Lewis on Bosh (a much tougher matchup), put Turkoglu on Bargnani and leave Howard to guard Moon, if that’s what you call it.

Howard stood on the low block, let Moon drift out to the corner and, if the ball went to him, he moved a couple of steps out to take away the drive (as if Moon was going to drive the ball and initiate contact in a billion years).

Now, maybe it’s different if Moon’s 4-for-5 instead of 1-for-5 in that eight-minute run but I doubt it.

And I don’t think it’s any coincidence that Bosh couldn’t get going in the third with Lewis guarding him.

At least with Kapono, they have to get out on him ‘cause he’s shooting it so well, and Delfino will attack the basket.

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Action: Anything else?
Reaction: No way they change both Nesterovic and Parker, right?

Can’t see it. Parker may not have scored in Game 2 but he had 24 in Game 1 and he must have been doing something right defensively to get 38 minutes.

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Here’s what’s up in Orlando, where they enjoyed a non-practice day yesterday.

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Action: T.J. stays.
Reaction: Sayeth Sam:

"He has been better as a starter and Jose has proven he can come off the bench and give us something. To me, why would I do that? At least, I know if T.J. struggles, I’ve got Jose who last game played well. But if we do that and Jose struggles, where do I go?”

Translation: We know T.J. has proven to play like a pooch if we bring him off the bench and if he’s going to do anything at all, it has to be as a starter, even if it means only playing him five minutes a half.

How wrong is that?

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Action: Report has Avery Johnson on hot seat.
Reaction: Does he suck as a coach two years after getting the Mavs to the NBA final? No, he doesn’t.

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A quickie from the mail:

Q: Watched some of the Suns-Spurs game 2 and noticed the Spurs were playing the ol' Hack-a-Shaq game. My question is: how are they allowed to do that? Isn't there a rule (which I learned about in this blog, in fact) where if a player is fouled away from the ball, then that player would get two shots as well as possession? Obviously, this wasn't the case during that game, so what am I missing?

Jesse L, Seattle

A: You probably didn’t finish reading the sentence here, which on the odd occasion is quite all right. The team being fouled gets free throws and the ball on a foul away from the ball only in the last two minutes of the fourth quarter. So you Hack-a-Shaq until that time with no worries.

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Action: Sam speaks.
Reaction: And I have no comment rather that to let it run. He’s asked if it’s a risk to keep changing the starting lineup:

"As a coach, you have to look at that thing and you can’t be afraid to try things. Y’all are going to kill me anyway. If I don’t do something, you’re going to kill me and if I do do something and it don’t work, you’re going to kill me. I’m not trying to win with you guys anyway, I’m trying to win the game. I’m not trying to win with you guys because, come on, I think I’ve been around long enough to realize I’m never going to win with y’all.”

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Action: Bosh is getting killed
Reaction: Shock.

Guy goes for 29 and 10 and six assists, a block and two steals, plays 45 minutes hard at both ends, carries the team back at both ends of the floor and some of you are dogging him?

Un-freaking-real.

You want to know why he didn’t score much in the second half? Because other guys were. Because the Magic were playing off him on the screen and roll because he was killing them and Calderon made five of six shots, because he had three of his assists passing off to Kapono or Delfino or, yes, Bargnani, who made four jumpers in that half. Oh, why’s that? Because he was more open because Bosh was attracting so much attention.

Guy misses a jumper at the buzzer (ok, maybe it was 17 feet, not 15; maybe it was 19, maybe it was 16 feet 6 inches, it’s all just an educated guess at the scorer’s table or press row) and you’re killing him?

Yeesh.

Comments

[mark]

i'm waiting for the day when you write something critical about sam mitchell. how can you even write out that quote from him ("y'all are going to kill me anyways")? what a child. everytime he speaks he sounds like someone who has done something wrong and doesn't want to take responsibility. i'm so tired of it.

when he wins more than half of the games he plays, he can shoot his mouth off all he wants.

i want this coach to start being responsible for his team. maybe they'd find some confidence if he stepped up and acted like an adult and a leader.

thanks doug.
go raps!
and here's to making another coaching change in the summer.

[Jim B]

TJ is really starting to make me nervous. The way he talks lately about "it's not my fault it's a team thing" is very similar to how Vince talked when he started to shut down. They both are/were happy to be the leader when things were going good but when the losses start they look to teammates to take the heat. Thank goodness the real team leader Bosh has never shown this demoralizing trait.

[Anthony Feher]

I don't think the comments on Bosh have been negative..... I think on the last play there was nothing called (right or wrong). There was no contingency to crash the board. It was solely drawn up as a two man play. I still don't know what the other three were doing on the floor and why no one was in to rebound (Nesterovic). Bosh played a very good game but was obviously tired and really was too far from the basket. That last minute was terrible, allowing 3 offensive rebounds, a non-call and nothing drawn up that last play.

[Nik]

I feel that criticizing Bosh is the height of ignorance. In fact until the season is over and something can be done to I think doing anything but cheering the team as a whole is annoying. Fans like to use the word "we" in reference to "their" team but do not seem to extend that to understanding how annoying it would be to have people, who are supposed to support you, dissect your team and trade away half your roster and fire your coach every single day. This team's problems seem to be related to mental toughness... As fans we could try to lift the team up by showing support or kick them for losing a game by a single basket. Perhaps we as fans could be mentally tough and cheer the team on even in the face of adversity. I vote: Support. End Rant.

[leigh]

excellent point regarding TJ, start the game with him so there's no need for the kleenex but then yank him after his first selfish wild shot/turnover...should be within the first minute or two.

[Matt]

No fan in Raptorland with a head on their shoulders is dogging Bosh. He is the anchor, glue, engine of this team. What has people so incensed is the play drawn up by the coach. Moving away from Bosh as the focal point of the offence in the second half worked, as you pointed out. So why change that when it mattered most?
Anyway, time to put that behind us, and look forward to what shoud be a great game tonight.

[Dave Fritz, Kingston]

The expectation for Chris Bosh is that he WIN THE GAME. Great players make that last shot. They only get cut slack for missing when they have established that they make shots like that. Bosh has not yet established that he makes those shots with playoff games on the line. Therefore, he fails to live up to expectations and gets slagged.

In the broader sense, it's the same with the whole team. Until the Raptors have had success in the playoffs, they get no respect. The Mavs and the Suns are performing the same way, but have had prior success, so the criticism is muted.

Unfair? YES. Reality? YES, even if Doug and other knowledgeable people don't see it that way. I don't particularly like that it is that way, either, but ...

[Nick M]

Thank you Doug for finallyt sticking up for Bosh.

He brings something more to his game every season and from the comparison of the last two playoff games with last years playoffs, he's learning playoff basketball and getting better. From a fans perspective its not ONLY about this year (and believe me, I want them to win) but about his progression.

I've seen a lot of frustrating last second shots by the Raps. But the ball in the hands of the franchise, with his decision to shoot or drive. Heartbreaking, yes. Frustrating, no.

And...

I wish I could have the time back that I spent reading comments about what Bosh did or should have done while falling out of bounds. People, don't you think he wanted to get it into the hands of another Raptor. He did the smart thing - throw it away from his own basket. I'm sure watching it back he wishes he would have seen the two Raps under the basket. Hindsight is 20/20. Now with that off my chest bring on Game 3!

[bballer]

on every site outside of toronto, nobody respects the players on the raps aside from bosh. it is so important for other players to step up their game. rasho, kapono and calderon are one of those players who has not wilted under pressure. will we see smitch shortening the bench even more with throwing in delfino and parker part of the mix? if tj and bargns plays under control will they see 20 mins 2night even though smitch has no confidence in them?

[bballer]

since tj is playing poorly, would darrick martin have been the backup for calderon if he was on the active roster, leaving tj benched for the remainder of the series?

[John Dinner]

I surprised that you are surprised at how quickly everyone turns on teams in Toronto.
Sticking with the Raps in 6, which now means an improbable four straight!! But I BELIEVE Bosh continues to carry the load, TJ finally gets out of his funk, Jose continues his stellar play (all three get double-doubles tonight), and the rest of the shot happy hoopsters find their rythymn in the friendly confines of the ACC propelling them to a series win.
Why do I BELIEVE this? Because I am a fan! GO RAPTORS! We'll be listening in Quito!

[RJ]

Hi Doug,
after mike bibby called out celtics fans calling them "fairweathers" I m beginning to think that raptors fans are not better... they are ripping CB4 ,,, that is unbelievable... also TJ had a bad game 2 ... so what!! this guy deserves to be an all star he is soo talented... we all seem to forget that before he got injured ,,, he was unstoppable ... he could be that player again if we all got off his back... maybe we do deserve a non-playoff team in toronto... If I was a pro-basketball player,, i wouldnt wanna play here.. because no matter what players do or how hard they work... they won't gain the trust and admiration of the fans,, we as fans will turn on our team in a second.. like an espn writer once said " u either have to be the iron man (like mo pete) or u have to sacrifice every ligament in your body to be liked in toronto (a la alvin williams)"..

[Eric]

Doug,

You mind mentioning something about the crowd being loud tonight? Or maybe that be unprofessional for you as an unbiased observer, so how about being subtle about it: "The Raptors know the ACC crowd is going to be rabid tonight" or "If you're as crazy as your emails suggest, the Sea of Red is sure to be electric tonight..." or something like that.

Your blog has a lot of reach, and other than Swirsky's radio show and Raps TV, there aren't many ways to spread the word- which is what you need to do in Toronto to get it done. A little reminder for everyone would be much appreciated by fans like me. Thanks.

Blogger's note: Nah, I don't need to do it. You just did.

[Nevin]

Hey Doug,

Bosh had a solid game 2. I was initially steaming about the last play, but I think that was just a heat-of-the-moment thing. I, for one, am not going to throw him under the bus. I think one of the things that bug me the most though, is all of the bandwagon critics. I know some "fans" who barely pay attention all year long and now all of a sudden start watching and complaining. It's not helping anything and is frankly, rather stupid. I figure it's pent up angst from that other Toronto team that hasn't made playoffs in a while....

Oh, and something I heard from somewhere: a playoff series isn't interesting until the home team loses. The Magic were "supposed" to win games 1 and 2. We're "supposed" to win games 3 and 4, which I fully expect us to. When that happens, hopefully that'll shut some of these so-called "fans" up.

[GM]

The thing with Moon is he doesn't have to drive all the way to the hoop. He's being left so open all he has to do is make a dribble or two hoopward and someone will pop out to go to him, just in case. That would shift the defence a little bit and then there are more possibilities. But maybe he doesn't have the passing or reading ability.

And as much as I'm down on TJ and high on Jose, I agree that TJ should remain the starter. It's too risky at this point to change things. And besides, he's due for a so-so game.

No, Avery Johnson doesn't suck as a coach. But that doesn't mean he shouldn't be fired. Very very few coaches who make it to this level suck. And most, as we know, just go from one job to another. They can have success one place and failure in another. Doc Rivers is no better or worse a coach. He's just got better players. Maybe they'll tune him out next year or the year after and it'll be time to replace him. Won't mean he sucks. Same with Sam. He's a decent enough coach. But that doesn't mean it may or may not be time for him to leave.

Finally, I don't think Bosh needs to be dumped on just because his last shot didn't fall. But that doesn't mean it wasn't a horrible decision for that situation. I think it was a case of him wanting to be the hero rather than looking for the best shot. Obviously it would have been excused had it gone in, but it still would have been a bad shot for that situation with no rebounders and the time on the clock. It's like with TJ. Sometimes he takes good shots within the flow of the offence, and they're good whether or not they go in. But too often he takes bad shots, whether or not they go in.

[Robert]

Doug, great commentary as always. A couple of comments:

1. It seems to me that the logical choice to replace Rasho in the lineup should be Delfino since he brings defense and more offense than Moon. This also leaves Kapono in the role of providing a spark to the offense in the 2nd unit. While I would agree with the insertion of Delfino in the lineup, if it happens, it is ridiculous that this would be the first time all season that Delfino would get a start. Many including you Doug thought it made sense to replace Moon with Delfino at variuous points during the regular season. Instead, the team may end up fielding a new starting unit which includes a player who has never played in the Raptors starting unit.

2. It is completely wrong that the team will keep TJ in the starting lineup to somehow placate him in the hopes of somehow getting some production out of him. I fully expect that TJ may play better tonight but it sends the wrong message to the rest of the team that his unwillingness to accept a back-up role is acceptable and will be tolerated. Undoubtedly, this issue has had at least some impact on the team's chemistry. Players on a team may not like the role they are given but they are professional basketball players and are paid to accept and perform at the highest level whatever role that the coach requires. The team should and must at all times come first. Anything else is unacceptable.

[Robert]

Putting aside Sam Mitchell's coaching ability for a minute, it is completely unprofessional and unacceptable how he treats and deals with the media. I have no doubt that some of the questions he is asked may be stupid or come from people who are not necessarily very knowledgeable about basketball, but Sam is one of the public faces of the team which is displayed in news print and on tv. It is unacceptable that he belittles questions asked, makes somewhat disparaging remarks about those who ask questions about the team and that he often tries to intimidate those who ask questions.

He has an obligation to act with professionalism in representing the team. I can not believe that Brian Colangelo views this behaviour favourably.

[Binovac]

Good points by Jim B. The theory that you live with your best guy taking the final shot is a little simplistic as a blanket statement. Unless you're MJ or Kobe, going 1 on 5 is tough. That last high screen and role, run by two guys who left everything on the floor and were exhausted, really didn't develop very well and led to a long, contested jump shot. Orlando had only 1 play to defend and they did it well. Here's hoping that the coaching staff can be a little more creative if the same situation arises tonight, even if CB does end up as the guy taking the last shot.

[Hazzie]

Raptors fans fairweather? Hmmm... a ton of sellouts on a .500 season? Oh ya, thats fairweather alright... So fairweather that the arena will likely be empty tonight...

[Felix]

I hope Colangelo has a busy offseason and amends some of the stupid decisions Sam is taking since the second half of the season. It seems like he ain't got any alternative to Ford's misbehavior. I also think anyone can see this among Raptor fans.

[Felix]

If your starting lineup makes a horrible job two games in a row and you don't change the point guard, I just call it suicidal.

[Dan Hamilton]

Why not put the team out there like when they played their best basketball of the season? With TJ nowhere in sight. Lets keep an 8 of Jose, bosh, Rasho, andrea, moon, kapono, parker and delfino and let Jose play 38-40 minutes and put a lineup out making sure both delfino and parker are out there, and let delfino run the point...how would the magic possibly match up guarding delfino, parker, kapono, moon/bargnani, bosh....theyd have to match up nelso or dooling against delfino and he could drive to the basket every time or kick out to parker/kapono/bargs...now thats exciting...

Also, Doug you are right, the play at the end of the game, was the best play they had to go to. And the ball is in our franchise' hands. However I think the problem might be that the high pick and roll IS our best play and we DONT have anything to go to...

June/July 08

Action: bye bye TJ and Sam
Reaction: hello Roko and Avery??????(just a thought)