Is the period of mourning over?

How’s everyone feeling today?

Sorta empty? Angst-filled at Bryan’s comments about Sam? About to list the TJ replica jersey on some auction site?

FRANK GUNN/THE CANADIAN PRESS

Nobody knows what colour shoes T.J. Ford will be wearing next year.

Lots to digest, wasn’t there?  More than enough to keep this little thing rolling this week and then we’ve got to figure out what to do through the rest of the playoffs. Any and all suggestions welcome, you know where to reach me.

Speaking of reach, you folks went bonkers in the mail, I’d say about 90 per cent of it rants of varying degrees but all quite fun to read. Have siphoned off more than a few that we’ll put up in the usual Friday mail bag.

And tomorrow, because a bunch of you have been calling for it, we’ll do a player-by-player assessment.

Anyway

Sam

Yes, Bryan did say it’s “ludicrous” to think of a Mitchell-D’Antoni swap. And it is, not only because both are still very much under contract, and both were very much working in the playoffs when the speculation mounted.

You all know I think he should be back because I think he’s the guy who coached the team to 47 wins, not the one who got ‘em to 41 this year.

If you put your scrutiny on every coach in the league like you did Sam this year – substitution patterns, post-game comments (as if they have anything to do with anything), lineups – everyone’s going to come up short. A lot.

The fact is, they’ve been in the playoffs two years, the players play hard for him and he does – despite your opinions – know what he’s doing tactically. I'm pretty sure many of you missed the fact they did things like change coverages on pick and roll a couple of times a game to throw the Magic off (going under fo ra quarter or so, a hard shot for the next quarter or show, pre-rotating every now and then). That's the kind of small thing that goes unnoticed too often.

Sit back and make an honest, honest assessment of the roster and tell me, as it turns out, that this was more than a .500 team no matter if Red Auerbach coached it.

Besides, what will you fill my inbox with all next season?

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Since this whole “Best Playoffs Ever” crap has gone out the window (a terrible first round), let’s start hyping “Best Off-Season Ever.”

There’ll be big changes in Dallas and Denver, I assume, Chicago has some major issues to deal with, I think Joe Dumars might realize this is the last run for Detroit and I imagine John Hammon in Milwaukee’s going to make some moves.

Could be a very cool summer.

How much do these guys get involved? I’d say lots. But when?

"The process began at the beginning of training camp and it’ll end probably some time in mid-July or sometime later,” was how Bryan put it yesterday.

Guess that’ll keep us busy.

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Two quotes:

"You already know me, everybody was asking me about the starting lineup with 12 games to go and I was in my finishing last year of the contract so I think it was a big step for me. I’m ready to sacrifice for the team for sure.”

And

"I don’t know. I don’t know. I think where I’m at right now in my NBA career, I consider myself a starter and I don’t see myself coming off the bench for 82 games.”

Who said what?

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Speaking of the summer, they’re going to have the mid-level salary cap exception to spend, about $5.6 million to start.

The Raptors will have the so-called mid-level salary cap exception (likely about $5.6 million) to spend this summer on free agents. Here’s a look at some possibilities: Restricted (Teams can match any offer they get) Josh Smith, Atlanta Rony Turiaf, L.A. Lakers Emeka Okafor, Charlotte Luol Deng, Chicago Ben Gordon, Chicago Monta Ellis, Golden State Craig Smith, Minnesota Unrestricted (Can sign anywhere) Mickael Pietrus, Golden State Bostjan Nachbar, New Jersey Antawn Jamison, Washington Roger Mason, Jr., Washington DeSagana Diop, New Jersey Eduardo Najera, Denver Beno Udrih, Sacramento

Who do they get? Probably not an all-star but likely a viable piece.

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A generic mailbag query:

Q: One of the main themes coming from yourself and others during the Raptors tailspin to end the season was that they would be judged based on what they did in the playoffs. So, what your verdict?

Greg W, Toronto

A: Well, that’s easy. It’s a failure, a disappointment, a step back.

The reasons are there for all to see and some are mitigating factors.

Injuries to T.J. and Bosh hurt, not having Garbo was crippling, Bargnani’s regression was costly.

All of those are relatively easy to overcome so the future’s not entirely bleak.

But this year? This was a bad year.

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You know who’s smart? Anthony Parker’s smart. Everyone knows that changes are coming and with his contract expiring at the end of next season and his steady production coveted by teams looking for a solid player and good citizen, it’s entirely possible he’s played his last game as a Raptor.

And when asked about it, he was forthright. And we appreciate it.

"It’s a business. It’s a business first. I love the organization here: The people that work in it, the team that I play for, and the coaching staff. I love coming here and it’s not something that I dread. I know a lot of situations aren’t like that. There are not a lot of situations like this in the NBA. But it’s a business. Like you said, maybe my situation might be attractive to somebody. Mr. Colangelo, if it makes the team better here in Toronto, I expect him to do his job.”

Classy dude.

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List time (remember that?)

Five best wins:

At Boston, they shot the lights out

At San Antonio, best defence of year and Bargnani finishes the game guarding Duncan

At New Orleans, heckuva way to end the calendar year.

Vs. Portland, double-OT thriller maybe most exciting home game of the year

Vs. Detroit, about the only “quality” win of the last half of the season.

Five worst losses

At New York, Jamal Crawford goes off, they have no clue

At Seattle, bad team, bad effort.

Vs. L.A. Clippers, one of many at home that got away

At Atlanta, season really turned the night T.J. got hurt

At Washington, can’t take advantage of injury-ravaged opponent.

Some (quick) Game 5 thoughts, pre-flight update

Okay kids, here’s the deal.

Just got back to the room from the arena and the newspaper part of the job and it’s like 1:20 a.m. and the Nuggets just got eliminated. Have a 4 a.m. wakeup call for a 7 a.m. flight and a 1 p.m. media availability with the heroes of the hardcourt.

So, if you don’t mind, I’ll give you a few thoughts on last night and save the big picture look ahead ahead for later tomorrow or Wednesday morning. That all right? Hope so. Oh, and the 50 e-mails that are in there already? I’ll load ‘em up and get ‘em answered either tomorrow waiting for the flight or while we’re sitting around the arena.

Deal?

Thanks.

Okay, to business.

Please, use the most rational thought process you have, look back at the totality of the series and tell me the best team didn’t win? You can’t, can you? Up and down the roster, from No. 1  through No. 9, the Magic were better. And that’s why they won.

Bigger, faster, stronger, older. And they played better.

I know the Raptors were in Game 2 and in Game 4 and in Game 5 and won Game 3 but they weren’t the better team.

Simple, no?

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Hey, check this out.

Guess someone made some noise.

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Action: TJ sits in fourth
Reaction: Is his Toronto time over?

It’ll be the hot-button issue, well, one of them at least, for the next little while but seeing how Jose finished every close game down the stretch of the season and every close game in the playoffs, it’s obvious who’s No. 1 in the eyes of the coaching staff right now. It’d be too bad if that’s how Ford went out, he can do some exciting stuff on the court; I just don’t think he can do it here.

If he was willing to come back as a tempo-changing backup (and it’s always better to change to speed rather than from it, in my opinion), he’d be fine here. I don’t think he’s willing to make that move.

And to all those people who wonder how it’s possible that they’d pay $15 million or $16 million for point guards? Well, some teams do it. They just split it up 13-2 or 13-3 but it can be done.

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Action: A road game
Reaction: Some red in the building

Was pretty nice to see a few red shirts around the arena, proving again that these guys have some great fans.

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They’re not gloating in Orlando but the writers were making reservations to go to Detroit to cover the Pistons-Sixers. Here’s what they wrote before the left.

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Action: Season’s over
Reaction: Who’s gone?

It’s a foregone conclusion that unrestricted free agents Darrick Martin and Primoz Brezec are finished as Ratpors. But who else goes?

You know Bryan’s going to be out there beating the drums for trades so I’ll leave that speculation for tomorrow.

The two restricted free agents are interesting. Well, one is, actually because Colangelo is going to re-sign Jose.

But what about Carlos? What do they do with him? That’s a tough one because I love the guy’s game when he’s on, when he’s off, it’s ugly. But I think a three year deal for around $9 million total, maybe $10 million, makes entire sense. As your ninth guy, he’s good.

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Action: Tiger’s courtside
Reaction: Didn’t see Jason go over for a tip.

But, I did see Kapono say hello to Scott Hoch heading back to the court at halftime. Hoch, a regular at Magic games, at least on the nights I’ve been there, was about four rows up in the stands.

He makes that putt at the Masters that year and he might have been sitting courtside, too.

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Cool sight about 30 minutes before tipoff.

Garbo’s out on the court with Erik Hughes, getting some shooting work in like he does before every game. At home, he’s in the practice gym, on the road, he’s on the court.

As he’s shooting, two dudes, decked out in Espana jerseys, are standing in the aisle about halfway up the lower bowl yelling and screaming and waving.

Garbo finally sees them, looks over and waves and I swear the two guys didn’t care what happened in the game, they had got what they wanted.

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Anyway, it’s really, really late now, kids, so I’m gonna crash and be back at this late tomorrow morning when I get back downtown.

Some Game 5 mail, with more to come later

\How about that? Wireless internet in the Orlando airport is working well and there's enough time to get some mail answered and up for all you lucky readers.

This is just a fraction of the deluge I got, I’d say of the 60 or so that arrived between the final buzzer and this morning, there are 30 that kill Sam, a dozen or so that suggest Bosh is not really that good (and that’s a preposterous suggestion) and a few with legitimate queries rather than rants.

Here are some and we’ll get to more later on.

Oh, and a full season wrap and a player-by-player assessment are in the works, too. Thank goodness for the Starbucks right down the hall from my gate.

Q: Pretty disappointing post-season for the Raptors. Two questions:
1. What would you say are the positives (if any) that they can take into next year?
2. Also, when you look at the 76ers, they finished the season really strong and have managed to steal 2 wins from Detroit; and have a legitimate chance to win that series. Meanwhile the Raptors, who stumbled into the playoffs, only mustered 1 win from a team they matched up really well with. How much do you think end of the season momentum (or lack there of) hurt the Raptors?

Amanda F, Barrie

A: Slacking at work again?

I guess the positives would be the continued development of Jose Calderon, who was better this year than he was the year before, and the emergence of Jamario Moon as a legitimate rotation player in the NBA. He may not be a starter, but he’s a player.

I’m not sure about the momentum, actually. Once the season ends, everyone takes a deep breath and looks forward, not back.

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Q: Hi Doug. I just wanted to say being a Magic fan down here in Orlando I really appreciated reading your columns and blog online and getting the Raptors perspective. You do a really good job and gave us all excellent insight into the opposing team. I for one am glad the Magic do not have to play the Raptors any more! One question. It seemed like the Raptors went away from their pick and roll game with Bosh and Jose.  I was glad they did, but why did they?

Chris C, Orlando

A: There were a couple of reasons, although they did run it frequently. One, Carlos Delfino handled the ball a few possessions and took shots that might have normally come out of the high pick and roll and on a couple of trips, the Magic showed on Calderon more aggressively than they had earlier in the game.

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Q: After watching the Raps play well in the first half and trying to survive in the second half, can someone please ask Sam Mitchell how we leave Maurice Evans open in the corner game after game after game. He killed us the whole series from the corners with wide open three's. I understand we were doubling on Rashard and Howard but after game 2 come on, my three-year-old son is even yelling at the TV to cover him.

Stewart C, Brampton

A: Um, if you double someone, someone else has to be open. They tried to rotate back to both Evans and Keith Bogans but, if you ask me or anyone else connected with the team, they’d rather live with Bogans or Evans taking shots than Turkoglu, Lewis or Nelson or watching Howard dunk on their heads.

Is there a sense of doom hovering?

How’s everyone feeling today? A bit nervous? Resigned to the fate that’s coming? Excited at all?

ANDREW WALLACE/TORONTO STAR

The towel has been thrown by some of you around these parts.

Judging for the letters and notes I’m getting, very few expect anything good to come from tonight’s game.

Who knows. I guess they could make every shot they look at and win a shootout and wouldn’t that put some juice back in this thing for a few days.

But maybe not. Maybe they lose and we get can on with the summer.

I’m thinking tonight goes a bit like Saturday, close until the final few minutes.

Let’s get down to business

A work of fiction

Okay, so I don’t know Peter Vescey that well, maybe met him twice in my life and he’s become entirely irrelevant around the NBA, but what he did Sunday was absolutely unconscionable.

The drive-by on Sam Mitchell, you can read it here, was shocking not only because it’s wrong but because a purported responsible journalist cannot fabricate direct quotes and get away with it.

And that’s just what that was, an entire fabrication of a scene that never, ever took place. I spoke to half a dozen people yesterday who would have been in that room and it simply didn’t happen.

It’s funny to me, big shot columnist, who should know better, writes fiction and doesn’t seem to care. If I’m quoting somebody, I know they said the words. If I’m making an assertion like that – as bogus as it was – I’m checking first.

And I think we all know now that Mr. Vescey deals in fantasy rather than fact. And this one instance entirely diminishes every other single word he writes.

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A little public service.

If there is a Game 6, it’s going to start at either 6 p.m. or 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, depending on what happens in the Phoenix-San Antonio and New Orleans-Dallas series.

There was some concern, among the beat writers at least, that we might get an 8 p.m. start or, egads, even an 8:30 p.m. tip but the NBA took care of us.

It’s going to be on NBA-TV down here in the states regardless.

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More on Sam’s future?

Speaking of Sam, he’s back in the news in New York today, too.

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Checking out remnants of the mail

Q: Here's a little work for you - 'cause we wouldn't want you to, you know, enjoy a break or anything. Nene Hilario - would have been fun to see him in a Raptors uni going against Howard. Blah, blah, freak-injury-prone, blah, blah, overpaid, but Rasho and filler might get that trade done, and Rasho hasn't exactly been an underpaid world-beater. Thoughts? (That was my token question).
D.J. Augustin might be available in the draft - read his draft summary and you would swear they were talking about TJ Ford - he might be a good change of pace guard off the bench - minus the controversy. Thoughts? (Sense a rant-covering trend here)?
You know what I like? (How about that - does that count as a question? - does this?)? I like Bargnani's game. IF - IF - he relearns how to shoot. AS a power forward. Who else on the Raptors drives to the net with such force - when he gets motoring, he goes.
And finally, did you say Josh Smith of Atlanta was available, and could he play small forward as an offensive/defensive force? I seem to remember you mentioning him, and he sure has been looking good.
Not talking skill-wise, but speed-wise - from your courtside vantage point, how does Calderon stack up against other great point guards with a reputation for slowness - I'm thinking of Stockton, as well as others. What I'm getting at, is he at least as fast as other point guards who have had success, or is he just too dang slow? (Hey, this might qualify as a real question!!).

Andy A, Dallas

A: Wow. Got a bit of time on your hands down there?

Okay, I like Nene a lot and if he had been healthy in the spring around trade deadline time, I bet Bryan would have called about him. I also know Denver, when its done with the season, will be looking to make some drastic change and I bet Bryan calls again. Nene would be an excellent fit here.

Not too familiar with DJ Augustin, though, but when it comes to a backup point guard next year (if it breaks down as I think it will with a Ford trade and a Calderon re-signing), they’re going to be looking for someone with experience.

And I don’t know if Josh Smith is available, if Atlanta’s got any brains, he won’t be because I think he can be really good. But who knows what’s going to happen with the Hawks ownership, coaching and the general manager’s spot so maybe he’ll be on the market.

Finally, Jose’s not going to win any sprints but he’s not the slowest guard in the league but a long stretch. He’s average and the other stuff he does makes him an above-average PG in my opinion.

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The Wizards are dopes

I’m with Charles Barkley on this, the Washington Wizards might be the stupidest team in the history of pro sports for riling up LeBron James before their series began and then trying to play like thugs in every game.

If they don’t suspend DeShawn Stevenson for that hit on James yesterday, Stu Jackson should be ashamed of himself. I’m all for tough basketball, dirty, stupid basketball has no place in the game.

They should have suspended Brendan Haywood for his hit on James earlier in the series, they have to sit Stevenson down.

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Hey, Jawad, here’s a note for you.

And for the Fine Ladies Of The Foundation who put it together.

Many thanks to you, the Raptors Foundation but especially Jawad. I had the good fortune of winning those tickets to Game 3. We lost, but it was a great experience to be at the game. I will never forget it.

Robert Nordness, Toronto

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The daily look-in with the fellas over at the Orlando Sentinel.

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Have no idea how tonight and tomorrow’s going to break down but it’s going to be busy around here. Another of those gawdforsaken early morning flights may make this another all-nighter so stay tuned,

The cards and letters came flowing in

So, I had to go and open my big mouth.

Well, at least answering mail got me out of the lobby bar early. Thanks

Q: Love the blog Doug and I hope you will enlighten us with the same analysis during the Olympics. Quick question: At what point to you stop Andrea experiment and pull the plug to go in a different direction? I think the fact that since BC thinks he's still gonna be a cornerstone of the franchise, then our moves going forward in the off-season will be compromised.(ie Bosh will never get the Centre he deserves)
PS. Where do you think we would have been right now in the east had we drafted Aldridge? Would we still have a chance in the Magic series?

Nitin V, Waterloo

A: There’s no way they will, or should, make a move on Bargnani for at least another year. You don’t give up on a young 7-footer who’s shown flashes after only two seasons, that’s ridiculous.

And the Aldridge thing is unanswerable, as you well know. So I’ll say they would have been swept by Orlando if he was here because that makes as much sense as suggesting they’d have won 50 games and been third in the conference. Happy?

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Q: With so many of the Raptors being inconsistent (eg, Delfino, Bargnani, Kapono, Ford) for the majority of the year and the Raps lacking the toughness & rebounding all season, why wasn't there any deals made before the trade deadline to correct these shortcomings?
P.s. If this team was consistent they'd be dangerous!

Aaron J, Toronto

A: You don’t think Bryan Colangelo didn’t try to address the issues at the trade deadline and maybe didn’t have the pieces to offer to put a deal together? Just because you think they should have made a deal doesn’t mean there was one out there that made sense.

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Q: Hey Doug, long time reader first time writer. Just thinking, the Raptors need a SF and Andrei Kirilenko could fill that spot. He has wanted out of Utah and his value can’t be too high, do you see the raptors making a run at him?

Chad J, Mississauga

A: I know Kirilenko will be on the list of players Bryan Colangelo calls about in the summer but with the way things are going in Utah, the Jazz may not want to move him and whatever issues he had may be resolved.

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Q: It's very weird that no one is writing you. Though that game exposed the very issues that you have been mentioning for months, like lack of an athletic wing. I have a basketball 101 question if a player is fouled on a shot and it doesn't go in, is it considered a shot attempt? What happens to you if the Raptors are eliminated? Do you get to cover another series up close or will you watch the playoffs from afar?
Keep up the great work!

Peter S, Hamilton

A: No, that’s not a field goal attempt, which saves the shooter’s percentage.

Me? I’ll likely pick up the conference finals at some point and do some of the finals so I’ll get my share of live basketball in the next 10 weeks or so. And that’ll give me access to teams and players to keep this blog thingy going.

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Q: Hi, Doug, I'm just one of those fans who are frustrated by Bargnani's performance throughout the year.
My question is:
Do you think Bargnani can be any better than Villanueva? I mean, if Bargs hit some 3s, we are pretty happy with him, but couldn’t CV do that more often (even though we weren’t that happy with him making 3s then)?

John L, Toronto

A: Everyone’s frustrated by Bargnani’s play, why wouldn’t they be? And this’ll get ‘em all riled up but I still say at end of their careers, Bargnani’s better and plays a more significant role on a winning team than Charlie will.

Some Game 4 thoughts, and where are the questions?

Hmm, what now?

Early summer?

Time off?

Change coming?

Not sure but things are as bleak as they’ve been in a while, no?

Know how I can tell you’re all resigned to defeat? Hardly any mail, which is odd. Very odd. So we’ll put this up here now and see if there isn’t some mail generated while I’m on another flight to Orlando.

Action: Howard can’t shoot free throws
Reaction: Do you foul him?

That’s about the only debate from the game, isn’t it? Should they have started fouling Howard intentionally sometime in the fourth quarter? Dude was 1-for-6 from the line after all, and it looked again like the fans got in his head.

But it’s not like there was a lot of time to employ the strategy. I don’t think you should do it when you’re up late in a game and that means there was about a two minute span when they might have intentionally fouled him. Raps were tied with 4:37 to go, down one with 4:01 left and between then and the two-minute mark (when the possibility to foul goes away) Lewis converted a three-point play, Turkoglu hit a couple of free throws, Lewis it another shot and Turkoglu drilled that dagger of a three with 2:07 remaining.

I dunno. I wouldn’t have fouled. It's not like the game was out of hand, or even headed that way, when they had the chance to.

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Action: Bosh is white-hot
Reaction: Was everyone else watching?

Doesn’t matter what the big guy does, if the rest of the team goes 24-for-66 from the field, they aren’t going to win. Someone needed to step up and no one did.

I’m not entirely sure there’s fault to be laid, it was just one of those games where no one got going.

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Action: Bargnani’s three opens game
Reaction: Downhill from there

A lot of us figured this would be a series that turned on three-point shooting and the pivotal game bore that out.

There is no way in the world the Raptors can win shooting 2-for-15 from downtown. Bargnani had his, Kapono had one and that’s it?

I know Sam said Friday that 34 attempts in Game 3 were too many, but 15 is too few. Give the Magic credit, there sure weren't too many open looks for the Raptors; they stayed home on shooters for the most part.

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They’re not exactly dancing in the streets in Orlando but they’re ready to. Here’s how B. Schmitz summed up yesterday’s affair.

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Action: Howard blocks Bosh
Reaction: Busts the padding off the board.

How strong is that dude? You see that? He knocked the padding off the bottom of the backboard with one of his four blocks in the first quarter.

But you gotta figure they’d have something better than duct tape to fix it. It looked like me up there trying to rig it up so it wouldn’t happen again. But it didn’t happen again so I guess that’s good.

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Action: Keyon Dooling drives unimpeded for a basket with 1.9 seconds left in first.
Reaction: Mental blip.

Raptors had a foul to give and Jose didn’t give it. That’s the kind of mental mistake that shouldn’t be made.

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Action: Dwight Howard shoots free throws.
Reaction: You can have a nap.

Funny thing is, for all the talk about how long it takes Howard to shoot free throws, on my own little count I never got it even to nine. But the Raptors were wondering the same thing. Sam asked Dick Bavetta about it during one of Howard’s lengthy sojourns to the line and Dick said he was counting, too.

The Morning Before The Afternoon To Come, I

Well, I presume the number of hits here today might dwindle since everyone has to start car-pooling or walking or riding their bikes to the game right about now thanks to the TTC.

A few quick hits, some mail and then off to Erindale Lions Little League evaluation day to see what kind of gems Coaches Steve and Paul and I can come with for this summer’s version of the ’27 Yankees re-visited.

Here’s something to watch for in between screaming yourself hoarse at the game or ordering another cocktail in whatever sports bar you’re in:

A three-man weave.

We saw it a few times on Thursday night, one of the few new tweaks to the Raptor offence is a three-man weave with the ball around the perimeter. Think of it as something akin to signature play of the Wizards.
The intent is to get the defence moving and scrambling and the ball going side-to-side.

It’s not a totally revamped offence but it is something different they might use three or four times.

Just something to watch for.

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You know, a guy might gloat about the Suns being down 3-0 and this whole Shaq thing not quite working out. But that wouldn’t be nice and, besides, they’ll got him for $20 million next year. What could be wrong with that?

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Here’s an intriguing mail question:

Q: Sorry, while everyone thinks playoff, I have an unusual question. Any chance for a female coach in the NBA in the coming years. That'd great!

Patricia M, Toronto

A: Why be sorry? I’d like to think so, but probably not. And it would be great.

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Hey, you guys and gals did all right.

She Who Knows Everything about the Raptors foundation reports they raised $550 yesterday on that ticket auction. That’s pretty good for a one-day thing and shows you folks don’t mind helping out a very worthy cause.

And Jawad? Donating those seats was a big-time move, congrats.

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Here’s how Brian and the fellas from Orlando spent yesterday.

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Maybe it’s a coincidence, maybe it’s a matter of timing but had a bunch of people send along the replies they got yesterday about Jack’s future as a TV analyst.

You know how I feel about it – he has to be back because he’s good – and apparently MLSE folks now know because a bunch of you sent notes.

Here’s the reply:

We appreciate your concern over Jack Armstrong's future on Raptors broadcasts. We know that Jack is a big contributor to your enjoyment of Raptors Basketball and understand how important his personality, passion and basketball knowledge is to our loyal viewers and fans.
Ensuring Jack is a part of Raptors Basketball and our broadcasts in the future is important to us and we are hopeful that there will be a continued relationship with Jack and the Toronto Raptors through our broadcast partners for many years to come.
Thanks for being a fan.

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We’re getting a little bit ahead of ourselves here (actually, we’re getting waaaaaaay ahead of ourselves here) but here’s a question more than a few are asking:

Q: Is there reseeding in the playoffs or is there a bracket? For instance, if Philly beats Detroit and Toronto beats Orlando, do we play Philly or winner of Wash-Clev?

Evan G, Thornhill

A: No, the NBA doesn’t re-seed between playoff rounds so the Orlando-Toronto winner faces the Detroit-Philly winner regardless. They don’t re-seed for a couple of reasons: They want to be able to move up the start of second- and third-rounds for TV purposes and to make sure teams don’t have days and days off between series.

Oh, and if you’re a seventh-seed and knock off a second, it’s cool that you get to play the third seed in the next round instead of the first as some kind of reward.

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Remember when these were going to be the greatest playoffs in the history of NBA playoffs? Well, we better hope things pick up in the second week ‘cause right now, they’re not exactly setting the world on fire.

Sure, there’ve been a couple of good games (the first Spurs-Suns was a classic for all time) but isn’t the over-riding sense right now that things have fizzled rather been on fire?

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Be back later, enjoy the game.

Game 3 mail

Funnily enough, the mail’s not over-flowing this morning with stuff about the game. Guess everyone’s happy with everything that transpired.

So here you go for now:

Q: A couple of questions:

1. Kapono seems to be playing out of his mind. While some of the players looked tentative under the pressure during the first few games, he played great. Can this be attributed to his experience with the Heat in the playoffs and does that make him be a "leader" in the locker room?
2. With Howard only being 22 and Bosh, in his 5th year, being only 24. Who has the greater upside? And what can we expect from Bosh, statistically, in the next few years? Will he remain a 20 and 9 player his whole career?

Dave R, Markham

A: I don’t think it’s Kapono’s experience, ‘cause he hardly got off the bench the year the Heat won it and Miami was swept a year ago. I think he’s just feeling more comfortable.

I don’t know about upside. I think both will be all-stars for probably every year they play in the league. One’s power, one’s finesse. If I had to start a team today, I’d probably take Howard over Bosh, though.

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Q: In your opinion, how good was the crowd in game 3 at the ACC. It was electric watching on TV. Does Orlando's crowd even compare to ours?

Thay, Toronto

A: The crowd here was louder, not by a lot, but louder. Might have to do with the fact there were 3,000 more people in the building than there was in Orlando.

But it was a great, great audience. The 300 level in particular looked like a great place to be.

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Q: Quick question, if the Raps do manage to pull off a first round win do you think raptor fans will take to the streets in the same nature Hab fans did in Montreal? (I keed).
Real question - does the pizza promotion still run throughout the playoffs?  Do you think Raptor fans in attendance will embarrass themselves by booing a Game 4 victory where the final score is 99 - 89 for the Raps? If this were to happen do you think MLSE would finally restructure the pizza promotion - perhaps making it based on defense (holding the opponents to 95 or less points)?
Now to connect my two questions - perhaps in Game 6 the Raps win the series with 99 points and the fans riot to celebrate and to express anger for the lack of pizza. Very unlikely but maybe the only way to eliminate the problematic promotion. Further I kind of like the headline - Pizza Riot

Jeff VH, Toronto

A: This is almost Ding! Ding! Ding! worthy. But, yes, the pizza thing still goes on and surely to all that’s good in the world, no one would be ticked at 99 points, would they? Surely, they wouldn’t.

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Q: Long time Raptors fan, medium time reader and first time writer. My question is how is it that all of a sudden Kapono is getting his shots? Throughout the season, whenever he was put in the game he seemed inept at getting away a shot, and now in the playoffs he has caught fire. Is this because of something the Raptors are doing, something about Orlando's defence or is Kapono just playing above his head? Common sense would tell me that it is most likely a combination of these factors but I wanted to get your take.

Adam L, Kitchener

A: If I had the answer, I’d be making Sam Money. It is a combination of those two things, but I think mostly it’s that, for some strange reason known only to him, Kapono’s starting to feel more comfortable and he’s asserting himself by shooting, not trying to drive as he did most of the season. That’s good, seeing how he’s a shooter and all.

He told us the other day it’s minutes. Sam had this to say yesterday morning:

"I just laugh all the time, people say Jason couldn’t get his shots but Anthony Parker got shots every night … Carlos when he comes in the game he gets shots. We’re finding him, he’s shooting the ball well and I think he’s looking for his shot because he knows he’s shooting it well.”

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Q: The victory yesterday was awesome and it was also nice to see the Raptors of old show up again. The atmosphere was absolutely electrifying and terrifying for the Magic.
But I was a bit concerned with the number of open looks the magic got. Today they were cold and we caught a break because they didn't make most of them but Saturday may be another story, do you think the coaching staff realizes these loopholes in our defence and what do you think they will do to completely shut down the perimeter shooters?
Also how bad is Nelson's injury? I really hope he is healthy and 100 per cent ready for Saturday because that will make our victory sweeter.

Ryan S, Toronto

A: Um, yes, the coaching staff realizes it, that’s sort of what they do. They will never, ever come up with a plan to “completely shut down the perimeter shooters” because this is the NBA and good teams get good shots. I’m pretty sure they’ll be working on quicker rotations today in practice.

Nelson was all right about 45 minutes after the game but it’s a back and no one knows how they’ll react.

Some Game 3 thoughts

That was some night. Great fans – loudest I can ever remember the joint (maybe the Philly series matched it) – and all around great atmosphere. Of course, the big start fed into it. Be interesting to see what the passion’s like for an afternoon game tomorrow.

Anyway, some thoughts and then off to do some mail:

Action: Sam’s plan worked.
Reaction: Is he now a “good” coach?

It’s weird being a basketball coach, or a baseball manager, or a hockey coach, I imagine.

AARON LYNETT/TORONTO STAR

They're good again! Scroll down to see Calderon's basketball IQ at work.

You do the things you think will work and if they do, you’re good. If they don’t, you’re a bum. And, as we’ve seen, it can change in 48 hours, at least in hoops around these parts.

Let’s say Jamario Moon doesn’t have eight points and five boards in the first quarter, let’s say he doesn’t finish with 11 and 10.

How badly would you or we be killing Sam today?

Still think he could have gone to Kapono or Delfino for the reasons I’ve oft-stated but maybe the guy does know something. Maybe he knew that the Moon would provide some energy and rebounds and deflections.

Maybe he knows his team better than we do.

Maybe the dude knows something.

Maybe he’ll gloat.

Maybe not.

"I’m not going to take any credit for it, and I would be scared to death if you actually gave me some,” he told us after the game. “Some things you do are going to work, some things aren’t going work. (If) you do things based on what people are going to say about you, you’re in the wrong business.”

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Action: Magic loses
Reaction: Stan Van Gundy self-flagellates.

Coaches. Ya gotta love them. Team plays bad, he takes the hit

"It's on me. I've got to get us into some stuff that's a little bit better. I thought we had a good plan coming in, we did not and we go back to work [today] and try to figure some things out.”

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Action: Orlando’s on a run and score’s now 64-51.
Reaction: Fans cheering wildly as T.J. brings the ball back up the court.

Well done, folks.

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You wanna to go tomorrow’s game and help a worthy cause? Listen up.
There’s this dude, Jawad, who always has a question or two for the mailbag, and now he’s come up with a way to raise some money for the Raptors foundation and since those people work so hard and do so much good, I gotta help them out.

Jawad’s offering two tickets to tomorrow’s game (Level 3, midcourt, seven rows back, good seats indeed) through the foundation.

Here’s how it works:

Go here and follow the instructions and whoever wins, have fun at the game.

This is a good cause, you get a tax receipt for the donations and everyone should give it shot.

The fine women who run this part of the foundation tell me the auction opens at 10 a.m. today, closes at 4 p.m. so you’ve got to hurry. They’ll let you know by e-mail tonight if you won.

Oh, and Jawad? That’s a good dude doing good things.

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Action: T.J. goes for a post-game meal.
Reaction: A spy tells me gets a standing ovation in the restaurant.

Maybe he's Sally Fields.

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Action: “Now in the game for Orlando, Marcin Gortat.
Reaction: “Who?”

He’s no one you’ve ever heard of but if he ever becomes a player, you can thank an ex-Raptor coach.

"I think Brendan Malone has done as a good a job with a player in a short amount of time than I’ve ever seen,” said Stan Van Gundy. “Every single day he’s with him and he’s developing not only his physical skills but mentally, his understanding of the game.”

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Action: J.J. Redick badly misses a wide-open three.
Reaction: Jason Kapono drills a contested three on the next possession.

Some day, young fella, you might make it. That day isn’t here yet.

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B. Schmitz sums up things this way.

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Action: Dwight Howard gets fifth foul with almost nine minutes left.
Reaction: Might have been smartest play Jose Calderon’s made in weeks.

Jose passes up a chance at a jumper to dribble right at the big fella and initiate the contact to draw the foul. Exactly the kind of play the Raptors generally get sucked into, not the one they make.

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Action: Maceo Baston in uniform.
Reaction: The Gangster on the inactive list.

Did you notice?

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Action: Carlos Arroyo guards T.J. Ford.
Reaction: Call the cops, that was criminal.

I don’t remember 3 1-2 minutes of beating like that in a long, long time. Looked like me trying to guard him. Sam stood on the sidelines for about three of the possessions screaming at the team to run the 1-4 spread play so T.J. could get isolated. He wasn’t chuckling when he was doing it, but I bet Ford was smiling inside.

Cleaning up some loose ends

Thank goodness they’re going to play a game tonight because maybe we can all put this Bosh-shot-at-the-end-of-the-game stuff to rest. Hopefully.

But first, I’ve to say one thing to the half dozen or so people who continue to assert that there “was nothing drawn up on that last play” or “there were no options.”

Here we go, for the last time and I only bring it up now because I’ve read too many comments about it to let it go unmentioned:

There was a play, it was the high screen and roll, a play they’ve run about a billion times, best one they’ve got in their playbook.

It was a play involving a point guard who had made four of his five shots in the final quarter and the team’s all-star power forward, who was shooting just under 50 per cent from the field in that game. Two best players on the court by far.

And options? You want options? There were four:

Calderon comes off the screen, beats his man and drives.
Calderon comes off the screen, everyone backs up and he shoots.

Bosh gets the ball and drives if Howard’s right up on him.
Bosh gets the ball and shoots a jumper if Howard backs up.

There.

A play call with four options.

You may not be satisfied with either the call or the option chosen but there is no one connected with team who has a problem with either the call or the decision. And no one here who does, either. If I’ve got one shot to win a game with the team that was on the floor then, I want Chris Bosh making the decision. And so would any NBA coach.

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Cleaning up some shootaround stuff, here’s some cool Stan Van Gundy, who is a not bad quote, even if it seems he begins every answer to every question with either, “no, I don’t agree” or “not exactly” or some other negative comment. Helluva quote, though.

Asked about that last shot, here’s a verbatim coach-sticking-up-for-coach quote:

"Chris Bosh had a great shot. Here’s the funny thing, I sort of laugh at the coverage – nothing personal guys but, no, I do. Here’s what coaching comes down to: When Chris Bosh raises up to shoot that shot at the end of the game and ball is in the air, stop it right there and write your stories. Write your stories right now. Did Sam do a good job or not do a good job? Write your stories right then without seeing the ball bounce out. Because if it goes in, you’re writing about their resilience, how Sam kept them in the game, he made great adjustments and the whole thing. It bounces out and all Sam’s adjustments are screwing them up, they’re confused. That’s the game and that’s coaching. The ball is in the air and you guys are going to write your stories based on whether it bounces out or it goes in. That’s the bottom line.

"There’s nobody writing what they wrote if the ball went in. Then it’s me. My team fell apart, I didn’t keep ‘em in it.”

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Bea Arthur, oops, I mean B. Arthur just made a comment here in the media room that coaches must spend a lot of time laughing. He’d just listened to the above Van Gundy quote and this one from Sam on the reappearance of Jason Kapono:

"I just laugh all the time, people say Jason couldn’t get his shots but Anthony Parker got shots every night. Anthony Parker’s in the top five or six in three-point shooting; Carlos, when he comes in the game, he gets shots. We’re finding him (Kapono), he’s shooting the ball well and I think he’s looking for his shot because he knows he’s shooting it well.”

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Oh yeah, wear red tonight if you want to be with the ‘in’ crowd. (That’s done to help out the good people around the Raptors)

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Okay, off for a wee break before, you know, work starts.