This just in, and it's a surprise schedule indeed

Well, no one saw this one coming.

The schedule for the Raptor-Orlando series has just been released -- sometimes it pays to stay up late -- and things begin Sunday at 12:30 in Orlando. TNT, which on every proposed schedule we'd seen was starting a triple header at 5:30 p.m., has apparently decided an earlier start is the better.

As we expected, Game 2 goes Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. in Orlando and Game 3 is back in Toronto next Thursday, the 22nd, also at 7:30 p.m..

Then it gets a bit strange. The Raptors have bumped the Rock out of the Air Canada Centre on Saturday, April 26 and will play Game 4 at 3 p.m. and the game will be on TNT in the States.

Game 5, if necessary, is Monday, April 28 in Orlando and then there's an extra day off before a Game 6, which will be back in Toronto on Thursday, May 1 if it's needed and the time is still to be determined.

A seventh game would be Saturday, May 3 in Orlando and that time is still be decided as well.

Overall, not a bad schedule. It'll be interesting to see how the Orlando fans deal with an early start to Game 1 and Toronto gets a night game to open its end of the series.

The extra day off between Game 5 and 6 will also be welcome after playing every other day.

The Canadian broadcasters are still to be announced.

A long, long season comes to an end

Finally, it ends.

I don’t know how many days it’s been but it feels like about two hundred years since we landed in Treviso way back when. Lots of stuff went on, some of it even good.

A schedule update: The NBA tells us it’ll be overnight before they get the official schedule for the first round out, given that it seems almost every single game out west means something about playoff seedings. So watch here, we’ll get it up as soon as we can.

But we do know it’s a Sunday start (5:30 p.m. or 8 p.m.).

Not sure how late it’ll be before we get it but if I’m up when it comes in, it’ll get poster here quickly.

Let’s get to some stuff.

Lots of questions about who plays how long tonight in Chicago. And, I believe, some misperception out there about what “rest” means.

No one’s suggesting anyone get the entire night off, they need to play a little bit to stay sharp. But to run anyone out there for 40 minutes is silly and irresponsible.

We asked Bosh yesterday how much he’d play him if he was in charge and he said 20 minutes. Sam wouldn’t give us a number for anyone but I think between 20-24 for all the regular sounds about right. If anyone out there thinks these guys will somehow lose their edge playing 20 minutes instead of 40 in the 82^nd game of the season, there’s really nothing I can say to that.

One thing they have to do? Let Carlos get some time playing point guard.

Why? Game 6 last year in Jersey.

I know it’s a long shot, but what if both point guards get hurt? There’s no Darrick as an emergency and someone has to at least be able to dribble the ball up the court.

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Oh yeah, here’s one to remember: The Gangster’s season high is 26 minutes. Happened in Boston back in December.

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Let’s go quickly into the mail:

Q: With Rasho playing around or above what he is getting paid, what are the chances the Raptors resign him?  It seems that every "championship" team needs players like these as either glue or role players and at worst, injury replacements. Sadly, I see the Raptors dumping him, but I guess I can live with it if it gets us that fabled three.
What's the future hold for our stoic mute?

Dan P, Toronto

A: It’s not a matter of re-signing him. He’s under contract for next season; the question is, do they try to trade him in the summer? One way to look at it would be to suggest his value will never be higher and that’s when you want to make a deal.

Personally, I say don’t move him unless they absolutely have to for one “special” player, and I don’t know who that is. If he plays like this next season in Toronto, his value will be high at the trade deadline and maybe you can entertain a deal then; if he play drops off and there’s no deal to be made next, let him become a free agent and either save the cap money or re-sign him then at a lower salary.

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List time

It’s a special day, isn’t it? Last day of the regular season, time to look back. Let’s look way back, to other final games. I know there have only been 12 and many of you probably remember them all but here’s a personal top four that I may not have mentioned before:

2003

A certain First Lady Of The Beat and I were involved in what’s known in some circles as Looting Night In Cleveland. There to chronicle the ultimate demise of Lenny Wilkens’s coaching career on the same night the Cavs unveiled their new logo and colours, we saw boxes and boxes of t-shirts on the way out. Seems there were some who simply helped themselves to one, or two in some cases, and the next season on their next giveaway night, the Cavs went to great lengths to warn everyone against simply taking things.

1998

I’m not sure what this means but one of the biggest stories of the last game ever at Maple Leaf Gardens was not Glen Grunwald’s apology or Marcus Camby’s triple double, it was the sighting a big, stinking rat in the family room. Lovely building, that Gardens.

1996

Philadelphia 109, Toronto 105 (OT)

Sixers record: 18-64; Raptor record: 21-61.

Anyone forced to watch those two teams play overtime in the last game of the regular season deserves a medal.

"We just set basketball back 100 years,” said then-Philly coach John Lucas.

2007

I can go to my grave content in knowing I’ve seen Luke Jackson score 30 points in an NBA game.

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You’re going to get to know my guy Brian Schmitz in Orlando pretty well over the next few days. Let’s see what he’s writing about today.

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A last one in the mail, for now:

Q: I don't think that participants in a sporting event should be mic'd. They should be concentrating on their essential tasks. And rest periods should be for rest. What is your opinion? I always read your columns because of your enthusiasm and knowledge of the game.

Jack M, Toronto

A: I really don’t have a problem with it. It’s part of the evolution of the coverage of a game and the coaches and players I know who have been mic’d don’t let it effect anything they do. It does probably add a level to the broadcast that keeps some viewers around.

One of the women who works for the league co-ordinating with coaches who are mic’d goes to great lengths to explain to them that there is no permanent record, that every tape is destroyed immediately after the game.

One good story, though.
I believe it was in Madrid at the pre-season game this year and they had Jose Calderon mic’d during the game. Well, seems one of the wires was slipping or something and where most players would have just ripped it off and thrown it to the ground or something, Jose grabbed it, starting talking into it to tell whoever was listening that he was having problems.

Mid-week mail, and lots of it

Holy smokes, you people are unrelenting. Another week, another few thousand words of mail. There’s more, too, I’ll get to it when I can, that pesky newspaper work and flights are getting in the way.

Q: Just have to say thanks for the blog. Not sure where I'd be without it! I was just wondering who decides who the league MVP is? I didn't know if there was a 'panel' of some sort and if so, who's on it? Is it the same group every year?
Simone S, Toronto

A: Got to this in the paper but if you didn’t see it, there’s a group of 125 voters, I believe; three from every city and a handful of “national” media who vote. And it does change slightly from year to year, depending on which local broadcasters or writers get ballots in which categories.

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Q: You linked to Dave D's playoff-elimination article on the Nets in your last post.  I like Dave D too, but I was very intrigued by the one bit where he suggests that Richard Jefferson will likely be somewhere else next season.  I know he would look good in a Raps uniform, but I believe you've said it's a money issue with him.  Is there any possibility with our current roster (trades, sign-and-trades, etc) that he could be a Raptor next year?

Steve W, London, UK

A: I’ve mentioned a few times that I think the Nets will try to move RJ but they’d probably want a small forward in return and I don’t see a fit in a trade. But I think Toronto will call about him.

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Q: After watching the Nets game, and seeing how the fans treat Vince, I was wondering about what kind of reaction TJ Ford might get if he were ever traded, as some think might happen. It seems the Raptor fans love themselves an enemy. Do you think he'd be treated more like MoPete or more like Carter?

G M, Vancouver

A: He’d be on the Carter side of that equation, I’d bet. Not nearly as bad, but there’d be more boos than cheers. And, yes, Raptor fans love to let ex-Raptors know how they feel.

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Q: Hey Doug, do you know anyone from ESPN?  Next time you see one, ask if they ever plan to open an office in Toronto.  Or better yet, if they plan to broadcast in Canada?  I'm tired of only having puckhead networks and want a more rounded sports network. Heck, I would be first in line to work at ESPN. Marc Stein and Bill Simmons have said they would move to TO if ESPN opened an office. Wouldn't you want to report for ESPN? Although you'll be flying around more and that means less time with Super Son and Super Wife.

MK L, Mississauga

A: I’m pretty sure The Score, TSN and Sportsnet would make sure the CRTC wouldn’t let that happen.

And I love my job, why would I entertain other offers (you’re still reading this, right boss?)

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Q: Doug - point blank - could Candace Parker play in the NBA?

Doug S, Peterborough

A: Point blank: No.

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Q: In regards to the intro from your last update, I guess we are sort of like a family: you've been ignoring all my questions, so you feel just like my dad. LOL. Anyway, I want to say I totally support your steadfast stance with Andrea -- I wish he were producing now, but it seems so obvious all his issues are mental. Knowing 'when' to make which move, developing confidence, understanding defences/offences, which is all about exposure. And it's not like he's averaging Hoffa numbers - even when he's disappointing, he has the numbers of a more than serviceable big man. So why do you think people are so quick push the panic button with this guy? Are the naysayers just looking for a crease in the finely dressed resume of Bryan Colangelo?

S M, Toronto

A: Well live in a world full of the need for instant gratification, my friend. If you’re not great right away, you suck and should be dispatched so someone else can come in. It’s silly, but it’s the way it is for most people, I’m afraid.

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Q: Oh Blogmaster please forgive my protestation;
Maybe I should defend my thought that the difference between this season and last is the absence of Garbo because it may be over complicating things the think otherwise.
Last year there were injuries and even a significant one to CB4. If you recall during the time Bosh was off for 12 games(I think) the Raps actually turned the season around.
Also, at this point you could say the Raps have a pretty good chance at winning 42 games. That means only five games off last year’s performance. Don't you think that having Jorge available at the three would have made a difference in at least five games?
And having five more wins under their belt at this point would have significant effect on where they start the playoffs.
What do you think of that reasoning?
PS:
Do you think Garbo would be stupid enough to try playing for the Spanish Olympic team this summer?

TC W, Toronto

A: I see your point. And your logic. I will counter with this: Maybe it is five, maybe it’s three. Maybe if Garbo played a lot of power forward next to Bosh, Rasho doesn’t get the same opportunity to shine and they still win 41 or 42. It’s impossible to quantify, but it’s fun to try.

And if Garbo’s healthy, why wouldn’t he play for Spain? It’s not like last summer when he was six months removed from surgery, when the Olympics roll around, it’ll be closer to 10. And having watched him in the gym these last couple of weeks, he’ll be fine to play and should go ahead if he wants to.

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Q: Doug, just watched AB throw up 3 bricks from behind the arc against Detroit and wondered how long he's been shooting so horribly.  I looked it up and he's been under 30 per cent since the All-Star break. Ouch. He doesn't rebound, doesn't defend, and now he can't shoot. At what point do the Raptors coaches tell him to screw throwing up 3 pointers and exclusively start from the block? (Not that he does that effectively either) Or do you think he should just keep shooting?

Nathan J, Toronto

A: I’ll go with the coaches on this one. He should drive the ball more, try to get to the free throw line more often, try to get those mid-range jumpers off rather than settle for three-pointers. And if they can get him on the block, they should. But not at the expense of low post touches for Bosh or Rasho, whoever he’s on the floor with.

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Q: Hey Doug, do you think Bosh is falling in love with the 3-pointer too much? I've been watching the past few games and it seems he's been taking way more threes this year than he has in years past. With Kapono, Parker, Calderon already on the team, isn't it wise to let them shoot the threes and to let Bosh stick with the long jumper/post play?

Dave R, Markham

A: Falling in love? All of the three-pointers Bosh has taken in the last three weeks have been open looks in rhythm. He’s smart enough to know that’s the only way he takes them.

And your “way more threes this year than he has in years past” is, I’m afraid, not right.

Bosh has 24 attempts this season, he had 35 last year.

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Q: Hey Doug, started off by Allen Iverson, Why is it that it’s mostly high profile players who wear the arm sleeve (i.e Kobe, LeBron, Carmelo, V.C, D-Wade, T-Mac, Rip Hamilton, etc)
It is either a marketing strategy or I guess the normal/role players just don’t need padding for their shooting arm since they don’t get fouled as much. Or both?
But hey if it’s the too much fouling, we should definitely recommend one for Jamario Moon, don’t you think?
Ali K, Thornhill

A: They’ll all tell you the compression sleeves help and they very well could. But I imagine there’s a little bit of fashion thrown in there, too. And simple imitation. Remember when all kinds of guys were wearing those full-length leggings? The NBA banned them with the exception for legitimate injury and no one’s game really went in the toilet.

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Q: You mentioned how you feel like you’re getting to know some of us. Getting comfortable with some of us. Is there any one of us that consistently gets on your nerves? Have you ever deleted a message without reading it after seeing who it was from?

CJ L, London

A: No, shockingly, no one over on this side of things ever gets on my nerves. And it’s nice to see the same old names every week. I actually look forward to some of the more challenging question that go beyond who’s getting trade and why don’t they bench that bum Bargnani.

And I have never deleted a message simply because of the sender, even over on the comments side where, how to best put this, more raw emotion seems to emerge.

The way I see it, if someone takes the time out of their day to write, I should take the time to read. And, hopefully, respond.

The Morning After The Night Before, LXXX

So, Orlando. That’s what everyone wanted, right? Goofy and Mickey and all their friends. Should be a riot. But first, we gotta get the regular season over with. And 81 down, one to go.

Three Things I Learned

Let ‘em know

Gotta get away from the actual game for just a minute.

RON POZZER/HAMILTON SPECTATOR

A Raptors broadcast wouldn't be the same without The Coach.

If things don’t change, that was Jack Armstrong’s last game as a Raptor analyst and that, frankly, sucks. The guy brings insight and entertainment to every game he does and to not have him around next season diminishes the product and the game. I have no idea what the tallest of foreheads at the various networks and Maple Leaf Sports are going to do about it but if they don’t find a way to keep him around for the majority of the games, I’ve got a feeling they’re going to lose viewers and since ratings aren’t exactly through the roof now, that’s not something they can afford to do. First-rate broadcasters don’t grow on trees and for almost a decade now, Jack’s been a first-rate broadcaster. I’m pretty sure any of the handful of other networks he’s worked for would love to have him full-time, so should one here.

You want to make your feelings known? Go here and contact ‘em. Surely to goodness someone in the ivory tower over there will listen.

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A strange, scary sight

Had to rub our eyes and I’m sure you did, too.

Not only did Jason Kapono attempt a three-pointer for the first time in 11 games last night, he actually made one for the first time in 12 games. Ought to put that video in the vault.

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Who plays Wednesday?

You know what they need going into Chicago?

Darrick Martin.

Sam says the regulars will play a bit on Wednesday, I would presume no one in the top 10 of the rotation plays more than 24 minutes but the hard part is going to be finding someone to give both T.J. and Jose a break. I guess Carlos Delfino could play the point a little bit but if Martin was still active, he could get about a 24-minute run.

I’m thinking now that the 10-day Linton Johnson experiment might not have been the greatest of moves.

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There’s all kinds of mail hanging around here, I’ll get it all out some time today or tonight, I promise. Here’s one:

Q: Is it too early to start hyping Calderon for the NBA's Most Improved Player Award? And what about Sixth Man? Does he qualify?

Andrew P, Waterloo

A: They aren’t doing a lot of ‘hype’ as an organization so they aren’t inundating voters with Jose t-shirts or stats packages or whatever but in my informal poll of a couple of dozen other voters, I think he’ll be hard-pressed to beat out Hedo Turkoglu for most improved.

And he can’t win the Sixth Man Award ‘cause he had too many starts.

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You know what would have been really cool. If Eric Lewis had been the referee in Philly last night.

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Speaking of that wild finish, here’s how it played in Philly, and here’s what they were writing in Cleveland.

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Another reason to love The Gangster, or something like that. A technical foul for bitching about a non-call with 48 seconds left in a blowout? Tres cool.

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This is the kind of mental mistake rookies make, and mistakes that cannot be made in the playoffs.

Last minute of the second quarter, Jamario Moon has the ball right in front of the Raptor bench. Not 15 feet away from him, Chris Bosh is standing, being guarded by someone named Stephane Lasme, I believe. Or maybe it was Joel Anthony, or Kasib Powell. Doesn’t really matter.

Moon, a 32 per cent three-point shooter, proceeds to launch a 25-foot jumper and I’m really surprised Sam didn’t reach out and bop him on the head.

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Another from the mailbag

Q: Hey Doug, I know that the teams watch tapes of previous games to point out areas of improvement and things similar to that. My question is, do the Raps watch what we, as the viewers, watch as well, with Chuck and Leo or Jack commentating? If they do, they must be pretty flattered with all the praise they get from them.

Sam C, Kingston

A: Ah, a familiar name. Haven’t been around in a while.

No, the videos they watch don’t have sound. You’re right, though, if they did, they might be big heads. And sometimes they don’t see full games, they’ll see what’s known as an “edit” which is a compilation of plays by a specific player that shows tendencies, strengths and weaknesses. And before games, the two TVs in the locker room are generally showing the opponent’s most recent game. All without sound.

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So, as part of Elmopalooza, or Fanapalooza, or whatever they called he give-aways last night, The Chicken shows up at the end of the third quarter with a sack of Doritos to rifle into the crowd. Perhaps because he knows our snack habits, he tossed few to the hungry patrons of press row, which we all dutifully passed to young urchins in the first few rows of seats.

Was very nice of he/she/it. Was sort of hoping for pizza, though.

The Morning After The Day Before, LXXIX

So, looks like sixth, right? Of course, that may mean having to beat Chicago in Chicago and that’s exactly the kind of game these fellas can spit up like a baby rejecting smooshed peas but maybe there’s some help. Maybe they get Miami tonight and Philly loses to Cleveland and we can all make plans for a trip to Disney on the weekend.

(And if there’s anyone out there with an extra couple to Springsteen in Orlando on Saturday, I know where you can get rid of them).

Okay, on with the show:

Three Things I Learned

Regression in progress

DUANE BURLESON/AP

Pistons are good, blah, blah, blah.

If that wasn’t the worst game Andrea Bargnani’s played in a long, long time, I can’t remember which was. Of two of his shots, I swear the ball never once got over the rim, which even in my limited basketball knowledge means it’s got little chance of going in.

No, I’m not ready to trade him for Andrew Bogut or LaMarcus Aldridge or anyone but whatever funk the kid’s in took entire control of his body yesterday.

And it wasn’t just the shots. End of first quarter, Pistons with last shot and Bargnani simply forgets to switch out on Tayshaun Prince in the corner and Prince drills a wide-open three. Bargnani gets the requisite earful from Sam as he walks back to the bench, seemingly oblivious. That blown assignment has nothing to do with shooting mechanics, that’s got to do with mental mechanics.

I had a coach tell me a couple of weeks ago that if these guys were going to do anything in the playoffs, Bargnani was going to have to be good.

I’m thinking the season’s got a fortnight, at best, left.

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Things you never see

A five-second violation? I can’t remember the last one called in a game I’ve been at. Not sure if they were trying to call a timeout to avoid it but just another mental gaffe.

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Remembering when

Do you recall how done Lindsey Hunter was when he was in Toronto way back in 2002-03? Yes, that was the same guy out there giving the Pistons a few minutes of intense full court defence. Not sure how he fits into their playoff plans but it’s nice to have an energetic, veteran player on the roster who knows his role and plays it well. That’s the kind of guy a team like Toronto could use.

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Loads of mail, which will give me something to do this afternoon since there’s no shootaround. Here’s one of them:

Q: I'm usually the glass-is-half-full kind of guy, but when my team loses to a group of inexperienced back-ups in the most important game/quarter of the year (sure, every game is important these days, blah blah blah) how can I expect a decent playoff showing by this Raptors team? Ignore that rhetorical question!
My question has to do with the much criticized CB4 video to the fans, I was wondering how much influence does Colangelo and his marketing dept. have over player's individual promotional efforts? Was this all Bosh's idea or did someone upstairs make sure it was released prior to the sale of playoff tickets to the public on Saturday? I'm not looking for a conspiracy because it sure seemed easier to buy tickets this year compared to last season (less demand?).

K N, Toronto

A: There’s very little influence, if any. As a matter of fact, I know for certain that the first of Bosh’s direct-to-the-fans-videos (way back in the pre-all star time) was a complete surprise to the powers that be and I presume this latest one was, too.

What players do away from the court, whether it be marketing themselves or somesuch, is their own doing. I’m sure if it got far out of hand someone might take a guy aside but, really, the Bosh thing was hardly an earth-shattering event.

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A subtle change of late. Have you noticed that in the past few games the first big to come out of the game is Bosh, not Nesterovic. And usually it’s only for a minute or two. Back in the day, they’d often leave Bosh on the court for the entire first quarter and for a few minutes of the second.

Asked Sam about it and here’s his (logical) explanation:

"I think sometimes I play him for too long stretches but it’s hard to take him out, he’s my comfort zone. I know if I need a shot, we can throw the basketball to him.”

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Here's how C. McCosky in Detroit wrote about yesterday’s game, and here’s how Ira got the Miami readers ready for tonight’s big tilt.

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We got Classic Cranky Sam pre-game Sunday. He wasn’t in a playful mood at all. And it’s apparently entirely boring to him to talk about the Pistons, which is natural because at this time of season there’s not really a lot to discuss about them.

"Fifty wins, seven years in a row, blah, blah, blah. Blah, blah, blah. They’re a good team.”

Well put.

Not quite the riveting quote that turns average stories into good ones, but not a bad assessment.

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Once more into the mail:

Q: Doug, You probably won't answer this, but I was watching the Bulls game last night and couldn't help but to wonder who should have been fired Scott Skiles or John Paxson. They could have traded for either Kevin Garnett or Kobe Bryant two leading candidates for MVP. All they would have to give up is two players that probably won't re-sign with them anyway (Ben Gordon and Luol Deng).

Terry M, Mississauga

A: Now, why would you think I wouldn’t answer it? It’s kind of cool to get questions that aren’t about who I’d trade Bargnani for, which free agents they can sign in the summer and TJ-Jose.

Actually, I think Paxson’s largely responsible for the mess the Bulls became because of his paralysis over the possible Bryant trade early in the year. But even if he didn’t or there wasn’t a good offer or a legitimate offer out there, he should have handled the situation better because it became obvious early in the year that chemistry on that club was horrific. That had a huge impact on what’s transpired.

And a fine good morning to you all

You know what I like about the mail? It’s like conversations with people you know. I don’t know any of you, but I sort of do, if you understand. It’s sorta cool to see the same names popping up. Comfortable or something.

Anyway, enough nice crap, let’s get to the questions (and there’s more, but with a game and a game story and a drive home to handle, it might be tonight or tomorrow morning or Tuesday ‘til we get another big old mailbag out).

Q: Hey, I asked the question yesterday about denying CP3 the MVP, and you responded by saying that Kobe would win, not only because he's due, but because he's the single most talented player in the league.
Then what about LeBron? He's single-handedly keeping Cleveland afloat in a mediocre Eastern Conference and he's having one of the best statistical seasons ever. I just don't understand MVP voting and it seems every year there is a different criteria used.
Just one more thing. The game in New Jersey I was part of the "vocal" fans Mr. Dave D. mentioned in his article. Tell me the truth...how annoying were we? Do the players hear it and get a little juiced that they have some travelling supporters (not like they played like it)? Just wanted to see if we were heard and got under some people's skin. I know the people around us weren't very happy because the GM of the Izod Center supervised us for the entire 4th quarter. Good guy actually, said he hadn't seen a game in years, thanked us for keeping it clean, and everyone went home happy.
Feel free to edit a bit, but give us a little love, because I was hoping we'd be mentioned in the blog or article the next day. Thanks.

Mike S, Georgetown

A: I can make the argument that Kobe is more skilled in many facets of the game than LeBron. And that’s why they have such things as MVP, so people can debate it.

Annoying? Not at all. Amusing? Indeed. And I’m sure the players notice that kind of support on the road.

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Q: Hope Sam is feeling better.  Nice to hear BC's comments.  Would you consider the tone a bit ominous??
By the way will any of the players/coaches be mic’d on Sunday

John P, Fredericton

A: Sam’s still a bit sick. And I don’t think was any more ominous than what I presume they discuss in private. Everyone’s getting all worked up and trying to read things into a simple statement of opinion from the GM. Trust me, if Bryan said that to reporters, he’s said the same thing in private.

And, yes, Sam will have the microphone on for today’s game and, yes, he’ll be interviewed between the first and second quarters.

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Q: I don't know if anyone else has noticed this too, or maybe I'm alone on this theory. Lately, quarters 1,2, and 4 have been good and bad, but the 3rd quarters have always been solid for them. They execute well offensively and play much more aggressive D. So my question is: What's happening in that locker room at halftime? Discussing defensive/offensive adjustments? Motivational speeches?

Amanda F, Barrie

A: Not sure if you’re alone and I agree they’ve had better third quarters of late. I think that’s got a plenty to do with little defensive adjustments the coaches make – the players implement – on the second half. Or maybe it’s the drinks that Jose passes out.
But here’s one for you that might change your theory a wee bit: In their last seven games, they’ve given up an average of 30 points in each first quarter, the opponents have shot better than 50 per cent from the field and in only two have the Raptors led after a quarter. They lost one of those.

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Q: Mr. Smith - yours is an exceptionally well maintained blog one of the best I have read so far on the web – current, daily updates and interesting to read – your baseball writing brethren at the Star could learn plenty from it!). As a displaced Canadian it is my main source of Raps info. My questions:
1) Is space so valuable on the website that the Star cannot afford you a full head shot? I assume your head does not end shortly above the ears ;)
2) Unfortunately I do not get to watch many games. However, I recently saw a game and from what I can see as an older beer league player (who is much better at the consumption side of things) the team lacks heart, intensity and fundamentals. The game I watched was with the TJ one-man show as the backup point guard with the other 4 guys doing or getting no chance to do anything.
My twofold questions in this regard:
a) Has in your opinion the overall point guard play improved since the switch back? Calderon seems to have regressed (at least statistically)
b) Do you see the Raps in their current state winning a game or surprisingly a series against either Detroit or Orlando?

David W, Trier, Germany

A: If you’d asked me a week ago, I’d have said I thought the point guard play had regressed a bit but in the last two games, they’ve combined for 37 assists and no turnovers, Toronto’s won both games and, both times, they’ve finished the fourth quarter with Calderon on the court and I’m quite fine with that.

Oh, and the folks at picture central like to leave a little bit to the imagination, hence the cut-off head.

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Q: I was reading Eric Smith's blog on raptors.com the other day and he was going on about bringing an NBA franchise back to Vancouver.  He even went so far as to say that he, Jack Armstrong, and Paul Jones would each pony up 25k to get the ball rolling.
First Question: Is this a good idea?
Second Question: What were the main factors associated with the failure of the Vancouver franchise (poor attendance, crappy team, inexperienced ownership)?
Finally, E. Smith said that NBA players loved to go to Van-City and play, I think he said it was one of the top five NBA destinations.  All I seem to remember from that time was that players like Steve Francis REFUSED to play there.  Was this to do with the city (being located in the "great white north") or more to do with playing for a "lowly" expansion team.

Kyle S, Ottawa

A: I have to admit I haven’t read Eric’s piece yet but if he and Jonesy and Jack each have an extra 25K lying around, I know where it’d be better off spent. A nice donation to the Aging Beat Grunt Foundation would b nice.

I think there were a couple of contributing factors, none of which had to do with the fans, who as I recall were outstanding. There were ownership issues, lots of issues to do with corporate money (the hockey team did deals that sort of locked up the arena for a lot of sponsors without involving basketball, which was a terrible to the hoops bottom line) and it’s not like Stu Jackson build a juggernaut on the court.

Now, most of the players I know, or knew, liked to go there once or twice a year as a visiting player (who wouldn’t?) but I’m not sure it was quite cosmopolitan enough back in the mid-1990s for some people to live there for nine months.

The Morning After The Night Before, LXXVIII

All’s right in the world, right? He Who Shall Not Be Named isn’t going to the playoffs, the local heroes of the hardcourt played as well defensively for three quarters as they have in weeks. The folks who need it got ticket stubs for free pizza from caring fans and the Raptors are back in sixth.

Big night.

Three Things I Learned

Another one

Mentioned earlier that you seldom see a player make a shot while a teammate was being simultaneously being fouled and, boom, it happened again last night.

Tells you what kind of odd season this is.

First quarter, Bosh makes a jumper, Bargnani gets hammered and then misses the free throw.

Another right call although I’m sure there were some fans who aren’t loyal readers who didn’t know what was going on. All of you did though, right?

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A lesson learned?

Not sure how many of you caught it, but T.J. made exactly the kind of play in the third quarter last night that they’ve been trying to get him to make all season.

He drives aggressively to the rim and he knows he’s gonna get hit. At the last second, he kicks his leg out to lessen the contact, still drawing the foul but diminishing the chance he’d end up on his butt on the court.

The play brought Sam up off the bench clapping ‘cause he’s been telling us he wants TJ to do that more often for obvious reasons.

Nice, subtle play by Ford.

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First time?

Without having looked at every tape of every game he played, I’m pretty sure Bosh’s foul on Richard Jefferson –- when hit him pretty hard and sort of grabbed him around the neck and chest – might have been the hardest foul Bosh has ever committed.

On a team of nice guys who never, ever, ever do that, it was good to see. The Nets were up screaming for a flagrant foul call that’s unheard of with Raptor fouls.

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Mail time:

Q: I love the blog. This is my 4th time trying to get in, so hopefully it makes the cut, even though it’s not Raptors related. I just saw in the boxscore that Charlie V got a DNP-CD (Friday). Do you know the reason for this after his big game vs. the Raps? Thanks.

Alex H, Oakville

A: His shoulder was sore? Nah, he actually sat with a sore groin, we were told.

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If you’re watching Minnesota-Memphis game tonight (and you are, here’s a hint: Get a life!) and notice Our Favourite Chicken at the arena, don’t worry, he hasn’t dumped Toronto for Beale Street.

Stuffed animals are a caring lot and the person who was Grizz, or Super Grizz, maybe?, is battling cancer. The rest of the league’s mascots have been filling in as a show of support and to entertain the fans.

The Chicken’s number is up tonight.

Good guys/gals/its those mascots are.

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We all know last night’s loss knocked the Nets officially out of the playoffs, here’s how the inimitable Dave D wrote it up.

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Speaking of big games, how big is Philly at Washington tonight for the locals?

We have no idea how things will eventually turn out but how’s this for two scenarios.

If Washington wins and gets to 42 wins, it pretty much guarantees they’ll finish fifth (they have the tiebreaker on the Raptors); if the Sixers win, they’ll have 41, Washington will have 41 and Toronto 40.

Check out the schedule:

Philly will have Cleveland and at Charlotte left, maybe the win one and get to 42.

Washington has Indy and at Orlando left, maybe they only win one and get to 42. But let’s say they lose both and stay at 41.

Toronto’s got at Detroit, Miami and at Chicago left. Let’s say they get the two of those they should and finish with 42.

Presto! Toronto’s fifth and opens at Cleveland.

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Last one from the mail for now, there’ll be an early-morning mailbag from Auburn Hills tomorrow morning.

Q: Just read your "Colangelo waiting it out" article. It seems like Sam and the gang are always around for quotes before and after the game, but this is the most I've heard from BC all year. How approachable is he?
He always looks so intimidating when he watches the game from the tunnel. Does he ever sit down?

Duane C, Toronto

A: He’s quite approachable but in the course of a season, we pretty much need to talk to Sam and the gang every day. Trouble on Thursday was Sam was out sick and couldn’t fill our notebooks with his ramblings, Bryan was in the practice gym and all of us, needing an off-day yarn, figured we’d have a chat. And he came through, as he does.

And why he doesn’t sit? Too nervous. It’s much easier to pace, get frustrated, get happy, get mad from the relative privacy of that tunnel that sitting in the stands.

A note of thanks

I looked at the comments just now and I feel like Sally Freaking Fields.

Thanks, to all.

Much, much appreciated.

Makes the loud banging noise in my head get quieter.

The mail, finally, gets delivered

Here’s a Did You Know.

Did you know black sambuca is quite tasty and goes well with a pint jar of Stella Artois? Toss in some chocolate cake and a chicken wing or two and you’ve got yourself a gem of evening.

Not the greatest of mornings, mind you, but a gem of an evening, I tell ya.

Now, on to the important stuff. Lighter than usual load this week but there’s more coming, I’m sure.

Q: Doug, I'm a little short on the research department, so I was wondering if you could find the answer to the following three-part question for me.
When was the last time that a team led by a player younger than a) 30 b) 28 c) 26 has won a championship?
(Cough, Bosh comparison, cough)

Robert B, Oshawa

A: My ciphering skills are a bit diminished today. Was Kobe the leader of the Laker teams that won? How about Dwyane Wade in Miami? How old was Jordan when he got his first championship? Magic was a kid when he was winning and so was Larry Bird.

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Q: With four games left in the season, I decided to write you one more time. My questions were never posted or answered for that matter this season. But, I ain't mad at ya.
I actually have three questions:
1. Why are points scored in overtime added to a player's total? The way I see it, OT is a tool to separate two teams tied at the end of regulation and the points scored should solely be used for that purpose. What do you think?
2. During the game against the Bucks on Wednesday night, T.J. Ford tipped the ball in his own basket while trying to secure a rebound. Chuck Swirsky announced that, that basket was credited to a Buck (forgot who it was) who was closest to T.J. Is that how it always works?
3. I noticed several times that Jose Calderon claps his hands while jumping when an opponent's player takes a jump shot. Is that a distraction method? If so, is it really sportsman like? What do you think?

Biruk A-K, Waterloo

A: Never once? Oops. My bad.

I hadn’t ever thought about the points thing, actually. I guess I’d say they should count because it’s the same game.

Yes, player closest gets credit for the basket. I remember that play clearly and I recall the referee in front of the scorer’s table immediately telling The World’s Greatest Official Scorer that the Milwaukee player had tipped the ball.

Jose’s claps? I don’t know if they’re distracting, I think they’re sort of cute. And all’s fair in love and basketball so I can’t see the move being unsportsmanlike.

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Q: I haven't seen this question recently, if this year at all. What difference do you think John Salmons would have on the Raptors? Delfino and/or Kapono probably wouldn't be here. Do you think Salmons has anything the Raptors need? I haven't seen him much, but he seems like a quality playmaker, decent rebounder, strong if not quick defender, and another mellow voice. Not really a difference maker I wouldn't think.

Ian T, Toronto

A: I agree, they would have been no better or no worse if Salmons hadn’t listened to divine intervention and reneged on his deal here.

He’s a little more athletic than the guys they’ve got but still not a big difference-maker at all.

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Q: Hey Doug - question about rebounding. If a player misses, say a simple layup, and grabs his own rebound, shoots again and misses, grabs rebound and scores does that count for 2 rebounds? Sorry if its a stupid question - but you often see that happen during some (bad) game play.

Jamil B, Sydney, Australia

A: That is indeed like hitting the statistical motherlode. A couple of rebounds, couple of field goal attempts, a basket and two points.

Yes, it all counts.

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Q: Doug, what's your personal rule on player privacy? Your blog seems pretty liberal with your thoughts and I assume some information wasn't gathered from on the record conversations. Is there a definitive separation between reporting and casual chattery, or do you have to say the magic "off the record..." first?

MK L, Mississauga

A: Hmm, let’s see. You don’t have to actually say, or hear, those words in any conversation. Players and coaches, and us, know what’s a “interview” and what’s a “casual conversation” so we all pretty much realize what can be used and what can’t.

One thing we sometimes do is if we’re having a conversation that may or may not be on the record and someone says something funny, or cutting, or telling, we might mention “hey, can I use that?” And then we go from there.

A lot of the “chats” we have may not yield information we use right away but give us something to store for another day. Somebody might mention something in passing that you look for in the next game, for instance, or offer you a nugget of information you can drop unattributed into a blog item or a story.

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Q: You've probably heard this countless times but your blog = awesome. It's great during work when things are slow, and even better during class. I've been a reader for quite a while and have always been itching to submit a question, but never knew what to ask that would neither bore nor annoy you.
Whenever I'm reading this at work, it always gets me thinking about how much less I enjoy what I do in comparison to you. What inspired you to be a writer? Did you always know this is what you wanted to do? If you weren't a writer what would dream job #2 be? And one more: When the day comes that you, sadly, decide to step down, do you get to hand-pick your successor (what qualities would you look for)?

Michelle L, Toronto

A: Bore? Annoy? Never. The questions are fun. Exasperating at times, but mostly fun. An old journalism adage says there’s no such thing as stupid question. It’s probably true.

It’s funny, when my Grade 11, or maybe it was 12, or one of the 13s I took, English teacher suggested I drop the class, I figured he was right. Wrong.

Don’t think there was one thing that ever inspired me. I was a pretty big newspaper reader back as kid and it always struck me as a great way to teach people, inform them and entertain them every now and then.
And after an unsuccessful run at Grade 14, an ad in the paper for the journalism-print program at the University of Welland caught my eye and I was off to races. And given that I’ve got a face for radio, this seemed to be the only area of the media I could handle.

If I wasn’t doing this? I’ve been doing it now for almost 30 years, I can’t imagine what else there would be. Teaching might have been cool, but, again, those pesky grades probably would have precluded that.

But when it comes time to shut it down, they’ll have to pry this machine of my cold, dead hands and then they’ll pick whoever they want. I won’t have a say.

Mail's late

So Super Wife goes and puts on a very early, exceptionally good, surprise birthday party for an old dude and, shockingly, libations flowed. Mail's gonna be late today.