Some Game 2 mail

Very few over-the-top rants in here today, well done folks.

And lots of good questions with some meat to them.

Away we go:

Q: Hey Doug, just wondering what your opinion was about the last play the Raptors called. Lots of people I talked to thought they should have opted for a play run for Kapono or another shooter. From what Sam Mitchell said after the game, it sounded like a pretty good play call to me, Bosh did get the open jumper after all. What's your thought on it?

Sunny R, Woodbridge

A: I thought it was the only logical call and the by far the right one. Run your bread and butter play with your two best players on the night and give yourself a chance.

If Howard had hugged Bosh and the lane opened, Jose would have gone to the rim, like he did that night in Boston. If Howard backed off even a bit, it was the right move let Bosh make a play.

I’ll take a Chris Bosh 15-footer any day of the week.

-

Q: Hey Doug. Love your blog. What are your thoughts on the four teams that now have to go home down 2-0, Raps, Wiz, Suns, Mavs? I think they each have a chance to take 2 at home and tie their respective series.

Nitin V, Waterloo

A: Each? I don’t know about that. Washington seems to be unraveling (and Gilbert’s got a wonky wrist) and Chris Paul is just killing the Mavs. I can see both of those series being 3-1 for sure, and maybe over in four.

The other two? I’d say it’s 50-50 they get to 2-2. I still think there’s lots of legs left in both of those series.

-

Q: I'm sorry, I've been a big Sam Mitchell fan up until now, but the Raptors have seen too many mismatches at the start of games to compete. That lack of preparation is the coach's fault, and it puts us down too much to recover. Am I crazy to think Mitchell will be on the hot-seat right away next year if the Raps continue to get dominated in the first quarter, and ultimately lose, this series.

Mark I, Oakville

A: I disagree that it’s a lack of preparation, I think it’s a lack of execution.

And, judging by a conversation we had with Bryan before Game 2, I don’t think there’s any ‘hot seat’ getting prepared for the end of the season. I could be wrong, but that’s the way I’m reading the tea leaves now.

-

Q: I’m wondering on a scale of 1-10, how would rate that Orlando crowd? I was watching the game on TV, and it seems like they are kind of on the laissez faire side. I also noticed that the average age for the crowd is around 50 years, I’ve never seen so many old people at a sporting event! Could this be attributed to the quiet crowd in Orlando? I have a feeling the fans are going to have a larger effect in Toronto than they had in Orlando

Nilesh P, Ajax

A: I’d give the crowd a 5. It’s loud but not overly crazy and, yes, I think Toronto’s may have a greater impact on the momentum of the game. As for the average age, I never really noticed the old side that you did.

Q: A question on the foul on Jose with about 10 seconds left - shouldn't that have been 2 FTs and possession to the Raptors, since the foul occurred while the ball was not in play? Not sure if I'm mixing up my rules here, and hence seeking to learn from your wealth of knowledge.

Omri F, Toronto

A: Excellent question.

That’s exactly what should have happened if the ball had still be in the hands of the player inbounding it. But the pass was in the air when Dooling whacked Jose. The referees actually got together to confer on it to make sure they had it right.

-

Q: Some host on the Fan 590 (not Smith/Jones) was foaming at the mouth after the game about the Raptors laying two first-quarter eggs in the road. It made me think about something my brother said to me when I first started following the Raptors a few years ago (I wasn't game from day one, sorry Ford). We were watching a game and the Raps were down by significant double-digits. I said they were done for, but my brother shook his head. "Oh no, they'll come back in the second half. They always do this."
Is there any statistical evidence to support this very ancedotal story? It feels to me like what the Ratpors are lacking most as a group is a killer instinct. They can shoot, play defense and bring intensity, but they don't bring those things until their backs are to the wall and they have no other choice (either in games generally or in this series).

Ellie W, Toronto

A: I suppose I could go through all the boxscores from the season to find the empirical data but it’s late. I’m sure we’d find that statistical evidence to back up the – correct – anecdotal feeling you and I have. And it’s not just the Raptors, either. Basketball is truly a game of runs and a team with a big lead invariably relaxes just a little bit, which allows teams to carve big leads into little ones on almost every occasion.

-

Q: Why did Bosh throw the ball down the court like he did on that turnover in the last minute? Was he off-balance and worried about going out of bounds? If he held onto the ball there (up by 1 with 40 secs to go) it would have been a different outcome!

Michael K, London

A: I think it was a combination of instinct and wanting to preserve the one time out they had left. And, under the rules, if he had been falling out of bounds saving the ball, the refs couldn’t have given him a timeout and I think that was on his mind, too.

-

Q: Well, wasn't that an utterly frustrating game. Yes, lots of positives to take away, but they're still down 0-2. I have no problems with Bosh being the go-to guy, but surely their offence down the stretch should have more wrinkles to it than that. Yes, the ball should probably go through him, but that doesn't mean he has to force everything. That being said, that was a pretty brutal non-call on Howard when Bosh went to the hoop in their second-last possession. I couldn't give my full attention to the game, but was the officiating an issue? Or do you ever think it's an issue?

Guy M, Vancouver

A: I generally don’t think it’s an issue and, the non-call notwithstanding (and it’s arguable whether that was a call worth making in my opinion), I thought the three guys did a good job last night. It was a tough game to officiate, lots of drives, lots of contact, lots of play near the basket and I think they kept it flowing.

Comments

[bballer]

ok, this was a better coaching job by smitch. as he makes his changes for game 3, many things are obvious. we can keep complaining about the bad pg play but it comes down to our wing players being able to contain their men, take shots if you are a 'shooting' guard and rebound. i still think we can win the series but the raps has to overcome such glaring deficiencies. i was hoping smitch would have inserted ford for that great play against atl. calderon should have kept the ball and drove to the basket. taking a jump shot is ridiculous.

what is the mood of the team and are they still optimistic?

ps. phx is done. when your mvp can't guard pgs, you are toast.

Blogger's note: Oh yeah, they're stil optimistic. I think Game 2, despite the loss, was good for their psyche.

[Sean]

After I was done swearing and throwing things last night, what I took from that game was CB4's emergence as a playoff force. He was doing things last night that you need to do in the playoffs: get inside, hit FTs and grab boards you shouldnt probably get. The inexplicable turnover with 1:40 left aside (I think he thought he was closer to out of bounds then he was), Bosh showed that hes learning how to play in April. If only he hit that freakin' shot.

[Andrew]

Hey Doug,

Assuming the Raps have finally figured out how to use Kapono, are we having second thoughts on next year's roster? I mean, he was looking like the most tradeable asset not long ago. For the first time since signing him, he looks like who we thought he'd be. At the same time, he's driving up his trade value...Rasho and Kapono would net a decidedly good player or two based on how they're playing lately...but should Colangelo rethink moving them in the off-season? Personally, I'd move players in this order: Moon, TJ, Carlos, Rasho, Parker, Kapono...I'd say Graham and Hump, but they'd be "add-ons" only at this point.

[Neil]

Regarding Parker - yes, he was scoreless but is it just me or did he look absolutely lost on defence? It seemed every time a Magic shot went up he was guarding no one...

[Tree]

Raps have outplayed the Magic in 6 out of 8 quarters, yet are down 2-0 because of terrible first quarters. I do put this on Sam and the coaching staff. He's trying to play strategist and in these 2 games they've seemed to have tried something different (and different from their play in the regular season) to start games. It's obviously not working, and from the 2nd quarter on, they get back to their game (and make a game of it, albeit too late). I've been on the fence about Sam this season, but now I'm firmly in the "he's not the coach that will lead this team to any meaningful success" camp. The Magic started last night the same way they started game 1, yet everyone on the Raps seemed surprised.

On a separate note, Ford, Parker & Moon were beyond awful last night. If Parker had made just ONE of his shots, they win. Instead, he scores 0 and they lose.

[Robert]

Doug, a couple of comments/questions:

1. While Bosh is capable of making the last shot, why would he not set up in the post and drive to the basket for either a shot or to initiate contact for a foul. The referees had missed a foul call on the previous Bosh drive and as Jack Armstrong and others would say, by being aggressive, initiating contact and driving to the basket, Bosh would either have scored or put pressure on the referees to call a foul. Do you agree?

2. Bosh played a very good game BUT unless I am mistaken he did not go to the free throw line in the 4th quarter even once nor did he set himself up in the post - which is something that he generally does in most games. In a close playoff game you want to score easy points at the free throw line. Isn't that a mistake in either the play calling or on the part of Bosh?

3. On the very last shot by Bosh, don't you generally want the shot taken with about 2-3 seconds left so that you give yourself a chance for a tip or rebound in the event of a miss. In the event of a made basket it would have only left perhaps 1 second on the clock for a shot by Orlando.

Blogger's note: I don't think the referees would have blown the whistle and I'm quite all right with the shot he got.
Bosh made both free throws he attempted in the fourth.
Maybe he could have gone a second earlier.

[Anthony Feher]

What a great game (outside the result). Very upset at the offensive rebounds allowed, and the last shot. Absolutely no imagination and a very iffy shot (Bosh was further out then he should be) regardless of what people say. What were the other players doing on the court (i.e. where were they)? If you are playing for a 19 footer, you better have rebounders in for a second chance. The fact AP did not score a point means he couldn't be on the floor, so Nesterovic should have been in.

Also TJ, please wake up.

I like and am a fan of Bosh, but he did not deliver down the stretch, and made a great save in the last minute and should have called timeout as he was going out of bounds and instead threw it back to Orlando.

Series still is not over though.....

Blogger's note: Just to clear up on misconception, you cannot call a timeout as you're going out of bounds.

[Joe T.]

Doug, I know you and a lot of other knowledgeable basketball folks believe in the "put the ball in the hands of your best player for the final shot" theory. But I have to say I didn't think it was the right way to go last night. Bosh was tired and hadn't exactly been shooting the lights out in the second half. I was hoping for someone to drive to the hoop with everyone but Kapono going to the rim for an offensive rebound/tip-in/putback for whichever shot went up -- the three or the two. Instead, we got some dribbling and a missed 18-footer from Bosh with no apparent rebounders near the basket. To me, that's fine in the face of stifling defence or a catch-and-shoot. But there were 9 seconds left! I'm just surprised that Sam can draw up a better play for 0.5 ticks left on the clock than he can for 9.3 but that's just me...

And as for the play where Bosh tossed the ball to a Magic player down the court, I wish he would have bounced it off Turkoglu and out of bounds. The guy was falling down behind him!...

Finally, I think Sam came out and volunteered the starting lineup info because he had defended it after Game 1. He had said that they couldn't evaluate how the new starters had done because of how aggressively Orlando came out to start the game, even though lots of other people thought a 20-point deficit was a pretty good indicator. Sam must have realized that the same line wouldn't work after the same lineup led to an 18-point First Quarter deficit the next time it was trotted out. I hope he makes the right changes for Game 3. It could mean a significant change in direction for the whole series. Take away those two First Quarter blowouts and the Raptors have won 4 out of the other 6 quarters. If they can play the same way and escape the First Quarter even behind by only 5, they will have a great chance to advance...

Ahh, hindsight. Exciting game from start to finish, whatever the outcome. I hope the rest of them have the same intensity and go down to the wire...

[bballer]

kidd has complained his way out of dallas and new jersey in search of a title he think he is entitled to and landed in dallas. after getting burnt by cp3 will people now see jkidd as the whiner he reallyis. i used to love this player but his schtick, like my postings is getting tired! lol!

avery johnson needs to get fired. starting stackhouse, is such a bad move. terry would provide dallas with three starters who can score. teams can double nowitzki, pressure jho and hope that stack, kidd or dampier will miss open shots. plus, who can stack cover? the mavs are so mentally soft it is unreal.

[Kevin]

My only complaint about the officiating in that game was that it seemed overly sensitive in the early goings (probably due to the criticism of the Washington/Cleveland series) and then non-existent in the fourth quarter.

I just get frustrated by what I see as inconsistent whistles...but then that could just be my perception.

As for the game itself, well, it gave me confidence that the Raps can come back and win this series....they just have to come out playing in that first quarter. Don't get me wrong, I don't think they will win the series, but at least they can go down swinging.

Great game, except for the first quarter (which, to these eyes anyway, was the worst quarter I've seen them play this season).

[Shawn]

Here's a general question for everyone: during the 4th quarter, did anyone truly feel the Raptors were going to win last night? It felt like an amalgamation of so many season games - poor defense to stop the drive; can't secure a rebound when it counts; poor execution in the final play (although you can argue it was the right play, Jose & Bosh looked too bunched-up). Personally, it was great seeing them actually put up a fight, but it just felt like whenever the Magic wanted it over, they hit the switch.

[Terence]

Just a quick followup comment to Michael K's question above... on that specific play with Bosh trying to keep the ball in play. I believe his momentum was taking him out of bounds so he wanted to try and throw it to another Raps player. What I don't get is why he threw it so far towards the back court - there were two Raps on the baseline right underneath the basket with no Magic players nearby. If he just threw it in that general direction, we would've retained possession.

I'm guessing given the fraction of a second Bosh had to decide, maybe he didn't see his teammates out of the corner of his eye.

[Dan]

For the question Ellie W posted. NOt sure how far back he is talking about. But the year the Raptors had Mike James, Bonner and Charlie v, I think that was Mo's best year as well stat's wise. They made alot of comebacks in the second half of games. They didn't quite have the experience to get them over the top. They were a team that would live and die by the three(Raptors have been that way for several years now) and they could make points up in a hurry. They didn't win alot that year which is how they got the number 1 pick, but they always made it close in the 4th.

[Pat]

I don't think Bosh's shot at the end was a bad shot by any means but I still don't believe in the theory that the final shot should absolutely be taken by the franchise player. The opposing team will expect this to happen and therefore the defence will collapse on that player. If Bosh rolled to the basket instead of popped he could have drawn a foul or left Jose or one of the shooters open. This is not the first time this has happened. Last year, Jose could have taken a mid range jumper at the end of game 6 (not that passing it to Bosh for a high percentage shot is a bad option by any means). If you go even further back to the Raps-Philly series, the Raps could have had Dell Curry take an open three on the final play instead of Vince (if I remember it correctly). It's an option teams should consider more often.

In any case, it is over and done with and the ACC crowd is going to have to bring their A game to games 3 and 4. Perhaps we can even take them by surprise as they are probably used to having a rather tame crowd back in Orlando.

[Calvin]

Doug,

I was so disappointed to see that shot from Bosh brick off the iron. They played 3 good quarters and lost the game, but at least they were competitive until the end.

I'm a big supporter of TJ, but I really do think there is something going on with him more than we are lead to believe. He's not defending as well as he is capable of, and the 2 - 3's that Nelson put up with TJ guarding him were daggers. I'm not putting the loss on TJ's play by any means, but that was a big momentum shifter. If Delfino didn't miss 1 of the free throws, it would have been a tie game with 9.2 seconds left instead of us being down by 1.

As Sam has stated there is going to be a change in the starting 5. I know Kapono's shooting very well in the last 2 games and is a good candidate. But what about keeping him on the bench and starting Delfino at the 3? We could use Delfino's ability to hopefully drive to the cup more earlier in the game.

[GM]

It's always and ultimately a lack of execution. At least, it can always be spun that way, depending on one's opinion of the coach. Not being allowed in practice, how do you know when it's a lack of preparation? Or lack of motivation? If players aren't executing, it's on the coach to reach try reaching them some other way.

[Zaddups]

Doug I know you liked the Bosh shot at the but I was disappointed in the call for Bosh's last shot. I think even though Bosh clearly got ripped off by the no-call a couple plays before...I think you still have to get to the rim down 1. You MUST get to the free throw line to have a shot to tie or take the lead to put the pressure on Orlando. Someone on the team has to get to the line and Bosh has to have the mentality to force the refs to make the call.He said because they didn't call the foul on Howard on his drive before that he wasn't going to let the refs control the outcome. That's a load of crap. Good teams will get to the basket on that play and cause the other team to foul. As usual this Raptor team considers the JUMP SHOT it's ultimate weapon. When this team remakes itself and gets players who consistently get to the basket...they will start to win games and be serious Eastern Conference contenders. Until then I am so tired of seeing jumper after jumper go up...especially when they have the lane open alot of times(Jamario) and absolutely REFUSE to drive and get the contact. Basketball is a simple game...pile up the fouls on the other team...get in bonus early to get free points while forcing the opponent to play it's 2nd stringers with whom the Raptors can take advantage of.
What on Earth do they do with TJ? They need to showcase him so some delusional GM will think he can run the point and take him in a trade...which he clearly can't. He absolutely has to go. If they stary Jose tomorrow night...TJ may lose his mind. Where are all those TJ supporters now? He can't run an offense which is what I've been saying all along. He thinks he can just play one on one all game without any regard for getting his teammates involved. One play the epitomizes TJ's mentality came in game one...near the end of the 1st half. Bosh had finally gotten Rashard Lewis buried deep in the post in good position...and TJ simply looked him off and took the shot that he missed.
Defensively...both PGs are terrible...constantly playing too tight on their quick counterparts...but TJ is alot worse because he zig-zags all around the court not really guarding anyone and causing alot of breakdowns that kill the team. Any other team...he would be held accountable defensively. For all his speed why doesn't TJ get any steals. Chris Paul averaged 3 steals a game this season...why can't TJ make plays defensively when he's as quick or quicker than Paul? It's effort folks...simply effort.
I am embarrassed watching this so-called playoff basketball with all the open layups and deep shots this team is giving up. I turn to the other teams...especially in the Western congerence and I see strategy and set plays...Isn't the basketball supposed to be much tighter in the playoffs?
I commend their comeback...but they shouldn't be down 20 points in the 1st qtr anyways.
This team is causing fans to have ulcers! We can't watch this man...it's ugly basketball.

[Tommy P]

I definitely agree with your assessment of that last shot. 2 man game with Jose and Bosh is definitely something you can't argue with. Bosh was hitting that 18 footer during that game and you know he's going to have some space with Howard guarding him. Considering how game 1 went and how the first quarter of game 2 started, at least we can say that this should be a close series from now on.

[Andrew R]

I was suprised at the number of raps turning down shots in the first quarter. It had me off my couch yelling at the TV actually. Overall Raps played a good game though, similar to the team we all know they can be. Parker had a real tough time on the pick and roll with Hedo though and that killed us down the stretch.
But this is why I love the playoffs, we get to see how teams and coaches adjust, it's the true test of the coaching staff. Notice that there was a point in the game where TJ was driving Nelson to the hoop, Howard kept cheating to help out Nelson and TJ would kick it out to Bosh for the open j or drive. After two or three times of this happening, Van Gundy calls a time-out and tells Howard to stop cheating. TJ tries the play a couple more times to no avail as Howard sticks with Bosh and TJ can't get past Nelson. I was suprised that Sam didn't really have anything else to counter the adjustment and the next thing you know TJ gets yanked.

[Zaddups]

I think the day the Raptors consecutive 3 pointers made streak(NBA record) falls is the day this franchise will finally move forward and realize that they don't have to shoot threes to win. They must consistently get to the basket...draw fouls and go to the line. When will they learn! That and the day that Colangelo announces the new Head Coach of the team. Sorry to say this but Sam "Now guys, guys, guys" Mitchell is waaayyy out of his league. Like Bosh said...you play Game one the way you've played all season...see what the other team does...then if you need to...you make adjustments. You don't dodge a punch before the punch is thrown and that's what they have done in this series. The funny thing is at worst this should be a 1-1 series...and as laughable as it may sound...they could be up 2-0 with any sort of decent 1st qtr in each game. There is such a small difference between winning and losing in sports.

[Tom]

I think that I read somewhere that the definition of insanity was to do the same thing over and over and expect different results. To put the same starting line out there that failed so miserable the first game is ridiculous. I put the first two loses on Smitch and his obviously lack of preparation and leadership. The way the team has come out of the blocks the last two games demonstrates Sam's inability to get the team properly prepared to start the games. It's been like way the whole season, always playing from behind.

Calderon should start. He is by far the better playmaker and leader on the floor. He gets the other players involved and better looks. He's won a world championship for crying out loud, he understands how to react under pressure.

And anyone trying to pin this lose on Bosh, give your head a shake. We're lucky to have this guy playing for us. This game wasn't lost on the final shot.

[Lance Uppercut]

Was it just me, or was there a strange amount of Canadian music in the arena last night? Is it possible we have an ex-pat canuck on the inside? How can this be used to our advantage?

[Eli]

On the FAN590 morning show, which Sam Mitchell does every Wednesday, he said Chris and Andrea are going to start at the 4 and 5. He reiterated that Jose would not be starting but that he will make substitutions early in the 1st if they get off to a slow start.

[Michael]

I think there aren't much the coach can do when your players not performing. The players did play well in game2 are Bosh, Calderon, Kapono and Delfino. I think this team is like cleveland where the offence only comes from Bosh. I really think they need another consistent offence player to help Bosh and I don't mean another rotation player. We need a star wing player. If we don't improve this offseason then we will be going no where. I used to like TJ Ford alot but it seems he hurts this team more now.

Hey Doug, do u think BC going to shop around TJ this offseason? TJ is Bosh best friend? Will it be a problem for Bosh if BC treats TJ?

Blogger's note: Yes. I don't know. No.

[D]

I dunno Zaddups, you're a little to emotional on this. Wide open jumper from a guy who routinely knocks down open jumpers, or try to drive on a 7-foot shot-blocking monster to whom the refs had shown great deference just 30 seconds earlier? If the monster gives you the jumper, I think you take it.