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.

-

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.

-

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.

-

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.

-

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.

-

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.

-

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.

Comments

[Roger]

This series against Orlando definitely is winnable. In offseason BC should resolve the situation in the order of coach, PG and defense. Almost all Raps problems stems from Sam Mitchell, from rotation to strategy. It's hard, but if Raptors want to go further, Sam is the first needed to be sacked.

[Harm]

The Spurs foul Shaq even if they have the lead... what is the rational behind not fouling D12?

[Raptor99]

I was looking for them to foul Howard before the 2 minute mark in the 4th. You don't need to be down big or have the game running away from you to employ those tactics, case in point: The Spurs in the first quarter on friday night doing the hack-a-shaq. It breaks a team's rhythm, and I would have liked the Raptors to do it for a couple of minutes.

[Damian]

I love this team and all... but this is about the same I felt when they were down 3-1 to Jersey. It's pretty much over. Is 2 years too early to judge whether the core of this team is capable of doing anything (like, getting past the 1st round)? Especially after the 1st year was such a runaway success? Do you roll the dice and give it one more year?

Blogger's note: With some minor changes, of course you do.

[Adam Glatt]

Charley Rosen analyzed Game 4: http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/8076966/Nelson-helps-Magic-take-3-1-series-lead-over-Raps-
Here's his penultimate paragraph: "The Raps were done in because they were unable to play defense when they absolutely needed stops, and because they could generate no reliable offense besides Bosh. That's why the Raps are still an incomplete ball club."

Raptors have had severe problems over the last two months performing at their potential. We in fanland spend lots of time discussing trade possibilities, but ultimately a trade requires giving up something to get something approximately equal. The only way for a team to actually get better is the players they already have improve while on the team. Right now, none of the players on this team are improving. Calderon peaked mid season, but hasn't been at that level in two months.

Maybe all fifteen players are at fault, but bringing in fifteen players isn't realistic. Firing the coach is an inferior alternative, but it's the only course of action that can lead to success. Again, the players are to blame.

[Robert S]

Funny you mention the padding... I was thinking the same thing, that's how I would know how to fix it too! In between quarters they did go back and fix it properly with some kind of adhesive.

That's all that I really want to say about the game. Disappointing, sure. They didn't lose for a lack of effort.

Do you think having two point guards out there at the end of the game was a good thing because with TJ running the point, Calderon wasn't really active? I think you have to pick one and go with it.

Maybe they can force a game 6...

Next year, to get over the hump, I think they need one more go-to/borderline all-star guy. And Bargnani needs to elevate his game big time.

Blogger's note: They had the two point guards on the court because Carlos had fouled out, Moon was hurting, Bargnani had been terrible and they needed offence.

[Alex S., North York]

Hi Doug -Long time reader, first time writer. After attending yesterday's game, the loss was hard to take. What is growing increasingly frustrating is watching Bargnani struggle. He is clearly either either not in NBA shape or just plain slow. Either way, he not quite Raffa, but I really don't think he will ever develop into what Colangelo envisioned. A tad premature to make this judgement? I don't think so...heck, he is a #1 pick and not a second rounder that we are waiting to develop in Europe. I have a sense that Mitchell doesn't want to play this guy but we all know who making this call and he was the one that drated him. A 7 footer with zero vertical and an inability to drive to the basket consistently. Trade him? I would love to simply to close this chapter and move forward. I learned in the stock bubble of 2000 that with any bad investment it is always a better idea to sell early (and salvage something) rather than holding on because of sentimental reasons.

[kamran]

bargnani has proven himself terrible at shooting three's this season.. why does the coaching staff still park him at the three point line?

[Joey Caproll]

Rumours are abound that Coach D'Antoni of the Phoenix Suns may be available in the off-season. That might be the best piece of news in Raptorland!

Maybe the inspiration the players need to push it to game six??

[Mike]

No mention of the officiating? Most of Howard's 1st quarter "blocks" involved body checks (I thought there wasn't going to be any playoff hockey in Toronto this year?), Turkoglu's back breaking 3 in the 4th was preceded by him shoving AP out of the way, and it seemed the Raps were handed quite a few touch fouls that weren't called both ways. Did this actually happen, or was I watching the game through red-coloured glasses?

Blogger's note: Maybe rose-coloured a bit. The officiating was fine.

[bballer]

bosh played extremely well and proved that he is a franchise player and a superstar in the league. i'm still a fan of calderford or forderon. i would hate to see tj out. i think smitch gets these guys to play beyond what their talent level is and bargnani will get better. as i've always mentioned, with a couple more players the raps will be a better team. this year raptor team consisted of great pg play, an allstar and a bunch of role players. looking forward to the next season. yes i'm conceding the season and would love to see a celtics vs. spurs finals.

[Ellie]

Too bad they couldn't hold it together to get the win. It felt through the broadcast that the fan energy wasn't quite as manic as in Game 3, either. Was it comparable in the building?

Blogger's note: I think it was a notch or two down from Game 3. Not sure if it was the afternoon start or the so-so first quarter but the energy was definitely lower.

[Soul]

Doug, did you see this in Vecey's column?>>

The whispering campaign regarding Mitchell is supposedly he's not a hard worker or on top of the league's current events. A few months ago, before the Raptors were to play the Lakers, he addressed the team by telling them, "We'll worry about the guy who got 81 in a second, but first I want to talk about Andrew Bynum and how he killed us last time." A hush engulfed the locker room. "Hey, coach," Chris Bosh interrupted. "Bynum's been out for weeks with an injury."

Blogger's note: I did see it and do not believe a single word of it.

[Sidney Crownhead]

Between the Toronto Maple Leafs, Bluejays and Raptors I'm surprised that anyone from Toronto pays any attention to sports in this city at all. One can only hope that one of these days the organizations who make millions of dollars from the sports fans in this city will actually put a product on the field that deserves the support they do get? I haven't written BC off yet but the fact that he didn't address the real problems the Raptors have worries me a great deal. Listening to him now he seems to think he put together a good team this year. That fact probably doesn't bode well for Sam Mitchell, nor does it do anything for the morale of long suffering basketball fans in Toronto. My guess is MLSE is more worried about how much higher they will raise the cost of going to a game next year than they are about putting together a good team. In case they haven't noticed the teams that are doing well spent money to get star players.

[Zack]

C'mon Doug, let's face it. This season was over 3 months ago. All we can do now is wait for the inevitable off-season changes...personally I think Bosh should be first on the chopping block. As good as the guy is, he has hit his ceiling and, other than Jose, we aren't going to get a star in return for anyone but CB4.

Blogger's note: You're kidding, right? Bosh? Out? Okay. I can guarantee you there are 29 other general managers who would want him.
But maybe they should trade the absolute best player they have, that's always a way to get better.

[Eli]

What can I say Doug - the raps let the most important game of the season slip away, with what looked like - on tv atleast - to be very little resistance.

Where was the desperation? the passion? Save CB, I didn't see it.

Then again, it doesn't help that Chuck (who I generally like
) gets so monotone on the air when the raps play poorly, that I hardly could tell we had just given up a lead in the biggest game of the year.

Do you see CB pulling the ol Kobe ultimatum - get better players around me or trade me? Too be honest, I wouldn't blame him. Last year I really thought the Raps had a tremendously bright future but if you look around the league now - with the influx of great players from this years and last years drafts - how bright is it really?

I feel like we're a poor man's young-team-with-lots-of- potential and on the flip side not nearly an experienced veteran club whose time to win is now.

Clearly the sky isn't falling in Toronto ... but is the atmosphere starting to crumble?

[reuben]

With regard to fixing the padding Howard knocking off with duct tape at least thats not as bad as the 3rd quarter Boston/Atlanta last night where the P.A announcer substituted for the shot clock. Now that was some bush league stuff right there. I'd say that was a bit embarrassing for the NBA.

[Dallas]

Hey Doug,
to your knowledge, is there any truth to this? Is this a rumor you've heard around the team?

From Peter Vescey, in the New York Post:
http://www.nypost.com/seven/04272008/sports/browns_next_town__108339.htm?page=0
" The whispering campaign regarding Mitchell is supposedly he's not a hard worker or on top of the league's current events. A few months ago, before the Raptors were to play the Lakers, he addressed the team by telling them, "We'll worry about the guy who got 81 in a second, but first I want to talk about Andrew Bynum and how he killed us last time." A hush engulfed the locker room. "Hey, coach," Chris Bosh interrupted. "Bynum's been out for weeks with an injury."

Blogger's note: As I mentioned to an earlier poster, I do not for a second believe anything like that happened.

[Kevin]

Hi Doug,

No questions from me this afternoon (except the one I keep sending in about are either of our point guards top guys?)as I think this team is just not ready and not talented enough to step up.
I think Bosh should have silenced most of his critics this series. He will never be LeBron, but he is good and getting better.
The rest of the team? Jones and Smith were wondering if Joey needed to come off of the bench yesterday to give them a physical presence? That says a lot about this team.
Since it is quiet, which guys on this team do you think have it in them to reflect over the summer, work on their games and come back next year as stronger playoff players?

[John Dinner]

No questions? Or were you just ignoring the ones that asked about blowing up this team? Trading TJ? Trading Andrea?
I for one say stick to the plan....great core with a future that can only get brighter playing together and knowing they are going to be playing together for a long time.
Having said that...backs are against the wall and this is when they seem to play best. Raps steal game five in Orlando, smoke'em in Toronto, making game 7 a true test of character for this squad. GO RAPS!

[Jim Rootham]

Right, Howard breaks the backboard with a block and doesn't get called for a pin. What are the rules for this game, again?

[Andrew R.]

Action: Jose in the game.
Reaction: Nelson lights him up.

Sorry to steal a bit of your theme there Doug.

Jose has never been a good defender (he shows signs but not consistently) and there was no suprise watching Kapono get beat by Lewis, but Parker getting consistently taken by Hedo? What is going on there? Granted, Hedo has the height and the shooting touch to make him one tough match-up, but after a while don't you just do everything in your power to keep him in front of you?

Some real questionable "no-calls" last night. It seems like Howard's the only on the court who's allowed to make body contact with shooters and not get a foul called. I think this guy's so big that the refs aren't sure how to call it.

Unless Bargnani can overnight become the player we all hope he eventually can be, this series is over.

[Penny Dickeson]

I'm having a lot of trouble with the inconsistency of the refereeing in the last two games. In the third game the refs were calling everything - especially moving screens - but they were at least calling it on both teams. Yesterday was more of a "let them play" style which completely favors the Magic. How many times - especially in the fourth quarter - did we see one of the Raptors get pounded when they went in for a shot and no call while on the other end, there was call after call on some pretty slight contact - e.g. Delfino's 6th foul. And what about Hedo's 4 steps when he was trying to dunk and a foul call on the Raptors? Can't the refs see this obvious travelling?
You say that you counted the seconds before Howard took his free throw. What about the fact that he moves away from the foul line between shots? There was one point where it was about 25 seconds between the two shots as they had to wait for him to walk to Center court and come back. Talk about changing the pace of the game.

[Mark M]

Doug

Are you in agreement with fans who feel that Colangelo is at fault for this teams performance?

Blogger's note: I really haven't finished a full assessment, to tell the truth, been too busy with the day-to-day stuff but I do know no one is blameless.

[Dave]

Not a fan of the Action/Reaction format of the blog. I understand it, playoff-wise, but I hope it doesn't stick next season. Still always love your work, otherwise. Thanks Doug

Blogger's note: I hear the criticism and appreciate it but we'll be back to normal next year, and likely whenever these guys are done.