The Morning After The Night Before, LXXIII or something

From the comfort of the couch – a guy’s gotta spend a few days at home, doesn’t he? – that one was a tad more nerve-wracking than it should have been. It’s a win, sure, and that’s what counts most I guess. Still, smooth it wasn’t.

Three Things I Learned

Over the Moon

Two third-quarter plays, back-to-back possessions tell you a lot about Jamario Moon.

First he gets the ball on the left baseline, about 10 feet out with space to attack. He hesitates, looks, hoists up an off-balance shot that’s got no chance.

Next possession, T.J. drives baseline, flips the ball to Moon at the elbow and, lo and behold! – he attacks the rim. Gets foul, gets to the line.

I’m presuming today someone shows him that tape. And, who knows, he might get it.

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A Question

Did Sean May spend the season attending the Eddy Curry School Of Fitness?

He’s a, um, corpulent young lad.

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Classic execution? Think not

Up four late with the ball, coming out of a timeout and you know that they’re going to dump the ball into Bosh, who has dominated. Am certain that’s the call. Well, they dribble the clock almost away, forced to get a Moon jumper (and I’m pretty sure a Moon jumper is not in the playbook). Bad. Okay, though, ‘cause they get a stop and surely to all that’s good in the world, they’ll get Bosh the ball this time, right?

Oops, no. T.J. takes what has to be considered a questionable shot at best, it misses, Bobcats come back and hit a three and if Sam’s head didn’t start hurting, I’d be shocked.

Okay, so they still go on to win and the two blips don’t cost them but against a good team in a playoff game they might.

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We’ll start with the mail, although I have to report today’s in-basket isn’t filled with nearly the vitriol I thought it would be.

Q: Okay, Rasho is a beast and every Raptor fan should love him. In order to answer a previous question a reader asked, I think if any player in the NBA, you resemble him the most. A crafty, patient, mature (not old, 'mature'), defensive minded player who doesn't lose his cool. What do you think?
Next question - Who won't make playoffs? Mavs, Warriors or the Nuggets?

Andrew N, Waterloo

A: Rasho? I can be Rasho. He’s a funny, dude, too.

I stayed up and watched a whole bunch of Nuggets-Suns last night, saw Dallas a lot on the weekend and I love watching Golden State so there’s lots of late nights with them.

They’ve all got pretty much the same schedule going down the stretch and with the way they’re playing, I’m saying Dallas finishes ninth.

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I’m sure you’ve all noticed that in the last three games Chris Bosh has three three-pointers and Jason Kapono has none.

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How do things look in Charlotte this morning? Like this.

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The Atlanta Hawks haven’t been in the playoffs in this century but they’re knocking on the door right now. Here’s what they’re saying down there.

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Mail’s in, a bit more at least.

Q: Hey Doug! Love the column. Relieves some stress from rigours of university exam time. Keep up the good work. Several questions:

1) Who do you think will be the first Raptor jersey ever retired?

2) Thinking that LeBron would still be a junior in college. How many points per game would LeBron average in the NCAA tournament?

3) I’m just wondering, what is the chemistry between Jose and Chris like?

Jeremy M, Bay Roberts, NL

A: Glad to help take your mind off that pesky education stuff.

Whoever wore that jersey hasn’t played here yet. Retiring numbers isn’t something teams should do as a matter of course.

If LeBron was in college, he’d score as many points a game as he wanted.

Jose and Chris have fine chemistry, you watched them run the high screen and roll to near perfection at times this year and they get along just fine off the court.

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Okay, it’s official. Wandered upstairs to say hello during the first half last night and to steal a quick look at Dancing With The Stars.

Marlee Matlin doing the jive put it over the top. She’s the new favourite.

Besides, who can you not cheer for someone I saw yesterday afternoon on a Seinfeld replay and also caught a while ago on a West Wing repeat. Two of the greatest shows ever and she dances?

Vote early, vote often.

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Let’s say, just for argument’s sake, that these guys rattle off six wins in their last eight games (it might be a stretch given their penchant for blowing relatively easy games but play with me here).

That gives ‘em 44 for the season and, I’m guessing, a fifth seed. Maybe sixth.

Is that a good season?

Does 44 make it successful given the absence of Garbo for almost the entire year, the absence of Ford for 24 games and Bosh for 15, the inconsistencies of Bargnani and every swingman on the roster and the presence of a rookie in the starting lineup?

Can you make the case, given those circumstances, that they over-achieved to get to 44, or even 43?

I think you can make that argument quite easily. And what’s that say about the coaching? And the other guys? That they were able to, in the absence of three key players and the knowledge that they never knew night to night what they’d get out of Delfino, Kapono and Moon, survive and even thrive at times?

I think it says a lot.

Let’s say Bosh only misses six games and of the nine he sits out they win over? Take that and you’re getting to 47, 48 wins and then how’s the season?

I know ‘what ifs’ are folly but it’s a discussion you could have sitting around an adult beverage parlour.

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Last week against Detroit

Pistons 35, Raptors 33 at half.

Last night against Charlotte

Raptors 39, Bobcats 32 after a quarter.

The NBA: Where Inconsistency Happens.

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Got this last night about 8:

Haha. This defense Sam Mitchell has the team playing really does wonders doesn't it? You know your team is bad when you allow the Charlotte Bobcats to score at will against you. It is still in the second quarter and I already know the Raptors are going to lose so on to opening day baseball!

Grant C, Orangeville

A: Hope you had a good night.

Comments

[yertu damkule]

hey doug...good call, missing that one in person. it was painful watching on TV - good thing rangers/pens was on.

anyway, a few weeks ago, with 20 games remaining on the sched & prior to the road-trip-that-is-to-be-forgotten, you boldly predicted a 12-8 finish (bold, since you also predicted they'd be lucky to go 1-4 on the above-mentioned trip, which means you thought they could go 11-4 in their final 15). since then, they've gone 4-8. could you now predict they'll go 0-8 to finish the season...maybe a little reverse psychology would help 'em out a bit.

what do you think of ATL?

ps - not to blow my own horn, but i wrote to you back then & thought you were, uh, overly optimistic, & figured a 7-13 finish was more likely. of course, i'm a total pessimist. it's a learned trait from watching this organization for the last decade or so...

[Louis]

Hi Doug, I think you ought to give us more insight (and laughter) into what you deal with as far as questions and comments of lesser intelligence that we can all scoff at. You have done it a couple of times, and I have really found them amusing. You could publish one per blog and give out the unceremonious "Daily Dummy" award. What do you think? Eventually it could silence all of the people who rant about this that and the other thing incessantly. (This being TJ, That being Bargnani, the Other Thing being Mitchell) Do you see the potential?

Blogger's note: Yeah, potential's there but, as I was taught way back in journalism school, there's no such thing as a dumb question.
That's not to say there aren't those that deserve ridicule and snark, though.

[Ryan V.]

Hey Doug when will you admit that Bargnani is a bust?

Even Kwame brown had a better second season.

Blogger's note: Don't worry, you'll know. But it's not going to be for a while so don't sit by the computer waiting.

[kookyIV]

I'm surprised Doug that you didn't add any april fools day commentary to fool us rabid raptors fans (i.e. Jose is back in the starting lineup!) That would of been comical, yet mean, yet fun.

Love the blog, keep up the good work.

[Ted S]

Over-achieved? LMAO The Raptors over-achieved if: Bargnani over-achieved, Kapono over-achieved, Delfino over-achieved, Baston over-achieved, Ford over-achieved, the Gangsta' over-achieved, or if the Leafs over-achieved. Doug that is a funny bit - APRIL FOOLS right????

Jose has had an incredible season. He continues to improve (despite his recent frustrations). Moon was a good find and brings energy and athleticism. I'd call that playing to potential......

Over-achievement for this soft group would be avoiding a first round sweep.

Blogee's Note: Rasho is a stud.

[Alex]

Kapono benched after pretty much blowing his starting opportunity last game... the only player not to get any minutes last night. Ouch.

And I gotta say, Barg's defense is pretty decent. I'd even go so far as to say he's one of the better post defenders on the team, when he applies himself. Doug, am I way off base here?

Blogger's note: When he applies himself, he's not bad, no. It has improved substantially over the course of the season.

[Paulino Nunes]

Good call wrapping up the 'what ifs' - you forgot to mention that Bosh wasn't physically ready to start the season as well - I bet they get at least two more wins in the first couple of weeks including that overtime loss to Boston...

[Luke]

Hey Doug, just a quick question about a play in last night's game. The play in question is the dunk that Carlos Delfino had over Emeka Okafor. It was the play where after watching the replay (to me at least) it was clear that the ball went in and bounced back out off of Okafor's elbow. Is that a reviewable play? I didn't see them check to review it or anything like that. The combination of that play and a put back dunk that Okafor had that appeared to me like cylinder interference were really frustrating to watch. It would have been awful if the game had come down within 4 points and the Raptors had lost because of those plays (and their questionable defence for much of the game)

Blogger's note: Not reviewable, and a blown call. Pure and simple. It happens sometimes.

[tino]

Over-achieved?Doug,you didn't get much mail,so why not stir the pot and see what happens..We all,me,you,fans,media from print,tv and radio,predicted 45-50 wins.We all believed the Raps had (and have) a better roster than last year.We play in the East and outside Boston and Detroit,we could have been third,if we played as well as last year,but even you must agree that the Raps don't .Tj lost 24 games?I didn' notice,what with Jose' taking over.15 games without Bosh?So what,everybody got injuries.What about Washington,without Arenas,Butler etc.ra?That is a team that has over achieved and its coach should get consideration for top honours!What about Bargnani season:i start you,but Rasho is not playing well so i bench you;well you play really badly now and don't deserve it but i start you again,but wait,TJ really sucks so it's his turn to start and for you go to the bench.I heard you on the radio yesterday saying that some coaches and teammates of TJ,had really had it with him.Is there peace now,or you still omit to tell us now and tell us later,when Tj will be traded, what they think?But i disgress.Let's go back to the Raps as a team.Over-achieved?Ask J. Kapono,who signed on with the Raps,becouse "they really wanted him for what he can do"..Last night he sat on bench and a penny for his thougths..So,we have not played as well as last year,we won't win as many,we had TJ saga,Bargnani regressed,Moon defense on the perimeter at the start of the year had as many holes as a spaghetti strainer,and they just got bigger,thanks to Sam's looong leash(why Delfino has not had achance to start?).Well,it's April fool day,so yes the Rap REALLY REALLY have over-achieved,i just can't wait for the playoffs and the trading season.

[Paul M.]

I hate to nitpick (wait: no I don't) but Lebron is in his 5th year in the league. Meaning he wouldn't be in his Junior year if he went to college.

[Mary]

tino, please hit the space bar occasionally! It's really hard to read your post!

[yertu damkule]

tino - i'd like to see the preseason predictions again, where 'everyone' predicted b/w 45 & 50 wins. that's a bit fuzzy in my mind...

[Jimmy T]

Doug, What a game last night!!! Yes I am talking about the Pheonix Denver matchup, not the raptors. Shaq went 4/5 from the charity stripe? WOW, Pheonix must have some miracle workers. Down 19 at one point the suns clawed back to win by 11 I believe?? 2 of the best bigs in the league, team nash, and a bench that could be starters here in Raptor land.

Doesn’t that make you want to see the Raptors with 2 bigs that can dominate a game?

[Jason Michaels]

Considering the way Jose has been playing recently, I think all TJ bashers should keep quiet and lie low. It's funny how TJ, selfish or not (I don't know how many NBA players are not selfish), continues getting flak when Jose is in a worse funk than TJ ever was. Am I the only one who noticed that there was no flow to the second unit last night, and no defensive effort on their part?

The Raptors would be better off conducting a sign-and-trade for Jose...this team cannot move into the upper echelons with him running the show.

[voislav]

I think that team is actually playing better overall than last season. Yes individual players have been struggling, but that always happens. Last year Atlantic was horrible inflating their win and they it didn't look like they could beat the best teams in the league. This year it feels like they can take anyone on, but also they can loose to anyone. Consistency will come with experience, so no worries there.

[tino]

Yertu,maybe you should ask the blogger if i was wrong saying that he and most of the media predicted 47-50 wins.I did.I was wrong.And in my opinion the Raps have underachieved.I have to disagree with D.Smith's opinion and explanation;if you share them,with you too.We could still,given the chance, go for a cool beverage and cheer for the Raps in the playoffs.

[Chris Boyle]

Overachieved?

That is pretty funny. Has you love for Mitchell blinded you? I guess a team that plays in a conference with 4 teams with 40+ wins should be commended for possibly breaking 44??

The Raps have won 12 of 41 games against teams with better than .500 records.
They have 24 of their 38 wins against (Miami (3), Charlotte (2), Milwaukee (1), Chicago (2), Indiana (3), New York (3), New Jersey (2), LA Clippers (2), Sacramento (1), Seattle (1), Minnesota (2), Memphis (2). This is impressive? This is indicative of a great job by Mitchell?

The Raps lost Chris Bosh and won 4 of 15 games? That is strong coaching? Bargnani regressed and it is his fault now? So the coaches have no responsibility for Bargnani's success or failure?

The Raps are lucky that they play in the Eastern Conference or they would be a 20 win team.

Opponents record in Raptor victories - 1189-1606
Opponents record in Raptor defeats - 1533-1119

I am sorry, but the notion that this team has overachieved is nonsense.

[Penny Dickeson]

Jason Michaels - were you watching the game last night? When Jose came on at the start of the second quarter, he was on with Bosh and Parker. That was during the time when Bosh was so tired, he was having a hard time getting up and down the floor. He missed shots during this period, Parker missed shots and Rasho missed a lay-up. How is this Jose being in a funk? At least he was trying to play some defense unlike TJ in the first half. To give him his due, though, TJ finally played some defense in the second half - maybe because of all the yelling in the locker room at half time?

[Sean]

I don't consider 44 wins overachieving, for the simple reason that of those 44 wins only a half dozen at most came against teams they shouldn't have beat. A team cant surpass expectations when all they do is what they are supposed to.

[GM]

Jason Michaels, yeah Calderon didn't play particularly well last night. And Ford played one of his best games of the season (that's how bad his season has been). But Ford apologists just don't get it. It's not about stats; it's about the type of shots and passes they do. Players are going to miss shots and commit turnovers. Players are going to have the odd bad game. That happens. It's *how* they miss and *how* they turn it over and when that we base our opinions. Even though Calderon sucked last night, he didn't cost them the game. If Ford can play like that every game, and if Calderon can play like he usually does every game, the team will be much improved.

[Jason Michaels]

GM,
Ford was playing like that before his injury. I vaguely seem to remember some all-star talk surrounding his play, even from this blog (I stand to be corrected, but it was being mentioned by someone). Of course, fickle Toronto fans being who they are, everyone forgot that while the team was only playing 3 games above .500 with Jose was running the team.
TJ's game on Monday was hardly his best game this season...I'd argue that he even had a better one last week, and he certainly had a ton before he went down in ATL. Give him credit for that and stop being myopic.
You want to trade him, fine. TJ "selfishly" wants to start, fine. Jose is "unselfish" (although it seems he told the Spanish media the real truth), fine. Just don't make it out to be about point guard ability, because it isn't despite what Doug or any other "beat" writer thinks.

[DanH]

Jason Michaels - The argument was never that TJ has less point guard ability. It's clear he has loads of talent and potential.

This is an unfair comparison, but to make a point, so did VC. Talent and potential didn't cut it then, and the reason was his attitude and approach to the game.

TJ will never be Vince-like, I have far too much respect for him to suggest otherwise, but don't so easily dismiss the issues of selflessness and integrity.

[John M]

Doug, are you ready to admit that this team is better with TJ starting and Jose coming off the bench? It's been proven last year, earlier this year, and again of late. I can't fathom how you would think otherwise.