Imagine there's doom and gloom today

Pretty crappy performance out in Edmonton, no? Slow or non-existent defensive rotations, sluggish offence, not an over-abundance of hustle. Oh, and what, a kazillion turnovers?

At least they won’t be going into the regular season over-confident, right?

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Hands up everyone who figured the season was over when Jermaine O’Neal failed to materialize for the second half? If I know Raptor fans, that little trouble spot coupled with an up-and-down game from Andrea Bargnani and another bad game from the bench had you figuring out TV plans for the draft lottery. Maybe it sent more than a few of you to the interweb to seek out Ricky Rubio highlight videos.

JIMMY JEONG/THE CANADIAN PRESS

Bosh: 17 points in 29 minutes vs. Denver.

Here’s the thing: If no one got too excited about anything good that happened in the pre-season, you can’t go all sackcloth and ashes on them for a bad game to end it.

It is of no solace to many of you, I’m sure, but it is the pre-season, no one played their regular rotation or minutes, there’s a week to go before the first real game.

Are there issues? Absolutely. Are they season-killing issues before the season actually begins? No, they’re not. Can they get fixed? Sure.

Will they get fixed? They better hope so.

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O’Neal’s problem, in case you missed the morning dispatches, was tightness in his right hamstring. Nothing to do with his left knee. They’ve got today off to travel back but O’Neal told anyone who’d listen that he’d be ready to go when they get back in the gym tomorrow.

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I’m sure you heard the full TV sked is due out some time this morning; we’ll get it up here as quickly as we can but The Score has the first two and TSN the third.

Of course, there’s still no resolution to the Rogers-TSN impasse over getting TSN2 on the largest cable provider in the team’s home market.

It’s in negotiations but that’s all anyone’s saying.

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Seriously, do you have to have like a zillion tattoos to play for the Nuggets?

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Here’s one for you:

What if there is no “second unit” most nights?

I’ve been saying since before the season began that I think an eight- or nine-man rotation is the way to go, never 10 on a consistent basis and certainly not 11 or 12.

So, how?

Well, how’s this (and these are night when no starter gets two fouls in the first six minutes or so and everyone’s healthy):

Usual starters, which I think should be Calderon, Parker, Graham, Bosh and O’Neal.

After about 7-8 minutes, replace O’Neal with Bargnani. After about two or three minutes of the second quarter, replace Bosh with O’Neal. With about four or five minutes to go in the second quarter, put Bosh back in for Bargnani.

Total time: O’Neal gets about 17, 18 minutes, Bosh gets about 17, 18 minutes and Bargnani gets about 11.

Jose plays the entire first quarter and Solomon, or Ukic, starts the second and plays about four minutes and then Calderon comes back.

The wings? Same sort of rotation, only shorter runs for everyone. If Graham starts, take him out after about six minutes, go to Moon for as long as you like, maybe nine or 10 minutes, and then go back to Joey. Or, if Moon starts, simply switch it around.

And I can see Parker and Kapono splitting minutes almost evenly, with whoever’s having the better night finishing.

Now, that leaves Hump out of the rotation and I don’t really have a problem with that. Figure he’ll get some minutes some nights when one of the three bigs gets two quick fouls and maybe a hungry Hump will be more active trying to earn minutes because right now he’s not really doing anything to help him earn playing time.

And, frankly, if Moon’s play doesn’t pick up, I’d have no problem cutting his minutes way back and if they need to fill a few minutes a game, go with Hassan Adams. He’s not as athletic, that’s for sure, but his work ethic’s pretty good.

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A roster move question:

Q: So with the Raps having 13 players I understand trades that would involve getting extra bodies back. What happens though if the Raps make a trade and get less players back? Would they have time to sign guys to fill the roster out or it would have to be done before? If we see them signing a guy or two would this be an indication something is happening?

Mike P, Thornhill

A: League rules mandate a minimum of 13 players on the roster but if they were to make a two-for-one deal, for instance, they could simultaneously sign that 13^th player; they wouldn’t necessarily have to do it before making the trade.

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Okay, here’s the laughable league story of the week:

Andrew Bynum, who has played in a grand total of 163 NBA games and hasn’t played a minute in one that counted since last January because of a knee injury, wants an extension worth about $17 million a year?

That’s simply delusional.

The best part of it? His agent offering some veiled threat about “repercussions” next summer if the kid has to go through this season without a new deal.

The repercussions? He’s a restricted free agent who won’t be going anywhere.

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So, I see a headline in the New York Daily News that suggests Eddy Curry is out of shape.

Next headline: Plane lands safely.

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A long one to end the day:

Q: Hey Doug, it's been a while since I've written in but it was the offseason, and you need time to relax, right?
I just went through a 7th consecutive season of false hope with our baseball team, and now I have to hear how the "slimmer" roster is going to make everything all better. Last year our strength was our "depth", and this year it's the "tightness" of the rotation, allowing players to play through mistakes etc etc. It's a good spin on things but I refuse to believe it. We are one Calderon, Bosh, or O'Neal injury away from a wasted season. And, I know I'm not a fortune teller, but let's be honest...do you truly believe in your heart of hearts that O'Neal and Bosh will stay healthy? God forbid Calderon goes down, I may have a heart attack.
Now, I've read your column enough to know your response. There is no way to tell, and if O'Neal or Bosh do get injured, let's just hope it's at different times, and they are ready to go for the playoffs. I just don't want to see this franchise and it's fan base start using the mantra "if we stay healthy" because it's a cop-out, and is almost non-existent in professional sports. I, unfortunately, see it coming already. Hopefully I'm wrong. Thoughts?

Mike S, Georgetown

A: Thanks for your opinion, I’m sure it’s shared by many. It seems to me, though, that you do feel like something of a fortune teller and you’d just like others to agree with what you see happening. And it could very well come true.

But it’s also quite possible that, with Bosh healthier than he’s ever been going into a season that he plays 75 games or more. It’s also quite possible that a surgically-repaired knee, if the surgery was done well, will allow O’Neal to play 70 games. And Calderon played 82 games last season, 77 the season before and 64 as a rookie.

Yes, if one of them goes down for an extended period of time, it’ll be disastrous and it will likely be the reason the season goes in the toilet.

But I don’t mind this roster. There are holes, yes, but on the whole, it’s probably good enough for anywhere from 44-48 wins.

There are many who are going into the season holding their breath for good health and, trust me, there are a dozen or more teams chanting the same “if we stay healthy” mantra you see as a cop-out. You don’t think they’re holding their breath in L.A. today after Kobe hyper-extended his knee? Are they worried about Chris Paul's health in New Orleans? Dwight Howard in Orlando?

A cop-out? How about reality.

Comments

[Nicholas C]

Hilarious entry today Doug! Cheers. You had me laughing right from the get go.

[CWH]

Good luck with that proposed rotation. It projects Jermaine O'Neal to play 34-35 minutes per night (will never happen), and Jose to play about 40. There isn't a point guard in the NBA who plays near 40 minutes per night, handling the ball and constant pressure on every possession. Even much younger (and more athletic) points like Chris Paul and Deron Williams only average about 37 min/game. We're all going to have to get used to 12-15 minutes of Solomon or Ukic a night. So will Kapono and the other bench players ...

[NiagaraHoops]

Doug,
I think it is still way too early for doom and gloom. Part of the problem is that we now get to watch pre-season games. In years past, we usually assess the team after a handful of regular season games as we should this year.

[Jason]

Doug,
Thank you for finally putting to bed the "Second Unit" crap. Any logical person knows that one of Bosh or O'Neal will be on the floor at all times unless the game is decided. Most of the starters will also get 10 more minutes a game than what the preseason has seen.
The thinnest unit I could ever imagine on the floor together is two starters such as Bosh and Parker, two of the more accomplish defenders. Even with only two starters, Bargnini and Kapono must be considered start able. Throw Moon in as well if Graham wins the starters gig.
My point being that the Raps have 7-8 people who could be called starters so there’s never going to be a full backup unit.
I just can't take another post about our "Second Unit" because there is no such thing. Please stop the insanity people. This included some media folks as well (not you Doug who I refer to as Mr. Rational)

[Ryan]

Just a quick question, and I honestly don't know the answer: Is it possible JO's right hamstring problem could be related to having to compensate for any left knee issues?

Blogger's note: I honestly don't know the answer to that, either.

[Aaron J.]

Doug, just got some bad news for Raps fans, are you ready... TSN2 is broadcasting 25 games this season. TSN and Rogers better not leave that boardroom until something gets hammered out. This deal better be reasonable for Rogers subscribers, as well!

Blogger's note: I believe the full schedule is up on our website now, or will be momentarily. 25 on TSN2, 23 on TSN, 20 on The Score, 12 on CBC and 2 on RaptorsTV

[Mike S]

Thanks for the response. I'm not so much worried about the outcome of this season as I am the culture of the fanbase. The problem with leaves fans is obvious, and the Jays fans just seem to settle for mediocrity. Perhaps I'm not giving Raptor fans enough credit. Can we objectively review this management team over the next couple of years, or is Colangelo's work so respected that he's given himself a longer leash than we've ever seen before in Toronto?

Blogger's note: I think a full assessment of the management at the end of this season will be in order; I think turning a 27-win team into a team that's been in the playoffs twice in a row is a good start but there needs to be another step taken this season, unquestionably.

[Steph]

The Raptors are built for the post season. All we need to do is make the playoffs. I don't care if we win 40 or 50 games this year, I just hope we don't meet Boston in the first round. JO added everything we need to be a better post season team, defense, rebounding and shot blocking. With a shorter bench, healthy bodies and a season to gel, the Raptors should make noise in the post season.

[Rob M]

Doug, can you tell us who would be best to email - at Rogers, Bell, TSN, the Raptors AND the NBA - to express our outrage over this schedule?

I have the top tier Rogers package plus HD (including Raptors TV) and I will be locked out of 25 games? That is truly unfair to the fans that they would pull this kind of a stunt, showing games that are blacked out in the HOME market (which also happens to sell out most home games, usually the requirement for blacking out games).

I would encourage everyone who reads Doug's blog to send an email to all 5 of the above parties to tell them this is not right. Also, the NBA should weigh in on this, as it is currently severely detrimental to the NBA fan base in Toronto, which has been gaining momentum but will be undercut by this move, maybe they can bring some pressure to bear.

This WAS our most looked forward to season in many years, and now most of us can't even see 1/3 of it - disgusting.

Blogger's note: I think you can probably find a way to contact the various parties through their websites.

[Sal L.]

Hey Doug,
Just thinking out loud... is only have two games on RaptorsTV a sign that this channel will be on its way out? Personally speaking, I thought it was silly to show low-tech pre-season games.

[GM]

Couple things. I'm enjoying Matt Devlin's play-by-play. But was there any reason for him to say "Edmonton, Alberta, Canada" twice? Hey MAtty, we know it's in Canada. That would be like a sports announcer on ESPN saying "Billings, Montana, United States". Oh, and he needs to not get so excited every single time a Raptor attempts a 3-pointer. Maybe wait to see if it goes in.

Only two games on Raptors TV? What the--? Remind me why I have Raptors TV again? Hopefully those two games are on early in the season so I can cancel it right after.

[Nick M]

Hello Jack Armstrong.
I'm not sure of the number of games Leo called last year but I think the 32 he'll get this year will be a step back(and well deserved!). CBC I can understand but I am surprised that Jack didn't get the Score games. That would drop Leo to 12 and make most Raps fans happy but heaven forbid that Raps fans shouldn't suffer!
P.S. The first game on TSN2 is Nov. 16th. I'm so happy I live in Cogeco country.

[Rob]

Doug, to Mike S's question and your response, Doug you're right when you say every team worries about injury and most teams are one key injury away from seeing their season having a significant impact and that is not a cop out. But to your point, Chris Paul, Kobe Bryant and Dwight Howard do not have a history of injuries. On the other hand, O'Neal and Bosh (to a lesser degree, although he looks to be in good shape) do have an injury history with Bosh averaging about 68 games a year (missing 20% of the team's games) during the last 3 years and O'Neal averaging about 51 games a year during the last 4 years. That is a big difference with the players you mentioned Doug. An injury history means that O'Neal and Bosh, to a lesser extent, are more susceptible to missing time or being injured then players like the ones you have mentioned who do not have an injury history. Using injuries as an excuse in the case of O'Neal and Bosh is a cop out given their history.

For that reason, Raptors fans should be legitimately concerned that O'Neal in particular will not be able to play 90% of the team's games.

[Rob]

Doug, a couple questions about the broadcast schedule:

1. Why are the Raptors putting games on 5 different channels? It sure doesn't help fans find their games.

2. I had understood that the Score wanted to become the basketball source here in Canada yet they are broadcasting fewer games than last year. Do you have any explanation?

Thanks.

Blogger's note: They were on five different channels last year, too; and you'd have to ask The Score for an explanation, I certainly don't want to speak for them.

[david]

forgive me for asking. should we be legitimately concerned about JO here? Could it be just the normal aches as he gets back into game shape?

[John]

Thanks for making an article about TSN2 + Raptors management screwing us Raptors fans even more Doug
Much appreciated to know not all the reporters are 'in cahoots' wit Raps Management

[Blake Kennedy]

Doug, I agree that management needs to be reviewed after this year. I have every faith in Colangelo (even though the O'Neal trade is going to be something they live to regret) still, but what would worry me is if they go into next year's training camp with Sam Mitchell still at the helm. Many of the problems this year to date are directly attributable to atrocious basketball philosophy on his part - his motionless offense that got absolutely shown up by Messina has to have the attention of the front office...doesn't it?

[willy]

Any Raps fans from Peterborough? Why do we not get RAPS HD, SCORE HD, or TSN2 HD on our Cogeco packages?

[L]

Whoah. Doug Smith is on another crusade. Did you just suggest that Adams replace Moon's time when even Moon's attrocious pre-season has been better than Adams'? Did you just tell us that Adams' "work ethic" is why he should replace Moon when Adams came into camp out of shape?

Are we safe to assume that a trade of Moon is on the "horizon" and that you're once again slagging a player on behalf of management to grease the exit?

[2damkule]

willy - switch to bell. i was having the same frustrations w/ my cable provider (i live out east, so they don't have rapsTV or the score in HD either - not sure about TSN2, i switched to bell before the channel was available in our area). the picture quality is better, there's more selection, time-shifting, etc., and the price is about the same, give or take.

L - don't disagree, both adams & moon have been horrible, only showing brief (really brief) flashes of what they can provide. we've seen moon play much better, so if feels like he's either regressed, or doesn't give a crap about working on his weaknesses. with adams, we don't know what he can provide, & sometimes unknown potential is more appealing. i'm guessing they try joey out starting at the 3, but within a few games, it'll be back to moon. not necessarily because of anything moon does, but more because of what joey will ABSOLUTELY, POSITIVELY, WITHOUT DOUBT do...which is revert to bad joey.