A little bit to get the day started

Not all that slow a weekend now that I think about it.

We’ve got the on-going Jose Calderon thingy, and the suggestion that once again Andrea Bargnani will start at small forward.

For a day when it’s usually sleepy around the Air Canada Centre, there was some news. Luckily we’ll get an early look at all this what with the afternoon game and all. It’ll be nice to sit on the couch and watch, won’t it?

Or maybe not, depending on where you live.

Short and sweet this morning, gotta get all gussied up for the big game and there’ll be lots here later to digest. And don’t forget to tune back in at 1 p.m. to follow the game.

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A gamble? Of course it’s a gamble. Moving Bargnani back to the starting lineup – if in fact that’s what Sam does and I got an overwhelming sense from a few people I talked to yesterday that it’s a done deal for now – toys with him, the rotation, the other bigs and puts an awful lot more pressure on the coach.

I personally don’t think Bargnani is a small forward. Being defended by threes takes away most of the advantage he had going against fours, which is quickness and the ability to beat them off the dribble. Defending threes may lead him to the early foul trouble that takes him out of games. I’m not sure there’s enough space on the floor with Bosh and O’Neal to let Bargnani attack the basket, something he’s been doing more of this season. I think the kid was finally getting comfortable in a defined role and now it’s changed, at least for the start of the game.

The plus side? Well, the case was made by one guy I talked to yesterday that it does put Toronto’s five best players on the court to start the game. And just because they start big doesn’t mean they have to finish big. And, of course, I’ve said for days something had to be changed at the three.

Sam? Well, now Sam has to massage minutes more carefully, I think. Does he go with Hump a lot? Use Joey at the four? Can he move his bigs (Bosh, O’Neal and Bargnani) in and out effectively enough so that there are long stretches where two of them are on the floor playing centre and power forward?

And what about Jamario? Is he out of the rotation entirely? I don’t imagine so but now you’re looking at a deeper rotation, using 10 or 11 guys for sure (five starters, Moon, Kapono, Hump, maybe Joey and whichever point guard is the backup of the day) and that’s too many.

Yes, a gamble.

And at 4-4, I’m not sure this isn’t too big a gamble to take.

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Here’s how my friend Ira sets up this afternoon’s tilt in the pages of his paper.

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Hey, when you Rogers subscribers are not watching the game this afternoon, remember this statement from Raptor poobah Tom Anselmi, borrowed from Zelk’s story in Friday’s paper:

"If we missed one game I suppose that wouldn't be the end of the world but for a long period of time it's not the place where any of us want to be, TSN, Rogers or us.”

Well, trust me, I know there are people out there for whom missing one game might be the end of the world, don’t imagine they’re too impressed with that quote.

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Quick stop for a question:

Q: Just wondering, if I recall correctly, the Raptors still have the rights to Carlos Delfino (restricted agent no?).  If they do, do those rights have any meaningful value in a trade?  I mean, he's getting paid zero by the Raps so I guess there is no monetary value in this cap system, but do they hold any other potential value in a trade?

Sohail G, Collingwood

A: Nope, no value whatsoever. Delfino remains a restricted free agent, meaning Toronto can match any offer he gets from an NBA team next year or they may be able to get involved in a sign-and-trade transaction but nothing until Delfino’s out from under his contract in Russia.

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So what about Jose? No one knows for sure. I do know he looked way better Saturday than he did on Friday and if he’s that much better Sunday, I’m sure he’ll go. But if he’s got a slight chance at making the injury worse by playing, he should shut it down.

I’m finishing this up about 8:15 a.m. and I presume he’s already at the arena getting treatment and seeing how it goes.

But just think:

If he can’t play, it’s Will Solomon and Roko Ukic against Mario Chalmers and Chris Quinn in the point guard matchup! Springfield, take note.

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And, finally:

Q: Doug, when the Raptors beat Miami and Calderon only plays 20 minutes, can we return to the 78-4 talk?

Ted S, Waterloo

A: I would suggest that for as many people who are on the 78-4 bandwagon, there will be some who are all about 5-77. It’s the nature of the zany Raptor fan base.

Comments

[dc]

I was posting comments and submitting questions just before the season started about how the three bigs should play together- because it does put our best players on the court together, they can just play zone to switch up defensive assignments, bargnani has shown the ability to attack and shoot over smaller defenders this season....
Doug, you shot down the idea as overzealous fan fantasy. you said we would never see it... this is what, game number 9 of 82?
I'm not saying i told you so, but just check my message history.

Blogger's note: Trust me, you weren't the only one to suggest this.

[Nick M]

First off, I like the way you covered a lot of sides to Bargnani starting, not only your disagreement with it, but others points as well.

So let me add another viewpoint/defense for Bargnani starting.

Sam has 96 minutes to give to bigs and its obvious Bosh will be getting 40 of them. Perhaps Sam believes JO is ready to play 33-35 a night and on any given night(your guess is as good as mine on which night) Bargnani deserves 33 or more. Thats at least 10 more minutes than Sam has. Hopefully, Sam wants to use Bargnani at the 3 for ONLY these extra minutes for two reasons:
1. I agree with you that he is better served as one of the bigs.
2. Raps still keep the tight 3 man bigs rotation of Bosh, JO and Bargs. NO HUMP!

[derek]

Bargnani a three, Bosh a 4, O'Neal a five. I would like to disagree with this. I think that a tall long, athletic three will be playing defense on bosh, or whoever is playing the highpost (interchangeable between bosh/bargs).
Defensively, I think if you watch the tape when all three bigs are on the court, it's Bosh guarding the opposing three position.
I am much more comfortable having bosh at the three as opposed to Bargnani. At least we won't be worried about our new three - Bosh - not crashing the boards for rebounds (ahem Jamario).

[gabriel a]

i think sam should move his bigs and hump a lot...nice going doug

[Alex]

Doug with Bargnani maybe in the starting lineup, why is the talk of him only at the 3? On the offensive end things like that dont matter, you just play who ever guards you. But on the defensive end is Bosh not the likely "3" out of him, O'neal and Bargnani?
Bosh is quicker, shorter, more athletic... He has the more complete game as a 3 except for 3 point range. He attacks the rim, can beat his man (more so than Andrea) and has a deadly mid-range shot.

[Wes]

Me personally, would not like to see Bargnani start at the 3. I would however like to see JK start at the 3 to see if its a small confidence boost and help him put the ball in the basket. And as much as i live the acquisition of O'neal, Would like to see a starting lineup of 8-18-24-7-4 with 6 making a quick entrance if either big picks up a cheap foul. 6 is definately a legit starter in this league but he is coming off of 2 years of realtive inactivity, a little rest cant hurt, can it? Weve seen him start, leave 3 minutes in with 2 fouls and sit on the bench in the 4th down the stretch. i really think moon is most effective providing energy off the bench, but as long as he wants to hoist 3s, let him keep Jawai company, or visit the d-league (if hes eligible). And i never thought id say this but for the first time in my life i'm glad i have bell express-vue, because I live in guelph and finding a hoops game in a bar here is as likely as finding Heidi Klum waiting to buy me a drink. keep up the good work doug.

[papa]

btw doug, is the game going to playing at the harbour sports grill? (I think that's what it's called??) down on yonge st??

did you use your magic to make sure it's on? I would like to go

Blogger's note: I don't know for sure; but it'd be a great place to start checking.

[Mo Merei]

Hey Doug,

Any chance that Raptors TV will pick up the Miami feed today?

I don't know what Tom Anselmi was thinking.... That's not something you say to your fans (outloud at least)...

Thanks for your hard work.

[Serge Papineau]

I think the problem with having Bosh guard 3s is that he's more likely to pick up some quick fouls and you can't have him out of the game. I think for that reason alone you'd have to put Bargnani, who is more expendable, on the other team's 3. I think Nick M. Made a great point and I hope he's right about the way Sam plans to use the bigs. Andrea definitely needs more minutes but, as Doug mentioned, he also needs a well defined role, something he hasn't had since he's been here. Should be an interesting few weeks.

[derek]

I am proud to say, between the hours of 9:30 - 11:30, I, and three of my friends have managed to: Cancel our Rogers Cable packages/looking forward to starchoice installing a dish tuesday afternoon, cancel our Rogers cell and home phone......thank you to Verizon and Virgin Mobile for giving me cheaper rates!

It's a sad day for Rogers and TSN (Bell).
Looking forward to the in game blogging doug.

[derek]

http://www.rojadirecta.org/

This site will show the Miami Feed. Great streaming