JO's beating himself up, the Hawks are beating everyone

You expected mail, didn’t you? It’s Friday, after all.

Well, there are a few things to get done in this fashion and it’s a game day so there’s Hawk stuff to talk about. Plus the mail’s not nearly as overwhelming as it is most weeks so I figure I can just get it up Sunday morning as a prelude to the Bobcats game (after all, what’s there to talk about with the Bobcats).

So …

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Travelled yesterday afternoon (uneventfully, by the way) so I missed practice and what appeared to be a nice little diatribe by an emotionally distraught JO. Okay, maybe emotionally distraught is a bit over the top but go read the stories and you’ll get my drift.

So, what do they do to get him going offensively?

Me, I say nothing.

I say keep doing what they’re doing, it’s going to come around, it’s just going to take time. Pressing the issue makes no sense because it’ll take away from what the other guys are doing; not giving him the ball makes no sense because it’ll only exacerbate the problem, which is a lack of rhythm.

O’Neal’s right when he says he’s doing everything right, he’s getting the ball where he wants it, his spin move does create shooting space. Now it’s a matter of making the shots.

I think he’ll start making them soon but messing with anything now makes no sense.

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Wow, you see Brandon Roy in overtime last night?

Wouldn’t he look good in a Toronto uniform.

(That was done simply to raise the ire of so many of you).

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Lots of trade chatter out there, isn’t there.

My guy in Charlotte R. Bonnell has been telling me for a while that he thinks Gerald Wallace is absolutely on the block and we all know Al Harrington wants out of Golden State.

What should Bryan be doing?

Making the calls to try and get in on the deals.

Not sure what he’d have to offer – and I cannot envision any way he gives on Andrea right now so please put those thoughts aside – but he did have interest in Wallace in the summer and Harrington, in my mind, is a pretty good fit.

Harrington’s got the more manageable contract (expires after next season when you want free agent money; Wallace’s goes out at least three seasons after this one) and I know the coaches here think he’s more of a three than Wallace is (they contend Wallace plays best as a four).

I don’t know if there’s a Raptor package that would make sense, or would come close to what other teams might be offering, but Bryan wouldn’t be doing his job if he wasn’t making the calls. And he’s always doing his job.

Personally, with all things considered (money, contracts, variety of skills), I call Golden State first and try to pry Harrington away.

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Q and A time

Q: True or False, the best point guard in the NBA wears a Raptors uniform?

Michael M, London

A: Um, false. Jose’s going great, that’s for sure. But I’m still feeling the love for Chris Paul at the moment. And, after 55 points, Tony Parker’s got to be in the discussion, too, even though his team’s 1-3.

Now, I’m am certain there are ardent fans out there who’d disagree but he’s got a ways to go to be best in the league.

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TAMI CHAPPELL/REUTERS

What was your reaction to T.J. Ford's disallowed basket at the end of regulation in Atlanta last April.

Okay, so I’m in the hotel trying to figure out what game day is going to be like – shootaround, early stuff, in-game blog, file at the buzzer, write through with fresh quotes – and then it strikes me.

Something stupid and off-beat is going to happen so why even plan?

Maybe the scorekeepers will miss a basket like they did a couple of years back.

Maybe the clock operators will start timing too early and rob the Raptors of a basket.

Maybe some lunkhead rookie will knock someone to the ground.

Maybe ... well, maybe something ridiculous will happen.

Always seems to.

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Speaking of the Hawks, pretty good that they’re 3-0 and the most impressive thing is they’ve won road games at Orlando and New Orleans.

Here’s what Cousin Sekou’s got to say for himself.

Guess they’ve overcome the crippling loss of Josh Childress.

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Jose, Jose, Jose. You folks do ask about him a lot

Q: Hey Doug, I was looking at the point guard situation in the Eastern Conference and with the Billups' trade this week (and Kidd's trade last February), don't you think Jose has a legitimate chance to be an All-Star this year ? Maybe Iverson will be voted as a starter, but if Jose keeps playing at this level, the coaches will select him on the East squad! P.S: It's a pleasure to read your blog every day.

Julien B, Caen, France

A: Absolutely a legitimate chance. Coaches love him (at least the ones I talk to do) and if you’re looking strictly at point guards, he’s got to be there. Now, lots can happen between now and February but I fully expect him to be in Phoenix.

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Travelogue time:

Atlanta? Hardly a favourite. Maybe it’s a hangover from the 1996 Olympics (ridiculously bad organization, bad housing and, oh yeah, the BOMB!) but I just can’t warm up to this city.

Downtown’s desolate (although suburban Buckhead’s okay for the younger set) and traffic on the way in from the airport’s always hell.

How unexciting? I don’t have a local spot, really. There’s generally one in every city but it’s hotel lobby bars and restaurants here. I don’t want to venture out and that’s a sad, sad feeling.

Old time Atlanta Olympic story: We knew we were in for bad bus issues Day 1. We come out of the media village (at Clark Atlanta University downtown) and find a nice lady ready to drive us to the Main Press Centre. We can pretty much see where we want to go (it’s like 10 blocks away) but somehow we seem to be driving away from it. And towards nowhere.

Nicely, we ask the lovely lady if she had any clue what she was doing.

"Not really, I just got here from Minnesota to volunteer and they gave me this map.”

And it went downhill from there.

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Shootaround’s 11-noon Eastern time, we’ll be back sometime in the afternoon with news, if there is any. I doubt it, of course, but you never, ever know.

Comments

[George]

Doug,
It must be a tough time to wear the Raptors number 33 jersey. In every game, at least on paper, the Raptors are outmatched in that position. I do feel sorry for Jamario. Having to go up against the league's best swingmen night in and night out. But one thing that caught my attention was his unwillingness to finish on a breakaway on Wednesday. A 2 on 2 break where Jamario passed up a chance to take it to the hole and gave up the ball to Jose. It seems to me that the last thing he wants to do is turn the ball over; he would rather be passive than hear Sam give him a earful when he goes to the bench with a turnover. It is this blatant lack of confidence that is worrying. Does Sam preach aggressiveness but instill a fear in his young swingmen that stops them from taking a chance and being aggressive?

Blogger's note: Yes, Sam preaches aggressiveness and if they fear him, that's on them, not him. I remember that play vividly and I thought Sam's head was going to explode. It was a perfect example of a guy doing exactly what the coach doesn't want him to do.

[Matty-Pix]

Getting Wallace would be amazing, and very tough I think - since Bargs isn't going anywhere ... Kapono + Hump works, but I don't see Charlotte loving that too much, depending on how bad they want out of G-force's deal, and need a big to replace Chubbs May in the rotation.

Jose/AP/Wallace/Bosh/JO ... yikes. Fill the extra roster spot with 'Dice, and we're laughing all the way to the conference finals (or the injured reserve list)

[yertu damkule]

it'd be nice to think that the raps are actively hunting for the 3 they need, but if they aren't willing to throw bargnani into a deal, how realistic is it that they can get something of any substance back (and make the $$ work as well)?

bargs & JK for harrington or wallace works from a money-sense (it would actually free up more than enough to sign someone to the vet's minimum). now, i'm sure some would argue that the raps are giving up too much, and others would argue that bargs/JK aren't enough, but in my mind, you have to give to get. both harrington & wallace give the raps what they need, and bargs/JK give GS, well, a project & a deep threat who can't defend. if bryan really, truly believes in building the best team for the present & the future, then it's a deal he'd have to consider, no? would GS or charlotte be interested in it? is bargs an enticing enough piece that they'd go for it? neither may be interested in either bargs or JK, but still.

doug - when you mention wallace as better suited to the 4, were you mixing them (wallace & harrington) up?

Blogger's note: No, actually. When I was talking to the members of the staff about Wallace in the summer (after the non-trade with Charlotte) they said they think his best position is the four. I was a bit surprised by that. He plays both but they think he might be more effective as a four.
And I don't know if they can get anything done without Bargnani being in it but I honestly don't see Bryan moving him yet. They can sweeten deals with picks and cash but that may not be enough.

[AK]

I was just monkeying with ESPN's trade thing. Here's a scenario that seems to work, and I don't think it puts the good guys over the luxury limit and is a 3 for 3 so there would be no need to pick up anyone else. That being said, I know nothing about the trade fodder coming back so it's hard to assess whether this is a worthy or doable move -- Hump, The Big Enigma (Joey) and Parker for Harrington, Hendrix and Watson. Your thoughts?

Blogger's note: Sorry, not doing every single trade possibility, good or not good. Too much other stuff to do.

[PJ]

Doug,

I agree with your assessment of Atlanta. I was there for a conference in June, and the two things that made the trip worth it were the Martin Luther King Jr. Historical District in Sweet Auburn, and Little Five Points (the Queen Street West of Atlanta). Anyways, I suggest a trip to Little Five Points to find a good watering hole - we had a good time at (I believe) the 9 Lives Saloon - nothing special, but plenty of micro beers on tap and in bottles. Also, en route to the MLK site, just past the freeway is Thelma's Kitchen - great soul food and ribs.

Go Raps!

[Bo Klymkiw]

Poor Jamario. Taking all this flak all along, when the true culprit is Smitch & Associates, with their less-is-more tendency. Why would we get Wallace to play the 4?! who comes up with these ideas??!!

[Dan]

JK and Humphries for Harrington is pretty close salary wise. Throw in a second or first(most likely late) round pick and that might be enough. I like Kapano alot and based on age Parker is the better choice. Parker does so much more and his three point % is almost as good and he shoots them way more. I know Kapano was great in the playoffs but you need consistant help all season to get there. They would still be short a spot on the roster and then you would have Moon playing back up at the two so I don't know if that would work.

[yertu damkule]

hmm. so, let's see. if bargs isn't going to be part of any trade deal...then what kind of pu pu platter can they reasonably expect to be able to put together that would entice another team to return a legit, NBA quality starting 3? i guess we should simply assume that no deal for said player is forthcoming, and just accept this team as is.

[DougG]

I still like what see from JO, even though he is beating himself up for his offense. My guess is Detroit is going to break a lot of hearts this year, even without AI in the lineup. It was very clear who the two main guys were that beat us too, and what positions they play. BC obviously needs to do something about those holes before we can compete with the likes of Detroit, even though we are going to beat a lot of other teams. I hope he can do it without giving up Bargs. Teams have fleeced Toronto in the past, when players wanted out. Maybe we can return the favor.

[Andrew]

Doug, am I crazy for liking this team as it is? I understand the need for better D on the wings, but EVERY TEAM has its stengths and weakness. Other than Kapono having a terrible game against Deee-troit, he's been lighting it up. He and Bargnani appear to be the biggest beneficiaries of the Bosh/JO tandem. Once JO gets going, the Raps will be nearly unstoppable (in my opinion). They may not win this year, but they are set going forward.

Am I crazy to want things to stay as they are? Why the heck does every single loss create panic? Raptors nation seems to be the most reactionary fan base in all of sports...I don't even think I'm exaggerating, sadly. Keep up the great work, Doug.

[Dinosty]

Um, best point guard in the league? Not a chance, but he is top 5.

I'd put Paul, Deron, Nash, Parker above him now.

[Mike P. from Chicago's northside]

hey doug, i liked seeing bosh and JO showing some hi low offence vs. the tnt crew lastnight, you can tell JO and CB will have good chemistry eventually, it will just take some time. (btw = raps-hawks should have been moved to tnt thursday lastnight for philly and orlando, what an awful game).

But my question is about philly, now that they don't run anymore and no longer get fast break chances off turnovers, they look like a sluggish half court team without the shooting ability.

lastnight, Barkley said they are in trouble and might be 6th in the east or lower. what are your thoughts?

Blogger'snote: I think Philly's struggles, at the start of the season, are entirely expected. It's how quickly they adapt to Brand and a slower pace that'll determine how they do.

[rb]

Listen to you freaks! One loss and it's trade this guy and get that guy. Personally, I would like to trade all you "trade scenerio fans" for some real fans!

[Eric]

"... I cannot envision any way he gives on Andrea right now so please put those thoughts aside..."-

I should hope that your reasoning behind the above comment is due to the fact that Andrea commands hardly any value on the market right now- and so Bryan couldn't get anything in return if he wanted to, and not that the Raptors would CHOOSE to give him another chance even if someone proposed a half-decent offer.

I think Bargnani is hurting the team right now. Big time, directly and indirectly. Does he ever get hot? Does he ever make even two consecutive plays that you would write home about? Does he ever get emotional? Does the team ever feed off his energy or anything he's doing? Does he ever look like he's relaxed and "into" the game? Does he even look like he has any friends- or that he WANTS any friends? Does it not look like there's a "civil" barrier there between Bargnani and his teammates? Is Bargnani ever comfortable to even slap hands at the foul line? Does he ever answer a question sincerely, and not just sound like he's trying to brush it off? Does he look like he has a passion for anything, on or off the court?

I don't want to knock the guy when he's down but I cannot fathom how anyone around the team could think that Bargnani is not holding them back. It even took me a while to admit but I can't help it anymore!!! How many mulligans does he deserve from the local media and coaches? I'll tell you this: foreign media and coaches aren't as generous! Is that because they're crazy or could it be that they offer a more objective viewpoint on his game, while the locals are still terrified of even implying that Colangelo may have made an awful mistake at the 2006 draft?

Fans often overreact, that's true, but I don't believe it's the case here. This team is always playing in quicksand (even when they're playing well), they find it hard to get better and "take the next step" and guess what? Bargnani also looks like he's playing in quicksand and is struggling to get better. I don't think these are unrelated. I think Bargnani will develop somewhere but it's clear that it probably won't be in Toronto. If they CAN trade him for value now, they absolutely MUST.

But I believe they can't, and I'd hope that's the issue. Even if they could, I believe Colangelo would sooner fire Sam Mitchell than trade his prized #1 pick. That's the unfortunate reality of pro sports these days, its politics and public relations. Instead of cutting their losses with Bargnani sooner than later, they'd rather stay at the casino until they lose their last worldly possession... and then hope their wives (fans) will still forgive them.

That's not the way to build a champion, I'm afraid.

[Peter Z]

Funny, if you think about it, that lunkhead rookie helped prove Jose, and not TJ, should be our starting PG. But I am not going down that road again, no worries...

Of the guys mentioned, like Wallace a lot more than Harrington. As for Hotlanta, agree with the Little Five Points recommendation.

[philosoraptor]

Have to agree with you Doug about Atlanta. What's with the downtown being occupied by the world's elevated parking lot surrounded by the convention centre and a bunch of arenas and a stadium. Yechh!

Here's a funny for you air travelers out there: what does the Delta in Delta stand for?

Deliver Every Living Thing to Atlanta!

Go Raps!

[Michael]

This is to Eric who commented about Bargnani. I don't think it'd be wise to just give up on Bargnani and unless I'm mistaken, he's being paid very little. So for the amount of money and the potential he has, it's not worth it to trade him. I still don't understand why ppl are hitting him with so much criticism for one bad season, where he was trying to learn a new position at a very high level. And now after exactly 1 summer of learning the position, he's already shown good progress. Dare I say that we wait longer before proposing some crazy trade.

[jk]

well maybe MR. "That's not the way to build a champion, I'm afraid." could bless us with how a championship team is built. And if its that easy why aren't you working for an nba team?

[Sean]

Why would we trade Bargnani when he is finally starting to show some game? Did anyone else even watch the home opener?

Golden State would give up Harrington for a bag of chips at this point.

[Jon Tabak]

4 games in, Raps are 3-1 and their team defense has obviously improved from last year. Why is everybody getting so worked up? I think people should stay away from ESPN's trade machine perhaps until we're 20-25 games in?

With that said, if I see Moon pull back on a 2 on 1 again, trade him asap!

[Ron]

It's going to be a boring game in Atlanta because the catalyst for all three of those situations isn't even on this team anymore.

Now, when Indiana goes to the ATL, I will definitely be watching intently.

[Rob]

Doug, while I have no doubt that as O'Neal gets better conditioned his offensive game will improve, his career shooting percentage of 46% is not very good and we can't expect him at age 30 after all of his injuries to some how now put up big offensive numbers. So, people shouldn't expect a big increase in his scoring or for him to start averaging more than 14-15 points a game.

Yertu, Bargnani and Kapono for Harrington is too high a price to pay for a player (Harrington) who scores 14 points a game and 6 rebounds - especially when you consider that Yi (a comparable player to Bargnani) was traded for Richard Jefferson. Kapono, Graham/Humphries and a 2nd round pick for Harrington makes sense.

I think the player to target in a trade is Gerald Wallace who would score 17-18 points a game and 6-7 rebounds and would desparately fill the team's needs at the 3 position. Yes, he's had some injuries and has 4 years left on his contract but his salary is reasonable and you have to take some risk to get a player of his talent. I'd suggest a trade of Kapono and a protected 1st round pick for Wallace or Kapono, Humphries/Graham and a 2nd round pick for Wallace.

[yertu damkule]

rb - i guess being a 'real fan' has a different meaning for some (is it similar to palin's 'real' america?). i want to see the TEAM succeed, and if that means moving pieces in & out to fill holes, then that's what i'd like to see. others accept the team as it is & cheer...and that's awesome. the deficiencies we're seeing at the 3 isn't overly new, it's something everyone's been aware of for quite some time, and it's something many fans have been hoping would be resolved by now. so despite the fact the season is just 4 games old & they have only one loss, the 3 position has shown itself to be a weakness/liability in every game. so, the options are to do nothing & hope that the players improve, or to shake things up.

[rk]

I love how you have these people who moonlight at Tacobell claim they they know what it takes to build a champion, then build one!
As for Harrington, I was in Indy when he came back from the Hawks, and they placed him at the 3 alongside J.O..
It didn't work, he seems more competent at the 4.

[I Geeve]

I don't even think we should trade Kapono. How about Moon, Hump, and Hassan Adams (who'd fit very well into Nellieball) and a protected 1st round pick for Harrington?

And if we go into tax territory them damn teachers pension plan should pay a couple of million in taxes cuz our starting 5 would be JO, CB, Jose, AP, Harrington with Bargs, Kapono, Joey and Ukic off the bench as our 9-man rotation with possibly even McDyess signed (that's a long-shot).

What do you think about that? If this team that had enough talent (and less perimeter D weaknesses), would you be willing to pay $2-3 mil in tax to go deep in the playoffs while generating more ticket sales revenue AND a higher season-ticket renewal rate?

I sure would!