Quips, queries and the usual junk

That was sort of entertaining, no?

Close game, pretty well played, had some jaw-dropping moments and the locals won. I’d say the angst level among you might be close to a season-low. Of course, the death march and possible three-game losing streak that awaits starting tomorrow in L.A. should get some all revved up again.

But until that’s over, enjoy the day and the spectacular view from a game above .500.

Oh, and enjoy this, too:

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Action: Fans chant “Jo-ey, Jo-ey, Jo-ey”

Reaction: Ears bleed.

Nah, not really. The chant was actually sort of cool if entirely unexpected and not something any of us ever figured we’d hear in Toronto.

But you’ve got to give Joey Graham credit, two games, two solid outings and instead of moping when he lost pretty much all chance to play, he’s stayed ready and prepared for when his name got called.

That’s a measure of professionalism that’s welcome, and sometimes unusual in this man’s NBA.

Oh, there were moments (when he sort of ran away from, I believe, Joe Johnson to go guard the paint as Johnson drifted back for a wide-open three caused much Mitchell consternation) but there’s no way they can’t keep playing him. And playing him a fair amount.

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Okay, this is a bit old but have you seen the Jose Calderon bobblehead they gave out this week?

Oh.

My.

God.

It does not, at any level whatsoever, look like Jose Calderon.

And that’s a fact not lost on Jose himself.

We stopped him before the game to suggest he might want to sue whoever created it and he agreed wholeheartedly that it bears no resemblance.

“I know,” he said. “That is not me. I don’t know who it is, but it’s not me. Maybe Matt Bonner?”

Now, I know there are people out there, smart, fun people, who are grateful for anything Jose but, seriously, shouldn’t someone have to sign off on it before they make 10,000 of the things.

Super Son just saw it:

“I don’t think Jose Calderon has a moustache and a beard. He looks like he’s 45 years old. Who is really supposed to be?”

Digression over.

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A piece of mail on two very contentious issues:

Q: Hey Doug; congrats on the award!! Just a quick question. What do you think has a better chance of happening before Christmas - an actual working scoreboard at ACC, or TSN 2 on Rogers Cable?? The fact that neither is fixed and we're almost into December is just sad.

Kent S, Toronto

A: I know, that scoreboard blows, doesn’t it? Had a handful of calls and letters over the course of the game last night about it. When I ask, which is about every day, they say there is some glitch in the computer synchronization between the stats machine and the scoreboard. I’m thinking with all the tall foreheads they’ve got over there, surely after four pre-season and now eight regular season games, they should get it to work.

The TSN2-Rogers situation muddles along. I was told last night they are still in negotiations and there is some optimism that things get done but, frankly, that’s what I was told in early November. Next game is the one in Jersey on Dec. 12 and it being Jersey and all, there is going to be some righteous indignation if they don’t get it resolved.

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I’d love to tell you how the game played in the Atlanta papers but the Journal-Constitution didn’t bother to send a reporter to the game so there’s really no inside stuff to check out.

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Action: Jason Kapono ices win?

Reaction: Jason Kapono?

Yes, seriously, that was Kapono out there in the final few seconds, mostly in a defence-offence substitution pattern with Joey Graham (a nice thing to see from the bench), sealing the win with the two free throws.

Kapono’s 10 shots – and six makes – were a huge boost and so was the way he got them. A couple of times curling off screens, at least once floating back to the three-point line and two that I can recall in transition. That’s precisely how he has to play to be effective and it seems like he and the coaches have figured it out.

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Poll time: How many people had a bad flashback, a seriously bad flashback, when the Raptors had the ball out of bounds with 16 seconds to go and it looked like Parker was going to have to call a timeout before he got a five second violation?

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Another question about the game:

Q: I'm watching the game against the Hawks right now, and Solomon just got into the game. Why not Ukic? I thought his play justified him at least getting some time as the backup point guard. What does Mitchell see in Solomon that we do not?

Dave R, Markham

A: What they saw last night in the fourth quarter was a need for speed and tempo and thought they’d get it best from Solomon. And, frankly, they did.

I don’t think it represents a seismic shift in roles. I’d hope Ukic, who has far more long-term potential than Solomon for this team, is back in his usual job Sunday in L.A.

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Speaking of L.A., the Lakers are on a bit of roll themselves, no? That team might very well win 70 games this season if they all stay healthy. Here’s what the L.A. Times said about the latest triumph.

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Action: Bosh has 30 and 10.

Reaction: Yawn.

Yes, it’s come to this. The dude has another dominant game and it’s sort of lost in the shuffle. But he’s now played 15 games this year and scored 30 or more points seven times and 20 or more 13 times. He’s averaging like 25 and 11 and defending. Not sure how long he can keep it up but this is the best concentrated effort by a Raptor big man ever. Not even close.

Oh, and the elevator story was pretty cool.

He’s stuck for almost an hour 28 storeys up in his condo, hangs with a couple of strangers just chilling and figuring out life and gets to the arena about an hour before tipoff.

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Okay, I’ve got to go pack and catch a flight to L.A. to begin this rather drawn-out road trip. There’ll be a little bit of time zone hell to deal with, late starts and early flights but because you’re you, I’ll try to stick to the same schedule and the same shenanigans you’re used to around here.

What we won’t have, though, is post-game video. I know. You’re crushed.

See ya.

Comments

[dallas]

Hey Doug,

It was great that Joey got that chant. I always thought chanting was a good way to send a message that the fans want to see him play more. I though when fans would chant for Jose in prior years it sent a message too. I just wanted to ask a question, do you think that when Johnson was on José and Bibby was on Moon, having Joey in there instead would've caused Atlanta more problems? Seemed like Joey was going to the rim more with the fours and fives checking him, than Jamario did with Bibby on him and isn't that what we're looking for?

Blogger's note: It might have caused the Hawks more problems but there aren't a lot of post plays they could get out of it because the Hawks would have sent an immediate double and passing out of a double-team is not Joey's strength

[Dana, Hopewell Cape, NB]

Hey Doug, I heard you won an award but didn't hear what it was. I assume som3ehing to do with writing so congratulations added to everyone else's. I have been an off and on reader for a year or so but have really liked the opportunity to read and now contribute to conversation on basketball.

I checked in last nite after the game and couldn't believe there were no comments, so checked again this morning same thing, I guess it is hard to complain about winning but surely someone would say that Atlanta just had a bad game, boy Bibby looked unhappy in his interview. He said he don't worry about Bosh. Maybe that's why they lost the game!!

I guess it is clear that the Raps can play defence, that they are not hopelessly outmatched and that the coaches have to refresh people's memories. Here's my offering, what do you think this play from the team is doing for JO? Think he might be motivated to play at the same level or higher when he returns?

Blogger's note: I'm sure he'll be just as effective and focused coming back as he was before he got hurt

[Andrew Gregg]

Hi Doug:

What does Jack Armstrong mean when he says "Andrea needs more lift in his jimmy?" Sounds like a disturbingly personal issue.

AG, Toronto

Blogger's note: I think -- no, I hope -- he meant he needs to elevate a bit, or a bit more, on his jump shot. But it's Jack's lingo so I'm not entirely certain.

[dallas]

Sam in his post game, mentioned Andrea being nicked up, do you know anything about this, Is it his wrist? It seems like he was clutching it a few times during the game last night.

Blogger's note: Not sure if it's his wrist but he had ice on about four different body parts -- ankles, knees, calf -- after the game.

[Nick M]

Action: Joey G leaving Joe J open at 3 because he was sagging in the lane.

Reaction: This is a problem only attributable to Joey? We watch every Rap positioned 1-3 do this every game.

As for Roko. He did not look good in the first half. But in his defense, Sam cannot put in either backup PG with all bench players(Bosh and AP have to be on the court to create some sense of calm). And, although I believe Solomon lost his chance to play, he does set up his shot off the dribble very nicely.

[Nick M]

It seems that Andrea is getting called for some cheap fouls this season, but he is compounding the problem by the number of silly fouls he commits.

Over the last few games there have been a couple where he starts well but then takes himself out with a stupid foul. Last night it was the good defense on a Horford post up that he finished off with a follow through on the block attempt and then battling for position at the defensive end which I am sure everybody in the ACC knew a whistle was coming.

It is great to see the fire but he has to be a bit smarter.

[christine]

JK running away from beat grunts? Is the usual cat and mouse game you guys play?

Blogger's note: Nah, nothing evil about it; he's just a quick changer

[scott]

again doug thanks for the great blog.
and again while watching boston smash philly last night i couldn't help but think that all of the angst over last sunday's game (mine included--actually went and continued to cheer but with lots of good laughs with/from the celtics fans around me!) was over the top. sure the raps need to compete with the best to be the best, but boston routinely destroys teams on the defensive end so we shouldn't be surprised when it happens here.
thanks again doug and congratulations on the award; good work!

[Mike]

What's with all the Roko nut-huggers?

This guy could be a player 2-3 years down the road after he fills out and fixes his jumper, why are we lamenting if he's only getting 5 minutes of playing time and not his "rightful" claim to the full 10 minutes of backup duty available?

Yes he's done some nice things, but he's still a rookie who is shooting 27% from the field and has an A/TO of barely over 2:1. Solomon is just as sloppy with the turnovers but he's shooting over 40% at least.

As usual, my guess is if Roko was Robby and he played at Connecticut and not in Croatia, we wouldn't hear a peep.

Still think his best role would be as a defensive PG b/c he's got some great size and length and his lateral quickness is above average. He's done a nice job of hawking opposing PG's and looking for steals.

[GM]

Oh, I'm enjoying this game-above-.500 record. Positively giddy. What's even better is that the mighty Pacers, led by the unstoppable TJ Ford, is something like three games under .500. And I'm only enjoying it because I know that if they had a better record, all the Forderites would be on here saying Colangelo traded the wrong guard.

Sure, Joey may have run away from Joe Johnson on one play that led to a triple, but tell me one Raptor that doesn't have a brain freeze once or twice a game? There's no way Joey should have to sit just because he makes one or two. He should be held to the same standard as everyone else.

I haven't had a good look at the Calderon doll, but in the TV promo for it, Calderon was standing there holding one going, "Is this supposed to be me?" At least the powers-that-be knew to make the most of the goof-up.

Looking forward to the Lakers game... not. What's the line? Lakers by 40?

Blogger's note: I think it's probably more like "Lakers by as many as they feel like."

[d]

nice of the raps to give u a gg for u to turn into a great read today. Thanks, congrates, and have a nice trip. Here's hoping TO hold their own in LA. Comments r much more enjoyable, no?

[Dave]

Doug-- Take this as you will, but I have it on good authority that MLSE just repainted the Wendell Clark bobblehead to create the Jose Calderon bobblehead.

[Ellie]

Really enjoyed being in the stadium last night -- there's a good chance that's the only one I'll see this season in person and we picked a great one to go to.

Loved the Joey chant -- of all the things I never thought I would hear in the ACC, that's definitely one, but if it encourages him to play well, then it's all good.

When you're eight months pregnant, you really appreciate the little things -- I'd like to give a shout-out to the fellow fans who gave me lots of space when I was going up and down the very steep steps to and from my seat. It's always fun and a bit rowdy in the upper bowl on a Friday night, but those gentlemen who gave me lots of room and kept the people coming down behind us from crowding me were class acts.

Blogger's note: Heartfelt congratulations, Ellie.

[Alex]

I thought for sure that you would mention the raps lineup that consisted of Roko, Kapono, Moon, Joey and Hump. I never thought I would see those 5 guys on the floor at the same time.

[E. Cho]

hey doug,

was hawk's poor shooting % due to them having a bad night or the raps playing good d?

great blog!

Blogger's note: As always, a bit of both but the Raptors did defend much better as a team contesting shots and closing out on shooters.

[UK]

Not sure if you take the odd glance at ESPN but Marc Stein put together an interesting piece on the top 20 expiring contracts. Of particular interest is obviously Marion, and Stein does give T.O. a shout-out. Have you heard anything or is it more wild speculation? Not sure what sort of relationship Colangelo had with Marion in Phoenix. Any scoop?

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/dailydime?page=dime-081129-30

Thanks.

Blogger's note: Haven't heard about Marion in months, can't see where they get the money out of Toronto to make the deal. And I read Stein every time he writes, he's one of my boyz

[RP]

The Jose Calderon bobblehead is actually the Eric Smith bobblehead :D

[Brian]

Just to let you know, the game at New Jersey on Friday, December 12th is on regular TSN. It is the game on Monday, December 15th hosting New Jersey that is on TSN2, followed by Dallas at home on Wednesday, December 17th, and at Oklahoma City on Friday, December 19th all on TSN2.

I just called Rogers to give them two weeks notice to straighten it out. If the status quo remains, then I am gone. My due diligence will need to start before then, and I am am sure that I am not the only one that feels this way.

Blogger's note: Yeah, thanks, I misread the TV schedule