Still looking for a catchy name

I know, it’s late. Sorry. The post-game church social took a wee bit longer than I’d expected (well, maybe that’s a bit of a fib, I wish it had gone on for hours longer) and there was sleep to be had. Besides, it’s Saturday and fewer of you sneak away from work duties early in the morning so I don’t feel too bad getting this up long after 8 a.m.

Some game, eh?

It was one of those where if you’re a fan of the sport, it really wouldn’t have been a horrible thing if they’d lost. Entertaining night, incredible crowd (the people in the joint didn’t stop screaming all night) and enough good plays to send everyone off feeling like they got their money’s worth.

But the win was pretty sweet for you, I’m sure.

On to the stuff

(First, an aside: I’m not in Milwaukee, it’s one of about 15 road games I’m sitting out this season, and with some other obligations tonight, am gonna have to put the in-game blogging stuff on the shelf for a night. Maybe there’ll be road games where I can do it from the comfort of my couch, or the comfort of some bar, but not tonight. I know you’re crushed – I keed, I keed – but it’s the way it is).

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Action: Bargnani, 19 points, 3 blocks

Reaction: I don’t know where it came from, either.

Maybe he’s just a big old tease and he reverts to Passive Andrea tonight in Milwaukee but the kid was good.

As impressive as the points were, the two blocks (the one on Biedrins with about three minutes left in regulation, and the one on Harrington in the overtime) were gems. And totally out of character since both came at the rim, in traffic, places he never, ever went before.

Again, I have no idea if it’s a one-time deal or what but if he keeps playing like that, things are going to be all right.

One of the more, um, ardent Raptor supporters I know – minutes doffing the autographed Calderon jersey – was bubbling about Bargnani when it was suggested he was not bad last night.

"Way better than not bad.”

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I dare the fans to be as jacked up Wednesday for Detroit as they were last night. No way they can be, though, since they were fuelled by the occasions (opening night and Halloween) and, I’m sure, the odd end-of-the-week cocktail.

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Yeah, yeah, yeah.

It’s Flo Rida in the opening.

Yes, I’m a dope for not knowing. I’m also a 50-year-old dope who was hoping for something from Motown, or The Four Tops. Or Sinatra. Yeah, Sinatra would be cool.

Loved the car, though.

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Action: Mggette 4-for-15

Reaction: Props to AP.

Yes, Maggette had 14 points and the ball in his hands on virtually every big possession but, man, he struggled thanks to Parker. The two digs by AP early in the overtime were pieces of work (albeit one on Jackson) and part of a great night by the Raptor.

But Maggette? Sorry, he was bad. Tried to do too much and passed about as often as, oh, I dunno, maybe Hump.

Here’s how one of the advance scouts at the game checking out the Warriors put it:

"You will never win with Maggette on your team.”

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Mail time off the game (and I see much, much, much, much mail-answering in my future this afternoon)

Q: Hey Doug, great home opener tonight and I was lucky enough to attend and sit it the platinums for the perfect experience!!  I must say you looked sharp with the green and suit and the video wrap up was IMPRESSIVE, will it continue or every game, home game etc?
I've got a few comments/questions

1) I looked over by chance near the 3rd, 4th quarter and noticed you may or may not have been having some technical difficulties with your computer.....PLEASE DONT TELL ANOTHER PROBLEM WITH FAULTY EQUIPMENT....finally the scoreboard started to work in the 2nd quarter!
2) The WHITE STRIPES song MUST GO!!!! It is overplayed and maybe one of you grunts should info the VIPS to change it up (since I know they listen to you all the time)
3) I noticed near the end of the game, major time was spent my Kapono and Parker on the court together.  Is this something we should expect more often, especially when Moon is off.
Keep up the great work and I hope your enjoying your Church Social *wink wink*

Joseph R, Toronto

A: Now, that’s observant.

Yes, the post-game video is, we hope, here to stay for home games at least. Lucky, lucky, lucky readers/viewers, I say.

Yes, my wireless went out with about three minutes left, came back with about 50 seconds to go in the game, causing great angst (I figure the gerbil-on-the-treadmill that powers this machine must have been tired).

Yes, the White Stripes thing has to go. The sooner, the better. Seriously.

Yes, you’re going to see more than a bit of Parker and Kapono out there together at crunch time. Gives them another shooter on the court and, frankly, Kapono’s defence has been more than good enough so far. He’s not quick, not really athletic but he’s been finding a way to keep his man in front of him and that’s what they want.

Yes, the Church Social was enjoyed to the hilt.

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Action: 57 minutes, one rebound.

Reaction: Jamario, Jamario, Jamario

I don’t know if he’s hurt more than he’s letting on (he did limp a bit coming off in the final minute of OT) but Jamario Moon’s just not getting it done on the boards.

You want a big part of the reason why these guys have been hammered on the boards the first two games? Try one in 24 minutes in Philly and none – zero, zip, nada – in 32 minutes last night.

Something’s gotta give there.

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Far be it from me to throw cold water on things but I point this out in the pursuit of calming the increasing 82-0 hysteria that’s building.

A year ago they were 2-1 and feeling pretty good about themselves and went to Milwaukee where they were nipped 112-85 in what amounted to a Bucks layup line.

Just sayin’

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Okay, the family’s heading out of town for the weekend, the dog’s asleep in her favourite chair and I know Starbucks is open so I see a triple vente latte and the morning papers and some peace and quiet in my immediate future. And that, my friends, doesn’t suck.

See ya.

Comments

[Thane]

Regarding Bargnani. I was watching the end of the game on radio, so it's possible that he just wasn't in the game (although JO's five fouls makes that unlikely) but why wouldn't they inbound to him during the free-throw giveaway time?

Here's a kid with a nice shot, but confidence problems. He's having a great game. You're at the time of the game where they're fouling immediately. Why not get Bargs the ball so he can take two free-throws and get up to that confidence boosting 20 point mark?

[WSG]

Hey Doug – I’m watching last night’s game again – ‘Raps in an Hour’ - (can’t get enough) on Raptors TV and it’s in HD! Hope that continues. On a gloomier note, as it looks like I’ll have to cancel All-Things-Rogers (for Bell, I guess) to get TSN2 (and if so, I’ll pay the penalty even, to cancel my cell, as well – foolish? Don’t care. Spite is all I got for ‘em). Before I do that though, I want to ask someone who might know (you) … what are the chances that I go through all that (canceling Rogers, arranging for Bell, waiting to get it done and then learning the new system) … and the next day, Rogers announce that they’ve worked out the deal with TSN2? Any idea?

Blogger's note: No real idea but I cannot imagine they don't get it worked out sometime. When? That's the big question. And one I can't answer

[Ellie]

Enjoyed your comments on the Fan 590 at halftime. Is that a regular thing or a one-off? I enjoy their calls more than the TV guys. On the rare occasions when we do have TV access via bunny-ears CBC, we usually just mute it and listen to the radio anyway.

Bogger's note: Nah, it's not a regular gig, maybe once a month when, you know, they can't find anyone good :)

[Martin Q]

Hi Doug, Great game last night and nice to be on the winning side of an OT game. We still have to improve on the boards but 2 wins and defending home court is what counts.
On the TV coverage on TSN: what's up with those two Muppets (Tim and Sid)? These guys are a joke...really, really horrible!

[WSG]

Re: Catchy Name. How about 'Doug in the Game'?

[brad]

hey doug? how do the special effects at the ACC stack up against the rest of the league. Im talking about the new video screen, player intro video, the court itsef, and things like that? If its better then most other arenas do you think it adds to the home court advantage and do you think the players really take note and care much about it?

Blogger's note: The players generally don't pay any attention to the extraneous stuff, but I would say Toronto provides a top five homecourt advantage when the fans are really into the game. The other stuff? It's pretty much all the same around the league.

[Nick M]

I was lucky enough to be at the game last night. Standing Room only but the atmosphere and the game more than made up for it.

You were right about the Warrior offense. Pick a mismatch and exploit it and in the 3rd or 4th qaurter they chose JK. I like JK and his increased minutes but he was clearly overmached against a bigger stronger faster Magette.

One more thing, yes AP was great(the only one that could stop the Warriors Jackson and Magette), Bargnani was good too. But CB4 should be the big news. He absolutely would not let them lose in the last three minutes. That intensity in only the second game of the season? Wow!

[lulu]

This might be s a title shocking, but what about "The Goods AFTER The Game". Say we ignore "The" and we get "GAG" and the roman numerals were not a bad thing

Ok, so you're welcome

PS: when would I get the royalties?

[WSG]

Re: Catchy Name (sounded like you wanted suggestions ...) How about 'Doug-In' ... as in like, Doug In (the game) and Dug-In ... get it? (haha - don't have to post if you-no-like). Or ... 'Diggin In With Doug'. Ok. I'll stop now.

[Doug S]

Bosh for MVP. Did anyone catch the Who's the Bosh? poster some guy had at the game with Chris, Angela, Jonathon, Sam and even Mona? Priceless.

[ML]

Another impressive block from Bargnani came against Maggette, who looked like he had an open flush.

Personally I don't think the Raptors could have won that game without the play of Anthony Parker. Bosh was his usual fantastic self, but AP made some big defensive stops against the opposition's best players, not to mention a strong second half in scoring.

Doug, what do you think of JO being some sort of Ben Wallace-type role player circa his days in Detroit? JO's biggest impact will come on the defensive end, as evidenced by some fantastic blocks. Sure, his offensive skills are light years ahead of Wallace's, but between Bosh, Calderon, and possibly Bargnani, his offence may not be needed. I'm totally content with him averaging 10 boards and 3 blocks per game.

Blogger's note: I think the Raptors would sign that scorecard right now

[James Drabinsky]

Hey Doug,

Why was there no post game interview with Jermaine O'Neal last night?

Blogger's note: A few guys stuck around to talk to him, I was writing Bargnani and was on deadline. It happens.

[Archie gillespie]

Hey Doug, for the name a good acronym will save you some typing and be easier to remember. How about: MGB - Monster Game Blog - Knowing you love your brew I thought this may catch your attention.

Or moving away from the acronym: The wRAPs or The wRAP

Kudos on the coverage.

[Bo Klymkiw]

How about 'D(o)ug-in-the-game'? Kind of reminds me of 'Nothin but (Inter)net'

[E Fogle]

Hey Doug, just a quick suggestion, really liked it last year when you would include a link to the other teams beat journalists' take on the game the next day, can you keep that going this year?

you the man!!

[dcox]

Dropping Dimes with Doug v.3

[derek]

Doug,
You should Coose your top 4 names for the "day after" blog. Get your techies to set up a poll on the site and let your fans decide!! Could create a lot of relationships between the people who read your blog.

[shawn]

Doug,

Sometimes I wonder if the guys covering basketball really understand the sport. One game Bargnani is a bust and the next he's a hero? It's not like he picked GS apart with skill and finesse. On one of his dunks, GS was in a zone and Bargs was being covered near the low post by the 6'5" Azubuike. For some reason, he overplayed the pass and gave Andrea a free 2 step move to the hoop. Turiaf slid over late and it looked like Bargs just dunked on the whole team - but if you understand the game,it was more of a gimme. The block on Maggette was a little more luck than anyone admits, too. Bargs was way late getting to the spot and is lucky that he's 5 inches taller. That post -up turnaround was also lucky. Jackson helped down and stripped the ball from Bargs who recovered it in the paint to hit an 8 ft fadeaway. I don't see him making any of those plays against any other lineup in the NBA. Earlier in the game, they called Bargs number and he lost the dribble while undefended. He was also late and waaaayy too upright on a lot of his defensive slides/rotations. I love the attitude that he displayed in this game and don't want to take that away from him - but you have to admit the bounces were just going his was last night. If anyone writes that Bargs next 8 point performance is a let down, they will show that they really don't understand the game.

[t-vor]

Thanks for the in-game blogging, Doug. Your blog, mail bag, and everything you do around here kicks ass.
Name?
"Between the lines"?
"On the boards"
"From the stripe"
"Four quarters"
"Open court"
Yeah, could be cheesy... whatever. Doesn't matter what you call it, always a great read, Doug.

[Louis]

Speaking of nicknames and the such; can someone please politely tell Matt Devlin to stop calling Jason Kapono by the nickname "J-Killa?"

[Darko Dubajic]

Hi Doug, when are you doing the roll-call of people .... dreaming of a 55 wins season(50 is too low now)?
Another lousy move by Rogers to drop out of bball, effectively forcing us to get League Pass for cool $30/month.

[Sivart]

Isn't the 82-0 stuff just people making a joke out of it. No sane fan thinks that this is a 60 win team, so why would any sane fan think this is an 82-0 team?

I'm confused. Anyways there are now only 79 more wins to go!!!

[Darren Smith]

Hey Doug, love the blog, keep up the good work.
Game 1 vs Philly.. did anyone see Donyell Marshall on the Philly bench when Bosh was going off and taking over the game in the third/fourth? It almost looked like he was cheering for Bosh. I figure the seasoned vet was impressed by his former rookie teammate. How often does a guy on the other teams bench do that though??

[Alex]

"Speaking of nicknames and the such; can someone please politely tell Matt Devlin to stop calling Jason Kapono by the nickname "J-Killa?"

Posted by: Louis | November 01, 2008 at 11:22 PM"

lol no way! J-Killa is IN DA HOUSE!!