That worked out pretty well, didn't it?

RICK EGLINTON/TORONTO STAR

27 points from the big guy on this night.

I don’t know what was more exciting, a 13-2 Raptor run to open the fourth quarter and put a pretty entertaining game out of reach or Novak Djokovic’s thrilling 6-1, 7-5 win over Nikolay Davydenko in the Masters Cup final.

Dec. 13 is the next TV flash point, by the way. Better get on the phone and e-mail to Rogers so they don’t keep screwing it up for you unlucky viewers here in Toronto.

But, really, is it the end of the world if fans in the team’s home city miss two games on TV? Seriously. Is it? There are those in the hierarchy of Maple Leaf Sports who wonder.

Of course, Brian Burke’s coming so I figure he’ll get this thing resolved in some lunch break in between building the Leaves into this year’s Stanley Cup champions.

Enough, I know. On to the game.

-

Action: Big guys, big game.

Reaction: Of course it’s going to stay.

Have had lots of readers wondering if Bosh, O’Neal, Bargnani was a one-time thing or not. Oh, no. It’s here for the foreseeable future, no question about it. There will be nights when it might be an abysmal failure but they aren’t going to start jerking guys in and out of the starting lineup on a game-to-game basis. And see what they got from those three (50 points, 29 boards) and the way Jamario played off the bench, why change?

And here’s an aside: A few critics wondering why Sam left Bargnani on the bench for the first 8 1-2 minutes of the fourth quarter, including one person who wrote:

"Smitch almost screwed it up when he sat Bargnani when Toronto went on its run.”

To which I can only add.

"Duh!!!!!”

They broke the game open with Kapono getting two big buckets and an assists and Hum making all four free throws he took. Yeah, it was absolutely ridiculous to leave Bargnani on the bench when that was happening.

Yeesh!

-

The Chicken is a gamer. No question. Hobbled or not, the little fella was out there yucking it up like he usually does. God bless him. Really.

-

Action: Will’s a thrill.

Reaction: One game at a time.

Now, Solomon was good yesterday. Not great. Good. Which is just what they needed. But anyone who thinks he can handle more than backup minutes over a long stretch of games is deluding himself. He’s a 14-15 minute a night guy when Jose comes back which, they hope, is soon.

I have no idea if Calderon plays Tuesday in Orlando (we’ll have a better grasp on it after practice in Toronto on Monday morning) but if he’s ready, he plays. His usual time.

Will’s 11-assist, four-turnover, 15-point outing against Miami was much needed. Now they need their starting point guard back.

-

Here’s a mail question that sets up Tuesday:

Q: Would the Raptors benefit from going after a scoring wingman like JJ Reddick who is just not being used by Orlando in any form?  Or is the reason he's not playing THAT evident?  What have you seen from him thus far in his career and would his potential be met in Toronto. Oh, and how "safe" is Smitch's job?

Naoto Y, Calgary

A: He’s not being used in Orlando because he’s no good. At all. Would be the 11^th, 12^th, maybe 13^th man on this roster.

Sam’s job? Safe. Very safe. Safer than many wish. Sorry to disappoint.

-

Check out what Ira had to say about Sunday:

-

Action: Kapono’s dagger

Reaction: Play of the game.

This is one that sums up the afternoon and how well it went.

About 7 1-2 minutes left, Raps up 10 and looking to close it out. O’Neal, a monster, perfectly times a block of a Daequan Cook layup/dunk, Hump gets the loose ball and doesn’t hold it. A quick outlet to Ukic at about midcourt, three or four dribbles while Kapono catches up and drives to the three-point line on the right side. Ukic subtly dribbles two steps left, passes back to Kapono who makes a silky-smooth three. Toronto’s up 13 and somewhere in Chicago, they were getting out some salami and cheese.

That was a helluva sequence.

-

A question often posed:

Q: I'm not going to get excited about Bargnani getting called for an offensive foul when he clearly didn't deserve it (replay showed it was a bad call, clearly...whatever). It does bring up something I've been wondering about this season. Everyone wants Bargnani to drive to the net, but he gets a lot of offensive fouls called on him.
Do you feel this has more to do with him being out of control, or do with refs having ideas in their heads about certain players and expecting Bargs to run someone over when he drives (I know I do)?

Paul C, Grassy Narrows, Ont.

A: It’s all on him. He has had the tendency to drive, head down, right into traffic without regard for a big getting settled in the paint. But he’s been better at it this year, he doesn’t drive in a straight line as much as he did in his first two years. It’s all about the evolution of a player.

There was one instance Sunday that illustrates it, as I look at my notes. About four minutes in, Bargnani’s got it going, he drives and instead of plowing into a defender, he kicks the ball to Parker, who makes a wide-open three. Last year – hell, maybe last week – that turns into a charge and a turnover.

-

A story, told once so if you’ve read it, scroll down, about Scott Wall, one of yesterday’s officials.

We’re in Chicago to end the regular season last April and the refs are all at our hotel for a meeting the next day to set up the playoffs. We’re hanging with a few that we know well and Scott comes over, proudly showing off a baseball he got at a Cubs game that night.

But he’s got something else, as well. A Flat Stanley that he’d taken to Wrigley to have a picture taken for his kid’s school class back home.

That’s good Dad work.

(If you don’t know Flat Stanley, you’re not a parent, yet. Go look it up).

-

And, finally

Q: I was wondering whether the addition of your post-game video wrap-up is, in fact, you auditioning for a part-time in-studio TV gig? It worked for Bosh on the Tonight Show.

Burtley F, Halifax

A: Yes, I believe my agent is handling all kinds of calls because big shot TV shows are falling all over themselves looking for a plump 50-year old with no television experience to turn into a star. Really.

But thanks.

Comments

[Simon S-G]

Doug I hate to be the one to use a pucks example, but this is important to consider with regards to the TV. I realize it's not the same, but the Chicago Blackhawks notoriously cheap owner, the man known as "Dollar Bill" Wirtz, kept Blackhawks home games off TV for almost 40 years until he died last year. His theory was more fans would buy tickets if they couldn't see the games on TV. Couldn't have been more farther from the truth, Hawks fans stayed away in droves until Bill Wirtz died last year and his son Rocky took over the team and within a month had all the home games back on TV. Obviously this isn't the same as the old Blackhawks TV policies, but it's something to think about. In this age no TV coverage certainly does alienate fans, and MLSE and Rogers should get this done fast before they risk further damage to their product.
Funny thing too: all this comes after the Raptors are being billed as the one team worth watching in this city.

[Jeff D]

Doug, you got burned today in the paper by Perkins.

"There were some possibly deluded sorts who wondered, when Moon was struggling last week, whether it might behoove Mitchell to start Graham"

Ouch, and your prediction on the Hawks being in tough to make the play-offs seems a little off, albeit its VERY early. Good call on the Raps record after the first 10 games though...looks like it's going to be 6-4 or 5-5. Keep up the good work.

[Sean Hart]

Two questions that begs answering: If I have NBA league pass, shouldn't Rogers provide all games that are not televised in my area? In other words, shouldn't I be able to watch TSN2 games even if I have to watch the Raptor's opponents broadcast? ANd my second question is: I thought Sam got laser surgery? Why is he wearing glasses again? Superstition?

Blogger's note: Yes, you probably should but I have no idea about the vagaries of broadcast regulations.
And there are/were some issues with how well the laser surgery worked.

[yertu damkule]

you're only 50?

[Nick M]

Anselmi is a(n)-insert derogatory word here!

I would probably have the same feelings if I watched every game from a luxury box or the platinums. But please, Tom, take your head out of your... when you are addressing fans that; A.) can't afford to go to games and B.) if they can, sit in the upper bowl!

From my point of view, Tom, in the grand scheme of things, would it be so bad if you and your cronies had to watch a game from the standing room?

[Jason]

Doug
Moon's stat line was perfect. Exactly what the Raptors need every game and he did it from the bench
5 Reb 4 Ast 1 Stl 2 BS No turnovers, No fouls 4-5 FTA and 8 points.
To bad it took a benching to get this production. This stat line is perfect when your talking about the 4th or even 5th offensive option on the starting lineup.

[Ben F]

Funny you should mention Flat Stanley in today's blog. A father and son came to the Hangar yesterday for what was their first Raptors game, with Stan the man in tow. Sure enough, they came away with not only a Raps win, but also a nice pic of Flat Stanley inside the jaws of the chicken. Pretty cool show & tell item for the kid today at school.

Blogger's note: Flat Stanley and The Chicken? Outstanding.

[dsl]

Doug, should we be concerned that the real power brokers in this TSN2/ Rogers/ MLSE fiasco - the advertisers - don't appear to be concerned about it? I mean, their ads aren't being seen in the largest market in the country. It's unbelievable that they are willing to throw away dollars to put ads on that channel. Maybe there's some sort of package deal that gets them free air time if they buy at top dollar during puck events?

If anything, I think this is another bad sign for hoops in this country. To me, it looks like expected ratings are so low that this silly battle doesn't even matter to corporate Canada.

[Steve Gosse]

It's not just Rogers customers in the Toronto area that didn't see the game... It's Rogers customers in general.. seems like every time you mention the whole TSN2 situation, you only mention the GTA (which I realize is a bit more of a big deal seems its the home city.. but still)..

Aren't the Raps "Canada's Team"?? not just Toronto? haha

Luckily I knew someone with ExpressVu!

Blogger's note: You're right, I wasn't clear on how far the evil empire (Rogers) extended. Humblest apologies. Sucks for those people out there, too

[Wes]

Big whoop, we outrebounded the heat. When Haslem is your BIG, expect to be outrebounded. We'll see how well they rebound against #12 on tuesday night. Lets just hope all the Raps shots fall and there are no rebounds to get. If this game didnt PROVE that Moon is a reserve and not a starter I dont know what it will take. Hats off to the second unit!

[Kelsie]

Hey Doug.

Pleased to see that we were able to execute in the 4th quarter and get a win, but in response to your observation that the big line-up is not going anywhere anytime soon, my thoughts are that although Bargs is looking comfortable on both ends of the floor and is playing well, it is one thing to be matched up on the wing when you're guarding Beasley, or Marion at the 3. It's another thing entirely to guard the starting 3 when it's Pierce or Tayshawn. I know that this move heightens our strengths but are you not a bit worried on occasions like tomorrow for instance when he will have to guard a better wing like Lewis or Turk? I like seeing Barney getting more extended minutes but I am a little conerned that against better wings he might get saddled with the early two fouls like he has in the past.

[Tabber]

Doesn't seem to be a point to emailing Rogers, they didn't read my first email, and haven't responded to the second - oh, and the promised 24-hour response is garbage too, took at least 2 days to get the first response that "misinterpreted" my email, to put it kindly. I even expressed interest in getting digital if TSN2 was carried, but that didn't seem to interest them either. Yes, this is my cable company! (Thanks to Bill Simmons for the idea). Maybe a phone call might get to someone who cares?

[Casey]

As much of an inconvenience as it is for everyone out there without TSN2, I would encourage you all to tune into the Fan 590 or even NBA.com to listen to it. Eric and Paul call a solid game.

I have Bell Express Vu and can get the game on TSN2 but often, even at home with a TV in the other room, I find myself listening to the game on the radio. Give it a try... at this point what do you have to lose?

[Andrew]

Doesn't Hedo play the 3 for the Magic (and Rashard plays the 4)? Doesn't he have a similar size/game to Bargnani? Doesn't Hump warrant any reserve mins (in keeping with the 3-big roatation)? Are the Raps only reluctant to use Bargnani at the three because they want him to develop into a center?

Secondly, I feel sorry for those without TSN2. That was a helluva game yesterday. Doug, your "play of the game" with the J.O. block, lightning-quick Hump outlet pass and Kapono transition 3-pointer...I think it was the play of the year, so far! I screamed out loud in the confines of my living room.

Thirdly (not a word, I know), nice job getting the "anti-puck" shout-out from Devlin yesterday. Man, he's doing a fantastic job! I really hope people are warming up to him.

[Jamieson]

Read the article in the Miami paper. A few more games like that out of O'Neal and maybe teams will stop considering the Raps a "notoriously soft opponent"...

[Nat A]

Speaking of tsn2,not only Toronto has this little blackout issue we here in Ottawa suffer too. I actually called rogers today and told them I was changing my services over to bell ( who have tsn 2 and a sports package that is much more affordable) and they actually lowered my bill by 60 bucks... crazy huh!?!

[George]

The Really Big Three... Cab they find a way to contribute 50 points 30 rebounds a game? It is too early to get excited but was there ever a team in the history of the NBA that featured 3 bigs like this in the starting line up? And how did they do?

Blogger's note: There have been a few, I'll check into it and report back in the blog this week.

[JRB]

Even if you don't believe you have a future in television Doug, keeping the video blogs coming. It seems to be the future of communicating for sportscasters over the net, so it's good to see that you're at the forefront.

Keep up the good work.

[Rob]

I have no doubt that this new lineup will create problems for the opposing team's defense and may provide some short term success but I do have the following concerns with this lineup:

1. Bargnani has showed some positive steps this season. When the team first traded for O'Neal the message was made clear that Bargnani would be the 6th man and 1st big off the bench and that by giving him a clearly defined role he would more likely succeed. Now, after only 8 games into the season, the coaching staff decides to put him in the starting lineup. If he regresses or plays poorly what impact will that have on his development if they have to take him out of the starting lineup and put him back on the bench. They better give him the same latitude that Moon got and not yank him unless he plays a number of poor games in a row.

2. Putting aside the issues that this lineup will have defending the SF position with either Bosh or Bargnani, of bigger concern to me is how playing Bargnani at the SF on offense will impact his game. One of his biggest successes this year has been that he's been taking the ball inside with some post-ups and drives to the basket. With this big lineup, Bargnani won't get a chance to post up and he'll find it difficult to penetrate and get close to the basket - making him more (as his critics would describe) a one dimensional outside 3 point shooter.

3. You better get used to more minutes for Humphries especially if one of the big 3 gets into foul trouble. That may be a good or bad thing.

4. I would like to see this team settle on a starting lineup that will develop chemistry and hopefully get better over the season. I'm not convinced that this would be the lineup that the team would use in the playoffs so I question whether the short term success the team might get from this lineup will outweigh the need to develop a more permanent starting lineup with clear rotations. That's been one of Mitchell's biggest failures - defining his player's roles and settling on a clear lineup and rotation. At some point the team will need a traditional SF to play in that position. I'd like to see the team give Graham or Kapono a stretch of 5 straight games to see if they could handle that role on a consistent basis.

[Andre]

Hey Doug, not raptor related. but, What do you think of Rasheed Wallace being a Coach? I would LOVE to see that! he was SNAP on ref's all the time, it would be very entertaining. I think he would be a good defensive minded coach. You never know..

Blogger's note: I'd pay money to watch him coach.

[Alex]

hahahaha "Solomon's will leads to victory" oh Doug you slay me.

[Jason]

Doug,
You friends at the tabloid "The Paper who shall not be named" have a report on Jawai.
Wheres our update?

Blogger's note: Was in the mailbag Saturday morning.

[sy]

Hi Doug,

Read this from T&R today -

A report in an Australian newspaper says sidelined Raptor Nathan Jawai has an enlarged heart and, if the condition does not improve in six weeks, he might never play in the NBA. The Raptors have kept details of Jawai's case secret for two months, other than repeating he has been tested for cardiac issues that arose before training camp. But The Sunday Telegraph revealed yesterday that a further six-week rest has been advised by doctors after the latest series of tests. An enlarged heart carries the obvious risk of heart attacks.

Any truth to this? If so, and given that he is aware of his condition, why can't he still play with a waiver (if he desires to)? Felt sad for the guy coz he has potential to have a good career in the NBA.

Blogger's note: That the examination and waiting period will last another length of time and is not over yet was dutifully reported in the mailbag here on Saturday, I believe it was. Yes, if he can't play, it is sad; let's see how things work out near the first of the year.

[Andrew Gregg]

Yesterday was a welcome Raps Sunday afternoon home-game special (ever notice how they win so many of those?). Seeing Humphries barrel down the lane like a 250 lb bowling ball is something I'd like out of rotation more often. He's instant havoc. I know Sam wants to play a controlled game, but the kind of energy injection Hump brings creates an amazing amount of bounce--as long as he doesn't join the jump shooting brigade, like he's done in the past.

AG, Toronto

[Jordan M]

Hey Doug,
you should check out Ian Thomseb's article over on SI that chronicles the adventures of the chicken. He even managed an exclusive interview with him! I think this Thomsen guy is encroaching on your turf.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writers/ian_thomsen/11/13/weekly.countdown/index.html