Good game? Bad game? Or just a game?

Big question: How many missed the post-game video? Come on, you can admit it. You did, didn’t you?

Okay, maybe you didn’t and it was one layer of things I didn’t have to worry about so that’s okay but if you did, just let me know. Can’t imagine how we do it on the road but …

Bigger question: Good game or bad game? Or just a so-so, expected-outcome kind of game where they did a lot of things, a few bad and were beaten by a vastly superior opponent? I’m going with the last one.

Still, there were actions. And, of course, reactions. So, with an early-ish flight and because I know you like to digest some of this with breakfast, we're up in cyber space early. Can't promise we'll have it like this the rest of the trip but we'll try.

- 

Action: Bosh 4-13 FGs, 12 pts, 6 rebounds

Reaction: He just didn’t have it.

GUS RUELA/AP

They really could have used Jermaine O'Neal in situations like this.

Not sure why but it became apparent early that they were going to have to pull out some miracle win without a great game from their best player. He didn’t have much in his legs, it seemed, looked tired right from the get-go.

But some of you slay me. You’re killing a guy who’s second in the league in scoring, a 27-11 guy, a guy with seven games over 30 and three of 40 or more all season ‘cause he didn’t play great last night.

And I know too many of you forgetful souls say he seldom brings it against the best teams. Well, are you the same people who were killing Sam, or him, for the Boston game? You can’t have it both ways. And he did have 24 in that second game.

I’ll throw these numbers at you: Last year against Boston, he averaged 20 and 10, not bad numbers against an extremely good team; last year he went for 29 a game against Cleveland with five rebounds. Against Detroit this year he had 26 and 13 and averaged 22.5 and 11 in four games last year. Orlando? 33 and five last year, a mere 40 and 18 in the game this year. Can’t play against good teams? Don’t buy it. Never will.

-

Okay, I know it’s Dec. 1 and I’m a fan of most things Marriott but I’ve been at two already on this trip – one I’m staying in, one I visited for a post-game social – and both were blaring Christmas Freaking Carols on their public address systems.

That’s a bit over the top, no?

End of mini-rant.

-

Action: Lakers are good.

Reaction: Very, very, very good.

That team, barring a serious of debilitating injuries, could win 70 in the regular season; they look that powerful.

But the question that needs to be answered is if they’re tough enough to beat Boston, or anyone else with a true edge to their game, in the intensity of a big playoff series.

I wonder.

For now, though? They are soooooo good it’s scary.

-

Here’s one from the mail:

Q: Hello sir, it says on ESPN.com that the Raptors have the 5th highest SOS (strength of schedule; which is opponent's winning percentage) in the league and 3rd highest over their past 10 games (Going into Sunday's game). Can this be taken as any kind of indicator about the season so far or is it too early?

Rob H, Tillsonburg

A: I think it’s an indicator, they’ve played some very good teams and also some teams that have been hot that I figure will cool off (Atlanta being the prime example) before the season ends.

And maybe it’s got something to do with their record at the moment but, as everyone likes to point out, the schedule always evens out; it’s how they deal with stretches of legitimately winnable games that’ll tell the tale.

For now, though, I think their record is right about where it should be for the level of competition they’ve played.

-

Action: Bargnani defends

Reaction: As well as anyone.

Here’s one of the Bargnani plays I marked down last night. Late in the third quarter, he misses a little 10 footer in the lane and the Lakers take off. The play ends with Bargnani blocking a Farmar layup after racing back down the court.

I’m not ready quite yet to put the guy in the all-defensive Hall of Fame but if there’s one part of his game I’ve been most impressed with this season, it’s the way he’s defended, both threes on the perimeter and big men on the block. That’s just work ethic and listening to the coaches and he’s done both.

-

Okay, we’ve got a few days left on this journey and I figure there’s a sports bar in my future tonight in Denver to watch Orlando-Boston and maybe the football (I’ll try to resist all urges to find the Leaves game). But Salt Lake? I need some help in Salt Lake. So, whaddya got? And don't give me only the Dead Goat. Been there, done that.

-

Here’s what the L.A. Times has to say about last night’s affair. And here’s what they’re saying in Denver about the win over Houston and the possible loss of Anthony.

-

Action: Bosh guards Bynum.

Reaction: Not an optimal matchup

Of course, the best matchup the Raptors could have had was O’Neal on Bynum but he didn’t play so it fell to Bosh. Me? I might have tried Bargnani on him a bit but that probably would have exposed Bosh against Gasol, who played really well.

Just two tough matchups for these guys to deal with.

-

Let’s check out one more from the mail:

Q: Watching the Knicks-Warriors slugfest last night (Saturday), I started thinking about the Knicks roster that night. No Starbury. No Bar..Gallinari. No Curry. No Nate … the list goes on down and trims the roster to 7 players. Assuming a David Lee gets fouled out, Al Harrington gets tossed and Duhon gets injured, there are only 4 players that can play. Who plays the remaining minutes on the floor as the 5th man? Mike D'antoni? Isiah? Jay-z?

Gary J, Toronto

A: The last guy to get a sixth foul gets to keep playing but every foul after that, regardless of when it’s committed, is a two-shot foul. You’ll never see five-on-four. But I’d also like ‘em to suit up Spike Lee if the game’s at home.

Comments

[DougG]

I'm trying to remain optimistic but it wasn't too long ago that LA was a crappy team and now they are unbeatable. The same goes for Boston and Cleveland. Toronto, they are treading water and going nowhere. In fact, they might be getting worse. All teams need to do is put 2 or 3 people on Bosh and we are done. I think there is enough empirical evidence now to know something needs to be done. If it isn't the coach's fault then it is getting very frustrating watching BC do nothing. His counterparts certainly seem to have found a way to get better.

I don't know if this has shown up in the gate yet but my sense is people are starting to lose interest in the Raptors. They smell too much like the going nowhere, average, treadmill Leafs.

[peter]

Hey Doug, Has Bargnani always been such a great shot-blocker (i.e. has he always had good shot-blocking instincts and timing), or is it something else he has learnt in the off-season? By the way, Bargs for MIP?

Blogger's note: It's just part of the maturation process and learning the NBA game.

[Boko]

I just don't understand your defense of Sam Mitchell as a coach. Not long ago, I sent the following email to Michael Grange after a similar stance, but never saw a word in response. Hmm ...
---------------------------------------------------------------
From: Bohdan (Bo) Klymkiw
To: "Grange, Michael"

Date: 24 November 2008 13:22
Subject: The case against ...

Michael, first of all, I do think that BC is thinking about it right now.

Secondly, I think that SM knows it.

Thirdly, let me point out why you're so wrong about your stance with SM ...

a) Isn't having the team play a 1-3-1 zone defense meant to prevent dribble penetration by anyone?

b) Aren't coaches paid to specifically...
1. Prepare every player on the team for every possibility?
2. Do whatever is best for the team?
3. Have the team playing up to its potential?
4. Read the scouting reports AND know all the adjustments that are necessary to optimize the odds of winning the game?
5. Decide who gets doubled, where & when?
6. Decide who's supposed to take a shot from where & when? &
7. Know when a player is doing something wrong AND help that player adjust ASAP?

I find SM sadly lacking in too many of these duties, And even SM knows it to be true by now.
---------------------------------------------------------------
There are only two teams that scare me (BC & LAL). We should be competing against every other team, meaning .500 against all the playoff level teams, & much better than that against all the rest. Anything less and SM has got to go, and the sooner the better, in my opinion.

[eric]

Let me try to re-post this comment in some form you find acceptable enough to use.
The Lakers game is just another case of the Raps trying to jack it up that extra notch against a good team. How many shots ALMOST went down, but didn't when the game was in doubt?
I've seen it so many times. When they play good teams, their shooting suffers. Why -- because they're trying to do something they're not used to doing. They are attempting to go at full throttle.
Against the poorer teams, they can go 90 per cent and still win. They are confident and in control. They do not blow weaker opponents away, like good teams to. They allow them to hang around and the Raps win more often than not in the final minutes, because they are better. They know it. Their opponents know it.
They also win, because Chris Bosh goes all-out, every game. If every Raptor did that, they'd be in control and cooled out the last five minutes of some games. Players like Bosh and Calderon, who badly need rest, would be on the bench (see Kobe and Bynum last night).
Against good teams, the 90-percenters try to go all out of course when you try to do something more than what is your routine, it doesn't work. Bosh, who usually gives 100 per cent, tries to give 110, and that doesn't work either.
When the game was out of reach, the Raps shot better cause they could relax and hit their own 'normal' pace. The pressure was off. Games that count are played at 100 per cent -- not 90 and not 110.
The Raps need to develop their own style, own pace, own game and most of all, their own work ethic and then stick to it, NO MATTER WHO THE OPPENENT IS. It would be a big step in the right direction.

Blogger's note: I don't know why you sent this twice and why the shot about not finding it acceptable. Here it is.

[Rob S]

Watching the game last night and Hump falling on a Laker after blocking his shot got me thinkin. Hump is a pretty big, strong guy. Why doesn't he post up more and back down taller, skinner guys to the painted area? He always either drives head on or shoots his jumper. Is he a lost cause for this type of offensive move, or are they working on it?

[Albrecht Schulte-Hostedde]

Doug - I watched the game last night, and although I am not a "student" of the game, I thought I noticed Il Mago playing particularly intensely against Gasol. Given that Gasol is one of the premier Europeans in the league, do you think that Bargnani was trying to prove something? Does Bargnani have that kind of competitive nature?

Blogger's note: NOt sure if that was a factor, Bargnani's played well against a few people this year.

[Alex]

Sup Doug how are things on the left coast? I bet it didnt snow 10 inches like it did here.
Ive never been to SLC, but I did a google search (what Im working here). This place looks aight, and yeah that says 32 varieties on tap...
http://www.fiddlerselbowslc.com/home.html

[Alex]

Doug - You are a true road warrior. What time did you post this blog entry last night?

I caught the first half. I was pretty impressed - most of the team played well, save for Bosh who struggled and poor Hump, who's lost the mojo somehow. Andrea and Calderon looked really good. I was thinking that Andrea has the potential to be as good as Gasol (he needs to develop that jump-hook), but even better on D.

What the hell was Sam doing with Moon, Hump, Ukic, and Joey all on the court at the same time during the 2nd?? Not that it would have made any difference, but still.

[Andrew R]

How 'bout that wing play?
The raps wing guys have been on a tear the last couple games. GREAT defence from Parker who has also found his stroke, Kapono is gettting shots (or shats) and even Joey and Jamario are contributing. Progress.
Calderon has been off a bit lately, but last night he made two great plays at the rim. Progress.
Bargs is getting better all the time, but his post play needs work. Overall, progress.
I thought there was a stretch there when the Raps offence went stale in the second half where Bosh should've gotten some touches. I'm not sure why he's out there for so long if he's not being used on the offensive end.
Bosh. Progress.

At least there are signs.

[Tree]

Action: Graham has played great when called on lately, Moon has not.

Reaction: Sam starts Moon instead of Graham, who promptly rewards his team with 1 rebound in over 26 minutes. (Graham had 4 in 6 less minutes).

What this team needed if it was to have any chance of winning was defence ... and Moon does not provide defence anymore. Why Doug does Sam keep giving significant minutes to Moon? As someone said the other day, "I'd take Bad Joey over Bad Moon anyday". Sam claims to reward those working and practicing the hardest with PT, yet that does not apply to their biggest slacker, Moon.

[SY]

Hi Doug,

Do you think we need another big in case Nathan's not going to make the team? I would say yesterday was a perfect example we need another big in case J.O. goes down - have the other big on Bynum and let Bosh operates elsewhere.

-SY

Blogger's note: Four bigs -- when O'Neal gets back and counting the times Bargnani plays PF or C -- are enough

[Aaron J.]

Hey Doug, how's La-La land treating you? Eventhough, the Raps lost last night, I thought they played pretty well considering A)no O'Neal B)Bosh had an off night and C)let's face it, they played the Lakers, who are one of the league's most dominant teams. Bargnani is playing as well as anyone could have hoped this season. He's shooting very consistently, his defense is much, much improved and it also appears that his basketball IQ is increasing because he's often in the right spot on the defensive end and he's using good judgement when deciding whether to take the shot or take it hard to the net.

[Mike]

Nice writeup Doug. I tend to agree, when you play on the left cost vs the best of the west, you should go in assuming you're going to get blasted (Playing a much more competitive game at home and maybe sneaking a win is mandatory though).

General Q - how much more free flowing is the bball out west? The Raptors are playing games in the mid 80's vs the likes of Atlanta and Detroit, but I'm expecting some wild high scoring games in Denver, Utah, Portland, etc.

The west just seems to have a better brand of bball as far as entertainment goes. Thoughts?

Blogger's note: Let me get in to the East-West thing when I"m not racing to catch a plane like I will be in about 10 minutes.

[sams fan]

hey doug,

one thing i have always been curious about but never got a chance to ask is: When we see players locker rooms before games their jerseys are hanging. I want to know do players get brand new jerseys for each game? Or r they used on a daily basis or 5 to 6 games until they change the jerseys. n If they change the jerseys game to game, what do they do with the other jerseys i mean they cant waste 82 jerseys per player yearly can they? thanks

Blogger's note: No, they don't get new ones every game. And when the ones they are using get worn out or whatever, they usually get signed and used as charitable donations and the like.

[Mike kovacs]

Great work as always Doug. The play of Bargnani lately should, I hope, silence those who want to trade him etc.He leads the team in blocks and had 4 last night! Before JO was injured you could say that this was because there was less pressure on him but that is not the case now. Has he actually learned from JO ( either by observation or direct one-on-one advice )? It's getting harder to know what his ceiling will be! Mike

[Matt]

hey doug id love to hear back from you, read the blog everyday and i really like your opinion on the raptors as its realistic. Theres been a ton of reports of BC being interested in marion as of right now. Do you know if these are true and what could the raptors offer, i heard BC had a huge talk with riley last night could it be about marion?

Maybe a deal of:
Parker
Graham
kapono
Hump
Solomon
Picks

For

Marion
Cook
Diawara
Anthony

it works salary wise but are these reports true and its clear the raptors need a upgrade on the wings. Id love for BC to get marion so please get back at me,

thanks

Blogger's note: As I mentioned earlier, am just on my way to LAX, will check this out later but, at first blush, it's too big, too complicated and has too many moving parts to make sense.
Some questions on Marion: What position does he play, which starting big would he replace as a half-season rental and would he be happy coming off the bench?

[Jim]

Great blog ... I am not a Sam Mitchell basher but with the garbage time last night (5 minutes at most), couldn't the coaches atleast let the guys do some set plays. This way, even when they are losing, they are still teaching these guys to run the fundamentals. I thought coaches are there to teach these guys even if they are bench warmers ... what better way to do it during game time even if it is garbage time. Lakers are just too good of a team for our Raptors to beat.

[Mike - CA]

Doug,

i did not read the blog or comments yet but i wanted to write a comment

i went to the game last night with a couple of friends from Los Angeles and i got to say the game was an embarrassment i cannot understand why Sam always waits till the game is out oh hand in the fourth quarter to put the starters back in when the bench is doing well and the cut the lead to single digits Sam waits until its back up to 16 before he gets Calderon and company back in the game then they play for 5 minutes and guess what its garbage time again

there was nothing on the game or game plan that made it look like Sam ever thought they could win that game the second half especially the 4th quarter was an embarrassment

you may say there is no need to make trades yet etc. but this team has a hard time putting away the bad teams a has no chance of winning against the good teams but Toronto's sports in general seem to have the theory of waiting until we have absolutley no shot and then making changes (like Riccardi and the Blue Jays he did his job cut down the salary now nobody's sure what he was doing same with Mitchell he did well but he wont make this team elite)

[Andrew]

For anyone who believes that Colangelo needs to build a team that can be as good as the Lakers, they must remember that Pau Gasol was a gift in the most lopsided trade in NBA history. So, unless Miami wants to trade Dwayne Wade and another player for Jermaine O'Neal...it just ain't gonna happen. The Lakers got lucky. And they happen to have the best player in the league to add to that.

No one can compete with the 2008 Lakers. So, no reason to get down on a game where a lot of the bench played well against the leagues best.

[Eric]

Two things last night that further confirm that the Raps coaching staff is not good enough, in my opinion:

1) 40 seconds left in the 2nd quarter, Raptors get the ball after another Lakers score. The Lakers basket may have come after a turnover, not 100% sure. Sam Mitchell proceeds to call a timeout. Why? Given the Raps penchant for running marginally more effective offensive sets on the fly than out of a timeout, the only purpose to the timeout would have been to kill any Lakers momentum- but at that point in the quarter, the Lakers were going to get only one more possession, whether the Raps called a timeout or not! So why bother? My answer: Sam is a creature of habit. He knows not how to adapt or change his strategies on the fly. As long as this stays the case, I can't see how they plan to get better. It's no coincidence that they haven't been getting better to this point.

2) Coming out of the locker room at half, Alex English was interviewed by Matt and Leo. He mentioned a few things the team needed to do better, namely rebounding and transition defense. The numbers would have corroborated his thoughts. The thing is, that's where I have a problem- those numbers are not meaningful unless you put them in context: it's as if the coaches are not watching the game! When it comes to transition defense in particular, Alex thought it'd be a good idea to start sending three guys back after a shot went up, implying that they were being too aggressive going to the offensive glass! Outrageous! If Alex and the coaches had bothered watching the game before interpreting the stats, they would've noted that the Raptors were already sending FIVE GUYS BACK on shots, often without a single body inside the three-point line or even in the tv screen! And while yes, the Lakers WERE scoring on the break sometimes, it wasn't for lack of players on defense. If anything, it's that they were too settled on defense and the Lakers proceeded to simply use their inertia against them by running through them to the basket.

Numbers mean nothing without context. Journalists listen to coaches run off stats like there's no tomorrow and simply take their assertions as gospel. Most fans outgrew that nonsense when they were in grade school.

This team cannot get better. I don't want to hear any more of their excuses. DougG made an excellent post. Other teams are improving- in spite of all the things they could use for excuses. The Raptors can't win or improve in spite of anything. For the Raptors, their respite is in the excuse and has been for three years. In fact, they won't let you forget their excuses! They are a sorry, sick bunch right now.

[eni]

"LAL...outrunning the up-tempo Raptors...beating them at their own game"
I apologize if I'm mistaken, but since when were the Raptors an up-tempo/running team?

[Chris]

I thought the Raps played well but the Lakers are just a FAR better team. O'Neal may have helped shore up the interior defense, but the Raptors would have to play almost perfectly (and catch Kobe on an off night) to beat this Lakers team.

[Steve]

Hi Doug

Like the blog.... I was in SLC last winter and here are a couple places to eat.... I stayed at the Marriott downtown... quite nice...

Red Iguana (Mexican)

736 W. North Temple St.
(800 West)
Salt Lake City, UT
801-322-1489

Mazza (Lebanese)

912 E. 900 South
(S. 900 E.)
Salt Lake City, UT
801-521-4572

Red Rock Brewing Company (http://www.redrockbrewing.com/index.php) They have a couple of TVs...
254 S 200 W
Salt Lake City, UT 84101
Phone: (801) 521-7446
Fax: (801) 521-0908

[Andre]

Re: Matt

I'm not really sure marion would actually help the raptors. I've been thinking about it, maybe his rebounding, but what else can he give? His defense is So-so, and his shot is alittle suspect. What could they give up? we need kapono. Graham and Parkers contracts maybe be desirable, but who will take their place? what if theres an injury ?

Anyways, the Raptors played a great game. I woulda Loved to see the raps give the ball to bosh in the post. (it was hard, you got a 6'10 and a 7footer double teaming you all night) but in those instances, the best player needs to have the ball. Defense was improved. But offensive rebounding, and defensive... really bad. I'm a big believer in not having your big mans shooting outside shots, beacause if they miss, WHOS GOING TO REBOUND? (Roko.. please dont shoot the ball.. Hump you to.. just get the ball to someone that can)

[Amr]

Any chance that TO would be interested in Marbury? We need a scorer/slasher and he fits the mold...

There's only a handful of head coaches that could handle a Marbury, and I think Smith is one of them... While he's not a good x's and o's guy, if there's one redeeming quality Smitch has, it's his eq (emotional quotient).

What are your thoughts on Smitch's ability to handle a Marbury type in the locker room?

Blogger's note: Sam was a teammate of Marbury's, he might be able to lend some insight into the guy