Of Bosh and Bonner and all things interesting

So they lose in San Antonio, only by 10, and don’t look wretched doing it. And the tone of the comments and the e-mails becomes exponentially nicer and more calm. Figure that lasts until the next “bad” loss, which could be as early as Monday, I guess. But for at least a day, it’s nice to see rationality rather than hysteria.

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Action: This whole “Bosh can’t take us to the promised land/next level/championship.”

Reaction: It is, quite frankly, crap.

Who can?

Kobe? Hasn’t.

LeBron? Hasn’t.

Shaq? Hasn’t.

Garnett? Didn’t. Duncan? Not without Robinson or Parker or Ginobili.

Wade? Didn’t without Shaq.

Dirk? Nope.

Pierce? Sorry.

Kidd? Nope.

Jordan? Hell, he didn’t get to the playoffs ‘til he got some help around him.’

No one player, no matter who he is, “carries” a team to a championship. Is Bosh good enough to be the leading scorer and top rebounder on a team that gets a favourable matchup and wins a playoff series or two? Given the right teammates, absolutely.

There is no doubt that right now, he’s not going as well as he has, or as well as he can. He’s not attacking the basket as often and his seems to be a tad slower reacting to balls than he was in the first week of the season. Maybe he’s got other stuff on his mind, maybe he’s a bit hurt, maybe he’s a bit worn down mentally from having his coach fired, his team playing poorly, from realizing his team isn’t quite as good as many thought.

But is he off a sudden no good? No. He’s still a 20-10 guy and will be. He’s still the best player on this team by a wide margin.

And trading a team’s best player, by a wide margin, makes so little sense it’s laughable. What they’ve got to do is get him different teammates, or get the teammates he’s got now playing better. You don’t strengthen a roster by taking its best player away. That’s silly.

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Action: They play hard for 48 minutes

Reaction: Do it again

Sure, it’s all well and good that they worked hard and, for the most part, played well for most of the 48 minutes against the Spurs.

If anyone could guarantee me, or any of you, that they’ll do the same thing on Monday, then I’d be impressed. But with this group, who knows? And that’s why a good effort against a good team should bring more yawns and skepticism than it does optimism and promise.

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Here’s a question:

Q: Is Chris Bosh and Jay Triano losing material of what to say post-game or what?

Gary J, Toronto

A: Yes, they are. Just like the grunts are running out of questions to ask and it’s taking more creativity every night to elicit usable quotes.

I remember covering every single game of a 17-game losing streak early in the dreadful 16-66 season of 1997-98 and about 10 games in, we’d walk into the locker room, look at guys like Damon or Popeye Jones and simply shrug. They had nothing to say, we had nothing to ask. I bet it’s getting to that point out there with ‘em now and I’m not exactly looking forward to meeting them in Sacramento to tell you the truth. Makes the job a wee bit harder.

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I’ve had a couple of serious e-mails (well, as serious as these things can be) suggesting the Bulls might trade Derrick Rose for Bosh in some wild package since the salaries aren’t close. And one that wonders if they could trade Bosh for Chris Paul.

And that leads me to believe that the hallucinogen industry is thriving.

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Action: Jake Voskuhl plays.

Reaction: And out-scores both Jamario Moon and Andrea Bargnani.

I’m almost speechless.

Seriously, isn’t that ridiculous?

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What’d they say in San Antonio? Check it out here.

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“That’s the game. When you make shots, things seem to come a bit more easily.”

Sam Mitchell after every game?

Nope, Gregg Popovich last night.

Maybe all you people who killed Sam or made fun of him for bringing out that cliché a lot might want to take note.

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Action: Bonner looks good.

Reaction: Good for him.

Matt Bonner is, as you all know, a good guy, funny, doesn’t take himself too seriously, a big fan favourite. And, because more than a few of you are revisionist historians, I’m not surprised at all at the number of “what was Bryan doing getting rid of him” e-mails that have arrived in the last 10 hours or so.

All I want is proof that one single, solitary person out there thought – almost 2 1-2 years ago – that Matt Bonner was a starting NBA centre? Come on, someone show me that and I’ll apologize to that person profusely.

Sometimes, guys evolve. If you think the Raptors could have waited to find out if he did, you’re mistaken.

That said, I’m just glad Matt’s going well. The kid deserves it.

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Quickie from the mail:

Q: Season ends today, Raptors don't make the playoffs. Do they resign Moon?

Andrew D, Toronto

A: I doubt it.

Luckily, the season ends in four months so they don’t have to decide.

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List time.

Karl Malone was tough, Kevin Garnett is intense, Dirk Nowitzki’s a find fadaway shooter, Rasheed Wallace is uniquely talented, Kevin McHale would punish people in the post, Charles Barkley was under-sized and tremendously effective. I never saw Bob Pettit play but they tell me he was scary good.

None, however, are better power forwards than Tim Duncan.

In the list of best-ever at that position, here’s how they’re ranked in this corner:

Duncan, Malone, Garnett (originally omitted 'cause I'm a dope and deleted it by mistake), Barkley, McHale, Pettit, Nowitzki, Wallace.

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Back to Bonner:

Good Matt Bonner story and if I've told it before, I'm sorry.

Remember when Matt was here and just about every time Sam would yell at him he'd lift his arms and sort of shrug with a "who? Me?" look on his face.

Stumpy, bless his little pucks soul, and I tell Sam that Matt's so popular with the masses than they're going to put up a statue of him outside the arena in that then-famous pose.

Sam's quasi-amused

It's much later in that season, Stumpy and I are sitting watching a game (I presume they were getting drilled because I don't think we were paying much attention) when Sam screams at Matt, the arms go up, the shoulders are shrugged, Matt's got that bewildered look on his face Sam turns to us, looks at us and says:

"Better get that statue ready!"

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Action: Spurs biding their time

Reaction: Do not sleep on them.

Interesting to hear the TV guys Saturday night talking about the Spurs just trying to get in shape and rhythm for the playoffs and not being overly concerned where they are in the standings now or where they’ll be in the next few months.

And considering they’re a game and a half out of second in the West despite missing Manu Ginobili and Parker with injuries for extended periods already, I can certainly make the case that we might have a Lakers-Spurs western final. And the Spurs, to my mind, are tougher, mentally and physically and might be able to win that one.

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And a final one from the mail for today:

Q: Hi I was wondering about the changes in the practice sessions that the Raptors are now having. The players seem awfully fatigued and I am thinking it might have to do with overworking the players with new plays and more running. Has it been increased? And is this a good idea when you want the players to be at top condition before the game?

Kevin S, Toronto

A: Considering they haven’t really had many practice sessions in weeks, you sure can’t pin it on that. Because of the bear of a schedule they’ve had since Sam got fired, I think they’ve had a grand total of four practices and two of them were extended video session because they came after back-to-backs. There is no way in the world they are being “over-worked.”

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Not sure what’s in store for Monday in this little nook. If there’s a good mailbag to pull together this afternoon or this evening, I think I will ‘cause they’re off in L.A. and I see shoveling and then couch time in my future. So if you’ve got questions – and questions, not rants – I’d be glad to see ‘em, it’ll give me something to do tonight because I believe Super Son is hoping to have an urchin or two over for a sleepover and I’ll go hide somewhere and work.

Enjoy a nice Sunday.

Comments

[mary]

thanks for the reply doug. and merry christmas. one other question. do you think there will come a time that bryan will look at trading bargnani?

i think the kid might be better off somewhere else, where he can play the 4 full-time maybe and on a team that isn't looking to do anything right away. and i think the raptors could use some help at the 2 and 3.

Blogger's note: I know he would prefer not to but if someone makes an offer that bowls him over, I bet he would. Trouble is, there aren't a lot of "bowl-me-over" deals out there for a struggling third year guy.

[rob]

hey doug, whats going on with the pistons? i know they are struggling to adapt to allen iverson... but i m pretty sure they can use walter herman and jason maxiell... but both are getting DNP-CD.. any chance we offer the pistons something for either one... i think maxiell just signed an extension which would make him impossible to trade for ... but I could be mistaken (at least i hope i am).

[GM]

You're bang on with the Bosh assessment, Doug. There's not a player in the league capable of winning all by himself. If the LeBrons win it all this year, he might be an exception but his co-stars are improved. Garnett played on sucky Wolves teams, Kobe played on sucky Laker teams, Shaq played on a sucky Heat team, Wade played on a sucky Heat team, Pearce played on sucky Celtic teams... The list goes on and on. It's ridiculous to think that Bosh can't lead a team to a championship based on his years so far. It's amazing how players get better once their teammates get better. It works at all levels, too. I'm way more effective when I'm on a good team, too.

I also agree that a ten-point loss to a very good team is an easier pill to swallow than an ugly loss to a horrible team. It's all about *how* you play the game. Sure, the wins are important but those will come if you play the right way night in and night out.

I disagree, though, with your take on Bonner. It doesn't matter that he's starting now in San Antonio. The fact is he's an effective player. And I thought so when he was in Toronto. I don't think he could afford to be a starter here, but he'd still be effective. Then again, I can't remember who he was traded for.

And I'll never agree that Tim Duncan is a power forward. I know he's always been considered one, but I think he always plays like a centre, so a centre he'll always be in my mind. And even though Bonner starts at centre, he plays the forward position on that team.

Finally, I think you really should institute a one-strike-and-you're-out rule with posters. As soon as someone says they're done for the season and won't be back, delete their name and e-mail address and don't allow them to come back. They remind me of teenagers who always threaten to do things but never follow through.

Blogger's note: Bonner when with Eric Williams for Rasho at a time when Toronto desperately needed a big.

[dave]

http://www.nba.com/video/channels/tnt_overtime/2008/12/20/nba_20081220_tnt_soundoff.nba/

Whats your take on this? They talk about The Raptors.... rare.

Blogger's note: Pretty much goes to what I've been saying all along.

[aditya]

hey doug, why is your blog not on the main site of the toronto star (sports section)

Blogger's note: I wish I knew, I'll call someone about it.

[Gerald]

Finally, I think you really should institute a one-strike-and-you're-out rule with posters. As soon as someone says they're done for the season and won't be back, delete their name and e-mail address and don't allow them to come back. They remind me of teenagers who always threaten to do things but never follow through."

OUTSTANDING IDEA!!!!

[Tim W.]

I couldn't agree more about your defense of Bosh. As I said in the comments in the article, the core of Bosh, Calderon and O'Neal is good enough of a core to lead a contending team, they just need better supporting players. I think if you look at the players outside of the top three on every team, the Raptors would rank near, or at, the bottom. I think only Parker and Kapono would make the rotation of most other playoff teams. Bargnani might, depending on style of play and players, but at this point he's more about potential than performance.

I do have to disagree with the inclusion of Wallace on your list of PF's. Skill-wise, he's easily a top ten player, but he's simply not put to use those skills enough to warrant being on a top ten list. If he hadn't lucked out and gotten onto the Pistons, he wouldn't be worth a mention. I think Chris Webber, Dennis Rodman, Elvin Hayes, Dave Debusscher and Jerry Lucas deserve mention above Wallace. Hayes, Debusscher and Lucas are all in the Hall of Fame, Webber is a definite possibility and Rodman, if he didn't have other `issues', might be as well. There is no way Wallace will be. I may be biased, but I don't feel a PF who has a career average of under 7 rpg should be on any top ten of all-time list. He had otherworldly skill, but too often did not use it. He's never been All-NBA (even third team), never made the All-Defensive team, and has generally gotten worse stats in the playoffs than in the regular season.

[Sadd]

Im telling you: (QUOTE ME ON THIS)

West Finals: Rockets vs Lakers
East Finals: Celtics vs Cavs

Finals: Rockets beat Cavs in 5 games

[John Perrin]

Happy holidays !!

If I was the chicken I would be concerned if they call me in for a fitting. How does the Toronto Generals sound :-)

Hope the snow blower starts !!

[JM]

Hakeem led Houston to a championship in 1994 with mostly filler (but great teammates and some future stars).