The Goods On The Game, Vol. 26, a Thunderous night

Hey, anyone here? Roll call, please? Usual suspects? No suspects at all?
-
All I can say is I'm glad the curling match (game? contest? ends?) didn't go into overtime or whatever they call it. Would have hated to have to wait for this one. Have used this line in the past (about Raptor-Clipper game back in the dark days, if I recall correctly) but this is a classic game between a Movable Force and a Resistable Object.
-
Seriously, the gentleman sitting beside me just yelled: "Geez, O'Neal can't shoot." After he missed ONE SHOT. This might be a fun night.
-
Bosh missing an easy layup on his first touch certainly doesn't bode well, does it? Nobody booed, I bet.
-
I've said it before, I'll say it again: Jason Kapono probably has the highest basketball IQ on the team. He just knows how to play.
-
That outlet pass just went from under the Raptor basket to Kapono at midcourt. That's not something we see too often.
-
Jeff Green is quite under-appreciated, I think. He may not be Durant, but he's not far off.
-
Okay, they've got no life. This might be a long night. As a 1-for-7 start will attest.
-
Imagine that, Raptors giving up easy looks in transition. That hasn't happened before, has it?
-
The dude beside me is beside himself. "They can't shoot. They've lost this one."
-
Jeff Green on Bosh only works if they put Bosh in the post. That doesn't seem to be happening.
-
Anybody turn it off yet?
-
Thunder 18, Raptors 7 with about six minutes.
-
Wonder how many Thunder fans are sitting around saying, "oh, my, we've got a double-digit lead, wonder how we'll blow it tonight?"
-
Oklahoma City's like a home game for Joey. Wonder how he'll play.
-
Do I have the wings or the nachos? The decisions a guy has to make!
-
Joe Smith just got an offensive rebound surrounded by four Toronto players. That's brutal.
-
How many of you are missing the little scoreboard bug in the corner of the screen? I am.
-
The best thing would be that Green's got two fouls, which means Bosh has done his job at least a little bit at least.
-
Hey, the scoreboard bug thing's back. Way to go.
-
Toronto's taking an awful lot of shots early in the shot clock.
-
Roko Ukic against Earl Watson. This should be interesting.
-
That's a huge five minutes for the Raptors to get back in the game a bit. They could have been buried.
-
That was a pretty impressive Durant dunk to end the quarter.
-
Oklahoma City 26, Toronto 17 after one.
-
You think Damien Wilkins has some good bloodlines. Father was Gerald, uncle was Dominique. That's not bad.
-
I covered a game in Oklahoma City once when the Hornets were there and I can tell you the staff in the arena might be the nicest people in the league.
-
A Bargnani three!!!! Call Springfield
-
Okay, he follows it with the ugliest line-drive 15-footer I've seen in weeks.
-
The O'Neal block on Durant was somewhat emphatic, no? If he'd missed, he would have hit him right in the head. And I guarantee you JO knew that, too.
-
Bargnani misses a foul shot. How many people booed at home?
-
It's an over-statement, obviously, but Joe Smith has probably made a million shots like the 18-footer he just made.
-
I can feel the angst building. I'm almost afraid to look at the e-mails to see what they're saying about Bargnani now.
-
Just checked. None. I'm stunned.
-
I truly believe that Oklahoma City is 2-24 on merit.
-
Thunder 34, Raptors 30 with 6:10 'til halftime.
-
The nachos are good. The game? Not so much.
-
Stumpy checks in from a Leaves road trip in Pittsburgh to find out how the lads are doing. He's not as impressed with the team either
-
Okay, they have to insist that the only time Bosh can take a three is at the end of a quarter or the shotclock. Seriously. He's slumping, why force it?
-
Here's Hump. You check out From Deep today? Hump and Moon are like Rowan and Martin or something.
-
I don't know about you but when I watch those commercials for whatever shoe company it is, I would always take a team led by Tim Duncan over one led by Tracy McGrady.
-
I'm sure the team keeps the stat, and I'm certain they've never tell me, but the Raptors get beaten to about 90 or 95 per cent of loose balls. It's just hustle.
-
I miss Horns Up.
-
Someone has to throw something or punch something or turn something over in disgust at halftime, don't they?
-
Thunder 46, Raptors 36 at haltime.
-
A JO shoulder issue? That's new. And I might have gone to Hump.
-
Gord Herbert's a really good guy and a smart basketball mind. As a halftime interview, he's no Jim Todd.
-
How in the world Moon just took a contested jumper with about 18 seconds left on the shot clock is beyond my comprehension.
-
So the dude who was sitting next to me? Just left, got stuck in the snow leaving the parking lot, got out to push himself (yeah, I know!), shut the door, door locks, car running. Doesn't apparently have CAA and there's much consternation. That's a guy having a bad day.
-
Right now, and it might change, this is one of those games that no matter that they're hanging around, at no time is anyone seriously thinking the Raptors can win.
-
No, I don't think BC has a trade done for O'Neal and that's why he's not playing. But I swear someone will suggest that.
-
Thunder 54, Raptors 48 with 6:30 left in the third.
-
You think the Spurs, home and waiting, are drooling at the prospects of tomorrow's game? I do.
-
Nick Collison's pretty serviceable as a backup big, no?
-
Offensive flow? Like sludge.
-
How do you think Bryan's feeling?
-
That Durant offensive rebound over Moon was absolutely despicable on Toronto's part. All Moon had to do was turn and push Durant away. He was nonchalant and simply beaten to the ball. Effort. That's all. Never mind coaching or psychologists or whatever. That's simply effort and intelligence.
-
That said, down six? Shocking. But they're in it. In spite of themselves.
-
Joey takes more tough shots than almost anyone else on the team, it seems. Makes his share of jump hooks and line drives like the one he just made.
-
Hump hasn't attempted a field goal yet. On the flip side, he hasn't got a rebound yet, either.
-
Wow. Damien Wilkins just beat three Raptors to a loose ball. I know it's a broken record but still ...
-
Thunder 68, Raptors 59 after three.
-
It's hard to even make fun of things when they're playing like this. I can't even come up with a good Oklahoma City dustbowl line.
-
That was a tough offensive foul call on Graham just now in a four-point game. He deserved better.
-
Hey GM, you see the Galen Weston ads?
-
I'm trying to guess what celebrities might be at the game. I cannot for the life of me come up with one.
-
If they steal this one, they have to leave town with a police escort.
-
Jamario's a four now? Guess you've got to try something. And the Thunder is small.
-
This is a wild over-statement but these might be the most important seven minutes of the season for these guys. Down 3 against an inferior oppoent, playing like crap with three straight losses.
-
That's the first time I've seen Bosh fake a jumper and drive in maybe five games.
-
The dude got his car out, by the way.
-
A Moon three!!!!??? Down one. With 10 seconds at least left on the shot clock? Come on.
-
Thunder 73, Raptors 72 with about 5 1-2 to go.
-
I will note that, right now, Toronto has 14 offensive rebounds. You want a little bit of good news, right?
-
Okay, I killed him the first half but Bargnani hasn't been bad in the second. Maybe he is a starter.
-
I have no idea how they can rotate and leave Kevin Durant. That's just bad recognition.
-
Game's got some juice now, doesn't it?
-
It's far more pleasurable for a grunt not having to write a game story at the buzzer on nights like this.
-
There was nothing wrong with that three-pointer Bargnani took down three with two minutes to go. He has to shoot that shot.
-
You think Jay's not already thinking about what play he draws up for the final possession? I bet he is.
-
Nick Collison's play stealing that rebound from Bosh was the dagger.
-
There's a dozen or so Raptor fans on the other side of the room who are killing these guys.
-
This is the low point of a season full of 'em, no?
-
You think in Oklahoma City they're saying, "big deal, we only beat the Raptors?"
-
Thunder 91, Raptors 83 and it's over
-

The Goods On The Game, Vol. 26, a long road ahead

Okay, it took some doing but there's little local, Coopers, not too far from Casa Smith with TSN2, wireless and one of the top bartenders in all bartenderdom. Soft drinks, wings and other snacks. Doesn't get much better than that.
-
So if you're snowed in somewhere in southern Ontario and can't see the game, you can read along with me, at least I can see it. (And yes, I'm irked about the 15 or so centimetres of snow that fell here while I'm not on a road trip and more than able to shovel).
-
News? Oh, right. None that I've heard at the moment. I do know that no storm is raging in Oklahoma.
-
Anyway, you're caught up, I'll be back in a bit once this titanic struggle is underway.

Some rants, some raves and some questions

Congratulations, folks.

That was the single greatest week of rants and anger and angst and raves since we started this little exercise back in the day. A Vince return and a loss, a loss to the Mavs to end a three-game home losing streak, terrible rebounding and trade speculation galore, it had it all.

I read ‘em all and loved ‘em, once again your passion, not to mention your creativity, is impressive.

And herewith are the survivors. Most of you will understand that the diatribes you sent weren’t really questions (aside from, “They stink. Comment?”) but they did provide much amusement for me.

(As an aside, doing three games in four nights before Christmas and then three games in four nights out west on a trip that starts Christmas Day is too much for one grunt to handle – and keep peace with his family. So I’m not in Oklahoma or San Antonio or L.A. but I’ll find somewhere that’s got TSN2 and wireless tonight and be back for the usual fun and games. See ya then.)

-

Q: Before heading out for Mexico for two months, Doug, permit me to take a moment to thank you for keeping us going thru a tough start to this season. Your YouTube summaries are a positive stroke: like Superman with tie and jacket after beat grunt clothes for the written word - if only our squad could do as well on both sides of the ball. Q: Bosh upset with booing: one hears that fans in different places have distinctive "fan cultures" for how they support their team. Putting aside the tired view that if you pay your money you can do what you like, cheer or boo - what DOES contribute to when fans show support even when a team is sagging? How does Toronto compare? Are there places where fans are famously one way or the other? Is it the culture of the fans or the team's performance that makes the most difference in how the fans' behave?

Charles N, Toronto

A: Have a great trip. I have a feeling, and a hope, that I’ll be hearing from you sometime during the journey.

Anyway, I’d say from my experience, Toronto fans are certainly among the most harsh in the NBA. Not the worst but certainly in the top 10. They grow disgusted far more easily than some cities.

A case in point: When Bargnani missed the first of his two free throws on Wednesday and the booing really got going, Toronto trailed by two points with 4 1-2 minutes left in the third quarter. In most cities, you wouldn’t hear a peep.

Perhaps it’s because Toronto fans have been so disappointed so regularly in the past – high expectations, low delivery – but there’s something there that turns them more quickly in most cities.

I remember one year being in Utah, I think it was, and the Raptors were on a run, the Jazz were reeling and the fans started cheering every Utah possession. I turned to whoever I was sitting with and mentioned that in Toronto, the Raptors would be getting killed, maybe not booed but you’d certainly here disgruntlement.

The flip side? I’d say Philly’s the toughest. We were there this year for the very first game of the season, a season of some promise for the Sixers if you recall, and there were a smattering of boos and catcalls when Elton Brand missed a free throw and the Sixers were going poorly. That was over the top.

-

Q: Forgetting all the very entertaining (and absurd) trade proposals, I think you would still agree that a trade will likely happen (or maybe not). Assuming you do, I'd like to know where you think the Raps are strongest (i.e. where they can afford to lose someone in a trade), and what is presently their most glaring need (a cynic might say that a 10-15 team has no strong spots, but I know you're above that). Thanks.

Errol T, Toronto

A: That’s a good question.

I think a trade will happen, eventually, yes.

Funny thing is, their strongest tradeable assets are also in the area they need the most help. They have a group of good but not great wings with easily movable contracts (Parker’s is expiring, Moon’s is low, Graham’s expires, Kapono’s isn’t too arduous) so that’s probably the kind of player they move. Making it difficult is that they need a three or a two in return who’s an upgrade.

See the problem?

-

Q: We have heard lots lately about the Raptors' new defensive plan to crowd the paint and force opponents into long shots, but isn't that a lot like saying "I like to wear shorts"? Shorts may keep me cool in the summer, but they aren't much use in the winter. Is it asking too much for NBA professionals to develop a variety of defensive schemes and utilize whichever one is most appropriate for a particular opponent? I know, I know... I shoud be happy if this team is able to get just one scheme right, but come on!

Nathan W, Ho Chi Minh City

A: It’s a gross over-simplification to suggest all they want to do is pack the paint and let teams shoot at will. There are schemes to rotate and close out on shooters and lots of times they work. But all teams prioritize what they want to do defensively and offensively and, frankly, I’d rather take my chances giving teams contested threes than dunks.

And I think you work on your priorities and get them as down pat as possible instead of changing them game-to-game.

Q: Hi Doug, long time follower, second time submitter (you never answered my "All VC Team" question). Quick question. Last night on what I believe was "The Beat" on NBA TV, someone (didn't catch his name) said that there are 10 minority coaches in the league, 9 of which are African American, 1 is of Phillipino decent (Erik Spoelstra of Miami). He then went on and said something along the lines of this being a problem (not enough minority coaches), but it's not as bad as other sports. What are your thoughts? Just because there are so few minority coaches, does that make it a problem? Or is there a problem and that's why there are so few minority coaches?

Carl L, Barrie

A: While far from perfect, I think the NBA is light years ahead of every other professional sport in North America, and probably the world, in minority hirings in such decision-making roles as coaches, general managers, scouts, team presidents and other key business roles.

Could there be more than nine coaches? Probably. But don’t forget that four – Sam, Eddie Jordan, Mo Cheeks and Reggie Theus – were working when the season began so the nine is a bit of a skewed number.

-

Q: I read the book "Covert: My Years Infiltrating the Mob" by NBA ref Bob Delaney while on vacation last week. It was a very good, very interesting read. Have you had a chance to read it yet Doug?

Sherry E, Toronto

A: I have read it, it’s a great book. And I talked a bit with Bob while he was writing it because there’s that connection with the GTA firm and the frozen fish that he and his co-author needed some fact-checking on.

I’d recommend it.

-

Q: Hey Doug, you still think this team's got a shot at 46-48 wins? I'm beginning to think this is a .500 team, at best. I don't mind 'em losing to team's better than them, but the way they're losing suggests they're one of those eastern sub .500 teams. (Think ATL of a few years back). Things like 'grinding' out a win against the bobcats (sans J-Rich at the time) at home kinda speak volumes.

Dean O, Toronto

A: I think maybe they max out at 44 to 46. I think 48 might be gone now. But there is still a lot of basketball to be played. Two years ago, they were 10-15 and everyone thought the season was lost and they won 47 and the division.

-

Q: If you ask me, the Raptors are good players, but are not mean players. They lack what Jack McCallum reports the Pheonix Suns call the "F*k-you factor." They are skilled enough to go up 10-15 on ANYONE, but it's almost as if they feel bad if they go up by 20 and the other team always creeps back. Is there anyone on the roster that you would be afraid to meet in a dark alley?

Paul C, Grassy Narrows

A: I’m a soft, old dude with high blood pressure and a family. I don’t want to meet anyone in any alley, dark or light.

But, you’re right, they are nice guys and there isn’t a “mean” one, although Jermaine’s got an edge and so, too, does Calderon.

Trouble is, you can’t make people what they aren’t so thinking this group is all of a sudden going to become The Bad Boys Redux is folly. Ain’t gonna happen.

Maybe that’s what Bryan’s got to find somehow.

-

Q: Quick question for you: do the Raps keep their first round pick this year, or was it promised in some past trade? I can't seem to remember. Because if they keep it then we're setting ourselves up for an interesting second half regardless of whether the Raps improve greatly and make it into the playoffs or they stink, hopefully develop their assets, and possibly sneak into a good pick. With JO coming off the books a year after (and likely to be traded) and some better talent and more experienced young guys on the team, things could be looking up. And in terms of keeping Bosh, what happens with the team next year (and in the offseason, when they could sign a coach with the ability to lead them past the first round) is a lot more important than what happens this year. As much as people are down on Bosh right now, you put him with an alpha dog type wing player in 2010 and you've got the perfect role for him.

Jimmy S, Toronto

A: Right now, they’ve got their first round pick in every year from next year on. None have been traded. Yet.

Is this rock bottom?

Isn’t this a fine pickle they find themselves in?

Losers of eight of 10, season-worst five games under .500, Chris Bosh can’t make a shot, some guys show some nights and a disappear many others and the local supporters are as disgruntled as they’ve been in years.

And a Merry Christmas to all.

-

Action: This is ugly

MARK BLINCH/REUTERS

Raptors get their turn to fly away, on a nice long road trip after this one.

Reaction: What to do?

The immediate reaction is to do everything. Make trades, bench guys, fire the coach (oops, already tried that one!), do something.

But maybe this is rock bottom, maybe it’s time to stay the course, hope they’ve bottomed out and, with the schedule turning, hope for better.

I know there was a sense of embarrassment around the locker room and the coaches office after the game. You can only hope it was legitimate and not something for the cameras and microphones.

Had a scout say to me last night “these guys shouldn’t be this bad” to which the initial reaction is, “you’re right, but they are.”

Yes, there are flaws, as we’ve been talking about since October but you look down the roster and this team shouldn’t lose eight of 10 and it shouldn’t be free-falling through the conference standings.

But a wise football guy, or I’m at least told he wise, once said something to the effect that you are what your record says you are and these dudes are 10-15 and in danger of having the season go in the toilet before the calendar year turns.

Now we’ll find out what they’re made of, mentally and physically. They know where they are, they know what they have to do. It’s time to show some heart, if they have it, and win some games.

It’ll be quite interesting to see how they react.

-

A mail thing:

Q: Hi Doug, I was wondering if you thought switching Bargnani to SF has screwed him up mentally because, in my opinion, he is hanging around the three point line again.

Patrick W, Toronto

A: Oh yeah, I’m sure being jerked around from starter to backup, centre to small forward is messing with his head a little bit. But the dude has to try a bit harder. I know he can shoot, we’ve seen it. But he looks like he’s playing scared or something and he’s just got to grow some, um, cajones cojones, suck it up and go harder.

-

Action: The booing.

Reaction: A good thing?

Probably not. It did start with the game very much in the balance and really is not the way for fans to get the team going, but sort of understandable.

-

Can I just say this: Antoine Walker?

Are you people on crack? Shot-happy, no-defending, old big man? Come on. Be serious.

-

Action: Nate can play.

Reaction: Eventually.

Excellent news on Jawai, wasn’t it? He’s a really nice kid and deserves a shot to see if he can play.

But anyone thinking he’s going to do anything soon should just chill a bit. He hasn’t had a single practice since the beginning of October, he hasn’t done a lick of physical work since then, either. To think it’ll be anything less than months before he’s ready to go is a stretch. He is, after all, a young kid who’s played 30 games in Australia, let’s hold off on the “how can he help and when” talk.

Oh, and all of you who were ripping the Raptors for drafting him and wondering about cap relief and especially those who told me repeatedly that his career was over should apologize to someone. Sometimes health issues take a while to get sorted out, as we pointed out repeatedly since camp began. Part of the “testing” was resting and that’s what he did.

-

You want trades? We’ve got trades. These all came in the same e-mail from someone with too much idle time. Seriously, this is the kind of stuff that makes me hope the Internet eventually goes away.

But it would make for the greatest day of Bryan Colangelo’s life:

Wake up, pour coffee, make first call:

Toronto sends: Chris Bosh to Chicago

Chicago sends: Derrick Rose, Andres Nocioni, Joakim Noah, 1st round draft pick Why?: You think Chicago doesn't regret doing the Gasol trade now that their stuck with Deng for 50 years? They finally get a real star out of all their assets. Sit back and relax.

Order lunch, pick up the phone:

Toronto sends: Calderon, H. Adams, J. Graham, W. Solomon to Washington

Washington sends: Caron Butler Why?: Probably the least likely to happen, but they're in last place and they get a top-tier PG with a reasonable contract who gives them more flexibility with Arenas.

Go for some fresh air. Come back to office, make a call:

Toronto sends: Anthony Parker, Jason Kapono to LA Clippers

LAC sends: Marcus Camby

Why?: They already have Kaman and Randolph, Camby is the oldest of the three. Might as well get some immediate cap relief and the best 3-point shooter in the league for him. And because Dunleavy will do anything.

Eat dinner. Feel unsatisfied. Get on the horn again:

Toronto sends: Jermaine O'Neal to New Jersey

NJ sends: Vince Carter and Keyon Dooling

Why?: If they're serious about this Lebron in 2010 thing, don't they have to be able to sign someone else PLUS LeBron to sell the possibility of multiple championships? And how do you attract LeBron with VC sitting in his role? And if they lose the LeBron sweepstakes, why keep VC around and pay him when you can turn his max contract into 20 million in cap space after 2010? So, what do you have:

I know this is crazy, but you end up with the following Toronto depth chart:

PG: Derrick Rose, Roko Ukic (some Dooling in case of emergency)

SG: Vince Carter, Keyon Dooling (Jamario Moon in case of emergency)

SF: Caron Butler, Andres Nocioni, Jamario Moon

PF: Andrea Bargnani, Kris Humphries

C: Marcus Camby, Jake Voshkul

Who would want to play against that team in the playoffs? They can score, rebound, defend and have some depth too. It also all works under the salary cap according to ESPN's trade machine. And, I think there's a reasonable chance that these trades appeal to all teams involved. Make Eddie Jordan coach and off you go...

A: Wherever you are, I suggest you seek professional help. And if I get many more like this, I will, too.

Be a heckuva news conference, though.

-

Here’s what they said in Dallas this morning.

-

Action: Jose Barea

Reaction: Dennis Rodman redux

Standing in the hallway before the game, waiting with the Dallas grunts to say hi to Rick Carlisle, I casually mention they might want to check the record books to see what the career high in rebounding is for Billy Barty, um, I mean J. J. Barea.

They chuckle.

Sitting in a social setting after with the same grunts, they mention that the, um, diminutive Barea set a season high with six boards.

I chuckle.

-

This is just one of a few I got with the same theme:

Q: How bad are the Raps? So bad that I have done a 180 and am now writing letters to Rogers begging them to NOT pick up TSN2.

Shawn Q, Ottawa

A: As they say, Ding! Ding! Ding!

-

The Goods On The Game, Vol. 25, Dirk's in town

You haven't lived, really, until you've been sitting in your press row seat about 20 minutes to game time and you get to hear Jack Armstrong and Matt Devlin warbling Christmas carols. I believe they are not descendents of Bing Crosby.
-
Didn't take Josh Howard long to get used to being back in the Dallas starting lineup. After missing 11 games with a bad left ankle and playing about 14 minutes off the bench on Monday, he started last night and scored Dallas first seven points.
-
Another tough start for Bosh, who misses three shots in four minutes.
-
Here comes Joey, for Jamario after less than four minutes, I'm guessing Jay saw something he didn't like. Maybe it was Howard's nine points.
-
Bosh hits a J and I take it all back.
-
The Mavs are using Devean George, all 6-8 of him (a generous listing, by the way) to guard Bosh.
-
And with Bosh guarding Dirk, the Mavs are going to him a lot.
-
Joey's had two baskets, both big dunks, both created by him running the floor and finding space.
-
Raps 18, Mavs 11 with 6:02 left.
-
Hey, what are you Rogers folks in Toronto watching tonight? I know it's not this game. But I'll be in the same boat Friday 'cause I'm taking the pre-Christmas trip off and the Evil Rogers Empire services Casa Smith, too. No idea what I'll do.
-
Jason Terry checks in, let the shooting begin.
-
Jason Kapono may or may not have been fouled taking a shot that might have been a pass and Jay's upset. He says to whatever ref's closest: "He's the best shooter in the NBA, he doesn't shoot it three feet!:"
-
Okay, it's 22-11 and you're all feeling good, right? A gentle reminder: 16-2.
-
Raps are out-rebounding Dallas 8-2. I'm betting it doesn't last.
-
Joey's feeling it. Two dunks, two jumpers. Eight points. And he's being guarded by Jason Terry and if that's not a mismatch I don't know what is.
-
There's more than a few hundred empty seats in this place tonight.
-
Joey misses. He's mortal.
-
Jose Barea checks in. They list the backup Mavs point guard at 6-0. Maybe in heels.
-
Smooth Roko move to finish a reverse layup over Dirk.
-
Jay was just calling "21" which is Raptor speak for a two-for-one possession at the end of a quarter. They got an AP jumper that missed and the ball back with 16 seconds. And a Roko three-point play.
-
Toronto 33, Dallas 21 at one.
-
Hump's getting some burn. And Jay's got two backup bigs in the game at the same time, something we haven't seen ina while.
-
Check out that score above. That'd be a double-digit lead.
-
And now it's a six-point lead and Jay has to blow a timeout.
-
The Chicken's dunking off the tramp over a big snowman. Oh, the hilarity. But I'm not sure this isn't the first time The Chicken's dunked off a tramp since it got hurt a while ago doing the same kind of hijinks.
-
That'd be it for Hump right now. JO's back.
-
Roko's made three of four shots. All the makes have been on drives. The miss was one of the ugliest three-pointers since I was shooting them.
-
Jose's had seven minutes off spannig the end of the first and start of the second. 'Bout time to bring him back.
-
Andrea Bargnani just had DeSagana Diop isolated and he's got to be quick enough to beat him, right? Nope, he took some weak 20-footer instead of driving. Missed it, too. Shocking, I know.
-
Raps 39, Mavs 31 with six 'til halftime.
-
No Raptor has taken more than seven shots (that's O'Neal) and that's pretty good shot distribution at the moment.
-
Which brace looks heavier and more awkward? Bosh's or O'Neal's? I think Bosh's.
-
Look at that. Jamario just went for a Jason Terry pump fake.
-
This is a good as O'Neal's looked at both ends in the same game in a while.
-
There's two minutes left and the Mavs have yet to shoot a free throw. Toronto's shot three. A battle of the paint this is not. But it is a quick one so us deadline people aren't complaining at all.
-
Wow, Bargnani's got no shot at the moment. Talk about a slump. He just linedup a three (eschewing a pass to an equally open Kapono) and it looked Ukic-esque.
-
Look at that. Jamario just went for a Jason Terry pump fake.
Where have I read that before?
-
The three that Bosh just took might be the worst shot of the month. Early in the clock, it's not like he's shooting the lights out and it set up a break the Mavs turned into a Terry three.
-
The Raptors aren't quite finishing the quarter strongly.
-
Toronto 49, Dallas 44 at the half.
-
That's Popeye Jones down there on the Mavs bench and I swear he could put a uniform on right now and lead Toronto in rebounding. Just like in the olden days.
-
You have to admit Bosh is guarding Nowitzki pretty well.
-
Of course, it'd be a lot better if Bosh wasn't 2-for-10 from the field.
-
Another quick hook for Jamario, who lasts about 90 seconds before Joey replaces him.
-
Well, there goes that lead. Dallas by one with 8 1-2 to go. Toronto had led by 13 with 2:19 left in the first half.
-
They need a timeout.
-
Instead, they get a sub and when Bargnani comes in there are a ripple of boos. That's the first I've heard this season.
-
Bargnani's played 12 minutes, missed all four shots and has four fouls.
-
The energy has gone entirely out of the building. And the booing grows a bit louder.
-
Dallas 58, Raptors 55 with 6:08 left in the third.
-
Bosh is back after a little rest to get composed a bit. The bad shooting was getting to him.
-
Bargnani misses a free throw, fans boo. He makes one, mock cheers.
-
The only thing keeping the Raptors in the game are the Mavs, who really aren't playing well, either.
-
More than 8 minutes gone, Raps have scored 10 points.
-
Man, does this Toronto offence look out of sync. And the game's really getting out of hand.
-
Toronto's now 3-for-18 in the quarter and the fans are angry. Very angry. And who can blame them. Especially when Devean George just jumped between two Rpators to get an offensive rebound.
-
That Nowitzki fellow's got it going now. He had 10 at the half and 19 now.
-
Mavs 69, Raptors 63 after three.
-
Seriously, every time I look at Jose Barea and then see that he's listed as six feet tall, I sort of chuckle. Kid's not a bad player, though.
-
Bosh has made a couple of shots but it's not enough.
-
And when Roko's hoisting three-pointers early in the shot clock, you know something's amiss. Amiss enough that Roko's getting a seat and a chat with assistant coach Mike Evans.
-
Toronto got the deficit to two but managed to give up consecutive three-pointers to Barea and Jason Terry and then another bucket after a miss. This one's practically over.
-
Imagine how good that six-game road trip coming up looks now. It's not like the season's in the balance but it's awful close.
-
Bargnani's back. More boos.
-
He makes a jumper. Some cheers.
-
The Raptors looked entirely worn out.
-
Some wireless issues, folks, that's why I've been a tad tardy.
-
Mavs 87, Raptors 77 with 4:23 to go.
-
The Raptors have mentally and physically checked out of this one, it looks like.
-
The fans are fleeing like the joint's on fire with two minutes left and I don't think I can blame them. The ones who are staying are letting these guys have it.
-
The Raps are fouling down eight with 31.5 left. We wonder why.
-
Mavs 96, Raptors 86 and it's over.

The Goods On The Game, Vol. 25, pre-game edition

You know how excited Nathan Jawai is to be able to work out? He couldn' t come down and talk to the grunts before the game because he was up in the practice gym with Eric Hughes and Keith D'Amelio -- working out.

Whadda guy. And, no, he's not dressing for the game. Jake Voskuhl is, though, with Hassan Adams moving to the inactive list again.

Little gamemanship before the game here. Visiting coaches usually give their starters to the official scorer about 90 minutes to tip, hardly ever later than 30 minutes before but Dallas's Rick Carlisle kept his under wraps until the last possible minute, which by rule is 15 minutes to tip.

It all had to do with whether the Mavs were going to start Josh Howard. They are, and he replaces Jose Barea in the lineup; Devean George stats as the small forward.

That's got you caught up. Be back once we start.

Here's a little bit of (good) news for Nate

This just in, and we'll get more as the night unfolds here, but Nathan Jawai has been cleared to resume regular physical activity and should begin practicing with the Raptors tomorrow.

Jawai's been out since the first day of training camp after a heart abnormality was discovered during pre-camp medical tests. He was told to rest and not do any basketball-related work for an extended period of time so cardiologists he's seen across North Ameria could determine the significance of the "abnormality."

His final visit to a doctor came Tuesday when he was cleared.

Jawai's a 6-10, 280-pound native of Australia who was the 41st pick in last June's NBA draft. The Indiana Pacers actually made the pick but in a pre-arranged deal involving Jermaine O'Neal, T.J. Ford and Rasho Nesterovic, they were making it for the Raptors.

Jawai also became the first indigenous player from Australia ever drafted in the NBA.

Of Canada and a bunch of other wildly interesting stuff

Thanks for the wee respite yesterday, it’s nice after back-to-back losses for them to not have a game ‘cause it calms everyone down for a 24 hours or so. Don’t imagine it lasts, though.

-

Since we know the local pros have those rebounding issues and no one got traded or fired or benched yesterday, a little focus on Canada Basketball might be a novel idea.

Am sure you’ve all read or heard about the new deals for Leo Rautins and Allison McNeil and the “Council of Excellence” that they’ve put together (if you haven’t, read here) and it strikes me as a pretty good thing to do.

I’ve long been a proponent of exactly that kind of oversight committee, a bunch of highly-accomplished former players and coaches, some who had been disillusioned with the way things are going, being brought back into the fold. And having Maurizio at the helm of the men’s team gives them a guy with no ties, no past, who can sit back and provide a unique perspective.

I hope, really hope, that the committee members can put the past and any petty jealousies behind them and actually do some constructive work. I know them all and think that’s possible but it will be something worth watching.

Now, the contracts.

I have no problem at all with giving the two head coaches another year under this new structure to see what they can do. I’ve always thought the system, and the structure, was as much an issue as game-to-game coaching and going with two-year contracts (and a second year only guaranteed if they qualify for the worlds or the Olympics) makes entire sense.

The game, and the pool of players, is so fluid, anchoring a program – men’s or women’s – to four-year coaching cycles never really made a lot of sense to me. You qualify, or you move on. It may be a bit unfair but there are so few chances for Canada to make any sort of impact on the world stage that quicker change is necessary.

The one minor criticism? While it’s great that they made Maurizio the managing director of the men’s program, they should do something equally bold on the women’s side to give Allison as much support as the men get.

Trust me, I think the women, at this point in time, have a better shot at accomplishing more than the men do in the next three or four years.

-

The Raptors are in the middle of three games in four nights, they have three-in-four out west starting Friday, a couple of days for the holidays and then three-in-four more out west again.

So what do they do yesterday? Have a bit of a free-for-all.

Here’s Jay on the drills:

“Guys in the lane, guys in the perimeter, throw the ball up, go get ‘em, box ‘em out. We did a little bit of three-on-three, we had a scrimmage, we stopped the scrimmage if we didn’t have fours and fives going to the basket. It made it a huge point of emphasis today.”

Wonder how they’ll do tonight?

-

Oh yeah, I guess those Sam Dalembert “Canada” jerseys are a keepsake now, aren’t they?

-

From the mail:

Q: I know officiating didn't cost the Raptors the Nets game as much as the continued failure to rebound (though your account of the phantom shot-clock violation gives some credence to such an argument.) My question though is, are the performances of the officials reviewed by supervisory personnel after each game? For instance the calls that led to the two technicals were just bad. Bosh was definitely hacked by Carter and the foul given to Kapono on Harris was atrocious - and with Jay standing right there, you could see why he was livid. I know you continually preach that NBA officials have the toughest job in sports, but that crew last night had as big an off night as the Raps did! (The television commentators of the Suns/Knicks game later that night also said that crew were stumbling as well. This leads to a follow-up question - is NBA officiating weaker this year than in years past?)

Joe S, Kingston

A: Every game, every call, is reviewed by someone. There’s a supervisor-monitor at every game, the video gets back to the league office every night and officials often go over their calls when they get back to their hotels immediately following the game. So, yes, they are watched. Closely.

This year? I’m not sure if it’s weaker this year, I don’t think so. I do think there are a handful of young officials still very much learning the ropes of the NBA who have a tendency to make calls that make you scratch your head.

But, yes, in my opinion it’s the toughest officiating job in all of professional sports.

-

The big name being kicked around in trade rumours around the league is Shawn Marion, which should come as absolutely no surprise. It’s really not working for him down in Miami, the Heat are bumbling along and they aren’t going to sign him long-term.

Yes, the Raptors have talked to Miami and I’ve been assured by a few people that Marion’s name has come up.

But I’m not sure there’s a fit unless it’s for Jermaine O’Neal because there’s no way the Heat can do three- or four-for-one, which would be necessary to make the money work in a Toronto deal.

Would that work for the Raptors? Well, it’d move Bargnani back to the starting role and the front court would be him, Bosh, Hump and Jake Voskuhl. You’d have Marion and Moon and Joey at three (that’s a glut) and Kapono and Parker still at the two.

It’d be a rebounding upgrade – Marion averages about 10 a game for his career – but he’s not a great shooter, doesn’t really create his own shot all the well, and thrived mainly next to Steve Nash, who doesn’t play here.

But the talk is legit and that’s got to make some people happy.

-

This is almost Ding! Ding! Ding! Worthy:

Q: Is there anyway or anyone that we can petition in order to remove Gary Payton from the NBA TV broadcasts. Him, Rashad, and the time-out dude were starting to give me a headache. Just a Christmas wish.

Michel G, Mississauga

A: I’m only signing that petition if they replace him with Sam, who lives in Atlanta, where NBA TV is located and would sooooooo good on TV, I think.

-

Check out today’s Dallas stuff.

-

It’s been what, almost a day since an NBA coach got fired? Guess the GMs must be taking naps.

-

And, finally:

Q: Dearest Douglas: I think we all know what's going on here. I've been quiet long enough, hoping Management would make the right moves to turn this thing around, but I can't take it anymore. That schlocky "In the Ayer" video intro is to blame. How can The Raptors act like stone cold killers with that ridiculous Entourage Meets Happy Days mess? Colangelo fired Sam, now let's see him fire the entire A/V staff and get this team back above 500. On the upside, I thought Andrea's hair looked nice last night. And your tie was stellar.

Katrina W, Toronto

A: Ding! Ding! Ding!

- Okay, off to shovel stinky snow. It's far too early for the crap, in my humble opinion.

That one might leave a mark

Ouch.

That one hurt, didn’t it?

RENE JOHNSTON/TORONTO STAR

20 and 10 for Vince Carter on this night.

I’ve had more “I’m done with these guys forever” e-mails in the last 10 hours than I usually get in a week.

I presume if they go 4-3 in their next seven I’ll get a bundle of “Where do I buy my Jake Voskuhl jersey” queries.

-

Let’s just say this: You can fire the coach, you can change the rotation, you can alter the starting lineup, you can change the system until the cows come home.

But a team that can’t rebound can’t all of a sudden rebound.

Is there anyone surprised they got hammered on the boards? It’s not like it hasn’t happened before or anything. And no matter how you couch it or coach it, rebounding is effort. They don’t give a good enough effort often enough and until they do, there will be more nights like Monday.

-

How bad was it?

The eternal optimist Jose Calderon was grumpy:

“The last couple of games I was so positive, I thought we were doing a good job but today I don’t know what’s going on, it was a bad game. We’re supposed to have this one, twice we went 10 points up and we couldn’t finish. It was the same type of game as two weeks ago (against the Nets).”

-

Action: Key moment.

Reaction: Blown call?

Here’s a sequence that was pretty costly, and pretty confusing.

Nets, up two, get the ball, according to the official play-by-play sheet, with 6:04 left. After a bad possession, they get a 20-foot jumper by Brook Lopez, which didn’t look like it hit the rim to me, with 5:40 left and the ball goes out of bounds with 5:39 left.

That’s 25 seconds, right?

And not only that, in the scramble off the miss, the Raptors are sure the ball goes out off a Jersey player.

So there’s a timeout, Raps draw up a play and are stunned to find out when they go back on the court that it’s New Jersey’s ball.

If it wasn’t a 24-second violation (and I thought it was), the deflection out of bounds may have gone off a Net.

The kicker? The officials, who were confused and shaky all night, told New Jersey during the timeout it was their ball, they didn’t bother to tell the Raptors.

And, to make matters worse, the Nets get a three-point play from that Carter on the subsequent possession to go up by five and the Raptors never get closer than that.

-

Here’s what The Other Dave wrote in Jersey.

-

These are impressive numbers:

New Jersey: 38.1 per cent.

New Jersey: 31.3 per cent.

Indiana: 31.3 per cent.

Portland: 44 per cent.

Yes, Cleveland shot 49 per cent and New Orleans shot 48 per cent but those other field goal percentages would lead one to believe that the defence is actually doing a good job. Except for that rebounding stuff, of course.

The decision to switch on the perimeter almost all the time and to try to force people baseline has certainly cleaned up a lot of the dribble penetration issues that plagued these guys for weeks. It’s coaching the roster to maximize it’s ability.

Now, if they’d just finish possessions and work a little harder, they’d get rewarded with wins and not bitter losses.

-

Action: 17 points in the fourth

Reaction: And none when it mattered.

Almost lost amid the rebounding travails was the fact the Raptors were 0-for-freaking-14 from the floor in the first 9:25 of the fourth quarter.

That’s right: They did worse in less than a quarter than Carter did in the entire game on Friday.

They didn’t score a bucket until a Calderon three-pointer got ‘em within 11 with 2:35 to go and by that time, fact is, the game was over.

-

Know what I wish? I wish today was Feb. 20. You know, the day after the trade deadline.

While we appreciate all the zany trade proposals being sent hither and yon these days, there’s no way they can all be answered. Some of ‘em are so out there – Mo Pete and Sean Marks for Hump and AP or something make me laugh out loud almost – and some simply can’t happen ‘cause of salary issues.

So send ‘em but you’re sending them pretty much to a vacuum.

-

Action: Reggie Theus fired.

Reaction: Will the nonsense ever end?

Six coaches whacked before Christmas? Ridiculous.

If six GMs, who’ve saddled the coaches with unworkable rosters, were to get fired, too, then I might be okay with this insanity.

-

This dovetails nicely:

Q: With the recent firings of Reggie Theus, Sam Mitchell, PJ Carlesimo, Eddie Jordan and Maurice Cheeks it’s easy to see who hasn't done the best of coaching jobs so far this year. But if they were to hand out the coach of the year right now, who would be on top of your list?

Mario A, Toronto

A: George Karl would have to be in the running, wouldn’t he? And I know the schedule has been somewhat soft but Mike Brown in Cleveland would have to be in the discussion.

-

Speaking of trades, here’s the latest (or at least the latest after talking to a handful of people Monday)

There are things bubbling out there but nothing serious at the moment, although the moment could change at any moment. That’s the way the business works.

Do I think something will happen before the deadline? Absolutely.

Do I think something will happen in the next 48 hours? I doubt it. But look at it this way, Bryan’s not a cruel, cruel man and if he’s going to make a move, I’m not sure he makes it over Christmas to disrupt the lives of the players traded. There’s no moratorium in the NBA like there is in other sports (hi, pucks!) but common courtesy suggests the Dec. 20-Jan. 3 time is not a time for deals.

Maybe he does pull the trigger today or tomorrow but I’m thinking it’s more likely in early January.

The Goods On The Game, Vol. 24, the Nets are here (again)

What you all watching in Toronto? Seinfeld reruns? Suite Life of Zack and Cody?
-
The VC Sucks chant's already going. He hasn't even touched the ball. Yawn.
-
First possession: Bosh goes at Yi and draws a foul; second possession: Lopez guards Bosh and when he gets some help, Bosh kicks it to a wide open Kapono for a three.
-
A bit of electricity in the crowd, helped by the 9-0 Raptor run to start the game. Helps that Toronto's made all three of its shots and two free throws and the Nets are 0-2. Oh, and Carter has a turnover and had a shot blocked. Much glee amongst the masses.
-
Carter makes a layup. No 0-for night for him again.
-
Jay's got the pink shirt going. Channeling his inner Sam?
-
Brook Lopez just threw a pass that hit Yi right on top of the head. Odd.
-
Jose just makes a three and that's six in a row over two games. Impressive.
-
The Nets have now blown two timeouts and the game's not even four minutes old. Of course, being down 16-2 will make a coach want to have a chat with his team.
-
Carter's now made three shots in a row and has seven points. People are quite unimpressed.
-
Toronto 20, New Jersey 9 with 6:30 left
-
There've been a lot of Raptors who were really good at taking charges, Oak, Mo Pete, Garbo, Delfino. I don't think anyone's been better at taking them in traffic in the lane than Jermaine O'Neal.
-
A jumper, a dunk and a rebound for Bargnani right off the bat. He's had worse starts.
-
A bit of a change: AP comes in for Moon and plays alongside Kapono on the wings.
-
And a Bargnani foul. One of each major food group, I guess.
-
It's quite obvious that Roko Ukic is Jay Triano's backup point guard. He's back in the job tonight. And gets in early as Jose sits down after about 10 minutes.
-
A lot of the energy has left the building, it seems.
-
Raps have a foul to give but Roko gives it too ealry (with 11.5 seconds left instead of say, 6) and too far from the basket.
-
Raptors 28, Nets 20 after one.

Josh Boone guarding Jermaine O'Neal is the highly exploitable matchup if you're Toronto.,
-
Say one thing for Jay, he runs guys in and out quickly. Every starter's had a break after less than 13 minutes and O'Neal's been out and in already.
-
There's a whole lot of one-on-one basketball going on here from the Raptors.
-
Ryan Anderson is today's James Posey. Two threes already.
-
Curly Neal's here with one of his Globetrotter buddies. Curly's still got game and he's got to be, what?, 100 years old? Looks good, too.
-
Bosh and JK are back, Jose's getting an extended rest.
-
Joey. Joey. Joey. One of those thunderous in-traffic baseline dunks and it'll be the lead of all the highlight shows later. Well, that's after about 28 minutes of the NHL and 33 minutes of the world juniors, of course.
-
Here's Jose back, he's had seven minutes off, which is a good rest.
-
Joey just had this spin dribble move and a pass for an assist on a Kapono three and I'm gonna call him Curly Graham.
-
Raps 37, Nets 30 with about six minutes left.
-
Brook Lopez is going to be a good one. But I think "plodding" might be an appropriate description of his foot speed at the moment.
-
Lopez did just block a Bosh drive rather impressively.
-
The Nets are shooting a somewhat miserable 37.5 per cent from the floor. Guess it's something about the way Toronto defends them.
-
Raptors have committed eight turnovers that New Jersey has turned into 13 points so far and that's the only reason the Nets are hanging around.
-
Lopez now has three fouls, which gets him a seat and the Raptors a bit of a break.
-
Bosh has played 18 minutes and, even though he's been to the line six times, he's only had three field goal attempts and I'm not sure that's enough. Of course, the Raptors are winning so I don't imagine they care all that much.
-
Yi just let loose perhaps the ugliest 24-foot airball seen in these parts in a while.
-
Toronto's shot 14 free throws, the Nets six.
-
Jose's guarded Harris the whole game, no different looks so far tonight.
-
Well, there goes that 14-point lead. Nets tie with 1:04 left. Just before Bosh gets hit with a technical foul.
-
Nets 46, Raptors 45 at halftime.
-
Check that, they reviewed a Jose jumper with less than six seconds left and it's a three.
-
Nets 46, Raptors 46 at halftime.
-
Bosh is now 0-for-6. Carter like?
-
Yi's now got four fouls and is no factor whatsoever. But he's not Richard Jefferson, I guess.
-
Bosh hits a bank shot, all's right in the world.
-
Now Lopez has four fouls, too, and Toronto's bigs have to go to work.
-
Say this for Jake Voskuhl, he might not know everyone's name yet but he's up cheering with almost every Raptors basket.
-
Remember when the Nets were shooting horribly? Now they're at 45 per cent and Toronto's at 44. And we know why the game is so close.
-
Moon's scored twice this quarter. A putback off an offensive board and a layup just now.
-
Nets 58, Raptors 54 with six left.
-
Yi just had another of those bricks that, I think, hit the backboard below the rim on the other side of the basket from the side he was shooting at.
-
Every time Carter makes a shot, this guy behind us yells "You still stink!" A voice in the wilderness.
-
I don't know about you, but I am hugely impressed with Jason Kapono's court sense and basketball IQ.
-
Moon has eight rebounds right now and, incredibly, his season high is only nine. I find that rather astonishing.
-
Jose just tried a 35-foot lob to Bosh that bounced off the backboard. It was a turnover, not a field goal attempt.
-
I know he's been hurt a bit but surely the Nets could find time for a guy like Eddy Najera, no? I always liked his toughness and his game.
-
This will get 'em all riled up. Bargnani just tossed Carter to the floor trying to fight for a rebound. Carter got up glaring, they were hit with double fouls and there was no futher contretemps. And somehow the Nets got the ball.
-
I think we might be in for a dandy finish here.
-
Trenton Hassell just fouled Jose well after a whistle and Jose had a little staredown with him. I get the feeling these teams might not like each other very much. Which is good.
-
Toronto 70, New Jersey 63 aftter three.
-
We're getting some Roko time and there's alerady been a 24-second violation on Toronto after a brutal possession.
-
I'm told Hazel, of My Hazelville, is in the house.
-
Carter's getting a blow and now's when the Raptors can take control.
-
There's 9:18 left, Toronto's up four and the rest is over for Bosh and Calderon. They're back and they'll be out there until this one's decided either way.
-
The folks are getting quite restless with Toronto up two and 8:48 to go. This is about time when, in most arenas, fans cheer more loudly instead of hold their breath.
-
Trenton Hassell, hardly Dennis Rodman, just reached right over Jamario Moon for a key offensive rebound. And then he took another one away from a lackadaisical Moon on the same possession. Bad. Very.
-
Four of the five Raptors on the floor have compression sleeves or braces on their legs. Kapono's the only one without one.
-
That's three offensive rebounds in two trips for the Nets, who now lead.
-
Nets 74, Raps 72 with 6:21 to go.
-
And here comes Vince.
-
Joey's in to guard Vince, who proceeds to get a three-point play.
-
Lawrence Frank just had the game stopped so he could run out and pick up some garbage off the court. I think he'd probably be better off coaching.
-
Another crazy lob pass from Jose for Bosh results in a turnover.
-
Ryan Anderson's got the dagger, I think. Just hit a three to put the Nets up 10 with 3:26 left.
-
JO's struggling at the free throw line, he's a mere 2-for-6.
-
This one's over 'cause Toronto can't possibly score enough to come back.
-
As I type this, New Jersey has 83 field goal attempts and Toronto has 66. That's awful.
-
Oh, and New Jersey has 51 rebounds to 35 for Toronto.
-
Jay just got the first technical of his head coaching career. And he's thisclose to getting his first ejection.
-
The fans are fleeing. Don't blame them.
-
Nets 94 Toronto 87 and it's over.
-