The highs and lows, as usual

Well, wasn’t that some kind of collapse. Up 11 with less than two seconds to go in the first half, down 13 when the buzzer sounds. Fifty-seven in the first half, 32 in the second. Funny thing, though, sitting in the arena it didn’t seem so much a collapse as a takeaway. The Blazers, who are good with a capital GOOD, just played that much better than Toronto did in the second half.

As Jay said after the game, sometimes there are no excuses or explanations. Sometimes the other guy just plays better for 48 minutes, which is exactly what happened.

Now, as I recall, a wise old man said way back on about Dec. 16 that he could see a 3-3 trip coming. And if you peer off into the distance, so can you. All it’ll take is the same effort as Friday and Saturday tomorrow because if you get into a game of execution with the zany Warriors, there’s an excellent chance you win.

But if you don’t execute to near perfection against a team like Portland, you don’t have much of a chance. As we all saw Saturday.

So here we go (And how's this for timing? Two overnight blog posts after games? Guess this west coast stuff must be worth something):

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Action: A disappearing act

Reaction: Where did they go?

You scored as many points against Portland as Jason Kapono did and I got as many as Joey and if there’s any way these guys are going to win any game they play, someone has to help out Bosh and O’Neal.

And with Moon held to eight and AP six, there was no way in the world that’s good enough for them to win.

I can specifically remember two open three-pointers that Kapono missed (one to start the dreadful third quarter) and that’s just unusual and I can think of a couple of times AP had makeable catch-and-shoot looks that didn’t go in.

It was much more a case of them missing shots than anything the Blazers did so maybe it can be chalked up to just one of those nights. Here’s one thing to think about, though: If they’re going to run everything through Bosh and O’Neal, and they will and should, it’s going to limit the opportunities for those twos and threes and they’re going to have to be ready to contribute with fewer chances. Not sure if they can, though.

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Yes, Will Solomon did not play well against the Blazers. Yes, maybe it’s time to go back to Roko. Yes, I believe Jay saw the game and noticed the same thing you did.

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This fits right about here:

Q: Hey Doug. With Jermaine O'Neal’s dominating performance against the Sacramento Kings. Is it to early to call him the best Center in franchise history? Better than Antonio Davis, apples and oranges? Your Top 5? Rasho Nesterovic in there? Honorable mention The Gangster?

Rob W, Winnipeg

A: Oh yeah, it’s way too early but, funnily enough, we were discussing this just last night.

If he lasts the full two seasons, and given the possibilities of trades and injuries that’s not a sure thing, I’d say he’s got a chance to be the best ever in a Toronto uniform for sure. And he’s probably there now but the fact it’s been only 25 games mitigates against him.

The others? I’d say Rasho for sure, AD would have to top the list at the moment and there’s a guy a lot of you forget but who’d be in my top five for sure. And that’s Eric Montross.

Toss in Keon Clark and Kevin Willis and that’s the top.

The (dis)honourable mentions? The Gangster would be there; but don’t forget Mengke Bateer and I’m not sure if they considered Robert Archibald a centre but if they did, he was a bad one.

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Congratulations. As I type this at about 2 a.m. Eastern time, I don’t have a single e-mail pointing out the folly of the Brandon Roy (non)draft thing.

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Action: Rose Garden game-ops

Reaction: A fine experience

Someone was asking me over in the comments section what makes the Rose Garden such a great place to watch a game.

Well, it’s big but not huge and the crowd – as knowledgeable as there is in the NBA – doesn’t have to be told to cheer, ever. The game ops crew is among the best in the game, not at all intrusive and some of the bits are great.

They do one where Rudy Fernandez tries to teach the crowd to say “slam dunk” in his native Catalan and they did a question-and-one-word-answer thing with Greg Oden that was a hoot. Of course, they didn’t use those timeouts to sell Marlies tickets or do some lame promotion for, say, a lottery corporation.

Oh, and the scoreboard? Great HD TV and in the corners, actual scoreboard with things like stats and boxscores. What a novel idea.

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Here’s a follow up to something I mentioned Saturday morning:

Q: Doug, can you let your readers know what is found in the information packages from the other teams that you missed out on in Portland? I'm curious to know what could possibly be in it that could not of been sent electronically.

Casey A, Burlington

A: Well, first and foremost is the credential for that night’s game, which makes it exponentially easier to get in the arena in the first place. Not impossible because most of us have league credentials but still easier.

And, believe it or not, there are still a few dinosaurs like me who like to have the notes and stats and other information available in printed form so maybe we can sit in a comfortable chair or recline on a bad and read rather than having to sit at desk and stare some more at a computer screen.

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Check out today’s Oregonian to see what they had to say.

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And, finally (okay, almost finally)

Q: Hey Doug, so I know you must be sick of the coaching talk, but I've got a quick inquiry. And this is nothing against Triano, as I have long wondered when he will get his shot; but I noticed after some deep research, that besides Lenny Wilkens, none of the coaches in Raptors history have had any prior Head Coaching experience. And seeing as Lenny has seen the most success out of any of them (playoff wins), why have the big name coaches never really been a part of Raptor conversation?

Joey H, Toronto

A: Deep research indeed.

Well, the first reason that comes to mind is money. The second would be opportunity (this team was never really on the list of the most desirable jobs in the NBA). And the third would probably be money.

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Ah, an off-day in San Francisco. That can’t bite, can it? A Bueno Vista Irish Coffee or two, maybe a stop in Chinatown for dim sum, perchance a walk through Little Italy for a social stop or two. Might not be a bad day.

See you tomorrow morning.

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Comments

[John]

Just wondering if you ever considered having your better half go on the Christmas West coast trip ??

Blogger's note: Maybe when Super Son's a bit older and wouldn't mind leaving his hoodlum friends; and maybe when there aren't as many family considerations.

[Rob Rudd]

I'm glad to see maybe people have come to the realization that Roy was never on the radar at #1. My question is if you know where he was on the radar? Did BC ever seriously consider trading down with the intention of picking him? When I play the hindsight game that's the only possible scenario that pops into my head.

Bloggers's note: No, haven't heard there was any serious consideration of that at all.

[Pete]

Doug,

Looks like Earl Boykins is getting cut from Virtus Bologna because he took too many holidays. Why not Raps pick him up and have him back up Jose? (and cut Solomon)

Blogger's note: You think Earl Boykins for 12 minutes a night is going to make a huge difference over Will Solomon or Roko Ukic for 12 minutes a night? I don't. And I don't imagine Colangelo does, either.

[Joey Sparke]

If the Raps acquired a decent (doesn't have to be great) wingman, how many spots would they be better in the Eastern Conference in your opinion Doug?

Blogger's note: No clue. Maybe three or four. Depending on the player, the schedule, the way he fits in with the rest of the team. Impossible to say.

[mary]

Hey Doug,
Any trade winds blowing for our Raptors?

Blogger's note: No more than usual.

[City Country]

To all the revisionist historian 'we could've had Roy, BC you screwed that up huge' people, please remember where Roy was drafted...there was NO WAY he was ever going to be the #1 pick no matter which team had it.

[GM]

When compiling a list of worst centres in franchise history, it's not fair to select your favourite villain, the Gangsta. The list should be limited to starters or key reserves. How about Loren Wood?

And I'd say Earl Boykins at 12 minutes a game (hell, even 8) would make a HUGE difference! Think about it. Someone who can take care of the ball, pass the ball, and score the ball relieving Calderon. How could that not be better?

[aditya]

hey doug, you know something, i dont mind losing the game yesterday against the blazers. i think we showed flashes in that game that we havent shown for the past 10 games or since jay triano started as the interim head coach.

nate mcmillan was actually right in his post-game conference saying he did not think the toronto shots would go in the second half with the frequency it was going in the first half. he was right. but overall, i was happy with the effort and execution (yes thats right) for the most part. we don't have brandon roy in late game situations and there was no stopping him. No one could have stopped Roy during that 4th quarter streak.

What do you think will be our record in the next 3 games (GSW, DEN, HOU)?..... I say 2-1..... (doesn't matter if Houston if without either T-Mac or Artest).

Blogger's note: Yeah, I can see 2-1 coming at home.

[Dave]

These two trades would solve some of the Raptors issues and would benefit them in the short and long term.

1) Anthony Parker for Joe Smith
2) Andrea Bargnani and Joey Graham for either Jackson/Crawford/Maggette

Smith's contract expires at the end of the year, Parker can be re-signed for a vet. minimum in the off-season and one of the slasher will address Toronto's deficiency on the wing.

What do you think Doug?

Blogger's note: Don't do trade speculation, sorry. Will say Joe Smith as a rental does nothing long term.

[aditya]

why would toronto be interested in joe smith is blowing my mind right now... i mean JO and CB are playing the majority of minutes and andrea is playing behind them. and even sometimes when bargnani is on a roll, it gets hard to play all the 3 main bigs (andrea, cb, and JO). so joe smith doesn't work for me at all...

oh yea doug, got a question for you, is jamal crawford playing monday ??? i think he has a groin injury or something... jack armstrong was mentioning crawford (on the bus with matt devlin) will be the one to watch out for...!! hopefully, he doesn't play....can you provide an update on him?

[aditya]

never mind, i see jamal crawford is playing against the lakers tonight. hopefully maggette is not playing tomrororw...

[aditya]

jason kapono is a poor man`s sasha vujacic.....agree or notÉÉ