The long, sad trip comes to an end

BEN MARGOT/AP

Bosh three-pointers last night: 2. Combined Calderon, Kapono, Bargnani three-pointers last night: 2.

Well, that one didn’t turn out so well, did it?

Some good, some bad and another loss. Some defensive problems crept back into the scene – slow rotations to shooters on the perimeter, too much middle given up to the wings – and that’s probably more troubling than anything. But the Warriors are a goofy team and tough to play. They have no conscience offensively and no real clue defensively. They must be exasperating to coach and a dream to watch all the time.

And the Raptors? Well, they don’t do improvisation very well, as we saw for long stretches of that game.

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Action: Coming home.

Reaction: What’s the reaction?

It’ll be quite interesting to see how the good inhabitants of the Air Canada Centre react to these guys on Wednesday night.

Will there be support? Or boos? Indifference? Or noise.

I’d hope there’d be support and noise and when things start to go bad – as they inevitably will at some point in the game – I wonder how many boos there will be.

Paul Jones and I were talking about this very thing after the Golden State game. When the Warriors were in the process of coughing up that big fourth-quarter lead, there was absolutely no disgruntlement from the fans. There were cheers and applause and exhortation.

Same thing the other night in Portland when Toronto went up big in the second quarter. Fans were cheering rather than holding their breath or expressing disgust.

I don’t recall those kinds of things ever happening in Toronto. Which is actually a shame and speaks volumes about some faction of the ACC crowds.

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You know that each of the five three-pointers Toronto had down two in the final minutes last night was a good one, right?

Parker ridiculously wide open, Kapono with three good looks in a row and Jose with an open shot from the side.

They would take those shots every single time down the floor and not be worried a lick.

But it sort of goes hand-in-hand with how things are going, doesn’t it? That’s how Jose feels.

“Sometimes in these situations, maybe the Lakers or Cleveland now they make every shot, it seems easier. It is coming because you are winning and you’re rolling. In these situations (that Toronto finds itself in) sometimes the ball is going to off your foot and go out of bounds or it’s going to be in and out and it happens. It’s even more frustrating.”

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This from the mail a few days ago fits with the prevailing mood:

Q: Sadly, with the Raptors, what you see is pretty well what you get. They need a big move made now, tweaking can come later. To permit any future acquisition the best adaptation to his new team, how early should a deal be made? And, in your opinion, what is the latest an acquisition should be made during the season?

Richard S, Lethbridge

A: If Bryan’s got a deal that’s close, he has to make it now. Like today, or tomorrow. With three games at home and practices time Thursday and Saturday, it’s a good opportunity to get a new guy or two when there’s at least a little bit of time to get acclimated.

Now, I have no knowledge that anything’s that close but if these guys get nine or 10 games below .500, and that possibility exists, the season’s effectively over so waiting until then makes no sense.

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I’m sure you were all wondering as Jake Voskuhl picked up four fouls in 4 1-2 minutes just what the franchise record is for the quickest DQ on personals.

Well, the crack Raptor media relations staff has that kind of information right at hand.

Roger Mason Jr. holds the team record; he fouled out in nine minutes of an April 11, 2004 game against Chicago.

Know what else happened in that game? Jamal Crawford scorched the Raptors for 50 points.

The stuff you learn here, eh?

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Statistical anomaly of the night?

Chris Bosh had as many three-pointers against the Warriors as Jose Calderon, Anthony Parker and Andrea Bargnani combined.

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Action: Jermaine’s absence

Reaction: Did it mean anything?

Well, considering how well he’d been playing, and how much of an advantage he and Bosh would have had inside, yeah, it meant a lot.

Here’s how Jay put it after the game:

“Obviously we want to attack inside and they could go with a smaller lineup as soon as he was not in the game. That spreads the floor a little bit, plays to their advantage. We tried to stay big for a bit but when we started matching up, that’s when we started getting back in the game with our smaller guys.”

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One from the mail:

Q: Thanks for answering my question the other day, much appreciated Mr. Smith. Your insight into my favourite team and sport is awesome. Quick question now, any chance a player from the Filipino pro league ever gets a chance to play in the NBA? I've been over to southeast Asia and I believe those players might have something to offer.

Chris E, Red Deer, AB

A: Jim Kelly, the Raptors director of player personnel who is something of an expert on Filipino basketball (he played, coached, did media, and managed teams over there) once told me it’d be years before anyone was close to making it.

But I do know officials there are working on beefing up training – for both players and coaches – so I can see it eventually happening.

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Action: Raptors rebound.

Reaction: How bad is Golden State?

Okay, this is not something I imagine I will write again for a long, long time but Toronto absolutely destroyed the Warriors on the glass, which tells me the Raptors actually can rebound in they put their minds to it. They had 20 offensive rebounds for goodness sake.

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How’d it play in San Francisco?Like this.

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And in honour of San Francisco and one of the all-time greats, we’ll finish the day with this one:

Q: Hope it's a motivator for you to think that there are many, like me, far from home, staying in touch with beloved hoops and Raps through your blog. Thanks. San Fran was where Bill Russell "got started". Perhaps you can stop by San Fran U and pay respects to whatever they have there to remember his playing days: statue? museum? display case in gym? Which brings me back to Russell..what was it - 9(!!!!) - championships in 11 years or something like that? Whoever heard of such a thing? Russell rebounded, made the greatest outlet pass ever to spark the break and blocked shots with his left hand in such a way that he very often retrieved the ball to initiate a fast break. He could hardly shoot. What does that add up to for you? The heart of a champion? Great supporting cast? Extraordinary coaching with Auerbach? Q: What have you concluded about what it takes to achieve enduring championship-level success in NBA?

Charles N, San Miguel, Mexico

A: Will. Pure and simple. Everyone has athletic ability, some have more than others but everyone can shoot and dribble and run. What separates the greats – the true greats like Russell and Jordan and Oscar Robertson and those of that ilk – is whatever special something burns inside them.

It’s impossible to explain easily but you know what I’m talking about right? You just sense it with all the greats in all the sports. Tiger Woods has it, Nicklaus had it, Gretzky had it, and so did Pele. Borg. McEnroe. Sorenstam. They had something in their hearts that others don’t.

Comments

[DougG]

I don't boo at Raptor games but as I have argued before I think it has as much to do with the decades of incompetent sports in this city, than anything else. The Raptors are getting more of it now because, until this year, they were the one beam of light.

I sure hope BC is doing something. However, there are so many holes on this team he might be best to start over, and trade for the future. At the very least we need a starting small forward and shooting guard, and a backup point guard. Unfortunately, we don't have anything to get those assets, without trading the one or two good players on the team.

[Boko]

I once read somewhere that happiness is an inverse function of expectations. If so, MLSE only has itself to blame for the fan discord. I'm a Raptor fan, but watching a lack of will, and effort isn't something that I can honestly cheer. I'd rather just keep quiet, which I've just been doing too much of lately!

[G-Rav]

Hey Doug,great job on the blog, gives alot of insight on the raptors. Why is it that BC has not made a trade by now. I mean, I understand that you cant do it before christmas, morally speaking, but christmas is over now, and i feel as if a trade should have been made yesterday. Parker, Bargy, Graham and Moon have not lived up to expectations and are not even at a level where they give any help to the team. I think these should be the players to be shipped first. And if they are, who do you think we could get for them, anyone good? or is it going to be someone garbage like earl watson? Thanks

[Tree]

Crapping on Raps fans for holding their team accountable now Doug? We're talking about a group of severely underachieving millionaires, and you're trashing regular Joe's & Jane's that have to pay an average of $60 a seat to watch a team that plays like it doesn't care? To blame any poor play or loss on fans booing a team that has no leadership or fire is weak. Golden State is one of the worst teams in the NBA - so who cares if their fans cheer when they're coughing up a lead. We were lead (as Raps fans) to believe this team would do good things, and they haven't. I booed the last game I went to not because they were losing (they were), but b/c they looked like they weren't even trying and were giving no effort. If a team loses a close, hard-fought game, don't boo; when they lose yet another game while giving another half-assed effort, we should sit and cheer? Be quiet and let the players know we'll accept mediocrity? What is our recourse as fans Doug? Your constant defense of a seriously flawed team while calling out the fans is getting tiresome.

[Ryan C.]

hey Doug is there any truth to the rumou of the raptors going for Joe Smith? If so what does he bring to the team?

Blogger's note: For 45 or 50 games, I'm not sure he brings very much, actually

[City Country]

Doug, I think you're wrong about the booing in Toronto vs. elsewhere. It's a matter of context. The booing only came out in the last home game because of how many games in a row the Raptors showed total lackluster effort and blew big first half leads. In Golden State or Portland, they still try really hard when they face adversity and hey, they can win games against above .400 teams (GS just beat Boston on pure heart). These two types of contexts are totally different. TO fans were patient with the Raps until the players ditched on the effort so the fans eventually ditched on them. I mean, it's not like Toronto's fans aren't extremely supportive (with applause at games and otherwise), look at earlier in the season when Bosh was asked on court after a game what he thinks about being MVP, Bosh just said 'what do you guys think', put his arms up, and the whole stadium was roaring for him. Context.

[Alex]

Will can be a very powerful force...unless its Will Solomon in which case its a stagnant shot-happy turnover machine :p

[Brian]

Doug..is this season over..honestly. And by that I mean a finish of at least of 6th place because 7th or 8th are as good as useless..

[Jeff H]

Not sure if its intentional or not... but your blog is a lot harder to find this morning... no direct link from the basketball page... Just thought I would let you know!

[Dave Fritz, Kingston]

Hi, Doug,
Here's my analysis of the current Raps' situation. Management has assembled the core (Bosh, O'Neal, Calderon) but in doing so weakened the second tier of players. At the moment, they NEED the core to have good games. Not necessarily great, but good. Even if that happens, they need a couple of the next tier to step up, too. When both happen, they win. When one or the other doesn't work out (eg O'Neal ill, only one 2nd -tier guy steps up), they lose.

Better, even if fewer, complimentary players are needed. Can this be done by trades? Maybe. Hope so! Put Bargnani into the trade mix? Maybe, for the right deal.

Tank the season and hope for a high draft pick? Probably not going to work. No guarantee of a high pick and it's a weak draft. Besides, that might cost Bosh down the road.

Let expiring contracts go, or trade them for better draft picks? Could work, but not until next season.

So let's hope BC can swing a deal or two and soon.

Dave

[Pipit]

Raptors play is so frustrating that I can see pretty well that us fans will be booing again if we see that trademark no heart, no intensity look in their faces. Bargnani looks so clueless in the court and I can't stand the never ending cover-up on how much good he's potential is. Man, he's been in the league for 3 years. Super low basketball I.Q. who doesn't know how to use his talents. But what made me so angry last night was the defensive adjustment of the Raptors last night. Warriors outside shooting had been killing them but they still played an extended zone defense for most of the 3rd quarter. I don't know what's on Triano's mind but that's too much of a basic. I don't know if they're just plain stupid or they just really want to lose. What's your take on this, Doug?

Blogger's note: I think suggesting they are "just plain stupid or they just really want to lose" is among the most ridiculous things I've ever read, frankly. They played zone for about six possessions as an attempt to try and change things up for a bit. They went small, they tried to stay big, we saw full court traps for the first time, they switched everything sometimes and went over, under or through screens on others.

[Matt]

Hey Doug,

Love the blog and your articles especially...I said hi to you while getting some 'fresh air' at the ACC a while back - it was a home game vs Portland and I appreciate you taking the time to say hello when you were obviously quite busy and working hard.

I think the fans' frustration with the raps comes from the high (inflated, some would say) expectations we all had for this team. At what point do we settle down and admit this team is playing exactly on par with their abilities? Outside of our big 3 we seem to have bench/role players filling out the roster and don't actually have any 'true' starters.

[rosco]

Sam Mitchell was right, this Team needs better WINGS. On the Defensive side of the ball, they can't guard nothing, they cant keep there man in front of them from penetrating into the lane and Collapsing the D. We need cocnsistent players at the 2 and 3 spot right Now. Make a Trade with Golden State there Stacked with guards and Forwards, Belinelli or Azubuike would be Great aquisitions on this Team. The Andrea Banana Era has come to an End come on Now BC, trade this guy, he doesn't bring anything else to this Team besides shooting and is far to incocnsistent. Hump is the Only effecient Big on this Team and he cant get any minutes... Unbelievable what i gotta watch on TV, thank God for TSN2 cause i don't get to watch the Embarrarsment in front of my Eyes. Yes u media people say Oh The Fans should support the and not Boo, Blah,Blah, They should acknowledge the Booing, that there playing Garbage and step up there game cause there professionals and thats what there here for to WIN BALL GAMES...

[Abid]

Hey Doug, love your coverage of the raps; you have great insight

but I think you need to go easy on the TO fans for boo'ing the raps. I agree generally Toronto sports fans can be quite rabid and unforgiving but I am a Raps season tickets holder and I always want them to do well..but their performances this season have been sub-par.

GS doesn't get boo'd when they're down (or in last night's case about to blow a lead) because they don't win a lot of games.

Portland doesnt get boo'd is because they're competing hard every night and in contention for the playoffs

TO (in my opinion) deserves to be boo'd because we keep making the same mistakes over and over again. Even last night's game, how many easy baskets did we give up? I'm not even talking about the open 3 pointer's but lets just look at the 4th quarter: why can't the raps get a single stop?!?

its pathetic and they deserve to be boo'd for it. if they lost to GS at home like that..they'd be boo'd deservedly.

anyway, do you think conditioning is a problem with the team? I think that's the cause of kapono's slump but the team generally seems to lack hustle at times.

Blogger's note: No, I don't think conditioning is an issue at all.

[Ryan]

You know, just keep comparing us fans to other fans, we really love it knowing the way "we should act" as opposed to the way we do act. We get on the team when they aren't playing or hustling as well as they could be, or losing to a team they shouldn't be losing to. We just have higher expectations for this team, and if they can't handle the adversity, then that's their problem.

Because if they can overcome the adversity they'll be even better. I mean, should a father always coddle a child or should he be tough on the child sometimes? We're going to boo a team when they aren't meeting expectations, and that's just how we do it in Toronto. We're not some lovefest city like Utah or Golden State, and never will be.

Play poorly here and we'll boo you. That's Toronto and I hope it always will be.

[gdr]

After the Raps lose to both Denver & Houston, and I am sitting in my seat on sunday with them down 10 in the first quarter to Orlando, am I allowed to "Boooo"?

This team is allergic to winning! Trade for Stephen Jackson!

[bballer]

man i have to apologize about slamming belinelli and lumping him together with bargnani. he has really taking advantage of the extra minutes nelson has provided. he has shown that his offensive output during the summer leagues was the real deal. the raps has no chance getting him now.

the fact that the raps are one wing man from being a contender, due to bosh, o'neal and calderon, a top tier one is not necessary. don't you think a player like azubuike or rashard mccants be perfect for this team?

what is going on with gerald green? he is getting no love in dallas.

[sean]

After watching some games on this Raptor road trip, I'm surprised by some of the international talents. I mean, we are talking about guys like Belinelli, Biedrins (too underrated, check out his double double stats), Fernandez, Rodrigouz, Udrih, etc. These players are capable of torching up 20 pts a game, not to mention established stars like Ginobli, Dirk, PGasol, Yao, etc.

Bargnani must get more aggressive and be more physical. The one play that I'm glad to see from last night's game was when he grabbed the ball underneath the basket, rub off a player with a "love" tap, and dunk the ball one-handed. He could do that all day in the paint! They are giving it to him. Coaching staff must understand and realize this and start perhaps feeding Bargnani more plays down low. I don't want to blame Bargnani entirely, but his teammates and coaching staff will have to take a share of blame as well. An example is Bargnani's Italian teammate Belinelli, albeit it's Nelly on the other side of the bench, but he has been given a longer leash by it's coaching staff and hence, ability to show what he could do. Young players need opportunity and confidence, and we as fan shouldn't go fanatic on a guy like Bargnani. I'm not saying that we should be satisfied that our number one pick turned into a 9-4 bench guy, but just relax.

An example of being patient with young player is Devin Harris. Dallas has J-kidd on the table and they throw Harris up. Granted, if Raps placed Bargnani on the table, we won't get any players close to Harris but expectation were that Harris is just a 14-6 player. But who would have thought that, under a different system, coaches, conference, teammates, Harris would thrive to become a 23-6 player? My point is, what you see in a kid like Bargnani today might not be the matured player that will we see in the very near future. For the above mentioned reasons, I still have confidence that Bargnani will turn into an excellent player.

It's true that Toronto need wings, and not Joe Smith. I agree with some comments stating that most of the wings are "bench" players. Granted, we don't have a Roy, Wade, Kobe, even Granger to work with, but again the coaching staff must find a system to maximize the strength of our wing and try to "hide" their weakness. This goes to understanding your own players and communicating with them effectively. This is easier said then done, but Triano has been working with the "four wings" for quite a while and I'm sure he will review the tapes and improve upon all defensive and offensive scheme involving the wings. Trading players everytime when a team hits a slump might solve the current problem, but does it prevent future problems?

Doug, while you are travelling on the road, do you arrange all the accommodations or travelling agenda? For a 6 game road trip like the pass one, it seems like alot of work ... aside from your daily reporting.

Blogger's note: We do all our own travel arrangements.

[GM]

To boo or not to boo, that is the question of the day, it seems. I agree with lots of people here who say it's not the fact they're down that they get booed; it's the *how* they find themselves down. When they get out-hustled for loose balls consistently and take ill-advised shots, they get booed. When they hustle and just miss good shots, they shouldn't get booed. And if the players can't handle it, boo-hoo. They don't boo in Golden State and Portland because those teams, good and bad, at least give their all and play to their potential.

[Carolyn B]

No matter how disappointed I may get I do not believe booing helps. It actually hurts and defeats the purpose you boo for.
Support support support is what is needed.
I do think a trade is needed and I think it should be Bargnani because he needs a different look, a different perspective and different coach to see his potiential. He may be great someday but it will not happen in Toronto.

[Nick M]

Maybe the reason Doug doesn't experience booing at other arenas is because those teams are playing the Raps!

[Rob]

That's a great point bballer. As bad as it has been we are still literally one good wing player away from being a much better team.

Doug you are totally bang on.. a trade neds to happen ASAP. There is no doubt in my mind that BC is going to have to swallow his pride on the #1 pick and send him off on his merry way. You draft a first overall pick with the intention that he can be on the floor in the last 5 minutes of games. I've supported Bargnani and still think he is capable of becoming an 18-7/8 type of player however it will NEVER happen with this team. If your starting centre is out (match ups aside) and you still cannot find minutes for him... then what's the point? Bargnani is a good trade chip... BC needs to put his tail between his legs and make a move sooner rather than later. If you wait too long and the season is lost you may as well keep Bargnani and continue the development. Personally, I cannot watch us play Portland anymore (I give those games away) as watching the 2nd and 4th(?) picks in that draft class just makes me feel aweful!!

Booing - Personally,for the money that we pay (and hour and 15 minute drive in to each game) I'm not "hoping" for effort..I demand it! Grant it, the effort has been there over the past handful of games however as fans... it's our money, and our ticket. I dont boo, but dont have a problem if others do. MLSE is a monster money making MACHINE!! If there is no effort someone at MLSE is responsible and it starts at the top. Fans have every right to boo their product. Dont whine about it..just play hard...simple formula really.

... and while were on MLSE. Doug, can we expect the freakin "stats" to be displayed tomorrow night on the jumbo. I mean really!, a light bulb goes out at my place of business and I call an electrician to change the bloody thing the next day! We're almost 30 games in...hopefully they've sorted that out. It's a clock... not a space shuttle arm!!!.

Oh and also - Is it just me or does JO remind anyone else of VC. Seriously (I like him) he's been playing well however we've all gone to work with "tummy aches" before. At 21 million couldnt we just take a gravol, Zantac or something?? Last night was a winnable game and we NEEDED him!. Unfortunate.

Ok, I'm gonna stop now because if I dont I'm either going to have a seizure (not serious) or I'm liable to list my season seats up for sale on Kijiji tonight!

[jhaus]

hey doug,

has anyone ever asked bCo why he thinks(or thought)this is the best raptor team he has assembled and if he has changed his mind since that statement was made? as much as trading bosh seems ridiculous, it may be the only way we can climb up the standings in the long run... are you coming around to that assessment at all?

hauswald

Blogger's note: No. Not even close to coming around to that.