Will that make the turkey taste better?

DANNY MOLOSHOK/REUTERS

Yeah, that feels a little better.

Feel better? Just a little? Yes, those were the Clippers, who looked as bad as they did in the darkest days of Clipperworld at times, so there’s that grain of salt to take but, still, given the alternative, not a bad outcome.

And if you’re tempted to downplay the win – as many are, I’m sure – remember this: There are no good wins and bad wins. Only wins. It’s what they play for and no matter how they accomplish it, a win’s a win’s a win.

Yes, it might have been more impressive had Marcus Camby played or if Zach Randolph hadn’t been hurt but you face what you face and the Raptors looked good at times.

And now, two days to digest it before the Sacramento Kings, and whoever coaches them now, await on Boxing Day.

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Action: Jake Voskuhl’s tough.

Reaction: Providing something they need.

I remember the day they signed Jake and a guy who knows him a little bit had this to say, or words to the effect:

“Jake’s a real good guy. Yeah, he’ll smack someone in the face if he has to, or hammer someone. But then he’ll say ‘sorry’ and he’s a nice guy.”

Well, watching him last night and I’m not sure if there’s an apology but going hard after a rebound without a care in the world who was in his way –- it turned out to be Zach Randolph – was something you don’t see from the Raptors often enough.

Not a dirty play, just a good, aggressive one.

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So the First Lady Of The Beat is the (justifiably) proud parent of a two-sport star of a daughter who’s just finished up four excellent years of track and soccer at Rice University.

And, it seems, providing guys like me with snippets of news you’ll likely find interesting.

Seems Damon Stoudamire, who is not coming back to play in Toronto despite the wishes of so many of you, is ready to get on with the next phase of his life, even as fans clamour for him to play again.

He’s taken on the job as director of player development for the Owls.

That’s pretty much the same job Shawn Respert, another ex-Raptor had.

Damon, as you’ll recall from earlier this year, expressed interest in the Arizona coaching job (they had KO, how bad would it be to get a guy with no experience?) and it seems he knows what he wants to do in the future.

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Action: Eddy Curry or Stephon Marbury?

Reaction: Someone’s on crack.

If the Raptors trade or obtain either of those team-killing stiffs, please call an ambulance because Bryan Colangelo will have suffered some serious seizure and will need immediate medical assistance.

I’ve been assured that the report yesterday was, frankly, as incorrect as you can possibly imagine.

No more questions about it, it’s not remotely possible.

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A TV question, sort of:

Q: Since we (Raps fans with Rogers) have been screwed out of watching our team, What are your thoughts of watching it on Sites i.e: Justin.tv something we can use for leverage with the big Red Empire and the little engine that tries??

Lanny E, Whitby

A: I’ve never seen a single second on any of those streaming sights so I have no idea whether they’re any good or not. But no, they are not leverage by any stretch of the imagination. It’s pretty obvious that no matter what they say, they don’t care a lick about you or any other Raptor fan with Rogers.

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Action: One bad shot

Reaction: Bad clock realization?

How many of you almost spat out whatever you were drinking with Jamario took a three-pointer in the dying seconds of the first quarter, a shot he missed with 22 seconds left in the period and 14 still to go on the shot clock?

The only explanation, and this is giving a big benefit of the doubt, is that maybe he just misread the clock and was trying to get his team a 2-for-1 opportunity. It’s the only logical point, isn’t it? Raps get the ball with 32 seconds left by the play-by-play I’m reading and maybe Jamario figures if he rushes a bad shot, it’s a good thing. Trouble was, he didn’t rush enough.

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They don’t give the Clippers nearly as much ink out in L.A. as they do the other team from the Staples Center but here’s what they said today.

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Let’s put this issuse to bed:

Q: Hey Doug, happy holidays! I asked this one before but it didn't get answered and I was so impressed with it I'd thought I'd try again. Do you think Bosh is upset about Mitchell's firing? If so, is it (unconsciously) affecting his game?

Geoff R, Thunder Bay

A: No. Not at all. Not a bit. Bosh’s went into a slump. It happens. Coincidence pure and simple. Had nothing to do with an abiding love for his ex-coach.

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Action: They win.

Reaction: Rousing applause

It's almost 1 a.m. in the local, the post-hockey, post-football crowd has thinned -- it's like these two dudes Darrel and Jas and about 40 others in various stages of having fun -- and when the Raptors win, the crowd erupts in cheers. Really. For beating the Clippers.

Yes, you are a passionate lot.

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Anyone else glad we won’t have to see Penny Marshall hanging with Jack and Matt anymore? She got more air time than some players last night and her stopping by the say hello to the broadcasters was played in an endless loop it seems.

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Action: Bosh, 31 and 7.

Reaction: If they don’t trade his sorry under-achieving, over-paid, non-franchise-guy-being behind by this time tomorrow, Bryan should lose his job.

‘Nuff said?

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Another question:

Q: The Guru's at TNT (Charles Barkly et al) made a comment a few days ago about the fact that the firing of coaches in the NBA recently is a result of GM's trying to cover up their mistakes, what do you think? The fact that Colangelo keeps going to Europe to get his players seems to me like trying to build a team on the cheap. You cannot win a lot of NBA games with FIBA players period.

David B, Barrie

A: Yes, I think there are times when coaches get fired because GMs construct odd rosters. A perfect case in point right now is Philly. Mo Cheeks had them playing an entertaining, and successful style, without a big man to bog things down. What’s his GM do? Get him a big man to bog things down.

And yes, you are 1,000 per cent correct. What team could possibly win a lot of games with FIBA players? I was asking that question just the other day of a friend of mine in San Antonio, where that Euro-trained team is so bad it’s scary.

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Comments

[sams fan]

WOW WOW WOW...am i missing something? WHAT THE HELL IS TORONTO MAPLE LEAVES? i thought it was a torontonian holiday...the only team i know is the raptors!

[Dave B.]

Good point with the one year, min. deal...

Separate topic - have you read the article on Bulls.com that Sam Smith writes, that suggests BC desperate and looking at Starbury and the Marshmallow Man? I know you writers may stick together, but is that guy hooked on something, or what? How about this for a crazy idea - since you love them so much - Calderon for Baron Davis...some guy on bulls.com says he and Dunleavy clash big-time. At the same time, toss in JO and Chris Kaman!

[Tim W.]

I had the same response to the same comment about international style/players not being successful in the NBA. I wonder if it was the same person. The truth is, there are three things you need to win a championship in the NBA. Talent, defense and chemistry. The talent will get you the points when needed, the defense will stop the other team from scoring when they need to, and the chemistry will allow the players to come together to play as a team. As long as a team has those three things, it doesn't matter where the players come from.

And by the way, both Curry and Marbury can score, but will hurt you in the two latter categories.

[rob]

hi doug,
while some of the fans have taken their frustration about the way the team has played as of late by suggesting a trade for Bosh... most of us think that this is a ludicrous idea. Here is my problem with some of the fans in toronto:
we all know why we boo Vince carter, because he didn't show loyalty to a team and country that gave him all its love and support, but this goes both ways...I mean we arent showing loyatly and support to Bosh after just a couple of average games from him... in which he was just struggling like any other player would, but we can't criticize him for the lack of effort.... he was tearing up the league for a month giving this team (and still is ) all he have before the recent minislump.. and all of a sudden we all trun our backs on him... i think that is double standard on our part..
I hope that Bosh doesn;t think that the people calling for his head are the voice of all raps fans because the majority of us do appreciate what he brings to this team.. and would never want him on another team...
go raps...

[David]

Doug,

For give me for being overly sensitive, but im confused here. I believe most "experts" picked Philly to be a 50 win team this year. (ur one of the few i know who picked philly behind us.) But now I don't know why I'm reading on espn, and tnt have labeled us the biggest underachievers in the league. What happened to Philly who is a measly 1.5 games better then us? Does the U.S. media like to pick on us every chance they get?

[SY]

I read from ESPN that Chicago is looking to trade the following players -

Sefolosha, Thomas, Hughes and possibly Gooden.

If we cannot get Thomas and Gooden for Kapono and Humphries (+ parts), I still think we should go w/ Gooden and Sefolosha for Kapono and Humphries. First, we have more $$ to play around w/ in the summer of 2009 due to Gooden's expiring contract. Second, we have a good defender in Sefolosha. Also, Gooden and Sefolosha are two hustle players.

-SY

[Jeff]

Anyone else find it odd that there were alot of Rogers commercials during the game last night? Yes... that's right... the TSN2 game... I don't get it... what's their angle?

"Switch to us so you can't watch the game you are currently watching?"

Talk about lost advertising money...

[Pipit]

I don't know why there's a lot of people downgrading Solomon. It's pretty obvious that this guy can play better than Ukic. He even had a breakthrough game against the Heat where he had a double-double (15 points and 11 assists). Ukic played more games than him but only did a so-so performance. Most of the time playing during garbage time. Solomon is far a better shooter than Ukic and had more experience. Doug keeps on promoting Ukic saying that its better to invest on a young talent but Raptors is on no luxury to wait right now in terms of maturity process. They need good results and fast. What do you think Doug?

Blogger's note: Why do you ask when you've already made my point?

[Tim W.]

Whenever there is a rumour a player is available, I read so many fans clamouring to get him. The truth is, if a player is available, its more than likely you would not want him. Case in point: Drew Gooden. Gooden is a good post scorer who is league renowned for making boneheaded plays and is below average on defense. He's been on four different teams in 7 years and his latest one wants to make it five. Not really a good sign. Do the Raptors really need another player making boneheaded plays? Isn't having Moon, Humphries, Solomon and Bargnani doing that every game enough?

Sefolosha might be a good pickup because he's a young, athletic SG (something the Raptors lack) who plays good defense and might blossom in a new environment.

And by the way, Humphries is BYC, so virtually untradeable. Besides, how much trade value do you think an 11th man on a sub .400 team has?

[Antonio, Italy]

hi Doug... i write from Italy and i hope you can understand what i write...i think that Bargnani is the problem of this team, and this is the Bargnani's problem... i hope in a trade for him e for you...(maybe Belinelli was an interesting player for this team, really?)

[sean]

I'm usually an a person with optimistic view but I'm really bothered by Bargnani's lack of aggression. Aggression does not require skills and talent, it requires effort and focus. I wouldn't rule out his "talent", but perhaps his "skills" does not fit into the Raptor's current roster. Having said that, I do not want mgmt to mail him in, but perhaps the coaching staff and mgmt should get together and discuss on how to utilize Bargnani more effectively. I strongly believe that this would be a much better solution then finding suitors to take him (Honestly, who would actually put together a solid package to trade for Bargnani at this point of his career?). Also, fans are injecting tons of pressure on him since draft day. Granted, first overall, first European player to achieve such feat, but he's a young player (it's not an excuse, it's just fact), and the notion of giving up a young player is not positive. For example, Joey Graham; I still remember the pass few years, the critism on him, fan's jeers, coach benching, etc. Sometimes, some adjustments are required, both from the team, and the player himself. Joey seems to have given s tiny boost this season, and I hope the organization could help out Bargnani, instead of "trading" him away.

As a Toronto sports fan, it's helpless and hopeless to see young players traded away because they did not fullfill to their speculative potential. I'm talking about baseball, hockey, and basketball. For example, Mike Young of Texas (Loaiza?), Brandon Lyon (Did an excellent job with D-backs and closed for them until his transaction with Astros), Kenny Jonssson (Wendel ... though I'm a big Clark fan), Brad Boyes (Nolan? ouch...), high draft picks for Raycroft. Just a few examples of the top of my head. I'm not saying mgmt shouldn't carry out transaction for immediate impact, but growing a team takes seasons, through draft, through thorough scouting and a philosophy.

Voshkul looks good. He has that aggressiveness that Bargnani sorely needs. Albeit that nudge on Zach is quite intense, he displayed the intensity and aggressiveness that Raptors sorely needs. I don't mind that he's not the superstar or a highly touted prospect, as a team, you need guys that could do different things and within that 7-9 minute from Jake, he demonstrated that he could take on more minutes in the future.

Having said that, I wouldn't object any trades that could inject leadership and intensity into this raptor roster. I'm not making speculation but for example, a player like Shane Battier would help this team in so many ways (of course, Battier would help MANY teams as well). What is your opinion on a player like Battier in general?

[GM]

Why should Rogers care when you can't even get a sports bar in your own city to put on the Raptors until all other options have run out? I'm sure their executives go out sometimes and experience the same thing. If there's hockey or football (or God knows what else) on at the same time as a Raptors game, the establishment will show that first.

As for Euro players, Toronto has to go for them simply because it's hard to attract primo American free agents to the frozen tundra (in their eyes) with crazy money and no ESPN. You can always get the second-tier free agent and that's about it. The biggest stars Toronto's ever had have come through the draft (Stoudamire, Carter, Bosh) and the other ones through trades (Oakley, Davis, et.al.) European players, or from anywhere else in the world, don't care which city they're in for the most part, and in many cases might actually prefer Canada over the U.S. as long as it's part of the NBA. And as Doug points out, for every Euro softie you can find a Euro stud. So don't knock (or praise) any player based on where he's from. Who would you rather have: Tony Parker or Jameer Nelson? Dirk Nowitzki or Chris Wilcox? Roko Ukic or Luke Ridnour?

[Russ]

i don't agree with you at all that 'a win's a win's a win". Sure thats what it is when it comes down to your record and the standings, but not every win is the same. Some wins are much more impressive than others and there are some ugly looking wins as well.

same with loses. hanging around with a good team and giving yourself a chance to win, only to lose is different then blowing a big lead to a bad team.. or blowing a 7 point lead with less then a minute to go.

i wouldnt go as far as saying there are bad wins and good loses. but there are definitely good wins and bad loses to varying degrees.

[Joe T.]

Hey Doug, I remember that someone asked about the ratings for the games on TSN2 and that you said you would check with Chris Zelkovich. Now you either haven't had a chance yet or I missed the answer. But I'm curious how they compare to the ratings for the games on regular TSN and The Score, especially given the team's recent performance. Do you have that info yet? Thanks!...

Blogger's note: All in time, there have been a few other things, like days off the regular job, and a week-long road trip to deal with. We'll get to it as soon as we can.

[dallas]

Merry Christmas Doug.

Blogger's note: And to you and yours

[WSG]

Hey Doug - I wrote out a bit of my own 'history of hoops' and how my own love of the game came about and is now very much fostered and somehow connected by your one-of-a-kind, informative and always entertaining, daily (even in the off-season!) blog. Decided it might be a bit much (I'll save it for a book) ... and really, all I wanted to say to you was, thanks for your efforts. I, for one, appreciate it more than you could know. Merry Christmas, to you and yours, Doug. WSG.

[Matt G]

Merry Christmas Doug.

Seeing as I have nothing better to do, I scoured the wonderful web and lo and behold, reports out of Oakland suggest there is a stank odour in the front office resulting from Nelson's inept bungling of player relations. Gives me hope that perhaps this is situation ripe for plucking. While every GM is likely looking to scavenge the plum pieces on that rotting carcass of a franchise, I'm seriously hoping that Anthony Randolph and Stephen Jackson land under Mr. Colangelo's Christmas tree.

[arshi]

you are delusional if you believe voskul's shove of randolph was simply a clean, aggressive play. I watch a ton of games (fantasy addict. got jose and kapono on the team (nice call, btw) and I haven't seen a play that dirty all season. That was a disgusting act on voskul's part; clumsy or not, that play was the definition of dirty basketball.

Blogger's note: You haven't seen a play that dirty all season? Wow. I believe you should watch more games. And that's about all we're going to say on the issue. But thanks for writing.

[James]

Doug,

Why do the raptors always seem to choose a pseudo-intellectual as the GM? Or a lamentful coach? I mean, really, who the hell is Babcock, and who in the world is Kevin O'neill? Nobodies.

It's time the management did something right. Enough with bringing European players and overpaying them. We're not lacking good players in this country. And the O'Neill trade? Terrible. I remember the Gerald Wallace option was there as an alternative, and if you haven't forgotten, I had quite a bit of an argument with you about it. I still maintain that it would have been a smarter choice. And what to do for the frontcourt? Something else. One thing at a time. Can't do much now with an injury prone PF making 22 million, can you?

In my mind, Bryan is already fired.

[UK]

Merry Xmas to you and your loved ones Doug. Thanks for the gift that doesn't stop giving (your blog)...