A little bit of theft in the swamp

Hola from a rather dreary waiting lounge at Newark International; the Virgin Atlantic flight to Heathrow just left and it looks like it’s me and one other guy waiting for the Porter plane back to Toronto. And no Starbucks, just a yucky little cart over there selling coffee that I presume was brewed sometime around noon yesterday.

Nice.

BILL KOSTROUN/AP

Vince's record vs. Raptors? Take a guess and scroll down for the answer.

Anywho, that was a bullet dodged, no? They played terribly for three quarters and someone stole one when the Nets botched a last possession in quite uncharacteristic fashion.

But it’s three in a row and judging from the feeling around the locker room last night, these fellas are the best 19-28 team ever.

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Action: Nets’ last play

Reaction: Good or bad?

Okay, I know, from various e-mails and comments over the years (things like “Wow, that Lawrence Frank is a great coach, wish we had him” and stuff like “Wow, doesn’t Lawrence Frank remind of you a cross between Red Auerbach and Phil Jackson and Jerry Sloan and Gregg Popovich) that there are some Lawrence Frank fans among you.

So why haven’t I heard from any today?

No timeout down one with the ball and 20 seconds to go? That’s usually when he shines because he always seems to get his team a good shot. And not to put the ball in Vince Carter’s hands? Hasn’t he done enough against Toronto over years to warrant a shot at winning the game?

Yeah, Frank’s good. There were legit questions last night.

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Action: Raptors’ last play

Reaction: Good or bad?

Bosh iso’d because, as well all know, there’s no one else on the team who can break his man down off the dribble, up one with less than 30 seconds to go.

And for all the, um, suggestions I get weekly (not weakly, but sort of) that Bosh lacks the, um, moxy to handle those situations, he went right at Lopez and while I initially didn’t think there was a foul on the play, viewing the replay makes me think otherwise.

Said Jay:

“I thought Chris made a great play on the drive and thought he got fouled. That’s exactly the play we wanted in that situation, up one. We didn’t get the call but things worked out.”

He’s right.

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From the mail:

Q: Hey, Doug, with Kapono returning to the All Star weekend to defend his 3 point title, I remember that last year, he and the coaches began setting up a mock 3 point competition with racks and balls set up as they would be on the day of the competition. Do you know if Kapono is practicing specifically for this competition again?

Peter L, Toronto

A: I asked my man K. DiPietro, travel co-ordinator, equipment manager, ball-rack construction guru and general all-around good guy, this very question last night.

Yes, construction has been completed and the shooting practice should begin in earnest any day.

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So they’ve got this huge, gaudy development going on around the arena in Jersey, a retail, entertainment complex that includes an indoor ski run because when I think North Jersey, I think skiing.

They call it Xanadu and as we’re driving in last night and seeing swamp and thruway and on ramps and construction and a race track, a stadium or two and an arena, I’m thinking, yeah, that’s a beautiful idyllic place.

Travelogue over.

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From the world of fanciful numbers, they announced the crowd at 10,136. Yes, that’s ridiculously small and I guarantee you it was inflated by a couple grand at least.

And while it was only jokingly that I said you could have met everyone in the audience if you’d taken the time to walk around, it was nice of Sol, taking a break from solving the economic crisis over in New York City, to stop by and say hello.

Funny thing about games in Jersey, there always seems to be a large contingent of Raptor fans. Didn’t seem to be the same last night but there were still enough to make themselves heard.

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Oh, this is going to get me in big trouble:

Q: Hey Doug! You probably get this all the time, but I love your blog! Quick hypothetical situation I wanted to get your opinion on. Some years down the line when it's known that it's Vince's last year in the league, and he plays his last game in Toronto, what sort of reception do you think he'll get/what reception do you think he'd deserve?

David S, Toronto

A: Never got this one before.

He should be cheered but he’ll be booed, trust me on that one. People won’t remember how he put the Raptors on the map, how much he electrified the city – and to some extent the country – and they certainly won’t remember all the spectacular plays. They will, however, remember the last 24 games of a 403-game career.

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Speaking of that guy, did you know New Jersey and Toronto have played 18 times since that fateful trade and each has won nine games? I didn’t until someone pointed it out last night.

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My Man Dave got the night off – lucky dog but coming off a four-game road trip and facing back-to-back road games this weekend it’s entirely understandable – so we’ll substitute the inimitable F. Kerber for our usual look athow the game played in the other papers.

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Oh yeah, one more thing on the Harris jumper.

Why in the world he waited so long to go is beyond me, and most sane-thinking people. Down one, you have to take shot with enough time to give your teammates a chance at an offensive rebound or a putback or something.

That goes double when you’re playing the Raptors, who’ve been known to give up an offensive rebound or two.

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You probably know I’m not a huge fan of numbers as a barometer of a players’ worth but this is something

15.7 points per game, 50 per cent shooting from the field, 6.1 rebounds and 7.3 assists.

That, folks, is Anthony Parker’s stats in the last six games, or when Jay shifted him to starting point guard and now the primary backup.

Now, I’m not suggesting he can do that permanently and an average of 3.0 turnovers a game is a tad troubling but tell me right now why Toronto shouldn’t hang on to him, sign him in the off-season and go into next year with exactly the same point guard rotation it’s got now: Calderon, with a pinch of Parker and Ukic?

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Action: End of quarter play

Reaction: They got one right

Did you see what happened at the end of the third quarter last night? Raps were tied with two minutes to go and finished on a 10-3 run. That never happens.

And it certainly never happens because Jason Kapono makes two free throws and a three, Joey Graham makes four free throws and Anthony Parker makes one. Oh, and toss in a Jake Voskuhl offensive rebound to set up that Kapono three that was Jake's big contrbution in a whole 41 seconds of playing time.

Yes, a weird night all around.

Comments

[Josh]

It WOULD have been a great third quarter finish... except Voskuhl fouled Devin Harris with .3 seconds left! If there was a stat of "most fouls on opposing team's final possession of a quarter," the Raptors would clearly lead the league...

[dcox]

Lets give credit where it is due. Graham kept the offensive board alive and it happened to fall into Voskhul's hands.

Blogger's note: It didn't "happen" to fall into Voskuhl's hand; yes, Joey tipped it but it was about 10 feet from me and it was a good hustle play by a guy who played all of 41 seconds.

[Alex]

Wow were some of the Raps eating buttered popcorn before the game I have never seen so many bobbled balls in one game, Bosh especially.
Devin Harris took Joey out of his shoes and got the shot any player would want. Sure Frank could have called a play but if he makes that shot no one is talking about that. It was a good shot, but he also could have drove and looked for the foul. But I do like the last second shot...its all or nothing. I miss lil'T for those.
My city gets a lot of flack for being so ugly but at least once in my life I have to go see the desolate wasteland that is the Meadowlands...and get courtside seats to Nets/Raps for 1/10th the price of TO.

[Nullo]

The Nets' tv commentators made your same point about Harris waiting too long, and how he should have gone earlier to allow time for an offensive rebound in case he missed. But then, again, if you go earlier, you don't necessarily win the game if you do make the shot. So I guess it depends on your confidence in making the shot (i remember some guy in red never went early): and with Graham on you (and given the great ease with which Harris did get rid of Graham to take the shot) you probably should be confident of making that relatively-close jumper.

So it's at least not obvious that you should NOT wait till the last second - but I guess it does depend on who you are.

[Norm]

In a 1-point game, how huge is the reversal of the "good" call on the Net 3-pointer at the end of Qtr. 1? For once the Raps get a break from the instant replay!

[Aaron Campbell]

A few things.

Hooked my computer up to my LCD to watch from Justin TV and watched the game in all it's blurry glory. Man I hate Rogers.

From my perspective the Raptors didn't play as bad as you make it seem. Isn't the perfect road game one where you hang around long enough to pull ahead late and win the game. The Raptors almost had one of those but almost pulled another choke job.

Also, I can't see what was wrong with the Harris shot. He made a fool out of Joey and just blew the a wide open easy shot. If I was Frank I would take that shot from an All-Star any day.

AP should be re-signed and come back to win the 6th man of the year next year which I think he is ideally suited for.

I think they should put the ball in Calderon's hand at the end of the game. He's the only one who seems not to get butterfingers when the game is on the line.

Thanks Doug.

[JH]

Doug,

For arguments sake, if the raptors pull off the marion/banks-JO trade, it would put them approx.14 million under the cap with a total committed salary of approx 44 million. Given that the luxury tax is approx 70 Million this year, it would actually mean that they could add 26 million to their salary( although only 14 million of free agent spending).

is this correct?

[AB]

Lawrence Frank should've called a timeout? Why? So he could call a play to iso Harris? And what's with the criticism of Harris' shot selection? You won't get a more wide-open shot than that and he was the hottest player on the floor. It's hard to believe he actually missed it.

And what's with being a Vince Carter apologist? Sure he was good, but when things got tough he bolted. That's like saying "my wife gave me some great times when she was young, so I don't really mind that she left me for her gym trainer".

[Anthony]

Shall I dare ask??? We blew a 12 point lead late and yet we supposedly "stole" a game. Yes I am a homer, but is that not the first one we actually stole this year, or at least won coming down the stretch? We won a close OT game vs. GS, almost blew another early game vs. Millwaukee, but that is about it as memory serves.

Maybe a sign that some breaks may actually fall our way or wishful thinking?

[brennan]

is it just me...or does AP always....always, split free throws in the 4th quarter?

[Rahil]

18 games in the regular season? Or playoffs included?

Blogger's note: Playoffs included, it's only been four years

[DanK]

As long as we're asking VC questions...Do you think VC makes it to the Hall of Fame?

Blogger's note: Me? I highly doubt it, I wouldn't vote for him

[Andy]

Anyone notice Calderon 0-0 from FT?

[pkiskool]

No one ever thought about it outside the box... but AP is a great backup point guard to Jose. He's smart, savy, got good range, and got size. It's just that we are so used to seeing him as a 2-guard, we didn't know how effective he would be as a PG. Great move by Jay Triano, and yes, he should be resigned and to back up Jose and the new 2-guard that could possible come in in the off-season.

[Ash]

Hey Doug
Do you every think there will be a time that the raptors would retire VC jersy?

Blogger's note: Not in a million years

[Amr]

There's word in the blogosphere that O'Neal is no longer being shopped. What's your take on what's going on?

I suspect that now that the Raps are at full strength (minus the Hump), that they're no longer making calls re: O'Neal, but fielding them, ultimately enhancing their bargaining position.

Another question for you. You've been watching Triano coach since early/mid December. How do you think he's done, considering the circumstances? Have you seen a difference in his play calling/coaching since he's started? What's the word from other coaches in the league about him?

Blogger's note: The blosophere? Reputable? I wonder. And the Triano one I don't have time to get into here; it's more a mailbag question than a "comment" that goes here

[bballer]

i never understood the love affair that people had with frank. at his disposal he had one of the 5 greatest pg's of all time who can run an offense with ease. he also has one of the great finishers with vc. most coaching mistakes can be covered up by great players. he also replaced a coach who took a team to the nba finals in successive years, but has not even taken this team to a conference finals in his tenure. disappointing indeed.

while frank has a potentially great centre in lopez, who will become a 20-10 player, frank has not implemented an offense that utilizes his skills. the nets run a drive and kick offense that creates open shots for wing players, instead of running screen/rolls, flex motion offenses or anything that features a low post scorer. yeah he can draw up plays out of timeouts or inbound plays, but with a young pg in harris, the offense is blah. the nets are 1-8 since benching harris and vc a few games ago. management and the players were not happy. even though toronto fans may love frank, the fans in nj are not happy. i doubt that frank will not be the coach next year.

[Pharaoh]

Doug, love the blog, however I have to disagree with you on the Harris jumper. Personally I think Frank made the right decision not to call a time-out - the Raps were struggling and a time-out would have given them a chance to re-group just as much as it would have given the Nets a chance to run a play. And I think Harris also made the right decision to shoot at the end of the clock - in a one point game at home, I'd rather lose shooting the last shot than give it to my opponent. Bottom line - Harris got himself into a good position and 8 times out of 10 I bet he makes that shot. We were lucky.

[Kendal]

Good morning Doug -

You're right - the VC comment does get you into a little bit of trouble.

Here's the thing - he abandoned the team. He gave up and he stopped doing his job. When a solider goes home from the war on a break and decides not to return to the front lines - they're considered a war deserter. They are no longer remembered within the army as someone who fought for their country - they are now looked at as a deserter.

Unfortunately for Vince Carter, there are fans in Toronto who will always see him as a deserter; regardless of how well he did before or after leaving the team.

[Doug]

there was nothing wrong with that last play the Nets ran, only problem for them was Harris missed, it is what it is...Carter could have missed as well, and yes they could have got a rebound...it's part of the game, hindsight is perfect, if he'd made it all the finger-pointing would be towards the Raps...it was a totally makeable shot..he missed...game over, move on...plus people are saying the Raps played "bad" well they did but if they played "bad" and won that's a huge improvement over awhile go where if they played "bad" they'd get beat by 20...this is sounding like Damien Cox negativism...it's a game , it's a win, it was entertaining...pretty simple..

[C. Lennox]

This occurred to me as I looked at the box score last night: these types of games (decision by luck aside) - where there is a decent contribution from the team's role-players, and positive contributions from the team's better players (more evident in the previous two games), without Bosh's necessarily being the deciding factor in a game - these types of games are far more promising than those in which Bosh receives MVP chants for his superstar play, resulting in losses as often as wins. I'll take wins over Bosh being a superstar any day, and if Bosh comes to realize that he is more likely to win when his team plays well and he simply contributes what is expected, he'll be less likely to feel as though he is deserved more elsewhere, and he might begin to think that he needs the team as much as they need him. You thoughts?

[Matt G]

Agreed that Parker would be great backing up Calderon next year. But, I trust you also think he'd be great backing up a better slasher/scorer/defender at the 2 position too?

Blogger's note: You trust correctly

[craig]

10 000 at the game? last night there were over 10 000 people watching on the internet on one of the channels mentioned yesterday! thanks for the blog!

[camilo Pascual]

Doug: Good job as usual.So...Moon didnt make sophomore team for the All Star rookie challenge. what a surprise! NOT!
Moon is definitely not an NBA starter. and Would you not agree that Jamario may even be a sort of a chemistry issue in the team? He does not seem to stick to the role designed for him, It looks like he thinks he is better than what he actually is.
I see the Raptors resigning Graham to be backup, energy guy off the bench for a relatively low salary. But I dont see the Raptors resigning Moon. So I figure the best is to trade him now and get something for him.

[Erc]

Couple of points I haven't seen addressed -- first, Anthony Parker is a heady, well-balanced, versatile player -- one of my favorites -- BUT, he isn't very good at clutch foul shots. I can remember a huge three-pointer, against the Wizards I believe, at the buzzer, so I won't say he isn't good in the clutch, period, but I've seen him split or miss both free throws at key points a number of times, even though he is a good, all-around free throw shooter. Last night was a case in point. If he'd made both of his late free throw attempts, the game would have simply been tied if Harris had canned his last attempt.
Chris Bosh, on the other hand, has been somewhat justly labeled with not doing much positive in the crucial dying seconds of close games, BUT he is VERY good at the foul line in key situations. I've never seen anyone address this, just his failings from the floor, but particularly for a big man, he shoots key foul shots VERY well.