Bad shots, bad finish, bad result. Pretty bad all around

MORRY GASH/AP

Charlie Villanueva adds to the pain with 25 points and six rebounds.

That one hurt a bit, didn’t it?

Good teams do not finish games by being out-scored 13-0 in the final 2:11, good teams do not waste 12-for-14 shooting nights from their best player and good teams do not waste 5-for-6 nights from three-point range from their second-best offensive player.

No, good teams win those games. The Raptors? Not so much. And that five-game winning streak people saw coming goes, poof!

Of course, wins in Washington tomorrow and at home against Memphis on Friday will ameliorate the situation a little bit (it won’t, as I’ve learned, exacerbate it) but there’s still a nagging feeling about the impact of another one that got away.

But that’s the good thing about the long, hard NBA season: There’s always another game and another chance to make amends.

The bright side: If you had asked last Friday morning whether they’d be okay with winning two of their next three, what do you think the answer would have been?

Anyway, here’s the usual pap and drivel before I get ready to head to the debriefing on the new in-game blog format:

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Action: Will’s shots

Reaction: Shake your head.

I don’t know what’s worse: Watching the two most significant offensive possessions of the game end with Will Solomon three-pointers or watching Chris Bosh get two whole shots in the entire fourth quarter while being guarded by a series of relatively benign defenders.

Oh, never mind, it’s the Solomon shots, for sure.

I don’t care how open you are, a 26 per cent three-point shooter has to pass the basketball to a guy who’s made 12 of 14 shots every single time he can.

But the other point is just as interesting, which his why was he on the court and Roko on the bench down the stretch?

I didn’t see all of Jay’s post-game interview, obviously, but I can surmise that they thought Roko, five points in the fourth, needed a blow and Solomon did make a shot immediately after entering the game.

But if Solomon makes passes instead of taking those shots, it doesn’t matter that he’s on the floor. And that was the big issue.

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One of the main questions I’m getting lately is what do they do with Bargnani, who even his most ardent detractors have to admit has done a solid job as a starter the last three games, when O’Neal’s ready to come back.

To me, it’s easy: Bargnani has to go back to the bench.

I can’t imagine the chemistry issues that would arise if they asked O’Neal, who had been playing well in the weeks leading up to his latest knee woes (20 and 7 in seven games not including abbreviated outings in Golden State and Oklahoma City) to come off the bench.

What Bargnani’s play has done, though, is probably given Bryan Colangelo a reason to more aggressively pursue any possible trade thoughts with O’Neal.

Have no doubt about it, the GM is asking for takers for O’Neal, he might ask more teams more seriously now that Bargnani is playing as he is and O’Neal was playing as he was.

Does that mean he gets a deal done? I have no idea. But I do know he’s trying.

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Here’s one from the mail that a few of you have asked about:

Q: Hi Doug - I have to admit I am becoming increasingly frustrating of having to read 'Raptors blow lead' on a consistent basis. My question is two-fold. Firstly, when do you believe that a lead is truly blown, I think that leading after the 1st means little to the overall result. Secondly, are there any stats on teams records when leading going into the 4th. I would suggest that the Raps are looking pretty poor in the column.

Jamil B, Sydney

A: In a sport with so many “runs” in every game, I don’t consider a double-digit first quarter, or even first-half, lead to be blown. But up by 10 or more after six minutes of the third quarter? That’s a blown lead because that’s when good teams bury others. And these guys don’t do it.

But, they are 12-3 when they lead after three-quarters. I’m not sure where that puts them in the league pecking order, but I’d guess it’s about the norm.

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I promised someone in the comments section of the blog last night a Hedo Turkoglu story. Well, it’s sort of more on him than from him but …

Not sure if you remember the 2002 world championships in Indianapolis but the team from Turkey stole the show early when every player showed up with his hair dyed platinum blond. And, trust me, Hedo Turkoglu with Marilyn Monroe-coloured hair is not something you forget.

Hedo’s with Sacramento at the time and a couple of us are standing talking to Peja Stojakovic, another King, at the arena one day early in the tournament.

Grunt: “Peja, have you see Hedo and his guys yet?”

Stojakovic: “Oh, you mean ‘N Sync.”

Maybe not the greatest story but not a bad one.

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My man Tom Enlund’s take on the game is here.

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Action: The blown call.

Reaction: Time for a rule change?

Yes, the officials botched the call on the ball that went out of bounds off Francisco Elson’s foot with the game tied 97-97.

Had a lot of people wondering why that couldn’t be part of a video review, either by a matter of course or some kind of coaching challenge.

I think the last thing anyone wants to see in an NBA game is for the flow to be stopped, the energy to dissipate, the refs to go to the table and watch TV, either on their own or because a coach throws a red towel on the court.

The video rules now are pretty good – game-deciding shots, threes or twos, buzzer-beaters at the end of quarters – and to expand it makes no sense.

Was it a bad call? Yeah. Do they sometimes happen? Yeah.

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Anyone think they can live without Jose Calderon today? Nah, didn’t think so.

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Another one from the mail:

Q: Hey Doug, Great job on the blog and so much more fun to read this year so far, lets hope it stays this way. Two questions: How much practice is NJ getting and how does he look?

Nick K, St. Catharines

A: I’m guessing you mean Nathan Jawai rather than the New Jersey Nets? He’s working out every day, and practicing full out when the team gets a chance to practice, which hasn’t been very often over the last month or so. How’s he look? From what I’ve seen? Raw. Fluid, but raw.

But he’s still at least a couple of weeks away from being in top shape and, I’d guess, months away from being able to actually play in a game. He is, after all, a 22-year-old rookie who’s played a grand total of about 30 games in Australia as a pro. To think he’d do anything this season is a stretch and, with what they’re getting out of Jake Voskuhl, they can afford to wait on Nate ‘til next year.

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Charles Barkley, Antoine Walker, Jason Richardson.

Bad things, like DUI charges, do come in threes.

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Comments

[Anthony]

Doug,
Will Solomon was on the floor at the end of the game because Jay Triano is a nice guy. I bet in his gut he wanted to let Roko finish it off but because Roko finished the Orlando game, he did not want to set a precedent.

Yea I know Doug you will disagree but there was more to it than Roko needed a rest.

Blogger's note: You're right on one thing, I will disagree

[ET]

After seeing Mike James Jr (Aka W. Solomon) being a catalyst to the raptors meltdown last night, I can truly appreciate Jose’s importance to this team.

[AdamG]

Didn't you forget to put Melo on that list?

[Kevin]

This was on ESPN's Truehoop this morning. It looks awfully familiar.
Dave D'Alessandro of The Star-Ledger: "The issue of crowd support came up again Monday night for the second time in four days, because not only did the 12,314 patrons groan when the Nets were awful in the first half, some even booed and taunted Josh Boone -- who had been played superbly -- when he missed a free throw during the Hack-A-Husky portion of the game, in the last 3:15. Vince Carter called it 'unfortunate.' Keyon Dooling said more. 'We don't like the boos at home. It doesn't make us play better,' the reserve guard said. 'If they come and cheer us, that will be more helpful. We want to get it right. We don't want to lose, especially on our home court. We want to give them a good show. We want to play hard, we want to play with intensity we want to do all the things that make them happy. But in this league, sometimes you have rough starts, and cheering would help us get through it.' Is it that bad? Put it this way, Dooling suggested: 'I played for the Clippers, and it was never like this,' he said."

[Amanda]

The only thing that gave me a small amount of comfort after the loss last night was knowing that if they had Jose, they likely would have won. He would not have botched those 3 crucial offensive plays down the stretch like Will did. Jose would have fed the beast.

[Josh]

Just can't wrap my head around the Solomon-for-Roko sub. It's hurting my brain thinking about it... completely inexplicable.

[Kendal]

Morning Doug,

I know, I know - you're hearing this a boat load today, but the decision making of Will Solomon last night SUCKED. Not only does he take shots that he should NEVER be taking, he doesn't move the ball - AT ALL! I really and truly believe that Roko would have made better decisions in the last few minutes of last nights' game. He at the very least would have looked for Bosh and/or the open man and/or would have driven the lane and perhaps received a foul.

I don't care that Will takes shots and I understand that his style is different from that of Jose and Roko's, but what I don't like about him is his decisions on when to take shots. He's never going to be the hero of this team and he needs to stop trying to be one.

End of rant.

I hope the in-game live chat debrief session goes well. It's a cool tool, but understandably you need to make it work for you are your paper. Fingers crossed it gets to stay.

[Michael Zildjan]

Hi Doug, too bad the Raps lost when they seemed to be getting it after Jay Triano showed some zip during that time out couple games ago...I have watched almost every game on TV and still shake my head about Moon. I'm sure he either doesn't know how to beat his man one-on-one or he is afraid about getting hurt if he drives to the basket or he still thinks he is having a dream about playing in the NBA.!!! Magic's game, at least three times being guarded by Howard out by the 3p line and he doesn't blow by him. Last game, twice guarded by Elson on a switch...same thing. I don't want to even mention how many times on open court he gives up if there is one defender. So, why does he play so many mins.?? They must be showcasing him to get a trade.

[Kevin]

I haven't seen all of the games but that is the first one that I am going to hang on Jay for getting outcoached. I believe he had the wrong guard on the floor for all of the reasons that you stated above.

He didn't make the shot but I thought it was time to reward Bargnani with finishing the game after the way he played the past few games.

[Eddy]

I just can't understand why Roko was pulled in the 4th quarter. He was doing what had worked the previous game: distribute the ball and penetrate when needed. The last thing the Raptors needed was Will (2 for 13) taking those shots.

[Alex]

Yes Will took those bad shots, and yes he should have found Bosh, but the real culprit is Bargnani. Both times he chickened out from taking the shot, fumbled with it and passed it to Will who then jacked it up. Both shots were there for Bargs but he didn't pull the trigger.

--

On another note, through the power of the internet I just had a two-email conversation with our man Swirsk! Let's all make sure to give him a big welcome next week when he's in town! He's very excited to be coming back.

[Bill W]

Why didn't Bosh getting more touches last night when he shot such a high percentage? Was the defence doing something different to prevent the ball from getting to Bosh?

In any event, even if the passing lane to Bosh was closed, those shots could've been taken by others such as AP other than Will. And to hear him say that he will take a million of those shots when given a million opportunities warrants benching him for fourth quarters for the rest of the season.

[Dan]

I think Graham and kapano are the two guys they should look to trade. Kapano just can't seem to play well for more then a game or two and based on Grahams comments after the Orlando game he is never going to improve because he already thinks he is amazing. I'm glad Andrea has been playing really well and once Jose is back I would go with Roko as the Back up and let Solomon be a superstar on the bench. He is a guy that really can't accept that he is just a role player in the NBA. If he is on the floor in the final minutes then chances are he is the least talented person out there, and therefore he should not be the one shooting all the big shots.

[Jojo]

A bit of luck for the Bucks last night with the long ball down the stretch, but Bosh has to demand the ball in the 4th. The guy was dominating last night and gets two looks in the last quarter?? Jay and Bosh are accountable for that, nevermind Will. If the PG isn't doing what the coach wants, the coach should sit him down.

Bargs is looking more comfortable but his rebounding is still quite bad for a big man. It's hard not to worry about that if he's going to be this team's starting 5 down the road.

Kapono has been looking really bad out there. Of all of BC's moves, this might be my least favourite. It would be nice to exchange him for Delfino somehow.

[Internazionale]

Hey Doug,
It might just be me, but you seem a bit ticked off today, and I'm not saying that as a bad thing. On the contrary. It's good to see that side from you, understand the frustration of the fans on nights like those, not that you don't, but you do a pretty good job hiding it on many occasions.
I agree with you on the Roko-Solomon fourth quarter choice, but Roko was out of gas, reminded me of Yao's double OT game couple of weeks back. I don't know what's with him but every time Roko's on the court whether it is in the first, second or last quarter he seems tired after a few minutes (out of breath, resting his hands on the hips being two major signs). I'm more of a soccer guy and every time we see somebody do the hip-hand thingy we go after them, and I'm pretty sure opponents in basketball are smart enough to notice this. Could you please explain to me why this happens, particularly with Roko, I don't get it, these guys are professional athletes, he's been with the team long enough and hasn't that prepared him physically for long stretches. And I understand he, like Hump and others, is an energy player, supposed to give everything he's got for those limited minutes he gets. But being in the run for the back-up point guard on the team shouldn't he be prepared to take over the job in cases like this when your main guy (Jose) goes down?

P.S. Kudos to 'ET', Mike James Jr. duuuude lmao. Doug you talk about things you see on the road (on a plane), I'm talking about stuff one reads on your blog's comments, everyday there is something that cracks me up. Love it!

[Ryan Dzierniejko]

I get the sense that you would support an O'Neal trade. Why? Bargs regressed offensively last year. This year, save for last handful of games and a few games in November, he has been woefully inadequate offensively. O'Neal, on the other hand, has been rounding into form quite nicely and is a significant upgrade over Bargs in the rebounding and defensive categories (have you ever seen Bargs take a charge?). O'Neal also nicely frees up Bosh, whereas Bargs leaves Bosh as the only true "big" on the floor. If we trade O'Neal, I can't see any scenario where we finish over .500 with Bargs as our starting center (leaving aside the potential return for O'Neal, we're last year's team with a weaker bench).

[Ryan]

Hey Doug, have you heard anything about Lebron's "crab dribble?" Seems like it's his go to move but it's also a travel.

I think Homer was right when he said that they never call travelling anymore!

[Bawa P]

I personally would keep JO. We will need his rebounding and toughness and veteran leadership come playoff time.

For me best case scenario

Gooden for Parker and Graham

Trade Kapono for something

Resign Delfino since he not playing nor getting paid

Also, I think Jay Triano himself cost the raptors the game. Even though it was close in the 4th but putting in Solomon aka Mike James Jr. was the mis-play of the game.

Roko fills that void we are missing without T.J. a pg with speed who can penetrate and dish...and has the confidence and ability to pass into traffic while not being out of control.

Plus the kid has heart.

[sharmn5]

I think keeping Roko in the game would have been beneficial because he seemed to have known his role throughout the last two games. Drive into the lane and pass to the open teammate. Otherwise get the foul or attempt the easy layup.

I don't agree with putting Will back in the game...but if Roko had missed a couple shots at the end of the game I may have thought differently. Doug, who would you have liked to see finish off the game?

Blogger's note: Either of them, as long as they got the ball to Bosh, actually. And since one of them didn't, he gets the anger directed at him by many

[Alex]

Ok another post... everyone's ripping on Will today, but the Raps played better - and re-took and held the lead throughout the night - when he was on the court. Ukic is fun to watch and has great potential, but Will had them running better last night. I agree that the last few plays were ugly (I still hold that Will found Bargs twice for open 3's which he shied away from), but overall he was the better guard last night.

Oh and Zildjan, while I agree that Moon shouldn't have gotten the minutes last night in normal circumstances, consider who Jay had to sub in for him... Kapono, who played like garbage. Worst game JK's had all year. This team needs Carlos back desperately.

[Mark in Madison, WI]

Hi Doug, Great job with the blog. It's by far the bast way to keep up with the ins & outs of the team from out here. I was at the game last night in my red Mo Pete jersey, and you are dead-on about Solomon's shot selection being an issue, but there was more to it that I'm sure you couldn't see on tv. (1) Loose Balls. Bucks got every single one of them, and Charlie V even ripped them away when we did get it. (2) Defensive Effort. Against the magic they were all over the place hustling, but last night Joey & Moon never fought hard enough through the screens they were setting for Redd, Bell and CV. Even with CB blasting it onto Moon's ear during a break, the effort only lasted 1 possession. These guys can't win without the effort on the defensive end.

Mark in Madison, WI

[Michel]

It didn't hurt that much Doug. They played hard and when you lose because the refs blew a call and a guy who who didn't make a shot all night makes two threes, well, what are you going to do. Its just a game. Move on to the next.

[WSG]

Kapono's playing like his head's in a vice. They've got to find a way to loosen those screws a bit, if he's gonna stay.

[Lonnie Baxter]

So yesterday you said that the O'Neal rumours were "irresponsible journalism". Today you're signing a different tune, saying that Colangelo is actively working the phones and at least intimating that the story that he's on the trading block has some legs.

Nice of you to throw your colleague in Cleveland under the bus imo.

[Martin Hartshorne]

This one is simple to answer:

"I get the sense that you would support an O'Neal trade. Why?"

-> O'Neal's $21.3M contract with an expiring $23M next year can bring back a lot of quality in a trade. Barg's contract is $5.2M this year which will only bring back mediocrity. You can't dramatically alter this team for the better by keeping O'Neal. The use of the O'Neal contract chip is inevitable - be it this year or next - we should all get used to that fact.