Not much time to wallow over that one

That was so much fun, what say we do it all again tonight?

VINCE TALOTTA/TORONTO STAR

We'll spare you a photo of Ray Allen this morning.

And maybe in the first 7:05 of the game, they won’t let Ray Allen make five three-pointers in five attempts. Think that’s going to be priority No. 1 when they do the video scouting today at the hotel in Boston?

Other than that, not sure what I make out of the result from Sunday. Yes, the fourth quarter was good but how easy is it to play when you’re down 20? And conversely, how hard is it to maintain focus when you’re up 20? That may have had more to do with the game getting close than anything. But there’s no denying the Raptors felt better about themselves at the end of the game than if they’d been blown out and confidence is a huge thing with this team.

Anyway …

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Action: Bosh’s day

Reaction: Not his best.

Yes, Bosh scored five points below his average and didn’t look dominant much of the day. But here’s a secret: Most guys being guarded by Kevin Garnett, whoever they are, don’t have big scoring days. That Garnett fellow’s a pretty good defender, and he gets lots of help from the other Celtics, who are the best defensive team in the NBA.

Should Bosh have been better than 15 and 11? Yes, if the Raptors were going to win? Can he be better? Not much and that’s why guys like the point guard du jour (a combined 2-for-8), Anthony Parker (2-for-12) and Andrea Bargnani (5-for-14) have to pick up the slack.

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Keeping on the same point, here’s the first trip to the mail:

Q: Hey Doug, It struck me as I was watching Garnett and Bosh play against each other how similar their skill sets are. My question is: Minnesota couldn’t build a team that got deep into the playoffs with Garnett as the centre-piece and Garnett only had playoff success with other all-stars in the wing position. So can Toronto really expect to have play-off success as Bosh as the focal point? Is it just difficult to build a team around the power forward position?

S P, Mississauga

A: Yes, you can. As long as you provide good players at the other positions. As I’ve mentioned before, no one single player can “carry” a team to greatness, there has to be a compilation of good talent around him.

Put better, more consistent players around a guy like Bosh – as they did around Garnett the year he got the Timberwolves to the Western Conference final (a year many seem to forget) – and things will be fine.

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Action: Jose returns

Reaction: Should he have?

Considering what’s behind him? He should have played 48 minutes.

All you folks who have written me to suggest Calderon “cost them the game” in the observation of one should probably sit down and watch again to see what Solomon and Ukic did. Those were not two of the greatest games played ever and if Jose, the trainers, the doctors and the coaches all agreed he should play, he should have played.

Which brings us to …

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They have to start Roko Ukic tonight, don’t they?

I don’t know if Jay will but I think it’s time to see what the rookie can do filling in for Jose.

Will’s had his moments but the offence doesn’t seem to run nearly as well when he’s playing extended minutes, plays get broken off too early, he gets in the lane and trapped too often and there’s just a sense that things aren’t as smooth.

Of course, handing a starting job to a raw rookie is not the best thing in the world – Roko still has a tendency to get up in the air to make a pass, he still can’t shoot a lick so they’ll just lay off him – but it’s worth a shot.

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This is what they were writing in Boston.

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Action: The start time

Reaction: No one likes it

I’m sure 12:30 starts are great for a TV network or two but for NBA players? Not so much.

And it’s not just the Raptors.

Here’s Ray Allen:

“It felt awkward for me. Normally, I would get to the gym to shoot at the time we started our meeting at the hotel. 12:30 games are tough for us, for most of us not having familiarity with it.”

Hmm, wonder what he would have done had he been in usual routine? Hit a dozen three-pointers in the first quarter?

The reason no one likes afternoon games – and we’ve been writing about this for years – is that it changes a routine. A normal game day for NBA players is up early, shootaround between 10 and noon (depending on home or away), maybe a nap, back to the gym around 4, game at 7.

That’s simply the way it is, disruption isn’t something they like. Heck, disruption to a well-established routine is not something anyone likes.

I’m not using it as an excuse, just stating fact.

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Ray Allen had five three-pointers in five attempts in the first quarter because of a variety of Raptor defensive breakdowns, primarily easy passes by a baseline driving Rajon Rondo.

The Raptors made some adjustments, cutting off Rondo’s path and Allen went 3-for-5 in the final three quarters combined.

Yes, they made adjustments. They just got them made maybe four minutes too late to stop the original onslaught.

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A question about the process:

Q: What are the main difference from blogging at home (or establishment) vs. at the game? Specifically, any different distractions or problems that arise from either one? Also, and I think you may have answered this before but what are YOUR game-day rituals if any???

Dave G, Grand Falls-Windsor, NL.

A: Obviously the biggest difference at the game is you get the atmosphere and immediate access to information, although when I’m not at a game, I’m in pretty much constant contact with someone who is. Of course, not having 19,800 people screaming while you’re typing is a bit easier on the concentration levels so there’s that part about being away.

Rituals? Like whether I open my computer bag one way every game or eat the same thing at the same time? Nothing like that.

But a typical night home game? Up around 6 to finish off the blog from the day before, head out and get to the arena around 10:15 a.m. for shootaround. Hang ‘til around noon checking up on the latest news and gathering stuff for early stories. Type that up until around 1 or so, and either retire to Casa Smith or the office (depending on what paper work I have to do) and then head back to the arena between 3:30 and 4. Coaches, bosses, sources, players start rolling out around the court around 4:30 or 5, hang out there chatting, goofing off until Jay does his pre-game chat about 5:45. Maybe have dinner, get in-game blog set up, refresh any stories I have out there and do the Rapday thing for the next day’s paper. Watch game, do in-game blog, file story at buzzer for web, knock off video thingy on way back to press room from courtside, and then re-write with quotes for 10:15 or 10:30.

Relax.

Comments

[Chris]

I understand no one likes the 12:30 start time, but this isn't the first year the Raptors have employed this. In fact, other then the occasional early weekend game at MSG, I can't think of another NBA team who uses these early start times. If anyone should be used to them, the Raptors should. I understand they are creatures of habit, but they are also world-class athletes that make millions of dollars; they should be able to adapt. Considering NFL players go through a much stricter daily routine and can be ready for a 1pm, 4pm, or 8pm game, NBA players should be as well...especially your Toronto Raptors.

[Nate]

Ray Allen picked up foul #5 with about 5-7 min left in the 4th quarter, remained in the game for (I think) the rest of the game and hit several more key shots. Did the Raptors know of his foul trouble? Why would they not attack him on the next several possessions (I believe they did on one play, and a foul "could" have been called)?

Do you think the failure to foul Ray out of the game was a significant story of the game? I mean, besides him knocking down all those 3s at the start!

Blogger's note: No, I don't think it was hugely signficant. They went at him in the regular flow of an offence that was working pretty well.

[Claudio DiG.]

Hi again, Doug. A few notes/questions, if you please: 1) Seems that Philly and Minnie and (why not?) Toronto got something out of the coaching change. Sometimes it works: am I wrong? 2) In soccer's places we knows that in the season following any international championship, many players fell in a slump some how; why is the same not possible with basketballers gone to the Olympics? 3) On bad barbs: the case of Gasol brothers (and Bargs as well) shows that barbs are perfect to give a face some, hum, character. 4) On the famous Roko floater: it's nothing new, really; it was the most tipical of his shots last year, when he played in Rome.

[Joe T.]

Doug, I'm not so sure Jose should have played, even considering what's behind him. Will and Roko managed to help these guys to a couple of victories. And while I realize Jose would be a better choice to play the current NBA champs, I don't think a Jose without his full range of movement is a better option. He may run the offense better but he defended Rondo about as well as the pylons at the All-Star Game Skills Competition would and it was costly. Watching Rondo drive to the rim again and again and either score or send it out to someone like Ray Allen for an open look did not make for a pleasant afternoon. And offensively, the team shot under 40% for the part of the game that Jose played. Granted, the Celtics are a helluva defensive team but I would rather Jose wait until he's 100% if the opponent has a quick PG like Rajon Rondo...

[Dan]

I agree that Bosh is easily the best Raptor(but what the Raptors don't really have a strong team either)but what I do wonder is if his trade value is worth considering. The only reason I feel it may be is because I feel you could get an awful lot for him. In my opinion in crunch time when you want your best player with the ball on the Raps I don't want Bosh to have the ball. I find especially more so lately he is settling for long jumpers, and taking some three's that I find really take them out of a game, even if he were hitting them with some regularity, it is like every time we see Moon jack up a three and the whole team get's out of rythm. What I wonder is do you feel that BC does not even have the option of trading Bosh due to his popularity with the fans, or do you think it is an option he would pursue if the right proposal was out there?

Blogger's note: If you can find a soon-to-be four-time all-star who is 24 years old and averages 24 points and 10 rebounds a game, by all means, make a trade.

[Jeff]

Hey Doug, would any team in the NBA want JO even if he is so expensive?

Blogger's note: There could be one or two out there, I'm not sure; the contract is heavy, yes, but it expires at the right time and it's not like O'Neal's been horrible, he's been pretty good when he's played. But it's going to be up to Bryan Colangelo to find out if there's a taker

[Kelsie]

Hey Doug,

While I do agree that if the trainers said he could play he should, but I do feel that Jose's defence in the first quarter was a major reason why they got behind so quickly. The "over helping" that Jay was referring to was Rondo penetrating constantly and our guys coming over to help creating defensive breakdowns. On a few possesions in the first quarter I recall Calderon sagging off underneath the three point line and then standing with his arms straight in the air, I guess in an effort to take a charge, while Rondo went by him. On all of these occasions Rondo would slip by him and attack the rim or get to the baseline and find Allen hanging around the 3 point line for a good look. Don't get me wrong, Parker could have done a better job locking in on Allen, but when the opposing team pg can get into the lane at will, it leads to help from your teammates and then leads to unnecessary switching and mismatches. Roko and Solomon weren't a lot better yesterday but they certainly did a better job in keepping Rondo out of the line after that. I love Jose setting up the offence but I hope when he comes back he's prepared to defend.

A couple of questions Doug. Has BC given any inclination that he will do everything he can to get Bosh re-upped this year instead of waiting until 2010? Is there any timetable for JO's return? Do you know how serious this "sore knee" is?

Blogger's note: O'Neal hopes to play Wednesday, I was told this morning. And I'm sure Bryan will see what he can do but if I'm Bosh, I wait.

[Shawn]

Hello Doug, wondering if the team pays any attention to what is being said in the media about Boston? Numerous players that have beat Boston say being aggressive with them puts them on their heels and Allen admitted that using a bigger player on Rondo disrupts his flow. Toronto goes out and plays extremely soft until Graham mixes things up a bit (and it worked) and the poor-defending Caledron with a hamstring injury is on Rondo - what gives?

[How]

I'm just tired of watching Moon shoot the three. With someone as athletic and energetic as he was last year, why does he try and take so many 3 point shots? Just because he can make a couple in practice? I my opinion he shot be cutting and driving and causing havoc for the defence (like Graham did yesterday) not sitting there and taking wide open three-pointers that the defense gives him because they know he can't make that shot.

Thoughts?

Blogger's note: Yes, he should try to get to the rim more often, we've been saying that for more than a year now.

[Blake Kennedy]

More apologia for Calderon? That he should have played all 48 minutes?!? Let's consider:

Jose played for 41 possessions in last night's game. In those 41 possessions, Boston scored 51 points for a defensive rating (points allowed per 100 possessions) of 124.4, which is outrageously bad.
Jose did NOT play for 49 possessions. In those 49 possessions, Boston scored 43 points. Toronto's defensive rating (points allowed/100 possessions) was 87.8 (which is phenomenally good). Now, you can shrug that off as one game, but consider this further: in the 7 games where Jose has played > 20 minutes (or not at all), Toronto's 5-2 with a defensive rating of 102.9. But our season's defensive rating is 109.0 and we're 11-20 when he plays more than 20 minutes.

It's perhaps still a little early to bring out the guillotine for Calderon, but we need to consider that he has meant very little to this team this year and it's looking increasingly like he's one of the big reasons for its downfall. If he has high trade value around the league, Toronto would be negligent to not at least look at shipping him elsewhere; preferrably to a team we play a lot, so our offense can have a few easy ones.

[Chito]

Hey Doug,
If you're in Colangelo's position, would you consider making a trade? And if you do, who would you trade? If you can't get value you want from these players, in terms of what the other teams are offering, would you still "get rid" of your players and try to find people, say from the developmental league?
Then say, if you're Triano, what would you try differently in terms of strategy, assuming O'Neal and Calderon are healthy and able to play? Would you keep your starting five or tinker with it with say Graham starting instead of Moon?

Blogger's note: Yes, I would try to make a trade; no, I don't know who I'd trade until I solicited offers for them; no, I would never, ever get rid of NBA players for D Leaguers; I would think about tinkering with Graham for Moon as I've been proposing for months.

[Aaron Campbell]

It was painful to watch how easily the Celtics intimidated the Raptors this game. Bosh was totally discombobulated by Garnett and the Raps made a comeback with him and Parker on the bench. Doug your right that the comeback was made because the pressure was off down by 20. The biggest positive this game was the Joey Graham as enforcer coming out party. He has shown enough to be in the starting 5 for the rest of the season. AP is a perfect 6th man anyways and it won't eat him up to do so. Now what to do with JO when he comes back. Hopefully he does before the trade deadline is long gone.

[Paul]

I've read that Isiah loved the early game starts on Sundays in NYC because the opposing team would almost certainly be out late partying the night before - presumably giving his team an advantage as they wouldn't be as tired/ hungover/ sore? I've heard some stories about AI when a Sixer, as well, torching the Raps on no sleep after an all nighter. That's the real reason they don't like the 12:30 games, it cuts a big chunk out of their night's sleep!

[DougG]

With respect to the JO and starting issue, why don't they start all three? Take the shaky one off, three minutes in, and then switch off, as normal, the rest of the game. Whoever is playing best, that day, is on at the end of the game.

Joey seems to me to have the most attributes, like those we need at the one or two position. It is odd that they still won't let him start, at least until they fill those holes in some other way.

[Camilo Pascual]

It seems to me the best trade the Raptors could make is to get JO out of town. He does not fit in with the new Raptors systems and It's going to hurt the fragile team chemistry when they have to run plays specifically for him to make him happy once he is back. The problem is the only taker out there appears to be Dallas and a bigger problem is the fact that Oneal has missed 7 straight games.

[Mike]

Wow some absurd comments today. I still can't believe there are people who think trading Bosh and Calderon is a good idea.

[Mark]

hey doug,
why does a 12:30 game work in TV's favour? just by freeing up evenings for other important programming?

Blogger's note: That would indeed be the primary reason, I'm told. Especially on Sundays

[WildAce]

If we get a buyer for JO, I hope can we also throw in Willie and get a better PG in return.

Since Doug loves (sarcastically) zany trade proposals, I'll ask him on this one see what his comments are.

Since Miles will become a tax hit for Portland pretty soon, they're better off looking to clear caproom for 2010 than this summer, therefore:
To Portland ($22,775,534):
JO $21,352,500
Willie $711,517
Moon $711,517

To Toronto ($21,122,090):
Joel Przybilla $6,310,150 (has player option in 2010, could trade him end of next season)
Sergio Rodriguez $1,048,800
Nicolas Batum $1,040,640
Raef LaFrentz $12,722,500

AND we are guaranteed under the tax threshold with Voshkul staying.

We get cap-room this summer where when we can go after a great free-agent THIS summer (there are some really good names for this summer) that could make a difference and then sign Bosh to an extension right after. If it's not enough cap-room, we can always make a trade in the summer to clear up more!

[GM]

I don't know how much easier it is to play down 20. I'm sure it's easier if the opposing team's scrubs are in. But if it's early enough and you're going against the top players (especially on a top team), it's not a cakewalk, I'm sure. Every game has ebbs and flows and to get within 5 is no small feat. Usually if you get within around 10, the better team will get its act together. So don't take anything away from the Raptors' effort to get back in the game.

I really don't think Rondo was such a factor. It was more how the Raptors as a *team* decided to combat him. Sure, he may have driven at will, but that doesn't mean you need to send help from one of the best shooters in the league. Stay home on Allen and make Rondo beat you at the rim. Let him try to score. If he goes off, at least Allen is sitting out there getting cold. And more than likely Rondo will take some hits in the lane. And you can switch things up later if you're still losing. But the last thing I'd want to do is let one of their all-stars get going.

And if the Raptors are the only team with early starts, how can that not benefit them. Sure it's an adjustment, but it's more of an adjustment for the visiting team. It's a bit of a hassle for us west coasters who want to sleep in on the weekend, but it's a sacrifice I'm willing to make!

[Alex]

I was at the game yesterday, and was shocked at how bad the raps played for the 2nd and 3rd quarter, and how long Jay left a crappy 5-man lineup on the floor. Solomon played for the entire 3rd and it was obvious he was struggling badly. Kapono was a one horrible play after another (yes he made some shots in the 4th). Andrea was the only one hitting shots, yet no one got the ball to him.

Overall, I pin this one on Jay for sitting on his hands as the Celtics built a 20 point lead. I understand with Jose not available he has limited options, but anyone at point would haev been better than solomon yesterday.

Blogger's note: Actually, Solomon didn't play a minute in the third quarter at all. Jose played the first 9:45 and then Roko finished up the quarter and the game.

[ROTR]

Just thought I'd point out Blake Kennedy meant < 20 minutes so people aren't confused. Interesting read.

[John R]

Question: In Sunday's game when Joey and Ray Scalabrene (sp?) looked like they might go at it, the was considerable encouragement from the crowd, like they wanted them to drop their gloves a la pucks. In other cities where there are both NBA and NHL franchises, do you witness the same baying for blood when things get a bit heated? I guess a good example would be Boston. Or is the relative newness of professional hoops in this hardcore hockey town partially to blame?

Blogger's note: No, I don't witness the same thing.

[Aneil]

Doug, great blog as usual. I was at the game on Sunday and couldn't help but notice something about our shooters vs. their shooters.

The Celtics ran some great plays to get Allen the ball in good situations to make shots. When was the last time, the Raps ran plays for "the league's best 3 point shooter". I am not a huge Kapono fan but he certainly has a skill that needs to be used. And it should be his "catch and shoot" mentality. Not giving him the ball and asking him to create b/c we all know that more often than not, he gets pegged with a travelling call (at least once per game).

So, all that said - just wanted to know why/if/how the Raps can change this... Kapono needs to be used more effectively.

And please oh please - Moon/Bosh - STOP SHOOTING 3's!!!

[Scott]

Roko definitely deserves the start tonight based on his development of late. The match-up of Ukic and Rondo matches up two pg's with size, quickness and a lack of a jumper- a pretty even match-up. Will does nothing but run the shot clock down, kill his dribble, and either take an ill-advised jumper or toss a pass right into the defense's hands. I think it's also time Joey took Jamario's job. Jamario has decent games statistically at times in terms of steals and rebounds, but he will never make use of his athleticism because he's too soft and afraid of contact in the lane. Joey's shown much more toughness and aggressiveness and it's time he be rewarded. Moon never truly earned the spot of starting SF and he would be better suited coming off the bench.

[sg60]

Nobody should be fooled. They played poorly for three quarters before finally bringing some energy in the 4th when the game was effectively over. This is really just an extension of what we've seen in the last few games. They had two good wins against Houston and Orlando and then played a bad game in Milwaukee and lost. They had a very mediocre game against Washington and barely pulled out a win against a lousy team. Then they coasted through three quarters against the worst team in the league before finally pulling away. When will this team learn that they need to put forth a concerted effort from the opening tip-off until the final whistle? This is a truly infuriating team.