That was some kind of end-game clinic, wasn't it?

Well, well, well.

Wasn’t that something.

I think maybe Springfield should call for the tape of those final 90 seconds for part of the Hall of Fame’s “How Not To Finish A Game” display.

Was quite something, wasn’t it? Not sure I can remember a confluence of events that went so wrong at exactly the worst possible moment.

Unreal.

Anyway, there are still 39 to go, wonder what kind of zaniness we’re still to see?

-

RICK MADONIK/TORONTO STAR

Plenty of good points from Parker lately.

Action: Bosh’s outburst

Reaction: Good for him.

You saw on TV Bosh rip Moon after the Johnson drive, I saw him yell at Roko on one earlier possession for not swinging the ball and a few of us listened him seethe in the locker room after the game.

And I’m all for it.

No, Bosh is not perfect, not even close, and he had a huge turnover – driving the ball, mind you and that’s got to ease the pain a wee bit from the people who’ve been murdering him for weeks – late in the game. But players need to hold each other accountable and he seems to be the only guy on this team willing to do that publicly.

And his coach is okay with it, too. So is his general manager.

-

Oh, I’m giving Jamario a pass today.

What’s the sense in piling on.

Yes, he should have forced Johnson left on that drive. Yes, he should have stayed on the floor on the Bibby pump fake. Yes, he should have passed the ball instead of taking that three.

I know it, you know it, his teammates know it, his coaches know it, his general manager knows it and, in his heart of hearts, he knows it.

He made three big gaffes at precisely the wrong time. He is what he is, a guy who probably wouldn’t be on the floor in that situation on a better team but on this team he plays. And he’s going to make mistakes.

-

Speaking of stand-up guys, this AP quote got lost amid all the post-game antics. It’s pretty good, and pretty telling:

“We just didn’t play smart. I think that has been the case for a while. I think if I had to do that all over again on that last possessions, maybe I would have pulled it out and run a play. We had numbers and we were pushing it and those had been the best opportunities we had all night. It was also a two-for-one situation where we would get the ball back, but I’m new at this point guard thing and it’s a learning thing.”

The Parker-as-point-guard experiment has worked pretty well the last two games and the final quarter of the Indy loss and now I expect it to be the same in Detroit tomorrow because I can’t imagine Jose playing.

But Friday, if Calderon’s back he should start and the question becomes: Can your starting two guard be your backup point guard, too?

I wonder. Not sure how Jay can work a rotation – and I presume Calderon won’t be in shape enough to handle his usual 38 or 39 minutes – that keeps Parker in his usual 2-guard job while letting him slide over to be the backup point.

But the coach should try because the team runs well when Parker’s at the helm.

That’s not to say no Roko at all; he should have a limited role, like eight or 10 minutes.

-

Here’s a question I have: When is it going to be Andrea’s turn? Down the stretch that is. To take the game-tying shot, or the big shot, or the most important shot of the game.

One of the things that’s been most impressive in his emergence has been his determination, at both ends of the floor.

I wonder how he’d handle that last-shot responsibility.

I guess the one worry is that he’s still not entirely adept at coming off screens and getting off a quick shot and I’m pretty sure his ball-handling skills need improvement to get him by defenders with ease.

But the next time they’re in one of those situations, I think they should run Bargnani off a couple of screens or put him in an isolation situation and see what happens. It’s not like they’ve got anything else that’s working perfectly.

-

An oft-asked question.

Q: Seriously Doug, when I watch this team this year, I simply cannot see anyone that I would feel comfortable to get "that one basket" in the crunch time. (Especially those game-tying or winning basket in dying seconds - may I say Chris Bosh). This raises the question whether Chris Bosh is a go-to-guy as opposed to a 23ppg player.

Yama F, Mississauga

A: My opinion’s well known but it's worth repeating.

Chris Bosh is an all-star, a very, very good player who can average more than 20 points and 10 rebounds a game and there are scant few who can do that in the NBA. He should be lauded for his skills and I don’t think it matters whether you call him a “superstar” or an “all-star” or a “franchise player.” Those are just words that mean nothing and if you want to argue about them, go ahead.

But to ask him to break his man down, create a shot and a game-winning basket is too much. It’s not his skill.

He gets the job because of failings on the roster, that’s the only reason. A quick, determined, good-shooting, hard-driving wing man does that, not a 6-11 power forward.

Bosh gets killed far too often for being given a job he’s not best suited for, a job he only gets because there’s no one else on the roster that can do it.

-

Action: Marion’s role

Reaction: A rental.

Now, I don’t know for sure whether Shawn Marion will ever be a Raptor, I’d say there’s a chance and since I don’t know how Pat Riley thinks I can’t even put a percentage on it, but I do know this: All the e-mailers who think he’s a bad fit because he’s not a “slasher” shouldn’t get too worked up.

What he will be more likely than not, if he gets here, is a short-term rental and not a long-term solution.

He’ll be looking for some kind of raise off his $17 million salary when he’s a free agent this summer and I cannot imagine the Raptors giving it to him. So if the O’Neal deal does go down, don’t worry about next year because I can’t see Marion being here then.

-

In Atlanta, once newspaper readers got past the blanket coverage of the inauguration, here’s what they found in the sports section this morning.

-

A question about brains:

Q: So I asked this before along with two uninformed questions, so this time I will ask it alone. PGA golfers who choke in the 3rd and 4th rounds of tournaments will often hire sports psychologists to help them overcome whatever ails them when it comes to pressure situations. Athletes in other sports do the same. Do NBA teams ever go through these types of sessions? It seems like the Raptors are prime candidates to go through some sessions with someone that can help get them overcome the challenges they face in the last 5 mins of games. Thoughts?

Greg S, Toronto

A: Yes, golfers use brain coaches. I presume tennis players do, too. And Olympic athletes do.

This will get me grief from psychologists all over, I presume, but I don’t think they work for players on team sports because so much is dependent on what other players do.

A sports psychologist is not going to convince Jamario Moon to pass the ball or not fall for shot fakes. A sports psychologist is not going to make Joey Graham concentrate more on defence when the game’s going a mile-a-minute.

And, no, I don’t know of any team that uses one on a regular basis.

-

Comments

[Lola]

My big worry, after watching Jamario with the press after the game, was that he does not get it, not in his heart of hearts.

[Jerry]

I really disagree with Bosh yelling at his teammates, especially when he makes a stupid turnover instead. Leadership does not consist of yelling. Maybe K.Garnett can get away with it, but not a 23 year old who has not earned the right. It is more likely to lead to resentment by teammates. Maybe this is partly the cause of the lack of effort.

[pete]

hey Doug, I never thought of the reason why Bosh isnt good for the last shot, but you are completely right. Nowitzki is the only one that can do it sometimes, but only because he has a good long range jump shot. I know Bargnani isnt as good as Nowitzki (yet), but he has a much better jump shot than Bosh. This should mean that Bargnani should take the clutch shot at least occasionally. My question Doug, has this fact been brought up by the coaching staff?

Blogger's note: I'm sure they've thought of it

[Boko]

Bosh is by far our best player. Calderon & Bargnani can be at the next level down, but Moon doesn't seem to be headed in that direction. He's too concerned with getting numbers that will maximize his chances of more money with his next contract. I've said it before, and I'll say it again, being on a playoff series winning team is the best number one can have. Rebound. Block shots. Steal the ball. SET PICKS, SCREENS, PASS THE BALL, AND GO TO THE GLASS ON OFFENSE!!!!!!!! The pot of gold is at the end of THAT rainbow!!!!!!!!

[RS]

Since there is no way they will re-sign Marion in the offseason, does it parhaps make more sense to trade JO in a straight salary dump (for example, Marbury who would then be cut).

Seems like the season is lost anyway and this way they have more cap space and not Banks' bad contract.

Thoughts?

Blogger's note: Get somebody who can play 30 or 35 games or a guy who won't? I'd always want a guy who can help for at least a few games.

[Alex]

I just noticed the blog background is no longer some cryptic latin dialect...actual english now. Way to go Doug! "nos postulo a lucror"

That finish...wow does that ever sum up the Raps problems...but this isnt the first time we've seen a late game collapse, either to cough up a lead and lose or fail to win with clutch buckets...probably the 6-7th game like that IMO.
Totally agree that we shouldnt have a big man trying to dribble-drive and create for the game winning shot...not gonna work.

As for Moon, sure he made all the wrong decisions but the coach puts him out there so he's doing what he thinks he should do. If he were kept on the bench and played a smaller role like he would on most teams this wouldnt happen.

Question: Do you think Moon is back in the league next season? I think he'll get 1+million/year but hopefully as an 8th man...and not necessarily here.

Blogger's note: I think he'll get at the very least a non-guaranteed deal somewhere.

[Jason]

Doug,
Andrea took the game tying three a week ago on a busted play and drained it. I agree, he should be given a chance on a play drawn up for him. The play should be a screen and drive or a kickout from Bosh
Also, for all those that think Bosh should be taking the last shot you are all wrong. Bosh always gets a double or triple team because no one else can make the shot on the Raps. Keep in mind that guys like Shaq, Howard, Duncan etc... very rarely have the final play drawn up for them so why would Bosh? Its always best to have you Guard or SF create something on a drive or screen and let the big guys set screens,open up space, then go for the rebound.

[DougG]

I hope BC isn't waiting around to see if Miami wants Jo so we can end up with nothing at the end of the year, in exchange for the only assets, we were willing to trade, going into the season. I'm also glad you pointed out that it isn't Moon's fault that he is the starting forward, on a team with great expectations, given that he is 2 years removed from the D league. Say what you will about hockey at least the players in that league play with minor injuries. I'm not ready to throw in the towel on BC yet but it is very disconcerting to know that he thinks he has a high caliber team here.

[ro]

As a psychologist (really) I agree with you about team sports and a sports psychologist, unless you're going to get a team in group sessions (not gonna happen).
Oh, and Bargnani hit an end of game shot a couple of years ago, didn't he? I would trust him and AP (didn't he hit that big three against the Wiz)?

[GP]

Doug,

Is Moon a free agent after this season? I'm not sure if the stats back it up but he seems to be settling for jump shots and not driving to the basket as much as he did last year. Perhaps he would like to get his scoring up and reduce the risk of injury if he is indeed a free agent at the end of the season? I guess that would earn him more money and make him appear more desirable (on paper anyway). Thoughts?

[Anthony]

Doug,
What do you think about a trade with the Bulls, the main pieces would be JO and Ben Gordon along with another player or cash to make the contacts work.
Gordan CAN create his own shot which is something we desperately need, he also can hit the 3, play backup point guard and his contact is very friendly. If this guy was hinting at playing over seas I'm sure he would be willing to play over the boarder. With AP moved up to SF it would give us a nice balance between half-court sets and fast breaks.

Blogger's note: Not getting into specifics of a trade because Ben Gordon won't be traded. If he is, he loses his Bird rights so I can't imagine he gives his permission to be dealt.

[nasko]

Hi Doug,
Not sure about sports psychologists in basketball, but do know for sure that every good/big soccer club in Europe has one. Just thought that if it did work in soccer why not in b-ball?

[Michael]

Would someone please compile some video footage of Moon's play last year compared to this year, then lock him in a room for 24hrs and run the tape over and over!

[WildAce]

Nick Anderson hired a shrink after the 1994 NBA Finals because all of his missed FTs led to the Magic getting swept. I can't remember if it was right after the finals or a bit later but he did state on an interview he needed to hire a shrink because he thought it was his fault that Orlando didn't win a game, and that he'd be a liability in the future.

[kb]

soccer players are our example of the benefits of sports psychologists? yikes.

I am not so sure about Bosh's yelling being something that shows leadership ... emotion and energy are great but Moon's reaction to the yell showed that there may not be enough respect for Bosh to be able to call out guys (maybe just Moon?). Could it be that Bosh is really just trying to distance himself from a very bad team?

[Ekim D]

I couldn't be happier with Bosh for publically berating Moon; I only hope he continued his barrage in the locker room. I also hope that Colangelo and Triano were paying attention. I've been of the opinion that Moon should ONLY be playing off the bench, and that no team that considers itself to be a playoff team (even in the East) should have someone with such terrible decision-making skills on the court as a starter. I hope that Moon's quotes after the game light a fire under Triano to scale back on his role - I almost fell off my chair when a 30% 3-pt shooter said he'd take that same shot again b/c it was a good look. He acted as though he did the right thing by taking a 3-pt shot early in the shot clock in the final minute of a close game. He's got to go to the bench - now! What was the sense in the locker room after the game?

[Ryan]

"Would someone please compile some video footage of Moon's play last year compared to this year, then lock him in a room for 24hrs and run the tape over and over!"

Mike - We want to help him, not torture him!
By watching himself play, his brain would be permanently fried.

[Adil]

Seeing Bosh this frustrated and reading comments from fans that are somehow blaming HIM for the Raptors' downfalls really worries me. If things continue the way they're going and Bosh leaves in 2010 I can't say I'd blame him.

[jhaus]

doug, i gotta agree with the JO for marbury proposal. i believe you suggested yesterday that the raps likely wouldnt be able to win enough games to get a playoff spot and even if they did they wouldnt get out of the first round. so, what is 'help for at least a few games' going to do for this team at all (other than reduce our balls in the lottery)? i would pull the trigger on this trade in a milli-second, take the 1 million back from marbury and get the cap space for this summer. the only problem is that i cant really see whats in this for NY! but, in theory, thats a done deal for me.

[Larry Boutilier]

Hi,

Fortunately, I chose not to watch the end of the Atlanta game.
The game was lost when Ukic entered the game with a nice Raptors lead at the end of the third and the coach kept him in
the fourth. By then the Hawks had the lead, game over.

[reuben]

Hi Doug
So is Colangelo still standing by his this is the best team I've assembled in Toronto comments because I'm pretty sure the teams the last two years were way better.

[Ekim D]

I'm surprised anyone would defend Moon or call out Bosh for yelling at Moon. The guy does not get it, he makes the same stupid mistakes over and over, and coddling him has obviously not worked. He makes less than 1 in 3 of his 3 pt attempts, but still doesn't hesitate for a second to take them (esp. at the end of a close game with plenty of time on the clock!). I mean - come on people, what is he thinking? He seems to be the only person that thinks he's on the floor to do anything other than play defense (which he was also terrible at). I agree with the comment above about how Moon must feel he's got the green light to play like this since they put him out there in key moments, so it must be on the coaching staff a little as well. However, I would assume that his instructions - the reason they put him out there - is to play defense and grab rebounds. I would have to believe that he's the 4th of 5th option in end of game offensive situations. But - it must be on the coaches - if he was sent out for a defenive scheme, but hoists up terrible shots, they have to nail his butt to the bench.

[Claudio DiG.]

I'm stunned: fans in TO still speak about "how to get to the top of the NBA", or "how to make us a contender"!!!
And you Doug, "filii mihi": "I’m giving Jamario a pass today. What’s the sense in piling on?":
BAD ATTITUDE. The fans need to open their eyes,the writers (even supposed as educators) must bring another tone in commenting. There's no need of understating: we are not in danger of a bloody revolution anyway! Just let the things happen their way: from the real mess to the sky!
Keeping our own cool, though. Thanks

[Kevin Van Der Zwaag]

Hey Doug, perhaps what was missed a little during the game is the Raptors lack of ability to maximize mismatches? Yes Jamario made some poor decisions at the end, but failing to capitilize on a 6 foot point guard checking him on the block? Atlanta played to a good plan; put a tiny guy on Jamario he only shoots jumpers anyways and they can slack off of him clog up lanes and create a stagnant offense.

[Felix]

RE: Marion. While I do have very little actually against him as a player, I think I would be against this trade because of the implications it has for the coming off-season. As you alluded, he would not be re-signed, which is fine because he is not worth that much money. So here we would sit with about 14 million to sign a FA SF. Who out there will make a realistic difference on our roster? 4 have been named in the past: Marion, Odom, Turkoglu and Artest. Those 4 probably believe they are worth max money; however, are they? No. I worry that we will end up giving someone max money that does not deserve it and it will end up being a harder contract to move in the future than the JO deal that expires in 2 years. I know it hurts the fans for the raps to lose, but i'd rather put up with another 1.5 years of losing than 5-10 years of 1st round exits (which is how our current roster is built if we played to potential and stayed injury-free).

If I were GM, which I clearly am not, I would not make this deal only because there should not be an urgency with this club. Bosh, Bargnani and Calderon are still young; Marion will not make us instant contenders, and either will Odom, Turkoglu or Artest so why clear up the cap space now? Might as well pool together some young talent through drafting and then in 2010 try to re-sign Bosh and another young vet to plug the holes. And if you don't re-sign Bosh, then at least you have some young players coming up, as opposed to constantly toiling in mediocrity coupled with not getting a lottery pick AND not having cap flexibility if we traded for Marion now.

I hope that makes sense, and hope, Doug, that you can comment on all if not some of these points.