The Goods On The Game, Vol. 38, the return of Jose

Hello, and welcome back again. We're getting to get started over here with all the fun and frivolity of the usual live blog stuff for the big game. And this just in: Jose Calderon will return from his hamstring injury and be in the starting lineup. There is, however, no Jermaine O'Neal. So, sit back and enjoy.

Comments

[GM]

I kinda wish the Raps had been blown out because I think it would have helped them tomorrow in Boston. The Celts would have been a tad more overconfident and the Raps would have tried that much harder. Now I'm thinking it'll be a blowout in Boston. Although I know the school of thought that says otherwise, that it was good the Raptors showed some life and it'll help them tomorrow.

[K Price]

When is Bosh gonna realize he isn't a 3 point shooter....That was a horrible attempt in the 3rd!!!!!....He wants fans support????....where the hell is his effort today??????...extreamly irritated

[Dan W]

They need to put somone else on Rondo. Calderon can't cover him when he is healthy. That is the main reason they are losing because Jose is allowing Rondo to go anywhere he wants. Everyother team that has beat them have been putting bigger guys on him yet the Raptors are sticking with an option they know will fail.

[Jordan]

It would be interesting to see Bargnani start today and O'neal start the next game, to see who helps the team better, but I'm not sure if O'neal will be back then, or if they would start O'neal.

[kwame Mensah]

Doug, I'm usually at work during raptors games and I rely on your wonderful blog to follow the game. I, however, own a blackberry and I can't follow the blog with your new format. Are u guys gonna fix the kinks so that we blackberry owners can also follow the blog or is there another way we can follow it. By the way, the old format worked just fine, if you ask me. Thanks.

Blogger's note: I was told the coveritlive people are working on the Blackberry thing

[green]

Doug, your delivery on screen reminds me of Jim Kenzie, Motoring TV.

[Taylor]

After today's game don't the Raptors have to stick with Bargnani when O'Neal does get back barring a major setback? It was nice see him work through his shooting struggles and have a decent game overall. I know O'Neal isn't likely to take coming off the bench well but at what point do they have to stop jerking Bargnani around?

[papa]

not sure what you're talking about doug...I was at the game in the upper bowl and we made noise in the fourth. the place had a decent vibe. (and coincidentally, it's when the raps starting playing some d. with a little grit. it's all we ask!)

ps I love jose and I'm not about to start trashing him, but he wasn't 100%, and he shouldn't have played. he can barely keep up with rondo when he is healthy.

[Pete]

Doug, do you think JO for Tmac would be a good trade for the raps?

Blogger's note: No. Or yes. I don't do these sorts of things, sorry.

[Pete]

Just a comment on that crazy guy who asked about J.O. for T-mac trade. First of all, why the heck would the Rockets want J.O. when they have Yao, and they also just signed Mutombo. Secondly, T-mac would never want to come back here again, plus he is hurt more than J.O...

[Gerald]

Doug, I too was at the game, and I also have to say that you are way off base with your descriptions of the crowd response. I was in a box, and have an ideal vantage point to take in the crowd. I thought the crowd was generally into the game, and as soon as the Raps rattled off a few jumpers in the 4th the crowd took it up a notch. By the first time the Raps closed to under 10, the joint was rocking. Watching the crowd rise to their feet as one after a particular moment is always a kick form those seats, and they did so on at least 2-3 occasions in those final five or so minutes (even down in the lower bowl!).

[Jack]

I couldn't think of the term to use for someone who shoots the ball every time he touches it. Then I saw an episode of Seinfeld and that's it. Bosh is a chucker. Chuck Bosh 4. It's good to chuck if you're hitting your shots but if you don't, pass the ball.

[Nevin Locke]

Doug, do you think JO for Tmac would be a good trade for the raps?

Blogger's note: No. Or yes. I don't do these sorts of things, sorry.
____________________________________

Nice response to another reader, Doug.

What don't you do? Provide meaningful insight on whether a different player via a trade would help the Raptors??? Your knowledge of basketball and your blog responses are very amateur.

This is shown in your ridiculous story today about how the early afternoon game time start affects players - why write this at all if you have nothing insightful to say?

NL

Blogger's note: I don't waste a lot of time on ridiculous trade speculation and to think that Houston, with Yao and Luis Scola and now Mutombo would be even remotely interested in O'Neal; or that Toronto would be even remotely interested in an aging, always injured, play-every-other-game McGrady is equally ridiculous. I suppose I could have made that point and then been accused of talking down to readers but I decided it'd be best to stick to my long-stated goal of not commenting on the dream trades that have no hope of ever being considered.

[Rosco]

Interm Coach Jay Triano i know he's been around the League for a while now. But come on, Not one defensive adjustment on Ray Allen. At some point u gotta start trapping Allan, forceing other players to beat you. Percentage wise everyone else shot poorly. Your Thoughts, cause i just laugh at what i see???

Blogger's note: Five in the first quarter, three in the last three quarters. I think that was because of adjustments.

[Cleno]

Point: Doug.