What's it all mean? We don't know quite yet

LUCAS OLENIUK/TORONTO STAR

Enjoy it while you can because you never know when the Raptors are going to fall down again.

So they batter the Bulls and crush the Kings and all’s well in the world, right?

Maybe. Maybe not.

This is a pretty telling week coming up, the Nets on the road, Bucks and Magic at home and check back here during the Super Bowl to find out whether this thing is turned around or if beating two weak opponents was nothing special.

I have a feeling that it's more turned around than anything but, as we’ve seen a lot this year, sometimes this group doesn’t handle success as well as it should. But today’s a good day in Raptor land and enjoy it while you can.

On to the stuff:

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Action: JO’s double-double.

Reaction: They were watching in Miami.

Make no mistake about it, if Pat Riley calls today and says the O’Neal-Marion-bit parts deal’s a go, Bryan signs off immediately.

Yes, the injury to Hump clouds the front-court issue in Toronto if Jermaine ends up with the Heat but the GM here can’t be all that worried about the next month when it comes to getting the financial flexibility – not to mention a 30-something game upgrade at the small forward spot – afforded by the proposed trade, which is very, very much still on the front burner.

If Toronto had to go a month or so with a frontcourt rotation of Bosh, Bargnani, Voskuhl with Marion sliding to the four for a few minutes a night, I’m pretty sure they could live with it given what they’d be able to do with player acquisitions in the summer.

And I will reiterate one more time: Having substantial cap room this summer is not only about signing free agents so if you look at the list and are underwhelmed, don’t worry.

It’s more about having the chance to obtain guys in trades as anything which opens up a whole raft of other possibilities.

O’Neal looked exponentially more comfortable yesterday than he did on Friday in Chicago or Wednesday in Detroit and you can be sure there’s a tape of the game floating around the Heat offices.

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How much of a grind has it been lately? Not having games today or tomorrow is the first time the Raptors have had more than one day between games since they were off Dec. 23, 24, 25.

I know us grunts are glad to be not getting on a plane or going to a game for 48 hours, I can just imagine how welcome a break this is for the guys who actually have to take the pounding on the court night in and night out.

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Action: Bargnani’s rebounding

Reaction: Everybody chill

Much has been made about the kid’s rebounding prowess but, really, there’s much more to it than just his numbers.

In the 15 games he’s started since Dec. 31, when Jermaine O’Neal first missed a game with the knee injury, not only has he averaged about seven boards a game (not bad for a third year centre who does his best work about 20 feet from the basket), Toronto’s out-rebounding the opponent in nine of those games.

A couple of times yesterday, and a couple I remember clearly in Chicago, he’s held his man off by effecting boxing out while someone else got the board, which is just want you’d want him to do.

No, he’s not an Italian Rodman or anything but he’s certainly not a huge liability on the boards.

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A question of time:

Q: Nice back to back wins.. Now that Jose is back and AP is handling the majority of the backup PG minutes, do you think that coach Triano will think about deactivating Solomon or Ukic (probably Solomon at this point)? Seems like a waste to have 2 backup PGs on the bench that aren't playing that much.

Tommy P, Edmonton

A: No reason to de-activate anyone, they can dress 12 and someone’s got to play the final 90 seconds of a rout. Besides, deactivate them for who? With Hump hurt, they’ve only got 12 guys.

And I think Roko’s going to keep getting four or five first-half minutes a night as they balance the Calderon-Parker minutes.

But from now on, with so much in the balance over the final 36 games, AP’s going to be the primary backup.

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I know the Oklahoma Thunder have one less victory but to these eyes the Sacramento Kings are the worst team in the NBA by a wide margin. A very wide margin.

And I have no idea how they’re going to get better. Sure, Kevin Martin’s okay (he’s a pure scorer and having one of them always helps) but beyond that? Marginal talent, at best.

Once John Salmons puts his head down and starts dribbling he never, ever passes (maybe God did everybody a favour by, as he puts it, telling him to renege on the Raptors); point guard play is spotty at best, Brad Miller’s at the end of a pretty good career and the bench is brutal.

That team’s a long, long, long, long way from even sniffing the post-season.

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Oh, and here’s how they wrote up yesterday’s affair.

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Back to the mail:

Q: Hey Doug, is Jeff Van Gundy losing his mind, or does he just try to be funny? Aside from his preference for Varejao over Bosh for the All-Star Gme he always seems to have odd suggestions and opinions about the game. Everyone is entitled to an opinion, but with some of the things he suggests, I don't know if he is nuts or some sort of visionary.

Alessio G, St. Catharines

A: I heard that Jeff said he’d take Varejao over Bosh and wonder what kind of hallucinogens they’re putting in the ABC catering truck. Anderson Varejao’s a pretty good player but he can’t tie Bosh’s shoelaces.

But Jeff’s an entertaining analyst and, if he gets people talking, isn’t he just doing his job?

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There is nothing quite like garbage time in the NBA, is there? I don’t imagine too many of you saw it, but sitting in this place with lots of TVs late last night, the end of the Clipper-Golden State game was hilarious.

Only at the end of a blowout would you see 7-1 Clipper Chiekh Samb hoist a three-pointer and get up about three shots in the final minute of a game or watch Marcus Williams of the Warriors throw some goofy behind-the-back pass to someone sitting in about the second row of the seats.

Classic garbage time.

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Speaking of classic garbage time, I love Nate Jawai and hope he has a good and long career but his Toronto debut isn’t going to be memorable.

A foul, an airball and getting dunked on in less than two minutes isn’t going into the highlight Hall of Fame.

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Comments

[Marc]

I'd swap Moon for Salmons in a nano-second.

[Christian]

About Nate Jawai...that wasn't an airball, he got that thing blocked. He took a long time getting the shot off.

[Leigh]

Hey Doug, I'm loving the in-game blogs, now that I am a parent and can't watch games with the boys anymore, its neat to be able to get another perspective while watching the game at home alone. I was wondering, when you say the trade "very, very much still on the front burner" is that inside info speaking, or is that an observation because the trade talk hasn't really died down.

Blogger's note: It's information gleaned from doing the reporting that goes with the job.

[Frenchie]

The biggest play of the game was Joey stepping in to back up Bargnani. This season was lost when the Celts cheap-shotted Bosh with no response and last years was dust when Randolph slapped Bosh in the snoot.
For once a sign not to mess around.

[Claudio DiG.]

Hey Doug,
would you say that the Wizards are more of a delusion-team than the Raps this year? After all, with a cooler head, I'd say this mediocre season is more of an improved Conference than a radical failure from us. Let's see.
Last year - don't forget - there were really bad teams (New York, Miami, Chicago, Milwakee) at their historical low, and less than average teams (Charlotte, Atlanta, Phila, Indiana, New Jersey). All this made easier for us to go getting confortable wins and a playoff spot.
This year's story, in fact, is a story of teams rebounding from their lows and the Raps staying put. Simply, we didn't improved like many others did. And for many reasons (Mike D'Antoni, Derrick Rose, Scott Skiles, DWade & Beasley, Larry Brown, Elton Brand, 2008 playoffs performances) I expected all this coming. I'm sure you too (Colangelo permitting), almost a bit!

[Andre]

Hey doug, Can you ask calderon to grow a beard like his Pau and Marc? PLEASE!! ( like if he miss a free throw, he has to grow it for a month)

[Jamie Buckingham]

With the trade still on the table for Marion and O'Neil, dont you think it should be the Raptors now wondering if Marion can play? He has been more hurt the past few games then Oneil has. If the trade goes down are we Raps fans waiting 5-10 games for Marion's groin to heel??? What is the update status of his injury?

Blogger's note: Not sure, most speculation I see is that it's not serious.

[PK]

Say the trade with the Heat happens and Marion joins us as our starting SF, what does that do to Moon and Joey? Would Joey still be the first SF off the bench, where he seems to be getting comfortable, or does Moon become the first one off the bench because he used to start?

[RS]

Hey Doug,

Various papers are reporting the Riley wants Moon and a draft pick thrown into the JO-Marion deal. Have you heard anything to this effect?

Thanks.

Blogger's note: No, but that doesn't mean it's not true

[Eric]

This is what Bosh apologists do- when anyone (like JVG, in this case) makes an observation about who they'd prefer to our beloved Chris, it has to be a "crack" or "sarcasm" or just "something to rile you up for the sake of entertainment." Did JVG also say he'd rather have Eddie House than Lebron James, or Mario Chalmers instead of Dwyane Wade, or Zaza Pachulia instead of Kevin Garnett? No. What's so different about Chris Bosh? Why would it be more "entertaining" to drag his name through the mud than the others?

The apologists at this point become silent. But I'll answer the question for you: it's because there's at least a nugget of truth in there when it comes to CB4. The other franchise players have carried their teams to at least semi-decent records, if not excellent ones. Chris Bosh has played this season as healthy as you could expect and yet his team is 18-28. Given all the praise he commands from the local media, you'd think he'd be a lot better than that!!

I don't think Van Gundy is off the mark at all. He SHOULD be off the mark, Varejao does not have the talent of Chris Bosh, but he's not. You couldn't even make that argument against Wade, Lebron, Garnett or many others, but you can against Chris, and THAT'S the key. I think Van Gundy's opinion is more true than it is sensational journalism. He simply does not worship at the Bosh pit, that's all- he's only more objective than anyone we see covering this team, not less.

[James]

Do you know if the Raptors have plans for their 2 days off...is anything special going to be worked on during the rare practice opportunity?

PS. Iverson for O'Neal!! sorry I had to.

[Erc]

Two solid games. What's it mean? Seasoned Raps watchers know it probably means the boys now believe they were correct in their original self-assessment that they ARE the reincarnation of the Russell-led Celtics.
Three or four more losses should ground them sufficiently to show up for another game or two. Ground hog day, Raptor-style.
Having Jose back gives them one huge advantage no readily apparent. They can shorten the bench. Moon, Kapono, Joey -- wild swings from game to game. Shorter rotation. If you don't bring it -- sit. Triano's only 'whip' is minutes. Longer bench lets him swing it. Sit Moon for a game or two. He's earned it.
Giving AP time at pg should allow Will Solomon to get a few minutes at the two. He's been a whipping boy all year for this under-achieving team and, at times, he's earned it. However, his play has improved. He's made some key shots and having AP and him on the floor together, only flipped, can work defensively. There are certain situations when this could work and it would further put the squeeze on our now-you-see-em-now-you-don't wings.

[Robert S]

I think Jeff Van Gundy has always maintained that only players from winning teams should get on the all-star team. That's the only reason I can think of why we would suggest Varejao over Bosh.

[D-Wade]

Doug,

Looking at the latest rumours it looks like the Heat are interested in our dear friend Jamario Moon. If The Raptors deal the swingman with JO. We get Marion/Banks. Banks does not seem to be that bad of an addition other than his contract but it gives us the flex we need esp when Roko hasn't adapted and Solomon is well just plain ole crap. AP can move back to the 2 and save his breath with all those minutes he is logging now. I think Banks works short term and we can always bring Delfino Next summer and maybe resign Marion for 10 mill?

[Andrew]

hey doug, i was wondering when the JO for Marion deal is ever going to get done. The sooner the better do you see it getting done this week. I think the best deal for both sides is something on the lines of: JO+Moon+Solomon For Banks+Marion+Magloire+2009 second round pick. The heat in a rumor today wanted Moon+a draft pick, they arnt getting that no way, they do get moon but we atleast get Magloire back plus one of their many second rounders this year. This would leave the raptors with:

Calderon/Roko/Banks
Parker/Kapono
Marion/Graham
Bosh/Hump/Jawai
Bargnani/Magloire/Voskhul

Looks good to me anyway do you see a deal getting done today or later this week because neither team plays after today till wensday. Heat play the hawks tonight but Marion might not even play and they wont play till wensday along with the raptors. Hopefully you get word that its done soon doug let me know thanks. Great work on the Blog by the way, read it everyday

[Ekim D]

I hope people aren't too excited about these wins - they play Orlando, Cleveland, LA (Lakers) and New Orleans in the very near future, and no matter what they do this week, that stretch may decide the season (as in: playoffs or no playoffs). Perhpas some energy that a trade can produce may help - but that assumes a trade actually happens.

I've shifted focus for this season: initially it was round 2 or bust, then it was forget about the playoffs, and now it's 'as long as Bargnani keeps this up, the season was a complete disaster'. Sad that it came to this before the half way mark, but if Bargs keeps playing this well, next season could be good.

Aside from that, I was very happy to see Moon nailed to the bench in the second half - his passe defense infuriating to watch, and I'm pleased the coaching staff is calling him on it. He appears to have shifted into 'I need to get my numbers for a new contract' mode, rather than the 'I need to do whatever I can to help the team win' mode he was in at the start of last year.

[bballer]

the kings, wizards and of course the clippers are by far the worst teams in the nba. they don't know if they will go with young talent or surround the teams with veterans. kaman and bdiddy are absolute busts in la. the wiz should never have signed arenas to that contract. in fact, you even stated you wouldn't have either. both teams have some promising young talent.

but sactown? they don't have any injury excuses at all. if they get rid of miller, salmons and moore and go with youth maybe sactown will have a chance. but i'm not the gm, nor am i the poor fans who have abandoned their formerly beloved franchise. the cowbells are way too silent in that arena.

[Jim]

Just to add a little to Doug's point about Bargnani over the past 15 games, here are some numbers of his compared to a couple of other players that the Raps "should have drafted instead".

MPG / PPG / RPG / APG

Season:

Bargnani: 29.5 / 13.5 / 5.0 / 1.1
Aldridge : 36.3 / 17.6 / 6.8 / 1.9
Roy____: 37.2 / 22.3 / 4.7 / 5.2

Last 15 GP:

Bargnani: 37.2 / 21.2 / 6.7 / 1.4
Aldridge : 37.9 / 19.1 / 7.2 / 2.5
Roy____: 38.5 / 23.8 / 4.8 / 5.7

It becomes pretty obvious that given the same minutes as these guys, Bargnani is also quite productive. Sure, it's not a guarantee that he'll be able to keep it up for the rest of the year, but a 15 game stretch is a long enough period to show it's likely not just a fluke.

And the blank after Roy is not meant as a fill-in-the-blank type deal. It's just hard to format columns and rows on this thing.

[Andy C]

if memory serves me correctly (i have been betrayed in the past)
didn't Miami schedule a tryout for Moon after the Raptors tryout last year?

I guess Riley saw something in Moon back then as well.

[rob]

Hi Doug, big props for your work as usual... My question is if you think that it is important for the raps to have cap space for the possibility of a sign and trade this summer.. what is the difference between a sign and trade of a any FA and trading oneal in the off season?
is it because with a sign and trade, they have more flexibility since they can sign a more "tradeable " asset .. or are they just worried that Oneal might get injured before the season ends which hurts his trade value?
thanx again for your work.

Blogger's note: They want to hasten the improvement of the roster and if they can do that this summer, why not?

[Kevin]

Hey Doug,

Just curious about your in-game blog (which is great, btw)... how many people do you think you have logged online watching at one time? Are you inundated with messages from readers?

Thanks, keep up the good work.

Kevin

Blogger's note: There are lots, too many to count and I can't quite figure out yet where to find a total.

[Don T]

(1) Isn't the cap hit from Marcus Banks too high a price to pay in the potential Shawn Marion/Jermaine O'Neal trade? (2) If Pat Reilly is now asking for Jamario Moon as a throw-in shouldn't Brian Colangelo be demanding equivalent "sweeteners" in return? (3) What do you think about the Raps just patiently riding out O'Neals' contract in order to enjoy the full $23M in cap space for free-agent acquisitions in 2010? In that scenario, might not O'Neal re-sign at enough of a reduced rate that Colangelo could acquire the needed elite wingman (while retaining O'Neals low-post strength? (4) Lastly, hasn't Anthony Parker (as a competent combo-guard) raised his worth as a "keeper" rather than "trade bait"?

Blogger's note: This little comment section is turning into a three- or four-times-a-day mailbag and I'm not sure I have time for that. But:
1. No
2. Yes
3. The earlier you have money to spend, the better
4. Depends on the offer but I'd rather keep him

[James]

Hey Doug,

It is good to see Bargnani's progress. However, his game is very similar to that of a SG/SF. This gives him an advantage over opposing centers who are not used to guard centers with a shooting guard game. He could become even better if he develops some of the traditional skills of a center. Are the Raptors working with him to develop these skills or are they just happy with his current game? It is possible they could destroy his natural game by trying to make him more traditional?

Blogger's note: They're working on all facets of his game.

[peter wall]

Does anyone actually have a link that talks about Miami wanting Jamario Moon and a draft pick thrown in?Personally I dont like the thoughts of giving up a draft pick; as for Moon would we even miss him?

[Darko Dubajic]

Is having that cap space 1 year early (half of what we get next year in better FA class) that much more enticing that Riley is making all kinds of demands. I can't even get over Banks contract and (if true) now Jamario and a pick. Could you tell me in few words why is Riley here in position of strenght.