Are no plays good plays?

DAVID COOPER/TORONTO STAR

... freelancing, getting out on the break, reading and reacting ....

You knew that was coming, right? They had to win, no self-respecting team gets drilled by 30 on the road and then loses to the same team at home less than 48 hours later. Just doesn’t happen. Of course, if it did happen, it would happen to these guys.

But it didn’t and I don’t believe there’s a single “season’s over, what should I do with my time” e-mail in the lot.

And now there’s reason to watch this week.

But first…

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Action: No plays for Shawn

Reaction: So what?

Here's what Jay said yesterday afternoon:

“Until he learns our schemes offensively and defensively, we say, rebound the basketball, get out, push the ball up the floor, run and see what’s available.”

Here's what Doug said this morning:

“Maybe we should just leave it that way, freelancing, getting out on the break and reading and reacting seems to be working more often than not. Bogging down an offence with running sets for another guy might be counter-productive. Marion’s getting enough off breaks, secondary breaks and stuff run for other guys that it might be worth cutting back the playoff book rather than expanding it.”

But that’s just my opinion. Right, though it is.

(That’s a joke).

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Okay, so we’ve all had our guffaws about the big ACC 10th anniversary press release and announcement that asked fans to celebrate:

10 Years Of Excellence

(We were guessing yesterday that 10 Years Of $15 Beers or 10 Years Of Losing With Gusts To Mediocrity probably weren’t considered).

Of course, they trotted out the top 10 moments in the buildings history which, as you’d expect, got us thinking “if they say good, we say …” To wit:

Fire Guy

First Raptor playoff game, halftime clown spills flame accelerant all over midcourt area, second half delayed, Raptors fined.

The TV screen

$8.5 million or something like that for a big television that hangs over centre court and couln’t, for weeks, give, you know, stats. But a helluva picture.

Welcome to our land

Raptors-Panathinaikos. International friendly, called early ‘cause the lights went out. Where’s the ouzo?

A ragged line

Not too many noticed but at pre-season opener this year, the out-of-bounds line was jagged, like it was laid down by a drunk. Out an inch here, two inches there, guess that jigsaw puzzle of a court was a bit tough to put together.

Pink is the new red

First time the new court arrives, the baseline and sideline stripes look quite pink. Some team officials quite red-faced, which is more the colour they wanted.

The swells live, um, swell

Not very many mortals are allowed into the directors lounge down in the bowels but there was a time when it was supposed to be Gruntville. In the original plans, the whole lounge was to be incorporated into the press room; the Leaves got ownership and, ah, not so much. The media room now: “Worst in the league,” according to someone who’s been around.

KO’s good-bye press conference

A classic moment in dead man walking, maybe the single-best self-inflicted firing ever. He stands in a small, packed room off the Raptors locker room and says something to the effect of “My bosses don’t want to win, all they want to do is sniff jocks and crowd my locker room and it’ll never change until they do.” Greatest “I’m getting my butt fired and I’m going out guns, a’blazing thing the building will ever see.

How to throw a party 101

They do catering well and they can put on a good bash. Just like the ACC hosted on June 24, 2004. “With the eighth selection in the 2004 NBA draft, the Toronto Raptors select Rafael Araujo of Brigham Young University.” The booing that followed was classic. Almost as classic as the momentary stunned silence. Yeah, heckuva party that was.

But, seriously, Happy Birthday, ACC.

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Cue the spooky music

Jonesy and I were looking down at the Knicks bench before the game and spied Herb Williams and grew wistful. The hard-core among you will remember that he was a Raptor for a game, obtained in a trade that got Toronto Doug Christie with the provision that he would be immediately waived so he could go back to the Knicks.

Except for one thing: Then-coach Brendan Malone wanted to win, he loved veteran players and instead of letting Herb have a night off for his only game with the Raptors, Brendan rode him for 31 minutes that night in Utah.

The date:

Feb. 22, 1996.

Yesterday’s date:

Feb. 22, 2009.

Ooooh, scary.

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And you want even scarier?

In that game, a 102-86 Jazz win, Utah pulled away with a 47-point fourth quarter. I mention this only because the number jumped out at me when I was checking the boxscore and it now becomes the single highest scoring quarter by a Raptor opponent ever. They had somehow missed it all these years and it wasn’t in the record book.

It will be now. Thanks to Herb.

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He’s no Antoine Walker but, stolen from the AP story, …

Pops Mensah-Bonsu scored 39 points and grabbed 18 rebounds to help the Austin Toros defeat the Colorado 14ers 131-124 in overtime on Sunday.

Just thought you’d like to know.

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A Bosh query, again:

Q: Watching this season, do you believe Bosh is a 'max' player who can be the key piece to build a championship team around (like a Duncan or Garnett). I was convinced that all the Raps needed was to add pieces around him, but now I'm not sure. I figured they had the PG (Calderon and Ford) and centre (O'Neal and Bargs). Is it a matter of complimentary pieces still not being here, coaching, or is it an example of a guy putting up numbers on lousy/mediocre teams.

Bo C, Toronto

A: There’s a flaw in your thinking. And it’s this:

The Spurs didn’t build “around” Tim Duncan, he joined David Robinson and thrived when they got Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker. Garnett, was to some, an under-achieving big who didn’t come through at crunch time until he joined Ray Allen and Paul Pierce and one year he had better teammates in Sam Cassell and Latrell Sprewell, he got to the Western Conference final.

Here? His teammates haven’t been good enough and he’s had his struggles. He coaching could better and he could be better. It’s a combination of things but it can be corrected.

So, yes, I do think Chris Bosh, playing with two other all-stars, can win an NBA title or play for one. It’s a matter of finding those guys.

“Max” player? Is he worth 20 per cent of whatever the cap number is? Sure. As long as he’s playing for a team with GM that can use that other money to get better players.

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Action: David Lee

Reaction: Good not great

Took some heat during the game yesterday when I suggested the Knicks forward is more over-rated than under-rated.

Here’ why: He is a good player, no question, works hard all the time, it seems, has a nose for the ball.

He is absolutely, at this point in his career, limited offensively and I’d suggest on a team that’s not hoisting 30-something threes a game and shooting within seconds of getting possession, he might not be the Chamberlain-esque rebounder some make him out to be.

Would I like him on my team? Indeed.

Do I think he’ll ever play in an all-star game? I’d be surprised.

Can he be the focal point of any quasi-good team? No.

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Doug Does Economics

Hey Doug, Just saw your short video on the Raptors/Knicks game. Just one question, in the pantheon of economic speak, with billions and trillions being bandied about, what's a cabillionaire?

Allan S, Vancouver

A: Actually, I believe it’s “kabillion” and it’s the sum total of all the bailouts to banks, auto companies but not beat grunts being kicked around today.

Or it’s how much these guys would pay for a 50-win season.

Comments

[Joe T.]

Re: Raptors record vs. other teams

According to this link:

http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/TOR/head2head.html

the Raptors have winning records against 3 teams (Charlotte, Minnesota, and the L.A. Clippers) and are even with two others (Washington and Golden State)...

At the other end of the spectrum, they've only beaten the Lakers 5 times out of 26 games!...

[migs]

this post annoys me. something about the sarcasm and tone in your writing doesn't make for light-hearted reading, which is how a majority of blogs are done. maybe if i was a "grunt" from "gruntville" i would find this mildly amusing. i'd prefer to get your facts and first-hand experiences in point form.

[Matt G]

i'd prefer it if migs dug himself a hole and joined his fellow shrews, along with the slugs and worms, where small-minded creatures like him belong.

[Frank]

Doug, what are they saying in NY?

Blogger's note: Dang, I forgot. Sorry

[WSG]

Re American sportscasters and how they seem to view Canada - A somewhat related tale: Last summer, I went to the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown. Lots to see, but almost NOTHING about the Blue Jays or the Expos. Two smallish pics of the Big O and Skydome, one on top of the other … and other than an Expos jersey that was connected to Jackie Robinson and the post-integration era (it seemed) … that was it. Adding insult to injury (for me, anyway), in the spacious BHOF store where one could purchase the obligatory mugs, caps and flags, a large wall was there, dedicated to the caps of every team in Major League Baseball, some even, in a variety of fashion colours (not kidding) but NOT A SINGLE BLUE JAY CAP, the only team not represented. When I asked where I could find one, I was told that it could be ‘special ordered’. FWIW, before I was dragged away out of the store, I did have my say, mentioning (as well) that the ‘upside down flag thing’ was NOT an accident. I laugh when telling of it now, but I wasn’t laughing then.
So there ya go.

Go Raptors!

[Nate]

Ekim, it could also be the fact that Toronto in relative terms is still a young franchise with no history of winning and has never even sniffed a championship. We can take pride in being within one shot of the Eastern Conference Final, but that was over 5 years ago now and is something only us Raptors fans would cherish.

So in the grand scheme of things he was right to say "who cares". These guys want to talk about winners (Boston, LA, Detroit, etc.) or big American markets (NY, Chicago) and I can't imagine that's going to change much.

If the Raptors and Toronto want to be mentioned in a positive aspect more often, all it takes is a winning culture and maybe a championship or two. I hope it happens in my lifetime (I'm only 26!)...

[SY]

I know it is a little early but I am more looking forward to the off-season than the rest of this season (since most likely we won't get to the playoffs anyways).

If we assume that the CAP for 2009-2010 is somewhere around 56 million (since the CAP is 58 million this year and most analysts predict that the CAP for next year is going to be lower than this year - I think 56 is a good assumption), there are approx. 5 teams w/ CAP room greater than 8 million (Hawks, Grizzlies, Thunder, Pistons and Raptors). Below are a couple of free agents (the Raptors can sign or do a sign-trade) I'd really like to see which teams these players'll end up w/ -

Allen Iverson (Pistons do have the $$ to re-sign him but I am not sure Joe wants to keep him - second question is how much and how long of a contract to give to him?? If the Raptors want to go for him, a sign-trade maybe??)

Rasheed Wallace (Again Pistons do have the $$ to re-sign him and probably Joe can keep him on the cheap)

Ron Artest (I guess this guy can end up anywhere - Not sure whether Toronto should go for him - probably just above the MLE will do)

Lamar Odom (Will the lakers keep him? Most likely not. Since the Lakers is already committing to 74 million in payroll next year. If I were the Hawks, I'd definitely go after him. I am sure the Griz and the Thunder will do the same but I am not sure they are the teams free agents would want to go to - as of yet. Should we go for him? I say so - use up all our CAP on him - around 8 million - keep him or do a sign-trade)

Paul Millsap (With Boozer most likely not opting out, Utah is over the CAP and luxury. So, is Utah going to keep him? How much is he worth? I definitely think we should go after him - somewhere around 30 million for 5 years is a good start (just above the MLE) - have him play behind Bosh - if we also sign Rasho, all of a sudden, we have a pretty solid front court - Not bad at all but I am sure Pistons will make a run for him which makes him that much harder to get, Oh, and the Griz and the Thunder...)

David Lee (Between him and Robinson, I think NY can only keep one - Again, if we go after Lee, we definitely have to use all our CAP on him and do a sign-trade to get ourself a good SG)

Just some thoughts to keep my day occupied.

-SY

[Neil]

Doug,

I was reading the latest and greatest of Raptors news and a little question came to mind. You see, with these articles there accompanied pictures of Marion. Just say that happy, smiling face of his becomes a fan favorite, and he gets even more attention. Do you think Bosh could handle being second fidde to some other "all-star" garnering all the love by the Raptor faithful?

Cheers!

Blogger's note: If it meant the team was winning, yeah

[Jack]

This season is definitely a write-off. Start planning for the next one.
BC is definitely going to make a coaching change. Most likely the entire coaching staff. I think he can't wait for the remnants of the Babcock era to disappear.
When he came here, he must have plans and that included a coaching change but that freaking "Coach of the Year" award forced him to sign Mitchell. Out of fear of a backlash from the fans, he had to sign him. He would have had someone that he likes running the show here.
This coaching staff should be gone after the end of the season. By the time the 2009 draft rolls along, the Raptors will have a new head coach. Someone that follows BC's run and gun principle.

Some thoughts to keep my day occupied? Hmmm... Jessica Alba?

[Leroy]

Just to the last post... I don't think we should go for Iverson, Rasheed, Artest...

Iverson is on decline and he is nothing but holding the ball up for opportunity for himself.

Rasheed is tough for winning, but then a front court of Barg, Bosh and Rasheed... hard to find minute for the three.

Artest... we all know he has problem in locker room... he always have trouble off and on the court...

I rather keep an eye on Ben Gordon over the three above.

[S.L.Z.]

Keep up the kind of post-game video work that you did yesterday, and you'll be vying with Rex Murphy for the "television op-ed commentator of the year" award.

Great work, Kabillionaire!

[Migs]

Re: Jon Barry's Comment - correct me if I'm wrong Doug, but wasn't his father once a studio commentator for Toronto Raptors games? Could that have anything to do with it?

PS - The other migs up there ^ and I are two different people, and I don't share his opinions... I appreciate the blog Doug, keep it up.

Blogger's note: Rick Barry did do some CTV work back in the day

[Jason]

"To Mike U, it would be stupid to move Yao if you were a GM. He is like a jackpot in terms of marketing (billions of jersey sales), he also has established himself very well within the organization as well as the city of Houston. None sense trading Yao.

Posted by: Pete | February 23, 2009 at 12:15 PM "

Pete:
I'm almost 99% positive that the Raps receive the exact same amount of money from the sale of Yao jerseys as Houston does due to NBA revenue sharing. Anything with a NBA logo on it goes right to the league coffers and then is split with the NBAPA on a 63%-37% scale. As well, all marketing is property of the NBA not Houston. Sure it doesn't hurt for the name Houston to be on the front of one one of the more popular jerseys but there in no money to be had by Houston therefore absolutely no "Marketing Jackpot"
Anyways, I think to say a GM trading Yao is stupid is a little off base.

[imloulo]

Doug, welcome to the twitterverse!

Blogger's note: Thanks, more on this in the morning

[Mike M.]

Lee would make too much money for being a back up. I know he's better than Humphries but he's not that much better to take time away from Bosh or Bargnani. The Raptors would be better off spending most of their money on a SG and SF (Marion or someone else).

[Ekim D]

Nate - perhaps ... but then why all the adoration for Cleveland (never won a championship - with or without James, and have been comically bad for about 95% of the franchises existence - which is how they got James to begin with)? You may be right - but I don't think that makes it acceptable. In the NBA, Toronto is the 4th largest market, and has the 3rd largest TV market (and that's what the NBA cares about more than anything else) - the franchise should be much more important to the NBA then Barry's opinion.

[Tim W.]

You can add my name to the long list of people who think that Bosh is overrated and can never lead his team to a championship and that Jose is overrated and should not even start on a good team. That is until the Raptors start winning, then you can add my name to the list of people who think the opposite. I'm guessing there will be lots of people on both lists.

I can't believe that Doug is getting negative feedback about his comments on David Lee. Lee is good, but he's getting the numbers he is because of the team he's on. Notice that nearly everyone playing big minutes on that team is having a career year? Al Harringon is scoring 20 ppg for the first time in his career. Nate Robinson would never average 16.6 ppg on another team. It reminds me of the days in Denver when they ran every possession and Michael Adams averaged 26 ppg and 10 apg. Orlando Woolridge made a brief comeback that year averaging 25 ppg. He scored 12 ppg the season before and 14 ppg the season after.

[BB]

If I was Colangelo this summer the main free agent I would target is Trevor Ariza! He's 23 years old - very athletic, great defender, can slash and get to the basket and has a very decent jump shot. Good all around player with I believe a chance to be a VERY good player with starter minutes. L.A. is already over the cap for next year without resigning any of their free agents and I'm pretty sure the Raps could offer him more money.

Somehow I think Ariza is flying under the radar becasue of all teh big names in LA but watch him play and you'll see what I mean.

[Takashi]

What do you think of Eric Smith going on record saying Bosh will not be a Rap long term?

He works for the team and we all know they say only what they are allowed to say.

What do you think of his comments doug?

Blogger's note: Your second sentence is absolutely wrong and as far as I know, Eric was asked his opinion and forced to give a "yes or no" answer, which is blatantly unfair and gave his opinion.

[Colin]

Doug, what do you think the chances of Jose's defence improving drastically in the next couple of years? Is it just a matter of instinct at this point, or can he make as much improvement on D as he made on offense between his first and second year?

If it doesn't, are there any free agent defensive specialists out there that Colangelo might acquire? Could AI be desirable for his defense?
I miss the days of watching Doug Christie or Lindsay Hunter or Charles Oakley. Even Vince could play D better than a lot of the current Raptors.

[Takashi]

If he was forced, why not say yes? He would have avoid controversy and stay a good company man.You always say that you dont give your opinions ahead of time, but why are you defending Eric?When he clearly look like he was speaking out of his back side.He gave the impression that he does not believe BC can put a good enough team for Bosh to stay.

WE ARE OVER A YEAR AWAY! you dont go on radio and start making predictions because you where "forced" to.No one put a gun on his face and made him say no.He said it because he wanted to.

[Raptoronto]

Jon Barry's comments have everything to do with the fact Toronto is in Canada and out of the eye of the US media. Why would the US media outlets discuss players on a team that has little interest to those buying the products their advertisers peddle...pretty simple.

[dallas]

I wonder if all those quick to dismiss Lee as a mere product of D'antoni, also think Steve Nash was a deserving MVP? I don't care who your coach is, he's not rebounding and fighting for the ball for you, and Lee gets his off put backs and dunks,not jacking shots. He may get teh boards by the shots being jacked, but what is wrong with a guy who doesn't need plays and can clean up garbage. No coach has to draw that up.

Only one player has more double double's than Lee and that is Dwight Howard, and he's only got one or two more. For all the knock on his D, he certainly had no problem with Bosh, where as Bosh clearly was bothered by his strength and physicality, and it seems at times people think Bosh is a top 10 player.

[Tim W.]

SY,

Let me just comment on your free agent options...

Allen Iverson: He's 33, throws his body around, doesn't work out and is in full decline. Plus, both Philly and Denver improved AFTER he left, and Detroit's record got worse when he joined them. He causes chemistry problems wherever he goes, and despite his age and decline in his game, he still insists on being the centre of the offense. Tell me again why you would want him?

Rasheed Wallace: Let's forget about the fact that he causes problems when his team's not winning. He spends too much time on the perimeter, doesn't rebound enough and too often tries to fade into the background on offense. Yes, they need more of those types of players. Oh, and he's a PF, which the Raptors already have two of. He'd start where, exactly?

Ron Artest: Well, at least he's a swingman. He can defend and even score. He'd really help a contender with veterans who can control him. Last time I checked, that wasn't the Raptors.

Lamar Odom: He's incredibly passive on offense, is best at PF, but is talented enough that he'll probably be able to go anywhere he wants IF he leaves the Lakers, which isn't a certainty at all. While I like him, his game isn't what the Raptors need.

Paul Milsap: There's that whole no place to start 3 big men, thing. Sorry, but people have to stop talking about Carlos Boozer or Paul Milsap, or whatever other big man, coming to the Raptors. They just traded away Jermaine O'Neal because the Raptors had too many big men. Why on earth would they want to add another one who would demand to start and create the same problem? I'd rather they just re-sign Marion, who's a SF, a good rebounder and defender. In other words, something they need, which a big man is not.

David Lee: See above.

[Mike P.]

it doesn't matter what opinion anyone has on david lee. what matters is 3 guys in my league have him on their rosters and i'm in last place because of his never-ending double doubles. lamar odom is playing out of his mind, and david lee is still burning me every game he plays. david lee as well as troy murphy both think they are dwight howard and there is nothing anyone can do about it. c'mon 20 rebounds! really...