For one night, at least, a feel-good story

Well, that was totally unexpected, wasn’t it?

STEVE RUSSELL/TORONTO STAR

Raptors snuck out the back door with a win after this one.

Down four to the Spurs with a minute left, three starters on the bench, their well-documented late-game failings fresh in everyone’s mind and they win? If you saw that coming, send me a note with some lottery numbers, please.

But it was a big win over a good team and certainly not something we see around these parts very often. In fact, both of the wins this week have included some good late-game play and while it’s not even remotely close to time to suggest they’ve turned any corner, it has made the last 48 hours or so much easier for many of you to take, I imagine.

So now they toddle off into the break feeling pretty good about themselves and we toddle off into the break wondering if the next 27 games might be worth watching closely.

But first …

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Action: Ukic’s threes.

Reaction: With some help from his friend.

Well, maybe not.

We give you Shecky Greene, er, Jason Kapono, on how he’s transforming Roko Ukic into a deadly three-point shooter with some veteran advice:

“His three-point tip is to pass the ball to me. But he always has the excuse that I’m covered, which I don’t think I am.”

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All hail the Hawks!!!

Now, not the Atlanta Hawks, no one cares about them.

The Hawthorn Hawks went to 2-1 on the season by beating the dastardly Greenglade Somethingorothers 28-23.

Super Son was held scoreless (I believe he was being guarded by a 12-year-old Gary Payton clone) but everyone had fun.

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Action: A play that works

Reaction: No, not the game-winner

I bet not many saw this and it’s an indictment of them that I even noticed it but …

With just about two minutes left in the third, Raps have the ball out of bounds under the Spurs basket. First Parker curls off a screen and cuts through the lane along the baseline, occupying the attention of a couple of defenders. Then Kapono takes the exact same path, there’s no one to guard him, he actually gets the ball and makes a layup.

Rudimentary basketball indeed, grade school stuff, but Jay yelled and pumped his fist, the players looked a bit surprised that something worked so well and it was one of those “why can’t they run that all the time” moments.

Of course, fast forward to the dying seconds of the fourth quarter when they can’t get the ball in at midcourt and have to blow what could have been a crucial timeout and you see that celebrating an easy basket off an out-of-bounds play might have been the right reaction.

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Gotta love Matt Bonner

He was wandering around the bowels of the Air Canada Centre last night, shaking hands and kissing babies and being Matt, and also toting the new Bonner shoe that’s being mass produced as we speak.

Looks like a normal, every day, run-of-the-mill shoe to me (a bit big, but that’s what you’d expect) except for one thing. Written along the side panel, large enough for everyone to see is:

Live Free Or Die.

You can take the boy out of New Hampshire, but you can’t take the New Hampshire out of the boy.

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The memory banks were working overtime for a few of you – and me, actually – for this kind of stuff:

Q: Doug, this game brought back memories of one years ago, when Wince got hurt and the Raps beat the Spurs right around the all star break helped by no other than Yogi Stewart. Do you recall the date for that historical event?

Parminder B, Brampton

A: Like it was yesterday. Well, not exactly, but I do vaguely recall it.

It was Feb. 7, 2002, the game before the all-star break, You Know Who did get hurt (and for once he didn’t cheat death and come back into the game; he actually had to blow off the all-star festivities in Philly that weekend because of “jumper’s knee”) and Toronto won 80-74 in overtime. Not sure Yogi had a huge night, he played 13 minutes with four points and two rebounds (those might have been single-game highs for his time in Toronto now that I think of it) but it was a pretty cool night.

Memo to Raps: Schedule Spurs the night before the break every year and hype it as Guaranteed Win Night.

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In San Antonio, they awoke to read this about the night.

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Action: Roko’s game-winner

Reaction: Great call?

I bring this up to further my point that it’s more players than coaches.

The lauding of Roko for making that final basket, the spin move on Parker and shot over the helping Duncan, is all well and good and the play worked great.

Except that wasn’t the play.

Said the coach:

“The play got busted and we couldn’t make the pass to where we wanted to and he just did a great job.”

So no matter how it turned out, it wasn’t designed, just like a lot of last second-plays tend to be improvised if a team defends well.

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You know what? If that was Jermaine O’Neal’s last game as a Raptor – and while I have nothing concrete to base it on, I believe it was – he went out giving them just what he was supposed to.

Rebounding, shot-blocking and defence.

He had 10 boards and six blocks and his help defence on the Ginobili drive that missed and set up Ukic’s game-winner was exceptional.

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A JO shooting question:

Q: Hey Doug, I know players don't like to use the backboard anymore (except Tim Duncan, what does that say?), but don't you think JO could average like 6 points a game higher if he'd just bank some in? All these straight on 5 footers left a foot short are painful to watch.

Matt S, Toronto

A: I couldn’t make a shot to save my soul for most of my (un)illustrious career but I do know one of the hardest shots to make is a dead-on bank shot. Now, I agree it’s a lost art and a great shot to perfect but I think O’Neal’s playing to his strength trying to make five-footers in the lane.

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Comments

[Dan W]

Even if they had lost I would have been happy with the game. How good was it to see a Raptor take the ball to the basket for the win rather than just jack up a shot. Ukic and Andrea were so good in the fourth. Kapano was great too.

[sara]

Roko was the hero of last night but Bargnani 4th quarter was simply outstanding.

[AT]

Roko is going to be a very good player. He has gone to the Napoleon HIll School of Basketball. He is confident in knowing that he is going to keep working hard to get better. He's definitely a keeper.

[dc]

after the win in Minnesota, JO called Toronto fans the best in the NBA. I don't recall ever hearing our 'franchise player' say that. The contract is huge, and the knees are always an issue. I still say it's better to trade Bosh now than O'neal. we could get a young superstar in return for Bosh in a surprise blockbuster deal. we could get cap space and Marcus Banks for O'neal in a deal that would surprise no one.

economically speaking, the team should get rid of it's largest contract. but Bosh has never defended like O'neal does. O'neal can score and Bargnani has increased his production- we won't miss Bosh's points as much as everyone thinks. the trade value of Bosh is likely much higher right now and after so many years of losing in Toronto, it looks like he needs a change of scenery. just as O'neal needed one from Indiana. Toronto is in almost the same situation with their bigs as Phoenix. All the rumors are that they're shopping both but Amare is the likely one to go.

[Dan]

If I'm not mistaken in that 2002 game Duncan had close to a 20/20 night and called it the worst game of his career. Tells you something about how great the guy is.

[Matt]

Good game by the Raps and hopefully they can build on this after the all star game. The game by Roko might (and should IMO) spell an end to Parker at point guard (baring any Calderon injuries of course), but it would obviously help keep AP in the game, and help the team, to let him carry the ball up the court about 10-20 possessions a game.

For O'Neal I keep reading that Shaq has no trade value because of next years 20 million contract. I can't imagine how it would be any different for J.O., especially when you consider Shaq is playing well this year and J.O. still hasn't proven that he can be healthy for extended stretches (like 40 games). Doug, part of me hopes your wrong mostly because I think J.O. might have more trade value as an expiring contract in a year where how you do in free agency can make your team. Oh well, go Raps go.

[John MacDonald]

I have an explaination for why the raps won last night against a really good team. You see it was my birthday yesterday and the basketball gods gave me a birthday miracle. There is no other explaination for it, Ukic having a career night, hitting game winning shot. Had to be a birthday miracle. Oh, quick question, what is the chance that a big block buster trade happens over the Allstar break (not just the raps but all teams)?

Blogger's note: I'd say 15-85 something happens over the weekend; Monday or Tuesday more likely

[Terry]

Too bad most of us weren't able to watch it...

[Alex]

If that was O'Neal's last game in Toronto, that'd be a shame. He's quality. Marion is old and wayyy past his prime. I understand the financial and cap considerations, but we'd be giving up a classy, heart-and-soul guy that rebounds and plays D (not exactly a Raptors hallmark) for not much.

[Kelsie]

Hey Doug,

Finally we get one of those wins they were not supposed to get, which has happened the past couple of years with more frequency than this year, so it's a positive step.

I have neveer been the biggest fan of Jose, although I do respect his game but I would love to see Roko start pushing him for minutes last year. I will maintain that you cannot be even a remotely good defensive team when you're firts line of defense (the pg) is your weakest defender which Jose is. Roko does not have the pg savvy, shooting ability, nor over all headiness of Jose but he is a better and more active defender, and his ability to take the ball directly to the hoop is impressive for a young kid. He plays with the exuberance that we fans like to support even when they make mistakes.

I know JO didn't have much going offensively but boy did he have it going everywhere else. 10 boards, 6 blocks (and at least 6 more heavily contested shots) and his man to man defence on Duncan preventing having to double team him, was outstanding.

Doug I know you're not a prophet but in your opinion, what are the %'s that they move him before the deadline? What are the %'s that they move anyone before the deadline?

Blogger's note: I'm nowhere near a prophet, you're right. I'd say 70-30 there's an O'Neal-Miami deal; and 50-50 on any other

[Pete]

Roko definitely came through in the clutch but Bargs set us up for that wild finish with a few buckets (tip in off AP's miss, the three after Moon's pass). I'm really impressed with Bargs this season after taking some harsh ripping early in the season. He is really rounding up.

[Grant]

If that was JO's last game I'll be sad to see him go. It seemed like he was the leader of the team during the last two games - and consequently the Raps played with some grit and mental toughness. I don't see Shawn Marion bringing this to the mix.

[Anthony]

At the game and was surprised how empty it looked at times (confirming your comments). Then watch the highlights and the placed was packed come the fourth quarter. As a season ticket holder I have been to too many terrible games and games that we lost down the stretch (only Golden State did we actually win) that yesterday's game was really refreshing change. The fact the last minute must have taken 12 minutes to play and the fans actually had to stand may have had something to do with it.

I know Joey had a contusion, but he did nothing the first 9 minutes and Bad Joey was back (today at least). This was yet was another example of how an injury can actually be a good thing for a team (Ukic & Kapono playing more minutes and Moon looking engaged for a game at least).

O'Neal terrible offensively, very good on defense and Bargnani's defense too was good and he hit some fourth quarter shots for the second game in a row.

[alucart999]

I don't know about trading Bosh instead of trading JO. Part of the problem is that we're not dealing from a position of strength, so trading your most valuable asset might not be the wisest move - just ask the Grizzlies or Rob Babcock.

Trading away JO for Marion at least gives Colangelo the opportunity to accumulate some assets (in 2009) just as everyone is looking to dump salary for 2010 (see Joe Dumars). Being a buyer when everyone is selling just might give them enough of an edge to be a player in the 2009-2010 season. If the trade goes through I think they'll have in the neighborhood of $47 million committed if they renounce their rights to Parker and Graham. That means if the cap holds steady around $58-59mil, Colangelo will have $10mil+ to sign free agents with. Not that much, but could be enough to lure a quality player to Toronto and re-sign Parker or some other replacement with the Mid-level. They'd probably lose one of Joey or Parker though. The list of restricted and unrestricted free agents is lengthy, and there will be some deals to be had.

If Miami agrees to the deal, this off-season will be mighty interesting.

[Pharaoh]

Doug, everyone is talking about Roko's offence, but I thought he did a pretty solid defensive job on Parker as well. He does a much better job than Calderon of stepping around screens and keeping his player in front of him. I've been saying it all season - if this kid can develop a consistent jumper, he's going to cause no end of grief for opposing teams. Do you think there could be a repeat of the Ford / Calderon saga next year, but this time featuring Calderon and Ukic?

[Allen]

Hey Doug have you heard that the Red Rocket wants to become a Canadian and play for our National Team? That's why hes my favourite ex Raptors :)

[Paul]

re: Bankshots, Scottie Pippen was a fantastic bankshot, he would bang them in from all over the floor! I love watching those shots...but I suspect DS is right, JO'Neal would shoot them if he thought they would be more likely to drop - can't you see he's a smart player? I really like him and will miss him as a Raptor if he goes.

[Nick T.]

Doug:

I read the AP wire story last night on the game and in the notes section at the bottom they said Bonner is trying to become a Canadian citizen and wants to play for the national team. Has this been mentioned before and I missed it?

Thanks.

Blogger's note: It's been out there for a bit but it's a long way from reality

[SY]

Hi Doug,

In regards to Roko's game-winner, no doubt it's on the player than the coaching staff but my question to you is what does it all mean at the end of the day? Nothing. Now it's actually more questions for the coaching staff. Are you going to give more minutes to Roko going forward? More in the 4th quarter only? Or if anything is going to change at all. This is why I believe the NBA is a coaches league because the coaches always need to figure out what to do next and how to get the most from their players (put your players in the best position) to produce consistent wins. If the NBA is only consist of one game and we just won the championship yesterday off of Roko's game-winner - Yeah, I would totally agree that the NBA is a players' league than a coaches' league.

-SY

[Michael]

If Roko shoots better average next year I will take him over Calderon. Calderon is just terrible on defense. Players can blow pass him easily(even when he's not playing hurt) and he shows opposition player the wide open lane when his help defender is not even there. And he plays the pick & roll situation very terrible as he again opens the lane as the opposition players are not even set for the pick & roll.

Doug, do you see the same problem? Maybe the coaches didn't even notice that's a big problem? Am I the only person that notice that?

[Rahulan]

Does Matt Bonner still maintain a residence in Toronto?

Blogger's note: Don't know, doubt it.

[Jack]

It's so easy to mask a flaw when the team wins. I've read the comments here today and all I see is how great Roko was, how great Bargnani was, etc. etc. What these people didn't see is the lack of play of the Raptors. They are so predictable. O'Neal posts up, asks for the ball and do a one-on-one. He most definitely will take a shot, no matter how ill advised. Same as Bargnani. He takes shots everywhere.
Why don't they move the ball around? Make passes first and try to create plays that will confuse the opponents. I remember the movie Hoosiers. Gene Hackman told his players to make 4 passes first before taking a shot. Not with this team. Every one is like "I want the ball, I'm gonna shoot". It becomes a "personal stats" game for each one. Well, not each one. It's just O'Neal, Bosh, Bargnani and Calderon.
I hope Triano experiments with a line-up of Kapono, Graham, Parker, Moon and Voskhul and see the difference between how this team plays and when the "stars" are in.

[DavidA]

I was at the game yesterday and was pumped afterwards that the Raps actually beat a quality opponent. I hate to be a Debbie Downer but two things struck me:

1) Roko cannot finish with his left hand. In fact, he only takes at most 3 dribbles with his left before crossing it over. He better improve his ball-handling skills or else everyone (including me) will be able to guard him.

2) Bargnani does not know the meaning of pass (or assist). He always receives the ball, shoots or pump fakes, dribbles a couple of times, and then shoots or pump fakes. He has got to learn to look for his teammates. Last night he took 21 FGA and made only 8. This doesn't account for any shots that resulted in a shooting foul.

All things considered, a great game yesterday but there are major deficiencies with a couple of our players.

[dav]

still can't access the live blog feed through my blackberry without heavy glitches.

:(

[Jason]

Doug,
Here's another great quote from JK in reference to Roko after last night

“He’s a confident kid,” Kapono said. “He’s been playing pro since he was 6 years old. He’s been collecting a check for 20 years now. His experience is vast.”

Thats Gold!

Blogger's note: Such gold that it was the first quote in my game story