It's the dawn of a new day

This was a level of venom seldom approached. Not even the Dark Night In Denver, or the Vince Kills Us As The Buzzer or How In The World Did They Blow A 17-Point Lead In Boston nights didn’t bring out this kind of anger.

The folks, folks, are riled.

But today’s a new day, the sun’s shining here, everyone’s well-rested and ready to tackle life’s challenges once again so let’s all take a deep breath and start over.

Or not.

Friday was, without question, the low point in a season that’s had far too many.

With so much at stake, on such a stage, rested and well aware of what was on the line, to come out and lose the game in the first seven minutes was shameful.

And, I fear, speaks to the mental makeup of most of the roster. When things are going good, they’re okay; when they go bad, they go south.

That’s the most troubling part of the whole thing, to me.

The playoffs? Pah! The playoffs are so far away they may as well be on Mars; the thing they’ve got to fix is there hearts. And their brains. Can they? Who knows. But they’ve got to try.

So …

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Action: What to do?

Reaction: Nothing.

This is it, people. No new players, no moves, no nothing.

For the next 25 games, this is the team, this is its coach, these are the circumstances and you’ve all got to get used to it.

But I will point out this: They will win some games, they will play much better every now and then, they may find some way to makes weeks quite interesting and you will cheer.

Every game won’t be like last night but then every game won’t be like the Spurs one either, which everyone has to admit was every bit as good as last night’s was bad.

It’s sports. And it’s why we love it.

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Been some kind of week, hasn’t it?

Q: What's the most significant injury for their respective team's right now? Garnett for a month? Stoudemire for the season? Nelson for the season? Manu for 3 weeks?

Rob M, Ottawa

A: That’s a tough one.

Personally? For legitimate contenders? I’d say Garnett, if indeed he’s out a month(although my man Marc says it’s more like two or three weeks). The Celtics won a pair of Game 7s on their home court, as much on emotion as anything, last year and if this injury causes them to fall to second or third in the East, I really think they’re championship hopes are dashed. Their schtick, all that punking and shouting and screaming and acting like mad men, doesn’t travel well, especially in the playoffs (see Atlanta, Cleveland and L.A. last year).

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Action: There was none

Reaction: I have none

You know, it’s fun to sit and try to dissect key moments in the game, momentum shifts and the like. Why’d the coach do this, why did that guy do that. Did you see this great play? How about that one?

Truth be told, I barely paid attention after the first nine minutes.

But I will say this, you could tell from about the fourth possession – since the first three were one-pass-jump-shot gems – that the Raptors effort wasn’t going to be there.

At least it allowed for a little more interaction than usual with the good folks at the live in-game blog.

No offence, though, I much prefer less interaction and a game that’s watchable.

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Seriously, if this keeps up, how badly do you think these guys will get drilled next Friday in Phoenix. Suns have put up 140, 142 and 140 in their last three. Can’t wait to see that one.

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I’m not sure what this means – questionable drafting, questionable drafts, bad something-or-other -- but more than half of the Raptors roster is guys who were picked in the top 16 of their drafts (and you can credit musicologist, former quasi-grunt and current politico A. Wherry for pointing it out):

Shawn Marion, No. 9, 1999

Chris Bosh, No. 4, 2003

Marcus Banks, No. 13, 2003

Kris Humphries, No. 14, 2004

Joey Graham, No. 16, 2005

Andrea Bargnani, No. 1, 2006

Patrick O’Bryant, No. 9, 2006

Seven of 13? Helluva squad

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Even the guys in New York are killing the Raptors.

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Arrrgggh

Q: I’m looking for your insight on why the Raps didn’t trade A.Parker (an expiring deal) for an asset (draft pick)?

I have to think that Parker would provide value for a playoff bound team looking for depth on the wing. Parker’s ability to play PG should also help his value. Once example could have been Parker and a 2nd rounder to Orlando for Brian Cook/Mike Wilks and a 1st rounder.

I can only think of two obvious reasons for not trading him: 1. The Raps think they can make the playoffs and need Parker to do this (seems short sighted) 2. Parker didn’t have trade value, or at least to make it worth the Raps while. I considered a third option, they want him back next year, but they could still do that even if they traded him. What are your thoughts?

Rob F, Toronto

A: I’ll answer this now because there were more than a couple like it and the arrrggghh! at the top is not directed personally at you.

First off, you cannot trade a player for a draft pick unless you’re dealing with a team under the cap and none of those teams needs a short-term fix. So please, put that thought out of mind now and forever.

Second, the primary reason they didn’t deal Parker, or Graham for that matter is that it’s much more beneficial to have their money available in the summer either to sign them or someone else and to keep costs down. Unless there was a blow-me-away-deal (and no one in the NBA would offer blow-me-away-deals for Anthony Parker or Joey Graham) there was no way Colangelo would – or should – take back someone whose contract goes out past this summer.

It was a smart business move.

Third, why in the world would any team want Brian Cook or Mike Wilks?

Now, the key thing will be to see what he does with those two and the money he may save. But that’s a chat for another day.

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And, finally, Larry Miller, owner of the Utah Jazz died Friday.

I didn’t know him that well and there were times when he acted all Cuban-like, leaving his familiar baseline courtside seat to berate refs or join team huddles but the one thing he did that every single owner in every single professional sport should do more often was to let people do their jobs.

He had Frank Layden and Scott Layden and Jerry Sloan. He found great men and let them work.

Miller has his moments of buffoonery but he was the most successful and least intrusive owner in the things that matter – personnel and coaching – than I can think of.

The way he managed the Jazz should be the blueprint for how teams are managed throughout the league.

Comments

[Rob.V]

I thought I was past the ability to get angry at a Raptors game however last nights performance took things to a level... HORRIBLE!!

The players on this team have lost all confidence in the system, what they are trying to accomplish as a team, and it's clear that they are not playing for each other.

They may be "nice guys" however they certainly do not care about each other on the court. Unless by some divine intervention they find it within themselves to play with pride there MUST be sweeping changes in the off season.

A) the coaching staff must go - and I mean all of them... including Triano.

B) We'll need to keep the core nucleus and do whatever we can to move in 6-7 new bodies in hopes of resurrecting the mental psyche of a beaten down bunch of quitters!! I'm no doctor, however these guys have zero mental toughness.. and the Cancer is slowly moving it's way through to some of the players that (i.e. Bosh ) otherwise would never think of quitting. Bosh may "say" the right things pre and post game however I don’t think I’ve ever seen such lacklustre body language in past seasons. I'm not convinced he believes in this team either… and it shows!

Question Doug: With last night being a game they had to have, why would Triano limit Parkers minutes and let Ukic and Banks run the point?. This was a MUST win, not a game for experimenting... and Parker has been Mr. Steady.

[Rob.V]

That's a great point Matt (seriously). Would you happen to know anyone interested in purchasing the rest of this seasons tickets from me so I can take a break?? Each game... for only the bargain basement price of $500!!

Act now, within the next 20 minutes of this blog and I'll throw in a Ginsu knife. It'll slice, it'll dice...even cut a pop can in two. Oh, and guess what... the Raps might actually show up to one of these home games with some heart!!

You see man - Just when I thought I was out... they keep pulling me back in.

Unfortunately, some of us are STUCK in this bad marriage. It's aweful man... just bloody AWEFUL!!! The end of this season cant get here SOON ENOUGH!

[robguy]

re Bosh 2010: I imagine Bosh will get what the market will bear. Judging by the NYPost link, he would not get max dollars) in NY very easily! I think the economy will factor into what Bosh does as some teams may decide to stay under the cap and cut costs. On the other hand, if lots of teams have space and do not get Wade or LeBron, these teams may be under pressure to sign someone like Bosh. I am a Bosh fan, but not sure he is worth the max value - we may have to offer it if that is what the market will pay. (Keeping in mind that he would get less dollars elsewhere anyways.)

[Jerry C]

Makes one miss Sam Mitchell. About now he would be giving the I need to find someone who wants to play speech. Coaches do make a difference as we can clearly see looking at New York. Teams need a leader, someone who can inspire them. The Raptors need someone be it a coach or a player to fill that role. Chris Bosh is a very good player not a leader. The biggest job for Bryan Colangelo this off season is to find a coach who can fill that role.

[Jordan]

I really really hope BC is smart enough to trade CB; sort of hoping he'd have done it already.
He doesn't play like he wants to stay and if he does stay he will wreck our franchise with his max contract.
All this trying to surround CB with talent scares me. Out of all the players one might choose to surround with talent (ie. center a team around) he would be near the bottom for sure; no shame in being at the bottom of the top but still.

[Richard Spackman]

Doug:
In the fourth and fifth paragraphs of this article: http://www.48minutesofhell.com/2009/02/11/tim-duncan-is-the-window/ , everyone can see the value of Chris Bosh, as he is seen by others.
After all, Chris doesn't turn 25 until 24 Mar.'09. His only problem is his computer - he's addicted to it like most people his age.
Doesn't it seem that those Olympics take something out of people (Chris and Jose to name two). The season is long enough without enough time off.

Blogger's note; Those Olympics haven't seemed to have any impact on guys like Bryant, James, Gasol. I don't think you can blame the Games.

[Nick]

Unless some team chemistry appears in the near future, Marion will be wondering for the rest of the year what the hell kind of NBA team he's been brought to. When you watch him on both ends of the floor, he's the only player that seems to be aware of what's going on all around him. If a shot goes up and he can be in any position to get a rebound, that's where he'll be.

I still love following the Raptors, and when they are playing well consistently you couldn't ask for a better bunch of guys to be a fan of, but when they are off they are an embarrassment. You rarely see even the poorer teams play with such a lack of effort on the defensive end and complete lack of an idea of what to do offensively. Most of the time 3 players or more seem to be playing the role of observer.

This team desperately needs a top level coach or we can forget about Bosh in 2010 and Marion next year, which would honestly be great. No offense to Triano, but if someone of Stan Van Gundy or Mike D'Antoni's caliber ever coached here we would see proper NBA basketball on a nightly basis.

[Takashi]

Doug with the way the economy is going do you even see any competition to the Raps in resigning Marion?

How Much do you think he will get?

Blogger's note: Yes. No idea

[James C.]

We Raptor fans like Leaf fans overrate the talents of the home team. Bosh a max player (no way - a nice player but not one to bring a championship), Calderon an all-star PG (please!!! I can't remember a worst defensive PG in Raptors history. High Assist/Turnover ratio disguises the loss of easy fast break points). Barney the next Dirk (he's not even going to be the next Mehmet Okur). Marion the new saviour (there's a reason for him being with 3 different teams in last 2 years). Can our Con-man (oops. Colangelo) wake up and blow this thing up before its too late.

[K]

The bounds of your foolishness never cease. AP could have been traded, the fact that taking back salary would have to be part of the deal does not make it a deal breaker. If you accept that AP is playing above his salary level (or has played in the past) then you are claiming it is smart business sense to take a player who is a net positive (ability vs. salary) and making him worthless (free agency). I think most "business" people would call you several versions of "less than intelligent" for that claim.

Stop making excuses and pretending you are BC's advisor. You're a writer who thinks too highly of himself and nothing else.

P.S. I don't know how you can claim Marion is more than a rental player. What exactly are we going to have for him in 2009/2010 other than the loss of a 1st rounder, the loss of Moon and another rebuilding project? But keep up the good work of sucking up to BC so you can stay in the clubhouse.

Blogger's note: You're back, eh. Oh, joy! It was a deal-breaker, and I know that. You don't.

[Nick]

Toronto Raptors 08-09 season recap so far, in slogan form.

"Rapathy is back!"
"Pessimism, saving you from so many disappointments."
"Great on Paper, Great on.....uh...paper."
"TSN2: Saving you from watching terrible losses."

And so on. It's too bad I love this team so much, and for some reason still haven't missed watching a game all year.

[Mike P]

The raps play, has ruined my life.

[monroe]

Hey K, why don't you shut up?
This is Doug's blog, and so you go here to read Doug's opinion. If you don't like his opinion, go read one of the other many Raptors blogs that match your opinion. Or better yet, start your own blog so you can actually do something constructive instead of embarrassing yourself with your lack of knowledge and childish rage.
Also, I'm so sick of the theories that Doug is involved in some sort of conspiracy to spread pro Raptor propoganda. If anyone can come up with a Noam Chomsky style propoganda model that can explain the media's alleged bias towards favourable coverage of the Raptors, please let me know. Otherwise, I suggest it'd be a better use of your time to investigate black helicopters.
I doubt many of the readers of this blog agree with Doug 100% of the time, but I suspect the vast majority respect his opinion, and when they disagree are decent enough to argue him using facts and logic instead of obnoxious and nonsensical personal attacks.

[GM]

I PVR'd the game last night and still haven't watched it. Are you suggesting I just hit 'delete'?

Blogger's note: I know your passion for basketball regardless of the outcome of any particular game so maybe you'd want to watch a bit just to see some of the game. If you're hoping to find any redeeeming value from the efforts of the Raptors, I'd delete faster than you think.

[Philosoraptor]

Hey K. Little sense, what you say makes. I never thought that locking up salary on a less than stellar player when your team is crying for change would ever be a sound business move. That's what trading AP would realistically have fetched, unless it was Memphis and the Raps pretended to be the Lakers. I don't know where you learned business, but in BASKETBALL, most people who have even a slight idea of how things work would rather have flexibility for this offseason given the sticky situation the team is in. I'm sorry. You must be right, since you can read BC's mind and tell if it was a deal breaker or not. You sir, miss the mark.

p.s. I am indeed sucking up to Doug, but I am right, or at least more right than you. That's what really counts.

[Tim W.]

K,

I probably disagree with Doug as much as anyone here, but you're just being a dick, which makes you look bad, not Doug.

[John White]

hey Doug hows it going..tough year. One of my favourite old bball proverbs is "if you want a good team, your best players have to be your hardest workers". I have yet to see a coach step on the floor and make a play, so the only way out of this situation is player-led on the court. [Mind you a smart coach always helps] Players can lead the "effort" in a game many ways. I have heard Bosh criticised for not being a leader, but in my mind he leads by his actions on the court..he wants to be a hard worker, although he is struggling at present. No he is not vocal, but it's just not "him" right now...maybe in a few years. But you need a core of hard workers, especially to do the tough jobs : rebounding, D, and running the floor. I think Garbo was also so important to this team in this way. But since he left, where are the tough players needed to support Bosh? JO could have helped, but injury diminished his effect. There are other senior players - Calderon for example - but his defensive problems mean no one is really going to listen to him if he says "c'mon guys, lets put in the effort". He is an organiser, not a leader. Where is the core of mentally tough players who can just get it done? If they are going to trade, will BC look for such players, or just for numbers?

The Raps are, and have been for many years, a soft team. Bosh needs help, and Bargs is still so young. Marion..who knows? One thing, I hope a smart PG who can also defend his man is available in the draft. It is tough playing D when the easy option is taking our PG to the rack.....from there on you are always going to struggle.

When our best players are our hardest workers, then I will know we can be a competitive team.

[chris]

7 of 13 is a little more than half, and i bet that percentage is true throughout the NBA...in fact, i bet we are actually lower than the league-average.

[Tim W.]

As for the Raptors, while the loss was embarrassing and all those superlatives, but it's one game. The Raptors go on a three game winning streak and everyone will forget this loss. A lot of fans seem to ride on the highs and lows of the team's play, when it's the median that matters. You take out the win against the Spurs, as well as the blowout against Houston. The you take out the loss against the Knicks and the embarrassing loss against Denver before Sam Mitchell was fired. The rest of the games are who the Raptors are. No, Adam G, they're not a bottom 4 team. They are where they are. 8th worst. That's why they play 82 games. In the end, the teams finish about where they should. You guys want bad, watch Sacramento or Washington. At least the Raptors can, at times, put together a pretty good game.

And I know everyone is disgusted with Bosh because he can't put his team on his shoulders and take it to the playoffs, but very few players can do that. Garnett was criticized endlessly about that in Minnesota, especially near the end. He's shipped to Boston and suddenly it's forgotten. Bosh doesn't need Kobe Bryant or Dwayne Wade around him to win a championship, just as Garnett didn't need LeBron or Shaq or Rasheed didn't need, well, you get the picture. Bosh isn't Tim Duncan, but neither is Dwight Howard or Yao Ming or any of the other big men in the league nowadays. They need great players around them to win.

And while Calderon is a mediocre defender, attacking the other parts of his game is nonsense. Stick him on a team that can run and he'll play well. And for those with short memories, Calderon is not nearly as bad a defender as some here seem to think. He wasn't last year and he hasn't been when he's been 100% healthy.

I also find it funny that some of the people criticizing Calderon and Bosh's defense are the same one's who want Nash and Amare on the team. Apparently the irony is lost on them , however.

[Darko]

GM, don't do it. I've watched 1st half only and that was as Doug would say " one hour of my life that I will not get back"
But, I did see something that I have not seen in a long time.
CB blocked a shot of the guy that he was checking.

[Darko]

Doug, you still think we shouldn't have done CB for Tay and Maxiel as principals, AND have mother of all expiring contracts (JO) coming this summer or next Feb. As it is, more and more it looks like only exp. contract that we will have in '10 is that of CB. If Isola is any indicator, seems like people out there are onto Bosh and his jump shooting, no D, no leadership game.

[Tash Poeme]

I'm sure many have said it before (and will continue to say it ad nauseum). Toronto is cursed! We might as well start getting used to the idea the titles won't come here ever again!

Re: those Raptors (actually it's true for ALL Toronto teams)! Management needs to STOP building the team around ONE player, it hasn't worked, it will NEVER EVER WORK! We can't expect players like Bosh (or Carter, McGrady or Stoudamire before him), to carry our team, because after the first couple of years, they have all started to rest on their laurels because they've gotten tired and pissed and then they 'misbehave' to force a trade.

They need 'substantial' back up, whether it's one, two or even three other guys. And what's up with the Raps getting rid of good coaches? Who cares if they make the 'boys cry'?

I'll stop now, but it's passion and heart that many of our Toronto's teams have always lacked, the star player becomes more important than the team and a management team that is so inexperienced that they make their decisions like moody adolescents. Check the history books boys and girls, you'll see, even when we had an inkling of glory one of the above has always ended up crashing the 'party'.