As a one-time event, that one yesterday was a doozy

I know it’s impossible to take one game as a singular event in a sports season that always has to be thought of in the context of 82 games but for sheer entertainment value, that one yesterday was right up there with the best in a long time.

Enough mistakes to make it angst-filled, enough big plays to make jaws slacken. It wasn’t the perfect game but it was a great one and while it means nothing really in the big picture – Chicago’s likely going to the playoffs, the Raptor season was shot behind the ear years ago – don’t tell anyone in the arena that it meant nothing.

And that’s why sports is great.

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CARLOS OSORIO/TORONTO STAR

More rim destroying from Pops yesterday.

So The Legend grows.

That little performance by Pops yesterday – 13 points, four boards in 23 minutes – was vintage. Energy at both ends, a couple of minor blips (dribbling after grabbing an offensive rebound puts the ball in play for all the tiny guys in the paint to peck away at) but the kind of effort that’s become his trademark.

As regulars know, I’m all for keeping him – at a reasonable cost – next season and I found out last night that there’s another twist to his contract that might make that possible.

Among the more arcane parts of the CBA as it relates to the cap and impending free agents is a clause that says guys like Pops, signed until the end of this season, are restricted free agents as long as the Raptors make him a qualifying offer, which I’m sure they will.

So no matter what kind of sniffs he gets out there, and he will get more than a few, Bryan will have the chance to match an offer and keep the fan favourite.

And the more I think about it, a frontcourt rotation of Bosh, Bargnani, Pops and Hump sounds pretty good.

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Action: Ben Gordon shoots

Reaction: An awful lot

There has been, and there will be, much debate over whether the Raptors should try to make a legitimate and serious push for Chicago’s Gordon this summer and after he went off for 37 yesterday, the screams for him are going to be louder.

But, please, consider this:

He’s not really a slasher, he’s certainly not what anyone would consider a lock-down, or even above-average defender.

What he is is a relatively under-sized, volume-shooting combo guard. Make no mistake about it, he’s a good relatively under-sized, volume-shooting combo guard but that’s what he is.

If Bryan’s talking seriously to Chicago, I’m asking about Luol Deng and leaving Gordon right out of the conversation.

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Would have loved to have asked the “Hey, look at me! I’m the cool guy wearing shades in the arena” Terrell Owens what he thought of the game but, of course, he didn’t bother to stick around.

Could have given his ticket stub to someone on the way out to use the seat he occupied for, oh, I dunno, about half the game.

Good luck, Buffalo.

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Still in the digression mode, did anyone anywhere in the world really expect Tiger Woods to miss that putt?

This guy is a killer; no way that one wasn’t going right in the middle.

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So I’m in a place after the game being social and it’s got a lot of TVs playing all kinds of sports and I look over my shoulder and there’s San Antonio-New Orleans.

And I think, of all the old-time Raptors hanging around, especially the ones no one thought would amount to an awful lot, the one I’m most happy for has to be Sean Marks.

I know Matt Bonner and Roger Mason Jr. are good stories and all but I look up there and Marks is blocking a Manu three-pointer and scoring on the baseline and really contributing to a pretty good team.

And I tell ya, he’s one of the really good guys.

We’re in San Antonio at a finals one year, he’s playing for the Spurs. It’s an off-day and the last thing a gaggle of grunts wants to do for dinner is fight the crowds on the Riverwalk so I asked Sean for a recommendation and he tells us to go to the Quarry Market, sit outside at this one place and it’ll be great.

So, Toronto, Philly, Minneapolis and Jersey all head out there, we’re having a lovely dinner and here comes a round of cocktails, courtesy of Mr. Marks, who’s sitting at a table over there.

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Oh, in Chicago, my man K.C., who knows everything Bull, races from a marathon game to barely catch a flight home and he still manages to file this for the Trib readers.

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Action: One small step

Reaction: One big move by Bargnani

This is pretty much rudimentary Basketball 101 but the play Bargnani made with 58.8 seconds left in the fourth quarter last evening is another example of his maturation.

He gets the ball on the wing near the three-point arc, fakes, puts his head down and starts that ramble of his to the basket.

But, instead of going all the way to the rim – where he’d inevitably either run into someone and commit an offensive foul or be forced to put up one of those zany out-of-control, off-balance, underhand-scoop layups that are one of his trademarks, he pulls up quickly, stops entirely and hits a little eight-footer that puts Toronto up by three.

Lots of guys make that play, he seldom does but it was a very nice thing for the coach to see.

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You know I’m not a big stats geek at all, in fact I think the fact most of them can be bent to suit any purpose renders them a very insignificant part of most conversations but, still, 22 points and 19 assists is darn impressive.

I’m searching and searching and searching and over the last eight days, I cannot see a single “trade Jose” e-mail.

People must be having computer problems, right?

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A random question plucked from a near-empty mailbox:

Q: It seems apparent that the number of games played by Bosch and Calderone had some impact on this season. Do you know what the plans are this off-season such as the FIBA events?

Bill C, Oakville

A: When I see Bosch and Calderone, whoever they may be, I’ll ask them.

But Chris Bosh has no commitments whatsoever, it’s an off-year for the Americans, who don’t have to qualify for the worlds because of their Olympic triumph.

The last time I talked to Jose Calderon about it was about three weeks ago and he hadn’t made up his mind but made it sound like his tenure with the Spanish national team – a program he’s been with for about 13 years – is coming to an end. At the very least, nothing for him until August at the earliest, the European championships in Poland aren’t until September.

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Comments

[pete]

Hey Doug, I noticed you talked a lot about a downscreen for Bargnani being a very effective play. Please forgive my ignorance but what is a downscreen?

Blogger's note: Without benefit of a white board, I'll try to explain: As Bosh sets a high screen for Calderon and rolls to the basket, on the other side of the court one of the other Raptors, usually Marion, sets a screen for Bargnani, who comes from near the baseline on a straight line to the three-point line. That's the "downscreen."

[scott]

how goes the cold doug?
was at the game yesterday and couldn't agree more about the 'tanking' concept being ridiculous. i am only able to come up from ptbo for 4-5 games/year at most and even though this game was moot in terms of the standings it was great entertainment; almost have my voice back this morning!
had to, nicely, give the guys beside me grief when they both out and out booed bosh on that bad behind the backboard shot at the end of the game. couldn't believe they didn't cheer once all game then had the gall to boo and go on about 'not a franchise player'...yeah he sure stunk the joint out last night. of course they were also all over calderon for the botched pass/shot pick and roll...19 assists is pretty rotten too. i hope they have never made a mistake at their jobs!!
ok end of rant. thanks doug!

Blogger's note: Cold's getting better, thanks; has moved from head to chest

[Patrick]

Morning Doug,

That was a great game! Not to mention the cherry on top regarding Pops' contract (I think Mr. Colangelo mentioned it specifically during halftime).

Quick question since you mentioned Jose and Chris' national team obligations. If Andrea plays for Italy this year (I'm assuming that he will), how much of his summer will that take up? Will he still be able to attend some "big man" camps and/or work out with fellow NBAers?

Thanks!

[kathyt]

quote -- [You know I’m not a big stats geek at all, in fact I think the fact most of them can be bent to suit any purpose renders them a very insignificant part of most conversations but, still, 22 points and 19 assists is darn impressive.

I’m searching and searching and searching and over the last eight days, I cannot see a single “trade Jose” e-mail.

People must be having computer problems, right?]

Doug, sadly these people are still out there, all you have to do is check out raptors.com :( I decided a little while a go not to head back to their site, the TJ crowd just can't seem let go.

Anyhoo, I really enjoyed yesterdays game, onward and upward as they say. I hope they finish strong, and that everyone stays healthy for the remainder of the year. Bummer that the next game is on TSN2. I will be following you on your game day blog, keep up the great work.

[Dan W]

I'm sure there is a website that has a stat somewhere for this. At the end of close games when the Raptors need to hit both free throws it seems Parker usually manages to miss at least one of them. Being the MVP of the Eruo League I thought he would be better in those situations. I could be remembering wrong but I thought there were a few games this year where that has happend.

Blogger's note: According to 82games.com, the leader in this kind of stat, AP is a 77 per cent free throw shooter this season in the last five minutes or overtime of games with a five-point-or-fewer differential

[Eric]

I don't know why it's so interesting for you to remark that you don't get any calls to trade a guy after he has a good game (like Jose yesterday). You seem to think it means something?!?! Or maybe you're just trying to support your bias by ignoring the rest of the sample size!

Well, I agree.... It does mean something. It means that fans aren't as crazy as you think, but who said anything about NOT trading him (or anyone)? That's a false assumption to make. Maybe now's just not the time to bring it up, ever think of that?!?! It takes the man five months (or an entire season) to start taking the ball to the hole? We're supposed to be happy with that? I don't care if he's injured or not (if he is, it's his fault!). The fact is that Jose Calderon has led this team to the most disappointing season in its history. To assume it won't happen again on the basis of a quite meaningless game vs Chicago in almost-April is to be going out of your way to support an argument lost a long time ago.

Jose may have "turned the corner" so to speak, or he may not have. We don't know. But what I do know is that this team is almost 20 games under .500 and mulligans don't exist in pro basketball. If this team (or a player) heats up now, it only affirms what critics have long thought of them, it doesn't dispute it: when this team had pressure to win, they lost; now they have pressure to lose (if anything) and they're finally winning. You can call that coincidence. I call it 20 games under .500.

[Kelsie]

Hey Doug,

A win's a win but when I watched the replay of the game they were up by 17 points with 8 minutes to go! I enjoy winning as much as anyone else but thats nothing to be proud of and has been a problem the whole year. Good teams or even mediocore ones would have found a way to finish that game before OT. Gordon hit some big shots yes, but our defence is leaky and we can never hang our hat on it when it counts.

I know everyone is pleased that they've won four in a row but it's the end of the year, and we were up a huge number until Chicago turned up the intensity and we didn't repsond until overtime. I would have been more impressed had we have played the same way for 48 minutes and beat them by the 15 pts we had on them for 3 and a half quarters.

21-19 (Jose) are great numbers, but the increased speculation about what if Jose was healthy all year should be left at speculation. A pessimist could speculate that until he is able to play a full year as a starter putting up good numbers, the fact of the matter is he's yet to get the Raptors to the playoffs as the starting pg for this team for an entire year. Thats a reality. I'm hearing (from BC interview) injuries being the reason why the year turned out the way it did and it's dissapointing that we are using excuses to explain our failings instead of looking ourselves in the mirror and really trying to not repeat the same mistakes we have made this year and make this a better team.

If everyone thinks the major difference in us having a successful year this year was Jose Calderon's hamstring, then you haven't been paying close enough attention to all of the other problems this team has. Just look at yesterday's game which should hammer that point home. How did they lose a 17 point lead at home in less than 8 minutes???

I don't mean to be the 'rain cloud' this morning but lets keep it all in proper perspective.

[Michael]

It's a really good game yesterday and they played very well. It's been a long time we win a game by defense in late minute.

But there're two things that they need to do in order to have a better next season.

Even though Jose had a good game but you have to realized that he can't create his own shot. Late in the game he had the ball, the screen play didn't work and Miller is on him, he can't get pass him or create his own shot so he pass the ball to Bosh I think where he got the ball in a difficult position.

It's clear they need a guard that can creates his own shot all by himself in game deciding situation.

Second thing is the defender that Doug's mentioned. But if you look at the FA list this offseason. There're only 3 players that fits that category and we already have one, the matrix. But I don't think he's willing to take a lower contract than G Wallace. That left with Artest and T. Arzor from lakers. Everyone knows Artest won't be good in locker room and that left with Arzor but he doesn't have the size, rebound, shot blocker skills like the matrix.

So actually it's interesting to see what BC can do as the FA list doesn't look that good.

[petro]

Doug... way to keep "turning it out"... impressive to say the least and perhaps worthy of another award!!!

Couple of things I would like your comment on:

At the half on CBC... Jack told Elliotte that it's 50/50 that Bosh is back with the Raps next season. What's your true take on those worrisome percentages Jack threw out there?

Also, does Ukic plan on playing for Croatia this summer at the Euro's? Personally I think he will and it would be best for his development. Or do the Raps plan on putting him on their own workout regime - like they did with Bargs.

Blogger's note: 50-50's as good a guess as I can come up with. And, yes, Roko is definitely playing for Croatia, after he plays in the summer league for the Raptors.

[evan]

gordon is a free agent

[Kevin]

LONG LIVE POPS!

[brennan]

"You know I’m not a big stats geek at all, in fact I think the fact most of them can be bent to suit any purpose renders them a very insignificant part of most conversations "

-AGREED.
people love their stats. its the be-all, end-all for some reason. to the point, that people only talk about a player's numbers instead of a player's skill.

[anthony.mackay]

People are quick to forget about that little summer tournament that Bosh and Jose both played in, they basically played back to back seasons with a super intense Olympics in the middle so you have to expect there is a chance that one of them will show some signs of fatigue (hamstring, knee).
If these guys had the normal time off in the summer to recover from the regular season grind I bet they both would have played many more games which would have given us a better record. If you factor in all those games they DID play but at less then 100% you have to think that would have been some additional wins too!

If you put this current roster on the floor for at least 75+ games next year I bet we are the 4-5 seed in the east, yes a major move may be needed depending on what happens with Marion but besides that I think a few solid role players could have us in the thick of the playoff race next year!

Looking forward to BC's next move(s)!

[Marc in Burlington]

Hi Doug,

Does Andrea Bargnani have commitments to the Italian National Team this summer? it would be great to see him have another off season to work on his post moves. He made great strides last summer!

Blogger's note: He hasn't done anything with them in a few years, not sure he would this summer. Haven't heard any rumblings that he's going to

[Rahil]

Owens - They showed him on CBC during Overtime?

Blogger's note: His seat was empty before the game ended, I checked.

[John P]

gordon is a free agent

Posted by: evan | March 30, 2009 at 09:19 AM

They will sign and trade him, guaranteed, not just let him go.

I agree that Deng is the guy that would fit best on this team, but what do you think it would take to get him? Kapono and the pick?
And what if Gordon was introduced into the conversation. Would Bosh for Gordon/Deng/Joakim be a trade you'd make?

Blogger's note: I don't think so, no.

[Pat]

Can you imagine the fan reaction if a Canadian-born, star point guard decided not to play for the national team just as he hit his prime? I wonder how the Spanish will react if Jose decides to rest.

[Uncle Zeke]

Bosh, Bargnani, Pops and Humphries sounds like a pretty good frontcourt? Wow Doug.. already starting the spin job for next year dissapointing season?
Didn't you start off this year saying that Calderon, Parker, Solomon and Adams sounds like a pretty good backcourt?
If the Raps come into next season with the aforementioned as their top 4 frontcourt players- BC should be fired ASAP.

Blogger's note: No, as a matter of fact, I didn't but then putting words in my mouth is something that's done regularly. From the opening day of training camp I suggested the problems with the athleticism on the wings and the lack of a proven point guard were huge obstacles. But since that doesn't jibe with your way of thinking, it's quickly forgotten.
Thanks for writing though

[Mike kovacs]

You are so right about not tanking games. I have been lucky - 6 games this year and 3 were wins over Orlando, Spurs and yesterday's over the Bulls. Each of my boys goes to one game and the 9 year old yesterday had a great time ( and got on TV too !). The games are as much about entertainment as anything else - of course it is better when they win!

[sg60]

Hi Doug,

I completely agree your comments on Ben Gordon. He is absolutely not what the Raps need. A couple of years ago I was really high on Luol Deng and I still like him but I'm not as sure about him as I used to be. His star seems to have dimmed lately and I'm not sure if it's just because of all the injuries or if there are other issues.

[Darren]

TO was at the game til the very end of Overtime. Me and my buddies kept looking over to see if he had any reaction to the plays. He did leave briefly after regulation and returned with a minute and a half left in OT but surprised he even came back for the rest!

[Mike W]

Where has Herbie the PA dude been the last couple games? I hope his replacement isnt permanent. Keep up the good work Doug, I love your articles and blog.

Blogger's note: He's been sick, I've been told

[Pat Connors]

Oklahoma should lottery draft Thabeet and sign Ben Gordon. With their second 1st round pick, they either package it with one of their backup point guards to move back into the lottery or use it on the best available 2/3. At this point, they would be better than over half the teams in the East, and finish about 10th in the West...

[Jojo]

Nice win, but it's hard to get over the fact that they gave up 42 points in the 4th to a team playing on a back-to-back and coughed up a huge lead at home. If Rose makes that gimme layup, maybe nobody is celebrating today.

And can we please just remember that these 4 wins have all come against sub-500 teams, at home? I can't believe so many people are asking the "what if" questions. I'm not usually such a downer but this is what ticks me off about this team. GOOD teams would be upset about that 4th quarter, and they would be upset that they weren't winning when it mattered. Yeah, they need some happiness in a dismal season but maybe they don't hold themselves to a high enough standard.

Speaking of stats and their meaningfulness, when AP went to the line, everybody and their mother thought he was a lock to miss one of two.

On a happy note, Bargs grabbed a couple of big rebounds down the stretch which was very nice to see. As a team, they've also been rebounding much better lately but not sure if that's a reflection of the competition.

[Uncle Zeke]

"From the opening day of training camp I suggested the problems with the athleticism on the wings and the lack of a proven point guard were huge obstacles."

Actually Doug you're the one spewing reviosionist history but nothing new there- that's your m.o. I happen to clearly recollect you belittling numerous commenters who suggested Raps bring in a veteran like Lindsay Hunter or Anthony Johnson. Seems like maybe wouldn't have been such a bad idea...