I wonder what's next in this wacky year

I fully expect to go to shootaround later this morning and find that a plague of locusts has descended on the Raptors locker room.

It’s been that kind of season.

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Lots of questions yesterday on how the Bosh story developed, why it came out when it did, how things shook out.

Honest answer: I don’t know.

Dave got the story, I’m not sure when but I know our business and I know no one “sits” on a story like that, although I didn’t ask.

That’s the way these things generally work is, if a guy gets something, it’s his. I don’t share a lot of inside information (it’s much better to keep a circle as closed as you can when you’re dealing with sources or tips) and I don’t expect to be keep in the loop on something I’m not working on.

If I were to get something, say a trade of Jermaine O’Neal to Miami, I keep my bosses in the loop and that’s about it.

Should this one have been written?

Absolutely.

And it was written perfectly, in my opinion. Comment solicited from both sides (the opportunity turned down by one), context to timing provided, context to part of the issue that made it news (Bosh’s declining play in December) also provided.

Good story well written.

Of course, as I mentioned yesterday, this is a far cry from being anything proven in court and in situations like this there are layers and layers of truth, fiction and spin. I don’t know what went on between those two kids, you don’t know, nobody knows for sure except them.

I would expect the final determination by the courts may provide some answers (although if there’s some out-of-court settlement – not uncommon at all – it may include some sort of gag order that precludes anything else from being made public and I also presume that’s not unheard-of in these cases).

But I will say this:

If all of the points made in the case are true, Chris Bosh has absolutely bamboozled me and thousands of other people he’s come in contact with on an almost daily basis during the past six NBA seasons.

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Now on to more, less contentious, much more frivilous issues.

Like why this team blows.

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Math time, and you know I suck at math.

Yesterday’s contention that the main fix needed is with the team’s defence was based on anecdotal evidence but here are some numbers:

The Raptors are 21st in scoring, 20th in points allowed;

The Raptors are 27th in points per game differential (which some people say is a telling stat).

The Raptors are 16th in field goal percentage, 21st in field goal percentage allowed;

The Raptors are 12th in three-point field goal percentage; 13th in three-point field goal percentage allowed.

The Raptors are seventh in assists; 27th in opponents assists.

They score enough, shoot it well enough from both sides of the arc and move the ball well enough that I do think they get enough points.

What they cannot do is stop anyone, anywhere.

The anecdotal evidence goes like this:

Jose has to be healthier and better

Bosh has to be better man-on-man and with his help

Bargnani has to be a better help defender

The wings are simply not quick enough to keep their men in front of them.

And better defence leads to more misses by the opponents, which leads to more transition baskets, which is where this team – at times – has thrived. If they get stops and run, they get better looks and score more.

I’m not saying the offence, with its reliance on spotty outside shooting, is perfect, but they get enough points right now; they need to give up fewer.

Of course, you know me and math, this could be entirely botched but I don’t think so.

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I swear, the folks in the Bucks PR department, eminently qualified and one of the best groups in the league, have too much time on their hands. This was passed on by T. Enlund, Milwaukee scribbler, yesterday.

BANGO SURGERY UPDATE

Bucks mascot Bango had successful surgery Monday morning to repair the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his right knee, the team announced today.

The surgical procedure was performed by orthopedic surgeon Dr. Michael Gordon, M.D., at Columbia St. Mary’s Hospital in Ozaukee, Wisconsin.

Bango will begin rehabilitation immediately and is expected to make a complete recovery in time for the start of the 2009-10 season. The popular mascot will continue to set the entertainment pace at Milwaukee’s final five home games of the season next month, and is expected back for the next home game on Wednesday, April 1 vs. the Los Angeles Lakers.

The ageless Bango has brought smiles and thrills to Bucks fans at home games, appearances, parades, school assemblies, hospital visits, festivals, and everywhere Bucks fans celebrate since 1977. He has performed throughout the United States, Canada and in China.

That’s one tough stuffed animal. Blows out an ACL and is still going to do some schtick after surgery?

This is old, but it’s how he got hurt and had to have surgery and it’s an absolute classic. And, yes, that is The Raptor down there trying to see if he can help his fellow, ah, er, fellow thing. What a humanitarian.

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Oh, right, forgot one thing. Sorry, but we didn’t get too deep into the whole Quincy Douby in, Marcus Banks out transaction from yesterday.

So here it is:

Marcus Banks is having a bone spur on his toe removed and will be out for the year, Quincy Douby, who got a 10-day deal out of the D League.

What’s it mean? Um, nothing really. But, dutifully, I shall report that it has no impact whatsoever on the court or on the balance sheet. It does give the Raptors another guard should they have to play, you know, garbage time in any of their remaining 12 games.

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Speaking of T. Enlund, chronicler of all things Bucks and a general bon vivant, here’s how he set up tonight’s mighty struggle, in which Scott Skiles channels his inner Sam Mitchell on the importance of games.

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Cue the scary music, this is a bit spooky.

It’s yesterday’s Horoscope from our newspaper

If today is your birthday:

Without troubles, we would never be able to appreciate the good times. The sky is offering a clear cosmic promise of some much-needed and highly anticipated positive change. Chris Bosh is 25 today.

Comments

[James]

Doug,

With CBA's child and baby-mama residing in Maryland, does this automatically open up the trade lines between the Raps and the Wizards??

Let the rumor mill churn!!!

Keep up the good work.

Cheers

[dave]

I think Roxanne makes a valid point on the story's balance. Kinda makes the scoop tabloidy? Quite a big difference from when Bosh started to deal with things and the impression left by the article. Here's to a two game win streak!

[Jason]

We've got some great people here reading the blog when they give you crap for something you never wrote.
Also, do you think Dave receives emails from fans that don't like what you write? I'd go out on a limb to say he doesn't but it looks like theres too many of your readers already out on the limb.
One more thing, all these blog readers should stop jumping to conclusions about Bosh making a mistake as there is no proof yet that he's done anything wrong. Oops I thing you already told everyone that but they didn't listen.

[Mike P. from Chicago's Northside]

This would explain things about Bosh's inconsistent play this year. How do you shake off something like that. If i was him, the court case would be just lingering in my mind.

I get being professional and all that jazz. However, i work in the mental health field (particularly those who have several kids with several different women, horrified by child support and are stressed + worried etc.........the irony), and you would be surprised just how serious emotional issues can mess up your focus.

Anyways, i'm glad to hear of a possible reason for why bosh came out like a superstud to begin the season, and then tapered off when december started. i don't think you can consider bosh's issue as a scapegoat, that is some messed up stuff, really.

[Jeff Steele]

Oh man that chicken falling through the hoop is too funny. My co-workers around my cubicle were probably wondering what I was laughing at so hysterically after I watched it. I feel bad for the poor guy but still, priceless physical comedy there.

[Malefax]

I think the stats here do pretty clearly indicate that scoring is as much a problem for the Raps as defense is. The Raptors offensive rank compared with other teams in the league is even worse than their defense. And, anecdotally, this makes sense: think of the overtime games the Raps have lost, where their inability to shut down the opposition is matched at the other end by their inability to get consistent offense. This does seem to be one of those cases where, logically, if you score fewer points than the average team and give up more points, it doesn't make much sense to lay it all on the defense. Both have contributed pretty much equally, statistically speaking, to the Rap's tendency to finish 48 minutes with fewer points than the other guy.

Both these failings seem to stem from the Raptor's inadequacy at the wings. Kapono, Moon, Graham, Parker, and Marion, over the course of the season, have been absolutely annihilated by their opposing numbers. I think this page summarises nicely the way the Raptors wings have been abused over the course of the season: http://www.82games.com/0809/0809TOR5.HTM . Look at the scoring differential if you don't like PER -- and notice that it reflects not just the low scoring of the Raptors wings, but the relatively high scoring of their opposite numbers. To me that's the real story of the Raptors year: Kapono didn't continue his playoff contribution, AP and Moon went downhill, and none of our wings could defend man-to-man. In particular, opposing small forwards produced at the 4th highest rate against us, whereas our guys at the 3 produced the 4th worst, giving us the 3rd worst differential in the league at that spot, better only than the Knicks and the Clippers.

Relatively insensitive stats leave a lot of things out, but I think these highlight nicely the Raps biggest issue: talent at wing.

[Dan W]

I'm pretty sure what Doug was suggesting was that improved defense will also create more offense and easier baskets. The Raptors offense is really not that bad, but due to the fact they don't defend well or rebound they are constantly playing against a set defense and never get any easy baskets. Therefore Dougs saying the offense is fine is probably true. I think being near the bottom in fast break points and points in the paint would also back that point up.

[Pharaoh]

What's a Bango anyway?

[Paul]

If my prior comment was offensive to you, Doug, I apologize. I'm off of the limb.

Blogger's note: Not offensive at all; just wanted to set the record straight is all

[Kevin]

Hi Doug,

I think the statistical breakdown of the Raps is lacking a few important items. 1) This team cannot get baskets when they need them in crunch time. 2)As much as Bargnani has improved he will need to improve his fourth quarters. 3) Double digits leads blown. 4) Missed baskets in the paint.

I have no idea about qualifiers but this team does not get easy baskets in tough games. Try tracking that one to prove it (I'll bet someone out there has a system).

[Andrew Gregg]

Hi Doug:

I think you and Feschuk provide an excellent one-two punch covering the Raptors. You don't see that kind of combination in every NBA city. Feschuk certainly comes down on the cynical side of the equation, but that's half the fun of reading his copy.

That being said, I wonder if his speculation didn't reach a bit far today. Every paragraph contained a qualification, but what stood out was this:

"If the allegations in the court filings prove to be true – and that's a massive if because nothing has been proven in court – it's difficult to imagine Colangelo proceeding with Bosh on the roster past this season."

Many will come away from reading that convinced that Bosh is on the next flight out of town--not because that's what Feschuk said, but because he put the idea out there. And I think he put it out there too soon, before there's enough information available.

The Kidd story in Phoenix notwithstanding, the NBA and pro-sports leagues in general are filled with teams standing by young men misbehaving and making bad moves--loaded guns in cars, pot possession, DUIs or worse (see Anthony, Carmelo; Bryant, Kobe). Bosh is the cornerstone of a multi, multi million dollar enterprise. I would imagine Colangelo is calculating--at least he better be, if he's going to be a successful GM here. A paternity suit is a nasty bit of business, but is that alone worth squandering an asset like Bosh?

I think there is a place for a column like Feschuk's today, but maybe today is not the right time, because today, Bosh is guilty of nothing. Maybe that changes in the coming weeks, but I just don't see enough evidence yet to be reading Bosh's Toronto obituary.

AG, Toronto

[John P]

what do you think: should arenas play?

[Doug]

these people that are stat crazy people or these individuals that are in hockey pools, or b-ball pools and gauge a teams performance on stats alone are just out of touch...you are correct Doug when you say our defense needs to improve as a good defense is the engine to a good offense, the Spurs are tantamount to that fact as were the Bulls. Their offense was contingent upon the success of their defense, and their defense was very successful in Jordan and Pippen as it's mainstays...

A good defense can mean 20-30 points a game, the worth of one tier one free agent contract...not only the points you stop due to your improved defense but also the transition points derived from it....so any good team, begins at the defensive end, and this point has been driven home time and time again over the history of the NBA, improve your offense by improving your defense....

[Doug]

you know my one problem with this whole Bosh situation is this..why is it that Feschuk broke the story but it is you interviewing Bosh for the follow-up ..where is Feschuk in the follow-up, if your going to write that story be man enough to follow it up, it seems like you two have a good guy bad guy situation there in the newsroom....has Feschuk ever actually interviewed BC or gone into the dressing room for these "scrums"??...anyways it is what it is, you I respect as a writer Feschuk I don't. I can't believe a man's aspirations were to become a reporter and this is what he has become...I still think in fairness to him it must be mandated to him what and how to write by his editors as what he writes is just mostly tripe...

Blogger's note: You're dead wrong on all your points. And my guy was there, he wrote a column, I wrote a news story, he's talked to BC and is in the locker room after every game.

[Christopher Marchant]

Hi Doug,

I still think the Raptors should have traded Bosh back in October when his value was sky high. I stil remember that belittling tirade you posted in your blog back then criticizing those who felt the time was right to trade Bosh. Chris in Victoria.

[Eden]

@ Mike P. from Chicago's Northside

Hold the phone...maybe the raptors did know about Bosh's fiasco from the beginning of the season. Thats got to be why they brought in the team therapist to be there if anyone had issues that needed to be resolved.

Seriously, you're reaching on that one (and I think Feschuk might have been as well saying that this is why Bosh stopped producing at his fervent pace. I think his article presented the facts that he had discovered, and have no issue for when it was released. Would it really have been that much better a day later? News is news. Like anything else written, one hopes people can draw their own conclusions. Feschuk may have hinted at his thoughts, but its up to the reader to determine whether they thought the both sides were presented or not and draw their own conclusions.

[DOW]

I think the Star's coverage on the CB4 situation has been great and in fact may turn out to be a positive thing for CB4 and his family. If it has hastened CB4 to own up to his responsibilities then the Star has done a fantastic service.
Hopefully it will not take him too long to realize how much joy there is in being an involved parent.

[WSG]

Roxanne G’s comment (10:29 AM) is the ONE comment that I’ve read from all that’s been said by professional and non-professional writers alike, that tells (only) a portion of the OTHER side of this story: “… a very quick look at the court documents (courtesy of the link provided in the Star) makes it very clear that Chris Bosh began a legal proceeding first - in early October to get custody and support sorted out even before the baby was born.”

While I do not believe it is up to any of us to ‘judge’ (with the exception of THE Judge) … that portion of detail noted above certainly hints towards what might be an intrinsic aspect of this story, necessary to any who wait (with baited breath) for enough of the rest of it to pronounce their own personal verdict on this man’s character. In my opinion, Dave Feschuk blew it in a big way.

On a similar note regarding the same story, is it so difficult to imagine scenarios that any of us could see ourselves in, that would have us (say) coming back from a business trip to discover that key relationship-dynamics had changed enough to end said relationship with perhaps even, extreme prejudice? I could come up with a few ‘possibles’.

As far as I’m concerned, Chris Bosh has earned the benefit of any doubt that any might have about how he conducts himself in his personal and private life … and frankly, if I never read another thing about this story, I for one, would not be disappointed.

Go Raps!

[Marlon]

Doug, with Season 8 underway, who's your early favorite in Dancing With The Stars? And can you dance better than The Woz?

Blogger's note: Don't think we're far enough along to have a favourite, but it won't be Woz. I like L'il Kim (who is dancing, of course, for the gals in the joint) but I can't believe they whacked Belinda Carlisle (an old crush of mine) so quickly.

[Kelsie]

Andrew Gregg,

I agree totally.

In my opinion Feschuck tends to 'lead the witness' too far and his speculation borders on rampant. Yesterdays article was a reporting of facts which is fine. Today no one wants to hear his speculation that if this stuff is true Chris's departure should be quickened or that BC would have a hard time keeping him.

And the comments regarding Chris's durability and sub-superstar skills? I like critical reporting but sometimes I think he goes too far and would like for his laptop or type writer (whatever he uses) to rebel against him and his speculation.

Question Doug. Have you ever seen one of the Raps verbally or physically confront a writer or reporter?

Blogger's note: Only one I can remember off the top of my head was Antonio Davis going at Perk verbally one day after Perk wrote something about Mrs. AD; I'm sure there are others I'll come up with given time

[Mr. Cook]

I went on a lengthy tirade yesterday about this. But, today you claim that Dave would not have 'sat' on this story because it's something that isn't done.

I'm not looking for a response here, but I take it that Dave is a professional journalist and I know for a fact the Star does an excellent job with reporting. So I don't 'get' the apparent gap between a lawsuit being filed on November 26th involving a star NBA player. It goes unnoticed by some sleepy court reporter down there who doesn't notice they've been filed against Chris Bosh as a defendant. But you already pointed out in the blog you hear 'whispers' going around about negative things but that kind of thing isn't something anyone is going to publish. So as a journalist you just stop there? You don't...say...ask Bosh? Ask his ex-girlfriend? Or if you don't want to bother them with personal questions based on unfounded whispers maybe you even look for paperwork to substantiate the rumors. As a layman, I would suggest court filings as a good spot to start.

Things are easy to pick at in hindsight, I know, but I can't reconcile one idea with the other. Either the story *was* sat upon or Dave is one of the worst journalists I've ever heard of (which I truly do not believe).

[king]

i usually dont comment on a person's personal life, but i think what dave did was wrong , he shouldnt have reported soemthing of such magnitude on the kid's birthday, i don't know what kind of man dave is, and im not the one to judge, but seriously on his birthday come on.

[Doug]

well I guess i am wrong, sorry about that, ...I guess reporters have to sell there souls a little bit, and can see now why the stories of grunts and there drinking exploits are out there...but your one of the good ones, so its all good..

[Tim W.]

While Doug may maintain that the Raptors score enough points, it's how the points are scored that is the problem. When they score inside, their winning percentage increases quite a bit. The problem, of course, is that they don't tend to score inside, all that much. The other problem is that the Raptors lack a type of player they can give the ball to in crucial situations to create a shot. Duncan has both Parker and Ginobili. Garnet has Pierce. Howard has Turkoglu. Dirk has Terry and even Kidd. To say that the Raptors don't need another scorer by just looking at overall stats is missing a lot.

Not that I don't think the Raptors need more defense. My problem, though, is that with a front court of Bosh and Bargnani, the Raptors will never be great in this area. Even if the Raptors get a great defensive SG and SF, they will still be average defensively, at best, at 3/5's of their starting lineup. I think there will have to be some tough decisions made.

[Bill Wong]

Sorry to hear all of you bashing Dave for covering the Bosh story. In all fairness, the first thing that came to my mind was exactly what Dave said today: the chance of Bosh being traded in the off-season has just sky rocketed given what BC did to Kidd back in Phoenix.

Yes, I understand that Bosh is a 25 year 4 time all star blah blah blah. But do not forget that Kidd was one of the best players in the league in 2001 (or 2002?) and had since led the Nets to the Playoff Finals. And yet BC still traded him.

I guess what I am trying to say is that Dave is just saying what he saw, heard, digested and his own opinion. Give the guy a brake.