Of Shawn, The Legend and I hate Kansas

So I’m thinking of sitting around watching games tonight (it’ll have to be college because the only NBA game I can see at home is Memphis at Portland and as much as I love Rudy Fernandez, that’s got crap game written all over it) and was thinking about finishing off tomorrow morning’s mailbag.

But then I look at the inbox and a kabillion percent of it is diatribes about Bosh, me, Dave, the season, Bosh, me, Dave, the season. All get read, I appreciate the thought that goes into many of them, love hearing the diverse opinions but there’s a distinct lack of, you know, questions. And “Why are you so stupid?” isn’t a question I’m going to answer.

Anyway, that’s my point for the morning.

Now, read this crap:

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Action: Shawn, Shawn, Shawn

Reaction: Where’s that been?

That might have been Shawn Marion’s best all-around game since he joined the Raptors and it makes you wonder where it’s been hiding.

Outstanding defence on Durant most of the night (4-13’s a pretty bad shooting night for the kid) and two plays on offence that were perfect for him, both in the third quarter when the deal was sealed. Both finishes on fast breaks that were absolutely exactly the kind of transition offence plays Jay’s been harping about since December.

On the first, there were two passes and maybe on dribble, the ball went from free throw line to past half court to Marion on the other side for the finish.

The other had a couple of dribbles but the same kind of ball movement and ended the same.

It was fun to watch and a perfect example of where Shawn’s offensive game shines.

Trouble is, it might be a week or so before we see two in the same game again.

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At some point during last night’s in-game blog, the discussion turned to triple-doubles (Bosh had about six assists and the hopes were high) and because we can always find other fun stuff to talk about, the discussion expanded to categories for quadruple-doubles and even quintuple-doubles.

Well, there’s never been a quintuple-double but there have been four quadruple-doubles in NBA history.

Somewhat surprisingly, two of them were recorded by guys who wore Raptor uniforms. I’ll give you a few paragraphs to figure out who they are.

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In Oklahoma City, aside from lionizing Blake Griffin, this was in the newspaper today.

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I’m not entirely sure, but I think I heard that the people from Springfield had called for the tape of Douby-O’Bryant assist-dunk with five minutes to go. I’m pretty sure we never see that again.

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Action: Fans cheering

Reaciton: And I’m thinking

Late in each of the last three games, I’ve seen fans cheering, some standing, the players on the bench having fun, the June Taylor Dancers dancing, The Chicken supplying his usual brand of hilarity and hijinks and all I can think of is this: Tell me again why people think it’d be good for them to lose on purpose?

Each sports event anyone attends is a unique experience, for some it’s the only one they might get to in a season, for others a win is smile-inducing event regardless of what the records are.

I suppose there were so-called fans in the building last night who began the evening quite willing to accept a loss because it might mean the difference between the eighth and ninth pick in the draft but I promise when the game was over they were far happier than if they’d lost.

Tanking is ridiculous; ask the people in the gym.

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Drilled. Again.

Sure, going 3-1 last night in the brackets isn’t all that bad but having Kansas to beat Louisville tomorrow is.

Oh well, next year.

And since Super Son’s over there doing his Wii fit routine, I’m not entirely sure he cares at all.

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Okay, I know you’ve been waiting anxiously – and no one cheated the scrolled down, did they? – so here’s the quadruple-double answers.

Alvin Robertson (20 points, 11 rebounds, 10 assists, 10 steals in February, 1986) and Hakeem Olajuwon (18 points, 16 rebounds, 10 assists, 11 blocks in March, 1990) were the two ex-Raptors to accomplish the feat.

The other two? Nate Thurmond (22 points, 14 rebounds, 13 assists, 12 blocks in October, 1974) and David Robinson (34 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists, 10 blocks in February, 1994).

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Looking into the crystal ball:

Q: I don't want to jump the gun or anything, but now that they've won three in a row, do you think it's fair to say that assuming they don't make any changes in the off-season (and that's a big if) we're pretty much guaranteed an 82-0 (or at minimum a 74-8) season?

Thane B, St. Catharines

A: I’d say it’s 10-90.

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Action: The Legend’s tough night.

Reaction: He’s still hurting.

I guess they decided to activate Pops Mensah-Bonsu because they must have really thought he could give them some energy off the bench but it was pretty evident the knee was slowing him up considerably.

And if that’s going to be the case tomorrow or evening Wednesday, I’d shut him down again and let Nate put on a uniform. The last five or six minutes of Friday’s game would have been a perfect chance for Nate to play (Joey could have taken the rest of the night off) but he was in street clothes and Pops was watching.

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Oh, the Chicago readers got this from my man K.C. today.

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Comments

[Aaron Campbell]

100% agree with you about not tanking the season. Same goes for the Leafs. It's not sports if they go there. The goodwill from playing hard and maybe even winning does more good than the alternative.

[Dre for B town]

Hey Doug,

Thanks for keep sad season interesting. There are two things that are certain in the morning, The blog and coffee. I would just like to say that I've been a fan of this team since my grade 6 class was asked to vote on the team name (I chose Towers). I can't believe the way that some fans have chewed up Bosh about half a story. Hopefully soon the truth will come out and people can return to yelling at BC.

Doug if the Raps had moved Vc in the 2003 Draft, Raps might have had two top picks in that draft. So my question is Why not try it this year? Move a key Guy to get a top pick and build a team with talent. Thunder Durant/Green, Blazers Aldrige/Roy?

Blogger's note: I'm sure that's one of the possibilities they will explore

[tim limsana]

Hey is there any chance Chuck Swirsky will be in town tomorrow?

Blogger's note: Given that his job is to broadcast Bulls games, I'd sure hope so

[Jasbir]

Doug, any chance the in game blogging is going to be available on mobile phones running Windows Mobile? Thanks

Blogger's note: Since the only thing I know about Windows is that I don't wash them, I'm going to have to pass this on to smarter people.

[LeeZ]

Doug, With regard to your lamenting the fact that your mailbag is more or less absent any actual questions, all I can say is: we're all questioned out!!! I mean, at this point in the season (and what a glorious season it's been, no?), we've asked all the intelligent (and not-so-intelligent) questions there are to ask! So please take pity on us poor beat-fans (if you're a beat grunt, we can be beat fans) and indulge our questionless comments, ideas and, yes, rants, as long as they're mildly entertaining. There. End of rant.

Blogger's note: Point taken.

[David Sidhu]

Which player in the league do you think is most likely to get the next quadruple-double? It'd have to be either Dwight or Lebron right?

Blogger's note: Or that Kobe fellow. But since it's happened four times ever, I wouldn't hold my breath waiting.

[dave]

Having a good idea what they're likely to get from Shawn at what price does he become a keeper? What would more of an effect on the dic. high draft or another fa?

Blogger's note: That's the kind of question that's impossible to answer. So I'll say $5 million a year and a free agent. But don't hold me to it because I have idea.

[Vijay C.]

Hey doug, question....at the half interview yesterday with bosh, he was saying they still want to make the playoffs...and to do so they have to win every game they have....Now what exactly has to happen for them to really make the 8th spot...which teams and how many games do those teams have to lose to make Toronto move up...assume Toronto does win all there games....I'm assuming Bosh knows what needs to happen...but I don't...and please...don't say a miracle..i know thats what is needed...but ya know...i'd like a worked out answer...that i can't seem to compute myself...Hahahhahaha...thanks.

Blogger's note: It's too far-fetched and complicated for me to even care about for another seven games.

[Joe]

Hey Doug,
Thanks for the OKL side of things I found this quite funny
"The Raptors’ lightning quick guards, starter Jose Calderon and reserve Roko Ukic, also had their way with the Thunder, " Lightning quick eh?

p.s. Also, do you see d-wade and cp3 being the next to get a quadruple double? Was J-Kidd ever close?

Blogger's note: Paul maybe with steals; Wade maybe with turnovers. Neither is likely. And I have no idea about Kidd

[Thane]

Doug, traditionally in the closing seconds of a game, the winning team is expected to just dribble the ball until time runs out : it's an issue of protocol.

However, in last night's game, Roko was a basket away from getting his first career double-double. Given that situation, do you think it would have been forgivable had he hoisted up a shot?

Blogger's note: Nope, he did exactly what he should have done. To score in that situation, or try to, is bush league.

[DinoFever86]

I can agree on the not tanking as well. But there is good at this point in the season with a win or a loss. Win's are win's and I mean who wouldn't be happy. Plus winning games usually means that chemistry is happening between the team. But a loss feels crappy but you must think well they get closer to a better draft pick. But looking at the schedule I don't think the Raptors will move up in the draft order or for that matter move down. But maybe we can get lucky and win that lottery.

But I think this just was a year that all Toronto teams were meant to do bad. Let's see what happens with the Jays lol

[DinoFever86]

Quick question Doug
Do you think the Raptors will be drafting position this year or will they just be drafting the best talent?

Blogger's note: Sorry, draft talk is silly right now.

[DJ]

Doug you really think there's a 10% chance that the Raptors have a 82-0 or even a 74-8 Season?

10%???

I'd think you're Vince Carter back to Toronto possibility of 'Never' would be more accurate.

10%...

Blogger's note: Of course I don't. It was a bit of a joke on the 10-90 stuff that few around here got the first time.

[LY]

Hey Doug! Can you see Colangelo making a pitch to whoever gets the #1 Draft Pick? I think Griffin would look great in Triano's running system compared to Bosh. I know he's a perennial all-star but if he asks for a trade in the off-season then it would be time to start over and it would be better to get something rather than spend another year convincing him Toronto is the place to be. Thanks for the great insight!

[Doug]

Wade was close to a quintuple double earlier this year against Cleveland...

41 points, 9 assists, 9 rebounds,7 steals, and 8 turnovers...not a traditional quintuple double but one just the same...i think it will be him or Paul

[Mark]

I know it doesnt matter, but just out of curiosity what is the Raptors magic number to make / miss the playoffs?

Do they even have a 10 % chance at making it if they win every single remaining game?

Blogger's note: As I type this, the magic number is 3 but Detroit plays tonight so it could go down. There is no way to put a "percentage" on it, per se.