Sixty-nine down and only 13 to go

Just think, 13 games left!

Lucky, lucky us.

Seriously, the mood around that team is as dark as I can remember it in years. Dejection is the order of the day, resignation in some cases and the one thing I don’t see a lot of? Anger.

The only raw anger I see is from the fans, which is entirely understandable.

But just think, the last 13 are sure to be doozies. There’s two with Washington, one with the Clips, a couple with the Knicks and one with the Thunder. We are setting up for some dreadful days and nights.

Me? I'm off to practice to figure out what you people might want to read about in the morning and then it'll be a few hours of mail (keep those cards and letters coming) while the family watches its new copy of Twilight and I try to remain sane.

-

Action: Some guys gotta rest

Reaction: Sometimes a game gets away

End of the third, down four, players are worn out and Jay’s gotta give some of ‘em a rest.

He sits down Bosh, Parker and Marion and tries to steal a few minutes with Calderon, Kapono, Graham, Mensah-Bonsu and Bargnani.

Let’s just say it was Pops’ finest minutes.

He commits two turnovers, a couple of fouls and is in the wrong position on one play that results in another turnover.

Presto! Change-o! Down a dozen after three and it’s over.

What should he have done? I guess he could have ridden Bosh for the last 2:40 of the quarter; that might have kept the game manageable. Or it might not have.

-

Let’s go over this again.

Five starters and now it’s time for Jay to go to his bench.

He’s got a rookie point guard he doesn’t trust entirely.

He’s got Joey, who might be good and could very well be not good.

He’s got Jason, a shooter who doesn’t, you know, shoot.

He’s got Pops, a D League call up trying to find his way.

Tell me again how this is a good team?

Over to you, Mr. Colangelo.

-

I’m sure you all spent most of yesterday trying to come up with the Raptors who’ve won NCAA championships and then figuring out which was the most obscure.

Well, here’s the list: Lonny Baxter (Maryland, 2002), Juan Dixon (Maryland, 2002), Antonio Lang (Duke, 1991 and 1992), Eric Montross (North Carolina, 1993), Ed Pinckney (Villanova, 1985), Charlie Villanueva (Connecticut, 2004), Jake Voskuhl (Connecticut, 1999), Corliss Williamson (Arkansas, 1994) and Morris Peterson (Michigan State, 2000).

Now, that’s a rather impressive list of guys who did something in Toronto and guys who just stopped by. Me? I’d say the one who doesn’t belong would be Lang, who was a training camp cut and then brought back on a 10-deal in January, 2000.

-

Action: Shawn’s slow start

Reaction: Not the defensive stopper

Am sure the few of you who watched last night caught the rather quick hook for Shawn Marion, who was on the bench in favour of Joey less than four minutes into the first quarter.

Well, according to people who chart these things, he had about eight blown defensive assignments in the first nine or 10 possessions. That’ll get you a seat no matter who you are.

We asked Jay about the slow start – a series of increasingly emphatic uncontested dunks – and, as expected, he took the high road.

“We had three days to get ready and we were pretty sound on what we thought we should do.”

Guess everyone wasn’t thinking the same way.

-

I’d love to show you now what they wrote in Charlotte but the paper didn’t send its own reporter and used the wire service. A troubling sign of the times given that the Bobcats are right in the thick of a playoff race.

And how important is that race? Here was Larry Brown before the game:

“I was telling our guys, when I was a college coach, you never really understand the value of going to the tournament until the next year. Then you realize you’re playing so many big games, you’re practicing when practices rally mean a lot. When you can go to the Final Four, it’s just an extra month of unbelievably important games that prepares your team.

“It’s the same thing now, we’ve been talking about how important games are forever because we’re trying to change the culture. And now, I don’t look at the standings, I just want us to get better every practice, every game, every possession but they do. And since they’ve been really paying attention to that, I think we’ve given ourselves a chance to win almost every game.”

-

Oh, and I’d love to link you to what the Los Angeles papers wrote about the Clipper game last night, just to let you see what’s going on there but there’s not a single paper travelling a writer to cover that team, either.

-

Speaking of March Madness, Super Son and I got drilled yesterday. A rather pedestrian 8-8 but the Sweet 16 remains intact and maybe there’s a late rally to be had.

Or not.

-

Andrew, a regular over in the comments section, sent this along yesterday:

I've got an idea for a new "top five" list: The tip five naughtiest Raptors. Off the top of my head, I would include Alvin Robertson and Keon Clark. I would suggest the criteria be that they had to have been charged with something or caught with their pants down. It can't be based on road rumours or general, relatively harmless misbehaviour.

And I’m saying those are the two Hall of Famers but Lonny Baxter, NCAA champion and all, would have to be on the list after doing time in the hoosegow for shooting off a gun a block or two from the White House. If that’s not the stupidest thing an ex-Raptor has done since leaving the team, I don’t know what is.

For sheer news value and chutzpah, you’d have to go with Dee Brown, who got busted for drunk driving and then beat charge on a defence of racial profiling.

And, as much as it pains me to say it, Oak got a DUI charge in Atlanta so I’m putting him on the list.

The Brown one is unique in another way, too. It happened when he was driving from a birthday party for Antonio Davis on the way to, legend has it, an establishment where women disrobe for a living.

Comments

[Takashi]

Have you read the article of Rasho endorsing Messina and saying he would love to come back to Toronto if Ettore was the coach?

I told you Doug is just a matter of time before BC hits the boot on Jay and signs Messina.The man is respected by many and would be one of the best head coaches in the NBA.

[mary]

here is the article takashi is talking about:

http://www.corrieretandem.com/viewstory.php?storyid=8998&page=2

and the quote:

“The European mentality along with a team of strong players from the European leagues could be a winning mix,” he added. “Europe isn’t like America where you play so much that you lose count. There, each game is meaningful, and under the guide of Messina, the Raptors could finally have the right mentality and play each game like it was an NBA final.”

“If Messina really did come to Toronto I’d like to come back and be coached by him again,” said Nesterovic. “In reality, I’d like to be coached by him wherever he goes to coach. With Messina, you always play to win, and when the players are able to achieve that mindset, it’s easier to obtain great success.”

[Jojo]

The bench is awful but the Bobcats were beating up on the Raps in the 1st Q when the starters were in. Same thing happened in Charlotte.

Marion has just looked awful for most of his stint here. Jose looked like he had turned a corner a couple games back but not so much anymore. Bargs needs to work on his held D and shot-blocking, to whatever extent he can. The Raps aren't intimidating anyone in the lane and our big man at least needs to force guys to alter their shots.

I sympathize with Jay not having much to work with but if Sam finds a gig next year and MSLE is willing to pay, finding a proven NBA head coach (if one is available) seems like a no-brainer to me.

Blow this thing up, BC, please.

[Andy]

"where women disrobe for a living."
- love it!

[Peter]

I missed the game, but watched the Game in Six online. From there it looked like Diaw and Wallace had absolutely no fear about driving on Bosh. I know Bosh scored, but was it really as bad as the Game in Six made it look?

If the scouting report against the Raptors is to drive to the hole no matter who's in the paint, we could be in trouble. Bosh plays hard, but he had a few soft, soft, defensive plays in the paint. Bargnani still doesn't intimidate anyone. If that's our long term front court, I don't see how we can defend the paint well enough to become a team that can make a deep playoff run. If Bosh and Bargnani improve their around the basket intimidation, that might only take us to the playoffs (in future seasons). What's going to bring us beyond the first round? Surely not just a better bench and a wingman?

[Adam G]

Doug, in that last section you forgot to mention The Gangster. Surely he didn't earn that alias and legendary status without committing some stunning act.

[Michel G]

Doug, thank God ESPN switched last night's game to the Celtics/Spurs. We're not the best showcase and the announcers didn't have to explain how a team whose two best players score 60+ points only ended up with 89.

By the way, attendance last night in Raleigh for an Islander v. Hurricane game was 18,000+. The Islanders are the worst team in the league and look at how much they drew. How can Charlotte have such anemic attendance figures?

[Dave Robinson]

It wasn't only the Charlotte media that covered the game via wire service. My morning Globe (don't worry - I get the Star too) has a game story by the Canadian Press beside the obits (irony?) on page 8.

[Mark L]

"We asked Jay about the slow start – a series of increasingly emphatic uncontested dunks – and, as expected, he took the high road."

Doug, what's your take on this as a coach, i.e. always taking the high road? Does Jay have the right personality to coach the Raptors (or possibly any team in the NBA?). Maybe they need someone more like Doc Rivers who will actually get fined vs. Jay outright saying, "I'm not going to get fined" on a number of occasions.
Who are other coaches similar to Jay?

Blogger's note: Would that be someone like the Doc Rivers who got run out of Orlando, or the Doc Rivers who was going to get run out of Boston before they added two Hall of Famers?
It's one thing to rip officials when you're first in the East and planting seeds for the playoffs; it's quite another when you're team's in the toilet and any attempt to inspire by incurring a $25,000 fine makes no sense.
And many, many coaches go through a season without publicly killing officials knowing it'll cost them money

[Doug]

I give Doug credit for having this blog as I couldn't do it..a lot of the people know basketball and talk intelligently, but this "blow up the team", or Barg's can't play , or Bosh's D is terrible etc...is as Elaine says blah,blah,blah...

these people saying these things wouldn't know a trap defence, or a 3-second violation if it hit them in the face...EVERY player has weaknesses in their game, it's there strengths that set them hopefully apart...as Curry said last night on the Cats broadcast any team in the league would kill to get Bosh, he's a extraordinary talent, and with Barg's he said not many 7 footers can shoot a 3-pointer so fluidly then also go to the hoop, a beautiful pump fake Barg's has, a future all-star...and Calderon is a true point guard, defence for a true point guard is always a hard task, probably the best guard in terms of defence was Thomas all the rest struggle with it...

so people can go on and on about these three but all there doing is showing there ignorance, if you took Diaw and Bell and put them in Toronto's line-up , this team would be 20 games better in the win column,,,Kapono is a bust, expectations of Parker were too high, Joey is Joey...we need 30-40 points a night from these auxiliary players right now were lucky to get 15, Diaw and Bell regularly combine for 30-40 a game..put that in the line-up with what we have viola a competitive team...it's not rocket science it's actually simple grade 3 math...

plus who the heck cares who coaches the Raps, anyone think that Messina is magically going to get 30 points a game from JK, and Parker good luck with that...and where can i get some of what your taking...anyways cheers, and Doug knows what he is saying when he says about Bosh,Barg's, Calderon, nothing to do with not criticizing the Raps has to do with reality...

[DinoFever86]

Peter the game was as bad as the game in six made it look. The Raptors were in the game and not far out after the awful start but it just didn't feel like they there in it at all. Hard to watch the game really. The hope factor is kind of gone and you just want to see something out of these guys. I want some anger and fear to hit the floor on Sunday. Hard fouls seems like Raptors team just can't make them. Jack Armstrong was begging for someone to put someone on there butt and protect that paint.

[DinoFever86]

And Doug just curious who do you have to win for March Madness? I'm going with Syracuse. Not sure it's a wise pick but I like them. And I'm really disappointed that Georgetown never made it to the tournament. I'm from Georgetown Canada so some how that became my team.

Blogger's note: Super Son and I have determined North Carolina as the eventual winners

[Matt]

I pretty impressed with the way the Bobcats are playing. Larry Brown has changed the culture of the team and it looks like they will finally make the playoffs. Of course, never mind facts like weak conference etc.

As for the Raps it's pretty disturbing that two players can combine for 62 points and the team only combines for 89, but that has been the story for the majority of the season. If ever there was a team in disparate need for an Oak type player it is this one.

[Brad]

Dont forget that guy who punched a horse in the face a couple of times!!

Doug you gotta work on your bracket skills......8-8??? Through two days Im 29-3 and would be 31-1 if Ohio St and FSU had gutted it out in overtime. However I did have FSU to go deep in the tourney so that will cost me dearly.

[Tim]

Does anyone else remember how people on espn.com were calling the Suns-Bobcats trade a steal for the Suns, while Doug was saying the Bobcats got the better players? I seem to remember people killing Doug in the comments for that, but it looks now like Doug was the one who got it right, just like he was right about Philly signing Brand.

People are always quick to jump on Doug when they think he's wrong, but he rarely gets a shout-out for being right.

[dc]

it really is interesting (in the depressing and infuriating way) to see a group of athletes actually become less than the sum of their parts. It looks like the Toronto Raptors have once again earned a reputation as push-overs. The offense and defense are about as organized and energetic as a clippers game. Is it just a coincidence that both teams made a play-off run at the same time only to be brought down by injuries and poor free-agent signings and trades. maybe colangelo will trade calderon for camby.

face it toronto fans, we are simply over-excited sports freaks who are completely in denial about this team and their ability. i was one of those who used to think positively. now i see the truth. The Raptors have always been and likely always will remain the clippers of the north.
we should have named the team the 'snow-blowers' instead.

[Wallace]

BC likely has one more shot at this thing. He's produced a disaster so far...bought himself some time by firing coach Mitchell....will likely buy a bit more time by firing Jay also, saying that his team of talent just hasn't responded to the coaching staff. Signing Bosh will be the key. As bad as they are with him, they might as well fold the franchise without him. There are only four other players I would attempt to keep. Calderon is an okay middle of the pack point guard who actually seems to want to play in Toronto. Bargnani is a talented seven footer who also wants to stay here. Pops and Roko are young and cheap and have potential at least. There it is. Not much I admit. A great lottery pick, convincing some free agent to come to Toronto, and somehow (hypnosis?)convincing Bosh to stay is their only hope. It's a thin thread but it's all we have to hang on to to save the franchise

[robguy]

re Doug@ 12:20 Well said!

Many other opposing team broadcast echo the ones mentioned in the Bobcat's telecast. Some varying differences, some like Bargs better than Bosh (New York), but generally most broadcasters see it differently than many of negative the posters on here.

[Pete]

Doug your blog today was excellent and accurate, where is the golden boy Bryan Colangelo now!

[Gerald]

Gerald Wallace sure looked good out there. Remembering the TJ trade might have bagged him. Now with Marion it looks like we got an older, less skilled and less hungry version of the same player.

Putting on the time travel glasses, I wonder what we would have looked like with Wallace instead of O'Neal. I think it was a crap shoot either way, but it would be interesting to stare through that crystal ball. Mostly because so little is interesting right now.

[Doug]

p.s. i meant as Elaine would say yada ,yada,yada..not blah,blah,blah, that's just how i felt after reading about the same old same old negative comments, ...

[Ali]

This is all i got to say, the players on the Raptors suck. They tried to play as hard as they can but it gose to show the players on the Raptors just suck. Jose dosen't run with the ball the defence knows when he was gonna pass the ball it's time for him to come off the bench next year, we need Nash or a fast point gaurd. Kappono needs to go, the coaching staff needs a change( Jay Triano),let's just say the Toronto Raptors need a renovation.

[Jason]

You so called fans need some professional help. I am so sick of hearing how everyone need to be dealt, get this guy or that guy, BC sucks, We should have got Wallace, If Bosh leaves the franchise will fold. Get a grip on reality people! The franchise will be here 20 years from now.
Everyone blames BC but nobody talks about how he started with lemons and made lemonade to the tune of 47 wins. After that everyone expects 57 wins and nothing else will do. This franchise was in some serious bad shape when BC came and it would have taken a miracle to turn it into a contender within 3 years. Now that they regressed, everyone wants BC fired.
Its getting sickening to hear the same garbage every single day from people who have no knowledge of what they are talking about

[Matt from Oakville]

As always, appreciate the hard work Doug! It must be excruciating watching these guys play... at least we get to change the channel and not worry about speaking "basketball" after yet another horrible game!

Kukdos to you!