Some big day for the Irish?

How come everything looks so green today? Is everyone reacting to the new Raptors jerseys? Did I miss a memo or something? Ah, the world’s great mysteries.

Anyway, another dog of a game and I’m up at like 6 a.m. trying to figure out how to get to 1,000 words or so off that piece of poop and, believe me, it’s not easy.

But somehow, magically (maybe there was a leprechaun involved?) it got done:

Ta-da!

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NELL REDMOND/AP

Raps just don't reach down enough.

I think it was Aristotle, or Kevin O’Neill, who kept harping on the same thing night after night.

It’s hard to win any game in the NBA.

It takes dedication, preparation and hard work. Even routs aren’t easy, the mental and physical demands are significant.

The corollary, of course, is that it’s easy to lose any game.

And standing in the hallway of the arena last night it was never more evident that this team takes the easy way out.

It’s part poor preparation, it’s the mental softness that we’ve been talking about all year, it’s the unwillingness to reach down inside at crucial times in games and pull them out.

If you look at the Raptors roster, specifically the starting five, you could make the case that it’s pretty solid. Point guard, power forward, centre? All very, very good. Solid, offensively challenged small forward, veteran shooting guard who should be the conscience of the team.

But I cannot remember a time when a team was less than the sum of its parts. This team always, always takes the easy way, and the easy way is to lose.

Nothing really new there but still quite amazing to watch unfold.

Is it as easily fixed as getting two or three new guys? I think so; I remember having this same feeling at the end of the 2006-07 season and the arrival of Garbo, AP and Ford seemed to get things turned around.

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Action: There was none

Reaction: I've got none.

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You know what was sort of laughable last night? Anyone trying to pass off that lack of hustle and effort as part of back-to-back fatigue.

Let’s see: They played Sunday at 12:30 p.m. and almost all the regulars got the final quarter of a blowout off. They got to Charlotte about 8 p.m. and were in their hotel by 9 at the very latest. They didn’t have a morning shootaround on Monday (tradition for the morning after a game) and had the entire day to rest and get ready.

Tired?

They wanna know tired? Go out singing with Jack and the boys until 2 a.m. and then try to drag your sorry self through a day. That’s tired.

Getting a full night’s sleep and a day off does not lend itself to “back-to-back” fatigue.

Sorry. That’s just lame.

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Let’s start the process now.

Saw Darrick Martin at the game last night – he spends a good chunk of his time these days over in Winston-Salem – and it struck me that it’s about time he began his coaching career.

And why not with the Raptors, as an assistant.

He knows the landscape, the people, the politics of the organization and he knows the game.

I don’t know who is going to be the head coach of the team next season but if I’m Bryan Colangelo, I’d urge whoever it is to take a good, long look at D Mart as a member of his staff.

I think every staff needs a former player as an assistant – especially one recently removed from the game – because there’s a connection there that I think is necessary.

And having a former player as an assistant who’s familiar with the surroundings is another big plus.

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Speaking of a coaching staff, let’s re-visit this:

Q: Can you clarify your comments about Iavaroni and Carlisemo? Are you suggesting that next year's coaching staff could consist of Triano (Head), Iavaroni (Asst.) and Carlisemo (Asst.)? What would each man bring to the team that may not have been there this year? What would this mean for the existing staff?

Matthew S, Thornhill

A: Thought I made myself clear, but I guess not.

No, if they are going to keep Jay, and that chance does exist no matter how many of you hate it with the white hot intensity of a thousand suns, I can see them adding only Iavaroni to his staff. But, if that’s going to happen, I think they should consider P.J. and take of the two.

The existing staff?

I think it’s been obvious since last December that neither Alex English nor Mike Evans, both of whom were passed over for the interim gig, are going to be back, I can see Gord Herbert sticking around, Erik Hughes could keep his gig as a basketball development consultant and Micah Nori should return as an advance scout at the very least.

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You know what else was sort of laughable last night?

That whoever does the counting somehow came up with an attendance figure 11,349. If there were 7,500 in the joint, I’d be stunned.

Say what you will about fans in Toronto, if the Raptors were half a game out of the playoffs, even with a relatively putrid record of 10 games under .500, the joint would be packed.

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Hey, folks, the whole Shutting Down Pops thing yesterday? Facetious. A joke. A snarky remark aimed at those who would take good, healthy players and hold them out of games for no real reason.

I think my thoughts on stuff like that are pretty clear.

So, chill.

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Here’s what was happening in the paper down here today.

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This, among others I’m still goofing around on, was left over from the various “lists” questions I’ve got saved. And seeing how there’s never going to be enough to carry this thing talking solely about the Raptors, get used to stuff like this:

Q: With the season down the shoot, I’ll challenge you to 2 new lists: 5 best and worst sports cities right now. TO has to be close to the worst. The Jays stink, have a GM fans don't trust and are close to having to ship out their best player and rebuild. The Raps stink, appear destined to lose their best player and rebuild again. The Leafs are already in full rebuilding mode. And Toronto's attempt at hosting the NFL was a raging disaster. Are there North American sports fans that have it worse right now?

John U, Toronto

A: You make a pretty good point. But how’d you like to be in Seattle where the Mariners suck, the Seahawks were a disappointment and the NBA team left town? That’d have to be on a list, wouldn’t it?

We’ll do a more complete one during the week when I get a chance to really look at things but I can’t imagine any city beating Boston as the best right now.

Comments

[Ryan]

Doug, why should this team even care about the season at this point? You have to think that in the back of their minds, they know that winning is detrimental to moving forward. Sure, if they won every game the rest of the way it would prove they can contend, but at the same time, if they know they can contend when they want to, why not tank and help out the team?

I hate tanking, really, I do, but as soon as the season's over, and we get the 8th pick instead of the 12th pick, you have to admit it was worth it. It's simply the way the system is designed. It rewards failure. Seriously, why bother winning now, there is no point to it. I'm not giving up on these guys, I know they can play, but Ws don't do anything to help this team right now.

[anthony.mackay]

Doug,
Yes the lack of hustle has been an issue most of the year and as you pointed out it was an issue again last night.. but at this point of the season do you think the players are simply going through the motions considering they are all but mathematically out of the post season? If yes then that is very sad, watching the raps team of 200? (you can fill in the year) make that late season push and squeak into the playoffs was some of the most entertaining raps b-ball I've seen.. I believe they even won a bunch of those games without Carter due to an actual, real injury.

[Peter]

There is a bright side to this latest loss. At least there won't be a petition to keep the green uniforms! Oh how I wish there actually WAS a bright side to this season!

[pooks]

Good morning Doug!

I think it was Sunday the boys on Fan 590 were talking about the Raps playing the "spoiler" role. Do you think the whole "spoiler" thing is overrated and would the Raps be even capable of doing this?

Cheers,
Pooks

Blogger's note: "Spoiler" role is silly; you play every game to win, if that causes angst for other teams, who cares.

[Pharaoh]

Doug, if you were kidding about the Pops thing yesterday, it wasn't entirely obvious - at least not to me - but then maybe I haven't been reading your blog long enough to know when you're yanking our collective chain. The funny thing is I can totally believe that MLSE would do something like that to save a few bucks (they are a business after all).

[Ryan M.]

Hey Doug, I hear your case on PJ and although he has won some games in his time as a coach, he seems to be one of those coaches that players seem to hate playing for (Sprewell, Durant...etc). I think he might be a cancer on the team the same way a bad apple player can be. He did nothing of note in Oklahoma and moving Kevin Durant to SG was seen by a lot of talking heads as a bonehead move. I would be really disappointed to see him come to Toronto.

Blogger's note: He was a real "cancer" as an assistant all those years in San Antonio.

[WA]

In response to some of yesterday's comments including Nash for Jose, if somehow we ended up with Nash at mid-level for Jose, you would all be dying to still have Kapono because in a high-tempo offense he'd have his rhythm back and be shooting 50%+ from downtown. Just some food for thought!

Secondly, building on a Nash case (I use Nash as a placeholder in case you all wonder, he's the description of a up-tempo PG), if the Raptors were to run, we have much better defenders than Phoenix ever had outside of Raja Bell. Thus we could play half-court when needed and be able to defend a little bit, and we could always be able to run.

Hmmmm, let's see. A draft pick is coming, we got cap space and Phoenix (if Sarver is more stupid than we think) lets Nash go, it's a no-brainer. We could get a decent wing in the draft, use cap space to get another Wing, trade away Jose for something valuable (maybe Raja Bell and a couple of picks and a youngster) and you have your running game. That's just all a pipe-dream so keep on dreaming.

The givens are: players that have given up emotionally, upcoming lottery pick and cap space, and the need for a slashing wing.

How about we deal with those first. One of those can be done before the season ends. And if they haven't yet, getting rid of the team psychiatrist would be a great start!

[JB]

Doug, I'm trying to help you look like a star, so a few edits are required here:

"Nothing really knew there but still quite amazing to watch unfold. "

knew=new

"Go out signing with Jack and the boys until 2 a.m. and then try to drag your sorry self through a day."

signing=singing (unless you were out until 2am signing autographs or something...)

JB

Blogger's note; Fixed. Thanks

[Gerald]

Doug, I note with interest that you mention that it is obvious that English and Evans are not staying. Do you base that on just the idea that they got passed over and accordingly do not have upward mobility, or have you sensed a slacking off of effort on their part?

I also note your reference to "poor preparation". Can you elaborate? On whose part, in your judgment?

Blogger's note: There's been no slacking of effort whatsoever, those two guys are professionals. But they won't, I don't think, be back as assistant coaches.
Elaboration? It's shared. Coaches and players, on any 23-win team, all have to be better; more ready to play mentally, more effective in play-calling. It's not one or the other, it never is

[Niru]

The assistant coaches Evans and English...are they not legitimate assistant coaches? What makes a good assistant coach. From what I've seen, there just tied to their clipboard during the game....

[Michael Torres]

Doug, your mood this morning is pretty sour and I don't blame you one bit. However, one thing has caught my eye lately--the Toronto Star is the only newspaper currently in the city that is sending someone to cover the Raptor road games. With the other newspapers in Toronto cutting back on travel budgets, are you (or Dave Feschuk) still planning to attend the remaining road games (once the Raptors are officially eliminated) or will you guys be forced to watch from home (just like the other beat grunts from the other newspapers in the city)?
Otherwise, the Raptors are pretty much out of it (unless a miracle happens) and it's hard for the players and the coaching staff to find that extra something inside to fight through any adversity. They are pros and they have to find a way to do so for the remaining games this season. Just for pride.
Keep up the great work, Doug. Take care.

[Eric]

I totally agree you this morning, Doug. The team "less than the sum of the parts"? Exactly! Brilliant. That's a perfect symptom for what plagues them and is hopefully something that can be fixed this summer. Some people slag this team's depth and while they're not world-beaters, I think most of these individuals could serve better roles on other teams. There is something about the 'fit' with this particular version of the Raptors that does not work and has not worked for a long time.

Yesterday's loss marks progress, though (Hallelujah!), in that if this were March 2008, I'd bet my house that Sam Mitchell would've said something ludricrous like, "We didn't have Marcus Banks tonight- we were shorthanded." I think that the same culture of excuses eventually defined the team and is something they're still fighting through today. But I didn't hear any mention of Banks or Hump or any other ridiculous excuse last night and that is, sadly, a small sign of progress.

[James C.]

Doug, I agree with your assessment that the pathetic effort last night has been repeated far too often this season. Notice the pattern of how the team always gets off to a half-decent start and then after speedy quick PGs continuously break down our matador PG, the team defense just falls apart. The pressure is then on our jump-shooting offense to produce and over time the shooting percentages puts the Raps in a constant catch-up situation. For those in love with the irrelevant high assist/low turnover ratio, this is the price to pay for keeping around a slow footed walk it up one-dimensional PG taking up some $10MM annually in the salary cap. Oh yeah our matador PG tells us he's now 100% - frankly, I really saw the difference last night, NOT!!!

[Eddy]

Hey Doug,

What players should we be watching for during March Madness as potential Raptors for next year?

Thanks, Eddy.

Blogger's note: All of 'em because no one has any idea where these guys will draft.

[Erc]

Doug, Excellent article and blog following the latest quitfest.
The Leafs have been bad. The Jays have been mediocre. They are what they are.
The Raptors have the parts to be a decent mid-level NBA team, capable of losing to the bottom feeders occasionally and beating elite teams occasionally and more than holding their own with the rest EXCEPT they are missing that part in the middle of their chests. Have been all season.

[HC]

down the "chute"; Doug, you could've saved that letter writer from spelling-error humiliation.

[sg60]

The point about the Raptors being so much less than the sum of their parts intrigues me. When people are discussing changes for next year many are saying that we just need to tweak our starting five and make major improvements to the bench. The bench does stink, no argument, but I'm really beginning to wonder about the starting group.

Over and over we hear that that Bosh, Barganani and Calderon are a good core. Then we bring in Marion who is a proven starter on a very good team. So now we have four starters who are supposed to be good pro starters (I think most people agree that Parker should not be starting) and yet the results are the same. More losing, inconsistent (mostly bad) effort levels, tons of mistakes, terrible defence. So let's say for the sake of argument that these same four starters come back next year, Parker is sent to the bench or leaves and we get a new two guard and improve the bench somehow. Is that enough to radically change the fortunes of this team? I seriously doubt that. I think this team needs to look more seriously at the so-called core players in addition to the bench because this looks like a group that has no motivation and the issues go beyond lack of talent. The character and psychological make-up of this group is damaged and needs to be addressed.

[Mohammed J]

Uh, Doug, I think you're suffering from a little back-to-back fatigue. You already answered that sports cities question in your mailbag on Sunday! What's going on?

[CB]

Hey Doug,

You were mentioning the Raptors needed an elder presence like Charles Oakley. What do you think of Rasheed Wallace on this team next year? Can we afford him? Would he be a good fit off the bench and a mentor/leader in the locker room?

Thanks
CB

[Oliver]

Last year, i wouldn't have watched this game because they were playing the Bobcats. This year, I didn't watch because they are worse than the Bobcats.

[Jason Thompson]

Hi Doug, following Gerald's comment (and your reply) above: If poor preparation is in part due to Jay's coaching, why would he even be considered to stay on in a permanent head coaching capacity? Thanks.

[jaundice]

When Matt Devlin refers to the boys "in the truck" are those boys really in a truck parked outside the arena? Or is it just broadcasting lingo?

Blogger's note: No, there's an actual truck, usually on a loading dock

[Scott T.]

Doug, If you are BC, what is your first move? Do you go get a coach before the draft / free agency, or do you work it the other way around. It seems logical to solidify the coaching situation first, that way they can draft and sign accordingly.

Blogger's note: You absolutely have to have the coaching situation settled long before the draft.

[Abbas]

Doug, I agree that it's unlikely to see Evans and English return as they were part of Sam Mitchells coaching staff. Not sure what people don't see in that. It has nothing to do with them being bad coaches but more in the direction of the team.

Anyways, we've heard Colangelo on numerous occasions compare his philosophy to Detroit/San Antonio such that having a core group together for a few years is the key to sustainable results. Having said that, I agree with you that our PG/PF/C positions are pretty solid but would it not be intriguing to bring over Steve Nash in the offseason? I know this topic has been beaten to death by the fans and some media as well, but maybe we don't have to give up Jose necessarily. Perhaps he can take on a role similar to Jason Terry, as a sixth-man instant offense. I think he's a much better scorer than a passer, and this would instantly make our bench deeper and improve the play of our starters. Plus, Nash brings the swagger of a 2-time MVP playing at "home"... can you imagine? Ah the pipe dreams!!

[Tim W.]

Doug, are you suggesting that an actual leprechaun helped you write your blog today? I didn't think they were real! Wow!

On an entirely separate subject, my hope for the human race diminishes upon reading your need to clarify when you are being facetious. Are people really that naive? I can understand if there are some foreign readers where english is there second language (sarcasm rarely translates, as I've discovered), but reading all those comments of people who thought you were being serious makes me understand a little more Hollywood's tendency to dumb movies down.

People! Pops has played 21 games in two NBA seasons (over three years), with three different teams, where's he's spent more time watching games in a suit than in uniform, let alone actually playing. At the time Doug typed that, Pops had played 5 games for the Raptors, only one of which he scored in double digits and that was one of only two games with the Raptors he hit at least half of his shots. Does anyone in their right mind really think the Raptors would shut him down in order to re-sign him for cheaper???? I'm shocked you can make it home every day from work or school without getting lost.

Okay, I feel a little better, now.

On an actual basketball note, someone should do a study of how many teams struggle in the next game after blowing out a team the previous game. I've noticed that in the playoffs, it occurs with great regularity, especially in the later rounds. Quite frankly, I'm not surprised the Raptors lost. The fact that it was a back to back game probably made them losing more likely.