The usual actions, reactions and some insightful commentary (sort of)

Holy Alarm Clock malfunction, Batman. Look at the time.

Sorry ‘bout that kids, the sandman kept me prone for a lot longer than I’d expected.

But the rest was welcome, got me all set up for a long day of hanging around practice trying to come up with something marginally interesting and a few hours doing the mail bag.

Talk to you then.

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Action: Pops

Reaction: Pops, Pops, Pops

Whaddya gonna do? Kill guy for a boneheaded play after a hustle play we haven’t seen around these parts all season? Yeah, the pass-shot-whatever-the-heck-thing that was looked awful and cost them a chance to tie at the end of one overtime but, seriously, whaddya gonna do?

Kid made a great play followed by a great gaffe and no one was going at him too hard after the game.

And you know what was most impressive? After he took forever to get dressed, he stood there and answered every question everyone had. Spoke clearly and loudly and probably would still be standing there if there were more of us with more questions.

For that alone, he gets a pass.

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And that begs the question: What do you do with Pops next year?

Not taking into consideration that there will be other teams trying to land him and he might want to go somewhere else, what the Raptors do with Mensah-Bonsu as a free agent is quite interesting.

They are likely to have four bigs – starters in Bosh and Bargnani, backups in Hump and Nate Jawai – with guaranteed contracts next season and they aren’t going anywhere.

There are those who propose bringing back an old head like Rasho or someone of that ilk to lend some experience to the front court but I’m saying it’s far better to have a young stud who can rebound with efficiency and energy that it is to have the steady hand of a guy who’s hardly going to play.

I’d make Pops an offer of two years plus an option – probably at something like just over a million to start – and then let him fight with Hump for the third big position. And I bet he wins.

And for that calm, experienced hand? Well, if they get one, they’ll have to get one as a wing.

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Nothing says Two Days Before St. Patrick’s Day better than a green dinosaur.

Yep, the Raptors are trotting out the green uniforms for tomorrow’s big tilt with the Pacers, continuing a long-held tradition that began last year in the hotbed of Irish partying, Salt Lake City.

And not only are they going all green with the jerseys, I swear I saw some green shoes in Jason Kapono’s locker last night.

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Which leads us to:

Q: I love your blog. I think I've figured out what's wrong with the Raptors chemistry. Their new jerseys are the wrong colour. They need to go back to wearing purple.

Don L, Mississauga

A: No. Green, my man. Go green. More green.

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What’s coming next year? The traditional Dec. 12 Christmas Game?

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Joey, Joey, Joey

Q: Hi Doug, I'm mildly surprised, now that the playoffs are all but officially out of reach, that Jay hasn't inserted Joey into the starting rotation (and have Parker or Marion come off the bench) the rest of the way. They need to take a hard look at if he's in future plans or not, so might as well give him some major minutes and see what he does with them.

Andrew J, London, UK

A: I know you wrote this before Friday but I think Joey’s 15 minutes of absolute atrocity on Friday – as many points as you scored, as many rebounds as a dead man – shows that maybe he’s quite fine where he is.

I was a proponent of giving him a 20-game stretch as a starter over Jamario Moon, I’m quite fine – and so are his coaches and his general manager – with him coming off the bench behind Shawn Marion.

When it comes time to think about what to do with him when he’s a free agent this summer, it’s going to be the totality of his time here – not the last 17 games of a lost season – that will determine his future.

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Action: Roko’s energy

Reaction: A welcome sight

Start of the fourth, Raptors are down and it really looks like this one’s over. After all, fourth quarter energy and rallies are not particularly a trademark of this squad.

But the kid, who I really think is going to be good one day, ignites a run with a little 9-footer, a nifty layup and another pull-up jumper.

He leaves after six minutes and the Raptors are within six and the game’s got some juice.

Sure, he’s still going to make some mistakes because he’s a rookie and his jump shot still looks a tad shaky at times but that little stretch was a pretty good glimpse.

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A blast from the past:

Q: In the post game interview the other night Dalembert took a pretty nasty shot at Leo Rautins. I didn't see anything in print about this. Does this mean:

A) Dalembert has no credibility?

B) Leo's a nice guy and no one wants to call attention to how he and the one big NBA name on Canada's national team couldn't get along?

C) No one cares anymore?

Kevin M, Maple

A: The whole Leo-Sam thing is boring and was beaten to death in August when it happened and in October when the Sixers first played the Raptors so, yes, not many care anymore, especially me.

I heard about Sam’s comments (something along the lines of he think about playing for Canada again “when they got a real coach” and my immediate reaction was that it was a bush-league cheap shot entirely uncalled for.

I’m not sure who was right and who was wrong in the little fracas between the two (I’d presume there was more than enough blame to share) but it’s over.

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Oh yeah, once they got through the tributes to Bill Davidson,here’s what they were reading in Detroit this morning.

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Yes, it took Chris Bosh 31 shots – one more than he’d ever taken in an NBA game in his life – to get his 27 points but, really, look at that roster he was playing with and tell me who should have had more attempts? Maybe AP, who only got nine, but past that, Jose had 13, Marion had 14 and with the bench going so horribly at the moment, I’m quite fine with Bosh hoisting that many.

And yes, he was slow to start but a 5-for-9 fourth quarter that also included four trips to the free throw line (two misses) and five rebounds was a big-time period.

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Comments

[Nick]

Hump and Pops as a reserve big men is pretty decent. Definitely they gotta sign him.

[Matt]

It also makes you wonder about what if Bargnani had be healthy. Do they make the comeback at all? I'm not sure. It leads me to think that they should try to find a Pops clone in a small forwards body for the starting line-up (Although watching Pops defend Prince one-on-one for at least one possession maybe he's athletic enough for the job). I was hoping Marion would compliment Bosh and Bargnani a little better but I'm not so sure now.

[Joe T.]

First of all, Doug, I agree that Pops should be here next season if they can keep him. For a team that badly needs an energy guy with a nose for the ball (a la my favourite Raptor ever, JYD), he's a great addition. I was gonna write in at the end of the season that they should try to get Rasho back but Pops has changed things for me...

Doug, remember at the beginning of the year when you said Minnesota would be life-and-death to win 30 games? Looks like you were right. Unexpectedly, the Raptors are now in that position, too. I think they're life-and-death to win 5 more this year, to be honest. Which is just the number they need to make this season better than Sam Mitchell's second season as Coach, record-wise. The good news is that the next season they won the Division. So here's to hoping Bryan somehow figures out how to turn this team around again. Because at the moment they're right back where they were before he got here...

[Erc]

Last night's game was fine. They competed against a good team. They had some hustle thanks to Pops and that new guy starting at point guard.
HOWEVER, I've seen this act before. This is professional sports. It's a long season. They have been much, Much, MUCH too willing to coast for a game or three after an honest effort. Does that require a veteran to kick butt, a coach or a significantly different roster -- or all three?
You know something that has never been addressed about Sam, as far as I know? Wasn't it reported at the first of the year that he wanted the roster scaled back so that it wasn't 'clogged' with a lot of guys who wanted playing time?
Well, unless you have proven battle-hardened troops, isn't the essence of NBA success the ability to keep the guy starting looking over his shoulder at his possible replacement. Also, having that competent replacement is what will get you a win when the starter is tired, injured or disinterested. It is a coach's job to make insecurity work for the team. We've seen the effects complacency can generate all this season.
Final rant -- if they CAN'T find a way to keep Pops, I'm done with em. Bet that scares the Teachers Union!

[Peter]

How about this; Keep Pops, let Joey go? Think about it. Pops can rebound, Joey is supposed to rebound. Pops seems to be able to guard smaller guys (as he guarded Prince in the dying seconds) Pops can bang with the big boys as well or better then Joey. So Pops hasn't got the jump shot that Joey does, but he's also going to cost a lot less then Joey which should free up some more money to get a better starting wingman, and the reality is, this team needs as much money as possible to get the best starting wingman that money can buy!

[Poppa Vlazo]

We were this close to reading "Oh my God they lost to the Raptors" this morning.

[sara]

I'm the only one who believes this team plays better without AB ?

Blogger's note: Given how offensively challenged they looked without him last night and what he's done over the last two months, yeah, you might be.

[BB]

Hi Doug,

Read the ESPN report about the Indiana Pacers losing up to $30 million this year and that they might have to move the team.
What's your thoughts on the Indiana situation?

Do you think the state of the economy influences Bosh(or more so his agent) this off season to sign an extension with the Raps?

Blogger's note: Glad I don't own the Pacers if that's true. And the economy is going to have a huge impact on every facet of the game.

[Tom]

Try to sign Pops - I completely agree with your assessment. As well as that of Roko's play. These are two guys that grind and bring much needed energy and hustle. And they will continue to improve. A few gaffs we can deal with given that they'll make it up in other ways. And they'll learn. I'm confident these two will become very important backups for the Raptors for years to come.

Sign Joey G - much more efficient dollar for dollar than Marion. Sign and trade Marion and hope to get a decent slashing wing that's a better ball handler. Just need a guy that draws defenders (Roko actually may be the upside surprise in this category) in order to open up our shooters. Marion is a better fit than O'Neal, but not the ideal fit. Still the correct trade given the economic backdrop.

[GM]

Not "begs the question", Doug. It *raises* the question. "Begs the question" means to assume the truth of something yet to be proven.

[bballer]

i would let joey walk and pay whatever to keep pops. i would also resign ap and tell him that he is coming off the bench.

given that many small market teams will want to cap off their salaries to the $60-$65m, due to the economy, a lot of tier 2 players will be available. in fact, milwaukee will either keep only one of redd or jefferson, in order to resign charlie v and sessions. if you had the chance, who would you choose for the raps - jefferson or redd?

[Brad]

Id bring back Pops and stash Nate in the D league and call him up during injuries. I love that hustle, he will be a fan favorite. Yes me made a gaff last night but if not for Pops NO WAY Raps get that rebound and game over anyways.

As for Sam Dalembert, if we can only have 1 foreign born Canadian on the team (correct me if Im wrong Doug) I would much much rather have Matt Bonner (the New Hampshire Kid) than the Haitian Sensation.

[aditya]

by the way, the CB4 missed free throw at the end (which you described as a "line drive" done purposely in your in game blog) was actually a genuine miss...i have watched the replay 2-3 times and it was a genuine missed free throw

[Matt]

"I'm the only one who believes this team plays better without AB ?

Blogger's note: Given how offensively challenged they looked without him last night and what he's done over the last two months, yeah, you might be."

I'm not sure that Sara is the only one. Especially after listening to Bob McCown from PTS every time he talks about Bargnani. My gut tells me that McCown is just embarrassed from telling everyone who listens that Bargnani is a 'nothing player' the last couple of years and sees the opportunity to pile on because Bosh and Bargnani don't receive enough offensive support from the rest of the team to win. My opinion is when your team sucks you want to build around the parts that work, and ideally everything meshes to make a good team. Bosh, Bargnani, Calderon (stay healthy dammit) are pieces that work. An all-star 2-guard, some role players that help bring out the best in the team (hello Pops, maybe Joey, maybe Marion, maybe Delfino) and this team isn't too far away from being as good as a couple years ago during the 47-win season.

[aditya]

oh and richard hamilton had a career high 16 assists, continuing a raptors opponent trend of someone setting some sort of a career high or season high (this late in the season) against the raptors (maxiell had a season high in points with 16 or 20 off the top of my head)

[Tim W.]

It's a question whether a team that lacks hustle and rebounding should re-sign a player that brings whose best assets are hustle and rebounding? I know Nesterovic is a nice guy and likes Toronto (why are so many fans obsessed with this?), but probably his biggest strength over his career has been his ability to stay out of the way of his All-Star PF.

And why on earth would the Raptors want to re-sign Joey Graham? Yes, he's made some progress, but the guy is frighteningly inconsistent. On a good team, where it isn't necessary for him to be so productive, he'd be okay, but on the Raptors, if he doesn't produce, it hurts the team.

And to the person who thought that Graham was a cheaper version of Marion, that's kind of like saying that Miami shouldn't spend all that money re-signing Wade when they could get Jamal Crawford instead. While's it's certainly cheaper to sign Graham, you pretty much want the better player, especially when your team team is lacking talent.

My feeling is, when a team does as badly as the Raptors, you bring back as few of the players as possible. You need to inject some life into the team, just like Colangelo did when he first was hired. Losing breeds losing.

[mark]

i don't understand why you would bring the same team back. i don't think you can risk doing the same and getting "one more guy" to make it work.

CHEMISTRY IS EVERYTHING. THIS TEAM HAS NONE. AND NO WORK ETHIC.

joey graham is an okay player on a bad team= gone.
jason kapono is a disappointment of "hoffa-like" proportions= gone (please).
AP is good off the bench= keep him.

chris bosh? i'd deal him. hell, i'd deal calderon if it meant that this team would grow a proverbial pair.

i hope that this off-season brings huge change.

[Jeff]

Remember how terrible we all thought it was when the Raptors lost to the Thunder? Well... if the Thunder win a few more games they could very well beat the Raptors in the overall standings... ouch

Sadly... I am now rooting for the thunder... every draft postion counts... bring on 6th pick!

[aditya]

watching the thriller double OT phoenix vs dallas and erick dampier had 11 offensive rebounds and 0 defensive rebounds, says everything about amare stoudemire's ability to rebound the ball, box-out..... the commentators killed him also, i watched replays where there is no boxing out at all....
also his inability to set proper screens (offensively) is a liability...
and his inability to show off a pick and roll (on the defensive end) is just unbelievable because he's a rookie or anything (no wonder people dont talk about him in 2010 free agent class)

[bballer]

don't people realize there is such a thing called the draft lottery? it doesn't matter where you finish, you still have a chance for the top pick? until the lottery, we don't know where the raps will pick.

[tazzzman]

Does Bosh worth max contract come 2010?

[Thomas N]

What's with this trade bosh garbage?... you people realize no championship team lacks an allstar...actually more like 2 or 3 allstars. Regardless, we're not going to get back anyone as good as bosh in return for him and just end up waiting 3 or 4 years for another bosh to come along in the draft. We need to define the style of this team and if it happens to be "run-n-gun" I say trade calderon who has significant trade value but doesn't fit the bill. Try and keep marion, but if not sign or trade for a solid 2 and 3. Ukic is coming along and will be dope in a year or two, but bring in a starting PG whose willing to take some risks and play some transition ball... And for the record, the reason we're worse this season is because we dont have anyone to pick up the pace of the game when we need too (I'm rocking my TJ Ford jersey hard tomorrow)...til the end baby!! (No raptor booing: Circa 1995)

[skyhooker]

Where can I buy a POPS MB44 top .... POP IS TOPS ...!!!!

[Andrew Gregg]

Hi Doug:

Sorry--can't agree with you on the Delambert business. The story may bore you, but it is the at the core of what is wrong with the national team. It wasn't a "little fracas." Delambert is an NBA player who obtained Canadian citizenship to play for the National team. Leo Rautins is the guy who needs to figure out how to use him. What if every coach decided to punt players every time there was a difference of opinion? What do Rautins' actions say about him as a leader?

Maybe you think it's over, but it's not. This is the national team and I've been around long enough to remember when it used to be pretty good. We pay for this thing. A little more attention and scrutiny on your part would be appreciated.

Sorry Doug, but I'm tired of Rautins getting a free pass from the Canadian basketball press.

AG, Toronto

[aditya]

melo always complains when he misses a layup or something...wuts up with that>>!!!!
jr smith is the real deal