Do they keep the Pops and POB mobs separated?

JOHN BAZEMORE/AP

We may have an answer to Atlanta's shot clock problems.

Everything sort of went by plan in the Game 2s played last night, didn’t it? No real drama, home teams all win oops, forgot Miami, and, for one evening at least, all went according to plan.

And we at In-Game Blog Central had a not bad night, there were more than a few issues in the Heat-Hawks game to keep everyone interested. Should be even more fun and games tonight when by far the best series going – Boston-Chicago – resumes for Game 3 and we’ll be around these parts right around 8. See ya then.

And until then …

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About last night:

JO reads and reacts

I learned a little bit about Jermaine O’Neal in the short time he was in Toronto and I had a sneaking suspicion he’d find a way to have a good game last night.

Jermaine, like only a few athletes, pretty much knows exactly what’s being written and said about him out there in the media and a story yesterday afternoon that had some unnamed scout killing him for being done and terrible and a drag on the Heat would have pissed him off no end.

I’m not saying it was the only reason he had a big game; but I do know it was in the back of his mind when he was on the court.

Up in the air

Watching the first half of the New Orleans-Denver game last night one thing occurred to me:

Chris Paul, for all his greatness, spends an inordinate amount of time leaping in the air with the ball looking for someone to pass to. Thing is, he’s got such good court vision, he usually finds someone.

Time to revise?

Once upon a time, a wise man suggested the Atlanta Hawks would beat the Miami Heat in six games of their first round series.

That may prove to be entirely true but one thing has struck me during the first two games of the series, both of which I watched pretty closely.

The Hawks cannot beat Miami in a game played primarily in the halfcourt, they don’t defend very well, if Atlanta cannot get out and run their offence is really limited and they have no answer to the Heat three-point shooters.

And the Heat, conversely, stand no chance when the game’s up and down, when Atlanta can run and dunk and score in transition. Miami’s too slow getting back most possessions and the Hawks dunk like crazy.

But – and this is the key point – Miami can get the game to its tempo both at home and on the road, it’s not like they need a boisterous crowd to get them all pumped up, as we saw last night.

The Hawks? I don’t know if they can get going in a hostile road environment. They play most effectively in “runs” and you don’t get many of those on the road in the playoffs. That win in Atlanta last night may have swung the series Miami’s way.

A good sign?

Dwight Howard’s a relative non-factor when he fouls out and the Magic withstand another late collapse and still win going away? Maybe that was the tonic needed to strengthen their mental resolve. Or maybe not.

The Magic, it seems, tend to panic at times, and letting Philly steal Game 1 after blowing an 18-point lead and then almost blowing another last night probably did very little to boost their confidence.

If the Sixers come out in Game 3 and blitz Orlando, I can see them winning both games at home and then the series in six.

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I haven’t been downtown in a couple of days but I may head that way this afternoon and I’m just wondering how the traffic’s going to be around the ACC what with the angry mob parading up and down Bay Street insisting that Pops Mensah-Bonsu be the 12th man on the roster next year instead of Patrick O’Bryant.

Really, people, chill.

This is not the end of the world, it’s not the signal of the demise of the franchise, it’s not even cast in stone that it’ll happen.

But if it does, is deciding to keep a 23-year-old 7-footer with about a 7 1-2-foot wingspan and at least a modicum of offensive skills really such a horrible thing rather than keeping a 26-year-old, 6-7 guy whose shooting range goes to about eight feet?

Look, if this is the issue that’s getting everyone worked up, we can officially say the dog days of the off-season are upon us. And they’re not.

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That hawk – yes, the real live hawk that’s part of the pre-game introductions at the Philips Arena – flying around the court and finally perching on top of a remote camera above a backboard during the Miami-Atlanta game might have been the coolest moment of the playoff so far.

Priceless.

Usually, the bird flies from the rafters down to midcourt, lands on the arm of its trainer and is led away. Last night? Not so much.

And more shenanigans in Altanta.

What would have been the coolest thing ever would have been in the hawk had swooped down in the dying seconds of the game and turned on the clock a couple of seconds early.

That, my friends, would have been a perfect Atlanta basketball moment.

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Expect little or no Raptor news for a few days.

Almost everyone’s taking a week or so to decompress after the season and the exit interviews and all that jazz.

Frankly, I’m quite all right with quiet, I could use some myself.

I am told it’ll be early May before they start thinking about bringing guys into work out so, thankfully, we won’t have to go through the drudgery of listening to guys with absolutely no chance of ever playing here telling us why they’d be such a good fit.

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I’m pretty sure this is a bad sign and just one of the signs of the time for our industry.

Super Son just brought me the mail ‘cause there was a letter in there for me that he thought looked interesting.

Guess it was.

It was a proof of claim request from the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware wondering if I had any claims against the Tribune Company, which owns, among other things, the Chicago Tribune and L.A. Times.

Glad I got whatever freelance money I was owed before now.

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A little mail thingy and, folks, the mailbag’s getting a wee bit empty (and remember, no questions about who they’ll draft until the lottery is conducted and the early-entry deadline is passed; they bore me)

Q: I really like LeBron's pregame tossing of the ceremonial powder into the air, it really adds to his whole spectacle and probably gets the crowd pumped up faster than Dee Brown's shoes. My question is, are there any other cool traditions around the league? I know the crowd in New Orleans doesn't sit until they score a basket. What are some other interesting ones? Maybe a top five? Oh and also, what do you think the reaction is from some of the old school players regarding LeBron, and the whole team's pregame show? Would the bad boy Pistons have stood for it? Or Oak's Knicks?

David S, Toronto

A: I once looked at that bottle of resin carefully, I think it might have been one night Carlos Delfino was smushing it around about eight inches from my face. And, lo and behold, the big old Skull And Crossbones logo and warning, “Do Not Digest” sort of caught me by surprise.

But I digress.

LeBron’s resin toss and the whole choreographed intro and all that stuff is cute and I presume the fans love it and it’s mostly harmless. I sometimes watch, I usually yawn. But if he’s having fun and the fans are having fun, who am I to suggest the fun is boring.

But as for traditions, there really aren’t all that many. It’s quaint and collegiate that teams stand until they score (although back in the Year Of KO some Raptors might have cramped up from standing so long) and I will say this:

If some players put as much effort into remembering plays as they do remembering the manner in which they’ll shake hands and pump fists and leap into each other’s arms, coaches would be happier.

Old school players? Old school players never would have had to think about such nonsense because old school players just got ready to play the game.

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Comments

[Mike kovacs]

Hi Doug. Now that Stephen Curry has declared for the draft ( and sorry that this is speculation but it is a long off-season ) do you agree that at 6'3" he is too small for the Raps at the 2? Apparently some doctor told him that based on an MRI his growth plates have not closed and he may still grow another 2". Still he is aiming to be a point guard and I don't see him as better than Roko to be the back-up to Jose.

[Serge P]

Why is is that every time some fringe player comes to the Raptors on a 10-day and makes a few hustle plays the fans lose their minds? I hope Pops sticks around just to read all the "why the hell did we sign this bum?" comments as soon as he takes a few bad shots in a game or the "I told you all along we should have kept O'Bryant" as soon as PO'B has a 12 and 12 game coming off the bench for the Sacramento Kings next year. If you don't believe me that it will happen, see Moon, Jamario or Calderon, Jose.

[Jeff Steele]

This article seems to make a very convincing argument that Marion will end up in Houston or Toronto next season:

http://sports.sympatico.msn.ca/NBA/ContentPosting_DroppingDimes?newsitemid=35094d68-2f3b-436b-9b72-bb6517d54e46&feedname=DroppingDimes&show=False&number=0&showbyline=False&subtitle=&detect=&abc=abc&date=False&pagenumber=1

I'd like to know if you agree with this Tim Chisholm guy or not, Doug. I hope he's on to something here but I'm sure if he has considered Marion's desire to be on a contender...

[Jeff Steele]

Sorry, typo in my last post:

*not sure if he's considered Marion's desire to be on a contender.

[sara]

"Bargnani : 5.3 RPG in 31.4 mpg "
"Pops : 5.4 RPG in 13.8 mpg"

Based on these numbers , maybe we should seriously consider to move Bargnani ( not POB ) and keep POP. The fans are speaking clearly on this one....

[jimmie]

Basketball fans in TO are "well-informed"?? Not the majority of the ones who post to forums. Ever visit RealGM?

POB is going to earn 1.6M next year and is an expiring contract. If TO doesn't want him, they still have to pay out 800K to get rid of him. Pops is going to be looking for a deal in the neighbourhood of 1-2M/year over 3 years, imo. That means you'd actually be paying Pops his salary next year PLUS the 800K it would cost to buy out POB (unless you're talking about keeping both, which would be absolutely ludicrous given the pressing needs of the Toronto bench).

Are you willing to pay that buyout penalty + salary for the next 3 years for a guy who would honestly not crack the rotation on a contending playoff team? Just to keep some rabidly vocal fans appeased? As opposed to keeping the guy you're already committed to paying, and who can be easily moved as an expiring contract throw-in to a trade, and at worst, will come off the books at the end of season?

Someone earlier suggested keeping Pops as an alternative to Hump if you could trade Hump. Now, that's a good plan. I'd much prefer to keep POB and Pops and trade Hump. But a strict Pops vs. POB proposition? It's easy, folks, you keep POB.

Blogger's note: Patrick O'Bryant's contract is $855,189; there is all kinds of misinformation out there

[doug]

if Pops plays 12-15 minutes on a regular basis...then i can tell everyone who wishes for that this, we will be sitting here next year at this same time talking about how the Raps are not in the playoffs...you people saying to Doug "do you actually watch the games"...do you's??....do you actually think that Pops playing 15 minutes a game is going to in anyway be a difference maker for this team??..the Spurs who are a playoff team and in need of bodies in the frontcourt let Pops go, what is this fascination with guys like Pops, Delfino etc...yet Calderon,Bosh are being dumped on constantly...the lack of b-ball I.Q. from some on this blog is truly astounding, do me a favour and actually watch a game maybe tonight and see how playoff teams are put together, not only in key players, but also with the so-called bench players, it's those "bench" players that make the difference, Pops is what he is, on a true championship team he would be lucky to be a 12th man...for instance the Celts miss Garnett obviously but just as big of a loss for them was not re-signing Posey, their not the same team, not even close...those are the type of players teams need, the Pops in the league are a dime a dozen...so this love-in with Pops, Delfino is just asinine, look at the bigger picture, do you think BC is sitting in his office wringing his hands over whether its Pops or O'Bryant??, give me a break it's the last thing on his mind but to some "fans" the biggest and most important issue....unreal...

[Mike]

i liked this line in the comments

"Pops actually looks like he's playing for something" yah, that reason is a contract. what do you think is going to happen once he gets to the NBA and adrenaline of playing in the NBA (see this year)is gone??? NOTHING, there's a reason he was in the D-league and O'Bryant is in the NBA. Any most GM's will probably see it the way Doug SUGGESTED that BC MAY see it. But hey, continue to crucify and accuse, it's comical to read most of these angry little elf comments

Mike

[Darko]

Jermaine sure looked washed up and finished last night. Hope that (those) unnamed scout(s) stay unnamed, or they should make sure to keep their day jobs. Another reminder of subpar performance of our GM in last two years.

[John Park]

so you think Hump is a far better player than Pops?

I don't think so.

[doug]

how is Jermaines performance last night a "reminder of subpar performance of our gm"?, what getting rid of a man who is oft injured and may indeed not be a starting everyday player any longer, for one who is marketable in a sign and trade and has his salary coming of the books nonetheless, is indicative of a subpar performance??, as T.J spent the last month or so as a back-up with the Pacers so his market value is falling faster then GM's stock. So there is no logic in your comment at all go read basketball for "Dummies" as I am sure there is such a book out there...o wait you must be one of the Delfino is a saviour camp out there...

[Harut S.]

I really don't think Pops is only playing for his contract, I think judging by all he's said and done in his time here its evident that the kid as some heart. Personally, his effort and energy really made the game for me and I'd get excited every time I'd hear that he's coming off the bench, and I think I speak for a lot of other people on that as well. Hope they keep him

[Shy]

saw this on NBA.com
"That Dikembe Mutombo would be the first player to repeat as a J. Walter Kennedy award winner speaks as highly of the honor as it does of him," said Doug Smith, president of the PBWA. "No player has given more freely his time, his money and himself, on a consistent basis, than Mutombo through the years. His and his foundation's continuing efforts in building, maintaining and improving the hospital in Kinshasa are widely known and set a standard for NBA players and, frankly, athletes across all sports. The PBWA is delighted to present him -- again -- with this award."

Is that you Doug?

Blogger's note: Yes, it is

[Patrick]

Hiya Doug,

I saw this on Eric Smith's blog:

“That Dikembe Mutombo would be the first player to repeat as a J. Walter Kennedy award winner speaks as highly of the honor as it does of him,” said Doug Smith, president of the PBWA."

First off, it's great to see Dikembe recognized for all his hard work (knowing that he ultimately has much more important things to do than play basketball makes it slightly less sad to see him end his career on a stretcher).

But also... I didn't know that you were the President of the Professional Basketball Writers Association! Can I refer to you as Mister President from here on out? Please? :)

[Tim W.]

Doug: "do you's??" Just to let you know, the plural of `you' is `you'. There is no `you's'. As for the rest of your post, I think Pops could easily be a 15 minute player on a playoff team with a little experience. San Antonio released him in order to sign Drew Gooden, who I think everyone will agree is a better player. Plus, San Antonio generally outrebounds their opponents, anyway. The Raptors are more in need of Pops' rebounding than San Antonio. Personally, I think Pops could become a rotation player. I don't see O'Bryant ever becoming one.

Mike: You assume a heck of a lot with Pops. Do you have any evidence to back up your theory, or you just trying to appear ignorant?

[doug]

"Tim W" thanks for the english lesson..now in return let me give you a b-ball lesson....sure Pops can be a rotation player I never said he couldn't be, what I did say is that if he is a 12-15 minute one then the Raps will be in the same place as they are this year....and since you are so well versed in the in's and out's of the english language I am sure you will understand the meaning of this word "irrelevant" as in this whole discussion or rather obsession people have with this ever-pressing Pops versus O'Bryant quandary...cheers...(I hope I used cheers in it's right tense there as I wouldn't want to distract you from the real esssence of this "debate")

[Blake Kennedy]

Doug, in a response to a commenter here you dared to equate between Bargnani's and Pops' rebounding based on per game averages. This is sloppy thinking in its most despicable form. Use proper metrics, please: basketball-reference.com does us the favour of posting rebounding percentages (the percentage of rebounds AVAILABLE TO THE PLAYER) that the player gets:

Player ORB% DRB% TRB%
Bargnani .034 .160 .100
O'Bryant .048 .206 .128
Mensah-Bonsu .225 .234 .230

There is absolutely no freaking comparison at all between Pops and anybody else on this team, really. He gets after it on the glass with greater efficacy than few in the entire league. O'Bryant may block more shots and be bigger, but no informed person has any business dismissing Pops' work on the glass.

On occasion, a modicum of research tends to help.

Blogger's note: Apparently, when you read the comments you missed the response that I was being facetious. And I don't really give a rat's butt about numbers, or metrics, or however you want to spin stats. I think my stance on that -- that you can manipulate numbers to make any case and they are but a very small portion of any discussion -- is well established.
But, thanks for taking time to do all the research by calling up a website.

[Shawn]

Doug, they don't pay you enough for dealing with these morons....

[GT]

Haha hey doug. If it wasn't a war before it sure is now. We need to decide who's the 12th man - NOW!! Anyways just read E. Smith's blog on Deke and saw your quote. Good one. Cheers.

[GT]

Oh and to add... Did you get this president of the PBWA because of your almighty blogging skills? Or is it your knowledge of Dancing with the Stars and a good brew?

Blogger's note: It was because some good friends talked me into it

[erc]

Pops has about the same number of rebounds, but he plays less mpg. than Bargnani.

[Tim W.]

Doug (not the reporter): You're welcome. Hope my English lesson helped. And as for the Raptors being in the same position they are this year, I do have a question. If the Raptors add a very good starting SG (possibly through the draft), re-sign Marion, add another veteran as either back-up PG or swingman, would the Raptors be still where there are this year? And were you speaking of the entire season, or the last part, where they had a winning record? Is upgrading the backup bigs, over what they have now, such a pressing concern? What exactly does "being at the same place as the are this year" mean?

[Kevin]

Hi Doug,

Two observations on the Pops controversy.
Pops hits the glass better than anyone else on the team because it is basically his only offensive weapon.
More importantly... if the fans think they have any influence on this team I will remind you of the TSN2 fiasco this year. If the seats are full and the t-shirts are selling then MLSE just doesn't care!

[Darko]

To: doug
Reminder, as in BC himself said it the other day that we need toughness, yet he traded away our toughest guy. Unless you lace
'em up, we still do not have anybody to protect the paint, or to beat, say San Antonio scoring only like 4 pts. And do not give me Roko here, or ask me to explain, it is in that book (you warmly recomended)probably.
To get back to GM, sign Salmons, or maybe not. god has spoken.
Ok let's get Fred, hmmmm he sucks, let's trade him for Juan, hmmm he sucks to. Let's at least sign deadly shooter to a nice fat 4 yr. contract. Bingo, except shooot, sucker will not shoot.
Got me a no.1 overall pick. What is my strongest position on the team. Hmmm, it is PF, well let me trade one for PG so that I can draft me a, guess what, another PF.
Well, my new starting PG does not want to play for me anymore
(never mind that I had starting PG already, I just did not know it), so I have to ship his whining deriere out. I know I need good wing player who can create his own shot, but never mind.
So, why don't I package my biggest expiring contract (Raso 8mil), I'll throw in Mace (2 mil exp. con.) and 1st rd. pick for Jermaine. To get rid of him I'll add Jamario, another 1st and 2nd rd pick, trade exception and being good guy I will take back
THE ONLY player that Miami has signed beyond good ol' 2010, who can't play, but whoopie doo for all those measly assets I got me a SF/PF who could not greate his own shot against you or me, and shoots 3pts all of 19 %. Yup, I'll sign and trade him, exactly where, only god knows, maybe Khimki or something like it. Somebody posted good article about Marion earlier. Speaking of Khimki, that was great player(asset) management, loosing Garbo,
our toughest player at the time, glue guy and all.
No, I am not of Delfino camp, altough I do not mind him. I am from: player is great because he ALMOST won, camp.
As for your book recomendation, never liked reading autobiographies.

[Diablo]

Wasn't it Micheal Jordan that started this chalk thing before every game? Something different would be nice from the current star wearing 23.