Of defence, dinner and no talking in school

Man, these two-a-days (files, not practices) can tire a guy out.

And make a fella go deep, deep into the mind and the notebook to come up with moderately interesting items.

Like these:

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The defensive buzzwords this year?

Shrink and contain.

Talking to Marc and Jay yesterday about basic defensive philosophy and that’s pretty much what it comes down to.

THE CANADIAN PRESS

The Raptors get started at training camp on Tuesday.

Shrink the court, contain guys on the perimeter.

Sprint back to elbows and boxes and make sure the rim’s protected.

It’s not rocket science, which I guess is why I was able to understand it, but it’s something that’s going to be hammered home incessantly every practice.

It’s a style that lots of teams use and its lineage to here traces back to Pat Riley, as a matter of fact.

It’s something Marc used to drill when he was with Riley and the Heat, it’s the same style KO used when he was in Toronto (and if nothing else, that team wasn’t too bad defensively) and Jay liked it then and likes it now.

With the size of the Raptors – and going with 6-3 Jose, 6-7 DeRozan, 6-10 Turk, 7-0 Bargnani and 6-11 Bosh makes this team as big as any starting unit in the league just about – it probably had a chance to work quite well. Put those five guys on the boxes and the elbows and there’s not going to be a lot of room.

And they should also be long enough to get out into the corners in a couple of steps to contest shots.

Now, all they had to do is do it well and they’ve got something. Whether they can or not is something we’ll see as the games start.

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Did something last night I don’t remember ever doing before.

Sitting at dinner with a gaggle of grunts, had to ask a server to change over one of the many televisions from something (it was Canadian sports television, it was likely poker) to the WNBA final.

Glad I did.

Heckuva game, no?

Mercury in OT, in case you weren’t watching.

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I’m sure you saw Chris Young’s piece on tweeting and twittering and whatever else you have.

He’s got the Raptors rules in there and there’s something else, too.

No Blackerry or cell phone use in the gym.

For everyone. Like presidents and general managers and reporters and anyone who’s in the gym.

Yes, you can have them, no you can’t use them. You can look at ‘em but if you want to use ‘em, you have to leave.

Trust me, the GM likes to use his Blackberry every now and then so I have a feeling he’s going to feel it even more than we do.

The way Jay sees it – and it’s his rule – if you’re in watching practice, you’re watching practice.

It’s a respect thing.

A cellphone-in-the-locker room story:

It’s post-game one night a few years ago and we’re all standing around waiting getting ready to interview Antonio Davis, a group that has to be 12 or 15 of us, all close to or on deadline, and just when the questioning begins, a guy’s cellphone goes off; it’s got the Elephant Walk as its ring tone and it’s a wee bit loud so you can’t miss it.

The guy (hi, Stumpy!) looks a bit sheepish and he’s going to ignore it so we can get on with our jobs, which is the right thing to do.

Oh, no, says AD. Tells the guy to take the call and he’ll wait to start his scrum. Deadline writers unimpressed.

Call’s from an off-spring and we get to listen to dad talk to daughter for a minute or so.

Very sweet.

Call done, interview commences.

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Thanks to all who suggested Pub Italia here in Bytown.

Stopped by for a wee bit on my own last night to check it out, had a fine Pedavena, a Krombacher and a Czechvar, all quite tasty, and some mussels done in Sambuca with pancetta and fennel.

Good call, folks.

Much appreciated.

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Digression to another sport:

As we’re watching Tammy against Diana, the big Tiger fan at the next table to us makes sure we know not only that Detroit got a much-needed split but he tells us to make sure to check out the Jays screen ‘cause Lind has three homers and has an at-bat coming in the ninth.

So we do and when Lind gets drilled, we’re riveted for a while because Surely To All That’s Good In The World whoever pitches the ninth for the Jays is going to throw the first pitch under someone’s chin and we might see one of those baseball brouhahas.

But, nooooooo.

First pitch is a fastball away, the next one’s the same and I’m thinking, “wow, what kind of teammate is that?”

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Back to the Raptors for a second, if you don’t mind.

Lots of people want to know how these guys spend their time when they’re not in the gym.

A bit of it these days up here is spent in the classroom.

Seriously.

Jay’s started something new for this team: Before every practice, they get together for 15 minutes, maybe half an hour, maybe longer to sit in a classroom set up and go over stuff.

It’s teaching and talking, about philosophy, systems, how practice went, whatever he wants.

The thing is that it’s more formal than usual.

Jay’s got the room set up with seats in a row, like a class, there’s a whiteboard for showing plays and the like.

It’s something he picked up from Coach K and the USA Olympic team the past few summers and something he thinks works pretty well.

“Some guys don’t pick it up on the floor, they need to see it on the board.”

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I am a fan of Ottawa, it’s a nice city of good people but, really, you folks here gotta do something about the cabs.

Long waits seem to be the norm, they seem quite hard to find and, yes, I know Preston’s being ripped up for construction but the dude who tried to take me to Pub Italia last night couldn’t find it with a search warrant.

Took the guy in the back seat to spot a sign.

(Lots of digression today, no?)

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In the bit of the scrimmage we got to see yesterday morning, it was Reggie Evans and Antoine Wright who filled in on the nominal first unit with Jose, DeRozan and Bargnani.

Not that it means anything, but I’m sure people want to know.

Comments

[Sam]

Hi Doug:

I was watching Raptors today programm yesterday at 6:00PM and could not help notice 1 thing about Turk interview: Poker face, no expression whatsoever on his face. It might sound silly but i watch faces when they talk. Do you think he came to Toronto because of the money? Does he miss Orlando and/or have bitter taste with Ottis, not signing him to the value he asked for? He mentioned choosing Toronto over Portland because of time different with Turkey (at the beginning). Your thoughts please.
Also have you ever considered to have your own website as well? You have many many hardcore Fans in Canada and we truely enjoy your blog. ;-)

Blogger's note: I think that's just his demeanour, I wouldn't read anything too serious into it

[Ken]

Doug,

I must agree with you on the WNBA Final last night - lots of action, scoring, and you can't beat overtime as well! Kudos to Tammy Sutton-Brown, who played tremendously. All Canadians should be proud! Maybe the Finals will get some more viewers now...

[GP]

A bit of an off-topic question but when you plan your travel how far in advance do you make your plans? Also, do you and some of the other grunts travel and make arrangements together? Seems like a lonely job at times if you don't....

Blogger's note: A bit long to get into here but I'm booked with flights and hotels pretty much through mid-January now; and the number of travellers continues to dwindle so there's a lot of solo trips

[Josh C.]

Hey Doug,

Jason Frasor the Blue Jays closer would never have intentionally hit a Boston batter in that situation last night with the team leading 8-7 in the bottom of the ninth as they wouldn't have wanted to put the tying runner on base.

Cheers,
Josh

Blogger's note: Yeah, but something up and in and to send a message and a batter sprawling might have been called for, no?

[Patrick]

Morning Doug,

In the little of practice that you did get to see, how spirited was it? I know at this point, all practices/scrimmages probably seem the same to an old hat like yourself, but I'm just curious about the general energy around the team, the cliched "competitive fire" that the players have, even when going against one another.

Thanks and have a good one!

Blogger's note: Bit we saw was pretty low intensity but it was at the end of a two-hour workout

[stoneman]

Hi Doug, thanks for your great work on the blog; love your attitude toward the game and how you deal with the many 'challenging' responses you get. Yours is easily the best of all the Raptor-related blogs.
As a coach, I really appreciate the occasional tidbits regarding Coach Triano and his staff and how they plan to develop the team. I do know that defensive transition is as much a conditioned response and team attitude as anything, and Triano would not have had sufficient time to make signicant changes - they did get better - after taking over mid-season. The players appear to be a bunch who will respond to his coaching and should show improvement on the defensive end.
This team is going to be fun to watch. GM Colangelo has done a terrific job putting together a talented group of versatile, intelligent and team-oriented players. For those of us who love the game, Triano's emphasis on movement will be a refreshing change from the more common NBA game.

[Jon]

Tough call for Frasor and the Jays up 1 with the top of the BoSox order coming up.

You can't hit the first guy because he's a nobody hitting .196. You can't hit the next guy because he's stolen 66 bases and will wind up on 2nd. In the ideal situation you get the first two outs and then fire one behind (or through) Pedroia, but Ellsbury got on base so Frasor had to keep it clean to try to win the game.

Still sucks that there was no response to Papelbon's crap. He didn't even man up to it; he tried to pretend it was accidental when he realized Pedroia would be the likely target for retaliation. Pure garbage.

[Rod]

im from toronto (lived in ottawa for 6 months) and i gotta say ottawa is an exceptional city. BTW the longer you stay there, the more it tends to grow on you

[Imran Pirani]

Does this Monta Ellis and Stephen Jackson non-sense grind your gears or what? Do these guys have legitimate concerns or are they just problematic in locker rooms? Personally I am not sure if Don Nelson always knows what he is doing, does he still have the ear of his GM? I see many issues with this franchise. Your thoughts?

Blogger's note: Sure, it's a mess. I have no idea if the complaints are legit, not around that team. But it's fun to read about.

[Tim W.]

Thanks. Now I have the Elephant Walk going through my head.

[Matt]

Hey Doug,

Anybody look good in the scrimmage? How did Amir do?

Blogger's note: We saw 10 minutes. No real assessment.

[NC]

Great piece on Marco this morning Doug. I know that a lot of kids that I grew up with felt the same way playing basketball in Hockey mad Canada. I know things are changing drastically here, but as a young child hockey reigned supreme. A kid who bled orange and black couldn't help but feel like a bit of an outsider.

[doug]

not only is it Turk's demeanour but people have to realize with Hedo, Barg's, and Belinelli's...there is a language barrier english is not there mother tongue, so they have to hesitate and think about not only the answer but the proper words to use...it would be like me going and playing in Spain and having to speak Spanish, my personality would appear to change somewhat as i would be needing to concentrate on what the heck i was saying...

yea its a tough call last night , guy hits 3 dingers then gets plunked no retaliation..i think the mindset of pitchers and even fans has changed as they think a message pitch needs to be a eye for a eye type thing...i disagree you pitch a guy high an tight it gets the message across, plus also he isn't going to be hanging over the plate....so Frasor never had to plunk anyone but he had to pitch inside a couple pitches at least...we will see today, in the first or second inning Halladay is pitching for the Jays( he doesn't have areputation for hitting guys or sticking up for temmates) he needs to plunk a red Sox player and not a guy low down in the order...Youkillis, Pedroia....it has to be done...

[LeeZ]

Couple of things: I prefer Pub Italia's mussels in gorgonzola sauce, but to each his own. But that you didn't wash your mussels down with a slice of their amazing zuccato has left me shocked and dismayed. Oh, and I did try to warn you about our cabs (and cabbies): the worst ANYWHERE. As for the Jays, I totally agree: Frasor should have put the first guy he saw on his ass. Yes, one-run contest and all that, but it's not like this was a meaningful game for the Jays. But what WOULD have been meaningful is for the pitcher to stand up for his mates and send a message that this kind of CRAP will not stand.

[Jon B]

Hi Doug,

Not sure if you had this place on your list, but Nate's Deli on Rideau is a must-stop whenever my wife and I head back to Ottawa. I recommend the smoked meat poutine, but you really can't go wrong with anything there.

[Archie gillespie]

Not to belabour last night's baseball game but I agree Frasor couldn't risk putting a runner on base. Even if he wastes a chin music pitch there's always the possibility of missing his target and hitting the batter. Sending a message could happen tonight or even next season. What's interesting is it's Doc's last game this evening, with his status with the team questionable. Not too mention of course he has great command and one of the classiest players around. A plunk on a Boston hitter would unlikely be an accident but would be a fantastic parting acknowledgment to his long time team mates. Will be fun to watch. Oh, and go Raps.

[anthony.mackay]

That is a big starting 5 that SHOULD matchup well with most other teams... but I wouldn't say its the biggest starting 5 to be trotted out this season.

I see the Lakers trying Kobe at PG (6'6"?) along with Ron Ron (6'8"?) Lamer at 6'10" and two 7 footers in Gasol and Bynum.... that's scary and that's BEFORE you remember Kobe and Ron can be individual lock down defenders.

Raps bench will allow them to hang with anyone in the east this year, even the Celtics.

[PC]

Sam,

Have you ever seen Turk interviewed before? For that matter his first few years in Sac-Town he looked like he was on sleeping pills while he was playing, he's just not an exhuberant sort of fellow until he sticks the knife in and wins the game. I wouldn't read much into that.

For me the watching media day was worth it just for the "he's just mad cause he can't grow hair" dig... those two are going to be funny all year long. Hopefully Jarret made it to Ottawa okay as he didn't seem to have much of a clue where it was.

[Adam]

Doug,

I'm really enjoying the Raptors Today programs this week on RatptorsTV as well as the blogs by yourself, Eric Smith, Matt Devlin etc.I got tickets for the first pre-season game and will probably get another sprite zone ticket for another one in that last week.
In regards to the Jays/Bosox game, Jason Frasor wouldn't want to send a "message" pitch in this game. You just never know what could happen at Fenway against the Sox. Perhaps their next meeting if they feel it's necessary. Paplebon did apologize to Lind at the end of the inning-not that it excuses him in my books though.
On to my question: Do you forsee Bosh and Turkoglu playing in the final few pre-season games if all goes according to plan on the road to recovery or rest depending which one of them you are?

Blogger's note: They'll probably play. How much? Can't say.

[Peter]

Hi Doug,

Hope you're enjoying Ottawa. ESPN's John Hollinger is predicting 39 wins for the Raptors. You mentioned that Brian Colangelo is hoping for 50 wins. Just curious to know where you stand on that? Or more accurately, what's your opinion of who is closer to what the actual number will be?

Blogger's note: Let's see, the absolute middle would be, what, 44.5? I'd probably take over at the moment with the codicil that I really have no clue since they haven't actually played a game together yet.

[Gary Mugford]

Doug,

Payback's coming tonight. Third batter. Victor Martinez, who 'called' the inside pitch. Halladay will get the first two guys (Ellsbury and Pedroia) and will then plunk Martinez in the ribs. Won't blink while doing it either. After that, it's up to the Bosox if the deal's done. If they retaliate, things WILL get ugly. Last meeting of the year and all.

GM

[AJR]

Doug,

Back in the day some friends of mine were mugged in Atlanta by a guy posed as a scalper, selling tickets to a Jays/Braves World Series Game. (BTW, never agree to exchange the cash in a back alley --- duh)

Ever get mugged on one of your road trips? Are there any NBA cities that make you look over your shoulder a few times?

---AJR

Blogger's note: Mugged? No. Over the shoulder glances? Like most, I make sure to be aware of what's going on around me, in Toronto or wherever

[Blake Kennedy]

For anybody curious about "shrinking the court", Kevin O'Neill has an entire DVD on the topic. Filmed in HD at the Five-Star Camp, it can be previewed and bought here: http://www.championshipproductions.com/cgi-bin/champ/p/Basketball/The-Complete-Guide-to-Man-to-Man-Defense_BD-02965.html . He explains his three shrink positions (basically, a Packline idea) and gives various options for ball screen defense (trap, hedge and recover, hi-lo coverage, etc.)

[Adam C]

To be fair, Colangelo didn't predict 50 wins - he said that 50 should be their target, which is a much different thing.

In a one run game, put me with those who say Frasor was right not to put a guy on base. If I had my way, though, Doc would plunk the first regular he sees on the ass and challenge the rest of them to get that runner across. Like the Yankees, the Red Sox pull this crap because they believe they can push other teams around.

[doug]

if it was me an I am old school, since the umps in fenway never even issued a warning to Papelbon(what a surprise) the first batter last night that came up I would have buzzed one in just across his chest, the next pitch the same thing a little higher... the guy just hit 3 home runs you have to respond, its just shameful......you have to do it...they bettter do something in the first couple innings tonight or that team needs a culture change...plus don't 4get the Red Sox have clinched , I am guessing a few starters are not starting...

I use to love "Stumpys" columns in the Sun, concerning his ife, stories, anecdotes about his daughter (who he has a nickname for but I can't recall), they were just gems...but then the Sun in their infinite wisdom seemed to lose those articles only to gain the one's from Gary Loewen that are pure trite, meaning garbage...says a lot for the Sun...does Feschuk still write for the Star??, I haven't seem his name attached to a article in awhile..