Of pressure and who plays when, among other things

A bit later than usual today, the pillow just felt sooooo good.

But it's worth the wait.

Really.

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THREE THINGS I LEARNED

A little pressure’s a good thing

If you saw the second quarter against Houston, you saw them work a kind of full-court-press-trap-where-you-can defence as well as they have at any time this pre-season.

It had Johnson and Jack trying to trap the ballhandler in the backcourt, Belinelli and Weems lurking in the passing lanes and Bargnani anchored under the basket.

It worked well on a couple of possessions, Belinelli had a steal of a hurried pass on one play I remember well.

Jay said it was to change tempo because the starters were lethargic but it is something we’ll see a lot more of this year because, especially with that second unit, it’s a sound strategy.

It’s not done to create steals, per se, but more to scramble the game, put some pressure in the backcourt that runs time off the shotclock and get the game going at a quicker pace.

With guys like Jack, who’s a good on-ball-defender and Belinelli, kind of a “sneaky” defender, it’s very good use of personnel.

Jose’s new home, sometimes

It was one play, I think early in the third quarter, that you’re going see a lot of this year.

Dribble handoff from Jose to Turkoglu at the top of the circle, Jose runs around a screen to the left hand corner. Turk runs pick and pop with Bargnani on the right side, Bosh is on the block and DeRozan’s lifted on the left side.

Turk turns the corner, Jose’s man cheats to the middle to give some support to the guy covering Bosh and Calderon’s wide open in the corner.

Turk hit him with a perfect cross-court pass on the play I remember and while Jose didn’t make the three-pointer on that occasion, that shot’s going to be there all season long.

It’s one of the big benefits of having a ball-handling forward who can make good decisions.

Time to get serious

Jay alluded to this in his post-game debriefing and it’s going to make the last two pretend games at least a bit more interesting to watch.

He said it’s time to tighten the rotation, which means the starters get stretched out, the substitution pattern will be like the regular season and we’ll finally see how this puzzle might fit together.

Me? I start the usuals, the first guy off the bench now is Johnson for Bargnani, then I go with Jack for Calderon, Belinelli for DeRozan and bring Bargnani back for Bosh to start the second quarter, when I also go back to Jose for Turkoglu, giving you Jack, Calderon, Belinelli, Bargnani and Johnson for about five minutes.

Then I go back to Bosh and Turkoglu for Johnson and Jack, leaving four starters and Belinelli to finish the half.

And, depending on the size of the other team’s backcourt, I might leave Jack out there with Jose for the bulk of the second quarter.

(The other possibility, and it would depend on matchups and the inevitable foul trouble Johnson would find himself in is to use Rasho in that backup big role).

I know there no Weems in this little scenario but I’m not sure where he fits; I guess he could get the Belinelli minutes but you need Marco’s halfcourt offence.

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Now, the rest of the story:

Please, anyone out there who’s worried about the outcomes of these games, read these words from Jay.

Carefully.

“In the pre-season, we’re trying to evaluate where guys fit into rotations as well. There’s not a lot of hanging heads right now. Would we like to win? Yes. Would we like to play better? Yes. Would I be playing some of these guys if we were trying to win the game right through? No.

“This is part of evaluation and where guys are going to fit into rotations with our team as well. They have to understand, they’re on trial for where they’re going to fit within this team. At both ends of the floor.”

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I could use some mail but a word of warning: It’s time to cull the weekly mailbag, no more 5,000 word offerings, it’s too much for me and I imagine it’s too much for some of you.

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You know how sometimes I goof around and try to coach? Happens a lot in the in-game blog in a rather facetious way.

Well, sometimes, it seems, Jay tries to write.

(I joke, sort of).

He’s got a new book out these days, called Basketball Basics, How to Play Like The Pros.

Good looking tome, full of instructions and drills and the like. He’ll be autographing copies at the Indigo Eaton Centre at 3 p.m. Saturday.

Tell him I said hi. And to keep to his own gig.

(I joke).

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Legend Lovers Alert!!!!!

The Houston Chronicle says this about that.

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I’ve seen a lot of things in my years around the arena here but last night was a first.

Wandering through the concourse, I saw a woman wearing – get this! – a Chris Garner replica jersey.

Seriously, No. 00, the old white pinstripe jersey.

I imagine it was a game-worn one she got at some charity event because I cannot imagine they ever, you know, made one to sell.

Outside of the little kid I once saw wearing a replica Chicken jersey, the Garner one takes the cake.

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Hey, a day off for them means kind of a day off for me. Knock off this Hedo profile I’m trying to work up for tomorrow’s newspaper and chill. I like this day off thing quite a bit.

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See ya.

Comments

[John MacDonald]

Hey Doug,

I think you might have missed someone there. What about Antoine Wright? Is there any word on his injury and where he might fit into this team? One thing I noticed last night is that the Raptors have not solved the problem of guarding people on the perimeter, in no way shape or form should an opponent make 8 3 pointers, after 4 the defender should wisen up and make that player put it on the floor.

Blogger's note: I left Wright and Evans out because of the questions about their injuries

[Dave]

I like the flair Belinelli brings. Of course, one or two extra turnovers may get him hooked in the regular season, but since Jose and Jack are usually so careful with the ball, it's good to have a little more daring with Belinelli.

Speaking of flair, Sonny Weems missing a breakaway free throw line (or close to) dunk in a game? I appreciate the thought but kids never, ever, ever try that in a game. I don't think he's got a chance to crack the regular rotation taking running 18' jumpers in transition with no rebounders under the basket.

[Alex]

Doug how could you, not a single word of your own on The Legend? I mean he ate the Raptors for supper! He's having leftovers for breakfast this morning!
The guy was a one-man wrecking crew. I know a good bit of it has to do with pride and playing in front of the team that let you go, but OMG he made a lot of the Raptors look like they were playing pickup at the Y.

[JH]

Where does Reggie fit into the rotation once he's back?

Blogger's note: First big off the bench whenever he returns

[Nick]

I knew Pops would be good where ever he goes... We so let one slip by...

[Jon K.]

Glad to see Pops doing well in Houston, and Colangelo speak pretty highly of him for a bench guy who was way down the depth line. His hustle (which you can never have too much of) will be missed.

[christian]

im not one of those fans that gets all excited about a few pre-season games, but when you are talking about two unproven young players, Weems and Belinelli, who are in their first season with the Raps, what does it take to win mins? i have not seen anything that has happened this pre-season that shows me belinelli should be ahead of weems. of course im not seeing practice but im wondering if belinelli is winning this battle because he was so firmly backed by management?

[TC]

I'm glad to hear that there will be a full court press. That is a facet of the game I love to see. I've always wanted to see the Raptors executing it.

[marc in Burlington]

Hola Doug,

At one point last night with this new "protect the house" defense the Raptors are trying to implement they gave up three 3 pointers in a row to Trevor Ariza, all of which I believe were uncontested. Was this a matter of poor rotation, or is the notion of his defensive scheme to give up three point attempts in order to pack the paint and be better on the boards?

Blogger's note: Poor rotations, bad game; same rotations that held teams to 29 per cent shooting from three-point range in the first five games. Neither means much because it's pre-season but if you want to look at one, you should look at the others.
I can't believe I am saying this, but I can't wait for the real refs, (you know, the ones that call the games in favor of the superstars and high profile teams) to return. The folks they have working the games now are brutal. I'm not sure why the NBA head office in New York is working so hard to stop the criticisms of these guys by players and coaches instead of getting down to work and getting this issue solved. The refs in the NBA play a direct role in the outcome of the game, probably more than the officials in any other sport. To listen to the talking heads of the NBA tell us how "it's all about the fans" and then to trot out this rag tag collection of out of shape whistle blowers is hard to accept. These refs, this NBA -- "it's so un-Amazing"

[Jeff]

"We would have loved to have him back," general manager Bryan Colangelo told the Houston Chronicle. "We talked to him all the way to the very end when he made the decision to go to Houston. Part of our complication was all the varied deals that were in play. With all the transactions that happened -- nine new players from last year's end-of-season roster, 12 from the start of training camp last year -- I wasn't sure how many spots I was going to have left to give another guaranteed deal. I always presented it as it was going to be a last-minute decision. ... He was a great tonic for our roster and our situation last year. He brought energy. He brought hustle. He brought enthusiasm. He helped us down the stretch, when we won nine of 13 games."

[Eric]

lol WHAT else is new? "Preseason stinker don't mean nothing!" ........

You know what does mean something? The lethargicness of this team whenever I watch. It's strange because so many of the guys are new, they didn't play like that before, and the coach is relatively new aswell. The only holdovers are-!

You think maybe that's always been the problem? Like, maybe that's what so many of us have been saying? Your culture will not change unless your leaders change! Others will follow suit.

So many people saying Bosh will be tougher, Bargnani will rebound, Jose will attack the basket and get to the FT line......... THEY WILL DO THIS! WHY? BE QUIET! THEY WILL! lol!

It is just preseason but "just preseason" are two words that only the Raptors use.

Couple of Excuses I hear all the time:

1) ""Bargnani's 3 pointers are a good thing because he spreads the defense." In fantasy land, maybe. But if nobody goes inside to replace him, you have what we see in Raptorland: 5 perimiters and nobody under the glass for O.rebs. No O.rebs means no momentum unless you score them all (and even when you score you don't get momentum because you don't celebrate), means other team gets confidence, means fans can't get in the game, means other team wins games, means 50 losses a year. If your offensive strategum is jumpshots, you are not playing basketball. You are practicing alone in a gym.

2) "jose Calderon and Chris Bosh have so much energy on the bench." Does that not tell you something? You think maybe..... just maybe....... these guys are pushovers (50 loss pushovers perhaps) so they're scared to be assertive when they are actually on the court and instead try to fool you when they go to the bench because theres no competition there? lol.

This 2009-2010 team looks the same. Unless you bring in new leaders, the leaders culture will permeate the group and they might as well be Voskuhl, Jawai, Humphries, Graham and Parker. This team will turn the corner only when someone has the courage to push B, B and C out of the way and take on leadership role himself. I hope Turkoglu, Derozan, Evans and Johnson grow into this player or the nightmare will continue.

One good thing: Bargnani actually picked a teammate off the floor last night...... I'm not kidding! I celebrated! First time ever! Congratulations Andrea! Of course, teammate was Belinelli.
By the way, Chris Bosh was -17 last night. Meaningless I'm sure.

Blogger's note: Again, I've deleted the shot at me. But thanks for your continued rather unique look at the world.

[Andy from Cambridge]

Thanks for the daily (reliously) reading Doug.

Could you comment on the horrifically wide open 3's that occured in last night's game? I hope I'm wrong, but I'm wondering if it may be somewhat of a flaw/weakness in the "house" defensive scheme that the coaches are implementing. Any insight on this would be appreciated!

Blogger's note: It's not a really big secret, they were slow closing out on shooters last night. It was a bad game. Before last night, teams were shooting 28 per cent from three-point range against them

[adam.m]

It seems that Calderon's defense is still a liability in the starting lineup. I realize he took almost the whole summer off from playing competitive ball, and he still is not up to game speed yet, but will he ever able to at least slow some of the opposing players down and keep them in front of him?

Now Jarrett Jack on the other hand, doesn't look to have the same shooting touch Jose has, but he defensive is above average for a point guard in the league and he tends to drive and draw more fouls as well.

Saying that, our starting unit looks like it will have struggles defensively this year, with the core that is currently in place. Do you think it would be better for the team to maximize both point guards abilities? They should let Jack be the starting point guard, we is can cover the opposing teams starting PG a lot better than Jose can, not to mention he contrasts among the other starters very nicely where, Hedo, Bargs, and CB like to jump shoot and he likes to drive. And let Jose play with the second unit, where they are much more proficient on the defensive end of the floor and can make up for Jose's liabilities more than Bosh and Bargnani can.

Is the player who starts the game that important, they will both relatively see the same amount of minutes it, just seems that Jose was best utilized when he was Ford's backup playing with second unit guys.

I know it's still preseason, but I wouldn't be surprised to see Jack starting and finishing games come December or January.

[John Popalis]

Here is why I not only do my best to never watch preseason games, I try to never even read the outcomes: Years ago (97) the Bulls had a terrible preseason. I just remember distinctively people just jumped all over them, saying how this is championship hangover, Jordan just doesn't care anymore, and they made a BIG deal out of it. They ended that season with 60 wins and the championship.

If that doesn't help, remember the last-place Leafs were 6-2 in preseason this year. Preseason is glorified practice, it's scrimmages played against other teams where everyone is going 60%. It's the same thing every year, and every year there's people that just don't get it.

Please agree with me here Doug that the people who get worked up over preseason are just impossible to deal with?

Blogger's note: Impossible? A bit.

[Mike P]

Hope i am wrong but this is starting too look like a season that 10-15 games in well be hearing about how there is so many new players and that's why their record isn't any good just give them some time to mesh and before you know it they didnt make the playoffs again

[Boko]

Doug, I like all your rotations except when you have Johnson or Nesterovic, Bargnani, Belinelli, Calderon, & Jack together. This is a light rebounding set, unless Evans is added instead of Johnson when he comes back from injury!

Blogger's note: That's precisely what I expect to happen

[Kyle S.]

Hi Doug,

I ask this question in all seriousness. What are the main differences in the skills of Reggie Evans and Pops? It seems to me that Pops is just as much of an inside presence as Reggie and is more explosive offensively. I know you've had enough of "the Legend" stuff, but your comments would be appreicated. Thanks.

Blogger's note: Evans is stronger, heavier and a smarter player. He's played in 270 NBA regular season games and 27 playoff games, Pops is younger and quicker but he has never had an impact on a team that's doing more than playing out the string of a bad season; if he plays in 100 NBA games, we can talk about his impact, as for now, it's apples and oranges.

[yertu damkule]

j. popalis - i get what you're saying about getting worked up over pre-season; it's not necessarily the results (i.e. wins / losses) that gets folks riled, it's the lack of improvement in certain areas by guys who are supposed to be key contributors. while we'd like to think that they won't play as poorly once the 'real' games start, it's unrealistic to assume that they won't. it's not like there's a switch that can be flipped once the games count; if nothing else, players/teams tend to play like they practice, and if this is how they practice...yikes.

[Alex]

Hey "Eric", while passion is good, you can take your vindictive negativity and personal attacks and go back to playing Halo in your mom's basement. Get a life dude. If you want to spit venom go start your own blog and see how many people visit.

[Andrew Gregg]

Hi Doug:

I've been out of the country for a month and I've missed many goings on around the league. But is McGrady so out of favour in Houston that they've given his number to Ariza? I tuned in last night and saw Ariza wearing "1." Doesn't that belong to the legendary T-Slack?

Please forgive my cluelessness.

Blogger's note: Mine, too, I had no idea. Apparently, Tracy's now going to wear No. 3.
In other news the Brunei Barracudas are in first place in the ASEAN hoops league and there is actually a team named the Singapore Slingers.

AG, Toronto

[Jordan]

could you explain why you prefer johnson coming off the bench as the first big (with evans out) instead of Rasho? To me, Rasho's basketball expertise is more valuable than johnson's athleticism. Also, wouldn't you want to take DeRozan off first since he is the least best player on the starting 5?

Blogger's note: Yeah, I can see DeRozan coming out first some nights, maybe simultaneously; and I think Johnson matches up better against more mobile bigs now than Rasho does but that'll change some nights

[Richard]

Eric,

At the risk of engaging someone who's vision and grasp of reality is acutely distorted, I will make a couple of observations in what I'm sure will be a futile attempt to bring some clarity to your distorted reality.

First, using a game where the Raptors score 62 points in the paint and actually had more OFFENSIVE rebounds than their opposition to illustrate their lack of an interior scoring strategy and execution, simply undermines any credibility or benefit of the doubt fellow readers/fans can objectively extend you.

And second, in a game where the losing team scores 112 points and loses by a dozen, your choice to focus on offensive short-comings instead of clearly apparent defensive issues, really illustrates your lack of understanding or ability to follow the game.

And for future use, the word would be "lethargy" (no such word as lethargicness).

Somebody as opinionated and verbose as yourself really ought to do some quick and easy fact-checking before sounding-off and confirming to all that you occupy a solitary place in your own little basketball universe. But then again, if you did that, you really wouldn't be you now would you...

I wonder what colour the sky is in that delusional little paradise you inhabit?

[jim t]

doug hi my concern with the raps 1st unit is there is no garbage man to compliment the shooters when they miss.This flaw will not be overcome collectively by our frontcourt and you cant rely on the rook so what is their strategy for this?it just seems silly losing games to the lack of second chance points.your thoughts thx

Blogger's note: Um, none, really

[Jon]

Hey Doug, thanks for continueing to post Eric's incredible insight to the Raptors everyday. Makes my day to read something so rediculous everyday. On a more serious note, love the blog, thanks for the insight and analysis.

[Boko]

I'd like to put the rotation another way ... Rotate Bargnani, Bosh & Johnson for the shot-blocking needed. Rotate Bargnani, Bosh, Turkoglu & Evans for the reboundiung needed. Rotate DeRozan & Belinelli for the point-scoring supplement needed (in addition to that of Bargnani, Bosh & Turkoglu). And rotate Calderon & Jack for the assists & steals needed. Anything else they give us is icing on the cake.