The Mystery of Marco, among other fun things

Everyone have a nice weekend? Good weather in these parts, lots of work probably got done around the house. And now we can settle in for a really fun week of actual basketball that matters.

Sounds pretty good, no?

Until then, this stuff matters.

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We were discussing Marco Belinelli in a scrum with Jay yesterday afternoon while the struggling backup swingman was over on the other side of the gym getting in some extra shooting.

In the course of that discussion, Jay hit on a very key point when it was pointed out to him that they desperately need Belinelli to find his stroke, and quickly.

“We need him to be a key because we don’t have a lot of points in that second unit.”

He’s exactly right, of course. Jarrett Jack’s probably going to score a little bit and you have to think Antoine Wright’s going to get better offensively as he gets more used to playing at game speed but after that, what?

Rasho and Amir Johnson? Methinks not.

And that’s why Jay’s been saying one of his goals in his rotation, barring foul trouble and injury that is, is to have two of his four main guys – Calderon, Turkoglu, Bosh and Bargnani – on the floor at all times.

It’ll be interesting to see if he’s able to accomplish that goal because having five non-starters on the court at the same time isn’t the greatest of ideas.

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Speaking of Marco, this is a pretty big week for him.

And Quincy Douby, too.

As some know, the Raptors have until the end of the month to exercise a 2010-11 contract option on Belinelli. If they pick it up, his deal worth $2,372,542 becomes fully guaranteed for next year; if they don’t, he’s a restricted free agent.

I expect Bryan to pick it up, it’s not a huge number, I’m sure he factored it into the equation when he obtained him in the summer.

Douby’s an entirely different case.

His deal has a couple of different plateaus to become fully guaranteed. Not sure of the exact dollar amounts – people haven’t been entirely forthcoming – but the next plateau is if he’s on the roster at the end of the month. The next big date is Jan. 10, when all contracts become guaranteed for the rest of the season.

How, the total money on the deal isn’t big – I understand it’s the minimum – so I’m not sure that’s the biggest worry. What might come into consideration, though, is whether they want an extra roster spot open just in case.

But, then again, if it’s not a lot of cash and a chance to make some deal comes up between now and January and they need an extra spot, they could just waive him at that point.

Quincy’s a good kid, well liked by his coaches and teammates, so I imagine they keep him around, too.

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This might be one of best the line of the pre-season. From a scrum yesterday discussing the combination of atrocious outside shooting and sloppy ball-handling the other night in Sioux Falls:

Hedo: “I know we didn’t shoot the ball well, we were like two-for-something from the three.”

Grunt: “Twenty.”

Hedo: “We could be like 2-for-40, if we didn’t make the turnovers.”

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But, seriously folks, word from them yesterday was that they were quite happy with the shots they got the other night, just quite perplexed with how many open looks they missed.

I recall thinking in the first half that they did have some open looks that went awry and I’m sure I mentioned an air-balled open three-pointer by Bargnani that was entirely out of character.

So maybe they have a point but it would behoove them to get those shots in the basket because I don’t care if you’re playing The Sisters Of The Poor, you shoot 2-for-20 from downtown, you lose.

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Since I cannot in all good conscience ever think about cheering for The Evil Empire, go Phils!

Seriously, better hitting up and down the roster, a pretty good staff and if they can keep the Arsonist Lidge from imploding a game or two, why can’t they win.

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Know what I hate?

Leaves.

No, not those ones. The ones that fall from the four giant maples in my backyard and the huge white birch in the front.

Seriously, I know they’re good for the atmosphere and provide shade and are nice to look at and yada, yada, yada, blah, blah, blah, but man, there’s a lot of them.

Personal digression ended.

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Canada Basketball’s got that really cool fund-raiser tomorrow night, the Canadian debut of the LeBron James documentary and a raft of sweet items to auction off to raise some money to ease the burden of having to send teams to all four FIBA world championships next year.

The website, which is here, has the 411.

(Is that still a cool saying?)

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The Raptors, like every team in the league, I imagine, are sick of the sickies.

Jarrett Jack and Antoine Wright had to miss practice yesterday because they were under the weather – Alex English had to stay home, too – and the precautionary way teams deal with flu bugs this year must really frustrate coaches.

Of course, being extra careful in this age of H1N1 makes entire sense and the league has mandated any player with any sign of flu should be told to stay away from team and get tested.

But, still, as Jay said …

“In the past, guys would come in and we’d evaluate them and think maybe it’s better to go up and sweat it out or not. Now, we’re trying to stay away from guys spreading it.”

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Oh yeah, make sure you tune in here tomorrow. We’ve got the big NBA preview package going in tomorrow’s paper – it’ll be on-line overnight – but there’ll be some extra added bonuses like predictions that you can only get in this space.

And, who knows, you might even see some other special stuff.

Comments

[John]

Watched the NBA TV preview yesterday and to say it was negative would be an understatement. I believe Chris Webber flat out said

- team will not make the playoffs
- Bosh is leaving after this year

I guess it was just one person's opinion but I would wager war would break out if he said the same thing about James.

[Peter]

Special stuff like GruntTV? Ya gotta admit, GruntTV just wouldn't be the same in the print edition!

[Andre]

i honestly believe they will be fighting with Charlotte, Detroit and Philly for the 7th and 8th playoff spots. Not sold on washington, but they look like they will be in the running too. The east has become very competitive, compared to the last couple of years. Orlando, Cleveland, Boston round out the top 3 of course, then theres Atlanta, Chicago and Miami.

So the Raptors will have a tough time. I also believe the FIRST 12 games will decide if the raptors make playoffs or not..going .500 would be a good thing, 8 -4 would show they are serious contenders, but if they start under .500, it will be VERY difficult to make the playoffs.

Make or break time for Raptors.

(A friend of mine went to a club, and saw Marco, smoking... it just seems weird to me that a world class athlete smokes.)

[Vincent]

Are you talking about the LeBron James documentary - More than a game? I don't know if the screening at last year's Toronto film festival was the Canadian debut, but it's a really good movie and recommend it to anyone who hasn't seen it yet.

@John: It indeed is just one person's opinion, but if he's correct in that the team does not make the playoffs, then Bosh is likely gone. From what's transpired in the pre-season, there is no guarantee that this team makes the playoffs. I am hopeful, but this team is no Orlando Magic (8-0 in preseason, even with Vince not playing all that well in most games).

[AE]

Didn't the LeBron documentary makes its Canadian debut at TIFF this year?

Blogger's note: Probably should have said general theatrical release.

[Anthony]

Doug, Can you get me some free tickets for a Raps game? I'll rake your Leaves.

[metal]

Hi Doug,

I know you can't gleen much from the pre-season statistically but in my mind there were several glaring deficiencies. The players might not be able to have their shooting rythms yet or may be passing instead of shooting which is understandable but there was major problems with perimeter defence and as usual they got out-rebounded as a team albeit by a slight margin. Shouldn't the addition of Iavoroni be having an effect on this team by now with respect to hustle on defence and rebounding? This is looking like the same old storey so far: bad defense and lack of hustle. What is their gameplan..to work on actually improving their defense for once or rely on perimeter offense without any set plays... I know you blogged that they were running more plays, but the games I saw it looked like the same old run up pick and roll or shoot with no player movement or creativity with the xs and os. Phil Jackson actually runs plays on his teams why cant we have a Raps team that is creative in the halfcourt offense. So what is going to be from Triano, actually focusing on defense and trying to run creative halfcourt sets..or is this the same old Raptors who try to run and gun and settle for perimeter prayer-shots and get outrebounded every night?

Kind Regards

[Paul]

lol @ marco smoking... crazy Euros.

[Ali]

Doug any idea why conditioning has been such an issue for the team so far? It seems like they're struggling to get through games and the players have even mentioned conditioning being an issue. Isn't training camp to get your conditioning right?

Blogger's note: Conditioning was -- was -- an issue for the three guys who missed substantial parts of camp, Bosh, Turkoglu and Wright.

[Matt]

Andre,

I don't think that the first 12 games will determine anything other than the record, unless we go 12-0 or 0-12. Its a long season, and 42 wins is likely enough to make the playoffs. I think that the Raptors as contructed are fully capable of finishing 42-28 in the last 70 games.

[Andrew]

I'm going to see, "More Than a Game" tonight, won free tickets. I feel the same way as poster #3 about the playoffs. I really want them to make the playoffs so I can go see an NBA playoff game, something I have never done.

[anthony.mackay]

Also seen the NBA TV preview yesterday where Webber said Bosh is 100% leaving TO and we will not make the playoffs.

Just because someone played the sport doesn't mean they automatically make a good broadcaster, I never liked his on-air personality when he was with Gary Payton and obviously have less respect for the guy now.
Just cause you laugh at your own jokes doesn't mean their funny.

Anyway that's more then enough discussion on his little opinion, fresh season is about to jump off and I love the roster. Bosh and Andrea will expand their games this year on the Defensive end, scoring in the paint against us will not be a cake walk like previous years!

Go Raps!

[AS]

Hey Doug,

Are players getting administered with the H1N1 vaccination? This could be a good angle for story...possibly even section A material?

[Andre]

@Matt
The thing is, the first 12 games, 10 of those teams made the playoffs last year.. some really tough games... this will set the tone for the whole season, of course things can change, stuff like that... but when seeing the match ups against those 12 teams, it seems the raptors will have it tough...

@Paul ... I know, European players are interesting lol... i just want to know how they can smoke and still preform and such a high level... look at Vlade? man he was good... lo l

[Martin Aronshtam]

Wow...i cant believe Marco smokes...no wonder the raptors are goonna suck this year...he cant be @ the top of his game when his lungs are full of ash!

[Rob.V]

Duude!

Just wanted to let you know that you received "full marks" from coach Armstrong last night. Was at the Raps Tip off dinner and looked for you to no avail. In any case, the coach had only kind words to say about you.

I had asked Jack, Jonesy and Eric their opinions on this years X factor for the team and here are their responses... feel free to give us yours if you like as well.

Jack - being able to defend and rebounding
Paul Jones - Team Chemistry (gelling as a team)
Eric Smith - Antoine Wright

By the way, all three of these cats were "class acts" all the way.

[BiLL]

Didn't Michael Jordan play with the flu once?

[oliveira]

this season preview publication will be interesting. If the team doesn't play better, maybe they will only will 38-41 games. If they gel, play defense and rebound, then maybe 45-46.

It looks like this is more of a long term project than a short one. Don't have patience but angst.

[Juan]

Everybody has an opinion. The ESPN basketball writers have the Raps anywhere from 4-7 in the East. I saw the Webber/Steve Smith thing as well on NBA TV and both guys struck me as reading from a script rather than having formed their own opinions. Webber did say though that he knows from experience at GS that Belinelli can flat out play.
I'd also recommend the Jay Triano special on Raptors TV if you missed it. It's mostly a feelgood piece but it's pretty interesting and I think shows what he's made of. At the very least you can be pretty sure this year's team is not going to be unprepared.

[Bob Wesley]

Hey Doug,Did Antoine Wright play Collage ball with Kevin Widemond?The young player that died during a European Basketball game this weekend.

Blogger's note: No, didn't know him.

[graham]

how anybody can rate Miami or Chicago above the Raptors is beyond me.
The Raptors are one of a group of teams in the East who can either be very good and secure home court in the playoffs or fail to gell and/or get hit with injuries and scramble for 8th. I can see how the Knicks will surprise people but Miami? Chicago? What have they added/lost since they underwhelmed last season?

Chris Webber: a legend in his own mind. Enough said.

[John Popalis]

"And, who knows, you might even see some other special stuff."

FINALLY we're going to get to see the famous Doug Smith bikini pictures. Your fans have been waiting for this for quite a while Doug!

[anthony.mackay]

Doug,
This is just a "thinking out loud" idea and wondered what your thought, if things go down hill and all signs point to Bosh leaving (I expect us to have a great season and 45+ wins)... do you think BC will consider trading Bosh?

I hope this does NOT happen but would you consider a trade with Atlanta and a possible a 3rd team, but the main pieces being Bosh for Josh Smith? Before you smash your computer just consider how he would fit.

This roster should not have a problem scoring points with a solid scoring PG, SF and C, adding Josh Smith gives them the athleticism they have needed, he is a capable scorer but does not have to be the first option on this team, he is a better defender then Bosh both on and off the ball and is also 2 years younger. Both Smith and Andrea will enter their Prime at the same time and could be a great complement to each other, Smith's outside shot is weak but the raps are loaded with shooters anyway and in time his may improve.

I'm not asking who is a better player Bosh VS Smith, but suggesting that Smith might fit perfectly with this Roster if our best player decides he doesn't want to be here.

Blogger's note: There is not a chance in a kabillion years I'm touching "trade Chris Bosh scenarios" more than 48 hours before the regular season starts. No way

[Andrew Gregg]

Hi Doug:

I could see the Raps finishing anywhere between 4-8, but not out of the playoffs UNLESS the injury bug bites. This time of year it's always fun to read the predictions, but to take Stephen A. Smith or Chris Webber seriously is a mistake. It's also a bad idea to pair them up. Whose numbskull idea was that? Neither of them should be in public without adult supervision.

I do think the storyline of the rich getting richer in the NBA is interesting though--LA, Cleveland, San Antonio, Boston and Orlando (although past prejudices won't allow me to consider Carter an improvement over anyone) all added top notch players and went over the cap. Toronto made some relatively modest steps. Others, like NY and NJ, have just bailed on the season, hoping they can be players in summer '10. The disparity does indeed seem to be growing. Doug--is there any conceivable way this is good for the league?

AG, Toronto

Blogger's note: No, and I'm sure that's an issue they'll try to address in the new CBA

[CARLoS M.]

"...the famous Doug Smith bikini pictures."

Thanks John! I just threw up a little in my mouth :P