A rather key stretch cometh

A rather calm day around there Monday, they got some good work in (Belinelli and Wright went through the whole session, which is significant) and there no huge issues to deal with.

Just as we like it.

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Yeah, it always gets back to the pucks, doesn’t it?

Jay’s asked yesterday about the importance of these games coming up – the ones against mainly second-tier Eastern Conference rivals – and he goes all hockey on us.

“These are big ones. I don’t think our guys understand what a four-pointer means but that’s what it is. These are big games because they’re teams who we’re going to be competing against in the East. It can create some separation or it can tie things up.”

Seriously, though, the stretch is rather important.

Indy, Charlotte, Boston, Washington, Atlanta, Washington, Chicago in the next eight with a Grey Cup Sunday visit by Phoenix to break up the monotony.

It’s too early to say they need to get six of them, or even five of them, but if they want to get some of that separation, this would be a good time to start getting some of it.

It’s tough that five of them are on the road but the world’s a tough place and if you want to be good, you need to win some hard ones away from home.

I’d say 5-3 going through this stretch, which would get them .500 after 22 games would be an admirable start for a shade over a quarter of a season.

Remember, this is not a 50-win team, it doesn’t look like. I’d say 43 is still a pretty good guesstimate and seeing how the schedule eases somewhat in the second half, hovering around .500 between now and Christmas isn’t a bad thing at all.

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You can say what you will about the schedule and eight games on the road out west in the first 12, the 21 back-to-backs and whatever other minor complaints there might be but I, for one, am thankful for one thing:

Orlando’s not coming back the rest of the year

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Here’s one thing I love: Readers write, professing regular attendance here and for in-game blogs and chats and it’s all very flattering.

Then the question: When will Reggie Evans be back?

So, part of our almost daily attempt to bring everyone up to speed, the answer: No ones. Could be two weeks, could be four. Jay said he’ll go on this trip to see a specialist for his foot.

It’s a mid-foot sprain which is a very delicate injury, apparently. The last thing they want is for him to come back to soon, maybe break one of the billion or so bones in there and have to have some kind of surgery.

(No, surgery is not being contemplated, it’s the worst possible result, please don’t ask when it’s scheduled).

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That Amir Johnson, what a cut-up.

As he’s leaving the practice gym, we notice he’s walking a bit gingerly on the left knee he banged up Sunday.

So we point out that he’s walking like a broken-down, 50-something sportswriter.

Glances over his shoulder walking out and says:

“I’ve go the Alvin limp.”

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So we arrive at practice yesterday ready to wait out the requisite 45 minutes or so on the concourse before we’re invited in to see the final few minutes of the workout.

And it’s like we landed on some Hollywood movie set.

Got a couple of those green screens set up so they can superimpose some background on the pictures or video, cameras on tracks on the ground, cameras suspended from tracks above.

There’s more equipment lying around than we’ve seen any day this season and I’m sure they’re shooting some elaborate television commercial.

Nope.

All for a FIBA-arranged photo shoot for Hedo Turkoglu to get some shots to promote next summer’s world championships in Turkey (the tournament I’ll be covering, right boss?)

So Turk’s leaving the practice gym, the team’s uber-organized media relations department corrals him to remind him. Turk says, “what photo?”

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Claritan. Sinutab. Every imaginable Tylenol product ever produced and still, nothing.

I swear, if this cold doesn’t go away, I’m sacrificing a live chicken or something.

No, not a Chicken. A chicken.

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It’s happening already

Changes to schedule when television networks realize teams are very, very bad, matchups they thought in August would be good are horrible and alterations are made.

Luckily, no one who runs an American network really gives a rat’s bum about the Raptors so there’s no impact on them.

Yet. But that ESPN job in New York late in the season will absolutely be in jeopardy if both teams are bad and I guess there’s a chance for that.

Already, they’ve dumped Phoenix-Minnesota for Milwaukee-Oklahoma City next week (and I don’t imagine they’ve blown off a Suns game for a Bucks one ever, which tells you something) and then they’re also whacking Detroit at Philly in early December for Chicago-Atlanta.

Usually, the networks like to let the season play out a bit more before they start making changes, I think this tells us they’re worried about building viewership through the season and aren’t willing to take dogs early.

And in this regard, ESPN and ABC have it all over TNT. That network’s pretty much locked into a season of games because the league doesn’t routinely schedule a third Thursday night game.

Guess that’s why Charles complains about the games he’s forced to sit through sometimes late in the season.

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Mike Wells, of Indianapolis Star fame, sets up this doozy thusly, with news of a Pacers roster change.

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I don’t know much about dancing but I’m pretty sure if you fall down, your chances of winning a major television competition dwindled significantly.

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Speaking of FIBA, today’s a big, big day.

The draw for next summer’s world women’s championships in Czech Republic (the tournament I’ll also be covering, right boss) is being held and we’ll find out who Canada’s paired with in the opening round.

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Oh, right. Since we had the largest attendance for a game-day chat last week when we went at 1 p.m., we’ll go back to that today, if that’s all right with you.

Given shootaround media goes until 11:30 or so, not sure when GruntTV gets up on the air but the chat seems to be working better the earlier we go.

See some of you then.

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Comments

[LeeZ]

When's Reggie's surgery scheduled for?

Blogger's note: Ding! Ding! (Can't go to three, it was too easy a setup)

[Nate Wind]

Doug,

I notice Mike Wells has his phone number at the end of his article. Why don't you throw yours up so you can chat with your fans? I'm sure you'd only get about 50-100 calls concerning Reggie Evans per day and surely nobody would call to abuse you. Seriously though, is Mike just crazy, or are the Indiana fans maybe not as "passionate" as those following the Raps?

Blogger's note: That's an Indy Star policy that I, frankly, am glad we don't emulate

[Boko]

A couple of times. I've read recently that we should be glad to see the last of the Magic. Whoe! What if we draw them in the playoffs??!!

Actually, I'd like to see them in the second round. It'd give us a chance to even the playoff series score ...

[Dave in BG]

Doug said:

"No, not a Chicken. A chicken"

How Wicked of you.....

[D-Mac Ottawa]

Doug,
Turn your fowl sacrifice into soup, why doncha. And then stock up on Cold FX. It'll knock that cold down quicker; better yet, next time you detect one brewing, the stuff will nip it right in the bud. (And no, I'm no salesman, distributor or stockholder. Just know it works.) Cheers to ya!

[John Bastedo]

"I swear, if this cold doesn’t go away, I’m sacrificing a live chicken or something.

No, not a Chicken. A chicken."

Blogging line of the year so far, Doug.

Are you concerned you've peaked to early? Do you think this is a sign you've got a higher gear yet to be displayed? And will you blog even better when Reggie Evans comes back?

[Niels]

Nice to see a team adjusting to the Raps (changing their starting line up) before the game even starts! Wasn't someone trying to compare Hibbert and Bargs the other day?

[Mitch]

Hi Doug,

I read your blog and stories every day! I download all your GruntTV episodes and have them on a continuous loop on my 60" Plasma. I have read your book 17 times in several languages. I hang on your every word.

So, when does Reggie get back? When is the surgery?

Kidding, of course.

Keep up the good work.

[Rahim]

Hey Doug,

The boss should definitely send you to Turkey to cover the FIBA world championships next year. You know what would be nice too? A contest for your readers to win a trip to beautiful Turkey for the championships as well!

[Darko]

Morning Doug, about Reggie. Few days ago came accross
interesting article about injury treatment. Seems like there is
a doctor in Serbia that uses some cream made of horse placenta
don't laugh, and through massage only, is new rage in European
soccer. Treats sprains and the like, muscles, ankles...
Guys that should be out 4 weeks are playing again after 5-6 days.
Quite a few Arsenal, Liverpool and some National team players
have done it.
Have you heard about it in the Raptors circles and if not could
you ask someone on the team.

[AS]

Is Mike Dunleavy playing?

Blogger's note: Don't know

[Matt M]

The upcoming schedule will be a good test for the Raps to see if they will get to that next level. They keep saying they think they are a very good team that just hasn't put it all together yet and now is a perfect time to prove it. So while I think there is a good chance that a 5-3 record over the next eight is achievable I'm personally thinking the are capable of a couple more wins. A 7-1 record would certainly make the statement all their talk since the Turk signing is justified.

[Mark L]

Is it possible for this team to be a 50 win team? if they played good defence for 4 quarters all season and do what they were talking about in preseason then I think they have the ability to beat any team, barring injuries of course.

[Matt]

Oil of oregano my man. Awful but it works...

There is a secret society of faithful oreganites out there who know how to stop a cold.

Blogger's note: It's a favourite of some of the Raptors staff, too

[Jack]

"Bargnani, who will run the play with Jose Calderon, prefers to "pick-and-pop" out on the perimeter instead of rolling to the basket. The former No. 1 overall pick has attempted a team-high 62 3-pointers."
Team high 62 treys. He plays center, isn't it? So shouldn't he be playing more inside to utilize his height?
Aaahhh.... he's afraid to get banged inside and get hurt and abused by the likes of Howard and O'Neal.

Blogger's note: Or should he be playing outside to utilize his shooting advantage over other bigs?

[Lorie]

Admire your pluck as you battle the peckishness of a persistent headcold.

[Jim Rootham]

I looked at the comments on that article. Looks like some Indy fans are just like Toronto's.

[Mark L]

George Galante, director of communications for the Magic, said he asked Carter if the Raptors could honor him, but Carter declined.

"Why would I want to do it? You heard it out there," Carter said. "They came to me. It just didn't make sense. Actually, it wasn't as loud as it has been. It used to be deafening."

Maybe in a few years the booing will stop altogether?

[Aaron Sovenski]

Doug,

Do you ever think of using spellcheck??

Aaron

Blogger's note: No, but if I do, do you think it will tell me to use multiple question marks?????

[Leigh]

It is a little hard to believe that the game versus Boston will be the Raptors' first divisional game. I think that they are the only ones in the NBA that haven't had a divisional game yet. Which really could be a good thing, especially if they are in a position of fighting for a playoff spot near the end of the year, it would allow them to have more "control over their destiny".

[Jason]

Co-signing D-Mac, it's all about the Cold fX. It's pricey, but is the only thing that's worked for me in recent years. I swear by the stuff.

[Andrew Gregg]

Hi Doug:

We filmed a chicken sacrifice earlier this year. Actually, they sacrificed four chickens, followed by two pigs. And I can guarantee that after seeing that you would not feel any better.

AG, Toronto

[SJ]

Not only oil of oregano (which is very good) - but also anything that's based mainly on Elderberry - either concentrated tincture or syrup - Sambucus/Sambucol/SambuGuard...Also Echinaceea based drops...Do yourself a favor and ease on all the chemical stuff...it weakens your immune system..;-)

As for the Raps - the moment they'll have a line-up which is not Either Score - starters - OR defend - back-ups...only then they'll start winning consistently.
Think of any defensive minded owner/reputable coach (Pop, Sloan, Phil) - and ask them if they want a starting line-up of Calderon-Hedo-Bargs-Bosh-plus another one....which is a rookie.

[charles novogrodsky]

Doug: No brainer for cold:
-chicken soup
- COLD FX

[green]

A cold that won't go away... Could be allergies ;).