More news from San Antonio: No Duncan

The Raptors are catching another break here against the Spurs on Monday night.

Not only won't Tony Parker be in action because of a sprained ankle, just got word that Tim Duncan's out as well.

The news release from the Spurs says Duncan has swelling in his left ankle. He had an MRI that showed no structural damage but won't play.

No word on who'll start in his place.

Comments

[Adam]

Hey Doug,
If the Raptors cannot win this one something is definetly wrong. We must capitalize on these games rather than playing to the level of the short-handed team.

[Mike]

Still Spurs by 12? :)

[Nadeem]

Orlando didnt have lewis, carter, pietrus.....we all know what happened there. good teams pounce on opportunities like these. lets see what raps can do tonight

[Zombywoof]

Watch for Roger Jr. to torch his former team. :-)

[Manale]

I'm sure DeJuan Blair will destroy us.

[Eric]

You will always find an excuse to lose. Add George Hill to the list of backup point guards who excel vs Jose Calderon. LOL. You'd think George Hill was John Stockton after tonight.

This team knows how to lose the same way they know how to lose last year. And they've changed all but 3 players. You don't think that maybe........ just maybe......... those 3 players......... nah. Can't state the obvious!

Pathetic showing. Pathetic. But as a Raps fan I'm used to it. As I'm used to the excuses that'll soon come a blazing around the corner. As I'm used to a 7 ft center who shoots 3 pts with a straight face and doesn't do anything else of value! Lol.

[GM]

And we're all used to Eric only chiming in when the team looks bad. When they win and/or look good, he's strangely silent. Why bother, dude?

[Maritime Fan]

Dear Mr. Jay Triano

Time is running out. The defense was to be different this year. The verdict is in. This team may be worst than last year. I desperately would like you to succeed. So, here is some constructive critism.

What is missing is a consistent defensive philosophy.

You started the year and the mantra was - take away points in the paint. This was good strategy. Evaluating your talent, it was apparent that you did not have a team that could defend the perimeter and protect the paint. The team was challenged by a lack of defensive mobility. Choices had to be made.

I now have a question - what happened to the take the paint away strategy?

Last night was the worst evidence of trying to conduct defense as if you had the normal amount of defensive talent to work with. You don't. Recommit to defending the paint. If the opposition shots 50% behind the arc - let them. You may still win because last night your team shot 59% from the floor and you still lost. You lost because you gave up lay ups and offensive rebounds that lead to second chance points. And, the opponent still shot 50% from behind the arc.

Stick with your defensive philosophy. And, add one other rule. When the opposition takes the ball to the rim - the nearest Raptor puts him on the floor.
Nobody gets a lay up with impunity. Each team mate should hold each other accountable to the new rule. We must pack it in if we are to be successful!

Good luck. Failure to head these principals will soon see you among the unemployed NBA coaches. I would think your short leash has about a dozen more games like last night. Colangelo is responsible for assembling this defensively challenged group, but rest assured you will pay the price, not him or the players who refuse to commit to these defensive principals.

In regards to the players - they are frustrated as well. The walk back to the locker room says it all. The players need a system in which they can succeed. They simply cannot defend the paint and the arc. Limit opponents to one shot. They further from the rim the better!