The aftermath of another bad one

Okay, this’ll be the second-to-last stupidly early post-game post, I hope because once we get back to the East, I’ll get back on the usual schedule.

Not much to say about that one last night, was there? Better team won and, look at the bright side, they didn’t get drilled by 39 and no one’s getting fired today.

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THREE THINGS I LEARNED

Not tough enough

They are not going to consistently beat big, physically tough teams in a million years and we saw why last night.

The Nuggets took it to them in the paint, they battered them with aggressive defence and it should have come to the surprise of no one that the Raptors wore down as the game went on.

It’s not a fatal flaw but, in the parlance of the day, it is what it is.

Chris Bosh is stronger this year, no doubt about it, and he’s rebounding more aggressively more consistently than he ever has. But he’s alone.

Andrea is what Andrea is, a good shooting big who every now and then goes to the rim. He can’t successfully guard Nene any more than you can so they had to try to junk up the defence to lessen the hit they would take.

Antoine Wright’s a lot of things. Strong enough and big enough to guard Carmelo Anthony are not two of them. So they had to junk up the defence on Anthony, too.

Chauncey? Stronger than Jose.

Kenyon Martin? Maybe the most under-rated post defender in the game and a veteran who knows all the tricks.

Those old saws: “Horses for courses” and “styles make fights” held true; it’s simply the way it is and to have expected the Raptors to slug it out with the Nuggets and win was wishful thinking.

There will be games where those shortcomings aren’t an issue – they weren’t in Phoenix, they probably won’t be tonight in Utah, they won’t be Friday at home against Miami.

Luckily for them, they only play the Nuggets twice.

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One step slow

I guess at its core, the decision to send a second defender at Carmelo Anthony wasn’t a bad idea. He’s that good and probably could have had a career night operating in a vacuum last night.

But to watch the Raptors be slow to rotate on the diving big time after time after time after time was too much.

Maybe it’s because they haven’t doubled a three on the wing all year and weren’t used to the rotation – although Jay downplayed that suggestion when I asked him about it post-game – but if they ever have to do it again, they have to do it better.

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One good sign?

I think we’re starting to see the Marco Belinelli that they hoped to see from the very first game of the season.

Three three-pointers in the second quarter, 16 points on 11 shots, a couple of drives, four rebounds, a couple of assists and a couple of steals.

Not bad numbers but, as you know, I never think numbers tell the whole tale so I will say this: Just watching him play with some energy – at both ends – was even more impressive than his shooting, which is going to come and go.

I thought he’d morph into a solid contributor a bit earlier than 10 games into the season (and that’s an issue I’ll get into more in tomorrow’s newspaper) but now he’s giving them what they want.

And what it’s also going to do is allow Jay to abort, for the most part, the Jose-Jarrett backcourt. I can see Jack getting all his minutes, barring foul trouble or injury, as the backup point guard, a role I think he’s best suited for.

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And in other news:

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The things you see on the road:

About 2 1-2 hours to game time, step out of the cab and see this woman standing at the side of the road by the players entrance with a bundle of signs.

One on display says:

Nuggets: We believe in you.

A very nice sentiment.

Walk around her and see one she’s going to display later:

We still love Sonny Weems.

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All right, Pops.

Here’s the deal. In the summer, they only wanted him back if he’d play on a one-year, non-guaranteed contract and that made me think they weren’t really interested. Which they weren’t, according the people I talk to in the organization.

And, no, they did not waive Douby last week so they could go get him; in fact, they made the decision on Douby before Houston made its on Pops.

Yes, they made a waiver claim and got him on a non-guaranteed deal to be the fifth or sixth big on the team.

He’s a likable guy and all but, really, his popularity is not commensurate with his talent.

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In Denver, this is how that one played out in the paper.

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The schedule is what the schedule is and all the teams will have a chance to complain at some point.

But there are murmurs around the Raptors about the stretch they are currently in that actually has some merit.

Denver played last Friday and was off, sitting at home waiting, before getting Toronto last night.

Utah hasn’t played since Saturday and has been off, sitting at home waiting ever since, for Toronto to arrive to finish off its back-to-back.

It doesn’t excuse lack of effort or shoddy preparation but it is something people with the team have noticed.

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Speaking of other stories in other cities, here’s what they read in Salt Lake today as the Jazz went through another off-day.

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When the Raptors finish in Utah tonight they will have played one-fifth of their road schedule and the season is just three weeks old.

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What I’m wondering is if the citizenry of Salt Lake will still be celebrating the DWTS finals appearance by favourite son Donny Osmond when we get there today.

Me? I’m now firmly in the Osbourne camp.

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Okay, today’s schedule has to change a little bit thanks to a mid-day, Mountain-time flight. We’ll have to go back to the 4 p.m. Eastern chat since I don’t land in Salt Lake until almost 3 p.m.

So, if you want, we’ll see you then.

Comments

[Darwin Nickel]

Would have been a great night for Reggie Evens.

[Joachim T]

Doug

I liked the story about Joey today. But I found it really funny because they had DeRozan and Weems at times guarding him last night. If Joey is 6'7 and 240, there is no way in the world that DeRozan is 6'7 220lbs as he is listed. DeRozan seems more like 190 compared to Joey.

[Jack]

When the starters are ineffective, the opportunity for the subs to shine exists, and that's exactly what they did last night. It's a good thing Jay recognized it. I like that comment in the Denver Post article. 'Bosh was manhandled by Nenê'. Bosh will see this kind of defense from physical power forwards and centres.

[LeeZ]

That was as strange a game from Bargs as I've seen. He actually played well defensively, apart from a couple of times (including first play of the game) where he allowed Nene to basically set up as low in the post as he wanted to). But on offence, he was...lifeless. Especially in the first half. Like a zombie. Didn't seem at all interested in contributing. Listless. Erect, not getting his knees into his shot at all, not even looking to prepare. Then when he did shoot, he rushed his shots and had no arc. Remember in that dreadful second season when he used to have that flat arc? Well, that's two games in a row that I've seen the same thing. Are the staff aware of this?

Blogger's note: They are, and they work with him every day

[Grant]

DeRozan's career scoring high wasn't worth a line in your article last night, or your article and blog this morning?

Blogger's note: Given that his career's 11 games old, no.

[niagarahoops]

I think what we learned last night is that Denver is a really good team and is among the elite in the West and the league. Very entertaining team to watch. Just one quick questions about Jack, any idea what is going on with this ball handling? Sure his shot is going to come and go like most of them, but he seems to be having a tough time handling the ball and like he is to dribbling with ovenl mits on (especially in traffic)?

[Thomas Morales]

Hi Doug: I think Jay Triano said it yesterday. The Raptors are still a finesse team. Their 4 best players are clearly all finesse players and I know Bosh is trying to play tougher and more physical but he is still a finesse Power Forward. I guess what they need is precisely a guy like Reggie Evans and it's so unfortunate he still can't play. I think They would had one more win at this point had he been playing. Reggie said yesterday in a live chat at the Raptors web site that he is getting a second opinion on his injury...what's wrong? why is this getting so complicated for him, he has missed 11 games already and he has no timetable to return to playing? ...Is he improving or not? Normally they would say a player will out a specific amount of time.Why not in this case? The Raptors need this guy, he brings exactly what they lack so much.

[Don W.]

The sky is not falling!! The Nuggets will do this to a lot of very good teams before the season is over and this includes the Lakers, Suns, Spurs etc. Unfortunatly the Raps did not have Turk and this hurt. As well Reggie Evans would have really helped in a game like this if only to commit a few hard fouls and throw them out of their comfort level.

On the positive side this team just played 6 quarters of top flight ball against 2 of the better teams in the league and in those 6 quarters trailed by only one point and really until the 4th quarter last night this game was up for grabs.

One thing is becoming very clear---against the top teams in the league both Bosh and Calderon are going to have to log 40 minutes or more for them to have a shot at winning. Once Calderon leaves the floor the offensive flow is lost and they can not match points with the opponent.

[Simon S-G]

Doug when JR Smith bowed to the crowd after a dunk i was incensed, not at him, but moreso at the Raptors for not getting in his grill for showing them up. I could see a guy like Reggie flying up the court and doing just that, or throwing a hard foul on him the next time he has the ball. But you show the other team up like that and you should expect some sort of payback, even in a blowout game, and it didn't come. I guess it's kind of like a beanball war on the diamond. Should the Raps have gone after JR?

Blogger's note: No, it's not hockey; bush league move, sure; but, frankly, not out of character and it'll be remembered

[Stephen Cohen]

What happened to Pops in Houston? I don't think you're as far off as some of the comments suggest, or he wouldn't have been available.

[Grant]

DeRozan's career scoring high wasn't worth a line in your article last night, or your article and blog this morning?

Blogger's note: Given that his career's 11 games old, no.

How about the fact that his 17 points were a game high? - That's what these articles were about, right?

Blogger's note: Sure. Thanks for the day-after editing. But, frankly, it really wasn't a huge part of the story or the game.

[Peter]

Doug, Pops is fun to watch, that's why we like him so much. He brings energy, if not a whole lot of talent, and at certain moments in games, a contribution like his can be important. Mind you, he's much more effective at home, where the crowd feeds off his energy, and vice-versa. If he doesn't cost the Raps much (which he doesn't), then why not?

[AS]

"And what it’s also going to do is allow Jay to abort, for the most part, the Jose-Jarrett backcourt. I can see Jack getting all his minutes, barring foul trouble or injury, as the backup point guard, a role I think he’s best suited for."

I totally agree with YOU. However, I don't think Jay does, as we could see last night, with the game in the balance. Instead of playing DeRozan, who was hot, we saw Jose and JJ in the game when it went from 10 to 20 point deficit. DeRozan is a WAY better all-around defender at the 2 (blocks, steals, size) than Jack. Agreed?

"And, no, they did not waive Douby last week so they could go get him; in fact, they made the decision on Douby before Houston made its on Pops. "

So why did they bring Pops in? It's not like we need a 7th big... And doesn't feel remorse or bitterness towards the organization that let him go?

Blogger's note: He's quite happy to be back, actually. Why? As one guy put it to me: "Without Reggie, we're like a leaky faucet. Pops is duct tape."

[Mike]

Doug, Can you explaim the criteria on how a team gets a player off waivers? An article in another TO paper which would not be named, stated that the Raps were "awarded" Pops off waivers. What is the criteria if say more than one team claimed him? Excellent work as usual.

Blogger's note: If two or more teams make a claim in the 48 hours a player is on waivers, the team with the worse record gets him. Obviously, no one with a worse record now wanted Pops

[Michel G]

Maybe it's the hockey player in me, but when J.R. Smith blew a kiss to the crowd and took a bow, I wish one of the raps would have gotten in his face and impress upon him that the gesture wasn't appreciated. After being pushed around all night, it would have been nice to see them push back a little in some fashion or another. Doug, I saw a couple of players this year get taunting technicals for simply yelling after a made basket. Couldn't Mr. Smith theatrics be construed as a taunt?

Blogger's note: Yeah, probably could have been

[Matt M]

The first half the Raps played fairly well, although I got the feeling that Denver was less than engaged. Two things would have helped make the game a little more competitive. Hedo would have really help spread out the offense and make Denver pay for loading up on Bosh. Bargnani lost his rhythm early with two quick fouls and never got it back. It would have been nice to exploit Nene away from the basket. Oh well, we'll see if they can do any better against Utah.

[Ryan]

Is it just me or was the refereeing horrendous during that game? ex: Anthony stole the ball from Jose by hacking both of his arms and Jose got called for the foul. JR Smith not getting a technical. Bosh going to the hoop and getting banged way more than his 2 free throws would indicate. and on. and on. The refs made a sequence of 4 sketchy calls/no-calls at one point that completely changed the momentum of the game.

[Stephen Hodge]

An interesting comment you make Doug, regarding the time-off for the home teams while the road team plays on a tight schedule (all while their own biological clocks have them playing late into their night...)

I was wondering something similar during last nights game in anticipation of tonight in Utah. Does the league (or do teams) keep track of the winning percentage of the second games on back-to-backs? I would think (okay, wishfully hope) that the league would seriously consider the issue if the overall winning percentage of teams in the league was dramatically lower on the second game of back-to-backs. (Understanding of course that commerce most probably trumps competition in the big leagues). You would think they could at least try to schedule most of these games as home and home games leaving some rest time for teams when they are on the road.

Just seems too lopsided an equation when you have one team resting at home while the other arrives, on a road trip, from a game the night before, playing in a timezone that has the players trying to perform at a high level at 11 PM to their own body clocks. I know you can compensate to a point, but still - seems almost a foregone conclusion when you are up against a team that's as good or better than your own! (How tired do you get on these back-to-backs that are late into your own body clock's night?)

[greg]

they crushed the lakers last friday, same thing, the lakers ran out of gas. Denver is a strong second half team and playing in mile high denver thats more than an advantage for the home team. So no surprise that the same happened to the raptors. I expect the nuggets to go right back to the conf. finals and hopefully they win this time.

Doug, do you know how they choose the schedule for teams? it seems a little crazy that the raptors have been on two western road trips already and its still November

Blogger's note: It's done partly by computer, partly by humans and has as much do with with arena availability and TV as anything

[Mike]

Bargs had 3 blocked shots last night,,,maybe a career high. His defence is much better this season although not Howardesque.

[Chris]

I think the biggest problem last night was the altitude. The poor decision making, sluggish effort and the overall pounding we took in the 2nd half were all what you would expect from oxygen deprivation. The fact that we are this banged up, playing one of the best teams in the west yet were still tied at half, without Reggie or Turk should be a positive. Denver should have one of the best home records in the league every year because they have the 6th man - fans, 7th man altitude and maybe 8th man if the refs are playing homer. The Miami game is a good test of where we are against one of the best teams so far in the east and we should be looking to that.

[Pat]

I didn't think JR Smith blowing a kiss and bowing was that big of a deal. Why? Because LeBron James, for some inexplicable reason, is allowed to flex, pose, taunt, strip, and breakdance after he completes a dunk.

[Kelsie]

'When the Raptors finish in Utah tonight they will have played one-fifth of their road schedule and the season is just three weeks old'

Thats a crazy notion you laid out there and conisdering it's basically all been on the west coast is even more bizarre.

I like Evans but is he really going to bring that much extra to the team when he starts playing again? Fans are awaiting his return like a kid on Santa Claus on Christmas eve. I have reservations about putting too many expectations on a bench player.

I read your analysis on the Bobcats trade for Jackson yesterday. You really don't think it helps them considerably in th eplayoff chase? Youa re right that Wallace and Jackson are smiliar players but Jackson is a superior creator. Jackson, Wallace, Diaw, with Augustin and Felton, and Chandler as their big, sounds like there is some potential there, especially when you have a defensive minded coach like Brown showing the way.

Blogger's note: Some potential, yes; but still lots of holes

[Grant]

DeRozan's career scoring high wasn't worth a line in your article last night, or your article and blog this morning?
Blogger's note: Given that his career's 11 games old, no.

How about the fact that his 17 points were a game high? - That's what these articles were about, right?
Blogger's note: Sure. Thanks for the day-after editing. But, frankly, it really wasn't a huge part of the story or the game.

I didn't watch the game. I read the box score on ESPN, and then your articles in hopes of gaining some insight into the numbers. There is no "day-after editing" here.

[Mike]

Arena availability is a factor, but is it just me who thinks that the Raps seem to have a tougher schedule than most
teams. A road team should never have to play Denver on the back end or front end of a back to back with altitude problems there. Seems a disadvantage and now going into Utah who has been off a few days lying in wait.