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

[Mike]

What's up with the Warriors, seems to be the present day version of the Trailblazers, now Monta Ellis wants out? Is it coach Nelson's personality or the org as a whole?

[Phil]

Didn't see the game, but the box score shows the Raps had 19 offensive rebounds to Denver's 3. That's gotta be some kind of team record. So as much as they got beat up in the paint, at least they must have boxed out.

[anthony.mackay]

We need to keep this in perspective, both Melo, Billups and the Nuggets are on a mission this year after last years playoff exit, they believe they can beat the Lakers and I believe they are a legit top 3 team in the West and probably top 4 in the league.

Anthony trained harder this off-season then ever before and their hungry to win now... the Raps are too but we are still a year or two away from legit contender status. I don't know if Evans would have been a game changer here but its obvious his toughness would have helped.... NEVER under estimate the leadership and focus a player like Billups brings to the table.

Will be alright, top 5 in the east is still realistic.

DOUG, you see the Hawks keeping up this pace, Smith is playing on that next level very early in the season.

Blogger's note: No, I don't

[Mark L]

After seeing the second half, pretty much every team has the formula on how to shut down the Raptors. How do they counter that?

Blogger's note: There is no answer to that question because the very premise is wrong. What about the games they win?

[TriggerHappy]

Consider Denver just spanked LA the other night with a blowout, Raptors really shouldn't be ashamed of themselves too much.

@Grant: 6-8 of DeRozan's 17 came when the game didn't matter and it was garbage time. You should take that into the equation.

[Bryan]

Doug,
After watching the team on this road trip. It has seemed the the Raptors aren't getting calls that we have seen them get against Eastern conference teams. Is there different officiating styles in the east vs the west? It seemed to me that as much as Bosh wasnt getting calls, he also wasnt driving the lane like we have seen him. I dont believe that its a conspiracy in any way. Do most teams from the East get less respect in the West?

Blogger's note: Can't say, don't see enough

[chris]

Joachim - the NBA rounds up players heights very generously (for marketing, i assume). DeRozan is really 6'5".

Doug - these guys are going to have real problems with boston, who play similarly to Denver (slow, tough, pound it inside, etc)

Blogger's note: Who doesn't have real problems with Boston? Yes, you're right. They will

[Raps fan in Van]

You know what I'm completely sick of? each time the Raptors go out on the road every writer and broadcaster declares how hard it's going to be to win 1 out of 6 or 7, or whatever the road trip length is! Why do they even bother to go play? I now hear the coaches and players saying the same thing; people these guys begin all road trips with defeatis attitudes, and low and behold - they lose 5 of 6 - well surprise surprise. Why is it so hard each year for the Raptors to go on these trips - are they the only Easter Conference team that plays West Coast games, on the road??? Let's get over the "this trip is going to be really hard, and hopefully we can win 1 of 6" CRAP, start believing and play with some professional, positive attitudes. And please, for the love of all things good, can we have bloggers like DS STOP the madness about each road game being so hard - we will never be a team worth any mettle if this is the crap you spew to all fans on a daily basis!

Blogger's note: Go find where I've written one out of six is good and get back to me, okay? But thanks for paying such attention to detail; even if you miss it.

[Andrew Gregg]

Hi Doug:

I saw Stacey Augmon sitting behind George Karl last night and it got me thinking--what would the line-up be for the assistant coach all star team? It could only include active assistant coaches and it would be based on their playing careers. My picks:

Alex English
Phil Ford
Adrian Dantley
Bob McAdoo
Patrick Ewing

I would have opted for Jabbar over Ewing, but he's left coaching to deal with his cancer, no?

I realize that this exercise is a monumental waste of time, but I found it pretty entertaining.

AG, Toronto

Blogger's note: It would be fun, I'll go through the list and let you know mine

[Ian]

Not Raptors related, but there was an excellent doc on Lenny Bias on before the game yesterday. If anyone is not familiar with who he was they should check out his story. Truly one the great tragedies/what if's in NBA history.

[Darko]

Reading comments here since his injury, you'd think that we traded
Jason Kapono for Moses Malone and not Reggie Freaking Evans.
I wished Jay subbed them more often in 2nd half last night,
by the time he got Boh, Jose... out in the 3rd they were done for
the night just like the game. Three Raps were at the table from
6 min. mark in the 3rd and they stayed there to the end of qtr.
Even you mentioned in your game blog that Chris, Jose are expiring
in front of our eyes at that point.
Why no Pops on Melo at the time to give him different look if nothing else.
Agree with Ryan on that little 4 refs calls sequence that did not
help our cause. Simmilar crap happened in Phoenix.

[greg]

the thing that is most annoying about basketball and especially the NBA is that their are no clear cut calls (other than out of bounds). the refs obviously have favourites and allows some players to get away with too much more than others.

For example, non-calls on bosh when he attacks the basket would more likely be called if it were howard or tim duncan doing the same thing. Same goes for Shaq, in his prime, he could get away with a lot more than they allow him to now. It seems that if they dont think you can make the shot, you dont get the call.

No wonder Lebron sweet talks the refs before games. I think the refs really contributed to the second half momentum of the nuggets yesterday.

[Hope Caper]

Hey Doug,
Boys looked done in last nite. I had a long write up but deleted it to get to the bottom line. Referees can and do change the flow of games by the calls they make. They can be rally starters or rally killers. On TV it looked really one sided during crucial times in the game. I hope the officiating just looked that way otherwise the NBA would be no better than the WWF.

[Alex]

Doug, whats the deal with DWTS? Are you and Super Wife occasional ballroom dancers? Or is that something you always wanted to do?

Blogger's note: My two left feet and I are spectators, rather than participants; but it's a fun show with B List celebs and athletes

[rayray]

hey Grant let it go man!!! Doug doesn't need the extra headache from you

[Andre]

The Refs suck... honestly doug, most of the third quarter, the refs were calling everything for the Nuggets... I want JAY to really get into the refs face, TAKE a fine, get T'd up or kicked out... no more mr.nice guy Jay.

[aditya]

He can’t successfully guard Nene any more than you can

ok am i reading this right...bargs can't successfully guard nene any more than you can...wait what??!!?

[J]

For all those who were wondering, DeRozan had a very nice start to the game, scoring 8 of the Raptors first 15 points. However, making a big deal out of his career high would be silly considering he inflated his numbers in garbage time playing against the likes of Petro and Graham.

[GM]

Not to be taken the wrong way, but I'd like to see you not react to the lowest common denominator. Sure there are people who think Pops is the second coming, but in reaction to them you come off sounding as if he's completely useless. And that gets them going again, and the cycle repeats.

Same with Bosh. Some fans are critical and can't stand the guy so in reaction you sound as if he can do no wrong. And if he does, it's worded in such a neutral, or even positive, way. Which brings out the Bosh haters even more. Another player can make the same mistake and you couch it in critical or snarky language, but when Bosh does it, he just made an honest mistake. And while you often say (rightfully) you can't see how well or poorly someone plays by looking at the boxscore, sometimes it's clear he's not having a good game and you always reply with his stats (points and rebounds) as if that tells the story.

I just think there's a middle ground that wouldn't get some of the readers, or you, so worked up sometimes (knowing full well that some readers will always get worked up no matter what you write!).

Also, what's the significance of whether or not the Raptors let go of Douby in order to pick up Pops? Does it even matter? The bottom line is the same.

As for Evans, boy, are people going to be disappointed! It'll take him some time to get back into the flow and Raptor fans ain't exactly the most patient fans on the planet. But it is curious that a foot sprain can last so long.

[Sara]

Andrea is what Andrea is: a talented offensive player but not a legit Center and will never be. Sometimes I wonder if he really likes this role or simply accept it because he has to , for obvious reasons.If we have any chance to re-sign Bosh , BC should seriously consider to move Bargnani for a legit big man who can effectively help Bosh providing physical presence in the paint, interior Defence and rebounding.A shooting Center unable/unwilling to defend and rebounds is a non-factor and a major issue especially for Bosh who cannot make miracles every single night fighting all alone.

[kelsey]

Got beat by better team,

Good day, I just have to say Raptors just got beat by the better team. Realistically, Raptors will have to move Bargnani or bring him off the bench if they keep Bosh (or he re-signs). Bargnani lives at the 3 point line. when he is in the 2nd chance opportunity's are slim to none. Only Bosh is there to rebound. He's talented, but this team will not rise with this line up.

[jimt]

well well partially screwed by the refs again,screwed by the schedulers the raps should have stayed out west instead of coming to play the bulls than back west lol how redonkulous (my word).screwed by raps front office for not protesting schedule before it came out,and screwed by the raps themselves for not pushing back and not taking hard fouls instead opting to waste the 6 fouls each player gets.If they can learn anything from this game its to look at their name and start playing like raptors you know the vicious beasts that roamed the earth and still would be had mother nature not flicked them off 1 by 1.on another note screwed by sam mitchell as he has been on a 1 year PAID vacation spending MLSEs cash in the lovely city of Atlanta and im sure some other hot spots not in Canada!
HAHA-go raps- tonights prognosis-:(:(:(-come home in 1 piece boys :)

[Keith Wagar]

Phil, it's easy to hold the other team to 3 offensive boards! When you shoot 60 - 70% there are are no offensive boards to get and very few second chance points!

[The J]

While I agree "Van" was a little out to lunch, you did say before this stretch that the team would be happy to come home from the trip at 5-7. That would have implied they would be content going 1-4 for the trip (obviously 1-6 was as I said out to lunch). Maybe there is some merit in saying this is a pretty defeatist attitude going into a road trip. Then again, they are a team still trying to put the pieces together, playing two of the best teams in the league followed by a back-to-back with two rested teams. Maybe 1-4 was the best they could expect. I say they win tonight in Utah, and the trip was as good as anyone could have hoped for.

Blogger's note: 1-3

[Chris Graham]

I too noticed that the officiating seemed more than a little lopsided at times last night. Guys in the red uniforms were getting mugged and the whistles syayed silent. I thought the same thing happened to a lesser degree in Phoenix. Doug, is that really common in the league? Do other teams feel the same way when they play in the hangar?

Blogger's note: Every team has a bone to pick with officials every single game, home or away.