We're almost at the quarter mark

Okay, they’re 7-11, probably should be 8-10 and I imagine more than a few of you had ‘em right around that mark, no?

But it’s the way they’ve got to 7-11 that’s cause for concern. And maybe time for some fixes:

THREE THINGS I LEARNED

What do they do?

Well, it’s almost the 20-game mark, which is about when I think you should evaluate teams with as many new guys as this one does, and contemplate change.

And by that I don’t mean major trades (they don’t generally happen this early in the season) and I don’t mean anything crazily drastic in other areas of the game.

But tweaks, to starting lineups, rotations and the like.

As you read this morning in these parts, there is no desire to make changes coming from the coach, even where the rookie is concerned (and he’d be one place people would look). Jay said:

“Obviously, you could take a guy like DeMar and say, ‘yeah the rook’s screwing up for us’ but he’s not. His coverages are as sound as everybody else.”

That being damning with faint praise, it doesn’t seem to be a move the coach wants to make.

So, what else?

Well, this runs counter to the prevailing opinion out there but do you really, in your heart of hearts, think Jarrett Jack would be a more consistent and capable starter than Jose? Really? Jose has his flaws and hasn’t played well for long spurts, no question about it, but I’m not sure the other way is any better.

So, what do you do then?

Start both Jack and Calderon at the two and one and try to juggle point guard minutes? That’s too much juggling.

Start Antoine Wright at the two? Yeah, right. He’s giving them nothing at either end.

Start Marco? And take away the energy from the second unit backcourt? Don’t think so.

How about this:

Do you take a gamble and start Amir Johnson for Bargnani, knowing full well Johnson’s likely to get two fouls in three minutes and Bargnani would be back in there? It gives you a dose of energy and rebounding in the starting five, that’s for sure. Bargnani has never, ever, warmed to the idea of coming off the bench and he certainly hasn’t been the worst of the Raptors offenders this year.

So perhaps that’s the move I make.

And maybe it’s time to see what Sonny Weems can bring you – besides a penchant for shooting the ball every time he touches it – in Wright’s role. Can’t be worse.

I have no idea if Jay is truly contemplating any of these or other moves and he was caught off-guard, I think by a question in the post-game media session yesterday.

Now, I will say this: The season is not lost, they are about where a lot of us thought they would be at this point in the season and there is every possibility they can turn it around even without altering anything.

But maybe it’s time to try something.

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Sign of the times

A couple of minutes into the fourth quarter, Raps down nine and kind of making a move.

After a Toronto miss, Suns look like they’re getting a runout lauyup as Jason Richardson takes off down the floor. Amir Johnson, the only Raptor hustling, gets down the court and blocks the layup attempt in what could be a pretty nice momentum-changing play.

Trouble was, Johnson was the only Raptor really hustling back and when he blocks the shot, there’s no teammate there to gather in the loose ball.

The Suns do, they keep the possession alive and it ends with an Amare Stoudemire dunk.

Had even one or two of Johnson’s teammates sprinted as hard as he did, it’s entirely possible Toronto goes on a break back the other way and the game gets closer.

An indictment of effort.

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Action-reaction

Yes, you saw Chris Bosh get knocked down hard by Amare Stoudemire on a flagrant foul and yes, a bunch of Bosh’s teammates reacted in appropriate manner, most specifically Calderon, who got an elbow into Stoudemire’s chest to move him away.

And yes, it was duly noted by teammates and coaches.

But I’m not sure how many of you looked to the bench, where everyone got up and a couple made motions like they were going onto the court.

And there was Marc Iavaroni, doing precisely what an assistant coach has to do, making 100 per cent sure no Raptor actually took a step onto the court, which would have drawn an automatic suspension.

Watching it, it struck me that of all the people in the building, Marc would be the one with the most first-hand knowledge of how allowing players to even take one step towards an altercation can be a crippling blow.

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And in other news …

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Who says the league doesn’t pay attention to what’s going on with the Raptors?

Got a release last night that said three players had been fined – Charlotte’s Tyson Chandler and Phoenix’s Amare Stoudemire $7,500 each for posting twitter messages during games and Boston’s Rasheed Wallace $30,000 for ripping officials – and I’m thinking, wow, the office does pay attention.

Two of them – Chandler and Wallace – came in games involving Toronto.

We know what Wallace did (him complaining about officials also elicits yawns) but I don’t have a clue what Chandler tweeted ‘cause I pay little or no attention to that form of communication because I think tweeting is for the birds.

(Get it?!)

So here’s what I can only presume he said during that Wednesday game:

“Hey, this is easy!”

“Do they have five guys on the floor, or four?” “Come on, let me get in on this layup line.”

“Wow, another steal and dunk.”

“How’d these guys win seven games?”

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Marco Belinelli played 17 minutes and six seconds Sunday, missed all five shots he took, including three three-pointers, had one rebound and a turnover. Oh, and his team lost by 19.

He was a plus-13.

See my point about that useless stat?

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Correction time.

Not sure if I misrepresented the question when I posed it to a friend, or if I misinterpreted the answer I got or whatever but there was a boo-boo in Sunday’s mailbag.

Came in the last question, the one about whether an assist can be given to a guy who inbounds the ball to a teammate who immediately scores.

Yes, that can be an assist.

I was wrong in saying no.

There. I feel better.

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I offer this paragraph from a Canadian Press story from the Grey Cup last night about Saskatchewan Roughriders fans:

“Many sported watermelon helmets or the occasional watermelon bra as lines of fans slapped high fives with strangers and stopped to compare shades of green or admire white-and-green body paint.”

How could you not like that team?

Now if the coaches or players could only count to 13, we’d have something to talk about today.

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In Phoenix, Paul Coro summed up that one like this.

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So, Lawrence Frank. Out of work.

While it was hardly his fault that the Nets gave away his best player in a money dump and that is point guard got hurt and his centre got hurt and the rest of the team’s not that good, I don’t think there was anyone in the game who was surprised he got fired.

Doesn’t make it right, just makes it expected.

Now, did he become a bad coach over the last month? No way. And I bet he coaches again but please, please, I beseech all of you, do not ask if they should make a move for him now in Toronto.

I will tell you this from talking to people here and from my own opinion, nothing – NOTHING – is going on here. Nothing.

Frank, if he’s a bright guy, sits around for the rest of this season, spends some of the money he’s getting and waits for jobs to open up this summer.

I cannot imagine why any coach fired mid-season would want to jump back into a difficult job without sitting around a little while decompressing.

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Comments

[The J]

As a second point, I think the bigger issue than who is starting and who is not starting, is the effort. It's not always the starting line-up, or the match-ups that are letting them down, it's a lack of effort and a lack of passion from almost everyone. We can all look to Reggie, but he is only one man. Sure he might inspire others to work harder, but this team is so uninspired, it will take a lot more than just one man. Let's just hope if his passion is contagious, it's like a pandemic.

[RaisedHawaiian]

as some have mentioned, the 3rd quarter seems to start the demise of the raptors, not the first quarter so I would not change the starting line up but maybe change the line up to start the 3rd by inserting Amir, have Bargs play the 3 spot with help D from Bosh and Amir.

[Forest]

The people who bash Bargnani's defense really bother me. He does an incredible job on screens, confusing the opposing PG until the defense can react. He also does an adequate job in the paint keeping his man from scoring in 1-on-1 situations and keeping the team from needing to double team opposing bigs.

His defensive 'failing' is not rotating quickly enough upon penetration, but that's more an issue with our guards, and their inability to even slow the penetration let alone contain it.

Yes, Bargnani could rebound better, but his actual defense is more than passable.

[ttfox]

If only Dr. Emmitt Brown's De Lorean is real, we could go back to 2006 and hear David Stern say, "For the first pick in the 2006 NBA draft, the Toronto Raptors select Brandon Roy from the University of Washington".

[Julie]

Do the Raptors work with a sports psychologist?

How can they expect to win when they sit on the bench looking like they just lost their best friend.
A more positve attitude and a little interest in any accomplishments made by teammates on the floor (even if they're losing), could go a long way....

[Andre]

Doug, Your suggestion makes soo much sense.. Heres another idea: Start Turk at the 2, start amir at the 3. First 3 mins, that will energize the team. or if and when evans comes back start him. As for those that want Jack to start, he is a backup PG. His role is already defined, and plays it very good, lets keep it that way.

[kelsey]

Greetings Doug and All Rap's fans..Quick points

Listen it is PANIC MODE, Raps have NO DEFENSE + soft like butter. You cant teach hustle!!!!!!!!

A European team can't work in the NBA.

I'm a realist Bargnani(good scorer, soft and limited D)
Calderon looking a lot like bench player

Why did they extend him so early when and wasn't he restricted? $10mil/year ?

Keep him in starting and then trade him please!!!!
Who cares about how many points he scores thats not the real story, No D and limited rebounding!!! Who cares he was #1 draft, not a good fit for this team.

[tino]

Hi Doug,a couple of questions if you please.A full year, a training camp and 18 games in the season, is this the week that (by action/inaction) will define Jay coaching career? And if he would decide to change his lineup,do you have a sense BC would advise Jay to be prudent or to be bold? Thanks

Blogger's note: Mailbag stuff, but no. And I imagine Bryan advises Jay to win games

[sara]

Are we demoting Bargnani to the bench for the Amir we have seen in the last two games ?
Against Charlotte and Boston Andrea spent most of his time on the bench (he played 28/23 minutes) and we were not better and the results have been the same.

[DougG]

I agree about Weems. I don't know why he isn't playing more. I think Rasho should have a few more short spurts as well, especially if they need a quick two points.

My gut tells me they should make Belinelli or Weems the starting point guard and switch up Bosh and Bargnani, until Bargnani figures out how to position himself correctly to get a rebound, or how to will himself into actually fighting for the ball. Bosh is a fantastic power forward, but he is also our best center at this point.

[DougG]

Sorry, should have said Bellinelli or Weems at starting shooting guard.

[Tweet]

Noooo, tweeting is for the birds?! I get all your blog links from your twitter account! Now I know it's an imposter on your account (or just a star employee posting your blog links). Kind of figured that though since the only tweets every from that account were blog links.

[J-Roc]

Bargnani would be fine off the bench, if he was given free reign to shoot as much as he wanted. Shoot shoot and shoot.

[KK]

Hey Doug,

I just don't understand why coach Triano thinks Demar should be starting. Especially when they are trying to focus on defense. Other teams look to exploit Demar and there is too much talent at the 2-guard spot for him to be assigned such a tough cover every night. He's not making a difference out there, in my opinion at least. Do you think he should start or have a role coming off the bench?

Blogger's note: It's here somewhere, I've written a dozen times, you can find it, I'm sure

[Zoran]

Raps should have two teams Jack,DD (Sony),Wright,Bosh,Amir and Calderon,Belineli,Turk,Andrea,Rasho(Pops). American (power) and European (finesse) teams and they have to play max 5 min intervals and to keep maximum pressure on oposing team and be agressive during the whole 48 min.

Lack of energy and effort is in my opinion biggest problem and Triano has to step up and found a way to clean up this problem. It is shame that we talking about effort for somebody who is making $2,000-$3,000 per MINUTE, but it is what it is. Team is loaded and very talented, but without 110% hustle they are going nowhere.

[doug]

I thnk to much emphasis is being put on who starts....as the 1st quarters aren\t our problem....plus starters are starters for the rest of the game they seldom are on the court together again....this whole who is starting conundrum is a moot point....I think our in-game rotatione are messed up, as befor eWright returned they seemed fine annd we were in fact a better team....since hiis return guys like Weems,Rasho etc...are forgottten an their useful pieces...Jay has shortened his bench to no avail...and really why he did so was and still is confusing to me....you just can't hand a guy like Wright minutes, he has to earn them,,,and he hasn't

[Ace]

Beating a dead horse here: Jack over Calderon. It's time. I agree with an earlier poster (Sean) and his explanations. I believe that Calderon will produce more effectively and efficiently with the second unit. Although I do not believe that Jack is a true NBA-calibre starter, I do think that he can provide something of a spark with the first unit. He's not a flashy guy, more of a lead by example character. That might help in a pull-up-your-bootstraps, work ethic mold. One other possible move would be the switch from DD to Belinelli. It sacrifices depth on the second unit, but it must be tried out. Unfortunately, this is what sucks about the Raps, where does depth meet continuity?!

[Josh]

Why am I not surprised that the Smitch apologist wants to move Bargnani to the bench?

At some point BC has to realize that this team's upside is a 7-8 seed and first round exit in the playoffs. Say goodbye to that 2010 first round pick because it's off to Miami! Hmmm... I wonder if that rookie will end up playing alongside Chris and Wade. Or maybe it will be the big prize in a S&T!!!

[Geoff Read]

Hey Doug,

It's the "return is unknown" part I don't get. There must be some kind of estimate as to how long he's going to be out. At least a timeframe within which they expect him to be back. Are we talking days, weeks, months...?

[Aditya]

i actually think that starting wright for demar is the best solution out of the plausible solutions that you posted in today's blog...i know i am right, but you think that's the worst solutions....although i kind of like demar starting, but it wouldn't matter since he can still go with the 2nd unit against other 2nd unit guys (but then he wouldn't be playing the end of 3rd quarter, start of 4th possibly which makes the solution = NO NEED TO CHANGE THE STARTING LINEUP)....cool....alrite

[N]

Jose, Bargnani, and Reggie Evans for Monta Ellis and A Biedrins. Works on the Trade Tracker. Get it done!

[Jack]

Anyone remember Michael Olowokandi? Or Joe Smith? Put Bargnani in the same category.

[mando]

Is it letter writing day in the loony bin or what?

[GM]

On first blush, I was with you on sending Bargnani to the bench. Not as a slap to the big fella, but because I think the Raps have no clue in how to include all their scorers. The fact that he seems to coast I believe is because he's excluded for long stretches in the offense. But now I think something else should be done.

But what? While I like Belinelli, I think he would just confuse matters more because he's an offensive player, too. So it has to be either Johnson, Wright or Jack. Johnson doesn't fit because it's doubtful he could play the three. Wright has Krishumphreyitis. If he knew his limitations and didn't consider himself the first option on offense, he'd be so much better. Jack is proving to me that he is nothing better than a backup. A decent backup, but if he's your starter, things are not good.

I think Wright should be given the chance. Maybe starting is what would make him ease off a bit. Maybe coming off the bench he feels he has to prove himself in a hurry by jacking up shots. I say give him a shot as a starter, sending DeRozan to the bench.

It's always amusing to hear people talk about lines, as if the backup point guard only ever plays against other backups. The game is fluid, people. Different starters on different teams all play different minutes, and those even vary given foul situations and injuries. So to say Calderon would thrive against other backups or Bargnani would is silly at best. They'd still be in there with some starters and play against some of the opponents' starters. There isn't a gentleman's agreement among coaches that say I'll put in my backup when you put in yours. And this ain't hockey where players always play on a line with the same players.

[jim]

If a change is warrented I'd rather have Rasho than Johnson in at the begining. What is needed is a big that can set the tone and if needed give a hard foul early to protect the house. Rasho could set the tone and his fouls are not a late game concern. Johnson is destined to get hustle fouls later so you do not want to handicap him early. Bargs is too worried getting called for two ticky tack fouls early and thus sitting down, while Bosh, who might benifit from star treatment, rarely fouls hard saving his energy for the offence.