At least it didn't last long

We’re glancing at our boxscores while waiting for Jay to begin his post-game dissertation and this comes to me:

Of all the numbers on the sheet of paper, the most significant to me, by far, was 2:07.

As in time of game. If you’ve got to sit through nights like that, best that it’s over quickly.

And on that note …

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THREE THINGS I LEARNED

What to do, what to do

Yes, it was a bad loss to a good team and at no point in the evening did it ever occur to me that Toronto could win the game. And there will be more like that as the season progresses, just like there will be times when things click and they win.

But I do think they need to tweak the rotation, a point I’ve been hammering home for a few weeks now and something that I’m hearing from people in the organization now.

The bench isn’t producing like it did, the starting unit is okay but inconsistent and maybe some roles need to be altered.

So, what do I do?

Well, nothing to the starting lineup that’s for sure.

But, again, I say give Weems the minutes that Wright’s getting, I’d run Belinelli out there a bit more to see if he’ll respond to more responsibility and, last night’s horrible effort notwithstanding, I’d get the rookie some more fourth quarter minutes.

That’s a tightening of the rotation if Jose’s going to be out, going with eight guys mainly – the five starters, Belinelli, Weems and Johnson – but maybe that’s worth a try for a few games.

I will also caution you of this:

There is still a lot of time left, the season is not over by any stretch of the imagination and they will actually win some games and play well doing it.

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Not taking orders

I don’t know if you remember this play, but it’s sort of telling in a “they don’t listen” kind of way.

Sonny Weems finishes a break with a dunk, a pretty impressive runout on a night when they had so few, and he’s got a couple of teammates near the basket with him and, I think, maybe two Hawks.

A perfect time to apply some pressure in the backcourt, to stay up, maybe force the Hawks into a turnover and keep the momentum.

The coaches thought so, too.

Jay’s up off the bench, Marc’s up off the bench, Reggie Evans is up off the bench screaming “stay up, stay up, stay up” while waving their hands indicating they would like the Raptors to, you know, STAY UP!

What happens? All the guys in the front court retreat, the Hawks walked the ball up the floor and take the air out of the moment.

Not a big thing but something.

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Déjà vu all over again?

Remember back in the day, after they lost a Sunday afternoon game to Orlando and really didn’t play that poorly? It was suggested then but some that the simple fact was that the better team had won and that usually happens?

Well, how about we dredge that up again and suggest the better team won last night.

The Raptors could play the Hawks 10 times and I’d set the over and under on Toronto wins at 1.5 and maybe take the under (if I was a gambling man, that is).

The Hawks are everything Toronto isn’t. Long and athletic, great finishers and able to break you down at nearly every position.

I don’t know if they can win the East because they don’t have a lot of front court depth and they’re not overly large – which could be fatal flaws against Orlando – but I like that team a lot.

I also don’t know if they can keep it together – Joe Johnson’s destined to make a lot of money as a free agent and the Hawks didn’t even think about re-upping him last summer – but they are a very good team.

I said it during the in-game blog and I’ll say it here:

I’d rather have that roster one through nine than Cleveland’s right now.

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More of this, and some of that:

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We have nothing new right now on Jose. He had an MRI overnight, Jay said it’d be good speculation to think this is a longer-term situation (and, no, I have no idea what kind of timeline he was talking about and he hadn’t even spoken to the trainers at the time) and that’s very troubling.

Marcus Banks is not the answer as a backup and maybe it’s time to unleash Belinelli a little bit as Jack’s backup at PG.

We saw a little of Turk at that spot in the second half last night, sharing the court with Marco, and it might be worth seeing if Belinelli can bring the ball up and run some stuff when Hedo doesn’t have it in his hands.

Can’t hurt, can it?

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Here’s one that’ll rile up a whole bunch of you.

I can see the end coming for Pops.

(Don’t throw things, hear me out)

Later this month, right around the 20th, I believe, maybe a couple of days later, his contract becomes fully guaranteed if he’s still on the roster.

And with it looking more and more like they’ll need the flexibility of a roster spot, either for a trade, maybe a third point guard, maybe a big, I can certainly see that spot being created by his departure.

This has as much to do with money as ability – there is no one else they can waive and save money doing it – so it might turn out to be the logical move.

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I’d love to tell you what the beat dudes at the Atlanta Journal Constitution wrote about that one but none of them actually traveled here. So you’ll have to do without.

Instead, here’s what’s going on with Houston, seeing how tomorrow’s going to be a mailbag day without the usual delights.

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Nice of Canada Basketball to trot out Rowan Barrett and let the crowd cheer at halftime and it was nice to see a few members of the national women’s and men’s programs introduced before the game.

But you know what? They missed a guy who’s in the building every day, who does a lot to further the cause of basketball in the country and a guy who did an awful lot in his playing days.

Where, I wonder, was Sherman Hamilton when all this Canada Basketball love was going on?

He should have been somewhere so the fans could have cheered.

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Hmm.

Seventeen turnovers.

Seventeen assists.

That’s a boxscore anomaly you don’t see very often.

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I mentioned this in the in-game blog but I need to elaborate because it’s a pretty good story.

Marvin Williams, who is really under-sized and a bit of a tweener, gets by on the post and on the boards because he’s got, well, he’s got a large derriere. And that makes him tough to move and gives him a good base.

The one and only Doc Ryan, former national team assistant in Canada, a long-time CIS coach in Nova Scotia and a man of some bulk himself, once enthralled a group hanging in a bar with the following story:

There are two kinds of bums that basketball players have, especially big guys who do the dirty work on the boards.

You either have, Doc was telling us that night eons ago, a “pro butt” or a “bucket ass.”

Pro butts are large and make you immovable – think Charles Barkley – and are much desired. Bucket asses are just there and make you weak and easily shoved aside.

There you go, Basketball Anatomy 101.

You’ll be checking out rumps for days now, won’t you?

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Speaking of Canada and the world championships (a trip I’m going on, right boss?) they’re giving out the four wild cards to the 2010 men’s tournament today and the main draw is Tuesday in Turkey.

My spies – and I have them spanning the globe – tell me Russia, Germany, Lithuania and Nigeria have the inside track on the four spots.

Cameroon maybe sneaks in there and only a true cynic would point out that they’ll get a spot if they write a big enough cheque.

(This just in: My sources were close; they gave the wild cards to Russia, Lithuania, Germany and Lebanon. Three out of four right isn't bad).

Anyway, for the draw, Canada Basketball will be represented by the inimitable Maurizio Gherardini, who’ll drop by Turkey to take part in the festivities during a globe-trotting scouting tour of half a dozen countries or so.

It’s Tuesday, in the morning our time, which means we can deconstruct it during the game-day chat to set up the Miami game later that night.

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Comments

[Mike kovacs]

We now have another reason to hate Rogers - they brought back those awful thunderstix last night and unfortunately they were the loudest thing there.

[JHP]

Good Morning

I agree they will win some more games this year. The Nets have the number one pick and have a real chance at winning less then 16 games. But what bothers me is the number of teams that are just better then the Raps and every year that list is getting longer. I hope the next moves by the GM will at least slow this trend down. We all know the western conference in general is better then the East. But when at least 6 Eastern clubs are better they you, it's time to wonder what the money is being spent on.

End of rant.

[Scott]

Any idea if 39-43 gets them in? That's what they're gonna finish at, mark my words. I'd say they just slip in at the 8th seed, maybe even through a tiebreaker.

Blogger's note: No real idea but a suspicion that in the East this year, 39 does get 'em in

[Matt M]

The Raps were in tough last night and it will be tough tomorrow too. Houston is a pretty good team that does all the little things well. I think, since the Raps need two or three good role players to help out this squad then they couldn't find better ones than on the Houston roster. I'm sure Houston would be happy to make a couple available to help the Raps out, maybe Battier and Ariza for free (when you dream, dream big is my motto. Don't let reality get in the way).

[Steve]

Hey Doug I could have sworn I thought I saw your eyes pop out of your head when they started passing those thunderstix out, must have made it tough to watch the first quarter.

I hope the fans realized a few things from last nights game ..
1. Jose is WAY more valuable to the offence than the masses give him credit for.
2. Antoine Wright should not shoot. Ever.
3. Doug is right about everything. :)

[plusgroove]

I see how Stan Van Gundy coaches, very emotional, in the game, talking to his guys a lot. You can see how involved he is. Last night, when the Hawks were making a run in the first quarter, Jay just sat there observing. Gets up. Crosses his arms. Observing. I think his approach and style is just too passive. There are moments where he gets in Refs faces but thats expected. Woodsen's style last night was on the contrast. He saw his Hawks being complacent in the beginning of the first quarter so he gets a T for getting in the Refs faces. Probably got in his players faces too in the timeout. I think the leaders on this team are way too soft and passive. I watch as our Raps make stupid unforced turnovers and I end up screaming at the tv. What else can they do Doug? Call another team meeting???

[Jojo]

Good call on the basketball butts. I actually have a distinct memory of Charles Barkely talking about somebody's butt during a dunk contest way back when...I think it was Clarence Weatherspoon. Sir Charles could appreciate a good butt. Too many GMs were concerned about DeJuan Blair's knees but you don't find butts like that every day. Wonder if that kind of thing makes its way into scouting reports.

I know Reggie isn't going to save this team but I long to see someone throwing their weight around in the paint on this team. Totally agree on giving Wright's minutes to Weems. I actually thought Wright was going to be a pleasant surprise but he's been a train wreck. I don't understand why he has a green light to try and create off the dribble. Good things don't tend to follow.

[Striker77]

Hey Doug,

While I was watching the game last night, what bothered me most was how it seems like there is no one at any time on the court that I felt confidence in creating any type of run, not even Bosh...

I am a fan with patience, and it seems like there are few around here, and I did not expect any miraceles this year...Lets look at the future picture. Bargnani is slumping now, but he is still an very quick and skilled centre... Hedo has not shown is regular stuff, but, its not like he forgot how to play (itll come back), new young pickups like Johnson, Weems, Belinelli and DeRozan shows a great future! The only depressing thing, there are times when it seems that there is no leader. Bosh is the leader, on many nights,but he is probably as good as gone.

Wouldnt it be great to get, say, uh, Joe Johnson? IF Bosh were to go, I think it would be great to get someone like Joe... He is one of the most underated players in the league. Seriously.

Thats someone I would have confidence in.

[Striker77]

Oh, by the way,

I forgot to mention that I do not think the season is lost yet, either... I am just saying.. why do we have to judge teams on a quarter of a season, or even a season? Look at OKC...Memphis...

[chris]

I don't mind losing to atlanta (great team) but they didn't even try last night. The game was over in the first quarter. The only effort i saw was when weems and pops were in for garbage time.

Jeff Van Gundy blasted them on ESPN last night for having all the offfensive talent in the world, but not giving a crap on defense, and remarked about how they couldn't give a crap when playing atlanta who blew them out a week and a half ago.

Pathetic.

[chris]

btw, Doug -love the stuff about "pro butt" (such an overlooked quality in basketball) but Marvin's a small forward. He probably has a lot of PF skills (like posting up, but so did Jalen) but he plays SF alongside Josh Smith, Al Horford, and Pachulia (who are Atlanta's bigs).

Blogger's note: You're right but they're pretty interchangeable. And good.

[Tiger]

Two teams playing to the best of their abilities at the top level of their sport, ever-present sportsmanship, no abuse of officials, enthusiastic spectators, 2-1/2 hours of solid entertainment.

The Roar of the Rings was always going to preempt the Raps here, especially for the backend of a back-to-back against a superior opponent. Not subscribing to TSN2 made it easier to snub that fiasco entirely (apologies to Paul & Eric and our favorite blogster, Doug). But it doesn't sound like I missed much that hasn't already been seen (or not seen) this season.

Without McGrady to quit on the floor for the Rockets, chances are the Raps will demonstrate the meaning of that C-word again: CAPITULATION.

And that's the most galling part of being a Raps fan.

[MB]

I think we can all agree that this team has little effort or heart outside a few players. If you need to meet or whatever other rubbish excuse you want to use to give an honest effort every day, perhaps they need to come to work with us, the working class. If we do not give an honest effort at work we are out, that simple. We have paid large sums of money, long term to the same "type" of marginal players. There is no financial flexibility to do anything about it. Trades are not going to happen. BC for all his accolades builds a team that is not going to scare anyone. Now cap strapped, can we honestly think Bosh would resign when there are teams (cough) Miami that are getting it done with DWade and little else? Lets hope that if BC is going to S&T Bosh he doesn't botch that too because right now for every step forward he makes we take two back. See you at the lottery.

[chris]

One more comment -- last night is the first one in years that i felt like i wanted a refund on my tickets. They didn't try at all.

I don't make it to every game (maybe 1/4-1/3) so am sure i missed a lot of stinkers, but last night's effort was really, really, really pathetic.

[just a fan]

I cringe everytime Antoine Wright gets the ball. I cringe even more when he shoots. Even moreso than when Jamario Moon used to fire em up.

[esa, jr.]

why is bosh scared of comitting foul? twise last night that on a switch he was guarding crawford and twice did crawford blowby him for an easy layup. where is the ball movement of the raptors that makes them exciting to watch? its all gone and evrybody seems doing his own thing once they got the ball. where is the penetration and pass outside for unguarded easy shot? all gone. there seems to be no teamwork on this team for long stretches during the game.

[graham]

Calderon is going to be missed if last night is any indication: he affects the rotation over and above his own contribution and stabilizing influence. Turk started fine but faded, Jack and Wright have been very vocal but are two of the worst defensive culprits, especially on blow pasts and not closing on the 3 point shooters.
Watched on TV last night and was really frustrated by the TSN coverage: right at the turning point of the whole game in the 2nd quarter do we have any game coverage? No, we have 5 minutes of Rowan and more inane Devlin meandering and pandering. Chuck was a homer, but at least he paid attention to the game. Devlin thinks every defensive breakdown is Bargnani's fault, not even noting when he is the help guy hung out to dry by another player. If you are going to be critical be consistent and comment on all the players who are blowing an assignment -- but that would mean actually commenting rather than "joking" with either Jack or Leo.
View the tape: how many of those turnovers where lazy passes, not looking after the ball and effort? Most. Talk is cheap: start to play with heart. Better team beats you, ok, but don't quit.

[WinnipegThunder93]

There needs to be a better distribution between scorers and defenders/rebounders on the court at all times. This team can be better than the sum of its parts, but it is being coached (and perhaps managed) like a collection of nice pieces. There is no team identity, other than being one of the most painfully inconsistent teams to watch in all of professional sports. Reggie Evans will help eventually but in the meantime Amir Johnson needs to be given a bigger role. Move one of Turkoglu or Bargnani into the 6th man role. I don't understand the hate for Wright (yes he gets a little overconfident in his shot at times), IMO he should be used a lot more too. His defence would do a lot more for the Raps with Bargnani and Bosh on the floor than Turkoglu's matador defence. This team is lacking balance in a big way. Its great to be able to score 120 points a game, but if you can't limit the other team to 119, what's the point? BALANCE!

[Viktor]

I swear the team always starts a season at 10-15. They did it this year, last year, and the 47 win year 3 years ago. That must be the most consistency i've seen with this team

[Rex Ross]

I agree that Jose will be missed, but don't ignore the fact that the roof started to fall in (and the lead disappeared) when Jose went out there and absolutely could not play defence with that gimpy leg. By the time Jarrett got back in there, we were toast.

[Mr. Cook]

I would like to echo the frustration of listening to the commentary during the second quarter. It's certainly one thing to trot out a CB good ol' boy (and I'm an avid fan of CB) but at the same time it takes you completely out of the game as a fan when you're watching the video reel of the game and hearing about the progression of CB from 1994 - 1999. Brutal. I can't think of anything TV-wise that has taken the fans out of the game so much--I would love to know how the viewing numbers went at that point of the game. My guess is like the stock market on October 29th, '29.

[D-Mac Ottawa]

Hi Doug,
The Raps are just one win short of where I thought they'd be at this point, but their prospects are now looking iffy at best. Still say this roster has the right parts, but parts is parts if they aren't used properly to make them function together. A different 3rd quarter starting 5, some Bellinelli at the point, a bit more Sonny and a lot more Amir, somethin' – there are plenty of combos that could still be tested! Right now, Antoine Wright is a liability (he should ride the bench a long stretch until he gets his head straight) and Turk is starting to look like everybody's old Uncle Hedo.
There's still time, but not much. When the defence is this slow to improve and the offence is actually regressing – and it's mid-December – that's "anti-gel". The next 5 or 6 games will tell the story about how this team, and the season, turns. Go Raps... find some energy and some grit!

[rob]

they should have gave lebanon a spot as well , the way they lost to china was totally unfair. and FIBA owes this to that team.

Blogger's note: They did give Lebanon a spot

[HopeCaper]

Hey Doug cold and white in ole NB. Last nite was about as expected. However I agree with your suggestion to spread it around to fewer guys. A healthy Sonny for example should be nearly as good as an injured Wright. Whoever said Jose was only a half court guard should be able to see the difference, no question he quarterbacks this squad the best. Is it just me or is Rasho sitting too much. He has got to be Reggie until Reggie gets back. I would like to see him deep and let Bosh move in and out, Rasho is getting the ball too far out.

[GM]

Yeah, Rex Ross, those seven minutes Calderon play affected the whole game. I agree, that's when the Raptors started to go south last night, but are you seriously suggesting that he built such a hole in those seven minutes that the others couldn't even stop the hole from getting deeper? Man, that's some power!

As much as I like reading the blog (it's a must-read every day), I also love reading the comments, good or bad. And that's what keeps me coming back throughout the day. So I gotta say these multiple-post days, with morning missives, game-day chats, news updates, and in-game chats are a bit frustrating because there's no one place to go to read the comments and I can't be going through three or four posts in a day looking for updated comments.

Doug, in one of the recent chats, somebody was complaining about the coaching and you replied that of course they were telling Bargnani to do something or other, so it's on him to do it. I'm sure your actual opinions aren't as simplistic as they sometimes sound when it comes to coaching. If it were as simple as telling players to rebound and block out, then any of us here could coach. It's not *that* you tell a player to do something, it's more *how* you tell them and what you teach them. All coaches everywhere tell their players to block out and rebound and run or whatever. Some are more effective than others in reaching said players.

Now that I've picked up on Devlin's speech impediment (an extra quick syllable after a word ending in n or d), it's really starting to bug me. I mean, I guess he can't help it, but it amazes me he's risen as far as he has in the broadcasting world when he has trouble saying certain things.