Of developing assets and dangerous days

With the Smelly Ford Focus all gassed up for a post-practice trek down the highways to Auburn Hills, let’s get this stuff out of the way.

And that afternoon journey’s likely to keep me away from this infernal machine for a few hours so if the comments are slow getting posted, there’s your reason.

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There is no doubt that Marcus Banks, an admirable fill-in at point guard in the absence of Jose Calderon, has opened a few eyes of late.

And in the cold, cruel world of professional sports, he might be just playing well enough to be traded.

I know that’s a bit harsh, all the guy has done is be professional and stay ready and give them what they need, but it’s the way the world works.

Now, there are 29 teams who have seen him play recently and seen him do a pretty good job. And if someone wants a backup point guard, he’s got to be in the mix, at least whenever Jose gets back in action.

I’m not suggesting there’s a deal in the mix but I know there are people in the organization who are thinking what I am: That Banks has become a far more attractive “asset” in the last week than he was at the beginning of the season.

And it’s never a bad thing to have assets.

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How about this?

Not only is Toronto going to play in Detroit on Wednesday after two days off, they get another schedule break.

The Pistons are in Charlotte on Tuesday night and the Raps will be sitting in their ritzy hotel waiting. Pretty sure that schedule quirk hasn’t happened at all this year.

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Of course, negating that advantage might be the fact it’s the game before the holidays start and that’s always a dangerous one, as Jay pointed out at practice:

“They always say there are four games – the game right before Christmas, the game after, the game before the all-star break and the game after – where you really have to stay focused on it. There’s no use looking at the schedule at the end of the year and saying ‘we’ve got three games left, we need to win two’ when you can take care of business around Christmas and all-star time. The teams that stay focused are the teams that get a chance to steal a couple of games.”

And how do you do that?

“Solid game play, not changing the ritual, not getting caught up in all the other stuff that’s going on at this time of year.”

Cool, does that mean I can drop this one at home:

“Sorry, Super Wife, I can’t get caught up in the all the other stuff that’s going on, have to stay focused.”

Think that works?

Oh, and why is there a turkey in our fridge?

Jay’s right, of course. Players do tend to let their minds wander at times in a season and thinking about flights home tomorrow and the like could make the game in Detroit quite sloppy.

It’s not like this is a group of mentally tough guys at the best of times, is it?

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Catching up to an old Alvin Williams story from Sunday that I kind of forgot to use Monday morning.

(I need to send myself more notes to remind me of stuff. Remind me of that, will you?).

Anyway, apparently the Villanova Wildcats won the NCAA Division 1 football championship last week, beating Montana or somesuch.

Division 1, if I’ve got this right, is for the all the schools that aren’t, you know, good or have real football programs.

Anyway, mention to Al that I hear this news and wonder if they were able to beat The Sisters Of The Poor or the Hawthorn Hawks to cop such a coveted honour. He says:

“It’s like winning CFL.”

Ouch.

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Today’s the day.

Pops Day.

Apparently, Dec. 22 is the day that the contract of Pops Mensah-Bonsu becomes fully guaranteed and I haven’t had a whisper of which way the Raptors are leaning, actually.

The monetary savings are huge – about $400,000 maybe – but the roster spot might come in handy as they move towards the trade deadline.

I guess they could guarantee the deal and eat any financial losses if they have to, or use that money as cap ballast in some future transaction.

It’s not a huge deal but when there’s an absolute dearth of news around these lads, it’s at least something worth checking into.

And I shall later on when we gather yet again for practice.

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I’m just pointing this out for no other reason than I thought of it just now scanning last night’s headlines.

The Chicago Bulls blew a 35-point lead – A THIRTY-FIVE POINT LEAD AT HOME – and lost to Sacramento on Monday night, booed off the floor as K.C. points out here.

They go to New York to play tonight, dragging the weight of that collapse with them.

The point of this whole thing?

On Dec. 24, 2001, Tim Floyd was ousted as the Bulls coach.

On Dec. 24, 2007, Scott Skiles was fired as the Bulls coach.

Thursday, I believe, is Dec. 24.

Cue the scary music.

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All right, I’m confused here, as is the norm at this time of year.

Today’s Tuesday, right? And Christmas Eve is Thursday (or, as it’s known around here The Day Dad Does All His Christmas Shopping) and the next day’s the big day?

Guess you’ll all be busy and I might be, too, so here’s an early call for mail for the weekend mailbag.

And if you come up with stuff as good as last week, you can expect a little something extra in your stockings. That is, of course, if the mall’s aren’t too busy and I’m not facing some Shopping Rage charge after spending time in them.

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Comments

[Chris]

Division 2 is the lesser one - the wildcats are part of this. Division 1 is the top division. At least that is what I understand.

[Jamie]

Hi Doug, the only thing that would worry me about trading Banks would be what happens if Jose goes down again. I guess i twould matter on the deal itself and what you got back, but ss trading him away for loose change worth the (apparent) insurance he brings?

[Mo Merei]

Hey Doug,

Saw Sonny's interview yesterday. Loved how when they talked about Jarret Jack being the "father", they asked him about Rasho:

"Oh Rasho? He's old as dirt!"

Glad to see them having fun as a team... Hopefully they do it on the court as well.

Just wanted to wish you a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays. Good luck on Thursday!

[Scott]

Hi Doug,
With regards to Pops...I can't see the Raps holding on to him. Reggie will get back at some point and he (Pops) isn't getting much run as it is. Jay doesn't trust him and there is still O'Bryant sitting there if they need another big until Evans does come back. Cap flexibility is they key here as well.

[chris]

Doug - IF jack keeps playing as well as he is, does Jose come off the bench when he returns?

Also, if Banks continues to play well why not keep him? If there's anything we need its defense at PG.....

Blogger's note: Probably not, I wouldn't; and they may very well but it's impossible to play three PGs

[Matt Kovacs - Age 12]

Hey Doug,

Even if the Raptors trade Marcus Banks with out getting any point gaurds in return, and Jose goes down, couldnt they have Hedo or Marco play as the third string?

Blogger's note: Maybe, but I don't imagine anything's imminent

[James]

Doug, with Calderon being below average(offensively and defensively) for the last 2 years and banks being servicable would'nt it be a good time to shop Calderon?I mean if you can move him for an expiring deal and play Jack and banks at the 1 with Hedo as the main ball handler(like his orlando days) that makes sense right? Eventually you have to make a move to shake things up and clearly with Jose in the starting line-up it's not working.

Blogger's note: In my opinion, no; and you're very first point, entirely flawed and wrong in my opinion, makes me think this is not a question but a search for validation of an opinion.

[Steph R]

Doug, with all due respect, why would we trade away what looks like a serviceable back up point guard when our starter has shown himself to be injury prone with a declining game?

We’ve been lacking a point guard that can defend his position, and between both Jack and Banks we are getting that. The offense is not a problem, so improving it at the expense of defense seems counter productive. And besides, Jack is getting better at running the offense.

Calderon might be the better trade option. I know you like him, and think it’s foolish to even think of moving him, but Jose has to be a trade option. I don’t see his value increasing going forward. I’m not saying trade Jose, but not acknowledging that possibility is a foolhardy. Sorry..

[James]

actually it wasn't a search for validation Doug. I respect your opinion but If the goal is to stay below .500 then this current group of players is the right fit. This team lacks intensity and toughness and having a soft offense first point guard starting with no real stoppers behind him will not get this team ahead.Other than the locker room issues, would Stephen jackson be a fit on this team?

[jheezy]

For Doug and fellow D. Smith readers:

Check out some reader comments regarding the Bulls losing after being ahead 35 points!
http://blogs.bulls.com/chicago_bulls_blog/2009/12/bulls-blow-35point-lead-and-lose-to-kings.html
Their pretty civil for the most part, so some of us can learn a thing or two.

[Doug]

You're an idiot buddy!

Blogger's note: Well, I see all some of the smart ones were able to turn on their computers this morning. Feel better? Feel superior?
Thanks for your insight, it's always welcome

[Wade Tomlin]

Sorry Doug, but Jay's comments about the games around the holiday season seems more like planting the seeds for excuses.

The reality is that in every NBA game one team wins and the other team loses, but the dialogue around the Raptors consistently seems to be that any reason to be worried about focus and effort is identified as legitimate.

Here's an idea Jay: remind your players that they're well-paid professionals who should never have an excuse for not being ready for a competition. If they’re not ready come Wednesday, simply cut back their PT, even if Chris Bosh himself takes a lax attitude.

Can you imagine a Jeff or Stan Van Gundy for example, allowing any type of concern about the time of year a game is to be identified as a legit concern? To me that's the dialogue of a losing coach looking to find the excuses before a loss happens.

[Grits]

I agree with Steph R's comment. It is immediately what jumped to my mind. Calderon has peaked and he will never have more trade value than he has right now. Perhaps we just need to see Banks do it a few more times, (it is a very small sample size to evaluate from right now), but if he can keep it up, then my choice is trade Calderon.

[esajr]

steve nash is a scoring machine and a prolific assist pg, and can breakdown defense by his penetration and dishes to open guys but he has no defense, same as jason kidd, same as chris paul, billups has everything including defense and we can name other pg that can really be relied upon by their teams. Calderon on his plays lately granting that he is not 100% is more a liabilty to the team. I still not 100% sold to jack's game for sometimes he is a ballhug and doesn't see the floor for open guys but nobody is perfect but he can guard as well as banks compared to calderon. the team has lots of scorer as it is and the team need a primary defender for a point guard.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you and Your Family.

[james]

Last night Nash blocked a shot...seriously, there was replay. In contrast to the other James, I'd keep Calderon. I like my point guard to able to shoot 3s. He's pretty good at the free throw line too.

[Scott]

Doug,
I cannot believe how fickle these "fans" are. Jose is the point guard and a leader on this team. People wanting to shop him are the same people wanting him to start over TJ. Let this team grow together. Point guard defensive issues are league wide, let the guards play more physical on the ball. Enough of this trade Jose stuff!

[Penny]

Doug

What is all this hate for Calderon? Jack is not a better player than him and also has big defensive lapses. Remember the games against Atlanta, Miami and Orlando that Jack started - the point guards were imposing their will without any problem. Jack is not as good a shooter as Jose and definitely, not as good a passer. The Raptors would have won the games they have lately with Jose playing - remember he has not played in the new CB4 "at the elbow" offense - it would work just as well with him running it as with Jack - probably better as he wouldn't dribble out of it.

[SkyJ]

Nearly a year of dumping on Banks and running him out of town (basically, for accepting money that was offered to him), and now the mob has turned on Calderon as their next whipping boy. Yeesh. I'm happy that Banks is finally getting some love, it has to be tough being in his position. But it just goes to show, you can't take any of the, um, "passionate" commenters on here too seriously.

And as for "What would Stan do?", maybe try to limit his negativity: http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/os-orlando-magic-1120-20091119,0,1594533.story

[Alex]

Just to clear that up for you Doug, Villanova competes in the weaker Division 1-AA in Football, which is the only sport that has a sub-division within a division proper.

So yes they do compete in Division 1 but it not D-1 like for basketball. D-1AA is not eligible to play in the bowl games.

[Lawgman]

Penny: Haven't you figured it out yet? People tend to read what Chisholm writes, blindly agree with it and then use it in their questions to Doug. Chisholm wrote today that the Raps should trade Calderone, hence, the masses believe the raps should do that.

[Matt M]

Yay, finally a Banks-Calderon debate. My life is complete. Love what Banks is bringing to this team right now but the Raps are a better team with Calderon starting. He presents a better option at the three point line than Jack and one of the best in the league at running plays, particularly the pick and roll. He competes defensively, although he is admittedly overmatched sometimes. Hell, Chris Paul had two substandard games against the Raps and the first was with Calderon as the starter. Besides if Calderon is traded what will we do with nicknames like Calderjack or Jackeron (I prefer Calderjack myself). Hopefully we never find out.

[jimt]

hey doug do you think banks value is high enough to complete a pops/banks for deron/boozer trade? i ask because the only untouchable iin utah seems to be sloan.lol.I feel bad for the Swirsk so ev1 send him some love. Late last night he tweeted that he was sick and depressed after the 35 point collapse OUCH.

[Ren]

I think the Raptors should just cut everyone, and then they should hold an open tryout for all bloggers who are clearly better players!
What's your call Doug? (tongue in cheek)

[bel]

Pops got an extension to Jan 5. Reggie should be ready by then.

Blogger's note: Not a chance

[Anthony]

Have you found out what happened with Pops yet, Doug?

Blogger's note: Delayed a decision until Jan. 5