Back for a bit of the weekend

Well, that was some day.

I have to say, the number of notes and kind words and offers of condolences and sympathy was overwhelming.

Really. Really overwhelming.

Please know that Super Family appreciates every single one of them.

-

And, since there won’t be a visitation until Monday and a Tuesday service, I guess you’ll have me to kick around for the weekend, although I’ve been entirely out of the loop for a day and cannot promise anything, you know, insightful or good.

Kind of like normal for some days, right?

-

THREE POINTERS

(Now, I didn’t pay rapt attention to the goings on at The World’s Most Over-Rated Arena but I did see enough).

Maybe it was the dunk invite thing?

The one number that stuck out more than any other from the boxscore I looked at – and the thing I had to talk to people about in New York – was 14.

That’s the number of free throws DeMar DeRozan attempted (he made 11) and the coaches tell me they were mightily impressed with the aggressive nature of his game.

To which I say: “Where’s it been?”

Considering he’d only shot more than seven in a game once before (a dozen in that 146-point Atlanta nightmare) I think it’s fair to say we’ll need to see more of that before pronouncing him “arrived.”

But it did earn him those fourth quarter minutes everyone was hankering for and he looked pretty good.

-

I’ll say it again …

Who is that guy wearing No. 7? Sure, you’re going to get good shooting nights from Andrea Bargnani but even his harshest critics have to at least raise an eyebrow over his willingness to go inside and mix it up of late.

And coming off 17 rebounds in Indy and putting up a dozen against the Knicks?

That’s impressive.

The reason? Confidence. I have no idea why it’s taken this long to develop the feeling of relative invincibility that he seems to have but there’s just a greater level of, I don’t know if this is the right word, but “belonging” to him.

He’s more vocally engaged, he’ll suggest things now and it’s not just feeling more at ease with the language, although that might be a very small factor.

He’s just more assertive.

And if he keeps it up, this team’s going to be a whole lot better.

-

So much for that

No, Jose and Jarrett were not on the court together down the stretch of what was kind of a close game for moments. But don’t get all excited.

I imagine it was a one-time thing (at least Jay had told us two days before that he fully expected to use them together) and I think Sunday, when Dallas goes with Kidd and Terry, you’ll see Toronto use both Calderon and Jack again.

-

Oh yeah, the rest of the story.

-

There isn’t much (See: Loop, out of) but here’s what Mr. Isola had to say about the shenanigans last night.

-

Hey, Dallas is here this weekend.

Sadly, no Hump, of course, but I’m sure Shawn Marion will be a hot topic of conversation, given it’s his first foray back here since the summer trade.

And knowing Shawn a little bit, he’s quite unimpressed with the snow and the weather.

And knowing you folks a little bit, too, there will be so many “Marion would be a much better fit for us than Turkoglu” comments it won’t even been funny.

From the Department Of Heading It Off At The Pass, I’ll just say this: It wasn’t going to happen.

The Raptors were not ever interested in giving Shawn the money he wanted and I’m told by people I trust that Marion was not all interested in coming back to Toronto. It wasn’t a fit either way and it ended the way some of us thought it would the day Marion was obtained: In a sign-and-trade.

So save yourselves some angst and put it out of your mind.

-

Speaking of the Mavs, I understand they have some gym time booked here and may practice after the Raptors do today.

If you want to catch on them, here’s what Fast Eddie Sefko’s serving up today.

-

More than a few mailbag submissions arrived yesterday, I see. But there’s always room for more and since I’ve got a few hours to kill today, send ‘em along.

-

See ya.

Comments

[Jim]

"belonging" that's a good defenition of Andrea right now. I absolutley love the way he is playing - the fact that Lee (who I respect alot as a player) mock #7 last night, shows that he is being noticed. I have been wanting to get on here this week and talk about Calderon but I have been extremely busy. He too is feeling "it" - He certianly has his swagger back. I heard on the score, they are dubbing "6 man" of the year - a little extreme, but it is a roll that works for him and the team. Seriously, the fact that we can bring hin out and he can be eat up the second tier competition is becoming a huge plus. Sorry to hear about your mother in law, you seem to be taking things well.

[dc]

Nice win by the Raptors. Even if it got a little sloppy in the second half, they held on.
I was a fan who would question the ability of Bargnani and his production as a number 1 draft pick. If he can play like he did last night against any team in the nba (celtics, lakers, cavs, suns, hawks) he will be an all-star.

As it stands now, are you willing to say that the Bargnani draft is not a bust, or does resigning Bosh in the summer influence your opinion?

Blogger's note: I was pretty much out on a limb years ago when I suggested he wasn't a bust

[Stefans Jackson]

Hey Doug.

My condolences to you and Super Family. You'll be in my prayers.

Stefans

Blogger's note: Very much appreciated

[LeeZ]

Welcome back, Doug. We miss you when you're away, even briefly. With regard to Andrea, it is indeed gratifying to see how much progress he's made. One thing I'd like to see him do, though, is to try to get to the hoop more when he gets the ball in the low post. Typically, he'll start with his back to the basket, but instead of then facing up his man and taking him to the hoop, he'll try some short- or mid-range fade-away or a hook shot. Nothing wrong with that every so often, but not all the time. I'd like to see him take it strong to the hoop and get to the line. As for Turk, I've often seen him jaw at Bargs for some perceived mistake on the latter's part (he did it again last night when Turk left his man WIDE OPEN on an inbounds play resulting in an easy bucket, and then shot daggers at Andrea for some reason, even though it was clearly Turk's fault. Turk seems to have a chip on his shoulder where Andrea is involved. Are you aware of any friction between the two? Also, when Turk gets the ball, the entire team seems to just stand there and wait for him to do something. Don't you think there should be some, well, um...movement or something?

Blogger's note: Nothing that I've seen

[Blake Kennedy]

How was Marion "not a fit" and Turkoglu supposedly a good fit? The results speak for themselves: as we go day by day with Turkoglu and continue to be treated to his spotty shooting, indifferent defense, non-presence on the glass (he's part of the reason why we're the 8th worst offensive rebounding team in the league, measured in ORB%, and the 4th worst defensive rebounding team in the league measured in DRB%) we're supposed to sit back and think Turkoglu was a good fit?

Marion was a perfect fit, skill-wise, for our team. Would I rather pay Marion the $7.x million (which he got from Dallas) than Turkoglu MLE money (let alone the $53 million / 5 years he got)? In a heartbeat. The correct answer might be that Marion wasn't going to sign here, but if it was even in part due to Colangelo's reluctance to spend the money, he should hang his head in shame (if he isn't already).

[Scott]

I think another Italian, Marco Belinelli, should be playing a lot more before anyone discusses getting another shooting guard. He averages 8 points a game in 19 minutes. If he was starting and averaging 29 minutes he'd be up to 12 ppg and Demar could come off the bench. It wouldn't significantly hurt DeRozan's development to come off the bench.

[Striker77]

Hey Doug, Hope all things are going well with your family during this diffcult time...

So, the raps finally shoot the three ball! I think they went 12 for 22... Its not that I do not like the inside game, especially when you got speed and athleticism with the young guns... its always nice to see Demar step up his game and attack the rim! But... why do they not shoot from behind the ark more often?

Hedo can make some, Jose and Andrea can definitely make some, even Jack.. (not to mention Belinelly who didnt play last night which I found odd, it being Italian heritage night..) but I digress.

I would love to see more games where the raps put up more shots from behind the line. So many good teams use the three ball. Why shouldn't the raps do it, given the shooting skill that a lot of them have?

[david]

Hi Doug,

This is the first blog I have ever signed up for & doing so really to express my condolences to you & your family. Having lost both sets of grandparents & a mom early in life, I understand the feeling of loss. Also for you to know that your very personable writing on the blog & articles too, is appreciated by many of the silent majority who just read it & never take the time to comment. It is both interesting to read & brings more interest to the raptors turning the casual fan into a real fan of the team. Take care and be well.

Bogger's note: Thank you very much

[Thane]

"New York Knicks can't stop Toronto Raptors offense in, 112-104, loss at Madison Square Garden"

Mr Isola needs to hit his headline writers. When did a score become a subordinate clause?

[Pablo Eguren]

Just read about your loss. My condolences to you and your family. Mi más sentido pésame.

Blogger's note: Thanks very much

[Chris]

Not to take away from a good win on great shooting, the Raps suffered yet another 2nd half debacle. What are some tangible things (ie., not just "we need to focus and concentrate more") that you're hearing from the team that they're going to do to improve 2nd half performance?

[chris]

so if they weren't able to pull off that crazy complicated trade in the last minute of play, the trade for marion would have been a disaster.

[James Online]

Jose is looking great and should be starting again. Anybody know what happened to Marco. I don't think I even saw him on the bench in the second half. In San Francisco I was forced to watch the Knicks' telecast.

Blogger's note: Sick, I was told

[jim]

re Barg's confidence, there was a play in which he passed the ball back to DD and it appeared that he told the rookie the lane was open and to drive.Not long ago you commented that he has been more vocal on the court it appears to be paying dividends.

[Saadles]

Doug, I wanted to give my best to you and your family.

Blogger's note: We appreciate it

[Jim]

"Jose is looking great and should be starting again". He's looking good because he is eating up second units. I know (Doug) your not into rumours but there is a good article on Jose from (Eurosport) and they asked Jose about the trade rumours about his name being tossed around and the possiablity of being shipped out (the rumour I heard is Jose for Kevin Martin - which would add so much killer offensive and another long 6'7 body that can play SG or SF). Anyhow point being it is a good article for the fans to go and read.

[Matt M]

While I was a little nervous in the second half I was very happy with this win. The Raps showed guts and determination. I really hope Turk doesn't become the new whipping boy for fans. It's hard enough taking some of the commentors(and some media members outside this blog) seriously after the whole 'trade Calderon' and 'bargnani is a bust' crap. I saw one blog suggest that calderon for Nate would be a good trade. That's why I enjoy this blog. You stick to facts, and leave the fantasy behind.

[Perry]

Anyone who notices a difference in Andrea now should apologize to all those fans who were angry with the old Andrea. I can't even tell you how many times I saw fans and Doug excuse Andrea's lazy, passive, seemingly disinterested and emotionally uninvolved play. The fact is, he WAS lazy, passive, disinterested and uninvolved- as we see now. Fans were RIGHT to criticize him for seeming not to care, for simply going through the motions and playing every game devoid of the energy required to play sports.

Personally I knew it was going to happen eventually. I think everyone did. But the fact that it's taken 3 and a half years is unacceptable. That's what fans were complaining about in the first place, with good reason. We'll never get those 3 and a half seasons back. I do take it personally, and believe the team leadership failed us as fans. It should not have taken 3.5 years for us to see this Andrea Bargnani- the one who actually goes after rebounds with his arms, loose balls with his nose, laughs once in awhile, talks to his team and looks like a human being on the floor. Apologists will attribute it to age but they know that's not valid- it doesn't take age to play with heart, it shouldn't take you a technical foul four years into your career to break the ice.

I think back to all the excuses and I'm sorry, it makes me want to puke.

[SkyJ]

My condolences to you and your family, Doug. Count me among the many, many readers who feel like we've gotten to know you personally through this blog, and respect you for being more than just a great writer, but a decent human being. All the best.

Blogger's note: That's very much appreciated. Thanks

[D-Mac Ottawa]

Perry, you poor bereaved soul! It's not just Andrea, I'm quite convinced – this planet owes you an apology for your godawful misery. May it begin with me? Geez, sorry, dude! (And some further consolation, trust me, I know: Puberty sucks.)
Peace out.

[Joe]

Condolences to you and your family Doug. It's perplexing, at times, how things unfold in life. A while back, I lost 3 grandparents in the span of 15 months and that was tough to deal with. May you and your family find strength, peace, and hope.

Blogger's note: Much appreciated

[Dave]

My condolences to you and your family on the lost of your mother-in-law.

I have lost both parents (my dad to a small plan crash when I was 31) and a sister last year. It is really difficult watching someone suffer and fight to survive when you know what the end result will be. Take care and spend this time with Super wife and Super son.

These days really show the insignificance of the hype, the joy, the frustration, and sadness associated with sports, doesn't it?

Blogger's note: It does; and thanks

[doug]

non-Raptor related news as the b-ball world consists of more then them....but last week you were talking I believe in your mailbag about the best annoucers, such as Keith Jackson etc....well i have to say never has there been a better pre-game, in-game studio 3some as good as Charles,Kenny, and Ernie...there just the best, opinionated, respectful of one another, and just thought-provoking...their discussion on Gilbert Arenas the other night before the Celtics-Bulls game was a great bit of television...they are so far better then anything out there....in any sport...honest and blunt, just good television...

[mando]

"Anyone who notices a difference in Andrea now should apologize to all those fans who were angry with the old Andrea. I can't even tell you how many........ ti. We'll never get those 3 and a half seasons back. I do take it personally, and believe the team leadership failed us as fans........
I think back to all the excuses and I'm sorry, it makes me want to puke."

Perry, get over yourself and go help raise some aid for Haiti. Poor you, quit whining.

[david]

Hi Doug,

With the trade deadline approaching, & if you were the GM of the Raptors what would you want or wish you could do, what do you think is likely and based on reality and what are the chances of doing nothing until the free agency period.

My apologies if you have had this question forty times already, but maybe a time to reflect on past answers & possibly change your opinion.

Blogger's note: Let's just say they've made at least a minor deal almost every year and I don't think things will change this year. Specifics? Don't think so.