Lots and lots -- I mean lots -- of mail

Well, you folks came through in the clutch, again.

Thanks, as always.

Have at it, see you tonight just before 6 p.m. for the game, right?

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Q: Hey Doug, since NEDA lost its government funding they have suspended operations and basically lost their personnel to other jobs. I am doubtful the government will step up to save the program, do you think an organization like MLSE would have interest in sponsoring it? It seems pretty obvious that private interests will have to ensure the future of competitive basketball on this country's national teams.

Peter S, Hamilton

A: Canada Basketball is one of the leaders in a fight by organizations representing teams to get the government more involved with funding but it’s an uphill fight.

I think NEDA (a program where high school students played and studied year ‘round) was one of the best things that organization’s ever done and it’s a shame it’s been dropped.

That said, I think the private and corporate sector does have to get more heavily involved but the funding needed now is to run programs, what with four teams going to world championships this year, a perfect chance to gain invaluable experience.

MLSE has done an excellent job helping out, with manpower, money and by letting the national teams use its Air Canada Centre facility and I know there are plans to even enhance that role in the future.

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Q: Hi Doug. Great blog. Non-Raptors question although I'm extremely pleased with what they are doing now. I have a question about journalism. What are your thoughts on ex-NBAer's Paul Shirley's article on Haiti? http://www.flipcollective.com/2010/01/26/if-you-rebuild-it-they-will-come-by-paul-shirley/ (feel free to delete link if you publish this) As a jounalist, do you think that ESPN should have fired him for this or is it his right as a journalist to write whatever he feels?

Michael B, Ajax

A: I don’t think he should have been fired, no. Not at all. It may not be a popular opinion that he expressed (in a nutshell that aid for Haiti may not be the best use of money or support) but it was his and if you ask people to write opinions and they don’t cross any major boundaries (legal, racist, sexist, what have you) you need to live with what they right write.

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Q: Hi Doug. I love how Bargnani's playing this year but have a question on his conditioning, as in does it exist. Even if we take his sore ankle into account for the Knick's game, his numbers on back-to-backs are significantly worse than his average. (Conversely give him 2 or more days and he's dominating)

Is it a matter of his diet or working out? Or is it because he's adapting to a new position and hasn't learned how to pace (ie play it efficiently) yet?

T Y, Toronto

A: You’re argument that he is “significantly worse” on the second night of back-to-backs, I’m afraid, is flawed.

Not counting the New York game – and I’m giving him a pass because his ankle and foot were obviously bothering him – in the nine other times he’s played back-to-back this year (he missed a game in Milwaukee with the back), Bargnani has averaged 13.1 points and 6.5 rebounds per game.

That’s two baskets below his average, hardly consequential, and an increase in his rebound totals.

Included in those games were a 22-point night at Dallas and a 17-rebound game at Indiana.

So I don’t think there’s a “because” because the argument’s wrong on its face.

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Q: Hey Doug. I know I know, I've submitted about 10 e-mail questions this week alone but if you get a chance could you dig up the answer for this one for me:

What is the Raptors longest win streak?

For some weird reason I can only find their longest losing streak online...odd.

A P, Markham

A: You need to get a better interweb, I fear.

The longest winning streak was nine games, from March 22 to April 9, 2002.

The longest home winning streak was also nine, from Feb. 23 to March 8, 2000.

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Q: Hey Doug, with all these players hitting scoring milestones in the past month or so: Kobe (25,000 Pts) Timmy and Dirk (20,000 Pts), Nash (8,000 Assists) it got me thinking about how stats are counted. Are they just regular season totals? Do they include post season and pre season? Similarly coaches all-time records are they just based on regular season games? Are post season stats counted entirely separately?

Matthew M, Toronto

A: They are just regular season numbers, the league and teams keep track of post-season records separately.

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Q: Hey Doug, you mentioned the Wiz may not be able to void Gilbert Arenas contract. If that's not an easy void, what type of player actions would make a voided contract easily produced?

Manny G, Mississauga

A: I don’t know, except to say that the “morals” clause in the collective bargaining agreement is vague enough that any good lawyer can argue it’s not applicable. A player once choked his coach and didn’t lose his contract; others went into the stands to beat on fans and escape with their deals still intact.

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Q: Hey Doug, do you ever feel tempted to bring out the comments you put up at the beginning of the year about giving the team time, and seeing how things progress? They would seem almost prescient now. (Got any stock tips?)

My real question has to do with "working the refs". It seems that a lot of players question/argue calls and this is supposed to plant seeds for the future to get a break on calls. However, this doesn't make sense to me. The closest analogy I guess us regular folk have would be if you got, say a speeding ticket. "Working the cops" would make things a whole lot worse, and I would think it would be better to be nice as opposed to argue. Can you expand on this at all?

Sohail G, Collingwood

A: I think the byplay between players and refs and coaches and refs is just that: byplay. No malice aforethought, it’s forgotten as quickly as it’s said. It’s just a facet of the game given the nature of the interaction.

Some refs welcome it, some are disdainful of it and I don’t think it works, regardless of the manner in which it’s delivered.

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Q: Hey Doug, I was all for naming the franchise "The Huskies" back in the day. Unfortunately, Jurassic Park was quite the hit back in the 90's. I'm loving the throwback jerseys. To me, it seems like they may be making a transition back to the Huskies. It makes sense, as the team colors (blue/white) would then be consistent with EVERY other T.O. team. How likely is it that the franchise will be re-named? Also...do you think 'Raptors' is a somewhat ridiculous team name?

Craig S, Halifax

A: Not going to happen. I don’t know that it’s “ridiculous” more than a bit out-dated but, you have to admit, it’s unique.

And the last thing they should do is go to blue and white to match other Toronto franchises, you want your brand to be unique.

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Q: Dear Mighty Yankee Coach_Who was their best first baseman other than that HOF guy? (Pepitone? Skowron?)

Also, is there a defence that you or Jay could devise to stop the opposition's "waterbug" kind of guard? Nate looked unstoppable a few times Thursday night. He left Jack in the dust a few times. This seems to be a team weakness. The help D seems at least one or two steps slow giving assistance.

Force Outs...bring em back!

Bob E, Kanata

A: I guess you mean the New York Yankees and not the Mississauga North Peewee House League Yankees, right? I’l give you Mattingly since you have to be referring to Gehrig and I had an affinity for Pepitone, myself.

Anyway …

There’s not much they can do, really, because they don’t have a lot of quickness in the guard play and tiny little fast guys are always going to cause problems. What they have to do in those circumstances is get better help defence, or go far under screens to cut off unimpeded access to the rim.

But stop them? Not going to happen.

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Q: Hello Mr. Smith. You may have done this already, so excuse me if you have. But after 15 years - if you could transport all Raptors players through time so that they were standing before you in their prime, who would you love to see play together on the team?

Love the live chats by the way - I've only really gotten into watching basketball in the last few years so watching the games while reading your comments really helps me learn a lot.

Cheers!

Nancy D, St. John’s

A: Please, it’s Hello, Doug. I’m old, but not there yet.

I would love to see Damon Stoudamire play with Vince Carter, Mo Pete, Chris Bosh and Antonio Davis. That would be great, great group.

Then I’d come off the bench with Alvin, Doug Christie, Tracy, Oak and Andrea and let the parade talk begin.

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Q: 19 Days until the trade deadline. What 3 teams SHOULD make a trade? What 3 teams are MOST LIKELY to make a trade? What 3 teams will TEASE the rumor mill and change little to nothing? And if you’re up to it, which category do the Raptors fall in?

Lex C, Victoria

A: Knowing that it’s still almost three weeks until deadline day, this can change, right?

I think Boston needs to address depth issues, I think Denver needs to get bigger and I think Portland needs to do the same.

I think Houston is absolutely certain to deal Tracy, I think Philly will shake something up and I think Golden State will make some kind of move.

I think Phoenix is a tease, as is Chicago and the Knicks. I see a lot of talk but I’m not sure how much action there.

And, right now, I think the Raptors don’t really fall into any of those categories.

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Q: I have no doubt that the Raptor's improvement over last year has to do with a deeper bench. Wouldn't you agree?

But not just in games; in practice too. I can see some great scrimmaging with two aggressive PGs squaring off, Sonny pushing DeMar, Antoine smack talking Hedo. Who do you think picks up AB and Bosh?

Ryan S, Boston

A: I would absolutely agree given that all four key subs – Jose, Antoine, Amir and Marco – have been, or could be – starters in the NBA.

Rasho would play Andrea a lot and I think Amir would give Chris some work in scrimmages. And everyone would benefit from it.

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Q: Doug, why doesn't anybody talk about bringing in a "star" player to come in and sign with Toronto to play alongside Bosh? All we hear is, "D-wade wants Bosh to sign with Heat" or "LeBron says it would be nice to have Bosh in a Cavs uniform". Sure those are winning teams, which gives those scenarios some merit. But I also heard things like "Bosh to play with Derrick Rose" or "Bosh and Durant in OKC?". I think that's stupid. Why don't we hear Bosh trying to attract some more guys to Toronto instead of the other way around? At this point in the season, who are all of the untouchable Raptors in trade scenarios?

Mike U, Winnipeg

A: Because Toronto doesn’t have any flexibility under the salary cap; it’s that simple.

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Q: The Raptors have been playing solid defence lately. I've noticed that they are rigorously forcing baseline. Had they been doing that from the beginning of the season? What are the merits of this? (as opposed to forcing middle)

Derek H, Toronto

A: Yes, they have been; they don’t want to give up the middle and think of the baseline as an extra defender. There’s physically less room for an opposing player to go.

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Q: Hey Doug, marvelous job as always. I believe it was the second last Celtics/Raps game where Ray Allen nailed a three to solidify their lead late in the game. And on that play Big Baby Glen Davis set a screen like a bodycheck that sent Bellineli to the floor when he was chasing Allen. I was thinking that Reggie Evans with his wide, stout body could probably set some bell-ringing screens to free up the offense. And maybe it won't always be about him as a rebounding/defense specialist.

But my question for you is with the recent rule changes in regards to defending (ie handchecking on the perimeter)and the emphasis on a more offensive smooth/flowing game do you think this evolution of the game has left more defensive role players on the bench? Or even out of the NBA? Maybe it's nostalgia but i miss the guys that could (sometimes) really shut down the top scorers.

Patrick C, London

A: I think it’s left more one-dimensional players on the bench and I’m okay with that. Because I see the game as a free-flowing, ballet-like performance, I’d much rather see motion unimpeded by players who are only on the court because they know how to get away with stuff.

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Q: Hey Doug, here's another one, since you asked. Do you think all this 'whos-going-where-for-who-or-for-how-much' talk is good for the game? Or do you find it to be more a distraction from what the game is really about?

Joe H, Toronto

A: I suppose in some twisted way it’s good in that it gets more people chattering about possibilities; my issue is that some of the concocted trades are so out of the realm of possibility that people spend far too much time debunking them when they could be doing something, you know, constructive.

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Q: Hey Doug, pre-season you mentioned that Weems would never be anything other than a deep-bench player, my hunch is that this was a feeling held by Triano as well. It strikes me that Triano does a fantastic job of keeping an open mind and truly has the respect of his players. Can you give us the inside perspective on his leadership style?

Andy F, Toronto

A: What he’s done is assure that everyone knows their role and is ready to contribute when called upon. Take Weems as a prime example. When Antoine Wright wasn’t going well, Jay used him and found a serviceable wing; when Wright got it going and Marco was playing well, I know for a fact that Jay went to Sonny, explained the situation and told him to stay ready in case minutes popped up. Sure enough, after not playing much, when DeRozan got hurt, Jay had a willing, and ready, guy to fill in as a starter because he had been truthful with him and let him know that was still a component to the team when he was needed.

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Q: Great work Doug, love the daily blog. Question is about Jay Triano. I have seen games live and on TV. It seems like the players really like playing for him. In particular Bosh looks like he has a relaxed relationship with Jay. Do you think that Jay's relationship with CB4 impact his resigning in Toronto? Also, he is a candidate for coach of the year yet?

Brian M, Barrie

A: I think coaching plays a rather significant role in the decision-making process of any free agent. Coach of the year? No, I don’t think so, it’s going good now but the Raptors are only three games over .500 and there’s lots of basketball left to be played.

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Q: Hey Doug, when a player is called for delay of game, like for hanging on the rim after a dunk, what is the outcome of the call? It seems like they call it, but nothing happens after that. Is it a case of having to get more than one delay of game call against you or your team before they give a technical free throw or something like that?

Thanks Doug, keep up the great blog.

Peter R, Regina

A: Exactly. A first delay of game is a warning, any subsequent one is a technical foul. I don’t recall ever seeing a second called in a game I’ve been act, to tell you the truth, which would suggest refs use a fair bit of discretion in calling a second one on a team. It’d have to be a pretty egregious play to bring a call about.

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Q: The Raptors have been playing solid defence lately. I've noticed that they are rigorously forcing baseline. Had they been doing that from the beginning of the season? What are the merits of this? (as opposed to forcing middle)

Derek H, Toronto

A: Yes, they have been; they don’t want to give up the middle and think of the baseline as an extra defender. There’s physically less room for an opposing player to go.

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Q: What would your advice be to journalism students how would some day like to take up the same line of work that you do now?

AJ P, Toronto

A: It’s pretty simple, really, and goes what I told some students the other day:

Don’t pigeonhole yourself and get your work where you can, learn the technology so you can deliver information on many “platforms” and find places to write but, most important, find places to write and be edited because as good as you think you might be, you’re not.

Take every opportunity to write and to read, learn the language and its usage.

Best of luck.

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Q: Yo yo yo Doug,_I have not sent in a question in awhile and today I have 2 (probably easy ones for you). First, Matt Devlin among others calls Bargnani "il Mago.” What does that mean in English roughly? Do you know? Even though I have Italian in my heritage I do not know the term (or Italian) for that matter. And secondly, where has our good friend Nathan Jawai landed?

In the meantime, keep up the good work and I have noticed there has not been very many 'chicken' references this year, is the team that much better that we can talk about it rather then the mascot. We are making strides no?

Bill M, St. Catharines

A: No way, I’m all about The Chicken and try to reference he/she/it whenever I can.

Il Mago, roughly translated my friends tell me, is The Magician, a nickname he’s had for a while, and Nate’s still plugging away in Minnesota, playing about 11 minutes a game or so.

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Q: Hey Doug, from your time around the Raptors, you must notice their confidence increasing as this season goes on. Do you get the feeling that the players and coaches think, and honestly believe, they can win it all? Sure, predicting a championship takes a pretty big ego and I wouldn't expect anyone to admit to that. But do you get the sense they think they can?

Rob E, Scarborough

A: I think they honestly believe – as does every other player in the league – that they can win every game they play. And well they should.

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Q: Doug, there is a new segment on the Raptor broadcasts that let us listen in on Jay T. during the time outs. I think a lot of fans find this hugely entertaining and add another dynamic to watching a game. I am sure you remember those NFL Films. They were awesome and they had a lot of player and coach dialogue? My question is, is there anywhere to get similar type of entertainment for the NBA?

A T, Niagara Falls

A: I’m sure if you plumbed the depths of NBA.com’s video archives, you’d be able to find something.

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Q: Hi Doug, This Internet thing (that apparently we have Al Gore to thank for) has changed our personal worlds so very, very much that it is sometimes difficult to imagine how life itself existed before we were all part of this instant interconnectedness. And I wonder, in the world of sports, and particularly the NBA team here in Toronto, since 1995 when it all began and those first few fans tentatively dipped their toes in this Raptor experience, how has the make-up of this fan base "changed", if at all, as technology "developed"? I read recently somewhere that NBA fans are considered to be the most technologically savvy of all sports fans (they didn't include me in that generalization!) and how, if at all, has this affected the demographic you engage with? And dictated the tools you choose to use to do it? Thanks!

Lorie P, London

A: I think given the opportunity to interact with people around the team is the greatest change and that’s got everything to do with the internet and this blog and mailbags and the like.

And also, because I think the NBA skews to a younger, more technologically capable demographic, there’s no doubt it’s the leader in pro sports in that regard.

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Q Hey Doug, I was listening to the Fan on Friday afternoon to Jack and Eric. They made a good point about there's nothing more to talk about the Leafs. Nothing really to say. With that being said, wouldn't this be a good time for the media to hype up the Raptors or at least MSLE to say hey, our number 2 product deserves more coverage. What's your take on that?

Nick T, Milton

A: I think as they get better, you’ll see more coverage; but we still have at least one story in the newspaper and a story and a blog on the website every single day. I have no idea who makes what decisions at other media outlets but I’d say our Raptors coverage stacks up pretty well.

As for MLSE, they can’t do a thing; it’s up to every media outlet to decide what it decides is newsworthy.

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Q: Doug, I was hoping you could help me understand your thoughts on David Lee. I understand that he plays for a terrible team and perhaps has some issues as an individual, but 29 and 18 are impressive numbers from the other night. My issue is that the players on his team are not defending him, other players on good teams are and he seems to get double doubles with some regularity. Are the other teams not defending him as hard as they would if he was Chris Bosh or has he really just been a floater that gets lucky? From where I sit he seems to deserve a little more than a mid-level exemption if he can offer a team a double double each night. I am sure many players in the league are paid much more and do not offer their teams the same effort. Thanks.

Terry D, Kingston

A: My thoughts are pretty clear. He puts up good numbers on a dreadful team and he’s an average to below average defender. He’s a good serviceable player who’d be an energy guy off the bench on a truly good team.

And with a new CBA coming in 2011 and the economic uncertainty that brings, I honestly don’t see anyone outside of the absolute top tier free agents getting long-term, lucrative contracts this summer.

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Q: Doug, I know some of the players get together with players from other teams - do opposing team coaches get together for dinner or the like (like Iavaroni in NYC with D'Antoni?) Is there loyalty amongst the former coaching team members? Would Jay have dinner with Sam in Atlanta?

And on Iavaroni, with the improvement of the Grizzlies this year, how much of it do you think relates to Lionel Hollins, versus the foundation of Iavaroni last year, versus the improvement and additions of players?

Geoff H, Toronto

A: Not so much loyalty as friendship. If you’ve known someone for years and developed a close relationship, you might have dinner together but given schedules and travel demands, it’s often difficult to get together.

I don’t know about the relationship between Mike and Marc but I’d be surprised if they met up; it’s probably more likely that Maurizio and Mike would have dinner. I don’t think Jay and Sam were that close in other than a professional manner so the answer there would be no.

As to the Grizzlies, I think it’s a basic maturation of the players as much as anything.

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Q: Why is it that trade rumors that seem to be out there for a long time never seem to come to fruition (such as Bosh for Bynum or Jose for Kevin Martin) but trades that are more likely to happen just happen overnight without any media leaks (Eduardo Najara for Kris Humphries or the Richard Jefferson trade over the summer)

Michael B, Ottawa

A: Because GMs are sometimes good at not leaking stuff. But, truth be told, stuff like Bosh-Bynum, Calderon-Martin were absolutely the figment of writers’ imaginations, extrapolated guesses with no basis in fact.

The Najera-Hump deal was out there days before it was finalized, so too was Jermaine O’Neal both to Toronto and to Miami so some people do get stuff as it happens.

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Q: Hi Doug. I was wondering what happened to the post-game video recaps? That was one of my favorite features of your blog.

Ryan S, Boston

A: Staffing situations dictated we dump it. Used to be that a videographer would come over at the end of each game, do the quick hit and go back and post it; now we don’t have the luxury of that many staff members and my time is best spent writing than doing video looking into a laptop screen.

We may resurrect it sometime but I don’t think it’ll be any time soon.

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Q: Hi Doug, thanks for the all great work with the daily blog and in game blogs. I was looking at the team payrolls and it appeared that the Lakers were in the neighbourhood of $91 million (from hoops hype) for 09/10 season. Does this figure (assuming it is accurate) included the dollar for dollar luxury tax for going over the cap. If not, just curious what the total cost for their team or any other team would be.

Monty M, Toronto

A: No, any number you see out there – and that’s pretty close to the actual Laker number – is simply salary commitments for this year. So, with a tax threshold of, roughly, $71 million, the total money the Lakers will have to pay out is about $111 million.

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Q: Doug:I 'm a transplanted Toronto boy who still follows all the major T.O. teams closely. So it’s a bonus when a game with one of our teams is televised down here in NY. So during the game with the Knicks, the announcers here point out that the Raptors were about to tie an NBA record of four straight wins where they had come back from double digit deficits, inclusive of course of some pretty good teams (e.g., the Lakers). They are the third team to do that in NBA history and not a peep from the local scribes?

Perhaps more to the point, is that this run reflects what I believe is a turnaround in this franchise. There is a growing confidence that this group can win games no matter the circumstance, i.e., no panic and belief if they stick to the game plan, they can prevail. This attitude can only flow from a team that believes in themselves individually, each other as teammates, and the coaching staff as leaders. I'd suggest this is quite a sea change for this franchise and bodes well for the future, regardless of whether Bosh stays or goes. Do you see it this way?

And I truly appreciate how you've used your blog to personalize your relationship with your readers. Helps me feel connected to my home town.

David B, New York

A: There is a newfound confidence that is quite unusual and quite welcome and I know that Bosh appreciates this group of teammates immensely. I have no idea, however, how much that will factor into whatever decision he makes.

I also know that Bryan has locked up a core group of players that is solid and will have every chance to grow together, regardless of what happens with the team’s best player, and that’s a solid management move.

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Q: Hey Doug, I noticed Demar didn't make the trip to NYC last night, and it seems like Reggie goes on almost all the road trips. Is this a players decision?

Also when do you think Reggie will get hit with a warning for his constant violation of the NBA dress code. He definitely puts the "street" in "street clothes.” Jared C, Toronto

A: No, it isn’t.

I asked Jay specifically about this on Saturday and what he told me was that they’ve got Reggie on a workout program that’s one hard day and one soft and the “soft” day happened to coincide with the game in New York so they thought it better that he be around the team than staying home. On that particular day, it was more important that DeMar stay home, work with members of the team’s training staff and get more treatment in Toronto in the team’s own facilities that he could have ever received on the road.

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Q: You've gotta let us know when you're on the radio. I only caught the last 30 seconds of your interview. I like hearing what you have to say, can't you tell us in the blog?

Peter L, Toronto

A: I use this question not for some egotistical, ‘hey, look at me’ reason but because it’s asked often.

The fact is, interviews like the one Friday are usually very last-minute; Friday, for instance, I got a text around 10 a.m. to tape that segment at 1:40 p.m.

Same goes for most McCown moments and anything I do for the morning show.

So, unless someone gets me a regularly scheduled gig, it’s catch as catch can.

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Q: Doug -- at recent home games I couldn't help but notice that the young guys (mostly Amir and Sonny) were showing sideline enthusiasm that we just haven't seen here for some time (maybe ever). Didn't matter whether it was warm up, pre-tip, early or late in the game, they were dancing, high-fiving, pumping the crowd and their teammates. Do you put any stock in "youthful energy" as an X-factor, particularly as teams sometimes drag themselves through the mid-season?

Kevin G, Toronto

A: I do, actually, a fair bit. This is the youngest, most exuberant team they’ve had here in years and I do think it’s contagious. Guys like Weems, Johnson and DeRozan do get each other, and by extension, their teammates going and even the relatively older guys like Reggie Evans and Marcus Banks do more than their share of pumping guys up.

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Q: Good Morning. Let me see if I can set this question up. The Raptor's fans are in a place they seldom visit and normally do not stat long. Team has won 4 thrilling games in a row, the team is relatively healthy, coach seems to be managing the team/games well and it appears a soft part of the schedule is coming up.

Now some kind of trading deadline is coming up in 3 weeks. As the GM what would you do (this Saturday morning)

Nothing and roll the dice

Go for a minor upgrade

Trade several pieces hoping to get out of the first round

John P, Fredericton

A: Me? I do nothing. I’ve always been a proponent of letting teams grow and this group seems to have a lot of potential if it’s left alone, so it probably should be.

What I do I think might happen? I think Bryan will try to tinker, maybe make what he thinks is a minor upgrade at the backup 2-3 spot.

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Q: John Schuhmann from SI writes that "Jose Calderon is an overpaid backup" which I find to be a ridiculous statement from somebody who obviously only looks at the starting lineups of teams. What will it take, either from Jose or from the Raps, to get a bit of respect from hacks like this guy? Follow-up, would they even change their stance if the Raps won it all?

Thank you for understanding what all teams are doing and reporting evenly. It's certainly a draw for me to read insightful reporting.

Jason S, Ottawa

A: It is a ridiculous statement and I’d take it as such and not get bothered by it at all. It’s an opinion put forth by someone who might not know a Raptor if he sat next to him a barstool.

Comments

[Blake Kennedy]

Doug, John Schuhmann is the best writer NBA.com has by a wide country mile and puts out consistently excellent material using some of the best research methodology out in the public sphere. For you to suggest he wouldn't know a "Raptor if he sat next to him [in] a barstool" certainly suggests to me that your level of familiarity with Schuhmann's oeuvre isn't exactly intimate.

Fact is, Calderon is overpaid at $9 million/year if he's going to play 22 mpg and subject our bigs to foul trouble all game long because he's now running away from the ball defensively (clearly the coach's instructions) instead of trying to keep people in front of him, which he cannot do. He's been outplayed by Jack, who actually has the heart and hustle enough to exert himself on the defensive end, and you know he could sustain a little owie away that keeps him out for another 12 games at any minute.

I have no issues with Calderon's offensive production and efficiency in the minutes in which he plays, but the team cannot afford to play him more because he's such a defensive liability. That makes him overpaid by any rational standard, and Schuhmann is hardly the first to point that out, nor is he wrong to do so.

[David]

Hey Doug,
RE: letting people know when you are going to be on the radio, that is exactly the kind of thing that Twitter is useful for.

[Wilber]

"and be edited because as good as you think you might be, you’re not."

Karma, Doug. You typed that just after you double-posted two questions. Just trying to help with Grunt quality control.

As for your radio hits, are you allowed to post links to your appearances? The Fan puts a lot of their stuff online.

Blogger's note: Appreciate that; we'll try to get it fixed

[JHP]

I appreciate the idea that he may be overpaid. However many players over the years have been paid many millions of dollars not to play. Alonzo Mourning comes to mind. At least Calderon seems to accept his role with the second unit and the team is winning.

I find it somewhat frustrating that the Bulls have a far higher profile but the Raptors have a better record.

[Norrin Radd]

100% agree with Blake Kennedy's comments Doug. You should not be scared to call a spade a spade. Calderone is a defensive liability and the coaching staff knows it....why else would they sub him out of situations where they need a good defensive stance? I agree with John Schuhmann...Calderone is an overpaid backup.

Blogger's note: Scared? Yeah, right.

[HopeCaper]

Hey Doug, No change in the weather and no change in some commentors on here. While it has been gratifying to read some people admitting they were overly critical of management, coaches, and players;it still blows me away when people complain while the team is rolling. I had this long rebuff to Blake all written but really what's the point. He's entitled to his opinion and so am I. So let me just say this, Blake, I disagree.

[Mo Merei]

Hey Doug...

Thought this might interest you...
Black Stars and Egypt for the championship: 0-0 at the half!

Blogger's note: I'll be checking for the final

[doug]

to the first poster and his response to your statement on John Schuhmann...I find it interesting that he states that John is the best writer out there, could it be that he is to that poster as Schuhmann backs his opinion on Jose, wouls he feel the same if John's was the opossing one?....and whats with this "research methodology"....its b-ball, meant to be watched and from watching the game we see all the factors that coaches, G.M's look for from strengths to weaknesses...to say Jose is a liability because of his defense or lack thereof is well in a word absurd...i suggest you get your nose out of "reasearch methodology" and watch, and see all the little other things Jose brings....

aslo I have been reading S.I. since i was like 11 and been a avid sports fan across the board....I have read many, many aricles and points of views....some which were enlightning, some which weren't but they all presented information to me one way or another...but thru those articles I read they never directly affected my views, to often on here i see posters mentioning their views only to have to use the statement "so and so actually agrees with me or has the same view"...whats it matter? and in fact it diminishes your view...your view is your view either be strong enough to stand on your own or don't venture it forward....thats jusy my philosophy, absorb info and within that framework not only derive a view but be strong enough to stand with it alone if need be.

[jlongs]

To be honest, the team has been playing like raptors (the dino) recently. Their basketball IQ and teamwork seems to have increased, as have their persistence and resilience. They also love to claw their way back into games, and have at least a pair of "slashers" on their roster.

All they need now is a killer instinct.

[Sean C.]

"you have to live with what they right." I think you meant "write". Can't trust the spell checker to do all your proof reading!

[Matt M]

Jose overpaid? I look at it more that the Raps pay for good PG play for 48 minutes. With Jack and Calderon, much like Ford and Calderon previously, there is no drop off in PG play between the two of them. Neither is the caliber of a Nash (in his prime) or Paul but together CaldeJack (greatest name ever) makes a similar amount to many of the stars and their backup without the major dropoff in play.

[James D]

"2 baskets below his average" is a rosy euphemism for a 24 percent drop in Andrea's scoring.

Statistically significant. The man had a point.

[wrongreason]

Re: Paul Shirley.
First of all, I don't think his article was in any way journalism. There were hardly any facts used as it was instead your typically hypocritical, macho, pull-yourself -up-by-your-bootstraps rightwinger crap. While I agree that Shirley has the right to make whatever idiotic point he wishes, attempts at humour like 'maybe use a condom once in a while' right after tens of thousands of people have died and thousands of children have been orphaned is beyond bad taste.
But perhaps most insulting is that Shirley compares the entire country of Haiti to a bum on the street. To Shirley, anyone without a certain amount of wealth is worthless and dumb, and deserve to be like that no matter what kind of horribly unfair things happened to them in the past. Unbelievably, Shirley seems to think that colonialism had no impact on the developement of Haiti and that Haitians choose to live in poorly constructed shacks and dismal poverty because, well, because they either like it, or are just lazy.
Doug, I understand you value free speech but something as disturbingly ignorant as Shirley's piece must be condemned. I find it depressing that you think something so filled with lies should be published by ESPN. Maybe if Shirley was writing for the Weekly Standard, but he writes for ESPN - a sports channel.
Shirley should have the right to publish his opinion just like Mein Kampf has the right to be sold. But does ESPN want to be associated with anything like that? No. And that's why Shirley had to be fired.

[Mo Merei]

That was a heartbreaker Doug...
I think the Black Stars deserve a post in your blog!

[Jim Rootham]

My 2 cents on Calderon.

He is a really really good offensive point guard and a weak defensive point guard. Net is a big plus.

If he was as good defensively as he is offensively Raptors would be gunning for first place and he would be scattering breadcrumbs on the road to Springfield.

[Yezzir Con]

Leafs get Phaneuf ... There goes any chance of the Raps getting any sports coverage in Toronto.

[coachd]

Hey Doug,
I've found that those who criticize are those who've never played or coached the game. Last time I checked, there were very, very, very few players who were great at all facets of the game. Basketball is a team game where every individual brings their individual talents to the table. It's up to the coaches/GMs to recognize those talents and use them to maximum effectiveness. It seems that it's beginning to fall into place for the Raps. Let's hope they keep it going.

[mando]

""2 baskets below his average" is a rosy euphemism for a 24 percent drop in Andrea's scoring.
Statistically significant. The man had a point."
To quote Mark Twain, "there are lies, damned lies and statistics."

[doug]

"statistically significant"...are you kidding me, another stats freak...do these people watch,.....so we measure a players performance by points and points alone?, not the impact on the overall team performance, not on blocks, rebounds, how when he is on the floor it gives more room to Bosh as teams need to guard and respect him....or on the many other aspects that influence a game and a pwerformance..., or Andrea aside how most players stats on the road are diminshed from their home stats and also on back-to-back's all players suffer a lag in their "stats"....stas are useful to a point but to misconstrue them, or twist them to try and prove a point, a irrelevant one as it is in this case is ridiculous....

sorry 2 postings but there like rants as there directed at stat geeks...watch the games....and Dougs point in case you missed it in regards to John Shulmann was he is a stat geek, so to have a NBA'er sit by him he problably would n't know them from Adam....so Doug wasn't slamming his writing, he was in fact commenting in a indirect way on his "research methodology"..and with regards to Andrea there is no diminshed output...or if there is it is negigible and in fact on the same curve as any other NBA'er in back-to-backs...

[Andrew Gregg]

Hi Doug:

Sorry, but that Paul Shirley opinion piece did cross a boundary and was racist. In lumping the Haitians' together as a bunch of sad-sack welfare cases who can't seem to learn a lesson from past disasters, he is--with a very thin veil--saying that they, as a group, as a race, are stupid, inferior beings and thus not worthy of his largess. You don't think that's true? Ask a Haitian. He'll know exactly what Paul Shirley meant.

We've let commentators like him rant on for far too long (Limbaugh, Beck, Hannity, O'Rielly), preaching to an angry minority of loud people full of hate while not having to pay any price. I'm impressed someone at ESPN had to gumption to do something about it.

Andrew Gregg, Toronto.

[Andrew Gregg]

Hi Again Doug:

One last word from me on Paul Shirley:

http://www.salon.com/news/opinion/feature/2010/01/29/this_week_in_shirley/index.html

AG, Toronto

[Lyn]

If Calderone's job is to mke his team better when he's on the floor, and more so than anyone else on the bench can do, I'd say he's earning every cent he's paid.

There's a lot of other teams that would love to have a combo like Calderone and Jack, or to have either one of the two starting for them. Let's count our blessings!

[Norrin Radd]

to the above posted of "......to say Jose is a liability because of his defense or lack thereof is well in a word absurd." I have one thing to ask...how big is that rock you've been under all this time? Jose gets subbed off when we need a defensive stop....that tells you that the coaching staff has no confidence in his ability to play defense at a critical junction in the game......

[doug]

what "rock have I been under"...i haven't been I have been watching the games with a unbiased opinion....everyone knows Jose's defense is lacking, is that any great revelation, but you need to look at the bigger picture instead of just throwing out these tiring "Jose can't play defense" statements..,...more then half the league can't play defense., it what a player brings on either the offensive end, or in intangibles that balances it out...and to say Jay subs in for defensive reasons Jose is true but totally not irrelevant but shows your biased opinion in trying to prove a moot point....why do you think we are in position to win those games at the end??...could it be that Jose had a hand in that...or that lately we have been down double digit deficits but as soon as Jose gets more and playing time after the 1st quarter we have managed to not only cut into those leads but win...so look at the big picture, or maybe in fact watch a game, without trying to prove a baseless point, try watching as a fan.....its also no coincidence that since Jose has came back from his hip injury that we have climbed 3 games above .500 and been winning at home....so I'll go climb back under my rock, but I must be under a rock formation such as Stonhenge whereas I am under one but I can stil see out...what are you seeing??...you must be in a SanFrancisco fog as your blinded.......cheers./..

[Blake Kennedy]

Gentlemen, viz. "research methodology" I was referring to the fact that Schuhmann is pretty much the first guy over at NBA.com to understand what advanced efficiency metrics are, how they work and how to use them. It's because of him that NBA.com has begun to show teams' points scored and allowed / 100 possessions, not merely per game. I guess Doug wasn't aware of the fact that he's been a huge pioneer at that site, generally known for being well behind the times: Schuhmann is the welcome exception.

Everybody can believe what they want to about Calderon, but the numbers show the team being well ahead when he doesn't play or comes off the bench vs. playing big minutes as a starter (or off the bench). That's because he's been so bad defensively as to be beyond belief, and his offense is of not enough value to make up for that because he uses so little of the team's offense: he's a high-efficiency/low-usage player so that efficiency only carries so much value.

The team's (and his individual) performance has improved since his minutes have been limited coming off the bench. I suspect the fact that he's so overmatched athletically against starting NBA point guards causes that, and overmatched mentally against good defensive teams like Cleveland and Charlotte (when he flips out and starts throwing 30' diagonal passes and picking up his dribble randomly).