Some this, some that, some time to take it easy

If anyone deserves a day off, it’s these guys, don’t you agree? That was a tough, relatively gritty win in tough circumstances; not something we usually see here from The Heroes Of The Hardcourt and they deserve a day of rest.

Like I do.

And you do, too.

Let’s all coast today.

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THREE POINTERS

That’s what they were talking about

We’ve seen, and discussed, all kinds of growth in Andrea Bargnani’s game this season, mostly in his post offence, but there were two plays late last night that really stood out to me.

And go to what Jay’s been saying for months, that if Bargnani does “the other things” he’s way more valuable.

The blocked shot on Harrington with 59 seconds left was huge, just as it was for Bargnani to stick with the miss and grab the loose ball.

And the way he defended Harrington the final Knicks possession, closely and aggressively out at midcourt (and I’m pretty sure Bargnani got a hand on the ball at least once) was stuff we hadn’t really seen too often.

In days gone by, Bargnani let his offence dictate is defence and there’s no question his offence was missing last night, in no small part because he was bothered by a sore ankle. (I’m told by people in the know that that was more of an issue than a foot during the game).

But when he couldn’t make a shot, he still made a play and it’s another step for him.

And them.

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It’s what stars do

Can we now, once and for all, put all this crap about Chris Bosh and fourth quarters and not being The Man to rest?

Can we just make it go away? Like forever.

Not only does he make the game-winning basket on a huge, tough, determined drive (kind of like the Philly game except from the other side of the court) but he stays with a tough defensive assignment the next time down the floor and blocks Tiny Nate Robinson at the rim.

It’s been said of a long, long time in these parts that Bosh is truly a great player and a great finisher and all he ever needed was better players around him to let his team flourish and he to be even better since opponents would have to worry about other Raptors.

And with the way Bargnani’s going and the way Jose’s been going and Jarrett and last night, Turk, we’re seeing just how dominant Bosh can be.

We’ve said forever that it’s never about one guy, never has been, never will be and we’re seeing with Bosh how true that is.

He’s getting help, and he’s playing out of his mind.

Pretty nice to watch, isn’t it?

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I was stunned, too

No, I didn’t know Turk could dunk, either.

I figured he could. But three times in a game? One a drive down the lane that was not only powerful but, dare I say, quick?

Heckuva game by the favourite piñata of impatient fans, wasn’t it?

I have no idea where it came from or when it might come back but the sense was he wanted to dominate from the start and did.

I haven’t watched the replay closely enough but it struck me during the game that he didn’t have the ball any more than he usually does, they still ran dribble-handoff stuff through him about 80 per cent of the time, but that he simply did more with it when he had it.

And he made a shot or two, which I always knew he would eventually do.

I don’t think anyone’s ready to pronounce him 100 per cent back but I think even the greatest of detractors would have to admit he’s getting there.

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There are other tidbits, too. Like …

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I see in Dave’s notes that Dino Meneghin, an iconic Italian star, was at the game in his role as president of the country’s basketball federation, trying to convince Bargnani, Belinelli and Gallinari to play for Italy this summer.

Word is that he didn’t get a yay or a nay from any of them and it looks like we’re headed for another summer questioning whether key Raptors should play for their countries or not.

So let’s get this out there right now: Yes, if they want to, they should. Without question.

Just like Turk should play for Turkey, Bosh for the United States, Jose for Spain and if Rasho shocks us by making a Slovenian Comeback, he should, too.

We’ll have this debate a lot, I’m sure, because the whole “they’re-main-obligation-is-to-the-team-that-pays-them-the-most” issue won’t ever really go away.

But it’s really quite a simple decision to me: Representing your country is one of the greatest things an athlete can do; I’m not sure some people understand that, but it is.

And they should.

If they want.

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Ask me what I’m doing today.

“What are you doing today, Doug?”

“Thanks for asking. I’m about to head to York University to take part in their annual Sports Business Seminar and, yes, I fear for the future of higher education if they’re listening to me but they asked and I’m glad to help.”

Seriously, this is now two things in a week for me out among the people (Hi, Ernst and Young!) and the next thing you know, someone’s going to show up with a camera, some pizza and soda and I’ll be truly at the top.

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In New York, one of the local rags wrote this about that big game.

(Speaking of the Knicks, as I’m watching Nate Robinson hang on a rim like it’s the first time he’s touched one, and David Lee preen after the huge accomplishment of making an uncontested dunk, and Al Harrington flick out his shirt like he’d just made a shot to win a game, I’m thinking: That team is far too full of itself for one that’s got such a horrid record. And I’m wondering if there’s a correlation there and I’m thinking, yeah, there is.)

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Getting back to Italian stuff for a minute, I don’t know if this catches on, or if it should, but an Irregular sent an e-mail this week suggesting we refer to Marco’s penchant for zaniness as “tiro ignorante.”

Seems there’s a somewhat legendary Italian national team player, Gianluca Basile (a guy I remember being out of his mind good in the Athens Olympics semifinals) who would take a rather entertaining or ill-advised shot every now and that’s what his offence became known as in some circles.

I guess the literal translation is “ignorant shots” and that’s far from what they are, but it’s an apt, and cute, description.

When I mentioned this to Marco, he was rather taken aback.

Let’s just say he thinks his skills are far, far better than Basile’s, an opinion shared by others in the Italian basketball community I spoke to the other night at the Heat game.

Anyway, no idea if that’s interesting or not, but it’s an item.

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Speaking of items, there’s always room for another mailbag question or two; don’t forget to send ‘em here today because we’ve got an early close this week thanks to the Mighty Yankee Parents Night Out Tomorrow which, if history holds, could be legendary.

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Comments

[Mike]

Hey Doug,

Did you see the interview with Turk and Jack last night?

Turk is a man of few words... "ball" That's all he said.

Is Turk mad at the media?

[Matt M]

Good game by Turk but horrible interview afterwards. Maybe he was just a little caught up in the moment and the english language left him for a few minutes. I hear it happens like that sometimes. Hopefully his teammates are ragging on him for that one though.

[Paul]

100% disagree with you about "they should play for their country cause they want to and it's fun and it's awesome and it's all about what the players want".

They are being paid MILLIONS to play for a professional team. They should recuperate, practice, whatever the team wants them to do in the summer, but play for the annual national team marathon is not one of them.

You want to play for your country, be an amateur. Or wait for the olympics every four years. Otherwise, tough noogies, go cry in your contract.
.

[:)]

Is it me or does the victory doesn't taste as good if Andrea doesn't play well!

[kathyt]

Please no more Hedo interviews, I mean I like guy and all but really

"BALL!" … awkward silence, awkward silence… more awkward silence -- LOL I felt sorry for Jack during that.

Nice gritty win, and day off indeed.

[AK]

Perhaps the piñata is beginning to yield it's fruit in part because of the persistent strikes by said impatient fans...

[Dan W]

Turk played great last night.But Harrington played even better hitting the game winner with 2 and half minutes still to play. Then you add on the second game winner Lee hit with a minute and half to go and I think we already know what footage they will be using for the next nba where amazing happens commercial.I'm actually suprised once they got up 16 they didn't start spraying eachother with champagne throw on some hats that said champions and start to raise a banner. It's a good thing Lebron doesn't wear number 7 cause i have a feeling that number will be retired once Harrington finishes the season.

[Kevin A.]

Ball.

[D-Mac Ottawa]

Three stars, three pointers: Hedo – The guy was a highlight reel of dunking, slashing and 3-pointers when he was the 2nd best player on the floor in last year's Finals. Amir – The guy was tabbed one of five NBA "breakout" players in the preseason by, I believe, Sporting Life. Marco – Lil Mago. Enough said.
This roster is loaded and ready. Go Raps! Cheers.

[Juan]

Doug
What an entertaining game. Slow starts as per the last couple of games aren't ideal but I'll take a team that rises to a strong finish over a fast start any day.

An interesting observation as the broadcast was winding down last night - I saw Jim Labumbard practically horse-collaring an animatedly-objecting Hedo to do the interview with Jack, to which he gave monosyllabic replies. Seems to me he's sick of all the "what's wrong with you?" and "what are you going to do to get out of your slump?" questions.

[Steve G]

Watching D'Antoni last night, I forgot how much he's always on the refs (I guess that's cause I used to watch the Suns more than I watch the Knicks).

He was losing his mind after that Robinson tech. You know it's bad when Robinson himself admitted to hanging (and even lifting himself up a bit) and D'Antoni couldn't get over it.

[Mike kovacs]

Doug you made all of my points about AB but to emphasize for the kids - if your shot isn't going down you can still win a game with defense. Arguably if he doesn't make 1 or both of those 2 plays in the last minute The Raps lose the game. Finally can they please win a game going away from the tip!?

[Paolo]

Doug,
after your item on "Tiro ignorante" I must say "officially" that you read with particular attention all the comments that each of us writes to you.
On Marco and Basile, I have to say that also the italian most popular media opinionists say that they are a sort of twin players.
Oh, I just had a Pedavena Beer paid by my superson for your blog.

Obviously Marco is better than Basile’s but no so far at the moment, Marco is only 23 and has all his career to develop.

GRAZIE MILLE (much more than many thanks) for your fantastic way to work together with your, I am sure enormous, worldwide community of readers.

Ciao
Paolo

[brennan]

"We’ve said forever that it’s never about one guy, never has been, never will be and we’re seeing with Bosh how true that is."
---unless your name is lebron james

[Anthony]

TGIF,
Doug as you know we have a rather nice looking schedule over the next couple weeks against "beatable" teams AND we get rest in between games.
Where do you see our record by the All Star break?
If the league didn't conspire against us and give us that brutal schedule to start the season hoping we tank and Bosh heads south we could be in the mix of the top 4 years right now!

[Anthony]

Typo on last post... top 4 years = top 4 teams.

[HopeCaper]

Hey Doug, Great game! Was it just me or was that game a little on the rough side as in a lot of contact?
Turk has stated that he does whatever the team needs. In fact in games you can see him make adjustments on the offence and defence. He has very high hardwood IQ. I was reading some "Star" comments and while they weren't as negative as I have seen them there were still some criticising. Feschuk said TO is a city of losers, it might be more accurate to say it is a city of critics. I mean when a team is on a roll what's to complain about? They smile too much? They don't knock people over? They're gonna lose one just wait and see. I serve the public in my job but really Doug better you than me.

[Richard]

I guess with all the public appearances you are making, we should expect to see the next Pizza Pizza commercial shot at Casa Doug with you saying "yes, fans" on the phone. Actually that would be a hilarious commercial on GruntTV!

Have fun at Parents Night Out - Do the Yankees team, parents and coaching staff stay intact and move up from year to year?

Blogger's note: The core group is the same age so we'll move when it's time to

[Peter G]

I love what the raptors have done over the last few weeks, especially the play of so-called bench players, who are all making major contributions; but I am a little concerned about two areas: turnovers and free throws. Both of these could have cost them the last two games and spared us a lot of angst in the last few minutes of each. But what's a little angst when you're winning? GO RAPTORS!!!!!

[Nick]

One word to explain Turk's breakout game of the season...Ball.

[dc]

The opposing point of view to your stance on certain Toronto Raptors playing for their national teams in the summer could be stated like this:

Just like the well-respected Steve Nash, who no longer plays for his country, Turkoglu, Bosh and Calderon have already made significant contributions to their national programs. They have serious and large commitments to the NBA and other causes not necessarily related to basketball. Bosh and Calderon have the added accomplishment of winning world championships and Olympic medals with their respective countrymen.
At this point in all their careers, it should be understandable that they allow the next generation of athletes to gain experience playing internationally.

Isn't it possible that the prolonged productivity slump from Hedo was related to the extra wear-and-tear combined with a shorter time to rest and recover before training camp, due to a long summer playing for his national team?

[LeeZ]

You wrote: "I haven’t watched the replay closely enough but it struck me during the game that he didn’t have the ball any more than he usually does, they still ran dribble-handoff stuff through him about 80 per cent of the time, but that he simply did more with it when he had it." Bang on, Doug. He absolutely did not have the ball any more or less than he ever does. He simply was more aggressive, more decisive (usually, although he does have this annoying tendancy to hold onto the ball forever), and way more engaged, at both ends of the floor. It was as though the proverbial light switch went on. All of which made his answer to Jack Armstrong in the post-game interview so ridiculous. Jack asked him what was the difference tonight in getting him off the shnide. "Ball." (long pause) "The ball? You mean you had the ball in your hands more?" "Ball. And that's all I'll say." (or something to that effect.) As Jack would say, "GET THAT GARBAGE OUTTA HERE!" But in any event, if it takes Turk to have an imaginary chip on his shoulder and feel all crybabyish, well, fine, whatever, as long as he plays more often like last night. But please, give me a break.

[Nick M]

Doug,

Thanks for mentioning the actions of the Knicks. Its been there both games against the Raps. And yes, there's definitely a correlation between the way they act and their results... Karma!

Is there anyone in the NBA that makes dunking look uglier than Turk?

[Jacques]

What did you think of Turk's comments at the end of the game?

Blogger's note: Funny with gusts to awkward

[Anthony]

Hi Doug,

Wish I could have taken in the Sport Business Conference today since I work about 5 minutes away right on the York campus, but alas, duty calls.

I have a question for you about Antoine Wright: since his trade value has undoubtedly increased over the last few games and we are rapidly approaching the trade deadline, do you think that we should still move him? Is this as good as it gets? And, if you have any idea of the potential players we could bring in for him, is the return ultimately worth it?

Thanks!

Blogger's note: No idea if there's an upgrade, playing-wise, available at the same contract