Bargnani's pet move, some free throw zaniness and I (heart) Hughes

That was rather a “blah” night, wasn’t it?

Kind of lethargic at both ends, fans more interested in a hockey game it seemed and at no time – even when they got the deficit to one in the third – was there any level of confidence that they’d come back and win.

One of those nights.

And one of those mornings:

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THREE POINTERS

A move made too often?

It was early in the game, first quarter if my chicken-scratch notes are to be believed, when Andrea Bargnani did it again.

He gets the ball about 18 feet from the basket, pump fakes to get his man in the air and when the guy doesn’t bite, Andrea still tries to lean in, draw contact and a foul and hoists some odd, flat, silly shot.

Didn’t get the foul – which was the right call by the officials – didn’t make the shot and it’s about the third or fourth time in the last couple of weeks I can remember him pulling off the same play.

And I don’t remember it working too often.

It’s maybe something he only wants to pull out rarely, or work more often on in practice because he doesn’t quite have it down pat.

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Good, then not so good

Sometimes even hustle plays aren’t really rewarded.

A couple of minutes into the fourth quarter and Reggie Evans coverts a layup, gets fouled and is at the line, which is always an exciting proposition because you’re never sure what you’re going to get.

Well, not surprisingly, he misses the free throw, only to have Amir Johnson get on the floor scrambling after a loose ball and kick it back out; one of three offensive boards Johnson would get on the night.

Ball goes out to Sonny who gets in the lane and gets fouled.

He makes his first one but – you know what’s coming – he misses the second, the Blazers get the ball and all the Raptors get out of it is a three-point possession they could have had if Reggie had just made his free throw.

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Getting all zany

Yeah, the game was all but over and it was time for drastic measures but we saw something last night that I cannot imagine we’ll see again.

About a couple of minutes, maybe three, to go and Jay really tries to junk up the game, sending out a fivesome of Jarrett Jack, Jose Calderon, Antoine Wright, Sonny Weems and Amir Johnson.

Full court trapping with his quickest group and a signal that he was trying just about anything to kickstart his group.

Didn’t work, of course, but I never thought it would.

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Oh, yes, there’s more. Quite a bit.

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Got asked the other day if I’d had an Olympic “moment” yet and figured I really hadn’t.

Have one now.

Clara Hughes.

Happened to be in the press room on some idle time when she won her bronze medal and I have to say I didn’t tear up but it was a pretty emotional moment.

Great kid, spectacular athlete, helluva way to end a career.

Great story hidden a bit, sadly, by a hockey game.

Oh well.

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Okay, now The Chicken has made it.

Never mind getting all kinds of love here, did you notice the camera crew out on the court during a late timeout when everyone’s favourite stuffed animal swallowed a June Taylor Dancer?

Inside Edition, kids. Inside Edition.

I guess that schtick where the blown-up dinosaur gobbles up a dancer has gone viral, if that’s what they call it. Everyone’s watching it, and the big TV shows are all excited about it.

I’m sure fame won’t go to his/her/its head but it’s nice to know we knew her/him/it way back when.

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In Portland, they read this about that game.

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It’s almost the weekend so it’s almost mailbag time and the solicitation shall begin. Send the questions here and please try to limit the rants and the game-specific stuff and I’ll start planning my Saturday night in Oklahoma City.

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No, there was no video tribute to “honour” Marcus Camby as it turns out. Didn’t see him on the bench during the game, which may have had something to do with it; or maybe they just realized this whole saluting of players for a manufactured anniversary thingy really doesn’t make sense.

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Rasho on Rudy, when it was mentioned the somewhat electric Fernandez reminds one of an equally-frantic Belinelli, only better:

“No, he’s a right-handed Manu.”

Probably a more apt description but, I tell you, I like Rudy’s game a lot.

Not sure how it fits with the way the Blazers play, which is at a rather sedentary pace but he’s going to be very good in this league when he finds a team that plays more quickly.

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Speaking of the crowd, it was a rather surreal experience at times during the game.

Nothing of substance happening on the court when all of sudden there’d be a huge buzz in the crowd, lots of cheers, murmuring, happiness.

Yes, there were more than a few multi-tasking pucks fans among us and it was odd.

And here I thought they all had their little computerized devices tuned to the in-game blog.

Silly me.

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Comments

[sara]

Those who wanted to know why Bargnani cannot be our first option if /when Bosh leaves , got a clear view of what this team would look like next year . Hope BC was watching the game.

Triano has a new supporter : Brandon Roy post game interview " I don't know why Jack was subbed out. He was killing us. We didn't have an answer for him. Coach even came to the sideline and he got upset with us because he was pretty much getting what he wanted. They did us a favor when they subbed him out." Thank you Jay

[Adam - Nova Scotia]

Hey Doug, I was wondering what the chances Bosh plays Friday, I made the trip to Toronto for the first time, coming over from the East Coast and I have a pretty good set of tickets for Raps/Cavs game on Friday. I fear that the game will be less than competitive if he skips it due to injury again and I would really like to see him live in what could be my only chance to see him in a Raptors jersey for the last time, diddo LeBron.

Blogger's note: No real clue until after practice this afternoon

[Andrew]

Did Demar DeRozan play last night? I watched the first few quarters and I honestly do not remember him on the court. Not a good night...?

[Casey]

Doug,

Out of curiosity, what were you in-game blog numbers last night? I assume noticeable lower?

Blogger's note: Yes, they were. We usually get anywhere from 1,400 up to 2,500 depending on opponent, night of the week, etc. Think we were just slightly over 1,000 last night.

[Scott]

Doug:
I have been out of the country for a bit and it was good to return to an ever improving Raptors team. It was the first game I saw Reggie with substantial minutes. Great hustle and effort but offensively, should they keep him away from the pick and rolls? He doesn't seem to create enough room to receive the pass like, say, Amir and his length.

You are right, one of those nights.

[Wilber]

Read the headline and my first thought was "Why does Doug (heart) Larry Hughes? Didn't he slam him here the other day?". Truly a Wonderful Wednesday, save for the clunker from our hardwood heroes.

I'm curious what's on the current scouting report for how to play Toronto. What does an opposing scout say about playing the Raps based on last night? Have your point guard post up? Don't bite on Bargnani's pump fake? Slow the game down? Speculate for us, oh wise one.

[Alex]

Hey Doug I think the clip of the Raptor eating the cheerleader was from an old game. I was at the game last nigh and it went down different. Just as funny though!
What was up with Camby?

[Stephen Allan Storey]

I thought you used sophisticated language doug, my 10 year old sister can read this $^%#

Blogger's note: Good, then you've got someone who can read it to you.

[chris]

I think fans cheered every time there was a hockey update - and cheered with more vigor than for the raptors last night -- but i think if we cared more about the hockey game we wouldn't have gone to the game.

I drove an hour into the city to watch the game. Would say 2/3? of the arena was full with people who were like me....and the only Raptors who appeared to be sweating were Jose, Amir, Reggie, and Hedo (probably because he tries hard when he gets the ball in his hands).

I don't mind if they lose, but man it'd be nice if they tried.

[Shannon]

Rudy would thrive in the Suns system wouldn't he?

[Rob.V]

Thoughts:

This just in - - The Raptors really could use a guy like Chris Bosh right about now.

NBA's Image - Was watching fan night (the other night) and noticed Ernie Johnson updating fans on the sentencing of Jayson Williams. I'm guessing this report didn't pass through David Sterns office first. For a league that is so self conscious about thier image I cannot for the life of me imagine why they would be discussing a shooting death (at the hands of an ex NBA player) which has NOTHING to do with Basketball.

NBA - "Where drunk players shoot thier limo drivers to death"... happens! Yikes!!!... good reporting though (I guess?).

Funny, no?

Iverson - hope his daughter is ok - - - Career is over though!

Mavericks - With the recent trade are now in the conversation!

Wizards - They keep the (gun carying suspended indefinitley)(bipolar?) guy who has been the $100 million problem over the past few years, and trade away some solid pieces for virtually nothing! And here I thought it was all luck! I guess there really are reasons as to why good teams are good... and bad teams are bad!!!

[PJ]

Out of curiosity, because I've tried, how do I get my "little computerized device" (i.e., my blackberry) to follow your in-game blog?

Blogger's note: I have no idea. Anyone? Bueller?

[thedudeabides]

I thought you used sophisticated language doug, my 10 year old sister can read this $^%#

Blogger's note: Good, then you've got someone who can read it to you.

posterized in print.

[erc]

Read in another part of the blog that you attribute the Raptors sub-par free throw shooting this season to the fact that they ' don't have as good free-throw shooters as last season'. Very astute.
Wouldn't it be more accurate to say that it comes from the trickle-down effect of Dave Hopla's absence?
When Hopla was with the Raps as a full-time shooting coach their free throw shooting became much better (see Jose Calderon). Since he was jettisoned Jose as regressed to the mean, Bosh has held the gains Hopla bestowed upon him and we have a new group of stone chuckers who could benefit from the coaching of man who can consistently make 1,000 straight free throws blind-folded.
Since this doesn't fit into that convenient little viewfinder you look through, you will dismiss it out of hand. However, stats tell the true story. We need Dave Hopla back!

Blogger's note: No, it'd be dead wrong since Hopla's actually been here twice this year and, while it doesn't quite fit into whatever viewfinder you see the world through, it seems to have had no impact. But nice try.

[Penny]

Doug - agree with you that there didn't seem to be much energy last night. Jack was able to get his penetration and shots but it also meant that nobody else was getting involved in the play and everybody was just standing around. Also neither he nor Jose (who had an offgame) could stop Miller. It is nice to see Reggie playing but I think they have to tell him that when he gets an offensive rebound to simply pass it to someone who can shoot or dribble as he doesn't seem to be able to do either and simply creates another missed shot or turnover.

[Blake Kennedy]

Doug, really, Sonny Weems missing a free throw is not the end of the world nor was it even close to the most important event of last night. Neither was Andrea's one awkward shot, which didn't come close to the laughability of Antoine Wright's one "drive" into the paint or any of the numerous shots Reggie Evans took (nobody stopping to ask themselves, "why is Reggie Evans getting tough paint catches?"). The story here is an old one: a team came into our house and was more aggressive and we rolled over them, yet again.

The one laudable player was Amir Johnson, who was dynamite on both ends of the floor, again. We had some guys who were laudable on one end but not the other, but Amir was fantastic, continuing to outplay Bargnani, Rasho and Evans and having few minutes to show for it.

Blogger's note: Yeah, just like all the time. Like the time they rolled over for Cleveland, or the Lakers, or Dallas, or Houston, or in any of the, what?, 21 times they've won here against the, what?, eight losses.
Yeah, sometimes they don't play well. Imagine that.

[Garrett]

How many chances is Bargnani going to get? I don't see his production or play going up in Bosh's absence. I don't see any more rebounds. I remember people saying that the reason his rpg numbers were bad was because Bosh was taking them all. Uhhh. Yeah. Good luck with that. Let's face it, Bargnani's game is good when the threes are dropping. Sometimes he can block shots too. But until he brings more to the table in terms of the things big men are supposed to do, he will often hurt the team. And its unacceptable. No other player gets that kind of rope.

And where are Calderon's fans today? 5 pts, 3 ast, 3 to, 2/8 fg, -22. Definitely deserves to be starting huh? At least Jose plays hard though. And he has more good games than bad. I just wanted to point out his horrible stats so we don't just pick and choose which ones we want to remember.

[Lawgman]

I usually watch on TV but went to my first game of the year last night. With about 5 mins left in the third, I asked my buddy what Derozan was still doing in the game (he had no game last night). At that point, the Raps were still in it. 2 mins later, the game was essentially over. All that to say, do you think as the season nears the end and the playoffs start, Jay will have a shorter leash on Derozan? I thought we would have seen more Weems last with Derozan's struggles. What was with the super short stint of Belli in the first half?

[D-Mac Ottawa]

Hey Doug,

Other than hoping Marco re-finds his game one of these days (and gets a chance to show it), what kind of adjustments do you see the Raps needing from the bench? Their production has dropped off quite a bit the past couple of games, and I can't see how starting Rasho should have any effect on bench play at all. (Getting something out of DeRook would be helpful, too, but again, that's got nothing to do with production from the rotation guys.)

Regarding the pucks: Funny thing about this Olympic hockey: no fights. So does the game suck? Or is it really a better product when it plays out at its customary level, a notch or two below professional wrestling? Just wondering.

Hey, go Raps! Cheers. (And a huge ovation to Canadian women!! Keep raking in the medals, mademoiselles!!!)

[Blake Kennedy]

Doug, as a professional scribbler, you should know better than to misrepresent others. I never said that the Raptors get outplayed "all the time", I said them being the passive team was "an old story" and that it happened "yet again". Nobody paying attention can deny that this is true. We've had the string of good fortune to be playing poor teams at home lately, which can still be beat even if you are passive, but now against good teams that won't cut it. Yes, we beat a so-so San Antonio squad and a good Dallas and Los Angeles team, but we've also gotten our hides nailed to the walls by a lot of good teams, too. And frankly we deserved to lose about 3 of those games against inferior squads, too. So pardon me if I'm not wowed by these guys yet, seeing as the only two half-decent teams they've played at home lately have beaten them.

Garrett:

Bargnani's lack of progress this year from last year is almost entirely attributable to his lack of time spent in the weight room this summer, which he spent playing for that horrible Italian squad instead. If he gets into the weight room again this summer, he'll take another considerable step forward. It's telling about the value that the Raptors have put in player development in the past, that since June 2006 when we drafted him, he's only had one full summer in the weight room, which was two summers ago and when he took his biggest step forward. I see they're spending more on investing in their talent now, in terms of coaching and priority, so hopefully we'll see considerable improvement next year.

[Sean]

I was at the Raps-Sonics game during the 2002 gold medal game, and it was pretty much the same vibe as last night. You think the Raps would try do their West Coast trip during these two weeks, given that there is no way they can compete against the Olympics. At least Friday's game is early enough that it doesnt conflict.

@Blake...that is a comical assessment of the 09-10 season. If there is one thing you can't criticize the Raps for, its lying down at home.

And @Garrett, did you watch the Washington game? The only reason they won was Bargnani's play. Really hurt the team there with those huge blocks.

[Mark L]

Doug, there is an article on NBA.com about the Knicks and Heat going bigger by signing three, not two max players.
Lebron, Wade, and Bosh.
Would it ever be possible (in their prime or not far from it) that say Lebron, Bosh, Wade, and Anthony could be on the same team? Would the NBA allow that (if they all took pay cuts).

Blogger's note: As long as no one violated the cap rules, sure

[The J]

Up in the second level, many of us could see into the box seats/gondolas where they had big screen tvs tuned into the pucks game. When a goal was scored they would cheer, and then that would spread out to the rest of us. But it was nice of the Raps/ACC to embrace the hockey game. Sure we should all be there with 100% focus on the hoops game, but we can't help but get excited about a big olympic rivalry game. It was also nice to stick around the ACC and watch the last period in the arena. Smart move too considering they've got another game on Friday and they wouldn't want anyone to skip out of coming to the ACC.

[Kelsey]

I know I'm a arm chair coach, but Jay messed up leaving Calderon from mid to early 3rd all the way to end of game. He is good but was not his night. Triano should have bleached Jack for the whole 2nd half (with small brake).. I didnt realize the comment B Roy said. Triano must accept fault. Bargnani did not have the edge. But clearly was the guard play that wasnt there for Raptors. Belli to up and down, better on bench. I was thinkin they would go small big meaning. Jack,Weems or Derozan, Wright Turk and Bargnani.. Jose was weak and got crossed over several times. JACK IS TORONTOS BEST person to drive...Ah man... Turk good game, but not clutch in any sense last night. I dont like his bodylanuage on court and I have been to 6 games this year.

[Hope Caper]

Hi Doug,
I remember last year Jamario saying hey I was open so I took the shot. I also remember smoeone commentting yeah but he didn't ask why he was open. There were a lot of guys open last night but didn't drain the shot. The Raps have won some games against opponets the same way. I guess the question I have is when coaches identify this trend why is the adjustment not made to go inside. I think they got to the stripe once in 3/4s. We know they can adjust.
The refs were ....inconsistent (to be polite). Anyway learn and move on.