Here we go with the mail. Finally

With the schedule all screwed up thanks to that rare Saturday night home game, this is a day later than usual.

But, thanks to you, it’s just as wildly entertaining and informative as ever.

Honest. It is.

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Q: Thanks for emphasizing Rasho's performance in NJ, Doug. It is a huge positive in many ways, including building a strong feeling of TEAM on this Raptors squad. Surely it is a credit to players and coaches - and to Rasho as a person and professional basketball player.

In an era where individual performance is so heavily stressed, in an era where the STAR of NBA teams is such a focal point, what a pleasant change it is to see our team be successful without our star player available for one night. Can you help us understand HOW a team becomes a team in this era - what do players and coaches and execs do to create a feeling and fact of collective performance and recognition?

Charles N, Mexico

A: I guess the easiest way to put it is maturity and relationships.

While this certainly isn’t an “old” team by any stretch, the core group – Bosh, Bargnani, Calderon – has been together a while and looks at “team first” and winning as the only things that matters and that attitude trickles down.

In this group, the main newcomers – Hedo, Jack and Wright – also strike me as players who appreciate the “whole” as opposed to the personal.

It also helps that almost everyone has a long-term contract (on Bosh knows he’s going to get one), which cuts down on selfishness.

The other thing that comes into play, with this collection I’ve noticed, is that they seem to genuinely like each other. Not in the continually-hang-out, all-team-functions-all-the-time but there don’t seem to be any personality clashes that might even slightly fracture a team.

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Q: Hi Doug, who would you say is the third best player in the league after Kobe and LeBron?

Chaz E, London

A: Boy, that’s a toughie. But, pressed, I’d probably have to say Carmelo Anthony but I think if someone suggested – right now – Chris Bosh or Dwyane Wade, I could be convinced.

But, at the moment, Anthony.

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Q: Hi Doug, hoops 101 question. What's the incentive for a team to do a sign and trade? Future considerations? It seems like they get nothing back in return. And how much more can Team A (doing the sign and trade) offer than Team B (receiving the player)? Thanks.

Ian M, Ottawa

A: We’ll run through this really quickly now because we’ll be hearing about it a lot once the summer hits.

For the team losing the player, the incentive is that they get players back for one who wants to go.

For the team getting the player, being able to shed contracts and personnel can’t hurt.

For the player? He gets money, lots more of it.

Now, don’t forget, it’s got to be a negotiation. If the two teams can’t decide on which players are coming back, there doesn’t have to be a deal.

Teams can offer their own free agents contracts that are one year longer and have larger annual raises than any other team can. That'll be about $30 million on a maximum value deal this summer, the supposition is.

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Q: With the talk of free agency and the fact that the existing team can pay extra there would seem to be three other factors that will play into the situation:

Personal happiness--very hard to evaluate.

Tax rate--Florida and Texas for example have no state taxes although the US could be in for a massive Federal hike due to their dire financial situation.

Bosh, Wade and James are all represented by CAA. This is the most powerful group out there and these three are by no means their top clients.(Bosh and James also have a separate agent but minor compared to this group)

It would seem that CAA would benefit by having two of these guys playing together or even all three. Your thoughts or have you had time to do an evaluation on this group and their influence?

Marcus R, Cameron

A: Agencies exist to make money, right? Well, doesn’t it make sense to have high-profile clients in different cities so they can sell more t-shirts and tickets, raise more cash so there’s more to go around? Not to mention the endorsements that wouldn’t have to be split in the same city.

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Q: Hey Doug. I was watching the Wizards game Saturday night, and it dawned on me that the TV folk are quite fond of mentioning one specific stat over and over: the win-loss record following our 7-13 start.

I thought it was interesting that in your blog you mentioned more than a few times that you shouldn't judge a team until 20 games (or so) into the season. That 7-13 record is 20 games. The funny thing is, it's consistently cited as the time they turned things around and became a better representation of "what kind of team" they are: pretty good.

This obviously flies in the face of your theory. Care to re-evaluate the 20 game stance?

Thanks for all your hard work, my man!

Adam B, Kingston

A: Um, doesn’t it actually validate my theory that it takes at least a quarter of a season for a new team to find out what it is? And it did. Maybe it was 22 games, or 23, but my suggestion of 20 was, in fact, pretty bang on.

People who judged them as an historically inept defensive team and one destined for the lottery after 15 or 17 games were wrong.

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Q: I noticed before the Wizards game you spent quite a bit of time chatting with Bryan and Marc. Were you talking hoops or places to eat in different cities. Are those types of conversations off the record? We do not read much about Marc, can you tell us more about his role with the team.

Howard B, Toronto

A: Those are conversations you have in the normal course of doing business, it’s what I do. And some of them are on background, some aren’t and they happen quite often, just not usually on the bench minutes to tip.

Marc? He’s an adviser, he travels with team constantly to be around and offer whatever assistance and advice he can.

I think you might consider him a liaison between the front office and the players in some regards.

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Q” Hi Doug, Rhetorically, will Bosh’s new nickname be Wally Pipp? Great job by Rasho as I type this during the second game. My question is what can Jay do to help them with their mental toughness or is that a job for BC?_

Nick K, St. Catharines

A: There’s nothing either of them can do; that’s all on the players.

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Hey Doug. Long time fan ever since my school boy years and visits to the Sky Dome during inaugural season. As a dedicated student at WLU I spend break time from studying (that's what mom believes...) to check your blog, raptors.com, ESPN, etc. Ok, you get it - I bleed purple..I mean red, white and black. On that note, how about the Olympic spirit that is sweeping us non patriots up off our feet? I now know what it feels to be American. By far my favorite moment was Jon Montgomery's walk through Whistler, fan brings him pitcher of beer, Jon chugs it - on national television. Stereo-typers around the world were drooling as this truly 'Canadian' moment. What has been your favorite thus far?

Ben G, Waterloo

A: You know, having been in Dallas until late Monday night, at a game Wednesday, in Jersey Thursday and Friday and at a game Saturday, I haven’t seen enough to really have a “moment” yet.

I did see the Montgomery walk, though, and it was pretty cool.

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Q: Hey Doug, no Raptors question today, more just a question of opinion on a matter. You make mention of the Tiger Woods fiasco, and you say it 'made you sick' that he controlled the entire thing... but does it not make you sick the way the media has covered his entire situation? And for him to even give a media conference in the first place is mind baffling, but no less respectable. And from this conference, the media will still have a story and still make money. I understand that a big part of your job is asking questions, but for the people that cover 'that sort of thing' do they even deserve to ask questions? I think we, the public, know more on the matter then we have a right too.

Joey H, Toronto

A: I agree with you and, frankly, abhor the titillating stuff that passes as “news” these days. The TMZing of our world, the picayune stuff that people think they need to know is too much, in my opinion. But crap sells, I guess, and as long as there are buyers, there will be sellers and you can’t put that genie back in the bottle.

Sadly.

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Q: Hey Doug, this question may be better suited for a time closer to the off-season but now that the trade deadline has passed I've become curious: I think you mentioned we're still over the cap without his salary, which means we wouldn't be able to woo (other mitigating factors aside) a major free agent due to cap constraints right? What exactly is BC's flexibility if the worst case scenario occurs and Bosh leaves via free agency rather than a sign and trade?

Ryan M, Ottawa

A: The absolute worst case scenario?

With salary obligations already in place, the absolute worst would be Bosh leaving in no sign-and-trade and Bryan having only the mid-level salary cap exception to sign a free agent.

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Q: Hey Doug. So I see that David Stern feels the NBA will lose $400 million this year. Obviously that has to be taken with a grain of salt given the labour negotiations, but any idea how the Raptors are doing financially? Are they making money? I appreciate it is difficult to sort that out in the byzantine structure that is MSEL but any comments would be appreciated.

Sohail G, Collingwood

A: Aside from where the bodies are buried, the financial health of Maple Leaf Sports is the most closely-guarded secret down there. They don’t have divulge so they don’t.

If I had to guess, knowing that they reap about $37 million (US) in TV money every year, sell an average of about 18,000 tickets a game, get money from the tax-paying teams and have a payroll of just under $70 million (US), I’m thinking they are turning a profit.

How much? Only the board and whatever creative accounting people they employ know for sure.

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Q: Doug: With All Star weekend over, I can't help to wonder this : What are NBA players allowed / not allowed to do during the season and off season? I know from that Monta Ellis fellow that Moped is probably not allowed by the league. So what else are they not allowed to do? Are they allowed to say... play pick up street ball? Or snowboarding / Skiing (in the summer time they can go to South America). Also during the season is there really no stopping them from getting out of shape by drinking too much?

Thanks and keep up the good work!

Philip L, Toronto

A: Basically, the phrase that’s in the collective bargaining agreement covers “sports endangering his (the player’s) safety (including professional boxing or wrestling, motorcycling, auto racing, sky-diving, and hang gliding), or any game of basketball, football, baseball, hockey, lacrosse or other athletic sport."

Sports like golf, tennis, handball, hiking, softball and volleyball are specifically allowed.

Boozing? Nothing about it anywhere.

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Q: It infuriates the fans: a contested shot goes up, maybe there's a foul, the shot misses and then there's the whistle calling for a foul. In a recent in-game blog you called it the "worst call in basketball". How do you feel the "higher ups" (David Stern, etc.) justify such a call. Or do they?

John G, Toronto

A: I don’t want to say they don’t care but at the level of Stern, there are other fish to fry. But it’s an issue that coaches have brought up with the officiating poobahs and the answer is always the same: It’s not an intentional thing; it’s just a call that’s made and there’s no malice aforethought.

I don’t particularly believe it but I don’t know what anyone can do except make it a “point of emphasis” for officials and hope it gets corrected.

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Q: Hi Doug. As a Hamilton (then Toronto) guy now living in Baltimore, this year has been quite strange. First, we've got the most snow I've seen in my life and second, the dysfunction of the local hoops team is eerily reminiscent of the Raptors (although far worse overall) before the hiring of BC. I'm a lifelong hoops fan and part time player but have yet to get a clear understanding of the three-second rule (both defensively and offensively). Can you explain it using kid's words for me? Thanks!

Dan P, Baltimore

A: I hope so.

Offensively, a player cannot stay in the key for longer than three seconds; a rule put in to make sure the giants of the game didn’t simply stand there all night, take passes and score baskets.

Defensively, no player can stay in for three seconds because the league wants to create room for players to get to the rim and because they don’t want big guys standing there all night swatting away shots and opponents.

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Q: Good morning Doug. I was wondering what the relationship is like between the NBA and the NCAA. The NBA works hard at creating an environment for kids to learn and play the game throughout the world.

The NCAA seems to have a different approach, exploitation. Does the NBA have any influence on the NCAA? If the NBA implemented a two year waiting period before players could come to the NBA, would that not be counter-productive if the NCAA does not teach, coach the players how to play?

Or, do I have it all wrong?

Steph R, Glencoe

A: I’d say the relationship is cordial. The NBA loves that the NCAA serves as something of a minor league, although the teaching the kids get has dropped off considerably and NBA guys I talk to lament the lack of basic skills in many rookies.

But the desire to raise the age limit really doesn’t have to do with the development of basketball skills; it’s as much, if not more, to let teenagers grow up a bit more before entering a man’s league.

In fact, because the NBA will allow 18-year-olds to play in the D League suggests they’d be open to doing the teaching themselves in what’s become their own minor league system.

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Q: Hi Doug, I've read it here a few times that when the Raps fly to on road trips, the entire team and basically anyone associated with it flies together. Whenever I need to fly somewhere with the executive team, we always take separate flights in case the unthinkable ever happens. It's part of the business continuity plan. Wonder if the Raps ever do this or any team has ever thought about it. If not, why?

Normiyuki H, Toronto

A: It’s too impractical. Too many people, too many overnight flights. Simply unworkable in any pro sports environment.

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Q: I always read that Rob Babcock was forced to trade Vince, and made his move with approx. two months until the trade deadline and got what had to be NJ's first offer (which Rob forgot to counter). With the magic Darryl Morey was able to pull off this week, and in somewhat the same position (high priced star who was never going to play again for their team, and the league knew it), why was it that Babcock acted so quickly way back when? Morey couldn't have managed his situation any better and got a king's ransom in return for the poster child of what is wrong with the NBA, and all because he waited until the last second on deadline day.

Shawn L, Bowmanville

A: I don’t know if you’re joking about Rob not making a counter offer but I’ve never heard that. Anyway, times and circumstances are different; and some GMs are better than others. That’d be simplest explanation.

But there were no New York Knicks trying to shed salary and take on an existing, expiring contract then like there are now so it’s really apples and oranges.

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Q: It’s sunny and almost warm out here in Victoria Doug, even a Raptors loss or Olympic fiasco can't bring us down!

Regarding the Raps, it would be tough to argue that Turkoglu has been a disappointment for the most part this season to fans; justly or not. My question is this: if Turk plays the part of the post-season hero, say he hits a couple game winners or two against their first round matchup and gets credit for taking them to the second round. Does that vindicate not only Turk, but also Colangelo and the contract he signed Turk to in the fans eyes?

Ian M, Victoria

A: I doubt it. Maybe until Turk plays four bad games in a row at the start of next season, but that’d be about it.

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Q: Hey Doug, what are the Raptors looking to get out of Beli? I really like this energy but obviously his decision making can be questionable at points. I think he can be an asset to the team as his unpredictability and ability to slash to the basket are huge in my books, yet I feel Coach Triano is hesitant to put him in at times. What does he need to improve?

Chris R, Aurora

A: Man, there’s lots of Belinelli love in the air these days now that he’s not playing very much, if at all.

But here’s the simple reason: He’s a lot of fun to watch and you never know what you’re going to get and while that’s good in some ways, I can see how it would drive a coach mad.

And the simple fact is that a rotation of five wings – DeRozan, Turkoglu, Wright, Weems and Belinelli – simply won’t work and I agree entirely.

Jay’s not “hesitant” to use him,, he just can’t right now.

So what Marco has to do is bide his time, work hard in practice and when the opportunity presents itself – either through an injury or the drop of in play of a guy like Weems, who is the most likely to fall out of the rotation – be ready to contribute on a more consistent basis.

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Q: Reports are already suggesting a number of players may be bought out in the near future. The Raptors have roster space and probably enough room to stay under the tax for a player.

Do you see any realistic possibilities that may help the Raptors as a short term rental?

Ken V, Burlington

A: No I don’t. Not on the radar at all. A lot of guys who are about to be bought out have their eyes on the teams they’d like to go to and, frankly, none of them would be such a substantial upgrade over what Toronto already has to go to the trouble to bring them in, teach them the system and then use them regularly.

Comments

[Matt K]

Re: judging a team after 20 games. Adam B, I think Doug means that one should not judge the first 20 games, but rather see what they do following the first 20. You're thinking he meant that by 20 games you've got a good indication of the teams quality.

[Dave]

I meant to get this in for the mailbag, but here it is: A little late, I know, but Cleveland trades a second round pick and Big Z for Antawn Jamison, with all reports indicating that Z will be bought out and return to the Cavs - so Jamison for a second round pick. Isn't this another completely unfair trade that should be veto'd by somebody? I know 3 teams were involved, but I'm flashing to Pau to the Lakers, and the Vince debacle. How do these trades get made without more protest from the other GMs? (for the record I realize the Pau for Marc deal is ending up better now, and I'm sure will get better as the yearss go) For some reason I think Orlando got jobbed in the Turkoglu trade with the Raps, as well...

[Blake Kennedy]

Doug, they may not be able to be labelled "historically inept" defensively at this point, but they are still inept defensively and the worst defensive team in the league - allowing 111.8 points per 100 possessions, 30th out of 30 teams in the NBA. And fully 1 point per 100 possessions worse than the 29th team, too.

So while they might not be the 1982 Denver Nuggets, they're not that far off, either.

Blogger's note: Crunch the numbers from Game 21 to now and get back to me.

[Paul B]

More on Bosh: with all the players demanding trades (publically or not) hasn't the idea that a player can get out if so desired become a quasi fact in this league? with that understanding, if I'm Bosh, I resign, take my max contract, and see how it goes. If he wants out, it's not really 6 years anyway. he could demand a trade after 1 or two years if he wants.

[yertu damkule]

Hey Doug - a point of clarification re. the defensive 3-second rule; I always understood it to be the case that a defensive player CAN remain inside the key for longer than 3 seconds, as long as he is within range (i.e. arms length) from his defensive check (i.e. not doubling a teammates check). So, if an offensive player is posting up just outside the key, the defensive player has no choice but to defend from inside the key, but because he's defending his own man, he can stay in there as long as he wants (as long as he remains in range of his check). It's why we see help defenders constantly moving/hopping outside the key when doubling (or showing a double).

Blogger's note: You're right, I guess I didn't make that clear enough; they can be in there "actively guarding" someone forever

[Blake Kennedy]

Doug:

Since the 21st game, they've still been giving up 108.1 points / 100 possessions, which would still be a bottom 10 finish in the NBA. A large part, in my opinion, of the "improvement" from earlier is due to Calderon being hurt and not playing, and then removed from the starting lineup where the bench player's he's competing against now can't do as much damage to him. The other part of the "improvement" is due to them having a much easier schedule since then. Since Jose returned on January 6, we've been giving up 109.2 points / 100 possessions, which would be good for 22nd in the NBA; from Dec 5 - Jan 3 inclusive, when Jose got hurt up to and including the game before he got back, we gave up 106.4 points / 100 possessions, which would leave us tied for 13th in the NBA. So that stretch did show considerable improvement and put us a bit better than league average. But since then, I don't think we can say that this team has improved all that much as much as we can say their opponents got worse. I suppose we can look at the next 20 games or so as giving us more definite proof either way.

Last bit of info: with Jose starting up until the game before he got hurt, we were giving up 118.3 points / 100 possessions. And that would have been the worst in NBA history by a huge margin, had we continued along that path. I don't think the allegedly miraculous "team meeting" after Atlanta nailed our rear ends to the wall fixed anything at all nearly as much as a more sensible starting lineup did.

[norm]

Doug, when you wrote that you don't believe "It’s not an intentional thing" with respect to officiating, does that mean you believe the refs make preferential calls on behalf of the league? I'd love to know your opinion on this aspect of officiating.

Blogger's note: No, it doesn't mean that at all; I think the officials work every night to the best of their ability

[Dadeo]

Well heck Blake Kennedy must be right, stats dont lie, Jose must be the worst player in the NBA he's solely responsible for the Raptors points against stat. Might as well keep him though, what GM in his right mind would want him!

[Kevin A.]

I just noticed that Andris Biedrins is shooting 13% from the FT line this year.

Chances that you could beat him in a FT competition? :)

[yertu damkule]

Oh, Blake, you & your silly #s.

[TriggerHappy]

Nice post. I would say Chris Paul, despite his injuries this year, is the 3rd best player in the NBA over Melo and Bosh.

[Vincent Lam]

Hey Doug, Who is Marc that you speak of? Is it Marc Iavaroni? I'm assuming you're talking about someone else as Iavaroni is the assistant coach.

Blogger's note: Eversley

[Rob.V]

Duude!

Havnet been to the blog in about a month or so (not that anyone would notice)... however good to be back!!

Question: I realize why everyone is talking 2 max contracts in New York however when has Dolan ever worried about the luxury tax. Is it not possible to sign "3" max players... am I missing something here?

Follow up:

It's also unrealistic that Bosh is going to forfiet his 30 (or so) million in his 6th year so knowing that the Knicks will not have adequate pieces in a sign and trade for Bosh could the Raptors simply sign Bosh and trade him for say 5 1st round picks and a ton of cap space if the Knicks remain under the cap?

Thanks.

Blogger's note: Maximum value contracts equal 30 per cent of the cap so, technically, I guess a team could clear 90 per cent of room, sign 3 and then use 10 per cent (with no mid-level exception) to sign 9 other players. I'm not sure that's good management but I guess it could be done.

No to the Bosh thing; if they sign him, they have to take back almost the same amount of money in a trade

[Geoff Read]

Great postings. I've been away for a week and am catching up over my lunch.... I thought you put that moron ranting about Marc Iavaroni in his place quite nicely (in the comments from the Sunday morning post). He doesn't get it: it's not the substance of what he said that drew the sarcastic response, it was the obnoxious way in which he said it. For the life of me I can't understand why so many people think the "comments" sections on the internet give them free rein to indulge their anti-social tendencies. Acting like an obnoxious jerk still deserves to be called out once in a while, even in the internet age. You did us a service.
As an aside, I like Belinelli but for now I think Jay made the right call. Hopefully Marco can get his game back and contribute when someone else goes down or falters.

[greg]

that montgomery moment was awesome, classic Canadian moment.

Doug was right it takes about 20 games for teams to define themselves. Not precisely 20 games. As for the scoring deferential when Jose is playing. Lets not forget that the opponents that the raptors played while he was out were all losing teams, not just losing but losing badly. Like Detroit and Minny. The tempo is also a bit slower when Jack and Banks runs point, the raptors score less and allow less.Except in that blowout in Milwaukee. Its a HUGE stretch to try pinning the Points per possession on the back of one guard who plays less than 25 minutes out of the 48. Some folks truly have an axe to grind with this guy.

Is he the cause of global warming, hunger, war and about everything else bad under the sun too ? According to some people , Yes.

Teams Jose was out with injury against, T-Wolves,Bucks(allowed 117ppg),Heat(115),Magic(118),Pistons(twice),Bobcats,Celtics(undermanned,103) Spurs, and the Hawks(played 7 mins allowed 111 in a loss, but i guess thats better than 145 that 34 points was his fault eh).We beat spurs,rockets the only truly good teams in the bunch. The spurs and rockets, bobcats atrocious on the road by the way. 12 games 3 wins over +500 teams and a few blowout losses to average teams.

Some fans overrate him a bit but Get off the guys back he is no Jason Kidd but he is still a good NBA player and not the sole cause of the raptors defensive nightmares.

[Sean]

Hey Doug, since they got 19K+ for the Wiz and their D-League lineup on Saturday night, can we expect a few more Saturday night games next year? I for one love them.

[yertu damkule]

uh, there's this young guy down in some hick town putting on quite a display. he must be in the discussion of 'best' players right now. actually...you could make a case that no player - outside of lebron - has combined 'most valuable' (to his team) & 'best player' (in the league) this season like durant has. i know we all like to say that CLE is lebron & a 'bunch of nobodies,' but the fact is, in the east, the cavs without james would still be in contention for a playoff spot. what durant has done with the thunder is exceptional (in the 'we may be witnessing the ascension of one of the best of all time') - in the west, they would, more than likely, be looking at a 15-20 win season without KD. at this point, i can't imagine presti trading durant for anyone in the L, including james.

[joeu]

Well heck Blake Kennedy must be right, stats don't lie, Raps must be a bottom 10 team since game 21.

[Rob.V]

This whole pending free agency is fools gold! If you believe (like me) that Bosh will not leave money on the table (and that's not meant to sound detrimental about his character - it's just that this will be his BIGGEST contract in the league) Bosh is not going ANYWHERE (in the east anyway).

In looking at free agency this off summer assuming both Wade and LBJ re-up with their clubs it's not a good match for Bosh financially.

Miami - cannot accomodate a sign and trade with only 2 players under contract next season.

Cleveland - I suppose they could work a sign and trade with either (or both) or Varajao and Jamieson... but this doesn't seem like a destination for Bosh (unless they win it all this season).

New York - Again, unless Colangelo would want back a re-upped David Lee and D. Galinari (it doesnt seem workable otherwise).

Chicago - Interestingly enough, they probably have more to offer with respect to "pieces" in a sign and trade to lure Bosh (that might also satisfy Colangelo).

In the end, given the recent Raptors successes and where we will finish in the standings vs. Chicago and Miami it entirely makes sense that Bosh stays put.

With Cleveland on the verge of a championship (and being Lebron's home) it doesnt make sense for him to go to NY either unless one of Bosh or D.Wade are already committed which doesnt seem workable for Colangelo.

Way over blown. 90-10 all 3 stay put!! (although a sign and trade for Bosh out west is a different matter all together).

One last one Doug.

How does Miami's no state tax affect a players salary (if at all). I'm assuming this is just on purchased goods... players still need to pay close to 50% tax (being in the bracket that they are, no?).

Thanks again!

Duude!

Havnet been to the blog in about a month or so (not that anyone would notice)... however good to be back!!

Question: I realize why everyone is talking 2 max contracts in New York however when has Dolan ever worried about the luxury tax. Is it not possible to sign "3" max players... am I missing something here?

Follow up:

It's also unrealistic that Bosh is going to forfiet his 30 (or so) million in his 6th year so knowing that the Knicks will not have adequate pieces in a sign and trade for Bosh could the Raptors simply sign Bosh and trade him for say 5 1st round picks and a ton of cap space if the Knicks remain under the cap?

Thanks.

Blogger's note: Maximum value contracts equal 30 per cent of the cap so, technically, I guess a team could clear 90 per cent of room, sign 3 and then use 10 per cent (with no mid-level exception) to sign 9 other players. I'm not sure that's good management but I guess it could be done.

No to the Bosh thing; if they sign him, they have to take back almost the same amount of money in a trade

[Kevin A.]

"I don't think we can say that this team has improved all that much as much as we can say their opponents got worse."

Blake,

You provide stats to your point, but none to provide any sort of context to this statement. Without knowing how offensively skilled or challenged the opponents were during this stretch what you "think" is purely anecdotal.

Not saying you're wrong, but I'm reserving judgment until I see something factual.

[manap3000]

@greg

He was the sole cause of the raps loss to the grizzlies.

I like calderon but this guy sucks at defense; like suckiest of the suckiest. And lately it seems as if he has gotten worse; At first Triano was doing a good job at hiding calderons deficiency through different defensive schemes; but lately teams just manage to blow past him, and leave his other teammates out to dry; i mean what else can you do but foul when you have to rush over to your man cuz you were busy doing calderons job.

Blogger's note: Do you even watch games? Honestly

[sm]

My Goodness Blake - Do you even watch the games?
Your statistical argument on José's game is a little suspect at best. As has been debated - defense is a team stategy -

Your "more sensible starting line up" has the team behind more times than not after the first quarter -
until José and the second unit Scrubs hit the floor.

[Mike Ulangot]

At this point in time, who would you rather build a team around? Chris Bosh or Kevin Durant?

[greg]

lets see, he is the sole cause of the loss to Memphis?

Ok i dont like tit for tats in blogging but i must respond. The thing that killed us against Memphis was the fact that apart from Wright we have nobody to effectively defend a wing player taller than 6 '6 who is good offensively. It was matchups plain and simple.

Jack was playing poorly and Jose brought the team back in the game but that glaring weakness at defending strong wing players cost us the game (it is the reason why memphis kept running PnR in OT to get Gay a good matchup) and perhaps Triano keeping a number of players out of the game too long until they were too cold to get back in. In a sense he painted himself in a corner. The reason Triano didnt go with a Jose, Jack backcourt was because of Oj Mayo Very bad Matchup.

We will have a problem when we play OKC for the same reason. Wright will get lots of minutes trying to contain Durant and if we have a problem containing anyone else, well very long night.

Jose brought the team back in this game, all the starters except Bosh was having bad games.

[Oz]

So your saying that after Kobe and Lebron, Bosh might be the 3rd best player in the league. Hey Doug, stop being a homer for once and open your eyes. There's a guy named Kevin Durant who plays in this league, check him out, I heard he's good.