Bet you can't wait to see what happens tonight

Join Doug Smith at noon Friday for a live basketball Q&A, as the Raptors get ready to take on the Denver Nuggets.

What do you think they’ll do tonight? Show up? Compete? Play hard?

It’s like Forrest’s box of chocolates, isn’t it? You never know.

Guess that’s kind of fun, although you’d like more of the fight they showed in the Atlanta game not too long ago to surface and you’d like fewer of those utter capitulations like they put up against Oklahoma City and Utah.

The trouble is, no one can really come up with the one answer to the one question that’s on everyone’s list:

Why?

There are theories, of course, and the one that I keep wondering about is if this group really gets along. And by that I mean do they trust each other on the court to make the right play or do the right thing or be there to get a teammates’ back.

The off-the-court chemistry is so over-rated, it’s not funny. A couple of wins and everyone’s happy, a couple of losses and everyone’s surly and it’s been that way for eons.

Here’s how one insider put it to me Thursday:

“It doesn’t matter if they like each other. Do you like everyone you work with? Do you think Ron Artest and Pau Gasol go out for dinner? How about Brandon Jennings and Andrew Bogut, you think they hang out? Just play.”

And that’s the one thing they haven’t done nearly enough. Just play.

The confounding thing to all concerned over there is that they’ve shown the ability to play a fair amount. Times are horrid right now, no question; but there have been moments of good that make the moments of horrid even more confusing.

I don’t think anyone has a simple solution. It’s not just coaching, it’s not just mental toughness, it’s not just physical fitness, it’s not just Inside Basketball stuff like rotations and help-side defence.

As Bryan put it in Dave’s column today, it’s like they’ve emotionally shut down for a few weeks.

Everyone’s talking a good game about having to fight and laying it all on the line and it’s time to think team rather than individual.

But as we all know, talk is cheap.

I’m tired of hearing it, you’re tired of hearing it and I presume they’re tried of saying it.

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Boy, those Chicago Bulls sure showed some fight Thursday night, didn’t they? Edged by 29 by the Heat, gutsy home performance, indeed.

That was down right Raptoresque.

Makes the turtle race for No. 8 far more compelling, doesn’t it?

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If Turk can’t go Friday – and he didn’t practice Thursday so I’m presuming he won’t if tradition holds – it has to be Sonny Weems that starts in that spot.

Not only did Jay use Weems when Turk couldn’t go on Wednesday, it sticks with the coach’s mantra of letting guys get some run in against their former teams.

And, yes, he may have spend the majority of his season in Denver on the inactive list, but Sonny was indeed a Nugget.

Not a guy who wistfully recalls the glory days, though.

I asked him Thursday if he had any special affinity for George Karl, trying to sniff out some heartfelt concern for an old coach and got a somewhat underwhelming response:

“No, not really. We said our hi’s and bye’s, that’s about it.”

Touching.

-

A whole bunch was made here Thursday about Jay’s post-game comment Wednesday about being okay with his team’s effort against the Jazz.

Talk about much ado about nothing.

Of course he wasn’t happy but the next time he publicly throws his team under the bus will be the first and that’s why you didn’t see any of us who cover the team on a regular basis use the quote or get all worked up about it.

Sure, it would have been better or if he’d said nothing or something like “they were dogs and I wanted to strangle every last one of ‘em for looking like they didn’t care” but that wasn’t going to happen.

You roll your eyes, let him answer and get on with the next question.

You hang around coaches long enough – and, believe me, it’s not just Jay who mouths a cliché every now and then that he really doesn’t believe – and you know how to separate wheat from chaff.

Which is what all of us who were there did with that one.

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In Denver, today’s story is this.

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Oh, and in Toronto, the masses will assemble at noon to ask some questions and be wildly entertained by the answers.

(Yes, that means we’ll be here at 12 for the usual game-day chinwag).

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A Chauncey Billups story:

I don’t remember an awful lot about the half season Chauncey spent here back in 1997-98 (that was the end of the 16-66 season and I’ve tired unsuccessfully to block that entire sordid episode out of my mind) except that he tended to shoot an awful lot.

I guarantee you no one – teammates, coaches, GMs, scouts – saw him as a future NBA Finals MVP and one of the most respected veteran point guards in the game, which is a testament to Chauncey’s test of wills.

What I remember is a young kid on a truly dreadful basketball team playing in a foreign land and not really having a great time in any aspect of his existence.

And one Sunday I walked into the Raptors locker room at the old mausoleum fresh from an appearance that morning on some TV chat show I used to get invited to every now and then.

Chauncey, who’d been living in the Mausoleum Hotel as I recall, wanders over and says something, “hey, I just saw you on TV, good job.”

And I’m thinking, ‘wow, kid. Get a life.”

But it was nice of him to say and it stuck with for a very long time.

-

In case you missed it on the TV highlights, the rather long season of the Peel District School Board Grade 8 Boys Basketball Season (at least that’s what I call it) came to a close this week with the annual playoff tournament.

(I know, it was like a four-week break between the end of the regular season and the playoffs, which kind of sucks the momentum out of a season but does allow for things like March Break and the second-term report card angst).

Anyway, the Mighty Hawks of Hawthorn were kind of drubbed in their semi by the Dastardly Queenston Cougars (who were like the early-60s Celtics) but they rebounded to knock off the Green Glade Gators to finish third in the four-team loop.

So Super Son’s career ends on a winning note, the reports are everyone had fun, which is the biggest thing, and now it’s time to start thinking Mighty Yankees.

Bet you can’t wait, eh?

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One last call for mail, okay?

Comments

[Matty-Pix]

With the strong chance of Sonny starting, do you think that even further minimalizes the chances of Wright hearing his name in the starting 5? Not wanting too much change?

Blogger's note: Could be no more alterations; Jay was quite vague yesterday

[Phil]

""I've got a lot of suspicions, I guess, of what's gone wrong. It hasn't been the same since the all-star break," Colangelo said. "Too many guys came back from the break with a different approach. And that's the part that's troubling. ... It's not a talent issue. And it's clear that the right message is being delivered (by the coaching staff). But the students have to carry out the agenda. And it's got to be a team agenda. It can't be an individual agenda.""

Besides absolving himself and his coaching staff of responsibility, after claiming a few weeks ago that he is the one to blame, who, Doug, do you think the GM is talking about?

[Juan]

Hi Doug
Do you have any view on Bryan's comment in Dave's article about "ouside influences"? Do you think he is referring to 1) business dealings outside of the team or 2) "friends and associates" of certain players?
Thanks

Blogger's note: I honestly don't know and until I get some sources to open up, guessing would be a horrible disservice to the readers

[jimt]

turk=bust.
kobe=12th passing alex english.
my starting5=bosh/jose/wright/evans/sonny.

[Aditya]

“No, not really. We said our hi’s and bye’s, that’s about it.”

Touching.
--------
haha doug....made my day.....

anyways, for some reason, i rather have marco in the rotation that sonny weems....don't ask why (not that you would anyways), but this guy can jumpstart this team, not instantaneously, but give it time, he knows how to play ball......

[Anthony]

Morning Doug!
Hope your ready for this one and have thick skin cause if things turn ugly there will be alot of venom coming your way. I'm fully expecting a good effort tonight playing at home and would be absolutely stunned if they come out lifeless again, we might not beat this under rated Nuggets team but that's OK because they are the better team.
.
Doug how good is Chauncey Billups, the guy is a leader, rock solid PG and I'm sure has no problem calling out teammates when needed. I believe he has turned the Nuggets into a legit threat to at least challenge the Lakers... assuming they are healthy and play D the way we have seen flashes of this season.

[Matt M]

I presume Hedo missed practice because of ongoing stomach problems and not because of problems with teammates or the coaching staff (or a more severe and as of yet undisclosed injury).

[Bill]

Can't agree more with you on this race for the 8th and final spot in the East. Both teams suck so bad that it has turned a race of "who wins more" to "who loses less".

But on second thought, do we really want to face the Jamario Moon-led Cavs in the first round and see him grab like 20 rebounds a game against us in a 4-0 series that see us lose a total of 120 points?

Go Raps.

[Ray Ray]

Great motto for the last dozen games of the season: "JUST PLAY"

Any word on if there is a tribute planned for either Chauncey or Joey? :)

[LeeZ]

Doug, any news as to whether Reggie's sore foot is the same foot he previously injured?

Blogger's note: No, will check at shootaround in a few minutes

[Jean-Marie]

"As Bryan put it in Dave’s column today, it’s like they’ve emotionally shut down for a few weeks"

Sorry, mister, seems to me far more important where Colangelo says "I've got a lot of suspicions, I guess, of what's gone wrong. It hasn't been the same since the all-star break" ... "Too many guys came back from the break with a different approach..."

When a GM comes up with the words "suspicions" and "different approach" it means

A) there's something really wrong in the locker room, something like players instigated by agents or other teams, and adequately tanking (= bad & dangerous)
B) the GM himself trying to cover up a lot of mistakes (= bad & dangerous as well)

Which one do you like to choose?
There's no smoke with no roast, there's no roast with no smoke. The investigation must start from here.

[doug]

if John Law is thought to be a possiblity for the number one choice then this will be without a doubt one of the worse drafts in recent memory....that kid needs to stay in school for at least another year he's one year out of high school and it shows, he has athelticism but his b-ball I.Q. needs to be improved greatly...I am not a fan of the NCAA for the most part but this one and done rule needs to go, these kids need to be in school for at least 2 years...its not doing the NBA any favours getting these kids after their freshmen years, look at mayo, DD, those kids would have been better off playing another year of university ball....the kids that are even near ready are mostly juniors,seniors...yes there are your exceptions as in any sport, of your Kobe's,Lebron's, Garnett's etc. that can make the leap but they are few and far between....to many bad players in the NBA and the reason is is that the NBA is turning into a development league, it's not....owners.players need to address this in the CBA..

[camilito]

Of the several issues going on with the Raptors right now I can understand Bosh's impending free agency and Calderon-Jack starting PG controversy where they are coming from. But Bargniani and Turkoglu lack of effort is what's really puzzling for me. They both look tired, kinda out of shape and lazy overall.

[Rob.V]

Duude!

I's not a revelation however you're right. This team is broken!!!

Actually, let me preface this by saying I hope everyone out there is healthy because although I thought this was humurous, it felt a little creepy typing the word cancer so many times.

Ok, it's obvious they are no longer playing for each other any more however they still have time to put it together. Let's look at some possible reasons for the fractures with this squad.

I probably should have NO opinion because I'm not in the locker room however I will offer these "possible" reasons as to why this team is in trouble (in no particular order).

#1. Antoine may be the teams best perimeter defender however (as an outsider) I see his personality as one some players either love or hate (with no grey area). I can't quite recall which game it was (maybe Minnesota) however when Andrea was speaking with Jack after the game wright came up behind the interview and patted Andrea on the back saying something along the lines of "thanks for the defence tonight baby, much appreciated".

At the time, I thought this was comical and probably a way of making Andrea aware of what he "hasn't" done in previous games (which is fair and accurate mind you) however the problem with this is the timing of the behavior. This could have been said behind closed doors rather than on LIVE TELEVISION!

This type of cavalier criticism could certainly be "despised" by certain personalities... so I question what ALL of his teammates think of him??. We'll call this CANCER of the PERSONALITY.

#2. I think it's official (for this season anyway)... Hedo's been a bust!!! If a team pays you the most money you've ever seen in your life you should be a good soldier and do whatever they ask without slouching your shoulders and playing miserably with lack of effort. Yeah, there have been nagging injuries and you havent seen as much "ball" as you would like but that all should have been offset by the cheque cashed on the 1st and the 15th of every month. Whining like a little baby is cancerous, and you should never "bite the hand that feeds you". I'm going to label this as "CRY BABY CANCER".

#3. Bosh's FA status - When things were rolling before All Star break it was easy to overlook this post season however I feel that during the break (or shortly after) Bosh's pending free agnecy is starting to creep into this kid's head. Maybe staying healthy, who's going to offer what?. I think it's very natural to start thinking about what if's (and life post the Raptors) knowing there will be plenty of "options" and $$$ made available to you afer the next 12 games. So although it would be tough to fault the kid for the mental distraction... it's still cancerous for the "team". Let's call this BRAIN (cramp)CANCER.

#4 (Triano). The shufflleing of the deck chairs with Jose, then Jack, then back to Jose was convenient and easy... and all just a "smoke and mirrors" act when in fact everyone in the free world (and possibly other worlds) could see that Derozan, Hedo, and Bargnani should have been benched (but never were) at some point during the season.

If you go into camp saying the guys playing the best will get more time then you have failed your team as a coach.

Let's use Johnson as an example - He's played his heart out all year and is in a contract year himself, Mr. Consistency!!. Has he not earned an opportunity to be recognized and rewarded for his efforts with maybe the odd start, which could have also sent a stern message to the kid in front of him making $10 million a season. I think so, but it never happend.

Derozans going to be a solid, solid pro - but you could argue that with Wrights playoff experience and defensive prowess that he should have started much more.

Hedo's been off and Weems was steady enough to have been awarded more time as well... at least the effort was there.

Our point guards have taken a lot of heat however Caldron and Jack are 2 solid PG's. With all of our deficiencies at the 2 and 3 and 5 spots thoughout the season at some point changes should have happend. This was CANCER OF THE PLACATING KIND.. by coach.

I'm not sure that there is any Chemotherapy available to save this team over the last 12 games however they sure as hell have all done a good job in putting themselves in this position haven't they!

I will say this though, if they are "right" come playoff time they could still be a very, very tough out... but it's looking grave! right now.

[Pipit]

Boring article today about the Triano "effort" thing. Seems like another justification attempt to make the Raptors look good. Your better than this Doug. You’re an insider but it seems you don't write on something about what's truly happening inside. It's always the usual "they win, they're happy and they lose, they're not." Tell us something that we don't know Doug because this is getting too boring. It's either you just don't want to bite the hand that feeds you or you just don't know anything.

[ray]

Really why does it matter what's wrong with Hedo...ain't like he's been a positive factor for the Rap's...Better to have someone like Sonny instead of Hedo,Sonny has to be hungerier than the $55 Million Man

[Nilay]

@aditya

you would like marco over sonny ...really! Shows how much you know about basketball and the team ....Marco is injured for a few games now and even if he wasnt injured he has no chance of starting or even playing more than sonny or anyone on this team!

[Ian]

Why is super son's basketball career over?

Blogger's note: Should probably have said elementary school career; but he's got big musical aspirations at high school so not sure about time

[NH]

Its weird, but since Reggie has been back, this team has cukced. Not sure why, but that is the biggest change I can see between then and now In terms of outside influences, probably agents, specifically Bosh's agent. Just a guess, but perhaps before Bosh was fairly firm with being a Rap, but around all-star break, his agents been getting into his head, and now uncertainty has plagued the team? Don't really think that is true but could be... I can see more Antonine Wright playing for himself as an issue than anyone else really.

[knickz]

if we you lose tonite i bet the blame will be on jose calderon...why don't we juss blame jose for everything...let's blame jose for why the lakers have had 3 all star games in the past 6 years and we can't get one...let's blame jose for why the horrible jersey net's are gonna have more national coverage than us next year...let's blame jose jose for giving a 31 year old who has never been an all start 53 million dollars...let's blame jose for the reason a 7 foot guy can't rebound the ball

[knickz]

has anyone noticed that jack armstrong has been taking cheap shots at jose ever since that 1 point lost in la...i remember him being real upset when jay took out jack in the late third and put jose in...jack amrstong seems to never criticize jarret when he has a bad game

[dribbles]

I don't know who your insider was, but the comparisons to Artest and Gasol, Bogut and Jennings strike me as disingenuous. Those guys respect each other on the court. I don't believe for a second that Turk and Bargs are as respected, and more specifically, I would bet there are other players on the team harbouring grudges and who are ticked at Jay for rewarding players who don't bust their butts as hard with more playing time.

Turk hasn't just been playing poorly for most of the season. He skipped most of training camp and still looks like he's out of shape. Look at Grange's piece yesterday for more on his "tenacity." Yet he's the 2nd highest paid player and hasn't lost his starting job and still gets the ball in crunch time situations regardless of his success rate.

Bargs? We're all rooting for the guy, but he admits he's lazy and unfocused and what do players think about that when Amir busts his butt out there all the time and may not play half as many minutes?

Jay's one change to the starting lineup? Put Jose back in because the offence is working better with him on the court. Right, because offence is the primary problem with this team?

I don't think players like each other very much, and I don't mean that in the sense that Antoine and Turk aren't going out for dinner after the game. I also think Jay lost most these guys a long time ago. When players don't like or respect one another, and when the coach has lost them, things tend to go downhill. There are other factors but I think this is the major one these days.

I imagine you would say something to the effect that you're around the team all the time and that this isn't the case, but I'm going to believe my own 2 eyes and brain on this one. Bad chemistry goes boom.

[Manale]

Anybody getting fired if we miss the playoffs this year, Doug?
(Aside from Raptors Season Seat Holder Ticket Reps, I mean.
They won't need so many next year.)

Also, is Belinelli healthy yet?
I'd like to see if he could work hard in practice and crack the rotation in the last few weeks.
What have we got to lose by playing Marco at this point?

[Woodrow]

If effort is not there, only one thing needs to be said to a player..."have a seat". Plain and simple.

Turk: we'll let you start. You get 4 minutes, then it's either 'keep going bug fella' or 'HAVE A SEAT!, maybe we'll try you again at the start of the 2nd half...maybe'.

Bargs: 'Have a seat, try boxing out that chair at the end of the bench for a while...it has more rebounds than you do...dammit man...you're 7 frickin' feet tall!'.

[kelsey]

We heard form broadcaster's and coach's..Its 20 games in need to let team and Hedo gel. Its only 40 games in Hedo and team need to find each other and gel. Then we heard its 60 games in and he can still gel with last 22 games. Well we now hear..There is 12 games left and Hedo can still gel??? Compare Salmons on Milwaukee making roughly 5.8mil giving effort and 20ppg to He-dud Turk..Makes me feel sick.

Bosh should shoulder some blame as he is the leader on this team. However we have to remember he has been promised for a long time that team would get better. Imagine when Bosh looks at this team with Hedo and Bargnani as his Lieutant's. He must feel sick everyday.
There Cancer to this team.

I dont hear anyone talk about Gheradini, this guys suppose to know talent. GHERANDINI helped damage this franchise with the turn to TOO MANY EURO PLAYERS. NAME ONE TEAM IN NBA THAT HAS 3 EURO PLAYERS!!!!! One please!!

Jay Triano and coaching staff has lost this team, Not throwing guys under bus has not worked.

Colangelo you messed up..Hurts to say it.. BUT THIS WHOLE THING NEEDS TO BE BLOWN UP>>>Euro expirement failed. It was good to bring attention to some of the Ethinc communities. I understand, but make of players is flawed!!!!

A scorned Raptors fan