Hey, I'm back. Miss me?

Look at it this way: It’s going to be fun living the ups and downs of a playoff race – checking what Miami, Charlotte and Chicago do each night – than it would be sitting solidly in fifth bored for the final 18 or so games of year, isn’t it?

Isn’t it?

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Want to know one reason why I think it’s wise to have Jose replace Jarrett as the starting point guard? As we’ve seen all year, Toronto’s defence comes off its offence – it’s a terrible trait and one they have to break but it seems undeniable at this point in the season – and it strikes me as the offence just runs more efficiently with Calderon at the helm.

High screen and roll works a bit more smoothly, possessions have a bit more “calm” to them and there’s just a greater sense of confidence in those moments.

That’s not a huge knock against Jarrett but it’s probably the biggest reason I expect to see a change against Atlanta tomorrow night.

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What else might we see?

Well, I can’t say for sure because I can’t read Jay’s mind but he’s been talking an awful lot about shortening some rotations, or at least tweaking who plays with who and how much.

So I really expect to see less of Reggie Evans in the next little while with Amir Johnson getting some steady run and it wouldn’t surprise me in the least if one of Sonny Weems or Antoine Wright saw their time cut back.

Antoine limped out of the Rose Garden on Sunday night on a wonky ankle – it’s why he didn’t play at all in the second half – so that might be one reason we see less of him in the near future.

But as I’ve been saying all along, I think less is more in some instances and if Jay can get to a tight nine-man rotation, I think it’s better for everyone.

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It’s been a while since we checked in with some national team news but there have been some goings on of late you should probably know of.

And one way you can help in a small way to ease what’s going to be a pretty heavy financial burden this summer trying to run significant programs for four teams headed to world championships, which is the first time I can ever remember that happening and I’ve been watching the organization pretty closely for a couple of decades now.

If you’ve got a second, and $5 to spare, you can simply head to your phone, type in some numbers and make a donation.

Easy, peasy, no?

The details are here, you should check ‘em out and do what you can.

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This is textbook Coach Protects Players stuff here.

The other night in Portland (and I revisit it because a couple of people asked yesterday in the comments section), Jay gave a rather obtuse answer after about a five-second delay to a question I asked about a quick third-quarter hook for Andrea.

Here’s the verbatim exchange:

Q: You took Andrea out real quick in the third quarter, too when they got a couple of offensive rebounds. Did he have a tough night with Aldridge’s length? Quickness? Speed? Effort?

A: “They hit a lot of threes, they were 12-for-20 from the three-point line. So we’ve got to make sure we get out and close out on guys from the three-point line.”

What?

Pretty easy explanation, actually.

I knew, he knew, Andrea knew, the players knew, you knew that the offensive rebound mess was as ugly as maybe it’s ever been and I needed a good quote for the story on it.

Jay, who is loathe to kill his players in public, knew precisely where I was going but didn’t want to play along.

It’s a game some coaches play all the time but not answering directly is sometime as telling as really pouring it on.

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Speaking of Portland, I have to reiterate that it’s might be the best place to watch a game in the league now.

Great, knowledgeable crowds, outstanding arena, very good young team and a game-ops presentation that focuses on, you know, the game. Sure, they have June Taylor Dancers and a Chicken but nothing too over-the-top and I think our western Irregulars who get a chance to go down there will agree. You should see a game at the Rose Garden if you can.

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Oh, and speaking of the national team, I mentioned the men’s games against France that they’re hoping to finalize soon for mid-August here in Toronto.

But I’m also hearing rumblings that they might find a way to get a game in Vancouver about the same time. That’d be cool, no?

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Kansas, West Virginia, Kansas State and, because I don’t want a lot of grief from Alvin, Villanova.

I reserve the right to change my mind before tomorrow night, and perhaps change it again before brackets have to be flnally filled in by Thursday morning but that’s the way we’re leaning here.

Of course, when Super Son and I sit down to do it, things may change but, for now, take that to the bank.

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Best sign I saw in Portland:

Mrs. Turkoglu, thanks for Andre.

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The things you see at O’Hare during a 10-hour travel day.

Patrick O’Bryant, hanging in the departure lounge like you and me, ready to catch the United flight back home.

Patrick’s been away from the team for a few days attending a family funeral and was just like one of us other travelling zombies making their way home yesterday afternoon

Good guy, Patrick is. It’s got to be a hard gig, knowing you’re never going to play significant minutes here but he goes about his business like a pro, gets his work in and is ready.

You can say the same thing for the other guys who are in a similar situation – Marcus Banks and to a large extent Rasho. No disruptive behaviour, no public grumbling, just work and professionalism.

Not bad at all.

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What’s up this week? Atlanta here tomorrow, Oklahoma here Friday and at Jersey Saturday?

Hmm.

You’d think they really have to go 2-1 through this stretch to get some of their confidence back, no?

And because the NBA is so wacky, I figure they just might. If there’s one thing you know about these guys, it’s that you never know.

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You know what’s crazy?

We had more page views here yesterday than we’ve had in weeks and with a horrid travel day (three hours sleep, connecting flight, no time to sit anywhere for a couple of hour and write the usual drivel) there was nothing new up here.

Sorry about that, Irregulars. It’ll be the last time we go a day without something between now and the end of the season because it’s obvious you do want something to read each morning.

Thanks.

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Comments

[dave]

What where is the 3 pointers from the heat game. You dropped the format?

Blogger's note: I think you mean the Blazers game and being a day late, figured it was too late. We'll be back to the regular stuff after the Hawks game.

[Peter]

I know this is an odd perspective, but it goes along the lines of what you said to start this blog entry. I actually find this team to be more interesting now then they were when they seemed to figure everything out and be headed for the 5th spot. To me, the story of this team becomes much more intriguing when you realize that with 18 or so games to go, these guys haven't got it figured out. In fact they don't seem to have a clue. Although it's not as entertaining to watch as a team that wins a lot, it certainly is interesting to see how one team of players goes from horrid, to excellent, to pretty stinking bad again. There really is no explanation, and when they're winning, we don't try to figure it out too much, but now that the same group of players is losing... as a fan, it makes you sit up and wonder what can be done. That makes things interesting again.

[coachd]

Doug,
A few thoughts...
I still think that it's too early for this team to really show what it can do. I'd like to see what they can do next year after having a season under their belt together. It's rare that a team gets good so quickly after so many changes have been made. This is the NBA after all. The other teams are good too.
Also, I like the idea of Jose back in the starting lineup. I just like the way he handles the offfence. Like you said, things seem a little calmer when he's out there. I think that Jack is better suited to coming off the bench and providing more of a spark with the second unit.
Bargnani or Turkoglu need to come off the bench ,a la Jason Terry or Jamaal Crawford, and become the primary scorer for the second unit. There aren't enough possessions on the first unit for them and Bosh. Maybe that's why they seem to be standing around all the time.
Finally, enough of the "will he or won't he go" stories about Bosh. Truth is, who cares? If he stays great. If he leaves, it'll probably be by a sign and trade and we'll probably get somebody of significance in return. It's like waves lapping up on a shore. When one leaves there's another behind to take its place.

[kelsie]

That question you asked Jay the other nnight was pricesless as you seemed to linger on the word 'effort'. lol

Cracked me up but at the same time dissapointed me cause offensive rebounds were a killer that night.

What disturbed me even more was the next question you aked about Turk (i believe) and Jay's response was he starts well but doesn't finish as well as he has to get his stamina up? It was a little bit muffled but is that what the coach said? Turk's needs to get his stamina up this late in the season? Why does he need to be in better shape this late?

Doug, I agree that killing players in the media doesn't help but when they're not doing their job on the court doesn't the coach have a responsibility to call it as we all see it or at least sit guys that make crucial mistakes? A quick pulling of a player is fine with me if desrve. When I hear guys on this team might be sensitive or not handle criticism well, I wonder if the coach is trying to stroke ego's instead of doing what's best for the team?

[Anthony]

Morning Doug,
Would you consider giving Rasho some more run at center, he's no D12 but he is a steady vet that can play his role and rebound a little bit and might take some of the pressure off Bosh to go get 15 boards every night. Andrea could still play almost the same number of minutes he plays now but have Rasho start the game to help set the tone.
Bosh has a great J and so does Andrea... but one of the issues is that most times Bosh takes the jumper Andrea is camped out at the 3 point line and no Raps are in position for a rebound.... however when Andrea takes a 3 Bosh is almost always in there trying to box out.

[Derek]

Hi Doug,
I understand what you're saying about O'Bryant, but I think the sentiment applies more appropriately to guys like Banks and Rasho. Those guys are real pro's - as evidenced by the few times they've been called into action this season. O'Bryant is lucky to even have a job and a paycheque in the NBA, so there's certainly no reason he should be grumbling. I disagree whole-heartedly with him being a pro - I watch him before every game during the warm-ups - jacking up threes, standing around - just generally looking disinterested, much like he does during the odd game he gets in.

To the rest of the team - I think the difference between our current losing streak versus when we were winning a month ago is pretty simple. You touched on the fact that their defense (such that it is) comes in large part from their offense. During the winning streak, guys like Antoine Wright, Sonny, Marco and Amir were all chipping in about 10 pts each off the bench, and shooting a pretty high percentage. In the losing streak, Antoine is taking far more shots than before, and making far less. Marco is taking fewer shots, and making even fewer.

Turk has been a "weak link" all year - at no point has he produced the way the Raps had hoped in terms of his offense of his defense. Andrea seems to have regressed in the last month, after showing some progress (offensively and defensively) earlier in the season. Since coming back from his injury, Bosh seems to have gone back to his old habit of settling for his jump shot too often, and holding onto the ball too long.

I think both points guards have played pretty well, and neither of the two have been the problem. We probably get less production from the 2 and 3 spots combined (in our starting rotation) than most teams in the league. I'm not a statistician, but I imagine those 2 spots are where most teams get the bulk of their scoring from. That weakness puts a ton of pressure on the rest of the starters and the bench to make up for that. If one or two of the starters or bench players has only an "average" game, that's enough to cost us a win.

I don't know how they resolve that. Maybe have Sonny start for Turk in the 3 spot, and have Marco start for DeRozan in the 2 spot. Perhaps the demotion to the bench lights a fire under Turk - and if so, maybe he plays his way back into a starting role. If not, better to have him out against the 2nd stringers.

DeRozan has played pretty well for a rookie, but they definitely need to tighten up the rotation and get more scoring from his spot in the starting rotation. Let him come off the bench with Turk, Jarrett, Amir and Marco.

[Blake Kennedy]

So, we admit that our defense is an issue, we acknowledge we're playing an athletic team next game who has absolutely curb-stomped us and we admit that playing defense off your offense is terrible...but then want to perpetuate all the problems we have by starting Jose? The very guy this team changes its entire defensive paradigm for, by switching all ball screens and crossing action he's involved with to take him off the ball?

Interesting. I'd imagine Jay's first reaction to seeing a grease fire in his kitchen is to go running out for the biggest container of gasoline he can find, too.

Let's not get strapped in for a lengthy winning streak.

[NH]

Who here would rather get a draft pick out of this season and get another young nice piece to build than get into the 8th spot and get run over by Lebron and friends?

[John MacDonald]

This is the plain truth. If the Raptors don't make the playoffs Bosh is gone 100% and I don't blame him for one second. If they just squeek in and get sweeped by the Cavs, then again I'm pretty sure Bosh will leave. But if they make the playoffs and actually accomplish something positive (maybe not win a series but maybe push to a 7th game) then there is a chance he stays. I do however think that this past stretch has really made it hard for Bosh to see a winning team here in the future. Lord help us if he leaves as there will be no chance of replacing him.

[Lawrs]

I'd watch a game in the Rose Garden... but its in Portland (a terrible city).

[Andrew]

Hey Doug,

I get the logic with starting Jose, but it creates an interesting problem. To my eyes, Jose and Amir work together as well as any two individuals on this team. Jarrett and Andrea also work well together. Now, I'm not suggesting that Amir start (I'm not that crazy), but do you think that maybe Andrea will only play the first 5-6 minutes and then sit in favour of pairing Jose and Amir together? Then Bargs and Jack start the 2nd quarter together? Maybe I am crazy, but one of the bright spots this season, for me, is watching how well Jose and Amir play as a PG/C combo. By the way, I am probably responsible for 15-20 of those page views from yesterday...I am pretty eager to read your blog every day. Thank you for the great work.

[sara]

With Calderon back in the starting lineup Jay should better start Amir too, and have Andrea coming off the bench with Jack. When not involved on offense Bargnani is ineffective on defense and we already know Andrea won't get one single look from Jose .

[Frans]

Man..don't understand the logic of starting Jose...especially against two upcoming teams that are far more athletic than us....I also don't agree with your throughts on having Weems' playing time cut...he is our best defender all year. Did you see the job he did on Roy when he was on? He was the only guy that can consistenly stay in front of his man...not only does Jay miss the boat on starting Jose, he will miss the boat completely if he doesn't yank Hedont for a lacks effort...starting Jose will be our downfall...

[Johnny's]

Doug,

Do you agree with Feschuk's piece? That Bosh is simply playing out the rest of the year

Blogger's note: No

[Michel G]

Doug, I think we missed you because when the team is going bad the other Raptor blogs can oppressive. Fire Colangelo, Triano can't coach, trade for Gilbert Arenas in the off-season, etc. You keep it real and in perspective. Thanks for that. Regarding Bargnani, I do hope he at least "learns" to become a decent rebounder over the next couple of years. I think he can be pretty special if he rounds out his overall game that way. I don't know if you said this, but improvements in his game often evolve at glacier-like speeds, so we'll have to wait and see.

[Jeff]

Hey Doug,

Probably so many page views because all the regulars (like me) Kept checking back to see if you were able to post :) Keep up the good work.

Would you say, even though they have been losing, that DeMar's game has been improving over the last few?

Blogger's note: In short stretches, he's been more aggressive offensively

[Gene O]

For me the worst thing about this recent meltdown is that it gives too much credence to ESPN ( Bosh is leaving, Bargiani is not playing like a #1 pick, Turk's getting paid too much, a Canadian can't be a head coach.....)
Let's hope there's enough time left to prove these guys wrong.It might help if all our guys played with the same attitude and effort that Amir brings to the court every minute he plays.

[greg]

Hey Doug did you see the article about Why Pro Athletes love T.O. in the wall street journal over the weekend ? Maybe this article will make it official that B. Ballers do not hate or dread playing in the city?

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703701004575113711299000350.html

Blogger's note: Saw it and read our follow to it -- and helped report it -- on Saturday

[Paul Anderson]

Hey Doug,

I really do think they need to start Amir or Rasho. We do not need more offense in the starting line up. We need defense. I know one person that commented suggested that Amir plays better with Jose. I do not want to totally knock Andrea because he has improved a bit. I just think it is time that we make major changes before the playoffs. Playoff basketeball is all about defense. I am hoping that the coaching staff makes this change. Even maybe have Derozan coming off the bench.

[Kik]

I have no problem with Amir starting with Calderon over Andrea and Jack. There'll be more balance defensively and offensively. And if Turk doesn't pick up his game, then start Weems. Enough babying with these guys already.

[Perry]

In addition to what Jay said (or didn't say) about the rebounding issue, I think Bosh was quoted with the following yesterday, "It's simple, rebounding... Have to be willing to run over your mother to get the rebound (if that's what it takes)."

What they both fail to recognize is that rebounding is not Andrea Bargnani's game ("Thank you").

[Kelsey]

I would really like to see Amir start or play early. Honestly Bargnani is 7ft guard. He rearly boxes out, and doesnt get enought rebounds for a centre 1.2 offense rbd per game 6rbds/game total. This is horrid. Why do you think Sam Mitch us to give Bargnani the quick hooks. A team that does not have good d-fence and doesnt REBOUND GOOD. ahh. Im sorry if Bosh goes, bad news, but maybe they get good pieces. That being said, they would have to trade Bargnani, Turk(probably no chance) and even Calderon. Im sorry the European style of basketball is not good. Imagine this team with Bargnani and Turk as headline players. Ah man.Was mistake hiring Gerhadini with his Euro influnece. Not a disrespect to any Europeans but its just the truth... Terrible!!!!!!!

[Shawn Hartt]

Joe Johnson out with an injury...just upped our chances for Wednesday night's game!

[brian]

Your blurb about the National team and the games in toronto and vancouver seems to be in the article twice...

Blogger's note: That's how big it was. Fixed

[Pipit]

Nice heading Doug, funny and very catchy. What this team needs now and in the near future is a solid wing defender. Every now and then, this team is always being dominated by the opposing wing players. Though Antoine is good in defense, he's just too slow to stay in front of athletic offensive players. Hopefully, the team can mold DeMar to be one cause he got all the goods to be a very good wing defender. I know that you can only win games in the NBA having a solid team defense. But if you got two or more players inside the court being blown by consistently, no good team defense can outlast it.