Of chemistry and questions and the role of a leader

Join Doug Smith at at noon Wednesday for a live basketball Q&A, as the Raptors get ready to take on the L.A. Clippers.

Everyone well rested after a day off? Good, because we’re back at it for another game day today and I have a feeling that if things don’t go well against the Clippers tonight, the ugly mood of Monday will look like Mardi Gras in comparison.

Have a nice night.

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The issue of “chemistry” with the local heroes has been a subject bandied about with great regularity over the last month or so when a promising season got a little bit off the rails.

People have wondered if there was some divisive locker room issue that was causing problems, whether this guy liked that guy or that guy like that other fellow or whether they were getting along well enough to be a functioning group.

It’s always been my contention that losses lead to finger-pointing too often and that was the problem, nothing more deeply rooted than that, and that a win or two and everything would be sunshine and puppy dogs again instead of storm clouds and pitbulls.

Well, because I wondered if maybe there was some legitimate dislike between some of the players – and I have to admit there were moments where it looked as if they truly disliked each other – I figured I’d ask.

I went to three players whose opinions I truly respect and who have been honest and forthright with me every time I’ve asked them a question about anything.

I’m not going to tell you who they are because I asked them on the condition of anonymity so they wouldn’t worry about having to sugarcoat any answer. But, trust me, I trust them to tell me the truth.

And all of them said it’s not an issue, that they do get along, they do respect each other (and that’s more important than holding hands and singing songs) and there are no underlying issues.

They agree that losses make it hard to feel all sweetness and light but the issues is more of performance than personality. As one of them said:

“It’s like we’ve got a switch and we leave it in the ‘off’ position too much and when it gets hard, we don’t know how to turn it on. If we do, we can be good. Really good. But we have to do it. It’s not coaches, it’s not management, it’s us. We have to know how good we can be and just do it.”

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With a weird weekend coming up – Saturday afternoon in Philly’s a rather odd game time before an early Sunday evening game with the Golden State – I’m not sure when we might end up having a Festival Of Mail.

But whenever we do, we’ll need some submissions so I better start the solicitation process.

Click here, send ‘em along and if you’d like to diminish the number of rants, it’d be greatly appreciated.

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As perhaps I’ve mentioned, Antoine Wright’s gone way up in my estimation the last little while, not only for his play but for his actions and his willingness to demand things of himself, his teammates and his coaches.

It helps, obviously, that he’s playing well because that always makes the message easier to take and I was asking Jay about “leadership” and whether Wright brings it to a team that needs it.

“He’s a leader because he’s doing what we ask him to do, which is play at the defensive end of the floor.

“Antoine just finds a way to get in front and fight and get through screens and help side and still do what we ask him to do.”

Considering that some of these guys have a hard time consistently doing what’s asked of them – like play hard and well at both ends of the floor every night – Wright does seem to stand alone.

I’ve long thought there was some kind of void in outward leadership on this club, it’s nice to see someone who’s playing well take it on.

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In Los Angeles, where you often need a search warrant to find Clippers coverage at this time of the season, they read this in the paper this morning after another loss, this time in Milwaukee.

(Oh, and this is an Eric Smith idea that I heartily endorse and that the powers that be around Raptors land have blown for another year: Tonight should, without a doubt, be one of those throwback games where the Raptors are the Huskies and the Clippers wear old Buffalo Braves jerseys. Maybe, someday, somebody with some foresight in the front office will see the wisdom of our ways and do it.)

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Hey, you know we Canadians have a lot of love for Steve Nash, given all he’s done for the country and how remarkably well he’s represented us for years, right?

Well, add another one to the list after last night.

I don’t know how many saw it but his finish last night when Phoenix did the Heroes Of The Hardcourt a big favour by beating the Chicagos was vintage.

A great and-one when he made Brad Miller look like me, a couple of nifty assists and a few clutch free throws and all of a sudden the locals have a two game lead and the tiebreaker over the Bulls with nine to go.

I’m not saying they’re home and cooled out here but it’s not looking all that bad.

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They’re grieving in 90210 after the DWTS episode and the Pussycat Dolls favourite is still looking good.

(That’s code for those of you who aren’t Irregulars).

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For the life of me – and to keep up what’s been a tradition here of late since I’m tired of talking about how mopey the mopes were getting – I’m having a hard time coming up with any good Clippers-related Raptors yarns.

Outside of the old one – the 152-120 beatdown that was a layup line back in the 16-66 season when Darrick Martin had 20 or something silly like that and it was disgusting all around – there are precious few “moments” involving these two storied franchises.

So maybe all I’ve got is that the old L.A. Sports Arena, where they used to play before moving to Staples, was one of the scariest places in the league

I think it was after that 152-point game that we walked out only to be told that we should wait until an armed guard could walk us the 100 metres or so to our car because the neighbourhood was a tad, um, sketchy.

Oh, and it was smelly, too.

An old colleague who’s gone on to fame and fortune interviewing the likes of Julie Andrews, once tagged it The PeePee Palace for the odour the wafted through the hallways.

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Speaking of speaking, we’ll be here at noon to answer questions for an hour if anyone wants to stop by. And I can’t imagine we’ll match the angst- and anger-filled four-figure crowd we got Monday but we’ll still be here.

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Comments

[David Fernandes]

Hi Doug,

Not to get too technical but the Raps are up 1.5 games after the Bulls lost because the Raps didn't play.

Thanks
David from Malvern

[Peter]

Hi Doug,

I really appreciate the fact that you went to a few players to get some opinions. Personally I read this blog each day because I know that you have access to players, coaches and management. Although I find your insights and opinions to be very entertaining, what sets you apart in my mind is the ability to go directly to the people involved and then be able to include that information in your blog.

Great work!

[Juan]

Morning Doug
Thanks for the insight and another excellent point on what's good about Wright.
To doug (the poster): Chill dude. I don't believe anyone here has been saying Wright is some kind of saviour or the next MJ or LeBron. People like the effort and attitude he brings. Where is it written that only the top superstars are allowed to voice their opinions? It's refreshing to see a guy who wants to win and encourages others to do their best.

[AT]

Doug,
With all due respect to Jay, does he not see the Elephant in the Room (leadership issues) with this team? His response to the Antoine Wright question really does not address the heart of the leadership issue. When that person whom you did not name talks about turning on the "on" switch, it is the role of the leader on the team to make sure it is done!

[PaidForByTheOrganizationForPitbullCuteness]

Are we not cute puppies at some stage of our lives too?

Sincerely,
An Affronted Pitbull.

[sara]

Doug , is Andrea expected to have surgery on his achille's tendon in the post-season ?

Blogger's note: I've just asked the top level of Raptorland and am told there has not been an issue with his Achilles the entire season and no surgery is planned or expected

[Andrew]

Thanks for the locker room insight Doug! I did catch the end of the Bulls vs. Suns game. Nash was methodical in the last few minutes of the game to win it for the Suns. He's always fun to watch.

[Manny]

Hey Doug,

If Antoine has become the floor leader, where does CB fall in as this is suppose to be his team?

Thanks

[Aditya]

"Considering that some of these guys have a hard time consistently doing what’s asked of them – like play hard..."
-----------
Who in your opinion does not play hard every night? Names please...

[Tiger]

Team unity is funny thing...
In the midst of March Madness and the stretch-drive in the NBA, we always see something like this:
Game on the line, guy at the foul line to attempt game-deciding free throws, he bricks the first...
...and there's ritual handshakes all around.
I must be way old, I don't remember any of that reaffirming touchy-feely stufff back when we used to hunt dinosaurs with clubs.
I wonder if Jalen and Rafer ever did the rites of foul shots when they were here?
Of course, in those days nothing was ever on the line.

[Simon S-G]

One Clips-Raptors memory that I have from a few years ago. I went to a game at the ACC, forget what year but it was during one of Rafer's stints here, think it was on his 10-day. It was garbage time and the Raps were up by about 15 with maybe 10 seconds to go, and only had 99 points. The crowd is chanting "Pizza Pizza" which as usual I'm cringing at, and while Rafer tries to dribble it out the Clips coach (I forget who it was at the time) orders his troops to stand down and motions for Rafer to take the shot to give the fans pizza. He makes it, crowd goes nuts, Clippers and Raptors share a laugh. Does that not put the plight of the Clips into perspective?

[knickz]

can you actually believe some fan's are actually wishing to play lbj in the first round...i live and die for the raptor's but lbj will torch us

[Aditya]

Clearly, the "chemistry" of this team is a non-issue.

The link to the article (for Clips vs. Bucks) is an article posted on March 22 about De Andre Jordan and his lack of minutes. Please update the link.

[WSG]

Good blog as always and I'm getting hopeful that we might even yet see the best the Raps have to offer for this year but ... in regards to the Huskies thing ...

Maybe I’m just not a nostalgia kind of guy. To me, delusion, fakery and sometimes almost fraud so often outweighs the thing that tries so hard to genuinely resemble what is pawned off as ‘honoring’ the subject that is being celebrated. The Huskies is a team that operated for one season - 1946-47 - and had nothing whatsoever to do with the Toronto Raptors (other than the Huskies played their one miserable - and badly attended - year - 22-38 - out of Toronto) ... who’ve only been in business themselves, for fifteen years, now. How about we let the Raptors grow their own history for a while, before we fall all over ourselves honoring a short-lived Huskies team that nobody I’ve ever spoken to recalls in any way, at all? I know (of course) that it’s all about selling jerseys and paraphernalia ... but why is it that the media plays along as mindless shills for the money grubbing NBA owners, trying so hard to squeeze those extra few dollars out of fans who already do more than their share? ‘Cause it’s ... fun? Please. Raptors management should instead, concentrate on building a real identity for the Toronto Raptors without the nonsense of pretending that a one year franchise from sixty-two years ago had anything at all to do with what they’re trying to do here and now. Sorry for the rain, but I don’t like anything at all that has to do with the Huskies. It’s just bogus. Go Raptors.

[kazbid]

hey doug, i'm going to be in philly this weekend visiting family (and going to the 76rs/raps game with my brother in law)

do you have any tips of places to hang out around the arena?

also how is the stadium? i usually sit sideline upperlevel in ACC (best view per $ value) is it similar in philly?

oh and can i wear my raptors jersey safely?

Blogger's note: Stadium will be dead empty for an afternoon game when, I believe, the Phillies are playing an exhibition game across the parking lot. There's nothing by the arena but Second Street or the university district are good places to hang out

[NH]

Steve Nash did the Raps and Triano a big favor last night, but its time for our team to capitalize. Our next 3 games are against teams that have records under .500 so no more fooling around. While tough, if the Raps can go 3-0 (possible if they play hard and to their ability), it will definitly make things easier down the road. Raptors have less games remaining against teams over .500 than the Bulls, so cmon guys, we are ahead of them, so we can control our own destiny.

[kazbid]

Hey Doug, I know you hate commenting on other blogs or their opinions but I believe you and Grange get along.

Did you see his second to last blog in which he basically:

calls out Bosh (and his new NY based gf)
Hedo (for being lazy and having a lot of excuses about his role and the team)
and Triano (for some his lack of command over the team)

what do you think of his perspective? I mean he did base his opinions off of first hand interviews and experience with the team. Anything to it or just one guy's opinion?

Blogger's note: Mike's a pro's pro with valid opinions who works hard

[joe]

Doug,

Good points about Antoine. Is there any chance he'll resign with the Raptors in the off-season?

Blogger's note: Can't hazard a guess

[joeu]

some poster writes " ... names please."

and I think:

You need someone to TELL you who isn't playing hard ? Do you watch the games ?

[Rob.V]

(That’s code for those of you who aren’t Irregulars).

Duuuuuude!!!!

No offense (you know I love the blog... and the snark!!)... but DWTS is "Ricky Martin".... that's code for something too!!!

Even my "legit" - "Ricky Martin" friends say DWTS is ... um... over the top... RICKY MARTIN"!!!

Been meaning to say that for a while now!!!

Next thing you know we'll be talking about The Young and the Restless, or The Bold and the Beautiful.

Anyway:

Is Jay finally, FINALLY willing to stop the relvolving (and inconsistent substitutions)?.

Will Hedo keep his ass home (and out of the lounges)??

Will Bosh stop focusing on "not" tearing a ligament.. and losing millions of dollars 8 games from now???

These answers... and MORE!!... as the Raptors Turn (or Squirm!!!).

[Rob.V]

Oh, and my guess as to your "sources" would be:

Jose, Rasho.. and not sure of the 3rd.

Just thought I'd put it out there for the masses to dissect.

[Phil A]

What a finish in Chicago last night! Raptor fans should of been jumping for joy. Steve Nash was excellent! It's funny that whenever you ask the question of who you would want to have the ball in late game situation, most people would answer Lebron, Kobe, Chris Paul or Billups. I still would want Nash to have the ball in his hands over any of those guys in that situation...i'm just sayin! Agree?

[GM]

Kind of a chicken and egg thing, chemistry is. Do the losses lead to finger-pointing, or does bad chemistry lead to losses? Don't know. I'm not sure asking three players will reveal the answer, though. The quote you gave could have easily been made with full attribution, that's how generic it was. I'm not sure how you approached them, but if any of the rest of the team saw you talking individually to some players, and then read that they ratted out bad blood, they'd know who it was who sung like a bird. So I'm not sure you'd get a totally honest answer. Unless you contacted them privately by phone, and maybe you did. But hopefully you're right.

Blogger's note: Or I saw them privately in a hotel lobby or an arena corridor or on the street

[doug]

let me clarify in regrds to my thoughts on Wright yes he hustles, plays hard and is vocal....but as i mentioned a few weeks ago aren't people tired of mediocrity?...so here we have a guy that the Mavs didn't find useful, let him go and added pieces to make themselves a much better team...yet we feel Wright is a key piece of the puzzle....it just reminds me of JYD,POPS..he is not a part of the solution, he is, if we are content fighting for the last playoff spot.....but I am not...were just being sold the same old bill of goods, we have 4 players signed long term on a mediocre team...and Bosh is leaving....but we all rejoice that we have one guy that hustles and wants to win??....isn't that just a little sad??..there is a big picture but as I say if people are content fighting for the last and final playoff spot then so be it....whereas a team like the lakers lose 3 games in a row and people are clamouring for changes...different expectations, and fans here are happy with ours??....not me...Wright is a starter on a mediocre team as he is a mediocre player...these things aren't coincidence....fans in this town love POPS, JYD and now Wright ...when the first 2 left town they were soon out of the league...maybe just maybe we over-value players like them ....to win and be good you need not one marginal talented guy to hustle, you need everyone to play hard....people here just get happy when we have one....hence mediocrity...and acceptance of it...

[ttfox]

A few weeks ago, when the Raptors were in 5th place, a lot of people were talking about who they favour playing in the first round of the playoffs. Not Atlanta nor Boston because the Raptors have no chance. A big chance against Orlando, etc., etc.
Now, the Raptors are reduced to 'make it to the playoffs'. What a turnaround.
Can we have your opinion on how the unraveling of the Raptors happened?