There really isn't a whole lot to say but we have to say something

Where are they?

Good question, eh?

I wish I knew.

There are no easy answers and anyone who tells you otherwise is blowing smoke and that’s got to be the most confounding thing to the staff right now.

It’s not one guy and it’s not one thing, there are a lot of problems and it’s going to take determination and hard work to get back on track before this thing goes entirely off the rails.

Can they? Well, they did back in December, which is grasping at straws, but if you’re in that locker room, you need something good to think about and I don’t know that there is anything like that at the moment.

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THREE POINTERS

Calling himself out

It was kind of interesting to stand there and listen to Jose take responsibility for not getting Deron Williams stopped for a lot of the game.

It might have been the first time this season that I heard a guy in that locker room use the word “I” when discussing what went wrong.

“He got me in the first quarter like three times in a row or something like that After I was a little bit better in the second half but he’s a tough guy to guard and he had a good game. It wasn’t my best game, it happens sometimes.

“It was too easy and it was kid of straight line sometimes so it was my fault. What are you going to do? It happens.”

Not that it’s any consolation, of course, he had a bad night like about four other guys did. He missed a couple of open looks early, couldn’t keep Williams in front of him – not that many point guards in the league can.

If you think he was the sole reason they lost, think again; but a guy standing there and taking stock of what he did was kind of nice to see.

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What else?

Man, I’ve got to tell you, trying to come up with three talking points off that one is hard.

Let’s do this: How ‘bout them Jazz?

That’s a pretty good basketball team over there but I will take umbrage with one point Jay made about them a couple of times in his post-game session when he twice said:

“They’re bigger, they’re faster, they’re stronger.” I don’t think they are, actually.

They are not overly big, they are not overly athletic and, yes, they may by strong but it’s not a roster dotted with a bunch of Hercules clones

What they are is tougher

Way, way, way, way, way tougher.

They know what they want to do and they do it. They played every possession like it mattered, they competed every minute of the game at both ends of the court.

They were the anti-Raptors.

I still don’t think they can win the West – precisely because they are under-sized and relatively unathletic – but they are fun to watch for their workmanlike approach to the game.

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Change for change’s sake

You saw a whole lot of zone defence from the Heroes Of The Hardcourt last night, didn’t you? Now, I’m actually working on an Inside The Game takeout on that very issue for the weekend and it was nice of them to play some last night to help me out.

But the reason isn’t something that goes with the usual decision to switch defences.

Last night, as Jay said, it was a case of necessity.

“I thought the zone was okay only because it made five guys have to guard one and make him do something else than break us down or dish off to somebody.”

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Couple of other quick things:

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You know, having watched this team for each of its 15 years, I consider myself Canada’s foremost expert in bad – very bad – basketball but we’re talking a historical stretch of ineptitude of late.

As pointed out by the crack Raptors PR staff, the 115-89 loss to Oklahoma on Friday and the 113-87 loss to Utah last night is the first time in franchise history they’ve lost consecutive home games by at least 26 points.

See, it’s not that bad: You’ve witnessed history.

Something to tell the grandkids about, isn’t it?

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You probably noticed a little change in the way things looked last night, and I’m not talking about the nifty green Jazz uniforms.

The game was backwards.

The Jazz is one of the very few teams – might be the only one in the league to do it now – who turn the arena around, shooting at the west end of the gym to start the game.

The visiting team always gets the choice of which way they want the game to go but teams usually choose to have the defence in front of them for the fourth quarter.

Except Jerry Sloan, I guess.

Oh, and the Nets used to do it every now and then under Lawrence Frank, too, but those are the only two I remember.

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Speaking of the Jazz, here’s what the Tribune in Salt Lake had to say about that one.

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It’s always fun to get out courtside a couple of hours before the game, when the very first group that does its pre-game warmup takes to the court.

The first group out is Sonny, DeMar and Patrick and it’s almost worth the price of admission (given the last two home games it probably is worth the price of admission) to watch ‘em. Trash talking abounds, the rotating one-on-one games that also include Alvin Williams are, um, spirited and it really does look like a bunch of kids just having fun playing ball.

Kind of refreshing, actually.

Yesterday, it ended with the three players sitting in the front row courtside at about the hash mark trying to make shots from the seats.

I think Sonny was the first to make one, which caused even more jabbering and was quite entertaining.

Then the game started and mood went sour pretty quickly.

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Okay, I’ll ask for mail but, please, no rants and no “They suck. Your thoughts?” questions, okay?

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A moment of silence please.

Now run out and rent Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice.

And as many seasons of I Spy as there are out there and relive the glory that was Robert Culp, who died yesterday at 79.

Okay, glory might be a stretch but that is a pretty good movie, as I recall.

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Comments

[Lorie]

Would it be too embarrassing to admit that I still found him sort of "dreamy" when he played Debra Barone's dad? Yes? Okay, I won't then.

[marco]

Dear Doug,
Even though it's highly likely that Wright and Bosh were right in blaming their teammates for their lack of focus and effort, it seems strange to me that in interviews these two players never seem to take into account the possibility that maybe their own performances could be partly responsible for the team's misfortunes. This is particularly glaring after a game like the last one, in which Wright and Bosh took 35% of their team's shots (shooting a combined 39% from the field). I don't know what you think, but to me Calderon's approach (i.e., taking the blame for his own shortcomings) seems to be preferable.

[Mike]

I had the pleasure of watching the game at the ACC last night and was one of the few who stayed to the end. Don't get me wrong, I'm a huge Raptors fan since the beginning. I was at the SkyDome when the Raps beat Jordan and the Bulls - one of the greatest Raptor games of all time I must add. But it came to me last night as I sat through one of the worst games I've ever witnessed, 20+ point defeats justify the players paying the fans a partial refund for their tickets. I mean if you receive a terrible meal at a restaurant, it is justified for you to send it back. Watching professional basketball players suck at basketball, I think you we ought to get some money back, too. No way its ever going to fly, but I think last night the girls from the Scarborough Blues at half time could have given the Raps a run for their money.

[brennan]

"What are you going to do, it happens" - jose calderon

...and that's the problem right there.
getting blown out at home for the umpteenth time and we all shrug our shoulders and go..."que sera sera"

[zow]

How is the team reacting to Hedo folding up the tent and going home with HIS BALL last nite?

[Kelsey]

There is not much to say, wasnt only Calderon. This team is falling fast, who remembers 3 of 4 before this game. The losses have been tragic. This team (scratch that) this bunch of players called Toronto Raptors

[Frans]

Well Doug blocked my orignal post for whatever reason (I guess he is 100% anything that might remotely be negative)....Jose's quote of:

"It was too easy and it was kid of straight line sometimes so it was my fault. What are you going to do? It happens.”

..sums up this team. They basically accept the result as is....so basically Deron does whatever he wants out there and that's ok.....no fire, no leadership, no pride.....and that's exactly how they played last night.

Blogger's note: Believe it or not, I actually took two hours away from the computer to do work in my office. I understand your urgent need to see your compelling points in all their glory but, really, you need to chill a bit. Things happen at the pace they happen at and, shockingly, around here I get to determine that pace.

[Pipit]

Another game and another lost with a western conference team. As to Jay, the stubborness to keep players inside who can't defend and produce keeps going on and on. And to say that his players gave a good effort last night is a disgrace to all Raptors followers. Does he think that we are all that dumb, Doug? What can you say about Jose? I like his intensity and the way he manages the team when he's playing but he's too much a liability in defense which is hurting the team too much. It's alright to be blown by a good player like Williams but the way he's blown by last night was horrendous. Jose is so flat footed that a simple head and shoulder fake and he will be left behind by 2 or 3 steps. Even in switches and the way he recovers after a botch defensive play is so poor. Not athletic enough to recover and also his Basketball IQ in terms of defense is so low. To make matters worse, he has an off night shooting too and the stubborn Jay kept him until the 3 minute mark of the first quarter. The Jazz already build-up a sizable lead and their intensity pretty much established. I pity Antoine because he was the only bright spot last night. He played exceptionally well in the 2nd quarter bringing the Raptors close. But he was robbed last night when Jay started DeMar in the 3rd quarter and you already know the results, right? I'm sorry Jay but you need to step-up and bring something new for this team. How about having the balls to coach like a real man?

[NH]

Doug, tell us the truth, what happened during the All-Star break? That was when the Raptors started to slide... The team has been totally different before and after. Never seen a team self-distruct so badly..

[Kelsie]

"If you think he was the sole reason they lost, think again; but a guy standing there and taking stock of what he did was kind of nice to see."

He wasn't the sole reason but he was a catalyst. D. Will is a super pg but you can't let him cross you over continually and make a bee line to the bucket.

He also missed his first 5 shots which means he wasn't productive on either end of the floor.

He had to take stock at what he'd done cause it was in plain view of everyone to see.

Jay took out Jack on the west coast trip cause he wasn't performing well. Jay should have done the same thing last night for Jose

[Johnn19]

Utah vs Toronto, men vs Boys. A hall of fame in waiting coach vs a 1st year rookie coach. The best PG in the NBA, 1-2 with Paul with 16 asts vs Jose/Jack with a combined 4, and Raps team 14 no contest.

The contrast in TEAMWORK is amazing, 31 ast vs 14.

Rap's only chance of beating the Jazz (now on an 0-10 streak in th last 5 yrs) is to score at a high rate, 40% and missing at least 10 or 12 layups for the game will never get it done against a disiplined team like the Jazz, or many other teams.

[Hope Caper]

Hi Doug,
Disappointing stretch for the Raps.
I will say this of the team. They are unpredictable. While not playing well they still manage to win 2 games everybody hoped they would and won against the Hawks which most people wouldn't bet on. They have beaten the best in the league, again most poeple wouldn't bet on then lose games against poorer teams which many people would have bet on. A bookie's nightmare.
Consistency is not a commodity you can buy so, like you have been saying, go with what you got. I said this earlier and still say that Jay should go with Bosh, Bargs, Wright, Weems, and Calderon for the starting 5 to try and give them their best shot out of the blocks. That leaves Jack, Johnson, Turk, and DD to come off of the short bench. Insert Reggie and Belli where needed. Short rope for all.
I know Jay is concerned about chemistry but I don't see this line starting as hurting them a lot. Of course he sticks with what he's got and they come out of it and he's a genius. Glad I'm not the coach.

[JT]

I'm probably reaching but can we chalk any of this up to Reggie Evans being back, Rasho not playing, and Andrea somehow struggling around the time Reggie got back? I know Reggie doesn't play that much and the Raptors are not playing well even with him not on the floor but it can't be coincidence for this long right?

[doug]

I have been watching b-ball for 35 years and never have i seen a team have such a sheer and utter collapse after the all-star break, there not just losing their not even close....it's perplexing....Bosh needs to quit talking because if i were a team considering signing him, this constant deflection of the blame is not a element I'd be impressed with...as barkley says and i agree the "double-double" stat is the most over-rated one in the game...Bosh needs to look at game film and see his defense was just as horrid as anyone else's last night...

Cornell-Kentucky should be watched not just for the game, but in that one game you have what is right about the NCAA and what is wrong...Caliapri who coaches Kentucky, has lead teams to the Final 4, only to have those appearances wiped uot for "recruiting violations", cheating in other words, and just chases the money trail...a player in Wall who is a one and done and in my eyes the biggest problem in the NCAA now.....then you have Cornell, where academics are the main focus, you have seniors, a dedicated coach and yet they can combine all those elements and still make the Final 16....be sweet justice if Cornell can pull it off for all the NCAA players and coaches that do it the right way....

[James Online]

So DeMar and Sonny goof off like children before the game, take circus shots from the stands, and then get all gloomy when the game starts. (And you think it's funny and encourage the fans to come out early to see it????).

Marcus Banks and Reggie Evans dance around during the game (which is supposed to be a sign of life on the team????).

Do you think Jerry Sloan would allow this kind of behavior? Do you think DeMar Derozan would get one minute on the floor for Jerry Sloan (can't shoot, doesn't play defense, no sense of balance on the floor, NO assists again last night in 32 minutes from a guard!).

Antoine Wright is the "bright spot" shooting 6 for 15 and 1 for 7 on threes? Bright because it looks like he cares? Wow, that's a low hurdle.

Bosh moping around. Turkoglu coasting. Reggie Evans raging. Jack sulking. Triano looks stunned and lost.

Today is Marco Belinelli's 24th birthday. Early in the season Marco came off the bench early and typically helped sparked the team. His +/- must be one of the best on the team. He brings exactly what the team needs, and what some posters above noted: ball movement, passing, chemistry, vision, balance, offense from all over the court. Couldn't the Raptors use some of that? Or is the team playing so well no change is needed?

Blogger's note: I cannot believe someone as infatuated with Marco Belinelli wouldn't know that he's been hurt and inactive for the last three games.

[Perry]

Chris Bosh? I don't know. It's still up in the air. But when it comes to Mr. Bargnani, I can't help but think that his days in Toronto are numbered. Every time the individuals speak up to address the team's woes, it seems like they are slighting him ahead of the rest. They do blame everyone, but they tend to blame everyone for the faults that have always characterized Bargnani's game.

[Wayne]

This team has no consistent second or third options after Bosh... Barg's? Hedo? show up when they want which is not very often. Jimmie your post is correct this culture is really a top down problem(management) Sam lost his job for making guy's work for minutes can you imagine Sloan coaching Hedo and Barg's,both would be gone or nailed to the bench. I don't even want to start on the contract's BC gave those two maybe the the ESPN staff are accurate after all

[John Thomas]

Doug, youre like Jay Triano. Youre too nice on these guys. They dont deserve the second chance you always seem to give them. It took us 73 games for Calderon to acknowledge his defense was subpar? BRAVO!

[Nilay]

Jay Triano said last night in his press conference "the guys had effort and energy tonight" ....can someone please tell me what game our all canadian coach was watching because it was clearly a different game than the one one we are commenting about!!!

[Dave]

I agree completly that there needs to be more action from the coaches side of things. Sonny looked just fine out there in place of Turkoglu. I imagine the maximum "effort" night in and night out would come from a lineup of Jack or Jose (I don't really care which - both have pros and cons), Wright, Weems, Johnson, and Bosh. It makes no sense to say players need to adjust to coming off the bench, or BS like that. If they are being trampled by teams, who cares how comfortable they are in their role? If Demar's psyche is shattered if he needs to be moved to the bench, then it was a mistake to draft him. If Bargnani can only be effective if he starts a game, then he should be playing in some Euro League. Every media outlet out there ridiculed Allen Iverson for not accepting a role off the bench, why wouldn't shouldn't Raptors playershave to accept reality in the same way? I believe Jay needs to forget about where guys are comfortable...maybe the fact that they are comfortable in their role is the biggest problem. Thay should be playing every game as though they are terrified they're gonna lose their minutes to the next guy in line.

Go Cornell!!

[Nilay]

Doug are you and the other media ever going to ask Jay Triano if his team has tuned him out ..... it sure does seem that way. Everything he preaches doesnt seem to be happening on the court ...he preaches more passing -doesnt happen ...he preaches boxing out - doesnt happen.... one of you need ask "has this team tuned him out" ?

[Kelsey]

We ask ourselves why was Sam Mitchell fired? Hmmm because he didnt like putting up with BS effort. Those previous Raptor teams were not more talented. He sat Bargnani's butt because of his carefree basketball style 7ft guard who can rebound.

Bosh hasnt been playing well, however dont compare him to Lebron Carmelo or wade. These guys are small forwards/guards. They handle the ball.

Its called low moral, Its obviously wearing on Bosh and the team. How do feel going to work and majority of the top people have the attitude like they dont care (Hedo, Bargnani)...I have written numerous comments from months ago that Hedo's body language is NEGATIVE. Watching games live you see it more.

Well if Raptors dont make the NBA playoffs they maybe able to squeak into Euroball Playoff's

Im sorry Triano expirement is over, actually get ride of the staff and start fresh....

[Richard]

What a conundrum this team must be to coach and GM. As much as I love to armchair quarterback, to be honest this is easily the most baffling version of the Raptors I have witnessed. Everybody here has their opinions and offer up quick fixes but really, like Aretha says, "Who's zoomin' who?" The solution lies within each and every player in that rotation. It is as simple and complex as that.

Two things are starting to disturb me though.

First, I like Jay and believe he has done a commendable job of prepping this team. But his post game comments and constant praise of opponents is puzzling. Referring to Minnesota as "a good" team and his, "bigger, stronger, faster..." and, "no answer for them..." assessment of the Jazz is really unnecessary spin-doctoring. I understand Jay will not throw his players under the bus, but he damages his own credibility when he makes statements like, "I thought the effort was good tonight..." There is an acceptable medium.

And last, it is starting to sound like Bosh is distancing himself from this team. He is expressing confusion himself with their motivation issues and sounding somewhat resigned (not to be confused with RE-signed) to defeat. He may not consciously be deciding to leave yet, but seriously what options are his teammates giving him? And to be fair, under these circumstances, how could you blame him for wanting to leave?

Say what you will about Bosh, but on most occasions his bad nights are as good as (or better than) most of his teammates' best nights. And on a team we know has talent (they've shown it) that's a problem... with no easy explanation or quick fix.

[James C.]

I've to say your Calderon comments are pretty laughable. The guy's long been the bane of the team's defense and you now "compliment" him for calling himself out. Anytime soon, we look forward to your calling out all those responsible for this train wreck .. starting with the con man GM....

[Pipit]

Doug, is Iavaroni still the coach responsible on defense? If yes and if you’re the GM Doug, will you fire this guy because of the dismal defense by the team? But I guess he won't be because he's one of the powerful minions by Bryan. Have you seen the wide open threes given to the Jazz last night? Raptors still should be thankful because if most of those threes came in, they will be looking at a 40-50 point disadvantage. Not to mention those blow by's, constant tip-ins and offensive rebounds by the Jazz. It shows the bad things to come when the 1st possession by the Jazz is a dunk with Bargnani just looking as usual.