These are tough times, I'm glad I'm off to Ottawa

No, there is nothing good to say except that it’s over, there are 15 more to go and some of them will be good. Retire the memory of that one quickly and look forward to the next one.

And read this, of course, before you do anything else. And, yes, it's up ridiculously early but I got time to type a bit in the post-game decompressing time knowing there was a long day ahead.

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THREE POINTERS

Practice does not make perfect

As part of practice the last couple of days, what they’ve done is have halfcourt, five-on-five scrimmages aimed solely at rebounding and boxing out. Five guys to the offensive glass because no one has to worry about getting back and that means five guys have to turn around and box someone out.

And by all accounts, it works, at least according to Chris Bosh:

“For some reason -- I don’t know, I wish I knew – (but) for some reason practice is so different than the games. We get every rebound, we make sure we put bodies on guys and then the game comes, we don’t do that … Like I said before, there’s no science to anything, it’s not structure, it’s just get the basketball.”

Which leads one to say, in a half-joking way, “sure, it works because you’re playing against each other and we know how you rebound as a group.”

But the fact is, they work on it but something gets lost between practice and games. I don’t know if there’s any one group to blame, I suspect that like so much in sports it’s a shared responsibility between coaches and players but unless they fix it, this team will never realize its potential. And I honestly still think they have talent and I also think we’ve seen enough good games to know that’s a true statement.

It’s the conundrum that is this team: Good in spurts, bad in spurts and unable to find the mental toughness to work through a lot of difficult times.

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A bad sign of the times

You know what has to be one of the more frightening aspects of this whole losing streak has to be? At least four people I know – two Irregulars one row behind the visitors bench and another couple of litigators who flit from section to section (and you know who you are!) – bailed at halftime.

Now, these are pretty diehard fans, one of whom is quite the fashionista and Rasho fan, and if they’re hanging it up halfway through a game, that’s a troubling, troubling sign.

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A matter of clothing

This has nothing to do with the game but it’s pretty cool and since there’s really not much to say about the game, I’ll use it here.

We’re standing around waiting to interview Chris – and he was quicker than usual but still rather meticulous getting dressed – and there was a bit of a ruckus over on the other side of the room.

Well, not a ruckus really, but Turk was looking for one of the locker room attendants.

“Gus! Gus! Gus!”

We figure he needs some socks or some piece of equipment or something.

Then we hear:

“I can’t find my underwear.”

Classic.

No idea how the whole thing worked out, was too busy giggling and confirming what I thought I heard with a couple of other guys.

It reminded me a bit of Kevin Willis, the Big Fella, who was a classic locker room yeller.

He’d always be shouting at Young Ray Chow, the team’s massage therapist, looking for “lotion, Ray. Ray, lotion” so I presume Kevin had the softest skin in franchise history.

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More? Sure, why not.

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The anthem story.

Don’t know if how many of you heard them but little 9-year-old Morgan Hilliker, a good Niagara Falls lass by the way, did a bang up job.

So much so that I saw Jarrett Jack singing along to O Canada.

But, quite aside from that, young Morgan’s got quite the connection with the Raptors.

Not only does she hail from Jay’s hometown but she’s a grand-daughter of a former teaching colleague of Jay’s dad, Howie, who is fighting a good fight against the ravages of a stroke.

And while she sung for all of you last night, I understand she’s also done some private crooning to help Jay’s dad relax and for that she and her family need to be commended.

So there was one nice story out of that game.

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Speaking of stories, here’s the one from Oklahoma City this morning.

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Okay, look, I’ll admit I’m a bit of a Barack Obama fan, I like what he stands for, I like the change of attitude he brought among the general public and while I don’t pretend to be any kind of political scientist, I think he’s good.

But, I gotta tell yeah, he went so far up in my estimation Friday it’s not even funny.

To pay off a debt with the guy in Ottawa (and that’s about all I’m going to say on that matter), he sent not only the case of Molson that he owed, but he tossed in a little extra.

A case of Yeungling! I tell ya, that’s one outstanding president right there.

Now, if the two of ‘em could find a free trade way that I could buy the stuff here, that’d be pretty good.

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I have no idea when I’m going to get the mailbag done (my normal Saturday writing time will be taken up but a drive and a CIS twinbill) but we’ll put out one last call for mail.

I figure I’ll get it up sometime Sunday in the regular rotation.

Send the queries here.

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Speaking of stories, my man Dave D is back on the beat after chronicling curling and the like out in Vancouver and checks in with this missive from the vantage point of a Nets grunt.

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I still don’t think they’ll be able to catch Boston, by the way.

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Hey, if anyone out there thinks there might be change afoot in the lineup after the Thunder game, sorry.

Not on a back-to-back, they stick with what they’ve got.

And with Sunday likely a day off to travel to Minneapolis and the game there Monday, I’m thinking if they do anything – and Antoine for DeMar is still in the picture – it can’t possibly happen before Wednesday back here.

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All right, I’ll be spending a huge chunk of the day in the car en route to the nation’s capital (and I’ve got to tell you, Calgary-UBC and Saskatchewan-Carleton never looked so good) so if it takes a while for the comments to get posted, that’s why. It has nothing to do with their tone, although I will admit to being quite happy to not read the angst for a while).

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Comments

[JHP]

Not a problem Doug. Hope the games are close and you can enjoy them. I think your correct in saying management has to take into account fans leaving early. No matter what you say about the team, when the fans stop coming things have to change. But I'm a bit confused by your reluctance to change the core of the team. When they play a team like the Thunder they come across looking old and slow. So why keep them together for another year of looking older and slower. Is it because of contract obligations that the GM has boxed himself into a corner where the team has no choice but to keep what they have. Besides Bosh I'm not sure how many other assets (expiring contracts etc) the team has to work with. They never seem to draft many players (AB in 2006 and DeMar last year) and I wonder if that's part of the issue.

Of course I have to ask what you define as the core players. I mean you start with 14 players and then subtract say 5 you really do not play much. I would say after last night a really bad sign for their NBA careers and also factor out Bosh. That leaves roughly (using the Doug method of math) 8 payers. So by keeping the core 8 together you are saying the team will have at least 6 new faces for next year. Of course you could keep the same 5 guys sitting at the end of the bench. Sounds like another long year. At least one new face should come thru the draft.

Oh by the way with you in Ottawa for the day will you be doing the in game blog tonight? I think it would be entertaining to see the angst if the NETS won. Given the current state/play of the Bulls I'm not sure they have the horses to catch the Raptors (no matter how bad they play). So if things stay the same would you expect the Cav's to limit James minutes in the first round ?

[Detto]

I firmly believe that as a fan paying abhorrent ticket prices that you have a right to voice your displeasure when your team’s performance is putrid. I'm also inclined to believe that it strains the relationship between the fans and the players. Keep up the booing, Toronto, but don't expect Bosh to stick around to hear it.

[Joe]

Hi Doug,

I hope you have a great time in Ottawa and get to watch some nice basketball unlike last night's debacle.

Bosh's points about being good in practice but not being able to translate it in games is bang on and a clear sign of being unfocused. When I was at the Atlanta game on Wednesday, one odd thing that struck me happened during warm ups. Every single Hawks player was focused, even with simply lay up drills/warm ups. As for the Raptors, I saw a whole bunch of them goofing around and laughing it up. To me, that's a team that isn't focused and ready to play and that's what's killing them. It's not the coaches. Jay and his staff do a pretty good job. It's not the talent. These guys have a pretty significant talent level, not upper echelon but high 2nd tier. It's the attitude. They need to police themselves or perhaps, management needs to get tough with them. You don't play hard, you don't play.

[Steve]

Remember Joey Graham? This team IS Joey Graham. Good Joey, bad Joey, good Raptors, bad Raptors. Periodic great games and stretches of games, then periodic lack of focus and bad games. Although I don't think Joey was ever as bad as they were last night (probably not remembering properly). They would have been bounced in the 1st round of the NCAA tourney last night...probably by a 16 seed.

Oh well, that's the way the season goes. They'll probably be fine.

[Steph]

If Obama was half the man you think he is he would payoff the debt in person. It's very easy to send a minion to pay for his loses. Consider that next time you want to extol virtues on a guy that's destroying the North American economy.
..
A President should work with the most pressing issues while he’s in office, not push forward with a personal agenda’s that is decimating the economy. Let’s not forget about all the Canadians that have lost significant portions of their retirement investments, incomes and jobs because of this guy’s inability to understand the implications of moving forward with a plan they can’t afford.
..
I lost a very good friend, one who took his life recently because the American economy has destroyed his business, a business that employed over three hundred employees. Small businesses need government’s to encourage growth, employ people and provide hope. But Obama has been pushing forward a flawed plan, one that has his country divided and unemployed. A plan that has hurt small businesses everywhere, a plan that his country can’t afford, a plan that has compromised his countries ability to move forward, a plan that will thankfully make him a one term President.
..
I love beer, probably more then you do. But a great beer choice does not make a good politician.

[Kelsey]

I have to say I'm a realistic Raptors fan and never fed into the Bosh is leaving stuff. However I'm human and I have enjoyed Bosh on this team. At this point, Raptors fan's would be asking much of him to stay. If Raptors can’t make any moves to trade Turk, Bargnani or Calderon then please Bosh go. Bargnani is not going to be a Dirk. Turk is not going to help this team. Calderon is good, but he is a piece that could bring something nice back.
There is nothing to suggest this team will get better in next month. I'm sick of this non atheletic team. If Bosh leaves look at the 3 top $ earning players, Bargnani,Turk & Calderon...That is the core? This is sick. I keep saying, why do Raptors want to have a Euro team this is the NBA. Name another successful team in the league that has 3 Euro starters please!!!! Bargnani no emotion, Turk no positive emotion. I dont want to go here but, Aldridge, R Gay, B Roy anyone of these players and Raps would be better. Bargnani = medicoricty...Have a nice career Bosh!!!!

[David]

Does Scott Brooks get your vote for Coach of the Year? Raptors' miscues aside, I thought the Thunder seriously out-executed their competition.

[Albert]

Hi Doug,

I brought my 6 year yr. old son to the game last night. First time for him. Luckily they were freebies, because I truly could not afford to take him otherwise.
My three pointers just to get something positive out of the game.
1. Great hard foul by Bosh on Durant - and then he walked away like it was nothing - classic
2. Great hard foul from Amir - I think on Durant or Sefalosha (sp?)
3. Technical on Jay - although it came about 10 minutes too late.

Hopefully they can win one in NJ tonight.

[Danny]

hey Doug,

Love your analysis,

But to comment on politics?

Obama is a bust....Nobel Peace Prize (a.k.a. Arafat) and Health care bill fiasco (in the midst of the biggest recession in centuries)....or how about giving hundred of billions to bail out the banks (WHERE IS THAT MONEY?)...nothing went back to the economy.

You talk about change? (I can hear Iverson switching the discussion from practice to change)- what change? change? you are talking about change? let us talk about change? where is the change? change? we are talking about change?

As the leading Euro-basket team in the NBA it was clear this team will not be a power house. I remember in the beginning of the year the discussion about Evans...what happened there? ....

Last but not least, as i have said many times before, Derozan is not ready to the NBA yet. Why is this experiment still going? because somebody can dunk, it does not make them an NBA player. He is such a non threat during half court that teams have the luxury to keep things tight, not to talk about defense (where he is just too weak- at this stage of his career).

Unlike Obama's administration- how bout some change? we are talking about change...

[doug]

one thing every team can control each and every night is effort and desire...as Jackie Childs would say last nights raptor effort was preposterous,shameful, embarrassing and ignominious...to the poster that blogged about Obama if yuo really think that he is to blame solely for the u.s. economy then you have been drinking the Fox news kool-aid...

[KatTheBadOne]

Dear Raptors: Please read the comment by the awesome "Albert". Shame on each of you millionaires for your lack of effort and essentially stealing money from hard-working, dedicated fans.

Yep, we left at half-time last night. First time in 15 years. We are now voting with our entertainment dollars. We won't be renewing our seasons' tix. First time in 15 years. And, yes our MLSE sales rep has been told why. And he tries to entice us with extra "gifts", when all it would take is a team with heart.

How I long for the days of players who came out with passion every night, win or lose, to entertain and give it the old college try. Bring back the JYD, MoPete, Damon Stoudamire...hell even He Who Shall Not Be Named gave me more to watch and a reason to keep coming back.

I shall, however, continue being on Team Doug! A guy who never effing quits and brings his a-game every day. I'm so printing t-shirts...who wants one?

[James Online]

Outscored and outplayed Calderon, Jack, DeRozan, and Weems--all in front of him in the rotation. Third best scorer on entire team. Held Durant in check. Lone bright spot.

Marco Belinelli.

[elwyn jennings]

steph must have loved george bush

[sm]

Crappy game by the team last night - It was hard to watch - I flipped the channel midway through the second quarter - and sadly stopped following the in game blog. I'm sure If I was at the game - I might have walked out as well -

Odd how a month ago there was so much promise for these guys - and now . . . not so much. Hopefully they have a sense of pride and come out strong tonight. . . . ..If they lose to New Jersey -- Yikes!

[D-Mac Ottawa]

Joe, you're absolutely right about the no lack of talent, countered by the obvious lack of focus, attitude, preparation, and taking an approach to games that shows at least a little serious professionalism (all the very same things Antoine has been saying for quite awhile now). And while I also agree that "Jay and his staff do a pretty good job", when all of those things are lacking, and they continue to be lacking for weeks and months at a time, it's pretty obvious that this isn't a group that has any ability to "police themselves" whatsoever. It's up to the coaching staff to demand accountability: every day. And then back it up: every day, with rewards or repercussions as warranted. It's on the players to play. It's on the coaches to keep the players prepared, focused, accountable – and hungry. Cheers.

[Rob.V]

@ Steph - Dude, this is not the "Meet The Press" blog... but since you brought it up.

I will agree that Obama has made some mistakes however - at least his heart is in the right place. Republicans appear to be willing to go to enormous lengths with the sole purpose of trying to stifle Obama's administration (as with the constant road blocks in trying to pass health care). While in the balance, all site is lost on what's truly important... millions of Americans without health care coverage!!.

Politics in general are SHAMEFUL!!!

Do you honestly believe another 8 years of Bush-Cheney (if possible) would have been better?.

As for the Raptors - YIKES!!! Last night should serve as a great measuring stick for Colangelo come the off season. Unless the Raps miraculously turn things around (which I do not see) by winning a playoff round... enjoy the next 15 or so games folks (if you can) because this will mark the end of the Bosh, Calderon, Bargnani era in Toronto. DONE DEAL!!!

Not that anyone cares in these parts (however FYI) I could not stomach the second half of last nights game either. I appear to have done a little better than the guys you mention Doug as I made it to the 8 minute mark of the 4th... then opted out.

But it is interesting that you mentioned that today because I cannot ever recall me leaving that early either.

When the team was losing in the "good ole days" you could almost accept the beat downs night after night because you knew the teams sucked!! But I believe Colangelo raised the bar when he came to town, and it shows in the fact that us fans find .500 completley unacceptible. It's great that the Basketball "bar" so to speak has been raised in this city over the past couple of seasons...expectations have risen with Toronto Raptor fans.

Was a great show by OKC in the first half though!!

[mando]

The American economy by its very nature is destroying itself.

[Dave]

Tough, interesting times indeed...one night, a team that has a chance to battle through tough stretches against a team on the second night of a B2B, and seizes the opportunity. Another night, and the entire game is a "bad stretch" and the same team shows no ability to even hang with the opposition, let alone battle for anything - a rebound, some resistance on the defensive end of the court - No battle for anything.

The general feel I get from diehard fans on this blog, and others, is anger. Fans angry at the Coach. Angry at him for not pulling this player out of the starting line up for that one. Angry at the GM. Angry for not assembling the proper mix of players to win games at the same rate that elite teams do. Angry that media outlets announce that Chris Bosh is leaving Toronto. Angry because, likely now, more than ever, they are beginning to believe those statements that they once thought presumptuous and untrue - a belief that is reinforced now, due to an effective collapse after the All-Star break. A once positive outlook based around inspired play and a team surging in he standings to challenge for what many optomists thought could be fourth place and home court advantage in the playoffs, has turned into fear that same team cannot show interest in any game for long enough to squeak their way into the playoffs, in eighth place, and be swept away quietly by LeBron James and company. And that fear seems to breed the anger towards the GM and the coach. Most of the anger is not directed at the players, though. Save perhaps Turkoglu and Bargnani. Fans are angry at them because they don't seem to be trying as hard as they should. And they make too much money. I think the main reason why most fans are truly angry is because the opportunity to become the GM of thier favorite sports team - or any sports team, for that matter - has passed them by. They will never be able to make the decisions that matter to their team and that is infuriating. (It makes me mad, too. Actually, I'm mad I don't have Doug's job. Less pressure. And I could feel the wrath of angry sports fans who don't agree with me.)

I find myself wondering a few things when I visit this blog for my morning dose...I often wonder why those anrgy basketball fans who visit this site so regularly, and often contribute comments feel compelled to make Doug the target of their anger?...I also wonder (because after being a Raptor fan for 12 years, and watching all 82 every year, and believing that this is one of my favorite incarnations - next to the squad that featured VC, AD, Oak, Keon Clark, Dell Curry, Childs...2000-01 - I believe it will not last long) when Bosh leaves this summer, what will we get in return? I fear that whatever transaction happens, the Raptors will have regressed as a franchise, but I am always interested in playing "what if?" and wonder what others in this community believe will transpire as far as trade for Bosh goes? And I would suggest a quick salary check to see what is realistic before tossing it out there...Bosh will likely earn in the neighbourhood of $20 million/year...and really stuff that is plausible would be good too...no Bosh for Carmelo, or Bosh for Paul and West. Please. No Rose and Deng for Bosh.

Enjoy the CIS hoops Doug. Go Carleton.

Evan Turner for President.

[GM]

Not sure I understand, or agree with, Triano's insistence on sticking with the same starters just because it's a back-to-back. And all through this mess, actually. Sure, it may provide some stability, but think about what it says to the non-starters. What's the point in busting your balls and never being rewarded for it? Okay, maybe none of them has proven they should start. Fair enough. But when the current crop of starters isn't doing anything, and they keep their roles, it tells the subs that no matter what, they're going to stay subs. Also, what's the harm in trying something new? If they're going to lose anyway, may as well give something else a shot. They couldn't do worse.

[mdc]

Colangelo should hire Chas. Oakley as an assistant to lecture the team on heart, effort and competing to win.

[Norrin Radd]

thanks goodness NCAA college hoops is on....want to see effort? Have a look at college kids playing hard, playing to win, playing with pride....Jay has to do a better job of preparing this team....Ivaroni's defensive scheme hasn't worked all year...it didn't work in Pheonix, Memphis and now Toronto...Brian hired a good friend vs. hiring someone qualified to be the defensive coach.

[dc]

Raps have a pretty soft schedual in terms of opponents winning percentage the rest of the season. Hopefully, a win tonight can erase the bitter taste of last night's poor execution. The Raptors still have time to regain momentum and confidence. It's still possible for them to finish the season with 41+ wins. A sub- .500 win/loss record is not a strong sign that the Raps will have a chance to get past the first round, but at least we could enjoy one home playoff victory this year. It's better than nothing.
On the other hand, if the Raps lose to the Nets tonight, it will be another indictment of a GM who erred once again and a team of players who remain mysteriously less than the sum of their parts. In the end, it's the hard-working fans who have supported this NBA franchise for 15 years- voting with their dollars- that end up the most disappointed.

[Jack]

Why would you sign a 30 yr old to a 5 yr contract? Even I could have told you he would drag his ass across the court. Nothing to play for; at the end of the 5 years he is retiring.... BC is a fool and Turk is laughing at everyone

[James]

All these conservatives need to remove the pole. Do you truly believe he focuses his political views and opinions on one man's deliverance on a lost bet? Always a narrow minded bunch.

[JHP]

Doug

How is the scouting trip going ? See anybody that could help the team :-)))