And another voice is heard from

Join Doug Smith at 1 p.m. Tuesday for a live basketball Q&A.

All right. We’ve heard from the coaches and selected players. We’ve heard from the president and general manager. What’s next?

This kind of fun stuff is next as I try to figure out what I might do with my days and evenings.

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I’m trying to come up with a word to capture Bryan’s mood yesterday and as I look at the little one-handed notes I typed to myself as the hour droned on, here’s what I had:

Defiant.

Maybe a bit strong but there was no question he was getting his message out and damn the consequences. Right from the get-go, he made it clear he’s okay with a lot about the team he had assembled, while acknowledging the need for at least some change.

But look, the simple fact of the matter is that he wasn’t going to come out guns a’blazing killing his guys, or himself, or his organization.

First, there’s no way he was going to undermine the “assets” he may have to take to market this summer so aside from the obvious statements that Hedo was bad, the point guard issue’s an issue and that Bargnani has to rebound better, there wasn’t going to be much there.

And there’s no way he’s lost confidence in his abilities so that wasn’t going to happen.

And, thirdly, if you thought he’d sit there and rip his bosses well, that’s just not going to happen.

So defiant and a bit defensive is what the prevailing mood was to me. Not at all unexpected, either.

I, fully acknowledging that I’m in the minority, tend to agree that things aren’t as bad as some think. No, they were not good in the final few weeks, nor were they good in the first few weeks but I do think pieces are there that will allow this team to move up next season and the season after that and we’ll see where that takes them.

They are horrid defensively and I’d be quite all right with sacrificing some of the best offence in the East for a defensive presence and I thought this statement was rather interesting:

“It’s safe to say we need to improve our personnel in that area and we have to get better at formulating and executing a strategy.”

That would put some pressure on the coaching staff and that’s quite all right. They need to tweak some things and they need to teach better to get more out of the limited defensive abilities of some of the regulars.

But overall? They would, in my opinion, be far ahead today from where a year ago and while that’s not good enough for many, it’s part of the process. How it turns out, nobody can say with any degree of certainty, which is the fun part of all of this.

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Questions?

Answers? We’re likely to have both if any of you irregulars want to be around these parts at 1 p.m. today.

I presume some of you would like to dissect Bryan’s little chat from yesterday and I’d even bet there are some queries about the basketball that’s going on.

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Still with the inability to give hard answers to legitimate questions, this whole uncertainty over Chris Bosh’s future made it impossible to get hard numbers about salary and tax and the like, according to the GM.

“I’ve got scenarios where I can paint a picture that we’ll be a $3 million tax team, I’ve got scenarios where we’ll be a $7 million tax team, I’ve got scenarios where we’ll be higher than that. But they’re all scenarios because of the unknowns about free agency and the off-season. Today, those answers aren’t available.”

So we wait. Patiently, I guess, until July when the Big Domino falls.

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Speaking of the basketball that’s going on now, how many sat through Cleveland-Chicago last night?

And how many rubbed their eyes in disbelief when Jamario Moon was going all Dell Curry on the Bulls with four three-pointers in five attempts? Yes, our old friend Jamario sure caught some lightning in a bottle last night. Made more three-pointers in that 20-minute stretch (4) than he did in any game in the regular season.

Just goes to show you that anyone can get hot at any given time and maybe all those ill-advised, early-clock threes we saw here were just practice for last night.

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In case you were wondering, the NBA Draft Lottery is May 18.

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The Reggie Evans question to Bryan evoked a rather interesting answer, didn’t it?

The gist of it is that there might still be an issue with the foot, the doctors who treated him before are going to look at it again and who knows what they might find after he went about 30 games on it.

My question would be: Does a sore foot impact passing ability?

Because when push comes to shove, that was the issue the team had with Evans, his unwillingness or inability to give the ball up once he got it.

Yes, the energy was good most of the time but I know the coaches couldn’t get past the “no-passing” rule and the inability to make free throws was an issue to.

So foot or no foot, I wouldn’t all be surprised if they didn’t try – and succeed – to deal him and his expiring contract this summer.

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Well, let’s get this in-game blog thingy started again, I miss some of you. Some. Only some.

We’ll start tonight at 8 p.m. with Boston-Miami and see how attendance before we decide just how many nights a week we’ll do this.

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You know who’s going to feel good this summer? Unemployed head coaches and up-and-coming assistants.

Bryan made mention of at least six opening and as many as nine when he was saying how Jay would be back and it sent me scurrying to the standings to figure out just where those jobs will be.

For sure you’ll have new people in New Jersey, Philly, New Orleans and the Clippers, right?

Where else? Well, I can’t imagine, short of two playoff upsets, that Vinny Del Negro’s back in Chicago, Joe Dumars goes through coaches like poop through a goose so maybe there’s a change there and if new ownership takes over in Golden State, that’s going to be the end of Nelly.

The other two?

There are all kinds of rumblings around that Larry Brown covets either a return to Philly or a return to the Clips and the last one, the longest shot, might be Mike Woodson in Atlanta. Woody’s contract is up, ownership is muddled and tried a couple of times to move him and there are whispers around he might be gone.

That’s a heckuva list, no?

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Comments

[Matt M]

So if Toronto does a sign and trade to a non-cap team do the Raps get a trade exception if there is a major difference in the salaries going out and the salaries coming back?
This offseason should be as exciting as last seasons. It was nice to hear Colangelo talk defense and the need for an upgrade in personnel. Hopefully, Bargnani spends the summer working at upgrading his post-defense game. Unless he, Calderon, and Turk get traded for Kendrick Perkins and Rajon Rondo (Bosh stays in this particular dream world). Then I think the Raps would be an allstar two guard away from contender status. Maybe if Sonny develops a consistent three-point shot....

[AT]

Wow Doug,
this is relatively short blog after an intriguing 70 minute presser with the GM?Are you saving it all for the 1:00pm Q& A that most of us will miss?
This season was definitely a disappointment, but the responsibility cannot be placed that much on Colangelo. Everyone was excited about the moves he made last summer, they did not pan out, now he is willing to make the changes where they need to be made. What more can we ask for?
Much better than a stand pat GM that does not have the ability to make things happens like BC.
They will be better next year. Period.

[G Keeping]

A few weeks ago you gave your opinion that you thought Bosh would be playing elsewhere next season. Now that the players, Bosh and BC have all addressed the media and answered questions do you still hold the same opinion regarding Bosh? Thanks.

[Lorie]

Morning Doug,
Can you please connect the dots for me on the Larry Brown item in the blog this morning? Now, I understand why the Clippers would be interested in Larry Brown, but other than the fact that he had a successful coaching experience with that team in the early '90's, can you explain to me why on earth he might "covet" a return to the current Clippers' organization? Am I missing something?

Blogger's note: The peripethetic Mr. Brown may just be looking for new challenges and I'm hearing there may be family issues involved.

[Michel G]

It's funny how everybody was praising BC last summer and now he's dog meat. What happens if Hedo comes back next year and has a good year? What if Calderon and Jack learn to co-exist and give us stellar point guard play for 48 minutes a game? All this team needs is one wing that can create his own shot, and team defense. They're not that far away. On a side note, it was funny hearing Bargnani's bewilderment the other day when he was told that the thing he needed to work the most on in the off-season was his help defense. He was wondering how he was supposed to do that without the team around him. I kind of sympathize with him on that one.

[jwss]

Reading this morning's Blog and Feschuk's article makes me think the Star Sports Department must be home to some rather heated discussions on all things Raptors. Kind of like if the Star turned their Editorial Board over to daily cage matches between Preston Manning and Jack Layton when deciding each day's stance!

Anyway, I'm with you Doug that things aren't as bad as some make them to be. There are some nice pieces here. Sure there's lots of work to do, but what a lot of people don't seem to remember is that this was a team bringing in nine new faces - and a lot of so-called experts said in the pre-season that there was no way an NBA team with that amount of change would make the playoffs. I discounted that at the time as nothing more than ESPN's anti-Toronto bias, but unfortunately they were proved right. (One even said that if Jay could get this motley crew into the playoffs he deserved consideration as Coach of the Year.)

The other aspect of this team that many don't realize is that this was the youngest team in the Eastern Conference. There's still lots of experience and maturity to be gained by this group - and plenty of room for growth.

[coachd]

Hi Doug,

It's probably not your place, but how do explain the vitriol directed at the team,its management, players and coaches by your media bretrhen at this and other media outlets? Criticism is fine, but it's gotten rather personal and quite insulting. Does the team treat the media with this much lack of respect? Is the feeling mutual?

[JT]

Doug,

I think this roster needs a bit of a makeover. To be honest, while Jose may be a better player overall than Jack but it simply is a close call. You take a look around the league for starting or even backup PGs and I think Jose and Jack are perhaps around the 24th and 25th best overall out of the 30 starting PGs. That's not good enough to make the playoffs. As a tandem, I think they are in the middle of the league. Perhaps something needs to change here, one or even both of them. Clearly they need a better SG/SF combo. I'm comfortable with Weems as a backup because he's proven to improve and be capable on both ends but abilities wise, DeRozan is more suited to come off the bench at this point and Turk just can't defend or score like most of his counterparts in the SF position. It may seem crazy but I think a Stephen Jackson for Turk type of trade/switch might work extremely well for the Raptors.

[DougG]

When you manage one of the pathetic professional sports teams in Toronto selling hope is about all you can do. However, the Blue Jays are finding out that strategy has a limited shelf life. The Leafs are probably immune from the empty seat phenomenon. It remains to be seen if the same is true of basketball. One can only hope that BC finds the key that unlocks the door this year, so an empirical test is unnecessary. Most of us are probably skeptical that a Toronto ownership group is willing to spend in proportion to the size of the GTA market, 4th largest, and are more focused on fleecing a gullible sport fan. We will see if they are finally ready to put their money where their mouth is. Who knows, if basketball can be compared to baseball, they may have no choice.

[Jack]

What about the coaching for the wolves?? I thought they did not have a long term solution either for the coaching job.

Blogger's note: Kurt Rambis is not going anywhere

[LeeZ]

If BC pulls the trigger on one of his pg's, I think it makes the most sense to trade José, and here's why: 1) Jack is MARGINALLY a better defender; 2) Jack is better suited to playing with Turk, because Jack is not a good distributor and thus would be fine putting the ball in Turk's hands (I think José struggled in his role without the ball); 3) I think there are teams out there that would flourish with José's point guard skills while being able to hide his defensive deficiencies.
Doug, my question to you (yes, I have one), is this: if they do trade one of the p.g.'s, do you think they would consider going with Banks and Bellinelli as their back-ups, or do you think they would pursue a new back-up? Personally, I think Banks and Belli would do just fine.

Blogger's note: I think they'd be okay with one of those two; so I'm not sure getting one back would be a huge priority or some kind of added bonus

[mdc]

I'd like someone to ask BC if he still thinks the game is moving away from needing traditional centres. For my money, names that should be on his summer shopping list are Marc Gasol, Brook Lopez and Kevin Love.

[doug]

I am torn I want to believe BC, and I don't believe in Feschuk's statement that we are being sold a bill of goods(although I like feschuk for challenging BC), as its not like BC didn't believe the moves he made would turn out better.....Goldman Sachs were committing fraud and lieing, whereas BC just misfired....but when i look at these playoffs, it's depressing in a way as we in my eyes are quite a few steps below most of these teams competing....look at the Mavs for instance, their depth is quite impressive, then other teams like the Lakers, Nuggets, Magic, have such a high talent level......so for BC to come out now and say we are going to spend above the luxury tax, should have been a no-brainer as thats how the good teams compete, and MLSE not only has the cash, they need to have one winner, somewhere or its just becoming a case on embarassment of riches...so we'll wait and see, plus I am never in agreement with catering to one players needs to keep them as BC said about Bosh....its sets a bad precedent, plus to me and to others Bosh is not in the same class as Kobe,Wade, and LeBron he is good but needs to not be a number one he needs to be part of a cast, a strong cast...so if we get Joe Johnson, a center like a Haywood..then we can move forward, and then there is the Jay issue more uncertainity as to what we are getting...did BC mention anything about the assistants?? what is their status?...all in all BC may be defiant I on the other hand am somewhat dubious about this whole situation...I can only wait and see...

[chris]

Feschuk's article was a bit overboard, no? Whether he's right or not, i think BC genuinely believes the team is good and just needs tweaks. Big difference btwn that and a swamp-land real estate salesman.

btw, Doug - i made the donation...you never said - when/where in the world have you watched Oden/Portland games. I'm pretty sure he hasn't been on TV here more than twice.

Blogger's note: You forget how many off-nights I spend in the United States. If you want me to get specific dates you'll have to give me some time, my memory ain't what it used to be. But thanks for (a) doubting my word and (b) the donation.

[joe]

Good points Doug about yesterday's conference. Colangelo look determined to move this team forward and into a more positive position next year. Question: Would MLSE be willing to give him the approval to not only resign Bosh, Amir etc. but also add another top tier free agent? An example might be Joe Johnson. He would be a perfect complement to Bosh, likely not command max. dollars, and might be willing to come here based on his history of playing in Phoenix with Colangelo earlier in this decade. A move of this nature would push them significantly into luxury tax territory but if it moves them into say 2 rounds of playoff action next season, the additional playoff revenue may offset the additional cost. Does MLSE have the stomach for this or does the mandate of the majority owner, The Ontario Teachers Pension Plan, to make money for their retired members supercede everything else?

Blogger's note: Joe Johnson would be an impossibility if Bosh came back unless there was a way to do a sign and trade for contracts worth about $15 million next year that Atlanta would want and they do not exist

[jimmie]

I took a few things away from the press conference yesterday, not sure which of my assumptions are true:

- Hedo/Triano relationship was poor. Does this mean Triano was demanding accountability that Hedo wasn't willing to accept?
- Neither PG played well.
- Bosh has max value around the league, and there is also value to other GMs in guys like Evans/Banks (expirings) and Wright.

My thoughts are that Colangelo should be entertaining a couple of scenarios to keep Bosh:

1. Package Hedo with other assets, incl. at least one of the PGs, and bring back an elite wing player. Maybe Joe Johnson in a sign-and-trade, something like that. Would require MLSE to break the bank, but would certainly put the team in a position to make the playoffs.

2. I think the above scenario is highly unlikely, so the other option is to trade both PGs and let Hedo take the reins at point-forward as he did in Orlando. We have the expiring contracts of Evans and Banks as sweeteners if need be. I have no idea what the return would be for Jack or Calderon or Jack+Calderon, but it would solve at least one major problem in getting Hedo back into a "comfortable" role that has maximized his abilities in the past.

Pennies on the dollar for the two PGs is fine, as long as you get back some usable toughness/defense in return. Some vocal veteran leadership would also be nice. Hey, one can dream.

[Penny]

Hi Doug - Can you explain what Bryan meant when he said there was some sort of disconnect there when he was talking about JJ and Jose?

Blogger's note: Not really, no.

[sherry]

Hiya Doug. Can you give me more insight into the "max money" thing. I understand that Bosh can get more money by re-signing with Toronto (regardless of if he stays or leaves in a sign & trade). I read that his options are 6yrs/$130 million with Toronto vs 5/$100 with another NBA team. Are these dollar amounts for all free agents? Or all free agents with a certain amount of years in the league? (I realize that most free agents are not going to get max money :)). Is Bosh worth the same amount of money as James? And Wade?
merci

Blogger's note: Free agents who sign with their own teams can sign deals one year longer with larger annual raises.
Worth? No, but worth is all relative

[kyle]

Doug,

Appreciate your knowledge of the raps and you have been following them for a while. However, I think you are a little too forgiving to certain members of the team (i.e., Triano and Calderon).

Triano is an awful coach and should have never been given the opportunity. But since he was, lets notice how he has not been able to coach on the defensive end as we are arguably the worst defensive teams of all time. In his defense, he hasnt had the personnel to be great, but he has had more than enough opportunities to put Jack in the starting line up (permanently) and also inserting wright and/or weems much earlier in the season. It is a joke for Colangelo to say he is learning. The raps are not in a rebuilding phase and we dont have time to learn. If we have such a good offense and a bad defense why not go get a defensive coach like Avery Johnson? BC is full of crap and theres no reason, if MLSE wants to spend lots of money, that we cannot afford a proper coach.

Calderon is an absolute joke and the worst defensive PG in the league. He cannot guard the perimeter and he is constantly falling down to the post to double team and leaves his man wide open. This is calderons fault, but the fact that Triano, and his sidekick Iavaroni (Our defensive specialist!) haven't corrected this is absolutely absurd. Calderon has been making these horrid defensive mistakes for the last couple years and I think he should be shipped, Triano fired, and Iavaroni.. well I dont even need to tell you what I think of him.. he comes in to teach defense?? are you kidding me?

lets be honest. jack starts next year, we pick up a decent backup PG, and maybe give banks some garbage minutes. we grab a top scorer like igoudala and a center like haywood and we might be half decent. we dont need these soft european players we need hard-nosed guys like jack and wright that have something to prove.

very frustrated raps fan, but always optimistic,

Go Raps Go,

Kyle

[Tree]

I though BCs comments re: troubles drawing up and executing a strategy were strange given his backing of Triano as coach for next season. I agree with that statement, but highlighting that as a major issue but holding on to the guy failing in that area is odd.

And let's be honest here - Triano is entering his third season a coach of this team (only his second without the 'interim' tag). He coached 65 games 2 seasons ago, which was 80% of the games played. Over the past 2 years, he's been coach for 90% of the games played, with a record of 65-82. Over that time, the defense has gotten worse (or at least they've played worse).

Unless everyone thinks that he wasn't working as hard in year 1 b/c he was just an interim coach (which, of course, is bunk), then this is year 3. He's no rookie. I hope the leash is a short one in year '2', since he had the grace period of a 'practice season' already.

Also, as Doug has noted, there could be anywhere from 6-9 player changes this summer. So I agree that THIS iteration may not be that far off, with the possibility of a 50-75% roster turn-over this coming summer (inlcuing their only all star and best player), THIS group's proximity to something better is moot. If Bosh walks, even in a sign-and-trade the Raps are not getting a better player. And count me as one of the may that will not hold their breath with Hedo and his promise to be better. Unless he has an attitude replacement over the summer, the main issue with him will still exist.

[james]

I think Calderone has to go. Reggie, good bye. Bosh is gone, hopefully. Bargagni, still upside if he can get some more tenacity on defense and stop worryning about the fouls. Derozan, hope he keeps improving albeit at a conservative pace. Weems, great acquisition, full of energy. Bellineli, i wish he was given more playing time this season. Amir, hope he gets signed, honestly I would rather have Bosh flipped for a 3 somehow and have Amir back. And then there's Turkoglu, oh boy.

[Jerry]

Being GM is not an exact science. The all make good moves and bad. Joe Dumas was a thought a genius when he assembled a championship team. What do they think of his performance lately. Brian Colangelo has made mistakes ( Hedo, Jermaine O' Neil ) and made some good moves. Overall this years team was better than last. That is how improvement comes, incrementally not all at once.

[greg]

Don't know if you got to watch the Jazz game yesterday but that game was a clinic on good coaching and execution of plays by the players for the most part. Other coaches could learn a thing or two from Jerry Sloan.

Do you have a favourite coach who's team you like to watch in the NBA ?

Blogger's note: Not really, I like watching the Spurs

[Andrew]

Is there any chance Bargnani gets moved this summer?

Blogger's note: Doubt it

[Sean]

Why does the NBA wait a month to have its draft lottery? The NHL does theirs the day after the season ends.

Blogger's note: Because the NBA's better than the NHL? :)