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

[SJ]

Sometimes I wonder if you and Dave F actually work in the same department...I applaud Dave for saying it how IT IS. No sugar coating, no hiding behind slogans. "This is team is not as bad as it looks"?!?! So what part of being the LAST team on defense - points given per 100 possession - DEAD LAST in NBA - doesn't BC get? Or perhaps he gets it but he's not interested. Because getting from 30th to decent level (13th-17th) - does not take "tweaking" the roster...it takes changing the concept of roster building. A core of Bargnani, Hedo and Jose (I'm not taking CB into account as he's an unknown right now) - will NEVER get out of the first round...unless you back them up with a D12 type player at center...and someone similar defensively capable at the 2 spot...otherwise those three will get absolutely destroyed by anyone. And bringing a Reggie for 10 min or Amir or Weems for limited minutes won't get you to the ECF...you need the CORE guys to be able to play on ball and team defense.
He mentioned CB lost 12 games...and he repeated that...do I need to mention how many games Portland had lost in injuries....and finished 6 - SIXTH!!! - in the WEST?????....and leads the series against Phoenix?!?!?
Did you see Utah tie the series without two starters in Okur and Kirilenko?

So I'm really curious how BC will "tweak" this roster to make it a contender? Oh wait....we don't need a contender...only a team that makes the playoffs and gets out in the first round. If MLSE is OK with the hokey team being so many years out of the playoff all-together...then a first round exit by the basketball team is more than anyone would wish, no?

[James Online]

DeRozan started most the season, a decision that put the team behind the eight ball throughout the year. Despite DeRozan's poor play, especially the wandering around lost on defense, Triano stuck with that decision almost to the very end.

Neither DeRozan or Weems can make a three. Raptors may be the only team in the league with starting shooting guards that don't shoot threes. Even in the high scoring last game v. the Knicks, the stats reveal:
Weems (33 minutes, 0-0 threes)
DeRozan (38 minutes, 0-0 threes)
Belinelli (22 minutes, 3-3 threes)

Triano likely won't make it through the year next year. Raptors are incredibly generous in bringing him back at all. He looked stunned, lost, and weak. Marc Iavaroni has no place in the league, as his miserable work in Memphis and now with the Raptors clearly shows.

Invest in Jose as the point guard and work to improve interior defense. Triano tried to satisy both Jose and Jack, and it led to a schizophrenic attack with disastrous results.

[camilin Lopez]

Between game 21 and game 55 , Toronto went 24-11,
including 8-8 VS +500 teams.
Problem was:
First 20 games: 2-11 VS +500 teams;
Last 27 games: 2-13 VS +500 teams;

I dont have any particular sympathy for Colangelo his bad move was to overpay Hedo Tukoglu and given Hedo's performance the deal now looks awful.

Colangelo also failed to see that by replacing AP and
Marion/Moon from the starting 5 with Hedo and Derozan the team defense would get much worse. They already had two bad defenders in Bargniani and Calderon;

But besides that, Is it really Colangelo's fault that this team failed to win 3 or 4 more games? This team even the way it was constructed could have easily won 3 or 4 more games , Toronto could have been the 7th seed go against Orlando in the first round and most of us fans would have been happy.

[Mike]

Re Feschuk's article, it was at best way over the top and arguably libelous. I think he needs to think back to the Rob Babcock days for some perspective. Despite what you think of his recent moves, given his long-term track record I would put him in the top third of GMs currently out there/available. Jerry, good point about Joe Dumars' fall from grace and remember how before the Big 3 came to town the talk that Ainge should be shipped out of Beantown?

...that said, I can remember thinking when the Turkoglu trade was announced, good for him for making the deal work, but Turkoglu isn't the guy we want/need for 5yrs/$50M.

[Diego]

I'm glad there are a few voices of reason (including Doug and BC). The Raptors are clearly underachieved this year, but blowing things up a third time and the last three years is not the solution. Defence being the primary objective for improvment - as everyone who watched the Raptors knows. There is a good core here, which can also be used as leverage in trades to improve our lot for next year.

For example, Bargnani might be the best trading piece we have. He's a very good, if inconsistent scorer, and would look good playing in a defensively sound system (e.g. the Bulls playing beside Noah, I bet they'd like Andrea's scoring just about now). Despite all underachieving to differing degrees, Turkoglu, Bargnani and Calderon are competent NBAers; it's just might be that you can't have them all on the same team, i.e. it's a matter of balance. But again, having said all that, it doesn't mean you blow everything up, regardless of whether Bosh stays or goes. You tweak, have internal improvement (i.e. growth of young players) and establish consistency (which has been sorely lacking).

[GM]

Since you provide links all season to other team's papers, why not provide a link to your own work in the paper? I know nothing of this Colangelo talk except for what I read in this blog. Now I'm going to have to go looking. It'd be so much easier if you linked to it for lazy guys like me.

[manap3000]

1)with the nets probably drafting john wall they are going to be looking to get rid of harris; TRADE BARGNANI FOR HARRIS; thus emulating the situation in orlando where there was a score first point guard; this will also show bosh were serious about winning(he also made the nba defensive team)

2)Draft Daniel Orton (the guy has the potential to be the next kendrick perkins)

3)trade calderon for hasheem thabeet; thabeet coming off the bench for the grizzlies next year(marc gasol is starting) would make thabeet overpaid while the grizzlies need a good point guard, and despite what everyone thinks calderon is still respected around the league
Position Starting Coming off Bench
C Hasheem Thabeet Daniel Orton
PF Chris Bosh Amir Johnson
SF Hedo Turkoglu Some Euro Guy
SG Sonny Weems Demar Derozan
PG Devon Harris Jarret Jack

*with the possible emergence of daniel orton, he would take thabeets place in the starting line up.

*the reserves could be european drafted players who divvy up there time playing garbage minutes for the raps and starting for Toronto FC ;)

i dont know about you doug but its time we got some grit and defense in our lineup; and we dont need to blow up EVERYTHING to do it

[dave]

Love your smile on the nhl note. However, until the nba can figure out a better feeder then the 1 and done highschool no go dance the nhl as that on the nba if not much else (tv /cap crap). Any chance of you giving us a top five of zany/no chance/what if's for next season? Just could use a smile after a rough end. Thanks again for all you do!

Blogger's note: I'll definitely work on that zany stuff. Be a good thing for some slow morning.

[Richard]

Hey Doug, I know you hate trade speculation so here's one that I'm sure is impossible but I'd make in a heartbeat in some alternate universe where it would be possible. I'd sign and trade Bosh to Utah for Jerry Sloan, straight-up. I don't know how he does it, but he is constantly over-achieving and it doesn't matter what you throw at him he produces a better result than expected - witness last night beating Denver to steal home-court advantage, without 2 key starters. I'd give Utah whatever they want. And I'd also bet they would decline the offer, even if it was Bosh... in that alternate universe I alluded to before.

[WH]

Feschuk always has a lot to say the morning after, but I never hear him challenging anyone in open court. Is he just another bully hiding behind his keyboard, or is he really afraid that his woeful lack of knowledge about the subject might be exposed in a public forum? In your experience, has he ever made any of his comments face to face in either a media scrum or at a presser?

[GM]

Just finished reading Mr. Feschuk's piece. While I admire a writer with a sense of humour and flair, I draw the line at cheap shots. And while, yes, different opinions are good, the editors should try to nip that stuff in the bud. He can be critical all he wants without the cheap shots. And, as one commenter put it, libelous comments, such as calling Colangelo a liar.

And this while lying himself. He says Colangelo told us O'Neal was the answer two seasons ago and that Turkoglu was the answer six months ago. I don't believe Colangelo ever said either of those players were "the answer". Did he think they could help? Yes, but I'm pretty sure every single GM in the league thinks new acquisitions can help.

He also picks and chooses his attack. Colangelo mentioned real estate so Feschuk saw an opening which dictated his whole line of attack. Colangelo just mentioned it as one part of the whole that MLSE is involved in and Feschuk singled it out as if that's all Colangelo talked about. Gimme a break.

I don't know why sports reporting feels the need to slam (present company excluded, of course!). You rarely see it in other sections of the paper. Even politics doesn't get the treatment athletes and front office types get at the hands of sports columnists trying to make a name for themselves.

[chris]

If i doubted your word, i wouldn't have made the donation. I'm a big portland fan so wanted to know how to see oden games here without buying League Pass.....as far as i can tell we've only seen him twice on cdn cable tv.

If you say you've seen him 3+ times then i believe it.

[doug]

I like listening to Kenny Smith and Barkley...Barkley made a excellent point last night when he said the Jazz may be a tougher team for the Nuggets without Okur and he was dead-on...as Okur is like Bargs he plays on the perimter a lot whereas his replacements such as Fesenko play in the middle, plus it gave more time for both Boozer and Milsap they combined for like 40 points...so sometimes its addidtion by subtraction, nothing against Okur but in this series its a better move for the Jazz...plus Dantley is no Karl so for him to change the match-ups, rotations for the Jazz different mix is not easy...

also Doug I am surprised you are so adamant about the raps not being able to get both Boah and Johson...last year at this time you and others were saying we'd have no chance to get this guy or that guy due to cap space etc.....well we did as one thing BC can't be under-estimated on is his ability to !) move contracts and 2) wheel and deal it's his strong suit...

[Aditya]

Blogger's note: Kurt Rambis is not going anywhere
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John Kuester is not going anywhere....

[sam]

It's been said that Feschuk calls it as he sees it - a glass half empty kind of guy. I have a little more faith in the process. The big picture for the Raptors is, as BC pointed out, not as gloomy as thier play post all star break. If the team can play as consistently as they did late Decemeber to February - pretty much winning two of every three games they played - the team around 50 wins over a season. It's all about creating the urgency and consistency
A motivated Bosh (if he resigns) and Turk - goes a long way...The energy of Weems - DD and Amir - A more confident Andrea - and some stability at the point guard spot - I like Jose and JJ - together they compliment each other, but need to have defined roles - and it's good to see James Online express his man crush on Marco in a more subtle manner -

[robguy]

@Chris - try watching Portland online at sites like atdhe.net - during the TSN2 fiasco last year, many of us went that route although it can be unreliable.

[Tree]

Everyone taking shots at Feschuk's column needs to remember one thing: THIS current iteration may not be far off, but this is not the team that will be playing next season ... so who cares how close THIS year's team was. If Bosh walks, and there's no sign-and-trade, the Raps pretty much have just the MLE to spend ... they will not have the money they would have paid Bosh available. That should be frightening to many Raps fans ... there's a possibility this team will be largely the same, paying into the tax, but NOT have Bosh and have no replacement for him. So again, if Bosh is gone, how does this year's team get become next year while losing its best player?

[Bob Wesley]

Hey Doug,is this the year the Raptors get Giorgos[Rickshaw]Printezis to training camp?

Blogger's note: Doubt it.