It's end of the year report card time, right?

That was a looooooong day.

Arrive at arena about 10, stand around waiting to talk to players, drift out of there around 5. Total time actually listening and talking: Maybe 40 minutes. Worst day of the year. By far.

But, it does yield some things.

Like these:

-

Not once in the seven years I’ve covered him has Chris Bosh knowingly mislead anyone. Ever.

So I take him at his word that he’s still entirely unsure what he’ll do next year but I do know his shot across the bow at Bryan Colangelo should be taken seriously.

You know the one, about having to get some roster tweaking done over the next three months for a better player or two, even if it costs tax dollars to do it.

And, as Dave wrote today, the GM had already been working the board to get salaries approved that’ll take the team into the tax.

That means we may see more flurries of movement this spring and early summer – this all has to be done before free agency issues are dealt with in July – which kind of turns things on its ear, doesn’t it?

We’ve long expected that nothing else could happen until the Bosh situation was resolved, he’s kind of saying now that things have to happen before he makes up his mind.

Wacky months ahead, folks.

-

Yesterday, I told you we’d do some kind of player-by-player thing. Well, some folks are always looking for grades, so let’s do grades. It’s all relative, with C being an average year, okay?

Have at it

Chris Bosh

Had best statistical year of his career and was the best power forward in the game early in the season. Pesky ankle injury sure set him – and the team – back. Needs to work on ball movement in the post but his skills are really quite extraordinary.

A minus.

Andrea Bargnani

We saw post moves, we saw some aggressive offence, we saw some spotty nights. No, he’s not a good rebounder and he knows it. But he’s a very good on-the-ball defender and if ever figures out how to give good weak side defensive help, those rebounding numbers are going to go up.

C

Jose Calderon

Everything was down, offence, defence, minutes, shooting stats across the board. And, yes, he gets blown by too often and needs to get with some sprint coach to become quicker. But, no, he’s not the worst defender you’ve ever seen, and that’s an opinion offered privately by his coaches, too.

D

Hedo Turkoglu

All kinds of team insiders tell me he knows how bad he was and he really does care about making amends. No one likes to bear the brunt of that kind of criticism. That said, he brought it on himself, even if he did get some help by an organization that coddled him too much.

E

DeMar DeRozan

Kid got better, no question about it. He’s got to go home and work on ball-handling skills above all else because if he can beat his man off the dribble, he could be really good. Oh and learning how to guard his man and trail around screens would be really good, too.

C

Sonny Weems

Quite simply: He came in as something of a punk and grew up as a player but most important, as a man. If he continues to be serious about his work, he could really become a valuable player to a team.

C

Jarrett Jack

Yes, he did well in both roles, as a starter and a backup and played with fire. But insiders will tell you he’s prone to mood swings when things don’t go well and that can drag teammates down.

C

Antoine Wright

Was emerging as some kind of leader and was the team’s best defender. But he was also slowed by injuries more times than I can count almost and that kept him from being all that he could have been. Too bad he’s a virtual lock to leave as a free agent.

C plus

Amir Johnson

If they don’t lock this kid up, they should be shot. Coaches love him because he’s really a good young man who works hard and we saw a lot improvement in his game. Heck, he was making jump shots at the season ends. Made about $4 million this year, I’m thinking a 3-year, $15 million deal might get it done.

B

Reggie Evans

How’d that whole “tough guy brings defence, rebounding and intensity” thing work out for you? Not so well, eh? They couldn’t play him in close games because teams just fouled him and he seemed to play something akin to a one-man zone.

D

Marco Belinelli

I wonder if he’s like a young Andrea, that if you let him play through mistakes and give him some confidence he’d do well? Think so? But I don’t know if they can given Weems and DeRozan and Turk play pretty much the same spots. Kind of a lost year for him.

D

Marcus Banks

Yes, he did okay in very, very limited minutes; yes, he was professional in his demeanour and contribution. No, he is not being counted on as anything more than an expiring contract to be dangled this summer.

C

Rasho Nesterovic, Patrick O’Bryant

Since they were never expected to play much and didn’t, let’s lump them together, give ‘em an average grade and thank them for being around this season. Good guys who’ll be gone.

C

Jay Triano

No, he probably wasn’t tough enough with some guys and, yes, he and his bosses realize it. But he’s a good tactician and has the respect of the men he’s in charge of. To use his conversational tactic: Could he be better? Yes. Will he? I’m pretty sure.

C

Bryan Colangelo

Didn’t really do much over the course of the season, trade-wise, which is a good thing because he’s got a tendency to over-react emotionally sometime and I think the group he put together needs time to simmer before it’s done.

Tough to grade a GM on a regular season since his work is done in the summer.

C

-

Okay, this has been far too serious; we’ll get back to hijinks and stuff tomorrow.

Oh, we still need to figure out what we’re doing, if anything, on in-game blogs. Want to follow one team? Do two or three nights a week? Stay in the east or venture west even if that means late nights?

Decisions, decisions, decisions.

Guess we gotta make ‘em before Monday, when I think it’s best to start.

-

Oh, last thing before I go and do some NBA playoff preview stuff for the paper and spend an afternoon somewhere goofing around on the full mail bag. You’ve got one more kick at the mail bag can, send the queries here.

-

Enjoy the day.

Comments

[NH]

The only way we can trade our bad contracts is with another team with bad contracts. Right now, the only thing can sticks out is maybe a Hedo and Jose + filler for Gilbert Arenas... Hopefully Areanas can grow up with a change of environment. Otherwise, who else can we get? Jose and Hedo aren't exactly on team's most wanted list.

[Reid]

Doug, for the in-game blog I'd say stay in the east but the Kobe-KD matchup is to good and I'd like to get your perspective on a series between one of the most playoff experienced teams and a team that hasn't played a single playoff game.

[Kevin]

Hi Doug,

Is Bosh's "A" for his on floor performance or for overall including leadership?

[Zombywoof]

Ha ha, loved the grade for Reggie, remember when he was going to come in with fire and brimstone and save the team? He had zero impact, as some wise punters predicted. :)

[chris]

Good luck signing Amir at 5 per.

I also don't get why he is considered a huge "surprise". The kid was considered untouchable in Detroit until a season ago, and he's ultra-young.

I bet he's our starting PF next year, and at 7+ per.

[Katherine stoltz]

First time poster. Had to comment on your grading of the raps. Do you seriously believe that o'briant and bargnani are equals? Pob and nesterovic did not play enough to merit any ranking. I would also disagree with your ranking wright above everyone except bosh. I consider him to be a loose cannon and believe that his vaunted defensive skills are overrated.

[Brad Drew]

that's a lot of generous grades for a team that played well below expectations. Given how few players exceeded expectations (Weems and Johnson probably being the only two). I would think a team with a C average (and an A and B) probably makes the playoffs, especially in the East. This team is a D at best, and if the players are all C's, then the coach who used them, and the GM who assembled them certainly have to be below average.

[hum]

It seems official, inside of the raptors organization, and unofficial elsewhere, that one of the PG's will be traded in the offseason.
Personally I think they need both, provided they can continue to coexist, to be effective.
I think Jose is the better player, and I think Jack is more of an undersized combo guard, but I could see why they would want to part with Jose and his contract. I don't see Jose, as a player, improving over the next few years. However I think he could become a lot more efficient (on both sides) in a different system and with different players around him.
I have a question, which you can put in the bag of mail, if you so want.

Do you see Jarrett Jack being limited in terms of future improvement / potential?

I think he would need to improve on passing, screen and roll scenario and shot-clock / tempo management the most. How do you think would he benefit from working on these aspect of the game during the off-season, and do you ever see him becoming as good as Jose was a couple of years ago?

[DC]

Doug, any idea where I can get a great deal on 22,000 red and black attack t-shirts?

Blogger's note: No, just dump 'em next to the 25,000 We Want More, CB4 things.

[nestor]

Doug,

Thanks for the rankings, but I would give Weems & Jack a higher grade than "C"! In the last third of the season Weems was carrying the team, given that he was wearing a suit for the first third of the season. Jack brought life to the team and fixed the mistakes Calderon made. They (+ Bosh & Amir) were the highlights to a team full of underachievers. Agreed on your opinion of Wright, but he started terribly!

[John MacDonald]

After the raps were cut from the playoffs I actually took a look at the mock drafts. I know it's very early to do so and I didn't watch any NCAA action this past year, but it's good to see what is out there. It looks like the opposite of last year, where every other pick was a guard, this year it will be forward/center. Seeing as this past draft class has done so well (all those great guards), I was wondering if you think we can expect anything similar to that out of this drafts forwards/centers. I know that position is the hardest to come into the league and be effective but I can hope can't I.

[Anthony]

This is not going to be an easy puzzle for BC to figure out, I have faith in him but D and rebounding were the 2 serious issues. Lets take the PF position out of this (regardless of CB stays or goes) and I'll explain why in a second.

Turk and Andrea are locked up long term and not worth trading at this point due to low returns, this means your C and SF spot are filled with below average D and Rebounding. I believe Darozen should start at SG next year and while he will be better I would only expect his D to be average at best in his second season, I assume Jack will start at PG and lets say he is an average defender.

So, with that said, IF Bosh decides to leave what position are we looking to fill, the PF? We will lose on that trade if we are giving away our star PF for another teams PF unless we get a Pau Gasol, Al Jefferson or Amare Stoudemire in return... but out of those players I'd still consider Bosh the best all around player.
I still hope Bosh will stay and BC works some magic but if he leaves we need a rebounding center like a Marcus Camby or Joakim Noah so Andrea moves to the PF. Its going to be hard to get full value in return if Bosh walks.

[Lawrence]

Hey Doug, Do you have a favourite for the playoffs? I know it may be hard for some Toronto fans to cheer for the team that knocked them out, but its also hard not to cheer for Chicago who has been playing with more heart than any playoff team right now despite some offcourt issues. And everybody loves a good underdog story...just not ours.

[Will]

In my opinion, Weems did better than a "C". I think he was more of a "B" considering that he wasn't expected to play much at all this season.

[joe]

Doug,
Interesting comments about Jack. Yup, he does turn the ball over too much but the point about mood swings when things don't go well. That just shows me the guy cares about winning. I'll take that on any team any day.

[Peter]

Good morning Doug,

I have to admit, the product on the court was way below expectations this year, but the product on the blog far exceeded my expectations. Thanks for another great year. All the best to you and Super family over the summer. I'll still be reading daily, but figured this was the best time to thank you for another great year.

[rob]

Hi Doug,
listennng to the exit interview with calderon yesterday , a reporter asked him if he is mulling a return to europe. which kinda hinted at the fact that maybe he is not good enough for the nba. do you think the reporter may have crossed the line a little bit with that question. Also jose was shocked when someone mentionned that BC wants to trade one the pgs, he seems to genuinely love being here, and I personnally hate to see him leaving because at his best Jose can lead the team better than jarett and hedo.

[David]

Weems gets a C and so does Colangelo? Colangelo has created a mess, set expectations too high and may be responsible for the best Raptor of all time leaving.

Weems? Was going to be cut when aquired and then became the starting two guard easily outplaying anyone else at that position currently on the roster, including DeRozan. Given how little Weems played last season this could also be considered his rookie year. He deserves at least a B, if not an A.

These grades are non-sensical.

[LeeZ]

Doug, how does BC go about the tweaking? I mean, he has to plan for both eventualities: Bosh stays, Bosh goes. So he can't just look for players to complement Bosh, because what if, at the end of the day, Bosh says, nah, you haven't done enough, I'm leaving -- then BC is left with a bunch of players he acquired to fit with a Bosh who's no longer there. So does BC get Bosh to sign off on any and all player acquistions in the next couple of months, with a gentleman's agreement that if Bosh approves of the moves, he'll stay?

Blogger's note: I think that's a possibility. But I don't know that for sure

[doug]

I would agree about Weems being a B even a A,,,,as there was nothing expected of him and in fact BC was going to cut him until a Bucks scout got in his ear and told him to give him a chance.....from that chance he became a solid performer, and had a strong work ethic in terms of hitting the gym with DD...so his grade is off the mark...

last week when in your mail bag injuries were discussed and officials not stopping the action I mentioned about watching a Aussie rules rugby match and a devastating scary hit and the action just continued...here it is...tell Damien Cox who preaches about the NHL being so physical and hits to the head.to watch this...

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/04/15/jordan-lewis-injury-video_n_539569.html

[James C.]

Your grades are reflective of two things - One, did you ever wake up from your slumber during the season and two, stop brown-nosing with the con man GM. Simply, you've no credibility in giving him and the deer in the headlights coach each a "C". But then again, your inside access to "important" news would be jeopardized if you actually tell it like it is.

[Wilber]

C means met expectations. My opinion is Sonny exceeded expectations. C+ at least.

Okay, I'm over the Raps for this season. Now, I think I've watched enough, from the couch and upper bowl, to hand out a few more. (Plus, you said that's enough serious stuff):

Matt Devlin: B. In his second year in the chair, I felt he was more comfortable in the role and working well with his partners, while still delivering a professional call. I never cringe like I did when I knew the salami & cheese was coming. It was a B+ until he busted out "Money Weems".

The Raptor/Chicken: A+. The personality he/she/it conveys without words and through the suit continues to amaze.

Jack Armstrong: B+. Loses a little for singing.

Leo Rautins: C+. Okay year for the Big Fella, despite I think being most people's second choice for the analyst chair. Loses some marks for not learning his lines and having to read the cue cards in the Canada Basketball TV spot.

Feschuk: B-. His job seems to be to stir up the pot in Raptor nation and he does that well. Although, the Raptors seemed to make it too easy for him this year. Sometimes it seems his mom or someone should remind him that he is allowed to say something nice from time to time.

June Taylor Dancers: A. Lost the A+ because watching them makes me feel old.

Alvin Williams: B. I liked some Raptor heritage coming full circle to the coaching staff. I liked seeing him sitting back there in the second row and seeing the intensity on his face that he would KILL to be on the court competing with these guys.

Doug Smith: A-. Sometimes I stop and realize just how this gig must have changed for you over the past few years. The Grunt beat has changed from a single deliverable a day to an insatiable beast that requires constant feeding at a breakneck pace. You created an ongoing information source that is the first stop on the interweb every morning for many of us irregulars. It's a blog to start the day, midday chats, Grunt TV, mail bags, in-game blogs and breaking news as soon as you have it. It's giving us opportunities (like this one) to participate in the discussion, even when our theories are half-baked, our stats are wrong, or even when we take cheap shots and are just plain rude. Perhaps not what you signed on for all those years ago, but kudos to you for adapting to what it's become and contributing to the deeper engagement between the Raptors and the Raptor nation. A- only to keep you humble and because we can tell sometimes you get grumpy.

Thanks for a great season, Mr. Smith.

[SS]

BC has to get the board to agree on increasing payroll and going over the cap about 10 million in order to fix this mess. We need to be able to get 2 players at the mid level an athletic big and a 2 guard who can create. And that's just to appease to Bosh and maybe he'll consider resigning. Yes they need to trade one of the points (Jose in my opinion cause we cant have his, Turks, and Bargnani's contracts collectively on the books if we want to improve) Not to mention Jack gives you the same if not better numbers and plays with more spirit than Jose at a cheaper price. They do not need to go into next season saying that Derozen WILL be starting. He has got to really show that he has improved this time. And Doug I know your catching a lot of slack for giving Wright a higher grade than Weems and that is rightfully so. Wright was absolutely horrible at the beginning of the season and Weems wasn't expected to make the team. I honestly see Weems putting the work in this offseason and turning some heads.

[AT]

Glad someone touched on the CB4 We Want More dumb idea.

For all the things that have been said about Bosh, for someone who has no idea where he is going, he laid out very methodically what he is looking for before he re-signs.

Instead of wasting time and money on stupid little signs, why doesn't MLSE listen to what he wants.

And you know what, if they listen, and get him that all-star 2 or 3 that can create his own shot, Everyone wins!

Bosh is back, the team will be better and the team will be purged of some pieces that just don't fit here.

The ball is clearly in the hands of Colangelo. If he wants Bosh to stay, then do what he says cause it makes sense.

[Mike kovacs]

Since we only have the mid-level exemption, and trades must balance out, then the most likely way to go over the tax level is to re-sign Amir and AW correct? You could then package one of the excess wings in a trade ( or two ).

Blogger's note: They don't have to balance out if you're trading with a team that's under the cap