Some things to be done, and quickly

One week.

One silly little week and then we’re at the start of camp and things will really get going. Can you folks hang on that long?

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Anyway, I guess it’s really time to start thinking about the season and how things might unfold and what you can look for from a team that – on paper at least – looks to be among the bottom-feeders in the East.

(Of course, the whole “on paper” part is the key because as much as you think you know what’s going to happen, you don’t; no one does).

I do think there are three things that have to happen right out the gate when they officially get on the court starting Tuesday morning.

And they are:  

 

Get systems, not sayings

Remember last year? “Protect the house” was all the rage with the defensive tenets and it did make a lot of sense. Until they kind of changed the way they defended the most simplest of plays, going away from a rather complicated group of principles about who switched what on what screens, when they went over or under or through.

They made it simpler about midway through the season and they need to start out this season one way and not deviate from it.

There shall be no messing around with the most important aspect of the game.  

 

Find out who starts.

They need to figure out right away who the starting point guard and small forward are. They need to resolve it right away so they can go about building some cohesion and chemistry and even though I fully understand that it’s not who starts but who finishes games that’s most important, defining roles immediately is big.  

 

Get in shape

A lot of these guys are in great physical condition already (another reason to be kind of glad the Boris Diaw deal didn’t go through) but I do think there has to be more of a premium put on fitness right off the bat. No situations like last year where guys come in puffy and stay that way too long.

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Here’s something that really bites.

When the Canadian women start at the world championships on Monday, there’s no way to see their three first-round games on live TV.

Sure, it’s all well and good that TSN has the deal to show the games but they’ve apparently decided that an endless loop of highlight shows in the morning is more important than live games.

The women play, if my read of time zones is correct, at 9:15 a.m. Thursday, 7 a.m. Friday and noon on Saturday but none of them are being broadcast when they actually happen.

Too bad, I guess. I know there are live streaming sites available (and least I presume there are) and I suppose I could pay FIBA some money to get their feed but, really, that’s not quite the point, is it?

Anyway, we’ll cover ‘em as well as we can from where we are those mornings but it’s too bad we can’t see them.

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All right.

When I whine about the Raptors pre-season and how it’s about four games too long and the games are jammed in together too tightly, remind me of this:

Apparently the pucks play nine pretend games that starts with back-to-back-to-back-to-back.

Yikes.

Lucky ticket holders for those ones.

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From the department of “I beseech you” please do not read this one at ESPN.com about Masai Ujiri and the Nuggets now entertaining offers for Carmelo Anthony and ask about the viability of a Toronto trade.

Please.

And thank you.

There is no fit, I don’t see a way in the world Anthony signs an extension here so to think otherwise is folly.

I guess the only possible way the Raptors could get involved is as a third team with their trade exception that might facilitate some multi-team deal but I haven’t heard a peep about that from anyone I’ve spoken to.

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So, hands up everyone who watched Into The Wind on Sunday night, the Steve Nash-directed film on Terry Fox.

It was compelling and powerful and well done and there wasn’t a dry eye on my couch when it was over.

Really fascinating stuff.

I know for a fact there are very smart, very well-read, very Canadian people out there who aren’t nearly as familiar with the Fox story – or who weren’t nearly as familiar with the Fox story, I should say – before that show was broadcast.

And if that is it’s most important legacy – that it gets the message of hope and determination and a willingness to sacrifice for the cause of others – then it’s done a wonderful service to our country and the world.

I know there will be repeat broadcasts on the night of Sept. 29 and twice during the day on Sept. 30, which is the Terry Fox National School Run Day.

If there is a principal out there at some elementary school who doesn’t gather her or his entire student body for one of those daytime screeners, she or he is doing the educational process a horrible disservice.

The thing that struck me about the show – aside from the presence of Star reporter Leslie Scrivener, which did my professional heart very proud – was the incredible behind-the-scenes video that they had. Snippets of the run, private moments not too many people would have seen, I don’t imagine, and raw, raw emotion from the incredible journey.

It’s a wonderfully strong film and I’m glad it’s been made so future generations will be able to see it and learn about a true hero.

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Hmm, wonder what I should tweet today? Not sure I’m exactly getting the hang of this thing, only done a couple – which is a couple more than I really ever thought I would – but the “followers” are growing and I guess that’s a good thing.

Trouble is, I can’t imagine you folks care much about what’s going on in the mundane existence I live.

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Think I should be overly concerned that, while driving home from an overnight soiree, the red “brake” light started beaming out from the dash of the smelly old Ford Focus?

Guess I know what the morning holds.

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Comments

[Kerry O'Brien]

I've had a Focus for years and the brake light will flicker on every so often. Wouldn't worry about it unless you smell something untoward.

[Wilber]

So, are the grunts coming into camp in shape? Anyone "puffy" on press row? :)

Can't wait to get it started, Doug!

[Mike D.]

Doug, with respect to your "mundane existence" concerns about Twitter, I suggest you check out the page on hoopshype.com that aggregates the tweets from NBA players. This weekend's tweets included Cole Aldrich barbequeing, Chris Douglas-Roberts going to bed early, Hakim Warrick and Rudy Gay spending some time with their respective families, Detlef Schrempf going to Starbuck's, and multiple players saying good night.

Blogger's note: Far too enlightening for me!

[Shawn]

Morning Doug,

In you mind who is the front runner for starting at small forward. I personally think it should be Kleiza. If it is Kleiza, do you think it is an upgrade from Hedo. I guess not the way Hedo ended up playing last year (we all know how that went) but from an overall talent perspective.

Blogger's note: I'd guess Kleiza right now. And he'd be an upgrade from the 2009-10 Turkoglu, yes.

[sam]

Hi Doug,
I watched the Terry Fox Doc last night - It was very thoughtful and moving - Terry Fox is one of the best this country has to offer the world.
His Story is timeless and his impact on so many people should be an inspiration. I imagine everyone of a certain age has most likely seen a made for TV movie or read an account of Terry's life -
I don't think Terry's Story has has ever been presented as honestly and emotionally as the hour of TV I watched last night - Well done!

[DougG]

"Trouble is, I can’t imagine you folks care much about what’s going on in the mundane existence I live.

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Think I should be overly concerned that, while driving home from an overnight soiree, the red “brake” light started beaming out from the dash of the smelly old Ford Focus?"
.
None of the people I follow on Tweeter actually post any of that kind of stuff. I'm beginning to think it is a myth created techno-phobes. Besides, it has been a real pleasure for Raptor fans to communicate directly with Chris Bosh and express our real feelings toward him, unfiltered shall we say.

[Jake]

"What the Raptors Need To Do" - get some better players

[joe]

Hi Doug,

Good points about fitness being important for this club. Last year, it seemed they ran out of energy on many occasions late in games. In the last home game against Chicago, Turkoglu was puffing for air through the 3rd quarter. Unbelievable for a professional athlete at the end of the season. Are conditioning exercises a main part of an NBA team's daily practice or is it left up to the player to do it on their own?

Blogger's note: Part of the daily routine; should be a bigger part for some, I think.

[Shaun Wong]

Doug, do yourself a favour, and go out and play just a few minutes of pick-up basketball, and play some man-defense. I think this would do wonders for your understanding of the game, especially on defense. Defense is not complicated. The problem last year was not complicated. For whatever reason, the coaches tried to compensate for the fact that their perimeter players weren't strong man-on-man defenders by implementing a system where the perimeter defender would intentionally steer the offensive player in a given direction, and the rest of the defense would react, rotate, and help as necessary. The flaw in this strategy was that the perimeter players were never even expected to try and stay in front of their man; the system itself encouraged them to "steer" their man toward the help. The resulting problem from this approach is that this steering action immediately turns a 5-on-5 situation into a 5-on-4 situation (the initial perimeter player is left behind the ball and useless).

Last season many intelligent basketball observers, many of them former players, criticized the Raptors because they could never stay in front of their man. Would you characterize Ray Allen as a lock-down defender? Go back and watch his man-on-man defense on Kobe Bryant during this year's NBA final, it is really something, and it's 90% effort. The Raptors perimeter players should watch that tape and do their best impression. So I would suggest that all this talk of "systems" is misplaced; these dudes just need to have coaches that encourage them to stay in front of their men as best they can rather than implement complicated strategies meant to overcome a lack of skill.

[Jack]

So it all depends on the plan right at the start. If they plan to be a defense oriented team, they don't have the personnel for that at the moment. If they run an offensive team at the get go, then it'll be a replay of last year.
By the way, who's gonna start at center? Bargnani? I don't see anyone in the current line up to play center, except maybe Alabi, who I think will not see a lot of playing time. Amir? He's a power forward with a lot of hustle. If he starts and Bargnani starts, then, it's a repeat of last year, with Amir taking Bosh's place. Lesser offense.
The Raptors will be in for a rough ride this season.
Unless Colangelo does something big before the start.

[Jeff D]

Perhaps Shaun is not familiar with Doug's illustrious career with the Stamford Hornets and Welland Knights.

Blogger's note: It's actually the University of Welland Knights :). And thanks

[Jim-Boy]

Whats the latest on Ed Davis...is his injury serious? Will he be ready for training camp?? I hope so, I am excited about this kid!

Blogger's note: Just asked an hour ago, they're still figuring out what to do for the best course of treatment.

[The J]

I'm starting to think more and more, that the only thing the Raps will be playing, with any chance to win, will be the lottery.

[snyper]

I'm pretty excited that they are going to be showing the Fox Doc down here in the States on ESPN as a part of their 30 for 30 film series (which has had a lot of great docs by the way). It's a story that most Americans are oblivious to, yet one that continues to be an important part of Canadian culture. I know I'll be watching it with my sons.

[pain777pas]

We have to see how Kleiza will fit as far as chemistry goes. I just don't see how this team is going to be competitive without a definitive #1 that will command a double. Kleiza if his minutes are based on development and creating a core than they should keep him on the court playing 35mins to see what he can do. If they are going for the 24min split like the points it could be to the detriment of the team with Kleiza and Weems. I just don't like by the numbers coaching. Decide who starts and give them the ball to rise and fall over and over again. Everyone deserves a legitimate shot.

[CC]

is Kleiza a "good" rebounder?

Blogger's note: No idea; he was all right in Europe and the worlds, which means nothing.

[avi Nash]

Hya Doug! I too have had my share of Ford dashboard lights warning me of an impending apocalypse. Good luck. You cover the Raps, Ford sponsors the Raps ... Maybe you could get them to sponsor your wheels?! Or get the SuperFan to swing a deal your way (hopefully not a towel). :)

Thanks as always for the insights.

[doug]

@ Shaun Wong...that has to be one of the most non-sensical pieces of drivel I have read in awhile..I am sure Doug has as he has proved a fine undrstanding of the intricacies of playing defense....every team has defensive "schemes" or philosophies as not to do so would be pure folly, and also as has been stated on here on numerous occasion by myself, others, Doug...the bottom-line of any defensive scheme is just pure effort, desire, and committment on the players part....and if you think for a minute Jay and the gang instilled a defensive philosophy and relied on it without knowing, prodding, begging a effort from his players then your sadly mistaken...and also maybe you were so enamoured by this "lock-down defense " played by Allen against Kobe, you failed to notice what makes Kobe so effective, unlike LeBron who will continue to seek his shots, Kobe is fine to let the situation dictate his course of action....and by doing so, who will be receiving another ring, at the start of the upcoming season???....

[Zombywoof]

Geez, at least take the top off the master cylinder and check the fluid level. If the red light stays on, it could indicate low fluid in the master. Brake lines rust over time, and when a leak develops, the fluid level drops and you get the red light.

[Owen Kelk]

Doug, Sadly I missed the Into the Wind documentary. I was glad to see - per today's blog - that it will be re-broadcast around Sept 29-30. As the time approaches, if you know the "where and when", please make a mention in your blog. Thanks.

[Aditya]

DeMar DeRozan, Sonny Weems and Amir Johnson, three returnees with young legs, will have larger roles. Leandro Barbosa brings speed to the backcourt, while Kleiza brings versatility up front.

"We're going to be a lot more aggressive," Triano said. "With that athleticism, we're going to be able to keep guys in front of us a lot better. And if we can apply some pressure to turn teams over, it's going to create some offense."
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Apparently Jay Triano had these players (DDR, Sonny, Amir) in his team last season also and still they weren't able to keep guys in front of them.....Oh yeah, Barbosa makes SOOOO much of a difference.....

[Aditya]

Whats the latest on Ed Davis...is his injury serious? Will he be ready for training camp?? I hope so, I am excited about this kid!

Blogger's note: Just asked an hour ago, they're still figuring out what to do for the best course of treatment.(01:40 pm)
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Guess they lied to you/they don't know --- ...Ed Davis underwent surgery this morning.....

Blogger's note: Yep, you're right, the guy I asked didn't know. This'll be the last one with the vulgarity, okay? And after the ones last week I deleted and the IP address you used that I put on the blocked list because of the personal stuff and the name calling, this might be the last one entirely. It's a privilege to be here, not a right. And you might have just lost that privilege.