Who'll wear the biggest target this year?

Got to wondering the other day – in response to a series of questions on the topic – on who bears the most pressure or responsibility for whatever is going to transpire this season with the local Heroes Of The Hardcourt.

And while you know I don’t entirely like to single out one or two guys because it’s truly a team game, I guess I should.

I would say the guy we’re going to find out the most about would be Andrea Bargnani, who will no longer have the security blanket – or Albatross, depending on your view – of Chris Bosh around.

There have been moments when the big kid has looked extremely good and quite comfortable but that’s always been a decided second banana. Teams always game-planned for Bosh first and foremost; that’s not going to happen this year and if Bargnani doesn’t step up his game – at both ends of the floor – this is going to be one hellaciously long season, I fear.

Can he?

Well, it’s funny. There have always been snippets of, I don’t know, ego might be the right word, in Bargnani’s personality. There’ve been moments when you felt he felt he might be being under-utilized and that he’d relish an increased role. Nothing to outward, just a look, maybe a quick comment, stuff like that.

So maybe he can. He better for their sake because they need him to be very good.

We’ll go over some others as the rest of this week unfolds but I’d put Bargnani as the guy with the biggest target on his back right now.

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The Ed Davis news was a bit of a jolt, wasn’t it?

Six weeks takes him to the start of the regular season, you figure it takes at least two weeks for him to get back into game shape after starting “basketball-related activities” so you’re probably looking at him missing about 10 games of the regular season.

What’s it mean on the floor? Well, I’m not sure how much they were counting on Davis to play – they were certainly expecting him to be in the frontcourt rotation – so the big winner out of this maybe Reggie Evans, who could very well assume those minutes.

You might also see more of Linas Kleiza at the four with Bargnani or Amir Johnson at the five and I guess this is why they wanted guys with some positional versatility.

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Did my heart proud to see Rick Fox tripping the light fantastic in his DWTS debut; he’s near the lead after a night and I have a feeling he’ll last a good long time.

I also guarantee that if the boys from Oz got wind of it, he’d be, um, dealt with.

Wasn’t that perhaps the darkest hour of television ever?

I remember after one TV season seeing Fox somewhere and telling him how fascinated I was with the show and that it couldn’t possibly get more gruesome.

He looked at me and said something like: “I don’t know. How about a guy getting crucified to the floor of a jail cell?”

Now, that was not an hour of light, mindless TV.

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I mentioned last week that the Davis injury was just one of those things, a tough break in a bad situation.

And I know it’s all well and good that he and the other kids are out among the masses scrimmaging and playing games and connecting with the fans. I get that this team needs to make that connection and it’s kinda cool they’d use the social media to do it.

But, really. Maybe games of HORSE, or autograph sessions, or just hanging out.

The players collectively bargained for the “Love Of The Game” clause that’s in the standard players’ contract but I don’t imagine the clause exists to allow them to do things like send out messages to random fans and invite them to come compete against NBAers.

Anyway, tough break for a good kid.

And I will be totally surprised if there are tweets and messages setting up similar games for a very long time.

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So NBA coaches are wrapping up a couple of days of meetings in Chicago today. It’s an annual thing, they sit around and do some association work, they hear from the league how things are going to be new and improved all season and that they’ll never have a beef with the officials or league office.

(They then laugh uproariously at that last statement and go off to practice they’re indignation and complaining skills).

But I imagine they also have some time for social pursuits, to perhaps sit around in groups just talking about their teams, the game, life.

And I imagine it might go a bit like this:  

 

Alvin Gentry: “Well, we’ve got a new guy I’m really looking forward to coaching.”  

Jay Triano: “Ball.”  

Erik Spoelstra: “We’ve got some new guys, too!”

Chorus of 29 voices: “Shut up, kid.”  

Phil Jackson: “I’m smarter than all of you.”  

Chorus of 29 voices: “You’ve been telling us that for 20 years; we get it.”

Jerry Sloan: “Anyone want to step outside?”  

Stan Van Gundy: “I hate Miami.”  

Jay Triano, Byron Scott: “Tell us about it, Stan. Look at our rosters! We might not win 60 games between us.”

 

 

Avery Johnson: “I hired Sam Mitchell.”  

 

Chorus of 29 voices: “And let the entertainment begin!”

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Mail? I’d love some.

Thanks

You know the drill.

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Comments

[Rob]

Rick Fox looked good, especially overcoming the height difference. I think it should be a good competitive season not like the last few where there have been contestants that were heads and shoulders above due to prior training.

[Matty-Pix]

I certainly don't see the Davis injury really hurting anyone other than Davis himself.
More time for Kleiza to slide over, like you said ... which leaves SF minutes for DeMar or Sonny.

[Boko]

I'm not convinced that having José's superior passing on the floor with the starters is a bad thing. If so, he's as much in the line of fire as is Andrea, in my opinion.

I much prefer leaving Reggie on the bench, and moving Linus a into a rotation up front. We'd still have DeMar, Sonny & Leandro to rotate at swing. These eight or nine guys (Jarrett, Amir, & eventually, Ed included) must start getting used to each other ASAP. Evans is too big a departure, style wise.

[marc in panama]

Hola Doug,

So let me get this straight, Davis hurts his knee and it's the fault of social media engines like Twitter and Facebook? Really?? That's like saying if there had been an injury on the floor of a charitable basketball game that was advertised in The Star, that the paper was to blame.

Sorry to hear the kid has been hurt, but it's not as if he was parachuting, hang gliding or bungee jumping. He was playing basketball.

Marc in Panama

Blogger's note: No, it's not the fault of social media. It was a factor, but not the cause.

[James]

Seriously, this is going to be a long season....loonnnnnnnng. I wasn't expecting Davis to contribute much but it is a blow to his development overall. He just has a very fragile body, he is so long and narrow. As far as Bargagni goes...I think he will improve again this year, but he's never going to be a true number one option...seriously, come on, he doesn't have the drive or desire. You see flashes of it, like when he hits a long-range clutch shot, he gets excited...but as far as having that true tenacity to drive hard to the rim; I have never seen that determination from him. If he improves defensively, that will be a positive. Personally, I am mostly just excited to DD, WEems and Johnson continue to improve....they will at least be fun to watch.

[Bill in NS]

Doug,

You know right after the target on Andrea will be a huge bullseye on Jose. A healthy Jose wins the starting spot and the team struggles to win ball games, start the bashing...No defense blah blah. After Jose, we will see Linas get some abuse as he is taking time away from the "young Guns" (I hate the name) and that Sonny Weems will be an allstar if Jay would jsut play him. I can't wait for teh season to begin and all the arm-chair coach/GM types letiing us all know how to fix this team.

[pain777pas]

Doug, mentionning Amir at the 5 just litteraly gave me the shakes. I didn't know that we're in that dire a straits. I'm trying to have the wait and see approach but suddenly I feel that we may be worse than the Nets were last season vibe. Any encouragement?

Blogger's note: Not from me, it's not my job

[Mac]

29 voices to Eric Spoelstra: "Look out behind you - it's Pat Riley with a big axe!!"

[Boko]

I suggest that we all start using "Young Guys", and never use that other term again, kind of like 'He Who Shall Remain Nameless' (1 & 2 & 3).

[joe]

hey doug, there has been little to no word about solomon alabi lately. is there a chance that they give him a few minutes here and there?

Blogger's note: I'm thinking he'll spend a vast majority of his time on the inactive list.

[dc]

I still think it's going to be less than 30 wins this season and a lot of ugly basketball. But maybe Doug Smith is pointing to a light at the end of a long tunnel. Dallas moved almost every player but held on to Dirk and ultimately remains a competitive team, even if they do always fold in the clutch. Maybe now that he is finally on a team with zero expectations and becomes the only go-to option on offense and protecting the rim, Bargnani will have the time and opportunity to become a historical no.1 draft pick.
At least it's something to stay interested in during this sad, sad time. Thanks Doug!
Any idea the extent of the meniscus damage on Davis' knee? I know that if it requires surgery it's typically more than just a superficial tearing of the cartilage. Just hope he can make a full and speedy recovery.

[Angelo]

Without a double-teamable option down below the raps had better run and gun.. Will be interesting to see if Bargnani can run consistently throughout the season, if he can't we might see a lineup of Evans, Kleiza, Weems, Derozan, Jack at times as long as Evans is healthy and rebounding as he can.

[Pipit]

When you ran out of something substantial to write, you resort to fiction conversation and DWTS promotion. Hope your even getting paid promoting that brainless show. Stick to the facts and write something about basketball on which this blog is originally made for.

Blogger's note: Actually, it wasn't. It was originally made for a way to get off-beat stuff published when we were in Italy and Spain for training camp in 2007. So ... Sorry, no change here; if that's not acceptable, sorry, but there are other avenues for you to traverse.

[Lorie]

Hi Doug,
So, if I understand correctly: the men's (improved after the worlds to 23rd in the world) games were shown live from Izmir and the women's (going in to the tournament ranked 12th in the world) games will not be live but instead will air at some point (one hopes it isn't at 2am) in the future? Unfair? I would certainly say so. Discouraging for fans of womens' hoops? Absolutely. Surprising? Sadly,and typically, no, not really. It seems to be the usual kind of TV coverage given to our women's sports and athletes (with the possible exception ice hockey). So, please, (and thanks for giving the girls' program the coverage you do here) keep giving us the news from Czech Republic, and, if possible, would you be able to also give us a heads up on when TSN is going to air their games? As a totally unrelated digression, Rick Fox was smoothm but what blew me away was that Mrs. Brady is a spry 76 years old??? Now that indeed is the "fifth pirouette".

[Jack]

You said it's a week before the training camp begins and Colangelo has not addressed the biggest hole to plug in this team. The center position. Everyone knows that Bargnani is not a true center. That experiment failed miserably last year. So this year, he will move to his natural position of power forward. Amir will probably start at center although he is also a natural 4. There's no one in the current 16-man roster who can play center. Dorsey? Yeah, right. Will we see the return of Rasho? Holy smokes... Bargnani wears the target? More like a sitting duck.
Someone mentioned 30 wins.. Yeah, if they're very very lucky.

[Boko]

Angelo, if I'm going to have the team run on O, Johnson, Davis, DeRozan, Weems & Barbosa are my 5-man unit. Bargnani, Kleiza, Calderon & Jack wouldn't be able to keep up with them.

[J]

@marc in panama:

Might want to re-read those bits. Doug clearly was talking about/questioning/judging the pickup games with random fans.

[Sam]

The thought of Reggie Evans having a large role on this team is a little scary to me. The expectaion from a lot of people last year was that he was going to be a lock down - tough, in your face son of a gun. After the injury - we saw a little of what he could do, but he didn't live up to the hype - tough? Yes - good with the ball in his mitts? not so much. He was a great cheer leader in his oversized navy blazer - His best accomplishment last season

The kid Davis - too bad about the surgery - and the delay to the start of his career, but 6 weeks is only 6 weeks.
I am looking forward to seeing how Kleiza and Barbosa can contribute - In the past Barbosa always seemed to shine when playing against the Raps - hope he can bring that type of game this year playing for the Raps.
Mind you Last year I was excited about Turk and Marco for the same reasons- and Look how that turned out. . . . . .

[doug]

I have no problems with the davis injury and to me there is no blame...the kid is doing what he wants to do play hoops, took the initiative, has the desire as it's obvious he just wasn't content to take his signing bonus and lay back and enjoy life......as so many do..so all in all, it's not a big deal in teh bigger picture...

and as for me there will be no bullseye on any player...that's why i want this team to have many different parts, as the Rockets although we are not as talented it's a step in the right direction...by putting a "bullseye" on someone you are setting them up, as he is going to have off nights, bad shooting nights, lax moments on D as Bosh had....it's a team game and within that framework guys need to pick one another up...and all this angst about how many wins is so irrelevant, who cares??...are they contending for the title no, so just develop, play hard and grow individually as players as well as a team...and let the chips fall were fall...

[shane]

Doug,
Is there any correlation between Colangelo getting a contract extension and using the TPE. Meaning will he be more likely to explore a long term acquistion once he knows his fate with the team so he can use this 'piece' for years to come.

Blogger's note: No, don't think there is

[Paul]

Doug, seriously, DWTS is lame.

[tim]

I know that you just post this stuff online, but you used the word "to" instead of "too", and "they're" instead of "their". Plus, the fourth paragraph is pretty rough.

Maybe today's blog was typed too quickly?

[dc]

Less than 30 wins. Look at the schedual, look at the opponents and the most generous outcome i can see is less than thirty or about .333 basketball. Really it could be 10 or 20 or 25, but as the roster stands, I'll consider it a season of tremendous over-achievement for the Raptors if they win 29 or more

[capt kirk]

Eh Doug, are we talking about "ego"? I thought Bargs was "shy". A bullseye on the rim may be better suited than the #7 on his back. This is the show and prove year, but it's not like he is playing for a new contract. The Raps go as Triano goes, let the fun begin.

[andrew]

Doug, love the posts - keep'm up.
One simple question and I'd appreciate your honest opinion...
Why do the Raptors continuously try to play with an abundance of PF's and no C's??
I mean, they're signing/drafting/extending PF's contracts like it's going out of style and we haven't had a legit C for YEARS.
NBA basketball is no longer soley a 1-5 positional game, but the Raps prove every year that it leaves you at a big disadvantage when you're trying to constantly plug holes in a lineup.
Thanks and looking forward to another (ahem) great year!!

Blogger's note: They, like several other teams, see 'bigs' as interchangeable as 'wings' and no real distinction. And, in many cases, that's precisely how it is.