A sign of things to come?

You know what I think that was?

Typical of what we’ll see all year.

Not a bad game, close enough, they played hard for the most part, missed some makeable shots, had a chance in the final minute and came up short.

Now, for what we saw:

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THREE POINTERS

Taking The Hits

I don’t have the exact number in front of me but I can remember at least three charges the Raptors drew and that might have been the most promising thing of the night.

Jose had one in the paint, Andrea drew one on Stoudemire or Mozgov early and Reggie had one, too, as I recall.

It speaks to their intensity level that for the most part, was pretty good and high. If they keep playing like that, they’ll win some games.

The question is: Can they?

It’s one thing to do it opening night when everyone’s jazzed up and it’s a game they can win and there’s some adrenaline pumping through the veins.

I’m wondering about some Monday night in Sacramento or a Wednesday night in Charlotte because if they don’t play hard, there are going to be some loooooooooong nights ahead.

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And The Regend Grows

Sixteen rebounds, all kinds of hustle plays and only two shots? That’s about as good as you can get from Reggie Evans, who remains the biggest surprise of the season to a lot of us.

But, the one flaw that was exposed is that his utter lack of offence is going to be a problem.

I know he shouldn’t shoot much and needs to keep possessions alive with his work on the boards but at some point, he’s got to at least attempt a put-back or two just to keep defences honest.

A couple of times against the Knicks, after he’d grabbed offensive rebounds, the defenders all turned around the face-guarded their guys and it was difficult for Evans to find someone to pass the ball to.

A couple of times a game, he’s got to go back to the rim just so the other team knows he will. Not every time, but every now and then.

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A Rotational Tweak?

Not sure if it’ll happen all the time but using Leandro Barbosa as the first guy off the bench is all right with me.

He wasn’t all that great in the first have but when they went to him in the second, he immediately made a couple of baskets, got the tempo up a little bit and energized things.

I think it’s better than making the first sub of a game or half a big man because that doesn’t have the same impact on the speed of the game and we saw snippets last night of what Barbosa can really be.

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And, in other stuff …

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Phrase of the night goes to Mike D’Antoni, hands down.

He’s looking at Amare Stoudemire’s line of 19 points, 10 rebounds and nine turnovers and marveling at it:

“A cripple double.”

That’s gold, Jerry. Gold.

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I need some mail, desperately.

Had what I thought was a pretty good mailbag last week but I’m looking now and the pickings are slim.

Please help me out.

Click. Write. Send.

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A quick glance up at the out-of-town scoreboard last night showed the Bulls in an epic struggle with …

The Sonics.

And a wistful feeling rushed over media row.

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So what’d you all think of the grand opening, at least those of you who saw it?

I kind of liked the curtain had they actually shown video on it instead of superimposing a logo and some hokey saying and I fear it was a one-time gig instead of a straight steal from the Lakers.

Too bad, that and some kind of a karaoke thing where the whole crowd sings were the two game-ops adds I’d hoped to see.

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So we did a new thing with the game story, or game whatever it’s called in the paper today.

You had this, which went on the front with a picture, and then this, a kind of point-form recap of what went on.

Whaddya think? Does it work?

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Let’s see what My Man Sheridan had to say about that one.

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What do you think of the Knicks?

Kind of average, no?

Kind of like these guys?

Win some, lose some and one injury away from a surefire lottery pick?

I do like the Chandler kid, multiple positions and he killed Toronto’s bigs with his shooting range and a good guy to come off the bench.

But, after one glance, I will stick with my assertion that after the big three teams and the three mid-levels you can throw a blanket over a whole raft of teams and the Raptors and Knicks are two of them.

Trouble is, games between those teams are uber-important and they just let a home one get away.

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Comments

[Jef]

I do not comment often anymore, you have enough on your hands but I LOVE the new format of the games stories.

I only read online and it makes it quick and easy to plow through all the content online. Very well done Doug.

[Bobby]

one game closer to a high draft pick :)

still, a competitive game to watch, just came up short.

[Lorie]

Good Afternoon, Doug!
Well, I personally experienced a very decent number of "Holy Crap" moments during the game last night - and the stuff on the floor wasn't bad, either. Yes, a rousing start by Doug Smith And The Irregulars for the in-game blog I thought; hope your assessment was the same. Now, I am wondering if if this "new" reporting format means we won't be seeing as many indepth, "story" type stuff from you? ('Cause the Raps and their stories have always been enjoyable reads over the years.)

Blogger's note: No, you'll still get the old-fashioned stuff more times than not, I believe.

[Derek H]

Wow. One regular season game. Talk about over analysis from some posters or what. I guess Steve Nash is done like Jose after his first game performance.

[jim]

"Not a bad game"??
After watching Miami and Boston the previous night, this was like watching D-league.
Maybe it was different being there, but on the tube, it was a lousy game. The crowd seemed flat: the number of empty seats grew as the night went on; the number of "Holy crap" moments was minimal. The only thing that made this game the least bit entertaining was the fact that it was close.
What's frustrating is the fact that this team should not be, in the state it is in, at this time. I don't blame the players; they are who they are; but, holy crap, this incredible window of opportunity (lots of high draft picks and two high profile assets to trade for something-anything) has been completely botched by Colangelo and Babcock.

[D-Mac Ottawa]

How do, Doug,
The Young Gunz didn't quite show up last night. That will change, I'd presume.
Bargs didn't quite show up in the second half last night. That hasn't changed at all. But it will have to, and there's no reason why it can't.
Kind of liked the "Rap sheet" they dropped from the centre-court scoreboard for the game intros, even if it is a shameless rip-off.
Chandler: Man, that guy is a baller! Too bad Andy R. couldn't have gotten some floor time. Would have done dad and the grandparents proud.
Looking forward to seeing you out there one of these nights, Doug, boogie-ing with the geezers (or the Dance Pak; your choice.).
Cheers. Go Raps.

[Nilay]

This years opening was WHACK! Bring back the "Hate me now" orchestra!

[Craig]

Dear Santa,

This year, can I have Sam Mitchell back?

[Nilay]

@ Derek

Jose has been done for about a year and a half ...wake up already!

[capt kirk]

Eh Doug, really enjoy to new game story format it really is a in depth keeper for those that missed the game on TSN2. All you need to do is add a full boxscore with bs (blocked shots) and ba(?). How do you read that statistic?

[The J]

Jeff D - So if the Raps beat Cleveland in their next game does that also mean by default, the Raps are better than Miami? That would be a great way to stick it to Bosh!

[Robert]

"Doug - when Bargs goes inside and plays like a post player, he's actually pretty good. Last night he was up against a bunch of cream-puff bigs (Amare is a terrible defender), yet Andrea chose to mostly hang out on the perimeter.

What gives with this guy?? He's the biggest guy on the court"
Your totally wrong - Bargs played BIG lastnight - in the 1st half he looked like a leader. He just needs to do that in the second half! Hope he continues playing at the level he played at in the first half - if so we have a special player on our hands

[Jack]

The new game story format, Doug?
The other half should be written by Dave Feschuk, so there's balance. Like the good cop, bad cop routine.
You paint the rosy picture, Dave provides the reality.
All I saw on both sides is how Bargnani played excellently, new post up moves, scored 22 points.
BUT DISAPPEARED IN THE SECOND HALF. Feschuk would have written that.

[Diablo]

Hey Doug...just wanted to say that I like the new game story format, both articles, enjoyed the new point form as a complement to the other...thanks.

[Mr. Cook]

"Maybe I didn't read on enough to know if someone commented on this already but really: the orchestra last year played Nas "Hate me now?" Any time an orchestra plays O Fortuna/Carmina Burana I think the credit should go to Carl Orff. Just my 2 cents."
That was me. And I recall that they played the lyrics of the chorus of Nas' version over the ochestra after they had played the movement a few times over. So technically, through a series of copyright law issues I don't care to elaborate upon, I am right. Though thank you for making sure everyone knows your classical music street cred.

[AK]

Two words -- Harrison Barnes (look him up folks).

[kelsey]

My friend from New York just sent me a BBM saying Raptors players are like nobodys. I was like whos on the Knicks other than Amare...But that is the thing they have a name...

It burned me, I told him maybe he Amare gets Knicks 10th in east at laughed..Raps get 12th..

Bargnani excellent early if you play fantasy league. 1st half. 2nd half nowhere to be found..Its not his fault he has NO HELP DEFENSE!!!!

Raptors nation, its one game but nothing shows this team will be any good. Were asking Klezia to be a top player??

Jose wasnt really bad last night, but he is like a flat tire, it will get you off the road but not far..

Lottery here we come!!!!!

[Richard]

Hey Doug,

I just finished reading your colleague Feschuk's column about Chris Bosh's comments regarding U.S. TV exposure, and I would have posted my comments directly to him but it seemed to already be closed. It took me back to your pre-season speech about fans not living and dying with every point, game or comment, and remembering that at the end of the day pro sports is about entertainment and providing a pleasant distraction from the everyday mundane-ness (I think I made up a word there) that life can sometimes be. I think you should have "the talk" with Feschuk. He is a prime example of the kind of sports journalism that constantly attempts to fan the flames and whip everyone into a negative frenzy in this town. His column is so blatantly attempting to generate negativity towards Bosh and really goes the distance to extrapolate theories about how he is dissing Toronto, when all Bosh was doing was exaggerating to make a point - not an uncommon practice among most of us carbon-based life forms. Admittedly, Bosh is not really thinking it through in making some of his recent comments but he is a 26 year old American athlete with a view typical of such a creature. He served this city well as a professional athlete, went above and beyond to represent the Raptors and the city and does not deserve the level of vitriol and hatred that is being built up towards him in this city. Dave and the rest of the "chip on their shoulder" gang in town need to get over it. Really.

[Zombywoof]

@DaveT:
Zoooom..... that was the sound of your comment going right over their little heads. O tempora! O mores!

[Penguin]

Have to agree with those who don't think Bargs is deserving of the praise he's generally been getting for last night's game. 7-13 first half, but 1-9 the second half won't get it done. His foul shooting was awful and his defence was okay, at best. But he was only part of the problem. Calderon had another bad night including a couple of uncharacteristic turnovers on bad passes. As others have noted, Weems and Johnson brought little last night. Love watching Barbosa and Jack was very effective on offence. Wonder if Dorsey could have been used to stop Stoudamire late in the game (if he hadn't been suspended for last night, of course)? Reggie was the Raps best player last night.

[Coach K]

Reggie scored over 15 ppg in college.
Andrea has had to play how many positions and assume how many roles in Toronto and is only 24.
Jose has the same tools as before an injury made him question himself
Jarrett continues to play a game he might need to alter a little.
Etc, Etc in Toronto

Success is achieved when the muscle between the ears is exercised and used to make you believe in yourself in a realistic way.

The 2010/11 Raptor team is a good group. I am very happy about the roster and the year ahead. These guys can make the playoffs.

I think Bryan has assembled a solid squad that can have success if they believe and then play within/at their TRUE abilities.

[a]

He wasn’t all that great in the first have - typo - should be half

[Robert]

I know you were just qouting the coach of the Knicks - but repeating what he said is in just as poor judgement, insulting and not politically correct. Then for you to condone it by calling it "gold" is irresponsable! Using the word "cripple' is very very insulting adn I would have thought someone in your position would know better. You have to be more careful then that Doug you have a responsablity to th ereaders and followers of the Toronto Star. Being a writer/journalist is knowing more then not saying the "usual common politically correct words" it's knowing them all. You refer to these poor unfortunate human's as physically challenged, you take thier handicap and gloat on it for your ammusement. These 'cripple" people as you call them are your readers and followers too. My brother suffers from spinal bifida and is a reader of your blog as he is a huge Raptors - I am also writing this message on his behalf. Same on you Doug

[Robert]

Opps- Shame on you.

[doug]

yes i like the new format...concise and has the relevant points of the game , the team....people are so reactionary it was the first game of the season...they came back from a being down...played with heart desire..and I get aluagh out of people that say that was a terrible play Jay ran...how do you know that was the play he called??...the other teams can disrupt plays, and also players can blow assignments..when you have a short period of time, if the initial pass isn't there you need to improvise and just hope...especially on a 3 point attempt...so all in all a entertaining game...