The usual fun and frivolity the day after a game

Yay!

One pre-season game left!

Tell me you’re not excited about that prospect, too.

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THREE POINTERS

The Struggles of Jose

No one’s exactly sure what’s going on with Jose Calderon but something sure is.

Six shots taken, six shots missed and the worst night of the pre-season by far.

Talking to a few people after the game and they were mystified about it, too.

Now, it hasn’t been the greatest of pre-seasons for him but the game last night was a tough one.

And one situation really showed just how tough.

Think it was in the fourth quarter, or maybe the third, and the Raptors were having a really good possession, which may be why I remembered it.

Ball swung side-to-side through about four guys and got too Jose in the far corner. He had a really good open look at a three and you could sense the hesitation when he caught the ball. Normally, it’s an easy catch-and-shoot situation but he thought about it, kicked it back to Bargnani and that’s where the shot came from.

No one that I talked to after the game was suggesting any dramatic change in roles – Jay continued to be publicly satisfied with the way things are – but there is that growing sense of unease that things have to get better in a hurry.

Will they?

I don’t know, you don’t know, they don’t know and that’s the problem.

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Back, back, back

These fellas talk a good game about transition defence and the need to beat teams back down the floor lest they give up easy baskets and there was one situation last night when it was really hammered home.

In the second quarter, Kleiza finishes a possession with a somewhat emphatic dunk and that usually means lots of leaping about and celebration on the bench and some marveling at what had just transpired.

But as I looked down, all the coaches and even a couple of players were shouting “get back, get back, get back” almost before the ball cleared the net.

They did get back, too, at least on that play, which is always a good thing.

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Andrea’s position?

Did you notice that they put Bargnani in a couple of different spot last night?

Sometimes at the elbow, where they let him facilitate some offence or try to take his man off the dribble.

Sometimes in the mid-post, for the same reason: So he could get into the paint and operate there.

Sometimes in the low post and he was entirely effective most of the night.

Now, his defence, especially his weak-side help, was atrocious but offensively he showed more variety to his game against the Bulls than he did in any other game.

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And on to other matters.

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Is this a bit over the top?

Seems, I don’t know, inappropriate or something to me.

Did you notice the little patch on the Bulls jersey’s last night?

A black XX and I was wondering who had passed away and what the tribute was for.

Turns out it’s to “celebrate” the anniversary of the team’s first NBA title.

Kind of lame?

Maybe.

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Seriously, I have two five-hour train rides and there’s only so much e-mailing or bbm’ing I can do.

Mail, please.

Here.

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Halladay-Lincecum Redux tonight?

My train better not be late, I need to find a stool to watch it in Montreal.

Trouble is, Super Son points out the Habs are playing tonight so I’m sure the ball game will be on some side TV in a corner somewhere.

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What’d KC write today?

Let’s check.

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Speaking of mail:

Q: Doug, I'm trying to figure out what the significance of the Belinelli for Julian Wright trade was. Marco saw some minutes on a regular basis. He was in the rotation, for the most part and actually contributed in some games.

Wright is likely only going to play if there is (are) injuries to guys higher up on the depth chart or in "garbage time" Was Marco's fate to be the same if he were to remain a Raptor.

 

 

Shane S, Thornhill

A: Lots of love – still – for Marco here but you’ve hit the nail pretty much on the head.

There wasn’t a way that Marco was going to supplant DeMar, Sonny or even now Barbosa in the rotation and what Bryan did was pretty much a favour to him by moving him somewhere he could get a real shot to play minutes and keep his career going.

But, if you remember, there were huge moments of inconsistency in Marco’s one year here that made the coaches wary about using him a lot.

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So, we got the answer to one question in the pre-game session last night, when it was still unclear whether Jarrett would be able to play or not.

Marcus Banks would have been the backup point guard, Jay told us, rather than Barbosa.

A couple of reasons, he said.

One, Banks has earned the chance to get some minutes in that situation by his work in games and in practices and it’s as much a reward as anything.

Two, Jay doesn’t want to disrupt the usual rotation patterns or take Barbosa out of his comfort level and role.

No idea if that situation will ever arise – Jarrett hasn’t missed a game in three seasons and I don’t think a sore elbow or some knee pain is going to keep him out – but that’s the way the coach is leaning.

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Okay, pack, practice, train.

Heckuva a day ahead.

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Comments

[Steve]

Hi Doug,

Since you've got some time to kill on the train ride to MTL... How about doing a list on some of the best ballers to come out of MTL? I wonder how close my list will match yours.

Thanks.

[Sharkey]

Doug, if you want some good adult beverages in Montreal try Dieu de Ciel, at Laurier and St. Laurent (Laurier Metro Station). They don't have TV's there but they brew on site and it's great quality.

[Derek]

Hey Doug,
After watching the game last night (and others in pre-season), I definitely have to agree on Calderon. I'm generally a fan of his (warts and all), but something definitely seems "more amiss" this year. I don't know if the proposed trade that fell through is messing with his head, or perhaps the prospect of another year where he doesn't know if he's the #1 or #2 option at point guard.

Jarrett has his flaws as well, but he's outplayed Jose mightily in the pre-season, in spite of some nagging injuries. I hate to say it, but if Jose plays like he did last night, Marcus Banks might be a better option.

If the problem is with his head/heart, rather than his game (since he looks healthy enough), if Jay were to leave him on the bench for a game, starting Jack and using Banks as a back-up, would you speculate that would do more harm than good to Jose's psyche?

Normally I'd say that the "team leader" sitting down and having a "man to man" talk with Jose might help, but given that Jack seems to be emerging as the leader on this team, it probably wouldn't help.

[JHK]

I honestly think that I am a better defender than Bargnani, I honestly do.
Only if I was a foot taller.
A team with a all-star caliber slasher (i.e. Dwade, Kobe, LBJ, Rudy Gay, Melo etc), will destroy this team.
Andrea is usually in a decent position to defend and block a slashing attempt but he usually ends up just watching them do their thing...

Blogger's note: Don't teams with all-star calibre slashers destroy all teams?

[eman]

I see that M.Grange has a book out. Have you read it? Care to provide a review?

Blogger's note: Don't have my copy yet

[Penny]

I agree that Jose did not shoot well last night and has not so far this year. But the game was lost in the 3rd quarter when the second unit came on and Chicago left Rose on the floor. The Raptors were unable to stop him and were doing nothing at the offensive end either with too many individuals trying to do too much on their own. When Jose was on the floor the Raptors were still getting beat on defense quite often but they were also scoring and playing much better offense at the other end.

[LeeZ]

Regarding Calderon, I'm not at all concerned by the shots that aren't falling. Everyone goes through slumps, he's going through one now, the shots will start to fall again. What I AM concerned about, though, is his movement. On offence, he seems to be moving at 3/4 speed. He rarely, if ever, penetrates past the three point line, and the rare (and I do mean EXCEEDINGLY rare) time he ever does attempt a drive -- and you can count his drives all preseason on the fingers of...well, two fingers -- there is zero burst of speed, zero explosiveness to get past his man. To me, it looks as though he's scared of reinjuring the hamstring. Has he or any of the coaches alluded to this?

Blogger's note: No, not even privately

[dribbles]

As much as I want to root for Jay, it’s hard to be encouraged when I hear him describe Andrea as “a 4 offensively and a 5 defensively.” Andrea may have some skills, but he’s almost universally considered a very poor to awful help defender. I don’t know how an NBA coach can consider a player as a “5 defensively” if that player is such a poor help defender, not to mention rebounder. It’s crazy to think that as much as fans think BC has coddled Andrea, the guy has been forced to play a position almost nobody thinks he should be playing. I guess that’s why the Raps are probably still interested in landing Dampier.

I don’t know what’s wrong with Jose either but with the way he’s playing I’d seriously rather see Marcus Banks get minutes. The team could use some D at that position and Banks is easily the best of the lot. Jose isn’t only shooting poorly, but he’s not getting into the lane at all and is just looking extremely tentative (is his hamstring healed?). If Jay is serious about accountability this season, he needs to stop worrying about hurting players’ feelings when they’re playing poorly on a consistent basis.

[WSG]

It’s really not such a mystery about what-all is going on with Jose; at least not to my eyes. Plain and simple, the trade fiasco did him in. And before anyone says that ‘that’s all just a part of being a professional’ or some such, I’d respectfully suggest that one considers how Jose had real roots with his ... love-fest with the Raptors. He made a point of telling one and all how he loved Toronto (and the Raptors) ... and going back several years, I certainly recall that as his skills improved, it was quite apparent how he also grew to love it in Toronto, especially as he sensed how he had become a fan-favorite for so many. During this off-season, his good friend Bosh left, which is something that on its own, likely wouldn’t have affected him. But then being traded away ... and THEN having it kiboshed by Charlotte -- it was almost like nobody wanted him -- well, not to be sappy, but I think it broke his heart. And that’s what we’re seeing right now. All just my opinion of course, but ... I do think it’s (at least) a big part of it. All that said, I still hope to see him find his heart and his game again. Not impossible but ... it’ll be tough. Go Raps. 511.

[Paul B]

I am a fan of Calderone, and believe he was an excellent PG in this league, 3-4 years ago. For the last 3 years though, we've being doing nothing but making excuses for him. Fact is, for whatever reason, he is not playing as well as he used to. Whether its his head, his heart, his hamstring, whatever, he is not playing as well. Jay and BC need to let go of the past, look at their current product, and make a decision. Seems clear enough to me, JJ is our starter and finisher, and we are in trouble as a result.

[JT]

Doug,

Pure speculation on my part but perhaps his new child/baby is really draining his energy and time off the court which has led to lackluster performances on court? I've bump into Calderon on a very regular basis (we live in the same condo building, park a few spaces away from each other, and seem to come/leave home at similar times) and every time I've seen him, he's on his phone (checking it, texting, calling). He was never like that the last couple years I've seen him.

[Casey]

Doug, who wrote the 'Barbosa the spark for Raptors to run past Bulls' bit? I didn't see any credit on the page and wondered if it was you. I really liked the format, it gave me a quick digest of what happened last night, was easy to read and I even liked the star rating at the end. Is it going to be a regular addition? It's the first I noticed it.

Blogger's note: Yeah, it was me and I hadn't noticed the lack of a byline. It was a first-time attempt at something of a different attempt at covering a game. Not sure if it'll be regular or every now and then, we need to chat about it at work and see how it worked out. Just figured we'd try it for a pre-season game.

[Dr. Tamias]

Doug - can you tell me where I can find the raptors pre-season records for the past 15 years?

Thanks!

Blogger's note: No. Try their website or Wikipedia maybe?

[Anthony]

Doug,
I want to get excited about the upcoming season for the Raps but its not easy, I've set my expectations pretty low including 8 spot in the east a BEST case, not making the playoffs is a real possibility.. again.
Over the past 2 season we've witnessed an arms race among the leagues top teams, makes it tough to compete. I could be surprised and see an up tempo Raps team that plays at least average D sneak in at 8th but not likely, and I'm usually an optimistic guy!
Hope you have lots of patience and a good sense of humor for this season!

Miami
Orlando
Boston
Atlanta
Chicago
Milwaukee
Cleveland
New York (if they get half way into the season)

[Boko]

There are two more things that people haven't mentioned that could also be affecting José ...

One, the tug-of-war (for lack of a better term) for minutes with Jarrett may be too much. In Spain, he didn't have this kind of pressure about his starting.

Two, the Raptor fan reactions to his D. He (and Andrea) could not be pleased that it's out there, even if it is just fans (fanatics).

Doug, do these two players both need 'a change of scenery ' to get away from it?

[Anthony]

From Previous Post...
New York (if they get MELO half way into the season)

[AJR]

Doug,

I think Andrea is getting into decent position on D, but he has lazy arms. He needs to bring his arms up high and fast. You can't block shots when your hands are at your side. Shorter guards are having no problem getting shots off around him.

[kazbid]

im trying to be positive on Jay (because I was so anti smitch) but I find it hard when he says stuff (in the post game interview) like: we were sluggish tonight because we practiced too hard this morning, and that we got beat on the very same things that we spent all morning drilling down and practicing (i'm paraphrasing)

so he's saying that the same stuff that he's been trying to teach his players, and that they apparently practice at so hard (that it makes them tired and lose) was the stuff they didn't do properly in the game? like this is smitch logic here...i'm gonna be scared if he starts preaching this team needs to take 100 shats per game to win.

i know u can't really dis Jay..and there's not really much to defend him with either.but do you think the raps are showcasing Evans and calderson a little bit? i dont see how calderon is better than barbosa or jack at point
and evans is a complete liability on offense. that play with him at the top of the key..u notice how not one opponent is within 6-7 feet of him? that can't possibly be a regular go to offensive set.

[Andy]

Blogger's note: Don't teams with all-star calibre slashers destroy all teams?

What kind of a response is that? No they don't.

[D-Mac Ottawa]

Morning Doug,
You know, I've always called the Jose/Jarrett "debate" a red herring, a non-issue, and I still say that's what it's been, until now (like, within a week or two). Now, man, no fun at all watching Jose regress. He did enough of that last year; neither he nor the team can afford any more of that at all this year.
While I agree with you that the Jose we saw two years ago, or even most of last year, is the logical choice to start the game, the 'Jose as currently constructed' that we're seeing in pre-season just doesn't qualify as a functioning starting point guard once the games are being played for keeps.
This team's in tough enough without that functioning starting center that everyone knows is still a missing ingredient (Reggie's doing great; he's just not starter material).
Meanwhile, the "why's" behind Jose's funk don't really matter. Seems to me, Jay needs to give him one last pre-season starting chance to shake it loose, or go to Plan B. But what is Plan B? (You know, I'd take my chances with starting Marcus over messing up the good stuff that's been going with the so-called "second unit"). Your thoughts?
Enjoy the train trip, Doug, et la belle province!
Cheers. Go Jose!

[Lorie]

Hey Doug,
Are the Raptors riding the rails with you??? And as was the case with a previous commenter this morning, I was also momentarily confused by the byline-less reporting of last night's game, but it read like you, so I kind of figured it was your stuff. I like the format. Do you prefer it, too?

Blogger's note: I'm not sure if I like it or not yet.

[LeeZ]

@Steve: the only NBA baller I know that came out of Montreal is Bill Wennington, and he only went to high school there, I think he had originally been from New York. Maybe Rick Fox as well?

[Eddy]

Based only on pre-season, and without the benefit of seeing Davis, Toronto appears to be 2 to 4 starters away from being a good team, with an excellent bench. However, we do not know what surprises lie in store once the season begins for real. Center and point guard appear to be the first priority.

[John]

Doug I know it's just preseason, but shooting is shooting.
The regular season will only bring tougher defensive opposition for Jose.
Do you still feel that he should be the starting PG on this team?
I understand that you think he works better with the first 5, but going 0 for 6 doesn't help anyone, and it helps in digging a hole for the bench to try and climb out of. Thoughts?

Blogger's note: I think they were up five when he left in the first quarter and an 0-6 night was bad.

[pain777pas]

Offense does not seem to be the Raptors problem Doug. Rebounding was great by Reggie alone. The issue will be defensively there is no one that can shut down a player. Point is suspect because Jack tries but does not have the quicks to keep up with some of the more offensive minded guards like Rose, Paul, Deron and soon Wall. Even Jennings, Harris, Brooks and Evans will be causing trouble in the back court. Bulls didn't even dress Boozer which would have neutralized Reggie and got them more points in the paint. The Bulls have a legit shot at doing something special this year don't you think Doug?

Blogger's note: They'll be good but not in the class of Orlando, Miami and maybe Boston