The usual morning after stuff, and a digression or two

Well, there goes 0-82.

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THREE POINTERS

Flash? Give ‘em buckets instead

I can remember a three-on-one break and a three-on-one break with a trailer that turned into nothing both times and while it would have been nice to get one of those “wow” moments you all love so much, wouldn’t it have been nicer to actually have, you know, a basket?

And don’t thing no one’s noticing because the coach is.

“I said there’s no points for style on fast breaks and I think sometimes we’re looking for fancy plays instead of just sticking the ball in the hole and getting back to play defence again.

“I think sometimes we look to make spectacular plays instead of just finishing plays.”

Seriously, I’m all in favour of great plays and spontaneity and the like but I saw attempts at one-handed tap-back passes that ended up in turnovers, lob passes that wound up in the front row and, for one night at least, there was far too much failed style than substance.

Probably one of the bigger downers of the evening.

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Who is this guy?

In two games, which is hardly a big enough sample size but it’s all we’ve got, Andrea Bargnani’s averaged 21 points per game and taken 34 shots and only three of them have been three-pointers.

And I know there were and are all kinds of critics out there who wondered about his ability to work in the post or develop some kind of mid-range game but if you’ve been paying attention for a couple of nights, you’ve seen exactly what you wanted to see.

Last night, the Cavs ran a second defender at him when he squared up at the elbow with a third guy shading over from the weak side (which is 100 per cent the way a lot of teams used to defend that Bosh fellow) and Bargnani was still able to make seven of 13 shots, dish out a couple of assists and lead his team in scoring.

And now I will add this and duck:

Yes, he had one whopping rebound and only five against the Knicks but don’t you think his mere presence on the floor and the attention he draws from the defence has had something to do with Reggie Evans having nine offensive boards in two games? It does.

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That was cold

What Linas Kleiza did to Jamario Moon in the third quarter Friday night was borderline abuse.

They got Kleiza 10 field goal attempts, most by simply putting him in the low block and letting him kill Our Friend Jamario and about the fourth time in succession that Linas got the ball and got any shot he wanted, a thought came to me.

And it was:

Isn’t Byron Scott watching this game?

Really, everyone in the gym knew what was coming and it kept coming and coming and coming.

If they can find those kind of mismatches to exploit with Kleiza, and if opposing coaches remain oblivious to it, the new guy is going to have some monster nights.

There’s a lot about Kleiza’s game to like, we saw another facet of it against the Cavs.

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And, in other news:

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Check out Stevie Boy’s photo blog right here because there’s nothing like a bit of cross-promotion.

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A staff digression, if you will.

I’m not here, and you’re not wildly entertained by coming here (you are wildly entertained and totally educated by coming here, aren’t you?) if it’s not for a fellow by the name of Chris Young, who I hope most of you know by reading our site and paper.

Well, Doctor Young is calling it a career after today, another one who’s getting away too early, and you’re the losers for his decision.

I’m not sure I’ve worked with a better writer at any time in my career and the business is worse off for his departure.

Way back in the day, when he was chronicling the hoops in the infancy of the Heroes Of The Hardcourt, when there was an opening for a grunt at Mother Star, he made some calls and pulled some strings and said some right things that helped get me started on this improbable journey.

For that I will be forever thankful. It’s been a pleasure to work with him and read his stuff (and steal a whole whack of his football expertise over the years) and the world of journalism and the craft of writing are lessened by his departure.

We’ve lost Perk and now CYoung in a very short period and while we’re still a damn fine paper, our stable of writers is way worse off.

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What’d my friend Mary write in the P-D today?

Let’s check right here and see.

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Excuse me a second while I jump on the hobby horse for a minute.

The 100-points-for-a-piece-of-pizza thing might be the single stupidest promotion in the history of sports and we saw last night precisely why.

Less than six seconds to go in the game, team up 18 and what the Raptors should have done is dribble out the clock, wave to an appreciative audience and walk off the court.

But, no. With the fans antsy and everyone knowing what was going on, they had to score again and then explain it, which took a very little bit away from talking about, right, the game, at least for Jay:

“You know, how many years did we watch them dance down there with all the hooting and hollering and everything? It’s a different team so it probably wasn’t the right thing to do to score but our fans come to these games and they’re going to be here to support us for 41 games and we play this team three more times. I’d rather look after our fans first.” Look, I think all you Irregulars know where I stand on this but I’m going to now put 100 per cent of the blame for the whole thing on the bigwigs who run the Raptors and come up with such silly ideas.

It puts the fans in a tough spot, it puts the players in a tough spot and it’s an entirely needless distraction at the end of games.

It’s stupid.

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All right, I’ve got something like a 3:30 a.m. wakeup call to get to the flight to Sacramento through Minneapolis in the morning so it’s got to be an early night.

I will, however, have lots of post-practice time to answer some mail while I sit around so this is your last crack.

Click. Write. Send.

And have a good day.

 

 

 

Comments

[Aditya]

Isn’t Byron Scott watching this game?
Really, everyone in the gym knew what was coming and it kept coming and coming and coming.
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First off, Byron Scott is a very good coach. I was impressed with him because his teams play hard on defense. I remember him calling a timeout literally two possessions after a timeout had been called previously. He wasn't too happy with the defense he was watching. I want to see Jay Triano call a timeout if a defensive rotation wasn't made and make a point to the player (calmly i might add) in a one-on-one situation as soon as the time out is called. That's when the player will listen more.

Secondly, abuse is what Kobe Bryant did to the Raptors last season (@ Tor). He didn't run the triangle offense, instead ran simple pick and roll with Bargnani eventually guarding him (because the big man for the Lakers set a solid screen on the Raps defender). He buried 2 straight jump shots with Bargnani just waiting for him to drive.

I might add, Bargnani doesn't know how to set picks. He is slipping virtually every single pick. The reason David Andersen got a few wide open shots (I believe it was the 3rd quarter) was because he set solid screens and literally got wide open (2 pt) shots just off simple pick and roll plays. Bargnani seriously seriously needs to understand the importance of setting a solid screen on the defender. With the Raptors increasingly reliant on pick and roll plays and ball movement, setting picks off the ball and on the ball is extremely important.

In addition, Bargnani doesn't have a go to post move. He failed to back down Jamario Moon on multiple occassions, held on to the ball a little too long and his passing out of the double team (that eventually came) wasn't very good either. OK, it was horrendous. In comparsion, Linas Kleiza who is less bulkier than Bargnani 'abused' (as you said it) Moon on the post.

Lastly, if Bargnani doesn't have a clear path to the basket, he can virtually do nothing except take a dribble, do a pump fake and hope the defender jumps up in the air. He can shoot that jump shot after taking a dribble but he doesn't have any more moves after dribbling. Rant over (for now).

Please for the sake of God, watch Bargnani in Sac town and see what he does on defense, instead of backing him up every single day in your beloved blog.......

[Ian Murray]

I'm also getting tired of hearing about this Pizza promo. What does it matter if the fans cheer loudly for it. Boo-hoo if the other teams hate it. The Raptors aren't the only team in the league who offers similar promotions. I admit seeing an adult cheering for it may seem a little ridiculous (sorry if I offended anyone here, but it is a small square slice that probably costs $2.00), the kids like the promotion and if they have fun cheering for it then to me it seems worthwhile.
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Doug, if you want to keep getting on your hobby horse about this try directing it to getting that box set up so people can drop their stubs in and get them distributed to the homeless. You've mentioned that idea in the past and it really should be done. As long as the fans like the promo it won't go away!

[DougG]

"And just a quick comment to DougG about boycotting the team: Did you watch the game to notice the low attendance? Then you didn't boycott the team. And if they end up 41-41 and make it in the playoffs is that at least a start for you? They probably won't do it, but hey, they're 1-1 now and my crystal ball is in the shop."
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No, I'm on Rogers and none of the shows are on TV. I read there were a lot of empty seats. As for the boycott making the playoffs would be good. Spending whatever money it takes to get a winning team would be good. Winning is what it is about, something MLSE seems incapable of doing, other than when it comes to ripping people off, by selling a shoddy product at near the top prices. By the way boycotting the Bluejays seems to be working. They are even making noises about raising the payroll to, you know, compete with the good teams.

[mike]

Love the pizza thing, but maybe they can give it out if the team would hold the opponent to less than 100?

Anyways, the paying customer is happy with a slice of pizza- so what is the big whoop? That a bunch of millionaires are crying that it's disrespectful to score another bucket?? I feel sorry for them... not!!

If I were the Raptors, I'd expand the whole gimmick. Give out something when they reach 50, 75, then the pizza at 100!!

[radar]

I love the blog and normally wouldn't find the need to criticize - but - you'd think Doug was on the payroll of this pizza company given the number of times he mentions them. And everytime he mentions the promo, the comments get inundated with responses (I know...I'm guilty of this too now!). If I were the chairman of that pizza company, I'd absolutely love Doug Smith and his free advertising! Any publicity is good publicity...

[Brian67]

@Michael - "I am a university student, I pay $10 000 per year in tuition fees. I know for a fact, every student that goes to games loves the free pizza promo." (let's see, buy food or go to the raptor game and ,maybe, get free pizza? choices, choices) Made me laugh, thanks.

[Rob.V]

Maybe we're all missing the point. Pizza may somehow = $$$ for MLSE.

Now I dont know this for certain however what I do know for certain is that whatever MSLE has their mits on... its typically a sure fire way of generating more revenue.

Maybe the (horrid, carboard like tasting) Pizza promotion is not about the fans at all (maybe someone here can shed more light on this for us).

Has anyone else ever wondered why MLSE asks US to donate our tickets each season?

This always baffles me. Season seat holders this year can all atest to the fact that they have gone so far as to stick a picture of an armed forces individual (with an envelope do donate) on the night they would like you to donate your seats.

Now, I do believe in donating personally throughout the year - but to ask an average fan to do donate THEIR tickets (while MLSE deposits another billion or so into a bank account or trust fund) just seems odd doesn't it?.

I mean, THEY make ALL the money... why don't THEY just do that themselves!... the buildings going to be half empty anyway.

How many Canadian Armed Forces uniforms do you see at ANY other game during the season?. I dont see any... however I sure as hell see a lot of empty seats though.

MLSE "asking" us.. and doing themselves are two entirely different things though.

I know I'm a little off topic however the silly little pizza promo may be much much more than the 2 teams, 100 points, or least of all fans.

[Brad]

I agree that the Pizza promo is a dumb idea, but at this point it would be hard to take it away b/c its been in place so long.

As far as the Cav's being upset - I'm all about sportsmanship and always play out the clock when I'm playing - however, the Rap's made the right decision. If it comes down to hurting Cav's players feelings that are earning $50k to $100k a game to play basketball, or the 15 thousand people paying money to watch them play - the fans should always take priority. After all, the NBA players wouldn't have jobs if it wasn't for the fans.

[Ken]

Quick idea on how to fix the pizza promotion. Change it to a free slice when they win or get 100 points which ever comes first. That way there is no more controversy over it. If they did this this then last night the clock would have been run out with the fans still getting their slice and Cavs would not have an issue and we would not be talking about it today.

[g.t]

many of these members of the cavs were there last year No? Lebron used to dance at the free throw line when he was winning and his teams used to dance along with them. talk about classy. remember that bulls vs cavs game? yes they have a new coach, and lebron is no longer there but hey it doesn't change anything, the league is ful of gimmickry.

[OU]

setting up a box for the tickets and giving them out the homeless is not going to work. all the downtown pizza pizza locations would be over run by hobos the next day. that would result in the those locations refusing to participate in the promotion.

props to Triano for defending the last basket.

i feel like a mid afternoon snack. i think i'll head out and get my free PIZZA!!!!

[Goldmember]

blah blah pizza bad happy fans bad basketball purity good.

The only thing wrong with the pizza promo is that it's Pizza Pizza.

PS - Reggie Evans is S.I.C.K.

[Bill]

Hey Doug,

I know this is an odd question but is there anyway you can talk to Mother Star's technical expert and have the links to your gameday story somewhere on the blog page. I'm not sure about others, but I tend to read the blog and overlook the game story because I don't receive The Star (I live in rural BC). I have the blog set as a favourite and to research gameday stories every day gets a little tedious. I know it sounds lazy but I think it would go a long way towards upping the amount of readership to the actual story.

Hopefully you read this as it's not knuckleheadism but something that can bring a tiny bit more value to the blog page.

Thanks,

Blogger's note: It's duly passed on

[J]

Not liking the pizza promotion as it currently stands doesn't equate to wanting it gone completely, so all you "free pizza" lovers can relax, sheesh. Considering 15 of last year's 30 teams managed to, on average, hold opponents to under 100 points per game, it's not exactly unreasonable to condition the promotion on the Raptors' defense.

Yes, I do note the irony in the statement above; there will probably be fewer "free pizza" nights than under the current rules (though with Bosh gone, and with even the slightest improvement on defense, that gap won't be significant and, who knows, it might even result in more pizza), but just imagine:

- No more instances of "poor sportsmanship"; instead, if the players are really that concerned about pleasing the fans, they'll have incentive to play defense for the full 48 minutes, win or lose. That sure beats trying for unnecessary baskets.

- No more cheering when the Raptors lose, at least not when they've had a poor defensive outing. If you're going to cheer in a loss, it might as well be for a good defensive effort.

If anyone can see a downside other than potentially getting less "free pizza" (and as far as the two games this season, we are 2 for 2 at holding the opponent under 100, and only 1 for 2 at scoring 100+), please say away. This is basically what Doug and many others have been advocating the past year, so why so much indignation when people suggest an alternative that not only provides entertainment value but sportsmanship and higher defensive intensity as well?

[GM]

I was at the game in Portland last year when the Blazers beat the Raptors. Guess what? They scored 100 and I got a free chalupa. As many have pointed out, this free food for 100 points is not a unique situation in the NBA. In fact, the head office has their paws on everything. Nothing gets done without approval from the big wigs in New York. I'll be in Portland again next Saturday and expect it'll be the same.

Giving the free slice away to the homeless is a noble idea, but a naive one. The restaurants that participate in these promotions aren't doing it out of the goodness of their hearts. They're doing it because they fully expect people to come in and buy a drink or another slice or whatever along with their free stuff. Like all corporations, they're in it to make money.

And as others have pointed out, I'm a bit confused why beating someone by 18 is fine and dandy but beating them by 20 is the ultimate in poor sportsmanship. Makes no sense. Doesn't matter if you lose by 1 or 100, you still lose. Also, in the unlikely event of a tie, isn't one of the tie-breakers point differential?

Anyway, on to basketball! I don't care if Reggie scores another point as long as he keeps rebounding and defending like he has. And kudos to Triano for getting him to accept his role. I don't think we need to be hoping he scores to keep the defense honest, because he will. If it's there, he'll score. Rodman played the same way. Got a board and got the ball back out to set it up again. That can be demoralizing to the other team (oh wait, is that poor sportsmanship, too?!)

[Michel G]

My wish for Christmas is to never hear about the pizza issue ever again, here or in the in-game blog. It's what it is. I took my daughter to the game once, I think she was 8 or 9 at the time, and it was the highlight of her night (or Sunday afternoon). I can't remember. It's the first thing we did when we got home.

[Peter]

I changed my mind about the pizza thing.

This isn't just a game, it's also entertainment, and it's also a business. If a sponsor is willing to give money for that type of promotion, and the fans are entertained by it, maybe we need to re-evaluate our feelings against it. Byron Scott shouldn't complain to our team about the final two points scored, but instead should be complaining to his team about the 99 points scored before that. In our building, we're going to honour the sponsors, and please the crowd. If you allow our team to get close, we're going to go for 100. If the other team doesn't like it, they only have themselves to blame.

It's a different perspective, but it's also reality. The Raps are at a stage in their history where they need to keep all of the sponsors that they have, and if the fans are happy with a piece of pizza that they'll never eat, so be it, at least the fans are happy.

[J]

@GM:

You're right, it's not a unique situation, but I also know that the promotion is done differently in other arenas (there might be other teams that do the exact same thing as the Raptors, I haven't been to every arena so I can't say, but of the ones I know about, it's different). The Portland promotion you brought up requires them to not only score 100+ but also to win the game. I believe the Lakers' promotion (last time I checked) is even more stringent, applying only when they hold the opponent to less than 100 points, while also scoring 100+. So, while they still face situations involving potentially running up the score, at least they don't have to deal with fans cheering on their team while getting blown out, or fans booing the team not for losing but for failing to reach 100.

You're right that one of the tie-breakers is point differential, but it's so far down the list I don't know if it has ever been used. Plus, you forget that scoring those extra 2 points isn't likely to help unless it's so late in the season you won't be getting any retaliation. It's simple game theory; either everyone adheres to the unwritten rule, or nobody does. Our 2 extra points might spur the Cavaliers or another team to run up the score against us because they don't expect us to be sportsmanlike anyway.

To answer your confusion over the sportsmanship issue, it isn't about how many points you win by. You could be up 50 points at the start of the 4th quarter, but that doesn't mean you stop trying to score (though it probably does mean you take out your core players to prevent the other team from imagining disrespect and hard fouling/injuring one of your important players). Fans still need something to watch. Same applies to being up 30 points with one minute left; it doesn't mean you have to commit two consecutive shot clock violations just to keep the score differential low, but you probably shouldn't call a full timeout to draw an aggressive play. When there's only one possession left, though, and the game is beyond reach, running out the clock is not only the right thing to do, but the smart thing.

Forget the pizza for a second. There's so much talk about doing right by the fans and not worrying about the bruised egos of the opposing team, but the fact is, players *do* get offended. And if they're not classy individuals themselves, they do lash back. In fact, just last year, when Nate Robinson (IIRC) went in for a dramatic dunk in the dying seconds, I remember certain Raptors fans (not necessarily on this forum) calling out the team for not having the onions to flagrant foul his arse onto the hard court floor and hopefully cause injury, so would it be that surprising if an opposing player has sufficient onions to hard foul one of our players, causing injury in the process? The crappy slice of pizza just isn't worth it (and I'm way poorer than that student poster with the $10k tuition).

Simply condition the free pizza on holding the opponent to under 100 points and not only do we avoid all this trouble but everyone *still* goes home happy (with free pizza).

[J]

On an off-note, it's kind of amusing that this happened versus Cleveland; that team has had some history being on the receiving end of teams trying to score 100+ for a promotion. Just google "chalupa fiasco"; they were quite miffed 9 years ago when Dallas tried to run up the score. Apparently, they were also boo-ed off home court for running out the clock in a 99-92 win over Utah, and also in a 98-95 win over Houston!

[Heath]

@Michael - "I am a university student, I pay $10 000 per year in tuition fees. I know for a fact, every student that goes to games loves the free pizza promo." (let's see, buy food or go to the raptor game and ,maybe, get free pizza? choices, choices) Made me laugh, thanks.
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lmfao!!!! Same thing I thought when I read that. Keep up the pizza protest Doug, I agree with you 100%. I go to see hoops, not for the chance to win a crappy slice of horrible "pizza".

[David Sidhu]

I remember someone telling me that certain players (e.g. Iverson) had to wear sleeves to cover up some tattoos that the league didn't want being on TV. Is that true?

Blogger's note: Urban myth

[Dev]

Here's a simple solution. Free Pizza for a Raptors home win or scoring 100+ points.

Basing a fan reward on defence/limiting opposition scoring makes you think fans want to see a slow-down offence that runs the clock every possesion like in the K. O'Neill era.

And the stub prize is fine, people have a choice to redeem, or give away their pizza slice.