A dreary game but still some things to talk about

Well, you’re going to get some stinkers over the course of an 82-game schedule and that’s what we got Sunday, no?

First half was kind of competitive but the only thing memorable about the final two quarters was that they were unmemorable.

Luckily, there are 65 more to go!

On that note …

-

THREE POINTERS

Joey’s surprise start

As far back as Friday, when they knew Reggie was going to be gone for a while (and we don’t know how long but it’ll be a bit), the word was Amir Johnson would start.

But then it was the 280-pound Joey Dorsey out there on Sunday and there were two good reasons, I guess.

First, it meant less disruption to regular roles (and that’s been something Jay’s done for while) and it may have worked very well had Amir not come in and committed two fouls in his first four minutes. Had he started and done that – which is entirely possible – it would have messed things up even more.

But I wonder if this isn’t in the plans, and I have had no indication that it is but it kind of makes sense to me.

What if they give six minutes at the start of the game and six more at the start of the second half to Ed Davis now?

The kid is coming back from the minors this week, all indications are, and since things have changed so dramatically with Evans out, could they throw the kid out there and see how he does? It leaves Amir in his regular role, gets the kid some minutes that are available and would allow them to use Dorsey again as a fourth big.

Again, it’s all because of the circumstances they find themselves in but might it be worth a shot?

I think so.

-

What was that?

End of the second quarter and I look up and what do my eyes behold?

Jose Calderon, Jerryd Bayless, Leandro Barbosa, Sonny Weems and Amir Johnson on the floor together.

Sure, it was only for about a minute, maybe less, and it was driven a bit by foul trouble and the desire to change things up for a couple of possessions but I don’t imagine we’ll ever see that again. Especially when it ended up with Bayless covering Joe Johnson.

Nor should we see it. Ever again.

-

A 3 1-2 or a 4?

We all knew it was coming sometime, especially now with the front court down a guy, so the extended minutes Linas Kleiza played at power forward weren’t a surprise.

So, how’d the coach like it:

“Good, except they went right down at him on the other end. I think he can extend the offence but they went and posted him up and when we tried to help, they pitched it out and that’s why guys like Josh Smith had a great game, 10 assists. He throws it out and they pick us apart when we come and help Kleiza.”

I do think Linas is more effective inside rather than out and he does have some post skills but I guess Sunday wasn’t a good matchup day for him. I’d think, though, that we’ll see it some more in different circumstances.

-

And now, more stuff …

-

Leslie Nielsen was a giant.

Surely, he’ll be missed.

And, of course, there’s a good basketball story about him floating out there and recounted here by Mr. Stein.

-

I really needed Peja to play yesterday so he could make a three and I could tell this story.

But, since we’re a little light on stories today, and I’m quite late after sleeping an extra 45 minutes thanks to Grey Cup festivities, I better tell it: With his next three-pointer, Peja’s going to tie Dale Ellis for third on the list of guys with the most made three-pointers in NBA history, with 1,719.

So what? Well, there’s a Dale Ellis story. That’s about trash-talking and its dangers.

Second year, game at the World’s Worst Basketball Arena, against Seattle, where Ellis is playing.

Darrell’s coaching, and he’s a bit of a chatter and early in the game, he makes some reference to Dale’s battle with drink, a rather cheap shot, actually.

Well, Ellis proceeds to make about four hundred three-pointers against Toronto in that game and after every single one, he looks over at Darrell with a “bleep you” kind of look on his face.

-

How’d they recant that one in the pages of the Atlanta Journal Constitution?

Like this.

-

Speaking of three-pointers, let’s get this one out of the mail:

Q: Hey Doug. I know there's only so many conspiracy theories that the Irregulars can throw at you as to why the recent trade went down (Laughed when I saw someone ask if Jack got jettisoned due to his friendship with Bosh).

That said, there's a fairly obvious reason why we brought in Peja - and I'm not talking about future financial considerations or trade bait for a contender.

Yes, I'm talking about the most hallowed statistic in Raptor-land History: the 'Streak'.

I think it's been noted before on NBA.com, but in your opinion, who are your Top 5 contributors to the HOTH's 3-pointer streak? Not necessarily by the volume of long-bombs they put up, but the memorability of their prowess from behind the arc.

Something tells me that Weems isn't on that list yet.

 

 

Andrew P, Toronto

A: I’ll give you a bunch off the top of my head:

Darrick Martin has to be No. 1 because he saved it that night in Dallas by making one in the final seconds of a blowout. He knew it, the bench knew it and while I wasn’t at that game, I could sense the tension sitting on my couch.

The afternoon when Donyell Marshall made nine 12 of ‘em against Philly in Toronto was kind of cool.

Mo Pete leads the way with 801 and you have to have him on any list and I’m putting in Dell and Dee Brown just because I liked to watch them both shoot.

-

Oh yeah, those Riders are going to win for sure.

Honest.

Take Saskatchewan, it’s a lock.

Oh, wait.

Never mind.

Dreary game, wrong team won.

-

We’re going to do a Question and Answer thingy Tuesday, if anyone cares.

Noon works best for us.

See you then.

-

I guess I shouldn’t be entirely surprised by this, given the circumstances, but I find it at least a little odd that not only haven’t they sold out a game here, they’ve only had one crowd over 18,000 (opening night) and haven’t scared a sellout yet.

I presume it picks up if they have any measure of success this year but so far, I think you’d have to term attendance just a little disappointing.

-

Comments

[JHK]

I was at my 3rd ever Raptors game on Sunday, got a good ticket deal and sat right behind the opponent's basket in the lower bowl but man oh man...
I have to be honest; my first ever Raps game was so great - overtime loss handed by HWSNBN (with a reverse oop! a REVERSE OOP!!!). So I had a huge expectation when I went to my 2nd game last year - against Magic, Dwight vs CB4 - which ended in a JJ Redick's career night. Raps played hard that game, it's just that Magic were on a spell that night - wouldn't miss a shot.
Now on to yesterday's game... I had a moderate amount of expectation as I was hoping they would bounce back from the bean town loss but man... that was painful to watch and I almost wanted my money back.
No effort, no skills, no brains...
Especially disappointed with DeRozan.
He should stick around after practices and shoot thousand jumpers.
Bargs... I don't care if he gets 1 rebound but please contest a shot.
You are a 7 footer and with a little bit of sense and awareness, you should be able to bothering any shots coming in the lane.

The Wave was cool - I was a big part of the second round around.

[Nick]

"Don't call me Shirley"- Leslie Nielson will be missed. Any favourite moments you have of Leslie from yesteryear?

Blogger's note: I don't, actually. Met him one time, at a Grey Cup, I believe. Seemed to a very nice gentleman

[sam]

....and don't call me Shirley -
Sad to hear the news of Leslie Nielson passing - He was one funny guy

[Stavros]

Dreary Game?!? Three or four lead changes, TD's by both teams in the last minutes of the 4th qtr and the final drive of the game decides the winner. I'd say that was pretty good. And, the right team won!!! GO ALS!!! NA-NA-NA-NA, NA-NA-NA-NA, HEY, HEY, HEY, Goodbye!

[Coach K]

Too many young players on this team to boo as fans. I know we payz the bucks, we makez the comments but we have just gone through a solid set of games, a surprise set back and the trade of your starting point guard.

As fans do we want to build up our young Raptors or bring them down? I didn't see lack of effort yesterday but I did see inexperience and maybe some lack of preparedness. This has to be a real challenge for Jay, having to revise his coaching priorities and team strengths every game. Not even having an in stone starting 5 to plan for, must be very difficult at this level.

[painsev]

Morining Doug,

The game was not good. Dorsey starting was a bold move in my opinion and could yield some results against a different team. Al H is not your typical centre. Amir on him would have led to some foul issues and Dorsey could clog the lane and provide some resistance. I have to agree that Demar's confidence is shot ever since Weems started to play well. I don't understand he's had some tough assignments with Ray run you through screens Allen and Joe Johnson. They just have to stick with him and hope that these are real learning experiences that will help in the future. The PG spot is in trouble if Jose doesn't play well. Bayless is too young and inexperienced to be much help out there. If Andrea can't score he is just funny to watch. I chalk this game up to the loss of Regend. Leadership and hardwork gone. The fight was not there when it counted like games past where they found a way to close out games. This is Davis's opportunity to shine. I can't wait to see how well he plays in the NBA. This should and could be interesting if he can come close to a double double production. I hope he is encouraged to get on the offensive glass with Amir and get dirty. We need some grapefruit Oakley and Antonio Davis guys. I hated watching the confidence of JR Smith last night so damn smug. He had that Deron Williams you're not in my league vibe to him and he can get nasty. Barbosa had a tough cover in Crawford his equal in speed and 6th man aswell respectively. Craw's got game and so does Barb. What can we say? These are the Toronto Raptors. LOL!!!!!!!

[Peter]

My house last night:
--
Me: Oh, Lesley Neilson died.
My Wife: I don't know who she is.
Me: Surely you can't be serious!
My Wife: I've never heard of her!
Me: Nevermind, it'll be in Doug's Blog tomorrow.
My Wife: I barely know the Raptor's names, and now you expect me to know who some woman basketball player is!?!?
--
Thanks Doug!

[Lawrence]

Don't call me Shirley.
Classic. Well done.

[SheikYurBouti]

Two typos: scared should be scored? wrong team shirley should be right team

[Andrew]

Doug - any news on the status of Peja? Is his knee going to be an issue going fowrard? Should we expect him to be a day-to-day guy or is this just a result of extra run early in the season?

Blogger's note: No word since yesterday

[Rob.V]

Dude, at what point would you look to starting Kleiza over Weems or Barbosa in favour of DeRozan. gotta be getting close to that point, no?

Blogger's note: Not yet

[Jacques]

Doug, Do you see Stephon Marbury ever coming back to the NBA? maybe with the Heat?

Blogger's note: Never. Ever

[doug]

Leslie Nielsen the master of the straight-faced delivery...thanks for the many laughs over the years....as soon as I heard that Peja was also out yesterday knew it would be a long day...first game after Evans injury, and no pejas a swell, plus the Hawks can score and mis-matches all over the place especially with Josh SMith in the middle...so not to read much into it, but I do in Weems and D.D. something is out of kilter there, I am always suspicious when ofensive players lose their rhythm...as coaches can control one thing and one thing only mostly as offense can't be taught it's defense...so when i watch Weems and D.D. i am wondering if the coaches are after them or on them for defensive positioning etc...and it's just thrown their ofensive games off the rails...coaches like in hockey do the trap etc... Hitchcock in hockey was the worse yet he had one of the most talented offensive teams of all time in Hull, Modano, Niuwendyk, but had them playing the trap just a terrible coaching job...NBA coaches do the same as they can control defense and hence there jobs...but at the same time there shooting thmeselves in the foot as there taking naturally offensive players and negating their strength....as it's to coincidental both Weems and D,D, have changed their offensive style and there tentative, unsure....

[Big Ken]

Doug: Who on the Raps would you give the game ball to?

Blogger's note: Whoever asked nicely?

[Blake Kennedy]

Wrong team one? Hey, I'm thrilled Montreal won it - especially with Anthony Calvillo's revelation about the growth on his thyroid - and I'll guarantee you, as a survivor myself, that that's cancerous. He'll be fine, it's not a bad cancer for a first-timer by comparison to some of the other places you can get it, but given how puffy his face has become I'd be stunned if that weren't cancerous. But it's distracting as hell because it screws with your mental outlook more than you'd think.

Anyway, ecstatic for Calvillo - a class act - and Montreal.

[CC]

Doug, except Basketball, what sport would you like to watch on TV? Watch Live? and why... Keep up the good work Doug!

Blogger's note: Is dancing a sport?

[Geoff Read]

"Have you ever seen a grown man naked?"

Neilsen was a funny, funny man.

I hate to say it because it sounds like I'm ripping Dorsey, but when he's the starting centre on your team you aren't going to win many games. The guy is a third-stringer on most teams - on some of them he wouldn't even crack the roster.

[tdotkid]

Not one sell out minus the home opener? I guess that's why the ticket price for the HEAT and LAKERS are double the price of any other game. OUCH. Looking forward to seeing OKC playing the Raps.

[johnridgie]

Hey Doug,
Any truth to the Peja to Greece rumours....?

Blogger's note: Nope. None. Nada. Zilch. Zero. Less than zero

[DJH]

What are your thoughts on Hibbert's great play this year? I don't think anyone pictured him being such a productive big (especially offensively). He could be an all-star this year.

I'll focus on the positive and say "good mid-1st round steal by the Raptors."

Blogger's note: He's playing well, no doubt about it. I'd still make the deal today and I know the Raptors would because I've asked them

[GM]

* Jay's done the don't-disturb-the-rotation thing for a while, but to any success? Not really. So why not just play your best players and not worry about when they enter the game. Basketball is so fluid that everyone's playing with everyone else at some point. And we know Amir works well with Jose. Also, maybe he'd foul less if he starts. Refs tend to pick on bench guys because they think they're helping a team by not going after the starters. Plus, if you give Amir more responsibility, maybe he'll step up to the plate.
* We had a brief exchange in the DSIGBT last night but it's hard to make one's point in bits. You mentioned they played zone for two possessions and were scored on both times, so that's why they never went back to it. But that's a really, really small sample size that is statistically insignificant. You could find any two possessions where they played man and were scored on. I just think in a game like that, you want to try anything. But as in most things, you need repetition to perfect something.
* Dale Ellis was my favourite player to watch shoot the ball.
* Anyone notice that was the second straight game Bargnani led the team in rebounds? Of course, they were hardly Regend-like performances, but baby steps, people, baby steps.
* Do people remember (or know) that Leslie Nielsen was the brother of Erik Nielsen, the former PC politician and deputy prime minister under Mulroney?

Blogger's note: I did know Erik was Leslie's brother; wonder which one was more accomplished at his craft?

[Bob Wesley]

Hey Doug,"Dale's battle with a drink a rather CHEAP SHOT,actually".Was the pun intended?

[kelsey]

Where is my friend **GM**

GM you will be happy to hear my regualr rips!!

I wont harp to much on the Raptors as Atlanta is just not a good match up for them.

That being said, Bargnani if he isnt scoring more than 23pts he really is a factor in the game. That is what makes him a scorer and nothing else...Cant rebound doesnt not indimdate on defense side of ball..Wow!!

Calderon defense not bad but he just pounds the ball to much, lead point guard by strictly default!!

Derozan I like the youngster, but really he isnt a starter in the NBA.. His team defense is not good.

Weems struggling..not a factor in last couple of games

Dare I say Raptors need Peja to play...

The more I see Klezia the more it makes me feel like it was a bad signing, I dont care if he is a tweener 3/4. I dont like his game. Yes he can shoot, no defense, doesnt hound the boards. Just another guy who can score.

Triano looked like he was going to have a melt down. Next step is actually throwing guys under the bus...JAY THEY ARE MEN, STOP PROTECTING THEM!!!

[Mo]

Looking at the NBA power rankings:

"Reggie Evans was averaging 12.1 rebounds per game and giving the Raps some much-needed toughness on their frontline, but he had, by far, the team's worst plus-minus mark before breaking his foot in Boston on Friday. The Raptors were worse both offensively and defensively with Evans on the floor."

Are you serious? The +/- is such a dumb stat. I can't believe how far people take it out of context. Watch the damn games, then comment!

[GM]

Geoff Read, I think that was Peter Graves (from Mission: Impossible fame) who uttered the line in Airplane!: "Have you ever seen a grown man naked, Billy?" He played the pilot. Leslie Nielsen was the doctor. But both had white hair so maybe that's the confusion.