A glaring hole and other delightful items

Hmm. Kind of glum out there, isn’t it?

Now 1-7 carrying the baggage of a six-game losing streak and heading into Florida for back-to-backs in Orlando and Miami?

Oh yeah, this has got fun written all over it.

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THREE POINTERS

A major roster deficiency

We’ve alluded to it more than a few times since the season began and last night hammered it home again:

This team just doesn’t have a guy who can break his man down off the dribble when it’s most needed and no one has emerged with that skill.

And if no one does, I don’t see how they can win a close game other than by having the other team mess up.

The play in the final crucial possession was the kind of play they’re going to have to run, set a couple of screens for a point guard, hope he can get to the rim or hope that he can find someone open on the perimeter to knock down a shot.

Didn’t happen last night – Stephen Jackson played excellent defence on Bargnani – and it didn’t happen against the Knicks or the Kings, either.

And you can moan all you want about coaching and play-calling but Red Auerbach himself can magically turn someone into a great one-on-one player who can create havoc off the dribble.

Over to you, Mr. Colangelo.

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A nice little find

Necessity being the mother of invention and all, it’s got to be at least a bit pleasing to some that Julian Wright has responded as well as he has to the chance at some regular minutes.

Jay mentioned after the game that there are still some concerns with how he defends trying to trail guys around screens but I like Wright’s one-on-defence, his hustle, his length and his intensity.

But what’s it all mean for him in the long run?

Probably nothing.

Unless Bryan’s willing to move Sonny Weems in some transaction, I don’t see where Wright fits into the rotation other than as a solid, deep backup who only plays when injuries hit.

Too bad, ‘cause the guy’s growing on me.

And if he rocks the quasi-Slick Watts look with the headband, all the better.

Pretty up-to-date guy, too.

Before the game, he was wandering through the locker room whistling Christmas carols and when it was pointed out that it’s not something we’re used to hearing, he made the point that it’s post-Thanksgiving and therefore all right to be thinking Christmas.

Not bad, most players aren’t quite up to date with the difference in Thanksgiving dates.

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Three’s enough

Without David Andersen, Jay decided to not add a fourth guy to the rotation of bigs and I have no problem with it at all and think it’s something he should stick with more often than not.

Look at the numbers: Bargnani, 23 and 9 in 38 minutes.

Evans, 2 and 10 in 30 minutes.

Johnson, 16 and 9 in 28 minutes.

That’s pretty good production, no one really got stretched out minutes-wise and they all had good games.

There will be nights where foul trouble makes it necessary to go to Andersen but I feel pretty strongly that leaving it as a three-man gang whenever possible is the best thing to do.

Over to you, Mr. Triano.

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And in other items ...

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You know what the HOTH needed last night?

One of their point guards to have an other-worldly kind of night.

You look at that Charlotte team and it’s glaring deficiency is at the point where DJ Augustin’s a kid who may or may not be good and Shaun Livingston is an okay back who is one minor mis-step away from having his career end.

Trouble is, Jarrett had more turnovers than assists and while Jose had nine assists in less than 24 minutes, he did miss eight of nine shots.

And I’m not sure either of them did enough to make Larry Brown go, ‘oh, I’ve got to have that guy.’

The other side of the coin, of course, is what would they ever get from Charlotte in a deal.

No way the Bobcats are giving up Wallace or Jackson, Boris Diaw’s a tubby tweener who’s not appreciably better than anyone Toronto has and Tyrus Thomas shows up one night and not the next and after that, there’s not much.

Maybe Gerald Henderson’s an interesting player player but I’m not sure the Bobcats are interested in giving him up.

Trust me, there were people in the upper echelons of Rpatordom who hoped one of Jack or Calderon were outstanding just to pique the interest of the Bobcats; that didn’t happen and I don’t know if there’s a legit fit there anyway.

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Check out Stevie Boy’s photo bloggy thingy from last night.

Click right here and enjoy.

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Okay, I’m going to be on a plane or just landing on my Toronto-Dulles-Orlando journey about 11 a.m. today. Please be quiet for me for a minute, would you?

Thanks.

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Wild night?

I’d say.

A minor electrical fire on press row kind of jazzed up the first half. Seems a wonky outlet kind of burned and the smell kind of put a damper on the fun of watching the game for almost the entire second quarter.

We had a trade of PA announcers at halftime when Herbie Kuhn’s voice went and backup Mike Cvitkovic just happened to be in the arena.

And then I walked around the corner to go the media room at halftime and almost ran into The Chicken, who was holding an ice bag to his head. Guess he/she/it got a little cut after whacking the noggin on something sharp after a first half schtick moment.

Odd night indeed.

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Quickly from the mail:

Q: Hi Doug, I was intrigued by a comment in your recap of the Golden State game. You wrote "[i]n a season that has started about as badly as anyone connected with the team could have imagined, the Raptors are finding out all kinds of troubling things about themselves."

When the vast majority of NBA commentators forecast Toronto to be one of the worst teams in league, shouldn't management's expectation of something better raise a question about their objectivity and/or ability. This seems to be only the latest year where gaming, media, spectators suggest Toronto lacks credibility at many positions and is competitively challenged. Management then follows with public comments suggesting surprise/anger/hurt. Year after year though, the team more closely resembles the independent forecast than management's own.

Jeremy T, Toronto

A: Um, no, not at all. Management, players and coaches of every team in the league expect great things before a season begins. I don’t think anyone would, or should, expect someone closely associated to a team to say ‘we’re going to be bad’ before they’ve even played a game. Whether or not that optimism is misguided doesn’t really matter, I’d rather have them confident in their abilities rather than worried about failing.

But of course they’re not objective, they’re not supposed to be.

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I’d love to tell you what they wrote in Charlotte about that one but the Observer took a pass on the trip and relied on the wire services for game coverage.

Oh well.

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Want to get some mail in?

You know the drill.

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All right, long travel day ahead, not sure wireless issues anywhere I’ll be but I’ll get to the inevitable comments whenever I can.

 

 

Comments

[Trevor Burke]

Hey Doug,
You mentioned "over to Colangelo" ... to get a guy that can break someone down off the dribble. That's true but who in the league has two guys that can do that(besides the Heat and I don't see them giving up Lebron or Wade).
I guess the other option is a team looking to dump salary.
I know you don't usually like to comment on stuff like this, but any ideas who is available?
Trevor, Honduras

Blogger's note: Absolutely no idea who might or might not be available two weeks into the season

[doug]

you hit the nail on the head..if you look at the boxscore and watched the game, Barg's played a good game , i know there will be the predictable maysayers who ramble on about the last play but that's b-ball...Johson played well, as did Evans, and Weems continues to impress and D.D. nees to be able to come and play every night..something is out of whack with Klieza he needs to become more involved...we need more consistent production from our point guard spot.....and quite frankly we just lack a natural scorer, Barg's is a scorer and a consistent one he isn't a go to type guy...we need a Hamilton or a Prince...no matter what the team says offense is a problem with this team...were missing a true scorer...and some are available....plus give credit where credit is due Jackson hit 3 key buckets and played stellar defense,,,he is a player plain and simple...talking about having a bargaining chip come playoff time the Bobcats have one in him...

[Tom]

Doug, at what point does Triano make a change to the starting line-up? The current line-up isn't working and at 1-7 this season is getting close to slipping away. Personally, I love Reggie's hustle and rebounding, but I think Amir would be a better fit and at least pose a threat of scoring. Also, I think Jose should start over JJ. Even though his shot isn't dropping, the offence does flow a little smoother with him out there, there's less turn-over's and once his shot starts dropping he'll be more of a threat offensively. Hey, it can't be worse that what's happening right now anyway.

[Dan w]

Jay needs a lineup change. Jack really lacks true point guard skill. He has tunnel vision and makes awful decisions with the ball. Jose's shot may be off but he least he can run an offense. I would also try a small line up with Kleiza at the 4 and Wright at 3. That way you have 5 players on the floor who are a threat to score and will be able to finsih open lay ups and dunks at the basket. Reggie is a very good rebounder, but offers very little of anything else. For a team with no real go to scorers, having Reggie on the floor just makes them that much easier to defend. Jacks scoring mentality would do better off of the bench.

[Peter]

I was a bit surprised to see Kleiza on the bench for the final possession. Am I wrong? Was he on the floor?

[Andrew]

One of the best typos in awhile on the photo blog: "Toronto Raptors shooting guard Sonny Weems (24) celebrates a duck in the first half."

[dave]

So how many more games until Jay gets fired. It doesn't matter if he is doing a good job. If they keep losing his job is on the line. So what is the magic #. Give us a guess. It's a fair question.

Blogger's note: It's a ridiculous question, actually.

[JHK]

Triano, Triano, Triano...
I am rooting for the guy and want him to do well as the first Canadian head coach, but he simply isn't the right material...
This is like 4th time in 8 games where he did not draw up well enough of a last crucial play to pull out a win.
Couple of plays leading to contested threes on the road, then last nights 'going-no-where' play for Andrea...
And the worst part is that he probably won't be yanked until he's contract is up.

[Sean]

Please, Please, Please Triano consider a lineup change! Johnson HAS to start now cause this is getting out of hand with Reggie blowing layup after layup. Reggie can grab 10 boards off the bench in the same amount of minutes but playing catchup or being behind after the first has got to change. I'm telling you, that's the reason for all the turnovers in the first 6 mins of every game. Reggie being on the floor creates uncertainty for the guy passing the ball. And yes Doug I agree, man Wright looked real good out there and I cant help but think that if he had stayed out there for the remainder of the game with Sonny, Amir, Bargs and Jack/Calderon they wouldve pulled that one out. However I dont think BC should look to trade Weems. Yes he shoots too much but when he's out there things happen. It also appears to me that Demar has some work to do on his game. From 10 ft out its no chance and defenses are playing him as such. Then he gets caught up trying to force putting the ball on the floor, the sad thing about it is he's very limited with his handles. He's got to improve that jumper which will open his attack game. And what's up with Kleiza?!

[Derek]

Morning Doug,
Was at the game last night, and it was a tough one to watch. Was hard to believe the Raps were still in the game with how bad/sloppy they were playing.

Both Calderone and Jack were horrible, as was Kleiza and DeRozan.

There are two patterns I'm noticing with this team:

1) Every game 2 or 3 guys step up and have a "great" game, but 3-4 other players have a horrible game. If the "other guys" could just have an "average" game along with the good players, we'd probably win some of these games.
2) Every game we fall behind early, battle back mightily, and then lose it in the fourth quarter.

Its almost like once the teams battles back and gets "in the game" again, they lose their intensity - like the focus was just getting close again, and not winning.

Having been to or watched every game the Raps have played so far this year, its already getting hard to feel any excitement when they mount these big comebacks in the 3rd quarter, as I know its just a tease before they cough it up (badly) in the 4th.

[Jim]

Can't help to take a shot at Diaw's weight now and again?

[Jack]

OK.. I'm here after an 'outstanding' Bargnani performance that you surely highlighted. 23 and 9 in 38 minutes. Woo-hoo!
What did he have in the first half? 17 and 7 or something like that? And where was he in the second half? And who lost the ball in the dying seconds when the game is on the line?
Woo-hoo!
Finishing kick, Doug. He doesn't have it.
I'd rather see that second unit of Johnson, Wright, Jose, Reggie and Weems play the last 5 minutes of the game. They would have been more competitive and entertaining.

[Lorie]

Good Morning, Doug!
Smooth travels today - and a moment of silence on this day of remembrance will certainly be performed on your behalf by many of us, I hope. (And a sombre reminder to us all that time marches on as this will be the first observance of Remembrance Day in Canada without a single living World War I veteran.) On a basketball note, isn't an opportunity to be in the company of the sartorially splendid, always-quotable Stan Van Gundy usually a fun experience for you? He may not compensate entirely for the soulless prefabrication of Orlando (well, in my opinion, anyway), but can you imagine how dreary a trip to the home of the Magic would be without him! (And I wonder, which city most reflects the "unique" personality that is Stan? I see him more as a Chicago-type guy. How about you?)

[Skiff]

"But of course they’re not objective, they’re not supposed to be." Really?? Coaches and the GM shouldn't be objective when viewing the team?? Isn't that their job? Don't managers & coaches need to be even keeled in their evaluations of their personnel? I'm not saying that they have to be negative about the team in public (and why would they if they're trying to make trades and get people in the arena?), but please tell me that the brain trust of this team didn't think that this team could compete for anything as currently constructed. If that's the case then they all have to go. An 11 year old could have told you how bad this team was going to be.

[Diablo]

Hello Doug

Just wanted to say...I appreciate your steady hand on the wheel guiding this blog through the minefield that is the Raptors' fan base...well done and thank you.

[Diablo]

Can't help but read some of these comments and think...gee if Triano did what some of these people requested as far as player rotations and lineups...how badly would they skewer him the day after when it failed miserably?

[Allan Wexler]

This team has needed a guard for some time and still does. A good draft position and they can take Kyrie Irving at Duke. It's about time Bargnani got to play over 35 minutes. He has to do it all the time. As to his low production in the second half, that's the responsibility of the point guard. Steve Nash would have gotten him the ball.

[doug]

to all those that are suggesting it's Jay's fault let me give you a basketball 101 teaching class on coaching...right now jay goes into every game with this situation..he doesn't know what he is going to get from D.D, from Jack, from Jose, Kleiza his achilles is sore??..or just out of whack...he knows going into each game he has 20 points ...from Barg's and that's it...so by the middle of the 2nd quarter he has to determine what guys have it, what don't and in what combo to play them....a coaches job is to coach with his given hand...but this situation just isn't one that can go on and on no matter who the coach....he needs another scorer, a consistent scorer..that can drive, dish and hit the jumper...and there out there ready to be had...until that is done it's not Jay's problem, it's BC's...

[Chris B]

At least we can all be thankful that BC wouldn't let the Heat dump Michael Beasley on him in the sign and trade (or for a measly 2nd round pick). We have more than enough guys who can score 42 points on a given night. Thank goodness we have lots of "nice" guys too...who needs wins when you can cheer for a group as nice as this team?

[kelsey]

Raptors Nation, the colors are fading very fast.

First, After all of my rants of Jose, I must say at this point he is probably better starting as guard than Jack,
Jack is just out of control or trying to hard.

Klezia should have stayed in Europe, he is looking very pedestrian. He decent offense, but turns it over and thinks he is top player.

Now my fire portion of this message. IM sick of Triano and the defense/babying of his players.
“We still have a long way to go but I am proud of them,"
thats a quote from him...Where is Sam Mitchell. Triano has been a colosal failure, I know players are not good, but he will do nothing strategy wise to steal a game.

Bring in a Real respected Coach, Forget it its done..

Now way Raptors win more than 15 games this year

[HopeCaper]

Hello Doug. Lots of angst and wild suggestions. However if I may point out that this team is not geting blown out (which would be a real concern) regularly. They have been in almost every game up to the final quarter despite the points off the turnovers and that has to be encouraging for the team if not the fans. One comment made re: the season slipping away. Really? Where to? If you mean slipping away from nailing first place, yeah right on. This team is in mortal danger of not finishing first. Sorry that goal isn't going to get met on your checklist.
Jay pointed out a key factor in that lack of wins has more to do with blown plays and that everybody is running but not keeping their spacing and the guards more often than not making poor decisions on shooting or passing.
Safe trip and keep the steady hand.

[Lorie]

@ Derek
100 times please, on the writing surface of your choosing:
Calderone is a pointy-toe shoe
Calderon is a point guard from Spain
Doug - just a thought. Several of those photos in the blog you linked us to are just crying out for captions . Maybe you could include one now and then as part of your blog and we Irregulars could offer our own unique (skewed? irreverant? hysterically funny?) take on the images? (A couple of those shots in today's edition were absolute beauts!) But then again, you may feel there's no real need to "lighten" the mood around here most days.

[HopeCaper]

Doug, I rarely if ever post two comments but I forgot to mention how classy of L. Brown to wear the poppy. Most Americans couldn't find Canada let alone be aware or care that today is Remembrance Day. Well done Larry.

[Beno]

Frankly I don't understand why some people are so upset. We all know that the NBA is a stars league, with one all star, you may still not make the playoffs, with two all stars you still may not be that good but you will have a good chance to make the playoffs. Look at all the top teams they have 3 stars on their team or a really excellent 1, 2 punch. What do the raptors have? My sentiments exactly.

[Gene]

I have one problem with Jay's coaching regarding foul trouble.( most NBA
coaches do the same thing) For example Derozan gets 2 early fouls and is taken out of the game and never really gets going later in the game. Why not let him play through it. So what if he fouls out late in the game, it's not like he is your go to guy late in a game. This would apply to anyone on this roster.
You can't contribute sitting on the bench. I believe Jeff Van Gundy has said much the same thing.