Defensive gems and a last look at the trade

That, as a wise man once said, is why they play the games.

And so far this season, I think these guys have shown that they are capable of hard work almost every night – the Washington game, and maybe the Golden State one – are the two aberrations and I’m thinking now that total effort is the norm rather than the exception.

Makes ‘em fun to watch, doesn’t it?

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THREE POINTERS

Cover who? Oh, no one.

It was hilarious at times to watch Reggie Evans and Shaquille O’Neal guard each other when they were both on the court.

Reggie’d come out to get the ball at the top of the key and Shaq’d play centre field on defence; Shaq would find himself somewhere near the high post on offence and Reggie’d be under the basket.

Solid strategy on both sides since neither of them is any kind of threat to drive or pass and it allowed both bigs to help out defending other guys.

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A conversation as it goes on

I can’t remember if it was the first quarter or the second but it was pretty cool to hear.

Lawrence Frank was pretty, um, animated when Glen Davis was guarding Reggie Evans and he was letting Big Baby know in no uncertain terms what he wanted him to do.

“Sag, Baby; sag. Sag, Baby; sag.”

(I don’t think he was talking about Glen’s body)

Sure enough, Davis played off Evans for a possession and next time down the floor, the same thing:

“Sag, Baby; sag. Sag.”

Finally Davis, as that second possession was going on, looks up:

“I am sagging.”

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This is becoming a habit

Last Boston possession, they set up a play and all of a sudden the Raptors disrupt it.

Jay puts Amir on the guy passing the ball in, he’s got Barbosa and Weems, I believe it was, already switched on their men so that Barbosa can chase Ray Allen off the inevitable screen and they three-quartered Garnett so there was no easy pass to the post.

Forced the Celtics to take another timeout because they couldn’t get the ball in and while Pierce did get a good look, it was a pretty impressive defensive finish for a team not known for it

Toss in the last-second steal in Orlando and the steal and bucket last week against Houston and these guys are getting pretty good at end-of-game defence.

Who’d a’thunk that?

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In other, um, things …

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Okay, the trade, probably for the last time (at least until we get to chat with Bayless and Stojakovic):

I’ll give you something from Bryan that’s kind of interesting:

“If the last four years were about building around Chris Bosh, the next four years are about building without Chris Bosh.”

Toss in these bon mots, too:

“Whether or not we win, it’s not the true issue right now.”

Now, that last one was a bit of a stretch; trust me, this team and its GM and its players and coaches want to win every game they play (as well they should) but those statements re-affirm this is a process, perhaps a long process, of team building.

And what the deal has done is put the GM squarely on the hotseat.

He’s got about $25 million in expiring contracts and a $12.3 million trade exception to play around with between now and the summer and he’s got to do something.

But he doesn’t have to do something right now.

It remains my contention that Bryan doesn’t have to spend just for the sake of spending, he can be patient and sit back and see if the exact right opportunity presents itself.

The thing is, now he’s got more ammunition to make some kind of splash.

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What of Bayless and Stojakovic? Well, the coaches here – even in private, ‘come on, can the kid play at all?’ moments – rave about Bayless’s defence and toughness. He’s slight – met him briefly Sunday night and he’s hardly a physically-imposing presence, but if he’s got some grit, it’ll be welcome. And at least he’s coming somewhere that people know him, he spent at least one USA Basketball development summer being coached by Jay and P.J.

Peja? Remains to be seen. At 33, I wonder how much he’s got left and how he really fits into a team that plays the way Toronto wants to play.

Bryan did say there were no assurances given either way – that they’d move him to a contender later in the year or play him a lot here in Toronto – and that they’d sit down and talk when he got to town.

But what I think might happen is they give him some early time in games to show what he’s got in hopes that some contender bites on him nearer the February trade deadline.

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So, is it a good deal? Sure, if they can turn the “assets” and “flexibility” into something of significance either before this season ends or in the summer.

I’m glad they solved the point guard issue, though. It’s not like the two guys didn’t get along or it was causing any kind of turmoil in the locker room or on the court but there was a disconnect or something.

I know that’s not really a solid explanation but you know the times when there’s just a “feel” that something’s off. Bryan alluded to it as far back as last April and it never really worked itself out.

Now, I do think they kept the guy who runs the team the best, as I’ve said often before, so in that respect I’m all right with the deal.

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What did they say in Boston?

Murph puts it this way.

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Okay, this is kind of wacky.

And telling.

Reggie Evans has played a grand total of 41 games in a Raptors uniform since he was acquired June 9, 2009.

He is the third longest-tenured player on the roster, having arrived after only Jose Calderon and Andrea Bargnani. He pre-dates everyone else on the team.

Shocking, no?

Since I’m a guy who thinks cohesion counts and it takes a while for guys to figure out each other, I truly hope this current group gets to stay together for a while.

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Hey, you know what?

Sometimes we do good stuff around here.

Irregular Natalie asks Sunday about for books for students because she’s in the most admirable of professions and I’m kind of at a loss for specific titles and throw it out there to you.

And the HOTH go on to beat Boston and it’s a great game and a pretty good day and an overwhelming number of responses and comments are about helping out a friend that I don’t imagine any of you have met.

And that’s just nice.

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Comments

[JT]

Doug,

I'm still not 100% sure what the trade REALLY accomplishes.

- Raptors removed Jack's ($4.9 this year, $5.2 next year, and $5.6 mil the following year), Banks ($4.8 mil), and Andersen ($2.5mil) = Total $12.2mil
- Raptors added Peja ($15.3 mil) and Bayless ($2.3mil this year; $3mil next year guaranteed) = Total $17.6mil
- Supposedly Raptors dipped about $2.3 mil into their trade exemption and received $3mil from NO.
- So the long term financial "Flexibility" from the trade they received was about $7.8 mil (adding Jack and subtracting Bayless' guaranteed money/contracts) over 2 years.

Not sure how that helps and if Peja doesn't get traded and his contract expires, it doesn't mean they have that $15.3 mil to go sign players because of the potential cap. It just looks like it will help MLSE's bottom line because if there's a word stoppage they have less financial commitments and if the salary cap goes down, the Raptors would be within the cap.

[Peter]

It's not that we're trying to help out Natalie, we just don't know how to do anything but angst... so most of us are still speechless trying to digest the fact that this group just beat Boston. :)

[pain777pas]

Morning Doug,

Suprise, the raptors aren't half bad when coached right. Jay has done a tremendous job. I must commend everything he did to make adjustments later in games especially in the Houston game. Getting Jack out and letting Jose control the game was great coaching. Letting Weems do his thing is a good move because he has the mental toughness needed in this league and is just as athletic as Derozan. Jose will now have to get back and I think he will to 2008 Jose. He now will be the one who will control the tempo of the game again. We all know he is capable of doing because he's done it before and in the last few games I must admit I've been impressed and in many ways other than Weems's and Amir's grapefruits has been the reason they are closing out games. Don't get me wrong, Andrea is the offensive shooting 7ft with no regard for percentages and encouraged to keep shooting. The defense has come from smart and dare i say skilled plays from Sonny and Amir and good decision making on Jose's part. I believe that Demar will get better with Jose on the court. I did see that Jose is encouraging the guys to come together yes like he's always done but he is playing with that PASSION that Jose is known for. Bayless? Peja? who knows and who cares. If Peja will be the new Curry that's fine. Bayless is supposed to be Jose's project but we'll have to wait and see. Jay should just let Jose play a good 35-37mins still. Let Barbosa handle the offense for the time being. Good weekend for the Raps. Go T-Raps!!!!!!!

[SA]

Hey Doug,

What do you make of Belinelli's early surge in New Orleans -- averaging 30 minutes and 12 points/game!? Is he going to be another Corliss Williamson - who, you will no doubt recall, had a career (sixth man of the year)season with Detroit after a ho-hum season with the Raps...

If NO (aka Raptors on the Bayou?)stay a playoff team with Beli, Pops, Jack, Banks and Andersen what do we take away from BC's neverending roster changes?

[Ben]

JT:

As Doug mentioned, trading Jack not only solved the PG issue here in Toronto, it also had the benefit of bringing in a young guy who could be good, and never really got a ton of burn in either Portland or Utah.

Even if he's not, he essentially got to combine Jacks deal (which did go for a couple more years after this one) along with Anderson's and Banks, essentially combining 2 expiring deals+Jacks for a larger expiring contract, which is generally regarded as a significant asset in the NBA.

[Mike kovacs]

Doug apart from getting a better back-up pg what is NO motivation for this trade? They now have more money committed next year and they do not save much this year. thanks.

Blogger's note: They, as Bryan said yesterday, are in a "go for it now" mode and think they have better players after the deal.

[Derek H]

Let me preface this by saying it was only one game however those who supported Jack would take a one game sample and say he was by far the best PG for the team. However the Raptors with Jose as one if their PGs were in the top 10 in least turnovers the past few seasons. They are one of the worst in that category this season with Jose in a more reduced role. Yesterday they had probably their best game this season in taking care of the ball against one of the best defensive teams in the league. Now Jose did gave a couple of 'leave your feet throw the ball cross court passes' turnovers and only a couple of assists but their offense did flow better but I fill also not leave out that Barbosa filled in well and contributed to that. Jack was a decent PG and had some highlight reel passes and assists every now and then but he also was not the top notch defender some made him out to be. This may be a better situation for Jose to thrive and I look forward to see how he does.
On another note interesting how our 'leader' from the past few seasons cowered against Garnett and the Celtics and still did in the much anticipated opener this season. Bargnani who has not necessarily been anointed the leader played tough and did not really cower. Sure he had few rebounds but still he played tough. When was the last time Bosh put up 29 and the Raptors beat the Celtics? Good on Bargnani and the rest of the team that played the Celtics tougher than they have played them the past couple of seasons. Yes only one game and that does not make a trend but good on them. Hope it continues.

Great game by Johnson and poise to hit the game winning free throws. He also got an elbow in Garnett's throat which is highly commended.

[MrManswell]

Hey Doug,
Can you explain how a trade works from the player’s perspective? Like for Jarrett for example, was he contacted by Bryan or his agent and told he was traded? And how does he get to New Orleans, does his new team pick up the tab for his flight from Toronto to New Orleans. How long does he have to sort out his living arrangements in Toronto like a lease etc and when he gets to new Orleans do they put him in a hotel for a few weeks or do teams have Temporary Apartments for Newly Acquired Players etc. Just seems a lot to deal with in a short period of time. Thanks

Blogger's note: All good questions and a nice little chunk of tomorrow morning's offering because it's really slow today

[Lorie]

Hi Doug,
Would it be too embarrassing to admit I watched a replay of the entire game again last night? And it was just as exciting, even knowing the outcome. A terrific win; and a win you didn't suspect they "stole" but "earned", and to do it against the Celtics. (With a mere eight players - have I got that right?) Now, I will refrain from watching it a third time - that might be a step across into the obsessive zone - but hasn't this season been a whole lot of fun, so far? And didn't one or two voices out there say that it just might be thus? A quick question: do you think an 8 or 9 player rotation, then, if every one of those players is "firing on all cylinders", will be the rule rather than the exception?

Blogger's note: I think he's going to have to play at least 9 and maybe 10 when the new guys get here.

[Dallas]

Hey Doug,

Any chance you can get in touch with Jarrett Jack, or the others and see if they have any comments on the trade.

Cheers,

[Bob]

Doug, I noticed Herbie Kuhn wasn't working yesterday. I know he lost his voice about 10 days ago. Is he still out because of that or is it something else?

Blogger's note: Don't know for sure

[sam]

I think what the trade does more than anything else is builds Jose's confidence in turn creating some consistency in the starting 5. I'm certain we will see good things and a consistent effort from Weems, DD, Andrea as a result.
Off the bench Barbosa, Amir and Kleiza bring some added energy and punch. From yesterday - Andrea has a pulse...some emotion expressed from the guy! Who knew?. Reggie and Amir under the basket are a lot of fun to watch.
It also showed that if the team goes to the basket, instead of settling for jump shots - good things will come there way.

look forward to seeing how Jay uses the new guys. hopefully it won't take away from how the guys played this past weekend....

[antonio italia]

hey doug!!yesterday, in the last nine minutes raptors don't pass the ball to their best player(Andrea)... i think is triano's fault... maybe you can win a match in the regular season with this system but not a playoff match... so.. triano was really lucky yesterday...what do you think? or bargnani escaped from his responsabilities?

Blogger's note: I think it's Boston's "fault"

[Jack]

Hey... 3 straight offensive gems from Bargnani. Nice going, huh. The cheerleaders must be waiting for comments from us detractors so they can retort.
I won't make anymore comments about his defense. The coaches have realized that, I've noted since they take him out on defensive stances when the game is on the line. He can score. That's a given and the coaches have adjusted their game plan so his defensive liabilities are offset by the blue-collar guys like Evans and Johnson. That's commendable. Play with what you have and make the most of it.

[norm]

Doug, what was the last season of Raptor's players for which you could say that total effort is the norm rather than the exception? I'm trying hard to think of a year, and all that's coming up in my mind is "Oak"

Blogger's note: Maybe, but the 47-win team wasn't bad

[Juan]

Doug
Can't believe I missed the game but from what I gather, nice tiiming on the Jose article!

[Eddy]

Upon reading the articles in the Boston media and based on the comments of Celtic fans I think Boston needs to be put near the top of the list of poorest losers in the NBA. Apparently, Toronto had nothing to do with the win yesterday as the entire thing was the result of a conspiracy orchestrated by the commissioner, in league with the officials, to deprive Boston of the win. Strangely enough the only one who showed any class on their team and gave Toronto some credit was KG.

[SheikYurBouti]

We know there'll be some stinkers this year, and some tough losses, but your prediction that they'll be fun to watch is sure coming true. If Amir can continue his recent avoidance of being a foul magnet, they'll win many more games than most think.
Haha, that Boston Herald linked page has a link to a Darrick Martin - Raptors profile. Slightly outdated.

[Al]

Jack... Andrea's D on Shaq, Big Baby and even KG was very good for the most part.

[Matt M]

I read something from the NO perspective of the trade. The gist was that they were happy with the trade because they got the best player and those hoping the the Peja's expiring would turn into something significant (like an Iguodala) were dreaming because there are more than a few teams that can offer financial flexibility and a significant piece moving forward (sorta like Jersey's offer for Anthony). Made sense.
It might be difficult for BC to make a significant trade in this environment too and I think that might be why he turned part of the trade exception into an expiring contract. So he could have that flexibility after the season ended without fear of a deadline. This exception would hardly be the first to expire unused.

[kelsey]

Yes its Me the same person who has slagged against Bargnani and Calderon nearly every day. However I will give credit when its due.

I have to admit Andrea has turned me positive in the last couple of days. He is stepping up to the plate, I like that he also showed some emotion. He is not out the wood works on Defense and energy. But he is playing good and props go out to him.

Jose, has also been playing well and his defense is better than last year.

Im a Bosh fan, but I cant ever remember him having a real good game against Boston.

Toronto did good when the wheels were falling off. Great Effort....Reggie, Reggie..He is certainly the team leader for this squad. BC do not MOVE REGGIE OR ITS OVER..He is averaging 4.5 offense rebounds per game!!!!

Lets go Raptors!!!!

[james]

Loved the note about Reggie being the third longest-tenured player on this team. I continue to be impressed by this general manager's willingness to retool. It seems clear he had two plans operating simultaneously, one with Bosh and one without Bosh.

[Derek H]

I just saw a bit of the post game analysis this morning. I liked how Jack Armstrong made the point about Bargnani standing up to Garnett and swinging his arms through when he had the ball to create room and get Garnett out of his face and he basically mentioned that Chris Bosh did not have the gonads to do that.

[Derek H]

I would have liked to hear Homer Heinsohn's views yesterday. Probably said the Celtics were jobbed and that Pierce was hammered on the last shot and he has never seen worse referreeing. What piece of work Heinsohn is.

[Sean]

Hey Doug,

Was at my first game of the season yesterday...what happened to Herbie (the Raptors PA announcer)?

Blogger's note: Not sure