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

[J]

@SA, who asks: "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?"

That Chris Paul, when healthy, is a MVP candidate who makes everyone around him better? That Jack is a good backup PG, but only a below average starting PG? That Andersen was a solid contributor during his brief stint here? That it's a silly question since the Hornets went 11-1 with only one of the above 5 names playing significant minutes, so it's not like the ex-Raptors are the reason for their success?

@JT via Ben, who responds: "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."

I think New Orleans dumping Stojakovic's big expiring contract for essentially nothing more than upgrading Bayless to Jack and a little more flexibility this season should they make further acquisitions (they were close enough to being out of the luxury tax that dumping any one of the many smaller contracts would have been just fine) would indicate that large expiring contracts aren't as significant as one would think. However, like what Ben said and assuming BC finds a taker, it's far easier to acquire a high salary player with one big expiring contract like Stojakovic's than several smaller expiring contracts (Banks + Evans + Andersen + Wright, for instance) since the receiving team would most likely have to buyout several of their existing players (they need to have sufficient room prior to the deal; can't simply waive the incoming players). Also, we can take on up to ~$19 mil salary with just Stojakovic's expiring contract, whereas the full Bosh TPE would only have allowed at maximum a ~$14.5 mil salary.

Had this simply been a financial move, then I wouldn't be as enthusiastic, but this is a trade for the future as well. Bayless was seen by many as the 3rd best player available prior to the 2008 draft, with definite All-Star potential. Of course we have to temper our expectations considering the lackluster start to his career, but if DeRozan, Davis, Bayless and Avery Bradley had all been in the same draft, most people without the gift of hindsight would have them ranked Bayless first by far, then DeRozan, Davis and Bradley. Bayless may not be as good a defender as Bradley (Bayless doesn't have as wide a wingspan), but he's generally seen as more athletic (quicker and stronger) and a better shooter and scorer. Avery Bradley lovers, eat your heart out?

[SA]

Doug,

I don't want to take away anything from the great win yesterday, BUT, enough from BC already! Will someone in this town's sports media make him accountable for his actions!? It's not about winning!? So, it's about what!? Money in the bank and hope for the future!? BC's been peddling that garbage to fans since he's been in T.O. It's been the convenient cover for every (failed) roster overhaul he's made...

Maybe I misheard BC when he said he wanted to bring a culture of winning to Toronto. I guess he was really talking about the bottom line for the teachers pension fund? Because the MLSE paymasters have been the only winners round these parts in years and it's all been on the backs of perenially hopeful fans...

[SA]

Hey Doug,

Point taken on the ex-Raps in NO. Of course CP3 makes everyone better. Still, interesting if at the end of the regular season NO is a playoff team with a third of their roster being Raptors castoffs...

[Zombywoof]

Taking the rematch in Boston seems highly unlikely, but what about Atlanta? Their record is deceiving, they've had a soft schedule and have lost to all the good teams they've played. I think the Raps could surprise these guys.

[kelsey]

On the trade, how can a Raptors Fan not like this.
Anderson was getting to much play for a deep bench player on a bad team.

Obviously fixe's specific issue with Calderon and Jack minutes..Not the point guard position but the issue.

Bayless seen him several times in Portland look good, attacking. He is still young so hey never know.

Peja??? I really wonder how much play he gets on this team..I wonder if we see Klezia more at 4, now that Raptors have another wing player.

I would like to see Barbosa and Calderon out there more often. Barbosa not starting but for sure in the 4th quarter.

Well lets see what Colangelo could do with the money they will have

[Kings]

To SA,
It not as interesting as the ex-Raps get the ring in the past.

[RyanS]

Hi Doug,

"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."

Does that include extending Reggie an offer next summer?

Blogger's note: Sure, at the right number and in the right role if they can't get anything of substance for him this year; but having absolutely no clue what the CBA landscape will look like, it's impossible to provide an answer

[doug]

what this trade also does is allow Jay to do what he likes doing at the end of games with more pieces to do so...he likes playing the offense-defense sub game at the end of games...so in Peja you have a top 5 all-time NBA 3 point shooter, nice fit on the offensive end...and in Bayless you have a guard who has been complimented on his defense...so nice fit there as well, and I don't see a 10 man rotation, even a 9 will be pressing it...also yesterday some of those shots barg's was making were not gimme's there were some tough looks in there and he made them look easy....fine effort by him against a tough team to have one against...that "new" single from Springsteen from his new CD, which is previously unrelased tunes..Fire which he wrote and Pointer Sisters made a hit....his version is bang-on, sort of a mix between him and Elvis, great rendition, it has a real special feel, vibe to it...

[Penguin]

Lots of great comments today from the bandwagon.
Just one addition from me. Read the Boston Globe story (thanks for the link). Wow, can you say whining, sour grapes, no respect? Every Raptor should read that story before they play Boston again this week. It should inspire them (not sure they need it) to make another great effort. By the way, it should be noted that the Celtics not only were missing Rondo, but also Perkins and JO.

[GM]

Another take on: "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."
How is that different than chemistry, which yesterday you said was over-rated? Chemistry is just the interaction of players with each other. Obviously, the more they play together and get to know each other's strengths and weaknesses and tendencies, the better they play together. That is, if they care and mesh well as a unit: i.e. chemistry! Voila.

Someone else asked about the practicalities of trades and you said you'd answer it tomorrow. As someone who's moved twice in the last two years, I know what a pain in the butt it is. Do players live out of a suitcase that they can quickly pack up if they get traded? Do they fly back to their old teams on off days to continue the packing or do they have people do that for them?

[Christa]

Doug -

You're absolutely right. This team is FUN to watch. I can't remember enjoying a season as much, even when they won more regularly. I like the energy, competition and the fact that these guys never hang their heads and lie down. I can respect that a lot more in a pro athlete. I'll pay money to see a guaranteed display of effort over a non-guaranteed display of "star talent". And you can tell BC I said so!!

ps - Cute story - yesterday afternoon, my five and eight year olds were jumping around the family room shouting DEE - FENCE in the last 3 minutes in time with the crowd. These are guys that young kids are starting to cheer for.

[Alex]

The trade gives them cap space for next year. The concern is whether or not they'll be able to ever sign anyone in Toronto that will be a franchise free agent.

[Omar]

I think with the great recent production of Sonny Weems, its kind of showing that he is underrated and often put under Derozan. i've noticed that Sonny has been more consistant with production than Derozan has.

Doug, do you think that Sonny might actually be better than Derozan in the future ? Or is it just the age factor that Sonny is a bit older playing in to production and consistency ?

[Johnn19]

Why the TRADE?

1. JC/JJ disconnect, for some reason only one played well each game, and Jack was struggling in starting, and Calderon was more skilled as a playmaker.
2. Andersen was about to lose minutes to Davis when he was able to play.
3. Banks was not able to contribute.
4. With the CBA expiring July 01/2010 the future is uncertain so flexibility to react to changes or opportunities is paramount.

What is the result of the TRADE?

Raps have a young, talented inexperienced PG/Combo guard athletic player in Bayless, who fits into the young core group, and who the coaching staff JT and PJC are familiar with through working with him personally, and who can fit into the back up guard role.

They also have in Peja an experienced 3pt shooter who can help fill a huge weakness in the roster, provide winning experience, and be available to be used in a trade or be an expiring contract.

And adding to the flexibility to create improvement, $25 million in 5 expiring contracts this year, and a balance left of $12.3 million from the Bosh TPE and a current salary total of about $66 million vs a Cap of $58mil and Lux Tax of $70mil, for this year.

But who knows what the numbers or rules may be in the NEW CBA, or if there will be a lockout. Flexibility is the prime benefit of the TRADE as well as adding potential talent to a young core. A very good move by a foreward thinking GM, who as always is looking at today and tomorrow.