It's all about the reaction, and a trip down memory lane

Rainy Black Friday morning here, bet the people who’ve been lined up to shop for hours are feeling quite wonderful.

Hahahahaha.

(I hate shopping, by the way. And crowds. And lineups. And people. Well, maybe not all people.)

Anyway …

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I think we can all agree that one of the more surprising things about last Sunday’s win was the, um, fight these guys showed. There were times when the Raptors have cowered at the sight of the Celtics or at least backed down and there was none of that in that game.

Blow lead, get down late and still come back? Unheard of.

Bargnani going right at KG? Shooting 13 free throws? Creating shooting space by pulling the ball through on tight defence with elbows swinging? Doesn’t happen.

And I guess that’s what makes tonight kind of interesting.

Will they still have that determination on the road? Against a very good team bent on revenge?

This was Jay after practice Thursday:

“The Celtics have tried a lot of times to jump on you early and get into you physically and you’ve got to weather that initial burst, not back down, not show any sign of weakness and then play possession by possession.”

Now, this is one game and all, and it’s not going to determine an awful lot but, still, it’s interesting.

And, aside from the aberration in Washington, the HOTH have shown to be quite competitive on the road – win in Orlando, the Laker game, final three quarters in Utah, first half in Sacramento, stayed with the Heat – and it’s kind of become what you expect.

That’s entirely new.

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Last shot, kids.

Contest. Here. Now. Noon (Eastern time) deadline so get cracking if you already haven’t.

The stakes are high, 10 tickets to Sunday’s game, a box, comfy seats, vouchers for drinks, food and the ride back home and wonderful prelude to the big football game.

I’m told by the Powers That Be that the winner will be informed this afternoon some time and I’ll have a name in the morning.

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If this is a road trip, it must be memories time.

(And it must be a road trip because I can’t find Harpoon IPA or a Legal Seafood in my neck of the woods)

Anyway …

The Gruesome Night.

We all have those moments that stick with us for bad reasons, right? Well, I’ve got the Garbo injury indelibly etched in my mind and it speaks volumes about what kind of guy he is.

Late March, 2007, pretty much a nothing game, a play he could have let develop but, no, Garbo hustles and tries to block a dunk and we all know what happened.

Truly a turning point not only for that season but for the next one or two; I wonder what the future would have been like had that one play not happened.

Now, back then, we sat at the far baseline from where the fall happened by even 120 feet away, you could tell how ugly it was.

Don’t think I’ll ever forget it.

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Skip’s done?

Hey, remember the night Sam – bless his soul – banished Rafer and Lorne Loren Woods to the locker room after they got technicals? Thought Sam might slug them on the bench and that would have been cool, indeed.

Anyway, we’re talking to Rafer after the game (I don’t remember even looking for Lorne, he was so inconsequential to the whole event) and Skip drops this bomb on me and Stumpy, or words to this effect: “I may be done. I don’t know if me and the NBA are made for each other.” Well, a kid quitting or threatening to is pretty big news and we’re wandering around looking for reaction (Sam’s long gone by now) and there’s good old Jalen, who’s always ready with a quip and his relationship with Rafer is, um, strained and we figure he’ll give us something great

Us: “Hey, Jalen, Rafer said he might quit.”

Him: “That’s strong.”

Story written.

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That’s some debut

It’s the start of the lockout shortened 1998-99 season and the Raptors, with this young Carter fellow looking like he might actually be a player, are here to finally open the season.

And sure enough, a guy in his debut with Toronto has a huge game.

Dude by the name of Willis, Kevin Willis.

The Big Fella goes off for 28 points and 16 rebounds as the Raptors win easily.

And a legend is born.

Not quite as legendary as the Carter kid turned out to be but still pretty good.

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What’s up in Boston?

Let’s see what Murph wrote on the big holiday.

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This is a somewhat topical thing out of the mail on a point I was going to bring up:

Oh yeah, probably your last kick at the mail, too. Click here, please.

Q: Hi Doug. Thanks for the IGB Thingy -- I missed seeing the game live the other night and it was a pleasure to read through the blog afterwards and get a feel for the game. (Kinda of missed the other irregulars too ... go figure)

Here's the question. I saw a little news item stating that Marcus Banks wasn't going to be reporting to the Hornets after all and they were still responsible for his contract. Can you find out some more information about that? I liked the guy - he always seemed ready to play and while his minutes were limited - he never seemed to hurt us when he was in the game. It's a shame if things aren't working out for him in the trade.

 

 

Brenda C, Sault Ste. Marie

A: Yes, that is indeed the case with Marcus. By mutual agreement, even before the trade was official, it was decided he wouldn’t report – the Hornets waived the reporting and physical exam requirements of the deal – but they aren’t about to waive him yet, I’m told.

His value now is only as a trade chip with his contract and New Orleans isn’t about to make any kind of move until February after the deadline.

And, yes, he did play kind of okay when he was here in such a limited role but the coaching staff didn’t trust him to have the discipline to run the offence or carry out the defensive assignments they wanted, which is another reason why didn’t play.

Frankly, I will be absolutely stunned if he’s in any team’s camp next year on anything other than a non-guaranteed, minimum-salary contract.

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We’re talking to Jerryd Bayless after practice yesterday and he says he felt great Wednesday because Jay told him just to go out and play, have fun, shoot when you’re open.

He asked when the last time he had that freedom and when he said “college” my eyes widened.

This kid went to Arizona when Kevin O’Neill was there and I know KO pretty well and “freedom” is not something he gives to his players. Yeah, Jerryd admits, maybe it wasn’t in the KO era and then he says this:

“KO is obviously a tough-minded guy but me and KO have developed our relationship better since I left college.”

And I’m thinking, yeah, bet a lot of his former players say that.

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Comments

[Jack]

Last year's Raptors didn't have any resemblance of a defense. And I attribute it to personnel and the way the coaches play them. Bosh and Bargnani will not be able to co-exist as they have the same mentality; offense only. Although Evans was with the team last year, he rarely played. This year, he became Bargnani's bodyguard, doing all the dirty work so Bargnani can concentrate on the only thing he's supposed to do; shoot. So the roles are defined and probably they have a chance to make the playoffs, barring any injury. Just don't annoint Bargnani as the franchise player. He's still a role player on this team.

[jeff]

Hi Doug

Do you think that this could be the most likeable Raptor team put together. I find it hard not wanting to cheer for this team even when they are lose because it seems every night except for the Wizards and GS game they bring the effort, and just seem like normal guys you want to cheer for. Maybe it is the whole underdog, but they are a fun team to watch for 48 minutes compared to what they have had in the last 10 years anyway.

[SA]

Hey Doug,

I just read LZ Granderson's Nov. 19 piece on the Heat at ESPN.com and he was suggesting bringing Bosh off the bennch because "Bosh is struggling to find a place to belong in Miami for the same reason, in seven seasons with the Toronto Raptors, he played in only 11 playoff games: unfinished dirty work in the paint. No one on his Toronto teams was willing or able to do it, including him. Especially him." CB1 -- The $110 Million Sixth Man!? Oops.

Boy, a healthy Regend making, er, slightly less than $110 Mil and doing all that dirty work every night in the paint -- kinda makes you feel all warm and fuzzy inside doesn't it?...Good luck Chris, hope you find your place in South Beach. I'll clap for you when you're back at the ACC,I will. But can't say I'm really missing you...Reggie! Reggie! Reggie!

[Mo]

Hey Doug,

Not that i'm impatient or anything (note sarcasm), but can you tell us when the winner for the contest is chosen so we can all stop staring at our phones and (in unison) mutter some vulgarities instead?

Thanks!

Blogger's note: Soon as I hear; been working most of the afternoon on stuff and haven't talked to the office

[J]

@GM:

'"Blogger's note: Great chowder and shrimp stuffed with crap; a tradition." Yum! Sounds like a wonderful tradition! (I'm hoping that was a typo.)

You know things are going well when Kelsey writes a comment without slagging either Bargnani, Calderon or Colangelo. Thankfully we have Pipit to keep it negative, even if he has to go back a few seasons.'

Love you man. Honestly made me chuckle out loud a bit!

[kelsey]

@GM ...Hey Im a "Fan" I do what fans do go up and down like a roller coaster..

I m not that blind, hey Bargnani has played much better in last several games. I really like the fact that he isnt taking the 3pt shots only when required. I give credit when its due.

Calderon I said that he was playing better defense which he is..

I will continue to give credit as long as its due...

But dont I still would never want these players as corner stone of a contending team lets be real..

Lets see what happens...Lets go Raptors!!!

[Henry]

Is there an inside joke during last interview with couch J when he said something about most offensive player would love his style of offense?

Thx!

[Dan W]

I went to Boston in September. I tried the Crab cake Sandwich at Legal Seafoods and it was amazing.

[The J]

Hey Doug,

The Star still hasn't called me to tell me I have won the tickets. You need to get on your staff to make sure they make that call.

[Craig]

If Garbo wasn't a fantastic player, he created one in Calderon. IT was during this season that Jose started feeling comfortable in his surroundings. Needless to say Garbo had a huge hand in making that happen.

[ikonn]

@Henry: I think he was referring to Sherm Hamilton who seemed to be standing next to Doug. Must be an inside joke about when Sherm played with/for him??

[Lindsay]

Hi Doug,

Further to The J's post above I'm actually sure that the star did call me but I was out for\to lunch (liquid in nature) and they didn't leave a return number!!!! What gives???

[doug]

if the Raps beat or are even competitive tonight then it is a victory...this team is much improved over last year, and anyone that says character players or character on a team is over-blown then their wrong...as character is what drives and defines a team...umm I don't actually think Barg's is a "role" player, well he could be I guess it's just the starring role....some of these comments remind me of Leaf fans that won't give credit to any euro player, i call it the Cherry factor, i never watch him as he is just a gasbag...and on here it's the same prejudices that drive some of these comments...if anyone wants to watch a star in the making watch Blake Griffin, he is all-wordly...he is a special,special player...even NBA players his contemporariioes are in awe, both LeBron,Shaq are tweeting wel watching him...he is unlike any other player...

http://www.fannation.com/truth_and_rumors/view/250851-griffin-feeling-the-twitter-love-from-jam