Of positions and maturity and an old story re-told

Seven down, 75 to go.

(Wait, that’s not nice)

Seven down, lots more fun ahead.

Really. Honest. It’s just a game, enjoy it for what it is.

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THREE POINTERS

They may be on to something

I don’t know but the more I see them use Linas Kleiza at the four, the more I like it.

There wasn’t much to like about that Golden State game but when they made their late – and inevitable – run, it came with a rather unconventional lineup with Kleiza and Amir Johnson in the front court and it worked.

Not sure it works every night, and I think last night was as much reactionary to a smallish Golden State lineup rather than proactive to make things different, but I do think it’s something they should explore more often.

This is not a particularly good Toronto team at the moment with a somewhat odd roster loaded with wings so why not use that unorthodoxy to make other teams react.

What’s the worst that can happen? They lose?

Well, don’t see a lot of wins piling up this way, do you?

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The Regend’s tough night

We knew there were going to be evenings with Reggie Evans was in tough, being under-sized and all and last night was one of them.

Yes, he hustled and got good rebounding position and fought like he usually fights for every possible loose ball but the length of the Warriors, specifically Andris Biedrins and Brandan Wright, simply negated him for far too long.

It’s why he only played 18 minutes – a season low – and while he did still get six boards in that time, he didn’t have his usual impact on the game.

There will be more nights like that, I’m sure. There are all kinds of things that effort and intelligence can overcome, but there are sometimes when the other guy is just too big and too quick and too long.

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A star in the making

I can watch Stephen Curry play every night, I think.

Not just because his jump shot is so good but because of the way he now runs a game.

Remember, this is a second-year NBAer who really wasn’t a point guard until his senior year at tiny Davidson College and to see how far he’s come with his ball-handling and decision-making is pretty incredible.

There were a handful of times last night when he got the ball on the perimeter about halfway through a shot-clock and there was a relatively open shot to be had.

But he settled things down, resisted the urge to get a shot up and found an open teammate – usually Ellis – for a better look.

That’s maturity you don’t always see in a second-year player and speaks volumes on how far his game has come in a short time.

And, oh yeah, when he needed to dominate the game offensively, he did. The 16 points he scored in 12 fourth-quarter minutes was like watching a clinic.

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Anyway, more stuff …

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Kyle Massey has become the new Super Son DWTS favourite, in case you were wondering. Something about some Disney Channel thing or somesuch.

I haven’t watched in far too long, damn basketball keeps getting in the way.

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So, are maybe the game ops folks and fans are getting on to something.

Been a couple of third quarter timeouts lately when they’ve broken out the Livin’ On A Prayer and I know the broadcasters have been in full throat and last night they tried to get the crowd to sing along, too.

Kind of worked and was a nice start to build on.

And the way things are shaping up this season, a rather appropriate title, methinks.

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Right. The Vladimir Radmanovic story.

(And no one sent an e-mail to remind me, I had to get it out the crevasses of my mind, thank you very much).

Now, some Irregulars will have heard this before but what the heck, some newcomers haven’t and it’s a cool story.

Indianapolis world championships, 2002: Yugoslavia is in the semifinals against New Zealand and after some kind of halftime locker room incident – it may or may not have involved Radmanovic eating a banana, I don’t recall – Radmanovic decides (or coach Svetislav Pesic decides for him) that the bench is not somewhere he should be.

So up into the stands he goes, sitting there in his full warm-ups watching the game like any other fan, a section over from where Peter May, then of the Boston Globe, and I are watching somewhat awestruck.

I don’t believe I’ve ever seen a player leave a team in the middle of a game to sit among the people and I don’t imagine I ever will again.

A very odd moment indeed.

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How’d the game play in San Francisco?

Like this.

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A question of style.

Q: Hi Doug. I'm just getting back into your blog and I'm confused about the acronyms - HOTH and HOTHC which appeared twice today. The only thing that comes to mind is Houses of the Holy, but don't see how it relates to basketball. Anyway, your help would be appreciated.

Andrew N, Waterloo

A: Seems to be a difference in opinion as to whether hardcourt is one word or two.

I’m going with one so we shall forever refer to them as the Heroes Of The Hardcourt, or HOTH for short.

Interested in getting some mail in?

Click here and write, I’ll be glad to take it.

Figure we may as well start early since this weekend has another silly Saturday game, giving me an extra day to answer queries.

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Comments

[Tree]

This is a sad lot, these Raptors ... for the first few games this year, they were bad, but at least played with hustle and noticeable energy. Now? not so much. Calling this roster 'odd' is very kind; in reality, this is a terribly constructed team and, as much as I've defended BC and hope he does get an extension, he seems to have had absolutely no plan whatsoever in building it.

[JHK]

What did you think of Jeremy Lin?
I thought he outplayed Jose and probably Jack as well.
Good handle and vision, doesn't forces and doesn't take wild jumpers.
With a consistent jumper, I think he could be a very good back up PG.
Style fits very well with GS, probably not with the Raps.

Blogger's note: Yeah, for the 15 minutes I saw him, he was okay

[SS]

Well after 7 games I think its time to change the starting five. I agree Doug that Kleiza at the 4 isn't a bad move and no offense to The Regend but he is why Toronto is always down in the opening quarter due to turnovers. If you notice, whenever any of the guys put the ball on the floor (Jack, Derozen, Kleiza, Bargnani) and they see an open player (Reggie) in there peripheral they end up making a tentative pass which leads to a turnover cause its like the obvious pass to make but the pass they don't want to make cause of Reggie's offensive liabilities. I know Reggie is doing his fair share on the glass but the 5 on 4 on offense is hurting us badly. Here are my 2 lineup suggestions.

Jack
Derozen
Weems
Kleiza
Bargnani

or

Jack
Derozen
Kleiza
Johnson
Bargnani

Yes our bench would be a little thin but why not tighten the rotation more
Calderon, Barbosa, Weems/Kleiza, Evans, Anderson

[AT]

Doug, just curious as to why you have not commented on Dampier not signing in Houston? Seem to be a bit relevant here, no? The non-Houston thing is not just a rumour is it?

Blogger's note: Actually answered a couple of questions about it yesterday; still trying to reach someone official here to see if there's still interest. When I find out something concrete rather than wild speculation, I'll let you know

[JT]

Doug,

I'm starting to get irritated by Kleiza. He turns the ball over way too often and almost always at inopportune times. Travel calls, offensive fouls, losing the ball on a dribble drive, careless passes being intercepted, etc. And I don't ever recall in recent memory a guy who loses handle of the ball while dribbling/driving as much as Kleiza does. Sure, sometimes the opponent gets his hand in there to swipe the ball but he does lose it quite a bit on his own or the defender swiping at the ball but missing it.

[joeu]

Hi Doug, if you're "going with two" it should be HOTHC.

Blogger's note: Sorry, fixed that up. It's one for now

[sam]

A quiet night for some of the HOTH -
Jose seemed out of sinc, but Jack was steady and had the hot hand.

I like Sonny's Athleticism, but at times question his decision making -
A couple of times last night he had the ball early in the shot clock and tossed up a jump shot - He had open looks, but he missed. Logic suggests to me that someone with his physical gifts could take it to the rim more often, score and a bonus from a foul. It could be his sore knee, or he's fallen in love with his jump shot. It seems the Team doesn't get to the foul line as much as last year's edition. I could be wrong -

[Lorie]

Hey Doug,
Good on you for remembering to tell us the Vladimir Radmanovic story. Guess we all thought someone else would do it, or plain forgot...just your luck, eh? Your Irregulars turn out to be Irresponsible and Inattentive, too. A small request for clarification: you used the term "crevasses" rather than "crevices" to describe those places in your mind. I thought "crevasses" referred to icey surfaces and "crevices" to rocky ones?

Blogger's note: Oops

[HopeCaper]

Hey Doug,
Hard to find stuff to write about on this team I'm sure. All those Bosh detractors at least have had a dose of reality. Some comments people are making re: this team, "very entertaining", "lots of hustle", etc. Last year Bosh strapped this team on every nite and the critics claimed he had no heart. Obviously he does and this team doesn't. That is just an observation not to criticize. There are a lot of potential pieces here for the rebuilding and I hope BC does it right.

[pain777pas]

Morning Doug,

Why do we talk about runs at the end of games with starters resting the game was 90-64 at one point. In other words the game is over and its garbage time. Tinkering with the starting lineup and bench Reggie for Johnson is the only move to make. The rest of the starters should play. If that doesn't work then move Kleiza to the 4 Weems at the 3,and the rest of the lineup remain the same. They have to teach Johnson how to play defense by simply getting his hands up and not trying to block every shot or steal every ball. Blocking and stealing are skills that are TIMED. You don't just wave your arms around when you get beat. There should be a help defense system in place. What do you think Doug?

[Michel G]

Amir Johnson has missed only one free throw all season. So has Weems for that matter. I'm looking for positives.

[joeu]

Dear Tree, if you look a the deals that BC had for Diaw, Chandler and Barnes ( and even further back for Salmons ) it is obvious that he does in fact have a plan.

[Jean-Marie]

Some points, if you don’t mind:
1)rebounds look to be not so decisive as many people think. Raps win by numbers (except last night) but lose the games. So far, points win in basketball
2)at last, we are figuring out what’s all about in the NBA: the play of the guards is what really makes the difference. Hoopsworld, for example, said: “There was a time, not so long ago, when any team that hoped to compete for an NBA cham¬pio¬n¬ship had to have a dominant center before they could even think about realizing that dream… If you didn't have a big, you might as well forget it…Since then, things have certainly changed … As with all things, the NBA has evolved in the absence of great big men. It's become a guard's game, and especially a point guard's game. The rules have changed to favor smaller players and the game has gone from a battle for control of the paint to a sprinting game where much of the offense happens with the big men still crossing mid-court”
3)let me now go with a comment of mine on August 4 2010: “What we have on the team is a hundred shooting guards (and just like last year, none of them overly effective), no real point guard (as Jarrett Jack is another combo, and Calderon is either leaving or a half a player), a true centre to couple with Bargnani, and an actual slashing small forward”
4)and more important: there’s no one single aspect going right in this team, now. I really see things imploding/exploding, things going very badly and spiralling down in many ways. Signs are there. Environment not strong enough to afford such a slaughtering and keep going.
How do you call it? Cosmic pessimism?

[jennifer]

did they gather in the middle of the court to thank the fans last night? I sure hope so because they provided entertainment!

can you ask BC or Triano if they get worried about the declining attendance for a very entertaining product?

Blogger's note: You know what? I was filing for the web and didn't notice

[Derek S]

Hi Doug,
Here's what's so frustrating about this team. Late in the 3rd quarter, there was about a 2-3 minute spurt where the Raps suddenly played aggressive, choking defense - like we saw in the preseason. Came out of nowhere, as they'd been tremendously passive up until that point. GS coach smartly called a time-out and after that, the Raps were back to their old "non-defensive" selves. About 3-4 minutes later, the Raps play defense again for a few minutes, GS takes a time-out, defense goes away. This team has the "ability", just not the "will" to play consistent defense, and it cost them the came.

Similarly, Sonny Weems spent 3 quarters "floating" through the game and settling for jump shots, and then suddenly late in the 4th quarter, he started driving the hoop on every possession, and scoring a bunch. Why does it take him until the 4th quarter to take that approach?

I recognize this isn't a "great" team by any means, but they have the talent/ability to be better than their record suggests. The problem is that they don't have the will or the mental toughness (at least, not yet) to be better - and as a fan, seeing and knowing that is what's so infuriating.

[kie]

@joeu

i have to disagree with ur point that the game is all about the guards... if u look at the past few CHAMPIONS you notice that u are looking at teams that have talented bigs that actually play like big man (not standing at the 3pt line or not going to the glass)... and for this same reason i dont see the heat winning a title until bosh has that gasol transformation which only happened after being ran over by boston a few yrs ago

[g.t.]

This season is about seeing how well Bosh does being the 'Man' in Miami .

http://www.nesn.com/2010/11/chris-boshs-career-not-lebron-james-will-suffer-most-from-move-to-miami.html

This is a forgettable season for the raptors save for a few highlights. Since the players even if they have potential are not guaranteed to be raptors when they meet that potential I don't really get excited about their progress as individual players. It does nothing for the team if they do not stay and play during their prime. Maybe if we had some superstar rookie who was guaranteed to be here for another 3 to 4 years.

[Steph]

The players did not gather at centre court last night after the game. I noticed it only because I was expecting to see that happen.

[Dee from Sauga]

Hey Doug,

Was at the game last night. Saw some stuff the masses weren't privy too watching on the tube - a timeout called in the second quarter and Triano seemed to be upset and was chewing into Regend, then gave him a long staredown. Intense stuff this pro game.

I have a question for you. Midway through the fourth, Barg's subs in and the first play right out of the timeout they look for him to post-up Lee who had 5 fouls at the time. Barg's makes a few dribbles, no double team in sight and instead of taking Lee to the hole to possibly draw a foul, he kicks it out to Jack at the top of the key. Jack clanks the three and Barg's is yanked right after. Think Triano was a little peeved because it was a designed play to attack Lee causing him to sit the rest of the night?
Maybe I read too much into it or maybe I didn't. Thoughts?

[Johnny B]

Hi Doug,

Why wasn't Bargnani playing at the end of the game? Sure four fouls but he seemed relatively healthy. He's fast enough to play along the guys on GS. He sure is the best offensive weapon we have.

By the way, how bad is Triano's coaching? I know there isn't much of a roster but cmon. After time outs his team plays worse and more unorganized! On a side note, as weird as this sounds, Raptors defense is actually a lot better this year.

[kelsey]

Well good day Raptors Nation, I have been trying to stay positive and not make mention about the terrible roster this team has.

I know its a rebuild year. But its hard to stomach,...

1st: Triano must be fired this year middle end whenever. Iknow this is not a talented team,but I cant seem him giving team that boost or strategize to win a couple of games...Its over..will not work...

2nd: why the heck did the re-sign Bargnani for extenstion last year. NOBODY CAN ANSWER ME...He is not a $10 mill guy and Im sure there was any GM watering by the mouth to overpay for this guy. He has NO MOTOR, NO INTEMIDATION, NO LEADERSHIP, NO SENSE OF HELP DEFENSE, NO EFFORT TO BLOCK OUT...HE IS EXPOSED NOW BOSH IS GONE

3rd: Blow this line up, Put Barbosa in who cares if small in back court, Maybe start Amir over Reggie..Or get Kleiza out he turns it over to much.. THERE IS NO PECKING ORDER ON THIS TEAM....

[fg]

ONCE again,

Doug and his homerism, its ok writing style:

"Really. Honest. It’s just a game, enjoy it for what it is."

when are we going to demand more from our sports teams, children at the playground are playing just a game, THIS is the NBA. millions of dollars, how would you like the enjoy your work day, but it is what it is.... your boss would hang you....it has to be productive.

Give up the buddy buddy style writing and start calling people out.
hoopsworld has brotherston, and he does see it with a good positive limelight, but not afraid to call out the puppet Triano and lack of good play and management.

just cuase you see the players everyday, doesnt mean you dont have to have any journalism ethics and really write the best storey, whether positive or negative.. it is not just a game so enjoy it, i tell that to children and rec leagues everyday... not millionares at there NBA workplace...

Blogger's note: It's a game, it's entertainment, it's a diversion. Some people need not take it or themselves too seriously.

[Zombywoof]

Regarding the "HOTH" debate, the way things are looking right now, the most appropriate change might be to substitute a "Z" for the first "H". :-)

Watching Dell's kid was a treat for sure. Used to marvel at him knocking down 3s before the warmup as a tyke.

[fg]

These are professional players, if i take a day off work I will lose my job etc..
Its a workplace for the players, not a game. They need to take the team from management to the players seriously, and so do the paying costumers who pay for there salaries...
entertainment would be WWE or TV acting. This is entertainment of sport at the highest professional level, becuase we demand them not to take any days off and always be organized and progress in there performance evaluation, somehing this team has not done, only regressed.

Its time we take it serious and yourself take it serious aswell. Let me see are you going to still not talk about the declining tv viewership, declining fans at the games, or that doesnt matter right?? ya right, im sure when it comes to the money they are after from us, it is not a game. or the money the players are after sure isnt a game.

Blogger's note: It's a game, it's entertainment, it's diversion. It's not life and death; it should be fun and when it stops being fun to watch, maybe it's time for other pursuits.

[Andre]

Hey Doug,

Not surprised the Raptors are struggling, and playing Klieza at the 4 really doesnt make sense to me. But you watch more of the Raptors then me, so i respect your judgement.

Any word on Davis? How much longer? Thanks.