A list, some news and all kinds of fun and frivolity

A bit longer than usual but that just means there’s more to enjoy.

Right?

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THREE POINTERS

A lesson learned

Remember the other day when I talked about Jay being miffed by lack of hustle and effort at the end of a quarter. (It’s right here at the top of this one in case you missed it).

Well, they seemed to have got the message.

End of first quarter Sunday, Andrew Bynum scores with 3.1 seconds left and instead of lollygagging the Raptors get the ball in quickly, Bayless goes end-to-end and even though he missed the shot, it had to make the coach feel good.

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Welcome to the bigs, kid

Injuries and foul trouble and already thin front court forces Jay to go deep into the bench and there’s Solomon Alabi on the court in the first half of a close game against a great team.

And he’s got to guard Andrew Bynum (who is HUGE) and Pau Gasol (who is GREAT) and the kid didn’t do too badly. I guess the best thing you can say is he didn’t hurt them at all but I know he’s only going to be used in the case of dire emergencies and, please, don’t think that off six minutes of one game he remains anything but the fifth big man on the roster.

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Tale of two halves.

DeMar DeRozan

First: 0-3 FGs, 4-4 FTs, 0 rebounds, 2 turnovers, 2 fouls, 1 assist.

Second: 6-9 FGs, 7-7 FTs, 2 rebounds, 1 turnover, 1 foul, 0 assists.

The kid’s okay, but he’s sure not there quite yet.

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More? Sure.

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Here’s a wee bit of news if you like.

No, Peja Stojakovic wasn’t on the bench Sunday – as he’s been every day since he got here – for a good reason.

He’s back in New Orleans seeing doctors to get a second opinion on whether or not there’s something wrong with his knee.

He’s had an MRI here that showed no structural damage but the swelling’s still there and he’s going to get checked out some more.

And you have to trust me on this:

There is no buyout in the works.

The Raptors want to explore all options – him playing, whatever trades might pop up if he gets back on the court and shows a level of fitness – before they even entertain that thought.

And I’m assured by people who know that any buyout will not happen until after the trade deadline.

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This was left over from the mail because it took me a while to get an answer.

Q: Please answer my question Doug! Thanks! :)

Can a player be called for a charge if time has expired (example included)?

For example, say the Spurs are up by 1 pt in the 4th quarter and Carmelo Anthony of the Nuggets is driving towards the basket for a layup. Before time expires Anthony releases the ball from his hands towards the basket. As the ball is travelling through the air towards the basket Anthony continues to move in a forward direction and runs into Manu Ginobili of the Spurs, but he only runs into him after time has expired. The ball goes in the net. Is it possible for the refs to call a charge on Anthony after time has expired (therefore negating the basket), or should Denver win the game because even though Anthony committed a charge, he only did so after time had run out?

In reality Anthony actually committed the charge with time left on the clock but I would like to know what would happen in this hypothetical situation.

 

 

Ashley H, Toronto

A: Sorry it took a few days but I got it.

Thanks to a friend on the Raptors clock crew, I was able to get this question directly in front of an NBA official and the answer is:

Yes, there can be a charge and there would be no basket.

One of the phrases I got as part of the explanation is that the ball is alive until a shooter returns two feet to the floor.

Now, whether an official would make that call is another question; and it would undoubtedly involve the use of instant replay to see if time had indeed expired but there you go.

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In Los Angeles, they say this about that.

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List time, and a digression for the season.

So, what do we have, six days ‘til Christmas?

That gives you five nights to watch movies, right?

Well, I’m thinking these would be the five movies of the season I’d have cued up to go, in inverse order:

How The Grinch Stole Christmas

I’m the only guy I know who’s been to the Dr. Seuss Memorial in Springfield, Mass., so I’m thinking I need to put this theatric release on the list. But as TV shows go, Burl Ives Jimmy Durante in Frosty is the classic.

Miracle on 34th Street

I know it’s the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade and blah, blah, blah, blah, blah but this is a Christmas movie. A classic.

It’s A Wonderful Life

Now, some astute Irregulars will know that Jimmy Stewart starred in what I think is the best movie ever (hint: A stunning Grace Kelly) but this is a great one, too.

We’ve all run into an Uncle Billy, right?

A Christmas Carol

Bill Murray should be castigated for doing Scrooged because anyone who messes with the Alastair Sim original deserves condemnation.

White Christmas

Bing. Danny. Crooning.

I’m telling you, a glass of wine or something of that ilk, kids in bed and a fire burning and White Christmas on Christmas Eve is about as good as it gets.

Trust me.

A fun digression, no?

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Stevie Boy was at the big tilt with cameras everywhere and he’s done his usual bang up job.

Take a look at these.

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So, the trades.

You can probably make the case that the Saturday deals were win-win-win in many respects.

Washington gets out of the Arenas contract (never again can we say a player will not be traded solely because of his contract) and can move on with the John Wall era.

Phoenix gets a big they need in Gortat, a wing defender in Pietrus and, I’ll say this right out, if anyone can make that Carter fellow into something close to what he was, it’s Nash. And if he can’t, Vince is a four-month rental with only a partially-guaranteed contract for next year.

Orlando? Well, Orlando might be a train wreck or it might be a very fun team to watch because they won’t defend much but they might score in bunches. Sure, they’re weak up front and if Howard gets in foul trouble in any game it might be a disaster but what the heck. I’d much rather have a GM who makes bold moves than one who doesn’t. If that team faltered, and it was faltering, Otis Smith was going to get fired; he may still but at least he will have gone out with guns a’blazing.

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Okay, one last personal digression.

Not sure if there are any of you up in the Milton area but if there are, Super Wife passes this on (and I know where my bread is buttered) about a Christmas toy drive led by the One And Only Tiger Jeet Singh (and that’s a name from my grappling-fan past) for Sick Kids Hospital.

All you have to know is that every time I look at Super Son, I thank someone for Sick Kids and Dr. Rutka and his staff.

So … Yes, it’s a personal plea but sometimes that’s what I do.

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Comments

[Big Ken]

Doug: I thought it was a nice gesture for Barbosa to give the ball to a fan after an incredible halfcourt shot. What was the deal?

Blogger's note: Didn't see it, so I don't know anything about it

[Penguin]

It's always really interesting to read the out-of-town stories about the Raps' games. Most of the time, almost always really, it makes you appreciate all the more the quality of the sports coverage in Toronto (although I do get really tired of the over-coverage of hockey). Today's LA story on the Lakers (and thanks once more for providing these links) is a case in point. Not one mention of the fact that the Lakers had to work hard to get a win over a very banged up Raptors squad, missing Bargs. Is it that surprising that the Lakers' bench outscored the Raptors' bench when a good part of our bench had to start? Sure the Lakers are a deeper, more experienced, overall better team. Still, it wasn't the rout that it could have been and that I half expected. Next game against Detroit should be really interesting after the big comeback last time. Hope we're healthier and don't have to try another miracle comeback.

[Mugu]

Hey Doug,

I was at the game yesterday, my first basketball game at ACC, and I was disappointed by our fans. More fans were cheering for Lakers than our Raptors. I also had to sit beside a girl who wanted to marry Phil and Kobe and would not stop screaming for the entire game about how much she wants them. Is it always like this when Lakers come to Toronto?

Blogger's note: Yep

[tom]

Thanks Rob. As for Christmas movies, Die Hard has got to be in any collection don't you think?

[Joe]

Hi Doug,
A bit of an off topic question. I know you're a big baseball fan too. What did you think of the Brewers trading for Greinke. Bold move. They gave up a lot for him. I think our Jays did well not getting caught up in this race..

Blogger's note: Milwaukee might be precisely the kind of smallish market where he'll thrive, I bet he's better in the National League and I think Gord Ash is a good guy so congrats to him

[adam]

Was reading the Arizona Republic as the suns are my fave west coast team. it's amazing the venom being spat at Hedo. They seem to have the same impression we have, that he's lazy and unable to work with anyone else. My fave comment was "11 million per year for 11 points per year.. must be nice"
it has made me wonder though.. what was his reputation before both trades.. was everyone fooled?

[Lorie]

@tom: Wow! I thought I was the only one who considers the Die Hard series as Christmas films. But why not, eh? Stalag 17 perhaps as well?

[Kent]

-love Manu. but just as good as Kobe? it's not even close.

-Lakers had to work hard to win yesterday? They weren't even trying. You realize how meaningless it is for the Lakers to beat the Raptors?

[Marlon]

@Kent: You were probably one of the fans wearing a #24 jersey shown on the Star photo blog. But yes, the Raptors played hard against a very, very good team, who might be this seasons champs... again.

[Rob.V]

Thanks Rob. As for Christmas movies, Die Hard has got to be in any collection don't you think?

You know, I totally forgot about that one.... but... Yippe Ki Ya.... MOFO!!!.

-love Manu. but just as good as Kobe? it's not even close.

Thats kinda my point. Ginobli is "so" overlooked, unfortunate really. I disagree. When he's right, he's top 5 in the league. He doesn't get any press or recognition outside of NBA circles... but I think it's a much closer race. But we can disagree.

But I will say this. The Spurs are 21-3 right now and although it's early, the Lakers don't 3-peat having to win 3 playoff rounds on the road. And if Bynum for some reason doesn't round back into form, the Lakers don't win another title EVER... with Kobe.

But hey, thats just me (and my schadenfreude) around this wonderful time of year. lol!

[Allan Wexler]

The move by Orlando is one of the most desparate I have ever seen as well as the most risky. If the CBA changes drastically (as I think it will) Orlando will have their backs against the wall, with no room to move and watching as dqight takes his act out of town leaving the Magic with no room to get better. This could be a 5 year (at least) death wish for the Magic.

[GM]

@Kent, if the Lakers weren't trying (and I'm not saying they were), it's on them. That's how good teams lose to teams worse than them. That's why they play the games. And it may be meaningless to beat the Raptors, but they still need to beat them. If they lose, then suddenly it's important. And if they waltz through games like that, they're going to lose some of them. Plus, you develop bad habits. It's human nature to play down to your opponent. You probably do it when you're playing someone who's not as good as you. I know I do when playing basketball, and sometimes it costs me. But again, as Doug says, that's why you play the games. Otherwise why not just agree before the season starts on who the best team is? By the way, the Raptors do this, too -- play down to their opponents. If they played as hard against poor teams as they do against good teams, they'd beat them all the time. But they're not good enough. Still, no need to diminish their effort yesterday. They were without their leading scorer and leading rebounder and were playing very very young guys. If the Lakers were without their leading scorer and rebounder and the Raps had won, you would have said, "Big deal, they beat the Lakers without their best players." You simply can't win with haters.

[SheikYurBouti]

Hard to beat that list of sentimental classics, but to toss a couple of more comedies into the mix: "We're No Angels" (1955), and I guess because I'm a Denis Leary fan, The Ref

[doug]

mention should be made as not enough is of UConn women's b-ball team winning their 88th straight...those that know b-ball know the significance of that..pretty impressive..

[Mauro]

why Andrea wasn't well dressed on the bench ?

[Kent]

Relax Raptors fans. I didn't say the Raptors didn't play hard. Of course they did. Who are they not to play hard? I was defending the author of the LA article, who according to another poster, had neglected to describe how hard the Lakers had to work for the win. Those who watch the Lakers regularly know that they played their "C-" game yesterday and cruised to victory. Thus it would have been inaccurate for the reporter to say that the Lakers had to work hard to win. If the Lakers were playing hard, trust me, the raptor would not have scored 110.

[Mark]

One washed-up ex-raptor for another. i think it´s kinda funny that the magic are now going back on their decision a year and a half ago to not re-sign Hedo, and instead acquire VC to pick-up the scoring slack. It´s pretty sweet that they picked up J-rich, but in the long run they´ve given up a number of young core defenders in gortat, pietrus and courtney lee.

[kelsey]

Colangelo should be given a award for somehow getting ride of Turk with out having to take back a bad contract.

Im sorry, I will have to drink the hatorade, I would love to see Hedo continue to flop in Orlando. I really just cant see him mysteriously trying hard and being the player he was...He is just like that darn Pizza commerical, yes coach, ok coach..blah blah...

Hedo is a dud and Orlando gets ousted in the 2nd round. Then this team is blown up next year..

[MJ Walker]

Great effort yesterday despite the loss. This team is far better than most people think and with the addition of one decent big they could become a solid play-off team. It's time for Bryan to pull some of his magic before they get too far behind. A Marc Gassol would be great. Unfortunatly they don't have a lot to give up as Weems and cash will not get a deal like that done unless Memphis is really desperate for cash.
Favorite play from yesterday--the crowd is still oohing and aawing over a Kobe dunk as Jose pitches the ball ahead for an easy basket and the rest of the Lakers are caught flat-footed.

[Smalahove]

If "Die Hard" makes it as a Christmas movie, then so does "Gremlins". The cutest actress ever. :)

[LeeZ]

Just read on one of the fan forums something I had been considering myself: should the Raps trade Calderon? Right now, his trade value is probably higher than it will ever be. Ever since he's been back in the starting lineup (and even a bit before), he's been playing great offence, and strong defence (and not just strong-for-José defence). He's running our team brilliantly. But...do you look at him like a long-term piece, who will be a rotation player by the time the team is contending again? If not, and if there's a young player out there with a lot of potential, do you make the trade? And yes, the case can also be made that keeping José allows him to have a good impact on all the young Raps, helping make them better ball players. To me, it's a difficult choice, but I think I'd trade him for a good young piece. Do you agree?

Blogger's note: I see him as a long-term leader of this team and believe the very, very, very last thing they should do is even contemplate moving him

[Chuck H.]

Little known fact: Phil Jackson's father is from Arthur or Mount Forest, Ont., somewhere in that vicinity. It's in one of his books. His dad went to Bible College in Winnipeg, met his wife who was from North Dakota. They married and moved to ND and begat Phil. The rest is roundball history. Wonder if Phil ever contemplates a road trip to his dad's home turf.

[J]

@ Leez, who said, "To me, it's a difficult choice, but I think I'd trade [Calderon] for a good young piece."

Nobody should ever be deemed untouchable, unless they are the #1 player in the league (and even then, I think it could be argued that the Lakers would trade Kobe and filler for LBJ + Wade in a heart beat). However, if you're going to trade Calderon, that "good young piece" better be a damn good young piece. Yes, I'm a fan of Calderon's, and no, I'm not overrating him; unless you have another trade lined up for another good ball-distributing floor general (then I have to wonder why the team we're trading Calderon to doesn't just go for the cheaper version of him and forgo losing the good young piece), I don't think you hand control of a young developing team to Bayless (not yet at least) and risk stunting everyone else's development. Any other position, sure, but not PG.