Dangerous times for a banged-up bunch

Sorry, a little bit late.

Thought I’d had this whole central time zone thing figured out, guess the body clock didn’t quite agree with me.

Anyway …

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How much more of this these guys can take?

Playing hard, getting close and losing has to be taking some kind of mental toll on a young team and I’m really wondering if, or when, they’ll come up with a stinker.

All season, they’ve been “rewarded” with victories out of nowhere – the one in Orlando, the one at home over Boston, beating Oklahoma City – and it’s given them reason to believe in what they’re doing.

But with these losses piling up and three games in four days coming against three of the very best teams in the league, I hope there doesn’t come a night when they just throw their arms up in the air in despair.

It may not happen because they have been quite resilient but if it does, I don’t think anyone should be surprised. These are young kids and the grind of losing when you’re doing your best with an under-manned team has to be hard.

A win or two – and they might not come until they get home and get relatively weak teams next week – will ease the feeling, I’m sure; it’s hanging on until then that’s the issue.

That’s going to put an ever heavier onus on Jay and his staff to try to come up with ways to keep them close, engaged in the process and believing that what they’re doing will eventually pay off.

I believe it will because you’re seeing improvement in individual skills but players are all about instant gratification and the penchant for slacking when things don’t go well is real.

On the other hand, it will give Bryan and Jay and you a chance to see the true colours and mental toughness of these guys because continuing to battle hard against superior talent and long odds is how you get better.

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Hey, did I miss the Carmelo Anthony trade?

Must have happened by now, right?

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Body count at Raptors practice here Tuesday?

I’m told – and I spent almost the entire day flying New Orleans-Houston-San Antonio so I missed the workout – that Jerryd went and should play but Kleiza, Calderon and Bargnani got the day off from on-court stuff but might have done some lifting.

If I had to guess, and it comes from quick chats with people over the day, I’d say all but Kleiza strap it on for tonight.

Speaking of Kleiza, he told me the other day after the Hornets game that he first banged up his knee in the first pre-season game way back in Vancouver when Grant Hill fell on him and it’s been bugging him the entire season.

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What’s up in San Antonio?

This from the fine Mike Monroe.

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And proof that persistence pays off:

Q: Doug, I have never gotten an answer to any of the questions that I have asked on your Blog, BUT I KEEP TRYING. Question.

How does a bad team like the Knicks go from horrible to extremely good in 1 year? Amare alone did not change this team. Why are the Knicks so successful but my Raptors are still horrible? Can one superstar make a difference?

 

Drew L, Edmonton

A: I’m going to take issue with your contention that the Knicks are “extremely good” to point out the flaw in your argument.

Yes, they are better than the atrocious team they were a year ago but to think they are on the level of the top five teams in the East is, in my opinion, a stretch.

Amare did change the team substantially because the attention he attracts from defences allows others to have more room to operate, they hit a home run with the Landry Fields draft pick it appears right now and Raymond Felton is playing better than a lot of people might have thought.

So, why? They had three key additions brought on by free agent money they seem to have spent wisely (although I’d still be worried about Stoudemire’s long-term health) and a solid draft.

If the Raptors ever do that, they could rise to the level of the Knicks’ mediocrity right now.

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So, a guy stops at a place for an aperitif and the fellow serving them wonders where the visitor’s from.

“Toronto. A sports writer in for a basketball game.”

“Oh, yeah? You know who’s from Toronto?”

“Um? Me?”

“Cito Gaston! My dad used to play baseball with him. Great man.”

“Yes, he is. Oh, and John Gibbons is from here, too.”

“Who?”

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So, there’s a chance the Spurs will be without Matt Bonner tonight, I think.

A sore knee kept him out of the last game and can’t find definitive word on whether he goes against his old team.

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Yes.

Spurs by 12.

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Mail?

Sure, I’d love some, thank you very much.

You can drop your innermost thoughts to me right here.

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Four losses in the row for the Heat, who are hurt and reeling?

I would imagine more than a few fans would be feeling quite good about that, wouldn’t they?

But what the Miami losses have done is put some juice into the standings; there’s huge muddle of four teams chasing Boston at the moment and it’s at least made it interesting to think that one of those four -- Miami, Chicago, Orlando, Atlanta – is going to have to get the Celtics in the second round of the playoffs and that’s to be avoided at all costs.

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Shootaround later, we’ll see you here at 8:30 p.m. East, right?

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Comments

[joeu]

"Oh, and John Gibbons is from here, too.”

“Who?”

Thanks for the only laugh I may get today.

[Bill]

Miami's first turnaround was against LeBron's former team. Could their second turnaround be their other free agent acquisition's former team that's coming up soon?

[dribbles]

Is this the first time Kleiza's knee problem has been made public? When he was struggling early in the season, I thought it was his achilles. Then he put together a few good games and he and Jay were talking about how he was feeling so much better and had some lift that he didn't have earlier. Now he's been struggling again and he has a knee problem that's been bothering him all season? I don't doubt the guy is hurt, but I find it odd this hasn't come up before.

Also, given this team is in rebuilding/development mode right now, why is Jay/BC so intent on playing guys who are hurting so many minutes when they can play some other guys? What's the harm of giving Alabi some minutes, or Dorsey more minutes, when Andrea is clearly struggling, is hurt, and is being forced to play over 40 minutes against NOH? If Kleiza's been hurting, maybe Wright should have been getting more PT, which he should have been getting anyway. I understand winning games is always the goal, but in a season like this it shouldn't come at the expense of a player's health.

[LeeZ]

I think most Raptors fans will tell you that the main reason they're happy when Miami loses is because our draft pick via the Heat gets better and better. Also on the topic of the draft, what's happening this year is great, in my opinion. I agree with you, Doug, that tanking is horrible. But giving a full-out effort every night, showing signs of promise for the future and not being rewarded with victories -- mainly due to all the injuries -- leaves the fans (well, at least this fan) happy that they're watching exciting basketball and that we'll be getting a great pick in the draft. I'd much rather have that then have them muddle through like last year, only to fall just short of the playoffs and just short of a good draft position.

[Lawrence]

It is January 20th tomorrow. This is important as it marks the day that Bayless and Stojakovic can be traded in combination with other players.

Is there any hustle bustle going on?
Is it possible that this date and the expiring restrictions are part of the hold up of any Carmelo Anthony deal?

Blogger's note: No, and since Toronto's not involved in anything to do with Anthony, no.

[Filip T]

Vegas line is actually Spurs by 12

[Paul Stevens]

Two reasons players who are hurting are playing over guys who need to develop.
1. Given the mess in the Eastern Conference, Management may still believe there is a chance for a playoff berth, which means at least two more games of ticket receipts, TV money etc.
2. Fans are still attending games hoping for a win for the home side. would they come to the games to see 20 home games of player development? Raptors are having quite good attendance considering their record. Throwing in the towel at this point would hurt ticket sales considerably I expect.

Paul

[O.J.]

Everybody gets on Triano for what they deem his bad coaching but as you point out, with the injuries has he had much to work with? Even without injuries this team would have to be extremely lucky to get the eighth spot. I think he is doing a decent job. In the New Orleans game I saw him shouting at Bargs to grab a rebound. Rebounding is effort. If Bargs decides he doesn't want to grab boards (as he often does when his shot isn't falling) the only way Jay can punish him is to not play him. Personally, I would have run Joey Dorsey out there more instead of playing Bargs for 42 minutes, at least you know he will rebound. After 41 games, unless and Bayless, Davis and Amir develop substantially more this year, I think we have established what we are defensively and that is, not very good. If you were Bryan wouldn't you be pushing very hard to get someone in the starting lineup who rebounds well (Gerald Wallace), doesn't settle for jumpshots and is an above average defender?

[Tim W.]

I have to say, I'd never heard pf John Gibbons, either.

[Pipit]

Doug, no need to pre-condition the minds of the Raptors followers that there will be a blowout sometime in the near future. We know there's a high probability that it will happen. Pretty much, a lot of the commenters here know basketball better than you.

Blogger's note: Man, that was cheap and not necessary. Thanks. Present company excluded, you forgot

[Mark]

Hey Doug,
Is it safe to say that, at 13-28, Colangeblow is letting The Raptors tank the season at this point?
I know that he's denied it up to now, but shouldn't he have done something to fix the gaping hole in any/all positions by mid-January?

Is next year's draft class worth this?

[LeeZ]

"Pretty much, a lot of the commenters here know basketball better than you." Doug, I beseech you: don't print gratuitous crap like that. Why don't you come up with some sort of blog code of ethics that you can post on this site. In it, you could indicate that disagreeing opinions are acceptable, and even welcome, as long as they don't devolve into infantile name-calling. I think I speak for most when I say that it's getting tiresome to have to read garbage by the likes of Pipit.

[Matt M]

I thought Pipit was banned. Might be past time.

[Rob.V]

I'm glad the poohbas in Raptorland read here and listened to my plea (yeah right) in having Ed Davis play 30-35 minutes a night.

In any case, he has been the last couple and so far, so good. I know it's only been a couple of games however it would appear that Davis has more tools in the tool shed at his disposal - that are condusive to "winning"... compared to ex #4. He plays 10 feet and in, he has a knack for rebounds, and will get you 2-3 blocks a night!! It's great experience for him to get pushed around by bigger and stronger guys on the defensive end this season... but once he gets stronger he's going to be a good one, which will only help us down the line.

[Leaf Fan in Van]

This is a recording, we need a real coach...

Blogger's note: Yawn. This is a recording.

[Eddy]

Mediocrity, Raptor fans can only dream of reaching those dizzying heights some day.

[Ksmack]

The raptors have no choice but to build through the draft over the next few years until they have an identifiable core to build around. Bargnani and Derozan are fine pieces, but BC still needs to continue to draft the best players available, regardless of position. The team shouldn't settle on any of the players on the current roster. In my opinion, everyone is tradeable, as long as it is the right deal. Hopefully in 2 or 3 seasons, the team can add the veterans needed to provide leadership and stability. Colangelo's experiment up to this point has failed. They need to retool entirely - and realize that this isn't going to happen over night.

[doug]

I can honestly say one of the best things that has happened in my life from a technology aspect is the invention of the internet...it's just a phenomenal thing in terms of info, news, educating ourselves, quick references,entertainment etc....but the one thing I find disconcerting about it, is how people hide behind monikers and by doing so just feel they have the right to ridicule,belittle and just be rude....me what I say on this blog (and this is the only one i ever comment in) is exactly how I am in real life, my answers here, my opinions the way i present myself is just me and many others here on this blog are the same...people like @pipit are the type that mystify me, you come across as you are in real life a coward, a spiteful , classless individual...you may say you aren't but your actions prove otherwise...hiding behind a mask on the internet and if you saw Doug in real life, you wouldn't have the cajones' to say a peep...you are what you are...sort of sad, not sort of actually it is, I feel sorry for you...cheers for the blog Doug, not only for your insights,opinions and thoughts it's much appreciated but also the time and the effort you genuinely put into it...cheers...

[J]

I'm glad Pipit finally put his distaste for Doug into words; he's been skirting around it with his silly posts. Now maybe he'll put that distaste into action, and finally bugger off. It's fine to disagree with Doug, but I can only imagine how bitter he must be to think he is superior yet feel the need to follow a blog on a daily basis just to prove that superiority. I feel for you, man.

[John]

I have no idea what the reason behind the Pipit blog was. I actually found it funny to point that it was such a stupid thing to say about Doug’s observation, in Doug’s own Blog!
Pipit, go do something constructive with your life, like start your own blog so you and the other person who would read it can agree on everything.
At the very least, whatever side of the bed you got out of today, get out of the other side tomorrow...

[sam]

Pipit and Eddy - spreading sunshine on this winters day.

[Peter]

Hey Doug,

Thanks for the blog.

I know the Raps are not winning a lot lately, but they're playing about how we thought they'd play I think. No one expects the Raps to win a championship this year, and making the playoffs is a stretch as well, so the idea of building the team over the next few years into a competitive franchise is something I'm all for. That doesn't mean that Bryan or Jay don't "care about winning" or are "tanking the season." It's about having realistic goals for the short and long term.

I know that we live in an instant gratification society, and fans are not always willing to wait for success, but I've been more entertained this year than last, and I like the development of our young players.

Oh, and I agree with other posters that comments like the one from Pipit really aren't part of the community you've built in this little corner of the web.

Thanks again Doug.

[Lorie]

@Peter and @doug and Other Like-Minded Commenters: What you write is so true. And that's why comments like Pipit's stand apart (and cause one to read in disbelief at the mean-spirited content) when they occasionally rear their ugly little heads in this community. We're such a diverse group: all sorts of basketball fans with differing thoughts, ideas and opinions, but also for the most part respectful of those differences and the right (and ability thanks to Doug) to share them. Maybe we need the Pipits et al to remind us of how great this bloggy place is. Ahhh, what the hell, Doug. Screw that. Ban him!

[graham]

I wonder at those complaining about Jay over-extending some players minutes, be it the young guys or Bargnani on his 2 off games this year: looking at the players available as in dressed, in uniform and able to play, who exactly is Jay supposed to trot out there? Bargnani and Calderon missed practice: possibly, probably, with a full roster they might have sat out against New Orleans -- didn't happen: Jose played hurt because Barbosa is out and Bayless is hurt worse them him. Bargnani played hurt, got torched rebounding by Okafor, who ranks in the top 5 in the league for..rebounding. Yeah, Alabi would have been better along with Davis (really build up the rookie's confidence) and Amir -- not yet fully fit either.
All star break will actually be good this year. Those not traded will get a chance to get healthy.
Even with a full roster, how many games could/should the Raptors be expected to win on this 5 game road trip? 1?
As long as they give the effort they have all season I'm much happier with this year's team than last year -- next year they will be better, keep the core together, allow them time to build and then add the key pieces. Offense is always easier for a group to play because you can go 2 man game or isolation, than defense that requires the same group to be a team.

[doug]

I don't think @pipit should be banned as I am a firm believer in freedom of speech, were becoming far to much a society that reacts by excluding those who don't agree with our viewpoints, right wingers discredit left-wingers and visa versa, certain tv networks thrive on excluding a exchange of dialogue etc, etc...to me @pipit can say all he wants , by him doing so it's just showing his ignorance, lack of respect, it's him that has to live with it not me...on another b-ball related topic the Spurs playing the Raps reminds of a topic my buddy and I had awhile ago, this may be better suited for the mailbag,,,but he asked me who i thought was the most under-rated player that played the game..I thought and I have two, McAdoo is one as he was a precursor for a big man who could play both inside and out and just score,which are prevalent today...the other one played for the Spurs and in fact with Duncan, and it's David Robinson, as he was just so fundamentally sound, so good defensively and offensively and just the epitome of what you'd like in a big man...but to me whenever there is talk of past centers he isn't in the conversation very often or more importantly you ask a lot of young fans if they know of him, in most cases they haven't...to bad he was one of the good one's...sometime I would be interested in hearing your opinion on most under-rated past players....