Forget the game, mourn the streak

Of course someone should have hit a three at the buzzer to win that one, it would have been fitting, right?

But with this team, it would have been reviewed, ruled a two and they would have lost in overtime on a missed three

Anyway …

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THREE POINTERS

The right move?

Fair amount of consternation in some parts over the defence on Rudy Gay on the final Grizzlies possession.

No double team?

Well, I guess they could have.

But ask yourself this: What’s the one thing this team does maybe worse than anything on the defensive end?

Rotate.

So why get all kinds of guys moving when Gay had two accomplished scorers down low in Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol that he’d surely pass to the minute a second defender ran at him. And by the time it takes a second guy to get to him at the top of the key, bang, the pass is made.

As it was, they had Amir Johnson stay on the right side, where everyone knew Gay was going, the forced him away from the basket and into a fadeway shot.

He made it. Good on him.

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Good game? So-so game

Ed Davis sure looked good at times in the fourth quarter, didn’t he?

Three of his five blocked shots, solid post defence, strong play and good weak side help.

Laudable, all of it.

Wasn’t it, Jay?

“Ed played well in the fourth quarter. Blocked a couple of shots there in the fourth quarter and caused some problems but we needed him to get some defensive boards earlier and help us out on the glass a little bit.”

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But, oh, if they could

Not a bad post-game quote from Jay that kind of sums up the night.

At least the part where the Grizzlies hammered the Raptors on boards, turned 18 offensive rebounds into 27 second-chance points that was the difference in the game.

“We hold this team to 44 per cent shoot and it’s a pretty good job. Again, too many offensive rebounds for them but it’s not like we can pop a pill and get stronger for one game and then try to get quicker for another. We are who we are, we’ve got to be better.”

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Want some more?

Hope so.

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Okay, this isn’t going to mean anything to some of you but it does to some insiders.

Bryan Colangelo spent about $40,000 Monday night so (a) he wouldn’t embarrass his coaching staff and roster and (b) to give fans something close to their money’s worth.

How?

By signing Sundiata Gaines to what may amount to a one-day contract.

Early in the afternoon, there were plans to sign Trey Johnson to a 10-day contract. He’s the kid who’s leading the D League in scoring (which means very little) but they can sure use a backup 2-3 here.

And then Jose got sick.

Now, Bryan could have gone ahead with his commitment to Johnson and let Jay send out a team in front of the home fans with Jerryd Bayless as the starting point guard and Julian Wright or DeMar DeRozan, pick your poison, as the backup.

He couldn’t in all good conscience do that so they got a hold of Gaines, who hadn’t left town yet, gave him 10 more days (worth about $40,000 with his experience) and he’ll likely be waived today or tomorrow to make room for Johnson. Gaines gets paid in full, regardless, the Raptors get the wing they need to plug a huge hole and the bottom line’s a tiny bit off.

Not a big thing, no, but something.

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How’d that play in Memphis?

Well, I didn’t see a Commercial Appeal writer here so let’s see what they had.

(Not much, as it turns out)

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We mourn the streak.

Some more than others (hi, Lorie!) but I think most do.

It wasn’t a big deal in the grand scheme of things but it was pretty neat. It was something no other team had ever done, it lasted about a month short of 12 years (yeah, more than a decade) and it was kind of fun. So mock if you will but we all need a wee bit of levity in our lives, right? And if you don’t, I’d suggest therapy.

Some facts, unearthed by J. LaBumbard and his crack PR staff and stuff we were reminded of every game in the notes:

On Feb. 24, 1999, Celine Dion won Record of the Year and Song of the Year for My Heart Will Go On; on Feb. 26, 1999, the streak began. The streak aged better than she did.

Since the streak began, the iPod, Blue Tooth, the hybrid car and YouTube were invented; and I don’t know how to use any of them.

If you took Game 1 off to go to the movies, you could have seen October Sky, Office Space (neither of which I recall) as well as My Favourite Martian, which did not star the Phoenix Suns centre, sadly.

The total: The Raptors made 5,876 three-pointers in the streak and you can guess the top five, no?

If you can’t, don’t scroll down quite yet. But write down the names in order and if you get them right, give yourself a pat on the back.

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Okay, so they got rid of Giorgos Printezis in the Ajinca trade and I won’t have to worry about answering questions about him any more.

And I’m quite glad that none have you have caught on to the fact they still own the rights to DeAndre Hulett (second round, 46th overall in 2000) and asked about him.

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This is why I don’t mind spending the decompression hour post-game in the Harbour Sports Grille.

Walk in there Monday, see familiar and friendly faces, and they’ve got on the blues station on the Galaxie satellite service and it’s very, very, very cool.

I got some Makin’ Whoopee, Walking to New Orleans and, because Super Son’s a Pat Carey student, the Downchild Blue’s Band doing For Pete’s Sake made me sit up and take notice.

And may make me do something about satellite radio for the stinky Ford Focus.

I don’t know music, but I know I like that.

Question of the day: Memphis blues or New Orleans jazz?

(What? You want to do all basketball? These dudes are 13-32!)

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We still mourn the streak.

Not unlike the fact we mourn the 12 arenas that no longer exist as NBA venues but in which they made at least one three.

They are:

Market Square, Miami Arena, GM Place, Alamodome, The Spectrum, The Pyramid, Reunion Arena, Compaq Center, Charlotte Coliseum, Key Arena, IZOD Centre and Amway Arena.

Of those, I miss Market Square and Key Arena the most.

(In case you were wondering).

Oh, the answer from above:

Easy, peasy, right?

Mo Pete (801), Vince Carter (551), Andrea Bargnani (478), Anthony Parker (342) and Jose Calderon (300).

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All right, off to practice soon to maybe meet the new guy and see who got hurt last night.

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Comments

[John]

A final three to win the game would have put such joy into such a dismall season. It would have won the game, extended the streak, but most importantly would have spread the joy of free pizza!!!

[Derek S]

Morning Doug,
Not many might have noticed this, but thought it was a very smart piece of coaching on the part of the Grizzlies. On the last play of the game, Memphis put Hasheem Thabeet (who stands at 7'3") into the game, having not played a single minute up until that point. With Bayless trying to inbound the ball, the Grizz put Thabeet in front of him to defend the inbound, making it nearly impossible for him to get the ball to anyone (hence the reason he had to make a bad pass to Gaines).

I don't have a problem with the defense on Gay in the dying seconds. I do wonder when Julian Wright started taking free throw lessons from Shaq (or Reggie)? A couple of times he went to the line in the 4th quarter it looked like he was shooting blindfolded. I seem to recall him being a "fairly decent" free throw shooter for the rest of the season, but last night he looked completely lost - not just missing, but missing badly. Bayliss (as usual) looked good at times, but at other times was completely selfish with his offense (especially on a few key possessions in the 4th) and often was forced into turnovers or bad shots because he held the ball too long.

Doug - assuming Ajinca will need at least a few games to get somewhat acclimated to the team - within say "a week or two", how many minutes a game do you see him playing? I know he's no savior, but just wondering if he's a guy who you think should/will get a chance for regular (albeit limited) minutes, or if he's the new Patrick O'Bryant (meaning he only gets on the court in garbage time or if the whole team gets injured)?

Blogger's note: He'll be the fourth big, there aren't a lot of minutes

[CARLoS M,.]

is it wrong that I would rather they continued The Streak than got the Win last night?

[Matt M]

Alright I will no longer ask when Printezis is coming over to save the Raptors. But when is the Ajinca going to replace Bargnani as the starting center and lead this team to the promised land? [/sarcasm]

[Ted S.]

....I'll trade the streak for a top overall pick in the draft. Then maybe we can start a streak that actually matters. Like consecutive years in the playoffs.......or perhaps getting to the second round.....do that for a decade and then we'd have something to take pride in.

[skiff]

"Question of the day: Memphis blues or New Orleans jazz?"

Answer: Why pick just one when both are so fatastically great!

[Rob.V]

I for one am THRILLED that the streak has ended. FINALLY!!! we can stop talking about this (although I do think it is interesting to see how the world has changed over that period).

But really, what claim to fame is that for a sports franchise? I mean, while the Lakers and C's are celebrating their 800th championship Raptorland looks to a silly 3-point streak for Basketball happiness? When all you can hang your hat onto in 16 seasons is a 3-point streak, you've got problems... it clearly talks to an inept franchise. Also talks to the fact that we've been a jump shooting team for many many years.

I dont see it as rock bottom. I see it as a rebirth for this franchise. We're tearing this thing down BIG TIME this season... may as go all the way and start with a new mindset, one of which is maybe geared to owning the paint for the next 16 years... not the 3-point line.

Mourn the streak?, meh!... we should be dancing in the streets.

[Lorie]

Hello There, Doug:
Well, 'tis a sombre day here: I'm adorned in black, the drapes are drawn whilst the funereal sound of Mozart's "Requiem" fills the room. But, time (and a win or two) heals all hurts, and I'm sure tomorrow it'll be all "Walking on Sunshine" and high hopes again. (Hey Doug - didn't Mr. Sinatra do a nice little tune called "High Hopes"? Do you remember that one? Don't you think that would be a niftier "anthem" for the local HOTH than that Bon Jovi thing they play ad nauseum???) So, I snarkily (can that be contagious?) suggested last night that maybe the Raps should start a different Streak of "Games Without A 3-Point Basket", but I didn't mean it. The boys sure tried hard once again, and it was an entertaining evening. They're a fun group to watch. So, in the words of Ivy Baker Priest: "The world [not to mention the basketball!] is round and the place which may seem like the end may also be the beginning." RIP "The Streak". Thanks for the memories.

[Josh]

How about a list of the top five most memorable three-pointers made during that streak?

[Gus]

Would someone please tell Derozan and Bayless that they should not be dribbling unless they are actually going to the hoop?
Aimless dribbling, while they are under pressure just doesn't make any sense. Pass the ball and cut!! Set a pick!!
Too much movement with little purpose.

P.S I am old and cranky.

[joeu]

Hi Doug,

Thanks for the pop quiz - I had Andrea 5th not 3rd, and I had Alvin instead of AP ( mostly because I forgot about AP - sad! and needed a name there. )

And of the more important question:

B.B. King, Robert Johnson, Howlin Wolf, Junior Wells, the cradle of Sun records ... I'm going with Memphis blues, while the night is young.

[Bob (Mississauga)]

Thank goodness for Cleveland. A look at the standing this morning has us tied with New Jersey for 2nd last in the Eastern Conference.

Maybe the ping pong balls will be kind to us during the draft pick lottery...

[dc]

In a season of low expectations, the death of the 3pt streak is just another reason for Toronto basketball fans to continue to tune out the local franchise. The stadium looked half-full, or half-empty, and has looked that way even on 'marquee match-up' games. This raptos squad has crossed the half-way point of the regular season with 13 wins. They will be hard pressed to get 13 more with the lingering injury issues and the severe lack of depth of talent. This team has 10x the mental toughness of the teams of the past 3 seasons, the problem is they only have about 1/3rd the talent. 26 wins would equal a 2nd from worst franchise low, if my memory is correct. Combine that record with the non-emergence of bargnani as a respectable post defender, the lingering injury issues with pgs and wings, and now the loss of the 3pt streak. For raptors fans, this could possibly be the worst season in franchise history. Which means it only gets better next season!

[D-Mac Ottawa]

Morning Doug,
For all the scary karma that's building down in South Beach, I just have to believe that some really good karma must be building in the Big Smoke. These guys work too hard and they keep their heads up, right where they belong, even after dropping eight straight... something good is bound to be coming their way any minute now... isn't it?
Meanwhile, every Rap who isn't a point guard has to know that, when Jose isn't on the floor, you can't stand around waiting for Jose to get the ball to you in your usual format. Move to the ball, guys. Set more screens. Help your helper.
Gotta go with a slight nod toward Memphis blues, I'm thinking, Doug. One of the perkier things that's happened since I moved to Ottawa is the intro of Dawg FM, a really nice little blues station. Makes my day!
Cheers. @CARLoS, with sympathy, but nothing to do but root for W's now! Go Raps!

[Jeff]

The printer scene from Office Space is one of my favourite movie scenes of all time. Well worth searching on YouTube (whenever you figure out how to use it).

[jc]

Shouldn't your subtitle today be "Two Pointers"?

[LeeZ]

Doug, are there any plans to bring in a shooting coach (Hopla or someone else) to work with this team, and specifically with two players: Derozan and Wright? Because both players are only a jump shot away from being excellent players in this league. Derozan still has that hitch in his stroke (not always, but often enough), plus a propensity to "fling" it from behind his head. Whereas in Wright's case...god, where do you start? It's a complete mess. But with a decent jumper, Wright could be a legitimate starter in this league.

Blogger's note: I've heard no plans

[Boko]

CARLoS M, the only reason to play the game at all is to win. EVERYTHING else is secondary & minor. Yes, what you suggest is wrong. Unfortunately, too many of the current Raptors don't get it, either ...

[The J]

Yeah, as lame as it sounds I am more sad about the streak then the loss. When a team is 13-32, you expect losses, and though Memphis is no powerhouse, they are a much better team than Toronto. But the streak was fun, at least more so than tracking wins on a 13-32 team. Though, I had been thinking this year was likely to be the year that the streak died, seeing as this team was so devoid of 3-point shooters.
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Overall the streak is fairly impressive. On the surface it sounds easy, at least one 3-pointer every game, no problem. But if it was easy every team would be able to do it, and they would all have streaks going. But the funny thing is that this streak was by the Raptors, not say, the Lakers, or Spurs, or Mavs, or any team that has been solid over the past many years. This streak started with a okayish team (VC's rookie year?), had very few good teams through the years, and ended with a lousy team. The fact that it survived that many lousy years might just make it more impressive than if it was a Spurs streak.
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Doug, do you think there was any knowledge that the streak was dying by the players or coaches on the bench? Do you have any sense of whether or not they even cared. I guess it makes sense that it would die in a close game in which they would be more focussed on the task at hand then jacking 3 to keep a streak alive.

Blogger's note: I think most knew but it wasn't something they were going to force

[ditch]

Non-basketball remark, Doug.
If your son digs Downchild, there is a documentary making the rounds on the TV movie networks "Flip, Flop and Fly" which tells the history of the band with Donnie Walsh et al. Brilliant!

"When I get the blues gonna get me a rockin' chair. "

Blogger's note: Oh, he's seen it; I haven't had the chance

[jimt]

how cool would it of been if gaines hit the three to win just like he did in utah,but i still wish we we had miracle man mo pete,cya streak.Whos the leader now is it dallas which was on our tail?Doug do you make deals on your blog?if you can get me an autographed matt n jack tee then ive got a starmate3 for your stinky focus,good deal no?(i dont drive anymore and its been sitting in my closet).

[Thane]

Ironically, Office Space (great film, by the way; really funny and clever) was written by Trey Parker (and Matt Stone, but let's forget about that for the moment). Fairly appropriate name for the start of a three-pointer streak, no?

As I recall, there was another team about a dozen games back of the Raps in terms of a 3-point streak. Are they still going?

This might be a very short record if they are.

[Kent]

Hang a banner for the 3-point streak. Put it proudly beside the Atlantic Divisional one.

What a joke of an basketball origanization.

[Karen P]

Hey long time no post on a slow news day thought I would share what I thought was a good read from a SSH talking with Bryan at Real Sports...Enjoy=)

http://forums.realgm.com/boards/viewtopic.php?t=1086840

[kazbid]

doug, in ur humble opinion - how many teams would u say have less talent (on paper) than the raps?

and i'm not asking this to dis the raps or BC..but actually to praise Triano. I haven't been sold on him as the best head coach but given the talent level on this team, i feel like he's done a decent job.

even worse teams at least have one all-star calibre player, i.e. sactown with evans and minny with kevin love. the only player the raps can compare to those guys is bargnani and i think most in the NBA would pick evans or love over bargnani.