They played, they lost, life drones on at its usual pace

Well, well, well.

That was something, wasn’t it?

Not sure what but it yielded this:

-

THREE POINTERS

Fire brigade

I knew it was coming, and there’d been a trickle that turned into a bit of a flood Saturday, and I guess it has to be addressed.

No, I don’t think Jay’s getting fired; no, I don’t think Bryan’s getting fired and neither should.

The kneejerk reaction to Saturday was predictable but the manner in which defeat was achieved was an aberration; missing 67 shots and playing atrociously offensively is not something that’s been an issue for this team so far this year. If it had been, I’d be stark raving mad having watched so much.

No, Jay’s doing what he can with a young, suspect roster; Bryan’s got the flexibility to make significant moves if they come up later this year or in the summer and it’s time to stay the course, not blow it up.

This is a young team with an unproven and sometimes over-matched roster and it always was going to a difficult and at times trying season. Anyone who thought otherwise when the season began was sadly misguided.

Toss in the loss of three key players in Evans, Barbosa and Kleiza and the inherent pressure that puts on players not yet ready for the roles they’re asked to play, losses are going to mount.

But to change course now? Silly.

-

A frustrating sight

I would be kind of supportive of Andrea standing out behind the three-point with his arms in his air and a look of exasperation on his face a lot of times (and I must have seen it a dozen times last night) if I were to once see something else from him:

Movement.

You know, a cut through the lane, a flare to the sideline to create some other space for cutters, something, anything.

-

He’s got a point

So it’s mentioned to Jay that perhaps putting Sonny back in the starting lineup would cut into the bench scoring production and he brings up a pretty good point.

“Our bench was getting about eight points a game for a while, so … might as well get them when we can.”

-

More? Yeah, there’s more. It’s what we do.

-

Two seats down from me Saturday night was the guy with the hardest job in the arena.

That’d be old friend Jimmy Powell (some of you Vancouverites may remember him) and he’s working, as he has for years and years, as an NBA scout for the Pacers.

At one point, when the Raptors had a rather odd conglomeration of players on the court, I looked down and wondered just how he was diagramming the 1-2 screen-roll with Jerryd Bayless and Trey Johnson.

And whether it was really worth his while to be there.

-

So you can deliberately punch a guy in the groin while he’s elevated taking a jump shot and the NBA does nothing about it?

Oh, wait.

Celtics-Lakers on TV today, right?

-

Wanna know what’s up in Minnesota, where they’re relishing win No 11? It’s here.

And they say this about the Pacers, in case you were wondering.

-

Got this one out of a rather full mailbag that’ll be up tomorrow morning sometime.

Q: Hi Doug. I was just wondering about the popularity of your website when the Raps are struggling.

Do website hits decrease when the team is playing poorly and increase when they are playing well? Just wondering about the dedication of the "irregulars" I guess.

Thanks, and keep up the good work.

 

Kyle S, Ottawa

A: It’s funny, but it doesn’t make that huge a difference, actually. Yeah, the blog hits (at least on the way I track them) are down marginally this season but they still average about 13,000 a day and if there’s an issue or news, they can spike. We had one day in the last 30 (not sure which one it was) that went over 20,000.

But there are some Irregulars who have gone missing, some I miss a lot (you know who you are), some I’m quite fine with not hearing from so I imagine the overall interest has taken a wee bit of hit. It’s why I’m thankful those who remain, do.

I must admit, thought, I’m kind of interested in what the numbers would be like if this team was really good.

-

Guess there was lots of room over at the TV broadcast location (better for Jack and Matt to chat and promote their T-shirts and generally have their fun.

Why the space?

There was no local broadcast in Minny of the 11-34 Raptors facing the 10-34 Timberwolves and there won’t be any next Friday when the same two juggernauts meet in Toronto.

Some programming exec needs a raise or a promotion or something.

-

Me? I’ve got the Wales tonight because I don’t think the Campbells have the depth.

What? Not like that anymore?

Oh, ok. Guess I’ll put on my AFC jersey and watch the other one.

-

I’m looking at the boxscore some Saturday, see FGA: 101 for Toronto and I’m thinking somewhere, Sam Mitchell is smiling.

And maybe not just because they got up 100 shawts.

-

The things you see in a lobby bar working on a blog late a night.

A horde of funsters comes wandering in, obviously from some event, and when they spy a guy sitting at a table typing at midnight on a Saturday, their curiosity is piqued.

And in the conversation that ensues I find out that Northstar Residential from here is having its annual Holiday Party and I’m thinking, what’s the holiday?

And it’s explained that, sure, why wouldn’t you have a Christmas/Hanukkah party on Jan. 29, doesn’t everyone?

-

Ah, Indy.

Best and most famous shrimp cocktail you can imagine at St. Elmo’s (think horseradish that makes your eyes water, shrimp that would make Bubba Gump blush) and dinner at the sister joint next door.

It would seem to be a day to forget about, you know, the job.

Except I know some of you still have questions and should send them here for the mail.

-

Okay, time to go catch the big bird to Indy, not sure about airport wireless here, I’ll get to the many comments (and the bit about not firing guys should rile up the stomachs of some of you) when I can.

-

 

 

 

Comments

[Blake Kennedy]

I don't think that Jay Triano should be given the heave-ho for having a team that missed a bunch of shots, but whether he stays the year or not is immaterial. I don't think he should be back. This team is quitting on him, they showed signs of it last game and he actually managed to temporarily reel them back in but this game they did. They're just not playing very hard, and that cannot be tolerated.

Last year, the Raptors were dead-last in the league in defense, measured properly by points allowed per possession. This year? Dead last, again. That's unacceptable when you have as many good defenders as this team has in its rotation (Johnson, Wright and Davis headline the list). Reggie Evans - who as a rebounder is unsurpassed, but as a defender isn't even as good as those three - isn't the answer. The problem is with the guys who ARE playing huge minutes, and Jay lacks the courage or insight to reign in those minutes. So he's never going to get the other guys playing at a high level defensively, because Jay has already established that if he thinks you're good enough offensively, you'll get all the minutes you want regardless of how pathetic you are defensively. And that's not proper coaching - you need to slightly overemphasize defense with basketball players or they won't get it done for you.

[jimt]

WoW,not fun in RaptorLand.I feel for Triano he is a good coach.lol gone are the days of feasting on the wolves hey when do we play the cavs :)

[MJ Walker]

Not many points of interest in this game but if anyone other than Jose had been making shots Jose would have had a triple-double. He only played 27 minutes, which is understandable in a blow out, but he already had 9 boards. For one night would love to see Jose do the Rose "ball-hog" act and crank up 25 shots. The other thing that amazes me about this team is the lack of big men with muscular bodies. Even going back to the Bosh era he was a "string bean" that players just pushed aside. Ed Davis has to put on some muscle and weight this off season. If he does he will be very good and may be the best of all the young players on this team not named Amir.

[jhp]

Good Morning

Tough game tomorrow night and hope they come to play. Will you be watching the Celtics/Lakers later on today?

Blogger's note: I presume so, if I can find a stool with wireless access so I can do some work at the same time

[steve]

who else out there thinks that the worst thing about watching raptor games is listening to devlin rehearse the same bits and phrases ad nauseum while the game goes ignored? it used to be that the phrase "this is a team.." preceded some wonderfully odd stat- but he uses it every five seconds. and i thought jack was going to start molesting kevin love at some point last night- we get it, you like him. now find something else to talk about.

[Joe]

Hi Doug,
I was wondering if you've heard anything regarding a contract extension for Colangelo. I recall Peddie saying in an interview in the fall that such a decision was to be reached by the board come the all-star break. Your colleague, Micheal Grange, has an article on it in the Globe. Link is below.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/basketball/raptors-colangelo-gets-ready-to-face-the-music/article1887438/

Personally, I think he should stay. Though the team is struggling mightly now, the pieces are in place for rebound in the near future. Right now, they have a decent group of 2nd tier players, with some having the possibility of becoming top tier players (ie DeRozan, Davis, etc.). Couple this with what likely will be a top 5 pick this summer, the cap room they will have, and the trade exemption, and I think there's hope for the future. With having to build around Bosh, Colangelo can now build the team his way. If you give him the chance, I think he'll do it. Thanks Doug.

[pooks]

Awwww....the feeling's mutual Doug!

It's the fault of too much work, not the HOTH :-)

[John]

What are your thoughts to Demar's fall off lately? Weems returning? Other teams paying close attention to him or is he just not that good yet but had a good run of games?

Blogger's note: I think he's an inconsistent second-year player attracting more defensive attention

[HopeCaper]

Hey Doug, great job as usual. I was watching Jay's interview and a thought poked out for me. He was expanding on the difficulty of being the focus of defence and what that can do to your game. It struck me at the time that CB4 went through this every game because he was the only real threat the Raps had. The only real time anyone else on the team lit it up usually was because they were focusing on Bosh. Which brings to mind all the carping on how soft Bosh was and how he wasn't a real alpha dog like LeBron and Dwayne. Then I wondered did these carpers even watch the games?

Anyway as Joni put it, "you don't know what you got til its gone". Happy travels.

[Johnn19]

Doug, going on the road on a baclk to back on a 10 game losing streak to play a team that your team had beaten 12 in a row, a very predictable result.

Putting up a season high 101 shots and making only 33.7% after a garbage time explosion, mask's an almost team record low of 28% FG makes thru 3 qtrs and 20 pt deficet.

Can't emagine it getting any worse, with Andrea and DeMar having two stinkers in a row, so maybe the only way to go is up and win a game for a change by shooting a high FG%.

[Ange]

Looks like the kids have run into a wall and have no idea how to get around it. Andrea's knees need a rest. Again, as long as the young guys (Davis, DeR., and Weems) are getting some playing time, and are improving there is nothing to worry about. Looks like we're playing for a lottery pick, whether we like it or not this year.

[Lazaros O.]

Of course the Raptors should not change course. Keeping course is the only way to position themselves better for the draft.

[Binder]

JHP you hit the nail on th head. How anoying are jack and matt becoming. FYI matt and jack there is a gome going on.

[jhp]

I just so a rumour the Pacer coach is done. Would that be the first change of the year?

Blogger's note: He is, it is

[Penny]

Hi Doug

Haven't commented in a while but still read everyday. When DD and AB are not shooting well, then Jay has to convince Jose to take more shots, especially when he is shooting 50%. Jerryd takes more shots than Jose and he plays a lot less minutes. Also somebody has to convince Sonny to take better shots. Just because they pass him the ball doesn't mean he has to shoot. Early in the shot clock he should be making the extra pass.

[True]

$25 million profit last year for the Raptors- PROFIT- while the team is terrible and the rest of the league is clamouring for a revolutionary new CBA in the face of unprecedented losses. That kind of profit amid these circumstances should be illegal. If anything, it only cements the idea that this organization, in this city, with limited competition has found a formula for financial gains in spite of perennially losing teams. What makes any of us think they will jeopardize their model? They obviously won't stand in the way of a winner (if it comes) but going out of their way to get one is another story. Why assume unnecessary risk? Until that changes, I think we will continue to see coaches & GM's protected by their contracts and a roster full of players who will stay (if they can stand it) and be re-signed until the team creeps up on the luxury tax threshold, at which point their franchise players like Mr. Bosh will be shown the door for zero compensation, thus creating a new 'generation' of buffer under the luxury tax level ($17 - $20 MM at a time). Lather, rinse, repeat- in the black all the way. I'm not emotional about this; I'm just sharing what I know. Why would they ever change? $25 million profit in a bad year? I can speak for all fans of those teams: Yikes.

[doug]

how do you know the Raps made $25 mill profit??...to get gold out of Fort Knox is easier then getting financial info from MLSE unless you have inside info (and any reporter or whoever tries to are passing guessing for fact) ....I never saw the game last night as really to watch the the present day Raps and Timberwolves isn't high on my list of Saturday night activities..but having read your blog and comments I must say I agree with a point being raised here..there will be games where your top shooters no matter what the team just have off nights, it happens, it's a long season, tiring players both physically and mentally...but when that happens Jose just has to look to score more, he can and should ...and in regards to DD, right now when he is the focus as Barg's and him were for a few weeks he excels...when he isn't or when Weems is playing or Barbosa is out there , he has a harder time playing to his strength , it's the part of the game he I feel needs to work on... also in regards to O'Brien there are at present two coaches that I as a GM would never hire as my head coach, may not be popular but I just think they are too one dimensional in their coaching...those 2 are o'Brien and Skiles they will never coach a champion as they don't know how to coach offense or allow their players to play it...they remind me of college coaches, they will coach a team to respectability but never,ever anything more...

[sam]

@true - false on one count - They didn't show bosh the door - He wanted to go. His decision....The Raptors offered the most cash -

[doug]

oh and one more thing..maybe Jack and Matt just get it....as like I said I never watched the game but I am more then familiar with there schtick and I love it..let's see Jack and Matt are broadcasting a game with one team that has 13 wins and another with 10, the one that has 10 is winning easily but yet people want them to describe the action on the floor, instead of talking about whatever else...maybe they were trying to do you a favour as what was going on on the floor wasn't worth describing...that game stunk, plain and simple and they were, are just trying to get thru it with some sanity....and some semblance of accepting, it is what it is...

[Rob.V]

Not sure why Matt and Jack have become the problem? You guys are watching the games, theres really not much to talk about... I guess they could just sit there and pick their noses while a 10 win team puts a beating by 30 on a 13 win team? It's the bottom of the barrel folks.

We're all frustrated... but its not their fault (although I will say the man crush comment for Kevin Love was funny!!).

[Binder]

schtick?? Are we watching a Vegas comedian of the 50's. No its NBA, its sports, its what I pay to see, 13 wins or 33 wins it does not matter. Jack need a blackberry, for 5 minutes?

[stoneman]

Well, if nothing else, this is when a real fan will show some mettle. And it isn't easy. The history of the franchise and its MLSE hockey cousins hangs over this year's squad giving ranters and 'experts' a hook on which to hang their pet theories. So much talk of 'facts' that is mostly not but opinion wrapped in bravado.

A recent ESPN piece spoke on the irrational 'relationship' fans have with a team and with the Raptors disappointing so many, I am reminded of a favourite old quip about stress being the space between expectations and reality. The amusing thing is that the object of all this anquish doesn't even know (or care!) that most of these voices even exist as individuals. But the business that is a franchise does know all too well that a W or two will swing all that irrationality across to the other side of the spectrum of fan emotion.

We know virtually nothing of life inside a pro franchise, a locker room, a practice floor, a timeout huddle, how the general manager works, what coaches say or do with players, or any of the myriad interactions and decisions; and yet will invest so much in Seinfeld's 'laundry.'

And we are free to get off at any time...

Sigh

The most pervasive evidence of intelligent life in the universe is the fact it don't visit here.

[jhp]

Celtics/Lakers.

Nice tight game and the pace resembles playoff basketball. It appears the Celtics may be able to out score them. Lakers need to step up!

[Lorie]

Hiya Doug!
Hope you're taking today off after the Monstrosity from Minneapolis last night!(Although I guess if you're reading this you're not; unless you're reading it tomorrow, which in that case it will be too late for this bit of advice...anyway....) I sure hope you were able to watch the Lakers vs Celtics game. While these may not be the best ever Lakers-Celtics teams, but it's still such a great collection of fplayers to watch. And I don't think they much like each other. Plus Ray Allen is likely going to pass Reggie's record for scoring. Which adds something even more! But then again, you may be reading this Monday after having spent the afternoon watching The NHL All Star Classic.

[graham]

it happens, Everyone who has ever played ball knows there are days when nothing, nothing drops. They will win again: ugly or with a good game, either way will be fine. No surprise Pacers fired their guy. Can't see how any can fault Triano for what he is doing.
Wonder if anyone has noted that DD couple of bad games have coincided with Sonny's return: not sure Sonny's focus is always the most positive influence on DeMar.