All-star weekend duties and an unselfish guard (oh, and travel hell)

Good morning from Indy Charlotte Washington Philadelphia.

Glad I could catch up.

Been a rather, you know, horrific travel day but it’s about 9:30 a.m., am told Raptors have boarded their plane in Indianapolis so …

(Of course, the Raptors also boarded their plane Tuesday and sat there for five hours so you never know).

Anyway …

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Drat.

Now I have to work the Friday of all-star weekend on something other than my socializing skills.

Thanks, DeMar!

In case you missed it, DeRozan goes to the Rookie-Sophomore Waste Of Time as part of the all-star weekend festivities and I guess that means I have to, as well.

Grr.

Anyway, am I entirely surprised that Ed Davis got left off the rookie team? Not entirely but a bit, yeah.

By the numbers, he probably should have made it but don’t forget that no voter would have seen him for the first month of the season and that had to count for something. Oh, and his team’s a billion games under .500 and an afterthought.

Still, you could probably make a case for Davis over Greg Monroe.

But, seeing how Jonas Jerebko was the guy coaches took over DeRozan last year, guess it keeps up a trend.

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Man, I knew some of you disliked me and a lot hate Andrea but now you’re starting to hate each other?

Can you imagine what it would have been like here during the 17-game losing streak? There would have been cyber-riots.

I love this place.

And tolerate some of you.

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So, I’m sitting there on a nice stool at Champions in the Marriott as the ice pellets fall and snow comes down and I’m thinking, ‘man, what’s with this weather here in Indy?’

And then I realize, this is nothing.

Story time.

It’s the Final Four in 2006, the one with George Mason and Florida and LSU and some other team I don’t remember (UCLA, maybe?) and I’m covering it along with The One And Only Quag V 1.0.

We’re in the same spot – perhaps the same stool, making friends as we do – and it’s raining like I’ve never seen rain. Sideways. Hard.

All of a sudden, the PA comes on and we’re told to evacuate the bar, head to the second floor ballrooms because there’s a tornado coming.

(Yes, we were allowed to carry our glasses up there or else one of us might not have gone)

Anyway, we stand there for 20 minutes or so, the imminent threat’s over and we all traipse back to the bar to be informed that not only had a tornado perhaps touched down about a mile away, a John Mellencamp concert at the City Circle (think town square, only bigger) was disrupted when lightning hit a light/sound standard.

And yet I love Indy.

Go figure.

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Mail?

Got this one.

Q: Greetings from Spain! You've asked for questions and I've got one. A few days ago, you did a comment about Kevin Garnett's knocking Channing Frye and if this action deserves or not a suspension or a fine. Well, my question is about suspensions. I think that there are absolutely well deserved suspensions, but, to the team that has suffered the action, which is the benefit when the punished player is not ejected from the game and the suspension comes after revision by the league? Wouldn't it be better to make the suspension effective in the next game this player meets the same team? Maybe this way the action/punishment effect is lesser, but to the "offended" team would be fairer and it doesn't benefit another team, that could be even a competitor for playoffs.

Pablo E, Ovieda, Spain

A: Hola!

Here’s the thing, most actions that do result in suspensions also include ejections from the games they occur in so I guess that’s the way the offended team benefits.

I’m not sure something like having a player only serve his suspension in a game against the team he committed the penalty against would work; might be a bit more equitable but with the nature of the schedule, it’s unworkable.

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Speaking of weather, I can say unequivocally that football people tend to be, um, wusses.

All I hear all day yesterday is how a smattering of snow and some cold weather is ruining preparations for the Super Bowl.

And the teams are PRACTICING INSIDE AND THE GAME’S IN A DOME!!!

We landed there a year ago for the NBA all-star weekend and there was a foot of snow and things went off without a hitch.

Wusses, I tell ya. Wusses.

(And from what I hear, there’s not a whole lot of collective toughness being shown back home, either. Kind of soft snow days, no?)

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I wish there was some hot news breaking or some significant develop we could talk about with the HOTH but there’s not.

So let’s revisit something a few of you mentioned the other night: Whether or not Jose Calderon should shoot more often with DeRozan and Bargnani struggling.

I believe yes; Jay and Jose think yes, but with an explanation specific to Monday and Saturday nights.

Jay

“Jose’s got a very solid basketball IQ, he knows how to run a basketball team and I think he’s feeling for some of these guys and trying to get them the ball where they can make something good happen.”

Jose

“Maybe I could be a little bit more aggressive and I’ll try to do that sometimes but, I don’t know, I was feeling like we were having good shots. It’s not like we were forcing a lot … it was more good looks, missing shots.

 

“But you have to have confidence in your teammates that they’ll make the next one. That’s why I keep passing them the ball.”

The dude’s almost too unselfish but, you know, outside the last two games, offence hasn’t generally been an issue with this team so I don’t know that there’s a huge reason to change.

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Want to send me mail? I have no idea where I’ll be when tomorrow or even today to get to it (what are my chances the scheduled Atlanta-Toronto Delta flight Thursday goes off without a hitch?) but I will eventually. Promise.

You know the drill.

Click. Write. Send.

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All right, may as well wait for my plane in piece and quiet and hope the Raptors get out of Indy because if I get to Atlanta and they don’t, there is going to be one ornery Grunt.

Have a good day.

 

 

 

 

Comments

[LeeZ]

I posted a question late last night, but you didn't reply (I'm guessing you were too tired to respond that late, or maybe you didn't care to, but either way, I'll take another shot): Leo and Matt continually ripped into Andrea. Now, don't get me wrong, the criticisms were warranted, they were measured, but they were definitely unprecedented for Raptor broadcasts. In fact, I don't remember ever hearing such criticisms directed at a home team player by a home team broadcrast crew. Question: since Leo and Matt are employees of the team (at least, I believe they are), do you feel they are operating with the team's tacit or explicit approval? Or do you think the organization that pays them is none too pleased about it and will have words with them to tone it down?

Blogger's note: They're pretty autonomous but if they went to far in the opinion of big title-holders, I'm sure it'd be mentioned to them

[kelsey]

Good morning all, Yes Im not the biggest Jose fan, however I trully think at this point he needs to take more shots, he is a good mid range shooter and just to un selfish!!!

Honestly I like Ed Davis and he a positive for this year,Monroe is starting now and is putting up nearly double double every night. Both should be there, but I would take Monroe as well..

Yes Doug, they label me a Bargnani hater, however Im a Raptors fan and love to follow this team.

I want this team to win.. I dont see Bargnani as a #1 or #2 option and this team being succesfull...That being said, DeRozan needs to play better defense and rebound more, Weems shot selection is horrid and bad defense, Klezia is bad defense and questionable shot selection.

It hurts but Raptors may not win more than 7 more games this year.. Currently 3rd worst record in NBA!!!

[Norm]

Wait for your plane in "piece and quiet"??? Really???

Blogger's note: Sure, one piece and solitude. What'd you think I meant? :)
Of course, you skate through life perfectly, correct?

[Mike kovacs]

I see that atdhe.net has been such down. Anyone know of anything to replace it?

[Zorro]

"I see that atdhe.net has been such down. Anyone know of anything to replace it?"
.
http://88.80.11.29/ or http://atdhenet.tv/

[savid]

Mike: try atdhenet.tv and atdhe.me

[kelsey]

I dont think what they did was called ripping, its called talking simply truth...They were not colorful about it..Just stating the obvious, look at the replays, no boxing out, bad shot attempts etc...He is this teams #1 so he will face the most scrutiny..

I used adhte the 2 nights ago, hope is not down!!!
crucial for watch players on my fantasy teams!

[Pipit]

With the way things are going on right now, Doug, do you think Sonny Weems will be a Raptor next year? Is Barbosa part of the rebuilding process or another trade chip that Colangelo will be using?

Blogger's note: Doubt it and the latter, most likely

[Dave in Ottawa]

Leo and Matt even got a mention on this excellent article on the Raps and Bargs. The conclusion, we're doomed!!

http://nba-point-forward.si.com/2011/02/01/as-bargnani-falls-flat-so-do-the-raptors/

[Joe U]

I missed out on Irregular internecine post exchanges ? Damn my day job.

[The J]

I just looked up the Vegas odds on the Raps winning tonight. Apparently those odds do not change no matter whether they make it to the game or not.
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Wow 93 comments, on a game in Indy, with a team we all expected to be pretty lousy anyways. I usually only expect to see that many comments when the team is supposed to be a lot better and still gets a smackdown, like we had seen the past couple of seasons. You know, like after those smackdwons by Utah and Atlanta, and.... Uh, oh! Who are they playing tonight? I think the interwebs might explode tomorrow.

[Steph]

The "piece and quiet" you speak of is probably from fellow scribes of opponents. I would imagine there is a little good nature ribbing between fellow prose specialists?

[Rob.V]

I see that atdhe.net has been such down. Anyone know of anything to replace it.

NBA League Pass. Personally, it was either pay the NBA another $150... or be fitted for a straight jacket.

You'll get to watch proffessional Basketball teams there and everything.

[Richard]

Since snowmageddon didn't quite materialize here in Trona, but wreaked havoc on Doug's travel arrangements and somewhat isolated him from the team, leaving us with little new skuttle-butt to devour (We can all agree that Jose needs to shoot more and Ed Davis deserved more consideration for the Rookie stars team... right?) I will do my part to keep the fire burning from yesterday's "Love/Hate Bargnani" hotstove by responding to a couple of late additions to yesterday's comments (from this AM).

"@Richard
What circumstances, he was flying under the radar when Bosh was hear, he didnt rebound or box out then. Its been 5 yrs and no improvement in these area's!!! Why do you all think he is going to get it..Its a effort thing!!"

@kelsey
The circumstances were laid out in my original post yesterday, and Bosh or a Bosh-like big was not part of them. Bosh never was, and still is not the embodiment of a defense-first type of big, like Tyson Chandler, Kendrick Perkins or others I mentioned previously. Intimidating, shot-blocking, hard-fouling bigs who would not hesitate to get in a teammate's face (read Bargnani) for letdowns and lackadaisical coverage, I believe could greatly improve Bargnani's defensive intensity. And Bosh does not fit the profile so we have not had an example to draw conclusions from.

"this continual excusing of bargs poor rebounding & D is pathetic...it doesn't matter if he's a 5 playing beside amir/ed, or a 4 playing with a 'real' centre, he still has to defend & rebound at that position. and i'm sorry, but to think he's going to somehow be better at either defending against 4's than he is against 5's is simply asinine."

@yertu damkule
Sweeping proclamations based on an over-generalization of Bargnani's effectiveness doesn't really refute an opposing view. Not to mention characterizations like "pathetic" and "assinine" that really don't lend anything constructive to your POV.

"it seems to me that bargs' fans simply want him playing beside a player that is better able to cover up for his weaknesses, and who allows him to remain an unconscious chucker. 20 PPG!!"

Your point here is valid (except the unconscious chucker part), sensible fans do want him playing beside someone who can make up for his short-comings. They recognize his talent and value offensively and understand that you don't throw the baby out with the bathwater. His offensive versatility creates a very difficult cover for opponents, and he is learning to use that to his advantage.
I can not think of a team where every member was of equal ability and without shortcomings, to where other team members strengths were not required to compensate. It's part of chemistry in most team sports.

"woot!"
You got me here. I can't argue with that.

[jhp]

Doug is the in game thingy on for tonight? Got some snow here in Vernon Hills and I am presently suffering thru a snow day.

Blogger's note: I'm here, after many shenanigans, and we're a go

[doug]

yesterday's blog was bizarre for this year...last year there was a lot of angst and anger due to their late season swoon...but this year I thought it was pretty well accepted that it was a re-building year and going to be a rough ride at times...and it had been pretty civil, accepting banter all year long...then yesterday it was like whoa....pent up anger, frustration or what..I hope Barg's doesn't read this blog as he has had a rough couple games, but man the dude is doing alright...I don't think he deserved all he was given yesterday...he's one of 2 scoring options and the other is a second year guy, people need to reel it in and accept or wait judging until he has some different mates beside him....as a aside and since you brought up the NFL, and the Super Bowl what's with Goddell this week, talking about needing to reel it in...he's out of line , first his comments on Ben and disclosing what was said in confidence by other players during the investigation , now stating Belichick's apology wasn't "genuine"...come on Roger learn some tack and class I never was a fan of his as he came in with this new sheriff in town mentality when the NFL frankly didn't need it....now he's showing himself for what he is...some owners are already not pleased with him, he better realize they are bosses he's their spokesperson..I wonder if Bosh and him went to the same public speaking teacher..???

[D-Mac Ottawa]

How do, Doug,
When you said you were being shunted from the tail end of the storm in Indy right back into the heart of it in Philly, well, figured you were hosed right there. Hope you've found your way to Georgia by now, or at least a comfy stool in The City of Brotherly Rambos that you can IGBT from.
OMG, the gnashing of teeth and foaming of mouths is registering all the way over here in Ottawa! Angst-o-plenty! It's amazing how many so-called fans can't wait to spout smug told-ya-so's (Yo, Adrian!), as if there's something redeemable to be found in any of that.
You know, fans live and breathe on hope, and 96.7% of fans are disappointed year in and year out – news flash: 29 out of 30 teams are 'losers' in the world of 'what have ya done for me lately if you haven't won a ring'.
And the Raptors today are in the exact boat most sane observers would say they'd find were bound to find themselves in at this point, given the number of injuries inflicted on a paper thin roster. You may recall a famous sports line that applies here: "They're exactly who we thought they were!"
But what really baffles me is how the whiners love to call fans "homers" because those fan actually *appreciate* the game; the effort; the ups, yes, along with the downs; and the plain reality of sports, while still daring to express some hope. I tend to think it's the people who bleat and bark the loudest, the people who've gotten wrapped up in "their" team on a personal basis, the people who reel at every setback as if it's been directed at them personally and it all somehow embarrasses them on a personal level... the biggest "homers" going.
After all, isn't the team that we tend to follow most often a pure accident of geography? It's a game, folks. A magnificent game. The best sport on the planet. Enjoy it. Don't let it ruin your day (or your pocketbook).
Cheers. Go Raps! And hats off to Lorie; keep up the great good work!

[Ian Murray]

No offense to you of course, but I hope Andrea stays away from this blog!! He is getting a verbal beat down that would make Chris and Vince say WTF? The Minnesota game couldn't come quicker for you I bet. That seems the most likely time for the skid to end. They can't lose 2 in a row against them can they?! I kind of wonder what happens when Reggie returns. Fun guy to watch, but he's not a great chemistry guy on the court. Right now this team needs to be cohesive and having a player who puts a lot on the table, but takes as much off might be a problem. I hope for his sake he is traded. His skill set is much better suited as a role player on a good team. There's nothing wrong with that, many players have had a lengthy career doing that.

[m]

And hats off to D-Mac Ottawa too for such a calm, well thought out, and well spoken post. Thanks.

[sam]

@D-Mac Ottawa - @Richard
Spot on Guys -

[craig]

Had the "pleasure" of attending the Milwaukee game the other night. One amazing thing struck me, in shoot around with about 3 minutes to game time Sonny was heaving shots as he was sitting in one of the courtside seats. It was amazing to see the dedication to improving his game. I was wondering if you would ever see Bryant or Allen doing that. If that was me in highschool I would have been benched for a couple of games. Is this a glimpse of how Triano's control over these players is from day to day?

Blogger's note: Guess you missed the 4-4:45 shooting sessions that DeMar and Sonny put in with the coaches before every single game, eh? Then the video work they do with Eric Hughes on the bench going over their last game, eh?
Nice jumping to conclusions rip job, though

[doug]

I always said I don't believe in coincidences...and yesterdays lynch mob mentality towards Barg's has a direct correlation with Leo's and Matt's unprofessional diatribe that occurred all game long...people complain about Matt and Jack, well Leo was just totally out of line the other night....and yesterdays blog just mirrored his statements...not rocket science to see one was connected to the other...if that's how he coaches i can see why Dalembert walked away....

[Kent]

awwwwww...i too am hoping that Andrea doesn't read this blog and hurt his little heart. If he does, I hope Jose will give him a hug to make him feel like a #1 pick again.