A dull game but it's still fun here

Well, that was rather a drab game, wasn’t it?

Boring opponent – and I mean snore-inducing, eyes-glazed-over, you-call-that-basketball – coupled with a rather uninspired effort by the HOTH and I guess the best thing you can say about it is that it got us one game closer to the end of the season.

As a wise person said, that was a virtual snooze-fest for sleepyheads.

Sorry to the MGD Best Seats people who had to sit through it – although they were gracious enough to not say anything when I stopped by at halftime.

Anyway, it did yield some fun bits.

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THREE POINTERS

Same play, different result

I guess if something works one time, you may as well try it again.

Down six with about 17 seconds left, it’s going to take a miracle to pull this one out and instead of showing off some new set or play that will quickly make the video rounds to 29 other teams, Jay goes to the tried and true method.

He runs almost the exact same play that got them that huge game-tying three-pointer in Oklahoma City a couple of weeks ago, a double screen for Leandro, who starts on the far side of the court so his man has to trail him rather than beat him over the screens.

Got a good look, too, but the shot didn’t go.

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A long, long time ago

And I still remember how that music used to ...

Oops, never mind

Anyway, I honestly can’t remember the last time the Raptors got a double-digit rebounding game from their small forward.

Ten boards for James Johnson, a career high that included a career high four offensive boards, may not be the greatest of games from that spot in the history of the sport but on a team that gets little rebounding from the starting centre and very little from the starting shooting guard, it’s a pretty big contribution.

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Emergency fill-in

Last possession of the third quarter, Jerryd’s got some foul trouble, Jose’s hamstring’s acting up a bit and he’s getting some rest and Jay needs a point guard to run one play.

What’s he do?

The obvious, goes to Leandro and we’re all kind of wondering what they’ll run on the one set they’ve got left.

Yeah, right.

We all know what’s going to happen. Leandro’s going to go around a screen, take off to the basket with only one thing in mind and try to make some kind of off-balance, banked-in layup.

Surprise, surprise.

Sure enough, he goes around the screen, gets in the lane, finds traffic and instead of throwing up a shot, dishes it off to Reggie for an easy layup.

We rub our eyes and get ready for the fourth quarter.

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The more?

It’s here.

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Okay, this is totally unrelated to anything but I typed myself a note about it so it must be important in my tiny mind.

A day that begins with a drive that includes with In The Air Tonight on the way in and Money on the drive home isn’t a bad thing at all.

We now return you to your usual digressions and pap and drivel.

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Having watched Indiana a couple of weeks or so ago, and now having seen Milwaukee up close and personally I can say without doubt that I am a proponent of lowering the number of Eastern Conference playoff teams to something less than eight.

Man, those two teams were tough to watch and that one of them, or maybe Charlotte, sneaks into the final post-season berth is hardly deserved.

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I believe it’s time to become a Jays fan.

No, not a Jay’s fan, a Jays fan because tomorrow’s opening day and what the heck, it’s baseball season.

My usual allegiance was with the Red Sox since about the first World Series I really got into was the magical one with Jim Lonborg and Yaz back in the day but I think it’s time for a change.

Seems this group of baseballers are a good bunch of guys, they can sure pitch the ball it seems and since it doesn’t appear I’ll be poaching any series to cover this summer, I can hope they win and not be professionally conflicted.

So, if you have to know, I’m going all in and saying 88 wins for the lads and big games until September.

You’re welcome.

Play ball.

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Not sure how many of you saw this story that I did yesterday on Carlos Deflino and the impact a concussion had on him (I had to use a search warrant to find it on our site) but it’s not a bad one if I do say so myself.

And wasn’t too hard to get because Carlos saw a familiar face and was more than wiling to sit down but I do have to tell you this, and I may have before:

Carlos is one very low talker and when I head to the closet today, I may feel compelled to pull out a puffy shirt.

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What’d Charles F. say about that epic struggle?

This.

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I wonder what Jay was really thinking?

You know him, right? He doesn’t very often take to criticizing his players publicly, at least not in the emotional moments right after a game when he’s meeting with the thundering hordes of media.

Well, a couple of times last night, it sure felt like he was biting his tongue, as coaches generally do.

I asked him about Jerryd, who really had a so-so game, and he gave me the “I thought he was okay” line from this game story, hardly a ringing endorsement.

And the Mom Mick says something along the lines of “What did you think of Ed? I thought he was pretty quiet compared to the last couple of games.”

Deep breath and …

“Same as you. Pretty quiet compared to the last couple of games.”

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One more Delfino note and he’s a funny guy.

We do our greetings, catch up a bit, tell a story or two and sit down to start the tape recording part of it. I look at him, first question is “So, how’s your head?” and his immediate reply:

“Still big.”

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Oh the good part about watching spring training?

Watching No. 82 scoring a run and No. 66 on the mound.

No clue who they are but I like them.

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First chance.

Send mail right here, you know how I love to hear from you.

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Comments

[pn]

When you head to the closet just be careful of hot irons, Doug; your hands are precious.

Blogger's note: Well played

[AT]

I can't hear In the Air Tonight without thinking about Mike Tyson in the Hangover...

[D-Mac Ottawa]

Tres cool, Doug, you breathe similar smoky fumes of hope for the locals just like so many of the rest of us do! 88, eh! Hell, why not? There's nothing quite like the anticipation of an entire season yet to be played, is there? Go yard, Jays!
We're with you, too, on that search warrant bit when it comes to finding stuff sometimes on the old website here. Are you aware that the primary link (under "Features") for your daily blog (you know, the one that used to say "Doug Smith Raptors Blog") has been reading "Recap: Utah 96, Raps 94" for, well, three weeks now? That's quite lame, in my humble estimation.
And if I may, I'd just like to direct readers' attention back to yesterday's blog comments, and the closing comment made by the indomitable Miz @Lorie. That is so perfectly stated that it should be committed to memory and replayed any and every time we forget that we're actually here to enjoy a game, some camaraderie and all manner of interesting (and sometimes downright profound) diversions. Thank you, @Lorie, for your level-headed, well chosen and entirely entertaining commentaries, and thank you @doug, for your obvious passion about the team and the sport we follow and your honest-as-the-day-is-long commentaries, and thank you Doug, for making this whole marvelous magical shebang possible.
Cheers. Go big or go home.

[Johnn19]

Doug:
Re Jerrod Bayless, so so by you is as much of an issue as ok by Triano.

He was a complete disaster, as were the rest of the bench players, with Jerrod leading the team and bench with a -16 rating, and Davis a -14, while all the starters were a plus led by Calderon with a +10.

While +/- is not a dependable way of measuring results, when it is so one sided it is a good indication of why the Rap's were not in the game, especially when Calderon was unable to finish.

The only winner last night were the ping pong balls, and if the Raps want a high pick the best idea is to sit Calderon with an injury, and let Bayless and Barbosa finish the season at 0-8.

[chili]

Number 66 on the mound. Juan Guzman is back?

[Chris]

Wow big expectations for the Jays Doug! I dont think the organization is expecting that many wins. They definetly have a great team but I dont see them winning 80+. I dont think they've replaced Well's offense or Marcums pitching. I think 80+ is for 2012, while being a legit competitor in 2013. AA should be spending all this extra Rogers money by then! Exciting times for Jays fans! I'm glad you jumped on the wagon before success is reached. Most will only come back when they start winning for real. Thats TO for you :)

[Nick M]

Great piece on Delfino.
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I'm usually behind you on all opinions Raptors, but...
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'88 wins for the lads(Jays) and big games until September'...
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That is definitely a fan talking!
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Next up, irrational comments involving trades, Farrell's managing strategies and player production on Griffin's Blog from Doug S/Doug in Mississauga/Raptors Doug!

[Mike D.]

I really liked the Irregular question/Doug response a few days back where Doug had to come up with the criticisms that would be aimed at certain NBA players if they played in Toronto. I propose that for the rest of the season one of the Irregulars should do this for the best couple of players on every opponent.

I'll get the ball rolling with Andrew Bogut ("Worst free-throw shooter I've ever seen, and as fragile as cut glass. Why pay $13mm a season to an injury-prone guy who grabs 13 rebounds a game but misses every free throw when we could pay Reggie $5mm and get the same thing?") and Brandon Jennings ("Inconsistent shooter, never passes the ball, and way too small to defend NBA-calibre guards. People can easily post him up, especially when Bogut's always injured").

[Dallas]

Great day to take a Chevy to the levy.

[Andrew]

Might be a good fundraiser - if Doug raises X amount of $$ for the cause of his choice from Irregulars, he'll look like a pirate during a 2011 - 2012 Raptors game.

[David in Oakville]

Hey, wasn't last night supposed to be Turkiye night? Didn't see a single flag and what happened to the Turk on the Bucks?

I was thinking it's been awhile since I heard you on the radio (morning or afternoon). Not enough interest in the Raps or have I just missed your appearances.

And speaking of TV theme songs of the singing variety, I was listening to the Ramones Live in NY on the way in this morning.. has a really kick-*ss version of Spiderman. How many TV Theme songs are good enough to be played live as a natural part of a set... John Tesh doesn't count, well for me anyway.

Blogger's note: Did radio yesterday morning at 10

[Lorie]

Hey Doug,
The levy may have been dry, but those good old boys were drinking whisky and rye. (Sure could've used a swig or two myself after that one last night.) I managed to stumble across your story on Carlos Delfino. Personal digression: a friend of mine has a 10-yr old son who is recovering from the effects of two concussions sustained within 3 weeks of each other: one while playing hockey and the other while playing in his schoolyard. His painful, slow and very scary recovery has meant in the short term 9 weeks of missed school that he's spent lying very still in his room. Long term effects, of course, are to be determined and are extremely worrisome for the family. Thanks for an excellent piece on an important issue. Now, about those Jays...88 wins? Big games in September? Why not? Let's Go!!!

[doug]

last nights game was so boring even my computer couldn't stand it any longer...with 3 minutes left, and following along on Doug's IGBT it just quit, well turns out the CPU is fried, even it had had enough of that, trying to tell me something I guess, so dug out the old dinosaur......@D-Mac I do have passion for b-ball, on the weekend my brother and i met as brothers do to just touch base, laugh, reminisce and talk about sports....him being a huge Leaf hockey fan, me b-ball...as we were talking about it all, it was then I realized how tiring it is becoming in T.O. not having a playoff team in any sport, so I went on this little venting tirade for a bit, my brother laughed and smiled...as did I but really all any season comes down to lately for both teams, is wait till next year, another long season and just hoping something positive happens....so @Lori i get it and realize what this blog is all about and I appreciate it moreso then even I realize as when I was away and no internet access I missed this blog thingie and the little community that has evolved.......but at the same time I just want a playoff game in one sport, any sport, is that to much to ask???...as it's not to hard as Doug pointed out, look at the Bobcats,Pacers,Bucks, there nothing to be proud of ....well hopefully the young guys keep improving, a few pieces added and viola playoffs:)))

here's a good list of must read music/rock books...

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/joe-tacopino/raunchiest-rock-star-memoirs_b_842849.html#s259589&title=The_Dirt_Confessions

[kathyt]

Did Carlos buy you Coke? ;-)

[Kent]

What's "tough to watch" is a matter of personal taste. I personally find teams that give up 120, 125, 130 really really tough to watch.

Blogger's note: And yet you apparently do. Go figure

[Kent]

Blogger's note: And yet you apparently do. Go figure

this may surprise you but sometimes people go to or tune into raptors games mostly to watch the team they are playing against.

Blogger's note: I'm sure the TV people love it

[joe]

Hi Doug,

I wanted to ask you a quick question about contracts/salary cap in the NBA. When a player, such as Klieza, goes out for the season with an injury, is the player's salary still counted towards the team's salary cap?

Blogger's note: Yes

[Binder]

You gotta love the Raps, who else can make a journeyman like Drew Godden look like Kobe.

[John]

Intersting stat... Weems played 7:42 and had exactly nothing to show for it on the box score. Nothing. Not even a FG attempt!

[doug]

another great day for NBA ref's ...he was a ex-ref but still it just doesn't reflect well on the whole profession....

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=6275568