The usual fare and some picks for this afternoon

Oh, dopey me.

Here I was thinking today was a mail day, forgetting all about the Saturday night game and the need to do the usual drivel.

So, usual drivel it is and we’ll have a big ol’ mailbag tomorrow, okay?

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THREE POINTERS

No fallout

Yes, that was Julian Wright in uniform a night after refusing to go into a game when I thought a one-game suspension might have been in order.

But guess Bryan and Jay didn’t take my advice. Again.

But, truth be told, it probably was a de facto suspension since he got the DNP-CD and I imagine they felt compelled to have him in uniform because of the absence of Bargnani and Evans and the questions about the durability and health of Calderon, Barbosa and Dorsey.

It would seem the incident is now done and forgotten and if that’s the worst thing that creeps into the public in a season that’s among the worst ever in franchise history, then I imagine they’ll be happy with that.

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One thing to add

There is no doubt that, on the role he’s got on this team, that Leandro Barbosa does it pretty well. He comes in and scores and tries to energize his team and, most nights, that’s precisely what he does.

However, I think there’s one move that he could add to his repertoire that would make him even more effective.

How many times have we seen him rush a three-pointer to barely beat – if he does at all – a defender who’s closing out on him? He even had one shot blocked late in the game on a pretty vital possession.

But if he had a pump fake he could use?

A quick shot fake that would get a defender in the air and out of position and if he had that, how more effective would it make him getting to the rim?

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A work in progress

What do we make of Alexis Ajinca?

He got a bit more time than usual Saturday night and had a bit more than usual in Denver and Golden State thanks the drubbings and the injuries and the desire of the coaching staff to see what he’s got.

To me, he’s got very little that this team needs. Yes, he’s long and yes, he can extend defences with his shooting range but, really, on this roster as it’s presently constructed, I don’t think there’s a place for him in the future.

The cost to get him was negligible, in fact they did quite well by getting a second-round pick and the money to pay his salary for the rest of this year, but it was an experiment that really didn’t do anything good.

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More?

I’ve got some.

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Let’s see.

You give up 84 points in one half on Friday and 94 in an entire game on Saturday? Gotta love of the mercurial nature of a team of mainly young ‘uns.

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So, who’ve got in the Junos tonight?

You know, that orgasmic display of prodigious Canadian music talent that’s taken over the Air Canada Centre this week?

(And that’s why both the HOTH and the pucks have been away, I was told the music people needed the arena from about Tuesday on to get set up).

Truth be told, I haven’t heard of a vast majority of the bands, performers, rappers, hip-hop artists, or what have you that’ll be performing and I’m pretty sure I’m not going to be locked on to the TV to watch.

If I was, who should I pay attention to? I kind of know of Arcade Fire (caught a bit of the Grammys in the local after a game on whatever night they were on) and I seem to recall that Drake fellow from the never-ending loop of a commercial they played during last year’s NBA playoffs but other than that?

I’m lost.

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Do you think it means anything that the Raptors are 2-14 in the first game of back-to-backs and 5-11 in the second?

Not sure if I do but it’s kind of interesting and runs counter to the common perception that teams struggle in the second game.

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Hmm.

Nine games left.

Think we can all get through it?

This is without doubt the most trying part of the season, these last three weeks or so when it’s hard for anyone to get truly excited about the games.

Oh, the players and coaches will be up for them and – for the most part – will play hard. Once the ball’s up in the air the competitive juices take over but unlike, say, last year when the playoffs were a possibility right until the final couple of nights of the season, there’s no real buzz around anything.

Too bad, too. As I recall, getting ready for the post-season, or trying to qualify for it, can be fun. There’s a high level of anticipation for every game, I don’t mind a little scoreboard watching and it gives a guy a chance to show some enthusiasm.

Now?

Well, we’ll count ‘em down nine to zero, get on with the news that we’ll have to chase when it’s all over – Is Bryan coming back? What about Jay? What’s the date of the daft lottery? – but other than that, it’s more about meeting contest winners and trying to make stories at least mildly entertaining.

Too bad.

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What’d they say in Los Angeles about that game?

Here’s how it played in the Times.

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Why do I get a feeling that Earth Hour is a passing fad whose time has come and gone?

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Let’s get at least one little one out of the mail and since we’ve had a bit a change in the schedule because I’m dopey and don’t remember things like games, here’s one more shot to click here and get something in.

Q: Hi Doug! Last year we were hearing a lot about Demar and Sonny basically being attached at the hip.

This year not so much. Has there been some sort of a falling out?

Thanks!

 

Ryan Y, Toronto

A: We all wrote that story about a kabilion times last year, it’s old and, truth be told, boring. Yes, they still hang out, they still work out before games together, they’re still tight. But we’ve moved on.

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Butler!!!!!!

Didn’t I tell you just yesterday that they were the best story in basketball at any level?

Now I’m a bit miffed that when the Final Four semifinals are going on next Saturday that I’ll be sitting watching Raptors-Bulls instead of the college games.

It’s not that I all of a sudden like college basketball or anything because I don’t, but I do like a good story.

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Oh yeah.

You know I’m a bit of a sucker for underdogs so I’m all over hoping VCU wins this afternoon and as for Kentucky-North Carolina, they’re both too big and too high profile for me to care very much.

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Comments

[JHP]

Trivia question. Besides Toronto what over NBA teams are for sale?

Blogger's note: Sale? New Orleans, which is being run by the league, for sure. And I imagine at the right price, the majority would be

[Robert Bertuzzi]

If only the Raptors played as though every possession was a life and death matter the way the Butler Bulldogs do. Perhaps the loafing oaf of a centre should be made to sit down Clockwork Orange style and watch game film of Matt Howard battle on seemingly every possession. Instead, he is as soft as the pasta he advertises.
And you wonder why people love college basketball this time of year? No one is suggesting that the players are as good as NBA players. Butler has now made consecutive Final Fours with only one NBA player on their roster (as good as Shelvin Mack is it's not clear that he can play at the next level). But the intensity and passion is unrivaled. Sure it is impossible to sustain that type of intensity for 82 games that are 48 minutes long. So play less games. But we all know that greed won't allow for such a proposition to gain much traction.
Lastly, the condition of youthfulness does not causally determine outcomes. Just ask Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook. But youthfulness that lacks talent does. So whether it takes one, two or five seasons this roster as presently constituted will continue to be found wanting.

[DMcCalgary]

I feel you on the disinterest in college ball, while finding some March Madness stories so compelling. An underdog team, or player, rising to the occasion and outperforming all expectations. The way the game is played is near completely different than the NBA and not nearly as interesting, but the intensity brought on by what the occasion means to these kids always seems to produce great drama and unexpected results. Exactly what draws us to sport. I find myself engaged the same way watching Olympic competition in sports that I otherwise pay zero attention to.

I don't know how many of the MM games you've seen, but if you've seen Arizona, doesn't Derrick Williams look like the perfect prospect for the Raps at SF? Long, tough, athletic and he can SHOOT!

[Jim Rootham]

About Arcade Fire, I first knew Richard Parry (one of the members of the band) when his mother was very pregnant with him. His parents were musicians, Morris Dancers, his dad was also an actor/director/dramaturge. Ran Poculis Ludiquas Societas at U of T and the theatre stuff at the Museum of Civilization.

Richard is the Rock Star in the family, but his sister Evalyn is an even better performer. She just sold out a run of her show "Spin" about bicycles and related things at Buddies in Bad Times.

[Mike kovacs]

I know the chances are low but imagine the karma if the knicks miss the playoffs! Go Charlotte!

[James Online]

It’s being reported today. I saw it in person. Julian Wright refused to enter the game when the Raptors played the Warriors in Oakland Friday. Our seats are behind the visitors’ bench, so we get a good look at what’s going on. Wright sat at the end of the bench all night, wandered around during timeouts, and DID NOT LOOK AT THE COURT while play was going on. In the second half, Jay Triano (who has no business coaching in this or any league) called for Wright to enter the game and he just stayed seated looking to space.

One of our favorite NBA players, Leandro Barbosa (I”m married to a Brazilian girl of African and Italian descent, the Brazilian Beyonce, so we have our foreign favorites, “hello Marco”), looked incredulously at Wright and told him, “hey, coach wants you in, get in there…” Wright just stared off into space. He locked his gaze on the other side of the court, not where the action was going on, for the rest of the game. Barbosa kept encouraging him to no avail.

The Warriors could have easily beaten Toronto by 50. Toronto has made the big mistake of trying to win on the basis of sheer athleticism, not basketball skills, defense, and strategies. Watching Triano and assistant coach PJ (“Spree”) Carlesimo study their notebooks standing on the floor during timeouts down 40 with three minutes left is one of the funniest images I’ve ever seen attending games. Meanwhile JuJu chilled.

His agent obviously got to him and he has apologized for his actions, saying it “isn’t like me at all to do that.” Right.

How's that Young Guns thing working out up there?

Blogger's note: How grown up to come back and offer a cheap shot. Big league move. Quite mature.

[JimmyBob]

What say you to this?

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/basketball/knicks/2011/03/26/2011-03-26_if_donnie_walsh_is_let_go_by_knicks_dont_be_shocked_to_see_him_back_in_indiana_i.html?page=1

Blogger's note: I've learned not to get at all worked up about idle unattributed speculation

[Ryan J. Noth]

Hey Doug, I wish you'd qualify your post about the Junos. Just because you're lost does not mean there isn't great talent there to discover; which is kind of the whole point of an awards show, to celebrate and shine light on the top talents, even if they aren't (yet) household names. And for that reason alone, the Junos - and Canadian music in general - are worth paying attention to. At least as much as basketball or hockey, and especially more than the usual attention people in this country give to obscure draft picks, trade exemptions, and 4th line centres.

Blogger's note: At what point, please, show me where I suggested there wasn't talent, prodigious talent I believe

[Jeff Steele]

Is this realgm.com rumor bogus?

http://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/212590/Rumor_Raptors_Open_to_Moving_Bargnani

You'd think Ed Davis would've been getting more playing time up till now if there was any truth to this...

Blogger's note: No. Yawn.

[D-Mac Ottawa]

Compelling stories and intensity indeed, and that's why March Madness is so widely considered the greatest sports event going. These are kids who know this is their moment. Most are smart enough to know that this game, this moment, may very well be their last ever big-time game in hoops. But I'll bet every one of them dreams large, very large – and entertains hopes beyond today's game, and beyond an NCAA championship.
For a very few it's real, for the vast majority it's just the dream and the hope that drives every athlete to keep lacing them up, but I'll bet every one of these guys is, somewhere in his head, playing for that 'contract'. Wouldn't it be awesome if the CBA said every year was a contract year for every player in the NBA...
Cheers. Go Raps. Go VCU!!