We're kind of all over the map here today

We’re talking strategy, discipline and, of course, some DWTS.

Have fun.

-

Seriously, how hard can it be to foul a guy?

Dude catches the ball, someone wraps him up, foul committed, case closed.

Right?

Wrong.

Take, for instance, the strange case of Andrew Bogut, who could very well lay waste to the Raptors tonight.

He’s among the worst free throw shooters in the NBA – 44 per cent coming into this game – yet he shoots only about 3 1-2 per game, which means that while every team in the league knows his weakness, none seem capable of truly exploiting it.

So why can’t the Raptors – or anyone – foul him, Jay?

“I’m not sure. I just think he’s very crafty and you think you might have him one way and he finds ways to avoid you blocking his shot or getting a good hard foul in on him.”

I have no idea what will unfold tonight – remember the game here earlier this season when the Raptors really tried to foul in the overtime period but couldn’t? – but know going in that it’s part of the game plan, it’s just a matter of making it work.

But, like every other team in the league, what’s good in theory may not work in reality.

-

Oh yeah, one more Jay on the fouls:

“We don’t have a hard time fouling other guys when we don’t want to.”

-

On, he’s a sneaky little fellow, as my Grandma used to say.

I’m standing in the doorway out of the practice facility yesterday as the players are filing out and perhaps I’m blocking the exit just a little bit.

Reggie Evans, he being a joker and all, kind of bumps into me on the way out and gives me one of those joking “excuse me, pardon me, didn’t see you there” lines as he goes by.

No big deal, kind of funny, and as he gets in the alcove leading to the outer door, he stops, turns around and comes back. He’s got in his hand my notebook, which he’d pilfered unbeknownst to me from my back pocket.

“Just because I’m in the NBA doesn’t mean I’ve forgotten things.”

Oh, he can be a sneaky fellow.

-

For about half an hour or so last night, wasn’t the whole basketball world filled with Cavs fans?

-

Here’s one to chew on:

The Milwaukee Bucks have the most impotent offence in the NBA, averaging a paltry 91.45 points per game.

In two games against the Raptors this year, they’ve averaged 104 points per game.

-

Speaking of practice, they can be a bit drab these days finding things to write about as the time dwindles towards the end of the season.

The good news?

There aren’t too many left.

By our estimation – and, trust me, we’ve probably got it right – there might only be about two left before the season gets over.

They don’t usually work on the day after back-to-backs (and there are three of them left between now and the April 13 end of thing) so that leaves us with tomorrow, Friday and, perhaps, April 9 to get through.

Not bad, eh?

-

The Bucks actually worked out here yesterday since they were in Charlotte on Monday and didn’t want to go home.

And here’s what Charles F. saw when he was there.

(We let them practice in peace).

-

So the talking heard no one’s ever heard of is going home and the ex-boxer survives the cut on DWTS?

All’s right in the world.

-

A last word on an old issue:

Q: Hi Doug. I'm curious as to your take of the comments made by Bryan Colangelo relating to the Julian Wright story. To me as an everyday working man, it seems like management pulled the rug out from under Jay. Not the first time, Bryan has done that...If one of my co workers pulled that kind of stunt, I'd want to see them held accountable. It's not about making a big deal out of it, but rather getting all the crew marching to the same drumbeat. Send a message to the rest of the league, that this is a professional franchise and a certain level of professionalism is expected. It's not about the next 10 games, Bryan should be looking to set the tone for the future. Coach tells you to get in the game and your role is to play, then you're expected to enthusiastically jump in and try your best; anything short of that, they should be held accountable...not internally.

 

Claude B, St. Catharines

A: I don’t really have a problem with how things transpired in the aftermath, actually.

I’ve spoken to executives, coaches and players, there was discipline meted out, everyone within the team knows it and that’s really all that matters, isn’t it?

We know he was fined, he served a de facto suspension on Saturday with a DNP-CD (one of the big reasons he even dressed was that Bargnani and Evans were out and no one knew what Calderon or Barbosa could give them and the last thing anyone wanted was to force an injured player to play just to make a point to Julian) and everybody’s moving on.

-

Can someone please explain to me how the major league baseball season starts tomorrow?

Really?

A Thursday night in March?

Doesn’t that strike you – pardon the pun – as a bit early and odd?

Anyway, guess I better check in with my seamhead buddies today and find out what’s going on out there in the big old world of MLB, spring training seems to have been a blur.

-

We’re back with the IGBT, right?

Just before 7 p.m. tonight?

See you then.

-

Comments

[Mike N]

I've gotta agree with Claude. I think Colangelo was wrong with Wright, undermined Triano and painted a less than respectable picture about this franchise for other teams to see. I do think, however, that Mr. Wright has seriously jeopardized any future opportunities with the team and the rest of the league.

[Tim]

Hi Doug,

Do you have time to say a couple words about Brandon Jennings' game? I've been interested in that guy since he came into the league, but I haven't managed to follow him very closely. Think this guy is going to have much of a career, or is that 55 point game going to be a career highlight?

Blogger's note: Average player

Thanks,

Tim

[doug]

that Cavs game last night was great theater ...just excellent stuff and I wonder how many NBA players were watching and just smiling as well....was watching Around The Horn yesterday and the reporters were asked how much the trade had affected the Celts in their latest downspin...they said minimally, I have to disagree, they lost their toughness, part of their attitude, identity in that trade...their mojo took a beating and their not near the team with the same swagger they had before...even if Perks had only been back for a bit they knew he was there and would be a big part of the team in the playoffs..i still think one of the worse trades ever, with a team that old what are they playing for if not today??..and don't tell me that trade helped them going down the road.....just a unbelievably bad deal, which may have cost them a title or a shot...so as Rap fans we can ticked as a Celt fan i would be furious...

[Gene]

Hi Doug,

Baseball at the end of March does seem weird. The Toronto FC playing their 1st home game of the season (outside) last weekend seems even crazier to me. It seems like you are anxiously awaiting for the season to be over. What does the Star do to fill your day when the season is over then?

Blogger's note: That remains to be seen but I have a feeling there'll be some news to handle with this team

[chris]

Doug - 3.5 trips to the line is because Bogut doesn't shoot that much. Guy only scores 13 pts a game, and much is from put-backs and broken plays.

He may tear apart the raptors, but is hardly an offensive force otherwise.

[Kent]

Cavs pulled out a win last night over the Heat. It was their championship game and they did everything (including trapping Lebron in the parking garage for 2 hours before the game) to win one for the fans and for themselves. I am sure this win alone took all the sting out of a horrid season for Cleveland fans. The Raptors have the same opportunity in a couple of weeks; they need to win that game as an apology for all of the lousy basketball they have played this season.

[Dadeo]

"Blogger's note: That remains to be seen but I have a feeling there'll be some news to handle with this team"

Sounds like Doug is working on breaking a big story....maybe The Regend is up for a spot on DWTS?

Blogger's note: Let's see, majority of team for sale, GM's contract is up, coach's contract is up, lockout looming, draft lottery coming, playoffs to deal with. Yeah, I don't see a lot of "downtime" in the next little while. Regend on DWTS would trump all, though.

[Lorie]

Oh Doug -
It may be on a chilly Thursday evening in March, but along with Roll-Up The Rim, the neighborhood skunk reappearing under the deck and mud, not snow, on the barely-hanging-in-there winter boots, I am soooo happy baseball is back. The snowtires will stay on a wee bit longer, but can the flowering of the magnolias be far behind??? And, speaking of magnolias, let's not forget The Masters, another great spring tradition. The Regend on DWTS? Wouldn't you just love to see Reggie and Lacey perform (what would surely be) a unique quickstep?

[Marlon]

@Lorie: More like Regend and Edyta. Lacey's too young, and Edyta is more experienced and could tame the Regend better.

[Mike kovacs]

One of the best things about the Cavs' game is that we got to listen to their announcers rather than those annoying Heat announcers. Who are the Heat announcers anyway?

[doug]

I like this DWTS talk..as it keeps me updated as i have to admit I was a huge fan up until a few years ago, then I have never watched again....why?? that season that girl from wrestling was on, Stacy Keibler and when she was gone so was I ...as Sinead 0'Connor said "nothing compares 2u" or her...that was the end of my DWTS days, they need to bring her back...also I don't think you can accurately appraise any players offensive skills that plays for Scott Skiles, he is the Ken Hitchcock/Jacque Lemaire of the NBA, his teams play no offense he doesn't have a clue how to coach it, how he keeps his job in the present day NBA to me is mind-boggling...he should be a NCAA coach.....someone needs to tell him that teams also need to score points, or threaten to

[james]

Is Anthony Parker's contract up after this year? Does management have any interest bringing him back as an eminence grise to the young 'uns, assuming he would be interested and subject to usual qualifications around next season's uncertainties? He looked great last night.

Blogger's note: No, no interest at all right now

[Lorie]

@Marlon
Okay, I'll see your Regend and Edyta in the quickstep, but I'll raise you a Karina and Leandro (after "The Situation" last season, "The Blur" would be a dream assignment)in the tango. How's that sound? But really -can a regend be tamed? Understood perhaps. Respected you'd hope. But tamed? Methinks a very tall order. Cheers!

[Kent]

Anthony Parker has been BRUTAL this year. He has been shooting below 40% all year and people have been blowing past him on the perimeter. Everybody on the cavs played OUT OF THEIR MINDS last night. I will seriously faint if the raptors bring him back.

[Richard]

@Lorie & Marion

And what's to keep Regend from accidently bumping into Len and stealing a 10 from his back pocket or using his previously learned sneaky tricks to rig the phone in votes?

Today's comments have been much more fun to read than yesterdays.

[Steph]

Pucks are hockey and seamheads are baseball, what is the office term for the basketball scribers?

Blogger's note: Grunts? Hoopheads?

[doug]

@Richard well I am glad there more fun for you as last time I looked it is a Raptors blog not a DWTS blog....come on let's get some balance....there is time for nostalgia and DWTS talk...but really it is a Raptors blog....just saying, at least people like Aditya and Kent are passionate about the Raps...but if people want to talk to talk about Len, Carrie Ann or Bruno go ahead....somehow if I think this was a Celtics blog or a Bulls blog the talk would be much more focussed ...like do people realize this is the anniversary of Mo Pete's buzzer beater against the Wiz, where Ruffin abysmally threw the ball in the air...but if DWTS talk makes it fun then what does that say about the fans of the Raps and accepting it all.....let's all talk about the Regend being on DWTS...when did anyone catch Kobe's appearance on PTI when he just laughed at Kornheiser, there's a true champion...fun fits in how????

[Lorie]

@doug:
It's the end of a long, dismal, disappointing season with the ownership in possible transition, the GM and coaching positions a question mark, losses continuing to mount, post-season missed again and not much to cheer about on the court, even after charting progress of our young players. And this is, of course, in the strictest sense, a Raptors' blog. However, I see it as a blog not just about the Raptors, but a blog for people who care about the Raptors. I am passionate and devoted to my team. But I guess in a balanced manner; and as a fan, I may be less rabid, less reactionary, but I am no less passionate than others. I've enjoyed sports longer than most people here have been alive. But my enjoyment is tempered by the knowledge that I never allow myself to cry over a team that frankly doesn't give a rat's ass if I cheer for them or not. And when a long season of unfailingly supporting my team draws to a close, and I am needing to feel the community of others who may be feeling a tad "battle weary" right now, it's fun and supportive to share a digression or two about TV themes, dancing or air travel. It doesn't mean a lack of passion. It's like taking a deep breath, a pause, and then back for more. I hope we're all here for a good time. And a long time. Sincere Cheers!