What's that saying? Better late than never?

All together now:

That’s why they …

Anyway, that one certainly came out of nowhere, didn’t it? Great game, though; has to be in the top two or three of the season so far.

Kind of makes the trip a lot easier; I was really dreading covering three routs in a row.

And on to the fun stuff, sorry for the delay.

-

THREE POINTERS

Well called, well done

Forget the game-winner, which came of a high screen-roll and was as much Barbosa read and react than anything.

The second-to-last basket, the one that got Barbosa a ridiculously wide open three-pointer was a gem.

Coming out of the timeout, Jay drew it up so he made sure the guy chasing Barbosa was behind him, rather beside or “on top” of him and there was no way who it was (and for the life of me I cannot remember who) could get through the double screen to get through the screens.

And once again, Jay said it was a case of practice making perfect.

“It’s a play that we’ve had and we’ve tried it a couple of times in the middle of other games and saved it for a late-game situation and the guys executed it to perfection and we got the three.”

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A game of changes

I think both Jay and Scott Brooks did a really good job coming up with different defensive looks all night and it was quite the chess game.

We saw Reggie guarding Kevin Durant and trying to beat him up a bit and James Johnson did a tremendous job harassing Durant all night. As Jay said, it might have been the best thing Johnson’s done since he got to Toronto.

And the kid loved the chance.

“Taking the challenge against a man like KD, it’s only going to help me get better. I never got the chance or opportunity to play against a man like KD or a team like the Thunder. They’ve got multiple all-stars on their team and they’re hard to contain. You’ve just got to hold your hand up and hope they miss.”

It’s a bit harder than that but …

-

On the other end …

The Thunder had Durant all over the place.

He guarded Johnson for a bit, went over on to Bargnani after Bargnani abused Nick Collison a couple of times in the post and finally, the Thunder put Durant on DeRozan down the stretch so the Raptors couldn’t use their go-to guy too often.

It was really fun to watch it all unfold and you can’t say that about defensive adjustments very often.

-

A bit more?

Got some.

-

Another travel first.

For some apparently random reason, I finally got chosen for one of those full-body, second-level security pat-downs we’ve heard about.

Not sure who felt more awkward, me or the dude with his hands all over me.

I’m betting it was me.

Oh, the joys of the road.

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We’re back.

Or it’s back, I guess.

Yep, if you and a buddy want to come to a game – the March 30 one against the Bucks -- in the MGD Best Seats In The House thingamabob, you sure can.

Just click here, there are six sets of two tickets available and oodles of fun and frivolity and good times to be had by all. Or so I hope.

The contest – which is actually a random draw so you don’t have to be smart to enter – is going to be open until Friday morning and someone will notify the winners that afternoon.

Have fun.

-

We’re getting ready leave the press room after writing when the good folks of the Thunder PR staff drop off an envelope with pre-game notes, quote sheets, boxscores and who know what else.

And I figure, along with all the other paper I get in the course of a road trip and the New Yorkers and Vanity Fairs that are in the computer bag, I probably need some small, portable bookcase to travel with.

Wonder if any friends have one that might work?

-

The stuff you see on the road.

So, a guy’s sitting in a local establishment watching basketball on TV Saturday night in Bricktown – a wholly under-rated destination it the NBA – when another soul walks in and sits by himself at the bar.

“Hmm,” we think, “isn’t that Maurice Cheeks.” Sure is and it strikes the out-of-towners that they must be in the right place if Mo’s here.

-

Forget the win in Oklahoma snapped a 14-game road losing streak.

Forget the win in Oklahoma was the first time the Raptors had won there in Thunder history.

The big news?

It was their first win in the black jerseys this year and how’s that for trivia.

Personally, I’m all in favour of the black jerseys and if I had to rank the ones they’ve worn in this incarnation, I’d put it:

Black

Red

Huskies

White

Green.

And if I never see green again, I’m quite all right with it.

-

I’m sure none of you have noticed that both the Richmond Spiders and Marquette are off the Sweet 16 in the NCAA tournament.

Man, someone must know something to have pointed them out.

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The stuff you see on the road, Vol. 2.0

Saturday, heading out of Pearson, at about the same time as a Westjet flight to Florida that’s chalk full of families with tiny babies (and that makes for a fun wait in the customs hall) and security’s rather busy.

Finally get to within one guy of taking off shoes, taking out laptop, divesting self of all things metal and whatever, when the chatty fellow in front of me sets off the x-ray machine.

Well, he gets the wand thing, all seems right but then the chatty fellow guiding the bags through the x-ray machine notices that Chatty Traveller is actually trying to bring through security a duffel with a bag tag on it.

Um, sir, checked bags have to go on the belt way back right after Customs.

Dude has to bring all his stuff back from the other side – keys, metal, belt, laptop, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah – and make his way back to leave his checked bag where it should be.

Me? Lots of sighing, rolling of eyes and joyful thought that there are only a couple of trips left in the season.

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What was the take in Oklahoma on that one? This.

What’s up in Denver for tonight? This.

-

Riddle me this …

(Anyone get that?)

Why do public address announcers, and bless their rather over exuberant souls, feel compelled to tell fans when to cheer?

Seriously.

I know some game ops groups think fans are sheep and treat them like it but, surely to all that’s good in the world, the people in the seats now when to yell, don’t they?

And while I kind of like the collegiate atmosphere in Oklahoma City (it’s cute and they must lead all professional sports in time they spend standing up) the PA dude never shut up.

Cheer now.

Cheer for defence.

Show the Thunder some love.

Shut up!

(The first three are him, the last one’s me)

-

All right, I believe it may be nap time since I’m operating on about three hours sleep and have a game tonight.

Will get to the comments when I can.

Night, night.

-

 

 

Comments

[Matt M]

Games like this kinda annoy me. The show how good this team can be when they play with energy and as a team. They show that they, even including Bargnani, can be good defensively when they sets their mind to it. And yet there are too many games where no one shows even a fraction of the energy they showed in this game. Yes, they are a young team but still. They need to get a more consistent effort like this (and a few others just like this one) in more games.

[Kent]

-Finally some defence and they win. What a novel concept that is! It might be too much to ask them to win in Denver tonight but all I ask is that they give the same effort.
-OKC is 4-9 this season on Sundays. Somebody in that organization has to find out if the players are partying too hard on Saturday nights.
-Cannot agree more with the PA announcers in pro sports, including the ones in Toronto. Stop announcing the players' names like they are pro wrestlers.

[Steve]

Hi doug! Great blog. What kind of night life do athletes have?

Blogger's note: Not one that involves me so I can't say

[jacqui]

Hi Doug,

Love reading your blog, Yes I agree with you about this public address announcers, (and bless their rather over exuberant souls, feel compelled to tell fans when to cheer?) If you ask me which annoying stuff in NBA games, I want to be banned forever, The following ares some of them:

- The "DEO" cheer, I hate it, it is useless!!!

- NBA players, who keep the mouthpiece out of their mouth, bless them if they swallow it.

- NBA players who hit their chest like "TARZAN"

- Lebron James dancing and

_NBA referees who doesn't know how to officiate.

Thanks for reading my comment and give my regards to Super family.

jacqui

[Michael]

I agree with Matt M, why can the Raptors put such a great effort in like last night, but struggle so badly like they did against Detroit a little while ago. It doesn't make sense to me.

Also, I think Amir Johnson has more game winners than Lebron James this season!

[Red]

Thanks again for the insight and follow-up, much appreciated.
Really like the approach to end the season and determining the potential for next year. Hopefully Sonny gets another chance and can do something - but I fear his ship may have sailed.

PS - its BATMAN. He who answers any and all riddles

Blogger's note: Well done.

[sam]

Good game last night - This team could be something special if they play with some consistent energy on both offense and defense. As someone said last week - moral victories are fine, but getting a win trumps that.
JJohnson has provided some things the team needed - Barbosa comes through in the clutch.
On to Denver and hopefully another solid effort by the HOTH

[Al]

great blog, love it
but that should be "chock" full.

[joe]

Hi Doug,

Don't know if you have had the chance to watch NCAA basketball during March Madness with your busy schedule but if you did, is there any college player that has stood out for you so far? Thank You.

Blogger's note: Nah, haven't seen enough

[Dave in BG]

Any bonus points for saying "Frank Gorshin"???

Blogger's note: Well played

[Mike kovacs]

Watching Jay's post-game and your confrere from the little paper got a little dressing-down from Jay when he was suggesting that JJ hadn't played too well! Since his paper also owns the great London Free Presswe actualy got his article today and he did not mention JJ.

[Natalie]

Hiya Doug, so have you considered switching to one of 'em new fangled e-reader thingies? You can have any newspaper and magazine you want and an impressive list of books available to you as you need it. I still prefer to curl up with a good paper book as opposed to an e-reader but for a frequent flyer such as yourself it might be a convenient option to reduce your computer bag clutter. Ciao!

[kefun]

I thought the Thunder organization need to get new floor cleaning boys. a few incidences where players almost got injured cuz the floors were slippery. seriously, you're a multi-million dollar company and u cant afford better floor cleaning kids? u gotta be kidding

[HopeCaper]

Hey Doug, yes it is Batman. Jim Carrey played the Joker in the last movie. Anyone want to take a chance on the Joker from the TV series. Last name starts with G. Interestingly he was another comic playing that part.

Great game BTW. Peronally I hope they keep the Regend. This team should start to make some noise next few years if the plan comes together and certainly Reggie won't be to old to help this team. While I like the rebounding and the "don't back down" attitude he brings to me more importantly is what he is showing team mates if they care to look. Last nite DeMar is going in for a layup and who's running interference for him to make it uncontested? Yes, our boy.

Also Doug, a brutal, brutal refereeing job. It was so bad that uncharacteristically they actually showed replays of Johnson not hitting the ball out of bounds and Calderon taking a charge that he got a blocking foul for. To name a couple. Jack is not afraid to be direct in his praise and criticism of anyone including referees.

[The J]

Glad to see them run a smart play at the end and not go for the obvious, like an iso for Demar, or a deep-pass to Bargnani, who then has to shoot from wherever he is, even if that's 40 feet away from the net. Those types of plays never work, and aren't even fair to Bargs who has to take the blame when forced to shoot a horrible shot. You can never be predictable or the game is lost. You also have to play the game the way that got you there rather than throw away team play and go for iso's and impossible shots.

Top 3 of the year? Maybe:
Boston at home; Surprise win at home ( a team they had only beat once since the big 3 formed, and only once with our former "star")
Dallas: Gut out a tough win with injuries on the road.
Oklahoma: Surprisingly great effort and defence. And a last second game-winner to boot.
Honourable mention:
Chicago at home: Surprise win in an exciting game
Miami at home: A loss, but a good effort in front of an electric audience. Would have been great to get that one, but they did push them to the end.
How's my list? Did I miss anyone?

Full-body search? Well the words "full-body" are always better to hear than "Cavity". So you have at least that to be thankful for!

[Vancouver]

"And I figure, along with all the other paper I get in the course of a road trip and the New Yorkers and Vanity Fairs that are in the computer bag, I probably need some small, portable bookcase to travel with.

Wonder if any friends have one that might work?"

Maybe it's time to invest in an iPad or a Kindle?
;)

PS Thanks for keeping the blog going, your quite the tenacious fellow.

[Steph]

Doug, two of the best games of the year have been against the Thunder. Are they a good match up for the Raptors, or is simply a matter of the Raptors playing very well against them?
..
PS, I have both these games PVR'd so when I get really antsy, I now have two games to choose from for hope.

Blogger's note: Fluke, probably, since Durant was in one and not the other

[Andre]

Very exciting game. I hope they find a way to keep evans. What a beast. And James Johnson, i like that guy.. hes a good defender, and creates problems and has handles. very nice.
Watching NCAA, i dont see anyone that pops out that the raptors could get. I like ivring but after him theres a signifcant drop off of talent at PG. So who do they pick?

[LeeZ]

When Barbosa actually PASSED THE BALL to Amir, I did a spit take worthy of Danny Thomas (you young'uns need to ask Gramps or Grannie about that one). No but seriously, who among us could have possibly thought that he'd make a pass in that (or virtually any other, for that matter) situation? And I'm not slagging LB; that's just the way he rolls. But I wouldn't have blamed Amir if he had dropped that pass out of sheer shock. And Doug, couldn't agree more about that play Jay drew up. Barbosa could have eaten a ham on rye, a doughnut and washed it down with a capucino what with all the time he had to take that shot. Jay consistently gives his team a chance for success coming out of timeouts. Doug, as far as you're aware, is Jay getting props around the league from his peers about his play-calling abilities, and when he eventually gets fired (as all coaches do), do you see him getting another head coaching gig, or an assitant role specifically charged with drawing up plays?

Blogger's note: He's well-respected around the league; moreso, I'd venture, than he is in Toronto

[Wallace]

Hi Doug,

Loved your comments about the constant prodding from the PA announcer to "make some noise!" or some such other exultation. It's the equivilent of the rock show demand to "put your hands together!" If the product on the court, on the ice, or on the stage is that good and inspiring, the fans will react appropriately. If not, no amount of crowd manipulation will be enough to make it seem better than it is.

[GM]

@HopeCaper, you mean the Riddler, not the Joker. Cesar Romero was the Joker on TV and as someone else mentioned Frank Gorshin, the comedian/impressionist, was the Riddler.

Let's not be too snarky about Barbosa's passing ability. He's only ever averaged fewer than two assists in one season. Even this season he averages more assists than DeRozan. But neither are there to be facilitators; they're there to score the ball.

[Kent]

Kendall Marshall of UNC; keep an eye on him. I have followed him all year and he reminds me so much of Rajon Rondo. Don't think he is coming out though as he's only a freshman.

[MJ Walk]

Great win over a top quality opponent. Was amazed that no one posted that the Thunder were looking past the Raps or that someone was hurt and that is why they lost. The Raps just flat out beat them!
What a joy to watch BYU in the tournament--no tatoos just clean looking players who don't look like they just got out of the state pen or parked their bikes at the arena door. The Jimmer show is something to behold. Most often compared to Steph Curry but maybe just a little better.

[Lorie]

Too many hours spent in front of the black-and-white allow me to know that The Riddler was played by the multi-talented Frank Gorshin. And once or twice by John Astin, whose more familiar role was that of Gomez Addams. (But, really, did anyone give us a Gomez with more smooth seductiveness than the wonderful Raoul Julia...mmmm...the mind wanders...) Now, who was The Penguin on TV???...No Googling!!!

Blogger's note: That for me? Burgess Meredith

[DAVID]

OKC THUNDER FAN HERE AT LAST NIGHT'S GAME: YOU WON LAST NIGHT BECAUSE YOU OUT HUSTLED MY OKC THUNDER AND WANTED THE GAME MORE. RAPTORS ONLY SHOT 40+% BUT OFFENSIVE BOARDS AND ERASING ANY 2ND TRYS WERE THE KEY TO WINNING THE GAME. YOUNG OKLAHOMA NATIVE AMERICAN GIRL SANG CANADIAN NATIONAL ANTHEM AS BEAUTIFUL AND WITH INSPIRATION AS I HAVE EVER HEARD IT SUNG. OKC IS A TOUGH PLACE TO WIN. CONGRATULATIONS RAPTORS FOR SWEEPING A VERY GOOD TEAM. AFTER WATCHING LAST NIGHT'S GAME NOT QUITE SURE WHY RECORD ISN'T ANY BETTER FOR RAPTORS. THEY PLAYED GREAT!