As expected: Some good, some bad, some work still to do

So, what’d ya think?

Better? Worse? Same?

Impossible to tell much off one pre-season game – always remember that – and as you’d expect there were some good things and some bad things.

Remember these?

(Unless you or I come up with a better idea, it’ll stick)

THREE POINTERS

Tone set early

There was a Jerryd Bayless breakaway dunk some time in the first half and it was one of those moments when players leap off the bench, coaches get excited, the fans get pumped up and the guys on the court are high-fiving and watching.

Except this time, almost before Bayless was airborne, Dwane Casey was up on his feet not cheering but screaming at the players to “get back, get back” on defence. They did. Maybe the message will ultimately get through.

A work in progress

Ed Davis had a statistically sound game, 10 points, 10 rebounds, some moments where he really seemed to get it.

And then where some defensive lapses, some lack of physical play that make you realize he still is a very raw talent in just his second season. That’s a point that wasn’t lost on his coach, who had this to say:

I was happy with Ed, 10 and 10, a double-double. Again, getting that stamina up where he can really be physical for an entire game to go against a guy like Garnett, rebound in traffic, we need to have that from Ed.

I do think Davis is going to be a solid pro; I think he’s not quite there yet. He is, however, closer than he was.

What’s it mean?

I see scribbled in the notebook this little entry:

LB=MVP.

Wonder why.

Oh, yeah.

I think there are going to be times, even after they’ve got all their offensive set in, that this team is going to struggle to score.

And that’s why Leandro Barbosa may end up being one of the most important players on the roster.

He’s still the best guy on the team at breaking down his man off the dribble, I think he’ll emerge as the best three-point shooter on the squad and if Dwane envisions from his past some kind of Jason Terry role for Barbosa – offensive energizer off the bench to will be asked to change games – I’m all for that.

We saw the Raptors struggle mightily on offence for long stretches yesterday, I think that’s going to remain an issue; they’ll need as much scoring punch as Barbosa can give them.

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Wow, less than a week ‘til Christmas, I hear.

Hope the malls aren’t too crowded, I’ve got some shopping to do.

And I’m sure they’ll be playing carols, hope this one’s in the rotation.

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Let’s see:

Packers lose.

Colts win.

Tebow has no miracle.

San Diego drills Baltimore.

And, somehow, mathematically, the Eagles are still alive.

Oh yeah, I sure picked a good week to give up the NFL gig because there was other stuff to occupy my time.

Anyway, the NFL stuff is done, at least for the paper. Game yesterday, Christmas Eve and then a drive to Cleveland next week, Dallas-Orlando-New York over New Year’s. Busy. Busy. Busy.

But I still pay attention, mostly because I’m more engaged in the NFL for having written about it for 15 weeks or so and the most interesting thing was probably the Packers losing because they had simply been so dominant offensively for so long and Aaron Rodgers was having a season for the ages.

There is always a debate when an unbeaten football team reaches this point in the season, isn’t there? Do going unbeaten count for much? Do they need to rest players for the post-season even if it means sacrificing that unbeaten streak?

Now, I don’t think it’s ever good to lose, no matter what, but in some cases, as long as you’re giving your best shot, working on the areas of the game that need improvement and the other team wins? Well, good on them, sometimes the other team just wins.

The problem the Packers this season has always been the defence, they give up too many big plays and big drives and make big mistakes.

I’m sure the coaches knew it and were hammering it home every week in practice. But as long as they were winning and Rodgers was dominating, I’m sure some of the players glossed over the talk and just went about their business.

Now? Now they got a wakeup call so maybe some losses aren’t bad.

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So, if you saw that Raptor game, what’d you think of the 3-D thingy on the baseline.

Super Son reports that it looked pretty cool on TV and I heard that in some of the seats on the far side from the bench, you can see what it is and the impact it has.

(What it is, if you didn’t see, is the Raptors name printed on the baseline out of bounds right under the basket. It’s scripted in such a manner that it looks three-dimensional, like it’s standing up. I’ve seen it used in Euroleague arenas and at some big-time soccer matches; we’re told this the first time it’s been used in North America).

You can see it briefly a couple of times in this link of game highlights.

But if you’re sitting where we’re sitting, or in the bottom few rows of seats, or on our side of the floor, it’s absolutely indecipherable and looks like scribbling. Or as if someone spilled some paint.

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Oh yeah.

That picture of Ed Davis up above?

It comes from the one and only Stevie Boy Russell, our crack photog who did Sunday’s game.

The rest of his impressive work’s right here.

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Comments

[SheikYurbouti]

@O.J.
Bayless will continue to get playing time to prove that he's even a PG, never mind a starter. So far, including yesterday, he's a long way away. That aside, I'll steal from a post someone made elsewhere the other day regarding Jose and moving forward:
"Absolutely! There is no way that in 2 years when Calderon is 32 and Toronto's 'building' program is finished and we are in the playoffs that Calderon could possibly contribute anything. I mean, since when do playoff teams use 32 year old point guards? Please, that's crazy. At the age of 32, Jose will probably be retired, right? Definitely not contributing to anybody, anywhere."

Blogger's note: Sarcasm. Thankfully.

[SheikYurbouti]

Sarcasm, Doug ;). Shocked you didn't see that

Blogger's note: I hoped so. Will fix

[Lake Simcoe]

I am also sort of shocked to see someone expect a good offensive game....against Celtics!!

[Paul B]

Whoa, look out. James Johnson had 4 blocks in 9 minutes!!

[Tannis]

Good afternoon Doug-have been catching up, as I haven't been able to read your blog in a few days. I am dismayed by some of the hate you received in the mail bag! Please don't listen to these people-I love your blog and all its diversity. Where else would I have seen that awesome John Mellencamp video from the other day!

[doug]

yesterdays game showed some good things...Barg's was much more engaged the whole time he was on the court.James Johnson and Forbes impressed...Barbosa was easily at times the best player on the court for the Raps...I wish Davis had mean streak or a nasty side, it's a tough thing to learn, you either play with a chip or you don't....and during yesterdays broadcast Leo mentioned how Bayless has good court vision, i have to disagree totally, when he gets the ball, he's easy to defend, as he doesn't create too often off the dribble, he gets the blinders on and drives time after time, he has to learn it or I feel it will be his biggest problem, far to easy to defend him right now...and this should be written on the teams locker room blackboard in large capital letters...MAXIMUM 10 3 POINT SHOT ATTEMPTS A GAME IS OUR GOAL" as this team can't shoot the 3 ball and when they do it hurts us on offense as well as defensive transition game....and that 3d thingie was pretty cool, it was mind boggling/confusing at times...all in all lots of positives to take away from that game, considering the team has worked little on the offensive end in practice thus far...

[GM]

* Barbosa is one of my favourite players to watch. He never takes a game off.

* Talk of a youth movement is never wise in the NBA, I don't think. It's too hard to keep teams together. Players get ideas they want to be stars on other teams, play in warmer climes, or whatever, and all that training they got on your team goes to helping another team.

* Bayless is a really good backup point guard. There's no way I can envision him as a starter. Not now, anyway. Maybe in a few seasons, but I doubt it.

* Garnett really should be T'd up when he repeatedly claps his hands in the face of an offensive player. I'm pretty sure that's not allowed in the rule book. But hey, he's Kevin Garnett and the refs don't call him for travelling every single time he pivots in the paint, so I doubt they're going to give him a T for being Kevin Garnett (i.e. a classless punk).

[Regnard Raquedan]

Tabber,

Last time I checked, folks said the Raptors did not have a problem putting the ball through the hoop.

[what?]

" I am dismayed by some of the hate you received in the mail bag! "

Don't worry. The same sad saps spew the same hate again and again, but we all know their words lack gravitas. If that's the pathetic level of their self-actualization, they obviously have a lot of growing up to do. Doug's grizzled enough to realize their posts only reveal their own insecurities and lack of social grace.