Good things from the Raptors; not so much from Brees

Overall, not a bad night for the fans and the lads, right?

Good defence against a bad team, very good offence compared to what we’ve been seeing in the pre-season and a road win’s always a good thing.

Biggest surprise had to be how well the offence worked (again the Cavs had a little bit to do with that); biggest disappointment, if there was one, was the continued lack of offensive production out of the small forward spot but that’s nitpicking.

And here we go …

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THREE-POINTERS

A quick glimpse?

Got a first look at what kind of thing Dwane Casey might draw up in big situations and it was a good one.

End of the first half, they’re up eight, Dwane uses his 20-second timeout and we’re wondering what he calls.

He’s got two big weapons – Bargnani and DeRozan – and one of them are going to get the ball for sure, right?

Well, Jose dribbles down the clock, there’s a meanlngless handoff to kill some time, and there goes DeRozan around a Bargnani screen, heads to the rim, Jose hits him with a perfect lob and a dunk ends the half.

And if the defender had gone with DeRozan and taken away the lob, Bargnani simply pops to the top and probably gets an open look.

Of course, every scout in the NBA will have that play diagrammed for their teams by about noon today but it was a good one I’m sure we’ll see again.

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Two big ones

Yes, Amir Johnson had a very good game, 13 points, 13 rebounds, three blocked shots in his first start and, yes, he was quite bouncy.

But he also made two big plays that few might have noticed but were precisely what was needed.

Final minute, game’s probably over but you can’t be sure and not once, but twice, Johnson gets offensive rebounds, the second on a really nice tap-back of miss, that seal the win.

That’s the kind of extra effort that should be rewarded, and noticed.

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Fire the big guns

So, do you like the Casey “this is not a democracy” idea that’s prominent in the game story I’m sure you’ve all read and loved?

(Here it is, if you haven’t?)

I do. Just hope it keeps up.

There is no doubt that, last night notwithstanding, there will be times when the offence isn’t as good as it was and this team struggles to score.

With the coach more than willing to clearly define roles, everyone will know where to look and who’ll get the touches and the shots and as long as the other Raptors know it, accept it and work at it, everyone should be fine with it.

Of course, there will be nights when both of them are cold, and Toronto will likely lose those nights, but having those two guys imbued with the confidence that they’ll get their chance has to help.

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And now, a digression or two and more hoops …

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Look, we all like Drew Brees, right? The New Orleans Saints quarterback is hugely talented, a nice self-effacing young man, having a season for the ages and just a good story all around; we can all agree on that.

But the thing last night? The chasing of Dan Marino’s single-season passing yardage record in the second-to-last regular season game? It stunk.

No one seemed at all up in arms about – probably because the home fans loved and it was a nice story and, well, Brees is Brees but, really?

Leaving guy in during a rout, letting him keep throwing meaningless passes to run up the score when the game was decided, including a totally meaningless TD that set the new mark?

Disrespectful. A nice little running up of the score and rubbing the noses of an opponents in the dirt that we’d be decrying if it wasn’t Brees and these circumstances.

Yes, I know. Good story, great record, helluva guy, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah.

Let him get the record at the start of next week’s game, when that game is still in doubt and means something.’

It was nice to see and a wonderful accomplishment; how it was achieved kind of left a bad taste in the mouth.

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So, Tristan Thompson?

As advertised. Active, long, quick, good rebounder, raw rookie, work-in-progress and really, really offensively challenged.

But there’s a lot of promise there, the Brampton kid sure looked like a keeper in his first game and when the season really goes south for the Cavs – and it will – I can’t see why he wouldn’t supplant Antawn Jamison, 84, in the starting lineup.

If they’re going to play Irving a lot to see what they’ve got, they may as well throw Thompson out there for 30 minutes a night instead of 18.

Although, I must say, a frontcourt of Thompson and Anderson Varejao may be retina-burning for its offensive abilities more than four feet from the basket.

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I cannot believe I didn’t use this either yesterday morning or during the IGBT last night. Dopey me.

Speaking of the IGBT, we do have a lot of fun most nights. Read through it here and make it destination reading for the rest of the games.

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Been travelling to Cleveland to cover games for something like 17 years now and saw two things this trip that I’ve never seen before:

A post-game spot that peddles Samuel L. Smith products (try the pale ale, you won’t be disappointed) and construction on a downtown building.

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Teen pucks win?

They won’t be dancing in the street when I get back this afternoon, will they?

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Seems Dwane’s been channeling, um, me with this quote:

“It was good that we had this opportunity to get our offence kicking a little bit, it’s still a process. We don’t want to get happy on the farm, it’s one game. We just have to continue to execute.

“Again, I like what I saw; it’s a process. I don’t want to get too excited on wins and I don’t want to get too upset with losses. There’s 65 more game.”

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Long drive back, lots of work to do when it's over; if I'm a tad late on comments, don't get upset, promise I'll get to 'em.

 

 

Comments

[Jeff G.]

As you noted Doug, it was Cleveland, but there were a lot of good signs from the team, and a nice confidence builder. The offense definitely had more flow to it, and Jose/Amir had great chemistry it seems. Looking forward to tomorrow night!

[red]

Agree it was a good start and game, feels like most everyone in settling in for a roller coaster season.
Given Clevland's choice for rebuilding, what postive's can the Raptors use/take as well when presenting this to their fans (just to make it more enjoyable for everyone).

PS - nice work yourself on dealing with some of the comments. Gotta love the constant negativity of some, without them we would never roll our eyes that far back into our heads.

[Al]

good to have you back doin the raps blog Doug. Happy new year.

PS good win, good effort. We'll take the wins where we can get them this year... maybe a couple more than expected if Jose has a great year.

[sam]

Sadly, I missed the game - great to have the IGBT for a recap though. A nice start to the season - 65 more to go.
I hope Super family and all irregulars enjoyed to the Christmas weekend with family and friends.
Cheers Folks!

[Mike Smith]

Doug, the video link you gave us is from an American broadcaster and cannot be seen here.

Blogger's note: So I understand; did it in States, it's been taken down

[Tim H.]

A good indication of what is wrong with Toronto sports: Raptors win their season opener last night, but is the top story on the Star's sports website today? An article on the pucks game TONIGHT! Yeesh!

[Lorie]

Hello Doug!
Okay; trying to keep an even keel here, but wasn't that fun last night? We're lobbing and loving it! Bouncey and basking in it! Pounding and prepping for the Pacers! All right. Deep breath. One game. But seriously, I think Coach Casey's on the right track because whether it's at home with chores, the office with job descriptions or a position on a sports team, I think clearly defined roles work best for most of us; knowledge of our role leads to responsibility for it and accountability of it. So, safe travels as you make that long drive home; hope there's good tunes 'aplenty in the Smelly Ford Focus. Like this one! Go Raps! Stand your ground! :)
http://youtu.be/ispk94iPJfU

[joe]

Hi Doug,

Thank you for the great coverage of yesterday's game. I was very impressed with Jose. He ran the offence like a field general and for the first time, in a long while, his speed seems to have returned. I hope his leg injuries are behind him.

I agree with your assessment on Thompson. He'll be a good one once he gets some seasoning and fills out a bit.

What are your thoughts on Kyrie Irving debut?

Blogger's note: Uninspiring but just one game

[Charles Rivers]

Hey Doug!

Pretty rare that I comment on your blog - though I do love it - but I think I'll join my voice in the inevitable chorus of Brees supporters. If the Falcons weren't the closest competitor in the NFC South... if the Falcons weren't another playoff team... if the Falcons weren't an NFL team made of professional athletes... then maybe, MAYBE I'd be worried about "running up the score". The fact of the matter is that the Falcons are a very good football team, and sowing the seeds of dominance isn't exactly shameful considering the teams may have to go head-to-head in a few weeks.

And given the way that players 'give up' late in games, or late in seasons, given my druthers, I'd prefer a player who goes all in, regardless of score. So it turned into a rout? Whatever. The Falcons should get their defense together and stop the pass.

Yours;
Charles

[Dave]

Have a safe drive Doug. It was a good first game. The offence was clicking very well. I don't expect that to happen every night.

At the end of the game, Jerryd was quite animated in a discussion with Dwayne. He didn't appear very happy. Any idea what is may have been about? I wonder if you could find out after the practice today. I assume it will be keep in the locker room.

[Matthew Kovacs]

Hey Doug,
I was talking with my dad last night about the possibility of another NBA team being added to Canada. He said that there is no chance of it happening, and said that we have no other city that would be fit to hold one and I sort of see his point. I could never dream of seeing a team in a place like Regina, or Edmonton, because no one knows of those cities outside of North America. I could see a team in Vancouver again, or maybe plopping one in Montreal. I am pretty sure that they are known of more than a city like Indiana. I was just wondering if you could give me your take on that.
On a completely different note I am going to England in a couple of days and was wondering if you could list your favourite hotspot of the city (if you have been there).

Blogger's note: Ask your Dad about Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese; and Covent Gardens. Vancouver, maybe, but not for a loooooong time

[charles]

Good first game and write-up/blog, Doug. Many thanks.
But what about the ride to Cleveland and back: the border? smooth? anything new? what's good on radio? cd's to listen to? speed? weather? old car? new car?
Doug the Road Warrior is as good a story as the game for many of us Irregulars.

Blogger's note: The travels begin uneventfully but a snippet or two in the morning

[Angelo]

Doug, any truth to the reports of Raptors interest in Fesenko? If there is and they need to cut someone to sign him who would be the most likely to get cut?

[larry lukeeborg]

ditto me re bayless' discussion with casey at the end of the game.

[marc in panama]

Hola Doug,

You feel the same way about Kobe and the Lakers right? Scoring 81 points, coming out of the game with 4.2 seconds left, up 18 with the crowd going wild, but no hope that he's breaking Wilt's record. Same disrespect?

ciao amigo,

marc in panama

[Jeff]

Hi Doug

Do you think if Ed continues his improvement, that Casey has to consider starting him at the power forward spot, and moving Bargs to the 6th man. I think Bargs abilities would make him a more effective scorer off the bench, and he could still get big minutes at the 4 and 5 spot. Maybe this is something they are looking at for next year.

[doug]

@ Jeff your kidding right, first off Barg's and Davis are not similar players at all, in last night's game both times the Raps made their runs it was Barg's at the forefront of them, Barg's is nowhere near 6th man material especially on this team, he is the leading scorer and the man who the offense runs through or who they use as a decoy...Davis doesn't even close to that yet.....it was a fine first game, I was impressed with the cohesion of the team both offensively and defensively and that play call by Casey near the end of the half was a beauty....I liked 2 things especially the blocks and the lobs....tomorrow night's game will be a tough one, as the Pacers have some wide big bodies, if Gray is absent for a extended period of time we need a wide body badly, and we can't expect the 3 point shooting we got last night on a regular basis, plus 2 were prayers (which were answered) as the shot clock was expiring....but a good solid start, and that Bayless chat with Casey after the game was interesting it was long and animated with Bayless seeking out Casey, perplexing, maybe nothing...ok have a good one...

[Kevin Murray]

Hi Doug,

I followed the blog last night and it was good to have basketball again.

On your opinion about the New Orleans/Atlanta game: I will let Peter King from SI speak for me

Finally, this bit about getting the record when your team is up by 22 with three minutes left against a rival you might tick off by doing it: A coach is always going to do what is best for his team. And Sean Payton didn't want this record hanging over his head for another week. As Brees told me last week, the record was the 800-pound gorilla in the locker room, and he was excited about getting it -- but also excited about getting it over with so the team could get on with regular football. Payton had a way, through his playcalling, to get the record over with so the Saints could prepare for their final game and the playoffs without the distraction of the Marino record. I have no problem with it, because I think it was done with the team, and a player the organization loves, in mind.

Read more: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/writers/peter_king/12/27/week.16/index.html#ixzz1hmKCPF5X

[Ted S.]

Congrats to Coach Casey on his first win. Solid team play against a weak opponent. Looking forward to watching Thompson for years to come. A pile of potential and very game.
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So glad the NBA is back!
.
Best of luck for exciting stories this year, Doug. Count me as one of the fans who won't mind the losing (*THIS YEAR), especially if the "how they lose" demonstrates player growth and effort.

[martin]

The Raptors will be eaten alive by the Pacers tonight, Toronto can't hang with a top tier team like the pacers, they will lose by -15 tonight?

I am a Raptor fan , this is just a very long process folks ! Have faith but be realistic !

[Pipit]

Doug, any reactions from Jay Triano on the way Casey are making his former players play?