Now they can get started for real, thankfully

I think we can safely say that no matter what, the NBA pre-season is too long, right?

Anyway …

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Three pointers

One small step

Not a big deal but certainly something that a few people noticed, on both sides of court.

DeMar DeRozan inadvertently knocks down Avery Bradley about midcourt in the second half, at a point when I don’t think things were going particularly well, if memory serves.

DeRozan has a bit of a look of disdain on his face after the play and where in the past he might have tried to help the guy up or at least don’t nothing untoward, the HOTH got up and clearly stepped right over the head of the prone Celtic.

Like I said, not a big deal but for a team that at times in the past seemed to have been a bit intimidated by the mean old Celtics, it was kind of telling.

One of the guys on the staff was telling me even before Sunday’s game was that he wanted to see some aggression from the Raptors towards the Celtics, a willingness to stand up to them and that was at least a little sign.

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Two black holes?

Now it is an entirely small sample size but consider these statistics:

Starting small forward: Seven points in just over 41 minutes.

Starting centres: Two points in almost 40 minutes.

You might be able to hide one non-producing offensive player in a five-man starting unit – and Dwane told us before the game that he’s not looking for a lot of points from his centre as long as they provide a physical defensive presence – but I don’t think you can hide two.

Perhaps we can chalk it up to just a slow start for James Johnson, who did manage to have five steals against the Celtics in Boston on Wednesday but he’s also got eight turnovers in two games and those seven points.

Not that there’s a lot behind him. Rasual Butler’s hurt, Gary Forbes doesn’t look like the answer right now and if that’s not the trouble spot, I don’t know what is.

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Time management

One of Dwane’s laments after Sunday’s game was a lack of “awareness” of time and score and situation.

Well, the Raptors get the ball back with about 36 seconds left in the first half and it looked like a pretty good time to get a two-for-one to finish off the half.

Maybe not optimum but certainly something to work on.

Well, they ended up getting a three-pointer with about 25 seconds left and the chance evaporated. A very tiny thing but …

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And now …

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From the ridiculous to the sublime.

Was going to save this one for tomorrow to finish off our musical run-up to Christmas but after Earth Kitt yesterday (and wasn’t it a bit of a shock to see Catwoman acting like that) it’s time for something special.

Best. Carol. Ever?

Be in the conversation, maybe.

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Hey, I see the pucks are playing the Buffalos tonight? That hardly ever happens, does it?

Better than Houston-Indy in the NFL, I guess.

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You know, it’s all well and good that the Raptors are somehow going to “honour” our servicemen and servicewomen with those, um, interesting camouflage jerseys four times this season.

And because they haven’t yet “officially” unveiled them it’ll give ‘em time to do this:

Announce the dates they’ll wear them, promise that, say, 5,000 free tickets will be made available to each of the four games to soldiers here and relatives of those on active duties and promise that $5 from the sale of each every one of them at their two stores will go to a charity of the armed forces choosing.

Then I’m all for it.

As for the look? Well, you know me and fashion (and the lack thereof) but I’m not a huge fan; one guy standing around in one of those jerseys might look okay, 12 or 15 of ‘em might be a bit much.

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Enough basketball here for you?

(Don’t get used to it)

But if you want to talk about something else, like life in general or whatever’s on your mind, the mail’s available to you.

Here. Please.

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This isn’t the olden days

Lots of wondering from the folks about the offence and a whole lot of ugly reminiscences to 2004 and what has come to be known as The KO Era.

Not the same.

Not even close.

KO, for all his maniacal attention to defence, was also a micro-manager of everything to do with offence and that’s where the big difference is.

Where KO called almost every single play – often to the point of stopping the point guard of the day while he was headed up the court – Dwane does want let them get out and go whenever the opportunity presents itself and is not at all concerned about micromanaging the offence.

Now, he doesn’t have the firepower that KO had for most of that year – HWSNBN still had some game, Jalen was a pretty good scorer himself – but Casey wants to let ‘em play.

Those comparisons between the coaches don’t carry water.

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So, the NBL Canada’s back in the news.

Got a note yesterday that Mark Strickland is out as head coach of the Oshawa Power (second coaching change in the league’s inaugural season) and he’s being replaced by David Joseph, a well-known local who doubles as the dad of Cory and Devoe, two rather recognizable names.

Not sure if it’ll mean an awful lot in what’s turning out to be one of the more difficult markets for the league to crack but guess it does show that ownership out there is willing to make bold moves to salvage something of the season.

Salvage might be the wrong word, the Power isn’t a bad team, they play entertaining basketball and will get No. 1 overall draft pick Morgan Lewis back from injury for the end-of-the-season run.

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Okay, early flight back home, lots to do when I get there (you don’t think the mall’s will be crowded, with they? I have some shopping to do) so we’ll get to comments whenever we can.

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Comments

[sam]

Centre and Small forward.....Yikes!
To Doug and All Irregulars - Have a Great Christmas......

[JHK]

Pain will only last 66 games.
Centre - Jonas!
Small Forward - Harrison Barnes or Perry Jones!
Point Guard - Derron Williams or Steve Nash! :)
Waited more than 5 years, another 7 month or so doesn't hurt much!

[LeeZ]

@JHK: +1
Doug, you say that Forbes doesn't seem to be the answer. I just saw him in the first game, so, laughably tiny sample, but he seemed to play pretty decent defence, and showed some offensive flashes as well. Did he regress in game two, and why did you (sarcastically) note effusively that he made a midrange jumper in your in-game blog? Had he missed a whole bunch before?

Blogger's note: He is a very raw unproven player who has never really done anything in the NBA. He needs to work on his shooting.

[AT]

Watched the Boston Feed on the internet... those announcers are unbelievable homers (didn't pay attention to their names) which is Ok by me but when one of them started to say (paraphrasing).."It looks like the raptors could use five or six more.... (long pause)... pre-season games". the other guy says with a chuckle "I thought you were going to say the raptors could use five or six more players...." and they both continued to chuckle...

Doug, is it going to be that bad this year? Are the raptors going to be the laughing stock of the NBA this year???

Blogger's note: Who knows.

[LeeZ]

How much of the Raptors offensive woes so far can be attributed to general lameness and how much to the fact that the Celtics are one of the premier defensive squads in basketball, featuring, in KG and Rondo, arguably the best defenders at their position in the league?

[Peter]

Thanks for the blog Doug!

I think Bowie and Crosby singing little drummer boy/peace on earth is by far the best Christmas carol of all time. Maybe Fairytale of New York, from earlier this month is a close second. But this version is also worth your time:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJBFD-Wvc7U

[Jeff R]

Hi Doug,

I have to throw Otis Redding into the mix for best holiday song with his version of White Christmas.

http://vimeo.com/18114497

For something more edgy, perhaps No Doubt's Oi To The World would work.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hoL1Uxwk6vc

Happy Holidays.

[Kelsey]

I think us Raptor fans are going to have to deal with very low scoring games with awful offense, opposed to letting up 115pts per game. Its a pick your posion.

Look for it to be the last year Bargnani & Calderon in Toronto. These guys have

been good for the team, but Raptors need to move on, Bargnani is the only player that Raptors could trade to get a decent player back.

Im going to stick to what I said previously, RAPTORS SHOULD OF PICKED A POINT GUARD!!!.. Jonas looks to be a good pick, but Raptors point guard situation is probably one of the worst in the league!!! Unless they plan on picking one up next year!!! It will be a long,long year. Im usually optimistic with even poor Raptors teams, but not this year

With all that being said Im so glad they are back regardless of the outcome.

[jc]

Hey Doug,
I was interested to see your response to Demar's (intended or otherwise)move. I'm all for fair play but I agree, after being at the other end of it from the Celtics for all these years, it was encouraging to see. Not sure that Heinsohn would agree though :)

[Peter]

Hi Doug, When you say that Casey wants to "let them play" on offense, and won't get into a lot of play calling. To me, that's one of my biggest concerns about this team. I think this team needs to know what's going to happen on offense. Without Jose calling the shots, I don't see a single other player capable of "team offensive creativity" and I fear that just letting these guys decide what to do on offense is going to be the undoing of this team.
Am I worried for no reason? I agree that KO should have done that with his team, but this team?? I'm picturing Barg's for 3 with no rebounders. Guards settling for jump shots. Lack of movement. Don't they need some sort of offensive identity?

[Penny]

I would like to review the in-game blog from last night. Can somebody tell me where to find it?

[Mike D.]

0-2 in the preseason.....I'm starting to worry that the Raptors might not have a very good record in the regular season.

[Geoff Read]

Let's call the jerseys what they are - an incredibly lame attempt to capitalize on fans' patriotism.

[Emily]

Not sure what's the better Christmas gift -- Bing and Bowie (which makes me almost want to go buy a plastic xmas tree) or the mini-stroll down KO memory lane. Micromanaged offense? Why am I not surprised he would feel the need to control every last thing.

[Bill]

Hump voted as the most hated player of the NBA, over LBJ, Kobe, etc. What did he do to justify that? Any thought on this?

Blogger's note: He did nothing, blame her

[Mike Rotch]

Camo uniforms? Lovely glorification of war. It's so cool and great, right young target audience?

Wish someone would surprise us peace-mongers one day.

[larry lukeeborg]

yeah, gotta agree with geoff at 10h28 and mike at 11h45.

[Stephen]

Hey Doug - I am sure you've heard this lots and are probably rolling your eyes at the thougt - but Al Thonton is sitting out there. Career numbers are pretty good - double/double every year except 2010- 2011. Is he the solution to the SF problem? we have so many SFs, too bad none of them are very good.

Blogger's note: If he'll play on a one-year, minimum-value contract I might make a call

[The J]

"Are the raptors going to be the laughing stock of the NBA this year???"

It's a shortened season, no point in changing anyting now.

[the_beach]

Like Penny, I cannot find the IGBT. I usually read it after the fact and this one (if it exists) is rather illusive.

Thanks for all of your hard work Doug & happy holidays

Blogger's note: It's under the "basketball" section of our site; I'll try to get 'em to make it easier. http://www.thestar.com/sports/basketball/nba/raptors/article/1105435--recap-raptors-vs-celtics-with-doug-smith

[Lorie]

Hello Doug!
Since tomorrow and Saturday are going to be spent shopping and wrapping and baking and stuff (I've never left it this late before; must be the influence of The Irregulars; following your example, I suspect, Doug...) I'd like to wish all of you who stop by here a very safe and Happy Christmas. At least the lack of snow in this part of the world means that while it's not a white Christmas, it's at least one where travelling to and from the homes of friends and families can be done without blizzards and the dreaded Lake Effect Snow Streamers! And speaking of a White Christmas -
http://youtu.be/WFYM7SMlb48
as done by the great Sinatra and Crosby. Why, that clip could only have been improved by the addition of a certain Grace (not Cathal) Kelly who was filming "High Society" with the two of them at the time. Oh, what the heck. She is the Official Mascot, after all. Here she sings with Bing from that very film.
http://youtu.be/m4awCZr7GwY
Cheers One And All. And Merry Christmas.

[Andrew Gregg]

Hi Doug:

All I want to see from the team this year is intensity against the other sad-sacks of the NBA. I want them to take the wood to the Clevelands and the Charlottes with the same defensive zeal they bring to NY and Boston. If Bargnani is going for 8 rebounds a game, I want to see those 8 against Utah and GS as well as LA and...LA. The crystal ball gazers around the rest of the league have all pointed out that Toronto will suck, but they are also writing about how they understand what Coangelo and Casey are doing. So do I. This season is about Davis and DeRozan and Amir Johnson and as long as they don't get hurt or discouraged and win a few games, I'll be willing to watch. But I'm watching with an eye to next year, when they can tie the can to Bargnani and Calderon and reboot the whole franchise. In that sense, I'm glad it's a shortened season.

Also, I was trying to get the wording right on a joke about camouflage and Bargnani's defence, but the joke is just too obvious.

AG, Toronto

[m]

Hump voted as the most hated player of the NBA, over LBJ, Kobe, etc. What did he do to justify that? Any thought on this?
Blogger's note: He did nothing, blame her

Well. he must be incredibly shallow and stupid to get involved with a cartoon character in the first place. He went to college to play ball, sure says a lot about their education system down there. But I suppose that TV is the education system down there.

[james]

As AT said, "Watched the Boston Feed on the internet... those announcers are unbelievable homers". To think that Tom Heinsohn was once on the national broadcast, bless his green-coloured heart.
I can't join those anxious to see the back of Bargnani. As strange as it may sound, at 26 and in his fifth year I think he is still learning how to play. Let's see how he looks at the end of the year after a few months of Casey's extended training camp.
Compliments of the season to all, but especially to Doug for all the work putting this site together.

[sportschick]

Casey and KO comparisons? I shudder at the thought. So do hotel lamps everywhere.

As soon as you mentioned the possibility of 12 of those camo uniforms at one time, I shuddered. Those nights will be hard one the eyes. Even *before* they play.