Bold moves really pay off to end a good trip

Well, well, well.

Guy takes a night off (yes, it was quite nice, actually) and the HOTH end a long, hard trip like that?

Nice.

Anyway, we’re a bit shorter than usual today, mostly ‘cause Sunday was truly a day of rest.

And the lads have today off – something about spending 15 of the last 17 days on the road led Dwane to give ‘em a down day -- so it’s a couple hours of paperwork in the office and a fair bit of couch time for me.

Have at it …

-

THREE POINTERS

Kudos to Case

Yeah, I was entirely surprised when word came down that both Jose and Jerryd would start. It thinned the point guard ranks considerably but Dwane was able to massage minutes well enough that it didn’t matter.

You have to like a coach who makes a bold move, whether it pays off or not, don’t you?

It got them off to a fine start – and a tie after one quarter is quite fine with this group – and it seemed to spark everyone.

You know me and coaches: Too much blame when things go wrong, too much credit when things go right. But I’m putting this win on Casey, for sure.

-

Who was that guy?

Checking the boxscore and the number jumped out like no others.

DeMar DeRozan: 11-16 FTs.

Yes, 16 free throws. In one game.

Of course it was a season high – it was also a single-game career high – and, for one night at least, he got it.

Was talking yesterday to someone who cares greatly about this team and they were lamenting his lack of aggression and apparently desire to avoid contact at the rim and somehow DeRozan must have heard it.

I’m not suggesting you’re going to see that every night but if he gets in his head that it’s the way he can be most effective, maybe we’ll see it more often than not.

-

And another thing …

Lost amid the play of Bayless and DeRozan was the fact Amir Johnson got back in the starting lineup and had his best game in a while.

What was most impressive was the way he showed on high screens, “impacting the ball” as they say. Dare I say it’s the kind of defence we’re used to seeing from Bargnani and it was good to see someone emulate it?

I don’t know whether Dwane will stay with this starting group for a while – it might be tough to do it against the big Hawks or the Celtics this week – but if he does, they’ll need that kind of play more consistently.

-

And …

Someone catch me up: Did the Campbells win? Or the Wales?

-

Okay, part of the day was spent watching Heat-Bulls and this was mighty impressive, wasn’t it?

But when I heard everyone going nuts about it and how LeBron jumped over a guy and wasn’t that something special, a creeping “yawn” was felt.

This was more impressive, to me.

-

-

Okay, it’s already begun, the zany Super Bowl hype and I’m watching TV sometime Sunday and I hear some voice on TV talk about the last Giants-Pats Super Bowl – the one where the guy caught the ball against his head – and how that was “the biggest upset in Super Bowl history.”

I know it’s a young person’s world but surely to goodness someone writing copy remembers Joe Namath, no?

-

I’m not the biggest tennis fan in the world, I’ll watch the finals of Grand Slams if there’s nothing better to do but that’s about it, but, man, wasn’t that something yesterday?

Two great players at the top of their game, lots of drama, five sets for the first time against each other, five-plus hours and two individuals simply willing themselves to be great.

It was exceptional, no?

It’s what sports is about, guys pushing themselves to the very limits of their ability, each at the top of their game and the best man winning in the end.

It’s also been amazing to watch the apparent passing of the torch in an individual sport over the past few years.

We went from Sampras to Federer to Nadal for a while and now to Djokovic and it’s been a great, great ride. Love to see that progression in an individual sport.

-

Hmm.

Sitting around the house once Air Canada got me home on Saturday, spied Antonio Davis on NBA TV and the guy did an admirable job.

Guess the HOTH might lead the NBA in Guys Who Are Good on TV. You’ve got AD, I enjoy seeing Jalen every now and then and Sam does a bang up job when he gets a shot.

Now, if one of the radio or TV stations here wants to hire Butch, we’ll have one more to add to the list.

-

 

 

Comments

[Matt M]

Hey Doug, you probably already noticed but, in case you didn't, Sheridan plugged your blog in his rankings this Sunday.
Good win by the Raps but I fear yet another PG debate when Bargnani returns. Nice to see Bayless play so well defensively against a tough opponent.

[sam]

I had totally forgotten that Vince had a full head of hair -

[Alex H]

I had totally forgotten that Vin Baker had existed, let alone that he used to be good enough to play for Team USA.

[JT]

Good win for Raps. What's going on in Jersey? Deron Williams isn't even looking at all like the same player he was in Utah for all those years since his move to Jersey. I suppose they really miss Lopez.

[doug]

you know what I like about Casey is that when Jack was saying the team was put on "red alert" I think to me that by team Casey includes himself and the coaching staff in there as well and takes ownership for losses as much as the team ....some coaches preach and demand this and that after losses or throw guys under the bus,Casey backed up his words with his actions, by making lineup changes, whether they worked or not was beside the point...players saw the "red alert" was for everyone involved....also another point raised in yesterdays game was that the team never took a red eye out of Denver, I raised this before in the blog or the IGBT and I don't understand why teams take so many red eyes, let the players go back to the hotel room, decompress, unwind get a decent nights sleep then hit a mid-day flight, look over film etc on the flight, makes total sense, maybe they will try to incorporate more in the future...unbelievable tennis final, talk about conditioned athletes and players giving it all they have, unreal and kudos to both of them...cheers...

[doug]

plus you mentioned before about Howard and how you would trade him which I completely agree with, but to me the dude just doesn't get it, now to call out teammates is all well and good after a loss but come on to call out teammates after you yourself have demanded a trade or haven't re-signed is completely bogus...his teammates have no respect for him, because they know as well as anyone does it's him that needs called out, it's him that has to take responsibility for the mess down there...they lost again by 19, and Howard IS the reason why and Otis Smith is as well as he has allowed a player to hold a team hostage and the team knows it...time to ship him out and fast....teams need to come before players, we have seen 1st hand with the Raps what happens when players come first...

[Dave]

Your video is a reminder of how good Vince could have been if he had the drive and work ethic. Imagine if he had the work ethic of a Jordan or Wade. He had the most natural talent of any of them but never had the initiative to fully develop his game.

[Tim H.]

Joe Namath? He of the white shoes? Sure I remember him! And, I remember reading his book, which has to have the greatest title of all-time:
"I Can't Wait Until Tomorrow ... 'Cause I Get Better-Looking Every Day"

[LeeZ]

Aw, come on, Doug!!! You give us a big, fat, juicy "quote" of sorts that you attribute to "someone who cares greatly about this team", leaving us hanging as to who it might be! Can you at least confirm or deny that the "they" are/is someone on the team's payroll? Whoever "they" are, bless them, because if we have finally seen an end to DD's contact-avoiding, dipsy-doodling at the rim instead of going up with a good head of steam and trying to dunk that mother, then they should get a raise.

Blogger's note: "They" are someone high in the pecking order

[joe]

the vince carter dunk is still impressive and one of the best dunks of all time, but the lebron dunk was still pretty insane since it was an alleyoop and he literally jumped over him and the defender's head wasn't between lebron's legs like in the carter dunk. sure this guy's 5'11" and the other's 7' but the lebron dunk was still pretty amazing.

[Mos High]

To be honest I think D Howard has the right to call out his team mates. Its looks to me that he is giving his all. He is aggressive on defensive and a monster on the boards. On top of all of that, this guy gets some of the hardest fouls every night, I mean every night.

So for team mates to hang there heads and pout is just straight foolishness to me. Play hard regardless. Do people want D howard to come out and say "I dont want to be here anymore?" He would really get killed in the media. Orlando is a heavy jump shooting team with no real future. Forget free steve nash, free D Howard the league needs this guy!!!

Oh Raptors, love what Casey is trying to do with a team, that to be honest has very limited talent. Keep it up Raptors I cant stand the loosing, so all victories are good. Hopefully DeRozan picks it up

[Ren]

Hey Doug.
Speaking of HOTH personalities that are good on tv...
How about that assistant coach - Tom Sterner.
That guy definitely did an undergrad in television broadcasting or something.
At halftime (I know you don't see it, but maybe last night you did) he lights up the halftime discussion with Devlin + - makes eye contact with the camera, moves his hands around, really looks the part.
I think he would be great in that gig - the guy's quite good.
Any thoughts?
Maybe you could let him know he is doing a good job for me...

[JHK]

John Lucas III - 5'11"
Frederic Weis - 7'2"

'Nuff said.

[SAS]

I think Casey should stick with this unconventional lineup and let other teams figure them out. Yes they aren't big but very agile and active especially on defense and don't know if you noticed but they gang rebound which I like. Yes NJ had a few too many offensive boards but I honestly think this lineup gives them the best balance both offensively and defensively until Andrea comes back. Putting either Gray or Davis in there with Amir just doesn't work for me.....Great move Casey!

[Nick M]

@Dave... Couldn't agree with you more.
-
I know it may be taboo to mention HWSNBN in this way on this particular blog but he had a silky smooth jump shot (including the three), a great handle, amazing hands and was an amazing athlete.
-
He had a fearlessness and drive to be the best for the first two, three or four years? (I can't remember exactly). Then, it seems, once he got to a pre-concieved level of respect and admiration he was satisfied... What could have been, indeed!

[Ron S]

I've been hard on DeMar recently...and deservedly so for his lack of fire and passion. But gotta give him credit when he deserves it...he played well last night. Not just because his shots were falling, but also because he played D with passion and he was fearless taking it to the basket. Hopefully, this is the start of something...consistent effort and passion on both ends of the court.

[The J]

Vince's dunk was incredible, and probably a once in a lifetime acheivement. But that doesn't lessen how impressive Lebron's dunk was. Yes the guy was shorter, and to be honest he crouches a little more than Weiss did, but Lebron is catching an alleyoop in the middle of NBA action (ie, not an 1-on-1 situation in a game against France). That's still very impressive. Not the best of all time, but impressive.

[joeu]

@Nick M

There's nothing like watching an NBA player who knows how to score.

You've reminded me of a comment Dave Hopla made in an article in The Star, when he was a shooting coach for the Raps.

The article went through the fundamental mechanics of a good shot, and then the reporter asked Dave who among the Raps had the best mechanics.

His response was that it was Vince Carter; that Vince could pull up and make a shot with perfect form 10 times in a row, but then he would get bored or something and mess up the next attempt.

Maybe a pretty fair assessment of Vince's mindset.

[Voices]

@doug, the poster

Your rant in the comment section of Saturday's blog referring to my buddy as "crude,rude and lude" and "all that is wrong with sport and society today" was a reaction to my buddy's obvious post to Paulo's comments regarding the stance of "Doug", as in Mr. Smith, not you.
Cheers, Voices

[Lorie]

Hey Doug!
Yesterday was a pretty cool day for enjoying sports for me starting with the memorable Djokovic-Nadal match, followed by a fun outing to watch the London Lightning play the St. John Mill Rats, then home in time to miss (which is what I call perfect timing) the NHL All Star Game but catch Raptors-Nets opening tip. So, nice win by the Raptors, close, exciting finish by Djokovich, but the most fun I had was watching the London Lightning win another game, and clinch a playoff spot, and score their highest number of points in a game this season. And as this is their inaugural season, we're talking most number of points "ever"! As usual there were just under 3,000 at the JLC to watch. And I suppose number crunchers would tell you this means things are going pretty well for the franchise. But you know how I know the team's succeeding? Everyone on the team's wearing cool new shoes! The best on the team were worn by Centre Shawn Daniels' were the most beautiful rainbow colour pair of Nikes I've ever seen. But the best of the best? On the feet of none other than Coach Michael Ray Richardson. I don't know how many reptiles gave their lives in the creation of the fabulous footwear he had on yesterday, but as is said "...'tis a far, far better place...". And, really, those reptiles could not have found themselves on the feet of a more sartorially splendid fellow. Cheers!

[m]

" rant in the comment section of Saturday's blog referring to my buddy as "crude,rude and lude"
What does "lude" mean? ounds like the spelling of someone takes (qua)ludes.

[SY]

There are a lot of news saying that the Raptors are going hard for Wilson Chandler.....any truth to that? I love Wilson.....but do we really want to overpay now and not wait for the summer?

-SY

Blogger's note: There's interest there but not for this season

[SY]

OK....the source portrait it to be quite legit saying the Raptors need to move either Jose (apparently to the Lakers) or Barbosa to get it done.......I thought they are really talking this season since we have plenty of cap space comes the offseason.

[marc in panama]

Hola Doug,

Reading the Power Ranking on his blog, I saw the shout out and link by SheridanHoops to you and the fantastic job you do blogging here. Well deserved, mi amigo.

marc in panama

[D-Mac Ottawa]

@m, Good call. That should actually be "(quaa)", though. Meanwhile, "lewd" is crude and rude, and so are their usages in this case. Common ground, gentlemen – it's a great place to meet.
BCo is to be commended: He has brought one fine coach to Toronto!
And now for something completely different: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CS-XH_194-M
Cheers. Go Raps!