If Raptors change comes, what will it be?

Warned you the time zone thing would mess me up; early one day, a tad late the next and who knows what you’ll get for the next day or two when this march continues on.

Anyway …

-

Remember Sunday when Dwane Casey hinted that he might have to change things up to find more “balance” on a team that’s had a few terrible starts lately?

Well, he’s still got that idea in his head and who knows who we’ll see when things tip off here tonight in Phoenix.

Now, listening to Dwane yesterday, he seemed okay with James Johnson at the three, I cannot imagine him making a move with DeRozan at the two and if you read today’s missive, he’s okay with Jerryd Bayless continuing on as he backup point guard.

What’s that leave?

Well, the bigs, obviously; unless there’s some dramatic move with DeRozan or something with Johnson but, again, that’s not the indication we got from Dwane yesterday.

Of course, Andrea Bargnani goes back into the starting lineup the second he’s ready (Tonight? Maybe) so who’s the other guy going to be?

Does Amir Johnson come out? Or Ed Davis? And if they do, who goes in? Aaron Gray?

It’ll be an interesting move, if one’s ultimately made. Davis had been just okay, with gusts to not okay; Amir’s had more average games than above-average ones of late and Gray is significantly limited offensively.

But the one thing Casey did say yesterday was that he’s starting to narrow down things to an eight- or nine-man rotation here a quarter into the season.

If I had to guess at a regular nine-man one now, it’d be Calderon, DeRozan, Johnson, Bargnani, Johnson, Bayless, Barbosa, Linas Kleiza and here’s the thing: They need another big and that seems to be Davis and then Gray by default and then what to you do with Gary Forbes and Rasual Butler? Use one and go with 10 men or use neither and stick with nine until foul trouble or injuries pop up?

Me? I go with 10 and give Forbes that last spot to see what you get.

-

Guess Alex Anthopoulos didn’t finish second the race for Omar Vizquel, eh?

Kidding. A bit.

Sure, signing the 44-year-old backup shortstop caused a few raised eyebrows but the one that got me yesterday was the three-year, $20-million extension for Brandon Morrow.

It keeps with Alex’s style (read Griff here for more of the background than I could give you now) and does give them right now a good No. 2, maybe No. 3 starter (depending on anything else happening) and you can’t have enough pitching depth.

I got to see Morrow pitch an awful lot last summer for some reason (guess I was on the same rotation as he was) and while he has some spectacular stuff, there have always been questions about his mental toughness and whether he can turn that stuff in to being a great pitcher.

Maybe he can, there is no disputing the raw natural ability, and now the Blue Jays, at a comparatively low price, have more than a while to find out.

And perhaps having his future settled will allow Morrow to pitch free and easy, to learn his craft as opposed to just using his talents and the greatness many expect from him will come to fruition.

Heaven knows the Blue Jays still could use some starting pitching help but locking up a talented young kid like Morrow is a significant winter move. Now it’s up to him to fully realize his potential.

-

Now this is comical.

The WWE – you know, the fake wrestling stuff that passes itself off as “entertainment” – had some theatrical performance at the US Airways Center on Monday night.

Well, you want to talk about a pretend sport that takes itself seriously?

We’re sitting in a hallway outside the visitors dressing room and practice court while the Raptors worked out, waiting to get in.

A rather burly security fellow was quite put out, getting the WWE’s security chief involved, and then told us we had to go sit in a stairwell lest we, you know, see two grabbling guys hanging out.

Thankfully, the good folks at the Raptors – hi Jim! – spoke some sense to someone, we got into a vestibule inside the practice facility rather than a dank hallway and the pretend athletes/actors were safe from the prying eyes of two Toronto writers.

Oh, yeah: The dressing room was marked “Male Talent” and it looked like all the grapplers were going to change – and likely rehearse – in the same place.

Yeah, that’s a global secret that needs to be kept: Wrestling’s Fake!

-

Hey, you need to check out Canada Basketball’s new web site. Looks very cool, lot of new multi-media stuff and it’s another step, albeit small, on the road back.

-

Time to temper expectations, this time in someone else’s words and not mine.

Now, we all know Solo went to the D League Jams and put up some numbers but, really, don’t get too excited about it. Dwane isn’t:

“The only problem in the D League? You don’t have enough quality big guys to go against in practice or in the games; he’s the biggest thing in the jungle, he needs to look people in the eye and be able to go against them in the post and that type of thing.”

So why send him?

“Again, he got some playing time with referees and that type of thing, which we didn’t have the luxury of giving him here.”

-

Let’s start.

Send mail. Say hi. Entertain me. Here, please.

-

I’m going say this one more time:

If you go to Phoenix and don’t find you’re way to Pizzeria Bianco, you’re doing yourself a disservice.

Try the Sonny Boy (mozzarella, very salty olives and a nice sweet salami) and wash it down with a Nimbus A-1 Pilsner.

You can thank me later.

And start a conversation with the one brother behind the bar, he’ll tell you about the time Steve Nash had his 37th birthday party there or the night Bosh, Bargnani and Calderon showed up.

Or the night Jerry Colangelo showed up with the World Series trophy.

Sometimes a quiet late afternoon’s a good thing.

-

 

 

Comments

[ezio]

Hallo Doug,

I had been wanting to ask to some time now if there is a level of play for DeRozan where his slipping out of the starting unit would start to come into question. I suppose that with the "this season is all about next season" mantra, then that level has to be pretty low, but your ruling out today that the starting unit changes may involve DeRozan seems to imply that his losing the spot is no longer out of the realm of the conceivable (indeed, if I may read through your lines, may there have already been conversations about that?). So, how far are we from that point? Would DeRozan losing his spot imply that he is no longer part of this team's future or just a different phase of his development? And, finally, who would replace him? Barbosa or Bayless? Thanks!

[Zach]

No Ed Davis in your 10-man rotation? If the beat reporter wouldn't even put Davis in the Raps' top 10, then I think he needs to be dealt before his value absolutely craters.

Blogger's note: Sorry, that was an inadvertent deletion on my part; Davis is there now

[Michel G]

I'm surprised Doug you would go with Forbes as the 10th man in your rotation instead of Ed Davis. Shouldn't you have a 4th big in your rotation (unless you count Kleisa as a big). Also, Ed Davis played 31 minutes the other night and Gray played 15 minutes, but you stated that Gray has moved past him by default. It's a bit confusing.

Blogger's note: Sorry, that was an inadvertent deletion on my part; Davis is there now

[Tim]

Yeah, these games have been pretty much unwatchable without Bargnani. It seems like all that early season optimism with the Raps new-found defensive ability was ages ago.

I'm still optimistic that they'll skyrocket toward mediocrity, at least, next season. If they can address the gaping hole at SF, add Jonas and another quality player, then hopefully the games won't be retina-burning next year. It's looking increasingly like this year is a lost cause though.

[Boko]

I can agree with Davis, Barbosa & Bayless as the second level, and with adding Kleiza as the third level big, and Forbes as the third level small.

However, forget about Butler. There'd have to be two injured smaller players out for him to get off the bench in real competitive circumstances. And as soon as one was healthy, he'd be back on the bench again.

[Lorie]

Hello Doug,
And that is precisely why I always carry a lipstick in the deepest shade of red in my purse. Because you never know. You just never know when the spirit (or outrage) will move you to that place where a public display of your opinion is required. Is there anything more iconic than the lipstick message left on a mirror? Classic. And because NOBODY puts our favourite Beat Grunt in a dingy, desolate stairwell, if I'd been in the arena yesterday, that a word on that sign might've been altered a wee bit by adding a "Dis" and "st" in bright bold strokes. And that may not be a real word. But, then again, they're not real talented. Cheers! And Let's Go Raps (With Bargnani In The Lineup Tonight I'm Hoping?!)

[Dave]

Irrespective of the fact that Duane wants balance with the second unit, do you think he may move Derozan to the three with Barbosa or Forbes starting at the two. At some point, Kleiza will become the three, I am not sure we are there yet. Derozan at the three would put him against slower, less athletic players on most nights.

It will be fun to see what changes are made and the results of the change. It may add some interest to tonight's game. This is the most winnable game of this trip. I was hoping that Phoenix would win last night so they would be less hungry tonight. No such luck!

[Dallas]

Good Morning Doug, isn't that an 11 man rotation? Were you meaning to recommend an 11 man rotation, or would you leave someone else off? If so, would it be Gray pr Forbes?

thanks

Blogger's note: Gray

[Nick M]

'...and the pretend athletes/actors were safe from the prying eyes of two Toronto writers.'
-
Doug,
Is this how bad it has become for media coverage of the Raps? Only two writers following the team full time? yama-hama!

Blogger's note: Been like that for a quite a while for most trips, especially west

[doug]

that's one of my pet peeves (I have a few), security guards that have a inflated view of themselves or their job, some strive to be police officers but failed the requirements or more accurately the psychological evaluation...them and doormen at some bars, not all as some are great but their are as many with inflated egos doing those jobs as good ones, same with airport security, ....coaches always seem hesitant to shake up the starting 5, I know it obviously has a domino effect on a team in terms of rotations, sub patterns etc...but me I'd shake it up constantly, as players wouldn't get comfy with roles and also when things are in a downward spiral players need to know change is coming...Celts beat the Magic last night by what 30+, without Rondo or Allen, the NBA this year is like a box of chocolates..

[Pat]

The WWE is a TV show just like any other. They have to keep their story lines a secret until it is aired.

[SheikYurbouti]

Fans really need Bargnani back to make these games watchable. Not only has it been a joy to see his play this year, but the rest of the team plays much better with him on the court. Still lots of weakness, but better.
-
The Canada Basketball site may look a little better, but at a quick glance it looks like they should still be spending more effort on more, and especially up to date information. Each time I've gone there in the past, I either can't find the type of information that would keep me going back, or the information is weeks, months, even year old news.
For example, a quick scan shows Cory Joseph and Tristan Thompson still on their NCAA teams, but also on their NBA teams, while many current NCAA players aren't there at all. Actually, lots of outdated information, which makes the site practically useless. If they find a way to keep it up to date, they could sure use more information also.
Do they need a website admin? ;) How much would they pay an old guy with limited skills, but one that could certainly maintain/improve a simple site like that? :)

[Lorie]

@doug -
Your statement about over-zealous security guards, "that's one of my pet peeves (I have a few)", was so brilliantly, gloriously understated, well, it made my smile. Hope that doesn't offend. :)

[David in Oakville]

I have to say Doug that the travel and restaurant recommendations are the reasons I read everyday because, well.. the Raps news is "meh" at best.

I have committed to seeing two games in person this year and will be taking a round ball round trip but I just can't seem to get motivated by any of the NBA story lines right now. Are there any?

Thank god you don't take attendance at the IGBT. You don't take attendance at the IGBT do you?

Blogger's note: Sure there are. Rubio's fun in Minny, Memphis has won 7 straight, what's going on in Dallas, Utah's a surprise; all kinds of good ones

[Binder]

Loved a comment made by Raps brodcast team in the Portland game. "the Raps are getting good looks but not making the shots". Of course they are not making the shots, only good players make the shots. Please BC do something, I need to watch the Raps

[Tim H.]

Hey Doug:

Do they serve these in any of the NBA media rooms?

http://www.thestar.com/living/food/article/1120185--introducing-the-100-hotdog-infused-with-2-000-a-bottle-cognac

Blogger's note: It's my own search for the holy grail

[doug]

@Lori no offense taken, your comment made me laugh (in a good sincere way)), as to me if we can't be honest about who and what we are both strengths and weaknesses well then we are doing ourselves a disservice...so Flip walked the plank, whose the next one now i wonder??...Mike Brown should be, talk about a bad hire....if anyone ever wants to see a movie that produces a strong reaction from the audience/viewers as to whether it is any good, watch Tree of Life, you either get it or you don't, there is no in between ...I bet it will be one of the all-time dvd rental leaders in being rented and turned off halfway through by a lot of people...me i loved it I think it's brilliant

[GM]

One change I'd like to see is Barbosa playing more with Calderon instead of Bayless. He and Bayless are two guys that look for their own shot so don't mesh well together. Calderon needs a scorer to pass to. Plus Barbosa is a real spark plug and the starting unit sure could use one.

I remain perplexed by your endorsement of Forbes. I just don't see anything there. Maybe he looks better in person. I'd definitely put Gray ahead of him on a 10-man roster.

[sam]

What possible line up changes can you make with a 10 man rotation?
Your starters Jose, DD, Andrea, JJ and Amir (if indeed he is out of the dog house)..Off the bench, Kleiza, Bayless, Grey, Barbosa and Davis.
It seems Casey's big dilema is how to keep his young team motivated to play hard on both sides of the ball during this losing streak.

Good for Brandon Morrow and the Jays - and Viscal was my favourite Shortstop 15 years ago. I'm sure AA sees something that the great unwashed has missed.

I had the pleasant experience of being back stage for a meet and greet with a few WWE performers awhile back - Their names escape me, but the kids I was keeping an eye on were thrill to death meeting them. I watched as one giant of a man (Sid Vicious maybe?) screamed himself hoarse doing a TV promo. He saw me smirking at his adventure in media and shot me a grin. The guys were approachable and treated the kids in attendance pretty well.
The highlight of the evening for me was sitting in front of the Cashman Russell Oliver - who seemed to enjoy all the attenton he was getting...

[Don]

Actually, would like to see Demar, Amir and Ed come off the bench for a while, until they get their games in better shape. Gray, Bargs, Kleiza, Bayless or Calderon and Leandro to start which will help in the first quarter.