Halfway home on an expected journey

At least the message is consistent.

The enduring theme as we hung around the HOTH on Tuesday discussing the impending arrival of the halfway point of the season – yeah, tonight is Game 33 of 66 if you can believe that – was that the biggest need in the second half of the season is a level of consistency from individuals and as a whole.

Duh.

Not playing down to the level of the opposition would be nice; playing as hard at the start of the game as at the end would be nicer; playing the same every night out would be nicest.

Not possible, though; not yet and not with this group that is still learning what it takes to win in the NBA on a regular basis.

As we mentioned last weekend in the report card thingy (go here to relive it in all its glory) there are only a handful of players who are living up to, or exceeding, expectations, let alone over-achieving.

But that’s the thing with this group, especially without its best player in Bargnani.

Last year, guys like DeRozan, Davis and the Johnson twins – and to some extent Jose and Andrea – were very much learning how to play in the NBA.

This year, those same guys have a bit of an idea how to play, they’re now learning what it takes to win.

We’ve seen some good signs over the first half and some bad ones but nothing entirely unexpected.

We knew – or should have known – that this was a season of discovery and no one said all the discoveries were going to be good. We can see how much work remains to be done with several players, we can see faults and promise in almost equal parts.

But you know what?

These guys are believers because they are pro athletes and they truly and honestly believe that they can, and will, win every game they play.

It’s a wonderful attitude to have, actually; you want that sense of optimism and confidence in the team you cheer for, don’t you?

DeMar:

“We’re not that many games off the playoffs, all we need is a little winning streak, start beating teams we should be and we can play with any top team in this league. Once we start doing that, we’ll be fine. There’s nothing to panic about because we know we can come out and we still got a chance.”

Is it possible? Nah, likely not. But wouldn’t you rather he think that rather than wallow in some kind of despair?

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I’m crushed.

A pretend football game between a team from another city and some other team won’t be played in Toronto this summer, I hear.

Drat.

Whatever are we to do?

Seriously, though, the fact the Buffalo Bills have decided to blow off the year’s exhibition game here is probably welcome news because it won’t separate people here from their hard-earned money. If there’s anything worse than pre-season football in the whole scheme of exhibition sports, I don’t know what it is.

Basketball can provide you with a wow moment, regardless of who’s on the floor; spring baseball games provide the unique opportunity to see pitchers get their running in across the outfield while the game’s going on and who cares anyway, you’re sitting outside watching. Pucks? Well, aside from the fact they play about a million of ‘em, it seems, must be some endearing quality although I will fully admit I have never watched an NHL exhibition game start to finish and feel quite proud of that fact.

Football? Treble yawn.

Best thing about the news on the Bills thing? There’s something super-secret perhaps coming to the Dome about that time of the summer. No one’s saying what it is and it’s apparently not finalized but a guy can dream, right?

Isn’t that about when Bruce Springsteen’s back from Europe? How cool would that be?

(That is total and utter hope and guesswork on my part, by the way)

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Please, some mail.

Thanks.

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I swear it wasn’t two weeks ago that I heard or read how the Leaves were getting good enough goaltending to make the playoffs for sure.

Today?

Not so much.

Poor Monster and the other guy; it’s going to be feeding frenzy time.

Good thing we can operate in relative obscurity over in the other part of the building.

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Is this tanking?

The San Antonio Spurs, already without injured Manu Ginobili and Tiago Splitter, gave Tony Parker and Tm Duncan last night off and the results were rather predictable.

No, not Spurs by 12.

Blazers by 40.

Gregg Popovich made all the salient points when he was explaining: It’s been three games in four night, whatever number it was in whatever number of nights and it just time to give the two older guys a full night of rest.

No sense in trying to give them short minutes – in the flow of a game that never really works because coaches and players tend to get caught up in the desire to win – so a complete night off it was.

Of course, it wasn’t “tanking” in the Toronto-centric meaning of the word because there was nothing to be gained by losing.

But it still rankles me an awful lot.

It is, without question, disrespecting the game, the opponent, the fans, your team, to simply sit the two best players you have available because they “might” get hurt or might be tired.

The Spur are off tonight, they play Thursday and then the all-star break hits with a weekend off for Duncan and, I’m sure, plenty of rest and no stress for Parker, who can coast through the game and the Saturday night shenanigans quite easily.

At some level, I can understand what Popovich did; at some other level I find it a bit off-putting.

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Speaking of pucks (and, yeah, two pucks things in one day) …

It was this date in 1980 when this happened:

Remember?

I vaguely do.

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Comments

[JHK]

DD's quote above, isn't he just being 'politically correct'?
I mean, he's not going to say "Look man, we're tanking this year, right?"
It's hard to detect any kind of true emotion from these interview quotes...
But I would be happy that if he (and the other young guys) understand the situation and realize the big picture ahead of them - play hard but have eyes on the big prize and don't get hurt.

[Mike D.]

Doug, I saw an article on NBA.com talking about RFA Wilson Chandler coming back and signing a new contract with the Nuggets "probably within the next week or so" and that it might be a long-term contract. The process as described seems out of sync both with the usual FA timeline and with the ability of other teams (like the Raptors) to make offers to him. What am I missing?

Blogger's note: I believe it's because he's been under contract in China, and teams didn't have money to make him offers. Raps had/have some interest, no clue how it'll play out

[Boko]

Popovic, couldn't you have rested one leader one day & the other one another day? Poor planning for such an exalted coach!

Let's not all forget that Amir & James peak in 1-2 years, Jerryd in 2-3, and Ed & DeMar in 3-4 years! Next season is the real start of the contending years, especially with a full training camp under Coach Casey & Jonas joining us!!! AND IF WE'RE LUCKY, we'll have a new starting swing, and a new quick 3rd PG, as well ...

There's no point to any significant level of scrutiny this season. It's premature.

[doug]

I am tiring of hearing the word "tanking', I hope it soon goes away....the Brit awards were last night, and to look at the nominees for female vocalists is impressive, their all eclectic talented singers, imagine Kate Bush being nominated in the States or Laura Marling wouldn't happen...their music scene is the best and encourages diversity, nominees for best female solo artist , Adele, Kate Bush, Laura Marling (folk singer), Florence and the Machine (great voice, terrific act) and Jesse J the only mainstream, contemporary type artist amongst the whole group....here's a Laura Marling clip, the Brits know how to do and celebrate music...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-TMl5oCRjk

[Tim]

Regarding Coach Popovich disrespecting the game -- I see where you're coming from, but maybe the nba is disrespecting the game by putting too many games too close together. Popovich is just living in the world they made.

Blogger's note: The league is entirely complicit in this; so is the Players Association for agreeing to such an abomination

[SheikYurbouti]

"It is, without question, disrespecting the game, the opponent, the fans, your team, to simply sit the two best players you have available because they “might” get hurt or might be tired."
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I do relate to what you're saying, but that's if you look at "the game" on an individual game basis. Reality is that the "NBA game" is about doing what you feel needed to winning your last game at the end of the season. The league, in it's infinite wisdom, created this situation with the insane schedule, thus disrespecting the game and fans more than any coach who adapts in a manner he feels is necessary to reaching the end goal.
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Hey, here's a Canadian musician I saw at the Calgary Folk Festival last year, and just ran across this tune/video that I though I'd share:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NjMsWarn8BI&feature=related

[Tj]

I can almost guarantee it to be true. But I am not aloud to confirm.

Blogger's note: But how about quietly? Whatever it is you're talking about

[Lorie]

Hey Doug!
Oh, I love the summer music festivals held in this area of SW Ontario: Hillside in Guelph, Bayfest in Sarnia and the three I try never to miss here in London: Home County, Bluesfest and Rock the Park. Great music performed outdoors. Perfect! (I'll have to get out to Alberta and check out that one in Calgary soon.) Now, about 15 years ago at a mid-summer music festival on the waterfront in Hamilton I saw a singer who I'd not heard before, but whose music grabbed me right away. And on the way to work this morning I heard a track from her latest CD on CBC Radio and thought I'd share it. Here is the pride and joy of Forest, Ontario: Emm Gryner. (Who, by the way, toured with the one and only David Bowie for a time!) Cheers! And Go Raps tonight!
http://youtu.be/mlkxxEiLt58

[Richie]

1. Where has 32 years gone?
2. Al Michael's voice was higher back then
3. Yup, I remember it well. Not sure anyone saw that coming!

[Moshigh]

I was also upset that POP took his guys out. I have Fantasy teams that needs every single point. Parker is on my team and being playing well. This is a short week in Fantasy so Im upset lol!!

It was a grusome game last night.

I agree with Boko, this year is truly a building year, the teams defense is certainly better. Also hard to know what this team is like when best player has been out for majority of the games. I still think they move Calderon if they can get a good deal and PG in return. I just know what direction Raptors are going with the back court

[D-Mac Ottawa]

Ah, Music Day at the old DougBloggery. Very nice. I enjoyed every one of them!
Cheers and thanks. Go Raps!

[Craig A]

Hey Doug

I've heard word (from some people with decent basketball credibility) that Wilson Chandler was in town today? Any truth to that?

Blogger's note: There is, little note upcoming but don't read too much into it right yet

[Manale]

I'd be pretty furious if I blew the big money it costs to see an NBA game and Pop sat everybody.

That said, Pop's looking at the big picture. You don't want to wind up with a team that plays like this year's Celtics come playoff time...

[james]

Lorie: Emm Gryner fans shouldn't miss her star turn in the terrific Canadian road picture "One Week", also featuring cameos by Gord Downie and Joel Plaskett.