The response to adversity is key; and a couple of huge losses

Oh, yeah, there were always going to be nights like last night and guess what? There might be more.

Doesn’t make it any easier to take for some of you, I guess; but the gap between old and young, good and bad, is wide in this man’s NBA and we might see another one or two like that again.

Whoop.

And.

Eee!

Right?

Anyway …

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THREE POINTERS

So what’s next?

Well, if you’ve read the game story, and I’m sure you all have, it’s back at it in the practice court today (guess that means Pearson to the ACC rather than Pearson to NBN for me) but the proof will be how things turn out tomorrow night.

I wondering. And so is Dwane.

"We’ll see. We’ll see what we’re made of, whether we’ll come out and fight or flight.

"I really believe we have character in that room, I believe that we have good guys I believe we have a strong constitution and I expect us to come out and compete and play hard."

And that’s the essence of Casey, I think. He doesn’t do “public mad” all that often or all that well, he wants to be supportive, he wants to believe.

But he was mad with gusts to seething after that performance and I would imagine behind the closed doors of the practice facility, someone’s going to hear about it.

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The odd case of Amir Johnson

Look, I still think Amir has some skills that are impressive and he wants to do well and he wants to be playing better and he wants to contribute.

But he hasn’t.

And the why is a good question.

One reason being tossed around is that his hand is bothering him; I don’t buy it. He’s had some good games even if the injury is a nagging one.

One is that he’s still getting back up to speed, having missed a chance to do any work this summer while rehabbing from ankle surgery. I think that might be a tiny issue.

And Dwane put forth an interesting one before the game.

"I think Amir kind of got confused a bit once Andrea went out, I think everybody’s roll got distorted a little bit.

"He was the hub and Amir knew every time when hew as in the game he was going to be the roller. Then, a couple of games he was the popper so that may have distorted his roll a little bit. His role is rolling hard to the basket probably eight out of 10 times."

Now all he has to do is do it.

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It is forever thus

The one thing you wanted to learn about this team this year was whether they would truly buy into this defence-first mentality and bring the necessary effort at that end of the court every night because consistency of effort is one thing that should never waver.

But what we’ve seen the last couple of nights – and we didn’t see it too often in the first 20 games of the season – is offensive futility causing a lack of defensive intensity and that’s got to be Casey’s biggest concern right now.

I have no doubt that they can right the ship; they did get drilled by two pretty good teams the last couple of nights and expecting wins over the likes of Boston and Atlanta might be a tad misguided.

But the thing to look for most of all in their next four games – and three of them are entirely winnable and that might ease some angst, I can only hope – is the work ethic.

If it’s constant, regardless of whether shots fall, that’s a big step in getting this thing going in the right direction.

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A wee bit more?

Sure.

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I’m sure there’s a logical reason other than to confuse weary travellers or because the powers that be that (mis)manage Pearson were just bored one day but imagine a guy’s surprise to find that the gates in Terminal 1 are now preceded by letters.

What used to be 164 to Boston is now F64.

And there are some Es in there, too.

Make work project? Seems like it and if it is, I’d wish they’d spend some time teaching the people who try to organize lines at things like security how to better do their jobs.

But that’s just me.

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Just wondering:

How does Monster-Reimer compare with Jose-TJ?

Anyone?

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Really, who among us didn’t flip the TV – or actually have to get up off the couch and go over to set and change the channel, if you can believe that, kids – to Soul Train every week?

I sure did.

RIP Don Cornelius.

That was one heckuva show.

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Oh yeah, there’s no news on Bargnani; daily treatment, getting better, no clue when he’ll play again so there’s no need to ask.

But you can ask whatever you like in the mailbag if you feel inclined.

Do it here.

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Remember when sports had characters outside of the athletes we watched?

Guys who were not necessarily the star of the show but guys who were so closely associated with the action that we knew them, appreciated them, couldn’t get enough of them?

Well, again, who among us didn’t know about Angelo Dundee, boxing trainer to the greats back when boxing mattered and we actually paid attention to a sport that’s utterly marginalized these days.

He was with Ali during the halcyon days of the sweet science, he was with Leonard, he was with George Foreman when Foreman was someone loved rather than loathed.

Dundee, to someone who only knew a little about him on the periphery, came to represent what’s good about the sport. He cared about the athletes in his charge, he cared about the game, he was a tireless promoter and first-class guy in a game all too populated by rounders and users and let-me-get-mine kind of people.

They don’t make ‘em like him any more; the sports world is worse off for his passing.

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You’ve got to love a hotel with a Starbucks in lobby that that opens at 6 a.m. and a good concierge lounge that’s ready to serve around 7 a.m. after this work’s all done.

Day’s off to a good start. Now if only Air Canada makes sure I get back in time to make it to practice, we’ll be okay.

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Comments

[JHP]

First off thanks for all your efforts and putting up with us. Going to be a long year and I'm not sure this team is the worst ever but after last night I'm thinking they have to be in the running (staggering/standing around watching / bewildered). Ooops maybe the words contention or running should not be used. I know the injury to AB makes a huge difference but it also brings up the fact this team has not drafted or traded well in the last 5 years. Guess there's a reason they have arrived at this point on the road and was wondering if too much is being asked of AB and soon to be joined by JV?

[LeeZ]

With regard to Coach's comments about Amir's role having briefly changed to screen and pop rather than roll, and now it's back to roll, and Amir has to roll to the hoop, colour me perplexed, Doug, because I watch all the games, and that's what Amir IS doing, every time. He's just not getting the ball from José. Ever! The pass is instead going to the corner baseline at the 3-pt-line. Très weird. As for the foundation of this team going forward and who represent the core pieces, I think there's little argument that Bargnani is a core piece. José has, in all likelihood, two more good years left, so I don't think you can really call him a core piece (plus has anyone noticed how he almost never turns the corner and takes it to the hoop for a layup or dish anymore? The guy is BONE tired. DD has, if anything, regressed this year. His jumper looks like it did in year one, rather than last year's version, where he had eliminated his bad habit of releasing the ball at or behind his head), and he hasn't bulked up at all, which would help him finish at the rim more consistently. Oh, and his defensive IQ is horrible. So, is he a core piece? Let's call that one a question mark. Ditto for JV, since we haven't seen yet what he can do against NBA competition. Ditto for Ed Davis: can he add strength and a few more inches? Can he develop a, hang on, what's that thing that NBA players have that allows them to score points...oh yeah, I think the technical term is "shot"? So he's a question mark as well. So in terms of core pieces, we have Il Mago, a few question marks and a bunch of serviceable back-ups. I know this is a "rant rant rant, oh, and Doug, do you agree?" type of "question", but do you, well, um...agree?

Blogger's note: And 44 games or so to go to find out. Lots of time

[Lorie]

Good Morning, Doug!
Oh, yes. RIP Don Cornelius. That show of his was absolutely Must See TV for my sisters and I. And not only for the cool music. That's where we got our style tips. And how we loved that Funky Fashion! (And I don't care what anyone says - it still looks good to me. Sadly, though, not so much *on* me anymore!) Love those lapels, wonderful hairdo's and oh my gawd - the platform shoes. Those shoes were to die for. Or take babysitting jobs from hell to be able to afford. :) Cheers. Cool, Soulful Ones.
Now, everybody: let's hit the dance line!
http://youtu.be/JlmVzrdVwUY

[JHK]

Derozan should be getting challenged, not Amir.
The guy hasn't stepped up to the plate when given the chance, and this isn't the first chance he had.
I can understand the lack of shooting skills (which people tend to develop last ironically), but he can't even finish a 2 on 1 fast break which is supposed to be his forte.
Past few games he has done this and all I could think of was HWSNBN in his prime here and how he would have put everyone in the poster on a fast break like Derozan been getting lately.
Instead he has either turned over or pulled back.
Very disappointed in him.

[sam]

Better buckle in....were in for a bumpy ride....
I missed the game last night in favour of a Jim Cuddy concert, but checked the game story when I got home...Wow! That's all I could say.
Just curious - - - - Was there anything positive from a Raptors point of view?
BTW, the concert was great!

[Wilf]

Hey I've learned my lesson - the final straw was last year when Garnett wagged his finger in Jose's face and no one responded. When the TV Guide says Raps-Celtics, I read a book, thanks.

[Penny]

When we beat New Jersey, it seemed to me that DeRozan was not the focal point of the offense until after he had had a chance to get into the flow of the game. At that point the team was not behind by a bunch and he didn't have to press. It looks like, in the majority of the games with Andrea out, almost every play early goes to DeRozan. He misses his shot or has a turnover because for some reason he doesn't have any ball handling skills even though he is a guard, and the team is behind by 8 to 10 points. Then everybody starts pressing and taking bad shots. On another note, where was Kleiza last night?

Blogger's note: Kleiza got the night off; worried about toll on surgically-repaired knee

[Beans]

I have to say that that was one of the few Raptors games that I found unwatchable.

But Doug! OKC/DAL! LAC/UTA! How can you not laugh with joy when Reggie Evans comes up with the game winning rebound and gets swamped by his Clipper teammates?

This basketball neophyte says: "Thank you 2012 NBA season!"

[Geoff Read]

Monster Reimer vs. Jose/TJ?

Jose/TJ was a great tandem - the two guys complemented each other very well. If it wasn't for TJ's outsized ego it would have been a very successful partnership.

Monster and Reimer? The jury's still out on both of those guys - as a duo they remain a work in progress.

[Boko]

In your opinions, exactly which Raptors are playing good all-round basketball so far this season?

Blogger's note: I dunno. Bargnani? James Johnson's been okay; Leandro's doing what Leandro does; Bayless has been good except that he's missed half the season so far; Jose's been all right. That'd be about it at this point in the year I suppose

[D-Mac Ottawa]

Yes, the WIWA Club is still perplexed and unwilling to blame it on the rock in the locker room. Maybe a case of Rasual-itis is going around? Not sure. The core does seem to be dwindling, but in the noble words of Douglas MacArthur, "“We are not retreating. We are advancing in another direction.” And then he mumbled something about "the corps... the corps...".
@lorie, I still wear my funky threads on alternate Thursdays, though my Afro is now an inny, which makes that 12-gallon electric pink fedora an even more essential accessory. Funk it up, folks: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c-sonJId90Y&feature=related
Cheers. Go Raps?

[SAS]

Look I've said it before and I'll say it again. Until DD goes in the weight room, gets bigger, works on his handles and figures out the mechanics on his jump shot, he will be an over rated player that's being asked too much of him. He is a complimentary player at best that should be 3rd option. Bargs has definitely grown up and should now be one of the the core pieces of the team despite folk not considering that in the past. So basically I'm saying this to say, I hope BCo doesn't link DD to our immediate future fpr success and just let him take his time and develop. In the meantime he needs to find a legitimate scorer to play 3 or even 2 and maybe consider moving DD to the 3. If an Eric Gordon is available, I don't think he should pass on it because "DD already plays the 2". Also Jose strives when there is a legitimate scorer on the floor I.E. Bosh, Bargs. He is not creative enough off the dribble and he can only strive with an effective pick and Pop type player. That's why his numbers seem to look better only when someone who can execute that is on the floor. I say it's seriously time to either start grooming Bayless for the position or consider looking for a PG who can do both. And stop wasting Bayless's time of you don't believe he's the one.

[Lorie]

@sam
Finally! A Jim Cuddy mention that allows me a legitimate (yeah, like it's really necessary in this eclectic place of ours!) reason to link to the Dreamiest Canadian Singer Ever! Did he perform this one last night?
http://youtu.be/cChuFivdxTI
@D-Mac Ottawa
Maybe you could loan Doug your fabulous pink fedora! Can you imagine how cool it'd look with his Famous Light Red Shirt? I tell you that is a fashionista's dream. And can you just picture the looks of envy from his fellow brethern and sistern on Media Row! It'd be envy, I'm certain of it. Now to quote another military mind - that of Gen. George Patton - "Success is how high you bounce when you bottom." Hey! Is the ACC roof is retractable?

[SheikYurbouti]

I wasn't around for the IGBT last night, but scanned through it. It seems you had a collection of visitors from Raptors Republic. As sad as the comments were, it was actually funny to read, in a twisted sort of way. Also a reminder of what a good place this is to discuss basketball and the Raptors compared to some other places.

Well, I just have to contribute to the great funk, with a little white boy style:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qe1ScoePqVA

[Phil A]

I'm not too worried about this team's struggles. The NBA is a superstar driven league and it's very difficult to win without one. This is evident with the absence of bargnani. They are something like 1-8 without him in the lineup and 6-7 with him in the lineup.

[Mos High]

I think as Raptors we just have to realize, NBA wise there is limited talent on this team. Majority of this teams current starters would be back ups on 70% of the league and Raptors bench players would be guys who get regular DNP-CD on those same teams.

So we just will have to take it in stride, Amir and DeRozan have been very disappointing. I like DeRozan, forget about scorting, his defense is suspect, doesnt rebound or get those hustle defensive plays(very very rare)...Love James Johnson's hustle...Ed Davis must, must work with a experienced retired big to learn better foot work and ONE at Least ONE GO TO MOVE!!!

[Cluck Kent]

You know, I've heard a bit about Amir bulking up over the summer and it's obvious when you look at him that his shoulders and arms are considerably bigger than they were. I remember the season Mo Pete came back all bulked up and everyone anticipated that he was going to have a great season but it turned out to be a dud for him. I wonder if the bulk has anything to do with Amir's drop off. I can buy into the misguided role thing on offensive, but he's not the ultrafast rebounder, blocker and defender that he was last year either.

This coming summer, I hope Demar spends a lot more time on the fundamentals of the game like ball handling and shooting rather than playing silly street games with his pals. It doesn't look like it did him any good at all. In fact it looks like he picked up bad habits from it.

More love for Casey on how he handles himself with the press. He's a real professional.

[Nick M]

@D-Mac,
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“We are not retreating. We are advancing in another direction.” Too funny!
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Doug, is this qoute somewhere in the ACC or BC's office? If not, could you please print it out and attach it to the bulletin board in the dressing room, or, better yet spray paint it on the ROCK!!!

[GM]

That starting unit ain't gonna cut it against most teams, let alone the Celtics. Where was the scoring supposed to come from? Jose just doesn't look for his own shot enough, DeRozan can't be relied on, Gray is the only player I've seen to consistently airball layups, Davis has one of the ugliest shooting strokes I've seen, and James Johnson is wildly inconsistent. But who's left? Kleiza was out, but he's at least a step up from any of those starters. Bayless is pretty good when he lets the game come to him and he receives a pass, but he's pretty bad when he gets that look in his eye and you know he's not passing. Barbosa can get things going in a hurry, so he's my bet. Amir is in a funk, but I'd start him over Davis. It's not like he's some old guy who shouldn't be taking time away from the youngster -- he's two years older than Davis.

@Lorie, I know spelling is your thing, not grammar, but "That show of his was absolutely Must See TV for my sisters and I" is incorrect" should be "sisters and me". ; )

[Mike kovacs]

The change in gate numbers at Pearson is all part of what is now called 'Wayfaring'. The same 'experts' that were used there did our hospital a few years ago and i still get lost. My office number begins with an 'A', but all the floors above us are 'C' and the building beside us is 'A'. Yes they call them Wayfaring Experts.

[Lorie]

@GM
Thank you! Really, I am always struggling with my grammar. And I appreciate the correction. Anyone know of an informative (yet entertaining) book that instructs on grammar usage? It's probably going to be embarrassing to see how often I've screwed up, but you're never too old - or Irregular - to learn. Cheers.

[Mos High]

@Gm....I wouldnt put any stock in Klezia...He is also at best a 9th man on a team. He looks like gold one game then you polish it and realize he is mixed metal and bronze. Bad defensive player and 3pt happy.

I agree with Cluc Kent..I dont think the bulk up has helped Amir one bit.. Maybe its other things but I guess we take everything into consideration.

[optisa@rogers.com]

Guys y all need to chill

[Rob.V]

Never watched Soul Train however that Rick James cat was one talented Mofo!... we need more like him.
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Raptors?... anyone know when is the trade deadline this year?

Blogger's note: March 15

[sam]

@Lorie - He played pretty much all of the new Album (including Everyone Watched the Wedding) some of the better known songs from his previous solo releases and his best Blue Rodeo tunes.
I've seen his solo act many times - but still think he's best with Greg lining up on his left side. The first lady of my household only had eyes for Jim....She tells me chicks dig guys with guitars. I somehow think there's more to it....