Welcome home? Not so much for the Raptors

Well, that was certainly a return with a thud, wasn’t it?

A so-start, a second quarter collapse and by the time the fourth quarter began we were talking about The Chicken and The Lady In The Yellow Pants more than we were talking about the action in the IGBT.

Say this for us, we can find entertainment even there isn’t anything entertaining to chat about. What a wonderful world, no?

Anyway, have at this while I hope Air Canada gets me to Boston without any drama; will check in from there and we’ll be here tonight.

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THREE POINTERS

Finally caught up to them

In some ways, I really like that smallish lineup because not only does it boost the scoring – would you rather have Jerryd Bayless out there or Aaron Gray or Amir Johnson to start games – but it kind of scrambles the defence.

Until things came off the rails in the second quarter, there were guys flying all over the place, it seemed and what it did was confuse and confound the Hawks to the tune of eight first-quarter turnovers.

But, as Dwane suggested in this game story, they most certainly did not sustain that energy and that was the issue. If they’re going to be small, they have to be quick getting out to shooters and offering help on defence and that disappeared when the game got out of hand.

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A mantra we’ll hear

Not sure if the TV mics picked it up or not but there were a few occasions when Dwane would be standing in front of us yelling “space, space, space” and, no, he wasn’t cheering for that wackadoo American presidential hopeful trying to grab himself a spot in some lunar colony.

What he wanted was better offensive spacing from the HOTH and it was really an issue.

It was in the third quarter, when I looked up to see DeMar DeRozan being guarded by tiny Jeff Teague in the post. Normally, players on good teams would run away from that matchup, find spots across the floor to either let DeRozan go to work on a tinier defender or hit them with quick passes if a double-team came.

But, no.

Not sure who it was but someone was being guarded by, I believe, Josh Smith and instead of fleeing to give DeRozan space, and taking Smith with him, the guy (Butler, maybe? Perhaps James Johnson. It doesn’t really matter) hung around so that Smith could switch on to DeRozan, taking a huge mismatch away.

And because he hung around, there wasn’t enough space for the Raps to exploit the Teague-on-a-big matchup, either.

Small thing, actually. But something veteran teams would recognize and go at.

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Noticeable difference

Not sure what it is – and I know it’s go the coaches scratching their heads, too – but the Raptors are simply a different team at home than they are on the road.

The loss to the Hawks dropped them to 2-6 in the unfriendly confines of the ACC and they tend to play far too tentative – like deers caught in the headlight is how one guy put it to me – when they’re at home.

Now, some of it might have to do with the fact they really haven’t been home in eons but it’s a troubling sign nonetheless. Having seen them in person in Phoenix and Utah and watched them closely in New Jersey, there’s a sense of urgency, and consistency of effort, on the road that doesn’t carry over to home.

With seven straight at home starting the middle of next week, they better figure it out.

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And …

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From The Department of The Most Ridiculous Thing I Heard Today comes …

The sold tickets to media day at the Super Bowl!

Yes, something like 6,000 people with apparently far too much money and a distinct lack of common sense, actually forked out cash to sit in a stadium and watch … interviews!

Seriously. They did.

Guess the tickets to the Watching The Paint Dry Exhibit across the street were already gone.

Now, I will confess I’ve never covered a Super Bowl and perhaps media day is chock full of excitement and drama and intrigue. Or, as I have been led to believe, it’s one of the biggest schmozzles of all time, with faux reporters from around the world doing dopey things like asking players what trees they would be if they were trees and proposing marriage to Tom Brady.

Of all the things I haven’t had the opportunity do to, do a Super Bowl is so far down the list it’s not even funny. Hope Cathal has a good time later this week.

Guess the biggest issue I have with the game – and it’s something we’ll explore here Friday ‘cause Thursday is a Nothing But Net day and the Raptors are likely to be off – is the incredible over-hype that accompanies it. It’s a silly media-driven circus that, frankly, bores me to tears.

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May as well start, right?

Mail time. Feel free to let me know how you really feel about things; it’s always a fun road of discovery learning what’s on your mind.

Send ‘em here, make me happy. Thanks.

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Today I would imagine we find out Sidney Crosby has a cold. A really, really bad cold.

After all, he’s gone from concussion, to broken neck, to “soft tissue” issue in about the last 72 hours and who knows what the real story is.

Thankfully, though, I’m sure there are a couple of hundreds stories in the naked city that’ll help you really get to the bottom of this.

Read ‘em and let me know, would you? Think I’ll take a pass.

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Okay, here’s something of a sports Rorschach Test.

Take a look at the official logo for the 2014 Basketball World Cup in Spain (I’m going, right boss?) and tell me what you see.

And, yes, the familiarity has not been lost on our little friend from the HOTH, who swears this was something the organizers came up with on their own.

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Comments

[Mike D.]

Doug, I didn't see the game (and I have given up on the IGBT because my PC just seems to refresh too slowly, but I digress) but I'm curious why the Raps wouldn't have glued JJ onto Joe Johnson as soon as he showed signs of heating up. Was it because the small lineup necessitated using JJ at the 4?

Blogger's note: Pretty much, yeah; they did a few times but Johnson also had some Josh Smith responsibilities

[Penny]

What I found so disappointing last night was the number of close to the basket shots that were missed. We had many really good looks and nobody could sink anything. Also, in this new small line-up, is Jerryd supposed to be the focal point as he has taken the most shots in the last 2 games.

[george]

Chickens.

[LeeZ]

Doug, I've touched on this in a few of my comments, but this time I'd actually like to, well, you know, ask a question! What is with Amir? I'm not talking about the lack of hustle and focus we've seen far too often lately from a player who usually has both in spades. I'm talking about his complete disappearance from our offence. How come José never passes to Amir off that high screen and roll the way he used to, what, eight times a game? Instead, he'll invariably pass it to a Rap in the weak side corner for a three (funny thing about that, though: we don't HAVE anyone who can hit that three, but that's something for another day). Is it because of the hand injury, making it hard for Amir to either catch the pass and/or put it down the way he used to? Is it because advance scouting has taken that option away? (he seems as open as he always has been). Some other reason for the sudden and complete drop-off?

Blogger's note: A bit of hand, a bit of teams closing off the middle and a bit of passivity, don't see him rolling as hard

[JHK]

Didn't catch the game, but I own Josh Smith in my fantasy team and he had a poor game so I figured JJ must have played a great D on him - did he?

Blogger's note: Nothing spectacular; Hawks were looking at other guys

[doug]

I wasn't expecting much from last nights game as we never match-up well against the Hawks, mismatches all over the floor, even with Barg's Hawks aren't our cup of tea...but with that being said, the energy, the competitiveness from the team was lacking and it was disappointing....and in regards to the Raps home record the hardest game a team has is it's 1st home game after a road trip, and that seems to be all the Raps have did this year, on the road home for one and back out, so to me it's more a result of the schedule then anything else....I like that logo for the b-ball World Cup I must say, colourful, different and what it is I haven't a clue, 2 cuckatoos strutting their stuff and one giving the other the old everything is okie-dokie hand sign,,,,,ok cheers and safe flying to title town...

[ditch]

I'm not the sharpest tool in the shed but I stared at the logo from Spain as you directed and all I could see was an image of George Clinton. I don't mean to sound paranoid but what am I supposed to be seeing? Are the hands spelling "layup" in ASL?

Little help?

Blogger's note: You don't see Jose's hands after making a three-pointer? Many do

[Dave]

I saw Jose's trademark three pointer signal.

I wonder if Sid was pressured into changing his diagnosis. He did not look comfortable at all at the presser with the GM by his side. I am sure the team doctors only have Sid's best interest in mind. After all it is hockey and the madness that goes with it.

Thursday off? After last night (after a day off) they may never get a day off again.

[George Clinton]

I guess I haven't seen José shoot a three in so long I forgot. Thanks, now I see it.

[Mos High]

Amir is MIA..Aaron Grey really shouldnt be hitting the floor at all, but I guess this team just needs bodies. Honestly Raptors need to player better at home. But when you look at this roster, especially with out there by far best player. They arent doing to bad.

Casey is still a far better improvement then Jay Triano.
Klezia just takes too many 3's for my liking. he needs to try and play closer to the basket. Spacing guys Spacing!!!!

All Im saying is Raptors #1 pick better pan out or people are going to want Colangelo's head!!!

[Mike kovacs]

First game of the season for me last night and it looked good until somebody flicked the switch halfway through the 2nd quarter. DD really didn't want to attack and T-mac once again drew energy from the perseveration of boos ( give it up already! ). The program still costs $5 but is literally half the size - how much money is being saved on that? Also for the first time EVERYONE was subject to wanding on entry for security. Any idea why now? Finally, was the Lady in Yellow someone that we should recognize?

[Cluck Kent]

A couple of chickens. I didn't see Jose's 3 until you pointed it out. Curious that.

If ever there was an individual overhyped it has to be Sid (I feel less Canadian just saying that). Who knows what is wrong with him? Maybe they felt too many people (and sponsors) were writing him off due to the concussion type symptoms and figured they needed to put a more optimistic spin on it. Maybe they are trying to spin it for themselves to make them believe Sid will be back. In the end, the guy had a serious concussion last year. You'd think he'd know the difference between that and soft tissue damage to the neck (whatever that means)

[The J]

I hope they don't get sued by the rooster from the Kellogs corn flakes box.

[DannyFromFreddy]

I did see Jose's three point sign and I swear I could see a familiar Beat Grunt covering the games in the background.

[doug]

that's exactly what it is now that you mention it...pretty ingenious...

[Lorie]

Hello Doug!
Well, of course I recognized Jose's trademark trois thingy! Jeesh! But has Jose ever told you what it means? Cheers!

Blogger's note: He hasn't. Not sure I've ever asked

[Michel G]

I'm surprised nobody has brought up the video showing Tracy McGrady mocking the Canadian national anthem last night at the game. I thought players had more respect than that. Ah well!

[D-Mac Ottawa]

I'd like to join the @LeeZ What Is With Amir Club. It could be the hand... but the hand doesn't keep him from running the floor like the gazelle of 2010/11... or setting hard picks and rolling to the rim to win... The guy was putting up near double-doubles pretty much every game last year. When was the last time he had anything close to a double-double this season that didn't involve a trip to Timmy's? Please ask Amir what's up, Doug. The WIWA Club needs to know.
Meanwhile, back at the ACC, I've never seen so much standing around on offence as I saw last night. Every time one Rap had the ball, four others were doing, well, pretty much absolutely nothing whatsoever. Maybe whatever is with Amir is catching. Let's hope not.
Cheers. Go Raps!

[sam]

The Graphic still looks like a chicken. Nice little nod to Jose. . . .

[SheikYurbouti]

I'd have thought the hint of "our little friend from the HOTH" was more than enough to make the Jose connection, but I guess minds were trying to look deeper.
My interpretation of Jose's gesture has always seemed to be that the circle formed by the thumb and index finger represents a hoop, as in basket, and the three fingers being 3 points, culminating in "3 point basket".
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I'd like to join the what's wrong with Amir club too.

[doug]

too me the whole Amir thing isn't that complicated....he is a free spirit and one that believes in his principles, he came out early in the season as he always has done in his Raptors career, played hard, tough and averaged double-doubles, then for whatever reasons Casey decided to make him a example, especially when he was playing thru a hand injury....he has lost him, also Amir seems likes the kind of guy, that didn't buy into the actual placing of a rock for the players to pound, or touch or do whatever they are suppose to do to it as that's how he plays or played every night.....it's prop that should be removed, as it made a point but holds no long term purpose...Casey can say all he wants about Amir, he has made him his scapegoat, and Amir feels betrayed, as he always brought every night "the pound the rock" mentality, get rid of the rock and let Amir be as Casey has lost him not rocket science to see...Amir will be fine once Casey allows him to be , or if not he's been made the sacrificial lamb for Casey to get his message across as Amir contributes minimal offense, DD is far more negligent then Amir on the defensive end but Casey knows he needs his points and also DD and Ed are the hope for the future...so far to transparently it falls on Amir...unfair maybe but welcome to the real world...not hard to see

[Break]

Re: the logo from Spain, I saw the hands at tip-off obviously, and both hands also seem like cocks, but then they would have to be facing each other to really make sense as a metaphor for fierce basketball battles between big teams/egos.
Now that you mention it, they do look like Jose's 3-pt sign.
Not entirely sure, but the font on the right looks like the one often used by Miró, one of Spain's greatest artists.
A nice logo in any case, and can't wait to see Spain battle for another big title in their home country.

[voices]

If we could only get the team psychologist from all teams here, we could figure the whole league out.

[Jana Shobnom]

You are posting a Sports & Entertainment article. It's most important for any amusing people.
Thanks
Jenny Tabassum
"Tourism Marketing"