A big night for two teams; one bigger than the other

So, everyone’s got to be feeling at least a tiny bit better today, right?

No, it wasn’t particularly pretty and the HOTH were running on fumes for about the last six minutes but what the heck, you have to like the outcome, don’t you?

Thought so. Might be a nicer day around here.

Anyway …

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THREE POINTERS

Kid might get it

Terrence Ross gave ‘em just what they needed from a rookie in that situation, 13 minutes of energy and three big baskets that kept the ship afloat in the second quarter.

One play stood out – perhaps because it was right in front of me.

He was on the wing and was supposed to curl around a screen to the top but when the defender cheated, he went to the baseline, made and an excellent hard cut past the basket, took a perfect pass and made a little 10-foot jump hook.

Ross is an intriguing player not nearly ready for a regular spot in the rotation; he’s too slight, doesn’t quite get it defensively often enough but it seems he has some instincts and could be a viable piece in the future.

There’s no doubting he can shoot, it’s now a matter of getting the rest of the game. For a moment in a biggish role in a game when they needed to go far, far deep down the bench, he gave them what they asked.

Did it earn him more time? Maybe. Not much, but maybe a bit depending on which of the injured guys come back when.

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Déjà vu

We were talking to Dwane before the game and the conversation got around to which officials were working and I mentioned I’d seen Bennett Salvatore around the city in the afternoon so he’d be on the court.

Dwane recalled a game earlier this season when Bennett had missed a call, not a crucial one, but a typical one. A player on the opposing team had tried one of those rip moves with the ball – bringing it down and around in some faux shooting stroke, done entirely to get a foul called. The NBA ruled two seasons ago that it was not a shooting foul – it’s the Kevin Durant Rule – but somehow Bennett didn’t get the memo.

Well, last night, I think it was Kleiza, tried the exact same move – again, right in front of us – and Salvatore made the right call, giving the ball to Toronto out of bounds instead of putting Kleiza on the line.

I looked over at Dwane, who was smiling as he told Bennett he’d made the right call.

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The list grows

So, Jose gets the first triple double of his career, 13-10-10, and now on the notes page that gives us “the last time it happened” Ben Uzoh’s name will disappear. And so, too, will all memory of that last game of last season.

Jose?

He was kind of proud of the accomplishment. And a bit surprised.

“Happy it came with this important win, I never thought I could get 10 rebounds.”

He’s the eighth guy to ever have one for Toronto, joining Damon Stoudamire (3), Marcus Camby (2), Vince Carter, Charles Oakley, Mark Jackson, Alvin Williams and Uzoh on the list.

Heckuva list.

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More?

You knew there would be more.

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If this is the Bob Dylan that shows up in Toronto tonight you are in for a treat.

Can’t imagine it is but, man, that’d be nice.

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Holy crap!

I always figured Alex Anthopoulos had a bold move or two in him but he’s also struck me as a patient man who wouldn’t pull the trigger on anything unless it was exactly what he needed to.

Well, how about 12-player trade?

He addressed almost of his needs in one fell swoop with that mega-deal, he got an upgrade at shortstop, a speedy outfielder and two guys who could be studs for the rotation.

And now all the whining about payroll and not making big moves can stop, can’t it? Don’t think it was ever that they were cheap, it was that Anthopoulos wasn’t going to do something just to do something and he’d be willing to wait and pounce when he figured it made sense.

The deal sends a message, loud and clear, that the Blue Jays are legitimately chasing a World Series, fans can’t moan about not doing anything any more.

Yes, he had to have a willing partner in what might go down as one of the great baseball fleecings of all time (and how cool is it that he took advantage of that carpet-bagger Jeffery Loria to do it?) but Alex waited and waited and made the huge move when he figured it made sense.

This is a message to the other players and the fans: We’re serious. We did what we said we’d do. This is the best Blue Jays team – on paper, at least – since the World Series champions, I’d suggest and next season cannot get here enough.

The Marlins? Loria stole a stadium from the taxpayers, he tried to bamboozle the fans with one season of spending knowing he could give players away if things didn’t work out and I can only imagine the hue and cry in South Florida today.

I’ve been to that amusement park they call a stadium, I saw the circus that was the Ozzie Guillen year and am dead certain they won’t draw flies next year and the team will eventually be sold and perhaps moved.

Montreal, anyone?

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What’d my man Mike Wells of the Indy Star scribble about that game last night?

Glad you asked. Here it is.

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Okay, I’m trying to figure out this whole David Petraeus sage down here, with this CIA guy with that woman and this other woman in the story with some other general and I just can’t.

Too many people, a tad too confusing and because in my mind is a vast wasteland of trivial knowledge and empty space, the first thing I thought of was this.

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I know some of you are interested by there is no way on this green earth we’re even thinking about the 2013 draft, okay?

Search elsewhere if you must but don’t be bringing that stuff here.

Thanks.

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Comments

[Tess]

Maybe its the unbridled optimism after a W, but if you look at the games played by the HOTH this far, OKC and Philly are the only games we should have truly lost. Our record could easily be 6-2 in stead of our current record.

[Fred lorico]

Yesterday I asked what were the raps record in back to back games after losing the first one....I agree that it would've taken forever to find it and its a waste of time.

We will just say that for now they are 1-0 :)

Gutsy win and credit the guys for not looking forward to the three days off.

[S.R.]

Hi Doug, I'm not 100% certain, but I could of sworn Keon Clark had a triple double for the Raps. (pts, rebs and blocks)

Ps... Is it spring training yet???

Blogger's note: Clark never had one

[sam]

A good win, but you're right - The HOTH were gased in the 4th quarter - the 5 points scored pretty much says it all. Strong game by Jose - pure hustle by Amir through out - Kleiza with a little toughness.

[Sharkey]

One of the great Frank Costanza moments of all time (and there's plenty)

Now...baseball-wise the Marlins made out great here, even without getting any of the Jays top guys (Gose, d'Arnaud, the other two of the Lansing 3). It could be a big trade for them too. The irrational fan in me, however, says wouldn't it be swell if they ended up in Montreal. Loria is going to jail once the SEC is through with him, and they are already investigating.

[Brad B]

To be honest I expected them to lose because they were totally gassed after the previous night, and I wouldn't blame them. But the defence held and I was happy to see Casey's philosophy is starting to stick.

As for the TOD... Wow. I bet there are a lot of other GMs kicking themselves this morning wishing that could have been them. Do you think this has cemented Alex Anthopoulos's credentials as a top-notch GM in the league? What else does he have to do to reach Pat Gillick's exalted status?

One thing I noticed was that nobody was willing to confirm anything until this morning. Do you think that was because AA didn't want other teams to suddenly swoop in and steal the trade away from them (kind of like what happened with the Raptors last season)?

Blogger's note: Don't know the league approval process in baseball, or any need for physicals or what-have-you

[David in Oakville]

That was an impressive win with decent performances all round and just a little bit of luck.

I was impressed by the Raps persistence and ability to withstand the physical play of the Pacers and Hansborough specifically.

Dwane should be proud of all his guys today.

Well done RAPS!

I am wondering if Loria chose the Jays for his fire sale with the hope that it would generate less press. At least he got back a couple of Cubans and a Venezuelan. Maybe that will placate the fans in Miami for a while. Loria is like the Bain Capital of baseball owners. Happy but shaking my head this morning.

Safe travel back to Hazelville, Doug.

[Stavros]

This is a Jeffrey Loria special. Compared to what he did to the Expos, getting this approved by MLB will be a cakewalk.

[Arlene]

Gutsy performance last night. Proud of all the RAPS. Couldn't believe the Jefferson 3 Monday night....of all the players. The RAPS played a bigger, better team and almost won for 47 minutes, but the basketball gods determined otherwise. Great defense last night, and perhaps the boys learned a much needed lesson from that.

[Rob.V]

2nd best win in Raptor franchise history, no? Maybe that game in Dallas a few years ago was #1. I can't recall exactly however I think that was a back to back as well and if memory serves I believe the Raptors only dressed 7 players (or something like that).
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For the first time in maybe 4 years I felt some (true) emotion for this team last night. Big, big win. Could turn the season in the right direction.
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I know it's coulda, woulda, shoulda, however this team could just as easily be 5-3:
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Indiana home opener win
Jazz win
Dallas on the road (where they won 3 of 4 quarters-and lost)
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The last 2 games they've left it all out on the court... and that's all we can ask.
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Anyone else thinking that with each passing game in a Raptors uniform that Jose is slowly moving up the most important players list in franchise history?.
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I don't suppose it's possible he will ever pass Vince however the arguement could be made that he is pushing Damon and CB4 for #2 on that list, no?.
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This I do know. You'd be hard pressed to find a better teammate then Jose Manual Calderon.
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We've been fortunate to be able to have this guy on our team for this many years. He's a pro's pro, and you've got to feel good for him about last nights game. I don't think I've ever seen a Raptor play demonstrate that sense of "relief" after a win.
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Jose cares!
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So what does all this rising stock and caring get you?. Um... he'll be traded sometime next week!
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(any mistakes boss, or are we good today?)

Blogger's note: All good

[Radar]

Heckuva game by Jose! You know what this means right Doug?!? Let the Jose-Lowry starting debate begin!

[Kazbid]

Is Dwayne even close to blowing up at the ref's yet? What's his in-game demeanour like with them?

Feel like there's a been a number of games now where the raps are getting no calls going to the basket - last night there were specifically 3-4 times Derozan got hit on the body going up and no call and then there was the one play where a guy jumped in calderon any Tyler H literally pushed him to the floor (and this was late in the game too, key possession).. frustrating. feels like Stern wants OKC to get a draft pick.

Blogger's note: That might be the single greatest conspiracy theory absurdity of all time.

[Dave B]

Great win last night. Great job by Jose, especially to get them going. He is a very good leader. I (and probably everybody else) would like to see him shoot a lot more. It seems if he misses a couple, he stops shooting. I believe ho could contribute a lot more to the offence. Missing a few doesn't stop Andrea from shooting. I thought he was going to cost them the game last night.

Casey wants this team to be tough and play with an attitude. I think Kleiza is the toughest player on this team and the player most in the face of the opposing players. Yet he doesn't seem to get the love and respect some other players get.

Do you see a scenario where the Raptors re-sign Jose to a more reasonable contract to be the back-up point guard in the future? I think they could do a lot worst than Jose.

Safe Travels.

Blogger's note: No clue

[Johnn19]

Jose Manuel Calderon, the Raptors career leader in assists and years played.

13-10-10 in 40 minutes in a back to back WIN, after 20-17 in a 50 min triple OT game the night before in a dramatic last second 3pt shot in the 4th loss.

The absolute best performance ever by a "back up PG" for the Raptors franchise in willing/leading his team to a critical WIN!

[david in NOTL]

@Rob V: One mistake. It's Jose Manuel Calderon.

[Rob]

I dont normally point to the referees as a reason for wins/losses, but I was at the utah game, and watched the whole game yesterday. One cant overlook that there were so many calls where raptors were getting fouled and no whistles. Against utah, DD made some tough baskets and i could hear the distinct sound of his arms or shoulder getting a hard slap as he was shooting. Also when jose corraled an offensive board and two utah 7 footers slapping him all over his torso until they got the ball loose....and no call. It was blatant.

And yesterday some brutal no calls again, especially during crunch time. Jack armstrong was pointing it out repeatedly.

At what point can one just call it what it is.....the raps get no respect from the refs. In general they say it all balances out during the course of the year.....but i dont have that confidence that it does.......what do you think?

Blogger's note: I think whining about officials is a gross waste of energy

[Liam]

"OKC and Philly are the only games we should have truly lost. Our record could easily be 6-2 in stead of our current record. "

agreed

Casey must start reducing Bargyawni's looks, he does not deserve them when he plays like a 6foot SG and plays no defense. Jose was visibly angry at him too, late in the game, jose was commanding him to set a screen high, and barny almost looked offended...like it was beneath him and his stature in the raps offense! He was purposefully hesitant/sluggish setting it and it disrupted the play. Barny needs to learn he's not the top of the pecking order now.

[larry lukeeborg]

where are the jose bashers today???

[Jeff]

What was going on with the officiating - Tyler Handsborough should have been in the UFC with all the chops he was dishing out. Did the ref's not see any of it?
That's why I like the NFL officiating - it doesn't matter who you are, if you commit a foul there is a penalty. You don't have to earn it or have a reputation like the NBA.

And is the Raptors franchise cursed or what? Of all players to hit a game tying 3 it was Al Jefferson, a career 1/25 prior to. But as soon as he shot it I knew it was going in. These things always happen to the Raptors.

[Steve]

"where are the jose bashers today???"

I'll assume that Jose bashers only saw the fourth quarter, just as it seems Jose fans only saw the first three and/or the stat line.

Ultimately we eeked out a win but while showing grit and determination we still showed the passive play leading to a fourth quarter collapse that we're used to as well.

I'm proud of them for getting a W but it's pretty hard to get excited about the playmaking of a team that put on the lowest scoring winning fourth quarter since the shot-clock was introduced.

[john]

And the angst-o-meter goes silent... till Sunday...

Blogger's note: Actually, probably Saturday in Boston

[Damian]

Just as we are told not to be too down on a guy when someone has an awful game (i.e. Bargs, Derozan, etc.) we're also equally told not to be too high on a guy when he has a really good game.

I like a lot of the aspects with Calderon's game, but some of the praise I'm hearing is "slightly" overboard, considering it's the FIRST triple double of a multi-year career....

Having said that, Calderon was great yesterday. Major props.

[gjp]

Agree completely with Steve, late-game offense is still a disaster. Besides referees and Al Jefferson miracle, it lost them the game against Utah and the first against Indiana too.

Why do they go to isolation plays when they have no player capable of creating their own offense (maybe DD is developing that, but not yet)? Why go to stagnant offense after 3 quarters of production by allowing movement? It's incredibly frustrating to watch.

[D-Mac Ottawa]

When was the last time an NBA team scored 5 in the fourth and came away with a W? That's one for the books.
A lot of hard, gritty work, and then a bounce finally goes your way. JV is looking great in the trenches. He's going to be a good one. And as several have already stated, Jose is a pro's pro; the only surprise is this is his first triple double.
Now, could we order up a Booster Juice and some smelling salts to start both halves for Il Groggo? It would be pure magic to see him wake up.
@doug, hoping Knopfler shows up this evening with Emmylou, and hey, why not Eric Clapton... and then they all step back on stage with Mr. Zimmerman. However it pans out, enjoy the hell out of the show!!
Cheers. Go Raps!

Blogger's note: Fewest fourth quarter points by a winning team since the advent of the shot clock in the 50s

[Peter Gilchrist]

What a great, gutsy win by an exhausted team that just wouldn't quit. Hats off to Jose for his leadership, and to Amir for stopping David West in the last few minutes of the 4th quarter. How lucky we are going forward, to have 2 starting calibre point guards on the same team.