Advice that no one wants to hear: Time to chill

That was something, wasn’t it?

Hadn’t seen one of those in quite some time, gotta say it was easier to write than a buzzer-beater and we know: It’s all about me, right?

Anyway, early flight to Memphis, can’t wait to see the comments when I get there.

Enjoy.

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THREE POINTERS

Trade this guy, fire that guy, bench the other guy.

Let me ask a question of the collective minds who are cluttering up the comments and the in-box with “I’m never watching this team again” and “the season’s over” and “everyone’s got to go” stuff.

Where’d you think they’d be this year?

Mid-30s wins? Clawing at eighth? In the lottery?

Well, you may still be right.

Look, last night was bad but, truth be told, it was an aberration; we can all agree that they’ve been “in” most games, just unable to finish them for whatever reason.

So, they go in tank one night. Big whoop. It’s going to happen and, frankly, I’m surprised it hasn’t already.

So, with 67 games to go, all the realistic goals are still achievable; they are better, I think we can all agree that Valanciunas and, lately, Ross look like keepers as rookies and that DeRozan hasn’t been spoiled by his contract extension and Lowry looks good. We can agree on that, right?

So three years into this process – which truly began the year after Bosh left – they are where they probably should be.

The kids will get better, the schedule will turn and they will get to where all sane-thinking people thought they would: Somewhere in that 7-10 spot in the East; with some win total in the 30s.

And if they’re not? Well they maybe it’s time to change things at the top but, whether you believe it or not, there are pieces there and the process is moving forward.

And if any of you can prove to me that you thought they’d be better than scraping into eighth, which is the next step in the process, I’ll give you credit for being overly-optimistic.

Unless you hit some lottery luck on the very best year, or unless you run franchises in Miami, L.A. or New York, it’s a long, tough slog. They are on that slog.

We all knew it, you knew it in your hearts. Remember that the next time panic sets in.

Thanks.

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Ross’s big night

Yes, that was a breakout kind of night for the kid, who not only made shots and had dunks but he defended James Harden pretty well at times.

Does he need to play more? Maybe a bit but 35 minutes last night would be about tops.

Does he need to start? No way.

They need his energy and talents off the bench right now; I don’t know that anyone would feel comfortable with Dom McGuire energizing a second unit and Linas Kleiza is simply too hit and miss.

So, by all means play Ross more consistently, let him finish games but leave him as the first win off the bench. It’s the best use of personnel right now

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Ross’s big dunks

They were great, weren’t they? Yes. All but one and I’m sure Dwane and the staff will let him know about it.

It was early the fourth quarter, there was a loose ball at midcourt and Ross picked it up with no Rocket between him and the basket.

However, John Lucas III was about 30 feet ahead of him, equally open, and instead of passing the ball and staying back on defence, Ross took off and finished a dunk with a Rocket in hot pursuit.

Trouble was, it left Toronto with only three defenders back and the only thing that saved them from giving up an easy transition break and a 5-on-3 was a Houston timeout.

The right play would have been to make the pass and play defence; it wouldn’t have been as sexy, but it would have been smarter.

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Extra?

Hey, remember when we gave you this from the Broadway show Memphis and how I mentioned that relatively unheard-of Broadway actors and actresses were something else?

Well, this, from the same show and man, it’s good no?

And if we hear anything like that post-game at the Beale Street Juke joint, it’ll be fine with me.

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Mail? Let’s start.

Click. Write. Send.

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Here’s what should happen.

Every major league baseball player who has played since 1975 should wake up today and make some large, personal financial contribution to whatever cancer society exists where they live because they wouldn’t be nearly as wealthy as they are today had it not been for Marvin Miller, who died yesterday of liver cancer.

Now, I don’t know what your feelings are towards unions in sports and what they’ve done but we wouldn’t be where we are today – in any sport – had Miller not done what he did in the 70s for major league baseball.

I think things may have swung a bit too far towards the players but that’s neither here nor there, Miller took baseball players out of virtual servitude and into an incredible era and his work carried over into other sports.

And players should tithe some of their salary in his name; they wouldn’t have the money if it wasn’t for him.

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Casey Janssen had shoulder surgery?

Even when things are going good, things are going bad, aren’t they?

I know, they said he’ll be back for camp and no reason not to take them at their word but, man.

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Comments

[Dan]

The problem is they are tied for second worst team in the NBA. If cavs had irving and Wizards had Wall and Nene they could be last. The only above average player on this team based on per( I know it's not stat people like) is Lowry. Demar if you look at the stats and minutes and shots is still not even playing as well as he did in year two. Him Andrea and Jose the core of the last few years are all 1 way players. JV and Ross at least seem to have good IQ's and know how to play without the ball. Same with fields and Anderson. But two are rookies and the other two role players. The top talent on this team is lacking. BC is the one that decided to do one year of rebuilding then call it building and now this year he has a new name for it. He is the one that is at the root of the problem. Bobcats have passed them. Magic and Rockets were supposed to be blowing it up and yet both of those teams have been doing better. Everyone talks about babcock and the horrible amount he got for carter. Did Bryan really do any better with Bosh. Really how good are Andrea and Demar his two guys that he picked. Look at the stats the defensive end of the floor and the wins since they have been the top two players on this team. Are they even above average players. Yes Andrea has above average skill for a 7 footer but he also has some well below average skills for a 7 footer. The talent on this team is being sold to the fans as a lot better then it actually is.
when i say Byron Mullens or Nick young nobody thinks possible all star yet that is what Bryan has everyone thinking with Andrea and Demar. Look at the stats Young put up when starting for the wizards and what Mullens is doing now. When you compare the really arn't that different. Look at full stats and minutes not just points.

[Dave B]

Doug, my expectations at the beginning of the year was for the Raptors to be competing for a playoff spot. In the improved East I think that meant playing 500 ball. That would require 41 wins. I may have been over optimistic. I did believe the defence from last season would hold and the new improved Andrea would be even better this year.

I know there is a tough schedule for the first 22 games but I was hoping they would be at least 8 and 14. It would be a miracle for them to get there now. I really don't see them recovering enough to compete for a playoff spot now. This also means they lose the draft pick. It may be good to get that off the books and move forward.

As for Lowry, I am not sold on him yet. I think he makes too many bad decisions on offence and tries to do it by himself. He takes too many chances on defence trying to create turnovers. Most times this allows a clear path to the basket. Some of his plays look great but the +/- is debatable. He reminds me of a slower TJ.

@ lee in Ottawa, the reason Andrea disappeared in the second half is that it is hard to score without getting the ball (see above).

All in all I am disappointed in the season and I wonder how this affects Casey's longevity as Brian's expectations this year appears to be similar to mine according to the preseason comments. I do expect to see some trades before the deadline because I am sure Brian is disappointed with the current team's results.

Enjoy Beale street. I am jealous but I may get back there in early February. I still need to check out Rendezvous and BB Kings and now it seems the Jute joint.

Enjoy your day!

[sam]

The disappointing thing about last nights game was they didn't compete - Some good performances by Ross, and Andrea seemed to have rebounded from Sundays game. I was hoping for more from Lowry. . .
Here's hoping for a better showing tonight.....

[Mos High]

@ Penny Im no doctor but to me it doesnt seem like Lowry is at full health, just because he is back doesnt me he is right. You cant compare Calderon with Lowry. Also I'm sure the loosing is starting to wear on Lowry,DeRozan and JV...

I agree with Canadian Paul. If Raptors are like 4-18,3-19 some heads need to roll. How the heck could they be worst then last year. Its looking like Colangelo to me.
But the issue is Casey is his coach, you cant change coaches again!!!

Doug as its your opinion to just chill, its many of our opinion that guys need to be moved. If any of you had the unfortunate chance to have a tumor removed from your body like I have, The doctors say it must be removed to avoid spreading!!...In Raptors case its Bargnani, his game play is cancerous to a team, there is no excuses at all for him. No box out, no constant hussle, poor defense. His game play is deflating. He is not the only person to blame, but a main culprit.

[Dan]

To many people look at points and assume guys are getting better when points go up. Andrea's best year was 2010 when he averaged 17. Yet most people will probably say it was the next year when he scored 21. The year he scored 17 he had higher fg% rebounded more and blocked more shots. More points on lower fg% is not better. Cause if your team does not rebound well your getting less possessions per game. Last nights game proves the point if both teams are not missing shots the team that takes more shots is going to win.

[Ian]

From CNNSI this morning:

Which player has had the most underwhelming start to the season?

Rob Mahoney: The first is Toronto’s Andrea Bargnani, who is creating legitimate doubt about his ability to be even a complementary piece in a winning offense. Bargnani is a talented scorer, but he never seems to have his game fully aligned with the Raptors’ offensive goals. He oversteps his bounds, forces shots and generally lives in his own world. When at his best, Bargnani is still operating in an entirely different framework from the rest of his team. His divergence in approach may share some minor goals with the Raptors overall, but ultimately Toronto has little use for a player who oscillates between overshooting and bouts of being gun-shy, with only a void in between. The balance and efficiency that boosted Bargnani’s game early last season has gone up in smoke, as the one-time franchise centerpiece allows his career to slowly burn away.

http://nba.si.com/2012/11/27/nba-standouts-disappointments/?sct=hp_t12_a0&eref=sihp

[Ryan]

Cancelling my SportsnetOne and RaptorsTV channels until Bargnani is traded.

Blogger's note: Keeping TSN? Magnanimous

[Ryan]

On a positive note, Valenciunas and Ross definitely do look like keepers.

But back to the negative note, I'll entirely endorse trading Bargnani for Charles Oakley.

[Ben Worthy]

Doug,

Continuing to spread the 'be patient' line is getting a bit old. Should you be infuriated? Of course not. There is nothing you or we can change about the Raptors. But it would be nice to feel like one of the Raptors top writers actually cared whether they won or loss. This gig just seems like a job for you from my standpoint. No passion. It's just ho hum, another lose. Who cares. But look at the bright side kids and be patient!

No way in the world should anyone be even slightly ok with this team being 3-12. It doesn't matter if they've 'been' in most games. They are clearly proving something is broken in the heads and the heart of this franchise, despite the changes to the roster.

Gelling is not excuse either. Tonnes of teams have to gel with new their new team mates, but they all seem to do it faster and better than this team. There is enough talent on this team to be better than 3-12. It's not about bad breaks anymore. Something in the system is just broken.

It would be nice if one of the main writers of this team seemed as though they actually cared about the Raptor's and their place in the NBA world. I feel like this is just a job for you, and as you say, you're not a fan of this team. So maybe it is just a job?

Blogger's note: A very good job, but a job, yeah; don't imagine I've ever swayed from that. Fans can't do this job, sorry.

[Chas]

Casey said this year is not about wins and losses . .
That's grounds for firing right there.
Imagine if Sam Mitchell had said that when he was fired with his team one game under .500.

This team has been about one thing under Colangelo .. excuses and PR BS.He has been an abysmal failure .

It's a shame the media with few exceptions buys into and repeats the Raptors' party line .

[Mos High]

@ John from yesterday...You said when Bargnani scores 30 against Houston will us fans who want him traded still feel the same way....Yes at least I do, Bargnani, 19pts 1st half 2 pts rest of game. 4 rebounds!!! He needs to be on a team a vets that could ring his butt in and make him accountable. A 7ft PF averaging less then 5rbs a game is a shame. Sorry

[john]

So the Raps have been rebuilding since Bosh left. I think that’s a pretty reasonable point to make. The Raps and Cleveland were both in the same situation as they both lost star players for some low level draft picks and you could easily argue that they both started off on a pretty level playing field. After both teams were ‘gutted’ the Raps probably had a slightly deeper team so weren’t as crappy as Cleveland sot their draft pick was a bit lower and also didn’t have the luck that Cleveland did with the ping pong balls getting two picks in the top 5.
If you start at ground zero, being the year after both teams lost their franchise players, surprisingly both teams have identical records. Personally I would rather have the Raptors roster than the Cleveland roster.

[Dell]

I would tend to agree that it is a process and that the "kids" are improving on an individual basis. However, for the past 3 years in the process they have added new pieces, new coaching philosophies, but overall attitude of the team has remained unchanged. This team has constantly played well to build leads going into the fourth, but for whatever reason, the attitude is rarely that killer instinct to step up the D when there is added pressure or continue to attack on offense. I've seen the team cave embarassingly under a full court press to just running isolation when there is no one who dominates on isolation plays. They have played so many close games despite having big leads in those games as well. This year has been no different. So what is the common thread with late game situations, loses, and lack of desire through this long process of bringing in kids and coaches??? Bargs and Jose have been on the floor at those times. As the veteran leaders they set the tone, and it is evident they don't have the ability or desire to change it.

[Kevin]

They have to go 35-32 to get to 38 wins which was the projection by the players, management and pundits. Vegas had them at 33 wins which is looking more likely. This team is worse than the sum of their parts and looks very unlikely to play above .500 the rest of the way.

The worst thing is, it is depressing to watch them play and you always feel they will give up any lead and lose when the game gets tight. They do not execute well when the pressure is on. The play hero ball or get forced into a bad shot as the clock expires. As for defence, they have regressed from last year. I used to love the Raps but they are slowly killing any enthusiam I have for watching them.

[Wilber]

"first win off the bench"
I know it's a simple typo, but I laughed when I read it as god knows we could use the bench getting us a win :)

Trying to keep breathing out here, Doug. Hopefully our stronger on the back end of back to back's trend continues.

[mw]

Doug

Sorry , no one needs to chill. This nonsense has been going on for too long. If Colangelo is unwilling to trade Bargnani then it is time for him to be fired. 7 years and nothing to show. Bargnani is the same player he was 7 years ago. No consistent improvement. Enough already. They dont care because it is the only game in town. That wont last forever.

[Ren]

DO they get better?
DO they continue to stink it up?
THAT is what this is all about, isn't it?
We have to remember as fans that Toronto Raptors Basketball is entertainment; and that is clearly what they are providing.
That said, I have to admit that for the first time, in a long time, as a really big Raptors fan, I turned off the tv 2 minutes into the third quarter.
I have never done that.
I have always watched to see rookie improvements and look for heart and etc, etc,...

I am growing tired, as are many others.
When do you think change is necessary (whatever that change may be), Doug?
While I understand you are not a fan, do you at all get tired of writing the same sort of story lines? The same themes?
I would expect that change works well for your job as well.

Blogger's note: You haven't seen any rookie improvement this year? Seems you're really not watching. Today? I wouldn't change a thing

[Geoff Read]

Hi Doug,

I love the blog - always have. But I do think your preaching patience is wearing thin. The fan base has been patient for too long - there are lots of signs everyone is out of patience from empty seats to bloggers quitting. I am a great example, actually, of how the Raptors are once again blowing an opportunity. I'm a die-hard Montreal Canadiens' fan. But I hate the NHL and I particularly hate the owners for the present - and totally unnecessary in my opinion - lockout. Always a casual basketball fan, I made a conscious decision to follow the Raptors this year and vowed that to punish the NHL I wouldn't go back to watching hockey games if the lockout ended until at least next season. Well... here we are at the end of November and I already can't stand watching this bunch of stiffs. This team stinks. I'm particularly tired of being patient with Andrea believing that one day he'll reach his potential. Nope. I'm done with him. He's never going to get it. Get rid of him.

And I don't understand how you can say Lowry is a keeper. He's different but no better than Calderon. He is a solid second-stringer, no more. He's selfish with the basketball and too often tries to do it all himself. If he was succeeding that might be acceptable. But he's not; yet, he persists in playing like he's the Raptors' Kobe Bryant. Wake up Kyle! At best you're a cog in a larger machine - you aren't the kind of player who carries a team on his back. Play within your abilities or go back to San Antonio.

Sorry - I'm just so tired of accepting worse than mediocrity from this franchise. Had to vent.

[Phil A]

I find it very difficult to 'chill' after the Raptors poor start to the season. How am I supposed to be optimistic about the Raptors when they continuously lose games that on paper they're supposed to win? I've always tried to remain positive about this team but I'm feeling discouraged. They are currently 3-12 and they could very well end up 4-18 by the end of this road trip. Can't remember the last time a team made the playoffs after starting the season with a 4-18 record.

[Geoff Read]

Sorry - meant Houston in my previous post. But he could go to San Antonio instead for all I care.

[O.J.]

Doug,

I have to agree with some of the above comments. You preach patience every year and every year the team under-performs. This year the goal was to get a bottom seed in the playoffs. I like the core of DD, Lowry, JV and Ross but I don't see any signs that would indicate them going on an extended win streak on this challenging road trip with their current personnel. I think it's time to trade Bargs because he's not going to take you to that next level. 7 years of inconsistency has shown us that. I want BC replaced but especially if they do fall deeper under 500, I do think BC's must go and we bring in a GM who brings in the best available players, not a GM who brings in the players he thinks will stay here and then rounds out the bench with d-leaguers and overseas players, because when injuries occur, which they inevitably will, guess which players we turn to for production?

Blogger's note: So, the same GM who brought in -- this year -- Ross, Valancuinas and Lowry -- can't bring in the best available players? Counter-intuitive

[Liam]

BarnYawni must be getting shopped by Bco. Why else would you give him so many shots. He shoots 45% but his shots take away too much from team shots. He misses 3 straight (in the flow of offense) so then takes 3 straight quick ones (out of flow) to compensate. All he cares about is maintaining his %s. I cringe when he takes that (20 sec left on shotclock) 3pointer (with no arc) even when it goes down. Or after amir/ed battles for offensive board and pass to barny so he can chuck one up. Casy said the teams goes as barny goes...well of course!---when you keep giving him free reign! STOP. He is ruining this team.

[DC]

Just a different kind of ugly loss from a bad, inconsistent team. expect a close loss to memphis tonight because no one on the grizzlies has any reason to take the raptors seriously for more than 12 minutes. Attack them aggressively and they will go away. Pound the rock.

[Steve]

John Hollinger's prediction that Demar answered on twitter with "who is John Hollinger" was 33 wins. At the moment that is looking a little high.

I am not baying for bloody but at the same time if you come out and say in the offseason (both coach and GM) that you feel we've got the pieces to make the playoffs then you need to follow through on that with results.

I recognise that a bad start to the season doesn't necessarily mean we should write them off entirely particularly given the scheduling but that the difference between this team's record and the ~.500 ball that will be required to make the 8 is quickly turning into a chasm.

[Jack]

People say when you break a mirror, you'll have seven years of bad luck. Who in the Raptors organization broke a mirror and had seven years of Bargnani?