Bad break, bad game and an election. That's some night

Okay, let’s deal with this right off the bat.

No, I don’t know how Lowry is; I don’t know if or how long he’ll be out, we won’t likely get word until mid-afternoon Dallas time and maybe not until we get to the arena about 5 p.m. eastern time.

I’ll make calls to the appropriate people when I can but I’m betting there are x-rays or other diagnostic tests in his immediate future and I fully expect to be told it’s a right ankle sprain and he’s day-to-day.

Trust me, when I hear something, I’ll let you know.

(And if that’s not a shameful plug for more twitter followers, I don’t know what is).

Anyway …

 

THREE POINTERS

The kid’s big night

No, there was precious little to think fondly off after that beating.

Dwane made some very salient points after the game about them not being ready to play and not having any sense of resiliency and mental resolve.

All true.

But Valanciunas wasn’t bad, even before the eight minutes of garbage time at the end. Sure, Durant posterized him with a dunk – it’s happened to far better players than Jonas and will undoubtedly happen to others in the future – but the kid did play hard and compete and it was his best game since the first one.

He hasn’t truly arrived, that’s going to take up to half a season, I’m sure, but he’s on the right path.

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And now the bad part

As we’ve mentioned many times before, the virtue Dwane Casey may appreciate more than any other is toughness. He wants men, he wants guys who are hard-assed and hard-hearted on the basketball court. He wants, to steal a term of endearment from my man Jack Armstrong, players with some sandpaper.

He sure didn’t get it last night and the post-game disappointment was telling.

“This is a man’s league, nobody’s going to feel sorry for you, if they get you down they’re going to put their foot on your throat. We have to have that fire, come out, have fun competing. First thing that goes wrong, our heads drop, we get down on ourselves and boom, that’s the game.”

It is permanent? Nah. But it better not become consistent.

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A first glimpse

Didn’t see it too often but the zone defence made its debut in the second half last night.

I knew they’d been working on it – it was a way to use both Lowry and Calderon even against bigger backcourts – and I would suspect we’ll see a wee bit more of it now if Lowry misses even a game or two.

With all the focus they put on offence in camp and integrating three new starters into the defensive system, there wasn’t a lot of time in the pre-season for all the work that was needed.

Now, they’ve had it and the zone can be used to shake things up for a few possessions each night. It won’t become a staple, it will become something they can us.

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More?

Sure, we’ve got a little bit.

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I don’t know why I knew this but I did know Stevie Ray Vaughan was from Dallas and I’m going to Dallas and I think Stevie Ray Vaughan was really cool.

So …

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You know one of the cool perks of the job?

Monuments and memorials.

Took a quick walk up to the federal building bomb memorial in Oklahoma City on Tuesday and once again was overwhelmed by it.

I remember the first time I saw it, has to be four or five years ago now, and a bunch of us walked up there with Sam Mitchell after a shootaround.

It was a moving experience then and it was a moving experience yesterday, the rows of faux chairs to symbolize the children so senselessly killed – part of the overall massacre – is incredibly touching and well done.

And heading to Dallas today evokes memories of the first time I saw the Texas school book depository – a long time back with a very good friend – and how powerful it was. Not quite as powerful as Oklahoma City but still quite something.

Toss in the Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, the Vietnam Memorial in Washington, and the subtly touching Holocaust memorial in Boston and this job can really be something sometime.

I don’t how many of you, if any, will get to those cities at any time but if you do, you should go; I consider it one of the great perks of the job.

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Yeah, I suppose I could have moved the IGBT over to twitter last night (I’m @smithraps if you’re so inclined) but the thing that makes it unique is the interactive nature. I’m not sure anyone wants – or needs – to read a series of declarative statements; the fun of the gig is the other stuff we do there.

That said, it was a one-off phenomenon brought on by the election and all should be good tonight.

Speaking of you and I chatting, let’s get the mail started, shall we?

Click. Write something wildly entertaining and interesting and thought-provoking. Send.

You’ll be glad you did.

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Hmm.

Washington and Colorado voted to legalize marijuana.

Free-agent destinations?

But let me get this straight before I head off for a stupid 6 a.m. flight over to Dallas:

The United States:

Elected an openly gay woman senator from Wisconsin.

Passed laws to basically legalize marijuana in two states.

Re-elected an African-American president who showed more flaws in his four years than many thought he had.

Approved gay marriages in some states.

Repudiated disgusting Neanderthals who dared make rape some part of the election, as disgusting an act of politics as I can ever remember.

Yeah, you did okay, you zany Yanks.

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Comments

[tomo]

why was there a need to point out obama was african american like that? sounds racist to me....

Blogger's note: Yeah? You need to rethink how you think, I think

[doug]

Yea interesting election last night...to me the Americans did a very good job..the thing about the Lowry injury that struck me was this, when he was down, most of his teammates came over to him, and to a man you could see concern on their faces and after he left, sort of a shell shocked look, as Lowry in this very short time has become their leader, you could see it through that glimpse at the team as it transpired....hope it isn't serious as he is a hell of a ball player in more ways then one....good choice on Stevie Ray one hell of a musician and yes a cool dude if their ever was one..cheers...

[Nick]

With your semi list of monuments to see, it begs the question of a "grunt" list of pub spots. The first one that comes to mind is Norm's stool in the faux Cheers bar in Boston at Feneuil Hall. Any more memorable spots that should not be missed when travelling?

Blogger's note: Going on about 90 minutes sleep, need to think on that

[Bill]

The next time you see Landry Fields, can you ask him nicely to practice finishing around the rim?

[sam]

Odd game last night....I hope Lowry's injury isn't too serious. The guys that were the bright lights against Minnesota, Anderson, DD - seem to vanish against OKC. Andrea still hasn't found his shot, and John Lucas looks very short.

I'm happy the US Election is over, and not surprized by the result. From what I understand Donald Trump pretty much blew up on twitter last night. I'm thinking we can roll Trump into the same ball as the Kardashians, and Lohans, as people I never want to hear about again.....

@tomo - I don't get how you came to your conclusion. But, Really.
Doug, What do you have against Neanderthals? ;)

[Dave B.]

I've seen the Vietnam memorial in Washington and the civil rights museum in Memphis. Both are very good, but different. The Vietnam one is overwhelming in its simplicity and the large number of names and the letters from grandchildren who never met their grandparents who died in Vietnam. The Civil rights museum is very educational and is shocking in how poorly the African-Americans were treated as late as the Seventies. I think if "tomo" ever visited it he/she would appreciate you comment on re-electing an African-American President.

I am hoping to visit the OKC monument this spring. I have been in Boston a couple of time but didn't see the museum there. I understand the Holocaust museum in Washington is very good also.

Safe Travels.

[Moshigh]

Oh the Raptors, Im sorry my brother is a big defender of Bargnani, yes its early but I truly think for Raptors to head in a totally different direction they need to move him or he come off the bench.

His defense is so terrible at times its un bareable. I know the team defense it self is not good, maybe Im picking on him too much. But this stuff is getting old. He now takes tons of bad shots, plays limited defense, doesnt rebound. Ive had it. This team needs to complete the overhaul. Jose is fine in back up that's Bargnani should be, his scoring is nothing if he lets up more then he puts in the basket.

2 states legalizing Marijuana, why not. Stupid they lock up people for a small amounts and giving them records. Usa doesnt need anymore people in its prision system.

Yes USA has a black president, but he cant talk about a large issue's in the Black community and inner cities for fear of look "too black". Extreme proverty and the causes of a 3rd world murder rates across the country. His own city is nicknamed "Chiraq" due to its sick murder rate. Its just a truck driving with a new driver for next couple of years. Hopefully he drives safely.

[Blake Kennedy]

While Jonas did get "posterized", I'm not quite so sure that reflects anything against him. Bargnani got split by improperly hedging the ball screen and gave KD an unobstructed full sprint right at the rim. The only way you can stop that is by stopping playing basketball and just driving him with your fist on the bridge of his nose and accepting the huge suspension you're going to get as a result.
.
Perhaps a better solution would have been to drive Bargnani right in the head for having allowed you to get put on a poster like that in the first place. Admittedly, there doesn't seem to be much up there to damage...

[Kent]

Hope the Lowry injury is not serious; I want to see this team go 28-54 at full strength with zero excuse so that we can finally blow it all up and start over.

[Johnn19]

Seems Lowry as a leader is not Superman after all, as he led the Raptors to a 1st quarter deficit of 17-30 or -13 and game over at OKC.

His contributions for 16:45 before the injury with 90 sec's to go in the 2nd Q, 1/4, 2pts, 1rb, 4ast, 2to's, 2pts leading from behind, with Rap's at 35-52.and
-17 after 2 Q still.

Goes to show everyone is human and can not be ready to play every game, as Westbrook dominated.

[J]

There was nothing racist in the description of Obama as an African American president. We do it all the time in the US. I'm all for racial sensitivity, but avoiding such descriptors like it's a bad word doesn't help anyone.

[Liam]

Did you see Andrea getting trash-talked by the monster-of-a-man Thabeet, he's at least 7'5. He was right in Andreas face a la Payton/Garnett and el Mago just took it quietly. Barg was a little more intent on driving last nite but with little success. I am liking the animosity that ed davis is developing this year...he is becoming my fav raptor along with lowry...these two have the right mentality to compete in the nba. Also landry fields looks HORRIBLE, he should not be starting. arrrrgh.

[D-Mac Ottawa]

Really tough break for Lowry – hope he takes his time getting that ankle healed up. Not surprised at all the Raps ran into a buzz saw. Write it off, move on.
Realized this morning I'd been holding my breath for, well, quite a few months. Shout out to my compatriots on getting out the vote. Whew!
Now, let's all get back to work. Plenty to do. Cheers. Go Raps!

[Johnnyc]

Also a Stevie Ray Vaughan fan ....lucky to see him open for Joe Cocker at Copps...performance exceeded my expectations...such a wonderful artist who left us way too soon....thank you for remembering

[GM]

@tomo, there's a difference between being 'racial' and being 'racist'. One is allowed to reference a person's race without it being something negative. Unless you were thinking that Doug was making the connection between his race and the fact he's flawed, but that's a huge stretch to think that.

As much as I hate seeing the Raptors lose, especially when they stink it up, I do get a certain joy knowing I can come here and read all the hand-wringing and angst from people. It's funny.

Hope Lowry is good, but it's an example of why teams need three capable point guards. If they traded one of them, like many suggested, who would be the secondary point guard in an emergency situation? There are always going to be injuries.

[Jamie]

As a Raptors fan, Dwane Casey makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside...like everything is going to be ok.

[GM]

Yeah, @Liam, I saw that, too. I also read Thabeet's lips and he said, "Shut the f@$% up." That, to me, says that Andrea wasn't just standing there taking the brunt of it, but was dishing it out, too. Makes me wonder what he said.

[Rob.V]

Washington and Colorado voted to legalize marijuana.
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Great! We can add this to the list of reasons as to why FA's will never want to play for the Raptors. Here's a running list for future reference:
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1) Canadian Inferiority complex- just because, right!
1a) -65 Weather - unlike the palm trees & warm beaches found in say, Detroit
1b) No Canadian city's with (legal) Weed!!!
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Man, the blue and red states of America is one messed up country, no?. Obama is incorrect... there is nothing "united" there whatsoever. Having said this, I'm happy they/you gave him another 4.
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Looks like the red (bloods) are gonna need to move out all of the old crusty farts and bring in some younger guys if they want to compete with the cooler, trendier blue (crip's).
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I mean, most of these old (red) cats don't even have to say a word. You take one look a them (even before they open their mouth) and you get the sense that it's about lining their own pockets while they keep you down. Now, I don't believe this to be true in all cases (and I am P.C here - full disclosure) however - perception IS reality isn't it?
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I suppose we will get a good sense of what this team is made of tonight, lets hope they bounce back!.

[john]

HA! GM I saw it the same way. It looked like Thabeet was pissed about something and the look on AB's face was blank to the point of amusement. Thabeet then took a foul on the ensuing free throw which is exactly why he makes minimum wage and could well be on his last contract...

[Chris]

Lowry Injury is a huge loss. His leadership is one of many things that we have been missing. He works as hard as I would expect every NBA player too. He makes it look even more embarrasing when others are coasting.I dont understand why it is acceptable not to work 100% at all times, but it definitely happens. I have spent a lot of time watching interviews on NBA TV Canada. We might be the best talking team in the league, (starting with BC). Lowry is the only one who is working hard enough every play to get us there. T Ross or Fields, if you want to make an impression on fans in a good way, theres a player on the Mavs who a hard foul on could make you in instant crowd favorite.

[Eric]

The Raps looked last night like they really have no big man who you can throw the ball to inside and post up. It seemed all perimeter oriented. Jonas did a good job grabbing a few offensive rebounds and going up. Feels like it's going to be a long "development" season.

Gotta say, super impressed with Lowry.

[tomo]

sorry doug I owe you an apology. In my haste I accidentally thought you were spouting off a list of negative things and included african american in it. Seeing as you're from an older generation that in general have a very negative attitude towards almost all those things (ie marijuana, same sex marriage, etc.) my brain made the wrong connection.

[Penguin]

One of the best things about last night's election, and there were lots of good things, is that I was so locked into watching the developments, surfing between coverage on several stations, that I didn't watch the debacle in OKC. Btw, when are the legion of Colangelo haters going to give him props for getting Lowry? Okay, right now the Fields signing isn't looking too good. Ross is still a question mark and its way too soon to assess that draft choice. But other moves, including drafting JV and signing Lucas III are looking solid.