Everything seems to be working out just as they planned

Oh yeah, the big sports department bash kind of petered out for one of us, who had to get home to hang with Super Son, who finds himself in a sling after an unfortunate gym class spill.

Kicks the hell out of his holiday sax playing ideas – to say nothing of the assistance he needs for the mundane every day chores you use a shoulder for -- but I’m still glad they still make gym classes available to students.

So I saw enough of the game while paying attention for …

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THREE POINTERS

A solid contribution

You know who’s been kind of impressive in this little run the lads are on?

John Lucas III.

Yes, he’s still out of control a bit too much offensively (Dwane told us last week he need Lucas to throttle it back one gear) but he’s been making shots and doing admirable job defensively and the trickle down effect is that Jose doesn’t have to play 40 minutes a night, which is a very good thing.

Lucas is proving to be just what you want in a third point guard – dependability, skills good enough that the team can at least tread water while he’s in there and a lack of ego that allows him to do what he does without trying or wanting to do more.

He had, what, six straight points to pretty much break open the game late Tuesday night? A huge bonus.

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Just feeling good

Now, I wasn’t courtside Tuesday night, of course, but the sense I’ve got over the two games I did see up close and the third win is that this team’s level of confidence has never been higher.

I’m not sure if it’s a feeling of validation in what the coaches have been preaching – as opposed the incessant beatings they took previously that had to have them questioning everything – but you can just sense they believe now.

Not sure they did fully before and if there’s one thing I’ve learned over the years it’s that confidence in huge. The talent disparity among teams isn’t all the big, to tell you the truth, everyone can make shots and plays. It’s when you have in your mind that you’re going to win and play well that makes the difference.

And that’s what we’re seeing now.

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Making others pay

There’s been a couple of subtle things that Dwane has done the last little while they have really paid off and turned out just as he planned.

We know about the solid inbounds play the other day that was new and worked to perfection.

But how about his use of a smallish lineup the last couple of games, a move that’s been pre-emptive rather than reactive.

He’s had Kleiza at the four a little bit, there were times when Anderson has played the four some and even Pietrus has had a minute or two there.

And because he’s initiated it, opponents have had to react. Last night, at least in the parts where I was paying rapt attention, it pretty much took Tristan Thompson out of the game.

It did the same against Houston on Sunday and the Rockets couldn’t match Toronto’s version of small ball.

I’m not suggesting it’ll work every night and it was kind of forced on him by the absence of one of his four bigs but instead of just rotating Valanciunas, Davis and Johnson through the frontcourt or even giving Aaron Gray some time, Casey’s forced other teams to react to him. And it’s worked.

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Let’s wrap this up, shall we?

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Okay, nothing may say Christmas like Twisted Sister.

But nothing really says Christmas like The Ramones.

(And how would they have fit in at that 12-12-12 Concert for Sandy Relief?)

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Hang on a sec.

Air Canada, which can barely run its own airline, let alone its own airline along with Jazz, is now opening a third airline?

And Porter’s doing a new one, too?

And you wonder why so many of them are in dire financial straits.

I’d rather they get things running consistently smoothly on their primary carriers before doing anything silly.

Of course, the only complaint I have about Porter is that it doesn’t fly to enough U.S. cities for me – I swear, I’d fly it everywhere if I could – but Air Canada?

Interminable delays, usually 20 minutes at a time with no real explanation, and far too often unco-operative gate agents.

I like the TV screens in the seatbacks, though. Be nice if they changed the shows up weekly instead of monthly but that’s just me.

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Yes, the IGBT thing returns tonight about 7 and, yes, we’ll start looking for mail. You folks did great last week but without Andrea to bust on this week, I wonder what you can come up with that’s interesting.

Say hello here, if you feel like it. There’s no shootaround today so if you’re quick like bunnies and have something to say, I might get a leg up on the weekend later this morning.

Thanks.

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I knew it was sometime around now (how I knew that I will never know, the stuff rattling around in this head sometimes troubles me greatly) but a quick check and it turns out today is the day, in 1843 so I wasn’t there to get a first edition, that the original A Christmas Carol was published.

Best Christmas movie? Have to be on the short list, wouldn’t it?

(And yes, a list of personal favourites will get here sometime between now and next Tuesday and it’ll open the floodgates for discussion)

But wasn’t Alastair Sim the best? Yeah, thought so.

And that Dickens fellow could write a wee bit, couldn’t he?

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Quick question:

Does anyone really miss the pucks?

Gonna flock to the TVs and arenas when they come back, if they come back?

Just wondering because in my circle of friends there is absolutely no chatter about it, no one seems to miss it too much, life goes on and while we have seen fans flock back to sports that have gone through a work stoppage before, I am getting the sense this might be the sea change to boredom and apathy and disinterest everyone connected with the game fears more than anything.

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Comments

[DL]

Doug,
I miss the pucks. I miss them a lot.
Hockey was the only thing I watched on TV. I've tried baseball, zzzzzz. I've tried football, but there was too much time between plays. I've tried basketball and it has been the best, but it's still not hockey, and I hate how it takes half an hour to play the last few minutes.
The funny thing is that I'm here every day reading about the Raps, but I never watch them. I just like this excellent blog.

Blogger's note: I appreciate that a lot

[Jack]

3 games in a row. Wow!
The team played very well, moved without the ball, run on breaks, provided screens, solid on defense.. very fluid.
And without Bargnani.
Coach Casey, take note of that.

[Tim H.]

"But wasn’t Alastair Sim the best? Yeah, thought so." Agreed. But, Mr. Magoo was a close second! (His was the first version of A Christmas Carol that I can remember.)

[Andrew Gregg]

Hey Doug:

Two best airlines in Canada? Air North and First Air. You'll never get to fly them unless David Stern loses his mind and expands the NBA to Iqaluit or you take a holiday to Whitehorse (which you should), but they use old refurbished 737s with tonnnes of leg room, real cooked meals and nice, huge complimentary glasses if wine. Staff is polite, pilot stops by and says hello and if there's a delay they come out and tell you why and how long--and you believe them. First Air is Inuit-owned and Air North started with one Yukon bush plane many moons ago. They fly the way people used to fly.

AG, Toronto

[LeeZ]

One thing I positively LOVED about last night was Amir taking the ball at the high post and decisively and quickly driving the lane either for the hoop and one, or a dish to Kleiza. Did it at least four times, worked like a charm each time. Yes, he didn't exactly have Bill Russell guarding him, I grant you, but he really should do that more often. Plus José was definitely making more of an effort to find JV, especially early on, rewarding him for rolling hard to the hoop.

[JT]

Just have to say that up to this point, Jose clearly is the better PG to run this team. I don't think its a coincidence anymore that the Raptors are playing amazing team ball. Jarret Jack, TJ Ford, Bayless, and now Lowry. All those guys were supposed to be better or replace Jose. Except, Jose has been the lasting element and shown to be the better overall player for this team.

[Jeff D]

Unfortunate about Super Son. As someone who has broken a collarbone and separated a shoulder (on different occasions) I can sympathize with the inability to perform mundane tasks. Wish him all the best with his recovery...and please remind him to take it slow. If he's anything like I was in my youth there is a feeling of invisibility (a little ironic given the injury) that may lead him to do something to set the recovery time back.

PS. I don't simply not miss the pucks, I enjoy their absense. That said, I am looking forward to the World Junior tourney.

[Michel G]

JT @ 8:17 am: "Jarret Jack, TJ Ford, Bayless, and now Lowry. All those guys were supposed to be better or replace Jose."

Lowry is a good basketball player and the Raps need a player with his skill set. Once he buys into Casey's system, the Raptors will be a much better team. And Lowry is a better basketball player than any of the other point guards that Calderon has played with. As much as I love Calderon, what are the chances that he remains with the Raptors next year?

[john]

Hey Doug, if they beat Detroit tonight and then Orlando Friday does Jose lose his starting job when Lowry gets healthy?

Blogger's note: Cross that bridge later; hope not

[AT]

reason for improved play??? addition by subtraction...no disrespect to the guys hurt but (not just the raptors) but most players play better when they get more minutes. Confidence, rhythm, no nervousness because you think if you miss a shot your are going to get yanked...

and agree with @JT Jose is the better PG to run this team. It should be interesting to see what happens at the trade deadline and/or at the end of the season.It would be pretty sad to see Jose go and worse to see him go for nothing.

You need a pass first PG on mediocre teams where guys cannot create their own shot, Lowry is simply not good enough to carry this team.

[David in Oakville]

Good Morning Doug.

"But nothing really says Christmas like The Ramones." Truer words were never written. And nobody says "Merry Christmas Baby" better than Otis Redding. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rEyV8gnC4aQ

hehehe... thought I would start a little controversy with all the Springsteen fans (not that I don't appreciate his version as well)
+
I know it was Cleveland (a team we expect to beat if the Raps are as good as we think)... but you have to like what you saw last night. Lots of ball movement, everyone making the extra pass for the easier basket (even JL III) and a defensive scheme that minimizes Jose's shortcomings against younger, faster guards. LOVE IT.

And I was really impressed that the team did not collapse or regress in 3rd / 4th quarter when Kyrie Irving seemed to be getting the benefit of the doubt (and then some) with the whistle and foul calls.

GREAT WORK RAPS! HEY HO, LET'S GO!

[Ewandro]

Paraphrasing Jeff D :
I don't simply not miss the pucks.
I strongly enjoy their absense!
Specially living in hockey QC, it's priceless!!

Very good effort from almost everybody. Great team play.
Really hope Bargs will be "promoted" to a bench position after his recovery and, hopefully, stays there up to his depart via trade.
It will be better for him and for the team.

Wishes of fast and good recovery for Super Son.

[sam]

What I like about John Lucas III is that he doesn't take crap from the oposing team - He took a pretty good elbow to the head from Irving last night and didn't back down. Allan Anderson has had a good run the last couple of games- supplying the 3 point threat the HOTH really needed. Perhaps he's a late bloomer?

[Juan]

It was a fun game to watch last night. I travel a great deal as well Doug and I hae to say that I think much of the criticism Air Canada receives has more to do with it's visibility than it own doing eg. slow luggage delivery is an airport union issue that airlines do not control, security is also an airport union issue. As for gate treatment, I've almost always been treated quite nicely, which is a far, far different experience than I usually receive in the US for example. Anyway I wish you happy flying experiences for 2013.
I'm quite certain this is not your doing but I have to add that I'm hugely disappointed that The Star has taken a page from the fan-blogs by stirring controversial nonsense in its 'poll' about the PG spot today.
Thanks again for another thoughtful and entertaining year!

[gdr]

The NHL is dead to me. I will never go to a game again. I will never watch any hockey on tv or buy any NHL merchandise again. I can list 1000 things that I would rather do than pay attention the the NHL again. Go Jays, Go Raps!

[Mos High]

I agree with Michl G...Raptors need Lowry. Hopefully this injury is allowing him to sit back and watch the team thru this mini win streak. The chances Jose is back with the Raptors is limited unless he will take a major shave on his contract. Also maybe its just time to move on. Again Im on the Jose Bandwagon at this time.

I dont enjoy bashing Bargnani, but the Raptors big man play is much better, rebounding help defense all around. Bargnani needs to really take notice, Coach Casey can no longer just throw him out there because he can score. I honestly think you move him before Jose. Bargnani just doesnt get it, he also is a black hole on offense. Quick shots any shots. It cant work.

I stopped really watching hockey about maybe 7 yrs ago, Im just board of the stupid fighting, how the heck you have a game like this that allows fighting. Just nonsense to me. Its a dead topic. The Leafs have been so over hyped and terrible, they are a top earning franchise, but no elite players want to play for the team. Its funny people always talk about the Raptors how guys dont want to come, but which big free agent has wanted to play for the Leafs in there prime in say last 10yrs???

Also when hockey is around all of the sports stations over saturate the coverage. Its too much.

South of the boarder majority of the people have really no care, so I dont know how many of those franchises are going to survive.

[who cares]

I also think it's no coincidence that the wins have come when they hold opponents to less than 100 points.

[David T (Ottawa)]

In my estimation, the difference in Jose between, say, this year and last year doesn't have that much to do with Jose (except, now that he's got a good run, you can see his mentality and aggressiveness are higher than they have been in a while). Looking at the personnel around him: DeRozan is able to take 1-2 dribbles and get around his man, Amir/Ed are cutting or flashing decisively to spots, Valanciunas cuts to the rim with his hands up, and so on.

On a team with those guys doing those things, the "pass-first and keep the D honest with my shot" style of PG is a huge plus (and a pleasure to watch). Without the development, Lowry's ability to "hero ball" was necessary.

I think Lowry was/is a solid addition to this team. Whether it be because he's just a solid player (I think he will be) or because he's solid enough to sweeten a trade around the deadline, I think he's well worth the 1st rounder (unless he leaves for nothing).

Of course, that focused on the offensive end, but nearly the exact same comments hold on the other side of the court as well.

[Ren]

I think people need to see why this team is actually playing well at this time.
I really has nothing to do with wins or losses - because they will lose, especially to the better teams.
The fact is that Casey is playing his team from last year - the one that hustles, plays defense within the scheme, and moves the ball on offence.
Last year they talked about growing from within - and they have succeeded in doing this.
I think the additions made in the off-season (via trade), for the most part, hindered their progress.
I don't think they continued on with the idea of growing that they discussed last year.
Why would you have that mentality, and then go and change the personnel?
The only issues the Raps would have really had early this year would have been Bargnani's play - and that may also be a result of playing with new players.
What would their record look like if last year's team was left to continue growing right from the start?
Jose is Jose
Demar is much better
Ed is much better
Amir is Amir
Alan Anderson proved he belonged last year
Gray proved he belonged last year

[Liam]

The reason they are winning is because Barngani is not in the line up...CASE CLOSED...end of story...not open to interpretation...a done deal...

This player needs to be sent packing.

[DaveB]

I am a Jose fan. I think he has stepped his game up also. He is more like the Jose of three to four years ago. I think Kyle can be a good player. It is a question of whether he wants to be. I considered him a disruptive influence very early in this season. The big question; is he coach-able? He is now on his third team because he wants to be the star. He is not willing to do what's best for the team (like coming off the bench, passing the ball, playing good team defense, etc).

I don't think that we can underestimate the impact that Anderson has had on this team the past three games. This is the first time they have gotten anything out of the SF position this year.

Air Canada started this new Airline to get around the Union. They have hired staff for less salary than the big one is paying. A lot of the angst is caused by the Unionized staff being upset for being legislated back to work and and a "world owes me a living attitude". I am not suggesting that everybody is like that. I have had some very good experiences with Air Canada Personnel, especially when I missed my flight in London a couple of years ago due to an accident closing the M4. I was a part of an Union for most of my career. While there were a lot of dedicated employees, many of the unmotivated employees knew they were untouchable because of the Union. Many of the weaker rose to the top of the Union ranks and this led to a lot of the conflicts. I think the Ontario Teachers is a good example of what happens when a Union becomes too string and loses any sense of reality.

As for Air North and First Air, they have a niche market. I have only flown on First Air and the service was great, but so was the price. They couldn't compete in the south with those extremely high prices. "You get what you pay for".

The refereeing was "interesting" last night. Anderson Varejao was literally on peoples backs for most of the night but no fouls were called. Then if there was a touch on the perimeter, a foul was called. Very inconsistent to the level they let the players play. A couple of bad calls was the flagrant on Amir and the Technical on Lucas after the was hit in the face by an Irving elbow.

I am happy there are no pucks. However it is still dominating the sports news. As a previous commentator said, a sport the still allows fighting is not a main stream sport in my opinion. I am not anxious to see the WWNHL back.

Good luck to Super Son in his recovery.

[Paul B]

it may be just me, and I have no stats to back this up, but Jose seems to play better when there is competition for his starting role. once that competition is traded away, he regresses to same old Jose. his intensity is up, his defence is significantly better, etc. He is playing better than Lowry right now, but, we've seen this before. we cannot fall into the same old trap that this is Jose day in and day out. This is Jose with a flame under his but, and pride on the line. Would love to think that that is present in all players all the time, but it simply isn't.

[Boko]

Argos win a Grey Cup at home. Blue Jays make several big upgrades. Raptors win 3 in a row. Maple Laughs at home watching The Comedy Network. Some things never change.

[JHP]

Hope your son is feeling better!!!

Blogger's note: Thanks

[joeu]

@Ren

You're correct that the team is improving internally - under Jay, some were learning how to play in the NBA. In Dwayne's first year they were learning how to play as a team. This year we're even seeing some players developing a chemistry. It's hard to recognize this sort of progress, but it is central to their future success

That progress is surely helped along by consistency in personnel ( and that includes coaching and the GM ) but part of the challenge has to be to find players that can do more. They found a bench keeper in Gray, and Anderson is looking pretty usefull. I'm okay with them taking flyers on guys ( Jack, Forbes, Fields, Bayless, ) looking for the keepers.