Keeping it together mentally is the difficult task

Warned you I’d be late one day this trip thanks to time zones. The Pacific one got to me.

Anyway …

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Of all the things Dwane Casey has to do, trying to keep up the spirits of the Raptors might be the most important, not to mention the most difficult, too.

Especially now, with the end of a disastrous stretch of schedule almost upon them, the losses piling up, the future looking bleak and, so far, he’s doing quite well.

Not sure if anyone will believe this but these guys aren’t in the doldrums, they aren’t sniping at each other and the mental toll of the first 18 hasn’t beaten them to a pulp.

Yet.

But they all know they need some wins to (a) keep their long-term goals in mind and (b) to validate what they’ve been doing in all the games they’ve been close in.

The way Casey is going about it is, to me, the right way. He is not ranting and raving and running them into the ground because I think that’s the way to turn everyone off and it’s too early for that.

He is cajoling and supporting and teaching, with the message always the same.

“I’m getting on them, pushing them in the right way because the worst thing you can do right now is have an amputated spirit. Right now, our spirits are good, even thought were not getting the Ws, the end results we’re looking for. Our spirit is good and it’s up to me to keep ‘em up, keep ‘em going, teach the right way. Teaching to get better more so than putting them down, putting them down like ‘you’re not winning.’ Those things are things that I’m trying to do to keep them going and keep a group consistently performing.”

Yes, there are major flaws with the team at the moment. There is no anchor to the defence because a 20-year-old rookie doesn’t quite get the speed of the game yet and a defensively-challenged power forward will never get.

That’s the biggest defensive issue right now, there is nothing to dissuade opponents from getting into the paint with no compunction; there are not meeting resistance because Bargnani is too slow to cover up (remember when he was okay defensively last year? It was on high screen-roll, not in the interior) and while Valanciunas is going to be very, very good eventually, he’s still trying to figure out what he can do defensively in the paint.

But those are the technical issues that they face and they are correctable in time; the mental aspect is where Casey might be doing his best work.

No one’s tuned anyone out, they still think they can win every game they play and, right now, that’s extremely important.

“I told our guys, we’re four games out of the East, of knocking on the playoffs door so it’s not like everything’s lost. We’re at the toughest part of our schedule, keep the hope, keep the faith, keep working and keep believing in each other and I think that’s the most important thing.”

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I would so like to be back there if someone had a Leonard Cohen ticket to pass on.

That’s as good a gravelly voice as you’ll ever hear, isn’t it?

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Let’s start the mail, shall we?

Lots of time on my hands over the next couple of days; it’d be good to have something nice to read.

Click. Write. Send.

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Hey, did you see the note yesterday that the New Orleans Hornets might change the name of the team to the Pelicans as early as next season?

That would be so, so, so cool.

The Peiicans?

Excellent.

And, no, I don’t know about any movement to have the Raptors petition the league for a name change but I could certainly go for a switch to Huskies or something like that and do it for the 20th anniversary in two years.

Sound good?

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Want to know where all your lost luggage goes to?

Apparently it’s part of some art thing at the newish terminal at the Sacramento airport, as Gumby and I saw when we landed yesterday morning.

Not sure it sends the best signal to travellers looking for bags but it was still kind of cool

And since this is my first trip here in a while, and I think the last two times I was here we stayed in San Francisco as part of a Golden State-Sacramento trip it was nice to see an airy terminal, the old place was like a desolate bus garage.

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Seriously, hands up everyone who thought you might find a good sushi place in a strip mall in Sacramento?

But a tip of the chapeau to Oshima Sushi, which is about a 25-minute walk from the arena. Have the shrimp tempura and the California roll, a couple of Fat Tires and relax while typing a little bit. I recommend it.

Would have hung around the hotel area except it’s in a desolate area outside the city a bit and the best thing about it was running into Dick Bavetta when he was checking in at the same time yesterday morning.

And why there is not a full-service Marriott anywhere in a state capital is a mystery to me and has been for the 15 years or so I’ve been coming here.

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So we’re in the joint finishing up some dinner and watching Nets-Thunder and seeing the scroll show the Wizards beating the Heat.

And the guy a couple of stools down, right after I said something like, “that’s why they play the games” chimes in with:

“If I was a Heat fan, I would kill myself.”

A tad over the top, no?

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Comments

[AT]

Toronto Huskies. Yes. Even though the Claw is much much much better than the stupid dinosaur.Couldn't imagine being one of those original raptors in those goofy looking purple uniforms with the dinosaur, getting introduced in other arenas and the Barney Theme song playing in the background.....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sAuMjbkN7oE

[511]

Re name change: I dunno, I like the Raptors name and for my money, 'the Huskies' is just … almost too likely. I don't like it at all.

[Jeff]

Count me in for a name change to the Toronto Huskies. But how does this process work? How does a team propose a logo change - do they cite new popularity or an increase in sales?

Is David Stern doing enough to support the Raptors as Canada's only team? With all of this talk of expanding into Europe/China, surely he would be concerned with the Toronto market and Canada as the team has one of the top fan bases along with a whole country. I hope its on his priority list.

Blogger's note: The process would be long and involved and likely time-consuming

[Wilber]

Doug, how many weeks away from Dwayne Casey breaking a lamp? :)

I can see New Orleans wanting to shed a Hornets name that was never really theirs, but we've been Raptors from day 1 and it's part of our heritage. The cheesy name, the ugly purple uniform era, the years of on-court mediocrity, the wackiness of having one coach suing somebody, another coach breaking lamps, having our only ever superstar quit on us - it's all part of the bumpy road the team and we die-hard fans have travelled. And some day, we'll get to the mountaintop and it will all be part of the journey that got us there. Raptors for life.

[nasko]

absolutely hate the Raptors name. I remember back in the day when they were doing a survey in high school for the name the Raps was not even mentioned.

[Rob.V]

There is no anchor to the defence because a 20-year-old rookie doesn’t quite get the speed of the game yet and a defensively-challenged power forward will never get.
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And there lies the problem. We've seen far too often that there is a wide open lane to the basket, absolutely zero resistence.
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We get out rebounded and we lose the battle of the paint every night. One doesn't rebound, and the other doesn't know... he doesn't know.
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The great Marv Levy once said if you want to win in the NFL it's simple. Run- and stop the run!.
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There is a principle to winning in every Sport. Aside from experience I believe the formula in the NBA is still about controlling the painted area and high % shots. We lose there every night and until this team addresses it this could be one of the worst seasons in Raptor history.
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And here's the thing. If we are going to dedicate another season to "developement" then Ross should be starting as well.
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The plan this season was to "accelerate" the process.
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If this is the case then this goes back to my point a few weeks back which was simply... how do you take the kid out of the starting lineup now without deflating him?.
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It was a mistake to start the rookie from the beginning of the season. He could have gotten 20 minutes a night off the bench with Jose. Either we play to develop or we play to win... you can't have it both ways.
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Andrea with any big that can rebound and anchor the paint works (on paper). The two together was a mistake from day one that has yet to be corrected... and should be sooner rather than later if they want to salvage the season.
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Amir with Andrea, or Gray with Andrea seemed to work last year (you cannot deny AB's offensive ability). Coach needs to make a decision. Either the kid comes out of the starting lineup and we try to win... or they trade AB for Gasol (ASAP!).
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Seriously, isn't it about giving the customers what they want. Well, this is what I want - in this order:
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1. To Win
2. Pau Gasol
3. More Terrance Ross if the first two cannot be accomplished
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If there are any poohba's reading here today, could someone look into trying to accommodate me one way or the other and get back to me on this please. I anxiously await your response. Thank you... much appreciated!.
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Having said this, of this I am certain - Jimmy "The Greek" like certain actually!!!. The Raptors will make a trade in 10 days (or not far there after)... for there is nothing left to do.
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D-Day is December 15th... but the war may already be over by the end of this road trip.

[Rob.V]

Also, anyone else see that Lakers-Rockets game last night. I tell you, what a joy to see the Lakers lose again (81).
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Anyway, if you missed it. The Lakers are up about 13 and the rockets make a mini run in the 4th, then go to the hack a Howard. He of course misses a large majority of free throws and the Rockets win, Rockets win!. Schadenfreude!!!!
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Apparently Orlando on the weekend, Houston last night. Same free throws - same results.
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Just curios on how long it will take for everyone to finger point D'Antoni for D12's inability to make free throws.

[Andrew Gregg]

Hi Doug:

So we're wrapping up practice last night with my daughter's team of ten year old hoopsters and the head coach is telling the girls that they know how to score now, but they need to work on defence, because it's no good if we score 100 (which will never happen) but the other team scores 105. And the other assistant coach chimes in with "...if that happens we could change our name to the Raptors." A huddle of kids nod their heads in unison.

Put me down for the Huskies. The "Raptors" still feels like an leftover promotional gimmick from an old movie franchise. Which it essentially was.

AG, Toronto

[Rob]

Raptors isnt a great name, but its ok, and not as bad as some others.

Heres my list of the worst:

Mighty Ducks - Named after a movie about a peewee hockey team. Ridiculous Disney would pull such a stunt just to promote a movie, and straddle a major league team with that name for decades.

Utah Jazz - Do they know that the french quarter is no where near salt lake city?

Roughriders - In a league with only 8 teams, why did two of them insist on the same name

Cornhuskers - images of middle aged ladies sitting in a farm peeling corn cobs

Lakers - i know its a standard now, but those lakes its referring to are the 10000 lakes of minnesota

[Robert]

I don't think the Raptors should change their name. It would be like turning a blind-eye to the "history" of the team, however many low points there have been. If they get rid of dinosaur completely, and just stick with the claw, it's not that bad. Still better than Thunder, Heat, Magic, Wizards, the Jazz in Utah, Bobcats, Grizzlies in Memphis

Lots of bad names! Some names sounds better when the team is good - Heat, Thunder

[DMcG]

Ha, I had to throw out a little anecdote after seeing that lost luggage stack. Many years ago I was designing a computerized lost and found system for Greyhound. The inventory they were holding may have been a little different than the airlines, different clientele and all, but anyone would be astonished with the volume, and more so the content of items sitting unclaimed for months. A piece of standard luggage was one thing, but there were so many other things that left one standing stunned that people would load this stuff onto a bus, and never show up to claim it.
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I know Jonas has much learning and adapting to do before he becomes the defensive anchor he will be, but after watching Hibbert in last night's game, it's hard to swallow quite a few of the fouls that have been called on Jonas while trying his best.
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Keeping the faith in coach Casey and the boys. Go Raptors!!

[Jeff R]

I saw Mr. Cohen at the ACC last night. My companion summed it up very well:

"Who would have ever thought that a little, old Jewish man in a fedora from Montreal could be the epitome of cool?"

[Cluck Kent]

You know I generally don't listen to the daily song but you got me today. What an amazing piece of writing.

Sounds like that guy beside you with the Heat comment might be a reader of this Blog.

The Pelicans? I could understand if it was an Aussie team. I mean any country with Waltzing Matilda as the national anthem could get away with a name like that for a pro sports team. But in the U.S.? I can't imagine they'd sell many Jerseys.

[Johnnyc]

Nice job finding a sports bar and sushi combo.... I would have taken the under....Any feedback on the Kings ? As per the Clash......Should I stay or should I go?

Blogger's note: I'm saying they have to go; to Seattle, as soon as possible

[GM]

I saw Leonard Cohen in Vancouver a couple weeks ago. Fantastic show. The guy is 78 years old and went on at 8:10 and got off the stage at 11:40. Take that, Springsteen! He had no stool to sit on for the duration. And often would get down on his knees or in a crouching position while singing, then spring right back up. I can't even do that without holding on or stumbling! Oh, and the music and band were great.

[David C]

@Rob.V:
"The great Marv Levy once said if you want to win in the NFL it's simple. Run- and stop the run!."

He went on to say, "It's simple - but it's not easy!"

[james]

"Blogger's note: I'm saying they [the Kings] have to go; to Seattle, as soon as possible"
Perhaps they could stop off in Vancouver for a couple of years until the Seattle arena is built.
Rob: "Roughriders - In a league with only 8 teams, why did two of them insist on the same name"
Since the team (the 9th team) and the name are dead, what follows fits into the Don Quixote school of sports commentary: As I understand it, the Rough Riders (two words, not one like the sodbusters) referred to loggers who rode booms down the Ottawa River to sawmills and pulp mills around Bytown, long before it became a national capital. As such it was a team name steeped in local history, and if they are going to revive a football franchise there, should still be the preferred choice. Who cares if there are two teams with similar names? It's just part of the CFL's charm.

[Liam]

Yes, agreed on the Huskies name change! Think about it, where are huskies found? In the North, the cold frigid North of the planet earth. Where are raptors found, either in humid, southern arid areas, or in American airplane hangars. This is the unfortunate synergy in the ACC brand, the "hangar" that the raptor brand has. Then there's the "Tor" on the end of Rap-Tor, and Rap is the whole "urban" hippy hoppy thing that the marketers must feel is so important.

Raptors is a good name from a business perspective, but no teams or free agents will ever take us or our franchise) seriously...sorry.

Bottom line:

We are Canada's team, we are from the North, we know what it's like to be cold. We should be creating an environment where opposing teams come in and as they feel that sting of the cold Northern air they realize they have entered HUSKIES territory...we need a new identity...HUSKIES.

[Geoff Read]

I think the name "The Raptors" is fine, but they should change the logo from the dated dinosaur to a nasty looking hawk or eagle or other bird of prey. That would be much cooler.

As for the Pelicans... given it's New Orleans maybe it should be the "New Orleans Levees". Too soon? How about, "The Louisiana Oil Slick." At the very least, the Pelican logo should be covered in petroleum sludge.

[Geoff Read]

As for Casey keeping the troops' spirits up: if he's doing that effectively he's doing a good job. The flaws of the current roster are not of his making.

[Paul]

Amen to the name change. The Jurassic Park theme never had any appeal for people over the age of 12.
I like Huskies given the historical appeal but would also be open to other suggestions.
The name should be something that inspires loyalty and pride and is uniquely Canadian/Torontonian.
One thing is for sure though. Its time to ditch this 90`s fad that was ill conceived to begin with.

[D-Mac Ottawa]

100% agree with Mighty Ducks as the lamest of sports team names. And when mentioning Minnesota, remember that's home to the Golden Gophers... Gophers... now there's a name to spark some fierce home pride and dread amongst one's foes.
I'm also 100% with Geoff Read on keeping the Raptors, keeping the claw, and switching to a bird of prey. Cue the sound effects.
The other big topic today has been "anchors". What's an anchor? It's something that sinks fast and just lies there, down at the bottom. It's something you throw overboard when you don't want to get anywhere at all. Just a little food for thought (kind of like pasta and sauce to stay game-ready...).
Cheers. Go Raps!

[Dave B]

I don't understand the love for Pau Gasol. He is overpaid and his career/talent is diminishing rapidly. It think it could be another Jermaine type of trade. Pau is not producing for the Lakers with a supporting cast much superior to the Raptors.

So Brian, please don't do it.

[doug]

@Rob V a GM never trades from a internal need/situation or shouldn't.look at Carter as a example, whether people believe it or not Toronto has assets, so BC if he is smart (and he is) just sits and wait for another team to be the one in need, like a playoff bound team come trade deadline with a injury problem to their starting PG, Jose's trade value is maximized for example and if it doesn't occur whatever player package he is being offered for Jose now will be available then....also why should he trade to save this season??....whats the point in that, this season is what it is , will we go on a run maybe, but even if we make playoffs it solves little especially if you make a desperation move...this roster is what it is moving forward, this team/organization has to take the Blue Jays example and spend, not in a foolhardy way, but we need a marquee player plain and simple a scorer...MLSE has the coin, they just need to change their attitude as Rogers/Jays did.....I don't like that Pelicans name at all nor at this point in time changing ours, I concur with what was suggested earlier just make the Raptor more fierce not a cartoon character....good vid on Cohen sad part is is his former manager fleeced him out of millions and he is touring out of necessity, thats just not right...ok cheers...

[Penguin]

I'm fine with the Raptors name, I just wish that they were as quick and rapacious and their namesake! Watched the Denver game and they showed some highlights from when, long, long ago, the Raps won a game there. They were in the purple uniforms. You know what? They looked a whole lot better to me than the bland red ones they were wearing this week. Of course, maybe that had something to do with the fact that it was Bosh, Alvin Williams, and Carter, etc. wearing them. I've decided that Barney would look good in another uniform, too, just not one of ours.

As for New Orleans, hey Utah, give them the Jazz name back; it's far better than pelicans. Utah can find another name for themselves.