Of trust, toughness and the athlete of the year

This whole Groundhog Day of a season would be damn easier to handle if Andie McDowell was involved, that’s about all I’ve got to say.

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THREE POINTERS

The ball can actually move

Side-to-side, that is. In Toronto’s offence. We know it can, we saw it in the first half and parts of the third quarter yesterday.

Want to know why?

It didn’t happen all the time but it did happen a lot and it was when they put Kyle Lowry off the ball to start half court sets.

Now, I’m not laying this all on Lowry at all but he does have a tendency to dominate the ball far too much. Getting them into an offence that doesn’t immediately start with him handling the ball worked quite well the few times I saw it Sunday afternoon.

Yes, he does have to have it in his hands a bit but he seemed far more comfortable moving it on when he was the second or third touch.

As we know, there is a level of Hero Ball to this team when things start going south; it’s funny that they forget what worked so well early in a game.

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Some toughness?

I know it doesn’t really count because it was just one game but there was a welcome level of feistiness to these guys Sunday, wasn’t there?

Saw the nice Kleiza elbow to Blake Griffin, Valanciunas hit some people and even Bargnani – yes, Andrea Bargnani – gave as good as he got in the post.

It was, to grab a word from the distant past, a nice “disposition” to see and something we haven’t seen in a long while.

Now, I’m not suggesting they’ve turned some imaginary corner or anything like that or will be known forever as thugs but that’s the kind of physical play – sneaky and open – that they need.

It could have just been than they were collectively fed up with what’s going on, which is another big step in the process of salvaging something out of this season.

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So where from here?

Wish I knew.

I do think they still need to make some kind of change – to the starting lineup, the rotation, the roster – and I’d hope that three good quarters against a very good thing isn’t some kind of Fool’s Gold for them.

It’s interesting, in the wake of Bryan’s weekend public pronouncements, that the overwhelming feeling I got from public and private conversations is that everyone is taking their fair share of blame.

No it’s not strictly a talent issue because there is more than enough talent to have won more than four games.

No it’s not strictly a systems issue because we’ve seen those systems work for extended periods of time, just not often enough.

I think, at the very heart of the matter, it’s a trust issue.

And that’s entirely down the chain and might not be surprising.

Now, I’m not saying that people don’t like each other or think they are being undermined or anything like that; I think it takes time to develop trust that the general manager will get the right players, the coach will use them correctly and that the players trust the coach will use them right and their teammates will treat team right.

It’s something that absolutely takes time; with this team it’s taken too long.

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More? Okay.

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Big day back at Mother Star.

Some of the Wisest Minds In Canadian Sports will sit around a board table and decide the winner of the Lou Marsh Award and probably drink coffee and eat bon-bons and whatever other delights are available.

Logical choice, right?

Has to be Christine Sinclair?

Probably, and we all wrote about it when she was becoming one of the best stories of the London Olympics, but if I know my colleagues and friends, there will be some discussion about other possibilities.

Sinclair, of course, was in many ways an un-Canadian Canadian at the Games. She was tough and wanted to win at all costs, she spoke her mind, ripped officials and was one of the best players on a good team that captured the attention of the country.

I would suspect she will win, and likely with little contention and it will be an excellent choice.

But I’m going to give you one other to think about:

If becoming an Athlete Of The Year has to do with doing your best when it counts the most, you have to think about My Favourite Trampolinist.

Mock the sport all you want – and I know you want to – but at the most significant event of her career, under the biggest pressure and with the most on the line Rosie MacLennan came up with the best performance of her life and won a gold medal.

That’s incredible to me. She didn’t just win, she won knowing she had to have the performance of her career and nailed. That has to be worth something, right?

But I bet it’s Sinclair and that’s another outstanding choice.

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I think I’ve only seen bits of one episode of the seldom-seen TV show Portlandia but it’s got a pretty catchy theme song and since we’re headed there in a couple of hours, why shouldn’t you hear it, too.

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It’s about a 100-metre walk from our seats to the press room at the Staples Center.

By the time I’d walked back to dump off my machine at the end of the game and walked back towards the court to go do some locker room interviews, all of the courtside seats had been removed, the basket stanchions had been collapsed, most the Clippers signage around the court was down and that’s how quickly they move to covert it from one Los Angeles team to another.

And at about 4:30 p.m. Pacific time when we walked to find a cab, the Laker court was down and it was like the Clips had never existed.

Of course, since the Clippers are the best team in L.A., that’s not exactly true.

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Yes, Jonas is a popular young fellow with Lithuanians on the road; was a group of about 50 waiting for him before the game in L.A. and I can only imagine what it’ll be like in Portland tonight with all the Blazers fans who fondly remember Arvydas Sabonis.

You know what I like about the kid the most, maybe?

He is not jaded yet, he’ll stand and sign autographs and speak to people and every time he sees even a beat grunt, he has to shake hands as a way of greeting.

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Comments

[Matt M]

I agree this team needs to make a change though nobody on the bench is a significant upgrade over who starts. Like most teams in the league, this team is in desperate need of a star player. Hopefully they can luck into somebody who will be a star complement JV when the 20-year old develops into a significant player.

[Tim H.]

Hey Doug:

If you were the sports psychologist that figured out what was wrong with the Raptors, and turned the season around, would you keep your job as a reporter, or would you take your billions and retire to a warm sunny location that had a steady supply of Yuengling?

Blogger's note: What time is my flight?

[Norm]

A "seldom-scene" TV show??? Is that one where the set never changes?

[Moshigh]

The Raptors played really for 3 qtrs, but I thought to my self how can they win the game in the 4th. This team has no composure down the stretch. I believe its nearly getting more mental, as they must believe they will loose the game. I honestly feel so.

Yes, Lowry holds the ball a little to much, but I see no answer. Have Lowry and Calderon play most of the minutes? Calderon is great passer, but a little to passive. DeRozan cant hit 3's so I guess teams know where he usually wants to go.

At this point how much taking JV out of starting roster will change anything. Im not sure, but cant hurt. This team/organization is a mess. I wont say I will stop watching, but I'm not purchasing the multi game packs that I usually do. Ill still go to games but not as much.
It just hurts me too much to see this.

Sorry heads need to roll and we are tired of sweet mouth Colangelo. Tired of the properly placed words and detailed long winded answers that really say nothing.

Tired of the loosing, tired of being a laughing stock team. Tired of it all!!!!!

[AT]

I think these arbitrary awards (just like any award that is voted) are non-sense (that does not say they do not and will not have implications because obviously they do). You are comparing athletes from different sports on a different platforms with varying levels of popularity. Why is it necessary to pick one athlete over another in this silly contest?? Take your example, Christine vs Rosie, Who is to say which individual was more dedicated or gave more or better performance? I think they should equally be recognized for their contribution and efforts and to put one in front of the other proves absolutely NOTHING except to put a label on someone that can be parlayed into a financial gain.

[David in Oakville]

Good Morning Doug,

I am not sure about this, but, this might be the most frustrating Raptors team in a long while. With the team under Jay it seemed like the Raps either had it or they didn't on any given night. With this team, on most nights, the team looks ready to compete but then during the game, the other team makes an adjustment, we stall (on defense or offense or both) and then we seem to keep trying the same thing... no counter adjustment. The number of times I have screamed at the radio or the television "try something different" this season is in double digits already.

Is it possible one of the trust issues is with Casey himself.. he doesn't trust his gut enough to go against form and keep playing the guys who have the energy or sit those who are stalling the offense or missing defensive assignments (regardless of the name on the back of the jersey and whether they started the game).

I don't know... I just know I am frustrated beyond belief by this completely dysfunctional team of talented guys.

Too bad Mr. Rogers is dead because these guys really need a lesson in having fun as a group and unselfish play.

[john]

Hey Doug, I found it quite interesting how BC presented himself in his on air interview during the game. I found it refreshing that a GM/President would come on the air and discuss the state of the team in relatively blunt terms. I especially liked the part when Terrence Ross's name came up and Jack said 'and Terrence who just sunk a three' followed immediately by BC 'and he also just committed a turnover'. It showed to me that there is a sense of urgency. He could have also said 'that’s what you get from rookies' but he insisted on making the player accountable. It’s easy to say fire the GM or fire the Coach, good for him to make the player responsible for his actions.

[Bob]

Hey Doug, you said in blog last week that youth wasn't a problem because they only had two rookies and that Ed was in 3rd yr and Demar in 4th yr and therefor you didnt consider them as being young anymore (as far as experience goes. Yet Brian on air yesterday said one of the main issues was inexperience. What gives?

Blogger's note: Apparently we disagree

[Rob]

Christine Sinclaire all the way. She single handedly defeated the heavily favoured americans...unfortuantely she couldn't defeat the referee too.

Doug, even in your worst case prediction, would you have ever thought that 5 weeks into the season the raps would be 13 games under 500, and already 7 full games out of the last playoff spot? Guess the preseason truly is meaningless, didnt the raps have the best record in the east?

Blogger's note: As we said with every passing pre-season game, they mean nothing

[GBZ]

well if I was not holding this opinion, last night was the clincher- Colangelo MUST go

I dont know what he trying to sell but saying on tv that the problem of this team is focus and not talent that Raptors Nation....we have a LONG road ahead of us....

trying to provide excuses that our center is a 20 year old and still a young team is just a joke.

Quick analysis- on a good team:
Lawry- not a starter (became off the bench in Memphis and Houston)
Derozan- not a starter
no consistent 3rd
Andrea- in real estate terms- one buys a house with resell ease as an objective...ie you buy an artsy home and the number of potential suitors is limited...he is so unique that he does not fit any teams' fold thus the value one can get for him is also limited...)
Last but not least to say our center is a 20 year old is ludicrous...what happened to the starting center last year.... (aka Amir Johnson...hes not good suddenly)

the sad part here is that looking ahead 2 years, beyond an improvement that is expected of Ross there is no superstar in the making here and that is why Colangelo GOT TO GO....

[DaveB]

In the IGBT some called you out for predicting 37 wins. At the beginning of the season I predicted 40 wins. While we are both way off. you were closer if that means anything. It looks like it will take as least .500 to get a playoff in the East this year. However, someone may get in the West playoffs with under .500 which is very unusual.

Hopefully a win tonight against Jay's new team.

[wuycik]

I've always supported Colangelo, but I agree his time has come and it is now. He's had his time and opportunities to build this roster and has failed. He should not be in the position to do something now that may cripple the team going forward, especially since he's in the last year of his contract. Hand the reins over to Stefanski for the remainder of the season. He has the experience and knows the team. Give him a chance to show what he can do while there is enough of a season left for him to get some results.

[DMcG]

The part of BC's on air bit yesterday that blows my mind is when he said the way the draft turned out, they won too many games last year. Isn't that a surprising, and huge, slight towards Ross? I thought he was wiser than that.

[kent]

It's not a talent issue? please. It's 99% a talent issue. A talent issue is a GM issue. That's why, of course, the GM is saying it's not a talent issue. The sad thing is there are always going to be people gullible enough to believe him.

[SAS]

Hey Doug,

Is all well between BC and DC? It seems like BC was kinda throwing DC under the bus a bit with his quote about focus and being prepared. Do you get that BC is trying to save his skin a bit here? Also where is Ed Stefanski in all of this? Not like it matters much, just curious.

Blogger's note: Ed's been in Europe scouting during this road trip

[Rob.V]

Effort!
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We can live with yesterdays loss because the Clippers are a good team however didn't last night really expose players for when they decided not to get back in transition, not play a team game, maybe worry about their stats rather than playing the right way in previous games?
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Experience!
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No, Pau Gasol wouldn't immediately have the franchise go 20-0 over the next 20 games however Colangelo talked to what a few of us had written here just last week, lack of experience... and this is exactly what Pau would bring to the table.
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We need to move some of these players and bring in vets that know what it takes to win!
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Anyone else think that when their shots wouldn't fall in the 4th that a big like Gasol in crunch time would help? Look, this is a half court team, you need a big that can post up. Play inside out.
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We can pretend all we want however this is not a run and gun offense so you're going to have to bring in guys that play the half court game.
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I want experience
I want mental toughness
I want guys that have been in big games
I want leadership
I want guys that have made it a "history" of getting on the glass.
I want guys that have a history of playing hard... not after GM/player chats.
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WE WANT WINS!
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Toughness!
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Reggie Evans, Jerryd Bayless? - For all of their shortcomings the one thing you could count on was they they were going to play hard - all the time!
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Yesterday's game really exposed some players. Not for what they did yesterday... but for what they haven't been doing for the past month!
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So who can we go to war with on this squad? Who's gonna do whatever it takes... who's willing to play for the guy sitting beside him in the locker room?
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My point being:
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If you cant go to war with them, ship them out BC... ship them out!!!
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Oh, and I don't care about big contracts that run a couple of more years. We had Hedo!!!!... anything is possible. Bring in the biggest contract imaginable if you have to.
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"That Guy"!
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Successful teams have that guy. The guy that tells everyone how it's going to be.
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KG - (I know, you don't like him). Didn't Rondo say just last season that he makes sure everyone knows what the deal is - he even talks to the pilots during travel days to make sure they know what their "assignment" is. Look, when you go to Boston, you must first visit KG (in his office) to understand what HIS expectations are.
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Kobe (you know, I don't like him- 81) however he keeps everyone in line as well.
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Now, not everyone is a Kobe or KG however there are experienced guys - yes guys like a Reggie Evans that will help you win.
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I want guys that play hard!!! - Ship them out BC... ship them out!!! The next 5 days are all that we can bear.

[Mike kovacs]

Doug I was in Atlanta for a mtg this weekend. have you ever been to the restaurant Fire of Brazil? It is at the corner of Peachtree and International dr about 7 min from Philips Arena. The servers keep coming by with about 12 dirrent types/cuts of meat. You get to eat all the meat you want until you die of a stroke or MI. Then you go to carnivore heaven ( or perhaps this place is it )!

Blogger's note: Next time, I may just stop by. Thanks

[Colin W]

I found it hard to celebrate Canada's lone gold medal at this past summer Olympics. I mean, kudos to the athlete for coming out on top in her sport on what is probably the biggest stage, but a trampolinist for athlete of the year???? Shoot me..

[Steve]

"Yet Brian on air yesterday said one of the main issues was inexperience. What gives?"

The youth thing is a complete furphy and I can't believe Bryan is still throwing it out there as if it means anything. The roster as currently constructed is somewhat middle of the NBA in terms of average age and experience. Yes we have a rookie starting, but really that was our own choice.

Other than that the effort of balancing the need to get the rookies minutes versus the need to win is no different to what plenty of other teams in the league face more successfully every night.

[Ray Allen]

We have only one or two people who can pass well, one or two who can penetrate and only one or two who can post up.

And talent isn't the issue? Cmon...

[lee in ittawa]

If Bargs ever leaves the Raptors then Leo will not be able to say "folks thats a 7 footer you just saw do that".

[DC]

I think its wrong to say that talent is not the issue for the raptors. The only teams they have a decent chance of beating have losing records and equally unremarkable talent (phoenix, orlando- i doubt they could beat minnesota or indiana again). without a real small forward, the roster is unbalanced and players are overmatched- that is a talent issue! getting out-hustled or 'out-focused' just shows the players don't believe in each other's 'talent'.

The raptors do have the talent to be a pretty good euro-league or israeli-league team. I'm confident they have the talent to contend for a championship in the WNBA, but it should be clear to anyone watching: none of their players are currently talented enough to earn a starting spot (or substantial minutes) on a competitive team in the NBA. It's sad to see them consistently play bad basketball, it's sad to see bargnani shooting himself out of a promising career, and it's sad watching a franchise that doesn't get respect from observers and has done nothing to earn it.

[Boko]

So, how talented are we? We're so talented that DeMar DeRozan has started 231 of 243 career games, despite being a sub in Efficiency/Min. Bryan, our swings are all below average NBA swings, period. Open your eyes.

[sam]

For three quarters they were in the game and then the wheels fell off.
What did the Clippers do in the fourth quarter that was remarkably different from the first three? Unfortunately we've seen this story before.
I'm still on the fence with Lowry as our Starting PG. I'm not sure the offence flows as easily with him leading the charge. I'm not so quick to cut the cord with the team - they need to learn to adapt to changes during the game. For some reason, when things started to go south for them yesterday, i didn't see that they were trying to do anything different. It's hard to be a jump shooting team, when your shots aren't falling. Attack the basket...

[Rob.V]

Lastly:
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All the talk of "this is not a talent issue" is merely a means of trying to deflect the inevitable. I wonder if the "lack of focus" talk was indirect motion to move the blame over to the coach? Colangelo usually accepts responsibility so I don't think this was a preemptive move to fire the coach.
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Having said this, whether there is enough talent or not it's irrelevant - the talent they have does not work together - and this resides with BC.
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Colangelo talking about how the draft didn't pan out also sounds like a bit of a panic statement. Maybe not panic, but for the first time that I could ever remember he sounded almost like "a dishearted fan" yesterday. Yes, this franchise has a way of beating down even the best!!
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Saying the coaches did too good of a job last year in winning?.
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What does this even mean? I tried to tank, and it didn't work?. Shouldn't Lawrence be cutting a 250K to the league?
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I'm kidding of course on the $250K (I wanted the tank job as much as Colangelo did) however it sounded as though BC was a man throwing his hands up in the air as well.
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Nothing has gone right! Essentially Colangelo has stated that when we tried to lose - we won!... and when we try to win - we lose!!!
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Clearly the Raptors wanted one of either the unibrow, Damian Lillard, or Harrison Barnes. They got neither of the three, then lost out on Nash as well (not that I was for this - full disclosure).
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They've tried to make moves... it's just that none of them have panned out.
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There's really only a few directions to go:
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1. Strip it right down. I mean, "Houston like" strip it down (not sure this is the time though, this is best during the off season).
2. Trade some of the kids for vets or perennial All Star caliber player
3. Stay the course
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#1 and #3 just do not seem logical given where we are in the season so there is going to have to be some tough tough decisions made over the next week!
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I guess the one thing that has gone right is that they actually did have interest in Pietrus last season. Now that they got him on the cheap this year I wonder if this puts Landry Fields in play as well in a few days.
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As horrible as it's been, it's about to get a whole lot more interesting that's for sure.