Raptors "splintered apart" in Utah rout

And now for something completely different.

Because of some wacky deadline issues, here's what would normally be a second-edition story for the paper available to you here and now.

And, yes, we'll have the usual fare here for you in the morning.

 

SALT LAKE CITY – Nerves are frayed, tension is mounting, frustration is off the charts and now it’s time for the Raptors to somehow keep it all together.

It won’t be easy, there is no question about it, and after Friday night’s ugliness here, you have to wonder if the job can be done at all.

“I thought we splintered apart, didn’t stay together,” coach Dwane Casey said after the Raptors were drubbed 131-99 by the Utah Jazz.

“Tonight is the first time I’ve seen us give into whatever it was and that’s what we talked about in the team meeting. Hopefully that’s the start of togetherness; again, talk is cheap. We have got to get back to the fundamentals of basketball, whether it’s guarding the ball, rebounding, transition. Everything was exposed tonight from a team level.”

And for all the chatter about not getting too frustrated and staying the course, there were more sideways glances at teammates and open and evident frustration than there’s been all season.

Now with a 4-16 record a quarter of the way through the season and still two games left on this arduous western road trip, nerves are raw.

Casey kept the team about twice as long as normal after the game and said the discussion would stay “in the family.”

“Everybody said what they had to say and we have to realize this is time to step up -- everybody from myself to the last guy on the team,” said DeMar DeRozan.

“Everyone has to step up and play with pride because it’s getting out of hand right now.”

The Jazz simply did what they wanted against a Raptor team that looked as dispirited as it has all season.

Utah hit 13 of 23 three-pointers, dominated on the glass and led comfortably from about the middle of the second quarter on.

Even without Al Jefferson and Derrick Favors, they were able to score practically at will.

“We worked on a scrambling drill yesterday and we dared guys to shoot jump shots,” said Casey. “We’re going to get it fixed, whatever it takes, whatever seven or eight guys it takes to get it done, we’ll get it done.”

Paul Millsap had 20 points and Enes Kanter 18 for Utah while Andrea Bargnani led Toronto with 20 in a game that devolved into extended garbage minutes in the fourth quarter.

“It was a pick up game I think more than anything else down at the end,” said Casey. “That’s not who were are, that’s not what we’re going to represent with our organization; we have one of the best ownership groups in the NBA and we’re going to represent them the right way and that’s not how you represent them.”

Casey said before the game that he toyed with the idea of changing is starting lineup – replacing Jonas Valanciunas with Amir Johnson – but didn’t make a move after closer review of Wednesday’s game in Sacramento.

:I hinted at possble lineup changes, but again I think that would send the wrong message,” he said. “We want to be patient with our young kid (Valanciunas) and sometimes it’s frustrating. Sometimes he’s frustrated a little bit but he’s growing. As many mistakes as he’s making, he’s also growing.”

Besides, there was more than enough blame to spread around.

“That’s why you should always watch the film because he didn’t make as many mistakes as you thought he did,” Casey said. “Even though we gave up 56 points in the paint (agains the Kings), everyone had a little of that from top to bottom.

“We’re patient with Jonas and we’re going to keep the lineup the same. Again, if we get in trouble we still have Amir and Eddy who are doing an excellent job of bringing energy, athleticism, speed and quickness to the table in case we get in trouble.”

 

Comments

[TLI]

Doug, I missed the whole debacle tonight but, after catching with events here & there, the thought that stuck with me was - I'm just sorry that Jose's 500th game wasn't a happier occasion for him. I discovered NBA ball.pretty late in life, but he's one of the reasons I watch the game. He's always been a class act, total team player, tons of skill backed by tons of heart. Deserves far more than he's got, in my opinion.
No matter what happens in his future with the Raptors, I'd really like to thank Jose for every one of those 500 games -- please pass it on if you get the chance.

[Jason Whiteman]

I would just like to say Doug that I have now officially quit the Raptors. I have been an ardent fan from the beginning, but this season has pushed me past the limit. I cannot cheer for a team that just doesn't seem to care and their game against Utah tonight has proven this.
Bargnani is complete garbage. The way this team has been constructed from the GM down is garbage. I would rather poke my eyes out then give this organization another second of my time. When heads roll at MLSE I'll consider coming back as a fan. Until then, try not to poke your own eyes out Doug because at least I have a choice. You don't.

[Colin k]

It's getting difficult to watch this team play. Luckily there are 29 other teams to keep me occupied.

[Odiggity]

Forget benching Jonas. Bench Bargnani behind Amir and Davis.

[GM]

I love these west coast trips because for once I'm not the last to read or comment.

I missed tonight's game (darn, right?) because I was out watching a high school game. Seems I made the right choice. One thing I don't get from your quote from Casey is when he says making a change to the starting lineup sends the wrong message (presumably to JV). But the flipside of that is the message it does send to bench guys who work hard: it doesn't matter how hard you play, how well you play, or how good your attitude is, you're not going to replace a starter so don't even think about it.

I know there are other incentives (including pride) playing a bigger role, but what about the incentive of playing well and getting rewarded with a start, especially when the team isn't winning?

[Sherman Hamilton]

Time to put on your big boy pants Dougie and write a "Fire Colangelo" article

[brad]

Let's night was hard to watch - for a bit there the the rap's were up something like 27-17 it seems like they were actually making a game out of it - but the team collectively gave up as soon as Utah hit a couple 3's. That seemed like the first time they quit during a game.

[sportschic]

"Nerves are frayed, tension is mounting, frustration is off the charts and now it’s time for the Raptors to somehow keep it all together."

Here I thought you were talking about the Irregulars at the start of the sentence! Wow, that was just ... not good. It seemed like they must have been competitive until I started to watch.

On to LA to watch the good LA team. ;)

[Moshigh]

Tough tough night, after watching that game last night the only thing I could think is that the microscope just got closer and Im sure something is going to happen rather bigger then smaller.

I cant beat this team down there already almost dead.

[JHP]

Sadly Doug you can say you have traveled this road before. Different coach and players but it must feel all to familiar. Any light at the end of the tunnel or does this just have to play it's way out.

Keep up the good work but this year it's headed South early.

[Lorie]

Good Morning, Doug,
Your 'something completely different' sure provides us with some terrific quotes from Dwane Casey. It'll be interesting to see which of his players respond - and when, and how. Safe travels to LA - guess the first good sign will be having the airplanet show up. :). So, Cheers! Go Raps! (And I really mean it this ime you guys. Really.). Oh, and Doug? Remember to listen to some John Lennon today.

[Hope Caper]

You know Doug the media, including the Raps, have been hyping Lowry as a leader. Yet when Jose carried the team by playing nearly 48 minutes a game, producing double-doubles as consistently as I have ever seen him, and his team mates saying that Jose gets them the ball when the new guy returns they sit Jose. Now maybe BC is telling Casey what to do but as a coach I have to look at what works. The fact is until Bargs went down last year this team was playing very good ball with the people it had. Is Lowry an upgrade in scoring from the PG position? Absolutely. However I didn't think that was where the Raps needed the scoring. I thought the issue was either a PF or C and a swing man was what was needed. BC put a poor scoring C and swing man in and took out the quarterback and replaced him with a scorer. I also think Bargs is not getting the ball where he needs it. All the carping about Bargs is really masking the actual changes that were made and how unhelpful they were. That goes to coach and GM not the players.

[RN]

The fault is on the fans. We keep watching the Raptors even if they're garbage. Management don't care since they make money either way. The moment the seats becomes empty and the management starts loosing money then that's the time they will do something about it.

[Jeff]

Doug, I was listening to the game for the first quarter on the radio. I thought we had a reasonable chance to steal one with Utah's injuries and early foul trouble. I got home and turned on the TV 4 minutes into the second quarter when we were down 34-33. Needless to say, the next 20 minutes were painful. My wife came in later and asked me how they were doing. I replied that I was watching the OKC/Lakers game as the Raps game was too painful.

I have been a season seat holder since day 1, and for the first time in 18 years I can honestly say I am losing interest. The worst past is that I am unsure of the recipe to fix the problem. Trading half the team or firing Casey will mean another step back, and is therefore not a solution. The trade Bargnani, and fire Colangelo volleys don't reasonate well with me as I think they are short term fixes. Starting Ross makes sense to me, but are there any other solutions you can come up with? I would move AB to the second unit and start Ed Davis along with Ross to give us a stronger defensive presence.

[lee in ottawa]

same players. This is a coaching and GM problem.

[Russ Horner]

I say fire the coach, & just so as no one accuses me of being a racist; fire the pathetic general manager also. The raptors have made some terrible draft choices since he arrived 7 dare I say not one single trade that has really helped this team. This is no time for excuses. Clean house & start over.

[kathyt]

Ugly game, turned it off a few minutes into the 3rd quarter. Too painful to watch, l feel sorry for them. I hope they can regroup somehow... but I'm not so sure any more.

[Boko]

1) Trade Andrea for a starting swing who can complement DeMar.
2) Rotate Jonas, Ed & Amir. Any two of them can start,
3) Rotate DeMar, Terrance & the new guy. Terrance would be the sub.
4) Start Kyle cause he's the better overall player, and sub José.
5) As soon as any of them give less than 100% for any two plays, sub them out, and have an assistant coach talk to him. Remind them that there are 3rd stringers that are just begging for more minutes, and that they could become one of them.
6) Have faith in the upward four-year trajectory they're probably going to be on, but don't let ANY player drag the rest of the team down, the way that I think that Andrea is right now.

[lee in ottawa]

Remeber Andrea's first year. A game against the Clippers, Bosh chewed him out on the court for not making an effort on a rebound. Chris saw it way back then.

[Steve]

Bosch always gave his best. Can anyone think of one game where it appeared Andre has? Talent is not enough.