Well, that was different outcome than most

Honestly, at some point soon, regular sleep patterns will return and I’ll be back to normal with all this stuff.

We’re just not there yet. And since I’m usually just doing mail on Saturdays, the body clock says it’s hard to find the away-from-sport nuggets, the brain’s a tad disengaged so this is bit shorter than usual.

Anyway …

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So, everyone feel a tiny bit better today? No, the big win doesn’t wipe away the stench of the first 23 games by any means but since I keep mentioning each game should be taken on its own as a one-off entertainment event, you have to admit Friday night was run, right?

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THREE POINTERS

Where’d that come from?

Wish I could adequately explain it.

Couple of things, though, stood out:

The rotation was a bit tighter thanks to some injuries, although 10 guys played at least 16 minutes so that wasn’t all that much different. Guess the thing was the right 10 were used, there is no question that they played better defence – closing out on shooters, facing a team without a true post presence or a break-down point guard certainly helped – and that’s going to have to be their calling card now.

We’ve seen Dwane hammer home his system to much the same group a year ago and, I say this is all seriousness – at some level Jose is a better defender for this system than Kyle Lowry is. He communicates a bit better, knows where his help is coming from and doesn’t stray from the job at hand with high risk, low reward gambles.

Overall, his skills aren’t as good but sometimes it truly is a matter of horses for courses.

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Tempest? Meet teapot

So Andrea Bargnani chats with a paper back in Italy and all of a sudden there’s an eight-hour kerfuffle over here.

The phrase “worst team in the NBA” somehow came through in the translation and too many people took it too literally, in my opinion.

First off, the English words certainly aren’t parsed or offered in any manner in which I’ve heard Andrea speak in the seven or so years I’ve known him, leading me to think the translation was a bit off.

And, truth be told, there are times when Andrea is prone to hyperbole at some level; I would guess he was making a point that given where the Raptors were when he spoke they were pretty awful.

That’s hardly news, is it?

The interesting thing?

Our good friend Paolo, who often joins the IGBT in the middle of the night (you should come by, it’s fun) read the original Gazzetta piece and suggest the nuance is that Andrea thinks a trade may be inevitable. Don’t know if it is, but he’s certainly accepted the possibility, probably willingly.

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Big impact, no numbers

Alan Anderson missed all eight field goal attempts he had and got five rebounds in 21 minutes and had one of the best games of anyone, as Dwane nailed in his post-game comments.

“If you want to stay on the floor is the defensive effort and the toughness, that’s one thing I thought Alan Anderson brought to the table, his defensive toughness, his presence.

"He didn’t make a shot but he was felt by their team. He manned up on OJ Mayo.”

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More? We’ve got some, sure.

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This is a compliment, right?

We’re talking to Dwane about having experienced players (it was the genesis of this story) and the difference between young players and old and he says:

“Just like, say, a rookie writer vs. Doug. It’s the same thing. Grey hair, he knows all the bars to go to and everything else. So that’s the key, the experience.”

Really. That’s good, right?

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I’m not saying we all have to love Kevin Garnett all of a sudden or anything like that, but this moment with Kevin McHale last night?

Gold. And my friend Fran Blinbury nailed it with this piece.

Friday was a day of unspeakable horror and incomprehensible sadness; a day when I’m sure we all caught ourselves staring off into space, numb.

There are no words, none, that suffice, none that can explain anything, none that can offer enough solace for those touched by this insanity.

I hope everyone hugged someone last night; and they hug them every day for the rest of their lives.

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Do you know that it’s 10 days ‘til Christmas?

How the hell did that happen.

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We’ve got about a jillion words of mail to plow through this afternoon or tonight but I think some editing might be in order since more than a few deai with situations that are now passed us.

Got anything else for me?

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Comments

[Peter]

A rookie writer vs. Doug... he knows all the bars to go to... grey hair....

Uh... YEAH! Definitely a compliment....

[AT]

Doug thanks for posting the video and providing the link to the article. Very touching.

On a lighter note, what at instant classic quote from DC:

“Just like, say, a rookie writer vs. Doug. It’s the same thing. Grey hair, he knows all the bars to go to and everything else. So that’s the key, the experience.

No doubt it will be repeated and quoted for years t come. ."... and everything else" is the intriguing part of the quote!! Care to elaborate?

Blogger's note: Just veteran stuff, where to stay, where to eat, what flights to take or avoid. Wisdom that comes from age

[Kevin]

Another plus for Garnett last night, he had 'Newtown, CT' handwritten on his shoes.

[Andrew Gregg]

Hi Doug:

We've all been talking about Casey searching for the right, tighter rotation. I just never thought it would exclude Bargnani and Lowry. I'd happily pay to watch that team that was on the floor last night. There was hustle, movement, communication and they knew their sets. They didn't rush the ball and most of all they trusted each other. There's still so far to go but that's the core of the team for the future. Just let them play.

AG, Toronto

[doug]

Jose never even played in the 4th and last of the 3rd, I am tired of this PG controversy, as its non-productive....Casey finally coached a solid game last night its not rocket science and he has tended to make it so this year....whoever is playing well that night, who is in a groove and what unit is meshing you play..forget egos and rotations just bloody well coach the game your watching on that particular night....ok cheers...

[CARLoS M,.]

Doug: "Friday night was run, right?"
Scooby Doo: "I rad rots of run! Rokay Roug?"

[jhk]

Two guys I know sat under the basket where the super fan Nav sits, and Vince crashed into them in 4th around 84:64 mark.
He asks them if they were ok, holds them up and gives them his silicon wrist bands.
Sounds like a standard move but I had this touchy feeling watching it.
Please retire his jersey and let go of the silly hate.
Half of you won't even be following the raps if it wasn't for Vince.

[LeeZ]

That was an interesting game, to say the least. Doug correctly pointed out the Mavs' lack of a post presence, but man, did the Mavs every play brutal last night. If I were a mind reader, I would say that on more than one occasion, their defence (and I use the term extremely loosely) simply INVITED a Raptor to score at will. I often saw...surprise on the Raps' faces, especially early on, at what they were being allowed to do. And that begat confidence, and this game is all about confidence. And what's with all those turnovers! It was ALMOST as though Carlyle wanted to help his old friend out by giving him a much needed W. (obviously he didn't, but let's just say that if his team had to lose, he's happy that it came against the Raps). But a win is a win is a win, and let's see if they can build on that positive feeling. Doug, was Svabonis indeed in the house? Extra motivation for Kleiza to have a good game.

Blogger's note: Don't believe he was; he will be Sunday, I'm told

[Johnn19]

A key stat for last night:

Lucas @ back-up PG to Jose, 22:49 mins, 3/8 7pts and 6 assists, while averaging 11.7 mins 1.4 assists and 3.6 pts for the season, keeping the offense moving. More of this type of contribution is imperative to more wins while Lowry is out.

[Giuseppe]

Hi Doug,
just another take on Bargnani interview from another Italian reader. I've been following Andrea through his canadian interviews all over these years, and I can assure you that what he told sounded exactly as the words he usually says. At most, he sounded a little bit pissed off (can we say that in English or is it too rude?), and tried to make the point that OF COURSE he is not apathic about what's going on with the team.. and that he is sorry and unhappy like everybody (no use in denying REALITY about last four years - it read like "why are you asking me? what do you expect me to feel? c'mon!") but beside that he has his job to do. He has no control over trades and he doesn't care, while he cares about wins.
So I didn' read between the lines that he is preparing to leave at all. I read between the lines that he just wanted people know that he cares, and while he displays his "enigmatic" reactions by default, his blood, at some level, is boiling, and he is not happy with the situation (that is, he will try anything to change it, getting healthy, playing for Toronto at his best level and with his best effort).
Questions were made (and probably a little adjusted, I'm always surprised at how carefully north american journalists transcribe the exact words, there's not the same habit over here) by a young writer with the idea of making a certain kind of splash title about Bargnani frustration, and possibly add some pepper to the already cold soup of the LA trade. Andrea isn't probably tired of playing in Toronto, but many Italian fans and "Gazzetta dello sport" would surely prefer to see him playing somewhere else on a winning team.
One of the questions was (!) if he felt like a scapegoat and if he was afraid of the boos (had he played against the Nets). He was very careful and patient in his answers, and politely explained the guy that basket is a team sport.
Btw, I expect that the adjective "tragic" doesn't sound great in English... but people from Rome overuse both the words "tragic" and "magic" just to mean bad or great, with a little bit of irony (and a double "g" added). So no tragedies at all... and by the way, please tell Dwane that, as you supposed, "sono depresso" in italian means exactly "I'm down". The clinical condition is expressed with the words "ho la depressione". Ciao!

Blogger's note: Grazie

[warren reynolds]

Your comments on Vince must be a joke. what is he going to teach:how to play In the NBA without really trying Nice shooting 1 for 10

Blogger's note: Yawn. Double yawn.

[james]

Thanks to Giuseppe; that was comprehensive and fascinating.
Also fascinating were Rick Carlisle's thoughts on the state of the Raptor franchise that you noted yesterday. I think he is correct.
Does this mean Alan Anderson is the Doug Smith of basketball players? Or Doug Smith is the Alan Anderson of sports writers?

[AT]

@jhk couldn't agree more! the booing for VC is getting old. He has been nothing but gracious towards TO in all his interviews.There is definitely remorse and regret in all that went down years ago but he was not the only one at fault in all that transpired. There is no denying that he put the Raptors on the map. And the commenter is correct in stating that many fans would not be fans if not for him.
Not saying they should retire his number (yet!) but the booing should stop. It's embarrassing. It would be totally appropriate for VC to sign a one day contract just before retirement so he can retire as a Raptor. If in doubt go check out some of his career highlights and take a look at what it said on the front of his jersey.

[sportschic]

Thanks (I think) for posting that video and article. I read it just before heading out to meet friends for lunch and was teary eyed. It was on account of the cold, of course. ;) This blog is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're going to get.

Grazie, Giuseppe, for the post about Andrea's comments. My Italian usually allows me to get the basic idea of articles I read, but I miss nuances.

[511]

For the last few years, Kevin Garnett has grown to be one of my very favorite players in the NBA. Or even any sport, really. It started with a nice but simple gesture that wouldn't be all that significant to many … and it's a story I mentioned here once before, but as it seems quiet here today … one of my daughters was working at the Starbucks on Bloor near Avenue Rd (while a U of T student) and KG went in to get a coffee-to-go and one of the 'baristas' recognized him and said (a thrilled) 'hello' … and KG smiled and peeled a hundred dollar bill off the roll and dropped it into the tip jar. A nice moment for those who were working there that day as most could imagine. Now, for me, I wasn't all that big a Kevin Garnett fan up to then (kind of loved-to-hate him as many enjoy doing) … but I did find that I was watching his play with different eyes from that day, on. And I began to see that (for my money) he's a player who would make ANY team better than they were, just by even having him around. And, more importantly, perhaps - from my perspective, anyway - from that day on, my daughter has been more of an NBA fan than she otherwise might ever have been. (Which this NBA-crazy dad sincerely appreciates.) So … KG is quite alright, as far as I'm concerned. Quite alright. He's the real deal.

[nasko]

I personally do not mind the booing of VC. May be the soccer fan in me speaks out but if you are not with me, you are against me. Ex soccer players are only welcome back to their old teams if they had left on good terms (Henry in Arsenal). I would never, ever expect Barca fans to cheer or even be neutral to L. Figo.
Carter put NBA basketball on the map in Canada, no doubt about that. He also left, publicly demanding a trade, later on admitted that he did not do/try/practise his best, publicly celebrated his wins against his old team (even show boated a bit). I think the fans here have the reasons to boo him, even if it is 8 years later. It only shows the passion, which IMO is the only thing that VC needed to be one of the greats.
Cheers

[sportschic]

BTW, if someone else used the box of chocolates line here recently, apologies for re-using the same quote. The line has been in my head lately and seems like a perfect quote for this corner of the interweb.

[ptboscott]

@carlos.....ding, ding, ding! i just did a spit-take on that one!

[GM]

I saw all these headlines trumpeting the fact Bargnani had called the Raptors the worst team in the NBA and thought... "Yeah? And?" I don't get what the big deal is. Seriously. Even if it was misconstrued or misinterpreted in its worst sense, it sounded just like a frustrated player, as anyone would be in a similar situation. Any reasonable person would hear the implied "playing like" the worst team in the NBA. People are so literal when it comes to quotes. Players are humans who don't have the benefit writers do of sitting around and carefully choosing exact wording.

I'm going to be a broken record about the booing, but I only bring it up when other broken record commenters bring it up: It's not about hate; it's about fun. This is theatre, this is entertainment. It's fun to have a villain. Vince is it for a while. He seems to embrace it. So let it be.

[Matt M]

Good win by the Raps. Hopefully they can keep up the level of play experienced the last couple of games. It would be nice to get a little run going.

[raptorsfan]

Doug, you shouldn't say the fans are idiots. We sometime gave you ideas on writing your article. Just like the article about GS Warriors. You need to show some class.

Anyway, regarding last night game, it's good to see them win but don't be satisfy. I still see DD's defense still not improving. Forget about the steals or blocks.

He can't stay in front of his guy that much. His defense going through screen and pick n roll still needs lots of work. Every time on the floor he's always play against the easier guy on defense then the other wing and even Ross have to play the tough match.

I don't think that's good for him. Just put him against the tough match up so he can learn. To be honest I think Ross's defense is actually better than him now.

If you really watch carefully DD always lost his guy and need a lot of help from others which lead to open looks.

Blogger's note: And so do some people who read, or have stuff read to them. But thanks for the advice

[john]

Where is Moshigh?

[doug]

so i posted earlier but I guess in your new stance of letting views through that only agree with yours mine didn't make it....my point earlier as it is now is your take on Jose last night is surprising as he never played the last part of the 3rd or any of the 4th...so him being included in the "3 pointers" was surprising...and that Casey finally coached a game , a coaches job is to win plain and simple at any costs, last night for the first time all season he coached a game with the intentions to win and not to egos or rotation or whatever....hope this meets your new constraints of your new filter system...cheers...

Blogger's note: Not sure what you're talking about; it shows on my list here

[J]

I never really understood why certain fans need Bargnani to demonstrate his emotion more emphatically. I don't think I'm wrong in assuming that some would love to see him slug an opposing player (or Celtic) from behind, or elbow them in the neck. It reminds me of how my girlfriend can't stand (or accurately gauge) my level-headed calmness when we're having a bad fight. It's not that I'm not passionate--I show quite excessive passion in other avenues of life--but I lost my temper once with an ex and I still hate/regret that moment to this day. Some people have terrible impulse control, and others practice it every moment of their lives. There's a big difference between not caring and, in my case, slowing down my speech and lowering my voice to keep my anger and frustration in check. I don't fault Bargnani one bit for managing his emotions differently from most people.

Speaking of Bargnani, I have to admit I hope BC can find a decent trade package despite Il Mago's terrible showing this season. I think what Bargnani really needs is a team that already has a couple legitimate stars, where he can be #3 in peace; what we need is a basketball tree, off which we can pluck franchise talents and/or also-rans (we'd need someone new to bash) for free. Sound doable?

[doug]

oh my bad....this weekend of grief has lost me...sometimes I don't know what i am talking about so my apologies......cheers...