Worst ever? Neither the season nor the trip

It seems to be the question of the week and I imagine it’ll pop up a lot between now and whenever this season draws to its gloomy close.

And the answer is, no.

This is not the worst season ever, not sure it’s even close.

I’ve been around this organization for as long as it’s existed – it’s always been a better story than a team – so I do think I have some gravitas and context when you start talking worst, or even best.

So …

16-66

This was the worst, bar none, never to be matched, as bleak a moment as I can recall.

It was the third year, 1997-98, and it was horrid from start to finish and, I swear, there were legitimate concerns about the viability of the franchise.

There was a 17-game losing streak that put a bullet in the temple of the season by the first week of December.

The team’s best player – Damon Stoudamire – worked his way out of town in a February blockbuster.

Coach Darrell Walker strolled through the lobby of the Sheraton Meadowlands singing “free at last, free at last; that God Almighty, I’m free at last” on the day he was fired.

It included the infamous Drinking To Forget Tour for a couple of grunts late in the year and if I’ve told you the story before, sorry, have to repeat it quickly.

They’re 15-56 going into a four-game road trip that starts in Atlanta. During a game there, Oliver Miller is goofing around with the Hawks mascot. Cris Carter, brother of then-coach Butch, kind of wants to beat up Oliver after the game.

We move on to Washington, where a few of us are going to have a relaxing night at Camden Yards only to be told they’ve suspended Oliver for a game and the trip is delayed a bit for work. We go, we’re cranky, have some Boog Powell barbecue and leave in about the fourth.

On to Philly and for some reason we’re flying there instead of taking the train. And we’re flying with one stop!

We get up in the air, land somewhere and it’s teeming rain. We’re in a plane with seat on one side and one on the other and it’s leaking. Seriously. Leaking. I look two or three rows ahead and see a flight attendant toweling off fellow grunt Bill Harris of the Sun and she’s saying, ‘oh, sir. Sorry. This shouldn’t be happening.”

Duh.

We get to Philly after a loss in Washington and half an hour before the game, they’re taking Oliver Miller out of the locker room on a stretcher because he’s having some heart issues, he says.

The All Time Great Phil Jasner says to a group of us that we needn’t worry, Philly has some great heart institutes, to which one guy says: “If they find a heart in him, take it out.”

Then we went somewhere else (Milwaukee maybe?) and, of course, they lose.

No, folks, this is not the worst and that trip last week was a picnic comparatively.

-

And I’ll give you another that I think was more bleak than this.

Lenny’s last year

They’re coming off a playoff appearance the year before and 2002-03 is pretty promising.

It goes off the rails almost immediately, Lenny’s semi-retired, everyone gets injured and they don’t dress 12 men for the same game even once all year and they finish 24-58.

They lose the last game in Cleveland, the First Lady Of The Beat and I have to get up before the crack of dawn to drive back because we know Lenny’s getting fired and to add to the mess, they go on to lose the lottery to the Cavs, who draft this LeBron James fellow.

Yeah, it’s been a long strange trip, indeed. And I’m sure in the dark recesses of my mind there are even more.

This team?

This team is not going very well at all right now, there is no doubt about that, and the season, at the moment, is swirling in the toilet bowl.

But this team, I contend, has some pieces. I honestly think Jonas Valanciunas is going to be very good, I think Terrence Ross is a player and there is still promise in DeMar DeRozan and Ed Davis.

This is not nearly the worst it’s ever been, for the organization or the fans or, of course, me.

-

Maybe I’m not that old.

Sure, I gave to Band Aid as a look back at star-driven benefit shows following that somewhat epic 12-12-12 doozy the other night. But after a couple of gentle reminders, I now recall the Concert for Bangladesh.

You should too; can’t imagine why I didn’t remember it this week with the passing of Ravi Shankar.

-

Hey, Vince is coming?

Everyone excited?

-

Mail. Got room for some but, folks, you’re getting a bit to game-specific and it’s not really timely. Just a reminder.

Click. Write. Send.

-

Want some perspective?

You know how we should all be a bit more careful with the words we throw around nilly-willy sometimes?

Like we should never equate “war” with sports, the men and women who play the games are not “warriors” and there are things that should probably not be said in the context of sports given their context in real life.

Well, Andrea Bargnani, totally unbeknownst to him and without any ill feelings or mocking tones, mentioned yesterday that he was “depressed” with the way things are going for him and his team.

Totally throw-away line with no harm intended, something we all say all the time, right?

Well, it rankled just a little bit and Dwane Casey put the whole thing in a much clearer picture.

“Depressed is a strong word to use in today’s society and the way it is … I have that in my family and it’s a tough word.

Down is okay; but depressed is pretty strong.”

He’s right, of course. And a nice little reminder; a “teaching point” if you will.

-

 

 

 

Comments

[GM]

Oh, good Lord. I agree completely with @David C. Context is everything in English. Not only does 'depressed' mean 'clinically depressed', it also means 'in a state of general unhappiness' AND 'in a physically lower position, having been pushed or forced down.' People are smart enough to figure out which meaning a speaker or writer intends by the context. Although, as another commenter posted, how do we know Bargnani isn't, in fact, clinically depressed? He could be. Anyway, are clinically depressed people actually hurt by non-clinically depressed people using the term colloquially?

I think having 8 or 9 players might be just what the doctor ordered. Finally Casey has to stick with a shorter rotation. And it almost worked last game. They played much better.

[Andrew Gregg]

Hi Doug:

I don't think we should be overly sensitive about the usage of "depressed." I suffer from depression myself, but I also understand the word has broader meaning than just a clinical condition. Anyone can be "depressed" if something isn't going their way.

But I couldn't agree with you more about war metaphors and sports. It's way too rampant--especially in football. It gets under my skin when commentators and athletes start talking about who they would want to have beside them in a foxhole or a fire fight.

It's easy compare war and sports, but it's also lazy.

For some reason Antonio Davis was always called a "warrior" when he played here. He wasn't a warrior--he was a power forward who was afraid of metric measurements for crying out loud.

AG, Toronto

[KD]

Not the worst season ever? Right now, they're 4-19 and seem to find new ways to lose every night. If they keep up their current pace over 82 games, it works out to 14.26-67.74. Even if we round up the quarter game (not likely, the way they blow leads), that's only 15-67. Statistically, it's worse than 16-66. Is the future more promising? I have my doubts, with MLSE, Rogers and Bell running the show.

[LeeZ]

"For some reason Antonio Davis was always called a "warrior" when he played here. He wasn't a warrior--he was a power forward who was afraid of metric measurements for crying out loud."

AG, Toronto

DING DING DING!!!!!!

[LeeZ]

Casey should NOT be fired. Unless we're going to go out and get a top-shelf, A-list coach with a proven track record and a desire to win. But there aren't that many of those around (I actually would love for the Raps to get SVG; yes, he grates on the players, but that doesn't happen for at least a couple of years, and by then, he's worked his Magic (sorry bout the pun). But if you're going to hire an inexperienced coach because a) you're cheap and b) you see potential in him, then you have to be prepared to take your lumps for a couple of years while he makes his mistakes and learns on the job. I think DC is the victim of his early "success", relatively speaking. He DESPERATELY needs an offensive guru, no doubt about it. That way, he can concentrate on what he does best: defence. To say that his offensive schemes lack imagination is one of the great understatements of this or any century.

[Gavin]

Agreed, this season hasn't been as bad as that 3rd year when McGrady was rookie glued to the bench, Isiah left, Stoudamire left and Walker resigned. But it reminds me of it in the fact that expectations that year were that the team was going to break through, but they just kept losing close games...eventually the wheels totally fell off. It was a really depressing time as a fan. Disappointment is a function of expectations. Since expectations for the team this year were pretty high, the results have been pretty hard to swallow.

[TL]

Very surprised by all the accolades that getting dished toward Jose these days!
Glad to see it, long-time fan, but surprised.

Maybe it's just because all the anti-Jose trolls are in hiding?

[Moshigh]

@ TL.. Im a anti Jose in a sense, he has never elevated this team as a point guard. The time they were the best when he shared time with TJ. Although many didnt like TJ I feel when Horford injured TJ in Atlanta it changed alot of this team fortunes. Jose a great team mate pounds the ball, makes nice passes, then but cant attack and gets attacked on, ,seen that same story too many years. I think we have seen his best. He is a excellent back up in the NBA. But not for a team that wants to move in a new direction. Who does Calderon feast on, yes he may beat other guards, but doesnt attack anyone.

Yes Lowry hasnt been the best but its early and injuries have played a roll. Many of you Jose supporters have given him years and he has done not much.

I think its a step to nowhere to have calderon as the Raptors full time starter going forward...Has it worked?? Has it?

No No No. Nice guy but part of the loosing culture this team has had. So to me Bargnani and Calderon two of the longest tenured players need to move on.

Bargnani doesnt seem to even practice his english enough, he has been in the league 7 yrs. I changed channels with his interviews. To me doesnt seem like he cares.

[LeeZ]

@Moshigh: Um, so, Bargs "doesnt (sic) seem to even practice (sic, if we're being picky) his english (sic) enough", eh? And "Yes Lowry hasnt (sic) been the best but its (sic) early and injuries have played a roll (sic)"...
Stones/glass houses, Moshigh?

[DaveB]

We all wonder what happened to the defense the Raptors played last year. I think it can be summed up in two names, James Johnson and Jamaal Magloire. It is possible that some of the vets who were there at the beginning of the year helped also. As Vince told you, they showed him the way.

[Liam]

"Anyway, are clinically depressed people actually hurt by non-clinically depressed people using the term colloquially?"

As someone who has suffered from depression/GAD for over 10 years, it doesn't bother me, except when people mix up the meanings. Like Casey using it in the context of poor children who might be in a state of depression or general sadness...this is not clinical depression. I don't think Bargnani was talking clinically depressed and that's why the coach scolded him for it. Barny who is lucky to be a pro athlete because of his physical talents shouldn't be throwing those terms around especially around the Christmas holidays.

[Lorie]

@LeeZ:
But he nailed "Calderon" each time. (Yes, the capitalization of proper names rule's being forgiven.) You might want to explain the use of (sic) though; might be confusion from the aggressive dog owner readership.

[m]

"@Moshigh: Um, so, Bargs "doesnt (sic) seem to even practice (sic, if we're being picky) his english (sic) enough", eh? And "Yes Lowry hasnt (sic) been the best but its (sic) early and injuries have played a roll (sic)"...
Stones/glass houses, Moshigh?"
I'm thinking that the so-called moshigh should have refrained from being the "mos" high in English class.

[doug]

as today showed mental illness can never be taken lightly ...20 young children, yes 20 are now deceased, it's just a travesty and just too sad to comprehend....what were those poor little kids last thoughts?/...I could give a rats behind about the Raps today...my thoughts and prayers go out to all those affected, week after week its the same old same old in the States, some politician has to grab a pair and meet the NRA head on, and governments need to make the treatment of mental health as important as defense budgets/police budgets etc....we are doing those affected a huge dis-service and also there are a multitude of victims in dealing with mental health....anyways cheers and this a just a sad/bleak day....

[LeeZ]

@poster Doug: Right on, brother.

[J]

While I, too, am a stickler regarding the usage of the word "depression" (making sure to point out to friends that they're down and not clinically depressed), non-native speakers can't be held to the same standard. Hell, even native speakers seem to demand a ton of leeway for their abysmal English these days. (Once, someone alleging to be a millionaire but possessing the apparent writing level of a 3rd grader even tried to convince me that if it's online, grammar, spelling and punctuation go out the window.)

One common mistake I've noticed with non-native English speakers is the tendency to mix up stuff like "-ing" and "-ed". I don't mean to be mean but I do tease some of my friends when they say "I am boring" instead of "I am bored." "The losses are depressing" is perfectly fine, and even "I am depressed" isn't that big a teachable a moment compared to "I have depression," which is what I take issue with.

So, after tonight's win, the Raptors are 3-6 in Calderon starts and 2-13 in Lowry starts. The people who are placing the majority of blame for the last couple years on Calderon's shoulders need to hold Lowry equally accountable for the Raptors' current performance. Lowry isn't the only bright light on the team; he's part of the problem. I feel particularly disillusioned because I secretly yearned for Lowry's addition the last several years.