Making do, working out and, yes, more Rudy Gay!

That was kind of a fun game until it became a bit boring in the last 11 minutes, wasn’t it?

I could get to like watching that Golden State team a lot.

The Raptors? Well, as we mentioned in the game, they looked like they it some collective wall there with about 10 minutes left and hit it hard.

Anyway, as they say …

-

THREE POINTERS

A move out of necessity

There’s lots to like about John Lucas III, he’s a good kid, quite personable, fun to watch and can make a bunch of shots in a row every now and then.

But I’m not sure how much Dwane likes using him as a point guard; the coach sees Lucas as more of a scoring guard who doesn’t have the greatest grasp on getting his team into its offence.

And that’s why we saw what we saw on a bunch of times in the first few minutes of the fourth quarter: Alan Anderson trying to facilitate the offence while Lucas played a bit off the ball.

It’s certainly not an optimum deployment of the players but something they just had to do to try and get things going again.

It didn’t work but it was the only option they had.

-

An odd scene

Not game-specific but a thing unfolds about 2 1-2 hours before the game these days that’s kind of interesting. And might provide a bit of hint about the timeline on a Jonas Valanciunas return.

He’s out there with assistant coach Eric Hughes and a couple of ballboys going through a drill that encompasses a lot of things. There’s a chair, Hughes puts a ball on the chair, Valanciunas takes a couple of steps, bends down to get the ball and takes about a 15-foot shot. He does it five times at each of the five “shooting stations” around the paint and then runs the stairs to the top of the lower bowl in the arena.

It’s a three-pronged drill, Hughes told me. They run the stairs – and shoot two free throws after each jog – to do some cardio work, which makes entire sense.

The chair serves two purposes:

By forcing him to reach down on the run to get each ball, it gives him a consistent shooting motion of bringing the ball up in one flow and – this is more precautionary than anything – they don’t want to pass him the ball to make sure nothing untoward happens to his finger with some awkward catch.

Not a big deal and nothing anyone sees but maybe that answers some questions about what he’s doing to get healthier.

-

Impressive total

Lost amid the result and the bad ending – and in the shock of Aaron Gray’s career scoring night – were DeMar DeRozan’s career-best nine assists.

It’s an aspect of his game – recognizing the different defence he sees and moving the ball quickly – that needed some work and he seems to be getting it.

He had back-to-back seven assist games down in Florida last week and now nine against Golden State and if he’s making that kind of contribution, it can’t be a bad thing at all and speaks to his overall development, as Dwane said after the game.

“When he comes off pin-downs, he’s got a big guy coming at him also. He’s getting basically double-teamed on a pindown so he’s doing a good job. What we have to do on the weak side is make those shots if he kicks it out.”

-

A bit more? Why not.

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In this era of institutionalized security paranoia (a termed first coined by My Man Sheridan back in the early 2000s when we were considering investing in a firm that makes those wands), I believe I have now seen it all.

Did you know that patrons entering the Air Canada Centre must remove their hats before going in the door?

Not sure if they’re checking for bad hair-dos or teeny tiny pipe bombs or trying to catch the silly men who carry their concealed weapons precariously balanced on their heads but doesn’t it strike you as a bit much?

But it works, I guess. No one’s snuck any contraband into the arena by hiding in the coiffures. Way to go! I feel safer already.

-

You know I prefer my music of a certain age but someone should have told me about these folks before.

Heard ‘em last night and unlike the incessant bass and drum noise and indecipherable lyrics or wildly inappropriate sexual innuendo in videos, this is stuff I could actually pay a bit of attention.

And the name Of Monsters and Men kind of sticks, no?

-

Which Toronto centre wearing No. 34 had the best game: Aaron Gray last night or Hakeem Olajuwon at any point in is Toronto tenure.

Discuss.

(I’m joking. A bit)

-

Delta Airlines today to Atlanta; wonder what it’s like. Don’t think I’ve been on it more than once this season and it’s always an adventure trying something new.

It also goes out of Terminal 3 at Pearson which I would suggest is one of the weakest international departure areas at any airport anywhere in the world.

Tiny Customs hall, oddly laid out security area and a shocking lack of services (ie NO STARBUCKS) once you clear the x-ray machines.

Hate Pearson.

-

I guess I’ve got to do this, although it’s definitely not going to become a habit.

Nothing new – at all – to the reports yesterday about discussions with Memphis about Rudy Gay, we’ve been writing they’ve had interest for, well, longer than I care to admit and, as I mentioned a couple of weeks ago, it continues to look – right now – less and less likely something gets done.

That could change, of course, but the price has always been too high, continues to be too high my spies tell me, and yesterday’s report was just a continuation of chatter that’s been around seemingly forever.

Stand down, folks.

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Comments

[james]

Thanks to @Andrew21 for his perfect imitation of any Raptor fan contributing to this blog and talking about, well, any Raptor. I have to confess that I have never been a big admirer of Rudy Gay, notwithstanding the fact that he has made the odd last second shot against HOTH. Why we would want to invest four years into DeRozan's development to the point where he can now rack up nine assists in a game, and then give him away for a player who is older but no better is completely beyond me. Sending Davis away at this point would be even worse.
As one more bulky white guy, I believe (I really, really believe) that Gray could do that again (and again and again) if he just got the chance.

[ad]

Thought you might be interested in this tweet:

Adrian Wojnarowski ‏@WojYahooNBA

In engagement of 3rd teams for possible Rudy Gay-to-Toronto deal, Raptors struggling to find landing spot for Jose Calderon, sources tell Y!

Tell me, if calderon is as great as you say he is then how come no other nba team wants to go near him even if he is expiring? I'll tell you why. Because nobody wants an overpaid backup pg.

Blogger's note: Yawn.

[GM]

"It didn’t work but it was the only option they had." How about the option to put Jose back into the game earlier?

Love the comment from @Andrew21 and glad to hear from Doug that the deal looks "less and less likely". Just say no to Rudy Gay.

[Mike D]

@Lorie, thank you, that was excellent. Although it could have focused a bit more on appropriate use of apostrophes: one of my pet peeves is the apparently widespread belief that an apostrophe means "Look out, here comes an s!"

[Rob.V]

Unfortunately been AWOL for the past couple of days.

I must say, you really don't realize how crazy this place is until you step outside of the box for a short while. I guess I'm usually knee deep in it myself everyday so this most likely makes me just as crazy, however:

Was there really THAT much angst over a trade with the C's that in all likelihood has never been discussed, and will never, ever materialize? Seriously, we somehow morphed Rondo's season ending injury into a huge win fall or bad trade for the Raptors. Moving pieces were discussed, who we would take back etc... This was a very serious debate. Really, it was!. Lol!

Do me a favor please. If it's ever me starting this crap up (which it very well may be in future), please give me an internet slap across the head.

Anyway, it looks like a guy might be flying out to Phoenix later this week for work so I may take in a Suns game on the weekend. I'm a first timer so if anyone has any suggestions on food (or other) recommendations I'd love to hear them. Thanks.

Blogger's note: Pizzeria Blanco downtown, you'll regret if you don't go; Cooperstown, Alice Cooper's place, behind the arena or Majerle's on the walk down to the building

[Andrew Gregg]

Hi Doug:

This will get tongues waving and fingers typing--Ian Thompson released a list on the SI site about 18 current players who are either a lock for the Hall of Fame or at least have a good chance of induction. And the list includes Bosh and Carter:

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/nba/news/20130129/chris-bosh-nba-hall-of-fame-chances/?sct=hp_wr_a2&eref=sihp

Two former Raps as future hall of famers. Not sure whether to cheer or sob.

AG, Toronto

[doug]

I agree with you wholeheartedly on DD and, people are much to hard on him, he's doing fine especially since he is moreorless the go to scorer....I love all the whining on here about Rudy Gay, how many of these people have even seen him play except when the raptors play them?..he's a upgrade we need to check out, as this team folks is a .500 team plain and simple at best...so let's move forward, and pull the trigger....thanks for the music vid, lots of fine young talent out there, music scene is in good hands it seems lately...

[doug]

oh by the way Rudy Gay had 26pts.- 7 rebounds and 5 assists last night and we can't use him....come on people let's get real....cheers...

[D-Mac Ottawa]

Ah, but the question is, an upgrade for what/whom? If you're trading away players that leave you short on guards or a promising big or two, how much of an upgrade is that sideways move? And where does that leave you for next year and the years after? Can't see it, unless it's a blockbuster, multi-team, multi-player deal that covers all the positions and all the flexibility you'd need to make future moves and/or picks. Is Rudy Gay worth two current-roster starters right now? I could see more long-term help with maybe Gasol or or Ilyasova or even Redick than with Gay. But I'd love hear why Gay would be a great fit right now, and what the rotations might look like. Cheers. Go Raps!

[doug]

Rudy Gay would be a steal in my opinion not salary wise as he is over-paid but he is under-utilized in Memphis's system and is close to a all-star and may be one in the right circumstance, they have Randolph and Gasol as 2 main go to guys and a host of others so Gay's talent isn't being maximized......and how is it a side-ways move?, yes I am a fan of Ed Davis, but and this is what I don't get about the criticism of Barg's....consistent scorers are a RARE commodity in the NBA as they serve so many purposes their to plentiful to include them all here....Ed Davis is replaceable and we have 2 Ed Davis's his name being Amir, then Lowry would excel with a player like Gay, and we aren't short in the pg position at all if Jose goes....as second string pg's are a dime a dozen a 15 minute a night guy is all you need......and this team has to improve and by making this move to me we would, clear as day or the lines on my face...ok cheers...

[DMcG]

"Rudy Gay had 26pts.- 7 rebounds and 5 assists last night"

So? And the day before he shot 3/17, 1/7 3s, for 10 points. In fact he's had a few 3/17 games this year, and not another shooting % game like he had last night.

Here's the thing with me. You say he's underutilized, yet he has averaged 16+ shots per game every year since his rookie year, including this year, where he's shooting 40%, and 30% from beyond the arc. His FT% is even down this year. This downward slide across the board, despite having 2 all-star bigs drawing attention, so what makes anybody feel he's going to lift the raptors to heights as the focal point of defenses?

[doug]

@DMcG....since Gasols improvement Gay's shots have become less % by necessity as he is under-utilized in terms of shot placement...that is not his game, we improve simply by one fact, I would much rather have the ball in Gay's hands then Anderson's who due to a multitude reasons has become our volume shooter....last night he went 2-11....Gay is a better version of DD, he can't score and drive with the Grizz not with Randolph and Gasol in the middle so he's become a perimeter shooter and as perimeter shooters go you have good nights and bad ones ask Anderson, Gays strength lies in driving and using both his inside -out game hence under-utilized... ...cheers...

[D-Mac Ottawa]

One thing I will say, watching last night's game and the Warriors getting up and down the floor in flow, that's exactly the kind of game T Ross would thrive in. So I could see Lowry, Ross, Gay, Amir and JV playing some really fun up-tempo stuff. As long as they're getting stops at the other end. I'm also fine with JLIII as back-up PG. But, to this point of the season, the Lucas we're seeing is pretty much the Lucas we saw last year in Chicago. The Lowry we're seeing isn't the Lowry we saw last year in Houston. Can he be? Don't know. Cheers. Go Raps!

[doug]

@D-Mac you hit the nail on the head...I was thinking the same thing after you said about match-ups....

[doug]

ignore that last comment pls....I can't type worth a crap...@ D-Mac you hit the nail on the head...I was thinking the same thing after your last comment when you asked about match-ups imagine a line-up down the stretch of Lowry,Gay,DD,JV and Bargs yes I can hear naysayers now what about defense?..well we have Anderson,Ross,Amir,Gray etc on bench....floor is spaced and no more 4-5 minute scoring droughts in 4th....scoring wins and coaching coaches D....cheers...

[deaner]

@ ad .......Nobody wants an overpriced backup point guard?? Obviously you don't follow the sport.

Jose is a decent PG, with an expiring 10 million contract. Any team that could swap any long term money to get Jose's contract that will be off the books by the summer would jump at the chance. You would have to be insane to think that nobody wants him out of 29 teams, its all about the $$$ and tax hits, and cap flexibility going forward.

I would venture to think that BC is getting the calls about Jose daily, but is not impressed with what is being offered in return. Would you trade Jose to pick up a guy with 2+ years left on his current contract? Probably not unless it was a superstar, and lets all agree here, Rudy Gay is no superstar.

My sources say that Marc Stein makes up sources on a daily basis, because if he didn't he would be out of a job.

[J]

@ad:

Your analysis is so simplistic, as always.

Assuming the rumor is even true to begin with, the struggle isn't dumping Calderon on a team; the struggle is finding a team that 1) has enough cap space to absorb his contract, and 2) is willing to give up a player that Memphis wants, who is ideally cheap and young.

---

On a different note, wow, so much disdain for Gay. I wish people were this unenthusiastic about him when they praised him endlessly for 6-7 years. Does this mean we don't have to hear anymore about how Bargnani was a bad pick? Oh wait, Aldridge has yet to suffer a career-changing injury/be dumped on.

Seriously though, I hope us armchair GMs finally realize how terribly unsuited we are for the real position. For how long now have people complained about BC's inability to add even second-tier talent? Where there used to be a silly expectation that we could somehow trade our trash for another team's gold, if only BC was replaced, we now have the opposite scenario. The value of our trash is now at an all-time high, and the value of another team's gold is at an all-time low, and it's considered ridiculous to consider trading one for the other? I'm not saying it's an amazing deal that we have to make, but I hope everyone realizes the true issue here: it's easy to be a GM when you can concoct trades where you give up nothing for something from the safety of your armchair. Bargnani and Kleiza for Gay, please!

[sportschic]

twitter:

@josemcalderon8
"Hard to write this tweet now. Thanks for all these years of support,thanks for everything raptors fans. Thanks TO for made me feel like home"

‏@eddavis32
"I would like to thank the city of Toronto, the Raptor organization, fans, friends and family for your support during my time in Toronto."