Taking care of business in a businesslike manner

Well, that one was over quickly and painlessly, wasn’t it?

No real need to play the final quarter – hell, no real need to play the final three quarters with the low level of competition and, um, talent the Charlottes have.

But whatever …

They played it out, got it done in 2:04, was an easy one to write and now it’s time to move on.

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THREE POINTERS

Best. Break. Ever.

Early in the first quarter, a play that will warm the cockles of any coach in any league in any country at any time.

Amir Johnson rebounds a Michael Kidd-Gilchrist miss, doesn’t look anywhere but ahead and rifles an outlet pass to Jose Calderon in the middle of the floor.

On the wing, Landry Fields takes off a split second before Johnson corrals the ball, Calderon takes the outlet pass, doesn’t hesitate – or dribble even once – and launches a 45-foot pass to Fields, who is at least a step, maybe two, ahead of any Bobcat.

Fields catches the pass in stride, finishes with a dunk and you cannot draw up a quicker, more lethal break than that one.

Doesn’t happen very often but when it does, it’s fun to watch.

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Speaking of Fields …

What he’s been giving them on the boards has been tremendous and it helps take all kinds of pressure off the big men when he’s out there at the small forward position.

He had 11 rebounds last night – his second 11-rebound game in a row – and it’s the way he gets them that impresses me most.

Fields certainly isn’t the most physically imposing basketball player on earth – or even on the team – but watch him fight for rebounds if you get a chance.

He’s very good at rebounding in traffic and he just has a sense of where to be when the shot goes up. That’s instinct you really can’t teach and if he keeps giving them that, it won’t matter if he doesn’t make a jump shot the rest of the season.

He will have done his job.

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Solid help when needed

If you had thought they’d get a combined 25 minutes with 10 rebounds that began in the first half from the duo of Quincy Acy and Aaron Gray, you are way smarter than anyone.

But it was just what they needed – and got thanks to a blistering start from the starters that allowed Dwane the luxury of buying some time – and those two guys did precisely what end-of-the-benchers need to do.

Be ready when called, play hard and within limitations and not hurt the team when they’re on the court.

Can’t imagine it’s going to be a regular thing but it was nice that it happened on an easy evening.

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A wee bit more before I finally get into the day.

(This extra day-after-game rest is good most days but it takes some getting used to, always feel just a little bit behind).

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Only because I tend to decompress after games in places that have lots of TVs I couldn't help but notice what was on the screen next to the one that had Lakers-Thunder on.

And l don't know about you but if it's The World against North America in curling you have to wonder how hard it is to make those teams. Helluva pool of players to find only 4 per team. There are four per team, right?

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Now, I honestly can't remember who wrote this in the IGBT last night and that's too bad because I can't thank him or her.

But Quincy and Aaron are on the court and I'm told we need to have this here this morning.

Can't say I'm a big fan - can't really say I'm a fan at any level but ...

Yes, that is (M)Acy Gray.

Get it?

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Three-legged dog walks in the saloon, jumps up on a stool, bartender asks what he wants:

“I’m looking for the man that shot my pa.”

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Cue the fun music.

So Raptors practice starts at noon today in the arena and that's exactly the same time that Brian Burke is supposed to address the assembled masses in the media room at the arena.

Me? I’ll be far down the hall and up a ramp in an ante room off the Raptors locker room, actually.

Not sure I’m ready for the bombast, he’s already spoken to my paper as it turns out, and the crowd will be stifling.

Only in Toronto, I’d bet, will a handful of television networks carry live a news conference of a failed sports executive who was fired two days ago.

I’ll put the over and under at 11 on the number of TV cameras at the event and I’m willing to bet there are more than 50 reporter types hanging on every word.

As I mentioned, it’ll be live on, I’d guess, three or four television networks as well as at least two radio stations and the tweeting from reporters will be insane.

It is the perfect example of the media overkill that goes on these days, blanket coverage that’s far more about getting content that providing news.

Sure, I’ll listen a little bit – I presume it’ll be locked on every television in the building – but with the crush of people, it’ll be listening from afar.

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And while I’m sitting around practice, perchance I’ll work on some mail for the morning.

Wanna help me out?

Click. Say hi. Send.

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In case you were wondering, the football weekend will end with New England, Denver, Green Bay and Seattle still standing.

You’re welcome.

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Comments

[Jeff R]

mea cupla on the (M)Acy Gray joke

Not normally my music genre of choice, but her first two albums were fantastic.

Blogger's note: Thanks

[AT]

to say that the coverage of Burke getting canned is over the top or overkill are understatements.
There is definitely a knack to rebounding but it is also about attitude and having the desire to rebound and Fields has all the above.

However, he needs to get more confident in shooting and shoot the ball when he is open or at least fake that he is going to shoot so the defense can't cheat.

doug: any injury updates on JV and AB?

Blogger's note: Trust me, when there is I'll let you know. Until then ...

[Marcus Rush]

I love watching good point guard play and last night was a prime example of good vs terrible. Jose always looking for an open man while Walker and Sessions looking only to free themslves up for their own shot and dumping the ball off when that fails and they are shut down. Very few NBA championships have been won with that type of point guard and I wonder if that will be the downfall of OKC come playoff time. Although Westbrooke is very good I wonder if he can keep his ego in check and become more pass first-- shoot second type in the crunch.

Jose is playing as well as anyone in the league right now but one other guy that gets little or no mention is Vasquez with the Hornets. His numbers are equivilant to anyone in the league but seldom gets any mention on NBA TV or other similar sites. On some of the stat. sites he is not listed as a pg but he is the Hornets pg.

[DaveB]

I guess the reporters go to watch the Burke News conference for the same reason people slow down to look at accidents on the highway. People seem to like a big crash with lots of blood and guts. It makes you wonder sometimes.

[sam]

Good all round effort last night.
I'm puzzled by the folks who call for Lowry to be they guy on this team. There was a comment in the IGBT stating the Raps have neutralized his effectiveness.
I didn't know too much about Kyle before he joined the HOTH, but it seems like he's in the perfect position to learn and harness his talent. Over the years I've always believed Jose didn't get his due from a lot of American media talking heads, and some of the fan base. To me Jose shares a similar court vision and the BBall smarts that Steve Nash is applauded for.
Landry has impressed since coming back from his injury....And seems a pretty good fit for the team, I had my doubts early in the year....

[Spirito]

Hi Doug,
I do know that u don't like to do the trade rumors, but I would like to have your insight of whether if the raptors should trade bargnani away for a veteran who is pass his prime, the like of pierce or dirk, I know the salaries or the gm of the respected team won't problably do that trade. But if a similar trade show up in front of Bryan colengelo, should he pull the trigger? Even if Paul and dirk only have maybe two years left in their respective playing career??

Blogger's note: Yeah, you're right. I don't like to do trade rumours and this might be the zaniest in the history of made up junk. Sorry

[P C]

It's good to see that a .500 record exists for the top eight teams in each conference. That's a healthy thing for the association.

Raptors are in a good spot, standings-wise, as the pick traded for Lowry would be delivered and assumedly not a game-changer if the season was to end today.

There are a few moves that I would like to see happen for the Raps to be better than mediocre but there's the deadline and the summer to effectively use some of the pieces we have.

Rumours of Rudy Gay tied to a bunch of a teams and I just read the Clippers may or may not be interested. That would be huge for them if they didn't have to gut their team to land Gay. The playoffs this year are going to be incredible and I wouldn't know who I would bet on.

Surprised by the Bulls. Didn't think they would be near as good as they are without Rose. Speaks to Thibodeau and his strengths as a coach, I would think.

[DH]

Calderon more than gets his due. The reality is over the course of a season Calderon's effectiveness diminishes. On this team I think Jose fits in perfectly, great backup / spot starter. The time is coming to make the switch back to Lowry. Lowry just has to have better shot selection that pass last night to Landry Fields who missed the dunk but was fouled is the kind of play Calderon can't make. That's the stuff you want from your point man.

Calderon is no where near Steve Nash's ability. He's the NBA version of a DLG QB in the NFL. He isn't going to lose you games, but he isn't going to win too many either. Want a point man like Chris Paul, Steve Nash who can win games. Lowry has that in him, but right now with his mindset he has it in him to lose it as well.

Blogger's note: Interesting -- flawed and not shared by anyone remotely connected with basketball decisions on the team -- but interesting.

[Geoff Read]

Big "news" of the day: Lance Armstrong plans to make a limited confession on some talk show. WHO CARES is my response. Waaaaay too late Lance. You're a confirmed cheater and liar. Apparently you're also a bully and an all around something or other hole. Now do us all a big favour and get on with the rest of your life somewhere well out of the public eye.

Macy Gray's first two albums were great and I picked up "The Sellout" a few years back and it was pretty darned good too. I love that raspy voice.

Oh yeah, and that was a convincing win last night. The Raps answered the bell nicely - Casey had them ready to go.

[doug]

good to see the raptors answer the bell in 2 much needed games this week at home...playing as a solid unit on both ends, as for Fields rebounding I always thought and still do that smaller players should be the best rebounders on a team,,,,when i played I was our best rebounder (had to do something to warrant playing time))...and I am just 6'3" but when your on the outside looking in you can read the shot, it's trajectory etc, see gaps that are available to hit the boards from , and scoop longer rebounds....big men are all under the basket not a lot of rebounds fall right there especially in this age of 3point shooting....so Fields is active as was Rodman, its about reading and reacting....looks good on him, and Acy should just stay with the big team no matter what transpires as for him to go to D league would be of little benefit I feel, as D league is a guard driven league, he needs to practice everyday against Amir/Davis/JV/Bargs (when they are back) as he has improved exponentially since start of season... ok cheers abd enjoy the warmth

[kathyt]

@DH just read your post... are you serious

[Hope Caper]

You are right about DH's take on Calderon, interesting. Not one I would agree with either. The rabid need to get rid of Calderon by some fans is hard to comprehend. I had read one fellow who was blaming the entire record of the team during Calderon's tenure on him because he wasn't an elite guard. Much like DH's comments. I responded Jordan or Bryant couldn't have had a winning record with the supporting cast they have carried over the years since HWSNBN left in a huff for the two Wrights. In this case two Wrights did make a wrong.

What I'm enjoying about this stretch is the level of play and they are getting rewarded with wins. They played some great games during the losing streak but couldn't buy a "W".

I think another question has been answered by this team. Damon was their first and HWSNBN was next and Bargs was the next goto guy. Who's the next one? Answer: nobody, it's everybody. For years the Raps have funnelled their offence through 1 or 2 players. I think this is the first time I can recall this team playing like a team. They had some pretty good supporters over the years but when the star went down they were expected to lose. On any given night a handful of players could step up and it's no sure thing who its going to be. I like that.

Great blog Doug. Your doses of sanity for an insane fan base are much needed.

[J]

DH is absolutely correct. You just aren't going to win many games with Calderon starting at the point. If we had the proper PG, the type that can actually win you games, this team wouldn't have lost the three games against the Spurs, the Thunder and the Kings. We'd be 17-19 and back in contention by now. Open your eyes, people!

(Dripping sarcasm.)

[Steven]

Yes, you are correct that their are four people on a curling team.

But the World vs. North America is 3 mens teams, plus 3 womens teams per side. So 24 per side, 48 total in a multi-day event where each team plays each other, plus mixed teams all for points to determine the winner.

So it is a bit more complex if you pay attention.

Blogger's note: The four people on a team thing was a joke; guess subtlety isn't for everyone. And why would I pay attention to curling?

[doug]

can someone please tell John Fox he has Peyton Manning at QB...there is a description of a coach over-coaching why even give the ball back to the ravens to end the game?/...he was terrible in Carolina was Fox and even with Peyton he hasn't a clue how to win...it's pretty basic in any sport as a coach coach to win not lose....cheers...