Time to find out what they're made of

Of course they won’t admit it because it’s not what they do and Dwane has these lads trained pretty well.

But this is a very, very telling week about the lads and you know they have to be thinking that if they don’t get three wins in the next three games, they’ve wasted a lot of this six-game homestand.

There were many in the organization who looked at the games, factored in the way Toronto was playing and the calibre of the opponent and figured five wins were a must.

Personally, I thought they might spit one up with a dull performance (Hello, Sacramento game!) and that 4-2 would have been pretty good.

But 3-3? Or 2-4? Unacceptable; not season killing because as Dwane said in today’s piece that there are lots of games left, but still unacceptable.

That makes me wonder how these guys will respond because this is about the biggest challenge of the season so far and in the minor ones they’ve already faced they really haven’t distinguished themselves.

I fuily believe that even in this incarnation this team is talented enough to be about the best of the so-so ones in the East. I think they can be better than four or five teams, always have thought that, and three of them are here this week.

We do know that it takes a maximum effort every night for them to prove it to each other, to the fans, to the opponents but if they play with Dwane’s “sense of urgency” (that’s this year’s “disposition” isn’t it?) they are good enough to win.

The message has been hammered home to them so often you’d think it would be impossible for it not to sink it; we could very well find out tonight, Friday night and Sunday afternoon whether that’s true.

I’m not suggesting this is the defining moment of the season – we’re months away from that – but we are the defining moment of the season so far.

Can’t wait to see how they react.

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Yes, you’re going to hear that Rudy Gay might – MIGHT – be available from Memphis and, yes, the Raptors are interested at the right price. They always have been, probably always will be.

Gay would have been the No. 1 pick way back in the Bargnani draft year (and you can forget everything you hear to the contrary) and the interest is legit.

We’ve mentioned that so often, it’s like it’s news again. It shouldn’t be.

But the cost? Who knows what it is. Maybe Calderon and one of the young bigs, I would imagine the Grizzlies would start the conversation by asking for Ross and/or Valanciunas. It will – and this is only if the interest gets to some more legitimate stage and it is not there yet – be steep.

Here’s what Marc Stein has with his latest.

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Mail?

May as well start. I see some there already – some that will require Research Monkey time and effort, thank you very much and you know who you are – but there aren’t that many queries.

So do your stuff, please.

Click. Write. Send.

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Okay, this is how my mind works.

Remember yesterday when we had the Bowie clip and it came from an appearance on the Dick Cavett Show? Well, It caused a wave of nostalgia about those old afternoon talk shows and whatever happened to them?

I’m not talking about lunacy of Jerry Springer (Today On Springer: An Alien Slept With My Wife While I Fathered A Baby With Her Mother!) or Sally Jesse Whateverhernameis or the other slop.

I’m talking about Mike Douglas and Merv Griffin and Dinah Shore and others I’m sure I’m forgetting.

We’re they cool?

And never forgotten by some, right?

Anyway, here’s one for you.

We all agree – and if we don’t, there are going to be issues – that Ed McMahon is the gold standard for sidekicks, right? Day, night, good show, bad show, it doesn’t matter.

The list starts and stops with him.

But second?

I’ve got one for you.

Arthur Treacher made some good fish and chips, too, didn’t he?

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So Dwane brought up an interesting point when we were discussing Ed Davis after practice Tuesday and what Davis gave, or more importantly, didn’t give the Raptors on Sunday and what he needs to give them every night.

And if any of you thought Ed had a good game that day, it’s not an opinion shared by his coach.

“Against Oklahoma City, I thought he could have brought it more, competed harder, banged harder, got to the boards harder, a lot of things.

“He was the difference in the Portland game, he was the reason why Portland had to take off their blitzes on Jose and Kyle because he was knocking down shots. Those same shots he had against Oklahoma City he was turning them down. I can understand if he had missed two or three but he was turning them down before he even attempted them. He has to be aggressive, be focused, stay in the desperate mode, that hungry mode that he started his starting situation with and not lose that edge.”

You know who isn’t afraid to take those shots out of that position and who presents a threat that allows the guards to have more success.

Yeah, the Enigmatic Roman.

And Ed has to be more like Bargnani offensively; not taking three-pointers, that’s ridiculous, but by being a scoring threat from 15-feet every night.

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Hang on a sec.

The dude they hired to be the head coach of the TFCs isn’t quite ready to be the head coach of the TFCs and might not join the team in his new gig until May?

Oh yeah, that’s a model way to run a sports franchise.

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Comments

[Mikey K]

"Gay would have been the No. 1 pick way back in the Bargnani draft year (and you can forget everything you hear to the contrary)"

Correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't Gay a part of the 2006 draft? And didn't he fall to the 8 spot?

Blogger's note: No, if they didn't take Bargnani, Gay was their second choice.

[Landon]

Hey now! Hank Kingsley has to be number 2 (or possibly number 1).

[deaner]

I would have to think that if the Raps are serious about building something with stability and a core going forward, that moving Ross or Val would be ludicrous.

Is Rudy Gay good? Yes. Is he "trade two rookies with huge upside good?". No, he isn't.

Ross will be an All Star soon enough. He "has it" and I feel he is one of the purest hoops players we have had in Toronto in a long time.

[LeeZ]

@Landon: damn it, you took the words right out my mouth! Doug, what are the rules for your sidekick top 5? (or as Butch Cassidy said, "This is a knife fight, there ain't no rules!"). Because if fictional sidekicks are allowed, consideration must also be given to Jerry Hubbard (played by the amazing Fred Willard, he of peepshow infamy) from Fernwood 2Night.

[Brad B]

Attn: Doug
Re: TFC

And you thought the Leaves have it bad. Welcome to our World for the past 7 years. Come drink the Kool Aid and it will all feel better...

Sincerely,

The TFC fans.

[DC]

No doubt Gay would fill the absence of production at small forward, but at the price of their first decent 7' rebounding prospect in years with JV and the crowd-pleasing, shot-happy Ross? tough to argue that would ultimately be a better team. Derozan would see the ball less and without calderon to calmly set up the offense its not a thrilling prospect for one player (maybe i'm missing someone).

Too bad Bargnani is not an appealing player for so many teams, because the raptors have not looked like they miss him, even if he has a trigger-happiness with his jumpshot that sometimes gets the guards more space from their defenders. Bargnani is also a big rebounding and defensive mismatch blow-by liability who is slow getting down the court. The proof is in the pudding. the raptors lost games when they relied on the 'stretch 4' style of play and won games when they relied on an aggresive attacker and rebounder with the likes of ed davis (or the enigmatic injury shortened season spurt of aggresive play from Andrea).

Just let these guys play and develop then spend the money on a free agent vet (with good knees!) who can bring 10-15 points and some defence and rebounding at SF without gutting other positions. Just my opinion.

[nasko]

if the reports are true and the Raps are considering moving Jose, Davis and future first round picks I would be greatly disappointed. BCo has traded enough first rounders already. Despite having a relatively good draft record, he still keeps trading his picks, where the return on these trades is poor by all accounts. Not sure why he values the draft so low. Gay is a decent player, but I do not think he is worth his salary or the aforementioned value of players + picks.

[ditch]

I see that a Ford Focus (odour unknown) was pulled out of the lake. Do you have a confession to make, Doug "My foot slipped off the clutch" Smith?

Blogger's note: I wish, it's why it remains unlocked a lot; an invitation

[Bob M]

Rudy Gay is horrible. One of the least efficient players in the league and he is lazy on defense and doesn't have the best attitude.

I really hope they don't trade for him and that insane contract that he has.

[Rob.V]

It's interesting isn't it. Any talk of Ross in a package for Rudy Gay last off season or at the start of the season and it would have been an absolute no brainer.
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Today? not so much. I mean, who wouldn't want a Rudy Gay on their roster however Ross is going to be a good player. A good player who doesn't get paid $16, $18, or $19 million over the next 3 years (or whatever Gay's $$ are).
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Calderon would be a given in that deal because he provides instant cap/tax relief but I'm no longer convinced that I'd want to include Ross. But you do have to give something up to get something good, and with DeRozan locked up now you can understand the logic.
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Having said this, in thinking of past 2 guards with the Raptors (aside from Vince), Ross legitimately has a shot to be the 2nd best Raptor at this position all time.
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He should be able to defend as good as a Christie or Mo Pete and already has a better stroke than anyone I can remember at the 2 (not named Vince Carter).
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Would you agree with this assessment of his upside dude or am I missing something here?

[Boko]

Would I like us to get Rudy Gay? Yes.

I'm more than willing to give up José Calderon, Alan Anderson, Mickael Pietras, John Lucas III, Aaron Gray, Andrea Bargnani, Linus Kleiza, Kyle Lowry, Landry Fields & Quincy Acey.

However, it would be counter-productive to include any of the core 5: Jonas, Amir, Ed, DeMar, & Terrance!

[J]

Gay would be a nice albeit expensive addition (salary cap and all), but I don't think I would bite if it involved either Ross or Valanciunas. That's the kind of deal a team positioned just outside of being elite should make; if we're positioned just outside of anything, it's being one of the last playoff seeds. Ross might never exceed Gay's ability, but having someone young and promising to watch is fun! That's not to say Gay isn't young, but something about his huge salary cap figure and plateaued play feels a tad deflating. Anyone else is fair game, but I expect some other team will overpay for Gay's services.

[james]

Landon and LeeZ have both nailed it with Kingsley and Hubbard. But let's not forget William B. Williams on the Sammy Maudlin Show.

[JW]

Hey Doug, your Bargnani/Gay draft insights this morning made me curious as to Brian's thoughts on Aldridge during that draft. Was there something about Aldridge that the Raptors didn't like? If the Raps board was Bargs #1 and Gay #2, was Aldridge #3 or not in the running at all?

Blogger's note: Think they liked one big man and a wing second; Bargnani's skillset seemed to fit better. Was seven years ago, though, memories fade

[Tim]

Hey Doug,

How about one of those noontime chats in the not too distant future? Seems like it's been a while since we had one, and lots has been going on. Maybe a mid-season review?

Blogger's note: Yeah, good idea. We'll see what we can do

[C-Mac]

Doug, Watched part of the Laker game last night, admit I haven't followed them much. Watching part of the game though it was really evident how much Koby is still dominating the ball - Black Mamba is more a very talented but aging black hole. I didn't get a sense he's going to embrace any semblance of a PHX type offence. He's needs more Robin's and less Superman's & fellow Super Heroes..Thoughts?

Blogger's note: Probably true but if they were winning it would be different

[sam]

Ed's played well this year....and he's shown a little personality off the court that Doug has shared with us. Whether he's pimptastic or Boss or whatever - it's a welcome addition and a fun read. This really is his first real kick at being an important part of the rotation of a professional mens BBall team.
The injury he suffered cavorting with DD, Amir and Sonny before training camp started in his rookie year, and the short training camp last season wasn't really enough to give him the basics...I can see where he may have an off game...Casey is right to stay on top of him and hopefully he is active tonight.

Rudy Gay would be a welcome addition, but at the right price - I'd hate to see someone like Ed, TRoss or JV packaged up with one of the vets to get him...but you got to give to get.....

[GM]

Have the Raps brass been watching Gay the last season and a half? If so, why would they want him? There's always a possibility he'll ignite somewhere else, but doesn't it say something about his professionalism if he's in a funk at the money he's making in Memphis? I would hate to see Calderon go (but probably not hate it as much as Bayless would hate to see him arrive!). And to even consider Ross or Valanciunas is crazy.

Blogger's note: I cannot imagine them considering Ross or Valanciunas but I guarantee those will be the first two on Memphis's list

[Boko]

Bob M. ... So Rudy Gay is one of the least efficient, eh? ...
RG 15.23
DD 15.09
AA 09.53
TR 05.88
LF 05.80
LK 05.30
MP 04.50
Yep. us Raptors are LOADED with efficient swings, aren't we!

[Chuck]

"You know who isn’t afraid to take those shots out of that position and who presents a threat that allows the guards to have more success."

And that's about the only positive thing you can say about Bargnani's game. He isn't afraid to take long (read: low percentage) two's. It's no coincidence the team started winning more once Ed and Amir took his minutes. Bargnani has got to go. It's addition by subtraction at this point

Blogger's note: It actually isn't but, whatever

[D-Mac Ottawa]

Personally, I don't think now is the time for Rudy Gay to come this way. A year or two ago, for sure. Right now, not so sure at all. Especially for either of the rooks – they're keepers.
I'm onboard with the 'best of' list of variety show sidekicks. May I suggest that the 'worst of the worst' was Top Gigio. Couldn't stand that little rodent.
Cheers. GO RAPS!

[Boko]

If the Grizzlies are smart, they try to get José first, or if necessary, Andrea. If we're smart, we keep Amir, DeMar, Ed, Terrance, & Jonas, period.

[LeeZ]

Alright, let's get this whole addition by substraction thing settled once and for all, shall we? First, a personal disclosure: I too (along with @Chuck) feel that getting rid of Bargs is addition by subtraction, in that I feel the Raps play a better all-around game with him not playing. This has been the case for the past several years, in fact, if one discounts as an abberation those brief halcyon days last year when he seemed to "get" it.
What are the arguments for Bargs? It is said that he gives other Raps more space to operate because the opposition four or five has to come out to the three-point line to cover him. If that were the case, it stands to reason that the team's shooting percentage would be better with him on the floor, since the other four players would be having better looks thanks to the space afforded them. Similarly, the fact that Bargs draws his PF counterpart out to the three-point line should result in the Raps getting AT LEAST as good a percentage of all available rebounds as when he's off the court. Last (and least, IMHO, is the team's win-loss record both with him and without him (too many variables entere into it for this to be the be-all and end-all criterion). Also, points scored while he's on the court versus points scored when he's not; and same thing with points allowed. I think once all this is added up, we can determine with a bit more clairty whether he's a plus or a minus. Now, all we need is for Doug's crack team of cyberstatisticians to get right on this for us! (that, or an Irregular with a whole whack of time on his/her hands.
Now, it goes without saying that any player is an asset to some degree, as a trade chip. So of course you don't want to just dump the guy. But Doug, I'd be curious to hear why you think he is not addition by subtraction.

Blogger's note: Because it's simplistic. You can't say they are better because it hasn't been long enough, just like you can't say they're better because Lowry got hurt. Or the schedule eased incredibly, or that Anderson came back. All part and parcel

[Mike kovacs]

I forgot to ask the obvious yesterday- do "the Rock" have a rock in their change-room? Or do they even have their own? Team-wise I wonder if Nash is wishing he hadn't gone to lotusland. ( I understand the family reasons ).

Blogger's note: They don't have their own room

[Nick M]

"You know who isn’t afraid to take those shots out of that position and who presents a threat that allows the guards to have more success."
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I get what you are saying here Doug - The Roman is not afraid to take shots playing the 4 position. I think the problem was, all too often, the literal 'position' of where he was on the court. If Bargs was taking shots from where ED takes shots then he would a big threat ala Bargs 2011-12.