Good game, good efforts and a good rant, if I do say so myself

Hands up everyone who saw that coming?

A tough, physical game on the road against a superior team and down four with 10 seconds and the Raptors win?

If you knew that was coming, please send me this week’s lottery numbers.

Thanks.

Anyway …

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THREE POINTERS

A good pair, for a night

Dwane had said he wanted to avoid using both Andrea Bargnani and Jonas Valanciunas on the court together because of their defensive deficiencies and the fact they hadn’t played together for months.

Well, that changed in hurry.

A lot of it had to do with the subtle change in rotations – you’ll notice the limited minutes for Aaron Gray – and a lot of it had to do with the success they were having.

I kind of hope it’s permanent despite the fact there will be times when they give up a lot of points in a big hurry but for one night, they were better than anyone could have possibly expected.

And it came quickly.

They were on the court together in the first quarter and later in the game as well and Dwane’s worries were unfounded.

Not entirely sure what changed his mind – didn’t get a chance to ask him in the post-game stress to make deadline – but my guess, knowing him, would be that he wanted to see what he’d get against a team that plays big on the frontcourt and liked what he saw so he stuck with it.

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A miffed Roman

I don’t know that I’ve seen Bargnani as physically engaged as he was last night and there was some toughness that I’m pretty sure few of you saw the best part.

It was right in front of us, late in the fourth quarter and Tyler Hansbrough, far more a goon than a basketball player, knocks Bargnani over in the paint.

There’s no call – of course, those three refs were terrible – and Bargnani is super pissed off.

So what’s he do?

He starts to get up, sees Hansbrough and bumps him, trips him and knocks him down.

All the time, Bargnani’s woofing at any Pacer in his sight, it truly was unusual to see.

Bargnani barked at David West, at Roy Hibbert, he took shots and gave them and if he plays like that consistently, a lot of you are going to like him.

Not sure he will, and I’m certainly not suggesting it’ll be like that all the time but it was for one night.

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Change coming?

Four minutes for Alan Anderson.

Just 13 minutes for Aaron Gray.

What gives?

Well, I’d suggest it was mostly a matchup issue at a large level, Dwane wanted to stay big with two legitimate bigs who were playing well and he got big nights out of both Gay and DeRozan.

But the way he managed their minutes was pretty good, too.

Gay only played 44 of 53, not bad; DeRozan only went 41, both had legs at the end of the game and in overtime.

Ross didn’t hurt them in the 18 minutes he was on the court and I’d suggest that they stay with that rotation of twos and threes permanently.

It gets the two key players enough rest, some run for the rookie and Anderson is there in case of foul trouble or emergency.

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More? Oh yeah, a bit

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Oh yeah, I’m still here.

Will be until Sunday at 4 p.m. so I don’t think I’ll get to the New Orleans game at 6 and the weather got me again.

But not worry, I have an idea on how to spend some time in this city if I have to.

And I have to.

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The cab’s got some dreary station playing on the radio but then the disc jockey (are they still called disc jockeys?) says Saturday is Carole King’s birthday and why not, it’s nice music.

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Pardon my rant

American Express, I think we could all agree, is a big and successful company run at all levels by people with brains and a modicum of common sense, right?

I disagree.

Entirely.

Look, I understand it snowed back there and it was a tough day and that lots of travellers on their corporate program had to make changes to their plans during the day.

I get that.

What I don’t get is how AMEX, which is allegedly a service-oriented company, could not understand that and make sure they had enough staff on to handle those issues.

All it would take is having a couple of extra operators working with the their computers from home, or Mumbai or Montreal or wherever they are.

But no, no, a thousand times no.

That big company let one guy I know pretty well (Hello, me!) remain on hold for 40 minutes before the game started and – get this! – TWO FREAKING HOURS after the game with absolutely no service whatsoever ever.

I finally gave up and made alternate arrangements and I might be done with American Express.

That’s shoddy service when they should have known better and been prepared.

End of rant.

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Oh, and since I’m going to be here all day and want to stay out of trouble, someone send me some mail so I can answer some questions.

There aren’t a lot there, it’s askdoug@thestar.ca and I welcome any and all communications.

I’ll likely be on a stool most of the afternoon and then eating a huge piece of well-marbled ribeye later so say hello if you want.

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The things you read on the road.

Check out this one from yesterday’s Indy Star wherein a woman who had been held hostage by an armed gunman who was robbing a story is now suing that store.

Not because she was grabbed by a gun-wielding assailant at the store; that might make even the tiniest bit of sense to some. Not to me, but to some.

No, she’s suing the store for emotional distress because an employee shot the gun-toting robber and freed her.

Yeah, she escaped unharmed after being held hostage and is now suing those who got her off safely.

I tell ya, I just don’t get people.

I really and truly don’t.

Oh, and catch the part where the mother of the robber is suing the store because – seriously – it “owed Atkinson (the gunman) a duty to exercise reasonable care for his safety”

That might be the story of the year right there.

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Okay, off to write a Rudy Gay feature before I hang in downtown Indy.

Hope Super Son’s got the shovel going.

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Comments

[P C]

@John, I think you just got dunked on.

[GM]

@doug, you wrote, "the internet or blog statements are not, I repeat are not any indication of who or what a person is...I don't mind sharing this as quite frankly your a idiot." I hope you see the logical inconsistency here. You're judging @John based on the internet or blog statements just as you claimed he was doing to you. Two wrongs don't make a right. I'm sure you two would both get along in real life, so settle down, fellas.

[GM]

In weather situations like these, Doug, couldn't you hitch a ride with the team? Or is that a no-no?

Blogger's note: It's possible in dire circumstances, this cancellation came up late, my bag was at the hotel and I was at the arena and I'm not sure how quickly they might get me o an international flight manifest for Customs

[kathyt]

Unfortunately I had to miss the 2nd half last night, so I was pleasantly surprised to hear in the way they won last night. I managed to catch most of the 2nd half this afternoon and all I can say is wow. Great win.

Safe flight home Doug.

PS @doug, I agree a well placed elbow is needed when ever these two meet again.

[John]

@PC. Yes, dunked on by some guy who has two moons in his sky and believes that somehow the rules of engagement in a prison gym can be directly transferred to mainstream,organized basketball. Who's story about being in prison, while soul bearing, had absolutely nothing to do with my original comment that the NBA has a different culture than the NHL when it comes to 'sending a message'. Although i guess prison basketball can be considered quite organized...

[Hope Caper]

Hey john want help in pulling your foot out of your mouth? @ Doug just too many know-it-alls talking to too many other know-it-alls online. They are used to people making wild unsubstantiated statements and just assume that others are making it up just like them. I enjoyed your story.

To Doug the blogger, perception is everything. Great job as usual Doug. It doesn't bother anyone that the Raps stole that game since they have had plenty taken from them.

BTW I keep checking on Jose and yes he is playing. Last night he had a double-double with 4 steals (against Milwaukee). However Detroit is only paying 10 million for the privilege. That Colangelo is one sharp dude!
Here is a link on the story
http://www.sportsnet.ca/basketball/2013/02/09/pistons_beat_bucks/

[Lorie]

And more Calderon Content: he was last night's NBA "Nightly Notable". (...though, still so odd seeming him in a Piston's uniform...) Felicidades, Jose!
http://www.nba.com/video/channels/top_plays/2013/02/09/20130209-nightly-notable.nba