Knowing roles, not knowing what to do and not knowing people

Say one thing for the HOTH, they continue to confound and entertain and pull rabbits out of their hats.

And now riding a four-game win streak, they get four days off to reflect.

Which I did, too.

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THREE POINTERS

Doing the job

Been a pretty good stretch for John Lucas III, no?

Big fourth quarter on Sunday, a couple of big shots on Tuesday and his big 15-minute stretch last night in New York with the dagger on that little fade from the corner over Jason Kidd in the last minute.

This team is pretty lucky, actually.

In much the same way Aaron Gray was a pro and ready to contribute when he got his chance, Lucas bided his time as the third point guard, barely played and comported himself well until he got his shot.

Now, also like Gray I think Lucas is best served as a third guard rather than a primary backup and these three games certainly haven’t done anything to change my mind. He still has some issues with his decision-making and running and offence and those aren’t going to go away.

But he can make a shot – the big one last night – and he’s obviously professional enough to be ready when his team needs him.

Doesn’t lessen the need for a guard – and that has to happen in the next week – but at least made it less crucial over these last two games.

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Speaking of …

Landry Fields has probably had a lot of good days in his life, although I can’t imagine many were better than yesterday.

As we find out through the tweeter (and that really does lay life bare for some people) he got engaged to his girlfriend during the day, he gets a matchup-driven start in the city where his career began and plays extremely well guarding one of the best scorers in the NBA.

Now he’s off, apparently, for a couple of days away with his fiancée and all has to be well in the world.

Not a bad day, all in all.

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So, where are they?

Well, on a bit of an ascent, actually.

I’ve wavered between thinking they might play important games in April with some faint chance at the eighth spot and thinking the horrid start had – as my man Perk once uttered – shot the season behind the ear.

But three quality wins in a four games – at Indy, over Denver and at New York – were totally unexpected (before that stretch, you might have thought one was good, two would have been a pleasant surprise and three was unthinkable) and who knows what might happen now.

Give ‘em all credit – Bryan, Dwane, the players – because they are playing entertaining games, playing hard and seem to have something good going on.

Kind of makes the unofficial “second half” of the season worth waiting for, no?

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A wee bit more.

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Happy Valentine’s Day!

(The card, flower and chocolate companies thank you)

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No, I’m not all that big on Valentine’s Day and not that big on “love songs” but if you were to play this a couple of times tonight when you’re dancing with the Missus (or the Mister) it’d be a good mood-setter for the day.

Mr. Clapton has some singing chops.

Me? I’ll likely be in some saloon in Houston watching Lakers-Clippers and hanging with the other all-star weekend hostages.

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Couple of housekeeping matters, if you don’t mind.

We’ll be here – live once again from some departure lounge at Pearson so we can wait out the inevitable delays together from 11:30-12:30 this morning (flight’s allegedly at 1:20 or so) so come armed with your questions and hellos.

And if you can’t make it, there’s askdoug@thestar.ca for whenever I can find time for a weekend mailbag or two; not much over there now, help a fella out, would you?

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So, Turk.

Goes back to Turkey, takes some kind of supplement, it’s got a banned substance in it and, boom, he gets nailed by the PED police and gets a 20-game ban.

Hilarious. Really.

Look, I like Turk, quite a bit. Was a funny guy whole stole a bunch of money when he was here but he never, ever struck me as a guy who’d take something to help him have enough recovery ability to hasten is workout regimen to return from an injury.

And maybe that’s why I found the story so hilarious.

That and the fact that now two of the eight players who have ever been caught using PEDs used to play hear – Lindsey Hunter was the other ex-Raptor – made it even more interesting.

I’m not naïve enough to think that Turk – or the other seven who got caught – are the only players who put illegal substances in their bodies, although it’s kind of ridiculous to me that any athlete would take something even close to dubious during a season.

If you want to take something, there are armies of team staff and league staff and union staff who will tell you what you can take; trying to “sneak” something you got on your own is courting disaster.

It’s unfathomable to me that any player in any sport would go rogue; it makes no sense and speaks to a level of invincibility that’s troubling.

I don’t feel in the least bit sympathetic towards Turk, or any player in any sport who offers a lame “I didn’t know what was in it” excuse. There are ways to find out, people to help you do it and if you don’t and you get caught, tough noogies.

Speaking of Turk …

That never gets old.

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I guess nothing should really shock us about athletes who are idolized because we have so often been disappointed and stunned to learn of their human failings long after we’ve lauded them for their athletic expertise.

It’s hard being a fan though, isn’t it? People we think we know do things of an unspeakable nature and we should all start examining the reasons why we cheer.

And as I’ve warned a few times before, we need to cheer for athletic ability and competition and that alone.

We can’t pretend to know or like or admire anyone for any other reason because these men and women are humans and many have demons.

We need to appreciate them as athletic entertainers because to get too caught up in their lives away from the sporting venue is ask for disappointment.

I wrote this about Oscar Pistorious this past summer as an athlete and I remember being miffed at myself for not writing a longer, more in-depth piece on him as a man.

Given what’s transpired, I’m glad I didn’t.

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Comments

[sportschic]

That Turk post-game interview is a classic, and you're right, it never gets old.

BTW, Doug, your Freudian slip is showing this morning:
"Give ‘me all credit"

Blogger's note: Oops. Thanks

[Andrew Gregg]

Hi Doug:

I have to admit I almost--almost--felt sorry for Andrea Bargnani last night. There he was, exposed, like a regular Kwame Brown, useless on both offence and defence because his team has passed him by. When Tyson Chandler ran right past him for two easy dunks it was obvious he was done for the night--and maybe, finally, as a Raptor.

Like I say, I had a twinge of sympathy. And then I remembered he's getting gazillions of dollars to not really care about his team and I went back to cheering for Amir Johnson and all the rest of them who do.

AG, Toronto

[Arlene]

Andrea's plodding style doesn't suit this team now, as they are much more up tempo, especially when he can't shoot 3s. Don't agree with some of Kelly's observations on the Raps defense last night. Gay kept Carmello in check, as did Fields. Some other good work...but then I wasn't at the game. AA had a terrific game and hope he doesn't get traded - great energy.

[kathyt]

The one thing I'll never forget about Oscar Pistorious were the sideline interviewers by Elliotte Friedman shortly after his races at the London Olympics. He came across as very genuine, and thankful for all the outpouring of support.

Just a sad story coming out of South Africa this morning.

[Peter]

I know that many people think that Andrea deserves a chance now that Rudy Gay is in the fold. I also know that you (Doug) would like to see how the offense runs with Bargnani on the floor, but I think we have to be fair and agree that Bargnani has had his chances. He needs to play the game of basketball, not the game of offense. There's no way that I would be able to defend an NBA player, maybe Bargnani is just like me. That doesn't make him a bad player, but it does mean that it's time to move on.

Blogger's note: Yeah, guess the four-game sample is big enough for sure.

Araujo was a victim of his draft position. If he was drafted late in the second round, fans wouldn't have been nearly as disappointed in him. Bargnani is a victim of his offensive game. People hoped for stardom, but it's just not there. Fair enough, we can't all be stars, but his time here, and the patience that has been shown has to come to an end.

[Peter]

I meant to say that it doesn't make him a bad person. It does make him a bad player, at least at the NBA level.

[Alan C.]

Doug, I only saw part of the game, and noticed that the Raps were wearing a red warmup jersey with an interesting, European-looking design on the front. Do you or any of the folks here know what that represented? Thanks.

Blogger's note: Several teams are wearing them to commemorate the Chinese New Year and the year of the snake

[SR]

I'm sure Landry Fields will have many more good days ahead of him as well... with his wife to be Elaine Alden. May I recommend a google image search!

[Matt M]

I hope Turk was taking steroids to get healthy and not to become a better player.

[Rob]

Doug, until all the details of what happened in South Africa becomes known i don't think we should jump to conclusions about Pistorius. He lives in a country with one of the highest crime rates in the world. It is notorious for break and enters, where the perpetrators not only rob, but to also kill the people. I am not saying whos right or wrong here, but he lives in a place where when acting in self defence in your home you do not have the option to talk with the perpetrator to gauge his intentions, its shoot or be shot. Its terrible either way what happened, but under that environment self-defence, with mistaken identity, is a valid possibility just as much as him being a murderer....so lets wait for the facts before making judgements on him.

[Marcus]

It is most interesting to read the comments on this team. Anderson who for several games could not put the ball in an ocean is all of a sudden a star. The same holds true for Lucas and yet the team is searching for a back-up veteran point guard. (This could be dangerous as the right veteran will steal the job from Lowry as has happened every place he has played.) What has this guy done to deserve a "bobblehead" day. Mind boggling!

I actually feel sorry for Bargs. Tremendous talent but just not playing relaxed. Shooting when he should pass and passing when he should shoot. The GM is in a tough spot...if he is traded and becomes the star that he has the talent to be the out-cry will be tremendous. It also appears fom afar that he has very few close friends on this team. Maybe a wrong perception but just my take on the situation.

[Juan]

Re Pistorius I have no idea what kind of person he is and I wish him no ill. The reports seem to suggest the shooting was some sort of accident. No question his being able to run the way he does is remarkable. I expect I'll be vilified for this, but here goes: his story is one of the most overhyped sports stories I can ever recall. He should not have been racing in the Olympics. The media, and society, in their joint effort to glorify athletic ability and transform it into greatness of humanity share the blame for putting him on a pedestal he was likely to fall from, shooting or not.

[Peter]

I respect your opinion about the 4 game sample size, but I disagree with your premise. You claim that the offense could be quite good if everyone has the opportunity to get used to each other. You're probably right. I just feel that the 7 or so years that we've had Bargnani is a pretty big sample size, and adding one player may tweak the offense, but it's not likely to fix the weaknesses that occur when Bargnani is on the floor. No single player, or group of players has increased Bargnani's defensive effort or rebounding shortcomings. To think that Rudy Gay would make Bargnani a better player is flawed thinking. Better on offense? Perhaps, but better enough? Not so, in my opinion.

To me, the Rudy Gay acquisition brings the opportunity to move Bargnani because he can replace the 20 or so points that Bargnani is capable of putting up.

Maybe I'm wrong, and maybe you're right, but I only mention this because you always welcome alternative points of view in the comment section. Usually we agree, on this we don't.

[coachd]

Hi Doug,

It's too bad that the Raps are ignoring Bargnani on the offensive end of the floor. He's struggled with his shot coming off his injury,but they need to give him the ball more often so that he can find his groove again. Having him out there, even when he's not shooting well automatically opens up the floor for the other wing players on the team.

[sam]

I'm happy the Raps got the win last night, but it sure was an ugly one...
I was left scratching my head after the first quarter.....

A few troubling signs, like little ball movement, and some suspect shot selection. The D seemed to be pretty strong, and AA and Lucas bailed the team out.

A win is a win though....

I see Jose had a strong game for the Pistons last night. Good for him.

I'm thinking We may have seen the last of Andrea as a Raptor. Little energy last night. The after effects of the flu, or maybe he sees the writing on the wall.....

Enjoy Houston..

[David in Oakville]

Good Morning Doug,

That is the funniest defense of PED use I have ever read... you are basically saying TURK is too lazy to take PED's seriously so it must have been a complete and foolish accident.

hahaha... funny and true!

[D-Mac Ottawa]

The worm turns, and these Raps are getting some of the breaks that didn't go their way at all during the first two months going their way now. In spite of some poor shooting, poor ball handling, poor defence. Hope BCo has a deadline plan, because this team, while improved with Gay, is out of balance. (If, as @J had suggested, it was Gay for Bargs and Kleiza, now that would have been sweet.)
Bargs gave such a great effort his first game back. He grabbed rebounds. He altered at least half a dozen shots on D. He moved without the ball. He hustled. He actually did stuff! Then he went back to his November form. Flu. Tired. Whatever. His teammates ignore him now. Understandably.
@SR: Ding! Ding! Ding!
Cheers. Go Raps!

[mos high]

I agree with Peter..sorry Bargnani no longer fits on this team. To me looking at him he knows he wont be here much longer and if he is his minutes will be slashed. People Always making excuses for him he doesnt rebound and plays no defence. If he is not doing those things he shouldnt play. That type of play is part of reason why raptors started out so bad. Its a new era and he doesnt fit. I dont feel sorry one bit for him. He has no motor. He doeant play hungry either

[Lorie]

Well, that was an interesting (and by interesting I mean un-pretty, confounding and almost un-watchable!) match last night. Knicks should've been ready and rested while the Raps were on the second night of a back-to-back. But, as a wise man often reminds us...that's why they play the games. And today - with their usual subtlety - one NY media outlet's headline described the Knicks' loss to the Raps as "TERRIBLE" with the word "TERRIBLE" enlarged and in all caps and a bold font. But truly, wasn't there enough 'terrible' to go around for both teams? It's just that the Raps' terrible was just slightly less so. :) And yes, today's that Hallmark-perpetuated day of love and kisses and cards and chocolate. But if you're thinking great kisses, forget Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams. Maybe even Grace and Jimmy. (Nah!!!) Today is the 40th anniversary of one of the most iconic kisses in TV history. Remember this?
http://youtu.be/5Ys3yVu42ZI

[lee in ittawa]

The European experiment never panned out for Bryan.

[David C]

"And as I’ve warned a few times before, we need to cheer for athletic ability and competition and that alone."

Thanks for the fatherly advice, but I'm going to continue to cheer for good character and work ethic where I see it in players.

Blogger's note: As you probably saw in Oscar Pistorius. Be prepared

[Bryan]

I'm a Bargnani supporter and he has value. That is very clear. The question is how to extract that value? Sam Mitchell had no idea and Dwayne seems to have done a good job at times. The "enigma of enigmas" needs to FEEL RIGHT for his best game to come out and most of the time (especially lately) his head doesn't seem to be in the right place. And how could we expect it to with all the crap that's being said and written about him? As I see it, getting through to him should be a full-time job for somebody so that his talent can be better utilized by this team. Or management could say: "We've tried, we give up, we'll sell him low". Being on the outside, I'm not sure what the best approach is given the Rap's short and long term objectives. They still have a chance of squeaking into that 8th spot and Bargnani may help or hinder that. He will start to nail open threes but if nothing else changes, his apparent apathy will persist and we'll be watching many more of those defensive breakdowns. I mean a Chandler blow-by and an apathetic Bargnani who looks like he's more concerned about the weather in Cincinnati, is infuriating for a fan! Personally, I’d like to see a breakthrough and a legitimate 3rd option in Bargnani, but I’m sure BC’s patience by now is razor thin…

[Rob.V]

Andrea?

Look, I understand it's become "convenient" and easy to call him out on defense... but has anyone noticed the solid individual defense he's played the past couple of games?. What, no one else notice this?

Frankly, I was surprised by the comments made by Leo last night regarding Andrea's defensive lapses. The one highlight (low light?) they chose to show to demonstrate their point clearly identified that Anderson got blown by, and that Andrea was hung out to dry on a 2 on 1 with Chandler (cant recall other-Melo?). It was in fact a team breakdown where Anderson didn't defend the point of attack and when Andrea stepped in there was no one else there to rotate to cover Andrea's man so Bargnani was left there on an island... there was nothing he could do in that situation. On this particular highlight Leo should have noted the terrible "team" defense. No one in the league can stop 2 athletic players barreling down on them, but with Calderon gone now we've got to find someone to blame for all of the Raptors 32 losses.

Now to be clear, I am "PRO" the Andrea/ Boozer trade. I think this should have happened last month (although my guess is that BC is holding out for Gasol... and his expiring deal next year).

Teams (like the Bulls) will be interested in Andrea because he defends his man one on one, and if you play him next to good weak side defender in Noah or Taj, and a Bulls team that plays great "team" defense... it's a different story.

I guess it's the piling on that I find puzzling. Wasn't it just a short couple of games ago that Allan Anderson was completely stunting Ross' growth?... and that JL3 was rendered absolutely useless prior to the Calderon trade?.

Lets be clear here. Even with Rudy Gay the Raptors don't win the last 2 games without the efforts of Anderson and JL3.

My point being, it's a team game people.

Yes Andrea will be moved, but he's not nearly as terrible as some have written.

[Mike D.]

Hedo, after learning he'd been suspended 20 games for PEDs: "Balls"

[Mos High]

@ Bryan. I respect your personal opinion, however what do mean Sam had no idea what to do with Bargnani?? As I told the story many times and wont do it again. Bargnani got Sam fired. Bargnani HAS NO MOTOR!!! A coach cant teach a player to rebound or want to play defence. 7 yrs and nothing is showing that he will do anything different. Do you think Bargnani would get heavy minutes on top coached teams like Miami? San Antonio? OKC? Chicago? New York? No way and he does I will be shocked. Sorry he plays horrible defence.

If you notice what Rudy Gay has brought to Toronto is credibility. Again Media is everyone but it helps change perception about a team. Everyone person who talks about Bargnani outside of this Toronto market basically knows he is lazy or has no motor. Its over, he can stay but got to be 7th man at best.