Some good signs and a very good weekend to hide out

After going over my notes and probing the deep recesses of my mind, yes, that was a dog of a game.

But the locals won, there were a couple of moments and at least it’s over and we can move on to the next one.

And the next one should have exponentially more buzz to it.

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THREE POINTERS

Sign of things to come?

It was driven a lot by matchups, but they will increasingly present themselves as the game evolves i think, and it was great to see Rudy Gay posting people up for s fair chunk of last night, far more often than we've ever seen it.

First, it takes away several opportunities for him to take mid-range jumpers and that's not a bad thing and, second, he's not bad down there at all.

We saw a couple of times him handle single coverage easily -- he's long enough to get his shot off almost any time -- but the revelation was when the Bobcats quickly sent a second defender at him.

I don't remember a bad decision, actually. I know there will be some but for a guy seeing that for the first time he got to Toronto, he handled himself well. I recall one play where he waited for the second guy to come, kicked the ball to Telfair who made a good skip pass to Ross In the far corner and the kid made a three-pointer.

It's been a long time since this team had anyone who commanded a double-team on the block (Remember that Bosh fellow?) and this might open myriad possibilities.

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One or the other

Playing mainly against other kids -- as he should the rest of the way and we'll have more on that next week -- I thought Terrence Ross had a quietly efficient game.

But has to get more in tune with his own abilities.

I think it was early in the fourth quarter, maybe the second HOTH possession when Ross strips someone of the ball and takes off.

Now, I know dunking is on his mind because that's how he should think but with one guy closing on one side and someone else on the other, he gets airborne about three feet too soon, fumbles the ball at the rim and it's a turnover.

Dwane noticed.

“He has to decide if he’s going to dunk it or finger roll it on his layups.”

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Remember when?

So you all saw the fourth quarter boxscore or heard about it at least.

Charlotte goes x-for-x from the field, a rather nifty eight per cent inefficiency and surely for a franchise that's been as historically inept as this one that has to be some sort of record for fewest field goals in a quarter, right?

No, yak breath.

(If you don't get that, google is your friend)

Happened once before, on Feb. 8, 2004 in Oakland and how do we remember this?

Well, about three or four hours after that quarter -- they came from way down to Golden State and won in overtime -- the diagnosis came through that Jalen Rose had broken his hand in that game.

A lamp lost its life that night.

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More? Sure, there’s a little.

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Am unsure about the day – the Heat have tentatively scheduled a late-afternoon practice that we all hope they cancel so we don’t have to stick aroudn the arena for five hours – but there’s always time for mail.

Click over on the right or reach me at askdoug@thestar.ca, always good to hear from most of you.

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Yeah, we can maybe do some Irish folk ditties tomorrow, feels like a Van Morrison morning before St. Paddy’s Day, doesn’t it?

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Speaking of ...

You know there are times when I enjoy a good session on a stool to tell stories, maybe putter on some work, watch a little TV, right?

Well, in the evenings this weekend you’re not going to be able to find me with a divining rod, it’s one of those confluence of events couple of days where guys like me are buried in the couch.

Now, I’m al for the Irish, love ‘em, love the country, appreciate the heritage and the culture and the food (okay, not the food, actually) but ...

Tomrorow is one of the all-time Amateur Hours and the last thing I need to do is go to a crowded bar where faux Irish are drinking green beer or Guinness and gettng increasinly hammered and often beligerent.

It’s like some poeple have never seen a full glass before, it’s pre-medidated binge drinking in many situations and not something many sane people would want to take part in.

Sure, celebrate the day with a pint or three if you must but when it comes to the end of the evening and things are getitng out of hand – and they always get out of hand – it’s time to cower at home and let the zanies do their thing.

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Oh, and couple of it with the silly fighting thing that’s on tonight, I can imagine this will be the greatest weekend of the year for saloon owners.

Do me a favour, though?

Well, make it two favours.

If you’re out tonight or tomorrow night, please arrange for a drive from someone not on the under the influence, that’s jsut common sense

And if you’re out tonight and tomorrow night, take good care of the wait staff when it coems to settle up.

Trust me, you’re not nearly as charming as you think after green beers and the testosterone of a UFC night, tipping well will be your way of apologizing.

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Mo Pete’s coming!

Yeah, he’s going to be hanging around the game Sunday as part of some alumni thingt they’re getting started.

And on a weekend where we saw Dell Curry on Friday and when I ran in Alvin in the hallway after the game and with Mo coming on Sunday, I’m wondering if it’s not 2002 again.

Ah, the olden days.

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Comments

[David T (Ottawa)]

Hi Doug,

Had that exact rant about Paddy's day last night over a couple of full glasses.

After spending Paddy's day in Dublin 2 years ago, I have to say the 'real thing' isn't even much better: bunch of kids falling over themselves in Temple Bar during the day, a parade that doesn't celebrate anything about St. Patrick and then a bunch of older kids falling over themselves in a bar in Rathmines in the evening and the whole thing was a little sour for me.

My friend spent a Paddy's in Boston and he said the bars just close up shop at 11pm -- they've made their money for the day, why risk the furnishings to 2am drunken belligerence. You don't have to go home, but you can't stay there.

Good plan.

Blogger's note: Solid plan, indeed

[AT]

I am not sure if it was by design or not but having JV start and Ross finish might be a good way to get both these guys some minutes down the stretch without being over matched at multiple positions at the same time. But then again, I think JV is holding is own and could hold his own with more minutes.

[Rob.V]

You heard it here first - Streak ends tomorrow!!

Lets hope CB takes the boys out to visit some establishments tonight. This, along with limited turnovers, and well a perfect game otherwise by the Raptors... and we got a chance.

Miami will have a shot to win 70+ next season, they're that good.

[zeek]

Speaking of Bosh, has he become the best pick and pop/mid-range shooter in the game?

Hoopdata says he's shooting 54% from 16-23 feet, which is an incredible rate (tops in the league).

I'm impressed that he's continued to improve his game this year.

[doug]

this upcoming week in T.o. is a big one music wise...it's Canada Music week lot of superb young and old bands playing in various venues across the city, we at the EL Mo are opening 2nd floor for 1st time since we got it...so people if there out and about should check it out...cheers

http://cmw.net/

[doug]

oh and to those on twitter etc that say last nights win means little or Gays performance as it was against the Bobcats and the Bobcats stink/suck etc..well riddle me this, we lost to the Celts by what 24 this last week but these same Bobcats who according to some are terrible beat those same Celts this week by 24....it's the NBA people not some rec league, so last nights win can't be marginalized because of the opposition and never should....cheers..

[David in Oakville]

Good Afternoon Doug,

You call for peace and then try to pick a fight. I know Guinness is not your cup of tea, but really, do you have to lump it in with green beer in the same sentence. An Irishman's lament... a barely touched and unfinished pint of Guinness next to some swill dyed green.
+
Congrats to Amir! His play, his professionalism and his ever present effort has silenced those who would add his contract to Bryan Colangelo's list of missteps.

Blogger's note: The Guinness thing was blasphemous; sorry

[sportschic]

Agreed on the St. Patrick's Day thing. Last year, you may recall, it was a beautiful day. Some people were enjoying the weather and beer too much and when I got on a bus at 5 in the afternoon, there were some folks barely able to stand.

I guess I wasn't out in left field wondering about endangered lamps last night.

MoPete back in the house. Boogie already in the fold. Can we really, really hope for Oak to come back for a visit? I know you writers would love that!!!