Tip-In, Toronto Raptors Post-Game - Practice During Game-Time

We all, as fans, get frustrated with some things with the Raps but sometimes something happens that puts it all in perspective. Down here in the east we have suffered a terrible tradgedy with the loss of 7 young high school players and it has made a lot of us re-appreciate how trivial many things in our lives are. The Raps organization has shown class in recognizing this tradgedy and it was appreciated down here.

As a Father of a basketball player that takes many road trips my heart goes out to all the family and friends of that terrible accident.

Interesting quote in José Calderon's blog. Like I've been saying all year, I don't understand how the raps are going to afford both TJ and José next year:

"If I continue at this level of play I am sure that I will earn a greater respect in the league and, on the other hand, I will be able to improve my contract. I do not believe that a good contract has to do with being an All-Star but it is a form of recognition to show that I have worked and improved."

http://josemanuelcalderon.com/docs/080111_ben.pdf

Just wondering if there is anything to it the way He talks about Gasol? Would He like Him on the Raptors?BC take note

@ Sam

I personally have been running on the assumption that we would have to give Jose a contract equal to TJ, which puts it in the range of 8 - 8.5 per.
That means we are shelling out 17m for our point guard position.
Just for fun imagine that's one guy named...

T'Jose Forderon!!!!

Would you pay 17m for a PG that gives you 26pts and 15.2ast per game, AND plays the whole 48 minutes? (not to mention he's like 12 feet tall)

I think I would.

That said, I don't think BC wants that....I will be very surprised if we see both Jose and TJ in the line-up on opening night next year. I really believe that BC is going to take a run at an 18-20ppg scorer on the wing, and one of our PGs will be part of that move.

Forget about Calderon going anywhere. He likes TO and wants to stay and win. BC wants to sign him, as a RFA he can match any offers. With TJ's health questions there is no way to trade him, nor is there any interest, and Jose becomes a necesity and priority. It is BC's job as GM to find a way to resign Calderon and Delfino.

As a coach myself who travels two weekends a month (and missing more Rap games this year than ever before), I can empathize with the loss out east. I've had to drive in the late hours of the night completely exhausted, and know how dangerous that can be.

If you guys are all fans of sport, I'd encourage you to all volunteer with a club team. Even if it's not in a coaching capacity, there are many roles you can have to support an athlete (like drivers!). It's a rewarding experience, and instead of writing my thoughts in a blog about how I feel they did, or what they need to do to improve, I just show them and tell them.

On a lighter note, I saw this:

"For years, bloggers and others (or maybe just bloggers) have been wishing that All-Star Weekend would involve a H-O-R-S-E competition. Italked to the head of the NBA's D-League, Dan Reed, today (more on that later), and he told me the excellent news that this All-Star Weekend's Friday night festivities will include a D-League H-O-R-S-E competition. ESPN.com"

I cant see trading any one of our point guards.Who is going to want an often injured,great as he is point guard?BC looking for a forward who can score 18/20 ? we already have a couple Captain Eye Liner and Parker.Moon might also develop into that wing.Enough with the trade talk....we are lucky to be in a position to have a couple great guards ...and the 6.5 Croatian in the wings.

Everyone is spending a lot of effort debating Bargnani's status. FORGET it he is going nowhere but starting at center. BC and Mitchell are on the same page on this. He was drafted by BC to play center when Rasho leaves after next year. He will play center, not PF or SF or be traded.

It may take 2/3 years experience for him to achieve the results Raptors are looking for, but he will becme an outstanding player one day.

His last 2 games with 5 & 6 rebounds are a small improvement.

He should concentrate for the time being on rebounding and improving his game by scoring close to the basket,ala Bosh.

Forget the Nowitzki comparrisons, his name is Bargnani and he will one day be a unique talent in his own right.

This game eerily reminded me of the Detroit game, with the roles switched

From early in the game, it was clear who was the better team. When the Raps finally pulled away, it had an air of inevitability to it. When the Pistons pulled away from the Raptors, it had that same air of inevitability.

Agreed completely with Johnn19.

Took in the game last night and was very disappointed to hear a smattering of boos after Bargs would miss a shot.

I won't belabour the point because I'm sure the offending parties don't read this blog.

After all, they are probably Leaf fans...

@ sam and styling:

There is an interview with Brian Colangelo from Jan 16th on FAN590 (http://www.fan590.com/features/primetimesports.jsp at the 20:40 mark) where he talks about this. He says one of the greatest strengths of this team has been 48 minutes of excellent point guard play. He then states that the lack of bench production (e.g. kapono, humphries, delfino (last night notwithstanding)) is due to the drop off in point guard play.

BC sounds like he really does want Forderon in the lineup next year.

I like how Delfino is playing, but he will not be on the team next year if Colangelo is smart.

Calderon will be getting $8 million next year (Kapono, the shooter who can't shoot, is making $6 for three more years after this), so they simply can't afford both players under the salary cap.

Rasho makes $7-8 and Bosh will be up to around $15 by 2008-09. Add in Ford's $8 and the Raps already have very little wiggle room let alone adding in another $5-6 for Delfino. (and, of course, trades in the NBA require you to macth money, so unless Rasho is going to get the Raps Maggette, then we're stuck with him)

Sorry Carlos, but we already have enough bench money on this team: we need a REAL small forward next season and the only way to get that is to trim the fat.

Is Kevin Love our future centre?

http://www.nbadraft.net/admincp/profiles/kevinlove.html

I wish I could go to the game tomorrow, just so I could boo the hell out that Al Horford kid and see how he reacts to a hostile crowd. I know he did not intentionally hurt TJ but he hurt him and we as Raptors fan cannot be soft and let him just come in and play, he should be booed everytime he touches the ball and I hope the Raps fans are with me on this one. Lets show TJ some love and just give it to Horford tomorrow. Its time everybody in Raptor land get tough and that include the fans...I expect the same type of game we played against Sactown tomorrow and the same result.......Bring out the BOO BIRDS ON HORFORD...Raps4Life

I much more upset about the horrible production values of raps telecasts than any actual team issues.

It sounded like we missed a couple great plays last night while zoomed in on some player chuck and leo happen to be talking about.

Come on!!!!!!!

raps4life...I agree with you and I hope all the Toronto Fans feel the same way, we have to show him not to mess with our boys, we must do it

Davl: don't read too much into those comments from Jose on Gasol. Spanish players always compliment each other greatly, it is natural because they are good friends from the national team. The same happens with Ginobili and Scola, Yao & Yi, Rasho & Nachbar, etc...

Toronto fans are plenty tough....we still boo tmac and thats been what 6 years probably even more.....we still boo vince and probably always will

I don't think what Horford did was mallicious....however i'd still boo him because he did something wrong and its hurt us....and i'm sure he'll get booed

however sometimes fans need to smarten up....what purpose does it serve to boo andrea? can anybody answer that?

The raps look great last night....however they were playing a weak team on opening day. I say that because they're a weak team when healthy and because they're obviously going to have a lot of chemistry problems with artest coming back after two weeks, kmart missing 8 weeks and bibby playing what i think was his first game of the season....however they still won which was nice.

Somebody was analyzing our cap situation....don't forget Jamario Moon will need a contract ext. as well pretty soon although with Juan and Joey G coming off the books I think that should cover him fully.

Brian also said on the fan that he is exploring moves...he has short term and long term goals for the franchise which is why Andrea won't be moved....and he mentioned quite strongly that he has to make sure there is room to resign Jose Calderon which he considers a priority. Can't see Jose going anywhere else as long as he gets what he deserves.

I noticed I bashed andrea a lot about not finding a man and not boxing out however there are a lot of players that don't do it. However they do go after the ball even if they forget to boxout. Andrea seems to hope the ball will come to him...however he looked better last night.

I hope he gets a few touches down low as he is pretty good in the post with his speed and size. Just no mid-range game at all.

Anybody have any updates on TJ?

Somebody linked an article to espn yesterday that stated that Denver wanted Jose. Today there is another article from the Denver Post that calls Jose Calderon a dream aquisition for the nuggets and states Jose is better than TJ.

However the article was good from a raps perspective because it also says there is really no way they will be able to get him.

you can find the article on hoopshype.com

axl, i agree...i don't understand how live game action is being missed so often due to pointless sideline close-ups. i also am baffled by how often the scoreboard graphic is incorrectly updated. how hard is it to count to 3?

Damn...was going to mention the HORRENDOUS camera-work last night also as an example of what a "pratice game" it was for all parties involved. Last night was the worst yet with NUMEROUS baskets missed because of useless zoom-ins. So maddening.

Also giving the game a practice feel was Chuck and Leo last night, perhaps their worst game of the season. From Leo calling Kevin Martin KENYON MARTIN to start the game and referring to him as K MART to the bobble-head stuff, pretty sad sight.

I put the Jose link in to yesterday's article - problem is, I don't see how that would EVER work. On one hand, Denver is over the cap now and looking to rid themselves of contracts so going all out for him in bidding this off-season isn't an option.

And a trade? Pretty tough too because of the number of high salary players the Nuggets have. For instance Marcus Camby would be a solid addition next to Chris Bosh, but his salary isn't close to matching up with Jose. And besides him and AI and Melo (who obviously aren't going anywhere) is there anyone else you'd want for Jose on this Denver team? Kenyon Martin? - no thanks.

RT - as a East Coasters ourselves, Howland and I originally, tragic, tragic situation and you're right, it does put things in perspective. I thought it was a great example by the Raptors to have the moment of silence the other night. Something as a parent you never want to have to think about.

And finally on a lighter side - how great is Jamario Moon in those new Raptors commercials with the kids playing HORSE?

Bring on Kevin Love...

ossington

Things get missed due to Chuck and Leo's mindless blabber! Just boring ROUTINE comments about the game durning the game and about each player on the Raptors. Which is a que for the camera to pan in on the player they are talking about.

When it comes to booing our ex players, it's either because we were spurned for somewhere else or a perceived lack of effort was given at the end of that player's tenure.

But this is why I boo:

Vince:
Franchise record 87 times of staying on the floor for five minutes rolling in agony, and then being re-inserted in the game five minutes later to loving affection from the crowd...(i.e."went to a Raps game in 2001 and a bloody soccer match break out!")...Last season saw a televised game where JKidd rolled his eyes to another teammate when Vince was down.

TMAC: Blatant spurning; nuff said. It's more of playful boo with him, we really do actually like him I think.

Damon: Loved him when here, but what a little punk for demanding a trade; he never regained the success or hero worship he had here. HA,HA!

Who did I miss? I wish I could boo Rob Babcock somewhere, like maybe move across the street from him and just boo out my window constantly.

As for Horford:
But for injuring one of our own? I'm resting my voice as we speak....somebody get Todd Bertuzzi in a Raps Uni for the Hawk's game.

"last season I saw a televised game"

Really?

whoops, blooper reel.

Hey Marcia,

Horford's in Rooom 518 at the Delta Chelsea Inn.

GO GET EM!

Does anyone understand the situation with TJ? In my company this would be treated as abandonment. Other companies would consider it unpaid leave of absence. I'm not sure how unionized organizations would treat this and I don't know the details of CBA.
According to media information when TJ was discharged from Atlanta hospital all neurological results came back negative. Then all the specialists consulted said there is no more risk involved after the Atlanta accident than before.
And then TJ is cleared to practice and he goes home to practice individually with somebody while the team is in full season mode and has doctors and physioterapists as employees? I am an insurance executive and I can tell you that I'd deny a claim like this in a few minutes.
Also there is no set return date to practice. I don't understand why media is so quiet about it with a player who makes $8,000,000 per year (the payroll of my whole team). The whole thing is very strange for me.

I'm hoping he's back for the boston game.

For everyone who is asking about TJ I heard him on the Fan today and he is working out and getting himself in shape to come back and he said "I AM COMING BACK EVEN BETTER THAN I WAS BEFORE", I just have a feeling that TJ is coming back after the all star game. once he comes back then Jose can go back to leading the bench we will have the best bench in the NBA again and we will start to win more games. As for my man Harper we await him on the block at the ACC, we have to boo him louder than Vince, I heard his coach on the Fan earlier, and the Coach said that Harper is use to playing under pressure of the other team being against him, but that's because he haven't come face to face with the Toronto fans, he should ask Vince and TMac about our Toronto fans, we BOOO LOUD Hey!!!

@ Daniel

Regarding TJ, I'm assuming that it is a mental issue at this point. TJ has taken some nasty falls in the last year, and I think that it is all beginning to wear on him.
On a certain level, I completely understand. I for one have never had my extremities go numb after a fall, nor have I had a serious spinal injury/surgery. That has to be a little scary. Scratch that, it has to be down-right terrifying.
Even if a doctor says that you aren't at any more risk than the next player, the next player isn't getting stingers.
That said, I also understand your (implied) frustration with the ambiguity of the situation. If he's cleared to play, why isn't he playing? If he needs to work on conditioning/confidence, why isn't there at least a general time-line? I'd be happy even with that at this point.
The organization will obviously be understanding (unlike you an I, his money is guaranteed even if he's injured), so they don't want to ruin an investment, but I expect that as time continues they will start to push for at least a firm time line.
Lets all hope he can come back soon, because the Raps could really use him down the stretch.

Daniel.. what are you trying to say, stop beating around the bush and say what you think, if someone just hit your car and your car turn over and ended upside down with you in it are you telling me that it would not bother you and you would just go on driving the next day and not even thinking about it, and any ways,you are not paying his salary so I don't know why you worrying. When he plays he gives the TOronto fans $8,000,000 divide by 8 months equal $1,000,000 divide by 30 days equal $333,334,worth of play. You said you are in Insurance I don't know what does that has to do with anything, I am in Accounting, so just be cool buddy.

Styling assassin, there are specialists for post-trauma stress disorder. All I know is that he is paid $300,000 every 2 weeks to play b-ball when he's healthy. When someone is not healthy there is a diagnostic and a prognostic (sometimes wrong, but that's not the point).
If you don't like my employer-employee relationship (deh, old school..), then let's try the sporting angle: had Calderon been seriously injured all this time what would have been peoples' thoughts? What would have been our record? Not to mention the trivial issue that Calderon is paid more than 3 times less than TJ and he plays with a dislocated finger.
I hope I will never hear anyone saying that TJ is the heart and soul of this team. He cannot hold a candle to Raps players like Garbo, Bosh, Calderon, AP or Moon.

ANOTHER GAME DECIDED BY REFS!
Spurs and Cleveland what a joke these games are becomming!!!!!I am starting to think this is done on purpose for some reason!

I`d like to see Bargs go back to the bench with Rasho starting at center. Why do people think it will hinder his development? Would still get 30+ min a night, build his confidence back up to last year`s level and was a proven mix last year.

Just because we don't know the timeline TJ, doesn't mean that a timeline doesn't exist. I'm sure Sam, BC, TJ and co. know exactly when TJ hopes to be back, they juat haven't gone public with it yet. And for good reason, I think.

Daniel, if your truly an insurance agent then you should know not to rely solely on the info that is provided in the media. You should be in direct contact with the medical staff and you rely on doctor's reports. Abandonment? Pullleeeeze.

When TJ comes back, he will be coming off the bench. After you miss 30 some odd games you don't go right back into the starting lineup. Jose will start and TJ will lead the second unit. IMO, its the way things always should have been.

Interesting article...survery of nearly 250 nba players....good old vince...

http://www.fannation.com/blogs/post/115456

Raptorman

That fan590 interview with BC was pretty insightful, thanks for posting the link.

Whenever you hear BC speak its a textbook example of the image you want your GM to portray. A sense of competence and a recognition that clearly communicating your vision to fans can only help you and the perception of the team.

As far as TJ's injury situation, its unique and isn't comparable to JC playing with a dislocated finger. I'd cite the game last season when Calderon landed on his back and had to be carried off in a stretcher. Any time the spine is involved, teams and players can't be blamed for taking every precaution to avoid the possibility of reinjury.

Doctors have said that he's at no greater risk then he was before. However, that doesn't mean you don't at least try to try to take some preventative measures.

As far as abandonment, TJ is no Starbury, if he's in Houston then the Raptors are on board with it 100%.

The last time he came back, it was at a much higher level than previous times, so whatever he's doing, I think he knows best.

If I were TJ, I'd do exactly what he does, wait till I'm 100% in my own mind before I set foot on the court again, as my next injury maybe my last. Come back soon, TJ; and if you decide to hang it up, it maybe bad for the Raptors, but its OK by me.

http://cuzoogle.wordpress.com/2008/01/18/raptors-game-day-hawksraps/

what are we thinking about the Hawks tonight?