Tip-In, Toronto Raptors Post-Game: The Etch A Sketch

by RaptorsHQ - Archives on Feb 26, 2008 12:00 AM EST

Sam Mitchell needed one of these last night...

Lacing Them Up –

Hands up, how many of you had an Etch A Sketch as a kid?

I had one, probably used it more as a pretend computer than anything else, but what I liked about it was that if you screwed up, you could just give it a shake, wipe the slate clean, and start again.

I badly wanted an Etch A Sketch of last night’s game.

Up until the final minutes of the fourth quarter it was one of the worst exhibitions of basketball by two teams that I’ve seen in a while. Turnovers, bad decisions with the basketball, and enough long-range jacks to make you think you were watching a game at the local Y.

And the 700 or so fans in attendance didn’t exactly dispel any notion that you weren’t watching the action live from your local rec centre.

In fact my favourite line of the night by the Toronto Raptors’ commentators came from Rod Black, who when announcing the halftime lineup on TSN stated: "Coming up at half – I will interview everyone in the building!"

The laughs stopped there though as this was another example of the Raptors’ inconsistency at its best. Toronto turned the ball over only nine times against the Knicks on Sunday night, only to follow that up against the Pacers last night with an ungodly 17. There was rarely a rhythm to the match as a result, and all I kept thinking was "get out the etch a sketch, let’s just start this thing from scratch."

A Numbers Game – 27.

This was the number of points Indiana scored off of Toronto’s turnovers and the main reason the Pacers hung around in this one. In the other statistical categories, Toronto out-rebounded Indiana, had one more assist, blocked two more shots, and shot a better percentage from the field and beyond the arc. Therefore it was bad decisions, lax passes and sloppy play that kept the Pacers alive, and had it not been for some great free-throw shooting by Toronto, the turnover situation might have been their undoing.

How good was that free-throw shooting? Besides hitting almost 82 per cent of their attempts, the Raps managed to get to the line 33 times.

The Turning Point –

I really thought the turning point in this game was the play of TJ Ford. Jose Calderon just didn’t have it going and the two quarters which TJ anchored the point, the second and fourth, were coincidentally the two in which Toronto outscored and outplayed the opposition. I thought Ford did a great job of getting into the lane, terrorizing Travis Diener, and finding open looks for team-mates as he finished with a team-high seven assists. At one point in their careers, I remember thinking that TJ and Jose were too similar to provide changes of pace for Toronto. As both have developed their games though, they’ve become a nice complement to each other and Sam even went so far as to play them together in spurts to finish this one off.

Temperature Check –

Hot – Carlos Delfino. Besides TJ’s play, it was Del the Funky Homosapien who also stood out for me in this contest. Del made six of his seven three-point attempts matching the Pacers dagger for dagger and finished with 23 points and five boards. He’s extremely streaky, he might go 0 for 7 Wednesday night, but his aggression from game to game is commendable and he did a nice job defensively in this one as well. It would be great to see him be more consistent of course, but you could probably say that about 90 per cent of his team-mates too.

When Delfino is on his game like last night, there is "No Need for Alarm"

Hot – Danny Granger. Like Andre Iguodala, Danny Granger will forever be "the one that got away" for me as the Raptors passed on a chance to draft the forward out of New Mexico to select Joey Graham. Joey didn’t play a single minute last night, while Granger had 20 points on 50 per cent shooting from the field, hit four 3's, was perfect from the line and had 10 rebounds. Granger is now a deadly outside shooter in addition to being a solid defender and scorer down low and at some point could represent the East in the All-Star game. While many people believe that the drafting of Hoffa was Rob Babcock’s biggest faux-pas along with the Carter deal, I’d disagree and say that passing on Granger tops both.

Think about it for a second. In retrospect, Carter didn’t exactly take the Nets to the NBA Finals, while the move eventually paved the way for Bosh to take over, Toronto to clear cap space, and Embry and BC to come on board. And as for Hoffa, well even though Babcock was at the helm, he had only just been brought on as GM and most people have stated that that decision had more to do with poor prior scouting.

But Granger? This one he really blew. Sure there were apparent whispers about his knees and many other GM’s passed on Granger as well but the whole thing still makes me scratch my head. Anyone who actually followed him in his senior season knew that his knees were fine and his selection would have given Toronto the 3 they now so desperately seek.

Hot – Mike Dunleavy Jr. Dunleavy is the classic NBA late-bloomer, perhaps more a victim of too much hype too soon and a bad situation than lack of talent, and he’s showing now just what scouts expected when he was the third overall pick in his draft class. Dunleavy can create his own shot off the dribble, is a deadly spot up shooter, and has the ball-handling abilities and size to provide match-up problems at various positions. In the past, I’m just not sure he was in the best shape possible for his position as he seemed too weak to guard the bigger 3’s and 4’s, and not explosive enough to stay with the faster 2’s of the league. However this off-season, both Dunleavy and Troy Murphy dedicated themselves to a new workout routine and you can definitely see the results so far, especially in Jr. I’m a strong believer in sport-specific off-season training so it was interesting to read the following article about he and Murphy’s regimen, especially considering it was penned prior to the season. In Jim O’Brien’s free-flowing offense Dunleavy is a perfect fit and if they could ever get some help and health for him and Granger, this could be a solid team.

Lukewarm – Sam Mitchell. In the first half, I thought Mitchell did a great job getting the right players in to change the pace in the second quarter and grab the lead. He went small to defend against Indiana’s perimeter shooters, and he made a point of benching Jamario Moon for missed assignments. (In fact, at one point Moon jumped off the bench as he thought his number had been called and Mitchell basically chest bumped him right back to the bench as it had been Ford who Mitchell wanted to insert into the game.) However in the third quarter he made some puzzling moves rotation-wise and for the life of me, I couldn’t understand why he didn’t try going really big to force Pacers’ coach Jim O’Brien to adjust. Tell me a line-up of Primoz, CB4 and Andrea wouldn’t have been interesting, especially coming off the game Brezec had just had? Nothing else was working, and considering how small the Pacers were for most of the night, I thought going big might have really given Toronto the push they needed to close things out much earlier. On top of this, I couldn’t understand the need to rest CB4 for so long at the start of the fourth quarter considering how little he had played against the Knicks! Maybe Mitchell was confident that his troops would figure things out in the end but I wasn’t and the end result was a match that was way too close for fans’ comfort.

He didn't make our "Temperature Check" section, but Daniels was a pain the Raptors' tails all night...

Cold – Jose Calderon. Jose looks a bit worn out doesn’t he? I mean, 24 minutes without a single assist? Granted his team-mates weren't helping much in the first quarter but I think Calderon needed the break. I thought that he played his worst game of the year on Friday night and last night, he just seemed sort of invisible. That’s why it was so important that TJ stepped it up. Post-game Sam mentioned that JC had been playing a lot of minutes as of late so it looks like TJ’s improved health couldn’t have come at a better time.

Moving On –

It’s understandable that the second night of a back-to-back with very little turnaround time is a tougher go for teams. But Toronto has to stop doing this against inferior competition. This team on most nights plays to the level of its opponents which is great when you are beating a San Antonio, but not when you are barely beating a battered Pacers’ club. This year off the top of my head I can think of five cases in which they've done this, meaning instead of sitting seven games over .500, Toronto should probably be about 12 games over!

And with the coming schedule showcasing perennial cream-puffs like Minnesota, Charlotte and Indiana again, I’m slightly concerned. Toronto needs to start games much better and not simply rely on their superior talent to eke out a win. Last night concluded the second semester of the season for the Raps so it’s time for this team to show just what they are capable of and make that post-season push.

Because the reality is that there are no "in game etch a sketches" and a performance like last night’s against the Cavs, Magic or a healthy version of the Wizards won’t be eraseable – they will end up in losses.

FRANCHISE

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Comments

I have to show my ignorance of player potential and ask a question: What is it that Kapono brings to the game that is so much better than Joey Graham? Response please.

by Rt on Feb 26, 2008 12:00 AM EST reply actions

Hate to correct your math, but 5 more wins also means 5 less losses which would put us 17 games over at 36-19. That’s why these losses are so frustrating.

RT, It’s not Kapono’s fault the Raps aren’t running any plays for him. He would bring a lot to this franchise if only used properly. Kapono is not your one-on-one type player that can make things happen from a broken play. Just like Steve Kerr, he needs plays run for him and he will be your favourite player.

He’s taken a lot of flak in this forum, but this one is on Sam. Use him in the pick and roll instead of Bosh, use him as the outlet guy, run a screen for the guy, just do something to free him up!

by Erezona on Feb 26, 2008 12:00 AM EST reply actions

just a minor correction...5 more wins would put them 17 games over .500 not 12

by Art on Feb 26, 2008 12:00 AM EST reply actions

Joey who?????
You mean they guy who started many games last year and has what maybe 1 hour of pt this year?

by Davl on Feb 26, 2008 12:00 AM EST reply actions

Nice to see T.J.getting back to form... without trying to stir the pot,we all know that Jose was intitled to have an off night....however I cant see him playing second fiddle to anybody...I know we can match any offers he receives in the off season,but I dont think it will be about the Benjamins...it will be about the burn...I read Doug Smiths articles everyday,God is he ever negative,dont expect Primo(Bleeker from Sesame Street) in the hall just yet...why cant someone acknowledge that the guy brings some balls to the lineup ,in which we need badly...was it Sams first look at his team last night or what....line up all over the board.

by d279 on Feb 26, 2008 12:00 AM EST reply actions

You know a game is going to be ugly when it opens with a missed bargnani three and dunk, and a missed bosh point blank layup.

The DNP-CD for Brezec was a little strange considering how small indiana is, but it's totally consistent with mitchell's pattern. Brezec probably will have to earn his minutes in practice if there's no huge matchup problem. I have to say I loved the fact that brezec still got dressed and warmed up with the team.

Yes this was an ugly game, but you know what I saw that was really encouraging? Plan B. The raps just attacked last night, even though they were getting blocked and a lot of no-calls early, they kept at it. Only delfino, with the hot hand kept firing from three while none of the rest of the 3-point shooters shot more than three (only one was made by another rap).

Yes it was ugly, but I'm glad they finally pulled one of those ugly ones out. Especially with horrible reffing, though it did go both ways.

by axl on Feb 26, 2008 12:00 AM EST reply actions

Zona - Nice catch ha ha...yes, makes it even worse. Time for me to head back to math class.

Kapono looked better last night, I really think having TJ or Jose playing with him on a consistent basis will help his rhythm. He's at least really good at one thing while Joey, not good at anything.

Reffing was terrible last night both ways. Two "blocking" calls on Dunleavy were clearly charges on replays. Sometimes I wonder if the reffing is worse in games like this where there is no flow, and no fan participation.

PS - Random Sportspack highlight of the night - during halftime of Detroit at Denver, Digital Underground performed. Not sure if that indicates how far DU has fallen, or how big of a Nuggets fan Humpty Hump is.

PPS - Are we talking Bleeker from Sesame Street, or how about Beeker from the Muppet Show?

by Franchise on Feb 26, 2008 12:00 AM EST reply actions

Got a little peeved watching the topsy turvey Raps last night. But then I thought back to 2005-6 and felt a little better. Bosh, James, Bonner, Rose, Peterson + a bunch of Williamses.

Now our Bench is: TJ, Delfino, Kapono, Rasho, and Humphries/Primo.

Considering 2 short years ago, we didn't have a starting PG nor a C, I'm thinking the current reserves woulda crushed the 05-06 starting lineup.

Ah well.. now I feel better.

by ustation on Feb 26, 2008 12:00 AM EST reply actions

Erezona --

"Hate to correct your math, but 5 more wins also means 5 less losses..."

Hate to correct your grammar, but 5 more wins also means 5 fewer losses.

Just jokin'

by Mazel Tov on Feb 26, 2008 12:00 AM EST reply actions

A RaptorsHQ post referencing Del and Digital Underground?

On that basis alone, my favourite HQ post ever...

by The HQ Associate on Feb 26, 2008 12:00 AM EST reply actions

I'd just like to say that it's very common for fans to get angry at their team for "playing down" to inferior competition because they look at teams with less than stellar records on the schedule and immediately pencil them in as wins in their mind. They forget that even a good team loses to a bad team every so often (and in fact, more often then they think).

The truth is, yes, the Raps have lost some games that conventional wisdom says they should have won, but no more than any other team you'd expect with their winning percentage.

For every game we can figuratively improve their record by with the reasoning "they should have won that one", you can name another that can be removed that "they should have lost".

The 07-08 Raptors are not special in this regard. They are what they are, a marginally better-than-average team, and marginally better-than-average teams, while sometimes they can look great (think the last Magic game), they also lose to bad teams as well. Teams that win every single one of their games against the bottom feeders and just-barely-better-than-bottom-feeders are the elite teams, and we all know the Raps are not one of those teams (hopefully, next year they will be!)

Yesterday, they played against a team that, while not quite as good as them, has also shown flashes at times, in the opposing team's house, while one of their best players had a sub-par game, and still managed to gut out a victory. I choose to take solace in that bird in hand, rather than lament about the imaginary pair in the bush. =)

by Costa on Feb 26, 2008 12:00 AM EST reply actions

Agreed.

Smitch's rotation was baffling.

Why not make them adjust to your big line-up rather than play into the only option Indy could throw on the floor because most of their bigs are injured.

Really thought Primo deserved a sniff of the floor rather than Humpty-Hump.

Oh well, ugly wins can be beautiful too.

Beeker.......too funny!

by sharpy on Feb 26, 2008 12:00 AM EST reply actions

Crushing blow to the Rockets - Yao out for the season. That should put G State in the final 8 now. I wasn't sold on Houston making a dent in the West anyways and this might be best for the team in the long run. However so out of nowhere...can't imagine how I'd feel if this was Bosh.

by Franchise on Feb 26, 2008 12:00 AM EST reply actions

That really blows. I was one who though Houston was better than people gave them credit for, right up there with the best in the West except for LA, San Antonio and Utah, who I think are a cut above the rest.

The battle in the West is crazy, it sucks that one of the teams in that fight has to bow out due to an injury.

by Costa on Feb 26, 2008 12:00 AM EST reply actions

Actually it was my son who said Primos looks like Beeker(muppets) ...imagine for a sec. a headband on Beeker.

by d279 on Feb 26, 2008 12:00 AM EST reply actions

A hip hop talkin', gansta Beeker apparently...if your imagination will stretch that far

by Jdbar on Feb 26, 2008 12:00 AM EST reply actions

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jt8Q7Fsa_Vs

by Costa on Feb 26, 2008 12:00 AM EST reply actions

Interesting opinion on AB.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/blog/nba_experts/post/Andrea-Bargnani-please-report-to-the-NBA?urn=nba,68722

by KTR on Feb 26, 2008 12:00 AM EST reply actions

- It has been surmised on Arsenalist.com that Beeker was benched because he called Smitch a "gangster", a racial faux pas not unlike O-Dog Hudson calling JP Ricciardi a "pimp." All speculation, all in good fun.

- I agree with Costa that no team other than the super-elite should "expect" to win any game, especially on the road (plus a back-to-back). The Raps beat San Antonio, New Orleans and Boston, all on their home courts. Does that mean those 3 contenders aren't elite? The Pacers were predicted by some (well, by Bill Simmons) to make the playoffs. Regardless of missing JO, there is talent there that meshes relatively well (as opposed to the Knicks).

- Speaking of which, Franchise, who cares about the Rockets or poor T-Mac never making it out of the first round. The fact is, I now have to start TROY MURPHY as my second C on my roto team (with Chandler) now that Yao is out for the season. I needed this like another broken ankle.

by jjdynomite on Feb 26, 2008 12:00 AM EST reply actions

Agree that the benching of Brezec WAS totally consistent with Mitchell's pattern: If someone plays well, then take them out or bench them. I'm sure that there's a very sophisticated underlying reason to his decisions, but I just don't get it. If I'm a coach, and something works well for me, I ride it until it doesn't. Then again, I'm not COY.

Keep an eye on this tendency.

by Observer on Feb 26, 2008 12:00 AM EST reply actions

Totally agree on Granger, enough said. However, I would like to see Graham get a little bit more playing time before giving up on him.

It's a good thing we have two quality point guards, huh? I couldn't believe that Jose didn't register a single assist, but everyone has a bad game once in a while. Having two quality point guards is a problem that most teams would love to have. Just off the top of my head, the Lakers have two good ones in Fisher and Farmar, but there aren't that many...

Is anyone else concerned about the woeful attendance around the league? I don't know how many games I've seen too many games where there's virtually no one in the stands. To hell with the official attendance - this ain't a good sign.

by Skywalker on Feb 26, 2008 12:00 AM EST reply actions

Are we having fun yet?

Is it just me but I’m just not enjoying this season as much as I did last year. Having low expectations last year may be contributor to the excitement I experienced and the Raps have won 31 games faster this year but…

Correct me if I wrong but I remember crisper ball movement, tougher defense and better coaching decisions. I remember a never-say-die attitude that I haven’t felt witnessed this year. But how can we be better but not feel like we’re better?

I look forward to getting that buzz back again in the remaining games now that team is healthy.

by OldSchool on Feb 26, 2008 12:00 AM EST reply actions

Observer - don't you think the DNP-CD was to give primo a chance to learn the system a bit and prove himself in practice? When joey g gets minutes, mitchell usually says "he's been practicing well". I think a lot of coaches do that with a new player, give him a look on his first game, then get him up to speed and work him in. Noticed Dixon got a DNP-CD last night too.

by axl on Feb 26, 2008 12:00 AM EST reply actions

OldSchool, maybe you miss rooting for a loser. per game, the team is scoring a half point more this year while giving up three points less. i think that shows improvement. for the

by raptorville on Feb 26, 2008 12:00 AM EST reply actions

Old School,

I'd say that the overall impression I have of the team is different then last year definitely.

Last years team had a wayyy better record in close games, finding ways to dig games out in the fourth.

I also think that last year, the team was better at beating the teams it was supposed to beat.

I'd chalk this up to a loss of Garbajosa's high bball IQ and less minutes for Rasho.

In sum, last year's team had a "smoother" brand of ball, but this years has been more about peaks and valleys.

by yardly on Feb 26, 2008 12:00 AM EST reply actions

I'd chalk it up to more blowouts and quality wins.

Hollinger says +17 winning differential, so last year we overachieved a bit according to our stats and this we're underacheiving a bit.

by axl on Feb 26, 2008 12:00 AM EST reply actions

sorry, wrong about that differential thing, actually +4, which is still better than last year I think

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