It's been that kind of year for the Toronto Raptors. Just when you think the team might string a few wins together after a solid performance Sunday in defeating Indiana, they get knocked on their wallets Monday night in Charlotte. The Raptors tied a season high with 24 turnovers and even though they managed to shoot 36 free throws, poor shooting from the floor and the inability to keep the Bobcats under 49% from the floor spelled another loss. For the record, when teams shoot 45% or better against Toronto, the Raptors are a paltry 6-35 this season.
Toronto was without Marcus Banks as well who did not travel with the team to Charlotte. He was left in Toronto to have his toe examined for possible bone spurs. It is conceivable that Banks will not see action the rest of the season because of the injury.
It was interesting to hear Larry Brown, a coach who is notorious for not being happy unless he has something to be unhappy about, make a point about the importance of training camp. He made the statement in reference to the roster makeover that the Bobcats have undergone since Toronto last saw them before November 26. Brown talked about trying to get all his new players on the same page defensively after trades brought them from all different clubs around the NBA. In the absence of a training camp and time to lay the foundation for both offensive and defensive systems, Brown said there are some elements that need to serve as guiding principles for success. Here's his list; effort, play hard and unselfishly, have fun and then defend and rebound.
Former Raptor back up guard Darrick Martin was a fixture around the team for the brief time they were in Charlotte on Sunday night and Monday. D-Mart wants to become a head coach in the NBA. As a player he had the respect of his peers and in particular the international players, Jose Calderon and Andrea Bargnani have expressed how helpful he was in their adjustment to the NBA. With Jay Triano becoming the head coach this year, his spot was never permanently filled. Yes, advance scout Micah Nori was around the team more. But that just made it a bit more difficult for the hard working Nori who was still had his duties out on the road doing advance scouting work in addition to his newly acquired role of assistant coach. Might be interesting to see how a former player like Martin or say Alvin Williams would fit into the empty spot left by Triano's promotion.
Yes that was a dunk by Jose Calderon in the second half on a lob pass from Shawn Marion. When I asked Calderon on the airplane last night if that was his first NBA dunk as I have seen every game he's played in the league, he said it was his second recalling one that he did throw one down in his rookie season.
Alright, this twitter thing is getting out of control. Milwaukee Bucks head coach Scott Skiles has made it clear that it is not to happen again when there is a game going on. It seems like forward Charlie Villanueva was guilty of it on Sunday at half time in the game against the Celtics. If there is fine levied, can't say I would be on the players side on this one. As a broadcaster I even find it obtrusive for a coach to be interviewed during a game at the end of a quarter. The end of halftime before the start of the third is a natural time for the coach to have had some time to gather his thoughts and give a synopsis to what his team needs to do, but posting messages at half time, nah, I guess I'm old fashioned.
Raptor fans might remember this name, Robert Archibald. He is one of a number of players trying to help Great Britain on the basketball map with the 2012 Olympic Games taking place in London, England.
It seems like Shaquille O'Neal's year is a reflection of the old adage that there is no substitute for hard work. "The Diesel" is doing extra work to keep things finely tuned and it has shown in his play and stats this year. Too bad his team hasn't fared as well.
Let's give kudos to Phil Mickelson for winning the CA Open golf tournament at Doral and conquering the "Blue Monster" in Miami last Sunday. That will be great for Mickelson's confidence winning a tournament with Tiger Woods in the field. But in the category of "you have got to be kidding me", Lefty c'mon, heat exhaustion. You're a pro golfer and you should be in shape to walk 18 holes. You don't even have to carry your own bag!!
