To this calamitous Raptors era, add a fire delay. What could possibly happen now?

I don’t know when the locusts are going to reach however you already know they’re preparing someplace.

Significantly, in the event that they descended on the Scotiabank Enviornment would anybody be completely shocked?

A small hearth – and we couldn’t see or scent it at our finish of the sector however folks I talked to stated they certain may down on the east finish – was fairly one thing and simply provides to the listing of wacky issues which have gone on across the Raptors within the final couple of years.

A couple of issues stood out:

First, the evacuation was amazingly seamless and uneventful. No stampede, no panic and I don’t know who was in the end chargeable for it however I think kudos are due the sector workers and the precise individuals who needed to go away.

Second, man, they will empty components of the constructing quietly. It wasn’t till the primary two sections have been utterly empty that anybody round us – and we sit atop the decrease bowl behind the Raptors bench – knew something was amiss.

The identical went for the gamers to a degree.

“It was humorous as a result of in the midst of the sport I circled and a complete part was cleared out. I noticed the fireplace guys, and I believed one thing loopy — properly, it truly was one thing loopy,” was how Valuable Achiuwa put it.

“However I believed somebody was sick or one thing. I began sneezing and that’s once I was like, ‘There’s one thing within the air.’ That’s once I heard concerning the hearth. I’m glad everybody’s secure.”

Third, I don’t have an actual good really feel for what went on within the sport. It was by no means shut, we have been all preoccupied with getting data for our hearth tales so the sport story lacked a sure one thing.

However what was obvious was the Raptors began out, um, home afire, the Pacers weren’t all that taken with competing and the ultimate, post-stoppage 28 minutes are only a blur. And a 40-point win is by its very nature a snorefest.

So we’ll forego the Three Pointers at present, get proper into the mail and hopefully get the off-day story finished in loads of time to look at the massive soccer sport this afternoon.

Have day.

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And now, the mail.

Stable outing this week and all the time keep in mind that askdoug@thestar.ca is the best way to get in contact.

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Q: Hello Doug, sorry I am not on twitter however when Doc Rivers efficiently challenged the foul referred to as late within the sport on James Harden (on Trent Jr’s layup) why did it lead to a bounce ball?

The Raptors clearly had possession of the ball instantly following the decision in query (actually scored on the second put-back try) so why wasn’t it a Raptors facet out as an alternative of the bounce ball?

Thanks Doug!

Robbie Ok

A: Right here’s the factor: As soon as the decision was made, technically nothing occurred. It was a unfastened ball scenario and, by rule, a profitable problem on a unfastened ball scenario requires a bounce ball.

There are just a few flaws with the replay system however I don’t suppose that’s certainly one of them.

And don’t be sorry about The Magical Tweeter machine, be grateful.

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Q: Good day Mr. Smith,

It has been too lengthy since I’ve written so hiya and I hope you and yours are doing properly. I hope the shiny new toy is a pink, convertible sports activities automotive or one thing enjoyable. 

I used to be on the Cavs sport, and the ambiance was missing for a sport that mattered. I had extra enjoyable than at any sport this yr but it surely was nowhere close to a playoff crowd. Theories: cheers muffled by way of masks (loads of followers selected to masks)? General the gang was fairly loud and into the sport however no excessive fiving and such between fellow followers that I keep in mind from 2 years in the past. I believe our fan conditioning abilities are missing and hopefully extra coaching and time will assist. That loving feeling isn’t gone however this COVID factor remains to be right here and perhaps we’re all nonetheless a bit afraid to let go and cheer our lungs out.

What are you able to inform us about your circle of journalists/buddies on the market masking groups in these instances? Does it appear again to “regular”?

Within the Cavs sport the Raps gained again some management which they have been in a position to keep largely by way of the remainder of the sport, it appeared to me after that first day out. Are you able to touch upon any adjustments you famous after the day out or motive for the change at that time? Actually the rotation switches have been part of it. 

I sadly will be unable to be current for Mr. Lowry’s tribute. Paid a small fortune for tickets for the deliberate sport, which was cancelled. I hope you converse with Kyle and should you are you able to please inform him that you’re listening to persevering with magnanimous assist and admiration from his followers right here. I and plenty of different followers have issues for his absences and hope he and his household will likely be okay. 

With the east being so shut the final run of video games needs to be enjoyable and it seems to be like most groups will not be clinching spots till the very finish. I personally hate this play in event idea. After 82 video games why add extra. I do not see a necessity this yr provided that we had a full yr and hope this isn’t right here to remain. Any ideas or intel on this?

As all the time, recognize your protection and hope you benefit from the play in and play off run. 

Cheers,

SB from Newmarket

A: You’re proper concerning the Cavs sport, there was some power within the constructing but it surely didn’t attain the extent I had anticipated. Suppose it simply took the Raptors a couple of minutes to actually get into the sport, which is a trait they’ve proven many instances this yr. However not getting too far behind was the important thing.

Issues do really feel a bit extra “regular” on the job now, we’re again at in-person interviews at apply and shootarounds, which is finest for interplay and creating tales. Journey has turn into a wee bit simpler with reference to testing, and so forth. and it’s not excellent – no locker room entry remains to be a difficulty – but it surely’s manner higher than it’s been. Now it’s as much as guys like me to develop good tales outdoors of a bunch setting.

I spoke to Kyle this week, he is aware of full properly what it’s going to be like subsequent week and I made certain he did.

I don’t know that including one or two video games within the play-in is that massive a deal. It’s additionally created way more curiosity in races for spots six by way of 10 this yr. I believe it’s actually good as a result of it’s added to the playoffs with out actually including to them and negated among the tanking we’d normally see.

Now, slicing the common season to 70 video games could be great however that’s not a monetary transfer the league or the gamers wish to make.

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Q: Hey Doug. Going ahead, as I perceive it, Jalen Harris is ripping it up abroad and taking part in properly, and that the Raptors nonetheless personal his NBA rights.

That stated, if the Raptors have been to signal Armoni, that would go away them with three younger taking pictures guards going into camp subsequent yr.

Is there logic in signing all three, not withstanding the younger expertise they could have down within the 905.

And do you’re feeling Malachi is a lock for the long run nonetheless?

Thanks

Iden

A: Having competitors in camp or in the summertime is rarely a nasty factor and any monetary ensures will likely be so small as to not matter.

So I don’t see it as a difficulty in any respect, though I’d warn that Jalen Harris could also be placing up good numbers in opposition to considerably lesser opposition.

Malachi? I believe he’s an NBA expertise however he’s no lock on this roster.

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Q: Hello Doug,
I’ve been watching many of the Canadian males’s qualifying soccer matches the previous 6 months or so, and I used to be questioning what you considered basketball incorporating the “benefit play” that occurs in soccer when a foul is dedicated however the referee lets play proceed since their is a transparent benefit to the group that was fouled… as an alternative of blowing the whistle and stopping play.
So, in basketball, if a foul happens at a second that might in any other case result in a breakaway dunk or layup in transition, why not let the play proceed to permit the group to attain the basket?  As a fan, I’d choose seeing extra breakaway dunks, then I’d seeing the referee blow his whistle and cease play. What do you suppose?
Richard F
Victoria BC

A: I believe that might be an improve on the “clear path foul” situation however the stage of subjectivity in implementing it raises some issues.

However you’re proper. “Take” fouls are a curse.

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Q: Doug,

How do Raptors have room for Armoni Brooks on the roster? I believed they have been already on the most variety of gamers.

And what’s occurred to Champagnie? Nurse was praising him a few months in the past and utilizing him as one of many first reserves for some time. However he is been nailed to the bench for a month now.

Thanks,

Dave

A: No, they’ve had a roster spot open for some time, it’s how they did the 2 10-days with Brooks earlier than maintaining him.

Champagnie hasn’t been nailed to any bench. He’s been within the G League for weeks getting much-needed sport motion and scored 45 in a 905 win this week. He’s in all probability bought NBA abilities however there’s nowhere he was going to play when the Raptors had a wholesome roster. Not but, at the very least.

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Q: With so many movies surfacing today about gamers entering into verbal alterations with courtside followers (Durant, Westbrook and Trae Younger come to thoughts), do you suppose any of the next causes may clarify the frequency we’re seeing it:

1) It’s all the time existed however social media is making it extra seen.

2) Right this moment’s gamers are extra delicate to feedback and vulnerable to react.

3) Followers have more and more turn into extra nasty of their behaviour in direction of gamers.

4) Mixture of all of the above.

DL,

Richmond Hill

A: We don’t sit courtside in lots of arenas any extra however for the years we did, “followers” (and I exploit the time period loosely) had turn into way more nasty and private and, properly, upsetting, in coping with gamers. It’s actually fairly disheartening that so few can damage it for thus many.

So I’m placing that as by far the No. 1 motive and the opposite two are in all probability tied.

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Q: Hey Doug:
Hope you’re steering away from the brand new sub variant of Covid. Please keep secure and wholesome.

Because the Raptors go on their last push previous to the playoffs, just a few questions (whatever the present standings):
• Nick Nurse has framed a lot of the season as a studying expertise for the group and its youthful gamers. Which opponent would give them the most effective schooling?
• Which match-up do you suppose would make for probably the most compelling, entertaining collection?
• Lastly, who could be your favorite opponent, so far as vacation spot to go to perhaps 3 times?
Appreciated as all the time,
Phil

A: If you wish to see an actual playoff-tested group, that’d be Milwaukee, proper?

I additionally suppose any of the highest 4 groups would offer compelling tales and nice video games so I can’t say one over the opposite.

Now, for journey functions, apart from the late afternoon thunderstorms that come day by day, I may deal with Miami as a vacation spot.

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Q: Very long time irregular, right here’s a query:

Assuming the Raptors can get into the playoffs, which first spherical group do you suppose they match up finest to both win or lengthen a playoff collection to 7 video games?

I believe the Raptors could be finest served getting a lot of reps within the strain of the playoffs, significantly for the younger core they’ve (Barnes, Trent, and Achiuwa). Having to sport plan, alter, and carry out, all beneath the stress of a playoff collection would hopefully pace up the event for the group.

The highest 4 within the East are all packed collectively and will simply swap locations. All of them have incredible story traces connected too:

– The Warmth all the time have epic matches with the Raps but additionally have trainer (Lowry) and scholar (VanVleet et al) angle.

– The Bucks have the Giannis and the revenge angle from the 4 straight wins on the Raps championship run

– The Celtics have the Tampa bubble Pascal redemption angle

– The 76ers have one other vengeance angle from “The Shot”

Personally, I believe I would like the 76ers. Though they’ve 2 transcendent stars, I really feel like the remainder of the group matches properly, and I don’t suppose Doc adjusts to all of the issues Nurse will attempt throughout the course of a collection.

Both manner, I simply hope the Raptors get previous the Play-in’s (both by avoiding it or successful a sport) and get right into a playoff collection to see what they’re fabricated from.

Chris L, Holland Touchdown

A: I’ll maintain saying what I’ve been saying all season:

The Raptors can win a collection in opposition to any group within the East and might lose a collection in opposition to any group within the East.

I can’t – received’t – attempt to determine who may be the most effective matchup; it actually doesn’t matter to me and there’s manner an excessive amount of time left within the season.

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Q: Hey Doug.

What an important season it’s turned out to be! Significant video games proper all the way down to the wire and perhaps even a play-in sport in opposition to “F” – Brooklyn! lol Now how a lot enjoyable would that be?

My query is fairly easy. In case you have been within the place to draft a participant to suit right into a lacking piece for this group, who would you decide! (No strain!)
Tim

A: Sorry, I haven’t spent 5 minutes in whole even excited about the draft. And I’d additionally add that any decide they make within the early-30s is extra a suspect than a prospect.

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Q: Sir: When Danny Inexperienced (lastly) will get his ring, will it simply be a interval on the tip of a chapter for you, or will it have a particular that means?

Paul M

A: It’ll be good to see no matter spotlight video they’ve put collectively and I actually hope Danny will get an extended and loud ovation as a result of he was integral to that group’s championship run.

Apart from that, undecided I’ll “really feel” a lot in any respect.

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Q: Mr. Smith, thanks for studying my electronic mail. I completely take pleasure in your columns and would love your opinion on Toronto Raptors, particularly in 2024.
Based on Sportrac, solely Scottie Barnes and O.G Anunoby will likely be beneath contract coming into the 2024-2025 season. So whereas the Raptors present indicators of promise now, the long run appears vibrant because the Raps mature and different groups age out. (Brooklyn significantly).

What do you consider the Raptor’s potential in two years? And do you foresee any wage cap/contract points for this core in 2024? I imagine the Raptors will likely be an Japanese Convention menace in 2024/2025 with Barnes, Trent Jr and Anunoby beneath 27. Van Vleet and Siakam ought to nonetheless be of their primes. Would like to know your ideas.
Oswald Jackson from Toronto aka OJ (just like the juice, not just like the soccer participant)

A: They’re arrange properly financially however they’ve some massive cash offers they’ve to consider. How a lot is it going to be to maintain VanVleet? Or Trent? Or Siakam when the time comes? They’ve bought an opportunity to be actually good but it surely’s going to be very costly to maintain this group collectively.-

Q: Hello Doug, it by no means ceases to amaze me how gamers who can swish three-pointers, can miss uncontested free throws, significantly when a win may lie within the stability. Do they apply free throws? Perhaps they should apply them whereas beneath stress and distraction. They’re such expert gamers, there have to be an answer To facilitate them swishing an uncontested free-throw from an outlined level on the courtroom. Has anybody ever calculated what number of losses could be transformed to winds if extra free throws have been made? Which may Help extra effort made to make sure these three factors are made. Sustain the nice work.

Cheers Marc

A: I swear the individuals who suppose free throw taking pictures needs to be simple have by no means taken a free throw of their lives, particularly after working a handful of 94-foot sprints, getting hit by very massive, very robust males and making an attempt to calm nerves and minds with 20,000 folks screaming and adrenaline speeding.

And also you do notice that the perfect three-point shooters miss six of each 10 they take, proper? Undecided you wish to make that comparability.

However to your query: Sure, they apply them. Each single day they’re within the health club.

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