Opinion | LeBron’s got a lot of people fired up for firing the ball at Barnes and more in Ye Olde Mailbag

Another solid effort with Ye Olde Mailbag this week but, man, a lot of you were fixated on LeBron trying to save the ball by bouncing it hard off Scottie Barnes.

Like really fixated.

Anyway, enjoy all of this and you’ve got some extra time because it’s a stupid 8:30 p.m. start in Philly tonight solely because the NHL decided it needed an afternoon pucks game and the Flyers are at home in the same arena at 2 p.m.

Why they couldn’t play at noon or 1 p.m. and let the NBA game start at a normal time must have to do with TV and that sucks.

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Q: Hello Doug.

I don’t know all the rules but it would seem LeBron James intentionally throwing a ball at an opposing player who is laying on his back after having pushed him should warrant a technical and even an ejection. I get it that LJ was frustrated but throwing a ball with force at someone could injure. This is somewhat akin to someone throwing a punch. What is the rule?

David H

A: This is the play with Barnes in L.A., right?

I didn’t see it that way, in real time or watching after. James was making a basketball play, perhaps more forceful that necessary, but saving an out-of-bounds call by throwing the ball off an opponent happens all the time. So it’s really not akin to throwing a punch at all.

And I’ll dispute there was a push, too.

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Q: Hey Doug,

Hope you’re enjoying the LA weather. I find your reports from games you attend really insightful as it seems you get a little better access to the players than when you’re on zoom calls after games. I’ve enjoyed reading you daily ever since I started following the Raps in the early part of this millennium.

Can you tell me why the refs on Monday’s game against the Lakers did not call LeBron for his frustration bouncing the ball very aggressively under the basket after a missed play by his team or when he sent a rocket off Scottie’s core while he was on the ground to get an out of bounds ball off Toronto? I believe LeBron has a special rule book just for him in this league. Fair is fair, but I believe if any other regular player did either of these stunts they’d have been given technical fouls.

Brian in TO

A: I just went through the Barnes play and James aggressively bouncing the ball to himself after a whistle really wasn’t a thing. It was frustration at the play, and his teammates, and really quite understandable. There was no anger directed a Raptor or an official, it was mad player doing what he could to get rid of some frustration.

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Q: Why in that game when “king James” threw the ball viciously at Barnes, was he not punished for that.  Anyone else would have been punished!!
What he did appeared very deliberate and should have been dealt with.
Also Westbrook in last game also left the court doing the same demonstration as Fred had done and was fined but it appears Westbrook will not be fined.
It appears that being on the Raptors is very different than being on the Lakers.
Do you think both of them should have been dealt with?
Thanks for letting me vent!!
Karen Smith

A: As I’ve said, I have no problem with the James play at all.

If Westbrook did that celebratory dance – and I didn’t see it – the league will hit him with a $15,000 fine; it’s pretty consistent.

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Q: A simple question I think

I found basketball in 2019 thanks to the Raptors great success. I’ve been trying to learn basketball from listening to the play by play and reading articles by you and others. However I’ve never understood what it means when they say “a team has a foul to give”? Would you be so kind as to help me out please?

Many thanks
Bernadette, Pickering.

A: Sure. Offensive teams shoot free throws on every foul starting with (a) the fifth in a quarter or (b) the second in the last two minutes of a quarter. If a defensive team has, say, two team fouls in the first 10 minutes they have “a foul to give” in the final two before the other team gets free throws on any non-shooting foul.

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Q: Doug, the Griner situation couldn’t have come at a worse time, although I believe she was detained prior to the outbreak of the Russian war on Ukraine.  Much of the commentary presumes that she is innocent of the charges and the victim of a variant of hostage diplomacy.  Of course, we have no way of knowing, but just for discussion’s sake, what if she is actually guilty?  What was she thinking?  Should WNBA stars or other VIPs receive special treatment?

Ron F.
Toronto

A: I believe guilty parties should be punished at a level commensurate with the seriousness of their “crime” regardless of their station in life but I believe just as much in fair, due process and basic human rights.

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Q: Hi Doug,

Questions:

1) How “normal” was your road trip? Does the “old” normal seem abnormal now or were you just glad to be on the West Coast? Aside from basketball, what were your biggest concerns travelling, and your biggest relief?

2) Less of a question and more of a comment. Surprised to see Boucher’s game evolve to the point where he has a 20+ point double-double going up against Jokic AND Cousins! Your two cents…

3) On a similar note…those Precious 3’s (pun somewhat intentional)! How much of a difference does he make for the Raps evolving from an energetic rebounder who took (and missed) one 3 – point shot his first season to a guy who’s making at a decent clip lately?

4) Unless there is a major collapse, this “re-building” team will finish above 500 this season. Given the loss of Kyle, what do you think are the biggest reasons for their success this year?

As always, thanks for your entertaining words of wisdom!

Bernie M

A: It was pretty normal, no real restrictions and masks were truly optional everywhere. The only thing that caught my attention was that every single flight was jam-packed. Not sure travel’s taking a big a hit as they say.

Boucher had a great game in Denver and a couple that were not so great and that’s kind of been the story of his season, hasn’t it? He did give me a nice story on Brittney Griner, though.

Achiuwa certainly has improved his three-point shooting and it’s added some versatility to the offence but he can’t fall it in love with, it’s not what he does best and I’m sure there’ll be some regression at some point.

The younger Raptors have improved at an accelerated rate and Gary Trent’s defence has allowed him to become an important piece; but I always though this group would be in the 41-46 win area.

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Q: Hey Doug,
Congratulations on being a key part of the Star team that was nominated for a National Newspaper Award for stories about Edward Rogers during Masai Ujiri’s contract negotiations.
Two of Rogers’s beliefs at the time were that Ujiri wasn’t worth the money and Bobby Webster could have done the job just as well. Any thoughts on that?

David H

A: Thanks. I was hardly a major participant in the months-long story process but it’s sure nice of them to include me.

And I think now as I thought then: Rogers’ assertions and opinions were foolish. It’s a team concept and they are better as a whole than separated.

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Q: Hi Doug:
Would love to hear what you think about HBO’s “Winning Time,” about the showtime Lakers. As a basketball historian I’d be interested to hear what you think of how Jerry West is portrayed: paranoid, dictatorial, filled with self-doubt and incapable of joy. It’s fascinating to watch, but I wonder how many liberties the writers took with his story. The portrayals of Magic and Kareem are a hoot, IMHO.
Thanks Doug,
Andrew Gregg,
Toronto

A: I have only seen snippets and was planning a binge watching day one day soon. But everyone I’ve talked who has watched and colleagues who have written and talked about say the same thing: The mis-characterization of West is blasphemous.

He is not paranoid nor mean spirited nor dictatorial. It’s too bad.

And the rest of it will be viewed through that lens when I do watch it.

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Q: Doug:

On a night when one of your colleagues at Mother Star is doing the heavy lifting to provide you with some relief, how much of a night off is it for you? Usually you seem to follow up such a night with the morning musings, so you must watch most of the time. Beyond the lack of deadline pressure and having to type and watch throughout the 4th quarter, what is different watching on a “night off”?

David

A: I do watch even if I’m not writing off the game unless there’s something I just cannot get out of, which is rare. But not having to watch and not having to deal with any deadline stress or post-game interviews makes the night far more relaxing.

I do usually do the Three Pointers and probably should have yesterday morning but I think the eight nights out west caught up with me, time-wise, and I slept later than I have in months.

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Q: Doug,

 I was wondering when was the last time that you saw a schedule like the one the Raps are on right now. They just completed a tough six game road trip through various time zones, back to backs etc., and now they flew back to T.O. for a game tonight against the Lakers, then off to two on the road again against tough teams. If my math is right, they will then have nine of their last ten games at home to complete the season.

I have really enjoyed watching them persevere and win five of the six road games, every night it seems that a different player comes forward and leads the team to victory, but also, every night the entire team plays well and supports each other.

I have been critical of the team management for not having a true centre, after letting Serge Ibaka leave, but this team is full of versatile, active players who seem to be able to overcome the lack of a true centre, hopefully this will continue into a playoff position and some playoff success.

I especially am enjoying Scottie Barnes, a great draft pick.

Ken C.

A: It’s been a tough stretch of the schedule but there seems to be one every year and, frankly, having eight of their last 10 at home – trips to Orlando and New York – should give them a hand at a strong finish.

There was one back-to-back on the trip, two days between the Cleveland and San Antonio games and three full days in L.A.  It wasn’t that arduous travel- or time-wise.

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Q: Hey Doug,
Hope you enjoyed some heat and sunshine out west. We rolled out the red carpet and 18 degrees on your return home. Happy st Patrick’s day to you.
Great read on LeBron inspiring the Raps to do a mirror check and drive the hunger that eventually lead to a championship. I know Kyle used to have more mojo when playing in Philly and Pascal thrives when playing either of the LA teams. In your opinion, was there ever one Raptor that terrorized a team the way that LeBron did to us for those three years?
Second question if you don’t mind. Hockey seems to be the only sport that gives an advantage when a team is penalized and the other team goes on a power play. Can you think of a zany rule the NBA could add that would be similar? I know it won’t happen but it’s fun to toss ideas.
Fred L

A: Kevin Durant routinely kills the Raptors, as does Stephen Curry and Kobe used to own Toronto.

I can’t think of a crazy rule, to tell you the truth; and the advantage that fouled teams get is a free chance to score points, that’s pretty good.

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Q: Hi Doug
Could you please explain what is a 3 second defence foul

Richard D

A: A defender has to clear the lane with both feet within three seconds unless he’s actively guarding someone or else it’s a technical foul. It’s a rule so that teams simply don’t plant a big defender under the basket for the entire game to stop opponents from being able to get to the rim. It was put it at the same time the NBA decided to allow zone defences.

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Q: Hey Doug,

Just want to start by saying that I’m a big fan of yours, you do great work.

Okay, coming out of left field here.  How cool would it be if Nick Nurse brought Fred VanVleet on as an assistant coach on the Canadian National team.  It is pretty obvious that Fred will be coaching in the NBA one day, hopefully the Raptors. 

Anyway, just daydreaming a little.

Thoughts?

All the best

John

A: Yeah, not sure that’s likely at all. I think Fred’s at the point in his life where he’d like to enjoy his family and kids and summers away from the game.

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Q: I know that Pascal has two brothers living in Toronto and I see Fred’s brother with him allot . Rumour that OG’s brother is in medical school here?
Is it typical for players to have family with them in Toronto? Is it because they are in another country and want people close to them?
Thanks
Mary

A: It is pretty typical, actually, primarily with younger players without their own families. It’s having familiar faces around to add a level of comfort.

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Q: Hey Doug,
I really like Yuta—
Big body, high energy, decent IQ, and seems like a cool guy, and I find myself rooting for him whenever he takes the floor. But it pains me to see him go 0-4 and sit back down.
Do you think low confidence is his main problem? Do you think he’s an NBA rotation guy?
Is another G-League stint possible?
Thanks!
Manale

A: I don’t think it’s confidence but it sure would do him good to see a couple of shots go in. But he’s far down the rotation now – he’d be the next guy up but there are lots of guys ahead of him – so just staying ready is all he can do. I think he’s an NBA rotation guy but he has never once seized the opportunity to prove me right.

And, no, I don’t think a G League run is in the cards.

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Q: Sir: Is Scottie Barnes the best offensive rebounder the Raps have ever had? If not, who was better?

Paul M

A: Man, we need pump the brakes a wee bit here. Nobody who is 20 years old and less than 70 games into his career can ever be thought of as the “best” anything in any franchise anywhere.

Bosh, Amir, Antonio Davis, Popeye Jones, Jonas Valanciunas come quickly to mind.

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Q: Doug, one of the irritants I have watching NBA basketball on the tube, primarily the Raptors, is the seeming reluctance to show a replay of a foul. Agreed, most fouls are not really worth the time but many are egregious, and most have a significant impact on the game. Instead we are shown replays of old scoring plays, most also not really worth the time. Is this a demand from the referee’s union so that poor calls aren’t highlighted, possibly inciting more fan rage and venom against referees than is already the case? What do you think?

Dennis K

A: It has nothing to do with the referees union or the league, I don’t share your concern but it’s best taken up with the broadcast side of things.

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