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If there’s one thing I do know, it’s that I don’t envy newspaper writers. After every Raptors home game, I’m responsible for producing one post-game report. If I’ve got another angle, or some good tape to back it up, I’ll maybe make up two. But newspaper writers need to jot down about 600 words every game about something seemingly fresh and exciting. The problem is, there’s absolutely nothing new about what’s going on with these Raptors. If they’re actually in the game at the half, by the time the 3rd period is over – chances are they’re not.

Such was the case Sunday. Another opportunity for me to sit courtside (one of my colleagues was on vacation) was another ugly defeat at the hands of the Sixers.

76ers 107, Raptors 80

The good news was that I got to watch Andre Igoudala make countless stellar dunks just feet from my bated breath. The bad news, you ask? Every single time he made a steal (he had 3), and streaked through, uncontested, for an incredible jam I thought of the fact that he could have been a Raptor. Iggy missed only one of his 10 shots in the game, and matched his career-high of 26 points (which he set against the Raptors in their last meeting).

Going into the Raptors’ post-game scrumfest was not something I enjoyed at that moment. I’ve been there for some ugly losses, but for the first time I was worried (as a fan… shhh, don’t tell) that Chris Bosh had had enough.

When a reporter asked Bosh if he felt the Raptors are improving, Chris said: “It doesn’t matter. I mean, I keep getting asked the same question: ‘are we getting better, are we getting better?’ You know, I guess… I have my certain opinions; I keep answering the same question. I guess people just have to assess that for themselves.”

I asked if he was getting tired of singing the same song every game (being close at the half before getting blown out): “Same thing. Same thing every day.”

Listening back to the tape while I write this, I don’t feel the same emotion that I saw draped over his face: Not making eye-contact with anyone, just staring right through the bright lights of the TV cameras.

We spoke to Bosh first, because as word would have it Sam Mitchell was having a post-game meeting with minority-owner Larry Tanenbaum. Mitchell, and everyone else for that matter – other than Babcock – was asked if changes need to be made. Everyone answered with the same “I’m not the right person to ask.” And yet people keep asking; funny how that works.

Jalen Rose was surrounded, but didn’t really offer much worth quoting. But when you’re playing lousy in the 12 minutes of opportunity who can blame him? Morris Peterson was a different story. He takes the losing personally.

“As a competitor, if this doesn’t hurt, then I don’t know what does. When you got guys on the other team laughing and joking while we down 30 points… you know, if that doesn’t piss you off… then I don’t know what does. I mean, after a while, if you don’t have a sense of pride, then what are you playing for as a professional? I’m pissed right now. I’m pissed at the way we’re playing. I’m pissed at the way I’m playing. Hopefully we can get the last laugh.”

When most of the reporters took off, I asked if he minded answering a few more of my questions. I wanted to know, first of all, what exactly happens at the half. I wanted to know in specifics, in terms of: do they all sit down in a circle and talk about the game? Do they just stretch and relax? Unfortunately he took my question figuratively and said:

“It’s more mental. We can’t go into a game at halftime, and feel like we’ve accomplished anything. We have to realize there’s 24 minutes out there, and just be ready mentally. That’s the biggest thing, you know, we talk about it, we come in at halftime and say ‘let’s go, let’s keep playing…’ but when we get out there, it’s a whole different ballgame. So I don’t know. I can’t really explain it.”

Neither can I. It’s tough to put a finger on one thing that plagues this squad. I can say that it’s definitely youth; it’s definitely ability; and it’s definitely defense. I guess it’s just one blurry mess… err… mix.

Without Jose Calderon, there was no one that could handle the ball with any consistency. Nobody that could penetrate and kick, and nobody – not even Bosh – could save the Raptors.

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I didn’t catch a minute of Friday’s game, as I was at a friend’s Christmas party… so you have the same insight that I do:

Warriors 108, Raptors 98

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I was doing double-duty against the Bulls on Wednesday. My colleague was on vacation, but there was nobody booked to help out. So I covered both locker rooms after the 1st of their 3 straight home-losses.

Bulls 105, Raptors 94

In all honesty, I really don’t want to write about this game, either, because it’s the same old story. A blown 3rd quarter spelt the demise of the Raptors.

That’s why I’m glad this is just a blog, and I’m only obligated to write as much as I feel.

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Tonight, the Raptors kick off the first of a 4-game road trip in Orlando. We’ll talk later.