Call it The Curse Of The Canadian

Here’s a little factoid to think about tonight.

In six games between Toronto and Phoenix since Steve Nash joined the Suns, the Raptors are 0-6.

And Phoenix is coming off a tough win in Indy on Tuesday, when Nash had 18 points, 17 assists and keyed an 8-0 run that finished the game. Suns seem a tad ticked off at their performance, as Paul Coro writes here in the Arizona Republic, so they may be ornery tonight.

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Do they want Walter?b

Watching their dreadful effort the other night, there is no way the Charlotte Bobcats are good enough to not play Walter Herrmann, who is a personal fave for way back at the Athens Olympics.

Got me wondering: Do the Raptors make a play for him? Perhaps offering Joey or Juan or Hump? I know Toronto made a call about Herrmann at the end of last season only to be rebuffed by maybe it’s time to make the call again.

He’s relatively cheap ($2 million on a deal that expires this year) and the Bobcats probably need some of the excess scoring Toronto can provide.

Herrmann's an energetic rebounder, plays two positions and might be a bit more offensively skilled than Humphries.

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No Oscar for Sam

We’re standing around after practice the other day and Sam’s in a particularly giddy mood (a win over even Charlotte with an under-manned team will do that to a coach) and the colleague D. Feschuk has a good point to make.

After watching the Bobcat game on TV, Dave’s come to realize, as most do, that those TV ads Sam does for the car manufacturer are, well, awful is the word that comes to mind. To those of us who see Sam every day, it’s not him sitting in that car talking. He’s too stilted or something. Not himself. We believe the great thespians of our time need not worry about him encroaching their turf.

Sam laughs, knows we’re right and promises that some radio ads he’s got coming out are way better. Blames the TV shortcomings on his director, which seems to me to be a standard thespian ploy.

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Separated at birth, a couple times

Here’s Sam on Carlos Delfino:

"You may hear Carlos say four … words a day. He is the coolest guy I’ve ever been around … He’s one of those guys who plays hard but it doesn’t look like it. I don’t know how to explain it, his hair doesn’t really get ruffled, he doesn’t have that pissed off look on his face but inside, you can tell."

Delfino’s sparked lots of comment lately because he’s been playing out of his head. And the distaff side, judging by some comments I’ve heard, are quite, um, taken with him.

Of course, you all read My Man Perk suggest he bears a striking resemblance of Albert DeSalvo, otherwise known as The Boston Strangler and that’s not someone you want to be linked to.

There are others that have cropped up on conversation: Stoney Curtis, the all-world Flintstones actor, and Wolverine of Marvel Comics fame.

Whatever, Delfino’s been playing and thriving since Sam figured him out.

"I know him better now," said Sam. "I’m comfortable with him, I trust him and I have no problem putting him on the court at the two, three or even sometimes at the four."

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This is a great idea

At least two e-mailers – one known only as Adam and Todd from Guelph – wrote yesterday with a wonderful suggestion.

On those pizza nights when they win the pizza thing, take your ticket stub outside and give it to someone much less fortunate that you and let them get a hot meal – such that it is – the next day.

Speaking of pizza, nothing apparently inspires such vitriol and as many comments as that topic. As you can see on the comments page that goes with this blog, there are many varied opinions on whether it’s a good thing, a bad thing, or just a thing that should go away.

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I'm no Posh Spice. Scary? Maybe

The other day, I referred to a ‘wag’ sitting courtside. It’s a phrase us beat grunts use when we’re talking about each other, or a team official who can’t be named because, maybe, he’s busting on his own guys.

We are not, as Michael McAlpine of London wrote yesterday to tell me, Wifes And Girlfriends.

Those WAGs, as any football fan knows, are led by the other Spice girl, the one married to that Beckham chap.

Comments

[C]

Pizza I don't care about. What drives me most crazy is the McDonald's soundbite after every three pointer.

The in-game ops are driving ME BATTY. I'm no octagenarian, by any means, but I'm going to start wearing earplugs to games.

Though, if I was really old, I probably wouldn't need earplugs from going nuts because I wouldn't be able to hear anything.

But still, without earplugs, I'm still not able to hear anything BECAUSE EVERYTHING IS SO LOUD.

So free pizza - meh. But they do need to tone things down a notch or three at the games. If anything, and definitely everything, but the in-game ops are taking away from an enjoyable experience.

[lulu]

I don't think TJ will be able to do much against Barbosa. The duel btw Calderon and Nash will be interesting. I think this game will let us know how good Calderon really is, but what might decide the game is the 3 pointers. To me Calderon is a goner, I don't think BC will be able to match any offers Jose will get.