Dribs, drabs and what's going on in Israel

Wow, take a little shot at Bargnani and the web world goes berserk and the e-mails flood in. You’d think I’d weighed in on T.J.-Jose or something.

Anyway, just wanna clarify one thing: I don’t think he’s malingering about this hyper-extended knee, I’m sure it was sore and swollen and everything. I’m sure he’s coming back when he should, after consultation with the medical staff.

What I do think is that he has to be tougher when he gets back, he has to practice harder and play harder and do more. He has to practice hard every day, play every possession.

As I said, and perhaps the dozen or so e-mailers missed it, "Bargnani still has a chance to be a great -- not good, great -- but he's also got some learning to do." Which would strike me as undeniable.

If these guys are going to win 50 games, he’s got to do more than 12 and 5.

And, trust me, you mention The Old Iron Horse around the gym and more than one set of eyes start rolling.

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A list, for a change

Victor G, all the way from Pittsburgh (taking a break from the incessant coverage of Sidney Crosby’s Lewis and Clark expedition to western Canada) wonders:

I was watching the boxscore for the Rockets-Raps game and saw that (Carlos) Delfino was +30 during the game. Wow! The Delfino trade by (Bryan Colangelo) has to be one of the best moves in the NBA this year (although not as good as getting KG for Al Jefferson and Sebastian Telfair). Could you rank the top GM moves in the NBA this year?

I say: We’ll take Garnett to Boston out of the mix because it’s been so stupendously better than any other one it stands alone. But here are three others:

Orlando’s Otis Smith gets it right and hires Stan Van Gundy as the team’s head coach. Smith loses point for his dalliance with Billy Donovan but the end result was a master stroke.

Phoenix adds Grant Hill for the veteran minimum of just over $1 million a season. Hill hasn’t lost any steps and he’s a grown up who will help in a somewhat fractious locker room.

Detroit picking up Jarvis Hayes. It was one that went under the radar but the Pistons, third-best in the East, are getting eight points and three boards a game from the under-rated Hayes.

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Well, look who's back!

Check out that Miami Heat roster?

Yes, that’s Luke Jackson, fresh from the Idaho Stampede of the D League.

Sort of odd, isn’t it, that Miami loses Kapono to Toronto, the Heat decide ultimately to take Jackson? I don’t even want to get into their connection through Cleveland and Charlotte, it’s far too convoluted.

Good for Luke, though, he’s probably got enough game to be in the league. And look what playing with Dwyane Wade and Shaq did for Kapono? Not to mention Damon Jones.

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A bit of a departure.

Regulars know I’m a bit anal when it comes to the national anthem, a song of respect that shouldn’t be trifled with, or treated as a demo song, or used in something of an audition.

The other night, while waiting for Floyd Mayweather to destroy Ricky Hatton, watched the pucks, where they show the anthems on TV.

I can’t remember the dude’s name from the We Will Rock You cast who sang O Canada but seeing him standing there singing WEARING HIS TOQUE made me want to throw something at the set.

And assured me that I’d never give that production a dime.

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Question of the day

From Ryan Jameson of Mississauga:

T.J. vs. Jose: Who wins Dancing With The Stars?

Ding! Ding! Ding! We have a winner.

I'm taking Calderon. To finish second to Mel B, of course.

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And from another land

Remember my man Eran Soroka, who was such a great help with the firecracker incident in the Israeli league game a month or so ago? Heard from him again yesterday with another P.J. Tucker update.

He says:

PJ Tucker had 13 points, 10 rebounds and some great minutes in the 4th quarter - which helped him to be named the game MVP - when Hapoel Holon shocked eternal Israeli champs Maccabi Tel Aviv 83-71, Maccabi's second straight league defeat. Last week, they fell 68-83 to Bney Hasharon with Ndudi Ebi and Ousmanne Cisse controlling the boards.

Ousmanne Cisse? Erstwhile Raptor! Ndudi Ebi? Former Minnesota draft pick!

Wonder if AP and Maceo are feeling the pain for their former franchise. Eran says coach Oded Kattache is on the hot seat with Maccabi.

And few knew of P.J.’s big game. Holon played without its home crowd ... the Israeli Basketball association punished Holon with eight fan-free home games following that incident in Jerusalem.

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And don't forget ...

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Comments

[ET]

I don’t think Bargnani gets criticized at all in Toronto. I was actually glad that D.Smith kind of called him out. When Bosh struggles or TJ struggles, I see so much criticism towards them. But Bargnani has struggled so much this season and I didn’t see much criticism about his play. He should toughen up and bring his best effort. He was our #1 pick and we need him to improve vastly this season.

[Omar]

Doug, I have basically read every item you've published for the last 2-3 years. Sometimes I agree, sometimes I don't. But this is the first time I have felt you've perhaps crossed a certain line, which is why you've received so many emails on the topic. How many games did Bargnani miss last year NOT due to his appendix? That in itself seems to invalidate your comment, and I would be shocked (but impressed) if "everyone connected with the team" opined to you on this topic. What do they say about Bosh (who's racking up a lot of DNPs-injury for a young kid) and TJ (had you ever heard of a "stinger" before he had 2 of them? I hadn't and I've been watching ball for 14 years). I know you probably won't print this because others have echoed the same sentiments, but I'm surprised that on the heels of Garbo (who "sucked it up" and is now out), Alvin Williams (who "sucked it up" and destroyed a career), etc, you would make these claims. We're not talking about Vince and a minor sprain equating to a near-death experience...we're talking about a young kid who has had two successive knee injuries and is being cautious - HUGE difference. Yes, he has to play more aggressively, but rushing back from injury is not the same thing. Thanks.

[Kinnon Yee]

Re Bargs - I dunno what happened to the passing game though. I mean, everyone (including Bargnani) has forgetten about those incredible touch passes that he made into the post. He's kinda regressed back into the shoot-only Bargnani of the beginning of the year, which is a concern.

And about dancing, I think it depends. Hip hop, TJ, Salsa Calderon. Anything in between could be a wash.

[Marlon]

Calderon will win hands down in Dancing With The Stars. If MelB's Paso Doble was a 30, Jose's will deserve a 100 (sadly 30's the highest). He even looks like a real matador.

However, T.J. will own him on Hip Hop... but that's on a different show.