Sam on Sam and ceremonies
You know, it’s a nice thing they’re going to do for Sam Dalembert tonight. They’ll let the Sixer centre stand at midcourt before facing the Raptors and bask in the applause of the fans who salute him for playing for Canada this past summer.
They’ll give him a “framed commemorative piece” according to the press release I’m reading (I presume they’ve run out of soapstone carvings and donuts) and all will be sweetness and light in the arena.
Don’t expect Sam Mitchell to get all warm and fuzzy. At shootaround today, he seemed less than impressed.
"Did the leave anything out?" Sam The Coach wondered. "Can they fly his mom and dad in or something? "All I can say is we’re supposed to be the home team. We’re supposed to make the visiting team be as uncomfortable as possible."
Dalembert, as you all know, got his Canadian citizenship and passport last summer, just in time to lead Canada to a fifth place finish at the FIBA Americas Olympic qualification tournament.
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Sam's little dig was the only thing newsworthy out of shootaround today. We got a lot of "it'll be a tough game, they're a good team, we have to rebound well, Reggie Evans and Sam Dalembert are a load down low, yadda, yadda, yadda."
Do you ever get anything good at shootaround? If so, what kind of things? I would think that news about who will play or start that evening is irrelevant because it doesn't really help.
Blogger's note: It probably takes too long to explain it here, how 'bout I do it in the blog tomorrow morning?
Posted by: GM | January 09, 2008 at 01:16 PM
It's a nice gesture, but I would have to agree with Sam. Just mail him his framed commemorative piece and let the fans decide weather they apprieciate him enough to cheer for him. I'm glad he helped team Canada, without him they would most likely not be getting another shot at the olympics this summer. Why get him fired up before the game, he already plays Bosh Straiaght up as well as if not better then anyone in the NBA.
Posted by: Dan | January 09, 2008 at 02:48 PM
that's kind of weird to do at a home game for Toronto Raptors
it's a nice thing for canada and team canada. but it'd be better if maybe all of the people who played for us in the olympic qualifiers were there and make this seem a little less awkward for the Home team
Posted by: Shrugz | January 09, 2008 at 03:19 PM
I see nothing wrong with saluting Sam Dalembert for service to his country. That sort of thing is what makes Toronto a classy city.
Posted by: DougG | January 09, 2008 at 04:37 PM
Dalembert deserves to be acknowledged for his patriotism but I agree with Sam that doing it on centre court sends the wrong message. Do a pre-game ceremony, off the court and let the media pick it up for filler in tomorrow’s paper. Erudite fans will applaud during player introductions if they determine his effort warrants it.
An even better idea would be to use the big screen in pre game to castigate the players that don't suit up for Canada - Nash.. Magliore... that would be good use of home court advantage! But we Canadians are too nice to do that…
Posted by: CARLoS | January 10, 2008 at 05:21 AM
Spread the word, tell the coaches NOT to vote Calderon in for the all-star game!!! It will only do harm to the team.
1) The backup PG is an all-star and the starter isn't. When TJ comes back after the all-star break, the all-star gets moved to the bench. Can you say awkward?
2) Jose's value will go through the roof! He'll get a mega contract offer in the off-season and it'll be Joe Johnson all over again for Bryan Colangelo except there will be no Boris Diaw for us.
Posted by: Fire Lord | January 10, 2008 at 07:29 AM