Bosh a starter once again

What a wonderful thing our economy is.

Chris Bosh will start Sunday’s all-star game and Doc Rivers was pretty emphatic Saturday about why.

"Because of the Canadian dollar,” Doc was saying this morning. “You know, it's grown in value, and so we figure we'd go with that.”

But seriously, folks, it just makes sense.

"I think he deserves it, I really do,” said Rivers. “I think he's terrific, a terrific player, and I think he deserves more attention than he's getting, so I think he should start.”

It'll be the second time the 24-year-old Bosh has started an all-star game
After being added to the roster by coaches in 2006, fans voted him a year ago
Coaches again added him this year and Rivers named him to start for the injured Kevin Garnett
-

The things you see and hear, Vol. 3

Not sure what they can to jazz up Friday night at this weekend but having the Rookie-Soph game isn’t enough. No one bounced ball off another guy’s head, ala Jason Richardson on Carlos Boozer back in ’02 but about 8,000 shrieking adolescents in the crowd hardly got a full night of cool entertainment.

That said, there were some, um, moments.

-

While the game’s going on, a gaggle of Real Stars was sitting courtside. There was Kevin Garnett, LeBron James (who got and dogged everyone every time Daniel Gibson hit a shot), Chris Bosh, Chris Paul Carmelo Anthony, Carlos Boozer and Doc Rivers.

Bosh’s girlfriend was there and, as far as we could see, she didn’t trash talk LeBron once.

Ugliest get up: Carmelo with a red jacket, red hat, pants jeans with red pockets.

-

Late in the game, we look over at the Sophomore bench and there’s Brandon Roy talking to Andrea Bargnani.

Not sure if the lip-reading skills are up to snuff but we believe Roy said:

"Who’s this Swirsky guy who voted for you.”

-

Not sure the guy in the media seats should have been applauding along with that ridiculous “everybody clap your hands” thing in the JayVee game. But you do get all sorts of, um, media at these things.

-

Biggest screams of the night? Had to be when Ne-Yo was introduced to the crowd. Yes, it was that kind of young audience.

-

Meanwhile, down the road at the convention centre, they had something purporting to be a “celebrity game.”

We didn’t see it, thankfully, but caught a bit on TV after and any “celebrity” game that includes Master P can hardly be a “celebrity” game. Of course, P was the only dude in the game who’d been in an NBA training camp.

-

Among the judges of the D League’s dunk contest: Jerome Williams and Tracy Murray! A truly all-star cast

-

There doesn’t seem to be as much buzz, or chaos, around this all-star game as there has been in the past. There are crowds, but not huge crowds; the streets are busy, but not gridlock busy. Maybe it changes tonight but the feeling is there are fewer people here than there have been at all-star games in the past.

Maybe it’s got something to do with the city – there aren’t many locals around as there have been in places like Houston, Denver, LA, Atlanta or Philly (the last four I was at) – but it has made a tad easier for some of us to get around.

-

Not much basketball news going on. The Kidd trade’s still a hot topic (can’t see how it goes through with Dallas now that Stackhouse probably can’t be in it and George still won’t be in it) but other than that, it’s quiet.

The league’s competition committee met Friday afternoon and I’m told it was routine. Some chitchat among GMs heading up to Thursday’s trade deadline but nothing hugely significant.

-

All right, gotta get out into this sunny day (hahaha, NO SNOW!) and over to practices to stand around. After that, it’s the D League all-star game, which is probably not on the agenda pour moi because I’ve already seen Jelani McCoy and Andre Barrett play.

Tonight, David Stern tells us about his European plans and then it’s time to sit back and see if JK can shoot and Jamario can dunk well enough to win.

The things you see and hear, Vol. 2

So here I sit seven rows up on the baseline, with a zillion kids in the joint ready to watch the Rookies and Sophomores and who’s out there on the court but our friend The Chicken.

Talked to him/her/it earlier and this a plum gig, apparently. Mascots from all over try to get here and do their stuff. The Chicken’s shaking its butt, dancing, goofing around and being quite Chickenesque.

But before we get into the fun stuff here’s what we learned today:

-

Those zany TV types

Caught Mark Strong of NBA-XL or whatever it’s called now, and the Irrepressible Cabbie at the 90-minute media gig and they were in rare from.

Mark gets Jason Kapono to sign a blues song (more Memphis than New Orleans but the intent was there) and you haven’t lived ‘til you’ve see JK wearing dark sunglasses and a black fedora warbling a tune.

And Cabbie’s schtick this year is to see how many all-stars he could convince to lend their voices to his voice-mail message. I believe he was zero-for-everyone.

But, really, they were about the craziest, numbers were down, it seems, and no one really made a fool of themselves. Those football writers have much more fun at Super Bowl, I’m told.

-

Seems Darrell Walker hasn’t learned to crack the whip. I heard he put the Rookies through a harsh 40-minute workout Friday morning, leaving me to believe they’ll be slaughtered by the Sophs later tonight.

-

Ran into Andrea on the street, he looked entirely unimpressed when I asked him how the big day was going.

"Big day? Yeah, I guess,” he said.

How, you may ask, can you tell he was unimpressed? He was even more dour than usual.

-

Oh yeah, another Bourbon Street tale.

M. Grange ™ and I, along with the Sun No. 2, stuck our heads in a bar last night and happened to see the Human Known As Lucky The Celtic Mascot dancing away to some Journey cover band.

M Grange ™ swears he saw the little leprechaun-slash-human do a backflip off a couple of steps into a crowd of dancers. I’m thinking there might have been adult beverages involved.

-

Anyway, looks like the kids are about to start playing soon, I better study the form sheet to see who to root for.

I’ve got Sophs by 20 and can only hope there’s a moment like the night in 2003 when Jason Richardson bounced the ball of Carlos Boozer’s head before dribbling around him.

Oh, those wacky kids.

We can only hope Darrell Walker and Tom Thibodeau, the Boston assistant who’s coaching the Sophomores, take it a little less seriously that Marc Iavaroni did last year. He had the temerity to call a timeout with his team up about 30. That’s over-coaching.

I guarantee you D Walk’s got dinner reservations for about 10, he’ll be out of here in a hurry.

The things you see and hear, Vol. 1

Day 1 sights and sounds around N’Awlins

Wandering down Bourbon Street, you see a lot of things. Like people getting their pictures taken with horses of the mounted police who make some corners look like the starting gate at the Kentucky Derby there’s so many of them.

But the funniest might have been a gaggle of yutes playing trumpets and horns and trombones and drums on the corner of Canal and Bourbon. Doing a great job entertaining the throngs.

The music stops though, and the teens start yelling greetings to the rather imposing fellow walking all alone down the other side of the street.

Charles Barkely? Nope. Dwight Howard? Sorry. Chris Bosh? You jest.

None other than Gheorghe Muresan, wandering all by his lonesome, smiling for the people and glad-handing along the way. Not sure why he’s here but the kids in the band loved him.

-

Of course, lobby bar conversation among beat grunts and glamour boys centred on the Devean George-Jason Kidd non-deal and here’s the latest scuttlebutt.

If it gets done, it won’t be until after the weekend likely and if it does get done with Jerry Stackhouse involved, you can be sure the league’s poo-bahs are going to have a word with him.

Stack going out and telling anyone who’d listen that he was going to be traded, bought out and be back in Dallas in a month reeks of a pre-arranged side deal and that’s a no-no to the league office.

And other GMs are up in arms 'cause it really does violate the spirit, if not the wording, of the collective bargaining agreement. Stack’s going to be reprimanded and there are those among us who think it might turn out the league won’t let him do what he wants to do and that’ll throw the whole deal out the window.

-

Other things you see and learn:
Dave Winfield standing like a regular dude in the cab line at the airport. Looks much smaller than the guy who won a World Series with the Jays way back when.

Never seen billboards as big as the 30-storey ones for Charles Barkley and Dwyane Wade and their phone shenanigans. For a retired dude, Chuck’s everywhere. And every picture they have of Chris Bosh seems to be about two years old. There’s one adorning the entrance to a store that looks like it’s from 2006.

Off to the media availability in an hour or so, wonder if anyone will dress up like a bride and ask a player to marry them ala the Super Bowl media day? The NBA doesn’t draw the crazies like the NFL does but there have been moments. Like a couple of years ago when there was a guy, from South America I believe, wandering around with a trumpet asking various players to play it. And Our Own Cabbie, irrepressible as he is, was asking guys last year in Vegas if they’d be the best man at his wedding.

Be back in the early evening with anything fun from this afternoon.

Special delivery from The Big Easy

Yes, you still ask a lot of questions. Yes, some of them are even interesting (I keed, I keed). Yes, there will be bonus mailbags throughout the weekend, likely tomorrow sometime and Sunday. Yes, I’ll be doing regular blogs with oddities and niceties from all-star weekend that I’ll sprinkle in here every day. Yes, you should check this site often so the number of hits goes up and my bosses like me.

Q: Regarding the Mavs/Nets deal, and the idea that they can sign Van Horn to make the salary cap work, could Mark Cuban sign anybody? Like you, or better yet me, or hey why not Rod Thorn's nephew! That's a sure way to get the deal to go through!

Andy A, Dallas

A: I don’t know about you but my skills have diminished too much to make more than, say $2.6 million a year. And Rod Thorn’s nephew can’t go left.

But, yes, they can sign anyone they want but that person would have to actually show up in Jersey and play.

-

Q: Hey Doug, since All-Star weekend is coming up, just wanted to get your picks for the winners of the 3 events on Saturday night and the winner AND MVP prediction for the All-Star game.

Joseph D, Aurora

A: You know the last time I predicted anything, it was that Jose would be an all-star reserve and we know how well that worked out. But, since you asked:

I’ve got Chris Paul in the punt, pass and kick thing, I’ve got Jason Kapono in the three-point contest and Dwight Howard in the dunk contest. Oh, and the MVP? That’s a tough one, since it doesn’t look like Kobe plays. How about LeBron? Yeah, let’s go with LeBron.

-

Q: Hey Doug, I was at a game earlier this year and saw a female ref. She made some good calls. How many women does the NBA have as referees and, since they aren't former NBA players, what qualifications do they have?

David H, Toronto

A: Violet Palmer is the only female ref in the league. She’s good. And who cares about not being a former NBA player, I think there’s only one and that’s Leon Wood.

The qualifications? Years of work in colleges, minor leagues and wherever they can find a game.

-

Q: Jay Triano snags a W during his stint as interim head coach and Steve Nash is headed to yet another All-Star Game. What a banner week for Canadian Basketball! Where are Bill Wennington and Rowan Barrett when you need them? Following this Canadian theme, what's the deal with Joel Anthony? (in the Seinfeld voice). I know he was recently injured but even prior to that he was getting no burn on a Heat team that has lost 22 of 23 and 15 in a row at one point. Why isn't Miami playing him? I know they like him because they've kept him around and cut ex-NBAers Penny Hardaway and Luke Jackson. What's up with this fellow Canuck?

Justin L, Toronto

A: He’s still hurt and still very much a project but he’s got far more potential than Hardaway or Jackson did and that’s why they kept him. Raw talent, good shot-blocker, pretty good defender I’m told.

The Morning After The Night Before, XLVII

What a night that was.

Trade breaks down just as we’re tucking into an adult beverage but the good folks at the Harbour Sports Grille are prepared for such an occasion so Bea Arthur, I mean B. Arthur and I fire up the laptops sitting at the table and re-write. The wonders of wireless Internet.

Anyway, gotta slap this up ‘cause there’s a plane to catch and all-star weekend to start and I’ll chronicle all the hijinks starting first thing tomorrow morning from New Orleans.

Three Things I Learned

Let’s make a deal. Or not

What to make of this whole fiasco? Well, I’d hate to be Devean George showing up at the gym today, having to look his teammates in the eye, knowing it’s only his stubbornness that’s keeping the Jason Kidd deal from getting done.

In a nutshell, here’s what it is: George, on a one-year contract worth about $2.6 million, cannot be traded because if he does, he’ll lose his “Early Bird” rights, which, in theory allows him to make more than the mid-level exception as a free agent next summer. According to ESPN.com’s Marc Stein, George is one of 18 players in the league who fall under that obscure clause in the CBA. My point, and the point I’m sure a lot of people are going to make is: In what wacky universe does this 30-year-old journeyman think he’s going to make that kind of coin next year? Or ever?

-

Jose’s working on his tan

Whole lot of angst during the game about whether Jose Calderon would have been added to the all-star team if Kidd had moved to the West. Not sure, the league said weeks ago it wouldn’t make a call on that until a trade went through, but Jose and his wife were on a 6 a.m. flight today to Bahamas for a nice weekend of rest and relaxation. We asked him, however, if he would cut short his holiday to head to New Orleans if necessary and his response was prompt:

"Oh yeah.”

-

Balancing act

It struck me watching Mike Evans and Jay Triano coach these guys this week that it had to be a tough job for them. I’m sure there were times in each game that they wanted to lay into players for some sins – just like Sam would do – but they had to hold their tongues. Assistant coaches do a lot of one-on-one work with players and screaming at them during a game might make it a bit uncomfortable the next time they had to push them through some workout. Sam doesn’t have exactly that same everyday responsibility so he can – and does – get a little more animated with individuals.

-

Let’s hit the mailbag right off and remember, just click here to send on and maybe get into tomorrow’s regular offering.

Q: I don't know if it's just me or not, but sometimes Bargnani looks out of control when he puts the ball on the floor. Is that something that the coaches are working with him on? (it might be just me who gets that impression)

Bryce F, Toronto

A: No, it’s not just you. It’s just about everyone who watches him, including his coaches. That’s the one thing they are preaching as much as anything to him – SLOW DOWN!

-

When last we saw Dave D and his merry band of fellow Nets beat grunts, they were all typing furiously, trying to makes sense of the whole Kidd affair.

Here’s how Dave’s night ended.

Sure looks from that perspective that the deal still gets done.

-

Here’s a good one that could be a Three Things I Learned

Q: I met you very briefly a couple of weeks back in Washington airport, while boarding the flight to Toronto. My son and I had the opportunity to watch the Raptors and Wizards home and away. I mentioned that I read your blog regularly but had never sent in a question. Well, here's one.

In tonight's game against the Nets, I thought Jamario Moon was the best player on either team in the first quarter, for the six or so minutes that he played. He scored, rebounded and defended, and carried the Raptors to the early lead. Then Jay Triano sat him down and he didn't return till the start of the third quarter. Can you explain why Moon was essentially benched?

Tom H, Toronto

A: It was a combination of things, and it speaks to how you may see Moon used more in the future. He’s much better in small doses, as we saw in the first six minutes last night and in that third quarter. That’s the kind of sustained effort they want and haven’t been getting in anything longer that short spurts.

And if Delfino and Kapono, or Delfino or Kapono, are going well, you’ll see them finish out the first half and, probably, the game.

Moon’s biggest asset is his energy and athleticism but sometimes he coasts for periods of games. Last night’s effort was just what they want.

-

Is Stromile Swift the worst second-overall pick in draft history? Just wondering.

-

A Vince anecdote. Ran into him when he was first getting to the arena, trailed by the usual gaggle of cameras. The Kidd deal was still alive at the time and Vince looks up and says, “I thought I was getting traded back to Toronto.”

Yeah, like that wouldn’t be wildest thing.

-

Catching up with old friends, Mike of Toronto – as others did – sends along this little gem.

-

More from the mail.

Q: Regarding your musings about ending the Moon-as-starter experiment, much as it pains me to admit it, I couldn't agree more, for several reasons:

1) Moon hasn't shown a willingness to take it to the hoop; he's better than before, but just marginally.

2) In much the same way that TJ has revitalized JK's game, the former's penetration will open up a lot of alley-oops for JM, whereas Delfino doesn't need TJ's penetration, thank you very much, 'cause he can create his own offence.

3) CD matches up better against the other team's starters, and going against back-ups should get more out of Moon.

4) All of last year I pestered you (as Raptors GM by proxy) to get Reggie Evans and Maggette. You poo-pooed the former and ignored the latter. If ONLY you had listened, Doug! I hope you've learned your lesson.

Lee Z, Ottawa

A: You agree with me? Yikes! Oh, no! (I keed, I keed).

There was no way the Clippers were dealing Maggette a year ago so to talk about him would have wasted your time, and mine. Not even sure he’s in play this year. As for Evans, the rep on him a year ago in Denver was as a thug, arguably dirtiest player in the league and he wasn’t someone they were interested in. He’s sort of cleaned up his act, and I’d presume Colangelo has called about his availability.

Not looking good for Ford against Nets

A sore right wrist has T.J. Ford officially listed as a game-time decision for the Raptors tonight against the New Jersey Nets.

However, the odds are he spends the game watching, rather than playing.

As he wandered out of a meeting room after doing some video work following this morning’s shootaround, Ford shook his head and said, “not good” when asked how his wrist was feeling.

Interim head coach Jay Triano laid it off on the team’s trainers, saying Ford would get some treatment this afternoon and they’ll decide tonight whether he’s able to go.

Ford hurt his wrist sometime in Sunday’s game in Minnesota – no one is 100 per cent sure when it happened – and he played only eight minutes against San Antonio on Monday night.

He didn’t practice Tuesday and was sporting a compression brace from his hand to forearm.

If Ford is out, it will fall, once again, to either Juan Dixon or Darrick Martin to back up starter Jose Calderon. But with the all-star break beginning Thursday and no game until next Wednesday, the Raptors could load up the minutes on Calderon because he’s got so many days off coming up.

A shining moment for Canada

Jay Triano’s right when he says it’s not a big deal anywhere else and it’s just one game and it’s still Sam’s team but there does have to be some measure of significance to him being a head coach – if for only one game – in the NBA.

This is a guy who slogged it out through a handful of coaches who didn’t know him before he got to this place. Lenny Wilkens wasn’t entirely supportive – but Lenny wasn’t the greatest at supporting too many people – and Kevin O’Neill, quite frankly, thought Jay was a spy for Glen Grunwald in KO’s routine paranoia.

CP PHOTO

Good for Canada basketball.

Sam? Well, Jay was under contract when Sam arrived but the two have forged a very nice relationship and we’ve seen Triano’s involvement increase year to year. He’s not better than anyone else or thought more highly of than anyone else but being on even footing is a step up from past regimes.

"I think initially what people looked at was, ‘you’re a Canadian and you’re the fourth assistant and that’s good’ but over time, you work hard to get yourself in a position where something like this is a possibility,” Triano was saying the other day.

And there’s the rub. It doesn’t matter if he comes from Mars or Manitoba, the dude’s become a good basketball coach.

Is he a role model? Well, that’s a byproduct -- a good byproduct -- of his hard work and talent. Sorta like that other Canadian we keep hearing about.

"Someone has to go in and break the ice,” Triano said. “I don’t think people expected we would have a Canadian be the MVP of the NBA at one time and now more and more Canadians are wanting to play and they’re trying to emulate the way Steve Nash plays the game and hopefully that means we develop more good Canadian basketball players and the same is true for coaches.”

Of course, had Sam had to leave the team at any other time, it might have been Mike Evans and Alex English who acted as head coaches but it was the opposition that dictated who ran the show, not pecking order or talent.

But it is Jay’s night and it’s nice because it’s good when good things happen to good people.

-

Amanda up in Barrie, a regular contributor here and in the comments section (yes, I do notice regular contributors) wonders if this is the worst the Eastern Confernce has ever been.

Close, I’d say.

Sure, only five teams are over .500 today and a more than a few dregs are going to make the playoffs (yes, I’m talking about you Atlanta and New Jersey or Indiana)  but back in the day, things were pretty awful, too.

Toronto, Philly, Jersey and Milwaukee all finished with 30 or fewer wins in 1995-96 and that was pretty stinky.

Funny thing this year is that there’s talent on some of the terrible teams but they just don’t win games. Atlanta’s got some players, so do the Nets but skill doesn’t apparently translate into victories.

I think the only reason we can discuss the East being the worst it’s ever been is because the West may never have been better.

-

I’m sitting there watching games last night and I’ve got Detroit-Atlanta on the tube and I’m growing increasingly tired of the Hawks announcers politicking for Al Horford as the rookie of year, as if he’s some Brandon Roy wunderkind who’ll be an unanimous winner (oops, maybe not). Anyway, I’m weary of the hucksterism and homerism and I figure I’ve got to change the channel and check out the other game.

And then I hear Tommy Heinsohn and I’ve got to run from the room like my hair’s on fire.

-

Here’s a mailbag query that helps us with a look back at the 1,000 games thingy:

Q: Here are a few questions for you.

1) Does the recent celebration of 1,000 games played for the Raptors include the (very few) playoff games that were played over the course of the last decade or so?

2) I know it has been a few weeks since AP hit the game tying shot in D.C., but it got me thinking - what are the 5 most clutch shots made in Raptors history?  (Imagine what Number 1 could have been if VC hadn't felt the need to attend graduation!)

3) I know you hate trade proposals and your faith in trade machines leaves something to be desired - but that doesn't change the fact that sometimes I need something interesting to fill my time during lunch hour.  Anyways - I was wondering about what you thought the Raptors interest would be in Golden State's Mickael Pietrus. He seems to be unhappy there again and his salary is relatively small. Do you think Mr. Colangelo would have any interest there?

Kevin C, Toronto

A: The big celebration – and we’re still waiting for our cake, by the way – was just for regular season games.

Most clutch shots? Man, you’re really asking me to stretch the imagination, aren’t you. Well, here’s some of the top of my head and I’m sure some of you will come up with some others. Let’s go old school and remember the night John Long hit a three right in front of the Raptor bench to win a game in the old SkyDome. I remember Vince Carter hitting two in about a three-game span, one in Boston and one L.A. against the Clippers. The first three-pointer of Chris Bosh’s career – from the far corner against Houston – was another biggie. And, the most clutch shot ever, without doubt, was Alvin Williams picking up a loose ball to win Game 5 over the Knicks.

Oh, yeah, the Raptors had some interest in Mickael Pietrus in the summer when all it was going to cost them was money; not sure they’ve still got interest when it’s going to cost them players.

-

Nets win! Nets win! Nets win!

Big whoop, according to the fine Mr. D’Alessandro.

-

Speaking of mail, just click here to send along a missive but, please, we’ve got to cut down on the lengths and try to include actual, you know, questions. I appreciate the 400- and 500-word diatribes I get, I read them and digest them but most of the time they don’t include anything close to a question.

I’m not trying to dissuade anyone from writing but …

-

Okay, and we’ll go back to the mail now.

Q: Popovich and Cuban are a couple of babies. Instead of whining about Pau going to the Lakers, they should suck it up and try a little harder to get their teams to the finals (or past the 1st round in the Mavs case). I don't recall them asking for a veto when Vince was traded for the equivalent of a glazed ham.

While a veto rule in fantasy basketball is probably a good idea, what are the chances teams are given a veto in the NBA?  Secondly, in a somewhat related question, what does it mean when the league has given its approval for a trade. When would the NBA ever reject a trade?

Erich I, Vancouver

A: I certainly hope you’re referring to Pop and Cuban this year, right? Because if not, you’ve either got to get off the adult beverages or back on your meds. These guys, Pop especially, have earned the right to have their opinions heard, and counted.

But, to your question, the league has to approve trades to make sure they conform to the various salary cap rules. As arcane and obtuse as many of them are, that takes a room full of lawyers and capologists to figure out.

The Morning After The Night Before, XLVI

The 45 extra minutes of sleep this morning were quite welcome; the frozen car locks weren't. I hate winter. Anywho ...

Three Things I Learned

Let’s make a deal

If I’m Bryan Colangelo, I am on phone 29 times today seeing if there’s a small forward who can defend out there to be had. I know Ginobili and Kobe are all-stars (well, Ginobili should be) and Maggette’s pretty good but, really, watching them abuse the Raptors with ease in three consecutive home games has to be, um, disconcerting.

STEVE RUSSELL/TORONTO STAR

Hands up if you think the Raptors need some help on D.

And I like Jamario Moon, good kid, heckuva story, fine athlete but maybe it’s time for the experiment to end? We were trying to recall that last time he had what you might call a good game. Heck, they ended up using Jose Calderon to guard Ginobili on a few possessions last night because no one else stood a chance.

Maybe nothing comes of Colangelo’s calls but he’s got to make them, rather than wait and take them.

-

Zany times for Matt

Ran into Matt Bonner in the hall before the game, after he glad-handed about everyone in the joint, and he was a tad frenzied. Seems family in Boston and friends in Toronto on a back-to-back just wore him out.

"(Sunday) I forgot to get my ankles taped I was so busy,” he said. “I’m not forgetting tonight. Now, I came out here to do something, what was it? I don’t remember. This is too much.”

But he did have something to look forward to. Spurs stayed the night after the game and Matt, who throws around nickles like they were manhole covers as they used to say, was off to a downtown eatery because he’d kept a couple of gift certificates he got from the radio dudes.

Great guy, Matt.

-

A tough group

M. Grange ™ first brought this up when we were sitting around waiting for Mike Evans after the game and it bears repeating here. How tough do you think Argentina’s national team practices are? Ginobili. Oberto. Delfino. Scola. Nocioni. Those are some tough, good basketball players.

We don’t get to see Ginobili often enough to really appreciate what he does but, man, do I ever like seeing him play. One play in the first half was spectacular in an under-stated sort of way. He drove baseline into traffic and instead of going under the basket and using the rim to help fend off defenders, he got up the air right at the rim, bumped Chris Bosh just enough to move him back a few inches so he could block the shot because the basket was in the way and put a layup up left-handed off the glass. There probably aren’t a dozen players in the league who make that play.

-

Quickly to the mailbag for a question that’s on everyone’s mind, it seems.

Q: Hey Doug, how do the games Sam Mitchell misses affect his overall coaching record? It doesn't seem fair for a loss under Mike Evens count against his record. If a win or loss is assigned to the assistant taking head coach duties, then Jay Triano could end up the best or worst (strictly in percentage) NBA coach of all time.

Nick H-C, Vancouver

A: Sam will get credit, or blame, for these two games.

-

You’ve got to scroll a ways down but Gilbert Arenas slags Jose Calderon pretty well is his blog.

Of course, Jose takes the high road, telling us after the game:

"Everyone has an opinion. You can write what you want. Whatever he says it's good for him. I have nothing personal.”

Now, I like Gilbert, I think he’s entertaining and in this era of careful athlete offering nothing than clichés and pap he’s a breath of fresh air but he’s way off base here.

-

This has been out there a while but every time I watch it, I laugh.

This dude’s headed for a career on the big screen, methinks.

-

Mail, again

Q: Two quick questions for you, double dare you to post them!  First, why in the world was Juan "Bad Pass" Dixon playing point in the 4th instead of TJ, is he hurt?  Second, any chance we could land Corey Magette?

Dave W, Toronto

A: A dare? Sure, why not.

Dixon was playing because T.J. banged up his wrist in Minnesota on Sunday and it was acting up Monday night. Maggette? Not sure the Clippers are going to deal him, he’s a favourite of the owner and arguably their best player right now. And what would it cost? He’s got an $8.4 million player option for next year so if they’re thinking of moving him, maybe you offer Dixon’s contract, Martin’s contract and Kapono and see what that gets you. Probably a big laugh from Elgin Baylor but maybe it’s a jumping off point for negotiations.

-

Okay, karaoke at the best of times is a game best played under the influence of adult beverages. At the worst of times, it’s played in an NBA arena full of people. And at the absolute worst times, it’s played using a song that’s at least tinged with controversy. Sure, Sweet Home Alabama is a song we all know, and some love. But there is a school of thought – and there are divergent views on this – that says its references to Watergate and former Alabama Governor George Wallace are at least a bit dicey.

So, let’s do everyone a favour and NO MORE KARAOKE.

-

Here’s how the San Antonio Express-News summed up last night’s affair.

-

And, finally, nothing says St. Patrick’s Day quite like a green Raptor, right? Watch closely March 17 in Salt Lake City because that’s when you’ll see the latest installment of marketing run amok. The Raptors, I’m told, will wear green jerseys in that game and if you’re really got nothing to do with a lot of your money, you can probably buy one soon.

Or you can wait until they come to their senses and do something with a replica Huskies jersey, which makes exponentially more sense than a green uniform.

Two-game leave for Sam

Sam Mitchell will not be with the Raptors until after the NBA all-star break, having returned to his Atlanta home Monday to be with his family after the death of his father-in-law, the team announced.

Mitchell will return to his head coaching duties for the Feb. 23 game against the Orlando Magic, giving him more than a week to spend with his wife, their four children and his wife’s family.

Assistant Mike Evans will be the acting head coach for Monday’s game against the San Antonio Spurs while Jay Triano will fill that role on Wednesday against the New Jersey Nets.

They were named to the jobs because Evans was in charge of the scouting report for the Spurs while Triano handled the Nets. Had the Raptors faced any of the teams that assistant Alex English is charged with scouting, he would have filled in as the head coach.

Team officials say Monday’s game was the first time in franchise history that someone other than the head coach filled in for an entire game.