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?

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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.”

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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.

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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!

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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.

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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.

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

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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.

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

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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.

Comments

[Thane]

I don't see why it's at all surprising that Devean George is using his contractual right to exercise his no-trade clause. Of course it's not about the money!

But really Doug: if you had a choice to be on a team that is competing for the championship, or a team that is competing for a play-off spot, wouldn't you choose the former? Sure seems that Kidd did - why can't George?

[AK]

Two things:

Worst 2nd overall pick -- it has to be Darko in light of who was drafted after him.

And in your article today, the Los Angeles Mavericks? C'mon Doug!

AK

[Naz I.]

I see good old KO hasn't been attending those anger management classes.

[John Dingress]

Corey was definetly in play last year, what are you talking about? The coash hates him and had him coming off the bench and there were numerous rumours he was getting shopped. You are aweful at what you do.

Blogger's note: I didn't realize you were so close to the Clippers last year to know that the coash hated him, that definetly would have been aweful for him.

[Uncle Zeke]

Per today's Kidd trade article: Stackhouse just signed a 3-year extension this offseason taking him to 2010. He would have to be bought out, not waived, to go back to the Mavericks (after sitting out the required 30 day period).

[Lindsay]

"Is Stromile Swift the worst second-overall pick in draft history?"

More time will likely need to pass to decide wether Darko is in the running comparing the two with eachother but in terms of what a team could have taken with the #2 pick Darko is far and a way the poorest choice in 20 years. When one looks at the 2000 draft it is very very thin and in comparision Swift doesn't look as horrible, the 2003 draft however offers 20+ current NBA starters.

[TMF]

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

Doug, Doug, Doug... how could you forget, the one, the only... DARKO!

At least Stro's draft class sucked. Had the Grizz not picked him, they likely would have ended up with Darius Miles, Marcus Fizer, Dermarr Johnson, Chris Mihm, Joel Przybilla, Keyon Dooling, or, gasp, Jerome Moiso!

By picking Darko (who sucks in his own right), the Pistons passed on Carmelo, Bosh and Wade. Case closed.

[curious fan]

Very random, and probably laughable, but rumor has it that the Bucks are busting the team up, and everyone is up for grabs except for Yi and Bogut. Would BC ever think of getting Charlie V back? Yes I know he can slack, but Sam always seemed to light a fire under him and he rebounds and can can shoot on occasion, and he likes toronto.

Blogger's note: That ship has sailed.

[Dan]

If I were Mark Cuban and Devean George is the reason this trade does not happen. I would waive him right after the last day players are able to join a team and still make the playoff roster. He got a two year 4 million deal while in his prime. Now at age thirty putting up some of the worst numbers of his career he is holding out so he can possibly double what he is making now. And he plans on showing his skills on the bench instead of on the floor for another team. Plus two weeks ago he said play me or trade me. I could see him turning into another Sprewell where nobody bothers signing him at all and his greed will end up getting him nothing instead of more.

[charlie v fan]

Random and laughable, but would BC ever consider getting Charlie V back? The bucks are talking about breaking up the team save Yi and Bogut, and well Charlie's best was always pulled out by Sam and he rebounds and he can shoot. Could he pass as a backup four or a three?

Blogger's note: That ship has sailed.

[Raven]

2000 was a pretty weak draft year. Swift is kinda awful but hardly a Sam Bowie type whiff.

[bobby]

Quick Question. Jay Triano was the first Canadian to coach an NBA game. Was he also the first non-American?

Blogger's note: Yes, we believe so. Good question.

[Uncle Zeke]

As a point to what Devean George is thinking. I'm assuming he saw how Aaron McKie and others have made money sitting at home just to get the numbers to work on a deal... Can't really blame the guy for looking out for himself although he does come across looking like a complete tool.

[Jason Robinson]

Stromile Swift as the worst second-overall pick? Possibly, although I gotta think Darko Milicic would enter into the debate, too (especially when you consider who was drafted after him).

[Sean]

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

C'mon Doug... I seem to remember a guy named Darko Milicic being picked #2, ahead of Carmelo Anthony, CB4, and Dwyane Wade (???)

[Sameer]

Hey Doug, how about SAM BOWIE, i believe he was the 2nd overall pick before Jordan and we all know how that went.

[Mikey]

Maggette was so in play last season that he is still wearing a Clippers jersey. Makes sense.

[Elwyn Jennings]

Good harsh on Naz I.

However, I don't think Maggette would benefit the Raptors in any positive way. When's the last time the guy played D?

[Zack]

Shawn Bradley in '93 was a pretty crappy #2 pick. That draft class was weak but still. And while I am a fan of Marcus Camby, he wasn't worth the #2 in '96 seeing how so many players in that draft turned out.

[Mike Califonia]

Along with the other ones mentioned in previous columns not talent wise but how his career ended up turning out Jay Williams didnt turn out to well for a number 2 pick though it was due to injury

[MW]

Calderon wants in! Stupid George, release your bird and let Kidd fly! Jose should have been in ahead of Kidd anyways. Jose has been the best PG in the East this season.

Getting Reggie Evans would be awkward for Rasho and Smitch. Bosh might have forgiven him for putting his foot under him, but Rasho gave him a good smack and Smitch got wrongfully accused. I rather stick with the Delf.

[Jason]

Not that he's an authority Doug, but again, Arenas takes a very blatant swipe at Jose in his blog, goes on for a few paragraphs. And this time (not like the Moon thing) I think he's out of line...