The Morning After The Night Before, XLII

Sorry to be late. Super Son’s got a gaggle of his hoodlums over and it’s something of a zoo over here.

This just in: Kobe Good.

So, before shovelling begins, let’s go.

Three Things I Learned

The real winner

Sure, Lakers won the trade (more on that later) but the guy who came out on top was Aaron McKie.

To make the deal work, Lakers had to sign him to a guaranteed contract for the pro-rated minimum of about $1.2 million (he hadn’t filed retirement papers and was still technically Laker property). He was, in effect, a volunteer coach in Philly (he couldn’t get paid without filing retirement papers); well, actually, he was still getting about $7 mil from Sixers on an old deal so “volunteer” is not exactly correct.

So he gets that money from Philly, money now from the Grizzlies and he’s not actually going to have to, you know, play.

Sweet.

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Trade Bargnani?

You should all be ashamed.

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It may be a sweet June

Lakers-Celtics? Could be. Hope so. Watching the Lakers, I can only imagine what kind of matchup hell they’re going to be with Bynum and Gasol, Bryant and Odom and, as one wag noted “me or you could bring up the ball.” You bring Luke Walton, Ronny Turiaf, Vladimir Radmanovic and Jordan Farmar off the bench and I’m pretty sure that’s championship-calibre skill.

I know Phoenix can’t guard ‘em now, I know Dallas can’t guard ‘em now, and I wonder if the Spurs are too old and too hurt to have another long playoff run in ‘em.

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Lines we heard

Various reactions to the trade when word started filtering around:

"Kobe Bryant should go kiss Mitch Kupchak on the lips for that one.”

"Happiest guys in league are Kevin McHale and Rob Babcock, they’re tied behind Chris Wallace now.”

"Wonder how the 150 season ticket holders in Memphis feel.”

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Sherry in Toronto’s got a geography question on our first trip to the mailbag.

Hey Doug - where in the ACC are the practice facilities? The playing court is in the "basement" of the building. So where is the practice court in the building?

The practice court’s on the third floor, on the northwest corner of the building.

But, I’m told by Someone Who Knows that they’re going to build a new facility somewhere away from the Air Canada Centre where they can have some peace and privacy. Should be ready the middle of next season or so and all we want is a nice lounge with a latte-making machine for the beat grunts.

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Here’s how the trade played out in the Orange County Register and the Memphis Commercial Appeal.

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Just wondering, do you think Michael Heisley is more hated in Vancouver or Memphis today? Dude ruined franchises in two cities.

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So, Jamario Moon is the Eastern Conference rookie of the month (that trophy will look nice on the mantle, won't it?)

Reminds me of one of Garbo's greatest lines. He wins the same award and as he's wandering out of a media thingy at shootaround he says:

"If I am the rookie of the month, this league is (bleeped)."

Love that dude, funny, funny guy.

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We’re sitting in the Harbour Sports Grille, home to all things good, watching the Knicks spit one up in Portland and the thought strikes: Why in the world would Portland want to break up that group to get involved in some zany three-way Jason Kidd deal?

The Blazers are good. Very good. Very young and there’s no way I’d mess with that.

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One free agent sure to move next summer? Juan Carlos Navarro.

Check out what his little buddy Jose had to say:

"The worst part is past. He has two months and then he is a free agent, so he can wherever he wants. That’s why he signed for one year.”

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Back to the mailbag for two more before the driveway beckons. And don’t forget, I’ve got about three days worth of leftover cards and letters that we’ll get answered tomorrow.

Q: I have a Basketball 101 question for you. Let's use Jason Kidd as a prime example for this. He has the starting position for the Eastern conference all-star team. What would happen to his all-star status if he were traded away to the Western Conference before the game took place, but after he was voted in as a starter? Does he still end up playing for the East or do they review the number of votes he received and compare it to the Western's guards?

Mike B, Etobicoke

A: Dozens have wondered the same thing so you can be a representative for all of them.

I went right to the top of the NBA media relations food chain, well, one rung below actually ‘cause the vice-president didn’t get right back to me but his youthful ward did.

”We’ll make a decision if that situation occurs,” is how the e-mail reply reads.

And we’ll sign off with one of our more, um, emotional contributors who sent this in mid-week.Yes, we get all kinds here in the mailbag:

Q: Horrible.........Absolutely horrible
There is no excuse for losing to the Wiz with Butler on the darn bench! I tried if watching these pansies get out-rebounded. I can’t wait until two years from now when I get to say “I TOLD YOU SO” Andrea Bargnani (aka Hoffa Jr.)  Is a bust!!!!!!!

However, everybody makes mistakes and I have faith that BC will correct his.  But until then that will be me at the ACC chanting:

Shoulda picked ALDRIDGE

Shoulda picked ALDRIDGE

Shoulda picked ALDRIDGE

Shoulda picked ALDRIDGE

Shoulda picked ALDRIDGE!!!!!

Felix, Markham

A: No, seriously, how do you really feel? Oh, and check the prescription, might be time to renew.

Comments

[Zack]

Sure, Bargnani shot the lights out, but what did he do on the other end of the floor other than catch flys with his mouth wide open?

[Jonathan]

What are they putting in the water up there in Markham?

[Dagomar Degroot]

"Shoulda picked ALDRIDGE!!!!!"

That one cracked me up. For all the humour, though, this team wasn't going to get ahead if they'd have picked up a Chris Bosh Lite (Aldridge) in the draft. If you're starting two quality big men, you've got to make sure they have divergent skills.

On another note, I know this is easier said than done - and I know they tear through everyone across the league - but one thing watching Lebron and Kobe against the Raptors has revealed to me is this team's glaring need for a defensive stopper. Delfino and Parker are adequate defensive players, but can't be relied upon to play close, physical defense for an entire game. Every team would like another stopper and they're in short supply across the NBA, I know, but . . . wouldn't it be nice?

[John M]

You can teach defence, you can teach boxing out (in time), but you can't teach being 7 foot. I thought aside from his lackluster rebounding, which is par for the course, he played fairly good D. I'm just happy he has strung two good games in a row. Lets hope this keeps going.

As for the game I really enjoy watching Kobe when he gets into his zones. Then when the raps tried to double him down the stretch his teammates were in perfct position and 3 after 3 came raining down. The lakers are going to be scary good when Gasol, Bynum and Odom are all in there together. Then you have the best 1 on 1 guy in the league and its like you said Doug, any point can run that team, just dribble past half and get out of the way.

[Brad]

I know I'm just bitter, but its frustrating watching Kobe...he travelled three different times in the game, the fouls they called on Parker and especially Delfino when they were guarding him were pathetic, considering the non-calls all night against Bosh and Calderon. As good as he is, it must make it a lot easier when he is allowed to play outside of the rules because he is "Kobe".

[lennox]

went to the game last night and was amazed that the crowd applauded kobe as he left the game. ok, gotta admit, i applauded as well. one would have thought it was a home game for the lakers. i'm wondering, is it the same for kobe everywhere aside from the place where the 'incident' took place?

i was in the 4th row and everyone around us was in awe of how easy the game is for kobe. moon looked too scared and the crowd doesn't trust bargnani either on defense or offense. other than that, patience people the raps will be fine. just one talented 2 guard away from being an elite team.

signed,
still dreaming of how roy, bosh and tj ford would have played well together for these raps!

[fire lord]

Peace and privacy from who?!

You guys are gonna follow them wherever they go anyways. It's not like random Raptor fans show up at the practices. Is it because their practice facility is outdated now or small compared to others in the league?

Blogger's note: Actually, I'd say it's in the top five in the league. Peace and privacy from working in a building that also houses a hockey team, a lacrosse team and more concerts and shows than you can imagine.

[Grits]

Bang on with the Heisley comment. And as a former Grizzlies Season Ticket holder I say shame on David Stern for letting it happen. A few years later and the dollar is at par, and the NBA misses out on being part of an Olympic city. Eric Smith and Paul Jones keep saying it on the radio, worst NBA trade ever, Vancouver for Memphis.

[Kevin]

Two questions for you Doug. Does Joey have any worth out there? I see his name and I wonder why would anyone count on him?
Secondly, I still see the Raptors being two or three years away from being an experienced enough team to compete for the championship. Bringing in a new player or two would improve the team but would not make them ready to go all the way in the playoffs. Correct me if I am wrong but this is the BC long term plan. Last year was a bonus. This year they need to make the playoffs and hopefully get to the second round. Next year they should be playing for the East championship.

Blogger's note: I'd say Joey's worth on the trade market is less than minimal right now.
And they are on a building process that should take more than two years, this remains very much a work in progress.