Good morning all, some tidbits to digest

You know what I hope?
I hope Chicago hires a coach really soon so I can read all the “trade T.J. to the Bulls” e-mails.

The New York ones are getting downright boring, and quite repetitive.

Just because Mike D’Antoni goes to the Knicks, everyone starts thinking how much he’d love to have T.J. Ford on his roster because he plays fast.

Here’s something to think about: Maybe Mike D’Antoni’s smart enough to adapt to his players, rather than get Donnie Walsh to ship everyone out and try to mirror the Suns.

Maybe he can coach another style, one that fits the likes of Nate Robinson (who is almost as fast at T.J. by the way) and Jamal Crawford and even the slovenly big men on the roster.

Just because many of you think it makes sense doesn’t mean it does.

Me? I think the Knicks are looking at 2010 as the time they make their big move, when they have cap room and some of those slugs are gone. I don’t know that they necessarily would want T.J. Ford. Or anyone from this Toronto team.

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This is why I love David Stern.

The whole idea of pyrotechnics is so over the top in some arenas, it’s ridiculous.

In Detroit, you can feel the heat from the flames 10 rows back; here in Toronto it’s not nearly as bad but there’s still too much. Watching the dudes having to come out and sweep the debris off the floor sure gets the fans pumped up.

I, like Stern, could be accused of “maniacal rantings of a fan from a different era” but sometimes with age comes wisdom and I’m sure we can do away with half the crap that tries to “enhance the entertainment” aspect of a night at the arena.

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Here’s one from a very light mailbag (hint, hint. And no over-the-top trade stuff, please):

Q: Two quick questions:
1) If the Raptors are able to address their wing player deficiencies through free agency or a trade and are able to keep their draft pick, do they look for a big man in the draft? With Rasho potentially on the trading block, the frontline would become quite thin without another big man (Quick note: Andrea had a similar rebounding average as Nate Robinson this season).
2) Boston has Tom Thibodeau as their defensive specialist coach, who's the defensive guru in Toronto?
Jacob M, Edmonton

A: I think that’s exactly why they’ll be looking at a big in the draft. It’s far easier to acquire a swingman with a trade or a free-agent signing, and even if Rasho isn’t dealt, he’s only got one year left on his contract and they’ll have to worry about the long-term future of the position. Of course, if they deal for a big in a trade, or figure they can get on in free agency, their thinking might change.

The Raptors don’t have a “defensive” guru and before you go all Fire Sam on me, realize that seven of the eight teams still playing today don’t really have one either. Most staffs are collaborative efforts when it comes to instilling defensive schemes – they figure out what style best suits their players and then drill it into them over the course of the season.

Thibodeau, who is recognizable mostly because of his manic sideline behaviour, is an exception rather than a rule.

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I’m stealing this from Doug G over in the comments section:

"I want to be a starter and to be in a team that aspires for everything. Of course, I will not be on a team in which I cannot be an important contributor nor if there is not a solid structure or if there are not options to be in the Playoffs.”

Doug. do you think Jose was taking a swipe at MLSE or BC with the comment about structure and being in the playoffs? If not, what do you think he was talking about?

Thanks

I’m not sure if you’re trying to read something nefarious into this but don’t.

I know Jose pretty well and he wants to start and contribute on a team that’s going to win. He’s not going to solicit offers from bad teams with no hope, he’s not going to put money ahead of on-court success, which is exactly what he’s been saying to us for about 18 months.

It’s not a swipe at anyone.

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Depending on what they are able to go with the glut of swingmen they already have, one free agent on the market who’ll interest the Raptors, I’m sure, is New Jersey’s Bostjan Nachbar.

Now, I’m not saying he’ll be here and he wont’ be unless they can move one of Moon, Parker, Kapono and Delfino leaves but they had some interest around the trade deadline in February and I’m sure it’ll be rekindled in July.

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Did you watch Boston-Cleveland last night?

Couple things struck me as the Celtics went to 0-5 on the road in the playoffs:
One: They don’t really have a guy who can create his own shot (sound familiar). Paul Pierce is the closest but if he’s got to get past LeBron James to do it, it isn’t going to happen. Ray Allen’s a catch and shoot guy; Kevin Garnett’s got great post moves but isn’t going to break anyone down and the Cavs think so little of Rajon Rondo they hardly guard him.

Two: The one thing that made the Celtics stand out over the course of the regular season was their night in, night out intensity, thanks very much to the presence of Garnett. In the playoffs, that’s not a big advantage because everyone brings it every night.

I still think the Celtics can win this series, likely in seven games, and I still think they can win the East but maybe whoever comes out of the West can get ‘em in the final.

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You guys and gals don’t know Lacy Banks at all, I’m sure. He was a long-time beat grunt who covered the Bulls in their heyday and when they sucked. But now he’s writing different stuff and I think you might like to read it.

Comments

[Dallas]

Hey Doug,

Chicago Sun Times reported that BC asked to speak to D'Antoni and was denied permission. That is different that the other story of how D'Antoni was denied permission to speak to Toronto -seemingly preemptively. It also casts doubt on statements BC has made about not being in the market for a new head coach. In your opinion should Raptor fans consider this bad journalism or the wrong take? Or Perhaps BC did try to reach out to D'Antoni?

Blogger's note: The Sun-Times report is wrong. I'll have more on this in the morning.

[Jim K]

Look no further then last night's Cavs / Celts game to get proof that refereeing in the NBA has to be the hardest officiating job in pro sports.

Late in the game and Lebron has one of the sickest and biggest dunks of the year. Crowd is going berserk. The referees must all have been watching Lebron too because they missed the for-arm shiver Lebron absorbed by Garnett while finishing the dunk. That should have been an and-one, but the refs missed the call.

[DS]

Re: pyrotechnics - since I usually sit in the upper deck, the radiant heat from the fire show isn't really an issue, and the spectacle is pretty sweet. I suppose those with floor-level viewing should dictate otherwise?

Re: Jose - all year he's been saying the right things: "want to help the team win", "don't care if I start", "please, let TJ start for the good of everyone". Clearly he knows how to give the correct soundbite when needed. Why then, is he all of a sudden dropping this not-so-subtle hints? Don't play dumb Doug, this is rather outspoken for an NBA player, especially one who has had only marginal success, and especially Jose. "I will only sign for a contender I can start on" is what he's saying, which is fine for any FA to want, but to declare it publically is saying something else.

[Jim K]

Bostjan Nachbar? Please...again just another guy. And he isn't the huge improvement we need at the wing position.

[bballer]

david stern should concentrate on how to improve the anemic tv ratings for the nba regular season and the playoffs instead of worrying about in house entertainment. lebron barely brings eyeballs to the screen. just go to www.tvbythenumbers.com to check out how far behind the kentucky derby, nascar and repeats of criminal minds the league is. the only saviour is kobe and the lakers. in canada, i think the series of poker draws better numbers. even though i've watched almost every playoff game, so few people who are bball lovers barely watch at all. worse yet very few can name anyone on the any teams aside from lebron, the celtics, kobe and the spurs. sell the game david, ignore the in house stuff.

hey doug, have you read ted leonisis take on the internet and newspaper industry especially referring to sports. interesting stuff. www.tedstake.com.

finally, despite my initial hesitations, i think d'antoni and walsh will turn things around in ny starting with the trade or buyout of marbury. marbury killed his career. it looks like they may get rid of curry as well. ny will be interesting to watch. there are speculations they might go after bosh after the 2010 season. what do you think?

Blogger's note: I haven't read Leonsis but I will today some time, thanks.

[Andrew]

Hey Doug, I've got your back (and Stern's too). I'm 29 and I'm increasingly annoyed by the things young people find entertaining. Even movies. Sure, I like big, dumb movies from time to time, but these days it's just an assault of the senses. Just the biggest, loudest, most chaotic...that's what sells to young people. It doesn't need to make sense. It doesn't need to be good...it just has to be bigger and louder than what preceded it. Scary. Stern is right; the quality of the NBA game is good enough that it doesn't need to be bigger and louder to be enjoyed. Save the big and loud and all the pyrotechnics for rock concerts. Plus, that chemical smoke is covered up by a nicer smell when you're at a concert...

[chris]

Doug -- why do you think Nachbar would be a good addition to our roster? Isn't he more of the same (solid shooter, can't create his own shot)? Don't we have enough mediocre swingmen on our team? And, even if htey get rid of one of the current players, does that REALLY open up room? In my opinion, we're too deep already.

Blogger's note: Who says I think he'd be a good addition? And, if you read carefully, I only suggest they'll look at him if they move someone else.

[Arun]

David Stern's the best Commish so far, but this is why I don't like him all that much.

http://slamonline.com/online/2007/11/david-stern-to-seattle-were-not-coming-back/

I know there's a lot about that situation that I don't know, but from where I'm standing (sitting), it's a shame.

[jimmie]

Doug, a few comments:

1. It's been well-documented that D'Antoni wants to run the Knicks the same way he ran the Suns. I have no doubt he could adapt his coaching to another style of play, but I don't think he wants to. I think he thinks that the "7 seconds or less" theory has not yet been seen through to the end, and wants to continue the experiment in NY. Which means changes to the roster. There is some logic to the idea that Walsh might want to wait until 2010 and gear up for Lebron with cap space, but there are moves they can make in the meantime to get them closer to a run-and-gun team. I have no idea what they're going to be able to do, but I bet they'll be trying to reshape the roster in some respect over the next 2 years. Marbury (gone), Randolph (gone), Curry (gone), Jerome James (gone) for sure. The rest of the roster could work under D'Antoni's style, but those guys have gotta go.

2. I really hope you're wrong about the draft. It's a "deep" draft, but not top-heavy, and not deep at all in quality bigs, IMO. The top 5 Cs in the draft are likely Brook Lopez, DeAndre Jordan, Javale McGee, Kosta Koufos and Roy Hibbert. Of those, the only ones who would help Toronto are Jordan (Amare Stoudemire-type potential) and maybe McGee. Neither is ready for NBA prime time and both need a LOT of work. Hibbert might be interesting, but he's not a top-20 pick. Lopez, I think, is about capped out in terms of potential, and Koufos (and a number of the other Cs available) is more in the mold of Bargnani than a true banging post man. I'd much rather see TO take a SF, of which there are a lot more with immediate impact potential -- Anthony Randolph, Gallinari, Batum, Donte Green, Joe Alexander, CDR... As for Rasho and "the long-term future of the position", I still believe that the front office believes that's Bargs. Until they give up on him as a C, I can't see investing heavily in another one. Of course, if they manage a trade for the elusive 20-pt scoring SF, then maybe they do pick a big with potential in the draft. I just don't see a viable trade partner out there at the moment. Maggette is the only logical one. Carmelo, Josh Smith, etc? No way we're getting any of those other big names that have been discussed unless Colangelo truly is magic.

3. Boki Nachbar? I would have loved to see him here this year. But now? I don't do that deal unless we've already found our 2nd scorer first and have money/assets left over. He's a bench player. He's not much of an upgrade on Delfino. And he's said he wants to stay in NJ or go to NY to reunite with D'Antoni. I don't see him in TO.

[Ted]

I'm not sure who started the pyrotechnics in pro sports, but I wouldn't blame Stern since all of the sports do something similar. My theory is that the owners charge so freakin' much for their tickets that they feel that they have to cram as much 'entertainment' as possible into the event to justify that $200 ticket. The problem with that theory is that it assumes that the owners (and their marketing teams) have a conscience! Personally, I'd rather they stuck to the sporting event and cut prices by 75%. As much as I love the Raps, there is no way I'll ever pay for a ticket to see them. I'd rather go back to the old days, when I spent $6 to sit top row greys in MLG, or $2 to sit in the bleachers at the Ex to see the Jays. That's the way to connect with kids and get 'em hooked for life ... it worked on me. For proof, see the Premier League in England, or even Toronto FC.

[Chris Monti]

Hey Doug. Can you advise which team has won the NBA championship with the most road losses during a playoff season? (not a trivia question, just interested to know)

Blogger's note: Not without spending a fair amount of time with the record book; which I'll do sometime but not right now.

[Tim]

eww Bostjan Nachbar? He's basically a taller delfino, streaky inconsistent shooter.

"just go to www.tvbythenumbers.com to check out how far behind the kentucky derby, nascar and repeats of criminal minds the league is."

There is a big difference in ratings on cable and network tv.

[voislav]

Nice touch with the Banks article. A little reminder that there is life beyond TJ Ford's next move. It interesting to see a Baptist preacher writting a sports column.

[chris]

Doug - even if they move someone else, aren't we already too deep? Isn't having too many mediocre swingmen one of our problems already?

[Andrew R.]

Doug,

Thanks for the link about Lacy Banks, it was an interesting and inspirational read.

I agree that the NBA over-does the in house entertainment bit.

Also, regarding Calderon, what are the limitations with doing a sign-and-trade?

[avi]

Are you serious? Bostjan Nachbar? Like the Raps need more mediocre wing players. The Raps need more STAR players and not role players. I'll be disappointed if the Raps sign him as a solution for their wing problem. I'll also be upset if the team drafts a big in the draft. Drafting bigs in the draft equals bust. Don't the Raps remember Radojevic, Bradley and Araujo. Even Bargnani might turn out to be a bust. Won't they ever learn their lesson. They should draft a pg, sg, or sf.

[paul]

Nachbar kills us all the time when we play the Nets. He'd be a nice addition as he seems to have a number of good skills.

In terms of Jose's letter, I'd suggest it's market positioning. If he wants a good offer - and who doesn't? - he needs to say the right things for the market to develop for him, even if he wants to stay with the Raptors. Since volunteering to return to the bench is unheard of in the league, even if it was for the good of the team (and it was!) he now needed to come out and say 'Yes, I want to start'.

[GM]

T.J. Ford doesn't play fast at all. He IS fast, but he doesn't play fast. He trots up the floor most of the time then over dribbles. And when he does lead a fast break, he's not the most adept at it.

I saw that forearm shiver to LeBron from Garnett, too. I don't think you can conclude from it that NBA reffing is hard. More likely that the refs are bad. They're not supposed to watch the ball. And they're all trained to watch different parts of the floor. But so often they just follow the ball, like most fans.

Nachbar isn't a solid shooter. He should be, but he shoots quite a low percentage. When he was on Houston, Jeff Van Gundy joked that he had the only European in the league who couldn't shoot.

And I agree, Arun, that Stern loses marks big time for his comments on Seattle. But don't forget, he was just as arrogant when he let Heisely move the Grizzlies to Memphis. And look how well that turned out!

[Rux]

My kids LOVE the fireworks. My 3 year old always says he wants to see the fireworks and the score at 0 - 0. I think the way the Raptors do it is fine but I agree if the pyros are so over the top that the after-smoke stays the whole first quarter ? That's way too much. Poor Ben Wallace ...

[bballer]

of course there is a difference b/w network and cable tv. stern went for the big money in cable and turned his back on nbc which offered more games throughout the year. the league has been on a steady decline viewership wise since the retirement of jordan. the league avg 20M + during those playoffs and has dropped off to 10M last year. a strong league survives regardless of who is playing. right now, nobody is watching the celts/cavs despite having lebron playing. according to the numbers we would rather see kobe & the lakers, suns and even the spurs.

by going to the big city of oklahoma over the small city seattle, ratings will just get better! lol! the nba should not be in memphis or oklahoma the 47th largest media market in the us. hence, david stern being all over espn and other media talking about pyrotechnics is just one of the smallest problems the nba is dealing with. i used to love the guy, but the seattle issue is just too disrespectful and deceitful.

[ryan]

ok so no tj to new york deal,how bout one i read about miami is interested in him...wat about a sign and trade for shawn marion to the raptors for tj ford, nestorvic, and our 1st pick. i think it would help both teams in the long run to be honest, and colangelo already knows marion,so he could want to play for us... oh and would love to see andrew bogut in a raptors uniform,that there is our ideal down low banger

[Karl]

Hello Douglas,
Esteban Batista had a great FIBA tournament last summer and had a brief stint with the Celtics but hasn't been heard from since. He's a great rebounder and defensive player. Any chance the Raptors take a look at him? Take care.

Blogger's note: Maybe there's a reason he hasn't had a sniff since that short stint with the Celtics. Maybe he's not good enough to play in the NBA. Maybe he doesn't want to play in the NBA. Maybe he's too old. Maybe he's just another guy who's good internationally but not that good in the pros.

[Mark]

The Hump, Joey and TJ to Denver for Nene, Linas Kleiza and Taurean Green. It works under the cap. Your thoughts?

Blogger's note: No thoughts. Denver doesn't do it in a million years.