More of the same, only different

Keep those cards and letters coming and, no, I don’t think the Raptors could put together a package to trade for Yao Ming, as someone suggested yesterday in the zany trade proposal of the day.

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The only thing that would have made last night’s Detroit timing faux pas even funnier would have been if the Atlanta crew had been on the table.

The NBA sends third-party timers to playoff games but I understand last night’s dude was from Minnesota.

In case you missed it, there was a mistake with the clock at the end of the third quarter – it started and then stopped again – that allowed Detroit’s Chauncey Billups to get off, and make, a three-pointer that should not have counted. It did, the Pistons went up by one and went on to win.

The whole thing would have been avoidable if the refs had been allowed to use replay to figure out how much time had elapsed. Even Steve Javie admitted as much to Orlando coach Stan Van Gundy but he was limited by the rules of instant replay.

You can imagine what’s going to be near the top of the agenda whenever the board of governors meets again.

It makes absolutely no sense that with the technology available that they don’t expand the use of replay. Give a coach a challenge, or allow officials to use it when there’s a clock malfunction, whatever. Just do something because this is getting ridiculous.

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Some NBA players spend the start of their off-season decompressing and relaxing. Others? Well, others do more interesting things. Like this.

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You know what I hope?

I hope Mike D’Antoni gets a new job really fast.

That would mean the inbox wouldn’t take a daily beating from the Fire Sam, Hire Mike faction out there that seems to grow exponentially every day.

Now, I like D’Antoni, he’s a good guy and his teams play a wildly entertaining brand of basketball. His teams also play defence like they are allergic to it, and his teams have had Steve Nash and Amare Stoudemire, Leandro Barbosa and Boris Diaw and a rash of other excellent role players. His teams have been quick and athletic and big. His teams have not been the Toronto Raptors.

And if there are flaws in his style and his ability – and apparently there are if you listen to the bleatings out of Phoenix these days – what makes you think they wouldn’t surface here?

Now, Sam has his flaws, all coaches do, but this incessant harping on Mike D’Antoni is really getting old.

D’Antoni might be the next Red Auerbach, he might be the next Red Klotz when it comes to coaching this group of Raptors. You don’t know, I don’t know.

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Hmm, let’s see.

Chris Paul goes for 30 and 12, New Orleans leads San Antonio 2-0 and a guy wonders, “can we do an MVP recount?”
I keed, I keed.

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Let’s get into the mail:

Q: When NBA players are in playoffs what financial benefits do they get/achieve besides their regular salary and bonus that some players may have in their contract when they reach playoffs? Do they get to share the extra revenue that playoff venues generate? Does their salary get prorated for the time they are in playoffs? Any special financial benefits if they win/play in conference/NBA finals?

Vineet B, Ottawa

A: Oh, it’s lucrative all right.

This year, there’s an $11 million post-season pool that’s split between teams depending on how far they advance. For instance, by finishing sixth in the conference, the Raptors earned $74,394 as a franchise and for losing in the first round of the playoffs, they picked up another $164,168. That money is divvied up among players and support staff, the hard-working fellows like Kevin DiPietro and Paul Elliott who actually make the thing run. And who could probably use the cash.

Depending on where they finished in the conference standings in the regular season (teams get money for finishing first through sixth), the NBA champions will share a playoff pool of about $2.7 million when it’s all said and done.

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So, I’m watching New Orleans dismantle San Antonio last night and I’m feeling really good for Mo Pete. Nice to see good things happen to good guys.

And before you all start in on me, yes, it’s too bad he’s not in Toronto and, no, they shouldn’t have kept him, his time here was up.

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Once more to the mail and we’ll shut it down for the day. Unless something happens, of course.

Q: Last question and "thanks" for the great blog season.
I guess I'm more of a homer than a general basketball fan and without the Raps (and Suns) in it, the NBA just doesn't hold my interest...
(and my beer league team just finished our 2nd and last out-of-town beer, er, I mean basketball tournament so time to pack it in for the season.
Which leads to my question: Despite the remaining events you have to write about in the blog (did I mention it is great!), when will the new season BEGIN for you and therefore for US, your starving-for-meaningful-Raptor bball-news-fans?
Barry P, North Bay

A: Glad you asked.

The next big thing for the Raptors, of course, is the June 26 draft, they’ve currently got the 17^th pick. The week leading up to it will be filled with trade speculation (as if there’s not enough of that now) and mock drafts.

From there, we go to the July 1 start of free agency, when teams can start talking to guys; and the July 11 signing day, which this coincides with Toronto playing in the Las Vegas summer league.

If I were a betting man – and gambling, I remind you, is illegal except where sanctioned by the bookmakers in our government – I’d say that period from the June 26-July 1 is when the big moves are going to be made.

So get some rest, take care of the aching muscles, and get ready.

Comments

[Hop Ho]

I saw the NO and SA game last night. Chris Paul is amazing. He makes Tony Parker look so ordinary. And go MOPETE!

[Serge Papineau]

"Now, I like D’Antoni, he’s a good guy and his teams play a wildly entertaining brand of basketball. His teams also play defence like they are allergic to it, and his teams have had Steve Nash and Amare Stoudemire, Leandro Barbosa and Boris Diaw and a rash of other excellent role players. His teams have been quick and athletic and big. His teams have not been the Toronto Raptors."

His teams also haven't won a thing while being arguably the most talented in the league over the past 4 seasons. The Suns are an old and horrible defensive team and so what does the GM do? He asks the coach to work more on defense and develop some young talent. What does the coach do? He asks for permission to speak to other teams about their coaching vacancies... Tells you all you need to know about Mike D'Antoni.

[petro]

Doug... You are the GM of the Raps. Daryl Morey calls you and asks if you have any interest in making a trade... Yao Ming and Shane Battier for TJ Ford and Chris Bosh (and maybe some fillers)... what do you say?

Blogger's note: I call the police because someone on the telephone is impersonating Daryl Morey or has stolen his identity. Not to mention his mind.

[bballer]

i'm just wondering if the calls for d'antoni is b/c most people in toronto mainly only watches the suns or the raps for obvious reasons. i really do believe if more people watched other games, they would truly understand what limited talent this team possessed compared to other teams even in the east.

it will be interesting to see what d'antoni does with the bulls. if players where disgruntled under skiles, i think matters may get worse with guys like noah, thomas and bgordon. i just can't see the team making the playoffs with or without d'antoni. avery would have been a better fit. oh well. paxson must know more and that is why i'm posting to you doug and not an nba gm.

watching billups and tony parker play leads me to ask this question, when was the last time a pass-first pg led his team to an nba championship?

Blogger's note: I see your point on the PG. But I'd give you Jason Williams. I know, Dwyane Wade and all but still ...

[Amanda]

Hey Doug - I'm usually not one for trade suggestions but do you think there is any conceivable way that Mike Dunleavy could end up in a Raps uniform? Word out of Indiana is that they're looking for a PG...

Blogger's note: I think they like Dunleavy as a building block for the future, but I know the Raptors have had him on a list. Whether it's obtainable or not, I have my doubts.

[chris]

Funny. Jason williams was NOT a pass-first point guard.

[Calvin]

Doug,

A few months ago I asked you which 1 current player you would pick to start your NBA, and you responded that CP3 would get a lot of love. I picked either James or Howard.

After watching NO play SA and Dallas. I've changed my mind and Paul would be my pick. I've never seen a PG control a game the he way he does. Every decision he makes is always the correct play, the man is going to be a FOH one day. To think he's only 23, what is he going to do in prime? Scary.....

[Doug S]

So if D'Antoni is out in Phoenix, who is in?

[Darko Dubajic]

Question for all D'Antoni lovers. What is it that all of you people expect he would do for us to make us better.
DEFENCE win, any sport. Phoenix D ranks with the likes of ours,
Warriors... With all that talent in Phoenix what does he have to show for, one conf. final that they had no chance in hell of winning. And when I want entertainment I'll go to a movie or circus ... At the game first and last is to win.
Bballer said it perfect yesterday, and today ... people do your self a favour and watch few games (other than Suns, G.S).
On that note can we give our Smitch permission to talk to other teams, and hope somebody takes him.

[leigh]

Doug,
What's your status going into the offseason ? Are you going to test the free agent market ? Maybe you and Dave F can't share the basketball duties together ? seriously though, if the right opportunity presented itself, would you move to another NBA city to write about their team ?

[stacks]

Wow. You really showed your utter lack of basketball knowledge on this post Mr. Smith. To imply that D'Antoni's system would not work with the Raptors because they have a different personell from the Suns is completely wrong. Although the Raptors do not have the same athletes, D'Antoni's system actually puts a premium on three things: mobile centre/pf, great passing point guard, and shooters. Hey, guess what the Raptors have?

Also, it makes no sense trying to make this current team defensive masters. They simply don't have the big bodies or lateral quickness to be lockdown defenders in any position (other than Moon) - which means D'Antoni's system is the best possible option for this current team.

Also. Jason Williams? Are you really arguing he led Miami to the championship? Really?

Blogger's note: I'm suggesting Williams was the starting point guard on a team that won an NBA title, nothing more, nothing less.

[Darko Dubajic]

Watching NO in these playoffs, I'm thinking better CP3 plays,
better our chances of trading MeJ and actually getting something worthy for him. There is bound to be one Donnie Nelson or ... out there thinking that MeJ should be able to play close to CP3 level with his speed. Therefore GO CP3.
You were right re. it is great to see MoPete doing well these
playoffs, I would only add it is even better seeing VC sitting at home and icing is watching TMac getting bounced in the first round yet again.

[Deez]

Glad to see you keeping up the blog over teh summer Doug, slow now but I think in a few weeks there'll be lots to discuss. Actually, not sure if you ever work with them but RaptorsHQ.com always does a super indepth look at the draft and off-season each year. You, Grange and the HQ should do a sort of bloggers roundtable ala Chris Young. Where did Young end up anyways?

[Jimmy]

Mike D'antoni is overrated, he doesn't know anything about defense did anyone see how the spurs were running that pick and roll time after time? Now look at this series see what a little defense does? Duncan and parker who both were lighting it up in the first round have yet to have a good game. And if you think Sam is bad with adjustments no one is worse than D'antoni it took him untill the 4th game to put diaw on parker and it still did not work that great.

[Alex]

I just heard the Swirsk is leaving to call the Bulls' games!! Wow, no more salami and cheese... no more "BOSH ON A POWER MOVE!"... no more witty banter with Leo...

hmm maybe not a bad thing...

Oh wait. This means Rod Black will probably call the games next year. NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!! My vote? Get CABBIE on the play by play!

[S Hartt]

Get out the Salami and Cheese, mama...Chuck Swirsky's time as Raptors Play By Play man is OVER!