On trading partners and TV broadcasters

That was a rather uneventful Game 7 in New Orleans, wasn’t it?

The only saving grace was that the final few minutes got good although if I’m the Hornets, about the last guy I want taking the big shot to tie the game down three is Jannero Pargo.

The Hornets were the feel good team of the year and Chris Paul certainly established himself as one of the game’s great point guards but New Orleans needs some help if they are going to seriously contend in the next couple of years.

The bench, a sore spot all year, was exposed in Game 7, they have no suitable backup to Paul and I know you all love Morris Peterson but surely there’s an upgrade at that spot.

I don’t know what they’ll end up doing but if they can find a shooter off the bench, another big (Melvin Ely is not the answer) and someone who can give Paul a break, they could be good for a few years.

Let’s see: Shooter off the bench (Parker); backup big (Rasho or the Hump). Looks like there’s a team up here with some excess pieces that might fit.

Trouble is, what do the Hornets have that Toronto wants? Peja’s close to done but how would he look in a Raptor uniform?

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Okay, this is sure to get the minds racing. Check out Dave D and the little nugget about Toronto talks.

And, please, please, please, please do not think that a trade is imminent.

And, remember, the only Nets player anyone’s ever mentioned to me as a possible darling of the Raptors eyes is Richard Jefferson.

I leave you to fill up the comments section and the inbox.

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It says Detroit in six under my name in the paper, guess it should say the same thing here, shouldn’t it.

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Here’s one from the mailbag that dovetails nicely into a situation that’s been quiet for a few days.

Q: After listening to Dan Shulman and Doris Burke call the Celtics/Cavs game last night (am I'm the only one on the internets who enjoys listening to them?) and remembering a question about a month ago about women coaches in the NBA this little nugget popped into my brain: would Toronto be considered a good place for a women to cut her teeth at being the television play-by-play announcer? I would think we would be rather forgiving of a newbie and a bit more open to having a woman in the role but you are a bit more on the pulse of the nation than I am.

Mike D, Oshawa

A: I think that’d be an excellent ground-breaking idea. With one problem: I’m not entirely sure the airwaves are littered with experienced women basketball play-by-play announcers and the last thing the Raptors need to do is hire someone for a very important job who’s never done it before.

But if there is one – and there could be at some college or with some minor league team or someone doing another sport – I’d hope the good folks at RaptorsTV would give them a long look.

Oh, and I love Burke’s work, she and Dan really do an excellent job.

Here’s the latest on the search to replace Swirsk.

Talking to Someone Who’d Know, they said they were inundated by resumes, as you’d imagine, from every walk of life. Guys with experience, guys with no experience, kids who think’d it be cool to get a gig doing NBA play-by-play. They’ve had radio and television reporters write in; radio and television hosts. Lots of locals, lots of Canadians, too.

What they’re looking for is someone who knows what he – or she – is doing.

If I know Bryan Colangelo, who’ll have a big say in who gets the job – there’s no way he gives it up to someone with no NBA experience. This is not an organization where you cut your teeth; this is a job for someone grown up and experienced.

No names at the moment but as I mentioned eons ago, it seems, Kevin Calabro of Seattle has to be on their minds.

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Got a breathless e-mail from a friend yesterday who spotted a story somewhere that says Carlos Delfino would like to stay in Toronto but if the offer’s not good enough, he’d consider playing in Europe.

To which I say: “Duh!”

Of course Europe would be an option for someone who’s a role player in the NBA.

This is not news.

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Another one from the mail:

Q: Hey Doug, you heard of Nicolas Batum? Word on the street is he's a serious threat in Europe and is entering the draft. Could he be our missing SF? I don't see him going that high in the draft since he's coming over from Europe and hasn't played much this year for his EuroLeague team. History says that France can make some serious athletes (Pietrus, Turiaf, Diaw, Parker) and Batum is a known athlete who can attack the rim.

John G, Hamilton

A: I have heard of Nicolas Batum and so have the Raptors. I don’t think he’d be the missing SF right off the bat but I’m told by scouts who’ve seen him – I haven’t seen as much as a video of the guy – that he’s still got lots and lots of work to do on his shot and his ball-handling. He is long and athletic but to think he’d be able to come in an answer this team’s problems next year may be asking a lot.

He will be in the mix, though, if he’s still available when the 17^th pick rolls around.

Comments

[Aaron Campbell]

Eric Smith should be the next play by play man for the Raps.

[chris]

So funny. Doug, aren't you the guy who constantly razzes fans for their trade ideas? That they should think them through thoroughly (fit, contract $/yrs, sanity, etc) before even bringing it up?

Then you mention Parker and Rasho - two "excess" pieces.....AKA two of our starters. Even if this offseason they (hopefully)both get bumped to the bench by better players......do you really think Peja is an upgrade for us??

Think i just puked in my mouth.

[Amanda]

Whoaaa Detroit in 6? Bold, but I agree.. maybe 7. Boston has been less than convincing and I think the Pistons smell blood.

[Kevin]

I love the Shulman/Burke combo. Just thought I'd throw my hat in the ring and say that her analysis is much appreciated.

[Craig A]

Not Kevin Calabro!!! I lived in Vancouver years ago (before the Griz landed) and quickly grew to hate that guy when I would catch a Sonics game on TV.

[Paul M.]

So, Doug, are we supposed to even take D'Alessandro's comment seriously, since he said the talks are about Bargnani and you've said repeatedly that he's not going ANYWHERE? Or shall we sweep your Bargnani comments under the carpet, like your repeated claims (up until two months ago) that re-signing Delfino was priority #2 for the Raps. I keed, I keed...at least about the second sentence.

Blogger's note: I don't know whether you should take anything seriously; I will stand by my assertion that I don't think there's a deal out there -- and especially with the Nets -- that would lead Bryan Colangelo to change his mind on Bargnani.
I offered that story as a "for what it's worth" item only.

[GM]

Maybe I'm too used to colour commentators being former players or coaches in the NBA for me to like Doris Burke. I'd like to think that's the reason anyway; not that I'm sexist. I'd also not like it if I'm listening to a male colour commentator who's never played or coached in the NBA. It may be a reason why I'm not too crazy about Jack Armstrong, as nice a guy as he is. And why I can't watch or listen to Sherman Hamilton and Paul Jones. Plus, Burke is just so serious, like she's trying to hard to show she belongs.

[Jacques]

What about Norma Wick coming to T.O.????

[Caleb]

Oh boy Doug...you certainly threw a fresh bloody steak to a pack of hungry wolves with that rumor out of NJ! I am very interested as to exactly what the Nets would be willing to give for Bargnani. They allude almost all deals would have to involve Richard Jefferson, but I highly doubt that would work straight up for Bargnani both financially and in terms of the ability of each. Bargnani is looking more and more like Kwame and less like a Dirk every day, where RJ is an established starter who can easily average at least 15 a game and capable of pulling down a decent amount of rebounds. I personally would pull the trigger even if it involved packaging a few players to get him. Jefferson would be the best starter Toronto would be able to obtain, and this would get a lot of the pressure off of Bosh. I know it might give the impression that BC made a mistake drafting him, but it's time to make up for it and at least trade him in for a player who at least resembles a star player. This is not to say Bargnani won't make it in this league, but a capable starter on a playoff team??? I have my doubts. Roll the dice BC!

[Nigel]

PLEASE NJ take Bargnani!! Let NJ deal with his arrogance. Barney for RJ!!!

[DougG]

Doug could you give us some idea how these rumours get started?

Do GM's ever start them or pass them on themselves, as part of their role as a GM? Are they all manufactured out of thin air?

For example, there are rumors on the web that the GM of the Nets is notorious for spreading rumors to try and drive up the value of his players? Do you think there is any truth to that or is it, like most rumors, entirely dreamed up?

Blogger's note: I think every franchise in the league likes to drive up the value of its assets and I think May, June and July are the age of disinformation around the entire league.

[Paul]

Really, how many Raptor fans would miss the loss of Bargnani? He may very well end up being a bust, or a phenomenal player, but he seems more of an enigma than anything else right now. If the Raptors are really only a few pieces away right now, and we can get one, it might make sense to go for it. Why wait? There are no guarantees that Bosh sticks around after his contract is up, and the Raptors may then be well on their way to "Pacersville"...

[TMF]

If Swirsk's replacement is going to be an existing Canadian tv personality, it makes sense to me that this person would come from The Score. They're the only network that has people who actually know anything or care about basketball. Tim Micallef comes to mind. I don't even know if he'd be good, but it's just a thought.

[tim]

yea mo pete, doing nothing for the hornets

[Eric]

Peja Stojakovic, Doug? How in the world can anyone who regularly watches Raptors games possibly justify that?!?!?! Yes, the Raptors surely need more three-point shooters! That's the answer! I should hope you made that post after a few dozen adult beverages! Borderline unreal.

[Zaddups]

So GM I guess the fact that Sherman Hamilton played Division 1 ball in the States and some pro ball as well as representing Canada in the Olympics in BASKETBALL gives him no credentials? Wow. That's why all the talent in all fields leaves Canada! We as Canadians have to start changing our mentality and believing in OUR people and not having to wait till they "prove themselves abroad(U.S.) before we deem them CAPABLE of doing the job here. Sherm,Jonesy and Da Coach(Armstrong) keep doing what you do. Haters step off!

[Aaliyah]

Got a breathless e-mail from a friend yesterday who spotted a story somewhere that says Carlos Delfino would like to stay in Toronto but if the offer’s not good enough, he’d consider playing in Europe.

Your friend probably got the story from Carlos' website, or from the newspaper he writes a column for. I read it in spanish and this is what i got: He said that he wants to continue growing in the nba..which means that if the raps dont give him a good enough deal, then he might look for something else. It honestly made me so sad to read that, because i really do want him to stay in toronto.

[Aditya J]

peja in a raps uniform....liability on defence and we don't need anymore of them...(because defence will win us a championship).... and peja's not going any where from the hornets.

[Justin]

Of course Rod Thorn wants Bargs, since he's not close to having reached his full potential. Shame on you Doug for trying to rowl up the Raptor faithful.

Oh and I watched that Shulman/Burke combo over the weekend and all I could think was, man I wish the Jays still had Shulman and Buck Martinez calling Jays games as I think many of us are tired of the jays combo in place today. As for Burke, yeesh...

Lastly, I don't have anyone in mind for the TV gig but I deeply hope it is NOT Eric Smith that gets it, although I dont see the powers that be breaking up the radio team to fix the tv one.