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.

Cold day? Read here to warm the cockles of your heart

CHARLES KRUPA/AP PHOTO

Boston Celtics guard Ray Allen lands in the stands while chasing a loose ball during Game 5 against the Cleveland Cavaliers in Boston. This might have been Allen's most visible moment of the series.

You think Ray Allen will show up for the Eastern Conference final?

After one of the great disappearing acts of recent times, the Celtics better hope their best three-point shooter finds a way out of whatever slump’s engulfed him or they’re going to have a short stay in the series against the Pistons.

Funny thing was, the Cavs didn’t do anything to make him a non-factor, no double-teams, no special defensive schemes, they just guarded him closely, didn’t give him space to shoot and watched him disintegrate.

All I know is this: The Pistons are an exponentially better defensive team than Cleveland is and it’s not going to get any easier for Allen, or even Kevin Garnett, to get going in this series.

Throughout the first two series – Altanta and Cleveland – there was a sneaking suspicion that the Celtics were playing with fire, hoping to ride their emotion and intensity to wins at home and hoping – just hoping – someone would take control of a road game.

The Pistons are old and experienced and tough, they’ve been though this kind of series for five years in a row and the Celtics, for all their yelling and screaming and gesticulating, had better simply play if they want to win.

I don’t know if there’s a Beantown switch that can be pulled, I get the feeling there isn’t, which is why I can see Detroit taking out Boston in six games.

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I’m told not only is John Lucas likely to get an interview in Chicago (Cleveland reported this on the weekend) but Lucas is also in line to chat with Phoenix about that job opening.

What I’m sort of surprised about, given the breadth of their searches, is that neither the Suns nor the Bulls have thought about approaching Toronto about any of its three assistants, all of whom, I’d say, have as much chance at being a successful NBA head coach as some of the guys (Elston Turner? Tyrone Corbin? Bryan Shaw?) No disrespect to those guys (and I’ve always thought ex-Raptor Corbin would be a head coach some day) but surely teams would at least have an interest in the Toronto guys?

And I know all three would listen if someone called. And I’m sure the Raptors would give them permission to be interviewed if it came up.

But, before anyone gets up in arms about what this might mean to Lucas’s off-season training sessions and whether or not Bargnani will get some help this summer, let’s let the interview process play out and see if Lucas lands one of these jobs. I’d say it’s a long, long, long shot that he’s a head coach in either Chicago or Phoenix next year.

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You check out Candace Parker’s debut Saturday? I did and came away hugely impressed.

That’s what 34-12-8 will do to a casual fan.

I have no idea how many, if any, WNBA fans there are out there (I would hope there’d be more than a few) but if you’re not, give a game a shot. It’s not the NBA so don’t go in with any preconceived notion but watch and I bet you’re entertained.

I don’t consider myself a huge WBNA supporter but women’s pro sports is entirely ignored in these parts and that’s a shame.

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Here’s one from the mail:

Q: You talked about how players are now given workout regimens for the o off-season and are visited by staff. Just wondering if you know how long this has been going on. It's relatively recent, isn't it? I remember Bill Laimbeer famously and proudly never did anything in the off-season. Do you think it's getting out of hand? Or do the salaries now justify the year-round scrutiny?

Guy M, Vancouver

A: It is relatively recent, probably a decade old, maybe a little bit longer.

It’s not really out of hand for the very reason you suggest. Teams make such a financial investment in these players – and one mistake can set a franchise back a year or so – they need to know that the “employees” are doing everything they need to do to remain in shape.

Another thing to consider: Training camps are so short – about a week before teams start playing exhibition games – that there’s really no time for a guy to “work himself into shape” as there was back in the day.

Sam fondly reminds us about eleventy times a year that his coaches had about three weeks of practice before the pre-season began to work guys; he’s got about seven days only three of them – in a collectively bargained arrangement – can include two practices in a day.

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This is borrowed (well, lifted) from Ross Siler’s end-of-the-season Utah Jazz wrap-up in the Salt Lake City Tribute. The whole blog’s too long and irrelevant in these parts to link but check this out:

"(Jerry) Sloan and (Deron) Williams both talked about the need for leadership and toughness. Williams suggested that for as much as Houston and the Lakers complained about the Jazz's physical play, the team could have been even tougher in denying easy layups.

"I think Matt Harpring said we need to sign Hoffa [Rafael Araujo] for a 1-hour contract," Williams joked.

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I see a glimpse of Sam Cassell talking to Damon Jones at the end of the Celtics-Cavs series and all I can think is: Is there ever a moment of silence? And how would either know what the other was saying since neither of them are ever quiet.

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Once more into the mail:

Q: Do you think that NBA players (or any pro athletes, for that matter) pay attention to their fantasy pool popularity/performance? I remember in Arenas' blog he told his fans to not drop him yet when he was re-habbing. So just wondering, if fantasy pools would affect the psyche/confidence of a player? Probably not, but just a fun one! (instead of trade talk!!)

Felix T, Loughbrough

A: I don’t think fantasy popularity has an impact on anything a player does but, believe me, everyone in the NBA knows about fantasy leagues and some players actually take part.

And if they don’t take part in basketball fantasy leagues, a huge majority of them are in some kind of NFL pool.

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Is there a better way to end a long weekend than a Game 7? Get the yardwork done, the newspaper work out of the way, the Little League baseball practice over with and relax on the sofa with Chris Paul and Manu Ginobili.

The head says the Spurs should prevail – big-game experience and all – but the heart would love to see the Hornets pull it out. And I’m not sure we can ever doubt Paul’s ability to take over a game.

Happy Long Weekend Eve (or something like that)

A little reading for the rainy days to come, or this morning when you’re goofing off at work waiting for the long weekend to arrive.

And don’t worry if you don’t see yours here, there are some left, including three or four lists that’ll get me through next week’s blog when there’s only one game a night.

Oh, and will be back on Monday. See ya.

Q: Doug, I hope you didn't think my last question to you was a wild, rambling and implausible trade scenario. Because it wasn't. It was a legitimate question. I'll try rephrasing: Do you think, now that D'Antoni is gone from the Suns, that the Suns might try to make a deal for Nash, who's never been known to be even a passable defender? He's past his prime, while still one of the elite, so they could get something good for him. I threw in the bit about the possibility of him coming to his second-favourite NBA team (the Raptors) as just an extension of that question.

Guy M, Vancouver

A: I know your questions and comments are the furthest thing from rambling, wild or implausible. Not to worry about that.

It’ll be interesting to see what the Suns do but I cannot fathom them moving Nash this season. I think they have taken a huge hit in public perception with the way they handled the D’Antoni departure and to compound that by moving Nash this summer would be folly. I think there would be a huge public outcry they don’t want to deal with.

Next summer, though, after a season in which I think they may struggle (relative to their recent success, of course) I can see them shopping Nash and his expiring contract.

And, I would think a team with legitimate championship aspirations – a group that I don’t think will include the local Toronto heroes of the hardcourt – would be wise to gamble on him.

Of course, I could be dead wrong because the last thing I ever expected to see was Shaquille O’Neal in a Phoenix Suns uniform.

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Q: Quick question. How is a restricted clause (like the one Jose has) put into a contract? Is it just put in by the team to ensure they have the option to keep the player at the end of the term?
Also I was in Taiwan a couple months back and had a Lamond Murray Sighting. Seems like he now playing professional there.
Ron M, Markham

A: The clause making players restricted free agents at the end of their first NBA contracts is a basic part of the collective bargaining agreement and agreed to by both the league and the union.

When you saw Lamond, was he taking a jump shot?

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Q: Doug, I recall Lacy Banks. A class guy.
Speaking of other beat guys, did I hear it correctly that Peter May took a buyout from the Boston Globe and left AFTER the Celts' first-round series? He didn't want to see the thing through?

Jeff H, Calgary

A: Yes, you heard right, a huge, huge, huge loss for the craft and a great friend of all things Canadian. And I think when you agree to a buyout, you go when they say it’s time. Unfortunately, that time was crappy in this situation.

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Q: I want to ask this question because I would really like to hear your take.
It seems that Bosh has really stepped up as a leader this past year and history shows us that teams with good leaders, and good character players, can be successful with one, or a few, 'knuckleheads' if they provide what the team needs; See Rodman/Bulls/Spurs, Penny/Magic, Marion/Suns, Laimbeer/Pistons, Kobe/Shaq/Lakers, etc...
So the question is, if there is questionable character/'knucklehead' player out there that fits the Raps need of a slashing/rebounding wingman; i.e, Artest, Magette etc...
Between 1 and 10, what is the Raps 'knucklehead' factor (10 meaning they could handle/control and be successful with Ron Artest; 1 meaning they need to sign another 'good character guy')?

Nick M, Oakville

A: Interesting list of alleged “knuckleheads” you’ve got there.

Knowing the organization and the kind of player it wants, I’d say there’s a very, very low tolerance for bad character guys, much closer to one than 10. And, in my opinion, guys at the high end of that scale aren’t worth it, no matter what they bring on the court.

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Q: Could you update us on the status of Jim Todd if you know anything because I know he was released when Skiles took over because he brought in his own staff.

Vanlang N, Ottawa

A: If I know JT, he’s somewhere about to tee off right about now, without a care in the world. He doesn’t have a job for next year – yet – but he’s also got a contract for next year from the Bucks, who have to pay him if he doesn’t find another gig.

I presume if he wants to coach another year or two, he will; he’s well-respected throughout the league and someone will need a wise old head on the bench.

Not going to be Toronto, though, that ship has sailed.

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Q: What does a players off-season generally consist of?  Is there any contact with the team or when the seasons done are they given a specific number of months vacation? Is there any times where they have to 'report' in with any training etc? I know some players have different responsibilities with summer leagues, but just wondering about the regular player such as an Anthony Parker, Chris Bosh.

Brad M, Waterloo

A: Well, it’s not like a “regular job” where a guy might take four weeks vacation in the summer and not hear a word from the bosses or the office.

When players leave at the end of season, they’re usually given some kind of workout regimen the team would like them to do and, maybe twice a summer, a member of the training or coaching staff will arrange – at a mutually beneficial time – a visit with any player.

Most veteran players are pretty good about following a regular off-season routine and teams don’t worry about them that much. The more, um, slovenly of them will get more visits from someone on staff.

Over the Moon with money

How’d you like to make almost twice as much money this year as you did last year? And still be considered a bargain by your employer?

Well, if you’re Jamario Moon, that’s pretty much what’s going to happen.

Moon’s going to make about $711,000 in the coming season, which is about a $300,000 raise on what he made in his rookie season.

Not bad, eh?

The funny thing is, Moon is probably still going to be the lowest-paid Raptor by a large amount (unless some second-round pick sticks, and that’s a stretch) which tells you a fair bit about the out-of-whack salary structure in the NBA.

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Did we finally see the Kevin Garnett the Celtics need show up last night? The strength of Garnett’s personality is quite something but so far in the playoffs – especially in the fourth quarter and particularly in the fourth quarter of road games – he hasn’t taken over and imposed himself on his teammates, or the game.

Last night, it looked like he did.

There are few players with his intensity, and skill set, and watching him pass up shots to the likes of Rajon Rondo and Kendrick Perkins in the fourth quarter of some games was shocking.

Garnett’s the kind of guy who has to take those shots, make plays and carry his team on his back.

He did it last night; now he has to do it – eventually – on the road.

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Checking into the mail:

Q: Hey Doug, just wondering wondering if you knew which team started the season with the longest win streak.
Thanks again!

Sam C, Kingston

A: I’m hoping you mean all-time because that’s what I checked.

The 1947-48 Washington Capitols (coached by one Red Auerbach) and the 1993-94 Houston Rockets each started the season 15-0.

This season?

Boston got out to an 8-0 start before losing to Orlando.

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According to People Who’d Know, the Jose Calderon press conference in Spain yesterday yielded nothing in the way of news. Thankfully.

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Wow, lots of anti-Spurs people out there in comment-land, aren't there?

All good points, you’re all entitled to your opinions but here’s something to consider:

Everyone whines. Every team has floppers. No foul called in any NBA playoff game – and almost every regular season game – has actually been committed according to the aggrieved party.

Whining, gesticulating, complaining are as much a part of playoff games as layups, dunks and hard fouls.

Watch tonight. Watch last night. Watch tomorrow night. See them whine.

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You know what really sucks.

Seeing the Lakers play and seeing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, probably one of the top 10 players of all-time, being reduced to sitting behind the bench instead of on the bench, or in some place of higher respect.

I don’t know if Abdul-Jabbar would ever leave the organization, although he did work for the Clippers for a few years, but surely to goodness there’s some team out there that could use a coach with his knowledge and let him sit in the front row and contribute.

Sam? Bryan? You reading this?

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Here’s another one from the mailbag, and tomorrow’s mail day so fill ‘er up this morning and afternoon:

Q: So Doug, we watch as my pick to win it all -the Celts- lose every single game on the road, while somehow winning all at home.
Two questions, as you have followed the team on the road for years. Tell me:

a) When you have a group of professional athletes, why does a road crowd get to them? So much that it actually makes them perform worst then at home? Or is there another reason why? (i.e. travel).
b) Is there any statistics on free-throw percentages on foreign turf?  Or are all home crowds behind basketball nets just plain acting goofy?

Atif K, Scarborough

A: I don’t know that crowds get to road teams as much as they help home teams, if you get what I mean. Teams tend to play far better at home for a couple of reasons. They have a higher level of comfort in their lives and the adrenalin rushes just a little bit more when the crowd is screaming for you. I think that might have as much to do with it as any athlete getting nervous or something playing in front of a hostile crowd.

Doug Collins continues to make an excellent point on this issue in about every TNT game he’s done lately. He says, and I agree, that bench players tend to play far better at home than on the road because the home crowd carries them along.

And, I’m sure on some stats sight you could find a breakdown of home and road free throw percentages, I’m sure it’s also a stat individual teams chart. I just don’t have that site on my fingertips. And even if there is no difference – and I suspect there is – the crowds behind the basket are acting just plain goofy.

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This just in about the Celtics: Sam Cassell is done.

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I know they gave Danny Ainge the executive of the year award last night (and it’s a rather cheesy little hunk of glass, isn’t it?) but as I was watching Pau Gasol work his magic late in that Lakers-Jazz game, I couldn’t help but think Mitch Kupchak should have been hoisting that tiny award.

And then getting a replica made so he could give it to Chris Wallace of the Memphis Grizzlies.

The Hornets are a wonderful story, and so are the Spurs

Sorry I’m a couple of minutes later than usual, was waiting to see if T.J. got traded to New York, Phoenix, Chicago or Dallas. You know, teams with new coaches who want to change everything a franchise has done and are just dying to obtain T.J. Ford.

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Oh yeah, that story out of Chicago yesterday about the Suns denying Toronto permission to talk to Mike D’Antoni?

Never happened. Untrue. Not factual at all.

What happened, according to People Who’d Know in Toronto and Phoenix was that Suns owner Robert Sarver explicitly told D’Antoni that he could not talk to the Raptors when he was out searching for a new coaching gig in that pre-fired time in Phoenix.

It wasn’t that the Raptors asked and were denied.

This is the same Sarver, I’m told, who has an e-mail sent before every Raptor-Suns game reminding Phoenix broadcasters they are not allowed to mention, interview or make reference to Bryan Colangelo.

What a tool.

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I’m not sure there’s a better story in the NBA this season than the one provided by the New Orleans Hornets.

SEAN GARDNER/REUTERS

Contact buzz from New Orleans.

I’m sitting watching the game last night and to see that arena full of fans screaming and yelling was amazing; it used to be like a funeral home in there during regular season games and there was no way I thought the franchise could, or would, survive.

That’s a tough town, ravaged still by Katrina’s legacy, poor, disadvantaged and very much a football town when it comes to pro sports.

But because of the Hornets, you get a sense of more civic pride building and, I know this sounds a bit cliché, but it does demonstrate the power of sports to bring people together.

I have no idea if the Hornets can beat the Spurs and the Lakers or Jazz and play for an NBA title but it’s been sort of heart-warming to see what’s been going on down there.

When we were there for the all-star game, there was all kinds of talk about the rejuvenation of the city thanks to the Hornets and a lot of us wondered if it was just talk.

Seems that it wasn’t.

I’m pretty sure a lot of casual basketball fans have been won over by Chris Paul and David West and Byron Scott (not to mention that Peterson fellow) and the Hornets are the feel-good story of the post-season.

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On the other hand, this pops into the mailbag:

Q: Hi Doug! Well I hope I get a response this time around since my question isn't Raptor-trade related and also because I've tried a few times this past year and you have only responded once =(
Am I the only one hoping that the Spurs win this series?  Every time someone asks me about my favourite teams, after I talk about the Raptors I always say San Antonio and people give me a funny look.  When I ask why they don't like the team, they say that the Spurs are "boring".  What is it about the Spurs that doesn't make them appealing as other teams like New Orleans or Phoenix?  They play such good basketball that I can't understand why people don't like to watch them play.  Isn't good basketball what us Torontonians should be looking for when the Raps aren't around?

Melissa D, Toronto

A: No, you’re not the only one at all and I’m thinking the people who give you funny looks must not be solid basketball fans.

They may not think the Spurs are flashy or that they’re boring but I defy anyone to use those words after watching Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker play for more than a game or two. They are as exciting as any duo in the league most nights.

So, to all of Melissa’s dopey friends: Get with the program, appreciate the Spurs for what they are, a model of consistent excellence.

They remain, in my opinion, the gold standard of NBA franchises.

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Okay, so some of us are out last night celebrating the Media Relations Staff Of The Year Banquet and Buntoss (replete with food, fun, frivolity and a cocktail or two) and I swear I looked up at the television and saw Marcin Gortat and Walter Herrmann on the court at the same time in the Orlando-Detroit game.

I’m thinking if I could have seen Alex Radojevic guarding Mengke Bateer in a playoff game that might be the only better matchup. Maybe.

The NBA: Where You Never Know Happens.

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Jose speaks.

Or so we’re told.

Apparently, he’s having some kind of end-of-season news conference back in Spain today some time to let everyone at home know how his third season went.

I’m sure some news will trickle out, and we’ll dutifully report it, but I also imagine it’ll be more of what we’ve read on his blog and heard him say here at the end of the Raptor season.

I guess a post-season national news conference is a good way to fill in the folks in the homeland, I’m just glad not every Raptor does it because that’s far too many things to track for, usually, no good reason.

But I know there will be highly-accomplished stalke ... um, fans out there waiting to hear what Jose says so we'll have to pay attention.

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One quick question: Which NBA coach do you imagine left Kevin Durant off the first team all-rookie ballot?

That’s unconscionable.

Of course, as I know it, coaches have been known to pass off such chores as rookie team voting to other members of a staff so maybe it was some basketball operations intern who actually made that grievous error.

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Okay, gotta run. T.J. to Dallas done yet? Or Phoenix? How about New York?

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.

Catching up from the weekend

Finally, some juice to the post-season. If we can get a Cleveland win tonight – and the way the Celtics play on the road that’s a distinct possibility – the end of the week might be very, very cool.

Looks like you had a quiet weekend, too. Only a couple of comments and very little mail. Hope it was just a nice weekend blip and you haven’t gone on to other things.

But before we get into the weekend, some Raptor news.

Think there’s another Jamario Moon out there?

Talking to Bryan last week, he says they’re planning another of those free-agent, pre-draft camps here that yielded them Moon a year ago.

Of course, that was a bit of a find, can’t imagine there’s another one around but it will give them a chance to see a bunch of guys at one time instead of wading through a handful of scouting reports or individual workouts.

And unlike last year, when the camp was as much a make-work project for a team without a draft pick, the week leading up to the June 26 draft will be spent dealing with draft speculation and trade innuendo. You know, good days for a beat grunt.

Let’s check in with the series, okay?

Who was that guy?

I’m checking my Raptor guide, under Former Raptors, page 166 and I swear it says Lindsey Hunter shot 35 per cent from the field and 32 per cent from three-point range and played in only 29 games in 2002-03 because he was done.

Who, pray tell, was that out there for the Pistons on Saturday then?

Oh, and what in the world was Hedo Turkoglu thinking? Biggest play of the entire season and he lollygags for about three seconds before driving into traffic? Talk about your mental blips.

I guess I’d given the Magic too much credit, thinking they’d take advantage of no Billups and make it a series.

Dopey me.

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The road’s a terrible place

Simone in Toronto writes over the weekend:

Just finished watching the Cavs/Celts game and was wondering about your take on why the Celts can't seem to buy a win on the road? I'm sure a lot of people thought they would have swept the Hawks, yet it went 7 games and had it not been for home-court advantage, we could have seen an upset. Now we are in the second round and they have yet to grab that road win. Your thoughts?

I wish I had an easy answer for you, Simone.

It makes no sense that a team that defends so well at home defends so poorly (all of a sudden) on the road, like 25 points a game more poorly.

All I can surmise is that maybe the concentration wanes a bit when they don’t have the emotion a home crowd provides? Surely, it’s got something to do with the Cavs and Hawks being more comfortable at home but that can’t be the entire reason.

A combination? Yeah, think that’ll be the most logical explanation.

I will say this: Watching the Cavs absolutely ignore Rajon Rondo on offence all night on Saturday – the Boston point guard just won’t shoot a jumper it seems – means it was a 4-on-5 game and I’m taking the five all the way.

I can see this one going seven with the home team winning every game.

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A blast from the past

Zaki of Mississauga points out something very cool:

I'm sitting here watching the wonderful Lakers-Jazz series, watching Sloan and Jackson on the sidelines, and then it hits me! This is the '98 finals being repeated again. I mean, the similarities are amazing - Jackson's big 3 of Bryant, Odom, and Gasol, is akin to Jordan, Pippen, and Rodman, while Sloan's team is being lead by Williams and Boozer which is similar to the team which was lead by Stockton-Malone. Not to mention the fact that Derek Fisher is the equivalent of the crafty Ron Harper, while Korver is playing the role of Hornacek - just unreal.
In your years of reporting, have you ever seen a similarity such as this before?  I mean, what are the chances that the two coaches are leading the exact same teams 10 years later?  I love this game!

It is something, isn’t it.

Now, I can’t make the case that, as a group, Bryant, Gasol and Odom are better overall than Jordan-Pippen-Rodman, just like I can make the case that Williams and Boozer aren’t close to Stockton-Malone but it is fun to watch.

And, I’ll tell you this, if Kobe’s back doesn’t un-spasm, or whatever it is that happens when spasms go away, I can see Utah winning that series because without his explosiveness, Bryant can be guarded well enough by Kirilenko that just enough of his effectiveness will be lost.

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Who was that guy?

Oh, and while Super Son was watching Survivor (I personally would have voted for teary-eyed Amanda), I was flipping back and forth between commercials and didn’t see very much of the Spurs-Hornets non-game last night.

But in a semi-sleepy haze some time after 10 p.m., I swear I heard Marv Albert talking about Mike James being on the court.

That couldn’t be, could it?

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A question: I know those end-of-quarter interviews with coaches are supposed to add something to the broadcasts but if Phil Jackson and Jerry Sloan are going to be as crusty as they have been, I’m thinking the networks are better off selling something than subjecting viewers to that.

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Hey, I guess Mike D’Antoni isn’t coming here! Oh, and he never, ever was, by the way.

But outside of 24 million reasons, I can’t think of a 24,000,000,001^st 24,000,001st reason for him to take that Knicks job.

And because so many of you think the world only revolves around the Raptors, can we snuff the T.J. Ford-to-New York talk at least until D’Antoni and Donnie Walsh sit down and really talk about their roster.

I cannot see it happening in any way, shape or form. I’d think D’Antoni would like to coach Jamal Crawford and David Lee, who seem to be the apple of all of your eyes and there is nothing else on that roster that would fit here.

Friday delivery, specially for you

Hey folks.

Well, I asked, and you answered. Or I asked and you asked, to be more correct.

Anyway, lots of good ones here and I’ve held over a few to get us through the start of next week.

Thanks for coming through, as always.

Q: I'm surprised to see you casting the Pistons aside so quickly! Especially with your man Walter there holding down the fort and getting some burn (Wednesday) night. If the Pistons don't get Chauncey back, who do you think needs to step up their game the most in the back court - Stuckey or Rip?

Amanda F, Barrie

A: Walter’s great, isn’t he? All crazy hair and weird gait and energy.

Now, for the question. Because the Pistons offence is so, um, plodding and because Billups is so good at getting the ball to the right guy at the right time, you’d think the pressure would be on his replacement if he can’t go, wouldn’t you? But I suggest it’s going to be on guys like Hamilton and Tayshaun Prince to be more creative, get their own stuff, if

Detroit’s going to hold off the Magic.

And I don’t know if they can.

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Q: Doug, as frequent viewer of NBA games I noticed something that bugs me a bit, which is players cursing out loud. I understand some of players were really into the game, but dropping S-bombs out loud and mouthing the f-word (the broadcast doesn't have audio on players) might make kids think it's acceptable to swear out loud. And one more question, how tolerant are referees when players protest/discuss against calls, especially in the playoffs. Are they more tolerant?

Kenneth L, Mississauga

A: Yes, 20-something and 30-something pro athletes curse, some of them quite frequently but I don’t see any remedy to that situation. Unfortunately.

The officials do give players a bit more latitude in the post-season, mostly because the intensity level is so much greater than in the regular season and everyone’s wound a wee bit tighter. There are still basic trigger points for technicals – stuff like throwing a head band, openly showing up a ref – but for the most part, the reigns are loosened a little bit.

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Q: Hey Doug, can we assume Garbo is going to be healthy and resume being an important piece for the Raps' next season?

Hunter B, Kentville

A: You can assume nothing. When the regular season opens in November, Garbo will have played seven NBA games in almost 19 months, expecting him to come back and be an “important piece” right away is asking a lot.

It’s not that he can’t, or won’t, it’s just that it’s going to take him some time to get back up to speed.

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Q: Watching teams like Suns and Mavs make early exits, and both looking for new coaches, do you see the landscape of the West drastically changing next year? Is there finally hope for the likes of Portland or Golden State to get back into the playoffs? I imagine there is no quick fix for the Suns lack of defence, or Dallas's lack of "onions" ... maybe rebuilding years are ahead for both? What teams if any do you see dropping out, or moving up the Western ranks next year?

Caleb H, Ottawa

A: Not drastically, no. I think it’ll be more competitive in the regular season, which may lead to fewer teams with 50-plus wins because I think the Clippers, if Brand’s back, and the Blazers, with Oden, are bound to be better and win more games.

If you’re looking for teams to take a step back, I can see Golden State dropping back a little bit and I do think Dallas will struggle more than they have.

I’ll dispute the Suns defensive issue; if they get a coach who stresses some sort of consistent theme and they actually work on it, I can see them being an average defensive team. Not good, just average. After all, the likes of Barbosa, Diaw and Bell are athletic enough that if they wanted to, they could be okay defenders.

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Q: Here's one for the mailbag. You asked the crazies to take a step back, breath deep, count to 10, and consider how their ridiculous trade idea looks from the other team's perspective, so I'd like to pick your brain as to how other teams see the Raps this off-season - some reverse-trade speculation. We're a team that had a mediocre/disappointing season amid high expectations, a quick first round exit, and it's pretty much universally acknowledged that *something* has to be done - BC can't/won't walk into next season trotting out the exact same roster. We're a team with some obvious deficiencies and clearly looking to make moves.
That said, which teams might be looking at certain Raps assets, our desire to make changes, and lick their chops? Houston is probably salivating at the thought of getting Primoz and Joey for the low low price of Yao Ming, right? .....right????????
Who would be most likely interested in who, and what would suit the Raps? Is it time to break out a list, Dougie??

Michael M, Toronto

A: If you’re a rival GM and trying to pick clean the Raptor roster – and you realize that the untouchables are Bosh, Bargnani and one of the point guards – you start by asking about a sign-and-trade with Calderon. I cannot see that happening so if you need a PG, you switch over to Ford, who has shown he can dominate a game at times.

After that, I’d think a guy like Anthony Parker would be attractive for his ability and his contrat, Rasho the same thing if you’ve got lots of money to spend, although at more than $8 million, that’s pretty steep.

Kapono would be next because he redeemed himself with a good post-season but with three more years on his team, there might be financial concerns.

That a good enough list?

The coaching carousel is slowing down

Man, some of you are bitter, angry people, aren’t you?

Take a look through some of the comments here about Swirsk and tell me how many readers-slash-writers need to be medicated.

On to the stuff:

Sounds like we’ll get some resolution to various coaching problems this week.

CHRIS O'MEARA/AP

Bad news for Mr. Big Shot.

It seems Rick Carlisle’s going to Dallas as early as tomorrow, surely Mike D’Antoni won’t leave everyone hanging and choose between the Bulls and Knicks in the next day or so and that will leave just a couple of openings.

My bet is that D’Antoni ends up in Chicago although I could be wrong, which leaves two openings at the moment: Phoenix and New York.

Which of those jobs is better?

I’d say Phoenix in a heartbeat but I haven’t heard a name linked to that gig at all. I know it’s in the West and the team’s getting old (hello, Shaq!) but it’s certainly got better pieces than the mess in New York

.

I can’t imagine why a guy like Mark Jackson would want that Knicks job. The last thing a first-time coach should do is take over a team that’s awful because they get saddled with losses on the record and people get antsy about having a first-timer in charge.

Unless he gets a four-year deal at big money, it’s a big gamble because a second job is harder to get if you get fired for losing at your first one.

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A personal favourite Chuck story.

We’re in Sacramento a couple of seasons ago and Stumpy’s ex lives there with her new beau, who’s a Kings fan or something. The dude goes to the game and when we’re driving back from Sacramento to San Francisco (you never stay in Sacramento if you can avoid it), Stump’s on the phone to the ex.

She says it’s nice that he had a conversation at the game with the new boy and she’s impressed to hear that Stumpy was all dressed up.

Well, that sends off the alarms because Stumpy’s a lot of things, well dressed not being one of them.

Turns out the ex’s new boy had a long chat with Swirsk, thinking Chuck was Stumpy and Chuck played right along.

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Hey kids, the mailbag’s a little low and tomorrow’s supposed to be mail day so get some in there, would you? And can we get a wee bit more creative that “what do you think of this trade?” please. Thank you.

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Speaking of mail:

Q: I'll keep it concise. Aside from Mo Pete (who I think a lot of Raps fans are rooting for, myself included), are there any other ex-Raps left in these playoffs?  Are any making a contribution or are they buried at the end of their respective benches?
Thanks
Matt K, Toronto

A: Well, you’ve got Mike James doing nothing for the Hornets and Juan Dixon doing nothing for the Pistons. Do they count?

PS: I presume you were looking for someone more obscure than Chauncey Billups, right?

PPS: Wow, I must have been asleep answering this one this morning. How could I have forgotten The Red Rocket, Mighty Mouse and Carlos Arroyo. My bad. My very bad.

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No, I don’t think Richard Jefferson allegedly getting into a scrap in a Minneapolis bar last January makes him any less desireable to the Raptors, who will probably have him on the list of players they’d think about trading for.

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Oh oh.

Watching the Pistons last night and seeing Chauncey Billups go out with a hamstring injury put a whole new spin on that series.

Billups, a big favourite around these parts, is the guy who makes that team go and if he can’t play, I honestly don’t think the Pistons can win.

It’d be a tough finish to a good season for Mr. Big Shot. He won the citizenship award given out by the writers and broadcasters earlier this week but not being 100 per cent for a big playoff series would kill him.

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Hey, when you’re bouncing names around to fill the Swirsky void, remember this: You’re looking for a play-by-play guy, not an analyst. That’s an entirely different, and some would say more difficult, job than the one Jack and Leo do on TV and Eric Smith does on the radio.

Best possible name I’ve heard out there is Seattle’s Kevin Calabro, who would be in any discussion of best play-by-play guys in the league. He’s said he’s not going to Oklahoma City – which shows me he’s smart – but maybe Toronto’s got some more allure?

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There’s be Raptors spanning the globe, spreading their unique brand of cheer, most of the summer.

Assistant coach Jay Triano will take part in Basketball Without Borders clinics in Istanbul, Turkey in early June and director of global scouting Masai Ujuri and assistant trainer for strength and conditioning Keith D’Amelia will be in Johannesburg for clinics in September.

Basketball Without Borders is one of the very best things the league does, by the way.

Some stuff that isn't Swirsk, and some Swirsk too, of course

Holy Salami and Cheese, Batman.

Even for you crazies, this Swirsky stuff is over the top. About 80 comments yesterday, I see another 30 or so in there now I have been able to get to yet and there have to be two dozen e-mails.

I swear it’s bigger than Jose-TJ. Sorta tells you something, doesn’t it?

TORONTO STAR FILE PHOTO

Give us your favourite Swirsk moments in the comments section below.

Here’s my take:
A guy’s gotta do what a guy’s gotta do and if there are family considerations in play – and there are – Chuck’s gotta go.

Guess it sucks but, you know what, life goes on, for all of us.

In the decade he was here, he did a wonderful job promoting the game and the team when it was needed most. How in the world he maintained any semblance of enthusiasm through some of those wretched years is beyond me (of course, he missed the truly awful first couple of seasons).

Obviously he evoked great passion – on both sides of the aisle – and as an entertainer-slash-broadcaster, isn’t that what he’s supposed to do?

He’ll be missed by many, not missed by others but there will be broadcasts next year and someone will fill his shoes.

But, what the heck. Since I’ve got nothing better to do, let’s see if you can come up with your favourite Swirsky moment, dump ‘em in the comments section and I’ll get to ‘em a couple or three times over the next couple of days and post them.

Yes, I seem to be a glutton for punishment.

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Now, on to the big question.

Who’s next?

I presume resumes were being polished all over the GTA last night and the big shot broadcasters with agents – if there are any in this market – will have calls made on their behalf this morning.

But I also presume there is no short list for a couple of reasons.

One, the Raptors don’t have next year’s TV lineup set yet, they don’t know for certain how many games are going to be on what networks and whether those networks – like the CBC did last year – might want to explore having their own “voice.” It didn’t work for the CBC because they were so late getting their final schedule down pat but this might be an opportunity for any network to put its own stamp on its show.

And, secondly, if I know Maple Leaf Sports, this is not going to be the highest-paying gig in network television, regardless of who gets it.

So all of us who’d love to repatriate Dan Shulman or even John Saunders should come the realization that it’s not financially possible. Too bad, though. Either of those guys would be great.

Oh, and one other thing to think about when you’re hoping some big name NBA broadcaster might be interested: As much as some of you’d like to think otherwise, broadcasting Toronto Raptor games to the relatively miniscule audiences they draw is not the biggest plum in television history.

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The great man speaks. And if he’s cooking, I’m eating. The one thing few knew about Oak was that he knew his way around the kitchen like few others.

And it’s always nice to see an Oak story.

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Here’s a little exercise for you all:

Every time you make a trade proposal, walk away for five minutes, come back and look at it from the other team’s angle. Take everything into consideration, contracts, lengths of contracts being traded, players already under contract. Then see if you still think it’s realistic.

It’s nice to talk about all these deals, and very nice of you to ask me about each and everyone but, really, some of them are too far-fetched.

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You know why it’s good to have the Celtics in the playoffs playing meaningful games?

(Beside the fact it’s a great city I’d like to be in for June and the final).

Because when they show guys like John Havlicek and Jo Jo White on TV and an old dude like me starts remembering back in the day.

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Had to wade through about a kabillion Swirsky questions to get a good mailbag offering:

Q: Just a general question about trades. When does the trade deadline lift during the post-season allowing eliminated teams to make deals again? I seem to remember the Araujo-Humphries deal happening when the Finals were still going on.

Dave G, Toronto

A: The moratorium on trades is lifted at the end of the regular season but remains in effect for teams in the playoffs. But once a team’s eliminated, deals can be made, which is why Toronto and Utah pulled that one off during the Finals.

It’s rare that teams do make trades until everyone’s able to, actually.

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So Kobe’s the MVP (I’ll resist the ‘I told you so’ moment) but if there was on thing that was surprising, it was the margin of victory. I figure, just from talking to a few other voters I know, that he’d win; I also figured that Paul would be a lot closer.

But I also think we got the top four right, in order, with Bryant, Paul, KG and James.

Guess that puts the lid on most of the awards for the season, the only significant one left to come are the all-NBA teams. It’ll be interesting to see if Bosh is able to crack the top three.

I’d be surprised.

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Final mail:

Q: Everybody's talking about trading for Yao or Antawn, why? They are looking for a 20 pt.-dropping wing player.I personally really like the team they have now but if you ask me why not go for a Richard Jefferson? He wants out of the Nets and I think he would be awesome in the Raptors playing style.

Justin A, Saskatoon

A: The Antawn Jamison talk is only less slightly off the wall than any mention of Yao, can we please, please, please, please stop mentioning either of them.

And Jefferson does not want out of New Jersey in any way, shape or form. But the fact is the Nets may want to move him. Trouble is, they’ll want a wing player back and there’s really nothing on the Raptors that intrigues them I’m sure.