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?

Comments

[Ken]

No mention of Jamario Moon making the All-Rookie 2nd team? I would have voted him to the 1st team over Jeff Green of Seattle. Moon's offensive numbers are comparable and he's certainly more of a defensive presence than Green, while most importantly, he was a serviceable starter on a playoff team.

[Amanda]

I have been a Spurs fan for many years now, and have enjoyed the success they've had. But for some reason, I can't help but finding myself secretly wanting the Hornets to win. As much as I enjoy the Spurs and their very un-boring style of play, it's easy to want the Hornets to succeed. The story's just too good.

[voislav]

I think that what puts people off with the Spurs is that they don't make the highlight reel. Very few dunks, no high-flying players. They also play very solid defence every night preventing easy baskets on their end. So it's understandable that casual fans, for whom basketball is Player X dunking over Player Y, will be put off by this display of "fundamental" basketball. Damn kids these days, have the attention span of a small rodent.

[Paul]

I don't like the spurs for two reasons: bruce bowen and robert horry. I loved them for a lot of years, but those two guys have grated on me and turned me into a hater. Oh yeah, and cheering for the team that always wins is boring. That's why I love the Raptors so much ;)

[Lavi]

I'm sorry to be negative norris here, but after Orlando's outing in five games, I have to look at where the Raptors stand once again. So the Raptors lost to Orlando in five games, which lost to Detroit in five games. Detroit was missing their best player for three of those games i believe.

As well, I'm not totally sure about these stats, so I'm going to write it in the form of a question: Did the Raptors beat any team that made it to the playoffs in the second half of the season?

Out of every team in the playoffs, to me, the Raptors seemed like they weren't ready to be there. The defensive intensity and passion that every other team in the playoffs contains, was lacking in the Raptors. This all leads me to conclude that the Raptors were not a playoff team this year. They happend to be there because the East was so weak.

Just my thoughts.
Lavi

[Darko Dubajic]

Doug, here is one for you. MeJ to Partizan Belgrade for Milt Palacio and Nikola Pekovic, numbers match ( if you disregard $ for Serbian dinar). We get back up PG and 7 ft
banger with soft hands who can finish... And MeJ can start, finish, even play during half time if he wants.
That aside, in your talks with BC, Maurizio have you heard name of above mentioned kid from Partizan (he is only 21) and made it to this season 2nd All Euroleague team. He is still deciding weather to put his name for the draft, but we could have a chance of getting him with 17th pick.

Blogger's note: I have heard of him, and know that Bryan and Maurizio have both seen him play

[Duncan]

Hey Doug, love the blog, it is my morning cup of coffee. ( best enjoyed with a cup of coffee!). Another crazy TJ trade here for you. I recently read that "nobody is safe" on the Nuggets roster. How about TJ and Jorge for Camby??? I know, I know, why would Denver give up on a former defensive POY? They could move Nene to the 5, Garbo to the 4, and have TJ, AI, and that other guy at the 1,2,3. That would be a run-and-gun starting 5, no??

[Harm]

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

According to his history of player judgement, I would say: Isaiah LOL

[Duncan]

Hey Doug, another question for you here, and I won't even mention a certain soon to be ex-raptor point guard. After BC came in and drafted AB, I mentioned to my inner BBall circle that if there was ever a GM who would trade the incumbant PF so that he could insert his own draft pick in that starting 4 spot, it was BC; based purely on his past history of having big "onions", and making big trades. Do you think it is in any way plausible that BC would trade CB for say, a legit 5 (Caman/Scola/Oberto/Ming) and then insert a suddenly rejuvenated AB as the starting 4?? I know it sounds crazy to trade your best player, but you do have to give something to get something, right?? And isn't BC be the ideal guy to make a gutsy move like that??

Blogger's note: Chris Bosh is NOT being traded. Put it out of your mind.

[Dean]

I think calling the Spurs the "Gold Standard" is a little much don't you think? I mean they're not nearly as boring as people like to say they are, but I hope they get bounced and soon. Hopefully I never have to endure Timmy, Manu, Parker and the rest of that team, Pop included, act like they've never committed a foul in their careers. Besides that, Bruce Bowen is one of the most unsportmanlike players in the NBA and maybe in any sport.

If you want to pick a gold standard, as much as it pains me to say it, I'd have to go with the Pistons. Yes, Rasheed included.

[ET]

Not sure how J.Green made the 1st rookie team. I think Moon, Young, or Navarro could have easily been on the 1st team instead of J.Green.

[Dave]

Doug - Does your "Gold Standard of NBA Franchises" include measurement of whining and crying after almost every cal? That's what the Spurs do and why I give Spurs fans "funny looks."

[andy c]

the Spurs may play boring basketball but when was the last time a basketball team drafted all it's key championship pieces and stayed contenders for so long? i think the most recent one would have to be Jordan's Bulls

[bballer]

great article on joe dumars and how he builds the pistons.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=At4yf7HzHGXsbyX.msn0Ddi8vLYF?slug=dw-dumarspistons051308&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

i hope that link works.

this guy and rc buford/pops are my basketball icons. i'm hoping john hammonds has similar success in milwaukee. at least he will bring their ridiculous contract situations under control.

[Serge Papineau]

I think the reason people don't like to watch the Spurs has more to do with their system than their players. They're a defensive team that plays most of their offensive possessions in a half-court offense. They're grinders, a lot like the Pistons, and I believe that's the reason they don't get much love... well that and all the flopping and whining they do.

[TMF]

Re: Durant
From what I can tell here http://www.nba.com/news/all_rookie_080513.html, Durant got 28 First Team Votes and one Second Team vote, for a total of 29. Since there are 30 coaches, wouldn't that mean one coach left him off BOTH teams in his voting?

Blogger's note: Coaches can't vote for their own players; making 29 votes the most anyone can get.

[TC Woodley]

The name's Angry not Dopey!
I was musing with the idea of responding to your comments about people who don't like the Spurs and I may not have written at all until you classified me as dopey.
I don't hate the Spurs because they are boring I hate them the same way people hate the Philadelphia Flyers from the old Broad St. Bully days. I just have a block when it comes that team.
It started with Mr. Robinson remember him? The Spurs managed to get him out of his obligation to the Navy and it always seemed to me to be some sort of sneaky deal. Conspiracy-minded I may be. So I've had a distaste for the Spurs since then.
Then, when Steve Nash spoke up against the Invasion of Iraq, Mr. Robinson told him to Shut Up and get the hell out of the US. ANd nobody defended Nash's right to speak his mind. So I've had a real hate-on for Robinson and the Spurs since then. They kind of represent the jingoism Canadians dislike about Americans.
I try to watch them play, because I wonder why people, like you for example, say Tim Duncan is the best power forward ever. I can't see it, but I know I have a mental block to teams from Philadelphia and San Antonio
It's convoluted and complicated but not dopey. And I'm a real fan of the sport.
PS, I'm a real fan of the blog. Now that I've vented I'll go back and finish today's edition.

Blogger's note: Don't take it personally, I was busting on the letter writer's friends. In jest. Yeesh!

[nowfocus]

While its not saying its silly to like the Spurs, there are plenty of reasons not to like them as much as the Hornets or the Suns for knowledgable basketball fans.

I'm always frustrated with teams that only got as good as they are because they got the number one pick in a year where there is a consensus number one. Everyone knew Duncan was going to be incredible. On top of that, they were only in the lottery because David Robinson got injured, so there were already a decent team without Duncan. Adding him, and Robinson coming back, and they were unstoppable. How many championships do you think they would have won with Billups or Van Horn instead?

On top of that, the Spurs whine to the refs more than most, and I think they would have lost the series to the Suns last year had it not been for an officiating fiasco.

Compare that the the Suns, Hornets, or Pistons (the model of consistancy in my books), and you see franchises that were built, not handed to them. Its a lot easier for me to root for that.

[Tree]

I can't stand the Spurs, but it's got nothing to do with them being 'boring', and sorry Doug, I'm no dope for disliking them. There's no arguing with their success, and they really are a model franchise in terms of drafting, coaching and player development. But the reason I can't stand them is their attitude. Ginobli, Parker and Omberto are the biggest floppers in the league; Duncan reacts to every foul as if there's no possible way he could have done it and whines at every possible instance; Popovich, while a great coach, loses it at least once a game on the referrees about calls and non-calls. This is why basketball fans don't like the Spurs, especially when you have Parker admitting that he embellishes fouls to ensure they're called. While they ooze basketball talent, they are also world-class actors.

I think you can sum up most fans' feelings about the Spurs as such: Utmost respect for the organization, utter disdain for the antics of some star players.

[DS]

Doug didn't mention Jamario because he had to put his foot in his mouth all season after deeming Mr. Moon expendable and projecting that he wouldn't even make the roster.

[RS]

Did Someone just suggest trading Chris Bosh for possibly Scola or Oberto? A trade like that would rival the VC for nothing trade.

I like talking about potential trades with friends as much as anyone, but people really need to take a step back and actually think them through before posting them (like the one the other day that nets us Haslem and Blount, just a terrible idea).

If the Raptors trade Bosh for Oberto and keep the rest of the team the same they win 25 games max.

[lulu]

This is what makes the Spurs boring: hack-a-shaq. That kill the series. They do whatever it takes to win from coach to number 15.

Going to the raptors, someone should have told mitchell that he coulda used that on players whose names do not rhyme with hack, like that Howard guy and kill any momentum that the Magic created.

06-07 COY? what a joke

love the blog

[Ellie]

Dave, you forgot to mention the flopping, of which the Spurs are the once and future kings.

As a group, they don't seem to have a lot of charm. The dir-tay hard fouls on Nash in the 2007 playoffs probably didn't help.

[David]

I like the Spurs. They play lock down defense and that leads to championships. But I hate how much they flop and whine. When Tim Duncan misses a shot he looks over at the ref and wonders where the foul is. Manu falls down after every jump shot if his defender is in front of him. Last night Tyson Chandler sets a pick that Tony Parker doesn't see and Tony falls down. The ref calls a foul on Chandler. That was a pick not a foul. Tony blame your teammates for not warning you. Tony acts like he has some head trauma. I thought you you were suppose to play the other team not the refs.

[Mo]

I think the Spurs being perceived as 'boring' has more to do with their 'boring' logo and colors. Same thing with Philadelphia. They play exciting basketball but you can't be attracted to those jerseys! They're so lifeless!