If this is Tuesday, it must be ...

I swear I woke up, looked a clock that said 8:14 and immediately thought, “what’s that make it back home?” Too long on the road, too long from west to east.

But I got a sneaking suspicion we’re in Boston until Friday, which means I’ll be home for Little League batting practice (keep the hands and elbows up, throw your hands at the ball, kids) on Wednesday night.

On to the stuff, such that it is:

A little spy tells me there was special guest at Game 5 in L.A.

One Danilo Gallinari, who was conducting a workout under the auspices of his agents, for a couple of teams.

Am told Memphis was one of them – the Grizzlies have the fifth pick – but no work on whether the Raptors a representative there. I doubt it, since there’s no way Gallinari is there at No. 17.

The workout’s part of the final push to the NBA draft. Teams are starting to get even more serious, things are starting to shape up at the top of the draft and everyone wants to get one last look, or another look, at possible picks.

The Raptors only have the one session schedule at home on Thursday, but if I know Bryan and his merry band of talent evaluators, they’re out somewhere catching up with more possible picks.

They have to be, don’t they?

The only guys they’ve had in so far who could conceivably be drafted No. 17 were Douglas-Roberts, Rush and Lopez and that’s not nearly enough.

I know Thursday will provide a look at two or three more – Batum for sure, we don’t have a full list yet – but what we’ve got to figure out is who’s where seeing who.

I remember Year 1, walking into the SkyDome for the draft and being told the Raptors had worked out Stoudamire that afternoon – his second workout – that made us realize he was the pick.

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Best chant of the series, as least the three games I’ve seen?

LA fans screaming “wheel-chair, wheel-chair, wheel-chair” whenever Paul Pierce was on the foul line.

For Laker fans, who tend to be far more sedate that almost any group of fans in the game, that’s genius.

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Here’s one from the long-neglected mail (guess I should probably get at it this afternoon)

Q: Given the whole 'all refs are evil and fix playoff games' story that's sloshing around, I realized one simple fact:  refs NEVER give interviews. Ever. So I was wondering: Are NBA refs bound to not talk to the media at all?
Do you think refs answering for their calls after games is a good idea? Have you ever interviewed any of them? Are YOU bound to not print any of their quotes? And because of this are YOU indirectly involved in the KINGS/LAKERS conspiracy of 2002? Feel free to consult your lawyer before answering.
Also ... Why is no one discussing Seattle's Chris Wilcox for T.J. Ford?

Estaban D, Uxbridge

A: Refs can talk, actually, and have.
Here’s how it works:

If there’s a call in the game that is directly a rules interpretation, reporters can ask a team official to ask the crew chief if they’ll answer a question for a “pool reporter” (a beat grunt who will then provide the answer to the question to everyone else). The referees can say yes or no, although I know the league would like them to answer more often.

In fact, Steve Javie was asked to provide an explanation of the clock malfunction call in the Pistons-Orlando series this year but he declined.

So, I’m not part of that conspiracy. Although I remember flying out to Sacramento for Game 7 of that series and because of the Game 6 result I got to work a couple of extra days rather than relax in California.

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Okay, you probably don’t want to hear this and I’ll take your slings and arrows ‘cause it’s very cool.

Part of the gig at things like this is that the teams and league fed the hungry horde of writers and broadcasters before the game. (They sell us food in the regular season most places, at the final or all-star it’s comped).

Well, we show up at halftime of Game 5 looking for coffee or a soft drink (something to stay away ‘cause it’s so damn late) and what do they have in the dining area:

THREE CHOCOLATE FOUNTAINS

Yes, liquid chocolate alongside various Rice Krispie things, cookies, marshmallows and strawberries.

That, my friends, didn’t suck.

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Had more than a couple questions like this so I’ll use this one as representative of them all:

Q: Outstanding web log thing. Just wondering (at risk of this sounding like amateur hour) why was Game 5 of the Finals held in LA? I thought that usually the fifth game was held on the team with the best record's court. Thanks.

Zac T, Bracebridge

A: I think you and the other writers are far too pucks-oriented.

The NBA went to a 2-3-3 2-3-2 finals schedule (two at home for the team with the record, three at home for the other, two at home for the team with the best record) back in the ‘80s.

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Who wins tonight?
If Kevin Garnett shows up, the Celtics do.

I can’t imagine him having the same kind of bad game he did on Sunday, both offensively and with the foul trouble that then allowed Gasol and Odom to get off.

Of course, I’ve been wrong before (as I’m often reminded) so use that prediction for entertainment purposes only.

Comments

[Nick M]

Estaban D, I am glad someone else is thinking of some type of a deal with the Sonics.

I've been discussing this option with fellow fans for a while. Originally, I thought the Raps should be offering TJ and Moon for Jeff Green and Wilcox. Green and Moon had similar rookie years and although Green's upside is much better, TJ is the starting PG the Sonics need to play with Durant and TJ is younger and better than Wilcox.

Then I thought there is no way the Sonics trade for a starting PG when they are already paying two backup level players, Watson and Ridnour, 13 million combined. This is where Doug always states the Raps have to take something back from the Sonics. The updated trade would be TJ, Moon and Rasho for Green, Wilcox and Ridnour. A starting PG and future cap space for a young team (plus getting rid of a approx 3 yr 20 million bad, bad contract to Ridnour) and the Raps get their starting SF, backup PG and Banger.

Thoughts?

Blogger's note: I think there is no way in the world the Sonics trade Green.

[Harm]

Hey Doug, I suppose you mean a 2-3-2 schedule? Regards

Blogger's note: Typo fixed, thanks

Food stories in your basketball blog?

Thanks for telling us the great story of the chocolate fountains, Martha.

[Paul]

Doug, please disregard the curmudgeon that complained about your report of the chocolate fountains. I think I can speak for many and say that we find the insider tidbits very interesting.

[JC]

Hey Doug - not a complaint, but rather a heads-up for your web guys.

I don't know if anyone else has mentioned this, but I've had trouble loading your blog lately. Here's what you can tell the web guys - the framework of the blog (the masthead and the sidebar) load in first, but then the text either takes a long time to load, or the whole thing crashes.

I'm on a Mac, and I tried using both Firefox and Safari, both to the same result.

Anyway, it might just be my computer, but I figured I'd let you know, in case other people also mention it.

Keep up the great work. This blog is mandatory daily reading. Don't let the crazies get to you.

Blogger's note: The situation has been passed on to people who know how to deal with these things.

[John C]

Hey Doug - not a complaint, but rather a heads-up for your web guys.

I don't know if anyone else has mentioned this, but I've had trouble loading your blog lately. Here's what you can tell the web guys - the framework of the blog (the masthead and the sidebar) load in first, but then the text either takes a long time to load, or the whole thing crashes.

I'm on a Mac, and I tried using both Firefox and Safari, both to the same result.

Anyway, it might just be my computer, but I figured I'd let you know, in case other people also mention it.

Keep up the great work. This blog is mandatory daily reading. Don't let the crazies get to you.

[Vince]

The Sonics traded Ray Allen for the draft rights to Jeff Green. Ray Allen! There is no way they trade the former Hoya after just one year in the green and gold. You're more likely to see Ron Artest in a Raptor's uni next year than Green. Speaking of which, what are the chances we see Ron Artest in red and white next season? He is clearly a perfect fit for the Raps (his game, at least).

[Eric]

A curmudgeon sounds like it would be a good food, too, if it was a food. Mmmmm. How about three curmudgeon fountains at the Staples Center?!?! Would go down well with an adult beverage. Too bad it's not a food.

[Javier]

This just in... it is official, Garbo and Raptors agreed to part ways. This is all over the Spanish news.
Also noted are the results of his most recent physical indicating that Garbo is fully recovered from his injury

[GM]

The New York Times wrote this yesterday:

"The league does not comment on its officiating assignments, which are revealed the morning of a game. Under league rules, Bavetta is not permitted to speak with the news media."

So to clarify your point above, does this mean refs are only permitted to talk to the media about individual rule interpretations in specific games but are not permitted to talk in general about anything else?

Blogger's note: Yes, that's what it means. They can only speak -- and only if they want to -- about specific rules and situations in specific games.

[Nolan]

FYI: I'm on a Mac and have never had a problem with the page.

I agree that there is no way Green is a Rap, at least for that proposal.

[siukong]

There was a pretty interesting interview with Bennett Salvatore on Truehoop quite some time ago. Don't have the link handy, sorry.

[Reuben G]

Hey Doug,

Any ideas on who might be a replacement for Chuck in 4 months time? I hear Bob Cole is looking for a job.

Blogger's note: No word yet, but it'll be on the to-do list now that the final is over and I can get back home.

[Uncle Zeke]

Hey Doug: Do you think that the Celtics have any shot at overtaking the Raptors in the Atlantic this year? How in the world does Boston expect 3 over-the-hill "superstars" to share the ball?? Look at Boston's bench, what a joke- Raptor's have the deepest team in the league!!

Am I missing anything?

Ha! That bit will never get old!

[Thane]

Hey Doug:

Do you find that there's an ethical dilemma taking free stuff (food) from an organization (the NBA) that you're writing about?

Blogger's note: No, not at all. If you think a professional sports writer could have his opinions swayed, or his work influenced, by something as simple as a meal, you're dead wrong.

[Thane]

Hey Doug:

Hope you didn't take offence to my question - don't worry, I have no doubt that you wouldn't be influenced by a meal.

The question was more one of image than of effect. Just as I'm sure that politics or business writers wouldn't have their opinions swayed by a meal, I imagine it would raise a few eyebrows if the Liberal Party or NorTel took the reporters covering them out for a fancy dinner.

Blogger's note: No, no offence taken at all. Perception, sometimes, is reality and it can be a legitimate concern among readers.
You have to trust who you read, I guess; and I hope the prepondence of evidence would suggest I'm a trustworthy source of news and information.