Let the busy week begin

Ready for a busy week?

For some reason, I've got a sneaking suspicion that this could be a biggie, lots of rumors and a big deal before the draft. Nothing concrete at the moment but just a feeling.

I'm not sure they've found Mr. Right at No. 17, everyone who'll be left is going to have some flaws and if they can package the choice with, say, T.J. I think they'd do it.

We already know they've kicked the tires on Boris Diaw and I imagine that's just the tip off the iceberg. For every report that gets out there, figure there's half a dozen others that general managers, coaches and agents are able to keep to themselves. It' up to the intrepid grunts to ferret out as many of those other ones as possible.

This week will include a lot of posturing, and some reports that are flat out wrong. But from what I'm told around the league, there's all sorts of serious discussions taking place.

Everyone figures Portland's trading out of No. 13 for the right deal but the word on the street is that there is no fit with Toronto at present. The Blazers aren't all that thrilled with the thought of Ford running their team and they are desperately seeking a point guard.

Hang on, kids, we're in for a bumpy week.

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From the Department of Underwhelming News, the following prospects (suspects) will be in to workout for the lads today:
Guards Ryan Bell of Carleton and Jaycee Carroll of Utah State, forwards J.J. Hickson of North Carolina State, Josh Duncan of Xavier (Ohio) and D.J. White of Indiana and centre Vlad Kuljanin of UNC-Wilmington.

Bell and Kuljanin are good Canadian lads, nice of the Raptors to give 'em a look.

As for possible draft picks? Hickson's the only one with a remote possibility of being a Raptor on Friday morning. And the fact this is his second workout in Toronto may mean everything, it may mean nothing.

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Let's start the weekly mail:

Q: Doug, have you heard about (or do you think it's possible) that the Raptors might get involved in a trade with New York to move up in the draft and maybe get David Lee as well? Our expiring contracts would be attractive to New York. We would probably have to take back one of their terrible contracts in return but is there any scenario you see as working out for both teams?

Steve M, Toronto

A: I haven't heard of any serious discussions between Toronto and New York, I'm sure they've talked in passing but not about anything of any substance. And I'm told Mike D'Antoni is quite all right with Nate Robinson as his point guard so a T.J. deal isn't likely.

So, no, I don't see a scenario that works out, although nothing at this time of year would surprise me.

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Hey, all you cool cats in Ottawa.

See you in late-September.

Am told that training camp's all set for Carleton, starting around Sept. 29 or 30 and winding up with a intrasquad scrimmage at the university on Oct. 5, I believe it is.

Any and all restaurant recommendations welcomed.

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Lots of questions out there about the search to replace the Swirsk. Not a whole lot to report at the moment, I'm told they have talked at least briefly to the The Score's Tim Micallef but not sure how seriously.

The one name I keep hearing in lots of different conversations is Matt Devlin.

No idea when they'll make the decision since they're juggling a couple of other balls in the air, too.

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Did you catch reports over the weekend that Greece's Olympiakos is looking to offer AP something in the neighbourhood of $24 million over three seasons?

They can offer that, the moon and half of Athens if they want, AP's not going anywhere unless the Raptors release him from the final year of his contract and no one I spoke to in Toronto yesterday can imagine that happening.

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Another letter:

Q: What's up with Canada's Gotham Doug? First Cliff Fletcher, now Cito Gaston. If Sam Mitchell is next to walk the plank, is it conceivable the Raptors could also look to the past? Your pick? Do you still have your disco shoes?

Bob W, Winnipeg

A: I'd be all for Butch making a comeback, if only for the entertainment value for us beat guys. He was a classic story-teller.

I'm pretty sure I burned whatever remnants I had of the disco era. Wisely.

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Oh yeah, do me a favour, would you? If you're looking for something to do on the coming weekend, check out the national men's team in its exhibition games with Lebanon and New Zealand.

They don't play here very often, it's been about five years now, and they could use some support.

Go here to get all the details.

Comments

[Ellie]

I am fond of the Black Tomato, which is in Ottawa's downtown market. Good food, nice atmosphere and (my husband assures me) good beer.

Blogger's note: Duly noted and greatly appreciated.

[Patrick in MTL]

Hi Doug,

Just curious if you had any thoughts about the Raptors free agent camp that took place over the weekend. Did anyone stand out as a possible/viable option that the Raptors could stick at the end of the bench? I was especially curious about the performance of Rod Benson.

Thanks.

Blogger's note: As I mentioned in another post, Benson looked good in the one scrimmage I saw. Didn't get to talk to people last night about the overall impressions, will try to ferret out some news this afternoon in between dodging Jermaine O'Neal questions.

[Jawad]

Hey Doug,
take a stroll through the Market and you'll find lots of great places to enjoy an adult beverage
Make sure you stop for some Beaver Tail (its a pastry, seriously!)
For a one-of-a-kind meal, you've got to get the 3 course fondue meal at Foundations
Appetisers are bread & fruit with a cheese fondue, entree is assorted chicken, steak and seafood with different broths you can simmer in. Dessert is, of course, chocolate with varied items to dip in.
Sure to satisfy even the heariest beat grunt appetite!

[jimmie]

Doug, file this away for your Ottawa trip:

- I second the Black Tomato nomination; great resto, casual ambience, and possibly the best obscure-CD-collection (for sale in the resto) in the city.

- Top spot for beer, scotch, and a twist on classic pub fare: The Manx. Artsy little basement joint on Elgin St. Close 2nd for best pub is Chez Lucien, just off the Byward Market on Murray St. TVs will all be showing sports, the (free) jukeox will be playing some eclectic mix of Johnny Cash, Edith Piaf, and Leonard Cohen, and the staff are great.

- Best brunch: Stoneface Dolly's on Preston St. (Little Italy). Surrounded also by a ton of top-notch Italian restaurants, natch. Step up the street to Pub Italia for a HUGE international beer selection.

- If you like seafood, don't miss the Whalesbone Oyster House, Bank and Gladstone. Very small, so make a reservation, but well worth it.

- Oh, and the best coffee in North America can be had at Bridgehead (multiple locations) an Ottawa-bred fair trade shop that also features awesome fresh sandwiches and salads.

Good luck, and enjoy our fine Bytown in the fall.....

[Sean]

Raps in Ottawa? That made my week! At the alma matter no less!

Quick question: what sort of access would you expect the public would have to training camp? Will they open up a practice or two to the fans? How about the intrasquad game?

As for adult beverage locales, my personal fav is Chez Lucien in the market. Great selection of Quebec beers and a stupid-cheap menu of gourmet burgers. An Ottawa gem.

Blogger's note: No access except for one intrasquad game on the last day.

[TIm W.]

Considering there are going to be some promising big men available at 17, I really don't like the Raptors including the pick in the deals to Indiana and Phoenix. I realize the player picked there probably won't make an immediate impact, but I think there are some with some potential (and I don't mean guys like JaVale McGee or Marreese Speights who are your typical teases that teams gamble on and never pan out- Patrick O'Bryant, Hilton Armstrong). It's rare to have so many big men in a draft and because of that, some decent ones will drop. I know Doug doesn't like Robin Lopez because he doesn't have enough offense, but offense is the least valuable skill for a center, in my opinion. If he doesn't rebound and play defense, he's pretty useless (yes, Andea, I'm looking at you!). Besides, Lopez is an excellent offensive rebounder, so teams can't ignore him defensively or else he'll kill them on the glass. Plus, he's not nearly as deficient offensively as Ben Wallace. The big man who can rebound and play defense always is always more valuable than a big man who can score but little else.

Another nice center prospect who might be available is Alexis Ajinca, who is skinny, but should be an intimidator and can rebound the ball. One of my sleepers is Nathan Jawai who doesn't have a lot of experience, but is big, strong, tough, rebounds and blocks shots. Basically, he's everything the Raptors lack. 17 is a little early to draft him, but I think he'll end up being one of the top 20 players from this draft. One guy I'm a little leery of, and afraid the Raptors might bite, is Kosta Koufos. He's got very good offensive skills and can score from behind the three point line (which is why Colangelo might like him), but the Raptors need to get someone who does what Bargnani doesn't do, not someone who does it more consistently. Plus, he's a little soft, and the Raptors don't need more softness.

[christine]

A certain sports station is reporting that AP has accepted the deal with Greece team. Did BC give AP the heads up that he is going the be traded or something?

Blogger's note: AP cannot accept any offer from any team anywhere in the world until the Raptors release him from the final year of his contract and I cannot envision that happening. Nor can the handful of people around the team that I talked to in the last 24 hours.