How 'bout that comeback?

Okay, that was far too much drama for before 8 am. I can handle writing buzzer beaters at night, or even on Sunday afternoons, but before the morning trip to Starbucks? Not so much fun.

Helluva game, though, wasn’t it?

Not sure how many of you were watching but that was a rather stirring comeback from 18 down in the third quarter.

And, yes, that’s exactly why they needed Rowan Barrett on this team. Those 22 points and that clutch three-pointer were vintage Rowan.

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So, where’s it rank?

Big win, no doubt, but all it really did was get them right where they were supposed to be, in Friday’s quarter-finals.

I’d rank it third, maybe fourth, of the international games I’ve been at or know about, and I can’t go back to the Olympic medal-winning performance in ’36 because I’m old but not that old.

I’d put the 2002 Sydney win over Yugoslavia first probably, with the 1999 win over Puerto Rico in Puerto Rico that got them to the 2000 Olympics second.

Then, there’d have to be the ’83 win in the World University Games in Edmonton over an American team stacked with the likes of Karl Malone, Charles Barkley and Kevin Willis.

After that? Yeah, a big comeback against Korea in a must-win game would be next, maybe. You’ve still got the wins over Australia in Sydney and that final game in 2000, overtime over Russia when they showed some heart after having it ripped out by France to put in the conversation.

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Best move of the game? Without question, it was shortening the rotation.

I know they crow about depth and all that, but in a 40-minute game, I’m not sure you can be shutting nine or 10 players in and out. Eight’s about the right number, maybe even seven if there’s no serious foul trouble and that’s something that helped turn the game in the second half.

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Oh, and Jermaine Anderson is certainly not Steve Nash, never will be even close, but that jumper took some stones.

Good to see the kid make a big shot.

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Moving on, for the moment …

It hasn’t been announced yet – which is why you folks are so darn lucky – but Carlos Delfino, I’m told, is heading to Russia.

I’m guessing he’s getting something in the neighbourhood of $5 million a season over there, which is far more than any legit offer he got from the NBA.

What’s it mean for the Raptors? Nothing, really.

They retain his rights for as long as the qualifying offer (about $2.7 million) is on the table (a year) but it’s not included in the calculation of the NBA’s tax.

I heard Carlos had a couple of offers in the NBA – the most significant coming from Detroit – but that the money wasn’t close to what he wanted.

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One left over from the mail:

Q: What do you think is stunting Joey Graham. Is it the style of coaching or is it all in his head? He seems to have all the tools (decent jump shot, NBA body). I have a feeling the light bulb will go on if he is released or traded.

Andrew A, Mississauga

A: I think, and people in organization concur, is that the game is just a bit too fast for Joey to process sometimes. He’s as athletically gifted as anyone on the team but his decision-making process and court awareness is lacking too often.

Maybe he gets it this year, there are people in the organization who think he will, but I’m skeptical.

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Remember last week when we suggested that Jay Triano would get another gig with the American “select” team that will practice, using international rules, against the American Olympic team next week?

Well, the official announcement comes today that the Raptor assistant will once again work with P.J. Carlisemo on the team that trains against the real team.

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Here’s one that’s very topical

Q: Doug, quick question. How were the Clippers able to acquire Marcus Camby without taking back any salary in return?
Alex H, Oakville

A: The Clips can do it because they’re far enough under the cap to assume Camby’s contract.

And, to answer all those who’ve asked, NO, NO, NO, the Raptors could not have had Camby for such a bargain-basement price.

They didn’t have the money to take on his salary and I know they feel more comfortable with two years of Jermaine O’Neal than they would have with two years of Marcus.

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A lot of concern about Rod Benson out there and why he hasn’t played a minute for Toronto’s summer league team.

He had a bit of a sprained knee that kept him out of the first two games and he might be able to go tomorrow when they play again.

But don’t get too excited. Spies in Vegas tell me the Raptors really aren’t that high on him, even if they were looking to fill their 13^th roster spot with a big, which they aren’t.

He’s a good blogger, though.

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In the wild and wacky world of international basketball, the buyout and contract closure that will allow Roko Ukic to sign with the Raptors had to go through two federations (Italy, where played this year; and Spain, where his rights were actually held) as well as FIBA and then the NBA has to take a look at it.

It might get done today, it might be tomorrow, but it’s going to get done, not to worry.

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Gonna clear up one more piece of mail before I get into the many that are waiting in the queue to be answered:

Q: Knuckleheadism (not sure if that's a word) aside do you think Colangelo would ever consider a Bargnani & filler for Ron Artest deal to give the Raps a legitimate shot at the Eastern conference.  Worst case, he's moved at the deadline or off the books next summer?

Rob V, Waterloo

A: Can’t see that happening in a million years.

Couple of reasons: I fully expect Artest to be traded before the season starts, the knuckleheadism factor is huge and, while you and a thousand others may not see it, I don’t think strengthening the wing spot is a good idea at the expense of weakening the front line and leaving a big man rotation of O’Neal, Bosh, Hump and the unproven rookie Jawai.

Comments

[Ben]

Doug, how about some news on Dalembert? I'm hoping that he and Leo just had a fight, and that things will be over and done with in time for the next game. It would be awful to see Sammy leave the national team over something like this.

Please use those grunt connections and pass along some info Doug!

Blogger's note: We're working on it, believe me.

[Neil]

Hey, any word on Sammy D, and why he did not play today?

Bloggers note: Not yet.

[James Borbath]

Sure you are hard at work on this but what is the deal about Dalembert. Why was he not there. Broadcast suggested he walked away from the team? I talked with guy in Hamilton he seemed very committed to the program.

Blogger's note: It's being worked on.

[Steve G]

Looks like Puerto Rico is up 23-8 over Croatia for the Battle to play Canada in the quarterfinals. Who do you see as a better matchup for the Canucks?

(also, is Roko playing for Croatia now? or is he waiting for his contract issue to be settled? Think BC tries to hold off on signing him so that Canada has a better chance if we play Croatia? haha kidding obviously)

Blogger's note: Last I checked, Croatia was up two, and Ukic started.

[Mitch]

Any news on the Dalembert situation? I want to stay positive and support our team regardless, but it's just so strange that less than a year ago Sam and Leo were smiling for the cameras at the citizenship office and now, according to Leo's interview with the Fan590, Sam seems to be a thing of the past for Team Canada...

GO COMEBACK CANUCKS GO!

PS... Olu = X-Factor, agree?

Blogger's note: Agree

[Steve G]

Nevermind, Roko is playing against Puerto Rico right now.

He didn't play against Cameroon though

[Neil]

Realizing the Sammy D story might be difficult to get to the bottom of from across the pond but do we have (and by we I mean you) any chance of knowing what went down or will this become the second quality player to mysteriously go AWOL (Denham Brown being #1)?

Blogger's note: We'll figure it out, just might take some time.

[Wilber]

Doug,
Wow. Despite the cries of protest from my 3 yr old, no Treehouse this morning as this was worth watching to the end. Didn't think they could get all the way back but good on them.

What's up with Sammy? Is he done? Work those phones and get us the answer, Doug.

Blogger's note: As I recall, three-year-olds have short memories :)
Working on Sam, not to worry

[Brian]

Doug,

Woke up in time to watch the last 7 minutes of the game, and what a 7 minutes it was! I noticed Dalembert was nowhere to be seen, and after the game on The Fan this morning, Leo said something along the lines of "we only want players that want to be here, and want to play with their heart". He went on to say that the team will be moving on, seemingly without him.

Any idea what caused this? If it gets enough pub, add Dalembert to the list of players the drinkers boo at the ACC.

[Jason]

The Camby deal puts the stamp on the problem with the NBA Cap and Tax system. It feels like a garage sale where you have someone take something off you hands for free just so you can fit more junk in the garage.
Camby for a 10 million trade exemption just seems wrong to me. You can win the Executive of the Year just by having the best accountant in the league which just seems wrong.
Doug, do you see the CBA changing next time around because of deals like this? I do because once the Lebron and such starting eating up even more cap space, trades will gradually become impossible without giving up you highest paid guy for the other teams highest paid guy.
What I'm saying is that once a team has two top paid stars, there will not be any room to pick up and quality players thus creating a huge salary seperation between the Stars and Average guys. Two max contract and three guys making average starter money will soon not leave anything beyond minimum salaries to fill out the last 8 spots. Pretty soon there will be no more teams like the Clippers that have a huge amount of cap space.
Yes I realize the numbers are tied to revenew but it doesn't take a genius to see two guys at 20+ million plus three guys in the 6-10 million range doesn't leave anything for the last 8 guys.
Bottom line, when you drop allstar players just to get the budget under control, the league has a problem.

Blogger's note: There are going to be flaws in any system but I think the first thing a new CBA has to address is players getting buyouts of their deals mid-season so they can go join other teams or teams trading players knowing they'll get waived and be back shortly.

[PK]

Doug,
As an immigrant to Canada from Korea 10 years ago, I had a mixed feeling about this game, but ultimately I rooted for my "home" country. Great game, but the lack of experience for the Koreans costed the game. J.Anderson has ice blood in his vain, and the two missed free throws at the end killed the last hope for my fellow country men. I really wish they had a better program there (like China). It's all about soccer down there, much like up here being all about pucks.

[Mitch]

Hey Doug, I think that Canada just has too many good wing players... having to shuffle these guys in and out seems to prevent guys like Famutimi and English from getting into a flow. It's a tricky situation....

thoughts?

Blogger's note: It was addressed in the blog today; a shorter rotation in a 40-minute game is better

[tim]

kobe on the clippers

[DougG]

I find it hard to believe that Toronto would get JO and not get the final piece, a starting small forward, even if it means paying a tax. I know Toronto likes to act like a back water, even though it is the fourth largest city in North America, but why don't the people at MLSE show a little respect for their long suffering fans, rather than simply making a bigger profit for their shareholders. Who knows the extra money they pay might come back 10 fold in the final analysis. The message at the moment is we are willing to get close, but we are not willing to get over the top.

[Dan]

Why did Joel Anthony only play 21 minutes? I thought he was supposed to be a force out there? Isn't the main question for Leo and Basketball Canada have to be "Why happened with the following:"

- Denham Brown does not show up to camp
- Juan Mendez is cut
- Sammy D does not play today
- Nash and Magloire are not even close to the team
- Anthony only plays 21 minutes

I know you are dealing with egos, etc but if USA Basbetball can get all of their guys on the same page why can't Canada?

[Amanda]

Wow Wow Wow. What a game that was. Doug I can't believe you didn't give any props to Levon Kendall. I think he deserves a lot of credit for their comeback in the 3rd. He was an absolute beast on the boards and was working his butt off! Hopefully everything is okay with Sam - I wonder if that had to do with why they came out so sluggish.

[Michael]

Hi Doug, what do you make of the fact that Canada's two big shots at the end of the game against Korea (Barrett and Anderson) were essentially unassisted? Is Canada that good individually that they can go one-on-one when they feel like it and score in tight situations or were they just lucky shots? My feeling is that they need to score off the pass rather than the dribble more often if they are going to have a chance against Puerto Rico or Croatia. What do you think?

Blogger's note: Every offence could use more ball movement, I think. But I have no problem with either of those shots and the way the plays developed.

[edgar]

“Without going into too much detail, it’s a situation that we decided to move forward with the players who have the passion and desire to play for Canada,” Rautins said.

“It’s disappointing for sure, but I think you have to have players who are a 100% committed to it.

“If not, it’s not going to happen for us.”

If Canada qualify for the Beijing Games, they will be able to add another player to replace Dalembert."

- Another fiasco with another NBA player headlining the Canadian national team.... crazy...

[Andrew Gregg]

Glen Grunwald becomes a Canadian, then he's gone. Swirsky becomes a Canadian--vamoose. Now Samuel Delambert. Obviously, new Canadian citzenship and basketball just don't mix. Please don't let Chris Bosh anywhere near an immigration panel.

[Jonathan]

Jason, not sure what point you're trying to make, but what's wrong with smart deal-making winning the EOTY award? Signing contracts is a big part of being a GM, you know. What other credential do you suggest as a basis for the award?

"Yes I realize the numbers are tied to revenew but it doesn't take a genius to see two guys at 20+ million plus three guys in the 6-10 million range doesn't leave anything for the last 8 guys."

That's the whole point of the salary cap and luxury tax system: 1) to keep the playing field more level between the richer teams and the poorer teams, and 2) to keep salaries relatively under control. Do you think it's better to reward a team with more financial flexibility when they dish out silly max level contracts for players like Zach Randolph or Rashard Lewis? The cap forces teams to think harder about whether a player really is worth it. If you don't spend wisely, yes, you're forced to acquire min level players to fill the bench.

"Pretty soon there will be no more teams like the Clippers that have a huge amount of cap space."

Huh? You know, the situation is pretty much the same each year. Most teams are over the cap, and cap space is obtained only when contract(s) expire. This year, the Clippers had a glut of cap space because of Brand's departure; in two years, the Raptors will have a bunch of cap space too if they don't trade O'Neal for someone else.

"Bottom line, when you drop allstar players just to get the budget under control, the league has a problem."

Bottom line, it's the team that has a problem, and not the league, when they have to salary dump. Nobody forced Denver to overpay Kenyon Martin or Nene. Doug was far too nice to lay the knowledge down upon you.

[Matt]

Does anyone know what time the game is on Friday and will the Score be showing it live? Thanks!

Blogger's note: Official schedule hasn't been released as I type this but I'm told The Score will carry it whenever it is

[ustation]

Not sure if it was anything, but I saw some of the Solvenia game, and it looked like Sam D was taking shots he wasn't supposed to. There were shots of the bench and everyone looked a little upset when Dalembert missed, and I thought it was just a reaction to the missed shot, however I did thought it seemed stranged that it looked like it was a bit of overeaction by some of the players. Maybe not?

[Lindsay]

I guess all the wasted airtime Leo used to suck up last year didn't work?

[dean]

Well, so long Samuel Dalembert. I for one am embarrassed to see such an awful squad wearing my maple leaf on their chests.

I think that Leo should step down as coach. He is a decent broadcaster, but a coach, he is not. How you alienate the "star" of your team days before its most important game ever is beyond me.

Can we just disband the Canadian team after this tournament? CANADA WILL NEVER QUALIFY FOR THE MENS OLYMPIC TOURNAMENT AGAIN.........the rest of the world has passed us by and its obvious we have no real players in this country.
Does anyone know if Jack Vanderpol had any kids..........if so, I am sure they are better than anyone currently on that team.

Essentially, the Canadian team is no better than any 5 guys you could muster together at Ambleside in Vancouver on any weekend.

Put the money going to Canada Hoops to something more deserving like charity. I feel like as a taxpayer, my money is being wasted on a futile effort to show the world we are something we are not in international basketball......a real threat.

When Croatia beats us by 30, lets all tip our hats, bow our heads, and put this nightmare to rest once and for all. Keep Canada Basketball, but dissolve the National Team and focus on school programs, court creation, funding to refurbish old courts, and stop wasting money on flights around the globe for guys who barely try.

[Neil]

Uh oh! Looks like we have another PG controversy on our hands... Ukic's line this morning: 12 points (on 5 of 7 from the field!), 6 boards, 5 assists, 1 steal and only 1 turnover in just 24 minutes... time for the ACC bandwagon to heat up and start booing Jose! (just kidding of course but those are impressive #s especially given they were against an NBA PG in Arroyo).