Of Garbo, promotions and a wild night at the Palace

Not sure how this is going to work out this week, was sort of a weird feeling around the golfing course trying to write without 19,000 fans screaming their lungs out, music being played during the competition and, of course, there are no Chickens in golf.

Odd sport, that.

But I digress, as I do.

On to the hoops

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Yes, we know by reading a snippet in our paper this morning that Jose went for 18 points and Spain beat Argentina by two yesterday in some pre-Olympic friendly (as they call it in my other sport, football).

Well, looking further into the boxscore, I notice that Garbo played 14 minutes or so, made a three-pointer and grabbed a couple of rebounds.

Haven’t talked to anyone who’s seen the game but I was told earlier this month that he looks the same as he always did. Doesn’t really run that well, can’t really jump that high but simply has a knack for making plays.

I know there were huge concerns n Toronto about how his surgically-reconstructed leg would hold up over an 82-game NBA season but if he can go 14-18 minutes of a 40-minute Olympic or Euroleague game, I’ve always thought he could probably tough it out for another three or four years, if he wants.

And that’ll make a lot of people happy. Garbo’s one of the good ones and it would have been a shame to see his career cut short by that play in Boston – a play, if you recall, that was pure hustle and work, trying to block an unblockable open dunk.

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Still with Garbo, I know there were all kinds of quotes floating around yesterday about him signing with Carlos Delfino’s new Khimki team in Russia but people I talked to in Toronto last night say it’s not quite a done deal.

Could very well happen but Garbo’s got a soft spot for Malaga of the Spanish league and they’re still in the running.

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I have no idea what it is, but Detroit’s like Brawl Central when it comes to basketball.

Check out the WNBA scuffle last night.

And here’s the story about it.

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It was Promotions Day around the ACC yesterday. They upgraded a handful of execs, awarding them with new titles and, I’m sure, untold riches.

To recap:
Maurizio goes to senior vice-president of basketball operations from vice-president and assistant general manager.

Masai Ujiri is now the assistant general manager, player personnel from director of global scouting.

Marc Eversley becomes assistant general manager, basketball development, from director of basketball operations.

Jim Kelly is senior director of player personnel after being the director of player personnel (I guess adding senior comes with being old?)

Steve Fruitman’s now the director of basketball operations after being director of basketball finance.

Micah Nori takes over as director of NBA scouting from his gig as the team’s advance scout.

I have no idea what any of this means except new business cards for all of them and, hopefully, gargantuan budgets for Beat Grunt Hospitality.

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Quick look into the mail bag:

Q: Nice coverage on the Canadian basketball team but why was it that there were NO Canadian reporters in Greece to get the full story about what happened? Do you think we have anything to be hopeful about in the future of Canadian Basketball? It seems to me that unless we can get guys playing in the top leagues, (Spain, Italy, Greece, let alone the NBA) and a solid coaching staff, we don't have much chance.

Jeff S, Taipei

A: You’d have to ask all of our bosses individually why we weren’t in Greece, it certainly wasn’t because none of us wanted to go.

I think there’s a bit to be hopeful about, as I’ve said, I’ve always thought the 2010 worlds were Canada’s next step on the international stage but with the Olympics being only 12 teams and FIBA Americas usually only getting two guaranteed berths (it’s based on results from the previous worlds, in large part), the Olympics are always going to be tough. I think the only way they’ll get there for 2012 is through the same last-chance qualifier they were at this year. And, yes, getting players on to Euroleague teams – where they actually play and don’t just sit on the bench – is a huge step.

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Remember yesterday I mentioned there may be a couple of Raptors lurking about the city this weekend for the 3-on-3 thing and other appearances?
Well, I heard it’s Kapono and Moon and they’ll be flitting hither and yon spreading the Raptor gospel.

And while I’m pretty sure the folks with the team will keep him busy, I’m guessing Kapono might try to find his way to the Abbey, being a golf nut and all.

The esteemed colleague D. Perkins reports that, while out traversing Torry Pines for the U.S. Open in June, he spied a rather tallish fellow among the great unwashed wandering the fairways.

Yep, our boy Jason out for a walk, watching golf.

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More mail? Why not. I’ve got a feeling I’ll have some time today and tomorrow to answer your queries while I sit out rain delays at the golf (and that’s the one drawback to the game, rain delays. It’s nice that they don’t play at night – more time to coach the Little Leaguers – but nothing spells boredom quite like sitting around waiting for golf to happen).

Q: Thanks for taking the time to answer my Raptors questions, I think I am one of the few who truly likes this Raptors roster.  There are a few gambles, but I think the biggest wild card will be the play of Jamario Moon.  I would think Jamario could add about 5 more points a night just by getting to the rim or free throw line a few more times.  What is he doing this off season to get better/stronger?
Also, what are the chances of Andrea playing the 3 with Bosh & O'Neil?  I don't think it'll happen, but if Kapono is playing in pre- playoff form and Jamario gets hit by a bus, it might be interesting.

Dave M, Oakville

A: We’ve been through the Andrea as a 3 thing about eleventy zillion times and I’ll say it once more: I don’t think you’ll see it very often because he can’t cover threes in transition and he lacks the post-up game to go on the block and punish smaller players. The very, very odd occasion? Maybe.

Moon? He’s doing what every other NBA player worth is salt is doing, working on his conditioning and every part of his game, presumably ball-handling and shooting. It’s not like these guys go home and don’t touch a ball or go to a gym all summer. They work at their craft.

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A moment of angst in the USA Olympic team camp.

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So, in another digression, I read on the weekend where the FC coached slagged the league’s officiating and the media and last night after they can’t beat the Montreal team he’s killing some of his players and all I’m thinking is, man, when did Sam move over to football?

Comments

[Patrick]

Hey Doug,

Just wondering if there were any tidbits of information regarding any of the Raptors' players that are currently training in Vegas (i.e. O'Neal, Bargnani, Jawai, Adams).

Thanks!

Blogger's note: I'm Golf Boy at the moment, I'll check later tonight. But, really, all we're really going to hear is that they're working out, it's not like anyone's keeping score or anything.

[Javier]

For those interested in watching Garbo, Calderon, Gasol squared, Rudy, Ricky Rubio, etc.. It is possible to watch Spain live through the internet (quality is not great). The TV channel that owns the rights does transmit each game live through their website (I could watch from my IP address in New Jersey):
http://www.misexta.tv/home
Upcoming games includes Lituania and Argentina over the next week.

[Serge Papineau]

Doug, don't you think that IF the Raptors were to play Bosh, O'Neil and Bargs at the same time that Bosh would/should be the one covering the small forward instead of Bargs? Bosh is much quicker and to me that takes care of one of the major "problems" in playing those 3 guys at the same time. Do you think this might be the case of would it be too risky since it could land Bosh in some early foul trouble?

Blogger's note: Bosh may be quicker, but he's sure not quick enough to guard 3s in transition; none of them are and that's the problem. And 3s can guard Bargnani because he can't take 'em in the post and punish 'em yet.

[JRock]

Bottom line with the JO trade is we should all be happy our GM is trying. He could have played it safe and traded TJ for some overrated wing player like Gerald Wallace. That would make our team good enough to make it to the second round. Whooppeee.

I'd take a gamble for real success over a conservative move any day. And for anyone who says we still need a wing player, it only makes sense to hold off for now. Let's confirm JO and CB can in fact play together, then add the final piece during the season. No need to take on some wing guy only to find out JO has a wonky knee and Andrea still can't play.

[Nemesio]

Hello Doug: Seriously, that Garbajosa buyout is not going to look that smart if he plays even relatively well in the Olympics. Why didnt Colangelo wait after the Olympics to make a decision on Garbajosa? and how much money did they save anyways? 2 millions? is that it? and they still dont have any money left to even buy a 2-3 million player via free agency? so what was the point of that? Colangelo was upset that Garbajosa could not play last year? It would be different if you tell me they saved all of Garbajosa salary this year and they would have left at least 2-3 millions to make a run for a decent guard via free agency. I am absolutely sure that Delfino and Garbajosa are way better to have than Adams and Graham. Sure, Delfino is inconsistent, but only 26. And Garbajosa in one leg would have still helped more that Graham will ever help. By the way you can watch watch Argentina-Spain at http://www.misexta.tv/home

[Nik W. Ottawa]

In your digression, did you mean "Sam" as in Mitchell or Dalembert? I'm guessing Dalembert but you started talking about the coach and was thinking SMitch until the end. Clarification please.
Thank you.

Blogger's note: Um, a coach going off on officials and his players? That was a joke about Mitchell.

[voislav]

I think Basketball Canada should really make a move to hire an European coach. Now that most national team players are playing over there it makes much more sense than hiring a North American. Also they should really encourage some of the Canadian coaches, especially young ones, to try to find employment in Europe, maybe by with some sort of stipend, or with guaranteed assistant spots on the national team. I know that most Canadians preffer to stay in North America, but at least some should be tempted by such an offer.

[dc]

I always felt that one of the raptors best lineups from two seasons back was with garbo, bosh and bargnani all on the floor together. I don't really think Bargs can defend anyone anyway, regardless of their position. from what i remember that's what having a great defensive player like garbo (now JO)was about, he had size but he could cover those mistakes as players try to get to the basket. sure it might hurt the raps defensively (though its hard to get worse from last year), but wouldn't it ultimately be a good trade-off? it seems like a frontcourt of bosh and JO with bargs standing by the three-point line, as he loves to do, would be next to impossible to defend.

[BB Guns]

How did Maurizio get promoted?? He has done nothing but bad since he's joined the organization.

Blogger's note: Huh? What? Okay, everyone's entitled to their opinion but, really, that's a rather bold, blanket statement, isn't it? Given how you don't provide, you know, anything close to a point to back it up.

[John C]

When does Andrea start his big-man camp again? If it's now, any news on how/what he's doing? What do you expect they should have him working on? \

Blogger's note: He's at Impact Basketball now, working out, doing workout out things. The "big man camp" he'll be at will help him with fundamentals like post footwork and back-to-the-basket moves.

[andre]

What's your new title Doug?

Blogger's note: Same as the old one, I'm afraid.

[Ron]

"(I guess adding senior comes with being old?)" So can we start calling you senior beat writer or senior columnist?

All kidding aside, not that I condone this type of behaviour but honestly this is another reason why Candace Parker is good for the WNBA. A young scrappy talented take-no-crap go-getter is what is going to get people talking. As long as it didn't esclate to that Malace at the Palace Part 1 I'm actually alright with it.

[Saadles]

Howdy, Dougster. Just wanted your opinion on whether or not you agree that the Raps need someone who can create their own shot. As it stands, I think we're a playoff team but with our offensive sets, we really need someone who can move without the ball and/or be able to create their own shot. If Bargs rediscovers that start-stop mid-range jumper of his (ugly shot, but sure looks good going in), it might not be so bad. Thoughts?

Blogger's note: There's always room for improvement on the roster but unless there's an unlimited budget, sometimes to just have to go with what you've got. In a perfect world, they'd have five all-stars starting; this is not a perfect world.
And I think my opinion of Bargnani is pretty well known; he's still got a chance to be good. Very good.

[JMK]

last night's spain-argentina game was probably the best international game of 2008 so far. Garbo is fully recovered, or so he says in every interview, he played great defense last night, but his shot was off. Unicaja Málaga pretty much has to surrender to khimki because we don't have that kind of money, it would be utterly surprising if he doesn't get sign by the russians.

[Uros]

How come Sean Dennis didn't get promoted?

[edgar]

Honestly - who is more dominant in their league? Candace Parker or Lebron James? Two Phenoms that exceeded their hype coming in and got MVP consideration in their rookie seasons. I'd have to give the edge to Candace who due to timing and entertainment value will power the WNBA for the next decade or two.

[michael]

doug what if ukic does not step up should they bring in a player from the summer league or the free agent camp OR sign a PG to a minnimum

Blogger's note: If Ukic does not step up, they will have people, or a person, already on the roster.

[dc]

what? no snarky blogger's note?
so let me rephrase my comment. and i'm not saying bargnani needs to be a starter.
isn't a raptors lineup that plays Bosh, JO, and Bargnani with calderon and parker at the same time their best chance to win basketball games? granted no one has seen the raps with JO, but hypothetically, this is their best line-up. sure they will get hurt defending the wings, but they didn't address that from last season anyway. those five- 3 excellent-passing big men each with unique scoring ability and two excellent shooters/ball handlers are the best the raps can put out.

O'neal is an allround low to mid post scorer, so is bosh but he shows many quick moves inside and bargs nails open threes, seldomly getting good looks down low. Opposing defenses will always have to double team one of the three if they get hot and it will then always leave someone open who can knock it down. i remember you never thought the raps would give garbo, bosh and bargs any time together for the same reason you say they won't go with o'neal now. but i recall those three did end up playing at the same time right around the time BC told smitch to play bargs more, they were effective together and it was then that the raps really turned it on.

the defense will be exposed to guys like lebron, pierce, kobe, maggette, johnson, etc. but the raps and pretty much every other team in the league have no answer for superathletic and versatile 3s as it is. We'd still have two excellent defense big men protecting the basket and, on paper, it would be the most exciting five to watch together, no question.

[Sal Lamberti]

Hey Doug,
After perusing the world wide leader in sports, I have a potential top four list of veteran combo guards:
1. Juan Dixon (yes, he's the best I can see at this price)
2. Damon Stoudamire (I admit, I'm a sucker for comebacks)
3. Lindsey Hunter (Not sure what his value is like right now)
4. Darrell Armstrong (He's old... so... you know)

Do you have a list of potentials?

Blogger's note: I'll have to think a bit; but I like those four, I'd probably switch Hunter and Armstrong, though.