The fight wasn't a fit and the mess that is the Hawks

AARON LYNETT/TORONTO STAR

It's a little slow around the Raptors right now - except for Jason Kapono, who's attending a different kind of dance competition.

Pretty boring times around the Raptors these days; the breathless wait for the 13^th man on a 13-man roster goes on, Moon and Kapono are gonna be in town and, yes, Andrea Bargnani is actually in a gym in Las Vegas.

So ...

Guess we’ll have to find other stuff warm the cockles of your minds, and give me something to do waiting out rain delays at the golfing course.

Lots of mail for tomorrow so we’ll toss a few in today to stretch this little missive out.

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Was watching that WNBA fracas – again – and it comes to mind that maybe it’s not a bad thing. It certainly wasn’t a “fight”, it was more like a brouhaha, a skirmish, maybe a contretremps or an incident.

But it did get the masses chattering about the league and that can’t be a bad thing.

As regular readers – both of you – will know, I don’t mind WNBA basketball at all and if there are a few converts after that set-to, that’s cool.

I’m not a proponent of fisticuffs on a basketball court before anyone goes off half-cocked and thinks that was a fight, take another look, some pushing and shoving, sure. Fighting? Not so much.

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Oh, oh.

Sixers sign Royal Ivey, taking another one off the list of possible 13^th men. And the Spurs traded Jason Hart so there’s another one gone. Hmm, the ranks are dwindling even further for that coveted spot.

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Hey, Canada’s under-18 women open the world qualifier in Argentina yesterday by drubbing Brazil and probably only needs a couple more wins in the round-robin portion of the six-country tournament to qualify for next year’s world championships.

And since the men have already qualified, getting the women there, too, will be a big boost for the future of the programs. The more games more kids play in grand world stages, the better equipped they’ll eventually be to deal with games with the senior national team.

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Here’s an oldie from the mail:

Q: It seems imminent that Igoudala is going to sign with Philly. Making them one of the early favourites along with Boston and Detroit (who are looking at Tracy McGrady via trade). To pole vault Toronto from that second tier of teams in the east (Toronto, Orlando, Cleveland, Washington), don’t you think BC has to do something like move Bargnani and another player for a SG? or is the plan not to win this year and wait on Bargnani's development after 3 yrs of experience?

Andrew A, Mississauga

A: You’re absolutely right, there is a big secret plan known only to the highest levels of MLSEL, and me, to not win this year. At all.

Seriously, Philly hasn’t signed Iguodala, may lose Louis Williams to Golden State and, while Brand is good, he’s coming off injury and no one knows how he’ll play with Dalembert.

Detroit hasn’t traded for Tracy McGrady, in fact, every report I’ve read in the last few days suggests that was never going to happen.

Boston still has the Big Three and is the overwhelming favourite to repeat, I think.

And, since I presume you’re a regular reader here, you know I’m not going to suggest trading Bargnani is a good idea. Let’s say, for the sake of your argument, they do deal him for a SG. So, you’re stronger at SG and weaker at PF-C. Make a big difference? I don’t think so.

I say let this team actually, you know, play a game or two before thinking about making moves.

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Do the Atlanta Hawks have a clue?

Nope.

Just when you thought maybe they were “getting it” with a pretty good young team that had some playoff experience and seemed ready to grow, they low-ball Josh Childress and watch him walk to Greece and they really haven’t made enough significant overtures to Josh Smith to make me think he’s ready, or willing, to sign some long-term contract.

That kind of mismanagement is going to get them right back where they were about a year ago, a perennial laughingstock with no hope of becoming even a middling Eastern Conference team.

Ownership’s a muddle – two fractious groups can’t find a way to make one or the other go away ; a new GM has, so far, botched the two most important things he had to do this summer; and Mike Woodson, who’s really an uninspiring coach in my opinion, has a new contract extension.

Welcome back, Hawks.

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More mail, which I think clears up most of the weekend stuff from last week and let’s me soldier on to deal with the bunch of letters in there now:

Q: I haven’t seen any footage from Vegas this year, but looking at the box scores, is Jawai's low personal fouls not impressive? With him being 280 lbs I was expecting Bargnani-ish numbers there.

Johah G, Richmond Hill

A: I wouldn’t read anything at all into summer league stats, especially fouls because the officiating, to put it in the kindest possible terms, is spotty at best.

Bargnani-ish numbers? Hope you’re not referring to summer league numbers because he’s never actually played in one.

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Hey, check out Kapono’s big gig on the weekend: Guest judge at the Dance Pak auditions. Tough life. Fitting choice. He’s a pretty good schmoozer. And maybe he knows a thing or two about dancing.

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You know, I don’t mind covering golf ‘cause they don’t play at night and there’s never any deadline pressure but this whole ‘sit out the thunder and lightning delay in a tent’ stuff is a wee bit troubling.

Right behind the media tent out at the Abbey there’s this crane, I believe for TV satellite use, that stretches about 100 feet in the air.

I’m not a meteorologist, and I don’t have too much specific knowledge about such things, but I’m guessing a 100-foot steel crane in a lightning storm is not something I should be sitting next to.

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Oh yeah, that Canada-US game Friday (take the States, give the 45) is live on one of The World Wide Leader networks at 8 (if you find yourself in some local watering hole that has access to stuff like that) and then it’s going to be shown tape-delayed on The Score at 10 p.m.

It’ll be the last chance to see this national team, and I presume a handful of players on it, in action.

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Not sure if we'll have a full mail bag tomorrow or maybe a regular blog and then do the mail for Saturday. Guess it depends what I get up to sitting out rain delays at the Abbey.

Comments

[Poppa Vlazo]

I was pretty sure that Bargs played in the summer league, and this seems to be confirmation of that:
http://www.nba.com/playerfile/andrea_bargnani/bio.html

Blogger's note: You're right, I was wrong; had forgotten all about '06

[Dallas]

Hey Doug,
Are you sure Bargs never played summer league?...did 2006 never happen?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u15IORiDlz8

Blogger's note: Yeah, he did, I'd forgotten all about '06

[Justin]

Bargnani did play summer league after being drafted.

2005-06 SEASON: Played in five Toshiba Vegas Summer League games with the Raptors, averaging a team-high 13.2 points, with 3.8 rebounds and 1.0 blocks in 26.2 minutes … Scored 20 points in his Summer League debut, going 7-of-11 from the field.

[Dave]

Trading Bargnani will weaken the PF-C? That’s too funny:-)

[Rick M]

From Andrea's NBA.com page:

2005-06 SEASON: Played in five Toshiba Vegas Summer League games with the Raptors, averaging a team-high 13.2 points, with 3.8 rebounds and 1.0 blocks in 26.2 minutes … Scored 20 points in his Summer League debut, going 7-of-11 from the field …

Looks like he did play in a summer league game....or five.

[Patrick]

Hey Doug,

Anything new or official regarding how Jack will be used next year (i.e. working the games for TSN)? I'm curious to hear him and Devlin call a game together (given that they've worked together before).

Have fun on the links!

[Alex]

"Bargnani-ish numbers? Hope you’re not referring to summer league numbers because he’s never actually played in one."

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I was postive that Bargnani played in the summer league before his rookie season.

Thanks

[Ryan]

I have to wonder if Boston really should be considered the favourite just because they won. Considering how much intensity and effort went into that entire season for them, there's no way they can match that again. They won't fall off, and probably will retain number 1, but I don't think the gap between Boston and the rest of the East is as far as everyone is currently saying.

I'm not saying Toronto will take the number 1 spot, but teams know that it's a wide open race this year. Anyone can take the crown of the East.

[Jeff]

I don't take any particular pleasure in correcting you Doug, but Bargnani did in fact play in the summer league the year he was drafted. I'm sure there are about a kazillion youtube clips posted by Raptors fans back then that will prove my case.

[Kelsie]

Hey Doug,

A blogger noted yesterday that Maurizio has been promoted but what has he done to deserve that? While I do think MG is an accomplished and intelligent basketball exec, I assume his main purpose was to help oversee the development of Andrea which of course is still a work in progress and cannot be considered a success yet.

I do agree with that bloggers assesment because he hasn't attracted more top Euro's to sigining with us and BC is obviously the main decision maker so it does stand to question, what has Maurizio done in his time in Toronto to warrant a promotion?

I understand that there were numerous position/title shifts and change in responsibilities with our front office but I am curious as to what positive contributions you think MG has given to this team?

Blogger's note: Well, he's involved in every significant basketball decision that is made, as part of Bryan's "cabinet" so to speak. No, they have not signed any signficant European players except for Parker and Garbajosa, and he was consulted on both signings.
Maurizio, who worked closely with one of the world's most astute businessmen at Benetton, has forgotten more about business and basketball that a lot of people in the organization know, actually. And as a senior vice-president or whatever the title is, he's done exactly what Bryan brought in board to do, provide advice and be part of the decision-making process.

[Andrew Gregg]

I was one of those skeptics who didn't think Boston would win it all last year, mainly because I thought they were one major injury away from falling in with the rest of the Eastern Conference pack. Call me a skeptic again--if any one of the big three C players go down with a serious boo-boo, Boston is vulnerable. And considering their average age and collective history of injury, it's not that unlikely. Plus, their bench is weaker with the departure of Posey. I think the east could be wide open next year and I also think the acquisition of Jermaine Oneal is going to wind up being huge.

AG Toronto

[TMF]

Not only did Bargnani play in the summer league, he tied Araujo's illustrious 10 Personal Fouls record!

[John John]

It was posted already that Bargnani played in the summer league. Does every person who comments have to reiterate this fact...jeez! Doug acknowledged his oversight. Please move on!

[jake]

I think the summer-league ref reference applies to Hoffa who had a gazillion fouls in a couple of games.

[Nick M]

I was hoping that the Raps may look into Royal Ivey for the #13 or at least look into a player like him. It is only the #13 but I think he would have been a good player for Jose and Roko to practice against someone that would have pushed them defensively. There is still a lot of choice left out there for the spot but here's hoping they look for a more defensive minded player (i.e., the opposite of Dixon).

Lets face it if the #13 plays important minutes the Raps are in trouble anyway. It is better to have somebody out there that can protect the ball and defend his position than be a scorer with below average skills (I mean he can't have great skills he is the 13th man on the Roster).

As for McGrady anybody that wants to trade for him in the East can have him. He may be uber talented and make your team look better (especially in the regular season) but he seems to always be nursing an injury and leading his team to quality wins is not at the top of his resume.

[Nicholas C]

http://sports.espn.go.com/wnba/news/story?id=3503012

This is pretty cool! The Nolan Ryan/Gordie Howe of the hard court. Any idea who the eldest player in NBA history was? I'd love to know.

Cheers.

[Tony]

Wow...Poor Doug...Dodging Lightning at the Abbey...
And of course everyone is killing him with the Bargnani Summer league....
Everyone relax, Doug is allowed to make a couple mistakes...you don't have to drill the point he messed up!
Doug, keep up the great work, and we understand if you make a mistake, every now and then....
Don't let the haters work you into a shoot...
Peace and love

[David]

I believe the Utah Jazz traded Hart, not San Antonio

[ro]

Wow Doug, people jumped on the chance to correct you, it's like your the guy from jeopardy (ken jennings), everyone trying to beat you. :)

[Mark]

It's Official: Jorge Garbajosa is joining Khimki on a 2 year contract worth 6 million Euros.

http://www.marca.com/edicion/marca/baloncesto/acb/es/desarrollo/1149589.html

[Ellie]

What is Bosh doing in that photo? Mimicking the kid?

[Michael]

This is another proof that Doug doesn't do much work before answering people's questions.

Also it seems sometimes his answers have some conflict to his previous answers. Sometimes I wonder if somebody else answered questions for him instead. Or maybe he really has a bad memory?

Hey Doug, so you're really the one who answered all the questions?

Blogger's note: Who's this 'Doug' you're referring to? We're just a bunch of summer interns working in a hot, windowless room.

[Bram]

'Trading Bargnani will weaken the PF-C? That’s too funny:-)'

Agreed!

[Steven]

I know everyone is jumping on the summerleague mistake and there is no reason to keep it going but I was actually at one of the games against Boston and I'm pretty sure I saw you there at the press table. Isn't aging grand?

[Jon]

This team seems to be getting better and better. Not significantly, but gradually. Our starting five are good; better than most teams. Obviously from reading many of the viewer's comments on this blog and previous ones, they seem to want an upgrade from A.P and Moon at the wing spots. If both of them were younger (or if Kapono is likely to take the starting job at the 3) then I don't think many would complain.