T-minus one week and counting

A week. One lousy week. Just about everyone’s in town, all the plans are set, the workouts are going on, why don’t they do the honourable thing and call this week the first week of training camp and let us get on with our jobs.

Oh, right, there’s that little thing known as the Collective Bargaining Agreement that stipulates the number of days they can work and this week isn’t included in it.

So, they meet in secret and in private, it’s not really a workout but it is and the whole league seems to turn a blind eye to what’s going on.

Believe me, every team is doing pretty much the same thing this week, it’s just that there cannot be any repercussions against the players who can’t quite get to their cities on time.

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You know what camp’s gonna be?

A Stampede.

Quite literally.

With the D League Idaho Stampede having an open trying out in Toronto on Oct. 5-6 (read more about it here), there’s every chance the staff led by coach Brian Gates and, perhaps, a player or two, will be around Ottawa from Sept. 30 to Oct. 4 to take in the big team’s camp.

Of course, no player who gets invited to camp has a snowball’s chance to make the team but if the Raptors are going to add three or four guys as fodder and live bodies, they could do a lot worse than bringing in some D Leaguers for experience.

No word yet on exactly how many or who the Raptors will add to the camp roster; guess that’ll give me something to do this week when I actually have to go back to 1 Yonge and maybe earn my keep for a change.

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A question from the mail and a newsy answer:

Q: Love your blog. My husband and I read it almost every day. When is fan appreciation day?
Thanks, can't wait for the season to start!

Alexandra G, Toronto

A: ‘Almost’ every day? What happened to 'first thing every stinking morning!' (I keed, I keed).

Not sure what you mean by Fan Appreciation Day but if you’re talking about the open practice here in Toronto that used to be held on the last Saturday or Sunday before the regular season began, I’m afraid you’re in for disappointment.

It’s not that they don’t appreciate you (after all, you spend money, buy tickets, support the team, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah) but they’re dumping that particular event this season.

Truth be told, attendance had fallen off, it had become pretty much the same old, same old and maybe it had run its course.

What they’re doing, I’m told, is something dedicated to kids and reading (as admirable an event as I can imagine) one day at a pre-season shootaround.

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Got a nice long letter from David Petroziello, who is the general manager of the Vancouver Titans of the International Basketball League.

Perhaps you recall a letter here not long about the Titans, a minor league team that expects to begin play in April at, I learn, the Langley Event Centre.

David makes a long and logical argument that this, despite the somewhat checkered history of minor league basketball (the woods are littered with the carcasses of teams that never played a game), will be well-run, connected to the community and something basketball fans should embrace.

While I remain skeptical of the whole notion of the financial and esthetic success of minor league hoops, his points are well thought out and well made and there’s every reason to think this might be a success.

There’s apparently solid local ownership with strong ties to the game on the lower mainland and the plans are not grandiose (which is good because that’s what causes a lot of teams to ultimately fail).

I admit I’ve never seen an IBL game in my life so I can’t vouch for the quality of basketball but maybe this team makes it.

And maybe you should give ‘em a look when they start up.

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A letter that touches on some news:

Q: I just read that Darius Miles was suspended for 10 games. Does this automatically free Portland from his contract?

Alex D, Toronto

A: Actually, quite the contrary.

This is sort of a mixed metaphor of a question but you do hit a good point with the contract.

Miles, who hasn’t played since the 2005-06 season, was due $18 million over the final two years of his contract in Portland but the Blazers got cap relief for the amount because he had apparently retired because of a career-ending knee injury.

But if comes back in Boston, and it looks like it’s going to happen, and plays in 10 games, there’s no more cap relief for the Blazers, who’ll have to suck up the $9 million a year hit.

And because Portland had positioned itself to be a major player in free agency of the next two summers because of that cap relief they got, having to suck up Miles’s number is going to hurt.

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Okay, here’s a quandary.

My friends, The Leaves Writers, get to have training camp at home (and if we’re not going to Europe I’d just as rather stick around the area) and it lasts all of two days before the first pre-season game.

Us, The Hoops Grunts, get to traipse to Ottawa for almost a week of two-a-day workouts before heading home to start the utterly meaningless exhibition season.

Which is better? Fewer practices, more pretend games? More practices and a longer wait to see teams in action.

Tough one, isn’t it?

What do you think?

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Last one from a mailbag that’s pretty depleted:

Q: Here’s a question that’s blog related. How on earth do you find the enthusiasm to continually do an amazing job with keeping up with your blogs (it must be hard but much respect to you!). And typically how long does it take you to finish one!? Thanks!

Mario A, Toronto

A: Trust me, my friend, the enthusiasm level varies. Depends, usually, on the quality of questions and comments and how happy or angry they make me. Generally? I’m a pretty happy-go-lucky soul.

As for how long? Well, I’m sure there are regular readers who think it gets done in minutes, with very little thought or preparation. Wrong. Wrong. Wrong.

The funny thing is that it’s pretty much an ‘every-waking-hour’ kind of thing. See something in an afternoon, scribble or e-mail a note to self to include it the next day, spend some of every night answering questions, posting comments or putting items together.

Get up gawdawful early every morning, careful not to disturb Super Dog lest the pesky think wake up and need a walk and, hopefully, get it all done by 8:30 a.m. or earlier now, maybe by 8 a.m. once the season starts, so all you slackers who are supposed to be working – and you know who you are! – can get your day off to a rousing, entertaining start.

Comments

[Patrick]

Hi Doug,

You may be lamenting your fate compared to your hockey brethren but you fail to note the one key advantage that you hold over them... you get to cover basketball instead of hockey. Personally, I'd rather drive to Yakima, Washington to watch the CBA Sun Kings play then have to sit through a minute of hockey (... that might be a slight exaggeration).

And anyway, this is a rare opportunity for people outside of Toronto to have the players in their area and to possibly get to see them (intrasquad "game"). I know that for you seeing games and interacting with the team is basically a usual and ho-hum part of life. But for many others, it's a rare treat for which they are quite thankful.

Thanks!

[2damkule]

hey doug, just wanted to give you a big 'ole shout-out, pat-on-the-back, kudos-rich thanks for your awesome blog. all those long hours slaving over a computer, being forced to travel the world & stay in hotels & eat out at restaurants, watch all that annoying world-class basketball (interspersed with olympics & who-knows what else), interacting with elite athletes & coaches day-in & day-out sounds exhaustingly brutal. thanks for being a total martyr & suffering these atrocities for us. what you do sounds an awful lot like work...but even more like the best extended summer camp ever.

Blogger's note: Oh, so, so well put. I appreciate it. Oh, you forgot one tiny thing. The chance, nay, the pleasure, of reading insightful and witty repartee in these parts. That's the icing on the cake.

[2damkule]

i guess that's the point...you get to do for a living what a good many of us can only dream of...so yeah, i'm sure that the bloom comes off the rose kinda quickly when you're travelling so often, so some not-so-glamourous locales, but don't let those (to us) trivial annoyances come through in your writing. i get the sense that you do realize that you're priveleged to be able to do what you do (and you have, no doubt, earned that privelge), and that dealing with us pithy little mortals, while it may seem like an inconvenience, is what actually keeps your blog going. would you prefer no comments al all, or just comments extolling your virtues as a writer? i fear you may be lumping those of us who may take issue with a viewpoint of yours into the JK category of moron. my post was simply an attempt to point out that your reality, while at times may not seem all that great, and entails a tremendous amount of work, is still a reality that a considerable majority of your readers would gladly take off your hands.

hey, it's monday, and i'm sitting in front of my computer at work doing a job that actually does suck, so i guess i'm a little bitter. and, in general, i'm an a-hole to begin with...and getting antsy for the season to start, as i'm sure are you.

[Tom B - Uxbridge]

Doug,

what you do for the fans of the NBA and the Raptors is invaluable. I for one am one of the faithful slackers who will take time out daily to see what tidbits you pass along. To bring what you do to the table day in and day out takes a committment, enthusiasm and a passion for what you do. My Top down list of Fav Sports to follow was NFL, MLB, NBA then a distant 6th or 7th; Hockey. Well NBA has graduated to the top over the past 5 years. What you provide daily helps to fuel my thirst for all that is Basketball.

Keep up the great work.

[GM]

I second 2damkute's sentiment. Your blog is great -- even when I disagree with you.

Meanwhile, Langley??? Why do they call themselves the Vancouver Titans if they're playing way out in Langley? So much for being a part of the community. Why not call themselves the Langley Titans and really ingratiate themselves to that area? I hope they do well and I may even make the trek out there for a game or two, but... Langley?

[chloceas]

Hi Doug,

Just wanted to let you know you're doing a great job with your blog. As far as Raptors coverage goes, you're the best around. I'm sure the vast majority of your readers, even if they don't mention anything, really appreciate the effort you put in and the work that you're doing. So keep it up!

Thanks!!

[uso4w3s0m3]

I'm sorry you didn't like 2damkule's comment. You're right that all of us should thank you for the incredibly difficult job of emailing yourself your random, unresearched thoughts. We should kowtow to your infrequent, though frequently flawed analysis. We should bask in the glow of your insults to anyone who disagrees with you. Most importantly, we should all savour the chance to read your self absorbed commentary on how much you should be appreciated.

You may not realize how much we appreciate the chance, nay, the pleasure, of reading this "work".

I know it's hard to accept, but if you did a good job, you'd stop getting comments from the likes of 2damkule and me. If you wonder why he bothers to read this blog, I guarantee you it's because there are only so many sources of basketball information and a basketball junkie will take what a basketball junkie can get. We just wish your editor would come around to realizing that your readership is based on lack of supply rather than the quality of your product.

Blogger's note: And, oddly, you still seem to read here. I'm truly blessed.

[uso4w3s0m3]

"Blogger's note: And, oddly, you still seem to read here. I'm truly blessed."

Are you a writer who is incapable of reading? This is one of those moments when someone has shown himself to be so incredibly dense that you really don't know if you should point it out to him or if it would be a waste of time trying to get through the bricks. I will attempt the former by rephrasing my last post for you.

WE READ BECAUSE WE LOVE BASKETBALL AND THERE ARE FEW SOURCES OF INFORMATION ON THE TORONTO RAPTORS. WE DO NOT READ BECAUSE YOU HAVE ANY ABILITY TO ANALYZE OR WRITE. YOUR SOLE FUNCTION IN OUR LIVES IS TO BE PRESENT WHERE WE CAN NOT AND STRUGGLE TO TELL US WHAT YOU SAW.

Fortunately for you, you get paid to do a lousy job. Unfortunately for us, you've developed an ego.

Blogger's note: And, unfortuantely for me, such diatribes ruin the start of a day.

[GM]

I guess I misread 2damkule's post. I thought it was a compliment. Because that's what I meant. I appreciate the blog and your commitment to it even when I disagree with you.

[2damkule]

'Blogger's note: And, oddly, you still seem to read here. I'm truly blessed.'

his point, however rudely stated, was that THERE'S NOT MUCH ELSE OUT THERE WITH ANY RAPTOR CONTENT AT ALL. when grange's blog starts up again (if he has any readership left...how does one take 4+ months off & expect to retain any following? oh right, we're lunatics), i'll be over there too, and will be absorbing whatever else is out there (truehoop, realgm, the 'majors,' etc). and despite his opinion, or mine, you ARE blessed to have a strong following, for whatever reason, and it'd be nice if, every once in a while, you recognized that just because someone's opinion differs from your own, it may in fact have value anyway. you show a great deal of appreciation to anyone who writes to you with glowing commendations, and clearly have your 'favourites' - and post their often inane questions with regularity.

Blogger's note: I'm pretty sure you read here regularly (it's hard not to remember such a cute name) so you'll know (and I'm virtually certain I've said this to you, many times) I have no problem whatsoever with anyone having an opinion, it's everyone's right and should be encouraged.

[Justin]

Hey Doug, great blog. Commenting on my thoughts of pre-season b-ball vs hockey and I've gotta ask, Would you rather cover a team that's management has come out and said "Don't expect much", or cover Toronto's only perennial playoff contending sports team? The make me laughs are almost as poorly run as the boys of summer down the road. Be Greatful!

Blogger's note: While it'd be fun to bust on the Leaves (and it always is) for that one, don't forget the great Rob Babcock assertion that his 2005-06 team would be worse than his '04-05 team.

[2damkule]

c'mon doug, don't let someone's diatribe 'ruin' the start of your day. it'll be ok, you hang in there...i'm sure you'll get all kinds of comments/mail from GM, rikki et al telling you how much they love your blog & think you're wonderful. those who criticize are just stupid. those who praise, on the other hand, are brilliant.

GM - that's ok, you can take it however you'd like. it was partially a compliment (he's at least writing about the raps), i was just a little tired about hearing about the woe-is-me life of mr. smith.

[Jeff D]

I don't care if you like Doug or not, but PLEASE stick to basketball and not personal assesments/attacks. I already spend too much of my work day reading the blog, I hate having to sift through all the "doug's the best" and "doug's an idiot" comments. My kids provide me with enough of these inane arguements at home. Thanks, and stay on your meds people!

PS. Yes, I realize the irony of asking to refrain from the types of comments I just sent.

[Terence]

To the anti-Doug naysayers (you guys should really start your own facebook fanclub). I realize that the interweb is rife with trolling, flaming and generally rude and childish behaviour, but please try to behave and resist the urge to act like stereotypical anonymous internet-browsing dullards.

If you have nothing substantive to contribute from a basketball perspective, then it's best not to comment on anything at all. Seriously, you're 'Doug doesn't know anything about basketball' tantrums are beginning to get a little tiring. I guess the only reason he still has his job is by using his secret Jedi mind-tricks on the Toronto Star management team.

[GM]

"i'm sure you'll get all kinds of comments/mail from GM, rikki et al telling you how much they love your blog & think you're wonderful."

Just for the record, that was the first time I'd ever made any mention of my fondness for this forum or the job Smith does. I've probably disagreed with Doug more than agreed with him, but they're just opinions, people. I can get a little snarky, too, so I thought it was time I piped in with my appreciation.

[K]

Jeff and Terence,

Doug insults everyone who disagrees with him. He even sarcastically disimisses those who spend time to do his job for him and research stats and facts to contradict his position.

The disagreements are substantive contributions to basketball perspective. Please explain to me why you want everyone on the internet to be polite to Doug when he is incapable of doing the same? Are you advocating that he should have carte blanche to be as much of a jerk as he wants without anyone ever letting him know?

Doug - If it ruined your day to read a rant about how inept you are, please tell me why you don't think you ruin your readers' days when you select their mail simply to insult them publicly? Does it make you feel smart to point out someone else's mistake? You reap what you sow. Although you'd sow less if you would at least bother to do your job and made less of your own gaffes.