Of Canada and a bunch of other wildly interesting stuff

Thanks for the wee respite yesterday, it’s nice after back-to-back losses for them to not have a game ‘cause it calms everyone down for a 24 hours or so. Don’t imagine it lasts, though.

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Since we know the local pros have those rebounding issues and no one got traded or fired or benched yesterday, a little focus on Canada Basketball might be a novel idea.

Am sure you’ve all read or heard about the new deals for Leo Rautins and Allison McNeil and the “Council of Excellence” that they’ve put together (if you haven’t, read here) and it strikes me as a pretty good thing to do.

I’ve long been a proponent of exactly that kind of oversight committee, a bunch of highly-accomplished former players and coaches, some who had been disillusioned with the way things are going, being brought back into the fold. And having Maurizio at the helm of the men’s team gives them a guy with no ties, no past, who can sit back and provide a unique perspective.

I hope, really hope, that the committee members can put the past and any petty jealousies behind them and actually do some constructive work. I know them all and think that’s possible but it will be something worth watching.

Now, the contracts.

I have no problem at all with giving the two head coaches another year under this new structure to see what they can do. I’ve always thought the system, and the structure, was as much an issue as game-to-game coaching and going with two-year contracts (and a second year only guaranteed if they qualify for the worlds or the Olympics) makes entire sense.

The game, and the pool of players, is so fluid, anchoring a program – men’s or women’s – to four-year coaching cycles never really made a lot of sense to me. You qualify, or you move on. It may be a bit unfair but there are so few chances for Canada to make any sort of impact on the world stage that quicker change is necessary.

The one minor criticism? While it’s great that they made Maurizio the managing director of the men’s program, they should do something equally bold on the women’s side to give Allison as much support as the men get.

Trust me, I think the women, at this point in time, have a better shot at accomplishing more than the men do in the next three or four years.

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The Raptors are in the middle of three games in four nights, they have three-in-four out west starting Friday, a couple of days for the holidays and then three-in-four more out west again.

So what do they do yesterday? Have a bit of a free-for-all.

Here’s Jay on the drills:

“Guys in the lane, guys in the perimeter, throw the ball up, go get ‘em, box ‘em out. We did a little bit of three-on-three, we had a scrimmage, we stopped the scrimmage if we didn’t have fours and fives going to the basket. It made it a huge point of emphasis today.”

Wonder how they’ll do tonight?

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Oh yeah, I guess those Sam Dalembert “Canada” jerseys are a keepsake now, aren’t they?

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From the mail:

Q: I know officiating didn't cost the Raptors the Nets game as much as the continued failure to rebound (though your account of the phantom shot-clock violation gives some credence to such an argument.) My question though is, are the performances of the officials reviewed by supervisory personnel after each game? For instance the calls that led to the two technicals were just bad. Bosh was definitely hacked by Carter and the foul given to Kapono on Harris was atrocious - and with Jay standing right there, you could see why he was livid. I know you continually preach that NBA officials have the toughest job in sports, but that crew last night had as big an off night as the Raps did! (The television commentators of the Suns/Knicks game later that night also said that crew were stumbling as well. This leads to a follow-up question - is NBA officiating weaker this year than in years past?)

Joe S, Kingston

A: Every game, every call, is reviewed by someone. There’s a supervisor-monitor at every game, the video gets back to the league office every night and officials often go over their calls when they get back to their hotels immediately following the game. So, yes, they are watched. Closely.

This year? I’m not sure if it’s weaker this year, I don’t think so. I do think there are a handful of young officials still very much learning the ropes of the NBA who have a tendency to make calls that make you scratch your head.

But, yes, in my opinion it’s the toughest officiating job in all of professional sports.

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The big name being kicked around in trade rumours around the league is Shawn Marion, which should come as absolutely no surprise. It’s really not working for him down in Miami, the Heat are bumbling along and they aren’t going to sign him long-term.

Yes, the Raptors have talked to Miami and I’ve been assured by a few people that Marion’s name has come up.

But I’m not sure there’s a fit unless it’s for Jermaine O’Neal because there’s no way the Heat can do three- or four-for-one, which would be necessary to make the money work in a Toronto deal.

Would that work for the Raptors? Well, it’d move Bargnani back to the starting role and the front court would be him, Bosh, Hump and Jake Voskuhl. You’d have Marion and Moon and Joey at three (that’s a glut) and Kapono and Parker still at the two.

It’d be a rebounding upgrade – Marion averages about 10 a game for his career – but he’s not a great shooter, doesn’t really create his own shot all the well, and thrived mainly next to Steve Nash, who doesn’t play here.

But the talk is legit and that’s got to make some people happy.

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This is almost Ding! Ding! Ding! Worthy:

Q: Is there anyway or anyone that we can petition in order to remove Gary Payton from the NBA TV broadcasts. Him, Rashad, and the time-out dude were starting to give me a headache. Just a Christmas wish.

Michel G, Mississauga

A: I’m only signing that petition if they replace him with Sam, who lives in Atlanta, where NBA TV is located and would sooooooo good on TV, I think.

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Check out today’s Dallas stuff.

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It’s been what, almost a day since an NBA coach got fired? Guess the GMs must be taking naps.

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And, finally:

Q: Dearest Douglas: I think we all know what's going on here. I've been quiet long enough, hoping Management would make the right moves to turn this thing around, but I can't take it anymore. That schlocky "In the Ayer" video intro is to blame. How can The Raptors act like stone cold killers with that ridiculous Entourage Meets Happy Days mess? Colangelo fired Sam, now let's see him fire the entire A/V staff and get this team back above 500. On the upside, I thought Andrea's hair looked nice last night. And your tie was stellar.

Katrina W, Toronto

A: Ding! Ding! Ding!

- Okay, off to shovel stinky snow. It's far too early for the crap, in my humble opinion.

Comments

[Joe T.]

I'm glad to hear the Raptors were working on rebounding at yesterday's practice. I hope it carries over to tonight's game. It's one thing to box out Raptors. It's another when there are actual rebounders around...

[Steve Gosse]

no snow in newfieland yet Doug...we've been blessed with 15 degree weather lately

but i am sure it is on its way haha

on the Marion issue.. if the raps didn't want to give up JO, should we assume a 3rd team would be involved?? (which.. i know.. complicates matters significantly)

Blogger's note: Aw, you'll get yours :)

[Ryan]

Snow? Snow? How can it snow when it is + 4?
Boy, it's been balmy here on the East Coast.
Ryan
Nova Scotia

Blogger's note: Oh, I've got a feeling yours is coming.

[Aaron Campbell]

I say everybody except Bosh and Calderon are tradable right now.

[Andrew Gregg]

Hi Doug:

This is not the first time Basketball Canada has reorganized itself, looking forward to brighter days. Coach Leo says the basketball community in Canada is splintered. It's always been splintered, even in the days of Donohue, who everybody remembers fondly now, but was known then for what he said to Kareem Abdul Jabbar in high school.

The history of Basketball Canada is a history of dysfunction. Maybe it's healthy that Leo has been put on notice for a year--but he's still being rewarded after leading his team nowhere and embarrassing the program by picking a fight with his best player--who acquired his Canadian citizenship to play for that team!--on the eve of a big game.

If Basketball Canada wanted to send a signal that things were going to change, they should have looked elsewhere for a new men's coach now. You can put together any advisory panel you want and call it "excellent," but when you have a sideshow on the sidelines, it's pretty hard to regain credibility.

AG, Toronto

[Andrew Gregg]

Hi Again Doug:

Have you heard that they are thinking about moving JO or is your bit on Marion today merely working the numbers?

AG, Toronto

Blogger's note: I haven't heard that they are "shopping" him at all but sometimes you've got to give up something to get something. And the numbers work because there's no way I see Miami taking on three or four guys to have to waive someone

[Sarver Sucks]

Doug, who is a stingier owner: Robert Sarver or the OTPP-backed MLSE?

As much as I love Jose, I don't think he'll be able to get Marion a shot in any set play. The Matrix would have to be the next coming of Rodman if he were to justify trading JO.

Blogger's note: Phoenix is paying, and has paid, tax. But for amenities, etc., these guys are far better.

[Matty-Pix]

Bargs certainly needs a boost. Being put in the starting lineup with a JO trade would certainly do that!

#1 picks often go to teams that are in horrible shape, and the player is given the keys to the team/offense ... Bargs came in behind the teams all-star/franchise player.
-Do you see a happy ending with Bargs in TO? At what position?

Blogger's note: I think, and have thought for a while, that he's a centre/power forward/big who can be a good one.

[Dennis]

It would be quite the amazing feat if Colangelo could turn Charlie V into TJ into JO into Marion!

Pretty sure Miami will get much better offers for Marion's $18M expiring contract than anything the raptors would give up, but you never know...

[Jason]

Doug

I think the trade for Marion makes little to NO sense to me. He isn't a commanding post presence, he doesn't patrol the paint, he can't guard the Kobes,Lebrons,Paul Pierces of the league, He can't create his own shot in broken-play/short clock situations. His scoring-skills will be useless in our relatively 'stand-still' offense as well. I can't even think of a financial reason why the raps would make this move. I would take O'neal over him any day of the week.

Tell me where I'm wrong Doug!

Jason

[O.A.]

The idea of a Marion for O'Neal trade is intriguing....to Raptors fans. I just don't see why Miami would do this trade. For the Raptors, it makes a lot of sense because the team can walk away from the Marion contract at the end of the year and use the money to sign someone this summer (before the gold rush).

[adam m]

Hey Doug, what 2nd round draft picks to the raptors currently own for this years draft. I know they atleast have one because they recieved one from New Orleans in the 2006 trade that sent Aaron williams out(i think, anyways). But do they have 2 or just 1. And what does this draft pick situation look like for the next 2 to 3 years from now.

Blogger's note: They don't have second round picks, yet, in '09 or '11 but have every other pick, right now, through the future.

[mo merei]

Katrina's right.

Seriously... that intro has to go! Is there anything we (or YOU) can do about it?

I swear the other teams laugh at us before every game.

[Diablo]

The East Coast sounds like a nice place to be right now. We've already got ours here in Alberta, lots o' snow and minus 30 and change.

[Diablo]

I'd rather not see them trade JO at this point. It seems to me that even though he is a work in progress (and recently re-started with Triano), it has been working out just fine and will even get better. He answers some of our defense/rebounding/toughness issues, also seems to be becoming an emotional leader for the team. I think JO was/is a step in the right direction. Marion wants to be "the man", no? He isn't "the man", why would we want him? He should go to NY. Me thinks he be a system guy, D'Antoni's system.

[mary]

hey doug,
it's actually possible to get marion with a 4-for-3 or 3-for-3 swap, because miami has a bunch of minimum contract guys.

for instance, marion/magloire/diawara for bargnani/kapono/parker works salary-wise, and so does kapono/parker/humphries/graham for that same package.

not saying either team would TAKE those deals, just that it's possible!

[TMF]

How can you not like the NBA TV Tuesday night crew? They're like the TNT guys on crack. The unintentional comedy is off the charts. I suggest you just sit back with a frosty beverage or six and enjoy it for what it's worth.

[thisain'tgood]

O'Neal > Marion

That's the equation... Marion has constantly disappeared in the playoffs when they needed him most against the Spurs in previous years.

I think Phoenix had drastically overpaid Diaw hence the trade now. He was a mid-level at best after getting the MIP award. Diaw never got comfortable after playing for France that summer and also Amare being healthy.

I also think that all the Suns needed was a little defense and another rotation player (to have 8-9 in the playoffs) and they definitely would've been in the Finals by now. Marion probably would never have complained in the end had they made the Finals because if they did (let alone won a championship) then his mouth would be closed so he can taste more success. Kerr coming in with a "grind it" philosophy will never work. That team was built to run, run, and run some more.

Getting stops and then running is the same as running after a missed shot. D'Antoni would have come up with a scheme to allow a leaker to run down the court so that it could be quick rebound (after playing D), send to Nash and outlet to streaker (leaker).

BC had the right ideas in mind down there (and D'Antoni after BC left), unfortunately he had a whiner in JJ and a stingy owner who didn't want to pay a few more dollars in tax than they already were paying so he can keep the picks that ended up being Rondo, Sergio Rodriguez and I might be missing some more.

Rondo has a championship now, what do all the Suns players (minus Shaq) have?

As for JO, he'll do his damage in the playoffs if we can keep him healthy until then. I don't know who's an FA after this season but I think that if we deal JO, we do it after this season for more expiring contracts (in 2010) and let Bargs build up his confidence from now as a backup big so that he can start next season. With the right grooming Bargs can become a valuable contributor on ANY winning team. After all, you have all seen his improved defense and he's even blocking more shots now.

[Kelsie]

Doug,

Why did you have to throw Marion's name out there? You know everyone is going to now come up with a trade scenario to bring him here and why would he move him for JO? Marion has no ability off the dribble and his shot is an eyesore. He doesn't upgrade us as much defensively as JO does either. I don't think the Raps should do anything blockbuster right now. BC shouldn't panic and perhaps give it another 10-15 games before making a major move. Give Triano some more time with the roster comprised as it is.

Doug you're opening the door to a whirlwind of trade scenarios my friend. Are you up to answering the impending barrage of player considerations and contract workings from the sea of disgruntled Raptor bloggers here?lol

Blogger's note: That door, my friend, has been open and the winds have been gusting through for weeks. And the best thing is, if I don't want to answer, I don't have to.

[WoW]

"for instance, marion/magloire/diawara for bargnani/kapono/parker works salary-wise, and so does kapono/parker/humphries/graham for that same package."

A dimwit GM like Memphis' Wallace would bite on the first one. BC ain't a dimwit. The second is workable if Miami gives us James Jones instead of Diawara and we give Moon instead of Joey. We get a 3 point shooter back to replace Kapono and one who is also willing to play D (all when he comes back from injury). I would like to note though that how amazing Phoenix's trainers are. Players they traded got injured & re-injured pretty easily on their subsequent teams (see Jones) whereas they remained quite healthy in Phoenix. That may also have to do with intense fitness conditioning required for D'Antoni's run 'n' gun system.

The other thing, notice that Jose and Nash both aren't quick but are really savvy & intelligent? I still think we could have had Phoenix north up here if we had the pieces, but it would be a tad slower than D'Antoni's place and with a little bit of D. We do have bigs up here that can run and we do have shooters. We also have superb athletes (who need refining and time to work through mistakes).

Shooters: Kapono, Parker
Floor general: Jose (and in a couple of years Ukic)
Bigs that can run: Bosh, Bargs, Hump
Bigs that can rebound and outlet: ummmm we need some (come on JO)
Athletic wings: Joey, Moon
Uselessness just to fill out roster spots: Adams, Will
Yet to be judged for compassionate reasons: Jawaii
Hasn't played yet because of being new: Voshkul

If only JO's contract wasn't for 21mil, then we could have the full mid-level to play with next summer without tax implications.

[Migs]

I'm with Jason... No to JO for the Matrix! Marion would be a horrible fit in Toronto. He was excellent in Phoenix's free flowing, 7 seconds or less, 100 shats offense, but he would have nothing to do in our stagnant half court oriented style of play, where Bosh has control of the ball for about 2/3 of the shot clock. JO seems to be that veteran presence the Raptors need right now - Marion is basically a super rich-man's Jamario Moon.

I also don't think I can stomach seeing Marion's unconventional shooting stroke for an entire season.

[Paul]

I'm not sure I agree with the masses - while I like O'Neal and the things he has SAID up to and during this year, I'm not wowed by what he has DONE. He is a good presence down low, but not much in the way of points and boards. Adding Marion might give an opportunity to go back to the run and gun style I thought Colangelo was seeking with this team - and while many would suggest that style doesn't work in the NBA (at least not all the way to the title), a fast-paced game with defensive smarts could be very interesting indeed.
However, I get the sense that this wouldn't be a good fit for the recalcitrant Marion, who has been quoted as preferring to be the star on a bad team to a member of a winning team...
I wonder, do you think we could coax Charles Oakley out of retirement? Watching the beanpoles otherwise known as the Indiana Pacers out-tough and out-board the Raptors, I think they need to get a lesson in surly.

[Craig A]

JO for Marion? Just say no!

[Marc in Burlington]

Hey Doug

The toughest refereeing job in professional sports? Oh please!! Did David Stern send you a cheque for your advertising? I know that the NBA is your gig, but you come off as nothing but a fan-boy here. The game of todays NBA is far closer to being officiated at a level of a FIBA game than the NBA would ever admit.

The NBA has by far the worst officiating of any of the major league sports, including the NFL, who appear to have taken a course led by Mr. Stern on how to gum up a great game with bad calls.

How many "lets see if the ball goes in before I blow the whistle" calls are there in a game? How many times do we get a call by one of the three officials on the floor, with the worst vantage point, making a call on what he thought he/she saw?

How many other leagues have had two scandals in the last decade involving the integrity of the people calling the game? Donaghy and the air line ticket scandal being the two of which I am referring?

There isn't a league out there that blatantly has a different set of rules for called to protect it's stars than it does it's journey men. This league has gotten so caught up in the notion that fans come out to see the Kobe's, the LeBron's, the Dwayne's that it has forgotten that basketball is a team game. By protecting it's stars with this bias, game out comes are affected.

Finally, Playoffs: Lakers vs Jazz. 'nuff said right there my friend.

I do enjoy your column, I appreciate you work on the blog, but please Doug, try to maintain some sense of objectivity about the game that we all love.

[darko dubajic]

Doug, was that a shot at Colangelo in your comment on firing of theus in Sacramento. Do you have bit of a time to elaborate on your view of BC and team that he put together.
Also, what is your first impression of Jay?

Blogger's note: I don't at the moment and I'd like to get a few more games in with this group and this coach. All in all, after just seven games, I think Jay's doing a lot of good things. Solid rotation, less structure offensively, a defensive philosophy that seems to be working. But it's early and the simple fact is, they are 2-5 in those seven games.