Is it deadline day yet?

You know why it’s fun to wake up in the morning this week?

COLIN O'CONNOR/TORONTO STAR

Welcome, Shawn Marion, to Toronto where it's c-c-c-cold.

Other than the delightful pitter-patter of Super Dog’s feet as she so sweetly demands a morning walk in the frigid winter air that makes me get all bundled so she can sniff snowbanks and take her sweet time doing her business while I freeze in the freaking dark? (Oops, major digression, sorry).

It’s because I love to race to the interweb to see which otherwise legitimate publication has turned to publishing sports fiction.

You know, stuff like cockamamie three-team trade rumours that are “gaining speed.” What utter trash. Soon, I’m off to waste more time reading questions about something that never, ever, ever, never had a chance to happen and see what kind of crap awaits me this afternoon.

Fun? Wow!

I cannot wait for 3:01 Thursday afternoon.

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Oh yeah, if I had to guess, I’d say it’s 10-90 that Bosh plays tonight.

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You go to these news events like yesterday’s Marion show – and we’re wondering what our lovely parting gifts are for being the studio audience – and they all seem like the last one.

Everyone’s glad to be here, they’re going to work hard at both ends of the court and they just want to fit in quickly. Yawn. Snore. Lather, rinse, repeat.

What I want to do is show up at one of these bun tosses and hear stuff like this:

“You know, I have no idea how I’m going to fit and the coach better get me some touches in a hurry.”

“You think X is a great player? If he’s so great, why did they have trade for my broken-down self?”

“I can’t wait to walk the ball up the floor and see if we can score in the 70s.”

“I can’t believe the GM mismanaged this team so badly that he had to mortgage the future to get me in a last-gasp attempt to save his job. But let’s go!”

“I never, ever wanted to come”

(Oh, wait, was used by that Mourning bloke)

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Oh yeah, if I had to guess I’d say it’s 10-90 that the Raptors play any zone against Cleveland tonight after what happened the last time. Remember that? Three bigs, first-quarter zone, 37-15 Cavs after one.

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Mail time, with some current context:

Q: Hey Doug, Interesting question for you. How do you think Jermaine O'Neal and Udonis Haslem will co-exist with each other now that they are teammates? I know they have a history of not liking each other going back to J.O's days in Indiana. Do you think they put the differences aside? Or can you see it being a problem in the Heat locker room and practices?

M S, Woodbridge

A: O’Neal and Haslem did have some dust-ups and the odd contretemps when they were opponents in Indy and Miami.

And thanks to my man Ira, here’s what they said about it yesterday:

Jermaine:

“He's one of those players you hate to play against and love to play with.”

And Haslem:

“It's over with as far as I'm concerned. In the heat of the battle, when you go out there and play and you represent your team, things can get pretty intense. I'm going to fight for my teammates every time and he's going to fight for his. Now that we're on the same team, we'll probably be fighting for each other.”

I don’t think teammates have to hug each other every day, I think they have to respect each other every second and I figure that’s what’ll happen in Miami.

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So Ben Wallace cut his arm for 14 stitches playing catch with a football over the all-star weekend? Okay. Here’s what else is going on in Cleveland.

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You know, it was no Juan Dixon for Fred Jones earth-shaker but I’m putting Glen Grunwald’s 2001 acquisition of Jerome Williams and Eric Montross for Corliss Williamson, Tyrone Corbin, Kornel David and a protected first-round pick as the most significant Raptors deadline-day deal ever.

JYD was an energy guy, even if it was often misplaced energy, and Montross was a solid solid pro who could have had a much larger impact had he not screwed up his foot.

A Dawg aside:

One night later, after driving through the night here from Detroit, Jerome suits up when Toronto plays Sacramento.

In a corker of a game, triple-overtime and the joint’s going crazy and at the buzzer of the third extra period, JYD gets absolutely lost guarding Peja Stojakovic, gets caught on a back-screen that leaves Peja wide, wide, wide open right in front of the Raptors bench for the game-winner.

And, thus, a legend is born.

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I swear you can see the white flag waving over the city of New Orleans from here.

The Hornets, my friends, have given up.

I can’t figure out how else to explain the Gasol-esque trade of Tyson Chandler for the expiring contracts of Chris Wilcox and Joe Smith yesterday.

It may be a harbinger of economy-driven deals we’ll see come today and tomorrow but it has to have guys like Chris Paul and Byron Scott scratching their heads.

And having just been there, and seen an almost-full New Orleans Arena really appreciate a not-bad team, I’ve got to wonder how ticket sales will be the rest of this season and how the long-term economic hit of lower income will stack up against long-term cost control.

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Wasn’t it a nice day in Toronto yesterday? Temperature above zero for most of the afternoon. No raging blizzard. No whistling wind?

No matter, the obligatory “how can you stand the city in this brutal time of year questions went to both Marion and Banks.

Said Shawn:

“It’s a little chilly up here but I’m going to bundle up and put a skully on and call it a day.

The city is a beautiful city, I come up here in the summer time for Caribana, it’s definitely a nice city and the people here are wonderful, too.”

Added Banks:

“Basically for me, I was telling guys downstairs, I brought palm trees with me, and some sand. I’m just going to throw them all over the room and I’ll still be in the warm weather.”

Note to out-of-touchers like me and non-Americans: A ‘skully’ is a toque.

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And, finally:

Q: Hey Doug, I was watching "Pardon the Interruption" today and they mentioned the Toronto Star article about Bosh and twitter. I have been a fan of PTI for a long time and it got me wondering, have you ever met Tony and/or Mike? What is your opinion of them as sports reporters? What do you think of PTI?

Rob S, Winnipeg

A: I haven’t met Tony, although eons ago I was a guest on a talk radio show he’s hosted but I have met Michael a couple of times at NBA events.

And I would put Wilbon on the Mount Rushmore of current sports columnists in North America.

PTI? Best show of its genre on television today. And second’s not even close.

Comments

[Chris]

Any word on the TSN 2 deal?

Blogger's note: No, check back in months.

[Patrick]

Morning Doug,

Just curious as to what you envision the starting lineup will look like tonight (if Bosh doesn't suit up). Bargnani-Graham-Marion-Parker-Calderon or maybe Bargnani-Marion-Kapono-Parker-Calderon? I'm guessing the former rather than the latter.

Also, what do you make of the Zack Randolph incident from last night? It certainly cemented him as one of my least favorite players. Hopefully, he'll get a nice long suspension.

Have a good one!

Blogger's note: Calderon, Parker, Graham, Marion, Bargnani.
And if David West only got one game for a much more dangerous play, I don't think Randolph gets much more. Although he should

[Matt]

Hopefully the Chandler deal will be a bit of a dose of reality for the people who want to see Bosh traded. I read somewhere (espn I think) that Portland was receiving better offers for Lafretz than Phoenix was for Amare. The only trades that might be out there could be a trade similar to Carter, Gasol, RWallace, Chandler, etc. Really good for the team willing to take on salary, and not so good for the other. The Golden State deal (fabricated by Chad Ford) would not go down in this economic climate because Biedrins, Bellini, etc are young players with the potential to be very good while still cheap. The only way the Raps come out ahead is to sign Bosh.

[Jamie Buckingham]

Douglas....

Good call on the PTI.....I'm a huge fan too!.

[Ryan]

"Any word on the TSN 2 deal?

Blogger's note: No, check back in months."

Months? Oh well, back to finding it somewhere else then. I do have to commend Bell for one thing though: they are no longer going to outsource technical assistance to callcentres in India. Though they never should have done that in the first place.

[alex]

Do you really think the Chandler deal is that one-sided? If anything, I think the Hornets are better in the short-term. They've traded a guy who wasn't playing very much this season -- and when he did suit up, fell far below expectations -- for a couple of proven vets who can play. They both have the type of games that Chris Paul can/will improve substantially -- a finisher at the rim (Wilcox), and a savvy 4 who can shoot. And it addresses their lack of bench depth, somewhat at least.

[Alon Barmapov]

Hi Doug,

First off, thank you for taking the time everyday to write the blog for all of us. Maybe you should have spoken at the all-star game along side Chris Bosh of the wonders of communicating to fans through new media platforms! Anyway, I digress.

I know a lot has been said and written about the financial flexibility the Marion / O'Neal trade provides the Colangelo this summer. I was wondering, which free agnets that are available this summer do you think would attract the Raptors? I was hoping the Raptors would be able to swing something minor for Chris Wilcox, but given he is a free agent this summer, would likely not demand a huge salary, and would bring the toughness and rebounding the Raps so desperately need, I think he may be a good fit.

What are thoughts? Any others?

Alon

Blogger's note: If, for argument's sake, the Raptors have $8 million in cap space this summer, every single player in the NBA making $8 million or less would be on a list 'cause they could obtain any of them.

[Matty-Pix]

You say Bosh has a 10% chance of playing?
How about Jose?

No Bosh would probably mean a Marion debut at the 4??

Blogger's note: Jose plays. Four? Three? Marion will play with Joey and Bargnani, I presume; I'd guess he'd guard LeBron, Joey guards Varejao

[Nick]

I seem to remember Chris Childs coming to Toronto in that JYD trade aswell.

Blogger's note: Nope, two separate transactions. Moved Mark Jackson and Muggsy Bogues to Knicks for Childs and a pick.

[Gerry]

Based on what you've seen/heard Doug, what are the pros/cons of Marcus Banks game?

Blogger's note: He hasn't played regularly in a year and half, I have no real idea.

[J. Millett]

Question about Roko. He certainly can get to the basket when he wants to but sometimes misses the easy lay-up. Can he dunk?

Blogger's note: Yep

[Mike P]

Doug,

Since it's likely that Chris Bosh doesn't play, who do you think will be the starting 5?

Blogger's note: It's gotta be Calderon, Parker, Graham, Marion, Bargnani.

[Rahulan]

Maybe for the mailbag Doug but who else is on the Mt Rushmore of sports commentators?

Blogger's note: Sports columnists? With Wilbon? Let me think about and I'll do a list thingy in the blog.

[Jack]

The Matrix said this in his press conference yesterday:
"A lot of teams can (run) in the league, they just don't do it; they want to sit there and pound the ball," he said. "The game is supposed to be exciting. I'm tired of playing that boring style, halfcourt, just watching everybody go up and run a play, call this play, run this play. That's boring, I'm not going to lie to you. And I know fans don't enjoy it, either."

Oooo.... he will be bored to death here with the plays that the Raptors run.
I hope Jay has the cajones to change them to suit Marion.

[Abe]

“I can’t believe the GM mismanaged this team so badly that he had to mortgage the future to get me in a last-gasp attempt to save his job. But let’s go!”

Are you taking a shot at Colangelo there? Is our future really that bleak? Or are you just making fun of boring press conferences?

Blogger's note: Read it again, all poking fun at boring news conferences.

[Matt G]

Been laughing a good while at the TSN2 quip. Those degenerates who run the show at Rogers are true dumbasses. I took a little glee from their 4th Quarter loss of $138 million. Is that not karma or what? They treat their customers like ---- and now a little payback from the gods. Let's just hope this is not the end of their economic woes but the beginning on a long run right into Chapter 11.

[Doug]

I disagree on the chandler piece - he had one great year - but he has proven himself as injury-prone and that can't win championships. I like that NO dropped him and will be in a position to replace him this summer. Want some contextual advice? Washington has blown their last three years on injured Areanas and sunk all their cap space into him. I've been stuck with Chandler on my fantasy team all year and he kills me - do you want a guy that averages like 8 and 8 but is injured half the time or a guy who is like 6 and 6 who plays all the time?

[Brian]

I have to say Doug, that the whole TSN2/Rogers/MLSE fiasco is shameful on many fronts. Speaking for many Rogers subscribers who like me, likely would love to switch carriers, but it does not make sense since we are so entrenched with Rogers, and also do not really know what % of blame should be laid on the parties involved as we are not privy to the negotiations (or lack thereof), can you at least break down in your opinion, dividing up the blame to 100%, who is most at fault?

From following the whole ordeal, I would break it down as follows:

MLSE: 25% (For firstly not being aware that the games could and ended up being switched to a secondary channel that had the potential (which it did) of not being available on all carriers. Plus, for not forcing a resolution by insisting that both sides (TSN2/Rogers) agree to a mediator who would dictate the terms of a resolution.

TSN2: 50% (For being devious with their intentions and running those pathetic commercials trying to incite the Rogers customer base to put pressure on Rogers to pick it up)

ROGERS: 25% (For not disclosing the reasons why they have not struck a deal. They really should come clean as to what is holding them back on it i.e. price, terms, not allowing the competition in on their grid, although they would never admit that, etc.)

By you saying check back in months you are doing a disservice to the rabid Rogers Raptors fanbase, as I would expect more out of you Doug in your investigative journalism to report how you feel, plus dig to get some answers.

Your cholestoral level has skyrocketed with having to go to bars to watch the TSN2 games (wings will get you every time) and maybe you have a lawsuit here to go after the parties involved for that.

[Brian]

Doug, I just posted dividing up the blame for the TSN2/Rogers/MLSE fiasco, and would like to change my breakdown to:

TSN2 (Bell Evil Media) - 90%
MLSE - 10%
Rogers - Off the hook - 0%

All you have to do is see the release below and how they are using their pull technique again inciting Rogers subscribers to again put pressure on Rogers to capitulate, regardless of the terms.

RAPTORS' SHAWN MARION MAKES TORONTO DEBUT ON TSN2

TORONTO, ON (February 17, 2009) – Welcome home! New Raptors forward Shawn Marion makes his highly-anticipated debut in Toronto when the new-look Raps take on LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers in an all-Eastern Conference match-up live tomorrow (Wednesday, Feb 18) at 7 p.m. ET on TSN2.

Marion, along with guard Marcus Banks, was traded to the Raptors by the Miami Heat on Friday for forwards Jermaine O’Neal and Jamario Moon and a future conditional first-round draft pick.

Wednesday’s game on TSN2 marks the Raptors’ first match-up following the All-Star break. TSN and TSN2’s remaining Raptors schedule for February features key games against the team’s Eastern Conference rival New York Knicks and Canadian superstar Steve Nash and the Phoenix Suns. The broadcast schedule is as follows:

Wednesday, Feb. 18 – Cleveland @ Toronto at 7 p.m. ET (TSN2)
Friday, Feb. 20 – Toronto @ New York at 7:30 p.m. ET (TSN)
Tuesday, Feb. 24 – Minnesota @ Toronto at 7 p.m. ET (TSN)
Friday, Feb. 27 – Toronto @ Phoenix at 9 p.m. ET (TSN2)

About TSN 2: TSN2 is now available in three million Canadian homes – more than any other Canadian national digital sports channel. In the Greater Toronto Area, TSN2 is readily available in both Standard Definition and High Definition on Bell TV, Star Choice and Cogeco Cable. TSN2 is also available across Canada through leading television service providers including Shaw Cable, Bell TV, Star Choice, Cogeco Cable, Eastlink, Access Communications, Sasktel, Telus TV, Persona, Westman Communications Group, Aliant TV and many others.

For more information on TSN2 and a complete list of participating television providers, visit TSN.ca.
(from TSN.ca)

[Pharaoh]

Doug, just read in The Star that Rogers lost $138 million in the 4th quarter of 2008. Do you take this as proof that there is a God and that he is just?

[UK]

Any Calderon update Doug?

Thanks.

Blogger's note: Same as was in the paper this morning. He's ready to go.

[BB]

Seems like Marcus Banks could be used as a defensive specialist to slow down other teams 1/2 guards that are torching the Raptors. Based on what you've heard from the coach or management do you think he gets a fair chance to show what he can do or is he going to get garbage time only? Does he get some time at the 2 based on match-ups?

Blogger's note: Fair chance? Sure, but he's behind Parker, Calderon, Kapono and Ukic right now at the two guard spots.

[jim]

hey doug how much is my JO bobblehead worth? I figure since the trade its now a collectors item on top of being the only bobble ejection combo in the nba.do you think i could get a one way to a penthouse on south beach and courtsides for the remainder.sorry just dreaming any hoo my Q is how can ev1 be so excited about marion when his numbers are in recession over the past few years?

[dave]

With Bosh out do they start Marion at the four? And venture a guess on Banks' min? Thanks for the steady stream of good reading.

Blogger's note: Marion starts with Joey and Bargnani, I presume; call 'em threes, fours, whatever. And Banks? Zero tonight

[Ryan]

I don't like feeling like I'm a defender of Rogers, but stop blaming them more than Bell.

Bell knows exactly what they're doing, and as mentioned above, they ARE trying incite Rogers customers. Those ads (and now also that article) are just further proof that Bell is intending for this situation to keep going in hopes Raptor fans on Rogers will switch providers. Bell will only cave if they lose this battle against us Raptor fans (and make no mistake, it IS a battle, so keep fighting!).

I don't know the percentages of the blame to go around, but certainly more blame goes to Bell than Rogers; that much is fact.