It's Madness all right

Work with me, people; it’s slow these days.

Taking Super Son to the orthodontist and then to Playdium with one of his baseball buddies was a great way to spend a day off, far greater that slogging through another off-day story so we’re a little light again today.

Which means just being a wee bit more creative.

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See enough games yesterday? College, that is?

It was probably the longest I’ve watched a series of college games all year (the pesky NBA kept getting in my way) and it reaffirmed something I’ve thought all along: I much prefer the pros.

Better players, more skilled, more flow. I swear most college offences are three-man weaves before someone shoots a three-pointer that little more than a layup.

I know, there’s lots of passion and lots of emotion and lots of missed shots and plays that don’t truly develop which lends itself to drama and I know there are lots of people who prefer college ball to the NBA.

I’m just not one of them.

And, seriously, how many timeouts do they have? Seems like about a hundred a half. There are too many in an NBA game, there are waaaaaaaaay too many in a college game.

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Speaking of the NCAA tournament, which we all are these days, Super Son and I went 12-4 yesterday and still have our entire Sweet 16 still intact.

Missed, as many of you did I presume, on Western Kentucky along with Michigan, Texas and LSU. Guess having watched Hoosiers a week or so ago and falling in love with Butler again wasn’t a good idea.

The Final Four:

Villanova (the Alvin, Ed Pinckney influence), North Carolina, Kansas and Connecticut with the Tar Heels beating the Huskies in the championship game.

Remember you read it here first.

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A question of the roster:

Q: Hi Doug, given that the Raptors biggest need is a quick defensive minded shot creator, a good shooting guard, is it realistic that they could sign someone who fits this need and retain Anthony Parker? I think Parker would be great of the bench and help us create some depth in the second unit. Will he be too expensive to keep as a bench player?

Aaron C, Mississauga

STEVE RUSSELL/TORONTO STAR

Probably don't want Parker to jump ship next year.

A: I think, as perhaps I’ve mentioned, that it’s not only entirely realistic but I think it’s quite important that they bring back Parker in some role as a backup at both guard spots.

He’s respected in the locker room, a multi-position player who can help on the court and the kind of veteran presence that I think helps.

I have no idea what the money situation will be like but I’m pretty sure they should make it happen.

As a matter of fact, of all the free agents – restricted or otherwise the Raptors will have to deal with from this group – I’d say he’s one of two I’d try to bring back.

Maybe they can do a deal with Carlos Delfino, but of the ones currently on the roster and I’d say you try to keep Parker and Pops but let Joey Graham go, try to sign-and-trade Marion and bid adieu to Patrick O’Bryant and Jake Voskuhl.

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Back to the tourney for a minute.

There’ve been a bunch of Raptors who’ve won an NCAA title before heading to the NBA and I’m throwing this out there: Which guy with an NCAA championship had the most obscure or unimpressive time with Toronto?

Answer tomorrow, along with the list. Wonder how many of you will get them all.

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I’m not sure which part of “Marc Iavaroni is seen, by the major power brokers of the Raptors organization as a great assistant coach but not head coaching material” many of you have failed to comprehend but I’ll perhaps mention it again.

If Marc Iavaroni works here next season – and that’s certainly not cast in stone – it will be as an assistant head coach. Not as the head coach.

So his being here has absolutely no bearing whatsoever on Jay Triano’s future.

I know that won’t satisfy the conspiracy theorists among you, but it’s true.

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In Charlotte, they’re all about Gerald Wallace falling down.

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And since Wallace is the flavour of the month again it seems (check out the comments lately), let’s go through this again.

The trade proposal involving him and T.J. Ford last June broke down at Charlotte’s insistence.

But, with a contract that still has three years and $29.5 million to run past this season, his addition would have taken away any financial flexibility for years, he’s a good player who’s often hurt and whose position – most coaches think – is a four.

And, besides, it’s a 10-month old story that didn’t happen. We need to let it go.

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On Bryan’s future:

Q: Don't you think Brian Colangelo should be held accountable for the Raptors poor season? Should MLSE be looking for somebody else to build this team. I think so.

Philip S, Dresden

A: I think he should absolutely be held accountable and he is, from his bosses, the fans and the media.

Do I think they should panic like so many of you and replace him? Not in a kabillion years and even thinking about it suggests an impatience that’s shocking and quite ridiculous.

Yes, this has been a bad season with a team that’s much less than the sum of its parts. But it is the first season in three with Bryan at the helm that they won’t make the playoffs, I think there are some excellent pieces to build around and it’s not entirely unlike the first summer he was on the job, when he turned a 27-win team in to a 47-win team with some excellent moves.

Change the GM? Not a chance.

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You know I’m all about fashion, right? Well, this whole ‘t-shirt-under-the-jersey’ thing that seems to still be sweeping the college ranks is not a look of which I’m a big fan.

Like you care, right?

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This will be an interesting thing to watch:

Q:A question for you regarding playoff broadcast schedules....From the past, TSN has been airing some of the playoff games and the championship series exclusively. With its TSN2 debacle, would it be TSN dealing directly with the NBA for the airing of games or TSN would go through MLSE who owns the NBA TV rights? If it is the latter, I just do hope that MLSE has learned its lesson and tell TSN that the only way they would be allowed to broadcast the playoff games is if they air it on TSN, not TSN2.

Vener C, Markham

A: Let’s see, during the time of the first two rounds of the NBA playoffs, the Stanley Cup playoffs will be going on as will the major league baseball season.

I can absolutely see games being put on TSN2 over TSN (although no schedules have been set) so get ready for some disappointment.

I am under the impression the finals will be shown on the main network and there’s always The Score to help bail out viewers in the early rounds.

But some on TSN2? I guarantee you that will happen early in the post-season.

Comments

[Mike]

Hey Doug

I won a contest and tonight at the Bobcats-Raptors game I'll be competing for a chance to win a trip to NYC to see the Knicks and Raptors play. Any advice or insight, other then try not to look like a complete fool.

Blogger's note: Just win, baby

[andy c]

Juan Dixon?

[Doug]

the Ncaa games have so many commercials ridiculous, but its like having a licence to print money, what with the conference champions and the at-large teams, there are some classic mismatches, and not in the conference champs favour...i never picked Illinois as any team that loses 38-33 to a non-tournamant team is not getting any of my action...Michigan, Wake Forest are the two of the most hardest teams to read...in fact Wake forest could surprise, really surprise, as there young but they are oh so good at times an others oh so bad..

i agree with you the gap between the NBA and NCAA is huge, and that's why i find it amusing when people say we need to find a SG or this or that as a starter next year from the draft...get real, there is one stud this year Griffin, he can create if he was triple teamed just a athletic talent all the rest work in talent..Warren better learn how to go to his right as the floor is tilted when he is out there to his left, an there is no comparison to Wade and him...a guy like Harden played in a offensive-minded weak conference this year so numbers over-inflated, he can be easily defended come crunch time...so there all works in progress, and even then pretty rough diamonds this year. Thabett is the next best option beyond Griffin and that is a big gap, but that kid could be a good player..

this Wallace talk is absurd, his contract is horrible, 30 million for 3 years, yes the guy is a good player, would be a welcome addition, but come on anyone that thinks he's worth that or a good option for the Raps is wrong...he'd be a albatross around our necks cap wise...

[Rahil]

Ed Pinckney? Villanova MVP? If the fans got their way, we could be talking about Ed O'Bannon.

[Steve Wong]

Corliss Williamson comes to mind first, but I'm sure there's probably someone else even more obscure and unimpressive.

[Chris J]

Doug, is the only person in Toronto who feels comfortable with Bryan having so called "financial flexibility". If we had a young team winning 50+ games a year right now, would anyone care if we didn't have any financial flexibility for another 1 or 2 seasons? If you actually scout and draft the right players and use your mid-level exception on the right personnel, this team would be competitive for years to come. We wouldn't need to be duped into thinking this mosh-pit of talent would actually be competitive.

[Steve Wong]

Wait, Lonny Baxter was pretty insignificant.

[Jamie]

I hope TSN2 does get NBA playoff games...It will bring even more credibility to an already great station.

GO BLUE!!!

[Rob Rudd]

To me it's always seemed like there are way more timeouts in the last 2 minutes of a game in the NBA vs college which always kills the flow in my eyes. Maybe college has more in total but I don't mind the tv timeouts nearly as much as the 4 stoppages in play in the last 2 minutes of a close game that happens all the time in the NBA.

[John MacDonald]

I know it's early but seeing as though there isn't that much to write about in Raptor land right now I'd like to suggest a list or two. Something you should do after March Madness is done. A top 5 draft prospects that you could fit in well with the raptors (international and NCAA), that Griffin kid is good but with bargs and bosh on the roster wouldn't he be under utilized (that's if a miracle happens and the raps get the no.1 pick in the draft). Other list would be top 5 players the raptors should try to sign in the offseason. Thanks, keeping up the good work.

[AP]

Doug,

Bruce Arthur had reported that even if the Gerald Wallace for TJ trade was made, Gerald Wallace said he would not come to Toronto. Sounds to me like the deal was never really an option. Can you clarify?

http://www.nationalpost.com/scripts/story.html?id=cdf90438-363b-4f89-897f-050db78783e2&k=59275

[Steve Wong]

Ok, 20 minutes of cheating (aka Wikipedia) turned out this list of NCAA winners and obscure and unimpressive Raptors: Lonny Baxter, Juan Dixon, Antonio Lang, Clifford Rozier, Jake Voskuhl, and Corliss Williamson (who was not so unimpressive in Detroit, but I digress).

The full list of winners obviously includes guys like Villanueva and MoPete, but they weren't obscure and unimpressive.

[alucart999]

"Do I think they should panic like so many of you and replace him? Not in a kabillion years and even thinking about it suggests an impatience that’s shocking and quite ridiculous."

I think that's absolutely right. The best franchises in the league tend to have the most stable management. From a GM standpoint, being sure that your team is not going to cut you loose after one or two bad seasons translates into a higher likelihood that he will make decisions that properly balance the present with the future.

My point is: in order to be a successful franchise (not only now, but going forward), they need to build a talented and stable management/coaching team, and you can't do that if you keep firing people. Bryan Colangelo has done wonders for the team's credibility throughout the league - if you're going to replace him, it better be for someone who has an even better track record and reputation than he does. And if you look around, there are probably only a few of those.

Maybe we should bring in his dad as a consultant. That would be awesome.

[jimmie]

I'd say Jake and Lonny Baxter are probably the two most "insignificant" past NCAA champs, but they might be outpaced by Michael Bradley. Maybe Montross, too, but he had some useful moments in Toronto...

[alucart999]

@Chris J:

I know Doug can defend himself, but you should note that he was referring to cap space vs. Gerald Wallace. You're absolutely right that nobody would be complaining about cap space if you were winning, but it's not like we we're bringing in Joe Johnson or something. We're talking about Gerald Wallace. There are guys that are worth the cost - Gerald Wallace is probably not one of them.

[Steven]

Juan Dixon

[Serge P]

"Do I think they should panic like so many of you and replace him? Not in a kabillion years and even thinking about it suggests an impatience that’s shocking and quite ridiculous."

+1

[James C.]

I find all the love for Anthony Parker to be somewhat dumbfounding. Why so much love in resigning a player whose skills are seriously deteriorating before our eyes. Why resign a SG/SF whose going to be 35 yrs old (well beyond the shelf life for a wing player). Why so much love for an often quoted "glue" player when there so much consensus that our Raps have no intensity, no tenacity, no competitiveness (hey, didn't Bosh say this yesterday and aren't we kidding ourselves when we say it doesn't apply to Bosh/Barney/Jose/Parker .. then whose left?). Granted we've to give Parker his due - he's asked to guard the opposing star wing player (but he doesn't do it very well), he's asked to be the 3rd/4th scoring option (but his PPG is declining), he's asked to play backup PG minutes (to cover up a fatal lineup flaw) ... but doesn't resigning a 27 yr old Carlos Delfino provide all this (especially better defense) at a likely lower cost and with a better upside. For a team with 24 wins to date, its nuts for BC to resign any of the incumbent wings (Parker/Graham) or Marion (overpriced and he doesn't want to be here). Lets hope however that our EOY(?) GM doesn't take a flyer again in rectifying our wing problems.

[Chili]

It's the first day of spring. The Jays are mathematically eliminated from the playoffs already.
And since the Raptors are already looking ahead to the next season, the topic here is just that. Next season.
If you are Bryan Colangelo, Doug, and you know how much cap space you have, you know what the team needs and you know who the free agents available in the market, who would you go after aggressively? The assumption is that the person would accept a 10% increase over his last contract (although if his agent is Scott Boras, I seriously doubt it), so you would know if he fits your budget.

[AA]

Then answer is Mateen Cleaves.

[saatuk]

AP's sister is on the cover of the new ESPN The Magazine. Does he get gently razzed about her in the locker room or is she even mentioned. It is unusual for an NBA player to _not_ be the most well-known basketball player in the family after all.

[Erc]

Have to disagree on Parker. Wonderful guy. Helped us greatly when he was first signed. Wildly erratic now. Not really a good scoring option. Not a top-flight defender. Stop-gap as pg. Get someone younger, meaner, cheaper.

[James Ballswin (Realizar)]

Percy Miller?!! lol ;)

[Jess]

I dont see why they would not bring Parker back...I mean he is consistant and fundamentally sound. I love his game and his role on the team. He reminds me of Garbo pre-injury. He just knows what he is doing..all the time.

[jimmie]

Parker is a keeper if he returns on a cheaper contract. If he'd take 2.5M/2 yrs, that would be solid value, and he could be inclined to take it given the economics of this coming off-season and the fact that he'd probably like to finish his career on the team that gave him his NBA chance.

I know HoopsHype is not 100% accurate with team salaries, but it's close, and this is what it seems to indicate about this coming off-season for Toronto: Parker, Garbo, Marion, and Graham all come off the books for a total of $28.7M. Minus Jake (.9M) and O'Bryant (1.6M, for which TO is on the hook for about 500k, I believe) and you can eliminate about 31M off this year's commitment.

That leaves about 46.5M committed (to Bosh, Calderon, Bargnani, Kapono, Banks, Hump, Roko and Nate) with an expected cap of ~70M, or 23.5M free to spend. For that money, if you sign back Parker at 2.5, you've still got about 21M to spend with 9 guys already under contract. Add Pops at 2.5M/3 years and you're down to about 18M with 2 roster spots open.

C- Bargs, Jawai
PF- Bosh, Hump, Pops
SF- Kapono
SG- Parker
PG- Jose, Roko, Banks

The weak spots are pretty obvious: SF and SG. And backup C and PG as secondary needs. My priority would be to try and move JK and Banks, but that's obviously a tough sell without taking back someone else's salary albatross.

One of those weak spots could be addressed through a high pick in the draft, but fans need to understand the unlikelihood of even a top-5 pick truly contributing next year. If Marion comes back at a cut rate (10M tops) that could shore up the 3 spot.

It's still not a real pretty picture, but there IS a lot of flexibility there for Colangelo, if he uses it wisely.