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

[sharmn5]

Just wondering if anyone here can suggest a couple of good Sports bars where they play basketball. Not sure if this is the right place to ask...but i figure everyone here knows their fair share about basketball and booze ;)

thanks guys!

[Doug]

Parker is fine as back-up off the bench in fact would be invaluable in that role..

also just got back from lunch and discussing with a colleague about Wallace, does anyone remember, besides Doug who does and has pointed it out, that Charlotte was a terrible team and going nowhere with Wallace on the roster...they make one trade albeit one of the best in recent NBA history...secure the services of Diaw and Bell, are now a far superior team...so if you look at Wallace's numbers like for instance the last time the Raps and them played, Wallace had like 9 assists, 9 rebounds, 25 points...why do you think he got those boards and assists for the most part??...he's good but Diaw and Bell make him that much better, as you can't double wallace when he is on the floor, when Diaw and Bell are there, so it opens him up to do more, crash the boards, feed others, those guys open up the floor....so I am sure for one thing Charlotte is in no rush to trade him any longer and for another it goes to show you how one good trade can transform a team...the Raps have a solid core just need those other pieces, which parker should definitely be one...

[Derik]

Anyone that suggest that we fire/replace Colangelo should get a pie in the face and a swift kick in the buttocks!

[Jason]

Doug:
My NCAA list that I think is pretty close to including everyone

Lonny Baxter
Juan Dixon
Antonio Lang
Eric Montross
Ed Pinckney
Charlie Villanueva
Jake Voskuhl
Corliss Williamson

Based on the above, I'll go with antonio Lang as the most obscure.

[Jason]

Forgot MoPete.. typing error

[Jason]

Doug.
Clifford Rozier did win NCAA did he?

[Jason]

Lonny Baxter
Juan Dixon
Antonio Lang
Eric Montross
Ed Pinckney
Charlie Villanueva
Jake Voskuhl
Corliss Williamson
Morris Peterson

[Nick]

Toss up between Baxter and Dixon. I'd probably go with Baxter though.

[Tim W.]

jimmie, the salary cap will most definitely NOT be anywhere close to $70 million. You may be the thinking of the luxury tax threshold. The salary cap is expected to be somewhere less than the $58 million it is this season. It will be the first time the salary cap will go down. $55 million is an educated guess, but it could be even less than that. That will probably give the Raptors with less than $10 million to spend, and I'm guessing closer to $8 million. And that's before the draft, which will end up taking some cap room away, and before re-signing anyone. The Raptors aren't getting any really good free agents with that.

[Tim W.]

"Just wondering if anyone here can suggest a couple of good Sports bars where they play basketball. Not sure if this is the right place to ask...but i figure everyone here knows their fair share about basketball and booze ;)"

A sports bar where they play basketball? It would have to be one with high ceilings, that's for sure.

[Pharaoh]

I think AP would be a good sixth-man, but I just can't see him as the starting 2. I don't know what he's like in the locker room or during practices, but to be honest I don't see much evidence of his leadership during games. I can't recall a single occasion where AP got in someone's face to protect a teammate, or got in one of his teammates' faces to let him know he screwed up. Perhaps his brand of leadership is more subtle(?) In any event it's not plainly evident when you watch the Raps play.

[aditya]

have to disagree on most coaches seeing gerald wallace as a 4....in fact, in my opinion, just came to mind actually, he's like tayshaun prince with better athleticism but same shooting percentages probably (prince might be a slightly better shooter).... but in today's NBA, i think 3 yrs 30 mil for gerald wallace sounds about right (ok a touch overpaid) but when he would have filled a need for the raptors...

[jimmie]

Tim W -- you're right about the cap, but I'm assuming TO is more concerned about the tax than the cap. Isn't that the case that's been stated before? I also didn't take into account the MLE and LLE, both of which I believe are available to BC this summer...?

[Eric]

Amen to James C.! All this talk about the "intangibles" that Parker brings to the table is absolutely crazy while we ignore the fact that this team's intangibles must be among the worst in the league! I think this summer should be, if nothing else, addition by subtraction- ESPECIALLY if they can't afford a new coach.

It's unfortunate but it's the truth: you cannot go into next season with similar personnel to the team we had this year. This team has proven itself already- one hundred times over! They need something new. And if they can't uncover it for themselves in the form of a new philosophy, mentality or approach (and they've shown they can't), then the superficial trade-for-the-sake-of-a-trade may be the only option remaining. Sad but true. This includes getting rid of your wing who's been here the entire time, who's taken part in- arguably led- the team's regression, who's shown he has no power to help win games, and has proven himself to have not much respect around the league either (Stephen Jackson, "Whoever that guy was who was guarding me tonight"). Sad but true.

Change will not happen by itself- especially not with this group. I get sick to my stomach when I read anyone imply that they should change- but keep all the pieces the same. It doesn't work that way. You need the courage to make a move one way or the other- you can't sit around and expect someone else to make it for you. This is also symbolic of how the Raptors have failed on the court over the past 18 months, they can talk but they can't walk, so I'm not surprised. I just hope Colangelo is more perceptive.

[Michael]

I like to comment about AP. I think he's good off the bench next year for the right price but he properly will demand more which maybe better to let him go. He will be 34-35 yrs old next year so I think his stats will decline again. If they can move JK out of here I rather paying JK's money to AP. He's much better than JK to be honest. I just think it's a mistake for BC to sign JK.

I actually think the raps should replace 2-3 new wing players this off-season from FA and draft.

[Tim W.]

jimmie,

Since the Raptors will be under the cap, they won't have the MLE available to them. And if they re-sign Marion, they will have no room left. Once they're at the cap, even if they wanted to spend the money on another player, they wouldn't be able to. The only way they can take on significantly more salary is if they re-sign someone at a higher salary. Once they are at the salary cap, in order to do a trade, the two teams must be within 125% plus $100 thousand of each other. So if the Raptors trade a player making $10 million, they can only take back a player making $12.6 million. and quite frankly, the Raptors won't have a lot of pieces to trade this summer.

Blogger's note: Actually, if they don't renounce some free agents and use their cap holds, they could be over the cap and therefore have the mid-level exception. And they could conceivably trade Bosh, do sign-and-trades with Marion, Graham, Parker and Delfino and might want to put their pick in play, too. So trade possibilities could exist.

[Eric]

Put it this way: this team is at the bottom of the conference, last in the division, has underachieved more than any other team in the entire league... and you want to bring back their "leaders"?!?! It's insane. That kind of denial is exactly how the team found itself here in the first place!

I don't know what Parker does or doesn't do in the locker room. But judging by this team's awful results, I would say that at the very least, his leadership value is redundant. It may not hurt- but it doesn't help. The team can't be much worse than they are. The only thing they should be pressed to do this summer is change. There is nothing 'important' about bringing back ANY of these players.

[Doug]

not a raptor related view, just a rant ...thank-god West Virginia lost, as they are coached by Bob Huggins a guy (not a man) a person that represents all that is wrong with college sports...

"Coach Huggins was forced to resign from the University of Cincinnati after 16 seasons in August 2005. Not for lack of wins, but in University President Nancy Zimpher’s words, a lack of character".....

he then went to Kansas State where he had this to say.. "in a long, fawning article recently published by the Lawrence Journal-World, Huggins made it clear he doesn’t see himself as a teacher, or a tutor, or a guidance counselor. He’s not someone who recruits kids to make them understand the value of a college education or to find their purpose in life.", this from a man who has one of the lowest graduation rates in history, and in fact a larger % of players charged with felonies..

he lasted one year then went off to West Virginia...he is a a heck of a coach but a vile, repulsive man...goes to show you have much a business the NCAA is, when schools overlook his character flaws and hire this guy...just sad...

[Pete W]

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

It would be a safe bet that this poster is a Bell employee trolling fourms doing damage control.Common tatic for Bell.

[Andrew Gregg]

Hi Doug:

I've got an idea for a new "top five" list: The tip five naughtiest Raptors. Off the top of my head, I would include Alvin Robertson and Keon Clark. I would suggest the criteria be that they had to have been charged with something or caught with their pants down. It can't be based on road rumours or general, relatively harmless misbehaviour.

I'll look forward to your list...

AG, Toronto

[Tim W.]

"Blogger's note: Actually, if they don't renounce some free agents and use their cap holds, they could be over the cap and therefore have the mid-level exception. And they could conceivably trade Bosh, do sign-and-trades with Marion, Graham, Parker and Delfino and might want to put their pick in play, too. So trade possibilities could exist."

I guess that's true, if they don't renounce. So much for all that cap room they were getting by trading for Marion's expiring contract. Of course, I would expect them to renounce Graham and if Marion signs elsewhere, his cap hold is gone.

I do think the only free agent they have a chance of getting anything worth mentioning back is Marion, and that's only if he wants to do a sign-and-trade. It's not as if he'd get the maximum anywhere, so it's only if his new team wants to save salary, which might be the case.

As for the pick, as soon as they traded for Marion, that was my first thought. I wouldn't be surprised at all to see the pick get traded.

If Bosh gets traded, I guess that means they are in full rebuilding mode. And if that's the case, I'd most definitely keep that pick...and get used to not seeing the playoffs for another couple of years.

[Jon]

fred jones or juan dixon i think

[chris]

Like Gerald Wallace, Marion's best position is 4. I'm yet to believe in the financial flexibility he offers as well....are we really that likely to get a lot back for him in a sign and trade?? He has to want to go to the team that has the assets we want...a team that has to be wanting to give them up....and at the price that Marion is happy with (hasn't this been an issue with this guy for a long time?).....There are a lot of "ifs" there.

I'd rather have TJ back.

[Roel Olay]

It's Jimmy King!