Putting words in people's mouths, it's a fun gig

STEPHAN SAVOIA/AP

Weekend highlights included Derrick Rose and Doug's blog.

That weekend kind of fizzled, didn’t it? Couple of really close games in Boston and Orlando but other than that, not a whole lot to get excited about.

The Sunday night double-header? May as well have watched a movie; what a snorefest. Hardly worth the in-game blogging which, by the way, we’ll continue tonight, picking up the Boston-Chicago game about 7:45 or 8 p.m. Eastern, or whenever I get settled back after a radio gig, and stick through Dallas-San Antonio.

But, really, enough about me (not that there can really be enough about me, that is)

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Bryan’s got his big State Of The Raptors thing today (noon at the Air Canada Centre) but I figuring it’s got a chance to fizzle out just as the first weekend of the playoffs did.

I’m sure he’ll be asked about Jay and about Bosh and about Shawn Marion and next year’s coaching staff.

And while I don’t ever want to put words in his mouth, I think I will.

On Jay

What he’ll probably say:

“Jay did a tremendous job under difficult circumstances, we’ll sit down this week and have a discussion about moving forward.”

What he should say:

“Look, everyone and his brother thinks he’s coming back so I’m going to tell you we’re giving him a two-year deal with a third-year option.”

On Bosh

What he’ll probably say:

“Chris is a cornerstone of our franchise, I’ll make that clear to him when we talk and assure him I’m going to put better pieces around him.”

What he should say:

“Look, I let the dude down by constructing a thin roster than didn’t really perform last year. It’s on me to fix it or the second-best player in franchise history is going to walk away.”

On Marion

What he’ll probably say:

 “I said when we acquired Shawn that it wasn’t a short-term rental and we’re going to do everything in our power to retain his services this summer.”

What he should say:

“You know and I know and Shawn knows and everyone knows it’s about money. I don’t know if we have enough but I’m not going to overpay.”

On the staff:

What he’ll probably say:

“We’ll sit down with the new coach, whoever that is, and see who everyone feels comfortable with moving forward.”

What he should say:

“Alex and Mike did a great job when they were here but when they both got passed over for Sam’s job the writing was on the wall. Oh, and Marc Iavaroni’s out in the hall if anyone wants to interview him.”

You’re welcome, now you don’t have to watch. But be sure to check back here about mid-afternoon just to confirm stuff.

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Big win by the Bulls on Saturday, no? Dramatic, excellent Derrick Rose day, Ray Allen shot jumpers like you.

And as lucky as you can imagine.

Not only was Allen as bad as you can imagine, Paul Pierce missing that free throw with two seconds left was absolutely shocking. And if he had made and the Bulls had lost, they probably should have traded that Noah kid right then. I’ve seen some stupid, stupid fouls in my day, a big coming out around the three-point line to foul a guarded Pierce with three seconds left in a one-point game might have been the worst foul I’ve ever seen.

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I digress ….

Was lucky enough to have four tickets to Saturday night’s Rock game bestowed on me so off go I and a trio of urchins.

And let me tell you, that lacrosse stuff is quite the, um, experience.

They play music EVERY SINGLE SECOND OF THE GAME! That is, every single second when they aren’t announcing goals or contest winners or asking the fans to applaud themselves.

Now, I know the NBA gets bashed – rightfully so sometimes – for its sensory overload abilities and music during play – but this lacrosse stuff was absolutely over the top.

Good game, though Rock wins, everyone’s happy.

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I guess because the games were so good, I’ve developed quite an affinity now for the Chicago-Boston and Philly-Orlando series. I still think the Celtics and Magic will prevail but it’s not going to be as easy as we might have thought.

And because I’m interested, you should be interested, too. So here’s how good friends K.C. in Chicago and B. Schmitz in Orlando were entertaining their readers this morning.

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An interesting query from the mail, sort of:

Q: Hey Doug, I'm curious, how much importance do coaches place on winning the tip? Is having the ball at the start of the 1st and 4th a lot better than having it for the other two periods? Is that the only impact the tip has on the game? (Other than maybe getting a quick opening basket.) I'm also curious why a play like Lebron doesn't take the tip for Cleveland? No doubt he can get up higher than Z right? Is it because he is shorter and would get to it a bit slower?

David S, Toronto

A: I don’t think they place very much importance on it at all, as a matter of fact. I’ve never heard a coach as much as mention the opening tip.

And I presume the Cavs use Z so he can tip the ball to LeBron?

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Two games, two familiar faces

I’m pretty sure you all saw Matt Devlin doing the TNT coverage of the Philly-Orlando game with P.J. Carlesimo; Matt’s a well-respected broadcaster with previous ties to TNT and NBA-TV so he was a logical hire when they needed an extra play-by-play guy.

What you might not have noticed without being as eagle-eyed as I am was that the Raptors timekeepers were handling the Chicago-Boston game. The league uses the home teams stats crews in the playoffs but brings in neutral scorekeepers to work the games.

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Mentioned this last night during the game but figured I’d do it again here for benefit of those with, you know, lives that kept them away from a computer on a Sunday night (although your attendance is expected this evening).

With every time Derrick Rose finished uncontested at the rim and when Chicago got series of open looks how many “Tom Thibodeau Is A Genius And We Need Him In Toronto Because He’s A Real Coach” signs were ripped up?

I’m not saying he’s a bad coach or that his schemes are crap but I am saying this: Coaches are only ever as good as their players and it’s as easy as pie to be a Defensive Guru when you’ve got Kevin Garnett to trot out there for 40 minutes a night.

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Comments

[Jack]

Of course Colangelo will only sing praises about the coach and the players. Otherwise he will be bombarded with a lot of questions and he may not be ready to provide answers.
I wonder what the people say if after all what BC said about Bosh and Triano, he hires a new coach in the summer and trades Bosh in the middle of next season.

[SY]

Hi Doug,

Do you think we have any chance of getting the likes of Nocioni or Camby using the contracts of Kapono, Banks, Humphries, Graham and a 2nd draft pick?

Obviously, Nocioni's there to improve the depth of the wing. Camby's there to come off the bench for Bargnani or in case either Bargnani or Bosh goes down. Camby is also good if we have to face Howard or Garnett in the first round (another big defensive body on them).

-SY

Blogger's note: I would be stunned if any team took back four players to lose one.

[Andy]

Hahaha!
Doug, is it just me or did BC indirectly confess to reading your blog this morning?
At the beginning of the conference: "I read a few things this morning staging everything that would be said that this conference and what SHOULD be said...but there are things that can be said and things that can't be said"

Talk about talking directly to you... lol

[WA]

I want a copy of that video footage NOW! lol

[SY]

"Blogger's note: I would be stunned if any team took back four players to lose one."

Four for one won't work even salary wise.

What I mean was do you think we have any chance to send Kapono + (Banks or Graham) + 2nd round pick for either Nicioni or Camby? And should we go for them?

Thanks.

-SY

Blogger's note: I'm well on the record as liking both Nocioni and Camby but I wonder if either of those teams might not think they could get more. And it'd have to be a future 2nd, Toronto doesn't have its this year.

[Dodo]

Why do GMs and media types call players "pieces"? Isn't this kind of taking the humanity out of the players?

[Jeff Steele]

I'm honored to know BC reads the same blog I do. Bet that comment he made will make you think twice next time you start writing something about him.

Blogger's note: Of course it won't, why would it?

[Mike]

"Lacking judgment and lacking reason." - Colangelo, April 20, 2009, referring to Doug Smith, Star Columnist

Frame that and put it above your desk.

Blogger's note: Where was that quote uttered? And what was the context? Because I don't have it in a single transcript of this afternoon's media session.

[petro]

Doug... I gave you a lot of praise for your excellent work this year.

So here's hoping that you can take the good with the bad like the rest of us.

Straight up... I think your your blog column this morning was disrespectful, distasteful, and almost arrogant. You could have relayed that same message from a completely different angle.

And it was quite apparent, BC wasn't amused.

[Mike]

Better get better transcripts.

Blogger's note: Nah, I'll trust people who were, you know, there! But thanks for looking out for me