Quincy's time and Andrea's summer

Another boring day around the lads; they practiced, they talked, they flew to Orlando. No real news, just another day. We need game days to at least have something to go over, don’t we?

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Here’s something I think we’ll see for sure tonight:

Quincy Douby.

Since the kid’s 10-day contract expires before Saturday’s game in New York, they’ve only got tonight in Orlando to find out whether it’s even worth having him around for another 10 days.

I figure no matter what he does if he gets a chance to play, they will keep him around just to have another guard on the roster in the absence of Marcus Banks and the money they’re paying Douby is really chump change and doesn’t hurt them one way or the other cap- or tax-wise.

But Jay did say yesterday he’d like to at least get Quincy some time so there’s one reason to watch tonight. Not a very good reason, but a reason nonetheless.

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My toughest job today? (Besides getting rid of this crappy cough and cold that’s still sticking around, that is).

Finding out which of my locals might actually give me a seat near a TV with volume on it to watch the big game.

After all, the pucks go tonight and I don’t know if the places even I frequent are going to have the volume on the hockey or the hoops.

I think I may be relegated to a corner with minimal sound. Which, actually, isn’t that bad now that I think of it. Private, relatively quiet and not distracted by the Leaves audience.

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When you’re considering all this draft lottery stuff and where the lads are going to end up picking, please consider this when making your arguments:

They were never, ever going to be worse, or better, than eighth when it was all said and done.

The seven teams below them – Washington, the Clippers, Sacramento, Memphis, Oklahoma City and Minnesota – are so bad, even throwing games wouldn’t have moved Toronto up. Even Golden State, Toronto’s closest rival, was going to fall because they gave up weeks ago.

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Why do I think Gary Payton and Chris Webber are like Bob and Doug McKenzie? Only not as funny.

Here’s how much they bug me. Usually after games, I like to watch the NBA TV post-game show to catch up on the highlights from the other action that night. So, Cleveland-Detroit ends, there are a whole bunch of other games I’d like to check out but I had to switch the channel rather than listen to those buffoons do their low-brow comedy and butcher the language.

I’m all for schtick but basic usage of the English language would be a nice thing to get from national television broadcasters.

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Speaking of the summer, which can’t come soon enough, Andrea Bargnani told me yesterday he’s definitely going to play for Italy.

And it could be busy.

The Italians have to play in an additional qualification round this summer – against the likes of France and Israel – just to make it to Eurobasket 2009 in September so there’s a chance the majority of Bargnani’s off-season will be taken up with national team obligations.

You all right with that?

Of course, Italy could bow out in the first qualifier and he’d have all of September off but that might not be the case.

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A question on the process:

Q: Can you just explain a little bit on how you get to cast a vote for MVP, COY and ROY? Do you represent The Star while grunts from the Sun and Globe get theirs too? Does the league only give you votes for 3 awards a year at a time? Do you get cool swag like you would from the Oscars(Gift bags)? Inquiring minds want to know...mainly because I'm nosey. Ha.

Dennis G, Mississauga

A: The league, in consultation with the media relations departments of the various teams, dolls out the ballots based on such things as consistency of coverage of the league (a guy who sees six games a year isn’t going to get a ballot for anything; a guy who sees 65 is going to get some of the more major categories) and, yes, we represent our various publications and broadcast outlets.

It can change year to year – last season I think I got five categories to vote in but only two of the most significant – and that seems to be at the discretion of the league office. I don’t know who else got what here in Toronto this year, for instance.

Swag? Oh, I wish. Teams used to send out little gifts as ways to hype their players (posters, gag gifts extolling a players’ virtues, nothing ever too serious) but most teams now have dumped all that.

I will get e-mails from now until the end of the season asking for my “consideration” for such and such a player with details of his stats and things but that’s about it.

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ERIC GAY/AP

A healthy Spur is a happy spur. And the Spurs are not happy.

How the West will be won.

Yesterday, we gave you three teams with much to do the rest of the season (and you’ll notice Detroit pooped the bed last night in Cleveland) and today here’s three from the West.

Spurs (48-26)

Health. Health. Health.

All season long, I’ve been saying the Spurs don’t care all that much how good they look in February or March as long as they’re healthy in late April and May.

Well, Tim Duncan’s knee’s still bothering him and Manu’s still getting in game shape after his leg injury and there’s no real optimism either of them can get to 100 per cent in the last two weeks of the season.

And given the muddle of the conference standings – the Spurs are third this morning, half a game out of second but only two out of seventh – time is of the essence.

Lakers (58-16)

They’re not chasing anything in the West (they’ve got first overall sewn up) but they are chasing the best record in the league because they know how important home court can be in the final.

Well, thanks to two ugly losses at Atlanta and Charlotte this week, they are going to be hard-pressed to catch Cleveland and if they don’t smarten up, they may fall behind Boston and Orlando, too, which would put them on the road in a championship series if either of them comes out of the East.

Rockets (48-26)

Everyone knows about Houston’s post-season failings in the current era – they haven’t won a first-round series since Tracy McGrady got there and that stretch of failure sits heavily on their minds.

It’s got to make things a wee bit easier if they go into the post-season either on a hot streak or, at the very least, with homecourt advantage in the first round.

Well, right now they’re dead tied with the Spurs for first in the Southwest Division and winning that will guarantee home court in the first round. And since they’re barely holding off Portland in the race for fourth and fifth, winning the Southwest might be their best bet.

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Comments

[Brian Gerstein]

I am O.K. with Bargs playing for Italy, given his age, and we would expect a Canadian entering their prime and the #1 pick in the draft to play for us.

This year's off-season, unlike last year, will not have Andrea needing surgery plus working on his stamina/strength. However, Andrea certainly could benefit by some additional one on one Raptors dictated training with a coach supplied, be it post up situations, or wherever else the Raptors feel it is needed. Hopefully, he will get some of this while playing for Italy, and most importantly, not get injured, like Jose, that basically cost us the season, as it was a season long lingering hamstring injury.

Andrea has certainly bounced back from last year, and he deserves the chance to play for his country. Unfortunately, Italy is not exactly a powerhouse, so will it make him a better player given his teamates plus the competition he will face? Doubtful, but I completely understand why he wants to play.

The Raptors really have no choice here anyways. If they ask Andrea to consider not playing he will be resentful, and will possibly use it as a means to not reup with us, so just let him play, but at the same time, impose strict guidelines so he gets in his Raptors work as well.

[anthony.mackay]

The Spurs are a little dinged up right now but besides the Lakers they are still the team I do not want to face in the first round. They are seasoned, experienced and hungry for 1 more deep run and with a couple young bucks like Mason they just might get to the conference final before losing in 5 to the Lakers.

Doug, what does it do to Kobe's legacy if he makes it to the finals again and loses... to James !

[Diablo]

Hey Doug...I believe that the NBA is having a promotion yesterday and today...If you are registered to NBA.com...maybe to the all-access...free NBA League Pass broadband...watch games online.

[Doug]

also Charlotte has won 3 in a row, Bulls two losses in a row,now tied in the loss column..heads will roll in Chicago if they miss the playoffs,...plus Detroit is a non-factor in my opinion no matter how it plays out for them they never got there mojo back after the Iverson trade and Dumars exacerbated the situation by not trading him at the trade deadline, the players don't want Iverson there, and he doesn't want to be there....just one of the bad fits, trades in a long time...

[Brad]

I hear ya Doug the only thing worse than hockey on TV are Leaves fans making noise when Im trying to watch ball!
SCINTILLATING!!!!!

[Pat]

Doug, you are absolutely right about Payton and Webber. They provide no insight whatsoever, what they say is sometimes incomprehensible, and they are completely un-funny!

[Kevin]

What is the Bargnani/Raptor relationship like these days? I would imagine Andrea is happy with his playing time, position, pay and role on the team. Any clouds on this horizon?

Blogger's note; It's fine

[Vincenzo]

Speaking of Bargnani, there is a rumour amongst Italian journalists that in addition to playing for team Italy, Bargs would be most happy back on native soil, playing in the Euro's. Apparently he has been quoted as saying, he has not enjoyed spending so much time in North America and would be best suited to playing were he has closer ties to friends and family.

[petro]

To Doug and other posters:

Would you trade CHris Bosh for Luol Deng and Tyrus Thomas???

[montreal raptors fan]

Doug ,

Andrea want to be a winner for the Raptors and for Italy and he will do his very best for both.

Here is an extract of an article that appeared in Slam Online yesterday that tell us a lot about his character. The journalist name is Gregory Dole.

"At the Raptors training camp in October, I asked Bargnani what sort of stats he wanted to put up this season. He couldn’t answer the question. All he could say was, “I want to win games by playing my best. I just want to help my team win.” It didn’t seem forced. Try as I might to rephrase the question, Bargnani just couldn’t talk about individual statistics."

[WA]

"Not only are opposing small forwards outscoring the Heat's by the largest margin in the league, but consider this: Since the Shawn Marion trade, the opponent's starting small forward has outscored his Heat counterpart 399-148 in 22 games (18.1 ppg to 6.7 ppg)."

Courtesy of the Miami Herald this has got to be the quote of the week!

Thank god we got rid of Moon! Now all we need is some D on the perimeter and problems are solved.

[Sean]

Hey Doug, have you gone on less road trips than usual this year? If so, is it related to the poor performance of the team or a tighter budget at the paper?

Blogger's note: Personally? I've missed about three more road games this year than usual; but our paper is only one in the city that's covered every road game. And will continue to do so

[Sean Hartt]

I think Webber and Payton's act is rubbing off on Steve Smith and Sheryl Miller too! They're all trying to achieve what Charles Barkley and Kennie Smith have on TNT. Not happening and unbearable to watch...the real victim in this whole thing is Ahmad Rashard who has to put up with those two clowns.

[Andy H.]

And with the #8 selection in the 2009 draft, the Toronto Raptors select Stephen Curry from Davidson.

What are your thoughts on this happening? I can dig out my Raptors' Curry #30 jersey from the antic.

[Craig]

Not to rain on J's parade or anything, but didn't BC also say Sam was the guy about 2 weeks before he was let go?

[Doug]

what did you think of Shaq ripping into teammate Robin Lopez?...telling him to man up, knock people on there asses, to play with some passion and moxy...loved it as there is a veteran presence who can back up his words...and if Robin Lopez had any sense he'd definitely listen, as Shaq knows what he talking about as he is a tough, "old school" center...like he said to Lopez, I learned it from Wilt, Russell, ....also its just not Payton,Webber all sports shows like on Tsn, Sportsnet etc...think i am tuning in to listen to them, i am tuning in to see highlights, scores etc. and doing it despite them, Mike Toth, Darren Dutchysen, and those two deadheads on the Score at night are embarrassing...you wanna do comedy go to the comedy club....give me Jim Van Horne any day...also after two games on the bench Iverson is already whining, just send him home already...

[Pharaoh]

Doug, no April Fool's joke to play on us this morning? I was almost certain you'd lead off with some crazy story to get us chirping.

This was my big prank for the day - I told one of my colleagues there was a message for her on my voicemail and I got her to call the Toronto Zoo and ask for Don Kee :-)

[Doug]

i have a question for you, i hope you answer it as it is one I am perplexed about in terms of the salary cap...I was just reading a article by Steve Aschnburner regarding Vince Carter..now let's say in theory the Raptors wanted to acquire Carter (know it wouldn't happen just using him as example although would love,love to see him in a Raps uni) .....he has a 31 million contract guaranteed thru 2010-11, in other sports a team can trade a player and they just eat up a portion on the contract and the team that acquires said person pays a portion....is that allowed in the NBA??, can the raps acquire Carter, who let's say earns 15 million next year, they pay 10 million and the Nets pay the remainder???, or can a contract be re-tooled to fit under a cap??, how does that aspect of the salary cap work??..

Blogger's note: No. All traded contracts are assumed in their entirety.

[DinoFever86]

Hey Doug

Loving the piece about the Raptors position in the standings. I did the same time of calculation a couple of weeks ago. GS was the only team that could pass them but they really did throw in the towel a while ago and everyone else doesn't have a chance. And maybe the Raptors will move down a spot or too but totally worth it.

What do you think about Barg's playing for Italy? I love it, I think Barg's has learned a lot and just needs the game experience to keep putting it to use. I mean an off season is great to learn more but I can see this really helping him. He will be there guy there so, never a bad thing.

[jc]

ok with bargs playing for italy...but do you know what position he will play? does it matter? I'd like to think that he will get more work on the facets of his game that help the raptors.

Blogger's note: Doesn't matter, I don't think; he'll play the same spots he plays here

[Eric]

Andrea has played surprisingly well lately. I think I even caught him smiling the other day!! I just hope he learns to rebound because 5.5 rpg from your 5 is atrocious, whether you're a #'s guy or not. I hate the fact that I leap out of my seat when he gets his 10th rebound (almost never happens) as if it's some kind of surprise or MAJOR achievement. You're a centre for 36+ mpg? The boards are yours buddy!- don't defer to your wings. This is the pros. He's doing a little better but there's soooo far to go.

In terms of his scoring, I have a feeling that he might explode soon. His consistency has been very good (between 15 and 28) but I'm often wondering why he can't take it to the next level. Same feeling I had when he would top out at 20 back in the day. "Why don't you keep going? Why take your foot off the pedal?" If I'm right, I think he'll take another step soon, maybe a game or two of 35+, even 40 pts. Maybe tonight.

Then we should trade him and make out like bandits. No joke. If Bargnani ever leads a team to an NBA title (which is the goal, remember) I'll be flabbergasted. So sell high. Until then, go Andrea!

[anthony.mackay]

Petro,
Hell no I would not trade Bosh for those two

[GM]

The Raps have no chance of going lower than 8th, but do they have a chance of going higher? That is, can some other team tank to move below the Raptors?

Blogger's note: Sure, New Jersey, 30 wins; and New York, 29 wins, could each finish with worse records than the 28-win Raptors. And I guess there's a possibility of Milwaukee and Indy, both with 32 wins, falling below Toronto but those two teams still have slight playoff hopes.

[dave]

Thanks for the good read. Thought your best line was bob and doug til your mail reply to jc. (AB) 'he'll play the same spots he plays here' What's that anything north of pg?

[jimmie]

"The Raps have no chance of going lower than 8th, but do they have a chance of going higher? That is, can some other team tank to move below the Raptors?

Blogger's note: Sure, New Jersey, 30 wins; and New York, 29 wins, could each finish with worse records than the 28-win Raptors. And I guess there's a possibility of Milwaukee and Indy, both with 32 wins, falling below Toronto but those two teams still have slight playoff hopes."

And then there's still the lottery. I think people who advocate tanking forget that. Finishing with the 8th worst record does not guarantee you the 8th pick, the same way finishing dead-last doesn't guarantee you the 1st pick. Add this mathematical reality to the fact that the majority of lottery picks never reach the potential of their draft position, and it's really hard to understand the rationale for deliberately playing less than your best game down the stretch.

Pros for tanking:
- Potential to finish even lower in the standings, leading to a higher probability of a higher draft position.
- Opportunity to evaluate bench players who otherwise would not see significant floor time.

Cons for tanking:
- Angry fanbase not getting value for their dollar.
- Potentially creates or supports a losing atmosphere and attitude among players that going 100% all the time is not important.
- Higher draft position does not necessarily mean better player. In fact, the probability/draft history indicates this is more chance than good management.

On this team, re-building a culture of winning/hard work is paramount. This team is not going to improve significantly through the draft unless they get Griffin at #1, and that would cost them more than Bosh. The fans are already angry and justifiably feel they haven't seen much good basketball this year, and throwing Quincy Douby and Patrick O'Bryant out there for 40 minutes the next 9 games is not likely to change that.

Tanking = dumb as a roster management strategy.