An entirely predictable result, wasn't it? (I joke)

Well, well, well.

What do we have here?

Orlando 107, Cleveland 106?

Hmm.

Not that it really means anything because there still is a lot of life left in the series but still …

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About last night

One for the son

Remember how we pointed out the Malone vs. Malone coaching situation in this series? You have to give Round1 to Mike (and by extension Mike Brown) even if they didn’t win the game.

Having LeBron guard Rafer – or not guard him is probably the more appropriate term given how James simply floated in the paint most of the night – gave the Cavs what amounted to an extra defender so they could double Howard and still get to the shooters.

There was no way Rafer, if he got past James as he did a few times, was going to get very much at the rim with 7-foot-a-billion Zydrunas Ilgauskas back there, either.

Helluva move.

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One for the dad

Remember who we pointed out that Malone vs. Malone coaching situation in this series?

You have to give Round 1A to Brendan (and by extension Stan Van Gundy) because they made a counter move that might have won them the game.

Going with a No Point Guard lineup for a few minutes late in the fourth quarter made the Cavs guard everyone on the floor seriously and created space for Rashard Lewis and Hedo Turkoglu to operate.

Helluva move.

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Another big gig

So, how about that news on Jay, eh?

That’s a pretty good gig with USAB for the summer, even if it is just for a four-day camp with no serious competition. Just being in that atmosphere, working with the up-and-coming stars who’ll be at that camp has to help (a) his profile, (b) the profile of the Raptors organization and (c) Jay’s coaching abilities.

You may not know what you learn at things like this but you learn something.

The interesting thing will be what comes next.

Does USAB, which has now seen fit to have Jay work with the select team that played against the 2008 Olympians and now lead the coaching staff of the group that could make up the bulk of the 2010 worlds and 2012 London Games team, think enough of him to give him a job as an assistant with those future teams? I don’t think it’d be politically acceptable for a Canadian to be the head coach but I do think they could put him on the staff. And wouldn’t that be interesting, if he got a medal at an Olympics or a worlds in which Canada didn’t even compete?

Interesting, indeed.

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Happy

Check out Brian’s piece in the Orlando fishwrap today; the Magic seem quite impressed with themselves.

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Sad

And then read this and wonder if the flags will be at half-staff throughout the city.

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Okay, let’s dispel a myth, or at least bust the chops of some fans out there.

Let’s say the Raptors decide they have a guy they like best and we’ll call him Mr. Mid-First.

It comes time to make the No. 9 selection on June 25 and, lo and behold, Mr. Mid-First is there but so are Mr. Highly Touted and Mr. Amazing Athleticism, both of whom are touted by people at, oh, let’s say, web sites, as top 10 selections.

If you’re the Raptors, you take Mr. Mid-First because he’s your guy right? And if he’s your guy, who cares what the people say, right? So, if you’re filling my in-box with notes that say, they need trade back to get Mr. Mid-First, why not just take him at No. 9 if he’s the guy they want?

After all, if it’s the guy they think fits best, who gives a rat’s bum what the “experts” say?

-

Okay folks, digression time.

For some reason – mostly personal and also because Velvet Toned Eric Smith asked me – I’m going to try something entirely silly next Tuesday.

Play 100 holes of golf in a day.

Yeah, I know. It could set the cause of recreational golf back a decade or two but me and my mashie and my niblick and a couple of boxes of balls are off to take part in the Spina Bifida and Hyrdocephalus Association’s major fund-raiser. God save Streetsville Glen.

The point?

The point is, and I’ve never done this here but what the hell, is that it’s a fund-raiser. And given Super Son had a mild case of spina bifida at birth (a tethered cord miraculously fixed by the absolute brilliance of the doctors at Sick Kids), I’m all for fund-raising for these folks.

Now, and I mean this honestly, I know times are tough and no one’s got much cash so don’t donate if you can’t. But if you can, here are a couple of ways to do it:

(a) by credit card, 1-800-387-1575 or 416-214-1056

(b) or go here to the website; there's on online doation icon on the left; feel free to donate all you can

Thanks. A lot

Of course, it’s tax deductible and it will be really, really appreciated.

Now, pardon the intrusion by Serious Life Crap Doug; we’ll return you to Dopey Basketball Doug.

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So, you wondering what the Raptor folks are doing now to get ready for the draft and that No. 9 selection.

Well, they’re actually spread out all over the continent. Bryan took off after the lottery to go see workouts in California or somewhere, Jay met up with Jim Kelly in Vegas and he may head to L.A. as well; Masai Ujuri and Marc Eversely are traversing the United States seeing workouts conducted by agents and teams.

Nothing much ever comes out of these sessions in the form of, you know, news or anything but if there are snippets, we’ll try to get ‘em to you.

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And, finally, we’re going to go in-game blog free for the next couple of nights, I’m afraid. (Well, actually, I’m not afraid, I presume some of you will greet that news with screams of delight). Got a couple of things on the books that’ll keep out nights. But we will be back Saturday for Game 3 of the L.A.-Denver series.

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Comments

[Aaron]

Doug I'm sorry. I thought you were certifiably insane for picking the Magic. I'm humbled and in awe.

What an awesome game.

[RAJ]

Hey Doug,
When making draft picks, how much of the decision is based on the scouting reports from real games in NCAA or Euro League and how much is based on seeing the player at the workouts?
Historically, have there been any major workout wonders who could never perform in a real game?

Blogger's note: It's weighted heavily from information gleaned on repeated viewings during a season rather than on one workout

[TJ]

Morning Doug...
Quick qustion, It took LA all game to gain a lead, and won game 1, and it took Orlando all game to get a lead, and won. My question is this: do you think it is easier to steal game 1 from the home team or game 2?Or is this a silly question?
I think Denver has the parts to beat LA, even with that Kobe kid going off. And I can see Orlando taking LeBron to the brink, they stole game 1 from the best home team in the league. I'm sure they can't win 2 in row there but now they don't have too!!!

Blogger's note: Each game is its own entity, you get 'em when you can and I don't think any one is easier than the other

[chris]

Doug - if Mr mid first is Terrence Williams I will puke. He'd be a good asset, but not at 9.

[Paul]

Serious Life Crap Doug, 100 holes? Are you serious? Holy Moly. I fear your Spine is going to be a bit Biffed after that. Make sure you get some good gimme rules, and bring a few gloves. And some fresh undies. Man, that's going to be rough!

[Tom L]

Hi Doug, I think the link is incorrect this should be it:

Spina Bifida & Hydrocephalus Association of Ontario
https://www.canadahelps.org/DonationDetails.aspx?cookieCheck=true

[pete]

Can you get JK to be your Caddie? Also, if 18 holes takes about 4 hours on average, are you playing from dawn to dusk? (Live in Australia so I have no idea how much daylight you guys get in the summer)

Blogger's note: It's all new to me, too; but it's speed golf, none of this etiquette crap, hit when you're ready, so I presume we can get it in -- or least give it a good try

[T i]

Doug unless the rules have changed from within the IOC and I haven't noticed, I am pretty sure that coaches do not receive medals at the olympics - thus Jay would not receive a potential gold medal with team USA Basketball should they win.

Blogger's note: Good point; they don't get them at the Olympics, only the worlds

[Archie gillespie]

Hi Doug, good luck on the 100 holes. Did that...once. Advil, water, and tee off with shorter clubs (most people swing too hard with drivers etc.).

[John]

You'd think though that if "their guy" will be available 5 picks later that you have to see what you can get from teams who might want your pick.

Blogger's note: If you're willing to gamble that "your guy" isn't coveted by teams between you and five later, sure.

[Andre]

I hear Raptors (and other teams) may try to buy picks at around the 20 - 25 range. What would the raptors benefit from buying or trading for a pick there? PG ? a big? just wondering

Blogger's note: Will entirely depend on who's available so it's impossible to tell.

[Terence]

Not sure what rules apply in this specific event, but I've heard in some 100-holes-in-a-day gigs, you may have to shoot sub-100 rounds (i.e. per 18 holes) in order for it to count. Would you say this is achievable with your golfing skills?

Blogger's note: Because friends I may have a friendly wager with sometime in the future may be reading, I'll plead the fifth

[Lorie]

Really? 100 golf holes in one day? (Is that just sports jargon hypberbole, and, like, haven't we told you a million times not to exaggerate?) So, lots of advice will be given, but, most importantly, hydrate well, and remember that air offers less resistance than dirt.

[peter]

Doug, can you define 'your guy' on the draft comment? Shouldn't a team always pick the best player available, instead of going after a position/need? Of all teams, we should have learned our lesson years ago (Hoffa).

Blogger's note: Yes, it would the guy they think has the best potential out of a group; or maybe he's the second or third guy on their list and the first two are gone. They should always pick the best player available in their opinion, regardless of where goofy websites or other teams slot the guy. If the guy's a bust -- see Araujo -- that's on them

[Jack]

"If you’re the Raptors, you take Mr. Mid-First because he’s your guy right? And if he’s your guy, who cares what the people say, right? So, if you’re filling my in-box with notes that say, they need trade back to get Mr. Mid-First, why not just take him at No. 9 if he’s the guy they want?

After all, if it’s the guy they think fits best, who gives a rat’s bum what the “experts” say?"

Isn't that what happened in 2004, when they needed a big guy and picked that bum Araujo instead of Andre Iguodala, Josh Smith or Kevin Martin?
Also in 2003 when they needed a power forward instead of picking Dwayne Wade?

As Paul Harvey said, "And now, you know the rest of the story".

Blogger's note: And every single person connected to that pick was eventually fired or replaced

[Darko]

If you do get in all 100 holes, your foursome gets a slice of pizza, right.
Denver missed huge opportunity in G1, and hopefully they'll
have better luck tonight. One thing I found interesting in G1,
last 2 minutes of the game, LA got 10 FT's and Denver's only 2 were at the end (to prevent them from even trying 3 pt shot).
Not sure I like the smell of that.

[Mando]

"that bum Araujo"

Why do so many of the posters resort to personal insults? It's pretty tacky.

Blogger's note: Because some are classless

[aditya]

"Having LeBron guard Rafer – or not guard him is probably the more appropriate term given how James simply floated in the paint most of the night – gave the Cavs what amounted to an extra defender so they could double Howard and still get to the shooters.

There was no way Rafer, if he got past James as he did a few times, was going to get very much at the rim with 7-foot-a-billion Zydrunas Ilgauskas back there, either.

Helluva move. "

Really!?!?! Apparently Charles Barkley disagrees with you saying yesterday on Inside the NBA something like "I would be surprised if Lebron starts on Rafer" also sugessting that he would probably be on Hedo or Rashard. Again, I just thought Rafer ran the team very solid and took good shots and contributed to the team's success last night...

Apparently, Rafer has a lotta flaws to be starting on a very good Magic team (ye i know jameer nelson is out, but rafer was also starting on the houston team... houston thought brooks was ready and kyle lowry (thru the trade) would give them a good 1-2 combo)

[George]

TSN2 for free... That's pretty exciting. Anyway, now that the Jays have gone 0-2 on TSN2, has anyone done an analysis of the Raptors record on this channel? Perhaps there is a TSN2 curse on Toronto sports teams that we are unaware of!

[Rahulan]

yes that Araujo pick was clearly a dud. But I remember his stats in college were something like 18 and 10 with a good FG%, and third Team ALL NCAA I believe. Can't fault them too much.

[peterz]

No, you don't take Mr. Mid-First, you take Mr. Best Player Available! Seriously, if an Iguodala-type is there again and BC takes Araujo, I will go nuts!!!

good luck on the golfing thing, donation has been made :)

[Rob]

Jack,

Difference between Dougs analogy around Mr Mid-First and that bum Araujo is that they totally had their blinders on with respect to "best player available" and only looked at who they thought was the best person who fit a very small need that they thought they had.

As for Bosh over D-Wade, that's probably more 20-20 hindsight. Unfortunately they didn't see Wade as the type of can't miss prospect that would justify picking him to sit behind Carter on the depth chart. If they could have seen the future maybe they could have picked Wade and traded Carter for a superstar big when his value was high.

[kazbid]

Hey Doug, saw some of the comments from your blog yesterday:

Eric said "Classy Alvin Williams, who couldn't stay healthy and whose mammoth contract is just now coming off the books."

classy alvin williams blew out both his knees playing his butt off to get the raps into the playoffs when vince decided he was done for the season..so lay off the guy

and u were bashing alvin williams to defend reefer alston? who has been called a cancerous presence in numerous locker rooms..

i think the fact he took over for jameer nelson and ORL is still winning games shows how negligible both those guys are to the ORL offense(plus the fact stan gundy uses anthony johnson in late games)

Blgoger's note: I would hope you don't take that guy seriously; I sure don't.

[Jack]

Definition of "bum" from dictionary.com:
bum: Show Spelled Pronunciation [buhm] Show IPA noun, verb, bummed, bum⋅ming, adjective, bum⋅mer, bum⋅mest.
–noun 1. a person who avoids work and sponges on others; loafer; idler.
2. a tramp, hobo, or derelict.
3. Informal. an enthusiast of a specific sport or recreational activity, esp. one who gives it priority over work, family life, etc.: a ski bum; a tennis bum.
4. Informal. an incompetent person.
5. a drunken orgy; debauch.

I called Araujo a bum because he was incompetent when he was playing here. When his name was called as Toronto's pick, a lot of people, including the announcers that covered the draft were wondering why the Raptors did that. And they were justified with the way THAT BUM played here.
Yup.. I'm classless for calling him a bum. What more if I called him something more insulting.

[Kelsie]

I can't defend Araujo's game but I do recall our roster at the time had no big men to speak of and our need for a big man obviously blinded logic.

I believe Al Jefferson was also in that draft (but was a string bean) but there were no other established big prospects and I'm assuming the team couldn't trade for or sign one. If I was a new GM on the team and didn't have a centre I would have also given Araujo a long hard look, which in hindsight was a poor decision.

I believe in getting the best talent available but I also believe in pieces fitting into your club through need and chemistry as well, whenever appropriate. I would take Evans, Jennings, or Holiday this year if they were available knowing they would have to be a backup 1, but I would pass on Hill (I think he's overrated anyway) considering that we have Bosh and Bargs as our bigs. Hill is ranked higher than either of those prospects but I would take my chances on the guards.