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?

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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

[Reed]

"And every single person connected to that pick was eventually fired or replaced"

Well everybody except Jim "Whose Joe Johnson? I've never heard of him" Kelly.

Jim Kelly has been tied to numerous busts...

Jawai (who the Raptors supposedly would have considered at #17)
PJ Tucker
Joey Graham
Chris Jeffries (picked over Tayshaun Prince)
Michael Bradley

and so on.

As fans we obviously don't get the whole story, but this man has made an ass out of himself numerous times on the Behind the Draft program.

[Tabber]

So, Jack, you must know Araujo to call him an incompetent person. Please enlighten us as to all the incompetencies that he has displayed off the basketball court that you have witnessed, and then tell us why he lets you hang around with such an opinion of him. Classless is far too kind a word for you; I think of you as the stuff that clogs up the drain until it's removed and tossed in the garbage. You're welcome.

[Henry]

If the Raps were to end up with Demar Derozan and Hedu Turkoglu as two of the 6 new additions this off-season, that would be nice.

[Mando]

I guess you are.

[aditya]

badly officiated 4th quarter....some of the fouls called on the lakers were bogus

[Mike]

Hi Doug,
1) I wonder if the Cavs will still go through their pre-game antics in game 2... Game 1 should teach them a lesson on being the best while being professionals.
2) I wonder if BC can pry away Gortat from the Magic.
3) I wonder if #2 does not happen BC can work a trade for Biedrins & Crawford.
4) Last, I wonder if Shaq would consider coming to TO.

I know, I have to go for my second cup of coffee...

1. Yes
2. No
3. Doubtful
4. Why?

[Jamie]

I saw Araujo play at the JLC in london the year they drafted him against Philly. You could tell about 2 minutes into the game that he didn't belong, and that was early preseason. But as Doug said, everyone involved in that pick is gone, so get over it! it happens. As for Igoduala (or whatever, my spelling sucks), yeah he is athletic, but was has he done for me lately?...nothing...(Besides, If he had been drafted instead this city would have roasted him and driven him outta town by now anyways)