And now, we return to our regular stuff

Yes, I know, it’s later than usual for this, right? Well, if someone can please get the world to agree to operate on one time zone – the one I live in – it’d be greatly appreciated.

But, there’s already been news so I presume that sated everyone’s appetite for a bit.

Until this, of course.

So, we’ve got some Raptors, some finals and some stuff.

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Staffing issues

Absolutely no surprise to the Iavaroni-English hiring today, right? And they’re still working with Alvin and I’m hearing that’s still got a good chance at happening.

So, what’s it mean?

Well, I keep hearing that they’re going to have Iavaroni handle the defence – it’s what he did in Phoenix and whatever you think about the Suns, they had good defensive systems, just not good defensive players – and that’s got to be good news. Under Sam, they didn’t really have one “defensive coach” (which isn’t a big problem, lots of teams share responsibility, including the two in the final that’s going on) but I think having one guy teach one system isn’t a bad idea.

And English? Well, he did a good job working with Bargnani last year, he’s a good sounding board for the players and the respect he garners in the locker room and around the league is substantial.

But, and this goes back to something Jay said when we were talking coaching philosophy a few weeks ago, it’s his demeanour that’s important as well. Where Iavaroni is animated, English is not. Where Iavaroni will yell, English will speak more quietly. Both personalities fit well with Jay and having a staff that’s got diverse personalities is huge.

You can’t have four dominating personalities, just like you can’t have four guys who operate quietly.

This staff seems to have a good mix and, most important, I think it will allow Jay to develop his own “voice” as he learns his craft a bit more; these are his people and he’ll feel comfortable directing them.

DAVID COOPER/TORONTO STAR

Doug's response to Chris Bosh playing out his contract: Chill.

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Someone riddle me this:

Why in the world is anyone getting all worked up by the suggestion that Chris Bosh won’t sign a contract extension this summer and will play out the final year of his contract?

Seriously. As news goes, that ranks right up there with Smith Likes A Cold One Every Now And Then.

And, no, it doesn’t mean that Bryan Colangelo needs to get on the phone today trying to swing some deal for his all-star power forward. What it means is just what it meant in April and in May and in October: The GM needs to improve the team, turn it into a consistent winner and let Bosh see that the future is bright and I am absolutely certain he’ll be back.

He loves the city, likes the organization and, I honestly believe, loves his place in the pecking order on the roster. What he wants to do is win and why anyone would think he’d commit long-term this summer with the team where it is absolutely baffles me.

Nothing has changed. Please remain calm.

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The things you learn schmoozing with people around something like an NBA final.

From the Water Under A Bridge department, found out last night the Raptors had a deal done with Golden State last season that would have seen them ship Joey Graham to California for guard Marco Bellinelli.

It was so done that Bellinelli was almost on his way to the airport to come to Toronto and told friends he was being traded.

And then the Warriors backed off and killed the deal.

Not huge news, and it’s old, but thought you might like to know.

-

Try this on for size: Isn’t what Kobe did to the Magic last night pretty much exactly the same thing LeBron did to them?

Go nuts, dominate the game, scoring bunches.

And how’d that work out for the Cavs.

The feeling I get is that the Magic might be okay with Kobe getting 40 as long as they don’t let Gasol get 20 or Odom get 20 or Ariza get 20.

And doesn’t that make entire sense?

Trouble is, the other Lakers are far better than the other Cavaliers and that’s a dangerous game for the Magic to play against Los Angeles. But it might represent Orlando’s best chance at winning so they better do it.

-

Oh.

My

God

A TV spot on one of those wacky morning shows down here just announced that it’s

National

Donut

Day

How good is that?!?!?!?

-

Digression done, let’s get back to the final.

Here’s the one thing that kind of got lost in the Bryant hoopla last night.

There is no way the Magic can win if they can’t shoot and 29.9 per cent from the field is shockingly bad.

Dwight Howard as many field goals as Tony Battie?

And a team that lives by the three died by it, too.

Horrific.

The biggest problem was the Lakers’ “length,” a term you’re going to hear a lot of in the next couple of days, I assume. And what is length? Well, Sunday, watch how far back towards the lane the Laker perimeter defenders play, which takes away a lot of Orlando’s chances of dumping the ball into Howard to start their offence.

They can do that because they are tall and lanky – Ariza and Odom specifically – and that allows them to get back out to shooters more quickly than, say, anyone on Cleveland.

I’m pretty sure Stan and Brendan were up late last night trying to figure out how to space the floor more to get move the Lakers out of the lane and let Orlando get its offence back to normal.

Never mind the Kobe effort, if the Magic can’t get their offence going, they have no chance whatsoever.

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So, today’s workout kids in Toronto were (or are, depending on when you’re reading this) guards Jonny Flynn and Jrue Holiday and forwards Chase Budinger, Damion James, Alade Aminu and Gorat Suton.

The big two, of course, are the guards but what I’m hearing is they are as much fall-back positions as players who are right at the top of the Raptors list. Toronto’s still focused – and should be, without question – on getting a two or a three with that No. 9 pick.

But if all the good twos and threes that they like are gone, you have to think Holiday or Flynn would be pretty good alternatives.

Still, by no means is anyone’s mind made up in Toronto, they’ve got a lot of guys still on their radar and are no closer to making a decision on a specific pecking order today than they were two weeks ago.

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With Kobe being Grumpy and Dwight being subdued because his team got murdered, Stan was the hit of the post-game interviews last night. He did his usual self-flagellation thing (“I’ve got to do a better job,” he said) but then he got after the assembled horde a little bit.

Someone asked him, quite legitimately, whether the Magic might have been a little tight given it was their first game on such a grand stage.

His response, chiding us:

“Well, I mean, again, that's one of those stories that you write ahead of time and you have ready to go if a team doesn't play well. I mean, I say that all the time to you guys. It's the simple cliché psychology stuff that you write when a team doesn't play well.

“I have no idea on that. That's not in my thinking at all. My thought process is how are we going to defend them better, what are we going to do offensively to score. We need to play better. You guys can write all the psychological stuff. Nobody cares if you're right anyway.”

No one cares if we’re right? Ouch.

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Comments

[Gregg]

man that belinelli deal would have been great

[Eric]

I'm not pleased with the staff yet. I like the idea of Iavaroni but I absolutely do not understand the English re-sign. Maybe he'll be more useful on a staff with a dominant lead like Iavaroni, but this team needs change. They were not only boring last year, they were horrible. I'd dump the entire coaching staff for the sake of getting that horrible taste out of their mouths! It might have nothing to do with the coaches, but if Colangelo's not going to change their top players, something else needs to be done...... and by default that means the coaches.

I don't know about you but I don't want any of those guys back. They've had their chance. If English was so important last year, why did they win just 33 games and become the most disappointing team in franchise history? Why are they in such a position of crisis? If he's a great "sounding board," why are they so bad? Maybe the team doesn't need a great sounding board!!! It doesn't matter if he makes the team feel comfortable- at this point they stink, so maybe comfortable is the last thing they need!

Hopefully the rest of the staff will bring new energy so I'll reserve final judgement until then. But English does not make any sense to me today.

[Warren Z.]

Is it just me (it probably is) or is there something darkly humourous in describing Stan Van Gundy, who looks very much like Ron Jeremy, "doing his usual self-flagellation thing"?

[Rick]

What would be Alvins postion within the coaching staff? Would he be a go between from the players to Jay ?

Blogger's note: Player development, mostly; with some of that go-between stuff, too

[Yama F]

Doug,
Do you seriously think that CB is playing politics? If you really believe in your heart that CB will be playing here past 2010 as opposed to "calming us down", then...

I believe CB is starting to understand that he is not going to get any better and he will never be the "impact" player that we all hoped, so he is willing to play alongside (more specifically behind) Wade or James to go for the title. And at the same time, he will be one of the few supporting cast to make maximum money. Good for him. But now we should get the most back for something we couldn't win a championchip with anyways.

[Juan]

Doug
Was Stan referring to the media specifically with the comment "noone cares if you're right"? Could he have been referring to instead people's tendency to focus on the negative? For example, how often do people congratulate you in this blog when something unfolds the way you have suggested it mihgt, relative to how often you are berated for a puctuation error or an outcome that was different from what you suggested?
5-95 is my guess.

[Mike Kovacs]

Doug I agree about CB that it isn't news. I wish your paper would agree - yesterday it was the lead story on thestar.com with a headline to get everyone worked up!

[Jeff Steele]

Hey Doug,

Do you have any information regarding Colangelo's pursuit of a second 1st round pick, or will that only be known closer to the draft? I'm really hoping Chase blows the coaching staff away with his workout today so he'll get consideration for that 9th pick, but I'm hoping BC works a deal to take him lower if possible.

I have been following Chase Budinger since high school and I believe he will be a lottery pick in this draft (since Steve Kerr was set on taking him in the lottery last year before he decided to stay at Arizona for one more year), regardless of the numerous mock drafts out there that have him in the mid-twenties. He has incredible athleticism and could be a solid wing in the NBA, and I believe he will be a starting 2-guard once he hits his prime.

After watching the McDonald's All American dunk comp where Budinger and Demar Derozan made the final 2 I can assure you these two have hops that defy gravity and will bring the house down with their monster jams over and over for whichever teams they play for.

Anyways, hope you're enjoying your time in LA LA Land, I know I would be.

Cheers,

Jeff

Blogger's note: That's not going to be known until draft night.

[James]

Thanks for your rational, even-handed approach the Bosh news. Anyone who has been listening to Chris Bosh (or the others in the class of 2003 like LeBron or Wade) knows his position on testing the free agent waters in 2010. Not to be too pejorative but, quite frankly, I find the sensationalist reporting of this situation to be disingenuous at best and manipulative at worst. I'm not sure if it's a method to sell papers or generate hits but it's not the type of reporting that I gravitate to - which is why I enjoy getting my Raptors news from this blog and your columns.

[dallas]

"The big two, of course, are the guards but what I’m hearing is they are as much fall-back positions as players who are right at the top of the Raptors list. Toronto’s still focused – and should be, without question – on getting a two or a three with that No. 9 pick.

But if all the good twos and threes that they like are gone, you have to think Holiday or Flynn would be pretty good alternatives."

This can't be possible, Doug. Didn't you guarantee the Raptors will not draft a point guard?

Blogger's note: Guarantee? No. Say it's a very low priority? Yes. And it is.

[CARLoS M.]

In today's blog I learned that Smith Likes A Cold One Every Now And Then. Who would've thunk?

[dave]

I don't care if you're right or wrong and in this round I'm hoping you are as I love watching Kobe, but I do enjoy how you write it. Thanks as always

[smd]

Eric. . . .
You my Friend, are like a broken record. I get it. You want everyone on the active roster, on the coaching staff and in the front office replaced. By whom and at what cost?
Be Realistic will ya?
It's been suggested time and time again that The Raptors have a strong core with room to grow on the bench and on the wings.

Alex English is a hall of famer. Do you not think his experience and wisdom would be of any benefit.

[Ryan]

Is it not your co-workers that are feeding this Bosh leaving Toronto hysteria? I believe the initial headline on the Star's homepage yesterday read "Bosh leaving in 2010". This was later changed.

Is there a way we can have Feschuck place a disclaimer at the top of his work? Something like "For entertainment purposes only" or "obviously I don't like Bosh (or athletes in general) and my article should not be read as fact"

Thanks for the work Doug, always a good read!

[Shaaawing]

Great blog Doug

[Ben]

re: Mike Kovacs above comment. Ditto and times two.

For some reason The Star felt this was big enough news to run the headline "Bosh on His Way out of Toronto?" on the front page of the star.com.

That is like poking the bear!

If poking bears got you more website hits, that is.

[CC]

Bosh is like Odom. Imagine giving Odom the max contract. He's a gonner! Lets just enjoy his last season next season.

[Jamie]

all Star, Raptor related articles should go through you first Doug. Afterall, you are the one who has to deal with the fallout!

[PEMAC]

Hi Doug,

Apologies if you've answered this question before, but what effect, if any, does higher income taxes in Canada have on the Raptors payroll?

Blogger's note: That's for accountants smarter than I to figure out.

[Nick]

I know that Bosh is playing safe and wants to see what unfolds in 2009-10 season, but honestly, what could go right? At best, the Raps would make the playoffs behind Magic, Cavs, Celtics, Bulls and Hawks. They will likely exit first round. That's NOT enough to convince Bosh to stay. Can they turn it around from 33 wins to 50 wins? Without an addition of an elite wing - I don't think so. Yes, Bosh is doing what he is suppose to, but HE IS LEAVING.

[Eric]

smd, My friend, you read the papers and can't think for yourself. I get it.

"Alex English is a hall of famer. Do you not think his experience and wisdom would be of any benefit."

You completely missed the point. Maybe it was my fault. But I don't care 'what' Alex English is. He's been in Toronto for 5 years (with the same resume) and the team sucks worms. He could've won 100 championships for all I care.... it has not made a difference on the hardwood. That's my point.

The reality is that this team has Talent and knowledge, and has ALWAYS had it. That's why fans like myself are frustrated. They don't lack anything in those areas. What they lack is intangibles, that is, how to piece it together. Fit, Toughness, clutch, confidence- these are all intangibles issues. Serious change has to occur for these problems to be solved. So forgive me for not jumping through hoops like yourself when the team tells me they want to re-sign a man who has been in Toronto for the entire decline.

This is not a coaching issue. I disagree with Doug in the sense that I don't care what Iavaroni knows about defense. They've had good- even GREAT- defensive coaches here before and it hasn't helped. None of their decisions this summer should be made on X's and O's. This team needs a new culture, and keeping the same pieces (be it underachieveing players or redundant assistant coaches) is not the way to do it.

"It's been suggested time and time again that The Raptors have a strong core with room to grow on the bench and on the wings."

Suggested by whom? Doug Smith? And you think the Raptors' lack of toughness/rebounding has to do with their bench and their wings? "Room to grow" on the bench- didn't they just 12 months ago have such an excess supply of 'bench' that they felt the need to make the roster 'leaner' with the JO trade? Wasn't that the excuse? And now it's the opposite? ......... While the results are the same? And you're supporting them both ways as they contradict themselves? This problem is not about the bench- or the wings, for that matter. It's about intangibles. It's about the stars playing like stars and not using excuses. I haven't seen any sign that this has been or will be addressed and until it is, you're right, I'll be a broken record.

Blogger's note: Decline? Five year period of "sucks worms?" Did you miss two of the playoff appearances, the division title.
In that five-year period of "sucking worms" the team won 181 games, not great but, and this is where you forget to, you know, check facts, the second-best five-year period in franchise history. That period would have been 1999-2004, when they won 191 games, a whopping two more per season.
No, it's not great. But it is what it is. Whch is not what you said.
We get that you think they suck and pretty much everything they do is terrible, horrible and whatever other adjectives you can come up with.
Broken record? Offering no substantial suggestions for change other than, "they suck, all you other fans are dopes" is quite like a broken record.
But thanks for reading and brightening my day

[Andy]

You think Marco Bellineli would have made any difference? (last season or in the future?)

Blogger's note: I have no idea but I do feel quite comfortable in saying that if they had him when Jose missed all the time, a combination of him and Roko Ukic and Anthony Parker would have been better than what they had

[Jarome]

I didn't think there was much to the story, but you can't blame people for thinking otherwise when it gets front page coverage and an alarmist headline. Smack your editor one time for me.

[Marc M]

How is it possible that great "basketball minds" would even think that the Raptors record of 33 wins is due to the assistant coaches. Crazy. I would prefer to think a guy, a HOFer, who in his prime had 25+ ppg (20+ career avg) would be able to teach a thing or two to players about scoring.

Bottom line: We need more talented players. The playoffs are a clear showcase of that fact.

[Boko]

I originally had the Magic winning it all, cause of Howard, Lewis, Turcoglu & Alston, then I took a close look at the Laker stats this playoffs & changed my mind cause they were far better than the Magic stats this playoffs, then I thought about the fact the Magic beat the Celtics (granted, without KG) & the Cavs, and decided NOT to bet the home on either!