DD and VC and all kinds of wonderful stuff

That was some day. A couple of huge trades and some draft drama and if anyone told you they saw all that coming, they are lying.

Made it a bit hectic around here but we got through it.

But now we have one more thing to get through: A little live chat.

With DeMar doing his media schtick around 12:30 and me having to go cover track and field tonight after writing the DeMar story, we better start early, like 11:30 and we’ll go until DeRozan starts talking.

That sound okay?

And here’s a little something to get you through the morning:

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You know how NBA types are always scolding us for talking about what a player isn’t rather than what it is? Like when we say, ‘well, Joe Blow couldn’t dribble with his left hand if you cut off his right told him his life depended on bouncing the ball three times without looking” instead of “well, Joe Blow sure looks good sitting on the bench wondering why his coach doesn’t play him.”

Well, I’m in for a scolding, perhaps.

Here’s what DeMar DeRozan (and we were told last night the ‘M’ in his first name is indeed capitalized after weeks of typing it down) isn’t:

HE IS NOT VINCE CARTER

Not, that is, until he makes eight all-star teams, wins a dunk contest, earns rookie of the year honours and jumps over some stiff for France in the Olympics.

HWSNBN (and regulars know that) still casts a rather large shadow over this franchise and to put a target on the back of a kid who hasn’t even practiced against legitimate NBA competition yet is a bit of a stretch.

There is a lot to like about this pick. DeRozan brings the athleticism they sorely lack, he plays a position of dire need and he could, as Bryan said last night, be very special.

Or he could be the No. 9 pick in a draft that may ultimately rival Kenyon Martin 2000 as one of the worst ever.

I don’t know, you don’t know, they don’t know for sure.

But as picks go, he was the best guy there they felt (and if I’d stuck with my original mock draft I would have looked spectacular with DeRozan here and Tyler Hansbrough in Indy, wouldn’t I?) and they seem entirely pleased with what they’ve done.

Jay said he’ll get a chance to start or at least compete for a starting job (which is good) and then Bryan dropped the VC comparison on him (which may not be so good).

This kid comes in with some huge expectations; they better hope he’s mentally tough enough to live up to them.

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Remember these:

Action: Suns draft Taylor Griffin No. 48.

Reaction: They now lead all pro sport in having the other twin. brother.

He and Robin Lopez can talk about their better brothers on the bench.

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I’m trying to figure out why they’re collecting point guards in Minnesota like so many trophy fish.

Kubla, er, I mean David, Kahn, the man in charge of hiring Sam Mitchell as the next Timberwolves head coach, swears his team can play Ricky Rubio and Jonny Flynn at the same time, citing Vinny Johnson and Isiah Thomas.

As we thought suggesting DeRozan is Vince was reaching a silly level of unrealistic expectations.

I will tell you this, though, when the Timberwolves were on the clock with that No. 6 pick, there were all kinds of nervous people in the Raptors war room. What better fit to a team with a young point guard, a young big man and nothing really on the wings other than DeRozan.

The sighs of relief when Kahn went all point guard crazy were almost audible.

(Or so I’m told).

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So, who wins all the trades?

I think it’s quite easy, actually.

The team that made out the best, by far in my opinion, was Orlando. Vince is going to star down there, I’m warning you, and if he’s insurance against a Turkoglu departure, I can’t think of much better.

And if Otis Smith doesn’t start getting some consideration in those Executive of the Year races, they ought to quit giving them up.

Not sure if there’s a biggest loser, probably Milwaukee, which got a bag of junk for Richard Jefferson.

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Aaron Williams. Eric Williams. Alonzo Mourning. Rafer Alston. Courtney Lee. Tony Battie.

Has there ever been a better player traded for a worse collection of questionable or non-existent talent than Carter? I wonder.

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All kinds of Hedo Turkoglu questions in light of that Magic trade for You Know Who.

Here’s what I was able to discern last night:

He remains far and away the most coveted free-agent-to-be in the eyes of a lot of people who make big decisions around the Air Canada Centre and the arrival of that Vince fellow means he’ll be out there and available for sure.

(Yes, Turkoglu has an option and could play the last year of his contract in Orlando where he’d be second fiddle at the end of the game to Carter, second fiddle at the start of the game to Dwight, second fiddle in the middle of the game to Rashard and we don’t’ have any fiddles left to tell you where he’d fit with Jameer. Oh, and there’s a new CBA coming and Lord knows what the players will give back in this one so he better lock up a long-term deal this summer).

Anyway, digression aside, the cost is still too much. They could renounce everyone – Marion, Parker, Graham, O’Bryant, Douby and back the qualifying offer to Delfino – to maybe get Turkoglu and fill out the roster with a bunch of minimum salary dudes.

But haven’t we been down that road before? See, O’Neal, Jermaine; and Solomon, Will.

The best thing, and it’s been the best thing since the JO trade in February is to try and sign-and-trade Shawn for a younger version of himself, have the mid-level exception to try and capitalize on one of the many bargains that will be out there and build the bench that way.

No big home run necessary.

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Action: Knicks get Darko

Reaction: Under the radar good

I have no idea how many saw this in light of all that went on but the Knicks moving Quentin Richardson to Memphis (wonder how all the fried food’s gonna help Q stay so cut) for Darko Milicic was a nice, very nice move.

I happen to think Darko may not stink entirely and if there’s one guy who can get him to play, I have a feeling it’s Mike D’Antoni.

Of course, Darko’s, um, dedication to his craft might take a hit playing in New York but if he’s going to make it anywhere, he’s going to make it there.

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Speaking of the Air Canada Centre, they had one of those season ticket holder events last night down in the locker room for a select few fans (they couldn’t use the main bowl because it’s being torn up for some new seating) and it must have been fun and full of food and drink.

How do I know?

I know because when I was near the entrance talking on the phone and answering e-mails in search of some privacy after the Raptors made their selection, there was one fan, proudly sporting the nifty credential-like thing they had them wear, doubled over, surrounded by a couple of friends and a gaggle of security types suffering, as they say in competitive eating circles, “a reversal.”

Must have been a bad shrimp or something, right?

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And, finally

Action: Mighty Yankees Win!

Reaction: Hmm, maybe it’s not the coaching after all.

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Okay, see you around 11:30

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Comments

[Eric]

And for the record, at this point in their careers, I'd actually take Milicic over Bargnani. Not because Darko's any good (because he quite sucks) but more because he's more of a difference maker. Which is sad.

You see Bargnani play and has no clear impact on the floor. Statistically, his #'s jumped this year and the team has never been more disappointing. ??? They can also win when he has his notorious "0" games. ?!?!?! It's like it doesn't matter what he's doing out there- which in my estimation has always been the main problem!!!!

Not that Milicic is much better but if you see that video from 2007 Euro Champs and his venom towards the refs, at least you see some life. If Bargnani ever smiled, yelled or did anything overtly emotional or out of the ordinary, I'd jump out of my seat!!!! He just doesn't. And this team does not need any more flatline himans. The Raps are boring enough, I think we can all agree.

[Rudi]

Orlando gets Vince, Cleveland gets Shaq, what do we get? DeRozan. Unless we get some other star player to play along Bosh - good bye playoffs next year and by extension good bye Bosh as well.
And I wouldn't/couldn't blame him.

[RYE]

Hi Doug....Can you please suggest an answer as to why the Raps did not buy/trade into the 2nd round when the likes of Blair, Young, Buddinger, Thornton, Mills, Brown, etc, etc. Anyone of these guys could potentially help our club. There were 6/7 trades in the 2nd round and none involved the Raps. But teams like the Spurs have once against scooped up 2nd round talent for little to no cost. It would have been nice to add a shooter shooter or upgrade the backup PG sport. Thoughts?

Blogger's note: Maybe they could help, maybe they couldn't; they thought about buying a pick, none were available that made any sense given the players that were there.

[greg max]

since the suns are imploding right now and are selling everything. One veteran free agent comes to mind that could really help the raptors this year and help deRozan develope. Grant Hill. The raptors should try getting him at the veterans minimum, which i think is what he got last year and have him combo at the 2 and 3 position,maybe starting at 2 at the beginning of the season or coming off the bench. He should be good for about 75 games. raptors could really use some veterans if they want to be a contender this year. He would be a big help on defence. This is assuming we keep marion or get someone of equal or better talent at 3.

by the way isnt Joey Graham coming to the end of his contract this summer ? He is an expensive liability on the roster.

[Mitch]

'a reversal' is my new term for what I used to call 'making room'... thank you Doug Smith, thank you

[scott]

Where did you hear that Taylor was his twin? Taylor is 2 years older (and 3 inches shorter) than Blake.

Blogger's note: Fixed it. Thanks. Mind was mush this morning

[DougG]

Love the pick. I have been praying that BC was only pretending when he suggested that Derozan had dropped and Holiday was the real apple of his eye.

Now my prayers turn to him finding a way to get Turkolu and the Matrix.

Bosh would be crazy to leave 30 million on the table now. But if he does, BC has already added a new, can't miss star.

Hat's off to the GM and the coach.

[Flynn]

Hey Doug,

When you mentioned the sign and trade with Shaun for a 'younger version of himself', who in the NBA currently fits that build?

P.S: Thanks again for the blog, between hunting for a summer job and pick-up soccer I don't know what I'd do without it!

[Mingo-Jones]

"Kubla, er, I mean David, Kahn..." Thanks Doug, you made me laugh hysterically alone at my desk.

[T i]

Cannot be happier with the pick.. I truly thought BC and company were puffing out the smoke screens when they were talking up Holiday the last few days before the draft. Suffice to say, my faith in BC intact to say the least.

DeMar has a chance to be special and in a thin draft you couldn't ask for a better player to take at the 9th spot - he truly has a chance to become one of the best out of this whole draft in my opinion. Not to mention he fills out a need on the roster at the same time.

Gotta love it!

[Clarence E. Strange]

Any chance the Raptors bring in an undrafted guy like Dionte Christmas out of Temple? He is a 2-3 that can score, might be a player with some seasoning. Someone smart like the Spurs will probably sign him.

[PC]

Well only time will tell as to how well DeMar will fill the gaping hole at the 2/3. I'm quite relieved however that BC found it in his heart to pass on Holiday. Being one of the "best" highschoolers from 2 years ago is irrelevant to how good an NBA prospect can be and Holiday and Jennings both seem to receive far too much credit for dominating their highschool rivals while being utterly ineffective against their next levels of competition.

The scariest part of a Holiday selection would have been the fact that they wanted a 2 and his excuse for a wasted season in college was that he was playing out of position at the 2 due to Collison who is destined for the NBDL... tweeners generally work better when their stronger position is their intended one in the NBA. Derozan may not be the saviour, I haven't seen enough of him to have an informed opinion, but at least he projects at the correct position.

[DW]

If the raps would need to go over the tax or have a non-existent bench, then why is Turk the most coveted free agent for them? Does your source for that assume that they would be happy with either of those situations? What chances do you give that transaction Doug?

Blogger's note: 1-99, for the reasons oft-stated

[PC]

Doug,

Any insight into why Dionte Christmas might have dropped off the deep end, a lot of buzz about him going into the draft and he's had three 20+ scoring season at Temple, I don't think he's going to knock anyone's socks off but I think whoever invites him to summer league is going to get a crack at a decent bench scorer.

Blogger's note: No GM or scout I spoke to figured he was all that good, actually

[GM]

Eric, I don't think it makes a lick of difference if a player shows his emotions on the court or not. Kareem didn't. Bernard King didn't. Worthy didn't. Parrish didn't. And there's any number of do-nothing players who pound their chests and get in opponents' faces.

As for the surge in Bargnani's stats this season, and it being the worst one since he got here, don't forget his improvement came relatively late in the season. I don't know what the team's record was from the time Bargnani clicked compared to before.

And yes, sometimes teams will win when a player scores lots of points and sometimes they will lose. It used to be said one way to get the Bulls to lose was to let Jordan get 50, because they invariably lost those games. Does that mean he sucked? Same with Kobe. Fact is, basketball is a team game and teams both win and lose when their best players have a good game and when they have a bad game.

[dean]

Well,

I was stunned last night that BC did not feel the need to get into the second round to pick up anyone.

Can you honestly tell me that Mills, Heytvelt, Buddinger or Blair could not have helped in some way ?

Reggie Evans, DeMar DeRozan, The Matrix and Carlos Delfino. Oh yeah, we are for sure Championship caliber now. The fact that this is ALL BC could do is sad, sad, sad.

If i had been there last night we would have had:

Bosh to Minny for Al Jefferson and #5
Drafted Curry at #5
Drafted DeRozan at # 9
Use cash to buy Minny's # 18
Draft Ty Lawson with that pick

On July 1st, sign and trade Marion for any TWO parts, any pick and player, two players whatever

Do not resign Anthony Parker, or Delfino or Nesterovich and go after Hedo.

Bargs/Hump/Jawai
Calderon/Ukic/Lawson
Hedo/Derozan/Curry/new guy
Jefferson/Evans/OBryant/newguy

I like those pieces better than the ones they currently have.

Matrix is over the hill bad, Bosh is over-rated, Rasho is essentially done, and Delfino is a princess, so why bother with any of them?

Mark my words, at career's end, Al Jefferson will be more successful that CB4.....book it.........Al is a man, Chris is a boy, its not hard to see.

Peace Doug, get some rest, July 1st is coming fast.........

Blogger's note: We you in the fantasy league when you made all those transactions? Because in reality, the first one doesn't work finaniclally, the second becomes moot, it's obvious the third I'lll five you, the fourth wasn't in the works from the Minnesota end since they got more than just cash for that pick and therefore the fourth is moot..
But it would have been a heckuva fantasy league night
And that's not even going near the fact you have no money left to even make Hedo an offer that's even close to what he'll get.

[Tim W.]

While I've been an opponent of trading Bosh away, I am having trouble believing that Golden State would really trade Stephen Curry, Brandon Wright, Marco Belinelli and Andris Biedrins for Stoudemire, and would certainly think long and hard if that was offered for Bosh. I still don't know if I'd pull the trigger, but that certainly a lot of young talent to be giving away.

[Paul]

Perhaps the fact that Vince has been traded for spare parts, twice, says more about his personality, and effect on a team, than his playing abilities.!!!

[Tim W.]

Doug, do you know if it's possible for two players to exchange free agents in a sign-and-trade? An example would be the Raptors signing-and-trading Marion for a signed-and-traded Marvin Williams.

Blogger's note: I believe so, but I am not 100 per cent sure; that's something to be checked out

[brass monk]

"Has there ever been a better player traded for a worse collection of questionable or non-existent talent than Carter? I wonder."

Pau Gasol.

[doug]

Minnie's picks are making more sense now....as Rubio won't play there, so i feel they drafted him as a tradeable commodity, and have Flynn as there point guard...

[BrianV]

The Orlando trade for VC gave me a queasy feeling in my stomach. I recall a couple years ago when we played Jersey and VC in the playoffs, how stoked some fans were at the prospect of being able to boo VC mercilessly. I was just plain scared. Rightly so, as it turns out. The game against Jersey last year. You know the one. Jose gestering the game was over when the Raps widened their lead, only to have VC tie the game, then win it in O.T. This was, IMHO, the most humiliating loss in the BC era. Maybe longer. Now VC is in Orlando, already a fave to challenge for the Eastern Conference championship. Maybe i'm just a scaredy cat, but I am terrified at the prospect of facing VC in the playoffs with this team, clinging to a small lead, with ANY time left on the clock. I won't even mention Dwight. I swear, if it turns out that we face Orlando in the playoffs and anyone gets excited because they have a chance to boo VC at the ACC, I will hunt them down and slap them hard across the face.

[Tim W.]

I've read a lot of conjecture that the Knicks are burning up the phone lines trying to get Rubio, but have any of the people talking about it actually looked at the Knicks roster? The only thing they have to offer the T-Wolves would even be mildly interested in are expiring contracts, and I don't think there's much chance of the Knicks parting with any of those.

[Gerald]

Hey BrianV

Hate to burst your bubble, but unless we somehow get Jordan to drink from the fountain of youth, come out of retirement and play for the Raptors, the situation your suggesting is an absurd one. Closest scenario is Orlando seeds #1, and Raps seed #8. And then in four games straight with the average margin being about twenty points a game, the Raps are sent fishing.

Not in their class. Not even close.

[Tim W.]

Gerald, I've never been one to be overly optimistic with the Raptors, but, should they be able to re-sign Marion and should DeRozan even have a pretty good season, I think the Raptors could definitely vie for a 5th or even 4th seed, and, best case scenario, make it to the second round of the playoffs. I don't think it's likely they do it, but it's certainly not out of the realm of possibility. And if the Raptors have no chance of coming within 20 points in a playoff game, then Philadelphia must be a much better team than anyone thought, extending them to 6 games like that. I get that you don't think much of the Raptors next season. But it doesn't appear you are looking at them very objectively.