Kudos to Canada and a whole bunch of talk, very little action

T-minus less than a week ‘til draft day and you can feel the excitement, no?

No?

Oh, okay.

Maybe it’s just me.

Anyway, gotta go through the mailbag for the once-a-weekend offering so if you’ve got questions, I can bluff answers so send ‘em in, it’ll give me something to do tonight after a radio gig goes 5-7.

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Whither Roko?

STEVE RUSSELL/TORONTO STAR

He's working on it...

With all this talk about the Raptors thinking of drafting a point guard (I still steadfastly believe they shouldn’t, unless it’s with a late-teens pick they purchase and even then it seems silly to me), what’s up with Mr. Ukic? Talked to a couple of people around the team this week about him and the sense I get is that they’re not quite ready to give up on him, which is good in my opinion, but that they want some kind of tempo-changer on the roster as well.

(I know, I know, TJ Ford, right? Wrong! A thousand times wrong. That was never going to work, ever. There were issues between TJ and his coaches, TJ and his teammates. Forget it. Put it out of your mind. Let it go).

Anyway, Ukic – whose $1.35 million salary could easily be cap ballast in a trade – is still in their minds, regardless of what happens next Thursday. If his shot’s improved, and he’s been working every day on it, I’m told, he could get some run at the two alongside Calderon. He’s still a heady player, a gym rat, as willing to learn as anyone on the roster and a sponge when it comes to soaking up instruction and information.

It’s ridiculous to give up on a 24-year-old, 6-5 point guard after just one season in the NBA. Hope they don’t.

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I presume all of you haveread this story on the development camp that Canada Basketball’s running for a gaggle of talented teens, right?

The kid I wrote about is one of those teen prodigies the program has had a horrible time identifying and getting and the fact he’s in rather than out working at some shoe company camp is huge.

And when the team headed to the Under-19 worlds begins work this week in Hamilton (first practice Saturday, tournament starts in New Zealand in early July) I’m told the other two hotshot Canucks – Tristan Thompson and Corey Joseph – are expected in, although it may be Sunday.

It’s going to take years and years for Canada to get back to any sort of international prominence on the senior level, I fear (but if they don’t qualify for next year’s worlds it will be a failure of biblical proportions) but there can be no denying that things like this developmental camp, the cadet program that’s in the process of trying to qualify for next year’s worlds right now, and the junior team that could very well make some noise in New Zealand are hugely significant steps in the right direction.

I’m entirely impressed with the direction the organization is taking – and this is after years and years of being one of the worst-run major sports groups I’ve ever seen – and perhaps the general public will actually start to give a rat’s bum about what goes on with Canada on the international stage other than at the Olympics.

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I hear Alvin Williams hasn’t gotten around to actually signing his coaching contract (he will, don’t worry) but after watching stuff in the gym this week, I bet he’s holding out for a playing deal.

(I keed, I keed).

But he and the rest of the staff are getting lots of work in. Not only do they handle the stuff with the draft picks, they’ve been working every day with Patrick O’Bryant and Quincy Douby, who’ve been in town working out.

Yesterday, it was the complete staff: Jay, Alex, Marc, Micah, Alvin and Eric Hughes all standing around working with two guys.

And I figure if those two kids don’t get better with that kind of personal coaching, they’re lost causes.

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Pretty sure most of you know that I think John Hollinger’s a good guy, works hard, writes well and has developed some unique statistical and mathematical methods for determining the value of NBA players.

But if I hear one more word about his “draft rater” and how it slags Demar DeRozan, I may scream.

Look, here’s the scoop: DeRozan is far from a polished player; he’s got significant flaws just like about six of the six guys the Raptors are even considering have flaws. It’s that kind of draft down there at, oh, picks 3 through 60.

Blake Griffin’s got a chance to be pretty good (although I’m not sure how good), I personally think Rubio’s going to be outstanding but after that? After that everyone’s got problems and it’s an absolute crap shoot.

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Oh yeah, did I tell you that we’re coming to Ottawa for sure for training camp next fall?

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Speaking of Your Raptors, they’re hoping to get one more workout session in here Monday or Tuesday but no one has any clear indication of who might come in. Jim Kelly told us this week they were trying to get Tyreke Evans in but can’t imagine there’s a scenario that he’s available at No. 9.

Stay tuned, when we get names, you’ll get names.

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This is why I love (and by “love” I mean “hate”) this time of year: According to the breathless headlines out there, and the resulting e-mails that come flooding in, the following may happen in the next week:

Shaquille O’Neal gets traded

Amare Stoudemire gets traded

Devin Harris may move

The Wizards are definitely trading the No. 4 No. 5  pick

Josh Smith or Marvin Williams or someone in Atlanta is being moved

Al Jefferson’s in play in Minnesota.

Tracy McGrady’s moving (although why anyone would even think about obtaining a guy coming off microfracture surgery who will, at best, miss the first month of the season is beyond me).

I will venture a guess that, at the most, two of those things happen, maybe only one. And I would also venture a guess that if significant moves occur between now and the draft or on draft night, no one knows about them quite yet.

That’s how things generally work. Stuff pops up out of nowhere (one exception being last year’s TJ-JO deal that we knew about for almost a week before the draft) and a whole bunch of speculation gets washed away and forgotten.

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The Mississauga North peewee house league Complete Mechanical Yankees (how ‘bout that plug for a sponsor?) go to 4-2 on the season with a big triumph last night. We throw two guys out at the plate (one on a perfectly executed cutoff play on a bases-loaded single to left, just like the coaches had been teaching), hit the crap out of the ball and the pitchers threw strikes.

Yes, Mr. Ricciardi, we are available for consultation.

End of digression.

End of transmission.

Comments

[Kevin]

Wizard have the 5th pick:

"The Wizards are definitely trading the No. 4 pick "

Thanks for the blog - enjoy the weekend.

[Blaise]

Doug - I heard on CHCH news in Hamilton a while back that Basketball Canada was shutting down the NEDA program at McMaster. Any truth to that story and what are the reasons behind it? Was it not working out as well as planned?

Blogger's note: Lots of factors, finances being one of them, entered into the decision

[Boko]

If I hear one more word about [the Raptors drafting] Demar DeRozan, I may scream. I pray that it's all misinformation for good reason.

[Patrick]

Morning Doug,

Since you brought up Canada Basketball, I was wondering how things stood with Matt Bonner? Is he in the process of obtaining his Canadian citizenship? What's the likelihood that he'll be able to play for Canada this summer?

Thanks

Blogger's note: He's still interested, they're still interested but he and his wife are having a child this summer, I'd be surprised if anything got done this season.

PS: Not really important but a little typo alert... the Wizards have the 5th pick, not the 4th.

[Lazaros O.]

Uh, the Wizards have the number 5 pick, not 4.

Regarding McGrady, wouldn't any transaction involving him be mainly for finances (clearing cap space for 2010) than performance on the hardwood? Oh, and until he plays, insurance pays his salary.

Blogger's note: Got the Washington typo fixed and if you trade for McGrady, it smells of quitting on the season before it even starts and that's going to make it hard to sell tickets.

[Kelsie]

Hey Doug,

Interesting that they would consider playing Ukic some at the two. I like his game a little bit, and think he needs some time to develop but do you think he has the ability to play the two? I also find it to be very interesting that they want a 'tempo changer' which I would assume be another back-up 1.

I'm not BC obviously, but I'm not sold on the swing men in this draft but I do like some of the players projected to go 12-20 like Teague (tempo changer and accurate shooter with great first step), Jennings, or Johnson, so I'm hoping they actually trade down and try and acquire a veteran 2 guard and use the pick on a player they like later in the first round.

My question to you is based on what your hearing is it more likely (hypothetically, you're not on the clock, lol) that the Rap's stay at 9 and try and acquire another pick later in the 1st round or move down in the draft in the hopes of finding an under the radar gem, but also picking up an established player to help us right now?

Blogger's note: I have had no indication from anyone about them moving out of No. 9. Things can change in a week but that's highly doubtful

[WA]

Doug, I sent the "press" to your questions mailbox, hopefully you see it there.

Quick question, with Milwaukee thinking of drafting a PG, if they don't trade Ridnour then where do you think Ramon Sessions ends up next season?

To me he reminds me of a young Rajon Rondo - great passing ability, can score & create but has no jumpshot.

Blogger's note: Couldn't hazard a guess about Sessions, who is a backup

[Mike]

Hey Doug,

Can you answer this question!

I read a article and it is about Demar DeRozan and what I read it says that he has no offensive creativity, ability to create own shot, defensive awareness and average basketball IQ.

Also, he often satisfied to go with the flow; does not look to dominate, plays hard, but rarely full throttle, not much of a passer or facilitator and needs to enhance range on his jumper; tends to fade away on 3PT attempts.

So does Demar DeRozan really that good?

Blogger's note: I don't know, they don't know, the writer of whatever article you read doesn't know, no one knows for sure.

[The other KG]

Ottawa for training camp? Boo!

I thought Triano getting his contract meant that coming back to Niagara was a lock. Shows what I know.

[Tom]

Thanks as always for keeping this going on a daily basis, Doug. I have one question - any talk of the Raps either trading down, or perhaps even picking a guy who I have seen 5 or 6 times and always come away thinking he'd be a solid NBAer - that being Mr. D. Brown of Xavier? Size, long arms, defending, desire, and small forward ability, including an improving three point shot. I understand D. DeRozan of USC, but can't see anyone else that jumps out at me, other than Danny Green as a late first rounder - who seems to be a Anthony Parker-type, that being a solid all-rounder.

Blogger's note: No, no talk of that whatsoever

[Eric]

I sure hope this "Roko talk" that you speak of is as far as it goes! Who in their right mind is willing to "give up" on the guy? If I had my druthers I'd even consider starting him over our "elite point" who's a nice guy but can't win games, stay in front of his man or go to the basket. Well, maybe "can't" is the wrong word- maybe "won't" is appropriate. Either way, if Roko can stay healthy I think he'll be a terrific pg in this league. Toronto giving up on him in favor of Brandon Jennings or projects like Jonny Flynn, Jeff Teague et al? Pleeeeeeeeeasasseee, end the nonsense already! The problem is not Roko Ukic!

As far as I'm concerned, Roko would be the #2 point in this draft, if not #1. I'd start to question Brian's sanity if he cut Roko Ukic and drafted an unproven college point for this team with his all-important lotto pick. Then I'd question my own!

[Brian]

Doug, I agree whole-heartedly about the assessment of DeRozan, using his college numbers needs being taken with a grain of salt. I will provide you with a list of past players who, when drafted had holes in their game. Perhaps you have heard of some of them: Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, Michael Jordan, Dwayne Wade, Kobe Bryant, Paul Pierce. To say a 19 year old has holes in his game is like saying Lou Alcindor (sp?) is tall. If DeMar is available at #9, and Tyreke Evans is not, they must take DeMar. His upside is off the charts. Not guarenteed to reach his potential, but at #9 to NOT choose him and look back 5 years from now... well BC cannot afford to make that mistake. BC could not be faulted for taking a chance.

[Steve]

I completely agree with not giving up on Ukic after one year. The guy shows tonnes of promise with his speed, ball control, and his willingness to take a big shot in the clutch - remember the game against the Spurs. In fact I think way to much dependency was thrown on Will (Jump in the Air and do nothing) Solomon last season and Ukic never got the chance to play some decent minutes as a back-up to Calderon or Parker later in the season, when Jose was hurting.

[Eric]

In terms of Chris Bosh, I feel the need to point it out to people: Regardless of what happens this year, if you don't trade him now, you either risk losing him for nothing next year, using him in a sign & trade next year (the fruits of which will be, at best, quite disappointing) or signing him to a ludicrous extension next summer because he's made it clear he won't give a hometown discount. Which of those three sounds appealing? In my opinion, NONE..... unless you're one of the few who wants to max this guy out ala DWade or Lebron James.

Doug, for one, wants to sit and wait and see how it all unfolds..... which is quite frankly symbolic of what this city does for everything. Just pretend like waiting will solve the problem. I got news for you- it won't. There's no keeping Chris Bosh on this team beyond next year for less than 16 Mil ++++. If you don't want to do that, then you should move him now. Champions are proactive, not reactive.

50 cents on the dollar? Maybe. But it's better than the 20 cents on the dollar you'll get next summer. The exchange rate is getting worse every day as he nears his opt-out.

The time to make the decision is now, I'm sorry to say, whether you want to keep him or move him. You make that decision TODAY and execute a plan accordingly.

[Damian]

Hey Doug,

I saw one website (Hoopshype, NOT hoopsworld which had the bogus Bargnani to Dallas rumour) list Louis Scola as the closest comparison to Tyler Hansbrough. Do you think that's accurate? And it is a little high for him (according to the mock drafts anyways), but that would be a great fit for Toronto, wouldn't it?

Blogger's note: No, I don't think that's even close to a fair assessment. Scola's superior and more experienced.

[Michel G]

I agree with you about Ukic. He's got a year under his belt and that puts him ahead of anybody they would draft. They need to sign a guy like Anthony Johnson. A NBA veteran (i.e., not someone like Will Solomon) to offset Ukic's inexperience.

[Victor]

Doug,

I have a hard time understanding why the Raptors would want to bring back Douby and O'Bryant. There is already a log jam at the PG position with Jose, Roko, Banks and AP if resigned. As well, anything Douby can do at the 2 spot, Delfino can do better. I just don't see why Colangelo would want to waste cap space on a tweener that mirrors the mediocrity of our backcourt bench players.

Also, with O'Bryant, the same issue arises. We acquired Evans to battle for the big man spot off the bench with Hump, and Jawaii is also in the mix. If we want to improve rebounding and toughness, would Pops not be a better fit than Patrick O'Bryant? Is it because Patrick's deal is partially guaranteed?

Blogger's note: Neither deal is fully guaranteed and, frankly, I agree with their assessment that the taller, younger, more offensively polished O'Bryant is worth a look over Pops

[T i]

Doug, after reading Hollinger's analytical "rater" column yesterday, I figured people would be posting comments about it today, but I'm glad you addressed it right in the blog. I think his system is a little ridiculous. I mean, can he really even statistically incorporate level of competition into those numbers? I sincerely doubt that. Plus, I'm quite sure that if his system was so ingenious, then the GMs making millions would be using it lol. Look, I read a story in ESPN the mag once about how the Houston Rockets use stat analysis the most in the NBA with respect to building their roster (not Hollinger's system, their own internal one) - it was an interesting read and I thought that using such systems are not a 'bad' thing. On the other hand, if you only used these "systems", I think you wouldn't be doing your due diligence. Does scouting mean nothing? Doesn't the fact that every draft in any sport have more to do with POTENTIAL than where these guys are actually already at?! If Hollinger devised a system for the NFL, I wonder what it would have rated Tom Brady who was a 6th round pick lol. I just really don't believe in his system that much - call me crazy! In the end, I wish he could provide an extensive database of ALL of the players the system has ever ranked (including all non-drafted and 2nd round picks) then and only then can we see how accurate it is instead of listing a handful of successes and misses.

[Michel G]

I was watching NBATV's draft preview show and they spent half the segment for the Raptors on Johnny Flynn and the other half on James Johnson. I understand about Johnson, but why in the hell would we pick a point guard at nine. We already have a point guard. Doug, don't these people do their homework? Sorry for the vent.

[Kelsie]

Eric

The time to make the decision is now, I'm sorry to say, whether you want to keep him or move him. You make that decision TODAY and execute a plan accordingly.

I think they have made the decision and it was done a long time ago. They want to keep him and will pay him max money to do so. Whats the problem?

If you're not a fan of Bosh then yes this should be of concern to you but if you are a fan and think he's worth the investment then it sounds good. The Wade and Lebron comparisons should cease though. How many players are Lebron and Wade? Not many. How many players get paid large sums of money in this league and are not Lebron and Wade, quite a few. If you can pay Anthony, Lewis, Randolph, Stoudemire and other players big money than Bosh should be paid accordingly and I would take him over any of those players. Why should he give a hometown discount? What player does that?

[Sean]

Back in Ottawa! Right on!

I always attributed their 3-0 start last year to their stay in Ottawa. Must have been the Beaver Tails.

[Marc in Burlington]

Doug,

In perusing some other websites (after stopping here first, naturally) I read somewhere that the Knicks appear to have some interest in having Oak in to work with their big men, as Walsh is looking for more toughness from his front court players. With the Raptor's being a team that has the tag of being baby's butt soft, have you ever heard a whisper of the Raptors making a move like this? Sure Evans helps, as did O'Neal,in adding that element but the whole "we have to teach them to be tougher" mantra that we have heard from both Bryan and Jay requires a teacher of said toughness doesn't it? Boogie could be part of that, but when I think of Alvin "heart" first comes to mind, although continuing to play on knees as shot as his were, he must be tough as shoe leather.

Blogger's note: You can't "teach" tough, it has to come from within; he can be developed by a player but not by someone telling him to be "tougher"

[deaner]

Doug

Is there a limit to how much a team can pay a GM? Like, does BC make 3 mil a year and guys like Lo Presti make 1.5?

Who would you chose as a GM from the current 30, other than Brian to run this team?

I'd have to seriously consider KP from Portland , Lo Presti, and the guy from Denver (name escapes me). They seem able to take chances, make excellent trades, pick up great assets, and still maintain cap and luxury focus to not ruin their respective teams.

If I was MLSE, I would be looking at this season as the last one that I would give BC to prove his value. If the Raps make the necessary moves to improve in the next 4-6 weeks, then BC should be doubly accountable this year if the team is a failure.

Who do you think is a stellar GM out of the 30? Maybe a top 3 ?

Peace

Deaner

Blogger's note: No limit on the salary and I like RC Buford on that list

[N]

I do think the Raps need a back up PG, probably not at the 9 spot. Ideally we could use a vet PG to back up Jose and let Roko grow. Doug, do you feel that Colangelo may want to trade Roko away? I do hope Humps gets traded on draft night to ease up the log jam of bench forwards and land us another nice young piece.

Blogger's note: No, I don't think he wants to trade him; and why do you think Hump, who missed the last half of last season and has really shown no consistency in his time in the league can net "another nice young piece?"

[Henry]

"In terms of Chris Bosh, I feel the need to point it out to people: Regardless of what happens this year, if you don't trade him now, you either risk losing him for nothing next year, using him in a sign & trade next year (the fruits of which will be, at best, quite disappointing) or signing him to a ludicrous extension next summer because he's made it clear he won't give a hometown discount. Which of those three sounds appealing? In my opinion, NONE..... unless you're one of the few who wants to max this guy out ala DWade or Lebron James."

Just because Toronto has never been able to keep it's all stars in the past, has a losing record, is planning to bring back most of last year's losing team, has an ownership that won't spend a dime beyond what it needs to, is in a country that speaks multiple languages, uses a weird European measuring system and is cold in the winter, doesn't mean Toronto will end up with nothing for it's all star this time. Besides, one of these days Bosh might come out and say he wants to be here long term.