Of workouts and wacky WWW fantasies

All kinds of fun stuff at the moment. Some from here, some from there, some from the world wide web, which is either the greatest thing invented or something created just to make my life a living hell (I’m torn as to which it is.)

But, before the fun and frivolity, some good news. Or bad news. Or non-news.

Some stuff’s come up that’s going to keep my busy tonight so the delightful in-game blog has to take an evening off. We’ll be back Sunday, for sure; but tonight? Tonight you shall be left to your own devices.

And now …

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Here’s the thing about these workouts that go on before the draft: Sometimes, they’re not workouts at all.

Bryan mentioned earlier this week that they want to get DeMar DeRozan in next week, what’s likely to be the last big session in Toronto, but that the kid might only come in to meet, not to work out.

Seems silly, no? Not if you understand that teams don’t drive this process, which sort of sucks. The agents – who have a fiduciary interest in not having any flaws in their players exposed – are actually running the show.

Here’s a somewhat exasperated Jim Kelly:

“Again, that’s part of the draft procedure, we don’t actually control it, we do what we can with what we have.”

The interesting thing yesterday, to me at least, was Ty Lawson. When I mentioned that very fact to them, that some kids – and their agents – run scared at this time of year, Lawson said that wasn’t for him. Something along the lines of “If you want to show you’re stuff, you have to show it against the best.”

I like that kid.

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Oh yeah, the Finals.

You’ve read the local stuff here, I presume; but not sure if you’ve read what they’re saying in the specific cities.

Seems this whole point guard thing is still gurgling down in Orlando, as Brian S. writes here in today’s missive.

I will say this: If they both play like they did the other night, Rafer has to play about 40 minutes because Nelson was horrible. But if they both play like they did in Game 2, I can see no recourse for Stan but to play Turkoglu at the point down the stretch.

This is where coaches earn a chunk of their money, managing egos and personalities in the biggest games of the season.

-

Okay, let’s stop this insanity right now.

From the mail:

Q: Hey Doug, i am hearing that theres a good chance that Kris Humpries gets traded to the Nets for Dooling on draft day + swap picks 9 and 11. Any truth to it

Sam A, Toronto

And

Q: Hey Doug, long time reader … I read somewhere that Raptors were interested in a trade involving Humphries and Keyon Dooling. Is there any truth to this?

Joel R, Mississauga

And from the Comments section:

well, theres a guy on real gm who has been VERY reliable in the past, knows someone high up in MLSE and apparently its being discussed, not someone to make a rumor up and the mods verified it. I was wondering if you could check it out, ask some of your sources and see if its reliable.

Ok, you know I don’t usually do this stuff but the sheer volume of questions – this is a representative selection – made me.

So, I discovered the “hearing” and “read somewhere” came from the “very reliable” source and it’s all crap, like about 95 per cent of the junk floating around these days.

Because I had some time, and because I figured it’s a good way to make a point, I bounced this off a couple of people in the organization.

Their reaction:

“Utter nonsense.”

“Got a good kick out of it.”

So, reliable is bullpoop (the guy or gal either lied or was lied to) and the energy anyone spent talking about this would have been better spent cutting the grass or something.

Here’s the deal: Unless you dig and have multiple sources and are trusted and legitimate, you’re not going to find out facts. You’re going to find out fiction and waste the time of a lot of people.

The internet and chat rooms and discussion forums, I guess, are wonderful things in some aspects. But, and I will say this for about the thousandth time, they are not places where legitimate news breaks.

Now that I’ve wasted some of my time, and yours, we’ll return you to the usual drivel.

-

So, Alvin Williams, what kind of advice can you impart in your new gig:

“(B)eing a professional, that’s the biggest thing. Don’t disrespect the game or yourself or your teammates. Be a professional. Come in on time, give 100 per cent for yourself and your team.

“Sometimes, once you get to a certain point in the NBA, you get paid, you get some notoriety, some people get lazy. And it’s a natural thing but you’ve always got to push. It’s hard to get here, but it’s harder to stay in the NBA and that’s what you have to tell the younger guys.”

Oh, and what do you have to learn about coaching?

“You have to manage people, you have to build relationships, you have to know each individual and how they respond. That’s the toughest part. I can go out here all day and tell somebody what to do, you just have to know how to get it across to them.

I’m going to listen right now, listen to coach Triano, coach English and coach Iavaroni, these guys have been involved for so long, I’m just going to pick up on those guys.”

Yeah, I think the kid’ll be all right.

-

Oh yeah, the Finals

This always has been, and always will be, The Kobe Series and my man Mark Heisler’s got a good one right here.

-

Back to the workouts for a bit.

A rather odd sight greeted us when we walked in the gym and survived the huddled masses perched on chairs along the sideline. It’s the domain of coaches and scouts and GMs usually, with the regular assortment of Raptors Worker Bees charting every move every kid makes.

So, what’s John Bitove Jr. doing there? Ready to buy the team back? A front office coup?

Nah, seems he was checking out James Johnson of Wake Forest, which is John’s old school.

I’m told Johnson was really good, too.

Comments

[Orravan]

How cool it is to have Alvin Williams back, especially for those of us who saw him grow as a player in the early lean years of the Raptors. This guy has been through it all - playing for a coach who had no confidence in him, getting traded to Boston when he was in the coach's doghouse only to have the trade rescinded, becoming the lead point guard and developing into a clutch player in the Raptors' best years. Who can forget the game winning bucket that cemented the Raptors' only playoff series win over the Knicks? While it was somewhat sad having him meekly leave the game due to knee injuries, it is such a classy move by BC and Triano to bring him into the coaching staff. No doubt he'll impart his skills and knowledge to the young players. Go Boogie!!

[Eric]

I like Lawson a little bit but don't understand how he would fit. As far as I can see, this team has two young point guards in the rotation- one (supposedly) a "star" and the other a promising project. Thus they'd have to make a decision if they drafted Lawson. You can't just glue him to the bench Jawai-style and wait for one of Calderon or Ukic to get hurt. This is the 9th pick, after all. If you don't want to trade down, I don't see a player with the #9 contract doing the Will Solomon thing.

I'm happy they're doing their homework with these points but unless they plan to do something I'm not aware of (which is possible!) it might be a waste of time.

[kvn]

Does this mean Boogie's officially signed on to coach? Or do the finer contract details still have to be worked out?

Blogger's note: All details worked out, just a matter of putting pen to paper.

[N]

Not sure why Alvin Williams is being added to the coaching staff. Yes he was a fan favorite for the Raps and played with a lot of heart, but I wouldn't say Alvin is too skilled of a player that demands the respect the young guys. He always seemed like a quiet dude on the team before. Does he have a lot of basketball knowledge? I guess he will be developing the guards while Marc Iv will be working with the bigmen? IMO Jose is already better than Alvin, and not sure if Ukic has a future as a Rap... Marcus Banks could use some work though..

[yertu damkule]

'The internet and chat rooms and discussion forums...are not places where legitimate news breaks.'

absolutely. does this count as 'the internet?'

Blogger's note: I presumed most normal-thinking people would have understood what I meant. I guess I over-estimated the intelligence level of some, better dumb down comments.

[Kelsie]

I'm glad that we're trying to establish a little history with the Raps. Most people who watched Alvin play has high regard for him. He played hard all of the time and was a key piece of some of the more successful teams in Raps history. He also seemed a little bit more outspoken than normal in his interview yesterday and energetic about this opportunity. It's good to see him back.

So Johnson looked good you say? Any specifics on Kelly's take on him? He was an interesting player with that Demon Deacon team last year and is a physical wing that doesn't do anything spectacularly but does everything well. I'm glad we had him in.

Derozan doesn't want to work out? Shameful. I don't suppose there's any word on Evans or Jennings coming in next week?

Blogger's note: Nothing yet on Evans or Jennings, I'd be surprised if they came in. Nothing specific on Johnson, they like his size, that's for sure.

[mary]

hey doug, when are the next workouts at the ACC? do they only have one set left?
when do you think you'll get a sense of whom they're targeting at 9?

Blogger's note: They're trying to schedule something for Tuesday; I think a more firm list will develop after that. It's partially formed now but it's also reactionary depending on what half a dozen other teams do. It's not really going to matter who they "target" if he's gone.

[Nick]

I've always liked Alvin but I was very impressed with his maturity and knowledge on player development side of the game. Good hiring (if happens).

[Jason]

i'm cool with the raptors looking at Ty Lawson but I don't think he should be their pick with the 9th pick. I'm basing this on the fact that a lot of people have him signifacantly lower so I think if they really want him, they should trade their pick so they go later in the draft (or trade on draft day so they can get him for sure). But really, the raptors have so many question marks at this time (Marion, Parker may be gone, weak bench right now so who are they going to get, etc.) as long as they get a decent player in the draft, I'm happy. It would be nice to get DeRozan to watch him dunk because I have a bad feeling with the upcoming season. If they get beat like they did the past season, I want to at least see some highlight reel dunks.

[fg]

Hey readers,
GIVE ME A BREAK DOUG, damkule is right...
This is the internet, just look at the rumours you spread with your man crush on rasho, canadians and ex favourites, you spread romours aswell.... and drop the ball half the time on your stories

'The internet and chat rooms and discussion forums...are not places where legitimate news breaks.'

absolutely. does this count as 'the internet?'

Blogger's note: I presumed most normal-thinking people would have understood what I meant. I guess I over-estimated the intelligence level of some, better dumb down comments.

[Eric Hustvedt]

Hi, Doug,

What was happening this past year when Bosh (or some other forward) was suddenly dashing to the corner to cover a three-point shot but not arriving in time? It is one of my lasting images from tv (and witnessing it at the last game in Washington). Is it the result of good execution by the opposition, poor defence by the Raps or some of both?

Blogger's note: Both
Eric
Broad Cove, Nova Scotia

[Kelsie]

'IMO Jose is already better than Alvin'

Maybe distributing the ball yes and his jump shot....... but he could learn a whole lot from him on how to defend and play like his life depended on it.

[Justin Edwards]

I have a hard time thinking that someone in Interweb Land has a master plan to spread rumors about a giant Hump for Dooling trade. I am not saying the Raps heard anything or started the chatter but one would think that a trade that minor would have a little truth behind it.

[LeeZ]

Hey Doug, just read this on twincities.com: "A little birdie says that if Kevin McHale remains the Timberwolves' coach, which now seems likely, he'll be required to hire a former NBA head coach as his top assistant for in-depth help. The Wolves will provide McHale with a list of candidates from whom to choose." For the sake of argument, let's assume this is true. We all happen to know a guy with deep Minnesota roots who happens to be an ex-head coach. Think he'd be interested in the gig, or at this stage in his career would he be loath to accept a "demotion"?

Blogger's note: I haven't spoken to anyone like that in 10 days or so, but I'd be surprised if that was a gig he'd take right now.

[Jeff Steele]

Nice article today on Ty Lawson, and happy to hear Alvin's back with the Raps...

I really hope Colangelo has been contacting GM's with first round picks in the draft to work out a deal to obtain that 2nd pick he was mentioning at the end of the season. I think the best picks to pursue are the 18th (belonging to Minnesota who have 3 first round picks) or the 21st (belonging to New Orleans who are desperate for money).

There will be a glut of outstanding point guards available at the 9th pick like Lawson, Flynn and/or Holiday who could all challenge Roko for that backup spot. Then a wing like Terrence Williams, Gerald Henderson or Chase Budinger could be drafted later on with that acquired pick to possibly back up Parker or Delfino at the two and maybe Marion at the three (thinking optimistically here ;-).

So Doug, do you think this a feasible plan of action going after a point guard early or is a wing going to be the top priority with that 9th pick? In my opinion DeRozan is a huge gamble as he only averaged 14ppg for USC last season and at 19 yrs old he will likely be a project who would make minimal contributions in his rookie and sophomore seasons, plus his agent is being rather, um, uncooperative by the sounds of it...

Blogger's note: It's my opinion that the 9th pick in the draft cannot be used on a PG; they have one of those, they have very few wings

[Steph]

Doug, please don't let the few fools speak for the majority of us.

Dear fools, take what Doug gives you. I don't always agree with Doug's take on things but I appreciate the fact that he takes the time to keep us informed, increase our knowledge level about the game, the players and at this time of year, the process. Doug actually deals with people who make decisions in the NBA.

So if you can't disagree without making it personal, don't read his stuff. Go elsewhere for your (lack of) knowledge and (bad)insight.

[yertu damkule]

jeff - 14ppg for a freshman in a legit conf. isn't bad at all. scoring in general in college is far below that what is seen in the NBA (most NBA teams avg in the mid-high 90's per game; most college teams are closer to 60). the lack of a workout from him isn't positive, but that falls primarily at the feet of his agent.

[Blocked Am-I?]

Is anyone actually surprised that Doug is trashing his readers? That's been his MO this year. Some context on internet runours being wrong and wise insiders like Doug being more accurate: Doug pontificated upon high to the commenters on his blog (nothing like trashing the people that support you!) about Sam NOT being fired; he ripped multiple commenters because he had not heard Sam was on the firing block, and made clear that according to his sources, Sam was safe ... oops, guess not. Learn from your arrogant mistakes Doug - no one EVER has it right all of the time. Unless you're willing to apologize to the people you trashed re: Sam (when they wer in fact correct, and you were wrong), you should stop acting as the authority on all matters Raptor related. BTW - will you (finally) eat crow if the trade happens?

Blogger's note: Oh, revisionist historians abound. The Sam issue, old and tiresome to many except, well, you, was this: When I wrote that his job was not in jeopardy, it wasn't. Believe it or not, I couldn't care less. And, if you've actually been paying attention, it's been my long-held opinion that they shouldn't have fired him when they did. Again, believe it or not, I really couldn't care less.
And yes, if they trade Kris Humphries for Keyon Dooling I will apologize. And, if they don't, will you? That, I doubt.

[Blocked Am-I?]

Steph - you're quite right. In regards to the "So if you can't disagree without making it personal" comment, did you read Doug's response to Darmulke? You don't think he's making it personal by implying the this person is not a 'normal thinking person' and that he 'over estimated' their intelligence and will have to 'dumb it down'?

[Marc in Burlington]

Hola Doug,

Remember the good ol' days?

Covering the Olympics for a month -- no shortage of things to write about, away from the crazies for a while during the NBA doldrums.

You will.

[Manny]

Hey Doug, have you had the chance to speak with Chris Bosh on his thoughts about the Evans-Kapono trade?

Blogger's note: No

[A-kid]

Is Jrue Holiday coming or on the Raptors radar? If so did you like him? Is he able to play 2-gaurd?

Blogger's note: They saw him last week

[kazbid]

i dunno if the dooling hump trade rumors are true or not..but its another trade that makes sense for both teams.

dooling is a good fit as he can play both 1 and 2..although he's better at 2..and the 2/3 spots are going to be the raps biggest weaknesses based on BC's projected roster (from the fan 590 interview he did 2 days ago)

NJ needs more presence inside..and a PF to play along lopez would be helpful..except that hump thinks he's got more game than lopez i bet

[Dallas]

"Blogger's note: It's my opinion that the 9th pick in the draft cannot be used on a PG; they have one of those, they have very few wings"
That's a great a reasoned response as opposed to this which you offered previously:
"A: I know for a fact no one in the Raptor basketball hierarchy shares the opinion that you – and so many others – seem to have about Jose. So, no, they will not look for a point guard in the draft"
Maybe to you, both are saying the same thing, to me, one seems reasonable and the other makes me wonder if you are just responding in contempt to the questions your readers pose. I would doubt any GM would put himself into a corner with a quote like that. Would BC ever come out and say if Rubio, Evens, Curry fall he won’t grab them? WE have had a few pgs in, quite a few, so why do you think they are doing that, to waste money? So i start wondering where your getting this from???
Another one is BC has always given very well thought out responses to questions of Bosh trades. Kind of “We are not going to shop him, we would consider any offer that makes our Basketball team better”. So why would he come right out and said 99.9999% chance No major trade happen at the draft. Yet you seem to just throw it out there. You may more than likely be right, but just for the chance you are not, I wonder why you would choose to put that out there. Especially when your colleagues are all saying the opposite, that a draft day deal could happen. Could happen and should happen are different.
I read you a lot (thanks for all you do, I do appreciate it, if this was ESPN it wouldn't be as good and it would only be in the paid subscriber section) and I start to wonder if you don't almost get caught replying in anger or frustration to the specific question, failing to see how it looks to the other readers. We're not all bad people Doug, we just like to follow the Raptors. Maybe being a bit more selective what comments you post in here would help you and the readers. Why you bother responding to some of them I don't understand. Do you ever struggle with quantity of questions answered versus quality of answers provided, since there’s only so much time in the day? Anyway I don’t mean to bust you chops Doug, just some thoughts.
Thanks

[Blocked Am-I?]

Yes Doug, revisionist historians do abound (you among the best of them). Doesn't matter whether you thought Sam SHOULD have been fired (I didn't think he should have been either, frankly), he was and you missed the scoop while trashing those that thought he would be. I don't for one second believe Colangelo woke up on December 3rd and decided for the first time, with no forethought, that Sam would be fired. So to say his job wasn't in jeopardy is ridiculous - it obviously was, you just didn't know it. Your elitist "I'm a journalist therefore I know better than all non-journalists" thinking is revolting. Have you ever heard of Twitter? Are you familiar with the FACT that many athletes and famous personalities are bypassing direct contact with reporters to break a story on their own terms so as not to be subjected to media bias - allowing readers to form their own opinion? I came back to this blog for the Finals, after not touching it for months (I was tired of your personally trashing those that disagree with you). Today I found you're in fact still at it. Maybe I'm just not a normal thinking person (whatever that means). You are the Pot my man, I'm am the Kettle. Difference is, I know what I am.