On Jalen and a day of worldwide pickup games

Morning, everyone.

Another quiet day yesterday (this series really needs some player or coach to say something inflammatory, doesn’t it?) but at least we get back to the game tonight.

Two days off might be nice for the players to rest and recuperate; it’s killing us looking for good stories. But now we get game, day off, game, day off, game and there might be some momentum built.

Don’t forget we’re back here just before 8 to do an in-game blog and be there right on time because they aren’t wasting a lot of time getting things started; I’m told tips at seven minutes after the hour are certain for these games.

Until then …

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You gotta love Jalen.

The big ESPN breakfast yesterday – chatting with Mark Jackson, Hubie Brown, Dr. Jack and, supposedly, our old friend J – unfolds for about an hour and there’s no Rose.

So I’m wandering outside over to Starbucks, hugely disappointed that I didn’t get a chance to see Jalen spread his unique brand of early morning cheer, when this big old Range Rover-ish thing pulls up, the door opens and there’s he is, all his Jalen Glory, sunglasses on, cellphone at his ear, big smile. Seems he’d been at a doctor’s appointment – even had the band-aid in the crook of his elbow where they took some blood – but was stopping by for his breakfast.

After stopping to have a picture taken with some passersby, he sees a familiar face, big hug, handshake, a ‘how are you?’ and then he gets right to the heart of the matter.

“How are they going to fix that mess north of the border? Bringing back Delfino going to be their big move of the summer? What’s that?”

And then he’s off, up the stairs to hang out.

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So, what’s going to happen tonight?

I wish I knew but it’s impossible to get a really good feel for either of these teams right at the moment.

The Lakers were as good as they’ve been in the entire playoffs the other night but we’ve all seen them stumble at various points in the post-season.

The Magic haven’t been as bad as they were in Game 1 the entire playoffs, either, but they’ve shown a great resiliency over the course of the first three rounds.

So, it has to be a good game, right?

Well, it’s only going to be a good game if the Magic make some three-pointers – saw a replay of Game 1 and the number of open shots they missed was shocking – and if the Lakers don’t dominate the paint.

I do think the Magic are okay with Kobe getting between 30 and 40 as long as they shut down the other guys (as they did in the Cleveland series) but they cannot get out-scored by 30 in the paint and survive.

Maybe it’s just wishful thinking, and because I saw this series going the distance, but I do expect the Magic to get it together and at least give themselves a chance to win. Which I think they’ll do.

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I’m pretty sure not many of you caught the big WNBA opener here yesterday (Sparks 78, Shock 58, by the way) but if you did, perhaps you saw the thin edge of the uniform wedge.

The Sparks showed up not with “Los Angeles” on their jerseys, or even “Sparks” or even some snazzy motto dreamed up by marketers. They showed up with “Farmers” stitched across the front, the name of some insurance company or something. Phoenix has the same thing going on, too.

So, does that mean it’s coming to the NBA? Well, David Stern said “I don’t think we’re going to see it any time soon” but then added a codicil.

“We'll study it. I just saw that an insurance company replaced AIG on Manchester United's uniform for a price. If you have an offer you'd like to make for the owners, I'm prepared to receive it, but right now it's not for sale in the NBA.”

Soon, I have a feeling, it might be.

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As I’ve finished this up, just got done watching some tennis on TV and, apropos of nothing to do with hoops, I’ve got to think Roger Federer might be my favourite athlete in the world.

Classy, unbelievably skilled, seems like a really good guy.

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The next time we’re all stuck on the Gardiner or the 401 or QEW and cursing traffic, take solace that you don’t live in this armpit of transportation.

Seriously, we’ve travelled from the home base in Hollywood to the downtown Staples Centre for games and practices and yesterday we had to go to El Segundo to the Laker practice facility because the arena was being used for the Farmers-Shock game and every single time – morning, afternoon, night – the freeways we use are stopped. Dead stopped.

An eight-mile trip takes 45 minutes. It takes 10 minutes to get down the ramp on the freeway.

This city blows when it comes to traffic.

Digression done.

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This is a very cool thing.

It’s a plan to get every pickup player on the planet – or at least a few million of you -- playing on Wednesday.

Sean, the fella in the video you can see by clicking here, is a Toronto guy who’s a friend and this just seems to me to be a pretty cool thing to try and pull off.

Not for some hugely altruistic reason of saving the world or anything, but just because it’d be neat to know you’re missing a 15-footer at the same time some girl in Ghana or boy in Beijing is.

If you can’t get enough information off that site just mentioned, here’s a Facebook place you can look, too.

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Hey, to give me something to do on my flight home, and to make sure I’ve got something of substance to put here Tuesday morning, the mailbox could use some submissions.

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This was rather unique.

The Clippers worked out presumptive No. 1 draft pick Blake Griffin yesterday at their practice facility here and they invited an audience.

Usually, the workouts are open only to the media and only at the end, long after the real work has been done; and some teams don’t even provide that kind of opportunity.

But the Clips, who need the publicity and need something good to happen more than any other team in the league, not only let writers in to see the entire session, they had about 150 or so season ticket holders in the gym, too.

A couple of guys I know who went said Griffin looked really good, a lot bigger than you’d think, really powerful but his mid-range jumper was very, very ordinary.

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Comments

[Matt]

so doug, do you think BC would ever think about reacquiring Vince? If the deal was Kapono/Banks/Filler/9th for VC/Filler do you think he would do it? I mean Vince would bring this team back up the standings and into contention in my opinion. a starting lineup of Jose/VC/Marion/Bosh/Bargnani would be one of the top teams in the league i dont see how that wouldnt keep bosh happy making him stay. He seems like the only 2 guard on the market but perfect for our team. Can create, good passer, get to the rim, clutch scorer i really see this as the best move this offseason.

Sure salvage the future like Derozan(#9) for Carter but its too keep your franchise in Toronto and make a lot of money through ticket sales. You dont think MLSE would benefit from Vince coming back + the media attention we would get. What do you think any chance BC would even think about it?

Blogger's note: I'm not sure how more clearly I can put it. NO. And please, NO MORE VINCE QUESTIONS.
Thanks

[Thomas]

The vince proposition really isn't a bad one... I've hated Vince as much/more then the average fan since he left, but you gotta admit he is what this team needs. Not saying it would work with prides and egos and all that but player-wise it is true. Agree/Disagree?

[Marcus]

Let's discuss the number one issue in Raptorland - Chris Bosh.

The fact that he said he won't extend this summer is no surprise but the big news is that he still thinks he is worth max money.

I think we should spend some time discussing trade scenarios in and around draft day. I'd rather have strong 2 guys with $11/12 million contracts than to tie up 30% of the cap on Bosh is good, not great. Discuss?

[Matthieu]

Roger !!!! Not a great final but well, that'll do for making Doug, a couple of Swiss and other people happy ;)

[Joe T.]

It's bad enough that arenas are now named after corporations rather than clever names that might have something to do with the city or team that plays there. But the second corporate names replace team names on NBA jerseys is the second I stop watching NBA basketball. I hope I'm not alone in this...

[bballer]

jalen rose summed it all up for real hoop fans - delfino wasn't the answer before and will never be the answer. the raps need a real threat at the 2/3 spot. until that day happens, we will always be one and done in the playoffs.

[Sean P]

The Jalen comment actually made me laugh out loud (while maybe just a stilfed hah).
I love brutal honesty.

[Nick]

Exactly what I wanted to say for thos Bring-back-Delfino band wangon riders. Thank you Jalen.

[Marc M]

Again, Manchester United, a team worth close to a billion dollars features the name of sponsor on their shirt. This is true of a majority of soccer teams. Why would it be the downfall of the NBA if it happened?

How about the Raptors jersey with a Chick-fil-A or Lever 2000 logo or the Knicks with a Huggies Pull-ups logo?

[Mr. Cook]

On corporate sponsorships: I don't see it working with the tradition that some of the NBA teams have. Do you really see the LA Lakers, the Chicago Bulls, the Knicks or the Celtics giving up their storied names as the focal point of the jersey and replacing it with "Company that stole all your money and now needs your tax dollars"? No. The market in football (European) is entirely different and it's an entirely different business model for the leagues--and it works well there, nobody seems to mind.

On the other hand, you'd be crazy to think that having the name of a corporate sponsor would change the game at all. The NBA is a business, pure and simple. Just like every other professional sport. Virtually everything you think, see or feel about the game beyond the athletic skill and talent on the floor is a marketing firm directed feeling. Your team loyalty, where do you think that idea comes from? Yeah.

Now then...

Chris Bosh absolutely deserves max money. You put another legitimate scoring danger, and perhaps one more supporting scorer on the floor with him (that is to say, people the other team will find worth guarding) and he'll be a premier PF. He just needs to work on his defense.

Delfino is not the answer.

The Vince questions are the silliest questions this blog sees.

I hear LA is worse than London for traffic and I don't know how much time you spend in the UK Doug, but is that true? At least London has a great tube system as an alternative.

[Matt]

first off doug has BC even mentioned the fact that he wouldnt look into this or are you saying this off your opinion. You cant tell me that starting lineup wont go far, any prospect at #9 will take time to develop Vince contributes right away and is the perfect SG for this team

Never has he said anything bad about the organization. He might be hated by some but do you think if he came back and dropped 20 the first game people would be booing? If were top in the eastern conference do you think people would hate him then. Answer is no, Vince is a team player and hes the perfect SG for this team and he seems like the only one available.

Also dont act like ive asked this question before and youve answered it because you never had, its the first time ive asked it and gotten a response.

So again what are you basing this on? the fact that BC has said this to you that he wouldnt bring back vince or the fact that its your opinion and you just dont want Vince back? If you dont think it would raise MLSE ticket sales, raise our record make us contenders and keep bosh happy all in one move your wrong. Again though you wont give mee a detailed response as usual.

Blogger's note: You really, seriously, have to let this go. I'm saying, for about the 10th time, that NO ONE IN THE ORGANIZATION THAT I TALK TO (and I'm sure you can figure out who those people might be given that no one can speaking publicly about a player under contract to another team) HAVE EVER EXPRESSED THE SLIGHTEST INTEREST in a 30-year-old jump-shooting swingman with three years and more than $50 million left on his contract.
There is as much chance of obtaining Kobe Bryant as Vince Carter.
I honestly couldn't care less whether you trust my sources or not, it is NOT going to happen and you need to move on. This is three today and I'm done with it.
Thanks, though, for reading

[Lorie]

Hey, thanks for the info on the Global Village Basketball! Never would have heard about this effort with your link...I love this kind of global connectivenss thing, and know some other neighborhood old "basketball moms" who will have a blast taking part in it with me! (And maybe the kids will even let us win this time.)