Forget the Raptors, how about those junior girls?

Okay, for real, now we’re done with the big Raptors stuff. Honest.

They’ve only got one roster spot, it’s looking more and more like it won’t go to Carlos Delfino (I’d put it at 4-96 right now and there’s no sense of urgency whatsoever to fill it right now.

So time to coast, right? Think we’ll do this usual stuff through Sunday and then get to the old routine, one a week for old time’s sake – maybe looking at a division or two each time out – and a weekly mailbag if you’ve got some good questions.

But, when it gets boring around the Raptors and the NBA, what do we turn to?

Well, we turn to teenage girls basketball and one of the best Canadian stories in quite some time.

While you were sleeping ...

A big win – huge, in fact – for Canada’s Under-19 team at the world junior championships as you can read here.

Not only did Canada qualify for the semi-finals for the first time in 24 years at this event, being assured of a top-four finish – and with two shots at a medal – really validates the development program that’s being put in place by Canada Basketball.

You want some context: Only three times previous has Canada even qualified for these championships – they were eighth in 1985, ninth in 2005 and ninth again in 2007.

It doesn’t get any easier, that’s for sure, because Canada gets the United States in the semis but who knows what this team is capable of.

The names are I’m sure quite unfamiliar to all of you, they were to me and I’m kind of around this group fairly often, but the hope here has to be that they become at least a little more recognizable as the years go on.

I’ve always thought Canada’s women’s program – even up to the senior level – was destined for better things than the men, an opinion developed by talking to people really tied into the development of the game at the junior level.

They may not become WNBA stars but there are more than a few women doing good things at high profile American colleges, the European leagues are littered with Canucks and this new wave seems to be putting Canada truly on the global map.

You can read some reaction from one of the top players here and tune back into this space tomorrow and we’ll see what we can drum up off the semifinal game.

No matter what happens, Canada’s going to play for a medal at a world basketball championship on Sunday and we haven’t been able to say that for quite some time.

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So long, Devean, we hardly knew ye. In fact, we never knew ye. But it got a guy thinking (mostly because I had to do something last night waiting for the baseball coaches meeting/soiree to begin) so ....

The First (And Likely Last) By George Team

Don McLean

No, not the American Pie crooner, the dude who was cap ballast in a 2001 three-team trade.

The principles in that one were Brian Skinner and Ricky Davis, not Don McLean but he was a Raptor, if in name alone, and that gets him on this team.

Kenny Anderson

He was Steve Francis before Steve Francis was Steve Francis, refusing to report when they got him from Portland in the February, 1988 1998 Damon Stoudamire trade.

Doug Smith

No way I was leaving him/me off the list.

So what if he was like the memorable Keith (Mr.) Jennings, Jerome Kersey, Dontonio Wingfield, Andres Guibert, and B.J. Armstong as expansion draft picks who never even made it to camp, his name gets him before all others.

Danny Fortson

Here's the story, which may or may not be true.

Raptors trade Alvin Williams for the tough but undersized Fortson the day before the trade deadline in 2000. Rick Pitino gets killed in the Boston media and as we're all flying to San Fran for Vince's coronation, Celtics rescind the trade because, allegedly, Alvin flunks his physical. Which is strange since he went on to play about a million games after that and Pitino skulked back to college.

Still, Fortson was a Raptor for about 36 hours and never got to the city.

And, ta-da!

Alonzo Mourning

And if by any chance - like he just doesn't feel like it - he can't fulfill his duties as captain of this team, his role will be filled by Rob Babcock, who knew when he made the deal that there was no way Mourning would ever cross the border.

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Yes, it truly is vacation time for the people who run the Raptors. The GM’s taking some down time, which means The Henchmen get a chance to relax, too, and if you’re looking for news, I’m afraid it really is going to slow down an awful lot.

About all we’ve got to look forward to is the regular season schedule and, besides opening at home against Cleveland, I got a couple of other nuggets yesterday.

Orlando’s in right off the bat, on Nov. 1, which is the second home game of the season so the rivalry everyone’s anxious to see continue starts right away.

And, in news that’s purely selfish, we’re home for the holidays for the first time in a long time. No crazy extended road trip broken up by Christmas; a game Dec 23 in Detroit, and home games on the 27th and 29th. Yay.

Anyway, the whole thing should be out the first of the week and that’ll give us something to dissect but the word I’m getting it that it’s one of the best schedules for a light travel load in many a year.

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So, Lamar Odom is headed back to the Lakers.

Colour me not surprised. But I also imagine a lot of Eastern Conference coaches and GMs are quite happy that he played the Heat like a fiddle and didn’t actually sign with a conference rival.

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I couldn't help but notice the first round of the Buick Open over by Flint went off under glorious sunny skies. Some tournaments have all the luck.

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Comments

[Jeremiah]

Hey Doug,

When does the window close for the Raptors to offer Chris Bosh an extension?

Blogger's note: Not sure that it does..

[Takashi]

Doug, I read in an Italian paper that the Raptors will hold a news conference today to introduce Marco. Any true to that?

Blogger's note: No, not here since everyone's in Italy

[Matt Kovacs-age 12]

Hey Doug, well the first two games might be the toughest two but it's a great test for the raps.

[tino]

Just a small nuggett: Belinelli will wear n.r "0", as a starting
over kind of thing.
Was there anyone else wearing it for the Raps before him?

Blogger's note: No, three players have worn 00, no one's worn 0

[Steph]

Doug, don't plan on that break just yet. I think Mr. Colangelo is working on trading away Ukic. Question time. Are the Raptors the most improved team on paper so far during the off season? Thanks

Blogger's note: On paper? Most different, not sure about most improved

[DirtNasty]

Doug, You have any idea what the date of the home opener is? (I realize it's subject to change so I won't hold you to it)

Enjoy the break!

Blogger's note:Oct 28

[mark]

If Colangelo does a sign-and-trade with Delfino, how much salary can he take back?

Blogger's note: Got about $5 million before hitting the tax level

[KX]

1998 Damon Stoudamire trade right?

[Raps Fan]

GREAT BLOG!!!

Doug, do you think that the Raptors should get Hakim Warrick? A guy who can play the 3&4 when Hedo is injured?

Who would you rather have if you were a GM:
- Randy Foyle and O.J Mayo
or
-Ricky Rubio and Jonny Fylnn?

Blogger's note: No, and I don't do those kind of things

[Ryan]

Hey Doug, I think if the Raptors traded Damon in 1988, that would have to be one of the greatest trades in history. Not only did it happen while the player was probably still in grade 9, it happened before the team existed! Now THAT'S foresight!

Sorry Doug, it was too good of a typo to leave unjabbed! :)

[greg max]

wow doug over 100 posts in yesterdays Blog, I think you can take credit for having the hottest Blog for this year's off season throughout the NBA. Congrats. Keep up the good work.

[Jimmy Zachariah]

Question Doug. If the Raps don't sign Delfino, do you see Joey Graham coming back on a minimum contract to help the depth at the 3 a bit? I haven't heard his name at all this summer and I happen to think he showed he can add a bit of athletisicm and toughness to this roster at very little cost. Not to mention it couldn't hurt to have another guy that's familiar with the surroundings given all the roster changes. Has Raptors management completely written him off?

Blogger's note: No, I don't see it at all

[TJ]

Good day sir. Hope you get a chance to relax.
To all of you out there who are finding fault with our euro stacked team, have pause. While there a lot of people out there who call them soft, remember that euros also have a rep for being fundamentally sound and they play good team ball. What's wrong with those ideals? BC has put together a team that seems to put 'team' first, and that's good for chemistry.
Sure teams in the east have stacked up with some former all stars and great rotation players, but so have the Raps. We (BC) just decided to make our team a little more worldly.
We have a decent deep team (except for the 3). BC has made us matter again in the east!
We have depth, talent, and a good (unproven be it) coach, let's all do what's right and wait atleast until the first preseason game before we start to think we could do better then out GM.
Boston is still old
Cavs are a mix and match of talent
Orlando is still young
so beside those 3, who has a better rotation ATM then the raps?
On paper we look great, so until our paper turns into a real game let's all sit back and do what Doug should be doing.... And that is enjoying summer and a cold one on a patio somewhere, be it your own back yard or nice place where a cutie brings it to you and gives you a nice smile.
Cheers

[JW]

This was written by some sports analyst on realgm.com with regards to the recent moves BC has made.

"It seems as if Colangelo is sitting on his couch playing NBA 2k9 and taking whatever players he wants from other computer controlled teams because of stupid AI. Either that or he’s walking around the ACC listening to ‘I Run This Town’ by Jay-Z ft. Rihanna and Kanye West."

[Bryan h]

Doug,
check your dates for the 1988 Kenny Anderson transaction. Typo.

[jesse]

Pops wrote on twitter that he'll be back in a Raps uniform. Is he delusional or does he have a promise from BC?

Blogger's note: I don't know

[doug]

yea congrats to the girls...that was a huge win, really, really unbelievable as the Aussies were 7-0 in the tourney rolling over everyone and in some circles a chance to win it all.....so good work girls, I mentioned earlier I thought they were a 4th place team but schedule would probaly give them 8th or so as they played tough against the Russians and the States....they have played the top 4 teams in the world out of their 8 games...and to reach the semis needs to be not only acknowledged but heartily applauded...

[:D]

HOW ABOUT NOO!!

[anthony.mackay]

What can I ask that hasn't already been asked several times...

Have you ever seen Jose dunk, even in a warm up or practice? Is the rook double D really a high flier like everyone says, windmills, double pumps and all?

Enjoy the long weekend !

Blogger's note: Yes, in games last year. And I hear DeRozan jumps high which is all nice and good for highlight reels, I'd rather know if he can shoot coming off screens and defend anyone

[Wallace]

Thanks Doug for keeping all of us informed and entertained during the off season.

It would seem that all that's left to do is one of the following:

-Stay with a 14 man roster and have Antoine Wright as the backup 3.
-Sign a minimum veteran as the backup 3 and have Triano manage the minutes at 1 and 2 to accomodate
everyone.
-Trade Ukic (if possible) for a backup 3 and alleviate a little of the guard glut.

In your considered opinion what should they do...and...what will they do?

Blogger's note: Personally? I'd do one but two in a pinch and not three at all

[Richard Spackman]

Doug:
While brousing blogs I found 1): http://blogs.mercurynews.com/kawakami/2009/07/29/warriors-give-away-belinelli-officially-for-devean-george-unofficially-for-no-apparent-reason/ , which has a link to 2): http://www.ibabuzz.com/warriors/2009/07/29/belinelli-traded-to-toronto/ about the Belinelli Trade. Is Chris Cohan, the Golden State Warriors owner, the same person that responds to this, 1):, blog?
Brandan Wright: http://www.nba.com/playerfile/brandan_wright/index.html?nav=page might be available as GSW might move him. He's making $2.67 Million this year, $3.39 Million Team Option next year. Is this worth considering?

[Mo]

Hey Doug happy friday, sorry doug and ladies but I find womens b-ball about as interesting as a visit to my dentist. back to the raptors... Why don't you think Antoine Wright can play the 8-10 mins they need at the backup 3. According to the scouting reports I have read on him. he is 6'7 with a big wingspan and he has started several games for the Mavericks and Nets at the 3 spot. Rick Carlisle even stated he was the Mavs best perimiter defender. But he can't handle 10 mins at the 3 for the Raptors? I dont get it.

Blogger's note: I don't think I ever said he couldn't; in fact, the other day I suggested he would

[pitbull]

hey doug, is there gonna be a conference for him or rasho?

Blogger's note: Nope

[Tim W.]

Any chance Colangelo trades for Quentin Richardson for a few days like everyone else is? We could then add him to your list.

[Mathew]

Well at least we get two tough games out of the way early. Better than facing those teams when they've hit their stride I suppose.

Anything could be better than last years schedule.