We now turn our attention to ... I don't know

Well, at least the golf is done. A day later than expected and after a couple of extra holes just to make the whole dang thing longer than anyone expected which leaves a guy to wonder: What the heck do I do now?

Well, there is some vacation to take, some of my own golf to be played and a big ol’ deck just crying out for some companionship (along with a handful of patios, I’d imagine, if there are any that are open and inviting) but for this little neck of the cyber-world, I’m not too sure.

At least last summer, we had Beijing with some hoops, some water polo (how do they get those horses in the water?) and some of the biggest, scariest bugs you ever saw (remember that one?).

This year? Nada.

So, while we try to figure out what, if anything, we do here. I suppose a series of campfire stories and tales from the deck might suffice but I imagine they'd get old in a hurry.

But, for today at least, there’s this to pass the time:

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As usually happens this time of year – when the NBA really goes on vacation – attention gets paid to international competition.

And while there was going to be all kinds of hue and cry over Jose playing for Spain in September’s European champions, if he’d decided to, wonder if anyone’s overly concerned about the rather significant number of his Raptors teammates who are going to see action next month and in September.

We know Roko is playing for Croatia and we all know Andrea’s going to play for Italy in the final qualification event – and then maybe EuroBasket – in what’s going to be a pretty busy summer.

But there are others.

I’m not entirely clear on Rasho’s obligation to Slovenia, although I don’t remember him taking a summer off, and Hedo is all set to play for Turkey at an exhibition tournament early next month in London and is scheduled to participate in the big September event in Poland.

Oh, and Pops has been called to the England side – in case the zillion of the Legend Lovers out there were unaware.

I think you know my feelings on things like this: Appearances for national teams means far more to the European-born players than you can ever imagine and, if they want to play, they should go ahead and play.

Doesn’t lessen the angst among fans, though, does it?

But one thing it does is provide some basketball interest in the dog days of August and September and if we’re going to keep this little exercise going in some reduced form, the more games and news, the better.

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Oh, here’s a verbatim report from someone I trust on Andrea in an exhibition game against Canada on the weekend:

“He looked very confident, almost “cocky”…..and the team seems to have finally recognized his leadership, working the pick & roll play for him.”

Take that however you like.

Italy beat all three teams at the exhibition tournament – Canada, New Zealand and Portugal – and Canada beat Portugal and New Zealand. The Tall Blacks beat Portugal.

Not sure what that means, if anything, to the Canadians, who have one more exhibition game against Italy on this leg of their preparation tour for the world qualifier in Puerto Rico in late August-early September.

The group that went to Italy included nine, maybe 10 of the players that’ll go try to grab a berth in the 2010 worlds in Turkey and the more games they play has to be a good thing.

We’ll catch up with the Canucks when they get back and get working again, around the middle of August.

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Apropos of absolutely nothing, all that rain out at the Abbey reminded me of a story:

Lightning bolts all around, thunder booming, rain pelting down and here comes a guy striding off the golf course holding a club aloft over his head.

“What in the world are you doing,” the crowd screams. “Don’t you know how dangerous it is?”

“Ach, laddie,” said Angus. “I’m fine. Even God can’t hit a 2-iron.”

I’m here all week, folks, enjoy the veal.

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You people been following this Lamar Odom nonsense out there?

Short version: Lakers offer something like three years $27 million; he wants four-$36 million. Lakers pull offer, Miami gets in the picture with 5-year, $34 million full mid-level thing and Odom’s eyes light up. One day he’s going back to the Heat, one day he’s going to talk again to the Lakers.

Lather, rinse, repeat.

The best speculation I’ve heard – and that’s all it is – is that Odom’s using Miami’s lower offer as leverage against the Lakers and will end up going back to L.A. in the end.

I will say this:

If the Lakers end up, in effect, trading Lamar Odom and Trevor Ariza for Ron Artest, they are no longer the summer favourites to win the West.

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There’s a report out there – well, here, actually – that says the Celtics and Pacers are looking for a third team to consummate the trade involving Marquis Daniels.

Two words: Call Memphis.

After all, aren’t the Grizzlies just the nicest facilitators of trades that do nothing for them but help others?

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Oh yeah, the Under-19 girls haven’t started today’s game against unbeaten Spain yet so there’s nothing new to report. But judging by past results, it’ll take an upset of biblical proportions for Canada to win and they’ll need to knock off China tomorrow and hope the United States does the expected and beats Japan to have a chance at a top-eight finish.

Luckily, tomorrow’s game’s in the middle of the night here so we can get something in the morning; if you want to check later today on Canada-Spain, go here.

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Comments

[DBro]

Look out Doug -- looks like the NY Post got wind of your 'Knick irrelevant' comments yesterday....

http://blogs.nypost.com/sports/backpage/archives/2009/07/raptors_writer.html

I'm sure you'll get some interested comments today from the Canada-haters south of the 49th who obviously got their noses out of joint because your comments didn't come from a 'Celtic, Laker or Jazz' beat writer.

The best part -- you were bang on and I think Knick fans know it. This team is going to be left without a dance partner after the big summer of 2010 and yes Knick fans, your team is indeed irrelevant for the forseeable future.

[Rav]

Doug, per your sources, was everyone in the front office fine with Hedo playing for Turkey this summer considering he is of a different ahem, vintage, than roko and bargs?

Blogger's note: Everyone was cool

[DirtNasty]

Any idea on when the schedule is going to be released?

Blogger's note: No idea; I'd guess within the next couple of weeks.

[Derik Foulem]

Looks like you might of rubbed someone at the NY Post the wrong way Doug: http://blogs.nypost.com/sports/backpage/archives/2009/07/raptors_writer.html

[Rav]

Doug article about you in the Post!

http://blogs.nypost.com/sports/backpage/archives/2009/07/raptors_writer.html

[Matt Kovacs - Age 12]

Marquis Daniels with the celtics... I dont like it. Because isnt he like over the age of 32, and that just adds more age to the celtics?

[Johnn19]

Raptor's need for a Small Forward:

Plan A, sign Carlos Delfino.

Plan B ?????

Can you suggest some alternates that BC has in mind, he must have a fall back plan if he cannot sell Delfino on joining.

Blogger's note: Not at the moment, I can't. The people I talk to aren't around and there's no sense me guessing at how they think

[greg max]

way to represent on the nypost site DBro. The Knicks suck from top to bottom and the Nets have a way better chance of landing Lebron than the Knicks. The Knicks right now have made bad personnel decisions that puts them on the level of the Clippers,Warriors and Grizzlies. They are in fact worst because of how much money they spent getting that bad. The raptors began this offseason loaded with cash and cap and made the moves to win now. Can't say the same for the Knicks who are gambling on the future.

[Vittorio De Zen]

Marquis Daniels is 28.

As for Odom... I sincerely hope he's only using the Heat for leverage, as I want to see him back in L.A.

Still think they're the favourites to win the West, even without him, but they'd definitely be less scary than they were with Odom.

[gotgame]

Your assesment of the knicks was entirely on point, and the writer of that blog was more steamaed about where the opinion was coming from (toronto's finest Doug Smith) than the opinion itself. Doug ... you have one of the biggest followings of a sports writer that I can see on the net. Most posts to your blog pull in at least 60 comments, and those are the days when you're too busy (lazy?) to post the hundreds that actually come in. Great job .... and we all got your back. Hey ... did you know that hoopshype.com posts your twitter feed amongst all the top journalists/sources/athletes?

By the way .. forget the knicks, can't help but get excited for the upcoming Orlando Toronto rivalry. Carter and Turkoglu pitted against their former teams, not to mention the history from 2 seasons ago matching up in the first round. Should be fun.

[Wallace]

Hi Doug,

I guess it is a given that with so many European players on the roster, the Raptors have to adopt the stance they have in allowing them to play for their national teams. But they can't be happy with it. I'm sure the contracts are heavily insured so it isn't a money thing. But if Andrea or Hedo blows out a knee trying to dunk over some player from Moldovia, there goes the season. Then we'll see how sanguine the MLSE boys and the season ticket holders are.

[G]

That NYPost writer wants 100 twitter followers. Maybe in this quiet time, Doug can enter into a race with him. Put some BEvERages up for grabs.

[doug]

good work on the Open...I see where Stephen Ames gave a autographed hat to all the groundskeepers good for him as they did yeomans work..also he said what I have been saying for years it's a National Open not the Glen Abbey Open, move it around the country I hope RBC demands it as they call the shots not Cublink or the old boys network of the RCGA, for the next 2 years it is going elsewhere they need to set a set rotation......

I'd rather have players playing then sitting around all summer, they've did it their whole lives playing b-ball from morning to night,hour after hour their use to it if injury happens it happens...such is life

[Kadz]

LOL at the NY Post blog. They're a sensitive bunch, aren't they? I guess that's what covering the Knicks can do.

[RK]

Rasho is not going to play for Slovenia this summer. He officially retired last year, after our team failed to qualify for the Olympics. Rasho said it's time for the younger guys to step up, so he should be well rested for the upcoming NBA season.

Blogger's note: Thanks

[Andrew]

Hey Doug, I apologize in advance for the rant.

Does the Emeka Okafor and Tyson Chandler swap make ANY sense to you? Emeka seems like a less aggressive David West and has like 4 more years on his contract than Tyson. Plus I'm pretty sure CP3 is really good friends with Tyson. Also, now the Hornets have to play Melvin Ely or Emeka at center... This seems like one of the least thought out trades ever. What is wrong with the people in New Orleans? I thought they were trying to cut cap not add dead weight?

Blogger's note: It does seem confusing at the New Orleans end, doesn't it? Haven't had a chance to talk to anyone for an explanation

[Paul]

I think this part is funny:
"And just so Doug knows we do a good enough job of ripping the Knicks down here and don't need his help"

[Mike]

RE: NY Post 'Knick irrelevant' comments yesterday....

Doug....Don't worry, we got your back. Clearly, they don't have anything to write about. I guarantee, if we were in November or April, your comments would have been buried in a whining journalist's paragraph for the sake of "filler". Please don't let this sh%^ bother you or intimidate your innate ability to write the truth.

Keep up the good work my friend!

[imran]

My man doug....any response to the blog post written about ur statement?

Blogger's note: No, the last thing I need to do is get into a war of words with someone from the New York Post. No one wins that one.

[SJA]

Hey Doug,
Seems a Knicks writer wasn't to happy with you bashing the knicks?
Did you see this? http://blogs.nypost.com/sports/backpage/archives/2009/07/raptors_writer.html

SJA

[ChrisR]

Hi Doug,

I still don't see any confirmation of the Rasho signing on the Raptors website. Is the ink on paper?

Thank you

Blogger's note: No, not yet

[jesse]

Like anyone part of sports, you got to have thick skin

[Brian]

Doug,

I may be wrong here but I believe that quote may belong to Lee Trevino. After being hit by lighting, Trevino said that next time he picks up a 1-Iron because even God could'nt hit a 1-Iron.

Blogger's note: I believe you might be right; my mind's a big foggy at times

[RC]

I guess you can't call a spade a spade, huh Doug? How dare we lowly Raps people say anything about the mighty Knicks! I have to admit that I read the Post article with a bit of glee.

[Jacques]

Hey Doug,

Any word on Sasha Pavlovic being waived or traded, and if the Raps would want him instead of Carlos. Thanks for your time.

Blogger's note: No, and I don't imagine so