What's that? Vacation, you say? Don't mind if I do

I know tens of you will be crushed to hear this but this is going to be such a slow week that yours truly is going to try to get – gasp! – a week of vacation in.

There’s a deck that’s calling, a golf game that needs some work, a baseball team that needs some love and attention, I’m pretty sure I could be convinced to while away a few hours on a patio daily if need be and some rest and relaxation that’s long overdue.

Of course, if something happens we’ll be back here (and I’m pretty sure I just jinxed the whole vacation idea by talking about it) and I’ll probably get on here once or twice a day to see if there are any comments but this whole get-up-at-six-in-the-morning-to-feed-the-beast thing is going on hiatus.

Those who know how to reach me know how to reach me and it’ll be nice to hear from you.

Other than that, though, it’s a week of taking calls and e-mails, not making them.

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So, where are we?

Not much different from where were on Friday, except for that whole offer-sheet-to-Jarrett-Jack thingy that happened Saturday night.

Regardless of that offer, the Raptors still have a great interest in Carlos Delfino – the Jack deal should have no impact on that, according to one of my higher placed Toronto sources – and I would imagine the phone lines between Toronto (or Vegas) and Ljubljana, Slovenia, will be crackling even more this week.

I’m sure there are fallbacks in all three cases (I know Kleiza would be Plan B if the Jack thing unexpectedly falls apart) but, in their perfect world, they do Delfino, Rasho and the work is done for now.

Remember: They have 12 guaranteed contracts right at the moment and Jack, Carlos and Rasho bring ‘em to 15 and then they’re done. And I’ll say this right now: Training camp will be about teaching the guys they’ve got what they want them to do; there will not be any competition for roster spots it appears at the moment.

That should make those five days on the lovely campus at Carleton very stress-free. Just as we like it.

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Okay, let’s say they get the three guys they want and the roster is as we expect.

How’s the depth chart?

Well, going on the assumption that they play 10 regularly (and it could very well end up being nine), my 10 would be:

Jose, DeRozan, Turkoglu, Bosh, Bargnani, Jack, Delfino, Evans, Nesterovic and the only place there’s competition is to see who plays some backup three. Could be that Wright sneaks in there and Delfino’s a three two. Or Douby gets some time at the two and Delfino’s a three for parts of games.

That would leave Roko, George, O’Bryant, Douby or Wright, and Banks as the odd guys out of the regular rotation.

The starting two-guard’s the only question mark of note in this scenario and it will depend on how the kid develops.

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Hey, they’re 0-2 at Summer League and no one has suggested today’s a “must win.”

Good job, people.

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We know there are probably two things left for Toronto to do, right?

Make the final call on Delfino and Rasho or some reasonable facsimile.

So, when?

Well, to inconvenience me – and it’s all about me – it would be this week but there’s another reason to think these things might get wrapped up in the next little while.

Surely to goodness, Bryan Colangelo has to get some vacation, right? The dude’s been working harder than I have in the last five weeks, he needs some R and R.

And, if you recall over the course of time, the NBA generally shuts down for almost all of August, with the exception of maybe some minor signings. That’s when everyone seems to sit back and take much-needed deep breaths.

Them and me.

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Oh yeah, they finished it all at the Under-19 worlds in Auckland and the Americans ended up winning the gold meal, which will be greeted by some as ho-hum, expected news.

Except, that is, when you consider the last time they won it was in 1991.

Canada? Well, they beat France to finish seventh, which is far from a bad result.

Next up: The Under-19 women’s worlds start July 23 in Thailand. We’ll stay on top of that one, too.

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Looks like we’re going to have to wait a wee bit to meet up with Antoine Wright and Devean George.

The usual thing to do would have had them come to Toronto to get their physicals and they could have had a nice dog-and-pony show for the media.

Well, I’ve heard the physicals portion of the trade requirements was waived and if the two do anything, it’ll be to jet out to Vegas this week sometime to meet up with the Raptors coaches and get summer marching orders from them.

First time we might see them here will be in September when the players start dropping back in for those well-scheduled “informal workouts” that precede training camp.

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Okay, told you it’d be short and sweet. I’m off to let the chiropractor work her magic and check out the first part of the long to-do list around the house.

Talk to you when I talk to you.

Comments

[AAAA]

thx doug!

really appreciate the updates on the U19s!

[sean]

"Well, going on the assumption that they play 10 regularly (and it could very well end up being nine), my 10 would be:
Jose, DeRozan, Turkoglu, Bosh, Bargnani, Jack, Delfino, Evans, Nesterovic and the only place there’s competition is to see who plays some backup three. Could be that Wright sneaks in there and Delfino’s a three two. Or Douby gets some time at the two and Delfino’s a three for parts of games.
That would leave Roko, George, O’Bryant, Douby or Wright, and Banks as the odd guys out of the regular rotation. "

We shouldn't be writing off Wright and George. There's a reason why they were in the trade aside from the expiring-contracts- status. From the 2009 playoff, Wright did a decent job on Billups. He's long and athletic, and the Raptors should give him all the chance that they could afford to let Wright get some decent playing times, or even the starting lineups; a healthy George gives Toronto a strong 6-8 swingman on the bench that could shoot the threes and be physical against the opposite 3s. If they don't pan out, then they will be the odd men out. But Toronto should let them showcase their abilities early on during the season.

The season is long, full of unexpected injuries and potential underperformances from players. Raptors shouldn't limit themselves to a specific number of players in a rotation (So if we play 10 regularly, and 1 or 2 of them went down on injuries during the season, how would the so-called 11-13 players suddenly adapted to a more significant role if they only get garbage times in the pass?). EVERY players should be involved, albeit 10 min or 30 min a night, and the playing times of each players shouldn't only be limited to their talent level, or a pre-specified "10 players rotation", but also potential matchups within game to game basis.

Also, from the "rotation" assumptions, we have diluted the idea that Douby, OBryant, Ukic, Banks, etc will-not improve during this summer and over the course of 2009-2010 season respectively. In order for players to develop their games, and to gain experience, they must have adaquate playing time. I'm not saying we should give these guys 30 min a night, but somehow during the early part of the season, the Raptors management must learn how to develop these young players and maximize their values within the team. Simply labelling Banks and Douby and others as "odd guys out of the rotation" does not bold well. Every NBA seasons are long seasons.

Keep up the good work, I enjoy reading your articles and blogs.

[aditya]

He was an okay contributor for 19 games (Raps were 10-9 in that time) on a team that won 33 games, it’s not like he was even a 20-minute a night guy on a playoff team.

you kill your argument right there, you say he was not a 20 minute a night guy on a playoff team, but raptors were 10-9 in that time which is playoff worth (above .500).. you say pops only played 19 games but also add that he played for a team who won 33 games...yeah well pops didn't play the whole season...i definitely think he is worth a roster spot

[aditya]

But I don’t think they were far off No. 4 or 5 in last month of last season.

great, now my pops argument has more juice, pops did grab whatever # of boards (i think 5.? in 14 mins per game (or something like that)....for A PLAYOFF TEAM (NO. 4 OR 5 FOR THAT MATTER)

[aditya]

Where’s it improve? Well, they hope Jose is better – and I think that’s a fair assumption given he’ll be able to move laterally and side-to-side and not be bothered by the sore groin.

i thought it was the hamstring

Blogger's note: It was. I was wrong

[AAAA]

hey doug,

quick one...if a team has a summer league team do they get "bird" type rights to the players on the team or do all teams have equal access to the "unsigned" players on each summer team?

Blogger's note: Most are unfettered free agents; no free agent with Bird rights would play

[Omid]

Looks like j. Jack signing is official, what are the chances of indy matching the offer?

Blogger's note: We'll see in a week

[doug]

in your blog post picture there is a player tieing his show...you should have a "Gone Fishing" sign there instead...anyways have a good week, enjoy the golf....(as i know i will be)...

[Graham]

I didn't see Pops, Joey Graham, or Jake in the rotation portion of this post. It is expected that these three will not be re-signed by the Raptors?

Blogger's note: Yes, that's the expectation

[Greg]

I think Wright is more likely than DeRozan to be in the rotation.

[Phil West]

Wright started more than 50% of the games for a 50 win team last year, and you have him barely cracking the rotation.... That either means that the Raps are going to win 72 games (hyperbole), or they are going to start DeRozan because they like him so much and continue to be a mediocre eastern conference playoff team.

[lukasz]

yo doug,
of all the new guys we signed are there any good defensive players or any defensive liabilities?

[tc]

Well deserved vacation. I check your blog this morning. Check it again this afternoon with no update. I already miss you. Have fun and enjoy your vacation!

[kevin]

Doug, where's the love for Wright?
He started a good portion of the Mav's games!?!
You don't think he will even be in the regular rotation for the Raps?

Blogger's note: If you re-read it, it was a nine-man rotation; they go to 10, he's a regular

[TMF]

"I didn't see Pops, Joey Graham, or Jake in the rotation portion of this post. It is expected that these three will not be re-signed by the Raptors?

Blogger's note: Yes, that's the expectation

Posted by: GRAHAM "

Aw, Joey, I'm sorry this is how you had to find out...

[Mike..]

Well deserved, my friend!
Enjoy your time off, you deserve it...

[Mohammed Jamal]

What's this at ESPN?

They said the Raptors also got a $5.9 million trade exception in the four-team trade. Seems so wrong it just might be right.

Although, someone would have mentioned it. Here, wait till about the 1:05 mark, it's on the graphic: http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=4323337

[Jack]

--Blogger's note: My thoughts are pretty consistent, get good players. As many as you can--

Ya, you can stack the team with good players but if they don't change their plays that focus on one player, having many good players won't work.

Calderon should look for open men, not wait for Bosh to get open. It's as simple as that.

[Dave]

Doug:
You mentioned Ljubljana, Slovenia. I was there last September with my daughter and Son-In-Law (from Toronto). Beautiful city. I recommend visiting it. The taxi driver, who drove us to Lake Bled, and I discussed Rasho. We also visited Split, Croatia. It is another beautiful city on the Adriatic Sea.

Enjoy your vacation.
Dave Cornwall, ON

[brad]

Have a great holiday! Hopefully you get some decent patio weather.

[doug]

I should always proof read as my mind and my typing hand are not ever on the same page "tieing his show" that is just sad, sometimes to busy, so apologize as incorrect spelling annoys me....you know when I am doing work and in my office I put on summer league ball, not for the action but for the interviews...I am watching Dallas-Phoenix game at the moment and they just had a 20 minute interview with Gentry while the game was going on as the game is what it is but what a interesting interview....just the environment I guess but he was blatantly honest, about both his team, his philosophy and other teams moves...

[mike]

any possibility for getting Ramon Sessions?

then we can complete a Douby/Sessions backcourt. awesome!

[Craig]

Doug, did you read the free agency assessment on si.com - Colengelo and Raps didn't get near a mention - all you hear about is Wallace, Shaq, & the Crazy One in LA.

I know its a stars league and all but you'd think a bit of props would come T.O's way with what BC did? Are the Raps potential top 4 in the east or are they simply a playoff contender? My two cents, I'd say its Boston, Cleveland, Orlando in upper echelon and Raps fighting Atlanta and Detroit for 4/5

[sam]

what's happening with Joey? is hr gone? or is there some chance, perhaps a very slim one, that he'll be back with the team next year?
Also, is any other team interested in him?

Blogger's note: I heard Cleveland had some interest

[aditya]

watching the summer league thus far (including tonight's toronto-portland game)

-- douby is a SG in a PG's body, doesn't pass (almost never)....don't think he will be on the opening day roster

-- david doblas (spain) has showed me something the last 2 games

-- paul davis was on this show called "Matchmaker" which is a show for multimillionaires to get girls...he said his next contract would be for like 5 yrs and $30 million....guess he's fighting to stay in the NBA

-- shawn taggart - yeah he can score, shoot the mid range jumper, but very one dimensional (same thing for brent petway - one dimensional)

-- derozan - he's OK, i personally didn't see something i did not expect...

-- demetris nichols intrigues me...but haven't seen him play much...former lottery pick or first round pick a few years ago if i am not mistaken