Hey, they get mail all the way out here! (I keed, it's nice in B.C.)

Told you I’d get to this sometime over the week. And the 90 minutes or so on the picturesque ferry ride from Vancouver Island back over to Vancouver on a sunny, postcard-like Sunday morning was the perfect opportunity. Ocean air, nice breeze, mountains in the distance. A guy could get used to this.

Anyway, on with what mail there was before another walk on the sea wall and, perhaps, a downtown local to see Canada-Puerto Rico:

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Q: General question: does having a strong roster create a "virtuous circle" in the sense that training sessions are tougher and more intense therefore leading players to improve? Another quick and lazy question: how many raptors in the current roster have won an NBA title? Thank you and enjoy the wild west.

Matthieu B, Biel-Bienne, Switzerland

A: The west isn’t so wild; beautiful, as a matter of fact.

I do think practices, at least on those days when they can get some good work done, will be much more competitive than they were last year and that has to create at least the possibility for improvement. One thing it could also do is create genuine competition for playing time because if one guy’s killing another in practice, everyone on the team will know and that guy will have to see his time increase.

An anecdote: One reason teammates became so enamoured of Jose in his second season was that he was taking it to T.J. Ford in practice, players saw it and came to respect his work ethic, and game, that much more.

A word of warning, however: Once the season starts and the grind of the schedule commences – especially in those stretches of three games in four nights or four games in five – there isn’t a lot of time for intense, hard practices. Once Nov. 1 hits, look for times where there are two days between games, that’s when the most practice work gets done.

Oh, yeah, champions. Rasho’s got a ring from San Antonio, I believe, and that’s it.

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Q: Can you give me your scouting report on Carl English? As a guy from his home province I always hear stories of him when he played here, and I'm just curious as to how he turned out (I've seen a few games with him but I figure you'd know more). Also do you think he ever has a shot at being in the NBA?

Jeff L, St. John’s

A: The scouting report, from NBA scouts, is he’s too slow to be a two-guard, to short to be a three, doesn’t have the ball-handling skills to be a true combo guard and has a hard time creating his own shot. That said, he’s making a great living playing in Europe, where his skillset fits a bit better. His NBA shot has come and gone.

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Q: Big fan of the blog and your Raptors reportings. I'm a Raptors season ticket holder that's moving out to Vancouver to work for a year - any good sports bars you come across in your travels where I can catch my team in the late afternoon? Safe travels

Evan S, Vancouver

A: I don’t know, for sure. But someone reading this will know and, if they’re nice, they’ll drop a comment with some suggestions.

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Q: I know you don't like postulating about future possibilities, but as a journalist would anything in the last five seasons of Raptors basketball compare with the joy of covering a Raptors-Magic first round match-up?

Steve R, Manitoba

A: It’d be cool, no question; and while it would have more layers, I don’t know if it’d capture the raw emotion of the first Toronto-New Jersey game a couple of years ago.

It might, but that was something.

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Q: Over the last several seasons, I found that a major problem the Raptors had was defending the opposing team's superstar at the wing position whether it was LeBron, Carmelo, Pierce, etc... At the end of games, we didn't have that gritty wing defender who could slow them down and most of the time, it resulted in a loss.

I felt that we somewhat overcame that issue at the end of last season with the trade for Marion, but with Marion gone now, do you think we have a player on our team who can slow down those type of players in crunch time? Can Antoine Wright fill that role?

Thanks and please keep blogging!

Brian K, Toronto

A: I’ll answer your question with a question:

Who does?

Really, who does stop LeBron, or Carmelo, or Pierce, or Kobe? Nobody.

So, no, Wright cannot fill that role and if you expect him to, expect to be disappointed.

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Q: Hope you enjoyed your well deserved time off. I just had a question about the roster for this upcoming season. Why don't we get ... just joking.

On to my actual question.

I remember a couple years back (I think it was the season of 47 wins) one of the "problems" with the team was that there were too many guys who could play at each position making the team 10 or so men deep.

This created problems for Sam in terms of establishing a set rotation of 8 guys to play on a consistent basis. Looking at the depth on the wings and guard spot do you envision similar problems with this squad?

Also, would you say that this squad is more talented than the one that finished the last season? Thanks

Steve D, Grenada, WI

A: I see that possibility and it’s going to be up to Jay to figure out a rotation – and I can see that being 10 men – and sticking with it with the variable being injuries, of course.

I do think there’s a better delineation this season than there was then. I see 10 men being Jose, DeRozan, Turkoglu, Bosh, Bargnani, Jack, Belinelli, Wright, Evans and Nesterovic. The rest will fill out the 11th and 12th man (Douby and either O’Bryant or Johnson) and three-man inactive list and I don’t think there’s much debate on the issue.

And, yes, exponentially more talented than the one that finished last year-

Q: Do you know what Roko's reaction was to being dealt to Milwaukee? I don't know if I could see him being too happy.

Timmy S, Markham

A: Roko loved Toronto, his teammates and his coaches and the one guy I talked to who knows him pretty well suggested he’s quite disappointed to leave, especially when there’s no guarantee he’ll get more playing time in Milwaukee.

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Q: Love the blog. I was wondering what you thought about Turk's post up game. I know that Chris and Andrea both have those skills, but they seem to prefer the jumpshot. Is there anyone that will command a double team in the low post?

Rob N, London

A: Um, Bosh has been doubled in the post for about four seasons now, I presume that will continue. As for Turkoglu, his game is not low post-oriented and there’s no sense in changing it now.

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Q: Hey Doug! Hope you're having an absolute blast out west!! So word on the street (interweb) is that the Raptors overpaid for Hedo... what's up with that? I believe Portland was willing to dish out the same amount and I'm sure they would have been heralded for the move of the off-season. What do you think? Big forward who can handle the ball and run your offense for just over $10 million a year... I can think of quite a few more, far worse contracts than that. Top 5 overpaid players?

Joey H, Toronto

A: They’re all overpaid. And who am I to rip on a guy for making as much money as he can, even if it was a general manager in a moment of weakness who gave him the contract. Is Marcus Banks (at $4.5 million a year) more overpaid that, say, DeSagana Diop (at $6 million or so) or Brad Miller (at about $12.5 million)? It’s all relative, lots of contracts are bad, big whoop.

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Q: Who would your “Gatorade X-Factor” player for the season be?

Brendan H, Toronto

A: DeRozan. And Belinelli.

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Q: Hi Doug, How many tech's do you think Jay will receive this year? I'm going with 6 tech's and 2 ejections. Got to love Jay's emotions. Any idea who might have gotten the most tech's as coaches last year? Thanks as always.

Steph R, Glencoe

A: Guessing is guesswork, please don’t hold me to it. Let’s say a technical foul every, oh, I dunno, 10 games. That’s eight. Ejections? I say none. One, tops.

I’ll have to check on the leader last season when I get back to my files (or at least internet access, I don’t have it right now).

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Q: I was wondering about the distribution of Raptors games on TV this year. Have you heard any inside information on which channels will be airing most of the games? Also, what happened with RSN totally snubbing basketball from the schedule?

Michael C, Montreal

A: No idea on the TV schedule, probably not ‘til the middle of September. Rogers blew off basketball two years ago because they decided to throw about $750,000 a game at the Leaves. Go figure. Guess they wanted all those hockey playoff ratings boosts from Toronto. Oh, wait ...

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Q: I hope you're having a great time. As I have been travelling for over 5 weeks and just returning I feel completely lost in terms of the player the Raptors have actually acquired and the way the transactions occurred. Do you know of any possible summary that I can look at or will you be doing a similar analysis before the season begins. Thanks!

Remy D, Mississauga

A: Oh, I’ll be doing something like that for sure, once we get to training camp at the end of the month. I’m pretty sure if you check the team website, they’d have some kind of transactions list.

Don’t forget, not only do we have a month of stories to write during the pre-season, there’s still a month to go before camp even starts and blowing out the story ideas or lists now really limits what we can do as the next few weeks unfold.

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Q: Hey Doug, got a question for you. What's your take on Hamed Haddadi, the big men on the Grizzlies roster? I know he won't be coming to the Raptors (even though I thought he would be a nice fit before the trades and signings) but apparently he wants out of Memphis. From what I saw of him in the FIBA Asia Championships, in the Olympics and the garbage minutes he played for Memphis, with his size and soft touch he could become a solid player in the league. Just wondering what's your take on him.

Behzad R, Waterloo

A: I’d be surprised if he ever played a meaningful role on even a marginal NBA team, frankly. He’s very raw, very limited in the fast-paced NBA game and not really physical enough. At best, he’s an end-of-the-bench guy.

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Comments

[Simon]

Great work, if you are in victoria Doug. Go to the "Pure Vanilla cofee shop", your wife will love it.

[Simon]

Sports Bar in Vancouver

If you don't mind a drive the starlight casino has one of the best sport bars in the city or if you want to stay downtown the sharks club is good

[Raps Fan]

Your opinion on Stephan Jackson saying that he wants to be traded?

Blogger's note: That anyone wants out of that dysfunctional organization is of no surprise to me at all

[jacob]

I didn't see Denham Brown playing for team Canada at the Fiba Americas tourny. can somebody explain to me why he is not on the team? and nothing against Leo but if they could find somebody more qualified to coach Canada ( David Smart? Gord Herbert?) . in my opinion they need to seriously consider making a change . I feel like Canada should have beat Uruguay (very sloppy game) and been much closer in the game against Puerto Rico. you can't fire the players ( except Leo did kinda fire Sam Dalembert) maybe it's best to move in a new direction. this one isn't working as good as I think it should be.

[Aditya]

I’d be surprised if he ever played a meaningful role on even a marginal NBA team, frankly. He’s very raw, very limited in the fast-paced NBA game and not really physical enough. At best, he’s an end-of-the-bench guy.

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apparently you have figured hamed haddadi (who played sparingly as an NBA rookie. yes, he did play international ball) more than you had figured antoine wright when someone asked you a question about him when toronto acquired him...you did not seem sure about antoine wright's game and his abilities even though antoine wright basically started on the mavericks for most if not all of the season

[Tim W.]

Evan S.

If you find a place to watch basketball, I'd LOVE to hear it. I watch games at home, but once in a while I'll go out with a buddy to watch a game and we usually have to plead to have them turn on a basketball game, and it's almost never on the big screen. We've gone to sports bars to watch the NCAA fInals and had to watch without sound on one of the smaller TVs while the big one was playing some hockey game that didn't even include the Vancouver Canucks. Yet another reason I hate hockey.

And for those that care, I've updated my blog again:
http://www.wearingfilm.com/picketfence/

[Steveq]

Did the Banks - Carroll trade go through yet?

Blogger's note: Nope

[doug]

if anyone doubts the importance of a point guard on a team, a true point guard.....just watch Canada in this FIBA Americas qualifying tourney. They have useful parts in Anthony, Young, Rautins and English and that group for the most part has been playing well. But Anderson has been in a word "terrible" his decision making is poor, his ability to find open teammates is non-existent and when there are weaknesses we can exploit he is not exploiting them. He has this T.J.Ford mentality of looking for his own first, or needing, wanting to get his own, and dribbling without a purpose incessantly, he is not a true point guard at all. It is to bad Nash couldn't have played in this tourney not just because it would have been great 2 have a 2 time MVP running the show but also and more importantly the younger ones could watch and learn.

Also although I see some weaknesses in Leo's game as a coach, such as set plays on offense or in the Uruguay game we ran out of time-outs and at the end we never got away any semblance of a decent shot as things seeemed to be in disarray. But that being said he should be re-upped for 2-3 more years just to give the program some continuity as well as the fact we are a young team and really the expectations are not that high right now, as until we get a couple solid players especially a point guard we are what we are and no coach is going to pull off miracles with this hand he has been dealt.

[Sam Mitchell]

Haddadi is a good centre who just lacks playing time. If he played when I coached he would get MORE SHATS!!!!

[Lawrs]

One would argue that Ron Artest and Shane Battier could slow down Lebron and Melo.

[eisopp]

Sports Bar in Vancouver - G spot (seriously) on Granville

[Mladen Novak]

Roko record from Istanbul : best scorer, best assist numbers, MVP of tournament and final game, beating Turkey (with Hedo !!!), GB, Germany, Macedonia, . . . Did we made the same mistake as a few years ago, trading good PF for problematic PG/TJ?

[Leigh]

Doug,

So I'm in NYC with my little family, and as we come out of the subway, there is a serious streetball game going on, so my son (he's only 9 months) my wife and I stop and watch, and low and behold, there is Smush Parker just leaning against his Escalade watching the goings on. After over hearing him tell someone he played for the raptors, I asked him when he signed, he said he is in negotiations....is this true? Or was it just his pride talking? I know he played summer league ball with the raps, but I have heard nothing of a signing. I didn't push him on it as he was being very friendly and posed for picture with my son and I. Any thoughts on this?

Blogger's note: There is no movement whatsover to sign Smush Parker under any circumstances at the moment

[Nick]

FYI - you received props from Charley Rosen: http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/9998076/Mailbag:-Did-Shaq-squander-the-most-talent?

[Raps Fan]

Do you think Antione Wright can SLOW down a Lebron, Wade and Melo?

Blogger's note: On his own? No

[Ren]

I think it is very clear that Canada made a bad calculation when dismissing Jay Triano from the top job. I do not question the passion that Leo brings, but it is clear that he is surely outclassed by his predecessor. Just wondering Doug: if Canada decides to move in another direction after Leo's contract is over, which coaches do you think might be in line? Who, in Canada (if that is where they look, which is only one possibility), can take that responsibility and prosper?

Blogger's note: Let's get this tournament over before we start thinking about change

[David L.]

Evan S.

I'm former Torontonian living in Vancouver as well. The best place I've found to watch basketball games downtown are Shark Club and Malone's sports Bar. I used to go to either of the bars to watch the Leafs game. While there, I noticed many times they showed the Raptors games simultaneously if both teams played on the same night. Also, because the games start earlier in the west, sports bars will show basketball if you ask them since there is nothing on. Even if they are playing a hockey game on the tv that is not a Canucks game, they will change the channel if you ask nicely. One last note; I've met a lot of Leafs/Raptor fans at Shark Club. If you plan on going, don't be surprised to see a handful of those fans every game.

[Jamie]

The people who are able to shut down those guys (kobe, bron bron) are few and far between, and there only ever seems to be 1 ro 2 in a generation: Ron Artest, Gary Payton...

[GM]

Doug Smith gets a nice mention in Charley Rosen's latest column: http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/9998076/Mailbag:-Did-Shaq-squander-the-most-talent

[efrivela]

I think you answered the wrong question before. The poster asked who would slow down guys like LeBron, Kobe, etc. not stop them. Like the poster above me mentioned, I think you are undermining guys like Bowen, Battier, Marion, and Artest.

Also, I think Amir is clearly ahead of Patrick O'Bryant on the depth chart. I'd go one step further and say that I think he'll be competing with Evans for his minutes.

[DinoFever86]

Leo is doing a pretty good job with Team Canada right now, I think. But he will be gone and getting Sam Dalembert back on the roster will help. Matt Bonner is on the way to the Canadian roster as well which will be another helping hand. The real story is that finally Canada is building there basketball program like euro clubs and in the future they will be much more competitive. Right now we just look for the vets to comeback and teach the young guys and for the young guys to be come good vets when we start being competitive. Still fun to watch though.

Also shout out to Evan S. I my self am not a hockey fan but I understand when it's the home team. But when there is a game on such as a Raptors game and it is pushed aside by the Blue Jackets vs. Phoenix it is mind boggling. Bars will change just as the crowd is changing now, as the young get old expect basketball in bars.

And Doug loving the blog, best sports writer in T.O.

[David]

thanks for all the updates this summer doug, in what was a crazy, crazy couple of months.

it was all much appreciated.

[doug]

one could argue it...that Artest and Battier could slow down LeBron and Melo and they may be right, not because of their defense but because Melo and LeBron are still learning....no one gives Kobe his due as he is a excellent team player, when he is doubled he passes out of it, he looks for Gasol or Odom and just sits back at times and is happy being a decoy (I wasn't a huge Kobe fan but I am more and more, a jump shot for the ages and a b-ball I.Q. to match)....LeBron needs to learn this to get to the next level, not only him but Mike brown needs to...as these clear-outs for LeBron at the end of the game are ridiculous, it's a ticket to not winning, Jackson stood up to Kobe and made him become a team player, someone neds to do the same with LeBron before he turns into another Iverson...Melo is not in the same category although he is good, Karl and Billups are having a positive affect on him..

[Mando]

I don't understand why people always assume that being on a championship team automatically makes a guy a better player. Would Bryant be any less a player if the Lakers didn't build a team around him? Why does North America pursue the cult of the hero so avidly when bball is a team game.

[Rob]

I read a discussion on another site (Sports Guy) about better use of the end of the bench. Putting together 5 athletic high-energy end of benchers on a deep team to go out as a unit for 5 minutes each half and press the heck out of the other team. They would practice this, so they would hopefully get good at it. Gets them involved, gives the top 7 a break, and wears down the other team. Maybe get a few turnovers and stay even in scoring while they're on the floor. Any thoughts on the worth of the strategy, and whether the Raptors deep bench could pull this off?

Blogger's note: I doubt it