News? You want news? Well, we've got some (sort of)

I have no idea how we keep coming up with enough crap – oops, I mean enough vital information you all crave – every day in a slow summer but we do.

For now, that is. 

UPDATE: Oops.

So much for news.

Just heard the NBA pre-season schedule that was supposed to be released today has been delayed a week so what you are about to read is a tad premature.

Still, it's hugely interesting (and I use the term "hugely" in the loosest possible manner).

Anyway, the Raptor news we have is right, the rest ... well, we'll see.

-

Ooooh!

And

Boy!

Big news today next week, kids.

Pre-season schedule!

Yes, we find out where and against who they’ll spend eight games running different combinations of players in and out of the lineup and the other sorts of wonderful things that go with games that don’t count.

Two games we know already:

As visitors on Oct. 6 against Philly in London – that’d be the Ontario one, not the big one over the pond – and as visitors on Oct. 23 against Minnesota in Sioux Falls, Whateverstateitis.

(Visitors in London because the company that owns the Sixers owns the rinks there; visitors in Sioux Falls because the Timberwolves have some deal with some regional bank or something and always travel to such far-off locales, by the way).

So, my best guess is that those are the first and last of the eight, which would mean four at home in between and a couple of more on the road.

What I’ve also been told is that there is no visit here planned for any of the EuroLeague teams that are visiting North America. I know Maccabi’s coming again, and so is Partizan Belgrade but neither are stopping here.

Anyway, that’s what passes for news at the moment, I’m sure you’ll all be breathlessly awaiting the official announcement some time this afternoon.

-

This is why I love Super Son, among the other zillions of reasons.

We turn on the Blue Jays last night:

Him: “Dad, look at the guys behind the plate, looking and acting like umpires.”

Me: “Yawn.”

Him: “Do they think they’re funny or something?”

Me: “I don’t know, I guess so.”

Him: “Well, they’re not.”

-

Okay, so what are basketball fans to do these days? (Besides continually hammering home the silly suggestion that Toronto make some kind of move to get Allen Iverson, that is).

Well, it’s August so it must be international basketball time and if you’ve still got any interest in what the Italian team is doing – besides getting into tiny dustups with Canucks – check this story out.

Italy, France and Finland are in one of two groups fighting for one last spot at EuroBasket 2009 next month in Poland and it would appear to be an uphill fight for Andrea and Marco and the boys now.

We’ll try to stay on top of this – I would imagine the Raptors wouldn’t be totally crushed if Bargnani and Belinelli had September off – as the days go on.

-

Speaking of the Raptors and the pre-season and training camp, one thing I haven’t heard is just how many extra bodies they plan to transport to Ottawa for the fun of a week in the nation’s capital.

(Oh yeah, we’ll be looking for dining and dancing suggestions – well, maybe not the dancing part of it -- as we move closer so all you Ottawans start making those lists).

There are two schools of thought:

1. Just stick with the 15 guys you’ve got so the coaches can work with them without having to worry about guys with no legitimate shot at making the team.

The downside is the wear and tear, of course, but with the way the NBA restricts camp workouts – no more than three two-a-days, only one of them can involve contact drills – I’m not sure how big a worry that is.

2. Bring in three or four others who can lessen the load and give you a chance to scrimmage with a fair number of subs.

Not sure this works because (a) you’re devoting time and effort on guys you’ll never see again and (b) if one of them gets injured (hi, Jamal Sampson!) you have to keep them around and on the payroll for a while.

If I had to guess – and right now it is a guess – there’ll be 15 guys at Carleton whenever we get to Carleton.

-

Hey, check out this boxscore and see if you see a familiar name.

-

So, I see from the various comments the past 24 hours that we have some people interested in political history – especially that of the United States – here.

Cool.

Seriously, where else can you get info on Sioux Falls pre-season games and a mini-debate on the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution?

-

Oh, on an entirely related note, can you gals and guys send some questions so I can get a mailbag together for one of the next few days. Thanks.

-

I’m ArgoBoy yesterday (check out this piece of CFL scribbling if you don’t believe me) and I have to say, it’s quite a cool gig.

You get to sit outside on what was a glorious day watching a full practice (if I had any idea what I was seeing, it probably would have been really good) and there’s just a nice, relaxed atmosphere around there. A very nice way to spend a summer work day.

And it beats sitting on the concourse of the Air Canada Centre for a couple of hours every morning waiting for Raptors practice to end.

I always get the question: Why do NBA teams close practices to the media (except for the final half hour, when we usually get into to see shooting drills and free-throw shooting contests) when all the other sports open theirs? You can watch a whole Leaves practice, see everything the Argos do and sit in the dugout and watch batting practice ‘til your eyes glaze over.

The main one is teams want some semblance of privacy to allow coaches to bark at their players using whatever colourful language they like and to allow players to, um, get after each other if they want without having every move chronicled. It’s the way it’s been for about forever and it’s not going to change.

Brendan Malone, at the urging of bosses who weren’t entirely sure if the people talking and writing about the Year 1 Raptors knew whether a ball was blown up or stuffed, did let us in to watch every minute of practice if we wanted. And I can honestly say, by March if we saw one more three-man weave, it was time to gouge out our eyes with a spoon.

-

Comments

[Jeff Steele]

Forget Pape Sow, check out the line Boniface Ndong put up! Let's sign him up for our D-League squad! (I keed, I keed)

[Andre]

Any chance the raptors ask Denham Brown to come to camp? He can be our 8th and final Non-American player... or do the Thunder still have his rights?

Blogger's note: No, and no.

[Tim W.]

I think it's certainly interesting when Senegal, which most people would consider a million miles away (figuratively) from the NBA has more NBA or former NBA players than Canada, which has it's own NBA team, does.

Talking about American politics, I also think it's interesting to note that the two presidents in the last half of the last century that were probably considered the biggest failures in office did more after leaving office than any of their peers.

Oh, and those impatient about reading the second half of my post about Bryan Colangelo and the Raptors will have to wait until tomorrow. Doug, I have to say, posting every day is incredibly difficult, although I guess if it's part of your job it makes things a little easier.
http://www.wearingfilm.com/picketfence/

[joe jameson]

"Belinelli can give more and the team can give more," he concluded.

I wonder what that means for Andrea? Do you know where we can view box scores for these games?

PS I find the fake-umps quite amusing... consider how boring and fruitless the games the jays are... at least some people are having fun instead of staying home

Blogger's note: Go to fiba.com, click on fiba.europe, that'd be the best place I'd guess

[Ryan M.]

Sign pops! 6 pts and 4 steals in 18min what a beast! We'll put him on LeBron opening night!.....

[Bob Wesley]

Pop Sow last roster spot?

Blogger's note: He couldn't take the pay cut

[Marc.A]

P.SOW also had 4 STEALS!!! didn't he grace the cover of S.I once??

Blogger's note: Not that I recall but my mind's mush sometimes

[mark]

When it comes to filling that 15th spot, if the money was roughly the same, would you rather sign an experienced veteran in the twilight of his career, or a coachable youngster with a bigger upside?

Blogger's note: With this roster? A veteran with playoff experience.

[Mark L]

Doug, does Sam Mitchell still have a shot at coaching next season? looks like they found a coach for Minnesota already.

Blogger's note: No, probably not at the start of the season

[LeeZ]

Some other Ottawa culinary/brew suggestions: Pub Italia and The Big Easy, both on Preson in Little Italy, both a five-minute drive from Carleton. The former has a great selection of beers, excellent mussels and pizza, and a zucatta that is to DIE for. The latter is a somewhat upscale cajun place with THE BEST crab cakes I have EVER tasted (and believe me, I've tried thousands). I'll buy you a beer when you hit town.

[Mo]

Are you surprised that Sam still doesn't have a job?

Blogger's note: A little, but not much and there will be lots of jobs in the future

[ChristianM]

Im still wondering why Bruce Bowen wouldnt be the perfect fit for the raptors end of the bench? Just having him even sitting near his teamates passing on any tips would be better then some guy sitting there sulking. I've also read that in the future he would be interested in coaching, so coupled with his playoff experience, and still marginal ability, what makes him the wrong choice?

Blogger's note: Because he's 39 and coming off a horrible season and the suggestion is he's done. And if I'm Bruce Bowen, why don't I wait to see if I can get an offer from a legitimate contender rather than think about a non-playoff team coming off a 33-win season where the absolute best thing I am is a backup three, perhaps even a third-string three.

[aditya]

why won't teams NOW give an offer to boston for glen baby davis now that he is next in line in the restricted free agents....or are people just waiting for ramon sessions situation to be cleared up?

Blogger's note: Good question for GMs with some money left to spend

[Lawrs]

Looks like we Lewis wont be joining the Magic against us. http://www.nba.com/magic/news/Lewis_Suspended-321190-2348.html
Also why is he only suspended 10 games?

Blogger's note: Because that's what the CBA calls for

[aditya]

lewis in trouble

[Doug]

Doug:

Took a look at the boxscore link. Hey, if Kleiza and Delfino don't work out, how about chasing Mr. Boniface Ndong from the Senegal National Team? He's a veteran (32 years old), shot 80% from the arc (4/5), had 26 points in 26 minutes, grabbed 7 boards and would obviously fit in well with the 'international flavour' of our team.

Heck, this guy must be the LeBron James of Senegal! Plus, I'm pretty sure that the Raps would do well with "Ndong" jersey sales, and the guy can probably be had for the veteran's minimum. If you want to mention this idea to BC, you can certainly take credit for it.

...... or, maybe not. Your call.

[doug]

Lewis took full responsiblity although that doesn't exonerate him still it is what it is...10 games is a whack of games, players should just run everything by the team trainers before they take them....and if someone would post or get a link to ALL the banned substances its a lengthy one...this does not imply steroids as that is peoples first thought, there ar emany other banned substances.., olympic athletes can't even take excedrin or tylenol or cough syrup...so kudos to him for saying he messed up but also he is getting a fair and just punishment in my mind...

[Bob]

Doug you are the only columnist I read daily. So I want to ask you a hockey question. What is the real story behind Balsillie not being supported by the NHL? It has to be more then what some stories suggest that he is a "bully". Is there some special handshake that he is not a part of? It makes me suspicious of the owners.

Blogger's note: I wish I knew.

[GM]

If Darrick Martin, who was old and washed up and content to be a leader of sorts on the bench, was good enough for the last Raptor position, I see no reason why Bruce Bowen wouldn't be, provided he were interested.

[Erc]

If Bowen is indeed done, why would a legitimate team make him an offer????

Blogger's note: Perhaps re-reading the note might help:

Because he's 39 and coming off a horrible season and the suggestion is he's done.

Perhaps there are those who don't think he's done; I guess we shall see

[Carlton]

Do the raps have any interest in jerry stackhouse?

Blogger's note: According to every source I've talked to, not in the least

[aditya]

damn, just saw marv albert was tried in court for assaulting his girlfriend or someone a number of years ago....were you aware of this?

[Chris]

I am way too excited and pumped about the Raps coming to Ottawa!!! Is there going to be any day where we can come and watch the Raps practice? Pick-up game? Are there going to be tickets selling and if so, how much? Do you have any info on this Doug? I really need to know!

And for lunch, come to Broadway Bar and Grill. Sick food. And the home fries are AMAZING! I swear!

Please, I beg of you, get some info on this trip to Ottawa! Im more desperate than a dog in heat!

Blogger's note: Very limited access; I presume they will do a public scrimmage as they have every other year but there are no details yet

[Kevin A.]

Hey Doug -

Quick question for you... now that Rashard Lewis has been suspended for the first 10 games, does he get to participate in training camp with the Magic?

Thanks,

Blogger's note: Yes, he can

[Erc]

One of us should have re-read the note, maybe even before it was originally posted. You're going north and south at the same time.