Of junior girls and waived NBAers

Pretty quiet morning so we’ll be short and sweet. There’s squat going on around the league, less than squat going on with the Raptors and I’ve got a whack of yardwork that needs tending to.

So here’s this, there’ll be mail in the morning and that’ll be it for the weekend.

Happy Civic Holiday, kids.

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Hmm, tough day for the junior women over in Thailand at the world championships.

Talking with a friend yesterday about the team and it’s hugely significant win over Australia in the quarter-finals and my astute lunch companion worried about some kind of mental letdown for the Canadians.

Well, as you can see from this boxscore, the semi against the States was over pretty early. And they're being kind of tardy with their game reports from over there so the boxscore's all I can point you to right now

Still, the loss can’t diminish what they’ve already accomplished and there’s still a shot a medal in the bronze medal game tomorrow (or tonight, depending on your time zone).

Looks as I type this that they’ll get Argentina in that bronze medal game (big upset by the Argentines over Russia in the quarters but they’re getting drilled by Spain in the semis) and I’d have to think Canada’s got a pretty good shot.

Of course, if Argentina trots out the teenage girl version of Manu or Carlos or – gasp! – Walter, it could mean trouble.

Anyway, we’ll get back here in the morning to see how Canada made out, make sure you check because, frankly, these girls are good and there should be some interest.

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Know what I love?

Every time anyone gets waived or bought out or cut, we get comments wondering how he’d fit in Toronto.

Sun Yue caused a bit of a stir around these parts yesterday, as did Bruce Bowen and I can say without hestitation that neither are on anyone’s radar at the moment and I doubt they ever will be.

First off, Sun can’t play. Couldn’t last year, can’t this year, was a nice little experiment in Los Angeles that failed.

Second off, do you think the fact the Spurs hardly played Bowen a year ago and then traded him and then the Bucks waived him should be some sort of signal about his declining skills? He’s 38 years old, only played 19 minutes a night last season and was entirely unproductive most games. Five years ago, he’d have been a great fit; right now, he’s someone some people have heard of and remember fondly but that doesn’t mean he should be a Raptor.

I think they’d probably be better off leaving that 15th roster spot empty in case there’s some kind of one-for-two or two-for-three trade they have interest in during the season than to sign Bruce Bowen.

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Speaking of that international basketball stuff, how many medals of any colour at any FIBA event do you think Canada’s won in the history of time?

How’s four sound?

Yep, for all the years and all the tournaments and all the players who’ve come through, there have been just four trips to the medal podium.

They were:

Silver at the 1936 Berlin Olympics.

Bronze at the 1979 women’s world championships.

Bronze at the 1986 women’s world championships.

Bronze at the 2005 men’s under-21 world championships.

That’s it, that’s all.

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Oh yeah, let’s get back to The Guys They Should Have Signed for a moment.

Hakim Warrick.

Yes, he indeed would have looked good in Toronto, can play a little three, a little four, athletic, yada, yada, yada.

And was never a possibility.

He was never going to sign a one-year deal at the minimum contract value so there was no way possible for Toronto to obtain him other than in some sign-and-trade involving Carlos Delfino and the last thing the money-conscious Grizzlies were going to do was spend $5 million on that roster spot.

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Out here in Hazelville, we don’t get a lot of Caribana traffic but if you’re downtown Toronto this weekend, it’s like an NBA Players’ Association meeting. Anyone who wonders whether Toronto holds any allure to guys in the league should maybe wander the streets where I’m told you might run into LeBron James and any one of a gaggle of players who make an annual trip here for the cultural festival.

Me? Well, I don’t think Caribana’s targeting 50-something chunky dudes who have no rhythm so I’m hanging on the golf course with Super Son today and the deck with some friends tomorrow.

I’ll jump up to throw another burger on the grill or dip my arm into the cooler, that’ll be about it.

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Comments

[NC]

Walter is easily substituted into that lineup without anyone noticing.

[doug]

even without a let-down the girls were over-matched against the U.S. but stand a good chance against the Argentinians who are a surprise as their top player has been out the whole tourney plus the Russian teams at this point in time in any of the international competitions is not of the same calibre during the communist years....but the last few years they are making headway and won't be long before their dominant on the amateur stage again. Canada's problem has always simply been not lack of quality players on any team its been lack of depth so once we get past our first 2,3 players there is a drop-off which other top teams obviously don't have. Even this team has 2 dominant skillled players after that the drop-off occurs, we need volume of players, volume of players then creates a larger pool of quality players and then depth in my humble opinion...

I call it the garage-sale mentality, someone's junk is another person's treasure...only way to explain the love shown for players like Bowen, Sun Yue etc....why someone wants to buy that old ugly ceramic bowl at my garage sale is puzzling but more power to them....sure there's the odd treasure discovered but with NBA players there is no hidden watermark, or artists signature they are what they are at the end of the line..

[Raps Fan]

So, Doug you'll be in Caribana talking to LeBron?

What about the Pop's rumor that he told on twitter that he will be back to Toronto??????

Blogger's note: Interesting rumour, could be true; I don't imagine the 15th man on the roster will have a whole lot of impact if it does happen

[David]

So Doug, what about M. Grange's hint that maybe even Joey G might get a sniff at a minimum deal here? I was intrigued that he knew about Joey dumping his agent - that seemed to be news he'd get from the organization.

And is there any sign yet that all of BC's activities in June and July have had an impact on advance ticket sales? As a season ticket holder, I'm finding out - especially in the past week or so - that some of my long lost friends have dug up my email address to say hi and talk hoops.

Blogger's note: As I've been saying, anything's possible but no one I've spoken to in the organization to this point has ever mentioned Joey as a possibility. But, as we've learned all summer, things can change

[Doc]

I think it will be Lakers and Celtics in the finals again this year. and Raptors and Suns are my sleeper picks. What teams would you say are your early finals picks? and sleeper picks? or do you not do this sorta thing?

Blogger's note: Certainly not on Aug. 1

[GM]

Does the gold medal Canada won at the World University Games in Edmonton not count?

Blogger's note: One of the great days of all time but I was listing FIBA world events

[Ken]

Doug,

After last weekend at Glen Abby and the terrible weather, methinks you would have felt right at home at the 1936 Olympic final.

from Wikipedia.

"The finals were played 14 August under abysmal conditions. The contest was played outdoors, on a dirt court in a driving rain. Due to the quagmire, the teams could not dribble and the score was held to a minimum. High scorer in the game was Joe Fortenberry for the United States with 7 points. In addition, there were no seats for spectators and the nearly 1,000 in attendance had to stand in the rain throughout the entire game.

United States def. Canada, 19-8"

Thank God the founding fathers of the sport of basketball thought indoor facilities made more sense.

[Lawrs]

I think Yue still has potential. Also how can you think Roko is good, but think Yue can't play... Yues more athletic and a better shooter than Roko can ever be.

[Kevin Huang]

Sun Yue would really stir up the VERY LARGE chinese community here in T.Dot,
Whoever gets signed is not really gonna play, so why not Sun who will bolster ticket sales?

Blogger's note: Yeah, like Mengke Bateer did. You know what bolster's ticket sales? Wins

[Scott]

Doug,

Any chance the Raps can nab Bruce Bowen after he was released by the Bucks. He would sure look good in a raps uniform as a high quality defender off the bench. Reports said it was unlikely he'll go back to the Spurs.

Blogger's note: Since this comment comes on the blog post of today, I presume you read it. If not, please do and you're answer will be there

[doug]

I just watched Phelps race against the Serbian who challenged him...and it reminded me of something Lee trevino once said about Nicklaus...(another Trevino reference on b-ball blog must be dog days of summer) anyways he was leading a tourney and they asked about Nicklaus, he said "let a hibernating bear hibernate" a great line and one many athletes should adhere to..know your competition and if you know they can kick your ass then shut up don't antagonize them....two of the greatest runners actually 3 now that I think of it in the nfl Payton, Sayers, and Sanders when they scored they just went and handed the ball to the officals no dancing, no provoking just class....same as Dr. J he never "popped" his jersey once when he easily could have just ran back down the floor....those are true athletes and role models

anyways finally get to golf at one of my fav links a public one the Don Valley course...it's a old style layout with personality...so fore..

[Mike U]

Hey Doug,

All of this blogging from you makes me forget sometimes that you are in fact a human being. Just want to know more about Mr. Smith.

Favorite Beer?
Favorite Mixed drink?
Favorite meat to barbecue?
Favorite TV program (aside from sports)?
Other career options (aside from golf/writer)?

Type the following characters to prove you're not a robot: Aj8fEU4

Cool Thx!

Blogger's note: I'm not sure I should give out such state secrets but since you asked ...
Yuengling or Rickard's White up here
Vodka and something red, organge or white
Blackened catfish or a nice bone-in rib steak
Seinfeld, 30 Rock, Entourage
I would really, really, really like to be idly rich; perhaps the beneficiary of a government bailout?

[Chris]

Trade Roko for SF.
Sign Pops.
Agree?

Also, do you know when the Raps are coming to Carleton University in Ottawa and will you be attending?

Blogger's note: Don't agree in the least; and camp date's not firm but I'd guess around Sept. 28-Oct. 1 period and, yes, I wouldn't miss it for the world

[Jack]

Warrick signed with the Bucks reportedly for $3 million.

http://ca.sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=AqBiHLYNKSWuWyey2eV_hN_qbwM6?slug=ap-bucks-warrick&prov=ap&type=lgns

The Raptors can't afford that? Will that amount make them go over the cap?
Or Colangelo is just not interested in Warrick?

Blogger's note: The only money they can offer anyone outside of Carlos Delfino is a minimum value contract

[Andrew Gregg]

Hi Doug:

Skip the burger, head down to Caribana and find a tent that's selling home-made rotis. You won't regret it. Maybe you'll be lucky and Shaq will roll in as well.

AG, Toronto

Blogger's note: Just finished demolishing Breaben with Super Son and the grill's on

[Andrew]

Doug,

Thanks for all the updates on our current international competitors. Even if they were lousy they'd deserve our attention; they're playing for us.

[Eric]

Interesting disapproval of Bowen? I wonder where the root is. Your bias is clear. We love it and hate it the same. :):)

To use a past argument of yours, the guy's all-NBA defense...... 8 yrs in a row, actually. He doesn't forget those gifts overnight. But since you don't want to hear it right now, youll pretend like it's not true. Anything the fans say is wrong. Anthing Colngelo says is right----- even in the wake of a 33-win season..... which comes is in the wake of a useless season before that. Sounds like a man trying to keep his job! LOL

As for Pops, you're fighting another losing argument. Now he's going to be 15th man (and "15th....... should be kept open"), which is sort of true, but also sounds like a man trying to defend his long-standing oppposition to signing fan favorite Mensah-Bonsu to another year. In fact, I think "fan favorite" is the only reason why you would oppose it, but I 'digresss!"" lol. I can't wait till Pops comes aboard and you scramble for an explanation. Behind Pops is probably Joey...... and behind him is Bowen......... I don't mean to scare you, though! Just having fun. ;)

I don't believe anything you see or write, sir, without another source. But it's sort of fun anyway. I'll stick around. (I wonder if the NBA is going to investigate you for tampering when it comes to Rasho Nesterovich? LOL. Relax Doooogs. I keed.)

[dallas]

Doug,

Did you catch the brouhaha that ensued after the Canada Italy? I thought they called these games freindlys? Can you get smoe comemnts from Leo or that contact you have that is chronicaling Bargs and Belinelli.

here's a link

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=82Ddgwh316M

Cheers,

[P.]

Careful folks. Any more hair-brained trade ideas or proposed signings that don't involve either Carlos Delfino or a player willing to sign a 1-yr. min. salary contract, and Doug just might spontaneously combust.

[Tabber]

Eric: $100 if you never show up in Doug's comments again, under Eric or any other handle. Talk about personal bias? That's billionaire rich, coming from you, the king of bias. Remember, $100 for you if no more posts.