A fortnight to go

Yeah, I know, it’s a bit late today. Big end-of-the-season Yankee party yesterday (the trophies look cool, the company was excellent as always) and a bit of a slow start this morning.

No big deal, though, because there’s not a lot going on and likely won’t be.

That means we have to be a tad creative in this little space which means I have to think which means my head will hurt which means I need lots of time to come up with lists and the like.

This exercise isn’t getting any easier with age.

But …

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So, two weeks, eh?

RENE JOHNSTON/TORONTO STAR

This stuff is still 2 weeks away.

Can everyone hang on that long?

I guess there’s no option, is there?

But who do we see when we get to media day in a couple of weeks here and then to Ottawa the day after?

I’m guessing, and hoping, it’s just the 15 guys who have the contracts and roster spots.

The fillers, or camp fodder as they’ve been referred to often, aren’t really necessary and I haven’t heard a suggestion that they’ll bring in a body or two just to fill out the workouts.

Why would they?

Last year, with just 13 guys under contract, they physically needed bodies to get three groups of five for scrimmages with some rest; this year, they don’t.

Just sticking with 15 will allow the coaches to teach to the guys they’ll have all season; there are still enough warm bodies to play five-on-five with a group resting.

Besides, it’s rather awkward, I’d presume, to be “the other guy” who doesn’t have a deal and who’s only in camp as a favour to him, or his agent.

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After getting a question on the matter, I checked and am now hearing there’ll be a handful of pre-season games on TV.

Likely – and I don’t have this confirmed – the four games at the Air Canada Centre and the one in London.

That’d make the most sense, low cost, no worries about having to go to Minneapolis, Hartford or Sioux Falls.

If they do the five games, I think that’d probably be the most broadcasts of pre-season games ever.

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So, you ever watch Dragon Boat racing?

Super Wife’s team – the mighty Catch 22s – wrapped up their season Sunday morning and the races we saw were quite impressive.

I did have to cover it one time (as part of some ‘guest reporter’ weekend where us beat grunts were seconded to news ever now and then) but that was a long time ago and I forgot how cool it was.

Anyway, it’s a digression but what the heck, it’s digression season and if you can see it some time next summer, go see it.

Do it? Well, I’ll leave that to the more fit among you.

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Here’s one I wish I could see: Greece-France tomorrow from Poland.

I know I could probably find it on a three-inch computer screen somewhere but real TV would be quite nice.

Yes, it’s EuroBasket and I can’t imagine it’d get great ratings over here but I also think it’s better than whatever Greatest Games of Last Year tripe that Raptors TV shows every hour.

And, thankfully, we’ll be spare an endless – mindless? -- loop of Michael Jordan games now. If I click through one more of his outings against Cleveland at the Richfield Coliseum, I may barf.

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No, Hedo didn’t get seriously hurt over in Poland. I understand there was some kerfuffle about an ankle injury but it’s nothing major or serious at all, I’m told.

Relax, people.

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Let’s do one from the mail since I want to revisit this issue ‘cause I didn’t get to on the weekend:

Q: Hi Doug. Just a little logistical question for you -- but how do the folks at the Air Canada Centre (and other arenas around the world) put up and take down the ice rinks so quickly?

I have seen video of them assembling the basketball court, and that makes sense to me -- just a lot of work. But basketball shares space with ice hockey, and it seems amazing to me that they can ice up a new rink so quickly. Or do they leave the ice there all winter, and just put the hardwood on top of the ice?

Any details you could share about this would be greatly appreciated.

(Apologies if your Air Canada Centre expertise does not extend to the pucks side of things... Just was hoping you might know).

Like the blog and all the time you put into it. Much appreciated.

James R, Barcelona

A: Hey, love your city, can’t wait to get back.

Anyway, the ice never leaves, as a matter of fact. A layer of insulation – maybe an inch thick? – goes down right on top of it and then the hardwood gets laid over. It’s quite the process.

But, speaking of the Air Canada Centre and the new look, I have to admit they’ve done a heckuva job.

The west side is really cool, I like the pedestrian plaza and the HD TV screen that’s there. I probably won’t ever stand out there and watch a game but I bet lots of you will, if the teams ever get good.

I know from walking through the joint that there used to be lots of congestion by that Gate 1 entrance (we sneak in a sidedoor and get to avoid it) but the new atrium area should alleviate that some.

I will say this about Maple Leaf Sports: They gave kept the building up far better than some organizations do.

The place in Boston, whatever it’s called now, looks like a hundred years old; same with Minneapolis and Philly’s really showing signs of age.

The ACC? Well, it still works and looks good. There are still serious issues about back-of-house space but that’s more logistical for people like us and has no impact on what spectator see and experience.

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Comments

[Darko]

Morning Doug, you probably know this, easiest way to get your
wish Greece vs. France would be to go to fiba.com where for
something like $5 u.s. you can watch a game. I got the whole
tournament for $25 rather than waste time finding all the games for
free, you get English language commentators, you can watch
games at your leisure which is great because of 6 hours time
difference and picture is good even on a full screen. Only thing is
since both teams are already qualified for the next round there is
very good chance that they'll give starters lot of rest considering
that after they have quarters, semis and finals to play in 4 days.

[Mike]

Hey Doug,
You can actually buy a $25 dollar attachment for your new fangled Macbook Pro and hook it up to your TV. That way, you've got Euroball in all (i'm guessing here) 52" inches of LCD fun in your house.

I do this when i'm in Ottawa and trying to watch the Leafs.

[Ted]

Boston's building looks older because it get a lot more use around play-off time. The ACC - not so much.

[Derrek]

http://www.thestar.com/videozone/694445

^^ ACC video

[AJR]

Doug,
When I read your response to the question about changing the ACC from hockey to basketball, I was very surprised that you didn’t mention (IMO) the coolest thing they’ve done… they replaced a number of those removable seat sections with new seat rows that are raised or lowered at the press of the button, based on the Basketball/Hockey configuration required. The video here is worth a watch.
http://www.thestar.com/nhl/mapleleafs/article/694660

[doug]

did you see the acceptance speeches at the HOF inductons?..thought Jordans was one of the best I have ever seen, he could have been modest, did the usual...instead he showed what drove him and still drives him as a human being, what inspires him(everything or anyone that has done in his mind a injustice)..the stories, insights were good especially not a lot of love there towards Krause..

ok technical advice.....if you have a big screen plasma or LCD just take your vga cable from computer to television and plug it in as most flat tops come with a vga connection....your television has just become a large computer monitor thats what I use whenever I am watching something on the computer..cheers

[TMF]

You guys know that Doug wrote the article that video was posted with, right?

[AJR]

Doug, an observation with an open-ended question…

What struck me during MJ’s HOF speech was that he essentially described himself in the same way you might describe (or criticize) Allen Iverson, LeBron James or a younger Kobe; he was a ball hog, convinced he could do it himself. When confronted by his coach who suggested that there was no “I” in team, he rebutted that there was an “I” in “win”.

The difference between MJ vs Iverson or LeBron (so far)… is that he actually could. Aside from Pippen, he really never had much of a supporting cast. So he carried his teams on his back, always wanted to take that final shot. And he was successful.

So what we might describe as “selfishness” in any other player, we praise as a cut-thoat, hyper-competitiveness, a go-for-the-jugular manner in which he played the game.

So my question is this… if Jordan hadn’t won all those rings, would we be saying “sure he was good, but he wasn’t a team player”?

Blogger's note: Tough to separate but we certainly wouldn't be talking about him being in the talk of greatest ever.

[Juan]

Doug
No comments on the HOF inductions? Jerry Sloan's story blew me away. What a life the guy has led and what an honourable, humble guy he has remained. There were some real life lessons in there. I never really knew anything about him but I have a ton of respect for him now.

MJ's speech struck me as honest while I was watching it but there is a lot of backlash from people who think it should have been a moment where he could have been more gracious and less competitive. It didn't strike me as mean-spirited but rather just who he is. I'd love to hear your take though.

[Stephen.]

Afternoon Doug,

Thanks for the Dragon Boat shout out! I'm an avid paddler and among one of the teams going to the worlds in Macau next year. Thanks for keeping me entertained on a daily basis with all the interesting tidbits in the ball world. While there are some who always give you a rough time, just wanted you to know that I always got your back.

[jake]

Hi Doug. What did you think of Jordan's speech at the hof n Friday night.

Blogger's note: Not quite as graceful as I thought it would, or should, be; perhaps a bit, um, "combative." But a true look at who he is

[Shawn]

Hey Doug
I don't know if you have ever done this before because it is completely random, but how about a top 5 list of Oak's best quotes?
have a good day

[doug]

yea Jordan's speech was combative, but to me it was just blatantly honest, for a corporate shill guy which a lot accuse him of being, he defintely took a risk...but before I always wondered what drove him, through that speech you could clearly see it, the "chip on his shoulder", he even dissed Dean Smith..

Sloan's speech was a true reflection of who he is as well, he is not the hard-ass person people assume him to be, when he spoke of Van Lier going to Utah which he never did very often, it was a truly touching moment...

plus to the reader that was saying about A.I. etc., Jordan gets it, A.I. doesn't...plus never ever as a professional athlete backed up his words or actions more then Jordan, and he does have the titles to prove it...thats the point...

[jim]

Jordan's H. of F. speech was an amazingly insightful view into his persona and probably as truthful as any I've seen. I'm sure if any of the truly greats in any sport were asked they would have little to criticize. Haven't heard any. The entire show was great.

[Patrick]

Hi Doug,

While on the subject of the HoF ceremonies, what did you think of Peter Vecsey's speech?

Thanks!

Blogger's note: Not much, actually. I agree with one assessment that it was the "worst Hall of Fame speech ever."

[Darko]

Just watched Turk go like 1 for 16, after whole of 2 pts. vs Spain.
Than again, considering that my kids from Serbia went 1 for milion
in last 10 minutes (OT included) Turks shooting seems right since
he and/or his parents were born in Serbia.
Would you know if that injury is little more serious than what's been
reported or he just had 2 off games.
Was bit disappointed with MJ' s petty barbs in his speach.

Blogger's note: Just waiting to hear from my people on the ground in Poland

[Peter]

It's interesting to hear the viewpoints of people on MJ's speech. Maybe the tradition is that people are overly thankful and grateful, but I didn't see the barbs in his speech as offensive things, just observations looking back. His statements about Coach Smith not mentioning him, his comments about his high school coach choosing the other player, all of those were stories that were told from his unique perspective. He understands why the decisions were made, but those decisions helped fuel his fire. He told stories from his perspective, and I personally very much enjoyed his speech. Maybe it wasn't in line with tradition, but neither was Michael's playing style. That's what made him special to watch. There will be plenty of grateful speeches, I thought MJ's was very interesting, and I appreciated it.

[Aditya]

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=AmZP7YhruEeW7rIekbipxHC8vLYF?slug=aw-jordanhall091209&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

couldn't have said it any better

[Jime]

Doug,

The Greece/France game will be shown on ERT in Greek. It is available on both Rogers and BELL TV at a price. I am sure the Toronto Star probably has all the channels available to them at 1 Yonge Street.