A retreat and a digression or two

A couple longish stories here but what the heck, it’s still pretty slow and tiny, juicy tidbits are hard to come by.

-

Take that, France.

Spain by 20?

I don’t think too many saw that coming, although a Spain victory over in Poland at the EuroBasket was not entirely unexpected.

But by 20?

With Ricky Rubio apparently killing Tony Parker (at least that’s what one guy who was at the game told me; I didn’t see it first-hand)?

The funny thing about it is that Pau Gasol has picked his game up as the tournament’s gone on; he was dominating yesterday I hear. Not bad for a guy who hurt his finger during pre-tournament action and I wonder how many Laker fans were aghast that the team would have the temerity to let him continue playing for his country?

Lots, I imagine.

Guess things turned out okay for him, and Los Angeles.

But, I swear, if he bangs a knuckle or sprains a wrist sometime around the all-star game, you know it’s going to be because he came back too quickly for EuroBasket after suffering that finger injury in August.

(A joke, a little dig, I keed, I keed; please don’t flood the inbox)

-

Minor digression:

Flipping the dial last night, saw a wee minute of some NCAA football game (a sport I normally pay less than zero attention to) and the game is in Miami.

At Land Shark Stadium!

I know it’s had that name for a while but you never hear it reading about the exploits of the Florida Marlins so it caught me by surprise.

You know about Land Shark, right? Brewed by the Margaritaville Brewing Company, owned by Jimmy Buffet and one of the all-time good summer beverages.

Brought back great memories of the Orlando-Toronto playoff series, which was the first time I got to taste it.

That’s all on that.

-

This is a day or so old but the Phoenix Suns have sold their practice jerseys.

To some company that does something or other, not sure who or what but it’s the thin edge of the wedge around the NBA.

I don’t think these guys here have plans to sell jerseys yet, but I’m pretty sure if someone comes and wants to cut them a big cheque, the For Sale sign goes up.

But who?

Wouldn’t it be cool if they sold it to the pasta company Andrea did that commercial for so we can be reminded every day how bad it was?

Or Juicy Fruit, for the same reason only with Bosh?

How about putting a TFC logo on there, or maybe a Maple Leaf in some kind of wacky cross-promotion plan?

Seriously, this move to sell uniform space – now with practice jerseys and I assure you eventually with game jerseys – kinda sucks, in my opinion.

I know it brings in money but I have my doubts that the extra money will mean teams won’t try to get deeper into the pockets of the ticket-buying public. That doesn’t seem to be how the world works.

I don’t imagine it’ll ever get to car racing extremes, thank the good deity you worship, but if you’ve got a big old logo on the chest, it just takes something away.

I’m going to tell you this and then be mocked in some circles for sure.

I would like to be a fan of the Premiership at some level but, honestly, I do not know at a quick glance what team’s what.

One game – which was significant and a doozy, I’m told – was between, like AIG and UNICEF.

Maybe I’m just a dope and don’t follow it that closely, but that seems to be counter-productive if you’re trying to attract new fans, doesn’t it?

-

Mail, people; I need mail.

-

One more digression and I’m done.

Not sure if you’ve read Rich Griffin’s piece today, it’s here and it’s on John McDonald of the Blue Jays, who is one of the all-time good guys in sports. I could watch that guy make plays in the field every day for the rest of my life, it’s one of true spectacles in sport I’m glad I got a chance to see.

Anyway, a Johnny Mac story.

There’s this guy, Tom Withers, an Associated Press writer from Cleveland who’s a really good friend (we were the major chroniclers of all things women’s softball in Beijing) and Tom’s a good buddy of McDonald’s because they’re neighbours in the Cleveland area. If I ever cover baseball, Tom tells me, I have to go say hi, or I’m dead.

So, I get assigned one game all summer and I’m kind of a fish out of water, wandering around the clubhouse a couple hours before first pitch just being out of place.

And there’s Mac in his corner cubicle reading some mail and hanging out.

Okay, so I go over because Withers tells me I have to and introduce myself as a friend of Tom’s, a basketball writer out of place and I just want to say hello.

Now, there are athletes in every sport who would shrug, turn away, stare blankly off into space and, you know, ignore an interloper they’ve never seen and probably never will again.

Well, about 20 minutes later, after talking about families, basketball, Tom, coaching Super Son’s team, Beijing, the travel life of a sports writer, Olympics and everything but the weather, I have to excuse myself to go work and John’s got, you know, a major league game to prepare for.

That’s a classy, classy, good guy.

End o’ digression.

-

I’m sure you all have read Chris’s column off Jay being the drawmaster up at the track yesterday – if you didn’t, it’s right here.

As I’m reading it, the part about the “coaches retreat” this weekend caught my eye. It’s something I know they did when Sam was around (consider it “bonding” with a bunch of fun, golf and frivolity to fill in the down time) and it makes entire sense to do it again.

Not only does there have to be some chemistry among the players, there has to be among coaches, too.

I’m told – and from every interaction I’ve seen it’s absolutely true – that this is a close a staff as perhaps there’s ever been.

Not to knock the previous staffs but there was always something. Not tension, I don’t think that’s the right word, and they did work well together but I do think Sam was more of a decision-maker rather than a consensus builder.

Jay’s the other way.

Please don’t go off half-cocked, or fully-cocked, and think there was all kinds of dysfunction in the past, that’s not true. It just seems from everything I’ve witnessed – and that includes social settings with almost the entire staff a couple of times over the summer – that this is a close a group as you can get.

The retreat? I bet it’s a gas.

-

Comments

[TMF]

I think it's pretty obvious that if and when the Raps allow a sponsor on their jersey, first in line will be none other than the Evil Red Couch Empire. They already have most of the ACC covered.

[Bob]

Need some mail? Why did Babcock trade VC for not much and especially to a division rival? What was the reasoning if any? Thanks!

[Robbo]

Doug,

One McCown is probably already one too many for this world. I love what you do, but every now and again...

Barcelona, one of the biggest and already most recognizable sporting clubs in the world putting UNICEF on the front of their jerseys for FREE...Yup, pure evil there.

Last time I checked, football was doing more than fine, with or without your oh so glowing endorsement. You do deserve a bit of a mocking on this one, Doug. Sorry.

Blogger's note: I didn't say AIG vs. UNICEF was evil; I said it was AIG vs. UNICEF.

[Lawrence]

Oh man, it would be so great if some company came in and changed Toronto's NBA basketball team's jerseys to something that nothing that reminded us of Jurassic Park or cartoon dinosaurs

(ball + claw included)

Tim Horton's would look great. They'd be like the Timbits.

[doug]

the way Spain played yesterday they could have given any team in the world a run even the Amercans..I haven't seen such a complete ball game by one team for the whole game in a long,long time...their defense was stifling, their offense was a thing of beauty, the ball movement, the unselfishness, and not only did Pau Gasol play well his brother had a hell of a game also...Rubio is the real deal, for a 18 year old, maybe 19 now?, he was all over the place and all over Parker, he was the quarterback of that team, the leader the Timberwolves must be crestfallen...as Flynn is not in the same league as that kid

3 things I noticed, Spanish coach has the young Pat Riley look going, Rubio doesn't have Rubio on the back of his jersey its RICKY, and I love that international ball, the two tone brown leather...

France reminded me of Cananda if we had Nash playing, solid team but still missing one scorer as we would be even with Nash we are one player short still, as are the French...

[Rob]

Doug, maybe you're not getting enough mail because there doesn't seem to be a link to send you mail on the blog any more. I'm sober and realtively intelligent, I can't find it!

Blogger's note: It's there, on the left, just under the picture, says, "click here." If I've done this right, here it is:

http://www3.thestar.com/cgi-bin/star_static.cgi?section=sports&page=/Forms/speak_out/051108_rapquest.html

[dave]

Re: Robbo Trying to bust balls on the Jerseys was basicly Eric-esk. Barca is the only club that doesn't sell the front. For years they had their crest there. The change was nice good-will but I will always want to buy a jersey to support my team without a golden arch or starbuck on it. And with Doug choosing Barca ever think ya might be being played

[scott]

HAHAHAHA AIG vs. UNICEF, that was a good one. UNICEF won that one as I remember. That big game happened to be the Champions League Final that Barcelona won over Manchester United. A disappointing result for sure. That sport's final happened to be several stratospheres above basketball's final in term of interest across the world. And this is coming to you from someone who places soccer behind basketball, baseball, football, hockey. golf and tennis on their list of sports.

[Aaron]

I get what you're saying about the coaching staff. They seemed fine but there was always this peculiar vibe that they gave off. It may have been that Mike and Alex had (and still do I'm sure) strong desires to be head coaches. That's no different than other coaching staffs I guess but their goals seemed pretty apparent and that may be what contributed to the weird vibe.

[James Russell]

I saw most of the game last night. Spain was pretty strong from the get-go, especially in the paint. Rubio was good, but I would not call him dominant (he had, what, four assists and four turnovers). Don't know if it was because Parker was not so motivated or if Spain's defense in the paint help keep in check, though. Maybe both.

Pau was great, though.

[Ren]

One idea in Young's article, "Triano Ready To Go From Surreal To Real" really bothers me. It is the fact that at one point, he mentions that "[the Raptors] still appear defensively challenged". I am not sure that Young can support that claim. I would think that bringing in 4 defensive studs (Jack, Wright, Rasho and Evans) and an athletic big with shot blocking capabilities (Johnson) nullifies the idea that the Raptors are still "challenged". Of course, those players may not be in the starting rotation, but what team in the East, to begin with, can say they have a combination of scoring and defense on the floor all the time? I'm sure you can argue Cleveland and Boston, but in my opinion, that's really it. While it is very possible that my comments may be completely wrong come playing time, I would suggest that there is a much improved defensive body of players available for the Raptors this year. Doug, would you not agree that the Raptors appear much better on defense this year than last?

Blogger's note: On paper, yes; in reality, we have no idea

[AS]

I got a chance to speak with Andrea at the U2 concert last night (he had seats 1 row below me). He told me U2 was his favorite band.

It got me thinking, do the Raps have pre-game music in the dressing room before games? Or do they all just have iPods?

Also, funny point on the AIG vs UNICEF. What about when a team changes sponsor and your expecting to go see SHARP and it ends up being the evil empire AIG. Its like if the Raptors were to just change their name to The Dogs out of nowhere and expect us to go buy a wack load of new jeresys.

Blogger's note: No music pre-game in the locker room. Was/is a team rule.

[doug]

if a 18 year old kid can hold his own against a all-star world champion point guard , and even outplay him then yea I would say its pretty impressive...people forget how young rubio is at the point guard position no less thats unheard of...

theres a saying I heard once "when someone shows you who they are believe them"...nowhere is it more apparent in sports that owners and GM's don't....if you sign terrell owens he is who he is deal with it...I cringed when the Wizards re-signed Arenas to that huge deal, knee problems notwithstanding, I cringed as he is who he is, he can't keep his mouth shut, he is not a team guy, and he'll never be on a championship team.....low and behold he is already shooting off his mouth about the organization that stuck by him, signed him to what a $100 million deal....he is what he is, I hope the Wizards enjoy it as really who is the bigger fool in that scenario

[doug]

I agree with you 100% about Johnny Mac...in my time as a Jays fan i got to see 3 of the best defensive infielders to ever play....Alomar at second, Mac at short, and Rolen at 3rd...now theres a infield for the ages...

[Sean D]

Turkey gave the ball to Hedo to make the final shoot, 15 seconds left on the clock, it was supposed to tie the game, instead he missed it and now Turkeys going to the consolation rounds, I think this means the Raptors are doomed...

[doug]

Sean D your wrong...I don't have a clue what game you were watching good try though at revisionist reporting, here is the exact line from FIBA Europe's site.."Turning Point: With Greece leading 76-74 with nine seconds left, Ender Arslan missed a game-winning three-pointer"....Hedo never took the shot at all....in fact I was ticked that Turkey again went for the win on their last possesion, that is why I don't like the 3 point shot, never will....

[doug]

sorry 4 writing again but it burns me...when people like Sean D write asinine comments (i know mine are at times but they are opinion don't distort fact) Hedo had all his points 13 in the last quarter, to get Turkey into a tie and a overtime period...then in the overtime period he had a key steal and basket in the last 35 seconds to get Turkey closer, he missed a shot in the lane with like 18 seconds left but that was it......he never missed the final shot for turkey and in fact never touched the ball in the possesion the guard dribbled the court and threw up his 3 point shot.... Hedo was the only reason they were in the game...so yea were in big trouble...or "doomed" as you say when a guy takes a team on his shoulders and gets them into overtime in a big game, unreal...other people can read and watch games as well, so don't distort facts just to try and make a point it makes you look like a fool...

[LeeZ]

Um...I'm guessing that Sean D. was JOKING when he said the Raps are doomed based on the fact that Hedo missed one shot. I actually laughed out loud when I read his post, not a doubt in my mind that he was joking and channeling the nervous nellie Rap fans who get all up tight about the silliest things. But Sean D., if you weren't joking, then I have some advice for you: please please please seek professional help.

[Jon]

Who will be sixth man for the raptors? if speculated that derozan would start, then belinelli seems to be the first choice to come off the bench.

Blogger's note: Or Jack; but most likely Belinelli

[Jamie]

yes lets change the name of our team from the raptors to the timbits...last i checked we reserved timbits for 5 year old hockey players.

replacing team/city names with sponsor logos is a brutal idea in NA markets.

[David]

Interestingly with the Turkey-Greece game, that CNP player - cannot play - called Georgis Printezis - got 25 minutes of valuable time.

This is what the game report said:

In a year of transition for Greece, it was the experience of Vassilis Spanoulis, the rebounding of Antonis Fotsis and the defense of Georgios Printezis that helped them claim their biggest win of the year...

Printezis, meanwhile, showed great versatility by playing lock-down defense against Turkey's guards and forwards.

He also hit a three-pointer with 36 seconds remaining to give Greece a 64-63 lead.

It seems he can play, Doug, and shutting the down the likes of Hedo and Ilyasova is no insignificant achievement. While there is no place for him on the Raptors this year, you shouldn't be so quick to dismiss his chances of coming over in a couple of years - at least as an inexpensive reserve.

Blogger's note: It was from the highest level of NBA talent evaluator that I got that assessment and I am certain that it is correct. If you want to go on one game, I'll go find one where he played a few scoreless minutes, or not at all.
I stand by what I wrote.

[aldomilan]

Why do all North American fans of sports other than soccer, try to justify their dislike of different elements of this beautiful game by saying 'if you are trying to attract new fans'?
----Says who? Based on what efforts? 1 Friendly game in the summer as warm up target practice against an MLS team?

Let's get one thing clear--Soccer is the number 1 sport in the World and has billions of fans. It will NEVER change, transform and compromise its heritage, rules and traditional features, good or bad, just to cater to the unrealistic desires of the few fans of other sports.

We don't need an opinion on how to change our game. We are doing fine. Always will. Hockey and Baseball are not.

Blogger's note: Holy Misinterpretation, Batman. I wasn't slagging the sport. I was slagging corporate names on the front of uniforms.

[doug]

Printezis can play he is one of those players I was talking about that fans see do well in a mean nothing international game and think he can play in the NBA...he can't play in the NBA plain and simple he is one step to slow...it was a nothing game for Turkey after their loss yesterday...can you people get it, the international game is so much diffferent then the NBA game ...Printezis would be in the NBA if he could play do you honestly think 30 NBA G.M's are wrong give your head a shake...Doug and his source are right, I watched Slovenia and Crotia yesterday there were no players in that game that are top 5 starters in the NBA....watch Spain on the other hand today they played Greece and blew them out, on that team are at least 4 NBA starters....so quit your rambling Printezis played well in meaningless game, give it a rest...

I need the NBA season to begin I have lost my patience with people writing in with these absurd observations about international ball...

[doug]

plus if Sean D was jokin then so be it, just as I hope this last poster was about Printezis...who knows who is serious or not...according to some on this blog Pops should be a starter and Delfino is all the raptors need...and according to Eric, Doug is already making excuses for Bargs....and BC screwed up by getting Hedo in a sign and trade when it was more then the Suns got for Shaq (nothing)...so do you think he was joking??....something tells me he was serious..

[Rafa from Spain]

Hey guys, Printezis cannot play he's baaaaad and very tough with an ugly violent game, Delfino is out of the game and in very bad shape and Pops ... hey guys, he can't play, is a great nature strong totally out of control, great disappointment in this Euro, for one good action he loses five, he almost break a board with his bomb stones!!!
And finally Roko Ukic definitely is not a NBA player, he failed in Barca and in Rome in Europe, these teams leave him with limited minutes of play and breathe in peace when he went to the NBA ... and he failed in this Euro and in the summer league in Vegas ... wow I've never seen him play well more than two games in a row, and he's not so young ... so be happy with the movements in the raptors roster.