And away we go

Well, here we go.

This’ll be 14 of these media day things for yours truly – missed 2007 because we were in Italy waiting for the gang to arrive – and, yes, it does get old.

But it also is a bit like the first day of school and we all recall how much fun that was, right?

-

What, my friends ask, is Media Day really like?

Well, it’s busy but with a lot of standing around and waiting; everybody gets what they need – eventually.

It’s relatively informal, which is good, but it’s also crowded so getting one-on-one time isn’t going to happen.

It’s kind of a mishmash.

But the drill, if the methods of 14 previous years holds, is:

The player saunter in, get their pictures taken at half a dozen or so “stations” before running a gauntlet of media outlets where they do those “I’m So And So And You’re Watching Raptors Basketball On Whichever Of The Hundred Networks We’re On Tonight” promos.

They’re herded around the room (this year we’re in the fancy-schmancy new atrium instead of the practice gym/sweatbox) by a member of the staff and then we get ‘em, usually in rather unmanageable scrums wherever they break up.

But it’s after those scrums, when we’re standing around awkwardly wondering what to do, that you get to actually stop and say hello to a player or a coach or a member of the staff.

That’s the good part. You can get a bit more work done and catch up on the comings and goings of the summer and have a normal conversation.

Then we all head back to our little places to write, some of us hop a train to Ottawa and things get started in earnest tomorrow at Carleton.

-

And, finally …

ATLANTIC DIVISION

What happened

Well, nba.com is a bit slow off the mark, they seem to have missed a couple the Rasho and Belinelli transactions here but it’s the best I’ve got.

These guys, you know

Lots of stuff in our paper (like this from this morning) and on the site about the Raptors so we’ll leave them pretty much alone.

Suffice it to say that this is, on paper, as deep a team as they’ve ever had.

Look at the second five: Jack, Belinelli, Wright, Evans, Nesterovic. All starters at times last season.

Yes, it’s only on paper and rebounding and defence are an issue going in. But, still …

Wait ‘til next year.

So the Knicks are still planning to be big players in the 2010 free agency derby. Guess that’s good because I only see them being bit players in the NBA this season.

Lucky ticket buyers.

The knee’s the thing

Sure, Rasheed Wallace probably helps Boston a lot but I’m holding off on the Celtics until I see Kevin Garnett run. Yes, they are still good but Ray Allen’s not getting any younger, if you recall there were issues that arose about Rajon Rondo’s “coachability” in the summer and if Garnett’s not normal, neither are the Celtics.

Who’s the boss?

Philly was a feel-good story last year but I’m wondering how they’ll do without Andre Miller and no experienced replacement? Not well, I fear.

They’ll score and run and be quick. Will they win? Not enough.

Let the Nyet jokes begin

Yes, they still have Devin Harris and I really like Lopez but, seriously, in This Man’s East, you have to think the Nets are life and death for the post-season, don’t you? Somewhere, Kidd-Carter-Jefferson are collectively smiling. They got out when the getting was good.

You still here?

This could, now that I think of it, be the Under-the-Radar signing of the division, but yes, that’s Darko Milicic, third team in six years, with the Knicks. If he can’t play for Mike D’Antoni, he can’t play.

Which is probably what we’ll find out.

What will happen

Anyone’s guess after the Celtics – and that’s only if the Celtics don’t run into a rash of injuries. There’s no reason to think the Raptors don’t start the season as the second-best team in the division.

-

Okay, this may not be earth-shattering news, but when I was hanging out at the golf tournament, talk got around to the scrimmages that had been going on at the Air Canada Centre

And here’s unsolicited Bryan on Reggie Evans:

“I have to say, he’s going to be a difference-maker for this team.

“He looks like he’s in mid-season form … he had an impact immediately, he’s around the ball all the time, he came up with multiple rebounds that in the past we wouldn’t have had.

“He challenged Andrea when he was defending him to the extent that Andrea came back the second day much more prepared to go a little bit harder, to fight against that defensive pressure, that little inside force.

“If it’s any indication, he’s going to have a big impact both in practice and in game situations and we’ve got someone to turn to.”

Now, it would have been big news if Bryan ripped him or something but still …

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Hey, this is pretty cool.

I’m sure you’ve all heard and read about the Canadian women making it to the world championships (if you missed it, go here to get all the details).

Am working on a story now for tomorrow that says this has been the greatest summer for Canada Basketball in, well, in ever, I’d suggest.

And I know a lot of you don’t know coach Allison McNeill or any of the women on the team but, trust me, this is a good thing happening to good people.

These folks go through a tough summer of travel – they’ve played in China, Cuba and B.C. before Brazil – with little or no fanfare and truly for the love of the game and their country.

No one’s out to assure themselves of a big bucks contract for the summer, there’s no media and no glamour.

They play for all the right reasons and it’s nice to see them rewarded.

-

List time

(Remember that?) Anyway, it being Training Camp Nostalgia time, I was trying to figure out how they’d rank – in order -- over the decade and a half I’ve been going.

This is totally subjective and has as much to do with how we were treated as anything but what the heck.

Treviso

The no-brainer of no-brainers. Great hotel (the front yard was a vineyard), excellent conditions (Il Ghirada’s gorgeous) and a half hour train ride from Venice.

Ottawa

Seriously. Good city, excellent gym, coffee place just down the hall. Only drawback? We worked behind a curtain in a hallway.

Kitchener

Lattes in the building, good ante room to set up in; minus for being stuck way out of town and having to commute.

Hamilton

Hotel, when we stayed, was attached to arena. And it was all new so everyone was excited. And, although I’m not sure this is good, Brendan Malone let us watch every minute of every practice.

Brock

Close to Niagara Falls, which was a big plus, but the work room was a storage closet.

Barrie

One year was enough. Guess it was a nod to The New VR or something but facilities were so-so and it’s hardly the garden spot of North America.

Buffalo

You ever spent time in downtown Buffalo in early October? Ugh.

Toronto

Training camp at home? Heresy.

-

Do yourself a favour if you’ve got time this week. I’m pretty sure RaptorsTV is going to pick up the WNBA Final – starts Tuesday in Phoenix – and I bet you’re surprised by the level of play if you tune in.

So tune in.

And, of course, watch local Tammy Sutton-Brown with the Fever, she was huge in a big Game 3 win over Detroit that got Indy to the final.

-

Let’s see: Men’s world championships in Turkey, about 10 days off and then the women’s world championships in Czech Republic?

Guess I’m going to have a busy summer next year, right boss?

Boss? You there? You reading this?

Comments

[Erik and MaryLynn Turk]

Doug, thanks for the updates on the womens and mens national teams. Teresa Gabriele (nee Kleindeinst (sp?)) is a very interesting story for what she does to be able to keep playing for the national team - doesn't play in Europe or Australia like most of the other post University aged women. There's a story there!!!

Thanks for writing - the blog is a must read each day.

[Patrick]

Morning Doug,

The run-up to the season is upon us! Given the eventful summer, I would think today would be at least a little more interesting than usual. Either way, I can't wait to see the team play... yes, even if it's at half-speed (intrasquad game in Ottawa) or with nothing on the line (pre-season).

Just out of curiosity, when does media day officially start, i.e. around what time do you expect Jim LaBumbard to start funneling players your way for a few quotes/soundbites?

Thanks and have a good one!

Blogger's note: Starts at 1

[ChrisD1]

Doug-
Would you put Rafer getting traded right after media day up there as a memorable media day moment? Did he cry or throw a fit?

Blogger's note: It was the day after and he didn't come to the gym

[Joe]

How much cap room would the Knicks even have next year if the cap falls that amount they expect it to? will they even be able to give someone a max deal?

Blogger's note: No one will know with any certainty until next year.

[NC]

You're going to need a caddy in Turkey next summer. I'll begin memorizing the phrase book now.

[SteveG]

Hey Doug,
There's much more to the area around Brock than Niagara Falls, in fact, locals try to stay clear of Niagara Falls. If they ever come back, try out Niagara on the Lake and all the wineries, plus just down the street from Brock in downtown St.Catharines there's a couple good spots to get a good local brew beverage. Not to mention the Bruce Trail and fall colours on the escarpment. Unless you're into gamblign Niagara Falls doesn't have much, except for the Falls themselves which is great.

[Eddy]

Hey Doug , just wondering what time does the media coverage start today?

[BrianV]

Hey Doug,
I seem to recall reading about exit-interviews with last year's roster, where the players were asked which player they feared playing against the most.

It's my understanding that Mr. Evans name came up more than once.

I noticed last year, when Andrea came into camp after working out with J.O during the summer, he seemed to be a little more aggressive (maybe less timid would be a better description) from the experience.

I'm thinking, practicing against Reggie Evans everyday should help him further from not backing down from anyone, with respect to being aggressive.

I mean, if you are not intimidated by Reggie Evans, who in this league would you be intimidated by if you are a bigman?

I guess you may have already touched on this in today's blog, but do you see having Andrea (and perhaps other players) playing against Reggie in practice everyday, paying dividends in more ways than just what Reggie does against opponents in real games?

[petro]

Doug... I think you need an assistant??? I'm looking at changing careers... any chance at an internship??? Instanbul and Prague would be cool!

[Omid]

No thank you for the wnba finals. I would rather see some re-run raptor games.

[Bill]

Waterloo?? Those Kitchener guys always get credit....

[Ryan]

The WNBA has a final?

[K Price]

do u know what time any of this media day will be on tv today??

Blogger's note: It starts at 1, no idea if it'll be on TV

[Woody]

Howdy Doug,

Weekend Raptor sighting, Jose at the mall, also another Raptor not sure who though, Demar or Sonny?? Perhaps you can ask which one was at the mall this weekend.

Will you make a prediction prior to the season starting as to the finishing order of the Eastern and Western Conferences, obviously some of us won't hold you to your answers, as there are many factors.

Cheers Woody

Blogger's note: Yeah, I probably will

[Mike kovacs]

Good tables in the paper and online. Doug with the number of new players do you think that the starters will play above average minutes in the preseason? Also in London an establishment with good atmosphere and selection of adult beverages would be Joe Kool's. Mike

[Stan Kozinar]

You ever spent time in downtown Buffalo in early October? Ugh

Doug, anytime spent in downtown Buffalo is bad!!!!!!!!!!!!

[KO]

As Bill noted above, training camp at RIM Park was in Waterloo, not Kitchener. If you were in fact staying at a hotel in Kitchener then you would have had a lengthier commute than if you had found one of the hotels just a couple of minutes away in Waterloo (like a walk/drive from the Star building to King and Bathurst). The difference between Kitchener and Waterloo usually only matters to those, like me, who are from one of the two, but sounds like something might have been missed in arranging your accommodations. End of (pointless) digression from the great blog and (mostly) thoughtful/insightful comments from the many great readers.

[doug]

Yes i agree with your comment about micro-managing in yesterdays blog..it exists in all sports and frankly drives me nuts....in football whether young readers realize it or not quarterbacks use to call their own plays, none do now (Manning aside),,in baseball you have this ridiculous pitch count, Nolan Ryan never had one, nor did Gibson, or McClain they all seemed to do quite well....in b-ball its so prevalent, especially with lets say 10 seconds left in the game, your down by a basket or so, you grab a defensive rebound an then the coach calls a time-out...its ridiculous, as it gives the opposing team time to set up their preferred defense, with their personnel group they want, then you have to get the ball in bounds(not a sure thing as the Raps will attest to)..then work open for a clean shot...when all you had to do was push the ball up court off the initial rebound, and 90% guaranteed you are either going to get a hoop or fouled...it's just insane...i think all sports have become micro-managed as coaches are paid exorbitant amounts of money , so to justify that they tend to over-coach...

and why do people make disparaging remarks about the WNBA??..if your not a fan just let it be...but to make comments just shows your ignorance, as your obviously not b-ball fans you are raptors fans...WNBA, as does international ball shows the fundamentals, ball movement, etc...that the NBA doesn't...I wonder if those people making those comments can pick out a zone defence from a man to man, or a 2-1-2, opposed to a 1-3-1 etc...why show your ignorance???

[Boss]

Yes I'm reading. :)

[MC B-Rad]

Hey question....why no love...your at the bottom of the stars blog list...why is that...tell the higher ups you need to be farther up the list

[toni]

yo people of toronto newspapers cater to hockey only becouse bball the game from the hood dont please the redneks thanks doug for your hard work to promote the game. if u dont read the star u cant get any news.make me sick

[Tim H.]

"New Raptor making impact already" - what does this headline have to do with this blog?????? Do the online editors even read what you write?

[smd]

No love for Barrie Doug?
It's a beautiful City. . . . .

Blogger's note: Know it well, my in-laws are there; in 1996, it lacked a certain something

[Eddy]

The new player impact is coming from Reggie Evans playing some tough "d" on Andrea. Go back and read it again the quote coming from BC.

[Ivan]

Tim H., the headline refers to Colangelo's quote about the impact Reggie Evans is already making on the team.