Breaking news for the break o' day

And you wondered if there’d be any news this week?

Of course there will be. And where else would you find it, couched in the most entertaining of terms? No place other than here, that’s where.

So ….

-

I fear for the future of the Internet.

Yes, folks, tickets for the big intrasquad game in Ottawa go on sale online today and if that doesn’t blow this whole thing up, I have no idea what will.

I got the word very, very, very early this morning – proving once again that the giants of the media relations industry never sleep – that at 1 p.m., at the Carleton Ravens site --- goravens.ca – tickets are out there on a first-come, first-served basis.

They’re $20, up from last year if I recall, and the money goes to “the charity selected by Carleton University’s department of recreation and athletics.”

Me? I’m hoping they consider The Home For Wayward Beat Grunts as a possibility.

See ya there.

-

All right, now that we’ve got the earth-shattering news out of the way – I’ve got 1:08 in the sellout pool – time to shift gears to the second installment of “Breaking Down Divisions And Don’t Hold Anything I Saw Against Me Until I Revise It After Training Camp.”

(Catchy title, no?)

Anywho

NORTHWEST DIVISION

TONY BOCK/TORONTO STAR

Portland has that Oden fellow among their crop of youngsters.

What happened

Well, here’s what, according to the player movement thingy at nba.com (and if it’s wrong, don’t blame me).

A boring summer

Ricky Rubio and the Minnesota aside, this really was an uneventful summer as far as player movement goes. Player retention? Hell, yeah, a lot of that. Player movement? Not so much.

Where trouble lurks

How about Utah? A whole lot of that player retention stuff was the Jazz keeping just about everyone and I cannot imagine Jerry Sloan will have an easy job keeping everyone happy, especially the Boozer-Millsap conundrum and who to play more.

Of course, if it becomes a serious issue and players complain, Jerry just might smack one in the head, give him a concussion and that’ll solve the problem for a while.

Who, or what, are they?

Yes, the Timberwolves have a million or so new guys but, really, do they have a team? It’s not like they added a bunch of grizzled veterans to get a young team on the right track.

Do they play fast? Or do they rely on Al Jefferson coming back fully healthy? Are they small or are they big?

A rookie point guard, a new coach. Trouble lurks.

Under the radar

Okay, so we all love Portland ‘cause it’s a good team of young players who’ve had some success.

And they might have made one of the more significant moves that nobody noticed when they signed Juwan Howard.

All I know about Howard is that last year, when his very young Charlotte team was making a small playoff run, Larry Brown was telling anyone who’d listen that the addition of Howard in mid-season, with his veteran presence and personality, was the most significant move of the year.

Things to do in Denver when you’re not dead

Nothing, it seems.

The Noogies were good last year and would appear to be good this year because they really didn’t do much.

Dahntay Jones was okay, Linas Kleiza never really found a role so they won’t be missed; Aaron Affalo and Ty Lawson? Big whoop.

Guess they don’t mind the status quo.

Best story to cheer for

Shaun Livingston, right? No idea how it works for him in Oklahoma City, I just hope it does.

Best addition, playing category

Howard aside, I really think Andre Miller has a chance to really, really help the Blazers. He’s calm, knows his role will be to make sure Brandon Roy has space to operate – and the ball when the game’s on the line – and that seems to me to be just a very good fit.

Imagine …

Hedo in Portland.

What’s it all mean?

This might be the best division in basketball. Seriously. With Portland, Denver and you can never count out a Jerry Sloan team, I can’t hazard a guess right now which is the best team.

-

Speaking of wayward beat grunts, anyone pay attention to the Blue Jays on TV last night? No, seriously, the game was on TV; yes, they are still playing. I’m flipping down the dial to get to this dance show you may have heard of when what do my tired eyes see but Alias Smith And Jones sitting in those grand poobah seats along the baseline being interviewed during the game.

Ah, I remember when Eric and Paul were just the local equivalent of Wilbon and Kornheiser; now they’re high-falutin’, fancy-seat-sitting, being-interviewed-on-TV bigwigs.

Hope they remember the little people they trod on during their meteoric rise to worldwide prominence.

Or something like that.

I kid, though. Two nicer guys you’ll never meet and if they got to sit in the fancy chairs and remained in them for 11 innings, they deserve something.

Not sure what. But something.

-

Ever try to give a reluctant 12-year-old cat a pill for a wee paw infection?

Never knew a seven-pound thing could be so recalcitrant.

She could be a Leave.

-

Raptors? They did nothing yesterday of note, I’m presuming everyone went to the driving range to work on their games for the big charity slice-and-hook fest later this week.

Wish I could tell you more, like what my tee time is but it seems they forgot to let me know.

Silly people.

-

Oh yeah, I remain steadfast in my support of Debi Mazar but, I gotta tell you, that Kelly Osbourne cuts a mean rug.

I’m seriously waiting for the night Ozzie storms out of the audience and attacks Bruno. Now, that’ll be reality TV!

Comments

[Sam]

Good morning Doug:

How come no team made any move for Avery Johnson? was he asking too much $$$? Or was it because Management of teams who were interested in him, felt that he drains players in practice and/or something related to it? Your thoughts please.

Blogger's note: He was offered the Detroit job. But I also think he's a guy who wants a four-year contract with a two-year act.

[Anthony kerr]

hey doug, when is teams photo day?

Blogger's note: While I appreciate your persistence, the answer to this question hasn't changed since you asked it two days ago. Sometime in February at the earliest; likely March.

[Chops]

Hey Doug,
do you have any must see games this coming season?
So far I have tickets to the home opener, the Magic game a few days later, and the Lakers game. Is it worthwhile to also watch Boston? Any other team?

Blogger's note: Must see? Not really, 'cause you never know what you're going to get

[Lazaros O.]

Anybody's seen the FIBA world rankings? Canada is above Slovenia!

http://www.fiba.com/pages/eng/fc/even/rank/rankMen.asp

[Walla with the Raps]

I think you must see them all, they are all must see's!
The opener and the Magic sound like two great games to see. The really big games for me would be against the top guns in the conference but I don't think there is a game this season I want to miss.
Here's a question. Where are the best seats for price value in the ACC? I mean I saw a game in the standing section here once and it was good but trying to average it out.

Blogger's note: Maybe others can answer, I don't have the necessary expertise

[Vijay C.]

Hey just to let everyone know, if you don't know that is..., Jay Triano will be on the Fan 590 from 2-3pm on the Game Plan Today.

[Ryan]

Hey Doug, hope this hasn't been asked before, but, we've all heard that Amir Johnson apparently had a growth spurt at some point. My question is, do you know when this happened (was it while he was a Piston still?) or if it's even actually true?

Blogger's note: I didn't know or care about him when he was a teenaged high schooler when he was drafted; makes entire sense to me that he might grown in the intervening four years.

[Pajan Kazemi]

Hey Doug and readers, there's a bit on Bosh's summer workouts on NBA.com http://www.nba.com/video/channels/nba_tv/2009/09/22/nba_workouts_bosh.nba/ (You can see photos through the NBA homepage too)

[Keith Wagar]

As far as bang for the buck, I have sat in 300 level behind the basket in the first 2 or 3 rows since the place opened. As far as I am concerned they are the best around -- really get a good view. Please note, I also sat courtside a couple of times and while the pace is faster you don't see as much, and the fans are not into the game as much!

[Eric]

I think- capitalize I think- part of the reason why there don't appear many stand-out games is in fact the problem with this team. They haven't made enemies or rivals over the past few years. They've been THAT team. So as fans we're left to constantly look up Vince's next game in Toronto. It's not that we care. It's just that we have no other choice. I hope that changes with the changes.

Here are the games I look forward to, subject to injury and trade,etc. and all those fun convo killers Dougers will tell you about :

- the CLEVELANDs (Those are always good games........ maybe Shaq will decide to play too! He's been better the last few years I won't lie, but he was horrible between 1998 and 2005),

- the MIAMIs (D-Wade can sort of play & it will be fun to see JO),

- SAN ANTONE (avenge last year? Thank you JO and Ukic),

- WASHINGTON (I got a feeling...... look at their roster..... they'll be looking for blood: Arenas, Butler, Jamison, Crazy Mike, explosive sorts off the bench. I think we'll be battling playoff spots with them lot.

Off the top of my head I see those as fun games. The 1st Orlando will surely be a blockbuster. Hopefully we develop a bigger rivalry with Boston, NJ or NY too.

-E

Blogger's note: You made the first part personal and I'm pretty sure I've warned you about that. It's been deleted and the next one will be, too.

[Alex]

Hey Doug, do you find time to do any fantasy sports? I'm curious to know your opinion on any sleepers or sure picks. Cheers

Blogger's note: No time or interest, actually

[Ryan W]

Well, I managed to get front row seats for the intrasquad game. Since I have never sat that close (nor have I seen an intrasquad game), what can I expect?

Do you think the players will pose for photos or anything?

Blogger's note: I'll get into this in a bit more detail in the morning but you'll see very low intensity fun; and I think a couple of guys stopped on the way out of the gym for pictures last year but not many

[Johnny's]

"maybe Shaq will decide to play too! He's been better the last few years I won't lie, but he was horrible between 1998 and 2005)"

Umm... that was Shaq's prime. He won one MVP (runner-up couple times), 3 championships, 8 all-stars, 8 all-NBA teams, MVP all-star game, 3 Finals MVPs, and one scoring champ in that span.

AND another championship during 2005-06

[D-Mac Ottawa]

Hi Doug, So how close were you on your 1:08 sellout at Carleton, do you suppose? Naturally, I had a 1:00 appointment, so by 2:30, my first chance to check... long gone. See ya! Any possible consolation prizes for slow-moving natives? Pre- or post-practices open for gawkers maybe? Perhaps a Greet-a-Grunt session at one of your nation's capital's finer dives? Can ya throw a dog a bone? All Rapped up and nowhere to go...

Blogger's note: Not sure there's much I can do. Sorry about that

[Imran Pirani]

Tickets are sold out, start at $60 (not $20), and went on sale prior to 1:00 PM. I know because I signed on late and the only seats left were not the most desirable. Thanks for the heads up though, only wish you were more accurate with the time the tickets went on sale. As if you don't do enough for us already.

Blogger's note: Really? That's not what I'm hearing elsewhere. But I only provide information I get, I don't make it up; and I was told the tickets were $20 and on sale at 1 p.m. Sorry, don't shoot the messenger.

[Paulino Nunes]

Doug -

Here's a link that will teach you how to give your cat a pill.

It works, try it:

http://www.nanceestar.com/CatPill.html

[Caleb]

Hey Doug,

Many thanks on the heads up for the inter squad game! If I didn't read your blog I would have missed out. Will you be making the trek to Ottawa again this year?

Blogger's note: Oh yeah, wouldn't miss it for the world

[Rick Grace]

Hey. If people need tickets for a Raptors game, come to London, Ont. I guess they're playing a game here in October. Thousands of tickets still available. You can get 8 seats in one row five rows up. Leafs sold out in London in half an hour. Its been two months and still plenty of good Raptor seats available. Guess basketball still has a looong way to go to make people outside Toronto care.

[andrew english]

Hey Doug, I am constantly amused and impressed by your wit and perseverance. Thanks for everything. I got the opportunity to attend a ritzy MLSE function at the ROM Monday; Andrea and Marco were there, as well as a few Leaves, the mascots and Quincy Douby. Andrea looked bored and was constantly surrounded, Marco was swarmed by females (the guy is classic Italian stud material) but Quincy MD (can we call him that - best CSI show ever) was relatively all alone, and just a cool guy to talk to. So, open ended question - "what are your thoughts on him? Is he going to get time after DeRookie, Jack, and Marco?"
-Andrew

Blogger's note: He's a really good kid who I'm sure will work hard and stay in shape and be ready if there's a rash of injuries, which I presume is the only way he'd get consistent time.

[AJR]

Doug,

The cold war is officially over, huh?

What's your take on Mikhail Prokhorov’s imminent purchase of the Nets?

Do you expect any negative reaction from Nets fans? Americans can be quite patriotic.

Do you suppose there might be a sudden influx of Russian-born players to New Jersey?

--AJR

Blogger's note: If the guy writes big cheques for players, he'll be welcomed. My take? Haven't given it much thought yet; maybe for the morning.

[gilles constant]

Not sure what website imran went to but at goravens.ca they went on sale at about 5 after 1:00 and all seats were $20. i know because i got 4 in the 2nd row! thanks for the tip, doug!

[Darko]

Found something interesting in my paper. MLSE advertizing those
private boxes in the ACC. I don't ever recall them doing so,
guess always sold out. Is it my crapy memory or there are tough
times in MLSE empire. Doug, would you know?

Petro: If you are like Petro boys, half Serbian, half Croatian than that's not fair, you get to claim medals from both sides.
Like, just recently in Rome, waterpolo Worlds. I envy you.
Was driving from Italy to Croatia this summer, went through Kranj, you now where that is, being waterpolo fan. Had great time in Porec and Rovinj. How 'bout we meet there next summer for couple of beers and shoot some sports breeze.
I still don't get you doubting Lorbek, did he not remove any doubt in that 1/4's game vs. Croatia, of all teams.
Unless I am mistaken and things are not what they seem. As that famous Serbian philosopher, Bata Mirkovic (you can find him even on You Tube) said something like "just when you think you have a grasp on something of some substance, you realize there is nothing there, absolutely nothing".
Let me know about those beers. Cheers.

Blogger's note: Not sure about the boxes, whether any have been available on one-game rentals before. But it wouldn't surprise if some are vacant, times are tough all over

[Eric]

Johnny's, I apologze you didn't understand. I guess you were not a fan back then. I meant Shaquille was "horrible" in terms of playing in TO (or not) and bouncing around Yorkville and watching his Lakers play from the sidelines in street cloths because the Raptors were not worth his time. Funny nough, it's the opposite of how Kobe treats it today. "Toronto fans get to see us once a year. I'm going to play." And you see, Kobe is in his prime NOW- he didn't need advancing age to show him what his responsibility is!!

[Eric]

My bad! My firend just corrected me and looks like Shaq played in most of those games vs Toronto! I apologize. Maybe another player? My memory is fuzzy today. :)

[Patrick]

Hi Doug,

I'm pretty sure that the info that you were given regarding the intrasquad game was right. I should know since I kept refreshing the tickets page until it let me select the game in question (which it did a little after 1pm).

Anyway, I got my tickets ($20 each, as you said) so I'm happy. It was a fun afternoon last year so I'm definitely looking forward to it again!

Have a good one!