We're closing in on the start of it all

Can you sense it?

One week!

One week ‘til it starts for real and we can begin figuring out who’s on what team and why.

Oh, and what the local Heroes of the Hardcourt might look like.

Until then …

-

All right, let’s say you’re a bunch of NBA coaches, you’re off on a “retreat” for a weekend, you’ve got a team with about 75 per cent turnover from last year, when you were bad and missed the playoffs.

What do you do?

Well, not having had a chance to talk to, oh, the head coach of said staff, we can only surmise how the lads spent their weekend so we will surmise:

Saturday

9-noon

The etiquette of buying beat grunts dinner on the road.

Tell them at the time of invitation? Surprise them after the meal? Sit in another part of the restaurant and silently pick up the tab?

Noon-2

Lunch

2-6

Leaking news the right way.

Phone call? Text? Smoke signal? Get someone else to do it and have deniability?

6-9

Dinner

9-midnight

Free time for private reflection.

Sunday

9-noon

Scouting techniques

Where do the writers hang? Do they travel in packs or individually? What are their tendencies.

Noon-2

Lunch

2-4

Practice plans, defending the screen and roll, defensive philosophies, possible starting lineups, offensive sets, all the mundane basketball chores.

4

Depart

6

Call grunts, tell ‘em what happened.

-

How good is Spain?

Check this legacy out:

2006, won world championships

2007, lost Eurobasket final in final minutes

2008, Olympic silver, extended Americans in epic final.

2009, won first Eurobasket title ever.

That’s a quadrennial to be proud of, isn’t it?

And one thing to notice is that this is the same group, pretty much, that’s been around all four years, proving once again that some kind of roster continuity is of huge significance for the short international season.

The United States found that out the hard way, it wasn’t until they got long-term, year-to-year commitments to the program that they were able to ascend to the top of the world, again.

And, to a lesser degree, the case can be made that that’s why Canada was finally successful in getting to a big, global tournament this summer for the first time in a long time.

Yes, the depth of talent and individual skill level of the Canadians may not be as great as other countries but there’s obviously something to be said for building a core group, keeping it together for summer after summer and watching it improve.

Now, the question here is: When do they start making subtle changes?

Is it next year, to build toward the 2014 world championships in Spain? Is it time to start “growing” another team with longer term goals in mind?

I think it probably is.

As I’ve said before, an infusion of young kids next year at the worlds, gaining experience and creating some kind of familiarity, is huge for the long-term success of the senior program.

-

So, what’s up this week with the Raptors? Well, really not much.

I presume everyone will be in town by mid-week (I know the coaches and management would like that) and all it’ll be are informal workouts and getting the details taken care of before media day a week from today.

The one odd thing on these informal workouts that I’d kind of forgotten until last Friday: No coaches, no “official” work.

It was staffers and ball boys and some of the training staff hanging around, nary a coach in sight.

Don’t for a minute think they – and Bryan – aren’t acutely aware of what’s going on in the gym, it’s just a wink-wink, nod-nod kind of situation.

-

How big a night is this?

DWTS debuts!

Remember, Debi Deby Mazar’s the darkhorse.

And I hear Julianne Hough’s taking the season off? That bites.

-

Speaking of the world championships, the European reps next summer in Turkey (where I should be, right boss?) are:

Spain

Serbia

Greece

Slovenia

France

Croatia

And Turkey as the hosts.

Not bad for France, eh? They had to go through that extra qualifying round and still got to the worlds.

Not very good for Russia, eh? They won the 2007 Euros, beating Spain in Spain, but haven’t directly qualified for Turkey.

But I bet they’ll be there.

Remember, FIBA’s got four “wild card” spots to hand out and I’d presume Russia, given its history, gets one.

You can make a case for a lot of other countries and I have no idea how the poohbahs at FIBA think but if they want to round out the field with countries where the game is growing, countries that have displayed growth in their programs over the past four years, countries that are truly developing, I give the four wild cards to: Russia

Macedonia for their showing at in Poland

Not sure if there’s another European team worthy, I imagine there is but one spot, I bet, will go to an African nation.

They’ve already got Angola, Ivory Coast and Tunisia qualified, Cameroon and Nigeria were the next two teams and I can see FIBA taking them both.

I do not see another FIBA Americas team getting a berth.

The wild cards are being announced Dec. 13.

-

Okay, the remnants of Hurricane Catch 22 are all around the house, time to go clean up after the marauding – yet very fun – gaggle of Dragon Boaters.

Oh, and some work, too, I guess.

Comments

[Travis]

I think it's 'Debi'

Blogger's note: It is, my mistake

[Lawrence]

Does Turkey's inclusion as the host not reduce the number of available wild card berths?

Blogger's note: No, always were four, regardless of what Turkey did in Poland.

[Mo]

Doug,

Any news about the pre-game intro this year?
Does that get prepared in the next week or two or do they wait until the end of preseason?

Just curious because, to be honest, last year's was crap. I could practically see the other teams laughing at bargnani and co dancing in the pimped up Cadillac.

Maybe it's just me, but from the years before, the fans used to be pumped after the intro, but last year just made people smile and sit quietly after.

Sorry - we are in the LAST week of summer, every other raptors topic has been exhausted!

Blogger's note: No news

[john]

"And one thing to notice is that this is the same group, pretty much, that’s been around all four years, proving once again that some kind of roster continuity is of huge significance for the short international season."

Curious: is roster continuity not as significant in a longer-grind NBA season? With only three players returning from last year's training camp squad, it does make one wonder how long it'll take this team to gel.

[Lazaros O.]

Doug, you wouldn't give a wildcard spot to Lithuania despite this Eurobasket's bad performance? They can be really good when their roster is complete.

PS1 What prize do Hooman and I get for picking all final four teams correctly in your September 17th column?

PS2 Given Greece's bronze model wouldn't you admit that tanking a game is a wise thing to do from time to time?

[Manuel]

And what about a spot in world championship for Lithuania? Their performance had been great last decade and, except this Eurobasket'09, they won a bunch of medals in several FIBA tournaments. They played this summer borribly, but I think they deserve a spot.

[Anthony kerr]

hey doug,

i was wondering what current raptors are in town, as of today, are the older guys, like jack evans, and rasho in, and when is hedo expected in town?

Blogger's note: Everyone's expected in by midweek or so; I haven't talked to anyone over there to see who landed overnight.

[anthony.mackay]

Agree with Mo, last years Intro was weak and almost made me cringe before some of the bigger games VS Celtics, Magic, etc.... Shouldn't we have something a little edgy or at least not so happy go lucky?

[neil]

Hey Doug, I couldnt find anything on the net, but does Joey Graham have a home yet or any rumored interest?

Blogger's note: No, and none that I've heard of

[doug]

if any coaching staff needs game film to show how the game should be played, show Spain's from any of their last 3 games, beautiful stuff...I agree with you to a degree in that continuity to a program is the key from coaching to players, but Spain is different in that they have bona fide NBA starters on that team, the talent level is very high, whereas with Canada if we have a chance to upgrade ours with a Nash, or Bonner then you have to do it...plus I can sense a theme and it bothers me, Barg's has already become the scapegoat, guy to dump on for this coming season from some of these bloggers, I don't get it...are these the same people that booed Larry Murphy out of town, only to see him be a vital cog on the Wings Stanley Cup winning teams?....Toronto fans always need someone to vent their disappointment on this years I can tell is Barg's for the Raptors and its not right

[kevin]

What about Dominican Republic for a berth? They are a young team with few NBA's. They are ceriainly worth to look at.

Blogger's note: I think this was too much of a one-off proposition for them to be given a spot

[Mark L]

Doug, thoughts on Delonte West and his recent troubles? Do the Cavs get rid of him? Good signing with AP in this situation.

Blogger's note: Get rid of him? I doubt it. Deal with his inevitable suspension? Yeah

[Darko]

Hi Doug, I don't know if you had a chance to see much of action from Poland, but these were fun Euros to watch.
First of, congratulations to Spain, that was some derierre-whooping they did yesterday, and acctualy in the last three games. Some finish to the tournament.
I see you gave no love to my kids brigade from Serbia for their showing and silver medal. Average age all of 22 yrs, with Krstic being grizzled vet at the old age of 26. As described back home, Junior team plus Krstic. That semi final vs Slovenia was something else, drama, lead changes and all.
Speaking of Slovenia, some expert here mentioned how nobody from Slovenia would even be a starter anywhere in the NBA.
Without going over their roster, Just to start with Erazem Lorbek who would eat for breakfast at least half starting 4's
in the NBA, let alone not being worthy being starter.
Last, that 4 year period for Spain ('06 to'09) looks good but
falls waaaay short of 15 years ( 1988 to 2002 ) for old Yugoslavia, than smaller Yugoslavia and than Serbia and Montenegro. 3 World golds, 5 Euro golds and 1 bronze, 2 Olympic silver's and one poop year in Sydney (6th).
Count would be even better if they were allowed to play in '92-'94 , 3 year period.
Good ol' CCCP had even better ( longer periods ) of domination,
so this Spain's 4 year medal binge looks like nice little run soon to end.
Frank:
asked how would Spain do vs old Yugoslavia, he forgot Montenegro which will start playing internationaly I believe next year, and has few very good players.
Also, same question could be asked Spain vs CCCP.
IMO, Spain would not even be in the final game,let alone win gold.

Blogger's note: Those are all good questions that create debate and, yes, I gave short shrift to Serbia and shouldn't have. My friends who were at the tournament said they were the biggest -- and most pleasant -- surprise.

[Viktor]

Hey Doug, why do you think Joey hasn't found a place yet? I remember you saying that around the league, his time in the NBA is considered over (sorry if i remembered wrong, didn't mean to put words in your mouth).

But why is that? Although he can be inconsistent, he still manages to score 20+ points a few times, +10 quite frequently and helps the team. He's definitely better than any player at the end of the bench of any team. So why do those end of the bench players still have "time" but Joey doesn't?

Blogger's note: I can't speak for GMs; my opinion is that he had four years in the NBA, never really developed into a solid rotation player and there are cheaper guys for the ends of benches. That said, I hope he gets at least a camp invite.

[Raúl -Argentina-]

Not other european team worthy of a wild card? are you kidding me? are you picking Russia and FYR of Macedonia over Lithaunia? I know they played terrible in the EuroBasket but their top 4 players were out, Jasikevicius, Macijauskas, Siskauskas and Kaukenas. They made the semis in the last two Olympic Games losing in the bronze medal match against US in 2004 and Argentina in 2008, i think no team in the world deserves that wild card more than lithuania, for their recent history and their elite players.
My candidates for the wild cards are: Lithuania, Dominican Republic, Nigeria or Camerum (from Africa) and Italy or Russia (from Europe) i know italy didn't even qualify for the EuroBasket but the silver medal in Athens 2004 is more than enough in my opinion to get a wild card.

[Jeff]

Did Garbo play for Spain?

Blogger's note: Yep

[Paul]

I am really not sure about given a wild card to the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. Even though they didn't have a great tournament, if I had to pick another European team, I would give it to Lithuania.

[Paulino Nunes]

Doug,

I've intercepted this text conversation:

JayT: Guyz - Smith knew evrything abt our retreat - who spilld?
BigEnglish: I saw the new kid txting during lunch...
AlvWil: No way - dont pin this on the new guy
Marcaroni: i told you that wazn't eric hughes lurking around outside!

You've been discovered. I'd lay low for a while...

Blogger's note: Ding! Ding! Ding!

[doug]

I am far from a expert, just because I express my opinion and you disagree is fine, but if you think Erazem Lorbek can beat half the NBA 4's then let's see it....I have seen enough b-ball to know there are talented players and then there are players that are tlaented but are one step to slow to be effective in the NBA....all top five starters on any NBA are not only good athletes they are top-flight athletes...thats why the Carl English's, the Denham Brown's of this world although fine players in their own right are not ever going to make it in the NBA...look at Spain, Pau Gasol, Fernandez, Rubio, are fine athletes, then you have Marc Gasol and Garbo who are as well but they get buy more on their b-ball I.Q but fine players nonetheless....I watched a guy like Big COuntry with the Grizzlies (as I lived out there then) and that guy had soft hands, he was a fine athlete for a big man ....so like I say I may be wrong but it was just my opinion lets see Lorbek play in the NBA...then we can talk,the past is littered with the J.J. Riddicks,Adam Morrisons,Yuroslav Korolev's,Thebo Sefolosha's, and then Rafael Araujo, one step to slow, good in one league in the big show different story ...the NBA is the NBA people underestimate constantly how fine of athletes those guys are first and foremost

plus a element to these 4 wild card spots not discussed has to be politics, and to exclude Russia i don't think will happen..

[Matthieu]

Cannot wait for the season to begin...
With regard to Spain, this country has been insanely successful sportswise over the last few years: European soccer champions in 2008 (national team); winner of the 2009 soccer champions' league (Barcelona), winner of 2009 tour de France and Vuelta in cycling (with Contador and Valverde), not to mention Rafa Nadal and some others (source: www.lequipe.fr). But I digress ;)

[Mike]

Hey Doug,

Do you have any opinion about what will happen with using replacement referees?

Blogger's note: Likely little good; inconsistency and a lot of complaining

[doug]

plus "Darko" your points are valid but have no bearing whatsoever on the here and now...you let your bias's enter the picture and obvious dislike for Spain shows through as well, Doug never gave short shrift to the Serbians , they had quite a few players such as Peja etc. that never wanted to play for them if they chose to then yes the Serbians are a valid world class team...why won't those players play for them??...Sebia is what it is a good young team but not in the class of the other teams...as Spain showed in a complete drubbing...

[petro]

Darko,

Please stop tooting the old Yugo Horn... we all know how that nation ended up... and thank Bog for that. Funny how Serbs count Yugo medals and Croatians don't - even though those Yugo teams were loaded with Croatian studs.

Back to basketball... good for Serbia to be back on the podium... after a brutal 5 year stretch... European basketball is better for it.

I've seen Lorbek play enough to admit he has great footwork and shooting touch and a special knack for scoring in bunches... MAYBE he COULD be a nice role player off the bench in the NBA... but he lacks the athleticism and strength to play the 4 in the NBA... and his defense would be subpar at best!

[Ren]

from a poster: doug
"I agree with you to a degree in that continuity to a program is the key from coaching to players, but Spain is different in that they have bona fide NBA starters on that team, the talent level is very high, whereas with Canada if we have a chance to upgrade ours with a Nash, or Bonner then you have to do it..."

I don't believe that it is because they have bona fide NBA starters that Spain is so good. It is because they have the continuity and the high skill of European players, who grew up and learned the game in Europe, where it is a team game. If your NBA starters from Spain grew up and developed in the USA, I guarantee they would not be the powerhouse that they are. Spain's success is directly linked to home grown team understanding, not NBA development. Ask the Dominican Republic. While North America revels in its "Me" culture, most of Europe (especially eastern countries) still have a philosophy that family is the most important thing. That is what wins games. These players are able to fit a role, to play a part, and not have to be the hero that our society creates. Why do you think, with all the talent, that it was so difficult for the USA to finally get back on top? Why would we want to bring back Nash, when the chemistry the team has now is growing, with players who are learning the right way to play international ball?

Doug, what's you take?

[Freddy]

When the raps play shaq or dwight, do you expect rasho to get a lot more minutes since andrea might get banged around way too much?

Blogger's note: Not a lot, no. I expect them to try to take advantage of matchups at the other end