Of road trips and shooting drills and all sorts of fun things

Pretty impressive that we’ve been through three off-days (one with no practice to provide fodder) and still come up with nuggets to titillate you, isn’t it? Isn’t it?

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The fact that teams are cutting costs these days is nothing new – the fact just about every corporation in the world is cutting costs these days is not new, in fact – and the Raptors point was hammered home a little bit yesterday.

Counting heads when we got into practice – it’s something we do every day – there was one guy missing: Assistant coach Micah Nori.

Figured he hadn’t gone off to help the Evil Empire Yankees hit with men in scoring position (he was a Mighty Yankees hitting consultant this summer) but where in the world could he be? Then it him me: He had to be off scouting the Cavs before opening night.

Micah, you see, came up through the ranks of advance scouting and when he was named an assistant coach in the summer, the team decided to do away with the position.

Not entirely, mind you. Micah will break off from the team every now and then to do some – as long as he’s not away for too many days in a row – and they’ll employ freelancers whenever they have to.

Lots of teams are doing that -- I’ve seen four or five guys at different game so far working for two or even three teams providing play calls and reports – because (a) it saves a bit of cash and (b) with a bunch of courtside seats that used to be used for scouts now sold to fans at unseemly high prices, having a scout go and sit at the top of the lower bowl in some arenas really doesn’t work.

So guys like Micah pile up frequent flier and hotel points, spend a bit of time away from the team and, now that I think of it, do two jobs.

Hope he’s being compensated for it.

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So, want to talk?

Just so we can start getting into a routine here at whatever this place is, how about doing a little live chat tomorrow? Say around noon? I don’t imagine there’ll be all kinds of hullabaloo in Sioux Falls that’ll keep me busy so let’s talk for an hour or so and see how it goes?

It’s all part of our increased game day coverage and, man, are you readers going to be busy. I am, too, but that’s what I get paid the mediocre bucks to do.

We’ll unveil the rest of it over the next few days to try to work the kinks out leading up to Wednesday; for now, we’ll do one of those live chats to get the ball rolling, and the pre-season over.

Speaking of Sioux Falls, I’m told by people who’d know that there indeed will be wireless internet access courtside so we’re good to go with an in-game blog.

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Wonder if I can grab up some nifty Sioux Falls Skyforce souvenirs over the next couple of days? I do notice that the Skyforce is an NBA affiliate of both Miami and Minnesota, which now gives me an idea of what the hell we’re doing traipsing all that way for a pre-season game.

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A guy who hoped for an L.A. Freeway Series sure is getting screwed over, isn’t he?

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All the interviews are done yesterday after practice, everyone’s packing up and getting ready to leave and there are three guys down at the other end of the court working pretty diligently.

Shooting Guru Hopla, basketball development assistant coach Eric Hughes and – ta-da! – Marco Belinelli.

Now, Marco’s stats are rather unimpressive so far this pre-season and he really hasn’t taken control of a game with his somewhat frenetic style yet but one thing I do know is that he’s noticed that same fact and is working to correct it.

Talked to him the other day, I think it might have been in Hartford, I don’t recall 100 per cent, and when I asked him how it was going, the first thing out of his mouth was, “I’m not happy with my shot.”

He’s as smart as fans, coaches or the media, I see.

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No one is saying this out loud but watching Reggie Evans walk around on crutches still makes it’s as plain as the nose on your face that there’s no way in the world he’s ready for opening night.

That’s a bit of a blow – I bet they’d like to see him out there knocking Anderson Varejao around a little bit – but what can you do?

But with those backup bigs – Reggie, Amir and Rasho – minutes were always gong to be a night-to-night thing depending on the opponent.

Sayeth Jay:

“My rotations will probably vary on a nightly basis depending on matchups, who’s playing well and who’s 100 per cent healthy.”

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Oops, forgot to mention this yesterday, and haven’t really mentioned it too much in the past few weeks, much to your chagrin, I’m sure.

I’m now a big Sabrina The Teenage Witch fan on DWTS and her surviving the other night was justice.

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Speaking of television, we wander off the elevator beside the practice facility on the third floor of the arena yesterday and it was like walking onto the back lot of some movie production company

All kinds of equipment strewn about, a gaggle of workers ready to set everything up and all I can think of is, finally, they’re going to do A Day In The Life Of Doug for some reality television channel. I get my best Gloria Swanson ready -- “All right, Mr. DeMille, I’m ready for my close-up” – but nooooo, it’s not for that.

It’s for an upcoming Bosh car commercial they were filming and, if equipment means anything, this is going to have amazing production values.

But all I can think is, seriously, it HAS to be better than the Sam one from a couple of years back, doesn’t it? I mean, they took a guy with a rather impressive personality and sucked it out of him.

Can’t wait to see this one.

Comments

[Peter]

Any news on GruntTV?

Blogger's note: We're putting together a plan to make it worth your while; and mine.

[Patrick]

Morning Doug,

Since you mentioned your relative distain for Sam's car commercial, have there been any other Raptors-related commercials through the years that have stood out to you, good or bad? Vince and Nav? Bargnani eating pasta on the court?

Thanks and have a good one!

PS: Given that the staff wants to get Wright some extra minutes, is it likely that he'll start tomorrow? I know it means nothing in a pre-season game but I'm just curious.

Blogger's note: Jay hasn't said but it wouldn't surprise me in the least if Wright started. Commercials? I'll have to think on that a bit

[Mitch]

Mr. Smith,

A little worried about the "I don't expect to lose," quote by Wright... I know competition breeds better performance, but isn't that a little intense of a public statement to make regarding your own teammate? Any fear of a lack of team chemistry and unity?

Thanks for the continued great coverage!

Blogger's note: I don't see how anyone connected with the team would have an issue with it.

[Matt]

Doug,
You mention of Anderson Varejao got me thinking. Who's got the best hair-do:

1. On the raptors? I vote Bosh
2. In the NBA? I vote Biedrins
3. In NBA history? Artis Gilmore?

[Lorie]

Hi Doug
Dumb question, perhaps, but to clarify: noon-ish "Doug-Time"? Thanks!

Blogger's note: Nah, we'll shoot for noon east, stay on your time zone around here

[Eric Hustvedt]

Where is Sam this year?

Blogger's note: Atlanta, living large; lighting his cigars with $100 bills

[dave]

What are the chances that Jay adds Hopla to his coaching staff?

Blogger's note: None

[ro]

did you never see the bosh Ford Flex commercial, or his Juicy Fruit one? If history is any indicator, I am not sure this will beat Sam's "It's a good thing" commercial.

[Jamie]

Chris Bosh commercials are always good (well entertaining).

@Mitch - I dont think he was saying "I don't expect to lose" in regards to beating Double Dee specifically, in fact, if you read liek the enxt line in the article, it is clear he is talking about his overall competitive mentality.

[david]

Why all the positive coverage of Wright in the last few days?
If he is supposed to be integral to the Raptors success this season than we may soon be lamenting the Marion trades' throw-ins and wishing that Jamario Moon was still here.

John Hollinger over at ESPN.com on Antoine Wright:
"He holds some value as a deep reserve because he's willing to defend, but that's about as strong an endorsement as I can muster. He's basically a 12th man who produced D-League-caliber output every year of his NBA career, and he has to consider himself fortunate to have stuck around for this long."

[David]

Reggie injury reminds me (ugh) of Lamond Murray's injury. If I recall correctly, Lemon tore a ligament on the top of the foot, the lisfranc. For days after the injury, the swelling prevented a definitive diagnosis and they ultimately operated and he was gone for the season. Reggie's situation sounds similar. Do you have any indication that the team believes this is any more than a sprain, and if they do, would BC look at bringing in another big and possibly dropping someone like Douby whose contract is only partially guaranteed?

Blogger's note: No, to all

[Nelson]

I am getting very worries about the lost of Reggie Evans, and that no one seems to know when he will return. I feel a Lamond Murray all over again. Doug, are the Raptors very concerned about the lost of Evans? He seems to be a key player but no one is really tallking about this.

Blogger's note: Not overly concerned, no; much more concerned with getting the guys who are playing ready to play

[rob]

Hi Doug,
so what do you think of Lamracus extension. and do you think Bargnani's extension played a role in negotitations between the blazers ,Roy and Aldridge.

It is very starnge that only three guys from the 2006 class got extended this summer ... especially since the draft has proven to be deeper than initially thought .. feel free to move this question to the mailbag if you think it is too long for the comments section.
thanx for your work .

Blogger's note: I think I will, if you don't mind

[AS]

Hey Doug,
Curious as to how your article today gets misinterpreted into the ESPN headline "Rumors: Raptors may be infighting a little bit". Do the people writing these headlines even read the articles they are referencing?

[Zombywoof]

Sabrina? That's the one with the talking cat, right? I bet you were a big "Mr. Ed" fan too.

Blogger's note: My Favourite Martian

[D-Mac Ottawa]

Doug, Thanks for the update on Mr. Wright. It's great to hear a "refuse to lose" attitude from a veteran. It sets precisely the right tone, for both practices and games, especially on a team that's needing an upgrade in the toughness department, and even more so with Reggie currently on the sidelines. The more "refuse to lose", "no excuses", "no let-ups", "no prisoners", the better! Play ball!

[LC009]

@david (11:14 AM):
The issue with going by what John Hollinger says is that he focuses on statistical analysis (sometimes to the point of ignoring on-court effectiveness of intangibles).

His analysis is based on his own stat: PER. From what I understand, PER also favours players with greater volumes of stats: more minutes, more prominently featured on offence (i.e., taking more shots), etc.

Wright's volumes are quite low -- okay minutes, but he averaged about 6.6 shot attempts per game, which is about 1 fewer than Belinelli (who averaged fewer minutes and only had a short stretch when he actually featured prominently within his team last year).

I other words: Wright was there for his defence (and earned decent burn for it too), which does not show on stats. And therefore his PER and Hollinger's estimation of him are predictably poor.

[Back in Black]

Hollinger on Wright: remember that Hollinger never looks at the court, only the stat line. In his books, Moon is an all-star because he gets lots of blocks/minute and rebounds (for a wing player) and shoots a high percentage. He doesn't notice Moon falling for every pump fake, getting caught out of position, or that he can't be trusted with the ball unless he's wide open.

I'd never be terribly interested in his evaluation of a responsible defensive player.

[Eric]

I like the Antoine Wright piece. He's part of a trifecta that could possibly change the team's (BBC's) slumpy attitude, with Amir Johnson and Reggie Evans.

There's a determinnation about Wright. He's the best AW since Alvin Williams! lol. maybe not toughness but Realness. It's like he's channelling a bit of Jalen and Mike James...... maybe without the talent. Team could use that.

T-6 days!

[Jacques]

Doug,

If anyone is interested NBA.TV is featuring the Raps at 8:00pm tonight on the Raptors channel. lets see what Webber has to say. I do like Eric Snow, he should be coaching somewhere.

[Keith Wagar]

Doug,perhaps one area that has been overlooked. Team defence and toughness have been talked to death! One area which frustrated me last season was play against teams they should have beaten! I recall that the Raps beat some good teams (Orlando, Miami, Houston Chicago) and should have probably beaten Boston twice, and yet they turn around and put up sub par efforts against teams like Oklahoma, N.J. Clippers etc. Need to take care of business!

[kathyt]

^Oooo, My Favourite Martin, I remember it, not vividly, but I do remember watching it,

Ya know, Bill Bixby starred in My Favourite Martin. He also starred in two other great shows from the late 60's & 70's -- The Courtship of Eddie's Father and The Incredible Hulk. Sorry I couldn't help myself, I love going down memory lane.

Blogger's note: I got Bill Bixby, but how about that Ray Walston?

[Dallas]

Hi Doug,

Have you seen this?

http://altraps.com/2009/10/22/follow-pob-for-a-good-cause/

Patrick O'Bryant is looking for twitter followers. Starting with altraps.com various raptors fans have been pledging and Patrick has agreed to match all donations going to raptors foundation if he can get to 2500 twitter followers by Opening Night. An added bonus for Raps fans who use twitter is that POB actually follows you back and is fun dude to interact with.

Follow him @13POB13

Can you give it some pub for a good cause? Maybe a mention in tomorrow's blog or something like that?

Thanks for considering,
Cheers

[adam]

to the guy/girl who was concerned about Wright's comments with regards to " i don't expect to lose"

are u insane? this is exactly what is wrong with Toronto fans.. we all"expect to lose" so we get the make be leafs and the boo-jays.

i think it's phenominal that Wright desn't expect to lose. he's driven, hungry and wants it badly enough he can't picture anything else.. good on him.. hope it's contageous.

[Lawrs]

I'm assuming u heard about the Magic and Zeke thing with Magic's new book? Gonna share your thoughts on it for tomorrow's blog?