When they talk about the house, they mean it

Another night, another session of sitting around with a relaxing beverage telling stories with coaches and writers and old friends.

Yeah, training camp’s a series of repetitive movements.

One night left and I can imagine it’ll be a lot like the others since we are creatures of habits.

Until then, though, there are a couple of practices, lots of writing and these wee tidbits to get you through the day.

Have at it.

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PAWEL DWULIT/TORONTO STAR

Houses, chairs ... whatever works at training camp.

Sometimes, it takes a guy a little while to catch on.

All week, when I’ve been talking to Jay about defence and what they want to do, he’s been telling me to look at the court and see what they’re doing.

So I do. I see ‘em sprint back in scrimmages and set up on the elbows and boxes and I figure I’ve got it all worked out.

I talk to Jay and a couple of coaches and they keep saying the same thing.

Look at the court.

Finally, yesterday afternoon as I’m standing around doing interviews and chatting away, it hits me.

Among the various lines painted on the court – the three-point lines at NBA and college distances, the volleyball markings, the trapezoid lane and the regular one – there’s tape that looks out of place.

It’s in the design of a house, it runs about a foot or two outside the lane from the baseline to the free throw line and then angles up – like a roof – to just above the free throw circle.

That’s the house.

That’s where they want to keep people out of, it’s the area they want to defend more strenuously than anywhere else.

The players see it in every drill, they are aware of it during scrimmages, it’s a constant reminder that they shall give up as little penetration as possible.

Not sure exactly who came up with the idea of physically putting markings on the court as a way to hammer the point home but I’m also sure the players got it far more quickly than a grunt did.

It’s a bit of a gimmick, I guess, but if it works, what the hell, why not give it a try.

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I’ve had a couple of questions about what we’re going to do for games this year and will we have any special thingies to unveil when they start playing.

Still kicking around a few ideas but for sure we’ll have the in-game blogs.

The only thing we have to worry about is wireless capabilities courtside in all of the neutral site venues but if it’s up and running in London on Tuesday, so will we be.

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Beating a dead horse department:

Is there a law or rule that says Ottawa cabbies have to be talking on their cellphones every second that they’re driving?

Unreal.

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Be afraid, be very afraid.

One of the points the league’s making about the use of replacement refs is that they can’t be all that bad because a lot of them have worked summer league games over the years.

Yikes! I’ve seen more than my share of summer league games and let me tell you, the officiating is, in a word, dreadful.

Maybe it’s because the refs are trying to impress the bosses who are watching, and I’m sure some of it has to do with the caliber of play on the court, but they’re over-officiating to a ridiculous degree.

One game I saw had something like 100 fouls, which is more than one every 30 seconds.

They absolutely have to get the real refs back and working as soon as they can. This has disaster written all over it.

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So a few of us hearty souls are sitting in the Keg here last night and, of course, the televisions are all on the pucks game.

(I didn’t have the nerve to see if they had RaptorsTV to get them to switch it over to the WNBA final).

Anyway, I can dutifully report that there are more than a couple Leaf fans who were watching and cheering intently.

But I can somewhat gleefully report that there are more anti-fans who relished in the outcome.

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Speaking of …

How about the Fever?

That series has some juice now; glad I’ll be back in the comfort of Casa Doug for Games 3-5.

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You saw the note about Jay using both Jose and Jack at the same time during some scrimmages this week, right?

Not sure if you should get entirely used to it but it’s something you’ll see a bit this year.

Not every game, and not for long stretches but every now and then? Sure, that’s part of the plan.

The logic seems pretty obvious. Two ball-handlers, both capable of running the offence, both capable of being spot up shooters makes them a bit more difficult to defend.

But, and Jay made this quite clear, it’s not an all-the-time thing and it’s not like he’s considering starting them together.

“The one thing is, we value both of them so much is that when you start them together they’re both going to fatigue at approximately the same time and you’d have to take them out.

“I’d probably stagger their rotation but also in that staggering make sure they’re both on the floor at the same time.”

The issue, of course, would be at the other end of the court, where one of them would have to defend a bigger two guard.

Said Jay:

“One of them is going to have to be a chaser and it’s going to depend on matchups but some of the teams have decided to go with a smaller lineup. “We went against three point guards in New York last year near the end of the season … we’ll be ready for some thing like that and have guys who can defend the quicker players.”

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You see the highlights of the Tigers-Twins from yesterday afternoon?

Purpose pitches and plunked hitters all over the place.

Yeah, I really like fall baseball.

Comments

[Jesse]

Hey Doug,

I have never been this excited to watch a Raptors pre season game. Usually, the guys who have "something to prove" get the most playing time. A quick look at who those players are: Marco, POB, Douby, Johnson, and Derozan. Is this going to be the most entertaining pre season ball in the Raps history because of all the new faces and the depth of the roster?

Blogger's note: It's pre-season ball, it is by its very definition not very "entertaining"

[DanH]

http://www.nba.com/games/20091001/DENUTA/boxscore.html

Replacement refs looking real bad in preseason...

88 free throw attempts, 69 personal fouls in all.

[Blake Kennedy]

Taping areas or spots is a great mneumonic help IMO. I tape Xs for our team's secondary break spots (since they differ slightly from our halfcourt spots, as we run a 4-out/1-in motion offense) but after a few trips up and down the floor they instinctively gravitate to them and then running their fill cuts to get into our passing game eventually becomes second nature, too.

[Marc A]

Hey Doug,

Are you surprised that our home opener is being nationally televised given the fact that it's against Cleveland and all the story lines that come with it (Shaq & Lebron, Jamario and AP returning)? Have you seen DeRozan sproting his pretty new pink back pack yet??

Blogger's note: It is being broadcast nationally on The Score.

[Eric]

Anyone else read that and think of this? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=32ZLYQqnhzs&feature=PlayList&p=59A2607EA06DA00C&index=1&playnext=2&playnext_from=PL (go to 45 seconds). WE MUST PROTECT THIS HOUSE!!

So Doug, this summer did Bosh just bulk up, or did he spend time working on a post game too? If he didn't work on the post game, is it realistic that he can develop one as the season goes?

Blogger's note: Yes, he spent time on that, and on his jump shot and on his conditioning and on his strength

[Rob.V]

Hey Doug. I had this one for the mail however you partially answered it today.

What’s your take on the NBA stance regarding the refs… why not just pay them?? I read somwhere that the NBA would save 3.5% if the refs agreed in principle to their offer. If the combined NBA salary is $5 million per season (guessing) the league would be saving $350 thousand. Seems like a small amount of money for the NBA to subject players and fans to sub-par officiating, no?

How does the league make money?

Blogger's note: I don't know the details of the negotiations and who wants what but they need to settle something quickly because the game will suffer

[Paul M.]

Perhaps I missed something, but you've been saying that Joey Graham was homeless (no contract, no camp invite, etc), but SI's box score from the Nuggets-Jazz game had Joey playing for the Nuggets. Any idea what the deal?

Blogger's note: Was reported a few days ago he got a non-guaranteed camp invite to Denver.

[Adam AB]

Hey Doug,
If you want to explore the city a bit, you should go off the beaten path a bit and check out Hino. Owned and operated by a chef who used to do fine-dining, but now operates a well-priced, home-cooking-if-your-mom-was-japanese Japanese restaurant in an up-and coming part of town. The food is amazing, he makes it all from scratch, the menu has some great stuff (Steak frites Japanese style), but IMO don't order from the menu, ask him to make you something. He is a real character, entertainment itself.
I've made it easy for you and included a link for directions, Here Or just google "hino restaurant ottawa"

Check it out, you'll be happy you did. I'll be at the scrimmage on Sat and will try and say hi.
Adam

[DD]

Hi Doug, this is for the mailbag:
How do players like Battier, Raja Bell, Dahntay Jones became the defensive player they are? Do they possess some kind of special talent that other players do not have? Can any player become that defensive specialist on their team, for example, Sonny Weems, DD, or ex-rap Joey Graham? I remember there was a game last year that Joey played well defensively against Kobe; has anyone in the coaching staff ever suggest him to become a Battier type of player so that he can gain that niche. He definitely has the physical tools to beome one.

[DD]

Another mailbag question for you on your way back home:
Since Alvin Williams is back, I have always wanted to know this; if you have a chance, please ask him for me.
Alvin is a 6'5 pg, every year I hope he would come back in the summer and add the post up game to his repertoire. He should easily be able to get to the low post and punish those smaller guards. I understand he's not the primary option on offense and should be setting up other people but once or twice a game to get a cheap foul or easy basket out of it is not too much of a disruption to the offense. The big pg's like Kidd does it, and so do Billups, Cassell, Baron Davis, and even Steve Nash. Why doesn't he learn it or use it?

[Nick M]

Just like to point out that only in the NHL can the leaves lose the opening night game and still be .500. Here's to a 0-0-82!

And... while watching a few interviews it seems like CB is not the only one to pack on a few pounds over the summer. Has Jay put on a few pounds of, um, muscle???

[Walla with the Raps]

Quote:
"I didn’t have the nerve to see if they had RaptorsTV to get them to switch it over to the WNBA final"

I relish moments like this Doug, how do you shy away. I just like seeing there face when you ask for one TV to be changed. This happened to me in a Wild Wing when the NHL finals were on. I mean they changed all the TV's to a pre-game show that had no sound. I made them put the TFC game back on and I was clearly watching it as I cheered loudly. There are enough TV's usually and especially when there are three mounted in a row. Get on that next time Doug. It's for all the fans of other sports that still want to catch there games.

[Bob Wesley]

Is Sonny Weems the missing Graham Triplet?All three of them should go to Sam Mitchell's House April 1!

[Mike Kovacs]

Another place in London very close to the JLC is Chaucer's Pub - they haveall of the European brews but not so good for TV's.

[AJR]

Hey, Doug

Any idea what the average NBA ref’s salary is?

At first I sided with them and was surprised the NBA was asking for a paycut. But I was under the impression that they were making “average joe” dollars. Being offered half a million dollars to retire sounds pretty good from this cubicle.

This year we’ve seen auto workers taking roll-backs, garbagemen fighting for “sick banks” and NBA players taking smaller contracts (boo-hoo). If the refs salaries were bloated, then maybe this is just another necessary step in the new economy.

--AJR

Blogger's note: Average? Not sure, since salary goes with seniority but I'd put it at about $150,000 or so.

[sean]

Hi Doug,

Any news on Printezis and his progress? Thanks~

Blogger's note: Huh? I presume he's in Greece, he's certainly not here and I have no idea what he's doing

[BiLL]

Because they are using replacement refs, will the NBA put a Hold on fining players and coaches for critizing the Refs. Or will they just collect 10x the fines?

Blogger's note: They'll fine people, probably more quickly than usual

[Eric]

Quite honestly, if Jose hasn't improved on his invisible D, I don't care if Jay puts him on the block to cover D-Howard. He might have more succes there!! Guy's got to improve. No matter how good your team is, you can't hide bad defenders.. I"m glad Jay's emphasizing it in camp!! Lt's hope he has more succes than Mitchell!

[eni]

sorry, I don't mean to be a smart-ass or anything but 3.5% of 5,000,000 is 175,000, so they'd be saving even less, and if those were the actual numbers and if this was the case, then why not just fire a guy? horrible... I know :P

[doug]

I read where the ref's dispute was not so much over money as over travel allowances, benefits etc...which makes sense as to lose those your opening up a whole can of worms...

a few days ago i read in this blog where some people were stating how you were wrong about how BC was not going to blow up the Raptors but he did... well i don't see where he "blew them up" at all, to me doing that would be to trade one or more of your core, as far as i can see Jose,Bosh,and Barg's are still here, he never re-signed a few free agents, traded a guy he held the rights to, and in fact traded 2 guys from last years roster that were under contract, Ukic and Kapono..as BC has stated Hedo moreorless fell into his lap, as the dominoe effect took over there, and Wright as well....so the core is still there, to "blow up a team" would be as some were advocating strenuously last year trading one of those main guys...

[Mando]

What is DD talking about? Doesn't he know that Alvin Williams is a coach?

[Erc]

Three returnees from this time last year? If it's not an explosion, it's certainly more than a hiccup.
Regarding the big three, BC's stance is probably like a heckled ump who tosses all the subs and the batting coach, then warns "next time I'll get a live one".
If this season resembles last year, that 'boom' you hear will be at least one of the big three disappearing. The term then, would not be blown up -- it would be nuked.
Good to see you back on board. You can be a tad high strung, but almost always interesting.