Good (early) morning from the west

How’s everything back home?

All warm and toasty?

After about six hours in an airplane – apparently the winds were dead against us, which is better than thinking the pilots were on their laptops and about to fly us to Hawaii – and messed up by time zones, this gets up a bit earlier than usual.

Don’t get used to it, though. After five days on Central time, about 40 hours back on Eastern time and now on Pacific time for a couple of days, eventually I’m going to sleep for a very, very long time. Just hope it’s not during a game.

Anyway …

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What do you think constitutes a good road trip out here?

A win? Two? Competitive efforts in all four games, regardless of outcome?

Personally, I think if they get one of these next four and survive the Dirty Dozen to open the season at 5-7, everyone around the team would be – in their heart of hearts – relatively satisfied. And not entirely surprised.

Not overjoyed, that’s for sure, but not ready to call off the rest of the season or anything.

And if they get two and finish 6-6 in this stretch, well, I don’t think there are too many who’d look down their noses at that one.

The reality of the situation is this: They are, as we always said they’d be, very much a work in progress with 74 games left in the regular season. They’ve been good, bad and indifferent in about equal doses and are still a .500 team at the moment. Given the circumstances, that’s about right, about the level that they’ve played to.

But what they haven’t done is string together two good games in a row – and the second quarter aside, I thought they were good against the Bulls at home.

The next step in the growth and maturation of this team will be when it shows some consistency and there’s no better time to start than tonight against the Clippers.

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So, Quincy’s gone and I can’t say I’m at all surprised.

They waived him yesterday for a couple of reasons I’ve pointed out but that can probably be repeated again.

The move might save them about $600,000, which isn’t a lot of cake on a team with a payroll of about $67 million but it does get them further below the tax level – about $1.8 million in rough figures – and that can’t hurt if they want to do something later on in the year.

And, because they sent money out in a couple of summer time moves – money that doesn’t count against the tax but money that comes out of Bryan’s overall budget -- more than half a million in savings won’t be sneezed at by the higher-ups who have the key to the Maple Leaf Sports money-printing machine.

Also, if creates some roster flexibility because Toronto’s now at 14 players and if Bryan ever wanted to do a one-for-two deal or simply add a body if, say, injuries pop up, he can.

But, I warn you of this: I have it on serious authority that there are no moves planned at the moment. They didn’t do this so they could go and get a specific guy right away (and that means all you ‘go get Allen Iverson’ zanies can stand down), they did it for future possibilities.

Now, Quincy is a very nice, quiet young man that the coaches loved and wanted to keep but Bryan won this discussion. And it may pay off down the road.

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A fella’s sitting on a plane for a long time, one of those Airbus jobs with the private television screen, and all I can think after about four hours is:

They should have a channel at home dedicated just to reruns of 30 Rock and The Office.

It’s not Seinfeld, but it’s darn close.

Digression – this one – over.

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With the Lakers playing the Suns last night in town, you couldn’t find much Clippers news in the locals with a search warrant but here’s what I was able to unearth.

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So, Byron Scott’s gone.

When’s Jeff Bower go?

He’s the dopey GM who built that abomination and now he hangs his coach out to dry less than 10 games into the season? And then takes the job and hires Tim Freaking Floyd as his lead assistant?

Is the team president down there a Hurricane junkie who can’t see what’s going on?

Having a post-game chat with Jack Armstrong after the game against the Hornets last week – nice courtyard on the third floor of the New Orleans Ritz, I can tell you – and he made a very good point.

He suggested the Hornets would have killed to have starting wings like Jamario Moon and Anthony Parker. And he was right. That’s how far that New Orleans team has fallen.

Now, Byron may have lost the players – they looked awfully mopey against the Raptors a week ago – but those are players who, frankly, comprise a terrible team.

A team built by the guy who fired Scott.

I don’t know Jeff Bower from Adam and he might be the nicest guy in the world but if he doesn’t get whacked at the end of this season, it’s a travesty.

And I would venture a guess that Byron Scott will coach in the NBA again far sooner than Jeff Bower will be a GM in it.

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Oh yeah, think Sunday morning’s a good morning for a mailbag and since I’ll have some travel time Saturday and likely some quiet time in Phoenix that night, get your queries in toute de suite.

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I notice there’s no frost on any of the vehicles out here.

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I imagine you’ve all read Perk’s stuff this morning – and a tip of the hat to him for picking me up on the off-day in his own inimitable fashion – and maybe now I won’t get hourly queries about his status.

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Speaking of hourly, we’ll have an early chat today, if that’s okay with the irregulars. Going to turn the tables a bit, do it at 1 p.m. Eastern time for a couple of logistical reasons I won’t bore you with.

I will say, the attendance has been okay; not great, but okay. Had about 300 or so people take part the other day. Got about 200 questions in the 40 minutes or so we were on the air and got to answer about 50.

That’s not bad, eh?

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Comments

[Hakan Ersoy]

Hey, Regards from Turkey. We follow every game of Raptors and we are as sleepless as you are , as we need to wake up in the middle of the night(due to the 7 hour time difference) to watch the games! Raptors have become our team and no need to say that Hedo Turkoglu has a part in this. Let's beat the Clippers. We need this win very much. By the way, Jay Triano once played basketball in Turkey , if I am not wrong.

Blogger's note: You are right. In the 80s

[Lawrence]

Mind your Charlottes and New Orleanses
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big difference when talking about hurricanes

[Andre]

I feel bad for Scott, hes a good coach... VERY good coach... wouldnt mind him as an assistant for the raptors, but he should find a job very soon...

Hope tonights a good one, like i said before, they go 6-6, they will be ok... Dec looks like the month to go on a run.

[David Boutilier]

Hi,
Heres a Sunday question
Even if Bellinelli is a good player, was he brought in to give Bargnani someone to talk to?And, just how friendly have they become?

Dave

Blogger's note: No, and seem to be pretty good friends

[Jonathan Williams]

Hey Doug

First time question Doug, I follow your stuff avidly like Maple Leaf Entertainment follows money though, well, almost that much.

I wanted to know if the Suns are the real deal this year, are we seeing the return of Nash to MVP candidacy - not saying winning it but maybe getting some consideration? He's averaging almost 12 dimes a game so far and his team is doing great. Is it just a hot start?

Thanks, happy travels

Blogger's note: I couldn't really guess 'cause it's so early but I will anyway. They're in that second tier behind Lakers and Spurs, which is more than I thought they'd be. But only time will really tell.

[Hardly working]

1 PM? Geez, Doug, don't you realize that some of us schedule our meetings so we can be free for your chat on game days?

Of course, I keed. I'll miss it, but I'll probably be more productive.

Blogger's note: We're trying to find a consistent time that suits the needs of out-of-the-time-zone writers, moderators back home and, of course, the largest number of participants.

[Jean-Marie]

You hate Jeff Bower a lot! Why don't you listen, first, to David West and the "sin of pride" of his coach? What's the "terrible" fault of Bowen: the firing of Byron Scott? So what? He was incensed two years ago for "the miracle of the Hornets". And you could use just the same scandalized words on Colangelo a year ago (for the firing of Mitchell and a team very badly made up). Surprisingly, you didn't.
Not consistent, Doug.
And for the series "The most intriguing GMs of the world", what happened to the marvellous team and chemistry built by the genius of Otis Thorpe?
Apples and Oranges, I suppose. Or, maybe, Sons and Sons in law.

Blogger's note: I think I was one of the very few voices suggesting the firing of Sam was wrong, if I remember correctly

[andy c]

Let me see if i got this right.

You would rather watch the Clippers play then be flown to Hawaii?

[Jason]

Doug -- Can't agree with you more on 30 Rock and The Office on the AC flights. Plus they show 'How I Married Your Mother' which has the sharp dialogue and banter of 30 Rock and busts my gut every flight.

[joeu]

Marc Stein's story on Byron Scott contains this quote, attributed to Hugh Weber:

"I told Jeff the genie is out of the bottle. Nobody can say he didn't have the right players. ... Jeff has hand-selected this team and we like the idea that now Jeff will be held accountable for the results."

What caught my eye was the word "didn't" maybe it's a transcription error, but what sentence tense is that - "Future past" ? "Can already tied on" ?

[Kyle Hall]

Keep up the good work Doug. I always enjoy your take on basketball outside the realm of the Raptors. Chris Paul has it bad. When Mo Pete's your running mate, you're in some trouble. And Russell got thrown under the bus for sure.

Any thoughts on the Cavs-Heat game from last night? I thought it was the most entertaining game so far this year. It looked like Andy could barely hold back from punching D Wade in the face after Wade crowned him with arguably the best of the early season.

Blogger's note: Outstanding game

[Alex]

Whats the word on Blake Griffin?
Do you think Al Thornton with do damage?
Doug who do choose for your pick up team, Al Thornton or Al Horford?

Blogger's note: Weeks, no idea, no real favourite

[BiLL]

The Hornets did a hit job on Scott in the playoffs last season. They quit on him. I'm surprised he was brought back for the start of the season. He's a hell of a coach and won't be out of work longer than he wants to be though.

[Anthony]

Hi Doug,

I had commented yesterday on Reggie Evans, asking how different things would be when he comes back. You responded by saying that the team would rebound better, but what I really meant is this: how do you see the rotation minutes changing when Evans comes back? Who gets more, who gets less?

Blogger's note: He'll be the first big off the bench, probably cut into the minutes of Rasho and Amir and allow Jay to play Bosh and Bargnani a bit less if he wants to

[Bob M.]

Greetings Doug;

I wonder if you could give us a little Hoops 101 on the 3 second defensive (and offensive) violation. Being both at games and watching on TV, I can't seem to figure out if it's a "sometimes" call, or I'm missing something. Is it strictly a team foul, or does the perpetrator get hit with a personal?

Thanks for the entertaining, and informative read.

Blogger's note: This is more maibag-ish; I'll remember to move it over there

[Lyka]

Good day Doug!
I noticed that the Raptors tend to be very good at motivating depleted teams to perform. And sometimes seem lost (obvious with their unresolved facial expressions) when the opponent's on a rally. Is this an indication that the team needs a better court general? Or perhaps its just mental (as a result of inexperience), so can you share as a Raptor insider the mental conditioning exercises they perform during practice, or before games?

Blogger's note: This is more mailbag but, let me just say they have no specific "mental conditioning exercises"

[Sean H]

Dougie!

No love for Curb Your Enthusiasm? You do realize they are doing the Seinfeld reunion on that show this season don't you?

I've caught 30 Rock and the Office, not really addicted to it.

Top 3 shows right now are Seinfeld, Curb your enthusiasm, and Nova.

Have a good trip Dougie!

[AJR]

Doug,

Was Brandon Jennings ever on the radar before the draft? I don't recall him even being a consideration. Anything to learn here?

Blogger's note: No, he was never a serious thought and no, I don't think there's anything to learn. Kid's had a handful of good games in his first 10 or so, no doubt

[AK]

Doug,

Last year, there used to be a way to keep track of the ingame thing via blackberry. That's not working anymore. IS there a link I can click to figure it out, or can you get your techies on it...

Thanks big guy.

AK

Blogger's note: I will see what I can find out.

[The J]

Funny, "Coach of the Year" recipients always seem to be on the unemployment line within a couple of years after winning the award. Jerry Sloan has coached for what feels like forever, and has won 0 Coach of the Year awards. Perhaps it's time to rethink how the award is given out!

[Matt Smart]

Doug,
Read your musings on the firing of Byron Scott in your blog today and agree with your position 100%. After reading your strong stance on this termination, I find it puzzling that you seemed relatively indifferent/neutral on coach Mitchell's firing last season considering the circumstances were similar: decent coach, dreadful roster (GM's accountability), coach ending up as the fall guy. After seeing a much improved roster this season, and with your post on Scott as context, I would love to hear your position on the Mitchell firing with the benefit of 1 year's hindsight. Thanks!

Blogger's note: They fired Sam far too early in a moment of frustration; I said it was wrong then (and was quite in the minority, if I recall) and I continue to hold that position.

[Aditya]

so you think sam was fired in a moment of frustration? did you ask bryan that? i remember bryan stated this was a calculated move for the present as well as for the future....do you not remember that?

you are calling jeff bower dopey? please use LESS stronger words than dopey..(were you calling him dopey when the hornets beat the spurs in the playoffs a couple of seasons ago? yes, he was the GM back then also)...all i know is that the okafor-chandler trade was a very bad trade for NO (and the trade might have been more for medical problems (foot problems) that chandler had endured in his time)....it does seem like chandler has bounced back okay from foot surgeries and remember he is a big man, a foot is a major thing for big men.....

and byron scott had lost his team if you couldn't see it as a viewer...

[GM]

Doug Smith was on record last year as saying they fired Mitchell way too early in the season. He's consistent... And I'm consistent, too. I thought it was time for Mitchell to be canned, and think it was time for Byron to axed. It's part of the business. These guys are well-compensated and will continue to be paid even after termination for the duration of their contracts. Coaches know what it's all about. And the good ones get back in the game. No harm, no foul.

[Phil A]

Is Eric Gordon playing tonight?

Blogger's note: No

[doug]

Wade's dunk over Varejao was a classic last night...that guy Wade has the most talent pound for pound inch for inch in the league...plus I love his heart, desire....something that was lost in the Rps game against the bulls or mentioned in passing , was that Jay coached his best game thus far....his moves, and his decisions in the 2nd half as much as anything led to that victory...

comments like the "raps seem to be good at motivating depleted teams to perform" bother me...its the NBA people, the "depleted" Spurs also beat the Mavs in their next game, its not high school ball where a team has a decided advantage over another...it's the NBA, there is a hellava lot of talent out there on any given night, an not just in your LeBron's, Kobe's, Duncan's of the world..the 10 th guy, 11th guy on any roster is not a stiff....some people just don't get that...