Lighting the flame and walking memory lane

Yes, I know I’m a bit late but I was early the other day so it all evens out, right?

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What the heck, let’s wade into uncharted waters for a minute.

Terry Fox.

That’s who should light the thing out in Vancouver on Friday night.

It was an idea first proposed by a friend who’d like to remain anonymous at the moment – and only one Irregular suggested when we first brought it up here – and I think it’s a perfect idea.

Local connections to Vancouver and a message that resonates worldwide in a global fight against a deadly disease.

He was a hero to millions, not just sports fans, and he’s a Canadian who should be celebrated and remembered and honoured.

He speaks to our nation, a willingness to fight for causes, to sacrifice for others, all the good qualities that embody Canadians.

He ran for hope and for others.

Now, you know me and technology (we’re not exactly kissin’ cousins) but surely to goodness it could be done, right? Some hologram or something?

I mean this with absolute no disrespect to Wayne Gretzky, who was a great hockey player and did a lot for the sport and had a gold meal win – and a seventh place finish or something like that – in his two Olympic things but no way.

He’s big, but he’s not that big. In hockey playing countries? Sure. The United States? Sure. A global icon? I don’t think so.

You need, as I said, a “wow” moment, and having Terry Fox somehow open the games would be stunning.

Might even make a grown grunt tear up.

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So all the hullabaloo about Bryan Colangelo’s immediate future sure was dismissed rather quickly, no?

Never thought it was a big deal anyway and that he wouldn’t be going to New Jersey or New York next year. It was nice to find out that others thought the same way.

But you know what?

He should be with the Raptors longer than next year, too, and I think ownership would be smart to start talks about another, long-term extension right now.

Let’s say another four years, maybe with an option for a fifth?

There’s no doubt the franchise is better today than when he got here; the team’s headed to the playoffs for the third time in four years and there’s more promise than there’s been in a while.

Chris Bosh notwithstanding, all the key players – Jack, Calderon, Turkoglu, Bargnani, DeRozan – are under contract for years, the financial picture isn’t overwhelming and the GM has proven willing – and able – to fix any mistakes that may occur.

Why not send a message, to the fans and the players and the league, that he’s a valuable guy? Why not give him a new deal now?

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Some bad news, folks.

For a variety of reasons – time of things down here more than anything – I’m afraid we have to pull the plug on any planned question-and-answer thing this morning.

We’ve got media availabilities with rookies and sophomores at one place, Saturday night guys an all-stars at another place, a union news conference and just general journalism to commit.

Sorry about that but we will be around for a usual in-game blog thingy on Sunday night.

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List time, quickly:

I figure there has to be a cowboy component to the big weekend in Big D, right? Which makes a guy think about The Top Three Halftimes He’s Seen

Horses rambling through the Pepsi Center

Yes, it was quite a night in Denver when they rode out from right next to us. Nothing says NBA all-star weekend better than horses.

Mariah Carey serenades Michael Jordan

For pure over-the-topism (nice word, eh?) I don’t know that you can beat the songbird’s tribute to Jordan at halftime in Atlanta. It was like Happy Birthday, Mr. President (google it, young ‘uns) but not as good.

The wrong fashion choice

So Destiny’s Child is (are?) warbling at halftime in Philly in ’06 and when one of them – does it matter which one? – shows up in a Kobe Bryant jersey and there’s a smattering of boos, some are surprised. Me? I’m surprised no one threw anything at her, it was in Philly after all.

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Kobe’s out. Iverson’s out. Roy’s out. Paul’s out.

Who’s in?

Yes, this all-star game is becoming more and more about the stadium than the game with each passing hour, it seems.

And that’s okay with me because the game will follow the same old pattern: Pick-up ball and dunk contest for three quarters or so, and a passable shot at competitiveness down the stretch.

For those first three quarters, we’ll all be watching on the big TV screen.

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You should have seen it here Thursday.

A guy lands right around noon to find more snow in Dallas than in Hazelville and it was still coming down around midnight when the social session finally ended.

Now it wasn’t “real” snow, it was big, wet flakes that didn’t really stick on the roads and there was no wind but you should have seen the panic.

The cabbie from the airport looked physically afraid of the drive. Maybe 40 kilometres an hour on three separate highways, a death grip on the steering wheel and no chatter whatsoever.

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All right, we’ve seen all kinds of reasons for sports events to be postponed, or forfeited or just not played, right? Weather, travel, illness, problems with gyms and stadiums.

Well, you Hawthorn Hawk fans out there – and I know who you are – should know this: This week’s game was called off because too many of the players were on the bad “Homework Not Done” list (no, Super Son was not one of them, I don’t think) in the class room and that cost the team its game.

Pretty good message, no?

Oh, and to keep this all about me and mine, Super Son’s incessant saxophone practicing paid off, he passed an audition and aced an interview and is off to Mississauga’s version of Fame next fall.

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Last call for mail. Send the queries here and I’ll putter away on them over the next couple of days.

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Comments

[Thane]

They should curl a flaming curling stone down a track of ice and into the cauldron. Won't happen, but it would look neat and be remembered.

[christine]

Any chance of a mid-term report card for the team? Division? What we should be expecting to see for remanding of the season?

Blogger's note: Yeah, maybe for Tuesday morning

[Peter]

Congrats to Super Son on the Sax thing... not so much to his friends on the homework thing!

[Ryan W (Ottawa)]

Conrgats to Super Son! Well done, and also really nice for him to learn that hard work can pay off. Way to go!

Speaking of the Super Family, are they there with you now?

Do they ever come to games with you at home or on the road?

Blogger's note: No, it's work for me

[Simon S-G]

How about that! Congrats to Super Son! Must be a hell of a sax player.
I didn't believe for a second Colangelo would be leaving, I think with the commitment he's made not just to the Raptors but to basketball in Canada he's here for the long haul. But I do feel like the reason he hasn't been given an extension yet is because of the Bosh situation. I think MLSE wants to see how he'll handle it. If Bosh decides he wants to go, what type of return can he get in a possible sign-and-trade? Now obviously if Bosh re-signs then that negates all of this and the extension of Bryan will come quicky, but if Chris goes I really think the return from that will be the deciding factor. Thoughts?

[LeeZ]

So, what did Superson blow on his horn to pass the audition?

My Favourite Things by Coltrane?
A Night in Tunisia by Charlie "Bird" Parker?
Louie Louie by the Kingsmen?

[Matt M]

I know there are always snarky comments for fans that come up with crazy trade scenarios but I think it is past time for media types to be blackballed (or tarred and feathered) if they contribute to the madness. This scenario was from Sports Illustrated, who last I checked from was actually trying to be a reputable magazine: "Houston would do a Tracy McGrady-for-Bosh/Calderon deal tomorrow and might even be willing to sweeten the deal with Aaron Brooks." OMFG. Yes, it is true that Houston would love that deal (Colangelo would be fired 20 minutes later) and yes it is ultimately a throwaway line taken out of context but the scenario is so one sided and out there it doesn't deserve the virtual ink it was printed in (or the time I spent complaining about it, but I'm at work so...). I know some media outlets feed rumors because it drives traffic to their site but to print crap like this just degrades your reputation for being credible.

[bryanhouse]

You honestly want them to project a hologram of Terry Fox lighting the flame? God, you are a moron.

Blogger's note: No, I don't; I only wrote that because I knew it would tick you off. Really.

[Kevin A.]

Whats the penalty for the act of committing journalism?

:)

Enjoy Snowy Big D.

[Nick]

It's only fitting that Terry's journey ends near his home. Great idea Doug.

[chris]

You get Terry Fox's mom to do it in his honour.

[John MacDonald]

Hey Doug,

With the trade deadline coming up next week and historically quite a few happen over all-star weekend, I had a question you might answer. I was wondering who you think is the most likely player to be traded before the trade deadline. I don't need you to try and say where he goes or who he gets traded for but I would like your insight as to who you think will get traded before the deadline. Thanks and have a good time in Dallas, i know you're not a big fan of all-star anything but it's probably better than covering curling at the olympics.

[LeeZ]

Bryanhouse, please please PLEASE tell me you're a pimply-faced 14-year-old who simply doesn't know any better and will, in time, become a decent human being. Because I simply can't bear the thought that an actual adult would be such a...well, to use your own word, moron.

And I think the hologram idea, combined with the presence of Terry's mom, would be AMAZING.

[Hope Caper]

Hey Doug,
Too bad on the weather thing, go figure. I
have to disagree with you on the Great One being selected. Not that the memory of Terry is not deserving. I think Wayne did a lot for his country and our national sport. He is an athlete who genuinely deserves the title of superstar. The Americans stole Gordy Howe who became their Mr. Hockey and while revered here he never contributed to our game in the same manner. Gretsky is a world name as much as anyone who does not play soccer can be and lets face it soccer is not a top sport here. Since the Olympics is being held here then I don't see anything wrong with choosing Gretsky. Somebody said that maybe if Wayne was 80 or something then he might be alright but there is no guarantee we'll see the Olympics here again while Gretsky is still alive or able to light the torch. There is nothing wrong with revering someone who is not dead and has excelled in the area of athletics. I mean if you just want to honour a truly great Canadian then you might look at Billy Bishop, Dr.s Best and Banting, or a ton of others.

[Roxanne G]

Many congrats to Super Son, Doug! Quite an accomplishment!

[Nick]

Note to Hope Caper....Hockey isn't our national sport. It's lacrosse. And Bryan, go read up on what Terry Fox did. He's a national...no make that INTERNATIONAL icon who exemplified what it meant to be an athlete. He lost a leg to cancer and it eventually claimed his life but it didn't break his spirit. He ran over 5000 KM. Think before you type bud.

[Peter]

To be fair... anytime anyone attempts to run across this country, I can't help but think of Terry Fox. Seeing the Olympic flame cross this country through a series of runners very much reminded me of Terry Fox, and I do think that it symbolized much of what Terry Fox stood for. The lighting of the larger torch would be a fitting visual end to the journey that Terry Fox could not finish on his own.
I'm not sure that I agree with the hologram, but I'd be a proud Canadian to see Terry Fox's mother, or family member light the torch. That's a story that would then have to be told around the world, and it's a story worth telling.

[saatuk]

Another possibile flame thrower I haven't seen mentioned much is Nancy Greene. Canada's female athlete of the 20th Century, Olympic gold medal winner, influential in the development of Whistler and in the popularization of skiing in Canada. Given the BC and Whistler connection she would be an excellent choice.

[Ben]

Actually Nick, Both hockey and LaCrosse are national sports now. And even if it wasn't, it's a technicality. The argument for a hockey player is because Canada is so passionate about the sport, not because it's written on paper that it is or isn't an official national sport.

And Hope Caper didn't say anything to disparage Terry Fox, who is a great inspiration. I think you need to gear down and realize that it's a very legitimate idea and desire to have the best player ever, from our country's most popular sport light the torch, instead of a rigged up video or hologram. Maybe you should think before you type, bud.

[doug]

yep the day you said about the idea...i suggested a Terry Fox hologram....I've told me friends that for months...to me its the only choice....it can be done i hope it is done...i remember seeing him in London,Ontario on his journey...its unfathomable that kid's heart and desire,,,,running a marathon every day on one leg....think about it for a second folks, thats the greatest sports feat of all time....whenever i am having a crappy day or whatever...I think come on look at what Fox did...he\s the greatest inspiration ever////...and I am a 50 year old hard=nosed guy...that kid gets to me....thats the definition of a hero....

[jc]

Hi Doug,
Just wanted to echo your choice and to express confusion at the point above...not sure if that person knows who Terry Fox is, but the rest of the world does. I can remember spending some time living on the other side of the world and in my first few days there I had to do a double take to see if i had really left home when i saw a poster for an upcoming Terry Fox run. We should all be so lucky to shed a tear.

[Patrick]

Hi Doug,
I love reading your blog!! Please do me one favor - stop posting the comments from guys who call you a moron. I find comments like that disrespectful and annoying to read first thing in the morning. They don't deserve your time of day.
Thanks for all your hard work!

[AT]

Doug,
Why do you put up with those type of comments from Bryanhouse? Probably doesn't even know who Terry Fox was.

I thought that the Terry Fox idea would be great if they could pull it off. Not so crazy if it were his mom. As much as I respect him, it is like when Walter Gretzky shows up for events, just not the same in my opinion.

.

[Amy]

Any idea what time and on what channel a person can watch DeRozan in the Dunk-in? With probably every channel on the Olympics, I'm not sure.

Blogger's note: TSN2, I believe

[D-Mac Ottawa]

Hi Doug,
And well done, Super Son!
I like your thinking on inking BCo now – it would be another positive message for CB4. And this time next year, David Lee will be an All Star after-thought – Bargs will be the real deal.
Stay warm. Have fun. And go Raps!!