A heap of trouble and a momentous day from the past

Oh, oh.

The lasting impression I got from listening to the post-game breakdown by the Suns after Wednesday’s loss was that they have no idea how to slow down the Lakers.

Troubling. Indeed.

But, and this is always what it comes down to when teams are trying to figure out how to defend the Lakers, unless the Suns get some grip on Kobe Bryant, this series might not get back to L.A., let alone to a Game 7 for a glorious Phoenix upset.

After Bryant scorched them for 40 in Game 1, the Suns shifted tactics and ran more double teams at him in Game 2.

Um, fail.

All Bryant did was dish out 13 assists – career playoff high for him – and sit back and watch the likes of Ron Artest and Jordan Farmar drill open three-pointers.

And as good as Pau Gasol was – and, man, was he good – it all starts with Bryant, a guy for whom Alvin Gentry and staff have no answer.

I guess, if I’m a coach, I’d probably stick with much the same tactics in Game 3 as I did in Game 2 and hope that either Artest or Farmar don’t make shots from the perimeter in a hostile gym.

Sure, it’s a gamble but what else are you going to do?

I saw a Gentry quote along the lines of “maybe we should let him get 80 and stop everyone else” and that sounds like a solid theory, if in fact you can stop everyone else.

The Suns haven’t been able to stop anyone, which is a problem.

What do the Lakers have? 128 points in Game 1 and 124 in Game 2? I don’t care what kind of offence you run, that’s despicable defence and you can’t win playing it.

Trouble is, the Lakers have shown the ability to run up the score pretty much anyway they want to and Gentry’s got a couple of days to figure something out or the dream is dead.

Sure, it’d be nice if the real Steve Nash and Amar’e Stoudemire showed up, and if the empty jersey that’s Channing Frye finds his shot that’d be a help, too, but the problem with Phoenix is they can’t stop anyone.

Ever heard that before?

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Not sure if you read this one but as an addendum, four months before he died, Malik Sealy hit one of those shot for a lifetime.

Check it out.

But never mind the dogpile and the celebration and Kevin Harlan’s over-the-top call.

How about the Raptors connection?

Yes, that is the one and only Sam Mitchell making the cross-court pass to set up the bucket.

And, yes, that is the one and only Jalen Rose just missing a chance to contest Sealy’s game-winner.

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Guess the doofus who figured on that Orlando-Phoenix final might be feeling a tad sheepish at the moment, eh?

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Happy anniversary,

Happy anniversary,

Happy anniversary,

Happpppppy anniversary

(Sung to the tune of Happy Anniversary).

What’s this, you ask?

Remember the Nine Years Ago Today thing of a week or so ago, commemorating the May 2001 day when that Carter guy dropped 50 on the Sixers? Well, break out the mortarboards, girlz and boyz, the recall The Day Vince Graduated College.

Remember?

Day before Game 7 against the Sixers, he heads to Chapel Hill to grab a diploma, walk across a stage and come back to Philly.

I had no problem with it at the time and don’t today and neither does Vince. The topic came up in an interview he did down in Orlando early in these playoffs when he was asked about criticism and what he gets:

“You always hear something; I never feel bad about graduating from college, Never. I’d do it again. This is temporary, it doesn’t last forever, after it’s all over, you’ve got to have something to do and I come from a family of educators, all teachers so that’s all I know.

“That’s all I know, that was an honour to do so and still be able to go out there and play well; one shot away.”

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Back to Suns-Lakers for a minute.

I won't mention how "lucky" Lamar Odom was, again, as he shredded any and all defenders most of the night.

But here's how the stories read in Los Angeles and in Phoenix.

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Oh yeah, mail.

Gladly accepted by clicking here but can we put a moratorium on “why don’t they do this sign-and-trade with Chris?” queries?

Want to know why? Because it’s not up to them.

We’ll mention it again here, if Bosh wants to leave, he’s going to pick where he wants to go. It’s not as if he’s going to say, “hey, I want that $30 million extra, just move me anywhere.” He’s going to come with a list of teams or a team and then it’s up to Bryan to work something out with the other GM.

In this regard, Bosh drives the process.

Just reminding some of you.

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Quick digression:

As Chickens go, I guess a pair of one-eyed thingamabobs is all right.

That’s what we’ll be seeing in London in 2012, I understand from this story.

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Hey, no games tonight or tomorrow.

Cool.

That means a staff meeting after tonight’s Mighty Yankee workout and a Friday afternoon answering-mail-session at the local with no worries about having to race home to do one of those in-game blog thingies.

Oh, and yard work if Super Wife’s reading this. Really. I will. Honest.

Thanks, NBA.

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Comments

[J]

Chris:
"he took a team with a young future-best-in-the-league PF, a #1 draft pick, and TONS of cap space and turned it into the mess we currently have...
I honestly thing Babcock would have us in a better position right now."
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1) Apparently your fellow Raptors fans don't agree that Bosh is the best-in-the-league PF, now or in the future.
2) There's a big difference between a #1 pick in a talent-laden draft (2003) and a #1 pick in a talent-barren draft (2006). The dearth of that draft is evident in how none of the other projected first overall picks (Tyrus Thomas, Adam Morrison, LaMarcus Aldridge, Rudy Gay) would really change the current outlook of this team.
3) "TONS of cap space"? Cap space, yes, tons, not really. Miami, Chicago, New York and New Jersey have TONS of cap space this year. We had decent cap room in 2006, but not enough to sign a star free agent. If you remember that free agent crop, however, you'll remember that the #1 marquee free agent available was arguably Ben Wallace. Heck, in hindsight we signed one of the next biggest FAs (only to have him go back on the agreement) in Salmons, a player many of you have been clamoring for this season. Given the rest of the FA crop (http://www.nba.com/transactions/movement2006_name.html), we didn't do too poorly when we spent our cap space on Garbajosa, Parker, our 1st overall pick, the difference in salaries between Villanueva and Ford, and the difference in salaries between Eric Williams/Matt Bonner and Nesterovic. Fred Jones was the one big bust, and he was the fall-back for Salmons. The biggest mistake so far was winning on the Turkoglu sweepstakes, but hey, using your same 20-20 hindsight, if Babcock hadn't picked Araujo over Iguodala, who's to say we'd be in this mess now?

[J]

Adrian:
I do love agreeing with you and then disagreeing with you. =P
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"Actions speak louder than words. They need to show us that they're not just playing public relations games when they say they *want* him."
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I think you're flogging on a dead horse here. Unless you have concrete evidence that Raptors management is not trying their utmost given the situation, there's no point arguing this every single day ad infinitum. It's just as pointless as someone posting every day that Bosh is disrespecting the organization by not considering the Raptors in 2010-2011.
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More to the point, you're completely wrong when you say "[they] need to show us that they're not just playing public relations games when they say they *want* him." No, they need to show Bosh, not us. Showing us does nothing except provide us/you with peace of mind. As you stated yourself, the priority is convincing Bosh to stay, and proving intent to the fan-base does nothing in furtherance of that.

[SY]

Hi Doug,

Just curious, for the teams that are out of the playoffs, can they start trading now? (I would guess it's no) But if yes, is it going to be based on the 09-10 salary or the 10-11 salary?

-SY

Blogger's note: Yes, and yes

[GM]

Funny, I was wondering the same thing about Adrian. Does he annoy us on purpose, pretending to speak on behalf of all fans? I get what you're saying, Adrian, but it seems to imply that the Raptors are not, in fact, doing everything they can. How do you know this? Does it have to be a big public showing? I don't think it's the end of the world if Chris freakin' Bosh isn't signed to a huge contract in Toronto. I think it very well may be, like you said, addition by subtraction. But I'm okay with whatever outcome.

Spending over the cap is a red herring. It only works if the players you sign are any good, no matter how much you pay them. Sure, the best players get the most money usually, but there are also a lot of stiffs who get paid way too much and handicap a team for years. Big Country anyone? Jon Koncak? Gilbert Arenas? Even as good as Amare Stoudamire is (and I'd love to have him) isn't going to get your team a championship.

I graduated from university and never went to my convocation. Big deal. I graduated. I've got the certificate. So would Vince. He didn't really need to go to the ceremony.

Not only 'um, fail', but 'girlz and boyz'. Doug, we hardly knew ye! Did Super Son edit today's post?

Blogger's note: Yeah, I've got to dump that young kids slang stuff. Sorry 'bout that, chief. Missed it by "that" much.

[Mike kovacs]

Those mascots are rather lame and do not look like they lend themselves to trampoline slam-dunks! What does The Chicken think of them?

Blogger's note: The Chicken's tough to track down in the off-season

[Rob.V]

@ Adrian: the short answer is sign and trade Bosh. This CAN make this team better.
@ J: the short answer is we are by no means giving up. We are "retooling" and using Bosh to plug other holes and provide future cap space.

Say what we will however the "core" in Toronto has not progressed. Yes there are many factors (don't get me started on inexperienced coaching) however as players they have had 4 or 5 seasons now. Yes, we won the division one year however if Colangleo we're being honest he would admit that he has not accomplished what he has wanted to with the core group.
Yes, he loves Bosh, yes he wants him to stay... what else is he going to say publicly? He also "loved" his coach of the year didnt he??. What I'm suggesting is that it might be better to move Bosh for the good of the team. Not because he's a bad kid or bad player, but because they drafted a #1 pick who plays the SAME position.

My "personal" opinion is that they of course keep Bosh however if I'm the GM I'd have to SERIOUSLY consider moving him if he wants to be "the man". Truthfully, I'm not so sure he wouldnt mind being the second option however when you are asking for max money.. you pretty much have to state - I'm the guy.

Why do I consider moving him? Because he already HAS been the focal point and at $15-17 million where have we gone? In stating this, I am not blaming Bosh. It's just the facts, and if I'm Colangelo my thinking has to go beyond Bosh to - if we cant win with you then i should find a resonable facsimile (wait we already have one-Bargnani) and spend my money elswhere. Grant it, Bosh has had no help.

But aquiring help requires patience!. The problem with patience is that Bosh... and the rest of us... simply do not have any!!!!
So what's Colangelo's plan B. Plug 2 holes by moving Bosh now to try to appease the fan base because at the end of the day WE are the most important (ok maybe second to MLSE).
To pay $23 million a season and barely make (or not) the playoffs is a bad investement.

So how does moving Bosh get us a star wing or guard.

The Raptors have just agreed to trade Chris Bosh traded to the San Antonio Spurs for Tony Parker and McDeyss. Voila!.. you're welcome!

Hey, Bosh is a very good player. But let's assume they could make this trade. You suddenly have one of the best creators (penetrators) in the league. A 3 time champion, and finals MVP now running the show.

This would allow us FINALLY use Bargnani as the big he should be (in the PF position). We could then move Calderon's 9 million for another work horse inside (or cap space) for a possible F/A, maybe a Brendan Haywood??
What I'm suggesting is using Bosh to get better at a couple of positions. I've always felt that Bosh and Bargnani are redundant. They're both power forwards that would thrive with a gritty tough nosed defender beside them.

Here's my example: Take a Kendrick Perkins and put him beside Bosh - Great. Take Kendrick Perkins and put him beside Bargnani- Also great because both Bosh and Bargnani can score... but their troubles lie on the defensive end together.
The way I see it is that one will have to be moved regardless. Colangelo is committed to his #1 pick (his guy) so the timing might be right to let Bosh go.
If Colangelo can save $8-$10 million in salary (per season) 2 or 3 years down the line by trading Bosh today for a Tony Parker you've accomplished 2 things. You have just aquired the best creator this franchise has ever seen (outside of a yourng VC) and by not having to pay Bosh $23 million you have secured future cap space to make other moves. Not this season, but in the future. It ABSOLUTLEY has to be looked at because with a Tony Parker here in Toronto (without Bosh) the Raptors could conceivably win 40 games!!!.
At the highest levels of MLSE the question should be asked. Can we do MUCH worse than 40 wins, 31 wins (whatever it was last season) without Bosh?? My personal guess would be not that much worse (if any). Okay then, who's giving me what for Bosh. Colangelo absolutley HAS to think this way.

You know, the more I type here... the more I am convincing myself that I would trade Bosh if there was a good return lol!

Bargnani could easily pick up the loss of points Bosh scores per game with more shots (24 points), and you could arguably find another big (on the cheap) to plug in defensively and get you 8-10 rebounds. It's entirely possible.
All the while saving money.

I'm not suggesting to give up, I'm suggesting BC will seriously have to consider "retooling" because at $23 million... it's frankly too much!!
Unless (as mentioned) you put another star or two around him... thus my Gilbert Arenas (or other star scenario prior to July 1st) in an effor to retain Bosh.

Then you look to move Bargnani.

[doug]

this is why the good one's in any sport should never be that far removed from their sports,,,,Andre Dawson my childhood hero and a ball player I hold in high esteem just by his actions, how he handles situations and just his silent leadership is now a special assistant to the Marlins, well he had a talk with Hanley Ramirez in regards to his loafing after the booted ball the other night..and this is the "Hawks" Dawson's take on how the conversation started, classic and what is needed more...

Dawson said he did most of the talking, according to the report. He said he started the lesson this way, " 'I'm not going to say a lot, because if you say the wrong the thing to me, then you might wind up on the floor on your rear end."...now there's a young talented man in Hanley learning what needs to be taught and said by one of the best and he will...looks good on the Hawk..

[Lorie]

Hi Doug, Yes, please ensure your slang is, in future, age appropriate; groovy lingo only, or it will be an hour under The Cone of Silence for you. Ahh - would you believe ten minutes in a phone booth?

[Bill]

The only question I want to ask about Vince's graduation is "Do you think Kobe or Michael would have done the same on the morning of a game 7?" And the answer to that question explains why the Raptors never went past the 2nd round and the Magic are 0-2 in the Eastern Conference Finals.

[Adrian]

Some of us are playing devil's advocates again. Have I spoken directly to Chris Bosh? No. Have I spoken to Bryan Colangelo? No. Do I know that nothing has been done as it pertains to "recruiting" Bosh back to Toronto? Absolutely not.

But I don't think I said that.

I just want to ensure that it is being done. Do I want to hear about it like wewantwade.com? It wouldn't hurt (it would probably help given Bosh's character), but I don't need to. I just want to make it known that it has to be done- and I suggest everyone who cares should do the same, as opposed to sitting around helplessly with a defeatist attitude. There is no excuse for Colangelo not showing his blood, sweat and tears over the next two months. Complaining about it later (as people are wont to do) is useless. Now is the time for fans to chime in and let Colangelo know that words alone will not cut it anymore.

I think what some of you are arguing is my skepticism in what Colangelo telling us publicly- I'm not going to take him at his word while you are. Unfortunately, you will not win that argument: 1) Colangelo's results to date have been poor. Some have said it's come time to question how he's doing his job; 2) But either way, even if he was still doing his work brilliantly, it serves no purpose for fans to take him at his word right now. I will not show blind faith to this man (or any man) for fear of the serious consequences we're facing.

It does not hurt to exert public pressure on Colangelo and the ownership group - especially not now. If you want Chris Bosh to return (and again, I can't see how anyone wouldn't) you have one chance, and it's sitting in front of you. Bosh even said it himself at the exit interview, "That's the question that needs to be answered" when asked if Colangelo can turn this team into a winner. Therefore, the status quo is evidently not good enough for Chris- and the pressure is on Bryan "whatever it takes" Colangelo to move. If he's already 'moving' behind the scenes, terrific. If not, he's not doing his job.

It's pointless for fans to assume that he is, though. It's too late for that- he's made his own bed. Appealing to Chris Bosh is far more important to me today than giving Bryan Colangelo the benefit of the doubt.

[Aditya]

"I guess, if I’m a coach, I’d probably stick with much the same tactics in Game 3 as I did in Game 2 and hope that either Artest or Farmar don’t make shots from the perimeter in a hostile gym. "
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But I thought the fans don't matter one iota when the opposition player is shooting....You said this sir...

[doug]

ok to people that don't understand that sports is a business. or wonder why athetes want to screw franchises down the road,,,understand this....Strasburg the young phenomen of a pitcher for the Nationals won't be called up before June 4th, as if he is he will cost the Nationals millions in 2 years time,,,so by calling him afterwards the Nats save themselves millions...are you kidding me if I was Strasburg I would refuse to pitch one more inning until that time, why do owners have the right especially with pitchers to hold them hostage a arm injury is a throw away....so thats why i never ever take Bosh, Carter etc. deciding to take their wares elsewhere personally, owners love to screw whoever they can just ask Phil Jackson in regards to Jerry Buss...are you kidding me, if a guy like Rashard lewis can make the coin he does, then Phil should earn 15 mill a year not take a pay cut, its not a precedent Phil is the greatest coach ever, pay him...if not Phil should walk, as so should Strasburg, athletes are commodities to G.M's and owners screw them...the good ones deserve not only their due but their cut, in the case of the Lakers they make 2 mill a playoff game, also the Nats have terrible home attendance, plus Espn etc.will want to be broadcasting Straqsburgs debut which means millions...so the Lakers and Nats owners deserve to screw their cash cows...come on, it's a business, not school yard ball...

[thedudeabides]

as far as driving the process with his list of teams: haven't we seen bryan work out multi team deals before? just because bosh ends up somewhere doesn't mean we end up with a player from that city. right? or are sign and trade deals only restricted to two teams?

[J]

Rob V:

I was pleasantly surprised that you were able to provide a somewhat realistic situation. Not that I'm super high on your Parker/McDyess for Bosh scenario, but I can certainly see justification on both sides for that trade. It's also probably the best the Raptors would receive in return, considering most of the teams looking to acquire him are way below the cap. The only question (not to be answered until post-July 1st) is whether Bosh would want to play for the Spurs.
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I'm going to tell you, my mindset has always been "anyone can be traded -- for the right price." If BC can acquire viable players (a la Tony Parker) in return for Bosh, then so be it. However, anything less (David Lee, Kevin Martin, Jordan Hill, etc.) and Bosh's desire to remain in T.O. notwithstanding, it would be in the Raptors' best interest to hold onto Bosh because cap space is overrated. I could type forever, but the very simple fact is that unless the team completes a very difficult fire-sale (while not handing out anymore multi-year contracts), we're always going to be above the cap, or not below it enough to attract any top-notch player to build around.
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Assume Bosh only wants to go to NY or Chicago, and we let him walk or get very little in return. If we take back players, we're immediately over the cap again. If we let him walk, and we manage to re-sign Amir Johnson, there goes half (or more) of our cap space, with the rest going toward the remaining 5 roster spots. In both situations, we suddenly find ourselves in the same above-the-cap position as before, only without our best player entirely, or with a downgrade from Bosh to David Lee, for instance. This cannot possibly be an upgrade.
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We're no longer as close to the luxury tax level, but in an attempt to improve each year, we sign someone new to the MLE each year. Again, quite suddenly, we find ourselves flirting with the luxury tax level, with the only difference being we've now invested Bosh's salary into three MLE Jack-type players. I don't know about you, but I'd rather have Bosh and 2 players signed to minimum contracts rather than 3 likely overpaid MLE players. Only five players can be on the floor at any time, so it doesn't matter how much middling talent you have on the bench. Not to mention, it's much easier signing role players to minimum deals than signing a top 10-15 player to any sort of deal unless you're way below the cap.
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BTW, just a tiny note because I've noticed this quite often, not just from you. While it's quite clear that Bosh's 2010-2011 salary would begin at ~$16.5 mil, with the average per year being ~$21 mil, you mention "[to] pay $23 million a season and barely make (or not) the playoffs is a bad investement." That would be true if it was actually $23 mil a season. In fact, not until the 2nd to last year of his max deal would Bosh be making $23 mil. Contrast that to the Celtics paying two of their players $19.8 mil *this* year, not 5 years down the road, and a third player still is earning more than what Bosh is being paid this year. Seems to me Bosh would be "the guy" a lot better if he had both Pierce and Ray Allen on his team as well.

[Aditya]

Hi Doug,

Just curious, for the teams that are out of the playoffs, can they start trading now? (I would guess it's no) But if yes, is it going to be based on the 09-10 salary or the 10-11 salary?

-SY

Blogger's note: Yes, and yes
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The last yes doesn`t make sense Doug

[Andrew Gregg]

Hi Doug:

Karma is a bitch:

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/writers/andy_staples/05/19/magic.celtics2/index.html

This CNN piece really sums it up. I never knew Vince Carter--never met him. As a fan I can only watch and surmise. He seemed to have all the charm and talent he needed to be a keystone in the marketing of the NBA. When he was here, Nike even made him a shoe.

But he was the one who made the choice to disappoint. He quit here, he missed those free throws there. Karma is much more complicated than that, but if I ever had to explain it in brief, I'd use Vince Carter.

AG, Toronto

[yertu damkule]

doug (not smith, doug the commenter): your rant about strasburg is a bit ill-informed. he (strasburg) was made well-aware of the nats' intentions for when they'd be bringing him up. i'm sure this devestating turn of events was soothed somewhat by the fact that he signed for more $$ than any previous draft pick.

[Jimmy]

Doug, Vince went to his graduation the day OF the game. It wasn't the day before.

[TOOVER]

Bosh deserves a better place than TO. Good luck next year!