An interesting time is upon us

What a quiet day/evening/night, wasn’t it?

No news, no games, nothing really going on at all.

Makes it tough to be, um, insightful. But you gotta do what you gotta do so …

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We are witnessing something quite fascinating as we watch the goings-on with LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers.

For the first time I can remember in the seven years James has been in the league, there are many questions being raised about his abilities as a leader and some questions being raised about his abilities as a player.

There is no debate that he was less than good in the season’s most important game to date, a rather desultory, detached performance in Game 5 against the Boston Celtics.

And that has caused people to sit up and wonder if James has it in him to help the Cavs overcome some tremendously adverse circumstances – and being down 3-2 going into Boston tonight and having played horribly, for them, in a large part of the series these are dire circumstances, indeed.

Can he drop 50 on Boston and force a Game 7 by himself?

Can he summon the intensity out of his teammates that great leaders do and get his supporting cast to play well enough to force a Game 7?

Or does he wilt like we saw him wilt the other night at home in what was the most embarrassing Cavs game of the James era?

I’m not suggesting that this is really a watershed moment in a career that’s so young but I do think tonight will be a moment of truth for the guy considered in some corners the best player in the game today and potentially one of the greatest of all time.

This is the moment where guys who aspire to those lofty heights, or guys placed in those heights, have to come through by hook or by crook.

You know what?

It’s not good enough that he play well in a losing cause.

This is one of those games where “doing your part regardless of the outcome” isn’t good enough.

This is a game where the true greats win, somehow, some way.

And if he doesn’t?

Well, it won’t tarnish him forever, he’s far too young and has loads more to accomplish, but it will be a blemish, a big, ugly blemish on what to this point has been a blemish-free career.

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Oh, and if you want to know what the latest is from the two teams, check out Brian Windhorst today from Cleveland and here’s a nice piece by Jackie MacMullan from Boston.

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I’m going to answer about a dozen questions already in the mailbag with one fell swoop here:

Yes, Joe Johnson is a pretty good player – excels in the regular season, as a matter of fact – but, no, I don’t see how he fits here unless it’s in a sign-and-trade transaction for Chris Bosh.

And, no, if Bosh walks, Toronto does not have enough money to make Johnson – or any other significant free agent – an offer.

And here’s why:

If Bosh goes for nothing, Toronto will still be over the projected salary cap, leaving them nothing but the mid-level exception with which to add players. So the best – outside of Bosh re-signing here, which I still think would be the best thing for the franchise – they can hope to do is get something back for him.

In the case of Johnson specifically, since that’s the guy so many of you have asked about, not only would have to tell the Hawks he wanted to come here, Atlanta would have to be interested in some kind of salary-equivalent sign-and-trade package and I don’t see one.

But, who knows, maybe there is but it’s the only the way the Raptors can do something and I doubt (a) Johnson’s dying to join Toronto; and (b) the Hawks want much of the Raptors roster.

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A bit of catching up:

They’re dancing in the streets of Fenerbahce (although I don’t think there actually are “streets of Fenerbahce).

That’s because the women’s team – with Toronto’s Tammy Sutton-Brown – swept the Turkish league title in three games over Galatasaray.

Just thought you’d like to know since I mentioned it the other day.

Oh, and I also mentioned there wouldn’t be much time to celebrate. And there won’t be because Tammy’s Indiana Fever opens its WNBA season on Saturday.

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I’ll have to check but I believe the Los Angeles Lakers and Phoenix Suns are in the Western Conference final, right?

Yep, quick glance at the interweb shows they do have to play a series which will start soon.

Hope you all remember to check in when it finally gets under way.

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Speaking of mail, if you promise not to send “Can the Raptors get Joe Johnson” questions, I’ll gladly accept queries if you click here to send them.

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A little scheduling note:

Yes, we’ll be here tonight for an in-game blog thingy if anyone cares to show up around 8 and we’ll do one of those hour-long question-and-answer things Friday at noon if you’re interested.

Until then, I have to spend today trying to make sense out of Vince Carter for a weekend piece and I guess it’s about time to figure out who wins Lakers-Suns, whenever it starts.

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Comments

[Joe T.]

It will certainly be interesting to see how LeBron James bounces back from that last game. There are three players to whom he is most often compared: Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan and Oscar Robertson. Bryant won his first ring (of four and counting) in his fourth year in the league. But he joined a team with a young, dominant center named Shaquille O'Neal. Jordan won his first (of six) in his seventh season which is what James is trying to do right now. Robertson had to change teams in his eleventh season to win his only ring. And he joined a team with a young, dominant center -- some dude named Lew Alcindor. Can LeBron "be like Mike" and do it with this supporting cast? Or does he need better? Or does he need Phil Jackson? Will LeBron need to change teams to win it all, too? Know any young, dominant centers?...

[Matt M]

Well that was dramatic and it's interesting the double standard that is emerging in the discussion about Lebron with fans and media alike. After all, if it was Bosh we were talking, a player who only made it to the playoffs once in his career, about the focus would be on the lack of the supporting cast and rightfully so. People seem to be forget when talking about legacies that Michael never won squat without Pippen, Kobe did nothing in the playoffs without Shaq or Gasol, and Wade is the best player on a first round loser without a dominant Shaq. That's ignoring the hall of famers that Russell, West, Robertson, Magic, Bird, and the rest of the storied post season players have starred with. Too much emphasis on players and not enough on the teams they played on IMO.
I don't think that losing will tarnish the reputation of Lebron at all, nor should it. It should be more about the supporting cast and the lack of that second player to take focus off Lebron and put them over the top. Put Lebron with Bosh and Wade (in Chicago :) and I'll put down money they will challenge the Bulls and Celtics for greatest dynasty of all time. The focus if Cleveland loses should be more about how Boston over came the odds and the best player on the planet to win.

[Johnn19]

Adrian Wojnarowski @ Yahoo has a great article on the self styled "King" of Cleveland, telling him it's time to "put up or shut up" now, a thought that has been seconded by the Cavaliers owner.

[Bill]

Forget about Joe Johnson, he's not that good to begin with.

What about Paul Milsap? Word from Utah is that they would like to retain Boozer which may mean that Milsap could be available for trade. Maybe the Raptors can get him for someone other than Bosh? Of course that's just to make sure they get a quality starter at PF before they do a S&T and turn Bosh into some cool wing player.

[Blake Kennedy]

One thing I do appreciate about basketball-reference.com is that they have all the advanced stats (for individuals, anyway - but not teams, oddly) for the WNBA as well as the NBA.

I had no idea that Tammy was such an impact player on the defensive side of the ball.

Can the Raptors get her? Being serious, she's probably an upgrade from some of the stiffs we have now.

[Pipit]

Any news on our point guard issues? Based on your knowledgeable hunch, whose staying and whose leaving?

[Rick]

"If Bosh goes for nothing, Toronto will still be over the projected salary cap, leaving them nothing but the mid-level exception with which to add players." Correct me if I'm wrong but, with the salary cap projected at about $56.1 million, if Bosh walks for nothing the team payroll would sit at a little over $46 million. Wouldn't that mean the Raps have around $9 million to spend before hitting the cap? Not saying that would be enough to grab a big name agent, seeing as they would have to fill a few roster spots (team sits at 9 players is Bosh leaves, 10 if they pick up Weems' option), but it's cap room all the same.

[BenjaminKR]

I second the comment regarding the S+T with Utah. I think Bosh and Turk/Calderon for Millsap, Kirilenko and their number one pick this year (they have the Knicks unprotected pick, which should be pretty high) would be a great deal for this team. It would allow us to have a core of young, eager players (Weems, Derozan, the upcoming draft picks) along side a tough as nails PF in Millsap and a crafty veteran in Kirilenko. Mix all that with Jack's leadership and Bargnani's continued, albeit slow, development as a go-to scorer, and we could have an exciting team to watch.

The team is better off with Bosh staying, but if he needs to go, I think him going to Utah will be excellent for his career. He will be surrounded by arguably the best point guard in the league, hard working players like Korver, and Okur, as well as the best coach in the league to never win a coach of the year award, Jerry Sloan.

Whatever happens, I'm excited for what should be a rollercoaster of a Summer.

[elwyn]

Man, LBJ plays like a human in one game, and the vultures emerge.

[D-Mac Ottawa]

Hi Doug,
Reading the various fish-wrap write-ups the past couple of days and... wow. MVP one day, good-for-nothing bum the next. Tough crowd, we 21st centurians. No pressure, BronBron. (And did his target to be the first athlete to hit the Billion mark just go south as fast as Wall Street did for five fun-filled minutes last Friday?) Mighty twitchy world we're living in these days, Doug. I blame the remote control – it all started there.
Go Celts! Cheers.

[Andre]

If Bosh wants to leave, which I dont think he will, they should consider trading him to houston. Getting any of those players in return (Kevin Martin, Aaron Brooks, Luis Scola) and a first rounder would do wonders for the raptors. Maybe even dumping Turk there too may be good too. Or cauldron. i know, wishful thinking

Blogger's note: Yeah, that Cauldron guy has some burning issues.

[Kelsey]

Hopefully Toronto retains Bosh and somehow rides themselves of Bargnani and Calderon...

Oh how I want Lebron and Cleveland to go down. After those hurtful but true comments about not wanting to play Toronto in playoffs (including playing basically full game against Toronto, then taking game off against Chicago)....It would be so sweet to See the "King" I should say prince, as he hasnt been crowned a title.
Look at the money in this Cleveland team, they will be a huge fail if they cant even make it to the finals.

Call it what you want I'm drinking the Cleveland
"Hate-o-rade"...Lets go Boston,

Joe Johnson is nice, but Toronto needs better bang for its buck type of players. Im hoping someone believe's they can turn our lame ducks Calderon and Bargnani into something and make a pitch for them.

Gheradini please remove yourself from Europe scouting its a waste of time...

Lets Go Boston!!!!!!! send the prince to bed!!!

[Max]

Blemish-free career?
The petulant display after losing in last year's playoffs?
What forever has blighted Jester James in my eyes is his behaviour in an exhibition game years ago. I forget the city, but it was in a non-NBA city in which the Cavaliers were playing, except for James. Fast forward to the fourth quarter and a somber crowd gets electric because he removed his warmup gear, appearing ready to enter the game.
But he didn't.
He sat back down and chuckled.
(The source for this story, the very same fish wrap that hosts your blog. Don't remember if it was you who reported the tale, or one of the former hoops writers that I don't believe left under the best of circumstances).
Sure he was much younger and immature, but that kind of display lingers in terms of first impressions.
Nothing he's done since has altered the perception of the exceptionally talented prima donna.
Course, I also like holding irrational grudges against people who really have no impact in my life. It's fun.

[GM]

Gotta agree with Matt M. I was thinking the same thing. Not to bash Bosh, but if he lays an egg, he just had a bad game, as everyone does and why didn't his teammates step up? But with LeBron it's all on him. I was surprised as anyone at his performance, but that's because he's been so damn impressive all season long.

As for whether or not Kobe Bryant would ever turn in such a poor performance in the playoffs, Bill Simmons (granted, a notorious Laker hater) provided some stats:

• Game 6 of the 2003 Spurs series: Lakers eliminated in a 32-point blowout (Kobe scores 20, commits seven turnovers).

• Game 3, Game 4 and Game 5 of the 2004 Finals: Kobe went 4-for-13, 8-for-25 and 7-for-21 as the Pistons finished off L.A.

• Game 7 of the 2006 Suns series: Lakers lose by 32, Kobe mysteriously stops shooting in the second half in a rarely seen Eff You To My Teammates performance.

• Game 4 of the 2008 Finals: Boston rallies back from 25 down to win in L.A. Kobe finishes 6-for-19.

• Game 6 of the 2008 Finals: Boston wins the title with a 39-point blowout, Kobe goes 7-for-22.

For the record, I'm not a Kobe hater. I just think perspective is needed. LeBron's supporting cast is decent, not great, and his coach is sub-par. And while he's in his 7th year (the same year Jordan started winning), he's younger than Jordan was at this point of his professional career.

[charles]

I am impressed with the Celtics:
Old guys play together very well and Rondo emerges as a tremendous talent and a coach who is able to animate most of his players ( apart from Rasheed).
I know they play mean and rough and with an edge but do they ever play together.

[Adrian]

Without Bosh, the current Raptors roster would be naked. There are so many sign & trades being bandied about by the fans and media, and yet they all involve bringing role players back to Toronto. It defies logic: people complain about not having enough stars here, okay, but then they brainstorm ways to trade their one and only stud for more complementary pieces. What are you building in that case, and who are you building around? I've always been concerned about getting further and further away from last season, because we tend to forget how the team actually looked like on the floor. It seems like we fall into the same trap every season... and then the same disappointment follows next year.

I agree with Doug: Bosh may not be perfect but he is by far the best player on this team and the least of its concerns. In fact, after thinking about it last night, I think the gap between Bosh and the second best player on the team is bigger than it is with anyone in the league not named Wade, Lebron or Paul. That might have less to do with him, of course, than it does the rest of them. Bryan Colangelo should be beating down his door to keep him in Toronto- not because of Chris Bosh, but rather because the alternatives are shot and Chris represents the only hope to achieve even moderate success over the next 4-5 years.

Complaining about WHY that's true is like crying over spilt milk- there's nothing the team can do about that anymore. Some people are thinking they can let him walk and start again- and that's usually a good plan- but the Raptors can't even do that properly here. They have so much money tied up in Bargnani, Jack, Calderon, Turkoglu and Derozan that they can't rebuild on the fly like Miami. In other words, they can't even bottom out without Bosh. The remaining roster is such a mishmash of players currently in their 'prime', short term projects, long term projects, hasbeens and neverbeens that it doesn't even make any sense. In the end, Toronto's risk this summer is almost as paralyzing as it is for Cleveland. It's not our fault either- that's all Colangelo. :)

I hate to be a negative douche and maybe I'll stop soon but it's worthwhile to look in the mirror from time to time. It might change how you feel about the future, and the things that can be done now to avoid it. Bosh may or may not be the answer, but I'll tell you what- he's as close as it gets right now. The other option is to pray for a miracle and find a diamond in the rough- but it's not like getting rid of Bosh makes it any easier to do that.

[The J]

Say what you want, but when that Cauldron guy gets hot, he really burns it up.

[Nihir Morzaria]

I think that might be the first time I've seen you write Vince Carter's name on this blog. I almost did a double take.

[Jacques]

any word on Alex English as a head coach this year.

Blogger's note: No, none

[The J]

Hey Doug,
Just a small rebuttle to your bold statement about how Kobe would never let a team of his get blown out by over 20 twice in one series. You are correct. But looking back to just '03 and forward (after the three-peat) he would:
*Spurs: Lose one by 19 and another by 28 (pretty close to 2 by 20)
*Pistons: twice lose by over 12, and once by 20. In the case of the 20 he let his team score a pitiful 68 points
*Phoeninx: one by 17 and another by 31. Again close to 2 by over 20. And the last one would come pitifully in a game 7. Don't forget they were up 3-1 in this series and still lost. Kobe infamously disappeared on his team in game 7.
*Phoenix: One by 28, but the series only lasted 5 games before the Lakers were ousted by the same team they pushed 7 games just a year before.
*Boston: One by 39!!! In a close-out game no less. Kobe again infamously disappeared.

Note that I didn't say all of this to make a Lebron over Kobe arguement, but rather to argue your usual point, "it is never one guy". And I would argue that while Kobe gets a lot of scrutiny, Lebron probably has it worse. I would also argue, depending on what happens tongiht, Lebron has never disappeared in a close out game, and I don't think Kobe can say the same.

[GM]

Adrian, that's all well and good, but if Bosh decides he wants to go, there's not much anyone can do. But don't assume that if he goes the team will look exactly the same only minus Bosh. Colangelo has always made trades and always will.

[doug]

the people that are disputing or trying to create a Kobe versus LeBron comparison...forget it, Kobe may have had bad games, may have had disappointing performances....but the bottom-line is this he has won 4 NBA titles, without doing a crowd pleasing powder cloud before the game, or "funny" pre-game choreographed dances, shenanigans with teammates....Kobe is all about winning, just ask Gasol who kobe rode all season long...no one is saying LeBron can't, but it's time for him to show up and back up his actions...and I am tired of these excuses for him, no teammates or supporting cast??...come on Jamison is not sliced cheese, or is Shaq...LeBron could have Gasol and Odom as teammates he wouldn't know how to use them, his elbow yet after that injury he had 28 in a half, or a coach, he has had the same guy for years......his quotes sometimes say it all, the other night, on top of many other ill-timed quotes this last season, he said " i disappoint myself and let myself down with a performance like that" to para-phrase, what about his teammates??...the biggest mistake as i have said along is this, he has never had a coach challenge him, ever...until he learns what it takes to win, he will be lost...Jabbaar was right in the basis of his point, Lebron has raw skills , beyond that not much....

[Adrian]

Of course, GM, if Bosh wants to go he can go- but I think what the fans and MLSE should be doing right now is making it harder on him to do so. There's still time, isn't there? I don't know who it was who said it a few weeks back, but MLSE's marketing team should be working overtime to make him feel wanted- by setting up a website, for example, like Miami just did for Dwyane Wade to show their appreciation. Someone on this board actually suggested that- and Miami beat us to the punch! Those "We want more/ CB4" placards in what turned out to be a meaningless game just don't cut it. THAT'S where the focus should be right now and I don't feel it. I don't hear much but from a few passionate fans.

As a fanbase and franchise, we need to abandon this "woe is me" attitude and try to do something to change things. Be proactive, not reactive. Bosh is not gone yet. Instead of crying about what could happen in two months, we should do what we can to strengthen our position and give ourselves the best chance. Write our own destiny, so to speak. I just feel like everything is too status quo with this organization. We've adopted this "let the chips fall where they may" attitude and it's too laissez-faire for me. I'm exhausted from waving the white flag everywhere we go and accepting defeat in the face of competition- be it on or off the floor. We spend more time justifying why we shouldn't do this or that, or why things aren't quite as bad as they seem, or how best to play devil's advocates and deny the criticism, than we do actually looking for ways to get better.

We should do all we can to convince him to stay- and if he leaves, he leaves, fine, but at least we will have tried. And I don't think it's as outrageous to think that he might just WANT to stay as some people in this world would have us believe.

[GM]

Adrian, I agree he might want to stay. And think he very well might. I'm not so sure that's a good idea to wrap up that kind of money on a player like Bosh. But I'm okay either way.

Commenter doug, that powder slap LeBron does was done before him by Jordan every single game. He didn't make it into quite the show LeBron does, but it was still a ritual. He'd do it in the Chicago announcer's face. I thought it was stupid when Jordan did it, and I think it's stupid when LeBron does it. But neither has any bearing on them as players.

[Rob]

The La Lakers have a payroll this year of approximately 91 million. Orlando has a payroll of about 82 million. They are the favourites to meet in the finals and play for the championship. The raptors on the other hand are worrying about being over the salary cap. That says it all about the difference between the raptors and an organization like the Lakers. Their goal is to win it all and they put their money where their mouth is. The raptors just talk.