And so it begins, with the first Gang of Four

You wanted Raptors news? Well, how was that weekend?

But let’s put the Turkoglu saga aside for a second because – ta-da! – it’s draft preparation time in earnest.

Whoop!!!

And

Eeee!!!!

Seriously, kids start pouring in for individual workouts here in Toronto this week, although you never know who’s going to show up until you actually get in the gym, which is another delightful part of the whole process.

Anyway, the four kids who are in today are a couple of guards, 6-4 Willie Warren of Oklahoma and 6-3 Avery Bradley of Texas, and a couple of forwards, Gordon Hayward of Butler and Stanley Robinson of Connecticut.

Now, if you read some of the mock drafts out there – and I try to avoid them like the plague until about the second week of June – it’s a bit of a stretch to think any of these four would be the 13th pick, most of them are projected as late-teens or late-20s choices.

So, what’s that mean? Um, nothing at the moment. Except that the Raptors are doing the usual amount of due diligence. Which is prudent and gives you a lot to chatter about.

It also makes sense to bring in two guards and two forwards, rather than three of one and one of the other to give them a chance to run some legitimate two-man drills.

There are more workouts scheduled for Tuesday and Thursday but Wednesday’s up in the air, which brings us to another part of the problem with this time of year.

As the process unfolds and the draft draws closer, it gets harder and harder to get some kids in. They either think they will be drafted before, say, No. 13 and they don’t want to jeopardize their position by having a bad workout (and, trust me, team officials chatter back and forth a lot about who looks good where) or the players are broken down from the sheer volume of auditions they have to go on.

And that’s why you really don’t know until the night before precisely who’s going to work out the next morning.

I swear, there are more “flight delays” coming into Pearson this time than there is in an entire winter.

So, the short answer to ‘who’s coming in the rest of the week’ is we have no firm answer at the moment.

-

Oh, you wonder how the day goes for us?

Let me tell you.

We show up around 11 a.m. (the workouts begin sometime after 9 a.m.) and we stand around the corridor outside the practice gym for 45 minutes or so before being shown in.

We see about 20 minutes of drills – if that – and then the interviewing process begins. Now, every now and then we get something marginally newsworthy but, over the decade and half I’ve been going to these things, I can close my eyes and here the conversation now:

Grunt: So, how was the workout?

Player (and it really doesn’t matter what his name is): It was hard, they really made us work, we ran a lot, did a lot drills but it was fun

.

Grunt: What would you bring to the Raptors?

Player: I just want to come in and work hard, do whatever the coach asks. I want to play defence and hustle, learn and do whatever the coach asks me to do.

Grunt: What do you know about the Raptors?

Player: I watched them a few times last season and I know they want a guy who’ll come in and work hard, do whatever the coach asks. I just want to play defence and hustle, learn and do whatever the coach asks me to do.

Oh, and then Team Official saunters over <p>Grunt: What’d you think of them?

Team Official: Good group, we had a good workout, they showed some hustle and defence.

Grunt: Anything specific?

Team official: Good workout. They’re projected to be draft picks and I can see them helping some team. They need to work on this and that but it was a good workout.

Grunt: Okay, we’re gone.

-

With nothing really on TV last night (Twins-Rangers holds no allure for me; Super Wife playing DVDs – the new VCRs, I’m told – of True Blood wasn’t an option) clicking around landed me at a Saturday Night Life retrospective.

I’ll just say this: I (heart) Tina Fey.

And am pretty big on Amy Poehler, too.

Digression done, for now.

-

I’ve got to get back to one little post-game moment from Game 6 of Lakers-Suns for a second.

And why I think Kobe Bryant is the kind of stone-cold hard-ass you’d want on your team.

He’s being interviewed and is asked about the Sasha Vujacic-Goran Dragic thingamabob that turned the momentum and Bryan.t’s asked: What did you think of Sasha’s, um, ill-advised move?

“I wanted to kill him."

And now?

“I still want to kill him.”

Later, Bryant’s at the podium and someone asks him about the threat?

“He’s still breathing.”

I don’t know why, but I found that entirely entertaining.

-

Speaking of entertaining, what are you doing Tuesday at noon? Well, if you’re smart, you’ll stop by this neck of the woods for an hour-long question and answer session. We’ll do some Finals stuff, I’m sure we’ll touch on some Raptors stuff and it’ll be a hoot.

Honest, it will.

-

Back to the draft for one quick minute, just to let you know what’s been gleaned in a couple of conversations I’ve had with bigwigs over in Raptorsville.

They think there’s a group of about nine players – and they haven’t divulged exactly what the names are but I’m some of you are capable of figuring them out – who are certain to be gone by the time No. 13 rolls around.

They also think there’s a group of eight or 10 guys they might have interest in and all could be available when it comes time to make the choice.

But it’s going to take some time – probably a couple of weeks or so – to whittle that group of eight or 10 guys down to about four or five to put in some kind of priority list.

They don’t know who will eventually make it to that last group and I certainly don’t, but that’s when the news and the chat should really start.

The process now is weeding and ranking a large number of possibilities, a number too great to really break down and prioritize at the moment. Some day, we’ll figure out who’s left but that day’s a while off.

-

Oh yeah, Mighty Yankees opener tonight, if the scheduled thunderstorms hold off. Don’t think any of the networks are carrying this one so you’ll have to check back in the morning to see how we fared.

-

Comments

[KX]

How dare you misspell Tina's name!

Blogger's note: Got it fixed up; bad typo, thanks

[Rob.V]

I'm not sure If i'm missing something great as I have not watched 5 seconds of that 30 Rock show? Mind you, I have never seen (1) Simpsons episode either (and am told I missed out).

But I will say this - Tiny Fey is one intelligently funny cat, tha'ts for sure!!!.

But is it just me or does Tina Fey remind others of a younger Andrea Martin? Maybe it stems from both of them (along with A. Poehler) coming from an SCTV background.

When I think about it, wasn't SCTV a great show? Some very classic comedy stuff there.

Oh, and I almost forgot... the Raptors suck!!! lol!

[Nick M]

Watched the SNL thing too.

I heart the digital shorts!

[Tiger]

So a guy goes away for a couple of days and comes back to see that our Friendly Neighbourhood Beat Grunt has been promoted to Columnist.
Not only that, you and Cox seem to be the only two columnizing these days.
At least according to the torstar.com website editor.
Congrats... maybe.
...from the corner of inane observations...

[JHP]

I know it's early but any talk of either trading away or trading down in the draft ?

Blogger's note: There's always talk, gonna take some time to find out what's real

[Jeff D]

I believe you have mentioned your appreciation of Tina Fey before. Now if only she would be cast for the next DWTS!

Blogger's note: Can you imagine!?!?!?

[Matty-Pix]

Remembering the Raptors rumoured "list of 5" last year: Johnny Flynn, DeMar DeRozan, Jrue Holiday, Gerald Henderson, and James Johnson ... I think we made out really, really well.

My forecast of a "top 5" for 2010 is: Ekpe Udoh, Ed Davis, Avery Bradley, Larry Sanders and Daniel Orton ... with any of the first 4 on the list being great pick-ups.

[Andrew]

Do team officials look at online mock drafts? Like me? :)

Blogger's note: Probably

[Sven]

I saw the Bryant comments with Craig Saeger and wow, he really came across as a horrendous interview. I thought he was more the "we gave 110%, blah blah cliches" but this series he's just looked like he's brutal to talk to. Has that always been the case?
His last three over Grant Hill was truly ridiculous.

[KX]

I actually wouldn't want to see Tina on DWTS, that's going to destroy the Liz Lemon image in me, unless she goes with Alec Baldwin and screws up really badly while dancing.

[sam]

Hi Doug,
I just got around to reading your Saturday column on the Hedo situation. I think you are dead on. It's funny to me how so much promise turned sour in less than a season - It seems signing a relatively big name free agent has its downfalls - From taking the preseason off - his curt answer to Jack Armstrong after one of his few good games with the Raps - You could almost tell he thought he was bigger thean the sum of the team. Not wanting to adapt to what Jay and the coaches put out, but having the remainder of the team adapt to him. It's Disappointing, but not surprizing. No matter what the guy makes - Isn't the obligation to be the best you can be with what ever system you are in?
The Raps would be better served with players like Amir, Jose and Sonny - eager, hungry and willing to learn and grow in a team concept -

By the way, I had the pleasure of watching the Bird/Magic HBO Documentary this weekend - Interesting to see how hard nosed and tough they played - It would be good to see that type of intensity from our guys on a consistent basis. Thier Rivalry seemed bigger than the game.

[GM]

Why go interview all the invitees if that's all you get? That's not a leading question, by the way. I'm wondering what positives there are out of it?

Blogger's note: You might get some stuff in private conversations that can be used down the road. That's where real work gets done

[j]

Any updates from this morning's workouts?

[Aditya]

amare stoudemire with 0 assists in his last 4 games, and this guy deserves a max contract? I don't think so

[DougG]

As a long time supporter of Hedos I must say I am really disappointed in his behaviour, even in a league known for it's belladonnas and head cases. His attack on the city of Toronto, and demand for a trade, because he thinks he was slighted in some way, puts him in the Diva category. Hopefully, someone out there remembers the player from the playoffs two years ago, who could actually make a 3 point shot and appeared to have blood in his veins, and will give us some value for him. Toronto can't pay him 30 or 40 million just to go away, like some of the other Divas that have graced this great city's basketball stage. Make him sit out the next 4 years if you have to, rather than that.
.
With 2 of our starters now seemingly on their way out of town it sure looks like another busy summer. It's amazing that the 4th largest market in North America is treated like a backwater in the NBA. One can only wonder how the game will survive if the team is never able to keep its best assets.

[marc in panama]

Hola Doug,

Saturday Night LIVE, mi amigo

Tina Fey is funny enough to be mistaken as a Canadian.

[LeeZ]

What do you think the market will be for Matt Barnes? He turned down a player option for $1.6 M. Think the Raps would be interested? Would less than the mid-level exemption get it done?

Blogger's note: In these economic times, yes.

[doug]

I also think tina fey is not only a very funny women, but to say she looks like Sarah Palin is wrong...as Salin Palin is lucky to look like her, as Tina has the looks and brains much better combo, so yea Sarah Palin looks like Tina Fey.........I don't know how many saw Tropic Thunder, it was a under-appreciated movie and in my estimation give us one of the best new characters in a long time....Les Grossman the hollywood agent, the take no prisoners agent played magnificently by Tom Cruise, who just nails this character, as its like its tom's real life alter ego....he has just did a new commercial for MTV with Pattison the guy from Twilght where he plays Les grossman..its just killer and has gone "viral", here is the link to the clip and another one from Tropic Thunder where he has many scenes...but be warned its not for the young ones or for others that may get offended ...give Les Grossman is own movie...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5NUr-Xart9Y

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EAiLw887rss

[KX]

BTW have you seen Betty White's episode of SNL? If not then you must drop everything and go watch it. Tina Amy and co were all there too. It was pure epic.

[Jack]

The Raptors have the number 13 pick. Sports Illustrated has a list of the top 25 draft prospects. Who is in number 13... Donatas Motiejunas. There's a good chance that Bargnani will have a 'mate here.

[Mike]

"P.J. Carlesimo has an agreement in principle to join the Toronto Raptors as an assistant coach under Jay Triano, according to league sources." Who would he be replacing or can they simply just add another coach?

[BB]

The Turk situation is a perfect example of why Bosh should sign in Toronto! He can get his max contract and see how the season starts out next year knowing he can go to Bryan and DEMAND a trade any time he likes and probably choose which teams he would like to go to. Seems like a contract in the NBA doesn't mean much these days when you look at the likes of what Turk is doing, Vince Carter did it and Alonzo Morning did to name a few. Seems like if a player doesn't want to honor his contract he just can jut cry and dog-it until he forces the teams hand.

It would be nice if in the new CBA they allowed teams and players to jointly agree to null a contact at any time. Think it's possible?

[Nick M]

doug,

Totally agree with you on Tropic Thunder. And Tom Cruise, as much as I hate to admit it, did steal the spotlight in that movie. Although Robert Downie was pretty unbelievable!