Best miss ever? And a summit with a twist

So Kobe Bryant, the greatest closer in the game today, fires up an airball at the buzzer and it’s the biggest shot of the season so far for the Lakers?

Yeah, I can see how people on Planet Orange might feel the Basketball Gods are conspiring against them. Again.

That was some wacky finish to what was an outstanding game and I fully expect Phoenix to win back at home Saturday and give us some Monday night drama.

At least a fella can hope, right?

Anyway, on to “the play” where Ron Artest, who took perhaps the stupidest shot of the playoffs with a missed three-pointer when he could have practically run out the clock, rebounded Kobe’s heave at the buzzer for the winner.

Forget for a second how well the Suns defended the ball on the play and think for a minute how much of a brain cramp was going on on the weak side of the floor.

Everyone in the free world – not to mention whatever communists remain and those incarcerated – knew Bryant was going to take the shot. Heck, even I knew that.

But what everyone not directly involved with guarding him had to do was simply make sure their guy didn’t get a chance at a tip of a miss. Forget everything else, get a body on your guy and keep him off the glass when Bryant’s shot went up. Don’t watch the play, do your job.

And they didn’t.

I think it was Jason Richardson who somehow let Artest get free enough that he could catch the ball and take a shot and that’s the kind of inattention to detail the drives coaches and fans – and teammates – right around the bend.

Now, I have no idea what might have transpired in overtime but with the way the game had been going, there’s no reason to think anything but that the Suns were rolling and could have stolen one.

But, noooooo.

Now they have to go home facing elimination and with a sick feeling in their collective gut.

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Last call for mail, which can be sent by clicking here. There’s a Canada Basketball thing late this morning but then there’s the traditional sit-on-a-stool-do-mail late afternoon pre-coaches meeting answering session and I need some stuff to do.

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This, folks, is getting a tad ridiculous and I guess it’s a tad Raptors related.

As you can read in this story half-penned by My May Ira down in South Florida, there either will or won’t be some huge “summit” of the top free agents before July 1.

That’d include your own C. Bosh, by the way.

Now, I think this is kind of reverse-tampering and I’m pretty sure Mr. Stern won’t be too impressed by the thought of four guys sitting in a room trying to determine who gets what cut of what pie. But there seems to be no speciflc “rule” against it, according to a couple of people I talked to yesterday; it’s just unseemly.

And, in my mind, unworkable.

I know it sounds all well and good that two or three or four of them will decide they want to play together and how sweet that would be to roll to an 82-0 record and become the story of all time.

But when push comes to shove, I don’t think anyone of them is really going to want to take less money or a smaller role just because it sounds good.

I’d hope, eventually, the competitive nature that drives these guys would kick and they’d think, ‘hey, I’m good; I’m going to do this.’

This is just another layer of stuff we’re going to have deal with over the next couple of months, breathless reports and analysis of stuff that may or may not happen.

But I have to tell you, Henry Thomas seems to be spending an awful lot of time denying stuff, doesn’t he?

First the “list” and now the “summit” and you wonder what’s next.

And on that that James-Wade-Bosh-Johnson-Whoever Else They Can Drag Away From Summer “summit” I’d presume the security costs wouldn’t approach $1 billion.

Cristal costs, maybe. Security? Not so much.

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Speaking of a tad ridiculous, I’m sure some of you heard about one of the Atlanta Hawks owners being fined $25,000 yesterday for violating the tampering rules by speaking to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution a week ago.

What he said:

“If somebody came to us tomorrow and said you can have LeBron for max money and it puts you in the luxury tax, I’d do it in a heartbeat. But am I going to do that for (Zydrunas) Ilgauskas ? Am I going to do it for Jermaine O’Neal? I don’t think so.”

Oooh!!! Inflammatory or what?

Duh!

Apparently the league is clamping down on owners speaking common sense, too.

This really is getting out of hand, isn’t it?

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Oh yeah.

Can’t remember who, but someone suggested yesterday that I need to mention the Raptors every day just to feed the insatiable hunger for no news.

Nothing of interest happened with the team.

There.

I guess if you want something – anything – it’s that individual workouts here should start next week and we might be seeing something of a schedule in the next couple of days.

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So, I’ve got the possibility of a Mighty Yankees coaches meeting after work, I think I’ve been going strong all week and have a Canada Basketball thing to go to this morning to figure out what’s up with the Under-17 teams headed to the world championships.

Time for a little selfishness so I’m thinking a Friday night off might be in order. Sorry to disappoint the tens of you looking for in-game blog thingies but let’s have a dark night and come back tomorrow for the series we care more about.

See you Saturday at 8 for Suns-Lakers.

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Comments

[DougG]

I know Raptor fans are just the saps who pay big money every year to watch their favorite basketball team find new ways to disappoint, and they really aren't shareholders, even though it is their hard earned dollars that pay the bills, but it would be nice if the organization fed them a few tidbits of information once in a while. I appreciate the need for discretion but the current Raptor organization is tighter than a papal conclave. Fans are trying to figure out whether to "invest" their money on tickets next year and a little communication might help make those decisions easier. Heck, just make stuff up, like Lebron, Wade, Johnson and Bosh are colluding in order to figure out how to get them all to Toronto.

[Jarrod]

Hey Doug -

It's summer, and a beautiful out, and you've got the opportunity to spend some real time with family & friends & your lawn, and your (primary) team never made the playoffs and you're still holding down the newspaper articles ... Thanks for doing the blog every day and the in-game coverage. You don't need to explain why it won't happen tonight or any night.

Thanks for the great read.

[chris]

You honestly thought Lebron, Wade, and Bosh wouldn't have that conversation this summer?.....Ira inflates the story by calling it a "summit" and suddenly its offensive?

Give me a break.

[Derek]

Hi Doug,
Excellent point you make about the end of the game last night - as I was thinking the same thing. It was indeed Jason Richardson who blew the box out on Artest. What irritated me was that the commentators said "Artest used his superior upper body strength to muscle his way to the ball" - which is completely untrue. He didn't have to use "any" strength, because Richardson just stopped playing after Kobe released his shot. Artest was about 5 feet behind Richardson when the shot went up, and Richardson just stopped, hands at his sides, and watched the play - while Artest kept moving, blew right past Richardson and made the play.

Made me think of many times with the Raps last year - not necessarily at the end to lose a game so dramatically, but I can remember many times during games where the Raps would actually play decent defense for a full 24 seconds (which was a rarity in itself), force the other team to jack up a bad shot before the shot clock ran out, only to then fail to box out, lose the rebound and give the team another scoring chance. Those types of plays are back-breakers, and totally takes the life out of your defense.

Not to suggest that the Raps are the only team that had this problem, but I seem to remember seeing it quite frequently. I think it emphasizes the point that playing good defense is as much about "mental ability and toughness" as it is about physical ability and toughness. All it takes is a brain cramp for 1.8 seconds and it can cost you the game, as Richardson can attest to after last night.

[JT]

Doug, could you see 2 pairings of Bosh/Wade, LeBron/Johnson (or mix it up however) going to 2 different teams? I can't see how 3 or even all 4 of them can ever go to the same team but a couple of pairings going to 2 different teams just might work at max money for each person (because like you, I can't see any one of them taking "less" than max money to "Win").
Crazy fantasy, Raps resign Bosh and do a sign and trade with Miami/Atlanta. Not happening though, I know.

[ed lee]

hey Doug - quick question about the Atlanta Hawks thing.

As a fan, I want to see players penalised for their actions, not the outcome. so if someone takes a swing at another player, that should be penalised and dealt with harshly no matter if he connects or not.

the same should apply for the hawks owners, surely? yes it's just a of fun because its Lebron and everyone knows he's not going to the hawks (or do we?) but if it was dirk or bosh or anyone else where the water is a little muddier as to whether its a joke or not, then that is actual tampering. why should this be dealt with any differently?

[Chris]

"I don't know about their loyalty because I haven't been in their organization," Wade said of the Bulls. "The only organization I have been in is in Miami, so I do know the front office, I do know the loyalty of this team and that's what's big to me."

I wish Bosh would say something like this!

[james]

The G3 Summit? Hmmm... If it happens, you can be sure Stern will be there waiting, replete with luxury-tax-payer-funded sonic sound cannons.

[JR Jake]

The beauty of anticipation and 'angles' afford one the opportunity to view the game from a perspective others do not enjoy and can benefit. Ron was there at the right time, but he was ready and studied the projection, loft, angle and speed of the ball; and his timing on the jump and his hand arm motion.

Knowing the clock allowed him the advantage, but being ready was the key. He was not flat footed, but expected the unexpected and was prepared for it. Understand 'the floor', your opponents and the availed opportunities. Always be ready for the twists that will happen, just when is never known.

[Andrew Gregg]

Hi Doug:

I agree with you about the summit--those three on the same team is unworkable on a business basis alone. Bosh, Wade and LeBron are in their prime earning years right now. There isn't an agent in the world who would counsel taking less cash now for a chance at the ring. It could end up costing a young player tens of millions in the long run.

I think signing for less, looking for a ring is something that happens to older players, like when Karl Malone joined the Lakers. Even now you can see former all-star Michael Finlay down the Boston Bench. At this stage in his career, I suspect he's mainly looking to cap his career with a championship.

AG, Toronto.

[Lorie]

Hi Doug,
Are the Under 17's planning any exhibition games here before they head overseas? Thanks.

Blogger's note: No, just camps

[rossco]

I watched an HBO documentary on Bird and Magic. It was awesome to see the entire story, lots of things I wasn't aware of. In this day of loose whistles and techs galore it makes me wonder when it changed. The physical play of the 80's and 90's is nothing like the game of today. Hard fouls and physical play was part of the game. Are the players today softer? Scared to lay it on the line for the greater good of the game? I know the rules have changed but where is the hard nosed players willing to do whatever it takes to win?

[Laurier GoldenHawk]

It's pretty apparent you have some biases in basketball and saying your 100% objective sometimes doesnt really cut it.
You clearly have too much faith in Bargsm, as an example.
And second, in your writing style and tone, it's so evident you are rooting for the Suns b/c of Canadian-born Steve Nash (oh wait you actually chose them to win the series).
It's okay in my eyes, it's just disappointing when you say that your a "fan of the game" when everybody holds SOME biases.

[Leaf Fan in Van]

Another in the long list of curmudgeonly blogging by the man who insists us “fans” join his nightly chit-chat sessions, but who usually ends up in conversation with the 3-4 “insiders” who relish every opportunity to lap up his quickly growing inept skills at answering truly legitimate queries. Smith needs to be churned over; real fans would appreciate more a blogger who will come out with some real opinions, not sloppy, fence-sitting refuse. It’s about time someone pens an article about the legions of Raptor fans who are sick of being held hostage by a player who has yet to win anything of value for this franchise, and then tweet to his fans about where he should play next?! Here’s a message to BC and MLSE: tell CB4 here’s the contract we are offering - you have a week to accept, if not get your stuff, round up your posse, and don’t let the door hit your about to become the most overpaid NO 2 man in the NBA ass…Enjoy the summit (if you’re truly invited, that is), and then go see where Mighty Mouse, T-Mac, and Wince ended up after feeling the need to go “win” with another team…thanks for another mind blowing, article, Smith -

Blogger's note: Where should I send the autographed picture?

[Aditya]

Since you are so smart (Duh!), do you know why the Bulls are one of the only teams in the NBA that do not negotiate with coaching agents?

[Lazaros O.]

Henry Abbott over at TrueHoop calls Artest's infamous shot (no irony) "One of the better 3s of Ron Artest's career"

[Leaf Fan in Van]

Please send all pictures to the following email address: getridofcb4@truerapfans.org :) - but for real Doug, most readers would love to read an article about how insane it is that 4-5 players in a league of over 450 are going to make the NBA a laughing stock...

Blogger's note: Tell you what. If they do in August or July we'll talk again; until then, I believe there's an NHL combine to concentrate on

[doug]

lots of love on the blog today...only time i fall asleep at halftime in these playoffs and its a last second basket that wins, not good..I blame the golf course...to the blogger that states "it makes me wonder when it changed"..its clear as the nose on your face,it changed after the "situation" that occurred with the Pacers-Pistons, the league got so much bad press, left a stain that anytime there is any type of physical play it is squashed quickly, as the league is just paranoid of it ever occurring again...although to me its the wrong way to think and in time when Stern steps aside things may revert back a little bit, ...also the 3 ref system has just not been what everyone thought it would be, to many whistles, refs working more as a team with a pre-set agenda then just officiating the game....basketball should be and needs to be a game played with emotion and passion...the NBA is failing to see that and is in fact wanting to take that element out of the game...

[John MacDonald]

Wish there were more bloggers notes. Seems like you have decided to answer only the questions that require a one liner and usually only a yes or no type of answer. I remember when you used to have a bloggers note on 30-40% of the comments, now we're lucky to see 5-15%. I only read the comments that you put blogger notes on.

[J]

Laurier:
"And second, in your writing style and tone, it's so evident you are rooting for the Suns b/c of Canadian-born Steve Nash (oh wait you actually chose them to win the series)."

Thank you Captain Obvious. I'd say you're new here, but I'm pretty sure you aren't. Nice one trying to pick a bone when Doug has been rather explicit he enjoys watching the Suns and would want nothing more than a Phoenix vs Orlando finals. Oh wait, he must be biased for Vince Carter too then!

[doug]

an aside from b-ball for a moment..Gary Coleman passed away...of "what you talking about Willis " fame...if ever a show was cursed that was it, not a good advertisement for child actors...another part of my childhood gone...

[Leaf Fan in Van]

You're on - enjoy your summer and best of luck to the Yankees

[Jacques]

wouldn't it be cool to see LBJ in a Clippers jersey. Him and Kobe sharing the same town.

[GP]

Hi Doug,

There is a report out of Turkey that states Hedo has asked for a trade and has publicly stated he does not want to return to Toronto. Has a request been relayed to Raps management?

http://www.ntvmsnbc.com/id/25100585/

Thanks.

[Matty-Pix]

Hahaha, Oh Dougy you're the man.
That was me that mentioned having the word 'raptors' in each blog ... thanks for the update :)

-Might be confidential info, but are you seeing a spike in readership - either way, now that there are no Raps games to get info on?