A bit of a rant and a bit of Bosh as the storm clouds gather

Everybody ready?

Remember when the guy said "fasten your belts?" Well, the time has come to make sure they're done up.

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You know what?

I’ve been kind of hinting at this for the past little while but since the day’s here, I want to make this point:

This sucks.

This whole idea that two or three or four free agents can get together and conspire to become teammates, demand whatever they can get from their existing teams so they can go and play together violates much that is right with sports.

The heart of sports needs to be competition:

“I’m better than you, I make my team better than yours, we play hard, we play fair and may the best man win.”

The heart of sports should not be:

“I’m not quite as good without you, it’s easier to join you rather than try to beat you and, to hell with making my own way in this world, I’m taking the easiest possible way out.”

I guess it’s simply a sign of the times and I know it’s business first and all that blather. I understand that players have earned and negotiated this right to determine their future and all the power to them for having done that.

But, and this is the big but, this smacks of taking the easy way out and that’s not what I want from the highest-paid players on my team.

I want them to be leaders not followers, I want them to forge their own way, not sit around some posh hotel lounge and say, “hey, if you go here and I go here, we can win.” I want them to say: “I’m going here and my team’s going to beat your team.”

Way back in the day, there is no way in the world that two or three of the top players would ever, ever, ever consider going to join someone else. It wasn’t the way the very best did things.

Now, maybe LeBron goes to New Jersey, Bosh goes to Chicago and Wade stays in Miami and all this palaver of the past few months will have been nothing more than an exercise in futility and frustrating. But I doubt it.

I’m not going to get that, I don’t think.

And that’s too bad.

I think you’ll see at least two of ‘em conspire to join each other somewhere, maybe three, and we can all sit around hoping against hope that it doesn’t work out for some reason or another.

End o’ rant.

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Now, Chris Bosh.

I know the hype’s all about Miami and Chicago – people in each city are certain he’s going there, which will be quite the feat unless he’s sending that used car salesman alter ego somewhere while the newly-shorn dude goes to the other place – but I do think there are other teams he’ll listen to.

And should listen to and, who knows, he might even like what he hears.

If he’s looking purely for fit and to be one of the leaders, I think he’d have to listen quite seriously to the inevitable Houston pitch and I think if San Antonio called he’d be a fool not to take them seriously.

I know there are people in the Raptors organization who hope that, too, trying to pry one of Houston’s best assets (Luis Scola in a dream scenario for Toronto) or some key player in San Antonio (Tony Parker would be the priority target if the Spurs really are in love with George Hill) and that’s what the Raptors hopes happens.

The point is this: People I talk to in the Raptors organization think the list of suitors is far longer than just the three or four cap teams we’ve been hearing about for months.

It may indeed turn out that he decides on the Heat, Bulls, Knicks or even the Nets but don’t at all count out some other franchise getting into the fray and making things interesting.

Now, I’d love to tell you how many teams he’s planning to visit with or entertain but his agent hasn’t returned an e-mail in a week from up here. We’ll try again this afternoon but I don’t hold out much hope.

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Viva Espana!

Pretty good game, no?

That was like a game of keepaway for long parts of the second half, wasn’t it?

But two days off from play now until the Black Stars continue their inexorable march to destiny? What’s a guy to do?

Oh, wait. His job.

But first, there’s this.

As much as there is wrong with FIFA – and Calamity Kelly and C Young have been all over it all tournament – the thing that maybe irks me the most is the two-yellows-one-suspension thing.

Man, if you thought the seven-technicals-in-a-playoff-year NBA program was draconian, how about that soccer stuff?

There has to be a better way, no?

Maybe three? Or even four? Or the slate gets wiped clean every two games, meaning you get one in one game, none in the next and start over in the third? There you go, solving the world’s sporting problems one basketball blog digression at a time.

You’re welcome, Mr. Blatter. Tomorrow we’ll do video replay if you like.

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Oh, that Dastardly Doc Rivers Offspring got ‘em.

Check this one out to see the latest on the Canadian junior men down at the worlds qualifier in San Antonio.

Seems Austin Rivers lit the Canucks up big time in the semis; Canada’s already qualified for next year’s worlds and gets Argentina this afternoon for third place.

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Back to Bosh for a bit, we’re on Bosh, here’s one for you:

All we’ve heard for months is the Bosh-to-NY-for-David-Lee-sign-and-trade stuff, right?

Well, how about this?

If Lee doesn’t want to come to Toronto, it isn’t going to happen.

Lee, who made $7 million last season, is an unrestricted free agent and is sure to be pursued by any one of 10 teams who would be able to offer him a raise. Or he could ask for a sign-and-trade deal to any team he wants.

The Knicks really have no control over him whatsoever after midnight tonight; that he’d be included in any Bosh deal with New York – if there is one – is far from a slam dunk.

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Mail? Pretty full yesterday but a whole lot of fancy-schmancy free agent questions about specific players that could very well be moot before I get around to finishing off the weekend file.

Take another shot by clicking here if you like.

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One word of caution as we get into the meat of this free-agent frenzy and it’s as much a defence of this space as anything.

If we learned one thing last summer, it’s that nothing is done until it’s done. You will hear reports trickle out that this is a done deal or that’s a done deal, according to various sources and many of them will be absolutely correct.

But some won’t be and it’s a difficult time for all concerned. It’s hard to figure out what’s right and what’s wrong; I can’t do it with 100 per cent accuracy and I don’t think too many of us can.

Here? Here we will use an appropriate measure of checks and counterchecks.

I’ll say this now so it’s out there: We in this business should be far, far, far more concerned with getting stuff right than we are with getting it first.

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Now, in the first football-free day in I don’t know how long, there’s stuff to do that may keep me away from here for chunks of the morning and early afternoon. It will, in some way, keep me sane because it won’t be another eight hours of incessant comments but I will get to them. Promise.

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Comments

[Rainman]

After yesterdays comments, I totally understand if you don't get to them until later, or if you light your computer on fire.
Totally agree with the monopoly the players are thinking about. It completely wipes me out, and if they do it, I hope they never win a title.

[Kevin A.]

I know that you'll probably think this is tiring, but Mr Bosh's twitter message last night might get some of the masses riled up:

"After all these years... Just 24 hrs left..... Wow. I'm getting anxious."

More than anything I think people might read into the "after all these years" comment.

Just so you're prepared. :)

[Jerry]

I agree on the Lebron and Bosh show. It would look a lot better if they at least would keep quiet about it and do whatever it is they want to do. They look like spoiled teenagers. Wade is the only one that has shown some class.

As for San Antonio Bosh would have to at least consider the chance of playing for one of the best coaches and classiest organizations in the league.

[Charlie]

Doug, is it possible that the big three free agents would want to meet up, just to have a chance to discuss what's going on in their lives at this time with some peers (of which there are so few)? They can get all the advice from agents and confidantes as they can, but I think for anyone in big life-changing position like they are, they'd want to talk with others going through the same process.

Could it really be as innocent as this, or am I being overly naive?

Blogger's note: I suppose anything's possible

[Andrew]

If you're Bryan Calangelo, how do you sell Turkoglu to the Toronto fans come training camp? Calangelo didn't sound like he wanted to move Turkoglu during the fan 590 interview. In fact, he admitted that Bosh and Turk leaving would create a massive "outflow of talent" and that the Raptors would not win very many games

Blogger's note: I've said all along that I thought they could patch things up just fine inside the organization; it's going to be on Hedo and management to make nice with the fans.

[Diego]

Maybe I'm being naive, but I'm not convinced that Bosh with James and/or Wade (or whatever combination) will win a championship. I'm not convinced James is a leader, or that Bosh will ever be more than a really good second banana (and I question how much longer his knees will hold). There are so many moving parts to a team, even a basketball team where individual players and performances are more important than perhaps in other sports. They may collude, but that doesn't ensure success.

[Scott]

Hi Doug,
Your rant this morning was spot on! You wrote exactly what I have been thinking for awhile...that's why you get the big bucks.
Could you ever imagine Bird, Magic and Jordan getting together in the late 80's? They just wanted to prove that their team could beat the other guys team. True competitors. By the way, they all played their entire career for the same team. (Jordan's years in Washington do not count)
Great blog this morning.

[AT]

Hi Doug,
Not to be repetitive but I agree, great blog this morning. Magic and Bird would never in a million years ever discuss being on the same team during the height of their rivalry.
Two questions Doug:
1. Will we start to hear definitive signings tomorrow or will we have to wait until next week?
2. Have you seen the new Magic/Bird documentary on cable yet?

[Vince]

There is Zero Chance Bosh goes to Houston. He is not gonna want to go
from the 9th seed out East to the 9th seed out West in a tougher conference
that would have to gut a big part of its team just to get him. Who's he
gonna play with Yao Ming one of the most injury prone players in the leauge?
And Luis Scola is anything but a "Dream Scenario" for the Raps what is a team that's rebuilding and looking for a) Young players with upside b) Draft Picks and C) Cap space gonna do with him? Luis Scola is not gonna get you anything substantial on the trade market. Houston might inquire about Bosh's services but if you look at it from Bosh's point of view it makes little sense for him to go there.

[GMan]

If Wade, Bosh and Lebron end up on the same team, (not that anybody cares) it will be the last game of basketball I ever watch. When three players get together and essentially decide the fate of the entire league and obviously get drunk on the power of it...that's not sport anymore. That type of collusion is illegal in other businesses for a reason.

And I guarantee I wont be the only one.

[hum]

"I’ll say this now so it’s out there: We in this business should be far, far, far more concerned with getting stuff right than we are with getting it first. "

Amen.

[Matt madarang]

Hey Doug, Great point about how the "summit" is the easy way out. Personally it makes these athletes look like childish kids in a playground who get all the good players on their team to win in the easiest way possible. It also gives me far greater appreciation (did i spell that correctly?) for past generations of NBA'ers. Guy like Stockton, Kemp, Clyde the glide, Barkley, Ewing, and all those players who didnt win a title during the Jordan era. It would have been easy to join Jordan to get a title but they wanted to do it on their own terms like MEN SHOULD! Think about Karl Malone. He played his whole career in Utah and decided to go to LA for a shot at a title. In the end he just looked foolish and thats how these guys today look.

[John S]

Hi Doug,

Interesting rant. I think that the players are realizing that in order to truly compete for a championship, you need to have more than one all-star on a team. Big 3 for both Boston and SA, Kobe+Gasol in LA, Shaq+Wade in Miami. The only true exceptions are the 04 Pistons and the 94 Rockets (95 Rockets had Clyde). And way back in the day, that was prior to the massive amount of expansion teams... therefore championship teams had rosters filled with HOFers. Perhaps there wasn't the collusion that we see today, but there were definitely stacked rosters. So the method was different, but the result was the same. But I appreciate your point.

So the best case scenario for the Raptors at this point seems to be a sign and trade.

Here's hoping that we can get at minimum: Luis Scola (assuming he agrees to sign with Toronto) + Battier from Houston. At least our defense and rebounding will be much better. And with Bosh out of the high post area, that might give Turk some more room to operate.

[www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=612860564]

hey Doug, I think your rant should include players who don't want to play for certain teams, ie. Alonzo Mourning going to Toronto. Now how is Lebron and Bosh teaming up different from those teams who bulked up with All Stars, ie. Boston Celtics. If Lebron and Bosh team up, it doesn't guarantee them a championship. Their contracts allowed them to become free agents at this time. Is it just the way they are going about it that bugs you?

[Bill]

Odds of Paul Pierce signing with a team not named the Celtics?

Blogger's note: 1-99

[Jacques]

Doug, what do you think of this comment someone made on ESPN: Don't be surprized to see all these guys sign less than max contracts (i.e. four year contracts with the option to opt out after the third year) so they can cash in a second time in 3 or 4 years if this go-round doesn't work out the way they want. More power to them.

[nate]

I can't agree enough with your rant. Weren't we talking just about a decade ago about how Tmac among others didn't want to be anyone's Scottie Pippen? I can understand guys looking for help when they get to the end of their careers like Barkley, Malone, and Payton did, but it's really hard to believe anyone doing it in their prime AND think they're a 'max' player. I guess Bosh looks forward to being this decades Horace Grant. Better get some goggles.

[robguy]

Loved the rant Doug - dead on.
A couple of weeks ago, I believe you made a reference to Jarrett Jack mentioning that he could not see Magic, Bird, Kareem etc. conspiring in this manner - very good and gutsy of Jack to mention say this. Not that this free agent class will ever compare to those 3 (and others) who remain in a class of their own.
Depending on where Lebron and the the amigos end up, if you were the Lakers would you not seriously decide to make a few key alterations? Especially if 3 of these key free agents end up together?

Blogger's note: The Lakers are likely to lose Farmar, Brown and who knows what Fisher will do or how Bynum's knee will be; they need tweaks regardless

[Andrew]

Any team in the league would take Scola in a heartbeat. He's a fierce competitor, a leader by example, and a veteran who plays physical. Sounds like a good teammate if you ask me.

[Gordo]

Love the rant Doug!! Their actions make a mockery out of the sport we all love. I can understand a star doing this at the end of their career, trying to get a championship before they retire but not while they are all in their prime. With all the stars of the game consolidated in a couple of cities, it will greatly weaken the league as a whole

[G Keeping]

Another cheap shot at Bosh. MLSE must be upset. Do they write the blog for you or just tell you what to write?

Blogger's note: Not sure, Uncle Larry hasn't sent his daily missive

[Pain777PAS]

Morning Doug, that was a nice read. The only question is if you were Bosh or Lebron and have not won what would you do? Management tries and fails. Mo Williams is ok at best as a number 2 same with Andrea. This is not a conspiracy they have given 7 years to their respective teams with individual highs and olympic medals. They should play to win with winners not spend the rest of their career on a treadmill. San Antonio is a great team for Bosh. He can learn from Pop and Duncan become the power forward of the future. Bosh can still improve as difficult as it is for people to under stand he isnt 29 at his peak yet. He can still learn and get better. Lebron should team up with Bosh or Wade should team up with Bosh if they want to win now and for the next couple of years. They need someone who can finish on every pass inside or draw a foul at the very least. Plus Bosh averaged about 16 shots last year 24 points 10 rebounds in 36 mins. You can't ask for a better line from your #2 guy. I really think that people will regret Bosh leaving because his attitude is going to change being around a confident player either a 2 time MVP or a finals MVP. Doug, I really believe that this makes for a more exciting league and the Kobe vs Lebron rivalry will finally surface on the biggest stage which is the NBA finals. I think Kobe is the smartest player in the game today he will hideout and save games in the clutch the whole season then turn the jets on in the playoffs. Phil Jackson will be the X factor for that team. If he doesn't come back can they win off experience? I cannot wait to be shocked at what happens because even if Bosh resigns at the end of the day that would shock me. What do you think Doug? Bosh and Lebron should play to win they have contributed to the franchises that they were drafted to. Why is it a crime to try ensure that you can succeed at the highest level after so many failures? When you think of Chris Bosh think of Kevin Garnett leaving the Timberwolves earlier and winning. Truth is if Bosh joins either Lebron or Wade, they will either win next year or the following year guarantee it.

[DougG]

In the old days the players would have been whining about owner collusion. They don't seem as concerned about collusion now. The worm has certainly turned. Now the owners are at the mercy of the players. However, the big losers are the fans, who they keep expecting to fund their international life style. One report says Wade and Bosh might even go to pitches together, that's how close they are.
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I have no idea if Bosh cares what Toronto thinks of him. It is still one of the largest markets in NA, and the home of Drake. Helping insure Toronto doesn't get raped again, as it's assets leave, might help, even if he didn't spend 5 minutes trying to attract someone here.
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I really don't see why the NBA does not seem to think this is a risk to their business? Someone should take them to a Bluejay game.

[LeeZ]

From your discussions with sources in the organization, is there interest in the rumoured Bosh and Jack for Bynum and Odom trade? To me, THAT would be the dream scenario. Bynum, if he recuperates well, will be an absolute stud at both ends of the court. And if he doesn't recuperate, well, there's only two years on his contract, so a pretty good gamble. And Odom will provide veteran leadership and more offence than he's shown in L.A., what with that Kobe fellow hogging most of the shots...

[Dan W]

I don't really see the problem with them discussing where they want to go togeather. If one of them was still under contract and trying to help the gm recruit the others nobody would have a problem with it. If Bosh called Hedo last year and said hey come play with the Raptors, is it really that different then them both being free agents and deciding togeather. The Cavs and Raps guys have failed to bring in the right guys to get a championship so the players are taking it into their own hands to give themselves the best chance to win one. The Raptors have been built on offense only,and the cavs have never found that true second start to help Lebron. Any other allstar from the cavs was almost by default just based on their win total.