A whole lot of this, and some of that

And the coaching carousel keeps turning and churning.

We’ve got Monty Williams in New Orleans (the official announcement landed in the in-box last night) and there are myriad reports that Tom Izzo has been offered an astronomical $6 million a year to coach Cleveland.

Izzo’s the interesting one to me.

I don’t know about this one, from either side.

Why would Izzo, a legend in the college ranks, want to take over Cleveland, a franchise in flux, to say the least. No idea about LeBron, not a very good supporting cast without him, a rather meddling owner who just got rid of a GM and more uncertainty than you can possibly imagine.

Sure, the money’s stupid but, trust me, Izzo makes about $3 million at Michigan State, you know they’ll kick him up a bit if he turns down the Cavs to stay and there are ways – clinics, camps, speaking engagements – to make up any huge difference.

The challenge? Yeah, that might be the only reason and I’m not sure it’s good enough; maybe Izzo should do what he’s doing, which is making almost annual trips to the Final Four, which means he’ll be thought to be smarter and, eventually, an NBA challenge that’s less, um, challenging will present itself.

Now, I have no idea what the wacky Cavs are thinking, to tell you the truth.

Why don’t I think it works from that side?

Mike Montgomery, Leonard Hamilton, Tim Floyd, Lon Kruger, John Calipari, Jerry Tarkanian and, here’s one you might want to look up, Roy Rubin.

Yes, I left Rick Pitino off that list of failures, simply by dint of his New York years, which preceded the mess he made in Boston.

College coaches do not historically work out.

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Monty Williams? I’ll tell you who’ll be over-the-moon happy with that one.

That’s Jarrett Jack.

If Williams had a bigger cheerleader last season than Jack, I sure didn’t meet him.

Anyway, I’ll say this for that hiring: Unlike Chicago, which has so much riding on the next couple of seasons and a very good chance to move up in its conference, New Orleans is probably a better place for a guy to cut his coaching teeth.

Low expectations, a roster that’s pretty much set and no one expected them to make a huge splash with the new coach.

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As you know, I’m in Boston, which is in New England and what’s the first thing you think of when you think of New England?

No, not Suzanne Pleshette, silly.

(Now, there’s one for you. Esoteric enough?)

You think of Matt Bonner, and the New Hampshire Fisher Cats t-shirt that’s along on the trip only hammers it home.

What’s up with Matt, you ask? Well, I’m told his application for a Canadian passport, which will allow him to play for Canada at the world basketball championships in August, is moving along at the expected pace but it’s not done yet.

No telling if it will be although Canada Basketball folks told me last week that they remain hopeful. But, as we know, sometimes our government agencies move at a pace that’s somewhat slower than the speed of light.

Again, though, I will caution you. Matt Bonner or no Matt Bonner, a realistic goal for Canada is to simply get out of its first round group at the worlds and build from there.

I’ve said all along, and will continue to say until the sojourn to Turkey is over, this tournament is all about gaining experience for the next six or eight years.

-

How good is a city when you can have a Sam Adams summer beer, walk out for some fresh air and see his grave?

Cool.

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And this is cool, very cool.

Tomorrow is Global Village Basketball day and you should click here to get all the details. And if you get a chance, you really should take part.

The premise is simple, play your regular game with your regular girls or guys, record the score and know that you’re somehow connected to players all over the world.

Neat.

Wouldn’t it be kind of cool to feel connected to other players all over world, if only through the wonders of the interweb? Kind of interesting to know that the game can bring like-minded people from around the world together, isn’t it?

And I’ll see if I can get Doc and Phil to sign up this afternoon.

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Yes, we will be here tonight just before 9 for the traditional in-game blog thingy. You should show up, it’s fun.

But I warn you, I’m going to have to have a game story ready for the paper and the web right at the buzzer so my attention may be divided.

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List time

(Remember those?) As I was sitting and sipping last night, I was trying to come up with the five best NBA Finals games I’ve seen in person. Now, I’m not nearly the veteran of it as many are but I’ve seen a few and figured this would be my top five.

Game 6, Chicago at Utah, 1998

Jordan’s last game (well, the last one that really mattered; his Willie Mays Goes Back To New York years shouldn’t count) and, yeah, he pushed off on Bryon Russell but what the heck, he’s Michael Freaking Jordan.

Game 7, Pistons at Spurs, 2005

There’ve only been 16 Game 7s ever, it was pretty cool to be at one. Memorable moment, that came out later: Last minutes, tight game, timeout just about over, Larry Brown to team as they break huddle: “I love you guys.”

Game 2, Magic at Lakers, 2009

Less than a second to go, game tied, Magic ball. Stan Van Gundy draws up an excellent play for an unexpected lob to Courtney Lee, who is open, gets his hands on the ball but can’t finish at the rim. Great play, great execution until the finish and Lakers go on to win in OT and go up 2-0 in the series.

The guy who threw the near-perfect pass?

Dude named Turkoglu.

Game 4, Celtics at Lakers, 2008

Greatest comeback in NBA Finals history. Celtics are down 24 in the second quarter and 20 in the third and rally to win. It gives them a 3-1 series lead and all that all of us can hope for is a Boston win in Game 5 to bring a merciful end to a series that was all but over.

But, noooooo. Lakers win Game 5 at home and the circus spends a couple of extra days on the road.

Game 6, Mavericks at Heat, 2006

Nothing to truly remember but, I tell ya, just to see the joy on Alonzo Mourning’s face when his long journey to a championship was complete still brings a tear to my eye.

(I keed, I keed; just wanted to see if you were still paying attention)

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Oh yeah, for the dude who said I had to mention the Raptors every time?

Raptors.

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Hey, how about that!

The national senior women’s team is going to play games on home soil, out in Vancouver against Chile and Sweden.

Yes, the men are out there, too, as we all knew but the chance to see the women is rare and should be taken advantage of.

Like the men, I think a successful world championships for the women will be getting out of the first round group (they’re with Australia, China and Belarus) but this is a group of young women worth watching closely.

It’s probably the best group Canada’s had in some years and, if it stays together and develops, very good things can happen.

All the details of the games are here.

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Comments

[John]

Doug, I have noted that in the past when you mention college coaches failures to work out in the NBA, and then again today, you do not include PJ. Any reason?

Blogger's note: He's not a head coach nor is he in line to be.

[Andrew]

Do they change the format for the finals? Why is it 2-3-2? As in, 2 at home, 3 on the road, 2 at home (for the Lakers in this case).

Blogger's note: Yes, they changed it 25 years ago to ease Games 5, 6, 7 travel.

[William]

Doug,

I am very excited about this summer for all the National basketball teams. Other than Bonner, do you think we will see any other major new faces on teh senior men's team? Any word on the cadet and Junior teams?

Blogger's note: "Major" new? No. The younger teams start later this month

[Zombywoof]

Ok, you got me.... what does New England have to do with Suzanne Pleshette?

[Sean Smith]

Thanks for the generous mention Doug! And if you can get Doc and Phil to play a little one-on-one in the parking lot, the Sam Adams are on me... ;)

[Jacques]

I'll cross my fingers for Matt. I would also like to see him back in a Raptors jersey next year, he's good for our city.

[KX]

Should Kevin O'Neill be among those College coaches you listed?

Blogger's note: Yeah, probably; except he'd been an NBA assistant. List was more representative than definitive

[Shaun]

Doug,

Had the pleasure of attending Game 6 of the Magic/Celtics game a couple of weeks ago and I have to say that it was the most electric atmosphere I have been in at sporting event in a long time (my first time in Boston too). Hope that tonight's game is just as good.

A quick suggestion for you while in Boston (two actually and hopefully they are not a waste of your time):
1. Try the Blueberry Wheat Beer (brewed somewhere in MA), it is unreal and available at most restaurants.

2. There is an Italian restaurant in the North End (7 minute walk to the Garden) called Lucca and they have a pasta dish featuring Wild Boar!! - It was similar to pulled pork and it was unreal.

Keep up the great work.

[D-Mac Ottawa]

Morning, Doug,
In keeping with your list theme – and beer!! – would you have a Top 5 NBA Local Brews list to share? Somehow, I'd guess a Coors Light in Denver, a Schlitz (or even a Blatz) in Milwaukee, or a Steamwhistle in T-Dot may not be in the running. Just a hunch.
Enjoy that Beantown cuisine, and go Celts! Cheers.

Blogger's note: Now, that's a list I can work on

[Chi of Steel]

@Shaun: I took in a game in Boston against the Cavs back on Easter Sunday and was quite impressed with the crowd as well. Though, I would certainly say the scoreboard operators deserves a fair mention by flashing prompts to cheer, chant DE-FENSE!! or whatever else they wanted the masses to do. It took away from viewing a live camera though, which isn't great if you're seated far away or have poor vision.

[Rob.V]

Oh yeah, for the dude who said I had to mention the Raptors every time?

Raptors

Classic!!,(and I would expect nothing less dude)... but here's a little something for the Raptors fans in the GTA to chew on this morning:

First off – All of this talk of Bosh and James signing straight up with Miami (without sign and trades) is preposterous!!

But I will say this, if for some strange reason this DOES happen, Colangelo would have to be fired immediately. Not because I (personally) have lost faith in him, but rather because it was the Jermaine O’Neil fiasco that granted Miami the cap space to sign Bosh.

When you pretty much “hand over” your franchise player to the Heat… you simply MUST be fired.

I actually applauded the O’Neil and Hedo trades, for the simple fact that Colangelo is doing everything in his power to bring a winning team to T.O. Unlike some of the players, he at least is trying to win.

But back to reality: Bosh and James will not be going to Miami and I do retain my faith in Colangelo because he has shown (on more than one occasion) that he can make a $100 out of a penny. I don’t know him personally however my gut tells me that he simply works hard at his craft… and has the ability to pull a rabbit out of his hat when needed, so theres no reason to believe he wont do it again this summer.

He’s a winner.. and will not settle for mediocrity.

Okay, so let’s assume there are no other players (other than the infamous “list” of teams) – let’s try to narrow down the (4) teams and what might suit the Raptors neeeds:

New York – David Lee and Gallinari for Bosh
Chicago – Noah, and Hinrich for Bosh
Miami – Michael Beasley for Bosh
Lakers – Andrew Bynum and filler for Bosh.

#1 – The New York deal is simply not good enough and why for the life of me would I trade him to a division rival… NOPE! Nonsense, I’m not sending my franchise to a division rival to tear us up 4 times a year simply to make HIM happy. Not that the players coming back in return would be spare parts… but NO WAY I’d send him to NY. Colangelo is too smart for that.

#2 – The Bulls seem to make sense for both teams because they have enough pieces to provide something tangible back in return like a budding star in Noah and Hinrich is just the type of "defensive" minded combo guard that could help out at the 2 spot and play the 1 as well should the Raptors decide to make another move with one of their current PG's.

#3 – Miami – I don’t see it. They simply have nothing to offer in a sign and trade.

#4 – The Lakers. This one makes sense as well however the only reason the Lakers make the deal is if they lose to the C’s in the finals. If they win back to back titles do they really need to make this trade?

If the list is indeed correct then it’s either the Lakers or the Bulls (and I’m ok with both of those deals).

Neither Bosh or Bargnani are great help side defenders so by pairing Bargnani with either Bynum or Noah we now solve this problem… and we still have a good inside out tandem.

Offensively we may lose a few points per game however I’d much rather take 10-15 points the “hard way” by Noah/Bynum playing 6 feet and in to the hoop, rather than Bosh giving us 24 a night (albeit from 12 feet and out). Bynum and Noah both address an inside presence (and toughness) that this team has not seen since Antonio Davis or Oakley.

I’ve said this before but Bosh and Bargnani are somewhat redundant on the offensive end, and defensively together they have had some challenges as well.

In thinking about it, we should all be cheering for the C’s to win. Not becasue we all hate (no HATE) the lakers (see Kobe:81) - But rather because if Bosh is going to go we should ALL agree that he needs to go to the western conference!!. If the Lakers lose, they most definitely will want to make changes and if so...Bosh goes west. This is the "safest" play for Colangelo, MLSE... and US!, which would be ideal!

So to Chris if you (or your people) read. From a season seat holder who's seen every one of your games:

God bless man! Thank you for all of your hard work on the court.

Good luck in L.A or Chicago.

[Lorie]

Ahh.."esoteria". My favorite part of the blog. Okay, everyone has their most memorable season finale. Some go for MASH. Others for Seinfeld. But mine, is when Bob rolls over and tells Emily about the crazy dream he'd just had of running an inn in New England filled with eccentrics. Now this may not have been the reference you were going for, but it was fun remembering years of great TV with Bob and Suzanne.

[nate]

Hey Doug, how would you rankas the best ways to intern for a head coaching gig: assistant NBA, analyst, head coach in another pro league (Europe), and what seems to be the last way to do it, college head coach?

Blogger's note: Probably an assistant after being a player and working for a good franchise or two. But there is no "one" way

[Pipit]

Based on your past writings about Jordan, I'm getting the impression that he's not the greatest who played the game based on your standards. Why is that? Do you believe that Kobe is much more better than him?

Blogger's note: One of, yes. Much more better? No. Easy to compare eras? Not in the least

[doug]

so in your opinion the Cavs have a "meddling "owner...this is a man who hired a GM and gave him free reign to build a championship team in Ferry and not only do that but spend whatever is necessary to do it...he ended up paying millions for being ove the cap and paying luxury tax, and never, ever "meddled" the whole time......Ferry had his choice of coach, players, and money....he never produced...it's plain and simple, and even you in your statements you have stated that Brown is not a great coach by any stretch of the imagination....so this "meddling" owner now has to face the reality of losing his marquee player, and if so the Cavs value as a franchise will take a major hit.....so this "meddling" owner fires both coach ( who the G.M. wanted to save even though all knew he wasn't right for the job) and fires the G.M. for being given a mandate and not producing the desired results>>>>> I think your mistaken in using the word "Meddling" and should instead say here we have a owner that demands accountabilty......as a Raptors fan I could only wish for such a thing from a owner..."accountability" what a interesting concept, as don't we have pretty much the same scenario here...a G.M. that was given a mandate to produce a winner (which he hasn't), to hire a coach, (which he has and the jury is still out on that hire) and oh yea we are going to lose our marquee player, but our ownership group wouldn't allow him to spend over the cap, oh wait they would as long as he goes to the board and presents his case.....I say give me that "meddling" owner anyday, again you just seem to want to be a apologist for coaches and G.M's ...Ferry was hired to do a job, as was Brown, both were given a fair chance and now the franchise is unsure of maintaining its one most valuable commodity.....in the real world a CEO would be applauded for firing employees especially ones in upper management for not getting results....this is not a "meddling" owner, this is a man with a company that gave his trust, faith and money for these men to produce..they never plain and simple now as a result he may be out literally millions upon millions if Lebron leaves...he had every right to do so.....like i said by "meddling" you may have meant demanding "accountabilty"..just a thought...

[Matthieu]

Thanks for the link on Global Village Basketball day. It happens that Wednesday is the day we play bball with a few colleagues (beside me there should be an American, a person from Trinidad and another one from Costa Rica; we'll see if we can get the Brasilian, French and Zimbabwean in as well) and so we'll put Switzerland on the map. Very cool

[stoneman]

@doug (the rambling reader, not the interesting blogger)
'meddling' is thinking you can or should do the job of the person YOU hired.

'holding accountable' happens behind the scenes by any smart business owner.

neither has anything to do with making fans happy, getting fans approval, or in any way giving a %&£* about fans opinion.
cheers

[D-Mac Ottawa]

Hi Doug,
I see Hedo has called his own Summit and now dubs Sacto as the lucky winner of his illustrious services.
Should BCo leave Turk as the LAST priority on his growing to-do list, and then make sure he ships him anywhere BUT Sacto?
Or is it even remotely possible to think that the Kings would be willing to actually trade something of value here? Ossipi plus Udoka? Hawes plus Udrih?
Any dollars line up there? Or other combos you'd think might work BOTH ways?
Gonna be a long summer, isn't it? Cheers.

[GM]

You'll tell us what Suzanne Pleshette has to do with New England I hope! She wasn't in the Newhart series set there. As Lorie says, she was in the final episode when Bob woke up from the dream, but she wasn't in the dream and presumably they were back in Chicago, where the show Pleshette was on was set.

Rob V., aren't you making the same mistake as others in assuming the Raptors have a say in where Bosh goes? If he wants to go to the Knicks, he'll go to the Knicks. The only say Colangelo has is who the Raptors would take back in a sign and trade.

[doug]

"stoneman" i would disagree as holding players accountable is what makes team winners..that was John Wooden's philosophy, as would holding G.M'S, coaches, scouts....so accountablity is a direct tie-in to fans overall happiness and apporoval...what you want players to not be held accountable??.....cheers from the rambling reader, although i think i typed, so wouldn't you be the reader?...am i not the rambling poster...

[Brian K]

Wrong Newhart wife. Pleshette was in the first show in Chicago. Mary Frann was Joanna in the second show in Vermont.

Blogger's note: Ah, so right and yet so wrong. Think last New England episode. Told you it was esoteric

[James]

Doug, are you searching out the Hedo - Sacramento rumours? ETA?

I will throw this one out there, could this lead to the Raps moving up in the draft?

Would Hedo, Banks(or Evans) and #13 for Nocioni, Udrih and #5 work? Would you do it?

Cheers

Blogger's note: Sorry, if I do one, I'd have to do them all and there are too many. I will say this: If you're making stuff up, understand there are two teams involved.

J

[Rob.V]

Rob V., aren't you making the same mistake as others in assuming the Raptors have a say in where Bosh goes? If he wants to go to the Knicks, he'll go to the Knicks. The only say Colangelo has is who the Raptors would take back in a sign and trade.

Actually, I dont think I'm making a mistake at all. Any GM worth his salt is not going to accept upwards of $20 million dollars in players he doesn't want. There's NO WAY Colangelo takes back "filler" which will tie up his cap space for years to come, thus hampering his ability to make the team better just for the "sake of"!... AND while making the Knicks instantly that much better of a team.

That definitely wouldnt sound like the pre-arranged "partnership" both Bosh and Colangelo have boasted about for months. That there, is a one sided deal...and Colanglo is far to swift for that.

Me thinks it would be far easier to "dare" Bosh to walk on his own which would forego an additional $30 million dollars in riches... dont see it happening.

I truly believe that option B,C, or D would have to be looked at and in this case all signs point to either the Lakers or the Bulls.

This of course is assuming that that in fact was the "list" to end all lists?.

If I were GM (the real one) I would try to get Bosh to agree to go home and move him for Tony Parker. We immediatley have the best guard (excluding a couple of seasons with HWSNBN) this franchise has ever seen... and I'll find another big, say Brendan Hayward who plays D and rebounds (on the cheap) via free agency.

I just dont see Colangelo as EVER being the type of character who would send "the franchise" to a division rival! (sorry Rob Babcock, if you read here).

BC is the real deal folks. He has proven his is by no means a "fence sitter".

He may have swung for the fences with O'Neal and Hedo and struck out. But make no mistake about it, he swings hard... and will swing again!!! That's why I have no problem with him as GM of the Raptors.

[GM]

Doug, you responded to Brian K about the last episode of Newhart, but I explained it in my earlier comment which you didn't respond to. It's a logical conundrum, to be sure! Yes, Pleshette was in the last episode, but think about it. She was on the series set in Chicago, so presumably when Bob woke up from his dream, he was in Chicago. And Pleshette wasn't in the dream because she wasn't in the newer series, so she never was in New England. Make sense? Kinda?

Blogger's note: Good point

[Rob.V]

You know, I was just thinking. Maybe there is ONE angle we are overlooking here?

Dude (that'd be you Doug), could the Knicks sign say, a Luis Scola for whatever (more than what the Raptors can offer under the CBA), then immediately trade him to the Raptors for Bosh? Maybe the Knicks do have the ability to get the Raptors what they want if they go out and sign a player Colangelo covets in a pre arranged deal.

Possible?

Blogger's note: Any free agent who signs with another team cannot be traded for 60 days or Dec. 15.