An out of character performance; and another day, another rumour

A fair bit of Game 3 stuff in here but that’s ‘cause we didn’t get a lot in the paper and, well, it’s kind of easy.

We’ll find some traditional stuff for tomorrow.

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They loafed.

On the biggest play of the biggest game, the Celtics loafed.

Shocking.

I don’t know if they hung their collective heads after Ray Allen missed the last of his last 13 straight misses with his team down four and about 50 seconds left but watching them slow to get back runs counter to everything the Celtics are allegedly about.

And, of course, as you know, Derek Fisher went coast-to-coast, finished a three-point play and the game.

Here’s how Doc Rivers put it:

“You know, I thought we lost our composure a little bit down the stretch. A four-point game, 47 seconds left, I'm not sure exact time. All you need is a stop. We let Derek Fisher dribble the ball all the way up the court, unattended, get a three-point play. If you get a stop there, we had two timeouts left, three timeouts at the time, we had plenty of time. But that's where we got the mental toughness part for us. We've got to hang in there.”

Indeed they do.

I’m not about to say this series is over (although you’ve got to admit Lakers in six is looking pretty good right about now) but if the Celtics don’t bring more effort on Thursday, this whole travelling circus may not have to traipse back to the left coast.

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Maybe it’s me?

I noted in a story yesterday that only five teams have swept the middle three games of a 2-3-2 NBA Finals series and, as it turns out, I’ve seen two of them.

That’d be the 2004 Pistons, who won three at home over the Lakers, and the 2006 Heat, who got the Mavs at home.

Been thinking a little bit about this format the past few days because lots of people have asked about it and I’m quite ambivalent about I it.

I’m not sure if “favours” one team over the other and I do think it sets so that things do move back to the homecourt city to end it in six or seven.

I know the original reason – travel grind – is much less a factor than it was back in 1985 when it was changed but, really, I don’t have a problem with it, it’s unique so they may as well leave it as it is.

One thing I do hate?

These 9 p.m. starts.

Let’s go through a Grunt Day, if you will.

Get to arena around 4:30 to schmooze and do some early notes work, watch interminable whistle-filled game, write quickly and file about 12:25 a.m.

Of course, there are more interviews to listen to in order to gather stuff that you’re reading here and then, with adrenaline still flowing, there’s no way sleep comes so more schmoozing and catching up with cronies is called for.

All of a sudden it’s about 3:20 a.m., the stupid alarm’s going to go at 6:30 a.m. because there’s this to do and then it’s back to a couple hours of practices around noon before writing.

But at least there’s a local down the street with a lot of TVs and wireless where a guy might do some work and watch some pucks later on.

You have a nice day, too.

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Hey, if anyone sees Paul Pierce, wanna tell him to show up Thursday? Because if he doesn’t, his whole “we’re not going back to L.A.” prophesy late in Game 2 is indeed going to come true.

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Here we go again.

Hedo to Sacto?

Why not?

I’m told by pretty reliable sources around that the Raptors haven’t talked to the Kings about The Disgruntled Turk but, come on, it makes entire sense that they would, right?

Just like, if they are serious about dealing him, they’ll call, oh, I dunno, 29 other teams?

One thing we’re not going to get is daily updates from Bryan Colangelo. He made it pretty clear yesterday that this is not an issue he’s going to discuss it publicly until something is, or isn’t, done.

Makes sense, doesn’t it? Taking the high road leaves all options open and if there’s a whiff anywhere in the organization that they think Turk could come back, there’s no reason to pollute the waters.

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In the early morning phone call, Super Son reports it’s pouring rain back home, putting Mighty Yankees in jeopardy tonight.

So all of you planning to take the game in send inning-by-inning reports might want to make alternate plans

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One of the first guys a fella runs into in a hallway outside the media room is an old familiar face from Indianapolis.

“You want T.J. back?”

Um, no, I don’t imagine they do

So a gaggle of talent scouts employed by the Raptors, along with all and sundry Henchmen, have descended on the Nets practice facility in New Jersey today through Friday for one of those gang workouts that are all in vogue.

But I got a look at the list of kids who’ll be there and even with my rudimentary (at the moment) knowledge of this draft, I can absolutely assure you the No. 13 pick is nowhere to be seen.

Maybe 23, or 33, or 43, or a bunch of kids who’ll get the full European experience but a lottery pick? Not on your life.

So I’m going to let that whole thing drop except to say that if they want to collect a late first- or early second-round pick, they might be watching them workout over the next three days.

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First call for mail this week. Click here to send the questions along and I'll suss out some stool for later in this week to work on the answers.

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Guess that Darrell Walker dude was right, eh?

(Irregulars will remember, others may have to search it out somehow).

Derek Fisher’s a big time player.

And quite a guy, too. I didn’t see it, but I’m told he choked up a little bit during a television interview after Game 3, which I thought was kind of cool.

And then he explained it when asked to describe what it felt like after the game-sealing three-point play:

“To see Pau's reaction and my teammates' reactions, that's why those moments feel so good to me. Hitting the floor didn't feel that good to be honest, but Pau's reaction and Lamar and Kobe and what the guys were saying to me, that's why those things feel so good.”

I can’t think of a really good team that didn’t have a guy like Fisher on it; an old head who just does his job and makes big shots when he gets the chance and plays with what can only be called a calm about him.

I don’t imagine Fisher’s got many years left – he’s a 35-year-old free agent who’s played almost a decade and a half – so it kind of makes a guy feel good to see him on top maybe one last time.

Comments

[Eric Hustvedt]

Those of us in Atlantic Canada hate 9 p.m. (=10 p.m.) starts even more!
Eric in NS

[n]

Hey Doug, so what are your sources telling you in terms of who the Raps are talking to as of late? Thanks!

[Dan]

Doug, I read yesterday that Hedo has a 15% trade kicker, which would mean the value of his contract would go up by 15% if he is traded. Is this true? If so, I can see even more why Hedo would want to get traded but don't know what Bryan Colangelo was thinking.

Blogger's note: Rather commonplace, no big deal

[Steph]

Doug, any news on how Derek Fisher's daughter is doing? And I agree fully, he is one of the class acts in the league and has been for as long as I remember.

And this kind of recognition put you in the same category. "I can’t think of a really good team that didn’t have a guy like Fisher on it; an old head who just does his job and makes big shots when he gets the chance and plays with what can only be called a calm about him.

I don’t imagine Fisher’s got many years left – he’s a 35-year-old free agent who’s played almost a decade and a half – so it kind of makes a guy feel good to see him on top maybe one last time."

Steph

[dribbles]

Two things I'd like to vent about watching this series:

1) When Big Baby is covering Gasol, nobody else on the Lakers should be looking to shoot (Kobe regressed into selfish mode too much last night). I don't care if Gasol misses a couple. They need to take advantage of their length when they have mismatches.

2) As good as Rondo is, and he is pretty awesome, it's hard to believe that so many talking heads are wondering whether he might be the best PG in the game. The guy can't and/or won't shoot a mid-range jumper, let alone a 3, and that's such a huge problem for a PG. It makes the pick and roll much more ineffective because smart teams like the Lakers totally sag off of him, and he's not a PG who can put his team on his back and score buckets when his teammates are struggling. If he gets to the line, he's not exactly reliable to put it nicely. It's also hard to tell how much he benefits from playing with 3 Hall of Famers.

[Peter]

You know what's great about Fisher... he's a veteran, who plays hard, and plays smart. He's not the quickest guy on the court, and on occasion he can get blown by defensively, so he needs some help from his teammates that way, but overall he's a good player who tries hard and makes shots.

Now if he played for Toronto, how much do you want to bet that we'd only focus on how often he get's blown by on defence?

In my mind, Jose can be a Derek Fisher on this Rap's team if the fans would just give him that chance.

[Pain777PAS]

@dribbles
You just have to look at Jason Kidd which didn't and still doesn't have an outside shot. I think that Rajon Rondo is not the best I still think that Paul and Deron are ahead of him and I think that him and Nash are about equal because where Rondo can get steals and defend Nash is a better passer and shooter from absolutely everywhere. I do think that if there is one PG you want in the last few minutes of a game in recent memory that PG is Rondo. He is just aggressive like Kidd which I feel he mimicks in many ways. Doug do you agree?

[Mkut]

Any truth to the rumour that Jarret Jack now wants to be traded?

[kelsie]

"In my mind, Jose can be a Derek Fisher on this Rap's team if the fans would just give him that chance."

Perhaps you weren't watching Fisher fight tooth and nail through screens and have to deal with Allen's consistent pushes to the face but Jose has not shown the ability nor the demeanour to play gritty defence like Fish.

I'm not syaing Fish can't get beat off the dribble but you better believe he rarely switches to the screener on pick and rolls which is common place for Calderon.

[joe]

Good points on Fisher. He's had a great career and is a very good person. He'll make an excellent coach if he chooses that path when he retires.

Very little has also been mentioned about Bynum. He's looked very good this series, bad knee and all. He's quite a load to handle for Perkins, Davis, etc. If Bosh chooses to go to LA, it would be quite interesting to see what Bynum could do with Bargnani as a frontcourt mate, should the Lakers be willing to give him up for Bosh.

One question regarding the officiating. There was one play where Kobe went up for a layup and took at least 3 steps before going up. It looked like a clear travel and nothing was called. Then marginal calls were being made consistently, which I felt, made the game quite choppy. Have you found the officiating to be subpar in this series, Doug?

[Alex]

Try living in NL eric, these 10:30pm starts are killing me the next day...

[Rob.V]

Doug, I read yesterday that Hedo has a 15% trade kicker, which would mean the value of his contract would go up by 15% if he is traded. Is this true? If so, I can see even more why Hedo would want to get traded but don't know what Bryan Colangelo was thinking.

Blogger's note: Rather commonplace, no big deal

Is it commonplace that if the "player" asks to be traded...that they waive their 15% kicker? Seems to me that it would be ludacrous to pay someone a BONUS for being a cry baby about how management turned him off the "city"?.

And Dude!... if the Lakers win and Fisher ends his career with 5 rings. Does he make the HOF? or does he fall into the Robert Horry "category"? That would be a shame no? I don't think Kobe get's 5 without Fisher.. or vice versa.

Blogger's note: I'm not sure he's a Hall of Famer

[Rob.V]

Oh, and one more worry for Raptor fans. Someone correct me if I am wrong however I thought I read somewhere yesterday that players may recieve an upfront signing "bonus" for signing a new deal.

I believe it was up to 17% of your contract if you were a restricted free agent and up to 20% if you were an unrestricted free agent.

20% of a $130 million is 26 million... meaning if Bosh simply walked the Knicks could pay him say $26 million up front to offset the $30 million he would forego by not signing with the Raptors for the 6th year.

Does this sound right Doug (or other CBA specialists out there)?

Blogger's note: Sounds about right to me.

[Mark]

Yeah, I really don't understand the point of these late starts. It's like the bigwigs are assuming that viewers really want to watch the first quarter during prime time. Why not move the games so the 4th quarter is during prime time, you know, before most of the continent is asleep. VERY annoying.

[DougG]

At first blush seems sure seem to be imploding in Raptorland. It's been months since there was even a hint that Bosh might stay and now Turk and Jack are rumoured to be demanding trades. It would certainly be timely if a hint of good news came out of the organization for a change. With the good and even mediocre players always leaving and no one half decent wanting to come here maybe Torontonians are kidding themselves thinking basketball may have a chance to succeed in Canada.

[MistaBill]

Living on the Best coast the games start at 6pm which is perfect because after we fight through traffic to get home. The game is just starting. Anything earlier and a good portion of the West Coast fans will miss the game.

[nate]

Agree with dribbles on Rondo's lack of a consistent jumper holding him back from being the top guy, it seems like such an essential skill for a young guard to learn.
But ever notice how in end of quarter scenarios he almost always goes one on one off of a screen, and very frequently goes to a long step back jumper? I wonder why he doesn't stay that aggressive more often, maybe it's BECAUSE he's playing with three future HOFers

[bob]

Hi Doug in Regards to Hedo, Why would the team even think about trading him to Sac just because he want to go there. The Raps of Total control of his destiny, and should not rush into trading just because he wants it.

[billy]

Best Coast....hahaha. We have your 'best coast' weather today and it's horrible! I'll take our sun-shine over your dreary rain any day!

With all the talk of Bosh leaving, Turk and Jack wanting to leave, etc., it is rather depressing being a Raps fan these days =(

[doug]

here's a excellent article on the officiating in thes eplayoffs and solution to it...intersting read, well done piece...bottom line is NBA's head office is far to involved, officiating needs to be set up as a separate entity, away from NBA's prying eyes....

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/writers/jack_mccallum/06/09/game3/index.html?eref=sihp

[MC_Brad]

hypothetical question....ATL realizes JJ isnt gonna resign, decides to trade his rights (today) to the raps for say a draft pick or anything for that matter instead of him walking...raps can then try to sign to contract...is it possible to do this? i know it works in hockey...does the cba allow trading the negotiating rights of a player soon to be a FA?

Blogger's note: If the Raptors trade for Joe Johnson today, as long as that trade satisfies the salary cap requirements of the CBA, the obtain is so-called Bird Rights.

[J]

Rob V:

"20% of a $130 million is 26 million... meaning if Bosh simply walked the Knicks could pay him say $26 million up front to offset the $30 million he would forego by not signing with the Raptors for the 6th year."

No, it doesn't work like that. Hope you don't mind that I start from the beginning, so other people understand as well. All numbers are rounded so these are just rough figures. If the BRI changes from expected, then they will all need to be recalculated as well. (For the short answer, just skip to the last paragraph.)

As a brief recap, Bosh can earn $125.52 mil over 6 years (16.57, 18.31, 20.05, 21.79, 23.53, 25.27) if he re-signs with the Raptors or obtains a S&T. If he signs outright with another team, this is reduced to $96.1 mil over 5 years (16.57, 17.89, 19.22, 20.55, 21.87), where the $29.42 mil difference rests mostly in the lack of a 6th year. Assuming a modest BRI and the same 5% minimum raise in the new CBA, if Bosh re-signs after that 5th year (and hasn't depreciated), he might only be short by $6.46 mil in annual raises.

Now, say the Knicks want to offer a signing bonus. The maximum bonus they can offer is $19.22 mil (20% of $96.1 mil). Assuming all five years of Bosh's deal are 100% guaranteed, even though he might receive $35.79 mil in the first year (he won't; this is explained later), each year will apply 20% of the total bonus ($3.844 mil) to the cap. However, this does NOT allow you to circumvent the maximum salary allowed. This is where it gets a bit tricky (read: math involved).

Assuming the bonus hit each year is $3.844 mil (it'll actually be less than that), his $16.57 first year salary will be reduced by that amount. Because the first year salary is reduced, the 8% annual raises calculated off that first year salary will also be reduced, thus making the 5-year contract worth less than $96.1 mil. Because the total contract value is less than $96.1, the total bonus allowed will be less than the original figure of $19.22 mil. The formula is a bit long to type here, so just trust that the adjusted figure is roughly $18.63 mil, for an annual hit of $3.726 mil. Bosh's first year salary will then be $12.844 mil, for a total of $74.494 (12.844, 13.87, 14.90, 15.93, 16.95) plus $18.63 mil in signing bonus.

This means instead of receiving $96.1 mil from the Knicks, he will only receive $93.1 mil, with the only advantage being a first-year lump-sum payment of $31.47 mil. The Knicks will also still need $16.57 mil worth of cap space to make this deal.

Short version: $126 mil with Raptors or in a S&T. $96 mil with other team without S&T. $93 mil with other team without S&T and with a 20% signing bonus.

[Matthieu]

Hello Doug,

Thanks for the post. If I remember correctly, we had been promised a bit of Grunt TV for the Finals. Have you given up on the idea?

Blogger's note: I kind of forgot, to tell you the truth. I'll see what I can come up with

[J]

MC_Brad:

"hypothetical question....ATL realizes JJ isnt gonna resign, decides to trade his rights (today) to the raps for say a draft pick or anything for that matter instead of him walking...raps can then try to sign to contract...is it possible to do this? i know it works in hockey...does the cba allow trading the negotiating rights of a player soon to be a FA?"

Nope, not possible because the latest you can trade a player whose contract is running out (or might run out due to an option) is the trade deadline. Thus, his Bird rights can't be traded to another team.

I don't know the hockey CBA that well, but perhaps the reason it works there is because they don't have S&Ts.

[Gary]

Doug,

Can you offer me any type of positive thoughts on the Raptors franchise for the forseeable future? I can't find one.

Attendance is down at the ACC, Bosh is good as gone, Turk wants out, Jarret wants out, Bargs contract is an albatross, and DeMar is not a "franchise" changing player, and no American born, African American, or US College players actually want to play here unless traded or drafted, and that is the truth.

As a Raptors fan since day one, I really feel like this is the beginning of the end for this franchise. And no, not just doom and gloom, I just cannot see anything positive from the last 12 months, or the upcoming 12 months.

Give me hope Doug, tell me I am dead wrong and why.................

Blogger's note: I'm not giving you anything; think what you like.