Some this, that and defence of the officials

Okay, so a guy works until about 1 a.m., has to stop by a hospitality suite to catch up on the comings and goings of the game and the gang and it’s like 4 a.m. before things get all wrapped up.

You wanna know why things are a tad tardy today? There you go.

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So. A series. How about that?

As I wrote today, Doc’s little riverboat gambler imitation kind of worked pretty well, no?

We were all a bit surprised that he stuck with four subs and Ray Allen when the game turned in the fourth quarter but I guess it just shows that, every now and then, someone comes out of nowhere to win a game.

And the whole thing kind of underscored the main difference between these two teams: The Celtics play with an overabundance of emotion; the Lakers tend to be more detached.

Every now and then, excited beats cool.

I’m not sure it does all the time – and I still think the Lakers have more talent and will ultimately prevail (I’m thinking six games sounds about right) – but watching the likes of Glen Davis and Nate Robinson turn around a game was pretty cool and added some gas to a very, very boring game through two quarters. There might have been a bit too much posturing for my tastes but whatever gets you through the day, I guess.

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We all know the referees have been getting killed in this NBA final, Doc’s taking shots at them, Phil’s taking shots at them, we’re taking shots at them and it’s been a bit tiresome.

I wonder how many will mention that Game 4 was really officiated well; hardly noticed the guys with the whistles and there weren’t any post-game complaints.

And his little pre-game chinwag with the media, Phil hit on a pretty good point:

“What we like to say to the players is you play beyond the refereeing, you play above the refereeing. If you get caught up in the refereeing, then you're doing a disservice to the game and to our game particularly. So you play beyond it and play the game according to how it's going to be refereed. If it's going to be tight, then you've got to play according to how it's going to be refereed. If it's going to be played loose, then you have to adjust to having a tougher type of game.”

Now, if Phil hadn’t spent the early part of the series whining, it might mean a bit more but at least he said what a lot of us think:

Just play the damn game.

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A guy’s got a lot of time to hang around a hotel room on a rainy Thursday waiting for a 9 p.m. start to a basketball game and some days you just get lucky with what’s on the tube.

No, not the greatest Law and Order or Criminal Minds rerun; the concert to open the World Cup and, I tell you, it was pretty spectacular.

The best? Desmond Tutu.

I don’t know that I’ve seen a more joyful, excited man; he was dancing and singing and it was like nothing I’d seen. Kind of hit home what having the World Cup in Africa means.

Classic.

Oh, and Alicia Keys can warble with the very best of ‘em. Outstanding.

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Here’s a snippet from the mail, mostly because I have an awful lot of questions and want to get one or two out of the way:

Q: Hi Doug. If the Raps could acquire M. Beasley (J. Jack contract matches up) what are your thought on him playing SF, as move #2 would be a sign and trade of Bosh to LA for Bynum. I know you have said he is not a BC guy but damn, his upside is great, and the young guys like D. DeRozan with good character could get him headed in the right direction.

Dan G, Barrie

A: Yeah, you would want to get him away from that bad-influence, trouble-making Dwyane Wade guy. And tell me why his “upside is great.” He’s an okay offensive player who disappears for long stretches and defends like me.

Speaking of the mail, if you take a second to click here, you’ll get a note delivered and when I’m sitting around watching France-Uruguay I’ll have something do if the game’s boring.

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Raptors? Nothing.

Sorry.

(Well, not really; I figure we’ll get our fill of the pre-draft shenanigans next week when kids start heading back into Toronto for pre-draft workouts so a little quiet time right now isn’t so bad).

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We’re going to get more into the Big Baby story for here and the paper later this afternoon but, I have to tell you, he was like Shecky Davis when he got up on the podium in the press room after the game.

First, it’s mentioned to him that Phil Jackson offered a terse no comment to a question about how the Lakers didn’t seem to have any kind of strategy to deal with Davis or Nate Robinson.

“I don’t have no comment, either. If Phil Jackson don’t have no comment, then I don’t have no comment.”

Then they’re talking about Doc Rivers not taking him or Nate Robinson out of the game in the pivotal fourth quarter.

“I was really looking at the clock like ‘when is he going to come get me?’ … We’re playing, but timeout go by, he don’t sub and I was like ‘man, he’s letting us roll.’ … I want to give Doc a hug, man. I love Doc.”

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Okay, again, sorry for the tardiness, fun and frivolity got in the way. Life happens.

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Comments

[nick]

"He’s an okay offensive player who disappears for long stretches and defends like me."

Wait, Doug, are you talking about Michael Beasley or Andrea Bargnani here?

[Dallas]

Coming from an Andrea fan, in that I think he's a good player, I also don't see how you can be so dismissive of Beasley in year 3, yet not no so for Andrea going into year 5. I mean, I think Andrea right now is a better player, but he does at times float, look disinterested and would seem very much open to criticism of impact defensively. I mean Beasley may have been benched at times, but can we really compare the defense of Heat and Raps? Heat were far better defensively.

Anyway, I just wanted to say that, even from an Andrea fan, it seems like you're prone to talking out of both sides of your mouth, or maybe fairer to say, it seems there's a disconnect in your evaluation process for players on or not on the Raptors, for whatever reason. Maybe opinions are just naturally more tempered when spoken inside the "home".

I mean I recall how you said we should certainly hold on to CB becasue worst case we have S&T and Bryan can get something back. Now all we read is you lowering expectations saying how CB's the one in the Driver seat?

[KX]

Hope you're actually watching the game right now. Mexico is good.

[D-Mac Ottawa]

Morning, Doug,
Now THAT's coaching! Major cajones, and Doc has won (earned) loyalty from players who have never even played for him, and never will.
Bynum's knee may literally be the hinge that determines this best of three. That and the shooting competition between RayRay and #24 (one of whom is streaky, the other of whom maybe hasn't gone 0-13, like, ever).
The playoffs finally found some juice. Thanks, Doc! Cheers.

[nate]

Is anyone else completely sick of everything that comes out of Phil Jackson's mouth? The guy has passive-aggressive comments down to a science any wife would be envious of. You think his little mind battles actually help him win series, or just write books?

By the way, heard you on PTS last night doug. As someone in health promotion I'm very VERY dissappointed to hear you're a smoker. Get off the darts brother!

[doug]

I usually have more to say..but today I am speechless...anyone, and i mean anyone that compares Andrea's game with Beaseley's game....either haven't been watching, or 2 are just plain delusional.....every GM in the league would want Barg's, every G.M. in the league would have major reservations about Beasely..the 2 aren't even close...

[Mike kovacs]

The refs were better but what motivated the offensive 3 secs call on KG when the shot clock was at 20s and the ball had been in the front court for only 2s? They rarely call 3 in the key as it is but why then?

[justin]

Doug you questioned Tom Thibodea , & Avery Johnson' hirings & ability to be a good coach. But I can't remeber you ever questioning Triano, or even M. Iavorrioni's hiring as the "DEFENSIVE" coach? what gives? I enjoy reading your work but im starting to agree with commenters like Dallas it seems like "you're prone to talking out of both sides of your mouth, or maybe fairer to say, it seems there's a disconnect in your evaluation process for players on or not on the Raptors.".

[sb]

"We're like Shrek and Donkey" - best post-game comment in a while. Laughed out loud when I heard that.

[aditya]

but watching the likes of Glen Davis and Nate Robinson turn around a game was pretty cool and added some gas to a very, very boring game through two quarters.
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Very boring game through the first two quarters......what a wonderful game through the first two quarters...full of intensity, defense.......what are you talkin about man?

and i'll tell you this, michael beasley is a player.....give him 1.5 years, and he's gonna be a star.....(not a superstar, but pretty darn good)..... i'll let you know his progress in 1.5 years....

Blogger's note: So, you're gone for 1.5 years?

[aditya]

"He’s an okay offensive player who disappears for long stretches and defends like me."

Wait, Doug, are you talking about Michael Beasley or Andrea Bargnani here?
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+1

[sams fan]

Douglas,

I think Dallas's comments deserve an answer...he has a pretty valid point about how you assess players....i would like to see what you have to say in response.

Blogger's note: I assess players individually, right now Andrea Bargnani is a better player in many regards than Michael Beasley. It's really quite simple.

[GM]

I'm glad Phil coaches that way, but he's hardly one to talk. Ever since his days in Chicago, come playoff time he always gets his little digs in about the refs, who invariably start reffing the way he wants. He's a master manipulator.

Shecky Davis? Any relation to Shecky Greene? But maybe you're right about Davis because nothing you quoted from Big Baby was actually funny. It was one of those contextual things. Like, the expectations are so low for athletes and coaches that they just have to say something slightly not deathly dull and all the reporters fall down on the floor laughing.

[Lazaros O.]

Doug, I think that what many people are trying to say here is that while you were telling us to be patient with Bargnani insisting that he'll need some time to develop, you are in a hurry to declare Beasley a bust after only 2 years. Why not give Beasley also some time to prove his worth? If I recall correctly, you were also dismissive of Rondo, and look how he turned out, the best player in a team that has 3 other superstars.

[Lorie]

Hi Doug, Shecky Davis! Thanks for the tip of the comic hat to those of us Of A Certain Age. And hey, one shouldn't have to apologize for a wee but of fun and frivolity getting in the way of work stuff.(I personally find that when those two (Fun and his good friend Frivolity) get in front of me, it is usually the better choice to join in rather than try to work around them.) Seriously, isn't there a lot of very important professional networking done at those hospitality suites? (At least that is always my story.) Gesondheid!

Blogger's note: Very important. Where do you think I come up with some of the little nuggets that grace each morning's offerings?

[Ellie]

Didn't Garnett make Davis cry on the bench once? I'm guessing there's no tears now . .

Nice when the role players get to steal the show on such a big forum. Go them.

[Rob.V]

First off:

@J from a couple of days ago. Thanks for the information regarding the signing bonus Bosh would be entitled to should he sign outright with the Knicks.

Doc playing his bench longer last night literally "saved" the series. Boston's older starters look just that.. "old" man! No legs = no jump shots!

Here's the interesting thing. I truly believe that the team to win the next game will win the series. Boston now has 3 days rest vs. the 2 that they've been playing on so this should help the old dudes. If the C's can manage to squeek out game 5 for a 3-2 lead... they have a legitmate shot to win one of either games 6 or 7.

The Lakers were on the verge of puttin gthe series away and Doc's BOLD move with the bench along with 3days rest has the Celtics right back in contention.

They C's were perilously close to bowing out but should now be rejuvinated.

Game 5 should be a great one!

[GM]

Lorie, unless I'm mistaken, I think Doug meant Shecky Greene. I just Googled "Shecky Davis" and that's a guitarist.

[tea time]

I assess players individually, right now Andrea Bargnani is a better player in many regards than Michael Beasley. It's really quite simple. - Doug

now that is unfair. you dont give any proof that andrea is THAT MUCH better than michael beasley but you go into conclusion that he is, plain and simple. wow. did the star hire you just to get into people's skin? seriously. i do think andrea is a better player at THIS point because he is older and has more nba experience but he's not much better than beasley. he too can score but can dissapear in strenches of the game and lack man to man defense. for goodness sake, beasley is the same age as demar, and many here still believe demar gonna have a huge impact on this team in the future. why not beasley? stop being a homer and act like everything you say is fact.

i love your information and access to the nba, but i cant stand how you treat the commentators on your website. make them feel like a fool for asking a question and like we dont know any better. we are the people who let you get the recognition your getting, we are supporting your work, but you treat us like fools. for everyone who arent biased and doesnt live in a bubble, there are other great websites to voice your opinion and ask questions. go to raptorshq.com or raptorsrepublic.com . friendly people and non-biased answers!

[doug]

are some of you people idiots??..it was a play on words, yes Doug meant Shecky Greene...but since it was baby Davis talking,..it was a play on words hence Shecky Davis...my god paint by number explanations, these are the same idiots that obviously don't ever just watch a game and appreciate it from afar detached as a raptors fan..as if you did you would undestand the worth of a Barg's, Hedo, Bosh,Jack, Jose,Amir, etc.. etc...and see what BC had in mind when he signed Hedo and drafted Barg's...because as these Celts show, with Allen, Garnett, Pierce, Rondo they can not all be firing on all cylinders every night (and these are future HOF'ers), but yet there is others to pick up the slack...as they are 2-2 in the NBA finals,one guy does not carry a team, if so where is LeBron??....its these same people that complain of Bosh, or have ran Hedo out of town, or continue to dump on Barg's for no reason....and think Beasely is equal or comparable to Barg's, unreal what game, games are you watching??...only one word to describe it...ignorance, total unmitigated ignorance...watch a game, a series without prejudice and see what wins ....there end of rant...feels good, happy weekend...off to the driving range...

[Lorie]

GM, thank you for your interest in making certain I was correctly connecting Doug's mental dots. Rest assured, as I considered the background of the resident blogger, I assumed he was referring to Shecky Greene (the quintessential Las Vegas entertainer from days of yore [see: "CaCa on the Moon"]) and not the lead guitarist of the garage band "Shecky and the Twangtones", and in so doing, that Doug was inserting a bit of that enjoyable esoteric stuff in today's blog to describe Big Baby's comedic delivery. But then, maybe I am wrong.

[D-Mac Ottawa]

GM, unless I'm mistaken, I think Doug meant Big Baby "Shecky" Davis, as in grunt humour. Go Celts! Cheers.

[TJ]

Hey Doug, i hope you're enjoying Beantown.
This is for all the people who are faulting you for having your own view on players and coaches... Folks let Doug write what he believes. Just becuase you don't agree with his point of view doesn't mean he talks out both sides of his mouth or show some favourtism towards his home town.
If like Jay as a coach, he likes Jay. If he doesn't really like Avery's stlye of coaching so be it.
He writes we read and comment. Don't look for him to validate your views or ideas, and don't be hating. We all have different points of view and btw it's his blog, and his thoughts, we can post ours thoughts.
So please read and enjoy and be a fan, be an avid fan even, just don't read something to just try and find fault.
Disagree all you want, but don't try and tell someone that their thoughts and words are two faced or etc....
Cheers

[Aditya]

Blogger's note: So, you're gone for 1.5 years?
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Read what I said again.... I'll let you know his progress in 1.5 years (didn't say I am gone for 1.5 years, although i wish i could just sleep now and wake up in 1.5 years and prove you wrong ..)

still laughing over "bargnani doesn't understand the concept of help side defence till now"....too funny coming out of jay triano's mouth at the end of season conference..... oh man.....

[Brian]

Sorry Doug, was that "..an awful lot of questions..", or "a lot of awful questions"?