Time to separate the wheat from the chaff, if it's possible

This is absolutely classic.

I sat down at this machine Sunday night for a minute before an entire evening of mindless television to check if anything was up.

Well, I was told in no uncertain terms that LeBron James and Chris Bosh were going to Chicago as a package deal and the whole dog and pony show was over before it started.

About a click later, I saw an unnamed NBA executive quoted as saying Bosh in headed to Miami and it’s been resolved that way for a very long time.

Classic.

Now, I’m not for a second suggesting any self-respecting reporter would write something knowingly wrong but the point right now is that no one knows anything for sure.

It’s extrapolation and guesswork and trying to make sense of one of the most non-sensible times in NBA history.

There will be all kinds of stuff written and said over the next fortnight or so and eventually, some people will be right and some people will be wrong.

But to sit here today and say unequivocally that this or that is going to happen once July 1 hits cannot be done.

It’s a difficult time for us in this business. We have to figure out whether sources we know are telling us what they know or what they think before we impart anything to you.

What do I think is going to happen?

Well, to tell you the truth I’m not entirely sure at the moment. I think there still some machinations being conducted behind the scenes and to come up with some bold pronouncement right now would be somewhat irresponsible, wouldn’t it?

That’s for later in the week, after all the front office people and agents have had a chance to decompress after last week and really get ready for Wednesday night/Thursday morning.

But I will say this, I’m sure this summer will make last summer look like a picnic as far as the league is concerned. I’d love to say it’s going to be busier than last summer for The Heroes Of The Hardcourt but I think it’ll be about the same. The only difference will be the significance of the players involved.

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And, with that, here’s this that I kind of hung on to from the weekend:

Q: Hey Doug, with all this talk of "World Wide Wes", what kind of damage will this due for the league? Will people be able to take it as seriously when you have these outside sources dictating who plays where? For example, Wes is now telling people that their chances of signing LeBron increases if their team were to trade for Chris Paul.

Thanks

Nick S, Ottawa

A: It will do damage if you truly believe that one man can influence so many decisions and I don’t think he can. I don’t know this Wes fellow at all, I was with a group at the NBA Finals in San Antonio one year when he bought a round of drinks for our table and said thanks, but I will say this:

I don’t for a second believe that he can wield as much influence as some suggest for the very reason that the players are men of some substance and won’t be led around by the nose.

And GMs that I know don’t take very well to threats veiled or otherwise and won’t be held hostage by one man.

That said, there is always some give-and-take in situations like this, some scratching of your back while you scratch mine but to think someone’s sitting behind the curtain engineering what goes on throughout the league is silly.

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So, as Germany scores its third goal – or maybe the fourth, I kind of lost track – Super Son turns to me in the booth and says:

“Hey Dad, the England defence is slow; it can’t catch up.”

I’m thinking ‘this kid’s got a chance’ and when I relay the insight to Calamity Kelly over in South Africa I get this response:

“Get that kid a kooky pair of glasses.”

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Okay, I’ve been remiss.

Sorry.

While we were so tied up with Ed Davis and Solomon Alabi and the stuff around this week, we’ve missed some somewhat significant Canada Basketball news.

And you know me and Canada Basketball, I like to stay in touch.

Well, the junior women ran through the FIBA Americas qualification tournament in Colorado Springs with a 4-1 record and have qualified for the Under-19 world championships in Chile next year.

They finished third overall in the eight-team event, beating Chile twice, Mexico and Costa Rica and losing by a point to Brazil.

Now, that’s not beating the Lakers, Celtics and Cavs but it’s doing what you have to do and it continues somewhat impressive streak of success for Canadian teams in international competitions and does show the depth of talent is improving.

The junior men are in the middle of their qualification event down in San Antonio – I’m hoping Maurizio and the lads have taken the suggestion to hit the Quarry Market area because it’s far less touristy than the Riverwalk although I don’t think they’re Bar America types (and Texans may get that) – and they’ve already secured a berth in the worlds next year in Latvia.

They hammered Uruguay to start and drilled Peru on Sunday and all that’s left now in Brazil and the playoff round to determine what seed they’ll get in the worlds next year.

Toss in the fact the men and women are in this year’s worlds, as are the cadet boys and girls, and you can see some momentum building within the programs.

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A wistful day around Casa Doug.

Super Son wraps up Grade 8 tomorrow and the big graduation ceremony is tonight and, I have to tell you, after nine years at the same school, it’s gonna take some getting used to. I’m not entirely sure I’m ready for a high schooler.

Aging bites.

And we have to miss the Mighty Yankees trying to get off the schneid tonight and that’s tough to take, as well.

What a day.

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I would also be remiss if I didn’t pay tribute to the Black Stars one more time and with news that C. Young and Calamity Kelly are searching out suitable Ghana souvenirs for a bloke back home, all’s good in that end of the world.

I know little about Uruguay except that they are going down to ignominious defeat later this week, and if there’s anything cooler than Spain-Portugal coming up, I can’t think what it is.

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Comments

[AT]

"Aging Bites".
Yes it does.

Doug, when you were in Niagara on the weekend, where did you end of watching the game?

Blogger's note: Ended up doing brunch with Super Grandpa and getting back to Hazelville just before the first Black Stars strike.

[Matt Kovacs - Age 13]

This offseason will be very interesting, but I cannot wait untill one of the 3 teams ( Miami, NY, Chicago ) do not get one of the big free agents. Then that would really mess up their teams.

[joe]

Hi Doug,

Congratulations to you and your son on his 8th grade graduation. That's a wonderful accomplishment. I sympathize with you and the time flies and aging thing. I don't know where time goes these days. High school will fly by quicker than elementary school so enjoy every moment you can with your boy.

Couple of quick questions:
1. Can a player who was drafted on Thursday be included in any potential sign and trade. For example, if Bosh wants to head to the Nets, could New Jersey include the kid they drafted 3rd last week in a sign and trade or is that prohibited by NBA rules?

2. If two stars, such as Bosh and James, want to go to the same team, and that team didn't have enough assets to do a max. deal via a sign and trade with both players, would one of those players be willing to take less in order to play with the other?

Have a great day, Doug.

Blogger's note: Am going to move the first one to a free agency FAQ I'm trying to put together. The second one? I have no idea.

[jwss]

I agree that we shouldn't jump at every rumour out there, but i know you respect Marc Stein and last night he sent out a Tweet that said, sorry Toronto but Bosh is definitely going to Miami. Should we put more credence to something Stein says?

Blogger's note: I do, yes; but, again, I caution, nothing's done until it's done.

[City Country]

Gotta agree with you on the this one Doug, it's classic. It's stupid. Any self-respecting professional ('info' leaker or media-type) should be ashamed of themselves for playing into the content without substance game.

[K Price]

Doug I think you ment Brazil vs. Spain later today=)

Blogger's note: Pretty sure Brazil gets Chile today and Spain gets Portugal tomorrow afternoon

[Dave]

http://sports.espn.go.com/new-york/nba/news/story?id=5331913

YOU MISSED THIS! Sam To the nets!?

Blogger's note: Didn't miss it at all; talked about it 2 1-2 weeks ago when it first came out. Good for Sam, am glad he's back in the league

[john]

Doug, could a team that doesn't have attractive players for a sign and trade to do a deal with the Raps, sign a free agent that Toronto likes, then trade him to the Raptors in a sign and trade with CB? You may have answered this in the past that you cannot trade a free agent signing for a period of time, but still curious.

Blogger's note: No. Free agents who sign in the summer can't be traded until December

[DougG]

If Bosh is headed to Miami, a highly overrated city, to play with Wade and Lebron, I take it he won't even be playing the role of "Robin Hood." Seems to contradict everything he has said, about being the number one option. It will sure cut down on his touches and how many close games he will be asked to take care of.
.
I thought agreements like this, if true, were against the league rules and can be voided by the commissioner?
.
I can't see how the NBA likes this sort of thing. How are their owners supposed to sell the sport in other cities?

[DaveT]

Have to say, you had me watching the Ghana games and that Gyan guy is a beast down-low (see what I did there?). But, with suspensions to Jonathan and Ayew on yellows, I don't see enough behind him to properly fight La Celeste. I'll admit, I'm a total bandwagon-jumper for Uruguay, but they just play good football and they're a lot of fun to watch.

Will be a fun game, either way, but in the end Uruguay wins 2-1.

[Mike H]

To say Marc Stein is claiming that is false. He simply reposted something said by Charlie Villanueva.

[D-Mac Ottawa]

Morning Doug,
If there was ever a weekend to remind us why sports is one of life's best, and most welcome, diversions, I'd say this weekend might have been it. Business, schmiz-ness. Tip-off on the new NBA season can't get here soon enough.
All due pomp and circumstances, Super Son! And best of luck with the next round. Hit for the fences, kid!
And Doug-Dad, do you really think aging bites as much as puberty bit? Remember waking up one morning to find the right side of your face sprouting peach fuzz, the left side pizza... meanwhile, your left leg's grown three inches longer than your right overnight and you'll now be needing to learn to walk/run all over again? (Longest five or eight years of my life, I can tell ya...).
At least there's the outside shot at maybe a hint of dignity in aging. Count your blessings, sir. You won't have to repeat what Super Son is putting up with these days. Cheers. (And may you stay forever young.)

[Mike H]

The real gem though is Charlie V goes on to say that there's a better chance of seeing him with a Ben Wallace afro then Lebron heading back to Cleveland

[Soon to be Ex Raps Fan]

Am I wrong?

Can't Chicago and Miami, as it stands, sign Bosh to a contract right now without doing a sign and trade? It just means Bosh signs for one less year, which he did three years ago, so why not again?

Essentially, S&T is a grand idea, but he can just walk and sign outrightly can he not?

Plus Miaimi only has three players on its roster, how could they possibly do a S&T????

Blogger's note: If Bosh wants to take a $30 million haircut (estimated difference in max-value deals here and with a team far enough under the cap) that absolutely can happen

[jwss]

There's a report that Charlie V's Twitter account was hacked and one of the Tweets posted was actually Stein's. Stein's Tweet is posted right on the ESPN website - it makes no mention of Charlie V.

[Pain777PAS]

If Bosh and Lebron go to Chicago with Noah and Rose then the league has a new young powerhouse to contend with. Noah is a offensive rebounder and hustle player, Rose is a drive and kick point, Lebron is Lebron and Bosh is Bosh. Great team in my opinion. Bosh to Miami will not guarantee a Championship but if Johnson and Bosh go there which could creatively happen if Riley coaches, Can I say new big three? This July is going to be epic for basketball with potentially new eastern powerhouses emerging. Another thing what is Orlando going to do? That is one team that seems quiet and they could make a case if Carter comes off the books. New twin towers in Orlando Bosh and Howard? What do you think Doug? The Raptors are rebuilding again and I am a true fan so I'll root for the home team but secretly hope that the elite succeed including Chris Bosh.

[papa]

oh doug, now you've gone and chosen the wrong team to cheer for. By the end of the week you'll know all you need to know about Uruguay - Forlan and Suarez scoring indiscriminately.

[Lorie]

Morning Doug,
A Very Rousing Bravo to Super Son; hope you and the entire Super Family have an absolute blast at your Grad Festivities tonight. And having been through a few of these commencement-type ceremonies with my daughters, I can say that their Grade 8 Grads were the ones that all three of them enjoyed the most, and remember most fondly. Now, Doug, have you done your part: is the limo rented, the tux fitted, the stylist on call - or have saner heads prevailed these days? (And I do mean for Super Son here...)

Blogger's note: Far, far, far saner heads have prevailed.

[Mike D]

Doug, I hate to say it but it's time: Super Vehicle needs a Ghana flag. I've seen a few around, so they're available...

[ldc]

Shouldn't they schedule FIBA a different year than FIFA? I know its at different times of the year, but no doubt it has been overshadowed (which is reasonable).

[Chris]

Hey Doug,
Great work so far this off-season. Try not to get too frustrated with us over-zealous fans, we just have fragile Canadian egos, you know?
So are you going to hit up Sam for a quote the first time we play NJ next year? I think it would be funny to see all the Toronto reporters run past Avery Johnson to get a great soundbite from the inimitable Smitch! Be sure to give him our best, I for one thought he was second only to Butch here in T.O. (and a close second at that!).

[kelsie]

Hey Doug,

A couple of questions on "hypothetical" happenings.

If Bosh were to sign with Miami, can Toronto receive a trade excpetion from them in return as opposed to taking on Beasley and draft picks?

I know Miami would have had the money to most likely sign one other max player, but do you think BC should be criticized for essentially helping create the Heat's financial massive flexibility this summer?

If the Raps had of kept J.O's expiring contract, then Toronto would also be a potential suitor for this 2010 free agency class, except they would actually have a roster with some players on it and a top tier player in Bosh to come and play with.

I understand Colangelo made the move to Marion and eventually Turkolgu in an effort to win "now" but they didn't make the playoffs in either year and this is a results driven league. His moves simply didn't get it done, they are now hamstrung by large contracts he gave out, they now have no money to pursue any big free agents (when really if they re-sign Bosh and Amir they are a J. Johnson away from being a consistently good team), and will likely lose their best player by far, without receiving close to egual value.

To what extent (if any) should Colangelo be held accountable for this? His planning was short term and it has now affected the team where rebuilding should probably be the main focus right now. I understand based on the exit interviews that he thinks they are "close" but a 40 win team is not close and are actually a lot farther away if Bosh is out the door.

Blogger's note: Yes, and he's the GM and president, he should be held entirely accountable

[J. Millett, Halifax]

There was a mention of bringing a all star player to join Bosh in Toronto and that the Raptors would go over the cap to do so. Is this still a possibility?

Blogger's note: Anything's possible, I guess. And they are already far, far, far over the cap

[Chris K]

Doug - Whenever anyone talks about where these free agents will wind up, it's all Chicago, Miami, New York. Is that because they are the only teams with the room, or because they are typically the most desirable locations for the premiere talent?

Why would the other teams losing the max guys (Cleveland, Toronto, Atlanta) not be viable "buyers" whether it was for their own guys back or alternate replacements?

Blogger's note: Cap rules; none of those other three teams will have the money

[Derek H]

I read this morning a S&T of bosh and calderon for varejo, Parker and mo Williams. And of course James re-signs with cavs. Cavs get a pass first PG. The raps get a good front court rebounder and Parker is reunited with the raps to help bring along derozan and be his mentor. Raps get back a scorer in Williams.