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

[BLT]

JWSS - Look again. When Stein uses the "RT@CV31" in his tweet on Bosh, he is indicating the original tweet came from CV.

[Marc]

Not sure I understand the rant...seems to me if, for example, BC said to you that he "thought" that Lebron was going to team x that that would be something worth mentioning in a story or blog post even if he didn't want his name attached to it. I think it may be irresponsible not reporting something like that not the other way around. I understand that some people have the reading comprehension of a three year old and would probably read that and come to the conclusion that Doug Smith says LeBron is definitely going to team x...but isn't that their problem?

[ryan]

Apparently Bosh " hasn't been in contact with the team (raptors) in quite some time, refusing to return calls and make any contact " does that hurt the chances of them potentially doing a sign & trade if it's true?

Blogger's note: Sure if he wants to take that $30 million hit

[Pipit]

Drafts over and after a couple of days, still there are no significant moves from the Raptors. Quite disappointing. Disappointing because Doug has nothing to write except for those usual crap outside the basketball world. Tales about his super dog, his super son, his gardening skills......boriiinnnnggg....

Blogger's note: Feel free to come back when the season starts. Or learn to use the scroll key on the keypad because I'm not stopping.

[dee from sauga]

Hey Doug,
Why do you think it was so hard to SMITCH to land another coaching job? Byron Scott goes through teams like I do with socks and has gone further in the playoffs than SMITCH but...well looks like I answered my question. What the Raps need are more SHATS! agree or disagree? Just joking. Wondering if you had a chance to talk to old SMITCH about his new position thats all.

[ryan]

sorry for all the Q's Doug last one - was the draft pick the raptors traded to heat Lottery protected for just this season? or do the heat get the pick next year even if the raptors are in the lottery again? how does that work?

Blogger's note: The Heat get the pick the next time the Raptors make the playoffs or 2015, whichever comes first.

[ryan]

Just seen that it is lottery protected from 2010-15. Which is a big relief. Was scared the raps could end up being a bottom 5 team this year & not even have a draft pick to show for it..... PHEW thank god it's protected!!

[doug]

this is my least favorite week of the NBA calendar...all rumours this and rumours that.....people want to hear about trades etc, well there are none and will be none basically until July 1st and even then we have to wait until the 8th for them to be official....rumours, innuendo are just tiresome....there should be a media moratorium until the 1st as well...

[jc]

Hey Doug,
Here's a thought about some of the mega teams that may come to be. I don't want to know if you think they will happen (all hypothetical), but what if a team were to feature Wade and Lebron (forget about that Bosh guy for now). As far as I can tell, on any given game, Wade has the ball in his hand for 75% of the possession and Lebron has it for about 80%. Sorry to mix metaphors but even Yogi Berra knows those don't add up. Can they coexist? Sure, it worked in the olympics, but for a whole season?

[kelsie]

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

Follow-up:

With a trade exception, this means they can then absorb a contract via trade from another team without having to send back like salaries? Can this exception be broken up into multiple trades or must it be for one deal in the amount it was originally received in?

Does the excpetion alllow the team to sign a player outright for the amount of the exception?

Sorry for the many questions.....just want to understand this better as this might be Raps best option going forward.

Blogger's note: Short answer, yes, they can take back a trade exception rather than players; it has to be used in a calendar year to acquire players(s) with salaries equal to the exception plus-minus $100,000

[Scott]

Bosh to the Bulls?!?!?!
Reuniting with The Swirsk.......KaBosh!!!

[The J]

"Was scared the raps could end up being a bottom 5 team this year & not even have a draft pick to show for it"
--Don't worry, they might not be perfect but they are not the Leafs!!

[The J]

Hey Doug,
I know you said you were excited that Smitch will be back in the league, but I was wondering what your opinion was of the fit. I always felt he was better suited for an assistant role, but I question his fit with Avery Johnson. I see them both as good in-your face, hard nosed type coaches. Essentially great motivators instead of great tacticians. Do you think he is a good fit with Johnson or would he have been better suited for an assistant role next to an X's and O's type coach?

Blogger's note: I'm not sure it's the perfect fit but I think Avery's got some Xs and Ox stuff in him.

[Mike kovacs]

Doug - there is another sane person out there: http://hangtime.blogs.nba.com/2010/06/28/smoke-signals/?ls=iref:nbahpt1

[Boko]

Historically, approximately what percent of NBA players have signed directly with another team, giving up the extra year and the $30,000,000 a sign & trade would give them?

[doug]

this is a excellent article and bang-on and why I have no enthusiasm for this World Cup or never will in the forseeable future....

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/writers/jack_mccallum/06/28/world.cup/index.html?eref=sihp

[Leaf fan in Van]

Ummm, Doug - I thought we were going to leave the NBA world is falling down comments until after the 3-5 demi Gods sign their previously agreed to contracts? I intentionally left you alone for the past month awaiting the time where 4 guys in the NBA make the entire sporting world a laughing stock. Can we now start talking about how they are all basically holding the league hostage right now?? Bet on this, after whatever happens, happens - the NBA owners who end up pissed will make sure that the next CBA ensures none of this crap happens again - oh yeah, one last thought: whether it's NYK, Miami or Chicago, none of those teams wins a lick next year!

[jwss]

BLT - Thanks, hadn't noticed that. Still haven't seen any confirmation on the report that CV's account was hacked.

I guess this all confirms Doug's original assertion that nothing's a sure thing until it actually happens. After all, last season Turk was definitely signing with Portland!

[DougG]

Turkolu was interviewed in Turkey recently and his tune has completely changed. He put the trade demand off to the emotions of the end of the season. He also recognizes the great opportunity he has, should Bosh leave, and doesn't understand why Bosh would want to relinquish his spot as number one. Doesn't think he will get the same spot playing second or third fiddle to Wade and Lebron, who will also be fighting for the number one spot.
.
I have no problem with Turk returning and I believe the people of Toronto would accept his apology, especially if he starts producing again.

[The J]

Hey Doug,

Forgot to post this earlier re: William Wesley (Worldwide Wes):
http://espn.go.com/blog/truehoop/post/_/id/16874/william-wesley-in-the-spotlight

It's an interesting article breaking down who exactly he is (to the best anyone can decipher). The main thing that I take from it is that he is not really a shadowy puppetmaster at all. Instead he is a guy who has built a pretty strong career in various avenues completely on the concept of being a mentor-type to players and someone they all trust. But it does not sound like he is telling any players where they should sign or telling any GMs who they have to trade for.

[matt]

They beat Puerto Rico yesterday, not Peru. And you can watch all the games on the FIBA Americas website, http://www.fibaamericas.com/torneos1_us.asp?t=SWMYGHIDOX , so you can know who theyre playing. Brazil today at 2

[Skiff]

It's interesting how you dismiss Pritchard as a "flavour of the month" when he has a proven track record building a successful team. What do think the Raptor's record would have been this year if they were hit with the level of injuries the blazers had this season? 10 wins, 12? I read a lot of various NBA sources, though I'm no insiderm, but every indication I've heard is Pritchard is great and Paul Allen is the one at fault there, regarldess of the spin coming from there? Someone who still works his team's draft AFTER he gets fired can't be that bad a person.

On the other side, I'd love to see a list of BC's successes, especially since he's been in Toronto. And if starts with 2007 Atlantic Division champs then I'll never read you articles again.

Blogger's note: You need to read more about Pritchard and his playing two sides against the middle and somewhat dubious management skills. Oh, and he never won a division. :)

[Adrian]

"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"

Anything's possible, you guess? Those four words make it sound like they have never even considered doing that and that acquiring an all-star player to pair with Bosh is so out of the realm of possibility, it's not even worth considering. Again, what is the goal in Toronto? What are they trying to do? They don't try to win now, they don't rebuild properly, they just sit on the fence and claim to be doing everything at once while the results speak for themselves: Jack of all trades, master of none. If you don't know where your going, any road will take you there.

It sure seems like there's no strategy. Colangelo's completely disorganized and contradicts himself at every turn these days. Politicians envy his performance. All talk, no action. If re-signing Bosh is his top priority (as he's said numerous times), he's done as horrendous a job as any GM could ever do. All talk, no action- still. Just moving his mouth. But when it comes to getting feet in the streets and actually coming through, there's squat.

Blogger's note: Please, please, I beseech you. Consider -- just once and to do no more than humour me -- that MAYBE BOSH WANTS TO LEAVE!!!!!!!

[J]

kelsie:

To address some of the points that weren't answered: the TPE can be used partially in different trades, but they cannot be combined. Furthermore, the TPE is only created in trades of 1 player for N player(s) (the team trading away the 1 player gets the TPE if the N players' salaries are less than the 1 player). Also, the TPE only applies to trades, not FA signings. It's basically the device that allows for trades to be non-simultaneous.

[sam]

Adrian you have the unique talent of misguided persistance -