Trade kickers and Avery wanted P.J. in Jersey

We’re a bit all over the map here today, hope you don’t mind.

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All right, everybody really needs to chill on this trade kicker thing with Hedo.

Yes, if he gets traded he gets a 15 per cent bump in his annual stipend, it’s a clause he negotiated into each of his last two deals and it seems to have become some huge issue with the e-mailers.

It’s not a big deal, it’s certainly not a deal-breaker and he’s one of about 35 or so guys in the league who have them.

Those guys range, by the salary spreadsheets that an NBA GM works off, from Kobe to Mo Pete to Roger Mason to Sam Dalembert.

A handful of guys that many e-mailers would like to see on the Raptors – Dalembert, Manu, Joel Przybilla, Chris Kaman, Jeff Foster – have them and Hedo even had one in the Orlando contract he had before he came to Toronto.

Oh, and Amir Johnson had one, too, when the Raptors obtained him.

It is no big deal, it not an issue in any trade and it’s really nothing worth getting worked up over.

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Mighty Yankees rained out, or at least postponed because I’m told no one wanted to play First Puddle or Third Puddle instead of first base or third base.

Too bad, for the kids and the coaches who missed the game for reasons of work or golf and who also missed the team meeting after.

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I know there are arguments pro and con out there about the use of instant replay in basketball and whether it should be extended or not.

We had one the other night at the end of Game 3 that was truly interesting and presents a big conundrum about the affair.

Remember the play? Shot’s missed, Lamar Odom goes to grab it on the defensive boards, Rajon Rondo obviously fouls him, the ball goes out of bounds. Now, that play happens at least once in every single game all year and the refs always make the same call: They give the ball to the team on defence, no foul is called, no one complains and the game goes on. Happens every single night.

Except, because there was less than two minutes to go, the refs decided they’d take advantage of the replay rule, look at it again at the urging of the Celtics and the ball was given to Boston.

Now, technically, they got the call right, Odom last touched the ball. But it was only because Rondo whacked him and the way the rules read now, the refs couldn’t review the non-call, only possession.

By the letter of the rulebook, they got it right. In reality, they got it dead wrong.

So do you expand replay to be able to decide whether or not it was a foul that caused the ball to go out of bounds? It’s a tough one.

I think you either have to or you have to take replay out in those situations.

Whatever happens, there has to be some fine-tuning.

Oh, and can I just add that three reviews in the final two minutes of a game that’s encroaching on a pretty tight deadline really, really bites.

Thank you.

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I don’t believe there was one unsubstantiated rumour about the Raptors flying around yesterday.

What a boring day, eh?

So, let’s start one: Bryan talked to other executives yesterday. About players. And transactions. And nothing of substance happened.

The thing is, I think we’re nearing the time of critical mass for Colangelo and the Raptors.

As you may know, we’re only 14 days away from the draft, which is historically the first off-season pressure point for moves; either to swap picks for players or picks and players for players and I imagine the chatter will be quite amped up.

I know there are a couple of dozen GMs and coaches gathered in New Jersey these days for some mass workout of so-so prospects and when those guys gather in one place, things generally start to percolate.

We should have fun in the next fortnight.

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There’s a big futbol thing starting tomorrow, I hear?

I’m torn, folks, really torn. Tough to find one team to root for so I’m thinking I have to find a couple of them and hope for good games the rest of the way.

(And, thankfully, I think there are enough ESPNs that I’ll be able to see a few on TV between tomorrow and Monday down here; it won’t be like at home but still, a good way to kill time)

Now, you know I have some allegiance to the Black Stars of Ghana, right? And even without Michael Essien, I’ve got to stick with them, thick and thin and all that.

But it certainly wouldn’t do my heart bad to see England not spit up a game at the worst possible time and since I can remember having some affinity for the Dutch way back in the day (Ruud Gullit was pretty cool) but they kept breaking my heart by losing in the finals.

So there you, Black Stars, Three Lions, Oranje, teams to watch for.

And since Super Son seems quite intent of backing the Azzurri, we might have some issues around Casa Doug.

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One World Cup question: How many fender benders do you think will occur over the next month because drivers are looking at other cars and trying to figure out what the hell the flag is that’s flying out of the window?

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Avery Johnson’s back in the league, eh?

Has a verbal agreement with the Nets and in Dave D’s story here, there’s one quite interesting nugget.

Avery, who’s been linked to about every vacant job in the last two years, really wanted P.J. Carlesimo to join him in Jersey but P.J. didn’t want to wait on the uncertainty, got a good offer from the Raptors and took the Toronto gig.

I’m not entirely sold on Avery, to tell you the truth. I’m told by people with good knowledge of the Dallas situation that he can grate on people rather quickly and the post-season flameouts of his Mavs (coughing up 2-0 lead in ’06 finals to Miami, being upset by Golden State a year later) stick in the craw.

Maybe he’s mellowed, who knows.

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Yes, we will be here tonight just before 9 to go through one of those in-game blog things that are sweeping the nation. Love for you to join us.

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Comments

[chris]

I think most people *get* that trade kickers are common in the NBA.
I think most people just find it distasteful that Hedo's going to get an extra 7.5mm when he's hte one demanding the trade.
Not sure why you don'\t get that? Common. Easily tradeable. Just distasteful.

[KX]

You watched the Dutch team back in the day of Gullit/Van Basten/Rijkaard? That's really impressive and although I wasn't born that time I know what you mean by the pain watching Oranje. By the way one suggestion I think you should support South Africa just because of their nickname - Bafana Bafana

[Hope Caper]

Hey Doug, been a while but have been busy outside as weather permits and getting equipment ready when weather didn't. I was surprised to hear Hedo was looking to leave but in retrospect the "fastfood" mentality of the TO fans probably made it obvious. They seem to have the patience of Job when it comes to hockey and the patience of the 5 minute meal in all other sports. "B C's been here four years and we don't have a championship" really is more of a comment on the fans than BC.
I would have liked to see Hedo work out here and I think he could have. He has many tools which he was not able to make work for him with last year's team but the NBA is not like a lot of other sports in that you can change the entire team in one season. Who is to say that he wouldn't fit in with the next group? Especially if Brian changes the guard situation. Many of the commentors here lament players not wanting to play in TO; does self-fulfilling porphecy ring a bell? If you treat them like dirt, why would they play in TO? To parphrase F Gump when it comes to fans, "bush league is as bush league does".

[Jerry]

Avery may have an attitude that grates on some players but he also is probably the most sucessful coach that Dallas ever had. Maybe what 'grates' on them is that he does not treat them like the spoiled millionaires that they are.

He took a team that was going nowhere because they played zero defense and taught them enough defense to get them to the finals. What have they done since he left?

[Kelsie]

"So do you expand replay to be able to decide whether or not it was a foul that caused the ball to go out of bounds? It’s a tough one."

How about instead of replay in those last mintue situations they simply call the foul?

[Lorie]

Good Morning, Doug. Now, granted "sweeing the nation" is mighty impressive for some in-game blog things, but you are being a tad modest here about the global scope of your own bloggie thingie. (Cue all your Intrepid International Irregulars.) A question: concerning any changes that have occurred in the expanded use of replays, do you know if the league and the players have for the most part been in agreement on increasing the situations where calls can be reviewed? Have they both ultimately been most concerned with "getting it right"?

Blogger's note: Mostly concerned with "getting it right" but they don't want to bog the game down into an entire night of replays; there has to be some balance

[Jerry]

"Now, that play happens at least once in every single game all year and the refs always make the same call: They give the ball to the team on defence, no foul is called, no one complains and the game goes on. Happens every single night."

This is true but why not call the game by the rules of the game. Most people think they also sometimes call a foul only if the ball does not go in. Or that they just 'let them play' when a foul gives no advantage etc. A lot of commentators even aplaud it. They do have a hard enough job , why complicate it by trying to be part of the game themselves.

[Tiger]

Well now, let's see...
You see yourself in a crappy job, you know it will get crappier real soon, and you know some other employer will pay you more to do the same crappy job. But you don't want to be seen as a money grubber, so you dump on your current employer to motivate him to dump you on the other sap.
Makes sense.
Goes a long way to explain the babbling coming out of Turkey, too.

[Peter]

I'm with the other commenters on this one. I understand the trade kicker is common, it just adds to the story to hear that a guy can pretty much demand a trade, and get a raise out of it. I'd love to perform poorly, then demand a change in scenery at my job, and get a 15% raise from it. It may be common in NBA salary negotiations, but it's not common in my world, and therefore it makes for interesting conversation.
Better story then team? This is what makes it so interesting. A star player has a terrible season, and is basically able to give himself a 15% raise. That's not the world that I live in.

[Andrew]

Shouldn't Brian try to get the most for Turkoglu rather than try to accommodate him? Outside of Tyreke Evans... I don't think the Kings have much to offer.

[Tree]

There's no need to change the replay rules. That Rondo play was a clear foul; the refs decided not to call it, but rather award the ball to LA (which would have been the outcome if the foul was called). All that needs to change is for the refs to call the foul! Replay becomes unnecessary, the correct call is made, end of story.

[marc in panama]

Hola Doug,

This has been a horribly officiated series. The need to review simple out of bounds calls that suddenly appear to be beyond the capabilities of the "best refs in major league sports, and the subsequent replay showing Odom getting fouled illustrate how inept these guys are at times. Sure, I get it -- guys miss a call, I have no problem with that, it's part of the game. But watching some of the early calls in the game, and I'm talking the little tickey-tackey stuff that puts cheap fouls on players that significantly then change rotations has had a much greater effect on this series than a blown non-call at the end. The officiating in the NBA needs a complete overhaul. There is far too much variation between the various officials about what should or should not be called. A series should not be dictated because of the "style of game" a ref calls.

The only worst officiating I have seen than those in the NBA was that clown in the ring of the Cotto vs Foreman fight last weekend.

[Ken]

Okay so I'm wondering why can't the NBA have just a clause with the instant replay where if it is clear that a player (player A from team A) loses the ball outta bounds due to a non-called foul (by Player B from team B on Player A), the ball will be call outta bounds on the other team (Team B) and the ball given to Team A?

Is that so hard? it avoids the whole issue of calling missing fouls.

[GDS]

it is being mentioned often but almost as a floating thing... as an insider, in your opinion, how and to what extent is the lock-out perspective actually influencing the negotiations on new long term contracts?

[Tony Montero]

The Kings do have Much too offer. Hedo has a very big Contract that no Team wants , However Sacramento would love to have Hedo back although he is Older , Only this Deal would work in Sacramento if there is a Trade. Noci and Fransico Garcia who is a Leader on the Kings Team and the 33rd pick to sweeten the deal for Hedo and his BIG contract and Derozan and the 13th pick. I really don't see the Kings Giving up there cap space for a Bad Contract. this Deal will work out for both teams , Noci like the Idea Playing for Toronto and Hedo wants to play in Sacramento. but Derozan and the 13th pick has to be included in this Deal. this Deal will work out for Both Teams. Toronto gets Kings 33rd Pick.

[Stu]

You're not sold on Avery and his .735 winning percentage - highest in league history - but you support bringing Triano and his .442 winning percentage back??

Mavs lose 2-0 lead to D Wade and Shaq in the Finals and that's Avery's fault. Raps slide from 5th all the way out of the playoffs, and that's on the players.

Makes sense to me.

[aditya]

Shouldn't Brian try to get the most for Turkoglu rather than try to accommodate him? Outside of Tyreke Evans... I don't think the Kings have much to offer.
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jason thompson my friend....yeah, he's undersized et all....but he can play....interesting roster sacramento has.....

[nate]

there was an article today by Scott Howard-Cooper about the Clippers pick (8th) being in play. If Bosh is leaving, any chance the raps could get involved in that? Or are they committed to not rebuilding even if Bosh is gone?

Blogger's note: If the story's true, I'm sure it'll be on the Raptors radar

[George]

If a deal with Sacramento has to be made, then I would definitely try and get Carl Landry + other peices in return. A little undersized but shows a lot hustle.

[SY]

Must agree with Chris, it's not really about the trade kickers but the way Hedo handles the situation.

He underperformed the entire season. He can blame all he wants but he, himself, should be accountable for most part. He's a public figure and should know better that any words or actions coming from him could lead to serious repercussion (going to a bar after missing a game with a flu and making the Raptors organization in a more fragile state by publicly demanding a trade) yet he's probably getting an extra 7.5 million after the trade......What a sweet deal~ Hedo would probably do better in business than the NBA.

-SY

[GM]

Yup, gotta agree with the others on this. I like Hedo and have not been one to dump on him so this isn't personal. It just seems the spirit of the trade kicker is to help players who get shuffled around by uncaring management. But if the player effectively demands a trade, why should he be rewarded? If anything he should be forfeited 15 percent! Give that money back to the team he's letting down.

[Rapitup]

The biggest problem with replays, in almost any sport, is that you can only use it in limited situations. It should be an all or none concept. ie. any play can be reviewed or no plays reviewed.

The same happens in football. I can grab someones facemask causing a fumble, but the facemask can not be reviewed but the fumble can be.

Football has it half right, where teams get a limited number of reviewable plays (and if they are right they do not lose a challenge). However it should apply to ANYTHING. The same should be done in basketball, baseball etc. Let teams have a limited number of reviews that apply to any situation.

[FPB]

Long time reader and being a Black Stars fanatic (six flags on my car, I kid 2), thanks for rooting with us. Hopefully we won't disappoint. So, with all the "elite" teams in the world cup finals, what made you decided to cheer for Ghana?

Blogger's note: Friend in Accra

[Andrew R]

I agree with the comments above. The trade kicker clause just encourages an athelete who has as much professionalism as a spoiled teenager to cry for a trade. I'm suprised Hedo didn't say he wanted to go to Portland.

[doug]

Hedo's situation is for the team and him to work out, i wish he would stay as he has talent, and is versatile...but i also am a realist and just think maybe its best if he moves on...as if he stays he's just going to get the McCabe, Murphy treatment and be booed for every missed shot, turnover etc and be a scapegoat...but the part that gets me, is some posters on here that think he has no market value and that he has a bad contract....his market value probably in fact increased after Magic were eliminated as his value to that team and how they missed him was magnified....so BC won't be wanting for takers, as hedo has a unique skill-set...., and this "bad contract" stuff is absurd, its a NBA contract, its in the realm of players of his quality and is not a issue, plus there are many teams that have cap space this year....people need to separate the business of the NBA from their world...Hedo will get moved, BC wiill get value, and no the Raps won't have to carry any part of Hedo's contract...