With little going on, we're back to some of this and some of that

Okay, with an absolute dearth of Raptors news in the last 24 hours and the NBA Finals stuff on the agenda to carry us through Thursday morning, let’s bounce around a wee bit.

If you have to get a fix of workout tidbits, I’m told that Wednesday, while I was off writing golf and urban planning (yes, entirely delightful except for the part where I didn’t get to hit a ball), the No. 13 pick was not in the practice gym. Not even close.

Anyway …

-

I’m clicking around the dial after a very boring night of TV (Law and Order SVU was a repeat; Jaclyn Smith was the ex-cop murderer of the wife of a grossly-disfigured former mattress salesman when it looked like Ann-Margret did it) and, lo and behold, what do I find?

A basketball game at Key Arena in Seattle, the Storm vs. the Atlanta Dream in a WNBA tilt. Did my heart proud to see a game in that gym and re-affirmed how much I miss the city, just thinking about being there.

Anyway, my points? Well, I’ve always been in search of a team to support, right? It’s almost too easy to like the Red Sox, the World Cup only comes around every four years and while I quite enjoy the Black Stars, I fear for their future in a Michael Essien-free tournament and I know England will disappoint me somehow and Spain’s too much of a favourite and the Dutch have killed me over the years. So …

I think I may now be a Storm fan. Really.

Sue Bird’s great, I’ve seen enough Opals games over the years to know that Lauren Jackson’s one of the best players on the planet and I figure any franchise that’s keeping basketball alive in Seattle is worthy of support. Besides, it used to be the New York Liberty that caught my attention but when they whacked coach Patty Coyle (the sister of a friend) I kind of lost interest.

So, despite the fact they wear ‘Bing’ on their jerseys, I’m now all about the Storm.

Now, as I was watching a bit of that game, it struck me that a West Coast Irregular once asked me why I didn’t mind WNBA basketball, given my oft-state point that men’s college basketball is virtually unwatchable for a guy who sees the NBA game as the best there is. Why, he asked, could I like the women’s game when it’s at such a low, comparative calibre.

Not sure I ever gave a satisfactory answer, so I will now.

The WNBA, while not men’s basketball, is the pinnacle of the sport for women, the most depth, most talent, best athletes.

Quite aside from the fact I think young girls need role models of the same gender, I appreciate watching the best athletes play any sport. It’s not political correctness or a desire to tilt at windmills around here where the sport is given short shrift; it’s that the game played by the best is fun to watch.

Go, Storm!

-

Just a note to those who are proponents of “blowing up” the Raptors this year.

Let’s say Bosh leaves and they can deal Hedo and Antoine Wright goes and they move a point guard and Rasho and Patrick O’Bryant are done and they add the 13th draft pick.

How’s the prospect of seven new players make you feel? That’s, of course, if all the free-agent departures are one-for-one sign-and-trades and any transactions aren’t multi-purpose.

We’ll talk about this more as the moves are made but that’s pretty much “blowing up” a roster, isn’t it?

Oh, and I’m putting the over-and-under at the third practice of training camp when someone says, “it’s going to take time to integrate all these new guys” and pardon us all if we roll our eyes.

-

Digression time:

It’s about 7:15 a.m. where I am as I type this and Super Son is wandering around the house warbling Peter, Paul and Mary’s classic Puff, The Magic Dragon for some reason known only to his 13-year-old mind.

Yes, he knows what the lyrics are actually about, he informs me, and, let me tell you this: As a singer, he makes a wonderful saxophonist.

Anyway, at least he’s not doing his Angus Young imitation, which is quite, um, interesting

We now return you to your regularly-scheduled stuff.

-

First call for mail, which can be sent simply by clicking here and depositing a letter in the slot, so to speak. With a relatively quiet weekend ahead (which is exactly what I said a week ago before the whole Hedo Does Local TV thing happened) I’m hoping to get back to the usual Saturday-normal-stuff-Sunday-morning-mailbag schedule that’s served us so well lo all these years we’ve been friends.

-

I know Henry Thomas, agent to Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade among others, keeps poo-pooing this whole notion of a calling whatever meeting occurs between the big shot free agents this summer a “summit.”

He was on record again yesterday saying the four or five of them would not get together in a room to formally decide the fate and immediate futures of half a dozen franchises.

But, I tell ya, if we hear that the players are going to meet in Yalta, we’ve got ourselves a story.

-

Some international news of note to pass on.

As you recall, it’s been mentioned here that Canada’s senior men’s team was putting together a handful of summer “home” games, one out in Vancouver and a couple here in Toronto.

Well, details are about finalized and there’s a big shindig Thursday afternoon to tell us about them. Wonder if they’ll find a way to get some home games for the women, too.

Oh, and I read with great interest the news yesterday that Pau Gasol is taking the world’s off on advice of his doctors, who say he needs rest. It probably won’t mean a thing to Canada, even though they are in the same group as the Spaniards, who remain deep and exponentially better.

Now, the next point’s a little old but then so am I so who really cares.

There was a story on the FIBA clearinghouse website late last week about Jose Calderon and how pumped he was about playing in Turkey for his country after taking last summer off.

“I am going to Turkey with a lot of enthusiasm. I hope we can compete for the gold medal, although I am sure that if we continue on this path, we can reach the final.”

Oh yeah, the last paragraph of that story lets us know that Jose and his wife, Ana, are the proud parents of baby boy Manuel.

Very cool.

-

No workouts for the Raptors today, by the way. They’ll resume festivities Thursday and will also hold a little media chinwag with P.J. so we can ask him all about his new gig.

-

Comments

[Peter]

If Super Son's friends read this blog... you've got a long evening ahead of you. :)

[MC_Brad]

I'll take the under in a heartbeat on that one.

[KX]

If you need a team to root for the World Cup I say Brazil. They've won the last two World Cups not held in Europe. Or the host South Africa, they'll probably do some wonder with the crowd behind them

[Jarrod]

I've been a Storm fan for years - before they won the title. I was sure last year, by adding Swoopes (sure, aging, but still great) and Griffith that they were a lock to do it again. Apparently not.

If you haven't watched them in a while, keep your eye on the skill and decision-making of Sue Bird. She seems to always know when to shoot and when to pass. She's not a flashy passer like others (in either league), but, if I had to compare to to an NBA point, I'd say she's very much a Deron Williams-type or perhaps Mark Jackson's brain inside Mo Williams' body - smart, but quick with a good outside shot.

Though Jackson is great (the MVP) and brings skill and rugged toughness to the paint, It's Bird who makes the team a winner. They may not win it this year (look to a repeat of last year's finals), but they'll be fun to watch.

Good choice!

[Andrew]

This may sound like an obvious question, but you know how paranoid we are. If James resigns in Cleveland like he's been hinting at recently, Wade resigns in Miami like he's been saying all year... Toronto has to be at the top of Bosh's list, no?

[Andrew]

Hey Doug, quick question. I recognise that it could be viewed as "sticking it to the man", but do you think, in light of recent comments, that the Raptors might try and prevent Hedo from playing in the worlds? If they are going to shop him around, wouldn't it be in the team's best interest to keep him healthy? I'm really sick and tired of million dollar athletes publicly throwing their franchise under the bus. So, it would please me to no end to take away Hedo's opportunity to play in the worlds at home. Can you give us an over/under of this happening? Thanks!

Blogger's note: Zero. Teams can "recommend" but not deny and there is no way he doesn't play at home

[Peter]

I just read this quote on ESPN about the Larry King interview with Lebron.
"They've got some really good players. Some really nice, solid pieces that, if they add a free agent here or a free agent there, it could be a really good team. It's a great city. But at the same time, it's not always about the city. It's about winning. If you put me and Bosh on the same team, if you put me and Dwyane Wade on the same team, a lot of teams would be much better. You know, the Cavs would be much better."
With all of the fines going around the league, for obscure statements, I was just curious about two things; 1) can a player be disciplined for tampering, and 2) With Lebron still being under contract in Cleveland, and Bosh under contract in Toronto, could that be considered tampering?
It seems to me that a person under contract to one team, speculating about another person joining him, and would "Make the Cav's much better", if it wasn't players talking, I'd think that's tampering. Can you clarify the rules for us?

[Mkut]

I think the point people are making with regards to blowing up the team, is not to do sign and trades for marginal players (i.e. David Lee) and continue on in this mediocre manner. What people want is cap space, and picks so we can start the rebuild. We saw it with the Jays and the Leafs, putting band aids over gaping wounds is never going to heal anything!

[Marius]

Great blog Doug! First thing I read in the sports section every morning.
What happened with the Raptor's second round draft pick from last year (I think!) Georgios Printezis? Did they monitor him over the last year? Will they invite him to summer league or camp this year?
Keep the good work!

Blogger's note: They monitored him, there are no plans to invite him anywhere.

[Lavi]

Doug, I hope you never retire! Your Super Son stuff is gold!

[Michel G]

Two things I like about the WNBA: 1) When they give a hard foul, the girls just get up off the floor like it's nothing to worry about. Rarely is there any posturing. 2) Watching Becky Hammon dribbling around everybody and finish at the rim or pull up for a jumper. She not fast, she can't jump, and she's short, but she can play basketball.

[Lyndon]

I'm not sure if you think the "Puff" song lyrics are drug related, but they aren't. It's an urban myth.

[Marius]

Back to my Printezis question. Basically this was a wasted pick since they are not going to invite him anywhere. Is there a way they could trade his rights for somebody else? Were there other picks in the Raptors' history that have not been used at all?
Thanks again!

Blogger's note: He was, what, the 58th pick in a 60-pick draft? Huge crapshoot to begin with, they hold his rights in perpetuity so who knows what the future holds. But his rights have absolutely no financial value on the market.

[Vincent Lam]

Hey Doug, I hate being a stickler but my analytical brain can't let this go. Your math is wrong when you mention the seven new players coming on with the Raptors. I guess the assumption is a new player will fill in every spot left vacant by players leaving. There are fifteen players on the roster and you removed six people: Bosh, Hedo, a point, Wright, PO and Rasho. The draft pick is an addition to the roster so he could possibly take a spot left vacant by one of the six players. His addition does not require another subtraction.

I'm sure you can argue that Amir Johnson is the seventh as he is a free agent (though it seems they want him back). Your point came across clearly, I just had to get that off my chest.

[Boko]

If the majority of the players being replaced are the bottom 7, I don't consider that 'blowing up the team'. I think that 6 of the 8-man rotation will be back. Since they need help with D, that's OK with me!

[doug]

I once heard Burton Cummings state in a interview that American Woman wasn't a anti-american song...i just shook my head, as he has to do what he has to do to pay the bills nowadays and tour....we all know what American woman was all about, the same way we all know what Puff the Magic Dragon is all about...so the true meaning of the song being a unrban legend is in itself a urban legend...

I quit cheering for any team years ago in pro sports, I like the raptors and this years Blue Jays are growing on me but I am just a sports fan....i was passionate about the Expos, i lived and breathed there every move, went to the Big Owe, watched Monday and Schmidt destroy dreams in person...when that team died and left I just quit caring anymore about a team that way...its when it all sunk in sports is a business, just ask Sonic fans, Browns fans, Rams fans, etc,etc...now i watch from afar and in fact i am a better fan then i ever was, and appreciate the athletes, their athleticism more then ever as its unbiased....players don't throw teams under the bus, maybe the odd case, its mostly owners that throw fans under the bus....

[Dave M]

Doug,

I'm a little surprised that Hedo's agent appears to be mum on the current situation. I can understand the Raptors being quiet but thought we might have some clarity or claims of being misquoted coming from his agent.

[GM]

Thanks for answering the NCAA vs WNBA question. Your answer makes sense. Personally, I enjoy any level of basketball, from elementary school on up. I just don't always have the time to indulge. So I don't actively follow either the WNBA or NCAA but can enjoy them when I see them. I've been meaning to drive down and watch a Storm game, and I will one of these days.

Blogger's note: Ah, the West Coast Irregular. Sorry I couldn't be more in-depth earlier. Cheers.

[plk]

I'd just like to suggest that it might be a tad irrelevant as to whether James, Wade, Bosh et. al. actually "meet together in a room" somewhere. It's 2010, after all, and there are are sorts of ways that these guys could meet together without actually having to be in the same room as one another. Why would this be a "story" any more than, say, these guys getting together by Skype or videoconference?

[J]

Marius:

If you don't count hindsight, Printezis wasn't a wasted pick. Considering most 2nd rounders don't make it in the NBA, teams can either add guaranteed dollars to the payroll while wasting a roster spot on a non-contributing player, or they can pick someone they can stash in Europe until ready. If you remember, Slokar stayed an extra season in Europe, and Ukic three extra seasons, before joining the Raptors. It's a pretty good deal, not losing roster flexibility while someone else spends their time and money on your player's development, and sometimes, like in the case of Marc Gasol and Matt Bonner, it works out. It's either that or draft someone like P.J. Tucker, only to lose his rights mid-season.

Since you asked, DeeAndre Hulett (2000, 46th overall) is the only second rounder off the top of my head that I don't remember us ever using in any capacity. Tucker, Slokar, Ukic, Sow, and King all played briefly for the team, while Remon Van de Hare and Tyson Wheeler are two picks that we later traded away in other deals. A bit of weird trivia: we acquired Printezis from the Spurs for a future 2nd round pick, which the Spurs used on none other than Suns point guard Dragic.

[Rob.V]

Late, but re: the PJ singning. It has got to be a good move on many levels. He obviously comes to the team with experience, and appears to be a polar opposite of Triano and Iavoroni's personalities.

But the big thing here is that should anything go wrong, discipline not be handed out, or the Raptors once again underachieve?... Colangelo already has an experienced new coach (on the cheap) waiting in the wings so that it's an easy transition for everyone involved.

Now, we need to find more grit!!

BC (if you're reading)... If we could marry this signing with just one player, just ONE guy... willing to, um..."choke" PJ... then we're on the right track.

Seriously, just one guy who's willing to get in another guys grill (if necessary)... to set the tone for how things are going to work around here.

Man, I miss Oak and (even though he annoyed me with his) "yes I'll take all of Toronto's money.. then 2 minutes later... I can't have my kids go to school in Canada", Antonio Davis.

I havent watched a lot of WNBA however from what I have seen, it's vey much a "team" game and the women have yet to try to show up the game itself which is wonderful to see. The game appears to be played simply for the "love of"... and that's refreshing in any Spot these days.

[CARLoS M.]

Great points about the WNBA! I've often made the same argument about FIFA Women's soccer. Hard tackles, rare instances of diving, & fun to watch! Don't get me wrong, the talent of the men is sublime and I eagerly anticipate the World Cup but often I wish the men played through the rough stuff... like the women do.

[chris]

Doug....i've always wondered, what don't you like about mens college basketball? They may not be the best players in the world, but most games have more enthusiasm than you see in a regular season NBA game, and its definitely a more physical game. Isn't it at least a little entertaining to see players really competing....even if they're not all world class athletes/players.

[Thane]

Doug, I get what you're saying about the WNBA, but couldn't the same be said of the NCAA? (ie that it's the pinacle of basketball for boys 18-21 - if you sub-divide a category (people) long enough, you'll find a pinacle for every group).

[Lorie]

What??? There is a "subliminal message" in the words to "Puff"? Holy Crap! I sang that one as lullabye to my kids night after night for years. Was I planting seeds of future rebellious deeds in their innocent little minds??? Nah, you're kidding, right? All you wacky conspiracy theorists! Next you'll be trying to tell me that the words to another one of our bedtime favourites, "Lucy in The Sky With Diamonds" contain a hidden, darker meaning. C'mon guys -sometimes a cigar is just a cigar. :)