A few little things that are wildly interesting -- honest

All right.

Bryan on Bosh. Since you insist.

I actually got to listen to the now-infamous radio interview – which is far, far, far better than reading any of the interpretations of it because I kind of like to hear the nuance of the words and their context – and I expected, it was far less incendiary that I was led to believe.

The one thing that caught my ear, though, was the suggestion that Bosh was medically cleared to play with the ankle after the all-star break and was more careful coming back than perhaps the team would have liked.

(And, contrary to the Associated Press story that’s on our site right now, that’s the issue, rather than the broken nose-surgery thing at the of the year; at least, that’s how I heard the interview)

I know pain management and recovering from any injury varies from player to player and circumstance to circumstance so I’m not sure there was anything anyone could do except ask every day whether a guy feels good enough to go.

Other than that?

Well, it was no surprise that Bryan thought issues arose around the all-star break, he said that in late February and early March.

And it was no surprise that he made mention of the various moves they made to surround Bosh with different teammates because he talked about that a lot after the season.

What the whole thing was, I think, was a compilation of various issues rolled into one interview at a slow period in the off-season and caused a stir disproportionate to the actual words and news.

That happens a lot.

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Wow.

A trade. That went through.

My, oh my.

How about that?

Anyway, David Andersen is not the answer, I don’t even know if he’ll play an awful lot but it’s a tweak to add some depth at no cost and what’s the harm in that?

Look at it this way: If they get anything out of him, a few minutes here and there; a basket at a key point in one game; some serviceable time if someone ahead of him gets hurt, it’s more than worth it.

Big deal? Heck, no. But a deal nonetheless and, this summer, that’s huge news.

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David Andersen is the third Aussie to be on the Raptors team.

Anyone get the other two?

And no scrolling down, that’s cheating.

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Of course there’s more coming.

It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that Bryan cannot be done yet in his summer moves; I fully expect he’ll find a taker for Jose Calderon – although I’m still not sure that’s the wisest thing to do – and I know he’s been trying to move Reggie Evans, if at all possible.

I don’t know when stuff might happen but I am 100 per cent certain – and this comes from talking to people here and around the league – that more is to be done before we can even think about assessing the summer of activity.

That’s the thing about this time of year. Sure, we can look at each individual deal and wonder if it’s good or bad or somewhere in between (and somewhere in between is pretty much how you can look at everything) but the total package has to be assembled before a full assessment can be made.

And we are certainly not there yet.

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Hey, thanks everyone.

David Andersen played the better part of a decade in Italy, Russia and Spain, he wasn’t born on this continent and he’s only been in the NBA for one season and I don’t think there was one comment that said:

“Arrghhh. Bryan and his @($*!*#^@#%@!* Euros”

Really, thanks.

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Shindig tonight.

Details here.

Be there or be square.

Actually, it might be kind of fun if there are handful of the senior men’s national team players around these are guys you don’t know, hardly see and if you get a chance to stop by and chat, you might find they’re people you’d like to cheer for.

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So, I’m still confused. Is Russia in Europe or Asia?

(Joking, folks. I’m joking).

But you can add geography to the fun stuff we’ve done around here now.

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Once Turk’s little “I’ve got to get myself out of Toronto” diatribe hit the airwaves way back in the day, if you had been told he could be traded for a backup combo guard and a backup big man and be out from under that contract and save about $30 million in long-term money, would you have been okay with it?

Just wondering because that’s pretty much exactly what happened.

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I wouldn’t trade Jose Bautista, by the way, since that seems to be the big sporting topic of the moment. Of course, I would trade him if I got some good prospects and maybe a bench player for him.

How’s that for equivocation?

Seriously, though, doesn’t this whole issue in baseball kind of mirror issues in every sport in so many ways? There are no absolutes, it’s ridiculous to make bold and blanket statements like “trade this guy” or “don’t trade that guy” because none of us knows what offers there are, what other things might come into play and to simply make declarative statements does nothing.

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Mail? I can handle a bit more and since today’s an office day mostly, I might have some to get some answers going.

As always, click here and type to your heart's content.

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Nathan Jawai and Paul Rogers.

They are the other two Aussies.

Rogers, of course, never actually played a game; he was signed as a free agent in February 1999, had a broken foot and was around just for a look-see and then was renounced the following August.

Yes, we are full of odd trivial knowledge in these parts.

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Comments

[Richard]

First, the only person that I would miss more from the Star than yourself (really) is Dave Perkins. It's really tough to see him go. All the best.
Second, Andsersen/Dorsey replacing Rasho...and improvement or not or just pretty much the same?
Third, the more we hear from and about Bosh the more I wonder whether he will get the Vince treatment when he returns to play here. I'm personally on the fence. It's not that Bosh left, but how he's done it. Leaves a bad taste, which is a shame. Absolutely love the comments by former stars, such as Magic's statement that he didn't want to play with Bird; he wanted to beat him.

[Colin W]

With all the post-mortem stuff going on, how much of last year's failure is attributed to the Head Coach and his coddling of players who refused to play consistent defense? I think the team can and will get over losing Bosh but I am far more concerned about Triano as a HC for another year. Nice guy, maybe, but this team needs a coach who will hold players accountable and not make excuses for them.

[Jerry]

Colangelo was talking about the ankle not his nose injury. I have seen nowhere that is stated that it was the nose injury including the link provided in the article.

He did say that Bosh checked out and I don't see how you can gloss over that.

He said "mentally checked out or, you know, just wasn't quite into it down the stretch, he wasn't the same guy. And I think everybody saw that, just no one wanted to acknowledge it."

He also clearly stated that Bosh was medically cleared to play and choose to sit for 6 more games. This was at a time that the team was fighting for a playoff spot.

Colangelo is a lot more subtle than Dan Gilbert in his wording , leaving room for those that do not want to believe it to interpret it however they please but there is no mistaking what he said.

[Arad]

wasn't sean marks aussie as well?

Blogger's note: Nope, Kiwi

[d]

I have never been a fan of all of these trades that people post on here, but the Dunleavy/Ford for Jose/Banks/Evans is one I like for sure.

Dunleavy is a baller, a dead eye shooter and I think if removed from Indiana, he would be ultra motivated to perform well knowing the next contract he signs will be his biggest and last.

If the Raps cannot use the TPE this summer, then player for player swaps is about all they can do. Removing three to add two sounds great to me. Opens up a roster spot, keep Dorsey, and if TJ brings anything to the table, that is a benefit.

I am not convinced that the Raps will even be able to use the TPE as you have to think what team will give up a QUALITY player just for cap relief? Sure we could get a dud with a bloated contract, but is that what we need. And no, Iggy is not a viable option, so lets all drop it. Iggy is not a star, just another bad Philly contract a la Dalembert(since traded) and Brand.

The above trade does zero harm to the Raps, provides flexibility moving forward and gives us a guy who plays three positions. How can that be bad?

[meductic]

Always admired Bosh, and no one knows what Coangelo deals with working for MLSE. Obviously maximizing teacher's pension returns is not something every fan considers when talking about his record. However lets just say one more time that neither party appears to have distinguished themselves during this affair and Coangelo has been in the business long enough that he should have known the effect of his words. Each had a chance to be somewhat dignified, both came out of this looking worse...

[raptorman]

He is Austrailian NOT Euro, damn get a clue all of ya

[Striker 77]

I cant believe that I just read two comments about TJ Ford coming back to Toronto as a good thing... Seriously... You guys would rather have that injury prone, shoot first, all about me pg rather than a team player like Jose? Yikes...I know his contract is big, but come on...

[Andre]

Sooo im looking forward to next years draft.. why dont we follow the best players and see how they fair, since we will get 3rd or 4th pick. This team is horrid. maybe as bad as the Knicks last year.... Whats next? nothing... David Anderson? LOL wow...

[pk]

@Jim-Boy
Dunlevy doesn't play 4.. not to mention the 5!
The guy is like 6-7 and 200 pds!
I could see him maybe compete at the 3 spot with Weems but why get in the way of Weems development.
And TJ? The guy left because he couldn't share the lime light with an unselfish guy like Jose, now you are asking him to share it with a locker room leader JJ? (Btw, they've played with each other before, and worked out horribly from what I remember).

[Dave]

I can't stand when people reference the teacher's pension fund. If you really think this is the reason for the Raptors' poor performance as a franchise then you are seriously ill informed. MLSE was willing to go over the luxury to keep bosh. There's never been a time in history the Raptors have had a reason to go over and didn't do so because of the higher ups at MLSE. This team is flawed for a plethora of other, far more complex, reasons.

[Johnn19]

Forget TJ Ford that ship has sailed, never to return.

[R. B.]

@Jim-Boy
TJ?? Really?? Have you forgotten how "willing" he was to be a back-up last time he was here?

@Striker 77
I agree with you. Every player has good/bad years and their flaws. It just seems when someone is not performing @ a level that's expected by the fans, the criticism starts to flow. I know he's not a great defender by any means but the guy is what a point guard should be - he always looks to pass first and can actually shoot a high % from the floor.

And Doug - thanks for you daily blog, starts my "work" day on a good note :)

[pain777pas]

@main

Exactly! I wanted to mention that before and you hit it on the head. He did not comeback to further evaluate the team and from what he gathered and anyone that covered the team they were bad on every front where he had influence. Inside scoring only from Amir Jose and Jack keeping the game alive at the end and hope for a big three or chance block from Andrea. The same formula this year aswell really. I think that Bosh can score in almost everyway. The only big men I put infront of Bosh RIGHT NOW are Howard and Gasol. I would like to note that the head to head with Bosh for those two are not bad at all either so Miami has a slim chance of beating LA in my opinion but I digress Boston and Orlando are poised for the finals aswell.

[Jack]

It's gonna be Colangelo's last year here. Hopefully, the guy who will replace him will get rid of his biggest mistake, Bargnani.

[Dave]

Doug,

You mentioned that you should run far away from Okafor's ugly contract. Part of me agrees. But if you have that attitude toward's those contracts in general, what exactly are you going to get with the TPE then? Okafor is still a useful player and fills a need for Toronto.

I don't understand what you expect the TPE to obtain other than a contract just like Okafor's.

Blogger's note: You're going to find a better player with fewer than four years left on his deal is what you're going to find.

[GM]

Re: Okafor's ugly contract. I'm reaching the conclusion that there is no such thing. Has there ever in the history of the game been a player who was untradeable because of his contract? It seems no matter how bad it is, teams always are able to get rid of them if they don't work out. Case in point: Turkoglu, Jermaine O'Neal, Marion. Everyone was fretting about their albatross of a contract, and all three were exchanged. So I say just get the player you think can help no matter what the contract is, so long as it doesn't hurt you in the upcoming season by not allowing you to get anyone else.

[George]

"You're going to find a better player with fewer than four years left on his deal is what you're going to find."

Sounds like something is about to happen that's going to blow our minds away.

[ed]

i don't get why people think colangelo was in anyway 'classless' in his comments. they were a very professional relaying of a TRUTH (bosh could have played but wouldn't) that i'm sure bosh would have liked to have kept hidden. he wasn't injured anymore, but wouldn't take to the floor. that's something we deserve to know as fans, and i'm glad colangelo let that out. he owes bosh no secrecy on a matter of that nature, especially when he's spouting off cliches to anyone who'll listen in miami that he's 'all about winning' and 'gives everything he has.' clearly, he's a hypocrite and a liar and colangelo, quite rightly, wasn't going to let bosh hang himself on the cross so sanctimoniously. colangelo hasn't had much luck yet, but you can't deny the guy is brilliant. i'm all for extending him ASAP.

[Matthew]

You people make me sick! SICK! SICK SICK SICK!! I do not understand the man-hate all of u have for Bargs. Oh wait i do understad it. ur all a bunch of band-wagon internet trolls.

Dirk Nowitzki, another 7 foot PF/C/SF that u trolls would love to have on the Raps averaged 8 pts, 3 rebs and 1 ast per game in his rookie year. he shot 40% FG, 20% 3pt, 77%FT. He played 20 minutes per game.

Bargnani's rookie numbers were 11 pts, 4 rebs, 0.8 ast. 42% FG, 37% 3pt, 82%FT. he played 25 minutes per.

Dirk's 2nd year his production doubled to17.5 pts 6.5 Rebs 3.5 ast. he shot 46% FG, 38% 3pt, 83% Ft. his minutes also went up to 35 per game.

Bargs second year were the same as his Rookie year but he played less minutes per game at 23. Look at last year. He played 35 minutes averaged 17 pts, 6 Rebs, 1 ast, 47% FG, 37% 3pt, 77% FG. Dirk's career numbers are 22.9, 8 rebs, 2.7 ast and he his the main scoring option for his team. Bargs wasnt but he is now. he obviously showed with more minutes he can produce. ITS CALLED DEVELOPMENT! he is already approaching Dirk's numbers going into his 5th year. sure its taken longer but we had Bosh here PLUS DIRK HAD STEVE NASH. You people are so close to dismiss Bargs as a no good bust like he is michael olowokandi, Sam Bowie,or Kwame brown. If this were the leafs you guys would love him not because of his skill but becasue Toronto fans (see Leaf fans) worship sub-par talent of north american player (Tucker, Corson, Domi) but totally Shit on legitimately skilled Euro guys like Bargs and Sundin who you gave no chance. Proof? When Reggie Evans got here you guys were all over his nuts during pre-season games in LONDON ONTARIO but he did 2 things the rest of the year jack and shit.

This post is so long that nobody will read it but man someone said Bargs was BC's biggest mistake and i lost it. Fans like you don't deserve a good Basketball team. you desearve a mediocre team with hard-working somewhat skill players born in North America who are to forever be regulated to 8th seed at best. Oh by the way they also play at the ACC. They just wear BLUE.

[Matthew]

@ ED Thank you! Its like when Vince Carter admitted that when he was here there were times that he just wasn't trying. We all hate him for saying that but we are glad that we know it. I'm also glad to know that Bosh could've played but didn't we missed the playoffs by one game and he voluntarily sat out six games. he has nobody to blame but himself for missing the playoffs last season. if he wanted in he could manned up and played but he didnt. he vince cartered himself. Want a telling fact? most sports "experts" project the raptors WITHOUT BOSH to have the same record or have about 10 more losses thats it. Cleavland on the other hand is projected to be worse off than toronto despite having all star still in Jamison and Mo williams.

[Matthew]

AND WE STILL HAVE A $14.5 MILLION TRADE EXCEPTION!!!!

[doug]

a variable in the Bautista trading....(and it better be a good dam good, no wait over the top deal)...is his relationship with Escobar and how close they how become, that kid (Escobar) is a player, that play he made the other night is why I love to watch sports, just a talented gifted player....in Atlanta it seems Escobar had no one close and had retreated into a shell, and into Cox's doghouse(not hard to do)...he was pouting and disinterested so to get Escobar over the top and settled in he needs Bautista around.......in regards to BC I heard the interview and i sensed BC's frustration in that Bosh was cleared to play but chose to sit out 6 more games and wasn't in shape when he came back..I can understand that because as a GM, coach, or more importantly a fellow player if i knew a player was medically cleared to resume playing, and the team was fighting for its playoff life, but said player "chose" to sit longer I'd be pissed and there is where the team needed a shake-up of it's chemistry....as it can't be the GM or coach that confronts the player it has to be a fellow player....especially when the player is/was your so-called leader...so to me that is where I sensed BC's anger and it's still there, and rightfully so...

[Yama F]

Hi Doug,
I did not “Arrghhh. Bryan and his @($*!*#^@#%@!* Euros” because the guy is irrelevant. I already did that with Kleiza.

[Humberto]

Hi Doug,

Great work as always, hope you enjoy your weekend. I would like to hear your opinion about the following. I believe that commercialization of the Raptors franchise has fallen short up to now. I understand that Maple Leaf trademark is difficult to sell in other cities, due to the presence of NHL teams but for being the only Canadian NBA team I sense that the market has not been exploited adequately for the Raptors. Obviously we need to remember the Grizzlies but they have been out for a while and with the Raptors being around more than 10 years now I don't see fans growing, for example, let say in Quebec, not even mention further away. I think MLSE has implemented the same strategy than with the Maple Leafs and not looking further but I believe that increasing jerseys sales, TV commercials, news, etc around Canada would be more attractive for any player, franquise in particular and also good for the team and the sport in this country. Your thoughts?