An old friend comes back and another one leaves -- sort of

You never know what you’ll find out when you hang around a saloon for a while.

During the very cool Canada Basketball bun-toss and chinwag Thursday night, this little nugget was passed my way.

JT’s coming back.

That’d be Jim Todd, one of the all-time favourite Raptors assistants, and now he’s going to be working with Leo Rautins on the national team staff.

Michael Malone isn’t returning – he’s got a new gig in New Orleans he has to worry about – so the folks were trying to figure out where to find a replacement and they hit a homer, I think, with Jim.

He knows the game inside and out, he’s a great communicator and, let’s face it, working all those years with Sam has to have shown him how do deal with diverse personalities.

Not sure when the official announcement will come – the team starts assembling here on Monday – but it’ll be nice to see an old face when they start serious workouts on Wednesday.

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Okay, a digression but I don’t care.

The Canadian newspaper business – and our little part of it in particular – is worse off today.

Dave Perkins, or Perk as he’s known to all and sundry, snuck out the back door at the end of Thursday, bringing the curtain down on an extraordinary career.

Now, he’ll still be around a bit – the tall foreheads at our place got it right and he’ll be an occasional contributor in his quasi-retirement – but his days as the full-time conscience of our department are over.

Perk’s a classic, and a giant. He’s been scribbling at our place for about 33 years, I think he said, and he’s done it all.

I’ve had the honour of working alongside him an awful lot, we walked the Great Wall of China, check out the Acropolis, saw Sydney Harbour and did sushi in Nagano and been in a whole bunch of North American cities.

If you think he tells a good story in print, you should have the privilege of sitting in a big old rental car smoking a foot-long cigar as he conducts his driving tour of New York City, which is a must for any young kid lucky enough to be there with him.

“Albert Anastasia got shot over there. This is where this other mobster got whacked. There’s where Lennon got it. That’s the greatest sportswriter bar in the world.”

He is a raconteur beyond compare.

Here’s the thing about guys like Perk. There aren’t enough of them left. I don’t think we’ve got one in this city, I can’t imagine there’s one like him anywhere else in Canada and the way our business is going, I’m not sure anyone can elevate themselves to his class.

Now, he’s a tad crusty and if someone sees this and points it out to him, he’ll probably be a bit miffed but, truth be told, our business lost a giant and it sucks.

You readers were better off for having Perk in your life and that’s about the greatest thing you can say about a typist in this gig.

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Anyway …

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I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention this since it’ll probably evoke some questions.

Chris Bosh went on TV and said he didn’t check out and played hard.

Yawn.

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Oh, one last shot at the mail. The plan is for me to get at least one morning off this weekend; not sure which one but I’d like to have the mail almost ready in case I want to do it tomorrow and shut it down for Sunday.

So click here, say hi, bring your best stuff.

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Hey, I read that Chicago’s interest in Tracy McGrady is waning after he stopped by for a workout and an interview.

Wonder if he’ll be on Toronto’s radar now?

(I keed, I keed).

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Oh, right, the Raptors.

They didn’t do anything yesterday, Bryan was at league meetings in New York, I understand, and it was a quiet day around the office.

Just keeping you up to date.

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Actually, one little thing but I couldn’t nail much information down.

I do think there’s a chance they’ll add some kind of assistant to the staff, not necessarily a senior guy to replace Mark Iavaroni but there is some interest in another basketball development kind of guy.

No rush, of course, and no names at the moment.

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Speaking of coaches, big weekend ahead for Jay.

He’s just come off a week with the USA senior team – he was at its Vegas camp helping out – and now it’s off to Dakar, Senegal, for the NBA’s Basketball Without Borders program.

Jay and Masai Ujiri are part of the contingent that works with promising young African players on skill development at the camp.

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Okay, another day, another drive down the QEW and another day of ‘not sure when I’ll get back here but I will’ scheduling.

See ya.

Comments

[ed]

how telling is it that bosh directs attention to the name "on the back of the jersey." jack armstrong of course knows it's about the one on the front. more and more i'm glad this man-child is gone.

young gunz are going to be a great story in the nba this season. it'll be exciting ball to watch and if they can exceed expectations even a little we might have an inspiring run/chase for a playoff spot. wouldn't it be nice to be chasing a playoff spot nobody thought we could get, rather than always feeling like we're losing the one we were supposed to have? those are two different 8th spot stories entirely, and would make being out of the lottery worth it.

[Joe]

Hi Doug,

Thanks for the update on Jim Todd. That's great news. I wish he'd come back to the Raptors. I thought he was an excellent assistant and really helped players like Bosh develop.

Most interesting part of the Bosh TV interview, thanking Tannebaum for being a great owner at the end. Little shot at BC, I imagine. Honestly, I think some TV station should have a sitdown between Bosh and Colangelo and Dan Gilbert and James. You could call it "The Confessions" and let them at it once and for all. Would make for great TV.

Lost in all the shuffles this summer is Bellinelli. Is there a spot for him still on this team?

[Nik]

ESPN.com removes article on James in Las Vegas
http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=ap-espn-james

Original article:
http://img821.imageshack.us/f/bloglebronespn.jpg/

[PeterK]

I'm just missing a puzzle here; why are you going down to Niagara like everyday? Something going on?

Blogger's note: Family stuff and there's no wireless where I am a big chunk of days so that's why comments get posted more slowly this week.

[Pete]

Doug I agree that Perk will be missed. However I have to say that it's "grunts" such as yourself that are picking up the slack. Although I won't classify you as crusty (yet?), your wit, knowledge and humour is what makes this little corner of the internet the gem that it is.
Dont' sell yourself short, when (if?) you retire some young guys will be writing the same thing about your abilities!

[CA1]

From Hoopshype.com, an interview with Bargs.....

"In which areas do you think you will have to step up the most this season?
AB: I gotta continue to get better on the rebounding and the low post."

See? He knows he needs to be better, and he's working on it. Any chance we can put the Andrea bashing to bed? What's that? Jose's defence is what? *sigh*

[Matthew]

Hey Doug, Where does David Stern rate on the list of Sport Commissioners who are "Not to be F***ed with" Just wonering how much influence he can have over Lebron's poor decisions of late

[Derek]

In Bosh's latest interview, he now states that he hadn't made up his mind to leave before the end of the season, and that it was "the hardest decision he ever had to make". That seems a stark contradiction to the comment he let slip shortly after signing in Miami, when he commented that he, Wade and Lebron had been talking about the possibility of playing together for months.

In my humble opinion, everything he said in that interview was PR driven crap. His goal - he said it himself at the end of the interview "fans - please don't boo me when I come to Toronto".

Don't get me wrong, I think Bosh played hard in his time in Toronto, and the Raps probably could have done a better job of putting better players around him. That being said - I think either Lebron or Wade could've dragged the Raps into the playoffs with the same talent around them that Bosh had.

I also don't have an issue with Bosh being "cautious" at the end of last season. Sure, as a fan I wanted him to play. But if I put myself in his shoes, he had no contract beyond the end of last season, and if he'd more seriously aggravated his injury, he could've potentially put himself in a situation to lose a small fortune.

I don't blame him for being cautious - but don't look me in the face and try to tell me that you were doing otherwise. Similarly, don't tell me you hadn't already decided to leave when you clearly had (based on your own comments).

I've said all along that I wouldn't boo Bosh on his return, but rather would cheer for the Raps players we have on the floor. That is still the case, but the more Bosh talks, the more I can empathize with the other Toronto fans who do decide to boo Chris.

[Andy]

Bring back Jim Todd to the Raptors! His halftime interviews were priceless!

[Robert]

Dave Perkins! Wow -- He's the best writer that the The Star sports has (you're a close second, Mr. Smith). I hope his contributions are as frequent as he would like.

[GM]

Does anyone else think it's odd that coaches can coach other national teams if they're not citizens of that country? I know they're not playing, but they can and do affect the outcome. Or is it just a job to them? Would Triano feel good if his American team beat the Canadian team in a medal round (not that it would ever get that far, but this is hypothetical)? I hate to get all nationalistic, because I'm not, but it's the Olympics (or World Championships or whatever) and the team represents the country. And a coach is part of the team. Just seem inconsistent.

[chris]

I really don't like how he made his exit, but i think its pretty silly for us to question his effort. Bosh was usually our hardest working player. Pretty nice when he's also our most talented. It was sad to see him kill himself every night and guys like Bargnani slouch around barely sweating.

Don't like HOW he left, but if i'm Bosh i would have left as well.

[Matt M]

Another development coach? I vote for Oakley. I also vote Oakley give all of the halftime interviews from here on in. Make it happen Bryan

[Chris]

This is the first offseason in a few years that I have not been excited for training camp to start. Yes it is going to be a developmental year, but every player that develops here goes on to want to play somewhere else in their prime. So what should we be looking forward to?

[doug]

is the roster picture for canada getting any clearer?

still only rautins and anthony confirmed?

Thanks!

[dee from sauga]

Hey Doug,

Read in The Star today about Sportsnet 1 picking up the Raptor games that used to be on the CBC and my fave, The Score. Sucks. It seems like we'll never be able to watch all the Raptor games unless we pay for these useless channels...we already went through one season dealing with the TSN 2 and Rogers lockout preventing Rogers customers from seeing those games in our home. Now we'll have to deal with not seeing some games unless we buy this premium channel, which promises more content showing random sports leagues that I care nothing about. Why can't one Canadian network, like The Score retain the rights to all the games? Or heres a crazy thought, why can't Raptors Tv show all the games? It's Raptors Tv for godsake! It's getting more and more frustrating to enjoy watching our beloved Raptors...good platinum or gold seats are expensive, now we won't even be able to enjoy most games in the comforts of our own home. I'm leaning to watching more games on the Laptop either with splitting LeaguePass with some people or looking up those free streaming sites. Can you give us word which games will be on the new Sportsnet 1 channel so we can prepare a meal at a local bar when the schedules are announced?

Thanks,

Disgruntled Viewer!!

[HopeCaper]

Hey Doug,
Good stuff on JT. I was sorry to see him leave before as he seems to be a calm guy and you can never have too many of them. BC and Bosh interviews didn't do anything to change my mind or take on the big guy leaving. I wish CB all the best and I wish it had worked out in TO. He was a grreat player for the Raps. I understand BC's speculating on Bosh in the second half but he was the first to say it was speculation and the first to say injuries aren't planned. I don't blame Bosh for not playing before he was ready. He is a veteran player who knows his body by now.
As for composition of the Raps I think Weems can make the 3 but not sure who can take the 4. Do you see Amir being able to step in there?
I agree with you, JC hopefully remains the PG. They will need his floor generalship on the offence. I also think he had an off year last year and we will see him step up again this year.

[Mike S]

I don't understand the philosophy of "letting the young guys develop." Develop into what? Are we expecting Sonny Weems to become an allstar? Is DeMar going to average 20 per game?
Beyond that, why can't Colangelo acquire some kind of blue chip player? For instance, Al Jefferson went to Utah in exchange for a breakfast burrito. We didn't have someone better than Kostas Koufos?
It just seems like Raptors management (and fanbase) has slipped into an inferiority complex after watching Bosh, TMac, Vince etc leave and has assumed that we can't get nor hold onto a star player. Your reaction to the CP3 rumours summed this up: we couldn't even consider it? Its not like we didn't have the pieces, nor does he have a no trade clause. Worst case, he leaves in 2012 at the end of a second playoff run and we just had one of the top 2 most successful stretches in franchise history.
Any chance you could write an article explaining why the right move for us is acting like the KC Royals of the NBA? Or explaining why Colangelo's 2004 playoff 'run' has earned him the rare right to rebuild for a second time? Sorry for the anger, but I'm just seeing the same attitude here that the Jays have adopted and they'll be in Orlando by 2015 at this rate.
(should've written this comment in Comic Sans MS...)

[dee from sauga]

@Nik 9:11 and Doug...thanks for posting the article. I'm running out of basketball material to read at work.

[Skiff]

I dislike how this Bosh stuff played out and he certainly lost some lustre in these weary eyes, however it's hard to toally blame a guy who took advantage of his right as a free agent to get on a team with a chance at winning. Bemoan him all you want, but 7 years of nothing in Toronto made re-signing him a tough sell to him, and frankly, I never loved the idea of trying to build around a PF. It's not the most successful strategy in the history of the NBA, and certainly not in today's game.

With that said, I find it interesting that BC throws him under the bus at this point. Why not trade him 2 years ago if he was tough to build around?? I can't imagine how high his value would have been 2 summers ago. Why imply that he dogged it, or was slow coming back from injuries in public?? What will other players think of this when considering this franchise? And frankly, Bosh may not have been the ideal player to build around, but trying to paint him like VLC or T-Mac is ridiculous. He always said the right things about this city, played hard and put up multiple all-star worthy seasons. Suddenly he's an under-acheiving pariah? I don't buy it. BC is trying to cover himself for getting essentially nothing for a top 20 NBA asset. I know Doug will have a smart retort for me, but I truly don't believe BC is the man for THIS job at THIS time. His track record leaves A LOT to be desired...

[WH]

Hi Doug,

Regarding your Tracy McGrady (joking) comments above, the real sad part is that even if he was guaranteed a starting position with the Raptors and twice as much money as any other team was willing to give him, he still wouldn't want to come here. Neither would Shaq. This illustrates how difficult it is for BC or any successor to build a winning team...even burned out former stars won't come here. Can you imagine Chris Paul saying he wants a trade out of New Orleans and Toronto is a potential destination? Neither can I.

[@ed]

how telling is it that bosh directs attention to the name "on the back of the jersey." jack armstrong of course knows it's about the one on the front. more and more i'm glad this man-child is gone. young gunz are going to be a great story in the nba this season.

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I don't think I could agree with this. The guy left, sure there was a little more Twitter / self pomotion than necessary, but I never saw a game last year where his effort was an issue. What he said about Toronto and his play was not in any way controversial. Since when did we become so sensitive? Yeah Toronto IS different than other cities in the NBA, nobody said that was a bad thing. Neither is taking pride in the fact you work hard.

As for the "young gunz", the only thing they are shooting for this year is a lottery pick. Let's quit drinking the cool-aid on this one.

[Real ti]

Read an interview online yesterday of Andrea bargnani. He claimed that the last couple months of the season, the players kind of knew bosh was gone. Bosh isn full of dog bunk, and is simply afraid of not being welcome in our city for carribanna every year and being hated as much or worse than Wince Carter. For the record, Wince should still be much higher on the boo list but bosh is still shortly behind.

[Bill]

Just read that Joey Graham has signed with the Cavaliers. That gives them three ex-Raptor wings. How good are they gonna be next year, huh?

[Jeff Steele]

Just read on ESPN the Raps are interested in their summer league PG Bobby Brown who apparently has a close bond with Demar and Amir from their California roots.

http://espn.go.com/blog/truehoop/post/_/id/18672/latest-buzz-shaq-t-mac-more

Considering the team went undefeated and seemed to have good chemistry I can understand why they would have interest in him. However, does the logjam at the point guard position have to be resolved first by trading Calderon (perhaps for a starting PF like Troy Murphy) in order for this kind of arrangement to ever come to fruition?