No beaten-up old guys need apply

I read with great delight that Tracy McGrady is likely to sign with the Chicago Bulls.

Not so much for Tracy -- I don’t particularly care where he ends up -- but for me.

(And while it is all about me, this is also all about the Raptors so indulge me).

There won’t be a dozen of comments or e-mails suggesting the Raptors sign McGrady or Shaq or Allen Iverson or some other washed up star to fill out the roster.

Not only are their skills declining – McGrady’s been hurt forever, Shaq’s getting quite long in the tooth, Iverson was a ridiculous idea a year ago and even moreso now – but they are not the kind of guys anyone connected with this organization should give a second thought to.

This team, right now, is not a place for a veteran to come in and play out his dotage; they need young kids hungry to prove themselves or mid-20s guys ready to truly blossom.

I don’t care what word you use – rebuilding, re-tooling, changing, adjusting, whatever – this team this year is going to very much be a work in progress where you’ll have some kids still trying to figure it out, some trying to make their name and I’m wondering if it won’t be at least more entertaining a product that we’ve seen the last two years.

I think Bryan’s one last move – or maybe his two last moves – should be to add someone who can grow with the group, not someone like an aging star ending his career who might provide a couple of extra wins at the cost of the development of guys who may be here for a while.

So Tracy and Shaq and even Josh Howard, who is intriguing if he wasn’t hurt and most likely too expensive, should find other homes where they fit better because I don’t think any of them bring anything to a team trying to establish an identity.

-

How could you possibly not like a guy who sat around having beers waiting to see if he made the cut and a dude who lost some weight trying to get fit and found out he didn’t like it so he’s somewhat portly again?

Really?

Carl Pettersson – you can read about him here – has truly vaulted up my list of favourite PGA Tour guys now.

-

Dang!

Missed the tryouts for the June Taylor Dancers yesterday.

Hope it went well.

-

What’s up with the Raptors? Well, word I got over the weekend from folks was some things are “simmering” but nothing is imminent. Figure that’s just the normal state of affairs around there these days and probably doesn’t mean an awful lot.

But figured you’d want to know.

-

Bit of a digression but what the heck, it’s not like there’s a lot of basketball to digest. So …

You know, everyone’s job has some good points and some bad points and after almost a week of being Golf Boy, I have devised the following lists for your reading pleasure

The Good

No night games.

You do your interviews outside the scoring trailer and not in some stuff locker room.

For the most part, the guys you’re talking to want to talk to you.

They don’t play stupid music during competition and there aren’t 19,000 people screaming when you’re trying to file at the buzzer.

Fresh air and sunshine when you’re working doesn’t bite.

The Bad

The stadium’s so damn big.

Rain delays

Having to park kilometers away and be shuttled into the course.

No Chicken.

You watch those guys hit balls and you think, “what game is it that I play?”

-

So the Miami Herald did this big long takeout on Chris Bosh over the weekend and there’s some interesting stuff in there.

Takes a couple of shots at Toronto but praises the city but the one that kind of made me sit up and take notice – and there’s a comment in the comment section about it, too – was that now he’s happy that people will know where he plays and who his teammates are.

I’ve got to say this: If Bosh’s team had won, people would have known where he played and who was on his team. I saw first-hand with that other guy – if the Raptors are good, fans will find them. It was a bit of a rock star franchise for a little while in the early-2000s on Vince Carter’s talents; Chris, for all the good things that he does, was never on team that was that successful.

But, trust me, if a team wins, the fans and the networks and the folks back home know about it.

And that’s the thing to be mindful about first and foremost:

It’s not the market or the country or whatever; it’s success on the court that determines how a franchise is perceived.

-

You know what’s going to be cool?

Some actual basketball to watch in person.

Leo’s team starts dribbling into town this week, camp begins on the weekend to get ready for the worlds and I’m going to be quite interested to see how the team shakes out.

And hopefully it’ll provide some fodder for stories because other than that and any breaking news on the Raptors front this looks like a very uneventful week ahead.

-

Comments

[Matthieu]

talking about uneventful, this seems to me as the most depressing Raptors off-season in a while

[John S]

I had read the article in the Miami Herald too and found that article to be ridiculous. The US media for whatever reason believes that Toronto is some sort of arctic outpost. Only LA, NY and Chicago are bigger markets than Toronto and as far as I know, people don't refer to NY, Boston, Chicago as frigid even though their weather is the same as ours.
Cities that are far smaller such as Sacramento and San Antonio had a ton of media exposure when they were/are winning.
And Bosh said that Toronto's a great city but that it just feels different than the States and I think that that's a great thing. Toronto probably feels different because it's consistently ranked as one of the top cities in the world for liveability, etc... something that many Americans may not be used to.
I thought that Bosh was supposed to be intelligent but apparently the only difference between him and other ignorant American NBA players is that he doesn't "shorten his words".

[DougG]

Heh Bosh, Toronto wasted 7 years too, believing you were a franchise player.

[LeeZ]

A few days ago you indicated it was looking more and more unlikely that the Red Rocket would be cleared to play for Canada. Anything new on this front?

Blogger's note: Nothing past the "highly unlikely" I got last week.

[Mike D.]

The part of the Herald article about Bosh's upbringing is impressive. The part about Toronto, not winning, and leaving the city, makes me grind my teeth.

Uh, Chris, the public/media scrutiny and the double-teams and everything? That comes with the territory when you sign a guaranteed contract for $15mm-17mm a year; if you don't like it, sign for half the amount and give the organization the flexibility to bring in a better supporting cast. To read this article, you'd think the poor guy was a volunteer....I could hardly read the last few paragraphs because of the tears welling up in my eyes.

[Joe]

Great points today Doug. Guys like Iverson, McGrady, Shaq, they'd be fine on teams that can contend but not here. The young fellows need to play.

Bosh's comments are interesting. Apart from James and Wade, does anybody really know who plays on Miami. I'd venture to say that basketball fans probably can recognize Bargnani, Calderon, Jack, DeRozan, etc. a lot faster than Big Z, Haslem, Chalmers, etc. As much as I like Chris, I'm a bit worried for him. He appears to be caught up in this Hollywood hype way too much. I hope he realizes just as quickly as they build you up, they can tear you down too. When Bosh didn't play well, the Toronto media was pretty easy on him. That won't happen in the States.

This brings me to my question. How do you think Erik Spoelstra will manage all of these egos down there? I happen to think he's a pretty good coach but if the team isn't operating on full cylinders by mid-year, I can see Riley taking over just like he did in 2006 when he unfairly dismissed Van Gundy as coach.

[Reuben]

I'm letting the people who advertise Toronto know that the new campaign slogan has got to be "Toronto: we smell different from American cities."

Chris must have had an epiphany somewhere along the line I guess cause wasnt he openly campaigning for MVP like a year ago.Now he makes it seem like the top dog label hung so heavy on his head here in Toronto. Interesting.

All in all though I think the more I read the more I think its for the best that we are rebuilding without him. For one from his words he didnt want to be here and secondly I think its clear that he was looking to not be the man so this building around him focus was doomed to failure.

[Steven]

Again, let's compare Roy Halliday to Chris Bosh. Okay, why bother since the difference is so obvious. Amazed that he would say things like, "I have seven years to make up for" and "it smells and looks different". I always thought that Raptor fans were too hard on past favourites when they came back but you can see that these guys repeatedly show no class after they leave and rile up the locals with their ignorant comments. Very disappointing because I thought Bosh was different. MLSE should be putting even more money into Basketball Canada because the only way they'll be successful is to grow their own stars.

[Anthony R]

Hey Doug....something to put on the back burner till the right time but, I would be interested on a grade on our beloved GM when the offseason wheelings and dealings come to an end. We grade the players after the season. How about a grade for the GM when the offseason signings are done?
Thanks!

[George]

The "seven years to make up for" did sound a little conceited and I understand that it is just one quote being used in article that is trying to showcase Bosh like he is a phoenix rising from its ashes. But Bosh definitely has changed and I think over the last couple of years he has been all about building his brand. Which I was totally cool with as I don't think it affected his on-court performance. But it definitely made me take him a lot less seriously off the court as all his public appearances seemed manufactured and fake and I don't think he is who he is trying to be.

[Matthew]

Man, we all know lebron's agency told CP3 that he should request a trade. Now, i read that they are telling him to request a trade to a western conference team for a "better rivelry" I think we need a lockout to stop this sh!t. He should not be dictating where other players go. If CP3 leaves, NO will be in trouble, cleavland and Toronto are already in trouble, if Melo join amar'e in new york then add denver. i really think its bad for the league. Can someone tell "worldwide" Wes and maverick carter that not only are they gigantic douchebags, but also that just because they are friends with LBJ, that doesnt make them good at anything. They think they can manage NBA talant? What happens when they decisions begin to hurt more franchises than it helps? Then more and more teams lose money and those losses will eventually make their way to the players via less $$ contracts and a lockout. i wouldnt trust with losers to manage a garage sale.

-RANT

[Wade T.]

I actually think the Raptors should offer Shaq a contract. Simply put they have no legitimate center and letting your young guys lose years of their career to interior pounding doesn't make a whole lot of sense.

Last year Shaq did contribute to the team with the best win/loss record and seems like a guy who could allow an Andrea B. or Amir J. to not have to play the center spot too much.

Who cares about his ego, the Raptors aren't likely to do much next season with or without Shaq and the ability to protect your young bigs from inside pounding should be considered. Chis Bosh certainly didn't like playing the five spot.

[shane]

I always though Chris Bosh was a class act and someone who was thought of as someone to respect. He mishandled his departure from Toronto, and is now saying some negative things about the city that just about worshipped him while he was here. It is too bad to hear him make comments about the losing and how the city was different than an American one. The city, the fan, and management treated him to the highest standards that an athlete who won nothing could have been treated.

I realize he will get his share of boos upon his return to Toronto. My question is how he will be acknowledged or recognized by the organization during a TV timeout. He did not seem to be too concerned about being the team's all time scorer. Will he appreciate a tribute of his seven years that he has to make up for?

[Deejay]

allen iversons not washed up you old fart he had family issues and he doesnt wanna come off the bench he shouldnt have to

Blogger's note: Classy. Truly classy. Thanks for raising the level of discussion here.

[CARLoS M.]

High scorer on a bad team. I will not miss Rupaul one bit.

VC has officially dropped from my list of people to hate. I am working on my vuvuzela skills for when Miami comes to town.

[Matthew Fox]

--- Without waiting for a hokey TV special, Kevin Durant merely signed an extension -- and, in a weekend Q&A, announces he doesn't regret it. "When I came into the league, I always said I wanted to be on one team my whole career. You never know what will happen. But at the same time, that's what I feel like I really want to do. I love my team (in Oklahoma City). I feel like we're moving in the right direction. And so I just wanted to get the deal done. ... It would be cool for most people to know who the Oklahoma City Thunder are. That's what I'm about. I really don't care about my global brand or anything like that. I just want to come out here and be the best player."---

What a difference between star players.

It's interesting, that to me it still seems like Bosh is getting the left overs. that he may be getting all the attention from those outlets that Lebron and Wade just don't have time for, that Bosh's Alfred is getting attention not because he is finally getting wait he deserved but because of who's coat tails he's riding.

Considering the attention he received at Lakers games, the guest spot on entourage, while still a raptor, being voted to the All Star game and the other All Star games he was selected to, the playoff commentary for a late night talk show, I think Bosh may be confusing his new "found" stardom with whats trending right now.

In fact I'm a little tired of Bosh and his stick. I'm looking forward to the end of the self rewarding tour.

I just wonder if all this "hollywood" might hurt these guys short term/ long term.

Here's hoping NO sticks to their guns and makes CP3 honor his commitment that he so happly signed 2 years ago.

[RC]

Ever watched that episode of Frasier (from back in the day when VC was still here) where someone tells Martin that everyone and his brother wants to see Vince Carter (in reference to tickets for a Sonics game being hard to get)? Someone should send a copy to Bosh. Fraiser and Toronto Raptors basketball don't exactly go hand-in-hand but that's what happens when you're good.

And if he's mad now that he didn't make any of the first 3 All NBA teams, good luck getting there when you're the 3rd spoke on the wheel. Frankly, how is this any different from AD or Christie back in the day?

[Peter]

I know it's crazy, and I know it's not in line with the long term plans of the franchise, but if we had to choose one of the three veterans that you mentioned, AI, Tracy, or Shaq, I'd LOVE to see Shaq here on a one year contract. He'd be the one year face of the franchise, and win or lose, we'd all tune into thestar.com for the quotes every morning! It would work from a business sense, if you could convince him to talk up the city, and embrace the fans. Having Shaq saying he loves it here would be just what our fans need... well.... it's just what they need in lieu of a winning team.

:)

[Phil]

The Raptors need to adopt a policy where if an American player refuses to sign an extension, in good time before they are a free agent, they get traded. Contrary to what the NBA writers in town keep insisting, there is strong evidence of their hatred of Canada. Bosh supposedly loved Canada more than any other and look what he is saying now.

[stickhandle]

at first read, i agreed about the whole "let the kids play" thing. but ya know, there not all kids. Your "team trying to establish an identity" comment provoked a thought (maybe i'm a little sad it happened, by hey, that's how thoughts work) ... find a facilitator and grab Shaq AND A.I. on short term deals (hopefully one year). It would be very entertaining. There would be some great nights. I have no doubt a guy like Shaq wouldn't sh*t on the city. Dude --- with any luck this team would be bad-boy. S-w-a-g-g-e-r. That attitude would be a great one to impress on the kids -- as long as its tempered with professionalism. I think both guys, now seeing the end of days, would actually be good citizens if you give them a situation where they can be kings again.

[Reuben]

Family issues or not I think after seeing Iverson in Detroit and Memphis the whole leagues got to be a bit wary of him. Iverson is like the anti-Lebron he just cant share: the ball, the limelight it doesnt matter Iverson wants to be top dog even if his skills have dimished. Surprised he hasnt just called it a day but he may be forced to this season.

I do think we could use a veteran influence on our squad besides Jarrett Jack though. Not sure I'd go with a Shaq, Mcgrady or Iverson but and I'm not sure if this person exists a nice role playing vet/cheer leader/voice of reason/motivator type who wouldnt get upset about minutes would be nice. Like I said probably doesnt exist.

[Matthew]

@Deejay "allen iversons not washed up you old fart he had family issues and he doesnt wanna come off the bench he shouldnt have to"

lol 2001 called and agreed with your opinion. 2010 called and said you're a loser.

Name ONE team that he could start on excluding teams that are rebuilding and dont need/want a vet as well as contenders who already have a star PG (even he plays like a SG). Where is he going to play where he can score 20+ pts without taking touches away from stars? name one that i can't refute and i'll never post here again.

[yertu damkule]

Doug - if you want to up the ante of 'classy' discussion, then respond to questions/comments that are well thought-out & basketball related. When you respond to mouth-breathers like Deejay here, it just encourages 'em. It's frustrating seeing good comments go ignored, while those that add zero to the discussion garner a response.

BTW - great points re. the lack of need to sign aging vets (or at least guys past their primes). I know Barnes is considered a defensive 'specialist" (though that's overstated, IMO), but wouldn't he be in the same boat - a guy who would help a competing team, but one who wouldn't do much to help a rebuilding one?

Blogger's note: I can see that point a bit but Barnes is still relatively young and wouldn't be playing on what would likely be a last contract.

[Mike D.]

FYI, according to the attached link poor downtrodden Chris Bosh made U.S. $56.3 million during the seven years that he has to make up for.

http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/boshch01.html

Anger.......rising........

[Lorie]

Hi Doug,
Really looking forward to the Worlds next month and wonder if you will be reporting on the tournament in its entirey right through to the Finals, or is your coverage to be solely the Canadian team's games? (And have you ever travelled to Turkey before? Izmir looks beautiful!)

Blogger's note: In Izmir for Canada, Istanbul for at least the quarter-final round and then we'll make a call.