Bold predictions and a big job for a good guy

Okay, who wins in Turkey?

That’s a great question.

And, after careful consideration, and I’m talking minutes if not half hours I’ve spent carefully deconstructing all the rosters and the playoff permutations and what have you, I’ve come up with this:

I have no real idea.

But I’m going to go with this, simply because of a gut feeling and a wee bit of experience having seen some of these teams.

I like Spain over Brazil in the gold medal game and the United States over Greece for bronze.

I’m not entirely sure why, except that Spain has tremendous guard play and vast experience, Brazil’s big and old and has a coach now – Ruben Magnano, ex of Argentina – who should keep them focused.

I fear a lack of size and big international game experience will ultimately be the undoing of the Americans, who should get Spain in the semifinals. Greece? Well, you can throw a blanket over them and Argentina as the fourth best team there, I think, so I’m not dead certain on that selection.

I will tell you this, though: There will be some great games and some intensity you seldom see. I fully expect a couple or three “events” to pop up – not as big as the Serbia-Greece brawl but some hostilities – and the playoff rounds will be exceptional. The always are.

The thing I don’t like is how spread out it is, the three previous ones I’ve covered have all be so close together you could see every team in the preliminary round if you wanted, that’s not going to be the case in Turkey, which is too bad for me because there are usually some excellent first-round games to watch.

Anyway, clip and save this and tell me what a dolt I am on Sept. 13 if you like but what the heck, now you know the feeling from here.

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Hey, Masai got the gig in Denver.

He had no comment when I spoke electronically with him overnight but I’m told that’s just because the final paperwork hadn’t been completed and that was just some routine work.

It really is a tremendous story, 39-year-old guy who left Nigeria as a teen to chase a dream becomes an NBA general manager and an accomplishment that really does show you can get what you want through hard work and perseverance.

I remember the first time we talked, he’d just been hired by the Raptors and we had some friends and experiences in common in the international game. He told me then he didn’t know what the career path would be for certain but that he wanted to work hard, help develop the game in his country and in Africa and just to see where that took him.

Well, I’d say it’s taken him pretty far.

I know there have to be thousands of young players that Masai’s come to know and help over the years who are entirely proud today that a guy rose from such humble beginnings to such lofty heights.

They should be.

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Quick dip into the mail.

Q: Hello Doug. Seeing as your going overseas, what sorts of basketball-gameday-related stuff would you like to bring back with you and put it in to NBA games? For e.g., I think I remember once reading you liked the chanting in the stands. Would you mind the occasional flare or two at an NBA game? How about the common area with the barricade separating players and reporters - are you a fan of that? Anything else you'd like to bring back to enhance your or the common fan's (including us that watch on TV's) experience?

Have fun out there!

Manny L, Winnipeg

A: No, I don’t mind the chanting at all, a little singsong can liven up a sports event now that I think of it.

What I particularly like about international basketball is the lack of “stuff” because it’s usually about the game. There is no music blaring during the actual playing of the game, there are no PA announcers screaming and there are no “contests” during timeouts. Sure, there are European versions of June Taylor Dancers but why not?

A flare? Um, no. I’d fear for them being thrown on court, at a player or, egads!, at press row.

Another thing I don’t like about European basketball are the neon advertising signs that ring the court like boards. Too intrusive and while I’m not sure they’ll have them at the worlds, that’s the one biggest TV difference you’ll notice if they do.

As for the barricade, it’s in what’s known as the “mixed zone” which is the only post-game interview area that all the players must go through and, trust me, in the crush of the crowd at some of those games, they are absolutely needed. Let’s say that some of my brethren from around the world can get rather, um, aggressive and emotional when conducting interviews. I’ve only seen one or 100 “reporters” reach over those barricades to hug a player after a significant win.

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So, I’m told Andrea Bargnani is killing in the European qualifier he’s playing in with Italy these days. I say “I’m told” because I haven’t been paying all that close attention for one reason:

It really doesn’t matter and certainly doesn’t tell me much.

With no disrespect to the emerging basketball, um, powers of Finland and Montenegro and Israel and whoever else is in it, they are still Finland, Montenegro and Israel and whoever and it’s not numbers that I care about with Bargnani at all.

I guess the biggest thing he needed to do this summer, in my opinion, was the play games and continue to develop the on-court intuition – especially defensively – that had been lacking.

The fact he’s getting 25 and 12 or whatever it is should be of little importance, if a five-year NBA vet wasn’t getting those numbers against teams like that, that would be something to notice.

So, good on Andrea for playing and putting up numbers but to suggest it will translate into NBA points and rebounds is folly.

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All right. Here’s the drill on what we hope is going to happen around these parts the next little while seeing how it’s a seven-hour time difference and the Lewis and Clark travel schedule has me leaving Toronto about 6:30 and getting to Izmir about 4 o’clock Friday afternoon their time.

Until I get the lay of the land over there, all I can hope to do is get to this stuff a bit earlier than usual for you, at the end of my day rather than the beginning, and we’ll have the usual fun and frivolity.

The plan is for in-game blogs on the Canada games (11:30 a.m. East Saturday is the first) and the normal game coverage.

I see the, um, suggestions of some sort of video component to what’s going to come from Turkey and all I can tell is I’ll give it a shot.

Anyway, if there are comments that get delayed tonight or if this isn’t here at the usual time tomorrow, it’s due to travel things, not any personal slight.

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Oh, and, finally

Q: Doug, have you ever written using a pseudonym? If not have you ever had the temptation? Is this a common, or uncommon event in your field?

Steph G, Glencoe

A: Um, I guess it’s time to let the cat out of the bag, I’ve been found out.

Perhaps you’ve read some of my previous work. Does the name “Hemingway” ring a bell? Toronto Star reporter, liked sports …

On a serious note, never done it and don’t know of anyone who has; we kind of have to take responsibility for what we write.

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Anyway, that’s the end of the mail stuff for today but you’ve got ‘til I get on the plane this evening to get some in. Click here to do it.

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Comments

[Chris]

Hey Doug,
How do you pronounce Masai's name?
PS Expect a flood of mail about how we now have the inside track in trading for Carmelo Anthony.

Blogger's note: Ma-sigh, accent second syllable.

[Peter]

Well... we had to drive him out of the country to get it, but WOOHOO, GruntTV is coming back!!

Thanks Lorie!! (I mean Doug!)

Blogger's note: We'll see if it can be done; no promises

[R]

Hey Doug. Just wondering if you know where and what school in North Dakota Masai when to college. Thanks

Blogger's note: I believe it was Bismarck State College

[TJ]

Safe travels my friend.
I know traveling far from loved ones can be taxing, I have traveled the world for work too. And it's great to see the world with anothers wallet, and all the bball you can handle, but I'm sure that family comes first. That said, have a ball!!!
PS: you are heading to the country/area where mankind stared to first use farming as way to survive. Pretty cool history also in that area of the world. And that's one to grow on ;(

[Striker 77]

Have a safe trip, Doug.

Blogger's note: Thank you, very much

[pain777pas]

Doug,

Enjoy yourself and I think Spain's gonna win the gold.

[Lorie]

Good Morning!
Have an absolute blast in Turkey, Doug, and thanks for acknowledging (and kindly agreeing to attempt - if not actually deliver) my request for a reprisal of your always entertaining "Grunt TV". (Hey, hope springs eternal.) Couple of quick questions: when you state times of games, will they always be "GTA" time? And when do Leo and staff have to announce their final 12-man roster? (I am wondering also if Andy Rautins will be able to play at all) Thank you, have a safe trip and Serefe!

Blogger's note: Yes, game times will always be for Toronto and they don't have to submit final roster until Friday afternoon in Turkey.

[Jacques]

Will Super wife and Super son be with you. It will be the last week and a bit before he heads back to school. I'm sure he wants to hang out with Super Parents one last time :)
l
Blogger's note: Sadly, no. Too tight a timeframe for a son starting high school

[Jack]

If you run into the Turk, thank him for his tenure in Toronto. And then challenge him to a duel. Bon voyage.

[JW]

Hey Doug, this is truly bizarre. I was looking up Hemingway's works on Amazon last night hoping to find something I hadn't read yet. I saw the book "Dateline Toronto", a collection of his writing for the Toronto Star. It made me do a double take as I'd never heard of this before. A bit strange that you mention it the very next morning. Anyways, out of curiousity have you read this book? If so, would you recommend it?

Blogger's note: A very, very long time ago, but I would recommend anything Hemingway wrote.

[MC_Brad]

If I recall, it was Masai who pressed for the drafting of Alabi, correct? Might be interesting to hear what Alabi thinks of Masai going to the Nuggets....you think it means anything as far as how much of a shot the Raps give him?

Blogger's note: I think it means absolutely nothing.If the kid can play; he'll play

[Andrew]

Doug, don't sour our hopes before the season. Let's be positive. Such phrases as: "Andrea is looking like a first ballot HOF!", or "Was that Bargnani the other night or Barkley, what a beast!" .
Thank you.

[Steph]

You do have several things in common with Hemingway. You're well travelled, have famous friends, you're a pioneer in your field and have a musician in the family.
..
Thanks for the response, it was funny and real. Steph

[joe]

Doug,

Safe travels. Say hi to Turk from the people of Toronto.

Great story about Masai. One of the things that strikes me about his approach to his dreams was that he would see where things took him. The approach is worth gold because you don't put pressure on yourself. In life, that's usually when you perform the best. Will BC be replacing him?

No surprise that Andrea is having a good performance against weaker competition. In the absence of Bosh, will Andrea be asked to work more in the low post with his back to the basket or will they still have him primarily on the perimeter?

Blogger's note: I presume there'll be another exec coming in sometime.

[The J]

Doug and anyone interested, here is a cool article on Masai:
http://espn.go.com/blog/truehoop/post/_/id/19475/masai-ujiri-through-david-thorpes-eyes
Gives an interesting background on who he is an what he brings to the game.
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Doug, with Masai's departure do you think BCo finds another assistant right away or is that more likely for the future?

Blogger's note: I don't think there's any huge rush; maybe by the start of the regular season

[LeeZ]

This is just too priceless for words. Courtesy of RealGm: Numerous players were taking part in drills when members of the Nuggets' coaching staff told the player who later called police to be physical with J.R. Smith.

"They were just wanting the guy to be physical with J.R., telling the other guys, 'Hey, body up on the guys and really make them work,'" the source said. "J.R. just lost it. He tried to choke the kid, and the kid called the cops."

So. We've got a guy who likes to choke people. The Raps have an assistant coach with a history of being choked. I mean, kismit or what! And if memory serves, BC tried to get Smith a while ago. Think he's still interested?

[Mike kovacs]

When you travel that far do the powers that be permit you to go business class? Have fun regardless!

Blogger's note: Hahahahahahahahahahah; you slay me!
But thanks

[LeeZ]

Sadly for Doug, The Star has assigned him seats in the second cabin, not business class. Observe:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5bTO2iJJjbU&feature=related

[elwyn jennings]

hahahaha, too bad...doug, feel bad for you now that i've seen the second cabin, courtesy of lee z.

[Mike D.]

Come on Doug....the pseudonym question out of the blue means you can finally confess that Kevin McGran and Dave Feschuk (to name but a couple) don't actually exist, and sports coverage at the Star has really been a one-man show for years. And since I've met Kevin McGran in person you should also confess to being a master of disguise.