Canada, the crowd and a Raptor says goodbye

It is entirely impossible – and utterly unfair – to judge a basketball team after seeing it play one game so I can’t offer any real assessment of Canada at the moment.

Maybe tomorrow.

But for now, it does look like this team will play hard, it’s athletically-challenged, it really, really, really, really needs point guard Jermaine Anderson to get healthy and it’s young.

There is, however, some depth to take care of those times when one or two shooters go stone cold and I do quite like the intensity with which they play.

I still contend getting out of the first round at the worlds will be a solid accomplishment for this group as it tries to build something for the 2012 Olympics and 2016 2014 worlds.

I know there is some sense of optimism about the future given the youth of this group but that future isn’t here quite yet.

-

The crowd? It was terrible. Just over 2,600? Shameful.

I know, ticketmaster and service charges and no TV and blah, blah, blah, blah, blah; there should have been more people in the seats.

Canada Basketball is trying to do something to enhance the program’s image here, they also know it’s a long and hard road back to capture the imagination of casual fans in this city.

But games like last night, and tonight, are a good starting point and I’m sure there was some disappointment running through the ranks when they announced the number of people in the seats.

But I know Wayne Parrish pretty well and Maurizio’s not going away any time soon I do know they aren’t going to get too discouraged and throw up their arms in despair.

Still, they could use some help and that’s where people who squawk about no basketball to watch need to get involved.

Besides, the Chicken was there and a half dozen or so June Taylor Dancers showed up and there were contests and noise (although FIBA, bless its heart, doesn’t allow music to be blared during the actual playing of the game) so what’s not to like?

See you there tonight, right?

-

It’d been a while since I’d been in the press room at the ACC and as I rounded the corner to my little piece of work space, it became obvious something was amiss.

There are pictures of various Leaves and Raptors lining the walls, huge action shots, and the eagle-eyed reporter in my noticed large sections of wall where photos once were.

Combing the dark recesses of my mind (a dusty cobweb-infested place few should go) I tried to recall what had been there in June when I last stopped by.

Ah. Right.

Chris Bosh.

Body’s not even cold yet and the pictures are gone.

Funnily enough, glancing back over my shoulder I did happen to see the same old shots of Hedo Turkoglu that had been there all last season.

Figure they’ll be gone today.

Wonder if they’ve got replacements of Jarrett Jack to fill the spaces?

-

Given we’re at the start of the big international basketball season, here’s a little teaser from the mail.

Q: Hey Doug, just wondering how you would rank Canada's developmental system for young players, and how it compares to other countries like France, Spain, Greece, Argentina, Brazil, etc.?

Ange A, Toronto

A: How it compares? Not nearly good enough.

And that’s the biggest issue going forward for the poobahs who run the game here in Canada. The most successful programs in the world have great club systems that have better coaching, more dedication to practice and skill development and more emphasis on getting kids into one system and keeping them there than we do.

A perfect example:

A few years ago, Super Son said he wanted to play basketball one winter so he joined a local Mississauga house league (which one doesn’t matter because I understand this happens too frequently) and off he went.

Well, it was supposed to be one day a week at a local gym, 45 minutes of practice and a 45-minute game.

There were a handful of times there were no coaches at all, sometimes some parents would try to run some drills but most of the time the kids ran layup lines for half an hour or so and then they played what could only loosely be called a “game.”

He dropped out after a couple of winters because, frankly, he was getting nothing out of it.

Now, I’m sure that doesn’t happen anywhere, and there’s every chance he might have bagged the idea anyway but he also might have gone on to really like the program.

Except it didn’t like him and who knows how many other kids are lost.

I know they are trying, and it’s hard to find gyms and coaches who know what they’re doing and have the time, but until the grassroots programs improve, there’s no way we’ll ever really catch up.

-

Raptors news! Raptors news! Raptors news!

Well, sort of.

Let’s put this in the category of Guy Who Wasn’t Going To Play Won’t since I’m told the Raptors will put Dwayne Jones on waivers today so he’ll clear by Sunday and they can release him before guaranteeing any of his 2010-11 contract.

I know: “Who?” Jones would be the other guy who came over from Phoenix simply as cap ballast and to give Toronto a bit bigger trade exception from the Hedo deal.

He never was going to play here and, come Sunday, he officially won’t.

He will be missed.

-

Hey, you know how in the regular season we try to give you links to how friend cover games for their papers.

Well, the bilingual among you might like this.

-

I miss tennis.

Who won last night?

-

Oh, right, mail.

Forgot this a couple of items ago and the mailbag’s a little full already but there’s always room for more.

Click. Here. Send. Missives. Say. Hi.

-

Figure we’ll do the usual junk like this tomorrow – we’ve got the game tonight and the Hall of Fame induction to touch on since it’s been totally ignored.

And that’ll give me something to type this afternoon while waiting for the big game to start. And to start the in-game blog thingy since it seemed to be okay last night.

See ya.

Comments

[Derek]

Hey Doug,
Interesting tidbit from Bosh's TV interview on Regis & Kelly yesterday. Apparently he's the poster boy for a new "got milk" commercial, and Bosh is crediting the fact that he's "now in Miami" as the reason he landed this gig (subtly implying this opportunity wouldn't have been there if he was in Toronto).
Now I don't know what he got paid, or how the money would've compared - but are you telling me Bosh couldn't have landed a milk commercial over the last 7 years when he was the "face of the franchise" for the only NBA team in Canada? If so, then he should have fired his agent long ago. The only commercials I recall Bosh doing were the ones for Ford (last year, replacing Smitch), but if he was looking for more endorsements and commercial work, I find it hard to believe he couldn't have gotten more of that in Toronto if he'd wanted it. Again - wouldn't that be his agent's responsibility to go out and find him those kind of opportunities?

[Casual]

I am sure you mean to say 2014 Worlds....or 2016 Olympics...

Blogger's note: 2014 worlds and it's been fixed. Thanks

[PeterK]

Doug, just like WSNBN, we need to give Bosh a nickname.
What do you recommand?

Blogger's note: Need some time on that

[D-Mac Ottawa]

Dear Facility Manager,
Hmmm, let's see here... would you rather have 2,500 butts in the bleachers at $20 a throw (that's 50 Large) and, what, maybe another 50 Grand in concessions, or would you rather have 12,000 at $5 a throw (that would be 60 Large, Mr. FM), and then make a killing (as in something on the order of 100 to 200 Grand) in bad pizza, popcorn and beer? Seems to me the trick is to get them in the door, but what do I know? Might even help promote basketball – and Canadian national basketball at that – toward grooming future business. But what do I know? Cheers.

[Jeff D]

Doug next time you get asked what rules the NBA should adopt from FIBA, I think the "no music during play" rule has to top that list! I'm all for entertainment, but when the game is on shouldn't that be the entertainment? Thanks for the blog.

[Shawn F]

Surely the lack of real press time has to contribute to the small numbers. I know you're doing your part Doug, but your article on the game is still buried at the bottom of the sports page under Beckham's firing and why Kaberle might get traded. People are sheep and I'm sure they would follow if they were fed even just a little bit of hype over the tournament. I guess the news corp doesn't feel that many people are interested to put more spotlight on the event but then again most people aren't that interested because they are largely unaware. Chicken or the egg I guess.

[R]

Hey Doug. Maybe I am behind on my Raptor news, but I saw on realgm.com today that Marc Ivaroni joined Vinny Del Negro's staff with the LA Clippers. When did he leave the Raps?

Blogger's note: During summer league season

[kiwi Andre]

Oh Canada. Just 2651 people plus me watching you play last night. Your boys did you proud. You did not. Last week I suggested Toronto was more appealing for an NBA player than Utah. I take that back. Go to Utah – you will be a hero. Come to Toronto – you will be a novelty. Just like hockey in Arizona.

Or maybe Canadians aren’t used to sport being about their national teams. Back home in New Zealand the purpose of sport is to beat Australia. In any sport we can. Sport is the one reason we’ll never become a state of Australia. But in the two years I’ve been here the only Canadian national teams I’ve seen people care about is the Hockey team and the curling teams.

For those of you who are trying to support Canada basketball – keep strong, we appreciate your efforts. Thanks Doug. Thanks Wayne and Maurizio.

As to ‘great club systems that have better coaching’ back in NZ American ‘Imports’ would come to play in our national league. As well as playing they would coach school kids, greatly enhancing the grassroots level. Alas Canada does not have a strong national league supporting the development of players.

[doug]

when was it that canada played at ricoh with sam dalembert? that was only a few years ago no?

Blogger's note: Think it might have been 2008, my mind's fuzzy

[Mike D.]

I think a pic or two of Doug doing his in-game live blog would fill those empty spaces on the ACC walls just fine. It is, after all, a quintessential part of the Raptor fan experience. All in favour please say aye.

[Lorie]

Hi Doug,
Might we hope for a little Jackie McMullan content in your HOF induction stuff? (And thanks for the link to L'Equipe...there is a photo accompanying the article that shows a "Kinder" sponsorship logo on Diaw's uniform. Do you know if that's the same company that makes chocolatey "Kinder Surprise" candy that comes with the toy inside?)

Blogger's note: Not sure of the Kinder thing, actually.

[Zow]

Hola Doug,is there a in game blogey thingy tonite? Did you get bigger numbers for it last night,than the actual paid count? SHAME ON YOU T.O get out and show some support!

Blogger's note: Yes, there will

[Dave in BG]

To PeterK
.
How about "HWSNBP"
.
As in "he who shall not be pictured" ?

[R]

Sorry to belabour this, but why did Ivaroni leave the Raps staff?

Blogger's note: Better opportunity closer to family

[Peter]

Hey Doug,

Thanks for the link to the French article about the game last night. It was really interesting to read a basketball article from such a different perspective. I'm not sure how many readers here went and checked it out, but the writer kept saying basically "another thing that was bad...," kind of made me chuckle.

I am pretty sure the National team would never come and play in Saskatchewan, but I'd be there for sure if I was in Toronto.

Thanks for the great blog, Doug.

[Dan]

I am going to the game tonight. Can I buy tickets at the Box Office, or do I have to buy them online?

Thanks

[CavaLIAR]

That # of 2600 should really actually be closer to around 2000 people who actually bought tickets them selves. The rest were bought by companies to give out and even some of the guys on the team bought tickets for the boys and girls clubs or something of that nature.
So 2600 is pushing it and shows how bad it really is. (I guess 2000 or 2600 is still the same when you look at the actual number of seating at ACC)
A slight drop in price (not dramatically)with consession freebees, because free food is not a loss for them (they make close to %1000 on food) and it draws people to the consessions. Who ever gets 1 thing? Should keep both sides happy and sell a few more tickets.
What about getting some of the Raptors there for a meet and sign with the fans?

[Dan]

Are tickets avaialbe at the Box Office for tonights game, or do I have to purchase them online throught Ticket Master??

Thanks

Blogger's note: I saw people at the windows last night so I presume so

[Pipit]

No wonder there is not a lot of people who watched the game. What are the thinking Doug, to ask people to pay to watch them. Eventhough if the game is free, they will still have a problem enticing the people to watch their lousy play.. I guess most of the 2600 who watched are either their relatives or mostly thge fans of their opponent.

[D]

Bosh's nickname in the vein of not being promoted in Toronto should be HWSNBP (He Who Shall Not Be Promoted).... I hope his game is as big as his mouth (and ego).....

[Marques]

Hey Doug,
If the National Team performs beyond expectations, do you see Leo Rautins being offered to work as an asstnt coach or something like that. He seems to be doing a good job at getting players to play beyond their potential.

Blogger's note: No, I don't

[Albert]

Price of cheapest ticket: $19.50
Ticketmaster handling fee: $12.50
That's the shame. Or shall we say sham.
My 7 year old and I are fans of basketball. Unfortunately our budget would only allow us to go if the tickets were $10 each all in (no fees). It's a shame we cannot go. Maybe next time.

[PeterK]

HWSNBP it is.

[nate]

I was at the game last night, a couple of things from a fan's view:
1. Boris Diaw is REALLY fat

2. Ryan Bell was a terrible ambassador for CIS players as legitimate on the World stage, Aaron Doorenkamp an OK one.

3. I was EXTREMELY disappointed there was no Team Canada merchandise for sale. I had 100 bucks in my pocket ready to buy a jersey and found nothing, not even in RS across the street, opportunity lost.

4. Brian Burke was with his daughters in a section all to himself right beside us. If a hockey guy who needs to trade a defenceman by Sunday can make time for the game, I'm sure a few more could

[Dave]

Shameful? No. Disappointing? yes. I think I remember you mentioning you had kids... Did you go down with the kids, and actually pay your own money for tickets? If not, then don't tell us we're shameful.