Jose is out of worlds, and tragic losses and terrible, horrible movies

Oh, this is not going to sit well with many of you, I can be sure of that.

Not sure how many saw it but in Sunday’s Spain-USA game in Madrid, Jose tweaked a hamstring and ended the game on the bench.

I spoke electronically with a couple of people who were at the game and neither of them made it sound at all serious but there’s more checking to be done today.

Turns out that he'll need at least a month off and will not take part in the world championships that start Saturday. I'm going to try to reach someone for comment during the day but the Associated Press is attributing this quote to Jose.

"There is not much to say. It is a pity I was injured at the last minute."

We all know hamstrings, right? They don’t tend to heal themselves really, really quickly and I guess the best thing might be that NBA training camps don’t start for a month, it’s almost nine weeks before the regular season opens and that’s an awful lot of time.

I’m sure this will once again raise the issue of NBA players playing for their countries and suffering injuries but, as always, I will suggest that injuries can happen any time, like when guys are simply working out in a summer gym as they always do and it’s a tough break but it should in no way dissuade players from taking part.

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Speaking of games, imagine you saw that Canada lost, 84-53, to Turkey at the Efes Pilsen Cup in Ankara on Sunday.

No surprise there, beating Turkey in Turkey isn’t going to happen for Canada, but the one interesting thing I saw was that Kelly Olynyk got a start for Canada and, by all accounts, played well.

When Canada left a week or so ago, I think Olynyk was firmly on the bubble with two cuts to be made before the worlds begin on Saturday.

But he’s one of those young kids – he’s only 19 years old – who I think would gain so much just by being on the team that they have to keep him for the championships.

That and he’s a 6-9 kid who can stretch the floor and seems be one of those guys who just makes things happen when he’s playing.

Anyway, Canada finishes up its pre-worlds series today against Lebanon in what could be a telling game since Lebanon is a team Canada simply has to beat in the preliminary round if it wants to advance.

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These are truly sad days around the NBA family and I ask for some indulgence.

You didn’t know Matt Dobek, who was the vice-president of media relations for the Detroit Pistons, but you should have.

Matt, 51, was a gracious professional and fine man; when you went to work Pistons games you always were treated with respect and courtesy, you had more than a few laughs and it was, in many ways, one of the best cities to visit and work in.

Matt ended his own life on Saturday night, sending shockwaves through this little corner of the world.

He’d been fired by the Pistons in May after nearly three decades with the club, a time that covered everything from the Bad Boys to current group.

I first met him in 1992 when he did media for the original Dream Team because he was so closely associated with Chuck Daly; it was the beginning of a friendship I was honoured to have.

We can never, ever truly understand the torment of others, how their mind works and why. Things like this are tragic and unexpected and very, very, very sad.

All I know is my world is a darker place today but that my life, and the lives of thousands of others, was better for having Matt in it.

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Hey, I’ve got about a billion hours of flights coming up (Toronto-Frankfurt-Munich-Izmir) Thursday night-Friday morning and I could probably be convinced to pass some of the time answering mail since I have to hit the ground running when I get to Turkey.

So, an early call for the mailbag; click here, do your thing.

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Yesterday provided me with a perfect example of one thing that’s wrong with the media these days.

While driving to Niagara, a certain well-known American-based all-sports radio network was on and all I got all morning were breathless tributes to Vin Scully, the extraordinary broadcaster who was to announce his future intentions a few hours later.

This took on a life of its own because “speculation” was that he’d retire and we heard video clips and tributes and everything short of an obit.

No “sources” even, just the assumption that the 82-year-old would hang ‘em up and anyone turning in would have felt for sure that the decision had been made.

Except it hadn’t.

The great Scully – who I would rank as the best broadcaster I have ever heard – is coming back for another season.

Never a doubt he wouldn’t as it turns out.

It showed the media at its worst, anticipating news with no basis in fact rather than reporting it, or even digging it out.

That said, I’m hugely happy Scully will still be working and if you’ve never heard him, find some way to listen to him do a Dodger game on radio, he paints a picture. No excessive chattering, no screaming, no pet phrases that drive you nuts.

He is a delight. And more of these yellers and would-be comics we’re forced to listen to should be made to sit in a room for 18 hours straight listening to tapes of him before they are ever allowed to be on the air.

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There are just some things that should not be allowed.

On a slow Saturday night, Super Son’s looking for movies, decides on The Longest Yard and when the opening scenes roll, I’m a tad perplexed.

“Who’s in this, pal?”

“Oh, it’s great. Adam Sandler and Chris Rock.”

“Ack. Ugh. Grr. No. No. No. Find the real one. Now. Burt Reynolds. Eddie Arnold Albert (in his post-Green Acres era). That’s the only Longest Yard.”

“Oh, okay, Wise Old Man.”

Fast forward to post-nap moment.

“How’d you like the real movie?”

“It was great, Wise Old Man. Thanks.”

And more culture delivered at Casa Doug.

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Speaking of games, I am more convinced now than I was on Friday that the United States will not win the gold medal at the world championships.

I will preface this by saying the games against Lithuania and Spain were true tune-ups, I know the Americans didn’t show all that they’ll do once things get rolling for real on the weekend but …

They don’t shoot well enough, they aren’t big enough, I don’t think they’ll rebound the ball well enough and I honestly think they are just one of three or four teams that have to be considered favourites going in.

It should make for an excellent playoff round.

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This whole Longest Yard thing is sticking in my craw and since we’ve been known to, um, digress from Raptors and basketball here every now and then, here’s something.

The Worst Move Re-makes I’ve Had The Misfortune To See

Pink Panther

Ugh. Peter Sellers was spectacular, Steve Martin not so much.

Psycho

Anyone who messes with Hitchcock should be injured.

Caddyshack II

They should find every copy and burn them.

Rear Window

The original – shockingly gorgeous Grace Kelly, Jimmy Stewart – might be my all-time favourite flick and deciding to see what they did with a remake among my greatest cinematic mistakes.

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Comments

[Richard]

More evidence of "media at its worst"....Your colleague Damien Cox. Blindly accusing someone of steroid use based on no journalistic investigation. I know baseball has a history of juicing, but as a writer, don't you have to at least try and gather information before making these kinds of statements? And by information I mean more than just looking at box scores.

http://thestar.blogs.com/thespin/2010/08/gotta-at-least-ask-the-question.html

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@DG,
I completely agree with you. What a shame that the line between legitimate journalism and tabloid-style speculation/rumour mongering keeps getting more and more blurred. Cox is walking a fine line here and has probably managed to steer clear of saying anything that was legally actionable, but if I were Bautista I'd get a lawyer to take a run at him and The Star and give them both a good scare.

[Adam Reddick]

Shockingly gorgeous Grace Kelly? You don't normally find her gorgeous in her movies? Please explain? Also of note, Rear Window is one of my all-time favourite movies as well.

Blogger's note: Oh, yes, I do. Stunningly beautiful.

[Peter]

Any news on Jay's reaction to Calderon's injury? No broken clipboards to report? :)

Blogger's note: He's travelling Madrid-Athens with USA, no contact yet.

[sb]

Oh the angst!

It must be August...

[The J]

Hitchcock? Rear Window? M'eh, the Simpsons did it better :)

[Zombywoof]

Raymond Burr was one scary dude in Rear Window. I can't believe someone had the audacity to remake a perfect film.

[John]

Yes Doug, the rest of the world must care a whole lot considering the players aren't paid very much (if anything) to play. Why is it so difficult to understand that if a team is paying a player a ridiculous amount of money, that said team should be able to not allow said player to risk injury by playing against amatuer opponents (most of which could not play in the NBA if they wanted to). I am still awaiting your reasoning for this beleif.

Blogger's note: My stance is pretty clear; think I'll just leave it at that.

[GM]

The first thing I felt when reading here that Jose tweaked his hamstring again was happiness. That is, I was relieved that it probably means he won't be traded now. In fact, I wouldn't put it past him to have faked the injury to insure he wouldn't be traded. I love it!

[doug]

John you are so off the mark it's not even funny...these players care far more about this tourney then winning the

[CM]

That would be absolutely priceless if this was a self contrived conspiracy by Jose to remain a Raptor. Hope he can get well and back to form to put the haters in their place. I admit I was disappointed when we couldnt get the chandler deal done but I'm more than comfortable with Jose. Still think we need a true 5 for Andrea to truly thrive although it sounds like his rebounds are up significantly in international play.

[doug]

did it again..hit send mid-sentence I need a voice thingie so i don't have to type...anyways this to players from all over the world is a huge affair...and i think you need to educate yourself on world ball these guys aren't slugs, and in fact the U.S. has been beat more often then they have won in recent years....but to you there is more honour in getting paid millions then playing for your country, that sort of says it all about your and negates any resonable argument.....

my 2 fav movies are Citizen cane as people watch it now and think what's so great, it was years ahead of it's time, visionary and the cinematography is spellbinding....then Rear Window the story is perfect, the acting spot-on and it's rivetting....don't forget all the Rocky re-makes, ok maybe second one wasn't bad but they just went downhill fast and it wasn't that steep a hill to start with....

[doug]

this is one of the things that really irks me...why is it in golf viewers can call in and report violations and there followed thru on?.....absurd be like me watching a NBA game and calling in to say "you know you missed a travelling call". etc....latest evidence..

http://golf.fanhouse.com/2010/08/22/juli-inkster-disqualified-after-tv-viewer-reports-violation/

golf blew it with the PGA situation and they continue to do so with this viewers reporting infractions crap...

[CM]

I may have exaggerated a tad on Bargnani's rebounding stats, around 7 per game save for one 13 board game.

[TJ]

Re: playing for money versus playing for pride.
FIBA World Cup is quite huge, truely a global attraction. And I don't just mean people in a lot of countries watching, I mean a lot of countries and a lot of people watching. It isn't as big as FIFA World Cup but just as important in the big global picture of hoops.
Being chosen to play for your country is the ultimate in sports. You don't just represent a city or a dollar amount to a team but instead you represent what your country is and stands for. People with varying talents don't always see money as the be all and end all of life. Pride and glory, honour, and being proud to represent your nation amongst other nations are amazing accomplishments.
But on the flip side, yes teams pay players a lot of money to perform at very high entertaing levels. But injuries can happen anywhere anytime, and there is insurance for a financial concerns.

[Ted S.]

The one thing I marvel at is Spain's recent international success in the world's two most popular sports: soccer and basketball. Being ranked either first or second by the international governing body says a lot about Spain's athletes, coaches, development and culture. Money isn't everything, yet it is important to recognize Spanish elite athletes take a professional approach to both sports. For a country of 46 million people, a soccer and basketball fan in this country can only look in envy. Their teams play with passion, flair and love of country.
.
Best of luck to Garbo and the boys. You guys are setting the example for the world.

[Gord McNeice]

Doug, unfortunately people in North America have an egocentric view of sports. If they actually lived for a while overseas they might get a better perspective on sports. In NZ for instance, a rugby player of any level, dreams of being an All Black. Nothing is more important that putting on that shirt. Money rules the North American sports mindset. But thats OK. That kind of attitude gets what it deserves: One hour of L. James breaking a city's heart on national television. Give me Daniel Carter or Ritchie McCaw playing for the love of the game and country anyday.

[J]

I cannot begin to fathom how anyone thinks playing for one's country is anything short of monumental for the players who choose to go. I'm truly saddened by the apparent lack of patriotism.

Playing for one of the 30 NBA teams (that most likely isn't your hometown) trying to get to the playoffs and advance as far as possible is fine and dandy -- as a career, I can't think of anything better than getting paid for something you enjoy.

Being chosen to represent one's country, however, is special. How many POBs and Gerald Greens get that honor? One could argue that being named to the NBA All-Star team is similar in rarity, but the game itself is a joke and the honor involved in playing for the Eastern or Western Conference needs no explanation.

I'm not saying playing for the NBA title can't be special. I'm sure there are players who would pass on playing for their country (especially near the end of their NBA careers) because they're focused on the prize, but how many players are simply playing 82 games plus one or two playoff rounds, if even?

Most importantly, the key here is "for the players who choose to go" (though we can also include those who would want to go but aren't chosen). If someone wants to play for their country, it's obviously important enough to them. I don't understand why people like John think their opinion is the one that truly matters, and one that we should be imposing on the lucky few. We can have whatever opinion we want; the players should get to make the final decision.

[LeeZ]

Doug, you think you have it bad on this blog, what with some of the José haters, the morons and assorted weirdos who write in occasionally? Well, things could be worse. You could be Griffin over at the Jays blog. He wrote an hysterical, OBVIOUSLY tongue-in-cheek, thinly-veiled rebuke of Cox's article about Bautista and the possibility of PED's, in which he cast doubts on, of all people, noted flabbyman Dave Andrychuk and why suspicions weren't raised when he scored 50 goals. Dozens and DOZENS of puck-heads with no understanding at all of irony or sarcasm wrote in and bashed Griff for attacking Andrychuk! Seriously, Doug, this is required reading. A complete hoot!!! http://thestar.blogs.com/baseball/2010/08/griffin-the-spin-reminds-us-we-need-to-ask-questions.html#comments

Blogger's note: That's a classic; and I'm so glad I'm out of it.

[John]

Aren't soccer players amoung the highest paid atheletes in the WORLD? Isn't soccer the most international sport the world? It's like arguing with children. If you sign a contract, you should be held accountable for not being able to hold up your end of things. Would the players be ok if a team said, "hey we didn't make enough money this year, so you have to take a pay cut"? I'm sure the players would respond with "it's ok, I just enjoy the honor of playing for this wonderful organization" "hell I'll play fo free"

[John]

Doug please settle this, ask Jose if he would rather win a world championship against predominatly amatuer opposition, or win an NBA title against the top level players in the world? Ask Kobe if he had to give back either his NBA titles or his olympic gold medal, which would he? What made MJ arguably the greatest player ever, his gold medal?