There's movement afoot with the Raptors

All kinds of nuggets came out of the wee chat I had with Bryan yesterday (the main points are pretty much covered off here) and there was one other thing.

Remember way back when Masai left, there was some question whether they’d replace him in the front office or not?

Well, not sure it’s going to happen right away but there are going to be some changes in responsibility, likely minor, in the front office in the next couple of days.

But the big thing, of course, was it sounds like something is definitely happening roster wise before they hit the court here Tuesday morning.

The list of possibles seems a bit underwhelming – The Gangster (who seemed a tad more, um, mature when I saw him briefly in Turkey), David Harrison (washout in Indy), Earl Barron (relative unknown, had one good game late in the year in New York), Peter John Ramos (journeyman) and Fabricio Oberto (he’d be my pick because of his experience but not sure how much he’s got left in the tank)

Because that group doesn’t, in my opinion, hold much promise for future growth, I’m wondering if the trade route Bryan was talking about doesn’t make a lot more sense.

After all, they’ve already got a full roster and I can’t see them paying someone to go away to keep any of those guys around. And the impression I got in the conversation was that he’s looking for more than training camp fodder.

Of course, there was nothing available, even on the QT about who he’s got his eyes on trade-wide. Not entirely surprising at all, given that news leaks on two aborted transactions earlier this summer (the Charlotte one and Matt Barnes) may have been partially responsible for them falling part. Not completely, but at least partially.

One thing I got is that there are all kinds of teams calling about all kinds of players on the roster, though. Many around these parts may not think there’s much talent or guys who are coveted elsewhere but I’m not sure that’s the case if you’re an NBA GM.

Guess it all winds up with this: There’ll be news over the weekend; think today might be quiet on the player front because there are some league meetings but I fully expect at least one or two new faces in camp.

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Total aside but if 30 Rock, which returned last night, isn’t the funniest contemporary show on TV, I don’t know what is.

But I have to say, The Big Bang Theory is growing on me a bit. It’s no Two and A Half Men but it’s pretty good.

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Here’s why I’ve got a lot of time for the women’s basketball team that’s over at the worlds.

I hardly get to see them, or even talk to them, they don’t do a lot of media but when they do, they are tremendous. Thoughtful answers to questions, their personalities shine through and they do seem to enjoy chatting about themselves, the game, the team and the program.

I’m not saying, for instance, that the men don’t but there’s something a bit more, I don’t know, refreshing about the women that I find endearing.

And they give good quotes, too.

On the phone with Nataly Achonwa yesterday (and remember that name, she’s going to be a good one), I asked the 17-year-old what it was like going against the likes of Lauren Jackson, who’s an all-world big and one of the top five players on earth. China’s got some big size up front and so does Belarus and I wondered whether Nataly found it tough to go up against such size.

“Every day before I got to bed, I pray I grow a little more.”

That’s pretty good.

And the other day on the phone, I asked Kim Smith about the whole matter of recognition and publicity and notoriety that this team simply doesn’t get because not enough people really care.

“I just don’t think people know about it (the world championships) or know about us. When people see us and come watch us play, they enjoy what they see. We’re a very personable group.”

That they are, indeed.

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Mail? Love some. This is going to be the last call for it; think this afternoon might be time to sit down and scribble some answers.

Click, write, send.

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List time

You know me and training camp, right?

Too long, too uneventful and only gets you ready for eight (yawn!) pretend games.

Anyway, with one about to start, here are the three worst in franchise history.

(We’ll figure out three good ones on the weekend or Monday)  

Barrie, 1996

Second year, dreadful doesn’t begin to cut it.

Stayed a couple of nights at some dumpy roadside Holiday Inn, which was the same hotel the players used and if you wanted to see grumpy, you should have seen them. Practiced in some hockey rink with one court and it was, in a word, horrible.  

Home, 2003

Dang Kevin O’Neill. Figured there was no sense in travelling anywhere and a few days of two-a-days we couldn’t watch was pretty bad. This year’s gonna bite a little bit, too but at least there’s the allure of Vancouver at the end of it. One thing we like? To get away at the start of the season to get into the swing of things.  

Buffalo, 2000

Nothing against Buffalo, per se, (well, except that it’s Buffalo and downtown was, um, blight) but camp began about 36 hours after we got back from the Sydney Olympics and dealing with jetlag was tough. Oh, and it was in Buffalo, too. I did bring back some pretty nifty red running shoes from Sydney so that was okay.

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In keeping with an early-week theme, Super Son ventured off to school shortly after 7:30 all primed for today’s Terry Fox Run for students at his place.

I’m hoping yours might be doing the same, I hope they raised some money and I hope, most of all, that they listen to the message the day carries.

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All right, gotta track the last half of the women’s game on this machine. Be back soon with a wee update.^

Watch twitter, follow me @smithraps and you’ll get it first.

(Yes, a shameful plug for more, um, followers or whatever they’re called)

 

Comments

[Lorie]

Doug!
Great win for Canada!!! Can't wait to watch this one later tonight! 9pm again?

Blogger's note: Yes, I believe it is 9 p.m. again

[Matty-Pix]

A roster with Bargnani, Amir, Ed Davis (even if innjured for a few weeks), Reggie, Anderson, Alabi, Dorsey ... doesn't seem to need depth - unless it's an upgrade, which those names don't seem to be.

[sam]

I remember the year the Raptors came to Barrie - The hockey rink is the Barrie Molson Centre - Home of the Barrie Colts - various trade shows and the odd concert.
Agreed - Not an ideal location for a training camp. If I remember correctly one of the reasons the Raptors Traveled up the 400 highway was because the local TV Station was one of the few channels to carry a regular schedule of games.

[AlfreDee]

Nice one, Canada!
Doug, you have me hooked on the blog - I hope you don't make me follow your tweets for flash announcements (like Canada's enormous just completed win over China).

[Mike D.]

Hi Doug. All the "availables" you mentioned are 7+ foot big bodies.....is that the type of move that's being whispered about or is that really everyone who's still available?

Blogger's note: I was told they're looking for a "big"

[Mike]

Hey Doug any chance the Suns would be interested in letting go of Robin Lopez. In terms of potential, he's got it by the bucket loads. Do you think a first round draft pick plus an expiring contract would be enough for them to pull the trigger, or do you think it's just a fan's pipe dream.

Blogger's note: Having lost Amare, I'm pretty sure Lopez isn't going anywhere

[DP]

I'm guessing a Calderon for Prince deal with Detroit is most logical given both of the teams's needs. Unless of course, BC has interest in Eddy Curry because my sources tell me he's available. (I'm joking).

[Steve G]

Yea, premiere week has been a hit so far!

Thursday nights now have too many shows!

Big Bang Theory, Community, 30 Rock, and The Office for comedies..

Then there's Fringe and The Mentalist! Makes for a great night of TV..

and Oh yea.. so the summer's finally almost over!! Soon time for meaningless pre-season games to get us our fix!

[dc]

There is talent on the roster, and i think a lot of the players would see their statistics and overall impact on a different roster increase. But that's probably because i think most of the talent on the raptors will be forced into roles that likely won't allow them to use their skills to their full potential. On a different team, startes would become back ups and have an easier time getting around 2nd unit defenders. Likewise, average to poor defensive players can hide, without hurting chances to win, on teams with strong defensive players. Easy to understand, in that context, why a rival GM would want a player who would otherwise appear to be another soft and uninspired competitor on the raptors.

[Mike D.]

I'd like to think we'll see a Reggie trade to eleiminate the Evans/Dorsey duplication, but what's the probability that their quest for a big is a hint that Davis' knee injury might be worse than everyone initially thought?

Blogger's note: Not worse than they thought in any manner other than it's going to be at least six weeks before he can resume "basketball-related" work.

[Mike D.]

Sorry, that should have been spelled "eliminate."

[Jacques]

why doesn't BC go after Don Nelson in replace of Masai or some management role? Don will be released on Monday.

[doug]

I feel for BC in that really he did his job this summer it just all came undone for various reasons..imagine this team with Chandler,Barnes and maybe Diaw along with the others on the roster not a bad team, would have been interesting to see that team develop....but alas back to the drawing board and there just aren't any quality big men available...and as far as the point guard trading chip goes it's a interesting choice BC has there as well...do you pull the trigger now or wait a bit and roll the dice as another team's injury down the road increases BC's bargaining power....

remember a few years ago all the tv "experts" wre saying that the sit-com was dead, reality was the future...well reality has found it's spot,DWTS,Idol, Survivor do their thing but it's allure has fallen off...and the sitcom is back, Big bang, Modern Family (hilarious) , 30 Rock and so on...as a good laugh never goes out of style...

[WH]

Hi Doug,

This is entirely premature, by I believe that Marc Gasol will be a free agent next summer, and might be a good fit here. Have you had any indications from insiders that he is on their radar screen?

Blogger's note: Um, no. None.

[radar]

"Total aside but if 30 Rock, which returned last night, isn’t the funniest contemporary show on TV, I don’t know what is"

Have you checked out Modern Family Doug? On par if not better than 30 Rock in my opinion.

Blogger's note: I've heard of it; never seen an episode.

[Sean]

Two and a Half Men??? Geez Doug...

[J]

Man did that new outsourced show suck or what? BRING BACK PARKS AND REC!

On a side note the funniest show related line was on a twitter account that ties into the "Stuff an Old White Man Says" bit on Community. I'm not going to repeat it but it had my wife and I in tears!

[Sam]

Doug,

How about bringing back Rasho as their backup Center? He loves the city and can play and mentor the young guys.

Blogger's note: If he hadn't already signed to play with, I believe it is, Olympiakos in Greece, I'd be all for it.

[Shaun]

Doug,

I was listening to Jay on the Fan and was surprised to hear him say that Bosh was not a leader in the dressing room. Not sure if you heard the interview or not, but I'm not sure if he meant that he wasn't a "rah rah" type of leader or that he wasn't even really a quiet leader (ie. lead by example). I always thought of him as a quiet leader and someone the players respected and listened to when he spoke. What are your thoughts on this and Bosh as a leader?

Blogger's note: Was never a really vocal guy but commanded respect for his abilities.

[The J]

I've been kind of beaten to the punch but I was going to say Modern Family is probably the funniest show on TV right now. Big Bang Theory has it's moments and 30 Rock is great, but despite the sensitive endings, Modern Family is just hillarious. It reminds me of Arrested Development but with likeable characters.

[John]

@ Shaun
That sounds like Jay using Bosh as a scapegoat after he has left. Sounds pretty cowardly, especially considering Jay is the "Head coach" (would use air quotes if a keyboard was able to), and the most leadership I have seen out of him is breaking a clipboard once, and telling all the players that every shot they take is a good one.
Who's your leader now Jay? Such a crock.

[pain777pas]

@Sam

Rasho staying would have helped this team a great deal. I agree with you on that for sure.

[TonyC]

I would have to agree with the two previous commenters that indeed Modern Family is the best comedy show on TV right now. Doug, you've got to watch it.

[doug]

omg has david stern lost total perspective or what>???this new technical foul rule is absurd

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/writers/ian_thomsen/09/24/technicals/index.html?eref=sihp

is this guy for real??...i am liking Cuban more and more as he realized years ago what a farce this guy is....

[Tom]

Since when do you use twitter? I swear you were against it for years... ?