What now? I don't know, you tell me

What now?

I have no idea and it will tax my creative abilities, I think, to get us through the next couple of weeks here.

Worlds are over – and I would have picked the USA to win, honest! – and media day at camp doesn’t arrive for two more weeks and if there’s a way to get a 1,000 words and a handful of marginally entertaining items here every day between now and then, I probably should get some award.

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So, did the best team win the worlds? Yeah, probably.

The Americans were full measure for their win, Kevin Durant was the best player in the tournament as it turns out (I still would have had Luis Scola as MVP if he’d taken his team to the final) and they did beat back all the opposition.

But having seen a lot of games in person and on the tube, I don’t think this means the Americans are head and shoulders above the rest of the world by any means.

It was a good win by a good team against good competition and I honestly think that when it comes to worlds and Olympics, you can never, ever suggest any team is going to have an easy time getting to the medal podium.

And it’s going to make future tournaments even better.

When I started doing this eons ago, there was never a doubt about who was going to win; no there is and it’s great.

This has been, I think, a very educational summer with regards to international basketball, the depth of talent out there and the style that’s played.

We haven’t really had a chance to watch it closely because of the absence of the Canadians from any truly significant tournament since the 2002 worlds and it’s been kind of cool.

Hope you enjoyed it.

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Okay, here’s the deal on what the American win at the worlds does for Canada.

Not a heckuva lot, actually.

Yes, the United States now becomes the first team to qualify for the 2012 London Games and I guess that makes it a bit easier for Canada to get in but, really, not a whole lot.

There are still only two – TWO – spots for FIBA Americas and seeing how there are teams like, you know, Argentina (the hosts) and Brazil in the region, it’s still a very, very, very long shot Canada gets there. The most likely way would be for Canada to get invited to the last-chance tournament that will be held next July and has the final four Olympic berths at stake.

The Olympics are so, so hard to get into, some of us figure Canada’s destined to sit out the men’s tournament until it expands from 12 to 16 teams, which FIBA is pushing for in time for the 2016 Games.

Right now, the field is:

The world champs, one each from Africa, Asia and Oceania, two from Europe and the Americas and four out of the final qualification event.

So yes, technically, it’s a good thing, I suppose; in reality, it doesn’t really do a lot.

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Remnants of the mail and there’s more to parcel out this week:

Q: Doug. Thanks for good international hoops reporting plus as always travelogue experiences. Help us understand what you learned about the MAIN DIFFERENCES between NBA play and play at the world basketball championships? And, what can we conclude about HOW players play for their national teams vs how they play professionally ( e.g. Turk ). What might explain the differences: spirit, effort, teammates, native language, fans, coaches, int'l style of play?

Charles N, Toronto

A: Aside from the technical stuff – exponentially more moving screens, a lot of grabbing and more drive and kick to three-point shooters than you’ll see in a month of NBA games – there was one thing that really, really struck me: The passion.

Of everyone from players to coaches to fans.

I think because it’s a shorter tournament with so much at stake and representing one’s country means so much, the intensity level is so much more consistently high, it always catches me by surprise when I get to things like worlds or Olympics every second year or so.

That energy does not translate into a long, drawn out NBA season and it really is what makes the international game stand out.

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You know how I’m always saying there are no “new” plays and everyone runs the same stuff and it’s all about execution and reacting to what defences do? Well, I hope more than a few of you watched my Beloved Storm beat Atlanta in the WNBA Finals opener, a totally delightful game before a packed house with all kinds of drama.

Well, the game comes down to a final possession in tie game and what does Seattle run?

High screen-roll with Sue Bird and Lauren Jackson, Bird comes off the screen, gets some space and drills the game-winner with less than two seconds left.

It’s the same play you’d see run in deciding moments of games at every skill level.

Game 2 goes Tuesday.

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So Super Wife’s about to celebrate Birth Week in the not-too-distant future (a concept I invented that’s now been co-opted by the entire dang family) and I’m terrible at gifts.

I’m always looking around for ideas out there in the big wide world and whilst prone on the couch last night, it hit me:

Lady Gaga shoes!

I was kind of watching the big MMVA’s last evening – I know, a total departure from form – and I have to say this without equivocation: I do not get it. I guess I’m not supposed to get it but, still, I really, really don’t get it.

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One thing we’re going to be all over here in the next little while is the national women’s team, which is in Europe in the final stages of preparation for their world championships that begin next week in Czech Republic.

They went 1-2 at a tournament in France over the weekend, beating Japan and losing to the hosts and to Belarus.

The loss to Belarus is the most interesting part of the thing, that’s a team that’s in the same preliminary-round group as Canada at the worlds and one it’ll have to beat to have a legitimate chance to advance.

But, as we know, any “exhibition” game ahead of a worlds is just that; it’s the same on the women’s side as it is on the men’s in that teams have a tendency to hold things back a little bit, especially against teams they’ll have to face when it really counts.

The women are off to Athens this week for a couple of games against Greece in their final tuneup.

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How ‘bout those Catch-22s?

Who? Remember back in the day when I kind of blew the reporting of the Greatest Dragon Boat Team Known To (This) Man and I got in the doghouse a wee bit from Super Wife, who finally decided to give this thing a read and noticed the error?

Well, I’m told (and I only witnessed one of four races) that they rowed paddled (she got me, again) to glorious victory in their division at the Great White North regatta on the weekend and, seeing how I like to eat and live and all, I better mention it and get it right.

Way to go, team.

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Comments

[Michael Pilecki]

The Toronto Raptors have been my favourite sports team since expansion....but, I am getting sick of supporting a team with no hope of competing.

If you are hard up for a news story, pick the GM's brain on the philosophy of making Toronto an NBA powerhouse team. Not the reality, which "sucks", but the philosophy of how it is theoretically possible to compete some day in the not-too-distant future.

The question is not how many games we win this year. The question is wheter the Grizzlies were right to desert Canada. Will they win the title before us?

I love CFL football, although it is not the NFL. Maybe we need a Canadian Basketball league...call them the World Basketball Association...and accept that Toronto's top players will always desert us for NBA "hot spots" like Miami.

Maybe the Raptors should move to Seattle, and Raptors NBA TV can broadcast Heat, Bulls, Pistons & Lakers games from now on. I think I would be happier if I did not feel this patriotic obligation to root for lovable losers..

[Kevin]

one small correction

When I started doing this eons ago, there was never a doubt about who was going to win; noW there is and it’s great.

[Michael Pilecki]

Does everyone in Canada have Cable TV? I remember a time when I resisted switching over from my rotating antenna with power booster. Are there people out there who do not get the cable sports channels?

I ask this because TSN monopolizes the CFL. OK by me, because I get that on cable, but do some fall through the cracks, like poor Torontonians who can't afford cable, and NEVER see a CFL game?

Some Toronto MLS games got switched to GOL TV which is not even available on our local cable company (Chatham-Kent, Ontario) and the newest Rogers sports channel is NOT available here at any price!!!

I used to like the Detroit Tigers until they moved TV broadcasts from an over-the-air Detroit station to a Michigan cable sports network that NO one in Ontario gets! The economy is weak, and free agent stars like Bosh desert us.

So sports franchises better stop taking fans for granted, or their multi billion dollar inverstment may lose its value some fine day!!!.

[J. Millett, Halifax]

Doug,

Thanks for your hard work on this column, especially during the times when not much basketball news is available. Are you open to suggestions? How about a few stories on the behind-the-scenes people involved with the Raptors. Who are they, what do they do, how did they become involved with the Raptors, a few pics and "Bob's your uncle"

[Mike]

"did the best team win .... probably" ???????

Come on Doug, they streamrolled this tournament. What was their average margin of victory for the last 3 games .... close to 15 pts?

That's the Pythagorean equivalent of a 76 win team in the NBA.

Question - by how many points per game did the USA need to win by for you to say "did the best team win .... ABSOLUTELY"

Because clearly tearing apart the home team by 17 in the gold medal game isn't enough. Maybe if they win the Olympics in 2012 by 30 points a game you will say they are head and shoulders better than everyone.

Blogger's note: If they do that and aren't pressed 'til the final few seconds by Brazil or be tied with Angola in the third quarter or go to a final possession of a game against Spain, I probably will. But they won't.

Haters going to hate.

[thetwins]

Here is an idea for the blog between now and the season start:

DS giude to offensive play and defensive strategies. You have said several times that they all run the same plays - just with different names. It would be cool if you did a breakdown of that the top 10-15 plays are, and how we can recognize them from our couch. You could even look to find youtube examples of the plays to attach to the blog.

Thanks for the daily fix.

[Anthony]

Almost Thanksgiving Doug, thats one Turkey I do like.
Question is about Jose, I think he could be a GREAT fit on this roster, do you see him getting the start or Jack?

With Bosh out we lost a great jump shooter and teams can now pack the paint if Jack, DaRozen, Leandro are driving every time down, Andrea has a great J but he NEEDS to rebound more this season and look for his 3's in transition.

Jose is a legit 3 point threat and if the hammy is right he can break down some of the guards in the league. Teams can sag of Jack more then Jose when healthy.

Blogger's note: That's a decision that will be made at training camp; it hasn't yet

[Paul B]

one blog idea might be an update on Jose's injury?

Blogger's note: He's recuperating and should be fine for the start of training camp in two weeks which is no change from the day he was hurt.

[Kadz]

Doug,

One small correction. It's not the MMVAs, it's the MTV MVAs (MTV Music Video Awards) that was on last night. The MMVAs (Much Music Video Awards), which is the Canadian equivalent (and way better, IMO) was last June. I don't blame you if you don't get these shows. I used to dig these shows before, and faithfully watch it ever year. But now, with two teenage daughters, and the content shown in these channels (MTV & Much Music) I'm starting "not to get it" anymore.

Thanks for all the updates, BTW, and keep up the good work.

[TREY]

Hey Doug...Have you heard anything about Bell getting Sportnet One anytime soon? I noticed there is quite a bit of games on that channel this year.
Thanks

[Jeff D]

I have managed to resist the lure of cable so far and don't see that changing any time soon. Unfortunately, that leaves my sports viewing options to whatever scraps CBC throws my way.

[CC]

why don't your boss send you to Italy to follow up on Andrea or to Spain and maybe give us some updates on Jose?

[The J]

Does winning the tournament with the "B" team suggest that USA is likely to dominate the international tournaments again? Or do you think missing key players on other squads (ie, Gasol, Yao, etc.) had just as much impact as missing the team USA big guns (Kobe, LeBron, Melo, Wade, etc.)?

[The J]

Also you were watching the VMA's not the MMVA's. The MMVAs are the Much Music Video Awards, the VMAs are the MTV Video Music Awards. Not that I care, they both tend to be a little lame.
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And don't worry if you don't "get it", most people don't. In fact, I don't think there is actually anything to "get". I don't think there is any meaning behind the outfits other than "I wear weird outfits, then I get attention, then I sell albums, and then I get a little richer". Though I think the Raptors should steal one of her ideas and wear jerseys made of meat. Because the way this squad is currently constructed they are going to be dead meat all season anyways.

[David]

With many players arriving in town this week, why not get some interviews before media day, Doug. If the Star doesn't want to run them as articles, use them in your blog. Julian Wright is in town and hasn't been interviewed about his trade yet. I'd like to know more about Linas Kleiza's improvement. You didn't get an interview with him in Turkey, but if he arrives here before media day, there's a lot you can ask him. Jay Triano ought to be back shortly, and he's seen Kleiza, Barbosa and Anderson - as well as Jose before he got hurt. I'd ask him whether Kleiza's play in particular gives us a new wrinkle ( like posting up the small forward) that wasn't in the game plan a few weeks ago.

[Rob.V]

Duude!

When in doubt... it's top 5 list time. I know we've done it before however lets be honest, it doesnt take much to stoke the masses here. I'm sure if you rolled out a top 5, some Einstein will then proceed to tell you how stupid you are...which should at minimum get the ball rolling. lol!

But it'll keep the blog moving while the well has run dry for the next two weeks. This should buy you just enough time until training camp.. when everyone can get back to - Fire Triano (after the first training camp work-out), and fire Colangelo... this team sucks comments (before a single game has been played).

You know, our run of the mill daily bloggers. Oh, joy!!

[Wayne]

Most of you would be amazed with what you can get for free over the air in HD,NHL,NFL,NBA,NASCAR etc with a small one time investment. The Americans deserved to win this when they committed and focused they can beat anybody, just make sure those ego's are checked at the door (playing good defense helps).

[JP Morresi]

Is it just me, or do others think that Linas Klieza's performance at the worlds and the impact he can have here in Toronto next year has been underreported/discussed on the heels of the worlds?

[Pipit]

Worlds are over – and I would have picked the USA to win, honest!

What? You picked Lithuania by 2 Doug, remember? This is one moronic prediction done by somebody whose actually there and have years of covering the basketball world. I wonder if this guy knows basketball at all.

Blogger's note: Wow. You need to relax. But thanks for taking the time to write, very much appreciated, even if an attempt at humour seems to be out of your realm of comprehension.

[J]

@ Pipit:

Learn to take a joke, dude/dudette, unless your goal is to show how much of a (insert noun form of the adjective you used) you are. Bravo in that case.

[Sam]

I'd be interested in hearing some thoughts on Klieza and how he fits on the Raptors - I see he had a pretty solid turn at the worlds - (from the box scores I've read) usually lead his team in scoring and minutes - however he seemed to disappear against team USA - Could it be a smothering defence or simply an off day.
Curious to hear what we can expect from him on an ongoing basis -

[Peter]

I don't know if this is a blog idea, a story idea, or just a bad idea. After Michael Jordan killed the Jose deal, you mentioned that Bryan Colangelo was not done yet, and that the roster would develop from that point until the start of the season. I think it's fair to say that the roster developed less then you would have expected.
I'm curious to know if you've been able to dig up any frustration from the team in the fact that they really haven't got as much done as most would have hoped they would by now. Also, is there a strategy to wait until the season has started to use these trade exceptions? or is that just the default position because they weren't able to use them yet?

If that idea didn't work, you could share your thoughts on Iverson having to look to China in order to continue his playing career. Say what you want about Iverson, I would have thought that someone would take a risk on him by now.

[Larry]

Expanding from 12 teams to 16 teams is not a good idea. Theres clearly a big gap in talent of the top 5 and the bottom 5. Some games would be huge blowouts and wouldn't be fun to watch.

[doug]

i think what people are missing is this...teams shut down for awhile as from training camp, thru the season, the draft, then the free agency period teams go at it full force...so I would think August and September is a slow period just because teams are not "open for business"...also people complain about the job BC has done if that trade had gone thru (and it never, not because of BC) then we'd have Chandler, maybe Diaw (as i am not sure if he would have been flipped or what) and that team would be my type of team,,,modelled after the Rockets a bunch of parts, without a reliance on one of those pieces...so that deal fell apart so obviously BC knows this team is not the team he wants or knows there are parts missing....but he isn't Bewitched and can just twitch his nose and make whatever he wants to happen,happen (Elizabeth Montgomery he's not and what a nose she had amongst other things) patience just needs to be exhibited....once teams get back at the business then the dominoes will start falling...as there are a few teams out there with missing pieces, malcontents (Rudy fernandez) etc....

[dallas]

Hey Doug, why not do a piece on each Raptor over the next few weeks. A break down of their past season, their outlook this season, what they needed to work on, where they figure to be in the rotation, and what they have to show the coaches at training camp. Just a suggestion, use at you leisure.

Blogger's note: Appreciate it; and that's a big part of the month of training camp.