Now it's time for the fun to begin for real

So here we go.

But before we get into the silliness and the angst, I want to say this:

Folks, it’s fun.

I don’t know whether the Heroes of the Hardcourt will win 22 games or 34 games or 41 games and I don’t care and, you know what? I don’t know whether you should, either.

Sports is supposed to be about fun, isn’t it? Isn’t supposed to be a couple of hours of escape, from the boss and the bills and life? A diversion, a thing to entertain you and make you smile.

Yes, being a passionate fan is nice but to live and die with possessions, to dissect every nuance of every game? That’s too much.

Yes, this team will get absolutely drilled some nights and it will win some games out of nowhere. And in every game you watch – win or lose – there will be a moment, a play, a shot, a dunk, a move that makes you say “holy crap” and that’s what it’s all about.

Who cares whether this guy or that guy says they’ll win 20 games or 25 games or whatever? Does anyone really need to obsess about the predictions of others, or seek validation for their opinions all that much?

I think we all need to take a deep breath and maybe a step back and realize what it is:

A game.

It will be nice, indeed, when they win; it will be a tad less nice when they lose but at the end of the day, it’s entertainment.

Please, enjoy the good moments and quickly forget the bad. There’s enough in each of our lives that we don’t need to feel anger and angst and dismay over a bunch of guys playing a kid’s game.

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Now, that said, let’s dissect them, in a good and bad kind of way:

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Good: They will be more athletic, it seems. Tempo will be a word heavily used this year when chatter gets around to the Raptors because a lot of them like to get out and go. But to think they’ll place racehorse basketball as if Paul Westhead were coaching them is wrong, look for them to try and score in transition but they won’t try to put up 120 points a night. A controlled break is more like it

Bad: Leandro Barbosa is likely to play tonight but he’s got a bad wrist that, according to him and Bryan Colangelo, may eventually need surgery. It’s not imminent but if it gets worse and he needs to be cut mid-season, it’ll be a big blow. It may not affect his shot, though. Someone asked the other day if he had hurt his shooting hand and it was pointed out that he really doesn’t have a “shooting hand” since he releases the ball with both of them.

Good: You’ll never really know who’s going to be the No. 1 guy each night. Might be trouble on the nights no one plays well but you have to admit it’s going to be more fun that knowing one guy’s going to get 25 shots and the ball at every significant moment.

Bad: There will be nights when no one plays well and they get killed. Be prepared, it might happen more than a few times.

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And some more stuff

The East is loaded with bad teams. You’ve got three very good ones in Orlando, Boston and Miami, you’ve got Chicago, Milwaukee and Atlanta in a second tier and then what?

A bunch of teams with holes and question marks and hope.

Toronto’s season is going to be determined by how it does against the New Yorks, New Jerseys, Charlottes, Detroits, Washingtons and Indianas of the world, not the others.

Best thing that can happen for this group:

The Magic, Heat and Celtics each win about 68 games, sweeping every team in the East while Toronto holds its own against the other dregs and steals a couple at home against those middle three. That should keep the Raptors around the periphery of the race at least; and add some juice to the second half of the season.

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The one guy I’m most interested in watching this season is Jay.

He’s got a chance to really coach this time around, to be creative rather than “forced” to feed the ball to his top player. I think at times last year he felt he had to satisfy Bosh and wasn’t sure how to handle Turkolgu and it killed them.

This season? Not an issue and when I asked him the other day whether he was excited about having a chance to experiment, he quickly said yes.

“Absolutely. More creative and less predictable.

“Last year, if … if we didn’t run a certain play late in the game, it was like, ‘why would you pay this guy this much money and not give the basketball.’

 

“Now, it’s an opportunity that we can disguise a lot of things and we can change up who we go to when the game’s on the line.” And that might be fun to watch.

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A number?

I don’t really have one, to tell you the truth.

I can see them winning 25 games, I can see them winning 33 games, I can see them doing a lot of different things.

But, I’ll go back to what I said at the top, it should be entertainment and if it’s a fun night out and something good happens to take your mind off the real world, that really should be good enough.

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Torn, folks. I’m torn.

Rangers? Giants? Giants? Rangers? Do I care? Don’t I care?

And I’ve come to the realization that, yes, I care.

And I’m all about the Rangers, for a couple of reasons.

First, one of the best memories I have of watching baseball with Super Son – and those are the memories that count – is sitting out one night watching Josh Hamilton hit homer after homer at the all-star game in New York and it was a great night for a dad and a kid.

And way back in the day, and I’m talking way back in the day, I was hooked up with a great, great bunch of Tillsonburg Red Sox, glorious OBA Senior D champions in 1984 believe it was, a spectacular come-from-behind win in a double-knockout provincial finals in some tiny town out east of Whitby as I recall) and our replica hats were the Texas model, with the ‘T’ emblem on the front. It may have been conflicting fashion – Boston replica jerseys, Texas hats – but it provided me with some of the top baseball moments I’ve had.

So, go Rangers.

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We’re here at 1 p.m. East, right? Questions. Answers. Fun. Frivolity. And then again for the game? You’re going to get sick of me.

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Total aside:

It shocks me every time I see Erik Spoelstra as head coach of the Miami Heat to think about the kid I used to talk to in various Marriott concierge lounges when he was an advanced scout making it so big.

Very cool.

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This quote from Chris Bosh dismays me. A lot.

“Really, it’s all about being on TV at the end of the day. Seriously. A guy can average 20 (points) and 10 (rebounds), and nobody really cares. If you don’t see it (on U.S. national TV), then it doesn’t really happen.”

Doesn’t that sort of sum up what’s wrong with so many of our athletes today?

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Comments

[Dave]

The best part about last night was the fact Albert kept referring to Wade and Lebron as "the dynamic duo". Seems as though Bosh can't get the respect he thinks he deserves anywhere.

[Peter]

The flip side to Chris being on TV every night is that a lot of people are going to see his flaws now. Before, if he had a bad night, nobody noticed, now, with all of those expectations, he'll be expected to get his 20 and 10, and when he doesn't, there are going to be a LOT of people that sit up and take notice. It will be interesting to see how he reacts to that this season.

[JHK]

I couldn't agree more with Doug's opening words today.
It's about fun and it's about those moments that make you say wow.
I was watching the Heat game last night and I realized how much fun this game really was, and enjoyed every second of it.
Part of the reason being the first game of the season, yes, but also the fact that I wasn't being fanatic about either side, I was just watching it to purely pleasure myself with a NBA regular season game.
I wanted to see the new big 3, I wanted to see the old big 3, I wanted to see the O'neal's, I wanted to see Nate dunking, I wanted to see if Juwan Howard can still walk etc.
It wasn't about who wins and losses, and that made my experience so much more relaxed and enjoyable.
Sure, if Raptors were playing, I would have enjoyed even more, and that's what I'll be doing tonight, but like Doug said, we all need to enjoy the game for what it gives us - and it's not just wins and losses that the game offers.

[ET]

Sure it is entertainment, but winning is fun. Losing is not fun at all. We want to see our team in the playoffs and we want them to do well. The acceptance of mediocre products in Toronto sports culture must end! We can only hope.

[AT]

Doug,
What were you thoughts on Heat-Celtics game last night?

Blogger's note: Mildly entertaining, mostly poorly-played first game of a long season

[sam]

Agree with your thoughts on the Bosh quote.
When I read that line last night it confirmed what I'm sure many people had thought all along.
I'm not saying it's bad and I don't mind that he moved on. He earned that right, however when your major concern is TV face time it appears The Ego has landed....and it's in South Beach. I wish him well, but I suspect that if last night's Celtics Heat game is any indication - He won't garner the attention from the TV talking heads as long as James and Wade are in front of him

[tdubshow]

come on Doug, isn't that exactly what Charles Oakley would say

[Matty-Pix]

Great blog Doug thanks.
I've been trying hard in recent years to not get so upset when the team loses, but it certainly is a battle.
As for Bosh wanting everyone to see his game? He may want to be careful what he wishes for ... in his case, seeing thr 20/10 box score is more impressive than watching him try to do it ... bleh.

[Tudor]

Well.... now Bosh is on the center stage... Most likely he will never score 20/10 since he's the third stringer in that offence, but he got his milk commercial, his cameo apperance in Entourage, "life is good man..." :-)

[Jim]

Have we not known that about Bosh for a while? That he is more interested in being famous than being a great basketball player? I can't believe he was the one to say what everyone in Toronto already knew!

[SEC]

If bosh was good enough to take the Rap's deep into the playoffs, to the finals, win 68 games a year and be in MVP discussions, a la Lebron - he would have more than enough TV exposure. He's just going to get the TV time cause of his two buddies and be exposed as a slow jump shooter with butter hands and bad knees.

[gdr]

Doug, bit off topic here, but is the 1st round pick the Raps received from the Heat have any restrictions/protections too it? Looking forward to tonight's opener! I've been too the last 4 home openers and its always the most entertaining.

[Ryan M. in Ottawa]

Watched the game last night, mostly sloppy, Miami looked like a team that hasn't played together, Boston looked like a team that hasn't played together in a few motnhs, normal regular season start stuff. But what did stand out was that it went virtually unmentioned that Rajon Rondo had 17 assists! 17! I've never been big on a PG who can't shoot but if he distributes the ball like that most nights the Celtics are going to be impossible to stop

[Dadeo]

That quote from Bosh threw me a bit when I read it as well....in my opinion it says alot about someone that they need that continuous recognition of their accomplishments. Unfortunately for Chris, now that 'everyone' will be watching it's unlikely that he'll average 20 and 10 (not as the 3rd option). So if he gets something around 14 and 10 will anyone really care?

[Nick]

Hey Doug, sounds like watching Boston dispose of Miami last night has put you in a mood this morning to temper expectations, even for a Raptors team with the bar set pretty low.
You can't use the "its just a game" reasoning so simplistically when you talk about pro sports. Not when fans get absolutely saturated in their favorite team's coverage and when the cost of attending a game, or even watching the games on television, can take a sizable chunk out of a fan's wallet.
Everyone needs expectations otherwise you get complacency and that certainly includes the Raps. As fans, from what we have seen the last 5 season or so, I think we will take a mere 25-30 wins if it comes with the caveat that this team competed at both ends of the floor all 82 games. Looking back on this team's history, how far do you have to go back to be able to honestly say that? As for Canada's favorite coach, he has expectations too. I hope that since they've touted depth and not having any real superstars with expectations of minutes/shots that he will actually hold players accountable and sit them when they aren't helping the team. He has looked soft in the past and it would be refreshing to see him call out a player once in a while instead of taking it out on clipboards.
I'd rather see a Raptors team take their failings like men than see them take the route of a certain South Beach outfit that is already throwing around sarcastic apologies for not going 82-0 this season.

[John D.]

The beginning of your blog should be mandatory reading for all fans of all sports everywhere...and probably a coach or two, and a few parents. Well said. Sports are a joy.

Then we have the end, and Bosh's comments.

Leaves me wondering how sports got it so backwards? Die-hard fans (and coaches and parents) that can't handle the highs and lows of winning and losing, athletes who don't care about wins and losses.

[John]

Agree with ET, it sounds like MLSE made you write that dribble.
It's about fun when your watching your kids play peewee softball, when you are paying real money to watch professional athletes (who are being paid real money) then it's about winning. That half assed attitude is exactly why Toronto teams suck, because all we care about is fun.
Last time I checked Doug, you make your living off this "game" that you dissect on a daily basis. If eveyone took your advice then your blog and writing in general become useless. The reason you are so popular is because people take this game seriously (too seriously sometimes).

[John S]

I agree that it's about having fun watching the game. And I'd much rather watch an exciting young team on the rise win 30 games than an old underachieving win 40 games.

That said, as a Raptors fan who's been there since 95, it gets frustrating watching rebuilding teams over and over again. It gets frustrating watching our best players leave for nothing (the only good deal we ever got was for Damon). As a die hard Raptors fan it's not much fun to watch the team lose more often than not, both during the season and offseason. If you don't care about the team, then you're apathetic and if the fan base becomes apathetic then what keeps basketball in Toronto?

Anyways, here's hoping that Bargs can justify his #1 pick status and that Demar becomes that athletic wing that has been missing since Vince in 2002 (2003-2005 doesn't count). And here's hoping that Ed Davis can come back healthy and develop into a defensive force.

[pain777pas]

Morning Doug,

You're right it is entertainment. I will get enjoyment either cheering or jeering to be honest. I love to yell for great plays and lift up my hands and laugh when there is a total collapse. Yesterday was the eastern conference finals in my opinion. Heat need time to heat up and understand how Lebron plays the game because he will have the ball in his hands a lot. Bosh never plays well against his idol Garnett and with Shaq who hates him down low aswell his numbers were to be expected (sadly, he has to grow up and man up). Jay will be the maker and breaker this season and will get the credit for wins and loses because he will be the anchor for this young team. They will take on his identity. Let's hope it's a good one. Did you kinda enjoy the rude awakening for the Heat last night Doug? They surely ate some humble pie.

[Mark]

Doug et al,

I wonder what CB1 is thinking this morning. he might as well had been Joel Anthony last night - a mere afterthought to his ball-dominating teammates. i know it only one game, but when that team is behind, he's not getting the ball. he looked extremely ordinary to me last night. I must say, i enjoyed that - does that make me bad person?

[CC]

no DWTS news in your blog? that's new...

not surprise on CB words though..he tweet or said that while he was still here. when the Raps beat the Lakers and the local TV sports news was all about a hockey trick shot competition of some kind...

that's why he left...

Blogger's note: Missed DWTS socializing with My Man Sheridan and watching Heat-Celtics

[Rob]

I guess since it was televised on national tv it means that the 8 points and 8 rebounds that Bosh got did actually happen.

At least Lebron is saying that he wants to win championships, Bosh just wanted to get on tv. Maybe he should have just gone into broadcasting instead of basketball.

[ashm]

hey doug
i found it funny that the announcer actually 21s left to end of 2 quarter , referred to Miami as Cleavland by mistake. This was exactly when bosh was throwing the last free throw in 21s left to second quarter.

[Juan]

Doug
It's the Holy Crap moments that make basketball the best game in the world.
Re: the Bosh comment I hope this is the last time we have to deal with this but it is no surprise. It was entirely obvious what he was all about during the vomit-inducing "TwitterFest" episode and this is what people refer to when they talk about "the way he left". And yes, it does erase all the goodwill that he created while he was here because now we know, at the very least in the latter years, none of it was sincere. Just cheap/fake marketing crap from a guy who still doesn't understand when he should just shut up and play. And as tough as it was to root for the Celtics, last night brought a smile to my face.
Let's get this season underway!

[kelsie]

Hey Doug,

Jay felt forced to give Bosh the ball or satisfy Turkoglu? I would feel forced to give Bosh the ball considering his efficiency last year as well. As for Turk's, i'm certain any coach worth his salt would do the right thing for the team and sit down a player who is not producing or playing hard instead of trotting him out there and defending his lacklustre play time and time again.

As for Bosh's "comment". As an employee when you work hard and accomplish good things in the workplace isn't it a common and desired feeling to be noticed or recognized? As an athlete, don't you want to be considered as good or better than you peers? Why would you want to be riddled in obscurity? Well if he won more games for the Raps he would be noticed more wouldn't he? Perhaps, but there are teams that lost more games last year and still get noticed more and are more relevant than the Raps.

He had one of the strongest statistical seasons a PF in this league has had and who noticed? He was bypassed for the All-NBA team when if they made the playoffs he would have been a shoo-in.

They all do it for winning, money and recognition as well Doug, so i'm not sure what his comment "sums" up about today's athlete.