Some cool lists, fun stuff in a good mailbag (if I do say so myself)

I’m starting the mailbag with my own question, for which there is no logical answer:

Q: How in the name of all that’s good in the world could a guy take a 3-2 pitch with two on and two out in the bottom of the ninth down a run and facing elimination in Game 6 in the NLCS?

I’m a very grumbly at that turn of events.

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Q: Hi Doug. Here's a question about Babies, Fatherhood and Ball Players.

As many men become more active fathers how does this affect their pro ball playing requirements? Aaron Hill, Calderon and I am sure there are others- the new baby does not sleep, the mom may need support, life has changed. What do teams, the league do to try and support new father ballplayers? What have you observed on this question over the years? Do you believe there are times when becoming a father has affected alertness and endurance of players? My two adult sons are exhausted sometimes by having to look after their little ones. And you have shared with us that the fingers may start to lag as you balance with Super Son and work.

Charles N, Toronto

A: I’m not sure they do enough. And I am virtually sure the tug of new parenthood is strong, physically and mentally and I’m equally certain it has an impact on performance at some level.

That said, I would presume – and I’m not privy to enough inside information to say it unequivocally – that good teams with compassionate ownership and management would reach out to new dads to offer services, advice and any time a guy would need to try and adapt.

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Q: Hi Doug. Haven't written in ages but love the blog as always and greatly appreciate your tireless efforts.

Totally un-basketball related Top 5 List query for you, having learned of the loss of a friend of mine, Mr. Tom Bosley, also known as Mr. 'C' on Happy Days. Top 5 TV Dads?

Quickly, my fave story Tom told me when we shot a tv movie a few years back in which he played my dad (a treat I'll always cherish):

Soon after landing the gig, he's on the set of Happy Days, shooting, when he gets a call from Aaron Spelling, who was a good friend.

Aaron says "Tom, listen, I'm doing this new show and I've got a great part in it for you, it's called Charlie's Angels."

Tom says, "Aaron, I'm flattered but I don't know if you've heard, I'm doing this show Happy Days".

Months later Aaron calls Tom up and tells him to tune in to Charlie's Angels that night at 8pm. So he does. He sees a male actor walk into a bar, seemingly looking for someone. Another man walks up to him and, mispronouncing his name, says "You Bowsley?". The actor responds, "No, it's Bosley, like the guy on tv."

 

James G, Toronto

A: That’s a heckuva story.

Now, TV dads are in interesting lot, aren’t they?

You have Tony Soprano and Homer Simpson. Archie Bunker and Cliff Huxtable. Frank Costanza and Ward Cleaver. You’ve go the dude Ingalls from Little House On The Prairie and Martin Crane.

My top five?

Cliff, Homer, Archie, Mr. C and Frank.

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Q: Hi Doug. I've just read this article on nba.com about the "best game ever" seen (not watched) by the columnist and was wondering what your top 5 of all games you've ever seen.

Matthiew B, Biel-Bienne

A: Wow. A really tough one ‘cause a lot of them tend to blur together. And I’m pretty sure I did one of international games right around the worlds.

But searching the nooks and crannies of my brain – and those are dark and scary nooks and crannies – I’ll give you these with the provision that if I remember a better one before the next gal or guy asks, I can change.

These are games I was physically at, rather than just saw on television and are in no particular order:

Game 7 of Sacramento-Lakers at Arco in 2002, an overtime game that was classic. I can remember Peja air-balling a three from the corner in overtime.

Game 7 of Spurs-Pistons NBA Final in 2005. I believe that might have been the best game I ever saw Tim Duncan play.

Bulls-Pacers Game 6, 1998 Eastern final. Last game in Market Square Arena, one of the greatest sports venues ever; Pacers win to set up a Game 7.

Larry Johnson’s four-point play, Knicks-Pacers, 1999 Eastern Conference final. I swear, the Garden shook.

Okay, that’s four and I kind of feel compelled to add one from the local Heroes Of The Hardcourt simply because they are who they are in my writing life. Now, I’m going to give you one that meant practically nothing in the grand scheme of things but for good, fun, there was a Halloween game against the Golden State Warriors. Raptors win by four, it’s a great, wild, offensive display and just fun to watch.

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Q: Hi Doug - I was at the game on Sunday and noticed there was no '4 Korners Sound Crew'.... have they been canned this season?

I know it's not really bball related but it's kinda game-related... am just curious. Thanks!

 

Carla H, Toronto

A: Oh, no, they’ll be there in all their glory. Saw ‘em tucked away in a corner behind the visiting team bench for the Chicago game.

You can never have enough extraneous noise at a pro sporting event, I guess.

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Q: Hi Doug. I have a journalism question for you.

I noticed today that you have your excellent piece on Evans in the paper. Today, also, over there at that other paper - you know, the one that had the recent facelift that makes it look more like a tabloid - they also did a story on Evans. I notice this happens a lot. Why is it that so frequently papers will run stories on the same subject on the same day in this way?

 

Geoff R, London

A: Sometimes it’s simply because it’s the “right” story that day, most topical from a news perspective.

And, frankly, there are a couple of other reasons: Some days, there are so few guys who stop to talk, or guys who we want to stop and talk, that it becomes kind of a gang-scrum where we all get the same stuff.

And some days, we’re lazy.

And some days, we listen to four or five guys and only one provides anything of any true interest and we’re all so glad that we write it and move on to the next day.

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Q: With London, England getting one of the Raptors home games, what are the chances other Canadian cities (like Vancouver and Montreal) could host an NBA regular season game featuring our hardcourt heroes?

 

Ted S, Montreal

A: Actually, the two games in London are Nets home games. And I’d say the chances of them ever playing a regular season game in some place other than the Air Canada Centre are Slim and None and Slim just left town.

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Q: Hey Doug, Why is BC sitting still right now? This team- on paper, and on the court, is by far one of the weakest in franchise history. There is absolutely no way BC can be content with this roster as it stands. Are they tanking the season before it even starts for the Perry Jones lottery? Thanks.

 

Steve R, Waterloo

A: Why in the world do you assume he’s “sitting still?” And why do you assume he’s “content?” It takes two teams to make a deal and while I know for a fact he’s on the phone every day to other GMs, no deal has presented itself.

Will one? Impossible to say but to think that just because nothing’s public that work isn’t being done is wrong.

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Q: Hey Doug, any thoughts on the LeBron retweet situation? With so many athletes plugged into twitter and so many Raptors for that matter, do you think this opened a Pandora's box when talking about athletes/celebs interacting with the public?

 

Nick A, Toronto

A: Isn’t, in this instance, twitter just a more immediate, electronic version of the hate mail athletes have been getting forever? No one should be subjected to the vitriol and tripe that some gutless people like to spew behind the cloak of anonymity but it’s going to happen regardless of the level of interaction those athletes bring on.

That said, the more you’re out there, the more people are going to notice and more knuckleheadism you’ll be inviting.

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Q: Doug: I have a couple of questions preceded by a statement. Firstly, in contrast to that one idiot in one of the in-game discussion thingies last year, I hope you don't die, and I thank you for your ability to get up-to-the date information out to us. We are a rabid bunch, and we need your service and we thank you for it. That rabidness might come off as being tiresome for you, but it's also very sincere. So, please don't die.

My first question is, is there any regular media coverage of the Raptors in Quebec, and especially French language coverage? If not the of Raptors, of the NBA more generally?

Thanks

 

Blake K, Breslau

A: One thing I heard from more than a few people in Montreal is that there is very little coverage of either the NBA or the Raptors in the paper but that’s entirely understandable since there is no team there and attention needs to be focused on other sports according to people who make those decisions.

Thankfully, though, there’s the interweb for readers to get their fix.

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Q: Hello Doug. Well since you "seriously" asked for mail, here's one for you - although it is not "serious" in tone. (But then again, it is still the pre(tend) season as I write this, so here is a "let's pretend" question.) In order to win a kabillion bucks, save the fate of The Western World (hey, does anyone even say that anymore) and (this part is just for your Irregulars) guarantee an appearance next Spring in the post-season by our beloved Raptors, what feat would you most likely be able to perform: kick a field goal from the 35 yd line, put the puck into the net (while wearing hockey skates) from centre ice, or hit one out of the park (3 tries allowed on this and you don't have to face Doc) at Fenway? (And, this is A Silly Question, so hoping for an Equally Silly Answer.) Salut

 

Lorie P, London

A: Oh, that’s simple. If I could hit a line drive off the Green Monster with one swing and slice a line drive around the Pesky Pole with another I’d die a happy man.

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Q: Hi Doug! I read your blog everyday!

I'm not sure if you've answered this already but here's a non-basketball related question. My birthday just passed and as usual it went by far too quickly. You've mentioned the birthday week celebration, how exactly does this work

 

Ryan Y, Toronto

A: Actually, a huge debate rages around these parts and maybe you can help.

Does it go Sunday-Saturday? Or does it start on actual day and run for seven from there? I know. A quandary, isn’t it? But the premise is simple, you get to do things like pick meals, eat ice cream out of the container, have cake whenever you want it, leave clothes on the floor, live slovenly and sit on stools for a couple of nights if you want with no repercussions.

I love Birth Week!

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Q: Hey Doug, hope you enjoyed your trip to Montreal. So what do you think of the Orlando Magic so far? I know its just preseason but they're undefeated and have handily outplayed their opponents to the tune of an average margin of victory of 23 pts. Even HWSNBN has really kicked up his play so far this season. Perhaps all that criticism from last years playoffs lit a fire under him (which as we all know has always been his greatest shortcoming as a basketball player). Think they can challenge Miami for the best team in the East?

 

Andrew G, Montreal

A: If you picked Orlando to win the East, I couldn’t argue too strenuously against it. And wouldn’t we all love to see a Magic-Heat conference final just to see how Stan and Pat would handle it?

Classic.

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Q: Hiya Doug, great job with the blog!

So Mr. Stern has said that player salaries need to be cut by about a third, 750 to 800 mil a year across the league. Now considering that the average NBA salary per player is in the area of 5 mil a year, the highest in all of team pro sports, and MLB in second place is just under 3, it seems like a reasonable request (at least on the surface it does, though I certainly don't know all the ins and outs of the situation). Even at 3.5 mil a year average that would be over half a mil higher per player than the MLB! Any thoughts on what salaries should be in the NBA or on David Stern's comments?

Cheers Doug! Keep up the good work!

 

Lorne D, Tokyo

A: I don’t think I’d be in favour of cutting existing salaries since contracts were offered and signed in good faith, even if some GMs are ridiculously stupid when they set the numbers.

But I do think there has to be some wage system in place that perhaps cuts back the percentage of income devoted to salaries and that’s going to be the gist of the contentious negotiations.

As for what salaries should be? I guess it’s what the market will bear and the thing is, this is a different market these days.

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Q: Hello Mr. Grange, er Smith LOL

I keed, I keed.

I was thinking about how Barbosa is looking like a Pro's professional in a Raptors uniform and how he seems like a really good pick-up at 14 points a night.

Then I remember hearing that Hedo is having "adjustment" issues (read: B A L L) in Phoenix to the tune of 5 points per night of production.

When you compare the $14.7M outstanding to Leandro to the $44.M outstanding on Hedo - Doesn't BC look like a "do-over" wizard?

Which leads to my question... What would be the top 5 do-over tansactions that BC has engineered as Raptors GM?

Where do-over is defined as a bad pick-up or contract that has been turned into a better asset or contract quickly?

I am thinking Hedo @ $44M for Leandro $14.7M has to be up there?

 

Wayne P, Toronto

A: There really have only been a couple of “do-overs” by Bryan, the Hedo one and Jermaine O’Neal so developing a list would be kind of difficult.

I guess you could do the whole Fred Jones-Juan Dixon thing maybe; or Araujo for Hump would be up there (although Bryan wasn’t responsible for Hoffa) but past that? Not sure there’s enough.

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Q: 4 games 4 slices of pizza, perfect pre-season!!! Do we get free pizza if the Raptors score 100 points in our home game in London, England?

 

John M, Toronto

A: Bangers for 100; add mash if they get to 110.

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Q: Doug. This current Raptor roster has some holes in my estimation. The biggest being "leadership". As currently constructed I personally don't see a leader emerging from this group. Bargs looks befuddled most of the time, Caulderon can't seem to find his way despite a hefty contract, Johnson has a lot of heart and soul, but I don't see it there either. Kleiza is too new, Reggie too erratic, Jack too low key and DeRozan and Weems too raw. Who in your estimation will, or is even capable, of stepping up to the plate and assuming the leader's mantle? If it doesn't happen, and happen soon, this ship (season) could very well have already sailed barring some miraculous trade.

 

Frank K, Orillia

A: You know who “leads?” Guys who work hard in practice every day, guys who give consistent effort every game and guys who hold teammates accountable. They don’t have to be loud or public or anything and if I had to pick one guy who does that? I’d say Reggie Evans. Or maybe Kleiza, who just goes about his business in a professional manner.

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Q: Hey Doug. Just read your list for your theoretical Rap's All Defense team (specifically the final seconds of close game). Looked good to me for the most part but your indecision over the Center position kinda puzzled me.

Maybe I have misread the context of your response but would you not but Hakeem Olajuwon above Marcus Camby?

I guess it's more a matter of whether we're talking about best D while playing for the Raps or best defensive players in general; it's hard to argue that Olajuwon is not among the best - if not the best - shot blocker to ever lace up sneakers in NBA history, let along our meager 15 years.

On the same trend of Top-5 Rap's lineups, who would be your dream lineup, assuming players are in their career prime (not necessarily Raptor career prime)?

I'm going to go with Chauncey, Vince, Tracy, Chris and the aforementioned Hakeem.

 

Andrew P, Toronto

A: That’s a good question and one we’ve had debated here or in the comments or something.

I have no problems with the five guys you’ve mentioned, although I wonder if Mark Jackson can’t maybe at least challenge Chauncey?

Other than that, I honestly think for career achievement, Tracy’s the weak link, never having been playing for a team that won a playoff series but I can’t see anyone to supplant him.

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Comments

[Striker 77]

Man,

That was a cool story about Tom Bosley.. who didnt love that guy! I like your top five dads Doug, but, seriously... how could you have forgetten the best of them all... Yes, the man who scored 4 touchdowns in one game, for Polk high... You guessed it... Mr. Bundy!!!! (I keed, of course)

[doug]

I agree...Ed O'Neil is in fact on course to play 2 of the great dad's in t.v. history....Al Bundy and now on Modern Family he's doing another great job....well i said yesterday I don't get surprised much by anything in sports anymore...Girardi intentionally wlaking in a tie game and putting go-ahed run in scoring position in only the 5th was mind-boggling and he did it 3 times that game and Vlad had 3 RBI's....ridiculous...but last night Howard looking at the 3rd strike was stunning...you can't be looking for a particular pitch in that instance you have to do the old see the ball, hit the ball technique...Howard,Utley,Rollins never played well at all....plus to me it was a marquee match-up twice Halliday against Lincecum...but it was just a mistake...I am not a fan of matching up aces in the playoffs as there is no advantage to any team...if the Phillies had piched Doc to offset Lincecum then they'd have the advantage in 2 games and with Oswalt another 2 as they had 2 out of the 3 best pitchers in the series...they negated their advantage by throwing Halladay against Lincecum...Howard needs to not listen to radio or read newspapers for a bit..he will be castigated...and this pre-season ending then what 5 days until first game seems a little long....oh and just one last thing, he is a fine baseball writer but it irks me when a sports writer tries to tackle a sport or write about a sport he knows nothing about and it shows...Jefff Balir writing about b-ball is just wrong...I am sure he agreees, someone needs to end that assignment quickly

[Aditya]

A: Actually, the two games in London are Nets home games. And I’d say the chances of them ever playing a regular season game in some place other than the Air Canada Centre are Slim and None and Slim just left town.
------------------------------------------
I know I usually bash you, but this was well said...(Slim just left town....) :)

[Aditya]

i know you seem to think the maggette - skiles combination will have problems... but this is pretty incredible....maggette - 14 mins..... 20 FT attempts.... i know its preseason, but still

[Mr. Cook]

As one of five (now adult) children that has long held the birthday week in some esteem, I can give a few tips:

The best way is to allow the person who is having the birthday to decide when the week starts. There are a couple caveats: It must be consistent, that's the main thing. From year to year, that is. If it starts on the birthday in 2010, then it does every year, if it starts on the preceding weekend, same thing. There is an opt-out clause to the consistency if the birthday happens to fall on, say, a Sunday or a Monday. You can opt to naturally start it on the Friday preceding so that you can have 'weekend' plans for the birthday.

Since the original question seemed to be asking how it comes about all I can say is carpe diem. You have to assert your right of birthday week beginning whenever you want. The proven method is making simple requests and backing them up with 'but it's my birthday week'. People will laugh, but then they'll deliver on the request anyway with little to no objection. By your third year of doing this birthday weeks have become official and can only be repealed by 2/3 majority of the family unit.

[fred]

Redd Foxx?

[Matthieu]

Thanks for the response, Doug.
I didn't know about LJ's 4-point play. Just had a look at it on youtube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WA7JVEHbuG4). Great stuff!
Bon dimanche

[Geoff Read]

Hi Doug,

Good answers to some good questions...

I never get to do the live q and a thing because, you know, I work (sometimes) for a living. But I just wanted to say that if as one of the questioners alluded to, someone said he wished you would die or something at the last one than that's appalling and I'm sorry it happened. Your readers appreciate your insights, your work, and even your caustic responses. Keep it up!

[doug]

in terms of birth week...I'd want 3 days before...and 3 days after...a build-up and wind down...it made me recall my best friend way back in p.s days...his b-day was on Dec 25th....so not matter what it's a lost cause...so his mom had a great idea...they celebrated his b-day, like with the party and all that....on June 25th in the middle of nowhere, and it coincided with the end of school..so it was a real celebration it was a novel idea and the mom deseved credit as really a xmas day party is a no-win situation....June 25th win-win...he loved it...as he received some presents on xmas..then more again in June on the 25th...plus pool party etc...good deal for all concerned...

[Tyler]

Frank from Everybody Loves Raymond !!! Doug come on .....

[JHP]

Doug

Hope you are having a great day. I'm totally confused why the Raptor's would have any interest in this Dampier gentlemen. Out of shape and missing training camp must surely negate any talent increase he would bring. From my prespective I'd rather go with 14 players and have an open slot for future trades.

[J]

"Why is BC sitting still right now? This team- on paper, and on the court, is by far one of the weakest in franchise history."

Sometimes, the questions just answer themselves. If this is indeed one of the weakest teams in franchise history--a history full of weak to mediocre teams, mind you--then how do you propose turning nothing into something?

[Ted S.]

Mailbags like this remind me why I love this blog so much.....and Raptor fans in general. A1 job Mr. Smith.