They have to hope the fun lasts

We’re all over the map a little bit today because it was a slow Sunday and I’m working on the stuff to set up the season over the next couple of days.

So some of this, and some of that for now.

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So, as Fan Jams or Fun Fests or whatever that thing was called Sunday was one of the better ones, as I recall.

They always tend to be built up to more than they actually are but it seemed like everyone had some fun.

And it really seems this group of players likes that sort of thing and it might be the most endearing thing about this roster. They are young and rather entertaining and do seem to want to have as much fun as possible.

I wonder if that’ll last through the first five- or six- or seven-game losing streak that pops up but these dudes do seem to enjoy each other’s company and entertaining the people.

There have been Fan Thingies that were treated more like a chore than an event; I didn’t get that sense Sunday.

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Oh, Jay says the Barbosa wrist thing – he jammed it Friday in Montreal and sat out Sunday – isn’t a big deal.

“Just a sore wrist. He hurt it in the game and it was sore, wanted to keep playing and wants to fight through it but we’re going to be cautious with him."

I don’t know if that has any impact on Wednesday but it’s something to track the next couple of days.

But I will warn you of this: This is a very “safe” team when it comes to injuries and updates of them, what we’re likely to be told countless times this year is:

“He’s day-to-day, we’ll see how he feel after he warms up.”

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A question:

Q: Last year around this time you did a prediction of where teams would finish in each division. As I remember, you actually did pretty good. Now that we are done with preseason and you've had a chance to see some of the teams and players, are we going to see your predictions for the 2010-2011 season?

 

Francis L, Toronto

A: Glad you asked.

Yes, that’s on tap for tomorrow and here’s how the rest of the week’s shaping up, if you care.

We’ll have all kinds of league stuff here tomorrow, a whack of Raptors stuff on Wednesday morning and, if the big whigs at the Home Office can swing it, we’ll try for an hour-long question and answer thingy on Wednesday some time around noon.

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You Ontarians among us need to do me a favour?

Vote today.

All politics, as the man once said, are local and these are the people who make sure your garbage gets picked up and your streets get plowed in the winter and they need to be held to a high standard. Letting lesser-lights get elected out of voter apathy is wrong.

Anyway, that’s the civics point for today.

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As is traditional, lots of questions for these guys the last couple of days about expectations and the like and what they’ll do when the season begins.

And, as has been the case the last couple of seasons, there don’t seem to be many concerns about the offensive end of the game, according to the coach:

“I’m a little surprised (at the pre-season offence) but at the same time, we do have guys that can score. Even last year, when Chris was not in the lineup at the end of the year, we still found a way to score. We’ve got a lot of guys who can shoot the ball and a lot of guys who can find ways to put it in the basket. I think Kleiza and Barbosa add to that.”

I do think we can all agree that points aren’t going to be an issue. It could very well be a different guy every night who’s going to lead them in scoring but I honestly don’t see a problem in that aspect of the game.

I think the big surprise – if you can call it that – will be the contributions of Kleiza, who continues to impress me as a guy who just knows how to score points without dominating the ball.

Of course, the big issue is going to be how they defend and that’s what is going to make or break this season.

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Just in case you were wondering, I’m thinking Lakers over Orlando for the title next June.

More on that tomorrow.

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Allen Iverson signs in Turkey, where they practice more than they play and the coach is the ultimate authority and fans have a tendency to get rather, um, worked up and I’m thinking:

I’ve got Dec. 1 as when he’s back in North America.

Nothing against him personally, he was a joy to watch at the height of his career but this smacks of something with the potential to be a train wreck.

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All right, mucho typing to do. Sorry I was a bit late; when the screen turned blue and the machine re-started itself, got a little nervous.

All seems good now.

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Comments

[Matt Kovacs]

I agree with your prediction of Orlando making it to the finals. They are going to get so upset because Miami is getting all of the attention in Florida, when Orlando have a really good team.

[dave]

You are spot on with date on AI which is too bad because he is the most loved NBAer here by a long way. If he plays a smart game here he could be the man. Obviously it's not the NBA but since the only love AI got was from Philly he could be in for a real treat.

[John MacDonald]

I have a quick question that I hope you could clear up for me. I was watching the game on Friday (raps/knicks) and seen a few 24 second violations and I was wondering who get's charged the turnover? Is it the last person with the ball or is it like a team rebound where it doesn't go on anyones "stats"?

Blogger's note: Charged to the team.

[Bill]

Why is everyone so hot on Orlando? Without Dwight they'd be another fringe playoff team.

Blogger's note: Un, er, ah. Maybe because, you know, they're NOT without Dwight?

[Anthony R]

Hey Doug,

I watched the Fan Jam on NBA TV Canada and I must admit, it was worse than watching paint dry. No announcers for a TV game made it impossible to watch. Guess you have to be there in person to really enjoy it.

My questions is if you caught the little scuffle between Dorsey and Andersen? If I recall, DeRozan was in the corner making his way to the rim to shoot up a floater where Andersen had tangled arms with Dorsey and Joey swung his arm away from David and then they exchanged words. Pretty heated for a Fan Jam scrimmage. Did you catch this and are these guys not on good terms as Joey seems to have to get through Andersen for playing time.
Your thoughts....
Thanks!

Blogger's note: Didn't see it.

[Jacques]

Doug,

If everyone predicts the Suns not making the playoffs this year, and I believe Nash thinks the same. Do you think he's goes to Management and asks for a trade? What playoff team would you like to see him be traded to.

Blogger's note: I don't think he's that kind of guy

[Bob Wesley]

Hey Doug,Is Barbosa's wrist injury the same one he injuryed last year?Did Jerry Bruckheimer use that name for Geoffrey Rush Character in Pirates of the Caribean?

Blogger's note: Same one he had surgery on to remove a cyst, yes

[SEC]

"Blogger's note: Un, er, ah. Maybe because, you know, they're NOT without Dwight?"

Hilarious!!

[kazbid]

"Why is everyone so hot on Orlando? Without Dwight they'd be another fringe playoff team."

im not even sure what the ponit of this comment was..there's not many teams for which u could remove their best player and say they're still a top tier playoff team - even LA without Pau didn't get past the 2nd round in the west

[Wayne Chen]

Doug,
Your civics lesson today is indeed timely - the only item I would add is that you also get to vote for school trustee (which definitely deserves voter consideration)

Not sure if you will get another posting on this topic, but thanks for including it on your blog today.

And now back to the Gangsta Shrine - so little time, so many Primo achievements to consider...

[Peter]

Hey Doug, great blog as always.

Some people have been ragging on Reggie (or the Regend, I guess!) that his offence is non-existent. I was never one of the die-hard "Reggie will save this team" fans last year, but if he can rebound the ball offensively even half as well as he did in the Knicks game, he more than makes up for his lack of scoring.

I know the raps probably won't win a lot of games this year, but I'm looking forward to a team that plays hard. Reggie seems to set that example.

Thanks Doug.

[Marius]

Hi Doug, Anything new on Dampier's decision? The season starts tomorrow (Toronto's on Wednesday), rosters had to be trimmed today. Is it OK to bring him now (if he wants!!??) without any training camp? It would look exactly like the Turk last year!

Blogger's note: Nope, when there is, I'll let you know

[doug]

no b-ball comments until b-ball begins...but this i found interesting and I wonder if it has ever happened before...Bengie Molina will get a World Series ring no matter who wins...as the Giants traded him 3.5 months ago to the Rangers..so he gets a ring and a percentage of the take no matter what the outcome, now that's a strange, bizarre situation...

[Aditya]

Cant believe Miami Heat just released Patrick Beverley.... this guy's a player....reminds me of Darren Collison.....i think raps should pick him up, ofcourse they dont have a spot for him and have 3 pg's as well.... but patrick beverley is a player....note it down.....

[Robert]

is there word of any interest in Magnum Rolle no that Indiana has released him?

Blogger's note: That didn't take long. No, none, at all.