A spot on the roster that should stay

We’ve got a true mishmash of stuff here this morning after an extraordinarily slow Monday.

Today picks up a bit because we get our first shot at the newbies afer practice. That ought to be fun.

Anyway …

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Aside from the financial “flexibility” the weekend created, there’s one other thing that Bryan found himself with:

A roster spot.

And expect it to be there for a while.

Last word I got was that there are no plans to go out now and find someone to be the 15th man on the roster, they’d rather let that spot sit vacant to see what else pops up between now and February’s trade deadline.

Ordinarily, you might think they’d go out and find some emergency, third-string point guard but the emergence of Barbosa as someone who can fill that role for a night or two should foul trouble or some minor injury pop up has made them comfortable enough to go with 14 instead of 15. It'll actually be 13 for as long as they leave Alabi in the minors after Davis gets back but they're quite all right with that, too.

And this way, if there’s some one-for-two deal makes itself available (say an expiring contract and a piece of the leftover trade exception for one guy) they can do it without having to get rid of someone on the roster.

Speaking of getting rid of someone on the roster, next week is the final “threshold” in Joey Dorsey’s deal, as I recall.

If he’s still on the roster Dec. 1, his contract becomes fully guaranteed for the rest of the year. I see no reason why they wouldn’t keep him around in case of big man emergencies.

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So, yes, we’ve got Ed Davis down with the Bayhawks and he’s really going to get a taste of minor league life in the week he’s in Erie, which may feel a lot longer if I remember Erie from the one time I’ve ever been there.

While the rest of his NBA buddies will be living the life of luxury Thursday for American Thanksgiving – a charter flight to Boston, top of the line hotel, probably some good dinner and fellowship – Ed’s going to be riding a bus from Erie to Fort Wayne, where the Bayhawks play Friday night.

I’m told it’s the only bus trip they’ll take this season – the rest of the road trips are done with commercial flights – and they’ll break it up by stopping in Cleveland for a team dinner.

What a life, eh?

Practice in Erie, bus stop in Cleveland and on to Fort Wayne!

Glamour, I tell ya. True, true glamour.

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I can’t believe no one’s asked me yet.

Jerryd Bayless is going to wear No. 5 (Jalen!!!!) and Peja’s got his familiar No. 16 (Bonner!!!!!)

Not bad company at all.

The stuff you learn here …

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Indiana 93, Miami 77

Dwyane Wade, 1-13.

Udonis Haslem out.

Feel good?

Now, I have no qualms about saying this: It’s a terrible, terrible thing that Haslem wrecked his foot the other day, he’s been an excellent role player and a solid guy and you never, ever want to see someone injured.

But I guarantee there are tens of thousands of people out there who are rejoicing at the thought of Miami struggling so mightily.

I’m not sure if the Super Friends thought they’d galvanize support when they all got together and become something of a darling group to basketball fans but this latest turn of events will have the masses quite happy, I presume.

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Oh yeah, attention Irregulars and Others.

Barring an unforeseen circumstances popping up, we’re planning a noon Question and Answer session here Wednesday so we can have some fun.

Or whatever it is we have.

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Okay, I remain all about Jennifer Gray Grey as the eventual winner of the Disco Ball but, I have to tell you, the chubby teen Kyle dancing to the Tootsie Roll made me sit up and take notice.

And sets up a pretty good final tonight, no?

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Best thing about the Heat woes?

Looks like Erick Dampier’s going there and we won’t have to worry about the spectre of him coming here.

Once upon a time, before the season really got going, I could have seen it as an okay move to provide some experience and rebounding and rim protection for a team that really needed it.

But the emergence of Reggie Evans as a great rebounder kind of made Dampier’s addition a moot point and the mood around the team for getting him went away.

Now, hopefully, it can be done and forgotten for the rest of the year.

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I have to apologize.

The guy I wanted to talk to yesterday to confirm what I think about the mechanics of a trade, who does what and when, wasn’t around and I’ll have to try to get to him today.

But I haven’t forgotten.

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Let’s end it with one from the mail and an early-week plea to click here and send in stuff for the weekend. As I look ahead, I’m going to have some idle time Friday and Saturday to get to them so we may as well load up the bag now.

Q: Hi Doug. I notice that Kleiza hasn't started the last few games and that his minutes have been cut back. Is this because of Sonny's strong play? It strikes me that Kleiza has a lot to offer and he's not really get a chance to show it, no?

John P, Sault Ste. Marie

A: Here’s the thing, sometimes perceptions can be a bit deceiving.

In his four games since missing the two in Florida, he’s averaged about 24 minutes a game; in the eight he played before getting sick, he averaged slightly over 25 a game so it really hasn’t been a cut back.

No doubt, the play of Weems most nights has been a small factor but it really hasn’t made all that much difference.

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Okay, time to bone up on Bayless and Stojakovic so I might be able to find some marginally interesting angle to explore for the morning.

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Comments

[Dallas]

Will Raps have a presser to introduce Bayless and Peja?

Blogger's note: They'll be available after practice today but there are no plans for anything formal.

[AT]

I know you are just kidding around about the glorious life that Davis will be living in the next few days (and comparing it to the NBA diva lifestyle) but I am sure there are a lot of twenty something guys out there (and maybe some here) who would take traveling on a bus, playing hoops everyday for a paycheque before working a dead end job in a warehouse or factory somewhere.

[C-Mac]

Do you remember Reggie's "loser" comments about Peja after his airball 3 - it was uncalled for at the time. Are you a Peja fan?

Blogger's note: Don't remember and I was a fan back in the day; kind of lost track of him in New Orleans. Great shooter if he's healthy

[David]

Doug, with respect to that open roster spot, let's watch who Miami cuts or trades to slot in Dampier. If it's Dexter Pitmann, the Raptors should be all over this guy.

[Mike D.]

Rejoice at the Heat's struggles? No way! I saw a Miami Herald article yesterday in which Lebron said he didn't mind the Heat struggling a bit because "As a professional athlete, you don't want things to be easy." My new theory is that he didn't bail on the city of Cleveland.....he's actually able to see the future and knew that it would be TOO easy if he stayed with the Cavs (5-7 without him, compared to the Heat who are 8-6 with the Three Kings). What a guy.

[Lorie]

Morning Doug,
Sorry to begin your day gently pointing out a wee "oops", but you know me and spelling. The spelling of the soon-to-be crowned-champion (barring a mass outpouring of Tea type votes) of Season 11 is "Grey". You must have been thinking of your other favorite TV show. You know, the one with McDreamy and McSteamy. And speaking of forgetting...desserts? Top 5 locations for yummy confections? A Chocolate Lover's List? Thanks!

Blogger's note: Got the Grey, thanks; and now remember desserts

[dribbles]

I'm primarily rooting for Miami misfortune because the Raps own their 1st rounder. High teens/low 20s is better than very high 20s. It's another asset if nothing else.

[JHK]

How could I forget that Jalen was a Raptor!
We always tend to leave him out on those 'All time best Raptors line-up' or 'All time best Raptors position-by-position'... why's that???
Even for a good quote or interview, he would have to be on the top of the list, no?

Blogger's note: Yeah, he would be, indeed

[ChrisD1]

Speaking of Jalen, what do you think of him as an ESPN analyst? Personally, I think he has some GREAT views as a former player. Plus, he doesnt hold back any punches with his commentary.

Blogger's note: I've liked him the few times I've seen him

[striker77]

Hey Doug,

Sonny Weems. After watching him on Sunday and how he had absolutely no issues with blowing by the Boston d several times by taking the ball through the lane and to the bucket for a few thunderous dunks, I am thinking that this dude should be playing more minutes...

Seriously... I would love to see the starting five be Calderon, Dero, Weems, Regend, and Bargs for the rest of the season... Youve got the rebounding of Reggie and scoring from the 2,3,5 spot, with a passing low turnover pg... Then off the bench you have a lightning quick g like Barbosa, and god shooter like Kleiza and an energizer like Johnson! Man, I wish that it would tighten up to about a 9 man rotation when you throw in Bayless... Let these guys play minutes!!! This team is not nearly as bad as we think... And, I did not even mention davis...

[pain777pas]

Morning Doug,
Just a comment on the Heat. They did not envision losing to the Pacers. Something is wrong. I think Lebron has to take a role. Yes, A ROLE. Not 5 for this team to be successful. Forget about the new Oscar Robbie thing and get in the post with Bosh. Have Wade feed you guys and play 2 man game amongst the forwards all game. Move the ball in the double team and hit the open man every time down the floor. No matter how many times you saw it you couldn't stop it. That is the pick & roll of Stockton and Malone. Why aren't they running this more with Bosh and Wade. Wade and Lebron. Bosh and Lebron. SET GOOD SCREENS. I mean sometimes I think Dwight, Bogut, Shaq, Garnett and Love are the only ones who actually make life difficult for the guards. Miami can play well if Lebron gives up his old fastbreak fest for a different role on a DIFFERENT team. He has 2 other players that can get it done. He should be a post up SF. I mean the guy would be unstoppable. Set some hard CONTACT screens get guys open. I don't like how Miami is playing with the pieces that they have. They have to have a plan not just run out there and hope that Lebron remembers where everyone wants the ball from practice. Look defensively they are at a disadvantage in the middle. If Z can't play 38 mins this team is doomed to mediocrity the way that they are playing with one on one ball when they feel some is screwing up. HELP EACH OTHER OUT! Riley get behind the bench and win the title. Riley will have these guys doing what it takes to win games. Doug, don't you believe that they way that they are playing is not working rather than just blame it on Wade for not making shots or Bosh for not grabbing rebounds. I think Lebron is to blame for the way they are playing. No more Oscar more Bird, Iceman and Jordan in the post. Right Doug?

[Kyron]

Small correction Doug. The Raptors can't combine part of the trade exception with an expiring contract from one player in a trade

Blogger's note: Technically, no; but as we saw on the weekend, you can have different components of what seems like one transaction and make it work

[Raptoronto]

SuperSon will like this...the reason LeBron can't carry a team....full of "quitness" since birth....www.youtube.com/user/TheBasketballJunkies

[charles]

How do we feel abt the current struggles in Miami of the Big 3?
Some will delight in their misfortune -- there is a strange human tendency to delight in other's misfortunes.
Others might think that this confirms that the game is played by 5 and not 3 players.
More might wonder abt the world of celebrity - it is worth asking what we and the players turn into when celebrity becomes the be-all of daily existence.
I felt funny about free agency ( which I always supported ) leading to the Big 3 Colluding in Miami. But then the owners have probably also colluded in the past.With the CBA coming up I wonder how all this will play out in the bargaining?
Somehow our modest Raptors squad makes me feel better: hard work; Evans as a savant rebounder; youth. Will our team that might come to personify Canadian modesty somehow be successful in this strange season?

[Al]

Doug... Off topic (well, you DID mention Miami) - but any league / team / player / grunt reaction to LeBron's NIKE commercial? Personally I just shake my head at the self-absorbed narcissism of it, but what's the feeling around the league?

Blogger's note: None, really

[Wallace]

Hi Doug,

Early in the season there was lots of talk about the Raptors trading Reggie because he and Amir were essentially vying for the same role on the roster. Do you have a sense that this idea has been shelved for the foreseeable future?

Blogger's note: I think they'll let the dust settle now but if the right deal presents itself, they'll make it

[sam]

I don't really see the Big three in Miami struggling as individuals - They get thier points - Playing together where they have issues - on top of how the rest of the team responds. The few times I've seen them play I get the sense they tend to defer to one another or make an extra pass when before they would have gone to the basket. It's still pretty early in the process for these guys - I imagine they are still trying to figure it all out and not step on each others ego's and toes -
I can't say I'm unhappy to see their early season record. It was good to see the Pacers beat them, and the HOTH play a good game against them.
LBJ is used to being the man -
Wade is used to being the man -
Bosh is used to being the man -
As a concept the Big Three looks good on paper - but It appears the roles are not clearly defined, and there is a big difference between being the man and playing team baslet ball. Something clearly the Raptors are learning this season.

[Blake Kennedy]

Doug:

One question, one correction. Firstly, roster spots are held when players under contract when in the D-League. So the Raptors don't gain roster spots when Davis and Alabi are down in Erie.

My question is about your article this weekend in which you said this is Jose's first opportunity to be the man. Do you not think 2008-9, in which Jose's backups were Will Solomon and Roko Ukic constitutes being given the keys to the car? And was Jarrett really intended to take the starting spot from him when he came here, or was that something he both earned by playing, and by being given because Jose couldn't stay healthy and wasn't playing well?

Blogger's note: They gain a spot by trading three for two; and yes, I guess you could say that.

[Big Ken]

Doug: I know it's a way off, but, ... is there a chance that one or more of the Heats big three can be left off the Allstar squad if the fans collude and vote for, say Boston's or Orlando's Big Three? ... P.S. Keep the questions and answers coming, my favorite part of the blog.

Blogger's note: Sure, it's possible but I think coaches would have a hard time leaving one of them; it's a long time until February

[Pipit]

With Davis having his stint in the D-League, thus that says everything about his capabilities as a basketball player. I don't see any marquee rookie player getting sent to the D-League in the past to get his conditioning back. This will just make his confidence on an all time low eventhough he dominates that league. Any thoughts, Dougie?

Blogger's note: It says nothing whatsoever about his capabilities as a basketball player. It says he need some work in games, that's all. Find me a marquee rookie who missed the first month of the season? And just because it hasn't happened doesn't mean it's bad.

[Eddy]

Life does seem to serve lemons to those who wallow in vanity. Here is to hoping it keeps serving lemons to Bosh and James. I can't think of two clowns or are more deserving.

[John]

@ Pipit - What? He just had surgery, I think they are trying to slowly ween him back into the swing of things. Would you rather him sit on the bench and watch.

[Allan Wexler]

I'd grab Lester Hudson if I was BC. He is a physical guard who can defend the position and score. Washington was loaded at the PG position but he could be better than anyone the Raps have and they could get him without giving up anything.

[capt kirk]

Eh Doug, did you mention who will back up Bargs? The trade is only good when they bring in that BIG that they will need. Yes the team will need someone to give our three point shooting 5 a break from hoisting jumpers. Jack and Banks were total pro's that will be missed. BC must be up to something, there is no way he leaves a spot or two open till trade deadline.

Blogger's note: They should have been using a three-man bigs rotation all along and are now; Davis will be the fourth when he's here.

[Skiff]

I know it would be great to watch the Heat fail, but let's face it, this is month one of year one. They may not win it all this year, but they will start to win, and likely a lot! It hurts me too, but they'll figure it out. They have injuries to key guys. What happens when they all play together for 6 straight months and sort their roles out? It'll be scary....