Raptors pre-game Q&A

Doug Smith held a live Q&A at noon today, answering your questions on the new roles for Stojakovic and Bayless, what's wrong with the 76ers and the odds of a lockout.

Told you something cool was coming: It's contest time

Okay, here we go.

You’ve all got friends, right? Like nine of them?

Well, maybe you’ll all be in some sweet box on Sunday to see the game against the Hawks courtesy of my new friends at Miller Genuine Draft and me.

Yep, contest time.

I know it’s a bit of rush but you and nine of your buddies can take in the game in the newly-designed Best Seats In The House lounge by entering and winning this contest we’ve set up today.

Now, it’s only for folks who read here (there are perks to being Irregulars, aren’t there?) and all you have to do is click right here and you’ll find all the details

Don’t want to click? Want to know if it’s worth it? What do you get?

Well, the 10 tickets for you and your friends, a $40 food and beverage voucher each, a $5 cab voucher to get you home if you’re in the neighbourhood and some lovely hostesses to help you navigate the surroundings.

And, yes, I will stop by at some time, although I’m not sure that’s a big draw.

Anyway, deadline is noon Friday, the fine folks who handle our contests will get in touch with you the winner and you’ll all have a wonderful time.

Oh, because there’s beer and stuff, all the guests have to be 19 or over and, yes, this is open to any of you, even if it’ll mean a rather hurried road trip.

Have fun, folks.

 

 

More on the new kids in town, and other fun stuff

Well, the new kids are in town and like Jay said:

“They come in and it’s like the start of a new school year for them.”

I guess it’s only natural that both of them handled the situation the way they did.

Bayless was uber-excited about the prospects of getting out there and running with a young group.

Peja was a bit less effusive but still sees this as a chance to show he’s got something left in the tank and if he plays here the rest of the year, great; if he’s a two-month rental, well, that’s the way the world works.

But the one thing I got is that neither is in any way going to be remotely disruptive, they are clearly aware of what they are here to provide and expect to be given the chance to provide it.

-

The question of Peja and where – or if – he fits into the rotation is quite an interesting one to me.

There is no doubt he gives them something they don’t have – a legitimate three-point threat on a team that’s dead last in the NBA in three-point shooting – but if he plays a lot, at whose expense does it come? I guess one way they could get around the issue is to have either he or Kleiza move over and play some four, a move I’d support. That would allow them to stay with the same wing rotation and go back to four guys up front until Ed Davis is ready to play even a few minutes and contribute.

I do think the best thing they can do is run Peja out there a fair amount, see what he’s got and hope that he’s still got enough of it to attract some attention later this year from teams needing a shooter late in the season and see what they can parlay him into.

-

I feel a small sense of accomplishment in backing the DWTS winner.

Through all the nonsense (Brandy, most significantly) they got it right with Jennifer Grey.

Now I feel compelled to go out and rent Dirty Dancing.

Can’t want for next season.

-

Don’t forget.

Noon.

Here.

Questions.

Answers.

-

Right at the end of little scrum – make that bigger than little because there were all kinds of interlopers and non-regulars crowded around yesterday – Jerryd Bayless dropped one on us that made me think even more of him.

Guess just before or right after he was traded, he called an old Portland teammate and good friend to find out what the city was like and got a glowing report.

The good friend? Marcus Camby.

And, as you know, I think quite highly of Marcus as a guy and as a player and Bayless counts him among his friends, that’s all right with me.

-

Let’s get this out of the mail

Q: Just curious - I think its been asked but not sure been directly answered - what is the reaction of Demar, Sonny, Amir about the departure of Jack? It seemed like last year he was looked at like an 'older brother' and mentor to them, wondering how they are handling his departure? I don't follow twitter, but checked each of their sites to see if there was reaction there, but there was nothing? Team censor or just indifference?

Brad M, Barrie

A: DeMar was asked about it Sunday and he said he’d talked to Jarrrett – about music and videos.

These guys all know this is a business first and foremost and guys come and go.

I absolutely don’t think it’ll have any impact on how hard they try and how well they play; and I think the whole “mentoring” thing was a tad blown out of proportion in some circles.

Yes, they were friends; yes, they remain friends. They just aren’t teammates any more.

I’ll give you Bryan’s answer from Sunday to that same question:

“I can’t say that any one person has really stepped up. What the perception might be and what the reality is are two different things.

We see the locker room every day, I’m not worried about that. With respect to some of the other guys who have stepped in and done some things, Reggie’s been a vocal leader in some respects, he’s really laying it out there every day in there.

 

“Again, we’re a young team, I don’t think there’s one guy who’s identified himself yet as that true leader. And that’s part of the process of the growth from where we are.”

-

Jerryd told us he’s staying at a hotel close to the arena and was somewhat taken aback by the crush of humanity that was headed into the arena to take in the pucks game the other night.

He knows nothing about the sport but said:

“I know it’s a really, really big deal and I’m going to catch on to it real quick.”

The people might like him.

-

Here’s what they’re reporting about the Sixers, who spat one up last night like cats spit up fur balls.

And we won’t know for sure until sometime this afternoon about Elton Brand’s availability. The league will review his flagrant two ejection and decide whether it needs to be downgraded or whether he’ll be suspended for tonight.

-

Speaking of mail.

Point.

Click.

Send.

-

Okay, here’s a bit of a tease and technology is the only reason I can’t give you all the details yet.

Be sure to check back later this morning or even this afternoon; we’re putting together a really nifty contest for Sunday’s game that I know you’ll want to enter.

That’s all I can say at the moment but there will be more.

-

 

 

 

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 …

-

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.

-

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.

-

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 …

-

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.

-

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.

-

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?

-

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.

-

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.

-

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.

-

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.

-

 

 

 

Defensive gems and a last look at the trade

That, as a wise man once said, is why they play the games.

And so far this season, I think these guys have shown that they are capable of hard work almost every night – the Washington game, and maybe the Golden State one – are the two aberrations and I’m thinking now that total effort is the norm rather than the exception.

Makes ‘em fun to watch, doesn’t it?

-

THREE POINTERS

Cover who? Oh, no one.

It was hilarious at times to watch Reggie Evans and Shaquille O’Neal guard each other when they were both on the court.

Reggie’d come out to get the ball at the top of the key and Shaq’d play centre field on defence; Shaq would find himself somewhere near the high post on offence and Reggie’d be under the basket.

Solid strategy on both sides since neither of them is any kind of threat to drive or pass and it allowed both bigs to help out defending other guys.

-

A conversation as it goes on

I can’t remember if it was the first quarter or the second but it was pretty cool to hear.

Lawrence Frank was pretty, um, animated when Glen Davis was guarding Reggie Evans and he was letting Big Baby know in no uncertain terms what he wanted him to do.

“Sag, Baby; sag. Sag, Baby; sag.”

(I don’t think he was talking about Glen’s body)

Sure enough, Davis played off Evans for a possession and next time down the floor, the same thing:

“Sag, Baby; sag. Sag.”

Finally Davis, as that second possession was going on, looks up:

“I am sagging.”

-

This is becoming a habit

Last Boston possession, they set up a play and all of a sudden the Raptors disrupt it.

Jay puts Amir on the guy passing the ball in, he’s got Barbosa and Weems, I believe it was, already switched on their men so that Barbosa can chase Ray Allen off the inevitable screen and they three-quartered Garnett so there was no easy pass to the post.

Forced the Celtics to take another timeout because they couldn’t get the ball in and while Pierce did get a good look, it was a pretty impressive defensive finish for a team not known for it

Toss in the last-second steal in Orlando and the steal and bucket last week against Houston and these guys are getting pretty good at end-of-game defence.

Who’d a’thunk that?

-

In other, um, things …

-

Okay, the trade, probably for the last time (at least until we get to chat with Bayless and Stojakovic):

I’ll give you something from Bryan that’s kind of interesting:

“If the last four years were about building around Chris Bosh, the next four years are about building without Chris Bosh.”

Toss in these bon mots, too:

“Whether or not we win, it’s not the true issue right now.”

Now, that last one was a bit of a stretch; trust me, this team and its GM and its players and coaches want to win every game they play (as well they should) but those statements re-affirm this is a process, perhaps a long process, of team building.

And what the deal has done is put the GM squarely on the hotseat.

He’s got about $25 million in expiring contracts and a $12.3 million trade exception to play around with between now and the summer and he’s got to do something.

But he doesn’t have to do something right now.

It remains my contention that Bryan doesn’t have to spend just for the sake of spending, he can be patient and sit back and see if the exact right opportunity presents itself.

The thing is, now he’s got more ammunition to make some kind of splash.

-

What of Bayless and Stojakovic? Well, the coaches here – even in private, ‘come on, can the kid play at all?’ moments – rave about Bayless’s defence and toughness. He’s slight – met him briefly Sunday night and he’s hardly a physically-imposing presence, but if he’s got some grit, it’ll be welcome. And at least he’s coming somewhere that people know him, he spent at least one USA Basketball development summer being coached by Jay and P.J.

Peja? Remains to be seen. At 33, I wonder how much he’s got left and how he really fits into a team that plays the way Toronto wants to play.

Bryan did say there were no assurances given either way – that they’d move him to a contender later in the year or play him a lot here in Toronto – and that they’d sit down and talk when he got to town.

But what I think might happen is they give him some early time in games to show what he’s got in hopes that some contender bites on him nearer the February trade deadline.

-

So, is it a good deal? Sure, if they can turn the “assets” and “flexibility” into something of significance either before this season ends or in the summer.

I’m glad they solved the point guard issue, though. It’s not like the two guys didn’t get along or it was causing any kind of turmoil in the locker room or on the court but there was a disconnect or something.

I know that’s not really a solid explanation but you know the times when there’s just a “feel” that something’s off. Bryan alluded to it as far back as last April and it never really worked itself out.

Now, I do think they kept the guy who runs the team the best, as I’ve said often before, so in that respect I’m all right with the deal.

-

What did they say in Boston?

Murph puts it this way.

-

Okay, this is kind of wacky.

And telling.

Reggie Evans has played a grand total of 41 games in a Raptors uniform since he was acquired June 9, 2009.

He is the third longest-tenured player on the roster, having arrived after only Jose Calderon and Andrea Bargnani. He pre-dates everyone else on the team.

Shocking, no?

Since I’m a guy who thinks cohesion counts and it takes a while for guys to figure out each other, I truly hope this current group gets to stay together for a while.

-

Hey, you know what?

Sometimes we do good stuff around here.

Irregular Natalie asks Sunday about for books for students because she’s in the most admirable of professions and I’m kind of at a loss for specific titles and throw it out there to you.

And the HOTH go on to beat Boston and it’s a great game and a pretty good day and an overwhelming number of responses and comments are about helping out a friend that I don’t imagine any of you have met.

And that’s just nice.

-

The Goods On The Game, Celtics at Raptors

Hi everyone.

Having a good Sunday?

Hope it gets better

A little bit of trade and a whole lot of mail

Well, that was a heckuva Saturday, wasn’t it?

Anyway, we’ll have oodles more on the trade tomorrow morning when we get back to our usual fare but I will say this about it at first blush:

I do think it sets them up to do even more (I think the total of expiring contracts on the roster is about $25 million or something) and taking a flier on a young combo guard who would seemingly fit with the likes of DeRozan, Weems, Davis and Johnson isn’t a bad idea.

Peja? Who knows what he’s got left, he was relatively buried in New Orleans but this team is a horrible three-point shooting team so maybe he can help.

Anyway, more in the morning. Here’s this offering of mail and, no, I didn’t get to a lot that was sent in Saturday because other stuff came up but they’re saved and we’ll get to what we can in the next couple of days.

-

Q: Hi Doug: I plan to take a leaf out of your playbook- my dad, age 98, passed away last week (great baseball Giants fan and he lived to see them win!!) Many have written and called to express condolences to our family. I remember your thanking each and every one who wrote in to you when your family had a loss last year - and I intend to do the same. You taught us about that.

Q: I believe that our team, lacking a superstar, will need great energy and focus to win games. How possible is it for a team sans superstar to in games in this league? Can you offer recent examples? Besides the obvious of playing extraordinarily effortful defence, what else do such teams need/do to win?

 

Charles N, Toronto

A: My condolences, my friend. May you have nothing but fond memories of a lifetime with your dad.

I guess the team everyone points to as a group without a real Alpha Male would be the 2004-05 Pistons and that’s a shining example of a team with a lot of very good players going all the way.

But I’m going to give you a couple more recent examples, too.

Like last season.

Take the Houston Rockets, without Yao, without Tracy, without a real high-profile stud and they did pretty well by playing as a unit

Take the Milwaukee Bucks, too. Yes, Andrew Bogut was pretty good until he got hurt but I don’t imagine you think “superstar” when you hear his name. That team defended, played together and had some pretty good success.

So it can be done by finding a group that buys into a system, truly plays together and is devoid of the monstrous egos that can wreck a team. It’s a tough thing to do but it can be done.

-

Q: Hi Doug! It's been a long time but I have a favour to ask! A while back upon reader request, you provided a great list of basketball related books. I am wondering if you could do the same but this time, books that are aimed at young readers (ages 11-16).

I am putting together a list for some students and it would be really great if you could perhaps consult Super Son if needed (my students are in 8th grade). Even better, if fellow irregulars could help out that would be much appreciated.

If any of the recommended books cross over into different sports that's cool too.

Love the blog, thanks again!

 

Natalie M, Brampton

A: Man, that’s a tough one. I’m not sure I have a lot of specific titles here, although I do know there are several biographies out there – I believe there’s a really good one of Nancy Lieberman for any young women in your class, there are ones on Abdul-Jabbar and Michael Jordan (can you tell my tastes run far more towards non-fiction) and there is a John Wooden instructional book (They Call Me Coach, I believe is its title) that I’d recommend.

Now, I can also point you towards the Scholastic Books catalogue and library (check out a wonderful Vince Carter tome!) because they have a series that might work well.

Okay, Irregulars. Fill the comments with help for our friend.

-

Q: Hey Doug. I love the blog - required reading for any Raptors / NBA fan. Glad you take the time.

The other night Jay called a 20 second timeout with the normal "tap on the shoulder" gesture. It got me thinking - do you know how they came up with this. Other calls - traveling, most fouls, double dribble - have obvious gestures which make sense. But the 20 second timeout signal stumped me.

Not the most important question in your mail bag, but enquiring minds want to know.

 

Dave L, Kitchener

A: Okay, I asked a coach, a front office guy, a friend at the league and two or three colleagues and no one has a definitive answer. No one can even tell me specifically when it became the signal to be used.

One of life’s little mysteries but I’ll keep asking and see if anyone knows.

-

Q: Hello Doug. Your award presentation to Mr. Bosh last week prompts these questions: How long do you reign as the Professional Basketball Writers Association Grand Poobah? When your tenure is up, can you be re-upped? Would you want to be? What perks would you lose? What headaches would you lose?

What's next in the life of a hard court beat grunt? Can sports writers make a run at their respective sport's hall of fame? If so, is that something you'd aspire to?

 

David M, Ottawa

A: The tenure is two years, which is supposed to end at the conclusion of this season but people have been convinced to serve a second term, although I’ve yet to have that discussion with anyone.

And I wouldn’t mind at all, it’s kind of fun dealing with a lot of different issues like relations between teams and the reporters who cover them on issues like access, seating and facilities.

The headaches? Really haven’t been any, actually.

Next? How about a nice relaxing life with a good coffee shop, an even better local and a big deck bathed alternately in shade and sun with a nice brick barbecue, an endless supply of red meat and catfish to grill up and a backup gas burner for those days when you’re in a hurry. Sweet? I’d say so.

-

Q: Doug, I know you love lists, name five players currently playing that are sure fire Hall of Famers? My list would be Kobe, Shaq, Duncan, Ray Allen and Garnett.

Brian M, Barrie

A: Well, I’m certainly not going to argue with any of your choices so I’ll give you five more and you need to know that the Hall honours “international” players in a separate category:

LeBron, Chauncey, Pau Gasol, Jason Kidd and Nash.

(Yes, Kevin Durant, if he continues on this path, will be; it’s early)

So much for the Bayhawks

Got as far as the Peace Bridge, now back and working the trade.

Jarrett Jack-David Andersen-Marcus Banks out and Jerryd Bayless and Peja Stojakovic in; but as we've learned in Toronto better than any place other than Charlotte, a deal isn't a deal until the league signs off on it.

I expect that to happen later on this afternoon.

And we'll be back with as many details as possible as soon as possible.

 

A night when a lot of things worked out

Fun game, no?

They play like that and they’ll beat a bunch of bad teams and it seems there are some bad teams throughout the league.

Anyway …

-

THREE POINTERS

Twice is not a coincidence

Two times in the last two games, we’ve seen plays that are designed and have worked to a tee and show that, yes, sometimes a lot of thought does go into rare instances.

Wednesday in Philly, Jose throws a nice little lob to Reggie from an out-of-bounds play on the baseline that the Regend finishes like he’s some smooth in-the-paint operator.

Fast forward to last night and I think it’s in the first quarter when Reggie’s making the in-bounds pass and he throws a nice soft lob that DeRozan catches and finishes with a lay-in.

Coincidence? Nope. Those are end out-of-bounds plays designed entirely for late shot-clock situations, plays they work on every now and then at practice and it’s nice to see something work like they expect it to.

Yes, we sometimes do minutia here.

-

A charmed life

We know that Jay likes to go offence-defence late in close games and worked to near perfection at the end of last night’s win.

And almost didn’t get a chance to.

With about 2 1-2 minutes left and up five, he went to Sonny for Kleiza but it took a while for the bench to get the substitution in motion, or it almost took Sonny too long to get to the table because the refs had almost given the ball to the Rockets to inbound when the Raps were screaming “sub, sub, sub.”

Sonny eventually got there, got in the game and a second later, he helped team up with Amir for a key steal that led to a free throw and a few seconds ticking off the clock.

A couple of possessions later – and there was no stoppage when Toronto had the ball to get Kleiza back in for the offence part of the offence-defence move – Weems punctuated the night with a dunk off a Johnson block and a Bargnani outlet.

Sometimes small moves do pay off.

-

Changing it up

Saw a fair bit of zone defence from Toronto last night and it seemed to confuse and confound the Rockets when they played it.

How do they decide what to do and when?

Well, it’s basically simple: If they score or if there’s a whistle, they go zone because they’ve got time to get everything set up; if they miss and in transition they go back to man so everyone can find someone to guard.

Not sure of the success rate of the zone on the handful of possessions they played it last night but it seemed they had a large measure of success and it might be something we see a bit more of.

-

The rest of the stories? Sure.

-

Stevie Boy Russell was at it again.

Here’s some crack photography from the game for your viewing enjoyment.

-

Okay, I am inundated lately with Michael Beasley and Roy Hibbert questions as the Hindsighters are out in full force.

Hence this one early from the mail bag that will appear as usual tomorrow morning, my travel plans willing.

Q: Doug. I haven't been following the Raps as intently this season, but it seems to me that the TO media is overlooking what should be THE story of the Raps season: the Raps passing on Michael Beasley. Minny got him for two 2nd rounders, and he is two years removed from being the #2 overall pick. The Raps could have had him in the Bosh transaction, and still been left with a fairly significant trade exception (Beasley makes $5 mil, so the exception would be $9-10 mil instead of $14-15). I have friends who say that we have to wait until we see what happens with the bigger trade exception, but from where I am typing, this is an epic BC FAIL.

Your thoughts?

 

Ira U, Richmond Hill

A: THE story of the season? Um, don’t think so. First off, Mike Beasley’s definitely had a few good games for a very bad Minnesota team so far this season but it’s not like he’s leading the Lakers to a perfect record or anything.

But, truth be told, if there was a chance to get him last summer as part of the Bosh transaction, I would think the off-court issues that have plagued him since he got in the league had something to do with any decision that was made. I know nothing untoward has happened – yet – in Minnesota but back in July Bryan and 27 other GMs obviously thought there might be some trouble.

So, too, would be the fact he plays pretty much the same position as a guy they’ve invested a lot in (DeRozan) and if Beasley’s a four, well, there’s that Bargnani fellow there.

Beasley may indeed turn out to be a pretty good player, I have my doubts, and in the middle of last summer that was very, very, very questionable situation.

Hindsight’s great, isn’t it? What if Beasley had, you know, sucked on a bad Minnesota team, would I be hearing how smart Bryan was not to take him?

I wonder.

-

What’s Jonathan’s take on that one?

Well, here it is from the Chronicle’s chronicles.

-

So Friday is the first night I get to bust on Jose a little bit for Spain’s 4-0 football loss to Portugal and as I hold up four fingers on one hand and the other’s fist as he walks on to the court warm up, he knows what’s coming.

And of course he’s got an explanation.

He thinks that because Spain and Portugal planning to submit a joint bid to host a future World Cup it would have been bad form for the Spaniards to go into Portugal and win easily.

Guess it makes as much sense as anything.

(He’s joking, of course).

-

Solomon Alabi goes for 13 points, seven rebounds and seven blocked shots in his D League debut and I’m thinking two things: What’s the D League really like? And is this kid Olajuwon or Ibaka?

-

I’m usually the first one to suggest attendance figures may seem a tad, um, inflated some nights.

Now I’m wondering if they didn’t under-report Friday’s crowd.

According to the boxscore we got, there were 16,322 souls in the stands and it really looked and felt like a couple of thousand more.

And, as I’ve said from the start, I think people might end up liking this team because it plays hard and I’d suspect bigger audiences are in the future.

-

Okay, you can take one last shot at the mail by clicking here but I’ve got a fair drive ahead of me and some reporting to do for a piece the stat of next week so no promises on how much we get to for the morning.

And no promises on when I get to the inevitable “Isn’t Andrea great” and “Man, Jose’s got to start” comments.

-

 

 

 

The Goods On The Game, Rockets at Raptors

Hello, folks in Canada and all the ships at sea.

Ready? It's real professional men's basketball.

Honest.