D League lessons and where to chow down

So, Ed Davis tonight.

What do we know about him? Well, the consensus I’m getting from a bunch of people is that he’s skilled defensively, raw offensively and has a tendency to coast in practice a bit but show stuff in games.

That’s probably a dangerous situation for a young guy who needs to learn good practice habits because that’s where you hone skills but as one guy told me walking out of the gym yesterday:

“He’s going to surprise some people in games.”

I got a sense from a couple of people that they’d like to see him surprise some people in practice, too, but he did spend a fair amount of time working individually with Alex English after practice Monday and if he can glean anything from that Hall of Famer, it’s a good thing.

But I warn you: This is a 21-year-old kid who’s played a handful summer league games and two D League games since last February and to expect much out of him is to set yourself up for disappointment.

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Besides getting tutelage from Alex, we spied Jerome Williams chatting with Davis after practice (JYD was a special guest at ht workout again and, no, there’s no reason to think he’s going to come work here full time).

And pretty predictable advice from the vet to the kid:

“He was just saying work hard and give 100 per cent effort every time and you’ll be fine.”

Yes, but did he also talk about barking after grabbing rebounds and perhaps ripping off a t-shirt when you check in the game?

“Nah, that’s not really my thing.”

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A digression that comes from the mail but what the heck, it’s a slow day and a topic near and dear to my heart.

Q: Doug. The "foodie" portion of the blog is great. Don't ever change it!

You've told us about your favorite steaks, pizzas, etc. … but you never told us the BEST places right here in T.O.

So how about a list? And I'll give you free range here. Top 5 "food places" of your choice in the GTA.

 

 

 

Mo M, Mississauga

A: I have to preface this by saying I don’t get out to a lot of high-end places anymore. The tug of work, a teenage Super Son and, you know, finances, have pretty much ended the fine dining part of my life in the GTA.

And, as Irregulars know, I’m as much about the company and ambience as I am about the food partially because great chefs abound but mostly because it’s the people that make a meal.

That said, here’s three higher-end places that I’d put on a ‘don’t miss’ list (and if some of them are closed, oops): Piatto. No, you don’t know it; it’s a little bistro a kilometer or so from Casa Doug on Dundas between Mavis and Mississauga that Jose tells me has the best Spanish fare he’s had outside of Spain. Been there a couple of times and I concur.

The place with the nose. Yes, I know that’s not a name but Gio Rana’s Really Nice Restaurant is a mouthful. Drive around Leslieville and when you see a huge paper mache nose over a door, you’ve found it. An old, dear friend now in Old Blimey got me there one night and it was tremendous.

Barbarians. Yes, red meat. Great, great red meat. You cannot go wrong.

Now, let’s get the normal side of things.

I’m pretty much a creature of habit when it comes to light dining and, to tell you truth, I’m okay with everything I’ve had at my Boston Pizza (hi, Square One!) or and if you’re in the mood for dim sum, as I often am, the Emerald at Hurontario and Eglinton is a must. Crowded, like all good places are, but worth it.

But, really, the best thing you can do is to get a crowd of good friends, a big, round table so you can look everyone in the eye and let the conversation and wine flow. That’s what you’ll remember more than the food.

Better yet? Go to someone’s house.

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What’s up in Washington?

Well, let us see what the Post has to say.

(Spoiler alert: It says John Wall expects to play).

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Rogers might buy Maple Leaf Sports?

(So it says here)

That can’t be a good thing for my cable bill, can it?

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Richard Peddie’s leaving in 13 months?

(So it says here)

Better get my resume polished up.

Seriously, though, that job is so big and encompasses so much, I don’t think it will have any impact – good or bad – on what transpires with the HOTH. After all, there are condos and shopping centres and bars and restaurants to run.

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I swear, nothing fazes Jose Calderon.

He comes over to where we’re all standing on Tuesday afternoon like he didn’t have a care in the world and even when a guy mentioned his beloved Real Madrid was edged 5-0 but Barcelona in El Clasico, it didn’t bother him even though he’s a diehard Real fan.

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Oh yeah, so much for my Ed Davis theory.

Someone asks Jay point-blank Tuesday whether the kid starts Wednesday against Washington.

“No.”

Hmm. Another instance of a far more accomplished basketball mind not taking advice from a guy three decades removed from low-level competition.

Go figure.

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Should we start the weakly weekly plea for mail?

Why not? Click. Write. Send.

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Reggie?

Gets surgery tomorrow in Charlotte, he says (well, he tweets and we can only presume it’s him).

No timetable. Still.

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Last Ed:

You wonder what a kid will learn when he’s in basketball purgatory. Drop steps? Jump shots? Defensive rotations? Blocking-out skills?

So, Ed, what did you learn in a week in Erie?

“That I never want to go back down there again. We had a five, six hour bus ride to Fort Wayne, I mean it’s a struggle so you get the mindset that you want to work hard and never want to go down there.”

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This is terrible news I just saw and I have to end this on a sad note.

Jim Kelley, the Buffalo writer/broadcaster/good guy has passed away at 61 years old.

Irregulars around here will probably know him best from his time as a radio dude, others may know him as an excellent hockey reporter. He was old school in that he didn't care whose feathers he ruffled, he got a story, had an opinion and voiced it. The industry could use a few more like him.

I first started hanging out with him a bit at the Nagano Olympics more than a decade ago and we became friends; we were kind of colleagues through his radio work here and my infrequent appearances when he was on.

He was a great guy, friendly, witty and more than willing to sit around and tell stories and laugh.

News of his passing is a sad, sad thing; he will be missed.

RIP, my friend.

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Comments

[JHK]

What a horrible news that Rogers will consume MLSE. Those crooks will be nothing but trouble to the sporting entertainment...

You say ED is decent defensively, raw offensively, but how about things that don't show up on the stat sheets? How is his attitude? Humble and willing to learn/respect? How is his basketball IQ? Is he forming a good relationship with other guys on the team?

[Mo]

Thanks for the list Doug...
I Pass Piatto all the time.. Just never had the money to go in :)

And I know how hidden it is... no way Jose found that on his own..

So is Doug Smith telling the HOTH where to eat?

[Scott]

Very sad news about Mr.Kelley. Great writer, thoughtful opinions...he will be missed. Condolences.

[sam]

Sad to hear the news of Jim Kelley. I always enjoyed his work on the Fan and I'm sorry to hear of his passing -
I would periodically see his work online in Sports Illustrated and it seemed he was always bang on with assessment of the NHL. Sad news.

[Lorie]

Good Morning, Doug,
Echoing the words of others about the sad news of Jim Kelley's passing. His work in print, online, radio, will be so missed - but especially (for me) his co-hosting appearances on Prime Time Sports where he and Bob McCown often quibbled and bickered like brothers, but in the end would usually share a good natured laugh and agree to disagree. I'll miss hearing that laugh. Condolences to his family and friends.

[Ian Murray]

Sorry to hear of Jim Kelley's passing. Was familiar with his radio work with Bob McCown. My condolences to you for losing a good friend.

[Damian]

I'm a regular listener of PTS and was shocked to hear this news as Kelley still made regular appearances on the show and sounded healthy and as knowledgeable about the happenings around the game as he's ever had. His passing is a loss to anyone who had the privilege of enjoying his fine work.

[LeeZ]

Boston Pizza, Doug? Really? If you're going to settle for a chain, at least go to Momma's. But when I lived in Toronto, the best pizza joint, bar NONE, was Camarra's on Dufferin. Can anyone out there tell me different? I'm open to (but sceptical of) having my mind changed.

[Geoff Read]

Boston Pizza??? Doug, your credibility as a food critic just took a big hit.

Blogger's note: It's the people.

[Mo]

it's a slow day.. i guess i'll keep talking about food :S

LeeZ, best pizza joint in toronto - Pizza Libretto... as authentic and good as it gets..

http://pizzerialibretto.com/

[Mike Z]

I'll be a happy fan if Ed Davis gets 10 pts, 5 boards & couple of blocks tonight... And, if he doesn't I won't blame him. I sure hope that by the end of the season he surprises a lot of people that passed him by in the draft. Barbarians YEAH!! (You need to share your plate with the whole family though)... GO RAPS GO

[LeeZ]

Thanks, Mo. I'll check Libretto out for sure. And Doug, next time you're in NYC covering the Knicks, check out Grimaldi's just over the bridge in Brooklyn. They use a coal-fired oven (which is now against the law in New York, but this legendary pizza joint was grandfathered). No wonder it was Frank Sinatra's favourite hangout in NYC. http://www.grimaldis.com/2/Index.htm

[Zombywoof]

Barbarians are big hairy smelly vikings that go around pillaging. Barberian's is a steak house in downtown Toronto.

[Geoff]

Doug, and all you others. I must have come late to these blogs, but now read them almost everyday. So, what the heck does HOTH stand for? I've got the rest of the acronyms, but for the life of me, I can't de-code that one.

Blogger's note: Heroes Of The Hardcourt

[sal]

was funny to watch Ed Davis on raps tv complain about the tv not being flat screen & sitting on the dresser in his d-league hotel/ motel or w/e it is. + him complaining the bed was to small lol .... but, I guess when you are 6'11 & grow up w/ a wealthy retired nba player as a father you get used to the nicer things in life?? hah , and im clearly just a little jealous.

[CARLoS M.]

I cannot pass by Harbord & Spadina without stopping in for a slice from Papa Ceo's. Other than MyPi in Chicago, the best pizza around!!!

[Dave in Oakville]

Morning Doug,

As I opened your post this morning I was wondering if there would be a mention of Jim Kelley. I am not surprised that you knew him and called him friend. You strike me as two of a kind, fair, thoughtful, witty and measured in your criticism of others. I miss Kelley on PTS and come to think of it, it has been quite some time since I have heard you there or in the morning with Krystall.

Thanks for the heads up on Piatto. I am booking it for the wife's birthday. She loves Italian and would return to Spain for holiday in a heartbeat.

Boston Pizza, hahaha. I think I may head over to the Square One location to see these people who make up for the menu... lol. I have always found the "people" at Real Sports visually interesting as well.

If you ever feel like a Big Bowl of Pho, you could do worse than to continue West on Dundas, just past Erin Mills, to Big Bowl.

Blogger's note: On the south side of Dundas, know it well.

[Al]

so they sent Davis down to the DLeague over the big Thanksgiving weekend so he could sit on a 6-hour bus ride (comfy at 6'11") and play in 2 games?

Seems pretty harsh to get him 15 minutes of semi-competitive game time. Wonder if there was something else going on there, a (not so) subtle message being sent...

[Jc]

Hey Doug,
Shocking and sad to hear about Mr Kelly. I never heard he was unwell. In a sea of people shouting just to hear their own voice, he always provided a sobering outlook on sports. He will be missed.

[Mo]

You know, I think you should put an FAQ section in your blog!

It'll have Acronyms, Trade Jose questions, When's Reggie Coming Back questions, Fire Triangelo (yes, I just came up with that), etc.

Maybe you can update it once a week or something!

How does the idea of doing even more work sound to you? :)

[J]

Just a note regarding Grimaldi's if you've never been there: do expect an hour to two hour wait in a line outside. ;)

[ikonn]

Doug, you go to Emerald? Why have I never seen you? Do you go incognito?
If you like dim sum, you have to try Tremendous on Wolfedale south of Burnhamthorpe. Not the grandest place but really inexpensive especially in the afternoons when everything is one price (instead of that small, med, large nonsense).

[doug]

sad and shocking to here about Kelly, was he sick or just sudden?/..as people have siad he has been active lately seeming to do his usual fare...I live in the Beaches and passed "the nose" all the time, finally went in, glad i did...also the Tulip is just down the road from it as well, another sumptuous meat place....don't know if there is any connection but your paper gets a new sports editor, and I have noticed a change in your paper...today for instance was your excellent article on Barg's and then one on Bobby Hull (one of a kind in more ways then one, if anyone is of the mindset that any over-muscled athlete must be on steroids...then just look at a pic of Bobby Hull when he was 20 or so in 1960, way before roids era, he was and is one of the strongest athletes to ever play any sport, Bo jackson also)....but they were both human interest type pieces, I am all for it, positive, enlightning and just pleasant to read...

Blogger's note: Jim had been ill; a fight with cancer

[cw]

Emerald??? Other than it being one of the few dim sum places where they actually push the dim sum carts around, that place is only so so--overpriced, undervalued.

You need to venture to Chinatown or Richmond Hill for better dim sum.

[J.R. MacLean]

My condolences on losing your friend, Mr. Kelly. I enjoyed him tremendously on the radio. It sucks that life is so unfair sometimes.