Here you go, the weakly, er, weekly mail bag

Good morning, everyone.

Lots of good stuff in here today and I know I’ve missed a couple (things kind of got a bit crazy Saturday afternoon with the trades that cost me a couple of hours of mail time) but there are lists and other questions still around that I’ll parcel out during the week.

Have fun with this, as always.

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Q: Hey Doug - a blog and a basketball related question:

On a couple of occasions during the IGBT you've shared some of the rude or less than intelligent comments you get. If you have 4 different people named "Bob" sending in comments, do you have the ability to distinguish between the three sending in genuine comments from the one annoying one?

What is the proper etiquette if you see a Raptors player or coach out in public? I saw a Jarrett Jack the day after a good game in a coffee shop and as I was leaving I simply said "good game last night" and he replied with a "thanks". Another time I saw Jay Triano as I was walking through the PATH but he looked like he was in a hurry so I didn't say anything as he passed by.

What is proper etiquette when you see a particular Mother Star Grunt out in public? Thanks Doug and Happy Holidays!

 

Andrew S, Toronto

A: I’m not able to distinguish between commenters using the same name by any technical manner but I can tell who’s who by tone and content and it’s often very easy to distinguish between two or three people. And the use of the “ban” button is quite fun, it keeps me from reading some slop and getting more frustrated by the minute.

Etiquette? It’s pretty much a case of common sense and respect. If a player is eating or out with his family or obviously doing something important, I think they should be left alone. But a respectful hello or good luck or nice to see you is generally appreciated; what isn’t appreciated is an interruption of obvious personal time.

And I guess that’s the same for me but I’m pretty open to hellos, how are yous and the like.

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Q: Hey Doug! Just a quick question regarding the injuries plagued by the Raptors. It seems like the Raptors can never catch a break (no pun intended) with these injuries every year. I was wondering if this was normal throughout the league, if this is a reflection of training or conditioning (hire some assistance perhaps?) or just the effect of a bad team?

Mary L, Ajax

A: I think it’s just part and parcel of the NBA. I would imagine if we pald much closer attention to a lot of other teams, we’d find all kinds of them with nicks and scrapes and soreness that equals Torontos.

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Q: Do you think the HOTC should press a bit more? It seems with their "yute",_( apologies to Joe Pesci and Fred Gwynne) they could attack the dribbler.

Among the scribes, who would you say is the best baller? Did journalism get in the way of Canada having another Nash? Or Nash Rambler.

 

Bob E, Kanata

A: I think picking up guards or trapping at half court is a good strategy every now and then simply as a change to catch them off-guard. I think it gets shredded if used consistently because NBA players are, you know, good and will beat it.

I don’t think there’s anyone on the beat now with any semblance of game left; we miss the legendary M Grange ™ who has taken his talents to the early morning.

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Q: Hi Doug. Your blog and column has become a daily routine. Most of the time I just read the blog and the questions posed, this time I had a questions that I could not find answer for.

I noticed that starting Dec. 15th teams are able to start trading players that were signed in the off season/summer. I didn’t know this type of rule existed, but I believe its fairly known amongst the journalists and serious followers. Stating that:

How do you stay on top of the rules? Has it simply become second nature or is there a little black book that you refer to from time to time.

I tried searching, but came up empty. I wanted to know if you were a basketball follower/reporter prior to you writing about the HOTHC? Or simply were put into the role for The Star during the teams inception? Maybe you shed light on this.

Thanks!

 

David M, Toronto

A: A lot of it is second nature that comes from having done this for a 16 years but there are also research tools available to members of the media that get skimmed over each year as an annual refresher course.

Me? I’ve been all over place, actually, and did the first two years of the HOTH for The People’s Wire Service here before being summoned to Mother Star. But there’s been some dabbling baseball, football and what-have-you over the course of 30 years.

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Q: Hi Doug. Does "going small" refer to height, weight or both? For example, if the Raps played Ed Davis and Peja at PF and SF would that be "bigger" or "smaller" than a lineup with Joey Dorsey and Kleiza at PF and SF?

Mike D, Toronto

A: I’d say it refers to both and to the usual positions played by the players involved.

In your two instances, I’d say Dorsey-Kleiza would be “smaller” than Davis-Stojakovic, although we both know Joey plays bigger than he is.

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Q: Hi Doug: I must say that I get far better laughs reading your blog etc than I do from any comedian these days. Oh for the days of Johnny Carson and Rodney Dangerfield. Anyhow, question. I know you respect players and coaches private time but for someone like Sam who was out of the business did you keep in touch with him, pop in to say hi when in Atlanta, have a soda at the drug store etc. Seems Sam was as much friend as professional contact or am I just way off base. Oh and a 2000 Focus, Doug??? You must have a way with the car gods to have that still sitting up and taking nourishment.

Richard B, Mississauga

A: Carson and Dangerfield? Two of the giants, true giants.

I did keep in touch with Sam, a couple of phone calls here and there mainly; a text every now and then. Usually just idle chatter but I would call to get his take on some NBA issue every now and then. There are a couple of oldies but goodies I’ll keep in touch with that way.

And if by “nourishment” you mean “money out of the pocket” is sure is sitting up and taking it.

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Q: Hi Doug. 14,600 people attended an NBA basketball game Friday night in difficult economic times to watch the home side, who are an absolutely horrible team that has no playoff hopes and have won exactly one playoff round in their history, against a Nets team who were dead last in the NBA last year and may accomplish an extremely rare "daily double" and your reaction was one of surprise at what I assume you felt was a relatively small gathering?

I am wondering if you care to change your opinion after 24-48 hours of reflection or perhaps could you please expand on why you feel 14,000 people attending a game between two of the league's worst teams is a surprise?

Thanks, enjoy your blog

 

Mike D, Cambridge

A: Most because it was small relative to what they’ve drawn this year, about 2,000 below average and that caught my attention.

Yes, it was a game between two scuffling teams but so are so many around here these days that having one attract a smaller than usual audience was noteworthy to me.

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Q: Hi Doug. Read your blog today where you talked about"orange" being a code phrase for zone defence. Just wondering if you ever get any grief from the Raptors for mentioning stuff like that (maybe they don't want the opposing teams to know their phrases).

 

And hope you and your family have a very Merry Christmas.

Sohail G, Collingwood

A: No, not at all. If I can hear it, everyone on the other team and the scouts sitting courtside can hear it and everyone in the NBA will know about it within days.

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Q: As a regular reader I am a little puzzled by some of the posts that are critical of a couple of Key Raptor players. It seems Jose and Andrea aren't as universally respected by the fan base as I think they should be.

Example: Bayless has a nice game and the question by some is when will be the starting or should Jose be worried.

Andrea gets bashed for being an exceptional shooter - all the while being labeled a soft 7 foot Eurocentric_Centre.

What am I missing? - These two seem like solid citizens - and exceptional talents with loads of upside.

Thanks Doug

 

Sam D, Barrie

A: You’re not missing anything, actually, except that fans have a tendency to “eat their young” if you will.

It’s part of the joy of sports.

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Q: Hi Doug. Can you give us a bit of background on how the post-game process works? I try to catch the player interviews and wonder how it is determined which players are available to speak with the media after the games. Is it decided by Mr. LaBumbard and staff, or the players themselves, or some other way? And, say, if a certain player has had a particularly terrific game, is he more likely to be (made to be) available than one who has had, say, a poor performance?

And watching Jose's frequent interviews, which usually provide good insights, are there some players that use this opportunity to develop skills that they may someday transfer to the broadcast setting? I think I recall that Jose has done some broadcasting during FIBA games for Spanish media.

And, finally, I wonder do any players aspire to a loftier goal than television or radio broadcasting in their post-playing careers? Specifically, has there ever been a player who was able to elevate his (or her!) talents to that of an ink-stained wretch? Do you think a career spent as a Hero Of The Hardcourt could possibly be an adequate preparation to live the life of a Hoops Beat Grunt???

Thank you, Doug, and I wish you and the Super Family -- and all my fellow Irregulars -- a very happy Christmas.

 

Lorie P, London

A: In the locker room for guys like me, NBA rules say every player has to be available for interviews but sometimes there are extenuating circumstances. Friday, for instance, Jose and Andrea were getting treatment on their various injuries and spent so much time with the trainers that I wasn’t able to speak to them before having to leave and write to meet deadline.

For the post-game TV and radio interviews on the court, the broadcasters are asked with a couple of minutes to go for a list of three players from each team they’d like to have on and it’s a consensus between them and Jim on who goes where. Sometimes, the decision is easy because the key players are obvious; the other night in the dreadful Chicago game, I don’t know who ended up doing post-game radio but a few of us smart-alecks on press row had developed a list of requests that included Maceo Baston, Pops Mensah-Bonsu, Pape Sow, Mengke Bateer and a few others of that ilk.

And I think as some players do more TV during their careers they do get a comfort level that allows them to explore that option post-playing days and that’s why you see so many of them catch on an analysts once they’re done. But I don’t know of a guy in history who’s stopped playing and become a beat guy, I think the work would be too hard for them.

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Q: Hi Doug. You've obviously been a basketball fan most of your life but your job is to cover the Raptors for The Star. You have followed the sport for years before Toronto got their team. I'm not asking you to name a team or player who you consider your favorite, but how difficult is it to stay indifferent when you're such a fan of the sport you cover. And what do you think of writers like Dan Shaughnenssy (Boston Globe) who write articles that basically show their allegiance to teams they grew up watching?

 

Ian M, Maple

A: Staying “indifferent” or detached or whatever word you like to use is just something that comes with experience and the job. You can be a fan of the game, sure, but that needs to take a second seat to doing your job and I think most of us carry if off well.

As for guys who show allegiance, I think it’s a matter of style and job description. Columnists, for instance, have far more latitude in injecting their personal feelings into stories than I do, for instance. The difficulty I find with me, sometimes, is balancing reporting and objectivity into game stories and off-day pieces for the paper and getting some of my own thoughts and feelings into the daily blog. I’ll admit, that’s tough sometimes and I’m not sure that some readers can differentiate.

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Q: Hi Doug. I was wondering what an average day in the life of a GM is like. What do they do during the hours they spend at the office? Also, we often hear that Bryan has "talks" with other GMs. What are these talks like? I always have the humorous impression that they could go like this:

Bryan: Hey, Jerry. How about Sonny Weems and Ed Davis for Kobe?

Jerry West: Um, we're not shopping Kobe around.

Bryan: Ok, how about for Lamar Odom then?

Jerry West: That could work, if you throw Bargnani in there.

Bryan: Sorry, no deal.

Please enlighten me, Doug.

 

Gabriel M, Waterloo

A: I think that’s not exactly bang-on, but pretty good.

GMs have lots of stuff on their plates, actually, especially those who double as team presidents. There are meetings, trips with teams to keep an eye on what’s going on, scouting trips and when they talk to colleagues I’m sure there’s lots of give and take.

Kind of like: Hey, are you going trade me this guy? No, but I’d like to find a new home for this guy? Oh, okay, well we might have interest in him if you add this other fellow.

And so on and so on and, perhaps eventually, they get something done.

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Q: I loved Reggie Evans and miss his rebounds but it seemed to me that the team played better after he went down. Is it possible his lack of, shall we say, offensive finish hurt the team more than he helped it defensively.

 

Laurie D, Guelph

A: One thing the Raptors are able to do now is actually play five-on-five offensively, which keeps opponents honest and gives Jay more stuff top play with.

Overall, thought, I think you’d want a better defensive team most nights.

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Q: Hey Doug, Long time Raptor Fan as you are, just had one question. I noticed that the Raptors stopped wearing their alternate black uniforms. Do you know why? And are they going back to the traditional red ( away) white (home)?

Hope to hear from you.

Pritesh V, Brampton

A: There were/are some manufacturing issues with the black ones but I’m told they’ll be back sometime this season for a few games. I’m not sure when, though.

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Q: Hey Doug - Your cab ride from Oak brings a question to mind: what percentage of former Raptors maintain cordial relationships with the media/staff after they leave? I'm sure that there's a discrepancy between the "divas" and the more down-to-earth guys. Who are some of the former Raptors who remember the little guys?

 

Christa M, Barrie

A: You know what, almost everyone who played here comes back and remembers the “little guys” like travel and equipment co-ordinator Kevin DiPietro and his trusty sidekick Paul Elliott because they are truly good guys who make things happen around there and most players appreciate it.

If I had to name a top three who’ll make it a point to say hi to people like them, and like me to tell you the truth, I’d go with Oak, Dell Curry (a broadcaster in Charlotte) and Vince. And know what else? I know Turk’s going to make it a point to stop by the back room whenever he gets back in town.

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Q: Two questions for you Doug:

What ever happened to Jay Williams. He was the former stand out PG at Duke and The Bull's pick in 2002. He got into that real bad motorcycle accident in 2003. Did he ever get back into basketball?

When you situations like the Carmelo Anthony situation in Denver this year and the Bosh/Raptors, and James/Cavalier situations last year, how do the other players on the team feel about what is going on. Do they feel that the superstar on their team doesn't consider them good enough to compete with or do they simply see it as part of the business?

 

Joe D, Mississauga

A: Jay Williams tried to come back a couple of times (with the Nets and in the D League) but the injuries he sustained in that crash were too much. I believe he’s doing some college basketball TV work with ESPN now.

And I’d say most teammates realize the business nature of the game and aren’t offended when one of their colleagues seeks a greater fortune somewhere else. But there is a percentage that will say, “hey, what’s wrong with us?” and future relationships can be strained. But as it’s happening during a season, for instance, once games start, it’s business as usual.

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Q: In what ways is Jay Triano's defensive scheme different from most NBA teams? Does it aim at compensating a lack of help defense from some of our bigs, or is it of a different nature? Specifically, what are the directives regarding the pick and roll defense? There seems to be a lot less switching than last year, but I think it might also be an "angles" thing. As I recall, Barbosa was telling the press after training camp that he felt the defense was "a lot different" and he had to break some habits in order to be able to buy in to it.

I seem to remember Bayless getting completely disoriented on one particular possession against Detroit, when Will Bynum ran a screen and roll against him and it looked like Bayless was expecting Dorsey to rotate and cover the baseline, which gave Bynum an easy dunk. There was some blaming going on after.

Is there a risk that recently arrived players (namely Bayless and Stojakovic) find it difficult to break those habits and buy in to the concept, with the lack of practice time and all?

How damaging to the success of a defensive scheme can it be when one player does things his own way?

PS: I think Colangelo made a great trade, although I will miss Andersen presence. I wish them well in New Orleans.

 

S D, Europe

A: Opposing personnel sometimes causes changes but the basic idea this year is that they want guards and wings to fight through or go over screens and lock-and-chase the guy they’re covering while bigs hedge or show. I think the main difference – and Barbosa did elude to it and Bayless had a couple of missed assignments because he wasn’t sure – comes from how the weak side rotates.

I don’t want to get all Inside Basketball here but they have wings drop down and help rather than force players to the sideline most times. (I probably didn’t explain that well enough).

And, sure, there’s a risk right off the bat but newcomers pick things up pretty quickly.

And it’s entirely damaging and results in easy baskets when one player goes all rogue on defence and that’s when coaches tend to get them out of the game quickly.

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Q: Hi Doug. Long time reader, first time writer.

What has prompted me to put pen to paper (finger to keyboard?) you ask? Well only the biggest issue of the year relating to the Raptors.

I was at the Denver game last week and spied ... a mini Raptor mini Chicken!

Doug, how come no mention of this? Does the Raptor have a secret family life / skeletons in the closest that we irregulars are unaware of?

Shed some light please Doug!

Keep up the good work.

 

Ciaran M, Toronto

A: We’ve mentioned the Mini Raptor a couple of times during the In-Game Bloggy Thingy and he/she/it is an everyone-now-and-then sidekick. Mostly Sunday afternoons because the little ones can’t stay up too late on week nights.

And being a stuffed animal of discretion, The Chicken hasn’t shared the heritage of his helper and being a man of discretion, I haven’t asked.

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Q: Hey Doug, 4 mini-questions for you:

Are we going to see the Huskies play this season?

Matt Devlin keeps referring to the camera crew as 'the truck' and its quite frustrating. There is no 'the truck', right?

What's the deal with the back-to-back away games in London? Is this the first time we've played a regular season games away from The Mighty America?

Do you think Iguodala could bring value to the Raps?

 

Dee B, Vancouver

A: 4 mini-answers then.

No, the Huskies are gone.

Yes, there is a truck, actually. It’s a trailer with all kinds of technical TV things in it where producers and directors hang out during the game.

Yes, it’ll be the first time any NBA team has ever played a regular season game in Europe.

I like Iguodala’s game most times; I’m not all that thrilled with his contract.

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Q: I've always been curious how sites like ESPN and Yahoo are sometimes able to break stories about trades before the local papers do?

I'm guessing the GM does a good job of keeping it quiet, but maybe a guy from the NBA head office leaks it as it waits for approval.

 

Dan W, Newmarket

A: No, it’s not usually an NBA office type, that’s for sure.

Sometimes it’s an agent talking to someone he knows well and, sometimes, it’s a GM who’d rather not be a “source” to a local guy because that would give him away but who doesn’t mind being a “source” to a national writer because there’s a far high level of deniability.

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Q: Hi Doug, thank you for your inexorable blogging. I was in Toronto last week and attended my first live Raptors game (vs Denver).

It was weird. I mean, the part that usually isn't broadcasted because of TV advertising. Kind of Barnum & Bailey experience for a poor European boy. I enjoyed most the show (maybe because it was the first time), but I have a couple of questions:

Do you ever get the impression that attendance numbers might look slightly inflated? (MLSE marketing people: fill that arena with last minute offers, free student tickets, whatever works... but fill it! it's important).

Don't you think the players might benefit from a slightly more "focused" environment? People attending the basketball games I I had seen before usually couldn't take away their eyes from the ball, and I can't help but think that this attitude probably conveys a different sense of commitment into the players.

 

Giuseppe C, Vicenza, Italy

A: I think the sense of inflation comes from the fact we hear about tickets sold rather than fans in the seat and, trust me, there are ticket deals that haven’t worked. Don’t think they’d go to giving them away but there are relative bargains to be had.

And I think players are so inured of the noise and distractions that the hoopla doesn’t bother them. It bothers me when they play music during the actual playing of the game but the rest of the shenanigans are white noise to a lot of us and do keep the attention of some people who aren’t as interested in the action as others.

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Q: Hi Doug. Over the last 3 games it's seemed as though the Raps, as a team, have played much better when Wright is on the floor. What is your opinion on using Wright the way OKC uses Sefolosha? That is, as a defensive presence from the opening tip.

I'm not saying he should play 35 minutes, but maybe he deserves a bigger role in the rotation. Also, when did Weems become a 'chucker' a la George Costanza? I have never witnessed someone in the NBA take so many hasty, ill advised shots.

 

Nate A, Toronto

A: Nah, I think Julian’s best used as a “situational” defender when some wing is absolutely scorching them.

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Q: Hi Doug, a question on player development. You say Alabi shouldn't play right now because he isn't ready and it could hurt his game. You also said the D-League is a guard-oriented, me-first that is of little use in developing a big center and that NBA teams play so many games and travel so much they often have little time to practice during the season. So where does this leave Alabi? Playing no NBA or D-League minutes and having little to practice with the team? He is 22 not 19; he will be entering his best years soon. Won't he stagnate sitting on the bench? Shouldn't he get some NBA minutes?

 

David K, Mexico City

A: No, he shouldn’t get NBA minutes yet except in the case of true garbage time down the stretch. He’s best served working every day with coaches and in practice and working on sklls development. I can see him working on his in-game skills in the summer league next July and in the pre-season, if there is one, next fall.

And, I know this sounds cliché, but Solo is a “young” 22 and has lots of time to learn.

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Q: Hey Doug. During the recent game against Chicago, coach Tibodeau called 2 time outs within a couple of minutes and loudly voiced his displeasure over a couple of easy Raptor baskets off dribble penetration. How can Jay deal with their apparent lack of effort other than to limit their minutes. Personally I would like to see a player step up and verbally challenge his teammates in public alla KG. Thoughts?

 

Jim M, Aurora

A: The self-policing aspect of a team dynamic is all well and good but the guy doing the yelling needs to beyond reproach and have a long history of success behind him. That guy is not on the roster here.

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Q: I'm not sure if we've beat this horse to death Doug, but, I don't smell a leader on the present HOTHC roster. They seem to be a collection of loose threads, that might enable Coach T to knit together maybe a vest, but certainly there isn't enough fabric here to make full sweater for the Raptor faithful.

Jerryd Bayless might be scrappy and play with energy, but the leadership mantle surely can't fit him. Same with the wings, Deroz and Weems. The Brazilian Blur, don't see it there. Caulderon, well, classy guy, but he doesn't have the talent of defensive ability to lead a team. Bargs, seems bewildered many nights on his own assignments, to much less lead by example. We criticized CB a lot when he was here, but he did, without a doubt lead by example, putting up solid numbers most nights. Until this is leadership void remedied, I don't see this team making the playoffs anytime soon, or given the state of some teams, maybe better described as, playing .500 ball. !_ Your thoughts?

 

Frank K, Orillia

A: I honestly think “leadership” is such a nebulous thing it’s almost over-rated. But I will also say that with such a young team, there’s every chance a “leader” will emerge. Maybe it’s Calderon, maybe it’s Bayless, maybe it’s Evans if he come back, maybe it’s someone they obtain this year or next summer but I truly don’t think it’s a huge issue with this team right now. This is a building year and I’m not all that concerned about it. And from the conversations I’ve had with management and staff, it’s not a huge worry for them, either.

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Comments

[Eddy]

Doug do you know if MLSE is concerned about the dwindling attendance numbers, have a hypothesis as to what is causing it, are planning to address the cause(s)?
.
Thanks for your insight, as always.

Blogger's note: Sure, they're concerned; the reasons are easy, team's not good, prices too high, no history of success. No clue what they'll do.

[Cal Q. Less]

Why did M Grange take his talents to the early morning? Does the early morning pay more than the late night?

Blogger's note: If it does, I can get up earlier

[doug]

attendance is a league wide problem..look at just what we saw the last couple weeks when we were playing the Pacers,Pistons and Bobcats and no it's just not the Raps are a weak draw team....Raps fan-base is strong and comes out in numbers when situation dictates it. plus Friday nights are always a notoriously weak draw for the raps...the Magic trades were interesting I feel they gave up far to much to the Suns, they need a second team center...and to me the key to the trade is the one person they never traded...Howard, he didn't get along with Carter or mesh with him at all... if he played in a different era he'd be a average NBA center as Lanier,Malone,Gilmour,Jabaaar would have exposed him(Jabaar just cause he could take him away from the basket)...nowadays due to center being the weakest position in the NBA he thrives and that has lead him to believe the teams offense needs to go thru him...his range is 3 feet, he has no go to move and he slows the offense down...so if he is indeed intent on winning he needs to let Nelson,Arenas,Richardson etc.do there thing...I don't think his ego can handle it...but time will tell....LeeZ mentioned books and to me it all stops and starts with Ball Four but also i thoroughly enjoyed reading Foul just due to it's true honest nature...and to be truthful i haven't read a sports related book in over 10 years maybe longer...as there aren't a lot of good one's around..but I would read Oak's if it was a honest true account of his time in the NBA, and not some glossed over biographical fluff piece...Doug get on it have your people meet his people and get it done, it could be your retirement fund...

[d]

Does this "blockbuster" trade signal a tide of trades to follow in the next couple weeks? Also, was this this most amount of salary ever moved in one trade day by one team? Three max contracts (GA,RL,VC) two biggies (Jrich,Hedo), one new long term (Gortat)?

Blogger's note: I don't think Saturday will cause anyone to do anything in reaction; and I certainly can't think of a day with more money moving.