Some mail to get the week started

Well, this should get you through the day, I hope.

Oh, and drive home uneventful once I got through wretched Auburn Hills-Port Huron-Sarnia blizzard part of the drive thanks to Super Son’s CD that starts Comfortably Number-Up On Cripple Creek-The Times They Are A’Changing-The Rising.

Good music.

Enjoy this:

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Q: Doug, love the blog, but especially love your musings on the life of a sports reporter. I know (from my time in J school) that there can often be a blurry line ethically in what you are and aren't allowed accept as 'gifts.' Even something as small as a drink or a bite to eat, can be construed by some as accepting a 'gift'. My questions are a) How often do you find yourself dealing with this and b) Has there ever been anything offered to you that was particularly hard to say no to.

Kevin O, Waterloo

A: I don’t find myself dealing with it very often, actually. I’ve had coaches and executives buy me dinner on occasion but I’ve also bought every now and then and I am quite comfortable that I wouldn’t be compromised by such items. And so are my bosses.

Now to your second point. Eons ago, the Argos signed a fellow by the name of Rocket Ismail, the signing happened between periods of a hockey game in Los Angeles on a Saturday night. I got a call about 2 a.m. from a person connected with the organization telling me there was a plane ticket from Toronto to Los Angeles on the Sunday morning waiting for me to use to attend the introductory news conference out there. To that, I said thanks, but no thanks.

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Q: Doug: Love the blog. Best read I have all day so it's a must check every morning

When you define a player as a 'disruption' in the locker room, what does that mean exactly? Is it that they demand too much attention from the coaches or other players? Pick on the other guys? Or just jerks in general?

I know when I go to work, there's always the person that no one seems to drop buy or creates a kerfuffle, but I don't know if that makes them a distraction that gets in the way of me doing my job. Just curious.

 

Rob K, Toronto

A: I know that guy you’re talking about.

But the guys I’m talking about are ones with individual agendas they care more about, guys who say one thing to one guy and something to another on matters such as playing time or play calls or whatever

Guys who snipe, divisive guys, guys who bring those around them down when they mope instead of just sulking privately.

Those are the guys I’m referring to.

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Q: You put Bev Smith and Sylvia Sweeney in your list of top 10 Cdn contributors to the game which got me thinking, has MLSE ever seriously considered a WNBA franchise?

K J, Toronto

A: Not seriously, no. I have my doubts that they’d sell more than a handful of tickets for Real Women’s Professional Basketball in a summer season. Too bad, I’d kind of be in favour of it but I wouldn’t have to underwrite the losses.

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Q: Hi Doug. Recently, you commented on how you wish you could have interviewed Bill Russell, among others. I'm wondering if you've inquired and tried to interview Russell in the past, and as a follow-up question, would you mind going through the process involved in trying to interview someone of his stature?

Thanks

 

Charlie D, Montreal

A: Have never done a one-on-one with Bill Russell, never really had cause to, but have been in scrums with other reporters.

But if you wanted to set up a sit-down interview, you’d start with various media relations officials – like at NBA headquarters or with a specific team – or an agent if it’s someone unaffiliated with a team or league.

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Q: Hi Doug. I have a question about medical ethics as it relates to the NBA.

When I go to a doctor, anything that is discussed, and any diagnosis given, is strictly confidential. However, when say Brandon Roy or Udonis Haslem goes to the doctor, we get to hear all about it.

Do players have any right to medical confidentiality? Or do they lose that right in signing an NBA contract, so that the information is available to the team and the media?

Thanks

 

Thomas A, Ottawa

A: There is nothing specific in the standard players’ contract about the issue but it is a tough one, as we’ve seen here a couple of times first-hand.

Remember when Nathan Jawai missed all that time with a heart issue that was never fully explained? The reason we got when we asked was medical confidentiality. Same with Nicolas Batum when the Raptors cancelled a pre-draft workout for him because of a vague “medical issue” that popped up in his examination.

I guess that easiest way to explain it is everything is treated on a one-on-basis and, in some cases, after discussion with the player.

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Q: I couldn't help but notice Darrell Walker on the Pistons' bench last night, and Tracy McGrady on the floor. As I recall, theirs wasn't the greatest of relationships in Toronto. Which coach-player relationships in Raptor history would you say have been most hostile? Sam-Rafer must be up there and I would think Butch Carter-Marcus Camby would be too.

Daniel A, London

A: There haven’t been an awful lot that were too personal, actually; most of them have been because the players weren’t doing what the coach wanted on the floor.

But I think Butch and Oliver Miller had some issues and I don’t think Sam was too enamored of Jerome Moiso. But most of the “conflicts” had more do to with ability, work ethic and being part of a team.

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Q: Doug. Can you tell me if Jay Triano means to swear during the half time interview? I have stopped to watch him twice now this year and both times he dropped an S-bomb when being interviewed by Matt Devlin. Not that it bothers me... it's just funny and I'd like to know if he realizes it.

 

Fraser M, Oakville

A: I don’t think he does and needs to be chalked up to the emotion of the moment more than anything. I’m sure he doesn’t want to let loose with that kind of talk, sometimes things just slip out.

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Q: Hei Doug. Thanks for the blog. Enjoy it. Right I just managed to secure myself tickets to the Raptors in London against the Nets. I could ask for a better opposition and lets face it New Jersey isn’t as crowd pleasing as Miami but beggars can’t be choosers. Cheaper for me to fly to London than Toronto. Anyhow my question is what can I expect- cheerleaders, mascots and the works or a game without the extra thrills? Any chance of meeting you there? Guess the budget doesn’t stretch so far. Take care.

Scot L, Norway

A: I think plans are still be finalized but this is an NBA production so there were will be hoopla out the ying-yang and it wouldn’t surprise me at all if there were stuffed animals and June Taylor Dancers galore.

Me? It’s about time to have that chat with the boss, methinks.

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Q: Hey Doug, I know the Raptors had a season high of 127 points against the Wizards. Also getting a season high of 72 points at the half. My question is, what is the Raptors franchise record for most points at the half?

 

Anil G, Markham

A: Points in a first half is 79 in a game in New Jersey in January, 1997; points in a second half (with no overtime) is 71 against Boston in November, 1997. They scored 79 in a second half and an overtime against Chicago in March, 2009.

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Q: Hello Doug. Thank you so much for this wonderful blog. I cannot survive the day without reading it.

My question is a bit strange if you don't mind. I've always wondered about the difference between soccer players and basketball players. Compare Wayne Rooney and Kobe Bryant, both had affairs and both have gone public. However, Kobe did not let this affect him and (correct me if I'm wrong) led his team to a championship. Looking at Wayne, his form dropped significantly and he basically disappeared until recent times. This is not an individual case as many other soccer players have experienced a drop in performance after their "wrong-doings" have gone public. My question is, why is that? Is the soccer world media more pressuring towards players? It seems to me that NBA players simply move on after their "misconduct". I hope you can answer my question.

Thank you very much.

 

Dennis T, Thornhill

A: I wish I knew and I’d guess there are psychologists or social workers or some other group of tall foreheads trying to figure it out.

My guess – and it’s a total guess – is that some people have stronger strengths of will than others and are more easily able to put “distractions” behind them. And I wonder if it’s not more an individual thing that something cultural.

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Q: Hi Doug. Given your recent story about Alabi's less-than-productive experience in the D-league, it got me thinking. Wasn't there some talk about the Raptors starting their own D-league team, perhaps in Southern Ontario? I think they'd draw a decent crowd, the players would be a lot closer to their team-mates in Toronto, more players would get Canadian experience thus breaking down any negative stereotypes out there, more Canadian players may be encouraged to play, and the Raptors could presumably have more say in their players' D league experiences. What do you think?

 

Mike G, Waterloo

A: They kicked around the idea a couple of years ago rather seriously, actually. But I think the economic downturn kind of dissuaded them.

And while a minor league team at, say, Ricoh, might sound like a good idea, I believe the baby pucks team that’s totally ignored in similar circumstances makes it apparent it wouldn’t work well.

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Q: Doug: I guess I don't understand how the D-League works. Isn't it like hockey and the AHL where the big clubs own farm teams? I don't understand why the Raptors send guys to the D-League and they get minimal playing time. Can't the Raptors dictate what's to happen with guys when they're sent down? Thanks.

 

Dave C, Hamilton

A: No, most D League teams are privately owned and only have working arrangements with a couple of NBA teams. And as much as you’d like to think a team could say: “Here’s our guy, work with him, give him 35 minutes a night and 20 shots” things tend to blur once a game gets under way.

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Q: Hi Doug. Hope that drive home was oh-so-boring, with hardly any of that yucky Lake Effect Snow and that the only thing rocking you and the Focus were good tunes.

Anyway, my thoughts after the historic win against the Pistons last night are this. When we see images on TV of the Raptors at halftime, they are always sitting slumped in front of their cubbies, perhaps an energy drink in hand, sometimes headphones on, and very little interaction between the players. So, surprisingly, last night a group of these very same laidback Raps decide to engage in a little motivational buttkicking at the half. I guess it doesn't really matter who started it, who spoke up, or who the instigators were, rather that it happened and anyone who watched the game last night saw that it was very effective. And, hopefully, if not season-transforming, it sure transformed one game. And maybe it was a step along the way for the young players on this developing team.

Now, you've said in the past that you're not a big fan of the "Kumbaya" type bonding activities that organizations employ to build trust. And I would agree that more often than not they are just exercises in a sort of temporary enforced intimacy anyway. I think it takes time to build teams - between coworkers of any kind. And I'm wondering that if it is time and only time from which a group of disparate individuals can become a team, was there ever a group of Raptors who simply ran out of time; who had the potential to become a good, if not great one, but the buzzer sounded before, as they say, the cement had set? Thanks! (And get started on that Christmas shopping soon, okay?)

 

Lorie P, London

A: I’m going to give you two off the top of my head: The Vince Carter-Tracy McGrady tandem ran out of time because T-Mac got antsy.

And I really wonder what would have become of that 2006-07 team in ’07-’08 and the future had Garbo not been injured. That’s not really a “time” thing but I think it goes to what you’re speaking about.

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Q: Hey Doug. I'm wondering about the trade exception. You seem to believe that Colangelo would use it around the trade deadline. But wouldn't it be more beneficial for the Raptors to use it after the season, if they are not in the playoff hunt around the deadline? I know Colangelo needs to use it, if not for the sake of telling his fanbase he got something worthwhile in the Bosh trade but I believe it would be better to secure a higher draft pick than trying to add salary over a potentially lost season and regrouping next year with the picks, and the use of the trade exception. I would like to hear your opinion on this. Also I'd like to hear your opinion on who may be potential candidates with the trade exception.

Thanks, keep up the good work

 

Nilesh P, Pickering

A: I think he should use it when the best deal comes his way, or the deal he feels is best, and since it can’t be used to simply “sign” a free agent, I think that time will be during the season.

And I can’t and won’t give an opinion on who potential candidates might be because I don’t know who might be available and to throw out names without knowledge is silly. That’s something that might become more apparent over the next couple of months.

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Q: Hi Doug, just read a quote from LeBron James saying how comfortable he is playing in the Quicken Loans arena because he "knows" the floor. All things being equal, how can a particular court in the NBA influence a player's game?

Thanks

 

Tena N, Toronto

A: I don’t think the “floor” does; I think players become comfortable with the shooting background and the “feel” of an arena more than anything specific about the court and I’d presume that’s what he was talking about.

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Q: Hey Doug. Love the blog! It provides a great mid-day break for those of us on the other side of the pond. I've seen a lot of stories recently about the 2006 draft and it got me thinking. What ever happened to the kid that many dubbed as the next Larry Legend? In college, he was a great outside shooter and I must say that I'm quite surprised that he's not even in the league anymore. Is this a case of the college game being completely different than the NBA, or did his attitude or approach to the game play a role in his demise? Speaking of great first round busts, can we get an Araujo update?

Thanks

 

Park J, London, England

A: Adam Morrison? Guy with championship rings from L.A.? Looking for work, what’s the British league like?

And last I heard about Haffa was he was playing for a club in Brazil. Likely not well.

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Q: With reverence and due to respect, o’ Wielder of Quills and Masher of Keys, I humbly submit the following question:

Preamble: You seem to be against 18 year old men-children in the NBA, while at the same time offering little respect to the D-league. As well you don't seem too interested in the college game and have in the past highlighted the many difference between the two games.

Question: Would your opinion of minimum age limits for the NBA change if the player had graduated from a true developmental minor league system that prepared players for NBA game and its life? It seems to me an age restriction is a poor safeguard to ensure a person is ready for the lights of the big show.

 

Chris C, Kingston

A: I could live with no one being eligible for the NBA draft until three years after their high school class graduated (it’s one now) and 21 years old for non-North Americans.

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Q: Hey Doug, I just have a small question regarding the NBA salary system. Do NBA players get bi-weekly pay checks like some of us? I'm just thinking that Joey Dorsey's bi-weekly pay check would be as big as my annual salary

 

JH K, Oakville

A: Twice a month, 15th and the 30th, just like a lot of working Joes and Josephines.

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Q: Doug. It seems pretty much everyone agrees that that was a very quick 5 seconds. When a blown call is obvious that may have affected the outcome do you think BC calls league office and rants at all?

 

MC C, Winnipeg

A: The one in the Knicks game? I wouldn’t be surprised if at least an e-mail wasn’t sent to the boss of officials asking him to check out the play on video. But it’s a moot point except to make a point, nothing could be changed.

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Q: Hey Doug. First off, my condolences regards to your friends' passing.

Speaking of great writers, however, have you noticed that Michael Wilbon is now employed by ESPN. I just read his first column on ESPN and he truly is, one of the greats.

My question to you is this. If ESPN were to make an ESPNToronto, would you consider joining? Or do you plan on sticking with the Star until retirement? I hope these questions aren't too personal.

Secondly, With Bargnani scoring 41 points against the Knicks, and perhaps playing his best game as a professional, to consistently play this well. Because I think we've all seen what he's capable of doing, but we only do see him in spurts. Moreover, what does he still need to work on?

Thanks! Have a good one.

 

Dave R, Markham

A: I did see that Michael Wilbon move, big loss for the newspaper business and I’m quite happy where I am, unless some unsolicited offer arrived that was too good to pass up. I highly doubt it.

And Andrea has to improve on the old familiar issues: Rebounding and defence and while there has been some improvement this year, there is still much room to go.

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Q: Hi Doug. In football, they often have coach(es) sitting in the stands to observe the opposition. Do any of the NBA teams utilize this strategy? If not, why not?

 

Brad B, Kingston

A: No, they don’t. The assistant coaches and scouts get better views and hear more sitting courtside than they could up in the stands or some high press box.

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Q: Hi Doug: Was at the game last Friday and found it thoroughly entertaining. While out shopping on Saturday on Queen Street, we were lucky enough to run into Demar and another player (his hood was up so couldn't tell for sure but think it was Joey Dorsey) at the New Era hat store. My question is, do most players move around the cities they play in fairly easily? Love the blog

 

Jeannette W, Erin

A: Fairly easily, yes. They do tend to stay in neighbourhoods where they feel comfortable and know the shops, etc. And most people, not all, are respectful of the need and desire for privacy when athletes are out doing mundane chores.

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Q: Watching the Pacer game, I noticed the crowd seemed small. Not in stature, but in numbers. Are the Raptors a crummy draw everywhere except New York? Should we care? Is it the economy, or the lack of US TV coverage?

Did the kill shot come from the grassy knoll? Why is there air?

Sorry, I was on a roll.

 

Bob E, Kanata

A: Well, it’s a team that hasn’t been in the playoffs and one without a marquee player and a record that’s less than impressive so I don’t think anyone’s rushing the ticket windows to see Toronto play. But that’s the same for a half dozen teams at least so they’re no more crummy than several others.

And I don’t think you should care, no.

I’ve been to the grassy knoll and the school book depository and I’m not sure where I stand on the conspiracy theory, actually.

And if there wasn’t air, what would there be?

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Q: Hi Doug. What is the rule for getting the ball over half court on a possession?

I thought teams had 10 seconds. But in the Raps game vs. the Knicks, the Raps score with 2:51 left to go in the game. The ball falls through the mesh, hits the floor and bounces around for about six seconds before a Knick picks it up to inbound.

The ball crosses the centre line at 2:35. No call vs the Knicks. I see this happen all the time. Teams get it past centre under ten seconds, but let 5-8 seconds tick off before they even inbound.

In a close game in the waning minutes, these are valuable seconds. Does the timekeeper not stop the clock until it is inbounded?

 

Keith S, Waterloo

A: It’s eight seconds, has been that way for years. And the clock doesn’t start until a player in-bounds touches the ball, which is why you’ll see guards let it roll until the allowed five seconds nearly elapses.

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Q: Hey Doug. Since you wrote about some of the "odd" officiating on Wednesday night, i wanted to write to you about something i saw on NBA.com. I missed the game against the Pacers on Monday night (fortunately?) so that evening i went to NBA.com for some highlights and the box score. One of the clips they showed from the game was titled "Hibberts hoop and the harm" showing an old-fashioned 3-point play by Hibbert of course. I watched the clip and noticed that he blatantly travelled on the play, do you think it's bad for the NBA to celebrate plays where a player clearly does something he shouldn't? I think it looks bad on them, your thoughts?

 

Drew L, Guelph

A: You watched the video and felt compelled to write about it? I think the folks who pick the highlights to post would be quite all right with that, since hits and discussion are what they want.

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Comments

[JT]

Doug,
Whats the deal with Peja? I know you provided an update in your column today about his status but how does a guy who played only a handful of minutes for the Raptors all of a sudden get "swelling" in his knee to a point that he's been out 8 games and there's no timetable for his return? Anyone know how the injury came about?

[Lorie]

Morning Doug,
Good tunes. Very good tunes. A little musical digression. A thousand or so years ago when LP's were the way we played our music, I spent July and August working at summer camps way up north. The same group of us went for several years and we would bring our new albums each summer to share new music with each other. But out of all of those albums over all those summers there were three that we played over and over and over: The Beatles' White Album, The Band (The Brown Album) and a Barry McGuire record called Here and Now. Whenever I hear a song from any one of those three, it instantly takes me back. Every word from every song can be recalled perfectly. (These days I struggle to recall my postal code with 100% accuracy!) The power of memory when combined with music. And it ain't bad for surviving long boring drives either.

[Rob H]

"Now to your second point. Eons ago, the Argos signed a fellow by the name of Rocket Ismail, the signing happened between periods of a hockey game in Los Angeles on a Saturday night. I got a call about 2 a.m. from a person connected with the organization telling me there was a plane ticket from Toronto to Los Angeles on the Sunday morning waiting for me to use to attend the introductory news conference out there. To that, I said thanks, but no thanks."

I don't understand this answer, why would you say no? Wouldn't the folks at the star just be happy they wouldn't have to foot the bill for the plane ticket?

Blogger's note: No, something of that nature we'd pay ourselves or not go.

[Mike kovacs]

Doug if you have access to HBO Canada they have a series called 'Public Speaking' and last night I watched an episode last night by Martin Scaorcese on Fran Lebowitz. Boy can that woman talk! Very interesting.

[painsev]

Morning Doug,

Are the pistons this bad with Billups? I could not believe that game the other night. Bayless was good, Andrea and Amir were also. I really don't know much about the situation there in Detroit but wow how could they sleep after losing like that to the Raps. Their team is full of pretty good players. I know that the team is old but stuckey and Charlie V are there and can fill it up on any given night. You cannot predict what this team will do. Weird in a good way.

[Tim]

Hi Doug,

Any of your lunchtime Q & As coming up in the near future?

Blogger's note: Just trying to find a day but there will be one for sure this week

[D-Mac Ottawa]

Morning Doug,
Very good tunes indeed! Sometimes driving is entirely about the tunes, isn't it – weather and destination be damned.
@Lorie: I wore the grooves down to white noise on my LPs of "The Duane Allman Anthology" (such a fine way to be introduced to the likes of Delanie & Bonnie and Boz Scaggs!); Clapton's "There's One in Every Crowd"; JJ Cale's "Naturally"; and "The Blues: A Summit Meeting" (a little Eddie Cleanhead Vinson, anyone? Some Clarence Gatemouth Brown perhaps? [And has anyone out there ever happened across an absolute gem called "Makin' Music" by Gatemouth and, who-da-thunk-it, the very surprising Roy Clark?]) – among a few dozen entirely various others (like Verdi's "Quartet in E Minor" – hot stuff).
I'm also a fan of @doug's recommendation to take in sporting events with the TV on mute and the tunes cranked, though not as regularly as I once was (and never when Jack is behind the mic).
"The power of memory combined with music" – you said a mouthful there, young lady! (P.S. Awesome calls on the dinner guest list. I'd love to be the proverbial fly on the wall for that one, and no worries, your killer martinis would be entirely safe. Whew, strong brew!)

[Rob.V]

I’ve been to the grassy knoll and the school book depository and I’m not sure where I stand on the conspiracy theory, actually.

Haven't been to the grassy knoll yet however if you're interested: Ultimate Sacrafice is a great book (by Lamar Waldron I believe). Maybe a great stocking stufffer. Intense, with great insight. Even though we know the outcome, it personally had me biting my fingernails the whole read through.

[D-Mac Ottawa]

Hi again Doug,
Because skeptical minds need to know: Just how similar is "Peja's knee" to "Saddam's WMD"?
Cheers. Go Raps!

Blogger's note: If I see Valerie Plame hanging around the arena, we've got a story

[Lorie]

@D-Mac Ottawa (and Doug, you don't mind a wee bit more tunes talk, do you???):
Will check out that old nugget from the surprisingly versatile Roy Clark. Thanks for the tip! As far as Hidden-Gems-That-I-Wish-I-Could-Find-Again-Cause-The-Kids-Used-The-LP's-As-Frisbees, Carolyne Mas' self-titled LP from back in the late '70's. Sure wish I'd had the technology to download that to a computer back then. Pat Benatar should only wish to be able to rock so hard. And, Doug, throw in the Downing Street Memo and you might be talking Pulitzer.

[LeeZ]

If you see Valerie Plame around the arena, can you please give her my number and tell her she can call day or night! Talk about your hot spies! And the fact that she was effed over by Cheney is a badge of honour, me thinks. One of the queries today was about Lebron saying he knew and was comfortable with a particular floor. The only time I honestly think that type of comment could be valid was back in the day at the old Boston Garden. The parquet had TONS of spots that yielded either bad bounces or none at all, and Messrs. McHale, Bird, Parish et al got so familiar with these spots that they did in fact derive a literally home court advantage.

[Rob.V]

Because skeptical minds need to know: Just how similar is "Peja's knee" to "Saddam's WMD"?

Funny!, and I completely agree.

I remember thinking J.O had a phantom injury when he was last with us. It was clear he was no longer in the plans and within 2 weeks he was traded... me thinks Peja may be on the move sooner than the deadline.

Ok, let me preface this by saying: I dont mean to beat anyone down for their taste in music (to each's own) however it would seem as though the irregular "seniors" (lol) here might be missing out on some really good music.

Now, I'm not going to pretend I can bring you up to 2011 in one fowl swoop, thats a tall order, HOWEVER... you guys should venture into the 1990's if you have the chance... some great stuff!.

Beck's Odelay quickly comes to mind as an album that stands out however the mid to late 90's in my opinion was a renaissance period for music that can only be matched by say the late 60's - early 70's.

You had hip hop go main stream with rock bands crossing over... and vice versa. A really great time in music.

You should give it a shot.

[Nick]

You mentioned in response to the last question that players would let the ball roll so as not to let time run off the clock.

I guess I had never really thought about it before, but are you saying that while the ball is rolling, the 5 second count to inbound still applies? I always imagined it was 5 seconds to get the pass off, not 5 seconds to receive it (if you got the pass off just before the 5th second and lobbed a full court pass, would that get whistled off before someone caught it? And does the referee stay back at the baseline and keep counting while the ball rolls?)

I'm probably putting far to much thought into this :)
Cheers!

Blogger's note: Yes, I think you might be :). Yes, it's five seconds to put the ball in play by having it touched by a player inbounds; the split-second it takes to complete a pass counts.

[The J]

Do refs ever call for letting the ball roll for too long (longer than 5 secs)? Have you ever seen an opponent pull a suprise move and dart after the rolling ball? Should they?

Blogger's note: Have seen guys try to steal the ball but don't recall it ever working; don't ever recall seeing a 5-second call

[Lorie]

@Rob V: As a wise man once said: "Hey, I represent that remark"! Well, an Irregular "Senior" I may be, and proudly so. But, careful, there - advancing age doesn't necessarily mean a fossilization of musical interests; in fact, recently I've enjoyed listening to Eminem's Recovery, Radiohead's Kid A as well as Great Lakes Swimmers Lost Channels. But, and this may shock you (or maybe not), but my absolute favourite decade, musically speaking, was 1720-1730. Can any ten years best those that saw the creation of Vivaldi's Four Seasons, Bach's Brandenburg Concertos and Handel's Rodelinda? I think not! :)

[Kevin]

@Lorie

I think that the general reasoning behind this is if Doug took this free ticket and then wrote a positive piece about the signing, it could be seen as a sort of bribery, or that he was unfairly swayed by the free ticket -- even if he objectively believed that the signing was a good move. Alternately, if The Star paid his way down there, nobody could claim that.

Blogger's note: Just to set the record straight, I was working at Canadian Press at the time but The Star would have done the same thing, I know that.

[doug]

you know I love the Rising...but I forget about it,. my downfall is I have like a 1,000 tunes on Winamp and just keep it on shuffle so times goes by and I forget about some tunes..an album i wore out was Tea for the Tillerman, Cat Stevens, plus what a classic album cover when album covers were a art form all of their own...that would be a good lists question...name top 5 album covers of all time? there were some classics...

[Tony O]

Doug:

25 years of ref'in FIBA can make one anal with the rules sometimes...

I know in FIBA the player inbounding the ball has 5 sec. to release the ball, and I checked nba.com, and the rule clearly says 5 sec to release the ball.

So theoretically, and if the roll is good enough, a player could let the ball roll well beyond centre court and well beyond 5 sec. The 8 sec. in the backcourt count wouldn't even start until team control is gained inbounds.

The only thing I know which stops the player from letting it continue to roll untouched is the defence.

How do I know I'm 100% sure I got this right??? Because I blew the call 30 years ago in a high school game, called a 5 sec. violation on the roll, cost a team a shot at winning a close one, and never forgot it.

Learned the hard way, like most things, I guess...

Other than that play back then, can't say I've ever seen a turnover or violation on the roll, either.

Love the blog down here on the rock, Doug. I was at the game which got rained out in St. John's. Saw LeBron and Vince shoot some halfcourt shots. Didn't do much for me.

Tony O.
St. John's

;)

Blogger's note: Was at that game, too; and with Super Wife being a relative of SIr Albert Walsh, I'm a big Rock fan

[jhp]

Good Morning Doug.

Now me thinks there's something not right with the Raptors. And my guess is the Bean counters are having a field day. Even from the start this team was going to be short on talent and hopefully long on effort. It seems odd to be me that the team has roughly 45/50 percent of it's salary injured. In a way I completely understand. The insurance policies kick in and they get to make more money but as a fan it just sucks. I wish I had a deal like Jose. My foot is sore and I'm going to stay home with the family but you can pay me anyway. Or Peja where he can just disappear for weeks on end. I know Evens has a real injury and to his credit has been around the team. So you factor in 3 players not with the team, first year players and a couple that really do not play much and Jay is now down to 8 players. Oh well it's a rebuilding year and they really need to see where they stand without Jose.

Blogger's note: Um, interesting, yet fatally flawed theory since they haven't received a skinny dime of "insurance" money.
Let me ask you a question: If you take a sick day or two off, do you still get paid?

[egmrice]

Colangelo should try to trade Calderon fon Andrew Bynum. Jackson needs a PG and the Raptors need a big like Bynum.

Bynum, Bargani, Barbosa, and Bayless could be a very formidable foundation to build on!