An odd Monday mail delivery

Okay, you read this and I’m headed to Café Du Monde for beignets.

Deal?

Oh, and it’s a 3 p.m. East start today, right? See some of you then (and, no, I won’t tell your bosses if you slack at work)

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Q: Hi Doug. All of us Irregulars love the streak! (Especially Lorie!) We also know that the Raptors defense of the 3 hasn't been the greatest in the last few years.

How many, if any games during the streak have the Raptors opponent not had a three?

Thanks

 

Greg M, Halifax

A: Who doesn’t love the streak, which is at 982 now.

And there have been eight times – the most recent being the Wizards in February, 2004 -- when a team hasn’t made a three against Toronto.

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Q: Hi Doug: No rant just a question that has always puzzled me. The pucksters in this city made a big trade a year ago (that Phaneuf guy came here) and there was not a single word about it BEFORE it happened yet it seems every basketball trade is leaked beforehand or at least lots of them. Why's that? Agents can't keep their mouths shut? Players can't keep their mouths shut? Hangers-on can't keep their mouths shut? ESPN pays big for tips??? This Carmelo Anthony waltz is a joke of major proportions with so many names in the news, players saying they want a buyout if they get traded, teams saying they don't want the player they're supposed to get, players saying they won't sign a contract extension if they get traded there. What gives?

 

Richard B, Mississauga

A: Oh, there’s all kinds of blame, or credit, to go around.

Sometimes it’s agents trying to force the hand of GMs by getting “news” out there, sometimes it’s GMs trying to put some pressure on other GMs to get a deal done, sometimes it’s just good reporters who may here from one GM or team official what his, or some other team, is going to do.

The Carmelo thing has been rather, um, trying, since there’s really been no “news” since the first reports broke and the story is being kept alive by the regurgitation of already established facts.

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Q: Hey Doug. As tired as we all are of the whole Melo saga, it is impossible to ignore for anyone who attempts to follow the sport closely. As we were 'burned' in the summer with our Charlotte deal due to premature disclosure (I use the term 'burned' loosely since it seems we may be actually better off having not completed that deal), it got me thinking about the integrity or ethics of sports journalism.

When do you draw the line between 'breaking a story' and affecting the operation of the team you cover? As a ridiculous example to illustrate this, say sources close to the Raptors told you that they had a deal in place to acquire LeBron James, but if you leaked it to the press the deal would be immediately off the table. Now I have a feeling that you would wait to report the final deal rather than speculate and spread rumours, but why do your colleagues seem to choose the 'break the story' route?

I know this example is over-simplified, but it seems the media knows that it may have some influence on the occurrence of a deal yet it seems content on continuing with constant updates.

 

Felix T, Loughbrough, UK

A: Here’s the thing: We’re here to serve our readers by giving them facts, news and the latest updates on what’s going on with the teams and sports we cover.

If I, or any of my colleagues, get information we know to be true, we have to report it and let the chips fall where they may.

In your example, to take it to the extreme, I’m pretty sure none of the sources I have with the Raptors would tell me stuff if it was going to jeopardize a deal, they’re pretty careful that way.

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Q: Is the Canadian anthem played at all NBA games or only at the games that the Raptors are playing?

 

Alex G, Toronto

A: No, it’s not. Just games involving the Raptors and the all-star game.

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Q: Hi Doug, according to the internet, Portland, Sacramento, Toronto, Memphis and Oklahoma City are the only current NBA teams who have not hosted an all-star game. Do you see the Raptors hosting the NBA all-star game any time soon?

 

Robbie S, Toronto

A: Well if it’s on the internet, it must be true.

(I keed, I keed)

No, I don’t see them holding one any time soon at all. There are issues with back-of-house space at the Air Canada Centre and they have had a hard time finding convention centre space for the JamFest and things like that.

With other franchises interested, I can’t imagine them even thinking about anything until 2015.

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Q: Doug, how are fouls recorded in the NBA? Are they simply recorded as a foul, or do they use a system like the NHL to categorize them? NHL you have tripping, hooking & interference penalties, in the NBA you have blocking fouls, charging fouls, shooting fouls etc.

As always thanks.

 

Steph G, Glencoe

A: Some teams, and stats geeks out there, track them as offensive and defensive fouls but I haven’t found a place that tracks them by holding, hacking, illegal screen, etc.

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Q: Hi Doug. Perhaps you can clarify a discrepancy for me. You characterize Sam Dalembert as a tremendous human being given your personal experience. Certainly what he's done in Haiti is remarkable. Yet I can't help remembering the questions of his character and dismissal from team Canada. Perhaps you know what really happened. Care to shed some light?

 

David W, Toronto

A: Not sure there is a discrepancy.

What Sam’s done to raise funds and awareness about his Haiti homeland is among the most commendable things I can recall and NBA player doing.

And I don’t know that the breakdown in his relationship with Leo and his dismissal from the Canadian team had as much to do with personalities as it did with clashes over his use on the court and what he wanted to do.

I said right from the start that there three sides to that story: Leo’s, Sam’s and the truth that was somewhere between them.

I don’t know first-hand what went on because I wasn’t there when he was thrown off the team; I do know he has done tremendous work for Haiti and should be lauded for it.

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Q: Happy Friday. There is a game and it's against a team with a worse record then the Raptors. Sadly that does not happen very often. So my question is about numbers. We know 15 players is the max but usually only have 14. 2 are usually hurt long term and several are usually limping. So my question is with 2 first rounders coming next year who do you see leaving or at least positioning (playing) themselves onto the bubble?

Three more games to the halfway mark so let me be the first to ask for a report card. Have a great weekend.

 

John P, Vernon Hills

A: I can’t guess who might be here or not whenever the next season rolls around but I think because of combination of contract status, talent, role on the team and the team’s needs, I would be quite surprised if either Sonny Weems or Joey Dorsey were here at the next camp.

Nothing against them personally and they may find jobs in the league but the factors I cited makes me doubt they’ll be back.

And I think you can probably put Reggie Evans in that category although I think there may be some trade involving him this season.

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Q: Hi Doug. Can we talk Trade Exception for a moment if we could? I read in the mills that Cleveland is in discussions with the Bobcats for Gerald Wallace using their trade exception from LBJ to acquire his services.

Putting aside the summer trade that never was that might put a damper on Charlotte/Toronto negotiations, wouldn't Wallace be the type of player Colangelo would/should be targeting to make use of the trade exception in hand? His skill set would be quite welcomed for starters but I'm more of the belief that this is the type of player trade exceptions are made for. Young and talented however making 10 million+ in salary for the next year or 2 on a team looking to shed payroll. Would this not be the case?

Related, do you think NBA GM's are flying in a holding pattern until the Carmelo deal is done so they can get on with their own business? From what you read it feels like there's 4 or 5 GM's at the table with another 10 on the sidelines asking 'how can we help?' What's your thoughts?

Thanks

 

Derek A, Fredericton

A: Gerald Wallace might be a nice fit, indeed. But I caution you this: Don’t be certain that he’s either available for what the cost you think. Perhaps the Bobcats not only want to “shed” his contract but some other and if you want Wallace, you have to assume a whole lot of other financial responsibilities as well.

But, yes, if he’s out there on his own at the simple cost of money, I’d make the call.

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Q: Hi Doug. Do you believe an impending labour issue in the off season would pressure BC into using his trade exemption at the deadline, as opposed to waiting until the draft, in case there isn't one? Or, in the event of a dispute & shortened off season, would the NBA extend the deadline for exemptions teams picked up last year?

 

Peter R, Toronto

A: I’m not sure you can make it cut and dried because you have to strike when the iron gets hot so if something he likes comes up in February, he has to do it.

And, no, I can’t see any way the league extends anything once the lockout hits.

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Q: The league wanted to cut down on complaints after a foul (or non-foul) is called with a technical. Why don't they do the same when a player throws up a shot after the whistle has blown instead of giving the ball to the ref? Isn't this a "delay of game"?

 

Howard R, North York

A: I guess technically it does delay that game a wee bit and I’d like to see more delay-of-game warnings for it. But it’s not the same thing as the gesticulating and whining they are trying to cut down on.

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Q: Hey there Mr. Smith just a curious question I'm a long time reader and notice you always mention your "super son" he must be what at least 13-14 and knowing my 11 year old daughter thinks the world is coming to an end if I show affection in front of her friends. Curious if your boy is ever like "dad you’re embarrassing me" or his friends might poke fun at him, I'm sure they must be fans as well.

 

Rob A, Oshawa

A: Ah, he and Super Wife seem to take it all in stride and if his buddies are on him about it, well, he’s dealing with it pretty well.

Now, Super Dog looks at me sideways but I can just deny it a walk and it comes around to my way of thinking.

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Q: Hi Doug. I've almost finished reading Jackson and Rosen's More than a Game, and an observation by Phil at the end about how intense Kobe was in practice got me wondering about whether or not offensive superstars who really bring it to practice end up elevating the defensive awareness/skills of players who have to guard them. I'm not suggesting that this potential factor is one of the main ingredients to becoming a great one-on-one or team defender, just wondering if it might have a noticeable impact at all. If so, anything like that happen with the Raptors when Vince was in his prime, assuming he was the kind of guy who practiced with a high amount of intensity?

Best to you.

 

Marc Z, Ottawa

A: I do think playing against good players in practice does elevate a guy’s abilities. If you’re consistently getting schooled by teammates every day, it has to spur the competitive juices and make you work harder. No one wants to be embarrassed in front of teammates, or coaches.

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Q: Hey Doug. You can't follow the progress of Brandon Roy's knees without thinking back to the forecasts of the 2006 draft. Roy's injury concerns aside, what I always remember about Bargnani were the reports of his psychological testing. Colangelo quoted “They said his upside and potential were off the charts,”... “they said, ‘Out of all the athletes we’ve profiled, we’ve never seen anything like this.’” So, four years into this, without needing a conclusion, what do you think of that assessment?

 

Jordan C, Toronto

A: Probably over-stated. Think it was taken in some corners back then with a grain of salt, as it should have been.

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Q: Greetings, Doug! What a winter it's been out this way. If not numbingly cold temperatures, we get even colder numbingly cold temperatures, served with a side order of the drivers' nightmare: Relentless Lake Effect Snow. So, as we hunker down (again) out here, close our eyes and try to visualize something springish - like the icicles crashing onto the driveway below from our roof - a question comes to mind. We were having a very serious conversation about the 3 things one should stock up on during a winter storm. It seems to me that there are basically two types of people: the ones who ensure they have enough milk, bread and toilet paper; and the other sort who want not to run out of beer, chips and magazines. Could you tell us which of these two types you might be - and if you are neither, what would be your 3 essentials if you were to be stranded somewhere by wintry weather? (Have you ever been?) Thank you.

 

Lorie P, London

A: The only time I can remember – vaguely – being stranded was way back in Niagara Falls dealing with the impact of a Buffalo Blizzard in, man, it had to be back 1977 or something. But I also recall – and this could be my mind playing tricks on my – that Roots debuted on TV that week so we had something to pay attention to.

Now, I’ve had flight delays and the like since but nothing extraordinary.

Anyway, what would I take? I’m far more magazines, cold drinks and snacks than I am milk, bread and other staples.

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Q: Hey Doug. When Vince was traded to the Magic, you said you thought he would do really well, considering he wouldn't have to bear the spotlight. Now that he's been traded how would you summarize his tenure with the Magic? Above or below your expectations?

 

Damian C, Toronto

A: Disappointing. Less that expected. Not a failure, exactly, but pretty close. He was okay and had some big games and was on a team that got to the second round of the playoffs before it was beaten by a better squad. I don’t think it’s on him that the Magic didn’t get back to the Finals but I think, overall, he could have been better.

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Q: Hi Doug. Just curious as to your take on Kleiza at the moment? He had a terrific World Championships and pre-season and then sustained the injury. Do you think he's still hurting? I felt he was going to be a big part of the offence and it just hasn't happened. His ball handling has also been suspect as well as his three point shooting.

 

Jim F, London

A: He’s hurt and playing through it. His knees are sore and his Achilles still gives him a bit of a problem and those have contributed to his play. I would say he’s been as big a disappointment as there’s been on the team but I think it’s got to do with physical issues more than we’re being told publicly.

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Q: Who are the early candidates for most improved player and do you think Bargnani will be in the discussion?

 

Steve M, Toronto

A: You’d have to look at guys like Ray Felton or Kevin Love or Wesley Matthews or a even a guy like Derrick Rose or Russell Westbrook.

And, no, I don’t think Andrea will be anywhere near the discussion.

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Q: Hey Doug. I'm a 28 year old guy who has been having some serious neck and back pain for the passed half a year. It wasn't an injury that caused it but rather a lifetime (so far) of poor posture, and compensating for being taller than most people and most things. So, I have noticed that Sonny and Amir, have had some difficulty with their backs this year. As a man who is 6 ft 4, my height has contributed a lot to my problems, I can only imagine how much it is effecting some of these players. So finally my question is, how much attention is paid to the wellness of these giant men's spines? Also do you know what kind of treatment Sonny is going through?

Thanks.

 

Curt B, Ottawa

A: There spines get a whole lot of attention from strength and conditioning coaches, massage therapists and chiropractors and physicians.

Specific treatment? Last time we asked Sonny about it, he said the chiropractors were working him over to make sure his body was “aligned” properly, he does stretching, there’s ultrasound and things like that and he’s spending a lot of time working on his core strength to give him a better base to build from.

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Q: Re your comment that "a wing player better than the three they have," tops the Raptors' 'need' list.

Hopefully, DeRozen would not be included in such a trade (or an offsetting trade). On a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the top two or three wing players in the league and four being a useful backup, what rating would you give DeRozen at this very early stage in his career?

 

Bob S, Hamilton

A: That’s a pretty high rating for a “useful backup” but if that’s your scale, I’d probably given him a six. He’s a pretty good albeit inconsistent scorer with some periodic defensive issues who plays for a so-so team. But, and this is the thing, he’s also 21 years old and in his second season. He’s shown me enough improvement from Year 1 to Year 2 that I think he’s got a chance to be pretty good.

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Comments

[Eddy]

"Gerald Wallace might be a nice fit, indeed. But I caution you this: Don’t be certain that he’s either available for what the cost you think. Perhaps the Bobcats not only want to “shed” his contract but some other and if you want Wallace, you have to assume a whole lot of other financial responsibilities as well."
.
Which is why the cheap, greedy organization that owns them will always insure the Raptors remain as one of the dregs of the league. They simply refuse to spend the money it takes to compete.

[Justin]

How can convention space possibly be an issue holding back an All-Star game in Toronto. There is the massive Metro Toronto Convention Centre which works just fine for the International Auto Show. There is also the Direct Energy Centre at Exhibition Place, which the UFC is using for their Toronto Fan Expo. Even the floor of the Rogers Centre is used for the car show. There is tons of convention space in Toronto.

Blogger's note: Most of which is booked for the next couple of years, I understand

[Angel Bulauitan]

If Coangelo tells me he's not interested in the Kings extraneous 7-footer Dalembert, I'll go away quietly. Here's an expert talent scout say about him.
"Dalembert always felt he should be a bigger part of the offense when he was with the 76ers. He wasn't satisfied to rebound and block shots and be the recipient of lobs and passes off penetration that led to dunks. Allen Iverson and Andre Miller got him many a high percentage shot. He can shoot a 15-foot face up but anytime he dribbles the ball it is likely to result in a turnover.
"He is a superior runner, rebounder and shot blocker. His hands are good enough to allow him to catch in traffic and dunk. He is a good free throw shooter for a big man. He has a very low basketball IQ. He is not a dumb guy. He can assemble and disassemble computers but makes dumb plays, usually when he dribbles. He is a poor passer who likes to make a circus pass once or twice a game that usually leads to a turnover. He also has mental lapses when executing offensive plays, as well as defensive schemes.
Dalembert is a different guy. Not a bad guy. Not a trouble maker, but he has no idea as to who he is or who he should be. He thinks he is one of the best players in the league.
"Lastly (Coangelo, please read this carefully), Dalembert's greatest asset is his ability to defend the better big men. The challenge motivates him. He defended Yao Ming as well as anybody in the league."

[sam]

@ Eddy, how do really feel?
Doug's point is valid - and I'm sure the Raptors Brain trust is doing due dilligence and spending wisely instead of spending for the sake of spending.

When the Raptors traded Jermaine ONeal, they not only got Shawn Marion, but also Marcus Banks at 4 or 5 million a year. 4 or 5 million a year----was he worth it? Marcus was called everything from an end of bench guy - a waste of space among other things even before playing a game. (Interesting though during the PG Controversy of 2009/2010 he became a servicable back up by some. Hmm?)
From Last Year - Hedo Turkoglu - - -
They didn't refuse to pay Top Dollar for Hedo, Jermaine - Marion or Banks for that matter - Was it money well spent? I would suggest, not so much....But they did spend.
The Raps were willing and able to pay Bosh the max - He just didn't want it.

Refusing to spend - I don't think that's the issue. Building a team is more than picking up pieces and other teams casts off's with bad contracts. Maintaining a plan for team building and financial flexibility should be the priority - Which is were we are today with a core of Andrea, DD, Jose, Bayless, Barbosa, Amir, and Ed Davis.

[Jerry]

Colangelo maybe should have taken Gerald Wallace when he reportedly had a chance to trade TJ Ford for him but traded for Jermaine O'Neil instead.

[Eddy]

@sam spending money isn't working out for teams like the Lakers (#1) or Boston is it? How about Orlando or Dallas? Toronto is the third largest market in the US and Canada. The Raptor payroll is 14th largest. I wonder why star players keep leaving here? The best thing going for MLSE is people keep swallowing their excuses for refusing to compete so who can blame them for serving the same dish, year after year.

[raptorman]

Eddy's point is bang on! Damnit, how long do we have to watch CRAP! You cant blame the stars for leaving, or refusing to come here; its a waste of their career's.

Commenter Sam, now trusts the Raps "Braintrust"; yet rattled of deal after crap deal that Brian committed too.

Sam nobody is saying spend on crap....but I believe Gerald Wallace would be the BEST wing player on this Raps team since old pansy himselft VC.

Blogger's note: Boy, best since a pansy? High praise indeed

[Mitch]

Hi Doug - your family dog isn't an "it."
Love the blog, though!

Blogger's note: Well, it's not a girl or a boy any more :)

[DaveT (Ottawa -- er, Dublin)]

I wish correlation was causality, too, Eddy.

I think that yes, many of the top teams in the league also have the highest payrolls. Look no further than the Knicks of a few years past for counterexamples, though. I have no special love for MLSE, but I can't blame them for not spending because I've never heard of the ownership nixing a trade. Maybe that doesn't mean it doesn't happen, I just don't hear about it.

It takes 2 to make a deal, and just because you can make a deal and take on (big) salary doesn't mean it's worth it. I do think the Raps should have tried to grab Gilbert Arenas with the TPE (I don't think they did?), but look at some of the other big-money players out there. Look at the ``gettable'' salaries: would Rashard Lewis make the Raps better? Zach Randolph?

It's true, the Raps haven't done a great job of acquiring talent in the last little while, but I just don't see that as being a result of being not willing to spend.

[Derek S]

Hi Doug,
You make the point that Kleiza is still playing despite some injuries this season (which are likely contributing to his "lower than expected" production. Similarly, at numerous times throughout the season, Calderon, Bayliss and Amir and Bargnani (among others) have played when still suffering with injuries as well.

In the long term of the entire season, wouldn't the Raps be better to shut Kleiza down for 1-2 weeks and let him heal so that he's playing at 100% again, rather than continually running him out there at 70% (or wherever he's at). I understand if you're a team on the playoff bubble, etc. that guys might need to play hurt, but that doesn't appear to be the case with the Raps.

As a similar example, now that they've signed Gaines, I'd rather shut Bayliss down for a week or two, let his ankle(s) heal, and hopefully not have to worry about them for the rest of the year.

[Eddy]

"I think that yes, many of the top teams in the league also have the highest payrolls. Look no further than the Knicks of a few years past for counterexamples, though. I have no special love for MLSE, but I can't blame them for not spending because I've never heard of the ownership nixing a trade. Maybe that doesn't mean it doesn't happen, I just don't hear about it."
.
I don't want to abuse the privilege Doug grants us here so I will just respond one last time today. Kudos to Doug for publishing any of my comments at all. So without further ado, I can find just as many single examples of deals that have worked out as you can find that have not. Your argument proves nothing. There is only one team that spends more than Toronto that isn't doing better than us and that is Philly. Who knows they may be ahead of us now too. I'm just too lazy to check. I can guarantee you that all of the top teams spend more than Toronto does and that includes the Spurs, who are usually trotted out as the example of fiscal responsibility. In this case, I think correlation does imply causation.

[Adrian]

Good to see how everyone's enjoying this. Bosh obviously wasn't important- or was he? Also, I'm glad Bargnani, Calderon and the others have picked up the slack in the public appearances and local charity departments as promised upon Bosh's departure- or have they? (I have direct experience in this area so come talk to me personally if you want facts and numbers. FYI: the Chris Bosh Foundation is still supporting more in the downtown core- STILL- than the rest of the team combined, and it's not much... and he's sort of not even here anymore if you haven't noticed.) I'm glad Colangelo has used all the financial flexibility gained by letting a max player walk out the door for nothing- or has he? I'm glad he has approval from the Board to exceed the luxury tax threshold- or does he? I'm glad this team is absolutely not rebuilding this year. ? With the Raps, it's important to say, not to do. I don't have to even be here anymore to see that it's all talk with this team. Still. They don't need to walk the walk because the talk will suffice as it always has.

I'm not asking anyone to be like me because I know nobody wants to. :) But if you're ever going to do anything I've done, make it this: stop going to games until you see results, not just broken promises. /soapbox

Blogger's note: Thought you vowed to never come back? Can't keep your word? We're like a drug, aren't we? You just can't stay away, can you?

[sam]

@ Eddy - your point that the Raptors don't spend money -
My Point is the they do spend money - It's just not on the players that you would like to see in Raptor Red - But they do spend money....unfortunate the moves and signings haven't worked out for the most part.

@ Raptorman - I mentioned the Raptor Braintrust was doing due dilligance - which a long way from saying I trust them -

@ DaveT in Dublin - That's exactly what I was saying....

I remember the heady days of the Hedo signing - The consenses at the time was that it was a good signing. In hindsight - it didn't work out. So you move on and we get Barbosa -

[J]

"I can guarantee you that all of the top teams spend more than Toronto does and that includes the Spurs, who are usually trotted out as the example of fiscal responsibility. In this case, I think correlation does imply causation."

Can you really? Be careful what argument you make; your entire argument is only as strong as your weakest link. I hereby present you with the Miami Heat. Would you care to revise your statement to "I can guarantee you that *some* of the top teams spend more than Toronto does"? The Heat are 20th in the league in payroll. Or how about the Bulls, who are 26th. Oklahoma City? 25th. New Orleans, 15th. New York, 24th. That last one, by the way, is the largest market in North America. Shame on them for not spending -- oh wait, how quickly we forget.

And as an aside, market size does not = spending power, unless you assume 1) every market spends the same amount on each product (does Toronto really?), and 2) the depth of ownership pockets plays absolutely no part in the equation. Just so we can avoid you "guaranteeing" another falsity, MLSE is in or very close to the bottom third of the league in ownership net worth. And oh, Toronto isn't even the third largest market in North America; NY, LA and Chicago are all considered to be larger. Yes, the Bulls that are tied for 5th best in the league have the 5th smallest payroll in the league are the third largest market area, and are looking to be *very* good for the foreseeable future. Yet you somehow want to argue that our pathetic team should add bad contracts? So we can stop being a bad team and start being a subpar team? Irrationality is what happens when people make arguments for the sake of a grudge and without context.

The next time Toronto is somewhat of a contender and refuses to add salary, you let us know. But until then, your argument will remain empty simply because the hole we're in now is the result of us adding bad salary. As always, please show us you are knowledgeable of salary cap rules by presenting concrete examples of where and how we should have spent while we were still a contender.

[J]

"Colangelo maybe should have taken Gerald Wallace when he reportedly had a chance to trade TJ Ford for him but traded for Jermaine O'Neil instead."

Hey, I would have loved it if that had happened (IMO, Wallace has always been the ideal SF for a team with Bargnani), but Durant, reportedly, might consider signing a max deal with Toronto when his current deal runs out. Toronto also reportedly had a deal in place a while back to acquire Josh Howard. Unless it actually happens, or at least comes as close to happening as the failed Barnes or Chandler deals, it means nothing.

[Kent]

spending luxury tax-level money is good. but not now. should have done it when Bosh was here. What they need to do now is #1) to suck as much as possible, #2) get good picks, and #3) hope that the guys you draft will still like Canada when they hit free agency.

They are doing a lot of #1 right now, so #2 is likely. Ultimately, however, #3 will never happen.

[D-Mac Ottawa]

Hi Doug,
I see some reports suggesting Sam Dalembert is "open to being traded". Could you see a fit in Toronto from a team chemistry perspective? How about from a front office perspective? And from a Sam perspective?
Cheers. Enjoy your southern swing. Go Raps!

Blogger's note: I'm sure Sam would love it; the Raps not so much because of his contract and skills.

[Marion]

Eddy provided 13 examples and J provided 4. I guess that means J wins the argument, given his condescending attitude.

[Norm]

Two quotes from your mailbox responses: 1) "sometimes it’s just good reporters who may here from one GM..."
2) "There spines get a whole lot of attention..."
You're better than that, Doug -- but perhaps my comment is "neither here nor there"!!!