Busy day following a busy day. Nothing new there

Okay, so now I’ve got a day to wrap my head around a possible sale and what it means, a college tournament that I heard something about and the start of March Break and what I’m going to do for fun with Super Son in between work gigs.

Wish me luck.

Until then …

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THREE POINTERS

Another lesson to learn

Of late, I think we’ve seen Jerryd Bayless making some strides as a point guard, his decision-making is getting better, he is showing the defensive talents coaches raved about when they got him and he seems a bit more comfortable.

One thing, though.

Saw this a few times yesterday. He’s got to be better at setting his man up in screen-roll action; too often he goes too early, not running his man into the screen and rushing the play a bit.

That’s a tough thing for a young guard to master and needs to be the next step in his evolution.

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Not sure what this means …

As Reggie was rolling up rebound after rebound after standing ovation after standing ovation, got a note from an Irregular telling me he “was trending on Twitter.”

I’m not entirely sure what that means, but I guess it’s good, probably has something to do with the popularity of the IGBT (I keed, I keed) and goes to show you that, yes, people do pay attention to the Raptors.

At least a little bit.

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Cracking wise

A couple of good moments involving ref Bill Spooner.

Raptors commit a lane violation on a free throw, something you don’t see a lot of and he’s standing in front of us. Someone from the bench asks who was the guilty party:

“Number 5. Or Number 20.”

And you could almost see him roll his eyes.

Minutes later, he makes a call, some leatherlung yells, “how can you make that call from behind the guy” and Bill lets him know.

“Skill and talent.”

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More from the day?

Why not.

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Hola, amigos

Yeah, over in Spain.

Don’t be looking for Jose Calderon to be back there playing for any length of time.

Here’s the deal, and it kind of clears up reports over there last week.

If there’s an NBA lockout – and he’s holding out hope that there isn’t – there’s no way he pulls a Navarro or a Rodriquez and heads home. He’s got two more years left on his Raptors deal, he’s more than happy with Toronto and the NBA and no way he goes back.

Now, if there is a lockout and things like insurance and FIBA clearance and the like get taken care of – and that’s a grey area for anyone contemplating playing in Europe – it’s something he’d consider.

But other than that?

Here’s here and sticking around.

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A promised digression.

We did the bands, now let’s do the singles and see how this list of top five stacks up with yours.

Guess this is in descending order again:

Sarah McLachlan, Shania Twain

I had McLachlan there alone but was convinced by a knowledgeable and talented crooner that I know that it should at least be a tie.

So, a tie it is and I don’t think you can go wrong with either of ‘em.

Bryan Adams

Okay, how many of you, when you’re driving on the highway, sing along with almost every song of his that comes on the radio. That’s if anyone listens to the regular radio any more.

Gordon Lightfoot

Told you, I am of a certain age.

Joni Mitchell

She stands the test of time, hear her old stuff today and it still resonates.

Neil Young

Duh!

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Wasn’t a Charlotte writer in the house on Sunday, they stayed home to chronicle the start of March Madness so there’s nothing really to read from there.

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Let’s grab this one out of the missed mail

Q: Doug -- I may have asked this a while ago but I am curious: during a timeout, what does go on in the little coaches huddle on the court before Coach sits down with the players? They look like a square dance group, each in his position! And...I once read that coaches feel that they can at best say ONE MAIN THING in their brief time with the players before play resumes. More than one and they'll forget. Is this so? Also, we hear that some coaches are better than others in producing a good play after a timeout. Is this true? If so, what do they know how to do that other coaches do less well?

Charles N, Toronto

A: Well, I don’t think they’re dancing, although that’d be really cool to see.

What I get when I ask is that the little meeting on the court serves two purposes: It allows the players a few seconds to talk among themselves and cool down and it allows the coaches to discuss precisely what issue they want to raise or what play they want to call.

And, yes, the attention span of players in the heat of the game is quite limited, coaches – at least the ones I talk to – don’t want to overload them with points to ponder, they want to hit one thing, hammer it home and hope it sinks it.

It is true that some coaches are better at designing plays because some think more quickly than others, some see matchups to exploit that others might not. But, truth be told, you can draw up the most imaginative play in the world to give your team the best possible chance to score but if some player has a brain cramp, or an opponent does something different defensively, it can all fall apart so quickly.

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Speaking of a lockout, you know who else doesn’t have a deal?

NBA refs.

Their contract expires this summer as well and there’s been absolutely no movement towards a new deal because the league is waiting to see what happens with the players.

But, I’m telling you this, if there is no player lockout, they better get something done because we all remember The Replacements, right?

And not fondly.

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You’re all doing March Madness brackets some time today, right?

It’ll be a traditional March Madness Monday night around here, I’m sure. Super Son, who pays about as much attention to NCAA basketball during the season as I do, will be perched next to the machine trying to figure out what Moorhead State is and how they might fare.

It’ll be a hoot and we’ll let you know tomorrow how it all turns out.

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Comments

[chili]

Hey Doug,
I've asked you before about an NBA player's intent to play for a national team, like Matt Bonner wanting to play for Canada. You said a country is only allowed one player to get naturalized to play for its national team. What happens if a player applies for immigration through normal channels and gets accepted not because of his basketball talents but his other skills (say as an engineer). Can he play for the national team and the country will not lose its one-player allocation?

Blogger's note: I believe that to be so

[J.R. MacLean]

Doug,

Leonard Cohen

Neil Young

Joni Mitchell

Gordon Lightfoot

Bruce Cockburn

OK, this is weighted towards songwriting ability, (and a certain era) but if you'd seen Leonard on his recent concert tour, I'm sure you'd have him right up there too!

[Joe]

Hi Doug,

Yesterday, was the first time, in a long while, that I've seen an NBA ref. call a lane violation. Why aren't they called more often because I often see players moving into the lane way before the ball hits the rim or backboard.

Do you have an early favourite for the NCAA tournament? Any sleeper picks?

Blogger's note: No clue on NCAA until Super Son tells me

[D]

Being of a younger cohort, I would suggest

Neil Young, Joni Mitchell, Michael Buble, Diana Krall, Alanis Morisette

[elwyn jennings]

Leonard Cohen

Duh!

[Dallas]

No Comments on Colangelo?

Blogger's note: Not that I haven't said 100 or so times before, no

[Mich G.]

Hey Doug,

I've been a fan of the Canadian Indie scene for a few years now, and I'd like to offer you some suggestions to broaden your horizons, and bring you into the present:)

Groups: Hey Rosetta, Rural Alberta Advantage, The National, Iron and Wine

Individuals: Joel Plaskett, Dan Mangan, Hawksley Workman, Hannah Georgas, and Coeur de Pirate.

Enjoy!

[Kent]

You got me all excited for one second when I read "Calderon" and "going back to Spain" in the same sentence. yeah, I knew that was too good to be true.

Blogger's note: Cheap and gratuitous but ...

[Chris C]

I love Reggie's hustle and energy. He makes a huge difference when he is on the floor creating 2nd chance opportunities and making it miserable for opponents. Even though he hauls in a lot himself, he attracts so much attention that should anyone else decide they want to get more active on the glass, there are going to be lots of opportunities for rebounds; however, it seems like the opposite, more standing around letting reggie do all the work. Reggie would bring an extra level of energy and hustle on most teams, but I think it looks so much better on the Raptors because some of the other big minute players are so lethargic its unreal. I know AB is coming off a flu like illness, but seriously, has he ever hit the floor? has he ever grided out rebounds in his career like reggie did in the 1st half? he makes more rookie mistakes now than he did in his rookie year and never makes the magical pass anymore. The entire offence become spectators once AB gets it and that in my opinion is why we are losing a lot of winnable games.

[Jerry]

Neil Young and Joni Mitchell are unquestioned as the top 2. Of course Leonard Cohen has to be on the list. Do not forget Ian Tyson.

[Michael]

I think the Raptors should implement this aspect of rugby into their pre-game routine. And Bargnani should lead it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=56Hb632BCCw&feature=related

[DaveT (Ottawa -- er, Dublin)]

Doug, are you sure that the free throw isn't on the release in the NBA? I was surprised to hear from you it was on the rim.

[D-Mac Ottawa]

Morning Doug,
Oh yeah, Mr. Cohen could find a spot in there. I'd certainly rate both Ms. Krall and Mr. Buble atop either Adams or Cockburn. And leave us not forget perhaps the two finest warblers currently on the planet: Her Majesty Celine (I love to 'hear' her; hold the video portion, please) and, best of the best, kd lang. Thank you!
Jarryd is definitely rounding into form. He's as gutsy as J Jack attacking the lane, but he also now seems to be developing an element of control. Another keeper! And that makes eight in my book: Jose, Andrea, Amir, DeRoz, ED, Leandro, Jerryd and Reggie. Just add talent, and stir.
Cheers. Go Raps! Happy Madness Pickin', people!

[Lorie]

Hello Doug!
So, just five again, eh? Would be soooo much easier if you'd allow us a top 23 or 77, but it's your blog, so it's your rules! So not in any real order, but purely those whose music I never tire of hearing. Leonard Cohen for writing, performing, being. (Hallelujah, Closing Time, Tower of Song, Anthem...and so on, and so on...). Gordon Lightfoot whose songs I've mangled more than anyone else's (thanks to all those easy-for-guitar-beginners just 3-chord songs!!!) and whose Canadian Railroad Trilogy is a true anthem to this country; Joni Mitchell whose work never ages (Blue is forever) and whose voice and lyrics are etheral. Neil Young: relevant from the start with Buffalo Springfield, and then CSNY. But "Helpless" is all about us. And, finally, Measha Brueggergosman. Her performance of the Olympic Hymn at the 2010 Winter Olympics was beyond moving, but, in a bit of cross-pollination, listen to her sing Joni Mitchell's Both Sides Now...breathtaking. Well, Doug, we are of a Certain Age, aren't we? But that also means we were there when Gordon Lightfoot, Leonard Cohen, Joni Mitchell, Neil Young - and so many others - were just starting out, and it's been quite the musical journey, hasn't it? Salut!

[james]

It's impossible to separate Mitchell, Young and Cohen. All superb writers, they have stood the test of time (Cohen's live concert was remarkable, as J.R. says; one hopes to be that spry at 75). I like your other picks too, but if we're just considering solo singing, k.d. Lang's pipes and ability to interpret are hard to beat. One more entry on the band front, appropriate in this venue: I never saw a better Canadian bar band than Doug and the Slugs.
As with the destruction of Carthage, Colangelo must be resigned.

[Lorie]

@Mich G:
I've just discovered Coeur de Pirate. "Le Long De Large", "La Vie Est Ailleurs" and "Fondu au Noir" are all beautiful. And, of course, then there's the Wainwright siblings: Rufus and Martha, Sarah Harmer, Matthew Barber, Jill Barber, Kathleen Edwards and the vastly under-appreciated Ron Sexsmith - "Gold in Them Hills" is so good. And soooo many more. Ahhh...back to work, but now it's accompanied by hours and hours of great Canadian music and musicians.

[Terence]

Doug, if I didn't know anything about your adventures as a basketball scribe, and the only thing I knew about you was that you had ms. Mclachlan on the top of your musical list, I would still consider you as a great guy with an above-average taste in music.

Speaking of which, she'll be playing at Massey Hall on Thursday - I'm sure you've already got your tickets.

[Dallas]

No Comments on Colangelo?

Blogger's note: Not that I haven't said 100 or so times before, no

I just thought with Dave's piece about some on the board allegedly calling him a product of nepotism and not wanting to bring him back would be noteworthy. Seems to me it would be the most noteworthy item in a while?

[HopeCaper]

Anne Murray was big for a while too and still gets lots of musical respect. Gene MacLellan, Murray McLauchlan also come to mind. I think Thom Swift although he has not received nation attention has lots of potential. He does have some great music. However I would have to say that Gordie, Neil, Joni, Randy, and Bert all stand pretty tall when it comes to history, writing, and talent.

Not sure what happened with Charlotte other than they have at least as good a team as the Raps. I thought they might have taken Charlotte but consistency still not there. I don't think it's realistic to expect a player to have a great game each time they play but it would be nice to see that if one player doesn't step up someone else does. That hasn't happened a lot this year.

[Penny]

Hi Doug- Watching the game yesterday and seeing how badly DeMar and Leandro were shooting, I was thinking that it sure would be nice if they would learn how to pass. Jose, Andrea and Jerryd were all shooting 50% or better yesterday but Leandro and DeMar were taking so many shots that there wasn't any left for the ones actually shooting well. Also the missed free throws are really annoying and is the main reason why Ed Davis will not see too much court time at the end of a close game.

[Kent]

"Another keeper! And that makes eight in my book: Jose, Andrea, Amir, DeRoz, ED, Leandro, Jerryd and Reggie. Just add talent, and stir."

Now that we have spots #4 through #12 filled, all we need are 4 all-stars and we will make a run at Miami and Boston.

[D-Mac Ottawa]

If I may add one more "newish" native performer to consider on any list: Danny Michel. He'll give you a pretty creative mix in the vein of Paul Simon, Bob Dylan, John Lennon, David Bowie... and that's what you call Cool Eclectic, baby!
Here's a sample or two: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NRyk8rHkEZs&feature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mdELVYnq4wU&feature=related
Oh, and if we could just invent a new band altogether... hey, wait, Mark Vidler has already does that. Here you go: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vDf0j3SEseU
Cheers. Go Raps!

[The J]

What, no love for Bieber????

[DMcCalgary]

Neil Young and Joni Mitchell are certainly givens and Lightfoot belongs too. Leonard Cohen should be a given. No love for David Clayton Thomas? Tough to define a top 5 without running up to 6,7,8....

[Ryan]

Doesn't "skill and talent" confirm that the refs are biased towards the more skilled players, rather than what is actually happening on the court?