A dull game but it's still fun here

Well, that was rather a drab game, wasn’t it?

Boring opponent – and I mean snore-inducing, eyes-glazed-over, you-call-that-basketball – coupled with a rather uninspired effort by the HOTH and I guess the best thing you can say about it is that it got us one game closer to the end of the season.

As a wise person said, that was a virtual snooze-fest for sleepyheads.

Sorry to the MGD Best Seats people who had to sit through it – although they were gracious enough to not say anything when I stopped by at halftime.

Anyway, it did yield some fun bits.

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THREE POINTERS

Same play, different result

I guess if something works one time, you may as well try it again.

Down six with about 17 seconds left, it’s going to take a miracle to pull this one out and instead of showing off some new set or play that will quickly make the video rounds to 29 other teams, Jay goes to the tried and true method.

He runs almost the exact same play that got them that huge game-tying three-pointer in Oklahoma City a couple of weeks ago, a double screen for Leandro, who starts on the far side of the court so his man has to trail him rather than beat him over the screens.

Got a good look, too, but the shot didn’t go.

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A long, long time ago

And I still remember how that music used to ...

Oops, never mind

Anyway, I honestly can’t remember the last time the Raptors got a double-digit rebounding game from their small forward.

Ten boards for James Johnson, a career high that included a career high four offensive boards, may not be the greatest of games from that spot in the history of the sport but on a team that gets little rebounding from the starting centre and very little from the starting shooting guard, it’s a pretty big contribution.

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Emergency fill-in

Last possession of the third quarter, Jerryd’s got some foul trouble, Jose’s hamstring’s acting up a bit and he’s getting some rest and Jay needs a point guard to run one play.

What’s he do?

The obvious, goes to Leandro and we’re all kind of wondering what they’ll run on the one set they’ve got left.

Yeah, right.

We all know what’s going to happen. Leandro’s going to go around a screen, take off to the basket with only one thing in mind and try to make some kind of off-balance, banked-in layup.

Surprise, surprise.

Sure enough, he goes around the screen, gets in the lane, finds traffic and instead of throwing up a shot, dishes it off to Reggie for an easy layup.

We rub our eyes and get ready for the fourth quarter.

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The more?

It’s here.

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Okay, this is totally unrelated to anything but I typed myself a note about it so it must be important in my tiny mind.

A day that begins with a drive that includes with In The Air Tonight on the way in and Money on the drive home isn’t a bad thing at all.

We now return you to your usual digressions and pap and drivel.

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Having watched Indiana a couple of weeks or so ago, and now having seen Milwaukee up close and personally I can say without doubt that I am a proponent of lowering the number of Eastern Conference playoff teams to something less than eight.

Man, those two teams were tough to watch and that one of them, or maybe Charlotte, sneaks into the final post-season berth is hardly deserved.

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I believe it’s time to become a Jays fan.

No, not a Jay’s fan, a Jays fan because tomorrow’s opening day and what the heck, it’s baseball season.

My usual allegiance was with the Red Sox since about the first World Series I really got into was the magical one with Jim Lonborg and Yaz back in the day but I think it’s time for a change.

Seems this group of baseballers are a good bunch of guys, they can sure pitch the ball it seems and since it doesn’t appear I’ll be poaching any series to cover this summer, I can hope they win and not be professionally conflicted.

So, if you have to know, I’m going all in and saying 88 wins for the lads and big games until September.

You’re welcome.

Play ball.

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Not sure how many of you saw this story that I did yesterday on Carlos Deflino and the impact a concussion had on him (I had to use a search warrant to find it on our site) but it’s not a bad one if I do say so myself.

And wasn’t too hard to get because Carlos saw a familiar face and was more than wiling to sit down but I do have to tell you this, and I may have before:

Carlos is one very low talker and when I head to the closet today, I may feel compelled to pull out a puffy shirt.

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What’d Charles F. say about that epic struggle?

This.

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I wonder what Jay was really thinking?

You know him, right? He doesn’t very often take to criticizing his players publicly, at least not in the emotional moments right after a game when he’s meeting with the thundering hordes of media.

Well, a couple of times last night, it sure felt like he was biting his tongue, as coaches generally do.

I asked him about Jerryd, who really had a so-so game, and he gave me the “I thought he was okay” line from this game story, hardly a ringing endorsement.

And the Mom Mick says something along the lines of “What did you think of Ed? I thought he was pretty quiet compared to the last couple of games.”

Deep breath and …

“Same as you. Pretty quiet compared to the last couple of games.”

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One more Delfino note and he’s a funny guy.

We do our greetings, catch up a bit, tell a story or two and sit down to start the tape recording part of it. I look at him, first question is “So, how’s your head?” and his immediate reply:

“Still big.”

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Oh the good part about watching spring training?

Watching No. 82 scoring a run and No. 66 on the mound.

No clue who they are but I like them.

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First chance.

Send mail right here, you know how I love to hear from you.

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The Goods On The Game, Bucks at Raptors

Good evening, one and all.

And the countdown continues.

Have fun.

We're kind of all over the map here today

We’re talking strategy, discipline and, of course, some DWTS.

Have fun.

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Seriously, how hard can it be to foul a guy?

Dude catches the ball, someone wraps him up, foul committed, case closed.

Right?

Wrong.

Take, for instance, the strange case of Andrew Bogut, who could very well lay waste to the Raptors tonight.

He’s among the worst free throw shooters in the NBA – 44 per cent coming into this game – yet he shoots only about 3 1-2 per game, which means that while every team in the league knows his weakness, none seem capable of truly exploiting it.

So why can’t the Raptors – or anyone – foul him, Jay?

“I’m not sure. I just think he’s very crafty and you think you might have him one way and he finds ways to avoid you blocking his shot or getting a good hard foul in on him.”

I have no idea what will unfold tonight – remember the game here earlier this season when the Raptors really tried to foul in the overtime period but couldn’t? – but know going in that it’s part of the game plan, it’s just a matter of making it work.

But, like every other team in the league, what’s good in theory may not work in reality.

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Oh yeah, one more Jay on the fouls:

“We don’t have a hard time fouling other guys when we don’t want to.”

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On, he’s a sneaky little fellow, as my Grandma used to say.

I’m standing in the doorway out of the practice facility yesterday as the players are filing out and perhaps I’m blocking the exit just a little bit.

Reggie Evans, he being a joker and all, kind of bumps into me on the way out and gives me one of those joking “excuse me, pardon me, didn’t see you there” lines as he goes by.

No big deal, kind of funny, and as he gets in the alcove leading to the outer door, he stops, turns around and comes back. He’s got in his hand my notebook, which he’d pilfered unbeknownst to me from my back pocket.

“Just because I’m in the NBA doesn’t mean I’ve forgotten things.”

Oh, he can be a sneaky fellow.

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For about half an hour or so last night, wasn’t the whole basketball world filled with Cavs fans?

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Here’s one to chew on:

The Milwaukee Bucks have the most impotent offence in the NBA, averaging a paltry 91.45 points per game.

In two games against the Raptors this year, they’ve averaged 104 points per game.

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Speaking of practice, they can be a bit drab these days finding things to write about as the time dwindles towards the end of the season.

The good news?

There aren’t too many left.

By our estimation – and, trust me, we’ve probably got it right – there might only be about two left before the season gets over.

They don’t usually work on the day after back-to-backs (and there are three of them left between now and the April 13 end of thing) so that leaves us with tomorrow, Friday and, perhaps, April 9 to get through.

Not bad, eh?

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The Bucks actually worked out here yesterday since they were in Charlotte on Monday and didn’t want to go home.

And here’s what Charles F. saw when he was there.

(We let them practice in peace).

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So the talking heard no one’s ever heard of is going home and the ex-boxer survives the cut on DWTS?

All’s right in the world.

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A last word on an old issue:

Q: Hi Doug. I'm curious as to your take of the comments made by Bryan Colangelo relating to the Julian Wright story. To me as an everyday working man, it seems like management pulled the rug out from under Jay. Not the first time, Bryan has done that...If one of my co workers pulled that kind of stunt, I'd want to see them held accountable. It's not about making a big deal out of it, but rather getting all the crew marching to the same drumbeat. Send a message to the rest of the league, that this is a professional franchise and a certain level of professionalism is expected. It's not about the next 10 games, Bryan should be looking to set the tone for the future. Coach tells you to get in the game and your role is to play, then you're expected to enthusiastically jump in and try your best; anything short of that, they should be held accountable...not internally.

 

Claude B, St. Catharines

A: I don’t really have a problem with how things transpired in the aftermath, actually.

I’ve spoken to executives, coaches and players, there was discipline meted out, everyone within the team knows it and that’s really all that matters, isn’t it?

We know he was fined, he served a de facto suspension on Saturday with a DNP-CD (one of the big reasons he even dressed was that Bargnani and Evans were out and no one knew what Calderon or Barbosa could give them and the last thing anyone wanted was to force an injured player to play just to make a point to Julian) and everybody’s moving on.

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Can someone please explain to me how the major league baseball season starts tomorrow?

Really?

A Thursday night in March?

Doesn’t that strike you – pardon the pun – as a bit early and odd?

Anyway, guess I better check in with my seamhead buddies today and find out what’s going on out there in the big old world of MLB, spring training seems to have been a blur.

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We’re back with the IGBT, right?

Just before 7 p.m. tonight?

See you then.

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We're talking about motivation and a reason to watch the Final Four

So the chatter at practice Monday got around to motivation and what drives these guys in the final two weeks of the season and we got a lot of the predictable answers about wanting to get better and gain experience and blah, blah, blah, blah, blah.

But the one point that I liked to hear was the talk about wanting to finish strong because they owe it to the fans.

You know, the people who pay the money for the tickets and still come out even though the season – to steal a line oft-uttered by The Great Dave Perkins – was shot behind the ear a few months ago.

I’m thinking that professional pride, along with the sense of obligation to the paying customer should be enough to assure maximum effort as the final nine games of the season unfold.

That may be a bit Pollyanna-ish but isn’t that the way it should be?

One point that Jay brought up – and it’s the basis of the Bryan quote that’s in today’s story on the coaching situation that I’m sure you’ve all read – is that the makeup of the roster lends itself to a group playing hard as the string runs out.

“These guys have been very professional and maybe it because they’re young and we don’t have an old vet who’s riding it out. The guys who are the veteran guys … are looking for ways to extend their basketball livelihood.”

Sure, there have been some dog games – we all remember Golden State – but overall, he hit the nail on the head. Maybe these kids just don’t know how to mail it in quite yet.

I hope they never figure it out.

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Hey, remember how I picked Notre Dame to go to the Final Four? Probably caused some scoffing out there among you, no?

Well, I was right. Nyah, nyah!

Just had the wrong gender.

But now you need to pay attention to the women’s Final Four, which goes Sunday and Tuesday in Indianapolis because it’s got the only Canadian left playing college ball.

That’d be Guelph’s Natalie Achonwa, who played 24 minutes off the bench with two points and six rebounds with a couple of steals as the Irish upset top seeded Tennessee 73-59 last night.

Now, Irregulars will remember Natalie from the stuff we did on the women’s national team at the worlds last summer and if you can find Mr. Peabody’s WABAC machine (figure that out if you can) you’ll recall this epic from a couple of years ago.

Anyway, we’ll try to get more on her and the team this week because it’s a pretty good story.

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Hey, don’t look now but the top of the East is starting to get a wee bit interesting, isn’t it?

Chicago’s 53-20, Boston and Miami are both 51-22 and the final two weeks of the season have some juice left in them.

At stake, of course, is home court in what’s shaping up to be potentially outstanding second round series.

Maybe we should start living vicariously through good teams?

Got one to root for?

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This is kind of fun:

Q: Hey Doug. Now that the Raptors are mathematically eliminated I thought I'd ask a question that is really just an excuse to have you wax snarky for a bit. Toronto's fans seem to love to kill their local players for any weakness, real or perceived and I wanted to see if you could make up some fictional comments that you think you might get if certain players laced up for the Dinos. I'm going to suggest Amare, Carmelo, David Lee and Kevin Love would love it if you added some stars that you think would get ripped in the GTA.

Thanks!

 

Nik W, Gyeongju, Korea

A: Let’s go.

Amare?

What’s he ever done that didn’t involve Steve Nash and you think Jose’s Steve Nash? Besides, he’s got those bad knees and had that eye issue and he’s a function of a system.

Carmelo?

Oh, great. A one-dimensional scorer! We need defence, I tell you! Defence. What’s a gifted scorer ever won?

David Lee

Yeah, right. Anyone can get big numbers on bad teams, can’t they?

Kevin Love

Just ‘cause he player for Jay doesn’t mean anything and he defends like Andrea.

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I’m sitting there watching the Bulls-Sixers on Raptors TV, or whatever it’s called now, and they kept playing this same commercial.

I saw Jimmy King and Clifford Rozier clips, and Garth Joseph and Rod Strickland and Mike James and I’m thinking one thing:

What kind of mushrooms were in dinner because this can’t be happening.

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You know me and numbers, right?

How much I love them.

Well, how’s 21 and 24 sound to you as something to think of as the final couple of weeks unfold.

That’d be the second- and third-worst records ever put up by the HOTH, the 21 in the very first year, the 24 in the injury-riddled Last Lenny Year.

(The worst ever was 16 but that’s way in the rearview mirror)

Can they get to either of them this year?

I’m guessing they blow 21 out of the water but with just nine left, it’s going to be life and death to get to 24, methinks.

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Speaking of injuries, Reggie worked a full practice Monday and should be okay for Wednesday, not sure about Andrea, who didn’t work Monday and Jay had this to say about “shutting people down” for the rest of the season.

“Not unless it’s an injury that’s going to be harmful to somebody down the road and cause future consequences. We owe it to our fans to continue to play the guys that are healthy. If a guy can’t play and he’s not 100 per cent, we’re going to treat it the same way we did in mid-January but we’ve got to play the guys … If it’s something that’s going to jeopardize someone’s career, then we would shut him down.”

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Here’s something to keep in mind.

The good folks at Miller, who’ve graciously given us the seats for the Bucks game tomorrow, are going to make the same offer for the Miami game to end the season.

Nice of them, no?

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All kinds of mail on all kinds of things

We’re all over the map with this mail, thanks for that.

And there are a few lists and ones that demand a lot of creativity in the answers that we’ll get to during the week, I promise.

Have fun.

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Q: You wrote, "Steve Nash has eight games this season with at least 20 points and 15 assists." What other NBA players dominate their position in a similar fashion?

 

Bo K, Mississauga

A: Well, that’s a statistical anomaly for Steve, actually, and says more about his team than him I think.

Not sure there is another like it; maybe Dwight Howard as a true centre? There’s too much depth at the two, three and four, really, to come up with one guy. Maybe Kobe as a shooting guard.

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Q: Hello Doug. Maybe there was a bit of literary osmosis happening in a pub in London. Or is it a trace of wistfulness as you contemplate the effects of a lockout and cessation of play? Then again, perhaps you're just getting old! But, I believe there's been an increased element of kindness and compassion in your Raptors' stories lately. And, I think to myself: "Well, surely Doug's had years to perfect the art of writing good stories about guys who lose a lot." And maybe that's it.

Sixteen seasons of watching them try. Sixteen seasons of baby steps, but never that giant leap. So, here we are: Sweet Sixteen And Never Been Kissed By Lady Luck. Or Even Caught Her Eye. And I'm not at all suggesting that you're maybe tiring of writing about futility.

But what if? What if you were writing stories about a Raptors' team that instead of once again being eliminated from post-season play, had just won their first championship. (Yeah, if you're going to dream, dream BIG!) How might you - the fella who's been there since Day One - capture the moment? What would your first sentence be?

Thank you from a patient, and ever hopeful, fan.

 

Lori P, London

A: I’d go with “It was the best of times … “ but that’s been taken.

Know what I might want to do? I might want to find the longest-serving member of the organization at that time and see what their face looked like when it finally happened. That might be cool.

I do know I’d think back to all the good people who’ve run through the basketball side of the organization and hope they realized what roles they might have played in the development.

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Q: Hi Doug. I'm assuming that this not-so-great season coupled with a team that's not-so-great for sound bites has made finding story angles somewhat difficult for you. Has this been the worst season for that, in your memory? If not which season was? And which was the best season for you as a journalist trying to dig up stories?

 

Kevin O, Waterloo

A: Oh, no, this is not the worst. By far, the worst was the 16-66 season of 1997-98; it started with a 17-game losing streak that ended the season before it really began, the players were just going through the motions for most of the season and it was entirely dreadful.

This hasn’t been the greatest, that’s for sure, but it’s not the worst.

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Q: Following up on you mentioning someone treating you to a nice dinner in your Wednesday blog... 1) What is the coolest out of the blue nice thing that someone has done for you in your Grunt capacity and 2) what is the coolest out of the blue nice thing that you've heard of happening to some other Grunt. You can omit names to protect the innocent and/or generous.

 

Andrew S, Toronto

A: Out of the blue? Not a whole lot, actually. A couple of guys (Oak in a couple of places, Darrick Martin at a pre-season game, Alex Radojevic one night in Vancouver for a big table of people) have bought dinner totally unexpectedly.

And as for other grunts, not an awful lot that I know of, actually. We don’t share a lot of stories but the single greatest thing I ever saw a player do to show respect to a writer was Sam Dalembert flying from Sacramento to Philadelphia to attend a service for the late, great Phil Jasner and I can’t imagine anything topping that.

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Q: Hi Doug. Here's one for the mail, but it might be more of a rant. So, there's a rumour that a questionably legal source to watch games on the internet is no longer broadcasting NBA games. Then there's the fiasco of the Raps on multiple networks, and multiple channels within those networks, and to top it all off, I'd gladly pay for NBA League Pass to be able to watch games on my computer or my phone, but the last time I checked, they black out any local games that are also being broadcast on cable. With a growing family in a tough economy, we've chosen to get our HD TV over the airwaves and skip the pricey cable and satellite route. We can get every TV show that we're interested in watching on either the internet, or the over the air TV, but I can't get Raps games.

The question part: Is this normal? Do fans in other cities have as much difficulty getting their games on TV too? Does the team know that I'd have an easier time watching every Suns game then watching my local team online? I can't justify getting cable, and every sports package just so that I can watch my Raps games. If the team wants to keep their fans, something needs to be done.

 

Peter L, Toronto

A: No, it’s not normal at all. Some teams split games between two networks (and I’ll also point out don’t have 82 games broadcast) but I know of none who split the telecasts over four different stations on two networks.

It needs to be fixed, no question about it, but some of the blame has to lie with TSN and Rogers Sporstnet, the CRTC and cable providers for the way out cable industry is set up.

But I agree, it is in some ways a travesty and costs them fans.

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Q: Hi Doug. IYHO (In your humble opinion):

What is the most important position/role for an NBA team with championship aspirations?

What is the toughest position to address via free agency?

What is the easiest position to address via free agency?

Thanks

 

Greg M, Halifax

A: Here’s the problem with the first question: History has shown us there isn’t one. To me? It’s someone, either a guard or a small forward who can defend multiple positions, break his man down off the dribble and make a shot. But to say it’s a point guard or a shooting guard or small forward is folly.

Toughest? I’d say point guard since teams tend to lock them up.

Easiest? End of rotation wing.

The usual fare and some picks for this afternoon

Oh, dopey me.

Here I was thinking today was a mail day, forgetting all about the Saturday night game and the need to do the usual drivel.

So, usual drivel it is and we’ll have a big ol’ mailbag tomorrow, okay?

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THREE POINTERS

No fallout

Yes, that was Julian Wright in uniform a night after refusing to go into a game when I thought a one-game suspension might have been in order.

But guess Bryan and Jay didn’t take my advice. Again.

But, truth be told, it probably was a de facto suspension since he got the DNP-CD and I imagine they felt compelled to have him in uniform because of the absence of Bargnani and Evans and the questions about the durability and health of Calderon, Barbosa and Dorsey.

It would seem the incident is now done and forgotten and if that’s the worst thing that creeps into the public in a season that’s among the worst ever in franchise history, then I imagine they’ll be happy with that.

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One thing to add

There is no doubt that, on the role he’s got on this team, that Leandro Barbosa does it pretty well. He comes in and scores and tries to energize his team and, most nights, that’s precisely what he does.

However, I think there’s one move that he could add to his repertoire that would make him even more effective.

How many times have we seen him rush a three-pointer to barely beat – if he does at all – a defender who’s closing out on him? He even had one shot blocked late in the game on a pretty vital possession.

But if he had a pump fake he could use?

A quick shot fake that would get a defender in the air and out of position and if he had that, how more effective would it make him getting to the rim?

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A work in progress

What do we make of Alexis Ajinca?

He got a bit more time than usual Saturday night and had a bit more than usual in Denver and Golden State thanks the drubbings and the injuries and the desire of the coaching staff to see what he’s got.

To me, he’s got very little that this team needs. Yes, he’s long and yes, he can extend defences with his shooting range but, really, on this roster as it’s presently constructed, I don’t think there’s a place for him in the future.

The cost to get him was negligible, in fact they did quite well by getting a second-round pick and the money to pay his salary for the rest of this year, but it was an experiment that really didn’t do anything good.

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More?

I’ve got some.

-

Let’s see.

You give up 84 points in one half on Friday and 94 in an entire game on Saturday? Gotta love of the mercurial nature of a team of mainly young ‘uns.

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So, who’ve got in the Junos tonight?

You know, that orgasmic display of prodigious Canadian music talent that’s taken over the Air Canada Centre this week?

(And that’s why both the HOTH and the pucks have been away, I was told the music people needed the arena from about Tuesday on to get set up).

Truth be told, I haven’t heard of a vast majority of the bands, performers, rappers, hip-hop artists, or what have you that’ll be performing and I’m pretty sure I’m not going to be locked on to the TV to watch.

If I was, who should I pay attention to? I kind of know of Arcade Fire (caught a bit of the Grammys in the local after a game on whatever night they were on) and I seem to recall that Drake fellow from the never-ending loop of a commercial they played during last year’s NBA playoffs but other than that?

I’m lost.

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Do you think it means anything that the Raptors are 2-14 in the first game of back-to-backs and 5-11 in the second?

Not sure if I do but it’s kind of interesting and runs counter to the common perception that teams struggle in the second game.

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Hmm.

Nine games left.

Think we can all get through it?

This is without doubt the most trying part of the season, these last three weeks or so when it’s hard for anyone to get truly excited about the games.

Oh, the players and coaches will be up for them and – for the most part – will play hard. Once the ball’s up in the air the competitive juices take over but unlike, say, last year when the playoffs were a possibility right until the final couple of nights of the season, there’s no real buzz around anything.

Too bad, too. As I recall, getting ready for the post-season, or trying to qualify for it, can be fun. There’s a high level of anticipation for every game, I don’t mind a little scoreboard watching and it gives a guy a chance to show some enthusiasm.

Now?

Well, we’ll count ‘em down nine to zero, get on with the news that we’ll have to chase when it’s all over – Is Bryan coming back? What about Jay? What’s the date of the daft lottery? – but other than that, it’s more about meeting contest winners and trying to make stories at least mildly entertaining.

Too bad.

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What’d they say in Los Angeles about that game?

Here’s how it played in the Times.

-

Why do I get a feeling that Earth Hour is a passing fad whose time has come and gone?

-

Let’s get at least one little one out of the mail and since we’ve had a bit a change in the schedule because I’m dopey and don’t remember things like games, here’s one more shot to click here and get something in.

Q: Hi Doug! Last year we were hearing a lot about Demar and Sonny basically being attached at the hip.

This year not so much. Has there been some sort of a falling out?

Thanks!

 

Ryan Y, Toronto

A: We all wrote that story about a kabilion times last year, it’s old and, truth be told, boring. Yes, they still hang out, they still work out before games together, they’re still tight. But we’ve moved on.

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Butler!!!!!!

Didn’t I tell you just yesterday that they were the best story in basketball at any level?

Now I’m a bit miffed that when the Final Four semifinals are going on next Saturday that I’ll be sitting watching Raptors-Bulls instead of the college games.

It’s not that I all of a sudden like college basketball or anything because I don’t, but I do like a good story.

-

Oh yeah.

You know I’m a bit of a sucker for underdogs so I’m all over hoping VCU wins this afternoon and as for Kentucky-North Carolina, they’re both too big and too high profile for me to care very much.

-

 

 

 

A bit of fraying at the edges for the first time

Well, wasn’t that something?

Now, I was out and didn’t pay a whole lot of attention after the first, oh, seven minutes so I don’t think I can get to the usual format.

Maybe tomorrow if tonight’s any better but not today.

So …

-

ONE POINT

If you’ve read Dave’s piece from the game, you’ll know there was a bit of an issue between Jay and Julian Wright, who refused to go into the game.

That can only mean one thing:

They’ll need to suspend Julian for a game for the usual “conduct detrimental to the team” reason they always give.

Now, you know I quite like Julian, he’s a hard worker, maybe the hardest worker on the team, but you cannot behave like that without there being repercussions.

The funny thing is, I don’t think anyone saw anything like this coming. The one thing about this team that’s stood out all season is how they did keep working and got along and suffered the losses without any noticeable fractures or anything.

I guess there always comes a point when people do irrational and wrong things and a beat-down administered like the one last night must have been the breaking point.

I don’t think there are any long-term problems but this is an incident that has to be dealt with. And from what I know of professional athletes and coaches, it’ll be dealt with and they will move on.

And I imagine everyone’s pretty dang happy that there are only 10 games left before the season is over.

-

Now, on to more.

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So now I get it.

You come for the basketball but stay for the TV theme songs.

I love this place.

(Most of the time).

And I figure the numbers are down but the comments are up and I’m guessing if we do a few other-than-basketball-things once this season comes to a close, we’ll be all right.

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This is too much.

OMG, LOL? In the dictionary?

Isn’t a dictionary where you go to, you know, find words?

Really.

Now, I know I’m not perfect and certainly don’t speak the King’s English or spell it right all the time but, come on.

The ruination of the language continues.

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How’d that play in San Francisco?

This is how.

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Yes we have winners in the contest and I think they’ve all been notified.

I’m told the numbers were once again quite good, somewhere north of 1,500 so, again, thanks very much.

And we’ll see some of you, I hope, at the game Wednesday.

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There’s all kinds of mail, it seems, which will give me something to do after a drive to the peninsula; this one is an early snippet:

Q: Hi Doug. The acquisition of James Johnson has been a really pleasant surprise. He has the size, defense, and handle that make me think at the tender age of 23 he has a lot of upside. Do you think anyone in Chicago is thinking that they might have let a good one get away?

 

Andy F, Aberdeen

A: Nah. Given their circumstances, maybe the best team in the East, Luol Deng playing well, the financial benefits they got moving Johnson, I’m sure the Bulls are just fine. You never want to let a young talent go away for nothing but they can live with the repercussions of their decision quite happily.

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Man, do I know how to pick ‘em or what?

NCAA games, that is.

But incorrect prognostications aside, is there a better story in all of basketball than the Butler Bulldogs?

Tiny school, kids who aren’t likely to be NBAers, at least not significant NBAers, and they’re on the verge of two Final Fours in two years?

Not bad and I guess it’s the best thing about that tournament.

I remember covering the Final Four that George Mason was in a few years back in Indy. I stayed at the same hotel as the team and with the other giant programs there – I believe it was Florida, UCLA and LSU – it was great to see a bunch of kids no one had heard perform on such a large stage.

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So, what to expect tonight in Los Angeles?

Well, I know everyone connected with team is tired, most are probably quite cranky and they can see the end of a long and difficult trip on the horizon and a lot of them will just want it over.

So, you can see that it all adds up to Blake Griffin having about seven zillion dunks and another dull night for the HOTH as they get ready to come limping home.

Or maybe we get one of those “That’s why they …” moments.

Kinda makes you want to stay up a bit late and see what transpires, doesn’t it?

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Searching for a star and a second favourite team

A handful of digressions and list and a look back at some atrocious Thursday night picks.

Yes, it was a quiet day of travel and no involvement with the HOTH so …

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Was walking up the tunnel after the game the other night in Phoenix with a guy I know and we’re quickly dissecting the game and the season.

“How’s it going,” he says.

“Well, they’re 20-51, kids who don’t quite know how to play yet. Can’t wait for it to get over, to tell you the truth.” And the guy looks at me and says, without hesitation:

“They need some stars, guys who can do it themselves.”

There’s the rub.

Neither of the team’s two best scorers – DeMar or Andrea – can create for themselves yet and when it comes down to the final minutes of a close game, they have run plays rather than give the ball to one “star” to make something happen.

Now, maybe it gets better, maybe DeRozan evolves into a guy who can break down his defender and get to the rim and we’ve sure seen him try, most recently on the last drive the other night when Gortat blocked him at the rim.

But until he does, those end-of-game situations are going to be tough, and likely not that successful.

Eleven to go!

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Hey, Air Canada!

Get into the 2000s and put some self-service check-in kiosks in the Phoenix airport, would you?

Perhaps you’ve noticed you run quite a few flights there and since you’re always blathering on about being the “best this” and the “best that” do some folks a favour and start acting like it.

Please.

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You’ve only got a few hours left to get in the MGD Best Seats thingy. The hope is to reach the winners this afternoon so they can have, you know, really anxious time between now and Wednesday all a’tizzy with anticipation.

Click right here to get your name in.

Thanks.

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What’s up with the Warriors?

This is.

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How about those NCAA picks, eh?

Got, what, one of four right last night?

Glad none of you used them for your own purposes.

But, if you’re sitting around today trying to figure out the rest of the Elite Eight, you’d be wise to go with North Carolina, Richmond (gotta love the Spiders!), Ohio State and Virginia Union. Commonwealth (sorry, Sherm; must have had Oak on the mind)

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Speaking of those games last night, it was the first time I’d really had a lot of time to sit and watch undistracted and I have to tell you, there’s something about this Jimmer kid that’s kind of compelling.

Now, I don’t know if he’ll turn out to be Adam Morrison or JJ Redick, to be honest, but I know some NBA team’s going to take a shot at him and hope he develops into some kind of offensive specialist who can have a long career.

But, thankfully, there’s no way these guys here are going to have a shot at him unless the grab up a later first round pick and I don’t see that happening.

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Oh, I knew this was coming.

Q: Hi Doug. Your Magnum reference on Thursday simply begs the question: what are your top 5 TV theme songs of all time?

Gale M, Toronto

A: Okay, here are the rules. You have to realize the era in which I grew up, the songs have to have lyrics because singing sure beats humming and here you go; in no particular order:

Beverly Hillbillies

The Flintstones

Gilligan’s Island

Cheers, and,

 

 

 

Green Acres, which might be No. 1.

I know Cheers is a bit of a cliché so I can be convinced otherwise.

Another digression ended.

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Going to stay up late tonight and watch this one from Oakland?

Might be a good idea if you like free-flowing games with little or no defence.

You’ll also probably see a lot of early offence; the Raptors lead the NBA in fast-break points (18.7) and the Warriors are second (18.6) so it could be zany.

Now, there’s one thing I’m not too sure of anymore. For the longest time, the Warriors seemed to be everyone’s “second favourite” team. Maybe it was Nelly and the way he coached ‘em but they did seem a lot more fun and memorable than they are now.

Don’t get me wrong, I love watching Dell’s kid play and Keith Smart does trot out some unusual lineups but Golden State seems to have lost some of its cachet, no?

I’m not sure who’s supplanted the Warriors as everyone’s second-favourite team. Maybe Oklahoma City, although the Thunder are legit and doesn’t really fit into that “lovable but non-threatening” category that clubs like the Warriors do.

Maybe there isn’t one?

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Now, I know that in your sub-conscience, so many of you want to chat and ask questions, right?

Well, here’s your chance to do it for real and give me something to do after I take a trek to the peninsula tomorrow.

Click here. Write down some words. Send ‘em along. They’re always welcome.

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Speaking of mail, let’s get one done now.

(Mostly because I don’t have a lot of items and would like to get this to the usual length)

Q: Hey Doug. Can you comment on the overall mood of the team these days? It's been a tough season and I worry about how it affects the team going forward. There are a lot of young guys and possibly some fragile egos. How does the atmosphere around the team compare to other losing seasons?

Thanks

 

 

 

Simon G, Belmont

A: There is no effect going forward and the mood, given the circumstances, is just fine. Sure, they’d all like to be 50-22 and headed to the playoffs but there’s also a feeling that there’s something brewing that will take some time to fully cook but will be well worth it when it’s done. And, because of the youth of the team and the promise they think that holds, it’s a far more pleasureable mood than, say, at the end of the KO year or the 27-win season of 2005-06, or even last year when there was a huge No. 4 cloud hanging over the franchise.

No one’s “happy” but no one’s thinking this is the worst thing in the world.

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All right, no IGBT tonight or tomorrow, right? Game’s are too late, I’m likely to be planted on some sofa watching them through tired eyes and I’m pretty sure a lot of you have, you know, lives to lead.

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Stats and surgeries and some long ago TV memories

Oh yeah, it’s crazy early here, 4:25 a.m. by the clock in the corner of this screen, but there’s an early flight and no way I’m making you wait until after I get back to read these pearls of wisdom.

Have fun.

And if you see Super Son, make sure he’s got the driveway shoveled before I get back, would you?

Thanks.

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THREE POINTERS

Is he back?

Probably not, but that was the most active I’ve seen Ed Davis in the last couple of weeks, especially in the fourth quarter when he was able to find space in the Suns zone and had a couple of big buckets off great passes from Bargnani and Calderon.

Davis ended up with eight rebounds – the most he’s had in about five games – and he was far more into the fray than he’d been.

Who knows, it might translate into more playing time each night and the people who are shocked he’s not playing more simply because it’s that time of year will take it easy.

The Raptors know he’s a longer term piece than, say, Reggie Evans but they also know he’s got to play well to get some time and, before last night, he hadn’t been.

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Time to get cut?

Maybe not.

We were chatting with Leandro at shootaround Wednesday morning and the conversation, as it often does with him, got around to his health and, specifically, his wrist.

And it sounds like surgery, which we all expected right after the season ended, may not be such a sure thing.

“I haven’t decided yet if I’m going to have the surgery or not. I’m doing okay right now … It’s something I need to talk to the trainers about it and the organization and Bryan, too. It’s almost the end of the season, we’ll see.”

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The exuberance of youth

Twice in the first half, there were loose balls near the Raptors basket and twice they saved them from going out of bounds, only to throw them right to Suns for easy baskets.

Hair-pulling time for the coach, if he had more hair.

And it’s when he gave me the top quote in the game story.

“We saved the ball twice for them to get baskets. I mean, what is that? You can’t say that’s a bad play, you’re chasing after a loose ball, good hustle, experience says don’t throw it into the back court, throw it one of your teammates, don’t save a ball where you don’t know where it’s going.

“The energy and the effort is there, the basketball smarts has to keep improving.”

Seriously, that should be the working title of the post-season wrapup video.

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And, some more?

Okay.

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Hmm.

There are college games today?

A long flight back allegedly arrives late in the day?

Well, I see a night on the couch in my future and in the crystal ball, I see Duke, San Diego State, BYU and, sorry Jim, Butler, winning those college games.

Now, don’t go putting any wagers up on those but that’s where the interest will lie at Casa Doug.

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A little chance meeting the hallway after the game really hit home just how skewed my idea of professional athletes is.

Micah’s standing there with a couple of really regular looking guys chatting away and I have to stop to say goodbye and have fun in California and to maybe get some insight into what had just transpired.

Now, these two guys are obviously in pretty good shape and look like they know their way around the gym but, really, they are quite normal.

“Doug,” says Micah, “do you know these guys?”

Nope.

“This is Joey Votto.”

Oh, the Joey Votto? Extraordinary baseballer, great hitter, all-around good guy from everything I’ve read?

Yep.

And I guess it’s because I’m around rather giant guys so many days, the 6-8, 6-10, 7-foot specimens who play the game I cover, I was taken aback at how “normal” one of the greatest hitters in the game looked.

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All right, only two days left to get into the big contest to see who gets to go to the Bucks game next week – which will be then next time I see these fellows, by the way.

Click here to get into the MGD Best Seats In The House draw for one of six pairs of tickets. Good luck, hope it’s a handful of Irregulars who get to come and hang out but, believe me, aside from talking about it here, I have nothing to do with who wins or what.

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My Man Coro took the night off, the lucky sod, so here’s how his backup played that one in the pages, so to speak, of the Arizona Republic.

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Lots of Leandro time yesterday, as you’d expect.

A couple of guys got him at shootaround, along with the Toronto locals, of course, and when I came around the corner from the court to get Jay pre-game, Leandro was conducting a scrum with about 10 writers, and broadcasters.

You got the news about the wrist up above but the other cool thing?

Barbosa knows how to play the real estate game.

You should know that the Phoenix area was the hardest hit, housing-wise, in the US during that economic meltdown and there are more foreclosures and walk-aways here than anywhere.

Barbosa? Seems he’s like the Brazilian Trump.

"I had a house ... and I had condo, too.

“I actually was building a house here and I went over there to see how it was for the guy that I sold it to. It was pretty, man. It was pretty. That really gave me emotion. The market isn’t good so it was a good thing for me to sell.”

Yes, he really called the place “pretty” and that’s not a word you hear too many NBA guys use.

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Okay, this is going deep into bad-afternoon-TV-watching-while-writing stuff and not sure how many will get it.

Las Vegas is on in the background – I know, there was no CSI to watch – and it’s late in the series when Tom Selleck as Cooper had replaced James Caan/Ed Deline as the big shot.

Anyway, I’m listening and there are two guest stars who sound quite familiar and as the show goes on, it hits me:

It’s TC and Rick!

Talk about worlds colliding.

It’s like they dropped a casino in Hawaii!

(Now, go figure that one out)

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This has nothing really to do with last night’s game except it’s a stat I found out while reading pre-game notes.

Steve Nash has eight games this season with at least 20 points and 15 assists.

The rest of the NBA has seven.

Not bad.

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Okay, one more shot at the mail for you.

Write, click, send.

I’ve got some idle time coming up and what better way to spend some of than reading your innermost thoughts.

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The Goods On The Game, Raptors at Suns

Hello, folks.

Anyone still up back home?

Hope so, and hope you're not out shovelling.

Was 24 C here today, by the way.