A homecoming and a glorious opening day

Good morning, folks.

I probably should have guzzled a Red Bull (although I’ve never so much as tasted one) because it’s quite a slow morning here in Chicago.

Anyway, doesn’t mean this can’t be good since it includes a whole bunch randomly selected unrelated events …

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If you’re looking for something specific to watch tonight (and I’d be surprised if the game itself provided a huge amount of drama) take a close look at James Johnson.

Remember the first game he played for the Raptors? A start against his old Chicago team back in Toronto? He had one of those “I’m going to get those guys back for treating me with disrespect” attitudes on and it hasn’t really dissipated in the intervening six weeks or whatever it’s been.

“I’m playing every game like I’ve got a chip on my shoulder. I haven’t played in about a year and a half – real basketball, these kinds of minutes – so to me it feels like I owe to myself, I owe to my family and I owe it to this organization who brought be here on a leap of faith.”

Not bad, eh?

I don’t mind that kind of attitude at all, in fact I think it should be more publicly prevalent.

The question, of course, is how long it keeps up?

Once a guy gets settled and a bit comfortable, do we see some kind of complacency set in? Haven’t seen it from Johnson, hope we don’t well into the future.

And his coach warned him about what might be coming this evening.

“If you’ve been somewhere and maybe not played, it becomes something like, ‘okay, I have to show these guys they made a mistake.’ He was very fired up for that game and I’m sure they’ll be very fired up to get him back there. I talked to James a little bit about that today, I said ‘they’re going to come after you and you better be ready.’”

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Why do I think Butler might run the Picket Fence in the Final Four semis tonight?

(That’s too easy for you, isn’t it?)

Anyway, the two games are rather compelling – Butler-VCU and then Kentucky-Connecticut – and if you’re not going to be able to watch, don’t worry.

It’ll be VCU and Connecticut in Monday’s final.

You’re welcome, Sherm.

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Bulls win relatively easily in Detroit on Friday (did you see the get-up Dennis Rodman wore for his jersey retirement ceremony?) and here’s how KC chronicled it.

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Quickly from the mail?

Q: Hi Doug. It's a safe assumption to say that a lot of NBA players got into basketball because they love the game. That means that they were probably basketball fans when they were growing up, and maybe even had a favourite NBA team. But now that they are professionals and are actually part of the game, do you know if they remain fans at all? Say, as an example, does Demar still cheer for the Lakers (or maybe the Clippers...) when they're not playing the Raptors? Or do the players lose that once they turn pro because they're part of the competition?

Gabriel M, Waterloo

A: Every player I’ve talked to is more a “fan” of a friend, rather than a team. They want to see kids they grew up with or played college with do well, as opposed to cheering for a team they had an allegiance to in their youth.

(And I use “youth” knowing these kids are hardly grizzled old men to begin with).

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So I guy sits down at a very good local establishment – thanks, Mother Hubbard’s – and it’s like TV overload.

Bulls-Pistons over there, Celtics-Haws over there, some pucks game down in the corner and right there in front of me?

Glorious Jays Home Opener Victory!

162-0, I tell ya. 162-0.

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Okay, this just in:

I (Heart) Porter Air!

Left the Air Canada Centre about 12:45 p.m. after practice and was at the lounge sipping a coffee and eating a cookie by about 1:20, plane was super comfortable, flight got into Midway half an hour earlier and it was one of the easiest travel days of the year.

They really need to fly to other NBA cities, please.

Of course, the doofuses who run the airports in the GTA and Air Canada are going to screw up the island airport by adding more domestic flights and creating congestion but, for now, it’s like travel heaven.

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Speaking of mail, could some of you still send me some?

I have a slow-ish day here, with some shopping planned, maybe a Magnificent Mile Walkabout, an NCAA women’s Final Four story to do but there’s time built in for answering your heartfelt questions.

Send ‘em right here, please.

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What a huge, red-letter day for some of us on Friday.

Last practice of the season most likely!

With games today and tomorrow they probably won’t work out Monday, with games Tuesday and Wednesday they may not work Thursday and a week from today they might practice but I doubt I can make in back from Philadelphia in time.

Then it’s another back-to-back on the following Sunday-Monday which should mean the Tuesday off and the season ends on the Wednesday.

Feel good for me?

Thanks.

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Okay, baseball’s great, it’s nice white noise when you’re sitting around some lazy night but, you know, as I watch the highlights there is one thing the game can do without: Shaving cream pies to the face during post-game interviews.

It’s like the wave, tres passé and should be banned.

Thank you.

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Comments

[AT]

Doug, have you been able to catch the Fab Five documentary yet? Really well done and I have a new respect for Jalen Rose and the adversary he went through to get to the NBA. I believe those comments he made about Grant Hill were taken totally out of context but he did explain himself in the documentary. It goes to show you how just soundbites can be totally misunderstood. In hindsight, I am sure would have used a different term to explain himself. If you haven't seen, you should.

Blogger's note: Haven't had a chance to see it.

[www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=612860564]

@ AT. Agree 100%. The documentary of the Fab Five was well done. So glad Jalen was a part of Raptors history. I don't see how Grant Hill can misunderstand the context because Jalen was speaking how he felt at the time. It's just too bad their successes haven't brought them a championship, well there is still hope for Howard. I am a Duke fan and back then was exciting to watch them Duke win. For me, this documentary brings a new perspective of the struggles the Fab Five had to deal with on and off the court.

On a side note, I'd prefer Jalen over Reggie Miller when broadcasting. I think he would make a perfect colour commentator during games and he'd make it more entertaining.

[Lorie]

Hello Doug!
Gosh! Hope I'm not too late for your Magnificent Mile excursion 'cause I happen to know that Ralph Lauren's Spring 2011 Line has arrived and it's FABULOUS! And they naturally have a great shop right in your vicinity. And while you're there, you must, absolutely MUST check out their Museum Paisley Silk Tie (a STEAL at US$115). It's shades of blue, plum and would be DIVINE with that pink shirt of yours. And would for sure go with your eyes because we know that seems to matter to you! Have a sublime retail day. (And don't you generally prefer series of seemingly Unrelated Events to Unfortunate Ones? Thanks as always for the literary stuff!) Go Jays! Go Raps! And Go to Ralph Lauren, Doug!!!

[sportschick]

What you said about players and not continuing to be fans of the teams they followed as youngsters is interesting to me. In soccer (or calcio, which is what I follow mostly) I get the feeling that players still are happy for their first loved team as long as it doesn't adversely affect their own team. I guess the best example I can think of is Cassano (something of a madman, but extremely talented). He grew up in Bari and has made his way to a few other teams, but when he scores against Bari, he won't celebrate. Then again, he also played for Bari at first.

[doug]

Jalen unfortunately won't be doing anything anytime soon on TV at least for ESPN he has been suspended indefinitely for trying to hide a DUI charge...rough month for the guy and a complete over-reaction by some in regards to Hill and Duke,,,,thats college politics , passion in the States for you.....Bulls won last night, without Noah, there just a far better team without him, they've played their best ball of the season when he isn't out there, there just more balanced and present more match-up problems ...they can't advance in my opinion with him getting major minutes, as to win the title you need a balanced attack, with him out there teams have a advantage....Blue Jays being back is sweet, wasn't even excited for it but since there here nice addition and interesting team to watch grow (sort of the mantra for all T.O. teams).....Masters this upcoming week, spring arriving, nice.....

[sportschick]

I forgot to say that I also heart Porter Airlines. :)

[doug]

is it just me or does Travis Snider look like one of the characters from Boogie Nights???..

[Rob.V]

...they can't advance in my opinion with him getting major minutes.
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I completely disagree. Defense wins championships and Noah's good (real good) at his craft. He's the heart and soul of that team. Of course the NBA wants to "annoint" its next star so D.Rose will get all the glory however people who follow the league (like you and I) know full well that the aquisition of Thibideau, Boozer, and other role players are very large components to any recognition Rose will receive this season. Without them Rose is the PG of a 42 win team
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But Noah?, he's a monster (all heart!)... he starts for 27 teams in this league.

[doug]

@Rob V I agree in that Noah would be a starter on many other teams..and before people attack me I am not at all saying he isn't a premium player...i just feel the Bulls are a better team when he plays 25 minutes a game ..also I think that is a misnomer in the NBA, that defense wins titles....every team in the final 4 in the NBA can all play defense or they wouldn't be there...what sets the championship teams apart is the teams that can score against premium defense's or produce offense...not players but teams and to me it's why the Lakers are still the favs, they have Kobe,Gasol,Odom..and others that can score and create as do the Thunder...to me Noah's defensive excellence just will get matched in the playoffs as does Howard's as you have the cream of the crop in offensive skills...the key to me in the NBA which sets it apart from any other sport is this....offensive excellence trumps good defense...look at all winning championship teams in the NBA they have masterful offensive players, not ordinary one's...you can't defend it...as the playoffs aren't the regular season...also I can't fathom why Rose is the MVP or Thibodeau as COY...but writers seem to vote for the "popular" choice not who actually deserves it....like you said Rose and Thibodeau are the flavours of the month...and Noah as the playoffs progress hurts the Bulls...as does Howard with the Magic....defense doesn't win championships, elite offensive players do...