Odd numbers, strange numbers and some songs to consider

Well, they didn’t exactly conquer the road, did they?

But when you’re as beaten up and beaten down as that hearty band of young ‘uns was, “conquer” is a nice word but a difficult achievement.

Anyway, for the penultimate time …

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THREE POINTERS

Plumb tuckered out

Did you see how gassed Jerryd Bayless looked at the end of that one?

No surprise, actually, since he’s the only point guard on the team these days and Jay’s loath to use anyone else for any significant amount of time.

Check out these minute totals for Jerryd:

43 last night (a career high), 40 against New Jersey Sunday, 42 in Philly on Friday and a paltry 30 against Cleveland, 32 in New York, 35 against Orlando and 38 in Chicago.

Not an easy stretch but any stretch of the imagination, especially for a guy doing that job for the first time in his career.

So if he ran out of juice late in Milwaukee, well, stuff happens and I don’t think we can be too critical.

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An elite list

Which one of these is not like the others?

Hakeem Olajuwon, Jerome Williams, Reggie Evans, Chris Bosh, Popeye Jones, Donyell Marshall, Joey Dorsey.

Yep, Joey joined a group of six – now seven – as the only Raptors to ever have 20 or more rebounds in a game.

Not bad, eh?

And, yes, I fully expect the “how can they not keep him, how could they not have played him more” e-mails and comments to come flooding in today and offer this as a cautionary note:

Luke Jackson once scored 30 points in a last-week-of-a-lost NBA season.

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Some total

There’s another wee note on this somewhere to follow but I will point out that Ed Davis, with 15 points and 11 rebounds, recorded his 13th double-double of the season on Monday.

He now holds the team lead in that category and that says something. Not sure what, but something.

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More?

You don’t think I’d run out of stuff, do you?

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Hey, I killed on Maya Moore and Liz Cambage, didn’t I?

Alas, no Canadians went in the three-round WNBA draft so that’s about all I’ve got on that right now.

And I’m sure for some of you, that’s enough.

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Okay, I’d like to find the brainiacs who can go back to last October and tell me they had the Heat as the No. 2 seed in the East and Boston as No. 3. And that’s not to mention New York, Philly and Indianapolis as No. 6, 7, 8.

Anyway, we’re all set in the East with the matchups, as you know.

Bulls-Pacers, Heat-Sixers, Celtics-Knicks, Magic-Hawks and I’m quite glad because it’ll give me some time to try and figure out what’s going to happen.

Last I checked with the tall foreheads, we were going to run some kind of quick previews in Friday’s paper, which means will have more expansive stuff here on Friday morning.

But, quickly, I don’t really see an upset.

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This, to me, is kind of incredible.

And quite telling, I think.

From our Department of Crack Research, this nugget comes up:

As I mentioned, Ed Davis took over the team lead in double-doubles on Monday night.

It gave the Raptors, the entire team, everyone who’s worn a uniform this year, a total of 50.

Dwight Howard and Kevin Love each have 64.

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I’m driving somewhere recently, it might have been into Pearson the other day as I recall, and John Fogerty’s Centerfield comes on the radio and one thought comes to mind:

Basketball doesn’t have a song.

It probably needs one, doesn’t it? Someone out there write it, please. Not hip-hop or rap or anything I don’t like, but a song. Please.

Baseball’s got dozens of ‘em, it seems.

And if you ask a guy for his top five, you might get:

Glory Days

Who doesn’t like The Boss and who doesn’t at least try to sing along?

Paradise By The Dashboard Light

I know, the Meatloaf classic may not be entirely “about” baseball but, really, Scooter doing play-by-play?

Talking Baseball

Yeah, I know it’s a bit of a cliché and goes with Take Me Out To The Ball Game but the Terry Cashman ditty isn’t bad.

Say Hey, The Willie Mays Song

Haven’t heard it in a very long time, it’s by a group called The Treniers and not only does Quincy Jones conduct, if I remember correctly you ever hear Willie in it.

Centerfield

Come on. You all sing along when it comes on, don't you? And isn't that what it's all about?

I need to find it again; and I seem to recall – and cannot find – that Bob Dylan did a song about Catfish Hunter.

That will be today’s task.

Now, I hope you hear those in your heads most of the day.

And if you can think of a “basketball” song, I’m all ears.

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Wednesday will be the third game in four days for both the Heat and Raptors, we know how beat up Toronto is, we know that Miami will be getting ready to host a playoff game some time on the weekend.

Oh yeah, this is going to be one played at electrifyingly high intensity.

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Not sure why you’d want to know, but in Milwaukee, they wrote that one up this way.

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We’ll get more into this kind of stuff as June turns into July but this is plucked out of this morning’s mail:

Q: Doug. If next season is lost to a lockout what becomes of the player we drafted? Is he responsible for his own physical training during that period? Do the Raptors retain even a smidgen of oversight over said player? We better pick someone with a good head on their shoulders!

Dan B, Toronto

A: If there is a lockout, the teams cannot have any contact with players. They can’t go visit them to work them out, they can’t talk to them on the phone or in person, they can’t get them together for any kind of informal group workout.

There will be some kind of mechanism in place to assure teams can continue to provide medical treatment for injured players but other than that, nada.

So not only do they have to worry about what a drafted kid might do, they’ll need to make sure the guys they have are smart enough to get their work in privately in the summer if there is a lockout.

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Remember, we’re here at noon for a question and answer session – which means some studying for me this morning, I guess – and if you can make it and have some pressing issue you’d like to get off your chest, the mail bag is open and can be filled simply by clicking here.

See ya.

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Comments

[Matthieu]

Basketball song?

Michael Jackson's Jam.... It ain't too much stuff.....

[Matthieu]

And I guess a case could be made that hip hop in general is a basketball music (or basketball a hip hop sport?) as is shown in this piece: http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page3/story?page=boyd/040818 I quote: "ip-hop and hoops are as tight now as Halle Berry's catsuit, and that does not appear to be changing anytime soon"

[Jeff R]

I can't come up with a b-ball song (unless you count Sweet Georgia Brown), but here are a couple of links about more baseball songs...

http://www.chartattack.com/reviews/2011/mar/30/the-baseball-project-%E2%80%94-volume-2-high-and-inside

http://www.chartattack.com/reviews/57229/the-baseball-project

Scott McCaughey (Young Fresh Fellows, The Minus 5), Steve Wynn (The Dream Syndicate, Gutterball), Peter Buck (R.E.M.) and Linda Pitmon

Some of the titles alone make these albums worthwhile:

Ted F#$%ing Williams
Satchel Paige Said
Gratitude (For Curt Flood)

[chili]

Does this qualify?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JIbp5C-5WXM

[adam m]

Correct me if I'm wrong please (as I'm sure you would regardless), but didn't Chris Bosh also have 13 double-doubles as a rookie. If that is true, I think that speaks wonders to Ed's future as a player, especially considering the large differences between each players roles during their respective rookie season., the amount of minutes each player played per game, and the number of games each player played in.

Also, if Chris Bosh did have 13 double-doubles his rookie season, is that the current record for the rookie, and if not, what is?

Blogger's note: Not sure, I'll check if I get a chance

[JHK]

13 double doubles are the most in a 80 or so games...?
What's the most and least double doubles in a season by a dino in their history?

Blogger's note: I'll check when I get a chance

[Mark V]

Basketball Jones featuring Tyrone Shoelaces, by Cheech and Chong! Though, I only learned of this song because I was looking up songs from the Space Jam soundtrack... as if that would inspire much pride from basketball fans everywhere.

[Mike Keast]

"Sweet Lew" by Pearl Jam, written about Lew Alcindor (aka Kareem). Apparently Pearl Jam bassist Jeff Ament idolized Kareem when he was growing up, but when they actually met at a charity basketball game, Kareem gave him the cold shoulder. Lyrics are here: http://www.pearljam.com/song/sweet-lew

[Jon in Milton]

So you want a song about basketball that DOESN'T include hip-hop or rap? You're pulling up a tree, roots and all, because it doesn't have a branch you like...

[dallas]

Hit em High, from the Space Jam soundtrack featuring MJ. Here's a ling to the vid
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ewOzi5-AZXU

Kurtis Blow - Basketball http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_shxzlTRK44&feature=related

Are a few that come to mind.

[dallas]

my bad, I didn't realize you said not hip hop.

[Matthieu]

Oops, I hadn't read the bit about no hip hop or rap. Makes the whole thing a bit trickier indeed ;). Interesting to read about Pearl Jam and Kareem

[Lawrence]

Red Hot Chili Peppers have a song called Magic Johnson. Chilis Bassist Flea is actually a big fan of the NBA, and of the Lakers specifically. A couple of years ago he did an awesome NBA blog.

To build on Mike Keast's post: Pearl Jam's early band name was Mookie Blaylock. Apparently, for legal reasons they had to change their name when they made it big. But as an homage they named their first album 'ten' - Mookie's number.

[Lorie]

Hey Doug!
Basketball songs? Hmmm...that's a tough one. Not many you could sing along with...case in point? The first one that popped into my head was Skee-Lo's "I Wish"..."I wish I was a little bit taller, I wish I was a baller..." followed by Marsha Ambrosius singing "hope she cheat on you wit' a basketball playa" (the accompanying video for this one features Gilbert Arenas) and good taste prevents go any further with those lyrics. Basketball needs music. And music needs basketball. In a Grand Way. In a way to Elevate the Spirit. I'm thinking The Met. Yes, I'm thinking opera. Placido Domingo as David Stern...Think I'm on to something?

[D-Mac Ottawa]

Morning Doug,
Not sure about Catfish Hunter, but Dylan did a hell of a number on Hurricane Carter. But is there anything more 'instant basketball' than a rousing whistlin' rendition of Sweet Georgia Brown?
Cheers. Go Raps. Tonight's their playoffs!

[Sasha]

Not basketball related, and don't know if you'd like it, but there is a band out there called The Baseball Project. They have one album, but it's ALL baseball songs...and many are quite clever (all originals).

Like the one about the pitcher (can't remember who) that took a perfect game into the 12th inning of a tie, then lost on a single hit. It's funny because the guy has pitched more perfect innings then any other plalyer ever (11 consecutive), but didn't get a win, and even worse, didn't get a "perfect game". Good stuff...

[Bob]

Joey Dorsey isn't the second coming or anything but I like him in the roll of a 4th or 5th big who isn't part of the rotation. All reports are that he works hard in practice and is always ready to play and he gets along with the core group of players on the team.

He certainly is a better player than Reggie Evans is and look how much floor time Reggie got. Dorsey at least has some offensive ability and can actually defend and block shots while also rebounding as well as Reggie does.

[John S]

Prime cautionary tale: Acie Earl averaged 30 points a game over 4 games in 1996 at the end of the season.

He was a 25 year old who was taken in the 1st round only 3 years earlier. Based on that production, people at the time thought that Acie Earl, Sharone Wright and Marcus Camby would be the front court that could take the Raptors to the playoffs and eventual contention.

So much for that.

[Craig]

For baseball songs I would have included The Greatest by Kenny Rogers.

[AT]

@Mark V ..THANKS! BASKETBALL JONES!!!
Doug, I think that song has to be the official theme song of your blog.. Basketball Jones, I got a Basketball Jones
Got a Basketball Jones, oh baby, oo-oo-ooo

Yes, I am the victim of a Basketball Jones
Ever since I was a little baby, I always be dribblin'
In fac', I was de baddest dribbler in the whole neighborhood
Then one day, my mama bought me a basketball
And I loved that basketball
I took that basketball with me everywhere I went
That basketball was like a basketball to me

I even put that basketball underneath my pillow
Maybe that's why I can't sleep at night
I need help, ladies and gentlemens
I need someone to stand beside me
I need, I need someone to set a pick for me at the free-throw line of life
Someone I can pass to
Someone to hit the open man on the give-and-go
And not end up in the popcorn machine
So cheerleaders, help me out

{cheerleaders sing repeatedly...}
(Basketball Jones, I got a Basketball Jones)
(I got a Basketball Jones, oh baby, oo-oo-ooo)

{while Tyrone Shoelaces sings/speaks...}
Oh, that sounds so sweet
Sing it out
C'mon Coach Booty, Red Blazer, sing along with me
That be bad, honky
Yeah
I want everybody in the whole stadium to stand up and sing with us
Oh yeah, sing it out like you're proud
All right, everybody watchin' coast-to-coast, sing along with us
Bill Russell, sing along with us
Chick Hearn, sing along with us
Chris Schenkel, don't sing nothin'

Oh, it feels so good
Gimme the ball
I'll go one-on-one against the world, left-handed
I could stuff it from center court with my toes
I could jump on top of the backboard, take off a quarter, leave fifteen cents change I
could, I could dribble behind my back I got more moves than Ex-Lax I'm bad I could
dribble with my tongue Here I go down court, try to stop me You can't stop me 'cause I
got a Basketball Jones Here I come That's my hook shot with my eyebrow Yeah, I could
dunk it with my nose I'm, I'm bad as King Kong, gimme the ball I'm hot, I'm hot as...,
I'm hot as..., I'm hot as... uh Uh, uh, uh, uh

(Basketball Jones, I got a Basketball Jones, I got a Basketball Jones, Basketball Jones)
(Basketball Jones, I got a Basketball Jones, I got a Basketball Jones, Basketball Jones)
(Basketball Jones, I got a Basketball Jones, I got a Basketball Jones, Basketball Jones)
(Basketball Jones, I got a Basketball Jones, I got a Basketball Jones, Basketball Jones)
{fade}

[Kent]

Boston's loss last night is terrible news for people who have tickets for tomorrow. Instead of the big 3, it's gonna be a lot of Juwan Howard and Dexter Pittman.

[Sean]

Uh...

Have we all forgotten the glory that is Roundball Rock?

[Matt M]

I wouldn't mind Joey coming back maybe on a one year non-guaranteed contract playing a similar role to the one he has now. Raptors should reward the willing defenders. Especially given how bad their defense has been the last few years. But then again maybe Alabi is ready for the role of fourth big. Alabi didn't look good yesterday, he needs to bulk up a bit. But then who cares. Raps are going to be a bad team next year too. Might as well give all the roles to players with the most potential no matter how bad they really are.
I like how Bayless has grown this year. It looks like if the Raps get to draft a top point guard then Jose (and maybe Barbosa 'cause I think Bayless might fit best in his role) might be the odd duck out.

[Peter]

Pearl Jam's original name as a band was Mookie Blaylock, and their first album, "10," was so named because that's the number Blaylock wore. Not a basketball song, per se, but a basketball musical fact nonetheless.

Thanks for the great blog, Doug!

[Arthur A]

A cover of Dylan's "Catfish" is here:
http://youtu.be/V4ck98pFRmA
Lyrics here:
http://www.bobdylan.com/songs/catfish-bob-dylan-jacques-levy