A team in trouble and a guy getting what he wanted

There might be some longueurs in here but bear with me, it’s that time of year where it’s always going to be a series of unrelated items that get us through the day.

And, yes, this is a little late, blame Mike (who’ll you meet later on).

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Okay, Bulls cruise in Game 1, Heat survive Game 2 and pretty much dominate Game 3 and the over-riding sense at the end of Sunday was that Chicago’s in a heap of trouble.

What Miami’s done the last two games is turn up the defensive intensity like you can’t imagine, especially in the fourth quarter and there’s nothing the Bulls can do about it, it seems.

In particular, it’s killing Derrick Rose who, in the fourth quarters of Games 2 and 3, has a grand total of two points because Miami is simply denying him any space to operate in.

And there is no one else on the team who can do anything consistently on offence. If Rose can’t get it done, the Bulls can’t get it done and there’s no reason to think, given what’s happened the last two games, that Chicago can figure it out.

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That, folks, was precisely what Chris Bosh wanted when he left Toronto.

Great game on a big stage, the ability to operate against single coverage with the luxury of two great teammates to take the pressure off him and a chance to showcase his talents.

And watching him go something like 13 for his last 18 from the field, I don’t think anyone can deny he’s a very, very talented player.

Am sure I’ll be writing about him later today off Heat practice but suffice it to say, his teammates are pretty glad he’s around.

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Here we go again and it makes you wonder if any of these guys will ever get it.

Joakim Noah not only gets into a “discussion” with a fan as he’s coming out of the game in the first quarter on Sunday – which is patently stupid – but he then uses the same slur that Kobe Bryant used in a game in April.

Idiot.

Now, we all know how I feel, that the use of that word is disgusting, it hurts more than many of you can know and professional athletes need to know that their words sting far more than, say, mine or yours.

And if I know David Stern, Noah’s going to get hammered today.

Stern hit Kobe with a $100,000 fine (a pittance compared to his salary but still a large chunk of change) and I wouldn’t be surprised if he doesn’t hit Noah with an even larger penalty today.

A message has to be sent and while it’s all well and good that Noah apologized right away, that’s not mitigation at any level and I hope Stern gets him for $125,000 or so.

There’s no place anywhere for that word, not in private, public and certainly not between an athlete playing a game and chattering with fans and the commissioner has to keep hammering that point with the only weapon he’s got – getting into players’ pockets – until the knuckleheads get it.

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Bob Marley on the juke box, you can order wings or other deep-fried brown things at 1:30 in the morning, great staff, $3.50 glasses of Yeungling and it’s steps from the hotel?

I call it heaven, the locals call it Mike’s.

You can’t find it without a search warrant (around a corner, in a condo/office building, up an elevator, down a winding hall) but because I know people (hello, Mr. Enlund!), it’s a familiar joint I haven’t been to in a while and a fine place to finish off a day. Put it on the list of league-wide favourite.

No, they didn’t have cake but, to be honest, it wasn’t that big a deal.

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All right, major fumble over here.

When I was gathering information about who the Raptors met with in Chicago last week, the e-mail I got was full of last names – Walker, Thompson, Knight, Burks, etc – and I made some presumptions.

Well, one bad one, it seems.

It was actually Tristan Thompson of Brampton they met with, not Klay Thompson of Washington, and when I got the correction last night, I heard the young Canadian was quite impressive when he was chatting with the HOTH.

Not sure that means he’s going to be a Raptor but I guess it’s good to know.

And I needed to get the record straight.

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Wonder if I mention that it’s time to celebrate the Queen’s birthday, how many people here will tell me that band was done years and years ago.

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Walking around a couple of shootarounds and the pre-game media period at the game on Sunday, ran into a bunch of people I know from the teams and the media and the first question, invariably, was:

“What are they doing with Jay?”

And when I tell them – assistant coaches, front office types, other writers – that I fully expect they’ll pick up the option any time this week, the overwhelming response is:

“Makes sense.”

But for those of you who wonder if the Raptors even resonate around the league, they do. Especially when there might be a job opening.

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One thing that tells you you’re at a big playoff series rather than some run of the mill regular season game – besides seats in the stands way up at the top of the lower bowl instead of courtside or on the baseline – is increased security.

And Super Dog screwed ‘em up a bit last night.

In a new twist, as soon as you walk in the media entrance of the American Airlines Arena, you have to put your bag on the floor, step back, and a bomb-sniffing dog goes over it.

Well, mine gets plopped down, this really smart dog gets at it and there’s all kinds of excitement. It’s sniffing the bottom and nuzzling it with its nose and I’m wondering what the heck’s going on. Well, the little fella finally walks away, the cops looks at me and says it’s all cool to go and then it hits me:

It wasn’t bomb residue the dog was hyped about and when I asked the cop if the extra attention could have been because Super Dog has a tendency to hang around the desk where my bag sits at home, the guys says, yeah, happens all the time.

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More Raptors tidbits, not big but what the heck.

Apparently there’s some gang workout for draft eligible kids today and/or tomorrow in Minneapolis and they’re there again.

And I’d imagine we’ll find out this week some kind of schedule for individual workouts back in Toronto when the fun really begins.

For those who wonder when they might start narrowing down a wish list of draft picks, I don’t think that’s going to happen until mid-June at the earliest and it could be the Monday before the June 23 draft when they get around to really deciding who they want if he’s there.

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Hey, you people are all right.

Just wanted to say thanks for all the comments and best wishes of the day yesterday.

Much appreciated.

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Comments

[Hope Caper]

Hey Doug,
I was away from the :"tube" (since the advent of flat screen I guess that is officially archaic now) most of the weekend I missed most of the action. Thanks for that on the Heat.
You know jumping on athletes when they are in the heat of the action has to be addressed not by the players but by the league. If you look at most of the other pro sports out there we see a significant difference in the placement of the bench. the players actually sit right in with the spectators.
Anyone who has played sports either amateur or pro knows how emotional and passionate you can become especially in the playoffs. Your mind is on the game and sometimes specifically on what you are doing. The mouth sometimes goes before the brain kicks in. There is a buffer of distance for a nuimber of reasons but basketball gets more than its share of fan interactions.
In extreme cases I have seen ball players, hockey players etc. go into the stands after they get doused in beer, have batteries thrown at them, and so on. The verbal interplay can happen too easily because of the intimate seating courtside. Of course the league and ownership loves to charge extra for these prime seats to be right in the action. However fining a person for being human is just stupid. If you think this is rediculous then I can only say that you have never been in that kind of situation. People get heated, buttons can be pushed. If the league wants to stop this then give the players some space. Verbal jousting is going to happen, no amount of fining will stop it.

Blogger's note: It's not the "verbal jousting" although I think that's a stupid and dangerous game for a player to play; it's the word. And I will never come off that stance

[Matt M]

I'm pretty sure that Noah would have at least thought about the consequences of what he was saying if Kobe had been nailed with a two game suspension. Too late for that I guess. Hopefully next year the NBA mentions that slurs will be rewarded with an unpaid vacation. And shame on Noah. No wonder people think that NBA locker rooms would be intolerant towards gay teammates, in spite that some of the evidence points to the contrary.

Congrats to Chris Bosh and the Heat. They are a much better team than I had anticipated. I can't fathom any of the remaining teams beating them in a seven game series, unless the Thunder mature a great deal in the next few weeks. The Heat will be scary good if they can get a player off the bench that opposing teams have to plan around.

[Matthieu]

Joyeux anniversaire! (One day late, but what the heck!)

[Mike D.]

Doug, any views on the (lack of) merits of the Raps signing Big Baby Davis as, say, a change-of-pace backup centre? I'm reading more and more articles suggesting the Celtics can and will cut him loose.

Blogger's note: Can't see him going anywhere to be a backup

[jon]

Doug, what do you think the fine would be to publicly call David Stern a f&$%#t?

Blogger's note: Take whatever punishment you'd get for doing the same thing to your boss and multiply it by a lot

[Tim H.]

Wow! Are you starting a "Word of the Day" in your blog? First, it was "frangible," and now "longueurs." At least my dictionary is getting a workout!

Thanks, and Happy Birthday!

[Lorie]

Hey Doug,
@Matt M: Well said. It does paint a picture of intolerance in the locker room. And while there are pockets of enlightenment towards homosexuality, the vast expanse of the pro sports environment would seem still to be existing in the Dark Ages. I'd like to see Noah fined substantially (think $250,000), but in order to send much more impactful message, I'd also like Stern to have him sit for the remainder of the playoffs. Yup. The Finals, too, if the Bulls make it to them. The fines don't have the impact that not being allowed to play might have; and that might finally, finally turn on that little light of comprehension over players' heads that this word, this homophobia, this discrimination is repugnant. And it's not just about 'tolerance'. It must be about unquestioning 'acceptance'. And, Doug, in your experience, could the situation have been difused by arena staff? Was this situation allowed to escalate so as to create a 'buzz' in the arena? Are these loudmouthed, boorish fans who sit in the expensive seats and taunt players ever held responsible for their obnoxious behaviour? Noah should be dealt with sternly, (no pun intended...) agreed; but what of the other participant in this sorry act? Why not make expand the education to include fans, too? Cheers! (And even though I'm not cheering for The Heat, it WAS enjoyable watching Bosh do so well last night. Could've done without his predictable primal bellow though. Maybe he could do a Lambeau-Leap next time he wants to share his joy!)

[Natalie (Vancouver)]

Happy belated birthday Doug! Hope you had a good one despite being on the road. I'll leave you with my favorite birthday quote (can never find who said it originally): "I was planning to put a gorgeous, awesome present in your cake...But I didn’t want any frosting on my hair!" Have a wondrous year ahead Doug.

Blogger's note: Thanks very much

[Jonathan]

Happy After-birth-day. I got you these rubber gloves, since the present I wrapped was kind of soggy.

[Joe]

Hi Doug,

Couple of quick comments about the NBA scouting combine. Yesterday, the measurements of the players were released (height, weight, etc). Here' s the link:
http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/draft2011/insider/news/story?id=6569647&action=upsell&appRedirect=http%3a%2f%2finsider.espn.go.com%2fnba%2fdraft2011%2finsider%2fnews%2fstory%3fid%3d6569647

My question:
Do NBA scouts put a lot of stock into these measurements when making a decision on whom to pick?

Also, the most surprising measurement: Kyrie Irving's body fat: 10.2%. That's great for you and me but for an elite athlete, that's high. Kemba Walker had 5.9%, Brandon Knight had 4.2%, Kanter had 5.9%, and Williams had 10.8%. The more I look into Irving and Williams, the more I smell that the hype with these two is greater than the substance. In many ways, the Raptors may have been fortunate to fall back to 5th and not get either one of these 2 guys.

[Robert Nordness]

It is also a belief that gay people are not fans of the game and we are somewhere else when it is being played. You know, at a Broadway show, a disco or getting our nails done. It's not just the word, but the stereotype that travels with it. Some of us are in front of the television, in the stands and, we buy merchandise. We understand and love the game as much as anyone else. Mr. Stern has to step up the punishments. And fans need to take heed as well. When you taunt a player with the same word, kindly remember I am probably sitting two seats down from you, trying to enjoy the game.

[Kent]

Klay Thompson was busted for marijuana recently and there are some question marks about his character. I am glad they are not considering him at #5. The other Thompson appears to be a better kid character-wise but, talent-wise, I don't think he is a top 5 pick either...Some of Bulls role players should focus more on doing their jobs instead of talking so much trash during the game. The script never changes; role players trash talk, superstar players get fire up, trash talking role players get put back into place. Taj Gibson was talking a lot trash before he was undressed by Bosh on a spin move; LBJ and Wade were basically sleepwalking before Keith Bogans decided to wake them up by getting into their faces. I really thought Gibson and Bogans showed their inexperience as championship role players on those two instances.

[steve]

dictionary.com has a word of the day feature. today's was longuers. hilarious.

[Aditya]

i hope your boss gets you for $5000 for using the word "idiot".... my dad actually refrains me from using this word ever....

[Natalie (Vancouver)]

@Aditiya Considering some of the stuff you've written here - not your opinions mind you (I may not always agree with you but I'll defend to the death your right to say it, to paraphrase Evelyn Beatrice Hall) but just how ungraciously you present it at times, I'd say that's the least of your Dad's worries mate.

[james]

They couldn't make a more interesting pick than Tristan Thompson. Do you think the pressure of playing in the hometown would be counter-productive for this player's development? My favourite potential subplot for the finals: Bosh comes home! But as I recall, he was never too thrilled with the idea of playing in Dallas.
Robert Nordness: Thanks for the reality check.

[doug]

excellent article on Jose ....good read to those interested...

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/writers/joe_sheehan/05/23/jose.bautista/index.html?eref=sihp&sct=hp_t11_a1

[Rick from Mississauga]

Yes -please don't taunt players using the word idiot, I maybe two seats down from you

[John]

I agree the word is not nice, is not politically correct and insults a whole bunch in societey. But no one has yet to explain to me why its ok for radio stations to play music with the word, why movies are allowed to use it and heck, even Elton John used it in a song. Unless of course the double edged sword cuts even deeper and its a word that only the gay community is allowed to use.
I agree its an awful word, but why is it ok for the media to make money off it but not ok for a basketball player to use it?

[J]

@John:

Wow, isn't this the second time you've brought up the argument that it should be okay to use if it was used in an Elton John song (or perhaps you're arguing that Elton should be censored as well, I can't tell)? Can you not tell the difference between the word used hatefully, and a song/movie bringing to light those who hate?

If you want to comment on songs with hateful lyrics, sure, by all means. However, do realize that while the NBA is penalizing its employees for hateful speech, we, the consumers, are effectively the "employers" in the entertainment industry. If you're wondering why hateful songs are allowed to persist, you know where to look.

Seems like some people can't tell the difference between censorship (prohibiting people from using certain terms) and affecting change in mentalities today. I don't mind that certain individuals have hateful mentalities; it's only an issue if society doesn't let them know it's an ignorant and unacceptable mentality. By fining its employees, the NBA is letting their employees know they can use the word all they want, but it's unacceptable behavior.

[Atlanta Roofing]

Miami really is a strong team. Now that Bosh is doing his part, it makes this team better. And I hope they could make it to the Finals and win championship.

[John]

@J, you missed my point entirely and nowhere did I suggest it was OK to use the word. I am merrily pointing out the hypocrisy of the whole subject.

Don’t you find it a bit ironic that the during the NBA game they played trailer after trailer for the new movie The Hangover which used the word in its previous edition but when someone on the court use it a fine must be levied.

Does the NBA not like the word or does it only find the word acceptable when it brings in revenue. You don’t see the irony in the fact that a movie that used the word indirectly pays for the players salary but he can’t use it? If it’s a disgusting word, then no matter what form it comes in it should be found disgusting.

A racist word is a racist word. Please let’s not appoint a panel to decide for us when it is used negatively and when it is used in good humour.

[Kelsey]

I like to give my opinion as Im free to do so.. I dont think he should use it at all, as its not a nice word. But suggest he should miss a game or $250,000 is just being silly...$50,000 for a guy who is making 3million is a big fine.. (Kobe makes $20mil per year and got $100k) He is only getting fined because he was caught saying it, that is the only reason. People use words like retard all time. All of these words are terrible.

I will say, most times I hear that word being used people are say stop acting like a idot. Not necessairly using a word to describe a sexual orientation of a person. Thats just my take...But again it is offensive to the homosexual community.

I Still many of you commenting on this page are truley full of bowl movements when you make your comments. I bet some of you when your out at the cottage drinking or at a bar Im sure not so politically correct, either you talk bad about other peoples relgious views, race something else.

Im not buying all of this politically correct talk. But if you really are then the world is headed to a much better place.

[J]

@John:

"A racist word is a racist word. Please let’s not appoint a panel to decide for us when it is used negatively and when it is used in good humour."

Don't forget, you're the one who keeps bringing up the Elton John song, not me. Don't get frustrated when someone points out how silly your example is. If what you really meant was the NBA playing the trailer for The Hangover, then mention that. If you actually meant some other song using the term in a derogatory manner, say that. Nowhere in your original argument did you say anything of the sort.

If you want to back off your Elton John argument, fine with me. But if you actually think a panel is needed to judge the intent of that particular usage of the word, then you're just being stubborn for the sake of being right. And nowhere did I compare the word being used negatively and what it's used "in good humor," so let's not make up things to win a debate. The only comparison I made was between the word used negatively and being used to bring light to the hate. In case this comparison still escapes you, think on the holocaust. It's wrong and unacceptable to commit the atrocities of the holocaust, but it's acceptable to have a movie portraying those atrocities. Get it? Just admit your example of the Elton John song was a poorly chosen one.

[J]

@Kelsey:

You truly are a funny guy. I love how you end every single post of this nature with an accusation that the posters here are either into domestic violence, assaulting employees, assaulting random people on the street, or, now, bigots in their private time. When the world is full of abuse and bigotry, your answer is to speculate and slander those who speak out against it? Maybe if you spent your energy pointing fingers at the actual bigots, the world would be a much better place already.