Good bigs and good news for Canada

Let’s start with a list, shall we?

This is totally unfair and not something I generally enjoy doing but what the heck.

It’s a relatively slow morning so let’s see if we can’t get some chatter started.

If, like me, you think we’ve seen the last of Shaquille O’Neal in the NBA, where does he rank?

Remember, it’s totally and utterly unfair to compare eras in my opinion, stuff that worked in, say, the 50s won’t work today; stuff that guys are doing today was unheard-of in some cases even a decade ago.

But because it’s always good to sit on stools or around a dinner table and debate, let’s:

Here’s how I rank the top five, in descending order:

Hakeem Olajuwon

I could watch the Dream Shake forever; forget what he was like here, go back and check out those championship years in Houston. He was, really, a dream.

Shaquille O’Neal

I could actually be convinced to switch him and Hakeem if someone could make the compelling case. Anyway, for pure power and bulk – and he had some finesse in him and you can’t deny all those titles – he was an immovable object.

Wilt Chamberlain

This is where it gets dicey, I think. Wilt put up some incredible, unbeatable numbers. And he even scored points and got rebounds, too. Anyway, if he’d won more, he’d be higher but, really, I think that has to count for something.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

I’ve come around on this, actually, and probably would have him third, a best, recently. But if you talk about winning, he’s a champ; and the Sky Hook was such an unstoppable offensive move they ought to find some way to honour it. Seriously, as the game has evolved, no one has come even close to matching that signature move as their own.

Bill Russell

All those championships, all those blocked shots, all those times he started the most lethal fast-break ever (and, yes I’m putting Seven Seconds or Less in there). Oh, and all the rest of the crap he had to deal with in Boston.

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So I’m looking at this barbecue and feeling quite carnivorous and wondering since the weekend’s rapidly approaching, what kind of hunk of red meat I should cook up.

I’m thinking big gigantic beef ribs if I can find some out here in Hazelville and am accepting any and all recipe ideas.

Thanks.

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Bulls-Miami?

Haven’t given a whole lot of thought – I turned off that wretched game and called it a night kind of early – but I guess it’s only fitting the top two teams meet in the conference final.

I do know that of the cities that were possibilities, I’m in favour of it.

Am not a big Atlanta fan at all – the city or the team – and Boston would have been nice …

Anyway, I think the plan is to go out and staff the final part of it, after heading to the lottery the first of the week and next weekend in Miami might not be bad.

As for who’ll win? Will have to figure that out today.

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I need a ruling, folks.

No specific dates need be known but …

Does Birth Week end on the day of one’s birth or begin on that day?

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So I heard the rather vague details on this new Canadian basketball league they announced down in Halifax yesterday.

In case you missed it, the basics are that there are three teams – Halifax, Saint John and Quebec – ready to go in October. They want to assure two spots on each team for Canadian players but, past that, the whole thing was a tad low on specifics.

They say they have commitments from groups in Kingston, London and Barrie and some interest in Oshawa, Windsor, Kitchener, Moncton and Fredericton.

Now, I hope they have great success and that there’s finally a place for Canadian kids to stay home and play; it can do nothing but enhance the profile of the sport.

They seem to have picked the right size city, and many with excellent basketball tradition and support, which makes entire sense. There’s really no reason to go to big markets where little teams will be lost.

I have no idea if this will take off in time to start next fall, I hope it does; and I hope it thrives.

Having seen so many others come and go – remember the Under 6-5 league from years ago – it’d be nice to see one work.

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Things I’m entirely bored of?

Charlie Sheen and Two And A Half Men.

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Given the incessant chatter about the matter, there’s this:

Q: Hi Doug. As the season has unfolded and the playoffs progressed, there seems to be a common theme of the modern day basketball dynasties coming to an end and the ushering in of the new. Which teams do you feel will become the next dynasties over the next decade?

Andy F, Aberdeen, Scotland

A: I honestly don’t see one.

With player movement and the sheer depth of talent, I cannot imagine any franchise emerging as a “dynasty” ever again, actually.

And I don’t have a problem with that. I guess I can see the logic behind having one franchise everyone hates or wants to take a run at but having a transition year to year of “best” teams makes it a lot more fun.

I know the presence of the Heat in the conference final will rankle some but, really, doesn’t having four new teams from last year make it a bit more interesting?

Does to me.

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Yes, Andrea Bargnani got two votes for the all-NBA teams. No, one did not come from this ballot.

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Mail? Please. Any and all. Right here.

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You know the thing about Cinderellas?

Eventually, the slipper doesn’t fit, right?

(Or is my fairy tale memory a bit off-kilter)

Anyway, the point is: I smell the end of the Memphis Grizzlies tonight. I know they’ve been a good story so far, and provided the momentary revitalization of a franchise that everyone hopes for but, eventually, talent wins out.

And I hope it sets us up for a fun Sunday of conference finals action.

But, I tell you, the NBA is doing its best to imitate the NHL and drag things out.

Because of TV demands and moving up of the East final, we’ve got Chicago and Miami starting Sunday-Wednesday in Chicago before moving to Miami for the following Sunday-Tuesday and, if the Thunder win tonight, the West will go Sunday-Tuesday before taking a break until a week Saturday.

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Hmm.

Next list might have to be an updated one of best TV show intro songs because I’m about to watch episode 3 of this season’s Treme and that’s got to be one of the best tunes ever.

You should go give it a listen.

Oh, and Melissa Leo (who I’ve had a crush on since Homicide) is so hooking up with the dude who used to be on St. Elsewhere.

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Comments

[Boko]

If I was to drop one of your top 5 Cs, I'd consider David Robinson in his place ...

To me, the birth week would be the 3 days before, the birthday, & the 3 days after.

[Pete Taylor]

Hazilland best butcher has to be: Black Angus Fine Meats and Game (notice the plural) - 740 Lakeshore Road East. Dried aged get them to show you their cooler.

I am unsure why there is even a conversation about the best all time center it needs to start and end with Hakeem Olajuwan. (not to mention his greatness off the court as well).

[Gerry Tanner]

For Vincent Lam

Unless I am mistaken, Hakeem had a super guard playing with him by the name of Clyde Drexler. Also known as Clyde the Glide. He could have played in any era, and been a star.

[coachd]

If Shaq could hit a free thow I believe he would have had to be considered the greatest ever. In his prime, he had PG skills. (Disclaimer: I never say Russell or Chamberlain play.) What is birth week? Whatever happened to birthday? Birth week must have been invented by someone who doesn't have kids.

[Kyle]

Hi Doug,

Birth Week starts when whom evers Birth Week it is, decides. So one year it could be the week before ending on the day and the next year it could start on the day and ending a week later. You make the decision. But in all reality - in my household it is Birth MONTH....and it is the full 30 or 31 0r for those poor suckers 28 days of that particular month then there is no confusion!!!

[doug]

my top center of all time is most definitely Kareem, he played in a era where it was a center dominated league, he played against Wilt and on down the line....he had not only the most beautiful shot the game has ever seen but the most unstoppable...he won titles, was a coachable team player and just a winner....I must say I have zero enthusiasm for the east final...none,nada, zip....so if weather is good golf course will be beckoning...and birth week!!, hell i don't even want a Birth-day anymore, give me a birth hour, a couple phone calls, a few beers then let's move on...

[doug]

here is something to all the music fans that occurred last night...one of the greatest albums ever made, and then within that one of the most riveting songs i have ever heard...from the lyrics, to the impression it leaves to one of the most emotive guitar solos ever played...like it says a mini-reunion, two bad 2 enormously gifted musicians...I'd take out a 2nd mortgage to pay and watch these guys in concert again, without hesitation...listen to the guitar work on this song with head phones on, it's the Mona Lisa of the guitar world...new list 5 greatest guitarists of all time...

[VikZ]

@Cluck Kent
Sorry, I just find this a little funny since Charlie Sheen plays as himself in the show. He's not really acting, he's just being himself

[Peter]

This doesn't fit into your request for a large piece of red meat, but if you want to try something that's surprisingly good for two (ish) people, try going down to your local M&M Meat shop and ask one of their "Pork Tenderloins" The come in a vacuum sealed package. Throw the package in a sink of cold water (yes cold, not warm) to thaw, once it's thawed (couple of hours tops, probably less) just cook it like it says on the package, (super easy to do) and you'll love how tender and flavourful the meat is. Just something different to try.

Oh, and basketball, Shaq to me would be number one, but I could see putting him lower only because of his tremendously poor free throw percentage. So, for me, putting Shaq second would have more to do with his weaknesses then anybody else's greatness.

[Curtis J. Phillips]

How many times did a young Kareem block an aging Wilt's finger roll, fade away jumper or dunk? Not that often.
How many times did a old greyhorse named Wilt block Kareem's skyhook?
Often
A few facts on Wilt.
In his first NBA game, he scored 43 points on 17-of-20 shooting, grabbed 28 rebounds and blocked 19 shots!
Only man to be MVP in two Pro Sports. He was 50 years old when he won the MVP title in the volleyabll league.
Russel and Kareem won more titles? Duh. One man does not win basketball games? That's like saying Luc Longley or Bill Wennington is far more dominant than Patrick Ewing.
Wilt's teams never lost to a team in the finals that had less hall of fame players than his had?
In his 143 games against Bill Russell, Wilt averaged 28.7 ppg and 28.7 rpg.Russell averaged 23.7 points and 14.5 rebounds against Wilt. Duh?
Wilt was not the tallest guy in the NBA in 1962. Swede Halbrook (7'3") was.
In his final season, at the age of 36, Wilt was voted first team all-defense and led the league in rebounds and shot a record 72.7% from the field.
People who talk about Wilt's height was a differance have no concept about the sport or it's history. He played against Kareem, Thurmond, Bellamy, Lanier the list goes on and on. If height was a factor what about all of the 7-foot-4 and 7-foot-5 stiffs that have dribbled into the NBA?
No centre could then or today jump as high or run as fast as Wilt did on the hardwood.
Of the 50 greatest NBA Players of All Time have had the priviledge of seeing 34 of them play and would have to rate Wilt No. 1 as centre.,

[Curtis J. Phillips]

Another try at a Canadian basketball league from coast-to-coast-to-coast.
Here is a list of 41 pro basketball teams in Canada (past, present and future) that don't start with Toronto or end in Raptors. With a few quick thoughts on some of them.

Alberta Dusters (Continental Basketball Association) covered them on a monthly basis with a column in Hoop Scoop in ealy 1980s' Have one of their game uniforms as part of my Canadian hoops collection. Featured many future NBA players. Perhaps the best semi-pro team ever in Canada?

B.C. Titans (International Basketball League) Not enough marketing. Even my good friend John Randa - a Canadian rebounding legend who played at Eastern Washington - lived in the area and did not know a lot about the team?

Barrie Bandits (Ontario Professional Basketball Association)

Brantford Blaze (ConneXion) (Ontario Professional Basketball Association)

Calgary 88s' (World Basketball League) covered the WBL inaugural All Star Game in Calgary with 8,000 fans in attendance. The league, unbeknownst to the fans, lowered the hoops for the slam dunk competition.

Calgary Drillers (American Basketball Association)

Calgary Outlaws (National Basketball League)

Cape Breton Breakers (National Basketball League)

Durham Dragons (Ontario Professional Basketball Association)

Edmonton Chill (International Basketball League) Bad owner who went on the lamb.

Edmonton Energy (International Basketball League)

Edmonton Skyhawks (National Basketball League) they tried to run it like a NBA team. Was in their office when the phone call came that the league was folding

Guelph Gladiators (Ontario Professional Basketball Association)

Halifax Rainmen (American Basketball Association, Premiere Basketball League) Best run team in Canadian semi-pro annals.

Halifax Windjammers (World Basketball League) (National Basketball League)

Hamilton Rockstars (American Basketball Association * folded before first game)

Hamilton Skyhawks (World Basketball League) (National Basketball League)

London Orion (Ontario Professional Basketball Association)

Montreal Dragons (National Basketball League)

Montreal Royals (American Basketball Association)

Montreal Sasquatch (Premiere Basketball League)

Montreal Matrix (American Basketball Association)

Niagara Daredevils (American Basketball Association)

Niagara Gamblers (Ontario Professional Basketball Association)

Ontario Red Wolves (American Basketball Association * folded before start)

Quebec Kebs (American Basketball Association, Premiere Basketball League) cool logo

St. John Millrats (Premiere Basketball League)

Saskatchewan Storm (World Basketball League) lots of fans..if memory serves me right...one of the Sasktoon teams had something like 10,000 or 11,000 at one home game?

Saskatoon Slam (National Basketball League)

Saskatchewan Hawks (Continental Basketball Association - International Basketball Association)

Saskatchewan Storm (National Basketball League) have a game jersey from them also

Toronto Huskies (Basketball Association of America) Two Canucks on the team.

Toronto Metro Xpress (Ontario Professional Basketball Association)

Toronto Tornados (Continental Basketball Association)

Vancouver Grizzlies (National Basketball Association) may be back?

Vancouver Hornets (Pacific Coast Professional Basketball League) home of Norm Baker who played in the BAA with Chicago Stags...he never played in the NBA for Boston Celtics as record books state...they made a mistake as played for teams that started with the Boston name that were opponents for the Harlem Globetrotters

Vancouver Nighthawks (World Basketball League)

Waterloo Revolution (Ontario Professional Basketball Association)

Windsor Drive ((Ontario Professional Basketball Association)

Winnipeg Cyclones (International Basketball Association)

Winnipeg Thunder (World Basketball League) (National Basketball League) Darryl Dawkins as coach...need we say more

[onemanweave]

Doug, considering your age, you must have been about four when you saw Russell play. He must have made quite an impression.
It was popular, even back then, to claim Rusell was better than Wilt because of the titles. This intellectually bankrupt thinking survives today, obviously with you being a prime proponent.
Wilt didn't have the kind of supporting cast Russell did. In Philly, with Hal Greer and Cunningham he came closest. I used to love watching those teams go at it and I rooted for Boston and Russell all the way.
BUT, Bill Russell was a great defensive player who wasn't a scorer. Very average with the ball in his hands. He ignited the fast break with his rebounding, it's true. However, if you gave Chamberlain the Jones twins, Hondo, Satch and earlier on, Cousy, Sharman, Ramsey, he could have done exactly the same thing and would have had as many rings.
Russell was a tenacious, intelligent defender who kept the Big Dipper from winning games by himself. However, Chamberlain was a much better player at both ends of the floor, it's just that nobody loved Goliath.

[onemanweave]

@ coachd, you're right on about Shaq's ball handling, passing skills. Neither Wilt or Russell has that kind of ability to put the ball on the floor or find the open man.
Jabbar was kind of the transition. It was amazing to see a big man occasionally bring the ball up the floor.
Wilt, Jabbar and Shaq -- different eras. Each unstoppable. Kareem and Chamberlain probably better defenders. Which one was best? Tough call.

[Hope Caper]

Hey Doug,
Well it seems basketball is truly winding down here. We played our alumni game last nite and our own HOTH got soundly spanked by their senior counterparts. All the ballyhoo of older (these guys are in their 20s) players not being able to make it up and down the court died a quick death. In fact our varsity team had several candidates for best "deer in the headlight" look.

Thanks to nasko for the recipe.

Who goes to the final? I like the Heat and Thunder (don't like the name, reminds me too much of the Wild or Coyotes for a hockey team). the Heat have 2 guys who can take over a game. I don't really see anyone else who has that. You can tell Chris is enjoying his time in the playoffs. I hope he gets what he came for. Despite all the ruckus in TO he gave up bucks to play for a contender because he knows how rare it is to get to the big game. Our school has gone 10 years with no varsity championship game (we did win a minor ball banner this year) and spent countless hours trying. So I can relate to Chis' wish.

Thanks for the updates Doug as always. Happy BBQ'ing!!!

[onemanweave]

@Hope Caper, Some advice re: banner drought. Get all the best players to agree to come to your school. Other teams will drop out. Interest will eventually wane, but you'll have the big CH. For further info contact Mr. Patrick Riley, c/o Miami Heat.

[Andy Ung]

Andrea's votes: Doug Smith and Chuck Swirsky

Blogger's note: Yawn. Cheap. Unfunny. Double yawn