Visits with the Raptors and an offence in disarray

Everyone still here?

Guess that whole rapture thing didn’t quite work out, eh?

Not sure if it was astronomy or astrology or just the lunatic rantings of a guy but it had the impact of New Coke or Y2K, didn’t it?

But it does assure we’ll be here for the next little while so …

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So we had Taj Gibson in Game 1 of this series I’m at and Udonis Haslem in Game 2 and I’m wondering when some star is going to take over and make on game his.

My best guess would be Dwyane Wade, who has that innate ability to absolutely dominate a game.

He hasn’t yet, he’s home tonight, it’s a “pivotal” game to borrow a time-worn cliché I’m sure hundreds have, or will, and Wade’s going to have a rather rabid – by Miami standards – crowd behind him.

And isn’t that what these series are supposed to be all about?

The best players taking over?

We’ve seen it with Dirk and Durant, we haven’t seen it in this series, really, and I don’t now if it’s because of the defence of the other guys or the mentality of the top players in the East – who can be more deferential than maybe they should be. But whatever it is, we need someone to put their stamp on this series with some crazy 40-point night and we haven’t yet.

I know the series is close and the two games have each had their redeeming qualities but, so far, the East really pales in comparison to the West and I don’t know if we saw that coming.

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Yes, the HOTH were busy in Chicago, quite.

Yes, Enes Kanter cancelled a scheduled meeting – not sure if he’s got a promise, delusions of grandeur or what but he didn’t meet with them and they still hope to either get him to Toronto or go back to Chicago where he’s working out for a little sitdown.

But it didn’t mean it was all deep dish pizza and jazz, that’s for sure.

I’m told by impeccable sources that the Raptors did manage to meet with a handful of possible draft picks over the two days as they get down to figuring this out in earnest.

Who?

Well, the list I got had:

Derrick Williams

Klay Thompson

Brandon Knight

Kemba Walker

Kawhi Leonard

Alec Burks

The twins Markus and Markieff Morris.

Now, these were chats after watching some of them work out and there’s been no consensus developed, no firm “list” drawn up and it’s still relatively early in the process.

I’m also not sure if that’s a complete list – I believe it is – but there will be more to come, I’m sure.

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There was a gelding that’s blind in one eye and trained by an 80-year-old running in Preakness?

If only that sport mattered, it’d be fun to cover.

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Okay, it’s about 4 p.m. Saturday, I’m sitting on a stool outside by a pool sipping a cool drink, getting a leg up on this bloggy thingie for the morning while watching a hockey game on a TV that’s hard to see because of the glare on a 30 C afternoon.

Oh, and trading texts with a crazed Bruins fan who’s in an establishment in Orillia.

That’s an odd day. Very.

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Oh yeah, you saw that list of guys Bryan and the henchman chatted with in Chicago and I’m sure a lot of you went, ‘What? No Europeans?’

Don’t despair.

They’ll get their shot.

The next big gig is a camp for European draft eligibles that begins June 9 at La Ghirada in Treviso (oh, how I wish I was going there) and there are plans to watch – and interview – Bismack Biyombo, Jan Vesely, Jonas Valanciunas and Donatas Montiejunas, among others.

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I need a ruling.

Can a guy have cake for breakfast?

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So I’m watching ESPN last night and they’re all over Jose Bautista for the two-homer day and the other-worldly season that he’s having and one thing comes quickly to mind:

“See, Chris, they will pay attention.”

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Okay, so there’s no doubt many of you – and I – think Scott Brooks of Oklahoma City is a pretty good NBA coach, right?

Well, I was watching that game Saturday night and all I could think of is that’s one of the most predictable and boring offences around.

Not sure if it’s because players keep busting plays or because they aren’t good ones but, man, that’s a tough way to try to win a big series.

And they won’t, if things don’t change.

Oh, and they won’t if Kevin Durant cannot make a three-pointer. Yes, I think he takes too many – he tends to settle too often – but if he’s going to take 13 over the course of two games (as he did in Games 2 and 3) he has to make at least one.

And since I’ve got a week or so in downtown Oklahoma City riding on this – and it’s a very under-rated downtown of good spots, good stools, good people – outcome, I kind of hope Durant picks it up.

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Have no real idea how things are going to work here in Miami tonight with seating or wireless or access or what but if you’d like, we’ll try one of the world-famous IGBT okay?

I know it’s the Sunday of the holiday weekend back home but let’s see who shows up, or it if even works well.

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Did you see Peja last night?

With those over-the-ankle white socks and dark shoes and a rather unique gait, every time I saw him run I thought:

A young Morty Seinfeld hanging around Del Boca Vista.

No idea why, but I did.

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Comments

[Susan Walsh]

Happy Birthday Doug!
Love
Superwife and Superson

[Tim]

Cake for breakfast? Bill Cosby would say yes.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sRmN4KnfPxQ

[Jawad]

Cake for breakfast? I wouldn't say everyday but, heck, you're in South Beach.... Enjoy Doug!

[Rob.V]

It's interesting as the playoffs move along because each teams weaknesses seem to glare so much more.
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Can OKC win without someone who has the ability to get to the rim, or a big who can post up regularily?.
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Is Chicago a (scoring) 2 guard short of an NBA title?.
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Does Miami have enough consistent rebounding to deal with the Chicago and Dallas bigs?
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Me thinks if the Dallas bigs continue to control the paint that they are probably the most "complete" team left of the bunch ... I guess we'll see.
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If they're not? Well, then one would have to think that we might just be witnessing the infant stages of the NBA's next "dynasty".
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Think about it, OKC, Chicago, and Miami are teams set up for "long term" tearm success at this point. If one of them wins... it should be the start of the NBA's next power house team.
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Dude, Happy Birthday!!!!... I guess it doesn't hurt that you just happen to be in Miami to celebrate.

[D-Mac Ottawa]

Strangest thing. I was just sitting down for the Preakness thingy when I suddenly began levitating in my living room. Bonked my noggin three times on the ceiling, heard a heavenly voice (sounding suspiciously very much like Gilda Radner) say "Never mind," and then I was returned to my regularly scheduled broadcast... and you thought you were having an odd day...
Pretty easy to jump on the Mavs bandwagon right now, isn't it? (In spite of Peja...) Think it's the Dirk factor? Does the guy have any detractors? How surprised are you to see them this deep in the playoffs and playing this well, Doug? Cheers. Happy South Beaching!

Blogger's note: I'm mostly surprised with the ease with which they dispatched the Lakers

[Lorie]

Happy Morning, Doug!
Now I hope you're reading this as you're eating a very sweet carbohydrate-laden creation. 'Cause today is the day you should have your cake. And eat it too. Hey, why not HAVE two?! Now, if Peja had left the arena parking lot in a Cadillac Coupe de Ville could it have been any more Morty? Anyway, while some Irregulars are watching the movement of players, I'm paying attention to all these coaching holes to be filled. To be specific, is there a real possibility that the (often better than the game they're covering for candor, wit and just plain entertainment - and that's only Jeff) trifecta of JVG-Jackson-Breen might tragically be broken up by the call of the coaching siren? Seriously, Doug: Have you heard any reliable reports that involve JVG or Mark leaving to coach? (Is it true that Texas A&M approached JVG???) Thank you. Felicitations! And many, many more!

Blogger's note: Nothing reliable at all; and thanks

[Avinash]

Happy Birthday Doug! Cake for breakfast?! Of course! And seeing as it's so hot where you are, heck you could make it an ice cream cake! :D

Blogger's note: Thanks

[D-Mac Ottawa]

Whoa, I'd be entirely remiss if I didn't extend bests for a very merry birthday and birth week! Hope you washed that breakfast cake down with a Stella or three. And many, many, many more to ye, sir! Cheers!!

Blogger's note: Many more indeed. Thanks

[jimt]

happy bday 2u happy bday 2u happy bday 2uluckySOBpimpininMiamiHappy Bday 2222222222222 uuuuuuuuuuu :) Ps you share the same birthday as Joe Smyth who played in 1953nyk out of niagra.

Blogger's note: Thanks

[john]

Cake is acceptable only if accompanied by a nice Ceasar (or bloody mary in them there parts) cause if your going to break any rules you may as well tear up the whole book...

[Angela]

Happy Birthday! Cake for breakfast: yes!! and lunch and dinner, too!

Blogger's note: Thanks!

[Stefans Jackson]

Happy Birthday Doug!!!

Blogger's note: Much appreciated

[LeeZ]

Cake? That depends, Doug. Coffee cake? Absolutely. A breakfast staple in these parts, in fact. But triple layer chocolate fudge cake? Absolutely not. That alone would have caused you to "descend", had it indeed been End of Days. But I believe even the Rapture makes allowances for birthdays, of which I wish you a most happy one! And unless I'm mistaken, I believe that with every passing birthday of yours, you're catching up to me in age. Woo-hoo! Very touching that Superwife and Superson made a rare (first-ever?) appearance in the blog. I would have peed myself laughing had they faux-ripped you for something or other, and you replied with a heavy dose of snark!
:)
Have a birthday drink on me, my friend.
Lee.

Blogger's note: Post-game, I most certainly will

[Mike D.]

@Tim, you are right on the money. Indisputably the all-time best justification of eating cake for breakfast (and, as an aside, a wonderfully accurate depiction of the way kids astutely surf on the balance of power in a household).

Doug, I should also point out that eating cake for breakfast inevitably leads to a mid-morning crash and one of life's other great innocent pleasures, the mid-morning nap. Happy birthday!

Blogger's note: Thanks very much

[doug]

a guy or gal can have anything they want for breakfast, as I have had a few things over the years that upon reflection weren't the best breakfast choices , but hey I have had a bowl of cereal at night as well so what the hell, if you can't let loose on your b-bay when can you??..not to blow my own horn, (but I am going to do it anyways and there's a cheap joke in there i know)) I said before that to me the top 4 seeded teams were all western teams, the east teams all have major weaknesses.......I think the 2 "poorest" coaching jobs thus far have been Brooks and Spoelstra, Spoelstra I understand Brooks has surprised me...and they have one thing in common they don't utilize their bench well at all, it's easy to say the Heat don't have a strong bench but House was a key member of the Celtics, and Rivers utilized him extremely well...neither of these 2 coaches ever change their system except for Brooks sitting Westbrook that one time...these playoffs are losing their juice fast for me....ok happy b-day and i quess you can have your cake and eat it to....

[Peter]

The cake question... the birthday week celebration questions... and then a birthday wish to begin the comments.... it's GOTTA BE!!! Happy Birthday Mr. Smith!

Blogger's note: Thanks

[sam]

How did I miss it?
Happy Birthday my friend.......
Many many more......
Is super wife a Teacher? Did She Teach in Barrie?

Blogger's note: Thanks. No. No

[doug]

what others wish you happy b-day and they get a thanks...I do and nothing...ok message received...cheers...

Blogger's note: Wow. My abject apologies. And thank you

[coachd]

Hi Doug,
First off, A happy birthday to you. Nice of Mother Star to send you to South Beach for your birthday. As for Kanter refusing to meet with the Raps, I think that when he was asked for an interview all he could say was "ball" and so there was no point in actually meeting with him. Seriously though, if a 19 year-old who hasn't played competitve bball in 2 years is refusing to meet with you, RUN AWAY.

Blogger's note: Thanks

[O.J.]

Hey Doug,

Happy Birthday!!! A couple of quick questions. Do you think now that BC is on a short leash (the 2 year contract) He will try to make aggresive moves i.e. trying to trade the draft pick for a vet or do you think he will continue to build through the draft and free agency.

Question 2: Would it not make more sense for BC to trade his pick down (barring he doesn't get a Brandon Knight) and pick up a wing that can shoot and score in a variety of ways (i.e. Alec Burks) and then maybe also try to acquire a pick in next years super draft or a vet?

Blogger's note: There is no "leash" short or long. And I'm sure trades will be contemplated but if they want a guy, they should take him regardless

[pooks]

Happy Birthday Doug! And if it's any consolation, I had cookies for breakfast and my birthday isn't for another 2 months.

All the best, my friend :-)

Blogger's note: Perfect! Thanks

[sportschick]

Happy birthday! Of course you can have your cake and eat it too! I vote for ice cream cake as well. :)

Blogger's note: Much appreciated

[jim]

Hi Doug

I think depending on how OKC series end, that the Raptors should make a play for Westbrook. There seems to be a lot of tension building up and Westbrook is the kind of players the Raps need. I think you offer your 5th round pick and Calderon, for Westbrook and some filler.

[SEAN]

Doug,

If you've ever had a muffin for breakfast than viola you've had cake.

"Are you telling there isn't anything available in all of Del Boca Vista!!!"

[Terukazu]

Hey Doug, HBD. I just watched an interview that Scott Hopson did with Draft Express. Do you think it deters teams when you're that confident - 'I wanna be one of the best to ever play in this league'. I think that's what he said.
Mike from Hurontario Stbx (former employee)

Blogger's note: Didn't see it, can't believe it'd be an issue