A summer without camp and a list of old-time faves

Guess it’s that time of year in a few cities, I see they’re holding mini free-agent camps in at least Miami and Charlotte and maybe some others I haven’t heard of.

But not here.

Thankfully.

The really are little more than exercises in futility, you bring in a couple of undrafted kids, maybe a couple of guys from the D League and a couple or so who played in Europe last season and you put ‘em through five or six sessions of drills and scrimmages.

Why?

Good question.

In olden days, these types of camps were generally held help fill out Summer League rosters but since the Summer League has been cancelled this year (can you hear the Hallelujah Chorus playing the background?) that reason no longer exists.

So what they turn into now is just a few days of skill development for guys with little or no chance to make it and little more than a make-work project for organizations who want to be seen to be busy.

It’s like the guys who talk about working 20 hours a day and sleeping in the office and having their eyes eventually glaze over from watching video.

At some time, it’s little more than an exercise in futility and a case of diminishing returns.

If any of these kids who’d come to the camps end up being good enough to play in the NBA, they’ll be found wherever they’re actually playing. All these leagues and Europe are scouted well enough that a couple of days in a hot gym in late June with other little-hopers isn’t likely to help.

Even a guy like our old friend Jamario, who emerged from a Raptors summer camp a few years ago, likely would have been spotted in league somewhere.

Besides, no camp means no need for me to sit in a gym for a few days and, as well all know, it’s all …

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You know what?

If you add a new lightweight, electric mower with a rechargeable battery and no cord to worry about to the availability of a 14-year-old with designs on extra allowance to get through a summer and to help finance a trip to Vienna next year, it sure makes yard work a lot easier, even if part of the lawn looked like ground cover in a forest.

All you really have to do is help get it started, take a couple of turns to show the way and sit back to wait for the magic to happen.

Makes for a nice day.

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Housekeeping day for the HOTH yesterday when they gave a qualifying offer to Sonny Weems.

All it really does is protect an asset; now when he goes out on the free agent market (whenever it opens) and gets himself an offer, Bryan can sit back and decide whether it’s worth matching. It’s non-guaranteed and puts the team at no risk at all.

I didn’t get a chance to ask Sonny about his intentions when he was hanging around (and since Jose didn’t send the jet for me, I can’t ask him over in Spain) but I know he loves it here and would like to come back.

Not sure just how mutual that feeling is, think it’ll depend largely on how they might be able to upgrade the small forward spot in free agency or some trade and what the financial implications are.

I wouldn’t, if I were you, go out and buy a Weems jersey just yet.

Nor should you (and I know one guy this will crush) rush out and get yourself a Julian Wright or Joey Dorsey souvenir.

The word is they won’t likely make qualifying offers to either of them by today’s deadline and they’ll become unrestricted free agents whenever the CBA stuff gets settled.

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So this whole Peter Falk thing got me thinking and as an inveterate TV watcher and a bit of a fan of old silly dramas, I was figuring out which ones I missed most.

(Yeah, there was some idle time yesterday and this morning).

And I think I came up with this but, man, it was hard putting them in order.

I’d say Joe Mannix would probably creep into the Top 5 and I think Cannon has to be on there, too.

Of course, we all learned don’t do the crime if you can’t do the time as one of the laws of nature so Baretta has to be on the list, doesn’t it?

Now, I think I’m going to have to go three-for-two (anyone remember that in a sporting context) to finish it off because Colombo’s a must and since I used to delay Thursday night soirees with an old Tiger hat-wearing friend until after Magnum was over, it’s got to be on the list.

The other?

Well, how about this little ditty to refresh some memories.

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NBA board of governors in Dallas today, likely will authorize labour relations group to do lockout if bargaining sessions scheduled for Wednesday and, tentatively, Thursday don’t provide even basic framework for a new deal.

Frankly, I just want Friday here so we know where we stand and life can go on.

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Here’s a Did You Know

Did you know that if you go and get your locks shorn in the mid-afternoon of a hot June day and then go put the Mighty Rockies through an intense 90-minute post-dinner workout you’re your previously-covered neck can become quite Lobster-esque in its colour?

Pass the lotion, please.

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Not sure how this one slipped by me but the Canadian Cadet team – under-16 boys – earned a berth in next year’s world championships by beating Puerto Rico in a bronze medal game on the weekend.

Toss in the fact the Cadettes have already qualified, and the fact the Under-19 boys start their worlds this week and the Under-19 girls are later this summer and we’re all over the global age-grou- championships.

Think I saw something that said Canada’s qualified for 13 straight age-group worlds since 2005 and only the United States and Australia can match that.

Not bad.

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Comments

[ET]

Doug,
If there is a lockout, do you anticipate a long one? And if there are constructive discussions can they avoid a lockout even though an agreement isn't it place?
P.S You don't come across as the electric mower type. Little surprised, quite frankly..

Blogger's note: There's no pressure point until the start of camp so if they go out, they're gone until October at least, I'm sure

[Mike D.]

Doug, I think I speak for all of us who have no locks to shear when I say that the sympathy meter is reading close to zero with respect to the sunburned back of your neck.

But the sympathy meter does read higher for you than it does for Etan Thomas of the NBPA after he posted this little gem on hoopshype:

http://blogs.hoopshype.com/blogs/thomas/2011/06/27/united-we-stand/

[D-Mac Ottawa]

Yep, nothing like a few extra missed free throws to liven up a game. Three to make two would have been a good idea at the grade school level maybe...
And if you recall that Rockford's dad (Noah Beery, Jr.) was also the clown who offered sage weekly advice to Circus Boy Micky Dolenz, well, I'm not sure what that signifies, but there you go. I kind of liked this one back when: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d7cF583A4Qw&feature=related (RIP James Arness). Cheers.

[LeeZ]

@D-Mac Ottawa: Mickey Dolenz? You mean the drummer from the Monkeys? (and if you were a man's man, he was your favourite Monkey. I mean, come on, no contest.)
@Mike D.: Actually, I thought Etan Thomas' blog was a reasoned, well thought and balanced approach. No one is weeping for rich players, but I for one am not weeping for rich (and stupid) owners.
Doug, not sure if you meant yours truly when you said one person would be sad about the prospect of JuJu not coming back, but if you didn't mean me, than there are at least two!

[Thane]

Doug, this is probably a silly question, but if an age group qualifies for a world tournament, does the age go up next year, or stay static?

ie our U-16s just qualified for next year's worlds - is it the U-16 worlds, or the U-17?

Blogger's note: Under-17; it was Under-18 qualifying last summer for this year's Under-19 tournament and it's year of birth

[Det. Harry Morgan]

Just the facts, Mr. Smith. How about Dragnet or Naked City?

[J.r]

Julian wright plays D and would fit in well with D.C's defensive mind set off the bench, is their a free agent small forward we can afford that would help this team ? Is J.J are small forward of the future ?

[Jacques]

Can you toss us a few names from the Canadian Cadet team – under-16 boys and Cadette under-19 boys that really stand out.

Blogger's note: Sure, story coming later or tomorrow on all of it

[doug]

speaking of detectives saw the Seinfeld episode with "Bookman" in it last night, now that's just a classic character.....you know this is how out of whack the NCAA is, Callipari signs a 8 year 34 million contract extension, but yet if a kid sells his jersey (god forbid) for a $100 he is suspended..and please anyone don't mention to me this whole but yes he is getting a education argument, that's being naive...that whole situation needs changed and fast ...why don't a couple teams get together and hold a camp together??..plus it would be hard for the Raps to have one now as they still don't have a coaching staff...there must be some progress on that front...or maybe there waiting with the impending lockout no rush i guess...

[Nick]

I can toss you a few U16 players from the Ottawa area,,,,C. McComber and M.Shayok. Both fantastic players who have a high ceiling. They both receive outstanding coaching in the city. You'll be hearing those names for the next while.

[Lorie]

Guys!
C'mon! If you were a man's man and you could find one of the Monkees to resonate with your style, you were a poser! The boys I knew wouldn't even watch that show! Said they didn't write their own songs or really play those instruments. Ha! What did they know! And who gave a rat's ass??? Millions of us teenage girls loved 'em anyway! Mickey Dolenz was the clown, Davy Jones was the heart throb (and I forgive you for not replying personally to even one of my mash notes - and to be frank, I'm even doubting the authenticity of your signature on that 5x7 glossy you sent me), Mike Nesmith was the smart one and Peter Tork, well...I think he was from another planet to be honest. Or at the very least tragically miscast.
Love your list Doug! I remember a series with Edward Woodward - "The Equalizer" - that I thought was kind of cool, too. (And best legs on a PI? Gotta be Mr. Selleck!)
Now, theme songs? @D-Mac Ottawa: This one will never be beaten as All-Time Best Ever with a bullet. Or perhaps a cattle-prod.
http://youtu.be/Sl2fONPgIJE
Cheers! And Go Canada against France on Thursday!!!

[Mark from Abbotsford]

Loved the video clip! A lot of fond memories thinking back on some of those shows - although when I see them now, some of the episodes are kinda lame! Seems to me the music for the Private Investigator & cop shows back in the 70's was much more memorable. With the exception of some of the sit-coms like Cheers, Seinfeld, and Friends, I have a difficult time relating a song to a particular show these days. New list for you: Best 5 opening songs/music for TV shows??

Blogger's note: Done. Soon

[doug]

the Rockford Files is classic t.v., when i was a youngun I worked at Holiday Inn in maintenance well going to school, they were selling t.v's from the rooms, i remember I bought one just so I could watch the Rockford Files and sports.., as fighting with my sibs over tv time was a on-going issue...gotta love Jim and the gang....is there any integrity left, why are assistants allowing themselves to be interviewed for the Wolves job when Rambis's future is still at stake??..I would refuse, as Kahn is just a classless individual as he is showing, maybe some have turned him down and if so kudos to them...

[D-Mac Ottawa]

Yes, @LeeZ, one and the same. Here's stunning proof that the future Rockford File dad did indeed meet and mentor the future drummer Monkee ("C'mon Pete, hit him again!"): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sxSLww4mw6w
And @lorie, I'd agree the only rendition to top the original Rawhide classic was the even more classic Blues Brothers version. Simply the best.
Now, those Monkees. There was a certain level of intrigue there, I'll fess up, even as a late 60s musical snob (I was all Stones, Hendrix, Santana, Sly, Muddy Waters, Marvin Gaye, you know, 'serious' music, back in those days). They managed to write a couple of knee-slappers in there. I'll give you "Tapioca Tundra", "Valleri", "Randy Scouse Git" and "Last Train to Clarksville" as passable side B offerings. But the one that made me perk my ears up was Circus Boy all growed up: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=URb8h4dLKps
Cheers and thank you!

[Donald]

Hey Doug,
As a reporter, how will you be getting information regarding Jonas V at the U19 championships? Obviously it won't be on TV. Do you have a basket full of global contacts you can call on regarding the performances or do you use the same sources as a regular fan (FIBA websites, ESPN, etc)?

Blogger's note: People I trust, mostly (reporters and people in the game)

[J]

To add to something that was said yesterday, another reason Wright wasn't offered a QO is because of how ridiculously high that QO is for someone of his talent level (~$4 mil).

[jc]

For anyone who needs a fix...LTU U19 is playing USA U19 right now and leading by about 30 points. And the leading scorer is........Jonas!

[Eric M]

I never understood why Doug writes on occasion about how Seattle is a great place to play and losing the Sonics was just an overall shame until I watched:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s9Dp20ydm1E

...This is a really good and insightful documentary (if you feel like getting your heart turned for 2 hours). The thing is that in Toronto, we complain about bad the Raptors' owners...just look at this, absolutely pathetic...from Howard Schultz to Clay Bennett to the mayor of the city (caving before the judge's decision) to Washington's legislature...unreal...
Clay Bennett still owns OKC doesn't he?

[JHK]

Had JV gone to cavs at 4, who would have BC drafted?
Knight?

Blogger's note: No real idea; probably would have ended up with Biyombo somehow. Who cares, though? Didn't happen and it's silly to live "what if?"

[LeeZ]

@Lori: Cut me some slack, sistah! I was, like, ten at the time? And to a 10-yr.-old, Mickey was uber cool. Davey was ewwwwwwwwww, Mike Nesmith was o.k., and Peter Tork was the Michael Cera of 60's television. @DMac: I think most of the Monkeys songs were written by Neil Diamond and other residents of the Brill Building. Tin Pan Alley meets the Beatles. Sort of.

[m]

Jonas had a nice game, 23 and 11, beating the yanks, 100-75.

[doug]

for the trivia junkies out there ..one of all-time fav questions is this...what members mother of the musical group the Monkees invented Liquid Paper otherwise known as whiteout and made millions off of it...anyone got it...Michael Neismith's mom...

[m]

I know the Monkees did Last Train to Clarksville by Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart. Did they have any other hits?

[Penguin]

Some great list choices. Wow, Mannix, I'd forgotten how much I used to enjoy that. Remember Tightrope? One I would pick are Wiseguy (with great guest turns on story arcs by the pretty much then unknown Kevin Spacey, as well as Debbie Harry, Annette Benning, Joan Severance, and a ton of other guest stars...many of whom weren't actually stars yet (Glen Frey comes to mind). Also loved Crime Story (making great use of Gene Pitney';s song Runaway).

[Jonathan]

For those interested, you can watch the quarters, semis, 3rd place and and final games (8 total, July 8th-10th) through the FIBA website, it's $14.99 for a monthly pass (the best option since a day pass is $11.99).

http://www.fibatv.com/page/Championships/0,,12805,00.html

Doug, since Lithuania would be expected to be involved in at least one of those, perhaps even Canada, I imagine even chintzy Mother Star could be convinced to spring for a month. It won't be the same as going over there, but a game or two could give you something to write about on a lazy afternoon at Casa Doug. With the time difference, you wouldn't even need to worry about deadlines.