Early mail to start your weekend

Okay, let’s change things up a wee bit.

Here’s a whack of mail to get you through today and if you give me the afternoon and evening to work on things, I’ll get to a Book of Lists for the morning to clear up some of the other queries I’ve been saving.

Have fun with this, see you in the morning.

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Q: Hi Doug. Someone brought up a question last week about your travels and it made me wonder whether you tend to stick to specific hotel chains and rack up points and statuses (a la George Clooney in Up in the Air), or you book hotels mainly for the sake of convenience from airports/arenas/hotels? As a fellow man on the road (I recruit for my university in Nova Scotia) I was pretty pumped to receive my Platinum Elite status with Priority Club last fall and get all the free upgrades.

Cheers,

 

Thomas T, Antigonish

A: Hmm. Antigonish. University. Say hi to Coach K (Canada version) for me.

Anyway, I’m a hotel creature of habit, a Marriott guy actually, because the service is consistent and the points program is very good (and various family members benefit).

The biggest thing for me is that you know what you’re getting. The wireless will work, it’ll be clean, I can find one convenient to every arena and there are generally no surprises, which is good.

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Q: Love the Maurice Cheeks rumors even if it's just that. Have the utmost respect for him, especially after he helped make the singing of the American anthem that much easier for a nervous girl. Feel free to share that clip.

Wondered what your thoughts are on Wade and James mocking Dirk walking through the hallway before Game 5? These guys don't make it easy when it comes to liking them. Sign of their youth? (Though I thought Wade was above that)

 

Simone S, Toronto

A: This might be the single greatest thing I’ve ever seen a coach do and every single time I see Mo Cheeks I want to tell him what a wonderful thing it was.

 

Now, LeBron and Wade?

Well, it was certainly immature and a silly thing to do and it will do nothing to enhance their reputations. But, truth be told, that kind of mocking – I presume – goes on a lot more often than we ever hear or see and they just happened to get caught.

It should, however, be another cautionary tale to professional athletes that it’s almost impossible to get away with anything.

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Q: Hi Doug. Which do you like writing better, the blog or articles?

I personally enjoy the blog more because it offers more of your personal opinions and insights that don't seem to get into the articles.

Keep up the great work!

 

Craig S, Lakefield

A: Oh, I have to say that now I much prefer the blog. It lets me kind of get more “conversational” and allows for more opinion than the straight reporting of facts in things like game stories. Now, I know the articles need to have all the necessary elements of a news story and are, by their very nature, a bit more “dry” than they are here.

That said, there’s way to infuse even game stories and the like with an element of “voice” and that’s what you have to strive for.

But if I had my druthers, I’d do the blog primarily. Trouble is, I don’t get my druthers.

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Q: It is that time of year where we get inundated with super hero movies. So using that as a theme what one super power would you love to have to help you on your job, and why? For example, would you want the ability to read people's minds so you really know what a player/coach/gm is thinking, or perhaps the ability to fly (or even better teleport) so that you never have to use the dreaded airplane again? Or would it be something completely different?

S S, Newmarket

A: Teleporting, for sure.

No dopey people in line, no nonsense with TSA officials, no dealing with people who can’t handle the simple task of administering a lineup, no taking off of shoes.

And imagine how much more time I’d have to sit here and dream up little blog items?

Oh yeah, if I could fly, that’d be soooooo cool.

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Q: Doug, thanks for shooting down that Minnesota rumour. I think I may have asked you this once before, but if so please humour this doddering old fool and bear with me once again. Just for the sake of argument, let's say that this Minny rumour was spot on. So, you go to the trusted sources you reference in today's blog and ask, hey, any truth to this Minny rumour? Your sources obviously don't want it getting out that they're planning to trade DeRozan or Calderon or whatever in advance of the actual trade, ESPECIALLY in light of the two failed deals last year that leaked prematurely. But they don't want to lie to you, I assume. I think your readers would find that whole process intriguing. Is there some "code"? Would they say something like "no comment" so as not to lie to you but at the same time not give anything away? And would you, in turn, take that "no comment" to mean that the trade is on and report something to that effect? I'm sure there's a lot of mutual respect and good will between you and your sources, but there must be times when things get sticky, no?

Lee Z, Ottawa

A: There have been times when I’ve had some nugget of information and needed to bounce it off someone here.

And while there’s no “code” per se, if I was to call someone and say, “hey, I hear you might be doing an Alabi for Kobe deal” and there’s something to it but it can’t come from someone here, they might say: “I don’t want to lie to you, no comment.” And, depending on the source, that might give me enough to go on.

A conversation I’ve had with GMs also goes like this:

Me: “Hey, I’ve got a story here that says …”

Him: “That’d be a good story to read.”

Or:

Me: “Hey, I’ve got a story here that says …”

Him: “You’d look pretty foolish writing that.”

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Q: Hey Doug, I am just curious, you said Butch Carter could flat out coach, why do you think he hasn't received a heading coaching job since his last one with the Raptors?

Thanks

 

Mario A, Toronto

A: I think right after he was let go in Toronto teams shied away from even thinking about him because he left under dubious circumstances and he was, I’m sure he’d admit, pretty much his own worst enemy.

But then I’m not sure how actively he looked, he had sons he wanted to see grow up, some other business interests to take care off and life to live.

But, I will say this with the utmost confidence: Some team should at least get him in for an interview and he’ll blow them away because he’s a good coach who was always extraordinarily prepared.

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Q: Howdy Doug. I was reading on a lesser blog/chat that the Raptors are unlikely to do any sort of trade involving Solomon Alabi because they really like his defensive potential long-term, and that he was nursing some sort of leg injury last season that really held him back. I really want to believe because as you know, I dream of the day we can have a centre who rules the paint (and because Alabi seems like a great locker-room guy), but this view of Solo differs considerably from yours last season. Can you shed any light on the subject?

Mike D, Toronto

A: I’m not sure where you heard or read that but it runs quite counter to my reality. This coaching staff saw him as so raw they were afraid to let him scrimmage full out with teammates because his awkwardness created potential for freak injuries. Now, that said, he’s big and young and may very well develop but he is years and years and years away and I have no idea if a new staff will feel the same way.

Now, he was very popular in the locker room with his teammates but not in some “I’m an emerging leader” kind of way; more in a “Hey, Solo, don’t break anybody at practice today” kind of way.

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Q: Hi Doug. I've been reflecting on your comments, and some of the other things that have been said in the media over the past couple of days, since Jay's dismissal. I think overall I would have to agree with your take on things, that the dismissal was premature. My one caveat would be that the lack of progress on defensive side of things over the past year was certainly an issue for me. My question is this: Do you think Bryan would have made the same decision had he been given a 5 year contract versus a 2 year contract?

Mark L, Abbotsford

A: Yes, I do think he would have made the same decision. Bryan’s very impatient when it comes to winning and since he thought making a coaching change would accelerate the team’s progression, the length of his deal wouldn’t have mattered.

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Q: Best steak I've ever had in my life was at III Forks in Dallas. Then again, I've never gone wrong with a restaurant seen on D3.

On to basketball ... While all of the attention seems to be on the draft, are the Raptors in any position to bring in a useful player as a free agent?

 

Brian L, Toronto

A: Here’s the thing: We have no clue. Until they come up with a new CBA, it’s impossible to really tell but I do think they’ve created enough financial flexibility that they should be able to do something. How substantial is impossible to tell, which is why I’m loathe to even look at a list of free agents until we can figure out what they have to spend and under what circumstances they can spend it.

I know that’s a non-answer, but it’s the fact now.

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Q: Looks like I missed a great 4th quarter last night. Nice finish by Dirk (via the injured left hand no less). Possible list suggestion for you. In light of the end of the Triano era (and your reminder about Butch Carter in today's story), could you make a list ranking the Raptors coaches to date - from best to worst, in your humble opinion? Obviously it'll be subjective, since you have to weigh the personnel each one had to work with at the time, how much the team did (or didn't improve) under their watch, etc., but should make for interesting discussion (aka: disagreement).

Also can you list the top 2 Raps coaches who "you think" were let go prematurely? Coaches that you think should have been given a little longer at the helm; and the top 2 Raps coaches who you think should have been dumped sooner than they were?

Thx as always.

 

Derek S, Bolton

A: I really don’t want to do best to worst because each had crosses to bear and different teams to deal with. I will say I admired the way Butch and Brendan and Sam and Jay did their jobs, I think there could been more from Darrell Walker, Lenny and KO was a train wreck.

Two who got fired too quickly?

Brendan and Sam.

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Q: Hello Doug. I just saw that the 76ers are for sale. So that adds to the long list of franchises who have been sold or are up for sale this year (MLSE, Hornets, Pistons, W's, Kings etc.) that’s a lot of teams. Is there any correlation between this trend and the fact that a new CBA will be in place next year? Is that a sign that the new owners are confident that the new rules will benefit them or is it more an indication that Stern is actually saying the truth about the owners losing a lot of money that they cant afford to sustain their teams unless the system changes drastically?

Thanx as always for your terrific work.

 

Rob W, Victoria

A: Since they’ve having a hard time in some areas finding new owners – here and New Orleans and I’m not sure about Philly – I think any prospective buyer is waiting to see what the economic landscape is before jumping into the fray. So that would be the impact of that.

Many of the others, notably Detroit, are for sale or have been sold because of outside factors, the death of Bill Davidson in Detroit, for instance so an impending change in the business of the game wasn’t a big deal.

And while I truly believe some teams lost significant money over the years, I think it might have as much to do with bad business decisions as much as the overall economics of the league.

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Q: Hi Doug, I have a question about Game 3 of the Finals. Lots of people say that Chalmer's buzzer beater at the end of the first quarter should have been called a backcourt violation. My question is if there is enough proof that it is, why can't the league change the call? Mavs ended up losing by two, so if this had not counted, they would have ended up winning by 1. Wouldn't it be more fair to the players and the team? Thanks,

 

Ray F, Toronto

A: If ifs and buts were candies nuts, we’ll all have a Merry Christmas.

No, they shouldn’t change it, they wouldn’t change it and it’s no different than a blown foul call, the kind of thing that sometimes happens. And if they hadn’t missed it in the first place, it doesn’t naturally follow that the game would have played out the exact same way and that’s one of the joys of sports.

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Q: Hello Doug. The draft is just around the corner. I been reading everything regarding the players, draft order and etc. unfortunately, not enough news in the star. I cannot figure out, what BC is aiming for. I am wondering, from your inside team knowledge, who would be ideal player to draft (name, maybe just position)? From past drafts, is it wise to draft best available PG? By that I mean, PGs more and more dominate the league or are they?

Thanks a lot. Looking forward for your next blog.

 

Alex V, Toronto

A: I’ve just watched an NBA Finals that included a game in which NEITHER starting point guard scored a single solitary point; not sure “PGs more and more dominate the league” is right. There are some good ones, yes.

Ideal guy? Well, the ideal guy would probably be the Irving kid, young point guard with exceptional skills who could eventually assume the No. 1 role. Now, as we all know, “ideal” doesn’t ever happen and it’s not like they’re going to settle for someone because I think they’ll get a good enough player. And I’ve always believed you draft the best available player but that’s such a subjective thing it really means nothing.

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Q: Hi Doug. Question about the Texas PG Cory Joseph, if by any chance he is not drafted, as he is ranked 46 or something, do you think that the Raptors will try to get the hometown guy to training camp?

Thanks

 

Sanjay G, Markham

A: I’d be surprised. Not sure tokenism a good idea (how’d the optics be when they had to cut him if they did) and I would think they would address point guard needs – even for a third-stringer – in other ways. You also have to realize they could very well go to camp with the maximum number of guaranteed contracts and bringing someone in wouldn’t mean a thing.

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Comments

[Cluck Kent]

Just wanted to poke my head in and say continued thanks for the blog, Doug. It is an oasis of baketball news in a hockey desert.

Blogger's note: Thanks

[Matt M]

Yeah! Alabi for Kobe! What a wonderful trade. I wonder why Colangelo hasn't done it yet. He must need firing.

[doug]

that Maurice Cheeks anthem moment is probably one of my favorite clips in sports...just a pure genuine moment and says a lot about the character of the man...I was a huge Sixers fan when the Doc and Cheeks, and Jones played together, and what a classy bunch, no shirt popping , no anything and believe me the Doc had many times he could have strutted did whatever....now on the flip-side they had Chocolate Thunder and World B Free two men who loved on-court shenanigans...they remind me of this years Mavs in that they were a combo of characters, but accepted it and just played together on the court..

[Steph]

Maurice Cheeks is simply to classy for most of today players. Elegant, respectful, quiet, knowledgable. The league should hire Maurice and use him as an example of what players should aspire to be, better citizens.

[Striker 77]

I am fairly new to the world of basketball. I used to be a puck head...Now I have become a MASSIVE fan of hoops, definitely in part because of you Doug..

Having said that, I never even knew about this Mo Cheeks story with the national anthem (Im embarrased admitting that).. Being a musician myself, as well as an elementary teacher, I honestly teared up watching that video. It reminds me that there are good people in the world helping those in need. A young teenaged old girl, going through something like that in front of thousands, or millions? Cheeks probably saved her life... seriously.. experiences like that can destroy people. What gets me most, is he did it so beautifully and understated.. He just put his arm around her.. a complete stranger, to give her the confidence that she lost a moment earlier.. I agree with you.. one of the most wonderful things to watch.

Thanks for sharing that Doug. I will show this story to my class to discuss important qualities such as kindnes, caring, and empathy.

[Steph]

I wonder how many times Maurice has wanted to go prevent a singer from basterdizing the anthem?

[Andy Ung]

Do you know why Rick Adelman isn't in the hunt for the position? What are your thoughts of him as a coach?

Blogger's note: I think he's a very good coach and am told he would have absolutely no interest in taking over a 22-win, Eastern Conference team

[doug]

to all the baseball fans out there..this young fellow seems to be a fine player, and his granddad wasn't that bad either,someone named Carl Yastrzemski...apple doesn't fall far from the tree...

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/more/06/10/super.regional.ap/index.html?sct=hp_t2_a19&eref=sihp

[Stephen]

Doug,

With the announcement that the Clippers will now have to pay Mike Dunleavy just over 13 million dollars for his services, do you see Stirling now as being even more "frugal" in regards to player contracts?

I know, as we all do, that the monies paid to Dunleavy have no bearing on the Cap or the teams payroll, but with such a stingy owner already, I cannot fathom that he will now break the bank for DeAndre Jordan or add long term contracts.

I think that the Clippers will be ripe for the picking after this news, and his desire to shed salaries will be even higher? Thoughts?

Blogger's note: Think it's a stretch and one doesn't necessarily follow the other

[m]

As someone pointed out elsewhere, in that video of Wade and James mocking Dirk, James wasn't coughing, he was choking.

[Gil]

Doug im still confused as to why game 5 was played in Dallas in a best of 7 series? i always thought the first 2 (in this case) was Miami, next 2 was in Dallas, game 5 back in Miami, game 6 in Dallas, and the last one always ending up at the start- home in Miami...is this system of how the series is set new or has it always been like this?

Blogger's note: Been like that since the '80s

[Will]

@Gil

The 2-3-2 format is only for the Finals. The other best-of-7 series work the way you said.

Depending on who you ask, it's about giving players more rest and less travel, or about grabbing more TV revenue:
http://answers.google.com/answers/threadview/id/728396.html

Blogger's note: It was done to ease costs and provide rest when it was perennially LA-Boston in the 80s

[Lorie]

@Striker 77
Yes, to everything you said about Mo Cheeks. That young girl, rather than being googled for one of the more unfortunate performances of a national anthem is now forever linked with one of the classiest acts by a person in a basketball court. And you know, what struck me? That Mo must have moved over to help her almost immediately. There was no hesistation. And to me that says more about the man than wins, losses, offence, defence and other sorts of statistical data ever would. Wouldn't it be great.... Thank you for posting the video of it, Doug.

[doug]

my friends and I are sitting around having a few beers...and our discussion and it concerns this blog is how can a bunch of "reporters" sitting around in the wee hours having a "few pops" decree this series over when the Heat were up 2 games to one...and yet you say "yawn" to bloggers responses, come on that blog comment of yours was so out to lunch it was perplexing and believe me I am not part of this "irregular" community here I have no desire to meet Lorie, D-mac.Lee Z or GM....at all, this is a blog, and for a "professional journalist" to make that statement was just perplexing.....oh and when i said the other night in your IGBT, about Cardinal and Howard "being winners" and you took it literally I meant they are winners as they are role players, effective role players and do it well at a "advanced age" thats why they are winners as they know who and what they are...they do it well, as for your contention that coaches makes little difference,,,then your obviously not watching this series...or Vogel or Silas...and why haven't Sam and Carter coached again??...come on , and you mock conspiracy theorist's, i like to sit back and watch your hypocrisy's...and yawn oh wait double yawn...

Blogger's note: Treble yawn! :)

[GM]

There's no way the league should take back that backcourt violation 3-pointer after the game. As Doug says, the game could have played out differently. But... they absolutely should have reviewed it at halftime and taken it away at the start of the 3rd. There was no play following it and officials routinely check film at the half. I have no idea why they didn't. I know officials make mistakes, but it amazes me that three sets of eyes can't notice a foot on a line. It's someone's job to notice such things and they get it wrong with 3-point attempts all the time when I can see it in real time.

And would it be tokenism just because he's Canadian if the guy can play? If some other team would take him, why not the Raptors? Are they forever excluded from taking a Canadian player for fear of it being tokenism?

[ewandro]

"Cluck Kent: Just wanted to poke my head in and say continued thanks for the blog, Doug. It is an oasis of baketball news in a hockey desert."

I just loved it ... express my feelings very well and my son's. Specially living in hockey only Quebec.

Thanks God we have oasis like Doug's blog.

[KBall]

Another great blog entry ... loved the Maurice Cheeks video.

I know that you have said numerous times that you feel coaching doesn't play much into the wins or losses ... but don't you think that Spoelstra is being just a bit out coached in this series? I gotta give some props to Carlisle for how this is unfolding.

[LeeZ]

Damn! Just when I thought I'd have a chance to meet poster doug, just when I thought my life would FINALLY be complete, he throws my world upside down and says he has no desire to meet me! I guess that I, along with Lori, my fellow Ottawan DMac and GM will simply have to pick up the shattered pieces of our existence and somehow move on...But it...(sniff)...it (sorry, getting veklempt)...it hurts soooooo much.