The biggest week in a long time has arrived

So, is this the biggest week of Bryan’s tenure with the Raptors?

You could maybe make that case.

A new coach – first time he’s gone outside the organization to hire one – should be in place any day, there’s a rather significant draft pick to make Thursday night and while it might not be as busy as his first summer, when the signings seem to come almost daily, it should be some kind of metamorphosis of the franchise.

The draft? Well, I think it’s going to come down to who’s there and then a choice between guys who can help more now or guys who have more promise in the future.

The two guys who might be able to step in and contribute immediately would be Brandon Knight and Kawhi Leonard and I know they’re both on the list, with Knight closer to the top that Leonard.

After that, I presume there are a couple of longer term prospects – Jonas Valanciunas and Bismack Biyombo – who are intriguing but probably not ready to step in a play a lot.

Personally? I still think Knight should be their guy but it’s hard to see a scenario where he’s there.

We’ll get into this more as the week unfolds but if it’s Irving and Williams one and two (and I’m not sure what order it’ll be) and then Kanter and Knight in some order at three and four, that’s going to make it a bit of a tough call.

I know one thing: Can’t imagine that Bryan’s worried about the nationality of the guy he picks and I sure wish none of you were.

We’ve always said they should take the guy they think has the greatest amount of talent and it shouldn’t – and doesn’t – matter what his passport says.

The Raptors have a private session set for today with Biyombo (they saw Vesely yesterday but I bet he’s a very big longshot at five) and that may go a ways in determining what they do Thursday.

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Oh yeah, the coach.

Have to think it’s going to be Dwane Casey, unless something wildly unexpected pops up, and hopefully it’s sooner rather than later.

Bryan did say right off the bat that he’d hoped to have someone in place by the draft and time is running out.

Sure going to make it a busy week around these parts; all they need to do is leave my Monday and Wednesday nights free for Mighty Rockies action, thank you very much.

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How come no one told me the MMVAs were on last night?

I would have looked for my little buddy Bieber.

Or not.

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Here’s a first sign that some movement may be afoot with the Raptors staff.

A report out of Ohio overnight says Scott Roth, who spent one season on the bench here, is being considered for a spot on Mike Brown’s staff with the Lakers.

No idea if he’ll get it because I don’t know how tight the relationship is with Brown and Roth but it is the first open sign that assistants here are actually seeking alternate employment for when their contracts expire at the end of this month.

As I mentioned somewhere in the mail bag on the weekend, history suggests that a new Raptors coach will surround himself with familiar faces and I’m not exactly sure how that’ll impact Alex English, PJ Carlesimo, Micah Nori, and Roth.

I wouldn’t expect many of them to be back, to be honest.

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Spoiler alert.

Before nodding off, spent some time with Treme and if they keep knocking off characters like John Goodman last year (although you could see that coming) and Steve Earle out of the blue, I’m going to be miffed.

And I can so see the dude from St. Elsewhere hooking up with Melissa Leo but causing much angst for her child.

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Oh, yeah, got to catch up to this.

Remember last week when we mentioned the Canadian Cadettes, the group of under-16 who rolled through their first three games at the FIBA Americas qualifying tournament for next year’s Under-17 worlds?

Well, they hit a wee bump in the semis when they were beaten by Brazil but rebounded to blast Puerto Rico and they have advanced to the world championships.

Age-group worlds provide excellent experience for these kids, they get to judge their skills against other countries and can only help in their development.

It’s a long, long way from Cadette to senior team but the more times Canada can get out there in the world, the better it’ll be long-term.

It will be interesting to see how the junior men and women do at their worlds later this summer. And that’ll give me something to write about every now and then.

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I swear I looked up at the TV yesterday afternoon to watch some of TOD and I saw Bronson Arroyo on hill for the Redlegs.

Guess that’s why they call the NL the Senior Circuit, he’s got to be about 192 years old, no?

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Speaking of the draft, I’ve got to correct a bit of misinformation I put out here a couple of months ago.

The second-round pick the HOTH got in the Dallas deal is not for this year, they currently don’t have a pick after No. 5 but I’m pretty sure as the draft unfolds, Bryan will be working the phones trying to make some magic happen.

Oh, and I bet you’re all waiting to see who goes to the Bulls at No. 28 to find out if he’s better than James Johnson is right now.

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Man, how time flies.

I was reminded yesterday that it’s been 25 years – a quarter of a century – since Len Bias died in what was one of the most tragic sports stories of my lifetime.

Not sure how many of you young ‘uns would remember the story: Great, great college basketball player out of Maryland, drafted second by the Celtics and the heir apparent to Larry Bird in what would another seamless transition from one Boston era to the next.

Two days later? Dead. Cardiac arrhythmia brought on by cocaine use.

I think it was a watershed moment in the intersection of drugs in society and professional sports, not a wake-up call per se but the first time a lot of people had come face-to-face with the dangers of that drug. It was a story that resonated, put a personal face on a societal plague.

I can’t write about it too well or with authority because I didn’t really know that much about it but you should read this piece by Bill Simmons.

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Comments

[joeu]

Sad weekend news - Jungle land will never sound the same again.

[Mike D.]

I would be OK with Kawhi Leonard, who seems to be "James Johnson: The Sequel"; drafting him and keeping JJ would give the Raps a relentless defender, rebounder and underrated ball handler and passer at the 3 for the full 48 minutes. When I read profiles of Jan Vesely I like the mismatch concept, but I start twitching nervously when I get to the repeated "poor ball handler and shooter" comments.

Although I acknowledge I haven't talked to any GMs, I must admit that I, too, am confused by the Brandon Knight mania, especially when people refer to his "excellent size". Knight measured 6'3" (in shoes) and 177, which would make him one of the slightest PGs in the NBA (compare him to Bayless, for example, who produced similar college stats and similar physical test results at the combine at 204 pounds). I can't avoid the feeling people are looking past the potential issues with durability and being pushed around on D, and seeing what they want to see.

[Dallas]

Any chance Casey spurns the Raps and takes another gig, and if so where would that leave Toronto? could they go back to Frank, after it being reported that he was their second choice?

Has there been any source from Toronto confirm that Casey is their man?

Blogger's note: Anything's possible.

[kelsey]

I really hope Raptors take a guard. Bayless I dont think he is ready, with that being said maybe he comes in this year with different mind frame. Jose must be on the move and Im sure Colangelo will be dealing hime, Jose is a good fit for a veteran team that needs a back up point guard. He doesnt fit in this rebuilding.

Really as long as they pick the best available player. I didnt watch a lot of college games so I really dont have a valid personel opinion, make sure you get a hungry player who has that motor. Im sure, that Raptors had to have known based on Bargnani's tempermant that he didnt have the burn,the hunger, just talent. That is not enough in the NBA!!!

I was young but I dont remember the Bias passing, I have also watched the piece ESPN has done, truly very sad. You would be surprised how many people do that drug.. Especially the people who are well off.

[Bill V]

Love reading Bill Simmons, but he can be a bit long winded and cliched at times. I suggest a better piece on Len Bias' death would be Jack McCallum's column on SI.com. He actually covered the event and was running around the New England area the days following Bias' death. Interesting read, possibly with a different perspective. http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/writers/jack_mccallum/06/17/len.bias/index.html

Blogger's note: I love Jack and forgot to look at SI. Thanks

[Dallas]

Nevermind, I just heard out of Dallas Morning News that Toronto will be making the announcement today. Maybe BC just has to get back from New York.

Blogger's note: I believe you're dead wrong on that at the moment.

[Ryan Morrison]

Hey Doug

Would this not be the most likely scenario for the Raps landing Knight...whom I agree would be a great pick here for us if it's not Knight or Walker I'm a little scared I'd rather trade down and take a shooting specialist like Jimmer Ferdette. Anyway the scenairo would be Clevand drafts Irving Minny takes Williams, Utah goes big with Kanter because they take Jimmer @12 and Clevland goes big as well therefore leaving us Knight @ 5...It all depends on Utah..No way Minny takes a PG nor does Clevland go PG/PG..Utah may be high on the hometown kid Ferdette and may just roll the dice and hope hes at 12 therefore taking a big with 3..what do you think.

Blogger's note: As plausible as any of the half dozen scenarios being floated around. Guess we'll find out Thursday

[Dallas]

You're disputing that I heard it Doug? I can link to the twitter feed if you like, but I'm not lying about what I've read. Nor am I dead.

Blogger's note: Not disputing that you heard it for a second; disputing there will be an announcement today. Check with me tomorrow or the next day.

[Dallas]

Here's where I've read it

http://www.dallasnews.com/sports/dallas-mavericks/headlines/20110620-mavericks-lose-their-top-assistant-toronto-raptors-to-hire-dwane-casey.ece

[Jeremy]

For everyone who is saying that Casey ought to have been signed by now, I read somewhere that the Pistons are also highly interested and have an interview scheduled with him so that if they end up wanting him too it could turn into a bidding war, and the new Pistons owner apparently has deep, deep pockets.

[The J]

Hmm.. That's the second set of passive-agreesive digs at the Biebs in the last couple of weeks. I can't help but think someone is trying to cover up a full on case of Bieber fever!

Seems like Kemba has a lot of fans in Raptor land. It would be fun to officially store everyone's pre-draft opinions in a time-capsule to be opened up in three years. Then there would be bragging rights for the ones who made statements like "I think this Bargs guy is talented but I can't picture him making an impact on defense or rebounding" and shame for the guys saying "forget this Iggy-whatever guy. Babcock knows what he is doing, Hoffa will be an all-star for years to come".

[Mike]

CHAMPION is not subjective.

Posted by: Vince | June 20, 2011 at 09:07 AM

Fair enough, it's not subjective but how do you factor leading an NCAA Champion team into a player's NBA potential? How much weight do you give in evaluating Mario Chalmers for leading Kansas over D-Rose's Tigers? Or Mateen Cleaves for being MOP for the Spartans over Mike Miller and Udonis Haslem?

[Mr. Cook]

Late to the game for commenters, but anyone interested in the Len Bias story should read Wilbon's last ever column for the WaPo or any of his reporting from the contemporary time when he was still a kid. It's a story that meant a lot to him, you can tell.

[Vince]

Mike:
To respond to your post, I said nothing about potential. I was talking about immediate impact. With Colangelo's 2-year deal I think that is his priority.
Will Knight be a better player than Walker down the line? Maybe. If he goes with Knight, maybe BC doesn't last long enough here to find out.
But for immediate impact, I'd go with the 21-year-old CHAMPION over the 19-year-old who didn't show up (against Kemba) in the semis of said championship any day.
Furthermore, just because you have two examples of champions who haven't succeeded at the next level doesn't mean there aren't many counter-examples (Magic Johnson comes immediately to mind).
Lastly, D-Rose was a consensus #1 pick before the championship game. That is not the case with the people in question this year.

Blogger's note: I'm not sure what part of this you're missing: There are almost 30 NBA general managers, who we have to admit are smarter than you and I, who believe Knight is the better player. It's really quite simple. And NCAA championships mean nothing. At all. It is boys against

[Lorie]

Hi Doug!
First off, why are people griping about you commenting on last night's episode of Treme. My screen clearly had the words "spoiler alert" before you gave it all spilled the gumbo...anyway.
Doug, forget Lithuania! The U-19 Women are competing in Puerto Montt and Puerto Varas, Chile this summer. And wouldn't it be cool to go to South America? Everyone does Europe. Think the bosses might consider that one? The women have a great chance at a medal - and even more alluring, gastronomically speaking, it's supposed to be outstanding!!!

[Bob Wesley]

Hey Doug,Hotlips really.How bout Loni Anderson on WKRP?Burt was a lucky Man!Rest in peace Clarence Clemens. playing Bruce Springsteen CD'S all week!

[JW]

Kawhi Leonard? I think thats a huge reach at 5 with Walker and Thompson left on the board. No way is he the 5th best player in this draft. I really don't understand the fascination with the guy. He's an average athlete with no offensive game who happens to have freakishly long hands and arms. When I watch the guy play he doesn't seem like a natural baller the way Walker and Thompson do. The only way I see him being a very good to great NBA player is if he becomes a lockdown defender, his offensive game is just way too far away. Thats not even mentioning that if we draft a 3, you would think that a long range/3pt shooting threat would be one of the requirements considering the rest of our roster.
Obviously there are downsides with Walker and Thompson as well, but they are MUCH more polished basketball players then Leonard. Walker is absolutely NBA ready, to say he isn't is ridiculous IMO, how do you get more ready than carrying your team to a national championship? The guy is a winner flat out. Then Thompson, aside from being a local boy, would look great in the post with Davis. He can block shots, get rebounds, is a great athlete, and his offensive game isn't that far away.
If Irving, Knight, and Williams are off the board when we pick I'd like to see either Walker or Thompson. Basketball is about alot more than big hands and long arms, from what I've seen of Leonard he just doesn't have the talents of the 5 guys I just mentioned.

[Bill]

Doug,

Have the TPE that we received from the Bosh trade expired? If not is BC going to do anything with it?

Blogger's note: July 9 and I have no clue

[Chooch Peters]

To Ewandro and anyone else who cares: I know Doug is not a big fan of trade scenerio's and rumours, and that is all good and respected. But I am, and here is what I have read on line (keep in mind they are just rumours form other reporters). The Raptors are apparently one team who is trying to move the #5 for immediate help. The only chip they have is Bargs - Calderon is apparently a "price tag risk" as just a servicable player and with the uncertainty of the new CBA agreement he is very hard to move right now. If they keep the pick they would like Knight (he will take longer to contribute immediatley then Walker but he is 3 years younger was coached by Calipari in Kentucky - hello guys like Wade, Rose, Wall all guards who were under his guidance - Knights upside makes him the 2nd best PG in the draft) if he is gone, the pick is up in the air with either Walker, Leonard and Vasley a 6-9 SF (who was scouted twice recently by the Raps including BC himself flying overseas to see him play, and is being strongly considered - although he is a project). If they don't take a PG after Knight is gone, it just might mean they are still high on Bayless (who averaged over 18 ppg as a starter last year) and trade Calderon - hopefully and his 9 million to plug other holes. Bioymo is not in the picture - every GM is drulling about his upside, but in his last work-out I read a quote from a GM who watched and he had this to say about him "Bioymo just played and a game of 1 on 0 and lost" he is still very very raw, its just he's a speciman and is long, athletic and tall. I've read the Raps brass is still high on Alabi and he figures much into thier plans. He was hurt alot last year but now he is working-out, he's healthy and apparently is looking great - he can jump out of the gym and his an active player on the boards. I've read that BC wont trade DeRozan, Davis, or Bayless...everyone is up for grabs considering its the right deal for the Raps. There is a #5 and the rest of the TPE to the Jazz for Milsap and the #10 rumour. There was a Bargs and the #5 to Milwaukee for Bogut, Posey and the Bucks pick and a second either this year or another year. There are a few Minny and Toronto rumours there aswell - but Minny is all over the map with lots of teams. This from numerous websites like : Hoopshype, Hoopsworld, Stephen Brotherson, Globe and Mail, SI, Chad Ford, Draftexpress, ESPN, The Score, just as a small example for sourcable information.

[Mike D.]

@The J: unfortunately the time capsule for every NBA draft is consistently broken into and the records altered. For example, almost every NBA journalist now talks/writes as if they knew before the 2004 draft that Hoffa would be a bust and should never have been signed at all. At the time, however, people thought he was a bit of a stretch but would be a serviceable player.

Here's the day-after analysis from ESPN re the Hoffa pick: "This is the first real surprise of the draft, though, if you look at it, it makes sense for the Raptors. The need a center in the worst, worst way. Chris Bosh is much more comfortable playing the four. Araujo is the only other big guy in the draft, other than Okafor, who is ready to play right now. He's strong, aggressive and isn't afraid to beat up people. He'll be a nice addition in Toronto, though he doesn't have the upside many of the other people on the board did."

And, just for your reading pleasure, CNNSI's comments on the Celtics picking Al Jefferson, Delonte West and Tony Allen: "They reportedly wanted Robert Swift and Dorell Wright, but like the Hawks they had to settle for adding the best available players."

[Chooch Peters]

Dallas Morning news reporting - Casey and Raptors are a done deal. Could be annouced as early as this afternoon. Raps working out Bioymo today

Blogger's note: There will be no announcement today and if Raptors fans should know anything, it's that nothing is done until it's done. Thought that went without saying. Biyombo is about three days late as "news."

[Bill]

1. This Kemba Walker love is hilarious - Doug never said he was bad or anything of the sort. he said that from talking to GM's, he doesn't have the talent to go to the Raps with their 5th pick. What makes you think you know more than Doug or these GM's? Was it reading some mock draft article? Give your head's a shake!

2. Doug, I am still in season 1 of Treme, so your spoiler didn't totally ruin my day by any means, but may I suggest in future you preface any TV show talk with a quick '*Spoiler Alert for ????* - a small concession for those of us that prefer to record shows to watch at a later date.

Thanks!!

[Kalson]

Kemba Walker is the player we will draft if Brandon Knight is off the board at #5.

In many ways, Kemba Walker is a better pick than Brandon Knight. The only things Knight has on Walker is size, age (2-years younger) and 3-pt shooting.

Other than that, Kemba Walker is better at everything else. I also think Kemba Walker is a better fit for the Raptors current roster.

The rest of the stuff you hear is just noise to throw people off the real choice for the Raptors.

For Doug to leave Kemba Walker off his "list" is pretty silly considering he could end up being one of the best players out of this years draft!

Blogger's note: Yeah, who cares about size, age and three-point shooting. Far under-rated attributes of an NBA player. And for the kazillionth time, it's not "my" list.

[Dallas]

Is this a case of the Dallas Morning News being guilty of some shoddy reporting practices here Doug?

Blogger's note: Dude. I don't care. There will be announcement today. Leave it alone. Please

[m]

If it's on the internet, it must be true, huh?
Love that Treme show, I like the way it manages to work in the native New Orleans musicians into the show, John Boutté, McCoy Tyner and Alan Toussaint et al.
I'm not paying a whole lot of attention to the draft and contract stuff. I'm just waiting for games to come back.