A long, hard journey starts and the NBA will tease you tomorrow

Kind of lost this on the weekend because some other things got in the way but the senior men’s team is starting its first quick training camp as the run-up to the Olympic qualifier begins.

This is a rather brief appearance, they’ll be here a week before heading out to an exhibition tour in Europe (France, Italy, Czech Republic) and will get together again in August for a final camp.

The details are here, courtesy of our friends at Canada Basketball and I’ll find a day/night to get out there this week, I hope.

And the ramifications of the NBA lockout are going to be an issue as well, here and for the other countries taking part in the qualifier.

As always, insurance issues come in to play, although they’ve already resolved some of them here and given the rather fluid nature of who might come to what camp for which country when, it’s impossible to say today who’ll be in Argentina in late August when things get started for real.

But this week is the groundwork week, re-establishing some familiarity with the players on the court, getting them used to seeing and living with each other and the tour coming up – two games in each country – will be a good benchmark for how far they still have to go.

The road to the 2012 Olympics is hard. Very, very hard. Two countries come out of the FIBA Americas tournament, the next three teams get to go to a last-chance event next summer right before the London Games and I’ll say right now that if Canada qualifies, it will be a hugely significant step but if I had to guess – and this has been a long-held thought – I’d say 2016 is far more a reachable goal.

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So the story out of Britain today is that Darren Clarke stayed up all night hammering beer and red wine and soaking up his Open championship and if he’s not my new favourite golfer, I don’t know who is.

Really, what a great champion, great story, great guy.

It’s like someone you know, or someone you want to know, accomplished the greatest feat of his sporting career and took you along for the ride.

Perk did his usual bang-up job.

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Saved this one out of the mail the other day.

Q: Hi Doug! Take your pick (or both):

Best technological advancement for grunts?

Best non-NBA sports memory?

Hopefully, you got enough questions for the mailbag. My only 'must-read' on the web (including email) on a daily basis is your blog - or, should I follow the lead of the British Open, and refer to it as "THE Blog?"

Tim H, Windsor

A: Believe it or not, I honestly think the best technological advancement for us has been wireless. Even if it’s spotty – as it is in so many places so often – it does allow us to do our jobs more quickly and more comfortably.

Now, I’m old enough to remember these:

But I’ve also seen us move from huge, heavy computers that used phone couplers, to ones where we had a half dozen wires to hook up and needed a phone line to work.

Now? Not so much. We can do our jobs more easily, with less hassle and from any number of places.

Non-sports?

Super Son’s debut, of course.

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The next time someone tells you how easy it is to score on a soccer penalty kick, please bring up the women’s World Cup final, would you?

And you haven’t seen anything until you’ve seen a handful of baseball writers – and an interloper or two – standing in front of a TV in a press box, stories waiting to be finished, while they watch the drama unfold.

Just goes to show that any sport can capture the attention of almost anyone if there’s a compelling story line to follow and something of significance at stake.

It’s why some of us love the games. You just never know what will capture your imagination.

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Boy, some days you just get stinky baseball games to write about, I guess.

I know it’s a stupidly long season – which is the curse and the charm of the game – and some days things are just not going to be too exciting but, man.

A 7-2 game devoid of drama on the hottest day maybe ever, with no apparent story line ‘cause Cathal was writing about Jason Frasor.

Hopefully, the next time’s better.

Speaking of Frasor, it’s pretty impressive what he accomplished, isn’t it?

More mound appearances than any pitcher in franchise history – he went past Duane Ward when he pitched the ninth on Sunday – and for a middle reliever that’s quite something.

Those guys tend to be a dime a dozen and here’s one fact about that guy that I didn’t know:

He’s been here eight years and has had eight one-year contracts. Never had any job security to speak of, was playing a position where there’s always intense competition for jobs yet he’s stuck it out, keep getting employed and kept doing a good enough job that a series of managers has continued to trot him out night after night.

I’m trying to think if there’s a job with less security in sports; I’m sure there isn’t one in baseball and I guess maybe a backup lineman in football, with no guaranteed deal, would be on the list too but right-handed middle reliever on a team that doesn’t win tops my list. What’s on yours?

It’s not like he was ever going to move up and be a closer, or move up and be a starter but the kid hung in there.

Good for him.

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How weird is this.

Am reading that the NBA is going to release its 2011-12 schedule tomorrow.

Presume the headline will be:

“Hey, here’s what you might not see this fall.”

Nice.

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Rays-Red Sox got 16 innings on Sunday night?

Man, can you imagine an IGBT for that one?

It was tough enough keeping the attention of Irregulars here Sunday afternoon for a nine-inning snorefest, wonder how you’d ever get through 16 innings.

Not sure how the blog thing worked, actually. Let’s say the, um, pace of baseball makes it difficult to sustain much conversation and there wasn’t a lot of drama that unfolded.

I did, however, learn how to put a picture in it so that’s something to look forward to whenever basketball comes back.

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Comments

[Lake Simcoe]

You are quite right on soccer penalty kick...and...if someone cheer for Beckam bending the corner into the net....he/she does not soccer at all!!!

[JJ]

That World Cup Final was something else, eh? Would have been nice if the Star could have more of a write up though a five sentence AP report (http://www.thestar.com/sports/soccer/article/1026221--japan-beats-u-s-in-penalty-shootout-win-women-s-world-cup). I know there wasn't a Canadian connection to it, but the game and the event deserved a greater mention than that. Glad to see, you got to it in the blog though.

[Cluck Kent]

As always, thanks for the daily blog. They say a picture is worth a thousand words, but to a blogger, it should be a link is worth a thousand words.

During this time of scant basketball tidings, links = good.

[Ren]

Hello Mr. Smith.
I was going over the training camp roster for the National Men's Team and notice a name that wasn't there - but I can't remember it. Last year, they had a big, young center they trotted out - I remember seeing him in Toronto when they played a couple games against France. He looked promising (as far as I could tell - whatever that means). Do you know what happened to him?

Blogger's note: I think you mean Robert Sacre; he's not here this year.

[Matt G]

I had the plesasure of reading Al Michaels' MMQB in place of Peter King this morning. And the first thing I thought while reading it was: "wow, Al makes Doug sound like Mr. Rogers." Snark on steroids, if you will. Of course, I mean that in the best of ways. Loved his riff on hotels.
'...post-modern style, which basically means: next time, bring your own furniture.'

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/football/nfl/07/15/al-michaels-mmqb/index.html?sct=hp_wr_a1&eref=sihp

[Robert Bertuzzi]

"(A)n impressive list of 17 players," so says the press release from Canada Basketball. And while I'll take Mr. Smith's caveat seriously about a fluid roster situation this initial list of invitees is anything but impressive. This is same core group that while hard working and a seemingly nice bunch of guys simply is not good enough, especially on the offensive end where the struggle pretty mightily to score.

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If this is to be a golden age for Canadian basketball, as has been much hyped in certain circles, then the most discomfiting absences are not those of Thompson and Joseph, but all the other top-grade NCAA kids. Where is Kris Joseph from Syracuse? A third-team all Big East selection last year as a junior. Where is Andrew Nicholson from St. Bona who was a first team A-10 selection last year? Dwight Powell out at Stanford who was on the Pac-10 all freshman team? Devoe Joseph at Oregon? Junior Cadougan at Marquette? Even Sacre from Gonzaga who is another all conference selection and who played last year is not on this initial roster. And while no longer a youth, what happened with the whole Matt Bonner saga? Perhaps PA duties are keeping him busy? Or has his immigration situation still not been worked out.

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I'm no nationalist and I think it is increasingly disgusting the way hockey is being used to rev up patriotic fervor but I would love to see, for once in my life, a Canadian senior men's basketball team that could be top five in the world. Especially since I don't remember the fourth-place finish from 1984 which must come with an asterisk given the boycott. But if these players are as good as Wayne Parrish has publicly said, and with most it is too early to say, then it is possible to think that they could be better than a Turkish team that finished second at the world's last year (granted they were playing at home).

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It seems as though Canada Basketball as an entire organization has made a concerted effort to network with this crop of kids to try and ensure there are no more Magloire like scenarios. However, with Leo only being given a short contract extension if he and the organization can't get these players to play, let alone chase players like Dalembert away, then the fire JT crowd might turn into the hire (back) JT crowd. Whether that would be right or wrong is another matter. But the irony is delicious.

[Mike kovacs]

Saw the TOD yesterday with my boys. Your description is bang on - it was hot! ( the weather that is ). The only good thing about the game was that my boys managed to snag 2 foul balls from a Yankees coach during bp!

[Shawn]

Where are Tristan Thompson, Myck Kabongo and Corey Joseph? Were they not invited... or have they told management that they are unavailable?

Blogger's note: Getting ready for NBA season, getting ready for freshman year, getting ready for NBA season. And, yes, the people at Canada Basketball would like to have them and, as has been mentioned a few times, we are a very long time away from final roster time
But, and I will say this for the umpteenth time, to think a college freshman-to-be is going to make a huge difference in a tournament against men is entirely unfair to a young man

[The J]

I would think that playing for Canada Basketball would be a good thing for Thompson and Joseph right now. Many rookies would be playing in Summer League during the break, but with that cancelled, you could argue that playing in this tournament would be the perfect substitute. And if there is a lockout of any length, they would be happy just to have got in any extra basketball that they could find. But I am sure they have their reasons, especially with the upcoming demands of the NBA. However, if someone like Dirk can play for Germany (he has stated he likely will), especially after all he has ALREADY done for his country and what he has just completed for his NBA team, it's hard not to be dissapointed that these young men wont be there for their national team.

[Ren]

Thanks for the reminder: Sacre. I thought he looked quite promising last year. Kind of a poor man's Tyson Chandler (Ok, I'm being quite generous). However, would have been nice to see him progress with the team. Any ideas on why he is not there? Does he have commitments to Gonzaga? Was he not invited? Thanks for filling me in.

And for those who are dismissing the Canadian team this year: English (although he is prone to make mistakes) and Young are healthy - they both provide scoring that was not there last year. Can't wait to see if they can do it!

On the ladies' World Cup: the best stuff I have seen all year (other than the Mavs, simply because basketball is my thing). Those Japanese women showed that team - above all - means everything. Undersized, apparently overmatched, history not on their side - it made no difference. I watched them play Germany, Sweden, and then the finals against the States. It was like watching the NBA final all over again! I almost cried. They were awesome! I showed my little guy, who plays U6 soccer, and her can't wait to get back on the field - and make passes! Never mind scoring goals! If that doesn't tell you something about what those Japanese girls stand for, I don;t know what would. Just awesome!

Blogger's note: He was invited, but I'll have to check on whether or not he'll arrive, or what the reason is he won't. Sorry, been kind of tied up doing other stuff the last few days

[Dave]

Doug,

I thought I'd chime in on your note on the last comment - While it is true that the young men mentioned - Thompson, Kabongo and Joseph, and some of the other notable NCAAers - have preparations to make such as college seasons, and possibly NBA seasons (god willing), have other players in international basketball not had the same draws that these young men might? Steve Nash put in some time for the national team, and has always either played for Santa Clara, or in the NBA...many of the Americans have similar draws...I'm sure other nations have players that earn livings in leagues, or go to school...

I agree with you that a freshman to be is not going to be a difference maker for our team, but is that the point? If he commits to the team for a period of, say five years, will he not develop into a better player - both for this national team, and whatever school he is attending? There must be a starting point for this national team to begin growing...why wouldn't it be when our budding players are budding?

Also - you've done a great job making this blog interesting and relevant despite a dearth of basketball to speak of. Well Done, and enjoy the heat!

[Andrew Potter]

I feel like basketball equivalent to the Righty, Middle Reliever or the O-linemen taken in the 6th round would be a seven-footer project bigman taken with a flier second rounder and hailing from the basketball hotbed of (choose one: Nigeria, Venezuela, Sudan, Tongo, Democratic Republic of Kalamazoo).

[Jovan]

Doug, thanks for the footage of the Japan/US Penalty kicks. I really didn't give women's football a chance and now I kind of wish that I did. That video gave me the chills and I am extremely happy for the Japanese squad. Anyways, you said that a college freshman-to-be shouldn't be expected to make a difference in a tournament against men. You also said our goal should be the 2016 Olympics. Do you agree then that having these kids (Kris Joseph, Tristan Thompson, etc) on the team - if only for the experience - is worth it. Ricky Rubio playing for Spain at the 2008 Beijing Olympics is a perfect example of a 17 year old making an impact and gaining valuable experience from international competition. Jonas Valaciunas will hopefully make a similar impact this year with Lithuania. I just don't get why our top young prospects would rather not play in the international competitions.

Blogger's note: Yeah, probably would be good; but I could live with 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015, too

[LeeZ]

Who has even less job security than a Frasor type? How about the manager! Granted, managers usually have more security, and the only reason I even bring this up is to remind you (and the rest of us of a certain age) that Walter Alson managed the Dodgers for, what, a quarter century or something, on a series of one-year contracts. And that was at HIS behest. Telling you, they don't make 'em like they used to!

[malefax]

My imaginative construction of the Goods on the Game, baseball version:

"Oops, threw another ball.
That one was way foul.
Ball again.
Hah, swung at a slider!
Foul. It was almost good.
Okay, he's out now. Pop up to deep centre field"

x 50

I kid, of course. But baseball is pretty firmly on my list of 'things I can't justify wasting my time on'. I have much better things to waste time on.

Blogger's note: Like writing here :)

[John D.]

Missed among the well deserved hype of the Women's World Cup was that down in the Copa America, Messi, arguably the world's greatest player, missed a PK, as did 4 straight Brazlians! Something was in the air on the weekend!?! All the sporting gods really liked the underdogs - Japan, Clarke, Uruguay, Peru, Venezuela, Paraguay, and even those damn Yankees got a couple past the TOD.

[WS]

Hopefully as these young prospects mature we will have the depth necessary to compete when we have the annual no-shows of top talent. Right now it is tough to manage. We have some amazing young guys coming down the pipeline Kabongo, TT, Cojo, Anthony Bennett, Kyle Wiltjer...that could be a 2016 starting line up right there. However, I don't think they would have much impact right now, but I do agree the experience could do wonders for them.

I can see some of the NCAA seniors skipping this year (R. Sacre, K. Joseph, Andrew Nicholson) this is an important summer for them not to get hurt.

Glad to see Carl English and Jesse Young back into the fold and healthy - my opinion is they are the two best players on that invite list and vastly under rated on the FIBA level. Give me Jesse and what he bring at the FIBA level over Jamal Magloire any day of the week.

Also - it amazes me that Steve Nash is never criticized for turning his back on Canada Basketball like he has for the past decade. We get it Steve, you don't like Leo. Either Steve needs to get over it, or we need to get rid of Leo. He is too good to not be part of Canada Basketball. Could you imagine if Dirk or Pau did this, what the Basketball community in Germany or Spain would say? Typical insecure, tail between the legs Canada - don't want to offend our "national hero" do we? Maybe if we are nice enough, he may come back to us when he is 40+ and useless.