Real basketball stuff and the necessities for a golf game

Hey, know what I did last night?

Saw basketball.

Real, live basketball.

Odd, with all the squeaking and talking and running fast; not something a guy who’s done some baseball is used to.

And I can dutifully report that the national team doesn’t look too bad at all.

Saw four or five mini-games and they looked pretty sharp (now, don’t go saying it was because they were playing against each other) with some good ball movement, aggressive defence and shot-making.

Talking to Leo after – you’ll see the results of the conversation scattered throughout the paper and the website in the next few days – it’s obvious this team has to play a nearly perfect game to win but that the margin of error is greater than it was a year ago at the worlds.

The addition of Cory Joseph, international vets Jesse Young and Carl English and a healthy Andy Rautins provides a bit of a cushion.

Joseph is still very much learning the game at this level but he’s got some leadership and point guard abilities that this team sorely needs. All he’s got to do is to get use the physical nature of the play, and the rhythm of the game and he’ll be all right.

Talked to assistant coach Renato Paquali last night (and I must say Leo has surrounded himself with a great teaching staff) and his biggest issue with Joseph is that he has to learn to pace himself, and his team.

It’s going to be a difficult transition but it’s also very good that it’s starting now.

I still maintain the most legitimate goal for this team is a top five finish at the Olympic qualifier that’ll get it a shot to make it to London next year and, having watched them a bit, I think that’s quite realistic.

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Okay, as I may have mentioned, there’s a big golf outing today (be wary Doon Valley, be very wary) and it’s the Mighty Rockies coaching staff let loose with a designated driver and an entire day of tomfoolery.

So, the check list:

Tees?

Got ‘em.

Balls?

Like I need more than one.

Clubs?

All 16 of ‘em.

Shoes?

Plastic spikes, of course.

Box of wine?

Um, what?

You know how a guy might have a couple of cans in his bag to start a day?

Well, the last time we were out as a gaggle of duffers one of the fellows who shall go nameless (hi, Coach Steve!) shows up all set to play with, yes, a box of wine safely tucked away. And it was another first in the golfing career.

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Mail’s still not on strike, right?

Hmm.

Wonder where my invitation is?

Big nuptials this weekend and I can’t believe I’m not going to be there.

Yep, I hear Hump Takes A Bride.

Bet it's a great bash.

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Raptors news?

Well, it’s not big and I’m sure only the most hard core of you will care a lick but the reason the national team’s at Ryerson and not the ACC is that they’re putting a new floor in the practice gym.

Told you it wasn’t big.

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So the long arm of the NBA in this lockout reaches Canada Basketball.

The organization had to get special dispensation from the league to have Raptors assistant coach Scott Roth join Leo’s national team staff.

With three NBA guys on the team – Andy Rautins, Joel Anthony, Cory Joseph – there might have been concerns that a team employee would have illegal contact so permission was needed.

It helps that Roth has extensive international history – he coached Turkey and the Dominican Republic – because without it, it might have been hard to get the hiring approved.

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Quiz time.

Best golf movie?

Me? I’ve got Caddyshack, for sure, at the top of the list and there is no way anyone can change my mind on that.

But No. 2?

Tin Cup? Happy Gilmore? Dead Solid Perfect?

What do you think?

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An old Irregular checks into the mail with this, and if you want to be part of the fun, just click here and let me know what you think.

Q: Hi Doug. These really are the dog days of the summer for me. I don't like baseball and therefore find your blog a bit less interesting than usual although I am sure you're doing a pretty good job covering the Jays and sharing nuggets with the Irregulars.

Layman's questions (which perhaps explains their relative stupidity):

It seems to me that baseball is the only team sport that can be played at a professionnal level by people not necessarily in a top physical condition. To me, several baseball players appear to be, say, out of shape, which is very rarely the case with basketball players (hello big O!). How can you explain this?

Subsidiary question: what makes a sport during which sometimes nothing happens for loooong minutes so attractive to so many people?

Thank you and "vivement" the end of the lock-out!

Matthieu B, Bern (who's already seen one baseball game live in Toronto and barely survived).

A: I can understand baseball not being for all, that’s for sure Glad you’re still around a bit.

Anyway, it’s true, baseball players – some – are far from great physical specimens but it’s mainly pitchers, I’ve found. Not sure why except to say they don’t need the fast-twitch reactions of other professional athletes and can get by without the requisite stamina that some other pro athletes need.

But, on the other hand, there are indeed some finely tuned athletes in the game who play positions, not sure I can recall a truly slovenly third baseman, for instance.

And to some, the beauty of the game is its pace. Or lack thereof. It’s not for everyone, for sure, but sitting in the sun at a ballpark can be relaxing as much as entertaining. There’s generally enough “action” to get the juices flowing but the relaxing nature of the game is as much the allure as home runs and back-door sliders.

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Okay, off to the links soon, will get to comments when I can.

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Comments

[Matt M]

If a movie that features Bob Barker kicking some hockey goon's ass in a sand trap isn't the greatest movie of all time I don't know what is.

[Lorie]

So, you've lined up a 'designated driver'! Well done! Now, after assisting with your shots off the tee, will he (she!?) stick around to chauffeur your tired backside home? :) And along those lines, best golf movie ever that isn't 'Caddyshack'? The splendid pairing of Tracy and Hepburn in 'Pat and Mike'. Cheers! Fore! Duck!!!!

[Mark]

CADDYSHACK!!

I absolutely love baseball, but all I can say when anyone states distaste for it is "I understand completely". It's entirely reasonable to not be a fan; that should really apply to anything, but somehow in this case it seems just slightly more glaring in it's truth. Still, for everyone who hates the slow pace, there's someone who loves it. I became a huge baseball fan again a few years ago when I was about 23, and it was the ability to lie out on the couch with a pizza/beer and just watch baseball and feel completely relaxed, that made it so appealing.

I've pondered the out-of-shape observation awhile previously, one thing that might be worth considering is that when you're building muscle, you need to take in tons of calories. To maximize muscle gain, you will also put on fat weight, as a rule. So if guys are going *purely* for power, in a position where perhaps pure athleticism isn't as necessary, they might be inclined to bulk up. They might have a paunch, but often calling them out of shape would be very much in error. Also, it seems clear that cardiovascular endurance isn't nearly as relevant for any ball player as it is for the other major sports we're probably comparing to. In a big way, these guys are all athletic, with quick hands and good reflexes, timing and hand-eye, and whatever else. I sort of feel like the big hefty 'fat' baseball player is or will be a dying breed though.

[SheikYurbouti]

As you said, baseball doesn't appeal to everyone, as there's lots of dead time. That's exactly what makes it such an enjoyable experience to go to the ballpark, especially when you have a young lad/lass to accompany you, or if you're the young'un going with your parent. Even if you don't fully appreciate all the nuances and strategies that go into a game, there's time to connect with who your with, and talk about the game, baseball strategy in general, or just about life, with your hot dog and beverage in hand. I no longer follow baseball as much as I used to, but one of my most memorable days in my life was going to the first Expos home game, as a teen, with my father. So many years later, I swear I can remember almost every minute of the day.

[The J]

So the Hump is marrying Kim Kardashian. I don't think I've ever been more proud of any current or ex-Raptor.

[Nav]

For those that don't like baseball - have you tried watching cricket? Especially Test matches that go on for five days, with two breaks a day for lunch and tea, and a drinks break every hour - and with a draw being a very probable result!!

[D-Mac Ottawa]

Hey Arnie, guess we need to add "Ace" to your list of nicknames, along with "Karnak". One ball? That's it? Let's see, 18 holes... I'd better have about 43 balls at the ready for that round. See that tree? Ball magnet. See that pond? Creek? OB line with 60 years of overgrowth just past it? Ball magnets. See that fairway? Good for you, dude. Meet you at the green.
Oh, it wasn't always like that. Like, 40 years ago... when students could buy a season ticket for any of our four(!) local golf courses for... wait for it... $25 (I think it's all the way up to $35 now). Was about an 7 or 8 handicap back then. Played par for 9 holes exactly once. Got a hole in one exactly never (unlike some Irregulars around here who will also go unnamed, right @doug?), though I've been within a foot too many times to count.
It's a great, great game. It will forever challenge. And I hope to get back to it one day on a basis of something more than once or twice per season.
I caddied as a 12- and 13-year-old too, Doug. Not for any PGA pros that I'm aware of, though. Builds character. Gets you off to an early start on postural disabilities. And is great for stories. Stories o'plenty. But not Steve Williams'. That's whining, not story-telling.
Oh yeah, and Caddyshack, hands down. I'd put in a vote for The Legend of Bagger Vance as #2. Cheers.

[sam]

Golf Movies?
Caddyshack tops list and I have to wonder finishes the list.
Nothing else really compares....

[doug]

Caddyshack by far #1 to me #2 is Happy Gilmour just due to one reason, that scene with Bob Barker is classic stuff...and good story about the guy bringing wine in a box to a golf course, that's also classic stuff....reminds me of something Ted Knights character in caddyshack would do..speaking of Caddyshack did you see this Top 25 classic movie clips improvisations of all time list...Bill Murray is there with Caddyshack...it's good stuff....

http://greggoeshollywood.blogspot.com/2011/08/25-best-ad-libs-in-movie-history.html

[Limousine Services in Toronto]

The work is very versatile, with so many concentrations intermingling,

[John]

"Lady, I'm not an athlete. I'm a professional baseball player." - John Kruk

One of my favourite quotes of all time.