Our own sense of time, and Charlie Brown does missiles

Big little meeting today, I hear.

Small groups of the NBA office and union staff, perhaps as a prelude to Lunch With Billy And David tomorrow.

Yawn.

Anyway, I guess the most interesting thing is that we’re now down to some kind of time pressure to get things started on time for an early-October opening to camp and a Nov. 1 start to the regular season.

That’s, of course, the pressure point we’ve been talking about all summer and now is about the time a lot of us thought things would get truly serious.

But how much time, really, do they need between a settlement and the start of a regular season?

I’ve seen anywhere from five weeks to seven to get it all in, which threatens the start already but I’m not sure that’s at all necessary.

My timeline?

It’d be a week to sign guys in a free-agent frenzy, tops; and then they can open the training camps.

Give ‘em three days of two-a-day workouts (the same that was allowed under the old CBA), a day off to rest and then four days of one-a-day workouts.

Then let ‘em schedule a couple or three exhibition games in, say, a five day stretch, and give them three more days before Opening Night.

(Coaches will hate that compressed schedule; players and Grunts will rejoice)

Now, I’ve got the old abacas out here and it says seven plus three plus one plus four plus five plus three equals, um …

23.

Yeah, it equals 23!

(Math genius, I tell ya; a ruddy math genius)

So while there may be a sense of urgency today – and you can hear the bleating about this being doomsday in many regards – I think we’re a week or so away from that.

That said, if they walk out of the room today or tomorrow screaming about the intractability of the other side, we’re in trouble.

-

Life’s Rule No. 5,201

If the bald guy sitting next you in Starbucks starts singing along with Love Is All You Need at almost full voice, you are allowed to pour hot coffee over his head. In fact, you should be encouraged to do so.

It would get you the thanks of a grateful nation.

To say nothing of the untold appreciation of a worn out Grunt.

-

The Canadian Shield (remember that?) beats Puerto Rico last night to split the two final tune-ups before the women’s Olympic qualifier starts and now it’s off to Colombia to begin games Saturday.

Well, eventually, that is.

When I was chatting with Teresa Gabriele at practice last week, the small talk got around to the summer and the travel and where they were staying in Mississauga and the usual chit-chat.

When she told me they were being housed in a nice-ish hotel in Hazelville, I was razzing her about living the high life with cleaning service every day, cable TV and all the amenities; the women – and the men – have stayed in empty, barren dorm rooms a lot of summers.

Of course, I know it’s not the lap of luxury and just hearing about their travel today hammers that home.

How’s a 4 a.m. hotel departure in Puerto Rico for a flight to Fort Lauderdale where a three-hour layover awaits.

And then a long flight to Bogota, Colombia where they get sit around that bus garage, er, airport, for another six hours before they get to fly to Nieves, where the tournament’s going to be held.

Some travel, no?

It’s not like the NBA, that’s for sure, where the bus drives you to the tarmac under the wing of the plane, the flight’s never got a stop and the big issue sometimes is whether the chicken parm is tasty.

-

It’s that time.

Mail.

Deepest thoughts. Probing questions. Congenial greetings.

Here, thank you.

-

List time

Irregulars know about me and TV, right? Like to watch – life’s really gotten in the way of late – and cop dramas, lawyer dramas, old sitcoms top the list.

Well, with some idle time wondering whether the Leaves could go through the eleventy-game pre-season with an unblemished record, I was longing for the olden days.

And thinking about …

Five Shows I Wish Were Still On TV

(With the proviso that they have to have been off the air for five years so The Sopranos doesn’t make the list ‘cause it’d be first)

Homicide, Life On The Street

I know, I know, it’s like The Wire Lite but, man, it was good. And there might not be The Wire if it weren’t for this show, which was gritty and cutting edge and very, very dark at times.

Oh, and it had Melissa Leo and some Irregulars know how I feel about that.

NYPD Blue

Now, that was a cop show. Even David Caruso was tolerable. Who didn’t love Sipowitz?

Oz

I remember talking to Rick Fox one year about the show while we were having dinner at Staples Centre and I offered the opinion that it was the darkest show on television and how the previous season had been wild.

He said something like “you ain’t seen nothing yet” and my eyes got wide.

“Really?”

“Yeah, how about a guy being sacrificed like Jesus on the floor of his cell?”

Dark. Very dark. But good.

Six Feet Under

Not sure how long a run it had but it was a pretty good show, no? Weird couples, odd premise – dysfunctional family-owned mortuary is the setting – and some very interesting storylines.

West Wing

Best.

Show.

Ever.

(Of the genre, that is)

Really. The writing was off-the-charts great, the acting top-notch, the cast filled with interesting people and storylines that we can all, in some way, relate to.

Now, I know there are other videos out there, that one I liked.

-

So I’m thinking the absolute worst thing in sports is a two-out error in the bottom of the ninth of a six-run baseball game that prolongs the agony for everyone for about 11 minutes and makes it far more stressful writing with post-game quotes for an 11 p.m. deadline than it should be.

It’s even worse that a basketball team down seven with five seconds to go calling a timeout to set up an eight-point play.

But maybe that’s me.

Anyway, this little item wraps up my Seamhead Summer, I believe; am ceding control of the beat back to Griff to bring ‘em on home for the final eight games of the year.

It was a blast, actually.

Don’t think I embarrassed myself reprising a long-forgotten role, got to cover games at Fenway Park (underwhelming) and Yankee Stadium (gorgeous, huge) and saw some good baseball.

Major difference?

The pace, obviously, and the length of your Grunt Day (be at the park around 3 p.m. for a 7 p.m. start) and the amount of down time on the road.

At least with the basketball, you’ve usually got a morning shootaround to break up the monotony of a long morning; baseball days can drag.

The athletes?

Same old, actually. Good guys on the TOD, seem to have fun and enjoy each other’s company. I can see them growing quite well as a group, although I’m sure there’ll be some comings and goings over the winter months.

Wonder how much free agency I’m going to have to do? Boss? Got any ideas?

-

 

 

Comments

[Matty-Pix]

Was just thinking, based on your schedule idea (which I like very much by the way) - How does the one week of free agency account for the wait for teams to match RFA's ... assuming that even fits in the new CBA. 3 day wait times?

Blogger's note: Ah, why not give 'em four or five?

[David Phelan]

Morning Doug. You mentioned some great shows but my personal favorite cop show was Hill Street Blues. Great and classic. one of the things I miss about the 80s.

[doug]

I'd have to say St Elsewhere is a show I miss and as far as comedies go they could have made Seinfeld's forever as far as I am concerned.....now I must say for no specific reason I enjoy every second of when Papelbon blows a save, why I don't know, just in interviews he reminds me of Schilling and that isn't a good thing.....Modern Family season premiere tonight they replaced Lilly, the twins that played the old Lilly are out and she is now 4 years old, I don't like that sort of thing, remember on Bewitched the changing of Darrin mid-stream??....

[Shawn]

Prison Break... It's first season was probably the best I've seen on TV

[LeeZ]

Freeks and Geeks. It lasted all of one and a half seasons. Judd Apatow co-created, wrote and directed. Featured a who's who of up and coming stars, including Seth Rogan, James Franco and Jason Segel. One of the great sitcoms of all time, all about high school in the 80's. Here's a clip:
As for the Jays, I think they have a LOT of work in the off-season. They need a starting 2nd baseman not named HIll or Johnson. Lind may have saved his job with his recent upsurge, but in an ideal world, you'd want a stronger first baseman. Thames and Rasmus are still projects, in my mind. Ideal back-ups but not quite ready for prime time. If the idea is to compete next year, we'd need a bona fide starting l.fielder and c.fielder. We also need a stud number 2 starter to gobble up innings. Morrow is a number 3 as things stand now, Alvarez deserves consideration as a 4, and I like Villenueva as a 5. We could use a bona fide 8th inning guy (Jansen is our 7th inning guy), and of course, we have a glaring need for an actual closer. So, to recap: starting pitcher, closer, set-up man, 2nd baseman, left and centre fielder. Holy crap. What to y'all think? Think I'm overstating the problem?

[Dave T (Ottawa)]

The first few episodes of Jericho were particularly haunting.

[Zow]

2 seasons of the riches,was not enough.The way that showcase got rid of it, in mid season sucked! The whole show was very well done, but it was all left up in the air at the end.There was a rumour about a movie ,hope they do it.

[LogicalDude]

A two out error is an accident. Calling a timeout with 5 seconds left in the game down by 7 is done on purpose. Easily my biggest pet peeve about basketball. They kill the flow of the game in the last two minutes with all the timeouts. Coaches shouldn't be allowed to use more than 2 timeouts (maybe even just 1) in the last two minutes of a game.

[doug]

@LeeZ...the Jays are making progress but there are holes to fill, to me the biggest hole is at catcher, everyone talks about J.P's offense well to me offense is the last thing I care about from a catcher...and in fact AA made a mistake breaking in a new young pitching staff with a new young pitcher, many of the young guns have regressed this year, and to me there is a direct correlation to Arencibia behind the plate and these guys regressing....also I find it interesting that one of the knocks with Cito was how he handled pitchers, well look at how well the young guys did last year to this year when they have a ex-pitching coach as manager, and then another pitching coach in Walton..these guys are being over-managed and to many thoughts going through their heads...the biggest change I'd like to see the Jays make is get the whole Diamondbacks coaching staff here....have you seen the guys on that staff from Gibson on down no wonder they have made such a huge improvement....the coaching staff we have has limited experience, and to laid-back I am not a fan of Farell's thus far...

[Lorie]

Hi Doug!
They can have fabulous fashions, exotic locales and hunky leading men - but what draws me to a show is always, ALWAYS the writing. (Unless you cast Joe Mantegna in it, and then I'll give it a season on spec.)So, has to be 5 years on the cancelled shelf, eh? Hmmm, that eliminates 'Pushing Daisies' from the list - but just squeaking in is (the wonderful, fabulous, still miss it like crazy and cancelled waaaaay too soon) 'Arrested Development'. Another I miss is 'Dead Like Me'- a show about grim reapers living and working in Seattle (yes, Doug! Seattle!!!). And rounding out my most missed list is 'Joan of Arcadia' which had the aforementioned Joe Mantegna in a starring role. Now, how about "5 Shows You Would Like To Miss (and that you fear might never ever be cancelled)"? May I go first? Two And A Half Men are my first 4 of 5 choices. And thanks for all your work from the ballparks this summer, Doug. Really enjoyed your stuff! Now, Doug, on to World Cup Rugby? Crouch! Touch! Pause! Engage! Cheers!

[doug]

even baseball people are impressed with the D-Backs staff....

http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/6881891/arizona-diamondbacks-coaching-staff-filled-big-names

[Bart]

Leez you are totally overstating the problem. If you bring in a starting CF and LF then you should add a new GM to your list since Alex Anthopolous turned into JP Riccardi and went on an ill-advised attempt to make the playoffs, future be damned.

Next season is Snider's last chance to become a full-time starter and moving someone who was top 25 in OBP and SLG in the NL, in his second season in the majors, to the bench is ridiculous.

Left field you will have Snider, Thames, Rajai Davis, and Loewen battling it out for the starters spot and maybe 2 bench spots. It will probably be Snider in left, Davis and Loewen on the bench and Thames back in AAA.

[LeeZ]

Whoops, forgot to include the Freeks and Geeks clip. GREAT opening: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IopHL3auzNQ

[Mike D.]

Purely out of academic interest, Doug, I have to ask: was there any reason to mention that emphasize that the guy in Starbucks was bald? If he had possessed a full head of hair but started singing "All You Need Is Love" at almost full voice, would that have been acceptable?

Pouring hot coffee on shiny heads, letting the Chicken sneak up and rub them at Raptors games to entertain the crowd.....it all sounds like societal prejudice to me..... [the Irregular leaves his desk, muttering darkly to himself]

Blogger's note: Being -- what's the phrase? -- follicly-challenged myself I guess it's just an added descriptive phrase. He was "portly" too

[james]

Among its many virtues, Homicide was probably the only American program to ever feature the Canadian Football League in an episode. The wrap-up TV movie for the series featuring all the actors from every season, including the dead characters, was ingenious. How do you feel about British television? I'd add Inspector Morse to your list.

Blogger's note: Good show, for sure

[The J]

Agree with Lorie, most of the better shows had great runs, and ended on good terms, or at least their terms. But a show like Arrested Development was cancelled way to early. It was hilarious, and I would love to see them pull a Family Guy, and get right back to what they had started.

[Nick M]

@Leez,
-
I think was interesting about your comment is what was not mentioned, Travis Snider. And its not just your comments. This guy went from being a can't miss to not even in the discussion as possible starters next year. I'm not writing him off but the silence is deafening.
-
I think AA has made some fine moves, but competing next year is a stretch. He has snatched some great prospects like Laurie and Escobar and by all means seems to be building the team the right way but signing 'potential' is a risky business!

[doug]

the Jays will be fine...AA seems to understand the concept of depth and not all eggs in one basket...their will be shifting and I can see 3-4 new players in the line-up next year that aren't even part of the picture now....and the other night as I sat watching, I thought the Jays line-up when they won the 1 run game was as close in total payroll as what the Angels are paying one player (Wells) this year...so that's a step in the right direction right there....

[Peter]

Hey Doug, thanks for the blog!

I have to concur on the Arrested Development mentions. Maybe one of the best sitcoms of all time. The depth of the jokes makes it rewatchable as well.

@james: although not a show that was cancelled, the Simpsons had an episode where Homer ends up watching a CFL game between the Saskatchewan Roughriders and another CFL team, can't remember which. I'm pretty sure he groans and turns it off right after they announce the teams!

[Lorie]

So, Doug, let's explore this Starbucks Situation in a wee bit more detail - and make yourself comfortable - this won't take long. Can we send Lenny to fetch you a coffee? No, sorry; we don't offer lattes at this precinct. Maybe you should've thought of that before draining your drink on that poor man's head...Fortunately you'd nearly finished your Strawberry Frappuccino With Extra Whipped, Mocha Drizzle And Toasted Coconut, and early reports are that his iPad should be salvageable...Anyway, what was there about his performance that precipitated your random act of antisocial behaviour? Do you not like the Beatles? Or was it just this particular Beatles' song? Or was it that you had just been asked - once again - about the status of the NBA 2012 Draft? Take your time. We've got all day. :)

Blogger's note: Mostly 'cause he sang like a sober me and coffee shops should be for quiet conversation or working in peace; dude all of a sudden broke out in song and it made my ears bleed

[LeeZ]

@Bart: If -- and it's a big if -- the Jays can convince their fans to be patient one more year (because 2012 has been pointed to as the year the Jays get serious), then yeah, by all means, give Snyder, Rasmus and Thames one more year to develop. Davis is strictly a role player: an emergency fill-in, but more important, a late-inning pinch runner. He could have real value there. I think just adding a stud closer and a setup man will give us quite the bump. If you think of all the blown saves and say, EXTREMELY CONSERVATIVELY, that the Jays would have won seven more games had they had them this year, we would be right in the thick of the playoff hunt. That's not even counting the couple of extra wins we'd also have from having Lawrie a full season instead of the zombies we had at third for the first half of the season. But I gotta think next year should be the year AA pulls the trigger. Bautista is in his prime. Wait a couple of years before you contend and he could conceivably begin a downward slide. What, no Freaks and Geeks fans out there??? Come on, people, gimme some love!!!