Are getting close to getting going?
So, are we close?
Every single report out of New York last night suggests they are within striking distance of a lockout settlement and today will be the most important day there’s been in an effort to get the league back on track.
(Forget for a minute all the other “most important days” this is “really, really, really, really the most important” day).
What’s it mean?
Well, if you listened to Bryan during the Ed Stefanski Bun Toss and Introduction Ceremony on Thursday, it may not mean a flurry of activity right off the bat, regardless of what the new rules are.
The big guy sounded a note of caution – all while not mentioning specifics or players or even uttering a name lest he run afoul of David and his fine machine – about quickly adding significant names to his roster.
“Let’s just say that to go out and spend money this summer just to spend money would be probably swimming against the current of what the plan is actually about. And the plan is to acquire the right pieces, the correct pieces to keep adding to this nucleus that we have.
“If we feel like there’s a better opportunity in a subsequent free agency period to do that, then you move forward with sustained organic growth.”
Quite aside from the use of the phrase “sustained organic growth” the point he was making was that he likes the core group, knows he’s getting Jonas Valanciunas a year from now, wants to give Dwane Casey some time to fiddle with the guys he has and may not make some huge splash.
Good idea?
How do the kids put it?
Meh.
I do think he has to do something of at least minor significance as much to appease the fans as anything. He does only have 10 guys under contract so there has to be four or five additions – or returns in, perhaps, the case of Reggie Evans – but it doesn’t sound like any of those additions will be top-tier free agents.
Of course, he could have just been blowing smoke and has grandiose plans up his sleeve – and you know he’s been thinking and tinkering and planning for weeks – but the immediate impression is, if this lockout gets settle – things will proceed at a somewhat slow pace around the HOTH.
Now, there is every possibility this thing falls entirely apart sometime tonight – it’s happened before, even with such a huge sense of optimism – but I have this sneaking suspicion that tomorrow morning we’ll be scouring the lists of free agents to see who might help here and trying to dissect what the new order looks like for the HOTH.
Hope so, at least.
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What a great Game 6, no?
Sure, there was horrific defence (Mighty Rockies early in the season came quickly to mind) and some zany relief pitching (can’t anyone here throw a dang strike?) but for sheer drama, it was one of those great “instant classics” they’ll be probably repeating on TV sometime this afternoon.
And it sets us up for one of the best things in all of sports:
A Game 7.
Nothing beats it, does it?
Winner-take-all, everyone stressed and feeling the pressure and it’s stunning to me to watch who emerges as the hero, or who tries to do too much.
Kobe? Six-for-24 was it?
(A digression, sorry).
The one thing to watch for tonight is the bullpens, which had been the hallmarks of these two teams right up until about the idle of Game 6.
Now? Spent. Worn out. Tired arms and if gets us a 14-13 game, I would be quite fine with that.
But it would also be cool if some pitcher found some depth in his arm to throw six or seven gutty shutout innings and cement himself as a big-game kind of guy.
Now, I know managers have a tendency to talk about preserving careers and not wanting to use someone even in a Game 7 who might be risking something in the future but if I’m an athlete, I don’t care how sore I am or what the long-term repercussions might be: If I’ve got one shot to help my team win a championship, I trade off the future for the present.
No one knows if they’ll ever get back to such a stage, to sit it out because you might be worried about next year or something is just silly to me.
Take the ball, gut it out, it might be the only chance you get.
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People!
Mail! Now. Put down your coffee or paper or bagel or whatever and do something. We are almost in dire straits over here.
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Maybe the best part of the end of Game 6 last night?
Joe Buck’s call.
The “We’ll see you tomorrow night” call after the Freese homer in the 11th.
Same words his Dad used in 1991 on the Kirby Puckett game-winner in that epic Twins-Braves Series. Not sappy at all, just a good call.
Now, if we get a “I can’t believe what I just saw” tonight, that’d be fine with me.
And, did you see last night that, until Freese, there had been three game-winning homers in a Game 6 of World Series all-time, each indelibly etched in my mind because, like many of you I presume, I saw them all.
There was that Puckett won, there was Carlton Fisk urging his shot down the left field line at Fenway to stay fair (one of the great pictures of the era, no?) and, of course, the Joe Carter one back in ’93.
Not bad company for Freese, is it?
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More Ed Stefanski.
Nice guy, that’s for sure. Self-effacing and self-confident at the same time, well spoken, calls himself a gym rat and when he was asked to describe himself, this is what came out:
“I’m extremely positive, my motto is accentuate the positive and work on the negatives.
“It’s never the end of the world for me, I’m even keel. I never get too high or too low. I plan things, I’m a big planner, a big whiteboard kind of guy, putting my ideas up there. I think executing the plan is the crucial part. Once you’ve executed the plan, no one knows what the results are.”
Not bad attributes, actually. Quite okay with the even-keel nature, there’s never really any sense getting all worked up -- high or low – on a regular basis. You do your best, trundle along each day hoping the plans you put in place work out and do your thing with the same outward impression.
Sure, it’s okay to rejoice or seeth inside, far better to let your public face remain calm.
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Okay, this whole scraping-the-frost-off-the-windshield thing at 5:30 this morning can stop at any time.
Waaaaay too early for that, isn’t it?
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to me GM'S and plans are no different then our plans...you know the time we do something not within our "plan" but it turns out to be a great time?/..like the time i was off for a few days , my buddy said what are you doing to do?...I said don't have a clue then it hit me, went packed a quick bag, told him see you in a few days, he said where you going, I said Myrtle Beach golfing, he just shook his head and off i went for a unplanned holiday and it turns out a great trip....or vise versa are the plans we have to do something, look forward to it weeks ahead of time, count it down and it turns out to be a dud of a time a letdown....so to me a good GM is one that says he has a plan and does but within that framework, if a opportunity arises he rolls the dice and says what the hell as there is nothing to lose...BC reminds me of that type in regards to his plans...the next phone call could cause the plan to go out the window....my crystal ball maybe still has a bit of juice left in it, as i said a few days ago this time next week there will be a abundance of b-ball talk...cheers
Posted by: doug | October 28, 2011 at 08:41 AM
Doug, if BC really doesn't go after any top-tier free agent or player via trade, it seems this team is in for 2-3 years of rebuilding. They've got a mix of vets and young guys right now, none of whom really project to be stars or have really high ceilings. Davis and DeRozan can probably be serviceable starters but they aren't going to carry this club. Sure you can say their draft pick this year has potential but considering he won't be here until 2012-2013 season, he would still need a few years in the league before he could be good. What do they really have left?
Blogger's note: A bunch of intriguing, unproven kids mostly
Posted by: JT | October 28, 2011 at 09:04 AM
I think Colangelo should sit on his hand this season. The last time the Raptors picked in the top four they got a player in Bargnani. Not an exceptional player but someone who could play in the top six to add to the incumbent Bosh. After the draft Colangelo made a splash in free agency and got the top spot in a very weak division. I've always thought the reason they couldn't sustain that season's success is because they were out of the mix to get one of the top talents of that next years draft. This time they got J.V., who looks legit. They have DeRozan and Bargnani in the top six. They need a star in the top six to push the team to the next level. The best value for that type of player would come from what projects to be a strong draft next offseason. It might make this season hard to watch, but in the long term I think it would be worth it.
Posted by: Matt M | October 28, 2011 at 09:16 AM
“Get ready for a pitchers’ duel,” the MSNBC headline blared all day. Yeah, okay, thank you very much, and there’s exactly why I say news isn’t news any more – it’s speculation, it’s hype and it’s inaccurate, until someone finally scrapes together a few ‘real’ details a day, or two, or three, later – and then it’s on to the next meaningless screaming headline.
So it was a Fall Not Exactly Classic, but wow, was that fun! And the Series goes 7. Perfect.
And that headline is all the more reason to come here to read and hang out. Thanks, Doug, for keeping your news real and the hype at bay. MUCH appreciated.
Now, let me try that question again: Will Stefanski likely not be wearing the GM hat (for at least this season)? Cheers!
Blogger's note: I presume he will do some of the duties most usually associated with a "general manager" but the title really doesn't matter to anyone over there. He'll be involved in all kinds of personnel matters; the final say will always be Bryan's
Posted by: D-Mac Ottawa | October 28, 2011 at 09:33 AM
Everybody seems to be talking about this as being the best World Series. I haven't watched all the games. however, many of the games I watched seems more like Little League or the Bad New Bears because of the errors and non-existant defense. I actuall turned off some of the Brewers games as I couldn't bear to watch it. Last night was a similar game. Texas had many chances to win but couldn't make the plays, especially the play in Right field.
After a game like that, I expect St. Louis to lay a real beating on Texas tonight. They have all the momentum and confidence now while Texas will play "not to lose". Then again, it depends who can catch a ball.
Posted by: Dave | October 28, 2011 at 09:44 AM
BC Quote - Funny that he refers to it as being summer. Not sure where he's been spending his time, but this sure ain't summer. Reading that quote it sounds like a nice way to say we'll be doing nothing, aka tanking. I know no one will ever say it, but I imagine the great plan he revealed to MLSE when begging to keep his job was that we'll tank, find a star and all will be right with the universe.
World Series - I kind of agree with Dave, seems like that game was more about overcoming mistakes than a true showing of greatness and talent. But then again, resiliance and never giving up are two exciting elements that can lead to a classic, and that game still odly was classic.
Doug, fo rthe Lockout if they reach an agreement, how long does it take until there is a real deal? Is it quick or is it hung up in legal paperwork for a while?
Blogger's note: They started with a "terms of agreement" thing last time so they'll hit the ground running within days
Posted by: The J | October 28, 2011 at 12:23 PM
Hopefully the minor move is ditching Bargnani!
Blogger's note: Absolutely. Who needs a 26-year-old 20-point-a-game scorer. The bum. And, of course, you have an alternative, right?
Posted by: Evan | October 28, 2011 at 12:25 PM
Doug, if the nba lockout ends and, as speculated, there is an amnesty clause allowing teams to release 1 player without cap impact do you see the raps actually releasing anyone before the season starts?
Blogger's note: No
Posted by: Angelo | October 28, 2011 at 12:33 PM
'If I’ve got one shot to help my team win a championship, I trade off the future for the present.'
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Its game 7 and Carpenter is 36, I think he is your man. He's got that big curve that can destroy an arm and seems to have been, for lack of a better word, efficient in his use of it up to now. Perhaps looking after that arm so he could pitch throughout the play-offs. Now he has reached the last game and he strikes me as the guy, when given the chance, will throw until his arm falls off.
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'Okay, this whole scraping-the-frost-off-the-windshield thing at 5:30 this morning can stop at any time.
Waaaaay too early for that, isn’t it?'
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This may be a bout of deja-vu but I seem to recall reading something along the lines of 'Okay, this whole turning-on-the-air-conditioning thing at 5:30 this morning can stop at any time. I'll take the colder months over summer anyday' not 3 months ago. That perfect 'Grunt Weather' window seems to be getting tighter and tighter!
Posted by: Nick M | October 28, 2011 at 12:58 PM
Doug , how many "lets try and get Iverson " quotes have you gotten ?
Blogger's note: None, but it's way early
Posted by: drew | October 28, 2011 at 01:08 PM
If you don't want Iverson, Larry Hughes is available.
Posted by: The J | October 28, 2011 at 02:24 PM
Hi Doug!
Generally speaking there are four good weeks a year: the last week in May, first 14 days of June, the week starting August 10th, and usually, the first 7 days of September are pretty good. This isn't carved in stone though. And the older I get, the window of good weather opportunity closes a little bit more. There's got to be a place where the weather matches the clothes you most like to wear. And that doesn't include galoshes, gloves and balaclava's. (My own personal protest to cold weather? For the last decade I've pulled a Paul Beeston and refused to wear socks. Ever.) Cheers!
Posted by: Lorie | October 28, 2011 at 03:20 PM
A quick reminder of the "good ole days" when this blog was full of basketball related blogs, mostly filled with digs on AB & JC... It seems like eons!
Posted by: john | October 28, 2011 at 04:05 PM
Hopefully the minor move is ditching Bargnani!
Blogger's note: Absolutely. Who needs a 26-year-old 20-point-a-game scorer. The bum. And, of course, you have an alternative, right?
Perhaps, when that 26-year-old is a high-volume shooter who has yet to grasp help defence, and treats rebounding with distain. I really wanted this guy to work out, but he hasn't. My 'alternative' would be to give Casey one last shot at fitting him within a functional system, and if that doesn't work, then trading him for picks before the deadline to a contender who could use a stretch-the-floor big man off the bench.
Blogger's note: So it's not so much "ditching" him as keeping him?
Posted by: Alan C. | October 28, 2011 at 04:32 PM
@allan c....one player in most cases can't do it all, yes blah,blah,blah...Bargs isn't a defensive wizard, and his rebounding could use some improvement, something baffles me, in that people say this and that about Barg's, but yet go and find me a player that can average 20+ points a game, there not falling out of trees, and this "volume shooter" nonsense is just that nonsense....he shouldn't and won't be going anywhere, get a true center to play beside him and presto chango, those defensive and rebounding liabilities become less of a concern, a good GM tries to augment not subtract the present talent he has...I don't miss this argument , again a case of toronto sports fans not recognizing talent, but yet i am sure Allan C was one of many rooting for Pops....give me a break...
Posted by: doug | October 28, 2011 at 04:59 PM
"Mov(ing) forward with sustained organic growth"
"Once you’ve executed the plan, no one knows what the results are.”
Reading these quotes, two things come to mind:
1. With so much time on his hands, BC is auditioning to sub for Jim Flaherty at the next meeting of G8 Finance Ministers.
2. What the fadoozlee does that even mean? I thought that once you execute the plan, the results would be obvious. I've had that sentence up on the whiteboard for hours and I still can't make any sense of it. I'm going to toss to out "Once", throw "Until" in that spot and go lie down.
Posted by: Everlovin PJD | October 28, 2011 at 08:35 PM
so bryan colangelo lied...he knew jonas valuncunas (mispelled, i know) wouldn't be able to come over to the NBA for one year before the draft....yet he shows the public that he in fact tried to get jonas to the NBA this year (you don't believe, listen to his interview with jeff blair and michael grange on fan590.com)...
lastly, he's finally comfortable with the word REBUILDING......he just meant that re-engineering (which he said last season) did in fact mean rebuilding.......(listen to his interview on fan590.com with jeff blair.... )
Blogger's note: Everyone connected with basketball everywhere in the world knew Valanciunas was at least a year away; am shocked someone as learned as you didn't
Posted by: Aditya | October 28, 2011 at 09:33 PM
Hi Doug:
So Coangelo isn't going to chase after anyone of significance. Last I heard, pro sports was about entertainment. The Raptors are starting to challenge hardening wallpaper paste for excitement. There is no hope here.
I'm down doing some stuff in San Francisco. I was talking to a local sports fan and he asked if Toronto still had an NBA team. That's where we're at right now.
If Coangleo isn't going to do something now, then when? How many seasons do we have to "wait and see?" Sorry Doug...I know you write about us fans needing to be patient, how this team is an experiment that can't be rushed. Truth is, the whole experiment is a dud. I've followed basketball for over 35 years and I can tell you, from what I see, that this is a waste of time.
The Raptors are simply tenants in a building owned by a real estate conglomerate. Bryan Coangelo is a guy cashing his cheques. Bargnani is an inconsequential bum. It's only a matter of time before DeMar Derozan demands a trade. And that's about it.
AG, Toronto
Posted by: Andrew Gregg | October 29, 2011 at 12:38 AM