One hoops season ends; another in limbo and, of course, other stuff

If the incessant rain, chill in the air and leaves falling from the trees (stupid, stupid, stupid leaves!) isn’t signal enough, there’s another surefire sign that the summer is over.

The international basketball season is about wrapped up.

Whither Canada?

Well, as we know, the senior women finished third in their Olympic qualifier, good enough to get into next summer’s global 12-team event for five berths in London, and the men, while not in total disarray, are looking forward to pretty much a non-season in 2012 after falling on their faces at their qualification event.

Two things have to happen right now:

Canada Basketball has to announce – this week, I would say – that Allison McNeill is coming back to coach the senior women next summer. She’s done an incredible job developing that program – getting to two world championships after a 12-year drought, qualifying to play next summer – that it’d be ridiculous not to give her one more year to try to finish a process that’s so far along.

The other?

Not sure when they have their annual general meeting, or when the bean counters start parceling out cash for next year, but they have to devote a huge proportion of the available money to that women’s team.

That means as many training camps as they can fit into the women’s schedule, an ambitious exhibition season early next summer to prepare for the tournament and as many scouting, training trips as the staff can make to stay in touch with the core players from the team.

I know the general populace would rather discuss, or watch, or think about, the men’s program because it’s such a higher profile but the women are good and need to be provided with the resources to be as good as they can.

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This ought to be a hoot.

Because of my incarnation into once-a-week gridiron scribe (you know, Cathal on Sunday and then me on Monday) I’ve been invited to take part in some hour-long chat at noon today.

Wonder how easy it’ll be to mock while I do?

Feel free to join. It’ll be like an IGBT only different.

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And why not a trip down memory lane to start the week:

Q: Doug. It was interesting to see your commercial choices (how could you leave out Mean Joe Greene and the Kid?) but they did reveal a certain 'age' of watcher. So, when I ask you for your most annoying TV neighbours choices, I'm sure you'll have Gladys Kravitz ahead of Kramer.

List on.

Gary M, Brampton

A: Um, yes, I am of a certain vintage so I don’t imagine these will entirely surprise you and it’s sitcoms only. If these people moved next door, I might be convinced to put a sign on the lawn. Or a big electric fence between us:

Wilson

The dude from Home Improvement. Remember him?

A bit smarmy and what’s with the no showing his face?

Gladys Kravitz

Yeah, you nailed it. What a nosy pain in the bum.

Fred Mertz

Ethel, I didn’t mind, especially that one episode where she and Lucy got in some trouble. Fred? A bit of a pain.

Newman

I know, not technically a neighbour because he lives a few floors away but you know what I mean.

George Jefferson

Not sure why, he just bugged me.

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Seriously, today is make-it-or-break-it day in the NBA contract talks.

I know. I know.

Same thing was said Friday, same thing was said Saturday and I’m pretty sure the same thing could very well be said tomorrow.

Yawn.

But, the truth is, I imagine the second week of pre-season games is going to be cancelled either today or tomorrow, robbing us of pretend games early in the exhibition season sometimes dominated by guys who don’t have a snowball’s chance of sticking around.

A shame.

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So the National Basketball League’s got a big deal going on today, naming its first commissioner about noon as it marches on towards the start of the inaugural season.

From all reports, each of the seven teams has been doing a good job in the respective cities getting some advance publicity, getting out in the community and creating the kind of local buzz that’s necessary before any start-up endeavour.

Again, I like the way these guys are going about their business, nothing too flashy, nothing too big, build from the ground up and I think they might just have a successful inaugural season.

We’ll catch up with them every now and then but this is very much a “local” league, not sure there’s a lot of national or Toronto interest until things get going but I’m pretty sure you’ll get your fill of them around here once I convince The Tall Foreheads it’s worth a road trip or two.

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Back to the NBA for a second ‘cause we’re a tad wistful today.

You see, today is supposed to be Media Day for NBA teams, a giant free-for-all of interviews, pictures, the renewing of acquaintances and standing around the announces the formal opening of training camps aside.

Some of us whine a bit about it – it can be mind-numbingly boring, there are waaaaaaaaay too many hangers-on getting in the way, news is always in short supply – but it is like the first day of school.

You get to see guys you haven’t seen all summer, there truly is a sense of optimism pervading it and in some ways, it’s fun.

Now?

Now we’re left to wonder when there will be one, when there might be some resolution to the mess they league and union have got themselves into and it’s kind of depressing.

I’m sure that’s not lost on the big shots who’ll gather in New York today to talk; at least I hope it isn’t because this is supposed to be a time of goodwill, not apathy with gusts to anger at not having camps, games or anything to look forward to.

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Okay, big day at the Mother Ship, I think. We’re trying to figure out ways to expand this little fiefdom and maybe bring some different looks to it.

Any ideas?

Oh, and it will, of course, be a week of huge anticipation, excitement and fervor.

Pucks Starts Thursday!!!!!

Can’t wait.

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And now we wrap up the weekend mail

Again, you’ve come through in spades; with a few delights left over for the week.

Enjoy.

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Q: Hi Doug. If the NBA talks don't go well this weekend, and part, or all of the NBA season is cancelled, would you care to speculate on the impact it might have on the world of pucks? I would think a sports fan might tune into hockey, simply because nothing else is available.

Sohail G, Collingwood

A: As the young ‘uns say:

OMG!

More pucks fans?

Yikes.

I can’t say for sure, but I imagine inveterate television-watching sports fans may tune into a Blue Jackets-Predators game (you must be proud I know those teams, right?) if there’s nothing else better on the tube.

You know, like the fireplace channel. Or soccer.

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Q: Hi Doug. In looking at the Raptors' salary obligations for the coming seasons, I noticed that several players with large contracts (particularly Bargnani and Amir Johnson) have significant salary increases each season. Given that the Raptors are unlikely to use their cap space this offseason (if there is one) and would be better off using it in 2012 (better free agent class; not going anywhere this year anyway), is it possible for the team and the players to re-negotiate those contracts to front-load them somewhat and therefore give the team more cap flexibility in the future?

Daniel A, Toronto

A: No, under the expired CBA – and there’s been no indication this will change at all – contracts cannot be renegotiated. They can be extended in their last year, but not torn up and done again.

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Q: You know why people hate on Jose? Because that EFFIN Bill Simmons keeps saying how lousy he is, and I know everyone here is reading his stuff. He looks real smart when all his Boston teams are winning, but when things are not so obvious, he is wrong on pretty much 80% of the stuff he throws out there. I hate to be all conspiracy theory, but do you think ESPN has some sort of mandate to bash on T.O. teams, because they know that a lot of Canadians go there and it obviously generates huge traffic when they bash us, or am I thinking too much into this?

Shawn L, Bowmanville

A: Do you think it’s out of the realm of possibility that some scribblers throw stuff out there knowing it’ll cause all kinds of angst while they sit back and giggle?

Torontonians seem to me to have very thin skin and it’s kind of fun to watch/read/listen to the reaction.

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Q: Hey Doug. Not really a question here...more of a story. Its 1980 and my sister and I are taking advantage of Dad's company tickets to watch the Expos play the Phillies and Dodgers in the split season playoffs. Sitting about ten rows down from us is one Donald Sutherland (who i heard travelled on the team plane back then...ask Griff...he would know) Anyway, Mr. Sutherland is scoring the game while the Expos are pitching but whenever a Philly/L.A. pitcher is on the mound, he puts away his scoresheet, slides his finger discreetly to the top of his nose and then...as the pitch is released...he puts a whammy on it by sliding said finger down his nose and then wiggling his fingers in the air(hard to describe properly) This is not a one time thing either....he does this for EVERY pitch thrown in both series (although I missed the Blue Monday game and didn't see him). Still one of the weirdest things I have seen a celebrity do in public although my sister and I seemed to be the only ones watching him.

Okay here's a question. You've probably seen a lot of celebs in your basketball travels. What's the weirdest thing you've seen a public figure do during the course of a game?

Scott M, Toronto

A: I’ve got nothing but that’s a good story everyone should hear.

I did once, while covering a Knicks-Pacers playoff series way back in the day (think Larry Johnson four-point play) see Spike Lee try to “hex” Reggie Miller at every turn.

But the HOTH hardly attract the ‘A’ list stars, other than Jack Nicholson carrying on a game-long conversation with Sam Mitchell one night.

Asked Sam what was said. His reply:

“I don’t know, he was talking, I was coaching, who knows what either of us said.”

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Q: Alright Doug, what are your criteria to classify someone as an Irregular? Is it so many reads per week? Do you lose the label when you skip pass the seamhead stuff? Just wondering. Also, do you think you could get Mother Star to do a promotion with Free irregular t-shirts or something?

Maybe come to the website so many consecutive days and get a free t-shirt. Or better yet, get some block of tickets for a Raps game for all of us.

A T, Niagara Falls

A: For me to bestow Irregular Status does take some doing; I’ll paraphrase the oft-quoted Potter Stewart: “I can’t define what an Irregular is but I know one when I see one.”

And just keep hanging around, some of the Taller Foreheads might have something in mind to make us an openly identifiable group.

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Q: Hey Doug! So we've got daily updates about the shenanigans NBA players are up to as they try to keep their skills sharp during the lockout. Some are tasting the delights of Europe and Asia; but other players have stayed home and instead are participating in Star-Studded-Streetball Games. And some hoops-deprived fans are even watching this stuff! And some reporters are (having to?) cover these workouts. So, Doug, as the lockout drags on, what are the more interesting things your fellow NBA reporters have been doing to stay as sharp as the players they (usually) report on? Have any taken their skills to Bejing yet? (And don't you even THINK of doing it!) Cheers!

Lorie P, London

A: Not sure anyone’s doing anything too interesting, actually. Lots of baseball; I ran into another member of the PBWA executive covering a Jays-Orioles game in Baltimore, saw an old friend from Jersey in the press box at Yankee Stadium and I know at least one Phoenix confrere is helping out on Diamondbacks coverage. Oh, and I saw tweets from Ira in Florida from – get this! – an NHL rookie camp tournament. Tee-hee!

Oh, and KC ran into a mutual now-agent friend from back in the HWSNBN days while covering a golf tournament in the Chicago area.

But as far as I know, no one’s fled the continent to work but not one’s spending afternoons and early morning searching out video of old TV commercials or cop dramas. They don’t know what they’re missing.

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Q: Doug: Great article by Malcolm Gladwell. Here's a picture of him in the Toronto Star when he ran in a school track meet.

BTW, I've sided with owners in every sports labor dispute since Curt Flood. But with this one, I'm with the players. I don't believe the NBA owners' numbers are credible as Gladwell points out.

Cheers,

Walter D, Oakville

A: I’ll just say this:

In a negotiation like we’re seeing I don’t believe anyone’s numbers. Although I will say if I had a tendency to “side” with anyone in this particular instance, I’d hold my nose and take the players.

The start of the weekend mail, as usual

Well, well, well.

All kinds of goodies here, all kinds of goodies coming tomorrow and I’ll give you one more kick at the can because the 10 C weather and driving drizzle are making golf an impossibility.

A stool, a quadruple-header playoff day and some mail.

Sound wonderful?

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Q: Hello Doug! Well, several times I've posed the "what if" sort of questions, and frequently I've asked stuff about you, the craft, the process. And once (I'm SURE there's been one occasion) I had a query about basketball. But today? Well now it's my turn. Or, should I say "our" turn. I've got a question about "The Irregulars" as you've dubbed as and any general observations you might have gleaned - from years of putting up with our antics - will usually wind us up, tickle our fancy or even cause us distress. Are there any commonalities between us all? And I wonder if when at 6AM you sit with your quad venti latte and your laptop do you ever play a game and try to anticipate what little nugget we might grab, run with, dissect and turn into a day-long discussion? And the wackiest turn of comments ever? Yes, it's all about US today, Doug!!! Cheers.

Lorie P, London

A: No disrespect, my friend, but if I could figure Irregulars out on a consistent basis I’d be off somewhere make jillions of dollars solving the world economic crisis, the Middle East situation, and what there’d be if there was no weather.

Seriously, I’m not sure what drives you all so a lot of time I just decide to throw different stuff out there and see what kind of reaction I might get. A day when I think one thing might spur some comments, it’s something else so I just soldier on and see what happens.

I will say this, though: It has become apparent to me that a lot of you are of the same, or close to the same, vintage as I am so it’s cool to be old and crusty and nostalgic rather than forward-thinking and cutting edge.

Hope you don’t mind.

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Q: Hey Doug, I came across this link and thought "if this isn't the ultimate list for Doug to check out -- I don't know what is. Top 10 weirdest beers:

Check this out.

Not only is there a chocolate beer, there's also Bacon Beer! Enjoy the diversion. :)

Chris C, Toronto

A: Ding! Ding! Ding!

I love my Irregulars.

(Most of the time)

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Q: Hey Doug. First time reader today just because I was desperate to read something about last nights games ( had to work!) and missed them. Just wanted to say I loved your piece and will be back. My girl friend phoned me at work , screaming in my ear that this is the most exciting thing she has ever seen .....thanks honey , I'll catch the highlights and when I get home and trying to watch them she's still screaming about how great it was and I'm trying to listen to Jay what's his name ( cracks me up that guy ). She said hockey was always her favorite sport but now it's gotta be baseball. Aren't chicks great? And baseball too, what a combo. I'm blessed.

Regards

John C, Vancouver

A: As I said I love my Irregulars. And their priorities.

(Most of the time)

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Q: Do you think the reduced training camp will have much impact on Dwane Casey's ability to put his stamp on the Raptors? Does he have to keep things simple to ensure everyone gets it?

With a very short free agency period, does that make it harder to sign top talent? Does this essentially eliminate the creative deals? If so, who do you think suffers? The players or the teams?

Also, do you know of any Raptors getting involved in any organized games or work-outs? What are the chances everyone shows up in shape?

Terry M, Antigonish

A: Oh, yeah, a shortened training camp will unquestionably hurt a team with a new coach unfamiliar with his roster who is trying to put in a new system. But I don’t think it’ll be a crippling blow, just may lead to something of a slowish start while everyone gets used to each other. It also means the players – and coaches – will have to work harder for however long they’re in camp and in however many pretend games they have.

I don’t think it’ll make it any harder than usual to sign free agents, actually. If they get a week that’s enough for teams and players to figure out what’s a good fit and what isn’t.

No, no organized workouts for the players as a group, mainly because a few of them have been playing for their countries, a few of them are free agents and a couple are rehabbing injuries but they all know they’ll have to show up ready to hit the ground running so there will be individual conditioning work going on.

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Q: What would happen to the 2012 NBA draft if there was no 2011-12 season?

Graham F, Toronto

A: Tee-hee!

New here?

(I keed)

I have no idea, no one does but I’m glad you asked.

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Q: Hi Doug. Always enjoy reading your blog. In the category of "it will likely never happen, but interesting to play with potential rule changes", wouldn't it be a positive to eliminate the foul out rule. I think we would see more balanced officiating, rather than the star player treatment that is overwhelming in the NBA. Also, games would be decided with the best players playing against the best players, rather than a referee's calls impacting who a coach can put on the floor.

Thanks

Martin J, Toronto

A: I think everyone would like to see every called made absolutely correctly in every sport; ain’t gonna happen in my, or any, lifetime.

I know Jeff Van Gundy’s a big proponent of the “no foul out” idea and I could get onside as long as there was some penalty for the team that has a guy commit a seventh or any subsequent foul. Maybe two shots, regardless, and the ball back, which would force teams to sit guys with six fouls in most defensive instances. But unless there’s a rather harsh penalty, I’m okay with the way it is now.

One other thing I’d like to see is, of course, to reduce the number of timeouts, or at least limit each team to one in the final two minutes of a fourth quarter and overtime and I’d kind of like to see a game where there was no defensive goaltending or offensive basket interference. Not sure how that’d work and it’s a bit of a change for me but as a trial at the NBA level, I’d like to see it.