Could Magloire be the first Canadian Raptor?

Guess there was an interloper around the gym Tuesday when Jamaal Magloire stopped by to get a workout in.

He is, after all, an NBA player, NBA gyms are open to all and it’s something he’s done a time or two before when he’s been home.

But is there more?

Maybe.

I keep hearing that Magloire, coming off his 11th NBA season, is on Toronto’s radar as a free agent; a big, veteran centre they could get for the minimum who might be good in practice and the odd game when his mixture of brawn and a willingness to bang some bodies around would help out.

I guess I can see the sense it makes since Bryan has given every indication he’s going to fill out the roster with one-year veterans and other short-termers so he can be a big player either next summer or around the trade deadline as a deal facilitator.

Here’s something else to consider: If you’re looking at a fourth big, would you rather have a veteran like Magloire or a kid like Solomon Alabi.

No offence to Alabi, who they tell me has improved, but simple math would tell you his long-term prognosis isn’t great. You’ve got Bargnani, Amir Johnson and Ed Davis ahead of him now, those three (probably) along with Jonas Valanciunas next season will crowd it any more.

Anyway, I have no idea if a one-year veteran minimum deal (with a remote chance of a non-guaranteed second) would be something that would appeal to Jamaal – I’m also not sure there’ll be a lot teams making calls to him and his people this week – but it would give the HOTH a first: A Canadian guy to have in uniform.

It would also, of course, mean the absolute end of any chance Reggie Evans would be back but I’m hearing that’s rather remote anyway; too much money, likely too many years, too dicey with regards to injury and there are other suitors (Boston among them) who have some interest.

Now, I also don’t know how much Jamaal’s got left in the tank but I guess he doesn’t need much, does he, for the role he’s going to be asked to fill. I also think he’s mature enough to handle the near-daily questions he’ll get about being the first Canadian Raptor and why he doesn’t play much and blah, blah, blah, blah, blah (I won’t ask, except for maybe the first day). I like Jamaal, I remember talking with him in the Miami Heat practice facility last season about his future and him telling me he saw himself as some veteran presence willing to mentor and play a specific role and that’s precisely what’s likely to be offered here.

(Oh, and I’m told the Raptors had some interest a year ago but were rebuffed for a season with the rock-star Heat).

Anyway … there’s some news.

Happy now?

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Okay, I’m not going to kill the good folks who work in the passport office I was at yesterday because I absolutely know the kind of horror stories they can tell about The People but lining up to get a number to line up?

Ugh.

Good news? I can do the pre-season game and the season across the border.

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Time to start.

Send mail here, tell me your innermost thoughts. Okay, maybe not innermost but …

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Speaking of the schedule …

Wow, does it suck.

Not only for the poor saps who have to sell tickets (those gory details are here) but for Grunts it’s as bad as I expected.

Five games in six nights. A road trip that’s LA-Phoenix-Utah-Denver-New Jersey?????

But know who it might even be worse for?

Dwane Casey.

If, and this is traditional throughout the league, the team won’t practice coming off back-to-backs, my rudimentary count shows there will be just 28 practice days for the entire season. And that’s not taking into consideration that he’ll have to give ‘em five or six others days off just to heal their broken down bodies.

New coach. Young team. Short camp. Maybe 22 days of practice in an entire season.

Oh yeah, this is going to be delightful.

And, yeah, we talking ‘bout practice.

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Digression, slightly

This came out yesterday late morning but I’m not sure how many of you heard the news, and even for those who did, I’m going to repeat it.

There are few true giants in our industry, especially in Canada, but Bob Elliott of the Sun is one. He is the leading authority by a country mile on baseball in our country, he has been the definitive voice on the Jays for decades and I absolutely defy you to find anyone in our business who has a bad thing to say about Boxing Bob, won’t happen. There is no more proud a Canadian than him, there is no more proud a Seamhead than him, he is a giant.

It’s been my privilege to know him for years, he taught me a whole bunch of beat grunt lessons over the years and I am a better man for knowing him.

Bob got into Cooperstown yesterday, the recipient of the J.G. Taylor Spink Award for excellence in baseball writing and I cannot think of a more worthy recipient.

Want to know what kind of guy he is? Read Ruts here; and Sy here. I sure can’t say it better.

But neither Mike nor Steve touched on the essence of Boxer. Country music. Now, I'm no expert, and not much of a fan, but spies tell me this might be a way to pay homage to one of the greats. I doubt Bob reads this but ...

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Right, obligatory Leaves reference.

Guy sent this to me overnight, it’s a bit old and who cares about the goal but a baby and a goal? How cute is that.

No barfing.

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Oh oh.

Thin edge of the wedge in pro sports?

Am sure not many of you care a whit about this story but major league baseball has now instituted a dress code for reporters covering games. No see-through stuff, no short shorts, no flip-flops, no bare midriffs, nothing with a team logo.

There have been, in my experience, more than too many cases of inappropriate attire, dudes showing up decked out in team gear, some slovenly looks, and, yes, some totally racy, revealing and over-the-top outfits that I don’t see as professional at all.

As you know, I’m shirt and tie guy for basketball, far more relaxed for baseball because it was acceptable but I have no problem with dressing professionally and think everyone who practices our craft should.

Not sure it needs to be league-mandated (and I hope the NBA guys aren’t reading this) but if that’s what it takes for a gentle nudge in some directions, then that’s what it takes.

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Comments

[coachd]

Hi Doug,
The Iverson "practice" rant has to be one of the greatest of all time. Thanks for putting it up. I'll be thinking and chuckling about it all day.

[Andrew Gregg]

Hi Doug:

I would absolutely love it if Jamaal played at least one season here. He is a good kid--even if he is a polarizing figure in the Canadian basketball community, for not playing with the National Team. I used to know him a bit, and back then I understood his reasons for snubbing Basketball Canada. It had to do with loyalty to friends as opposed to any ill feelings he had for his country. Jamaal gives a lot back to this community in the off-season and it would be extra cool so have him here year round. If for no other reason, sign him up to be a local Raptors ambassador.

AG, Toronto

[CC]

Hi Doug, any news about the TV coverage? I only see NBA TV on the schedule..

Blogger's note: TSN and Sportsnet again, all 66 broadcast, they're still working on specifics

[Dave]

Assuming the Jamaal Magloire rumour has some traction, wouldn't he have to play more than a few minutes? I could see him needing to play heavy minutes in the third night of a back-to-back-to-back or the fifth game in six days. Do you think Jamaal has that kind of gas left in the tank?

Blogger's note: Since they only have one back-to-back-to-back and five-in-six thing, not sure it'd be an issue

[Dave]

IAbout practice, liked this one also:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_63XqKqKaU

[David in Oakville]

GREED! and Disrespect, that is what I was thinking as I looked over the specifics of the schedule last night. No way this will be a season of quality basketball for any teams with so many back to backs. The schedule needed to be at least ten games lighter.

Last night I also got the expected "keeping in touch" e-mail from the Raps sales office letting me know they will be back shortly with ticket info for non-season seat purchasers. Not sure what I am going to do.. but I sure feel sorry for season seat holder here.

Sad to say... I can see the front office pushing hard for Magloire if only as a marketing device to sell more tickets this year... how sad is that?

AND NO NASH! seriously? and NO DIRK and the champs that took down ENEMY #1.

Grrrr.... I think I might be going to the Opera more often this winter (at least it's not ballet)

[sam]

There's a couple of must read sports columnists/reporters for me.
Bob Elliott is one of them - A well deserved award for a fine writer -
Jamal Magloire as a Raptor - I'd be okay with that. He would be well down the food chain of bigs on the team - but his experience in the league could be of help to the young guys.

Was no one bouncy yesterday?

Blogger's note: Same old bouncy dudes; took a day to work on other stuff.

[doug]

people take it for granted at times I feel but here in Toronto we have some outstanding sports reporters (yes some not so good, no names but S.S. is a clue), in baseball alone we have Griffin and Elliot, 2 pros that know their stuff, and report with class and dignity, the way it should be done, so congrats to him on a well deserved honour....I am all for proper dress attire/grooming as a job requirement, it bothers me to see scruffy TTC drivers or postmen, and I remember when nurses were mandated to wear their uniforms and it was a professional look, it's to bad some of that has been lost...Magliore would fill the bill nicely, he doesn't have much left but we don't need much from him plus also could be a good role model influence for the younger guys especially Ed Davis...come April you may have to re-introduce yourself to Super Wife and Son, as they'll be wondering who's this dude that's been here for the last few days??....happy travelling

[Lorie]

Congratulations to Bob Elliott. Well-deserved. But now the "Oh Crap What Were They Thinking" awards: not only did Tom Cheek get passed over again for the Ford C. Frick award; it's been awarded to Tim McCarver. Unbelievable.

[Geoff]

Hi Doug
Thanks for all you do and entertaining me daily!. You said all 66 games will be televised. Any idea if the exhibition games against Boston will be televised?

Blogger's note: Sorry, don't know at the moment; if I had to guess, the home one would be but that's not for certain

[Paul]

As a season ticket holder, the 66-game schedule is a slap in the face.

One of the few redeeming factors of having raps season tix is to the opportunity to see the best of the NBA talent. No Durant? No Dirk? No Griffin? Pitiful.

I am not feeling very "bouncy" about the Raps.

I feel used.

[Pipit]

Dougy, again your emotions had clouded your judgment on this one. We all know that Jamaal is a good guy but c'mon. Picking him over Alabi? It makes sense if the Raptors are playing for contention in the finals or even just for the playoffs. Everybody knows that this team is in a rebuilding mode. Getting a guy like Jamaal right now will just steal away the playing time and the development of these young players. As much as I want Jamaal in a Raptors uniform, from a good basketball view, it doesn't make sense for him to be a part of a rebuilding team. I would rather get the most of Alabi and by then, the team will determine if he's worthy to be a part of this team in the future.

Blogger's note: Ever think some of them may know that? Just askin'

[JJH]

Who do you think will work harder in those 22 practices Solomon Alabi or Magloire??

Who has the most "upside" Solomon Alabi or Magloire??

Who should the coaching staff put more effort into Solomon Alabi or Magloire??

Who do you think would want to be on the team just to collect the pay cheque Solomon Alabi or Magloire??

A young player has MUCH more to prove and work for then an 11yr vet sitting at the end of the bench... It would be nice to see the Raptors give a young athletic 7footer who has great work ethic a chance to contribute to the team. I would rather see Solomon Alabi get those few minutes per game (if that) over Magloire.

[Jay]

@Paul:

By Griffin, do you mean, Richard? Perhaps he will be at a game with Doug in on the IGBT.

[DannyFromFreddy]

Doug, I figured Miami would offer Magliore a one year at the minimum. I think it would be nice to see a veteran like him, who can teach the young Raptors a few things, in a Raptors uniform. I'll miss Reggie though.

By the way, I just about lost my lunch picturing you with a "bare midriff".

Thanks

[LeeZ]

@Lorie: couldn't agree more about Tim McCarver. If I never again hear that obnoxious, know-it-all, bombastic voice, it'll be too soon. And McGloire would be a good fit. Alabi is the only actual centre we have (I can't believe I just wrote that!), so a tough-as-nails backup would be fine for a year, maybe even two, especially for what he would bring to practice. And last but not least, by all that is holy, Doug, you're going to have to stop wearing those see-through shirts of yours. You know how the edict against wearing turtlenecks came to be known as the Stan Van Gundy rule? Any truth to the rumour that the no-see-through edict will come to be known as the Doug Smith rule?
:-)

[Mike kovacs]

If a baseball grunt is a 'seamhead', what do you call a basketball grunt?

Blogger's note: Good question for which I don't believe there is an answer

[jc]

ahhhh...raptor fans are back! Arguing about the fourth vs fifth big. Life is good.

[Rob.V]

I like the idea of Magloire coming in for a year or two. He's still tough as nails and he'll lay some lumber on our kids in practice which wont hurt.
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The dissapointing thing is that although we are not admitting it we are essentially throwing away another season in favour of a long term rebuild.
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Now, I'm generally okay with this (and completely understand this) however I like many am not happy that...you know... I have to "pay" for it.

[The J]

Hate to say it, but signing Magloire sounds more like good PR than good basketball logic. But perhaps Alabi is still so far from being ready that they are not willing to give him those minutes. In that case Magloire, or anyone would be fine as it's just a stop-gap. But for a rebuilding team it's really hard not to justify letting Alabi get some more experience. This season will be rough, I'm sure Alabi can't make it any worse...right?

The thing about Tom Cheeks not getting the Ford Frick award is that it is voted on by the public. Clearly Jays fans do not rally around this vote or he would have been in 3 or 4 years ago when his name first came up.

[chili]

@Mike kovacs:
Basketball grunt = airhead ☺

[Paul]

@Jay

As much as I am a fan of Richard Griffin's columns, I was referring to the Clippers' Blake Griffin.

Not sure what Richard Griffin's vertical is these days...

[James]

I have to say I don't know who does the scheduling for the NBA but you would think they would make it so the top Canadian player visits the only Canadian city/franchise.. no help to the Raptors on that one. Can't believe that the Suns aren't coming for the one game this year!

Also, I have to laugh with @JC.. you can definitely tell raptors fans being back with the heated debate over the 4th and 5th big man. How does this make you feel Doug?

And side note: Thank you for all your posts and putting up with us and I remember the one time I ran into you at a Raptors game when I happened to score great seats and how approachable and down to earth you were so thanks!

[doug]

what is it with peoples fascination for Raptors players that are so far down the list to be inconsequential, the Pops love was over the top, then same for Wright , now this love for Alabi,,,I am sure he is a wonderful guy etc, but folks he could get playing time until the cows come home and he still will be a player that really has no long term or short term use, he's a disposable guy as was Pops etc....and this isn't the start of the rebuild it has been going on for a bit now, with DD, Davis, JV etc...another good draft pick and a free agent or 2 then bam were on our way, so what if it's a rough season, I see the light at the end of this tunnel, be lucky your not a Hornets fan or Clippers fan as a Clippers fan is just sitting and waiting to see how Sterling will screw this up and he will...I am looking forward to this season of b-ball let the bouncing begin....

[doug]

I just read where Richard Jefferson is the 1st player to be a amnesty cut...interesting, I read somewhere where a reporter put the over/under on teams to use the amnesty clause at 3.5 for this year, well there's the first , who will be next??...I pick the over...