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

[Lorie]

It's been taunting me for a couple of days and, just now remembered the song that features the words "bouncy bouncy".(Oh yeah, there was one.) So now the HOTH a song to accompany their Theme Of The Season. Happy to share it. May it become an ear-worm for you too.
http://youtu.be/6GRuzaMwvrA

[Angelo]

Doug, with the spurs amnestying Richard Jefferson should the raptors bid for him? Is he a better fit for this team than Battier?

Blogger's note: No, they shouldn't given there desire to build for the future; and they are out of any interest, real or imagined on Battier. It's one year deals for the most part

[Norrin Radd]

me thinkg Jose Calderon will be the Raptors casualty under the amnesty clause next year....this will be the last year Jose plays for the raptors....adios muchacho!

Blogger's note: Do us all a favour and give us next week's lottery numbers, far more useful information