The end of the weekend mail; and more to come sometime

Okay, folks.

You’re going to have to trust me that the ones left over are going to get used, there are lots of good ones that require a bit more research and thought than I had time for on a busy couple of days. We’ll parcel ‘em out in the week or do some bonus thing some night.

For now, though …

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Q: Hey Doug: Good news! The Irregulars just got together for the first annual "'Tis the Season Bun Toss" gathering, and decided to buy their favourite Grunt a Christmas gift. Once everyone chipped in, we were amazed at how much we collected!

So, knowing that money is no object, what will your wish list for the Irregulars look like?

Take care!

Tim H, Windsor

A: Okay, I’m going to go all sappy on you.

How about a nice back room in a restaurant, a couple of dozen Irregulars who promise no fist-fighting, a night of cold Stellas, well-cooked medium-rare ribeyes, some robust red and five or six hours of stories and get-to-know-you moments. Seriously, that’d be nice and it’s not like I need or want anything material.

And then at the end of the night – or given the presence of those robust reds and My Friend Stella it might better be done early – we vote on a charity to give the leftover money to?

Sound like a good night? I bet I’d like it.

(That said, I am driving a Smelly Ford Focus ...)

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Q: Hi Doug. I was wondering if you are hearing anything out of Phoenix with regards to Steve Nash? Do you think his time there is done?

Joe D, Mississauga

A: Don’t hear anything more than you do right now and nothing’s changed: He wants to be there and feels a loyalty to his teammates and his city but I guarantee you’ll hear his name front and centre of trade rumours, speculation and fabrication as the season progresses.

But for now? Status quo.

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Q: I was reading an article on realgm.com the other day and it stated that if Dwight Howard resigns with his current club then he can receive a deal for 110 million dollars for five years, and if Chris Paul does the same thing with the hornets he can get a deal for 100 million dollars for five years. Can you please help me understand why Dwight Howard would be able to make more money then Chris Paul? Thanks for your time

Mario A, Toronto

A: A few factors to consider: The years they were drafted and therefore years of service, starting salary and percentage increase they’ve had over the years.

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Q: Hey Doug. Glad to see you giving some time to the NBL and the Oshawa Power. Haven't been to a game yet but certainly plan on catching a couple. It's only a little over an hour from Hastings. great to see our own homegrown league, and a chance for some Canadian fellas to get paid to work on their game at home. I'll be getting out and catching the show. Do you think you will be attending any more games?

Paul S, Hastings

A: Oh, I imagine I will but it’s hard to say until I see the NBA schedule on Tuesday. I absolutely want to get to a game in London and if the league holds some sort of all-star weekend/game, I’ll be pushing hard to go.

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Q: Doug: Tanking Light = not spending to the max, avoid front-line free agents & long-term contracts. Grange® wrote an interesting bit suggesting the Raps race to the bottom of the standings. I know how you feel about tanking, but how does Tanking Light sit with you? The Raps should institute the Tanking Light approach. Play the kids (assuring a 2012 lottery pick), and then start to build around your young core next summer.

P.S. I won't be able to read your answer here because Rob Ford asked me not to, but I will continue to follow you on FB, and listen via podcast whenever your buddy Bobcat has you over.

Len S, Seoul

A: They are going to “play the kids” it’s about all they’ve got and it’s why I haven’t advocated going out and finding some huge stud. But they need to improve the roster, they need a starting three, a fourth big on a one- or two-year deal and some shooting guard depth.

Now, I am not – nor will I ever – advocate not playing your best players the most; I don’t think they should hold back DeRozan, or Davis and Calderon or Bargnani or any of them in any way shape or form.

Playing your best players the most and trying to fill roster holes with the most capable people you can afford and who fit what you need is the best way to go.

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Q: First of all if MLSE offered to have the Raps exhibition game free it's only because they knew the league would reject it.

We all seem to have forgotten what value we got for Chris Bosh. Could you recap and help me understand why we are all ok with this.

Does BC really believe that after 5 ? years in the job and last year's 22 wins, rebuilding is ok.

Larry B, Oakville

A: And you know this about MLSE’s offer because … well, because it fits into your pre-conceived notion? Not because it’s … well, not because it’s based in, you know, fact.

What they got back for Chris Bosh was a draft pick – 29th or 28th overall, I don’t recall – that they turned into their current starting small forward, James Johnson; they got the financial flexibility to do a deal for Jerry Bayless that they wouldn’t otherwise had; they got the financial flexibility to make a deal to obtain an extra second-round draft pick in a deal with Dallas; they got room on the roster to allow Ed Davis to actually get on the floor a bit as a rookie; they still have some financial wiggle room but I will be the first to admit it’s unlikely they’ll use the remainder of the trade exception.

Now, if they’d signed Bosh to a maximum value contract and kept him, you would have been in the minority praising Bryan for making an astute move, right?

And, yes, after five years, two playoff appearances, the whole Bosh-JO-Turk saga, Bryan fully believes that rebuilding is okay and has been on that track for a season.

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Q: What about using Amir Johnson, Ed Davis and Andrea Bargnani together for 20/24 minutes a game? I believe Amir has quickness and determination to play above average "three" defense even in man-to-man (for limited minutes). During same minutes while on offense, Amir could play the role of the four or five as Bargnani has outside range to be the offensive three.

Bob J, Toronto

A: Amir Johnson would foul out of games in, say, four minutes – or six defensive possessions – guarding threes.

I cannot see it happening.

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Q: Hey Doug. I'm sure you have your opinions on Mayor Ford's decision to ice-out The Star, but since this is a sports blog I won't ask you to weigh in (unless you really want to). I'm wondering if you know of any times in sports that a team or player has tried to refuse access to a certain paper because of an article they disagreed with.

Paul C, Brantford

A: Petty, petulant, disrespectful to the constituents by denying some access by osmosis, bullying, bush league, predictable, childish.

Glad he’s not the Mayor of the city I live in.

Now, nothing like that has happened to me or here – the Raptors are a professional group above all else – but I do know a case where the Knicks withheld information from one beat writer – Frank Isola – because, well, because he was good at his job.

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Q: Hey Doug. Just wondering who you think is a good bet to come back to Raptors camp in surprisingly great shape and who will shock us with their extended off-season overeating regimen? Raptors-specific and league wide examples would be great.

Thanks.

Matt K, Etobicoke

A: I don’t even want to take a guess on conditioning until I see guys but I am most interested in seeing how Amir Johnson looks, having had off-season surgery; I would think DeMar DeRozan will be in pretty good shape because all I’ve heard about him is that he’s been in the gym and I wonder how James Johnson came through the extended summer because there have been concerns about his conditioning in the past.

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Q: Hi Doug. I've been reading your blog since the beginning, but recently, due to no basketball and the "strike" have not been keeping up. Upon the owners' and players' solution to their problem, and announcement that we will have basketball soon, I started reading again. To my surprise I notice that you no longer have a "Raptors" blog but rather a "sports" blog. Booooo! What made you special was the fact that you reported on the Raptors and not the other stuff. I might as well read elsewhere. Please go back to Raptors only stuff now that the heroes are back. No need for you to comment on other sports. Please!

Mike S, Ottawa

A: Sure there’s a need. I like to, bosses like me to, believe it or not, a reader or two likes it but, don’t worry, there’ll be more than enough Raptors stuff here to satisfy you. But give the other stuff a try, bet you come around.

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Q: Hey Doug: Looking at your Bruins-Leaves talk got me to thinking - are there any real rivalries in pro sports these days? If not, why do think? And if so, what are some of the better ones that you are aware of?

And, despite the NBA coming, I would like to add my vote to keeping the blog about more than just basketball - if all I want is basketball, I can read your - and other grunts' - game reports!

Tim H, Windsor

A: First off, can you speak to my man Mike S from Ottawa just above? Thanks.

I think “real” rivalries are far fewer these days because of the movement of players, the familiarity and friendships they have with each other and the general “coziness” of pro sports.

I guess there are some traditional ones left, like Red Sox-Yankees, I think there’s some juice to a Mavericks-Lakers level of dislike and maybe the Pittsburgh-Baltimore one in the NFL. Not sure there’s a real good one in the pucks but I’m probably wrong about that.

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Q: Greetings, couple o' random thoughts this week. Firstly I would think that a competitive to maybe good Leaves team may work in the HOTH's favour somewhat this season. Have to think media and public focus will be on the exploits of the Puck's leaving less time and resource to go negative on the Rap's rebuilding/preparation for next year's tribulations.

As a second thought I wonder while the hoops season will occur over less time whether the compressed time between tilts nullifies any potential wear and tear gains coming from playing fewer games over all? Further to the above, do the teams' strength and conditioning staff approach their duties differently?

As always thanks for what you do.

Doug T, Brantford

A: I’m not sure if they’ll approach their duties differently but I can promise you that’ll be one of the first training camp stories we get to once things get rolling. I do think what’s going to happen when the season’s on is that there will be little or no time for practice with games coming at such a rapid pace. And that might hurt the HOTH, too.

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Q: Hi Doug - What impact, if any, do you think the length of Colangelo's contract (two years with a team option for a third - is that right?) will have on what he does or doesn't do this off-season (both in terms of free agents and trades)?

Or to put the question in a much more loaded and inflammatory way: do you think he might sacrifice future success (which may require some more losing and growing pains from what is a young team nucleus) for a few extra wins in the present and a chance at a contract extension?

Thanks.

Diego S, Toronto

A: I think, in fact, he’s doing exactly the opposite of what you say. He could go for some pretty big fix right now, trade a couple of guys, use the amnesty clause, blow up his reconstruction plan in mid-stream. The fact he hasn’t – and certainly doesn’t appear to have any inclination to – would suggest the length of his contract has absolutely nothing to do with the moves he’s making.

I think that kind of speculation needs to be snuffed out right now, if all he was worried about was self-preservation, he wouldn’t be taking the path he seems to have chosen.

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Q: If you could choose the GM in the worst position for 2011/12, who would it be?

Can New Orleans sign any free agents?

Who, for the HOTC, gets more floor time at the point guard position? How about at the 5?

When wakened from a bad dream do you sometimes think it's real? Or is it only false emotions that you feel? (J Ray)

Bob E, Kanata

A: I think the answer to the first has to be New Orleans, you don’t have an owner, only have about half a dozen players under contract, your best guy wants out and the second-best guy may leave and is coming off surgery anyway. And if Dell Demps can’t sign free-agents, it’s going to be a tough season.

The Raptors believe – and I concur – that Jose does more things well, like shoot, run screen-roll, make other players better, so he’ll play more and I’m pretty sure the three-man bigs rotation of Bargnani, Davis, Johnson is interchangeable with respect to “four” and “five” and that minutes will break down in that order.

Oh, and I only dream of sunshine and lollipops so I can’t answer the last one.

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Q: Hi Doug. Just wondering, has any Toronto sports executive or coach pulled a "Rob Ford" on you and not wanted to talk to you?

Also, have you got into an altercation with a coach like John Tortorella and Larry Brooks?

Youtube both of their names and you'll see what I'm talking about if you're confused.

Thanks!

Yezzir C, Toronto

A: If by “Rob Ford” you mean petty and petulant and small-minded and ridiculous and anti-democracy. All of the grown men I’ve dealt with have been mature enough to handle criticism and if they had an issue they spoke to me about it in a professional manner, not by being like a sucky six-year-old taking is ball and going home.

And, no, I’ve never had a public shouting match with a coach; some rather difficult private discussions that shall remain private because they had nothing to do with the job and, yes, Sam and KO used to get quite caustic on occasion but nothing out of the ordinary.

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Q: Congratulations Doug! Your blog has made its way to the top spot on my bookmark list. There was some tough competition from the big boys, but I found myself referring to your insight more and more often and that earns you the first stop on my daily fix of hoops.

On to my question, I read that Bargs is noticeably lighter, quicker and faster. Did you notice anything when you saw him? Is there a bit of a fire in him that wasn't there last season?

Rob N, London

A: Yay for me!

I haven’t actually seen Bargnani in person; the three days he was in the gym here, I was otherwise occupied. Will let you know what I do.

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Q: Hi Doug. The big percolating NBA story seems to be a potential trade demand from Chris Paul, who seems to be attempting to force his way to NYC. The problem is that the Knicks don't have a lot left in assets after their Carmelo Anthony trade.

I know you're hesitant to comment on specific trade ideas (for good reason), so here's hopefully a small twist.

If you're Bryan, do you: a) Try and get involved as a conduit to facilitate the trade, on the theory Paul will wind up in NYC anyway so you'd better do what you can to improve in the process? b) Stay completely away from the whole thing?

Mark R, Waterloo

A: I don’t “try” to get involved but I’d certainly take calls and see if I couldn’t do something significant to help my franchise. I also don’t think there’s anything he can do so the point may be moot. But if you’re a GM, you’re not doing your job if you don’t at least listen to just about everything.

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Q: Hi Doug. I'm a long time season ticket holder and, while there hasn't been much to cheer about in the past number of years, I enjoy the game of basketball. The games... as all sports... are a break from the crazy world we live in.

I've always found that having to pay full price on my seats for pre-season games to be nonsense. I have to be honest though, the decision to charge full price, albeit one game, annoys me quite a bit... probably more than it should.

I'll hold off here, trying not to make a silly decision, but I do feel that I've had it. The last thing I want is to have the annoying feeling follow me to my seats...it's always been a place of refuge!

Thoughts?

John D, Toronto

A: I won’t presume to tell you what to think but I am confident that the reasons you found the game delightful won’t have left you entirely. What drew you to them originally will bring you back.

Now, as far as pre-season games go specifically, if I didn’t “have” to go to them, I would pay them little heed.

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Q: Hey Doug. What league provides for the most opportunities for a team to quickly turn around its fortunes?

I see the Leafs on year eight of a three year rebuilding phase, the Jays on year 18, and the Raps on year. . well a lot. Either through trades, drafting, or just lucky schedule, which league provides the most chances for a team to get better quickly!?!

Thanks

Daniel G, Toronto

A: The first thing that comes to mind would that it’d be basketball because there are so few players who have big impacts but anecdotally, I think it falls third.

You hear of so many more worst-to-first teams in the NFL and major league baseball that I’d have to rank them one-two.

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Q: Hello Doug. Seems there was a time, just a couple of years ago even, when David Stern was regarded in some (many?) circles as maybe one of the top two or three sports commissioners of all time. Now that the CBA/lockout dust is starting to settle, how do you see the Commish regarded today? Still a Top 5 contender?

I'd have Paul Tagliabue pretty much alone on a pedestal at number one, followed by Bowie Kuhn, Pete Rozelle, Gil Stein, and then maybe Stern.

I reserve a permanent spot in last -- dead last -- place for Bud "If I Only Had A Brain" Selig. Bettman's way down there, too, but nowhere near Selig depths.

How about you? Thanks for the blog!!

David M, Ottawa

A: I know David’s reputation is at perhaps an all-time low right now but for a body of work, for taking a league that couldn’t even get its championship series on free network TV when he started and leading it to become a truly global $4 billion a year enterprise he has to be in the top five and maybe in the top two. And I think that is how history will judge him whenever it’s time for him to leave.

I’d probably put Rozelle right at the top of that list, and then maybe Tagliabue and Kuhn but I don’t share your disdain for Selig, I’m afraid.

He has had labour peace, enhanced the post-season, presided over incredible financial growth and, yes, there have been issues but he’s done a pretty darn good job.

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Q: I have a couple of questions about Cap Holds and other CBA-related stuff. Does Julian Wright's, Sonny Weems' and Alexis Ajinca's Cap Holds count against team salaries for Cap purposes? Does Toronto get a possible Disabled Player Exception for Linas Kleiza for 2011-2012? (If they do, I make it $1.00 less than $2.3025 Million.) How much Cap Space does Toronto have? What exceptions are available for them now? Thank you.

Richard S, Lethbridge

A: Weems’ qualifying offer does but they’ll keep it in place, probably, to have a measure of control over him next year as an asset; there is nothing for Kleiza, who should play this season and they have about $7 million in cap room, if the cap’s $58 million – give or take a couple of hundred thousand – and if nothing changes in the final CBA talks they won’t have any exceptions because they’re under the cap.

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Comments

[doug]

further on "tanking" ..and not playing your best players, these 2 sayings come to mind..."be careful what you wish for", and "Karma is a bitch"...example, glad you asked, remember a couple years ago the Colts had a chance for a perfect season, well they sat their starters, lost ...and look what has happened to them since....like i said Karma is a bitch, and it looks good on them, never ever cheat the game your playing especially as a coach , can I be expecting my "irregular" invitation in the mail to the 1st annual irregular xmas bash sponsored by Stella?, I promise I'll be good, wait that's no fun, never have been why start now....cheers

[JHP]

Hard to formulate but what's your basketball related schedule look like for the next 3 weeks ? When do you (or assistant) head to the gym to do the initial interviews and what's the minimum number of players the Raptor's need to sign ?

Hopefully some interesting names and story lines will emerge from the upcoming training camp. At least this year the players will actually be fighting for spot at the end of the bench.

By the way congrats on having an assistant :-)

Blogger's note: I'll know for sure Tuesday night when the schedule's out; should be in the gym starting Monday for most days; they have 10 under contract, figure they add three or four

[Jacques]

Only he felt that way to his Country. Screw Nash.

Blogger's note: So the more than a decade he played in various qualification tournaments, world championships and Olympics don't count; neither does his youth program nor his continued involvement in the program? Okay

[Boko]

I just read that JV may be able to join us this season. IF IT'S TRUE, what would you do with that salary cap space, & whom would you trade away?

Blogger's note: 99.9999999 per cent not true; if it happens, we'll think about it but it won't

[Tim]

Hi Doug,

I apologize if you get inundated with questions like this today, but is there any substance to the espn report that Valanciunas might join the raptors this season?

Thanks!

Blogger's note: 99.9999999999 per cent ain't gonna happen

[Nasko]

@ Mike S, man, I am so glad I am not such a negative person. It must be hard to wake up every morning and find a reason to complain about sth. If you dislike the blog so much, then please, oh please, do not read it and spare us your smart questions and comments

[Lorie]

Fist fights? Believe me, that's the least of your worries with this bunch: more than one of them thought the description of the event on the invite implied launching of starchy projectiles was going to be okay. (Yes, I do clean behind ALL of the furniture eventually.) And to the person who fed Killer Hot Wings to my dog: you'll be relieved to learn that he's fine; however, my suede boots and Persian rug are not. But for the most part, Doug, this group is made up of well-mannered folks you'll be happy to spend a few hours with. Once. :)

So, @Tim H: As I told you while we were loading that happily inebriated quartet: (and any more ideas on who might've spiked the Root Beer Floats?) D-Mac Ottawa, doug, Cluck Kent and Sheik Yurbuti into the cab - next year, we hold this thing in Windsor. (I told you all he wanted was a more Fragrant Ford Focus.)

[LeeZ]

Re: your gift wish list idea of having some of the Irregulars join you for dinner, I actually think that's a great idea! I live in Ottawa, but I'd for sure make the trek if I were invited. And I'd promise not to engage in fisticuffs. Well, if Lorie made some snide remark about my love of Freaks and Geeks, I might have to ask her to step outside, but apart from that, I'd be on my best behaviour. In all seriousness, I hope you can make this idea happen, if you're so inclined, of course.

Blogger's note: It's something we'll investigate further

[Lorie]

@LeeZ: Just remember: you started it by laughing continuously through my euphonium solo. My house: my music, my friend.

[Andrew Gregg]

Hey Doug:

If you're going to have an Irregulars dinner why not make it a Christmas fundraiser? Could be the start of an excellent tradition.

Also, I want to believe that ESPN report on JV. Badly.

AG, Toronto.

[Jag]

Glad you have basketball realted stuff to read again. I saw somewhere while browsing that Jonas could come back as early as this year. Is there any truth in this story or just another rumour mill. Thanks for your inside.

Blogger's note: Bad rumour

[SheikYurbouti]

The camaraderie and story telling of a Doug & The Irregulars gathering might need a weekend to reach it's full potential, but if an evening is ever planned, please allow for some lead time. I live quite far away (though not as far as Paulo) from most of the gang, but would do all I could to get to it. Damn, no doubt that would be good times. Lorie's creative thought process might even have me interested in stories of her her shoe collection :).

[Cluck Kent]

Good golly, an irregular meeting of irregulars - I'm in! How Monty Pythonesque would that be! I'll be there. Unless of course only the good natured and mature irregulars are invited, in which case I'll send my wife - bless her heart.

You know, I was going to make a joke about irregulars of a certain age not having enough energy for fisticuffs, but Kapp and Mosca have dried up that particualr vein of humour.

@Lorie, so that was a taxicab, was it? I thought we were playing twister! Nonetheless, you're a heck of a forklift operator!

[sportschick]

Real rivalries in pro sports? Maybe not in North American sports, but if you turn to European football, there are real rivalries. Ask any fan of either Real Madrid or Barcelona, or Roma and Lazio, just for starters. Those rivalries are taken farther (too far in some cases) than any North American sports rivalries you will see.

Another Ottawa voice here. We could have a irregulars dinner here too if Mother Star would pay for our master grump to get all the way to Ottawa. Too bad the Raps aren't having a training camp here this year. Otherwise, I could make the trek to the big smoke.

[TT]

@nasko, I agree with Mike S, what brings this special group together are the raptors..I think in off season/when the league is locked out...sure anything goes but what we I think most of us come here for is raptors "news" of even the slightest importance... I would take more issue with those that use this comment section for their own blogging (for example see Nov 30th) or those that come here and completely trash Doug's comments (for those why do they even bother?)

[D-Mac Ottawa]

O geez... 'Hangover' meets 'Groundhog Day'... again... Vaguely remember a persian rug... no forklift, though... Sure seems like some fun was being had... Wait a minute, @lorie, that was your dog?! O geez. Cheers, eh!

[J]

I'm hoping the BC self-preservation speculation stops. It was huge during the draft, with armchair GMs promising BC would go for "immediate help" (whatever that meant) in order to preserve his job. BC proved them all wrong when he went with JV, yet people still can't seem to connect two and two.

[doug]

you know sometimes it pays to just be a unbiased fan and watch and appreciate superb performances...I had no emotional attachment to the Packers/Giants game, but what Eli did was superb but what Aaron Rodgers is doing is beyond words/description, on that last game winning drive he made 3 perfect passes, room for error on each one miniscule....I hope people are realizing they are seeing a quarterback that is pitching perfect games, one after another...he's awe inspiring and kudos to him...and that's why we watch sports...

[LeeZ]

@sportschick and d-macOttawa, as soon as Doug sets the date, we can carpool down to T-Dot. I call shotgun! We'll have a tailgate party outside Doug's casa before the festivities commence; oh and we'll bring local delicacies from the Nation's Capital, such as beaver tails and Beau's Beer (the latter oughta smoke Doug out from the comfort of his abode).

[Norrin Radd]

Please do NOT sign Shane Battier...he probably has one decent year left and that's it. Offensively he can't create his own shot and defensively he has and will continue to lose a step. Let's save our money for someone else.

[Mike D.]

I'm in for a larger-scale Irregular event if it happens. Now I just need to score my first NFL touchdown so I can give a suitable gift to @Lorie....

[gds]

Please give us some hints on the contenders for the title this year. Or should we wait to see how free agency changes the landscape? Will it? Some insider insight is welcome. thanks

Blogger's note: We need to wait to see who's on what team before doing anything like that