The Lou Marsh Award: As much about why as who

Sometime today, the greatest minds in Canadian sports journalism – with one notable exception, mind you – will sit down to decide who wins the Lou Marsh Award as the country’s top 2011 athlete.

It is not, nor will it ever be, an easy task – although it would be made easier with the presence of one other guy, mind you – because there always are so many worthy candidates, each of whom is deserving of some monstrous accolade.

But one of the most burning questions – and it would be more easily answered by the addition of one guy to the panel mind you (okay, end of shameless self-promotion) – doesn’t have to do with who wins it.

It’s why does he or she win?

It’s one of those impossible questions to answer and why debates, in whatever room those Tall Foreheads occupy or whatever saloon you and your buddies are sitting in, and it is, in my opinion, one of the essences of sport.

PHOTOS: Top 15 contenders for the Lou Marsh trophy

Should it be someone who had a breakthrough year; can it be someone one dominated a sport not widely played; can it be a member of a team or does it have to be an individual; is it for career achievement or a one-time accomplishment; does greatness over time count for anything.

Tough one, no?

Some of the worthy nominees are here in this excellent slide show someone with some technical acumen at our place put together and you can see the breadth of our sporting excellence.

But could you vote for, say, Patrick Chan, whose world figure skating title is an incredible feat, even if half the world doesn’t, you know, figure skate?

Could you vote Christine Sinclair, a singular soccer talent who played for a team that flamed out on the biggest stage in shocking fashion?

How about George St. Pierre, who is as much pitchman for a sport as pugilist but whose athletic skills cannot be denied?

How about John Axford, who only got his opportunity at fame because his baseball teammates put him in a position to do it and who plays a sport entire foreign to a great part of the globe?

Same with, say, Dwayne De Rosario, who dominated a second-rate league?

All good choices, all a tad flawed in my opinion.

Me? I’m coming down to Milos Raonic or Dylan Armstrong.

The former was brilliant at times in a sport played around the world, who defied convention to become a Canadian tennis star, something in short supply if you look through our history books. But there is the fact he missed a huge chunk of 2011 because he was hurt and that’s not his fault but it’s a fact.

Armstrong? Well, a Pan-Am Games gold doesn’t hold much significance to be because the field is not too deep but a silver medal in a world championship, against competitors from pretty much the entire world is an accomplishment that needs to be recognized. As does his fighting against sporting convention to be a Canadian star in a sport not associated with our country.

Yeah, Armstrong would get my vote.

If I was in the room, that is.

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Hey, wanna know what an old friend is doing?

My Man Monroe catches up with T.J. in this piece.

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Okay, this is a tad self-serving but, man, do I think I’m going to be glad the HOTH signed Anthony Carter.

In this “all about me” world – and, yes, it’s all about me and us – finding a go-to quote on a team you cover is like finding a $100 bill stuck in an old pair of jeans just when you’re headed to the saloon.

We had Oak and we had Reggie and we had Jalen and when we were going down this year’s roster, we had good guys who were relatively, um, uninteresting quote-machines.

And then Carter arrives, a grown up, self-confident, well-spoken.

Thanks.

A few snippets from yesterday:

On his willingness to speak his mind:

I tell them all the time, you ain’t got to like me off the court but you’ve got to play with me on the court. I’m your friend on the court, off the court, I ain’t got to see you. I’m going to yell at you, I’m going to do what I’ve got to do and you do the same to me. Off the court, I don’t have to hang with you. I can go back to my place but when we come in this gym, we’re going to get the job done then you go your way and I’ll go my way.

What kind of coach does he like to play for?

I think a defensive coach is better for me because I’m like a coach out there. If I’m playing for a defensive coach … nothing against New York but that was an offensive team and I didn’t feel comfortable because we didn’t hold guys accountable for their actions on the defensive tend and I felt like I wasn’t really getting into it. But here, it starts with the defence.

What he does for teammates:

These guys can play defence, they just need someone to motivate them and that’s me. It starts with the point guard.

He’s a beaut.

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Holy crap.

It’s Dec. 13?

Christmas is soon, right?

Well, we better start doing this kind of thing every other day or so, no?

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More Raptors?

Today, if the mail delivery worked well, should be Gary Forbes day, when we find out if the Denver Nuggets will match the offer sheet the Raptors gave him.

Not sure what they’re going to do, Masai hasn’t texted me back (hey, Masai, text me back!!!) but if they do match, there are a couple of alternatives in play.

Reggie Williams, linked some tweet I saw yesterday, is a legit possibility, they like the scoring prowess of the young small forward who played at Golden State last season.

There is a modicum of interest in Andy Rautins, waived or about to be waived in Dallas, if he’ll take a non-guaranteed deal.

But I’m wondering if it wouldn’t be wise for Bryan to leave the 15th spot open, just in case something else presents itself in the next couple of weeks.

Anyway, should be some resolution in the next 24 hours and then they’ve got the team they’ll open the season.

 

 

 

Comments

[Peter]

Wow!! Gotta love Carter. Steps into a new team and tells it like it is. You don't say that kind of stuff on your first day or two with a team unless you're the type of guy to back it up! Gold Jerry! Gold!!

[Peter]

Hi Doug,
I'm here at the hospital while my wife is in surgery. I'm looking for distractions while I wait. They have free copies of The Star so I check out the sports section. Yesterday was Raptors media day so I look from front to back of the sports section and there is not even one solitary article on the Raps. Really? What's going on there? Do these free copies of the paper not get any love?

Blogger's note: Page A3, a decision made above my paygrade

[Richard]

Anybody else feel like the Raptors essentially pitched play and coach positions to Magloire, Butler and Carter. Essentially PG, Wing and Big man coaches in training.

[CC]

@Peter, maybe the Raptors organization supports the Mayor so the star was not invited...

[LeeZ]

Love Carter's attitude, but since he will have scant minutes on the court, is he a voice that will be listened to? Or will the players tune him out?

Blogger's note: Don't count on the "scant" minutes, this guy has a way of making himself valuable, has at every stop. But they'll listen anyway, I'd imagine

[C-Mac]

TORONTO - More than wins and losses, Dwane Casey’s first season as head coach of the Toronto Raptors will be about developing the talent at hand.
Doug, we have to get you a higher pay grade - Sun coverage was pretty good.

One of Casey’s biggest challenges will be getting more out of the enigmatic Andrea Bargnani.

To that end, Bryan Colangelo, the general manager who has invested so much in Bargnani over the years, aided his new bench boss by gifting him with a couple of sizable veterans to ride shotgun.

Casey plans to play Bargnani and slight sophomore Ed Davis at power forward – which means they will spend a lot of time on the court with either Aaron Gray, Jamaal Magloire, or Amir Johnson, who doesn’t share their heft but can match up well with quick, athletic centres.

Aaron Gray, in particular, will aid greatly in Bargnani’s evolution.

PHYSICAL PLAY

“(Gray’s) going to give us that physical play in the paint ... he gives us screening, rebounding, just taking up space which frees up Andrea, frees up (Davis), frees up our smaller forwards to play their natural positions.”

Casey said Gray is “down” to a team-high 277 pounds from the 290 he carried during a solid playoff series against the Lakers last spring.

“We’ve got to protect the paint. Last year we allowed too many layups without knocking people on their butts and hopefully Aaron and Jamaal will correct that.”

Bargnani will no longer be the last line of defence, a role that never suited him. While a horrendous, often disinterested help defender, Bargnani is capable in most man-to-man situations.

Anything seems possible in the heady days of training camp, but Casey seems convinced that Bargnani will finally show some of the pieces that have been missing from his game over the years.

“(Bargnani’s) impressed me with his defensive approach, his rebounding. Now we have to transfer that into a game situation,” Casey said.

“That has been his criticism and the only way you can do away with that is come out and perform as he has.”

Casey believes Bargnani is also growing into more of a leadership role after years of being a low-key locker room presence.

“He’s speaking up, asking questions. He stepped up in the team meeting the other night, said what was on his mind, what we needed.”

Of course, Bargnani isn’t in the NBA for his defence, rebounding or leadership abilities. He was the No. 1 overall selection in 2006 because of his shooting ability and the quickness and mobility he provides which few 7-footers can match.

SIMILARITIES

It is clear by now that Bargnani never will live up to the Dirk Nowitzki comparisons he has been saddled with, but Casey, the former Dallas assistant who knows the ins and outs of Nowitzki’s game like few others, still sees similarities and will run similar plays for Bargnani that Rick Carlisle drew up for Nowitzki.

“He’s one of the best shooters in the world and we want to make sure we utilize that,” said the coach.

“I know a lot of people don’t like that (Nowitzki) comparison, but I know how those sets turn out and how they work. We’ll have a lot of sets for him. Inside-outside, because he has that great skill-set.”

Casey said he will force Bargnani to improve offensively by doing things he has shied away from in the past.

“Andrea’s next step is accepting the contact inside. Initializing, (being a) physical, post up player and taking advantage of his size in the paint. We’re going to run a lot of sets for him to get the ball to him inside that’s what’s going to help keep the other teams off balance ... it’s going to help him as an all-around player because teams can’t key on (only his outside game).”

It all sounds logical. Doable, even.

But others have tried and failed to unlock Bargnani’s considerable potential.

There’s no doubt it will be one of Casey’s most difficult assignments.

GRAY FEELING WANTED

Aaron Gray had a bit of an NBA coming-out party during the playoffs last season and as a free agent, surely had a number of teams to choose from but settled on Toronto.

A chance to get ample playing time (Gray could well be new head coach Dwane Casey’s choice to start beside Andrea Bargnani) had a lot to do with it, but Gray says Toronto’s interest in him and the chance to be a part of something new in Toronto also were key factors.

“It’s great, to be where you’re wanted, it’s a great feeling,” Gray said at media day on Monday.

“We definitely want to change the culture around here and that’s the direction (we’re) going.

Gray helped New Orleans take the Los Angeles Lakers to six games in the first round, particularly with a 12-point performance in Game 1 and with some gritty efforts later on, despite an ankle injury.

“I feel great, confidence is real high, obviously playing against a great Laker team, you don’t get much bigger than them,” the former second round pick said of his mentality coming off of that series.

When asked whether the rest of the league regarded Toronto as an easy mark in the past, Gray was blunt in his response.

“When you win 18, 20, 30 games, to be honest with you, I don’t think people are talking about us much at all,” he said.

“That’s something that we’ll use to our advantage. I think people are going to come in here and take us lightly and they won’t the following time.”

[AT]

Doug, what's your take on the Timberwolves signing Barea? maybe just a couple more point guards than they need?

Blogger's note: Kaaaaaahnnnnnn!!!!

[Michael]

I agree with your take on Milos Raonic. Hopefully he will continue his success next year, for a full complete season. However, I do think that tennis is a bit more demanding on the body than some of the other sports mentioned, given the large amount of significant tournaments that occur throughout the year. I could be wrong though.

[Cluck Kent]

I'd be very surprised if the Forbes thing fell through. Being old pals with Brian, Masai should have told him whether Denver would match right from the outset. To wait right until the last minute would be like kicking sand in Brian's face. Although with the limited bodies they have in Denver, it really doesn't seem to make sense.

I like the pieces coming in and my anticipation is continuing to grow. You were right Doug, it didn't take long for the anticipation of the season to clear the bad taste of the lockout. I also agree that they shouldn't be in any great hurry to fill that 15th spot if Forbes doesn't come. If they need a few extra old fat bodies for practise, I could volunteer.

[Lorie]

Hi Doug!
Do you happen to know if The Raptors' Rock is a piece of the Canadian Shield? 'Cause if so, isn't that the name we gave our national basketball team, and wouldn't that be some sort of cool synchronicity? (Even cooler? If you'd gone with MY choice - Red Serge - and there'd been a Mountie assigned to their locker room.)
Cheers!

[SY]

Wow....Just heard that Clippers got Billups.....can't believe I am going to say this but....the Clippers is a really good team........Starting line-up - Billups, Butler, Jordan, Griffin and Gordon.....Kaman and Williams coming off the bench....wow.....That's like 7 deep (yet there's still Aminu and Bledsoe)....All these teams, OKC, Memphis and now Clippers building from the draft are doing very well.....BC.....stick w/ the plan and next year is going to be our year!!!! Go Raps Go~~~

[Mike D.]

Doug, I notice that Aaron Gray has been stuck on the bench behind two pretty good centres (Joakim Noah and Emeka Okafor) during his NBA career to date. Any sense of how he's viewed by BC and Casey - is he a James Johnson-style hidden gem (fingers crossed here for a young Rasho), or is he just here to help Jamaal Magloire carry the new rock around the dressing room?

Blogger's note: Oh, he'll get a chance to earn significant minutes

[Rob.V]

Dude, I had submitted a rebuttal yesterday from a post on the weekend that didnt get posted. Just wondering if it was too long, or it just never made it to you.
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AC is definitely refreshing... Magloire is no slouch either. At minumun they should keep things interesting for us this season.
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And on this note...
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I cannot ever remember hearing a Raptor player make this statement: “I like to play hard on the defensive end… to get my satisfaction” (A Carter).
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This is a very, VERY good start to turning this program around in the right direction.
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I love all of the players Colangelo has brought in. Anyone else think of Eric Montross when you listen to Aaron Gray?. That cat looks like a tank!! in interviews.
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Anyway, dare I say 30-35 wins?

Blogger's note: Not sure what happened to the other one; don't imagine it got here; haven't killed stuff in weeks

[JHK]

In 2012-2013, I'm seeing about $39 million on books for Raps in terms of committed salary - and that amnesty clause could potentially free up anywhere from 5 to 10 million.
Is it possible to see the Raps go after two all-star level FAs?

Blogger's note: Don't forget the salary slots for Valanciunas and next year's first-round pick; likely not

[D-Mac Ottawa]

Pound the Mountie?! I believe I had submitted The Great Whites. Think about it... they could be pounding a polar bear these days just to get the adrenaline going...
Now, seems to me this new mantra (not the rock/Mountie/bear one) of 'we need a wizened veteran or two to help the kiddie brigade along' is a very good one – but it's exactly the same mantra I was touting going into the trade deadline last year. In fact, I said I thought BCo "owed it to his troops" to do just that so they'd have half a chance to start learning how to win for once... they'd already had all the practice any upstanding group of young erstwhiles could stomach in the art of losing. So why is it a good idea this year but nobody thought so last year? Anyone? What, there wasn't a million or two to be found in the cookie jar? Absolutely NObody was available? Enquiring minds want to know.
Cheers. Go Raps!

[Kelsey]

Got to love the energy A Carter is bringing. Raptors need this type veteran who can demand that respect on the defensive side of the ball.

I was rag on Bargnani alot for last couple of years, however I feel a change this year not necessarily way better defender, but more aware and knowing that Raptors have a coach that was brought in to coach defense!!!! So players who arent playing good Im sure will see less playing time. Triano and nice guy but I didnt like his poor excuses.

Did anyone see Marc Jacksons talk at the Golden State open practice, he said his players used to scoring and no defense, he told the crowd to chant defense as his team isnt familar with it....Wow you can tell he is tryin to change the culture.

Doug anymore info on the guys from Denver who are playing in China,,Is it true that Chandler and Smith will have to stay over there till about March????

[james]

Red Alert: Non-basketball post follows!
I must disagree on the Marsh which shouldn't be close. In fact, much of the world does figure skate. Africa, South and Central America, South Asia and Indochina, and the Middle East do not. That means the entire Eurasian land mass from Dublin to Kamchatka (including Russia and China) does, along with Japan and North America. We are not talking about hockey here.
Patrick Chan has just crushed all competition in the past year: Think Tiger at his most dominant or perhaps Usain Bolt in Beijing. The Olympics highlighted his weakness (no quad) and he attacked and remedied this. He is still very young and it would be unfortunate if the recent non-political instance of opening his mouth before his brain was engaged costs him this award.

[Lorie]

@D-Mac Ottawa: Good Grief!!! I wasn't suggesting they "Pound The Mountie": was thinking more along the lines of "Stroke the Serge" or "Salute the Serge" or even "Sanctify the Serge", which I know aren't nearly as adrenaline-thumping, testosterone-pumping as pounding rocks and other (hopefully) inanimate objects. Let's save the thumping, pumping - oh, and bouncing - for the basketball court! Cheers! (And Nearly Time To) Go Raps!

[Derek H]

Is Marc Gasol really worth $15million a year. Puts him at about the 22nd highest paid player in the league.

Okay, so Stu Jackson is one of the guys deciding what offers are good or bad for the Hornets? Really?! This is the guy who back in his Grizzlies days signed Big Country Reeves to a stupid something like 6-year, $65 million deal which partly helped to kill the team. It is a disgrace they have axed 2 deals already. Dell Demps should resign as the Hornets GM. Not like he has any say. Does the league think anyone GM is going to want to trade for Paul now? I hope Paul plays out the season as a Hornet and walks. Look good on the league and Stern. We could dream the Raps try to get Paul. Where the heck was the league when Carter was traded to the Nets?

[Derek H]

And Andy Rautins was hoping to get more quality playing time with the Knicks?Nothing against him but he has to find a desperate bottom team even for a chance at that. And even the Raptors would not have any playing time for him with Demar and Barbosa playing the 2 and the 3 PGs they already have.

[steve]

your argument for choosing armstrong also applies to patrick chan, though chan actually WON the championship---in world record fashion to boot...

Blogger's note: I would posit twice as many countries in the world produce shot-putters as they do figure skaters. But, congratulations to him

[Jack]

“Andrea’s next step is accepting the contact inside. Initializing, (being a) physical, post up player and taking advantage of his size in the paint. We’re going to run a lot of sets for him to get the ball to him inside that’s what’s going to help keep the other teams off balance ... it’s going to help him as an all-around player because teams can’t key on (only his outside game).”

It all sounds logical. Doable, even.

But others have tried and failed to unlock Bargnani’s considerable potential.

There’s no doubt it will be one of Casey’s most difficult assignments."

Casey should use the rock in case he couldn't get Bargnani to unlock his potential. As in "Pound the Rock.... with Bargnani's head"

[doug]

I have no problem with Chan winning the Lou Marsh, he deserves it and he was dead on when he said he is under-appreciated and get's no respect (him and Dangerfield), he dominates a sport, men's ice skating which isn't easy to do...so kudos to him...

excellent article here by Rosenburg on S.I....about how out of control Stern is, and how the Paul vetoes have nothing to do with basketball, Stern is and has been the last few years out of control...

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/writers/michael_rosenberg/12/13/david.stern.hornets/index.html?eref=sihp&sct=hp_t11_a1

[GM]

@Rob V, I tried posting a comment yesterday that didn't get through, too. That's compooters for ya. The gist of mine was to say I wasn't a hater, and that I don't mind non-basketball stuff here, but that I just think it's slightly disrespectful, for lack of a better word, that the one basketball blog now gets named a general sports blog. I can't imagine that happening -- or being tolerated -- with a hockey or baseball or classical music blog. Basketball gets the short shrift among the media enough as it is.

Andy Rautins to the Raps? Wasn't it just a day or two ago you were pleading for the emails to stop suggesting such a move? And if he does sign, will his season in Toronto be the longest time he has ever spent in the country? Wasn't he born and raised in the States?

Anyway, I'm excited to be reading more Raps stuff now. How many more sleeps until game time?

Blogger's note: I did scoff; and still do. Just letting you know what the folks who actually run the team are thinking. And I see your point entirely on the name but you have to trust me, my priority always will be the Raptors, and I hope to keep providing information, insight and opinion you can't get anywhere else. If I fail, that's on me

[Penguin]

Re. the Lou Marsh award, lots of worthy nominees, but one is missing and it's WAY past time that he was recognized as one of Canada's top athletes. I'm talking about Daniel Nestor, who had yet another good year in 2011. From Wikipedia regarding 2011: "In 2011, he won four titles with Mirnyi: the French Open, Memphis, the Shanghai Masters and the Year End Championships in London. In the final of the Year End Championships, he played his 1,148th match, an all-time record." Because he is a tennis player, and more so because he excels in doubles, despite being consistently one of the top players in the world, scaling heights that no Canadian has ever reached in the sport, Nestor has never received the recognition that he deserves. Of course, I don't think Jonathan Power, former number on squash player in the world, was ever recognized either.