Wouldn't it be easier for a coach to just tell the truth?

Ah, the Leafs.

They are quite something, aren’t they?

The coach, who I may have spoken to or listened to three or four times in my life and really have no opinion on as a person, comes out Friday afternoon and says something to the effect that, yes, The Monster will be the goaler in Boston on Saturday because The Kid With Or Without The Concussion isn’t ready and will be the backup.

Kind of unequivocal, the coach was, and everyone trots off to do their work.

And Saturday arrives, Reimer (who did or didn’t have a concussion, only his Mom seems to know for sure) is, as they say, between the pipes.

So why would a coach lie?

Got me.

Anyway, it speaks to what I’m told is a rather tenuous and confrontational relationship between the media and the team, a fact that’s been discussed at length between colleagues from a number of papers, broadcast outlets and others. Unlike the goofy, petulant, petty Mayor, it’s not just us.

As you know, there isn’t much more intense that pucks coverage in our little burg, some dude breaks wind and we’ve got mains, sidebars, charts and video; heaven help us the days when something newsworthy happens.

So why on earth would the coach basically lie? Because he thought he wouldn’t be found out by the thundering herd of media that follows his team? Because he has such disdain for us that he doesn’t care? Because it’s fun? Because he can?

Look, in the grand scheme of things, knowing who’ll tend goal Saturday on Friday isn’t a big thing – it matters to teammates, maybe; friends, family and gamblers and I’m pretty certain it wouldn’t have an impact on the opponents’ preparation – but these are the Leaves, this was something of a special case and, well, these are the Leaves.

Why not do what most coaches do, which is obfuscate, or give some milquetoast non-answer that won’t come back to bite you in the bum.

You’d think that after all these years and all those scrums and all the scrutiny that comes with gig, the dude Wilson would know better.

Guess he’s either not bright or doesn’t care and both are rather sad.

This is a unique pucks market; I don’t imagine there’ll ever be any kind of transparency in the relationship between writers, commentators and the team, they don’t need us, some of us don’t care for them and times will often be strained.

But to lie? Probably intentionally? Bush league. Unprofessional. And beneath men who want to be treated with some level of respect.

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Tell the truth.

Who among us heard that the iconoclast soccer legend Socrates had died (great piece here by Cathal) and immediately thought of this?

Or this?

I sure did.

Yeah, those Monty Python folks could do comedy, couldn’t they?

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What a concept, seeing real, live NBA players in a real live NBA facility.

Yep, not a bad Sunday afternoon except by time I got there they were in the back lifting weights and we really didn’t see very much.

But I can dutifully report Ed Davis says he’s about 18 pounds heavier (told us he finished last season at 215, weighed in Saturday at 233) but that he’s still “bouncy,” which I presume is good.

James Johnson’s got some wild faux hawk hair thing going on and Jose figured it was about time to start looking for a job in Europe somewhere when the league and the litigants finally figured it was time to play.

“There was a lot (of initial interest from teams) but from the beginning I was clear for everybody, until the season was cancelled for sure, I didn’t want to play for a couple of months or one month. I was clear from the beginning so that’s why not so many teams were calling even just to check. I was 100 per cent sure about that.

“But when things turned out that it looked like the season might be cancelled we were asking a little bit to see what kind of options were out there. If the season was cancelled, there were 420 players who wanted to play in Europe or China or Spain, everywhere.

“We wanted to be ahead of those guys so we were asking what the options could be.”

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Did anyone notice that the Buffalo Bills drew an underwhelming audience of 56,463 for their game against Tennessee at home on Sunday.

It’s about 16,000 under capacity by my (bad) math and I guess all that palaver about fans loving The Ralph and the parties and the team doesn’t quite carry over when the team’s, you know, not going well.

Funny thing is, there’ve been times when the Bills have been way worse off than they are today, without the huge injury woes they’re struggling with, and fans have still flocked to games.

Sign of the times?

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Oh yeah, calm down everyone.

After a sourced report surfaced on the weekend that Jonas Valanciunas may indeed be in Toronto this season, Someone Who Knows reports it’s 99.99 per cent certain he stays in Lithuania and that it’s just as good that he does.

So, I guess, yes, there is a chance he comes.

(I keed, I keed)

Thus endeth the HOTH news for today. If you missed it, here's what else transpired.

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I tell ya, if I could get Gus Johnson to do play-by-play of my life, it would be soooooooo much more exciting.

You know I love the understated style of a Vin Scully more than any other broadcaster but Gus might be my second favourite out there.

The guy could read a menu and make it exciting.

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Comments

[james]

Thanks for the Socrates links from Kelly and Python. A cranky bunch today. Bernie, it's a blog not a textbook. John, kudos for your contender for non sequitur of the year:
"At some point writing stories filled with half-truths, ambushing politicians in their driveway as they are taking their kids to school and constantly hammering away to get someone fired is bush league in its own right and all the incessant whining and chest thumping about democracy from the media is slowly falling on deaf ears."

[The J]

While I don't condone the lying or pretend it is at all professional, I don't blame him from protecting his player. We all saw the media frenzy when Sid came back, and if announcing Reimer's return were to cause a fraction of that, I wouldn't blame him from avoiding that all together. I'm not in Wilson's corner by any stretch of the imagination, but there are two parties that I get sick of, one is smug Wilson, the other is the obsessive Toronto Hockey media. I would say it's unfair to list reasons Wilson might have lied, without the obvious element of wanting to protect his team from an unnecessary circus.

However, my bigger opinion is maybe just avoid Hockey all together. It's clear you hate the sport, and especially the Leaves. And the onslaught of "haters" commenting on a blog they probably don't normally read, sure reduces the enjoyment of what is normally an enjoyable blog. Hopefully the return of the HOTH will give us all something new to complain about.

[Matt G]

Doug,

I understand you talk to your sources within and close to the team to validate or debunk the rumour on Jonas Valanciunas. You're right way more than you're wrong so there's no quibble with your authoritative reporting. But are we to presume that the basis for the speculation in the first place, e.g. there maybe financial incentives for Lietuvos Rytas to acquiesce to an earlier buyout than planned nor will he be getting expected Euroleague action, doesn't hold water?

I seem to recall you're generally consistent on the value of practicing against NBA bigs rather than getting some D-League action. Would the same not apply here, i.e. incent the Raptors braintrust to re-visit the situation if he's not going to get the minutes they thought he would five months ago?

[Mos High]

Cant wait for basketball to start, I dont even care if the Raptors struggle (lie I do) but I rather pointless Basketball talk then anything about the NHL or maple leafs.

Coach Wilson dont know him personally, but seems like a miserable person. I tried to watch a leafs game I cant. NO interest

Ill sound ignorant like some of the others WE DONT CARE ABOUT LEAF'S or NHL,,,We come to this blog for basketball.

Doug will give you another two weeks.. I love football talk (for my fantasy teams) cant stand the Leafs, go back to 67 leaf fans and live there in glory!!!!

[m]

Would it be possible to put the basketball talk at the top of the blog so we don't have to read through all the other stuff to get to it.

[Tim H.]

Doug, I think the reason Adrian keeps coming back is because, in his mind at least, you are validating him and his comments. He must live a pretty pathetic life if the highlight of it is getting a "Blogger's note" from you.

[Sam]

Lemme get this stratight, so if Wilson wants to change his mind based on more information he's not allowed to because he had already told the media? Sorry I thought Wilson works for MLSE ... you guys should've told him you were his employer.

[Andrew Gregg]

Hi Doug:

I see that the Suns have released Carter and that the Heat may be interested in picking him up. If that happens, the first game between Miami and the Raps could well set a record on the loud-o-meter for boos. There will be ugliness.

AG, Toronto

Blogger's note: I cannot wait if that happens

[511]

I do not wish to be piling on -- because I appreciate the ‘blog’ and respect the writer -- but I sooo dislike having to sort through hockey news in this spot ... more than I could ever say. There’s wayyy too much hockey news everywhere as it is, so having to scan through it on (what used to be) our Raptors blog grates on me huge. Add to that the particular viewpoint of what the pucks coach said and what he did about stupid goalies and such, well ... my eyes are rolling near out of my head. I’d frankly rather read near-nonsensical-Raptors-rumors or anything else NBA-related than have to try to ignore pucks-talk in the one place that it was always close (enough) to nonexistent. I’m sure it isn’t your choice, Doug, but ... to the TFs who call the shots, listen please, to what more than a couple have said here, today. This once-mighty Raptors blog is already sliding down my personal list of what needs reading each day. And it appears I’m not alone.

[C-Mac]

Wow, Doug, take the passion from everyone as a compliment; some just need to work on how the communicate that passion. Everyone enjoys the b-ball side of the Blog; I like the one comment or wider league coverage. Deeper into Ball rather than wider into sports. I think in two two weeks this is a non issue when content picks up.

With that said; Caron Butler healthy would be a nice addition. Is he a fit wit this current squad? Do you see any mutual interest?

Blogger's note: I don't, no. Like Caron Butler but these folks seem intent on one-, maybe two-year deals tops; may be an exception but I don't think it's for him.

[doug]

any Monty python skit is gold...here is a appropriate Monty Python quote for today's blog/comments as there seems a argumentative restless lot here today...

"Please! This is supposed to be a happy occasion. Let's not bicker and argue over who killed who."....cheers

[sam]

Some folks it appears can't see the forrest for the tree's. When our precious little corner of the internet slightly changed directions it was due in part because of little or no Raptors/basket ball news - The diversions - pop culture, life's frustrations - music etc weren't appreciated by all, but what the heck - there was nothing else to report. I'm certain that as the week progresses and the free agent frenzy starts on Friday there will be some news to pass along - possibly Hockey - football will get put aside - for more pressing news -
What Raptors News did we learn today - JJohnson has a funky haircut - Ed Davis bulked up but is still bouncy - and Jose could have signed in Europe, but was waiting - Hardly earth shattering.
The good stuff is coming folks - be patient

[Lorie]

Well, I like the wider scope. How deep can you go with the Raptors experience and remain sound of mind? How limiting would the experience here be (and I was initially thinking only of the readers; God knows how Doug kept his sanity writing All Raptors All The Time for all those years) if all we're exposed to are the HOTH. Hell's Bells! Think of all that we've discussed over the last few months. Hasn't it been enlightening? informative? FUN??? So, Doug, please continue to expose us to your cultural slash political slash sports smorgasbord even after the Raptors take to the court. Just three requests from me for: as many Jose Calderon photos as you like, as much Monty Python content as you like. Oh, and of course, can we ever have enough cowbell?
http://youtu.be/_rDbf8pOMYU

[doug]

I was doing some youtube video cruising...and I decided for me this has to be not only the coolest song ever written, but also performed...a classic all around...here are 2 versions, the first shows him in his prime, the 2nd just a virtuoso live performance....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L2cHkMwzOiM&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oDOH3ViMmCM&feature=related

[Peter]

After returning to this page several times today to read the comments, I'm afraid that I have to generally agree with a few of the more polite commenters. I enjoy coming here to get basketball news. I have to admit that I really enjoyed Chris Sheridan's blog, since you introduced it. Not because it's such a great blog, but because I can go there and get basketball news. I can go anywhere on the web to read sports news, and have no problem finding hockey news on this paper's website, but when the season gets going, I'd really like to see mostly basketball, (heavy on the Raptors) with little tidbits of whatever is on the mind of our favourite Grunt. I'm a little too young for some of the music and entertainment references, but I can always skim through them, or avoid playing the YouTube video. I really do enjoy the basketball news. Maybe the tall foreheads could give Doug a little more room to explore league issues and other NBA team situations, instead of assigning other sports. That's just my two cents, about the Blog entries that I've enjoyed the most over the past several years in this little corner of the web. No hard feelings if the business case is to appeal to a larger audience.

[Gavin]

With all the unnecessary venom being spewed in the comment section, I'm sure of one thing...The Raptors are back!

[Tabber]

It's unfortunate that so many of the readers have such closed minds, and can't even appreciate the different and outsider views on the pucks. I find it a great difference from the usual pucks writers, whom I can count on boring me to tears several times a season, and more so in the off-season. Please, Doug, write about what you want to - those of us who appreciate your work will keep you employed, and you'll get less aggro when the closed minds leave - or is that leaf? Cheers, and thanks for your great work - on virtually any topic (I could do without the DWTS stuff, but I'm not complaining!)