Tennis and pucks and a wee bit of basketball. Must be Friday

We’re a bit all over the map today in a traditional Friday thing since we did a whole lot of basketball – including a one-man discussion of the relative merits of Kobe and Pierce in the history of their franchises in today’s Nothing But Net.

So …

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Believe a little clarification is necessary here today.

It’s about me and tennis.

It’s not the sport I’m not fond of by any stretch of the imagination; I quite like it at its highest level. It wasn’t too long ago that I woke up a few times through the night and remained awake to catch some of that epic Djokovic-Nadal match from Down Under because it was so compelling, as championship matches in Grand Slams tend to be.

There isn’t much better and more dramatic than two guys going at it tooth-and-nail with so much on the line, each pushing themselves to the absolute limits of their abilities in a sport that is absolutely about individuals going head-to-head against each other.

McEnroe-Borg. Connors-McEnroe. Sampras-Federer, Federer-Nadal, Djokovic-Federer, Nadal-Djokovic. All thrilling, all interesting, all great sports theatre.

No, I guess it is the whole notion of a team event in an individual sport that I kind of don’t get.

Or, better yet, it’s the proliferation of events, and the somewhat dumbing down of the Davis Cup that have turned it into something that won’t be destination viewing likely at any time this weekend.

There are simply too many tournaments to get pumped up about very many of them; the Davis Cup seems to have turned from the best against the best into some multi-level competition that is almost too confusing to follow.

(Tell me, honestly. How many people do you think saw the Canada-Israel tie last year and couldn’t figure out that it wasn’t the “real” Davis Cup but some kind of play-in weekend just to get the country into the Davis Cup? I’d venture to say more than a few).

Anyway, that’s me and tennis, like it is me and golf (the Ryder Cup’s lost some of its allure thanks to the Presidents Cup, the hype now about the Walker Cup but at least in golf it’s a one-and-done week) and while I hope for great matches, the “event” leaves me cold.

Good luck, though, to the lads.

One good thing about this one:

Twenty years ago, Daniel Nestor upset Stefan Edberg out in Vancouver in one of Canada’s best Davis Cup moments ever. Me, a desk jockey at The People’s Wire Service at the time, was dispatched to Pearson to chronicle the return of the conquering Canadian hero and while I have nothing but admiration for Nestor and what he’s accomplished in the last two decades he was, how shall I say this, a rather difficult interview as a shy teen and it was far from the best story I’ve ever written. Won’t have to do that again, I’m sure.

Remember it?

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So, all-star subs?

Guess I nailed it a bit and, sure, you could absolutely make the case that Rudy Gay should be on the West over Dirk Nowitzki or that Josh Smith should replace Joe Johnson on the East but, for the most part, I think the coaches got it right.

One thing that’s going to be interesting over the next few weeks is which of the all-stars tries to back out because in this compressed season, everyone would rather have that weekend off.

But you know the league knows that too and David And His Henchman aren’t going to look too fondly on guys backing out and there are going to have to be all kinds of serious doctor’s notes before anyone gets to ball.

And if I have to go, they should have to go.

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Hey, this is pretty cool in the “yes, it’s high school basketball and I really don’t get excited about high school basketball” vein but still …

They announced the players for that McDonalds All-American Game that’s in Chicago next month and Canadians got a couple of spots.

Brampton’s Anthony Bennett, who goes to Findlay Prep in Vegas, is in the boy’s game and Nirra Fields of Quebec, who goes to high school in LA on her way to UCLA, will play in the women’s event.

Having a boy in the game is old hat but – and I might be wrong on this but I don’t think so – Fields is most likely the first Canadian girl in the game.

Cool, eh?

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So, I see my boy Damien thinks it might be a good idea that I join 100,000 or so crazy pucks aficionados at some outdoor event in a year or so.

Yeah, right.

I’m thinking of all the zany manufactured sports events, a hockey game in a football stadium in the dead of winter would rank right down there with UFC as something I’d like to go witness.

Say this for the pucks, though: They can take a not bad idea and beat it into the ground like no one else can.

Maybe as a one-off deal in one specific situation, such a thing was unique and mildly interesting. Now? Now this stuff has become some commonplace it has little juice to it, it’s a bit of a thing that elicits yawns.

There are so many of these games – NHL, AHL, college, junior – I have expect the KHL or someone to want to hold the next one in the wonderful outdoor facility of M. Grange ™ who I understand through the wonder of twitter has become a rink-maker supreme, if only Mother Nature would comply.

Like a whole lot of other sports and their big-time events – and I’m looking at you, NBA All-Star Saturday Night – outdoor hockey has become old and cliché and someone with a bigger marketing brain has to come up with something more interesting. And soon.

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Mail?

That’d be nice. Traditional Friday Afternoon In The Media Room awaits, please give me something to putter around on.

Thank you.

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I guess the only burning question around the Raptors today is this: What do they do if Bayless can’t go tonight, or for the next couple of games.

(And I fully expect, in the ultra-secret world of injury reportage, we might not find out until 7 p.m. tonight whether that’s the case or not, giving you even more reason to tune in to the IGBT).

Anyway, I can’t for the life of me see them going back to Gary Forbes tonight. The Celtics, with Rondo and Avery Bradley, have two of the more pesky full-court defenders, and back in Boston a while ago, I remember Forbes having such a difficult time even getting into the offence, that Dwane went to Anthony Carter quickly.

So if there’s no Bayless maybe there’s more Carter or maybe they go with a rather bold stroke and let Leandro run the offence for a few minutes.

And, no, the Raptors should not waive somebody and pay them to go away just so they can sign a guy to a 10-day contract. That makes no sense at many levels: It’s relatively costly and by the time a new guy learns the defence and offence either 10 days will be up or Bayless would be back. Guess they just have to suck it up, as they did in that 13-game stretch Jerryd missed earlier this year.

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Hmm.

Tell me, dear Irregulars, what’s a FreshCo grocery store like? Some of us find it quite fun to explore new food stores – it’s rather therapeutic and relaxing, actually – and with a Whole Foods in the neighbourhood now and a FreshCo opening today, I need some intel.

Got any?

Thanks.

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One thing: Check back here early this afternoon or late this morning. We'll have something old that's new again.

 

Comments

[Tim H.]

Hey Doug:
Your blog sucks, and so do you - and I should know - I read it everyday. But I thought I should send in a comment, just to let you know your blog sucks. And, if you 'yawn' at my comment, that won't bother me, because I'll be back tomorrow just to see if your blog still sucks. And, if it does, I'll send another comment just to let you know that I'm still here, and that your blog sucks.

Sheeesh! What is wrong with people??

[Dave F, Kingston]

Hi, Doug,
Freashco, at least where I live, is between Food Basics and Loblaws or Metro. They are closer to Food Basics than Metro, but carry a lot of upper-scale Metro store brands. They do have a larger "ethnic" food section, like FB, and have a pharmacy, like Loblaws.

You probably won't be able to OK this because of name references, but I hope it helps.

[sam]

@ Tim H couldn't agree more.

[Tim]

Something old that's new again? Intriguing.

[JHK]

Looking at the all-star list...
Hibbert, Iggy, and Aldridge...
Should have, would have, could have...

[Lorie]

@Tim H:
Whoa! Whaddya mean this blog sucks? What gives you the right to tell Doug he sucks, and his little blog, too? Well, I bet you wouldn't know a sucky blog if it jumped up and bit you in the ass while whistling Dixie and twirling a...hold it. Tim H.? The dude with the YouTube Blockage Issues??? Ohhhh...I get it now. You were being irreverant there. Clever. Witty. You're clearly sharper than I am this morning. Note to Doug: Any word on that Facetious Font Thingy yet?

[D-Mac Ottawa]

Yes, Doug, it has now come to light that obviously your blog sucks. So, to celebrate that revelation, and because I'm a certain Irregular who posts YouTube videos because... well, just because... here's one for you – and it even celebrates the NCAA, which also sucks, so it's like a double negative bonus – which all math experts can tell you makes it a positive! Enjoy! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Yjdf0PHmus&feature=related
Cheers. Go Raps! Hey, you suck too! How cool is that?

[LeeZ]

Hey, we should get teeshirts made. On the front, they'll say Doug Smith's Irregulars, and on the back, they'll say Doug Ssssssssssuuuuuuuuuucks!!!!! We can wear them to the first annual Doug Smith's Irregulars Night Out. Speaking of which, any news on when that'll be held, kind sir? You can probably get a corporate sponsorship tie-in, so it could be called Steall Artois Presents Doug Smith's Irregulars Night Out. And then we can all join in with Poster Doug to tell Doug how much he sucks IN PERSON!

[LeeZ]

As for Davis Cup, I remember Nestor's victory like it was yesterday. The most thrilling match I've ever seen, even more than some of the great Fed-Rafa matches. And I hear you about him being shy and all. He's kind of like a tennis version of Bargnagni, but he has a real prankster, in-your-face-trash-talk personality that only comes out among thos who know him. He's really good pals with Fed and Roddick. And yes, I see what you mean about it being weird that an individual sport takes on a team format, but that's the really cool part for the players and fans. The players get a whole team cheering for them, and they get a coach who can give him advice during the match. Almost to a player, they love that. And of course, doubles is a team sport, so to speak. With news that Monfils likely won't play, Canada has a slim -- but very real-- chance to pull a HUUUUUUUUUGE upset. Go Canada!!!

[Binder]

As a life long Raps fan I am having a lot of trouble deciding whether I will watch tonights game. I cannot take any more pain.

[Cluck Kent]

Man, it's true, this blog sucks so hard I can't wait to get here every day and check out the suckage. I read every word sometimes, twice just to be truly amazed by the suckage. In fact, I wish the blog was longer cause it would give me something to read that sucked for a longer period of time.

[Paul B]

I'd compare Freshco to food basics or no frills... okay for veggies, fruit and essentials, but never, ever, ever, expect to find a fine piece of meat there.

One exception: their jalapeno/cheddar sausages, Sensation brand, aren't half bad, when in a pinch!

I do find their produce a little better than No Frills, but you also pay a little more. That said, for parties, their fruit and veggie trays are about half the price of anywhere else.

Added bonus: my Freshco is located in the same plaza as the Beer Store and LCBO!!

[Kerry O]

We shop at FreshCo. Usually a great sale on something, prices are lower than average.

[Tim H.]

@Lorie - I tried using Comic Sans, but it didn't seem to stick!

@Sam - I don't know if YOU should have been using the Facetious Font?

[sam]

Sucks is such a strong word - can we not just all "yawn" and fiegn indifference?

[George McGovern]

Wilson Chandler!!!! I spoke with him yesterday on the phone and he said he'd love to play for the Raptors.

[m]

Can't we all just spell correctly,, FEIGN!

[DannyFromFreddy]

As an irregular who checks out (and looks forward to) the blog on a daily basis as well as the in-game thingy, I have to disagree with my fellow irregulars. Your blog blows more than it sucks.

Keep up the good work Doug.

[M]

I'd say the blog is a reflection of the people who post. If you think it sucks, blows, honks or squeaks, well right back atcha.

[TLI]

@LeeZ - please count me in for the Stella & Doug night!

re: Freshco -- I'm regularly astonished by how good their produce is, especially is at their prices. That's what sets Freshco apart from No Frills and Food Basics by a country mile. Their price-match guarantee is pretty decent, too. I can shop the all flyers at home, find the best prices on everything I want, then get all the deals in one place - across the road from Metro. The only caveat, for me, is the relatively smaller selection compared to the flagship stores. (Can't say I've ever checked out their meat section, though.)