Wild ending, the art of storytelling and other fun stuff

I know for some the ending left you cold but, really, that was a pretty entertaining afternoon, no?

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THREE POINTERS

Kobe lobbies, or praises.

You decide.

Asked if he was surprised by Jose Calderon, after his own Porous Laker Point Guards had been scorched for a career-high 30 from Calderon, this is what Bryant had to say:

“No. I know he can do that. You're impressed when you don't expect a player to have games like that. I fully expect that from him. He's a great player. He's always been one of my favourite point guards. So it wasn't surprising at all.”

Now, you know Kobe knows that somehow Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak is going to see that quote and that’s might be what it was all about.

But – and this is big – people who know these things and make these decisions tell me that there is no fit whatsoever with the Lakers for Calderon – and just as important, he doesn’t fit into the Lamar Odom trade exception the Lakers still have – so it’s a non-starter.

And you tell me: After watching Calderon the last little while (17 assists one game, 14 assists and zero turnovers another, a career-high 30 on Sunday) why in the world would they want to move him.

Don’t give his salary as a reason – the Raptors can still get to about $15 million to spend next summer and still have his then-expiring contract as a trade chip if they want – and the way he’s playing, it’s, to me at least, a ridiculous notion to move him. He’d be quite content being a backup next season and I want a guy like that on my team.

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So, the call

The NBA tweeted last night that official Scott Foster got that five-second call right (it’s kind of detailed in the game story) because the count actually got to 5.8 seconds.

Well, that is fact – there’s no disputing time – but what they didn’t say was that the officials blew it by ignoring Dwane Casey screaming timeout for about the last 2 1-2 seconds.

But as tough a call as it was, the truth is the Raptors still had a shot to tie or win with 3.7 seconds left after Kobe missed the one free throw and they didn’t get a good shot.

Oh, and there’s this, which might not have been a big factor but who knows:

You know me and the extraneous crap noise they insist on blaring during games, right?

Why in the world did the people who control such things believe it necessary to PLAY MUSIC while a home team guy is trying to inbound the ball with about four seconds left in a one-point game?

Really!!!

The fans weren’t loud enough? They felt pulsating crap was just that little bit of extra noise everyone was missing?

I just don’t get it.

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Doing his job – well

For a guy who doesn’t play an awful lot, Jamaal Magloire plays well when he’s asked, he does his job with professionalism and intensity and he is always – always – the first guy off the bench during timeouts or during play either shouting encouragement or instruction to every one from point guards to centres.

A point on his effort:

There was a play when he somehow got switched out to cover Derek Fisher on the perimeter, one of those odd occurrences that come up in a game every now and then.

Now, a handful of veteran centres would have backed off, unwilling to be embarrassed when a tiny little point guard blew by them.

Not Magloire. With Casey yelling “stay up, stay up” that’s just what he did; I don’t remember how the play ultimately ended but that’s Magloire doing what he knew was right for his team. A lot of other guys might not have.

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Just a little bit more:

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Okay, I can get behind this.

A song I’ve actually heard and like quite a bit wins at the Grammys?

Nice.

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So Garth Woolsey comes out of retirement to nail a Trent Frayne obit and the passing of the sportswriting giant was, as you’d expect, a topic of late-morning conversation in the press room Sunday.

Aside from lamenting the loss of another great – and Frayne’s passing may have truly been the end of an era because the circumstances of the business suggest there will be no more like Frayne, Milt, Chester, Jim Coleman or Scott Young – hearing the praised heaped on Frayne for his style made me think.

What makes good sports writing?

And as we read about Frayne, and read about all those other greats of his era, it’s the ability to, sorry for the modern vernacular, multi-task that I really believe sets the good ones apart from the mundane.

You have to be able to write about people and issues and plays with equal ability, you have to do one sport one day and one the next, all the while entertaining and educating your audience. You need longevity and the ability to make ‘me laugh one day, say “hey, I didn’t know that the next” and cry the day after that.

There are far too many “screamers” in our industry, I’m afraid, men and women who want all too often to become part of the narrative rather than describe it. It is all well and good to offer a well thought out opinion every now and then, to help “guide” the reader, but it’s always got to be about the story and I’m not sure that’s the case sometimes these days.

It seemed to have been in the era of Frayne and those other greats; and that’s the one true lament I have.

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This is entirely personal preference but I would prefer to watch Kobe Bryant over LeBron James every day.

I know, I know, I know.

Both great, two distinct styles but I’d much rather see Bryant dissect a team rather than James try to bull his way through one.

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So, we’re just about wrapped up the writing portion of our afternoon when AP Ian points out from a few seats down that Zambia and ivory Coast are in a classic penalty kick final of the African Cup of Nations.

(Yes, we have eclectic sports tastes, don’t we; and thanks to the magic of live streaming and the internet they can be satisfied).

Anyway, I get down to Ian’s spot just in time to see the wild celebration and a couple of quick repeats of the game-winner in the 8-7 triumph.

Very cool because any team known as the Copper Bullets deserves some support. And then it strikes me that there’s something about Zambian football that I should remember but I can’t.

Not too long after, a little tweet thing arrives from Sports Illustrated (I’m telling you, I hope this internet isn’t really fad, it’s quite cool) and, dang! – there is something

And you should all read this piece about a tragic plane crash because it’s long-form magazine writing we don’t get in sports too often any more.

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Comments

[larry lukeeborg]

two points re the 5-second violation: firstly, the ref counted 1 immediately after handing the ball to butler; secondly, in my view butler called for t.o. just as the ref's arm hit 5 - tie goes to the t.o. call?

the big point from this, though...is there any wonder why people say that the refereeing is rigged??? imagine the opposite scenario with the lakers inbounding the ball. to my mind, there is NO WAY a violation - instead of a timeout - is called, NO WAY. things like this make the nba a bush league.

[larry lukeeborg]

i also can't agree more with your comment re music/noise while play is going on [or about to commence]. it's as irritating as can be

[Tim H.]

Hey Doug:

Fortunately for us, there is still at least one writer who still "makes good sports writing - at least in my opinion - and that is you.
"You have to be able to write about people and issues and plays with equal ability, you have to do one sport one day and one the next, all the while entertaining and educating your audience. You need longevity and the ability to make ‘me laugh one day, say “hey, I didn’t know that the next” and cry the day after that." That certainly sounds like you to me.
So, for this person at least, we still have an outstanding sportswriter. Thank you!

[Lorie]

Good Morning, Doug!
In case you didn't stay awake through to the end of the show, this was a blessed counterpoint to the curiousity that was Nicki Minaj. Thank you Grammy producers for this:
http://youtu.be/jhPoG1wi5jU
And @Tim H.: I could not agree more.
Cheers.

[Dennis]

The refs definitely blew the call but I think Casey blew the play by having Butler inbound the ball. That's the second or third time this season Butler has messed up the inbounds pass on a crucial possesion (got Jose quite a bit heated the first time if memory serves correct). Hopefully that's not a mistake that the coach will be making again. Got to give Casey some credit for the defensive schemes that seemed odd but really worked though; such as having Jose guard Kobe 1 on 1 for a good 7 minute stretch. Even when the Lakers iso'd the matchup the help D was outstanding and it actually worked. Never thought I'd be able to say that about a Raptors team!

[Mauro]

Hello Doug.

I don't want to say something bad about Casey because I believe his signing is the most important one for the Raps so , lets put it in this way:
Do you believe Dwane after the last two will not ask Butler to inbound during crucial time anymore ?

Blogger's note: No, I think he explained it in the game story

[Shawn]

Doug, I was hoping you would shed some light as to why in the world rasul butler was inbounding the ball in that situation. It's another thing if he had been playing at all in the second half, but just to bring him in for the most crucial play of the game with less than 5 seconds to go makes no sense to me! I've been a big Casey fan so far... but I don't get that move at all

Blogger's note: It's in the game story

[Michael]

I have always been a big Jose fan. Best point guard in Raptor's history? Probably WIlliams was better, but he also played on a better team. But Jose is 30. When do point guards -- other than Nash -- start to decline. I look at his shooting percentage this year and there is a decline. Is that because he is forced to shoot more or is it the legs? Anyway, an absolutely out-of-the-park weekend for Jose. I am glad he is getting his due. And all those people who thought TJ or, egads, Jarrett Jack was a better PG should be named and publicly shamed.

[LeeZ]

My first inclination was to jump on the bandwagon and agree that Butler inbounding the ball is the worst coaching decision in the history all of professional sports. However...who else do you get to do it? DC is quite right: the opposition will always have an extremely tall player guard the inbounds, so that rules out having any of our guards inbounding. DD is an o.k. passer at best, and I suppose the case could be made that he inbounds it and quickly gets a return pass, but that's certainly no better than the Butler option. James Johnson? Possibly. But again, it's not like he's some great passer or anyting. When Bargs is healthy, he needs to be a target of the pass, not the person throwing it. So, my fellow Irregulars, who do YOU think should be making the inbound pass, huh? A bigger issue in my mind is consistency of calls. Typically, as many as 7 seconds tick off and players are STILL allowed to inbound the ball. I think they should tighten that up so players know the violation will be called CONSISTENTLY.

[sam]

I missed the first half of the game yesterday - In travel with a buddy who had control of the car radio and wasn't a HOTH fan.
I did see the second half of the game - A good effort. The realist in me says the call at the end of the game could have gone either way. The guy who cheers for the HOTH says we were screwed by a Laker loving ref.
Jose showed his importance to the team with a good solid game - good D and a career high in points.

[ditch]

Just want to echo TimH's comments. Frayne. Rimstead. Young. Hunt and Doug Smith. Not a bad starting five in my book.

[Geoff Read]

Jose is an above-average point guard and sometimes a great one. I've always been a fan. He's also a leader and a great team guy. But Toronto fans being Toronto fans, there is a legion of people out there who don't appreciate him because he's not flashy or named Steve Nash. This is the same cohort who never liked Mats Sundin because he wasn't Wendel Clark.

Agreed on the music. I once went to a Toronto Rock game and they played music DURING the play. I never went back.

And finally - agreed on Bryant vs. James. Bryant is one of those rare athletes who is truly beautiful to watch in action. He makes the game look like poetry. James is an excellent player to be sure, but he's not transcendent in that way. Plus, Bryant's a winner while James is a whiner. Unfortunately, they also both seem to be thoroughly unlikeable people.

[Matt M]

I preface enverything I say that for the right price everyone is movable and if that price is not met then no one is moveable. My own asking price for Calderon would have gone up after Kobe's comments and Lin revitalizing New York. The arguement I have for trading Calderon is that you want to obtain players when the price is low and sell them when the price is peaked. This is especially true for a rebuilding team. In my own mind, Calderon is at the peak of his career and his value will never be higher. The Raptors are also at a low point with one legitimate piece that any team would want and several pieces you hope can grow into something. A Calderon trade would (hopefully) add another piece that could contribute when the Raptors are ready to contend.

[Keith]

A caller on post game suggested that there should be some type of time clock attached to inbounds. Simple solution -- use shot clock. Starts when ref blows whistle, if it hits 19 it's five seconds and everyone sees it. (but oh my that might hurt some) as soon as ball is inbounded hit the reset!

[joeu]

Jeez, people ... if you are receiving an NBA pay-cheque and wearing a uniform while on the team bench, you are qualified to inbound a play, it's just part of the job. Maybe the other 4 choices were needed more for scoring on that play ?

[Nick M]

I don't quite understand all the back tracking on Rasual Butler inbounding the ball? Dwane makes the big bucks to make the big decisions and I think he has done a good job. I heard his explanation of why RB was inbounding the ball on the radio and it seems like sound reasoning until... 0.5 seconds later (game time), same situation, and Jose Calderon is inbounding.

[james]

I'm quite happy to defer to Colangelo over whether to trade Calderon should such a move fit into his grand design. However if I ruled the world, Jose would be a Raptor for life and ultimately have his number retired. He appears to be ego-free, as you point out willing to be a back-up, just as he was prepared to make room for young Rubio on the Spanish national team.
Here is something I wasn't expecting to say this year: Magloire was wonderful.
Finally, thanks for the link yesterday to the competition's Frayne obit by Sandra Martin, a fine piece of writing remembering a fine writer.

[Rob.V]

The 5 second call?... do we really expect anything less??.
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It's a very very tough decision to make however I might have to side with Matt M on this one.
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Colangelo is going to have to seriously consider moving Jose now if (IF) there is a starting piece they can bring back in the deal.
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Let me be clear. I am a Jose supporter (always have been), and to name 5 more important Raptors in the history of the franchise would be tough. He's a class act, loves this city... and you'd be hard pressed to find more of a team guy.
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... and unfortunately those are the EXACT reasons why other teams might want to part ways with someone the Raptors could use on a longer term basis.
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No one said this was an "easy" business...it's just business!!
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Trading Jose would be bitter sweet for me personally because I'd like to see him retire in a Raptors uniform however if I'm the GM (and I always am) you have to listen to offers.
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Here are my odds on a couple of Raptors that may be moved before the March 15th deadline:
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Barbosa - 90/10
Amir- 70/10
Jose - 50/50
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All could really help a contender.
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I would be shocked if they didnt trade Barbosa for at minimum a pick and TPE (which still gives them the financial flexibility they'll have this summer).
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I like Amir however with JV coming over and having to find more minutes for Ed Davis (and his developement), it makes sense to me that he's the odd man out, and a good chip to have in play (although I suppose we could wait until the summer on this one).
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Jose. There's nothing like an "endorsement" from Kobe Bryant!! Seriously, who's opinion carries more weight than that of the "legend" himself (fawk, I love and hate that guy all at the same time...81!!!).
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Anyway, Colangelo is licking his chops this morning! You can bet that there are 10 teams out there right now that wish they had Calderon running their offence for them. Not simply based on Kobe's comment, but rather due to Calderon being the consumate pro that he always is.
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Thank you Lorie for the clip. I dont watch awards anymore because... we'll because they generally suck. Golden Slumbers is a great song... and it was nice to see Dave Ghrol up there with some legends.

[Penny]

All this trade Calderon dialogue doesn't make any sense at all. When he doesn't play well, they want him traded. When he does play well, it's the same thing. It's like saying Lebron is at his peak today so trade him. Steve Nash is still playing very well at 38 so why not Jose? The offense would be terrible with Jerryd at the helm not to mention that he has been injured a good part of the season.

[O.J.]

I agree with Rob V and others who are for trading Jose. Admittedly, I haven't been the biggest Jose supporter over the years (he is injury prone and doesn't consistently attack the net and look for his own offense during games), but I think if we are rebuilding, what he could bring in return could definitely help more when this team will be peaking, hopefully 3 - 5 years from now.

Yes, it does make sense to sell a player high, especially a player who has not been consistently healthy, a good defender or consistent scorer over the years. He is definitely a central contributor to the horrible teams we've had over the years. What Jose has shown the past few games points wise and defensively have been the exception rather than the rule so BC should definitely consider selling high rather than having a 10 million dollar backup on the books.

[Binder]

Magic Johnson said after watching the final moments of that game, "why would DeRozan take a step back jumper" as the clock wound down. I did not understand his statement, Do you think DeMar had any other choice?

Blogger's note: In a couple of seconds, likely not

[Nick M]

@ Rob V, trading Jose is indeed a big IF.
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You would definitely need to receive a solid piece for the future (i.e. point gaurd-very unlikely considering the team you are trading to will need a pg or a wing player) a very solid prospect for the future (not a permanent potential guy).
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The problem I see with only getting money, or draft picks or trade exceptions or, more likely, a combination of them and players to make the salaries match is that the Raps open up another hole in the roster.
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If I understand BC's plan correctly, he has a big man in JV that he sees as a critical part of the future and hopes to get a high potential small forward/wing in the draft. That leaves a future team (by the way, constantly typing future really scares me) of two bigs and a wing that need the ball, which sounds like a team that needs a distributor at the point gaurd position... enter Jose Calderon.

[Jim Rootham]

The Raptors have gotten burned twice recently on not getting time outs. Do some referees have a problem with timeout calls as a bailout mechanism?

[grits]

Jose's 30 and his value has peaked. I love the guy when he's playing like this, who doesn't, but I agree with Matt M. If a reasonable deal presents itself you trade him, especially when you factor in, based on past history, he will likely be injuring himself soon.

[joeu]

Jose's biggest contribution to the rebuilding of the Raps is that he gives every player a chance to develop their offensive game in a well-run system. In NY where the vets already know how an offense should execute, you can wait for a PG to pick it up, then you're off to the races, but if the PG is learning to run an offense, then the other players aren't going to consistently get the ball in good scoring situations.