Cheer the people, not the jerseys

I’m sure you might have heard about the Raptors and the camouflage jerseys they’ll wear tomorrow night against Chicago – and three other times this season – as a tribute to the Canadian Forces.

Not sure exactly how I feel about that; I can see it as a bit of co-opting an issue (support for the men and women who put their lives on line for us every day) but I can also see the “honouring” aspect of it and whatever we can do to increase awareness of the risks these men and women take and thank them for it, we should do.

It also helps that some of the proceeds will go to Forces family fund that, among other things, is used to construct sports facilities for the children of servicemen and women.

And it is part of a longstanding relationship between Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment that dates back years; they give time and money and support to the forces and that’s a tremendous thing.

There will be members of the armed forces and their families who are at the game as guests of the Raptors and that’s another good thing.

And I will tell you this:

We can debate until the cows come home Canada’s involvement in various conflicts around the world, it is a discussion not really suited for here, but when they get around to recognizing the servicemen and women and their families in the arena, whether it’s by trotting them out to the court or playing some video tribute, I would think a standing ovation would be in order.

These men and woman have chosen, at great personal sacrifice in many cases and knowing full well the dangers inherent in their choices, to put their lives on the line daily for our country. They deserve all the accolades they can get, and we need to give them the respect they deserve. It doesn’t really matter, I don’t think, what your opinion is of what we do, you cannot help but feel respect for our soldiers.

Still, doesn’t something rankle, just a little bit? Can’t really put my finger on it, whether it’s a level of exploitation or something like that, or trivializing what the men and women do each day but there’s just an uneasiness about it.

I guess, on the whole, it’s not a bad thing when everything is taken into consideration.

The jerseys themselves are, um, unique. As a one-off thing seeing a guy standing around wearing them and they don’t look too bad; I’m wondering what the totality of the view will be when there are five of them running around a confined space. I can see the retina-burning possibilities there for sure.

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Wow.

Peter The Irregular sends this in and it’s classic:

More than half of the Raptors 30 losses this season have been closer than Monday night’s 8-0 Leaves game.

Take that to your MLSE Trivia Contest. Means nothing but kind of nice to know.

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Oh yeah, C. Kelly is in New York for the big tilt tonight; I’m planning a restful night so the IGBT will be back tomorrow for the Bulls.

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Guess the Old Smith Reverse Jinx worked well with the football, no?

Peyton Manning’s headed to Denver – and doesn’t that tempt fates taking work away from Tim Tebow – and all the Alex Smith stuff quiets down a little bit.

And another Alert Irregular points out that there is speculation that Smith will indeed change representation and, frankly, I think he should regardless of where Manning ends up.

Tebow? Mythical Just Win Quarterback should probably stay put and be a backup to a guy who took his job after having four neck surgeries and who is in the mid-30s. Will make Tebow’s return to pick up the pieces if or when Manning gets hurt all that much more dramatic.

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Only saw snippets because Bulls-Magic was a bit compelling at times and Celtics-Hawks was like watching a train wreck but totally underwhelming inaugural performance by DWTS pre-show favourite Martina Navratilova.

Too bad.

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I’m sure you’ve all read the dispatches this morning about the HOTH and the fact that it’s about 99 per cent that Jose Calderon will return tonight (he’ll go through shootaround just to be sure the wonky ankle is okay) and he’ll be right back in the starting lineup.

As he should be.

Forget for a minute that I don’t believe guys should lose starting spots – generally – simply because they are injured; I will repeat this one more time: The Raptors are simply better with him running the offence.

Andrea Bargnani thrives more with a point guard who is accomplished at running high screen and roll stuff; Calderon is a better distributor all around and everyone else is more effective.

It is, to me, a no-brainer.

But that is not to say the Jerryd Bayless hasn’t filled in admirably and isn’t playing some fine basketball.

I’ve seen him, and continue to see him, in some kind of backup, score-first energy guy coming off the bench, kind of a Barbosa Lite right now, a quick fearless guard able to take his man off the dribble and one who’s shooting better now than he has at perhaps any time in his career. There is a spot for a guy like that on this team and unencumbered by the presence of Barbosa, whose “take three steps back, drive the ball just about every time he touches it” style kind of limited what his second-unit backcourt mate can do.

That’s Bayless’s job now and I would think he could shine in it.

Barring any further setbacks for Calderon, the rest of this season amounts to a 21-game audition for Bayless to see what he can do; he is a restricted free agent in the summer with no 100 per cent guarantee to be back. I know the organization is high on him, they see a young, accomplished scorer with solid defensive skills and in many ways, the departure of Barbosa was done so they could get a good look at Bayless in a role they see quite suitable for him.

Hope he takes the ball and runs with it; and I fully expect he will.

 

 

 

Comments

[LeeZ]

From your discussions with people in the organization who should know, do you get the sense that they have ruled out considering Bayless as a potential starting pg for this team in any kind of post-José scenario? You indicated that they feel he is well suited for a Barbosa role; is it fair to infer that they don't see him as a first-string pg, or might they still be open to that possibility?

Blogger's note: I think they're open to all possibilities

[LeeZ]

Agree wholeheartedly with the respect you convey for the men, women and spouses of our Canadian Forces. They do their very best in some of the most dangerous and trying places in the world, and are heroes in every sense of the word. So understand that the following is in no way a knock on them; quite the contrary, in fact. Best way to support our troops? Bring 'em home.

[Tim H.]

Hey Doug:

You have once again very eloquently put to words the thoughts that I - and I assume many other Irregulars - have regarding the women and men who serve our country in the armed forces. Regardless of what we feel about how the government chooses to deploy them, we cannot - ever- thank them enough for what they do. And, any time there is the opportunity to show them our gratitude, I'm all for it.

I do hope that ALL proceeds from the sales of camouflage jerseys (however little that may be) is donated to the Forces Family Fund.

Bravo on today's blog, Doug!

[Canadian Paul]

Doug, while - on paper - I agree that you shouldn't lose your job following an injury, these are special circumstances. The team brass knows that this season is a show-me-what-you-got affair, and:
1. Bayless has been pretty good as a starter (18/5 in 11 starts) and gaining steam (22/7 in his last 5).
2. Calderon will either be shipped in the summer or play his last year as a Raptor next year. He is not the Raptors' PG of the future.
3. There's a precedent for switching PGs under Colangelo (Calderon / Ford).

I love Calderon and what he brings, but this is all about next year and the years after that. As usual, the Raptors make the wrong decision.

[Derek]

Morning Doug,
Did you see the debaucle that was the Chris Mullin jersey retirement ceremony in Golden State last night? When the owner tried to get up and speak, he was booed mercilessly for several minutes, in spite of both Mullin himself and Rick Barry getting up to try and defend Lacob to the crowd on microphone. Suffice to say the fans aren't too happy about the trading of Monte Ellis. After witnessing the "fire Ron Wilson" stuff in Toronto over the past few months, it looked tame in comparison to the blasting that Lacob got last night. He might want to borrow one of those Raps camouflage jersey's if he's going to attend any GS home games.

[sam]

There always seems to be a PG battle with the HOTH. With Jose you know what you get. A player who looks after the ball and involves his team mates.
With Bayless you get a guy who is a shoot first plyer. Points along don't equate to solid PG play. Since Jose twisted his ankle we've seen Bayless go on a bit of a tear, but have the points he has scored have come at the cost of the other offensive weapons.
In the minds of the great unwashed it seems Jose is a nice player but lacks the appeal of what Bayless, and TJ and Jack bring to the table. It seems to me a PG who shares the ball and makes those around him better, but is also capable of scoring is more valuable in the long run, than a a player who creates his own shot first. I'm certain with time, Bayless will adapt in the PG Role more and more, but as it's been pointed out his true value may be as an energy guy off the bench.

Blogger's note: There's no battle; one's the starter, one's the backup. Fans may think otherwise, but no one connected with the team sees any "battle." Doesn't exist

[Dave B]

Doug, you captured my sentiments exactly with the comments about the Jerseys - good on one level, but something unsettling about it.

[Robert Bertuzzi]

I have never quite understood why I am supposed to unquestioningly support the decision of men and women to voluntarily join a standing army in peace time. In fact, shouldn't we be questioning why we need a standing army in peace time? Or, is it a case of those who serve and their supporters see the world in a manichean manner where the west always wears the white hats and the rest of the world the black hats?

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Moreover, if there was anything ever noble about a tradition of Canada as some sort of peacekeeper, and that should be questioned too, then all that has been erased by the current federal government who has seen to the systematic redefinition of the Canadian forces in less than 10 years. Recruitment ads that I see on TV are particularly disturbing in their representations of the horrors of war that appeal to a generation who know more about video games than history, politics and economics.

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As for the Raptors involvement in all this, let me be unequivocal, it disgusts me. Can I expect in the near future that they will trot out their dove uniforms sometime soon with proceeds going to endeavours to support peace initiatives world wide? Or, will they perhaps support food bank programs by logoing their uniforms with the decals from Nestle, Kraft, Dole, General Mills, etc and then donate some miniscule percentage of proceeds to food banks while filling their coffers further based on the good intentions of the team's fans? That they would market these military uniforms to the same know-nothing generation that thinks life is a video game is a crying shame.

[Tim]

I think what's unsettling about the camouflage jerseys is that at some level, no matter what good work goes on behind them, they're always going to seem like a stunt to sell merchandise and build the Raptors brand. I mean, it's not like they used to wear those green ones on St. Patrick's Day because they had such a deep and abiding love and respect for Irish culture.

[doug]

I think in all this talk about Bayless something is lost..Doug says it is not a competition as far as the Raptors brass are concerned and never has been....well I personally could give a flying frig what the Raps brass think, as there was another similar player that came through town not that many years ago....the same discussion ensued then what to do with him, he is not a true point guard blah,blah,blah...well that player went on after the Raps and is having a pretty impressive career, Chauncey Billups...I am not saying Bayless is going to have that type of career, but I like to actually watch games, formulate my own opinions and go from there..this whole Raps brass thing and what they think really becomes tiring as just because they say it doesn't make it so, their have been to many examples to list from the past to validate that statement but their there for all to see....we have a middling team for a reason, maybe the Raps brass needs to try the George Kastanza and try the opposite...cheers...

[SAS]

Ok Doug let's look at this Bayliss/Jose thing a little closer. Now you mentioned that Bayliss is a score first combo guard who is better suited off the bench. Let's look at the "score first" point guards in the league. Russell Westbrook (who they said is a combo guard) Derrick Rose, and let's even add Kyrie Irving to the mix. Are you basically saying if you had the opportunity to get that kind of pg you would pass because they score first and would take baskets away from DD and AB? Now yes I agree that Jose does run the offense very efficiently and very "safe". I'm in the US and watch all the Raptors games via league pass and the opposing teams announcers say that Jose is very good at the position but is not aggressive enough. We are at the stage where score first pg's are leading teams to wins ie Thunder and Bulls. I truly believe that Bayliss, if given time can develop into a Irving type pg maybe even better considering he's still very young. You also said we need a guard who can create his own shot, and score at a high volume but now it seems like thats not what you think is best. I say they need to start pruning Bayliss sooner than later.

[Spirito]

Doug, i know we have a surplus of 4 and 5 already, but would you think the raptors would be interested to take a look at J.J. Hickson??

Blogger's note: Nope

[D-Mac Ottawa]

Bravo Doug, and @LeeZ and @Tim H. and @Tim.
I think the something that rankles is the diminishment that's built into shilling crap that's just plain hokie. "Thank you, all who serve" stitched on the frontside of the jerseys would convey a far more direct message. Might not be a marketer's dream come true, but what's being marketed here anyway?
Cheers. Go Raps!

[Mark]

Rob B - Gosh, our generation is so misunderstood. Any time anyone wants to be critical of today's youth they just toss out the words "video game" a few times and it's like some sort of instant high horse button. Every generation has it's own version of video games, some technological perversion of the day, and a bunch of crankster dads whining about it. There are lots of cultural factors that are influencing the outlook of youth and young adults today, but to think we're ignorant, "know-nothing", and for some reason don't have valid views is itself ignorant, and a rather ugly, cynical position. If you want to fight about it, I should warn you, I'm pretty boss at Street Fighter 2.

It seems entirely reasonable to question the direction of the military, but that shouldn't be a knock on any individual that decides to sign on. Still, you could make a perfectly valid case for not offering a standing O to the military men and women, and that's fine. I don't love the uniform idea, either. It's a silly gimmick and seems to somehow cheapen what should be a classy effort to honour the troops.

[LeeZ]

I agree with SAS. Never in a million years did I think JB would ever amount to a starting point in this league, and I'm not anywhere close to thinking that now, but I do see a smidge of potential there that I didn't see earlier. The Raps should talk to José, explain to him that he's still our starting pg, but let him know they need to audition JB to see what they've got. And José isn't aggressive enough. He almost never turns the corner anymore and take it to the hoop.
As for poster Doug, I agree wholeheartedly. I don't think @Doug was slagging you for reporting what the Raps brass thinks; after all, that's a big part of your job. But I agree with him that the Raptors brass hasn't exactly covered itself in glory.
@RobertBertuzzi, while I think you go over the top a wee bit in some of your arguments (especially your very first sentence), by and large I agree with you. Well put, sir.

[james]

I suppose you could use this equation for the uniforms:
Maple Leaf = Colonel Conn Smythe = "If you can't beat them in the alley...etc."
There is no question the Colonel would approve.
Speaking of which, Bayless also brings defensive toughness which must gladden his coach's heart.
Like Robert Bertuzzi, I feel that "supporting the troops" has very little to do with the current fetishization of the military for political purposes.

[Steve]

@Robert Bertuzzi they already have a fairly public partnership with second harvest, no speciality jerseys mind you.

@doug (the poster) that is a pretty bad example, given that while Billups has gone on to have a great career it has not been as a PG.

@SAS, if Bayless hasn't developed into that style of PG already when he has been in the league longer than most of the guys you name (particularly Irving who you cited as a specific example), why would he suddenly do so now?

[doug]

oh know I wasn't slagging Doug at all, as that is his job to report what he hears/sees ....but to me I never accept the argument or point of well Raps brass think it so it must be so...we have seen too often those decisions...no assets for Carter/Bosh, from there work down the list...so the statement Raps brass means little to me....as for this military sham I wonder how politicians can honour the military at functions/sporting events, use them as props during a election then go and do stuff this like,(see article below) these are men and women with kids and families they may or may not return to, it was their choice in this day and age to serve in the military, dedicate their lives to it and our country and for that I will give them a standing ovation everyday...but never,ever should they be used as props, never,ever should they be used as marketing tools, or to sell merchandise, their the military not some arm of a marketing firm and quite frankly it appalls me to see it...if the politicians really care then treat them with dignity and respect after their time has been served, as that is truly honouring them...

http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/politics/article/1141605--veterans-review-and-appeal-board-called-abusive-demeaning-by-ex-soldiers?bn=1

[Tim H.]

Hey Doug:

No congratulations for the University of Windsor Lancers Women's Basketball Team for winning their second consecutive CIS Championship? Quite an accomplishment, I would say!

[The J]

Don't the Raptors already wear camoflouge jerseys? I know there are many occassions where I'm certain that Bayless can't find any of his teammates on the court.

[Rob.V]

I do feel a certain amount of respect for the armed forces however I'd be lying if I didnt say that I feel a certain amount of pity for them as well.
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Now, I imagine the armed forces help all over the world in many instances where help is needed and that is a wonderful thing however I cannot seem to wrap my head around "war".
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I absolutely do think people who join the military are brave. Yes, they are hero's. Yes they are courageous.
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Are they also, Young.... Niave.... Uninformed??...
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Are we educating our kids?... are we doing right by them?
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Can people over the age of 30 even enlist? (not a sarcastic comment, I honestly do not know). Without knowing anything about it I would imagine the number is a very very "small" percentage though, and I believe there is a reason for this.
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MLSE? They're gonna get theirs regardless. Their business is to make money, and thy're really good at it! (something we all can aspire to be). If it's not camaflouge, it would be something else.
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Having said this, I'm not all that sure that I'm 100% on board with the armed forces either. It's 2012!. Have we not learned anything from the past, must they be "armed"?.
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Yes, I too am niave, and I'm also a dreamer...
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... but I'm not the only one.
I hope some day you'll join us... and the world will be as one.

[doug]

oops meant to say oh no not "oh know"...my bad cheers...

[Lorie]

Hello Doug,
Wonderful blog, again, and I'm with you: there's a persistent je ne sais quoi that goes with the marketing of these camouflage uniforms as a way to honour our men and women of the military. And their families. As has been said previously, one would hope that all money from the sale of these jerseys goes to them. And one would hope that it's not just when these jerseys are purchased, or Remembrance Day, that we stop to thank them for their bravery and commitment. But even more so, I echo the sentiments of @Rob V. in quoting John Lennon. Naive? Perhaps. Dreamer? I guess. Hopeful? Always. Cheers. Thank you, Doug.

[m]

Do you suppose that God is answering Tebow's prayers?

[LeeZ]

@TheJ: Ooooooooooooooh, SNAP!!!! Or, in the words of a certain Doug Smith, DING DING DING!!!