No rush to fill a hole and it's Soccer Day (sorry, Cathal)

We’re a bit all over the map today, which is what you get for an off-day with the HOTH and some idle time for me.

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So, what should they do when, and if, they get an open roster spot at the end of the Anthony Carter saga?

Well, I’m sure there’ll be some clamouring for a third point guard still – a young kid maybe out of the D League – to come in and work in practice and take the scant minutes that Carter usually played.

Makes sense to me but I don’t imagine they need to do that until March 16, or a day after the trade deadline.

Everyone I talk to around the team, and around the league, anticipates that the Raptors won’t do a thing in the next few days but you never know with Bryan and having that open spot makes more sense right now then having a kid sitting on the end of the bench.

I fully expect Bryan will not be able to help himself and will at least try to get involved in some kind of transaction but he has to basically stop himself – or be stopped by his advisors. It’s hard, very hard, to hit a home run in a trade, I think it’s best to sit pat until the summer and see what transpires then.

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Guess I’m going to beat Mr. Kelly to the punch here – I’ll give him a free Grace day sometime – but I found myself sitting on a stool catching Fly Emirates vs. Fly Emirates, er, I mean Arsenal vs. AC Milan, for a large chunk of yesterday afternoon.

And I tell ya, even those among you who whine about the lack of scoring in the game would have liked this one.

It was 3-0 Arsenal, who still lose the aggregate 4-3 as Milan avoids what can easily be termed humiliation, but it was the kind of sporting event that just draws you in.

There were goals and great saves and one of the all-time scoring gaffes by Robin Van Persie, who blew a certain aggregate-equalizer with a little flick instead of a hard boot that will haunt him for a while.

I guess what it showed – and, again, I was shocked by the number of fans who were able to blow off work for an afternoon game – is that I’m one of those sports fans who can watch almost anything as long as it’s played a high level and has some drama and importance to it.

There was a time when I was kind of anti-soccer, it was boring and I didn’t know anything about the teams or players, but now if there’s a good game of some significance, I can easily sit and watch because the essence of sport is excellence and competition at the highest level and, frankly, it doesn’t matter what the game is.

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Mail?

May as well get the process started, right?

Do it here.

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How come just about every time I think about soccer, this song resonates in my mind?

Who doesn’t like a little You’ll Never Walk Alone? And who doesn’t like the idea of tens of thousands of fans singing in unison and support for their side.

I can only wish at least one North American team could inspire such a performance from its fans, that’d be cool. Very cool.

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NBL Canada playoffs began last night and it appears it was a doozy, London over Saint John by one on the road to open the best of three.

I know John Kennedy, the league’s commissioner, has been working hard all year to get some big deals going – you’ll get to read about it here on the weekend, if all goes according to Hoyle – but one thing I hope they can get done (and you better be listening, TV networks) is to get some coverage of the championship series, whenever it begins.

Even tape-delayed would be okay; I think they need to end the first year with a bang and that’s a good way to do it.

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The Bobcats beat the Magic and the Pistons beat the Lakers and we’re supposed to be surprised?

(Total aside: Best part of the entire night was not the Knicks losing or Lamar Odom being booed a bit at home or anything on the court. It was Kobe’s black mask, which is entirely cool and I wish Turk had tried one a couple of years ago he might have liked it).

Anyway, those two results are hardly shocking, not in this NBA season which, more than any I can remember, is chock full of seemingly odd results.

Remember that the next time the HOTH either win one they’re not supposed to or lose one they were supposed to win.

Odd things are happening these days; the one thing you want is to see a team that works consistently hard, develops better individual skills and finds some kind of chemistry.

I would say the Raptors have done the first, struggle at times with the second and the third’s okay, too.

I think just about everyone on the roster could be better in some facet of the game, I think good chemistry comes from winning and is a tad over-rated but the work ethic seems to be there.

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While we’re on the subject of football, how about the TFCs?

Big game vs. The Beckhams tonight, I hear. Maybe 40,000 at the dome to see it and all I really hope is that traffic west eases before I’m heading home from my game.

But I can clearly remember the last time I cared even a little bit about a single game and that was the year they went to New York needing a win for the first playoff berth in history.

Lots of hype, fair amount of general interest; I can remember My Man Girard telling me how big a game it was.

New York Before They Were The Red Bulls 5, Toronto 0.

That’s like a zillion to nothing in a lot of other sports, isn’t it?

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It’s been so long since I’ve heard a Sidney Crosby update that I was sure his concussion/broken neck/soft tissue injury/upper body ailment/cold/flu/allergies/virus/career-ending situation was all cleared up.

Imagine my joy yesterday when the breathless reports surfaced that he is in fact alive and well and ready to resume full contact practice.

My joy is matched only by that of Air Canada’s since they’re about to hit the Motherlode on the generally seldom-travelled Toronto-Pittsburgh corridor thanks to the unquestionable media frenzy that’s about to occur.

After all, the trade deadline’s come and gone, no one’s flown to wherever Ron Wilson is to be treated like excrement and where else are the networks going to spend their money and resources.

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Comments

[sb]

"...a free Grace day...". I see what you did there...clever!

[sportschick]

Doug, soccer games can be really exciting and have a great atmosphere. The Roma Lazio derby on Sunday was a great game (although with the wrong result for me). Oh yeah, and the Lazio fans are idiots for directing monkey chants at Roma's defender Juan. Yes, that still happens, and in a week that Roma and Lazio had an anti-racism campaign.

Anyway, in a season where you don't have high expectations for a team, I just hope to be entertained in any given game and look for things from individual players. The Raptors have been often entertaining. Bargs was having was a breakout year, which was something I've been hoping for, and I'm hoping to more of that from him. De Rozan hasn't impressed as much as I'd hoped, at least not consistantly. James Johnson has impressed. I said last year, and I'm standing by it, that his acquisition was the most important part of the Bosh loss. No, he's not Bosh, but he's better than anything that came Toronto's way via the other big name who left.

[jason p]

I was reading a rumor on another site that Boris Diaw will be bought out of his contract. Do you think the raps bring him in for a free look (min contract for the rest of the season).

Blogger's note: No

[Ted S.]

This is the year the Raptors should be discovering the next Jeremy Lin. But when you have the reputation that this scouting department does, perhaps you don't want to embarrass yourself any further; fly the white flag, and focus on getting the draft right.

Blogger's note: Kinda like the other 29 scouting departments that missed on Lin, eh?

[Steve]

Even New York had Lin playing D-league earlier in the season in between jaunts warming the end of the bench, so I'm not sure that is a huge indictment on Toronto's scouts.

[Peter]

"This is the year the Raptors should be discovering the next Jeremy Lin" Yeah, because that happens every year in every sport by some team right? Ah it's good to start the day off with a laugh.

[sam]

I'm all for leaving the roster spot empty, unless, Bayless or Jose gets injured.
That's a big if, though. Jose has been a bit of an iron man this year which is nice to see -
BC's plan as I understand is to play out the year - and spend wisely in the off season. The team, (a sentiment that some irregulars share) is the HOTH aren't that far away from being a winning team - They seem to be playing harder this year - are closer in late game situations against far more talanted teams - and aren't being blown out as much as I remember from last seaon. With Andrea in the line up for more than a handfull of games, Bayless staying healthy and some consistency from DeMar and Klieza the win total would be higher.
The culture change seems to be on track. This year was about filling the holes with character guys who had some history in the league - We knew they weren't going to be front line guys when they signed on late last year....
Grey seems to be the only keeper - the old saying is you can't teach hieght, but Grey seems to know what he can and can't do.....

Kobe's new mask? Anyone else think he looks like the Green Hornet?

[Lorie]

Hello Doug!
One of the great things about having kids is the way their interests open your eyes to new things; and that's how it was with soccer. I never played it growing up, but the girls all played and through them I came to understand and appreciate it - not that my kids played at high levels of competition, just house league stuff - but we all began taking an interest in local club matches, David Beckham and The World Cup. And we're enthusiastic supporters of our Canadian Women's Team (tough loss to dastardly France at The Cyprus Cup yesterday, but a overall a well-played tourney) and cheer them at every opportunity, especially as they make their way to the 2012 Olympics. Cheers! Go Canada! Go Raps!
Oh, and, Doug, when's the publication date of The Battle Of The Brackets between you and Cathal? I need some intelligent insights to help me do my own picks!

Blogger's note: Likely the first of the week but haven't got my marching orders yet

[David in Oakville]

Just for a joke, the next time Shaq covers the Lakers live he should show up in a similar Green Mask.

Not sure Kobe would see the humour there though.

[Ren]

Read an article out of the Winnipeg Sun that suggested Triano would have another crack at team Canada.
You hear anything about that, Doug?
Does that open a chance for a Nash comeback?
Interesting, no?

Blogger's note: Interesting speculation for 2013, at best

[Dan White]

Hey Doug, just checking in. If all goes according to Hoyle, London Lightning on Friday?

Blogger's note: If, yes

[Marius]

Hey Doug,
Any interest on Andy Rautins in Raptorland?

[frank]

if calderon was on the Knicks lineup
Lin wd be still sittin on the bench....

[GM]

I still haven't gained an appreciation of soccer. My 7-year-old is in it and shall we say not excelling. I was so looking forward to the end of the season, and end of his career, and end of my standing out in the rain and cold. Then on the second to last game of the season he scored his first goal and is rejuvenated. Now he loves it and wants to take it again. So maybe one day I, too, will gain that appreciation. Maybe I was drawn to basketball because it's indoors. Hmm.

[KO]

Doug, I agree with you as a true sports fan - I will watch anything played at its highest level and especially with something on the line; even better is being in an atmosphere with those who are truly passionate about the particular sport and teams involved while you get to enjoy both the people and the excellence of elite athletes doing whatever it is they do best.

I will be heading to Liverpool with some friends next month to enjoy the Kop's version of that song from the second-biggest Liverpuddlian band, and expect to encounter that passion, even if "footie" isn't my favourite sport - can't wait!

[ikonn]

The closest we have to Lin is Gary Forbes. This kid can light it up and he has played some very energetic defence in some of his earlier games. Sitting on the bench and having to prove himself for 5 minutes (if he even gets into a game) is not how he is going to grow his confidence or his game skill. Forbes is like all 3rd tier NBA players, more than likely to remain obscure for his brief career or blossom like Lin and come back to hurt the Raps in the future after we have lost him. They need to play him to figure out whether he is upside or downside especially this year when they have nothing to lose. Perfectly fine that that AC is gone and I hope that they do not fill the spot so that Forbes gets more time even if he's not a true PG.

[Ted S.]

I think people are missing my point. The current roster is filled with also-rans and a mishmash of marginal talents. If you watch the elite NBA teams, they have established starters and depth players. The Raps have one, maybe two pieces. The rest are potential Jeremy Lins or PJ Tuckers. Other than Jamario Moon (a depth player; never an elite starter), the scouting department hasn't unearthed one gem. Given the sad history of the scouting on this team, I'm surprised so many are running to their defense. The Raptor organization may have had more opportunity than any other team to find gems in the second round or 10-days or the FA routes because of all the filler roster spots this team carries on an annual basis. And in case you haven't noticed the Raps aren't making deep play-off runs and just trying to fine tune a truly competitive team. There's a lot of space for talent on this bench.
.
So instead the Raptors save the money. Fans celebrate the mediocrity and inability to source talent....or even take a risk on a speculative player (like Lin). Stand pat. Maybe cut a few more.

[Wilber]

Interesting comments on JLin and how Toronto missed on him, and made me wonder about the process that got him to the Knicks. I don't know how this works, but wouldn't part of the reason he's in New York is because he & his agent targeted New York after he's waived by Houston? They're looking around for another team to get a chance with, I have to think they looked at the PG challenged Knicks with their free-flowing style and saw an opportunity.
Doug, would an agent call up Grunwald or whoever and beg for a chance for the kid? Does that happen?
I'd suspect team Lin would look at Toronto and see a team set for PG's, so not worth a call. In the same way, I'm assuming Anthony Carter's agent is making calls to see who needs a veteran guy for the end of the bench.

Blogger's note: Happens almost exactly like that; agents cast wide nets, see what they can get after identifying fits

[Lorie]

Doug!
Some subtle hilarity today: "marching" orders for March Madness? A "free Grace day"? There might've been more nestled in the blog but sometimes comedic subtlety goes right over my head. Before first bouncing off the funny bone. And leaving my fancy tickle-free. But, the stuff I got was really good. Cheers 'n Chuckles!

[Keith]

@Ted s A few others have been unearthed late by raptor scouting. Matt Bonner was late second, Jose undrafted found in Europe, Garbo found in Europe, Anthony Parker cut and found in Europe. Not super stars but all very competent NBA'rs

[doug]

@Ted S i would reply to your posting as I have a lot of thoughts on it in my mind, but I am full of the flu, Neo Citrans and Advil so that kiboshes that idea...speaking of the Knicks since Melo has returned, and J.R. and Baron joined up the Knicks have gone 3-5 and lost any chemistry they had, again last night those 3 went 6-28...why they signed Davis and J.R. is beyond me...if the Knicks had any cajones' they would trade Melo, but they won't, what will happen is D'Antonio will get fired they'll bring in a coach to stroke Melo's ego and run the offense thru him and achieve nothing....

[Ted S.]

@ Keith....Agreed that those guys listed are NBAers (albeit role players on an elite team), and although I could quibble that Garbo (an all-time fave of mine) was an established talent in Europe, Parker was a very good signing at the time. Notice almost all of those guys came in BC's first year (2006) when the team was gutted and there were a pile of new spaces and faces. Call me optimistic, unrealistic or perhaps having high expectations but couldn't we find one "better than competent" player this year with such a shallow roster? A rising star? How 'bout just one in the last few years. If any team should swing for the fence it should be the Toronto Raptors. You'd think we'd hit one deep. Instead we've had a couple loud outs signed way back in 2006. And many more strikeouts like Alabi. Here's hoping Jonas is special.

[D-Mac Ottawa]

A couple of great lines here today, as usual.
"I’m one of those sports fans who can watch almost anything as long as it’s played at a high level and has some drama and importance to it." For sure. Which is why the NFL semifinals final four is must viewing (for me). March Madness is also an awesome event. It may not be the best ("high level") basketball going, but it's nothing if not compelling (you win or you walk), it's loaded with story lines, and the energy levels, both on the court and in the stands, are off the charts by North American standards. I truly appreciate soccer and the skills that are on display, and will continue to hold out for a 15% reduction in field size before I become a pitch Irregular. Nobody has ever offered an argument that in any way counters that 15% less real estate would in some (any, even infinitesimal) way diminish the game.
"if calderon was on the Knicks lineup Lin wd be still sittin on the bench...." That's pure truth talking there. Good'n, @frank.
Cheers. Go Raps! Go Jays!

[Tim H.]

So, Doug, have you pre-ordered your iPad 3 yet? (I guess, from what I read, Apple is not calling it the iPad 3 - it's just the 'new iPad!')

Blogger's note: I'm still waiting for my iPhone replacement for my Blackberry; an iPad is a pipedream but I imagine Super Wife is thinking upgrade

[sportschick]

If you use the keypad on your Blackberry, I'm guessing you will not be an iPhone fan. However, the apps are great!

BTW, I wanted to say (and this seems an appropriate time) how impressed I am with your IGBT. I was at Friday's game and checked in occasionally, but there is a LOT going on!!! I didn't see all the comments so I can only imagine the sensory overload. Good thing you're a cyborg.