The end of the weekend mail, and more special guests

Well, wasn’t that some kind of game in Chicago?

HOTH played well, they played hard, and got a bad break at the end. Tough one but …

Anyway, have at this while I fly home, hopefully in time to see the NBL final on this computer, and we’ll be back Monday with the usual.

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Q: A while ago, after the Raptors played Sacramento, I was thinking about short players in the NBA, and posted a question in the comments, but never got around to posting it here. I was looking for a 'short list' of the best players NBA under six feet.

BTW, I think it's a shame to be inside writing instead of enjoying Chicago. It's a great city!

Sheila C, Ottawa

A: This is tough only because heights are often embellished and a guy listed at 6-2 might be closer to 6-0 and a 6-footer could very well be 5-10.

But the general consensus, and one I agree with, is that Isiah Thomas was the best small guard of all time.

Of course, the rest of the list would likely include Allen Iverson, Muggsy Bogues, Chris Paul, Calvin Murphy and while most lists have Tiny Archibald at 6-1, I’m going to include him here. You could also put Spud Webb in here and everyone would concur, I imagine.

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Q: Okay let me try this again. After a made basket, if the defending team calls a timeout without inbounding the ball, the ball is then moved to their offensive zone for inbounding after the time out. What’s with that. I have noticed it in the pros but not college ball. Or I am badly in need of new spectacles. I swear I saw it Doug, but I have been wrong before. I am just curious about the rule.

Thanks

Gerry T, Halifax

A: I gotcha this time, sorry for not reading well enough last time.

It’s simply a rule the NBA has adopted – and you have to admit it’s created a lot more late-game drama – that the colleges haven’t. Teams are allowed – if they want – to advance the ball to the frontcourt hashmark after a made basket, or any stoppage, in the final two minutes of a game or overtime. It is all about creating more chances for dramatic finishes and it has.

So, no, you have not seen it in the colleges – nor will you see it in international basketball – but you will see it in the NBA.

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Q: Hi Doug! Well, one way or another - either through a glorious Lightning victory or heartbreaking loss to the dastardly, but very good, Halifax Rainmen - the NBL will be winding up its first season on Sunday afternoon. And what a season it was. Great performances, appreciative fans and in London a team that I know connected with the city. And I believe, the city with it. I'm alread looking forward to next season and hope to attend even more games that I did this year. The level of play improved as the season went along and I'm wondering if any of the NBL players might - or should - be eligible for any of the 10-day contracts that are now available on some NBA rosters. For example, wouldn't it be cool to see Gabe Freeman have a chance with the Raptors???

Lorie P, London

A: I admit I only saw four games and did not see the Rainmen play but I didn’t see anyone who I thought would get a 10-day deal. Not to say it couldn’t happen, though; they are free agents in the eyes of the NBA and could be added if a team wanted.

Second-best Canadian band ever?

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Q: Hi Doug, So let's pretend you're David Stern. Dwayne Wade, LeBron James and Amare Stoudemire ask you for permission to wear hoodies during pre-game warmups, as this would contravene current league uniform policy. What do you say, and why would you say it?

Sohail G, Collingwood

A: I would probably say no, actually. And I would say no because there are other avenues for them to express their feelings, and I would strongly encourage them to do that – but things like pre-game warm-ups at not times for political statements because if you open the door to one, you may have to open the door to many others and I don’t think that’s a very good idea.

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Q: Hello Doug. If you were forced to take the same position you have now with any other basketball organization, who would you choose? What factors would you take into consideration.

Cory G, Jasper

A: Considering I actually work for a news organization, I’ll surmise you wonder what other team I’d like to cover? Hope so because that’s what I’m going to answer.

In a perfect world, you want a nice city with good schools and good weather – a handful of great microbreweries would help – and a team that’s well run. And you’d want a good airport easy to access with lots of direct flights to other NBA cities.

I’m more of a small- to medium-sized city fan so I’d suggest going to work in Seattle when a team goes back, or somewhere like Oklahoma City or maybe Indy would be fun.

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Q: I do recall a lot of 100+ games last year and hence a lot of happy tummies with a free pizza slice. This year seems to be quite a different year and I think I recall one pizza home game? Am I right? If not, how many times have the Raps fans been graced with a comp slice?

Simone K, Toronto

A: You missed a couple, I’m afraid. There’ve been four times they’ve gone over 100 at home; three wins (Houston, Detroit and Washington) and a loss to the Spurs.

And a quick check of last year shows 14 times, which is either good or bad for the diet and appetites of the fans; I’m not sure which.

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Q: Doug. Hoping you can explain something to me. In the Memphis game, Zach Randolph comes back after being off for a couple of months or longer and he seemed to be in mid season form while Andrea has been back for 6 or 7 games and he's still searching for consistency.

Is this due to their different style of play or is it a mental toughness issue?

Bob B, London

A: I think it’s got most to do with style of play. I think it’s easier for a guy like Randolph, whose game is a lot of power and post play, to muscle his way back into it than it is for Bargnani, who needed to find his long-range shooting touch.

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Q: Hi Doug. It’s great reading about the Canadian talent in the March Madness coverage. Is Brady Heslip NBA material?

K J, Toronto

A: I’d say not right now and I don’t know if he ever will be. Been a great ride for him, though.

Where do these guys fit on the list?

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Q: Hi Doug. A couple of random questions:

Which current or former NBA player would have the best shot at winning Dancing with the Stars? I was a bit disappointed with Clyde Drexler when he appeared on the show. Any early predictions for this year.

In light of the recent NFL suspension of Sean Payton - how would you rank the different leagues when dealing with issues of discipline for coaches/players (NBA, NHL, NFL, MLB).

Thanks

Monty M, Toronto

A: Well, we’ve seen The Player Formerly Known As Ron Artest and Clyde Drexler dance and fail, I’m not sure there’s anyone I’d take a chance on looking at next, actually.

How I’d rank them?

That’s a tough one but the very personal observation would probably put NFL first because they hand out lots of suspensions for various indiscretions aimed at making a tough game safer.

I think the NBA does a good job in a lot of ways and might rank second, followed awfully closely by MLB. Both seem to take consistent, decisive action; the only thing I don’t like about MLB’s system is the appeal process it gave the union in various negotiations.

NHL? Dead last. By a mile. Seems they waffle and there’s no consistency whatsoever.

The Goods On The Game, Raptors at Bulls

And a fine good evening to you all.

The start of the weekend mail; and some special guests

Okay folks, I have a little bit left over for tomorrow but, really, we could use some more and since I’ve got this afternoon free in a Chicago hotel room, please help a fella out, would you.

Do. It. Here.

And enjoy the interludes on Canada Music Week; I’ll figure some more out for tomorrow, I hope.

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Q: At the Sunday game against the Warriors recently, I left the arena happy that we’d won but worn out by the kiddy-land feel of all the in-between stuff that one doesn’t see on TV. When I got home, I put on the Celtics game that I’d recorded and I couldn’t help being envious of the (seemingly) much more adult way that fans in the TD Garden in Boston are treated. Then, watching the Knicks game from MSG and hearing the organ being played, instead of the tiresome pounding beats that the ACC DJ cues up, I was once again so wishing that whoever runs things at the ACC would give serious consideration to making some basic changes that would make the experience the pleasant and fun basketball-centric experience that (I think) it should be. (I also love the theatre lighting that the Knicks and the Lakers use.) My question: as you are familiar with these other arenas (NY and Boston, mainly) is the atmosphere really more sophisticated, as how it seems to be when watching on TV? And, is there any chance in this lifetime of somebody at the ACC making the adjustments that many, I’m sure, would so love to see? Thanks.

WS G, North York

A: I don’t imagine the adjustments you want – and which I would appreciate more than you can imagine – will be coming at any time soon.

And while there are some more “sedate” arenas where the atmosphere is a bit muted, and I would put New York, the Lakers and Spurs in that crowd, I’d say Toronto is in the top half of noisy, intrusive, “beat-pounding-while-the-game-goes-on” nonsense. But there are others – Cleveland and Dallas come quickly to mind – that are even more over the top.

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Q: Hi Doug. Two favours to ask of you, humbly.

Please help settle a debate a friend and I constantly have. Who was the better player: Karl Malone or Chris Mullin? And who had the better career (is there a difference)? A word justifying your choice would be great.

Any comments on the PG position for Spain at the Olympics given Rubio's knee injury? I imagine Jose is going to get a fair amount of play now.

Thanks!

David W, Toronto

A: Malone-Mully? Apples and oranges. Not sure one was “better” than the other and it’s impossible to compare. Neither won a title, both are Hall of Famers, Malone has an MVP to his credit but I preferred watching Run TMC in Golden State to watching the Jazz. But I’m sure if I turned and asked someone else, they’d go the other way.

Jose was always going to get a fair amount of playing time, it will go up with Rubio out but they can slide Juan Carlos Navarro into that slot and perhaps Sergio Llull, too. At least that’s what I’m hearing now.

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Best. Canadian. Band. Ever.

The Band

 

Q: Hi Doug. Who is the fellow in the Raptors organization that sits right behind the players bench and looks like he is one of the Sopranos?

Thanks

Trevor B, Saskatoon

A: I’m not sure you really want to know. These guys need protection, don’t you know.

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Q: Hey Doug, I'm re-reading Simmons' Book of Basketball. He talks a bit about talent dilution and opines that "expansion ruins everything". Do you agree? If you were to trim the league to 20 teams today, who gets cut and why?

Kerry O, Waterloo

A: Not sure “ruin” is the right word but there’s absolutely been a dilution of talent and the league would be better off with, say, 24 teams. But as for who gets cut? I can’t really say; I hate it when any city loses a team and I guess you’d look at failing or faltering markets first, right? That’d probably put New Orleans, Memphis, New Jersey and Milwaukee on the list but they’ve all got as a good a chance at revitalization as anything.

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Q: Hi Doug. This off season the Raps decide they should package and trade either Amir Johnson or Ed Davis.

Taking age, contract, ability, work ethic etc. into consideration, who would you trade and why? Thanks.

Mike D, Hespeler

A: Oh, boy. One of these. No disrespect but this really isn’t something I do because unless you give me some idea of what you’d realistically get back, it’s silly speculation.

I do think Bryan should throw both names out there this summer and see what kind of nibbles he gets.

As for who gets more? Impossible to tell. Amir’s got experience but a longer, more expensive contract; Ed’s got promise but if you have to take similar size deals back, you’re not going to get much because he doesn’t make much.

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Wish I could write stories like this guy could write songs.

Lightfoot.

The Goods On The Game, Knicks at Raptors

Hello, ladies and gentlemen.

Welcome back for more Real Men's Professional Basketball.

Or a reasonable facsimile.

End of an era? Not quite as Raptors waive Butler

And then there were 12.

The Raptors put seldom-used guard Rasual Butler on waivers on Friday afternoon, taking the roster down to a lean dozen for the next few days at least.

Butler hasn’t played a significant minute in weeks and averaged 3.2 points and 1.9 rebounds in just 13.3 minutes over 34 games; he’s perhaps best remembered for not getting a timeout call in the final seconds of a tough home loss to the Lakers. However, he did have one big night, 13 points and some huge buckets in an early-season win in New York.

By placing Butler on waivers on Friday, the Raptors made it possible for him to catch on with another team and be eligible for the playoffs; he wouldn’t have been had Toronto waited even a day.

There are no plans to immediately replace Butler on the roster but it would be no surprise if someone is signed to a contract at the beginning of next week.

 

 

 

Linsanity a bit muted but the kid still attracts a crowd

Linsanity may not be dead – there were still about four times the usual number of media at New York Knicks shootaround Friday morning – but it’s at least calmed down a bit.

Considering there were 17 TV cameras and about 75 media members packed into the Air Canada Centre press room the first time Jeremy Lin and the Knicks came to town this season, facing only five or six cameras and about 30 media types must have felt like a day off.

And the Knicks did little to exacerbate the situation, too; leaving Lin to do his chatting in the team’s locker room while coach Mike Woodson was chatting in the hall, a nice piece of bait and switch that gave Lin almost a morning off.

But it’s never been about what he says as much as it’s been about what he does and what he’s doing now on the court mirrors the relative calm that’s enveloped the Knicks in the last little while.

Ever since Mike D’Antoni took his leave just over a week ago, the Knicks have been practically silent, rattling off five straight wins without nearly the fervor that was created when Linsanity was born.

It’s now far more about the team than the formerly unheralded point guard who caused such a sensation.

“It’s not as many pick-and-rolls, he’s getting guys in the right place, he’s got a great balance between pick and rolls and distributing the ball to Carmelo (Anthony) and (Amar’e) Stoudemire,” said Raptors coach Dwane Casey.

“He’s still got that ability to go one-on-one but also at the same time, he’s looking for other people.”

But there’s still enough hype to make Friday night’s game a little bit special. The game will be broadcast in Mandarin on the OMNI network – a first for a Raptors game – and the reporting ranks are swelled to at least twice the norm.

All because of Lin, who continues to take his fame in stride. He does his media and makes sure to put the team first, he seems uncomfortable being the lone focus of attention and everyone in the organization appreciates it.

“It’s okay, it comes with the territory,” was how Woodson put it. “I think playing in New York and the fact he had that run that was phenomenal but as long as it doesn’t get to his head and he stays focused and steady in terms of what team is about …”

And that’s kind of what’s happened with the Knicks. They’ve all of a sudden become a sharing, caring bunch and it’s elevated them all the way to eighth in the Eastern Conference.

“I think they just changed some calls and Melo and Stoudemire are a little more involved now,” said Toronto’s Jose Calderon. “Before it was more like a transition game all the time, more like freedom for everybody but still, I think he’s (Lin) been doing a pretty good job running the team and hitting shots.

“Maybe he’s not scoring 30 but he’s still playing good.”

And drawing a bit of a crowd; even if it isn’t as big as it once was.

 

 

Politicians have no place, and best flop and Canadian song ever?

I am reminded of the first regular season game-day of the Kevin O’Neil era and if there’s one thing KO was, it was single-minded when it came time to get ready for a game and he didn’t suffer what he thought were silly questions well ever, let alone on a game day.

Well, one fellow – and the game was on Halloween, as I recall – asks KO about his best Halloween memory and KO gives him a look and then says sotto voce:

“Will the ridiculousness never end?”

I am reminded of that phrase this morning as I read this dispatch that says some publicity seeking politician in the United States wants to get the Senate down there investigation the NFL – and the other pro sports leagues – for the stuff about the New Orleans Saints and the bounty program that’s been in the news.

Seriously.

Look, I know politicians kind of well, dealing with some of them is part of life around Casa Doug, and some of them, not all but some, can be spotlight-stealing publicity hounds whose sole intention is to obtain power and then retain it.

So I kind of get it when one of them goes off the rails and tries to get some TV time or newspaper time talking about an issue so far removed from his bailiwick that it’s not even funny.

Politicians, here, there and everywhere, need to be worried about far greater issues than how a pro sports league disciplines itself; there are things like job creation, disparity of wealth and unfair taxation, the erosion of the social safety net that’s hugely troubling that need to be addressed.

Sports?

Sports is sports and while it is a huge part of life for so many of us and a multi-national, multi-billion-dollar business, it is, in almost every imaginable way, quite able to police itself on things like bounties on players in games. As we’ve said, the NFL moved swiftly and harshly to deal with this issue, as it should have, and it now should be over.

The last thing anyone needs – the league, the teams, the players, the owners, the fans – is some grandstanding politician getting his name out there by keeping the situation going.

Go and deal with real issues, Mr. Senator, that’s what they’re paying you to do.

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Oh, boy.

You know technology and I, right? Kind of like math and I, not the greatest of mixes.

Well, now that I’m sitting here looking at my brand new iPhone and trying to figure out how it works, my head is hurting and I’m a little a’scared.

Thankfully, 15-year-old Super Son was around last night so I wasn’t hopelessly lost trying to make it work.

Kind of miss the old Blackberry, it was easier to type on because of the raised keys and the BBM thing but everyone tells me I’ll eventually get used to this new-fangled device.

Got apps?

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This, folks, is the greatest flop in the history of sports. I don’t even think a soccer player could match the theatrics of this one.

Made me absolutely laugh out loud when I saw it.

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So while I was doing this about the league, and this about the Knicks and, yes, this little piece of video magic, one thing occurred to me about the HOTH and what’s ahead.

Five home games in a row can’t really be seen as a good thing, can it?

For some reason, and I can’t put my finger on it other than to say it’s as much maturity as anything, the Raptors just don’t seem to play as well at home as they do on the road.

They have fewer wins (7) at the Air Canada Centre than they do away from the Air Canada Centre (8) and while it’s nice they’ve already eclipsed last season’s road win total, that’s not really the point.

The point is that they have to better at home, more strong-willed, more grown-up, more businesslike. It’s as if they’ve bought into the idea that home teams have some kind of magical elixir when they step on the floor, that opponents are somehow going to find it difficult to win.

Doesn’t work that way.

It’s supposed be the home teams are simply more confident that they will eventually win, that they know how to take care of business.

Maybe it’s the vagaries of youth, that some of these guys think it’s just more fun to play at play home or something. Maybe it’s the opponent and the schedule.

Whatever it is, with five straight at home after Saturday’s trip to Chicago – five games with the whole team relatively healthy and intact – would be a good time to make some kind of statement.

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Okay, I don’t know who’s screwing the weather but I need to have word with her.

It’s really nice that it was 26C this week, the sun was shining, the patios were open and it was glorious.

But now they tell me it’s going back down to 4C on Monday and I’m thinking the shorts we pulled out of closet will have to go back.

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I know this isn’t going to happen and I understand fully why.

But wouldn’t it be nice if, say, Rogers were to announce today that one of its regional sports networks – and I’m thinking Sportsnet East and Ontario would be the logical choice – was going to change its Sunday afternoon schedule and show the fifth and deciding game of the NBL Canada championship series live?

Yeah, the Halifax Rainmen beat the London Lightning last night in Halifax in what I’m told was an electric atmosphere to send the series to a deciding game Sunday afternoon in London.

I can’t be there sadly, the flight back from Chicago won’t make it in time, but I’d sure like to get off the plane, find a stool or a couch and see it.

It should be wild.

And I know London Irregulars will keep me apprised, right?

And I do think it’s quite fitting that what’s been an excellent first season will end this way.

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Canada Music Week, right?

And I know we did this guy/band yesterday and, honest, I was going to suggest this even before an Irregular mentioned it yesterday but if this isn’t the best song by a Canadian band ever, it’s in the top three, right?

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Oh yeah, here’s a second-to-last shot at the mail and we will be here for an IGBT tonight around 7. See you then.

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Harsh punishment but NFL gets it right

Now, that’s punishment.

Swift. Uncompromising. Heavy. Message-sending.

Well done.

The punishment, of course, is that meted out by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell on the New Orleans Saints yesterday, a wallop of unprecedented proportions, lengthy suspensions, heavy fines, the forfeiture of roster-restoring draft picks in a league that generally lives off them.

Well done.

In case you missed it, the gory details are here; short story is coach gone a year, former defensive co-ordinator gone “indefinitely” with the GM out eight games and another assistant gone for six. Oh, and there’ll be draft picks lost and big old cheques to write to pay fines.

Well done.

Look, the NFL is a game of violence, incredible violence, and everyone who plays the game knows the inherent risks. But to exacerbate those risks by paying out money for knocking opponents either senseless or out of the game is simply wrong: It puts premeditation into a game of lightning-quick reflex and reaction.

And if they have to deliver some harsh punishment as much for the penalty as the deterrent, so be it.

Head coach Sean Payton, who is by all accounts an otherwise decent and honourable, had to bear the brunt of the punishment and I'm fine with that.

It’s tough but, you know what? Coaches are ultimately responsible for all in their charge and it is incomprehensible to me that in the militaristic life that is the NFL, Peyton wasn’t fully aware of what was going on and totally okay with what was going on. If he wasn’t tacitly approving of it, he could have stopped it, there can be no doubt of that. And if he didn’t know? Well, I don’t see that as a possibility, frankly.

Sure, the penalties are a bit Draconian but so what? It’s a first, Goodell has sent an unequivocal message that all will hear.

And that’s the best part of it.

I refuse to believe that this is an isolated event and that this punishment is as much to dissuade others as it is to make the Saints pay for the indiscretion of getting caught.

I am sure – as sure as an outsider can be, that is – that other “bounty” programs existed last year, the year before that and the year before that. They weren’t perhaps as well organized as the New Orleans one but they have existed before.

Now? Now I cannot imagine anyone taking the chance to try something as stupid; the penalties are more harsh than even well-respected NFL scribblers were expecting. Sure, fines and suspensions were coming – a bounty program is exponentially worse than the New England SpyGate and that cost a lot of money and draft picks – but to this end?

Tough measures indeed.

And well worth it.

And well done.

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Oh yeah …

It’ Canadian Music Week now and that’d a good thing.

Burton Cummings is being honoured or somesuch tonight, fittingly, I’d say. Where’s he rank? Or where does the Guess Who? This guy can warble, can’t he? And that was a heckuva band.

(Last time I heard them? Warming up for a reunion show to close the 1999 Pan-Am Games in Winnipeg, standing in the parking lot of the old Winnipeg Arena before covering a basketball game, phone aloft calling home so the people back here could hear)

Anyway …

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Oh yeah …

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THREE POINTERS

Tough times indeed

No, I don’t know what’s going on with Andrea Bargnani but he’s sure not shooting it particularly well, is he?

Had a couple of nice drives – the pump-fake-dunk the other night in New York was impressive, tried to take Noah off the dribble a few times last night – but the shot’s not falling.

I’ll go with Dwane on it and figured it’ll come (there’s quote here in the game story to that effect) and, believe me, Andrea knows he’s kind of sucking lately.

"The injury is fine, the leg is fine … I'm playing really bad offensively."

Don’t imagine it’s a permanent thing.

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More troubling …

Might be the woes of Linas Kleiza, who was 2-for-9 against the Bulls, is 11-for-35 in his last five games, including 2-for-10 from three-point range.

And given the absence of Leandro Barbosa from the second unit, there’s a dearth of scoring there and Kleiza is being given every opportunity to solve it.

He isn’t.

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Just couldn’t go

That’d be Jerryd Bayless, who lasted all of about 90 seconds before his hip locked up and it became apparent that he couldn’t run, let alone function at 100 per cent in an NBA game.

Give him credit for trying – he told me before the game he was a bit stiff but felt not too bad considering the whack he took from Amar’e Stoudemire in New York the night before.

But there’s no room for heroes and shutting him down quickly was the best for everyone concerned.

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More?

A bit.

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Mail? Love some. Don’t have nearly enough and you need to help me out.

Do it here. Thanks.

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Teeeeeee-boooooowww!

In New York?

Oh, don’t you think the media’s going to have some fun with that one?

And don’t you think the Jets are playing with fire by trading for him?

They just gave Mark Sanchez about a kabillion dollars in a contract extension and then they go and trade for a much-loved backup who is going to be a favourite with the fans and after the first three-interception Sunday of Sanchez’s season, and you know that’s coming early in the season, the big old Quarterback Controversy is going to raise its ugly head.

And as a dispassionate observer, I’m all for it.

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The Goods On The Game, Bulls at Raptors

Hey, folks.

Miss me last night? Didn't think so.

Not much to see out of that one

Well, that was a rather ho-hum night, wasn’t it?

One of those feelings of inevitability washed over the game about the middle of the third quarter; there was one team that was tougher and stronger and more determined and more dominant near the basket.

And then there were the Raptors, who – and we’ve said this a kazillion times – simply have to get tougher. Or else.

Anyway …

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THREE POINTERS

A little too little

I, and I thought the coaches, were a bit intrigued by seeing how much they could get out of a backcourt of Jose Calderon and Jerryd Bayless.

I have a feeling it’s a bit too small but it should allow either of them – both good shooters – to play off the ball in the corner or on the wing and that should create some space for guys like DeRozan and Bargnani.

Well, after one night, who knows?

There was a stretch in the first half that was very much a feeling out process with nothing significant to report and then Jerryd got whacked by Amar’e Stoudemire in the second half and the experiment was aborted.

No clue how bad the hip pointer is – and since there’s no shootaround this morning we won’t know until tonight – but it is something we need to see more of.

And I’d like to see some Calderon-Bayless-Forbes, if only for a minute or two because I think that can be a bit powerful offensively if they ever figure it out.

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Give him credit

We seem to be ragging on DeRozan every now and then for not getting to the free throw line, or not seeking out contact often enough, and one of the goals the coaching staff set for him this year was to take more free throws.

Well, he only three last night but he did have a dozen the other night in Charlotte and it looks like he’s starting to get it more consistently as the season drones on.

Like just about everything to do with the young ‘uns on this team, this season is all about developing consistency while we haven’t seen it often enough on too many fronts – see Ed Davis, DeRozan, Amir Johnson – it’s something to over the final 20 or so games of the regular season.

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Handling the pressure

Or, rather, not handling it well enough.

Was a bit surprised to see the aggressive defence the Knicks played almost all over the court last night – it runs counter to what we’ve seen from them for years – and was a bit surprised the Raptors didn’t attack it more forcefully.

Yes, it’s a solid tactic to pick guys up right at halfcourt, or even in the backcourt, because it slows offences down, makes attacking teams start their sets much further from the basket than they’d like but there’s a reason most teams don’t do it more often:

It doesn’t always work.

What you have to do is go by it quickly, either with passes or the dribble, and the Raptors were far too passive for far too long and it bogged down the offence considerably.

I’m not sure that’s a defensive tactic that will work consistently but if wings aren’t going to come back and get the ball and if point guards can’t get by their man quickly, it’s enough to mess up a team for a night, or a quarter, or a handful of possessions, and that’s just what happened to Toronto last night.

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Wee bit more?

We’ve got some.

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Alex Smith signs new deal with the San Francisco 49ers?

Hmm.

Hope he cuts his agent’s fee a wee bit.

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When we come to talk about the greatest athletes of our era, we usually come up with a list of usual suspects we see or hear about almost every week. Or at least have in the recent past.

Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Wayne Gretzky, Roger Federer, Tiger Woods, Usain Bolt.

Each has been spectacular over time, dominating their sports like few others and the names roll easily off the tongue.

Here’s one that gets short shrift, at least in this little corner of the world and when you’re talking about the best now and the best ever, it’s a name that can’t be ignored.

Lionel Messi.

Yeah, the soccer dude, from Barcelona; we rarely see him but the dude may go down eventually as the greatest ever.

I first heard about him at the Beijing Olympics when he was little more than pup in the grand scheme of things.

But what he’s accomplished now is, simply, incredible and he’s pretty much the biggest reason that I watch Barcelona-Madrid every time I can.

Kid had three goals the other night in a La Liga game and the roll he’s on is pretty much incomparable in all of sports.

He’s got 154 goals in 153 La Liga games over three seasons, has 49 more in Champions League play and 19 more in the Copa del Rey.

I’m not sure there’s a comparison that can be made, actually. Probably doesn’t have to be because it’s blatantly unfair to talk about one athlete in one sport and try to explain what he’s doing in the context of others.

Suffice it to say, though, that he will go down as one of the greatest footballers of all time and if you appreciate athletic greatness on the biggest of stages, maybe it’s time to broaden the horizons a little bit and catch a Barca game if you can.

Never mind whether you like soccer or not or even understand the nuances of the game – I enjoy watching but can’t dissect the strategy to save my soul – this is sporting excellence and further investigation might lead you to appreciate it more.

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So Super Dog goes the doctor yesterday to get checked for periodic limp and now we’re facing some kind of surgery (not ACL but something to do with the kneecap) and if anyone’s got any good freelance work available, I’m all ears.

Yeesh.

Great dog, cute as a button but, wow.

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Yes, we’ll be back with the usual IGBT tonight (please stop by, it’s a lot of fun most of the time) and we’d better get the mail stuff started since I’ve got games Friday and Saturday and the Olympics coverage meeting Thursday afternoon that could take a few hours.

Thanks. Go here and do it.

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