A rather inexplicable weekend, wasn't it? In a lot of ways

Well, that was some weekend, wasn’t it?

Unexpected wins, good games, solid performances from unlikely sources and I don’t really care what anyone says or thinks, winning games is far better than losing them.

And only five to go – four if you’re a fellow who’s going to chill in Miami today and wait for the lads to show up rather than sit through the nightcap of the two-day doubleheader.

So …

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THREE POINTERS

Yet another reason …

To like Dwane Casey.

Yes, he’s a genuinely nice man and a very, very good basketball coach, of that there can be no question.

Yes, they should probably pick up his third-year option today after what’s happened so far this year but that’s a foregone conclusion and will unquestionably happen in the course of time.

But when the dude can come up with a baseball analogy discussing basketball strategy he goes way, way up, no?

We’re talking about the Raptors zone and how it befuddled the Hawks as much as it befuddled the Celtics and how it’s not something he thinks should be permanent.

“It’s kind of disguised, sometimes teams don’t know if it’s a man-to-man or a zone and it helps. You can’t win a championship with it but it’s a good thing to have in our pocket.”

This, lf course, after he dropped the baseball thing on us and I didn’t scratch my head but I bet a few others did.

“It’s an Eephus pitch.”

(Off to google, young 'uns)

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Welcome back

James Johnson was in control and not too fancy and entirely effective and back to what he was in the middle of the season; he made six of eight shots, didn’t try to do too much and was solid defensively.

No, I have no idea why all of a sudden but he kind of summed up the weekend after the game.

“Our season has been up and down but we’re not just going to lay down each night. We still have pride, we’re still men, and this is our job.”

Solid approach.

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Wrestling time

Ed Davis is, frankly, physically over-matched most nights. That’s not totally unexpected given his still-slight frame and his youth but saw something last night that may bode well for the future.

Yes, he was pushed around a wee bit by the bigger, stronger, far-less-fit Ivan Johnson of the Hawks but as the game went on, Davis’s confidence went up and he gave as good as he got.

It didn’t go unnoticed by his coach.

“They tried to put Ivan on him to body him up, Ed did a good job in the post of really being aggressive, paling with confidence, passing the ball and quarterbacking because his guy was going to trap.”

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More? There’s always more.

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Man, we missed a big day Sunday by not being here, didn’t we?

Check this out:

On April 15 …

The Titanic sunk.

Abraham Lincoln died.

Jackie Robinson made his debut.

And …

Joey Ramone passed away.

And there’s nothing like a little Ramones to get the week started, is there?

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I remember way back in 2000, as part of our millennium package, I was given the assignment of writing an essay – and I’m talking about a four- or eight-page many thousands of works – about the 100 years in sports.

Yes, a daunting task and we decided to break it down into four significant turning points and type about them. We settled on, as I recall, the emergence of women athletes, the evolution of television, the globalization of athletics and …

Jackie Robinson.

That’s how important and significant his arrival was, it totally changed the sporting landscape not only in North America but I would suggest the world, too.

And that’s why one of the best things major league baseball has ever done is get its players to all wear No. 42 on April 15 each year, to keep alive the memory of Robinson and what he did for the game, and the world.

I know there are kids – and young adults – out there who don’t know about Robinson, what he went through, what he did and the role he played in getting North American professional sports where it is today.

I’m hope some of them saw players wearing 42 yesterday and asked someone of a Certain Vintage what it was all about and that they learned something. That’s what those days are supposed to be about and kudos to baseball for doing it.

There is no comparison to Robinson in any other sport, really, because he was the first. He led the way for basketball and football and hockey and golf and everything else.

No, things are not perfect today by any means; there remain issues of race and discrimination on the games we watch and the society we live in; but Robinson did something to change that when it was at its worst and that cannot ever be forgotten.

And this? This is perfect.

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Dang.

The WNBA draft is this afternoon and I haven’t done a mock one yet.

Oops.

Sorry.

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How about the pucks, eh?

I have friends who only watch hockey during the Olympics and playoffs because that’s when there’s no fighting.

Riiiiight.

Now, I’m sure there’s flack to be caught for this but Sunday – in particular the Flyers-Penguins game I saw a wee bit of in a hotel room – was despicable.

I’m not sure if the worst was the Philly dude who cross-checked the guy under the chin and then punched him in the back of the head while he was lying prone on the ice; or the various guys who got beaten on after delivering entirely clean hits.

Seriously.

It’s a joke and why to very, very, very many people a prime reason the game will never truly catch on. It will be a nice regional sports league – Canada and the upper half of the United States – because the implicit tolerance of such ridiculousness by a league office that does nothing, really, to stem the tide of senseless violence sends a message that they don’t care an awful lot about what some people think.

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Comments

[JT]

Raptors are certainly an odd team. Unpredictable is the best word I think. My guess is that they get spanked by the Hawks tonight.

[Andrew Potter]

Here, Here!

Well said, Doug. Always love when you can pen a non-tack, non-cheesy 'Hallmark' moment that wraps together sports and things of greater social importance. Definitely up there with your Christmas (or was it New Years?) message.

Do you write the longer posts (Jackie, Christmas etc) beforehand or are they just another part of your morning output? Sometimes I find it hard to believe some of the things you write come to mind at 5 in the morning.

Cheers!

Blogger's note: Vast majority are part of regular morning workload; today was

[ditch]

Hi Doug Smith:
How many 10 day contracts can be offered to one player? Will the Raptors have any further obligations to a man like Uzoh if he signs another ten day? He did a fine job yesterday that's for sure.

Eephus? Wasn't he Plato's scribe? I believe he pitched in the Euphrates Coast League.

Blogger's note: Two max, then they have to sign them for the rest of the year or let them go; but with only 10 days left, it's rather moot; I presume both Anderson and Uzoh get rest-of-year deals; not sure about Dentmon. None I don't imagine will get anything longer term

[Gord]

Hockey “the NHL” (as a community) do not respect each other as players and fellow workers in the industry. Yes, the teams and players have to be aggressive and give it their all - but to cross check someone in the face and then punch them in the head while they lie there half knocked out is stupid and ignorant – then to top it off, they say things like: it is to protect your team and players…..what!??! The NHL failed last week to punish Webber of the Preds for smashing a Red Wings players in the face up against the glass and then followed it up with a swinging elbow to the head once again ramming the players face in the glass. What does the NHL do? They fined Webber 2500$ bucks - give me a break. The coach of the Rangers mouths off to the media about Pittsburgh and gets fined 25,000$. What message is the NHL sending to its players!....they are basically approving that these goons play with no respect for each other and that hurting their fellow worker above the rules of the game is acceptable, just don’t mention it or your hit hard with a fine. Even MMA and WWE guys give each other more respect but compete to their fullest.
In this the year that Calderon is having his best season - still when he is in the line up and or starting and or playing with Bargs, the Raps are a under .500 team. With anyone else PG'ing the team (including some D-leaguers) the Raps are a over .500 team with Brags in or out of the line-up....what does that tell you?
ED or AJ?? - remember with ED he has not yet had a full training camp in two pro-years, playing in a short season (in his only 2nd year) with last year the league on strike he had no summer training plan from the team and yes struggled early on to find a rhythm this year in Casey's system - but is now starting to take off. Give him a full summer and training camp under Casey's guidance plus he comes with his rookie contract that is about 4 plus million less then AJ - AJ has 5 years more experience than ED and to me has hit his height of skills sets. If still after 5 years and you cant figure out to concentrate and not foul so much plus the bigger contract makes AJ more needed for this team to move of the two....in my opinion.

[Tim H.]

Hey Doug:
It's official - I'm not a young 'un - I didn't have to Google Eephus pitch!
Nice words about Jackie Robinson today Doug. And, yes, pro sports 'businesses' do sometimes get things right, and MLB's recognition (and promotion) of Robinson's contributions is one of them.

[Canadian Paul]

Hi Doug, Tank Nation is mourning this morning. This reminds me of the Blue Jays' resurgence every September, when they're out of it and "laying a foundation for next year". Except that "next year" has been going on for 18 years now.

Blogger's note: Good, glad you feel sad. People who cheer for losses deserve to

[sam]

I'm not surprized the HOTH put in a good effort over the last 2 games. I surprized they came a way with 2 rather impressive wins against tougher playoff bound teams. To do so with out Jose in in the line up, with a handful of D league scrubs is indeed a testiment to the system that Casey put in place.
Anderson, it seems, has played himself into an invite to training camp - Still not sold on Ben at the point.

[Peter]

In regards to that "hockey" game last night. I'm shocked that that type of game is still part of the rules! In a society where we don't spank our kids anymore, and we don't accept that it's ok for our kids to hit anyone, ever! I can't believe that hockey continues to have an audience in a so called civilized society. One of the things that I love about watching the NBA is that if a guy even throws a punch, (one that doesn't connect) he'll get suspended and dealt with in a very serious manner. Sort of like in real life! We teach our kids that it's not ok to do certain things, for us to have to add... "well... unless you do it on a hockey rink" It's beyond ridiculous. To hear the "Super-Star" of the league describe the game as if every part of what went on was just "playoff hockey" because it's so intense, when that star already has brain damage from the same type of play. Ridiculous! Crazy! Out of touch! That game is dead to me. It's not something that I'll ever let my kids be a part of, and that's too bad because when you strip away all the stupid antics, it's actually a great game. Well done NHL! Well done!

[Rob.V]

I dont follow Baseball so of course I just googled Eephus Pitch, and although I know who Jackie Robinson is I also just googled that as well.
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Like all of us in life at some point we caught a break somewhere so I was interested to see how Jackie got his (not meant to take away his personal accomplishements).
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Anyway, enter this very interesting charachter: Leo Ernest Durocher or "Leo The Lip".
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Durocher played a noteworthy role in erasing baseball's color line. In the spring of 1947, he let it be known that he would not tolerate the dissent of those players on the team who opposed Jackie Robinson's joining the club, saying:
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"I do not care if the guy is yellow or black, or if he has stripes like a f---n' zebra. I'm the manager of this team, and I say he plays. What's more, I say he can make us all rich. And if any of you cannot use the money, I will see that you are all traded."
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Another cool quote (not related to Jackie - this was anothe player).
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"He can't hit, he can't field, he can't run—all he can do is beat you."
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Oh, and he apparantly lauched this one which has managed to hang around Sports for a bazillion years.
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"Nice Guys finished last"... although this was apparently misquoted.
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Just seems that these old cats were much cooler with the nicknames and all, and what I find really interesting for times that seemed to be so much more repressed. These guys said whatever the F the wanted back then. Imagine Colangelo or Casey unloading on his players offering to trade them all?.
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They gambled, drank, probably ran with all sorts of women and yet were glorified, not so much today. I guess that's why the term "the good old days" came about as well.

[Mr. Cook]

The NHL needs to rethink its whole model. It's so scripted that it may as well be Professional Wrestling. How is it acceptable and 'intense' that an adult plans an assault with a weapon days after his friend was hurt in the natural course of playing a sports event? If someone playing basketball in a park gets hit by another player on the level that would constitute a 'flagrant foul', his buddies don't get to come by the park a couple days later and hit that person with a giant stick and then punch him senseless while he lies on the ground not fighting back. Why? Because there would possibly be prison sentences involved. The level of violence completely unrelated to the sport of hockey that occurs in the game makes it utterly unwatchable. I'm not yet a parent but if I was I wouldn't want my kids watching coverage of the playoffs for the same reason I wouldn't want them watching rated R violent movies at a premature age--it teaches all the wrong things about how to deal with other human beings. Just disgusting.

[Steve]

@Gord It tells me that even in a condensed 66 game season the number of games Jose hasn't played is minuscule, making it a sample size not worth considering (10 games, if that) with 3 different point guards.

If you really think the likes of Uzoh or Dentmon are a better option at the point you quite simply haven't been watching the games. If on the other hand you were trying to make a case for Bayless based on this meaningless observation, run the numbers for when he starts (without the padding from these few recent wins where he is sitting at the end of the bench in his sports coat) and try and tell me it's even close to .500.

[Penny]

@Gord - You're basing your assessment of the team being better without Jose on what? 7 games? Nice

[Mos High]

Congratulations to MLB for keeping the awarness of a very crucial time in Sports. Jackie Robinson's name will be forever known for "tryn" to fix some of the racial lines. To bad it didnt have a greater effect in general. But we will take it one step at a time.

I know the tankers who are real Raptor fans know these wins are good. I keep saying would you really want Toronto to be like a Charlotte sad sack team, really?
Anderson playing well, I like the DeRozan attacked the rack and stay aggressive. Hopefully Ed Davis builds up a little in off season, I Rather seen Raptors work with him. Maybe its time Amir is moved if possible.

Now onto the NHL, I used to watch at least the playoffs. I truly cant do it anymore. I was watching one of the sports channels this morning's highlights and I couldnt believe it was the NHL and not a bush league. How many elbows to the head has there been. One guys starts knocking the daylights out of another guy, this league is gone to the dogs. But I guess people love this sensless violence. Its sick and shameful!!

[Grant]

I finally decided to climb aboard the tank - and then they beat the Celtics and the Hawks with a bunk of d-leaguers. This team just WILL NOT make me happy.

[Gord]

Rob V - Bravo my friend...I am glad somebody mentioned that. Yes Jackie was the player that couldn't be held out of the majors cause he had the skills to be there and make a diiference. Never ever have I heard about the person(s) responsable for making sure he got to play. If you could imagine at the time, fans were known to say they would refuse to watch if a "colored" person played, advertisers would stop advertising, other managers wouldn't let the players take the field if he or any other "non-white" person played, there were umps who refused to ump if he played but this guy (the manager and his team..players and owners) didnt care what the "norm" of society said - they did it anyway. These white people put there own lives and thier families lives at risk for common hate practices of the day from certian hate groups. They did this for what they believed was right for what they believed was they way to be, they way America should live. Not just for Africaan Americans but for all cultures regardless of the colour of their skin, ther aren't many who would go against the norms of society in any era even today putting their families at risk to do so just for the future people, the future (in this case) of the game. These people never ever once get mentioned for thier couragouis acts! I for one am proud of those people...the must have been Canadians!

[james]

It is quite old now, but Carl Rowan's biography of Jackie Robinson is one of the best books I've ever read on any subject. If you've never had the pleasure, it should be in most public libraries.
Peter said it all about the hockey playoffs. It is almost as though the concussion controversy has produced a league-wide push-back, an "Oh yeah, we'll show you!" psychosis. Almost any time I channel surfed by a game, there was a fight going on. I used to love it, but I am forced to admit that everything Don Cherry ever said about hockey is probably true. Which means that Eddie Andelman (and Doug Smith) are also correct: hockey is a joke.
Given how the Atlanta Hawks have abused the Raptors since Horford clobbered Ford, yesterday's game was awe-inspiring.

[jc]

Rip Sewell getting name dropped in a basketball post game scrum?! I love it. I was going to write in and say he deserved an extension as soon as I heard it (but you beat me to it). Love this coach. Love this team.

[Les]

HI Doug;

“It’s an Eephus pitch.”

Just don't use it against Ted Williams.

[Michel G]

Peter @9:19 am: "I can't believe that hockey continues to have an audience in a so called civilized society ... Ridiculous! Crazy! Out of touch! That game is dead to me. It's not something that I'll ever let my kids be a part of, and that's too bad because when you strip away all the stupid antics, it's actually a great game. Well done NHL! Well done!" My goodness, what's with the histrionics if it's dead to you. A person does not have to watch hockey if he or she does not want to. There was a recent human trafficking conviction in Hamilton that shows that there deeper problems in our "so called civilized society" than hockey.

[sb]

Doug...

While I'm not quite old enough to say that I saw the event in the moment, I've read John Feinstein's book "The Punch" regarding the "altercation" (sorry, not the right word at all) between Kermit Washington and Rudy T in 1977.

So much changed in the NBA after that devastating event. Whenever I hear of a horrifying injury as a result of a fight in NHL hockey, I always wonder if it will be the equivalent of "The Punch". Will it be the tragedy that brings about sweeping and instantaneous change?

I know that some will argue that fighting is "part of the culture, part of the game" of hockey, so we'll never be rid of it, but wasn't it also a pretty big part of professional basketball in the early- to mid-70s? Teams had enforcers on the court just like we see on the ice today.

Thank goodness it doesn't exist in the modern game...my kids play!

I know you don't follow the pucks that closely Doug, but what do you think - will we ever be rid of that level of violence?

Thanks, as always, for all you do.

sb

Blogger's note: Am doubtful, but hopeful, that it will be gone

[lee in ottawa]

I really cannot think of anything positive or negative to say about the recent Raptors wins. Therefore "go Jays go"

[Matt G]

Thanks for the note on Jackie and the clip. (Doesn't Vince Scully make everything better?)

Was thinking about your comments on hockey. I was among the misguided who thought there was no fighting in the playoffs or Olympics and the sport was better for it. I still think the sport is better without it. I am curious, though, to see what the TV ratings were like in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh and whether those will rise or fall from here on in. I have a feeling they may actually rise.

[doug]

ok now that the Eephus pitch has been thrown out there...how many remember the "Lalob", another unique pitch and who threw it?.....well on the topic of baseball with the Jays I am not sold on J.P. as a starting catcher, he calls poor games, the game he called the other night with Morrow pitching was not good and then when Alvarez was pitching the next day, they were never on the same page, Alvarez was shaking off J.P. all day and endless trips to the mound...the J.P. experiment as catcher needs to end soon, Mathis caught yesterday, solid backstop, gives a nice target, solid behind the plate, hope he gets to see more action as many of the Jays pitching woes rest with J.P. not recognizing and gives a poor target.......Raps are playing exceedingly well, good to see, and bodes well for the future...a solid coach, new prospect in JV arriving and another draft pick or trade for a new body....so all in all things are moving along nicely....cheers

[doug]

sometimes a death is shocking...the passing of Randy Starkman has floored me, a unbelievable loss for amateur sports in this country but moreso just to young a man to be gone...my condolences to his family,you and all the sportswriters who are feeling a great sense of loss as are his readers/followers ...wow ...just sad....

Blogger's note: We're numb. Beyond sad. Thanks for the note.

[GSY]

Greatly saddened at the sudden death of your colleague, Doug. A stunning loss.

Blogger's note: Terrible, terrible news. Thanks