If Bryan hasn't written his script yet, here are some ideas

Well, that’s that.

Sixty-six games, far more good ones than bad -- at least from a competitive aspect -- a few good things, a few bad things, too many games in too few days.

A jumble.

But now the real work begins.

Well, it continues, actually, because it’s been going on all year.

First, of course, is the annual free-for-all with Bryan and Dwane in a couple of hours and that ought to be fun.

I’m sure BC’s been thinking about what he’s going to say and how he’s going to say it for a day or so – he is somewhat meticulous in his preparation for such things – and I won’t pretend to guess which way he’s going to go with things.

(I do know somebody who isn’t sure whether the ball is blown up or stuffed and probably couldn’t name five Raptors without a program will show up and try to make his bones by becoming part of the story rather than reporting it; but that’s how things work, sadly)

But I do have an idea of what Bryan should say and if he gets a chance to read this before we all get together, here are some short items he probably should touch on.

And, BC, if you haven’t written anything down, feel free to use this. You’re welcome.

“I just want to let you all know that we’ve decided to pick up the third year option on Dwane’s contract today and we’re pleased to announce it now.”

I know it’s little more than a formality – if they let this guy get away it’d be a travesty – so why not tell us right now.

I don’t know that anyone who watches this team with any regularity can possibly have an issue with it, it’d be a message to the players and league that this is Dwane’s team to run as he sees fit and it’s just the right thing to do.

Casey is universally respected around the league, he’s proved this season more than capable of doing the job, the players play hard for him and his strategies are beyond reproach in almost every regard.

So that’s No. 1 out of the chute.

No. 2?

“I just want to let the rest of the league know that if we don’t get the No. 1 selection in the draft, we’re going to trade it so the phone lines are open.”

Look, they have – according to an awful lot of impartial observers – the second best player in the draft coming in Jonas Valanciunas.

The draft, once expected to be the greatest in years, now seems to be Anthony Davis and a bunch of other guys and, frankly, this team doesn’t need two kids to teach next year.

It needs men, some guys who have been in the league, know what it takes to win in the league and who can help right away.

If they didn’t have the big fella coming, this wouldn’t be the wisest course of action but they do. Pretend he’s this year’s draft pick and use the one you get May 30 as a bargaining chip to go out and try to get some immediate help.

No, I don’t know who that is and if you have to add Amir Johnson or James Johnson or Linas Kleiza to the deal to make it attractive, go right ahead.

You can be too young in the NBA, it takes kids a while to learn how to play in the league and then how to win in it; dealing the pick if it’s not No. 1 is prudent roster-building.

Oh, and one more?

(This is like Three Pointers, isn’t it?)

“I did what I said I’d do; there is no need for apologies.”

Yes, it was in some ways a difficult season, it always is when you lose far more games than you win.

But anyone who expected otherwise just wasn’t paying attention because what transpired this season is exactly what they promised would.

They became a far better defensive team, they did nothing to screw up future financial flexibility and some of the kids under Casey’s charge got better.

Go back and check the pre-season quotes if you don’t believe.

I think I said then, maybe not here but to some people privately, that talk is cheap and while it’s all well and good to make promises and develop plans, the proof is always going to be in the pudding.

And now it’s time to see if it is.

We will dutifully listen and write down what each of these gentlemen says this morning and I’m sure there will be useable quotes.

But aside from those three points (really, Bryan, I don’t need credit, go ahead and use them verbatim if you like) I’m not sure we need a lot of talk.

In the next three months we need to see action.

The past has been prelude all year; now it’s time for action.

-

Oh yeah. Don’t forget we’ll be here at noon to take your questions for an hour or so and if you can’t make it, we have some room in the mail bag. Click here, type some innermost thoughts and send ‘em along.

Thanks.

-

The playoffs are here (those are games that good teams play after the season’s over, in case you forgot) and I will say this:

After all the resting of players that nearly every team did in a despicable finish to the regular season that was a direct slap in the face of paying customers most times, if any player, coach or GM whines about a short turnaround before the playoffs begin, they should be mocked and ridiculed.

-

Okay, folks. Question time.

We have to keep this little charade up even now that the HOTH are packed up and gone for another few months. What do we do?

Do we do a morning recap in our own inimitable fashion of the previous night’s NBA stuff?

Do we combine that with other stuff?

Do we lament the past Raptors season until it’s lottery time?

Any suggestions greatly appreciated; I need to take something to the Tall Foreheads and I’m at a bit of a loss.

-

 

 

Comments

[Charles]

Re: Playoff Blog Content

I like the IGBT. And if you could find the time, coverage of the Griz-Clips series would be very much appreciated.

Thanks, Doug.

[Peter]

My suggestion for yourself and the tall foreheads, try to make a free throw (instead of a three pointer - 1 point instead of 3) on the NBA game or games of the previous night. Perhaps make mention of any storyline to watch in the upcoming night of NBA play. Then fill the rest with whatever you would like just as you did during the lockout. Perhaps the odd TOD reference, some cultural content, whatever suits you. Oh, and if there's a Raptors rumour out there, a comment on that would be great too.

[Aurelian]

Would you say that if everybody is healthy for the entire season the addition of Valenciunas will be enough for raps to make playoffs or they really need to add a free agent this summer?

Blogger's note: They need to add pieces regardless

[Mike D.]

Most of the Irregulars in my little part of the world will split the next few months 50/50 between watching and commenting on the playoffs and obsessing over potential Raptors draft picks, trades, FA opportunities and the physical and skills development of Jonas. If your blog aimed for about the same balance (plus updates on Super Dog and your new Tigers) I'd be happy.

[Canadian Paul]

Doug, do you feel that the Raptors should still trade the pick, even if they land at #2 or #3 (instead of #1)?

Blogger's note: Entertain offers, absolutely

[JHK]

Wow... missed the exit interview but BC's statement is bold yet exciting.
That means he's going all-in with Jonas.
God bless that man.

[JHK]

I was on a run reading this and perhaps and I jumped the gun - just realized that this was your prediction..

[David in Oakville]

Hi Doug,

I agree with everything you have said about the time it takes for a "kid" to develop an NBA level game but the conclusion you reach is just so wrong (I think). Realistically, if you believe someone can have a 20 year career (a stretch) that means of the approx 360 active NBA players, only 20 could possibly be #1 picks. All the rest have to have come from the "other guys".

So if the henchman at the RAPS really see this draft as Anthony Davis and a bunch of other guys.... then we should fire the Raps scouting staff because their work is not nearly acceptable.

And lastly, why the rush? Not saying they don't need help now, just that we are more than one or two players away. If they can trade for another under used, little appreciated NBA player with a few years experience but well under 30 than I am okay with it.. To trade a top 8 pick for an over 30 vet... no way I could agree with that.

My vote for blog topics would be NBA playoffs, upcoming Olympics, Raptor News and the travels of Doug (because you do get around more than most of us)

[chris]

Last time we had 2 really good young kids? Carter and TMac. Valanciunas isn't either of those, but to pass on acquiring talent because you already have a kid coming in is silly. We are far from a good team that just needs refinement.

[sam]

Seasons Over.
I can't say I'm disappointed, but know there were probably half a dozen or more games the HOTH could have won - Injuries and inexperience the main culprits.

Congrats to Casey for a doing a pretty good job with a handful of scrubs and real men's professional basketball players he inherited.

I'm certain the Doug Smith sports Blog will fall into place nicely - Last year I seem to remember you picked a couple of series to follow closely -
Perhaps we can keep tabs on the Pacers and Leandro.......

[Grant]

Playoff talk plus any real news about the Raptors/draft - then do lots of Olympic coverage.

Question: have you ever seen two teams sit all of their starters in hopes of gaining a loss the way the Raps and Nets did last night?

[Grant]

Playoff talk plus any real news about the Raptors/draft - then do lots of Olympic coverage.

Question: have you ever seen two teams sit all of their starters in hopes of gaining a loss the way the Raps and Nets did last night?

Blogger's note: Not that I can recall

[sportschick]

I think a combination of recap, Raps news when there is any, and the usual smorgasbord of miscellaneous other stuff would work.

[AT]

my suggestion is to keep on reporting on anything HOTHC related all summer long. It sucks to hear of raptors news somewhere other than here (but it hasn't happened that often that I can recall).I will be following TOD as long as they are competitive and have a chance of playing in the post season so any tidbits about them are always fun to read.But for me, this space is all about the raptors so if there is anything remotely related to them (past, present or future), I wold like to read it here. Also not sure about the other irregulars, but I don't go read game stores or any other stories you write unless they are directed or mentioned here as I think those stores are written for the masses and would not have other wise know about the raptors last game so when it is great to be linked to those types of stores that are not necessarily game related.

[c_bcm]

My suggestions is to keep this blog NBA-heavy. Personally I come to your blog to read about your observations of the league, albeit Raptors-centric. Maybe each day you could write from the perspective of different playoff teams. Imagine we are in Chicago one day, what would you write about team. The next day, lets say we're in OKC, what would you say as a grunt'r for that club.

I agree with your ideas for the pick. No AD? Trade it! I have a hard time seeing anybody in this draft outside of that kid being a difference-maker for this team. Maybe in years-to-come others will turn into good-to-great players. But that will come after many years of development and I just don't think we can continue to develop Bargs, ED, Demar, and JJ, not to mention the Big V, and bring in another raw talent from this draft, and expect them all to get the attention they need/deserve to develop. Maybe for your weekend blog you could make a few sugestions as to who you would go after with a package of the pick+player (maybe D.Will?).

[doug]

I wonder if your referring to a certain scribe that works for the Toronto Sun and goes by the initials of s.s .....just a guess....just keep doing it is what your doing, a little of this, a little of that, this blog is like the buffet at the Mandarin, it's all over the culinary map but it's all good as there is something there to satisfy everyones taste....but the b-ball world doesn't revolve around the Raps (thank god or whomever) so some playoff stuff should be in order, as now the real B-ball begins finally...ok cheers

Blogger's note: Sorry, wrong guess

[Felix]

Doug,
Whilst I agree we should trade the pick, I'm not sure who would be a suitable trade partner. I assume our trade partner would have to come from a team which is either: a) trying to blow up its roster or b) looking to get younger. if it's (a) then most likely their roster will be similar to ours and we don't need more average guys (a like-for-like trade). if it's (b), then most likely it will be past-their-prime player with a bloated contract and declining skills (I only say this after looking at nba rosters). I may be wrong, but who doesn't fit either of these two groups. I'm not looking for rumours, just an objective look at what options there are. Eric Gordon - this team is clearly trying to get younger but would new management really want to trade him? Austin Daye - are we sold on his skills, is he a big enough upgrade over JJ? Andre Iguodala - philly will probably want to overhaul a bit after stumbling to the finishing line? Paul Millsap - glut of big men in utah and favors played well enough to make utahs best player expendable but do we really want another big man though more skilled than any of our existing ones? I suppose what I'm saying is, whilst it is best for our team to trade, I don't know if there's anyone out there that will excite us or that another team would be willing to do. Thoughts, doug?

[Peter]

Hi Doug,
Congrats on another awesome job this season. I think you should keep this first and foremost a basketball blog. Getting your view on the playoffs in general and any exceptional stories is always a plus. I think it's ok to also comment on one time events like the olympics, UEFA final, Canada basketball, things like that but I don't think you should do a regular thing about baseball or hockey or any other sport. Your readership is first and foremost a basketball bunch. And for goodness sake to do not lament on this very forgettable season :)

[doug]

well this guessing game is no fun, as for one even if the person is guessed you will not admit it (which I respect) and 2nd there are no clues, like is he/she a local reporter, a national one, a newspaper reporter? or a tv guy?....as for trading the pick I am ambivalent about it, as the draft is a gamble at the best of times but I do see some good quality in this draft but if we can get a good solid vet then go for it, but it has to be a solid starter no marginal type guys we have a boatload of them already....but there will be a lot of players moving this summer all over the league so should be interesting....

[TLI]

Thanks for asking, Doug -- Please, absolutely would enjoy hearing your take on the playoffs (across the board) until the Raptors are back in play; other stuff is always entertaining, including TOD; don't stretch too hard to talk about the Raptors if there's really nothing to talk about.

Tough year for the Raptors, for sure. But not "disappointing" as another scribe suggested. And another great year for the blog and the IGBT. So thanks again.

[Mike from Oshawa]

I'm all for a "what to watch for tonight in this particular game" segment followed by a next morning "did you see it?" recap where you point out some not so blatently obvious bit of roundball team knowledge that the typical talking head does not give us, i.e. "X player has to play well."

[Felix]

Doug, we all know that the last game of the season for teams not fighting for a spot in the playoffs or jostling for position is a time for a lot of garbage time. What is the best last game of the season performance you have seen from the raps?
Uzoh's triple-double last night? Alabi's 19 rebounds? Or Big-O's near triple double in 1996 (35/12/9)? Or something else

Blogger's note: Luke Jackson's 30 points

[Joseph]

Great, let's trade our first pick. Everyone knows that the way you build a championship team is to give up young talent that contains the possibility of stardom (small chance, but a chance) for veterans with middling talent. The NBA is in no ways a star driven league. Championships are won by mitigating risks and giving up superior talent for safe veterans just as we have seen in (inset one if the numerous times this has occuree here .) When you have a team like the Raptors brimming with young talent you don't want to add anymore. With a smart trade of our draft pick Toronto could enter the coveted role of a mediocre team that just makes the playoffs! Such a brilliant move will certainly make our years of bottom dwelling well worth it! Perhaps we can trade Jonas too! Anything to get to that 8th seed!

Well done, Doug! The last thing a fanbase wants out of unbearable season is hope and opportunity of real and meaningful future success!

I suggest you also write future plans for the leads and TFC they could use you vision.

[Joseph]

Great, let's trade our first pick. Everyone knows that the way you build a championship team is to give up young talent that contains the possibility of stardom (small chance, but a chance) for veterans with middling talent. The NBA is in no ways a star driven league. Championships are won by mitigating risks and giving up superior talent for safe veterans with little upside just as we have seen in (insert one of the numerous times this has occured here .) When you have a team like the Raptors, brimming with young talent, you do not want to add anymore. With a smart trade of our draft pick Toronto could enter the coveted role of a mediocre team that just makes the playoffs! Such a brilliant move will certainly make our years of bottom dwelling well worth it! Perhaps we can trade Jonas too! Anything to get to that 8th seed!

Well done, Doug! The last thing a fanbase wants out of unbearable season is hope and opportunity of real and meaningful future success!

I suggest you also write future plans for the Leads and TFC -- they could use you vision.

[Peter]

Dwayne Casey sends out daily inspirational quotes? Can we get in on those? Maybe through you?