Some places where owners shouldn't go

We all know the Lamar Odom story, right?

Inactive for the rest of the season, by mutual decision we’re told, after, apparently, he had some kind of confrontation or argument with owner Mark Cuban in the locker room at halftime of a game

At least that’s what the stories are saying and I believe them and I have a huge issue with that.

I don’t care who the owner is or what the team is or what the sport is, there is no way an owner needs to be anywhere near a locker room at halftime of any game.

That’s a coach’s time and a coach’s place and it doesn’t’ matter how “hands-on” an owner may be, there’s a time and place for him to get involved and halftime of a game is not it.

That undercuts the coach, it undercuts the general manager or vice-president or whoever the titular head of basketball operations is and flies in the face of all logic.

You’re an owner and you’ve got a problem with a player? Deal with it in the office, have the GM deal with it, tell the coach to deal with it, do something remotely professional; do not go into a locker room during a game to say anything to a player.

Now, I know there is all kinds of love for Cuban out there, he spends money, is involved in every aspect of the game, cares passionately about his team. Unless, of course, you ignore the fact he gutted a championship team solely for financial reasons last summer by letting Tyson Chandler get away, allowing JJ Barea to leave and only doing the original Odom deal because he knew he’d have him for one year and reap the financial benefits of that – but that’s a part of the story few pay attention to.

Anyway …

Now, Odom is not blameless in the least for this mess. I know he’s had issues and troubles in his personal life and that’s a true shame but he coasted through too many games too many times; he cheated himself, his teammates and the fans with an effort that, at best, was half-hearted. That’s stealing money and he should be called on it.

But he should be called on it in some kind of professional manner; face to face in the sober light of day, not by an overly-emotional owner in the middle of a game.

There are no good guys in this story, only differing levels of bad.

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More

Right, the game.

In a sec.

This guy was born this day and, yes, there are some weird people out there in the world of entertainment today but you’ve got to go a long, long way to top this fellow.

Remember when he married Miss Vicki?

I do.

And I remember the nights when he was on Carson; my first introduction to odd. And there won't ever be much odder than Tiny Tim. And I'm not talking the Dickens character.

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Right, the game.

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THREE POINTERS

Another nice night …

For Ed Davis, that is.

Only guy who really played with energy, another double-double and somehow I missed the fact he led the team in assists with five, which surely is the first time that’s ever happened.

Good to see him finish strong, I know his coaches appreciate it and it was nice that he made three of four free throws.

But …

“We have to break his free throw shot down and start over from scratch.”

That was Dwane, before the game, and he’s right.

But give Davis credit where it’s due; he’s playing hard. And well.

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Head on straight

I think we can all agree that Alan Anderson’s had a somewhat big impact on these guys since he’s been here,, although I warn again about “falling in love with your guys” and especially with guys on teams that aren’t going too well.

Anyway, I think the most impressive thing is that he’s provided a sense of calm and consistency to the small forward spot that James Johnson hasn’t had of late.

(There’s some JJ in the game story and the fellas on the desk did a tremendous job with a couple of links).

Anyway, Anderson may or may not get a longer look next fall off his play this spring but he told us yesterday morning that’s not what’s driving him.

“I learned that when you try to look too far ahead, you forget about the time at hand and you forget about tomorrow, you forget about now.

“You take care of now and you take care of things today and tomorrow and the next week will be there.

“It’s too much pressure to try to overlook now and worry about the next week. That’s too much pressure you’re putting on yourself.”

Makes entire sense, doesn’t it?

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We can safely assume …

That there won’t be a lot of stories – or any stories – out of training camp next fall on the pluckiness of Justin Dentmon or Ben Uzoh and their fight to make the team off solid showings under 10-day deals this spring.

Now, both of ‘em seem to be good kids who are just trying to make a buck and an impression and while they are earning money, they aren’t doing anything to guarantee further Toronto employment.

Sometimes you get 10-day guys who can make a mark, sometimes you get guys who are placeholders.

Which is what they got. Nothing against either of them but we’re finding out just how big the chasm between the minors and the majors is.

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And …

(First, a plea for mail. Here, thank you very much)

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TOD plays gems like yesterday and we’re gonna love ‘em to death.

Great pitching, spectacular defence (the Lawrie play was wonderful and the kid is Hobbs, I swear) and a big win over a tough lefty.

Sure, I know some you held your breath when Santos walked out of the bullpen in the ninth but there wasn’t any reason to boo as it turned out, was there?

I tell ya’, you’re really gonna like this team. Get on the bandwagon now, it’s going to be crowded come September, trust me.

Just wait ‘til Baustista starts to hit.

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Comments

[JHK]

Odom + Oden = Odon?
Anyways, I think he misses the la-la land a bit too much.
When will you be open to discuss the draft now that we are officially out of the playoffs?

Blogger's note: For specifics? When we find out who's in and who's drafting where

[Mike D.]

That game picture of Jose defending Igoduala epitomizes Numero Ocho and should be on a wall of the ACC somewhere: Jose with a big black eye, furiously bodying up a bigger player. Nice work by your photo crew.

[Wayne]

I usually agree with you Doug but not this time. Cuban probably already had the coach and GM talk to him and it obviously didn't work - see stories from throughout the rest of the season as this was not an isolated incident it was merely the tipping point. Perhaps he should have waited until after the game to call him into his office but I am betting than in Cuban's mind he is thinking I am paying this player $126,153.85 (based on his NBA salary) for this game and he is dogging it - I gave him multiple chances and tried my best to treat him well and he is still not even trying. Put into that perspective, I do not blame Cuban on this one.

[Marcus]

From afar it seems like James Johnson has played or is playing himself out of the picture with this team. Last night with the team short handed he was on the floor for 20 minutes, managed to crank up 11 shots and hit on only 2 despite being wide open on many of them. In another recent game he had Jose wide open and he decided to crank up a contested three and Jose appeared to take him to task during the next time out.

Too bad as he appears to have the ability to be a defensive stopper but since the benching he seems to view himself as a scorer. With the back up 3 spot open for next year this would seem to be his chance to stick in the league but it would seem that his "best before date" has expired or is expiring very soon.

[JHK]

By the way, I meant to point out that there is a 'Odon' spotting just under the Cuban picture..

Blogger's note: Got it, thanks

[Moshigh]

the Raptors, its nice to See E Davis get some positive minutes, he maybe a part of the Raptors future, I think Colangelo will try and move Amir Johnson, as he has regressed.

My DeRozan rant. He is ok, but I really dont like the fact he doesnt really do anything but score, when you check his boxscore to regular he will have 1ast 2 or 3 rebounds and no steals. Its rare you see DeRozan fight for a rebound. Im giving him one more year. But if Colangelo gets a decent offer It really wouldnt bother me if he was moved.

Jose great effort but his lack of aggression and push isnt good for a young team. Maybe Im just fustrated but I rather see more turnovers and push then the super safe play ever single time. Good back up point guard.

Im being nice but remember all you silly people who said they wouldnt trade for RONDO, remember I know you guys remember. 19 straight games with double digit asts. I think he has 4 or 5 triple doubles this year!!! Do you guys remember!!! He has the killer mentality. As Rondo goes so goes the Celtics. Guy one of the best point guards hands down in the league!!! Calderon Rondo in same line you guys are crazy!!!

I agree with Wayne, there is times where you just have to take into your own hands. Maybe Cuban just finished watching a episode of Khloe and Lamar. If I was the owner I would be pissed as well. Im not in the locker room but Im sure his aura was becoming a cancer that was spreading!!

But then there is the other side, I guess Dallas thought it would be good to bring in a guy who loved playing in LA and for the Lakers, bringing in a guy who's team got whipped in the playoffs last year by Dallas. Basically he was on the enemies team. BAD MOVE. In my opinion.

[David in Oakville]

Doug, I think you are being unfair in your assessment of Cuban's motivations for "gutting" his Championship winning team. Both Chandler and Barea were going to command salary upgrades and longer term deals based on their play in the playoffs and the fact that they now had rings. As the owner, in consultation with his GM and coach, he should have final say as to what he is willing to pay and the length of the contract. Bottom line, Cuban rightly chose to pass on offering longer term contracts and big pay increases to two players who he thought weren't worth what they could command on the market. Given the free agent glut that is coming this summer and next, I think he was right. At least he has the flexibility to find out.

And I am not sure anyone would say he reaped any financial benefit from the Odom deal unless you think Khloe's presence at the games increased ticket or t-shirt sales.

[Nick M]

There were a few halftimes during the Hedon't era when I wish Larry Tanenbaum(Sp?) would have went down to the Raps locker room.
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Hedon't, now that is something MLSE should appologize for!

[sam]

Odom has been moping around all season - I'm not certain what Cuban did was the right thing, but I guess he reached a boiling point with a guy whose history suggests he's a team player, with a solid career. Seriously, how bad could it be living in Dallas? I suppose the glare of reality TV, along with the bright lights of Hollywood were more important than playing on The NBA Champion Mavs. Cuban is a bit of a loose cannon at the best of times.

Tough 4th quater last night....between the injuries the HOTH just ran out of players.....Good for Davis though, led the team in Assists, rebounds and points.

[Pipit]

Good thing emotional Doug is not an owner of any team. The owner can do whatever he wants as long as he doesn't violate any known rule in the league or the law. Basketball is purely business. You don't serve the purpose of the team, your gone. Easy as that. Kudos to Mark Cuban for stepping in. It is his property and he can do whatever he wants he see fits. You don't like how he run his team, criticize as long as you want. At the end of the day, he's still the owner and whatever implication his decision might bring, he will be the one in the receiving end and not anybody else.

[doug]

people need to realize that players aren't robotrons, Odom wasn't mopping around because he was in Dallas...the Lakers traded him quickly as rumours were Odom was going to retire, why?/..because he had a horrific summer, his close cousin passed away, and well in New York to attend the funeral he was involved in a collision that killed a 15 year old boy which left him devastated...so he wasn't mopping around, maybe in hindsight Odom should have walked away as it is obvious he wasn't prepared to play this year and the trade just solidified that...Cuban was wrong, as a owner you set the tone for the club, you call him in to the office, not rant and rage in a locker room...anyone that has seen Cuban on the tv show "Shark tank" can see his true colours and he comes across as a petulant, get my own way immature type of guy..and to not re-sign Chandler was a big mis-step, none of the FA's well match what he brought, and don't forget the Mavs lost another key to that team..Dwane Casey...cheers

[james]

I don't think you understand, Doug. The owner IS the Dallas Mavericks. He is right there on the court with Nowitzki whenever he makes a shot. And if they don't make the playoffs, you ain't seen nothing yet. Watch out Vince!

[doug]

here's a link to the article about Odom and the crash, no excuse for him as he knows he should have walked away...as he has gone through a lot of losses in his life...so I say personally cut him some slack...

http://ca.sports.yahoo.com/nba/blog/ball_dont_lie/post/child-involved-in-lamar-odoms-car-accident-passes-away?urn=nba,wp6558

[kent]

"That game picture of Jose defending Igoduala epitomizes Numero Ocho and should be on a wall of the ACC somewhere: Jose with a big black eye, furiously bodying up a bigger player..."

yes. very good photo. Quintessential Jose. 2 seconds before that he was probably yelling for help, which explains the triple team. 2 second after that, AI probably found somebody for a corner 3.

Blogger's note: Total, utter cheap shot. Classy

[coachd]

Hi Doug,
Have to agree with you on Mark Cuban . Although he might be the most involved owner I've ever seen, I don't think he needs to be in any locker room, especially at halftime of a game. That's what he pays other people to do.

Now that the Raps season is over I'm wondering how much of the current roster do you think will be part of next year's roster? It's pretty sad though that I've been looking forward more to the off-season the last few years than the regular season. This has to change.

[Rob.V]

I agree that Cuban shouldn't be anywhere near the locker room at half time however Lamar was annoying ME... and I'm no where near Dallas or that franchise so I can only imagine how frustrated he had become.
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I disagree on gutting the team. I thought with additions Odom and HWSNBN that the Mav's would have been better than this years record. I dont think Cuban (as any of us) envisioned them being this bad with the subtractions.
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Cuban is this generations Jerry Buss, he's a winner. We can throw stones however I dont think any one of us here would balk at him owning the Raptors. The Mav's will be a better team heading into the playoffs without Lamar, and they'll get to relaod big time in the off season.
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James Johnson has sure gone from sugar to --- pretty quickly, no? What the hell happend with the demotion. Was the reason he was benched ever released? (I was away).
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And on this note, thanks very much for the Tomoasso's recommendation dude.
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Let me preface this by saying, I was on a very disciplined no carb 7 day a week work out regimine for 2 1/2 months leading up to my trip to San Fransisco so it felt like... oh... about day 33 on Survivor for me (with respect to food).
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I nearly passed out when I took my first bite of that Pizza. If that wasn't the finest tasting slice of pizza ever I dont know what is. The only thing missing was Jeff Probst telling me I had just won the food reward... that good!!!
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In fact, Tomasso's was the very last night of my trip so after forcing myself to eat 3/4 of the pizza right there, I packed up a couple of slices and put them in ice in the hotel freezer bar and flew them back to Waterloo with a bottle of wine I had picked up at a Napa Valley winery. Now typcially the Mrs is dead set against day old pizza however I reheated the slices and opened the bottle of wine for her the next day and without me saying a word she said it was the single best tasting slice of pizza she had ever had as well!
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So there you have it, a great recommendation. Thank you!
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Having said this, is Tomoasso's legendary for the food or food AND local establishements in the area?. I didn't get a chance to visit any of them because I had to get back to a meeting however the adjacent st. looked like fun.

Blogger's note: I've only even been to Tomasso's in the neighbourhood; glad you enjoyed it.

[Tim H.]

Hey Doug:

Have your 'people' heard anything about the possibility of an NBL team in Windsor next season?
http://www.windsorstar.com/sports/hoops+Windsor/6443694/story.html

I'd be happy to see it come to fruition!

Blogger's note: Yes, there's a great interest, or at least there was when John Kennedy was serving as commissioner; I hope it happens, too

[Cluck Kent]

I like Cuban as an owner although I wouldn't want him as my neighbour. He did the right thing but at the dead wrong time. And if Lamar wasn't up playing hard this year because of incidents in his personal life, then he should have been man enough to admit it early and often.

But at the end of the day, no on here knows exactly what happened or the course of events that led up to that moment. Nonetheless, Cuban should have had enough common sense and respect for his team not to do this during half time.

It's too bad that the world is becoming more and more about 'me' and what 'I' want and what 'I' like. We became a society because we knew at one time in history that we were better together than we are on our own. We need to remember that nothing gives us the right to do whatever we want whenever we want. Oh well, I'm sermonizing now and telling you how 'I' feel.....

[Sjors]

It's early, but what do you think of this Jeremy Lamb fellow? Is he an upgrade over DeMar DeRozan?

Speaking of the draft, would you say that Isiah Thomas has had a better career in drafting players than Michael Jordan? Kwame Brown I can forgive as a beginner's mistake but Adam Morrison? Even with the Darko blip, Joe Dumars has been quite brilliant with the draft. Would you say that there are times that former star athletes are the worst people when it comes to evaluating talent and drafting rookies?

[Rob.V]

Cut Odom some slack?
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I agree with your earlier statment that he should have retired. In fact, he did retire last season in L.A... but decided not to tell anyone... and decided to keep cashing those cheques on the 1st and the 15th.
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He's not a rookie, and he's been traded before. He knows (or should know) better.
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Look, we all have family issues however work can be a great escape from those issues. If he were on his rookie scale I'm sure he would have handled his "feelings" with a little more proffessionalism. He's a fat cat!!! and in my expert opionion. Lazy!!. I'm not sure he's ever had motor for the NBA.

[SheikYurbouti]

If one looks at the Cuban/Odom confrontation in isolation, I would agree that the owner is out of place doing that in a locker room, but as has been pointed out, there has been a season long story going on there.
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From all I've read, Cuban has been very sympathetic to Odom, showed personal interest in his issues, cut him lots of slack, and already had numerous private talks with him, with Odom ultimately saying he was committed to the team and to turning his performance around.
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It never happened despite all the repeated attempts to give him gentle love. My impression is that Cuban invests himself personally in all his players that he pays huge money to, not just Odom. I guess he felt it finally came time to not only give Odom some tough love, but to send a message to the rest of the team, that when he makes a personal commitment to you, he expects to have your commitment honoured.
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Some of the best coaches are guys that have torn a strip of a player, for bad play, in front of teammates, fans and TV cameras, so I see nothing to get too upset about when the guy paying the bills does it in the locker room.

[Cox]

""although I warn again about “falling in love with your guys” and especially with guys on teams that aren’t going too well.""

You DON'T SAY!

As for Cuban and your little rant up there about "gutting the team" (?) for "financial benefits" (come back to me when they make a serious run at Deron Williams this summer with that money), I just wonder what you would write if you took the beat for the Mavs. Keep ripping the NBA Champions without basis. Only in Toronto.

Blogger's note: Yawn

[Mike D.]

Going back to the issue of the owner in the locker room, I'm pretty sure we will never have to worry about it with the Raptors.....heck, I'm not sure the entire MLSE board would even fit in the locker room.

Maybe we should be using that as a selling point to sign former Mavericks who become FAs.

[doug]

"He's a fat cat!!! and in my expert opionion. Lazy!!. I'm not sure he's ever had motor for the NBA."...well the Raps could use "lazy" players like this, let's see 2 NBA championships, 6th Man of the Year award..and a guy that stretches defenses,,,,oh but wait Rap fans love their JYD's or Pops or Antoine Wrights, that hustle but can do little else and when they leave the Raps are out of the NBA...and Doug was dead-on about the Mavs and dumping talent, when your starting center goes from Chandler to Haywood, and your off-season pick-ups were Carter and Jianlian then it's safe to say they've dumped talent...that team will do squat in the playoffs...cheers

[Moshigh]

Wow Odom had a tough off season in his personal life, but there will be some of us that will say, why the heck did still flim that silly reality show with his wife, Im sure because of contract or he likes it.

Well with Dallas he signed a contract, if he couldnt manage he should never of signed it. I cut him slack for a while, but really who cares when Cuban did it. He did the rest of the franchise a favor. I know us common folk will talk about money because most of us will never see 7,8,9 million in a year. One year. So forgive us when we say that money can at least heal some of your problems.

I usually dont go this route, but dang not having to worry about your economic situation at least helps

No more nice guy from me. Im just going to assume, James Johnson started to feel some entitlement. I like him, but last night I seen him look off a wide open Klezia like 3 times in short period then jack it (I dont even like Klezia game play) somethings up Im sure it will leak out soon.