Nash news nothing but good; and Reggie's still being Reggie

Basketball? You want basketball?

Yeah, we’ve got some today.

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I’m hearing that the good folks at Canada Basketball are putting a new, old face on the senior men’s program today.

Dude by the name of Nash. Steve Nash.

They tried to get this done about six weeks ago or so but some contractual snafus came up at the last minute but we’ve all be summoned to the Air Canada Centre today at noon for some big old announcement.

No one’s saying anything on the record early this morning – am getting some “can’t confirm or deny” replies to e-mails – but it doesn’t take Sherlock Holmes to figure it out.

Not entirely sure what the title will be, or how hands-on the role will be, but getting Nash back in the fold in some management capacity is a pretty good get for those folks. He remains the greatest male basketball player this country has ever produced, he played for a dozen years on the national team and gave it its most exciting run since about 1936 during the 2000 Olympics and when anyone around the world thinks of basketball in Canada his name rolls quickly off the tongue.

If there’s one thing Nash has done over the last few months, it’s to reach out to the younger wave of Canadian player, the young kids in college, the two yutes in the NBA, and if he speaks, they tend to listen. And if listening means they actually end up playing for the senior team at some point, that’s about as good a service as Nash can provide to an organization he gave more than a decade to as a player.

No, I don’t imagine he ever takes to the court again – that era is gone, it was a fine one while it lasted – but the strength of his personality and his history as a player will make it hard for kids to say “no” when the national team comes calling.

Some will, of course, because there will be other people in their ears and bad decisions will be made but having Steve Nash in the fold and making the calls not only helps recruit players, it helps the corporate side go out and make deals and it really is a win-win all around.

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All that was missing – and it may have been there, I was kind of watching and drifting and listening more than paying rapt attention at about 2 stinking a.m. – was the chant:

“Reg-gie, Reg-gie, Reg-gie”

Yep, our old friend Reggie Evans was up to his usual hijinks sometime early this morning, creating havoc, clandestinely beating on people, doing his Regend kind of stuff as the Los Angeles Clippers and Memphis Grizzlies continue to salvage a rather awful first round of NBA playoffs.

Too bad the games are so damn late, eh?

Anyway, perhaps you were sleeping but Chris Paul did his Chris Paul stuff as the Clippers blew a late lead before they beat Memphis in overtime to take a 3-1 lead in their series and when the game end there stood Reggie, holding the ball aloft after rebounding the final Grizzlies miss.

Kind of fitting, and kind of nice to see.

With so many series so boring – they really hasn’t been another compelling one – the Clips and Grizzlies are at least adding some drama to this first fortnight of the post-season and there’s still a sneaking suspicion that this series could end up going seven games.

There was a 27-point rally by Los Angeles in Game 1; there was a buzzer-beating finish in Game 3 and then Game 4, while far from beautifully played, it was at least dramatic.

And at centre stage: Reggie.

He got a huge offensive rebound that led to second-chance basket in overtime, he wrestled Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol all night, as he’s done all series, and I know I’m preaching to the choir here when I say he does all the little things for none of the glory that you want from a good teammate.

(An aside because I know it’s coming: Rightly or wrongly, the HOTH decided last summer they were moving on from Reggie. They wanted a chance for young kids to play, they didn’t want to tie up any extra money – that Reggie ultimately signed a one-year deal with the Clips was a function of what was available at the time more than anything – and you can debate it ‘til the cows come home but that’s why he wasn’t back. Had he come back and they’d won, say, three more games, would that have been worth it? Debate that among yourselves)

Anyway, I think we can all be quite happy for Reggie, I’m glad he’s on a big stage on a pretty good team and contributing. I remember talking to him when we were out there in January and he wanted to make 100 per cent certain that folks back here knew how much he loved Toronto, the city, the fans and the injury-riddled time he had here. I know that was reciprocal with the fans; I’m sure you’re all happy for him, too. And probably, like me, wish the damn games were earlier.

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Raptors news?

Well, it’s not huge but it’s important.

Am hearing that DeMar DeRozan will eventually be added to the USA Select team – can’t find an official announcement but believe it’s already done – that will practice with and scrimmage against the USA Olympic team in Vegas in early July.

Good for the kid, no question. It speaks to his reputation among the good young players in the game; he’ll get a few days of intense practice with the best the NBA has to offer and he’ll pick up work ethic things by osmosis if nothing else.

And he’ll have a familiar face around, too.

Again, not official, but am told Jay Triano will reprise his role as a coach with that select team, something he’s done for the last five or six years.

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Best line of the night, and I’m repeating it second hand because I think I was snoring when it was spoken, came from Charles Barkley on Blake Griffin.

I paraphrase:

“This guy's the new Vince Carter, man. Every time he gets hit, you think he's dead."

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Comments

[Diego]

I understand why the Raptors didn't resign Reggie, but damn, we Raptors fans miss him! It was awesome to see him there at the end of the game doing what he does best. I remember when he was asked how come he's so good at rebounding and his response was "I just go get it".

[Mike D.]

Reggie is a classic; he's like the NBA version of the professional wrestling heel pulling foreign objects out of his trunks when the ref turns his back. And "clandestinely beating on people" is accurate, but still gets my vote for line of the day.

[Dave B]

I heard there was concerns about Reggie's health in Toronto. Has he been healthy all year? He wasn't in TO.

Blogger's note: In the abbreviated season, yes, he was

[sam]

What I miss the most about Reggie - The Oversized Navy Blazer he wore on the bench when he was injured.
There was always something exciting when he was on the floor - His time and place with the Raptors came to an end, but as Doug said we should be happy for him on the big stage.

I'm wondering if Steve Nash - as GM of team Canada can use his influence over Canadian born NBA types more effectively if he would actually play - more in a limited role than anything else. It would be hard to separate the competitor from the planner, I imagine. . . .

[Dave]

Thanks Doug. You're probably one of the main reasons I still follow The Star (great writing about basketball with a Canadian perspective!). The piece about Reggie just made my day. I loved his charisma and drive while he was here - even while he was on the bench. I was sad to hear that he was going, but hopefully the Clips will go far as he's one workhorse who deserves it.

[Kristian]

Hey Doug,

Just thought that I would let you know that the head honcho over at USA Basketball, Mr. Jerry Colangelo himself, was a guest on Prime Time Sports last night and confirmed that Demar would be part of the USA Select team. I'm hoping as well that he picks up a thing or two scrimmaging with the NBA's elite.

[kencal]

Hi Doug, if a fellow wanted to leave a few bucks and a couple of buckets of sweat in Vegas in July would he be able to see the Olympic team scrimmages? Also any idea where we can find out about a summer league schedule?

Blogger's note: Not sure about scrimmages, you can check the USA Basketball web site; and for summer league there might be stuff here: http://www.nba.com/2012/news/04/10/summer-league-2012/index.html

[Tim H.]

Hey Doug:
On the Canada Basketball website, Steve Nash is listed as a member of the Council of Excellence. Is that a position he has held in the past, or is this the 'new hire?'
Thanks!

Blogger's note: Was on the Council; now in complete charge

[JT's Hoops Blog]

Reggie is a dinosaur who had his best season with the Raptors before missing much of the season due to injury. I'd like to see Steve Nash play for team Canada--it's only too bad that Canada failed to qualify for the Olympics. Why not gave him the chance to coach Team Canada because neither Jay Triano nor Leo Rautins have done that great of a job. He can even be the "player coach."--the first in a rather long time to ever grace the court in basketball.

[Kwong]

Hi Doug,
Glad to see Steve Nash named as GM for team Canada. Is this a full time job? Does it mean that Steve will no longer play in NBA as a player or play some other role on an NBA team?

Blogger's note: Oh, no. Part-time gig; he's still playing

[VCitty]

RE: "neither Jay Triano nor Leo Rautins have done that great of a job."

Leo I can agree with but Jay Triano is arguably the best coach Team Canada has ever had... and he was successful.

[GM]

Oh, I'll debate Reggie. I'll never understand letting a solid vet go who does one thing better than anyone else (Reggie in rebounds, Barbosa in quickness) and who wants to play for a team many others don't want to play for. And for what? To look at "younger players"? That's such a bogus reason. Younger players can play even with vet guys in the mix because there are injuries, blowouts, and foul trouble. And when lots of these younger players are D-leaguers, it further boggles the mind. Maybe they'd only win three more games with Evans and Barbosa, but maybe they'd win more. But at least the younger players would learn from solid vets about how to approach the game.

I think Nash is a great hire. But then I think about all those other former all-stars who have been stinkers as GM. Elgin Baylor anyone? Is there a difference in the job description of GM of an NBA team and GM of a national team? Will Nash have other duties other than being the face of the team, a kind of goodwill ambassador?

Blogger's note: He'll pick players, more than a "face"

[Ian Gollert]

Doug,

Any thought that Nash agreeing to be the GM of Canada Basketball, and seemeingly very excited about the post, would mean that he would at least entertain the thought of coming north to finish his career? I realize his playing career is a separate entity from Canada Basketball, but the timing seems interesting.

Blogger's note: Entirely divorced from one another

[Damian]

Steve emphasized raising players to play in the NBA. Is this too lofty of a goal? Perhaps he should've been talking more about European opportunities?

[Chris]

Before the season BC was quoted as saying something like we are not resigning Reggie because we are going in a different direction. Well yes, we hired a defensive minded coach and we got better at rebounding and playing defense,both of with Reggie was good at. Are you telling me that Aaron Grey was the new direction? Now in the year in review BC says we need some pieces to be bangers and grinders. Duh, what was Reggie? BC is unreal. How can you let go of a player who puts fans in the seats, smiles on the faces, rebounds out of nothing and blood on the court. Just another example of the pathetic mismanagement of this franchise.

[Skinny]

Participating for the USA select team for Demar Derozen is the best thing that has happened to him since being drafted in the league. Playing against and practicing with the nba's elite may give him that killer instinct and confidence he needs to make the next jump as a player. As for Reggie, I loved him as a player for the raps and his heart and hustle was dearly missed this past season, but providing minutes to your young studs to develop is what was needed. Remember Reggie is a free agent this summer, wouldnt be surprised if he ends up playing with the raps again or with whatever team his brother Tyreke Evans ends up getting traded to. Keep up the good work Doug!