Oak, KG, Hemingway and Hobbs? We've got it all here today

Interesting comment from a reader yesterday about KG and whether or not he’s Oak.

No way.

Not in a billion years.

(And, please, I don’t know where the cockamamie idea that he’d be a Raptor came from but it has to go away in a hurry)

Anyway, I think that’s a poor comparison for a couple of reasons and it lies mainly in the way they handle themselves.

KG, to me, is a “hey, look at me, I’m going to yell and scream and be faux tough and try to intimidate you” faux tough guy; Oak would hit you out of nowhere and go about his business in a businesslike manner.

For a long time, I was okay with Garnett and his over-the-top enthusiasm because played hard every night and whatever worked to get him to that level was fine with me.

But now? Now I’m tired of it, he’s got a lot of schoolyard bully in him, he woofs and walks away and if you get in his face and give as good as you get, I won’t say he cowers but he goes away.

It happened, actually, with Jose Calderon. Think it was a game in Boston when KG took a cheap shot or said something or was acting up and Jose simply went back at him. Now? Now they’re fine, Garnett gives Jose his space and respect and lets him be.

Oak, on the other hand, was never as outwardly loud or emotional or acted up at all. He played hard and he played tough (bordering on illegal at times but never too too far over the line) but he didn’t care who saw him. He didn’t need to make sure everyone on the court or in the stands noticed him.

He was subtle in a brute kind of way; and I’m all about subtle.

So, no, I don’t think there’s a comparison in that respect. I’d much rather have Oak, he just strikes me as a more legitimate tough guy.

Now, for their leadership? I’d say that’s probably a tie; Garnett can get to teammates and show them what needs to be done, just as Oak did with a relatively young team here. But, again, I like the guy who does it in a somewhat quiet manner.

-

We do a lot of good stuff at our paper on a variety of things.

But if you haven’t been up on our Hemingway stuff, you’re really missing out.

As Irregulars know, he’d be on the Mount Rushmore of my favourites (we need a Canadian equivalent of Mount Rushmore so it would hit closer to home) and the fact he plied his trade on the same pages as I do is very, very cool.

And the series – which you can get to here and which you should probably bookmark – is outstanding.

Take a read and let me know what you think.

-

While we’re on the favour-asking parade, let’s get the mail started; it’s Birth Weekend and a long weekend so there’s every chance I’ll be shutting things down for at least part of a day so we need to get started early.

Go here. Say hi. And thanks.

-

Okay, George Brett’s pine tar bat thing remains the gold standard player ejections (I’ve got a handful of Billy Martin, Earl Weaver and maybe a Lou Piniella among managers) but Brett Lawrie’s little eruption last night is right up there.

Except for the fact he’s going to be suspended because the helmet he threw hit the ump (and that hurts the team so it takes away from the eruption), that might have been the most demonstrative TOD ejection I can recall.

But, and I firmly believe this and it’s an issue that’s been around baseball forever and it sucks, that home plate umpire made a bad call intentionally on the 3-2 pitch because he was ticked off at Lawrie for taking off to first on the awful 3-1 call.

Too many baseball umpires have this overblown sense of importance, have had for years, and the pettiness they often show, and the provoking they often do, is truly a scourge on the game.

Those were two awful calls but the second one was a bit premeditated and I hope the league takes that into account when they decide how long to sit Hobbs down for.

-

I’m pretty sure we’re going to be saying and writing this a few more times between now and the end of June but, man, are the Spurs ever good.

That was a total dismantling of an overwhelmed opponent last night when they drilled the Clippers and I would venture to say San Antonio might have a lot more rest between a sweep of this series and the start of the conference finals.

San Antonio, in case you missed it, has won 15 in a row, 28 of 30 and are 43-7 since the end of January. That’s unreal.

-

Have you been at all following this Roger Clemens trial? Tawdry, boring, who cares, right?

Cathal wrote about if you need to get up to speed.

Best part of it?

The judge has dismissed two jurors who fell asleep listening to the testimony. That’s classic.

-

Kind of hoping I can last long enough to watch the entire Lakers-Thunder game tonight (yeah, I know; I’m old) because I’m wondering if the other night was an aberration.

Doubt it, though.

The Thunder simply ran away from the Lakers and maybe you can chalk that up a bit to L.A. being worn out from a long, hard first round series but I don’t think that’s too big a factor.

And think about it this way. The Thunder won going away and I don’t think anyone can say any one player had an otherworldly game. Sure, Durant, Westbrook and Harden played well but it’s not as if one of them went off for 40 points or something silly like that. They were just better all over the floor and I have a sneaking suspicion they will be again tonight.

-

 

 

Comments

[David in Oakville]

Nice comments on KG and Oak. Your blog is a sort of "Sanity Now" oasis in the desert of Raptorland rumor and hyperbole.

I have always found the "Hemingway worked for the Star" stuff fascinating and am happy to read more.

Watching the replay of Hobbs I couldn't help but think he has spent too much time with the TOD bullpen staff and relievers.

Doug, did you see Tiago Splitter's two missed free throws in the 1st quarter of Clips and Spurs? I am not sure they even managed to graze the netting.... ugly. I would have loved to hear what Popovitch said to him from the sidelines because it looked like something was said. I can't believe a guy can make it to the NBA and shoot free throws so poorly... in the first quarter when you have just come off the bench.

[sam]

Lawrie had every right to be upset at the called strikes last night, but his reaction is so polarizing. Some folks applaud his passion, and some think it was an overreaction that will lead to a suspension thus hurting the team. Some applaud the dude in the stands who threw a beer at the Ump in question, and others wonder what the heck was he thinking.
There are no winners in this incident.

I find it hard to warm up to Garnett - Even if he were a member of the HOTH, I think I still might struggle liking him.

[AT]

those were horrible strike calls and unlike Rondo with his incident with the ref, I don't think Lawrie meant to hit the ump with his helmet. .I think the ump took some exception to lawrie starting his trot down to first. But it is nice to see some emotion from Lawrie and hopefully it get these guys out of this little slump they are in

[Peter]

I saw the comments about KG compared to Oak yesterday and was going to comment but when I saw your note, I resisted in the hopes that you would answer exactly like you did today. Oak and KG are NOT the same. No way would I want to see him on this team at this stage in his career.

[LeeZ]

Hobbs had more time to think before throwing his helmet than Artest did when he threw his elbow. Now, I'm not for a second giving Meta a pass or anything, but his was truly a heat of the moment thing. Whereas Lawrie had to a) extend his arm toward his head, b) take his helmet off, c) throw said helmet. We're only talking seconds here, but he knew damn well what he was doing. He could have easily pivoted and thrown the helmet a safe distance away. He CHOSE to throw it RIGHT AT THE UMP'S feet. He meant for it to hit him, but not hit him directly on the fly; he had enough sense not to do THAT, at least. The ump was an idiot, Lawrie was an idiot. Someone needs to take Lawrie aside and tell him that a reputation is the most important thing you possess, and he's at risk of getting a bad one among umps. Someone like Bautista. Oh wait, Bautista is the one MOANING and WHINING and GROWLING at umps every time a pitch strikes him (pardon pun) as a tad outside the strike zone. He is getting the umps really pissed at him, and some of the other Jays are taking his cue, and I'll bet you dollars to doughnuts that Joey's petulence played a small part in the ump's surly mood. That, plus Bautista has been loafing down to first on ground balls lately. He is a respected leader on this team, but he has NOT been acting the part lately. And that kind of attitude has a tendency to slowly cause damage to the rest of the team, yesterday's incident being a case in point. Blame: Ump: 60%, Hobbs: 35%, Joey: 5%

[John_S]

Charlie V claimed that Kevin Garnett called him a "cancer patient" during a game.
Kevin Garnett claimed that he actually called Charlie V "cancerous to your team and our league".

Based on KG's reputation, I tend to believe Charlie V.

Unfortunately, KG was never taken to task for his comments and there was no formal action taken by the league. Maybe things get a little too PC these days but there is no excuse for Garnett's alleged comments. He is the epitome of a coward and if he did say that to Charlie V, a poor excuse for a human being. He can't get out of the league fast enough in my opinion.

[Ren]

Hey Doug.
How about another comparison - or a try at a better one.
How about Oak and the Regend?
Guys were completely different at the offensive end, but I'm talking leadership by example.
I'm talking team mate and aggressor.
What do you think of that one?
For me, KG has nothing on either of these guys.

Oh, and the playoffs.
It is pitiful that the real finals - okc versus spurs, can not happen.
Miami looks exactly the same as last year: when times get tough, they go one on one, and they lose.
I have a hard time believing the Heat can beat either of those teams.
Thoughts?

[joeu]

@LeeZ

I think you can easily make the argument that MWP's elbow was a premeditated or pre-planned action. Watch how he moves up the lane after the basket, so forcefully, yet not looking in the direction he is moving. Watch him not react to the contact he makes.

No-one can know what he was actually thinking in those moments, but if I wanted to rough up someone outside the rules, that's exactly how I'd stage it.

As for Lawrie, the same caveat applies, but I can buy that there was no intent to hit the umpire with the helmet, although I'm sure the urge was there.

[Angelo]

Saw the spurs game last night and Tim Duncan looked fantastic, ever since the playoffs started his game has elevated to a point where I don't know if there's another big playing better than him right now. I guess Popovich trully does deserve that COY award for keeping his minutes so limited in the regular season while still maintaing a winning record.

[Tim H.]

Hey Doug:

I couldn't agree with you more about baseball umps. In no other sport do the officials argue with contestants. Can you imagine the results in any other sport if a contestant went face-to-face with an official? Yet, in baseball, it happens on a regular basis. It's one of the reasons I don't consider MLB to be a 'professional' sport - it's more like the Wild West.

[Lorie]

Hi Doug!
The Hemingway Series has been great and I chuckled while reading the article he wrote on then-Mayor Tommy Church attending a boxing match while trawling for votes. Now, don't you think someone should put together a book that chronicles Star reporters and Toronto mayors they've covered? What a history of the city that would be. (But if this project was to be undertaken, I think it would be wise to delay publication until the current occupyer of that office is dispatched; this paper's relationship with Mr. Ford could make up a most interesting chapter (or two!) in the book. But the story I've most enjoyed has been the one on the missing Hemingway papers. Absolutely fascinating.
And did the exchange between KG and Jose that you're referring to happen way back in 2008? I thought there was one this past season that was pretty noteworthy. I couldn't find it online, but this is the 2008 incident:
http://youtu.be/OvCyZB1n6lE
Cheers! And how goes your Birthweekpaloooza? Are you being adored and admired - if not at least acquiesced to - in an appropriate manner?

[Josh]

I know it wasn't touched on yet but how is Dwyane Wade not facing a 1 game suspension for his hit on a 6ft 100 lb Darren Collison last night. He is a bully and that is a dangerous play that warrants a suspension, especially with the precedent being set just a few weeks ago with Jason Smith's hit on the beastly Blake Griffin. If you even recall against the Knicks in round 1 they called a flagrant 2 foul on Tyson Chandler for setting a pick on Lebron. The "Protection" of the NBA's superstars is ruining the game and really starting to turn me off of basketball.

[Chris C]

Is there room to be optimistic even if the pig pong balls dont fall our way. Look at Kawhi Leonard. 15th pick last year and I would take him over many of the picks before him. It just seems like the raptors never get these types of guys. Im sure Im not the only fan who is very nervous about this years pick. Its somewhat of a guessing game. Like they were saying during the Clipps telecast, Bledsoe wasnt even a starter in Collage and now look at him. I like Matt Devlin a lot more on the TNT broadcast than ours. He seems more professional and less casual. But it must be hard sometimes to be that way after the last 2 seasons we have had. Unlike the fans, he actually has to watch all of the games in their entirety. Gross!

[james]

Like no other sport, baseball rewards those who keep their cool. Hyperbolic enthusiasm, or just being hyper, is often effective in hockey, football, or even basketball (witness one of today's topics, a certain KG). Brett Lawrie is a very gifted player who is a treat to watch and I credit the Blue Jays for finally realizing the value of a home-grown star almost 20 years after spurning Larry Walker. But Brett has to grow up, grit his teeth, and realize the humans called umpires are going to both make mistakes and react badly when questioned about those mistakes. What he did yesterday really hurts the team. I also concur with LeeZ's observations about the example Bautista is setting.

[Kyle Gudmundson]

4 game suspension for Hobbs. I hope the Ump also gets a 4 game suspension and fine for his poor officiating as well. If I was that bad at my job, and with an even worse ego, I wouldn't be working in my field much longer. Sure, being an ump, like being a basketball ref is difficult and demanding, but so are many other professions as well. As fans, we have to demand a higher standard of officiating sometimes, it just takes so much away from the game.

[doug]

the sad part about the umping is that that wasn't even close to the worse call/situation of the week...did you see when Bautista got drilled by a fastball on the back and the home plate ump ruled he never tried to get out of the way, hence no freebie to first...even Buck was blown away by that one, but at least the home plate ump in that bogus call situation had a little conference with his fellow umps who overturned him.....Lawrie's reaction was fine, he is who he is and emotion drives him, he will temper it as he matures age wise....I remember a few years back now when major league baseball tried to clean house of some of it's bad lemons umpire wise, many were fired, they grieved and won their jobs back for the most part, then the Canadian ump (I forget his name) also a few years back who was a fine ump, was denied his work visa so his career came to a end...the MLB's umpire union is the type that gives all unions a bad name, it's a farce as is the ump's sense of entitlement....it's a tough situation to clean up unfortunately....ok cheers,...

[Cluck Kent]

Happy Birthweek sage scribe.

I can't agree with you on the Canadian version of Mount Rushmore for the single reason that Canadians would have to have Don Cherry included. Probably before Hemingway. Or instead of.

The Lebron glasses from yesterday? Well, I guess that proves that no amount of money can buy you smart.

I'm sorry that OKC and SA have to play each other before one of them has to take on Miami in the finals. That series will be the best one of these playoffs, I reckon. Of course nothing could make me happier than to see our good friend Leandro Barbosa in the finals this year.

Doug you should have guest scribes sub in for you on important occasions like Birthweek. Or, you could have 3 irregulars slap out a few hundred words each on set subjects and there you go. In any case, I strongly recommend kicking back and enjoying this week as much as you can.