A week like no other -- good and bad -- about to unfold

Ah, draft week!

Best week of the year?

Worst week of the year?

Just another week of the year?

I’m going with the final one of those.

I know there those among you who find this quite the exciting week, new beginnings, new players, new starts and all that.

But the fact is: This is one very, very tiny piece of a big puzzle, especially where the HOTH are concerned.

Yes, they are likely to get a guy at No. 8 – if they make the selection – who has some promise and I can guarantee when it’s time to talk about him on Thursday night, there will be raves about his abilities and how happy they are that he was still there. But who should it be? Well, I’m going to have to think about that for a day or two and try to figure out the realistic chance of getting him.

That’s the issue with this week.

What I really don’t like, though, is the near hourly updates and speculation that keeps you hopping. Or frustrated trying to figure out what’s true.

This guy’s stock is rising.

This guy’s stock is falling.

This team’s doing this for sure.

Unless they do something else.

And it’s especially difficult when you’re selecting No. 8 because so much of what you do depends on what others ahead of you.

It’d be all well and good for me to suggest Austin Rivers is the best fit, or Perry Jones III is worth a shot or Damian Lillard would be a wise choice but that’s all dependent on what transpires with picks 2-7 and, even a draft neophyte like me can’t figure that out with any certainty.

But I will say this: No matter what position he plays, the Raptors need not worry about what they have when they make their choice.

This is a young team with some interesting bits and some promise but it’s not like it’s a roster dotted with all-stars that’s coming a successful string of seasons. And competition within a roster for playing time is never a bad thing.

(Although I still say trading out of No. 8, packaging the pick with a player to get a player is the best course of action).

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So, do I need to watch Newsroom or what?

Considering I think The West Wing was one of the best TV shows ever and Sports Night was as under-rated as anything on the air, I’m thinking the answer will be a resounding yes.

Of course, being in England for almost a month this summer’s going to be a bit of an issue but we can get around that.

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Know what’s a great night?

Sitting on a patio with friends with music playing (Hi, Mick and Angelo’s, best local in the Falls) after a day beating up an unsuspecting golf course.

Kind of takes the sting away from the missed shots, the gentle fades that turn into vicious slices and, I tell you, golf and I are almost done.

Time was, I could move the ball around pretty well but with creeping age and creaky joints, I don’t have the time necessary to work hard enough or play often enough to be any good.

And as I was hunting for balls in fescue all day Sunday, it really hit home.

Great game. Frustrating, though.

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Okay, we’ve got four Euro2012 teams left and I’m wondering who I jinx next.

Portugal, I think.

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I’m sure you all read this dispatch setting up the national women’s team and its Olympic qualifier that starts this afternoon in Ankara, Turkey.

It’s pretty straightforward what has to happen: They need to beat Mali today or France tomorrow and then someone in a cross-over quarter-final and they’re in the Games.

(And, we are endeavouring to have daily coverage through the week)

Straightforward but not that easy; these tournaments have a way of putting all kinds of pressure on athletes who’ve had an awful lot of time to think about the games, the consequences and the schedule.

But the one thing I got from seeing the women when they were here in Hazelville earlier this month, and from knowing them over the years, they do have a mental toughness about them.

I don’t know a lot about the opponents they’ll face – a bit by reputation and style of play more than anything – but I’ve contended all along that this team has the talent to be in the Games and I imagine they make it.

And you know who should be happy about that?

Canadian sports fans.

I know the Olympics are a different breed and it’s often about individuals rising to the occasion on one specific day but there’s something about team sports that captures the imagination.

The tournaments build momentum and interest and seeing how there is only one Canadian “team” at the games – the women’s soccer team – having the basketball team there will give fans of team sports something to watch develop.

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So I hear I have to go to the ACC today; bunch of second-round picks are allegedly working out and it’ll be nice to see the people.

And since I’ve been lucky enough to avoid all previous draft workout sessions, a chat with a Henchman or two is order, I believe.

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Comments

[JHP]

Well I hope the team is better this time next week then it is now. Of course based on the last 3 years I would not be holding my breath. JV will help but I hope they don't put to much presssure on him. They say bigs take 5 years to figure it out!

BC hates the draft and of course by the 8th pick all the talent will be gone. But wait next years draft is going to be really deep :-) So maybe they can trade the pick for a vet and a future pick.

[doug]

@JHP just to give you some facts so you can maybe use them so in the future it may preclude you from making any more ridiculous statements that aren't based on facts....this a excerpt from a recent Amick piece on "sleepers" in the draft..

"The latest postseason was a showcase for some of them, from San Antonio's Manu Ginobili (57th pick in 1999 by the Spurs) and Stephen Jackson (43rd by Phoenix) to Memphis' Marc Gasol (No. 48 by the Lakers) and Chicago's Carlos Boozer (35th by Cleveland)"....oh and don't forget Kobe and Karl Malone who came after the 8th pick along with a multitude of countless others...discussion and opinion are one thing buts let not try and be Fox News and let facts get in the way....ok cheers

[Doc]

You really seem to dislike basketball and all that goes with it. Why don't you try something else for awhile and let someone that would enjoy it try. I'm sick of your sad act just because they won't let you cover hockey.

Blogger's note: Trust me, there's lots of things I dislike; if you get my drift