The start of the weekend mail

Here’s the deal:

Shut the machine down about 6 p.m. Friday, lazed my way through part of this morning and this is what I got done.

There’s about a zillion left over that I’ll get to for tomorrow.

Enjoy.

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Q: Hi Doug. This question isn't about the Toronto sports teams but their fans.

Is it just me or has fan reaction to trades and losing seasons become more and more extreme over the past few years? Burke can do no right and the hate is vitriolic, TFC fans are calling for Anselmi's ouster and want to burn him in effigy, and even the Vince Carter trade didn't generate as much histronics as the failed Nash bid. In their eyes, none of the players measure up to championship standards, they are lambasted for mistakes and any good play is dismissed as "being lucky".

How close are Toronto fans to the psychological pessimistic tipping point where nothing MLSE does can repair the confidence of the fanbase? Might the fans resort to drastic actions against MLSE? What do you think is required to pull them back from this precipice?

Brad B, Ottawa

A: I wish I could get a read on fans, I really do. I think what’s happening is in many instances there is just too much rush to judgement, everything has to be over-analyzed without context and everyone wants instant validation, which you cannot get.

But because they are fans and despite the fact they've supported mostly losing teams for almost half a century, I don’t think there’ll ever be a time when everyone throws up their arms and walks away; they will find some snippet of optimism to keep them interested and engaged.

And there truly is one magic elixir the people at MLSE can do: Put better teams out there. I know it’s hard to do and it doesn’t happen overnight but they need to win and that will appease the masses more than anything.

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Q: Hi Doug. As of today how many players to the Raps have under contract for next season, and what's the chances someone from the summer league makes the team in a bit role to fill out the roster?

What's the plan for Acey? He seems be a high motor guy that might push Ed in practice??? Any chance he gets some PT next year?

Thanks!

Jeffrey M, Saint John

A: If you count the first two picks as signed, and they will be by Monday so they can play in the summer league, they have:

Calderon, Lowry, DeRozan, James Johnson, Bargnani, Davis, Valanciunas, Amir Johnson, Kleiza and Ross and Acy. How many is that? 11? Yep. Toss in Fields as a likely (there’s no indication the Knicks will match) and that’s 12.

With a bunch of spaces to fill, it wouldn’t surprise me if Uzoh isn’t the third point guard coming out of Summer League, Alan Anderson remains a possibility and we’ll see where they go from there.

And while I don’t know if Acy will get much time in games but they’d be quite happy if he makes life miserable for Davis in practice.

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Q: Hey Doug. Not so much a question as an appeal to begin your Olympic coverage early. Canada recently sent 4 beach volleyball pairs (2 mens, 2 womens) to Mexico to secure a berth in the Olympics through continental qualifying. Both sides were successful, but can only send through one pair each. As such, the battle for which team goes through will occur Saturday at Ashbridges Bay.

It's not often you will see this in a team sport so it should be great emotion, intensity and competition and it'd be great for the sport to get some Star coverage! (Plus, it may earn you some time at Horse Guards Parade for the big show - not the worst gig at the Olympics, if you ask me!)

Felix T, Loughborough, UK

A: Funny you should ask. Beach volleyball and I go way back, I covered the very first Olympic event at the Atlanta Games and wrote what I thought was a very nice story contrasting the Olympic movement, bikinis and the smell of Coppertone and loud music. And then I saw the final gold medal game in the illustrious career of American stars Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh in Beijing.

And, despite all this hullabaloo about the NBA this week, the plan indeed is to be at Ashbridge’s Bay this afternoon. Of course, the thunderstorm that’s just started may scuttle those plans.

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Q: Hey Doug. What are some of the basic elements of a good pick-and-roll, both from the perspective of a big and a guard?

Thanks,

Diego S, Toronto

A: If you asked four coaches you might get four answers but I think these two points are most salient and would be agreed on.

The big has to set himself square, shoulders and hips, and not be sliding; the guard – and he’s the most important guy in the play, has to wait for the big to get set, no setting up his teammate for an illegal screen – and he has to run his man as close to the guy setting the screen as possible.

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Q: Long time reader, first time writer (if you had a dollar for every time you'd heard that....)

Read a few draft grade reports already, but we all know evaluations after a week won't tell us anything. What length of time (three years? five years?) is a good length of time to grade drafted players - and the organizations that draft 'em? And can we see a Smith grading of drafts of (three years? five years? your choice?) past?

Ian B, Edmonton

A: Well, knowing that every player is different, I don’t think you can truly judge what you’ve got from a young kid until at least the middle of his second season and, in the case of big men, likely the start of their third. And I guess by extension that’s when you’ve got to see how an organization did.

I’m not a big look-back guy and other things seem to come up so I’m not sure you’ll ever get a grade of past drafts top to bottom. Kind of labour-intensive work that could likely be put to better means.

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Q: How many picks can the Raptors lose in the Lowry Trade?

Richard S, Lethbridge

A: One.

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Q: How much does the Jeremy Lin to Houston offer sheet have to do with the Rockets maintaining their status as China's favourite basketball team?

Chad N, Toronto

A: None, sorry.

Not even sure that’s true any more but even if it was, it would not have a place in the decision to try and fill a spot they have no one at.

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Q: Doug. A couple of questions.

Looking at the 2006 Draft is it safe to say that Bargs was a good pick? The only player who is comparable to him might be Aldridge. Gay and Rondo (8th and 21st respectively) have had solid numbers but at the time not 1st over all material. For the heat that BC has taken... Bargs is an obvious top 3 player from that entire draft. Should 4-5 years of naysayers send in their apologies to BC?

My second thought is in regards to expectations. All season long the Raps sold themselves on two different type of expectations. First the expectations of the upcoming off season, and second on the expectations of Valancunias coming over from Europe this season.

Do you think the over zealous promos for Val might end up hurting the player, and (in directly) the organization if he has a slow rookie year? We've seen what high expectations can do to a player (Andrea???).

Thanks!

Jeffrey M, Saint John

A: Oh, you’re going to get screamed at with the top 3 but I don’t think you’re all that far off (great, now I’m going to get screamed at, too). Not sure apologies are in order but it really should be a lesson in not rushing to judgement too quickly.

As for Valanciunas, I don’t think people are expecting too much and, yes, the team and its officials have praised him to high heavens but every statement is with the qualifier that he’s not coming to be a saviour. Sure, they expect him to contribute and be a very good player and that’s fair comment. It’s also correct judging by just about everything I’ve hear, especially from people whose opinions I trust who have no vested interest in the Raptors.

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Q: Hi Doug. I'm happy to see the defensive upgrade at PG, but the gaping hole at SF remains. Have you heard any talk about who the organization would like to go after in a trade, and what would they be willing to give up to make it happen?

For that matter, if they aren't able to find an upgrade at SF, how much better are they with Valanciunas at C and Lowry at PG?

Thanks for taking my question. Cheers!

Geoff E, Toronto

A: Gaping hole might be a stretch; it could use an upgrade but there are guys who can play the spot. And, no, I haven’t heard names and will tell you if or when I do.

And I have no idea how much better they’ll be, that’s why …

(Irregulars know the rest)

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Q: Doug. The Raps getting Lowry may be a blessing in disguise. He is no Nash from a court vision or marketing prospective, but he fits the culture the coach is trying to develop to a T and he is absolutely an above average PG, just outside the top 8 or so.

Fields is an underappreciated move as well. The guy knows how to play and only suffered adjusting to a Carmelo stagnant offence in NY.

My question is this (or these): Casey clearly values shooters in his offence, does this make Demar expendable? Also the organization likely does not want to shove Jose to a backup role (and given Lowry's appreciation of his last PG controversy they would probably want to avoid that as well). will the Raps try and trade Jose for a swingman, or is Ilyasova now the target... and would that be the end of Amir?

Thanks

Joe D, Waterloo

A: Wow, lots of assumptions there, some might even be close to true.

No, nothing to do with Fields makes DeRozan “expendable” in any way, shape or form.

And it’s not a “shove” but if Lowry beats out Jose for the starting job in training camp I have no doubt Jose would be fine coming off the bench.

And if there’s a trade there that they think upgrades their talent and has to include Calderon, it will; but it will be reactive rather than proactive.

Targets? Everyone’s a “target” in that GMs call about everyone who’s available; they wouldn’t pass up what they see as good deal to maybe make one later for a “target.”

And depending on what comes in, it could very well mean Amir, or Ed, has to be moved out.

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Q: Hey Doug, hoping not to get stoned by the disgruntled irregulars for saying this, but I'm actually quite optimistic going into next season. Bryan's smart decision last year with Jonas has him poised to arrive, and had we drafted him a week ago (as #1 or #2) the fanfare around here right now would be huge.

People can not like Fields (overpaid), Ross (reach), or Lowry (not Captain Canada) all they want, but the truth is we have a GM who is listening to his coach/people to field a young athletic basketball team.

Considering everyone's place in the rotation, the three guys I see most susceptible to getting moved at some point this season are Amir (duplication at his position), Kleiza (no longer seems to even have a position) or Jose (because of the expiring contract - not because he can't play, should be amnestied, etc, etc).

If you were a betting man where would you place your bets on the next HOTH to move and how? Amir-Amnestied? Jose-traded?

Forest K, St. Catharines

A: Yeah, you’re three are probably right because they have value; I’d say James Johnson is higher on the list but I don’t know that’d he’d be much more than cap ballast.

Sorry, not betting on anything but I will say this: They will NOT use the amnesty clause on Jose, ain’t happening and, frankly, you just have to trust me on that one.

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Q: I have noticed the news today is very slanted. I can read the same article in both of Toronto's major news papers and fine one is written extremely left, and the other extremely right. I can only assume this is a corporate mandate. Have the sports writers been told to write articles about teams with a certain tone? BTW a great example of this is the Nash fall out coverage.

Ben S, Toronto

A: I have never, ever been told how to write a story, construct a feature, use any specific angle and wouldn’t stand for it if I was; it would be a huge issue.

And I’m not entirely sure you or anyone will believe this but there isn’t cabal of editors who meet each morning, call in reporters and tell them how to write stories, either.

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Q: Doug. Enjoy your column and in game blog. Keep up the good work,

Do you think there are any merits in re-visiting Kris Humphries? The man has demonstrated that he can rebound and score. I know we have a lot of bigs, but how many perform to his level??

Alan K, Alberton, PEI

A: I like Hum a lot and I’m glad he’s finally figured out what he is and how he’ll make his mark in the NBA, I’d be glad to have him on my team. But unless they divest themselves of at least one and probably two bigs – leaving a main frontcourt rotation of Valanciunas, Bargnani and Hump – and I wonder if that’s best.

 

 

Comments

[AT]

Ray Allen to the heat! Wow, thought he was old school and would never play for a rival. Especially one that just eliminated his team from the playoffs!! Bird/Magic/jordan just shaking their heads now for sure....Obviously more to the story with the issues he had with Rondo and Ainge
Doug,when do we read your thoughts about the Heats' latest acquisition?

[Travis]

"Calderon, Lowry, DeRozan, James Johnson, Bargnani, Davis, James Johnson, Kleiza and Ross and Acy. How many is that? Nine? Yep. Toss in Fields as a likely (there’s no indication the Knicks will match) and that’s 10."

Not expecting Valanciunas to be over to start the season?

Blogger's note: Oops. Will fix now; was an early morning after all, it seems

[Tim]

Hi Doug,

Thanks for all your hard work over these last few days. Good for you for taking some time last night and today. Here's a quick question for you, if you can find the time: why is rescinding the qualifying offer to Bayless not bad form, the way that rescinding the offer to Landry Fields would be?

Blogger's note: Kind of apples and oranges, isn't it? The taking back the qualifying offer doesn't preclude Bayless from returning, it's a function of cap-enomics and, frankly, even with it it didn't mean he'd return, it just kept an option of matching open. It's not like they went back on their word like the would if they didn't do Fields.

[J]

"Calderon, Lowry, DeRozan, James Johnson, Bargnani, Davis, James Johnson, Kleiza and Ross and Acy. How many is that? Nine? Yep. Toss in Fields as a likely (there’s no indication the Knicks will match) and that’s 10."

@Doug:

Think you meant Amir Johnson the second time around, as well as 10 and 11 instead of 9 and 10. Also, don't forget Valanciunas. =) That'd put us at 12 if Fields doesn't get matched.

[raptorsfan]

I think BC should be fired. Why let Bayless go and still keep Calderon? I like the trade for Lowry and I thought the plan is having him/Bayless. So now Calderon will start and Lowry as back-up? I don't think he will like it as he didn't want to share the position with GD in houston.

Casey is just too stubborn to stick with his players so he will start Calderon again and he didn't get us to the playoff. Just look at how stubborn he sticked with R butler for so long.

Jose is good at passing and TO ratio but looked at the finals. It's hard to pass in crutch time. You need players who can dribble and create shots for their own.

I thought we got lowry and bayless. Man now we just got one and Jose is still starting. Man, Casey doesn't know talented in my opinion. JJ and bayless should be keys for rebuilding but he doesn't start them much.

Look at bayless played against Memphis last year. He clearly can play defence and offence against hard-nose defense team. And JJ is also the SF. Look at how many games we won with Jose again better teams last year?

BC should be the one that know who has the talented and should see it. I think he should either all let your youngster gets more time and develop. (Look at OKC, memphis, etc.) If you don't do that then get the veteran star that can really get you into the playoffs instead. With Jose being the starter I don't see it will happen.

It will be another year of no playoff and even we make it to playoff, are we going to win it all? Why not just get all your young talent take over and I think the potential could be higher. Why just go half and half in both way? I think BC did a bad job right now.

Blogger's note: Well, sorry to break it to you but you thought wrong about the plan.

[Mike kovacs]

May as well put Amir in there too in place of the 2nd JJ!

Blogger's note: Yeah, just did

[J]

@Tim:

The offer to Fields, though verbal, was intended as final when Fields accepted it. It might not be a legally binding contract, but good luck getting verbal commitments from future FAs if the Raptors renege.

The qualifying offer to Bayless was never intended as final. In fact, it doesn't even come close to a verbal contract, as there is no offer and acceptance (i.e. no offer is actually made to Bayless, and he has no ability to accept or decline the QO). The QO is essentially a quasi team option, except that it allows other teams to bid (and the Raptors to match). Until the deadline (whenever it may be), teams are free to revoke QOs to free up cap holds, etc.

[J]

Just wanted to comment on a trend I found quite disturbing in the posts following the Nash news. A serious dearth of real life experience (perhaps the comments come from younger folk?) is evident from the inability of many posters to rationally read a situation. Duffy commented on Nash joining the Lakers as fulfilling several key goals, one of which was being close to his children. Aside from the obvious "post-mortum" nature of Duffy's remarks, I'm not sure how they translate to jerking Toronto (or even New York) around.

The first thing anyone with a family does when they receive several job offers is assess the results from moving to each location. Being divorced and sharing custody makes this discussion even more mandatory; it's essentially court-mandated. Will the custody agreement need modification? Does the move infringe upon custodial rights? In Nash's case, you can pretty much assume he consulted his ex-wife on her willingness to move to New York, Toronto, or any other location while making a decision. We won't know what was said, but we do know that regardless of his ex-wife's feelings about the East Coast, playing with the Lakers accomplishes the goal of staying close to his kids. That's all that matters.

[Jason Auld]

And there truly is one magic elixir the people at MLSE can do: Put better teams out there. I know it’s hard to do and it doesn’t happen overnight but they need to win and that will appease the masses more than anything.``
.

Any theories on why they seem almost incapable of fielding a winning team in every sport they participate in?

[coachd]

Hi Doug,
Interesting read from Adrian Wojnarowski on reasons why Allen chose the Heat over the Celtics. Just goes to show you it's not always about the money is it?

[J]

Sorry for the number of posts, but this one is important and needs saying.

I think BC should be fired.

It's as simple as that. I thought the plan was to assemble the most attractive team in the arena as possible. BC has failed to do this. I'm not even talking about our lack of competitiveness; even on the financial front, BC has failed. You need to have an attractive product to get fans into the stands. We should be going after guys like Tony Parker, Jan Vesely and Marko Jaric. I'm sure Jaric could easily be had for the minimum. Not only would it fulfill BC's Euro-centric vision, but what crowd could resist the triangle offense of Eva Longoria, Eva Kodouskova and Adriana Lima. Are Lowry's and Fields' significant others even lookers? We could even add David Lee to pick up Sabina Gadecki. While not technically a Euro, I don't think most fans would notice. Clearly, BC is off plan. Fire him now!

[Jordan C]

Doug, in one of your prior articles you suggested that we should consider ourselves lucky not to end up with Dragic. What don't you like about him? Or what had you heard from scouts? He did very well as a starter last year.

Blogger's note: In, what, 25 games? Not enough of a track record to commit long-term

[Rob]

From yesterday's comments:

"Does letting Bayless walk free up any money? Or does it have to be an amnesty?

Blogger's note: Sure, they can rescind the qualifying offer and get about $4 million; won't do it, though"

Reminds me why I don't come here anymore. Thought I'd give you another chance, but your lack of insider information is so frustrating for a Raptors fan. Better not to comment unless you know for a fact that something is true.

Blogger's note: See ya

[joeu]

" the triangle offense of Eva Longoria, Eva Kodouskova and Adriana Lima. "

Now, there's a solid starting lineup. I think you'd have to a round it out with a few bodies for those of the other persuasion (does Parker fill that role ?). And we'd need a more descriptive name ... The Vanity Fair offence ? The Shotgun offence ?

[sam]

I hate to break it to you @J - Parker and Eva Longoria split up......
I like your idea though. . . . .

@raptorsfan....Jumping the gun much? As has been discussed. No one knows what BC has up his sleeve - Bayless maybe still with the team - you don't know if Calderon will start or not. But here's the thing - Aside from a small, rather vocal portion of the Raptors fan base that tend to eat their young, Calderon is a well regarded, universally respected PG. Bayless is a shoot first, pass as a last resort kind of guy. Both have their strong points and both have their weakness.

@J again - I thought the same thing in the last week regarding some of the reactions to Nash and the Lakers. Somehow in some peoples mind there was a conspiracy at play. That Nash owed the Toronto Raptors something and or used some goodwill in Toronto to get an overly rich offer from another team - I also read where - Nash made the HOTH sign Landry Fields - comments that Fields was a stiff etc....

Referring to a player, or manager as a "joke" has become common place, as is calling out for someone to lose their job.
It's just wrong.

[Scott]

Doug what happened to Valanciunas in the FIBA game against PR? 5 fouls in 6 minutes? Yikes.

[Bo4]

Doug, I'd like to add that we might be wise to add Jamaal Magloire as a player/coach.

And I wonder what's was up with Amir & James at the end of last season. Is there any cause for concern, in your opinion?

Blogger's note: No real cause for concern; not sure how either 'em fits long term anyway

[Jeff]

I agree with not using the amnesty on Jose - this maintains flexibility. Why you would amnesty a player with one year remaining would be nuts. If you can't trade him then keep him (it could be worse) and then his contract will be valuable at the deadline along with another player to acquire a SF or a need. Then what you do next year is amnesty Kleiza if he doesn't fit into the plans and then you can sign another Free agent bench player.

[sportschic]

I have a feeling that if Jose's still around, this coming season will be TJ vs Jose part II. I mean as far as the fans go, not on the team. I still remember for years and years, it was said that the Raptors needed a true point guard, and then look what happened! I guess this week probably prepared you for the madness to come -- and I don't mean London! Actually the last few years have probably prepared you for it ...

I wonder if you'll be able to get an interweb feed of the Summer League while in London. I'm sure you're hoping so! ;) (if the games are in the evening, though, I guess the time zones will rule that out -- too bad!)

[J]

@Rob:

"Reminds me why I don't come here anymore. Thought I'd give you another chance, but your lack of insider information is so frustrating for a Raptors fan."

What are you? A petulant teen? "You're the worst parent! See if I listen to anything you ever say to me again!" At least, that's what it sounds like. Do you also spend the gas money to go to your local restaurant, stomp your feet and yell at them you no longer eat there because they keep overcooking your steak?

@sam:

Fine, I hear Kirilenko's wife isn't bad either. If BC doesn't sign him, he needs to be fired again after getting fired.

The most annoying thing this off-season has been the constant usage of "definitely", "clearly" and "obviously". We *clearly* settled on fulfilling a need instead of acquiring the BPA (except the only evidence anyone has lends to the idea we did pick the BPA, if you discount Sullinger due to injury concerns). BC *definitely* would not have signed Fields/offered so much money if not for Nash (except any accepted offer sheet would have taken Fields out of the Knicks' S&T plans, even if they matched, so one has to conclude that BC poison pilled the offer to obtain Fields regardless of Nash). Nash *obviously* lied to us from the start (except what scenario short of Nash signing with us would satisfy the promise to consider all offers?). I guess it's easy to see things so *clearly* from the comfort of ones armchair.

[g.t.]

I don't understand why fans would be so big on trading Derozan. Guaranteed , you put him on the market and more than half the league will be calling, and I am almost sure they will not be offering a better player in return. Or better yet one that would satisfy fan expectations ( annual all-star who vaults the team into the playoffs every year). The Raptors have a very good asset in DeRozan although it appears many are hung up on the fact that so far he is not a Carter-like explosive player. Players like that are not in abundance in the league.

[LeeZ]

Blogger's note: Sure, they can rescind the qualifying offer and get about $4 million; won't do it, though"

Reminds me why I don't come here anymore. Thought I'd give you another chance, but your lack of insider information is so frustrating for a Raptors fan. Better not to comment unless you know for a fact that something is true.

Blogger's note: See ya
Hey Rob, we hardly knew ya, bud. Oh and don't let the door hit you in the butt on the way out. But in a more serious vein, and with respect, why did you think the Raps wouldn't rescind JB's offer? Just a hunch, or did you have it on authority from one of the henchmen (who I guess then changed his mind)?

Blogger's note: Had been told they didn't necessarily need the money to make the other deals work; guess there was a desire for more wiggle room than initially anticipated

[LeeZ]

"Are Lowry's and Fields' significant others even lookers?"
Um...don't know about Lowry's, but Fields' gf is, um, what's the word for it again....er...ah....SMOKING FREAKING HOT!!!! I introduce, ladies and gentlemen, Exhibit A: http://grind365.com/sports/meet-landry-fields-girlfriend-elaine-alden/

[Rob.V]

Hey dude.
-
Sorry to bug so late on a Sat night. Nothing earth shattering however I was just perusing the latest news and came across this so I thought I would shoot it over to you in case you hadn't heard.
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http://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/222137/Aaron_Gray_Agrees_To_Two_Year_Deal_With_Raptors

Blogger's note: Did it earlier than I thought; not a total surprise

[J]

@LeeZ:

I stand correctly. Clearly, BC knows what he's doing. =P