A special time, and a bad time to play a game

Inward-looking time, isn’t it?

I hope many of you sat around yesterday, or will sit around today, taking stock of what you have and being thankful for it.

I did a bit.

And came up with …

My family.

My friends.

My good health.

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Finally, we heard it.

Don’t recall the word coming up once the entire week in Halifax and when Dwane Casey uttered it Sunday after practice I kind of smiled.

Disposition!

Yes, we’d heard all about tempo and pace and getting quick shots and blah, blah, blah, blah, blah and it almost made me think Dwane had lost his way.

Nope.

“We can’t lose that defensive identity and we want to make sure we keep the pedal to the metal on the defensive end.

“Being physical, having a tough disposition – ‘hey, you’re not going to score on me all night.’ That’s what we’re looking for.”

Whew!

It wasn’t as if I’d truly thought they’d given up on this whole “defence-first” thing that made them improve so much last season because I know Dwane knows that defence travels, if you’re solid at that end of the court you’ll be in almost every game.

And because I wonder if this team truly has the speed and firepower to out-score opponents, it’s hugely important that they continue to build the identity they started to get a season ago.

So tonight, when you’re watching (it’s on Raptors TV or whatever it’s called now) check out how they defend because that’s going to continue to be the most important part of this team.

Watch to make sure they are packing the paint and denying penetration and easy baskets at the rim; watch to see if they can force long-twos and that they get out to contest three-pointers; watch to see if they rebound and box out and hit people.

Yes, the up-tempo is fun if you’re playing a bad team that doesn’t get back and, yes, there are a lot of bad teams around; but that’s a bit of Fool’s Gold, good teams don’t let you do that; these guys have to stay true to their principles on the most important end of the court.

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Super Grandpa.

Super Brother.

Super Son practicing the Jungleland solo on the sax.

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Hey, Haligonians.

Thanks.

Really, outside of Treviso, this might have been the second-best training camp ever.

Great people, fine city, excellent selection of spots to visit.

The weather was outstanding, too, which was a very nice touch.

Loved The Henry House, enjoyed the music at The Old Triangle, the food at the Economy Shoe Shop and Alan Doyle was tremendous at the birthday party.

One thing, though:

Why in the world did you build the airport in New Brunswick?

Anyway, was an excellent week, hope we’re back again.

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Warm summer evenings at the ball yard.

Cool fall and winter nights courtside.

A gently faded 6-iron that nestles three feet below the hole.

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Contest time, sort of.

A first pre-season game against a relatively unknown European opponent at 7 p.m. on the last evening of Thanksgiving holiday weekend?

If they get a legit 7,000 people in the joint, I’ll be stunned.

What’s your guess? Winner gets to brag.

Seriously, though, wouldn’t it have been better, if you have to play on Thanksgiving Monday to play at noon or 1 p.m. or something like that?

It’s not as if Real Madrid’s coming off a back-to-back or anything like that; they played Saturday in Memphis and were in town last night (I presume Jose held some soiree with his guys) and probably wouldn’t have minded an afternoon game and a evening flight at all.

But for as a long as I can remember, they’ve played games on Thanksgiving Sunday or Monday – it’s just that time of year – and I guess it’s something we’ll deal with forever.

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A well-marbled, medium-rare ribeye.

A robust red.

Espresso.

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Do you think that when I wrote that pre-season piece about the Buffalo Bills and their new-found dedication to defence with all those tens of millions they spent on Mario Williams and whatever that we saw this coming?

New England 52, Bills 28

Six straight touchdowns in the second half a week ago.

San Francisco 45, Bills 3

Whatever it was in the second half and sieve-like run stoppage against a backup?

Yeah, I can find a story, can’t I?

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The places I’ve been.

The things I’ve seen.

Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese.

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With camp Friday and Saturday coupled with a flight back (WestJet’s pretty darn good, I need to fly it more, I think) and then practice, writing and turkey on Sunday, it’s been hard to stay in touch completely with the baseball playoffs.

Saw a bit of Washington-St. Louis yesterday, caught a bit of Cincinnati-San Francisco Saturday night and the end of New York-Baltimore last evening.

And I will say this:

I don’t know entirely what the options would have been but I don’t think the team with the better record should ever open a playoff series on the road.

Yes, they still get three of the five games in the division series at home but I would think there’d be a better way to schedule it, wouldn’t you?

The travel might be hard but why not one-two-two if they don't want to stick with the traditional two-two-one?

Just seems you go all season to finish ahead of the other guy and you should get something for it, no?

Not sure how it’ll play out, or how married they are to the format long-term but don’t you think they should take a long look at it?

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A stool.

A friend across from the stool.

HD TV on the TV across the stool.

Irregulars.

Happy Thanksgiving.

 

 

Comments

[Ravi Chander]

I think they may beat the 7000 you stated, as they gave away free tickets (up to four a head) on Saturday, all day till 6 pm. I suspect that they did that to shore up what otherwise may have been poor attendance.

Blogger's note: I wonder what the baseline was before they made that sudden and last-minute offer. We'll see :)

[Tim H.]

Hey Doug:
Although I don't have exactly the same things to be thankful for as you, I am grateful for the first three.
I also am grateful for having the opportunity to read you articles, blogs and mailbags. You are a must-read every day, and, if for some strange reason, I miss a day, I start the next day by backtracking.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours, Doug! And a big THANK YOU to you!

[Rob.V]

Sure, charge your season seat holders hundreds of dollars... then give away a whole whack of em for free!
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It's not like I go to these games, they're donated to charity (which is a good thing) however you would think that being a 17 year season seat holder might come with a free pre-season ticket as well? How about entire pre-season games played offsite? I'm not bitter, just the "annual" why must we pay for pre-season tickets rant!.
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You know, at one time I thought MLSE didn't care about me as a fan... then I inadvertently missed a couple of payments and realized I was wrong. lol!
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Today, and everyday I'm thankful for everything in my life.

[Ian]

We built an Airport in NB???

Blogger's note: Seems that far away

[Gerry Tanner]

If the cabbie had taken the scenic route you would understand why it was built that far out. Its hard finding a flat spot that doesn't have water or mother earths bones poking through the ground. And I bet if they had stayed in Halifax to play the first exhibition game it would have sold out. Is it just me or should Landry Fields spend a little more time working on his free throws??
Gerry T.

Blogger's note: I'd go with a lot more time

[Striker 77]

Happy thanksgiving to you Doug! To the irregs as well...

[J.r]

is jonnas playing tonight ?

Blogger's note: No, not planning to

[Ren]

Happy Thanksgiving Doug!
Your words and ideas are always a welcome part of my day, and I thank you for them.
Good luck in the new season.
I'll be reading.

[Eric-in-NS]

Glad you like your stay in Halifax.
Yes, please do use your immense influence to bring the team back.
The Halifax (Stanfield) airport is a half hour drive from downtown, and half the distance to Truro. It's a standing joke among visiting stand-up comedians -- and among many of us who live here!

Blogger's note: Great airport, though. Once you get there

[GP ,Haligonian Irregular]

RE: "NB" Airport. The reason often stated years ago was that the inland site was chosen to avoid much of dense coastal fog experienced closer to the ocean. As it turned out, the plan was only partially sucessful. The scrimmage was fun to watch... and yes the rooks line dancing was tough to watch.

[Dave B]

Airports are built outside of cities for safety reasons. Most accidents happen during take-off or landing. You shouldn't build a city around an airport. If a plane goes down short of the airport or lands long, you don't want it running through residences. Edmonton's airport is 30km outside the city. Remember the plans to build the airport in Pickering.

What is Halifax's, about 20km outside the city. The travel time is about the same as it takes to get to a corner store in Toronto. Plus, in Halifax, you have to find about 5000 feet of level (flat) ground that extends in a couple of directions. There isn't a lot of that near the city.

[james]

Rob.V: "You know, at one time I thought MLSE didn't care about me as a fan... then I inadvertently missed a couple of payments and realized I was wrong."
Surely worth a Ding! Ding! Ding! I'm always thankful for humour.

[Romy]

Glad you had a great time in Halifax, Doug. To hear some of the Halifax hotspots mentioned in your column and the fact that the beat writers got out to enjoy the city is good to hear. Hopefully, Saturday's turnout was a good indication that this city enjoys their basketball.

Blogger's note: Great basketball city; hope they support the Rainmen as well

[D-Mac Ottawa]

Happy Thanksgiving, Doug, Irregs and Regs!
Pre-season! Not quite for-keeps, but at least competitive basketball again. What's not to be thankful for!
I generally think of Draft Day as the start of the new season. How about you, Doug? Draft Day? Opening Day of the Free Agent Hunting Season? Start of Training Camp? First Pre-season Game? Official Opening Night? Other?
Anyway, it's hoops, it's live, it's back! Hit it, Ray and Nora: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t1bDniBj-C8
Cheers. Go Raps!

Blogger's note: It's usually opening night, closely followed of late by closing night

[doug]

you mentioned last week about NFL and seeing players laying on field and how when you were younger it never bothered you or in fact you were impressed by those hits that caused said injuries then now tired of them...I concur 100% as I find it more repulsive although these are men making decisions with their own lives....but what ticks me is stuff like this Peter King a HOF writer has his weekly MMQ piece on SI.com and as part of it he has at the end "Ten Things I Liked" bit..well this is one of the things he liked, a veteran writer who is just part of the problem it seems not solution..
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d. Dunta Robinson's corner blitz, leveling Robert Griffin III early in Washington.

- he liked watching a player get hit so he needed stitches and RG3rd couldn't even remember the score, where he was as he had a concussion and left game not to return and this is what a pre-eminent sports writer said, unreal....

as far as Bills go Chan Galley as head coach come on enough said....and another team the Orioles used their closer in a non-closing role when they never had to and they lost , I tell you it not only doesn't work you mess with your own closers head for remainder of series....ok happy thanksgiving...cheers..

[Lorie]

Hello Doug!
Yes, it's good to remind ourselves of all we should be thankful for, and on my list the begins much like yours, but after those first three things they diverge a wee bit as I've included the voice of Placido Domingo, the inventor of the martini and houseguests with an awareness they've got the same shelf-life as fresh fish - 3 days then move 'em on out. (Kidding, of course; my family can always stay as long as they like....!) And to echo @Tim H, much thank you to you for continuing to show up at this meeting place every morning, unlocking the door (with no evidence of trepidation) and genially greeting the arrival of Irregulars, Lurkers and Trolls alike. And if you promise to keep doing that, we promise to keep working on minding our manners, your rules, our language (and spelling!...still working on that pesky grammar stuff, though) and hoping that you don't mind the dearth of tips. :) Have a great day!

[ptboscott]

happy thanksgiving doug! I'm looking forward to beginning the basketball indoctrination of my little 7 week old baby girl tonight...among the many things i have to be thankful for, she will forever be the most important.

[Matthieu]

Happy Canadian Thanksgiving from a Swiss in Doha. How bad is that?

Blogger's note: It's a small, small, small, small world