Of leading, best and worst camps and, yes, a real pub

If you’re hoping to get some great insight into how these guys look in drills and scrimmages and the like, you might end up disappointed this week.

As usual – and this is pretty much NBA-wide – the baying media is kept outside until the final few minutes of each practice session and we might catch some shooting drills and that’s about it.

And they haven’t really done enough for any my spies to let me know precisely who looks bad, who looks good and blah, blah, blah, blah, blah.

We do know that Kyle Lowry is emerging as perhaps the most vocal on-court these guys have had in years and he’s more than willing to let his teammates know when things go awry.

“You just be yourself, you don’t do anything you’re not accustomed to doing, you go out there and be yourself,” he said. “If you’re yourself, people are going to respect you … you’re not trying to do anything extra.”

And doing it in the right way is the only way to go about it. No teammate likes to be chewed out, no matter how briefly or how legitimately and if Lowry is to continue down this road, he’d better learn quickly who he can push and who he has to cajole.

It’s hard reading personalities, he doesn’t have an awful lot of experience with this group and it’s a rather dodgy proposition.

“Kyle does it in a respectful way, and that’s what’s important,” was how Casey put it. “You have to treat your teammates with respect but he does hold guys accountable. That way I don’t lose my voice."

Basketball teams, any sports team for that matter, are delicate ecosystems; Lowry’s got a tough job ahead of him and I wonder if his personality is such that he can delivered hard messages softly, if need be.

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Okay.

You know me and pubs, right? Well, I’m not a fan of faux ones at all, you know the prefab ones we see to often at home where they try to replicate old ones.

Imagine my delight when – thanks to an Irregular or two – I stumbled upon The Henry House here last evening. Forget the great fish and chips and the delightful Ringwood ale (a pale blond from the Granite Brewery), the joint’s about a 120-year-old former home of Father of Confederation William Alexander Henry, still in pretty much its original state with walls of local ironstone and granite blocks that were originally ballast on the ships that sailed here from Britain.

Now, that’s a pub.

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Speaking of …

A gaggle of us, First Lady Of The Beat and Two Others I Don’t Have Names For Yet wander down the road to the Old Triangle in search of Celtic music I’m told we can hear.

Imagine our delight when we found a group of about nine sitting around a table in an informal jam session; could of flutes, quiet but very good music and it was like dropping into someone’s kitchen.

And check out the pic The First Lady snapped of them?

Yes, it might have been a bit like creeping but what the heck. And, no, you don’t often see a guy with a big old Montreal Expos tattoo on the back of his upper arm, do you?

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We’re in a nice little complex known as the Canada Games Centre on the outskirts of the city somewhere (about a $25 cab ride as the Tall Foreheads will come to know) and it’s got pretty much everything we need.

A big enough room with excellent wireless to work; a huge gym with three courts that affords us another room to get guys away form the crowd if we want; a Subway across the hall from the media room if we get puckish and I’m told the Crack Raptors PR Staff may have coffee and donuts this morning.

Has to be near the top of the list as far as facilities going which got me thinking.

Best Camps

Treviso

The front yard of the hotel was a freaking vinyard and we were n Italy. Won’t ever be a better one. Can’t happen.

Ottawa

Great city, great facility at Carleton, great time. Would go back in a second if the Raptors brass is asking, as it should.

Vancouver

Yeah, we were a zillion kilometers away by staying downtown but the UBC campus was nice; the three-hour time difference was a pain.

Worst Camps

Barrie

No offence to the hometown of Super Wife but way back in the mid-90s, there wasn’t a whole lot to do. Camp in a cavernous arena was odd, too.

St. Catharines

Except for the fact we stayed in Niagara Falls and once had an epic night at the Highland Tap involving The Legendary Mike Strange, Jagermeister and a napping grunt, the fact the work room at Brock was a storage closet made it less than memorable.

Toronto

Camp. At. Home.

‘Nuff said.

It was the KO year, should have known it might not end well.

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Daily Valanciunas update?

Sure.

He worked on the side with Alex McKechnie for a lot of yesterday, he might do some legit on-court work the end of the week and there’s one thing Dwane is getting from the big fella, at least.

“We’re not going to rush him back, when he’s ready, they’ll let us know, probably closer to the end of the week.

“He’s doing a great job of paying attention to what we’re doing, the No. 1 thing is he has to learn the terminology. He knows the actions defensively, we just have to learn the terminology.”

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I’m pretty sure this iPhone thing I have can land Skylab if I asked it and there are all kinds of buttons and apps that I should know how to use.

But the battery sucks, it dies too fast, and if you’re sitting around a table having a lovely evening and someone who wants to join you can’t reach you, a fella gets miffed.

Take that, Apple.

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So, Haligonians? Where am I going tonight after work?

I did see what looked like a very cool all-day breakfast/coffee house up the road that might provide an afternoon respite while journalism is being committed.

Other than that … whatcha got?

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Man, I wish the Dodgers had won last night, there’s nothing like a last-day-of-the-season playoff chase to watch closely. All we’ve got now, I guess, is Yankees and Orioles and we need a New York loss and a Baltimore win to get us a tie and since the Yanks kind of stole one last night with a two-run homer in the bottom of the ninth and an extra inning win, am thinking the fates may deny is much drama today.

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Comments

[Greg]

Doug,

You need to go find The Lower Deck. It's the pub that got Great Big Sea started way back when. It's in the bottom of an ancient building down on the waterfront. There's a plaque somewhere that will tell you about the history of the 'Historic Properties' as they're known. It's the kind of place where you sit at long tables next to people you don't know - by then end of the evening you do know them. The food isn't great, so have supper elsewhere (Salty's next door is quite nice for sea food) and the beer is average, but you can't go to Halifax without going to the Lower Deck.

Two interesting options for local food. First, find a joint that will sell you a good donaire. They're a wonderful wrap of spiced meat and a sweet creamy sauce. Or, go find a place called Darrells (5576 Fenwick St, in the south end near the Westin) and order the Peanut Butter Burger. It's voted many times on the best burgers in Canada list.

Enjoy my adopted hometown!

Blogger's note: Was at Lower Deck years ago when I was in the city covering a CIS final; solid spot and I'm sure we'll find our way there sometime over the next three nights. Thanks

[Anonymous Haligonian]

Hi Doug,

Really good place is 'The Bicycle Thief'. I think it's the best restaurant in Halfiax. Everything you order will be good. The atmosphere has a unique buzz; I don't know how they do it. I just moved to Halifax a few weeks ago, and everyone suggested this one to me. It's a dinner place, more than a pub, but it's a nice establishment.

Regards

[marc in panama]

Hola Doug,

Several people I know who are on their iPhones all day have extolled the virtues of the Mophie Juice Pack case. It's a phone case that doubles as a secondary battery, and gets these "power users" through the day without recharging.

Enjoy Halifax amigo!

marc in panama

[Sam]

Hi Doug: I just watched this video and thought you might like it. the guy is really good. http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=NV7C1vwlrws

[john]

@Greg, having been to the Lower Deck Matinee more times than I can remember, and I mean that, I can’t agree more. I haven’t been in years but do they still have the same guys doing the singing and comedy? My foggy memory tells me that they had been there for 10 years or something crazy. The friendliness of the people is off the charts. Best way to spend a Saturday afternoon ever.
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For dinner, I have to throw in the 5 fishermen as well. I know it’s not trendy anymore but standard of food over the years and the surroundings make it one of my favorite restaurants anywhere.

[Lorie]

Hello Doug,
Very cool pic - love the Expos tattoo! But you know what caught my eye? I was somewhat taken aback by what's on the table in the foreground. So, by simple deduction, if The First Lady Of The Beat took the picture is it safe to assume the two hands pictured are yours? The very same two hands that belong to the KNITTER? So, you knit? In public? In pubs? Wow. Cool. Cheers!
Do you ever hum this while you do it?
http://youtu.be/1Ulz5RUyw7w

Blogger's note: No, I have no "knit one, purl !!! two" skills; believe it was someone with the "band" killing time.

[David]

Season seatholders, at least in the upper bowl, got an emergency battery backup for portable devices as a gift. Just a little larger than a pack of matches, and has the Raptors logo. Maybe Raps PR can scrounge you up one for Xmas.

[AT]

Nice to hear that Lowry is emerging somewhat as a vocal leader...When was the last time this team at a legitimate leader?? often a over looked but important and will win a couple games during the year for sure....

And yes iphone is an upgrade to blackberry....but battery life sucks ..all the tips they give you on the websitee on how to conserve battery life do help significantly though...

[sam]

Back in the summer I stumbled into a pub on Water Street in St Johns, NL and witnesses a jam - The interesting part was the wide age range of the participants - the number of fiddle players, tin whistles, and other stringed instruments- Not one guitar player though....
It was an absolute blast...

I remember the year the HOTH came to Barrie for training camp - I believe they stayed at the Holiday Inn. They Practised at Barrie Molson Center - which was at the time, the brand new arena and home of the Barrie Colts Jr hockey team. The Area around the BMC has certainly changed over the years - plenty of big box stores, and more than a few national type chain eateries.

Blogger's note: Have been in that Barrie neighbourhood often over the years; not a bad stopping-off place

[David in Oakville]

Morning Doug,

I am not one to defend the corporate machine that stole it's name from a Beatles record label, but my smart phone (which is more of a Korean Pear running the O/S from everyone's favourite search engine) has the same battery issue. Thanks to Marc for the tip I will be looking for a battery boost for my phone too.

A question, is the first lady of the beat a reporter for another newspaper or a colleague from the Star?

And to the Haligonians... why the heck did they put the airport so far from the city. On my first visit I kept checking my map to see if I had missed a turn off because I couldn't believe it took me 45 minutes to make it into town.

Blogger's note: She's with the national wire service

[PJ]

Wait until Thursday. Wing night at Your Father's Moustache.

[joeu]

@lorie ... sharp eyes, but isn't that a glass of water beside the yarn ? surely a dead giveaway !

[Michael Hehir]

Doug,

Have you not noticed that the A's have tied the Rangers out west? To think that Oakland could win the West and force the Rangers into a 1 game playoff with the Orioles who could then perhaps send the Rangers packing is Awesome!

Mike

[Ken]

Split Crow pub on Granville St. Always has great live music every night of the week.

Blogger's note: Absolutely on the list; close to us and I heard the music's good

[Michael Butcher]

Hey Doug,
I often have the same trouble with the battery. Outside of getting one of the battery add'ons being discussed, i found by going into the system menu on the phone and turning off "location services" it saves a ton of the battery power.

Mike

[Abbey]

Try the Oxley Pub in Yorkville when you're back home. Like being in the UK. Awesome.

[joeu]

Here is a review of battery booster packs, from one of my favourite tech sites. It's based in the UK, but it's a global marketplace these days.

http://www.reghardware.com/2012/09/22/ten_external_battery_pack_roundup/

[Nick]

Doug,
Check out The Pogue Fado on Barrington St. or Nautical Nellies. Both are great pubs. If you want to see one of the finest sports bars in Atlantic Canada, Bubba Rays on Spring Garden is a must.

Nick

[Tim H.]

Hey Doug:

Here's something for you to try when you get back to Hazelville:
http://www.thestar.com/living/food/article/1265116--flying-monkeys-and-barenaked-ladies-bnl-strong-beer-will-hit-lcbo-shelves-next-month

(Although your webmaster needs to clean it up a bit.)

[Rob.V]

Here you go. Follow a couple of these easy steps and the battery life of your iPhone should be extended. If you're not going to use WIFI on your phone you should at the very least disable this feature so that your phone is not constantly searching for the nearest WIFI signal. Searching = draining!
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http://ipod.about.com/od/iphone3g/tp/iphone-battery-life.htm

[Frankl]

Skylab? Oh my Doug, you do us of a certain age, um, proud *grin*. That lovely thing hit the atmosphere back in 1979.

[jc]

Thanks for the Valanciunas update. Can we make it twice-daily? :) Any chance you can print what he said when he was asked something like "who are you looking forward to playing against?" The words he used and the smile on his face when he said Dwight Howard tell us all we need to know about this kid's spirit.

[doug]

I have no problem or foresee any with Lowry trying to take a vocal leadership role on this team, for one we need it as any team does...and also on this team everyone knows who is in charge and that is Dwane with some coaches that don't have the players respect that's when problems arise as all players need to be ultimately answerable to one and that is the coach...also in b-ball in my experience I have found that players need to speak up as in b-ball moreso then any sport from the beginning of the year to the end all you hear is your coaches voice, during scrimmages/meetings/games/timeouts etc...so no matter how good the coach is players by last 3rd of season are tuning him out more or less as it's the same old same old from the same voice (like a marriage in the 20th year)..so if players are more vocal it takes those messages spoken by acoach and have them come from another source as well as from a peer that can only be a good thing...so if the coaches message can be mitigated by 25% during a season then that's alright as well as when he speaks near the end it still has a impact..look at successful teams, Kobe/Garnett coach just as much as the coach, coaches love it makes their job easier and them more effective....
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don't forget a triple crown is on the line tonight be good to see...also good to see pics of your travels back, as to me during your Olympic adventure the pics along with the stories tied it altogether like a novella every day...and that dude with the Expos tat, gold pure gold..ok cheers...

[doug]

here's a interesting 3 minutes of video from Jalen Rose describing Kobe's 81 against the Raps and he never thought to highly of Sam as a coach it's becoming more and more apparent...

http://www.usatoday.com/story/gameon/2012/10/03/kobe-bryant-scores-81-points-jalen-rose-espn-los-angeles-lakers-toronto-raptors/1609947/

[Chris]

Vinnys Pasta Bar on Inglis St is a hidden gem. Great food. Close to the Canada games center is the redwood grill. Good food. Its on the ground floor of the future in. You should try and do the Alexander Keiths Brewery tour. Very cool. Beer at the end in a pub on the brewery grounds.