There's still lots of work to do for the Raptors

ßSo I’m checking in with some folks back home after the HOTH go through their work yesterday and the story is that Dwane was a bit cranky because it was one of those blah days I warned you about in the interminable pre-season.

It was another off-day with little to look forward to, everyone’s a wee bit bored, a wee bit tired and focus and intensity are lacking and who can blame a coach for being a tad miffed.

Now, I didn’t see the other night’s game but I did see the five before it and despite a gaudy record (if such a thing exists in the NBA pre-season) there is a lot of work to do for these guys and I know Dwane understands that.

They are on a good path – the offence is better than I’d thought it would be, primarily thanks to DeMar DeRozan and his ability to finish at the rim now – but if anyone thinks they’re ready to start the season, I suggest they check their meds. And look at the number of turnovers if you really want to gasp in horror.

The defence has slipped a little bit, they give up far too many points in the paint and the transition defence is sorely lacking at times. It’s what they used as a calling card last season and maintaining that edge is the only way they’ll continue to make gains this season.

But here’s the thing: They aren’t far off from being okay, if Dwane proved anything last season it’s that he can get them to defend more than adequately and suggestions he couldn’t find a way to put in an effective offence have to be squashed by what we’ve seen so far.

That’s the funny part, isn’t it? These guys are scoring at a rate that’s more than acceptable; they need to tighten up at the other end.

Of course, maybe they’re scoring because they’re playing a bit faster and maybe a half dozen or so turnovers every night are directly attributable to the speed at which they’re playing.

As Dwane has been saying almost all the pre-season, they have to find a balance; so far they haven’t struck it.

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You know what gets totally under-rated when it comes to entertainment and entertainers and what we should like?

Broadway.

I’m sure a lot of you know a lot about it but I don’t and I’m always blown away when I see the talents of the Broadway performers, or any live musical theatre anywhere for that matter.

So I’m off to Memphis and could do BB King or Elvis or some blues. But, no …

Last Broadway thing I saw was so outstanding you need to hear it.

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Oh yeah, Tigers. For real. In six.

And go ahead, have at me for the reverse jinx and everything because someone obviously switched Zito for Verlander without telling me.

And, yes, I (heart) Miguel Cabrera for his hitting acumen but if he had any kind of fielding dexterity, he comes in and gets the ball that hits third base before it has the chance to take a wild hop and he gets the ball in the fourth that goes to his left.

I’m watching the game and having Tiger fielding flashbacks to the last time they were in the Series and they couldn’t catch a cold or field a bunt to save their lives.

And if you can’t field the ball, you cannot win.

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Mail.

Please.

Sooner the better ‘cause Friday’s going to be busy and today, not so much.

You know the drill.

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Okay, okay, okay.

Given that it was 20 years ago yesterday and a first and quite the moment in Canadian sports, I’ll give you the first Blue Jays World Series win was pretty special.

But if you want to put it on that list from yesterday, it’s going to have to be at least seventh because as far as drama goes, I’m putting 1993 ahead of 1992 by quite a stretch.

The first was cool – I was covering it from the bowels of the old Atlanta stadium as a wingman to the one and only CP Slim – but I don’t think the series holds a candle to the next one.

<-p>Sure, the Ed Sprague homer was dramatic and the upside down flag was cool and Game 6 was special (check out Boxer’s recap of that night here and stroll down memory lane) but the Philly series the next year just evokes more memories than the 1992 one does.

I remember the zany 15-14 game pretty well – I was working for Canadian Press and the game went so long a story I wrote during it on the rather odd night of Todd Stottlemyre ended up in the early edition of the Toronto Star and I thought I was the cat’s meow for that little coup.

I remember sitting with Slim and, I believe, the outstanding AP pair of Ben Walker and Ron Blum and betting that Joe Carter would pop out foul to the right side about a minute before he homered (which, in hindsight, seems to have been my first reverse jinx); now that was drama.

Atlanta? I don’t remember an awful lot except the work and tumult immediately following the game. The series? Outside of the Sprague homer, the blown call that robbed the Jays of the triple play at home (it should have raised the first call for instant replay) and the flag thing, that’d be about it.

But I cannot believe it’s been 20 years and a day. I’m old.

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I’m not sure whether this 4:30 p.m. start to most games and a 5 p.m. start to the World Series is a good thing or a bad one. Starts the day early but ends the night the same way.

Of course, with an 8 a.m. flight, I guess that’s not a bad thing.

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You want a feel good story if you’re a fan of Canadian basketball?

It’s Kris Joseph apparently making the Celtics from a second-round draft slot; a story I read yesterday seemed to make that a certainty.

I remember talking to Joseph at the Chicago combine last June and he struck me as a kid with his head in the right place. He knew, and knows, his limitations and will work on them, he’s unassuming with a solid work ethic and when I saw he’d been drafted by Boston, I figured that was a great spot for him.

Doc, and the other Celtics, appreciate hard work and a willingness to learn and do what it takes to stick. I don’t imagine Joseph is under any illusions about what he is or where he fits in Boston; I’m pretty happy he made it, though.

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Comments

[sportschic]

I'm really appreciating your early posts these days. You do like to surprise, given that it is really early where you are, one might have expected them to be a bit later. I guess you're not appreciating the LA nightlife. ;)

Nice of you to give a shoutout to the two Jays' Series' wins. It makes me feel old, but those were the days. Imagine -- Toronto actually had a winning team!

Blogger's note: Sorry, but early posts won't last; will be back to working at night soon

[sb]

Compared to all things Toronto, what is the Angst-O-Meter reading in Los Angeles right now?! I can barely imagine.

[Vincent Lam]

Good to hear about Kris Joseph likely making the roster. Not a bad list of Canadians in the NBA. And with some really nice talent likely to make it in the near future:

Andy Rautins is in the OKC camp, not sure what his chances are of sticking.
Cory Joseph plays for San Antonio, but they have a lot of backup PGs.
Kris Joseph, second round pick likely makes the Boston Celtics roster.
Robert Sacre, probably will stay on with the Lakers.
Tristan Thompson, considered part of Cleveland's young core.
Joel Anthony, mainstay on Miami, but doesn't get much burn of late.
Samuel Dalembert, playing for the Bucks.
Jamaal Magloire, staying with the Raps in some capacity.
Steve Nash, Captain Canada
Matt Bonner, you might as well consider him Canadian.

[Dave B]

Doug, if you haven;t already visited the Civil Rights museum in Memphis, I strongly recommend it. Anyone visiting will be a changed person when they leave. I did the audio tour and it was well worth it. It still took about three hours and I could have spent more time there and I am not a museum person..

[jc]

Hey Doug,
Speaking of Demar finishing at the rim, what are your thoughts on his contract status before Oct 31? Is it going to require a lot of reflection and thought or is it (oh forget it, I'll say it anyways) a slam dunk?

Blogger's note: Not a slam dunk at all

[John Millett]

Re: Canadians in NBA
I believe Canadian Andrew Nicholson will be a big time player for Orlando this year.

[Stavros]

Hi Doug,

Although, I admit I’m no longer a baseball fan I couldn’t help myself and watched a bit of the game, it is the world series after all. It was a blow out when I tuned in and Valverde was pitching. I felt bad for the guy. Not just because he can’t seem to get anyone out, but the way he gets ready to deliver the ball, I wonder if this guy is OCD and if it is impacting his ability to pitch.

Blogger's note: He's the best pitcher in the game

[Jeff D]

I think it is worth pointing out that the Lakers are 0-7 this pre-season. I wonder how many games they will play in the regular season before they lose 7? I would put the over/under at 45. Would you take the over or under...understanding that actually betting would be illegal. Thanks,

Blogger's note: Under, they'll start slowish

[Mike kovacs]

So Sincalir is nominated for FIFA player of the year. Will her suspension have any bearing on that?

Blogger's note: I'd hope not

[jumpshot]

It will always come down to how many injuries this team endures, but barring anything catastrophic, I think they can win 35 games and maybe push for the 8th seed in the East.

[Mike kovacs]

Adam Silver will be the new commissioner in Feb 2014. Does that mean that at the 2013 draft he will be cheered but in the 2014 he will be booed?

Blogger's note: Most likely

[Jamie]

I turned 30 this July, and I remember that Kelly Gruber tag like it was yesterday. In my friends basement, watching the game with the whole nieghbourhood, everyone going crazy...20 years, amazing.

[Ben]

Doug - what's your feel on Stern's retirement announcement. Have you been a David Stern fan throughout your time covering the NBA?

Blogger's note: Just got off the second of two planes to see the news; let me think on it until the morning

[doug]

well this is tell it like it is journalism by Charlie Rosen....he ranked the coaches and speaks his mind in his reasons...I am not saying I agree with his rankings as i am not a fan at all of Skiles the way he coaches as a control freak , actually to me makes his teams under-perform, and also his reasoning for Dwane's ranking is a little weak, no a lot weak but at least he shares his thoughts unlike that GM poll which was a waste of time....cheers

http://hoopshype.com/columns/rosen/the-coaching-rankings