Books, Bonds and how sweeping change should be

A little digression off the top, if you don’t mind.

You get to know some pretty fascinating people doing this gig and I’m not talking about athletes or executives or celebrities of that nature.

I’m talking about colleagues, the giants of our industry, the writers, pontificators and shapers of debate who by the strength of their skills and personalities make this one of the most wonderful crafts out there.

Rosie DiManno is one them, a valued colleague, a dear friend, a powerful voice and if you want to make some pucks fan happy this Christmas, her new book on Pat Burns is a must-buy.

Of all the great writers in our city, I’d put my friend right at the top of the list for the depth of her knowledge, the passion she brings to the job, the body of works she’s put together in a career many of us could only hope to have.

The Burns book just adds another layer and I can’t wait to get at it.

There are not nearly enough Canadian sports biographies out there, I don’t think, this is one that should be in every library.

It was officially launched at this very cool bash last night and it reminded me, again, how lucky I am to run in such circles.

This is a pretty darn good era of Toronto sports journalism and newspapering as a whole. We have gifted young writers and grizzled old veterans who lend context to the events of the day.

The readers of the four papers are served like few cities in the world, there is something for everyone, varied opinions that should stir debate and provoke thought.

And seeing a whole gaggle of them in one room made me pretty proud to be a very small part of it.

We don’t have events nearly often enough these days, those of us in the business seem to be working too much, pulled hither and yon by assignment and life so that we don’t get to sit around and tell stories and see each other and whine a bit and share a drink and our experiences.

And when we do, it reminds me again what a truly great group we have.

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Vince Carter.

(Nothing new about him, just thought I’d throw the name out there for old time’s sake).

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So I’m told there’s a new James Bond movie out these days and it probably isn’t enough to drag me into a theatre.

But it will spark some debate, I presume.

Best Bond ever?

The list starts and stops with Sean Connery, doesn’t it?

Really, when you first think of Bond don’t you think of Connery? That’s the litmus test to me and, besides, I’m of the age that when I’d sit with Super Grandpa and watch the movies, it was Connery we saw. And first impressions are best.

I’d probably go with Roger Moore a distant second and the others are all just imposters.

I’m right, right?

And if you’re looking at best Bond theme songs, I think you need to look at Carly Simon, don’t you?

The woman can sing a little bit.

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I’m so quick at getting this done that in the time it took me to type this, Alex Anthopoulos did not acquire a relief pitcher.

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News that Mehmet Okur is retiring evokes fond memories of how some of us can spin a yarn into something more than it is and a cautionary tale about putting too much stock into some reports.

It’s the NBA Finals before Okur left the Pistons in ’04, he’s going to a free agent and this fellow I know from the New York Post is after a story.

Well, he speaks to Okur off to the side one day and the next day it’s all over his paper that the big fella has designs on joining the Knicks in the coming summer.

Catches a few of us off guard, including the late, great PR man Matt Dobek of the Pistons, who now has to deal with a minor distraction during a championship series.

Matt asks Okur what the hell he was thinking giving up that kind story at that time of year.

Memo’s stunned.

“I don’t know. He asked me if I liked New York. I said yes. He make me a Knick.”

Yes, some of us can turn a non-answer into a story in the blink of an eye.

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We’re down a bit on mail and since we’ve got another Saturday night game that’ll make Sunday just another day-after-game morning, let’s get at it today, shall we?

Click. Write. Send.

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Wonder what Dwane will do.

When last we left the intrepid Raptors coach, he was telling us that something might have to give with his starting lineup in the wake of Wednesday’s 36-point debacle of a first quarter in Dallas.

Now that he’s had a day to think about it and chat with his staff about possible changes, wonder if he’s made his mind up.

But I wonder how sweeping his change might be.

I have a feeling that Anderson for Fields may be the move that’s made (maybe Kleiza but I would be surprised) and that’s a bit of scape-goating because, yes, Fields has been an offensive disappointment but it’s not scoring that’s killing them in first quarters, it’s effort.

I don’t think he’ll do Bargnani (I think finding out early what he’s got and reacting accordingly is the right thing to do nightly) and I don’t think they should do Johnson for Valanciunas, although that would be second on my list. DeRozan’s been their best starter, I’m fine with Lowry when he’s healthy because he’s morphing into an excellent player and leader so the options really are limited.

But here’s the thing:

It’s five games in, it’s not panic time (no matter what some of you may think) and given the schedule and the opposition, I’d say 1-4 is right about where they would have figured to be.

Maybe 2-3 had they been able to steal the home opener against a team that’s better than they are right now but 1-4 is a legit record and if they get Philly on Saturday and steal one against Utah at home on Monday (tough task, but doable), they’re 3-4 and right about where everyone should have expected them to be.

 

 

 

 

 

Comments

[Gusser]

Doug, I have read your column for a long time and agree with many of the opinions that you have laid out over the years. However...reading this column today made me almost angry.
You cannot seriously look at that starting lineup and think that Landry Fields belongs there. He simply does not. It's not scape-goating, it's called coaching. There is depth on this team, and good play should be rewarded.
With regards to the panic button. I have coached the game for 7 years, and I can tell you that I do not excuse bad play by looking at the record and saying 'well, at least we've won a few games'!!
Even if this team was 5 - 0, it would be time to make changes. Even if Bargnani has dropped 30, he's got to sit, b/c you're going to continue to give up easy points based on his effort on the defensive end.
Do you want to be the kind of team that wins several games based on lazy defensive play, lack of accountability, and 'get mine' kind of offense? Then reward Bargnani with more minutes, because he will you that in abundance.
Reward a process, not a result. Only in that way can you change a culture.

[Lorie]

Well, I am no fan of the pretty boy Bonds: Moore, Brosnan, Dalton and Lazenby (The last one's 'pretty' if you squint really hard after several vodka martinis consumed after a sleepless night. Or so I've heard.). And while Sean Connery established the character, I find I've preferred the movies he did post-007 ("The Wind And The Lion" especially). But Daniel Craig. Oh. My. The Best Bond Ever. And most women I've discussed this with - and we have discussed this fully and in some enthusiastic detail lately - describe him as "delicious". How delicious? Well, even the Queen Herself was all gaga to 'perform' with him. And she made no secret of it. Word is she fairly stalked him with suggestions. Said she'd do anything. Even jump out of a helicopter. The tramp.
And while I prefer the new Bond, the old Bond music's pretty good.
http://youtu.be/yAyogqIdyzY

[Rapsfan]

"I think finding out early what he’s got and reacting accordingly is the right thing to do nightly"

How can a team possibly expect to have any sort of long term success with that level of inconsistency? When you have to react to one of your own starters...

Doesn't this very idea scream time to make a change?

Blogger's note: Nope

[Liam]

"Can someone please explain to me why Fields contract is considered "MASSIVE". It’s just over $6million a year for three years"

It was a good signing imo, I thought so from the start. He averages 47.4% FG over 153 games (148 starts). His mechanics are just messed up...I'm sure he'll come around.

[Moshigh]

Mike Brown gone in Lakers land.... You see Toronto has to take the same approach with its players that a championship Lakers organization has. Its to far gone.
5 Games not working shake it up!!!! No waiting till things fall to the ground!!!!!!!

[Peter]

So... possible coaches for the Lakers?

I've got Phil Jackson, (probably not due to the triangle offense, and he might not want to come back.

Jerry Sloan - Not really an L.A. kind of guy, but just about perfect in other ways?

Sam? (You're making the call right?)

[Jeff]

I would be up for something radical such as Dominic McGuire and Ed Davis in the starting lineup in place of Fields and Bargnani. And it doesn't have to be for too long, just enough to set the tone with some defence and rebounding. There would be more than enough offence with Lowry, DeRozan and big Val (picking up the garbage around the rim).

I this keeps up I sense a trade in the works for someone (a SF) - sending Kleiza, Amir, Fields etc. Remember in the NBA you don't always trade for players, you sometimes trade for contracts.

[john]

I just read Stan Van Gundy is on the next flight....

[HH]

Doug - when you publish your book what will it be about?

Blogger's note: Rantings of a Madman