David Brent would be a better NBA owner than the Dunderhead in Cleveland

It is just kind funny to contrast to see what the guy who portrayed the definitive rude and crude boss, David Brent, says about Steve Carell leaving The Office franchise, compared to what another guy said recently about a star leaving his franchise.

"It was expected of me, as executive producer, to persuade him to stay on. With syndication in full swing the more successful the show remains, the more billions we all make. It was tempting, but the truth is, I believe he is doing the right thing. He's fulfilled his contract and more, and is a huge film star now ... I'd be lying if I said he should do more. He shouldn't. He should move on, continue to do great work."

Would that Dan Gilbert had an iota of Ricky Gervais' sense and self-awareness.

Something else Gervais did with The Office that Gilbert never did in James' seven years in Cleveland: Surround the star with a deep supporting cast.

One way LeBron could have got people on his side

Allowed Jim Gray to ask, "LeBron, lemme ask you: It seems now there is an opening. The American public is very forgiving. Are you willing to show contrition, admit you're just in it for the money, and make some sort of apology to that effect?"

Two points, and two only, about Chris Bosh and LeBron James

The LeBron James free-agency story, and to a similar extent Chris Bosh in southern Ontario, have hit a point at which everyone thinks he/she has to say something clever for fear of getting kicked out of the cool kids group.

Spare it. This is all that need be said.

1. Bosh: The only question is how to react the first time he returns to Air Canada Centre with the Miami Heat to play the Raptors. There should just be silence and 10 seconds of head-shaking since he came across very well until two weeks ago. Booing would just be misplacing anger at the Raptors' inaction and at the Toronto sportgeist being unable to be patient while a franchise bottoms out strategically.
   
   
2. LeBron: Manufactured outrage that involves pandering to our worst tendencies to drum up page views is dead (Oz has spoken) is dead; this is just the parasitic-symbiotic relationship between sport and corporatism run amok; and you should have got an idea about him when he wouldn't speak up about Darfur until it was convenient for him, as if an athlete is supposed to be held to a higher standard. Plus, this is his prerogative, did you forget that too?

Enjoy the show.

Bill Simmons has Masshole appeal, any way you thin-slice it

People will decide for themselves whether Bill Simmons The Book of Basketball is worth picking up (it's 700-plus pages, so lift with your legs) but it's worth pointing out a couple of the more splenetic reviews.

The joke, whoever, might on Charles Pierce at Deadspin ("Somewhere in these pages is a real book, and somewhere in that book is a very real heart and a very redeemable soul") and Josh Levin at Slate ("He'd be twice as funny — and a lot less repetitive — with half the jokes.

Sorry, fellas, calling out Bill Simmons is as dated as the phrase "calling out." Some loser did it 10 months ago:

"Simmons' act was fresh in the late '90s and in the 2000s, but it's become the sport media's analog to Will Ferrell's man-child act. It ticked the giggly in the late '90s and early 2000s, when people — especially men who realized that you're not going to be young forever, but you can at least be immature — just needed to disappear into, say, one of Ferrell's comic constructs and laugh like a hyena for 92 minutes. Eventually, you wonder when someone who's a NBA guy in his medium will stop making an ABA movie, to paraphrase one review of Ferrell's thin 2008 vehicle, Semi-Pro. It is often a similar deal with Simmons' references to 1980s pop culture, the Boston Celtics of that era, gambling, Grady Little and porn."
— January 16, 2009

Ha!

Like Sean Kealey of Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician said, "What were the odds (Deadspin's) review of Bill Simmons' book would be negative? 1:100?" Neverthless, those who relish the carve-up of genius will dig Pierce's takedown ...

"He did not reinvent sports writing, or even the way people write about sports, which is not the same thing. He didn't even really break down the formidable 'kicked in the gonads' barrier as far as the language of journalism goes. (Did anyone arguing that point ever actually read Fear and Loathing on the Campaign Trail? Hunter Thompson wrote some pretty wild stuff before he got to ESPN.com.) He didn't pioneer the use of pop culture reference in sportswriting; Andre Laguerre's Sports Illustrated did that and, anyway, Simmons' vaunted pop-cult knowledge is carved out of a very thin loaf of Wonder Bread. He did very little that was new. But he did it on the Internet. He created a gig for himself and sold it well. That should be good enough.

"But, alas, he seems to have bought into a lot of this messianic bullshit, and it shows."

... and Levin's:

"Simmons wouldn't be Simmons without the pointless asides. One of the Sports Guy's biggest flaws, though, is that he tries too hard to entertain: He'd be twice as funny—and a lot less repetitive—with half the jokes. Simmons clearly gets a rise out of mixing sex and sports. Three pages after the Moses Malone-Marilyn Chambers analogy, he says that Shaquille O'Neal is like porn star Peter North — 'dominant, but not the best." He also likens Karl Malone to a 'fake-boobed Asian stripper' and Jason Kidd to "a smoking-hot girl … wearing a 32A." (The small bra size is a reference to Kidd's poor shooting ability. It kind of makes sense in context.)"

Does anyone else find the sports-porn analogies a bit creepy? People consume porn is mass quantities, but it's the low-hanging fruit on the analogy tree. The rub is Simmons created the taste which he is to be savoured by, so screw aiming higher. There's some depth there, but he serves as a very flattering mirror for similarly stunted males to gaze upon their own reflection and say, "Nothing needs changing here."

It's very Guyland, which is why he needs to be stopped. The possible irony is those who set the bar a little higher, the blogging sober and thinking too hard types, might be the ones who are out to lunch. You will never know for sure.

Related:
Bill Simmons: Bigger, Longer, and Uncut; The Sports Guy's The Book of Basketball is a crude, fantastic mess. (Josh Levin, Slate)
You Are Not The Cosmos: A Review Of Bill Simmons' Book Of Basketball (Deadspin)

C'est la Vince: Can't have a Raptors' 15th anniversary without No. 15 ...

Well, it has been almost five years. Time heals all wounds and Vince Carter is a suspiciously quick healer when it suits him ...

"Raptors fans with long memories didn't get the chance to boo Magic SG Vince Carter, who was scratched with an injury on Sunday.

"But that opportunity might come Nov. 22 at Air Canada Centre when the player who demanded out of Toronto after six-plus seasons will be ... honored by the franchise as part of their 15th anniversary celebration.

"The Raptors say they will first ask Carter if he wants to go through with a ceremony, realizing the back-story.

" 'Everybody wants to know how we can do it, but Vince is part of the history here," Raptors GM Bryan Colangelo told the Sentinel. 'Most of the people that he had problems with here are gone.' " — Orlando Sentinel
(emphasis mine)

C'est la Vince. A good hate-on is a good hate-on, but honestly, as you get older, you realize the absurdity of hating people who only appear to you as two-dimensional figures on a TV screen. Honestly, didn't all those Green Bay fans (well, most of them) look like a bunch of whiny ingrates booing Brett Favre on Sunday?

Crystal is the traditional 15th anniversary gift, which is appropriate since Carter has been accused of playing like he's made of glass. Just kidding, but not really. Besides, his injury is a blessing since it meant being able to pick up hot-shooting Ryan Anderson in fantasy this week.

Raptors: There is no D in 'Türkoğlu,' but we can get past that

It's good when the Raptors sign a player whom MLSE executives might have heard of.

Adding Hedo Türkoğlu and spending right to the NBA's salary cap is a huge dice-throw by Raptors GM Bryan Colangelo. It is also an easy sell. Türkoğlu comes wearing the mantle of having been a NBA all-star and having just helped the Orlando Magic throw a wrench into David Stern's vision of a LeBron James-Kobe Bryant NBA Finals. Plus he has a cool-sounding name. You can just hear Matt Devlin or Paul Jones, the Raps' radio and TV announcers, yelling, "Hedo-nism Three!" after Türkoğlu swishes a three-pointer. (That's trademarked, by the way.)

It's probably a necessary risk. It gets the Raptors closer to a return to the playoffs. It is easier to implement a grand design when you still have a job or confidence of the highers-up. It will not make them a top-four team in the East.

By the same token, the Raptors' Achilles heel during the Colangelo era has been defence, rebounding and athleticism. Adding Türkoğlu, a 30-year-old perimeter player, does not necessarily address those areas.

They can probably sign a two-guard on the cheap and they have added Reggie Evans, who can get plenty of rebounds (as any fantasy leaguer knows). Meantime, as they showed in 2006-07 and much of '07-08, sometimes you can just outshoot and outscore teams in the NBA, which can be damn entertaining if hard on a fan's blood pressure.

As the Toronto Star's Doug Smith noted, Türkoğlu gives Jay Triano and the Raptors coaching staff more options when they are either late in the shot clock or in an endgame situation. It also somewhat addresses the Chris Bosh Question.

"Another good ball-handler and initiator on the court.

"A guy you can give the ball to at the end of the game and say, 'make a play' while you stretch the floor with José Calderón (a very good three-point shooter) in the corner.

Let's just say – as Jeff Blair first pointed out on a radio show last night – that (Chris) Bosh leaves (and no, I don’t have any idea if he will). Do you feel more comfortable going forward with Calderon, (Andrea) Bargnani and Turkoglu or Calderon, Bargnani and (Shawn) Marion? A no-brainer over here.

You can put Hedo and Bargnani in the pick and roll; you could never do that with Marion."

Needless to say, it was crazy how this came together late on a Friday night. Michael Grange from globesports.com described it thusly:

"Five hours later Turkoglu has a tentative deal in Toronto and I’m standing outside a bar trying to confirm and write a news story on my Blackberry while under the influence. Given that Turkoglu was in Portland and all indications were that he had agreed to a five-year, $50-million offer from the Trail Blazers, that’s a pretty major reversal."

Meantime, the defence, rebounding and athleticism parts will be works-in-progress. Ultimately, when you miss the playoffs and you're overshadowed by the hockey team, you have to take some chances. A lot of the armchair GMs might have done the same thing.

Related:
The dawn of a new era? Or something like that (Doug Smith's Toronto Raptors Blog)
Colangelo works fast and hard to get Turkoglu (Michael Grange, From Deep, globesports.com)

NBA Draft Day: No. 1 overall not the most interesting topic right now

Draft Day's are always exciting, thankfully this week ends with 2 big drafts back-to-back. And my favourite of them all, the NBA draft, is the first one up! (tonight at 7pm).

As Riz already mentioned beyoned Blake Griffin going to the Clippers (a move yes even the Clippers can't mess up!) the board is wide open! It'll be interesting to see what a number of teams end up doing tonight!

But before the night has come there's already been some big moves, and they just keep on coming as well!

Shaquille O'Neal was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers for Ben Wallace, Sasha Papolovic and a draft pick. The Suns are entering full rebuild mode and the Cavs, likely upset this move fizzled earlier in the season, are hopeful this will keep LeBron James in town (I'd say put them over the edge but let's be honest here, win or lose if they still have LeBron after next season they'll be happy!)

Vince Carter and Ryan Anderson have just been traded from the New Jersey Nets to the Orlando Magic for Rafer Alston, Courtney Lee and Tony Battie. While this solves the point guard issue it also brings about a new, "I'll play when I feel like it" issue that has dogged Carter his entire career. The Nets certainly benefit but adding some size in Battie, potential and defence in Lee, and...street ball moves and turnovers with Alston...at least they have some insurance for Devon Harris.

The San Antonio Spurs picked up Richard Jefferson in return for aging defensive specilaist Bruce Bowen, and aging rebounder Kurt Thomas to the Milwaukee Bucks. The Detroit Pistons were in there too acquiring The Spurs needed an injection after it was evident they couldn't do it in the postseason sans Manu Ginobli, in Jefferson they definitely helped out their offence. The Bucks are clearly posturing for signings in the coming future

The Minnesota Timberwolves stockpiled the draft picks, now claiming the fourth overall pick to accompany their fifth overall pick. The trade sends Randy Foye and Mike Miller to the Washington Wizards who, with all star Gilbert Arenas returning next season, should be very much improved. The players the T-Wolves got in return with the fifth overall pick were relatively minor players (Etan Thomas, Darius Songaila and Oleksiy Pecherov), now what they do with their stockpile of high ranking lottery picks will be interesting. Many believe there will be a move made here with someone and not to expect Minnesota to draft twice.

It's never generally this active around draft day, some moves happen but not that many. However this season, with the 2010 free agent bonanza looming, these moves may not even be the last ones we see today! With talks of Detroit making a power move, Rajan Rondo getting into a verbal battle with Celtics GM Danny Ainge after being mentioned in trade talks, and Tracy McGrady being mentioned while the Rockets hope to move into the top 10, there's still plenty of time to go in the next few hours!

Generally who is taken number 1 overall is the talk of the day - this year, it's anything but the first overall selection.

Who’s the Next Great Rap?

Perhaps this question cannot be answered immediately, but we may be able to answer who Bryan Colangelo and the Raptors will draft on Thursday.

This draft has not been as hyped as it has been in the past few years, where we have had such names such as LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, Michael Beasley and Derrick Rose. Blake Griffin is expected to be the first overall pick by the Clippers, but what the Raptors choose at No. 9 depends on a lot of factors.

Such as, is Bosh part of the Raptors future? Future as in beyond the next year when his contract runs out. It also depends on what they plan to do with Shawn Marion and if he will be a Raptor next year.

Since very few have answers to these questions, we must go on speculation

The following are the two most probable picks for the Raptors on June 25.

Gerald Henderson Jr. – In his junior year the Duke guard was putting up 16.7 points a game.

He should be able to score consistently, something which they haven’t had from a shooting guard. He also plays defense, which may be even more important for the Raptors and that is something they have lacked for quite some time. Henderson is the son of Gerald Henderson Sr., a 13-year veteran of the NBA. The Senior Henderson also played the shooting guard position. A strong basketball tradition in a family is usually passed down especially the characteristics of work ethic and dedication.

DeMar DeRozan – A big guy for a shooting guard, but the Raptors might skip on him because of his raw talent. The Raptors may not want to get a player who’ll fulfill his potential in a few years since they haven’t had much luck with the waiting game. Rafael Aruajo (can you even believe he was a lottery pick?), and Joey Graham have not worked in this regard. Nevertheless, DeRozan’s potential is known by many and if the Raptors are interested in building for the future, it’ll probably be a good idea to pick up the South California player.

These two seem to be the most likely outcomes for the Raptors in the first round of Thursday’s draft. But a lot can happen in a draft and there are always surprises, which is why the Raptors are likely to have a plan B, C and D. There is also the rule that many general managers and teams follow, which is draft the best player available. One team’s resource is another team’s treasure and that could be the Raptors ticket to a major trade in the near future.

Kevin O'Neill at USC: It's the circle of life

There's irony in your eye: The Raptors might draft DeMar DeRozan, who put in his one season at Southern Cal before that program blew up, while the reins of what's left of the USC basketball team have been handed to, wait for it, former Raptors coach, Kevin O'Neill.

Here you thought O'Neill, a McGill alum, walked into a buzzsaw in 2003 when he became coach of the Toronto Raptors right when Vince Carter was beginning the Big Sulk. The "highly flammable" one (FOXSports.com) has been hired to head a USC team which is in hot water with NCAA investigators these days. The reaction has been less than warm.

For those who have not been following it, USC is facing an NCAA investigation which mostly revolves around the recruitment of O.J. Mayo, who did his obligatory one year of college and became a NBA lottery pick in 2008. Former coach Tim Floyd has already resigned. The L.A. Times' Adam Rose notes:

"A USC spokesperson confirmed this is not considered an interim hire, which surprised this writer. Terms of the contract, including length, have not been released. O'Neill may ultimately prove just to be a stopgap measure. But, hey, anything can happen in sports. Carroll certainly wasn't the choice for the football job."

They might as well go with O'Neill. USC might need a coach with a us-against-the-world mentality, since recruiting is going to be very difficult.

NBADraft.net's latest mock has the Raptors taking shooting guard Gerald Henderson from (guh) Duke ("Polished wing scorer owns high hoops IQ and will clearly fit as a nice piece for a good team. Lacks the explosiveness to be a star," Providence Journal). DeRozan is more of a project.

Related:
USC hires Kevin O’Neill to replace Floyd as coach (The Associated Press)
USC hires Kevin O'Neill; fans don't seem thrilled (Adam Rose, The Fabulous Forum)

The CB4 farewell tour — Colangelo mulls sign-and-trade (again)

Bryan Colangelo, you sound like a man who's trying to make a commitment to a course of action, although this is hardly new.

"... I have to reiterate the point that keeps being overlooked - we're the only team that can offer him a full six years versus five years, 10.5% increases versus 8% increases ... Basically equates to a $30-million dollar difference. So, even if he wants to leave, he's still better served, and we're better served if he works a sign-and-trade with us where we can get some sort of an asset back from the team that he's going to. And, I think that's probably the thing that we'll both push for because he'll benefit from it and we'll benefit from it, and that's why it's probably not time to panic now and make a bad deal." — Raptors GM Bryan Colangelo, on the FAN 590 today

Your question about why this has not been reflected in most of the coverage about is as good as any. Sign-and-trade deals are not quite as commonplace as they once were, partially since they did not to send sit well with the media or fans. It seemed too much like meek capitulation. The team getting Bosh would have to give up an awful lot, so hey, maybe this is not so bad.


The most prominent sign-and-trade in recent years came in 2007 when Rashard Lewis went from the Seattle SuperSonics, who don't exist anymore, to the Orlando Magic, whom he helped lead to the NBA Finals.


Again, to be blunt, expertise about how player moves work in the NBA is not our forte. The best that can be offered is that it's was already time to brace for BWOB (Basketball Without Bosh) and try to figure out what can be gleaned from the situation. Jay Triano, Colangelo and Maurizio Gherardini would like to play an up-tempo style, but they need personnel who can make it work. There should be no fear about Bosh leaving ... there is plenty out there. Just from doing a quick surf around the series of tubes, possible trading partners would include Atlanta (how about Marvin Williams at small forward, how does that sound?). The Phoenix Suns power forward and Amare' Stoudemire and shooting guard Leandro Barbosa are about to get shopped around (oh, to be a fly on the wall when Barbosa and Leo Rautins meet up, since the analyst and national team's coach son, Andy, hurt his knee while defending Barbosa in the FIBA Americas Olympic qualifier in 2007). The Portland Trail Blazers could take on Bosh, and they're deep.

Anyway, no sense in denying Bosh could leave.

Related:
Raptors to sign-and-trade Bosh? (Truth & Rumors, via Andrew Bucholtz's Twitter)

Sixteen-year-old ballplayer jumps the queue — David Stern's head explodes

One can only assume NBA commissioner David Stern, who so fiercely defends his league's draft age minimum, is going to love hearing what's going on over in baseball.

It seems juicy enough to break the Clavin rule for: Bryce Harper, the 16-year-old phenom from Las Vegas who was the cover story ("Baseball's LeBron") in the June 8 Sports Illustrated, could enter the MLB Draft next year, before his high school class graduates. Scott Boras is his adviser, but you did not have to ask.

The Las Vegas Review-Journal detailed how Harper is going to go to a junior college, obtain his general equivalency diploma (as a lot of teen actors do) and possibly be eligible for the draft in 2010. S.I. said he could have been a top-5 pick this year. Taken a certain way, his father, Ron already sounds a tad defensive: "My son is going to live with us and still eat at the same table. His brother" — a left-handed pitcher who is transferring to the same school, College of Southern Nevada — "will be a mentor to him. Why can't it be a good story?" Perhaps it should be. If Bryce Harper is everything he's cracked up to be, he probably should play vs. 20-year-olds in junior college. He hit .626 this season and with a slugging percentage that could get him into Harvard if you took out the decimal place and passed it off as his SAT score. He's just like Jeremy Tyler, the 17-year-old hoops phenom who's passing on his senior year of high school to play basketball for money overseas.

This fruit tree is probably well picked over. Jason Rosenberg of Vote For Manny fame already covered off the angle that the poor Washington Nationals, once they pay a king's ransom for No. 1 overall draft choice Stephen Strasburg, might have another Boras-represented BPEALSLY (Bestest Prospect Ever, At Least Since Last Year) on their hands. (The Nats are a mortal lock to draft No. 1 overall next season, since they have the same record after 61 games as the infamous 1962 Mets.) Jeff Pearlman noted Harper is being robbed of a childhood and that this is further proof that youth sports are nuttier than a pecan log. This late in the game, it's best to reach for the top branch and use it to whack David Stern for his age minimum, which is blithely called the one-and-done rule.

If Scott Boras can get Bryce Harper into the MLB Draft in 2010 — maybe MLB could stop it, but the rule is you're eligible if you're 16 and have a high school diploma — it makes it harder for Stern to justify his age minimum, AKA the one-and-done rule. How can anyone justify making basketball players wait until they are 19 or 20 to start making money at the game? Please understand that the age minimum has less to do with education and protecting the welfare of basketball players. It's more about preserving college basketball as a free farm system for the NBA, plain and simple.

You are right if your first reaction is to say it is apples-to-pears to compare draft eligibility rules between basketball and baseball. The NBA's premise with the draft is that players should be pretty much ready to roll right off the assembly line (U.S. auto industry pun intended). Baseball, as Tom Verducci explained in his profile of Harper, "is so skill-specific that even the best, most physically mature young players typically must endure several levels of minor league apprenticeship to learn the game."

Out of that, baseball players from Canada and the U.S. have long had an option. They can sign with a MLB organization out of high school or go to college, mature emotionally and physically and still take a stab at baseball in their early 20s. The system has a lot wrong with it, but at least it involves a choice. Boras and the Harpers simply seem to be trying to exercise that option one year sooner, and it's not even clear if they will succeed. He would stand to college a huge bonus if he does sign out of high school (which you would have to figure he would. To recycle a joke that was current when Ken Griffey Jr. became a major league star at age 20, going to high school has knocked a couple years off Harper's pension).

The question becomes, how can you reconcile Bryce Harper, who is white, getting an option when a lot of people are squeamish about Jeremy Tyler, who is black, exercising the same option. Granted, Tyler, like Brandon Jennings did when he went to Europe in 2008 instead of college, is taking a step which involves repudiating the entire U.S. basketball development system. There is great hue and cry over a 17-year-old weighing offers from European teams. Imagine the reaction in Canada if a junior hockey player such as Kingston native Taylor Hall, who some believe could go No. 1 in the NHL draft if he was not too young, announced that he was leaving the OHL's Windsor Spitfires to go play in Russia. People would be royally P.O.'d.

Really, though, what Harper's move in baseball betrays is how badly Stern and the NBA would like to keep things as is. They are partially motivated by the status quo, but really, the NBA would hate to go down baseball's road. The league has enough financial challenges without having to pay to stock minor-league affiliates with players who, let's be honest, are very good but don't have big-league skills.

The farm systems in Major League Baseball are expensive to run. The cost recovery can be be underwhelming, since the organization has to have a lot of marginally talented players under contract so their future superstars have someone to play against. There is also a bit of a battle going on between MLB and its partner, Minor League Baseball, or MiLB, over money. Basically, MLB would like their little brothers to pay full freight when it comes to player costs.

Stern and NBA owners probably want little part of such a player development system in their league. It would cost money. It's better from a business standpoint to have someone playing college basketball, getting on ESPN, instead of playing in front of a couple thousand people in Great Falls, Montana.

It is probably blue sky thinking at its worst, but if the NBA was really so concerned about education, they could simply work collaboratively with all the stakeholders and establish something called the "NBA Scholarship." They would identify players with NBA potential, pay for them to go to school and give them honest feedback about when to enter the draft (I know, too naive by half). There is always the law of unintended consequences, but it might work to weed out agents, the diploma mills, the players getting someone to take their aptitude test for them (as Chicago Bulls star Derrick Rose is accused of doing in order to get into the U of Memphis for his one-and-done year). They could use a carrot-and-stick approach to make sure colleges opted in. The NCAA already takes scholarships away from schools if their basketball team doesn't do well in the classroom, just imagine when a coach is told he can't give a scholarship to a certain player since his team has a 17% graduation rate.

It also might help the NBA with talent identification. The Raptors, for one, have talked about greater collaboration between their franchise, Canada Basketball and Canadian Interuniversity Sport, but league and NCAA rules limit what they can do. How stupid is it that a sports league stands in the way of increasing or improving the talent pool in a country of 33 million people?

This has become a very long post, but people should try to work past tongue-clucking over Bryce Harper and Jeremy Tyler. They should also lose a little of the liberal guilt and stop seeing this solely as black and white ... how come you can't turn pro at 18 in basketball when it's commonplace for mostly middle-class and Caucasian tennis, golf and hockey players?

That works against asking tough questions. It was hilarious when, after it hit the news that about Rose allegedly not taking his SAT broke, you heard people try to blame this on the NBA. That is a total crock, since shenanigans in college basketball go back to the days when there was still a tip-off at centre after every basket. It's just mind-number to see traditional media types towing Stern's party line that "the overwhelming failure rate of America's most promising prospects" is a reason to raise the age minimum. The rub there is that, hey, news flash, there is always going to be some attrition rate with promising young athletes. As a random example, take the first round of the MLB draft back in 1999. Sixteen of the 30 players taken never played a single game in the big leagues, yet no one screamed for reform and the world, remarkably, stayed on its axis.

The rub is that Harper's case shows how the genie is out of the bottle in all the big ball-and-stick leagues. It shows where Stern has gone wrong taking a halfway measure that denies someone the right to get paid somewhat according to his ability. The genie will stay out of the bottle until such time that the big money dries up in sports (which it might, look at what happened to the Romans; sometimes it's as if the WNBA, with its 40-game regular season, requirement that players have a degree).

We should work past the hang-ups and follow the money. That's what Bryce Harper, his family and Scott Boras are doing. They are the honest ones, at the end of the day.

(Meantime, should one be sympathetic to the Washington Nationals' situation, being an unprofitable team which is going to have to pay big for Strasburg and might have to for Harper? A gut feeling is "no." For starters, the Nationals were put in Washington even though it did not deserve a team. Secondly, once upon a time the No. 1 pick rotated between the American and National leagues — AL in odd-numbered years, NL in evens. However, Bud Selig and the boys got greedy and changed it.)

Related:
Harper ready to give college try; 16-year-old Las Vegas High baseball prodigy registers at CSN, plans to attain GED to speed draft eligibility (Matt Youmans, Las Vegas Review-Journal)

The Amazement of the NBA Finals where the Lakers lead the Magic 3-1

It's almost pure shock and amazement that the NBA Finals presently see the Los Angeles Lakers sitting with a 3-1 lead. The Lakers have not earned these wins so much as benefitted from the Orlando Magic throwing away sure victories.

The end of the game collapse has now become the trademark of the Magic in this series, evident once again last night by not putting away the Lakers away in any of the opportunities presented in the dying moments of regulation. This allowed LA the shot to tie the game up, and to eventually beat Orlando in Overtime.

In many ways the Orlando Magic should have a 3-1 lead, they have been the better team. This series really is nothing short of shock and amazement to date. And to all who predicted the Magic up 3-1 I'm sorry for your disappointment all...well, I'm sure I can count the lot of your on both my hands (both my hands at most).

This Lakers team will be remembered for being the one where Kobe Bryant finally earned his ring without Shaq, and give him credit Bryant has put in some great performances (second half of Game 3 aside), so it is not like he's undeserving of the cresit. It will also focus on Phil Jackson emerging from his critics who claim coaching the greatest (Michael Jordan) and one of the greatest player tandems (Kobe and Shaquille O'Neal) is not that difficult. However while it likely will never effect them one has to wonder if there is any feeling of unease knowing how lucky they are to be ahead in a series where they've let the other team take control as of the second onwards.

It would be foolish to discount the Magic to make a run and force this to Game 7, they've proven they can play with LA. It would likely also be foolish to say they couldn't do that and win it all in the end, they have shown they deserve to be here. That series win over LeBron James and the Cavaliers was clearly no fluke, they are giving the Lakers more than they can handle just with unfortunate stumbles along the way that have kept them short of success.

However the mood that surrounded the Magic after Game 4 makes it seem that even this team, a team that could very well take this one to the limit, can't quite recover from the latest blow. It is too bad that this Orlando team is much better than they will ever be remembered for in Finals history. More likely than not when remembered it will be for allowing Kobe to win his solidifying ring, followed up by being the team with meltdowns throughout the whole series.

My suggestion basketball fans is to tune in for Game 5, it will take a lot for the Magic to summon up the strength to win on the road after that crushing defeat this may be the last basketball to come for some time. It's setting up for a night of mixed emotions, the shock and awe of the Finals being that the better team let this one go, and that the better team was the one nobody ever expected outside the boundaries of Disney World.

Raptors: In for Flynn

The Raptors are not getting a franchise saviour with the No. 9 pick in the NBA Draft, even in a deep draft. Their biggest need is a shooting guard or small forward.

However, there's something to be considered with the Chris Bosh Question hanging over everything. There's the belief Bosh singing wherever LeBron James signs in 2010 has been "the plan all along," to quote one Ohio newspaper.

In the wake of that, Hoops Addict posed a question: How much should the Raptors factor in whether a player wants to come to Canada into their draft decision? It's germane since Syracuse point guard Jonny Flynn, whom the Raptors invited up for a workout this past week, noted he would be close to home.

" ... 'Toronto, being right over the border from where I’m at in Niagara Falls, basically makes me a Canadian,' Flynn joked while flashing his trademark smile. 'It would be nice to come here to play because my family would be close and could come to see me play.' "

" ...With Flynn the Raptors have a chance to draft someone who loves the city and would be willing to make his home here long-term. In this writers humble opinion that’s worth a lot and makes him a player the Raptors should consider on draft night. Even if he lacks the desired size for a floor general, he has the mental toughness, leadership abilities and has shown he can be a lock down defender on the perimeter."

There is some talk out of Syracuse that the Raptors invited Flynn for a workout mostly as a CYA move.

"On Brent Axe's radio show, Mike Waters felt as though this was more of a base-covering move rather than a serious look at Flynn. No worries, plenty of teams seem happy to take him." — Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician

Depending on whom you read, Flynn is pegged to go as early as eighth to the New York Knicks or in the low double digits, possibly around the 10th pick. Left mostly unsaid in and around Toronto is that if the Raptors had acted more decisively with Sam Mitchell and got Mike D'Antoni as coach, they probably could get Stephen Curry, who carried tiny Davidson on that miracle run in the 2008 NCAA tournament. D'Antoni will absatively posilutely get Curry for the Knicks, who pick one spot ahead of the Raps, if he can. That is neither here nor there. It would be neat for a 15-year-old franchise to have the son of an fondly remember ex-Raptor, Dell Curry, on the team.

Getting back to the point, players' desire to be in Toronto, as Radoslav noted in his last post, is an exposed nerve for Raptors fans. It's partially rooted in how it ended — badly — with Damon Stoudamire, Tracy McGrady and Vince Carter, and partially in Toronto's huge inferiority complex. What, why wouldn't someone wanna play here? (There is a spin-off argument that the Hockey First, Hockey Only chauvinists use it as an excuse not to opt in to following the Raptors, somewhat in the same way the 1994-95 baseball strike was used as an excuse to opt out of following the Toronto Blue Jays and late, lamented Montréal Expos. Well, there's that and the NBA's lax interpretation of the travelling rule.

It is something for the Raptors to consider as Bryan Colangelo and Maurizio Gherardini take their second crack at building a playoff team. It is still too early in the game to decide whether Bosh is as good as gone. The first sign of proof will come when the 2009-10 NBA schedule is released, since a good start would allay a lot of worries. (There is almost no point in stewing about it more than four months before the first meaningful game of next season.)

It's not this site's place to say who will be the best choice for the Raptors. On this end, it's considered a triumph to have known back in 2006 that Andrea Bargnani was a better selection than Adam Morrison, which seems less prescient than ever considering Morrison is a massive bust.

Anyway, it's something to take into consideration when the Raptors make their pick in two weeks. Maybe Jonny Flynn is the guy. Someone who spent two seasons at Syracuse won't have trouble with the Canadian climate. It would actually be an improvement.

(P.S., check out the post The FAN 590's Paul Jones penned, partially about former Buffalo Braves stalwart Randy Smith, who died last week.)

Chris Bosh to test waters, T.O. sports fans to test blood pressure

Sports in Toronto comes loaded with a bit of an inferiority complex, with a few exceptions to root for a team in Hogtown you need a little paranoia mixed with conspiracy theories and a whole lot of skepticism. It's not necessarily found in other Canadian cities but then again it's because Toronto is in a unique position with regards to professional sports in this country, and that's the heavy involvement in so many North American wide leagues.

While Vancouver got a fresh taste of it with Steve Francis' refusal to play in Vancouver, followed up by the loss of the entire Grizzlies franchise altogether, and Montreal also felt the brunt with the loss of the Expos, Toronto has the unenviable task of worrying about itself on a daily basis. And nowhere is this more pronounced, and maybe even a cause that has further enhanced the city's self esteem issues, than in the world of NBA basketball.

While spending a day at Woodbine Racetracks yesterday Chris Bosh was aproached by reporters and, surprise surprise, questioned about summer contract talks while at the race track (didn't see that one coming!). To these questions Bosh replied that things were being put on hold for now, as in for the entire summer, and while not stating it implied he would test the Free Agent market next year.

For the always cautious sporting Torontonian the skepticism kicked into full gear, while for the basketball fans in town - who have been discussing who Bosh can be traded for, and Shawn Marion signed-and-traded for, fo quite some time already - the words from Bosh just legitimized their concerns about Bosh.

Certainly as Vince Carter proved there's no way a player in their contract year would stay in Toronto when there are far more intriguing markets around the United States to play basketball. Honestly unless it's hockey the Toronto sports fan has little faith in any of their teams to not only attract but attract and then secure marquee players. Always on the defensive of criticism from Americans and fellow Canadians alike Toronto's sports scene needs to check into therapy and soon! Because the fact of the matter is just because the man wants to test the waters, it does not mean he's instantly leaving town.

There are some optimists out there such as Doug Smith of the Toronto Star who have asserted time and time again that if Toronto puts a winning product on the Court in 2009 then all signs point to Bosh resigning in 2010, regardless of all the hype surrounding the Free Agent class. The fact that Toronto can pay him more than any other team backs up this theory. A player like Chris Bosh is not one who broadcasts himself as a prima donna, in fact he projects loyalty above sponsorships and scenes. He has made it clear that he wants top dollar for his services but as a four time all star and one of the most touted names in next year's open market it seems more of a smart business move than act of arrogance.

It was reported earlier in the week that Bosh said keeping Shawn Marion would make him happy as he feels that with Marion in place as he was down the stretch the Raptors would produce a winning product. There are still pieces to fall into place, right now the biggest uncertainty is the Shooting Guard position (presently no one has been named to start), and this Raptors team is not a Championship calibe team more moves do need to happen.

But to re-sign Marion, a player who has played and lived in Phoenix and Miami and made it well known his extreme displeasure with colder climates, to the lone Canadian team in the NBA would be a good sign to players wary of coming to Canada (read: all NBA players who are NOT European or Canadian). It would not only help the club on the court but in terms of PR as well, and if the team wins maybe with the Bosh sweepstakes as well. And maybe, just maybe, help the Toronto sports fan to relax just a little bit.

Should Chris Bosh leave next summer the sport psyche in the city will likely take another hit. Even if it works out that the loss of Bosh actually improves the team (which could very well happen for, as talented as Bosh may be, there are holes apparent in his game), the fans -and more importantly the casual basketball fans - will certainly notice the departure of one of the top Free Agents in the NBA.

Nobody wants to be that person always waiting for the perfect match and in a way it's hard for Torontonians to not feel like that consistent bridesmaid of the basketball world. But before everyone jumps off the cliff there is still time to go and games to be played. The Raptors didn't meet expectations last season and if it happens again it will cost them, Bosh and maybe even GM Bryan Colangelo. According to Tim Micallef's Twitter entry after interviewing Bosh and Marion on The Score earlier he said not to worry, Bosh likes it here in Toronto likes the people and just has to work some things out. Hopefully Toronto can handle what happens, whatever the final outcome.

Bosh won't extend deal before 2010 (ESPN)
Bosh may seek to opt out in 2010 (National Post)

NBA Finals Preview

So the NBA Finals start tonight at 8:30 on ABC and yes the first thing on everyone's mind is, where's LeBron James...? Surely this season can't end without a Kobe-LeBron showdown! It's been hyped all season, it's been almost promised to us throughout the start of the playoffs, what about the puppets! Won't somebody please think of the puppets!!

But don't worry casual fan, there ARE reasons for you to tune into these NBA Finals, even in the much anticipated showdown between two of the greats of the game today aren't facing off against each other. I'm fairly certain that if Dwight Howard wasn't such a laid back type of person he'd take offence to that statement I just made, Superman is quite dominant in the low post. However in terms of marketability it's true, this does not have the same fanfare as a Cavs-Lakers matchup would contain. But NBA Commissioner David Stern can't get luck with two marquee matchups back-to-back in the Finas. But what the Commish might get instead is a better Finals Series overall, and that might be a pretty good consolation.

THESE TEAMS HAVE SOME DEPTH
Reason the first to watch this Series: the games will be pretty good contests. If it wasn't hammered home hard enough watching Orlando win the Eastern Conference Final the Magic have more depth than Cleveland - Sidney Crosby is feeling LeBron's pain right now as he deals with a supporting cast (beyond Malkin) not pulling their weight, I guarantee you if Bill Guerin could pull the trigger Sid the Kid wouldn't be -2 throughout the first 3 games!

But I digress, this is about basketball, and that ECF was about exploiting the lack of bench depth for the Cavs. It was also about Orlando's team defence, something overlooked a little more than it should have been. When a jumpshooting team goes cold there has to be something to hold them in there and the D is what kep Orlando not only relevant but in control of their destiny. This L.A. squad is also quite deep beyond a rather impressive starting lineup and had the Cavs made it all the way this would be an even bigger disaster than is already being predicted. The Lakers still hold the title of overwhelming favourites but the depth of the Magic - especially should Jameer Nelson return anywhere near top form and see some serious minutes - will make LA earn their rings.

WHERE HEROICS HAPPEN!
The path to his "own" Championship, his "own" ring, is well documented, and the Kobe saga will continue to be detailed relentlessly throughout this series. Even Lakers Coach Phil Jackson, the Zen Master himself, has something to prove - can he win it all without the greatest ever in Michael Jordan or one of the greatest tandems ever in Shaq and Kobe?

But the real heroics will likely be seen on the opposite side of the court. It will be seen by the play of Jameer Nelson returning from a season ending shoulder injury, especially if he becomes a capable contributor to the games, coming off injury and returning to the court. It will be seen in the play of the defenders marking Kobe, likely Mickael Pietrus and Courtney Lee. They didn't stop LeBron (quite obvious by the amazing numbers the King put up) but they did get in his face and made him work for it. A player like Bryant can absolutely take command of a game, and now that he's started to distribute the ball (which is huge, Black Mamba don't bounce pass!) he's looking even more dangerous. Some big stops would help to lift Orlando, and are a tall order for these players. And Hedo Turkoglu has become nothing short of a great player this postseason, especially down the stretch in games, and his skill and experience will come up more than once before the Champion is decided.

Even should the Magic fall short of their goal some of their players will step up in ways no one ever expected. And Bryant, looking to finally get the monkey off his back, will provide plenty of excitement throughout.

VAN GUNDY'S
One in the commentator booth, one flipping out on the sidelines. ABC has decided to stick with Jeff Van Gundy as a commentator even though his brother Stan Van Gundy is the Head Coach of the Orlando Magic, and that can only be a positive for us the viewers. Will Jeff criticize brother Stan? Will we get some insider information we would never be priviledged to in any other Finals matchup? (even if it's only by accident?). Jeff Van Gundy has turned into a rather outspoken NBA Commentator and his brother tan has been called the "Master of Panic" by none other than the Big Diesel Shaq himself and watching him out there it's hard to disagree, the man is quite animated. This combination should increase the entertainment value of the series and give a different perspective than previously witnessed.

So what's going to happen? Well the Lakers should win this one and rather easily, it's what most are saying it's true but really it's the logical conclusion. Should the Lakers not win this series there will be millions of questions in la-la-land and quite a story to be told about the Magic's incredible playoff run.

But even if Nelson makes a miraculous comeback, relieves Rafer Alston at the point and becomes a starter these Finals it's hard to say the Magic have a real advantage anywhere except with Dwight Howard matching up against Andrew Bynum, and seriously lack any player who matches up well with Bryant on either side of the ball. Miracles do happen in sports, and it might take another one of them to crown Orlando this year. However everyone was calling for Cleveland to easily walk thru Orlando, and the Cavs were lucky to put up such a fight when it was all said and done, I think it would be something to watch the overachieving Orlando Magic to give a serious push and take this all the way to Game 7 (if not win it all!).

But regardless of what happens you casual fans out there should not dismiss these Finals simply because the LeBron-Kobe matchup is not there, because in all likelihood this will be the better showdown. And while the marketing will suiffer in comparison, the entertainment value will far surpass.

The Superstar has brought the NBA back to prominence

The Conference Finals have been a blessing from the heavens for the NBA, the greatest possible outcome imaginable. For a league based around promoting their superstars nothing could be finer than watching one player after the next step into the spotlight, ensuring that – regardless of how it plays out – the Finals will be loaded with intrigue, as well as the season to come.

At the outset of the Conference Finals Lakers GM Jerry West came out and made the proclamation that LeBron James had officially surpassed his own superstar talent Kobe Bryant, that inevitable time had finally come.

"If I had to have somebody make a last-second shot, it would be Kobe Bryant," said West…But even though it's hard for me to be objective, because I brought Kobe to Los Angeles, I do think LeBron has surpassed Kobe as a player."

For a player like Kobe, rivaling the competitive nature that ‘His Airness’ possessed while in the game, to hear that from his GM, from the logo himself, the man who built various Lakers dynasties over his time as GM in L.A., it had to sting. It’s quite obvious that as much as it may have been the truth it was also used to motivate Bryant, who was not the best of the best in the pervious series against Houston.

It appears that the words of West were received, but not just by Bryant however; all the superstars left standing in the playoffs have stepped it up a level this series. The Conference Finals round has been a superstar cavalcade, serving up one outstanding performance after another and proving the best ball of this postseason would not just be reserved for that outstanding Celtics-Bulls first round tilt. There are now a handful of NBA players that Most Valuable Puppets be damned will give the title of player that made the playoffs this year a serious run before it’s all said and done.

But before things get too crazy the two men of the hour have done their part. Kobe has certainly proven his worth, not to discount ‘Black Mamba’ in any way. Averaging 35.25 ppg so far throughout the first four games, on top of many clutch shots late in the game (something West did give the man sufficient credit for doing). And all the while having to deal with the far more physical Denver defensive strategy. And LeBron has also answered the call, and beyond the Jordan-esque buzzer beating three from way downtown in Game 3. The reigning MVP has put up nearly half of his teams total points all series long averaging 44 ppg for the postseason and 42.25 this series, scoring nearly two-thirds of their total Fourth Quarter points. And now he’s moved on to playing the entire second half of games (and all of last night’s Overtime as well!). If Cleveland’s bench production was not so minimal (at best!) the Magic would not be enjoying the 3-1 series lead they have right now. King James is playing like a man possessed, and I think it’s fair to say that people would not have been surprised had his running 3 point attempt at the buzzer from just over half gone in last night (almost did too, just rimmed out).

But there are other players grabbing the spotlight as well, with no interest of letting go. While Carmelo Anthony has had the spotlight shone on him for some time now this playoff run has been his coming out party. He’s become a physical force under the net and his Defensive game has proven to be quite troublesome for Kobe. His teammate Chauncey Billups, who came out West to gel the Denver squad and take them to new and unexpected heights this season, has proven himself the best floor general still standing in these playoffs. His clutch shooting and the very intelligent way he manages the pace of the game can’t be underscored.

And Dwight Howard, the Defensive Player of the Year, has also given the highly favoured Cavaliers fits on both sides of the ball. While not reaching the spectacular level that his superstar counterparts consistently last night was certainly Superman’s moment. After a game where the Magic heavily relied on the outside shot Howard dominated the Paint in Overtime, scoring 10 of his 27 points in that frame.

The NBA runs on their superstars, marketing and promotion seems to be given more importance in Basketball in comparison to the other major 4 North American sports. To see the Conference Finals take the form they’ve taken so far has to give Commissioner David Stern the biggest smile on his face. While the Most-Valuable-Puppets commercials may prove to be a wash, and Doug Smith of the Toronto Star may prove to be a genius for his playoff predictions of an Orlando-Denver Final, the star power is being established on every team that remains thus far.

Jerry West called out Kobe to take it up a notch, to reach that higher level, knowing the man could and would as well, but unfortunately for West he did not take into account that there were others around not interested in letting Bryant go it alone. It has been fortunate for the League however, and the fans as well, to watch the superstar showdown. The NBA Playoffs are the best action being played anywhere right now, thanks to the re-emergence of the superstar.

Hoops: The Vancouver rumour, again

The site's own Andrew Bucholtz has post up at Sporting Madness about rumblings Vancouver Canucks owner Francesco Aquilini is side-eyeing the NBA's financially struggling Indiana Pacers.

Please set aside the obvious knee-jerk reaction — Moving a team from the heartland of basketball to a foreign country? That must be where Gary Bettman got the idea! — since Vancouver returning to pro basketball has been something of a blog obsession.

There likely is nothing to this particular rumour (keep in mind, bloggers have "horrible instincts," according to Jason Whitlock). The point is talk of Vancouver returning to the NBA is probably bound to pop up with increasing regularity, so don't take the easy way out (but we're the snark generation! It's alls we know!) and be dismissive. Several NBA teams struggling and the city has a rising profile and an arena suitable for pro basketball.

Basketball is also pretty big in the province; it probably has the best high school championship in Canada in terms of competitiveness and fan interest outside of the participating teams.

The timing and the tide might be a lot more right than it was in the mid-1990s, when the late and lamented Vancouver Grizzlies were sort of a throw-in along with the Toronto Raptors. Steve Nash's success has also underscored a critical point: The way to stimulate interest in a sport is to have athletes with whom fans see a connection with on the floor. People in Germany might pay more attention to the NBA because their countryman Dirk Nowitzki is starring in the league (hey, what if the Grizzlies had drafted him in 1998?), not because the Sacramento Kings played an exhibition there or something.

Getting back to the point with Vancouver, as someone said 18 months ago:

"... it's not that far-fetched to think Vancouver could accommodate the NBA. The city's profile with Americans is improving and will increase exponentially after the 2010 Olympics. The management team of a future NBA franchise would also learn from mistakes and make sure the players get to know the city better and are put more at ease in a foreign environment. Too often during the Grizzles' run, there were instances of players voicing displeasure with the city, which alienated potential ticket buyers, since everyone knows Vancouver is the greatest city in the world (in fact, that's what everyone in Rome, London and Sydney says too, really)." — Oct. 27, 2007

Anyway, please don't dismiss it out of hand. It is undeniable the national TV ratings for the NBA playoffs have been neglible in Canada. However, pro basketball fandom in Canada is similar to the NHL's following in the U.S. — it's great in the cities where the league operates but you get crickets everywhere else. (And as you know, judging the Raptors on TV ratings is a poor metric.)

You never know. Canada Basketball could certain use another pro team in the country (not to mention a WNBA franchise) to raise the game's corporate profile. The national body is actually soliciting donations on its website to help raise money for young players to go to FIBA tournaments.

Related:
Aquilini to bring Indiana Pacers to Vancouver? (Andrew Bucholtz, Sporting Madness)

Triano and Colangelo - 2 future paths tied together as one

There are many reasons why Jay Triano was officially announced as the new, permanent Head Coach of the Toronto Raptors this week. The economics worked out favourably (isn’t getting paid a lot at $3mil. a season, since they’re still paying Mitchell’s bought out contract), there is chemistry there with the club (GM Bryan Colangelo and Coach Triano see eye to eye, and the players like him from all reports as well), and a tremendous marketability remains in tact (Triano is the only Canadian-born Head Coach in the NBA presently and, well, ever!). A lack of superstar candidates helped to ensure that Jay Triano, who did a fairly decent job when he entered as Interim Head Coach upon Sam Mitchell’s firing, retained the position he occupied to end last season.

This move makes sense for a number of reasons so it’s hard to say that it was in the best interest of the club to go a different route. The real question to ask, however, is whether or not this move will bring more success and also reaffirm Colangelo’s status as one of the league’s best executives. Taking a big step back last season finally cast doubt on the two-time NBA Executive of the Year (once with Phoenix and once here with Toronto). This is likely the final shot before wandering eyes begin to appear within the MLSE boardroom.

By winning the Coach of the Year award in the 06/07 season Mitchell put a halt to the plans Colangelo had in place to bring along his former Coach from Phoenix Mike D’Antoni. Whatever your thoughts might be on the uptempo, 7 second shot clock offence that D’Antoni employs (some argue it will never win a Championship), D’Antoni has revitalized the New York Knicks much like he helped to do the same with the Suns. And Mitchell is no longer employed by the Raptors, which obviously shows that the resigning had more to do with appearances than anything else. That award, which was really the only saving grace for Mitchell in his role with the team, was the kink in Colangelo’s ultimate plans, and one of the primary reasons for the mess that is present today with this Toronto outfit.

There’s great skepticism with the appointment of Triano among fans and critics alike, and not just do to a lack of Coaching experience in the Association. There are also plenty of questions regarding his record from this past season (25-40 after taking over), the respect he has garnered throughout the League (even though his players love him a Canadian ballplayer not named Steve Nash has a hard time gaining ‘cred’), and whether this is nothing more than a marketing ploy to drag out Canadians to watch the games. Working with and not against the GM should benefit Triano, as will having a team from day one and not after a negative start to a season.

This seems like a no-brainer appointment, it’s obvious this was the choice at the time when the club is left to finish paying off Sam Mitchell’s buyout contract. However the 3 year extension, even at a relatively bargain basement price for an NBA Coach, makes it appear that Colangelo is placing a lot of faith in keeping his job in Triano’s hands. It is hard to say this move is bad for the club, but whether it’s the best move, only time will tell.

Elbows, Bodychecks...Basketball?

The NBA has always shielded its star players, a very well known fact. These players clearly receive preferential treatment, as is often noted by commentators, writers and analysts alike. That certain players have earned specific rights and omissions from rules of the game by officials, whereas others have not yet reached that level of respect, is part of professional basketball.

So on that note, if Dwight Howard’s suspension in the First Round is an indication that this time honoured tradition of shielding superstars no matter what might be changing, then maybe Kobe Bryant and Derek Fisher should pay the full effects of their actions in last night’s Lakers game against the Houston Rockets.

Derek Fisher took a run to deliver a body check to Luis Scola, knocking the Houston Forward to the ground, that had such a long lead up to it it would have been a charging penalty in hockey. And Kobe Bryant delivered an elbow to a highly disputed region (above the shoulders? below them?) on Ron Artest while jockeying for position – a play where Artest was actually the one called for the foul. Nothing says equal bearings like being penalized for receiving an elbow yourself from a superstar player.

Fisher was assessed a Flagrant 2 Foul so he was ejected from the game and now faces a possible suspension for the following game as well. Kobe was not penalized at all and Artest was ejected from the game for arguing the play. I'm sure Artest won’t receive any further punishment since replays show he was actually in the right to argue the missed elbow call. The entire game was quite vocal and physical too but there’s a point where a line has to be drawn, regardless of who committed the offence superstar or not, to maintain a level of sanity in the game. Howard faced the music, might it be time Fisher and Bryant did as well?

The loss of Fisher would be a significant blow to the Lakers team in itself, however combine that with Kobe and the NBA is pretty much handing the win in this closely fought series already over to the Houston Rockets. But that may very well be what should happen with regards to the Melee in LA (patent pending) last night, regardless the impact on the series itself.

A few decades back this type of rough play was a lot more common across the Assocation however they did not have the technology, with countless replays coming from every possible angle, and heavy scrutiny of each and every call that today’s game employs. So for this reason this foul has been examined and re-examined relentlessly. The game was more raw years back but recently the level of play has been clamped down on a lot more in the NBA - even if pick-up is still just as rough, a concerned effort has been present in the pro ranks.

Suddenly reverting back to the physical play of that lost time period is not the easiest of things to do. Sure this level of physicality certainly adds a tremendous element to the games themselves, similar to how fighting in hockey attracts viewers. A promise of punches, elbows, shoving and heated exchanges on an almost nightly basis has to be a draw for sports fans and so far this postseason the games have rarely disappointed in this respect. However the NBA, trying to keep control over its game, has to be careful in the decisions they make right now. What message would they like to send about their game? And not only to the teams competing in these playoffs but also to the young players growing up with dreams of going pro as well.

Kobe Bryant should at very least receive a retroactive Flagrant 1 Foul for his elbow to Ron Artest. In response to letting Rajon Rondo off the hook without a Flagrant the NBA said there was no wind up to the foul; with Kobe there appears to have been such a delivery. A good signal to send to keep order might be suspending Bryant a game; dealing with the public relation repercussions might be a nuisance however it would tell every player that no one is exempt. Howard's a star and he was caught, so it wouldn't be totally unprecedented to punish Kobe.

Something has to be signaled anyways, the NBA has to let us know what path it wants to take the rough or the regimented. Both can work but it's time to come to that decision and make it known which way the game will be taken, especially considering the way this postseason has gone thus far.

Kobe Bryant-Ron Artest, Derek Fisher fouls being reviewed by the NBA (ESPN)
The Kobe Bryant Suspension Watch (True Hoop)

King James receives his crown

There is no disputing the MVP this season in the NBA, the King has finally been crowned. If there was ever any doubt that LeBron James is one of the most dominant players in the game today those were put to rest this season.

While many have built the case for James all season long, and many more are reigning praise down upon the young phenom after this announcement – many who do a far better job than I can in this area – I will say that James is deserving because of what he has accomplished. And that accomplishment, quite simply, is that he has improved the game on the whole, in every aspect, and that is something the Most Valuable Player in a major sports league should accomplish.

He has improved his team dramatically, because if anyone told you that Mo Williams was the missing piece in Cleveland before the season started they would likely get laughed out of whatever building they were standing in (bus shelter, wooded area…well you get the picture!). LBJ, or King James, or whatever you want to call him has elevated the play of his entire team while elevating team morale as well. There have been dominant players, such as Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan, who have brought out a combination of both fear and respect from their teammates, leading to overall team success. James however has brought out camaraderie. On the court you can see it in the way they encourage themselves and how they play together.

Cleveland nearly tied a home record set by the 1986 Boston Celtics team with a far more impressive lineup. One player alone can make a big difference in a sport like basketball sure, but not a change this drastic. He needs help to reach a 39-2 home record, and James went out and got the necessary change out of his teammates himself this season. As a player, James is a motivating factor for his teammates.

LeBron James has also proven statistically that he is one of the best this season, but by providing his results in one of the most highly entertaining manners it helps set him apart. He finished second in points-per-game (28.4) overall this season and so far has carried that well into the playoffs, leading all scorers after the First Round with 32.0 ppg. He lead his team in total points, assists, rebounds, steals and blocks, which apparently only three others have done since 1974. And he finished in the Top 25 in the Association in assists, rebounds, steals and blocks on the year. While his offence was always there the improvement on his defence really caught the eye of onlookers.

But what’s amazing is that he doesn’t just get the job done, he does so while delivering a level of emotion and ferocity rivaled by few others around the Association. This man is no robot, yet ridiculous spectacular block after ridiculous spectacular block and precise shooting may lead one to believe otherwise. The term ‘freak’ comes to mind at times while watching James. Combined with the knowledge that this ultimate competitor IS there for his team, and not just using his tremendous skillset to intimidate them to play well, it’s so hard to dislike what this man brings to the Floor. In the boxscores James is one of the best statistically in the NBA.

And lastly he has become an iconic image of the game. His powder toss at the start of the game has become a highly anticipated tradition. His crossover to acting has surpassed many superstar athletes who have tried the same (not all though, I’m sorry but Peyton Manning really raised the bar on SNL!). In his sixth season his branding is reaching a level where it seems destined to rival Jordan’s, and his name is definitely reaching that level of familiarity. In one of his early commercials he said he wasn’t the next MJ but the first LeBron. That statement certainly holds true.

I’m beginning to wonder if James is on course to Karl Malone (if you will) a number of others superstars; that is to deny excellent players in their own regard the MVP due to his level of play, like the way Jordan denied Malone oh so many times. While I don’t think it will be that bad, as I’m sure Dwayne Wade, Chris Paul, Dwight Howard, and possibly Derrick Rose and Kevin Durant will get their chance at some point as well, I don’t see this being the only MVP in James’ career. Unlike Kobe this man is loved, and as a result he will be rewarded for his amazing ability unlike Bryant

LeBron James is the rightful winner of the 2008/2009 NBA MVP. Looking around its hard to detract from his accomplishment. Right now its his time, hail to the King!

NBA taps LeBron, 24, as MVP (ESPN)