Big trade questions, life on the beat and workload queries in Ye Olde Mailbag

Solid effort by The Irregulars again this week filling Ye Olde Mailbag with a variety of questions.

Enjoy it before the Grey Cup, which I hope is a competitive game but fear Winnipeg wins big and I bail after Arkells.

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Q: Hello Doug

It’s been a while since I last wrote in.  Glad to hear that you are doing well health-wise, and I hope that that keeps up for a good long time.

A friend and I were discussing the Raptors recently, and we are both concerned about OG Anunoby.  When he plays, he is a very good player and growing his game steadily.  But he does seem to get injured often, and we were wondering if this is a serious concern for his and the Raptors future.

Regards

SWH

A: Let’s look at this false Anunoby thing, shall we?

In the championship year, his appendix blew.

Last year, under different circumstances – like the franchise not throwing the towel in on the season with weeks left – he likely would have played.

This year, he got hurt in a practice which was a fluke.

I don’t see the concern.

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Q: Hi Doug:

You seem to be pretty adamant that the Raps make a trade for Turner or Sabonis.  Question is who do the Raps have that the Pacers might want.

A suggestion was Trent Jr., and I’m saying “what?” – there is a third of your offence.  With OG out offence is already pretty thin.

Turner can’t make that up, maybe Sabonis can.  Guess the upside would be a quality centre.

So, who else do the Raps have that could be trade bait?  Pascal? Some young guys, maybe Banton, draft picks.  I’m scratching my head on this one.

Gutsy game last evening against the Knicks.  Giving up a 20 point lead is troubling. Interesting that the Davis-less Lakers defeated OKC last night.

Is there anyone in the 905 that Raps could offer a 10-day contract to, maybe Perry?

Have a good day and thanks.

Raven

A: That is the question, no one knows what the Pacers plan is but if you’re going to trade for a quality big man, it’s going to cost you a quality player or two going out. No one’s giving talent away.

Siakam’s loss would be as bad, or worse, than Trent; Banton has practically no value in a trade because of his small contract and, frankly, declining play.

I see no reason to bring a guy in now on a 10-day deal, even if there was a proven, legit NBA player in Mississauga, which there isn’t. By the time you get ‘em up to speed with schemes and trust them enough to play them, the 10 days are over.

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Q: Hi Doug,

Thanks for always providing some context on the camaraderie you have with your peers in this business. I’ve been following you since the ‘nothing but (inter)net’ days and I always enjoyed the stories you would share about your peers. 

Do you feel like with the way how the industry is changing in general it’s getting harder to build friendships like you and some of your colleagues have had over the years? 

Thanks again and enjoy the Holidays!

W.L. 

A: It’s way different now, basically because so few people travel regularly. For instance, there wasn’t a single beat writer from New York at Friday’s game. That means no sitting around the work room having dinner before games, gossiping and catching up while hanging around the locker room or having beers after a game. Not sure we’ll ever get back to that so it’ll be hanging out electronically and that’s a weak alternative.

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Q: Hi Doug

So now we are almost a third the way into the season with the past two games a microcosm of this season.

I know that you are optimistic about the Raptors making the playoffs but really, I don’t see any changes happening. I know that the injured will return but who knows for how long and if Fred misses games, game over.

I agree that this is a very young and untested team and I believe they just need to play to give Masai and Bobby some idea what the future holds. However, this is not a playoff team and perhaps a lottery spot is more realistic, your thoughts?

Stay safe and healthy,

Michael K

A: It’s never, ever good, in my opinion, to not make the playoffs and I can’t see this team getting bad enough to get another high pick. So all you’ve done is teach players to lose and that’s counter-productive in the long run.

Besides, I still say this is a playoff-talented team and that experience will be invaluable.

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Q: Hi Doug,

Sad to hear about Covid affecting Masai and Nav (!) forced to miss his first home game. Hope you are not directly affected by these unusual circumstances. At least Kal Penn got to see a win from Nav’s usual point of view.

My questions:

1) Recently, a video went around of Steph Curry playing ” Rock, Paper, Scissors’ with a kid at courtside; his sign asking for shoes if the kid won (he didn’t, and Steph kept his shoes). At first glance, it’s a cute video, but upon reflection, I thought that if this kid’s parents can afford courtside seats ,they could easily afford to buy Steph’s shoes off eBay or whatever ( manipulative parents?). Do you think the league should do more to show their appreciation to the kids in the nosebleeds, for whom tickets are a rare treat ?Something along the lines of the ‘move of the game promo’ selecting a fan to get moved courtside …

2) Not going to give you grief about the Turner /Sabonis article; I’m sure lots of people thought, ‘First he says we don’t need a 7-footer, now he does!’ 

Trades are all about what’s being offered, and of course, what is being asked for in return ( DeMar/Kawhi wasn’t 1 for1, but was 2 starters, for a starter and a third -string centre). Heard Banton and Trent Jr mentioned as possible Indiana targets (I think trading Trent just makes a different hole for the roster to plug). Also, as someone replied to your article, Dallas has FOUR 7-footers, and Dragic likes Dallas. What do you think of a multi-team deal ?

Bernie M

A: To your last point first: There is a VAST difference between a 7-footer and a 7-footer who can help. See Aron Baynes. And, multi-team deals are extraordinarily hard to pull off. Dallas also has all kinds of guards, why would they want Dragic?

I believe every team has some sort of upper deck giveaway and some do random fan moves. It’s really not something I’ve ever thought of.

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Q: Hey Doug,
Simmons for Irving straight up. Would you do it?
Cc Oshawa

A: If I’m Philly, I would.

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Q: As I write this, the Pistons are 4-18 which is the worst record in the league. I know they’re rebuilding etc. but, shouldn’t the results be a little better?

Paul M

A: I really haven’t paid attention to the Pistons but I do know they knew what they were in for this season. I suppose they’d want the record to be better but that’s a very young squad that’s going to take its lumps. There’s also about two-thirds of the season to go, though.

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Q: Hi Mr. Smith,
As a season ticket member for the 905 I am thrilled to be able to see the likes of Bonga, Champagnie and the lad from Mount Olive do their thing.
I gotta wonder, how much court time can these guys handle?!
Dalano played Thursday and Sunday with the Raps and Saturday and Monday with the 905.
Is the thinking that it is better to play in the G than practice with the big club? Can he last being so damn skinny?
Best of the Holidays!

Guy F

A: They’re kids in their 20s who play – at most – 12 minutes a night in the NBA so the load sure isn’t too heavy.  And getting work in at game speed – even the G League speed – while working on specific facets of the game like three-point shooting, is far better than an NBA practice.

But they are aware of it, as you saw when Banton was a late scratch just for rest Saturday afternoon.

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Q: Hi Doug

Turner and Sabonis would both be great options, but what about Nurkic? I believe he will both a free agent at years end and is playing for teams that appear to be going in the wrong direction. He should be available to trade for at a lower cost than Turner and Sabonis. At seasons end if your happy you resign him, if not start looking again. Your thoughts?

Thanks Charlie

A: Sure, Nurkic is interesting and Portland might want to do something with him and the Raptors might be interested in an extended tryout. But, again, I have no clue what Portland would want or need and they have far bigger issues that Nurk.

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Q Hi Doug, in your story re Pascal’s niece, after Sunday’s win over the Wizards, you quote Nick Nurse really lauding Precious and Dalano when commenting how strong the bench was, but no mention of Boucher who had 14 points and 6 rebounds in 18 minutes. Agreed he played more minutes than any other on the bench, which is a good sign, but I hope that Nick has an open mind re Chris’s potential.

Keep well, cheers, Marc

A: Nick’s got an open mind, look at how he keeps running Chris out there, now as a started when he really hasn’t played well for a vast majority of the season.

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Q: Hi Doug:

I was glad to see you took issue with the term “score the basketball” last week. That’s annoying, but one that bothers me just as much is “defensive possession”. Possession of WHAT? I know it’s commonly used by you and others, but to me, it makes no sense and there are so many other easy and sensible ways to say the same thing. What do you think?

Dave

A: I see your point but I don’t have a problem with that one. Not sure I can think of a synonym for “possession” in that context.

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Q:  I enjoyed the travel dialogue. Brought back good thoughts & enjoyed the COVID analysis. I enjoyed many of the quotes by the players, seems face to face adds more thought, a deeper response in general terms rather than responses in front of a larger audience.

I’ve flown quite a few US domestic flights, pretty seamless overall.

A trend I’ve noticed around the boarding area & in bar areas, the proliferation of stuff on chairs beside people in busy areas. I get that travel means stuff.  We all have stuff.  Is there an etiquette with stuff? Have we gotten away from it?  You’re a working traveller.

Love to hear your views & experience..

Merry Christmas to you & your family & all the irregulars!!!!!!!!

Johnny c

A: Ah, man, you hit on a big pet peeve of mine. People have way, way too much stuff and try to jam it onto airplanes to save baggage fees and, I swear, tick me off. Huge suitcases that don’t fit anywhere, “one personal item” that’s always too big to go under a seat and various other bags. I hate it.

And I presume that putting bags on chairs is some passive-aggressive way of doing social distancing but it’s also rude and I’ve asked once or twice: “Is there a real person sitting there or can I?” and shame the offender into putting their bag on the floor.

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Q: Hi Doug,

Let’s kick off the gift giving portion of the holidays a bit early this year i.e. no last minute trips to the mall! On your random Raptors gift list this year are Pascal, Fred, OG, Scottie, Yuta, and Dalano. What improved basketball skills do you bestow on each of these lucky recipients? Thanks for all you do to keep us informed!

Andrew

A: I’m terrible with gifts, I either panic and over-buy at the last minute figuring quantity trumps quality or I say “see what you like and send me a picture.”

So …

Pascal: The ability to play aggressively without fouling all the time.

Fred: Five more inches.

OG:  An unbreakable body.

Scottie: About two more seasons of experience.

Yuta: A consistent shot and role.

Dalano: A way to dial back the speed and a jump shot.

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Q: Hi Doug and all and a merry Christmas too!
No question – just a Grey Cup story of you need a filler.
The closest I came to attending a GreyCup game in person was while attending (some classes even) Carlton U 1967-70 till I graduated without distinction.
3 of us drove to Montreal for the weekend to “enjoy” the festivities expecting the game to be part of it as we had tickets to the Roughriders (Russ Jackson version) vs Roughriders (Ron Lancaster version)
The Saturday night partying was so successful that we never recovered in time to make it to the Sunday game!
When driving back to Ottawa Monday we stopped along the way for coffee and a washroom. Upon exiting the car I glanced into the one parked beside us and there  was Russ Jackson and 3 other Rider stars (whose names now elude me) all scruffy-bearded, disheveled and sprawled in their car SOUND ASLEEP!
I guess they had a pretty good post game celebration themselves!
This year our Greg Cup party will only be 4 in number including my wife and I (Ottawa fans), sister-in-law and brother-in-law (Toronto fans), from the comfort of our snug condo (but with the requisite party libations and snacks).
Cheers!
BBALL Barry North Bay / Sarasota

A: That’s why the CFL is so great.

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Q: I understand the mention of the anniversary of Lennon’s death, definitely a “where were you” moment, and I remember when I first heard the news.

But as an engineer with a daughter who also obtained her engineering degree, please put a reminder in your calendar for subsequent years to ask folks to remember Dec 6 and the victims of gender based violence.  Also this TVO Steve Paikin interview with survivor Nathalie Provost from two years ago should be required viewing, 20 powerful minutes well spent.  There are similarities to Nelson Mandela in the way she can show empathy for her tormentor.

https://youtu.be/2CBVzUe3gSI?t=1281

Regards,

Doug

A: Had the anniversary fallen on an off-morning for writing, I probably would have. Was working in Ottawa at that time and was crushed by what happened.

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