Opinion | Trade demands, Summer League stardom and where the Raptors are in Ye Olde Mailbag

It took a bit longer than usual to type this, but it was worth it.

A very solid Ye Olde Mailbag this week.

Q: Doug,

It’s a long season and for players it can be a long journey to make the big leagues. Do you agree that the sporting gods prepare (at least) two “curses” for our players:

1. The curse of natural talent at the expense of good habits

2. The curse of celebrity at the expense of modesty and respect.

How often have you encountered the effects of these curses in the players you have observed/covered?

How do successful players deal with these curses?

And, what can managers/coaches do to help?

Charles N.

A: I totally agree because I have seen examples of both.

I think with greatness comes a great responsibility to fulfil potential, which takes hard work and dedication. It’s too easy to be really good when you could be all-time great with a little more effort. Rocket Ismail in his Argo years comes to mind.

And I’ve seen players enjoy the life of pro sports without working too hard and that cheats themselves and the game. Andrea Bargnani comes to mind in that regard.

To beat those “curses” simply takes mental toughness from the individual and a support group — family, coaches, teammates, friends — who keep harping on it and find which method — tough love or gentle persuasion — works best. And that’s the mark of good coaching, etc.

Q: Hi Doug,

Good to read about Michèle Bélanger induction to the Canadian Basketball Hall of Fame. In the ’70s, I was the first male coach of a girls’ team sport at the Toronto Board of Ed.

Michèle organized a tournament and things took off from there to the current situation where the women’s game is rising to new heights (pun intended ). Well deserved.

Frank B.

A: That’s cool and I think Michèle is exactly the kind of person the Hall of Fame should honour, someone who has had an enduring, positive impact on the game with a legacy that touches generations of coaches, players and fans.

Q: Hi Doug,

Sorry to hear about your time in the ER and what must have been a concerning “what if” scenario. Glad you’re on the road to recovery!

Some questions:

1) I assume that your IV treatment was done with a homecare nurse, a relatively unknown role in healthcare. How was that experience?

2) I’m a big fan of the Summer League. Last year, it played a big part in deciding whether the Raptors should go with Precious versus Freddie Gillespie. I’m not sure, but how many roster spots are theoretically available?

3) The follow up question: Based on their play in Vegas, I’m hoping the Raptors (or at least the 905) keep/sign Banton, Brooks, Wilson, Koloko and Jeff Dowtin. Very impressed with Dowtin as the type of PG we would use as a back-up. If all else fails, are there restrictions against plucking an unsigned draftee/player from another team?

4) Sorry, but I have a KD question: Seeing Ayton stay in Phoenix leaves Miami as his only “preferred” destination. If the Nets are seeing the potential market for Durant shrink, does this not masterfully play into Masai’s hands to let the clock (and season) tick away until the asking price swings in our favour (keeping in mind that we are apparently very happy to keep the roster as is)?

Hoping you return to 10-finger typing! I’m more of a four-fingered, search-and-peck guy! 🙂

Bernie M.

A: I’ve actually been going for “home care” at Spectrum Health near Casa Doug — one day of IV treatments left, who knows how long for daily wound treatments — and they’ve been outstanding. Totally seamless, and easy and a great staff.

I’m doing a piece later today on the Raptors, but right now they have 12 guaranteed contracts, five guys — Koloko, Banton, Wilson, Brooks and Champagnie — don’t have fully guaranteed deals and Ron Harper Jr. has one of two two-way deals.

Since the maximum opening day is 15 NBA deals and two, two-ways, they’re pretty full.

If they create roster spots they can add anyone they want if they’re either free agents or waived by other teams.

The Ayton signing takes one suitor away from the Nets, you would think, but I’ve always thought the Raptors could put together the most attractive package if they wanted so I’m not sure how big an impact it will have.

Q: Hi Doug,

You are probably tired of all of the Durant questions and commentaries.

Mine really is trying to look at it from a different perspective.

What would the Nets be looking for to improve their team and the players already there?

What are their weaknesses that they are looking to get help for?

To steal one of your comments, it takes two teams to make a trade happen.

Thanks for your thoughts.

Richard

A: If they don’t have Durant or Kyrie, the Nets will need everything.

But they’d be looking for at least two young starters, one with all-star potential, a development player or two and three or four future first-round draft picks.

It’s a big ask but he is one of the best players in the game and the Gobert-to-Minnesota deal kind of set the market.

Q: Hi Doug,

I’m writing to you to ask your opinion about the return of the Toronto Indy.

Given gas prices are in the stratosphere, the climate change impacts of burning fossil fuels the and significant noise pollution, do you think racing cars around a track is the right thing to be doing these days?

I appreciate the skill it takes to race like they do, but still cannot overlook the impact on our planet’s ecology.

Your opinion?

Brian in T.O .

A: I kind of get what you’re saying but with so, so, so, so many other things we could all be doing in our daily lives, I can’t see the great benefit from taking away something that brings such joy and excitement to millions of people and is directly responsible for the employment of thousands.

Sorry.

Plus, their “gas” is not the gas you or I buy.

Q: Hello Doug,

Any word on the chances of Jeff Dowtin sticking with the Raptors in some form?

Thanks.

SB

A: I get that Dowtin had a bunch of good games against Summer League competition and good for him. It’s way better than having a bunch of bad games against Summer League competition.

I think the best case scenario for him in Toronto would be to get an Exhibit 10 contract, which gives the Raptors a camp look at him and the possibility to convert it to the second two-way spot they have. But he may have opened other eyes around the league, too.

I warn, again, though: Summer League is NOT the NBA.

Q: Given the number of recent contractual issues between teams and superstar players (i.e. Durant, Harden, Irving, Simmons, etc), what kind of stance do you anticipate the owners taking in the coming round of CBA negotiations to circumvent this?

If I am an NBA franchise owner, I would attempt to build in some provisions to protect my team and investment from being held ransom by these superstars. It’s obviously bad for business and makes building a winner increasingly difficult.

However, as a person who works hard at earning a living, I do respect the players right to exercise their freedom to control their own careers. I may not like the impact it’s having on the league and game but they are not breaking any rules within the current CBA.

What outcome do you see happening in negotiations, if any at all? Will small market teams have a different position on this issue versus bigger markets? Do you envision this trend of superstars forcing their way out continue in the near future?

DL, Richmond Hill

A: I think everyone would love every player to play out his contract without forcing/asking for a move, but that’s never been realistic and I don’t know that any Collective Bargaining Agreement can fully address the issue. Adam Silver did say last week they would try to find a way to change it, but, again, I don’t see how they can, especially since teams can up and trade anyone, anytime.

And I don’t know that it’s a “market size” situation, so I don’t think that factors into it.

Q: Hey Doug,

Hope you are steering clear of the latest wave (to end all waves). Some questions for a mid-July mailbag:

It is obvious that the Yuta era in Toronto has come to an end. Do you think he will be signed by another NBA team?

You mentioned that Delano Danton and Christian Koloko looked OK, and reminded your readers that the Summer League reveals who can’t play. Pardon the double negative but are there any others on the summer Raps who don’t fit the category of “can’t play”?

Finally, what do you make of players who demand trades from their teams even though they have signed contracts that should tie them to a team for “X” number of years? The flip side of the coin, of course, are the teams that would happily trade away a player to further whatever objectives they are pursuing (what is Utah’s aim these days, anyway).

Appreciated as always.

Phil

A: As I was telling someone Friday, I think Yuta has NBA-level skills but I’m not sure he’s a rotation player on a very good team. I wouldn’t be surprised if he got a camp invite somewhere, if he wants. I’d be quite surprised if it was in Toronto, the Raptors have moved on.

I haven’t seen enough Summer League to really get a feel for who can’t play at an NBA level. If there are 30 teams with 12 guys each, that’s 360 jobs, take away, say, 30 of the guys with deals for next year and I’d suspect fewer than 15 of the remaining 330 will be on NBA rosters on opening night. But guys are also playing for G League contracts or good deals in Europe so best of luck to all of them.

As I said above, I wish every player happily played out his contract. I also wish for a gorgeous villa in the south of Spain or on Maui.

Q: Hi Doug,

I will be happy if the Raptors don’t chase Kevin Durant but that’s not my question tonight.

I’m watching the Blue Jays and Bo Bichette at bat. He jumps back with an inside fast ball, the ump calls it a strike, ump isn’t influenced by Bo’s action.

My question is: Does the catcher moving his glove make as much of a difference as the announcers say, or are the umps not moved by glove position?

Richard

A: I would think a catcher very adept at “framing” pitches might get four or five calls over the course of a game, which is pretty good.

Q: Hey Doug,

Hope you’re enjoying your summer!

Durant is sure holding up the trade market and, of course, Twolves messed things up with what they overpaid for Gobert.

I really like the Raps squad as presently consisted, especially with the re-signing of Boucher and Young, and the signing of Porter.

Not to overreact to Summer League, but might be feeling comfortable with Brooks and Dowtin in the mix to backup Fred.

Enio, Richmond Hill

A: I’d be quite surprised if either Brooks or Dowtin were on the roster opening night. I think the backup PG job is going to be a mix of Barnes, Flynn and Banton, or someone they pick up in a trade.

And it’s not Durant holding things up as much as it is the Nets and the suitors.

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