WeTube: Bargnani and Belinelli’s Nike Ad
I’ll admit it: my Italian is horriblio. But if a certain YouTube commenter is to be trusted, Bargnani’s telling Warriors’ rookie Marco Belinelli that he’ll soon be in charge of making breakfast, folding laundry and defending Kobe Bryant. Or something like that.
Comments (14)Ode to Jorge Garbajosa
In North America, this is the kinda guy we call ‘hard’ (in Spanish: ‘el es muy caliente’). Nah, forget it. This man is beyond hard. He is hardcore. He is what every single teammate wants beside him.
People say he’s nothing more than a “glue-guy,” but he’s so much more than that. Glue holds tables together; Jorge makes a team go. He’s a momentum-changer and a silent motivator. He inspires.
This is a guy that went from this (don’t play if squeamish) . . .
. . . to this, in just over 3 months.
He was supposed to be out at least 6 months, but is now trying to get the clearance to play in a meaningless EuroBasket tournament in early September. I call it meaningless because it’s a qualifier for the Olympics where Spain has already secured a spot. But it means a lot to Garbo. I’m sure he didn’t think twice about suiting up for his country. This man loves his homeland, his teammates, and the game of basketball. This is the guy that wanted to watch his own surgery. You try and look this guy in the face and tell him you’re too tired to move your feet on defense; try and tell him you can’t do it. With all he’s been through, he’ll see right through your weakness.
After the horrific accident, Al Jefferson wondered why Garbo tried to block his shot when he had a clear lay-in. Jefferson just doesn’t get it. You can’t change Jorge. Hell, if he could do it all over again, Garbajosa would still try and swat that shot.
The word “warrior” gets thrown around a lot in the sporting world, but it has meaning for Hairy Jorge. Considering the Raptors players are what most people acknowledge as “good guys”, you have to believe when they’re on the same court as him, they realize the kind of man they’re playing with.
Comments (8)Beyond Captions
So, I was sitting around and I started thinking about what the Raps are gonna do this off-season. I envisioned GM Bryan Colangelo in total relax mode, gently swirling an expensive glass of wine with a cell phone on his ear, talking shop.
I thought, hey, maybe I should relax with some vino too, you know, sort of toasting the end of the season. I poured myself a deep red ‘06, took a sip, and said, “Who the fuck am I kidding here?”
I fluttered back to my feelings about the Raptors in February, 2006. I had almost given up hope. Playoffs was a word saved for the city’s elite — the Rock & Argonauts — but ever since Colangelo arrived, this city believed in a man that has paid huge dividends in a short amount of time. The BC era in Toronto has really been astonishing.
What makes this guy so good? There are many traits to sort through. Like those high collared shirts he wears, the man is bold. He makes unpopular moves like trading Charlie Villanueva for T.J. Ford because he loved Andrea Bargnani — a move many, many people ridiculed. He listens to the people around him and he sees skills in players that others might not. When his hand was forced with Joe Johnson in Phoenix, he was able to obtain a decaying Boris Diaw and draft picks. He acquired an Argentine in a similar situation last week by getting Carlos Delfino for basically nothing. He’s constantly looking offshore for talented winners and brought in the future 1st non-American GM in Maurizio Gheradini. He’s gathered guys playing abroad that have the essentials in Jorge Garbajosa and Anthony Parker for minimal costs. He puts players in a system where they have FUN! and are likely to play a little over their heads, but he knows the difference between a filler and a superstar. He can then trade those spare parts that overachieved and probably get a little more than what they’re worth because of it. I like this example: he signed Quentin Richardson and traded him a year later in a deal for Kurt Thomas.
That’s why I see a couple trades in Toronto’s future. The foundation is in place with Chris Bosh, Ford and Bargnani but some tinkering needs to be done. The parts that are being recycled around them need a little work but the cap space isn’t spacious at all. Their main options are signing a player to the mid-level exception, performing a sign-and-trade with Morris Peterson (who they apparently almost traded for Andrei Kirilenko), or packaging players in a deal. I can’t believe how much expectations have changed in a year. The franchise was languishing with no light in sight but BC came in and carved the team up like a tappanyaki chef.
Hold on. WHAT?! I just smashed my wine glass against the wall. Side note here: the Grizzlies didn’t hire Mark Jackson as their GM? Oh no. They will suffer, SUFFER I TELL YOU! In an act of karma, Memphis will crumble while we are forced to cringe at more of Jackson’s Jackson-speak on NBA broadcasts.
Photo: TFC Home Opener 035 by bgnewf.
Comments (6)And Then We’ll Race Around the World in 80 Days…
This morning, I woke up. Feeling brand new, I jumped up. Feeling my highs, and my lows — huh? — I decided to check my e-mail. This ‘lil guy was nestled in my inbox:
Professor Skeets, I noticed you lacked a Nets correspondence for your playoff series previews. I don’t know if you are planning on doing it again for the second round, but if you are I would like to volunteer either myself or the lovely Becky (a well-known Nets blogger). Or better yet, knowing how you like the wagering…
I would like to make the following bet with you: If the Nets win this series (beat the Raps) you have to put either SML or Becky on your interview; if the Raps pull it off (and they just might, given Kidd’s bad knees… he is the soul of the team), then, well… name your price. It doesn’t matter, anyway, because the Nets are winning…
What do you think, Professor?
-Stop Mike Lupica
What do I think? WHAT DO I THINK!? I think it’s a goddamn crying shame that scientists, innovators, have yet to create a magnetic soap holder that somehow levitates a bar of soap so that it’s not touching our tub or shower surfaces. I mean, we can spawn fucking sheeps and have scoreboards shoot crazy ass flames, but we can’t eradicate fucking soap scum? Why? Tell me why? Seriously.
Oh, I’m also thinking, “a hells yes,” SML. Why you’d actually WANT to come on the Jones podcast is beyond me, but well, shit, I do love me a good bet… you’re on. (And um, yeah, you too, “lovely Becky.”)
So here we go: if the Nets win, we have to have either you and/or Becky on the show. Deal. Not gonna happen, but deal. When the Raps win? Hmmm…
You and/or the “sexy Beckster” have to go back and transcribe every single introductory line we’ve ever verbally spewed on The Basketball Jones podcast. Yeah, all those stupid, pointless lyric and movie quotes I burp up five times a week. We want that shit cataloged, son! And in reverse chronological order! Uh!
So… what you say, SML/Becky? Virtual shake?
Comments (11)Resentful Playoff Fashions, Pt. 1
It’s funny because it’s true . . .
Atlantic Rivals Meet in Round 1 [NBA.com]
(Update: We’re bustin’ ass trying to get a couple of these made in time for Saturday’s game. I’ll keep you posted.)
Comments (6)Quickies Slightly Less Quick Than Regular Quickies
- Watching the Detroit/Toronto game on Saturday night, you got the feel that two of the stronger Eastern Conference teams were going at it, and the Pistons knew it. Detroit knows how to turn it on for big games and the play of the Raps recently made this match-up a pretty big deal for the Motowners. They wanted this game; they weren’t ‘bout to let these new kids on the block get a win in their barn. All you have to do is look at the way Rasheed Wallace stepped up. ‘Sheed balls whenever the hell he wants and he showed up big time for this one. He displayed why he is arguably the best defensive power forward in the game as his pestering of Chris Bosh had a lot to do with the un-Bosh like performance. As for the Raptors, they played admirably and hung on right to the end, which was especially impressive because it was the 2nd half of a back-to-back. To be playing this well with so many new parts and young players 50 games in to their 1st season together leaves a lot to the imagination of Raps fans.
- There was a former Raptor who got lots of camera time last night – an event very unfamiliar to him. Rafael Araujo, also known as The Cock of Bab-Rob, was ejected for fouling Marvin Williams kinda sorta hard in the Hawks-Jazz tilt. Araujo’s arm made contact with Marvin’s face but it was incidental and it shouldn’t have got the big man bounced. It’s not interesting that the Jazz’s 12th player was tossed but what is interesting was the response by the Utah crowd. They gave him a loud ovation that made him blush just a little bit. It was nice to see Hoffa get some love – everyone who has ever been around him has only kind words to share. Jerry Sloan compared his work ethic to Stockton and Malone and he’s even seen the court a little bit lately. Araujo didn’t get a fair shake in Toronto. He was always booed mercilessly because of his association with the Babcockian era.
- As for the Jazz, they can run like a pack of really fast jungle animals (imagine the fastest creature you can think of, cause I can’t think of a single one). Paul Millsap is a freakin’ specimen, Deron Williams has gotten in to some serious game shape, everyone knows how athletic Andrei Kirilenko can be, Mehmet Okur is the prototypical center for the new NBA, Carlos Boozer has great agility to go along with that hulking size, Matt Harpring is a spark plug, and on and on and on. Watching them dismantle the Hawks at breakneck speed was beautiful to watch. The Jazz have always been looked at as a tough, physical team, but they have adapted and added the finesse game as well.
Searching For Sammy Mitchell
Sam Mitchell coaching the St. Alexander Junior High Chess Team:
Are we gonna beat our opponents using our superior chess knowledge? No.
Are we gonna beat them using our precisely practiced skills? No.
Are we gonna beat them with our highly researched strategies? No.
I’ll tell you how we’re going to beat them. Hustle. Pure hustle. I want all of you to punch the clock within the first 7 seconds. I don’t care how good or bad your move is. Just punch that fucking clock. Now, I know you’re going to be forced into some bad positions. You may lose your rook, you may lose your queen, but by god, you’ll do it with 110% grit and determination.
Words: MattO | Picture: Howie | Me: Speechless
Comments (13)Coal Region Recipes With Sam Mitchell
Hi, kids. I’m Sam Mitchell, former Minnesota Timberwolves forward, current Toronto Raptors head coach, and all-around great chef. Welcome to my rugged, steel kitchen.
Today I’m going to teach you how to make one hell of a mean bean soup. Trust me, it’ll be hearty. Just like my heart. Very hearty.
But before we begin, please note that I’ve only ever offered my hard work and give-it-all mentality to teams with ferocious animal monikers. As a scrapper, I can respect the passion and hustle that comes with being a wolf in the wild or a raptor in the exotic jungle on some far away island. I would never, ever, ever work for some pussy organization like the “Magic”. I’m a man’s man, dammit. In fact, if you’re wearing an apron right now, get the fuck out.
Okay… let’s cook!
First, we need to round up our ingredients. Like coaching, if you don’t have the right ingredients — if you don’t have the right players — you’re pretty much screwed. Me, I like to have a lot of ingredients on hand. You know, just because a bean soup recipe doesn’t call for cottage cheese, doesn’t mean I won’t sometimes throw it in. I like to experiment a little. Mix and match different flavors. I find it really keeps the taste buds on their toes.
So, here’s what we need:
1 pound beans
1 1/2 pounds of ham
8 cups cold water
2 cups celery
1/2 cup onion
1/2 cup potatoes
1 1-pound canned tomatoes
2 teaspoons minced parsley
Salt and pepper
Okay, now that we’ve got our goods, whatta say we put this bean soup together, folks?
Pre-heat oven to “hot”. Take the beans, ham, celery, onions, potatoes, and tomatoes, and put them in a bowl. Bake for 46-minutes. Add the parsley for the final 2-minutes. Season with salt and pepper and 8 cups of water. Serve.
Yes, it’s that simple! Look, kids, I can’t stress this enough… never, ever over think or have any sort of game plan before entering the kitchen to cook. It’ll cloud your judgment. As long as you can motivate the potatoes to hustle, and the celery to give nothing less than 110%, everything should come together at the end.
Bon appétit! (I learned French while playing pro ball in France and working hard at life.)
(Thx to HoopsAddict for the photo.)
Comments (7)T.J. Who?
A fascinating behind the scenes look at the Raptors’ war room during the 2006 draft. Mr. Colangelo apparently wanted Marcus Williams pretty badly.
Behind The Draft 2006 [YouTube] — via NetsDaily
Tas: Fred Jones Will Style And Profile This Year
Here’s another small bite of a Raptors Q&A Tas just did. This time the Q’s come from fellow Canadian blogger Mutoni, who’s currently representin’ for SLAM Online. To read Tas’ entire piece, click here.
And yes, Tas — our Raptors season previewing machine — runs on AA batteries and cinnamon. True story…
Q. Fred Jones always seemed like a player who should have been doing more in Indy. Can he thrive in Sam Mitchell’s system?
A. We will see Fred Jones style and profile all over the court this year. Jones feels a sense of freedom after getting out of the shackles that is Rick Carlisle’s system. He has made comments about going back to playing the free-flowing style the way he did in high school and college. Expect him to get out on that fast break and show people why he was the 2002 Slam Dunk Champion. Even though he will likely be coming off the bench, Mitchell has shown he trusts Jones by allowing him to handle the rock when running his trademark pick-and-roll. 14 ppg, 4 rbs, 2 ast, 1 stl.
Raptors Preview [SLAM Online / Mutoni’s Spot]
Comments (2)About
The Basketball Jones is a NBA blog and podcast, written and recorded five times a week by J.E. Skeets, Tas Melas and Jason Doyle. Comments, questions and cold hard cash are always welcome and much appreciated. Contact us.
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- Ep. 325: Finals, Game 2 – Monday, June 9th