When you are in and around the NBA long enough, there is always the chance that you will run into a former team. Just ask Larry Brown. But Wednesday night was a chance to catch up and chat with one of the men who wore a Raptor jersey in the early years as Ronald "Popeye" Jones returned to the ACC as an assistant coach for the Dallas Mavericks.
"Pop" as his teammates referred to him back in the day is still in the Raptor record books as hsving the third highest rebounding game in team history. It happened during a triple overtime contest in Boston. His 21 rebounds ranks number three on the franchise list of top rebounding games behind Donyell Marshall and Chris Bosh. The franchise has three games where a player has put up 20 points and 20 rebounds in the same contest and Jones owns one of them while Bosh has the other two. Not blessed with great athleticism, Jones was crafty when it came to rebounding, accomplishing more with heart and determination than pure skill. But then again, perseverance is a skill when it comes to rebounding as Jones discussed various techniques when he battled with the likes of Dennis Rodman years ago.
The most lasting memory of his time in Toronto is the influence that hockey had on his three sons, all of whom have become accomplished hockey players.
"They used to sit around and watch Hockey Night in Canada every Saturday night," said Jones.
"I mean they watched hockey all the time and if I wanted to watch a basketball game to see an upcoming opponent, I'd have to go to the bedroom to watch. It was amazing that they knew the names of every guy. I asked them 'Y'all don't watch ball when I'm away' and they said 'oh no'."
It is known that many people do watch the NBA on Christmas Day and Dallas head coach Rick Carlisle understands why they play games on that day and the business side of things even though it is tough on families. But because of the viewership, Carlisle also says it's an honour to play on that day as everyone is watching since only high profile teams are picked. But tell me, why do the Celtics have to travel to L.A. to play the Lakers? As Doc Rivers suggested, the champs should have the right to play at home on Christmas Day and you know what, he's right!!
Toronto heads west for its next six games and this stretch will go a long way to determining the outcome of the season. Yes it's going to take time to adjust to new head coach Jay Triano's system. Chris Bosh said give it a couple of months but the problem is the Raptors don't have the luxury of that time line. If they continue to lose as they implement the changes, the season may slip away and by the time they start to play well, the hole that they are trying to crawl out of may be too deep. They need to find a way to stay within five or six games of the .500 mark between now and the all-star break. But the coaching staff is positive that they are putting the right system in place to make a run. Raptor fans can only hope that before the run starts they can win enough games to stay close.
Chris Bosh was booed last night at the ACC. I've said it before and have taken heat from listeners, readers and e-mailers. I know and understand why fans boo since they feel that they many not be getting the value for their money but it doesn't help. Fans are upset at Bosh for voicing his displeasure with their actions but he has been down that road before with the fans. Such is the fickle nature of the fan base.
OK, let me preface this by saying that I am a proponent of sports psychology in a big, big way. I have studied the discipline, own a Masters Degree examining how attention is influenced in basketball from a psychological standpoint and can tell you first hand from my days as a university player that it indeed is very helpful to have the right attitude. Heck, how do you think Phil Jackson's "Zen" stuff works? I also know that Jay Triano used it successfully in the 2000 Olympics with David Cox from Simon Fraser University to help propel Team Canada to a great showing at the Games in Sydney.
I don't understand why NBA teams would not employ one full time. You use the best of everything else. Hotels, travel, assistant coaches, strength and conditioning coaches, massage therapist, nutritionist so why would you not pay as much attention to the mental aspect of the game if you are looking for every edge? Right now, with the changes that are taking place in Toronto, a full time sports psychologist would really help.
Rumours abound that the Charlotte Bobcats could be moving guard Raymond Felton to the Golden State Warriors. It would not be surprising to see Felton moved as rookie D.J. Augustin is playing well. Hey, when Larry Brown who is not big on playing rookies is playing a Augustin in key situations, it makes a statement. Augustin is fourth in scoring, second in assists, second in three point field goal percentage, while hitting at a 94% clip from the free throw line.
Carlos Boozer may be wearing a different uniform next season as he says he will exercise the "opt out" clause in his contract at the end of the season. It sounds like Boozer wants to get paid. Hey at least he didn't lie and say "it's not about the money."
According to Phoenix Suns General Manager, Steve Kerr, you can put to rest those rumours of the Suns being interested in Stephon Marbury once the Knicks cut him loose.
The Boston Celtics made a key pick up last year around the all-star break when they enlisted the services of P.J. Brown. To hear "Doc" Rivers tell the story, it was opportune that the All-Star game was in New Orleans as the Celtics went on recruiting trip to sign Brown. They may need some help this year if they want to sign Dikembe Mutumbo, who wants to play but his old team, the Houston Rockets, may have the inside track.
L.A. Clippers rookie Eric Gordon says that it was more than recruiting violations by Kelvin Sampson, now an assistant with the Milwaukee Bucks that helped but the once proud Indiana Hoosier basketball program on probation. According to Gordon, drug use was a major issue in Bloomington. Somewhere, Bob Knight who always wanted the whistle blown on programs that cheated is shaking his head.
And finally with Leo Rautins back as head coach of the Canadian Senior Mens' National Basketball it will be interesting to see what happens with Philadelphia Seventy-Sixer Samuel Dalembert. Right now Dalembert seems to be saying no.
