Is it that time of the decade already? Time for my next blog? I guess so. And for this one I’m staying away from all things Canuck.
First off, there isn’t much left to say concerning Sean Avery. What he said in front of the media crossed the line, and considering it was pre-mediated and rehearsed, a suspension was warranted. But indefinite? Its the first time I can recall someone being suspended for simply being an idiot and running his mouth. If he would have simply said this on the ice and away from the bright lights of the cameras, everything would have been fine. No less offensive but also no suspension.
And another thing. I can guarantee you that 95% of the league laughed when they first heard or read what Avery said. Now that by no means makes it right, however, this is the sort of thing said all the time in the heat of the game. And that’s where it should stay. It entertains me that Avery will end up getting more games for “sticks and stones” than "breaking bones".
I find it amusing how many people shrug off Brian Burke’s Cup win with the Ducks because he “inherited” the team. Sure Burke walked into a solid situation in Anaheim as they had good young talent like Corey Perry, Ryan Getzlaf and Dustin Penner. However, there is no way the Ducks win it all without the moves Burke made. He signed Scott Niedermayer. He traded for Chris Pronger when every team had a shot at getting him. And Burke made a prudent signing in Teemu Selanne, realizing the Finn had something left in the tank when most thought his career was done.
Burke is gruff, hot-headed, and opinionated but he also has the cojones to make moves that most GM’s wouldn’t try to make. And that’s why the Ducks won the Cup. Burke’s decisions put Anaheim over the top. Period. And isn’t that what matters most to fans? Sure Burkie may have left the Ducks in a bit of a tough cap situation. But if I’m a Duck supporter I’m far more happy the man brought my team a championship than upset he spent too much before leaving.
And finally, I’d like to say, damn you Jay Triano. Damn you for giving me a reason to root for a Toronto team. As any decent Vancouverite, I have a hard time even saying Toronto. But with Triano becoming the head coach of the Raptors there is no question I’ll be keeping an eye on the Raps and quietly cheering for the man to succeed big time.
Triano was with the Grizzlies when I first broke into the broadcasting business and he always had time for me and anyone else for that matter. He’s a great guy, a hard worker, and after seven years as an assistant who can say he didn’t deserve a shot to be a head coach.
One quick story on Triano. He was working colour on a Grizzlies broadcast back in 2001 when play-by-play man Tom Glasgow was forced to pull the chute at half time because he lost his voice. So the host, me, was told to hustle to the bench to call the second half. I sat down, put on the headset and heard producer Randy Stephens say “30 seconds to air”. Triano motioned for me to take off the headset, and I’ll never forget what he said to me when I did.
“Hey Murph. Don’t (expletive) up!”
Solid advice. But considering I never called another NBA game………