Skip navigation

 Login or Register | Member Centre

News and notes

Michael Grange, July 14, 2008 at 8:29 AM EDT

For those who didn't get enough Jermaine O'Neal when he was in Toronto last week, here's a pretty good interview live from the gym in Vegas he is working out at it with Joe Abunassar, including some notes on the sophistication of the workout regimen he's been doing to get ready for the season.

As you may have read in today's paper – you all subscribe, don't you? --- I have a set-up for this week's Olympic qualifying event in Athens.

The tournament is actually underway already. Here's a brief Q-and-A with Sam Dalembert from the FIBA web site. Best line: “I don't have a clue about Slovenia.” He goes on to say that he just knows that the whole field is good, blah, blah, blah, blah, but it you think he could have thrown a bone to Rasho Nesterovic or something.

There are number of interviews posted on the FIBA site for the tournament: , but my favourite quote by any athlete at any time might be this one, by Fadi El Khatib of Lebanon, on the prospect of playing Greece in the opening game: “We know that against the Greek National Team we really don't have the slightest possibility of winning.”

I just love the honesty.

Anyway, I would have thought there would have been live stats or streaming or something from the games already underway, but I can't seam to find any for the long-awaited New Zealand-Cape Verde showdown. I am actually curious about the Korea-Slovenia contest which I think – if I have the time changes right – starts at 8:30 EDT. If any smartypants web surfers find something I should know, please tell me.

Anyway, most important, as I posted on Friday, you can watch Canada play Slovenia Tuesday morning on The Score at 6 a.m. and the same thing Wednesday morning against Korea. I will be liveish blogging, so put some coffee on for me.

What else?

Oh yeah, Raptors summer league. I am not in Vegas, covering the fine Raptors summer league entry. And no, I'm not regretting it. For those who may have missed it the Raptors were beaten by the Kings on Saturday, and before anyone gets all excited by the fact that Joey Graham scored 24 points and was 12-of-15 from the line, make sure you notice his eight fouls – you're allowed 10 in summer league. How many of those were offensive? If it's more than two than I'd say his line is completely bogus. Bulling people on his way to the hoop is what makes Graham one of the best pick-up players in the league, I'd bet. But when he actually has to get to the rim without pushing off? Haven't seen that yet.

I understand the logic of Joey playing big summer league minutes, but there was never any doubt that he would rack up some big numbers. As long as he has a clear physical edge Graham will always put up numbers and it's only easier for him when he's got a green light.

His problems at the NBA level come when he's playing against guys nearly as strong or nearly as quick, or when he has to pick his spots offensively. Those conditions create confusion and hesitation, in other words: Bad Joey.

Graham's best bet for NBA success is to be a starter on a terrible team. He would get numbers for sure, but his ability to put up stats in ideal circumstances aren't his problem, and putting up stats in summer league won't solve them.

  1. Khan dor from Canada writes: Michael,

    You are wrong about what Joey Graham's problem is, as an NBA player. Pertinent questions you SHOULD ask about JG's situation with the Raptors' current Summer League team? What position is he playing, offensively and defensively? What, specifically, is he being asked to do at any given time during the game? What plays, if any, are being called for him on offense? What specific instructions are being given to him by Eric Hughes & Co.? How many of those 14 FT's came about from (i) post-ups, (ii) half-court drives to the basket and (iii) full-court drives? What was his shooting percentage on (a) Corner 3's, (b) FTLE 3's and (c) TOTK 3's? What was the PER of his defensive check from possession to possession? Joey Graham is a highly serviceable NBA player who has been misused by the Raptors to this point in his professional career.
  2. Big Cayman from South Toronto, Canada writes: Whatever Joey does to build his confidence and get himself going for the regular season is fine by me. 24pts and the game high anywhere is a good start.
  3. Big Cayman from South Toronto, Canada writes: Would have liked to see what the massive Aussie would have done...Agree with Khans questions/comment not necessarily the premise (but its not out of the realm of possible reasons)...Jason Thompson 12pts 7 rebs 1/1 from 3 (8 fouls too, then again this summer run is always full of fouls).
  4. Khan dor from Canada writes: What Joey Graham needs is the chance to play for a coach like Jerry Sloan. :-) Horses for courses.
  5. Yertu Damkule from Canada writes: pound that drum...
  6. Craig B from Toronto, Canada writes: Joey would last all of 2 plays in Sloan's system.

    Play 1 - Joey lowers shoulder, drives to the rim, called for offensive foul
    Play 2 - Sloan grabs Joey and throws him out of the gym..career with Utah over.
  7. Big Cayman from South Toronto, Canada writes: LOL! I've heard this before: The Knicks have been impressed with Gallinari during his first three training sessions. They've made sure to surround him with experienced players, including Robinson, who will be participating in summer league play for the fourth straight year. The Knicks envision Gallinari as a Dirk Nowitzki-like power forward, one who can shoot with range and handle the ball. Then again, every European forward with skills draws comparisons to the Mavs' former league MVP, but few live up to those expectations. Darko Milicic is one who immediately comes to mind. But Mike D'Antoni, who was a teammate of Gallinari's father in Italy, is confident that the Knicks have found a player. "He's got a chance to be really special," D'Antoni added. "Toughness and being more athletic than what I thought (were) two questions from watching film. Until you see him." I've said it before but I like Gallinari better that Bargs, and would trade no questions asked, also agree the Knicks have found a player, but I love the comparisons to Dirk comment. Some here in Toronto still think that Bargs will surpass Dirk, Hahahahaha! http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/basketball/knicks/2008/07/13/2008-07-13_danilo_gallinari_set_for_knicks_debut_in-2.html
  8. Yertu Damkule from Canada writes: c'mon now, BigC, we all know that bargs, much like joey, has simply been misused by the coaches.
  9. ImTheOne TellingYouHowItIs from Canada writes: Joey is a bum. I agree with Grange on this one, for once ;-)

    No misuse, it's not poor coaching, he just can't get it done and hasn't made the improvements to be able to get it done.

    Bargs on the other hand will be fine, this year he will breakout, you can quote me on that.
  10. Nick Rivers from Canada writes: "Graham's best bet for NBA success is to be a starter on a terrible team."

    Joey was already a starter for a terrible team.
  11. Yertu Damkule from Canada writes: he sure was...and a glorious time it was. seriously, though, can't you guys see the trees in the forest, or something? in the proper situation, joey would be a productive contributor on a contending team, like bruce bowen...it's just that he's been misused by the raps. i didn't realize this until recently, when i was shown the light by my mentor. he has taught me to see things as they really are, and to not rely on what i see with my eyes, 'cause i can't really see with them anyway, or something. it's also important to ignore what 'everyone' else thinks, 'cause 'everyone' else is blinded by the, uh, media. yeah. the media. they hate joey, and want you to believe he stinks, and are afraid to put the blame where it truly belongs (coach/GM), because, uh, then they wouldn't get all that inside information. yeah, that's it. joey simply needs to be un-mis-used, and you'll all see.
  12. Big Cayman from South Toronto, Canada writes: Geez Yertu, you and Khan, two of the boards heavy weights slugging it out and not letting it go. You're like Wilbon and the other guy what's his name! Joey remains an enigma with me, I see it both ways. He's certainly not a bum, and he's had his moments, I think its his last chance, here anyways, like Andrea... ImTheOne consider yourself quoted.
  13. One For All All For One from Canada writes: Well, look at the role Sloan carved out for Humphries - or Araujo for that matter.
  14. Khan dor from Canada writes: Araujo is a poor athlete in the NBA at the position he plays. Humphries is a selfish player, in Sloan's opinion and Jerry has not tolerance for such a player. Joey Graham is a solid NBA athlete and is not selfish. Similar to Paul Millsap, if Joey Graham was playing for Coach Sloan others would have a very different opinion of him today. As such, however, those who think JG is a terrible player are in the same category as the other coaches/GM's who passed on Millsap in his draft year, mistakenly thinking he couldn't play at this level. You should consider yourself in good company. :-) Joey's problem is organizational misuse; nothing more & nothing less.
  15. Khan dor from Canada writes: Big C,

    Gallinari is so much better than Bargnani it is comical. Unlike Joey Graham, Bargnani has not been misused, thus far, by the Raptors and is simply an average NBA player who was never worthy of the No. 1 (Overall) Pick in his draft year. Raptors should traded down - even for chump change - and taken either Roy or Gay. The best NBA talent evaluators should have been able to see his deficiencies a long time ago.

Join the Conversation, Leave a Comment

This conversation is semi-moderated What is moderation? | How do I report a comment?

You must be logged-in to submit a comment — login now!

Not registered with globeandmail.com? Register now. It is quick and free.

close

Alert us about this comment

Please let us know if this reader’s comment breaks the editor's rules and is obscene, abusive, threatening, unlawful, harassing, defamatory, profane or racially offensive by selecting the appropriate option to describe the problem.

Do not use this to complain about comments that don’t break the rules, for example those comments that you disagree with or contain spelling errors or multiple postings.

Back to From Deep

Back to top