"Basketball Beyond the Floor"

"It's easier to get into the house of representatives than it is to get into the NBA" (Paul Shirley in Can I Keep my Jersey? 11 Teams, 5 Countries, and 4 Years in My Life as a Basketball Vagabond). This is so true and this book makes you believe it. For four years, Paul Shirley got bounced around between the Los Angeles Lakers, the Chicago Bulls and even Greece and Russia in an attempt to solidify a professional basketball career. The book, Can I Keep My Jersey? is written like a diary of sorts and with every entry you truly understand what it means to be a non-Kobe or non-LeBron trying to crack an NBA roster. I remember doing a radio show with the Dino Blogger way back when and we were discussing the "surface level interviews" a lot of professional athletes give and how the level of honesty in their pad answers can come across as suspect. Paul Shirley really bucks this trend and tells us how he really feels; especially, when it comes to religion, whites versus blacks in the NBA and the longevity of NBA as compared to the European League. When you read his one and only book, you feel as if he's your buddy writing home and keeping you up to date on his "life as a basketball vagabond" as he puts it. I think a lot of Shirley's honesty comes from the fact he is no longer pursuing a professional basketball career and can let loose so-to-speak. Regardless, he takes us inside a world the everyday fan will never be privy to. (Incidentally, the everyday fan may never want to write another fan letter after reading this book). Let's dig in.

The Lord is my Shepard and my 6th Man

"I have known many a basketball player who will rarely miss saying grace before a meal but who will give no second thought to cheating on his wife on a road trip". This is how Paul Shirley sees religion in the NBA according to the book. I both laughed and growled at this part. Laughed because of how ironic the statement is and because my father told me to never marry a professional hockey player for this reason (how funny that conversation was). I growled because it is for this very image some females have had a hard time making it in this business. I remember covering the OHL back in university and a high school friend of mine Steve Nimigon, played for the Niagara Falls Thunder. Well, since his Thunder were playing the Ottawa 67s, in the town I was living at the time, this became a special story to cover. I hadn't seen Steve in a while so my first reaction was to run up and give him a hug. Well, don't I get a sneer from the "puck bunnies" waiting outside (I'm sure they have another name for it in the NBA). Yeah ladies, I work my tail off to become an accredited member of the media just be compared to the likes of you bottom feeders. Whatever. It's the very situation Paul Shirley describes in the book but compares it to religion. I am sure not all religious NBA stars are unfaithful but the idea there are people making a living out of presenting opportunities of temptation, lets just say, make it difficult for everyone.

To Michael Jackson: It Matters If You're Black or White

This is the big elephant in the room no one likes to talk about but everyone wants to. Before seeing the front cover of the book or even googling his name, some people I have talked to assumed Paul Shirley was black when I told them he had various stints in the NBA. Here's his take on the race issue. According to Shirley, he was a white player in a predominantly black player league and he felt they needed more white players to cater to the majority of NBA fans who are white: "Every person in history, regardless of comments to the contrary, has an easier time rooting for someone who looks likes him". There is some truth to this statement, I'll admit. However, I cheer for Ron Artest because I think he's an entertaining basketball player -both on and off the court. It's not because he's black or he looks like me because clearly he doesn't have the right plumbing for that. But Shirley claims on his travels he's been treated differently because he's a white player trying to make it in a black player's game. Some coaches and team management have given him this feeling: "We [white players] are viewed as physically inferior and so should be thankful that we are allowed to set foot on the court". Food for thought.

It's a Money Game

It's so funny how many similarities there are across the board in professional sports. Paul Shirley makes an interesting argument in the book about the viability of the NBA compared to the European Professional Basketball model. He has a unique perspective since he's played in both the NBA and in Europe: "[European] Leagues embrace sponsors, which finance teams and their coaches and, in turn, develop multitalented basketball players". He compares it to a factory churning out players. Shirley says in the book, he worries if the NBA doesn't take on this economic model, "the NBA might have to move to Europe". This is a bit of a stretch but I see where he is coming from. The same challenge exists in the NHL. The Russian League complains they spend all their time and money developing a player so they would stay in Russia for their professional hockey career. Yet some fly to the NHL on first opportunity. I can see where the Russian League is coming from in that they don't want to be seen as a farm or development league for the NHL. But a player should really be able to choose where to play. Unfortunately, unless you are the LeBrons or Kobes of the NBA, you are not afforded this luxury. The exact picture Can I Keep My Jersey paints.

Flick Pick of the Week

I know my boss will be shaking his head, but this week I want you to watch Kazaam staring Shaquille O'Neil. I haven't even watched it yet but I have always wanted to see why I've heard this is one of the worst movies ever. I have been watching the TV show Shaq vs. and it's been growing on me. He's not a great actor by any stretch of the imagination, but Shaq is entertaining nonetheless.

Next week we will be discussing Red and Me by Bill Russell with Alan Steinberg. After last week and my new appreciation for the Russell and Auerbach era of the Celtics, I wanted to read a book along these lines. I will see you on Thursday for another serving of Jiggly Bits but until then, happy reading.

Raptors Should Fear NHL Deux In Ontario.

Jack Armstrong in talking about the whole Jim Basillie and Gary Bettman feud about Basillie and his desire to bring a second team to Southern Ontario made a good point. Now personally being from Hamilton and the fact Basillie has targeted it as the place this team may end up makes me happy for people of Hamilton. If it were to happen. However the point that I never thought about would be the impact on the Raptors. Everyone talks about the impact a second team would have on Toronto Maple Leafs and Buffalo Sabres. But Jack pointed out and rightfully so, that Raptors would have another big monster to compete against in the market to compete for fans and media coverage. What will that mean for the Raptors? Games on TSN 3...Coming Soon. I mean this season proved how little impact basketball fans have on the broadcasters. We don't count. That is because Hockey rules all and they do little to meet the needs of fans of other sports. Another NHL team will mean that NBA and Raptors Highlights will come later and be shorter. If you think I don't know this you would be wrong. I worked in a newsroom and have seen it happen first hand. It pains me to want Gary Bettman to get his way. I know that I pay little attention to hockey if any. However even I have no love for Mr. Bettman. He did actually come from the NBA a long time ago. We as basketball fans should all be grateful he is gone. God forbid anything would have happened to David Stern and Gary Bettman was running the NBA.

If you truly are a basketball fan first you need to be afraid of this second NHL team if it comes to Southern Ontario. This season with all the Raptor Games shoved to TSN2 and now NBA Playoff Games. It is only going to become worse if you get another NHL team in the market be it in Hamilton or a second team in Toronto. There was a time when I would watch a hockey game. There was a time when I was a true fan of the Buffalo Sabres. However having seen the way Hockey has become this beast in the sports media it has turned me off the game and I am never coming back. I will watch the odd highlight and be force feed hockey info because it is can't be avoided living here. But I am not ever going to change until the media does. However I have seen the weather reports for Hell and it is not expecting to freeze over anytime soon.

I am starting to almost feel like a soccer fan or a UFC fan in the sense that I almost feel that I have to fight to have my sport get it's fair share of coverage. I guess that is why it is good we have so many quality folks covering the game online. The Raptors and the great blogs like Raptor Blog, Raptors Republic, Hoop Head North and many others are all out there for you to enjoy. Dino Nation Blog as well. We may be heading to a world where the internet becomes more important than T.V and Radio. However we are not there yet and it is easy to see that all forms of media are going to use the Internet as a tool to promote those forms of media. That is why you see everyone and their brother cashing in on things like Twitter and Facebook.

It is a changing world and many things will change as we move forward. However what will not change anytime soon is the love of hockey in Canada. Along with that the media trying to cash in on that love through the way they cover sports. I get that fighting Hockey in this country is like going into battle with a fork and looking across at someone with a grenade launcher. However all I have ever wanted or expected is the sport I love getting it's fair share. Along with that not have it disrespected both directly and indirectly. Which happens far to often in this country. Much like hockey does in the United States. In the U.S they are able to find balance to provide a lot of solid coverage of many sports. NBA, NFL and MLB all get there fair share of a sportscast. It will very in different areas but you get a solid look at all 3.

It seems odd that I end up on the wrong side of things and end up supporting MLSE and Gary Bettman. However that is where I may be forced to be. Hamilton could really use an NHL team though. It would do a lot of good for the place I call home. It is what else it would do that concerns me. I love where I live and I enjoy Toronto as well. That is not something you hear a lot of. But I think both places offer different things that are good. But no matter how I feel about all of this I just can not bring myself to say Go Gary Go. He has not exactly been kind or respectful to people in this country in my view. That is a view that most Hockey fans in this country would agree with me on. It is probably the only thing or one of very few. But what it will all mean for the future is any one's guess. The Phoenix Coyotes coming to Canada is not a good thing for basketball fans. Steve Nash gets to come with Coyotes them I am on board.

Sorry for not getting a blog out yesterday. I had a rare morning of sleeping in and never was able to get caught up all day. Sometimes it happens. If you have some thoughts on this or just the coverage of Hockey in comparison to basketball please feel free to drop off a comment. I love hearing from readers and getting your takes on things.

Raptors Look To Crown The Kings

I said it yesterday the Raptors margin for error over these next 3 games is nothing. If they do not win their next 3 contests it pretty much is over as far as any slim playoff chances they may hold. It is all based on what the Raptors face after that. They have little to no change of getting a win in the next 4 after these 3. The Sacramento Kings have been a total failure this season and are trying to rebuild around Kevin Martin. He was not in the line-up when these teams faced off on Boxing Day. The Raptors would get a rare win on the west coast as they beat the Kings on the road for only the second time in franchise history. It is a rare 6 pm tip time at the Air Canada Centre. The Kings come into this game on a 4 losing streak and a 3-19 road record. I mean it does not get more of a gimmie win then this does it? If the Raptors get even half of the performance they got from Jose Calderon in his return to the line up it should be a cake walk.

All Star Thoughts

I have said this for years and last night offered proof to my point. Yesterday I was on CJLO in Montreal and that is the host city of the NHL ALL STAR weekend. The breakaway challenge winner was Alex Ovechkin who put on a silly hat and some sunglasses and used two hockey sticks and eventually scored. Can anyone say that was even close to as entertaining as Dwight Howard putting on a Superman outfit and dunking a basketball. Not even close. I get that I am in Canada and hockey will always be bigger then basketball. But even hockey fans have to give the nod to the NBA's All-Star Saturday night as opposed to the the NHL's pathetic rip off of the event for their sport. In the market that matters for the NHL, the United States, it will be viewed as I have stated a cheap rip off that is not good in comparison.

Gary Bettman came from the NBA and has tried to use NBA ideas in the NHL with little success. David Stern is a far better commissioner for his sport and it is made the most clear when you compare the two sports All Star Weekends. The NHL had to bring in a rule that forces players to sit out the next regular season game for the season if they skip the NHL ALL STAR GAME. The NBA ALL STAR WEEKEND is an event that most players love to be at even if they are not part of the game or events. The NBA is the better league when you get right down to it and that may not play well in Canada but the simple fact is that it is the truth. The All Star Weekends of the two sports just offer the most obvious comparison that makes that fact clear.

It will be interesting to see if Chris Bosh gets the nod to be in the ALL STAR GAME. I have seen most thinking it is likely a lock that he does. But given the Raptors record I am not convinced it is. Should he not it will be interesting to see how he handles that moving forward. He has been more vocal and angry about what is going wrong. If he were not to get the personal honour of going to the ALL STAR GAME if for no other reason then his team's poor record. That good be a point where we see Bosh say enough is enough. Whatever happens I am glad that Chris is starting to show some emotion and say loud and clear that this is not acceptable. I think on this the Fans and CB4 are on the same page.

Lakers vs Spurs

Before the Raptors take on the Kings. A match-up of 2 of the NBA's best teams with the Lakers and the Spurs. I am going to be live blogging it for The Score. You are welcome to stop by and take part as you get set for Raptors and Kings. After all there is no football being that it is the bye week before the Super Bowl. So that gives you a chance to see more basketball. It is a 3:30 tip time and if all goes well it will end before the Kings and Raptors get going and that game originally scheduled for TSN 2 has been moved over to TSN. Maybe they are finally hearing the angry basketball fans? Wishful thinking I am sure.

The Score Live Blog Link- Spurs and Lakers

After I am done with Spurs and Lakers. It is right into Raptor Rewind of Kings and Raptors. A busy day but hopefully a fun one.