Hedo it his way

So NBA free-agents are willing to come to Canada after all. Well, as long as they're not American.


Toronto? Really?

Case in point, Hedo Turkoglu is ready to sign a big deal with the Torarctic Raptors. At first glace this appears like a rare thing. An aberration even. Honestly, how and why would a big name NBA free-agent think of Toronto as a place to continue ballin'? Well, the answer is simple: Hedo's not American. That's it. If he were, he wouldn't be coming. But he's European, from way the fuck over there and not next door. And at the end of the day Canadians are less foreign to a guy from Istanbul than to someone from Detroit. I know, it's weird, unfortunate even, but that's just the way it is. Like in most walks of life, business, politics, etc. our teams will NEVER be taken seriously in their leagues. Unless, of course, the parties passing judgment are from elsewhere. Like Turkey's Hedo Turkoglu. I know Americans will never understand why a player of Hedo's stature would rather play here than there, and that's okay. It's who they are, and what we've come to expect of them.

All that said, I think the Turkish shooting phenom made the right choice by signing in Toronto. It's the team he's joining I'm not too sure about?

Big on this, short on that

Yankee stadium is beautiful and bogus. Luxury and little league. Terrific and tiny. No, really, the place is wondrous, an icon in his inception, it's just those short home run porches I don't appreciate much. Look, short down the line is one thing (318 in left, 314 in right), but short in the gaps? Right field at the new park is the worst. From humble beginnings the wall dashes straight out. It doesn't round out. While the measurement to the deepest part of the alley is respectable, the mid-field fence is easily reachable. Too reachable for guys who don't need the advantage. How many homers in Saturday's Jays/Yanks game? 4! And to where? Yep, right-centre field. It sets up pretty well for the Yanks' arsenal of left-handed swatters, and the many who'll snag home run balls out there. Hey, the smaller the yard the more seats you can crowd around it. And packing them in is obviously more important than keeping them from going out.

So now what?

Had Rick Nash still been available today, I'd be fine with BB's moratorium on moves. But I'm already over what's already been done, and like many of you, know there's still so much more that can be...done. I do trust that things will take shape for the better, it's just that I want the evolution of the Leafs to continue NOW, while I'm into it, while I'm high on anticipation (and nothing else!). Bottom line: I'm just eager for more...soon. Jay-Z sums it up best on my behalf: "I got no patience and I hate waitin". Especially these days when the winds of change are a blowin'.

Cash kills the dash

Who can blame Rick Nash for taking the deal? Well, besides Leafsnation? Millions wanted him home. Instead millions will keep him away. And we'll never know what could've been.


Courtesy: TSN

It's all too bad for the Leafs, and just good enough for the Blue Jackets. See, life will go on in hockey's mecca without a Nash in the sash. But don't kid yourself, hockey's outpost wouldn't have been able to. Credit the top BJ'er, Scott Howson for getting down, dirty and going deep to satisfy his best player, all while saving a brand and industry in Ohio. There's little doubt, without the ex-Knight in their future the Blue Jackets were dead. Howson's ability to get a long term commitment from his captain is the single most important thing to ever happen to the franchise.

So Nash stays South. That means here in the North BB's plans change...unfortunately.

Maybe he spends a few more bucks this summer? Or finally peddles his best defenceman for some offence, man? It's safe to say no matter what he does it won't come close to the splash he had to hoped to make next July 1st.

Or not.

There may be no dash for Nash, but Kovalchuk will be coveted...and capable of capture.

Don't do it, Brian

July 1st is a comin'.

Listening to Bob McCown, thought I'd revisit a previous post.

I have no problem with the Sedins twins, but I might if they end up playing for the team I support. Are we to believe these guys will contribute more in Toronto, where the process forward is several steps behind the organization they'd be departing? No chance. The Sedins are a notch below what most of us would consider NHL Stars. They're good, honest folks, but not what the Leafs need right now. Its not a Swedish thing, I just don't feel they're the right fit in Toronto. Okay, say for a minute they did sign here...and stunk. Wonder how they'd absorb and exhaust the media's BS? Vancouver's a tough place to play, but Toronto can be much worse if things don't go your way. The Sedins would offer double the target to pick on.

And at what cost?

Some believe Henrik and Daniel will ask for $12 t0 $14 mill combined, per year. Wow! And let's just forget about it. Brian Burke has to resist the urge to go berzerk with all of this new blue-and-white dough at his disposal and think of what's to come. I know I'm not alone when I say this: please save, Brian.

Better days ahead

The 2010 market is expected to bear much bigger, more delicious fruit. And hey, if the Leafs keep their cash under the mattress just one more year it could then be unearthed for the pursuit of Brampton's best: Rick Nash. Injuries, big ticket and all I'd take Nash in a heartbeat. And I know I'm not alone on this one either.