RealGM

With Mitchell forced to deal with real life in Georgia following the death of his father-in-law, Triano will serve in Mitchell's absence, a Canadian in charge -- albeit for one night -- of Canada's only NBA franchise.

Many will view tonight as some sort of watershed moment in the hoops history of this country, but typical of Triano is how he refuses to get caught up in any hoopla, real or perceived.

Conspicuous by his absence at yesterday's practice was point guard T.J. Ford, who sprained his right wrist (shooting hand) in Monday's 93-88 loss to the visiting San Antonio Spurs.

Ford played fewer than nine minutes against the defending NBA champions and was not successful on any of his four shots from the field.

The team lists Ford as day to day, meaning his status for tonight will be determined at game time.

O'Neal, who is learning a new offence and working his way into shape after a hip injury, likely will not play when the Suns visit the Golden State Warriors tonight. After returning from the Bay Area, the team will decide whether O'Neal will play against the Dallas Mavericks tomorrow night in Phoenix.

"I'm just trying to brand myself off the court," said Bosh. "I think right now when you think of me, you think of more of a basketball player and that's it. My life is a lot more than that. I'm just trying to show depth, I guess, or show people that I have different parts of me that they've never seen."

The first Canadian to be a head coach in an NBA game took it just as the stereotype would suggest: Nothing to get too excited about, it's not about me, one game in 82.