DNB Top 10: Reasons You Remain A Raptor Fan

As you might have noticed were attempting to make some changes with the DNB. It has always been the goal to be not just words on a page but to do more things in terms of audio like the Starting 5 and in terms of video. Things like the DNB Game in Picutres and DNB Top 10 are just the beginning of what we hope will be a much more multi-media DNB for all. We hope you both enjoy and support these changes. So with that here is the DNB Top 10 in video form:



Hopefully you will enjoy things as we slowly change the Dino Nation Blog into a multi-media platform for all your Raptors info and fun. So please if you like this video go on YouTube and like it. It can help us build are audience for the DNB. Also if you don't like our Top 10 and have your own reason(s) why you remain loyal feel free to share them in the comments if you like.

DNB Top 10- Bargnani Rebounding Edition

So Dwane Casey thinks Andrea Bargnani can average 2 rebounds a quarter which would make 8 rebounds a game. Honestly Raptors fans have a hard time buying into this. So here is a list of things that will happen BEFORE Bargnani averages 8 rebounds a game.

#10 Obama's 2nd term in office

#9 Lebron James wins five championships

#8 David Stern retires.

#7 A NBA All Star Game in Toronto takes place

#6 Myck Kabongo is the Raptors starting point guard

#5 All Raptor Games are on Sportsnet 1 or TSN 2

#4 Vince Carter's number is retired at the ACC

#3 Chris Paul wins a title with the Knicks

#2 TFC wins the MLS Cup

#1 Hell freezes over and Leafs win Stanley Cup

So that is our list. You have some better ones tweet them at me @Dinonationblog and I will re-post them on Twitter. In short sorry Dwane Casey seeing is believing. First the comments about Bargnani being like Dirk and now this. Casey is setting himself up if he is putting his faith in Andrea. Many Raptors fans have done it before he got here and been disappointed.

DNB Annivsary Top 10

Ok so I haven't really done much in the last few months. I have worked on my 2k12 skills and WWE 12 skills. Dinoblogger 11 has never logged so much time on X-Box live. Not only is the NBA Back but today marks 4 years in the books for us at the Dino Nation Blog. I just had a birthday and my memory sucks not because I am old just because it does. But in 4 years I should have 10 things to say about the Dino Nation Blog? Highlights, Lowlights and everything in between. So here we go.

#10- The DNB was and still is the best idea I have had after 2 am in my life.

#9- The DNB will never win awards for it's skillful writing. But that being said we never claimed to know about English just about basketball. I strive to write things that are entertaining and interesting for everyone even if I break some rules of grammar from time to time.

#8- I keep my dreams alive through this blog. I never could have imagined how many of them would come through from doing this for 4 years. I am always humbled by all that this blog has accomplished.

#7- The Raptors have got progressively worse since the Dino Nation Blog was created. We are not responsible for that please direct all your blame for that to the good folks at MLSE. I never wanted to Trade T.J Ford...They Did. I never wanted to sign Hedo they did. I knew Rob Babcock was an idiot...they didn't. I liked Roy Hibbert they didn't. This could go on and on and on.

#6- I am a guy that belongs on the Radio or T.V that happens to try to write everyday.

#5- This has become more than just something I do and in effect my job. It has become a family to me and all of you that take the time to come here on a regular basis I thank you.

#4- It started with Training Camp in Ottawa and it has grown from there. Covering the Raptors and the NBA is truly a privilege. I am very proud that I am deemed worthy to get a media pass to cover this team.

#3- I am thankful to every player that has taken the time to talk to me. It started with T.J Ford and has grown to guys like Demar DeRozan, Sonny Weems, Amir Johnson, Reggie Evans and countless others. While I was not on the side of players in this labour situation it was just about the Raptors having a chance to be better. I have nothing but good things to say about almost every player I have ever had a chance to talk with.

#2- Eric Smith, Paul Jones, Jack Armstrong and Matt Devlin along with countless other folks in the media who take the time to talk with me for this blog. Long before this blog had any kind of credibility they came and gave there time and answered whatever questions I had for them. I am happy that some of these people I can consider not just people I work with but people who I consider friends on some level. All there contributions have made this blog better.

#1- This lockout has given me a lot of time to reflect on how much this blog became a part of my life. The countless people mentioned in this and the tons more I could have mentioned. It has been a gift that I gave myself and through hard work and effort I hope it will live on for many years to come.

I can not tell you how much I missed this. But I also admit that I really needed a break from it and the lockout did provide that. I could have tried to muddle along during that Lockout but if I am not given you something that I believe is worth your time, I am just not comfortable doing it. So barring a complete disaster it appears we are back in business.

To all of the many people this blog has brought into my life be it in person or through my computer screen I am very happy to have you in it. The Dino Nation Blog was built as a last shot to hang on to my dreams and I am still hanging on. Also it goes without saying how much I thank my mother for putting up with all the craziness this blog has created for her life and me looking after her. She has always been supportive in all that I am doing. For that I am lucky and fortunate.

I am happy basketball is back but in a way I am sad and disappointed that is took this long to come to an agreement in a society and world with far greater problems than that. I will never believe a NBA Cares Ad again because at the end of the day they don't. I do and hopefully always will.

DNB Top 10- Lockout Edition

Hello all. The DNB Top 10 will make a lockout appearance. James Borbath your Dino Blogger at the controls. So if there wasn't a lockout what would we be talking about? That is the focus of this DNB Top 10.

10. Mama can that man Coach? Yes Mark Jackson finally will be a coach in the NBA. It seems almost fitting the lockout is preventing him from getting his chance. But can he actually be a good coach in the NBA? How can he help or hurt the development of Steph Curry. Can he actually make the Warriors more than lottery regulars?

9. I thought we had a G.M Already? The Raptors are searching for Bryan Colangelo's replacement as G.M. The team leading up the search is Bryan Colangelo. What all this will mean for the Raptors and how this will impact on newly hired coach Dwane Casey. Don't you hire the coach first and then a G.M?

8. Hang Up Your Spurs. Have we seen the end of an era in San Antonio? After a first round exit to the Grizzlies who had never won a playoff game let alone a series prior to that. Is this the end for Timmy and the rest in San Antonio?

7. What will Mark Cuban Do For An Encore? Mavs are champs and Mark Cuban said the might not even get rings? Championship Belts? Who knows but could you see the Commissioner David Stern being happy about this? More important then all of that was this a flash in the pan or are the Mavs legit contenders to repeat in the West?

6. OKC now legit contenders for an NBA Title? Step one make the playoffs....check. Step 2 make it all the way to the Conference Finals...check. Step 3 Go to the NBA Finals ??? It sure seems that Kevin Durant has a team on the verge of greatness in one of the NBA's smaller markets. Can the Thunder be considered the best in the West and the guys to challenge the folks in Miami for years to come in the NBA Finals? Can Russell Westbrook be part of that winning formula?

5. Got Mello Now What? Oh yes the Knicks have Carmelo Anthony and Amare too. They finally returned to the playoffs. But the have no G.M in place after Donnie Walsh was forced out. Rumours that Isiah Thomas could be back. Oh it is a mess in New York City. If and when this lockout ends will the Knicks have the power to build on what they have? A new CBA might just high jack there plans of building there own super team to compete with the Heat.

4. Boston Is to old to win? We talked about the Spurs might be done. How about the original Big 3 in Boston. Has the window shut on their chance to call themselves contenders in the East? Sure they still are likely the best team in the Atlantic Division but that is not saying a lot when you look at the Sixers, Nets, Raptors. Aside from the aforementioned Knicks there is not a lot in the division. But in the East with Bulls and Heat looking far better than Boston is this the end for them. Rajon Rondo would have to be super human for it not to be.

3. Coming Soon...Superman Has Left Orlando Again. Oh yes we all remember when the original Superman Shaq took his cape and flew off to La La Land. Now Dwight Howard is already making noise he will do the same. Well if Orlando does not contend for a title. Which is a pretty safe bet they won't. So will Otis Smith get the drop on Dwight and trade him like The Nuggets and Jazz did? Or will he ride it out and face the possibility of getting screwed over like the Cavs and Raptors. But cheer up Magic fans you still have 4 more years of Gilbert Arenas the former agent 0 to look forward too.

2. Miami Heat How Do They Improve? They still have there 3 mega stars. But they lack some serious depth in South Beach. If the new CBA is not a friendly one how will the Heat get better to start winning all those rings Lebron James promised? If they can't add depth beyond the 3 big names how long before we start hearing Chris Bosh trade rumours? The newlyweds would not like to be relocated to some awful place like Milwaukee or worse Sacramento. While some Raptor fans would take pure joy in even the possibility.

1. Lakeshow Drama In Full Effect. We have heard very little from Kobe Bryant. He was not in the loop on the hiring of Phil Jackson's replacement. He might have to call Lebron James and get the low down on why Mike Brown is a terrible coach. Oh and we have Ron Artest who has changed his name like Chad Johnson did in the NFL. Lamar still married to a Kardashian. Mike Brown's over under on being Laker Coach is perhaps 2 years at best. It is never easy to replace a coaching legend in sports. Jimmy Johnson did a good job replacing Tom Landry with the Cowboys. But those things are rare. How long before Phil Jackson gets a call from Pat Riley to ask to take his talents to South Beach? Will it take longer than it will for Kobe to get Brown fired or demand a trade out of L.A? Things are not looking up for the Lakers. It is scary to think the Clippers might have a brighter future than the Lakers. Well it might not be that bad but things sure are set up for a Lakers implosion.

So those are things we should be talking about. Instead we are talking about the lack of progress in labour talks. Here is a story from Adrian Wojnarowski from Yahoo Sports on where things stand with the Lockout after unsuccessful talks on Monday. But it is summer time and he weather is hot so enjoy it. The NBA Lockout will be still there waiting for you in the fall.

DNB Top 10 - Things B.C Was Thinking

I am filling in doing the DNB Top 10 while Ryan takes his exams for school. I am sure we all wish him luck with his exams. On to the Top 10 on Monday we heard from Bryan Colangelo here is what he might have been thinking but not saying.

#10- Bryan it is showtime. You can spin 22-60 into a positive I know you can.

#9- I am going try something new and be honest about Andrea Bargnani

#8- Sam Mitchell was such a pain. Jay Triano shares my philosophy in the team that scores the most wins. Sure we talk defence but let's face it chicks dig scoring!!!

#7- At least the Lockout will give me more time to figure this mess out.

#6- If we win the draft lottery I can't make a worse pick than Andrea Bargnani. I just can't can I? No it is not possible.

#5- Demar DeRozan is my only hope. My future is hanging on a kid that is like what 20? Great.

#4- MLSE Board kissed my butt to get me to come here and now they are not giving me my contract extension? What is up with that? I mean is it my fault Chris Bosh is a jerk and a liar?

#3- B.C talk about the Lockout and get fined...I Don't think so.

#2- I hate Michael Jordan he messed up everything. I had Calderon gone and I could have been a hero. People bash me over Bargnani. Hell he is better than Kwame Brown. Yeah take that M.J!!!

#1- If I trade Andrea Bargnani. I bet I can get his Primo Pasta ad. He is one hell of an "ASS"et. But I am B.C and I can trade anyone not named Jose Calderon.

So that is some of the things Bryan Colangelo might have been thinking but probably not. Still it was funny I hope. After this season if we can not have fun and laugh we might have to cry. There is no crying in Basketball. Right Glen Davis....Miami Heat....ok I guess there is.

Later today some more serious stuff as I talk with Ryan Wolstat from the Toronto Sun about the Raptors season and future. Over the next few weeks will be trying to hook up with a lot of of regular guests to look back on the season and look forward. Jack Armstrong, Matt Devlin and others will hopefully all be stopping by.