Starting 5 With Matt Devlin From Denver

Today in the Starting 5 we catch up with Matt Devlin on the road with the Raptors in Denver, after some extra work last night in calling a double OT win for the Dinos in Utah. We start with conversation on that game and the unfortunate injury to Andrea Bargnani. Also look back a bit at the win in Phoenix. We also talk about the major step up Bargnani has made on the floor and Matt says who he thinks deserves the credit for it. In addition thoughts on the struggles of Ed Davis, Amir Johnson and Demar DeRozan. We also get into some discussion as well about James Johnson. Matt shares his thoughts on how Johnson reminds him of a player he covered prior to coming to Toronto still playing in the league today. All this and some talk of Jack Armstrong and Tebowing in Denver. It is a informative and hopefully fun conversation for your listening pleasure. We also make reference to Matt's road segment that appears on Raptors.com "Life on the 2nd Bus". Matt references the latest episode so I wanted to give you folks a link to it. Someone apparently Tebow's in it given the fact the Raptors are in Denver. As for the picture that comes from the Raptor press room from a game I covered last season. You might remember it as with Matt's blessing I posted it on Twitter. So with out further adieu here is the latest episode of The Starting 5.




Thanks to Matt for making time for us. Matt has been kind enough to be a guest with us since his arrival in Toronto and we always enjoy having him as a guest. This maybe a back to back for us in The Starting 5 as well as we are attempting to get another guest lined up for tomorrow. So keep you ears and eyes ready. I will try and make mention of it on Twitter if it comes together. We look forward to talking with Matt again and appreciate him taking the time after a long night of work to be on with us today.

More Of The Same In The ATL

The Raptors would be another man down as the entered Atlanta for a special MLK Day Matinee. James Johnson joins Jerryd Bayless, Aaron Gray and of course Andrea Bargnani. The writing was on the wall it seemed heading into this one. Demar DeRozan day started out the day on the right foot with the Raptors opening score in this game driving to bucket and getting an easy two points. But by the end of the afternoon DeRozan would be as frustrated as the fans watching the game likely were. He would get a rare technically foul and end up on the bench cooling his jets with 4 fouls. Amir Johnson would also have his issues with foul trouble as well on this afternoon. He quickly had to make an exit in the 3rd quarter with about 9 minutes left. For an undermanned Raptors squad that made it an even rougher afternoon.

It did start somewhat well though with an 11-5 lead in early going in the first. But Josh Smith would be big all afternoon and it started with 8 points of a 10-0 run that brought the Hawks back to take the lead. This would set a pattern for most of the afternoon. The Hawks would seem to turn it on and off proving that they are, both good enough to be good, but why they never will be great. They were the like a cat playing with a mouse before they killed it. Raptors fought back to get the lead down to 4 with the score 22-18 only to see the Hawks pull away again before the end of the first with a 26-18 advantage after one.

In the second despite many foolish and silly turnovers by the Raptors, the Hawks were letting their foot off the gas pedal, especially at the end of the half. After letting a 34-22 lead be trimmed to 36-30, only to go on another 7-0 run and have their largest lead of the game at 13 points. But again they let things slide and only led 50-45. It was a gift the Raptors were still in this game.

The Hawks continued to feed Raptor fans hope and their own fans concern. The Raptors with a less than full roster, and having a few folks in form of Young Onez as spectators were able to hang around. Barbosa was the main offensive weapon, his 22 points off the bench led the Raptors on the afternoon. The Raptors would be just down 2, heading to the fourth quarter with the score 73-71 Hawks. But as often been the theme for the Raptors of late, the 4th quarter was an epic disaster. They would take over 5 and half minutes to even register a field goal. Hawks did enough to close the door outscoring the Raptors 20-13 and finish off the Raptors 93-84.

Raptors 5th loss in a row as they head next to Boston to conclude this 3 game road swing. Josh Smith had the line of the game with 28 points and 15 rebounds. Joe Johnson was not shabby either with 27 points 5 rebounds and 6 assists with a couple steals. Compare that to the Raptors future as Demar DeRozan had just 10 points and was 5-17 from the field. Ed Davis did have a season high 11 rebounds but only 7 points as he was forced to play 40 minutes in part because of Amir Johnson's foul trouble. Johnson did have 13 points and 10 rebounds in just 25 minutes of action. Calderon had 13 points and 11 assists but also 4 turnovers. You can certainly understand why the Raptors are struggling with injuries mounting combined with the schedule that has been challenging. But, if you are not starting to have some deep concerns about this young core that Raptors have claimed they are building, then you must not be paying attention. Is it a product of the new system? Is it a product of having to play harder with a focus on the defensive end of the floor? Is it the fact the Raptors were handcuffed by the lockout and had no control of there young players for the entire lockout? It could be all of the above. But for the Raptors ultimate game plan to work they need a lot more from their young core. That begins with Demar DeRozan and Ed Davis.

DNB Game In Pictures

This is something new will try for the odd Raptor game that has some extra time between games. Basically we have some photos from last night's game with some fun captions to give you all a laugh so if your ready...Roll'Em

Raptors Show Some Fight But Lose On Points.

The Toronto Raptors had about as much chance of winning this game as Tim Tebow has in beating Tom Brady. But while Tebow is currently on the way to being crushed by Brady. The Raptors in Chicago had a lot more fight than one might have expected coming in. But in the end the Bulls would come out on top of things but it was an interesting ride to get there.

Demar DeRozan got off to a good start with 6 of the Raptors first 8 points. Amir Johnson did not as he was sitting on the bench just over 3 minutes into this one. He had a foul on the opening possession than picked up his second with 8:49 to go in the 1st. Bulls had a 12-8 lead after DeRozan's third score but would then go on a run and push the lead to 21-8. This prompted Dwane Casey to call a time out and change his approach on defence. The Raptors went zone and it worked really well. Derrick Rose could no longer pick apart Jose Calderon. The Bulls struggled to find any offence at all. James Johnson was having a solid two way performance against his former team. He along with Leandro Barbosa were leading a wave of scoring from the bench. The Bulls 24-13 lead after one, was being chipped away as they had empty possession after empty possession. In fact the Raptors were able to get the lead 35-33 with about 1:30 to play in the half. That was the first time they had led in the game since it was 4-2 Raps in the early moments. Toronto would reverse the 24-13 advantage in the 2nd as they outscored the Bulls by the exact same margin for a offensively challenged 37-37 halftime score.

Raptors came out in the 3rd and continued on with zone defence with a more traditional looking 2-3 zone. Bulls would nose out ahead by 5 points but a DeRozan 3 pointer would bring the Raptors back to level at 44 a piece. It was a scrappy 3rd quarter as both teams had their issues getting the ball in the basket. The Bulls would again push out to a five point bulge and would end up with just a 4 point lead after 3 with score just 56-52. Some more bad news on the injury front for Toronto as James Johnson was out with a twisted ankle and after reports he may return, as it ended up he would not. The Bulls came out of the blocks in the 4th and quickly built their advantage to 11 points. The Raptors made one finally push back but the Bulls responded and re-established the 11 point advantage and push it further with a Rose bucket to make it 71-58 Chicago. The Raptors were challenged to score, they had one possession where they had 3 or 4 attempts only to finally have Kleiza end up at the line. Which was a rare event. Raptors making a foul shot was even more rare. They went 1-7 from the line. Demar DeRozan did not get to the line even once in this game. Barbosa was the only Raptor to make a free throw in this game. The Bulls would close this game out and earn a hard fought 77-64 win moving to 5-0 at the United Center on the season and 12-2 overall.

Raptors fall 4-9 and have lost 4 straight. They next hit the floor at 4pm on Monday as it is the MLK Holiday in the U.S and they will take on the Hawks. DeRozan and Barbosa shared the team high in scoring with just 15 points. Raptors were able to hold Rose to just 18 points but he had 11 dimes to go along with it. The fact the Raptors were able to hang with one of the NBA's Elite teams was encouraging but in the end another loss and they lose a player as well with Johnson going out. Despite all of that you had to at least be a little impressed with how Dwane Casey schemed on defence to give the Raptors a fighting chance through 3 quarters. It was noted that Casey was even more active than usual on the sidelines in the broadcast.

So that is about all for the game. However I want to make mention of an interview conducted by Eric Smith that was part of the pre-game radio broadcast with former Raptor broadcaster Chuck Swirsky. Believe it or not this is the 4th season since Chuck left for Chicago. Time real does seem to fly by. Chuck since leaving Toronto has never explained why he left other than for "Family Reasons". He has been in this blog many times and out of respect to Chuck we have never pressed to have him explain. Eric Smith in this interview with Chuck, it finally is explained in depth what those reasons in fact were. So I encourage you to go have a listen.

I honestly never knew the reasons Chuck had left till today. I had heard bits and pieces of this story but never knew what was fact or fiction. I have always loved Chuck as person and I am sorry to hear of the reasons he had to leave a place that he did and still does love. Chuck and Eric both will always have a special place in my heart. I was just doing a college radio show locally here in Hamilton and emailed Chuck and later Eric about being guests on the show. Chuck would do that small radio show several times as would Eric. Chuck would also help me get to know a few people in an attempt to advance myself. He is a great human being and truly cares for people. I may have issues with his style of broadcasting at times. But never the man. The man is one of the best people I have had the chance to know. I have appreciated his wiliness to be a guest here in the DNB since leaving for Chicago. Now knowing what was going on for him personally I appreciate even more. Whatever you may think about Chuck, he gave a heck of a lot to helping sell this Raptor franchise in his time here. He should always be respected for all that he did to try and grow the Raptors and game here.

Happy Locker Clean Out Day

Well I did not travel to Toronto for all the fun and festivities that is locker clean out day. Maybe one day I will. But got to see it all for myself and read up on what I missed. Zack Cooper did a nice summary with all the quotes and notes from Locker Clean Out Day that you can check out. I also give my thoughts and opinions on all that I saw and read in this lengthy podcast. I encourage you to give it a listen. I apologize that I could not sing or rap in between segments to make it a little more entertaining. But hopefully some straight basketball talk will be good enough to keep you interested.

We wanted to find footage of Mike James version of I Believe I Can Fly but it is far to rare. Still here it is (R.Kelly Version) and you have to wonder if you can believe in the Raptors moving forward.

Demar Is Confident and Excited For All Star Weekend In L.A

Demar DeRozan has grown a lot this year on the floor. He points to knowing what to expect and confidence as the reasons why. He also takes that confidence with him home to L.A for All-Star Weekend. Before you go handing the Slam Dunk Crown to Blake Griffin, it may not be the a "slam dunk" he wins. While Demar is tight lipped about what to expect he does seem to be confident in how things are going. No clue on if either will be able to give a bit of a preview this Sunday as the Clippers are in town to face the Raptors. But listen to the interview and see if you walk away as I did, feeling that DeRozan seems like a guy that might just have some big things planned this time around. In his own backyard, having been there and done that in competing in the contest last year. If anyone is going to stop Blake Griffin it just might be him. Nate Robinson called this year's dunk contest rigged for Griffin to win. But that was before DeRozan was added to replace ironically his good friend Brandon Jennings. Listen to what Demar says about all of it and how he feels things have changed for him as a player since last year at this time.



Not that I needed Demar to tell me to watch it but now I am even more excited to watch it. In a season that has been rough for the Raptors it may go a long way if DeRozan could take home MVP Honours in the Rookie/Sophomore and or a dunk championship as well. The kid the blazed in the doors saying the Air Canada was back just might be starting laying his own foundation to truly be Heir Canada. For now he is one of the Young Onez and as he had told me before Amir Johnson is expected to be riding shot gun with him for the Dunk Contest. Not sure if Amir's Ankle injury will change that. But one thing is for sure expect a show come a week from today.

Starting 5 With Ryan Wolstat

We have always from the very beginning of doing the Starting 5 tried to bring you many different opinions and viewpoints from the main stream media. While we have been successful in doing that to a large degree, there has been one omission to that. We have never had anyone from the traditional print media to be a guest here. You know newspapers, well that changes today as we welcome Ryan Wolstat from the Toronto Sun to join us in the Starting 5. As with many of the guests we have had got to know Ryan through twitter (@WolstatSun) and eventually we met in covering the Raptors. So it is great to have him aboard and talk a lot about the uncertain yet certain future of the Raptors. That seems confusing, but if you listen to the interview it will not be. We talk about the futures of Bryan Colangelo, Jay Triano and some of the players that make up this roster. If anything we accomplish showing that bloggers and newspaper writers may not in fact hate each other as many assume. It was an enjoyable conversation and hopefully one you will enjoy as well.



Thanks to Ryan for helping us break some new ground with the DNB's Starting 5 and who knows maybe it will open the flood gates to more people from his world coming into our world here in the Dino Nation Blog. One of the great things of having access to games beyond the obvious things you see in talking with players and covering games is being able to build relationships with people in the media. It is something I have worked hard to do, and am so happy that so many people when asked to come join me here, have been happy and willing to do so. Hope to have Ryan join us again and become one of the many regular folks will call on to talk with here in the Dino Nation Blog. Another Ryan in the blog tomorrow as Ryan Richard our DNB Intern makes his debut in audio form, as we start doing a weekly DNB Podcast with myself and one of the members of my loyal staff. That will become a regular weekly feature on Wednesdays unless we have a guest booked to talk with on that day.

Raptors Washington Summit

How bad are things for the Raptors? Bad enough to have a meeting with all hands on deck as B.C had a meeting with players and coaching staff in Washington. The Fan 590 is reporting you could see up to 3 changes to the Raptors starting line-up. Safe to assume the Franchise player Chris Bosh will not be gone and it is hard to imagine that Hedo Turkoglu the Raps big free agent signing will be sent to the bench as well. So by process of elimination that means Bargnani, DeRozan and Calderon all seem to be on the hot seat. Triano has suggested there can be as many as 3 changes and safe to say those are the guys that would be out. So who is in? It seems clear that Jack and Amir Johnson would be in if Jose and Bargs are out. Who would replace Demar DeRozan might be up to some debate. Antonie Wright has battled injuries and not exactly shook up the world with his performance. That being said on the defensive end of things he would be the best choice. If not him the other likely option would be Marco Belinelli that has been up and down. However if Bargnani is to go to the bench it may make sense to leave Marco there with him.

One thing is for sure it makes checking out tonight's game a lot more interesting. This team has lost 5 in a row and this seems to be a real point in which the future of what this season will be is on the line. It would have been great to be a fly on the wall in that meeting today. You have to feel Bryan Colangelo is beyond disappointed in the effort he has seen from the team he built. Given the comments of Jarrett Jack it seems clear that this team has some internal issues to get solved. A major shake up to the line-up may seem like a desperate move. However does anyone think this team is not in a desperate state? You can be sure this meeting today was not to plan the Raptors Christmas Party. It also would not be likely that Colangelo would want to fire Triano at this stage. In terms of trades it is very early for that. Also you have to figure every conversation would begin with asking about Chris Bosh is on the table. I think that Colangelo only sees a Bosh trade as a last resort. So the only tool that makes sense is to use that of the starting line-up and minutes in general. If this doesn't work there is really going to be some problems.

The Raptors really are walking a dangerous line as it seems clear that if things don't change. You would have to be concerned if Chris Bosh losses his desire and passion in the last year of his deal. After all of the losing and false hope he has had over the years. It has to get to you after awhile or you are not human. Since the incident in Boston there has been a noticeable change in Chris and I think it makes total sense. Perhaps this meeting help solve that issue. This team really has to come together and fast. They are falling apart on the floor on a nightly basis and for anyone with any sense of pride that has to be just awful.

It is not to late to save this season from going down the drain. When you play in the Eastern Conference you get a long rope to avoid hanging yourself. When you lose 5 games in a row in the West it has more deadly consequences. The Raps with every loss go further behind the .500 mark and climbing back to that level is far more difficult. There needs to be a sense of urgency with this basketball team and if a meeting with your G.M and shake-up to the starting line-up is not a clear message to that not sure what will at this point.

So needless to say tonight's match-up with the Wizards offers lots of drama and interest. If we do not see a more improved effort and team on the floor it may just be the start of darker days to come. The Raptors need to come together and show some fight. Something that was clearly lacking in Atlanta and has been on many nights in this season. This team will come together or it is going to explode apart. There will be no happy medium for the Raptors given all the factors that surround this team. The largest of those being the future of the star player in Chris Bosh. It is never easy to head into a season with a team's key player in the last year of a deal. When losing happens it can cause even more drama as a result. When you win as they have in Cleveland and Miami the story of 2010 gets shoved to the back burner. However when you don't it is the elephant in the room.

Heck it hasn't even been easy for me. I had my computer give up on me. That is a major crisis for the Dino Nation Blog and the way I am trying to make a living. So I have had to make some changes as well with a computer screen on the IR. However I have come up with a fix to keep the DNB up and running. Looking to draft a new star in the new year on the computer front but till that time I will grind it out. The only time the DNB shut down was for 3 weeks or so when my computer before this one broke down. I am always willing to work hard it is just the technical things that do not always co-operate. So I am just happy to be still able to be in the game so to speak. Thanks for all the comments yesterday. As a result of the computer meltdown it took me till late last night to get them posted.