Tying A Bow On London

This will be the last report from Michael who was kind enough to share his thoughts with us in the Dino Nation Blog on his trip to London to see the Raptors. I just want to thank him for making us a part of his experience. I felt it would add something to the blog to experience these games through someone's eyes from Europe. They would have a much different view than us. I hope everyone has enjoyed Michael's contributions to the blog here is his final instalment:

After having caught up on my sleep, and getting thrown back into my work- and university-life, I want to summarize my experience: For those who don’t know, London is a beautiful city! Besides the underground and it’s weird first and last train hours, there is literally something to be done all day long. Now, for those who reside in bigger cities like Toronto, that might be the case all the time. Since I’ve been born and raised, and am still living, in the third biggest town of Austria, Linz, a steel-city just like Hamilton of roughly 200.000, I wouldn’t really know.

Having basically only two days with both nights planned out, I didn’t really do much sightseeing as it was my sixth trip to London, and like always, shopping was more important on my list. The number one items in my calendar were both NBA games at The O2 though, the reason I made the trip in the first place!

I had never been to The O2 nor any other indoor arena holding nearly twenty thousand people. I’ve been to a soccer game for the Portuguese cup game last February but that’s it as far as my live sports experience goes. The O2 is a modern venue and what impressed me was the short lines to the bathroom even during game breaks. I don’t know if that’s normal as I can’t compare it to other arenas but that stuck in my head.

Though having touched on it before in my last post about Saturday’s game, I have to bring it up once again: GBP 55 (circa EUR 65, CAD 90) for seats in the second to last row are just too expensive. The ones in the fifth or sixth row of the upper bowl for Friday’s game were okay but asking people to pay that much for sitting in the roof? Surprisingly, the view was better than expected. But just to give you an idea, even though I sat on the side where the Raptors TV crew shot their pre-game piece, I hardly recognized Paul Jones as the third member sitting in between Matt Devlin and Leo Rautins!

Since I am already bringing up points from the last post and speaking of Paul Jones, I had a blast meeting him and fellow Fan590’s Eric Smith! They took time less than an hour before the game for a nice talk and even though I never listen to their game broadcasts as I watch games on demand on NBA League Pass Broadband International, I try catching Fan590’s Hoops or its podcast as often as I can.

Besides what I already said about the Friday and Saturday game, I was really soaking everything in you normally don’t get to see on TV. Who knew the Raptor was so active in between game breaks? Okay, most of you probably did know but for those only getting to watch on TV didn’t! I also didn’t know how much time Jay Triano always takes talking to his assistants before going into the huddle during time outs. Compared to Avery Johnson, he burns more than half his time on checking with his staff.

What I also didn’t know and had saved for my last post: I didn’t know Jose Calderon could dunk! Unless I completely lost my mind or eye-sight, I swear he dunked during warm-ups! I mean yeah, smaller people like him have won the dunk contest before, but I never figured he was that athletic! I mean, he sure is athletic compared to me but dunking athletic, I didn’t know!

Anyways, if the NBA plans on doing this again, I hope they figure out a way to persuade The O2’s management to fix WiFi and to talk to Transport for London about their maintenance work schedule. But maybe they even decide to go to another city, The O2 is not the only venue in Europa that could handle NBA games! I’m sure the NBA office knows that from the pre-season games, though I never been to any of those as they are just public work outs to me. The regular season is what counts and I hope they bring back a few games next year! Even if it’s not the Raptors, which is very, very unlikely, I’ll sure look into going.

Thanks for reading my posts and I hope you enjoyed following my thoughts on my first ever NBA experience! If you did, maybe you’ll follow me on Twitter @Euro4Raps but only if you promise not to @ me with game spoilers (as I watch them a few hours later on demand)!

Thanks to Michael for all his efforts. One of the things when I started this blog that never crossed my mind is that people all over the world would read it. I have got to know readers from not just where Michael is from but in Spain, Poland, Italy, and even see hits on occasion for the Dino Nation Blog from places like Australia and China and many other nations to numerous to mention. The Raptors try to be Canada's team and we get hits from all across this country and North America as well. I do not ever see a day in my life time the NBA goes outside of North America but for fans of the NBA across this globe we live in I hope they do attempt to bring basketball to those places. The efforts those fans make to follow the game is tremendous. They deserve to be rewarded. A game with the Raptors and Nets in New Jersey or Toronto would have been just another game of the 41 that make up the schedule. But the games in London were something special for all those fans that do not have the fortune of having the NBA in their backyard.

Jonesy and E Smith Make A Cameo Appearence In DNB

You know two of those guys. Michael was able to meet up with DNB Starting 5 guests Eric Smith and Paul Jones. Better known to non-DNB readers as the Fan 590 broadcast crew. It seems that three overtimes was less than ideal for Michael but I will allow him to explain. It has been great having his reports to share with you. I want to personal thank him for making us a part of his London adventure to see the Raptors. I really felt it offers a prospective for us here in Canada to understand why this while inconvenient for us with games at 3pm, it was a great experience and opportunity for Raptor fans abroad to see the team. Now here is Micheal's report with how he came across Eric and Paul and why he never made it till the end of game. The ending was a sad one for the Raptors as it turned out:

I spent my Saturday just like Friday with some shopping but also took TFL bus 23 which passes quit a few remarkable sights of London, like Marble Arch, Piccadilly Circus and St. Paul's Cathedral. Still, my mind was all Raptors or especially, how I could trick my way into the lower bowl to catch the Raptors/Fan590 radio crew Paul Jones and Eric Smith.

On our way to The O2 to meet up with fellow Raptors fans from the UK, Transport for London screwed us over the first time: Part of the only underground towards The O2 was closed down for maintenance and we had to go another, longer route and missed meeting the guys for dinner.

We got there in time to queue up early though and with some sweet-talking and persuasion, I managed to get into the lower bowl, though I was nearly thrown out twice. Still, I managed to scream loud enough for Eric Smith, who hollered Paul Jones to join us and we had a nice talk about the Raptors and Fridays game, as well as other things like travelling where Eric impressed me with his knowledge about European low cost airlines.

Hands down, meeting those guys was the highlight of my day and I want to thank them - again - for taking time to chat with me and also to pose for some pictures like the one in this post!

We then tried to get one of those Footlocker foam fingers for my friend but we were unable to so we decided to grab some stuff from the concession and head to our seats. Contrary to Friday, were we had been in front of the upper bowl block, we were now in the second to last row and even though we saw still fair enough, GBP 55 (circa EUR 65, CAD 90) is quite steep for those seats basically IN the roof...

The crowd was into the game early and, like the night before, I was mainly surrounded by Raptors fans. From the cheers, I assume the overall crowd was favouring the Nets though, especially the lower bowl. I'm unsure if it seemed the same way on TV, but from my seat it sure seemed this way.

The game was, again, great and I was happy the Raptors were in it for 4 quarters and two overtimes! Unfortunately, at this point the TFL screwing us came into full effect the second time: Since the underground connecting to our hotel was terminating early, we, among quite a few other spectators, had to leave just after the third overtime had started and we were lucky to catch the second to last train to our hotel. Cab was no option for us neither as our shopping spree left us basically broke besides the unavoidable cab fare in the morning towards our bus to the airport as underground service doesn't start until after we were supposed to check in on Sundays.

Unlike at the O2, whose Wifi didn't work for me the whole night after one tweet while at the entrance, thankfully I had working internet and immediately checked the final score. Obviously I was disappointed that the Raptors had lost the second London game too, though it stayed tight until the very end from what I gathered.

In the end, it was still a great night and I stayed positive even though I am still mad at TFL and the Wifi at The O2! It honestly makes me wonder how they will fare next year at the Olympics. To me, it was not really a soaring recommendation.

I am typing this on my flight back to Vienna on just 90ish minutes of sleep and I hope you can all forgive me for whatever nonsense I might have come up with. I will give a fourth and last post about the whole of my first ever NBA experience in the next few days with more pictures. For now you can follow me on Twitter @Euro4Raps and before I cant force my eyes open anymore, let me thank one other awesome guy: James, thanks for giving me an audience to write about my trip to London!

As I mentioned in the opening the thanks goes to Micheal and once he gets home and settle he is going send me some more pictures of his trip and some up his experience. Look for that on Monday or Tuesday.

Triple OT Thriller In London

I kind feel bad that I am just not that excited about all this. But it has taught me the pain and troubles people go through in other time zones in the world to watch games. Thinking living the East coast we are spoiled sports fans to a degree. But it appears that over in London it has been a success. There is no question that these games in New Jersey where they would have been played would have drawn flies. So to play in front of sellout crowds is a much better atmosphere. Maybe it just the cold reality of the Raptors just playing out the string of the season is sinking in. While other teams have made changes and are in that life and death push for the playoffs the Raptors are not. It makes the individual not as life and death. I can't bring my sell to cheer for ping pong balls that is just not me. But regardless for the 2nd and final time the Raps and Nets hook up in England.

Demar DeRozan opened the scoring coming off scoring 30 last night gets the opening two of this ball game. Bargnani would drive and draw a foul on Lopez getting to the line and evened the game up at 6. A turnover and another DeRozan bucket and it was 8-6 Raptors early. Lopez would respond and tie it at 8. Calderon would answer that with a 3 and this was a start similar to yesterday. Hump had a big day yesterday and gets on the glass and gets a rebound and score. Much like yesterday a back and forth affair tied at 15. Also like yesterday Demar was on fire starting 4-4 in this one. Bayless was looking sharp early and it has been a long time since he has had what you could class a good game. Couple hoops and a steal. DeRozan a corner 3 ball...Really...wow. Raptors had a 26-21 lead DeRozan a huge jam and it is time we start calling this kid Heir Canada again also maybe.... the Franchise Player. 30-23 the Raptors lead on the strength of Demar DeRozan with 13 in the first.

Nets started the 2nd with a Hump bucket and another hoop and harm for Petro but no and 1. So Raptors lead was 30-27. Raptors with a lot of reserves in were not looking sharp at all a Barbosa turnover and Raptors were hanging on to a 32-30 lead. Barbosa made up for turnover with a bucket on the next possession. Jordan Farmar three pointer would get the Nets to with in one. But Barbosa answers with a 3 of his own make it 37-33 with a time out on the floor. Raptors after letting Nets get back to with in one but then got on a run and took a 46-38 lead. Barbosa after early struggles had 7 off the bench. Brook Lopez was abusing Ed Davis to get a couple hoops to draw the Nets closer 46-42 with a time out after a Sasha foul. Nets would get to with in on once more and this had a similar feel as to last night's game. 53-52 Raptors with just under 3 to play. Deron Williams starting to gel with Nets? Makes a big 3 to tie it at 55. He would give the lead to the Nets at the line making it 59-57 with just over a minute to play. Bargnani was getting to the line made two more and was 8-8 at line in half. A Sasha 3 and Jose matching 3 and it was tied at 62. The Machine was on fire another 3 and Nets led 65-62 at the half. Vujacic doing his best Matt Bonner impression 4-4 from beyond the arc.

More 3's to start the 3rd this time for the Raptors from Bargnani. It was just bombs away in London and Nets were 10-18 from 3 point Range as Vujacic and Williams helped create those numbers from 3. Nets only a 76-75 lead despite hitting all that. In a game with zero defence seems pointless to attack just Bargnani, and he was getting some boards 6 and had 22 points. Quietly getting it done and his latest 2 gave the Raptors the lead back 77-76 with 5:47 to play in 3rd. DeRozan meanwhile after the great start had vanished into the London fog. It was a tight battle and Bargnani even draws a charge on Hump. Later scores to give Raps a 83-81 lead with 3 to play in the 3rd and he has 24. I am hard on the guy and many are but you can't complain much about Bargnani today. He was keeping the Raptors in this game and still with a slight 85-84 lead. It would be tied at 88 after 3.

Raptors came out and took the early control with a 95-89 lead and Avery Johnson wanted to talk it over before this got out of hand. Nets would get things going and sparked by a Farmar 3 ball and it was 97-94. Bayless was having best game he has had in quite sometime as he scored on the break to make the lead 5 once more. DeRozan get a touch and gets into Davis for the dime for double d. Bargnani was resting during all of this and Raptors had a 101-95 lead with 5:29 to play. Demar after that huge first quarter has went silent and cold missing a hook in the lane. Hump on other hand brought his lunch bucket to London was great in first game and great today. Makes two at the line 101-99 Raptors. DeRozan finally gets on board scores the bucket and the foul and makes the and 1 his first points since the first quarter. that got him going he hits again and Raptors lead 106-101 with just over 3 to play.

Ed Davis got to line looking to restore 5 point lead and missed both. Hump a big dunk on other end and it was a 1 point game. DeRozan missed and Hump the rebound. Nets fail to Cash in and Davis a big rebound his 15th. Raps fail to take advantage and Nets call a time out with 1:11 to play down 106-105. Nets run a play for Lopez and take it right at Ed Davis and draw the foul. Lopez makes both and Nets lead 107-106 and Rators call a time out with just over a minute to play. Bargnani after being hot since checking back in the 4th had not been a factor and miss a jumper at top of the circle at the foul line. Nets go to Lopez again and he scores giving him 30 and Nets a 3 point lead. Caderon gets blocked but Amir cashes it in and makes it a one point game with 26.6 to play and Nets call a time out. Raptors decide to foul right away sending The Machine to the line for 2. Sasha would make 1 of 2 and Raptors got what they were looking for with score 110-108 in favour of the Nets. DeRozan had a quiet middle to his game but with pressure on drives and scores tie game at 110. Nets ball with 19.5 to play and Raptors out of time outs. Williams decided to take it himself and it doesn't fall. Were going to OT in London.

No clue why they did not go to Lopez on that final Nets possession but Raptors Live!!! DeRozan had last bucket of regulation and first of overtime. Shot clock violation for the Nets and DeRozan got blocked by Lopez. Hump ties it up at 112. More Hump and he has 4 straight points and Nets lead 114-112. DeRozan is learning and he shows it sucking the Nets into a foul and he makes both at the line tied at 114. DeRozan got called for touching ball in cylinder and Nets get the basket and it is 116-114. Bargnani had been silent since checking back in during the 4th. But he drives scores and draws the foul and makes that. Raptors in front 117-116. Barbosa would make 2 at the line and a charge on Hump Raptors were looking good to close this out. But Raps could not slam the door shut. Nets would get ball on a shot clock violation with 11.7 to play down 3. Anything except a 3 ball is good....Sasha for 3...NO...But Yes he hits it tied at 119. But still 9.2 seconds left. Bargnani took the shot to win it....but no....Double OT anyone?

Lopez opens scoring in OT #2. DeRozan to the line for a pair makes both and it is 121-121. Lopez fouled out and that was huge he had 34 points 14 rebounds and 8 blocks. Outlaw would score to give the Nets the lead though. Gaines the 11 day Raptor was in there at crunch time again and he splits 2 at the line. Jose drives wanted a foul call but didn't get one. Outlaw airballs a three that might have clinched this. Raptors eventual get a steal and Hump stops DeRozan on the break and swats it out of play but a foul on Gaines sends DeRozan to the line. Makes both and Nets lead 124-123 with 1:37 to play. Barbosa a terrible turnover but DeRozan got a steal on the other end and Bargnani with a 3 and after Raptors looked like they had blown it now were up 2 all of the sudden with 31 seconds to play in 2nd OT. Nets get a shot partially blocked and it goes right to Williams who sticks a simple jumper. This was looking like it might go 3 overtimes. This time DeRozan had a chance to end it but NO!!! Triple OT BABY!!!

DeRozan gets swatted trying to go for the slam to start the 3rd OT. By the way last time Raps were in Triple OT they were also on the road in Sacramento and lost that one. Nets get a score and the foul and lead 129-126. Nets would make a pair at the line for 5 point lead think that is largest lead for either team since OT got going. Nets would get lead to 7 and with under two to go I am thinking 4th OT is not in the cards. Raptors were down 5 with a minute to go. Bargs drives and draws a foul as he makes the basket. Hold the phone this might not be done. Makes and 1 and it was 135-133 with 47.2 seconds left in triple OT. Nets a turnover and will this ever end? Honestly will it? Raps have a broken play off a Jose miss and DeRozan sucks everyone to him on the drive and kicks to wide open Barbosa and he hits the open 3...Raps lead 136-135. Outlaw got fouled with 12.6 to play and he makes both. This was looking like it was going to end but who was going to win. Bargnani with another chance to win it and NO!!! It is over.....What a game...I need a nap. Nets take it 137-136.

Not sure stats click on link to boxscore but this was a huge learn experience for the Raptors in a playoff like atmosphere and lots of key moments. They can learn and grow from this. But don't tell them that right now that is a heartbreaking way to lose.

The Scene From London Of Raptors vs Nets

Friday Report from our Fan correspondent in London (@Euro4raps )

Yes Michael did make it to London. He tells me Wifi over in London is not the greatest. Might be something to figure out for the Olympics coming don't you think? There will be a lot more people in London for that event for sure. But Michael was able to get us his thoughts on his day and the game that night which the Raptor would eventually lose to the Nets:

After spending most of my Friday shopping at Portobello Road Market and Oxford street, I met up with two British Raptors fans prior to the game at The O2: Tom Hurley and Nat Jones, both currently from Manchester. Also Natasha Alibhai also quickly came by and we chatted some Raptors.

I then bought a Raptors t-shirt from the official store and was instantly wondering why they would sell Heat Jersey not from the Raptors (The answer is this is staged as more an NBA Event). Inside the arena, where I was sitting practically under the roof bur nonetheless had a good view, I was surprised at how equally the Nets and Raptors were presented throughout The O2. (Note on T.V it didn't sound like it)

The introductions were done equally and I have to admit, the Nets video was more impressive. The game itself started out a bit boring, not because of what happened on the floor but the crowd took a while to get into it. Speaking of the crowd, I think fans for both teams were about 50-50 with maybe a slight overhang towards the Raptors. At least in my block we were, including a boy who chanted DEFENCE whenever the Raptors were back.

I followed the game and since I'm a stats guy it was bad not having any working stats on the Jumbo screen until well into the second quarter. Hopefully they fixed that from the get go for tonight's game. The ending was not the best for Raptors fans as the Nets took over in the fourth. I have to admit though, I'm not that down about it as I had a GREAT time at my first ever NBA game. I saw so many things happening in between TV breaks, like Matt Devlin's bumping fists with every player during warm-ups. Or his constant peeks at several sheets in front of him. The contests and prizes were a bit too much for me but it let time fly by quicker, I guess.

I want to end by saying how impressed I was about the Raptor! He outperformed the Nets mascot on so many levels and involved the (lower bowl) crowd constantly. During a timeout he also had his fun with a security guard, dancing with the poor guy who tried his best to do his job without laughing like the guards at Buckingham Palace.

And by the way, even if the WiFi at The O2 had worked smoother, in-game tweeting is not really for me as I took everything in and tried to see as much as I could. Still, follow me @Euro4Raps and I'll try to do a better job for the second game, working WiFi permitting.

Thanks to Michael for checking in. Funny he mentions the Raptor I have said for years he is one of the best Mascots not just in the NBA but in all sports. Micheal didn't take this picture The Raptor tweeted it. He was busy on the streets as well in London check it out.

Because there really is not to much new to say, no DNB Preview of today's game but it does tip at 3pm and can been seen on Sportsnet 1 here in Canada. Glad to hear Micheal enjoyed his first live NBA game. That is what it is all about. This is a huge deal for fans in Europe. Matt mentioned on broadcast the amount of Raptor fans from so many different places he has met. oddest one for me was Sweden. Seems like everyone for the most part has had a good time.

Nets Pull Away Late In London Night.

Here we go with some NBA History as Raptors and Nets play the first ever regular season game in Europe for the NBA. Jose Calderon and Deron Williams both addressed the crowd together and this was different from you average NBA game.

The Nets once all the per-game hoopla was done scored the first 4 points in this one. Raptors would get back to even up at 4 and this was settling in to be your regular NBA game. Both teams were having no issues with the new arena for both. Shots were falling and the Nets were back on top in a see-saw affair. Andrea would tie it up at 10 only to have Nets sink a 3 on the other end and it was 13-10. Demar DeRozan with the first big highlight of the afternoon here and the night there. A throw down on the break on the pass from Jose it was 15-14 Nets with a time out on the floor. It was a back and forth 1st quarter and these teams might not be in a playoff race but were putting on a good show for the fans in London the Raptors on top 23-22 late in first. The Raptors on a 7-0 run had their first lead of the afternoon/evening. Nets would close the quarter strong and take a 27-23 lead after one.

The Raptors starting the 2nd on a roll and got off to at 10-0 run to start the quarter before Avery Johnson had seen enough and called a time out. Raptors were able to keep an advantage and seemed to have the edge in support even though this was technically a Nets home game. But the Nets would chip away at the Raptors lead and take the lead 43-41 after the Raptors lead by as many as 7 points. Demar Derozan had 14 points and Brook Lopez had 17 to lead their respective teams. A Weems dunk in transition would give the Raptors the lead and another Weems score gave Toronto the lead 51-47 at the half.

The momentum in this game took another turn at the start of the 3rd as the Nets stormed out of the gate to retake the lead 56-55. The wave making a comeback in London that was not a normal NBA occurrence. Meantime on the floor Nets were off to 15-6 start to the 3rd quarter and led 62-57 with just under 8 to play in the 3rd. Raptors offence was chilly and the defence in the 3rd Quarter was not good. But as the script had been for this game the Raptors would claw back and tie the game at 74 near the end of the 3rd. Raptors would keep it rolling and take their turn with the lead. After a pretty awful start to quarter but the end of it Demar DeRozan had 22 points and Raptors had a 81-78 lead.

Nets would quickly come out and tie it up at 81 but Ed Davis would score and give Raptors a 2 point lead only to see the Nets hit a 3 pointer to get on top for 84-83 and this basketball game was like a Wimbledon tennis match. Minus the grass court. Nets started to build an advantage 91-84. But as this game had gone the question would be could they hang on? Gaines who had been on the Raptors with a 10 day earlier in the year, is now on the Nets and he sparked the Nets to build on their lead to make it 98-87. Raptors would make one final push to try and get back in this cutting the lead to 100-95 with just about 4 minutes to play. But the Nets would get the net 4 points and the lead was back to 9 points. The Nets would pull away down the stretch and we going to score the first blow is this rare 2 games series of sorts. Nets take it 116-103 despite the fact Demar and Andrea combined 53 points. Kris Humphries the former Raptor had 18 points and 17 boards stepping up big for the Nets.

We will here from Michael are fan correspondent with his thoughts on his experience so far later in the DNB. Also before this game got started I was able to catch up with Holly Mackenzie and we had a really great conversation for the starting 5. So those are to come so check back for them later.

Raptors vs Nets Round 1 In London

From the home of the 2012 Olympics the O2 arena the Nets and the Raptors will make some NBA history. The first ever regular season game in Europe will go down. Raptors come in off a surprising win on Tuesday night vs the Hornets. Deron Williams recently acquired at the trade deadline is questionable for this game. He has been having an issue with his foot and also a banged up wrist. But as Williams said the Nets did not trade for him to watch him sit. He also said on the prospects of re-signing with the Nets he would play in North Dakota if the team was committed winning. Which given where he played before in Utah that makes sense and is believable. Raptors and Nets have been doing a number of events together and are even staying in the same hotel but today they get it on.

The Basics: Toronto 17-44 (5-24 on the Road) Nets 17-43 (0-9 in Atlantic Division)

When Last We Saw Them: It was a retro performance by Jose Calderon that lead the Raptors to a surprising victory. He out played Chris Paul and led the Raptors making clutch shots to seal a victory. Five Raptors were in double figures including James Johnson who had 13 and is quickly becoming the 2nd coming to some fans out there. Raptors hung on for the 96-90 win.

Key Match-Ups: If he plays Williams vs Calderon will be the key match-up in this game. Calderon has been facing some of the elite at his position in the game of late. Williams is yet another in that list and on paper is the huge favourite in this match-up. Brook Lopez and Andrea Bargnani should be a match-up that favours the Raptors. But what is going to be tough for the Raptors is winning the battle on the glass and that is in part because of former Raptor Kris Humphries. He is playing some of his best ball of his basketball career and off the floor is dating Kim Kardashian. No clue is she made trip to London. But Hump has and will be a load to deal with. James Johnson matches up with Damion James. I loved James at Texas last year and think he can be a solid pick for the Nets.

Other Things Of Note: Nets have lost 6 straight games coming into this one. Nets are 2-8 in last 10 and Raptors not much better at 3-7 in the last 10. Raptors won their first ever game against the Nets and in fact lead the all-time series 30-28. Deron Williams in first 3 games as a Net has recorded a double double and that is first time that has happened since the NBA kept track of back in 1976-77. Raptors have played games in Euro before and held a training camp in Europe but this is there first visit to London and the O2 arena.

Where is it on: Sportsnet Main Network 3pm (Yes the Raptors are more important than Poker to Sportsnet!!! WOOO!!!)

DNB's Fan Correspondent Checks In

About 2 months ago I had an idea to have a fan cover their experience going to London to catch the Raptors and Nets game in London. It makes sense for a few reasons. The first a trip to London is impossible for me on a number of levels starting with the expense to go. But second and more importantly someone from over in Europe is far more excited about this event than me. It is almost like the circus coming to town or in this case Europe. So I found a DNB reader and Raptor fan that was going and agreed to be our fan reporter of sorts sharing his journey to see the Raptors in London. I think this is a pretty cool idea and will be something you folks will enjoy. So here is Michael (@Euro4Raps) with his first post/report:


How is it like being a NBA fan in Europe? For games, you can get up in the middle of the night, 1 or 2 am if you happen to be a fan of any East Coast team, 3 or 4 am for teams from the other coast. Then about half the countries don't even have it on TV and you're stuck with NBA League Pass Broadband International, something they gladly expanded a few years back. In my country, Austria, not even the NBA All Star game makes it into the newspaper and most sports anchors probably get the NBA, NHL..etc. mixed up.

If you can't get up at night, for whatever reasons, you watch re-runs like I do. For me, about 3 days a week from November to April start by getting up at around 6 am, taking care of all the morning deeds (with the most important being to fetch a coffee) and getting comfortable in front of my computer to watch the most recent Raptors game. I have to resist checking the score on Twitter, most times I manage and for the following 2 hours, I'm glued to the screen, cheering and screaming at the players, coaches and, more frequently, referees. Just like every other fan at the arena or in front of his/her television would do, I assume. (On a side note, I have to thank the Raptors for those early Sunday games, they are the only one's I catch live.)

Obviously, I was all giddy jumping like a little kid opening birthday presents when the NBA announced they would have two regular season games in Europe. After all, my favourite team, the Raptors, would be coming to town. The latter not literally as London is not located in Austria but still just a 2 ½ hours flight away. I bought my tickets on the first day they went on sale and was glad that I could convince my best friend to join me.

So here I am, sitting at the airport in Vienna, waiting for my flight. I already know that the next two nights will be like my birthday and Christmas put together. Right now, I don't even care if the Raptors will win. Sure I will cheer them on, cross my fingers and hope for the best, but the sheer chance of just seeing them live, a few (hundred - LOL) meters from my seat, will be great on its own. After all, NBA fans in Europe hardly get a chance to cheer for their teams, something most of you folks over in Canada and the USA take for granted.

You can follow DNB Fan Correspondent Michael Leiblfinger on Twitter @Euro4Raps or find him at the back of The O2 on Friday in block 402, row H, Seat 490/1 and on Saturday in block 403, row R, seat 518/9!

Thanks to Michael and he will be checking in with us here in the DNB thorough out his trip to London sharing his experiences in England with us for the entire weekend. He will be taking photos that will be included in some of the posts and likely put together a whole package of all this photos once his trip in done.

DNB Top 10 - Guest Host James Borbath

Ok Ryan has exams in school so maybe he forget it is Wednesday? Heck I am having a hard time remembering it is with no Raptor Game. So allow me to fill in for Ryan and with 0 preparation and come up with a top 10 list. Ryan's are usually more serious and what not. I will go for some humour. Seeing as the Raptors had a long flight to England it likely gave some people some time to think. So our top 10 will be....

10 Things People may have thought on way to England?

#10 Solomon Alabi: " Maybe by playing in a different continent I can get some playing time"

#9 Jay Triano: " I do know the international game better wonder if I can convince David Stern to have these games played under international rules?"

#8 Sonny Weems: " Maybe they have not heard of James Johnson over here in England this is good"

#7 Amir Johnson: " If I could learn to speak French for Montreal, I can learn to speak British"

#6 Andrea Bargnani: " If I wear my Italian soccer jersey, will people in England beat me up?"

#5 Matt Devlin " Is sneaking Tim Horton's coffee into a country illegal?"

#4 Eric Smith " Better than Memphis....better than Milwaukee too."

#3 Jose Calderon " I am back my friends...Uno....Dose....Ole...Ole.....and Deron Williams is hurt...VIVA JOSE!!!!"

#2 Bryan Colangelo " If we win both these games, I am going to pitch it to the board that the team was undefeated outside of North America. That should get me at least another Million on my contract extension. MLSE board will buy that, my team has under 20 wins and I am being offered an extension what would I have to do get fired? I am all powerful here in Canada. Bosh was stupid to leave you don't even have to win and you get paid. Oh and got to remember to ask to be paid in Canadian Dollars too!!!"

#1 Demar DeRozan " Finally Heir Canada is going to London baby!!! and the real one not that fake one in Ontario. That was not cool last season. Damn pulling pranks on rookies. How was I to know London Ontario was an actual place?"

Dog Days Of Summer.

The Raptors world tour making stops in Vancouver, London and Montreal. All stops should be profitable for the Raptors. But it is kind of like a world tour of a band without a lead singer. The league and Raptors confirmed that Toronto will play the two dates in March in London, as previously mentioned here in the DNB. Raptors will also be playing the Suns in Vancouver which has been confirmed in pre-season and the word on street is Raps will take on the Knicks in Montreal also in pre season. Where was this stuff when the Raptors were a viable playoff team? Why shouldn't Montreal and Vancouver be the ones getting regular season games? Obviously the league agenda to grow the game globally takes precedence. However how is the NBA doing at growing the game in the nation they actually put teams in? The Grizzlies are long gone and Raptors can't keep star players.

TSN and Sportsnet the NBA's broadcast partners continue to bury the product of both Raptors and NBA on secondary networks (TSN 2 and soon to launch Sportsnet 1) . It is a real mixed message as the growth of basketball on the youth level is good in this country. The real fruit of having the NBA is starting to grow and you only need to check out the under 18 Canadian National teams (Both Men and Women) and the amount of players in NCAA basketball and AAU basketball down in the states. Basketball since 1994 has seen an up swing in participation and level of players this country is producing.

It is important that the ball keeps rolling in the right direction. There is passion and love for basketball across this country. It just takes that spark to set it off. I am not a huge MMA or UFC fan. However I have always been impressed by it's fan base. They constantly get on the media and demand coverage of their sport. Basketball fans can learn something from that. It takes people constantly pounding on doors and writing e-mails, calling in on radio and other ways you can make your voices heard. UFC has broken into the main stream and it is in part due to the fans.

Do we as basketball fans just get frustrated after years of being ignored? Possible. Things have gotten better from when I was growing up. The idea of having the ability to watch games on T.V every night from anywhere across the NBA was not even possible at any price. But still the lack of coverage of basketball is really an issue and far more so in other parts of this country. So the Raptors going to Vancouver and likely Montreal is a good thing. But it is just a couple days of buzz and they go away. It takes constant effort to be heard in those markets and other markets across this country.

A larger problem for all fans of the NBA looms next summer. The labour stoppages in both Hockey and Baseball that resulted in lost championships have forever changed my view of these sports. I pray that basketball does not head that route. If it does I am going to be the biggest hypocrite on the earth. I love basketball to much to give it up. In terms of baseball and hockey my interest levels in those sports has never returned to the level it was prior to those labour disputes. Basketball has always manged to crown a champion and give it's fans a champion. I deeply respect that and it means something. Even if it is a token gesture it shows the league cares about it's fans and not just the bottom line. It may not be real but it is a nice delusion to buy into. I pray my delusion is not shattered in a million pieces next season.