Season That Will Define The Franchise?

For many reasons this was always going to be a big season for the Raptors. It marks 15 years in the NBA. Where has the time gone seriously? I was hanging around Toronto on Friday and was around the Skydome. You may prefer to call it Rogers Centre. But is was the Skydome when the Raptors called it home. I never attended a game at the dome. It was not the most ideal place to play a basketball game. Damon Stoudamire was booed in that same Skydome and he would have the last laugh being named rookie of the year. It was kind of proof that Toronto had a long way to go as basketball fans. Damon was a good player from Arizona but the people felt Ed O'Bannon was the guy based on being part of a championship UCLA squad. Damon was the little man that would lead what was the first era of Raptors basketball. Mighty Mouse may never be as popular in Toronto or anywhere else ever again. Be it the cartoon character or the man who took on the nickname.

The smiles and happiness would not last long. A struggle, both on the court with the young expansion team going through growing pains and one off the court for control of the team would lead to a short time on top for Mighty Mouse. Isiah Thomas would make a power play that would fail to get into the ownership of the team. He would end up leaving and Damon would follow not long after him.

Glen Grundwald would replace Thomas and it would be a move he made on draft night that would launch the next era of Raptors basketball. The Raptors headed into the draft and took Antwan Jamison but it would not be for long. He had mad a deal and swapped Jamison for Vince Carter. Air Canada "Carter" would soon take flight. He would just explode on to the NBA scene and became a Sportscenter hi-light favourite. It would lead to another Rookie of the Year award and excitement to come. Vince would become the first all-star in franchise history. He would not just become an all-star he would lead the voting for several years.

Vince would bring back the Slam Dunk Contest and win it in jaw dropping fashion. The Raptors had entered a whole new world. Games on national T.V in the states on a regular basis and a legit superstar in the NBA. The Playoffs would come as well. After being swept aside by the Knicks the Raptors would return to the playoffs and win a 5 game series over the Knicks with the deciding game on the famous MSG hardwood. A classic battle with the Sixers would follow. A UNC Graduation and a shot that was short from the corner and the Raptors were inches away from the conference finals.

The Raptors had arrived or so we thought. But that would end up being the high point of the Vince Carter era. The next off-season Glen Grunwald attempted to keep his team together. He would over pay for all the role players and re-signed his star in Carter. A failed Hakeem signing and it was all about to fall apart and no one at the time could know just how bad.

The years after would be full of injuries for Carter and frustration all around. The guy that once owned the Air Canada Centre had the building booing him and most people had lost their Vinsanity. The bad contracts and losing would cost Glen Grundwald his job ultimately. Rob Babcock would come in. He would be forced into trading Carter as the superstar made his intentions known that he wanted out. The hiring of Babcock had been the last straw for Vince. Carter had wanted Dr.J a hero of his to be considered for the job as G.M. MLSE did not hire him they took Babcock. He would make one of the worst trades in NBA History ending the Vince Carter era.

But the last move Glen Grunwald made or one of them was to draft Chris Bosh. When Carter was gone the position of face of the franchise became Bosh's in the eyes of fans and the media. Big shoes for a young kid that was if you remember pretty quiet and soft spoken when he first came to Toronto.

4 all-star appearances , a Gold Medal on Team U.S.A , A Division Title and no playoff series wins. Also the evolution of Bosh to media superstar. He made his famous Car Salesman You Tube Video that put Chris Bosh on the map in the world of pop culture beyond basketball.

Coming off a season of true disappointment the question of 2010 have got louder and some people have gotten louder in their disapproval of Bosh. It all sounds similar for Raptor fans. I outlined where we have seen it happen before. I also could have included Tracy McGrady who cut bait on the Raptors and has still never got to experience(as a player) the second round of the NBA Playoffs.

So will history repeat itself? Bryan Colangelo has worked his butt off to make sure it does not. We have talked about all the moves that he has made to improve this basketball team over the summer. Colangelo has done all he can to make the Raptors an attractive place for Bosh to want to remain. It will take this team winning to make it happen. However despite the speculation in the U.S Media that Bosh will bolt in 2010 it seems there is still hope that he can remain.

Bosh regardless wants to have a great season if he is staying or going. This could be the best season of a career that has been impressive to say the least. If that happens and the Raptors can be successful perhaps Chris Bosh will break the trend and remain with the franchise. If he does not it could cast a huge shadow on this franchise and leave you to wonder if you can ever truly believe that someone will remain part of the Raptors for the long haul.

If Bosh goes who is next to fill that role of Franchise Superstar? Andrea Bargnani would be the answer for some. I am not sold on that personally. I think Bargnani is a long way still from being a 4 time all-star and being ready to lead. Jose Calderon is not a guy that fits the role. Despite fans wanting to think Jose is ready to become an all star and take things to a new level it seems he is short of those lofty expectations. Perhaps Demar DeRozan? It is far to early to tell. However he does have talent and could be a star. He would be in a spot like Bosh when he took over the role. It would be something that he would need to grow into for sure.

However the best case for the Raptors is to see the CB4 era continue on. If it does this basketball team could finally turn the corner and build some consistence and become a contender in the East. The Raptors have never really been that. If Bosh does not remain, even though the team has been constructed in such a way it could deal with that, it still will be a blow to this franchise. This season will mark the Raptors 15th in the NBA and they are still a team looking to find that true formula to lasting success. Having comets shooting through Toronto only to burn out and die is not going to be the answer. Never has more been riding on a season for the Toronto Raptors. This season is going to be one that will define the franchise one way or the other.

Raptor fans have stuck with this franchise from beginning to now, I hope and pray for a happy ending for Raptor Fans. I think that as a group they have earned it.

Breaking it Down

Here we go the Schedule is out and time to break it down. What a way to get it started. It had been rumoured for well over a week. King James and Shaq will open there NBA partnership in Toronto. Well technically it will start the night before.

November-16 games and 2 in October.

8 home dates and 10 road dates.

You are going to find out what this Raptors are all about early. If the Raptors exit November at .500 or better this team really could be very good. You will get to see Vince Carter and Dwight Howard and the Orlando Magic twice. The Suns also will be facing the Raptors twice. Along with a number of other playoff teams from last season. We also will see the top 2 picks in the NBA draft in Blake Griffin and Hasheem Thabeet. Chuck Swirsky and the Bulls hit T-dot on November 11th. This is going to be a serious test to start this season. Jay Triano will really have a challenge to get his first full year as head coach of to a positive start. San Antonio, Dallas, Denver and Detroit are all on the schedule too. This will be really interesting to watch. A four game west coast trip should tell us a lot about this team facing ( Clippers, Suns, Nuggets and Jazz)

December-15 games

8 home dates and 7 road dates

December sees the Raptors face the Wizards, Hawks and Pistons twice.The Pistons will be an extended back to back before and after the Christmas break (December 24-26) .There is 9 games in total vs the Southwest Division. I feel that this could be the best division in the Eastern Conference. A stretch from the 5th to the 9th could be key where Raps will play Chicago, Minnesota and Milwaukee. Those are 3 games that the Raptors need to get. Depending on how things get started the Raptors may be fighting an uphill battle after a very tough opening to the schedule. Raptors have to come out of December with a winning record if they have any thoughts of being a contender for a home court advantage playoff spot. They likely could be battling Atlanta for that 4th spot in the east.

January -15 games

7 home dates and 8 road dates

2010 start with a bang taking on the Boston Celtics in Boston on January 2nd. San Antonio, Orlando and Philadelphia all on the sked before a re-match with the Celtics on January 10th at the A.C.C. That is not exactly an easy start to the new year is it? Add in the defending champion Lakers making their lone visit the the A.C.C on the 24th. Another month in which the Raptors would or should be happy if they can get out of it with a winning record. 2 games vs Knicks, Pacers and Bucks become must wins for the Raptors given the number of good teams they have to face beyond that.

February-10 games

7 home dates and 3 road dates

If the Raptors do not go anything short of 8-2 in this month this season is in serious trouble. It gets no easier than this. Not just the fact that there is 7 home dates. But the competition level goes off a cliff. Portland, Cleveland and perhaps Washington and Philadelphia are the 4 games that will be a challenge. The rest is games that you better win type games. If the Raptors are truly playing at a high level this could easily be a month that they can win 9 games. Given what they faced coming to this point they will need to get as many wins as possible to but some distance between themselves and the .500 mark. No losing to Oklahoma City this year can happen where the Raptors will close out the month on the 28th.

March- 16 games

7 home dates and 9 road dates

March features a 4 game west coast swing that starts in L.A with the defending champion Lakers and ends in Portland with the young talented Blazers. Stops in Sacramento and Oakland to take on the Kings and Warriors in between that. This happens from the 9th-14th. The good news is they will have a few days to recover for the Hawks who the Raptors will take on March 17th (wearing those ugly green uniforms no doubt) for St Patrick's Day at the A.C.C. Some tough games mixed in with some easy games that Raptors must win. Utah and Denver visit the A.C.C late in the month on the 24th and 26th. This will be a challenging month but it will need to be a good one to establish the squad as a playoff team. If the Raptors can be firmly in the playoffs by the time they face the Clippers @ the A.C.C to close out the month.

April- 8 games

4 home dates and 4 road dates

No coasting into the playoffs for the Raptors in April. There are 5 games that should define this final stretch. Philadelphia(3rd), Cleveland (6th), Boston (7th), Atlanta (9th) and Detroit (12th). That 3 game stretch facing Cavs, Celtics and Hawks could really mean a lot and it could mean a lot. The Raps close out with 2 of the last 3 at home taking on Chicago with the road game vs Pistons and back home to close the season vs the N.Y Knicks.

That is it. Raptors will need to gel fast and be on the ball out of the gate. If they are not. It could be a season of playing catch-up the entire year. The Raptors need to be in a solid position by the time February hits to take advantage of a real turn in the schedule. Some will say that Raptors can take advantage of teams facing them early on. But let's not forget the Raptors will have 7 or 8 new faces to work together as well. Sam Mitchell had his struggles at first with a new group like this. He would turn it around and Raptors would win a Division Title. Triano will need to get this thing off to a better start than Sam did in that season. The East is not the same as it was back then. It is a lot better. In the end if you see the Raptors above .500 heading into 2010 this could be a very good season. If not the Raptors may have to scrap to secure a playoff spot that gives them a realistic chance to win a series. 6, 7 and 8 is not going to be any fun at all.

We Done? - Trade Reaction Of Dino Blogger

So the Raptors make a move. Jermaine O'Neal and Jamario Moon off to Miami and Shawn Marion and Marcus Banks head back to Toronto. This is a move that the Raptors had to make. Chris Bosh is still the franchise player of this team. The marriage with O'Neal did not work. Give Bryan Colangelo credit for understanding this and reacting to it. You combine that with the fact that Chris Bosh is still the focus and keeping him in 2010 is still the priority. Trading O'Neal had to happen. They needed some cap space and Shawn Marion and his contract will provide that. Did the Raptors have to make some concessions to make this happen. Yes the did. I think Bryan Colangelo likely was not thrilled to take back Marcus Banks and giving up a conditional first round pick was not the greatest thing as well. But at the end of the day if it allows you to build a team around Chris Bosh and keep him in 2010 is it worth it? Absolutely 100% Y E S!!!

Shawn Marion is not likely here long term. That being said he does like the city and is a guy who I had a chance to interview years ago and heard that from his own mouth. I will grant you this was in August when he was here for Vince Carter's Charity Game.

The real question for me is not if this was a good trade. Not if this will get the Raptors in the playoffs. Which by the way now that you have that conditional pick I don't think you really want Raptors to make it now. The question for me now becomes is are the Raptors done dealing. I am not convinced that they are done. We will see by next Thursday. However this was the deal the Raptors had to make it really is that simple. Do not get confused in thinking this was done for this season. It has nothing to do with that. It has everything to do with the 09/10 season.

The Raptors can now afford to be a player in 2009 a free agent class that has some players of interest in it. The Raptors will be one of a few group of teams with a chance to sign players. While everyone else sits and waits and dreams of how they can be the team that lands Lebron James or Wade even Bosh. While the Raptors can choose to use the space they have in 2009 or wait for 2010. They will be in a strong position to sign players in 2009 for better a deal.

So hopefully if you did not get it now you do. Raptors made a smart move for the future today. It just is not a move for the future of the next 2 months. Also it should be noted as the article title suggests. We done yet? Knowing Bryan Colangelo don't bank on it and I am not talking Marcus.

Update- Reaction To Trade From B.C- Friday 10pm

Ryan McNeill from Hoops Addict has some reaction from B.C in his article on the trade.

Hoops Addict On O'Neal/Marion Deal

The Start of The End Of 08/09 For Raps?

After A lose to the Bucks and 4 of the NBA's toughest teams to face on the horizon is it all but over for the Raptors? Even Chris Bosh has said that this team is running out of time. If they were to lose the next 4 games it would maybe not official eliminate the Raptors but it would be hard to make the argument otherwise. If Bryan Colangelo approached the trade deadline thinking his team was a seller who could blame him? The Raptors also face the Spurs prior to the All Star break. That would make it very easy to see this team lose 5 of 7 heading into the break. First game after the break is against the Cavs so it could be 6 of 8. You smell what the Dino Blogger is cooking? It is not good and in fact it stinks. However for the long term future of this team it maybe the right thing. This team can accept it's fate that this has been a season that has gone wrong and look towards the 09/10 season to get it right. They better get it right as well if they want to ensure that Chris Bosh will remain in Toronto. I think Chris wants to be convinced to stay when all is said and done. He has said things in the past that make me think that. The fact that he once said he wants to be part of the solution in Toronto and I think he likes the idea of spending his career with just 1 team. He has also been a witness to what happens to those that leave. It is hard to imagine fans having warm and fuzzy feelings towards Bosh if he did decide to leave in 2010. As much as fans say they understand that sports is a business do they truly accept that fact in their hearts? I suggest you have a listen the next time Vince Carter pays a visit to the ACC for your answer. Sure part of why they boo is the way he left. However is there really a good way to leave a franchise when it is the players choice to do so? It is one thing to be traded by the team and it being their choice or to have them pass on re-signing you. Morris Peterson will always be loved because everyone believes that he never wanted to leave. So why not be in a good position to put your best foot forward to keep Chris Bosh. So when or if all of the losing streak is going on try to remember that and it might not hurt as much.

Least Bosh Isn't D Wade or Lebron

You are probably saying hey I would rather have D Wade or Lebron on this team. That is not the point I am going to make though. Now it is Wade making noise that he is not against the idea of playing with Lebron James in NYC. James of course had his red shoes and his Yankee hat. Wade even went to say that the 2 superstars had talked about playing together somewhere after their current contracts expired. Chris Bosh to his credit has said little on the subject and even poured cold water on the comments made by Jalen Rose in a recent interview with Eric Smith.

Bosh has basically taken the high road on the topic and like he said he is not sure what he is going to do tomorrow, next week why would we think he knows what he will do a year and a half from now? It is just part of the insecurity that we have as Canadians. After all Bosh is from Texas and not a Canadian. Why would someone like that like our country? It is easy for Canadians to go crazy for our own home grown talents. If you need prove of that if you have more then 4 friends and I hope you do. Ask them if they watched the GSP fight last night? I would be shocked if you got 4 no I did not. Georges St Pierre the UFC and MMA star is Canadian. He will always be Canadian. Chris Bosh is a Texan and an American and as such we all just think he is only going to be here for so long. I mean unless Chris went and became a Canadian I don't think some people would ever be convinced he is here to stay. Come to think of it even if he did that would no guarantee anything see Chuck Swirsky for proof of that. Is it so hard to think that an American can come to Canada and enjoy it and want to be a part of it? We need to get over that as a country. Be proud of what we have, don't be afraid to say we are great. After all if not for a Canadian Lebron, D Wade and Bosh all have a different job then they currently have.

Regardless Of Win Or Lose, Live Blog Will Happen...Be There

I am live blogging the Raps and Magic today. So come out share your thoughts on this blog on the game or the Raptors season as a whole. That reminds me we have a rule that comments mus be of a PG 13 level or better. So keep that in mind when you comment. Also while the play is going on that is the focus of the live blog so people not actually seeing the game can follow along. But beyond that there is not rules for it. Come out and have fun and take part it the talk. I am even going to hang around post game for an extended chat on Raptors if people are into it. They may not be and have Superbowl parties to get to. So use this link and come be part of the fun of today's live Blog on The Score:

Score Live Blog- Raps and Magic

As you might have guessed there will be no Raptor Rewind today as a result of hosting the Live Blog for The Score. I may write something tonight will see. Yesterday I was attempting to bang out an episode of the Round Ball Review. Some technical issues did not co-operate with me on that front. So that is about it see you bout 15 minutes before tip time.

CB4 Says Thanks

Jack Armstrong Mid-Season Chat With Dino Nation Blog

Jack Armstrong is one of my favourite guests to have in the Dino Nation Blog. Since we have started our chats he has starting doing his own blog. It is part of the list of sites we have over on the right side of your screen. He also hosts his radio show and is on Hoops when he is in town. In short he is a very busy guy. I am always happy to talk with him for the Dino Nation Blog. Today's interview takes a look back and look forward at this Raptor season. It is an interesting 15 minute chat we have that talks about a number of issues. Jamario Moon and the Raptor wing spots. Bryan Colangelo and the overall outlook for this team. As well as a look at what has gone wrong and why. It starts off with a little fun as well. Given the Raptors recent struggles we can use that. So with that all said here is my interview with Jack Armstrong from earlier today in Chicago.

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We talked before we got started and he has yet to hear anything in terms of movement as relates to Jermaine O'Neal. Reports were out this morning that Raptors and Heat had been exchanging medical records. But as of 10am Chicago time there was no news to report.

I thank Jack as always for making time for the Dino Nation Blog. He is one of the most straight forward guys you will find in the Raptors media and I have always respected in honesty in talking about this team be it here in the Dino Nation Blog or any of the other many places you can hear Jack talking about the team.