The New World Of Media

I want to talk about something that Eric Smith wrote on his blog on Raptors.com. He talks about Holly Mackenzie from The Score who everything he said about Holly is the gospel truth. I met Holly not long before this blog signed up with The Score Sports Federation. Which is also mentioned in his blog. Holly works very hard and as I have told her in person and via a computer, I am so happy and proud of the success she has had. On Holly we both are in complete agreement. If you do not read Holly you have been missing out. She has a passion and love for the game of basketball, that is unmatched in my opinion. Eric, I also respect and admire for what he does. I have made it no secret that Eric has been helpful to me in getting guests to talk to here like Jack Armstrong and Paul Jones. In the time the Dino Nation Blog has been around, which is about 3 years, there have been many more Raptor blogs that have been born. In fact one of them credits me as their inspiration for starting their blog. Which is pretty humbling and great.

The focus of Eric's blog is this idea of mainstream media vs bloggers. He says that this Sports Federation, that The Dino Nation Blog is a part of walks a fine line. I can only speak for what goes on here with the Dino Nation Blog and a little to the other blogs that are part of our basketball line-up. Which would include Raptorblog written by Scott Carefoot, Nat who does Heels on Hardwood, Hip Hoop Junkies that is done by Romy and Hoops Addict done by Ryan McNeill. That is everyone and you can link to all of them from this site.

Ryan actually has access to the Raptors and has had for a couple of years. I also have started getting access to games this season, and will be back down again for the Raptors game vs the Bulls. Nat is a season ticket holder for Raps and is at every game. While Scott is recognized by Micheal Grange as the first blog on the Raptors to exist. I respect all of the people, that are in effect my colleagues here in the Sports Federation.

I can tell you that not just anyone off the street becomes a part of this Sports Federation. I feel if you have read and follow some or all of these blogs we are all talented and entertaining and hopefully informative. Also no doubt opinionated as well. I can only speak for myself when I say that by being a part of this group I do not feel it entitles me to anything other than opportunity to work hard and provide something worth reading everyday. In getting access to the Raptors I consider it a privilege and not a right. To be completely honest with you, in getting access as I have, it was a process to first get it, but then to feel comfortable to being there with it. Ryan and Holly have been very good in helping me feel that level of comfort. Along with others like Eric, Paul Jones, Jack Armstrong, Adnan Virk, Matt Devlin and others I could mention, but the list would be to long.

My background is in Radio and T.V and blogging was just something that I decided to do, that would allow me to care for my mother and still work in the media which I love and respect. Nothing Eric wrote today beyond the stuff about Holly was not something I personally had not heard from in conversations with him, or reading and listening to his work. At the end of the day, I agree with 95% of what Eric is saying on this topic. However to suggest that what is being done by myself or others in some how less valuable is wrong. It is not for Eric to say or for me to say what is of value. It is up to you who read, listen or watch. Eric is right that people in the main stream media have a ton more contacts then someone like me could have. However if you do not allow access to people that are hard working and shown some level of ability to write things that are thoughtful, interesting and factual. How on earth are they ever suppose to develop these contacts and get this experience? The simple answer is they can't or it would be next to impossible.

I have personally went out of my way, to appreciate people like Eric that have helped me and opened doors for me. I am not here to do anything except, try to build my own career and do it with the help and support of fans. While Eric is right that there is a lengthy process to go through in the mainstream media for something to see the light of day. Here there is not that process. But there is actually in the sense of, if I do not produce something that is good people will not read it, listen to it or watch it. You, in effect are the boss of the Dino Nation Blog and other blogs. While in the main stream media they have ratings that will eventually dictate someone's worth to a degree. Here in the Dino Nation Blog it is evaluated on a daily basis.

Eric has come a long way in his career with the Fan 590. I personally in knowing him on some small level over years am very happy for him. I have told him so. I respect him greatly and often will defend him on Twitter or in this blog. Not that he needs my help or support none the less he has it. However on this topic we do not completely see it the same way. The idea of the main stream media is some how in direct competition is pretty insane. Main stream media is always going to be Godzilla and bloggers will be Toyko. If any blogger or main stream media person, wants to suggest otherwise they are fooling themselves.

But the media is changing, and if some people are able to cross from being an educated smart fan, to getting chances in the media is that going to end the world? I am pretty sure The Score building has not blown up since starting the Sports Fed, or since hiring The Basketball Jones. Eric is right in saying that just because you start a blog, you some how should assume you deserve access, you don't. However, if over a period of time you have worked hard and have been recognized for it ( like being part of Sports Fed) and are capable of being professional, and following the rules that apply to media access, there is nothing wrong with that. The world is changing and not a lot of it is for the better. TMZ Sports exists and what exactly is that? Garbage... but is that main stream media?

At the end of the day I just feel Eric does a couple things that rub me the wrong way on this issue. I think even though he acknowledges that there are good blogs and bad blogs he ends up painting us all with the same brush, as being some how some lesser form of journalism. He also uses the fact of access as a way that sets the main stream media apart from blogs but does not feel that they should be given access. That is kind of having it both ways isn't it? There are people good enough that have worked hard for the opportunity and I like to think I am one of them. I am responsible for what I write and do my very best, to be factual and accurate in my work.

Eric will always be someone I consider a friend. I will also always support him for the fine work he does. In addition will give him the credit for the help he has given me. We can agree to disagree on this topic and I am cool with that, as I am sure he will be. I look forward to talking with him in this blog in the future. In the end nothing is perfect and the blogging community is no different. However there are folks in the main stream media that you could say the same. But I won't do the typical blogger thing which would be to rail on those folks.

In this new world of media, eventually the good from both sides of this issue will survive. The ones that are not won't. Eric is one of the good people at what he does. I hope that people feel the same way about myself.

Happy Scoreaversary

It was a year ago today that The Score.com announced the launch of it's sports federation. The Dino Nation Blog is proud to have been part of just 2 basketball blogs that were part of that launch. I want to thank Scott Carefoot and The Score for a great year together. It has been a great thrill to work with a network that I feel has always had a passion and love for basketball. I have really been proud to have a The Score logo on this blog for the last year. I hope this partnership will last for years to come. Next week it will be the Blog's anniversary so I will not go to much into what has gone on in the last year for now. But needless to say I have come a long way and taken the Dino Nation Blog to exciting new heights. I thank Scott for all his hard work on behalf of the Sports Federation and he has always been great to me personally and I have enjoyed being able to work with him over this past year. In that year I have also got to meet and know several other folks from The Score and they have all been great to me. Holly Mackenzie, Randy Urban, D.J Bennett and others. It has been great to know them as well. It also great the we have now added Nat from Heels On Hardwood and Romy for Hip Hoop Junkies to our basketball family of the sports fed. Also Scott of course has Raptor blog as well.

Now on to what we do talking Raptors basketball and the NBA. The Raps return to the ACC with a 5-7 record and 1-3 west coast road trip in the rear view mirror. A though test for the Raps in D-Wade and the Miami Heat. The Heat like the Raps come in on a losing streak and have lost 3 of their last 4 games. Despite doing little in the off-season the Heat have had a decent start to the season prior to this skid in the last 4. The Heat are basically a team that goes as it star does. D-Wade has struggled and so has the Heat. After a fast start to the year Jermaine O'Neal has been having injury issues of late. I know that will shock both Pacer and Raptors fans.

Miami is a team on a given night that can get hot from beyond the arc. Chalmers is a youngster that can make the shot and when he is hot make it consistently. They also have Richardson who in his time with the Suns was a deadly 3 point gunner. The Raptors defense has been leaking every where as of late though not just at the 3 point line. The Raps have been dealing with injuries to Hedo and Wright and have yet to see Reggie Evans suit up for a game that counts. Depending on who is healthy for the Raps it will make the match-ups a challenge.

Michael Beasley is growing into a solid NBA player in his second season. He is another guy that you must account for. The Raps need to get on the glass and avoid giving up second chances. That happened far to often against Utah. Amir Johnson has been doing a solid job working at on the glasses. Jay Triano has been giving Amir lots of minutes based on his hustle and effort. Unfortunately despite the work of Amir and Bosh on the boards it has not rubbed off on some of the other folks. Andrea Bargnani has a couple big rebound night's on his scorecard but has not been getting on the glass in the way you would hope given his size. He also has had his defensive effort called into question. He has been struggling and when people mention the struggles of Calderon on defense his name comes a close second.

What becomes frustrating for the fans and I am sure Jay Triano as well is the lack of consistent effort from his team from quarter to quarter forget game to game. The start tonight will be key. The Raps need to engage an A.C.C crowd that should they see the type of start we saw in Utah could turn early. The expectation level of fans was to expect a team that would be improved on defense and they have seen anything but that. Flashes of it but very few full 4 quarter efforts. If you wanted to be the complete optimist you could say the Raps for parts of the games on this trip did not look out of place playing Suns, Nuggets and Jazz. They have proven that they really can score with anyone in this league. All of that being done with point guard play from Calderon and Jack that is far from what booth can do on the offensive end.

Raptors badly could use a win heading into what will be another tough challenge vs Orlando. They will not have Jameer Nelson but will have both Vince Carter and Rashard Lewis which they did not the last time they visited the ACC earlier in the month. Raps at worst need to get 2 out of 3 on this home stand. The one major difference from the team that won a Division Title to now is the way they play at home. The win total at the A.C.C has been on a steady decline in recent years. The fans still fill the building and if you give them reason to cheer they will. But as great as fans can be they can not defend anyone and they can not make shots. It takes the team to light the fuse to allow the A.C.C to explode.

Chris Bosh is playing like an all-star and the Raps need to take advantage of this great stretch by Chris and start getting some wins out of it. While Chris might need to step up off the floor and challenge this team to be better. Maybe that has happened behind closed doors we never really know. However a more vocal Chris Bosh might mean a better Raptors team as a result. I remember a game on the west coast in which he got into Andrea Bargnani. I wouldn't mind seeing some more of that when needed. Not just directed at Andrea but at anyone that is not pulling their weight on the floor.

I will be live blogging this one for The Score. I picked up that job along the way in this year. That is a lot of fun as well and nothing for me beats getting to do a Raptors game. So please come join me and be part of the fun that is a Score Live Blog. I will post the links later in the day (When I get them) both here and on Twitter. Speaking of Twitter, I chatted with Reggie Evans on there yesterday. I had an idea for a new feature for the Dino Nation Blog based on Reggie. I wanted to get his blessing before I did it and he did give the thumbs up. So over the weekend we will have the first edition of "Bet That". Which if you have ever tweeted with Reggie is a popular response of his when someone tweets something he likes or agrees with. It is meant to be a fun thing and hopefully everyone will enjoying. Including Reggie cause if he doesn't I may not make it to another year of working with The Score. Only kidding Reggie is a great guy and I thank him for his blessing of my new segment for the blog. We all look forward to when he can get out there and contribute. Still not sure when that will be. Hopefully soon. Last and not least the DNB is heading back to the ACC. I am going down to cover the last game of this home stand where T.J Ford and the Pacers come to visit. It should be fun to finally met up with T.J face to face. I was thrilled to have him as a guest here over the summer. I will be working hard to get lots of cool stuff for the Dino Nation Blog while I am in the house at the ACC. It is not something I get to do on a regular basis so I try to make the most of these chances.

Dino Nation Blog Team Up With The Score.Com

Finally Your Big Announcement Is Here

This is what I have been talking about. The Dino Nation Blog has not joined the World Wrestling Federation. We have joined The Score.Com Sports Federation. This is a group of blogs that have partnered up with The Score to work together to hopefully have a long and successful relationship. I have said long before this offer came along that The Score was the best place for basketball fans. I wrote about it and meant every word. So when the chance came along to be involved with them it seemed to be the perfect thing for the Dino Nation Blog. The advertisers on the site will allow the Dino Nation Blog to be a real way to build a career out of this for the Dino Blogger. So if you want to support the blog and the people that advertise here it would be great of you to do that.

But this is not just about that. At least not for me. I see this as more and a chance to help grow this blog to exciting new levels. I hope it can lead to establishing more guests to come visit us all. I also plan to keep all of our old guests if there are willing to visit. In fact that was my first question when this came my way. I wanted to make sure all of my guests could still be part of the Dino Nation Blog. If the answer had not been yes, I am not making this announcement. In fact for this blog and all the other blogs that are part of this federation we all still have complete control of our content. I don't know this for a fact but I think that is the idea from The Score's point of view. Giving folks like me a stage to compete on. The independent blogger has to struggle to get people to read their work and face a lot of challenges along the way. But this is a way for a large amount of people to become aware of the Dino Nation Blog and other blogs like it.The Federation is not just basketball blogs. In fact to this point Dino Nation Blog is only 1 of 2 that are. There is also a number of hockey blogs, and couple baseball ones, as well as a blog focused on the CIS. That is the Canadian Universities in which The Score also gives great coverage too. So I welcome you to check out all these other blogs as well. You can do that by going up to the top of the site were there is a drop down list with links to all the blogs that make up this federation.

I am not going to get to much into the blog and it's history to this point. Next week is going to be the blog's one year anniversary so I am going to save a lot of that for that day. But this blog has come so far in such a short time it has really exceeded all of my goals and expectations when it started. I have taken great joy in getting to know a lot of you that read this blog. I value that very much. I am always going to do my best to still do that. No matter how big this blog may become, each and every person that reads it will matter to me. I will do my best to always answer and respond to everyone. This moment is not just about my hard work that I put into this blog. It is about all of you too. I can't tell you how many times I have gotten messages from people saying how much they enjoy what I am doing and have an encouraging word to keep up the work I am doing. On some days you need to hear that and it never gets old. One of the things I have always tried to express is that I want this to be more than something you read. I want it to be a community for folks that love basketball and the Raptors. The Dino Nation was based on that idea. Whenever I interview anyone I not only thank them for myself but for all of you. In one of my most recent interviews there was a post thanking me for the interview. I responded saying I only take half of the thanks. The other half belongs to the person I was interviewing. From Jack Armstrong to Lexi Haslam and everyone else that has been kind enough to talk to this blog. It takes them being willing to do it.

What exactly this will lead to for the Dino Nation Blog is really any ones guess. I have some ideas but I will keep them to myself as I don't want to build up any false expectations. But I think the fact that this blog has become a part of a pretty selective group speaks to the level of work and support it has. This is a big deal to me and I hope if you have been a reader of this blog, for any amount of time, it will be for you as well. This blog that you might have found on Facebook or on places like Raptors Forum or Real G.M is now partnered with a major media player in Canada. That is something that is really amazing. The Score deserves a lot of credit for coming up with concept. The person who has worked to put this altogether is Scott Carefoot. You may all know from the Raptor Blog. He is also now working at The Score and this is his doing. He was the one that approached me with this offer that I was happy to accept. I thank him for the opportunity and The Score. Some people may look at this and say that the Dino Nation Blog has made it to the big time. I look at it and see it as a great new challenge that I am ready to take on. But in taking that on it will still require your support. I am confident that this will be a move that will benefit everyone and make the Dino Nation Blog grow and expand to exciting new levels.

If you have just found this blog. I personally want to welcome you. I am James Borbath the Dino Blogger and I hope you will enjoy what the Dino Nation Blog is. A place for people that love the Raptors and Basketball to come together and share in that experience with other people like them. I do my best to cover the Raptors in a way that is entertaining and hopefully interesting. I hope you will enjoy it and become part of the growing population of the Dino Nation.

There will be an official press release about this tomorrow morning and it will explain this whole concept. But this was my take on it from my perspective. I hope everyone will be happy with this and are going to enjoy this new exciting era for the Dino Nation Blog. This is Day One of that new era. So Thanks to everyone that has made this possible I am very grateful to have this chance and I plan on making the most of it.