"1 of the Nation" with D.J Flash

I had met D.J Flash last season while being down at The Score for Court Surfing. Since that time I have kept in touch and did a great interview with him for The Industry Magazine Interview with D.J Flash.When we recorded that interview we did talk a little basketball but he had said that we needed to hook up again to talk just ball in the Dino Nation Blog. So Anas Ahmed came up with this feature called "1 of the Nation" in where we do features on some of the DNB's readers and talk with them about their love and passion for basketball and get to know them. This seemed a perfect way to bring Alex (D.J Flash) in to talk some ball with me. So we talk a lot about the Raptors and some talk about the night life in Toronto for NBA players in Toronto. Even swap stories about our passion for the Raptors over boiling at times. It was a great conversation and a lot of fun. This feature has featured 2 folks in the music world so far. However it is not going to be just about that. If you love your Raptors and have passion for the Raptors and the DNB you could be featured in this segment. That being said people in the music world tend to be some of the more passionate basketball fans you can find. It is part of why I write a basketball column monthly in The Industry Magazine. So let's get to talking some ball with D.J Flash.

1 of the Nation with D.J Flash

DNB Productions

Flash mentioned a few things in that interview first here in the link to voting for his Radio Show THE LOCKDOWN in the Stylus Awards which is something I know The Industry Magazine is involved in as well. So go vote for his show here. You can also check out show's website The Lockdown which goes down on Sunday nights. He mentioned his new album that dropped yesterday here is a link to that. Flash's company that reps a ton of great D.J talent and artists besides himself is Across The Board Entertainment and they have a website to keep up on what they are up to.

If you want get at Alex he is also on Twitter @DJFlash05 and see what is up with The Score's Official D.J and good dude and someone that has supported the Dino Nation Blog and I thank him for that. Just as I thank all of you that check us out day in and day out. This feature is our way at the Dino Nation Blog to give back to the folks that support us by showing them some love in return. Along with showing folks the passion and love that folks have for basketball here in Canada. It was a great idea that Anas has come up with and if you want to be a part of this segment reach out to Anas on Twitter @Thisisanas on Twitter. He will be doing this feature along with myself on occasion and I feel it can be successful and fun for all of you that read the DNB.

So thanks to Alex I really hope he did not punch a wall last night cause it was one of those nights you sure wanted to punch something.

Good News For Some Folks I Know

I think it was Thursday last week when I first heard about this. When I heard it I was very excited because it involved someone who I know a little bit and has been a guest in the Dino Nation Blog. Adnan Virk is coming to Raps-TV. He will be replacing Paul Johnson who's contract was not renewed. I worked with Adnan in his time at TSN, long before he was "the baller" and before he was working in front of a camera, so I am thrilled for him and for all Raptors fans. Adnan is a very good broadcaster and has great knowledge and a tremendous sense of humour to go along with it. I contacted Adnan last week when I first heard this news to confirm it. He did confirm this was happening and said that it would be announced yesterday as it was. He also said that once he is done his vacation and begins his new role with Raps-TV. Which should be at the start of July. This would mark the 3rd time Adnan has been a guest in the Dino Nation Blog and given his new role it will definitely not be the last.

Also just yesterday I heard some great news for someone I know from Slam and Court Surfing on the web. Holly MacKenzie who is truly a great writer in my humble opinion is going to be going to cover the NBA Draft in NYC. She is a rising star at what she is doing and I am happy to know her. I had planned to finally bring her knowledge her to the Dino Nation Blog for an interview but given this latest news we both agreed it probably makes more sense to have her visit after she heads to NYC for the Draft. But till that time Holly did give her opinion on who the Raptors might select at #9 on the website Ridiculous Upside.

As for yours truly I hope to have an announcement on where I will be on draft night and how you can join me. Things are getting worked out and finalized but you can expect that I will be busy here online in some shape or form on draft night and you can join me. I also have wrote my latest view from the North that should be posted on Hoops Doctors sometime today. As well my article in the Industry Magazine for the June/July issue is out in magazine form in Toronto area and should be on the web soon if it is not already.

Also courtesy of Eric Smith in his blog "The Rap" a couple of news items. First here is a list of who is in town working out for the Raptors for the upcoming draft:

Toney Douglas - Guard - 6′1 - Florida State
Greg Gamble - Guard - 6′3 - Buffalo
Gerald Henderson - Forward - 6′4 - Duke
Jerel McNeal - Forward - 6′3 - Marquette
B.J. Mullen - Centre - 7′0 - Ohio State
Aron Baynes - Centre - 6′10 - Washington State

Second, the newest Raptor Reggie Evans is in town to meet with the media and Eric is hopeful that Evans can be a guest on Game Plan between 2-4 on the Fan 590. Eric is hosting with Jack Armstrong today as he fills in for Doug Maclean.

So even though it is the off-season there is still lots on the go as things quickly shift to the draft. If you want to submit a question or comment for my weekly view from the North for Hoops doctors drop me an dinonationblog@sourcecable.net

One late edition to the blog for you. Justin Walsh who just recently was a guest talked with Demar DeRozan when he declared for the draft. Given that he has been a big topic and the debate of if he will or won't workout for the Raps continues on felt people might want to check out this interview Justin did for Slam back in April.