Raptor Fans Are Like Elephants

People have a hard time figuring out Raptor fans. Like why on earth were they still booing Tracy McGrady after all these years. I saw a tweet from someone with the Hawks that stated that Raptor Fans are like elephants they never forget. I think that is kind of true and it is kind of what I dig about writing about this team and for Raptor Fans. To often in this modern world, so much gets forgotten and swept aside. A guy can honestly go to jail and comeback and be a hero in this world. Scandal is only temporary and it steals all the headlines. For whatever you personally think about how Raptor fans act towards guys like Vince Carter, T-Mac and Chris Bosh, it to me will always be cool. It is a collective way of people calling someone out for in their opinion doing them wrong. If it was just a one sided thing I might not be as supportive. Thing is that it isn't. If a guy like Jerome Williams, Morris Peterson or Alvin Williams show up at the ACC they are met with cheers. This is because fans believe that these players and a few others showed them respect. They did it through how they played on the court and how they treated folks off the court. Basically people in Toronto are pretty good at figuring out who is genuine and who isn't.

That leads to what Amir Johnson did last night for Raptor fans and his own fans with his Roll with Amir Event. I can't imagine the likes of Carter, Bosh or McGrady reaching into their pocket and with little fanfare taking out 50 fans for the night on their dime. But not just to give them tickets to a game, but to go out with them after the game and interact with all of them and give them stuff. All just to say thanks for their support and love throughout the season. That is what Amir Johnson has done his last two seasons here in Toronto. While on the floor he models the effort and energy and attitude of Raptor fan favourites of the past. He has taken it to a whole new level off the floor with this event. I have the good fortune to talk with anyone on the Raptors I care to with covering games. That is not the case for fans. It is something I always keep in my heart when I cover games. The average fan getting a chance to talk with an Amir Johnson or a Demar DeRozan is a rare and in some cases once in a lifetime experience.

When Chris Bosh decided to check out for South Beach it created the birth of something new. It was the Young Gunz, better known as the more politically correct Young Onez these days. Amir along with Demar and Sonny Weems took Bosh's exit as an opportunity to embrace Toronto fans. It was what they needed badly after watching yet another star player get what he could out of Toronto and then leave them behind saying thanks for the memories. Toronto needed some players to step up and say they were loved and appreciated and that is what Amir along with Sonny and Demar did. While it has been tough times for the Raptors on the floor in the past few years since Bosh has left, it never stopped these guys from being out front and still there doing their part to embrace fans. It is easy to show love for people when everything is going great and your riding high. It takes some true character and genuine love to do it even when things are not so good.

While the Young Onez may still be miles away from bringing a championship to Toronto they have had an impact on Toronto. Sonny Weems still keeps in touch with all the people that supported him here on Twitter even when he was half a world away playing ball in Europe this past season. Amir Johnson had some personal issues that never were made public other than that. Still, he keeps a smile on his face and goes out of his way to embrace the support he gets from his fans. It is something that even in a season like this Raptor fans appreciate.

The Raptors future on the floor finally seems to be turning in a positive direction. Which is great news for everyone. However, don't forget all that was done by guys like Amir Johnson in the days that were darkest after Chris Bosh left. It should be remembered and cheered as loudly as the boos that rain down on the likes of Bosh, Carter and McGrady. But like that Atlanta person tweeted " Raptor Fans are like Elephants they never forget." Make sure you remember that in terms of Amir Johnson because he more than deserves it.

Bigger and Badder But Same Amir

Since Amir Johnson arrived in Toronto he has really embraced it. In fact sometimes the L.A native sounds like he is Canadian. In talking with him about his new more bigger look for the 2011-12 season he sure sounded like one. "Can you tell" Johnson said while flexing his bicep like a WWE Wrestler, " Like I said this summer the beer has been good to me, been drinking a lot of beer and it has been helping my arms." That sounds like most Canadians workout program in the summertime. But Amir Johnson is not looking like that typical Canadian guy and is not sporting any Molson Muscle that you can see. But when getting serious about things Amir talked about the work he put in while he was recovering from surgery on his ankle. "Real talk, I've been hurt all summer and I had chance to work on my body and gain some muscle," Johnson continued "So the injury kind of helped me put on some muscle and then I rehabbed on my foot all summer."

Johnson has had his position on the floor change some what playing more at the center position with move of Andrea Bargnani to the power forward. But be it at 4 or 5 according to Amir it is pretty much the same. "For me, It really doesn't matter 4 or 5, in the mean time your guarding in the same positions on the floor it doesn't matter." Johnson says. In terms of his roll on this team he sees it as the same. "I have the same role which is to play hard, play defence and rebound and block shots and control the defence." Johnson stated. Another thing that has not changed is his chemistry with Jose Calderon. It has been on full display in the Raptors first few games of this new season.

Prior to last night's match-up with Canada and Toronto's own Tristan Thompson I asked Amir for his memories about when he returned to his home in L.A for the first time. "Absolutely man, I remember myself like him being very excited to play in front of family and friends." Johnson continued and talked about the future for Thompson, " Sky is limit for him I think he is going have a bright good year this season." Amir ended up being part of the defensive effort that made it a rough homecoming for Thompson. But there will be many other chances for Thompson as perhaps the most famous Canadian baller of all time said on Twitter. Steve Nash was on Twitter late last night wishing he was able to watch Thompson make his return. He offered some encouragement to Tristan via Twitter " @RealTristan13 will be back in Toronto showing out for years. Good to get the 1st 1 out the way."

Amir Johnson has made his own impact since coming to Toronto and making it a second home for himself. He has along with Demar DeRozan and when he was here Sonny Weems as the Young Gunz turned Young Onez have reached out and touched a lot of the youth in Toronto. Amir is aware of the impact that the Raptors have on the youth of not just Toronto but across the country. "It's like a cycle and it is big" according to Johnson. We are only at the tip of the iceberg in terms of the impact of the NBA in Canada. Be it Tristan Thompson, Amir Johnson, Demar DeRozan or Steve Nash, Canada's youth have NBA stars that they now get to see on T.V or live down at the ACC. It is something that I as kid growing up never had. Amir said that he is happy to have the NBA Back and I think all of us that love the sport agree with that.

Amir is a little bigger, playing now with the starters but ultimately is the same person on and off the floor that he has been since his arrival in Toronto. Which is a fun loving warrior that gives all he has both on and off the floor. He is an example of someone that has a good balance between working hard and still having fun. Which makes for a pretty good role model even though Charles Barkley says NBA guys are not suppose to be those. If I had a son and he was an Amir Johnson fan and that was his guy, I would be cool with that.

Raptor Relief

Let's face it the 13 game losing streak was like a giant gorilla that was hanging on to everyone's back connected with the Raptors. While beating a team that going into last night was 2-22 on the road, and sits last in Western Conference is not reason to have a party or anything. But just to finally put an end to this losing streak was a giant relief and it could been seen on the faces in the locker room post game. Amir Johnson maybe most of all you can feel happy for as he has played through injuries and pain and performed well despite the losing skid. So I asked him the obvious question of how it felt to remove this giant weight off the team's back and his own.

" You mean the loses...It feels good but we need to continuing winning. This is only one game, I guess it is a stepping stone for us. We just need to continue playing hard and keep fighting." Johnson said. He has been playing through so much and it reminds me of the way Alvin Williams use to be in which you would need an army to keep him out of a game. Amir was interested by the comparison, and truthfully for those that can remember how Alvin was, it is one of the highest compliments you could pay someone on this team in my opinion. But Johnson is very matter a fact about the whole thing saying " It is just my personality and my attitude." Johnson continued on to say " I know we had a bunch of injuries. I know we are short. I didn't want to be a player that went down. I wanted to help my team get a win."

While many may question the contract that Johnson got from the Raptors in terms of dollars maybe even the term of that contract. No one can question that he is giving all he has in terms of trying to earn every cent of it. When asked by Holly Mackenzie on why he unlike some other players that have signed big deals, to paraphrase Holly, kind of took their foot off the gas pedal that in that first year of a new contract. She asked why it was different for him and his response was just simply that's me. While you can debate the logic in terms of cap space and what not. You can not really measure what it means to have a guy that plays with such heart and desire every single night. Johnson has done that and along with Sonny and Demar reached out to Raptor fans and tried to embrace them and the city. Something that is needed in what is a tough time for this franchise. But Amir would appear to be a part of it's future and you have to respect all he has done even in these tough times for this basketball team.

Speaking of Demar DeRozan I asked if Sonny Weems was coming along for the ride again for the dunk contest. Last year the dunk he did working with Weems went off the side of the backboard to be finished by DeRozan which earned him a 50. The only perfect score of last year's Dunk Contest. Need a reminder?




But Demar informs me that it will be the other Young One this time, and also from L.A in Amir Johnson that will be coming along with him to All-Star Saturday Night in L.A. What will those two cook up is to be seen. But we had talked to Demar about it, at the time not getting into the Dunk Contest in the DNB, and he said that if he were to get in some how he could come up with a couple ideas. So seemed reasonable to ask how that was going, as his "Coach" for the event Darryl Dawkins was just in Toronto the other day. "It is coming along, I got some good ideas yesterday.I worked on a few dunks." said DeRozan. The Raptors have today off and if you are looking for Demar he is likely hard at work on his plans of beating Blake Griffin. "Since we have the day off I will probably come in and work on a few dunks."

As for the Raptors DeRozan's take on losing streak being over was this "It definitely felt good. Now we are trying to get a win streak going and feed off of that." That might be easier said than done. After a road game with the Bucks on Tuesday the Raptors face the Spurs, Clippers and Heat at the ACC prior to the All Star Break. But if there are going to do it, they will need they the type of play they got from the starting 5 they had last night. DeRozan was encouraged by how the starting unit played having this to say. "We needed that. We definitely were fighting for it. I think that is how we got to play from on because it is fun when we can go out and play like that." There is no question winning is more fun. But for the winning to continue it will take more performances like that to achieve it. The one thing that is clear about this Raptor team is that no one guy is going to be able to do it on his own. Not even Bargnani or DeRozan with out help from the other or the rest of this squad is to the point they can carry a team.

Sonny Weems has been back in the mix. For the first time last night it really looked like the old Sonny Weems we saw near the start of this season. DeRozan is obviously the closest to him on the Raptors so I asked how it felt to see Sonny looking more like himself on the floor. " I still don't think he is to 100% yet. But he is definitely looking good. Once he gets back to playing how I know he can play it is going be great to see." It is also going to be important to see as well S Weems is the one member of the Young Onez that is not under contract for next season. How he plays down the stretch of this year will impact on his future as a Raptor. Obviously DeRozan and Johnson will be leading the rooting section for him to play well and hopefully remain a part of the roster.

Sonny was singing in the locker room after the game that is a clear indication more than anything that the mood has changed for the Raptors. It has been a very tough year for everyone with this team but to their credit they keep fighting hard and were rewarded for it finally with a win. There is a lot of work to be done to improve this team but the group that is the Young Onez have a good attitude about it, and keep fighting an uphill battle with every thing they have. For their sake and everyone else you hope they can improve and help comes along to make this team stronger overall. Calderon and Bargnani both played well and were able to play with the group and give the Raptors a solid effort from their starting 5. While ultimately this is not likely your starting 5 going into the future. All of these guys will need to continue to play well and improve. Calderon and Weems futures might be in some doubt. Weems with his contract and a choice to be made by the Raptors and himself, and Calderon still likely could be moved you could speculate, if the right deal came along or the Raptors were able to find a point guard either in Bayless as a starter or through the draft or trade.

While Lebron and Chris Bosh might have quit on Cleveland and Toronto. The Cavs may have quit on Cleveland altogether. Here in Toronto the Raptors have not quit and remain fighting in a battle that this season is likely not one they can win. But you hope that in doing so it helps grow a mentality that can see them through in future years. I am not going to say that the Raptors can win on February 16th as the Bosh return looms closer. But here is what I can say. Toronto fans will bring it way more in comparison to what the people in Cleveland did, and this team will not lay down and die in playing the Heat. They will fight and give all they have. Which at the end of the day probably isn't enough but that won't stop them from trying. There are no wins based on effort alone, but it is a part of how you get there. Last night the effort was rewarded with a W. Which was a huge relief for everyone from in that locker room to all of you reading this.

Davis is Back And Thoughts On A Long December

Reality is never a lot of fun. Raptors after the high of a surprising 4 game win streak have kind of come back to reality. The loss of Reggie Evans was a major blow to the Raptors. You might on the surface think it is just about rebounds but it is about a lot more. He really had become a leader this season with the lack of any real leader in that locker room. Bargnani is clearly the best player on this team offence wise. He also is likely the most talented overall. But no one is confusing him with a leader. We have spoke many times about Jose Calderon and his lack of leadership in this blog. On the floor he may be a leader in terms of his running of the offence. But off the floor Calderon has never really stepped up and taken that leadership role. The Young Onez are all still growing and learning, and while they may be the most visible in terms of this team in almost sharing the role as the face of the Raptors, Leading this group is still not something any of them are set to take on. DeRozan is actually battling with a hamstring and just trying to get his game right. Johnson has yet to consistently prove he can stay on the floor. While Weems has earned his way into the starting line-up and has been the most consistent of the group. But for Sonny the idea of being a starter is still a fresh one for him to deal with.

So for all of those reasons the leader that emerged for this Raptors team was Reggie Evans. He leads on the floor with his flat out hustle and energy, while off it he is a no nonsense straight forward guy. Reggie is not ever afraid to speak his mind. If the Raptors had a battle royal there is no question who the favourite to win it is. He is the closest thing the Raptors have had to Charles Oakley. He may not have the scoring touch of an Oakley and from everyone you talk with Oakley had a basketball IQ that was off the charts. But in terms of a tough guy that speaks his mind and has respect in the locker Reggie does have that. The fact the Raptors effort was awful without him is not really a great shock or it shouldn't be. Reggie was asked not that long ago why he had not been more vocal and taken this leadership role last season. He said that the fact he missed the first half of last season was why. It is hard to get guys to listen when you are not out there battling with them was the basic reason he gave. Which makes a lot of sense. After the start Reggie has had to this season maybe the fact he has been in there from the start this year will change what he says and how it is taken. But clearly someone who is healthy needs to step up to the plate and lead this team. Although Reggie's injury is not as bad as the one that caused him to miss over half the season. He still is not going to be back anytime soon and think if he played another game in the 2010 calender year I would be shocked.

December is already a challenging month for all teams in the NBA with the fact that the holiday season kicks in. Players just like all of us having shopping for presents to do and planning for the short time they actually do get off for the holidays. But now the Raptors also have this giant void to fill in the line-up. It comes at a critical time as well in terms of the fact the Raptors have a lot of home dates leading up to the holidays. Many coaches will tell you the more they are on the road away from home in the holiday season the better, as it avoids a lot of the distractions I mentioned. It is likely we will see ED Davis finally make his debut with the Raptors in this month as well. Currently in the D-League with the Raptors other draft choice Solomon Alabi. Well until I just got an email from the Raptors he was. We interrupt your originally scheduled blog with Breaking News.

Breaking News-Ed Davis has been recalled from the Erie Bayhawks. In 2 games with them Davis averaged 10 point 5 rebounds and 3 blocks in just 17.5 minutes per game. Davis is expected to practice on Tuesday with the Raptors and be on the active roster vs the Wizards on Wednesday.

So back to what we were talking about which ironically was Davis. My main concern in terms of him is that some fans may have over blown expectations for him. It is important to keep in mind this a kid that missed the end of his college season and all of training camp and pre-season. While his father is a former NBA player and all it does not mean this is going to be easy for him. Just like it took Demar DeRozan time to adjust to the NBA. In fact still is adjusting to a degree. Ed Davis is not going to come in and be able to set the world on fire and make you forget about Reggie Evans. It is going to be a lot of learning and growing and mistakes. But thanks in part to the trade the Raptors made and now the injury to Reggie there is going to be minutes for Ed Davis to start that learning process. The same eventually will be true in terms of Solomon Alabi who is comparison to Davis is very raw.

Regardless of this latest bit of news, December is going to be a tough month for the Raptors, and they will be a team looking for someone to fill in for Reggie as the leader. Who will step up to the call and do that might be interesting. It also might be a large step in the growth of some young players on this roster. It is going to be an intriguing month to see what happens with this team. A chance to take steps in the development process. But with the latest 2 losses, it was a good reminder as to what this season is all about. Goals of the playoffs in the unspectacular Eastern Conference are really unlikely, and if on the slim chance, and I do mean slim chance it would happen, it would be considered a major bonus and a minor setback. The bonus being playoff experience for this young group. The set back would be a lower pick in the draft. But on the plus side that Miami pick is not looking as horrible as it once did, with the Heat 9-8. Regardless, Raptors and playoffs should not be in the same sentence at this point. Growth and development are what this season will and has to be about.