Everyone is all giddy with optimism that the NBA is on the verge of a return. Most feel a deal could get done as soon as this weekend. Good right? Well yes it is but maybe not as good if you are a Raptor fan. This is for a couple of reasons. First reason is the deal itself. The deal that is being constructed, at least based on the talk that is out there, is not going to be a deal that helps out the Raptors as much. It likely could have if the Owners got the big win they were looking for out of this labour deal. If a system, that stopped the big spending be damned teams from being able to do that was in place, that would have helped the Raptors. MLSE has never been one of those teams. Faced with the challenges of being the lone franchise in Canada and the perceptions that exist about playing here they should be. You can say all you like about Toronto being a wonderful city which it is. But those perceptions even if they are incorrect are the reality. The long list of people that have left the franchise make that so. There is also this franchises less than impressive history which is factual. We all know this franchise has just one playoff series win and it was so long ago it was back when they played 5 games in the first round. The bottom line of the new CBA is it would have an even more punitive luxury tax which if MLSE was not willing to go over it under the old system it is hard to imagine they will under this new more costly one. But it is not going to stop the Dallas Mavericks, Miami Heat, L.A Lakers, Chicago Bulls and Boston Celtics of the world from doing so. It will not stop the possibility of more Big 3's like the ones we see in Boston and now Miami from forming. This is all bad news for the Raptors.
What happens if Demar DeRozan becomes every bit the star we hope he can become? When his time comes and the L.A Lakers want to bring the Compton kid home is there anyway for the Raptors to stop that from happening? It would appear not based on the CBA Talks. Which for the Raptors and small market teams is a complete failure from this process. While the focus of these talks have largely been focused on money directly there is an indirect money issue that has failed to be addressed. How will the paying customers in the small markets of the NBA feel about being somewhere between the NBA Elite and the NBDL? My guess is not to favourable. Everyone will point to OKC as the shining example of how a small market team can make it work. But in reality that took some luck and having a guy that is like Kevin Durant both as a player and as a person. Those guys are not growing on trees and easy to find. OKC has done a fantastic job but in reality without Durant none of it happens.
Also there is what Bryan Colangelo has been saying. Already making a preemptive strike to say that this year will not be the Raptors year once again. That there is likely another year of growing to do for this franchise. Even openly talking about what a great draft class there is expected to be for next year's NBA Draft. That sounds like the talk of a team heading back to the NBA Lottery regardless of if the NBA plays 82 games this year or 72. But when the Raptors drafted a rookie that was never going to play this season that likely sent that message already. Colangelo also has suggested the flexibility that he has created in preparation for the new CBA is likely not to be used this season.
So the NBA might be back and your reward Raptor fans is you are told to wait till next year, before the season is even started or a new CBA is even signed. It kind makes this whole lockout thing ending not as happy as it perhaps could be or should be. But MLSE will be happy to take your money once again for as many games as the NBA will allow once a new CBA is in place. I had a lot of hope that things would be better for the Raptors coming out of this lockout, but in the short term that seems unlikely. In the long term who knows but waiting for next year gets old ask fans of the Chicago Cubs about that.
10/26/11
A New Suit Added To The Waiting Party
How is everyone out there? Working on your 2k12 skills? The Raptors really suck in 2K this year it almost makes missing a season seem like a blessing. Just like NBA2k12 the Raptors will have no rookies. But there is some news. In the worst kept secret of the Raptors non off-season it is true Ed Stefanski has joined the Raptors front office. Here is the press release from your Toronto Raptors management.
Now for those thinking that he will be replacing Colangelo in the decision making that will not be the case. He is a very experienced voice in the room that becomes part of that consensus building that Colangelo loves so much. He will be introduced to the media tomorrow and I would guess we might get to see it on Raptors NBA-TV? I know you will all miss watching the constant flow of old basketball games that I lived through.
As for the Lockout they say progress in being made. I have heard that one before. My advice is if you are expecting this all to be solved in the short term don't hold your breath. When this is solved the Raptors will have to hit the ground running as the team they produced last year as the 2k12 ratings suggest and the fact they picked 5th in the draft but should have been 3rd is that they were not good. The rules might be very different under this new CBA. The whole concept of trading and the money matching to 125% might be a thing of the past when the dust clears. I am trying to figure out if that makes it easier to dump Calderon and Bargnani? I think it does.
Speaking of Bargnani there are rumours that he may sign with a club in Italy. I am hoping there is some way they get to keep him when the lockout ends. Demar DeRozan was tweeting that he is going to be in town and hit every gym in Toronto. Yes Basketball never dies or whatever that union B.S is they are spiting out says. But glorified exhibition tours and charity games is nothing close to the NBA unless you are talking All-Star Weekend.
As for me? Well I have been turning Myck Kabongo into the leading scorer in the NBA (in the aforementioned 2K12. Maybe by the time he enters the draft this whole lockout business might be done by then. I miss having news to bring you folks on a regular basis. But at the same time I have taken this time to relax after almost 4 years of pushing myself to work hard in this blog everyday. I am doing my best not to become bitter and jaded from all of this. But that might be impossible. All I can say is when they do get this deal done it better be the right deal or this will all have been a complete waste of time. I want basketball back just as much as anyone but with a CBA that makes this league competitive for all 30 teams not just the ones in Miami, Boston, L.A, Chicago and the odd OKC Exception to the rule. When Carmelo Anthony is shooting his mouth off about wanting to play with Chris Paul it makes me think some guys in this league don't get it and don't care to get it. Just pay me my millions and give me a team of superstars so I can win a championship in a city that is cool enough for me. It is that type of attitude that makes this lockout acceptable to me and necessary.
If you think the Owners are the evil ones in this thing you really don't get it. Have they taken advantage of it and gone for blood. Yeah but did you expect anything less? I remain committed to the belief that David Stern is smarter than Gary Bettman and will get the NBA a better deal than the current NHL Deal at the end of the day.
The Toronto Raptors announced Wednesday they have hired Ed Stefanski as the team’s executive vice president of basketball operations. Stefanski joins the Raptors from upper management positions with the Philadelphia 76ers and New Jersey Nets, where his teams qualified for the NBA playoffs in eight of the past nine seasons. In his position, Stefanski will report to Raptors President and General Manager Bryan Colangelo.
“Ed Stefanski embodies everything I was hoping to attain when the search began for a top level basketball executive to join our staff,” said Colangelo. “Ed brings to the table experience, smarts and a great feel for the game and of people.
“I am very excited to join Bryan Colangelo and the Raptors organization,” Stefanski said. “Toronto is a world class city and the Raptors fans are strong supporters.
“The team has a young nucleus of players that have a big upside. And with the addition of Head Coach Dwane Casey I am looking forward to witnessing their growth and improvement.”
Stefanski, who has earned a reputation throughout the NBA as an excellent evaluator of talent, spent the past four seasons in a president and general manager role with Philadelphia. With the 76ers, Stefanski returned the franchise to playoff status via trades, the re-signing of key performers and the acquisition of athletic, younger players in the NBA Draft. Despite having only mid-first round picks in three of his four drafts, Stefanski was able to add lottery-level talent to the team.
Prior to joining Philadelphia, Stefanski spent nine seasons with the Nets. He was promoted to general manager of the club in the summer of 2004 following a one-year stint as the team’s senior vice president of basketball operations and four seasons as the team's director of scouting.
While with the Nets, Stefanski oversaw the team's basketball operations and was heavily involved in the club’s roster development and player personnel matters. He helped to build New Jersey’s back-to-back Eastern Conference Championship teams in 2002 and 2003.
A 1976 graduate of the University of Pennsylvania (Wharton School of Business), Stefanski played three seasons for Penn, where he was coached by Hall-of-Famer Chuck Daley. Stefanski was a member of two Ivy League Champions (1974 and 1975), helping the Quakers reach the NCAA Tournament in both of those seasons. In 1979, Stefanski also began a 20-year run as a colour analyst for Big Five basketball and ESPN’s Atlantic 10 basketball coverage.
Now for those thinking that he will be replacing Colangelo in the decision making that will not be the case. He is a very experienced voice in the room that becomes part of that consensus building that Colangelo loves so much. He will be introduced to the media tomorrow and I would guess we might get to see it on Raptors NBA-TV? I know you will all miss watching the constant flow of old basketball games that I lived through.
As for the Lockout they say progress in being made. I have heard that one before. My advice is if you are expecting this all to be solved in the short term don't hold your breath. When this is solved the Raptors will have to hit the ground running as the team they produced last year as the 2k12 ratings suggest and the fact they picked 5th in the draft but should have been 3rd is that they were not good. The rules might be very different under this new CBA. The whole concept of trading and the money matching to 125% might be a thing of the past when the dust clears. I am trying to figure out if that makes it easier to dump Calderon and Bargnani? I think it does.
Speaking of Bargnani there are rumours that he may sign with a club in Italy. I am hoping there is some way they get to keep him when the lockout ends. Demar DeRozan was tweeting that he is going to be in town and hit every gym in Toronto. Yes Basketball never dies or whatever that union B.S is they are spiting out says. But glorified exhibition tours and charity games is nothing close to the NBA unless you are talking All-Star Weekend.
As for me? Well I have been turning Myck Kabongo into the leading scorer in the NBA (in the aforementioned 2K12. Maybe by the time he enters the draft this whole lockout business might be done by then. I miss having news to bring you folks on a regular basis. But at the same time I have taken this time to relax after almost 4 years of pushing myself to work hard in this blog everyday. I am doing my best not to become bitter and jaded from all of this. But that might be impossible. All I can say is when they do get this deal done it better be the right deal or this will all have been a complete waste of time. I want basketball back just as much as anyone but with a CBA that makes this league competitive for all 30 teams not just the ones in Miami, Boston, L.A, Chicago and the odd OKC Exception to the rule. When Carmelo Anthony is shooting his mouth off about wanting to play with Chris Paul it makes me think some guys in this league don't get it and don't care to get it. Just pay me my millions and give me a team of superstars so I can win a championship in a city that is cool enough for me. It is that type of attitude that makes this lockout acceptable to me and necessary.
If you think the Owners are the evil ones in this thing you really don't get it. Have they taken advantage of it and gone for blood. Yeah but did you expect anything less? I remain committed to the belief that David Stern is smarter than Gary Bettman and will get the NBA a better deal than the current NHL Deal at the end of the day.
9/26/11
Hopeless?
The first steps to the end of hope have been taken with training camps being postponed and exhibition games up till October 15th have been cancelled. I had always stated that when we saw the Dallas Mavericks beat the Miami Heat that was the last "real" basketball we would see in terms of the NBA in the 2011 calender year. It seems that very little progress has been made in terms of coming to a deal. The Owners seem to locked in at what they are willing to give to players in terms of a percentage of the total revenues generated by the league.
While we have seen these gloried exhibition games start to get some main stream attention. Honestly if anyone remembers the Vince Carter Charity games that is about all these are. Defence in these games is a myth. Shawn Marion once dropped 50 in on of those charity games. The former Raptor and now Mav even in his prime was never dropping 50 in an actual NBA game. There is really nothing on the line for these players and no one is going to risk getting injured in games such as these.
The depressing reality of things is starting to sink in for people. I have always expected things to go this way and was well aware no last minute miracle was likely to come. That still doesn't make it not hurt as both a fan and someone that covers this league. I have decided to just write occasionally during this time. Lots of people are doing their best to plug along. I just can't do that. If I am going to write or do interviews it is going to be because it is something I feel is worth your time. Aside from the blow by blow of the lockout which is really the only thing that matters right now there is not much of that to write about. Even the blow by blow of the lockout has become pretty much stale. In fact what we are seeing in effect is a stalemate at this point.
I will still chime in every now and then and keep the Dino Nation Blog alive. I look forward to when we can get back to what we do here on a regular basis. It has been a really strange time without having this blog to fill my schedule on a daily basis. Some of those things are good and most are not. I am not getting any younger while this lockout goes on. None of us are. If we get any kind of season at the end of this it would be great at this point. I have been less active on twitter as well. But I was on their last night and someone was asking Charles Oakley something about Peyton Manning and I asked him if he thought the injured star of the Colts would play before the NBA. He said he thought he would. For those that do not know most think Manning might be done for the NFL Season. So the next game he could likely play would be in August. So that would be saying the NBA will not have a season without saying it. Oakley in his career was an active part of the union so take it for what it is worth. But I have always thought of Oakley as a straight shooter and if he thinks a season is unlikely that makes me worry.
Not sure when the next time will be that you hear from me. But keep the faith and at the end of all of this I look forward to things being back to the way they have been for almost 4 years.
While we have seen these gloried exhibition games start to get some main stream attention. Honestly if anyone remembers the Vince Carter Charity games that is about all these are. Defence in these games is a myth. Shawn Marion once dropped 50 in on of those charity games. The former Raptor and now Mav even in his prime was never dropping 50 in an actual NBA game. There is really nothing on the line for these players and no one is going to risk getting injured in games such as these.
The depressing reality of things is starting to sink in for people. I have always expected things to go this way and was well aware no last minute miracle was likely to come. That still doesn't make it not hurt as both a fan and someone that covers this league. I have decided to just write occasionally during this time. Lots of people are doing their best to plug along. I just can't do that. If I am going to write or do interviews it is going to be because it is something I feel is worth your time. Aside from the blow by blow of the lockout which is really the only thing that matters right now there is not much of that to write about. Even the blow by blow of the lockout has become pretty much stale. In fact what we are seeing in effect is a stalemate at this point.
I will still chime in every now and then and keep the Dino Nation Blog alive. I look forward to when we can get back to what we do here on a regular basis. It has been a really strange time without having this blog to fill my schedule on a daily basis. Some of those things are good and most are not. I am not getting any younger while this lockout goes on. None of us are. If we get any kind of season at the end of this it would be great at this point. I have been less active on twitter as well. But I was on their last night and someone was asking Charles Oakley something about Peyton Manning and I asked him if he thought the injured star of the Colts would play before the NBA. He said he thought he would. For those that do not know most think Manning might be done for the NFL Season. So the next game he could likely play would be in August. So that would be saying the NBA will not have a season without saying it. Oakley in his career was an active part of the union so take it for what it is worth. But I have always thought of Oakley as a straight shooter and if he thinks a season is unlikely that makes me worry.
Not sure when the next time will be that you hear from me. But keep the faith and at the end of all of this I look forward to things being back to the way they have been for almost 4 years.
9/6/11
Just When You Thought We Were Dead
Kids are back in School so it seems fitting we get back to work in a kinda sorta way. No NBA Season coming anytime soon. Canada has once again failed to make it to Olympics. We here at the Dino Nation Blog are no longer partnered with The Score. Things keep rolling along in this life. Still you got to keep going and keep your head above water. Which is a lot easier to do for locked out NBA players than it is for people trying to eek out a living covering this game.
In terms of The Score it was always my intention that this relationship was going to come to an end for some time. Some that know me personally have been aware of that. The simple fact of it all is the company that I became a part of a few years ago is not the same as it was. At the time the Sports Federation that the Dino Nation Blog was a part of from day one to it's death on August 30th a lot changed with The Score. On that day one The Score was one of the broadcasters of Raptors Basketball. The also carried March Madness in this country. They were the clear network for basketball fans in this country. They also had people like Adnan Virk and Cabbie as part of the mix. Two people that I knew and respected. But things changed with the company over that time such as the eliminated The Score Tonight, Raptors and the NCAA Tournament were gone. So was Adnan and Cabbie. A steady stream of the reasons I wanted to be and was proud to be partnered with them went away. It was going to be a difficult choice to leave but one that I decided to make at the start of this year. However with the NBA Lockout coming not one I was prepared to make until we had that situation sorted out. But The Score decided to end the sports fed which included more than just basketball. So it became a moot point.
There are still some folks that work for them that I will always wish the best for regardless of if I work with them or for the company. Scott Carefoot is the one that brought me into the company through the Sports Fed in the first place. He was the main reason I wanted to remain loyal to it and the company. If not for him this relationship never would have happened in the first place. I thank him for all that he did for me and will always consider him a friend in this business. On the same day I met Scott for the first time was also the day I met this girl named Holly Mackenzie. Little did I know how far Holly would go in terms of covering basketball and the Raptors. She has always been a friendly nice person that I highly respect. No one works harder than Holly and no one loves basketball more than this girl. She has a passion and work ethic that will take her places. Well it already has and even bigger places as the future plays out. She has always been a good friend to me and I will always root for bigger and better things for her. Then there is Tas Melas and the guys on The Basketball Jones. I can only really say I know Tas the others I have met. It was because of knowing Tas that I got to know of this crazy show that is The Basketball Jones. I can not tell you how many laughs they have provided me. I promoted what they did before they were part of The Score and after they were. What they do is down right entertaining and enjoyable regardless of where it is done or happens to be. There are others that I have got to know as well in my time with The Score all who have been great to me. Natasha, Romy and others.
So while I personally have my issues with the direction of the company itself it has nothing to do with my feelings towards the people that I consider friends that are still a part of it. One of the things about the media that is like the sport of basketball is that really the circle of people involved is pretty small in it. People in the media change networks and affiliations just like players, coaches and management types change teams. It is just the reality of things. Just as it is rare for a player or coach to remain with an organization forever the same is true in the media.
The fact that none of us have any real basketball to cover is the bigger issue at the moment. When you hear players like Kevin Garnett talking that if a season is lost then so be it you should be worried. Most are aware of my total lack of interest in the NHL. It wasn't always that way. But my mild interest in the NHL took a complete nose dive when they lost an entire season. That combined with the total disregard of any other sport in this country by the media in general lead me to be pretty much anti-NHL and anti-hockey to a point.
Guess the biggest fear now is how many fans of basketball that were like me in terms of the NHL will be put off by the results of this NBA Lockout. Make no mistake about it when you talk about a labour dispute there is only one winner. Not the owners and not the players it is the lawyers that are always the winners. The losers could be many and I fear that some casual fans of basketball will get tuned out for good like I was in terms of the NHL. Like many were with Baseball in their strike back in 1994.
Instead of talking about a new era for the Raptors with lots of question marks that is not what we are doing and honestly won't be doing for quite some time. I have to admit as much as I was prepared for all that has gone on it still is very depressing. We always tell are kids to work hard and try your best but the harsh reality is no amount of work can change this situation on my part. It is coming up on 4 years of my life that have been dedicated to this blog and covering the Raptors and this sport that I love. Many relationships and marriages don't last that long.
I have been seen less on Twitter and kind of pulled back from things. I hope that is to save my energy for brighter days ahead. These days are pretty dark for all that "Love This Game" and it is pretty hard to sell to anyone that the "NBA CARES" at the moment. When this whole nightmare comes to an end is just guessing at this point.
But long before all this started I said that it needed to happen for the NBA to be better on the other side of things. If after this lockout it means I can honestly believe Demar DeRozan can stick around and be a star with the Raptors and remain it might all be worth it. But the pain to endure to get to that point is not a fun process for anyone. It also may not turn out that way in the end. If that is the case this whole process has been for nothing. Well nothing that matters to fans of the sport. I could careless who makes how much money at the end of the day. That includes myself. Sure it would be nice to make money and have a good life. But ultimately life is what you make of it. Money is only one part of it. The thing I miss more than anything is the people that become a part of your life when you do this. From the people I work with, to the people that read this blog. That is what I will miss most of all. The fact their will be no NBA Games to talk about is a distant second.
In terms of The Score it was always my intention that this relationship was going to come to an end for some time. Some that know me personally have been aware of that. The simple fact of it all is the company that I became a part of a few years ago is not the same as it was. At the time the Sports Federation that the Dino Nation Blog was a part of from day one to it's death on August 30th a lot changed with The Score. On that day one The Score was one of the broadcasters of Raptors Basketball. The also carried March Madness in this country. They were the clear network for basketball fans in this country. They also had people like Adnan Virk and Cabbie as part of the mix. Two people that I knew and respected. But things changed with the company over that time such as the eliminated The Score Tonight, Raptors and the NCAA Tournament were gone. So was Adnan and Cabbie. A steady stream of the reasons I wanted to be and was proud to be partnered with them went away. It was going to be a difficult choice to leave but one that I decided to make at the start of this year. However with the NBA Lockout coming not one I was prepared to make until we had that situation sorted out. But The Score decided to end the sports fed which included more than just basketball. So it became a moot point.
There are still some folks that work for them that I will always wish the best for regardless of if I work with them or for the company. Scott Carefoot is the one that brought me into the company through the Sports Fed in the first place. He was the main reason I wanted to remain loyal to it and the company. If not for him this relationship never would have happened in the first place. I thank him for all that he did for me and will always consider him a friend in this business. On the same day I met Scott for the first time was also the day I met this girl named Holly Mackenzie. Little did I know how far Holly would go in terms of covering basketball and the Raptors. She has always been a friendly nice person that I highly respect. No one works harder than Holly and no one loves basketball more than this girl. She has a passion and work ethic that will take her places. Well it already has and even bigger places as the future plays out. She has always been a good friend to me and I will always root for bigger and better things for her. Then there is Tas Melas and the guys on The Basketball Jones. I can only really say I know Tas the others I have met. It was because of knowing Tas that I got to know of this crazy show that is The Basketball Jones. I can not tell you how many laughs they have provided me. I promoted what they did before they were part of The Score and after they were. What they do is down right entertaining and enjoyable regardless of where it is done or happens to be. There are others that I have got to know as well in my time with The Score all who have been great to me. Natasha, Romy and others.
So while I personally have my issues with the direction of the company itself it has nothing to do with my feelings towards the people that I consider friends that are still a part of it. One of the things about the media that is like the sport of basketball is that really the circle of people involved is pretty small in it. People in the media change networks and affiliations just like players, coaches and management types change teams. It is just the reality of things. Just as it is rare for a player or coach to remain with an organization forever the same is true in the media.
The fact that none of us have any real basketball to cover is the bigger issue at the moment. When you hear players like Kevin Garnett talking that if a season is lost then so be it you should be worried. Most are aware of my total lack of interest in the NHL. It wasn't always that way. But my mild interest in the NHL took a complete nose dive when they lost an entire season. That combined with the total disregard of any other sport in this country by the media in general lead me to be pretty much anti-NHL and anti-hockey to a point.
Guess the biggest fear now is how many fans of basketball that were like me in terms of the NHL will be put off by the results of this NBA Lockout. Make no mistake about it when you talk about a labour dispute there is only one winner. Not the owners and not the players it is the lawyers that are always the winners. The losers could be many and I fear that some casual fans of basketball will get tuned out for good like I was in terms of the NHL. Like many were with Baseball in their strike back in 1994.
Instead of talking about a new era for the Raptors with lots of question marks that is not what we are doing and honestly won't be doing for quite some time. I have to admit as much as I was prepared for all that has gone on it still is very depressing. We always tell are kids to work hard and try your best but the harsh reality is no amount of work can change this situation on my part. It is coming up on 4 years of my life that have been dedicated to this blog and covering the Raptors and this sport that I love. Many relationships and marriages don't last that long.
I have been seen less on Twitter and kind of pulled back from things. I hope that is to save my energy for brighter days ahead. These days are pretty dark for all that "Love This Game" and it is pretty hard to sell to anyone that the "NBA CARES" at the moment. When this whole nightmare comes to an end is just guessing at this point.
But long before all this started I said that it needed to happen for the NBA to be better on the other side of things. If after this lockout it means I can honestly believe Demar DeRozan can stick around and be a star with the Raptors and remain it might all be worth it. But the pain to endure to get to that point is not a fun process for anyone. It also may not turn out that way in the end. If that is the case this whole process has been for nothing. Well nothing that matters to fans of the sport. I could careless who makes how much money at the end of the day. That includes myself. Sure it would be nice to make money and have a good life. But ultimately life is what you make of it. Money is only one part of it. The thing I miss more than anything is the people that become a part of your life when you do this. From the people I work with, to the people that read this blog. That is what I will miss most of all. The fact their will be no NBA Games to talk about is a distant second.
8/18/11
DNB Top 10- Things I Have Learned During Lockout
Hello all back again...NBA Lockout is still going on with no signs of stopping anytime soon. So today I thought I would share some things I have learned from the experience. Some are funny some are true. So with that drum roll please. What no drum roll? We can't afford to pay for that these are tough times.
#10- NFL Network is much better at filler than NBATV Canada. I mean if a network can make the NFL Combine into a show really a lockout is a peace of cake.
#9- I forgot how much I truly love the CFL. Have had chance to watch much more than I normally would. To all my friends in Toronto this probably does not apply if you have been watching the Argos.
#8- In every Labour dispute as in any divorce there is really only one winner....Lawyers.
#7- I really don't have to be on Twitter 24 hours a day or even an hour a day. Life still goes on surprisingly
#6- People will go to any lengths to try to create content. I mean some of the things I have seen during this lockout are just a joke. But people are trying to keep working and keep their audiences entertained and engaged. But let's face it with no actual league to cover that is challenging.
#5- Lockout or not Raptor fans never change. Jonas Valanciunas may be inducted into the hall of fame before he ever plays an NBA Game. While Andrea Bargnani would be lucky if they let him in the door.
#4- Just how awful the WWE has become. I mean seriously. I am the Dinoblogger and I am more Awesome than anything I see on their programming. I once almost applied for a job writing for WWE. That was till I got to the line about having 5 years of soap opera writing experience.
#3- How much the game of basketball has brought so many great people into my life and how without it you don't end up seeing them as much.
#2- That Lebron James truly has no clue. Lebron thinks this is all going to get solved by November. I will bet him his Championship Ring...oh wait. Well at least if there is no season Lebron only has to win 4 Championships now in Miami.
#1- Life happens with the NBA or without it. The more people start to realize this the worse it will be for the NBA.
So that is my list I am sure you all have you own. So leave some comments if you like with yours. Or just say hello because at the rate this lockout is going we all might need name tags if we wait for basketball to be back. Hello my name is James Borbath in case you forgot. Take care folks and see you next Tuesday unless a miracle happens and the NBA Lockout ends before than. Not holding my breath for that.
8/16/11
Joseph Debuts In Red and White on Weekend.
It has been a big year for Cory Joseph playing on a Texas Team that was in the top of the Rankings in the NCAA Tournament. Deciding to enter the NBA Draft and eventually getting selected in the first round by an NBA Franchise that makes few mistakes in the draft in the San Antonio Spurs. Now the locked out and a rookie in waiting who gets no Vegas Summer League to impress has decided to take on the red and white of Canada and help them try to qualify for the Olympics in London in 2012. There is no doubt 2011 has been a big year in this young man's life.
If his first couple games are any indication as to how he will do with Team Canada it would appear to be positive. He has been able to fit into the system well and he credits that to knowing some of the players and having them help get him up to speed. Coach of the National Team Leo Rautins had nothing but positive things to say on how well Cory was able to jump into action right away.
Rautins " Cory is a really good fit. He offers three things that we really need. One is he pushes the ball and that is something that we want to do. Second thing is on defence he can get after people. Third he is an energy guy and he is just to fun to be around and is good with the guys."
Leo went on to say that Cory had been able to learn a lot of things from a number of the players on the roster prior to officially suiting up for the team. He gave credit to both Cory and Jermaine Anderson the starting point guard on the team for past few years working together to get Cory up to speed. Cory gave credit to Anderson as well as a few of the other players he knew got him ready to roll. This was also the first in game action for Joseph since the Longhorns made their exit from the NCAA Tournament in March. This is a good chance for him to make up for the lack of a summer league with the NBA cancelling Summer League due to the on going NBA Lockout.
Joseph "It is good to play in an actual game instead of just working out. Not that working out is bad. You want to get that game experience."
Going back to draft night it was a surprise to many that Tristan Thompson was taken 4th by the Cleveland Cavs. It was also a surprise that Joesph himself was taken in the first round by the Spurs. But according to Joesph he expected both to happen.
Joseph " I knew I was going go in the first round and I kinda knew Tristan was going go at four. I love Tristan going at four that was almost better than me going at 29 maybe just the same. He is like my brother so I loved it. "
Many had hoped that Thompson would be suiting up for Team Canada as well. Rautins said on Thompson participating for Team Canada, " When the time is right he will play." Coach Rautins continued " There is different things going on one is school and the other is physically. He was a little down after all the pre-draft workouts. I know personally from watching Andy (Rautins) he was exsuasted he was physically wiped out. So I can't judge anyone individually as to what they are feeling. That is the word I am getting, I have no issue with it when the time is right he will be here."
Thompson is obviously at the top of the list of a great wave of young Canadians and while this is a great thing for Team Canada and Coach Rautins moving forward it will be vital to get these players in red and white. But he was able to get Joseph on board. According to coach Rautins Cory had want to be a part of things from the first phase but was unable too. But he is here now and likes the idea of having some seniority over Thompson and Myck Kabongo who many would hope follow their friend Cory to Team Canada eventually. Joseph had this to say on the topic, " Definitely I am the one that did it first. But everybody has their different situations. So I am not sure what their situations are right now you would have to ask them."
It is something that will be an ongoing topic has time marches on. As the talent pool grows for Canada in terms of basketball it is great for fans of the sport. In terms of the national team it is vital that they get these young players as part of the program. San Antonio is a good place for that in terms of the NBA as they have had many players that are key parts of their roster play internationally. Cleveland might be a different case but time will tell. Ultimately no NBA Team can officially stand in the way of a player choosing to play internationally. But to have a franchise supportive of that certainly helps. Matt Bonner also of the Spurs has wanted to play for Canada but has had issues becoming a Canadian despite being married to a Canadian and having a Canadian direct relative. In the Case of Thompson, Kabongo and a number of others that are gaining attention that will not be an issue. The issue will be Canada Basketball being effective in recruiting them to play. Joel Anthony had been one of the successes in that regard. He has been a fixture in the program for a number of years. Andy Rautins also not just because his last name but his talent has been part of the program as well. Now Cory is part of that mix for this summer and hopefully moving forward.
In terms of his NBA Future Joseph has not had much time to get to know his new organization. He explains how things have worked in terms of him getting ready for the NBA.
Joseph "There was like a 4 day gap before the lockout I was able to do a little mini-camp. After that I haven't been able to have contact with them. I can talk to the players though, and have been able to talk to some of the younger guys and they have been helping me learn the plays and all of that."
It is much the same as the experience NFL Rookies had to go through. There was a window when the NFL Lockout was lifted and they were able to briefly reach out to organizations that drafted them. It will make things a little tougher for all the rookies waiting for the NBA Season to start. Joseph though at least will have the security that comes with being drafted in the first round. Assuming that it remains the same that would mean a guaranteed contract for a number of years and a real chance to make it with San Antonio. The Spurs prior to the lockout made some moves that suggest he will have a chance as well.
He now leaves Texas and will likely be replaced by his friend and fellow Canadian Myck Kabongo. We have had the chance to have Myck in this blog on several occasions. So it was good to hear that he has been able to help Myck. He says he has been there for him answering any questions he has had. But he is confident that Myck will do well and spoke to how intelligent and talented he is. Something that I would agree with and the same can be said for Joseph himself. Kabongo will be starting his freshman year at Texas this season and is one of the top freshman entering the NCAA this season.
As for Joseph he debuted in two wins for Canada this past weekend over Belgium. Coach Rautins likes the fact that he can throw Joseph out on the floor with a number of players including Jermaine Anderson, Carl English and his son Andy. It also is good when you press the fast forward button and imagine a back court of Kabongo and Joseph some day in the future. As for the present here is Cory's thoughts on his debut.
Joseph: "It feels great to represent your country. Getting in touch with the team, the players and the plays. I feel like it was a pretty good start, it could have been better but we got two wins and that is all that matters."
While many will lament on the fact Thompson is not here. The fact Joseph is still is a big positive for Canada moving forward as they attempt to qualify for the Olympics in London in the group qualifier in Argentina at the end of the month. The day may still come that we see Thompson and Joseph re-unite and rekindle what we saw in burnt orange in Canada red and white. But for now Joseph has the likes of Andy Rautins, Joel Anthony and others to play with. His addition on it's own makes Canada better.
He is an impressive young man and in the few times I have had to talk with him that shines through. What is great about this young generation of players that Joseph is a part of is that they are not only talented they are good quality people as well. Canada Basketball is lucky to have the pool of talent growing in this country. For them to be ultimately successful it will take getting these kids to be part of the program. That is the challenge that lies ahead in the long term future. The challenge in the short term is to punch a ticket to the Olympics in London.
If his first couple games are any indication as to how he will do with Team Canada it would appear to be positive. He has been able to fit into the system well and he credits that to knowing some of the players and having them help get him up to speed. Coach of the National Team Leo Rautins had nothing but positive things to say on how well Cory was able to jump into action right away.
Rautins " Cory is a really good fit. He offers three things that we really need. One is he pushes the ball and that is something that we want to do. Second thing is on defence he can get after people. Third he is an energy guy and he is just to fun to be around and is good with the guys."
Leo went on to say that Cory had been able to learn a lot of things from a number of the players on the roster prior to officially suiting up for the team. He gave credit to both Cory and Jermaine Anderson the starting point guard on the team for past few years working together to get Cory up to speed. Cory gave credit to Anderson as well as a few of the other players he knew got him ready to roll. This was also the first in game action for Joseph since the Longhorns made their exit from the NCAA Tournament in March. This is a good chance for him to make up for the lack of a summer league with the NBA cancelling Summer League due to the on going NBA Lockout.
Joseph "It is good to play in an actual game instead of just working out. Not that working out is bad. You want to get that game experience."
Going back to draft night it was a surprise to many that Tristan Thompson was taken 4th by the Cleveland Cavs. It was also a surprise that Joesph himself was taken in the first round by the Spurs. But according to Joesph he expected both to happen.
Joseph " I knew I was going go in the first round and I kinda knew Tristan was going go at four. I love Tristan going at four that was almost better than me going at 29 maybe just the same. He is like my brother so I loved it. "
Many had hoped that Thompson would be suiting up for Team Canada as well. Rautins said on Thompson participating for Team Canada, " When the time is right he will play." Coach Rautins continued " There is different things going on one is school and the other is physically. He was a little down after all the pre-draft workouts. I know personally from watching Andy (Rautins) he was exsuasted he was physically wiped out. So I can't judge anyone individually as to what they are feeling. That is the word I am getting, I have no issue with it when the time is right he will be here."
Thompson is obviously at the top of the list of a great wave of young Canadians and while this is a great thing for Team Canada and Coach Rautins moving forward it will be vital to get these players in red and white. But he was able to get Joseph on board. According to coach Rautins Cory had want to be a part of things from the first phase but was unable too. But he is here now and likes the idea of having some seniority over Thompson and Myck Kabongo who many would hope follow their friend Cory to Team Canada eventually. Joseph had this to say on the topic, " Definitely I am the one that did it first. But everybody has their different situations. So I am not sure what their situations are right now you would have to ask them."
It is something that will be an ongoing topic has time marches on. As the talent pool grows for Canada in terms of basketball it is great for fans of the sport. In terms of the national team it is vital that they get these young players as part of the program. San Antonio is a good place for that in terms of the NBA as they have had many players that are key parts of their roster play internationally. Cleveland might be a different case but time will tell. Ultimately no NBA Team can officially stand in the way of a player choosing to play internationally. But to have a franchise supportive of that certainly helps. Matt Bonner also of the Spurs has wanted to play for Canada but has had issues becoming a Canadian despite being married to a Canadian and having a Canadian direct relative. In the Case of Thompson, Kabongo and a number of others that are gaining attention that will not be an issue. The issue will be Canada Basketball being effective in recruiting them to play. Joel Anthony had been one of the successes in that regard. He has been a fixture in the program for a number of years. Andy Rautins also not just because his last name but his talent has been part of the program as well. Now Cory is part of that mix for this summer and hopefully moving forward.
In terms of his NBA Future Joseph has not had much time to get to know his new organization. He explains how things have worked in terms of him getting ready for the NBA.
Joseph "There was like a 4 day gap before the lockout I was able to do a little mini-camp. After that I haven't been able to have contact with them. I can talk to the players though, and have been able to talk to some of the younger guys and they have been helping me learn the plays and all of that."
It is much the same as the experience NFL Rookies had to go through. There was a window when the NFL Lockout was lifted and they were able to briefly reach out to organizations that drafted them. It will make things a little tougher for all the rookies waiting for the NBA Season to start. Joseph though at least will have the security that comes with being drafted in the first round. Assuming that it remains the same that would mean a guaranteed contract for a number of years and a real chance to make it with San Antonio. The Spurs prior to the lockout made some moves that suggest he will have a chance as well.
He now leaves Texas and will likely be replaced by his friend and fellow Canadian Myck Kabongo. We have had the chance to have Myck in this blog on several occasions. So it was good to hear that he has been able to help Myck. He says he has been there for him answering any questions he has had. But he is confident that Myck will do well and spoke to how intelligent and talented he is. Something that I would agree with and the same can be said for Joseph himself. Kabongo will be starting his freshman year at Texas this season and is one of the top freshman entering the NCAA this season.
As for Joseph he debuted in two wins for Canada this past weekend over Belgium. Coach Rautins likes the fact that he can throw Joseph out on the floor with a number of players including Jermaine Anderson, Carl English and his son Andy. It also is good when you press the fast forward button and imagine a back court of Kabongo and Joseph some day in the future. As for the present here is Cory's thoughts on his debut.
Joseph: "It feels great to represent your country. Getting in touch with the team, the players and the plays. I feel like it was a pretty good start, it could have been better but we got two wins and that is all that matters."
While many will lament on the fact Thompson is not here. The fact Joseph is still is a big positive for Canada moving forward as they attempt to qualify for the Olympics in London in the group qualifier in Argentina at the end of the month. The day may still come that we see Thompson and Joseph re-unite and rekindle what we saw in burnt orange in Canada red and white. But for now Joseph has the likes of Andy Rautins, Joel Anthony and others to play with. His addition on it's own makes Canada better.
He is an impressive young man and in the few times I have had to talk with him that shines through. What is great about this young generation of players that Joseph is a part of is that they are not only talented they are good quality people as well. Canada Basketball is lucky to have the pool of talent growing in this country. For them to be ultimately successful it will take getting these kids to be part of the program. That is the challenge that lies ahead in the long term future. The challenge in the short term is to punch a ticket to the Olympics in London.
8/10/11
Cory Joseph Is A Go For Canada.
Just a brief update that might make you re-think if you would like to go out and see Team Canada on the weekend. Cory Joseph is going to be playing for Canada. The first round pick of the San Antonio Spurs has decided to suit up for Canada in the Pre-Olympic Qualifier and play on the weekend in exhibition games at Ryerson on Saturday and here at McMaster which I will be covering on Sunday afternoon. Tickets are 10 bucks well worth coming out. This will be a big plus for Canada to add Joseph to the fold. His Texas Teammate Tristan Thompson will not be though. But it is a step in the right direction that he might someday if Cory remains committed to the program. Myck Kabongo could also be a potential player for Canada in the future but he will be pre-paring in Austin for his freshman season with Longhorns. Picture on the left is from when both Thompson and Joseph were in town working out with the Raptors prior to the NBA Draft. Leo Rautins will be happy to have Joseph on the squad no doubt. He will be happier if Thompson and Kabongo follow their friend to his roster. Myck played lasted summer for Canada's under 18 team and earned a bronze medal in San Antonio. Rautins would love to have another Spurs player as well in the former Raptor Matt Bonner who still is being denied his Canadian Citizenship.
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