If you are a fan of video games and basketball you are well aware that NBA2K11 hit the stores this week. This has been perhaps one of the most hyped basketball video games of all-time. It honestly lives up to all the hype and then some. It was so good that EA Sports decided to delay the release of NBA Elite 11 (Formerly known as NBA Live) which was/is suppose to feature Kevin Durant on the cover. But regardless of EA or 2K there has been one thing in the basketball video game wars that has remained the same. No love for the Toronto Raptors.
In the player ratings the Raptors year in and year out get hosed on a yearly basis. Long before Jose Calderon struggled on the floor he was rated far below his skill set in the video game world. He is just one of many examples of Raptors getting jobbed in video game ratings. The odd Raptor star player has been able to avoid the ratings beat down. Vince Carter and Chris Bosh were always rated high and were as good as the real thing if not better. But key role players have never got the proper love and respect they deserve. Linas Kleiza is a 55 overall rating in 2k.The Young Guns are rated like cap guns. Demar DeRozan is only a 64 (Ed Davis is rated higher at 67) while Amir Johnson is just a 63 and Sonny Weems a 60. Other things of note about this latest addition of the Raptors. Andrea Bargnani is rated lower than Leandro Barbosa. In fact Barbosa is the highest rated Raptor because likely when the game began production he was going to be a Sun. There just seems to be a bias here and it has always been that way.
Now with the evolution of online gaming these mistakes can be altered as players perform well in a season. On EA they used a feature called dynamic dna that would be updated daily through out the season. But what did the Raptors do to you video game people? Canada did invent the sport that gave you a job making cool basketball video games. I wonder what Dr. Naismith would think of NBA 2K11? I know as someone that starting playing video games on an intellvision the whole video game world of today blows me away.
Just like the Raptors seldom find respect in the U.S media the same holds true in the video game world. This year is not the best example to complain about as the Raptors were not projected to be good by anyone. But some of these ratings just make me scratch my head. The Raptors are pretty much the worst rated team in NBA2k11. So if you are going to try and be them in the game you may have to do some creative trading to make them competitive. That or slap the game on the easiest mode of play.
Marcus Banks is rated higher than Sonny Weems...seriously did these guys ever watch the Raptors play a game? Wait if they live in the U.S how could they because as Charles Barkley noted TNT is bias against Canada. While ESPN just likes to hire Canadians to work there. But showing the Raptors is a rare event. Oh well the game is still great and after years of this happening think we are all use to the Raptor Bias on these games by now.
So that is all for a Friday, Raps will be in action on Sunday vs Boston (The Real Ones). No T.V for this one I do not believe but T.V or not will have a breakdown of what happened on Monday. Enjoy your weekend. As a note if you are playing 2k11 and may not have the greatest skills being the Miami Heat can make up for a lot.
10/8/10
10/7/10
"Basketball Beyond the Floor"
I have loved doing this feature over the summer. "Basketball Beyond the Floor" has been so much fun and after next week, I am really going to miss it. I truly believe in the power of knowledge you can only get from reading. So even though this feature will soon hibernate until next summer, I want you to keep reading and writing to tell me about your picks. Magazine, newspaper, internet article, children's book or novel it doesn't matter. As always, you can contact me through the Dino Nation Blog site or our Face book Fan page. As another chapter ends, a new one will be beginning in a new feature called "Behind Enemy Lines". This will take the place of "Basketball Beyond the Floor" on Thursdays and look at the teams the Toronto Raptors will be playing in the upcoming week. Game analysis, injuries, stats or what's flying on my newsworthy radar will make the cut. As always, I welcome your comments and suggestions. A good, healthy debate is the cornerstone of a democratic society and when its about basketball, it just makes it that much more fun, doesn't it? Now onto today's discussion: Basketball: Learn how to be a star player by Matt Parselle versus The Young Basketball Player: A Young Enthusiast's Guide to Basketball written by Chris Mullin with Brian Coleman.
A Picture Speaks a Thousand Words
Before I really had a chance to comb through each book, I enlisted the help of a very well-read 6 year-old. I left her alone with both books and came back after ten minutes to gage her first impressions. She liked Basketball: Learn how to be a star player better because it "had more kids pictures" and "was easier to follow". I would have to agree. For the average young player just picking up the game in a fun house league, this is a good book for them. I like how each section was introduced by a 'character' from the game, such as a coach or referee. Each time, different parts of the game are explained in a very easy to understand and conversational way: "A basketball team has five players and you can play in one of three positions - guard, center or forward. Whichever position you choose, you'll need to master all the skills of the game...". Very basic, yes. But a very important point to make for a young player just starting out. It is important to master all the skills of the game whatever position you lean to. This is the challenge I had playing Division III Indoor Soccer when I was in university. I loved being in net and stopping the fast balls. Once in a blue moon, I may have ventured out on defense but for the most part was a goal keeper. Well, when I ventured onto college for my broadcast journalism degree, I tried out for the school soccer team feeling pretty confident. That is, until the coach put me out on forward and I just couldn't produce a goal. Now, I know in soccer goals are harder to come by than baskets in basketball, but this example shows how if I just tried forward once in a while it would have made me appreciate the position a little more and maybe help me read my opponent a little better when they are coming at my net.
Like Peas in a Pod
So when I had a little 'audience' background going into a book that was clearly not geared for me, I looked at it from a technical perspective. While I agree Basketball: Learn how to be a star player was easier to follow, it alienated the Canadian player right from the first page: "There are different ways of playing basketball - in this book we follow US college rules...". Now switching gears to The Young Basketball Player, its first page had an opening from Chris Mullen - then of the Golden State Warriors- and adjacent to this, a paragraph on how basketball was born in Canada by Dr. James Naismith. So even though the intro is laced with players in Team USA or NBA jerseys, the young Canadian player knows the roots of basketball started here. Turning the page, I see The Young Basketball Player is doing the same thing as our other book for discussion. It explains the rules and parameters of the game but in a more detailed way - a step up from the more junior-geared explanations in Basketball: Learn how to be a star player. For me, The Young Basketball Player has more credibility since its focus is to improve your game - not make you think you are going to be a star player. It also explains how NBA and FIBA rules work and uses real-to-life photos of age-appropriate players going through the motions of proper dribbling, passing, fast breaks and more. So if you know a young basketball player in maybe the senior grades of elementary school, this book would prove to be quite helpful.
A Common Thread
Although in The Young Basketball Player it is more prominent, both show young girls playing the game. This made me very happy. There are a lot of how-to books out there for many sports, geared to young ones but are really focused with the male player in mind. We have Canadian-born women playing professional ball in the WNBA and overseas but in Canada? Most WNBA teams are tied to an NBA club and with the Raptors taking us on this emotional roller coaster, I don't see Toronto or any other city in Canada getting a WNBA franchise anytime soon. Along these lines, too many times I see retail stores with 'girls' and 'boys' sections - the 'boys' sections having the sports-related merchandise and the 'girls' ones with flowers and cutesy things. "Sugar and spice and everything nice" is OK for some but why do some retailers think they can't make money off the female athlete. There are a lot of us out there. I do have hope, though. I was in a grocery store recently and flipping through a cake book and saw a "Girls Basketball Cake". And it wasn't all "girl-ized and hokey" either - real athletes. All excited, I asked the baker if they did other sports and she replied "Girls and Boys Sports cakes. Oh yeah, we do all of them". Thank God.
Flick Pick of the Week
Today's pick I haven't yet watched but plan to this weekend. "Above the Rim" has names in it like Tupac Shakur and Marlan Wayans and is about a young player with aspirations of being a professional. I know it has been done before but I heard it was worth watching and a Wayans brother is in it so I have to watch. Next week, our last and final "Basketball Beyond the Floor" of the off-season, will be dedicated to our young players - the future of our game. I wanted some Canadian content, so I am choosing Steve Nash: Most Valuable Player by Peter Bailey and adding Arthur and the Pen-Pal Playoff by Marc Brown. I know you all have sons or daughters or nieces or nephews or young ones in your lives, so try these ones out with them and we'll talk next week. I will be here on Tuesday as always with "Jiggly Bits", so until then, happy reading.
A Picture Speaks a Thousand Words
Before I really had a chance to comb through each book, I enlisted the help of a very well-read 6 year-old. I left her alone with both books and came back after ten minutes to gage her first impressions. She liked Basketball: Learn how to be a star player better because it "had more kids pictures" and "was easier to follow". I would have to agree. For the average young player just picking up the game in a fun house league, this is a good book for them. I like how each section was introduced by a 'character' from the game, such as a coach or referee. Each time, different parts of the game are explained in a very easy to understand and conversational way: "A basketball team has five players and you can play in one of three positions - guard, center or forward. Whichever position you choose, you'll need to master all the skills of the game...". Very basic, yes. But a very important point to make for a young player just starting out. It is important to master all the skills of the game whatever position you lean to. This is the challenge I had playing Division III Indoor Soccer when I was in university. I loved being in net and stopping the fast balls. Once in a blue moon, I may have ventured out on defense but for the most part was a goal keeper. Well, when I ventured onto college for my broadcast journalism degree, I tried out for the school soccer team feeling pretty confident. That is, until the coach put me out on forward and I just couldn't produce a goal. Now, I know in soccer goals are harder to come by than baskets in basketball, but this example shows how if I just tried forward once in a while it would have made me appreciate the position a little more and maybe help me read my opponent a little better when they are coming at my net.
Like Peas in a Pod
So when I had a little 'audience' background going into a book that was clearly not geared for me, I looked at it from a technical perspective. While I agree Basketball: Learn how to be a star player was easier to follow, it alienated the Canadian player right from the first page: "There are different ways of playing basketball - in this book we follow US college rules...". Now switching gears to The Young Basketball Player, its first page had an opening from Chris Mullen - then of the Golden State Warriors- and adjacent to this, a paragraph on how basketball was born in Canada by Dr. James Naismith. So even though the intro is laced with players in Team USA or NBA jerseys, the young Canadian player knows the roots of basketball started here. Turning the page, I see The Young Basketball Player is doing the same thing as our other book for discussion. It explains the rules and parameters of the game but in a more detailed way - a step up from the more junior-geared explanations in Basketball: Learn how to be a star player. For me, The Young Basketball Player has more credibility since its focus is to improve your game - not make you think you are going to be a star player. It also explains how NBA and FIBA rules work and uses real-to-life photos of age-appropriate players going through the motions of proper dribbling, passing, fast breaks and more. So if you know a young basketball player in maybe the senior grades of elementary school, this book would prove to be quite helpful.
A Common Thread
Although in The Young Basketball Player it is more prominent, both show young girls playing the game. This made me very happy. There are a lot of how-to books out there for many sports, geared to young ones but are really focused with the male player in mind. We have Canadian-born women playing professional ball in the WNBA and overseas but in Canada? Most WNBA teams are tied to an NBA club and with the Raptors taking us on this emotional roller coaster, I don't see Toronto or any other city in Canada getting a WNBA franchise anytime soon. Along these lines, too many times I see retail stores with 'girls' and 'boys' sections - the 'boys' sections having the sports-related merchandise and the 'girls' ones with flowers and cutesy things. "Sugar and spice and everything nice" is OK for some but why do some retailers think they can't make money off the female athlete. There are a lot of us out there. I do have hope, though. I was in a grocery store recently and flipping through a cake book and saw a "Girls Basketball Cake". And it wasn't all "girl-ized and hokey" either - real athletes. All excited, I asked the baker if they did other sports and she replied "Girls and Boys Sports cakes. Oh yeah, we do all of them". Thank God.
Flick Pick of the Week
Today's pick I haven't yet watched but plan to this weekend. "Above the Rim" has names in it like Tupac Shakur and Marlan Wayans and is about a young player with aspirations of being a professional. I know it has been done before but I heard it was worth watching and a Wayans brother is in it so I have to watch. Next week, our last and final "Basketball Beyond the Floor" of the off-season, will be dedicated to our young players - the future of our game. I wanted some Canadian content, so I am choosing Steve Nash: Most Valuable Player by Peter Bailey and adding Arthur and the Pen-Pal Playoff by Marc Brown. I know you all have sons or daughters or nieces or nephews or young ones in your lives, so try these ones out with them and we'll talk next week. I will be here on Tuesday as always with "Jiggly Bits", so until then, happy reading.
Don't Believe The Hype
Disclaimer: Please note the following prior to reading this. The Suns were on the 2nd half of a back to back, This is the pre-season, The Detroit Lions in the NFL had a 4-0 pre-season prior to a 0-16 season, Suns are far from a defensive juggernaut. This team still has no one that will be in the running to be an All-Star. It is only October 6th.
Ok all of that out of the way, boy was that fun to watch. I guess we can start with Linas Kleiza who continues to impress. I admit to being wait and see about how good he can be for the Raptors. Carlos Delfino came back to the NBA from Europe and had a pretty good year with the Bucks last year. Kleiza by all indications could be on the path to do that as well. It would take something pretty remarkable to see him not a part of the starting 5 at the small forward spot. He has been everything that Hedo was suppose to be and tougher. Speaking of Hedo he was welcomed back to Canada with Boos from the folks in Vancouver. You mess with the Raptors I guess that is proof you mess with Canada. The fact Hedo will be coming to Toronto as well for pre-season has to make him feel a little bit ill. I see a tummy ache in Hedo's future but don't worry he will be out at the clubs by 10pm tops.
This Raptors team if they hit the clubs seem like they will do it together. I think we all can easily be jaded. All of this talk of team effort and it will now be a team that is one for all and all for one can ring a little hallow. I mean, what else is a team that lost it's 5 time All-Star for nothing more than a trade exception and a couple draft picks suppose to say? But it may not be all hype as this Raptor team really has seemed together off the floor and at least 1 game into things on the floor as well. Ironically the 2 guys that you would hear the most in terms of being the Raptors next one were not exactly great tonight. Both Bargnani and DeRozan have looked far better in the past. Bargnani had just 3 points while DeRozan did end up with 2nd most points with 16 and to be fair was not horrible at all. Everyone else in red was looking good. I mean everyone from Marcus Banks to Joey Dorsey and all points in between. Ok that might be a slight exaggeration. But seriously this was a two and half hour informerical for why watching the post Bosh Raptors could be fun.
Fitting of this team concept everyone that played for the Raptors scored led by Kleiza with 20. Only person that didn't score was Ed Davis, who was watching still on the mend from his knee operation, that will see him miss all of the pre-season and likely the first few weeks of the regular season as well. Reggie Evans can relate to that last year getting hurt in the pre-season as he was hurt. Tonight he was hurt again but came back only to be ejected for slapping Grant Hill in the butt who also did the same to Reggie and both were tossed. Reggie had banged heads earlier with Robin Lopez who also did not make it to the end of this one. He racked up two technical fouls and was gone. The NBA has added my tougher fines and is said to have a low tolerance policy for players complaining about calls this year. These refs tonight clearly got that memo and totally screwed it up and ran a muck with it. The incident with Hill and Evans reminded me of the ejection of Morris Peterson, when Vince Carter started play fighting with his former team mate, only to have Mo P be unamused and then was tossed for slapping Carter's hand away. It was bizarre as was the Evans and Hill ejections.
There has been talk all summer and into the pre-season on how the Raptors were going to be better on the defensive end of floor. I think we all kind of felt like this was the little boy crying wolf once again. I mean we all remember Jay Triano talking about protecting the house last year. We all remember how that house would get bombed night after night. The fact is since the Raptors had Kevin O'Neil as head coach the concept of defence has been a foreign concept in Toronto. But I never remember Kevin O'Neil's Raptors scoring 129 points in any game ever. The Raptors looked solid for 4 quarters on defence. How many times could we have said that last season? Once, Twice not many more than that.
I know it is only the pre-season and game number 1. In fact if you are not saying that to yourself while reading this go back to the top and read the disclaimer again.
The Suns shot just 37.8% while the Raptors were a hot as a pistol 50.6 with an economical 6-10 from 3 point range. Joey Dorsey was the only Raptor with a double double as he had 13 and 10. as for the point guard battle advantage Jarret Jack who had 10 points and 7 assists and was going full out not playing like a starting job was a given for him. Calderon did have a steal that is always of note also had 6 points and 3 assists.
In the end as corny as it may sound the Raptors were as advertised a team with everyone chipping into to the overall effort. Which there was a lot of in terms of effort. While some will say this team never played this way with Bosh and use that as ammo to slag him. It is true the Raptors never did. However, maybe that is the point that it is because he is not here and everyone knows that. No longer is Chris Bosh here to bail this team out with his standard 20 and 10. It is now everyone's responsibility to rebound to defend and to score. The example that gets thrown around is the Blue Jays and the loss of Roy Halladay, who threw a prefect game for the Phillies tonight as an aside. But the fact with him gone the Jays stepped up and the pitching staff most of all is not dissimilar. Chris Bosh is still really good and you saw that if you happened to check out his Heat debut. Just like Halladay is still very good. Both may end up winning Championships when all is said and done. I guess the point is no one on the Jays or the Raptors has that big star to point to and say that guy will get it done I can coast. Everyone has to look in the mirror and say what can I do to make us better.
Let's not forget at the end of the day this was one game but it was a much better beginning for the Raptors than anyone could have imagined. A 128-79 thrashing of the Suns pre-season or other wise is highly unexpected. It makes you wonder almost as much about the outlook for the Suns as they also lost a big piece to there puzzle in Amare Stoudamire. After an off-season that was anything but fun if nothing else Raptor fans deserved this night and win to feel good about this team if only for one night.
ESPN is not going to retract their 20 win predictions or anything. NBA2K11 is not going to improve Linas Kleiza's pathetic rating in the 50's. But if nothing else the Raptors made you sit up and take notice that the reports of their death this season may be as bogus as those of former Leafs Coach Pat Burns. May God Bless him. While the Raptors may not be in need of blessings they do deserve a well deserved round of applause for putting on quite the show in Vancouver. Reality may come very quickly as soon as Sunday as the Boston Celtics will be the the Raptors next foe. They play defence just slightly better than the Suns do.
So after the Summer we have all endured together.....enjoy this one. But don't go planning a parade just yet. The T-Wolves beat the Lakers too. It is just pre-season. Add that to the disclaimer.
Ok all of that out of the way, boy was that fun to watch. I guess we can start with Linas Kleiza who continues to impress. I admit to being wait and see about how good he can be for the Raptors. Carlos Delfino came back to the NBA from Europe and had a pretty good year with the Bucks last year. Kleiza by all indications could be on the path to do that as well. It would take something pretty remarkable to see him not a part of the starting 5 at the small forward spot. He has been everything that Hedo was suppose to be and tougher. Speaking of Hedo he was welcomed back to Canada with Boos from the folks in Vancouver. You mess with the Raptors I guess that is proof you mess with Canada. The fact Hedo will be coming to Toronto as well for pre-season has to make him feel a little bit ill. I see a tummy ache in Hedo's future but don't worry he will be out at the clubs by 10pm tops.
This Raptors team if they hit the clubs seem like they will do it together. I think we all can easily be jaded. All of this talk of team effort and it will now be a team that is one for all and all for one can ring a little hallow. I mean, what else is a team that lost it's 5 time All-Star for nothing more than a trade exception and a couple draft picks suppose to say? But it may not be all hype as this Raptor team really has seemed together off the floor and at least 1 game into things on the floor as well. Ironically the 2 guys that you would hear the most in terms of being the Raptors next one were not exactly great tonight. Both Bargnani and DeRozan have looked far better in the past. Bargnani had just 3 points while DeRozan did end up with 2nd most points with 16 and to be fair was not horrible at all. Everyone else in red was looking good. I mean everyone from Marcus Banks to Joey Dorsey and all points in between. Ok that might be a slight exaggeration. But seriously this was a two and half hour informerical for why watching the post Bosh Raptors could be fun.
Fitting of this team concept everyone that played for the Raptors scored led by Kleiza with 20. Only person that didn't score was Ed Davis, who was watching still on the mend from his knee operation, that will see him miss all of the pre-season and likely the first few weeks of the regular season as well. Reggie Evans can relate to that last year getting hurt in the pre-season as he was hurt. Tonight he was hurt again but came back only to be ejected for slapping Grant Hill in the butt who also did the same to Reggie and both were tossed. Reggie had banged heads earlier with Robin Lopez who also did not make it to the end of this one. He racked up two technical fouls and was gone. The NBA has added my tougher fines and is said to have a low tolerance policy for players complaining about calls this year. These refs tonight clearly got that memo and totally screwed it up and ran a muck with it. The incident with Hill and Evans reminded me of the ejection of Morris Peterson, when Vince Carter started play fighting with his former team mate, only to have Mo P be unamused and then was tossed for slapping Carter's hand away. It was bizarre as was the Evans and Hill ejections.
There has been talk all summer and into the pre-season on how the Raptors were going to be better on the defensive end of floor. I think we all kind of felt like this was the little boy crying wolf once again. I mean we all remember Jay Triano talking about protecting the house last year. We all remember how that house would get bombed night after night. The fact is since the Raptors had Kevin O'Neil as head coach the concept of defence has been a foreign concept in Toronto. But I never remember Kevin O'Neil's Raptors scoring 129 points in any game ever. The Raptors looked solid for 4 quarters on defence. How many times could we have said that last season? Once, Twice not many more than that.
I know it is only the pre-season and game number 1. In fact if you are not saying that to yourself while reading this go back to the top and read the disclaimer again.
The Suns shot just 37.8% while the Raptors were a hot as a pistol 50.6 with an economical 6-10 from 3 point range. Joey Dorsey was the only Raptor with a double double as he had 13 and 10. as for the point guard battle advantage Jarret Jack who had 10 points and 7 assists and was going full out not playing like a starting job was a given for him. Calderon did have a steal that is always of note also had 6 points and 3 assists.
In the end as corny as it may sound the Raptors were as advertised a team with everyone chipping into to the overall effort. Which there was a lot of in terms of effort. While some will say this team never played this way with Bosh and use that as ammo to slag him. It is true the Raptors never did. However, maybe that is the point that it is because he is not here and everyone knows that. No longer is Chris Bosh here to bail this team out with his standard 20 and 10. It is now everyone's responsibility to rebound to defend and to score. The example that gets thrown around is the Blue Jays and the loss of Roy Halladay, who threw a prefect game for the Phillies tonight as an aside. But the fact with him gone the Jays stepped up and the pitching staff most of all is not dissimilar. Chris Bosh is still really good and you saw that if you happened to check out his Heat debut. Just like Halladay is still very good. Both may end up winning Championships when all is said and done. I guess the point is no one on the Jays or the Raptors has that big star to point to and say that guy will get it done I can coast. Everyone has to look in the mirror and say what can I do to make us better.
Let's not forget at the end of the day this was one game but it was a much better beginning for the Raptors than anyone could have imagined. A 128-79 thrashing of the Suns pre-season or other wise is highly unexpected. It makes you wonder almost as much about the outlook for the Suns as they also lost a big piece to there puzzle in Amare Stoudamire. After an off-season that was anything but fun if nothing else Raptor fans deserved this night and win to feel good about this team if only for one night.
ESPN is not going to retract their 20 win predictions or anything. NBA2K11 is not going to improve Linas Kleiza's pathetic rating in the 50's. But if nothing else the Raptors made you sit up and take notice that the reports of their death this season may be as bogus as those of former Leafs Coach Pat Burns. May God Bless him. While the Raptors may not be in need of blessings they do deserve a well deserved round of applause for putting on quite the show in Vancouver. Reality may come very quickly as soon as Sunday as the Boston Celtics will be the the Raptors next foe. They play defence just slightly better than the Suns do.
So after the Summer we have all endured together.....enjoy this one. But don't go planning a parade just yet. The T-Wolves beat the Lakers too. It is just pre-season. Add that to the disclaimer.
10/6/10
Matt Devlin From Vancouver
I had not missed covering training camp till this Sunday. When the Raptors were having their scrimmage and I was covering the NFL for The Score. However, if I can not be at camp, thankfully we at the Dino Nation Blog know a few people that are at camp. One of those is Matt Devlin and he checks in with us from Vancouver. He will be calling the Raptors pre-season opener tonight on TSN as they take on the Suns. We talk about a bunch of things including that game tonight. We also talk about how the Raptors can build on it's fan base outside of Toronto. Along with talk of all the usual suspects you would suspect, mixed in with a little fun as always with Matt Devlin.Thanks to Matt for his time and make sure you tune in to watch him and Jack Armstrong with the call of Suns and Raptors for TSN.
10/5/10
"Jiggly Bits"
So I picked up a pro basketball publication (one of many I read) and two pages in, I see a full page ad with Karl Malone, formerly with the Utah Jazz and Los Angeles Lakers in his NBA playing days. At a first quick glance, you see a head and shoulders shot of Malone, a rifle to the left and "I'm the NRA" in bold text. Now, if he was a current player in the NBA, you wouldn't see this kind of advertisement and you shouldn't. So clearly, Lindy Sports Pro Basketball 2010 and the National Rifle Association of America are pimping out the image and legacy of Karl Malone to promote the NRA. I know, I know. Karl Malone signed a contract and got some serious cash to go along with it for appearing in an ad with a rifle next to his face. I can also appreciate his playing days are done and thus, the NBA cannot tell Karl Malone what to do anymore. I have an issue with hunting considered a sport just like basketball and with Malone's face attached to an ad like this, the magazine is endorsing this kind of classification. Shooting a basket and shooting a deer for fun are two different things and should not be considered in the same category. Further down in the ad, you see an older gentleman with a child looking over a rifle. I would much rather see Karl Malone promoting basketball to our young ones that putting a riffle in their hand. You know, I've heard some people say LeBron James tainted his legacy by how he moved to Miami. For me, Karl Malone just did it with this ad. Until someone convinces me otherwise, this is my stance. Ok, now with that out of the way, let's get down to NBA business.
NBA heeds possible terrorist attack warnings in Europe
So the Los Angeles Lakers, the Minnesota Timberwolves and the New York Knicks are in Europe for some pre-season games against each other and against some European teams. According to Minnesota Head Coach Kurt Rambis, the players who go out sight-seeing or attend fan-meet-and-greets are being given extra security detail because of the travel alert issued by the US government urging Americans to be "vigilant in public places, tourist spots and transportation hubs". Some television news outlets are reporting this travel alert was issued based on some intelligence the US government has gathered and they felt this intelligence was serious enough to issue the travel alert. Knicks Coach Mike D'Antoni is saying his players are just following procedure and not receiving any lists of 'do's and don'ts'. The travel alert doesn't seem to be affecting any of the players, either. Amare Stoudemire of the Knicks is vowing to enjoy Paris and have fun, while Pau Gasol says he has no plans to sit in a hotel room, saying "it would be a crime to stay at the hotel". I'm glad players have not been told to change their habits or sightseeing plans, but taking extra care never hurt anyone, travel alert or not. These are guys that are highly visible and in another country, so anything can happen. You can't live everyday in fear someone's out to get you - that's no way to live. Plus, whoever "they" are wins. Still, this is one distraction they don't need. Good thing it is only the pre-season.
Kobe Bryant is putting on a good show
Are the Los Angeles Lakers really falling apart at the seams? Well, let's look at the evidence. Head Coach Phil Jackson says this is his last year. Disappointing but not so bad and understandable. The Lakers are without back-up forward Luke Walton for a few games because of a pulled hamstring. But the real injury of choice seems to make some players 'weak in the knees' so-to-speak. Starting center Andrew Bynum had knee surgery this summer and will be evaluated daily but don't expect him back anytime soon. Now throw in Kobe Bryant and his right knee. Kobe Bryant is saying he wants to put on a good show and take care of his knee at the same time. Really? I know they are in Europe and the fans over there are flocking to Laker games, for the most part, to see Kobe play. But is it really worth risking injury in a pre-season game when you are the common thread which holds your team together? Tough call. Lakers Head Coach Phil Jackson says he "thinks" Kobe will play and is still taking it game by game. He also is saying his regular starters will get about 8 minutes of playing time to start these pre-season games and then the second half depends on how the game goes. Fair. But they can't afford anymore injuries.
Yao Ming - the next Shaquille O'Neal? Yeah Right.
If you haven't seen this story already, you are seriously going to laugh. So a Chinese journalist has been heard saying (on and off the record) that most Chinese basketball fans have given up on Yao Ming being the next Shaq. But wait, it gets better. The Chinese media have an explanation to Yao Ming's inability to reach SHAQdom. They are apparently blaming the ..wait for it..NBA's schedule for Yao Ming's plethora of injuries and is pleading with the NBA to shorten it's schedule. Seriously? I'm sorry guys, but this is what you get when you put all your hopes, dreams and expectations into one player to carry the sport for an entire country. Some in the Chinese media even have the nerve to say the NBA game has worn pour Yao out and he's taken quite a beating due to the long season and high level of play. Really? So what is the NBA supposed to do? Lower their level of play so Yao Ming can keep up with the big boys? Puleeze. We all know Yao Ming trains with the Chinese national team in the off-season, so the real crux for the Chinese Media is this. Decide where you want him to be - is it representing China in the NBA or on the Chinese National Team? Then when you know what side of the fence you are sitting on, let the boy play basketball, get over it and move on.
Basketball Beyond the Floor
Remember to join me here on the DNB this Thursday for a 'youthful' "Basketball Beyond the Floor". We will be looking at two how-to basketball books for the young player: Basketball: Learn to be a star player and The Young Basketball Player: A Young Enthusiast's guide to Basketball. I'll even have some youthful opinions on these two books to see if they are on the money with their target audience. Until then, happy reading.
NBA heeds possible terrorist attack warnings in Europe
So the Los Angeles Lakers, the Minnesota Timberwolves and the New York Knicks are in Europe for some pre-season games against each other and against some European teams. According to Minnesota Head Coach Kurt Rambis, the players who go out sight-seeing or attend fan-meet-and-greets are being given extra security detail because of the travel alert issued by the US government urging Americans to be "vigilant in public places, tourist spots and transportation hubs". Some television news outlets are reporting this travel alert was issued based on some intelligence the US government has gathered and they felt this intelligence was serious enough to issue the travel alert. Knicks Coach Mike D'Antoni is saying his players are just following procedure and not receiving any lists of 'do's and don'ts'. The travel alert doesn't seem to be affecting any of the players, either. Amare Stoudemire of the Knicks is vowing to enjoy Paris and have fun, while Pau Gasol says he has no plans to sit in a hotel room, saying "it would be a crime to stay at the hotel". I'm glad players have not been told to change their habits or sightseeing plans, but taking extra care never hurt anyone, travel alert or not. These are guys that are highly visible and in another country, so anything can happen. You can't live everyday in fear someone's out to get you - that's no way to live. Plus, whoever "they" are wins. Still, this is one distraction they don't need. Good thing it is only the pre-season.
Kobe Bryant is putting on a good show
Are the Los Angeles Lakers really falling apart at the seams? Well, let's look at the evidence. Head Coach Phil Jackson says this is his last year. Disappointing but not so bad and understandable. The Lakers are without back-up forward Luke Walton for a few games because of a pulled hamstring. But the real injury of choice seems to make some players 'weak in the knees' so-to-speak. Starting center Andrew Bynum had knee surgery this summer and will be evaluated daily but don't expect him back anytime soon. Now throw in Kobe Bryant and his right knee. Kobe Bryant is saying he wants to put on a good show and take care of his knee at the same time. Really? I know they are in Europe and the fans over there are flocking to Laker games, for the most part, to see Kobe play. But is it really worth risking injury in a pre-season game when you are the common thread which holds your team together? Tough call. Lakers Head Coach Phil Jackson says he "thinks" Kobe will play and is still taking it game by game. He also is saying his regular starters will get about 8 minutes of playing time to start these pre-season games and then the second half depends on how the game goes. Fair. But they can't afford anymore injuries.
Yao Ming - the next Shaquille O'Neal? Yeah Right.
If you haven't seen this story already, you are seriously going to laugh. So a Chinese journalist has been heard saying (on and off the record) that most Chinese basketball fans have given up on Yao Ming being the next Shaq. But wait, it gets better. The Chinese media have an explanation to Yao Ming's inability to reach SHAQdom. They are apparently blaming the ..wait for it..NBA's schedule for Yao Ming's plethora of injuries and is pleading with the NBA to shorten it's schedule. Seriously? I'm sorry guys, but this is what you get when you put all your hopes, dreams and expectations into one player to carry the sport for an entire country. Some in the Chinese media even have the nerve to say the NBA game has worn pour Yao out and he's taken quite a beating due to the long season and high level of play. Really? So what is the NBA supposed to do? Lower their level of play so Yao Ming can keep up with the big boys? Puleeze. We all know Yao Ming trains with the Chinese national team in the off-season, so the real crux for the Chinese Media is this. Decide where you want him to be - is it representing China in the NBA or on the Chinese National Team? Then when you know what side of the fence you are sitting on, let the boy play basketball, get over it and move on.
Basketball Beyond the Floor
Remember to join me here on the DNB this Thursday for a 'youthful' "Basketball Beyond the Floor". We will be looking at two how-to basketball books for the young player: Basketball: Learn to be a star player and The Young Basketball Player: A Young Enthusiast's guide to Basketball. I'll even have some youthful opinions on these two books to see if they are on the money with their target audience. Until then, happy reading.
10/4/10
Raptors White Out or Black Out
Team White WINS, TEAM WHITE WINS!!! I have to say yesterday, I was really missing the fact that I am not able to be at training camp this year. But what can you do. Vancouver is just not in the Dino Nation Blog's budget. Jay Satur from Raptors.com was there and filed a report on the particulars. I don't think you can take much of anything from an inter squad game but they are fun. They have a half Harlem Globetrotters and have semi serious feel to them. The most important thing of all these pre-season games and events is that everyone remains healthy. Just look back to last season and Reggie Evans injury in a pre-season game for proof of that. Evans never really got back on track and missed half the season.
So TSN in an attempt to obviously make me look bad, is in fact broadcasting the Suns and Raptors on Wednesday, on the main TSN as well. That being said it is still a shame that a lot of people have been shut out by the evolution of Sportsnet 1 and TSN 2 from Raptor games. I personally see it as a bad move for the Raptors. When you are a good team you can afford these type of things. When you are a team that is not expected to do well you need all the exposure you can get. Whatever TSN or Rogers cares to say the fact is Raptor fans and Jays fans have become casualties of their stupid pointless completive nature with each other. I spent some time at TSN, so it is not like I say this without any personal knowledge. Since my time there the childish competition between the two networks has only increased. What also has increased is there NHL coverage which buries basketball further and further into the background. They can say all they like they do this to provide more coverage of events but it is more about making money and to them that means more hockey. If MLSE was serious and wanted to put an end to this they could do it. Just the threat of a couple Leaf games being moved to Leafs TV would get them whatever they wanted in terms of Raptor scheduling. Eventually this like TSN2 will sort out for majority of people but while some will forget this in time...I won't.
Linas Kleiza will not be confused with Hedo Turkoglu on Wednesday. He is playing hard and led all scorers in that inter-squad scrimmage. Last year Hedo in that game in Ottawa had a seat next to Chris Bosh in street clothes watching. While I have not been as high on Kleiza as most, when it comes to effort and energy he will never have an issue with that.
The only other thing I want to point out for this Monday is about Demar DeRozan. He is really looking the part as the future face of the franchise isn't he? I remember interviewing him last season and he was really nice but his answers were short and he was not as polished. This year he seems to have more to say and says it with the confidence you gain from a year of guys like me asking him questions all the time. The big question is can the on court swag match the off court swag. That will be one of the big things I will be watching this pre-season.
Going to try to catch up with Matt Devlin in Vancouver sometime between now and Wednesday and get his impressions of what has been going on in Vancouver. Looking forward to that.
So TSN in an attempt to obviously make me look bad, is in fact broadcasting the Suns and Raptors on Wednesday, on the main TSN as well. That being said it is still a shame that a lot of people have been shut out by the evolution of Sportsnet 1 and TSN 2 from Raptor games. I personally see it as a bad move for the Raptors. When you are a good team you can afford these type of things. When you are a team that is not expected to do well you need all the exposure you can get. Whatever TSN or Rogers cares to say the fact is Raptor fans and Jays fans have become casualties of their stupid pointless completive nature with each other. I spent some time at TSN, so it is not like I say this without any personal knowledge. Since my time there the childish competition between the two networks has only increased. What also has increased is there NHL coverage which buries basketball further and further into the background. They can say all they like they do this to provide more coverage of events but it is more about making money and to them that means more hockey. If MLSE was serious and wanted to put an end to this they could do it. Just the threat of a couple Leaf games being moved to Leafs TV would get them whatever they wanted in terms of Raptor scheduling. Eventually this like TSN2 will sort out for majority of people but while some will forget this in time...I won't.
Linas Kleiza will not be confused with Hedo Turkoglu on Wednesday. He is playing hard and led all scorers in that inter-squad scrimmage. Last year Hedo in that game in Ottawa had a seat next to Chris Bosh in street clothes watching. While I have not been as high on Kleiza as most, when it comes to effort and energy he will never have an issue with that.
The only other thing I want to point out for this Monday is about Demar DeRozan. He is really looking the part as the future face of the franchise isn't he? I remember interviewing him last season and he was really nice but his answers were short and he was not as polished. This year he seems to have more to say and says it with the confidence you gain from a year of guys like me asking him questions all the time. The big question is can the on court swag match the off court swag. That will be one of the big things I will be watching this pre-season.
Going to try to catch up with Matt Devlin in Vancouver sometime between now and Wednesday and get his impressions of what has been going on in Vancouver. Looking forward to that.
10/1/10
The Erick Dampier Watch
So Erick Dampier was in town and checked out practice at the ACC. It would appear that it is down to Houston and Toronto. Which is basically a choice between a team that has a better outlook to make the playoffs in the Rockets, or the Raptors who offer more playing time and a spot in the starting line-up. Brad Miller and Yao Ming already are in Houston which would make playing time limited at best. On a side note you have to wonder how confident Houston is in Yao being healthy when they signed Brad Miller this summer and now are actively in the hunt for Dampier. While the Raptors have Andrea Bargnani playing out of position at the 5 backed up by Anderson and Alabi with a few others that could play out of position at the 5 in Johnson and Evans.
The main advantage for the Raptors would be should they land Dampier is Andrea Bargnani could play in his natural position at the 4. Bargnani because of Chris Bosh being here has never played at his natural spot other than when Bosh was injured. Dampier would also become one of the better defenders the Raptors have in the post. All of this being said the amount of buzz and attention to this has reached the insanity level. Make no mistake that Erick Dampier is not changing the outlook of this team. If you believe that Raptors have no shot at the playoffs this is not going to change your mind.
The other thing would be who is the guy that would be out should the Raptors sign Dampier. Could be Joey Dorsey that might be the odd man out. There is also my man Reggie Evans and his expiring contract. The Raptors may look to shop him even harder. There is also rumours that the Raptors are still trying to pursue Boris Diaw. The 16 men that are on this roster will be heading to Vancouver to continue training camp.
So obviously if news breaks in the big Erick Dampier watch we will have it for you on the weekend. Or any news of significance for that matter. But if none of that happens will see you Monday. I am not against signing Dampier but the reaction to it is disturbing. People are way over the top on this one. The Raptors will still have had one of their worst off-seasons in history even if they sign Dampier and trade for Diaw too. That is just the cold hard reality of things. Anyone that thinks differently is not looking at this situation logically or objectively.
The main advantage for the Raptors would be should they land Dampier is Andrea Bargnani could play in his natural position at the 4. Bargnani because of Chris Bosh being here has never played at his natural spot other than when Bosh was injured. Dampier would also become one of the better defenders the Raptors have in the post. All of this being said the amount of buzz and attention to this has reached the insanity level. Make no mistake that Erick Dampier is not changing the outlook of this team. If you believe that Raptors have no shot at the playoffs this is not going to change your mind.
The other thing would be who is the guy that would be out should the Raptors sign Dampier. Could be Joey Dorsey that might be the odd man out. There is also my man Reggie Evans and his expiring contract. The Raptors may look to shop him even harder. There is also rumours that the Raptors are still trying to pursue Boris Diaw. The 16 men that are on this roster will be heading to Vancouver to continue training camp.
So obviously if news breaks in the big Erick Dampier watch we will have it for you on the weekend. Or any news of significance for that matter. But if none of that happens will see you Monday. I am not against signing Dampier but the reaction to it is disturbing. People are way over the top on this one. The Raptors will still have had one of their worst off-seasons in history even if they sign Dampier and trade for Diaw too. That is just the cold hard reality of things. Anyone that thinks differently is not looking at this situation logically or objectively.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
