Dino Blogger Made A Point.

Some of you noticed over the weekend my disgust with TSN cutting away from the NBA ALL-Star Game before announcing the MVP. I started a hashtag on Twitter that was #TSNHATESBBALL. We have all experienced how they shutout Raptor fans with the start up of TSN 2. Even Jose Calderon was impacted by that not being able to watch the Raptors. I have made no secret to how I feel about both TSN and Sportsnet for their lack of respect to basketball. I make little smart remarks when I post where the game is on in our game previews. I try in my own small way to make a point. The hash tag became a hit and actually was a trending topic in Toronto for awhile. It also got the attention of someone in Montreal. I do radio in that city on Wednesday Nights and Saturday Mornings. The home the Montreal Canadians but as they proved when Raptors came for an exhibition game a place that can love basketball.

They also love UFC. I have always respected fans of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. They pound the traditional media and have started to see the results. They stuff the ballot box each year for Sportsnet's Athlete of the Year and Georges St Pierre has been the winner 3 years running. Basketball fans could learn something from what UFC fans have done. They are well organized and they fight as one for the sport. Basketball fans tend to be not as organized and together for whatever reason. At least for one Sunday night a bunch of us got together and said you know what screw you to TSN. It is about time people realized that some Canadians actually don't LOVE HOCKEY. Some actually don't want to have Hockey jammed down their collective throats. While this blog is primarily about the Raptors it is also about love of basketball in Canada. A place for people that love the game to enjoy it and be not ashamed to do so. In our partnership with The Score the fact they have always treated basketball with respect was a huge factor in coming on board in their sports federation, that we have been a part of from day 1.

Does TSN actually HATE basketball? I worked there they don't. But do they respect it as programming? I think you only need to watch Sportcentre for your answer. Sportsnet is no better and even though both carry the Raptors by the number of games they ship to their secondary networks that speaks to that lack of respect as well. MLSE has never got involved to change it. It would just take threatening to take away Leafs games and I am confident TSN and Sportsnet would fall all over themselves to make it happen however MLSE desired.

So as I mentioned someone in Montreal was paying attention. The article on Jet7Basket.com is in french. Despite having French blood in my veins I don't know how to speak or read the language. Guessing that applies to most of you as well. So I translated the article for you to read.

For those who follow a few social media like Facebook and Twitter, we witnessed last night in a first in Canada, Canadian basketball fans have united in order to be heard from TSN.

The "leaders" of the sports coverage in Canada cut the award of an All-Star Game MVP in the NBA to make their late night bulletin, Sports Centre. It was enough to stir the Canadian basketball fans already irritated by the lack of coverage and interest shown by the network in respect of basketball.

Moments later, Twitter was assailed statutes including the expression # TSNHATESBBALL (TSN hated basketball), for the uninitiated the word is preceded by a # key phrase searchable. If this term is widely used by the "twitteux" or "chirp" can become a fashionable topic or "trending topic" in a particular region or throughout the world, according to its importance.

For example, when the victory of the Egyptians on Mubarak, he had become a popular topic on a global scale, # Mubarak. # TSNHATESBBALL yesterday was popular in Canada only, which shows still the extent of dissatisfaction of TSN viewers. Besides, when announcing the MVP title, won by Kobe Bryant on the Facebook page of TSN debate among Canadian sports fans erupted over the importance of different sports on a global scale.

We can clearly see the lack of openness of Canadian hockey fans who show no interest in other sports and we also feel the impatience in regard to other sports fans who would like their sports are a little more attention from the media.

This could lead us to ask ourselves the following question: is it that TSN and RDS in this world are responsible for the lack of openness in sports lounges in us having a majority of content related to the NHL and a small portion of other sports or networks are simply responding to demand? "

The debate is timely, with rumors of the coming of an NHL team in Quebec City and the importance PK Peladeau seems to provide its channel devoted to coverage of a hockey team, so that it is still locked out its employees with the Journal de Montréal ....

To me, it would be essential for the various amateur sports associations demonstrate their dissatisfaction with the treatment accorded by the CRTC specialty channel draft of amateur sport and a movement RSAC snaps to allow things to move. A recently published study demonstrates the importance of amateur sport in the economy and demonstrates the importance of investing in the development of athletes.

These investments are mainly from companies wishing to join a sport or an athlete to enjoy a degree of visibility. But without media coverage and visibility farewell farewell sponsorship and investment!

Some companies such as Jet7basket, TVGO, CKLN, etc.. understand the importance of media coverage in sport and we work hard to enable the amateur to make. Our financing remains difficult and I struggle to understand that businesses and individuals continue to encourage the Journal de Montréal in buying ads rather than finding alternatives to make themselves known to their clients.

Social media and internet are great ways to be heard then I invite you to use them to make known your dissatisfaction! Begin the war against these traditional media who are there for one reason, your money!

Not sure if it was any kind of revolution I started. In fact I doubt it. But what the message of all of it should be is that as individuals complaining we can not do a heck of a lot to change things. Together we can at least make our voices heard. Things are changing though. The Basketball Jones having a show on The Score is likely the most excellent example of that. Watching their show, reading a blog like this is a way a lot of people without doing it directly stick up their middle finger to traditional media. There should be a place for balanced coverage in this world. While ESPN has a lot of issues and we can't get into all of them here. What they do accomplish is a fairly balanced coverage of all sports.

Shame that TSN and Sportsnet in their quest for domination of the hockey fans in this country, has forgot that people love OTHER THINGS and OTHER SPORTS. Perhaps the best example of the INSANITY that is TSN and SPORTSNET is the NHL Trade Deadline. Which this will surprise folks but I watch. Why when I don't even follow hockey? Simple. It is the best train wreck you are ever going to see on T.V. Even a 6 hour Super Bowl pre-game show can not offer the pure comedy it does. But on Thursday will we even see a 30 minute program on NBA Trade Deadline. Of course you won't because #TSNHATESBBALL. Well they don't but it is worse they and Sportsnet don't care. Having a Paul Jones on Sportsnet and Jack Armstorng on TSN doesn't change that. Jack and Paul both care a lot and both do an excellent job. But the people that decide on programming are the problem and they don't care about basketball or it's fans. In other words they don't care about you. But thankfully people like myself and many others on the internet do. Still it be nice to see change come in the main stream media. If they don't change the way the world is changing they might get left behind.

Round Ball Review- Walking A Fine Line

Joey G without my knowledge or his co-hosts J.B has decided to make the Round Ball Review show more cutting edge. It is all humour and if it reminds you of anything it is all in you head. Enjoy the fun and insanity that is the Round Ball Review.

The New World Of Media

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Battle Continues For DNB

The Dino Blogger has advanced in the Pros vs Joes Contest on Whotheman.com. I am happy to say that is round 1 yours truly had the highest vote total of anyone in the contest. So thanks to the folks of the Dino Nation that took the time to vote. Well Round 2 is here and I am backing CB4 to be the first Raptor to have his number retired in team history





So if you agree with me and want to support the Dino Nation Blog go sign up and vote here on Whotheman.com and help me advance to the pro bracket final. I don't win anything in this contest, so it is about pride, not personal gain. So spare me 2 minutes and go vote. I give you folks hours and hours of my time working hard for you so this is your chance to give me 2 minutes back

Here is my second video in the contest.

The RETURN Of THE ROUND"BALL" REVIEW

The Dino Nation Blog is proud to welcome back one of my personal favourite segments that I have done. The Round Ball Review was actually a Radio Segment of a show called Jock Talk. I was the host of the segment. I had a partner doing it with me named Joe. I decided to make a cartoon of the Round Ball Review last year. Scott Carefoot had turned me on to the site that makes these cartoons come to life. Scott did his own for Raptorblog that pre-dated mine. I kept doing the roundball review until the site made it something you had to pay for. It may not shock anyone that the Dino Nation Blog is not exactly a big budget operation here so the extra cost for it was not something I felt made a ton of sense. The good news is that is no longer the case and the site now once again provides the material it takes to make the Round Ball Review happen again.



I get a lot of fun in making these and hope you will enjoy them and become a fan of them as I have in doing them. Nothing they take should be taken very seriously. I consider them as some comic relief for the site. Something that is still important. So enjoy the big return of the Round Ball Review.



So the Boys are back lord help us all. Joey G is a ton of fun to write for because honestly if you have been a fan of this thing...really is there anything he would say at this point that would shock you? Hope you enjoy and I will do my best to make this a regular feature on Mondays.

Programing Note

Just want to give everyone the heads up that The Dino Nation Blog is going to take a weekend off. It is a busy time of the year for everyone with the holidays and all of that. So I need a couple days to re-charge my batteries. I will be back at it on Monday giving my 100%. There is a lot to talk about and last nights Hawks game was truly awful and a tough pill to swallow. On top of the terrible result, Jose Calderon also has his status up in the air and he could be out for an extended period of time. If I get and form of an update on his status from the Raptors I will break into my weekend off and report it. But if not see you folks Monday and hope everyone is enjoying the holiday season and not letting it drive you crazy. I still may fire off the odd tweet on Twitter if you really need a fix of me @dinonationblog also expecting to talk with Jack Armstong next week in the blog so that is something to look forward too.

Happy Anniversary Dino Nation Blog

Yes today marks the end of year 2, and the start of year 3 of the Dino Nation Blog. I have said this many times, that the Dino Nation Blog was the best idea that I have every had at 2am in the morning. I was feeling pretty depressed and was wondering what the heck I could do with my life. I had just had my birthday and was not getting any younger. What came out of that depression was what has turned out to be one of the best experiences of my life. I could not have imagined the idea that I had would grow to what it has become. I feel very blessed and fortunate to have had all the great experiences the Dino Nation Blog has brought my way. Through the hard work of myself and the support of Raptor fans it has become something to be proud of. I would be approached last fall by Scott Carefoot to partner the blog with The Score. That was a great opportunity and has lead to other things for me personally. Also prior to that I would reach out to Eric Smith who would help me get in touch with Paul Jones and Jack Armstrong and all 3 have been regular guests here since. Those 3 guys were the first guests that the Dino Nation Blog would have. From there it would grow and build from there. Matt Devlin since coming to the Raptors has been a frequent and regular guest. We have had to many guests to mention it has got that good. Even of late the Dino Nation blog has started to get players in the NBA in the blog. T.J Ford has been here a couple times, Demar DeRozan and Reggie Evans as well. Along with countless numbers of media folks. In this last year the biggest accomplishment has been starting to have access to the Raptors. I want to think Jim LaBumbard for that, it has been a great experience and something that is helping me do more and learn more. In the history of the Dino Nation Blog I have worked with everyone from EA Sports, Georgetown University, Washington Post and Turner Sports and NBA-TV. All of that from an idea at 2am in the morning. Not to bad.

How all of that is possible is because of a few things. Well first and foremost it is my own personal hard work and dedication. I invest far more time than most would imagine or dream. After all this is still as it was from day 1, a solo effort by me to run this thing. There has been some folks that have helped along the way with designing logos and some of the things that I am truly clueless about. It also has taken people having faith and trust in me to be able to do a professional job. The other important thing is it takes all of you. The people who come here loyally each day and support the Dino Nation Blog and me. I value that very much. I am happy to have got to known some of those loyal readers. Many who have become followers on Twitter as well. I tried to take a lesson from Chuck Swirsky. He... if you every have e-mailed him, you can vouch for this, that he will almost always will reply and do it with amazing speed. I have done my best to build relationships with the people who have supported me. Just like I have tried to do with the guests I have in the blog.

The thing that has always kept this thing going in the right direction is that I never stop to be satisfied. Once I get to a goal that I have set or completed some challenge I have set out, I move on and set new ones. I am proud to say even some of the goals I had that I felt might have taken longer have been reached. One of the things I want to focus on this year is growing the Dino Nation Blog. I feel that everyone that covers this sport, watches this sports or is involved in it need to help it grow. I hope that one day there is a true nation of people out there loving this sport in this country. I have always tried to keep the Dino Nation Blog to a level be it someone has just discovered basketball to a life long fan could both enjoy it. One of the mistakes I see people making is not thinking in terms of the casual fan. Those are the folks that can help build the sport of basketball to exciting new levels for the Raptors, The Sport and Blogs like this one. I also hope to look for more chances to do things on the air so to speak. I am proud of the interviews I am doing and think they are well done and think have reached a level of respect. Granted I always think that I can be better and improve.

That can sometimes be a challenge, because as many of the regular readers know I look after my disabled mother as well. I want to thank her for allowing me to take advantage of the chances that have come my way through out this process. She has allowed me to take time to do the things that are part of making this all work. I am very happy that even though to this point the success this blog has achieved is minor (At least to me) that she has been able to share in that with me. She has never wanted to let her issues stand in the way of my dreams. We work together to try and make sure that does not happen. I love her with all of my heart and really give 100% of what I have to care for her and at the same time make her proud.

So I thank all of you for your support and invite you to come along for the ride to where ever it may take me. I also ask you that if you really love this blog and this sport to share that with others. I want this blog to grow but I also want this sport to grow and the support of the Raptors as well. If these last 2 years have taught me anything it is there is a lot of people in this country and around the world that love the Raptors, The NBA and the sport of basketball. I also want to thank all of the folks that produce great stuff for basketball fans here on the Internet. I respect all of the people that work in the blogging community that cover the Raptors and the NBA. I hope that in my own small way I am helping change attitudes towards blogs and the work that all of us put into them. It really is important for to always look to expand and grow on what we do. Some still think in out dated terms that we all live in basements with our moms. Well I do live with my mom but for the reasons above. I don't have a basement though and I do have a education in broadcast journalism. It is important to change that stereotype and image. I have taken what I do and made it into basically my job. Some folks do blogs as a hobby or just for fun. However I encourage everyone to take what your doing seriously and work hard at it. That is really the case for a lot of you already. Still know that if as a group if we want to be taken seriously it takes everyone to push themselves to compete. I think there is room in this world for the established media and the people who do this. I have always shown the folks in that media the respect that they have earned. I try to take that same professional approach as them in what I do. I think the folks that I deal with respect me as well.

Some days are better than others. I still expect far more from myself than anyone out there does. I always am trying to push myself to be better and bigger each day. In this past year I have done a lot of learning and growing and hopefully am better for it. The Dino Nation Blog was really built at a time of true hopelessness. It was a last shot at making my dreams come through. It has given me so many experiences that I never could have imagined. Some experiences that I thought would take far longer have happened. So if you ever feel like you are down and out, I hope this blog can be an example of hope. I am reminded of what Michael Irvin said in his Hall of Fame speech in football..." Look up, Get Up and Never Give Up". That is one of many things that I draw inspiration from.

So whatever your dreams are never let them go. However understand to make your dreams happen it takes hard work and lots of effort on your part each and everyday. I truly believe if you work hard and have true talent at what you are trying to do you can succeed. I hope that in some small way I am an example of that. No matter what happens in the future for me, I will always be grateful to all the people who have supported me and the people that read this blog are near the top of that list. I will always be humble and amazed at how so many people have offered me support to help live my dream. I never lose sight of how truly lucky and blessed I have been in these past 2 years. This has been truly one of the best times in my life. I thank you all for being part of that.

Now that was a lot nicer than talking about the Raptors vs the Celtics wasn't it? Maybe the Raps can get some kind of DNB Anniversary Miracle win. Not likely but still win or lose this is fun each day...but yes it is more fun when it is win.

My Day At The ACC.

I will get into the game itself tomorrow but I thought is might be cool to share my experience in covering the game today. It has been a long time between visits to the Raptors locker room. I have mentioned in the blog before that I covered the Charity games Vince Carter use to do in the summer time. I will never forget my first time interviewing Vince. It was not a great start for me in working with NBA Players. I asked what seemed to me like a fair question. Vince had ended the season injured and this was the first time anyone had seen him out on the floor in a long time. So I asked him if he felt that he had anything to prove going out there on the floor even though it was just a charity game. Vince did not exactly take kindly to the question and basically said he had nothing to prove to anyone and basically that he was Vince Carter. I have to say I kind of felt bad, as back in the days of Vinsanity I was a huge fan. So, I quickly asked him a funny question about golf and how he compared to Tiger Woods on the golf course and got the heck out of dodge. Vince had played in some charity golf thing the day before so I figured that question would make him laugh and it did.

I have hopefully learned from that experience. Still when I asked Chris Bosh today about it being a big season for him and what his expectations where heading into I was sure hoping I did not have to re-live that moment with Vince all over again. Happy to report I did not have to do that. It probably helped that I mentioned that I am Cowboys fan, as we all have to stick together in these tough times for the Cowboys. At least Chris and Jarrett Jack could be happy that their Yellow Jackets upset V-Tech. Demar DeRozan was also pumped about his Trojans win over N.D. If there is one thing I have learned in my limited time around NBA players is that the whole school pride factor is huge for most guys. Reggie Evans still on the mend is happy to tell anyone that will listen how good things are going for his Iowa squad in the Big Ten. I have to admit I am a it jealous of all that school pride. I could not tell you what the Mohawk Mountaineers have been up to since I graduated. Chris did answer the question but will save that for tomorrow.

If you have never had the pleasure of meeting an NBA player the one thing that will amaze you is just the size of these guys. I mean being 6ft tall that is not exactly short by average people standards. Step in the Raptor locker room and you suddenly will feel very small. But it was a really great feeling to be back in the Raps locker room again. It has got a major makeover since I was last there but the basic layout was the same. Demar Derozan next door, locker wise is Chris Bosh. That should only be a good thing for Demar. Chris and him have some things in common with both being one and done college stars for major programs. Demar has always talked about learning and to have Chris Bosh to learn from right next door in the locker room is a pretty good place to start.

It really is quite amazing to see how far this blog and I along with it have come. I really feel like I am living a dream at times on days like this especially. It's ironic that I called in on the fan 590 talking about the subject of blogs like this one getting access and two days later was doing just that. I think and hope a day will come where bloggers can have access to teams. However I do feel that you have to work to get there. I feel that in the almost 2 years that I have busted my butt to get there. I also understand that it takes patience and time to get to certain goals. It is something that in every aspect of this blog I have tried to do. To work on building relationships with people from the guests I am fortunate to have, to the groups and other blogs that have helped support this blog and to all of you that read the blog. I respect everyone and try to do my best to show that in all that I do.

There are really not words for how fortunate that I feel for all of the things the Dino Nation Blog has brought to me. It has brought me great experiences and helped me get to know a lot of great people. So often blogs can get tagged with being negative and taking that approach in what they do. Dino Nation Blog has it moments of that but ultimately it has always been about my great love and passion for basketball and sharing that with all of you. Someone left a comment after I had been at training camp hoping that by getting access here and there would not change the Dino Nation Blog. Well the only changes will be good ones. I am still going to be me and share how I feel about things. I always want to keep things the same. I truly feel like someone who represents all of you the fans of the Raptors and the Dino Nation Blog. In a sense you folks have a major impact in how this all works. I try to ask questions that I feel will be ones you would want to know if you were the ones asking them. Amir Johnson was blown away by Raptor fans, as am I on a daily basis.

So the Raptors may have lost today and yeah maybe the defense still needs a lot of work before the 28th. But you will forgive me if I still have a smile on my face in being able to have a great day getting to cover the sport that I truly love. In the end it is that love and passion we all have that keeps us coming back to read blogs like this one, watch games and cheer on our favourite players and teams.

No matter how many calls that these replacement officials make it still will not crush my happy feelings. Although some of the calls were just brutal. I got my dollar to throw in the pot and if ever person that loved basketball did the same maybe we could get the "Real"refs back please. Live or on T.V the calls still look the same...BAD!!!

So it was a great thrill to take the Dino Nation to a place it had never been... the Raptors Locker Room at the ACC. I am thankful for the opportunity to do so thanks to the Raptors.

T.J Ford Visits The DNB

This is by far the biggest starting 5 ever. I have never hidden the fact this guest is one of my favorite players in the NBA. The two years he had as a Raptor were a great personal treat for me. I have been a fan of him even back to his days as a Texas Longhorn. Which is actually part of what we talk about. T.J along with some of his fellow Longhorns have put together a site called Texas 360.com. It is a site that is going to feature a lot of former Texas players and let fans get to see them in new exciting ways. We also talk about some NBA stuff as well. He talks about his two now former teammates in Jarrett Jack and Rasho Nesterovic. We talk about his return to Toronto and his thoughts on his time with the Raptors. This is a big moment for the Dino Nation Blog and hopefully it is only the start of bigger and better things for the future. Just like with all the guests we have it takes them willing to take time out to talk with me. I want to thank T.J for his time and wish him the best of luck in this upcoming NBA season and with his new venture with this website.

Dino Nation Blog Interviews T.J Ford

James Borbath's Podcast

So hope you enjoyed that as much as I did doing it. The Dino Nation Blog has brought me a lot of cool experiences in the almost 2 years I have been doing it. This ranks right at the top of the list. So if you are still a T.J Ford fan like me go check out his website and show a former Raptors some love. Sign up and become a member on Texas 360.com. Other guys already on board include Kevin Durant, D.J Augustin, T.J Ford and many other former Longhorns. Hook'em Horns!!!

Oh and if you want to follow T.J on Twitter(If you don't already) he is @tj_ford

NBA Lotto Live Blog

This is the place to be for the Draft Lottery. 7:30pm we will get this thing rolling. Bring your thoughts, opinions and contribute to our Live Blog Below:



See you at 7:30pm. Draft Lotto starts at 8:30pm on The Score here in Canada.

Round Ball Review Has Someone New

Hello all in this episode of the Round Ball Review. J.B is joinned by the Round Ball Review's summer intern Dexter Mills.Dexter will be filling in from time to time for both J.B and Joey G. Hopefully he will fit in and add to the fun that is the Round Ball Review.




So hope you enjoyed this episode of the show and you can join me for the NBA Lottery 7 days from today on May 19th at 7pm.

Birth Of Bobcat Nation and Bobcat Blogger....

I took yesterday off and reflected about this. I decided the heck with it. Chris Bosh endorsing Jay Triano was the last straw. I am becoming the Bobcat Blogger. The Dino Blogger is DEAD. So is the Dino Nation Blog. This season has been a joke. I can actually see more Bobcat games than I can Raptor Games. Another TSN 2 classic for all you Raptor Fans out there. Bosh is as good as gone. Jose Calderon is just not someone I like. I will take the future of D.J Augstin over Jose Calderon's any day of the week. The Bobcats have Gerald Wallace they don't have to dream about having him. They also have Raja Bell and Boris Diaw from a very smart trade. I am not sure the name of the Bobcats G.M but hey I will learn. Bryan Colangelo has been a huge disappointment. I am just done with this team. Thanks Raptors it has been a fun ride. Well it really hasn't I endured having my hopes dashed by this team since 1995. So thanks for nothing. I suggest you all do the same and find a new team to get behind because this thing is never going to be right in Toronto.

So I am beating Bosh and getting out of town while I can. Sure it will mean some extra work and building a new audience and all of that. But at least I will have hope again. The Bobcats beat the L.A Lakers when is the last time the Raptors did that? In fact the Bobcats have a winning record in their history vs the Lakers. Kobe is not scoring 81 on them is he?

Wait a second I have an email I need to read. Oh this is big!!! It says today is April 1st and this is April Fool's Edition of the Dino Nation Blog.

That is true about Bosh endorsing Triano that was strange. If Bosh truly thinks he is leaving why would he bother endorsing Triano. Just saying that does not make a lot of sense. I am deeply concerned about this team's future but I will go down with the ship if need be. The Raptors no doubt need a face lift. I do admit that I am pulling for the Bobcats. I don't think I can live with Chuck Swirsky making the playoffs and not me. Bobcat fans could become huge Raptor fans as the Raptors will close out this season against that Bulls. Chuck got to meet Barack Obama that is better than your team making the playoffs.

For the Raptors when you look at the off season Bryan Colangelo has a lot of work to do. Here is the Bryan Colangelo to do list.

1. Determine the Future of CB4
2. Draft an impact player regardless of position
3. Free Agent and Restricted Free Agents to decide about ( Anthony Parker, Shawn Marion, Pops Mensah-Bonsu, Joey Graham, Carlos Delfino[Raps Still own his restricted rights in NBA]
4. Who is the coach? Is it really Triano? If it is does the staff survive?
5. Target Free Agents that can have an impact.
6. Make a major trade to find an impact defender.

That is a lot to do and there is likely more than that but hey it will make the summer a lot more interesting for the Raptors. This is the most important off season in the the history of this team. The truth about why there was no blog yesterday? Well my mother is having some minor eye surgery and I needed to do some things for her so she was all set for that. I also had not had a true day off in months so I decided that I deserved one. So if things are a little out of whack for the next few days that is why. March Madness has also had a major impact on the Dino Nation Blog as well. However college basketball is important as this is going to be a huge draft for the Raptors. There are a lot of guys that have major question marks. So we will see. That is all for today. I wonder how many people were buying that first bit? Did I get anyone? Leave a comment and let me know.

Dino Blogger Goes Court Surfing

Well last week there was no blog. The reason for that was I was invited down to Toronto to be in the crowd on Court Surfing and also to do something else. It was to tape a segment for The Score with a couple of guests I have had on from The Score, D.J Bennett and Randy Urban. The 3 of us along with a member of Real GM talk Raptors and MVP. So forgive the shameless self promotion but here is a link to the segment of the sixth man with your Dino Blogger and the aforementioned

6th Man- Score.Com

Or Watch It Here:



This was fun to do and hopefully there will be more of these things for me down the line in the future. The Dino Nation Blog has had a lot of cool things it has lead to me doing. I am grateful for all of them. I thank all of you that check out this blog for that as well. I work really hard and that combined with the support of readers has allowed me to do things that have been life long dreams. No matter how far things go for me in the future I will never forget that it started with the support of lots of great people that read the Dino Nation Blog. It has been a great journey and I am loving ever minute of it. In a Raptor season that has been truly awful, for me personally It has lead to a lot of great things. So I can't help but smile despite all the doom and gloom that surrounds me. It is always a thrill for me to meet any of the folks that read the blog and enjoy it. This may appear has shameless self promotion but to me it is promotion of not just myself or even the Dino Nation Blog but of the dedication of all Raptor fans and the readers of this blog most of all.

There will be other seasons and more things in the future God willing but I have made a point of always stopping at points in this journey to reflect and thank all that have helped get to the point where I am at. So thanks to all of you and thanks to all the folks at The Score for making the Dino Nation Blogger a tad more known than he was when all this got started. Thanks to Scott Carefoot opened a door for me by inviting me to be part of The Score Sports Federation and I have done my best to walk through it. Thanks to Brendon Lynch, Randy Urban and D.J Bennett as well as "way to be" who is known as Peter to his friends and family. Also to Anas Amhed who worked behind the scenes letting folks know about me.

I know some may wonder why I am always so grateful and thankful. The answer to that is the Dino Nation Blog was an idea that in some ways was a last shot at making a lot of dreams I had come true. So when stuff like this happens it is a great thing for me. I have been through a lot in life that some know more than others and maybe that is why. Regardless it is never a bad thing to appreciate people who have helped you and that is hopefully a lesson beyond basketball that folks can learn from me. Whatever dream you have never let it die. Keep it alive in your heart and hopefully you can have a ride like I have been on. That is a lesson the Raptors could learn from as well. Being in the NBA even on a team that is struggling is a great thing that only few people on the planet get to do. If I had the athletic ability to play basketball I would be out there busting my butt like Pops Mensah-Bonsu. That is just the type of person I am.

O.K, that is the end of my little speech. Life as the Dino Blogger has been a lot of fun. I hope it continues to be fun for many years to come.

Round Ball Review In Search Of B.C

In this episode of the Round Ball Review the Guys are in search of Bryan Colangelo for an interview. You will see it does not work out so well for the guys. But as always they provide some much needed entertainment.



The Guys if they did get out of there in time will be back again soon.

Round Ball Review From Boston

Well I have been talking to people and J.B and Joey seem to be doing well. People seem to enjoy what they have been doing in the Round Ball Review. The guys have their Post Game Report done and here is what they had to say about the Raptors lose in overtime in Boston.



Where and what they will do next? I guess we will have to see in the next episode of the Round Ball Review. I hope you find them as entertaining as I do in bringing them to you.

Round Ball Review Vlog On The Road To Boston

Well that was not a fun outcome today. But hopefully the latest episode of the Round Ball Review will give you a chuckle. J.B and Joey have been sent on assignment to cover the second half of the home and home series with the Celtics. They decide to send in a Vlog. I have become a big fan of the ones Paul Jones and Eric Smith do and I figured why not have my new animated staff members give it a shot. Here is Joey and J.B from parts unknown on the way to Boston.




So that is it hope you enjoyed. I attempted to get some feedback on how people like this and people seem to enjoy it. So I will try and keep the guys busy giving us all some laughs. It is free for now so that fits right in with the Dino Nation Blog budget. But I think it goes pretty well regardless of that. Thanks to Scott Carefoot who got using this program and made me aware of it.