"NBAz in 7 Dayz"

Life is too short. Last week, my cousins were at the gym working out one minute and calling 911 the next. Kim was in great health: played golf, coached baseball and was a very active guy. So when he began showing the initial signs of a heart attack, his wife Bianca at first thought it might have been the practical joker side of him coming out. Sadly, this was not the case. As I sat listening to all the wonderful tributes to his life at his funeral on Wednesday, I reflected on what might be said about my life. I hope those lists would include my love of basketball. This MVP edition of "NBAz in 7 Dayz" is dedicated to Kim and everyone in my life who makes me feel like an MVP. I am truly grateful for my career, my family and everything in between. Thank-you for all your love and support.

Many broadcast journalists, including yours truly, will appreciate the legacy left by former SuperSonics owner Barry Ackerley. He died early Monday morning after suffering a stroke at the age of 76 years old. During his 18-year ownership of the Sonics, the team made the playoffs 13 times, won four division titles and was in the 1996 NBA Final. Most broadcasters though, will also appreciate he was one of the first sports owners to broadcast games on both radio and television stations he owned and also created the first all-sports talk radio station. He will be missed.

Top 5 MVP Picks - You might be surprised

I love LeBron James and appreciate his style of play, his charity work and his character despite all "The Decision" hoopla. But he does not make my list. I also support the work and leadership of Kobe Bryant and while I appreciate his All-Star MVP status, he makes my list but is not my choice for regular season MVP. The NBA Most Valuable Player Award is an honour given to the most highly revered player during the regular season. Does this mean the most successful? Does the MVP always win a championship? Is this just a popularity contest like some high school Prom King contests? Regardless of it's reputation, here are my top five players who should at least make the discussion (in no particular order):

1. Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers: Let's face it. Kobe Bryant has been a regular season MVP contender for the last 4 or five seasons. Not that having an injury and playing through it should be an automatic criteria, but I think he should have won it last year based on this alone. I think some value needs to be placed on a player's ability to overcome adversity. But based on his team's roller coaster ride this year and losing twice to the three so-called Kings in Miami, I don't think he will make the cut.

2. Derrick Rose, Chicago Bulls: Although he is not my choice for MVP, he was right up there. Now, I don't believe he is the second coming of MJ himself but he made the Chicago Bulls relevant again. He has gone toe-to-toe this season with the best in the league and has held his own. He has been in the league for 2 years now and is really making a name for himself. He ranks third in field goal attempts, sixth in points per game and is also in the top ten for assists. Not a bad combination - this makes him a well-rounded candidate.

3. Dwight Howard, Orlando Magic: I almost did not include him in my top five based on his "foul" issues but I reconsidered. When you look at his stats, he is ranked in the top two in 16 categories, including number one in blocks, free throws and number two in rebounds. He is a tough player you want on your team going into any battle. He and I did the same thing in grade eight - write down a list of goals. Among Dwight's were: lead his team to a state championship and become the first overall selection in the NBA Draft. I wonder if somewhere on that list was NBA MVP.

4. Ray Allen, Boston Celtics: This was a hard one considering the depth of talent on the Celtics' roster and I endeavored to chose only one candidate per team. He is ranked in the top ten in three categories including number two in three-point field goal percentage. He is not dominating stats categories like Howard but Ray Allen is like the chocolate chip to the Celtics' playoff cookie. Without him, the team is just not the same. He is the consummate clutch player and performs well under pressure. Being in the league for 14 years gives you that experience.

5. My MVP Pick - Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City Thunder: Although I never believed the hype about Miami winning a championship based on assembling Wade, James and Bosh in the same city, I think a team's ability to beat this formation is a part of the measuring stick. The Thunder met the Heat twice this season and split the wins. In the game they won, the Thunder beat them by 11 points (96-85). Team success is another part of the MVP race because if said player is both talented and elevates the play of his teammates, his is MVP worthy in my opinion. Kevin Durant is both. He is an all-around great ambassador to the sport. He ranks number one in the NBA for points per game, averaging 27.9 and is really dedicated to the success of his team. He showed an example of this by coaching his teammate Serge Ibaka in the dunk contest (after his own victorious event got cancelled). At 23 years old and after being in the league for only 3 years, his time is now.

Thanks for joining me this week. I appreciate all your questions, comments and suggestions. Please keep them coming by following me on Facebook (Danielle de Graauw) and Twitter (@ddegraauw). Over the weekend, think about your Rookie of the Year choices and bring those to the table next Thursday. Until then, have a great weekend and see you on Tuesday for more NBA coverage in "NBAz in 7 Dayz".

Holly MacKenzie In The DNB's Starting 5

Holly MacKenzie has been mentioned in this blog on many occasions. I consider her not just a talented writer and very knowledgeable about basketball but also a friend. It has always been a goal to get Holly to come be in The Starting 5. It has almost happened a bunch of times. But something always would come along and it would never happen. So FINALLY it has happened and it was well worth the wait. We talk about a variety of topics from how she got to where she is now, to the Raptors future, and a number of NBA Topics including her thoughts on the upcoming off-season with a lockout looming. Holly truly loves basketball more than almost anyone I have ever met, and I am including myself in that. Her passion and love for sport shines through in her writing and it does in this interview as well. We also came to discover something that we both did not know until this interview. It was one of the more fun interviews I have done in the Starting 5 and I think you will enjoy it. Her picks for MVP, Coach of the Year and a whole lot more Stackmack has invaded the DNB.

Holly is just a super person and knowing her these past few years has been a real joy for me personally. If you ever met Holly and do not walk away from that encounter with a smile on your face, and love of basketball in your heart... something is wrong with you. She really is just as talented as she is as a good human being. I think the world of her and always am as thrilled for all the success she has had and will have. I am fortunate to know her and am very happy I was finally able to have her come be a part of our world here in the Dino Nation Blog. She knows her stuff and combines that with a love and passion for the sport of basketball that is near impossible to match. I respect her so much and am not ever surprised by anything she achieves. She works hard and has done more in a few years than some people have done in a career. I won't get into what I was doing at her age. But needless to say I was nowhere close to what she has accomplished. I am sure you like me already follow her on Twitter but for the record is it @stackmack and it is well worth the follow.

Some Thoughts On Raps And Lakers

I must apologize off the top. Did not get a preview of this game done. Someone called a wrong number early on Sunday morning, and next thing I know had went back to sleep, and it was almost time to work. I was unable to watch this one as I was doing a NFL game for The Score. It was a pretty amazing game with Eagles comeback win over the Giants. But it is Monday and a new week so time to turn the page and move on. First thing to do is get caught up on the Raptors. After that got to get a few interviews done that I owe you folk. Jerryd Bayless and former Raptor Kris Humphries. So going sit back and take in what you all likely saw yesterday. Offer some thoughts on what all went down with the Lakers and Raptors.

1st Quarter Thoughts

• With No Bargnani interested to see how things go for Pau Gasol against Ed Davis.
• Raps were hanging around early Klezia getting another start with no Weems.
• An early 7 for Kleiza and yet another injury has cost a player is starting spot? Think so, sorry Sonny.
• Kobe Bryant is good....but I bet you knew that already...LOL
• Demar got schooled by one his idols Kobe was there then he wasn't
• Raps for whatever reason sometimes play Lakers tough...this looked like one of those.
• Kobe is making a highlight reel in just the first quarter.
• Julian Wright getting some minutes with no Weems nice to see. Joey Dorsey to with no Bargs
• Matt Barnes was a Raptor on Twitter but a Laker in life...he checked in.
• Tied at 24....Feeling sorry I missed this one live looks like good game so far.
• Amir Johnson with a serious throw down. Bayless the dime drop.
• Amir is off to a fantastic start. Raps are too 8-0 run and Raps lead 32-24...WOW.
• Raps up 6 with No Bargs, Weems or Evans? Pretty good.

2nd Quarter thoughts

• I was doing NFL like I mentioned, It is a copycat league they say. NBA not so much why to more teams not run the Triangle Offence?
• Jack reflecting on Vince Carter joining team #4. Reminds me of the Kobe comment that had Vince and Tracy stayed he felt they would be battling Raptors for years coming out of East :(
• Lakers were off to a good start to the 2nd. No doubt Phil was not happy after 1.
• Former team mates in Portland in Blake and Bayless....think so.
• A early Solomon Alabi sighting? You don't play him vs Bulls and you do here? Happy for him though. His first significant minutes of NBA career.
• Bayhawks 4 and 5 out on floor with Davis out there too.
• Ok Luke Walton is scoring that just can't happen...COME ON NOW...Lead history tied at 37.
• Gasol with Alabi on him...This won't go well and it didn't.
• Demar DeRozan getting to the line and he GETS UP for playing the Lakers.
• Mid second and 0 fouls for Amir and he has 12 points if this could happen more often it would be great.
• Lakers were picking Raps a part on D.
• Kleiza another 3...don't watch Sonny.
• Raps O on fire and D on Ice...as a type DeRozan got a steal..still chilly D.
• QUEENSBRIDGE....Just cause I saw Artest on the floor.
• Lakers took control in that 2nd Quarter but Raps had a lot of fight and effort. Need this against teams you can hang with.

3rd Quarter Thoughts

• The education of Demar DeRozan continues as Kobe is teaching him some serious lessons.
• Takes it right back on O at Kobe and Gasol...Hoop and Harm.
• Ed Davis missed a lay up......Oh youth!!! Frustrating. Missed another chippy!!! UGH!!!
• Kobe gets hacked by Davis and still scores....Lakers up 14
• Ugly miss from 3 for Kleiza but shot clock was running down.
• Lakers were outscoring Toronto 40-18 since the first....YIKES!!!
• DeRozan getting to the line another hoop and harm. When Demar is good he gets to the line.
• Nice move by Amir for a score but to much Kobe to much Gasol Raps were still down 2 touchdowns.
• Demar should study this game tape for two reason. What he SHOULD do on Offence and what he Shouldn't do on Defence...He has 13 points in the 3rd and 17 overall.
• Nice passing play DeRozan to Dorsey behind the back to Kleiza for the easy 2.
• Raps are on a run an are now down just 1 TD.
• Joey Dorsey showing a little something something. but missed two free throws.
• Reason Raps are doing better on offence...Ball Movement...Excellent!!!
• Amir leaves with a bad back....2 young onez on the shelf with bad backs if your counting.
• Barbosa a buzzer beater and Raps were hanging around or hanging on for dear life.
• Derozan ends up with 19 in QTR that is why you don't give up on this kid. When he gets it and HE WILL....WOW

4th Quarter Thoughts

• Barbosa missed a 3 that would have been big cutting lead to 6.
• Matt Barnes shows how you foul some one....What might have been...Oh Well.
• Raps have but up a good fight but signs are there the tank might be close to E.
• Laker Bench getting it done lead by Bynum and Brown with 14 each.
• Jose has 11 and 9 perhaps Bayless motivated him when he was out...Just saying.
• Julian Wright gives Jose Dime 10 with a Transition Dunk.
• Kleiza a 3 and forget what I said about gas tank Raps were within 6.
• Tough miss Raps could have got even closer. Bynum makes them pay on the other end.
• Blake 3 and crisis averted for L.A.
• Kleiza has strung together to solid efforts as a starter.
• Forget to mention Amir is back from the back trouble.
• More of what might have been with a Barnes 3.
• Raps creep back to within 7 but I know how it ends and not much time left.

Final Score- Lakers 120 Raptors 110

Final Thoughts....Effort Good...Defence Bad...Offence Really Good considering lack of Weems and Bargnani.

"NBAz in 7 Dayz"

Barak Obama. Now there's a name which commands attention. Not just because he is the President of the United States but because his actions are worthy of our attention. Instead of meeting at the White House this year, the 2010 NBA Championship Los Angeles Lakers met at a local Boys and Girls Club in Washington in casual attire. It is tradition for NBA Championship teams to be welcomed at the White House to receive formal congratulations from the President. Kobe Bryant and President Obama exchanged a few quips and good-natured ribbing since the President is a Chicago Bulls fan through and through. But this is how you garner respect and are taken seriously. Something Russian billionaire and New Jersey Nets owner Mikhail Prokhorov needs to understand. Let's discuss this, Bynum's return, Carmelo Anthony and his coy-boy routine and the Hornets staying in New Orleans...maybe.

He just doesn't get it

Get this. Mikhail Prokhorov, billionaire and owner of the New Jersey Nets is introducing a new line of hybrid cars called - wait for it - "Yo" which he hopes to begin selling in 2012. Why is he behind the manufacturing of these new vehicles? He wants to "overcome existing stereotypes..that Russia cannot make normal cars". Really? With a name like "Yo"? Jimmy Kimmel and comedians across the land just got an early Christmas gift. Apparently, the name is written in Russian by the letter E with two dots over it but it is still reads and sounds like "Yo". In case you are interested in being in the "Yo", the cars will be sold in three models: sedan sporty and small truck and will go for about $10,000. Cheap dough for a Yo.

Hornets in New Orleans? Maybe, Maybe not.

"A potential Louisiana-based ownership group for the New Orleans Hornets is taking shape". All this means is someone with money in Louisiana has their interest peaked in the Hornets. As we all know in the world of business and contracts, nothing is set in stone until you sign on the dotted line and hand over the cash. Governor Bobby Jondal and Mayor Mitch Landrieu have both said they are optimistic and confident Louisiana will be able to keep their NBA franchise and say they are not worried about other potential buyers who may move the team at this point. NBA Commissioner David Stern has maintained the goal is to secure a buyer who will keep the team in Louisiana but he remains open to the possibility of moving the team. Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer and a group of billionaire investors are rumoured to be interested in buying the Hornets and moving them to Seattle. A potential new owner Morris Bart, a locally based lawyer, says he is willing to front 10% of the asking price and claims outgoing minority owner Gary Chouest told him he is willing to throw in more than %50. So there are equally concerted efforts on both sides of the 'should I stay or should I go' debate in Louisiana. Even though I am not 100% confident the Hornets have a permanent home in New Orleans, the emotional argument for the team makes a strong case. James Carville a celebrity and political strategist based in Louisiana, discounts himself as a potential owner but says he didn't want the city's progress since Hurricane Katrina be over stepped by the loss of a major sports franchise. True. But it may not be enough.

Bynum chooses Soccer over Basketball

No matter how you slice it or how hard you try to put a positive spin on it, Andrew Bynum chose soccer over basketball this summer. Plain and simple. This summer, Andrew Bynum put off having knee surgery because he wanted to vacation first and watch some World Cup soccer. Everyone is entitled to some rest and relaxation but now his off-season decision is affecting his team. Pau Gasol, who took over for Bynum, has averaged 40 minutes in 11 of the 22 games Bynum has been out. Ron Artest has been taking on other roles on the court too, since along with Odum, they are picking up the void felt by Theo Ratliff and Derrick Caracter who are also out with injury. Lakers Head Coach Phil Jackson has said in the past Bynum's decision to watch soccer over playing for the Lakers as soon as possible couldn't have any real impact on the team's quest for a three-peat. Now the evidence is in plain view and we know this is not true. When the Lakers were in Washington receiving their official White House congratulations for winning the 2010 NBA Championship, Bynum said he will most definitely being playing Tuesday against the Washington Wizards and making his season debue. Pau Gasol hugged him most probably as if to say 'finally'. Let's hope Bynum is up to the task.

Sitting on the fence in 'Melo'ville

Let me spell it out for you - in my opinion. Carmelo Anthony wants out of Denver but is contractually obligated to Denver until the end of this season. Carmelo Anthony also does not want the backlash LeBron James received for leaving Cleveland if he decides to leave. Carmelo Anthony claims he is only keeping his options open but when he is not definitive in his answers to the media and openly enjoyed the attention he got in New York over the weekend (his supposed destination of choice), what are Denver fans supposed to think? As you know, Carmelo Anthony has been the subject of trade speculation since turning down a three-year, 65 million dollar extension with the Nuggets to 'keep his options open'. When asked if he wants to stay in a Denver uniform, he says "This community has embraced me like I was one of their own. So, of course. I just really want to focus on basketball right now--let the business take care of business when that time comes". Even though he hasn't ruled out staying with Denver for the long term, this does not sound like someone who wants to commit to anything. Carmelo Anthony has made it clear how important the contract extension is considering the collective bargaining agreement is set to expire next summer and the NBA wants major salary cuts in the next deal. Realistically though, he can become a free agent next summer. Then Denver would be smart to trade him before the deadline in February so they don't loose him to another team and have nothing to show for it. Denver Nugget Head Coach George Karl says he stays away from all this Internet action/reaction "Melo, as long as he's a Nugget, I am going to coach him and be happy with him". Ok. Let's go with that - for now. We might be singing a different tune come February.

Thanks for joining me today. Be sure to see me here on the DNB this Thursday for more "Behind Enemy Lines".

Good Effort But Mistakes Cost Raps In L.A

Let's be honest this was not going to be easy. Raptors have only won twice in their history vs Lakers in L.A. Coming off their worst effort of the season vs Utah this had the makings of being an ugly night. But that is why they play the games as they say.

Lakers were best team in league at making 3's coming into this one but miss a couple to start and Jack and DeRozan get buckets for an early Raps 4-0 lead. Kleiza would get back to back scores and Raps would hold a lead at 8-4. Kobe had a basket and a foul so far. Derek Fisher made a couple at the line then a steal and score in transition and the game was tied at 10. DeRozan and Bryant traded buckets. Kinda of a sloppy start by both teams but the Lakers take the lead 16-12 then a steal and score for Fisher and Raptors making turnovers, 6 of them and Lakers were cashing in on them. Kleiza a corner 3 that is a air ball that ends up with Reggie Evans. Kobe comes along and takes it from Reggie the touchdown pass to Gasol for 2 and Lakers had an 8 point advantage after a slow start for them. DeRozan grew up a Kobe fan but not letting that stop him from taking it at his idol. Nice drive and score by Double D. Bargnani finally got a bucket with under 2 to play. Kobe then found a wide open Blake for 3....nailed it. A steal and Lakers score and much like you might have expected Lakers lead 27-18. Another 3 from Blake would make it 30-18. He was not done another 3 his 3rd of the quarter and Lakers lead 33-20 after 1.

8 turnovers in the first quarter for the Raptors. Forget beating the Lakers, you are not going beat anyone doing that. Andrea a drive and he meets Laker off season pick up Theo Ratliff with the big swat. Barbosa a score then on next trip the feed to Weems for the slam and 1. Weems made the free throw and Raps cut it to 8 with score 35-27. Brown and Calderon trade buckets then another dagger 3 from Blake...40-29. Weems with a dunk that might score a 9 but is only worth 2. Raptors were getting out gunned and not playing any kind of defence at all. A recipe for disaster. Raptors just not looking good. Amir rebounded fellow Young Onez miss in DeRozan and scores. A Laker score then a Barbosa 3 and at least the Raptors are hanging around down 8. Bad pass intended for DeRozan got picked but Raps were fortunate as Lakers could not score. Raps do score on next trip and get the lead to 6. Gasol with a pretty spin move scores and Andersen answers on the other end. Kobe teaches Demar a little something something taking him to school drawing the foul.

Jose a jumper from the top of the key out of a time out and the Laker lead was just 6 with just over 3 to play in the half. We have a Julian Wright sighting and he hooks up Barbosa for 3 Raps get another score and the lead was just 1. Raptors would draw even on a Calderon jumper with the score even at 55. Amir a block on Gasol and it leads to a Barbosa 3 and believe it or not the Raptors have a 58-55 halftime lead. Barbosa was the spark to the Raptor surge and had 15 going into the half.

You have to imagine the Lakers are not amused and this first 5 minutes of the 3rd quarter should tell a lot about Raptors chances in this one. Klezia a spin drive and score a good start anyway. Cue Mr Bryant a couple of free throws and makes a jumper Raptors lead down to 60-59. An Artest 3 ball and Lakers had the lead. But Jack for 2 and Bargnani 3 and Raptors restored their 3 point halftime lead. The Lakers would fight back and tie on a nice dunk by Gasol. Kobe with a couple of free throws reversed the lead on the Raps leading 70-67. Raptors did not hold the lad but still in it after that first 5 minutes. A beautiful spin and score by DeRozan leaving Kobe behind for the easy layup. Raptors were down 1 over halfway through the 3rd. Raptors after the 8 turnovers in the 1st have cleaned that up. More DeRozan as the L.A kid was getting it done then Bargnani scores and Raps restore the 3 point lead at 75-72. Raps were doing a great job on the glass as well helping them hang in this one.

DeRozan got called for a charge on a 2-1 that would have given the Raps a 4 point lead with under 3 to play in the 3rd. Shannon Brown with a big 3 pointer late in the 3rd and Lakers back on top 80-78. An open 3 for Blake was missed and that would have hurt. Some slippage late in the quarter as Lakers built a 4 point advantage and a Bargnani 3 would not fall.

Shannon Brown hit a jumper from the top of the key and Lakers have largest lead in awhile 84-78. Amir Johnson was having his best game of year so far. No fouls and he draws a foul and got to the line and made 2. But just when I say that, Barnes scores on the glass and Amir gets called for one of those questionable techs we have been seeing in the NBA this year. The Gasol a pretty move and Score and Raptors were down 9 and a time out is called.

Out of time out a crazy jumper falls for Barbosa. Amir Johnson gets a bucket and Raptors creep back to with in 5. Johnson a nice play and gets a call as he takes it on the numbers and Barnes called for the charge. Calderon on the next possession makes a jumper and the lead is back to 4. Amir Johnson had a chance to put back a Jose miss but could not and that would have cut the lead to just 2. Instead Lakers get a 3 and lead is 7 and Kobe checks in....Oh Oh. But Amir gets the bucket and cuts the lead to 5. A steal and Calderon scoring on the break and the lead down to 3. Phil Jackson rarely calls a time out but wants one here.

Odom a turnover and Demar a bit out of control and Fisher knocks it out off Demar for back to back turnovers. Kobe draws a foul and makes a pair and Lakers lead was 97-92. Bargnani the drive and score and Raptors back to down 3. Kobe the miss but Gasol the rebound and score on the putback. Bargs takes a tough shot and missed it. Raps get a steal though and both Bargnani and DeRozan miss and that was costly. Fisher the basket and with 2:40 to play Lakers lead it 101-94. Raptors not looking like they are going to come out on top but they are making the Lakers earn this W. Coming in at 5-0 you get the feeling the Lakers thought this might have been an easy one. After the loss against Utah I would have agreed with them. Barbosa a 3 out of time out missed it but Amir draws a foul and heads to the line. Makes them then a Lakers turnover but Barbosa is stripped and losses the ball and turns it over right back. Another Lakers steal and Fisher head mans the ball to Kobe who is fouled and that should end all hope. Raps kept swinging but time was not on their side. Even a late steal forcing Kobe to make a nice block on Kleiza after having it stolen. Even to the final tick Raps had fight a Jack heave for 3 fell but the Raptors were down 8 so it was not enough...108-103 the Lakers take it.

Despite the effort with 21 turnovers it is hard to beat anyone. The positives for the Raps we saw Jose Calderon and Amir Johnson both had their best games of the season. The tough part for the Raptors is they have to play Portland tomorrow and they expended a lot of energy in a losing effort. Will be very interesting to see how they handle it. After getting destroyed by Utah they did respond and that is something to feel good about. But despite a lot of positives and moral victories the Raptors are 0-3 on this trip and 1-4 on the season.

The Champs Are Here!!!

So your the Raptors, you have lost 3 of your first 4 games, and you face the 2 time defending Champs. Not exactly great timing for the Toronto Raptors. But that is what they face in L.A, then off to Portland tomorrow who lost to OKC in overtime. Which was a great game if you happened to catch it. But as the saying goes you take them one at a time

The Basics: Lakers 5-0 (They are 3-0 at Staples) Raptors 1-3 ( 0-2 vs the West )

When We Last Saw Them: Do we really need to do this? In case you some how missed it the Raptors got man handled by the Jazz. It was pretty ugly throughout. Deron Williams was so good it caused Jay Triano to drop an F-Bomb like K.G. Aside from a rally in the 3rd quarter the Raptors showed few signs of life. Sonny Weems was one of them and Andrea Bargnani had 9 rebounds and 26 points in a game the Raptors fell behind 41-22 after the first quarter.

The Key Match Ups: I will give you 80 + 1 reasons for who it is? Kobe Bryant and whoever is guarding him. Which I expect will be a number of people before the night is done. First to try his luck will likely be Demar DeRozan who is making his return to L.A. Not exactly a fun way to make a homecoming trying to stop 24 in gold and purple all night. The other match up of note with be Gasol and Bargnani. Andrea tends to do well when matched up with fellow Euros, but Gasol is one of, if not the best. Other guys to keep an eye on will be Lamar Odom who is off to a great start. Also Steve Blake could be that guy that sticks a number of big 3 pointers if not accounted for.

Other Things of Note: This is a really late start at 10:30 pm (Toronto Time) and shifts over to TSN 2 from Sportsnet 1. Which begs the question that my mother asks, will the Raptors ever be on a channel that I can get? Not till November 13th when Chris Bosh will suit up against the Raptors for the first time in his NBA career. Lakers have won 8 straight games vs the Raptors at home. The Raptors did manage to defeat L.A at the A.C.C last season and Bargnani had 22 in that win. Kobe Bryant is averaging 25 points a game and Gasol 23.2 points a game. Lakers also rank first in the league in points with a shade over 113 PPG and lead the league in 3PT % shooting it at 46.8% on the young season. Two ugly signs for a Raptor D that was taken to task vs the Jazz.

Overtime Extra Point: The Raptors chances as the old expression goes are slim and none and slim left town. It might be important for the Raptors to accept their fate sooner rather then later with facing the Blazers on a back to back. How Jay Triano manages minutes in this game might be the most important thing once a victory is out of the equation.

On The Eve Of A New Season.

Yesterday was out at the Raptors Fan Jam and had a good time. Got to meet a bunch of people and some longtime readers of the DNB. I am putting together a feature for Wednesday with thoughts from all the people I talked to about the upcoming season. Tomorrow will be our annual NBA Preview with a special guest in Myck Kabongo. I interviewed Myck last week to get his thoughts on the upcoming NBA season and I will add in my thoughts to go along with that interview. Two seasons ago I nailed that NBA Finals and Champion calling for L.A to defeat the Magic. Last season I picked the Cavs to beat the Lakers (Thanks Lebron) and that didn't happen. What I did get right was the coach of the year in Scott Brooks. I always want to be right with my picks but to get everything right is almost impossible.

The dark cloud that is going to hang over this entire NBA Season is the lack of an agreement on a CBA. In recent days the actions of both the league office and the NBAPA do not give you a lot of optimism they will find a deal. The league throwing out words like contraction does not exactly help things. I did have someone ask me if the Raptors would ever get contracted. First of all, I think the whole suggestion of contraction is an idle threat. In the 4 major sports there has never been contraction of a franchise. It almost always is re-location of franchises. But even if contraction were to happen the Raptors would not be in danger for a number of reasons. First and foremost they are profitable. The idea of contraction is to get rid of teams that are dragging down the league as a whole. Teams that are not making money or barely scrapping by. That is not the Raptors and even if attendance takes a dip this season it won't be the Raptors. The second reason is David Stern. It was his idea to expand to Canada and the fact the Grizzlies failed is one of his great regrets. As long as he is running the league I can not imagine the Raptors not being safe. Also as much as we all may complain at times about MLSE, the fact that they are on more then secure financial ground is a reason the Raptors can last for the long term.

So here is a list of things that should be big stories this season.

Future of Mello and Chris Paul- Carmelo Anthony if Denver does nothing will become a free agent and be the marquee name on the Free Agent Market. Having a new G.M from our very own Raptors organization makes the chances of that happening pretty slim that Denver will stand pat. Many feel it is not if Anthony will be traded it is more a case of when. As the season start is now hours away, it would seem clear prior to the season is not going to happen. So the question will be when and until it happens you can expect rumours to fly throughout the season. If the Knicks get off to a slow start this will make the pressure on them to make a deal and get Anthony even more so. That is the team that most feel is on the top of the list of where Anthony wants to go. Also you have Chris Paul sitting in New Orleans and not exactly thrilled to be there. The Hornets can afford to be more picky though with Paul under contract for the next 2 seasons. However if he really is unhappy that is not going to do anything for team moral of a franchise that real needs to turn things around. You want to talk about a team in trouble in terms of being a viable NBA franchise the Hornets would make the top of that list.

Miami Miami Miami- If Lebron James sneezes there may well be a story about it. This season is regardless of if the actually win a title going to be ALL ABOUT THE HEAT. This is like Boston's Big 3 X100. Garnett, Allen and Pierce was a great 3 some but no one thought they could be contenders for a decade if they stuck together. These 3 guys can regardless of if you like it or not. The MWO is not going anywhere anytime soon. They are going to be talked about good, bad or indifferent for the entire season. Already some turbulence with an injury to Mike Miller that may see him out till January. Heat go out and sign Jerry Stackhouse. Basically losing on any night is not an option for this team. Obviously they are not going 82-0 but with ever loss will come a huge amount of drama. But when you throw a Championship style celebration before you win anything and say you are not just out to win this year, but for the next 5 or 6 years, that comes with the territory.

K.D for MVP- Kevin Durant has had a big summer and as fast as Lebron James star has fallen, Kevin Durant has watched his rise. His Thunder made the playoffs last season (I called that one too) and they gave the eventual Champion Lakers there toughest test on the road to the Finals. NBA Elite 11 with him on the cover may never see the light of day but nothing can stop K.D from making the Jump to NBA Ultra Elite in being considered one of the top 3 players in the game. The team around him is growing better as well and at the top of that list is his point guard Westbrook. I like K.D and his Thunder to do EVEN BIGGER THINGS this season. Part of that is K.D living up to the hype as a front runner for the MVP. Greg Who? Yeah Oden was worth that #1 pick wasn't he. While he racks up medical bills Durant is racking up Gold Medals and soon trophies.

Wall vs Griffin - Blake Griffin had he been healthy was the pre-season run away pick to be Rookie of the Year last season. John Wall is that guy this year. But wait a second, Griffin can win that award as well. In rare situation you have two number 1 picks and only one Rookie of the Year Trophy. If you are trying to look for an edge in this it likely goes to Wall. Clippers even if they do turn the corner are still in a tough Western Conference. While the Wizards play in the East where a playoff spot is a much easier goal to get. If the numbers are similar in case of a tie the team in the playoffs will take the prize. Both should be fun to watch and if Griffin has no issues health wise he will push Wall all season to be Rookie of the Year. The gap between these 2 and everyone else is large. The only guy that stands a chance to get in this conversation outside of these two is Cousins in Sacramento.

Kobe - Has there ever been an off-season he was talked about less? This is a guy that thrives on motivation. Phil Jackson is back as well and the chances he sticks around much longer are growing slimmer each year. So combining those two things, and the chance to 3-Peat all make you think sleeping on the Lakers might be a mistake. Injuries have been a big part of the story with Kobe and he still has not had surgery on that troublesome finger. His team also has issues with injuries or more to the point Andrew Bynum does. But the Lakers quietly added some nice parts to improve their depth. Steve Blake could have an impact on the Triangle offence like a Steve Kerr or John Paxson did with Bulls.

Those are 5 big stories that will dominate the season. However the future of the CBA and the Lockout that could happen next season will hang like a dark cloud over it all. It is hard to focus on this season with that hanging over it. Next year's NBA preview might be not about what happens when they play, but if and when they will play. That is something no one should want to happen. More NBA talk tomorrow with Jiggly Bits and The DNB's Season Preview.

"Basketball Beyond the Floor"

"...in life, you receive a series of messages in various forms. Those messages are telling you what you need to work on to achieve the kind of peace of mind and happiness we all want" - Derek Fisher, Character Driven: Life, Lessons and Basketball (with Gary Brozek). Some NBA players (and fans alike) choose to ignore those messages and instead complain about the lack of respect or minutes played. It takes a strong individual to stand up and admit to their own faults whether on the court or in their personal life. This is what struck me about Character Driven. Derek Fisher is honest about mistakes he's made in life and on the court and he blames no one but himself. He explains how sometimes he's seen as soft or quiet since he chooses not to make a fuss and remain focused. He admits to being frustrated like when his minutes were slashed to give Kobe (who was just a pup at the time) more playing time. Speculation pointed to Kobe's agent posturing on his behalf for more playing time but Fisher obviously didn't let this affect him when he returned to the Lakers after a brief stint away. He gets really personal, is not afraid to profess his faith in God and makes references to these elements throughout the book. This might turn off those of you expecting a hard-nosed read from an NBAveteran but it is very well written and weaves basketball lessons with life experiences. I have to be honest. This book is my favourite so far and surpasses Hoop Dreams. As you know Hoop Dreams has been my favourite since college. It takes a lot to change my mind about a book -good or bad- so the fact Character Driven has now bumped a book that has been on my favourites list for about 10 years, says a lot. Let's get to it.

I don't need your "charity"

I once worked on a broadcast in which one of the announcers constantly referred to the free-throw line as "the charity stripe". I always thought that was a cheap way of saying "free throw line". Derek Fisher prefers "foul shots" and says most of the time you've earned your way to the line and have to use your skills to make that free throw. He describes how in a series of sprints up and down the court then stopping and gathering yourself to shoot all the while getting your breathing under control is a difficult task. He relates this example to opportunities in life and how we maximize them. A very interesting analogy. Everyone has taken a ride on the "oh no, not again" train and given way to venting to a close friend. Fisher describes these moments as opportunities presented to us and are reminders of our abilities to handle the situation in a constructive way.

Speaking of charity, I have always wondered what happened to all those game and practice shoes players go through. For Fisher, he only wears a shoe a few times due to the pounding every pair takes during a practice or game. He then signs them and gives them away to be auctioned for some local charity. Very nice.

Flip the Switch and Go

As you know, the game of basketball has changed over the years and become more complicated. What was once a one page list of thirteen rules to follow, is now a 61 page document. The original list of rules never covered dribbling since back then, passing was the only way to get the ball up and down the court. This meant you really needed to trust your teammates - and coach. Derek Fisher describes an incident in his college days comparing his coach to the infamous Bobby Knight. Coach Platt (as he refers to him) created such a negative atmosphere in which to play basketball, Fisher's team refused to play unless Coach Platt was fired. To me, this seemed unlikely for someone like Fisher who respects players and coaches no matter what their methods are. So it must have been a huge deal for his team to take a stand like that, much less make him the team spokesperson. They needed to play with Coach Platt for a little while until he was eventually let go. Fisher says in situations like this (and in any situation, really) players need to compartmentalize distractions, flip a switch and go. He needed these skills especially when he found out his daughter, Tatum.

Brick by Brick

Talk about flipping a switch, mine for Derek Fisher flipped for me when he spoke to Pam Oliver (then TNT sideline reporter and also covered the 2010 NBA finals) after a playoff game in 2007. It was obvious there was no script, no "we gave it 110%". He spoke candidly about his daughter having retinoblastoma - cancer of the eye - and how important it was for children to get regular check ups. One of the first stories I did early on in my career, was with a young boy who had retinoblastoma. It was one of the hardest and most eye - opening interviews I have ever done. Here's a kid who may or may not live to see Christmas and talks about his cancer as a "so what" kind of a thing and continues to play with his trains. Cancer can be a very scary word and unless you have exhausted all options and let the disease control you, are you at death's door. This is exactly how Derek deals with his daughter's cancer. He got let out of a contract with the Utah Jazz to pursue employment again with the Los Angeles Lakers, in a city able to provide the best care for his daughter. There's more to life than basketball but it sure helps to be connected to it.

Flick Pick of the Week

Some of you may or may not like this one but here goes: The Los Angeles Lakers - A Complete History. It's a 5 disc set and to be quite honest, if you are a Boston Celtics fan, you won't get past the first disc. But if you can get past the obvious "Lakers love-in", it is an interesting account of basketball history obviously highlighting L.A.'s exploits. It starts with George Mikan, Elgin Baylor , Jerry West and moves through everyone up to Kobe Bryant's era. A definite must see for Lakers Fans and basketball history buffs.

Next week we will be taking on a 700 page beast: The Book of Basketball: The NBA According to The Sports Guy by Bill Simmons. I have heard mixed opinions about this one but it should be an interesting read since Bill Simmons has been hailed a "hoops addict" by many. Happy reading and see you on Tuesday for another serving of Jiggly Bits.

Thoughts For A Not So Manic Monday

I apologize for getting a bit lazy and not getting the blog up Friday. I have got interested in the World Cup a little bit. I am not really a soccer fan but for whatever reason every 4 years seem to get interested in what the fuss is all about. Later this summer Canada will be in the FIBA not FIFA World Championships in Turkey. In fact Canada is going to have a team in all 4 levels of the World Championships. A great accomplishment for Canada Basketball. While Canada in soccer has made the Women's World Cup several times but only been to the male version only once in 1986 in Mexico. So one could argue our basketball future seems a lot brighter than our soccer future in this country. A bunch of things to get to today. I also have to get that interview up with Ed from NBA Draft Blog. It along with hopefully interviews with Ray Bala and Jack Armstrong should make their way into the blog this weekend.

Watch Canada's Future Tonight At ACC

The All Canadian Classic gets rolling at the ACC tonight with the best young ladies and men in the sport taking the ACC floor. Women get going at 5pm and the Men go at 7pm. It is the basket high school talent from around the country on court. It is for lack of a better comparison, the Canadian version of the McDonald's All American game that Raptors Demar DeRozan and many other top NBA Stars have played in. Tristian Thompson and Cory Joesph both heading to Texas played in that game this year representing the red and white of Canada. Here is an interview from Draft Express with the two from that game.

They won't be playing tonight but lots of great young Canadian kids will and the cost is only 10 bucks to get in. Well worth spending the money and time on a Monday Night in Toronto.

Raps Work Out Kids And Free Agents This Week

The Toronto Raptors will be back at it in terms of working out rookies this week. Will have a list of who is coming when the Raptors make it available. But according to Holly Mackenzie we could be seeing another Wildcat getting to know Canada. Eric Bledsoe of the Wildcats is expected to be here this week. Raptors also announced they will be holding a free agent camp as they have in past in the B.C era. That will be taking place on Friday and Saturday. The most famous thing of those camps is the discovery of Jamario Moon. Raptors could have a lot of holes to fill depending on how the summer goes. Will see if the Raptors end up finding a diamond in the rough.

Young Guns Have Invaded Toronto

Sonny Weems, Demar DeRozan and Amir Johnson along with Jarrett Jack all are in town working out in Toronto. The most positive thing in that is Amir Johnson is part of that group. Johnson is free agent and could go elsewhere. At least it this is a sign that he likes Toronto and would not be against staying. That being said Chris Bosh spent a ton of time in the city last summer and it hasn't stopped from him likely departing this summer. Still nice to see some of the players back in the city during the off-season.

4 Times I Got Rondoed?

I have not picked the Boston Celtics to win in any series these playoffs. After last season nailing the playoffs with in a game in the pre-season. These playoffs have not been kind to me. My pick to win the title is praying LBJ comes back and apparently trying to to steal Tom Izzo away from beautiful East Lansing to go to even more beautiful Cleveland. Nate Robinson has suddenly become a cult hero along with Big Baby. Shrek and Donkey are making me feel a jack@$$. If I am this upset about being wrong on a silly prediction, imagine how Kobe Bryant feels? The Lakers are not dead yet but they got a much tougher test from Boston then I figured they would.

Rajon Rondo should be the finals M.V.P if the Celtics should win. It has been a strange series in which the Celtics have been carried by their defense and been wildly in consistent on offense. You never know what your going to get and from who. The series shifts back to L.A for game 6 and 7 and Lakers will be happy about that. The Boston crowd went over the edge a bit last night. Which is to bad, because aside from that incident in which a small bottle was thrown narrowly missing Lamar Odom, the crowd was being a huge positive factor on the game. They were helping the Celtics and getting behind them and urging them on to victory.

Ron Artest has become the Black Hole in Phil's Triangle Offense. Lakers need some zen like advice and Kobe good old fashion yelling. Lakers have run out of tomorrows and need to beat Boston not once but twice. At least they will have chance to do it in more friendly surroundings

"Jiggly Bits"

Ratings. You either live by them or love to hate them. In television it means everything. For the ABC broadcast of game 2 of the NBA Finals on Sunday, the ratings were the best since the 2004 finals. Ratings measure the percentage of all homes with televisions tuned into a program. If you like numbers, they also had a 10.9% over night rating which represents the country's (US) largest markets. I guess since one of those markets were not Toronto and not even in the NBA Finals, local newscasts here didn't place as much weight on these numbers and hence, the significance of this series was reflected in their broadcasts. TSN went into detail but alas, we are living in hockey country so most of the broadcasts are focused on those other finals going on right now. Man, we need another Canadian club in the NBA. It would help the Toronto Raptors and help raise the profile of the sport here. The Hamilton ...Sharks? Think about it. They lost the bid for an NHL Club maybe its time for an NBA push. Lebron in the Hammer. Highly unlikely on both accounts. I'll stop dreaming now. Let's talk about what's going on with Lebron James and the other free agents, look ahead to tonight's game and remember some special coaches.

Free Agency Free-for-All: Open your Wallets

I know the NBA playoffs are far from over yet and we are talking about what everyone will be doing over the summer already. But July 1st comes fast and we need to get down to business. Just so we are all on the same page, these are the terms you need to know going into free agency season.

FREE AGENT: a player who is free to shop for the highest bidder when the time comes.

RESTRICTED FREE AGENT: a player whose team has the right of first refusal on any offer made to said player.

PLAYER OPTION: a player can end their contract one year early.

EARLY TERMINATION: the contract can be voided 2 or more years early. With the player option and early termination clauses, both are unrestricted free agents and available to sign with whoever offers the most cash or lucrative deal.

So it is safe to say within these terms, not everyone is going to come out on top when all is said and done. Some teams are going to have to open their tight wallets and players may have to move from a club they don't particularly want to leave to find support and championship contention. There are so many options and scenarios to talk about but here are my top five.

LEBRON JAMES: I saw him on TMZ highlights this weekend. He's doing interviews with major shows, including Larry King Live and definitely trying to establish himself as a marquee player. As if we didn't know his value already. Something tells me though, that he may just stay in Cleveland since he wouldn't go on Larry King's show professing his love for Cleveland if he didn't make up his mind already. He has the player option on his contract and may want to stick around for one more year to right this year's wrongs. But many teams want him and let's face it, players want to see what he does to make up their minds about their own future.

CHRIS BOSH: He is the one player out of my top five who is the most likely to change teams. I think he has received some really harsh criticism for exploring his options. He is a great player and does well for his community. He sold me when he did a weather segment for CTV Toronto - absolutely floored me. I have covered weather before and let me tell you it is no easy task to be in front of the infamous green screen. Chris Bosh loves Toronto but Raptors fans need to let him and themselves look at the bigger picture. Bosh will be one of those players looking to see what Lebron does before he makes any decisions. Remember, even the Houston Rockets are looking for someone strong to play with Yao Ming to keep their star in Houston and Bosh fits that bill. Bosh didn't come right out and say he wanted to be a Rocket but you just never know. He is also an unrestricted free agent.

DIRK NOWITSKI: He is likely going to test the waters so he can re-work the contract he already has. New York may be looking to Nowitski as their second choice star if they don't get Lebron. But something tells me Dirk isn't into sloppy seconds and is staying right where he is. He is an unrestricted free agent.

AMAR'E STOUDEMIRE: He needs to feel the love from the Phoenix Suns or he will bolt. He is another player who is looking to see what Lebron James or Dwayne Wade do before he decides how much love he can live on in Phoenix. After the series against the Lakers, I would be pretty upset if I were Steve Nash. If my right hand man left and the Suns didn't adequately fill that void, I will be looking to greener pastures, too.

DWAYNE WADE: He is an unrestricted free agent with an option. So he could stay in Miami or leave depending on what Coach Pat Riley and the rest of the Miami Heat organization promises him in terms of support on the court. Sure, a discussion about money will happen at some point but he is one of those players whose heart is with his club and is not really looking to leave but will if the deal is better than what he's currently getting.

Jesus Shuttlesworth looking in the Mirror

It was like watching a made for TV movie. Ray Allen breaking the playoff record for draining the most 3 pointers in a single game when his team would have seriously lacked had he not put on that show. The Boston Celtics had 11 turnovers in the first half alone with Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce not playing to their full potential. Paul Pierce and Ray Allen may have changed their fate by making it to the playoffs but I am not sure a stellar post season performance will keep them in Boston - it may just make them more lucrative to other teams when Boston goes shopping this summer. Enjoy this series while it lasts since this will probably the last time we see the big three play together. Remember what I said at the beginning of this series: the team who takes care of the little things like staying out of foul trouble, away from turnovers and making the important plays will walk away from the finals as champions. I still say the Lakers are the ones taking that walk - not matter what Boston throws at them.

Books, Movies and Basketball - every Thursday on the DNB

Starting next Thursday, I will be doing a new feature here on the Dino Nation Blog called "Books, Movies and Basketball". Each week, I will review a book from the world of basketball and suggest a movie for your viewing pleasure. I would love it if you would join me in some lively discussions and tell me what you think of my choices. For next thursday, I will be reviewing my favourite book of all time "Hoop Dreams" by Ben Joravsky. Don't cheat and watch the movie first - you will thank me for it.

John Wooden - 1910-2010. RIP.

"He set quite an example. He was more like a parent than a coach. He was a very selfless and giving human being" - Kareem Abdul Jabar. I never knew him personally, only the legend. And when you look at all the accomplishments he's made over the span of nearly 100 years he was on this planet, it is no wonder athletes and dignitaries from across all spectrums of sport are paying tribute to John Wooden's legacy. He remembered you are a person first, player second. But this is what made players under his tutelage great since a strong character made their game stronger. I remember my grade eight basketball coach Mr. Haslam. I wasn't the Lisa Leslie or Cynthia Cooper of my team but I worked hard and was thirsty for experience. When I came back to visit him one year, I asked him why he choose me for the squad that year. He simply said, "you wanted it really bad and that made you work hard to become a better player". Thank-you Coach Haslam, John Wooden and coaches across this great game of ours for making a difference in the lives of so many.

"Jiggly Bits"

I called it. I told you from the beginning it's not fair to put your hopes and dreams into the Lebrons, Kobes, Pierces, Nashes of the NBA world because it will end up biting you in the end. Big name players are supposed to blend in, elevate their team to a higher level and be a source of leadership based on hard work and focus. I am not saying Dwight Howard or Steve Nash or even Lebron James have no work ethic because they didn't make it to the final. But their style of play play was not supported by their teams wholeheartedly and as a result, coaching decisions made to pick up the slack and adjust to what other teams are throwing at them, fell short. Take for instance, Steve Nash. He is the conductor of the Phoenix Suns and definitely took a beating to help his team advance. He also had Amare Stoudemire and especially Jason Richardson who stood out for me as the players in the supporting cast making the key plays. But the Phoenix Suns as a team failed to adjust to what Phil Jackson and the rest of the Los Angeles Lakers were throwing at them. This is the key point to remember going into the 2010 NBA Final. The ability of the Boston Celtics or Los Angeles Lakers to adjust to different game situations and get out of the "well it worked for us yesterday" mode of thinking. We are here now. Boston and L.A. Both teams took us for a roller coaster ride at the start of these playoffs but both have stepped it up a notch. Now NBA fans will have the chance to witness what will be one of the greatest match-ups in NBA history from two teams with a strong rivalry and a will to win. We'll dive into this party and invite some chat about the Raptors latest headline grabbers: PJ Carlisimo and Hedo Turkoglu.

The Scales are Even

This is an exciting time for basketball fans. The Celtics and Lakers have had a love-hate relationship which has fueled the longest standing rivalry in the NBA. For the next two weeks, depending how long we need to decide who comes out on top, we are going to see a pretty even match-up between two teams who have an equal number of tricks in their arsenal. Two years ago, Boston and Los Angeles met and Boston won with Garnett and Allen on the roster. Kobe and Derek Fisher were there, too and I think this is where you'll see the first test of the Lakers' ability to adjust. In 2008, Derrick Fisher was left to guard Rajon Rondo and came up short. Derrick Fisher and Ron Artest need to make no mistake in this department since Kobe can't be guarding Rondo to be absolutely sure he's stopped. This is the trap the Lakers got into in Game 3 and 4 of the 2010 conference finals when the Suns switched on their zone defence. When they regrouped, instead of penetrating deep and fast to the basket like they were used to, the Lakers snuck in players like Lamar Odum and Ron Artest to make the key plays. This leaves Kobe free to do his thing, for the rest of the team to connect and gain momentum.

I will give Kobe his due. He is having one of the best playoff runs of his career but when he isn't on his game and hitting his three's, the Lakers have a different set of challenges. This may be one area where the Celtics have an edge. The Celtics can win when Ray Allen doesn't score and when Rajon Rondo isn't on his game. This is not to say the Lakers are not capable of stepping it up a notch when Kobe is working things out, they have proven this to us before. The key to this series will be taking care of the little things. Remember, Kendrick Perkins is one technical foul away from a one-game suspension and the Boston Celtics need all the help they can get. You just never know in a series like this who the hero is going to be. As long as Rod Bynum's knee holds up, the Lakers will be happy. He had excess fluid drained from it recently and should be good to go for Thursday night at 9pm. Kevin Garnett needs to stay healthy, too. This is going to be a real battle to the finish and don't expect those fourth quarters to be pretty either. I can't wait for Thursday.

The Toronto Raptors - the Next Smack Down

I am offended and I am really hoping someone tells me it's a rumour. I am wondering how in the world how a player has the nerve to complain about a club not showing him the love when they were clearly the ones taking a chance on him. How does Hedo Turkoglu say to his manager find me a deal to leave the Toronto Raptors as if to say "it's their fault, not mine". Hedo is absolutely right. His best option is to leave Toronto and make a new start somewhere else. But what do they teach you in college folks? Never complain about your boss publicly and certainly don't bash them in an interview. This is what he is doing. I am offended as a fan of the game since technically, we are are also a part of the interview process. Toronto fans need to get off this emotional roaster they have been thrown on and start seeing some results. Maybe this is part of the reason for bringing PJ Carlisimo on staff. As I type this, it has not been made official but the excuse being given for this move is free up extra time for Jay Triano to focus on the players. I am not buying it. PJ is a good guy who works hard but my problem isn't with him. The Raptors already have five assistant coaches. Isn't their job to take care of the x's and o's, so the head coach can do their job? It will be really interesting to see what his role will really be and if any of their assistants will be sent packing. There have been no plans for that yet but you never know. That's the problem with this club. The fans need to be in the know or else they may just get off the coaster and ride somewhere else.

Last Minute Rant

Dear Sprite: I don't drink carbonated beverages but I do enjoy your commercials. You had a good one a while back with Kevin Garnett and I love how you continue to support the NBA. But if I hear "Last name EVA, first name GREATEST.." one more time, I may just loose my mind and send you the bill for my shrink. Please come up with some new material STAT. Thank-you.
Signed by Yours Truly.

"Jiggly Bits"

I have to get something off my chest. I pledged my allegiance to the Lakers a long time ago based on the club's history among other things. I've been told recently based on this allegiance, I am supposed to hate any other club the Lakers have a rivalry with and by defacto, not associate with any fans of said club when they meet. I know sports fans are a superstitious bunch, but I think this is taking it a little too far. I remember when I was with "Off the Record" on TSN, we did a show on reverse racism in sports and I think this is exactly what this debate is about. Think about it. A friend of mine is a Boston Celtics fan. With the impending possibility of a Celtics-Lakers final, does this mean I am supposed to sever all ties with said friend? Disassociate with them based on the colour of their jersey? Smells a bit like racism to me. I don't care what team you cheer for, you and I can be friends. Just don't get in my face about Nash and Stoudemire and be all cocky and annoying about it. I will come out swigging just like Kobe, Gasol and the gang in game four of the Western Conference Final tonight. We'll talk about this, Orlando hanging on for dear life and Mike Brown hitting the high road in Cleveland. Let's get it started.

A Rumble in the Jungle - Suns are on board (2-1 series for Lakers)

You've heard it before in boxing, "a rumble in the jungle" but never before in basketball, right? How many times does Nash have to get smashed in the face before we start confusing the basketball court with a boxing match? In Sunday night's game, a fourth quarter foul on Nash broke his nose and you could see him on camera trying to reset it. He also has no plans for protective equipment or a tape job - just oh natural for Nash. And who said basketball players weren't tough?

Amar'e Stoudemire is certainly proving to be. He was playing aggressive and positioning himself to really connect on key plays. He had 42 points on the night to Kobe's 36 and outplayed the Lakers on THEIR two man game, 118-109. Nash and Stoudemire are really in sync and proved on Sunday they are not going to take this series lying down. I think the Lakers missed the little things and got out of their rhythm. They left Robin Lopez alone twice and twice using the same play, Lopez scored. And unless he comes right out and says it, I don't think he elbowed Derek Fisher in the head on purpose. I know some thought he should have got a technical foul but I don't think so. Good call. Really, this series has been all about who's on fire at any given moment. On Sunday, it was the Suns. Tonight, I hope it's the Lakers.

Keeping the Dream alive in Orlando (Boston leads series 3-1)

Rip the band aid off. Pull the plug. Put them out of their misery. Monday night's game was painful to watch. It dragged into overtime for the first time in these playoffs. This would have been cool if the series were tied or close to it. No team has ever come back from a 3-0 series and I seriously doubt the Orlando Magic will be the team to break that record. If we take a look at the scoring stats from Monday's game, they are pretty even: Pierce with 32 points, 11 rebounds; Allen with 22 points, 5 rebounds and Garnett with 14 and 12. Pretty comparable to Orlando's top scorers: Howard at 32 and 16, Nelson at 23 and 5, Lewis at 13 and 5. So with no star or one player really dominating consistently, what was the difference in this game? Again, we need to look at rhythm, here. I think Garnett broke their focus with the technical foul he received in the 3rd quarter and Boston didn't gain any real momentum. It's not like they were outplayed - this game could have easily ended in their favour. Take a look at the final scores so far in this series. None have broke 100 and have only been won a handful of points - except for game three when Boston won by 23. Compare this to the Western Conference Final and you'll see each score is over a hundred and each game was won by more than ten points. Which means we have top scorers in both conference finals, but maybe in the Eastern final, they are concentrating on defensive strategies more and their top scorers are a little more consistent and even. If Boston doesn't want another repeat of Monday night's game, they need to start the game firing on all cylinders on Wednesday.

"As the World Turns" in Cleveland

You've done it. I've done it. You flip on your television and catch yourself watching a soap or some other emotionally salacious drama where someone knows their partner is on the way out and thinks a high stakes gesture is the band aid to fix it. Puleeze. This is exactly what is happening in Cleveland. General Manager Danny Ferry and the rest of the Cavs' big brass know Lebron James may be leaving Cleveland and also knowing Lebron's relationship with Mike Brown isn't exactly a match made in heaven, they turf Brown. I know part of the reason they did it Monday was to avoid paying him next year's salary had they waited any longer to fire him. Not sure if I agree with how they did it - no real announcement to explain why they made their decision, so it begs me to wonder what they are hiding. How are they going to attract a high profile coach at this point when they are not sure if Lebron will be there? Or Danny Ferry for that matter since his contract expires in June and there are no guarantees he will be around either. And what about Cleveland's assistant coaches? What a complete mess going into the draft and free agency season. No coach, possibly no GM and the likelihood of Lebron on his way out. To Cleveland Cavs fans everywhere: my heart goes out to you during this difficult time.

Draft Lotto Re-Cap- Lucky 13?

So the draft lottery went down last night and nothing good happened for the Raptors. In fact it couldn't have gone much worse. All 3 of the top picks in the draft in June will call the Eastern Conference home. Two of them will be in the Atlantic Division. The Wizards did win the top pick however, and that likely means John Wall will be a Wizard. What that means for Gilbert Arenas is anyone's guess. But the Sixers moved up to 2nd spot and likely will select Turner from Ohio State. While the Nets with their new billionaire owner from Russia had to settle for the 3rd pick. The Nets along with the T-Wolves and Kings were the big losers on the night all moving down 2 spots. So the Raptors remain selecting at the 13th spot in the draft. This is assuming Bryan Colangelo hangs on to his current pick.

I did some research on the 13th pick yesterday. I had forgot about one famous number 13 pick. Who is it? Well it isn't Marcus Banks who was a 13th pick out of UNLV. No this was a pick made by the Charlotte Hornets and they would move the player for Vlade Divac from L.A Lakers. He just scored 40 points and has 4 rings, and yes it is Kobe Bryant. That is some serious value at number 13. That being said Kobe came straight out of high school and this was long before a Kwame Brown or a Lebron James would be picked number 1. But in general the only other name that stood out in researching the 13th pick was Richard Jefferson in terms of good players.

I mentioned Banks but there were a number of other former Raps selected in the 13 spot including Corrliss Williamson and Keon Clark. But the Raptors have never personally selected someone from the 13th spot in the draft. In the history of the Raptors they have averaged selecting 10th spot over their history. They have also been in the lottery 12 out of 15 years. The lottery has been around since 1985. The team that has been there the most is the L.A Clippers with 22 trips to the Lottery. The team with the least appearances is in the same city with the L.A Lakers who have been there just twice. The latest appearance they drafted Andrew Bynum.

While the draft experts all seem to agree that John Wall will be selected number 1 and Evan Turner will be selected number 2 after that not a lot of agreement exists. Some names the Raptors can likely forget about though would include DeMarcus Cousins and Greg Monroe who both would have been nice options especially if CB4 indeed goes bye bye. The draft gurus suggest this is a deep talent pool in this draft class. Deep does not mean great thought. I am not sold on anyone in this draft personally to be a superstar. Even John Wall. Many might disagree with that but that is cool. Evan Turner also does not blow me away like many. Not every draft year is guaranteed to have superstars. But only time will tell in the end. That being said we now know where the Raptors will pick and will start to examine what might be available for them at 13.

If you are superstitious and worried about selecting 13, aside from the Kobe pick, here are a couple good things about 13. Steve Nash wears 13 and he is Canada's greatest baller. Also for people who are Italian like Andrea Bargnani and Marco Bellinelli the number 13 is lucky. The Raptors could sure use some luck these days. Demar DeRozan was representing the Raptors at the lottery and he looked good but saw little camera time given the results.

"Jiggly Bits"

Things are getting interesting. The Lakers are now playing like NBA Champions, Boston handed Orlando their first loss at home since mid-March and the Cleveland Cavaliers are trying to survive amidst rumours of possible coach and player movement. Also, Raptors fans will be paying close attention to the NBA Draft lottery today since the first three picks in July's draft will be determined by the lottery. The rest of the lottery teams will select positions 4 through 14 in opposite order of their consolidated standings at the end of the regular season. So take the Raptors and say, New Jersey. The nets finished with a 12 and 70 record so they get 250 tickets placed in the proverbial draw. The Raptors finished with a 40 and 42 record and get 7 chances at possibly getting a first pick in the draft. It may look like the Nets are a shoe-in for a choice pick but that's why they call it a lottery, right? Anything can happen. Same goes for the playoffs and the Cavs' future, so let's get to it.

The Los Angeles Lakers and the setting Suns

I have been living accross the street from my neighbour Clayton for a few years now and I don't know why it took me this long but in one of our classic and heated 'driveway debates' over the weekend, he professed his undying loyalty to the Phoenix Suns. He even made the Canadian argument. Ok. Before we go any further, we all know my allegiance to the purple and gold. I appreciate Steve Nash's skills and I know he has a spot in the Hall one day. My will to cheer for the Lakers over the Suns does not stem from me anti-Canadian. Far from it. The Lakers have a rich history with Jamal "the silk" Wilkes, Kareem Abdul Jabar, Magic Johnson and now Pau Gasol and Kobe, to name a few of my favourites. Looking at the stats and looking at the history, the Los Angeles Lakers do it for me. Sure, everyone told me going into the playoffs Kobe and the gang were going to get sidelined since this was Lebron James' year to win the final dance. Instead, Lebron is at home wishing he had better prom dates around him and Kobe is laughing. Especially after last night.

So the Lakers take game one of the Western conference final, by 21 points (128-107). Finally, no more games won by a mere bucket. They needed to win like they did last night since there were so many questions about the Lakers bench compared to the Suns' bench. And then there's always Kobe's knee. Watching last night's game was like watching game tape in coaching school about how to run systems. The Lakers seem to have an answer for everything. They ran the triangle both offensively and defensively but it was on the defensive end that was key for them. This shut down Steve Nash and held him to only 13 points and 13 assists on the night.

Also, Lakers Coach Phil Jackson always preaches the third quarter push and Kobe listened with 21 of the 40 points he got last night coming in the third quarter alone. No question marks left about his knee after a performance like that. There were questions swirling around his abilities going into game one since Kobe didn't practice much with the team during the 7 day break they had since sweeping the San Antonio Spurs. But he did concentrate on shooting according to Phil Jackson and it certainly paid off huge against the Suns in game one. I am wondering though, what Suns Coach Alvin Gentry is going to change about their game plan for game two. Their strong point has been their bench, aside from Nash and Stoudemire. But with Lamar Odum putting up 19 points and 19 rebounds for the Lakers as he did in game one, game two will be a challenge for the Suns if they don't show their bench is just as deep.

More than a Feeling - Boston over Orlando

"It's more than a feeling - When I see how Rondo and Allen play - I begin dreaming - Of an NBA final: Boston and L.A.....". Songwriter Tom Shultz took five years to write the original hit for the rock legend, Boston - however, wouldn't it be nice if my little diddy came true? If game one of either series is any indication, the dream I had last night is not too far off. They only won by four (92-88) but Boston showed Orlando they are not the only ones looking for a winning streak. This was Orlando's first loss at home since mid-March and was also Vince Carter's first taste of playing in a conference final. He was a sneaky little one on Sunday in game one, wasn't he? Missing a free throw on purpose so Jameer Nelson could get the rebound and lay-in. The gamble paid off but not in the momentum department since the Magic never lead once during the game and that's only happened once this season. In the first 16 minutes, Orlando scored 14 points, so Boston was making them play uncomfortable from the start. That's what you need to do with a team like the Orlando Magic who have been on a kind of "under the radar" streak with all this talk of Lebron or Kobe going to the final. Ray Allen was finding a way to drive the lane and not always sticking to the jump shots. This helped him put up 25 points and 7 rebounds on the night for Boston. Plus, Orlando's last opponent -the Atlanta Hawks- just seemed to lay down and take whatever they got dished, hence a swept series for the blue and white. Now, Boston is trying to prove to Orlando they are not the doormats to wipe their collective high tops on, but a real contender.

Cleveland - a "should he stay or should he go" situation

So what. Lebron James may or may have spoken to Derrick Rose of the Chicago Bulls about possibly carrying his number 23 over to the windy city. Just a rumour at this point. What the Cavs should really be concerned about is their coaching situation. Cleveland Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert has denied reports he fired Coach Mike Brown and is saying the Cavs are merely in the evaluation process. Let's pretend after this evaluation process Mike Brown does leave Cleveland. I don't think he'll have trouble finding a job with so many NBA clubs shopping for a man of his skill. When a team shops for a new coach, don't they usually consult the Lebrons of the club to get their input? Think about it. The Cleveland Cavaliers may have to search for a new coach not really knowing for sure if Lebron James will be in the Cavs' line-up next season or not. Plus, remember we are embarking on draft and free agency season now and this is no time to go shopping for essentials.

"Jiggy Bits"

So I'm at my sister's place Sunday watching the Lakers game with my Dad, bros-in-law and my nephew Ben. (He's only 9 months old and I am schooling him in the ways of the purple and gold - gotta start 'em young). What a perfect way to spend Easter Sunday, right? Wrong. Not because my brother-in-law is anti-Kobe and likes to razz me every chance he gets (love you Brian) but you'd think the powers that be could cough up a Lakers win on Easter Sunday? Especially for those of us who can't enjoy eating chocolate eggs. Thankfully, my Dad had veto over the controller and we moved onto 'greener pastures' and 'sand wedges'. Otherwise, it would have been no fun for me to stew over a Lakers loss, like the one on Sunday, with my brother-in-law laughing in the background. Brian would have been right, though. The Lakers are quite possibly on a slippery slope going into the play-offs in two weeks. Lots of question marks. We'll talk about those, Chris Bosh and the latest accolades, the Hall inductees and the Mike Krzyzewski rumours which say the Duke coach is moving to New Jersey.

The Easter Bunny... (earmuffs)... Sucks

Really? To the Spurs? Even Manu Ginobili was quoted as saying "...it wasn't even in our wildest dreams to win a game by (19) against the Lakers". Ok. Rub it in. The Lakers trailed by as many as 15 in the first half and got to within 2 at the 8:39 mark but that was it for them. The Spurs exploded and took control of the game largely in part because of Manu. He's been averaging 29.2 points in the last eight games the Spurs have played and his shooting is at 53.9 percent. And he can make the big shots, too. He hits a 3-pointer, snapping any momentum the Lakers were gaining and got his team to an 87-72 lead with about five minutes left in the second half. Unbelievable. Maybe something needs to be said about teams who perform well with the playoffs just around the corner. Do we put our faith in the teams with big stars to carry them into the play-offs? Not really. Look what happened to Lebron last year. I have heard people say that the Cavs should win it this year for Lebron. I love Lebron, don't get me wrong. But I don't like the idea of a team winning a championship to reward it's star. It should be for the team as kudos for a season of blood, sweat and tears.

Maybe this is why Lakers Head Coach Phil Jackson ripped into the refs Sunday afternoon. He was fined $35, 000 for publicly criticizing the officials after Ron Artest drew a matching technical foul with Manu Ginobili. Then Artest gets a personal foul and Kobe puts fuel on the Jackson smokestack by adding another technical foul to the mix. This just highlighted the Lakers "issues". Phil Jackson and the team were pretty ticked off to be losing a game to the Spurs starting in the first half. And when you play frustrated, you start to lose confidence and make silly mistakes like technical fouls and all focus is lost. Let's hope the day off from practice Monday gives the Lakers a chance to re-group.

Cooper's in the Hall - Love it!

I remember the day I got her jersey. Boxing Day back in high school (not going to date myself yet). I was at my Aunt Judy's and in walks my cousin who just got back from Houston. I put in a special request for him to stop by the home of the Comets and purchase my first basketball jersey. Number 14 - Cynthia Cooper. She won four WNBA championships with the Houston Comets and was named finals MVP with each title. I remember the last one and the confetti falling all around her, Sheryl Swoopes, Tina Thompson and the rest of the team. The first WNBA dynasty. So obviously, Cynthia deserves a spot in the Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame. She joins Jerry Buss, Bob Hurley Sr., Karl Malone, Scottie Pippen along with two team inductees: the 1960 USA Men's Olympic Team and the 1992 USA Basketball "Dream Team". Dennis Johnson, Gus Johnson and international star Maciel Pereira will also be honoured. I like that the hall recognizes team as well as individual accomplishments.

I know a lot of people who didn't like the FIBA rule change in 1989 which allowed teams to use professionals. Sure, of the 12 on the roster, 10 members of the 1992 USA Men's Basketball team were named to the "50 Greatest players in NBA History" list. However, this pure dominance was only short lived. Remember, as basketball became more popular internationally in the late 1990s, the NBA housed more and more solid foreign players. This meant that the big bosses within USA basketball had a hard time arguing they alone were producing the best basketball players in the world. But that's what I love about this league. When Andrea Bargnani first came to the Raptors, I was really intrigued by his story. Here's a guy who comes from another country with nothing but basketball skills and not a stitch of English which people might forget is hard to learn at the same time as adjusting to the new language of NBA basketball and the Raptors' systems on the court. Those story lines are sometimes lost within the cutthroat world of contracts and big money since no slack is given when your paycheck has multiple zeroes at the end of a handful of other numbers.

Bosh - Player of the Week and Now What?

So Chris Bosh was named NBA Eastern Conference player of the week for the games he was in from March 29th through to April 4th. Look at his stats over the four games he played: 22 points and 11 rebounds versus Charlotte, 34 points and 11 rebounds against the Clippers, 28 points and 12 rebounds over Philadelphia and the cherry on the the banana split, 42 points and 12 rebounds against Golden State on Sunday. The first three games were wins and the scores passed the 100 mark on each side. The Raptors seem to like to win when the score gets that high. So you would think based on this track record and Bosh's points against Golden State, a Raptors win was inevitable. Not so fast. As you know, the Raptors lost to Golden State, by one measly point (113-112). I think if I were Bosh, I would rather have the award go to Boston's Rajon Rondo or the Cavs' LeBron James who were also in the running, than work hard for a game that didn't give back.

Duke wins Final Four and Loses Coach to the NBA ?

No. Don't get excited. Duke Head Coach Mike Krzyzewski isn't packing his bags for New Jersey. But really, this is how it all starts. Michael Jordan didn't want to come to Charlotte but after some begging and pleading, he changed his mind. Apparently, no one has contacted Krzyzewski from the Denver Nuggets and no offer is on the table. For now. I would keep my eye on this story, though. He may just have MJ on speed-dial.