Life, Love and Raptors

Took the weekend off. Which will become the norm for the off-season. I did go down to Toronto though. Kat and Akil from Raptorspace were having a Tweet-up for the playoffs. Being the rebel that I am never tweeted from the Tweet-up. Well honestly I have not jumped into the next century and got a blackberry or I phone. Eventually I may be forced to cave and get one. But it just doesn't make a ton of practical sense for me. Not to mention my rather large hands and those tiny keys. Anyway, I had a nice time and Kid Raptor was in the house. Took me back to when I coached kids locally here in the Blessed Sacrament House League. I played in that league as a kid and I guess that was the start of the journey here if you think about it. There is nothing better then to see kids that just flat out love the game. Sometimes you can lose that pure joy for just loving basketball. This summer could be one of those times when it comes to the Raptors for some. I mean the prospect of losing the team's best player and once again starting over is frustrating. That being said, we all are riding the same train I suppose. Colangelo seems to believe regardless of if Bosh is back or not he can improve this squad. I hope he is right, but I find it hard to believe and fail to see an example of a team that, at least in short term, is better off losing it's best player.

They say, if you don't learn from history you are doomed to repeat it. The Raptors history with Franchise/Star players is some history we would all like to forget. If you look close at each situation it is different but honestly does it matter? Do people in their own lives sit back and examine why every relationship in their lives didn't work. When it is over, it is over and you move on. At least that is what you are suppose to do. However for some people that is not as easy, as it is hard to cut ties of such an emotional level for certain people. Sometimes only one person wants to end a relationship and not the other. That can be an emotionally devastating experience. However after it happens, you learn something from it and you promise yourself you will never feel that way again. Never allow yourself to get burned like that again. Part of the human existence is the ability to cope and adapt. However in sports, for most people, it strikes an emotional cord in you. I have heard so many people including myself say they love the sport of basketball. It is a different kind of love thought, not like how you love your Girlfriend/Boyfriend or wife or husband. It isn't how you love your kids if you have them. Love and Logic seldom go together. Logic would suggest that all sports are big business and to grow emotionally attached to a team or worse yet a player makes no sense at all. However would that make it fun? If you honestly don't care can you actually love something? Obviously not.

If you truly love someone or something you are taking a huge risk. That risk is you open yourself up to pain if things don't work out. Maybe that is why some people get so wrapped up in stats in sports. If you base sports based just on stats, it is totally based in logic and is unemotional and cold. I guess that works for some people and it allows them to deal with things and cope. However it also takes away some of the pure joy out of it. The Playoffs are a combination of both emotion and talent. That is what makes the playoffs different. Emotions are high because by the end of it all 29 teams and everyone connected to them are emotionally devastated. Only one team at the end of every season gets to experience that true joy that is winning a championship and being the best.

If anyone was truly smart they would never become a sports fan and they would never fall in love with anything. Logic would suggest that is the smartest thing you can do. Athletes are often respected for having the ability to be able to control their emotions and perform. Still even the best of the best have to let that emotion out once in awhile. It is only human. Sure we may go on and on at how amazing the humans are that play this game. However at the end of it all they are still people, that are created the same as you and me. They just happen to be extremely talented and have larger bank accounts.

When you look at the NFL that recently had it's draft, they have players go through the combine as does the NBA. They measure all of these stats of how players perform in drills. They break down tape and break it down over and over again. They really try and turn it into a science. But is it as simple as all that? If it was would a team every miss on a draft pick. Did anyone see the very different paths that Greg Oden and Kevin Durant careers would take. You just can never factor in things like heart and desire or the unknown that is injury. I think we all as human beings just are in search of answers, and if people can provide us evidence, it makes us feel comfortable in believing in them. Like it or not though, life is always going to have questions without answers and so will sports. Why do you think gambling is so big. It is that unknown combined with the rush of risk. Even the best handicapper or sports better can never be right every single time. The goal is to be right more than you are wrong. That is kind of the same thing here in terms of the stuff that I say and predict.

Raptor fans may feel that they have endured far to much pain, and not nearly enough joy from this relationship. Some may have had enough, and just like a failed relationship in life, end it and move on. But I submit to you, that this is the price you pay for being a sports fan. It is for all those moments where you are totally invested emotionally and get to experience that pain or joy in 2 and half to 3 hour spans. There is also these long term emotional experiences where you get to watch a player grow and invest in them. But ultimately for them it is business at the end of the day. Sadly it is a rare event to watch a player have that long term commitment to a team for his entire career. However is life much different? How many relationships does it take for someone to find that perfect person? Even when they think they do, does that always last? If you check the divorce rates in North America the answer is no. It is very rare that anyone meets the first person they ever love and live happily ever after. This is not a fairy tale it is reality. However still as sports fans are we not all in search of that fairy tale that is winning a championship, and every year that quest is renewed again. We also are just in search of someone to believe in, that will love us the way we love them. I wouldn't blame Raptors fans for being jaded by this point. There has been more than enough reason to be. However if you truly love this team and care you will be back. In fact that is what all sports teams are selling you. Something to love, believe in and be a part of. They are selling you the hope of something to love. It is one of the best scams going. But that being said, I couldn't imagine my life without sports, and basketball most of all in it. If people don't follow sports at all, they seem odd to me. Maybe they are smarter than me by not bothering with it. However, maybe I am the smart one, who wants to take that ultimate risk to love something and face the fact I am going to be hurt more likely than provide me joy. But when that joy happens it is fun isn't it?

If you truly love something, you will love it regardless and unconditionally. If you truly love something, you love it for all that is good about it, and bad about it. Does Chris Bosh love Toronto? I think he does. However, is he using his heart to make this decision or his head. It would seem pretty clear it is his head and ultimately that is what he should do. However, for fans and the people that love him in Toronto it is not about logic. They are not the ones that have to live with the choice for the next 40 or 50 years though. Bosh is the one. The other thing about sports is their is always someone new coming around the corner to love. Be you Sonny Weems or whoever comes along. If this ends up being the end of a 7 year relationship between Bosh and the Raptors, many will have a variety of emotions about it. In my own personal view, I will look back on it and smile. I think Chris is a good person, gave all he had and it was not meant to be. Can you really hate someone for that? Sometimes relationships just don't work, but that doesn't mean you have to hate a person for it. You can still love them after it is over. Not every relationship has to end in flames does it? Not every relationship needs to end like it did with Vince Carter? I guess will find out.

This was pretty deep for a Monday. I am sorry about that. However sometimes the best examples to explain sports, are just when you compare it to real life. There is something about sports that drives people insane and still love it with all their heart. It defies logic for even the most intelligent person. It is great to have a passion and love for sports. Just like any love you have in life, hang on to it tight and never lose it.

One of the Nation with Kid Raptor

This one of the Nation feature is fairly new. It is our 3rd one here at the Dino Nation Blog. Ironically that is the age of the person this one is on. The feature is to highlight people that love basketball and our fans of the Dino Nation Blog and the Raptors. Kid Raptor may not be old enough to read the blog but his dad is a long time reader of it. So if you are not aware of who Kid Raptor is...allow me to share with you the first video I saw of him.

He is also probably one of only a few 3 year old's to have his own Twitter account @Kid_Raptor and dad has one as well @therounder. Here is a video with both Dad and Kid Raptor from recently.

I had a chance over the Easter Holiday weekend to talk with both Kid Raptor and dad. It was a fun time. They say in show biz or in media never to work with kids or pets. I broke that rule though and the results I think are pretty fun. Have a listen and see if you agree. This is easily the youngest person I have interviewed for the DNB. Kid Raptor has Demar DeRozan beat by like 17 years. Have a listen and enjoy.

Kid Raptor

DNB Productions

Kid Raptor brings a smile to my face even on a day like today after very heartbreaking loss for the Raptors. He still is doing his thing on 92.5 FM in Toronto. He also is regularly featured on the Raptorspace show that airs on Raptors TV on Thursday's usually at 5 pm. Thanks to both Ethan and his dad for taking the time out for me and the Dino Nation Blog. The fact that people that love the Raptors so much are fans of what I do makes me feel good about what I do each day here.

Will Kid Raptor be right about Chris staying or playing for Jay Triano one day. Who knows but that is what is special about kids. They dream and love without conditions and to see kids like Ethan gives me hope for the future of basketball in Canada. Hope everyone enjoyed this feature as much as I did in putting it together.

Round Ball Review- Bar Flies

Well the Roundball Review is back and Joey G has thinks are Raptor night @ Brooklyn's is tonight it isn't it of course on Wednesdays. Joey also claims a trade has happened in the NBA. He goes on about how he could do a better job running the DNB. Along with another appeal to get himself on T.V. Not to mention he claims to have been at Chris Bosh's Birthday Party. All the fun and insanity that you have come to expect.




Another Episode into the books. Hope you enjoyed them and got a few laughs. Danielle will have your re-cap tonight of Raptors and Nuggets. I will be doing March Madness for the Score.com and Score Mobile.

Starting 5- Goes Behind The Scenes With Raptorspace

On Friday we talked with Kat the Captain of your Raptors Dance Pak. We talked about her taking on the role of hosting Raptorspace on Raptors T.V. The man that produces that show and tries to make Kat look good is Akil Augustine, you also have likely seen him on camera doing work with Sherman Hamilton on Raptors T.V as well. He puts together the Raptorspace show that airs on Thursday @6:30 on Raptors T.V. We get into a whole discussion about how the show came to be, where it is at and where it is going. We also discuss the differences between Leafs Nation which the Dino Blogger is not a member and the Raptors Nation or as we like to say here the Dino Nation. It is an interesting interview that gives you some insight into what MLSE and Raptors T.V is trying to accomplish with this project. Hope you will enjoy it.

Akil Augustine from Raps-TV

DNB PRODUCTION

Raptorspace.com is where all of the fan content comes from. I got stuff on the show so If I can do it maybe you can too? The one thing that came from this interview that I liked most of all is the idea of growing basketball across this country. I have always thought it was important and something the Raptors and MLSE should do more of. It is nice to know that the people working there have that goal as well. In the end be it MLSE or the average basketball fan it is in everyone's best interest to grow the sport and the Raptors brand. If done successfully it can hopefully lead to more people in the media awaking to the fact that basketball fans in fact "do exist" in this country from coast to coast. It can hopefully impact and have changes to how things are covered and allow for more basketball coverage in this country. Does a show like Raptorspace accomplish that goal on it's own? No but it is something that at least helps take us in that direction. We did invent this sport after all, and I feel it is everyone's job that loves it to help promote it. From me to you and all the way to folks at MLSE and all points in between.

The Round Ball Review- Ratings

I promised that the Round Ball Review would be back at least once a week on Monday. Well as promised here are the guys talking Trade Deadline, Raptorspace and other nonsense. So here are the guys in the Round Ball Review offices take it away J.B.






So that is it for The Round Ball Review. I hope people enjoy it and take it in the spirit of fun it is intended. It is all based in humour and is not meant to be taken seriously....EVER!!!

Starting 5- With Kat From Your Raptors Dance Pak

Today in the Starting 5 with have the Captain of you Raptors Dance Pak and the host of Raptors Space on Raptors-TV...Kat. I have sometimes set some things through Twitter in the past and this is how I got to know her. This was something that I was going to do awhile ago but there were some snags on both sides of things. Making schedules fit together and what not. However I am kind of happy it took a bit. Reason I say this is cause through tweeting back and forth I got to know her a bit and hope that makes this interview better for it. The Raptors started the project that is Raptorspace which is for lack of a better term the Raptor version of facebook I guess. The website has also turned into a T.V show on Raps T.V that attempts to make the fans the star of the show or at least part of it. In fact I actually have been on I am told. It must be true I saw a Tweet promoting the show that had my Twitter in it. The host for this show is of course Kat. So in are conversation we talk about how this all came to be. We get into all of how she came to be the host of this show and how she balances that along with still being part of the Dance Pak. In addition the Dance Pak got to perform as part of the Vanilla Ice halftime show and we talk about that whole experience. Along with her taking on a rather large role in the interacting with the fan base. This plus some other wacky fun. She really is a great person and I actually met her in my travels around the ACC while covering the Nets game this past Wednesday. You can follow her on Twitter @RaptorspaceKat which we also talk about. By the way the same person actually designed our twitter background's a Raptors fan in Poland who is a regular reader of the Dino Nation Blog. She is someone who has drive and passion for what she is doing and as I say to her in the interview I can see her being a Raptor fan even if she was not on the Dance Pak or Raps T.V. We had fun chatting so hope you will enjoy it.

Kat From Raptors Dance Pak and Raptorspace

DNB Production

I promised that I would go back and see what Lexi had answered to the whole dances with the stars thing and my memory rocks it was Mo-P. I hope you enjoyed this chat with Kat and you can see her out on the floor and doing all her stuff with the Dance Pak as well as on Raptorspace which I believe normally airs at 6:30 on Thursdays and it can be found on Raptors.com as well eventually. There is also of course the Website Raptorspace.com as well. That is where some of the material gets taken for the show. In addition Kat does a hit on the Gate 5 live show for Raptors home games on Raps T.V. It was fun talking with her and hopefully she will make some time to come visit again down the line. Here is a picture of her with the Hip Hoop Junkies who are like the Dino Nation Blog part of the family here at The Score Sports Federation. You can often catch some stuff from them on the RaptorSpace show.

Just a reminder as well you can still get Raptors Dance Pak Calenders with money from that going to the Team Up Foundation which some may remember as the Raptors Foundation. They do great work with mostly things geared at youth in Toronto and Southern Ontario.