Team White WINS, TEAM WHITE WINS!!! I have to say yesterday, I was really missing the fact that I am not able to be at training camp this year. But what can you do. Vancouver is just not in the Dino Nation Blog's budget. Jay Satur from Raptors.com was there and filed a report on the particulars. I don't think you can take much of anything from an inter squad game but they are fun. They have a half Harlem Globetrotters and have semi serious feel to them. The most important thing of all these pre-season games and events is that everyone remains healthy. Just look back to last season and Reggie Evans injury in a pre-season game for proof of that. Evans never really got back on track and missed half the season.
So TSN in an attempt to obviously make me look bad, is in fact broadcasting the Suns and Raptors on Wednesday, on the main TSN as well. That being said it is still a shame that a lot of people have been shut out by the evolution of Sportsnet 1 and TSN 2 from Raptor games. I personally see it as a bad move for the Raptors. When you are a good team you can afford these type of things. When you are a team that is not expected to do well you need all the exposure you can get. Whatever TSN or Rogers cares to say the fact is Raptor fans and Jays fans have become casualties of their stupid pointless completive nature with each other. I spent some time at TSN, so it is not like I say this without any personal knowledge. Since my time there the childish competition between the two networks has only increased. What also has increased is there NHL coverage which buries basketball further and further into the background. They can say all they like they do this to provide more coverage of events but it is more about making money and to them that means more hockey. If MLSE was serious and wanted to put an end to this they could do it. Just the threat of a couple Leaf games being moved to Leafs TV would get them whatever they wanted in terms of Raptor scheduling. Eventually this like TSN2 will sort out for majority of people but while some will forget this in time...I won't.
Linas Kleiza will not be confused with Hedo Turkoglu on Wednesday. He is playing hard and led all scorers in that inter-squad scrimmage. Last year Hedo in that game in Ottawa had a seat next to Chris Bosh in street clothes watching. While I have not been as high on Kleiza as most, when it comes to effort and energy he will never have an issue with that.
The only other thing I want to point out for this Monday is about Demar DeRozan. He is really looking the part as the future face of the franchise isn't he? I remember interviewing him last season and he was really nice but his answers were short and he was not as polished. This year he seems to have more to say and says it with the confidence you gain from a year of guys like me asking him questions all the time. The big question is can the on court swag match the off court swag. That will be one of the big things I will be watching this pre-season.
Going to try to catch up with Matt Devlin in Vancouver sometime between now and Wednesday and get his impressions of what has been going on in Vancouver. Looking forward to that.
Showing posts with label TSN 2. Show all posts
Showing posts with label TSN 2. Show all posts
5/18/09
I Fear The Raptors Future
Well the TSN 2 mess has come to an end for all of the Rogers subscribers out there. Sadly it was a Blue Jays and Red Soxs series that ends up being the tipping point to make a deal happen. Basketball fans being vexed all year did nothing to solve the issue. However the streaking Blue Jays first big series of the year against the Red Soxs. It does not speak well for things as far as basketball goes. It is also why if a second NHL team ends up in Southern Ontario it would be a terrible blow to the Raptors as well. The amount of coverage of the Raptors becomes an issue. It also becomes an issue of drawing fans. How many casual basketball fans will be more likely to go see a second NHL team than the Raptors? I am thinking quite a few. Basketball has established a hardcore fan base and will be able to maintain that even with another NHL team in the mix. But all of this TSN 2 mess and the fact there seems to be a desire to have a second team in the NHL here be it sooner or later are things to be concerned about. That is not even talking about the future of the team itself which is not exactly bright.
Jay Triano being hired as the coach is not a move for me that inspires confidence for the future as well. Given the record of Triano you would have to consider it a risk to bring him back. People talk about the fact that Triano never had a training camp and that he was in a difficult spot. Those are true but that being said no one can say for certain what Triano will be as a head coach. There is no real track record to look back on for Triano. He did do a great job with the National Team in Canada and is the last coach to get them to the Olympics. Steve Nash being on his roster was a major help in that. He has been with the organization for 7 years as an assistant but that is a very different role than being the head coach. I have no confidence to say that Triano will be successful or not. In the end I am left fearful that this was a mistake.
You than look to Chris Bosh and his future. When you read and listen to the U.S media it is not a question of if Chris Bosh will leave it is a question of when Chris Bosh will leave. The list of reports is growing by the day and many feel that Bosh in fact will be traded this offseason. It is clear that Bosh is the best player on this Raptor roster by a wide margin. I can not get excited about a future that does not include Chris Bosh. For as much as people wanted to get Vince Carter out of town, it took a long time for this team to get back on track without him. To be honest the Raptors never really have replaced Vince Carter since that trade. There was lots of talk about the wing spots this year. Vince really has never has a player replace him in the Raptor line-up. There is no question that if Colangelo deals Bosh he will make a better deal than Rob Babcock did for Carter. But it will be hard to imagine this team being made better without Bosh for me.
I was reading that Jose Calderon wants to play for Spain again. Where are the stories about him being selfish by doing this. I mean we here all of these things about Jose and being a team guy and all of this. Well which team Spain or Toronto? I mean it does the Raptors no good at all to have Jose Calderon playing for Spain. I am tired of all the praise of Calderon without people being equal about it. If he does in fact suit up for Spain than he is making a move that is not in the best interest of the Raptors. This guy is getting paid a ton of bucks to be the starting point guard of the Toronto Raptors. In that job he did not exactly perform that well last year. He was injured for large parts of the year. He did not take care of his body in the right way. In playing to much he made his body weak. It is the same to me as if a guy came into camp 20 pounds over weight. When you are getting paid money to play in the NBA you owe it to your team to have your body in great shape to do that. Jose Calderon and his inability to say no to Spain is not allowing him to do that. If he ever wants to be the NBA ALL-STAR that everyone hypes him to be, he needs to focus on the job he gets paid for.
I have no confidence that Shawn Marion will be back and what you would get in a sign and trade is not likely going to be that good you would think. Marion no doubt is going to take a pay cut this year. So it only makes sense the a guy entering his 30's if he is going to take a major hit in his pocket book why would you not take a little less and go to a contender for a title. The Raptors are not that. In fact if Chris Bosh is heading out the door the Raptors may be far from contenders.
There is just nothing going on with the Raptors that gives me any confidence that they can be a better team next season. Bryan Colangelo has a ton of work to do to make me a believer. In fact to be honest I am not really even liking this team that much these days. I was a huge T.J Ford fan and last summer he was shipped out of town. This summer if Chris Bosh ends up going away as well it will leave me with a team that really does not have any players that I feel that strongly about. There is always the draft and perhaps there is a guy out there that Raptors will select that will get me excited. The Raptors will learn their fate as far as the draft goes tomorrow. You can come hang out at the Dino Nation Blog an hour before the draft lotto gets rolling at 8:30. So 7:30 come hang out and take part in the draft lottery live blog. You can watch the Draft Lottery on The Score at 8:30 and follow along with us. I moved back the time from 7:00 but we still have an hour to kick around the Raptors and the playoffs.
So hope to see you there tomorrow night for some fun and we can all find out where the Raptors and all of the rest of the non-playoff teams will be picking in the draft.
Jay Triano being hired as the coach is not a move for me that inspires confidence for the future as well. Given the record of Triano you would have to consider it a risk to bring him back. People talk about the fact that Triano never had a training camp and that he was in a difficult spot. Those are true but that being said no one can say for certain what Triano will be as a head coach. There is no real track record to look back on for Triano. He did do a great job with the National Team in Canada and is the last coach to get them to the Olympics. Steve Nash being on his roster was a major help in that. He has been with the organization for 7 years as an assistant but that is a very different role than being the head coach. I have no confidence to say that Triano will be successful or not. In the end I am left fearful that this was a mistake.
You than look to Chris Bosh and his future. When you read and listen to the U.S media it is not a question of if Chris Bosh will leave it is a question of when Chris Bosh will leave. The list of reports is growing by the day and many feel that Bosh in fact will be traded this offseason. It is clear that Bosh is the best player on this Raptor roster by a wide margin. I can not get excited about a future that does not include Chris Bosh. For as much as people wanted to get Vince Carter out of town, it took a long time for this team to get back on track without him. To be honest the Raptors never really have replaced Vince Carter since that trade. There was lots of talk about the wing spots this year. Vince really has never has a player replace him in the Raptor line-up. There is no question that if Colangelo deals Bosh he will make a better deal than Rob Babcock did for Carter. But it will be hard to imagine this team being made better without Bosh for me.
I was reading that Jose Calderon wants to play for Spain again. Where are the stories about him being selfish by doing this. I mean we here all of these things about Jose and being a team guy and all of this. Well which team Spain or Toronto? I mean it does the Raptors no good at all to have Jose Calderon playing for Spain. I am tired of all the praise of Calderon without people being equal about it. If he does in fact suit up for Spain than he is making a move that is not in the best interest of the Raptors. This guy is getting paid a ton of bucks to be the starting point guard of the Toronto Raptors. In that job he did not exactly perform that well last year. He was injured for large parts of the year. He did not take care of his body in the right way. In playing to much he made his body weak. It is the same to me as if a guy came into camp 20 pounds over weight. When you are getting paid money to play in the NBA you owe it to your team to have your body in great shape to do that. Jose Calderon and his inability to say no to Spain is not allowing him to do that. If he ever wants to be the NBA ALL-STAR that everyone hypes him to be, he needs to focus on the job he gets paid for.
I have no confidence that Shawn Marion will be back and what you would get in a sign and trade is not likely going to be that good you would think. Marion no doubt is going to take a pay cut this year. So it only makes sense the a guy entering his 30's if he is going to take a major hit in his pocket book why would you not take a little less and go to a contender for a title. The Raptors are not that. In fact if Chris Bosh is heading out the door the Raptors may be far from contenders.
There is just nothing going on with the Raptors that gives me any confidence that they can be a better team next season. Bryan Colangelo has a ton of work to do to make me a believer. In fact to be honest I am not really even liking this team that much these days. I was a huge T.J Ford fan and last summer he was shipped out of town. This summer if Chris Bosh ends up going away as well it will leave me with a team that really does not have any players that I feel that strongly about. There is always the draft and perhaps there is a guy out there that Raptors will select that will get me excited. The Raptors will learn their fate as far as the draft goes tomorrow. You can come hang out at the Dino Nation Blog an hour before the draft lotto gets rolling at 8:30. So 7:30 come hang out and take part in the draft lottery live blog. You can watch the Draft Lottery on The Score at 8:30 and follow along with us. I moved back the time from 7:00 but we still have an hour to kick around the Raptors and the playoffs.
So hope to see you there tomorrow night for some fun and we can all find out where the Raptors and all of the rest of the non-playoff teams will be picking in the draft.
3/20/09
Dino Bloggers Bad
Before we get to Raptors and Bobcats game tonight, I want to talk about Richard Peddie. He was on The Game Plan this week and was asked about MLSE and their role in the TSN 2 mess. Peddie would conclude his answer by saying that it was "Their Bad " about the situation. Aside from the fact Peddie saying their bad makes me think of Kurt Angle trying to be cool back in the WWE. That is an acceptable answer? So I guess this entire season that has gone wrong with the Raptors is MLSE's bad. No worries after all the Raptors are still drawing fans and attendance is still in the Top 10 in the NBA. But what MLSE fails to realize or at least acknowledge is that they are damaging the growth of their product. They are also doing damage to the sport of basketball in this country. Yes, they contribute and support Canada basketball. They hold clinics for kids and do great work in the community through the Raptors foundation. However to truly grow the sport of basketball and the Raptor brand it takes an effort better than "Our Bad" as a response to the reduced coverage of the team across this country. This type of response from Peddie does nothing to do that. It is the same type of response he gave on Leaf Fans getting ticket prices hiked in the worst economy in most of our lifetimes. This is a company that is building luxury condos around the ACC and has lost touch with the average supporter of their brand in my view. Richard Peddie is the person that most seems to represent that out of touch attitude with the average fan. He no doubt does a good job at making MLSE money and that is why he continues to hold his job. But when it comes to public relations to the costumers that are the fan base of both the Leafs and Raptors he is a horrible voice to be used in any form of media. The less we hear from Richard Peddie the better. It does give us a look at how out of touch the folks at the top of MLSE seem to be with the fans. I support the brand they are selling. In some sense I make a bit of a living based on it. So when things like this happen it angers me both as a fan and as someone who at the end of the day needs this brand of Raptors basketball and basketball in general to grow. If Richard Peddie were not to like this critique of him it real is no problem. My Bad. Some how when the shoe is on the other foot I am thinking he would not enjoy that response. I don't expect he will read this, but none the less, the people he has ignored and is out of touch with will and that is you the Raptor Fan Base.
That is all I have for now. Bobcats and Raptors go at it tonight we can only pray that at the end of it the Raptors will not be saying OUR BAD for another horrible performance.
That is all I have for now. Bobcats and Raptors go at it tonight we can only pray that at the end of it the Raptors will not be saying OUR BAD for another horrible performance.
3/9/09
10 Things I Never Expected This Raptors Season
I just thought today I would do a list for today. I have a lot of things to get done as I will be off to Toronto tomorrow and going to be doing some stuff at The Score. You may even end up seeing me on Court Surfing will see. That is 7:30 tomorrow and no Raptors game to get in the way. Speaking of which before we get to our list. Raptors T.V is going to simulcast the 2 games on Raptors NBA TV. Gee Wiz what a great idea I wish i could have thought of that. Oh wait I did when all this mess started in the summer. Thanks for nothing. I mean I will be honest if not for the blog and work I am not sure if I would be a Raptors TV subscriber. That being said on with our list I am pretty sure the TSN 2 mess will make it on the list.
10 things that I did not expect to happen this Raptor Season.
10 things that I did not expect to happen this Raptor Season.
10- Jose Calderon Gets Benched- I mean given all that was expected if you had told me in March that Jose Calderon would be benched down the stretch of a game I would have laughed. I know that I am not a Jose fan but this is the main guy and I never would have thought he would be benched for Anthony Parker to play the point.
9- J.O being Traded- I give Colangelo credit for correcting his error when it comes to O'Neal but to actually have traded you big off-season pick up is truly shocking.
8- Talking Draft and Not Playoffs in March- I really am shocked that the Raptors are totally out of it. March Madness is always something I love and watch. But to be watching wondering who would make a good lottery pick for the Raptors. Unreal.
7- Jay Triano as Coach of Raptors- I think Sam Mitchell getting fired was not a total shock. The timing of it likely was. I really was hopefully this day would come for Jay Triano. However the spot he has been put in has been awful. It all is a shame.
6- Joey Graham Being A Key Rotation Player- I know that I have always been the voice of anti-Joey things. But I give him credit for taking advantage of what has been an awful season for most. He has done enough to get himself another contract in the NBA. I just hope it is not here. That being said I am happy that Joey will likely get to remain in the league. Something heading into this season I think would have been questioned by a lot of folks.
5- Awful Defense- We made the trade in the summer to get better on defense. Bosh had a summer of playing great defense for team USA. The Raptor defense has never been great. But this season has been truly brutal. Be it Mitchell or Triano this team has failed to stop anybody for most of the season and it continues on.
4- Wing Woes- I knew that the Raptors were not going to be strong at the wing spots. But this has been awful. Part of how Joey has had the chances I mentioned in #6 was because Jason Kapono, Jamario Moon (Now in Miami) and Anthony Parker. Just a total meltdown failure. Jamario Moon went from Cinderella to an Ugly Step Sister in terms of his story. A.P looks older and slower and is more inconsistent than ever. Jason Kapono has just been awful. It all adds up to bad things for the Raptors and it has.
3- Andrea Bargnani- The one bright spot is a sea of woe. Andrea Bargnani has had a great 3rd season and has been a happy surprise. I was convinced he was mentally gone and not coming back. However through all the losing and all the problems the most consistent thing about this team may be Andrea Bargnani. If that does not shock a lot of people I am not sure what will.
2- In Honour of Total Disrespect Of Fans We Give You The TSN 2 Mess- O.K it is MARCH AND THIS IS STILL NOT SOLVED. GIVE ME A BREAK. I am stunned and saddened that this is still something we are talking about. I have said it all in the past and I am not going to bother repeating myself. The latest move by MLSE that I mentioned off the top does not erase this issue by a long shot. THIS IS WRONG WRONG WRONG and should be a total embarrassment for all involved.
1- CB4 and You The People- If someone had told me people would be demanding for Bosh to be traded in March back in November I think everyone would laugh. But that is where we are with a lot of fans wanting to get rid of Chris Bosh. I am not among them. But the fact that people are trying to make comparisons to Vince Carter and Chris Bosh although they are not true in my view still is amazing. It will be an interesting summer and I am hopeful that when all the smoke clears I will still see Chris Bosh in a number 4 jersey.
So that is my list what is yours? Feel free to share it in the comments. The great thing about lists is there really are no wrong answers.
2/24/09
Basketball and Raptor Fans Deserve Better
I am going to be honest. I have no desire to write a recap of the Raptors game from tonight. The Raptors got a win over Minnesota and it is the 10th straight over the T-Wolves. They had to come back after a pitiful performance early. Bosh and Bargnani tied for the scoring lead with 26. In the end it really doesn't mean a whole lot to the grand scheme of things. I mean no disrespect by this. If the Raptors are able to beat the Suns maybe there is reason to get excited but will see about that Friday. Raps for the record win it 118-110. Joey Graham left the game with an injury. I will post a link to both the boxscore and the Recap if you want more details that I would normally provide myself.
Raptors Recap
Raptors Boxscore
So that is a very short look at tonight's game. I have another thing that I want to talk about which I started talking about when I was totally driven of the deep end by the fact TSN actually had a game on the main network tonight. But almost fitting it was delayed by curling. Please spare me on educating me on how things work. I know how they do and understand that believe it or not, curling is a major property for TSN. It also draws great ratings. I know that will be shocking for some. However it is the truth. That being said I don't care. Why should I. After all has TSN cared at all about me or any of you with this TSN 2 mess? They have been deadly silent on the issue. It is clear that they have no desire to treat basketball with any form of respect. I feel sorry for the fine folks like Jack Armstrong and all of the other folks that work hard on the Raptor Broadcasts. Even Rod Black who to be honest I am not a huge fan of.
So here is the thing. I love basketball and that would be fairly obvious to you all I would think. You do not invest all the time and work that I have even long before the blog joined up with The Score if you did not. I am guessing if you are here reading this, you at the very least like basketball or may even love it as much as me. I think you would agree that being a basketball fan in this country is not easy. Turn on the shows that do the highlights and the main thing you will see is hockey. It is something you are forced to accept being here in Canada. NBA's recent trade deadline got all of a 30 minute show on Raptors T.V and nothing from any of the other networks. Yet in a few weeks we will see day long coverage of the NHL trade deadline. I am not trying to take away from the hockey people getting their due. Personally do I think that is insane? Absolutely. However they do it because enough folks are watching it.
I actually like a few people in Hockey broadcasting. James Duthie is a great guy who I got to know in my brief time at TSN. He is a super guy and does quality work. I also have had fun with Doug McLean on the Game Plan as he co-hosts with Jack Armstrong. I even listen to she show when Jack is off covering the Raptors. Doug has mentioned me in referencing when Basketball is coming on the show. I take it as compliment, in the sense that I am representing folks that listen that want to have basketball as part of that show. The truth is there was a time when I considered myself a hockey fan. I have always loved the Buffalo Sabres and they have been around longer than the Raptors. That may not make the Dino Blogger very popular with Leaf/Raptors fans. But so be it. I grew up listening to Rick Jenneret. People talk about Chuck Swirsky being a homer. But Rick is maybe even more so. When I was a kid he was broadcasting to me. But you want a reason why I am not a Leaf fan? Check out what they did on the other side of MLSE today. Raised ticket prices on poor suffering Leaf fans. That is how they treat the Leaf Nation. Raptors prices did not increase. Reason why is pretty simple. The folks at MLSE can not be certain that Raptor fans will just show up. In the case of the Leafs, for ever person they push away, they will have 10 people willing to jump in that seat and gladly pay insane prices to watch a team, that is heading no where fast. I like to think and hope that Raptor fans, will always be smarter and learn from what goes on down the hall. It is clear if the day comes that the Raptors reach a level that fans do not hold this team accountable we will all be screwed.
The fact that this organization can have the balls to raise prices, in an economy that sees people losing jobs and earning less is truly beyond words. However why should it shock Raptor fans really. I mean this season we have watched MLSE sit back and do nothing while TSN and Rogers go to war over TSN 2. The main victim in that dispute is the Raptor fan base. Where is MLSE sticking up for us? To busy selling condos and building Maple Leaf Square to care much about it. They would likely disagree with that. I would understand that. However where is the statement from Richard Peddie on that issue? He was sure quick enough to get out there and spin away as to why Leaf tickets were increasing. He gave a justification of rising costs and upgrades to the ACC. Funny how the Raptors do not have these same issues. I mean Raptors play in same build. Bring in the same lower Canadian currency. Maybe I should be quiet now, or they may re-think things and raise Raptor prices as well. MLSE talks about wanting to win Stanley Cups and NBA Titles but ultimately they are about the bottom line and making money. Some will say that is the way they should be. I am not out to say they should not be concerned with that. However they could learn a lot in the way it comes to dealing with fan bases for the franchises they own. Would it have been so difficult to make a public statement that said something on the TSN 2 issue? I mean am I the only one that finds it totally hilarious that Rogers sponsors a segment on TSN through it's Raptors advertising? You know Rogers did you know? Here is what I know, it is that instead of listening to your fan base you ignore them. Dino Nation Blog, Raptor Blog, Raptors Republic and a bunch of other sites that you can find in the directory on this site, this is your fan base talking to you. We are the people that care about this franchise and actually want to see it succeed. The readers of these blogs care as well as the people that write them. It is a touch of irony that all of us depend on the franchise in a way to create our content. However we also offer you a public service in seeing what your fans think about this team and you. At the very least could you make it a bit easier to do that without having to scramble to find your product? Some how the people in the blog community manage to get along with each other. Ironically the two partners that will broadcast the Olympics in 2010 and 2012 can not agree to broadcast Raptor Games. I mean it is pretty simple to fix this. If you have the guts to raise ticket prices on your fans in the worst economic times since the great depression have the guts to do this. TSN 2 mess gets solved right away with a very simple action from MLSE. If TSN and Rogers can not agree it is fine. Just make the suggestion the when the Leafs T.V comes up to be renewed that you may consider taking games elsewhere. Tell me people are not falling all over each other to make a deal if that was thrown out there. After all TSN and Rogers are much like the Leafs fans they can not afford to walk away from the Leafs. It would be a disaster for TSN or Rogers to be without the Leafs. However no one has the guts to do that at MLSE it would appear. They choose to sit and let the Raptor fan base suffer. Again they may disagree but show me the example where they have publicly done anything on this issue. It just doesn't exist. Not even a simple apology to Raptors fans.
See that goes back to my point about Hockey. I use to enjoy hockey but thanks to the complete over kill of the media coverage, a general decline in the sport in my view, a season long lock out that cost fans a entire season, it has all lead to me having little care or regard for the sport. Doug McLean once said on the Game Plan that I was anti-hockey. It was done in fun, but I guess there is some truth in it. However it is the media that has made me that way. Starving me of coverage of basketball and other sports I enjoy, to have more hockey coverage. I make no apologies for how I feel. I also understand that it is rare for a Canadian to feel that way. It is not that I am against hockey at all. I am cool with it and if people enjoy it I do not hold it against them. I know people that do drugs. That is not something I have done but hey if that is what you want to do I am not going to judge anyone based on that. The sport of hockey is almost a drug in a way. Look at any Leaf fan and tell me they do not suffer from an addiction.
It goes back to what I said at the beginning of this. I love basketball. I am very proud that I have started to turn that love into a job for me. Part of that job in my view is to stick up for and represent all of you out there that love it to. I will always do whatever I can to make more people become fans of the sport. I will defend all of those that already do. There are a lot of different opinions that exist out there. About how the game should be played. What players are good. What players are bad. How to fix the Raptors. Who is better Kobe or Lebron. However at the end of it all. Even though we may not always agree on any of these issues and thousands more. Here is something we all must come together and unity around. It is something that I have often said is at the core of what this blog has always been about. To stand together as a united group on one single issue. Well two actually. We love basketball and hopefully, despite all that has gone on, love the Raptors.
If we can agree on that. Here is the next step to that which in part we are all already out here doing. Make people fans of the sport. Do whatever you can to make that happen. I invest countless hours into that one purpose. I bust my butt to bring guests to this blog. Some will say that sure but you are doing that for you. Part of that is true. However the more people we have that care about basketball as much as I do fighting to bring everything I have to expanding the sport. That is a good thing. The one thing that everyone I deal with in working doing this have a common love of basketball. It is cool in this country to be a proud fan of hockey. Well I am proud of being a fan of the game invented by someone that was from this great country we call Canada.
So for the TSN and MLSE it is time to wake up and treat everyone that loves this sport of basketball with common decency and respect. We have taken to much B.S for far to long. You can do all the stupid things that you have done. However it will not change the simple facts that:
1. WE LOVE BASKTBALL
&
2. WE DESERVE BETTER.
I am sure the rush to create 12 hours of useless T.V for the Hockey Trade Deadline will make it impossible for you to address this matter. However it will still be here and so will we the sports minority of basketball fans.
Raptors Recap
Raptors Boxscore
So that is a very short look at tonight's game. I have another thing that I want to talk about which I started talking about when I was totally driven of the deep end by the fact TSN actually had a game on the main network tonight. But almost fitting it was delayed by curling. Please spare me on educating me on how things work. I know how they do and understand that believe it or not, curling is a major property for TSN. It also draws great ratings. I know that will be shocking for some. However it is the truth. That being said I don't care. Why should I. After all has TSN cared at all about me or any of you with this TSN 2 mess? They have been deadly silent on the issue. It is clear that they have no desire to treat basketball with any form of respect. I feel sorry for the fine folks like Jack Armstrong and all of the other folks that work hard on the Raptor Broadcasts. Even Rod Black who to be honest I am not a huge fan of.
So here is the thing. I love basketball and that would be fairly obvious to you all I would think. You do not invest all the time and work that I have even long before the blog joined up with The Score if you did not. I am guessing if you are here reading this, you at the very least like basketball or may even love it as much as me. I think you would agree that being a basketball fan in this country is not easy. Turn on the shows that do the highlights and the main thing you will see is hockey. It is something you are forced to accept being here in Canada. NBA's recent trade deadline got all of a 30 minute show on Raptors T.V and nothing from any of the other networks. Yet in a few weeks we will see day long coverage of the NHL trade deadline. I am not trying to take away from the hockey people getting their due. Personally do I think that is insane? Absolutely. However they do it because enough folks are watching it.
I actually like a few people in Hockey broadcasting. James Duthie is a great guy who I got to know in my brief time at TSN. He is a super guy and does quality work. I also have had fun with Doug McLean on the Game Plan as he co-hosts with Jack Armstrong. I even listen to she show when Jack is off covering the Raptors. Doug has mentioned me in referencing when Basketball is coming on the show. I take it as compliment, in the sense that I am representing folks that listen that want to have basketball as part of that show. The truth is there was a time when I considered myself a hockey fan. I have always loved the Buffalo Sabres and they have been around longer than the Raptors. That may not make the Dino Blogger very popular with Leaf/Raptors fans. But so be it. I grew up listening to Rick Jenneret. People talk about Chuck Swirsky being a homer. But Rick is maybe even more so. When I was a kid he was broadcasting to me. But you want a reason why I am not a Leaf fan? Check out what they did on the other side of MLSE today. Raised ticket prices on poor suffering Leaf fans. That is how they treat the Leaf Nation. Raptors prices did not increase. Reason why is pretty simple. The folks at MLSE can not be certain that Raptor fans will just show up. In the case of the Leafs, for ever person they push away, they will have 10 people willing to jump in that seat and gladly pay insane prices to watch a team, that is heading no where fast. I like to think and hope that Raptor fans, will always be smarter and learn from what goes on down the hall. It is clear if the day comes that the Raptors reach a level that fans do not hold this team accountable we will all be screwed.
The fact that this organization can have the balls to raise prices, in an economy that sees people losing jobs and earning less is truly beyond words. However why should it shock Raptor fans really. I mean this season we have watched MLSE sit back and do nothing while TSN and Rogers go to war over TSN 2. The main victim in that dispute is the Raptor fan base. Where is MLSE sticking up for us? To busy selling condos and building Maple Leaf Square to care much about it. They would likely disagree with that. I would understand that. However where is the statement from Richard Peddie on that issue? He was sure quick enough to get out there and spin away as to why Leaf tickets were increasing. He gave a justification of rising costs and upgrades to the ACC. Funny how the Raptors do not have these same issues. I mean Raptors play in same build. Bring in the same lower Canadian currency. Maybe I should be quiet now, or they may re-think things and raise Raptor prices as well. MLSE talks about wanting to win Stanley Cups and NBA Titles but ultimately they are about the bottom line and making money. Some will say that is the way they should be. I am not out to say they should not be concerned with that. However they could learn a lot in the way it comes to dealing with fan bases for the franchises they own. Would it have been so difficult to make a public statement that said something on the TSN 2 issue? I mean am I the only one that finds it totally hilarious that Rogers sponsors a segment on TSN through it's Raptors advertising? You know Rogers did you know? Here is what I know, it is that instead of listening to your fan base you ignore them. Dino Nation Blog, Raptor Blog, Raptors Republic and a bunch of other sites that you can find in the directory on this site, this is your fan base talking to you. We are the people that care about this franchise and actually want to see it succeed. The readers of these blogs care as well as the people that write them. It is a touch of irony that all of us depend on the franchise in a way to create our content. However we also offer you a public service in seeing what your fans think about this team and you. At the very least could you make it a bit easier to do that without having to scramble to find your product? Some how the people in the blog community manage to get along with each other. Ironically the two partners that will broadcast the Olympics in 2010 and 2012 can not agree to broadcast Raptor Games. I mean it is pretty simple to fix this. If you have the guts to raise ticket prices on your fans in the worst economic times since the great depression have the guts to do this. TSN 2 mess gets solved right away with a very simple action from MLSE. If TSN and Rogers can not agree it is fine. Just make the suggestion the when the Leafs T.V comes up to be renewed that you may consider taking games elsewhere. Tell me people are not falling all over each other to make a deal if that was thrown out there. After all TSN and Rogers are much like the Leafs fans they can not afford to walk away from the Leafs. It would be a disaster for TSN or Rogers to be without the Leafs. However no one has the guts to do that at MLSE it would appear. They choose to sit and let the Raptor fan base suffer. Again they may disagree but show me the example where they have publicly done anything on this issue. It just doesn't exist. Not even a simple apology to Raptors fans.
See that goes back to my point about Hockey. I use to enjoy hockey but thanks to the complete over kill of the media coverage, a general decline in the sport in my view, a season long lock out that cost fans a entire season, it has all lead to me having little care or regard for the sport. Doug McLean once said on the Game Plan that I was anti-hockey. It was done in fun, but I guess there is some truth in it. However it is the media that has made me that way. Starving me of coverage of basketball and other sports I enjoy, to have more hockey coverage. I make no apologies for how I feel. I also understand that it is rare for a Canadian to feel that way. It is not that I am against hockey at all. I am cool with it and if people enjoy it I do not hold it against them. I know people that do drugs. That is not something I have done but hey if that is what you want to do I am not going to judge anyone based on that. The sport of hockey is almost a drug in a way. Look at any Leaf fan and tell me they do not suffer from an addiction.
It goes back to what I said at the beginning of this. I love basketball. I am very proud that I have started to turn that love into a job for me. Part of that job in my view is to stick up for and represent all of you out there that love it to. I will always do whatever I can to make more people become fans of the sport. I will defend all of those that already do. There are a lot of different opinions that exist out there. About how the game should be played. What players are good. What players are bad. How to fix the Raptors. Who is better Kobe or Lebron. However at the end of it all. Even though we may not always agree on any of these issues and thousands more. Here is something we all must come together and unity around. It is something that I have often said is at the core of what this blog has always been about. To stand together as a united group on one single issue. Well two actually. We love basketball and hopefully, despite all that has gone on, love the Raptors.
If we can agree on that. Here is the next step to that which in part we are all already out here doing. Make people fans of the sport. Do whatever you can to make that happen. I invest countless hours into that one purpose. I bust my butt to bring guests to this blog. Some will say that sure but you are doing that for you. Part of that is true. However the more people we have that care about basketball as much as I do fighting to bring everything I have to expanding the sport. That is a good thing. The one thing that everyone I deal with in working doing this have a common love of basketball. It is cool in this country to be a proud fan of hockey. Well I am proud of being a fan of the game invented by someone that was from this great country we call Canada.
So for the TSN and MLSE it is time to wake up and treat everyone that loves this sport of basketball with common decency and respect. We have taken to much B.S for far to long. You can do all the stupid things that you have done. However it will not change the simple facts that:
1. WE LOVE BASKTBALL
&
2. WE DESERVE BETTER.
I am sure the rush to create 12 hours of useless T.V for the Hockey Trade Deadline will make it impossible for you to address this matter. However it will still be here and so will we the sports minority of basketball fans.
2/9/09
Hey Mr D.J, Welcome Back To Dino Nation Blog
D.J Bennett from The Score returns for another visit to talk some Raptors and NBA. We talk about the future for the Raptors and all of the drama around Chris Bosh. The issues that face Bryan Colangelo. D.J also has his take on fans booing and all of that. He even takes us inside The Score studios and throws down a challenge to his fellow Score Co-Workers.
We continued on to talk about a special week of basketball at MSG. What was D.J's take on a exciting week of ball at MSG that included Kobe getting 61, James a triple double that was changed later and the Champs the Celtics all paying a visit to MSG.
D.J -"MSG is where amazing happens apparently. Everyone wants to play well on the biggest stage and you have all the stars there. Jay Z is in the front row talking to Lebron and Lebron is talking back to him. MSG is the mecca in sports and has the biggest concerts, boxing matches and crazy basketball games. We all remember the Reggie Miller shot with Spike Lee in the front row. The Jordan playoff performances against the Knicks. I think it is good that it is transferring on to this generation. That they get up to play at MSG. It just on of those things that has become inbreed in basketball."
D.J also made note of the fact that Jay-Z who is a minority owner in the Nets is seen at more Knick games than Nets games. He wondered what the players on the Nets felt about that whole situation. If it were to help him bring Lebron to the Nets in 2010, I would think pretty good. But it is a valid point D.J makes. Now nobody will every confuse the I-Zod Center with MSG. However that being said if you own something should you not be out there supporting it? Mark Cuban is always doing his part to support his Mavericks in fact some may say more than his part. It also makes you wonder is that Nets move to Brooklyn ever going to happen especially in these economic times? Not that Jay-Z is feeling the finacial crunch at all. But building stadiums are not chump change for anyone famous music artist or not.
I was able to liveblog the game that Lebron had a triple double that the NBA would later take away. During that broadcast which was based out of MSG, there was a lot of talk about the amount of love Kobe Bryant was getting from fans at MSG. Lebron also got a lot of love and the Lakers did hear when they visited the Raptors. What was D.J's take on all this love for the out of town stars in the visiting buildings?
D.J " The NBA has done a great job in marketing stars and not teams. You look at the marketing in the NFL everything is about the team. Fans are a die hard Steelers fan, Cowboys fan or Packers fan. So no matter where the stars go you still have your team that you support. The NBA in the era of free agency they market it differently. They market by who the famous players are, So it is I am a Kobe guy, a Lebron guy or a Chris Paul fan and so on and so forth. As guys move around you become fans of different teams. I think that is why the NBA is more of a global game. So if you are a fan in China it doesn't matter if Lebron is with the Knicks or the Cavs. You are a Lebron guy so you are buying his jersey whatever it is.
People in the NBA are more inclined to cheer for players as opposed to teams. So it just so happens that there are a lot of people in New York that like Lebron. They are hopeful he will be come a Knick in 2010 and beyond. They are going to ride with Lebron. So I think it is a bi-product of that. It is not about a disrespect towards the Knicks. When you go to Raptor games you see the same thing with a lot of jerseys for the other teams as well. Teams know this and they market accordingly. They will have Yao Ming on the tickets when the Rockets come to town. They know that a lot of the Chinese community is coming out to watch Yao Ming. I think is all part and parcel of the NBA's marketing plan."
Picking up on that theme in the 1980's the rivalry of Larry Bird and Magic Johnson was said to in some folks minds to have saved the NBA. It was the most storied individual rivalry in the history of sports. It ranked up there with Chamberlin and Russell. It was the biggest thing in basketball that truly crossed over sports and went directly into advertising and marketing. Converse, McDonald's and a host of others used the basketball rivalry to market there products as well and the players and the NBA. Speed ahead to 2009 and this past Sunday we saw Kobe vs Lebron. Is that the modern day version of the classic rivalry? What does D.J think about that?
D.J-" If it is not the NBA is sure trying to make it happen. But it is totally different. Bird and Magic back then it was real and it wasn't contrived. They had something going on that started in college and it carried on to the pros. They were around same age, they had comparable games, they were bout same size, you had the East vs West. The city kid versus the country boy, Disney could not have wrote a script any better. Lebron and Kobe other than being the two best players in the game, arguably, it is a little bit contrived."
D.J would go on to say that it was just not the same as Bird and Magic were guys that people could related to and choose sides and get behind. In the case of Kobe and Lebron they are actually really similar. Both straight out of high school and considered by some the heir to the Jordan legacy as the next one. But there was just more history to Bird and Magic and the contrast in styles as people. That was also evident in the Celtic and Laker rivalry that was a part of it. D.J seemed to feel that this was more of an NBA marketing creation than it was based in a true rivalry. There is no doubt no one at the league offices would complain about a Kobe vs Lebron final after last season's Lakers vs Celtics match up. D.J was not a believer in any conspiracy theories that Lakers and Celtics last year. He does not by into any for a Kobe and Lebron final this year. I agree with that as well. Sure the NBA has favourite match-ups they would root for. But even in those Bird vs Magic days. The odd time a team like the Rockets would find a way to get to the finals to break up the run of Celtics vs Lakers finals. That being said a Kobe vs Lebron finals would be fun to watch.
There has been a lot of talking about things from a league perspective with D.J. We also talked about a few other things that I am going to throw in the Dino Vault and pull out later. It is some All Star stuff and other goodies. But with all this talk of the league and grand scheme of things, it seems only fitting to link up an interview with the guy that runs it all. David Stern was on Toronto radio today talking with Jack and Doug on the Game Plan. Here is your link hook up.
David Stern On Game Plan
There was also an interview with Phil Lind on Prime Time Sports. He is one of the Vice President's at Rogers. Why this will be of interest for you is at the end of this interview there is some talk about the whole TSN 2 matter. It does not offer any hope of an kind but it does at least shed a little light on the issues that are going on in these business dealings that have left a lot of Raptors fans out in the cold for seeing games. The TSN 2 stuff is at the end of the interview.
Phil Lind on TSN 2 on Prime Time Sports
So that is a wrap for this Interview and a couple other interviews by others. I would like to thank D.J for coming back and talking with Dino Nation Blog again. Both he and Randy Urban have been very kind to me and happy to help out your Dino Blogger. It always takes the help of others to put together a lot of what I do. I am grateful for that help not just for myself but for all the readers of the Dino Nation Blog that benefit from it. Hopefully you all feel the same way. Tomorrow we have another guest as Matt Devlin is scheduled to hook up with the Dino Nation Blog from Minnesota. I look forward to that it has been awhile since we have had a chance to catch up with Matt.
We continued on to talk about a special week of basketball at MSG. What was D.J's take on a exciting week of ball at MSG that included Kobe getting 61, James a triple double that was changed later and the Champs the Celtics all paying a visit to MSG.
D.J -"MSG is where amazing happens apparently. Everyone wants to play well on the biggest stage and you have all the stars there. Jay Z is in the front row talking to Lebron and Lebron is talking back to him. MSG is the mecca in sports and has the biggest concerts, boxing matches and crazy basketball games. We all remember the Reggie Miller shot with Spike Lee in the front row. The Jordan playoff performances against the Knicks. I think it is good that it is transferring on to this generation. That they get up to play at MSG. It just on of those things that has become inbreed in basketball."
D.J also made note of the fact that Jay-Z who is a minority owner in the Nets is seen at more Knick games than Nets games. He wondered what the players on the Nets felt about that whole situation. If it were to help him bring Lebron to the Nets in 2010, I would think pretty good. But it is a valid point D.J makes. Now nobody will every confuse the I-Zod Center with MSG. However that being said if you own something should you not be out there supporting it? Mark Cuban is always doing his part to support his Mavericks in fact some may say more than his part. It also makes you wonder is that Nets move to Brooklyn ever going to happen especially in these economic times? Not that Jay-Z is feeling the finacial crunch at all. But building stadiums are not chump change for anyone famous music artist or not.
I was able to liveblog the game that Lebron had a triple double that the NBA would later take away. During that broadcast which was based out of MSG, there was a lot of talk about the amount of love Kobe Bryant was getting from fans at MSG. Lebron also got a lot of love and the Lakers did hear when they visited the Raptors. What was D.J's take on all this love for the out of town stars in the visiting buildings?
D.J " The NBA has done a great job in marketing stars and not teams. You look at the marketing in the NFL everything is about the team. Fans are a die hard Steelers fan, Cowboys fan or Packers fan. So no matter where the stars go you still have your team that you support. The NBA in the era of free agency they market it differently. They market by who the famous players are, So it is I am a Kobe guy, a Lebron guy or a Chris Paul fan and so on and so forth. As guys move around you become fans of different teams. I think that is why the NBA is more of a global game. So if you are a fan in China it doesn't matter if Lebron is with the Knicks or the Cavs. You are a Lebron guy so you are buying his jersey whatever it is.
People in the NBA are more inclined to cheer for players as opposed to teams. So it just so happens that there are a lot of people in New York that like Lebron. They are hopeful he will be come a Knick in 2010 and beyond. They are going to ride with Lebron. So I think it is a bi-product of that. It is not about a disrespect towards the Knicks. When you go to Raptor games you see the same thing with a lot of jerseys for the other teams as well. Teams know this and they market accordingly. They will have Yao Ming on the tickets when the Rockets come to town. They know that a lot of the Chinese community is coming out to watch Yao Ming. I think is all part and parcel of the NBA's marketing plan."
Picking up on that theme in the 1980's the rivalry of Larry Bird and Magic Johnson was said to in some folks minds to have saved the NBA. It was the most storied individual rivalry in the history of sports. It ranked up there with Chamberlin and Russell. It was the biggest thing in basketball that truly crossed over sports and went directly into advertising and marketing. Converse, McDonald's and a host of others used the basketball rivalry to market there products as well and the players and the NBA. Speed ahead to 2009 and this past Sunday we saw Kobe vs Lebron. Is that the modern day version of the classic rivalry? What does D.J think about that?
D.J-" If it is not the NBA is sure trying to make it happen. But it is totally different. Bird and Magic back then it was real and it wasn't contrived. They had something going on that started in college and it carried on to the pros. They were around same age, they had comparable games, they were bout same size, you had the East vs West. The city kid versus the country boy, Disney could not have wrote a script any better. Lebron and Kobe other than being the two best players in the game, arguably, it is a little bit contrived."
D.J would go on to say that it was just not the same as Bird and Magic were guys that people could related to and choose sides and get behind. In the case of Kobe and Lebron they are actually really similar. Both straight out of high school and considered by some the heir to the Jordan legacy as the next one. But there was just more history to Bird and Magic and the contrast in styles as people. That was also evident in the Celtic and Laker rivalry that was a part of it. D.J seemed to feel that this was more of an NBA marketing creation than it was based in a true rivalry. There is no doubt no one at the league offices would complain about a Kobe vs Lebron final after last season's Lakers vs Celtics match up. D.J was not a believer in any conspiracy theories that Lakers and Celtics last year. He does not by into any for a Kobe and Lebron final this year. I agree with that as well. Sure the NBA has favourite match-ups they would root for. But even in those Bird vs Magic days. The odd time a team like the Rockets would find a way to get to the finals to break up the run of Celtics vs Lakers finals. That being said a Kobe vs Lebron finals would be fun to watch.
There has been a lot of talking about things from a league perspective with D.J. We also talked about a few other things that I am going to throw in the Dino Vault and pull out later. It is some All Star stuff and other goodies. But with all this talk of the league and grand scheme of things, it seems only fitting to link up an interview with the guy that runs it all. David Stern was on Toronto radio today talking with Jack and Doug on the Game Plan. Here is your link hook up.
David Stern On Game Plan
There was also an interview with Phil Lind on Prime Time Sports. He is one of the Vice President's at Rogers. Why this will be of interest for you is at the end of this interview there is some talk about the whole TSN 2 matter. It does not offer any hope of an kind but it does at least shed a little light on the issues that are going on in these business dealings that have left a lot of Raptors fans out in the cold for seeing games. The TSN 2 stuff is at the end of the interview.
Phil Lind on TSN 2 on Prime Time Sports
So that is a wrap for this Interview and a couple other interviews by others. I would like to thank D.J for coming back and talking with Dino Nation Blog again. Both he and Randy Urban have been very kind to me and happy to help out your Dino Blogger. It always takes the help of others to put together a lot of what I do. I am grateful for that help not just for myself but for all the readers of the Dino Nation Blog that benefit from it. Hopefully you all feel the same way. Tomorrow we have another guest as Matt Devlin is scheduled to hook up with the Dino Nation Blog from Minnesota. I look forward to that it has been awhile since we have had a chance to catch up with Matt.
2/3/09
Raptors Mission Impossible
Well after a day of putting out fires off the court the Raptors get back at it on the court. Yesterday we saw firm denials from both Bryan Colangelo and Chris Bosh of the Stephen A Smith story. Mr. Smith meanwhile could not be reached for comment as he was sick in bed with the flu. I think it is safe to say he will not be getting any get well soon cards from anyone connected to the Raptors. The focus now shifts to a near impossible task of playing Lebron James and Kobe Bryant on back to back nights. In case you missed in Kobe set an MSG record scoring 61 points the last night. I am sure some Raptor fans will fear the worst when he hits the ACC floor to take on the Raptors tomorrow. But before you worry about that the concern is the current front runner for M.V.P Lebron James. The King has had a season for the ages and has really been dominate on both ends of the floor. The addition of Mo Williams has been a pretty nice one for Cleveland. So nice a lot of folks were giving him high consideration for the All Star Game. The Cavs have battled through some injury issues to a few players and have not missed a beat. You might say that this mission impossible title of this blog was unfair. Well when you consider Cleveland is perfect on their home floor this season I think impossible is the exact right term. Even if the Raptors were on a roll, I would not like their chances. They are not though and have struggled the last two games. Some folks have questioned the teams heart and desire and think they have quit. To say a team has quit is a serious charge to make. I'm not sure if quit is the right way to put what we have seen the last 2 games. I watched the Kings play last week and that is a team that has quit clearly. The Raptors show some signs of that but are not to that point in my view. They just seem to reach points in games where through their own choices on offense they get discouraged. It will lead to a bad quarter or section of a game that the Raptors can not recover from. This game could be one that could get away early if the Raptors do not make the jump shots that they will not doubt fire up. Cleveland has an advantage on the glass and is aggressive at challenging passing lanes. The last time the Raps played Cleveland early on it was a steal and dunk a thon for the Cavs.
Mathematically Alive But Logically Dead
Let's face the reality here. The Raptors are 1n 14th place in the East and there are only 8 teams that make the playoffs. So 14-8= 6, as in 6 teams that have to out perform down the last 3 months of season. If the groundhog was in the playoff prediction business, I think it would mean if he saw his shadow a long off season is ahead. Happy belated Groundhog Day by the way. I hope you had a special one. So with out factoring in games behind just the challenge of out performing 6 teams seems highly unlikely. The Raptors favourable schedule that lies ahead in March and April is not going to be enough. Besides you need to be able to take advantage of that schedule as well. The Raptors have not proved to be that great of a home team this season. The growing anger and booing at the ACC is not likely to do much to change that. When players from the other team comment about it you know it is bad. I support people in their right to boo when the team does not perform. However here is something to consider. If other players are making note of that maybe that is not exactly a selling point when the Raptors look to bring in free agents. Getting booed by 19,000 plus Canadians may not make the most attractive sales pitch for free agents. Sorry, I got side tracked but that was a point worth making. So, when you combine the Raptors lack of home court success with a lack of ability to string wins together. It makes the reality pretty clear for this basketball team. I am not convinced a Bryan Colangelo trade can suddenly change this team to a level that the identity of it dramatically changes. The motivation to make the playoffs and only face a next to impossible task of beating a Boston, Cleveland or Orlando is not exactly motivating for most. I try my best to be positive about the Raptors but I refuse to be unrealistic about them. Reality is screaming that this team has a far more realistic path to the NBA Lottery and not the NBA Playoffs.
Fans Turning On CB4
I am really kind of disgusted at how little it has taken for some fans to turn their backs on Chris Bosh. I had one person leave a comment that was not fit for print. I am sure many sites had the same type of comments. You would think that Bosh himself had said that he talked with Colangelo and requested a trade. That is not what happened though. A guy with a spot willed resume of being right and wrong made a claim. Have you bothered to notice that Stephen A Smith's career is not exactly on the rise? The fact that he may just need all the attention that he got from the comments he made? I did not. In addition I have not forgot all that Chris Bosh has done in his collective time here. Even this season it is not like he has been a horrible player by any means. He was voted to the All Star game by the rest of the coaches in the Eastern Conference if you need proof. People have once again jumped the gun and started to hate a guy that really has not done anything wrong. Last year T.J Ford became the target of fan anger and rage. Maybe enough is enough. There are guys on this roster that deserve to be held to task. I am not saying Bosh should not be accountable. However to judge a guy who has done little wrong in his time in Toronto both on and off the floor so harsh in a time that he will be thinking about his future staying here is wrong and honestly pretty dumb. If Bosh leaves he will catch all of the blame. He may replace Vince Carter as the most hated Ex-Raptor. However the way fans have acted is part of the choice. It may be a small one. However it is part of it. I am not turning on Chris Bosh when he has not turned on me. If he does down the line I will deal with that when and if it happens. The posts I have read in various places quite frankly disappoint me greatly. I can not imagine what it would feel like for Bosh or someone close to him. Sure he makes a ton of money he has a great life and all of that. It does not change the fact he is human and that to have people saying those kind of things about you can not do much good for you. Chris once said he wanted to be part of the making things work in Toronto. Maybe it is time for fans to try and do the same. But when you factor in the TSN 2 stuff and the failure to meet expectations and the entire make up of this season, that may be a even greater mission impossible as opposed to a win over the Cavs or Lakers.
So when all is said and done this is going to be a Raptor season to forget. However maybe it should not be. I think everyone from Bryan Colangelo to the media to fans should learn something from all that has gone on. This is not something that anyone cares to repeat. A good start to getting things set right would be to get this TSN 2 mess behind us. Granted the way the team is playing it is going to make the people in suits that say no one watches look right. But even they are smarter enough to know they will have played a role as long as the teams lack of performance. That me be to optimistic cause this are the same people that have seen a hockey team that has been terrible for years draw ratings consistently. However the Raptor fan deserves and wants more from the franchise they support. I dig that about Raptor Fans. I just sometimes do not agree with the method some go about it. Still if you care about the Raptors and basketball you will always be welcome here.
12/31/08
So Long 2008 ...2009 Has To Be Better!!!
Well It has not been a kind 2008 to Raptor Fans when all is said and done. A loss to the Magic in the Playoffs that was 5 games but it almost felt like we got swept. A big trade and big expectations that have not exactly materialized. Sam Mitchell gets fired only to see the team sink deeper below .500. Raptor fans are questioning Bosh's loyalty and he is questioning their loyalty as well. At least the ones that booed him. Bryan Colangelo has went from genius/saviour to fans to now an average mortal G.M that has every choice he every made questioned. In short it has not been a fun year in Raptorland beyond the odd chuckle at a Bosh YouTube video.
So Here Is My Top 10 Least Favorite Things From 2008
10. Will Solomon/Roko Ukic Signings- I am a T.J Ford fan I have never made that a secret. But I was o.k with the choice the Raptors made to go with Jose. But I had thought it would mean the signing of an experienced back-up point guard to replace T.J. Instead we got a combo guard that played in Europe and had little NBA run. Along with that a rookie that as good as he may become was not ready to play a meaningful role as a back-up right at the start of his NBA Career
9. Joey Graham- I mean will it ever end. Time after time we are sucked into thinking maybe this will be the year for Joey Graham. Well another year and another flash of hope from Joey and the same old Bad Joey keeps coming back. When Joey Graham in 2009 is not re-signed by the Raptors that will make my favourite things of 2009.
8. Nathan Jawai's Heart Trouble- I know I was in a very small minority but I really thought and still do think Nathan Jawai can have a big impact on the Raptors. But a health issue with the big man's heart would sideline him for the entire 2008 part of the schedule. I am hopefully Nate get himself on the floor in 2009. I think everyone will be surprised at how good he can become.
7. Sam Mitchell Era Ends- I had always liked Sam and to see his career in Toronto come to a very fast and ugly end with that game in Denver was truly disappointing. I miss his humour and presence that I had grown use to on a daily basis. Despite wanting what is best for Jay Triano and the Raptors, I still will always enjoy Sam Mitchell and what he did for the organization. He just didn't seem like the old Sam anymore and it may have been the building pressure leading up to his firing. But being the classy person that Sam is we will never know for sure.
6. Hassan Adams Signing- Why?...Nothing else is required.
5. T.J Ford Getting Traded- Yes I support the trade and I understand the reasons why T.J was moved. But he was my favourite player on the Raptors and it was a sad day for me personally. So in honour of that he gets the #5 spot on the list for his new number with the Pacers.
4. Game 1 and 5 In Orlando- These were the most painful games to watch in a series that did not show much from the Toronto Raptors. Beyond a Game 3 last performance for the ages from Forderon it was a train wreck of a series. It would be the lead to all the changes that have not been successful to this point.
3. Andrea Bargnani- I like most are frustrated and wonder if it is time to accept that Andrea Bargnani is just not going to work in Toronto. He is talented but lacks confidence and it never seems to change. I am just wondering if he can ever turn out to have the type of career people want from him here in Toronto. I am thinking he can't.
2. TSN 2 Nonsense- I am still surprised that we are talking about this at this point. If someone had told me that this issue would not have been solved heading into 2009, I would have told them they were crazy but here we sit. I am not interested in who is to blame or even why at this point. I just think it is insulting to fans of the Raptors and basketball. Hopefully we are not still talking about this at the end of 2009. I know that seems nuts to say. But hey it seems nuts that we are still talking about it now.
1. Vince Carter Sticks It To Us Again- The loss to the Nets at the A.C.C may be looked back on as the turning point that sent this season off track. People wonder why Raptor fans still boo Vince and hate him still. It is these moments that won't let the anger and pain go away.
That is my list but I am sure people have many others and feel free to leave your list of best or worst moments in the comments.
Not Exactly The Million Man March
Well it was a small little protest at Rogers when all was said and done. Apparently fans may be angry about TSN 2 mess but not so angry that many would venture out into the cold streets of Toronto. But I still respect the effort that Andrew Ebanks was making. I interviewed him and made folks aware of what he was doing and I feel good about that. Hey it did not go without any attention. Andrew actually was featured in an article in the Globe and Mail. I was contacted by Bill Houston who writes for them and helped him get in touch with Andrew. The Dino Nation Blog got a small mention in the article which was nice. I think with all things Raptors apathy is settling in over the Raptors. That is not a good thing for the folks at MLSE and this TSN 2 matter as I have said is not going to help in reversing that apathy. Here is the article on Andrew and I admire his conviction to his cause.
Globe And Mail -Bill Houston Article
At Least You Won't Remember Tonight's Game?
I could do a preview and give you a bunch of stats for this game tonight at the ACC but basically it really doesn't matter. If the Raptors don't remember the beating they took in Denver the fact Jay Triano is the coach should serve as a reminder. If they can not get fired up for this game really we are in more trouble than we know. It will not be any easier to beat the Rockets or Magic. J.O left the last game after bumping knees with a Warrior and having the flu. So I am guessing he will be back tonight unless that knee bump was much more serious. Everything points to a Raptor loss if you ask me. But I have learned in watching this team over the years that when everyone thinks they will lose that is when they come up with a surprising effort. But hey if it doesn't happen it is New Year's Eve so if you are planing on going out and partying you likely won't remember anyway.
Have fun and be safe...I want all of my readers back in 2009.....So Happy New Year to all of you and the best of everything for you and the people you care about.
12/28/08
Join The Revolution To Get Raptors On T.V For All
It has been talked about a lot and it is time to take action. One of the things I have talked about from the beginning of the Dino Nation Blog is about basketball fans getting respected. The biggest lack of disrespect has been put on fans this season. The TSN2 mess has given me lots of chance to write about it. However I came across someone trying to do something about it so I wanted to help out with my little stage that is the Dino Nation Blog. Andrew Ebanks is a fan that cares about his fellow Raptor fans. He had like many of us becoming frustrated and dismayed by the lack of progress in the TSN 2 and Rogers mess. I mean we always hear things like it is close to getting done. But I am here to say that close is not good enough and this lack of respect for basketball and Raptor fans needs to end. When I heard that Andrew was trying to organize a protest about this I wanted to help out. I don't live in Toronto and may not be able to be part of the protest myself. But I do have many readers like you that could be able to get down there and help. So that is why I invited Andrew here to talk to me and with you about this issue and what he is trying to do to bring attention to it. We get started with the way all are interviews get done when we can. That is the starting 5. So have a listen then read on.One of things at the core of this to me is a general disrespect of basketball fans. I asked Andrew for his thoughts on that.
Andrew Ebanks " I have noticed that things were getting better in terms of basketball broadcasting in Canada. But it took a step backwards when you look at Rogers Sportsnet they use to be big into basketball and now they want nothing to do with it. TSN has picked it up now. But there still seems to be that level of disrespect. They have to take basketball fans seriously. It is one of the biggest growing sports across the country. A lot of the new citizens to Canada they have not grown up on hockey. They have grown up with sports like Cricket, Soccer and in many places basketball. I think it is time that we get respect for basketball and it's fans."
Sportsnet did abandon it's coverage of NBA games. That is how Jack Armstrong went from being on Sportsnet to heading over to TSN and TSN 2. But to be fair to Sportsnet they still do cover through their highlight shows and through there website. Paul Jones writes for their website and offers a lot of great thoughts on Raptors and NBA. But I can understand how the average fan would feel that way. If you are not showing games on your network that speaks to where basketball will rank in your priority list. The number one property on Sportsnet and all Canadian sports broadcasters is the NHL and not the NBA. I have said in this blog that if this matter was about the Maple Leafs and not the Raptors it would have been solved long ago. Andrew agrees with that and had this to say about that topic.
Andrew Ebanks " For me this thing would have been solved long ago if it had involved the Maple Leafs. That is the part that really upsets me. Not everyone likes hockey. It is a great game(hockey) and is part of the fabric of this country. But don't get me wrong basketball is never going to over take hockey in Canada. My only question is why can't there be room for more then one popular sport? Raptor fans are probably some of the most crazy and passionate fans out there and they are very into the team and what is going on with it."
I agree with what Andrew is saying. I mean hey let's be honest I am trying to make a living for myself based on that. The people who are the in charge of broadcasting will point to ratings as the way to point to the choices they make. The ratings are not as large as people might hope or want. But Andrew question how those ratings are created. I will not take you back to my college years and try to explain how ratings work and if they are indeed legit measurement of audience. The truth is basketball does have a fan base. It is issues like this by those people that make the choices that is a slap in the face to basketball fans. This ongoing saga over TSN 2 is proof of that.
That is why it is important that people come out and support this effort that Andrew is putting together. It is not just about TSN2 although that is at the core of it. This is a way for Raptor fans to come together and support there fellow fans. Maybe you are lucky enough to have TSN2 and have not been impacted by this. You can still come out and support your fellow Raptor fans who can not. You can show up for Raptor fans that are through out this country and around the world. This is a way to show that basketball matters to you and it will send a message to all the people in broadcasting that you are out there and you care about basketball. Andrew has protested on his on in like 20 degree weather. However one man on his own can make a statement but not a difference. However if one man can inspire others to join him in that effort it can have a really impact. I hope for all Raptor and basketball fans it does.
This protest is planned to take place at Rogers but it is not just an attack against them. I don't think any fans really understand who is to blame. But Andrew is committed to getting this message out and plans to have protests in the future at TSN and MLSE as well until this matter is resolved. He is doing it for his fellow fans many of which can not afford to go to a game and experience Raptors basketball. These are tough times for people and that is becoming a growing list of people that can not afford to take in a game at the ACC. But there are road games that are not being broadcast as well and that impact is even greater. Andrew expressed that this is not just against Rogers but all 3 parties.
Andrew Ebanks " We figured we would start at Rogers and if this is not solved we will rotate through. The next one will be at TSN or MLSE. But we are going to hit them all up. We are not just blaming Rogers because we ultimately don't know who is at fault. We need to get this solved. The next game on TSN 2 is on January 2nd. That is a big game for fans as Toronto has a large Asian community and it is against Houston Rockets with Yao Ming. Those fans want to see that game."
I asked Andrew when it comes to this protest what did he hope to get from it beyond it's ultimate goal of getting a deal done between the parties. He said that he would welcome the chance to talk with the people that are making these choices. To express his views and find out why this has not happened. I think we all would like to know that. I am open to talking to people as well. So if someone at Rogers, MLSE or TSN wants to talk on this issue here you are welcome to get in touch with me.
dinonationblog@sourcecable.net
That is my e-mail and I want to point out for all the other folks like me, that this is not just Rogers costumers being shut out it is others like me on Source Cable and I would imagine many other cable systems through out this country.
Andrew expressed to me that he wants people that come down to bring signs, whistles, horns and your passion for basketball and the Raptors. He also expressed that he wants this to be peaceful. I would express that as well. Be loud and passionate however do not use this as chance to be an idiot. Show the best of what being a Raptor Fan is all about. People always complain about the government but many of the folks that complain sat home on election day. Raptor Fans have complained about this issue of TSN2 and the broadcasting of the Raptors. This is a chance for you to express your feelings. If you sit back and do nothing the result will be the same. So if you can get out to this, write an e-mail, make a phone call. Do it and be part of getting this situation solved.
The Protest is planned to start at 8am Tuesday December 30th at Rogers building which is located at 333 Bloor St. East
Some Links To help out:
Email's For Compaines and CRTC
It is time to bring this mess to an end. Raptor fans are being the victims for something that they have no control over at all. It is time to band together and make your voices heard and let people know you care and demand action. We all care deeply about the Raptors and basketball so let's show it. Do what you can and if you are not able to go to a protest in Toronto write a e-mail explain to these people that you are not happy and your view of their company has changed not for the better.
12/27/08
Can Raptors Make It Past A Road Block In Portland?
Toronto Raptors have got back to back wins as the head north to Portland. Now I understand the Clippers and the Kings will never be confused with a top tier team in the NBA. But the fact the Raptors have been able to build on what Jay Triano is trying to do is a good thing. No matter who is in front of you the fact that you are winning games is positive re-enforcement for what the team is trying to do. Everyone was upset by the events in Oklahoma City but you have to move forward from it. The Raptors have done that. A good effort in a lose to the Spurs and two wins over Kings and Clippers. It is a start to what will be a long road back for the Raptors.
J.O Starting To Show Signs
Jermaine O'Neal had one of his best efforts as a Raptor last night. He was getting just about anything he wanted as he shot an amazing 15-19 from the field. Even though the trade that brought O'Neal here has been questioned. I think J.O himself has been a solid player for this Raptor squad when he has been healthy. He was done what he can to contribute on both ends of the floor. He may not have been as a big a rebounding force that some might have hoped. But he is bringing effort and energy to a defense that has been badly in need of it. What has been disappointing is that the players around him have not been as effective as people expected to this point. I really felt the Raptors would be better defensive wise with J.O. They have started to show signs of that under Triano but it is far from perfect.
I have been impressed with Jermaine and his attitude to this point. He has shown a real professionalism in dealing with the media and has been a model citizen from the outside looking in. I liked his latest comments that there is no more time for excuses. O'Neal said it is time to start putting those words into action on the floor. He did that last night and was key to the Raptors success. A much different challenge lies in front of him tonight. Greg Oden and Lamarcus Aldridge are a good test and challenge for O'Neal and Bosh. A true match of youth versus experience. It will really present a challenge for O'Neal who started his career with the Blazers and was not able to get much time on the floor straight out of high school. He has to be amused at looking at this team now that is all about youth and letting young players play. But it is hard to argue the talent the Blazers have with Brandon Roy, Oden, Aldridge and I could list a few more. J.O was not the problem in the trade made. The problem if you were looking for one might be that the Raptors failed to address the loss of depth it created. J.O's contract and not J.O is to blame for that. However that was always part of the attraction in taking him is that 23 million dollars that he is due to be paid next season. It is an impressive bargaining chip to have as we head towards the arms race of the NBA in 2010. Bryan Colangelo for all the abuse he is taking at the moment may end up being the smart guy we all thought he was in 2010. But people see what is happening now and are worried to angry about the short term outlook and with good reason.
What I thought the Raptors did wrong was over selling O'Neal after the trade. I can't tell you how many times I heard how he was a 6 time All-Star. But that was in the past. In the present J.O still can have All-Star like nights but to suggest or imply he was going to be an All-Star level play this year was wrong. For him to have a healthy and productive season should have been the pitch. The Toronto Maple Leafs as much as I hate to admit it did something right this year. They under sold the team so much that fans are impressed with there above lousy performance this year. But it was hard for the Raptors to under sell a player that they gave up so much for to bring here. But at the end of all of it from my perspective I am getting the Jermaine O'Neal I expected to see. The only surprise for me is the fact he has been such a stand-up guy with the media and fans. He stays focused on the task and not even this latest side show like attempt from a porn star to get attention has stopped him from sticking to the task at hand. Being such a huge fan of T.J Ford it is possible that I wanted to hate J.O in some way. But I promised that I would keep an open mind and I have done that and it has allowed me to become a fan of him.
Oh Andrea What To Do About You?
It is really a hard thing to figure out what to do about Andrea Bargnani. Please don't tell us about how we could have had Brandon Roy. Drafts are wonderful to look back on years later. But the reality is that Roy was a projected number 5 pick. You want to make an argument about Aldridge or Bargnani I will listen to that as they were projected to go near the top of the draft. I have always said you want to look at a team that should be sorry go to Minnesota. They not only traded Roy this past year they traded O.J Mayo. Maybe that is why Kevin McCale has been called into duty as coach of the T-Wolves and I would suspect has not much job security left in Minnesota.
The problem of what to do with Andrea Bargnani is a tough one. The danger is if you trade him and he has success, those same people that are singing the praises of Brandon Roy will be saying they should have kept Bargnani. That is the thing about writing a blog you can't be so easy to blow with the wind. There is a written document that is out there that can be used against you if you do. In the history of this blog I have flip flopped on Bargnani a couple of times. But I am convinced of a few things that make me think you need to trade him. Here is what they are in no particular order of importance:
- Andrea Bargnani in his head is convinced he is a power Forward(4). I see him try to play at other spots on the floor and he does at times make effort. But there is no real confidence in him to play those spots on the floor. So do you really want a first round draft choice as the back-up to your star player that plays at his best position? I think not. I also don't think you trade Bosh and keep Bargnani. Bosh has proven he is good and Bargnani has only shown he has the talent to be good. That is a major difference.
- Confidence issues will haunt Andrea forever. I remember reading and hearing about how well Andrea tested out as far as intellect and confidence. Well I am not here to get into a debate on if you can actually test those type of things. Paul Jones has a masters in sports psychology I will make sure to ask him next time we talk. But all I know is the test was flawed in the case of Andrea. He may have the smarts and basketball IQ. But the confidence was never there for very long and he just seems to be always in a state of a crisis of confidence
- Bryan Colangelo claims he takes many calls on Andrea. I say answer the phone and make a deal out of one of those calls. The reason being is what happens when the phone stops ringing. Eventually people are going to lose confidence in Andrea and his ability to be a steal or diamond in the rough. The longer you wait in my mind the worse the offers will become.
- The improvements on defense are not enough to out weigh the regression on offense. He does not shoot the ball with any kind of consistency and I am deeply concerned for a guy who is a shooter he does not seem to make enough shots. Jason Kapono takes a lot of abuse from Raptor fans but I am more confident in him making a shot or a good choice than I am Andrea.
CB4 Is Not For Sale
About the only thing that has been made clear by Colangelo is the Chris Bosh is not for sale to any buyer. Why on earth would he be. I find it totally crazy to hear people talking about trading Bosh. Some of those same people were saying he was playing like an M.V.P a month earlier. It is hard for me to imagine a trade situation in which Bosh would not be the best player in a trade. People are using terms like blowing up this team and starting over. That is not the plan and likely will not be any time soon. Bryan Colangelo has designed this roster to be able to be rebuild in 2010 and it is not going to happen until that point. He does not have to cash in his chips early to react to a losing season and cure the short term concerns of the fan base. He is not going to give up the cap space he has been building unless he feels it is a move that can address both the short and long term needs of this franchise.
In thinking of Bryan Colangelo I tend to see him in terms of poker. This season has been to this point a lot of bad hands for Colangelo. But it is a foolish poker player that tries to force his hand when he does not have the cards to win. The last thing I would call Bryan Colangelo is foolish. He may take a small risk and look for a high reward at this point but he is far from pushing all in with a weak hand and taking his chances.
Maybe some just didn't understand what the deal was with the O'Neal trade. Bryan Colangelo sold it strong as it was a move for the short term. Maybe he was bluffing us all with saying this was the most talented roster ever. But he know the big pot of this poker game that is the NBA happens in 2010. You can bet that he wants in on that pot and wants to take home as much as he can. That to me was always the end game of the O'Neal trade. If it works in the next two years great but it was not the end goal. I do suspect he expected a lot more return and better results on the way to that. But thus far it has not worked out that way.
But make no mistake in thinking that the goal at the end of the day is to keep Bosh in 2010 and add another significant player to the mix to play along side him That was always the plan and I don't think that will change no matter what happens in the time leading up to 2010. The only way that will change is if Chris Bosh declares his intention not to remain in Toronto prior to that. Despite what Jalen Rose and others may believe I do not think that event has happened at this point.
Another Chance For A Statement Win
Turning attention back to this game in Portland. This is another chance for the Raptors to get a win over a good basketball team. It is something that has been lacking on the resume this year and if they do not figure out how to accomplish that goal it is going to be tough looking forward. Denver,Orlando and Houston are all teams that are better than Toronto. You need to feel you can sneak a win ever now and then against teams that are better. The Raptors must find the confidence and ability to do this. We have seen it in flashes against several teams including the Blazers back in Toronto. They must break through and get a win like that soon. Tonight a win would go a very long way in restoring some confidence in this team. Golden State is up next and they are coming off a huge high in beating the Celtics. Apparently K.G was right in saying that anything is possible and it is. But it takes work and effort along with the belief that you can do it. The Raptors need to show they have that if they are going to break through and get a quality win over a quality opponent.
Do Your Part To Express Yourself
Tomorrow I will have an interview with someone who is putting together a protest about the TSN 2 mess that still remains unsolved. I found it interesting to chat with someone that is a true fan of basketball and cares for his fellow Raptor fans. That is something I have always tried to express in this blog. Basketball fans and Raptor fans need to stick together and support each other and speak with one voice. That does not happen very often but this is a chance to do that. December 30 will be the chance for you to do just that. We all know the Rogers/TSN2 mess. Well a protest has been put together for you to show your support. Even if you have been not impacted by this personally still this is a way to support your fellow fans. Show folks that basketball matters and you want to be respected as a basketball fan and a Raptor Fan. I will talk more about this tomorrow. But the protest is set to take place at Rogers Building which is located at 333 Bloor St in Toronto. Bright and early at 8 am but is planned to continue through the day. So if you are able to do so, go down and lend your voice to the cause of basketball. If you do go though act in a proper way and do not do anything that is going to cause trouble for you or others. Represent Raptor fans in the right way.
12/26/08
Raptors Look To Continue To Rally On Boxing Day
Well it is time to get back to work for the Raptors and for me. But before I do that I just wanted to say I hope everyone had a very enjoyable Christmas. It was made a little easier to get in the holiday spirit with an impressive Raptor win to head into the break. The Clippers were a team missing some major players and played an awful game. But hey we will take it at this point. Some interesting news over the Christmas break. So let's get to it.
Carlos is Bringing Sexy Back To NBA?
Reports are coming out of New York that the Knicks are looking at signing Carlos Delfino to an offer sheet. The Toronto Raptors still have the right to match an offer that Delfino would get. It is just as it would work in the off-season. Delfino was a restricted free-agent and the Raptors continue to hold those rights should Delfino return to the NBA from Russia. The reason for Delfino making a return is because the team's in Russia are hurting for cash. Some teams have not been able to make payroll. Delfino is playing on a team with another Ex-Raptor Jorge Garbajosa. The Raptors hold no rights to Garbo as he was bought out of his contract. But in the case of Delfino the Raptors would have 10 days to match any offer that is tabled to Delfino. Carlos was a restricted free agent and that is why the Raptors would be able to match. Many feel that given the Raptors struggles that should the Knicks or anyone else make an offer the Raptors would match it. This could be another part of a trade puzzle for Bryan Colangelo. If he brought back Delfino he would be able to move a Joey Graham or Jamario Moon. Even could move Delfino in a sign and trade perhaps? Not sure on that one. But it would be another chip for Bryan Colangelo to have. This could be why he has not made a move to this point but there is no way to know until Bryan tells us and to this point he is not talking to us. But he is doing a lot of talking on the phones from what we are lead to believe.
Vince Is On Colangelo's Wish List?
There was a report based out of Oregon, that says Colangelo has 3 guys he has been targeting to trade for. Antwan Jamison of the Wizards, Gerald Wallace of the Bobcats and Vince Carter of the Nets. I am not sure how much stock you can put into this story. But it would not seem likely given the Nets surprising start that they would be looking to move Vince at this point. Not to mention Vince Carter is still public enemy #1 in Toronto for a lot of the Raptor fan base. Jamison who is Carter's Brother In-Law, if you did not know. He was originally drafted by the Raptors and traded for Carter. He is a different matter. I had conversations with him years ago at Carter's All Star Games. I know he likes the city of Toronto and it sure looks a lot better than his current situation with the Wizards right now. What is would take to bring him to the Raptors would be the question. It would also be a question of where he would fit in here once he did come? Most likely a very big man to play at the 3 spot? Anyway it is just talk. Gerald Wallace has been talked about for a long time as someone on the Raptor wish list.
There was also talk of a trade between the Knicks and Raptors that would include Marbury and Eddie Curry. But the Raptors have claimed that they have not talked to the Knicks since the draft. However with this Carlos Delfino situation that could be coming maybe that will spark talk between the two clubs. Being in the same division and both sitting with about the same records it seems more unlikely these two teams make a deal. Also when you factor in that these two teams have yet to meet and will play 4 times. Basically don't hold your breath on any Knicks Raptors deal unless it were to be about Delfino and a draft pick in a sign and trade.
So Bring On The Kings ?
For a start this game is on the main network over at TSN. Wow, gee thanks!!! But more on TSN 2 mess later. The Kings are an awful 7-22 and a team that once had one of best home court advantages in the league, is a less than impressive 5-9. The Knigs come into this game on a 4 game losing streak. About the only good thing about working for the Kings is you can get a free room at the Palms when you visit Las Vegas. Teams have been laying the smackdown on the poor Kings scoring almost 106 points per game against them.
Both teams record in the last 10 games is nothing to be proud of. The Raptors are just 3-7 but the Kings are worse at just 2-8. John Salmons who had once been a guy that was going to becoming to Toronto. He would back out at the last minute and head to Sacramento. He said that a higher power told him to do so. How has that been working out for you? Well personally at least this season pretty good. He is averaging 20 points a game. Some are even saying that Bryan Colangelo is looking at him as a guy he might still want to bring to Toronto. If there is any truth to that this will be his audition for him and Raptor fans to check him out. The only higher power that needs to be consulted for a trade in the NBA League office in New York City.
So we will get to see if the Raptors big win over the Clippers was able to be the spark to get this team heading back in the right direction. I had said if not for all the doom and gloom the Raptors should have a chance to save this road trip. The also play the Golden State Warriors who Jeff Van Gundy challenged anyone to name their starting line-up at this point. However before that a real test against the Portland Trailblazers will be tomorrow. The Raptors are racking up there frequent flyer miles for sure in this holiday season. What their record is when they come home to face the Nuggets on New Years Eve will be interesting and important. After that New Years Eve tilt followed by the Rockets and Magic as part of a 3 game homestand through 2008 to 2009. All 3 teams are among the top teams in the playoff race. Not easy tasks at all.
Your Christmas Rewind
I wasn't thrilled about there being 5 games on Christmas Day. Having said that there was some pretty good basketball games. A Laker win to snap the Celtics 19 game winning streak. Chris Paul and his steal streak are done. His Hornets got hammered by the Magic. Dwight Howard had a Christmas gift for NBA fans as he announced that Superman will return to defend his Slam Dunk Title in Arizona. The Spurs got a win on a buzzer beater from an unlikely source to beat the Suns speaking of Arizona. But for a complete wrap on Christmas Day you can check out Holly Mackenzie over on The Score's Court Surfing Blog.
Raptor Fans Have Had Enough And Are Not Going To Take It Anymore?
I always try to see what is going on with the Raptor Fan base. Well someone has decided enough is enough. They are putting together a protest over this whole TSN 2 mess. It is set to happen on Dec 30 th at the Rogers building in Toronto. I have reached out to this person and they are going to come by to do an interview prior to the event. But before that time you can check out some info on it from a event group on Facebook. You know if not for Facebook I would never get invited anywhere. People have a stag and doe, a birthday party or whatever it is on Facebook. But as for this Raptor Protest here is you link for that.
Rogers Protest on TSN 2 Affair
So that is it for this morning. A late night battle with the Kings and A Raptor Rewind to come after that. The break is over and it is back to work for me. I love it though and hope you had a great holiday and have come back to visit and read the Dino Nation Blog. Well if you are reading this I guess you have right. Anyway hope is not dead in Raptorland just yet. But it is a flickering flame that a strong breeze could blow out. Let's hope it keeps burning strong.
12/22/08
Clippers Then Christmas
The Toronto Raptors hold the all-time lead in this series 14-11. In L.A the Raptors are 6-6 all time. A little hope for you to stay up late and watch the Raptors. That is if you have TSN2. If you read the Dino Nation Blog earlier yesterday I was mistaken saying it was on TSN and not TSN2. I had heard a promo on TSN saying it was on the main network. Maybe it was wishful thinking but I though I heard that. However I had forget about Monday Night Football. So if you tune in to TSN you will see the Packer and Bears and not the Raptors and Clippers. For those of you keeping count that is 6 games down on TSN 2 and 19 to go. This would not be important if a deal was done with cable companies the most of note Rogers. There is the costly option of seeing if your cable company has NBA League Pass. That would get you pretty much every NBA game that is broadcast. You could also tune in via your computer. It will cost you close to 30 bucks a month for that if prices are the same in your area as it is mine. I half joking said you should get the league pass and send the bill to Rogers, TSN and the Raptors and tell them you want them to pay. I mean why not. Maybe that would get them to take this seriously? Chances are it wouldn't. It really makes me sick that people like us who are basketball fans are being disrespected like this. Maybe my letter needs to go to Barak Obama he loves basketball maybe he could help. Come to think of it he has enough problems to solve. David Stern anyone please someone take this seriously. I even saw one post from a fellow fan saying to bad quit whining about it. Hey when it is happening to you say the same thing. People that have been left in the dark by TSN, Rogers and the Raptors are the victims in this crime against basketball.
Bosh Bashing Becoming New Thing To Do?
Keeping in this theme of stuff that is not so great. Seems a lot of fans have turned their back on Chris Bosh. Maybe a lot is an over statement but it is a lot. They have got fired up about Bosh and his play and comments of late. However I will continue to support this guy until I think he is not trying and doing all he can to win basketball games. I do not think that has changed as far as Bosh goes. The effort I feel will always be there from him. It is the results that might not always be. It is easy to see why Bosh has becoming the target of the frustration and anger of fans. That is the bad side of being the face of a franchise, as everyone will look to you as the reason for all that is good and bad. Chris only needs to walk across the locker room and talk to Jermaine O'Neal about how that works. O'Neal became the target of fans angry for a Pacers team that had fallen apart after the famous Malice at The Palace. Players getting in off court troubles in which O'Neal was not even a part of would fall at his front door.
People soon forget all the good you have done when times get bad. A lot of those people that booed Bosh were likely the same who chanted M.V.P for him earlier in the year. Some sports fan are basically hypocritical and do not think rationally. Paul Johnson actually did make a point that for a lot of fans they only get the chance to go to one game a year or a couple. They in some cases pay a lot of money for that right. They want to see the best effort for that money and when they don't feel they have got it they get angry. I understand that. I think in my time I have maybe taken in only like dozen games over the history of this franchise. Some were memorable and others not so much. It is just the way it goes. There is always a risk when you buy a ticket to a sporting event. You favourite player may not play, the team may lose, It could be a blowout and a number of other factors that are beyond anybodies individual control. But at the end of the day Chris Bosh has given fans far more good days at the ACC than he has bad. Talks of trading Bosh and picking apart his game is not going to fix anything. He has been a stand up young man and I am proud to say I am a fan of him even in these tough times. I still believe in CB4 and will not give up on him as fast as some of the people out there. Long time readers should not be shocked by this. I still support T.J Ford and did through all of his troubles last year. The Dino Blogger is a loyal person in life and as a sports fan.
So Can We Win?
The Clippers are in rough shape as well. They have had unwanted injuries that have been part of their struggles. Chris Kaman has been hobbled most of the year by plantar fasciittis on his left foot. Marcus Camby has had health issues as well. Ricky Davis has a sore left knee. Mike Taylor has a fractured right thumb. But the Clippers did add some bulk with getting Zach Randolph in a deal with the Knicks. They have brought in Baron Davis and the for mentioned Marcus Camby. They have young Al Thornton as well. So they do have talent.
But I am going to be bold and brave. I will say it Raptors will beat the Clippers. I have no reason or logic to share on why I am doing this. Maybe I just want to enter into a game with some hope. Maybe after the Christmas break who will even remember that I made this bold and brash prediction. We can beat the Clippers. YES WE CAN!!!
But to be fair, I am also aware that with the holidays the Raptors could just as easily have mentally checked out already for the holiday. It will be one or the other. I expect a great Raptor effort or a total blow-up. I do not think there will be any in between. But the fans of this team need and are desperate of something to be positive about.
Over The Break For Dino Nation Blog
The Dino Nation Blog will still keep going through the break. It might be a bit shorter and at different times of the day. But I will keep working through the holiday. So check back in between your family gatherings or Christmas parties. In fact if you are at a party and basketball comes up mention this blog. That is the best Christmas gift I can ask from my readers. Be safe and take care over this holiday time. Just in case some people are going to check out for a few days over the holiday I want to which you all the best in the Holiday Season. I will likely do some kind of a Christmas blog. But in case you were going to be away I did not want to miss anyone. Remember Raptors are back at it out on the road on boxing day against the Kings.
Let's Hope We See This Happen:
Bosh Bashing Becoming New Thing To Do?
Keeping in this theme of stuff that is not so great. Seems a lot of fans have turned their back on Chris Bosh. Maybe a lot is an over statement but it is a lot. They have got fired up about Bosh and his play and comments of late. However I will continue to support this guy until I think he is not trying and doing all he can to win basketball games. I do not think that has changed as far as Bosh goes. The effort I feel will always be there from him. It is the results that might not always be. It is easy to see why Bosh has becoming the target of the frustration and anger of fans. That is the bad side of being the face of a franchise, as everyone will look to you as the reason for all that is good and bad. Chris only needs to walk across the locker room and talk to Jermaine O'Neal about how that works. O'Neal became the target of fans angry for a Pacers team that had fallen apart after the famous Malice at The Palace. Players getting in off court troubles in which O'Neal was not even a part of would fall at his front door.
People soon forget all the good you have done when times get bad. A lot of those people that booed Bosh were likely the same who chanted M.V.P for him earlier in the year. Some sports fan are basically hypocritical and do not think rationally. Paul Johnson actually did make a point that for a lot of fans they only get the chance to go to one game a year or a couple. They in some cases pay a lot of money for that right. They want to see the best effort for that money and when they don't feel they have got it they get angry. I understand that. I think in my time I have maybe taken in only like dozen games over the history of this franchise. Some were memorable and others not so much. It is just the way it goes. There is always a risk when you buy a ticket to a sporting event. You favourite player may not play, the team may lose, It could be a blowout and a number of other factors that are beyond anybodies individual control. But at the end of the day Chris Bosh has given fans far more good days at the ACC than he has bad. Talks of trading Bosh and picking apart his game is not going to fix anything. He has been a stand up young man and I am proud to say I am a fan of him even in these tough times. I still believe in CB4 and will not give up on him as fast as some of the people out there. Long time readers should not be shocked by this. I still support T.J Ford and did through all of his troubles last year. The Dino Blogger is a loyal person in life and as a sports fan.
So Can We Win?
The Clippers are in rough shape as well. They have had unwanted injuries that have been part of their struggles. Chris Kaman has been hobbled most of the year by plantar fasciittis on his left foot. Marcus Camby has had health issues as well. Ricky Davis has a sore left knee. Mike Taylor has a fractured right thumb. But the Clippers did add some bulk with getting Zach Randolph in a deal with the Knicks. They have brought in Baron Davis and the for mentioned Marcus Camby. They have young Al Thornton as well. So they do have talent.
But I am going to be bold and brave. I will say it Raptors will beat the Clippers. I have no reason or logic to share on why I am doing this. Maybe I just want to enter into a game with some hope. Maybe after the Christmas break who will even remember that I made this bold and brash prediction. We can beat the Clippers. YES WE CAN!!!
But to be fair, I am also aware that with the holidays the Raptors could just as easily have mentally checked out already for the holiday. It will be one or the other. I expect a great Raptor effort or a total blow-up. I do not think there will be any in between. But the fans of this team need and are desperate of something to be positive about.
Over The Break For Dino Nation Blog
The Dino Nation Blog will still keep going through the break. It might be a bit shorter and at different times of the day. But I will keep working through the holiday. So check back in between your family gatherings or Christmas parties. In fact if you are at a party and basketball comes up mention this blog. That is the best Christmas gift I can ask from my readers. Be safe and take care over this holiday time. Just in case some people are going to check out for a few days over the holiday I want to which you all the best in the Holiday Season. I will likely do some kind of a Christmas blog. But in case you were going to be away I did not want to miss anyone. Remember Raptors are back at it out on the road on boxing day against the Kings.
Let's Hope We See This Happen:
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