Jaamal Maglorie Needs Raptors More Than They Need Him

The simple fact is that Jaamal Magloire needs the Toronto Raptors more than they need him. The Raptors in a season where everyone knew expectations were low signed the Toronto native to a contract last season. It was in my view a way to get positive spin, as much as it was to get veteran leadership, as the Raptors claimed. Magloire is on the last legs of his NBA career and after years of some people wanting the Raptors to acquire the Toronto native they finally did.

Much like how he would fail to show up for Team Canada time and time again, he passed on the opportunity to play for the Raptors. He even signed with Miami when Chris Bosh first left to join the Heat. The fact this is the guy that will go down as the first Canadian to play for the Raptors will turn my stomach till the day I die.

People searched for reasons to find his relevance last season.  There just wasn’t any and he should have gone the way of Rasual Butler. He didn’t though, but he offered about as much as Butler did to the Raptors. Jamaal at one time was a high level NBA talent, but that time was back in 2003. It was his best season in the NBA with at the time Charlotte Hornets. The Hornets would move to the Western Conference and Magloire went from All-Star to irrelevance fairly quickly.

This would not stop his name from coming up with fans to come home to the Raptors for years to come. Sometimes the dream is far better than the reality.

Aside from the fact he never played for his country there is arrogance about Magloire that rubs me the wrong way. Case and point how last season ended. He was selected to address the crowd before the final game of the season vs. the Nets. Not even under contract to the club for this season, he would tell fans that the Raptors were going to be heading back to the post-season this year. How on earth is a guy that might not even be here able to do that?

I would have had no issue if Demar DeRozan or Andrea Bargnani is making such a claim. They will be part of any such playoff effort. Magloire would be for the most part a spectator to one. I guess what got my juices flowing on this topic again, was an interview he had on Prime Time Sports on Friday from The Fan 590.

Again, I sit back and hear a guy that has not officially been offered a non-guaranteed contract talking about the Raptors future.  How on earth did this guy become the spokesperson for the Toronto Raptors?  I get the impression from some he is treated with the same type of reverence that a Steve Nash is treated. He is no where close to a Steve Nash even at the peak of his career.

Make no mistake about if the Raptors had not offered this guy a deal last season there is a strong possibility his NBA career would be finished. There is a major difference in Steve Nash ending his NBA Career in Toronto while still able to contribute to the Raptors and this.

The Raptors get more out of Aaron Gray who we profiled on Friday than they do Jaamal Magloire. Canada has some legitimate stars coming along in basketball and they will far surpass anything this guy has done. I would be proud to have a guys like that listed in the history books as the first Canadian Raptor. I would be proud if it was Canada’s greatest player ever Steve Nash.  Instead I have to live with it being a washed up guy that was last productive in 2003.

What I shouldn’t have to do is have to endure that for another season. The Raptors have more than enough big people without Jaamal Magloire eating up a space on this roster. This was no fairytale story that some so desperately want it to be. It might be for Magloire when he looks back on his career but not for anyone else.

Quincy Acy: The Man Behind The Beard

Just days before the NBA Draft, Quincy Acy was in Detroit, Michigan working on his game with coach A.W. Canada. While other prospects were finishing up their workouts with NBA teams, Acy was in the gym not showing off his game, but improving it.

It's no secret that Acy is a relentless worker, almost stoic in his demeanor. His coaches have raved about his work ethic since he was in high school, but his intensity on the court is a stark contrast to his humbleness off of it. Acy is a quintessential gentleman that fully understands himself and what life is all about.

Baylor head coach Scott Drew helped mold Acy into the man he is today. Baylor is a very religious institution, and when Quincy Acy first got there, Drew would frequently remind him to read the bible and go to church. By his junior year, Acy was doing the same thing for his teammates.

Today, it's easy to see why Drew was so fond of Acy. He's just a great kid in every respect. He's one of the few NBA players that stayed in school for a full four years, and is graduating with a major in communications.

Despite not being the best player on Baylor's basketball team, he was undoubtedly its leader. He was the man in the middle of pregame circles. He rarely actually sat on the bench, as he was always up cheering for his teammates or arguing with calls he didn't agree with. He is the guy barking orders on the floor. And he leads by example.

Two of Acy's highly touted teammates, Quincy Miller and Perry Jones III, seem almost envious when they speak of Acy's intensity and consistency as a basketball player. They go on and on about his leadership -- seemingly unanimous in their opinion that he led that team.

Perry Jones III: "He grew up a lot. He has a son. His son has turned him into a man. Ekpe (Udoh) helped him through college and he helped me through college and he’s still helping me now. Just keeping me on the right path and things like that. Inviting me to church every Sunday." (source)

But don't let Acy's humility trick you. He's a monster on the court. Evidence? Check this video and this video.

His dunks are electric. His blocks are implacable. His hustle cannot be described as anything other than demoralizing to his opponents.

At 6'8" and 224 pounds, Acy was labelled as undersized by scouts and NBA teams. Acy, however, does not agree that his size inhibits his ability.

"People are going to have their opinions and you can't control that. If you let it bother you, that's your own fault. You're supposed to let it motivate you. They say I'm not skilled, they say I'm undersized. There are a couple of knocks, but everybody has their flaws. I do what I do, and I do it well." (source)

Baylor coach Scott Drew agrees.

"Some people say he’s undersized, but I think his length (7'3" wingspan) and freakish athleticism (37" vertical leap, 32" standing vertical leap) and toughness make up for that and allow him to play undersized." (source)

Raptors Executive Vice-President of Basketball Operations, Ed Stefanski, has compared Acy to Reggie Evans. Bryan Colangelo did the same. Scouts like that comparison, but feel he's more impactful, garnering comparisons to Jason Maxiell and Kenneth Faried. If his ceiling is Faried? Oh boy. His spot on the Raptors would be solidified.

Even if Acy doesn't have the same upside as Faried, his influence should be a tremendous asset to the Raptors. His no-nonsense attitude will translate extremely well to practices and his in-game dunks and blocks are perfect to rev up the crowd and his teammates.

"I love to compete. When you think of my game, we’re in Canada now, so think of a hockey player on a basketball court. I’m going to make tough plays, compete, make sure I’m going hard in every practice, every drill."

When I first heard the Raptors drafted Quincy Acy, I barely knew who he was. I watched two Baylor games, and he wasn't particularly huge in either of them. I was worried, quite frankly. But the more I learn about him, the more video I see, the more interviews I read...the more I like him. He knows who he is, he knows what he has to do, and he's committed to doing those things. I hope he sticks around. How can you hate a guy whose motivation is feeding his son?

Oh, and he has a wicked beard.

The FYI on The Raptors Draft Lottery History

Do you believe that lightning can strike twice in the same place? Well if you don't, the Raptors chances of getting the number one pick are done. Last year Cleveland won the NBA Draft Lottery, but it was not thanks to their worst record and their own pick. That pick would drop 3 spots and they would draft Canadian Tristan Thompson. The pick that landed them Kyrie Irving the eventual NBA Rookie of the Year was the 8th spot heading into the lottery. It was a pick they acquired in a trade with Clippers that saw them acquire Mo Williams and former Raptor Jamario Moon in exchange for Baron Davis and the pick. The Clippers with that typical luck the franchise has been famous for. That said, if the Clippers don't make that trade and draft Kyrie Irving they likely never land Chris Paul. The lottery has been a jumping off point for a lot of big trades based on the results directly or indirectly. Boston of course bombed out in the lottery and missed out on the number one pick and instead of drafting Greg Oden they made a trade to acquire Ray Allen from the Seattle Supersonics. This trade lead to another trade for Kevin Garnett and the Boston big three was born. It stopped the Celtics from losing Paul Pierce to complete the trio. So even if the Raptors don't win the lottery it might not be the end of the world.

The Raptors have been in the Lottery 11 times in franchise history. They have only moved up twice in those 11 trips to the Lottery:

1996: The Raptors entered the Lottery in the 3rd slot and ended up in 2nd. (They actually won the draft lottery but based on their agreement to enter the NBA were not allowed to select first) This pick would be used to draft Marcus Camby. It should or could have been used to select Allen Iverson at number one. That said, Isiah Thomas who was running the team at the time claims Camby would have been the pick at number one as well. The Raptors at the time were in desperate need of a big and with having Mighty Mouse Damon Stoudamire were not in need of a point guard so it is likely this was true. But still imagine how different the Raptors might have been with Allen Iverson?

2006: The Raptors entered the lottery in 5th spot and jumped all the way to number one. This is the draft that saw Andrea Bargnani become the first ever number one pick for the Toronto Raptors. It has been a long and bumpy road since than for Bargnani. This would turn out to be one of the worst draft classes in recent memory. The Raptors passed on guys like Lamarcus Aldridge and took the big Italian making him the first ever player from Europe to be selected number one overall.

So based on this the Raptors should be a lock for the first overall pick in 2016? Raptor fans sure hope not and would like to believe this team will be a fixture in the playoffs by that time. The Raptors have actually had some terrible luck in the Lottery. They have exited the lottery with a lower pick than what they came in with 5 times.

1998: Entered 2nd and fell to 4th (They Drafted: Antwan Jamison who was traded for Vince Carter)
1999: Entered 6th and fell to 6th ( They Drafted: Johnathan Bender traded to Pacers for Antonio Davis)
2003: Entered 3rd and fell to 4th (They Drafted: Chris Bosh)
2004: Entered 7th and fell to 8th (They Drafted...Wait For It!!! Rafael Araujo)
2011: Entered 3rd fell to 5th (They Drafted: Jonas Valancuinas)

Shockingly enough it seems things go well with one large exception for the Raptors when they drop in the lottery. Not that I am suggesting they tank the NBA Lottery but it sure is a pretty nice list of players they have ended up with as a result. The lone exception is of course the Rob Babcock pick of Araujo that could have been Andre Iguodala or a host of other guys that are still playing in the league today.

In the 4 times the Raptors did not move based on the Lottery here is who they took and where:

1997: Tracy McGrady 9th Overall
2005: Charlie Villianueva 7th Overall
2009: Demar DeRozan  9th Overall
2010: Ed Davis 13th Overall

Now that I think about it the start of this blog is wrong. Lighting could strike in a different place as the NBA Lottery is no longer held in New Jersey and has moved across the Hudson River to Time Square and the ABC/ESPN Studios. Dwane Casey will be the one representing the Raptors on the stage for this event. In case you were wondering the odds on the 8th pick. It has only moved up twice in 2001 to 2nd for Clippers and as mentioned the pick that belonged to the Clippers landed number one for the Cavs  last season. This dates back to 1995. Raptors most likely outcome is to remain at 8th spot with a 70.38 % chance of that happening. The next most likely is they drop one spot to 9th with a 16.5% chance of that happening. The chance of landing the top pick is only 3.5% and to land in the Top 3 is less than 5%.

So that is all the facts and figures for NBA Lottery tomorrow. What is also fact is we will be having an NBA Lottery Chat as we have for the past few years. So come hang out with us and enjoy the NBA Lottery and some Raptor off-season chatter with Team DNB and you. I will be there hosting the chat and trying to keep you entertained. So make plans to join us for the Draft Lottery. 

Raptors Have Early Start On MLK Day in U.S

Before we get to basketball today just a few words on what today is in the United States. Martin Luther King was one of the many that struggled for civil rights in the 60s. He was one of the great men that lead that struggle. When I was in high school studying American History this time period was one I took particular interest in. I have always had great respect for not just King but Malcolm X and all the others that fought for the rights of African Americans. The fact we live in a time that has a black president is something that perhaps these men could not even have imagined. So take the time to learn about their struggle. Here is the most famous speech Dr. King delivered it is one of the best speeches given by any man of any colour:



So that is why I will not complain that the Raptors play at 4pm on Monday. They are in Atlanta to take on the Hawks. As mentioned when we talked with Jack Armstrong last week, the Hawks have lost an important piece to their puzzle in Al Horford. To me, Horford is the heart and soul of this Hawks team. While the Hawks have more talented players in Joe Johnson and Josh Smith they do not provide that leadership and heart that Horford does.

Smith comes in off perhaps his worst performance of the season with just 8 points in a win for the Hawks over Minnesota. While Joe Johnson remains productive but many will point to his contract and say that he should produce much more. The Hawks are a good team that has never been able to find the parts to be that great team. They come into the game today looking for their 10th win of season sitting in 5th place in the Eastern Conference. Actually sitting second in the Southeast behind Orlando not Miami. The Heat with their losing streak are a half game behind the Hawks.

As for the Raptors they continue to struggle against three things. The schedule, injuries and themselves. James Johnson the latest Raptor to catch the injury bug had x-rays on his ankle that were negative but his status for today as of right now is uncertain. The schedule is what it is and there is nothing you can do about that. But the Raptors turnovers and missed free throws along with having trouble getting to the line at all are things that they control. As Scott Carefoot in Raptor Blog referenced that 1 for 7 performance was the worst for the franchise since back in it's first season in the league. Demar DeRozan did not even get to the line in that game. This has to change fast if the Raptors hope to compete on any level.

Despite the great improvements on defence you still at the end of the day must score more than than other team to win. Turnovers and missed free throws will do nothing to help in that regard. The Raptors would be served not by the words of Martin Luther King but by those of Malcolm X as they need a win and will take it "By any means necessary." So let's get to some keys to the game.

Get There And Make It- I just went through how important it is for the Raptors to get to the free throw line and once there cash in on their attempts. This offence struggles to score at times and without Andrea Bargnani that struggle is even greater.

Battle on the Glass- Hawks are by nature an athletic team. Minus Horford they still are that. The Raptors need to fight hard on the glass and close out defensive possessions. They can not afford to give up rebounds that lead to second chances points or transition opportunities.

Transition D- The Hawks are a team that can get out and run. Josh Smith is a finisher in transition and the fewer easy points you can give up to him the better. Give yourself a chance to guard the Hawks in the half court and try to shut them down. The Raptors at times did an excellent job of this against Chicago. This was done mostly through the use of zones and the Hawks are a team that is not exactly known for 3 point shooting so it might be a good idea to go to the zone early and often today.

That just about does it. I encourage you even as Canadians to take some time to remember a great man in Martin Luther King today. His dream still lives today and it is up to all of us to keep it alive and be mindful of the past. I have friends of all colours and backgrounds. I think basketball more than perhaps any other sport is a true collection of all of these cultures. I judge people on how they treat me and not by the colour of skin or religion or anything else. That is how I was raised and is part of who I am. On a day like today it is important to reflect on those values and spread them to others. We have come a long way in terms of race relations but there are still people in this world that have not seen the light and may never see it. At the end of the day we as people can only control our own actions and our own way of life. But together we can show that we as people of any colour, race or creed can all be as one and love a sport like basketball. United by a common bond and love of something that we all share.

"NBAz in 7 Dayz"

"It means a great deal to those who are oppressed to know that they are not alone. And never let anyone tell you that what you are doing is insignificant". - Bishop Desmond Tutu. I was at the ACC last night, ready to enjoy what the Raptors and Jazz had to offer. I heard the heights of ultimate cheering and praise for our men in red and white. I also heard the boos and verbal jeers toward a few calls (the referees were a different breed last night). But this isn't what struck me. What struck me was a "this team sucks" piercing through the air during the fourth quarter. This team doesn't suck. Whatever system they are using or decisions made to generate wins clearly did not work for them this season. That is the difference. I think it is hypocritical to cheer and show praise one minute and verbally abuse your 'so-called team' the next. Sure, be upset your team blew a 14 point lead in the fourth quarter. As a fan you have every right to be upset. But unless you are able to school the likes of Demar DeRozan, Leandro Barbosa or even Reggie Evans all on your own, you are not in a position to proclaim the level of talent a team has, especially in such an ignorant way. I read tweets from self proclaimed Raptors fans announcing they are jumping ship and supporting another team from now on based on what they have seen so far this season. This is a real shame. Despite the Raptors not finishing the game in their favour, I had a really good time. Besides the game, there were many ways I was entertained - especially the Raptors Dance Pak. They were so positive and energetic it made me want to scoop their workout regimen so I may raise my own level of athleticism. Aside from the company of one of my best friends Dave, the highlight of the night for me was when I saw an adult fan go ape crazy for a free t-shirt, pause to look at it and promptly shuffle it forward a few rows to an unsuspecting 5 year-old. Now if only the jaded fans in attendance Thursday night could have shown the same kind of compassion for the Toronto Raptors. Please be clear I am not saying Raptors fans have no right to be frustrated their team did not make the playoffs for one reason or another. I am asking you to direct said frustration to the right place and see the bigger picture.

Speaking of Playoffs...

NBA All-Star Weekend? Done. NBA Trade Deadline? Done and Done. The only thing left to look forward to now on your professional basketball calendar are the playoffs. Last year, the DNB staff made their picks and gave their individual reasons for their choices. As you may remember, I chose the Los Angeles Lakers to go all the way and I do so again this year. I realize Boston, Chicago and San Antonio are the only teams to clinch a playoff spot so far but I never go with the top teams unless I am confident they have shown they know how to win AND lose. San Antonio has bulldozed through most of the league at this point with a 52-12 record but ask yourself have they lost major games they should have won? How did they bounce back? This is the most important skill to have going into the playoffs since we all know this is the time for surprises and upsets. When the Lakers fell to the Cavs 104-99 on February 16th, even Magic Johnson was trash talking his former club for losing to the worst team in the league. I remained confident they would pull through and so did Lakers management since no changes were made to L.A.'s roster close to the deadline - not even the rumoured Ron Artest trade.

Fast forward to today. The Lakers are now showing their championship contending qualities and posting an 8 game win streak since the All-Star break. Tonight they play the Heat and are poised to stretch their win streak to nine. The Miami Heat have not shown - at least recently - they are able to handle the pressure and bounce back from adversity. The Lakers have. Having said this, if we were to toss the remainder of the season and start the 2011 'Battle Royale' for NBA supremacy right now, here are my match -ups:

EASTERN CONFERENCE

(1, 8) Boston Celtics - Indiana Pacers - BOSTON
(4, 5) Orlando Magic - Atlanta Hawks - ORLANDO
(3, 6) Miami Heat - New York Knicks - NEW YORK
(2, 7) Chicago Bulls - Philadelphia 76ers - CHICAGO

WESTERN CONFERENCE

(1, 8) San Antonio Spurs - Memphis Grizzlies - SAN ANTONIO
(4, 5) Oklahoma City Thunder - Denver Nuggets - OKLAHOMA CITY
(3, 6) Los Angeles Lakers - Portland Trail Blazers - LOS ANGELES
(2, 7) Dallas Mavericks - New Orleans Hornets - DALLAS

Think about this over the weekend. When you join me on Tuesday for more "NBAz in 7 Dayz", I will give you my reasons and fill in the rest. Thank-you for joining me today. As always I welcome your comments and suggestions. Please keep them coming by following me on Twitter (ddegraauw) and Facebook (Danielle de Graauw). Have a great weekend.

"NBAz in 7 Dayz"

LeBron James kept his promise. When he agreed to participate in "The Decision" last summer - his hour-long special detailing how he was joining the Miami Heat - he wanted money raised for different Boys and Girls Clubs across the United States. He is finally seeing the fruits of this controversial tv production - all 3 million dollars worth. On Wednesday, the LeBron James Family Foundation opened a newly refurbished gym in Miami to the tune of 100 screaming kids. Now, not all the money raised is going to this particuliar gym. It will be spread out to other Boys and Girls Clubs in the U.S. There will also be work spaces with new computers courtesy of Hewlett-Packard and furniture from the HomeCourt line James designs with his girlfriend, Savannah Brinson. He says he regrets certain aspects of "The Decision" but believes the money raised made it more than worth doing. Let's hope this is the final proof needed to show naysayers some good actually came out of it. Let's talk about other decisions being made in the NBA like Mike Bibby taking his talents to South Beach, the Jazz signing a new Head Coach, and the NBA playing overseas.

A Bit of a Stretch

This weekend's road trip for the Raptors and Nets will mark the NBA's first ever regular season games played in Europe. While I am excited Europeans will get to experience what the NBA has to offer, I am shaking my head at the pieces of pie the league decided to share. The games being played between two teams far off the playoff race is not exactly a big ticket match-up. The Raptors are 17-44 and 13th in the East and the Nets are really no better sitting at 17-43. I am gathering it has something to do with the culturally eclectic brand of the Raptors: Andrea Bargnani and his Italian roots, Jose Calderon and his Spanish heritage, Brazilian Leandro Barbosa, Lithuanian Linas Kleiza and Alexis Ajinca of French decent. It will be easier for friends and families of these guys to bring more friends and family to fill the stands (and the NBA's pocketbook). I have serious reservations if this is going to work. I realize this is all a part of the NBA trying to spread the sport's popularity on a global scale. However, if the goal is to eventually expand and establish an on-going NBA presence in Europe in the form of an actual team, red flags go up. Sure, basketball is one of the biggest events in any Summer Olympics, especially when big name NBAers are involved, but the sport has no grassroots appeal in London. There is definitely a strong hierarchy when it comes to professional sports in Europe and basketball is no where near the top. No doubt organizers of the 2012 London Olympics are thrilled to test out their facilities and host the players, staff, sponsors and some season-ticket holders who have travelled to England. Plus, FIBA hasn't decided whether Great Britain will get an automatic spot in either the men's OR the women's Olympic tournaments in 2012. If staging this weekend's event goes well, FIBA may decide in Britain's favour. There is also a concern out there the Brits don't deserve it because they would be excessively over-matched but denying a spot to an Olympic host would be the first time it's happened. Although NBAers like Chicago's Luol Deng, Ben Gordon in Detroit and even former Raptor Pops Mensah-Bonsu are all passport-carrying British, the level of basketball talent in Britain at the grassroots level still has a long way to go before being considered competitively Olympic. I'm not saying the games this weekend in London shouldn't be happening but rather reminding fans to take a step back and see the bigger picture.

Bibby Takes his talents to South Beach

It should come as no surprise Mike Bibby signed with the Miami Heat Wednesday night. On Tuesday, the Heat let go of former Raptor Carlos Arroyo which cleared a roster spot. Even though there are NBA rules for formally announcing these things, several players including James and Wade said they expected to have Bibby in Miami soon. Plus, when he was traded by Atlanta to Washington last week, there was talk right away concerning Bibby seeking a buyout from the Wizards. Then after the not-so-secret court side chat between LeBron James and Mike Bibby after a game last week, now things seem to make sense. The icing on the cake? Bibby agreed to walk away from the $6 million that was guaranteed to him next season to get out of his deal with Washington and join a championship contender. Then in walks the Heat. So in a week he's traded, clears waivers, becomes a free agent and is now looking for real estate in Miami. Nice. Bibby is expected to join his new teammates Thursday when the Heat host Orlando. Then we will get to see how this all plays out.

"We walked the walk" Utah Jazz CEO Randy Rigby

This storyline makes me laugh. So, the Utah Jazz signed Head Coach Ty Corbin to a multi-year contract on Wednesday less than a month after he took over for Jerry Sloan. This is where things get a little shady. Think back about 4-6 weeks. Jerry Sloan signed on to be Head Coach of the Jazz for at least another year. You would think this means management thought Sloan was their guy. He resigns shortly after signing and all of a sudden, he's not their golden boy anymore? This is the part which gets me. Jazz CEO Randy Rigby said it would have been easy to tell Corbin to ride out the season but "We don't believe in putting a coach in that position". Really? How about giving Jerry Sloan the reins only to set him up to fail. That's like saying 'Yeah, here's the wheel, Captain' just as the titanic hits an iceberg. Ty Corbin does have the experience by serving as an assistant to Jerry Sloan for the past 6 or so years and now becomes the seventh Head Coach in Jazz history. Good luck.

Thanks for joining me this week. As always, I welcome your comments and suggestions. Keep them coming by following me on Twitter (@ddegraauw) and on Facebook (Danielle de Graauw). See you on Tuesday for more NBA coverage in "NBAz in 7 Dayz".

"Behind Enemy Lines"

Due to NBA All-Star Weekend, the Raptors are off for a few days and only play two games before next Friday. DeMar DeRozan will be working hard, though. He is in the Rookie Challenge playing for the Sophomore side on Friday and representing the Raptors on Saturday in the Slam Dunk Contest. He has the most support and talent around him and has a really good shot at challenging the Blake Griffin Show. Moving onto this week for the Raptors, they host Charlotte at home on Tuesday and visit the Bulls on Wednesday. Let's dive in.


Toronto Raptors @ Charlotte Bobcats - Tuesday, February 22nd

• The Raptors and Bobcats have played twice this season. Charlotte won both times: November 10th - 101-96; December 14th -97-91.
• During their last meeting, Toronto lead the first quarter by nine points (29-20) and Charlotte picked up the lead in the second - sustaining it through to the end.
• This game saw the Raptors' starters outscore Bobcats' starters 64-62. Jerryd Bayless had 17 points on the night - tops for the Raptors and Nazr Mohammed put up 18 for Charlotte.
• The key to this game seemed to be the energy off the Charlotte bench. They combined for 35 points from 4 of their players, while the Raptors' bench put up 27 from 3 of five players.
• Bobcats Inactive List: Matt Carroll, Desagana Diop and Tyrus Thomas.
• Bobcats Head Coach Paul Silas signed a 1-year contract extension Wednesday and is no longer just the interim coach. Under his leadership, the Bobcats are now within one game off the Pacers for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
• Raptors need to watch: Gerald Henderson. In their last game against the Bulls, the Bobcats' bench put up 43 points, almost half of which were Henderson's (22).

Chicago Bulls @ Toronto Raptors - Wednesday, February 23rd

• The Raptors and Bulls played twice this season. Chicago took both contests: 110-93 on December 15 and 111-91 on January 4rth.
• During their last meeting, Chicago lead at the half by 18 points (59-41). Toronto rallied in the third but the effort wasn't enough.
• This is where it gets interesting. Toronto's starters that night outscored Chicago's by 10 (69-59). However, Chicago's bench was far superior and put up 52 points to Toronto's 22.
• As of Thursday, Chicago sits at 37-16 on the season and third in the Eastern Conference.
• Bulls Inactive List: Joakim Noah.
• Raptors need to watch: The obvious? Luol Deng and Derrick Rose. Deng had 24 points versus Toronto during their last meeting and versus the Bobcats Tuesday. 2011 All-Star Derrick Rose put up a double double (18points, 13 assists) against the Bobcats Tuesday. The not-so-obvious? Keith Bogans and Kyle Korver. Both were successful from three point range three times Tuesday. Do not leave these guys alone.

Thanks once again for joining me this week. As always, I welcome your comments and suggestions. Keep them coming by following me on Twitter (@ddegraauw) and on Facebook (Danielle de Graauw). Have a great All-Star Weekend and see you on Tuesday for more NBA news (including All-Star Weekend) in "NBAz in 7 Dayz".

"Behind Enemy Lines"

13. It is hailed as the unluckiest of unlucky numbers and the Raptors now have it. Thirteen straight losses hurts no matter how you slice it but if we are trying to see the forest through the trees, the Raptors have to start winning sometime and why not this week against Minnesota, Milwaukee or San Antonio. I know this line of thinking hasn't been working for the Cavs who now sit at the bottom of the East with 22 straight losses, but realistically, we have to start somewhere. I have heard every joke under sun about the Raptors and it's viability as the only Canadian NBA franchise and their current losing streak. But just like that other professional sports franchise in Toronto, as long as the team makes money, the team will go nowhere - some say figuratively and literally. If the product is not producing, it will cease to increase in value and profits will take a nose dive just like their record. At the end of the day, the Raptors need to turn this ship around and just like I have said for the past 13 games, it is entirely possible for this to be their week.

Minnesota Timberwolves @ Toronto Raptors, Friday, February 4th:

• The Timberwolves and Raptors have played once already this season. Last Saturday, Januray 29th -Minnesota took the contest 103-87.
• Minnesota lead the scoring for the first three quarters of this game.
• The depth of Minnesota's bench was the key. The top three off the Timberwolves' bench combined for 39 points (Wesley Johnson-14, Jonny Flynn-10, Martell Webster-15). The top three off the bench for Toronto combined for 30 points (Ed Davis-15, Jerryd Bayless-10, Julian Wright-5).
• Timberwolves Inactive List: Lazar Hayward, Luke Ridnour.
• Raptors need to watch: Kevin Love. He posted 21 points in 24 minutes for Minnesota during their last meeting.
• Key for Raptors: The Raptors' starters played more minutes but produced less than Minnesota's starters. With Barbosa, Evans and Kleiza on the Raptor's Inactive list, it will be hard not to transfer the bulk of the work and minutes to the current starting line-up. They need to relieve the pressure by scaling back minutes slightly and keep everyone fresh to play. (Easier said than done, I know).

Toronto Raptors @ Milwaukee Bucks - Tuesday, February 8th:

• The Raptors and Bucks have played once this season. It was last week on Friday, January 28th: a 116-110 loss for the Raptors and still fresh in their minds.
• The lead flip-flopped over 4 quarters in this game with the eventual tie in regulation forcing it into overtime. OT saw Milwaukee with 12, Toronto with 6.
• A plus for the Raptors? Their bench was stronger than the Bucks' during their last meeting. However, the Bucks' produced more for minutes played per player than the Raptors - a reoccurring theme for Toronto.
• As of Thursday, the Bucks sit 4 spots above the Raptors at 10th in the East with 19-28.
• Bucks' Inactive List: Drew Gooden (out 4-6 weeks, treatment for plantar fascitis, left foot), Andrew Bogut, Michael Redd.
• Key for the Raptors: Play solid on both sides of the bench and not relying on a few guys to do all the work. This game will be played after a few days off so the rest may help.

San Antonio Spurs @ Toronto Raptors - Wednesday, February 9th:

• Spurs and Raptors met once this season, a few weeks ago on January 19th. Spurs took it 104-95.
• The Raptors were leading in the first half but as always, the Spurs regroup and dominate the second half.
• A plus for the Raptors? DeMar DeRozan had 28 points on the night.
• In their last game versus Portland, the Spurs lost by 13 points - significant since they have the best record in the league right now (40-8) against Portland's 26-23 (8th in the West).
• Spurs' Inactive List: Matt Bonner.
• Key for Raptors: San Antonio is strongest in the second half. Reverse the 'jedi mind trick' on them and do your best work in the third and fourth quarters. (Assuming the Raptors best next Wednesday is enough to take the Spurs).

Thanks for joining me this week. As always, keep your comments and questions coming on Twitter (@ddegraauw) and Facebook (Danielle de Graauw, purple jacket/red microphone). If you have a chance this weekend, visit the Bucks' home page. Their official website is hilarious how they try to entice the Canadian audience by making references to Canadian artists Sarah McLachlan and Men Without Hats. Their best tidbit? Celebrating #99 and "Brantford's Wayne Gretzky's 50th by holding their 9th consecutive opponent to 99 points or less". Nice to know Brantford was mentioned, though I would be more impressed if they could find it on a map.

"Behind Enemy Lines"

The Raptors are on a 3 game road trip after hosting the Pistons at the ACC on Friday and need to consider two things about their opponents: the depth of their bench and sustaining a lead for more than 2 quarters. We are seeing some pretty good basketball from the Raptors and their starters putting up better numbers but their downfall has been playing consistently. This week they are up against Detroit, Washington, New Orleans and San Antonio. Consider the points I mention below when watching these games. I look at each game individually and analyze what the Raptors need to do to win. Yes, even against the Spurs who are first in the Western Conference because I believe the talent is there. Let's get to it.


Detroit Pistons @ Toronto Raptors - Friday, January 14

• These two teams have played twice already this season and split the wins.
• Their last meeting on December 22, saw Detroit win 115-93 over the Raptors.
• During this game, Detroit's top 4 starters averaged about 24-28 playing minutes. Toronto's top 4 averaged a significant amount more at 33-37 minutes. Not much difference in production from the top 4, the difference came from the bench.
• Detroit Pistons Inactive List: Jonas Jerebko (right Achilles tendon - partial rupture), Terrico White (broken right foot) - both have missed 37 games so far and Ben Wallace.
• The Raptors need to watch: Richard Hamilton and Tracy McGrady who had 35 and 17 points respectively coming off the bench during their last meeting with the Raptors.
• The Key for Raptors: Go hard in the first two quarters and go into the 3rd quarter with a respectable or sizable lead. During their last meeting with Detroit, the Pistons dominated the 2nd quarter producing 38 points to the Raptors' 21. The Raptors' fought to catch up after that.

Toronto Raptors @ Washington Wizards - Saturday, January 15

• These two teams played twice this season and split the wins.
• Their last meeting on November 16th saw the Wizards win 109-94.
• Washington lead the first 3 quarters of this game. Three of their 5 starters put up double digit points, including Gilbert Arenas with 20 and Andray Blatche with 22.
• The key to this game was Washington had a more consistent and productive bench: Nick Young with 20 and Hilton Armstrong with 10.
• Washington's Inactive List: Josh Howard and Hamady Ndiaye.
• Key for the Raptors: Do not let the lead change hands and if it does change, keep it to a minimum and of course, on the Raptors side. And shut down Nick Young. Young had 43 points in the Wizards' last meeting with Sacramento which saw the lead change 5 times and tie 8 times. Be consistent and solid.

Toronto Raptors @ New Orleans Hornets - Monday, January 17

• This will be the first of three meetings for these two teams this season.
• New Orleans currently sits at 6th in the Western Conference and is on a two game win streak as of Thursday morning.
• New Orleans pulled off a 92-89 win in their last game versus Orlando where they lead the 1st and 4rth quarters.
• This will the first time the Raptors will meet their former teammate Jarret Jack since he was traded to New Orleans. He has played 27 games in a Hornets jersey - none of them as a starter. (As a Raptor this season, he played 13 games all of which were starts).
• The next time they meet after Monday's game will be on March 1st in Toronto.
• Key for the Raptors: stay strong in the first half and even stronger in the 4rth quarter. The Hornets have guys like Chris Paul and Marcus Thorton who can be counted on for key shots and for putting up solid numbers.
• Hornets Inactive List: Marcus Banks and David Anderson.

Toronto Raptors @ San Antonio Spurs - Wednesday, January 19

• This will be the first of two meetings for the Spurs and Raptors.
• San Antonio currently sits at 33-6, is in 1st place in the Western Conference and is on a 4 game win streak as of Thursday morning.
• Their last game against the Bucks saw a 91-84 result in favor of the Spurs. They only lead the 3rd and 4rth quarters of this game.
• Spurs Inactive List: James Anderson.
• Key for the Raptors: Don't count out the Spurs if you are leading at the half. They are a team who has proven their ability to re-group and score points. And forget about their record and standings - they are just like any other team in the NBA - a team to beat.

Thanks for joining me today. As always, I love hearing your comments and suggestions. Please add me on Facebook and Twitter - I am the one with a purple jacket and a red microphone. Or you can leave a comment after this article and I will add you. (Go to the friend page not the "public figure page". The "public figure page" just popped up and is not authorized).

As always have a great weekend and I will see you here on Tuesday for more NBA coverage in "NBAz in 7 Dayz".

"Behind Enemy Lines"

This week will be an interesting one for the Toronto Raptors. It's getting down to crunch time - Christmas is just around the corner and whether they celebrate the holiday or not, the Raptors are praying for a few presents in the form of wins. Call me crazy but the Raptors have the potential to walk away from the upcoming week with a 3-0 record. Yes, even against the Lakers. Keep reading to find out why.

Friday, December 17th - New Jersey Nets @ Toronto Raptors

• This will be the first time these two teams have met this season. The Raptors won all four contests versus the Nets last season.
• New Jersey acquired Sasha Vujacic from the Los Angeles Lakers and 2 first round draft picks in a three-way deal with the Lakers and Houston. Vujacic was with the Lakers his entire career (7 years) before the trade and has appeared in 11 Lakers games this season averaging 1.8 points in less than 5 minutes per game. Unless New Jersey gives him a different role, the Raptors don't have to be stressed about Vujacic.
• Anthony Morrow is out for New Jersey for 2-3 weeks with a strained right hamstring.
• Key for Raptors: Watch for Jordan Farmar to start alongside Devin Harris in the backcourt. Farmar has been averaging 25 minutes and 10 points in his last three games.

Sunday, December 19th - Los Angeles Lakers @ Toronto Raptors

• This will be the second time these two teams have met this season. Although the Lakers won 108-103 during their last meeting, it was only by five points and the Raptors scored 38 points to L.A.'s 22 in the second quarter.
• L.A. acquired Joe Smith in a 3-way trade with New Jersey and Houston. He brings experience to the team since he has played 15 years in the league. However, he has only played in 4 games this season for New Jersey with insignificant impact.
• Andrew Bynum and Derrick Caracter are back in the line-up for the Lakers.
• Raptors need to watch Kobe Bryant and his decoy role playing. Against Indiana Wednesday night, Kobe scored 25 of his 31 points in the second half to beat the Pacers 109-94.
• Key for the Raptors: The Lakers are winning games but they have to work for it and not all are coming easy. They have faced fourth quarter deficits in 7 of the 9 games they played before meeting the Pacers Wednesday. If they can come out strong in the first half and find a way to stop Kobe and his late-play antics, maybe just maybe this game could go in the Raptors' favour. Maybe.

Wednesday, December 22nd - Detroit Pistons @ Toronto Raptors

• This will be the second time these two teams have met this season. On Saturday, December 11th, Detroit botched a 25 point lead and handed Toronto the game (120-116 Toronto).
• Terrico White (broken right foot) and Jonas Jerebko (partially ruptured right Achilles tendon) are out for Detroit.
• Raptors need to keep an eye on rookie Greg Munroe. He has had 2 opportunities to start for Detroit and is looking to prove himself.
• The Key for the Raptors: Detroit has been showing signs of improvement but have a long way to go. They have been putting up 20 point-plus leads but then unable to close some of those games. The Raptors need to capitalize on this misfortune and rebound, rebound, rebound.

Thank-you for joining me today. More "NBAz in 7 Dayz" will continue on Tuesday. Enjoy your weekend.

"Behind Enemy Lines"

Raptors + Denver Nuggets + Friday = HUGE. For two reasons. One: the Toronto Raptors will be playing a team fighting for their coach and his legacy of a thousand career wins. Two: James and myself will be meeting with some very lucky fans of the DNB in box seats at the Air Canada Centre. For the DNB and for me personally at the very least, it will be the most exciting game of the year. Fans of the blog will know my allegiance lies with the purple and gold and to the Raptors every other night the Lakers aren't playing. However, knowing what Denver has gone through as a club in the last year and how they have supported Head Coach George Karl through his battle with cancer makes me throw my support behind them too. I want the Raptors to snap their 3 game loosing funk but I wouldn't mind seeing George Karl get win number one thousand since I will actually be in attendance for the game. Just being honest - as I always am with you. Besides this Friday against Denver, the Raptors will be up against Detroit, Charlotte and Chicago. Nibble on this.


Friday, December 10 - Denver Nuggets at Toronto Raptors

• This will be the first time these two teams have met this season.
• Denver starter Carmelo Anthony is day to day with an inflamed right knee. He was a late scratch against Boston so there is a chance he will play Friday night.
• Denver Head Coach George Karl is one game away from 1,000 wins as an NBA coach. Only 6 other NBA coaches have accomplished this.
• Denver's hot: Gary Forbes earned a start in place of Carmelo Anthony. Ty Lawson is leading Denver in an average of 24 points off the bench in absence of Anthony.
• Who's not: Chauncey Billups is shooting a career low 35.8% from the field through 21 games for Denver.
• Key for Raptors: whether or not Carmelo Anthony is in the line-up and if they play solid defense.

Saturday, December 11 - Toronto Raptors at Detroit Pistons

• This will be the first time these two teams will meet this season.
• Ben Gordon, Rodney Stuckey and Richard Hamilton combined for 48 points in their last game against the Hornets (19, 16 and 13 respectively).
• Detroit Injuries: Terrico White out with a broken foot. Jonas Jerebko still out with a partially ruptured achilles tendon on his right leg and will miss the next 5 months.
• Raptors need to watch Ben Wallace. He grabbed his 10, 000th rebound November 30th, 2010 and is the third active player to record this stat with 2,000+ blocks in his career.
• Key for Raptors: Realistically, the Pistons are no better than the Raptors despite the above. Play confident and force Gordon, Stuckey and Hamilton to take shots out of their comfort zone.

Tuesday, December 14 - Toronto Raptors at Charlotte Bobcats

• This will be the second time these 2 teams have met this season. The last game was a 101-96 win for Charlotte on November 10th.
• During this game, Gerard Wallace, Stephen Jackson and Boris Diaw all played close to or over 40 minutes and put up double digit points for Charlotte. Andrea Bargnani was in for 38 minutes and had 25 points on the night for the Raptors.
• Gerald Wallace recorded his 17th game with double figure scoring and 8th game with 20+ points for the Bobcats. Stephen Jackson and Tyrus Thomas are also on a roll with double figure games. Stephen Jackson has averaged 22 points, 6 rebounds and 5.7 assists since his one game suspension on December 3rd.
• Key for Raptors: need to be quicker to the basket than Charlotte and find a way to get Wallace, Jackson and Thomas out of their scoring rhythm.

Wednesday, December 15 - Chicago Bulls at Toronto Raptors

• This will be the first time these two teams have met this season.
• The Chicago Bulls have no players out with injuries at the present time.
• For Chicago: Joakim Noah ranks 2nd in NBA for rebounds per game. Derrick Rose is tied for 4th in NBA scoring, is second in the Eastern Conference.
• To date, the Chicago Bulls are 12-8 and have won their last 3 games. They will challenge the Lakers, Timberwolves and Pacers before taking on the Raptors next Wednesday.
• Key for the Raptors: play solid team basketball. No one player, not even Bargnani, will win this game for them. Be solid and consistent to shut down the ranks and record holders.

Thanks for joining me today. I am looking forward to meeting some dedicated fans of the DNB at Friday's game. See you all on Tuesday for another edition of NBAz in 7 Dayz. Have a great weekend.

Bravo Bargnani

I feel almost obligated to write this blog. Andrea Bargnani has taken more than his fair share of abuse in blogs, in the media and in general. He never should have been the first overall pick. We could have had Brandon Roy or a number of other names that people will throw out. He can't rebound and he definitely can't defend. But if we are going to point out the bad with Andrea, it is only right to point out the good as well. Last night, granted in a lose, was the best game of Andrea Bargnani's career. He played like a guy that was a first overall pick and a franchise player. He and Amare Stoudemire traded blows like 2 UFC fighters will be doing in a cage at Rogers Centre on April 30. One would make a shot and the other would answer. It really was an impressive display in both offensive skill and clutch performing.

What I expected with Bosh leaving has not happened to Bargnani. What was what I expected? I pretty much thought teams would now double Andrea, and he would not be able to deal with it, and his production on offence would go down the drain. Long before last night he had proved that wrong. But not only last night was Bargnani getting his... to the tune of 41 points. He was also helping others get their own as well. When players are measured in this league it is not just what they do as individuals but it is what they do for the team around them.

How many times have we heard how guys like Magic Johnson, Larry Bird and Michael Jordan made the teams around them better. That for some is the ultimate definition of what makes a "Franchise Player". Andrea Bargnani for the first time for me at least for a night looked like a guy that was a "Franchise Player". It may have been just a one night thing, but this will be a moment if Andrea can develop into a true franchise guy that we will look back on. Don't get me wrong he will never be in the class of the all-time greats that I mentioned. He may never even be in the top 10 players in the league right now. But last night he showed that he has the ability in him to be a dominate player in the NBA.

True he has a long way to go on the other end of the floor. I don't think anyone is ready to even class him as an average defender yet. He still may not rebound to the level we would want and hope for. Although since Reggie Evans was injured, his rebounds in 6 games have gone up to 7.5 per game(Season Average is 5.7). Jack Armstrong made the point that Andrea may just not have as many opportunities to get rebounds with a guy like Reggie on the floor with him. In averaging almost two more boards a game there might be some truth to it.

Doubters will point out the fact that he also while scoring all of those points was not stopping Amare Stoudemire from doing the same. But I think the fact he was answering him on the other end showed that Andrea has a competitive fire inside of him. So many people have written this guy off along the way. I am one of them. It sure seems like he still could be something pretty great by the time the story is done being told.

Patience is something we all seem to lack in this modern world. You only need to look at how people have been throwing Demar and Sonny under the bus to see that. People seem to get frustrated a lot faster in comparison to the past. But things take time and not everyone can come into the league and dominate right away. It has been a long and frustrating road with Andrea Bargnani in that regard. But perhaps last night was a sign that we are starting to get to the light at the end of the tunnel.

Andrea Bargnani has always been a pretty blunt and honest person. Part of that is him learning the English language but still do you every recall Chris Bosh saying he personal sucked on a given night. If Andrea does not play well he would be the first to tell you. I am still not saying their will be a statute outside the ACC of him some day. Which I wrote once when I was to the point of frustration with him and other issues with this team. But he may just be a lot better than many of us gave him credit for being. I am willing to admit when I am wrong and in terms of Andrea I have been about some things.

After all of this I just hope he follows up this performance with a solid game vs Denver. If the Magician disappears it will take the shine off what was a pretty big night for him in New York City. The only bigger night for him was when the Raptors drafted him. It has been a long road for all of us from that moment to this one.

"NBAz in 7 Dayz"

Basketball is my solice, my outlet and the means by which I keep myself youthful. When I was a kid, I used to go to the outdoor courts near my parent's place to clear my head and shoot baskets. It was my time to work out the kinks of my game and personal life. On many of these occasions, my Dad would come along, show me his sky hook and we would often play a little one-on-one. I know I am a better hockey player than basketball player - that much I will admit. But those days on the court with my Dad are ones I will remember because we would feed off each other and have fun. He obviously had the height on me and let's face it, I had speed on my side (sorry, Dad). We would butt heads -still do- but there was something about our roles on the court that would just mesh and those debates about Leafs' line-ups or curfew would just go to the wayside. I think this is what's missing from the Big Three in Miami. It's too personal. Dwayne Wade, LeBron James and Chris Bosh are great basketball players - that is a fact. But the climate which made them individually great before coming together in Miami is way different than what they are being afforded now. Let's really dive into this and touch on Laker's Head Coach Phil Jackson's latest comments.

Too Many cooks in the Kitchen

It would be overstating the obvious if I were to proclaim the Miami Heat are having some issues. With Thursday's game in Cleveland, LeBron's return to play his former teammates will not be like Bosh's in how he greeted the Raptors' bench and made plans to go out after. I highly doubt LeBron James will be sticking around Cleveland after that game and heading straight for the team bus. The level of hate and revenge against the Heat and LeBron James is so high in Cleveland that according to ESPN, dozens of extra police will be assigned to the game both in uniform and undercover. The Cavaliers management and the NBA will not only be considering the safety of LeBron James and the Miami Heat, but of of LeBron's family, too. Shirts or posters or any kind of homemade device which show any form of disrespect to LeBron James or his family will be banned. This is serious business. One member of the Cavs management team had this to say about Thursday's game: "Honestly, I'm a little bit afraid. Some people don't care. Their mentality is 'I've got to get this off my chest'. There's so much negative energy around this game. People aren't excited about the game itself. They're just like, 'I can't wait to do something'". This is really sad. The Cleveland Cavaliers have never prepared for an event like this with the amount of security detail Thursday's game will have. According to Cavaliers' Senior Vice President of Communications Tad Carper, the team, the NBA and the Cleveland police have been preparing for this game since the schedule was released in August.

It seems as if there are two choices when it comes to the Miami Heat now: dislike and hate. Two very strong areas to be in. I know booing happens at any sporting event and signs like 'Beat the Heat' are normal. To be honest, though, I never thought I would see the day when LeBron James would only draw applause from the crowd on the road when he makes a mistake. But the real issue I have now is the hits he is taking from those within in the league. Even NBA Team owners and players are weighing in on why the Heat are not so hot right now. "I want them to loose all their games" says Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban. Tracy McGrady is personal, but more constructive in his criticism: "Both of those guys need the ball, and they don't shoot the ball like Ray Allen. That's why they are having trouble scoring in the half court, because they can't get a rhythm, because one of them is dominating the ball". So Cavs Head Coach Byron Scott can get fined for arguing with a referee and impeding his ability to do his job but people like Mark Cuban can just shoot off his mouth. Everyone is entitled to their opinion and should be free to express it but I think owners are held to a higher standard. Would you want to work for someone who stood up for you when things were hard or someone who publicly criticizes those who came before you? I have to give Miami Heat Coach Erik Spoelstra credit. He has to be thinking his job is on the line because with a roster and a boss like his, there is added pressure. He is doing his best to put a positive spin on things saying that adversity builds a team and disagreements are good. However, tensions are high in the Heat locker room and even if they are not saying it publicly yet, I am sure players are looking for change. Chris Bosh has the best attitude through all this: "We all wanted this coming in, so we're going to have to deal with it and just overcome it". I think a little bumping of shoulders between player and coach are the least of their worries.

Lakers are quietly happy

The one team in the NBA happy about the bulls eye on each Heat jersey is the Los Angeles Lakers. Here's a team who is expected to three peat an NBA Championship and in comes the Miami Heat drama train deflecting some of the pressure. Lakers Head Coach Phil Jackson and his team are not out of the woods yet. He is as zen as he always is and but with this being his final year as an NBA Coach, there is an expectation he goes out on top. He's been publicly expressing his frustration lately about the timeline for Laker Andrew Bynum's return. Bynum has been out of the Lakers' line-up recovering from surgery he had on his right knee in the summer. Although Phil Jackson wishes this recovery was going a little quicker, I don't think his coaching style allows for public humiliation of his players. He still believes Bynum is working hard in his rehabilitation and is "a very willing worker. Absolutely no doubt". Bynum has said he expects to make his season debut sometime in December but I doubt after all this time he'll be up to a starting position. He's in practice now and slowly building up the intensity but I don't think his conditioning will be deserving of a starting position. Knee surgery is serious business in any sport and can be career-ending for even the best players. He should be happy he has a leg to stand on and go from there.

Thanks for joining me today. I will see you here on the DNB this Thursday for more "Behind Enemy Lines".

"Behind Enemy Lines"

To measure the greatness of any coach or player for that matter, you need to look at what would happen to the team if he left. Based on the Raptors' record so far (3 and 9), I don't think the Raptors could get any worse if Head Coach Jay Triano left. Like Ron Wilson (the Head Coach of that other MLSE team), Jay Triano has a lot of talent but unless he gets his team back on track, he may have to start packing his bags. Raptors fans deserve more than what they have been given over the last 12 games, so something needs to be done before the slippery slope gets anymore slippery. The Raptors are at home this week hosting the Houston Rockets, Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers. I think this week we'll see the battle of the Head Coaches. Jay Triano has a lot in common with Houston Rockets Head Coach Rick Adelman in the player drama he's had to deal with. Doc Rivers, Head Coach of the Boston Celtics, is the major key to Boston's success. If the rumours came true and he retired at the end of last season, Boston would not be the team they are now. As for the 76ers, they have a Head Coach in Doug Collins, a guy who hasn't coached in 7 years, spending time as a TV analyst. So there is a lot to consider this week. Let's get to it.



Houston Rockets @ Toronto Raptors: Friday, November 19, 7pm.

• The last time these two teams met was March 1st, 2010. Houston Rockets 116, Toronto Raptors 92.
• Going into this game, the Rockets were 30-29 on the season with the Raptor at 31-28.
• During this game, the Rockets dominated the first three quarters. Toronto exploded and put 27 points on the board in the fourth but it was enough.
• Going into this week's match-up, Houston still has their starting five from this game and have added veterans Brad Miller and Courtney Lee.
• Like Jay Triano, Houston Head Coach Rick Adelman has had to deal with his fair share of player drama (Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady). Coach Adelman knows how to push players for all they are worth, likes to stick to his systems and is able to adapt.
• Player for Raptors to watch: Aaron Brooks - for his quickness and long range shooting. He plays major minutes and averaged about 20 points per game last season. But him being out has been a big part of why the Rockets have struggled.
  

Boston Celtics @ Toronto Raptors: Sunday, November 21, 1pm.

• The last time these two teams met was April 7, 2010. Boston Celtics 115, Toronto Raptors 104.
• Going into this game, the Celtics were 49-29 on the season with the Raptors sitting at 38-40.
• During this game, the Celtics lead three of 4 quarters in scoring. Raptors showed up in the second quarter but lost steam in the end.
• Going into this week's match-up, the Celtics still have their starting five and have added Shaquille O'Neal, Jermaine O'Neal and Von Wafer. They have lost Assistant Coach Tom Thibodeaux to a head coaching job with the Chicago Bulls.
• The Celtics have won 17 NBA titles - last one in 2008. The Raptors? None.
• Player for Raptors to watch: Rajon Rondo - for drawing fouls, being quick and finding ways to penetrate any defense.

Philadelphia 76ers @ Toronto Raptors: Wednesday, November 24, 7pm.

• The last time these two teams met was April 3, 2010. Toronto Raptors 128, Philadelphia 76ers 123.
• Going into this game, Philadelphia was 26-50 on the season and Toronto was 38-37.
• During this game, the Raptors lead the first 3 quarters with Philadelphia battling back to tie the game. The Raptors put 14 points up on the board in overtime to push for the win.
• Going into this week's match-up, the Sixers have 4 of their five starters from their last Raptors' meeting. However, they are without veterans Samuel Dalembert, Rodney Carney, Francisco Elson and Allen Iverson.
• Head Coach Doug Collins hasn't coached since 2003 when he was Head Coach of the Washington Wizards. Between then and now, he has been an analyst for the NBA on TNT.
• Will be a re-match of last night's game that the Raptors won in Philadelphia this time at the ACC. Will Iguodala be back will be a BIG Factor.
  
• Player for Raptors to watch: Evan Turner - for being able to hit the mid-range and jump shots. Though he is still proving himself as a rookie on a struggling squad.

The best chance the Raptors have at winning based on record and team dynamics alone, is against the 76ers. Both Toronto and Philadelphia are playing to stay relevant and both are trying to put the past behind them. Though, for that reason alone, some could say this will be their toughest game. No one expects them to win against Houston or Boston, so maybe they can go into these match-ups relaxed. Can you imagine? Raptors 98, Celtics 95. It could happen. Now James will definitely think I have lost my marbles. Remember, these are points to get you thinking outside the box for the Raptors' games this week. Have fun and see you on Tuesday for more NBAz in 7 Dayz.

"Jiggly Bits"

Everything you hear leading up to the start of the regular season, is who is going to win the NBA Championship? Everyone has their picks right? I am not too keen on making predictions since anything can happen with injuries and unexpected breakthroughs being thrown into the mix. Look at last year's finals. No one thought the Celtics would have made it as far as they did and no one thought the Lakers would have to fight as hard as they did to win the title. With this being said, with no clear challenger in the Western Conference and barring any serious injuries, the Lakers are looking good to come out on top. In the Eastern conference, I know everyone is talking about Miami but I wouldn't rule out the Boston Celtics or the Orlando Magic. I really hope for the fans' sake, the Raptors make the playoffs because they have been showing some real signs of brilliance and playing some exciting basketball. Honestly? I think Chris Bosh leaving was the best thing to happen to the Raptors since players like DeMar DeRozen, Sonny Weems and the like, are getting a chance to really prove what they can do now without being under Bosh's shadow. They are playing more team-oriented basketball and the play no longer revolves around getting it to one person. Today, let's talk about Derrick Rose, Allen Iverson and some rookies to watch this season.

My Favourite 5 NBA Rookies to watch and why

I am sure some of you will agree and some of you will agree to disagree, but here are some rookies I will be keeping an eye this season:

TIMOFEY MOZGOV, NEW YORK KNICKS: For the same reason I liked Andrea Bargnani when he came to the Raptors from Italy, is one of the same reasons I will be watching Timofey Mozgov. Something needs to be said about a player going from one culture to another and learning a new 'basketball language' on top of it. He comes to the Knicks after playing six seasons in Russia and didn't put up stunning numbers but he has the ability to hit the long jumper which he feels his previous coach didn't utilize.

JOHN WALL, WASHINGTON WIZARDS: You have to watch this guy and the rest of the starting line-up from Kentucky for that matter. He is quick and is a strong defender - a good combination for steals. I know he was the top pick for his skills but a good player should also be judged on how he makes his team better. Remember, Kentucky had all five starters drafted in the first round of the 2010 NBA Draft, including Wall. Let's see how this 20-year-old affects the Wizards.

BLAKE GRIFFIN, LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS: Finally, something to get me excited about watching the L.A. Clippers. I know he was drafted in 2009 but he didn't play last season after injuring his knee in the pre-season. He's calling this his "official" rookie season. He seems to have fully recovered from his injury and is ready to play. He is hungry to show how he can bang up with the big boys of this league at 6 foot 10, 250 pounds and if his 2009 pre-season play is any indication (17.3 points, 12.3 rebounds and 30 minutes of play), he will surely bring it.

DEMARCUS COUSINS, SACRAMENTO KINGS: Another Kentucky product to watch. You know, people said this kid was out of shape and needed an attitude adjustment but he really has come into own. Look at his stats: 15.1 points and 9.8 rebounds and he is also able to bang inside to get up and under. Remember Michael Jordan's famous 'switch hands' up and under move vs the Lakers? Look for Cousins to be just as distracting.

DERRICK FAVOURS, NEW JERSEY NETS: He is the youngest player in the NBA at 19 years old and won ACC Rookie of the Year honours at Georgia Tech. Some players have made it in this league with staring out so young but I have to admit, I was a little skeptical at first about Favours. I like to see players mature a little under the tutelage of their college coach and come to the NBA prepared. He was reportedly in a deal to trade for Carmelo Anthony remember, which could totally throw a wrench into the 20 minutes he was expected to get in New Jersey. Part of me is concerned about him, the other part is looking to see him get through his first year in the NBA and watch him develop.

Options are exercised on Derrick Rose

Good news for Chicago Bulls fans. The organization has exercised the fourth-year contract option on Derrick Rose which means he'll be under contract with the Bulls for the 2011-2012 season. Good move. Also, the Bulls want to keep Taj Gibson and James Johnson on for the same season and took the third-year options on their contracts. Taj Gibson and James Johnson are good additions to the team but clearly, Derrick Rose was coming back. There was no way Bulls management could ignore the 18.7 points per game or the fact he was the first Bulls player named to an All-Star team since Michael Jordan in 1998. There's a sense of history and longevity with Rose. What happens after 2012, remains to be seen.

Let's get on with already - Iverson about to make up his mind

"You do it to yourself, you do. And that's what really hurts is you do it to yourself, just you and no one else..." - Radiohead. This was the first song that popped into my head when I read an official from Besiktas, a Turkish basketball team, is about to meet with Allen Iverson. You know, I really like Allen Iverson as a player and really wanted to see an NBA club pick him up. But the more I think about it, Iverson had a chance to play in the NBA this season but he didn't want to be on the bench. Now he's going to consider going overseas and away from the NBA where he really wants to be? He's leaving some options open to come back, but if a team doesn't want him now, only a serious injury would change their mind about his place on their roster. As a Besiktas team official, why would you hire an employee who is going to bolt the first chance he gets? Pure bananas, is all I have to say. Pure Bananas.

"Behind Enemy Lines"

Remember to join me here on the DNB this Thursday when we will take a look at the Raptors' opponents for the coming week - see you then.

"Behind Enemy Lines"

Welcome to the first edition of "Behind Enemy Lines" here on the DNB. Every Thursday throughout the regular season, we will be taking a closer look at the opponents of the Toronto Raptors: what they are up to, talk strategy and anything newsworthy. This week, the Raptors have only one regular season game against the New York Knicks in Toronto on Wednesday at 7pm. Before this match-up, the Knicks will meet the Raptors at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec and so will end their pre-season. The end of the pre-season usually signals the end of the off-season/pre-season drama and we all get down to business. I hope. There are a few things to address today about the Knicks: their roster and the possibility of Carmelo Anthony being added to it, plus things to look for when the Raptors meet them a total of 4 times during the regular season. Also, we need to discuss the NBA's ban on those 'vertical leap' shoes and if the Raptors need to worry about them.

Addition and Subtraction with the New York Knicks

So let's first take a look at the New York Knicks' roster, who they gained and who they lost. First, obviously, we mention Amar'e 'the bait that never snagged LeBron' Stoudemire. A power forward with a hefty price tag in my opinion, but let's hope Knicks Head Coach Mike D'Antoni gets full use out of him. Look for Stoudemire to spend time at the centre position like he did in Phoenix and try to take the face of this team. The Knicks have also added veterans Raymond Felton, Anthony Randolph, Ronny Turiaf and Kelenna Azubuike to their roster pool along with the rookie talents of Landry fields, Andy Rautins, Jerome Jordan, Timofey Mozgov. Knicks management tried to give this club a serious face lift in anticipation of LeBron James coming to New York and the serious possibility of challenging for at least a division title. They shaved nine other players off their roster including Tracy McGrady and Al Harrington. So look for this team to go through some serious adjustments during the first few games of the regular season as they try to make up for a lack of continuity.

Now let's touch on the issue of Carmelo Anthony. Let's make it clear he did not demand a trade but is looking to keep his options open - one of those options is to leave Denver. Carmelo Anthony has declined to sign the contract extension that would keep him in Denver through to 2014. Also, he has put his Denver area mansion on the market this year - a move home owners do only in anticipation of relocating because clearly Anthony is not fishing for how much he can get for his mansion so he can make a quick buck. What does this have to do with the New York Knicks, you ask? Well, according to one source, the Knicks were warming up to the idea of including either forward Danilo Gallinari or forward Anthony Randolph in a deal for Carmelo Anthony. But nothing is confirmed and we literally have to wait until 11:59pm on Sunday night to know if Carmelo will be in the Knicks line-up Monday night versus the Raptors. This is because NBA teams have until the day before the NBA regular season to reduce their active list to a maximum of 12 players. Teams must also have 8 eligible players dressed and able to play in a regular season game or else they will be fined. So this is why it is important for players to be healthy and ready to go. Time is ticking away for Carmelo Anthony and whether or not he's in a Knicks uniform on Monday remains to be seen.

Things to Look for

Let's face it. The New York Knicks have not been a stable club during the past two seasons. Look at how many different players have played for them in two years: 43. With this kind of player shuffling, as a Head Coach you will also be shuffling through many starting line-ups. For Knicks Head Coach Mike D'Antoni? He's had to use 34 different starting line-ups. This does not make the 103 losses in 164 games easier to swallow. However, with Amar'e Stoudemire and Raymond Felton on the roster, this should add the stability the Knicks are looking for. The more I think about it, the more I worry about the possibility of Danilo Gallinari included in a possible trade for Carmelo Anthony. Gallinari made 186 three pointers last season, the second most in the league and in Knicks' history. Plus, Carmelo Anthony has expressed his respect for Gallinari. So this young (22 years old) Italian import's style of play will only explode by playing with veterans like Stoudemire and possibly Carmelo Anthony. Fingers crossed.

'Magic' Shoes in the NBA? No Way.

So there's a new line of sneakers which claim to increase your vertical leap. Athletic Propulsion Labs Concept 1 shoe has a spring based system which is supposed to help you get up higher for those rebounds and dunks. But don't get too excited - they cost $300 US and no player in the NBA will be wearing them thanks to the league. This is because under league rules, players may not wear any shoe during a game which creates an undue competitive advantage. According to the Los Angeles-based company, many NBA players, including about 30% of the rookie class apparently, have "expressed interest" in the shoe. The company won't reveal the names because the players have signed with other companies. I wonder if any of those players were Raptors? I guess those players expressing interest in the shoe, better just work on their game instead relying on the magical powers of footwear.

Thanks for joining me today - I will see you next week for more "Behind Enemy Lines" here on the DNB. Before then, join me on Tuesday for your NBA news fix with "Jiggly Bits". Have a great weekend.

DNB Talks With Demar DeRozan

Prior to the game on Wednesday vs the Sixers had a chance to have a brief chat with Demar DeRozan. It seems that Demar has a level head on his shoulders as he approaches his 2nd season in the NBA. We talk about his approach to this year, how things are going with all the new faces and his impressions of Vancouver from training camp.

This will be a big season for Demar one way or the other. He still seems the level headed, hard working kid that I met up in Ottawa at the start of last season. But the level of pressure for him to succeed has increased, as has the opportunity for him to be a big part of this franchise. Join us tonight here on the Dino Nation Blog for a Live Blog of Demar and the rest of the Raptors back in action at the ACC 7pm-Tip with the Live Blog starting about 15 minutes prior to that.

"Jiggly Bits"

This should make you laugh. So it is Friday night and the Denver Nuggets are preparing for a pre-season match-up with the Portland Trail Blazers. Fifteen minutes before tip-off, Nuggets Head Coach George Karl realizes he has two right shoes. Poor guy. It is his first game back from going through throat cancer treatment and literally, starts off on the wrong foot. His team ends up taking this one from Portland 109-99, so the shoes really didn't matter. It's what he said about being back that stuck out for me, "...but there's a peacefulness to being back there and listening to the chatter and interacting with players and coaches and some fans". Sometimes this is better than the chemo or any other treatment the oncologist will throw at you. A friend of mine just told me his lung cancer has spread to his back and he will be in the hospital soon for more treatments. He thinks the same way Coach Karl does. Feeling the love and affection from those around you and choosing to be real (CHOOSE being the operative word) and living life in a positive way helps you fight this disease. For REAL. So if anyone out there is battling cancer or knows someone who is, realize it can be scary but it doesn't have to be. Sometimes you might feel like you have two right feet like Coach Karl but you are not alone. And hey, if basketball is your distraction, you are in good company, my friend. Let's talk Turkey, Raptors and something that disturbs me about the Denver Nuggets marketing strategy.

A Sad Turkey in Philly

It's a real shame when you take time away from your job and come back to realize you don't have one anymore. There has to more to it than to be "seemingly unwanted" by the NBA when it comes to Allen Iverson. Maybe rosters are full, clubs committed to other players or the dreaded and overused "going in a different direction". At the end of the day, Allen Iverson is still a great basketball player no matter what his problems were off the court. (As long as they don't become a distraction on the court). His heart is with the NBA but in the interest of playing the game he loves, is seriously considering a move to Turkey. I know we've talked about a move overseas for Iverson before but it just feels awkward for someone like him not to being playing in the NBA. Iverson had been negotiating a deal with China and those talks aren't dead yet but Turkey is looking like his best option since their season is starting soon. Remember, he's 35 years old and after he was drafted number one in 1996, spent 10 years in a Philadelphia uniform, is a 4-time scoring champion and it wasn't until a stint with Memphis and a return to Philly did Iverson really deal with on and off the court issues. Why wouldn't the Toronto Raptors be willing to take a one-year contract with him and roll the dice? They have nothing to loose. It's just pains me to see someone with his talent possibly leaving the NBA.

History Makes a Pattern

So the Toronto Raptors are in Chicago tonight ready to take on the Bulls. Barring a look at Carlos Boozer, Derrick Rose, Joakim Noah or Kyle Korver, the history of these two teams playing each other seems to land in the Raptors' favour. Think back to their last two games. On December 5, 2009, Toronto came out strong in the first quarter with over double the amounts of points Chicago had (37-16) and managed to hang onto an edge in quarters 3 and 4 to win the contest 110-78. This was done with Chris Bosh in the line-up and managing 25 points and 12 rebounds on the night - with 13 of those points coming in the first quarter alone. Now switch to April 11th, 2009 in Toronto. Now it's Derrick Rose with a game-high 26 points, leading his team to a 104-88 victory over the Raptors. Chicago was only up by five points in the first quarter (28-23) but took two of the three following quarters. What does this tell you? When these two clubs meet, the team who comes out strong and plays strong for 3 of 4 quarters will win the contest. Especially true for the Raptors who are trying to gain every bit of an edge they can. I don't know that Jarret Jack or Leandro Barbosa will put up the points they did against Boston Sunday night because that would mean the Raptors are becoming consistent and free of living under Bosh's shadow. Give them time. Before the play was "get it to Bosh". Now they seem to be playing the floor more and working together as a team. Let's be serious for a second. No one thought the Boston Celtics would have been in the 2010 NBA Final the way they played the regular season and look what they did. Maybe you would be pressed to find a Nate Robinson or a Rajon Rondo type of player on the Raptors roster or maybe I am having an extremely optimistic Tuesday. I am starting to think Chris Bosh leaving the Raptors was the best thing for the team as a whole. I enjoy Chris Bosh as a player and will support and watch him play for Miami but he needed to leave. Players like Sonny Weems, DeMar DeRozen, Jarret Jack are on highlight-of the-night packs and the first players people want to talk about now. This is good. The next thing the Raptors need to do is play with confidence and to be aggressive right out of the gate - no holding back. No casually jogging back to defend, no third or fourth quarter break-downs in transition. None of that. Stare the three Miami Kings in the face and plow through the rest of the NBA. Because really, they have nothing to loose.

Can't stand the Heat? Get out of Denver.

As much as I support LeBron James, Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh playing together, the novelty is starting to wear off. But apparently not in Denver. The Denver Nuggets marketing department needs to give their collective heads a shake. Instead promoting the product they have, to sell tickets they are promoting the Miami Heat: "10-Game Fan Plan - See The Miami Heat Free". Woulld you go into a job interview and say "Hire me because my neighbour is awesome?" No. This floors me. By including the Miami Heat in their marketing campaign they are essentially saying two things. One, the Miami Heat are more exciting to watch than us. Two, we have no confidence our product can sell itself. If I were the Miami Heat, I'd be asking for royalties.

Basketball Beyond the Floor

Remember to join me here on the DNB this Thursday for our last "Basketball Beyond the Floor" of the season. Starting next week, a new feature called "Behind Enemy Lines" will take it's place. This new feature will take at look at the Raptor's opponents for the coming week. Until this Thursday, happy reading.

"Jiggly Bits"

I have heard it all. From the naysayers and eternal Raptors' optimists, I think we've covered every camp from 'they look like a second year expansion team' to 'Don't worry, Davis. It's only 6 weeks'. Whatever camp you belong to, please do me one favour. Don't get your hopes up. There are pockets of Raptors greatness to get excited about this season but don't fall into the trap most die hard Leaf fans do. We can't expect DeMar DeRozen to pick up after Chris Bosh, though we would all like to see him have a great season. If you honestly think the Raptors are going to make the playoffs this year, you need to book an express train back to reality. You can't expect a team who struggled last year to take you to the promise land. With training camp starting soon, let's take one game at a time and build on it. With all the things going wrong with this club, the Toronto Raptors need support from everywhere, especially its fans. But if they don't start moving past the 'pockets', fans will set up camp elsewhere. Let's talk about the NBA's 'Power of Immunity', another Davis in the headlines and Ron Artest throwing his championship ring at a good cause.

Unloading and Reloading

Let's pretend DeMar DeRozan, Andrea Bargnani and even Ed Davis proves to be everything the Raptors need and more. It won't matter because a little thing called the Traded Player Exception will hang over this, meaning it could make the Raptors' situation better or worse. Allow me to explain. When Bosh went to Miami, the Raptors got a bargaining chip worth $14.5 million and has about a year to use it. This means the Raptors can get salaries from other teams up to the face value of the exemption without sending any players or salaries back to match. But with this $14.5 million, there are some NBA salaries that are too big to be taken on by the team because then any NBA player could be signed on without any sacrifices being made. For example, look at what Utah and Minnesota did this summer. Al Jefferson was sent to Utah so he could replace Carlos Boozer. So Utah is all happy to get a 20-10 power forward to replace an out-going 20-10 power forward and Minnesota is happy to dump $13 million from the Timberwolves' books this season - AND a cool $32-million over the course of the rest of his three year deal I might add. So now, Utah can look forward to a possible Western Conference final. The Raptors can make a move like this one at any time this season but making sure they do it before the trade deadline. I know - this is all enough to make your head spin but things we need to think about going into this season.

Artest at his Best

I know he got knocked for it but I think it was cool Ron Artest thanked his psychiatrist for relaxing him during last year's playoffs. It takes a pretty strong person to admit they are seeking professional help and the fact that Ron Artest did it on a national stage will certainly help lift the stigma. But he wants to do more. He wants to give his championship ring away and not just to the highest bidder, either. He has had some celebrities and investors offer him some serious cash but he wants to raffle it off so that an everyday fan can have a chance to own it. The price of these raffle tickets? Between one and three dollars. All the proceeds from the sale of the ring will go to programs helping families and kids with mental health issues. He took advantage of a program when he was 13 years old but funding for the program was dropped so he never saw it through. He is even helping push for the passage of a Mental Health in Schools Act which would support funding for schools across the U.S. to set up mental health programs for students. He's still looking for investment partners but he wanted to make sure the fans were taken care of. For someone who sometimes comes across as from another planet, he brings us down to earth with a project like this one. Kudos to Artest.

Davis wins an Emmy?

So another Davis is making headlines in the NBA lately. This time it is Baron Davis of the Los Angeles Clippers. Next Monday, the Emmy awards for news and documentaries are handed out in New York City. Why should this be associated with a point guard from L.A.? Well, it just so happens Baron Davis served as executive producer of "Crips and Bloods: Made in America" which is up for best documentary. His money and expertise went into it as he escaped from the world the documentary describes - through basketball. The documentary focuses on the root causes of gang life and why some kids choose this life. I want to see it just for the narration alone. Academy Award winner Forrest Whitaker lends his voice to the piece and it includes interviews from actual gang members and NFL Hall of Famer Jim Brown since he works with inner-city kids. Davis has also started a production company called Verso Entertainment and hopes there are more documentaries to come. So now there's two more NBAers looking past the end of their careers. Just wonder who's company will make more of a name for itself - Steve Nash's or Baron Davis? Time will only tell.

Good News for Paul Allen

This guy has fought the good fight with cancer. Portland Trail Blazers owner Paul Allen was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma last November. Twenty years ago, he also battled another cancer Hodgkin's Lymphoma. But now, he said on the team's official website his follow-up cancer test came out clean. His secret? He said attending basketball games helped take his mind off of his health issues. Basketball saving lives. Love it.

Basketball Beyond the Floor

Be sure to tune in this Thursday for Basketball Beyond the Floor when we discuss Rick Pitino's Rebound Rules: The Art of Success 2.0. Until then, happy reading.