Pops Mensah-Bonsu is said to be signing with the Raptors as soon as today. A few weeks back he was brought in for a look. He is now said to be getting a look from the Raptors for the rest of the season. Here is an old video from You Tube to help you get to know the newest Raptor?
He had a call up with the Spurs and is a player that has had a look from the Mavs as well. He has been a big star of the D-League and averaged 20 plus with the Austin Toros
This is another sign that the Raptors focus is clearly shifting to next season as it should.
3/5/09
CB4 Returns To You Tube and Toronto
Chris Bosh has a video out on You Tube. It is pretty interesting in what he has to say. I am not going to try to break it down. Instead watch it for yourself and I will say a few things after.
It has been a long season for Chris and I have to admit I would have liked to have seen the first video he talks about. I kind of wish Chris would cut loose and answer back to some folks. It has become a theme of sorts of late here in the Dino Nation Blog to come to Chris Bosh's aid. It is not like I need to but more like I feel that I should because not enough folks are. I said last year that for a variety of reasons the Jose/T.J debate was going to screw things up for this team. It did and it drove Ford away. You can say what you like about how he acted and think what you like. However long before T.J was any problem the issue was a problem in the fan base and in the media. I look at what is going on with Chris Bosh right now and see the same things. I am so tired of good players being thrown away by this fan base. Chris Bosh deserves better from this fan base. Is this the best year of his career? No it isn't. However he is a great player and a 4 time all star. Doug Smith said in The Star that Fans will end up missing Bosh when he is gone. Well he isn't gone yet. However if he were to leave I agree with Doug.
When are people going to wake up and start to understand that. I mean this whole concept of being afraid of people leaving needs to end. It just leads to it becoming an issue far before it's time. It leads to people hating on a player that is still wearing a Raptor jersey last I checked. I mean honestly I am confused what some of you out there are cheering for. Fans hate MLSE because they are the greedy corporation that is only concerned with money. They hate on the star player because they think he is going to split. Like who the heck are you behind? Who are you supporting? I seem to have a lot more supporters that don't think Jose is good. Where were those folks when I said it over a year ago? Seriously go find a mirror look in and ask yourself what exactly you are cheering for. Everyone talks about how players don't want to come here. Yet the best player we have you want to cast away because you want to beat him to the punch. It is totally stupid and insane. Chris Bosh is a good person and he tries to take the high road most times. I think some of us would like to seem him get angry and freak out but maybe that just is not who he is. The one thing that I have figured out is regardless of what happens with Chris Bosh that I am fan of his. Raptor or not. Just like I am with T.J Ford.
I will still always support the Raptors. However I am never going to support the stupidity that I see from some folks. If you are getting rid of Bosh tell me who the heck do you think is going to come here better at this point. The rest of the NBA sees what Toronto has done to it's stars. Chewed them up and spit them out. Vince Carter quit on the Raptors but how many people quit on him first? Maybe it is a chicken and egg argument in that case. However in this case it is clear which came first in terms of Bosh. I am tired of the fair weather nature of some people and it is getting me worked up. All I am asking you is be loyal to something or someone is that so hard? CB4 may not say it, but I will some of you people don't deserve him to be here, nor anyone better than him. However, for those that do I hope things can change, and the way this fan base has started to become. A losing season shows a lot about the character of not just management, coaches and players but fans too. Shaq said what he did and people around here laugh about it think it his humorous, some even agree with what he said. I have yet to read anyone point out what I did in the fact that less than a year ago he quit on the Heat. I just wish I would have seen people defend Bosh. What are they afraid of? It is not like Shaq is coming here. Maybe the days in sports of people feeling like that is there guy are done. Sports is a business is all I ever hear about. It may be true but it is not like you watch a CEO do his job 82 nights a year. Sports may be a business but it is a unique one.
In a world that is pretty crazy is it so wrong to want to believe in something or someone. Isn't that what everyone has done with Obama? So if there is nobody left on ship and I am the last one to go down with it so be it. CB4life and if your not down with that is fine with me. Just don't come crying to me in 2011 if this team has nothing better.
Chris Bosh is still good, the team around him has been the issue. He is still the same guy that folks chanted MVP for not that long ago. I can't blame the guy for feeling beat down from this season. Heck, I write about this team everyday and I fell beat down at times. This has been a forgettable season for everyone. The key will be is if everyone looks to forget it and move forward or react and be stupid. Last year this team over reacted and look at where we sit. Convince yourself all you like that a team without Bosh can be better. You are living in a dream that will never come true. How long did it take to move forward from the last Superstar leaving this franchise? Do you really want to wait that long again. Stupid Babcock trade aside, any deal for Bosh is not going to get you equal return. I hope that Bryan Colangelo can convince Bosh to stay cause it sure seems clear that it is not going to be the fan base.
Fans have the right to do whatever they choose even be stupid. Some are going that route. I am only saying that for the people that are insulting this guy. If you want to have basketball debates about him that is fine. However to cast aside what he has accomplished like nothing is wrong. This fan base did that with Sam Mitchell and his coach of the year award. Sam might have been a bit better coach than folks gave him credit for. But to late on that one.
It has been a privilege for me to watch Chris Bosh grow as a Raptor and stay or go I will always respect what a privilege it was. So you may not hear this a lot, at least lately, but thank you CB4 from the Dino Blogger to You.
It has been a long season for Chris and I have to admit I would have liked to have seen the first video he talks about. I kind of wish Chris would cut loose and answer back to some folks. It has become a theme of sorts of late here in the Dino Nation Blog to come to Chris Bosh's aid. It is not like I need to but more like I feel that I should because not enough folks are. I said last year that for a variety of reasons the Jose/T.J debate was going to screw things up for this team. It did and it drove Ford away. You can say what you like about how he acted and think what you like. However long before T.J was any problem the issue was a problem in the fan base and in the media. I look at what is going on with Chris Bosh right now and see the same things. I am so tired of good players being thrown away by this fan base. Chris Bosh deserves better from this fan base. Is this the best year of his career? No it isn't. However he is a great player and a 4 time all star. Doug Smith said in The Star that Fans will end up missing Bosh when he is gone. Well he isn't gone yet. However if he were to leave I agree with Doug.
When are people going to wake up and start to understand that. I mean this whole concept of being afraid of people leaving needs to end. It just leads to it becoming an issue far before it's time. It leads to people hating on a player that is still wearing a Raptor jersey last I checked. I mean honestly I am confused what some of you out there are cheering for. Fans hate MLSE because they are the greedy corporation that is only concerned with money. They hate on the star player because they think he is going to split. Like who the heck are you behind? Who are you supporting? I seem to have a lot more supporters that don't think Jose is good. Where were those folks when I said it over a year ago? Seriously go find a mirror look in and ask yourself what exactly you are cheering for. Everyone talks about how players don't want to come here. Yet the best player we have you want to cast away because you want to beat him to the punch. It is totally stupid and insane. Chris Bosh is a good person and he tries to take the high road most times. I think some of us would like to seem him get angry and freak out but maybe that just is not who he is. The one thing that I have figured out is regardless of what happens with Chris Bosh that I am fan of his. Raptor or not. Just like I am with T.J Ford.
I will still always support the Raptors. However I am never going to support the stupidity that I see from some folks. If you are getting rid of Bosh tell me who the heck do you think is going to come here better at this point. The rest of the NBA sees what Toronto has done to it's stars. Chewed them up and spit them out. Vince Carter quit on the Raptors but how many people quit on him first? Maybe it is a chicken and egg argument in that case. However in this case it is clear which came first in terms of Bosh. I am tired of the fair weather nature of some people and it is getting me worked up. All I am asking you is be loyal to something or someone is that so hard? CB4 may not say it, but I will some of you people don't deserve him to be here, nor anyone better than him. However, for those that do I hope things can change, and the way this fan base has started to become. A losing season shows a lot about the character of not just management, coaches and players but fans too. Shaq said what he did and people around here laugh about it think it his humorous, some even agree with what he said. I have yet to read anyone point out what I did in the fact that less than a year ago he quit on the Heat. I just wish I would have seen people defend Bosh. What are they afraid of? It is not like Shaq is coming here. Maybe the days in sports of people feeling like that is there guy are done. Sports is a business is all I ever hear about. It may be true but it is not like you watch a CEO do his job 82 nights a year. Sports may be a business but it is a unique one.
In a world that is pretty crazy is it so wrong to want to believe in something or someone. Isn't that what everyone has done with Obama? So if there is nobody left on ship and I am the last one to go down with it so be it. CB4life and if your not down with that is fine with me. Just don't come crying to me in 2011 if this team has nothing better.
Chris Bosh is still good, the team around him has been the issue. He is still the same guy that folks chanted MVP for not that long ago. I can't blame the guy for feeling beat down from this season. Heck, I write about this team everyday and I fell beat down at times. This has been a forgettable season for everyone. The key will be is if everyone looks to forget it and move forward or react and be stupid. Last year this team over reacted and look at where we sit. Convince yourself all you like that a team without Bosh can be better. You are living in a dream that will never come true. How long did it take to move forward from the last Superstar leaving this franchise? Do you really want to wait that long again. Stupid Babcock trade aside, any deal for Bosh is not going to get you equal return. I hope that Bryan Colangelo can convince Bosh to stay cause it sure seems clear that it is not going to be the fan base.
Fans have the right to do whatever they choose even be stupid. Some are going that route. I am only saying that for the people that are insulting this guy. If you want to have basketball debates about him that is fine. However to cast aside what he has accomplished like nothing is wrong. This fan base did that with Sam Mitchell and his coach of the year award. Sam might have been a bit better coach than folks gave him credit for. But to late on that one.
It has been a privilege for me to watch Chris Bosh grow as a Raptor and stay or go I will always respect what a privilege it was. So you may not hear this a lot, at least lately, but thank you CB4 from the Dino Blogger to You.
3/3/09
Raptors Rewind- Same Old Song Game Notes.
I really did not have to watch this one and thanks to TSN 2 they made that pretty easy. I am tired of trying to do it while watching feeds off the net. So we will make this a Game Notes edition. Given the Results of this one it is not like we will find anything earth shaking in it. Here is the Coles Notes Version Raptors a strong start. They fade in the second. Come back in the 3rd and run out of gas in the 4th and lose but 10 point which was not reflective of the true score. But for those of you that crave details no problem I will do my bang up job in game notes fashion.
1st Quarter
Box Score Raps/Rockets
Raps limp home to face Miami on Friday.
1st Quarter
- Bosh opens with a jumper at top of lane.
- 2 for 2 for Bosh from top of key
- Yao opens scoring for Rockets
- Andrea with the mid range jumper
- Bosh take a 3 pointer and he really needs to chill with that shot he missed it
- Yao missed an easy one 1-4 start
- Bargnani can make that 3 ball and he does
- Bargnani drive kick to open Bosh in corner nice play as Bosh nails jumper
- Steal and score for Rockets
- The Bosh and Bargnani show continues Bosh with a score Bargnani with a block
- Andrea not done drives for a score.
- Steal for Jose, 3 pointer for Bargnani but he picks up second foul
- Brooks draws foul on Parker
- Louis scores, Bosh answers
- Landry the jumper and he had all day.
- Joey G a couple misses
- Scola scores.
- Calderon makes a jumper.
- Combined 24 for Bosh and Bargnani in first.
- Raps lead after 1 with score 26-20
- Yao Ming opens second with a score.
- Kapono makes a runner
- Andrea picks up 3rd foul early in the second
- Houston closes gap to down 3
- Shawn Marion with a basket back from sick bay
- Yao offensive board and dunk Rockets lead 34-33
- Raps shooting gone cold 3-9 in quarter to this point
- No drives all jumpers and not falling.
- Houston abusing Raptors on inside and it has Houston on 14-2 run
- Von Wafer with a runner, Dunk after that and run is 18-4 (Houston leads 42-35)
- Marion kicks to Joey G and makes a corner jumper
- Graham drives and draws foul
- Bosh makes another jumper
- Offensive rebound leads to Artest 3 ball
- Bosh drive and Landry the block.
- Scola battles on glass and is rewarded with 2
- Landry takes a drop off for a dunk
- Joey G drives and misses but Marion cleans it up
- Bosh miss on fad away Marion Offensive board and score
- Ron Ron for 3
- Rockets 57 Raps 49 at the Half
- Deep 3 for Shane B and it missed everything
- Calderon a miss for 3.
- Marion the quirky runner in the lane
- Bosh a defensive stop
- Bosh finds Parker in the corner for 3
- Bargnani a 3 ball ties the score as Raps open on an 8-0 run
- Brooks makes a 3 pointer.
- Bargnani makes it back to back 3's
- Ron Artest the long 2 and me makes it
- Bosh loving his J and making more than he is missing.
- Yao Ming bit shaken but not stirred.
- Calderon another miss from 3 he is just 2-5 in the game but 11 dimes.
- Bosh a score and Raptors have a lead
- Bargnani great defense stand with 2 blocks
- Scola scores easy lay up of the break.
- Raptor rare second chance with Bosh Offensive Rebound leads To Marion Alley Opp Jam
- Scola with another score.
- Graham drive and a miss
- Parker missed on a pull up J
- Kapono finally hits a shot he is 1-5 on night
- Bargnani drive and goaltending is called as his shot was heading down
- But Houston is up 5 with score 77-72
- Kapono a miss JK is awful
- Houston opens scoring and Roko answer the basket
- Offensive foul on Graham and turnover
- Return of Yao for first time in the quarter.
- Lowery with a sweet dunk and one
- Yao going off as part of a Houston run
- Kapono makes a 3 pointer...Seriously he did
- Calderon a long mid range jumper on Marion feed
- Marion on break off turnover misses and Calderon cleans it up.
- Bosh miss and Ming was on him challenging the shot.
- Bosh down and out and Houston takes advantage of 5 on 4 powerplay making a 3.
- Bosh hit the deck again. He was labouring
- Von Wafer makes it back to back 3's
- Raps get another second chance and Marion gets a bucket.
- Wafer with the drive and score.
- Bargnani the 2 point jumper
- Kapono is back to missing as he jacked a 3 pointer.
- Calderon makes a jumper on the move.
- Landry the basket plus the foul.
- Bargnani makes a jumper and Jose gets his 16th assist and Bargnani has 25.
- Marion a dunk but would not matter
- The Final Score is Houston 107 Raptors 97
Box Score Raps/Rockets
Raps limp home to face Miami on Friday.
The Return of The Round Ball Review
It has been awhile but J.B Superstar and Joey G are back and hopefully better than ever. In this episode it is explained what happen to all of Joey's trade deadline show. There is also talk of Shaq, the Raptors Playoff Chances and Ron Artest. So Kick it and cue the talent the Round Ball Review is Back on the Internet.
So hope you enjoyed and Joey G's Album you will not even find on Itunes.
So hope you enjoyed and Joey G's Album you will not even find on Itunes.
Raptors Face A Large Challenge In Houston
Before we get to the Raptors challenge in Houston tonight, guess I should give my two cents on Shaq's comments on Chris Bosh. I am sure everyone has heard them by now. Chirs Bosh being the RuPaul of big men and that Shaq is just going to make him quit and complain. I mean this is what Shaq does and I think it is more about being funny than anything. I will say this though the whole part about quiting and giving up is what got me upset. Well forgive me for pointing out the fact that didn't Shaq pretty much give up on the Heat which lead him to getting his latest nickname of the "Big Cactus". Chris was an all star last year while Shaq wasn't. I am happy for Shaq and his re-birth with the Suns. However is it really necessary to question others character like he does. Shaq is going to be a hall of famer and he is one of the greatest players in league history. For the big man he has moved on to a new target. Dwight Howard who is the new era Superman. Shaq has been now talking smack about him. Dwight Howard and Chris Bosh are two of the nicest guys you will find in the NBA. Here is hoping Howard defends himself and his friend tonight as the Magic with be taking on Shaq and the Suns. I guess my biggest fear out of all this mess is Shaq has just thrown fuel on the fire when it comes to all the Bosh bashing that has become all the rage. This has been I would think the most difficult season of Chris Bosh's career with the Raptors. I hope Chris can turn a negative into a positive and use the comments as motivation to finish the season strong. As tough as this season has been on everyone, I think it is a safe bet it has been the toughest for Chris Bosh. Maybe this will rally some folks to support him in what has been a tough season. I mean if Shaq is punking out Chris Bosh is he not punking out the Raptors as well and us? I take it personally. It won't make me not be a fan of Shaq. However it does make me sad that he would say the things he said. Chris didn't say anything that wasn't technically true in saying that Shaq camps out in the lane and never gets called for it. However as I said it is a star league and Bosh knows that so it was probably better left unsaid. However Bosh is on my team and I support him in good times and bad. What was lost in all of this is Bosh is starting to get better since returning from his injury.You know about that Shaq? No, my bad, you were glued to the bench injured in Miami last year. I guess is Icy Hot patches were not enough to help him get out there and help the Heat. But back to the point that Bosh had 28 and 10 in the loss to the Mavs. Not bad for a power forward in this league.
Raptors Have No Answer For Yao?
We will see if the Raptors learned anything from that loss to the Suns. Yao Ming is a different kind of big man from Shaq but he would be just as big a problem Andrea Bargnani will likely draw the task of guarding him. Bargnani has been doing a better job this season blocking shots and challenging shots. It is a little different when the player is the size of Yao though. Rafer Alston gone, Tracy McGrady out for the year, these are not your older brother's Houston Rockets.
That being said they should be able to handle the Raptors. The do have Ron Artest and that as long been a player that I would love to see come north of the border. It may be nuts and grasping at straws but Ron Artest is a guy that has defensive pride and it is something the Raptors are in major need of. The Raptors need some kind of craziness. It would shake things up a bit. The whole everyone is a nice good guy plan has not worked. Sometimes a little conflict and drama is not the worst thing in the world. Even Steve Nash thing the Raptors need to get tougher. He said that in an interview with Canada Press. He also said that if things didn't work with the Suns the Raptors would be at the top of his list. But if Nash who is likely one of the nicest good guys in the league things you need to get tougher that would tell you something. Ron Artest is tough and could be a guy that would give the Raptors a defensive leader. Ron Artest a leader? Yeah ok maybe it is nuts. But in a season like this you are driven to think outside of the box for answers.
As for the answers for tonight? Run and Hustle. Yao is never going to win a 100 meter dash. The Raptors new found running style might actually be some what successful against the Rockets. The challenge has been the Raptors have been running out of energy. That has lead to a lack of hustle and desire down the stretch of games. Sam Mitchell and about 100 other basketball folks always say this next statement. Everyone says they want to run and play up tempo basketball but it is a whole different thing to actually do it. Running is a mindset and it takes an attitude and conditioning level. The fact the Raptors have tried to take on this new direction without a training camp makes it a pretty challenging task. However it has been a season that has had one excuse after another and Raptor Fans are tired of hearing them. This will be the most interesting and important off season perhaps in the history of this franchise. For that there will be no excuses that will be acceptable. Fans will demand more and expect results. They will also expect to be able to watch their team play games by turning on a Television. Those on going talks with Rogers and TSN are so close that they might just end before the Obama first term in office, or maybe the second in honour of TSN 2. It should be made perfectly clear the RAPTOR FANS HAVE HAD ENOUGH WITH ALL OF THIS AND THE TIME FOR EXCUSES IS OVER. This is not the Leaf Nation here it is not like we will sit back and accept things as is. At least let's hope not or we are all screwed. I like to think and hope that the Raptor Fan base is different. However chucking the star player under the bus and an apathetic response to the TSN 2 mess is not making me hopeful. There is one thing I will say for Leaf Nation if they were insulted like this with the TSN 2 mess they would riot in the streets. However no need to worry about that ever happening and if you want proof just turn on you television tomorrow for hours on end of exciting Hockey Trade deadline action. But if you do Raptors fans make a statement and don't turn on the networks that have screwed you over. I think we all know who they are right?
Raptors Have No Answer For Yao?
We will see if the Raptors learned anything from that loss to the Suns. Yao Ming is a different kind of big man from Shaq but he would be just as big a problem Andrea Bargnani will likely draw the task of guarding him. Bargnani has been doing a better job this season blocking shots and challenging shots. It is a little different when the player is the size of Yao though. Rafer Alston gone, Tracy McGrady out for the year, these are not your older brother's Houston Rockets.
That being said they should be able to handle the Raptors. The do have Ron Artest and that as long been a player that I would love to see come north of the border. It may be nuts and grasping at straws but Ron Artest is a guy that has defensive pride and it is something the Raptors are in major need of. The Raptors need some kind of craziness. It would shake things up a bit. The whole everyone is a nice good guy plan has not worked. Sometimes a little conflict and drama is not the worst thing in the world. Even Steve Nash thing the Raptors need to get tougher. He said that in an interview with Canada Press. He also said that if things didn't work with the Suns the Raptors would be at the top of his list. But if Nash who is likely one of the nicest good guys in the league things you need to get tougher that would tell you something. Ron Artest is tough and could be a guy that would give the Raptors a defensive leader. Ron Artest a leader? Yeah ok maybe it is nuts. But in a season like this you are driven to think outside of the box for answers.
As for the answers for tonight? Run and Hustle. Yao is never going to win a 100 meter dash. The Raptors new found running style might actually be some what successful against the Rockets. The challenge has been the Raptors have been running out of energy. That has lead to a lack of hustle and desire down the stretch of games. Sam Mitchell and about 100 other basketball folks always say this next statement. Everyone says they want to run and play up tempo basketball but it is a whole different thing to actually do it. Running is a mindset and it takes an attitude and conditioning level. The fact the Raptors have tried to take on this new direction without a training camp makes it a pretty challenging task. However it has been a season that has had one excuse after another and Raptor Fans are tired of hearing them. This will be the most interesting and important off season perhaps in the history of this franchise. For that there will be no excuses that will be acceptable. Fans will demand more and expect results. They will also expect to be able to watch their team play games by turning on a Television. Those on going talks with Rogers and TSN are so close that they might just end before the Obama first term in office, or maybe the second in honour of TSN 2. It should be made perfectly clear the RAPTOR FANS HAVE HAD ENOUGH WITH ALL OF THIS AND THE TIME FOR EXCUSES IS OVER. This is not the Leaf Nation here it is not like we will sit back and accept things as is. At least let's hope not or we are all screwed. I like to think and hope that the Raptor Fan base is different. However chucking the star player under the bus and an apathetic response to the TSN 2 mess is not making me hopeful. There is one thing I will say for Leaf Nation if they were insulted like this with the TSN 2 mess they would riot in the streets. However no need to worry about that ever happening and if you want proof just turn on you television tomorrow for hours on end of exciting Hockey Trade deadline action. But if you do Raptors fans make a statement and don't turn on the networks that have screwed you over. I think we all know who they are right?
3/2/09
You Can Run, But You Can't Hide....Where Is Your Defense?
The Raptors have been playing this up tempo style and it is interesting to watch. That being said is it just a case of slight of hand. They draw your attention to the new flashy running game, only to have you get distracted from the fact this team can't play defense. Andrea Bargnani may be one of the better defenders on this team of late. Huh? It is kind of true at least he is active and blocking shots. He is even rebounding to an acceptable level. Jose Calderon his no better a defender in this system. Which is saying a lot considering it would be hard to imagine him being worse. A game like last night where is offense struggles as well is just painful to watch. While Chris Bosh who was praised for his defensive play in the summer with team U.S.A, has just not been able to translate that to his play with the Raptors. At least not to the level people expected. Raptors at the start of all this were suppose to be looking to improve on the glass and on defense. A failing grade for both. No magic running game is going to erase the fact that this team needs a couple grit players that can be impact players on the defensive end. Although very entertaining the last two games have resulted in losses. That is the bottom line for fans. Shawn Marion could be one of the guys I am wanting... to a point. However I am not convinced he wants to remain. I hope that I am wrong because I am enjoying his game. You could really notice his absence as he tried to play with the flu and just could not. For a guy that has only been with this team for a short time is absence was evident. The return of some fans Super Hero Joey Graham could not counter that fact. In doing the Live Blog last night I forgot to add the boxscore last night. Well I did not forget I was just tired from watching all that running. But here is it for the record books.
Raptors/Mavs Boxscore
Recap
Raptors/Mavs Boxscore
Recap
Triano Meltdown Moment
Also what you won't find in that is one broken clip board as Triano in frustration last night smashed his clipboard in the 3rd quarter. It reminded me of the story of Kevin O'Neil who famously smashed a lamp when he heard that Jalen Rose would be out for an extended period of time. That was in private though. Triano had his incident in public. So if this goes to trial over the price of that clipboard there is video evidence against Triano. However to be serious this just speaks to the frustration of Triano who has been put in an awful spot. It is clear he is fighting to save his job is it not? However I do not know if that is possible at this point and despite always wanting Canadians to do well, I can't imagine Triano remaining as the coach under to many circumstances. If he did I think it would be a shock to this fan base and a very difficult if not impossible selling job to the fan base of this team.
Triano for whatever reason when he is upset does not have the same impact on this team that Sam Mitchell did. Mitchell was never shy about telling you how he felt about anything. He has a long list of quotes from his time here that will tell you that. Triano has just been in his previous roll for so long I am not sure if deep down players take his anger and frustration in the same way. I say all of this as an outsider looking in and the fact that I was born with some good old fashion common sense. Well maybe you learn common sense but you get the point.
Playoffs? No Lottery
The reality is slowly sinking in for some that has been here for quite some time. This is not a playoff team and the only reason some have held out hope so long is how awful the East truly is. I want a draft pick anyway. this team needs some young athletic talent to add to the mix. Let Milwaukee,Chicago or the Nets get pounded by the Cavs or Celtics. I will take my chances in the lottery and walk away with hopefully a solid draft pick from whatever # we end up selecting.
On to Houston and the Raptors will need to stop Yao Ming? That is not going to happen is it? After Shaq just ripped through this team like a hot knife through butter. However he did follow that up with a great performance against the Lakers. Still Yao should be able to be dominate and a huge factor against the Raptors. Yeah that is the reality and just like this season...it truly bites.
3/1/09
Finally...Chris Bosh Comes Back To Dallas
Given the season it has been for Chris Bosh and the Raptors a trip back to Texas should be a welcome thing for Bosh personally. Professionally it offers a great challenge with the Mavericks and Rockets both in the mix of the playoff race. It was not a great night for the Raptors against the Suns. Bosh was unhappy after the game and suggested that Shaq basically camped out in the lane and was never called for a 3 second violation. He has a point, but when you become a superstar the level of Shaq let's just say you catch breaks. Just like Jordan was given an extra step and the odd push off. Shaq is allowed some extra time in the lane. Ultimately Bosh may have been right, but he knows the way the league is and I think had the Raptors won the game he never mentions this fact. However I can understand his frustration it is hard to stop Shaq when he is motivated. He clearly was in that game.
The Raptors will see no such force in the middle today. Eric Dampier is nothing like Shaq and that is a major understatement. The Mavs have guys that can shoot the basketball and have a team that in the past has been a challenge for the Raptors. Andrea Bargnani will see the guy that everyone compares him too. Jose Calderon will see the guy that out played both him and T.J Ford in the playoffs a few years ago. Chris Bosh will see a lot of friends and family. It will be interesting if anyone asks the obvious question to Bosh. Chris have you ever considered coming home to play for the Mavericks? The answer to the question would get taken in many ways and even if Bosh said the perfect answer it would only add fuel to the fire about his future in Toronto.
Even though the Raptor remain mathematically in it after this next stretch of games they could likely be done math or no math. In fact have a look for yourself:
@ Dallas
@ Houston
vs Miami
vs Utah
@ Philadelphia
If the Raptors can not find a way to have a winning record maybe everyone will turn their attention to next season which should be the focus for this team. In fact the way the Marion deal was structured I believe that Bryan Colangelo was already thinking that way. There is no way he would trade his first round pick in the draft away. That is what he would be doing if the Raptors made the playoffs.
I am live blogging some college ball today. I am excited for March Madness. I am going to set up a March Madness pool here on the blog. I will just be for pride and fun. Well the winner would get a mention in the blog. If that is worth anything I am not sure. I will set something up and let you folks know. If you want to come hang out and be part of the live blog for Marquette and Louisville you are welcome.Tip time is Noon Eastern Time Zone.
Seeing as I am live Blogging college today anyway I am going to keep on that hat and live blog the Raptors and Mavs here on the Dino Nation Blog. So watch along on The Score and come online and join the fun here at Dino Nation Blog. I will be getting thing rolling at 8:45. All you have to do is come back to the blog at 8:45 and enter the Live Blog Below:
So hope you come back and join me for Raptors and Mavericks tonight. Obviously the Live Blog will take the place of Raptors Rewind. If things go well we might do these more often as games become less important and the focus changes to next year. So be it here or on The Score I will be live blogging away. Hope to see you there.
The Raptors will see no such force in the middle today. Eric Dampier is nothing like Shaq and that is a major understatement. The Mavs have guys that can shoot the basketball and have a team that in the past has been a challenge for the Raptors. Andrea Bargnani will see the guy that everyone compares him too. Jose Calderon will see the guy that out played both him and T.J Ford in the playoffs a few years ago. Chris Bosh will see a lot of friends and family. It will be interesting if anyone asks the obvious question to Bosh. Chris have you ever considered coming home to play for the Mavericks? The answer to the question would get taken in many ways and even if Bosh said the perfect answer it would only add fuel to the fire about his future in Toronto.
Even though the Raptor remain mathematically in it after this next stretch of games they could likely be done math or no math. In fact have a look for yourself:
@ Dallas
@ Houston
vs Miami
vs Utah
@ Philadelphia
If the Raptors can not find a way to have a winning record maybe everyone will turn their attention to next season which should be the focus for this team. In fact the way the Marion deal was structured I believe that Bryan Colangelo was already thinking that way. There is no way he would trade his first round pick in the draft away. That is what he would be doing if the Raptors made the playoffs.
I am live blogging some college ball today. I am excited for March Madness. I am going to set up a March Madness pool here on the blog. I will just be for pride and fun. Well the winner would get a mention in the blog. If that is worth anything I am not sure. I will set something up and let you folks know. If you want to come hang out and be part of the live blog for Marquette and Louisville you are welcome.Tip time is Noon Eastern Time Zone.
Seeing as I am live Blogging college today anyway I am going to keep on that hat and live blog the Raptors and Mavs here on the Dino Nation Blog. So watch along on The Score and come online and join the fun here at Dino Nation Blog. I will be getting thing rolling at 8:45. All you have to do is come back to the blog at 8:45 and enter the Live Blog Below:
So hope you come back and join me for Raptors and Mavericks tonight. Obviously the Live Blog will take the place of Raptors Rewind. If things go well we might do these more often as games become less important and the focus changes to next year. So be it here or on The Score I will be live blogging away. Hope to see you there.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
