Here is the Link To today's blog:

http://dinonationblog.wordpress.com/2008/04/15/superman-is-coming/

Double Agent

Since Gilbert Arenas has returned he has been quiet and not even talking to the media. But maybe even more amazing then that Gilbert's blog has went silent.  But all of that is well and good but the team that Gilbert seems to love to talk about so much actually got some help from him. The Toronto Raptors can say thank you Gilbert and thank you Washington. A strong 4th quarter in which the Wizards smashed the Sixers 31-9. It was the cap of a Washington blow out win. It also makes the chances of Raptors getting up to 5th place a lot harder. So again thanks Washington good luck with that Lebron James guy we will be pulling for you honestly. Another thing the Wizards did was show Toronto what can happen to you if the Detroit Pistons are motivated. They blew out the Wizards and made a statement to the team that ends up 7th that they are in for a lot of suffering in round 1. 

But today the Raptors should be motivated you would think. They have a national T.V audience and a chance to almost lock up the 6th spot with a win today when you consider that they next would play Miami at home with a chance to clinch no lower then 6th place. It would be a great scenario for the Raptors for sure but it will not be easily accomplished. Detroit even if they decide to take the day off today more or less still have young skilled players that can do damage. So it is important for the Raptors to not be concerned with who is in the Piston uniforms. Just play hard and play well and let the chips fall where they may. The Raptors showed some aggressive play against New Jersey. The team none for being this group of nice guys showed a bit of bark and bite in the win over New Jersey. T.J Ford was talking smack to Vince Carter and smacking him. Chris Bosh took Richard Jefferson to the floor with a hard but clean foul. Detroit are the masters of this style of basketball. The home of the Original BAD BOYS they know how to push the limits of the rule book and get an advantage from it. I do not think the Raptors can change from Barney the Dinosaur and Dora the explorer to Jason and Freddy Kruger. But they do need to show some of that rough and tough play if for no other reason then to stop other teams from pushing them around. 

Chris Bosh is a smart guy he knew his team needed a lift and he took the focus off his team and made it all about him. He challenged the fans and changed the topic in the media. He showed the media skill of someone far more older and wiser then his age would suggest he would be. But when you are the young leader of a franchise you learn to grow up fast. I do not know if Chris Bosh has a public relations person and I have no idea how much they are responsible for this new look CB4 that goes on to UTUBE and talks directly to his fan base. But be it Bosh himself or someone helping him behind the scenes Chris Bosh is becoming something that we have not seen. The modern athlete that take to the Internet and make his voice heard. Gilbert Arenas has his famous blog and Bosh has his own blog too. But Bosh has taken it to the next level by taking to his video camera and posting it on UTUBE. The media can not have as much impact on Bosh. If he didn't like the questions that come his way he can always just ask his own and put it on UTUBE. There is also the fact that he can use the fact he basically has created his own media outlet that he can control the story that is being told to some degree.

It could be that we are watching a pioneer not just in basketball but in all sports. Bosh has created a whole new unique way of how to market yourself and control your press coverage. I may be a little more impressed just because of my media background. I mean the average fan may not understand it or even care about it. But if you have watched a Chris Bosh UTUBE Video you are proving how much of an impact this has. He has done an amazing job at making his fans feel like they are part of his world. In a time where athletes seem more far away from fans then ever before. Chris Bosh has found a way to change that. He can reach far more folks with a UTUBE video then he could ever sign autographs at a mall. You get to feel a part of his world in a way. Chris Bosh not only gets it on the floor but he gets it off the floor as well.

No matter how could a self promoter you can be you still need that age old thing....WINS. No wins and anything you have got may go away very fast. Even if you are a huge star and get many endorsements if you continue to lose they will go away fast. Dwayne Wade better know that or he will get booted from Charles Barkley Fav 5 and dumped by the cell phone company too. Today's game for the Raptors is almost like on of those infomercials on the Toronto Raptors. Many in the U.S even some that are in the NBA media have seen little of the Raptors. What they do in this game will form opinions for a lot of people that really have no idea about the Raptors at all. Orlando will be a favorite over the Toronto Raptors in the U.S media. I will even say that a lot of people will say that the Magic will win in like 4 or 5 games. Which is dumb and proves you never saw these teams play the last few years. I can accept a prediction of a Magic win in 6 or 7 games. I don't agree but could make an argument that has some logic to it for that happening. Raptor fans need to understand the American Media is never going to love this team and will disrespect them more then respect them. It makes no sense not too. Raptors are the worst drawing club in other arenas in the NBA. They also draw lousy T.V numbers anytime they do end up on national T.V in the U.S. The Raptors just are not embraced by America because they are that team from north of the border what to Canadians know about basketball. I know we invented it after all what could we know about the game right? I have accepted that in the U.S media regardless of how and what they do the Raptors will always be the underdog. That is fine with me. It makes it easier to get behind them. What was special about the Blue Jays World Series wins was they did it for an entire country. The Raptors are taking strides to try to become that National Team. Talk of moving training camp through out the country and playing exhibition games in other cities. It is a start to building that National Team feel that the Blue Jays enjoyed. So if you read this blog from places outside the GTA. Tell a friend that the Raptors are COMING THE RAPTORS ARE COMING. But before that the PLAYOFFS ARE COMING and COMING FAST.

Back To Work...But First...HELLO!!!

With all Raptor Fans have been going through you deserve something nice to look at so here you go.

After four days of no Raptor Basketball I almost have forgotten how brutal they had been playing lately. It would be nice if the Raptors have that same feeling because they truly need a fresh start. The team has been saying all the right things to the media over the past few days. Anthony Parker even used one of my favorite sports standard sound bites. "The playoffs start for us now". The reality is you can say that and maybe even think that but with a playoff spot secured it is very hard to play like it. The Raptors opposition will not exactly be playing like it is a playoff game as well. Only one playoff team of the 5 teams that remain. Some on these teams are playing for something much more valuable then the playoffs it is called a job in the NBA. But it is more a mindset then a reality for the Raptors. One game that will have a playoff type feel though is the Sunday meeting with Detroit. The eyes of America will be squarely on the Raptors as ABC is going to be broadcasting this game for a national audience back in the United States. For the players of that nation it is a big deal to get on that national stage. Vince Carter in his days as a Raptor saved some of his best performances for games that would be on national T.V back home. Chris Bosh has not had as many chances to perform on that national stage and is not the type to save anything for any game. It will perhaps give him a little extra push.

But no matter how many are watching and from where it does not matter to Sam Mitchell. He just wants to see if his team has corrected the mistakes they were making on defense over and over. He also wants to see is shooters mak shots as well. He has a lot riding on what his team does for the rest of this season and the playoffs. I am not in the camp that think he is coaching for his job. I will say that he makes his room for error next season much shorter. Bryan Colangelo will be having a serious look at his roster though and what can be done with it. Rasho Nesterovic would be a likely candidate to be part of a trade that would fetch the Raptors a large contract player. It was a no brainier that Rasho was going to be gone at some point to most people that have some understanding of how the cap works. But after this unexpected to some degree surge of Nesterovic does it change anything. If it does what will that mean for other players? Does it mean T.J Ford is more likely gone? Does it effect the money that would be on the table for Jose Calderon? These are two major questions that come up should Rasho not be a write off on the salary cap. Rasho really has been big for this team and the lose of him could be very impactive. It will be a much harder choice then what it was back in January.

Will Gherardini be part of that choice or will he be with the Bucks? That question is yet to have an answer as well. But no matter the answers or the questions the one thing that is clear is everyone has a level of comfort that Bryan Colangelo will make the right call. The fact the Rob Babcock had his name in the mix for that Buck job. It was quickly tossed aside by the Bucks owner. Some people like to try to find the good in what Babcock did in his time here. But it is just silly to try to defend this guy. Yes he hired Sam Mitchell who did win Coach of the Year. But he was already on the Raptors Radar as he was one of the last candidates when Kevin O'Neil was hired. He did also sign Jose Calderon but again this had as much to do with Jose liking Toronto as a city and feeling much more like Europe then any U.S City. His mistakes were far more glaring and far more about his skill as a general manager. The trade of Vince Carter and the Drafting of Hoffa were career altering blunders that in my view will never be recovered from. If any NBA team is dumb enough to make that mistake of hiring Rob Babcock they will get what they deserve. I do not think there is a team that would hand the keys of it's future to Rob Babcock.

Other teams that have playoff secured lay eggs like the Raptors have too. The Pistons lost to the Knicks last night. So it is important to remember that. But the difference is the Pistons are far more secure in where they sit. The Raptors in part due to Chris Bosh injury and a hard schedule in March have limped along since the All-Star break in February. Good teams may have the odd bad night. Raptor history even shows us that as the expansion Raptors are one of the few teams that can say they beat the record breaking Bulls that reached the 70 win level. Great teams respond from that the next game though and do not allow one bad lose to turn into two. Raptors have lost 3 games that they had no business losing. These are the things that make the Raptors just a good team and not a great team. If you also look across the way at the Western Conference you will see that a team far better then the Raptors will be watching them in the playoffs. Raptors should take advantage of their geography and not fall back on it. Raptors need to understand how fortunate they are to be in the Eastern Conference.

So to still a saying from the Blue Jays, "Let's Play Ball!!!". I know it might seem a little crazy to suggest this but I expect a big Raptor win tonight. The Bucks are coming off a game last night that they lost in overtime. It is the perfect storm for a Raptor Resurgence if they can only take advantage of it. The crowd at the ACC will likely have a short fuse as well if they do not get out to the right start. The last time the Raptors were walking off the ACC floor it was too Boos and Jeers from those who decided to stay to the bitter end. A lose to Vince Carter will not improve fans mood much at all. But they should like the team forget about it and move forward. No more worrying about Pizza and Hating on T.J Ford. Rally behind these players and make a push towards the playoffs. It seems like something that would be easy to understand but some people don't seem to get the message. Maybe it is the high prices at the parking lot and the concession stands that make the fans so easy to turn from cheering supporter to angry people that Boo the home side. But Sam Mitchell and his team don't set those prices so try not to blame them. the folks at MLSE need to find money for the lack of Leaf Playoff games and they are your people to point the finger of blame at. But 19,000 people don't get invites to an MLSE board meeting. That would be something to see. It would have to be on Pay Per View though for two reasons:

1. The amount of swearing that would take place would make it unable to be broadcast on regular T.V
2. MLSE would have to find a way to make some money out of this event.

But I wouldn't imagine this will ever happen. They are happy to take your money but do not feel the need to address your concerns. They show this time after time. They added a row of seats and bumped people from the front row to the second row at Raptor Games. They did say if you wanted to give them more money then the people in the new row 2 could get back what they thought they already had which was front row seat. The only person we ever hear from on the board at all is Richard Pettie and since Bryan Colangelo has come along we never do. Another reason to thank Bryan. I mean any time we would here from Pettie bad things usually followed. This is the man that hired Rob Babcock after all. Enough said.

So here is hoping there is a positive Raptor Rewind in our future. But good or bad it will be up for you all to check out after the game. Hopefully everything will be done 90 minutes after the final buzzer. That is always the goal.  

Final Four Finale

So no Raptors till Wednesday but we do have the National Final that most never would have predicted a week ago. No one respected Memphis and now they are one win away from earning that respect. Rumors that their coach John Calipari is being talked about for some openings in the NBA. Calipari had a chance before in the NBA that did not exactly go that well. Not many college coaches have made the successful transition to the NBA. The reason is pretty simple when in gets right down to it. Control in college you have it and in the NBA you don't. You hold the future of your players in your hands having control over their scholarships. In NBA guaranteed contracts make it a bit harder to get rid of a player that doesn't conform to your wishes as a coach. 

The Orlando Magic were all set to make Florida coach Billy Donoven the head coach in Orlando but he would back out and that would lead to the hiring of Stan Van Gundy. The Magic have had a great season under their second choice for coach. The Magic are sure happy that they ended up with Van Gundy instead of Donoven. The Magic may have had success under Donovan but we will never know. But if history tells us anything the odds would be slim. Greats in NCAA coaching legends like Dean Smith and Bobby Knight had a good thing in college and they knew it. College coaches make large amounts of money that rival the money made by their fellow coaches in the NBA. Not to mention the status and security of a college job is much higher. These guys have courts they play home games named after them. They are treat like Gods on the campus. The NBA is far less secure and the flexibility to turnover a roster does not exist as easy. Rick Pitino took his shot with the Celtics but he could not find the success he had in the NCAA in the NBA. It was a lesson learned and he took his act to Louisville.

Just seemed fitting to mention this on the last day of the NCAA Basketball season. I should also mention are NCAA POOL is coming down to the final game with 2 people left with a chance to win. One has Memphis to win and the other Kansas. The winner get the huge glory of a mention in tomorrow's blog. Yours truly had an off year. Hope all of you that took part had fun and we will do it all again next year. Also next year I am planning on running a KEEPER league for NBA FANTASY. Just giving you the heads up. I am always looking for thinks that can give us all as a group some fun. I want this to be more then just a blog but a community of people with a common interest. Even as we grow in numbers I hope that feeling never leaves this blog. I do my best to make sure that it doesn't. 

The Raptor's Red Party is tonight. I am too poor to have an invite but that is life. If anyone that is going happens to read the blog. If you get any cool photos from the event and would like to share them I'd be more then happy too share them with everyone if you would like too provide them. In fact if you ever have Raptor Related Photos you want to share feel free to get in contact with me. Also if you want to be a sponsor of the Dino Nation Blog you can send an email to me to talk about the details. With the playoffs approaching it is likely we will get a traffic increase. So if you want to jump on board as a sponsor for next season we can work out something that will allow you to get some exposure this season if you commit for next season now. For any of the things I just mentioned you can contact me at:

DinoNationBlogger@hotmail.com

Anyway that is enough of my not so subtle sales pitch. Raptors are in need of some kind of sales pitch to get fans to buy into the fact that they are a good team again. The mood is getting ugly and it is hard to say people's fears are not justified. Raptors need to take this time and re-group and come together. It is a much different feeling then last season at this time. The mood was very positive and the Raptors were riding a high. This year is far less exciting as many feel the Raptors have under performed. What will it take to get that excitement back? I really don't know. The return of Vince Carter on Friday is always something that rallies the fans. Maybe a big revenge win against the Nets would at least get some smiles back on some Raptors Fan's faces. 

The truth is there are no easy answers on how this gets turned around but the first part of getting it turned around is changing mental attitude. The party tonight might just allow the Raptors to have some fun and forget their troubles for a few hours. It may be just what the doctor ordered. The fans are already talking about the off-season. Raptors need to give them reason to LIVE IN THE NOW!!! I was watching Wayne's World while writing this today and it fit. EXCELLLENNTTT!!! But if the Raptors want to PARTY ON in the playoffs they better address the defensive issues this team has. 

I have just got the feeling that the fun is being sucked of Raptors and it's fans. Sometimes you need to have some fun. The pressure of the post season is huge and the weight can crush you of you let it. Today's blog was a little bit lighter then usual as I all think we need to give are brain's a break from trying to solve the Raptors problems. 

After all there is still 2 more days for that. So despite the bad times for the Raptors remember to have fun cause as Sam Mitchell said come end of the season 15 teams will be heading home and the Raptors are not one of them. 

 Blame Canada?

The Toronto Raptors have now fallen into 7th place thanks to a very unlikely win for Sixers over the Celtics. When all is said and done some might point to the Sixers as the team with the best shot at finishing in 5th place passing both Toronto and Washington. The Sixers have been on an incredible run. They fired G.M Billy King and looked to be on the way to continuing to rebuild in the post Iverson era in Philadelphia. Ed Stefanski left New Jersey and took the job of president and general manager in December. Many thought he would be active at the trade deadline but that was not to be. Except for Kyle Korver the Sixers would remain the same. Andre Miller would remain and the Sixers have went on a run that has been unexpected and caught many in the NBA off guard. When you beat best team in the NBA it is hard to fly under the radar anymore. Some Raptor fans have seen the Sixers coming up fast in the rear view mirror and they last night made the pass and moved ahead.

This comes after a night earlier Chris Bosh in his post game comments he was less then thrilled with his team's collective effort. The Raptors will have an unwanted playoff preview with the Pistons on Wednesday. Detroit has always given the Raptors fits and Chris Bosh has never had a great amount of success in matching up with them. If they want to avoid this fate it is in the next 12 games they can change it. Even the Celtics would be a better draw for the Raptors. They have played a few close games with them at least. Will the words of Bosh care some weight with his team mates. This Raptor team seems to not have that same pull together nature of last year's team. T.J Ford would be pointed to as a cause as he has been far from a happy solider this year. I can't argue the point it is clear that Ford is unhappy with his position. I think he is not alone though. You have to feel there are others that are less then thrilled with the way things are. Jason Kapono would be on that list. He has not seen the amount of time you would think he would given the contract he signed in the off-season. We could list some others but it all is based on having Moon and Bargnani in starting line-up. Now Moon has improved and shown to be back on track as of late. Bargnani continues to be a unknown factor night in and night out. I mean he started on fire in the Denver game only to fizzle after the first quarter. It all is leading to a locker room that is not as happy a place. When you add the losing on top of it things get worse. 

Last season the Raptors were the feel good story that the Sixers have become this year. They even have new Canadian Sam Dalembert he has taken his experience with team Canada and turned it into success. Could he do the same as Steve Nash and greatly improve through off-season play with team Canada? It seems to have helped him build confidence by being the key player on a team in the summer and then go back to his role in his NBA club a much better player for it. Understand I am not saying Sam Dalembert is going to win the M.V.P but like Nash you can see a major jump in his skill and confidence as a result of his international experience with Canada. Makes you wonder what it might have done for Toronto native Jamal Maglorie who has avoiding participating for his country like the plague. He now is struggling to remain in the NBA. I'm not saying that would be any different if he had tried the National team experience but it couldn't have hurt. Maglorie was actually an All-Star in the NBA in the east. True there are few bigs and it is much easier to get the nod for a big man in the east. But the point was at one time Maglorie was on the verge of NBA Stardom. Toronto Raptor fans have always wanted to see him come home and play with the Raptors but that too seems not to be a priority to Maglorie who took his services to New Jersey and eventually was released.

I hope one day the Raptors do have a Canadian in Raptor red. I have been hopeful of this for many years.  I really thought we had a chance with Brown from Uconn. He would not pan out though getting drafted by Seattle and then end up cut and taking his craft to the D-League. Denham these days is playing in Italy. There was also Juan Mendez who was like broadcaster Jack Armstrong part of the Niagara Purple Eagles. He lead them to the NCAA Tournament and I was hopeful but it was not in cards for Juan as well. He currently is playing his ball in Isreal.  I could run through a few others like Carl English but none have been able to crack the NBA as of yet.  Hopefully with the games growth in this country it will only be a case of when and not if  A Canadian puts on that Raptor jersey. I am not a fan of Leo Rautins but I am a fan of the National Program. I hope they will be able to make the Games in China and represent this country. If you are interested in keeping tabs on Canadian Basketball and players from Canada around the world here is the link to the National Team site.

http://www.basketball.ca/hm/

I hope whenever the Raptor season ends that fans will get into following Canada in it's attempt to get to the games in China. Basketball in Canada is growing thanks to the Raptors but there are all kinds of other basketball out there if you want to support it. I played and then coached in a local house league in Hamilton it is a rewarding experience that if you have the time to give back to basketball you should. I here a lot of people saying they are able to do better then Sam Mitchell. Well go do it. Coach some kids and teach them the game of basketball. If you are even the least bit skilled in coaching you can help a kid. That is far more productive then sitting typing at your computer saying you know more then Sam Mitchell does. I am also encouraged at the prospect of a D-League basketball team in my own backyard. It would be a great chance for some Canadian kids to stay at home right here in Hamilton. Hopefully this will happen. I had wrote about the idea of this a couple months ago and I guess I was on the ball as it now is starting to become a real chance of coming to life.

But back to the Raptors. I admit I think we all need a distraction and talking about Canada Basketball given the connection to Sam Dalembert seemed like a good idea. Hope you agree. Despite the doom and gloom the schedule after this game with Detroit will turn in Raptors favor. the key will be can they take advantage of that. I think despite not finishing the job the Raptors have been playing decent basketball. It is good enough basketball to beat the low end teams they will find in the final 11 games. The season has not been what many fans had hoped for. I think still by making the playoffs it is a big step for this team and establishes them as a team in the playoff mix year in and year out in the east for the next few years. Look at what happened after the Raptors most successful season. One Game short of the Conference Finals and then a big off season and real legit talk of Raptors as contenders in the East. It ended up a complete bust and took Raptors years to comeback from. This is not that kind of issue. This team is far from it's peak and still will grow. Think of this season as a step back to get two steps forward. I think in the end when history is written it will be looked back on as that.

It was only few years ago Raptor Fans would have been more then happy to see this team get in the playoffs. The feel lately as been like people going to a hanging and not the playoffs. It could be like watching a death should Raptors remain in 7th I grant you. But the fact they get in the playoffs at all is something to embrace. Ask Denver Nugget fans if they would trade spots with you? I think they would gladly and with good reason. Be thankful Toronto is blessed with good geography. That is always an advantage. You really have to stretch for the positives these days but they are there if you look for them. Much easier to find the Mud and sling it though. This feels like the end of a Springer show. But Till we see run ins with the law and fist fights in the Raptor locker room it is far from that. Look to Indiana if you seek that kinda drama. They seem to have more off court news then on court. But in the words of Jerry. Be good to each other Raptor fans. We all are cranky and angry but we all want the same thing a better Raptor team. Try never to lose sight of that fact.

I am going to try to take your questions and comments and make a blog based on it for next Thursday. So if you have a comment or question that you want included you can use the mailbag  topic in the FACEBOOK group Dino Nation Blog or Email it to the following address. 

dinonationblogger@hotmail.com

This attempt at including you will be based on how all of you respond. It will be as good or bad based at least 50% on you. So if you want it to be successful and part of the blog please contribute. I really value the idea of others having a say as part of this Blog. No matter how big this may grow that will never change.

Chip Off The Old Block

Ex-Raptor Dell Curry may be one of the proudest people on the planet on this Saturday morning. His Son Stephen lead his Davidson team to the upset win in the NCAA tournament. Only a sophomore the younger Curry dropped 40 points on Gonzaga and made a clear statement that it is not a case of if he will be in the NBA like his father but when. He is just like his father was in his NBA career a deadly shooter that does it with great form and style.  He is not the only one to have a father that had an NBA career playing in this year's NCAA Tourney. You also have Patrick Ewing Jr. playing for the Georgetown Hoyas. He plays for the son of his Father's coach, John Thompson III.  Ewing Jr. unlike Curry is a much different basketball player then his father was. Many great basketball players have gone down this path of following dad. None more famous then Kobe Bryant who had his father Jellybean Bryant as his NBA example as a kid. Kobe is a far better player then dad could ever have dreamed of being. So other then making me feel old does this mean anything. I mean I watched Dell Curry and Patrick Ewing and now I'm watching their kids. Even Raptor color commentator Leo Rautins has his son Andy who is following his footsteps at Syracuse. Andy was out this season after suffering an ACL tear in game vs. Brazil in the Olympic qualifier  last summer. Basically you haven no guarantees that just cause dad happens to be a great player then his off spring will be as well. But any player that is luck enough to have a father that was an NBA player has a heck of an advantage. I mean to have all that knowledge a phone call away is a great thing. 

If Lebron James has a prince that will one day be king. He no doubt will beat-up on the Toronto Raptors. Lebron James is just a truly unreal talent and he is the best Cav ever already. Well the highest scoring one at the very least. He is the closet thing to that Jordan guy that I have seen. Jordan has a son but never came anywhere close to as good as dad. The thing that makes the second generation star special is that despite the advantages the pressure of carrying that name on your back can be to much for some. King James does not have that to worry about. He is to busy trying to become a billionaire. That is what King James wants is to be a billionaire. The scary thing is he likely will be. Great for him but when I hear such a huge number I can't help but feel some pity for stars of past. Bill Russell was one of the greatest of all time. He never will make a billion dollars but he is a great example of what a legendary player should be. Russell always makes time for the players of today and is like the unofficial grand father of any NBA player that wants to take the time to talk with him. I can't think of anyone I have more respect for in sports then Bill Russell. A champion on and off the floor. Raptors assistant coach Alex English is a person that is that kind of person just a classy individual. The true fans of basketball owe it to themselves to not only enjoy the games of this generation but take the time to learn some of the games history. Classic games and the information can easily be found these days.

The Raptors as an organization have to make some tough choices on who they want to remain a part of the Raptor family. What happens in this last portion of the season and the playoffs after that will no doubt tell Bryan Colangelo a lot of things about what  his team is made of. It will also tell what the individuals that make it up are made of. The one person that has answered every question that has ever been asked about him is Chris Bosh. I could see in the guy's eyes last night that he was out of gas last night. I also saw that he fought through it like a champion. He alone can not bring a championship to the city of Toronto and the country of Canada. That is Bryan Colangelo's challenge to build a team around him that can. The Raptors were exposed by this latest Bosh injury. The need to find a secondary star who can carry this team along side him and without him is evident. Andrea Bargnani no doubt was suppose to be that guy. Some have already lost hope in that happening. I admit I am starting to feel that way. Andrea is frustrating to try to figure out. I have heard and read some fans point the finger of blame at Sam Mitchell. I can not agree with that. Look at what Sam has done for the development of others. Chris Bosh and Kevin Garnett point to Sam Mitchell as a big reason to why they are the players that they are. Jose Calderon has had only one NBA coach in his career that is Sam. Kris Humphries was given up on by Utah and has become a useful part on a team under Sam. Andrea needs to show far more mental toughness and that can be encouraged by a coach but he needs to make that happen for himself. Andrea needs to take responsibility for Andrea when all is said and done.

Bryan Colangelo is not a man who is afraid to admit he made a mistake and fix it. If you honestly think that Andrea has an unlimited time to start to show the signs his G.M wants. I don't think you know Bryan Colangelo that well. He has never been afraid to make a trade or a deal that others may not agree with. Bargnani still has value as a player in this league. If he does not start showing more that value will lower on a fast level. Colangelo will not allow Andrea to go with his value bottomed out. If he is not on the road to being a quality player that can be counted on day in day out by next trade deadline I think he becomes something that Colangelo will consider moving. I can only speculate on this but I do it based on the history of the man . I also think he will not wait for Andrea to become that secondary star to Bosh. If that guy is out there that can help Bosh now he will do his best to find him. I have no doubt in that fact. He felt his Suns needed Steve Nash and he went out and got Steve Nash. I take you back to some comments that Colangelo made at the trade deadline which I will paraphrase. He said that not all that is talked about is for deals that happen at this particular target point. We had many discussions that we will continue in this off-season. What was talked about? Bryan Colangelo knows I do not. But the implication was clear that Colangelo is planing on being active in the off-season and that you can bank on.

In Colangelo I trust. I have been given no reason not to this point. Speaking of trust I owe you folks an apology I was just to tired to get to the NCAA Recap I had promised to get up. I am trying to wear 2 hats covering Raps and NCAA Tournament. I will always get the Raptor Stuff done first as this is called the Dino Nation Blog after all. I still do my best to try to deliver everything I promise to though and in this case I dropped the ball. Credit me with a turnover. 

Important Blogger Note:( 03/22/08 5:30 pm) I am asking you all to support me in letting the score know we want Jack Armstrong to stay on Regular T.V. I have posted a Bullhorn at the score website in support of this effort please vote and support it and add your comments and let them know that you want to see Jack Armstrong Next Season. Sportsnet will no longer be doing Raptor Games and Jack would no longer be on regular T.V. this is why the SCORE NEEDS JACK!!! Click on link below and support my bullhorn.

http://www.thescore.com/bullhorn/ViewBullhornDetail.aspx?ID=2586

How Would AI Be???

I think it is common knowledge to most Raptor Fans that if not for the franchise agreement signed by Toronto to enter the NBA that Allen Iverson could have been A Raptor.  It makes you sit back and wonder what would be different about this franchise and Iverson himself. Toronto had won the draft lottery but as stated in the agreement moved back to pick 2nd and would select Marcus Camby. In a touch of Irony both Iverson and Camby are now wearing Denver Nugget uniforms.  Former Raptor G.M Isiah Thomas has stated on the record that even if Toronto had selected first it would have been Camby not Iverson selected #1. It is not often you can say Isiah makes sense these days but in this case it did. Toronto had rookie of the year Damon Stoudamire and the need on the team was defense and size.  Iverson was not a fit for Toronto at the time.  Camby was the national player of the year and could have a case made to be picked #1 in the draft at the time.  So the obvious first difference would have been Toronto trading the Rookie of the Year which would seem unlikely. Bring in Iverson as the back up to Stoudamire another unlikely scenario as Iverson was far to talented. Third to take Iverson and trade him for some depth as just starting out Raptors needed a lot of things.  However it still even though it might not be logical to think about is something that makes you think "WHAT IF".

The major difference between Camby and Iverson other than the obvious things of position and size is that or durability. Iverson is a guy you have to tie to a chair to ensure he will not play a basketball game. If he is allowed to do so Iverson will play through almost anything.  Camby has been plagued with injuries and his far less tough minded in comparison to Iverson.  It likely is a result of the fact that Iverson saw himself as a football star not a basketball star. He was pushed into basketball by his mother and mom was right in the end. Iverson had not liked basketball because he saw the game as SOFT. He was use to taking hits on a football field and did not think basketball offered that same type of physical challenge. But he would change his mind and bring his football like aggression and toughness to the basketball court. The would be NFL star has become one of the NBA's Brightest Stars. It was not always that way though. Iverson was though of has not only tough on the floor but off it as well. He became the Poster Boy of what was wrong with the NBA. He had tattoos didn't much care for the establishment and was basketball's ultimate Bad Boy in the model of a Dennis Rodman minus the bizarre nature.  Loved by urban youth and the growing Hip Hop culture. If he had come to Canada a far more race friendly society would he have grown into this image. Which seemed to be odd to begin with given he came out of Georgetown and had John Thompson as a coach. He was like a father figure to many of his players and followed them into the NBA and always made time to get to games despite still coaching at Georgetown.  The thing about Iverson was he had the "Street Cred" but it seems walking the streets of Toronto would not seem to support this image. Many African American Athletes have stated they love Toronto. It is a much different city than the urban environments that they came from. Race was far less an issue to deal with. So would being in Canada have mellow Iverson and his larger live image. Probably it would have. The safest thing to say is that Iverson and The Raptors would both look a lot different from what we know them as today.

What has happened throughout Iverson's Career is he has been a Raptor Killer. Maybe he heard Thomas say that he would have picked Camby and he gets motivated like the New AI in Philly does when he sees a Raptor Uniform. Andre Igudala was passed on for Hoffa and he and Raptor fans too will not son forget that. Whatever the case or motivation behind it the fact is Iverson has had some of his best games as a pro vs. Toronto. The classic battle with Vince Carter in the playoffs. It was fun to watch. Just like Vince his time in Philly would come to an end same as Vince in Toronto. Major difference the Sixers got far more than Toronto for the face of it's franchise.  Iverson needed a change and was able to find it in Denver. He also found players with talent he could count on. Trust for any kid form a background in a ghetto type environment is very hard to give and get. More importantly believe in. I wouldn't know this personally but based on what you read hear and see I think it is accurate. Iverson trusted few in his time in Sixer Uniform.

You may have heard a few Raptor fans are upset with T.J Ford. I have to wonder what kind of fan reaction Allen Iverson would have got in Toronto. If you are dismayed by what T.J does you would go nuts at what Iverson did in the past. T.J Ford is not surprisingly an Iverson Fan. It makes complete sense. The 2 players are very much a like. Size and attitude and basketball skills. This is not to say they are equal but are of the same type.  Iverson is a better shooter but in his early days was not as good. If Toronto fans get upset by Ford Iverson would have been a whole new level of frustration. That frustration lead him out of Philadelphia. He learned has learned in Denver with better talent to develop some element of trust. He does not always feel he has to carry the team on his back. T.J feels that he does at this point without Bosh. However that is not the case. But Iverson did it because he wanted to Win. He desperately wanted to win. So much so that he could not trust anyone beyond the guy in his jersey to make it happen.  T.J has that same mindset and care deeply about his team winning. Iverson has learned and T.J will have to learn to trust others. It is not that he doesn't trust anyone. He trusts Chris Bosh but without him he is left to trust himself. However guys like Anthony Parker and some others can get it done too. T.J needs to realize he can have faith in them just like he does with Bosh. It took a trade out of town ultimately to teach Allen Iverson that fact. A trade that Iverson wanted. T.J Ford I do not thinks wants out of Toronto though. Fans may want him gone but he is happy here I think. He has a coach that gives him a lot of freedom that trusts him and has faith in him. A fellow Texan in Bosh that is a friend on and off the court. He needs to turn things around though or he like Iverson may be elsewhere. Perhaps Iverson who respects Ford will talk to him and help T.J get it. If anyone can understand who and what T.J Ford is, Iverson would be the guy.

Fans in general have not been so understanding. I will say that some people are taking things to far. Not with this blog but in general around the Internet. This is a game and it is entertainment. It is not life or death. There is no good reason to attack any other fan or player or coach. Ask Ron Artest if you need help with this. He was suspended a year for hitting a fan. I wish they had same stiff justice here on the Internet.  The levels that people go to in attacking people in just wrong. You do not have to like T.J or Sam Or Joey or your fellow fan. That is fine. We sadly can't all get along. But to resort to personal mudslinging is stupid and pointless. I hope that the people that read my blog are the ones that would not go to those levels. Be good fans and be good people. I know it is a bit moralistic and freedom of speech and all of that. I just think we all should keep in mind we all want the same thing A win each night the team plays.

BLOGGER NOTE:

On a side note. I have always took minor shots for the lack of editing skill I have. I was proof reading and tried to change something and lost the whole thing. What does it mean? Maybe this blog just isn't meant to be perfect. That is part of why things were so late today. Raptor Rewind Podcast and all of that later tonight. I can edit audio better than words.

Not The Same Kobe Anymore

Basketball is the major sport I follow but I am a fan of other sports and teams. One of those would be the Dallas Cowboys. Just like Chris Bosh before all you anti-Cowboy people hiss at your computer screens. Reason I bring this up in a basketball blog is that in all sports there are moments that stick with us for a lifetime. Some good like when Dallas won the Super Bowl over the Buffalo Bills in the Rose Bowl. Some Bad like the moment sports fans refer to as just "The Catch". A Joe Montana pass to Dwight Clark that won the NFC Championship for 49ers. It was the key moment of that dynasty and will never be forgot but Niner fans or Cowboy Fans.

Kobe Bryant Scoring 81 points against the Toronto Raptors is like that too. It was not for a championship and it really was just suppose to be another NBA game in a typical night of basketball. But what would take place was perhaps the greatest individual performance I have ever witnessed as a sports fan. That is high praise seeing as I never have been a Laker fan at anytime. Still great is great and that performance was amazing. The guy just hit everything and had a truly remarkable game and season. The fact that a guy like that does not have a M.V.P Trophy is really amazing. That season he did more than just that 81 he was dropping huge nights on many other teams as well. But a little guard with Suns from Canada was leading his team in a different way and a more respected way by making the guys around him better. 

The ghost of Kobe's 81 is alive to this day in the Raptor broadcast booth. The tired routine on if and when Chuck Swirsky brings out the Salami and Cheese is based on that game. A much more confident Chuck in those days brought out the salami and cheese early in the 3rd. Kobe had not started to catch fire but after he did and Chuck was left holding the bag. Kobe stole Chuck's Salami his Cheese and yes HIS ONIONS.  Chuck from that point on has been very aware of not making that mistake again and he gets abuse from his often side kick Leo. The whole thing is just a painful reminder of that night. But that being said as a Raptor Fan although it was painful to watch at some point you just stopped and said wow I am watching history here. Not many of us before that night could imagine how on earth Wilt Chamberlin could score 100 points. It seemed impossible. Kobe even as great as he played fell 19 points short of Wilt. There is talk of records are made to be broken. Well show me the man that is going to break that one cause I haven't seen him.

Kobe will never be that guy. He has finally figured out how he can win without Shaq. He needs to put faith in someone beyond himself. Just like the guy that beat him for the M.V.P in that season he dropped 81. Steve Nash trusts his team to make shots and contribute. Kobe after starting the season with zero faith in his team has turned around and now is a believer. Andrew Bynum was the biggest reason that Kobe was converted. Still out but before he was injured he was having a break out year. No worries for Kobe losing faith though cause Lakers made that BIG MOVE he had been asking for since Shaq left. Enter Pau Gasol Via the Memphis Grizzles. The Spanish  Star has been great since sporting the purple and gold. Kobe is now to the front runner to win the M.V.P. it all seems so amazing when you think at the beginning of this year he was as much as traded to the Bulls. Larry Hughes is no Kobe Bryant in Chicago.

So no worry of another 80+ from Kobe for Raptor fans. However with likely no Chris Bosh there is still lots to be worried about. Oh and just in case you think the Lakers will over look the wounded Raptors think again. You can thank another team the Raptors will play on this trip for that as the Sacramento Kings shocked the Lakers on Sunday. They by the way are the easy game of this Raptor 5 game road trip. Fasten your seat belts Raptor Fans it is going to be a bumpy ride.

However I will finish the thoughts on Kobe. He has had many ups and downs in his career and can be hated and loved by many. However you have to give the devil his due in the sense that Kobe no matter what you may think of him personally is an amazing talent on the floor the likes of which will may never see again. Is he better than Jordan? Does it matter if he is or not? I don't care personally I am just happy to have had the chance too see 2 great superstars like that in my lifetime. With more on the way like the man who is the King Lebron James. I feel fortunate same way older people feel about seeing guys like Bill Russell,Jerry West and Wilt Chamberlin.  So enjoy your NBA stars while they are here. Cause game to game and year to year we have no idea how long we will have that joy.

Past And Present

Kevin Durant this time last year was the biggest thing in Texas Basketball since maybe T.J Ford. He was the best player in the NCAA just like Ford and he was unable to get his team a championship. Seattle is more concerned with where they will be playing next year and if ping pong balls fall their way again. But be it is Seattle or Oklahoma City they are getting a young dynamic duo. Raptor fans will remember the short lived tandem of Vince Carter and Tracy McGrady. Durant and is running mate Jeff Green out of Georgetown Via the Boston Celtics. Green was good enough to send Ray Allen packing to Boston and eventually lead to the Garnett Trade. So if you hate the Celtics send your complaint letters to the Sonics. Garnett only took interest in Boston after they acquired Ray Allen. Seattle will not complain though Green was the star of the Hoyas just like Durant with Texas. Green is not as flashy as Durant but he is a nice compliment. The danger with Durant could be to much to fast and not much expectations with a franchise in limbo like the Sonics seem to be. David Stern so much as said the Sonics are leaving Seattle and it was now a question of when and not if they will leave. That can not be a very healthy spot to be for a young superstar. I was one of the few that would have taken Durant and not Greg Oden. I know that might seem nuts but part of that choice was I questioned the how durable Oden was.  I didn't have inside info but was I shocked that Oden was out for the year? Nope not a bit. Durant may not be a big like Oden but he is a athletic wing man that can be a dominate force the likes of a McGrady or Carter. Oden could be great and maybe great but I just am not as sold that greatness can be in a long career. I have been wrong about things before but on this I think Durant will end up being the best player of the 2 players.

Toronto Raptors are only concerned with stopping Durant on this Sunday. Things are a mess in Raptorworld.  Bosh not in the line-up and a controversy of media attention that hovers over T.J Ford. The new look Raptors are in the first real test of the Bryan Colangelo era. You have to wonder what he is thinking these days. It is fairly obvious that things have leveled off this season. There has not been the progression from last season's great run back to the playoffs. He will have many chips he can play in the next off season. There is of course the issue of how much will it cost to keep Jose Calderon and if you keep Delfino and Brezec. That and a bunch of expiring contract money. I don't know what he will do but I do know this he will do something it is in his nature. Bryan Colangelo wants and needs to win. Anything less is unacceptable.

This is going to be a real test of the of what the Raptors have beyond Bosh. It is also a major chance for Andrea Bargnani to show what he can do. He earned some respect by getting up and taking the hard foul in Miami and than followed it up with a great performance vs. Washington.  He still needs to rebound more to totally be effective. But if he can score at a higher level most will overlook that. Anthony Parker in a time when the team has not done well he personally has. He should score more and has lately. He was a star in Europe and here he become a role player. But the time has come to expand that role to scorer as well. Even when Bosh returns I want to see A.P score 16-20 a night. He is capable of it and we need to see it.  

Another person who has played well in these tough times is Rasho Nesterovic. The truth be told I would be surprised if you see Rasho next year. The same reason he ended up in Toronto will be the reason he leaves. His Contract is just to big for his skill set. He does have value though but in order to make trades happen his contract would be required to get a major piece to come back to Toronto in a trade. The Raptors may have got Brezec to replace Rasho eventually should he perform to a level that Raptors want to keep him. They are both big and from the same country but one is quiet and the other is not. I love Brezec fire and grit but Primoz SHUT UP when you are talking to the Refs and get us Technical Fouls. I mean Brezec has never seen a foul he committed. Needless to say the game today vs. Seattle is a must win.

Two ex-Raptors are part of the hottest team in the NBA. 18 wins for T-Mac, Rafer Alston and the Yaoless Rockets. I have no answer as to why this is going on and when it will stop. The Suns got a big in Shaq and they struggle. Yet the Rockets lose a big and get hot. Maybe the answer is that the era of the dominant big men is dying. Guys like Russell, Chamberlin and a long list behind them of great NBA Big Men. It could be the end of an era. That is why I say Durant and not Oden. The new school is not about positions. It is Numbers that guy who was a power forward is now commonly referenced as a 4. The Center is now just a number 5. Does it mean anything. Well that alone does not. But the fact more and more coaches seem to just find ways to get the best 5 players on the floor regardless of position is. Teams are not afraid to play small ball for stretches of time. Some do it successfully others not so much. But the point is the fundamental values of basketball are slowly changing. The Rockets better with No Yao may be proof of that. It may just be dumb luck as well. A highly motivated Tracy McGrady is a good thing too.

So relax and enjoy the Raps and Sonics today. With all the snow outside there isn't much better to do. That is if your reading from most of Canada. But watch the game today because if Bosh is not to return soon the Raps may be hard pressed to find another win anytime soon. Even with him it would be tough. A loss today just can not happen. Sorry Seattle but we can't afford to give you another win please try the New York Knicks Or Miami Heat they seem in a more giving mood these days.

Raptor Rewind after the game and likely another post game podcast. So don't forget to check back few hours after the game.

Who Can Change Raps Luck?

What can the Raptors do if Chris Bosh does not return sooner rather than later. Who can make a difference that will be good enough to not just compete but win. The obvious answer is Andrea Bargnani be cause he has the skills to be a big time scorer on a given night. But last night he scored and the Raptors still ended up on the short end up on the short end of the stick. Truth be told it will take a collective effort from everyone. That is what the Wizards have had to do for most of the season. The unfortunate thing for the Raptors is the way the schedule is they would be hard pressed to find wins even with Bosh. Last season the Raptor were able to weather a long period with out Bosh but the schedule was not as challenging. That being said the early part of this time without Bosh was not demanding and they have only managed a 1-3 record. It does not exactly inspire confidence.

There is also the growing concern over T.J Ford. He was less than impressive last night and has been the target of fans displeasure throughout this tough stretch for the Raptors. Speculation continues that he is disgruntled about his role as the back-up to Jose Calderon. The Raptors have sited personal issues that Ford is dealing with. The truth remains unknown but speculation that he is unhappy is logical.  Ford did say to media he was fine with Jose as the starter and understood. But knowing the competitor Ford is you have to feel he saw Jose having his job as a temporary thing. That when he was back and healthy he would go back to the starting line-up. Things have not worked out though and the T.J Ford that was a force in the game vs. Atlanta when he was injured has yet to be reappeared. Some fans have already traded T.J away in their minds but if anything happened to Calderon the Raps would need to count on T.J. So getting him right weather it be body wise or mind wise is important. 

It has been hard season for Toronto. They have never had a long stretch with everyone health and playing good ball. The reality of things is that the key season for the Raptors is next year but the hope was they could build off the success of last year. Next season Bryan Colangelo will have many choices to make about this team and it's roster. How people play during this stretch without Bosh may have an impact on if they are here for the long or short term. Guys like Primoz Brezec and Carlos Delfino both free agents after this year will build cases for themselves one way or the other. Calderon is going to get some major money to stay and will Delfino or Brezec do enough to get their share of the pie. You also have a lot of guys entering into final years of contracts. Anthony Parker has stepped up his game lately and he is one of the guys that has one year left after this one. He would be an attractive trading piece to some teams in this league you would have to think. Even more so if he continues his pace of late. But the reality is the team you see now will not be the team you see a year from now I can bank on that. Colangelo is not one to sit back and be content with just matching what the team did last year. He wants more and is always is always looking forward as much as he does to the present.

All this being said Chris Bosh is key to any and all Raptor success. He is the biggest part of this team on and off the floor. He has to be going crazy watching his team struggle and he can do nothing more than scream and yell like a fan. But he does have access to the locker room so maybe not exactly like a fan. But a helpless feeling none the less. He maybe can now relate to how his coach Sam Mitchell feels. Sam has always said the Raptors are able to battle through injuries because no matter who goes out he does not alter anything on offense or defense. It has been successful too. Not team handles injuries consistently as well as Toronto does. But when that player is Chris Bosh maybe it is time to re-think that way of thinking. Bargnani and Bosh have very different skill sets and Sam said it himself " Andrea isn't Chris...He's not black and he isn't left handed. But more than that he just is not as polished a player as Chris. Maybe look to make tweaks to what they do would not be a bad thing.

Times are tough in Raptorland these days and it brings out the best in some and the worst in others. I am not just talking the players, coaches and management. Fans too show their true colors in these times as well. I am not a person who says that you have to cheer and support everyone or even like everyone. But in the end if they but on a Raptor Jersey they are part of the team. The amount of abuse and harsh things said about people is just too much. In the end these are people that are human beings and have more to their lives beyond basketball.  I never personally lose sight of that fact. But a lot of people do and unfortunately they are the ones that scream the loudest most times. I have had chance to talk with pro athletes and they are indeed real people and most very good people. They worked very hard to develop the skill that they have and get paid very well based on it. But I never hold that against them. In the end they just are doing what they love same as I am by writing this blog. The true of all people is how they handle the bad times and adversity and that time is now for everyone connected to Raptor Basketball.