EAST PLAYOFF PREVIEW@ Dino NATION BLOG

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Come to the New Site and Read about the Dino Nation Blogger talking with THE COACH Jack Armstrong

http://dinonationblog.wordpress.com/2008/04/16/hellllooo-dino-nation-blog/

See Ya Next Year V.C

It is hard not to feel some great deal of happiness in the Raptors getting the chance to end Vince Carter's chance of going to the playoffs. The team that he gave up on was putting his new team out of the playoffs. Raptor fans will never forgive Vince Carter for how he left them. It was like the ugliest break up you have ever had in your personal life. Vince Carter was telling the fans that had supported him they were not good enough and thanks for the memories but I am moving on with my life. We have all had those situations in life where you run into an ex-girlfriend at a local mall or supermarket. The greatest thing that can happen out of that is to walk away feeling that you are doing better then they are without you. It is mean and stupid and pointless but deep down we all feel that way. So to look at Vince and see that the team fans he left behind are doing better then him is a fantastic feeling. Nothing can top it. 

There was a lot more to take from last night's game beyond that fact though. It was a different Raptor team in some respects. They were not just beating the Nets on the scoreboard they were taking it to them in a physical way. Showing a toughness that this team has never really shown. They were not being dirty mind you. But when there was a chance to make a hard foul they did not shy away from the chance to make it. The Raptors had been smacked around by teams in this season and the reaction to that was nothing. They just played on as if nothing happened. T.J Ford got taken out and Andrea Bargnani got his teeth knocked around. But the Raptors did not respond. In this game against the Nets they came out and did the pushing. They showed that they can play aggressive basketball without going to far. It is something this team has lacked not just this year but last year. It felt good to see Chris Bosh give that extra little push to Richard Jefferson. To see T.J Ford talking smack and backing it up against Vince Carter. I have often said the Raptors are group of nice guys that needed someone to have an edge to them to get them all to be more aggressive. But at least on this night they did it all on their own. They were still nice guys but they showed they were not going to be pushed around. 

The team next on schedule do not care if they are thought to be nice guys. They just care about if they are winners. Pistons basketball is based on that grit and toughness. The Bad Boys of a different era had many tough minded individuals that were not afraid to give a hard foul or throw a well placed elbow. These modern Pistons are much the same. The leader of that group is Rasheed Wallace. He has always been the one guy that can control Chris Bosh with a great bit or regularity. This is one of the reasons the Raptors do not want to match-up with the Detroit in the first round. They have always been able to have the Raptors number. Even the Celtics would be a more welcome challenge to Toronto. But if the Raptors do end up in the match-up they don't want they will need that tough attitude that they showed against New Jersey. But Detroit will be more then happy to push back which New Jersey had no interest in doing.

The other thing that will be interesting about this game will be the Raptors are going to be on National T.V in the United States. It is a rare thing when it happens and it is based on ratings much more then the ability of the Raptors. So for guys like Chris Bosh and the other American based players this is a huge deal. The reality is they likely were on T.V more in college then they are in the NBA as far as National coverage in the U.S goes. Maybe not Jamario Moon or Anthony Parker who both went to small schools. But Bosh out of Georgia Tech and Ford from Texas, even Joey Graham at OSU were all in that National spotlight. Playing in Canada get them away from that spotlight. It makes games like tomorrow become big deals to everyone. Fans want the respect of the American Media of the team they love. The players want to put on a good show for the friends and family that might not be close enough to get free tickets. It is a important game as well for the Raptors regardless. They have built some momentum that they can not afford to lose. The Pistons have little to play for but that did not stop them from laying a beating on the Wizards as to say you don't want any part of us. I would think they have the same message in mind for the Raptors. Even if they don't the Pistons have talented young guys like Rodney Stucky who will take the chance at extra minutes and run with it. If the Raptors get a win tomorrow it will be well earned regardless of how the Pistons approach it. 

The Wizards and Sixers will be playing tonight and the result of that game will greatly impact on just how could Toronto must have to be down this stretch run. They are still not out of the mix for 5th place which may be a scary though for some as playing Lebron James in the Playoffs is not exactly a great gift for hard work. But the true goal should be just to avoid 7th at all cost. the Pistons of the 7 playoff teams are the worst match-up for the Raptors. Even the Celtics are a more attractive foe for Toronto. 

After the Pistons all that remain is the last home game vs Miami which is a close to a lock for a win in the NBA. The Raptors close on the road against a Bulls team that has been blown up. But the young players like Noah and Thomas are playing well and looking to make there claim that they are part of the new solution in Chicago. That will not be an easy win as you might think for Toronto. But the if the Raptors upset the Pistons and beat Miami they would carry a 4 game win streak into that game and it will be interesting to see what a win and lose will mean for Toronto. There will also be those that point to the Atlanta game that they should have won if not for error by the Referees. It most likely would have meant a different first round challenger if it had have been a win for the Raptors. The irony of that will not be lost no matter who they end up facing. 

Chris Bosh wanted everyone to be excited and the best way to do that is WIN. If the Raptors were to win out and go 5-0 or even go 4-1 it may go along way in restoring the faith of the fan base. But don't expect the American Media to join the party. I watched comments on NBA TV about the Raptors that were honestly laughable for what are suppose to be " Basketball Experts". I will go out on a limb and say if they have watched had Raptors play more then 2 games in this season I would be shocked. The fact the Peter Vesey (I may have spelled that wrong but like he doesn't bother to care about the Raptors I don't bother to check how to spell his name)  is thought of in such high regard is a joke to me. He seems to be nothing more to me then an ill informed gossip reporter. Basketball Expert is a huge stretch now basketball groupie I will buy. He plays favorites and is a huge Vince Carter lover and I guess that is why he never knows much about Toronto. When V.C left so did he as far as paying attention to this team.

Raptors have a chance to open some eyes if they get in the playoffs and take on Orlando. I think many a jaw will drop if the Magic get tossed aside by Toronto. It will be more about the Magic blowing it then Raptors winning it. But the truth for those who care to pay attention is that Raptors have always played the Magic well and deserve to be a slight favorite in a 7 game series. But if you are hoping American media will give the Raptors any form of credit I suggest you don't hold your breath. Maybe after they were to win 2 NBA Championship they would actually get some credit. The one thing they do have in their favor is Bryan Colangelo who the media in the U.S loves. So there is a slim chance the Raptors might get credit before having to win a couple NBA Titles. But in the end it doesn't matter. If they believe and we the fans believe that is what counts. The process of making the fans believe continues tomorrow afternoon on ABC. It is on the score up here but I for one want to hear just how much credit the people down south give us. I already know that Chuck Swirsky believes and don't need to hear the constant themes of the whole Chuck and Leo show. I will tune back to Canada for the Miami game which I greatly hope will not be Jack Armstrong's last. If the Raptors let Jack Armstrong get away I may just mute the T.V all next season in protest. Jack Armstrong does a great job and he proved it again last night. That does it for me. Sorry for being so late but sometimes life gets in the way. Maybe Vince Carter can get my groceries during the playoffs he will need something to do. It is a thought. Oh I almost forgot one last thing. 5 questions is Back. If you missed it the first time it is basically 5 questions I would ask someone If I was able too. Today's Interviewee is Vince Carter.

5 Questions for Vince Carter

• 1. What is your greatest regret about your time in Toronto and if there is not one why not?
• 2. Do you think you could have done anything to convince Tracy McGrady to stay and did you do anything at the time in that regard?
• 3. What do you want your legacy in Toronto to be and do you think it ever can be given the way fans feel?
• 4. Chris Bosh has taken over as the Face of the Raptor Franchise. What is one thing he does better then you in that role and one thing he doesn't do as well?
• 5. Do you ever see a return to Toronto as something you would ever consider? If you were traded there and it was out of your control what would your first thought be?

No I didn't ask him if he sucked. I try to keep the 5 questions on a professional level and ask questions that hopefully the subjects will answer. Having interviewed Vince I am not sure if he would answer any of these but they are legit questions that I think people would like to know the answers too. But for now Vince has a lot of questions to answer in New Jersey. But he has lots of time to do it. I on the other happen am busy getting ready for the playoffs. Hope you all are too.

President Of The Dino Nation

If this Dino Nation has a president it is not me James Borbath the Dino Nation Blogger. It is Chris Bosh and when the President talks he does not hit the airwaves and break in on your favorite T.V show. He takes to the Internet on UTUBE. That is what Chris Bosh did yesterday. The message of this address was the same he has had for the media these past couple days. Chris Bosh is excited and he wants you to join in that excitement. He suggest that everyone take a fresh start and from this day forward make the Air Canada Center the loudest and craziest place to be for any NBA foe that dares to enter it. I support our President and I did what I do when I want to address the masses. I went on Hoops on the Fan 590 and my message was much more forceful then that of Bosh. I am James in Hamilton for anyone that does not know. I usually am the first caller on the show Hoops each and every week. I often express my opinions on the Toronto Raptor Fans and am not afraid to call them out for what they do wrong. I called people out for cheering for pizza and not the team. I also said that the people who cheered T.J Ford in December that now Boo him are hypocrites. Bosh was not going there he  was more about building everyone up to get  everyone to share in his excitement. That is why he is the President and I am not. I understand that Bosh can not go to the lengths that I do and he shouldn't. I think if you go watch his video and you are not willing to get up and cheer and be loud you should do everyone a favor and just not bother supporting the Raptors anymore.  The Dino Nation does not need you and we suggest you take find another nation to support. Leaf Nation will be having there annual golf tournament and is always willing to add new citizens. 

Sure that is me being a little bit over the top. But I do take this whole concept of a Dino Nation seriously. You may have figured out that I am not a Leaf fan. I will say this about the Leaf Nation the people that make it up are diehard fans and the may lack realistic feelings towards the team they love but they have great passion and loyalty. These are qualities I want in people that make up the Dino Nation. What I don't want is the complaining and the whining. Chris Bosh is not doing that by what he is saying. He is saying what needed to be said. Think back to last season....how excited were you about this basketball team. I am willing to bet it was a lot more then you are right now. I know I was and I try to keep my emotions in check and be realistic about things. That being said the realism I check at the door while the game is being played. You have many other hours in the day to think about this team realistically. Take those two and half hours that the game is going on and be a fan. Cheer and get excited and show your passion. Sometimes it is hard to do I understand that. But do your best to do it. That is all that Chris Bosh is asking of all of us is to be good fans and try to bring the same type of passion we demand from the team in the support of the team. I am not on the Chris Bosh payroll I don't have to support him. I have chosen to support him because I think he is right. I also respect the fact that he has picked me and all of you. He made a choice to be part of the solution in Toronto. He did not decide to give up when times were tough. He stayed he gave 100% to making things better. Raptor fans love to BOO Vince Carter for not doing that. I have no problem with that. But if you are going to do that, you should also support the guy who did the opposite of that Chris Bosh.

That is a nice transition to tonight's game. I would not be shocked if Vince Carter is a no show tonight as things for the Nets are determined. I found it all to funny listening to his coach sing his praises for being a warrior for fighting through his ankle injury and playing on for the Nets. I mean it is hard to think of Vince Carter and warrior in the same sentence. Vince Carter to me is one of the saddest stories in the NBA. He is maybe one of the most talented guys in this league and the fact he bailed on the Toronto Raptors will not change that fact. But what also will not change is he does not even come close to getting the MAX out of that talent. Vince plays hard when he feels like playing hard and if he doesn't he will be happy to take his paycheck for whatever percentage he feels like giving. I was a huge Vince Carter fan and I really still think he can be an amazing talent in this league on any given night. I just think he does not LOVE basketball. He loves what basketball brings him in a high income lifestyle and some fame. But he is not a guy that lives to play the game. Chris Bosh I think is a guy that LIVES to play this game. He wouldn't bother taking the time to call out fans and call out his team to do more if he was like Vince. He cares it matters to him. I question if any lose every real matters to Vince. I mean we have all seen how he laughs and jokes no matter what the scoreboard says. I have never seen Chris Bosh cracking jokes when he has been taken out of a game because his team can no longer win it. 

Vince Carter claimed that the ACC was still his house. I kind of agree with that actually. With all the boos that come every time he enters it. Those same people that were booing were cheering and I was one of them. I think though if fans get behind the message that Bosh has made it will officially become his building. You saw signs of this transfer of ownership last year. The crowd took time to stop booing Vince Carter to chant M.V.P for Chris Bosh. Vince was not happy about it and that moment hurt him more then any cat call or boo that he heard that day. The thing about Vince is he really wants and needs to be liked. This is why booing fans in Toronto can get to Vince Carter. He is not like his cousin T-Mac who actually got fired up by the boos. Vince is more sensitive and takes these things to heart. I think deep down he wants to have that number 15 hang in the A.C.C some day. But the chances that a number 4 will hang there instead become more a reality everyday. The sad fact of reality for Vince Carter is you can't go home again. It is over. The Irony of things is what could the Raptors use right now? An athletic wing man that can drive and score and make a 3 point shot. Who does that sound like? But could it ever happen that Vince would return to Toronto? I can't imagine it to be honest. But would it make for a lot of interesting blogs for me and stories for the media? I will give you a George Costanza line to answer that " GOLD JERRY GOLD". 

Another name that might fit what the Raptors need is Ron Artest. Fan 590's Eric Smith and I seem to be the founding members of the Bring Ron Artest to Toronto effort. He is not as nuts as he use to be. Seriously he isn't. He had his daughter have a major health problem and I think it has made Ron Artest grow up a lot. He is that sandpaper type player that is needed on this team. The Raptors are very good people and they have this happy family image that is felt in the media all the time. Ron Artest would be like the crazy uncle that no one in the family will talk about. He is a really talented guy though and I think Sam Mitchell can coach a guy like Ron Artest. Mitchell himself knows about being kind of passionate and outspoken. I think Mitchell can relate to Artest and perhaps vice versa. 

But that is something for the off season and Chris Bosh is focused on the here and now. So I will try to do the same. I think the Raptors can get sixth spot if they go 3-1. Washington needs to win over the Sixers when they play if that doesn't happen the media can save that sun tan lotion for July and pack away those shorts. It all starts for Toronto tonight with the Nets. Raptor Rewind will tell you how they did. By the way Chris Bosh is a smart guy. I don't think it is any mistake that his comments come prior to a New Jersey Game. The Crowd will be amped up regardless of anything he said. The test will be is if it lasts after tonight. Will fans go crazy to cheer watching the Miami Heat D-League team? Oh sorry David Stern they are still in the NBA...My Bad. But hopefully for Chris Bosh it will be all good. I put up a poll on Toronto Raptors Fan Application to see what people thought of Bosh and his comments. He had over 90% approval rating let's see any Prime Minster or President pull that off. That is why Chris Bosh is PRESIDENT OF THE DINO NATION. lots of other reasons too. But if you don't know what they are by now you haven't been watching too close over the last 5 plus years.

If you missed the link to what Bosh said on Utube here it is again:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m1TXKpGeHK8

And if you want to Join are facebook group and be more a part of Dino Nation Blog:

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=15079925900

Bosh Is Excited Are You?

Update 04/10 9:40 PM EST: Chris Bosh takes his Message to UTube with a Message For Fans. Check it Out on our Podcast Site:

http://dinoblogger.podbean.com/2008/04/10/chris-bosh-talk-to-fans-on-utube/

I want to take you all back to 1992. Yes there were no Toronto Raptors back in 1992 and the rage in Toronto was the Blue Jays. In that season the Toronto Blue Jays would go on to win a World Series Championship. However before all that happened the Jays had brought in baseball veteran and All Star Dave Windfield. During that Championship season he would call out the Blue Jay Fans and say that they needed to be louder and get more into the game. The quote in the paper would read Windfield wants noise. The fans would answer the challenge and became more vocal. The Jays would go on to win a World Series and the statement made by Windfield would become part of the legend of that first World Series Championship.

Last Night Chris Bosh was interviewed at halftime and he said like I had stated a few times that the atmosphere  around this team was like a funeral. He said that Raptors needed to change that. They would come out in the second half and go on to a victory over the Bucks. In his post game scrum he was asked about the crowd by a reporter. He said well could you hear yourself talking to the reporter. He went on to say that fans were to quiet.  He said that his team was in the playoffs and he was excited and he wasn't waiting till the playoffs came to get excited. He went on to talk about places like Dallas,Detroit and Cleveland and how loud fans get there. It was not as direct as the challenge laid out by Windfield in 92 but it was a challenge. It was done in a very subtle way and he picked his words carefully. 

If he did not I think you might have heard that they are not that crazy about fans getting more excited about Pizza then they get about wins. The fact that booing T.J Ford is not exactly helping team moral. He took the high ground on those issues but I have to think if he was honest and in private would say those as well.  Dave Windfield was a long time veteran and desperate to win a championship.  Bosh is a young rising star but for someone so young he gets it. He is far beyond his 24 years in age as far as maturity. While everyone around him has been kinda losing it over the teams recent struggles he has remained calm and focused on the goal of the playoffs and winning. He is now calling all of those in this fan base to follow his lead and get excited. 

This is a breakout season for Bosh as far as his evolution as a player and a star. He has gone to that next level of superstar but he has done it his way. Vince Carter was on that level  in this city. But Carter was not as engaging as Bosh is. Bosh seems to have a good relationship with fans. Carter was once loved but he was not  felt to be on the same level as fans. He made himself to be larger then life and it separated him from fans. He was never the type of guy that if you saw him out in the city he would take that 2 minutes to say hello sign an autograph and put on a smile for a picture. Chris Bosh on the other hand seems to want to interact with his fans reaching out to them with his wacky videos and doing contests giving away tickets and actually taking the time to call the winner personally. Again another example of how Chris Bosh gets it.  The other thing is fans can feel that they have watched Chris Bosh grow up right in front of their eyes. When he came here he was shy and seemed very awkward in front of the T.V cameras. Now he seems like a veteran at the whole media game. His comments last night were proof of that. He knew what to say and what not to say. 

So not that he needs my help but I am giving it to him anyway. Get excited Raptor Fans not because you have too. Do it because Chris Bosh is asking you too. He is a nice guy and gives you a lot of entertainment through his hard work and effort. So give him what he wants. Make noise and lots of it. Will it help the Raptors win a Championship like it did the Blue Jays in 1992? Not likely if we are honest about it. Still will it hurt the chances of this team getting closer to that goal? Not at all. So do it and stop worrying about who is the starting point guard and if you will get a free piece of Pizza get off your butts and cheer. CHRIS BOSH WANTS NOISE so give it to him!!!!

Party Like A Raptor!!!

This is one guy that will not get blamed for the Raptors recent struggles.  The Raptor brings his A game every night. Speaking of bringing their A game CONGRATULATIONS TO JON STIENBERG for winning the FIRST ANNUAL DINO NATION BLOG NCAA POOL.  Thanks to Kansas win over Memphis in overtime. Jon Stienberg is one of the people that writes articles at the Toronto Raptors Fan Application if you are a member of that his writing is always something worth checking out. After reading the DINO NATION BLOG of course. But he seriously has some good thoughts about basketball and I enjoy reading his stuff. It takes some luck to win a NCAA Pool but you need some basketball IQ to go along with that luck. So thanks to all that took part and hope you all play again next year. 

So Raptors did some good for the Fans and the Raptors Foundation last night. Now they need to do some good for themselves by winning some basketball games.  The break the Raptors have had before playing the Bucks on Wednesday was needed badly. The word that seems to be the theme from the players is execution. They feel that is the main issue that has lead to this free fall from grace. It seems to simple to be true to be honest. If it was just that easy wouldn't it have been fixed by now? But if there are other issues that are with in this team no one is talking. They have stayed together despite all the media speculation that there might not be the same happy group of Raptors that marched into the playoffs last year. 

The mood around town outside of the Raptor locker room has been bad. The Raptors are thought to be heading towards certain doom. Sam Mitchell said that his team just needs that one good game or one good 4th quarter to turn this all around. Is it wishful thinking on the part of Mitchell or could he be right? Well in order to find out the Raptors need to have a good game and a good 4th quarter.  The Bucks were part of a low point for the Raptors early in the season blowing them out in Milwaukee.  So I would hope Toronto remembers that heading into this one. Yi is done for the season and that means more minutes for Ex-Raptor Charlie V. He has been putting together a good stretch right now and will no doubt provide the people that are not part of T.J Ford Fan club as prove of why they wouldn't have made the trade to bring Ford here. But I stand behind that deal as it made sense for the team at the time and just as Charlie V had an injury plagued season last year and people pointed to that as proof of Raptors winning the deal were wrong to do that as well. The Bucks got a good player in return for T.J Ford and by no means got taken by the Raptors in the deal. It is not to say they won the deal ether if they had I don't think they are drafting Yi last season who at least at first had no desire to play in dairy state. 

It may be a place that Raptors Assistant General Manager Maurizio Gherardini might be considering. He is rumored to be one of the people being looked at for the vacant G.M post with the Bucks. Shockingly to all Raptor Fans Rob Babcock was ruled out by Bucks Ownership.  The fact he even applied for the job may be the shocking part to me. Gherardini however is well respected throughout Europe and the World and the NBA as well. It may lead to interesting times as far as his future and the future of his guy Andrea Bargnani. Here is a rumor you will here from day one if he ends up taking this job. Bargnani for Yi in some kind of trade. It makes complete sense as Yi was in favor of going to Toronto prior to the draft he listed it as one of the team's he had interest in. Raptor fans have seen the large amount of support from the Chinese community for Yao Ming. It would make sense in a lot of ways including basketball wise as the players are kind of the same style player. I am not saying it will happen but it will get talked about and it would be something worth considering for the Toronto Raptors. It is not the return of Charlie V that many Raptor fans may like more but that could also be a possibility. But it all depends on if Gherardini gets the job.

But that is something for the off-season and despite all the talk there is a season to finish. The Raptors still feel they can fix this and get it all together for the playoffs. Like that kid that forgets his midterm exam is next week the Raptors will look to cram for the playoffs. Most times that kid who crams will not do that well when the exam day comes. Sometimes the kid will pull that rabbit out of the hat and do well on the exam.  So the Raptors are like that kid hoping to hoping to pull out that rabbit from the hat. If they do it I don't think it will change the fact that Bryan Colangelo has seen enough to make some changes that will ensure that next season no cramming for the playoffs will be needed. What they are is for anyone to guess. I think we all know what is needed but how you go about getting it is a whole different matter. But as someone that sometimes didn't take school to serious and had to be that kid looking for that Rabbit I wish the Raptors LUCK!!! 

The nice thing is when you look at this schedule the exam that is the rest of the season is more like an open book exam without a time limit. Anything short of 4 out of 5 in these last 5 steps to the playoffs would be a huge disappointment.

It's OUR Job not YOURS...Sam Mitchell

The Caption  of the picture was what Sam Mitchell said post game after a lose to New Jersey the third in a row. Mitchell also used some words that were not fitt for print. This was the most angry I have seen Sam Mitchell in a post game press conference since his first season in the NBA.  Sam was hot and was a ticking time bomb and the media did not have to do much to make him explode. You can see the frustration in Mitchell and the fact his team is missing the one message that he has said from day one of defense. I am sure that having the player that turned his back on Mitchell in that first year he coached the team didn't help matters. Mitchell has always said he holds no bad feelings towards Vince Carter but to see him playing injured and trying hard was frustrating to watch for Raptors fans more then Mitchell.  Mitchell has always had his share of people that don't respect him and there is no doubt they are pointing to this Raptors meltdown as proof of there point. The team concepts that made the Raptors so successful last season seem to not be working this season. There does not seem to be the trust on defense towards each other. The on going point guard debate that started in the media and made it's way into Sam Mitchell's locker room. It is a good thing that this team has a few days to cool down and reflect. Sam Mitchell for one can use the time to get himself refocused and can turn his attention to doing the same for his team.

Chis Bosh was the opposite of his emotion filled coach. Bosh had a blank stare on his face when answering post game questions. I have to tell you it was borderline scary to look at his face. Almost like the pod people had got to Chris Bosh. But if the Raptors were part of any movie genre it would not be sci-fi it would be horror. Bosh has looked like his tank is running on empty and his team seems to be spinning out of control. Not only Mitchell and his coaching will get called into question if this does not turn around. Bosh will also take some of the blame as the leader of the franchise. It may not come has fast or swift but people will start to whisper about his ability to lead this team. He has for the last three games been very critical of the team as a whole. He has not went as far as to call on people by name. Which honestly is the right thing to do in the eye of the media. However just because you don't say a name won't stop the media from speculating. The one topic that seems to be getting talked about by fans at least if not the media is the relationship between Ford and Bosh. Both from Texas have always claimed to be great friends and I have no reason to doubt that. They also say they have a very open relationship where they speak freely to each other. You have to wonder if with all that has gone on if someone took that freedom to far. Fans seem to think the relationship has been damaged. I don't know if it has or hasn't. Bosh has managed to stay clear of the entire Jose and T.J debate. Maybe that is the issue when it comes down to it. Ford may have expected Bosh to support him and back him. Bosh has for smart reasons has taken the neutral attitude on it and as the team leader that is the right move. 

Ford on the floor is despite what you may think of him giving everything he has in his tiny frame to help this team on the offensive end. That may be the problem T.J when he is at his best plays under control and he can get drawn into a personal battle very easy. If he could transfer some of the pride and fire to the defensive end of the floor it would do a lot more for his club as that is where they need the help. Bosh said that the problem on defense was not the system or the effort but the execution. Part of that execution as I have talked about in this blog is ball pressure from your point guard. T.J has the speed and ability to be a problem for any point guard in this league. Chris Paul is being talked about as an M.V.P candidate because he is not only a great offensive weapon he is a great defender as well. T.J talks about wanting to be an All-Star in this league and the best way for him to do that is to bring more effort on the Defensive end. 

Andrea Bargnani to me is far more frustrating then T.J Ford could every be. I mean Bargnani is just annoying to me because he constantly makes me think maybe. He gives you these small glimpses at his great talent and ability. But as fast as you see it comes it is gone. I have went over it in my head a bunch of times. But I personally have made my ruling on Andrea Bargnani. I say you have till next year's trade deadline and if I do not see the things I need to see I am getting him on the first plane out of Toronto.  What are those things? Consistency, Rebounding,Effort and Mental Toughness. All these area are terrible and need massive improvement. I just want to see some improvement. Basically give me a reason not to trade you. I don't know if Brain Colangelo has said that but he maybe should.  There are rumors that Maurizio Gherardini may be in the mix for the Milwaukee G.M job. If he were to take the job I could easily see his first move being to bring Andrea Bargnani along with him. So that would give the Raptors a chance at getting something good from the Bucks. The obvious fan choice would be Charlie V who was traded to Milwaukee for Ford. I am not saying it has to be Charlie but there are lots of interesting options including the Chinese star Yi who will all remember was not exactly thrilled to be heading to the cheese state. Toronto was said to be one of the cities he did find attractive. I am not starting a rumor here but if you connect the dots it would make sense. That is a lot of dots that have to happen though. But something to think about.

There is no question that even if the Raptors can turn this mess around that Bryan Colangelo has at the very least come to the conclusion that it is time to start phase two of the rebuilding of the Raptors.  Lots think they know what that plan is or have strong opinions of what it might be. Bryan Colangelo is the only one that does though I can bank on that. Colangelo never seem to be moving in the direction everyone seems to think he is. That being said his track record is pretty solid. The one fact he has shared is that Jose Calderon will be re-signed and that is not exactly breaking news.  To allow one of the more high value assets you have to just walk is just silly.  Bryan Colangelo and silly will never get used in the same sentence other then this one. 

So a uncertain long term future and a short term one that looks very dark what do you do? Have a party!!! What? Well the Raptor's "RED PARTY" was planned far in advance and is a event that allows players to party with fans that can afford the cost which is high. But it does all go to the Raptors Foundation unlike the money for those tickets at the ACC.  It may actually be what the Raptors need to relax and get some love and support from it's fans. The people that spend the big bucks are not that likely to BOO them after spending that kind of money. Again unlike at the ACC. But truth be told those tickets at the ACC are far from cheap as well.  The good ones anyway. So party be merry and just try to forget that the next day Sam Mitchell will be on your butt to get better. Actually when I think about it. Raptors will have practiced on Monday (The Night of the Event)  so if you are going my advice is to not speak loudly to any Raptor that you meet. They will thank you for it. 

Panic is a word that will get thrown around over the next few days. Truth is you can panic all you like but the reality is not much can be done. Trade deadline has passed and these are your Toronto Raptors for good, bad or indifferent. So it might be hard but try to give them a cheer on Wednesday and try not to throw them under the Bus so fast. Sam Mitchell when he was on the Score earlier in the week said he doesn't like BOOing but he understands why people do it. I understand it too. But I am believer in you BOO to make something evident. If you want something to change. We all understand the team isn't playing well by Booing them on Wednesday you would not be pointing out anything other then the obvious. This team needs a lift. Just as much as 19,000 people booing can hurt a team's pride, 19,000 cheers can restore that pride just as fast. Just a thought. With that I am done. 3 more days to another game got lots of time to talk it out. So enjoy your day even though the Raptors are a mess there is still a Sun in the sky and breath in your lungs so be thankful. After all Sam Mitchell said it is their job to fix this not yours so enjoy life.

Searching For Answers

That was last year(Picture Above) as Bosh was learning how hard the playoffs are. Going back to the playoffs may be an even tougher task. This Raptor team backed into it's second straight playoff appearance. But it has not looked like a playoff team for a very long time. The lack of defense that has been on display over this bad stretch for the team is the greatest concern. In his post game comments you could see that Chris Bosh was concerned and felt the weight of a city a country and most importantly his team on his back. He is the younger leader of this basketball team and is given much of the praise when it succeeds but when it doesn't people point to him to make it right. The Raptors need to find some defensive pride and not accept what is happening on the floor. When at this point in a season people need to be talking about effort there is something really wrong. Bosh is not the problem as far as effort goes. You could see in last nights game he gave all his body had to give. But he must challenge his team to match his effort if they plan on turning this thing around in the right direction. 

T.J Ford and Jose Calderon need to be the start of that. Both have been putting in a far from good performance on the defensive end. The problems on the defensive end begin with them. I talked about this in more depth in another blog. It comes down to ball pressure that needs to be better. Ford is the fastest player in the NBA a title I have not heard him deny. So if that is true then there is no reason he should not be able to always be in front of his man and pressuring the ball. The advantage Raptors have with basically two starting point guards is that they both can put out max effort knowing they have the other to back them up. Calderon needs to fight through picks and not just let himself be taken out of the play. Fight through those picks and deny access to the paint. If I was Sam Mitchell I would tell both these guys. I don't care who has more assists, who has more points, The guy busts his butt on the other end of the floor is getting the most minutes. With both being skilled offensive players you don't lose that much if you roll with one or the other. So make it be about the defense. 

Then we have the problem of guarding the 2 and 3 spot on the floor. The main reason that Jamario Moon got into the starting unit was defense. The lack of it from Kapono and Delfino to an extent. if Kapono and Delfino expect to play they need to play a better level of defense. Moon needs to step up his defense as well. The Raptors have throughout this season not been able to deal with quality wing players which there are many. One of these 3 players need to step up and say they want minutes. Carlos Delfino is going to be a free agent and unless he changes his effort on the defensive end I would say he will not be back. Kapono may find himself on the trading block as well if he can not at least find a way to play some level of defense. He is in the line up for his shooting and ability to make shoots but he has not been getting that done. So if he can't at least be a average defender then he can't stay on the court to work through his offensive trouble. 

Andrea Bargnani is a big guy and it is nice that he is doing a little more on the offensive end. But he needs to use his size and show some of the great talent inside him on the defensive end. If he just makes an effort at his height he can cause problems. Rebounds are more valuable to this basketball team then any points he can put up. He is not a starter any longer based on the fact he does not bring enough on defense and on the glass. If he ever plans on being a starter again those things must change. Andrea Bargnani is young and will improve but he is on a playoff team and that means there are higher demands to do what is expected of you. The chances that a guy like Kevin Durant will get in Seattle do not get given to Andrea because they can not give them to him because there is expectations on this basketball team to win. 

All of these things are being exposed in the final stages of games. In the playoffs games become more intense. Every trip up and down the floor matters much more. When you get a lead you need to keep it. The Raptors have shown flashes that they have a killer mentality but that was a longtime ago. One of the times they showed it was early in this season against the New Jersey Nets in New Jersey. That is where the Raptors will be tonight and they may catch a break as Vince Carter may not be in the line-up. Vince is having an ankle issue and has never been a fast healer as most Raptor fans are well aware. This advantage should not matter if it does the Raptors will letdown and can not afford too. Only 6 games remain for this team before the playoffs start and they must get things together in short order. Like the title says based on Bosh's post game comments THE TIME IS NOW. Play the John Cena rap song with that title do whatever you have to do to drive home that point. 

What happens in these next few weeks will have a tremendous impact on the futures of many people and their role with this basketball team. Everyone needs to show they want to be part of the plan moving forward for this basketball team. Unless your name is Chris Bosh you need to understand that nothing is a guarantee for you. Bryan Colangelo will be watching and evaluating and no doubt make some choices based on what he sees. Pick whatever sports expression you like. I will say it is a MAJOR GUT CHECK time for everyone in this organization. They need to answer that with a solid effort and a better one. This is a extreme low point in this season and it is far to late in the season for it to be so. But it is not to late to rally together and accomplish the main goal of this team heading into the year which was to advance in the playoffs. If they do that the things that have happened recently will be forgiven and forgotten. But they don't and you can expect an off-season that will see changes and maybe significant ones.

Man of the People

Yesterday Chris Bosh was announced as one of the finalist for the Joe Dumars award. It goes to a player that does the good things for his community basically. It isn't anything to do with basketball skill it is everything to do with the type of person you are. Bosh is a great person as well as great basketball player. He makes it really easy to cheer for him. When you read all to often about athletes getting into trouble with the law. But there are also people like Chris Bosh doing good things for the people in the communities that supports him. The NBA as a whole does many great things with it's NBA CARES program. The did a lot of good things for people in New Orleans this past All Star Weekend. Chris Bosh is proof that the expression about nice guys finishing last is false. He gives as much to his on the floor effort as he does to his off the court ones. The young star out of Texas as done good for both the people of his native state as well as Toronto. The Chris Bosh Foundation he has created helps out the most important resource we have. Children are that resource and his foundation does a lot of good for these young people. Bosh has worked hard as part of the NBA's Read To Achieve effort. He helps inspire kids to pick up a book or magazine or even hit the net and read a blog. Chris Bosh is doing much more then creating future potential readers for this blog. He is giving them a tool to be productive individuals in society.

Bosh is just one of the many people connected to this Raptor team that do more then just play basketball and try to win games. Jose Calderon works with the organization right to play. Which brings sport to children around the world in some places that have extreme poverty and have been torn apart by war. Everyone connected to this organization in there own way does good things. The Raptors are a group of good people and are easy to cheer for. I understand they can be frustrating and drive you nuts. But when the people that make up this team are decent human beings it makes it easy to forgive and forget the basketball mistakes. Look at what happened in Portland and what is happening in Indiana if you think this is not an important issue. Morals matter and if they are lacking there is a price to pay. Yes, winning does trump all in most cases. But once the winning stops if there are not quality people that make up that team people will just not have time for them. 

Even Sam Mitchell can be included as part of these group of good folks. He is a firecracker at times but deep down is a good person and has done many things in the community. I was real quite sad to see earlier in the week on the boards at Real Gm someone mentioned Sam working with Special Olympics and others used that to take shots at Mitchell. Why people take the time to bring down the fact of people doing good things is beyond me. It really is quite sad these people are around to spread that kinda hate. Basketball is important and we all get excited and fired up based on the results on the floor. But in the end it is a SPORT and ENTERTAINMENT and it is no where close to all the good things that I have mentioned in this blog thus far. This comes from a guy that writes a daily blog and follows this team as close as anyone. 

Sam Mitchell was on T.V for almost an hour yesterday on the Show Drive This on Hardcore Sports Radio and The Score. He talked about the play from the night before in Atlanta and a lot of over things. Including his relationship with the media, Kevin Garnett and his thoughts on the age restrictions in the NBA draft. Mitchell is alway enjoying for me to listen too. He is a funny and engaging personality he just seems like a guy you would love a chance to chat with. This is the spark of an idea I have had. 5 questions I'd ask If I had the mic.

5 Questions I'd ask>>>Sam Mitchell

1. What is the most frustrating part of being a coach in this league?
2. I know your respect for Kevin Garnett do you ever see Chris Bosh reaching the same levels in his career?
3. Can the Jose Calderon and T.J Ford Point Guard duo work long term and what do you see your role in that working?
4. Would you ever see a day where Sam Mitchell becomes part of the media in some capacity?
5. What is the greatest challenge that this team must conquer to get to that Championship level in this league?

The best part of being a Raptor Fan is that they are people that make it easy to pull for them to succeed. I am not against the Bad Guy type athlete but you need some good people too that make you feel happy to see them get success. Chris Bosh is a guy like that. Vince Carter was never a guy like that. Vince did many of the same things Bosh has done. Helping out in the community and doing many good things. So what is the difference? Bosh is a humble understated guy. Vince is not and based on that is thought of differently. The fact Bosh stuck it out when times were tough and Vince wanted out. 

Dino Blogger's NBA Bits and Bites

Speaking of out that is what Isiah Thomas is in New York. I said in the end of yesterday's blog it was fitting that he had done such a bad job that he deserved to get fired twice. Which in a sense is what will happen to him at the end of this season. Thomas as done one thing exceptionally well though in his NBA management career. That is the draft he has found many winners in the draft. If Thomas checks his ego at the door he would make an excellent head of scouting for some NBA team. But I can't see his ego allowing it to happen. 

Some Returns around the NBA as well Agent 0 is back for the Wizards which is of note for Raptor Fans. He will be hard pressed to make an impact for the Wizards and his addition may actual hurt the Wizards in this stretch run. The hope will be they can get him back as part of the fold in time for the playoffs. But should they lose ground and end up 7th the Pistons will have no trouble sending Agent Zero Packing. Perhaps for good. I think if Washington is honest in it's thinking Jamison re-signing is the #1 priority for the franchise. Arenas who is ego driven and has a chip on his shoulder will not take kindly to that and I could see him taking his act elsewhere. We will see but it just seems the Wizards have moved on without Arenas and will not be forced to re-sign him at any cost.

Meanwhile the Dallas Mavericks got a huge win over Golden State. Dirk was back in a surprise return. If he could some how rally the Mavs it might be able to save his damaged reputation. That started even before he was given his M.V.P trophy last year. One thing is certain the trade for Jason Kidd has not exactly saved the day for Dallas. Mark Cuban will have a lot of things to look at to turn his franchise around. They came so close to that goal of a championship and have fallen and continue too ever since. The 2 final participants  Miami and Dallas have come crashing down in a rapid pace.  There is prove that you should enjoy the moment. Playoff appearances and good teams can change really fast. Enjoy the moment and live in it for a little while. There is a long off season to focus on the future. That is a lot longer for fans of teams that don't make the playoffs.

Little Love Please!!

Note From the Dino Blogger James Borbath

OK, before we get down to today's blog. I had wanted this to be a day for you the readers to have you say. Unfortunately there was not enough response to make this come together. So I have decided to handle it like this. If you ever have a question or comment send it to me @ DinoNationBlogger@hotmail.com. If you are a reader of Doug Smith's blog he will often add in questions and comments even on his non-mail bag days. So till there is enough support to make this a weekly or Bi/weekly feature I will add any things I get as part of the daily blog. It may not guarantee that I can include all of them. But I will do my best. I really wanted you all to have a chance to have a day that is more about YOU the readers as opposed to ME. But As we grow this blog it takes time to get a reader base and get you all to want to interact. Hopefully you enjoy the Blog regardless of if you want to be a part of it in this way. Your thought and suggestions are always welcomed. In fact the facebook group I have established is made for just that purpose. So if you care to be involved you are welcome to be. The fact this is a growing project and that many of you have gotten in on the ground floor you real will have a chance to have a real voice in the process. If you are just happy being a reader and nothing more that is fine and you are no less appreciated by me. I am happy to see the numbers growing and the great loyalty of man of you to coming back everyday. I may not know you all but I consider you all like a extended family of basketball fans. So Thanks. There is always room in this family for more people as well. I also thank all of you that take the extra step to click on the Google ads or do you Google searches on are podcasts site. For those that do that just a tip. If you load a site please click on a option on that site as that makes it credited to adsense. Again if you don't do this that is fine just understand that I look to get some benefit from my effort in doing this daily. I always want you to know that nothing is ever required of you but by doing it you are helping out someone who hopefully is adding something to your day. I Try my best to do that. So with all of that said let's get to why you come here each day. Today's Blog

Respect is earned that is what my father said to me when he was alive and I was a young boy. I never have forgot that fact in everything I do in my life. It is why I do my best to respect all of you readers. You earned my respect by supporting me. Raptors can not say that for a lot of people out there. We will start with the biggest person that is guilty of not respecting the Toronto Raptors. The good people of the American media. I know some of them are getting lumped into this but in general the Raptors are almost always over looked. The latest proof comes from last night. I was finishing up the Raptor Rewind and getting it out there to all of you in the Internet World. I had on my T.V the feed from NBA TV that you will get on Raptors T.V up here north of the border. The conversation that was being discussed was could any of the bottom four teams in the east win a playoff series. The Sixers were talked about as the best option. There was mention of the Wizards that had the return of Gilbert Arenas to the line-up last night. The Raptors were not even a though worthy of a comment. The actually recap off the Raptors game last night was all about the BELOW .500 Hawks and how it would be a shame that such a exciting team would end up as nothing more then the appetizer for the Green Monster that is the Celtics. The worst way to disrespect someone is to completely ignore them. Basically that is what the folks at NBA TV did to Toronto on this night and do on many nights. But they are not the only ones. TNT does much of the same. If not for Charles Barkley having the odd reference to Toronto I would not even know they were in the league let alone the playoffs. ESPN has given the Raptors the most publicity out of anyone. But most of that comes from the Internet arm of the company and does not make it to the broadcasting arm very often.

The Raptors may never get the true attention they deserve until they go out and take it from the U.S Media. Short of getting to the conference finals the Raptors will not get on the Radar. Vince Carter and his high light real show were able to break through the American bias towards the team from north of the border. The Toronto media gives the Raptors lots of love as long as the Leafs are not doing anything. But there is lots of room in the big media market for the Raptors to get a lot of notice. They are likely to most in the Media that #2 team in the city and short of a championship that would give them a brief moment as the #1 story for a day or two, that is not a bad place to be. Toronto Blue Jays use to be in that spot and have never fully gotten back to it thanks to the Raptors. The media though gives the rap tors a lot of negative attention and the majority of it is based around the key issues with this team that never seem to go away. Jose vs T.J, Sam Mitchell and Andrea Bargnani. These 3 things are the common focus. The brilliant play of Chris Bosh has become a expected event and not worth mention as often as it probably should be. The media got caught in the buzz and expectation of it viewers and readers and bought into the idea that this team was going to do big things. They were less optimistic as opposed to fans. But there was a thought this team was good and heading somewhere. Now there is not as much of that feeling and calls for trades of T.J Ford and changes can be found daily these days. The days of the early vacations for these folks when the basketball season ends for the Raptors have become a thing of the past. Most media people will not mind that though as making the playoffs is good for them as much as the team. More eyeballs get focused on them when the playoffs come around. That is a good thing. But still this playoff drive for Toronto has been cover like the march to a funeral far more then a march to the playoffs.

Doug Smith said in his blog when asked if he was a fan of the Raptors he said No. He gave the standard media answer of being objective and not getting emotionally invested. I think that is wrong. I like Doug I enjoy his work. I however will never trade in my right to be a fan to write a blog, be on the radio or t.v. Chuck Swirsky is the opposite of Doug. I think he is a fan and maybe to much of one. I think there is a balance of objectivity and being a fan of players and a team. I am open and honest about who I like and who I don't when I write. Does that throw away my ability to evaluate people and this team? I sure hope not I do my best to make sure it does not. You the reader each as individuals will make that choice for yourself. But to say you are not a fan and ultimately could careless about the result other then that it gives you something to write about is wrong too. On that other end Chuck's over the top cheering/broadcasting is not my idea of the answer. It takes a lot of to steal a line from Chuck ONIONS to walk the fine line between objective media member and fan of Toronto Raptors. I think I walk that line everyday with this blog. I have a minor media background and education in the industry but I have never got into the big time as person that you would know. I think that makes for an interesting take on the Toronto Raptors. Somewhere that is in between You the Fan and the Media. That is me I think.

So do the local media respect the Raptors? Kinda but not totally. How bout the rest of the country. One of the things in writing this blog that has surprised me is it reach throughout the world and spread through this country. The Media outside of Toronto has not exactly embraced this idea of Red and White and Canada's team. But still folks in Saskatchewan, The Atlantic provinces and out West you will find some Raptor fans. They are also one of the more popular teams on a global scale with it's united nations type roster. But here in Canada the Raptors outside of Ontario are not on the media map that much at all. Good for me if it gets me readers from those places. But bad for those fans that they have to seek out Raptor news and coverage. I can't accuse the rest of the countries media for anything other then ignorance of the fact that basketball is a growing game in this country and the Raptor fan base stretches far beyond Southern Ontario. So if you are from those places I give you my stamp of approval to send this next line to them on my behalf and yours >>WAKE UP!!!. I mean if we can get European soccer being covered in many parts of this country should we not have been supporting are own things first. Basketball is invented by a Canadian and does not get enough respect in this country. I'm not anti-soccer. I don't watch it and honest care little about it. But what I am is PRO-Basketball.

You are probably saying at this point so what. Some anyway I think might. The Raptors need to go out and get it done screw what everyone thinks. So that includes you to right? Because the Raptor fan base itself is the worst maybe of all that have been mentioned. The violent swings of emotion can be a sight to see indeed. The pure hate that gets directed and individuals is just sad and pathetic. I understand these are the few and not the many. I am at least going to believe that for my own personal belief in humanity and it will allow me to sleep better. Still the lack of meeting the lofty expectation the entire fan base held in general has got fans feeling disappointed and looking to point the finger of blame. Well it is cool to point that finger if you yourself are not part of the problem. But if you are a idiot that booed based on not getting Pizza or you booed T.J Ford after cheering him earlier in the year. You turned your back on Andrea Bargnani after calling him the second coming. basically it it rare that you will find a bible quote in this blog, I am not a very religious person by nature, but here we go a blog first. Let he who is without sin cast the first stone. So have you all been faithful to what you believed from day 1 about this team? Blame is easy to look for but hard to find. Everyone holds a small part of it. That includes all of us as fans. No our level of blame is not equal to that of Sam Mitchell or T.J Ford or Bryan Colangelo, but it is there. Just like when the team wins and fans get credit for it they should also take there blame as well. Just because you fill an arena and pay for a seat does not mean you have done your part to make this team better. Yes in the money sense you have. But the collective actions taken have impact on this team good and bad. If you were T.J Ford and 18,000 people that cheered you in December now BOO you it is silly to think that doesn't impact on the man. So as an individual you voice may have no impact. But as 18,000 plus it does.

I'm not saying the Raptors should not take responsibility for the thing they have done wrong they should indeed. I am just saying that some of these things are beyond the control of this team. They never asked you to think they would win 50 games. They never asked the Media in the States to ignore them . All of these things are some points that will always be there. Good or Bad have the Raptors outlook honestly changed that much? Still the best match-up for them is Orlando and Still Cleveland would a hard if not impossible match-up.  Raptors may not be firing on all cylinders but really nothing much has changed. Sure some issues about this team have come to the light and there will be changes that have to be made. But the overall out look is the Raptors are a playoff team not yet on that elite level yet. That was what they were starting this season and that is what they still are today. If you expectations were higher then that you were far to optimistic. Realistically this team although the record is some what disappointing is really in the same type of spot you expected them to be. The first round series will be tough and the result of that series will determine a lot of what people thing going forward about this team. Fair or not though respect needs to be earned. But bias and expectations enter into the conversation and do factor into that whole aspect of earning respect.

The fact of being a Playoff team is something that this team and it's fan base craved for 5 long years and in less then 2 years it has been taken for granted by some. I am not among those who have. The mass panic and comical over kill of the Leaf Nation should prove as a lesson to all that are part of the Dino Nation. Playoffs still mean something. If you are not jumping on and off the bandwagon I think and hope you understand that fact. 

One last thought from around the NBA. Walsh is in and Thomas is out in New York. Would it not being fitting that Thomas gets fired twice instead of just once. He has done enough wrong to earn that honor in his work in New York.