Love And Basketball

I have talked about the changes that we have seen in Chris Bosh this season a few times this season. I would suspect some of that has to do with the lady pictured above. She was the one that was behind the camera for the famous CB4 All-Star Video  that spread like wild fire on Utube. Many will also remember she was the one that got into a verbal conversation with Lebron James and it had some to say the least impact on the game.  I am also a Cowboy fan and even if you are not the story of Jessica Simpson and Tony Romo crossed into the main stream. The relationship between the two became very public once Terrell Owens had his say on it. Simpson is now to say the least hated by most if not all cowboy fans. In fact the subject of the comparison was brought up in a Chris Bosh interview on TNT. Bosh was asked if his girlfriend had become the Jessica Simpson of Canada. Bosh said that it was nothing like that. But the saga of Romo and Simpson would continue into the playoffs for the Cowboys as the two had a vacation in Mexico that was a gift from Terrell Owens to make up for his comments in the media. This was in the bye week before the Giants played the Cowboys a week later. The Giants would defeat the Cowboys and go on to win the most unlikely of Super Bowl Championships beating the undefeated Patriots. Once again Cowboy fans were not that impressed. Well who will Raptors play if playoffs started today? That is right Lebron James and the Cleveland Cavs. The story is starting to sound a lot alike no? Well Raptors closest thing to Terrell Owens is T.J Ford and I don't think he will be sending Bosh on a trip prior to the playoffs. Simpson never smack talked Eli Manning as far as I know. So it isn't exactly the same. But if the results are the same Chris Bosh and his personal life may be in the spotlight. I am not crazy about the whole Idea of talking about who someone is dating in a sports blog. It kind makes me feel like some Hollywood dirt sheet reporter.  

I think if the young lady had it to do all over again she would not have done what she did. I also think that the changes for the good in Chris Bosh being more open and fun loving are at least in part do to her influence. I have dated people in my life that are not exactly the most acceptable choice in the eyes of others. The truth is though I have never been as famous as Chris Bosh and likely will never be. I mean this blog is starting to get more readers but I am realistic!!! Seriously though the point is about the only people I have to answer questions from about who I choose to date is my mother. Chris Bosh has a media scrum to deal with almost everyday. Why on earth should he have to defend his choice of girlfriend to the media. Well that big check that he gets has a lot of things that are in the fine print. The face of the franchise is a full time job and the private life you have may not stay that way. Sure in an ideal world this should not happen. But in an Ideal world she never would have set off Lebron James to torch the Raptors. 

Last year the Raptors heading to the playoffs had two likely first round opponents. Washington Wizards which likely would have been an easy win and from a media perspective and a fan one, a very boring and buzz free series. The other option was the one they got which was the whole Vince Carter Circus coming to town. Fans and Media all wanted it. The idea of the series had both media and fans alike drooling. It was as people in media like to say the "sexy"  match-up. This year Raptors are in a very similar situation with two likely choices maybe three if things go very bad. Cleveland from a whole story aspect would be the sexiest and the whole angle of what happened in Toronto earlier in the year would at least get a bit of attention. It along with a reconstructed Cavs team may not exactly be ideal. However if you think the Raps can finish strong then this is where we are heading. 

I can only imagine the answer Sam Mitchell would have if asked about his star's girlfriend. The reaction to that question would be a Score Tonight Moment.( Score Likes B-Ball So They Get the Love) . Toronto has had it's share of players that had family become part of the story. Vince's Mom was always a subject. We had Antonio Davis and his wife who didn't much like are schools for her kids. Who could forget the Christies, I wish I could. Is Chris Bosh's Girlfriend heading to this list. I sure hope not. She unlike the other people mentioned has done good as well as some bad. But I think the good out weighs the bad. It really doesn't matter to me except the fact she got involved with a player on the other team and it was not a good idea at all. Not that player anyway he is too good too light a match around because your asking to get burned.

This is all sparked by the fact the Raptors are off to Cleveland. It will be a real indicator as to where the Raptors might stand in a series against them. I have flip flopped on if this series would be a good or bad thing for the Raptors in the long term. I mean you have to think that Lebron James is always going be a factor for as long as he decides to call the Eastern Conference home. Would it not be a good idea to see how you handle that if you are the Raptors win or lose. I think playing the Nets was a much better thing for this team. If they had played the Wizards and won advancing forward would they have learned as much as they did by playing the Nets. I say no way. I also think no offense to Mr. James but even he a MEGA STAR could not create the hype that the return of Vince Carter did in last year's playoffs. Raptors got to experience that and learn from it. Sure Lebron basketball wise is a far greater challenge then Vince Carter. In Toronto, Ontario Canada though Vince Carter is still the biggest story compared to any other NBA STAR you care to choose. Fans HATE Vince and always will. They may dislike Lebron or Kobe on occasion and they still do not enjoy Tracy McGrady.  But it is Vince and everyone else as far as hype and energy in the ACC. Vince Carter once was said to declare that the ACC was the house that he built. I agree with him it is. Chris Bosh owns it now but Vince Always takes control of it when he drops in for a visit. Hate is a stronger emotion then love at least in the world of sports. Vince is to Raptor fans the Girl that left them behind and rejected them. They never forgive him and refuse to forget him. 

Who will the Raptors end up with? Not sure. But Just in case Chris Bosh put in that request for a private box for your Girlfriend and family. Not just for Raptor fans but for yourself as well and them. What could you do with their tickets? Well he likes kids and how cool as a kid would it be to sit courtside at an NBA Playoff Game? That is the Dino Nation Blogger's advice it is free and no charge because I care.

Lots of work today that is why this was wrote late last night. Raps vs Cavs... Raptor Rewind and  Podcast and Day 2 NCAA Recap. A busy blogger in a happy blogger? Or is it a tired Blogger? Well I love doing it Tired or Happy and I hope you enjoy reading just as much. You are all very much appreciated by me. I got a suggestion from the new group on Facebook that I should try a smaller font so I am. If this is an issue to anyone in a bad way please let me know. I do my best to make things work well for all of you. your suggestions and comments are always welcomed. In fact soon they will be part of the blog. We are going to have a Mailbag Day just like the Big Kid Blogs Like Doug Smith and Eric Smith Do. I will go into details when this is ready to start.

March Madness Day 1 Leader is.... Jon Steinberg he went a perfect 16-0 yesterday NICE WORK. He has a 2 game lead on a group of 5 tied for second that includes yours truly the Dino Blogger. I am just happy I have not fallen on my face.

NCAA Tournament Day 1

Day 1 Top Story Bullets

• Duke gets a close call but hangs on to defeat Belmont 71-70
• Mayo gets schooled be Beasley and K-State in Upset. USC is Done
• UCLA has no Mercy For Jerry Rice's Former school
  
• 1 vs 16 is still safest bet in town Kansas also moves on to continue the fact that NO #1 has EVER lost to a #16
• Big Ten Doing Well... Michigan State, Purdue and Wisconsin all move on to round 2
• Bulldogs Start strong but only Scare Xavier in the end
• Kentucky long run of success ends at hands of Marquette
• Aggies pull off minor upset topping BYU ...Hoffa is upset ( Raptor Fans Laugh)
• Ex Raptor Coach watches his Wildcats lose to West Virginia
• No Upset in cards for Winthrop this time...Washington State advances
• Irish moving forward as the advance

Game of the day: Duke vs Belmont

Player of the Day: Micheal Beasley of Kansas State

Still looking for that MAJOR UPSET. K-State as an 11 seed was closest thing to a MAJOR UPSET. If Belmont beat Duke that would have been an upset for all-time.

Hope people like this format I just felt it was taking away from my personal enjoyment doing it the other way. There is also the fact of Raptor vs NCAA conflict in which Raptors take priority over NCAA obviously.  Hope this is a good enough format for people to enjoy.

 A New Confidence Found Behind The Mask

"Andrea played well. I asked him, ‘Who was that masked man?’ Andrea seemed like he had a lot more confidence in the things that he did. " That is a quote of Sam Mitchell and I could not agree more.  Confidence has been a very fragile thing for Andrea in his short NBA Career.  Maybe like in the movie "The Mask" by putting on that mask Andrea Bargnani transforms him into a more confident guy.  Many mentions of Rip Hamilton when seeing the new look Bargnani. Hamilton did try to take his mask off and had a bad game and thus the mask went back on for good. To me Andrea was looking more like Bill Laimbeer the former Bad Boy Piston now WNBA head coach.  Sam Mitchell would not complain if Bargnani added a little bit of Bill inside him he wouldn't mind. Hamilton's mask is a little more attractive then the one Andrea had but if it works screw the way it looks.  The reason why for Andrea may not be clear as to where his confidence came from. But the rest of the team that is a no brainier. Chris Bosh, he himself did not do a lot, but his team mates we're confident playing with just his presence on the floor. 

Look not further then Jamario Moon for the proof.  Four hi-light worthy dunks for the fans and a better defensive effort and 14 rebounds for his coach and team. That is the perfect Moon night.  Calderon had a double double, Rasho Continue to step it up, More controlled T.J Ford and everyone just seemed to do what they are expected to do. After the road trip from hell the Toronto Raptors got the perfect match-up to make all right in their world.  But only one freebie per NBA Team. Actually there will be another freebie coming but not yet. Next 3 games are 3 quality teams and all have reason to think the Raptors are the underdog to them.  Raptors have to get ready for the playoffs and what better way to do it. Answering challenges like this down the stretch will go a long way in determining what Raptors think of themselves and what the fan base does as well.  Clearly Chris Bosh is a key part to what makes this collection of players work. He will be a factor in not just how he plays but how his team around him plays. The often measure of a "great" player is how his team plays around him. Does he make his team better?  Steve Nash has to M.V.P Trophies based on the philosophy. 

Chris Bosh is not in the running for that award but game in game out it becomes clear to all that watch he is the Raptor's M.V.P.  That is not something that could always be said for Vince Carter in his time in Toronto. They never chanted M.V.P for Vince at the A.C.C.  Fans have for Bosh and it is well deserved.  He has come such a long way and you have to appreciate the leader he  has become.  He took the mess that Vince Carter left and turned it into something through hard work and working with management not against it. Carter is now having the things that made him fall from grace in Toronto are now happening in New Jersey. Many feel that he was a big reason in why Jason Kidd wanted out of New Jersey. Toronto fans have to smile and say that the Nets should have known better. The Raptors can now laugh off the horrible trade that sent Vince to Jersey. They can see it now as a good thing for if not for it then we may not have Bryan Colangelo.  He along with his superstar and his coach can take pride in what Bosh has been able to do.

The Toronto Raptors set 5 team Records Last night:

• Least Points allowed in a half
• Least Points allowed in a game (3rd lowest total in NBA History in Shot Clock Era)
• Largest lead ever in Team History
• Largest Margin of Victory
• Lowest amount of field goals allowed (20)

Here is something I never thought I would say. It may be a one night event but Philadelphia fans showed more class then the folks at the ACC. Allen Iverson returned to Philadelphia last night to a hero's welcome. Iverson is truly on of the toughest athletes in pro sports. He gives his body to the game and thus gave his body for many years for Philly Fans. They had the intellect to understand that and appreciate that. While in Toronto when the Raptors were taking the boots to the Heat. Fans at the ACC were chanting for Pizza. They booed the Raptors when they committed a turnover that ended the fans dream of pizza . THIS IS STUPID. IT IS A SLICE OF PIZZA. GET OVER IT. This is the second time this issue has been a factor at the ACC. Fans that are TRUE basketball fans don't care if they get a free piece of somewhat quality pizza. They would be happy seeing team history. These people that cheer about Pizza need to get a clue. The Raptors need to end the embarrassment that this promotion has become. If Raptors win you get Pizza cut and dry. If not that get rid of the promotion altogether. May not be popular but it is better then letting your fan base embarrass your organization. The fact the ACC is full every night is great. But it is not great when fans who spend far more to go to a game then the cost of a pizza slice , It seems silly that these people to get bent out of shape over something that likely cost less then it did to park at the game. In short GROW UP PEOPLE. True fans are embarrassed by your behavior. 

Just wanted to make you aware of the new DINO NATION BLOG group on facebook.

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

This is your chance to have more of an impact on what you read and be part of the process that makes this blog.  You can also get to know the others like you that read the blog.  So if that interests you by all means come join me on facebook.

NCAA TOURNEY starts today. I have not figured out how exactly I will work NCAA Stuff but check back at some point if you have the Madness.

Bosh Back On Defense!!!

Chris Bosh was in the line-up and the entire Raptor squad was predictably energized. Raptors started strong and it was a collective team effort. Having Bosh in the line-up seemed to have given this entire Raptor team it's swagger back. The Heat are bad and no Wade or Marion but they were coming of a rare win against the Bucks. The Beat down was in full effect as Raps had 29-16 lead after 1 quarter of play. The Raptors shot 59% from the field and Moon and Bargnani were off to great starts.

Raps would continue the strong play behind T.J Ford as the did with Jose Calderon. Raptors had jumped out to a 16 point advantage and had foot firmly on the gas pedal. Get out the Salami and Cheese the Heat were done. The Old Raptors were back and everyone was getting in on the act Ford even hit a rare 3 point shot to extend the lead to 21. You can point to lots of things that were better. But basically it comes down to two things Attitude and Effort. Add in a very tired and under staffed Miami Heat team. You had the perfect tonic to end all the woes of the Raptors. The confidence of just Bosh in uniform raised the level of his team to a level that just was not there when he was out. Raptors were shooting at a high level and were bringing it on defense and convinced the Heat early and often that they had no chance to win. The score was 58-26 a Raptor Record for lowest points allowed after a record high they gave up in Denver. Raptors are just hard to figure out at times. This was not as much so given the variables of this contest. But all that said a 32 point half time lead and a team record for defense I don't think anyone could have expected. Bosh in his first half in a long time had 6 points and 6 rebounds in just 11 minutes of action. Rasho Nesterovic off the bench lead the Raps with 12 and Andrea Bargnani in a mask was doing his best Rip Hamilton impression and had 11.

Calderon had a lottery number type game with 6 assists, 5 points, 4 rebounds and 3 steals break out Dora the Explorer for your Spanish translation on that. The masked Andrea Bargnani was super hero like with 14 points after draining a 3 to start his second half. It was 66-32 and this game was on cruise control and Jamario Moon was holding his own dunk contest throughout this game along with a tremendous effort on the glass. There were no signs of the team that had been just awful on the west coast trip. The Chris Bosh welcome back party was a huge success so far and still a quarter more to celebrate. the score was 78-45 and the party was in high gear.

Joey Graham was on the guest list and was getting his groove on as a late arrival. If they had on a Raptor uniform on they were getting it done on this night. The Toronto Raptors were doing a fine impression of their fan base a complete 180 from the last game to this game. You may not want to have any sympathy for the Miami Heat but to gain a bit of perspective Miami is down 8 regulars from the line-up. They are a team in transition with a lot more questions then answers. The one constant for Toronto from the Utah game to tonight's game back to back Maceo Baston sightings. That was about the only thing that was the same. Cleveland on the road has a much different look than the last time the Raptors saw them and that game on the road will be a much better indication on where this Raptor team is at. In fact the next 3 games will be as after that they return home to take on the the Nuggets that embarrassed them and the Detroit Pistons who traditional have owned the Raptors and Bosh. But who could blame Raptor fans if they didn't worry about that on this night. Everyone connected to this Raptor Organization deserved to enjoy this win. It was already a historic night and more history would be made as the Raptors were well on the way to setting a team record for fewest points allowed. About the only drama was if the fans would get there pizza. The pizza was not mean to be and to be honest who the heck cares. Fans need to get a grip as they booed a Raptor turnover that coast them the chance at pizza. The final was 96-54 a Raptor Franchise low for points allowed. Jamario Moon had a personal record as well with 14 rebounds. For the rest of the stats on this history making night check the boxscore below and Podcast is on the way.

Box Score: http://scores.espn.go.com/nba/boxscore?gameId=280319028

Podcast: http://dinoblogger.podbean.com/2008/03/19/bosh-return-is-a-party-for-raptors/

Some Other Info

Just a few other little notes. March Madness starts tomorrow. Check here for some thoughts on what is going on with the madness. It is not to late to join are March Madness group the cut off time to join and have your bracket done is 11 am est. Here is the link:

http://apps.facebook.com/cbssports/groups/group/11199

There is also a group on thescore.com 

Group Name: Dino NATION MARCH MADNESS

Password: DINO

I also am always looking to stay in touch with the people that read this blog. In an attempt to do that and to give you all a chance to say what you like and don't like about the blog now you can do so as well as get to know the other people that read the Blog as well. So if you have facebook you can now Join the DINO NATION BLOG group. Here is a link.

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

Hope you will join and add your input to the on going growth of the Dino Nation Blog. I want people to feel they can be able to interact with me as much as possible. I plan on having questions and comments day on here very soon as the numbers have started to grow. Thanks as always for being part of the Dino Nation Blog.

Ready For His Close Up?

Chris Bosh this season has been showing the world he has a funny side. The UTUBE videos and a much more fun loving guy that seems to have got use to his place as an NBA STAR. Well not that we don't love the videos and off the wall humor but it is time to get to work. The Raptors need the player that is a hard nose competitor that hates to lose. Bosh has not lost that on the floor and it is a good thing. The greatest challenge of the young superstars career lies ahead. His team has looked anything but like a playoff team let alone a contender without him. In Fact in his entire Career the Raptors record with out him in the line-up is embarrassingly bad. This season they are 4-11 without him. That is a huge reason the Raptors find themselves just 1 game above .500. He is the key to so many things for this basketball team. The only player that can draw a double team on offense. The team's emotional leader on defense. The fact that Raptor fans expect him to come back and fix everything that is wrong is based in these things. I understand that Chris Bosh will not be in the running for the M.V.P this year. I don't think he should be that is not what I am saying. What I am saying is if they take the term to mean value to his team, few players in this league mean more to the teams they play then Chris Bosh does to the Toronto Raptors. Maybe some day he will be in the running, Nothing about Chris Bosh surprises me much anymore. He has come such a long way from that shy quiet kid out of Georgia Tech. In his own words(from his interview on The Hour on CBC) when he came here no one cared "We Had Vince Carter" no one was worried about him. I wonder if you could find a Raptor fan that doesn't now though?

The truth is so a very tough job lies ahead for Bosh. People that are basketball minded understand that it will not just magically fix everything by Chris Bosh returning. This is what fans expect though. The challenge of meeting such unrealistic expectations may be to much to ask. However Bosh will except any challenge that is put in front of him. Besides that you have to think sitting and watching his team get knocked around would be motivation enough. The Raptors leader must step up to the plate and lead this team. Thankful the challenge at first is not a hard one. It will allow Bosh a bit of a chance to breath in this first game. Once that is done there will be few more opportunities this season. The would be playoff opposition will be next in the Cleveland Cavs and King James with his new court. A chance to convince Raptor Fans that falling back to sixth place is not required. Make no mistake about it though this is a key moment for Chris Bosh in his career. If he should not be successful the damage to his reputation would be felt. Not to say Raptor Fans would turn on him and Boo him like they have with others in the past. It would bring questions of how good he actually was and was he a REAL leader for this team. I have no reason to think Chris Bosh will have to deal with that though. I BELIEVE IN CHRIS BOSH.

I also think he can help a lot of people in bad need of it. Sam Mitchell now has back-up to express his words. Bosh has always been a Mitchell supporter and you have to think that he will do his best to help his coach get his message through. What that message for T.J Ford will be is anyone's guess. I do know this much though, from what Bosh and Ford have said about the relationship they have, Bosh may be the only one that can get T.J turned around beyond T.J himself. The other thing I can be 98% certain of is that T.J Ford will take less shots. When there is no Chris Bosh in the line-up T.J Ford thinks he is the next best player on this team. I am not saying he is right but that is what he thinks. Bosh returning will put T.J back in his place to some degree. The 2 people that need Bosh the most are Mitchell and Ford.

The effect on Andrea Bargnani is yet to be determined. It will mean one of two things. A return to the bench or a shift back to the 5 spot on the floor. I am not thinking the bench is going to happen despite over the past few days suggesting that it should. I really feel bad for Rasho Nesterovic he has done great work with Bosh out. The other person that has stepped it up in Bosh's absence has been Anthony Parker. If I were Bosh I would just tell Parker this " KEEP IT UP".  He seems to be to much of a team player at times. He needs to start getting his as far his offense goes. Same goes for Jason Kapono who in the last couple has looked more like what Bryan Colangelo had in mind bringing him in from Miami. 

In the NBA the Rocket Red Glare has finally fizzled as the Boston Celtics put a hurting on the streaking Rockets. How they respond will determine a lot of what we think about Houston going into the Playoffs. We also had the first March Madness game and you can scratch Coppin State off of your brackets. Mt Saint Marys reward in having to face the North Carolina Tarheels. But did you know by winning that game it earned the 1 million dollars. Well not the players the school. Charles Barkley once said that NCAA FOOTBALL and BASKETBALL were the last forms of slavery in the United States of America. I agree with Sir Charles. CBS paid a billion dollars for the right to this tournament for the next 25 years. These kids deserve some kind of piece of that pie. A free education is great and all but these players are generating huge amounts of money off these kids backs. They need to go on strike. Imagine what would happen if all NCAA Basketball players organized themselves and decided to walk out the day before the Tournament starts or in Football before the Bowl Season. I am sure Charles Barkley would gladly represent the kids as Union Leader. Just something to think about next time you watch these college kids perform. 

Last night a podcast was added on Today's Topic Of the Bosh Return so if you missed it here is the link:http://dinoblogger.podbean.com/  that is the link to the main podcast site.

Here is what the MAN himself had to say about his return: http://www.chris-bosh.com/content/blogcategory/1/26/

Face Of Frustration

The morning after a complete meltdown for T.J Ford and Sam Mitchell. When you ask both will tell you that they never read the papers or the Internet.  It could be true but when you see the frustration that exploded last night you have to wonder. That is no excuse for what happened. Ford took his frustration with himself and turned it on the referees and took his team out of a game they were in and in desperate need of winning it.  Sam Mitchell needed to pull Ford out of this game long before the volcano that was building in T.J exploded. I have supported both Mitchell and Ford but it was clear that both screwed up and I will say it. How did it ever get to this point. It is a whole lot of things that involve a whole lot of people. Starting with of course Sam Mitchell and T.J Ford.

I have heard for as long as I can remember that Sam Mitchell is not a great Tactical Coach. I never debate that point at all. I do say that because of the way his team plays hard for him I am willing to forgive a lack of knowledge as a play caller. The thought being that motivation is not as easily learned as play calling in my opinion. However the whispers about Sam Mitchell having lost his teams attention are concerning. The key is though has he lost his superstar in Chris Bosh. If he has then all could be lost for Mitchell. If not though the return of Bosh should help Mitchell get the team back on his side. Listening to what he is preaching. If Sam has lost his ability to motivate this ball club he is truly a lesser coach and not effective.  This is truly a watershed moment for Sam Mitchell as a head coach. If you like Sam you hope he can break through. If you don't you have already said I told you so many times this year.

Ford has had a season that would frustrated almost anyone. He started it playing some of the best basketball he has ever played in the NBA. However his team did not match that level of play. He would then try to make a good play by drawing a charge and he would get another stinger like the one that he suffered in  the playoffs. He would work his way back to health. He would fully look recovered in Atlanta only to be sent crashing to the floor and injured again. While he was out Jose Calderon would take over and play to a level even higher to where Ford was. A long and frustrating recovery would bring Ford back to Toronto after some thought even Ford himself that his career may be over and he would retire. He would comeback and be forced to accept a back-up role. He has battled to make up for the loss of Bosh which would happen not long after his return. That lead to more problems and it exploded last night in T.J's rage last night. T.J Ford is a very interesting guy when you think how quiet and well mannered he is off the floor. When he steps on the floor there is a person that is full of fire and rage. That rage and frustration can come out in many ways. The key to Ford in all aspects is to balance that fire with the intellect he has to play basketball. Ford is a highly intelligent player if you think he is not you are wrong. But he is also a highly emotional player and emotion is nothing to do with logic. The return of Chris Bosh may be that calming influence that Ford is in desperate need of. If anyone can get through to T.J it could be Bosh. It is one of the many things that Bosh will have on his plate when he returns. Getting his friend in T.J back on track may not even be number one on that list.

Defense would be I would think. Bosh alone can not fix the defense of the Raptors.  However he can be a big part of the road back to respectable. The Raptors will settle for respectable and they were at that point earlier in the year. The lesson learned from last year's playoffs vs. Nets should have been that defense in the playoffs matters. So in these last 15 games finding it will be most important. No matter who the Raptors will face in the playoffs without a better defensive effort it will not matter cause Raptors will have no chance.  Bosh clearly adds a solid part to the mix but defense is really about 5 parts working as 1. Trust needs to be re-established and people need to come together as a unit. Bosh will need to get his team to all buy in to what Sam Mitchell has been selling since day 1 of training camp DEFENSE. 

Andrea Bargnani may actually be the root to Sam Mitchell losing his team. I said at the time I was against Andrea being put into the starting line-up. It went against the core values of what Sam Mitchell has always been about. He has always said that if players work than they will earn what they get as far as playing time and starts. Well Andrea had earned nothing and Sam Mitchell's credibility has taken a blow with his team I think. That could explain a lot of what has been going on. It was not a good idea to force feed Bargnani into the starting line-up. He is an emotionally fragile player and that isn't going to be fixed by giving him things he has not earned. Bargnani lacks confidence and it really is becoming a growing issue in his development. The fact Chris Bosh and Bargnani have both had injury issues at different times has not helped build chemistry between the two players. Bargnani needs to step up and show he has some toughness in him. The shot he took in Miami I thought would spark that. But I was wrong he is back to being the same Andrea that lacks confidence and rebounding. 

This only scratches the surface of what has been going wrong. Moon is starting to lose his luster and needs to start to get it as I talked about yesterday in this blog. He too may be part of the Sam Mitchell problem. A guy that Sam wants to succeed because he sees some of himself in Jamario Moon. But he can not be blinded by that and needs to honestly address if Moon deserves to start any longer. Kapono is finally starting to be a factor. But Delfino is a better defender and would likely be the choice to replace Moon. 

The little flicker of hope in this time of trouble. Anthony Parker and Rasho Nesterovic. They have played like the old pros that they are. Both have raised the level of their play with Bosh out and they now need to maintain it as Bosh returns. Things are bad for the Raptors but as bad as it is the truth is they have lost nothing yet and if they can turn it around can save this season from becoming a huge disappointment for most Raptor Fans. But the room for error is now gone. No more mistakes can be hidden the time has come to look in the mirror and decide what you are going to do to make this team better. That is the challenge for ever Raptor Player and Coach. Bosh will no doubt make sure everyone answers that challenge.

NEW POD CAST ON BOSH RETURN 

( This will be included in tomorrow's blog due to late hour )

Podcast Link:http://dinoblogger.podbean.com/2008/03/18/cb4-return/

Sam Mitchell Cost The Raps

Well four losses in a row the Raptors decided to trick the Jazz into thinking they were the Celtics by wearing green. Actually it was for St Patrick's Day and Raptor Fans should drink the green beer to at least have a little fun because the Jazz are just double tough in Salt Lake City. Raptors would be tired as well closing out this awful road trip. The news that Bosh will return on Wednesday when they return home. basically everything pointed to an easy win for the Jazz. But as a wise man once said that is why they play the games.

The Raptors looked different in the green and they got off too a decent start in the first four minutes down 6-5. Andrea Bargnani already had 2 fouls but Sam Mitchell rolled the dice on the youngster. Jazz were returning from an east coast trip where they played 4 in 5 nights. Maybe after all the high scoring no defense brand of basketball the Raps could grind it out with Utah and catch the Jazz sleeping. This was an ugly game but the Raptors found themselves with a lead of only 10-9 lead with 4:00 minutes left in the quarter. Better defense or sleeping giant in the Jazz? Little of both would be the answer but the Raps were showing some effort but the Jazz were no doubt having an off night. T.J Ford entered the game and made a ill advised pass on a 3 on 2 and the Jazz would go back up by 1. Sam Mitchell called for time and looked to settle down his back-up point guard. After the time out we had a Maceo Baston sighting. Baston the former wolverine would match-up against former Duke star Carlos Boozer. It would end up tied at 16-16 after one. It was painful to watch but Raptors did not care after the trip they have had. The only thing that was important was the tie score. Raptors shot just 27% in the quarter just to drive home the fact of how ugly it was.

The second quarter the scoring on both sides was starting to increase but it would be hard not to after that first quarter. The Jazz started to get it in gear and jumped ahead 29-21. Ronnie Price was doing a solid job with his second unit for Utah and T.J Ford was not for the Raptors. Jose Calderon would return with the Raps down 6 points and Jason Kapono was having the start of back to back good nights. The Jazz were starting to pull away with a 36-27 lead the largest of the night. So thoughts of a St. Patrick's Day miracle were fading fast for the men in green. It took a little longer than it had on other nights in this trip but once again the Raptors were down big as the Jazz continued to extend the lead to 12. Andrea Bargnani continued to struggle picking up his 3rd foul with little success. Mitchell once again would leave him out there. He just looks lost on the floor and has started too look much like he did early in the year when he was in a major funk. Raptors would make a minor rally and get a technical foul shot that was called on a frustrated Deron Williams who wanted a call and didn't get it. But he did bounce back after a slow start to get 10 points in the quarter. His Jazz would take a 9 point advantage into the locker room for the half time break.

Jazz shot a amazing 72% in the second quarter. However watching this Raptor road trip it seems far less impressive. Raps would come out fighting to start the 3rd quarter. Andrea Bargnani finally found his way on the score sheet for something other than a foul making his first score of the night a 3 point shot. Raptors had cut the Jazz lead to just 4 with 8:40 left in the 3rd. Hope was reborn on Raptor side of things. Bargnani hit another shot and the Raps were on a 13-5 run and back to within 1 down 52-51. Like a bad rerun that this road trip has seemed to be the Jazz would stop the run right there. Every time on this trip the Raptors have got close or even a small lead the other team has responded and taken over. It happened in Oakland and Last Night. The Raptors were hoping to change their luck on the 3rd go around. Cue Anthony Parker who had a block on Deron Williams earlier and than hit a shot to get Raps within 1 again. Jose Calderon would also start to heat up and that earned him some extra floor time. He had 15 point and 7 assists to this point in the game. But Raptors had yet to get over the Hump(No Kris Humphries Reference Intended) but were with in shouting distance of a lead. Raps had several chances to tie or pull ahead but had yet to deliver. The Jazz shooting had gone back to cold from red hot and the Raps finally got back to even at the end of the 3rd quarter. If you were scoring this like a boxing match we had a round even and a round for the Jazz and one for the Raptors. Who would get the K.O in the 4 th round. That was to be determined.

T.J Ford would start the 4th and continue to struggle and the Jazz would cash in on his mistakes to jump back in front by 7 points. Ford and his team mates just seem to be out of sync and it is getting frustrating for him, the team and the fans. How long could Sam Mitchell afford to leave Jose on the bench? Ford clearly was frustrated and not on his game at all. Even things where he was not involved were going wrong as it was like bar karma taking over the Raptors. I often defend both Sam and T.J but this was a mistake leaving T.J in the game. It really was not fair to T.J or Jose to leave Ford in. Raptors were down 8 points and had only scored 4 points in the quarter. T.J Ford frustrated with the Referees and himself would blow up. He got two Technicals back to back and was gone. The Referees did what same Mitchell should have done and sat Ford down for the rest of the night. This game had totally gotten off the tracks and Sam Mitchell is really as much to blame as his players. I am as big a T.J Supporter as anyone but it was clear to even the untrained basketball eye that Ford was not on his game. Sam Mitchell needed to save his team and his player from a situation that was going wrong and he did not. Rasho Nesterovic meantime has totally sold me on the fact he needs and deserves to start. He had 13 and 12 so far for a double double. The only thing I can say is Rasho is not exciting and not a number one pick but he does what is needed. You have to wonder what Chris Bosh was thinking sitting on the bench watching his team fall apart in front of his eyes. Raptors were heading for their 5 th lose in a row. They have been just 4-11 without Bosh. He will return Wednesday and need to rally his troops in a major way. These are the times where you earn the labels like LEADER and FRANCHISE PLAYER. Maybe this kind of meltdown was needed to allow the Raps a way to start over. They have fallen to just one above .500. The Jazz would coast to an easy win 96-79. Raptors had a long flight home to Toronto to workout their issues.

Boxscore: http://scores.espn.go.com/nba/boxscore?gameId=280317026

Podcast: http://dinoblogger.podbean.com/2008/03/17/meltdown-in-utah/

15 Minutes Is Running Out For Moon

The story of Jamario Moon is a great one that would warm even the coldest heart. He has went from nobody to somebody almost overt night. He got there by playing hard defense and impressing his coach Sam Mitchell enough to give him a chance. He would run with it and the guy who started the season as a undressed reserve was a starter. It was hard to believe but it happened and he had earned it. The fairy tale would continue as an opportunity to compete in the dunk contest in New Orleans would be offered to him. He would go and lose to a cupcake and superman. The ride for Moon has been wild. Sam Mitchell has in his own humorous way has tried to keep moon grounded. Once when Moon was in a media scrum he said walking by don't let your time run out Jamario. This in reference to the expression of 15 minutes of fame. Moon has had more than 15 minutes but his days as a starter could be coming to an end.

You see Sam Mitchell's frustration with the man that reminds Sam a lot of himself. He too had to take the long road to the NBA and can understand what it is like for Jamario Moon. However Sam Mitchell Favorite or not it may just be time to show Mr. Moon to a seat on the bench. The reason Moon is suppose to be in the starting line-up to provide defense and rebounding. The occasional dunk is good too. But his defense has been less than impressive, his rebounding is down and he takes far to many long range shots and not enough jams and drives. A trip to the bench may be a solid reminder to Moon of his job on this team.

Another starter that should not be there is Andrea Bargnani. I have heard that old song about you need to play him to help his game grow. Well I have yet to see growth and you have too start to show more if you want to stay in my starting line-up. When Bosh returns I would seen Mr. Bargnani to have a seat beside Mr. Moon. Rasho Nesterovic has shown to me he deserves to remain in the starting line-up. Bargnani just night in and night out does not bring enough that I can live with him starting any longer. Rasho is doing more and provides what the Raptors need. Bargnani is not a bust but he is not getting the job done and it is about earning what you get. Chris Bosh has earned ever minute of floor time in his NBA Career. Andrea should have to do the same.

The issue of these 2 guys starting has to not sit well with players on this team. They always say the right things and act the right way but you have to think it bothers guys like Delfino and Nesterovic and Kapono. What is not an issue is the fact that Jose Calderon has earned himself some time to work through his issues and remain a starter. He played to well and to consistently not to be given that chance. Sam Mitchell will go with the better of his 2 point guards down the stretch regardless of what name is called at the start. Ford has been just as inconsistent as Jose since returning. Both point guards will be glad to see a returning Chris Bosh on Wednesday. 

I have to say the starting this season I was excited at the Raptors acquiring Maceo Baston. I am a Michigan Fan like Chuck Swirsky and maybe that is why I thought Maceo would do more. The reality is he has become in effect the NEW Pope Sow. Hardly used and glued to the bench. He more than anyone must look at the Jamario Moon rise and say what is wrong with me. But another famous Mitchell line is this one " Last time I checked everyone still gets paid on the 1st and 15th". So Maceo getting that NBA paycheck can still be nice despite not getting a chance to play. You have to think that there is a issue as to why. Sam Mitchell bases a lot of what he does on how players practice. Safe to say Baston has not got it done in practice. Thankfully Allen Iverson isn't here or he may never get on the floor. Just kidding but if your name is Maceo Baston and not Allen Iverson you need to show more and can't afford to take practice lightly.

Ex-Raptor Rafer Alston who was not exactly a Sam Mitchell favorite had a big day. He had 31 points and his Rockets continue to skyrocket on a 22 game winning streak. Rafer has finally found his groove in the NBA. I always liked Alston and am happy to see that he has been able to re-establish his career in Houston. He along with Tracy McGrady are two former Raptors living large these days. The Raptors are in the exact opposite area that Houston is in. No they haven't lost 22 straight but if you ask them and ask fans it sure feels like it. I have said it several times over the last little while, Chris Bosh has a lot of work to do when he returns. CB4 SAVE US. YOU ARE OUR ONLY HOPE!!!

Bargnani Was A Non-Factor

Most pointed to this night as the best chance at win on this road trip. This fact will not support that theory. The last Raptor Victory at the Kings was in 1997 with Damon Stoudamire and Marcus Camby and the old dino uniforms. But the embarrassment that happened in Denver you would hope would add some jump to the Raptors. News that Bosh is looking at a Wednesday return vs Miami as well. What could the Raptors show without Bosh in these next 2 games? So far they have not shown much. the most noticeable thing has been the slow starts a problem that they had with Bosh and had been exposed even more without him. Primoz Brezec pulled his groin in the warm-up was not a good sign.

So cross your fingers and pray cause here we go. Same old story it would seem down 21-11 half way through the first quarter. Jose Calderon once again was not effective and he went to the bench Andrea Bargnani also had been sent prior to that. Sloppy play with turnovers by both teams. But Raptors were getting it taken to them again. Raptor defense was leaking again. Ron Artest will be on the market this off-season and if Raptor defense continues this way he may look good in Raptor red. All this being said the Raptors were only down 32-23. The way the team has been playing down single digits after one quarter of play was a improvement.

Ford in relief of Calderon was not much better. T.J seems to be trying to do what people have been asking of him but the passes he is making would be fumbled away with his team thinking he would shoot. The Raptors still were down 9 and they were being allowed a chance to get back in the game if the would take it. Sacramento had 12 turnovers with still half of the second quarter to play. But instead the Raptors would not take advantage and the Kings would extend the advantage that had been stuck on 9 up to 15. Jose would return and spark the Raps to a run of  9-0 run to get back to within 6. Raptors had signs of life being lead by shooting of Jason Kapono. The lead was shrinking as Kings turnovers continued. Raptors were back in the ball game down 1 with a minute to play in the half. Kapono had 16 to lead the Raps and they trailed Kings 53-49.

The once comfortable spot of 5th in the east was fading fast as the Wizards and Sixers are moving up. A solid second half and a win was badly needed. Andrea Bargnani who had just 2 first half points would hit a 3 point shot and Parker a drive and a score and the Raptors had a lead of 1. Hey the way things have been a lead of 1 is note worthy. The lead would only last a short time as the Kings pushed back in front 70-58 going on a 15-2 run. Much like in Golden State the Raptors had fought back from a slow start to take a lead only to watch it evaporate in front of their eyes. You could see the disgust on Sam Mitchell face at the lack of defensive effort. They Raps would swap point guards again and T.J Ford would lead the troops back to within 3 at the end of the 3rd quarter. Helping him out were Anthony Parker and Jason Kapono.

T.J Ford would start the fourth and struggle and so would the rest of the Raps starting the quarter slow. The Kings would never take control and pull away despite the Raptors struggles. It was almost a case of the first team that would step up and act like they wanted to win could do it. Teams would trade baskets for awhile between a 4 to 6 point lead. The Kings would break it to an eight point lead causing the Raptors to call a time out. Calderon would return and be given the task of finding a way to get a win. he would answer the call helping his teammates get baskets and decreasing the Sacramento advantage to just 1 with 3:00 minute to play. That would be as close as they would get. Kevin Martin was key in the final minutes and throughout with 32 points to lead his team to 106-100 win. Raptors are now 4-10 without Chris Bosh in the line-up. That likely could go to 4-11 as Raptors face a tough Utah team that plays well at home. Jason Kapono ended up with 26 points. But it was not enough. Another loss and the losing streak stretches to 4 games.

Boxscore: http://scores.espn.go.com/nba/boxscore?gameId=280316023

Podcast: http://dinoblogger.podbean.com/2008/03/16/kingsraps-post-game/

Bosh Has Work Ahead

When Chris Bosh returns I do not have the answer for you. However when he does he will have much work to do. He has always been widely accepted as this team's leader and franchise player. He will have that role of leader put to the test. The Raptors since his injury have not been the same. The team that rolled through the first year and a half without an controversy has some now. Jose Calderon has not been the same since T.J Ford's return. Ford since Bosh went down has tried to play the role of team leader and scoring leader. But that has lead to frustration from the fans and it is starting to be more importantly with his team mates. However most of all the Raptors improved defense is long gone and entered the witness protection program. There are just a few of the major issues that will face Chris Bosh when he returns. He watched first hand as the Denver Nuggets laid the smack down on his team.

The thought of some is that when Chris Bosh returns the Raptors problems will wash away. Some of them will but not all. The first and foremost thing that will be helped is the Raptor Offense. There is not anyone that draws double teams on defense with no Bosh. The return of Bosh and the defense against him should be good news for guy like Jason Kapono and Carlos Delfino. They will get more chances at open looks. Anthony Parker has to continue to take the shots that come is way and with Bosh back they will be easier.  T.J Ford and Jose Calderon both will have Bosh to run the pick and roll offense with. It will also make Ford more confident in being a passer and taking less shots. While Jose should see more chances to take shots and make them.

The major problem is the defense though and just Bosh along does not solve that. What he will add is some help on the glass and another shot blocker to the mix. But the breakdowns the Raptors are having are far more serious. Perhaps Bosh can bring back an accountability and pride. It will take a team refocused on the task of defending your individual man. Trust that your help will be there but not dependence on it. The most important thing is to get on the glass. Many times this season the Raptors have played great defense and not been rewarded for it. The reason is the lack of rebounding. Second chance points have killed the Raptors in some games. They must complete the job by getting rebounds. However lately the perimeter and transition defense has been awful. Layups and three points shots can build team's confidence in a big way. The easier you allow teams to get points the more confident they become. Sam Mitchell has said this "You let a good player in this league make a few shots and then he starts feeling it and your dead." That may not be the direct quote but that is the basic idea of what he said. Allen Iverson started  7 for 7 in the last game. That can't happen if you expect to win.

Bosh I think enjoyed last season more then anyone. He had suffered long and hard and finally got his team to the post season. They will be going back unless a major meltdown happens. However the goal this year was not just to get back but to win. A round or a couple but some playoff success. The defense this team is playing in the playoffs will get you swept away faster then you can blink. Bosh has about a month to figure out how to make his team a playoff ready force. He is the hope to get this thing back on track. This is a test to the leadership he has and a challenge to take on. Bosh has always answered challenges but this may be the biggest one he has faced. He is the man from which much is expected and much of the praise you get is to come through in times like this. Fans can chant M.V.P but if you don't keep it up you will be getting booed before you know it. But being the Franchise Player and a 3 time all-star gives you a lot of rope with fans. Because ultimately they see him as the biggest part of the team's success and future. So no time to cheer for Georgia Tech or make a wager on March Madness there is to much work to be done.

That may be true for Bosh. However for myself it isn't. I wanted to throw out a final reminder about are NCAA POOL as part of facebook. You and your friends are invited to take on the Dino Nation Blogger and all those who read this thing. So here is the link:

http://apps.facebook.com/cbssports/groups/group/11199

Also as the tournament is going on I will be adding my 2 cents on what is going on. Perhaps some Raptor angles to it. But basically it will deal with the tournament and this pool. I will title this section MARCH MADNESS and if you are not an NCAA Fan and only want you Raptor Fix you can stop reading when you see that bold title. If there is one player I am hoping could end up a Raptor it is Roy Hibert. The Georgetown track record of big men in the NBA is an impressive one. Hibert is a big that could help the Raps on the glass. It is not something he has excelled at in college but in the pros he can develop the skill with his great size. I am not one for checking out mock drafts this early in the year but I don't need to see one to know the Raptors would need to get very lucky or make a trade to move up to get Hibert but I still would like to see him as a Raptor. I once wanted a little guard from Texas but instead got Chris Bosh. That worked out pretty well. Ford would end up a Raptor anyway and that is just how life can work out for you. No question Bosh was what the Raptors needed and he has been far better than even the most optimistic would have thought coming out of Georgia Tech as a freshman. T.J wants to be on that level and struggles to get there. He takes a lot of heat and I do for supporting him.  But that is o.k he can take it and so can I. We all have players we love and cheer for. If you don't then you are missing out on what being a sports fan is all about. The key is not to get blinded by you love for a player. To understand that even if they put on a superman costume there real is no superman in basketball. Every player has off nights and off seasons. Support the guys you choose to support. That is what makes sports fun and if you get to much into contracts and money more than the people those numbers represent you are missing out. Players have flaws and you need to understand what they are but still support them despite them.  This is true of each and every player in any sport you choose.  If you have that kind of unconditional support of a player I respect that. So here is hoping the Raptors can stop the bleeding and get a win in Sacramento tonight. Raptor Rewind and Podcast later as well as some thoughts on the NCAA Tournament as the brackets will be announced about 6pm eastern.