Should the Raptors Draft a Point Guard?

Source: Raptors Republic by Blake Murphy

Lilly and Marshall

If the Toronto Raptors decide to renounce their rights to Jerryd Bayless in the next few weeks, they’ll have just a lone Point Guard under contract in Jose Calderon. Calderon, a soon-to-be 31-year old who has never averaged more than 34.3MPG and has only played a full season once, is the type of point guard that most certainly needs a caddy, both due to playing time restrictions and his defensive shortcomings. The Raptors could conceivably make a big splash in free agency (overpaying for a Jeremy Lin or Goran Dragic, perhaps), sign a restricted guard to an offer sheet (D.J. Augustin qualifies as a candidate), or bring Canada to a halt by somehow luring Steve Nash back “home.”

In reality, it seems more likely that the Raptors will use one of their three draft picks to find Jose’s next backup, unless a trade can be managed (and that’s not out of the question). So in summation, I have no clue who the backup point-man will be next year, whether it be a free agent, trade target, draft pick, or even Bayless himself again. And don’t give me that weak Ben Uzoh sauce, either. He of the world’s most tank-ish triple double is more of a third guard than a reliable back-up on a team with playoff aspirations.

But since I can’t analyze things like signings or trades until they happen, I can at least take a look at prospects who could potentially be the PG Of The Future or at least the Backup PG of the Present. The draft is pretty devoid of guard talent, so if the Raptors were set on this route they would likely try to acquire another first round pick (or slide down), but let’s do the analysis anyway, just to be thorough.

Round #1, Pick #8 (or 1-11)
This pick could wind up as Anthony Davis (2.8% chance), 2nd overall (3.3%), 3rd overall (3.9%), 8th (72.4%), 9th (16.8%), 10th (0.8%) or 11th (near-0 odds). So…we don’t know where this pickw ill come. Imagine that, uncertainty in a Blake Murphy offseason article!

I would assume if this pick lands in one of the more favorable spots, the Raptors will employ the “best player available” approach and ignore the point guard position. However, if it ends up at #8 or lower, the top two point guard prospects really come in to play, as they’re ranked in the 13-17 range by Chad Ford and Draft Express, and the Raptors Republic Reader Rankings had them both in the lottery. At #8, you can reach a bit for need, and the later this pick falls the less of a reach it would be.

Damian Lillard – Ford, DX, and myself all like Lillard slightly better, but the differences are universally negligible. The RRR had Marshall a spot higher, probably due to the narrative of him being a team-first, makes-everyone-better type. Still, Lillard has a more obvious upside. While some draw Bayless comparisons, he appears to be a much better version – he scored at will in college and was maybe the best lane penetrator in the country. While he didn’t find teammates as much as you’d like, he showed impressive range and servicable defense while ranking second in the entire nation in PER. Because he went to Weber State, some will question his numbers and how he’ll fare against other top guards, so the team workouts will be paramount for his draft stock. Based on his floor has a Microwave Man and his (admittedly generous) ceiling as a Westbrook-type scoring threat, I’d be alright with Lillard coming to the Raptors as high as the #8 pick.

Kendall Marshall – Marshall might be a safer pick because he has the UNC pedigree, the team-first reputation, and the narrative of UNC’s offense falling apart without him in the NCAA tournament. With that said, he shows little in the way of scoring ability and his shot isn’t fantastic. His basketball IQ and court vision are both otherworldy, and it’s difficult to see this intelligent a player completely failing at the next level, so his floor is sufficiently high. Defensively, he’ll probably be better off guarding bigger point-men, which may lend itself to some cross-defending if paired with a smaller two-guard (not relevant for the Raptors, though it does mean he could play with Jose). I’d be okay with Marshall just as high as Lillard for the Raptors, but my preference remains Lillard due to the enormous upside.

Limbo Range – Late First Rounders
Without a second 1st round pick, the Raptors will probably miss out on the opportunity to draft this next group of guards.

Tony Wroten Jr. – His potential is among the highest in the entire draft, regardless of position, but he also has the highest potential for a quick flame-out. Wroten possesses the vision and quickness of an elite NBA guard but certainly not the IQ, and his draft position will come down almost entirely to his pre-draft interviews, I would think. For the Raptors, he’d be intriguing as a combo-guard who could play with Jose but also run the second unit. I don’t see him being in the plans due to his projected 15-22 range.

Marquis Teague – Teague was expected to be the top point guard in this draft class at the season’s onset, but he struggled for a chunk of the season and his value dropped. He still has the speed, vision, and finishing ability of an elite NBA prospect, but his lack of performance and jump shot make him a question mark. Given a couple of years to grow into the role, I could see him succeeding as a lead guard. I don’t see him being in the plans due to his projected 18-26 range.

Tyshawn Taylor – Taylore may slip until #37, but no mocks I saw had him fall that low. Still, picks outside of the lottery are never reliable, and a lot can happen for these 1st-round bubble players in workouts. I don’t really doubt that Taylor can score at the NBA level, but I do question how much of a point guard he can become given his poor decision making and propensity to look for his own shot first. He’s a plus defender, just for the record. I don’t see him being in the plans due to his projected 25-35 range.

Second Round, Pick #37
I should reiterate that it’s difficult to project where players will go beyond the lottery, so I could have grouped all of the second round prospects together. With that said, I split them based on their projected range since one prospect in particular sticks out as a target at #37.

Tomas Satoransky – DX lists him as a combo-guard, ESPN as a small forward. I’m not touching him with the idea of him being a one.

Scott Machado – Machado would be a really nice target with this pick, and I like him better than most players projected to go in this range. a Four-year player from Iona, Machado flew under the radar this year despite leading the nation in assists at 9.9 per game. He could actually sneak into the first round, and by attending the New Jersey workouts (only one other potential first round is attending), he’s clearly doing what he can to up his stock. If his size hurts him in workouts and camps, he could be a steal at #37 for the Raptors, as he’s a strong penetrator and drive-and-kick passer, making him an ideal fit in a pick-and-roll heavy offense. His rankings range from late-1st to mid-2nd, so your guess is as good as mine if we’ll have a shot to grab him here.

Second Round, Pick #56
The gap between the #56 pick and an undrafted free agent signing is almost nil. These picks are usually used on European “stash” players, simply because you retain their rights for multiple years, whereas a domestic #56 pick may not be good enough at present to crack a roster. None of these guards would get the fan base excited, but there worth noting in the event that Colangelo wants to replace Uzoh with a fifth-guard type late.

Tu Holloway – Holloway’s numbers actually regressed as a senior, and he has a borderline 2nd round projection right now. He’s a smart defender and has the quickness to be effective in isolation, but he lacks a shot and will struggle guarding larger guards.
J’Covan Brown – Brown is a super-me-first player, putting up over 20 points at Texas as a Junior but doing little else to help the team. He has shown range and an obvious ability to score, but his upside might be a Microwave Man off the bench. The best thing abot Brown being in the draft is the numbers of touches it opens up for Myck Kabongo this year.
Casper Ware – Ware is a diminutive guard (5’10″, 170) who can score prolifically thanks to his quicks and handle. He’ll obviously struggle to defend any even average-sized player, but his quick hands do produce steals. He’s another Microwave Man candidate, a typical “two in a one’s body,” but hey, the team has to replace Barbosa, right?
Josep Franch – The lanky Spaniard gets postitives for shooting, smarts, and savvy on scouting reports, but I have not seen him play a minute, so I’m really in no place to judge.
Jordan Taylor – Taylor lost some of his offensive game this year, shooting worse and scoring less, but his defense and basketball IQ still make him an intriguing end-of-the-rotation player. He could play minutes simply by way of being a mistake-free, takes-nothing-off-the-table type.

It certainly does feel like a week point guard class having run through the top-10 or 11 candidates, and that’s probably why a large portion of the fan base is clamoring for the Dragic’s, Lin’s, Augustin’s, or Bayless’. They’re not wrong, it’s just that those are generally known commodities that will command fair market prices (if not more), and there’s serious value in locking in a guard for the next few years on a rookie scale deal. There’s also value in “drafting your own,” but more in the “it’s impossible to overpay these guys” sense than any intangible feeling of attachment. Basically, the cost of one of these players is simply the pick their drafted with, not years, dollars, cap space, and expectations. I certainly wouldn’t reach for a point guard if we land a lottery pick, but I’m a little bit in love with Lillard and Machado in their respective ranges, especially if Colangelo can craft something for a late first round pick.

And…well, that’s all. It’s some content.

Mavericks Keep Title Hopes Alive with Rick Carlisle Signing: Fan’s Take (Yahoo! Contributor Network)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

On Tuesday, May 15, 2012, the Dallas Mavericks took the first step in maintaining their championship-caliber team by re-signing their head coach Rick Carlisle to a four-year extension. Since joining the team in 2008, the Mavericks have gone 198-114 in the regular season. Despite fielding a winning team every year, and even capturing the franchise's first championship last season, Carlisle is often overlooked when discussing the top coaches in the NBA.

Poll - Raptors vs Magic - Which Team Currently Would You Rather Be?

Source: Raptors HQ by Adam Francis

So far in our "Who'd You Rather Be" series, the vote has been in favour of the opposition.

Both the Dallas Mavericks and Utah Jazz were voted, both by readers, writers and opposing team bloggers, as being in preferable overall positions to the Toronto Raptors as of now. The reasons varied, from current talent to management and ownership and it's obvious that the Raps are going to be in tough in future "match-ups" for many of these same reasons.

However this one I expect to be quite close.

The

Raptors vs Magic - Orlando Pinstriped Post Weighs In on "Who They'd Rather Be"

Source: Raptors HQ by Adam Francis

We gave you our thoughts on which team we'd rather be earlier today, the Magic or Raps, but what did the opposing team's blogger think?

Check after the jump for Evan Dunlap of Orlando Pinstriped Post's take on the situation...

This question took a lot more thought than I initially figured it would, which isn't a terribly great statement about where the Magic stand at the moment. But ultimately, I decided Orlando's in just slightly better shape than Toronto is.

What it comes down to is assets: the Magic's days of contending appear to be over, and

Can Ball Ray Talks Steve Nash As the New GM of the Senior Men

Source: Raptors HQ by rbala

It was announced last week that Steve Nash was announced as the new general manager of the Canadian Senior Men's National Team and it's about time that Can Ball Ray put a video up of the whole thing.

He has written about three big areas where Mr. Nash could be seen to immediately the Senior Men's program, and Canada Basketball as a whole, and you can find those posts here in Part 1, Part 2 and

Stop the Linsanity! Why Jeremy Lin Is Not the Answer for the Toronto Raptors

Source: Bleacher Report

Toronto sports fans may be a long suffering group, but it seems that hope continues to spring eternal in the Big Smoke.

Having been subjected to a seemingly endless cycle of losing and rebuilding, and with little to show for it, the Toronto fan can probably be forgiven for the occasional pipe dream. 

Sometimes these fantasies of all-stars and future Hall of Famers arriving in Toronto to rescue its fans from continued futility are loosely based in logic. But more often than not they are an emotional response from a battered fan base who see superstar saviors on the horizon.

Jeremy Lin is the latest in a long line of messianic candidates. 

I, like many others, found myself caught up in that whirlwind that was ‘Lin-sanity.’  For that brief stretch, NBA fans were treated to not only a feel-good storyline, but add the fact it was happening in New York, and that Lin is a Ivy Leaguer of Asian descent, and you have the makings of a perfect marketing storm. 

As the season played out, Lin’s luster faded somewhat as he transitioned from cultural phenomenon to once again being simply a basketball player.  We began to see the warts in his game that were overlooked during his meteoric rise, teams began to game-plan and exploit his weaknesses, and eventually came the season ending injury.

During an offseason for the Raptors, where the team once again finds itself in retooling mode, and where Jeremy Lin happens to be a free-agent, Toronto fans can’t resist.  Their memories of that last second shot, the 27 points and 11 assists, the feverish excitement associated with Lin’s arrival, the dream marketing potential! 

Forgotten are the dwindling shooting percentage, the sky-high turnover numbers, the dubious defense, and the six-point four-assist game against their Raptors.

Given his limited experience, Lin still has to be considered something of an unknown quantity going forward.  From a marketing and hype standpoint, I understand the calls for Lin’s descent into Toronto. 

From a basketball standpoint though, I’m not sure it makes sense.  For example, as starters, Lin in a wide open D’Antoni system, and Jerryd Bayless in a clamp down Dwayne Casey system put up similar numbers—Lin generated a couple more assists but also several more turnovers.  Also compare shooting percentages as starters—Lin .445 .329 .796 vs. Bayless .450 .429 .837.

Lin was a bit of a double-edged sword on offense—breaking down defenders in isolation but struggling mightily against half-court defensive schemes (particularly against screens), forcing up desperation shots or turning the ball over under pressure. 

Anyone who has seen the look on Dwayne Casey’s face after a bad turnover would have to wonder how he could survive through Lin’s first eight turnover night or how quickly the steady hand of Jose Calderon would return to the floor.

Obviously Bayless is lower profile and was the occasional target of Raptor fans’ frustrations, but as a whole, played very well during a tough, transition year, putting up 17.8 ppg, 5.3 assists and 1.4 steals as a starter.  Bayless is more of a known quantity, has great familiarity with the team, and now Dwayne Casey’s system, and seems the natural heir apparent to Jose Calderon.

From a purely marketing standpoint, the acquisition of Jeremy Lin makes a lot of sense—in the short term, putting a few extra bums in seats and perhaps garnering a couple more nationally televised games in the US. 

However, on a Raptor team that has needs at multiple positions, it seems the future is already here for the Raptors at point guard. 

By not pursuing Lin and focusing on those more pressing needs (adding depth at shooting guard or a threat at the three), the Raptors will be a stronger team and make it clear that this is an organization not blinded by hype or swayed by whimsy, but focused on substance, and building a franchise the right way.   

Not signing Jeremy Lin might be the smartest marketing choice of all—a choice that sends a signal to future free-agents and is sure to put bums in seats for the long term—the choice to win.  

Read more Toronto Raptors news on BleacherReport.com

Who'd You Rather Be? Raptors vs Magic

Source: Raptors HQ by Adam Francis

In their continuing look at how the Raps stack up against this year's playoff clubs, the HQ turns its attention to the Orlando Magic...

When we launched our "Who'd You Rather Be" series last week, I couldn't help but have the Metric song, "Gimme Sympathy," stuck in my head.

One of the singles off their last album, the chorus features Metric lead singer Emily Haines asking the age-old question, "who'd you rather be, the Beatles or the Rolling Stones?"

While it's been a line that always resonated with me for various reasons, it was hardly applicable to the first few editions of our series as in my books, both the

We Have the Senior Women, Some More Commits, Steve Nash, Andrew Wiggins and More in Canadian Content

Source: Raptors HQ by rbala

Today we have a few more looks at the Senior Women's National Team, three more NC-Double-Eh commits that you should already know about, the invites for the Junior Men's and Cadet Men's tryouts are out, some Steve Nash stuff, some foreign kids signing up for the CIS for next season and more in today's edition of Canadian Content ...

First we start off with some National Program program news ...

Canada's Kim Smith in pursuit of elusive Olympics goal

Women Cdn basketball on quest for Olympic

Oak, KG, Hemingway and Hobbs? We've got it all here today

Source: TheStar.com by Toronto Star

Interesting comment from a reader yesterday about KG and whether or not he’s Oak.

No way.

Not in a billion years.

(And, please, I don’t know where the cockamamie idea that he’d be a Raptor came from but it has to go away in a hurry)

Anyway, I think that’s a poor comparison for a couple of reasons and it lies mainly in the way they handle themselves.

KG, to me, is a “hey, look at me, I’m going to yell and scream and be faux tough and try to intimidate you” faux tough guy; Oak would hit you out of nowhere and go about his business in a businesslike manner.

For a long time, I was okay with Garnett and his over-the-top enthusiasm because played hard every night and whatever worked to get him to that level was fine with me.

But now? Now I’m tired of it, he’s got a lot of schoolyard bully in him, he woofs and walks away and if you get in his face and give as good as you get, I won’t say he cowers but he goes away.

It happened, actually, with Jose Calderon. Think it was a game in Boston when KG took a cheap shot or said something or was acting up and Jose simply went back at him. Now? Now they’re fine, Garnett gives Jose his space and respect and lets him be.

Oak, on the other hand, was never as outwardly loud or emotional or acted up at all. He played hard and he played tough (bordering on illegal at times but never too too far over the line) but he didn’t care who saw him. He didn’t need to make sure everyone on the court or in the stands noticed him.

He was subtle in a brute kind of way; and I’m all about subtle.

So, no, I don’t think there’s a comparison in that respect. I’d much rather have Oak, he just strikes me as a more legitimate tough guy.

Now, for their leadership? I’d say that’s probably a tie; Garnett can get to teammates and show them what needs to be done, just as Oak did with a relatively young team here. But, again, I like the guy who does it in a somewhat quiet manner.

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We do a lot of good stuff at our paper on a variety of things.

But if you haven’t been up on our Hemingway stuff, you’re really missing out.

As Irregulars know, he’d be on the Mount Rushmore of my favourites (we need a Canadian equivalent of Mount Rushmore so it would hit closer to home) and the fact he plied his trade on the same pages as I do is very, very cool.

And the series – which you can get to here and which you should probably bookmark – is outstanding.

Take a read and let me know what you think.

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While we’re on the favour-asking parade, let’s get the mail started; it’s Birth Weekend and a long weekend so there’s every chance I’ll be shutting things down for at least part of a day so we need to get started early.

Go here. Say hi. And thanks.

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Okay, George Brett’s pine tar bat thing remains the gold standard player ejections (I’ve got a handful of Billy Martin, Earl Weaver and maybe a Lou Piniella among managers) but Brett Lawrie’s little eruption last night is right up there.

Your browser does not support iframes.

Except for the fact he’s going to be suspended because the helmet he threw hit the ump (and that hurts the team so it takes away from the eruption), that might have been the most demonstrative TOD ejection I can recall.

But, and I firmly believe this and it’s an issue that’s been around baseball forever and it sucks, that home plate umpire made a bad call intentionally on the 3-2 pitch because he was ticked off at Lawrie for taking off to first on the awful 3-1 call.

Too many baseball umpires have this overblown sense of importance, have had for years, and the pettiness they often show, and the provoking they often do, is truly a scourge on the game.

Those were two awful calls but the second one was a bit premeditated and I hope the league takes that into account when they decide how long to sit Hobbs down for.

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I’m pretty sure we’re going to be saying and writing this a few more times between now and the end of June but, man, are the Spurs ever good.

That was a total dismantling of an overwhelmed opponent last night when they drilled the Clippers and I would venture to say San Antonio might have a lot more rest between a sweep of this series and the start of the conference finals.

San Antonio, in case you missed it, has won 15 in a row, 28 of 30 and are 43-7 since the end of January. That’s unreal.

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Have you been at all following this Roger Clemens trial? Tawdry, boring, who cares, right?

Cathal wrote about if you need to get up to speed.

Best part of it?

The judge has dismissed two jurors who fell asleep listening to the testimony. That’s classic.

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Kind of hoping I can last long enough to watch the entire Lakers-Thunder game tonight (yeah, I know; I’m old) because I’m wondering if the other night was an aberration.

Doubt it, though.

The Thunder simply ran away from the Lakers and maybe you can chalk that up a bit to L.A. being worn out from a long, hard first round series but I don’t think that’s too big a factor.

And think about it this way. The Thunder won going away and I don’t think anyone can say any one player had an otherworldly game. Sure, Durant, Westbrook and Harden played well but it’s not as if one of them went off for 40 points or something silly like that. They were just better all over the floor and I have a sneaking suspicion they will be again tonight.

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Uh, oh…This Guy Again

Source: Raptors Republic by Arsenalist

Whatever good work Tony Parker had done for the French, Alexis Ajinça ruined it. Now it’s another Frenchman who is on the radar, and it’s Nicolas Batum, the Blazers RFA who is rumoured to be the last guy Portland will lock up (considering how he’s got a $6.5 cap-hold and will likely make more than that in his next deal). You might recall Batum as being drafted #25 by the Blazers in 2008, the year the Raptors and their renowned international scouting staff decided to flip the #17 pick for something that resembled Jermaine O’Neal’s carcass.

You don’t need me to write the rest of this but I will do so in short bursts. Raptors. Small Forward. Sucks. Batum. Small Forward. Batum. RFA. Money. Colangelo. Batum. Throw. At.

There you go, that’s how easy it is to write a post these days. If you really want some analysis, maybe you should check out Tim Chisholm’s small forward list, it’s hardly realistic and mostly fantasy but a guy’s got a churn out a piece, now doesn’t he?. Actually, it sort of reminds me of myself when I watch the The Bachelor: Yeah, I’d do her..and her…prolly her too…yup…meh..why not…

Where do the Raptors, who are at $41M (cap is $58M) get that extra money to throw at Batum? Well, Jerryd Bayless of course. There’s no need to even think about picking up his $4.1M qualifying offer, when you can get Ben Uzoh to do basically the same shit for free. If Jim Kelly ever proves to be worth even 1% of the airtime he gets on raptors.com starting in about two weeks, we might even find a point guard in the draft who can play defense and doesn’t just pretend to do so. This man says to buy a pick for $3M and get Damian Lillard, and don’t talk to me about his height!

TOTALLY RANDOM STAT OF THE DAY – ANDREA BARGNANI FOULS THE LEAST ON THE RAPTORS AND JAMAAL MAGLOIRE THE MOST

Speculate on why that might be (oh, this should be fun).

As we’re always looking out for our readers, I’ve found an awesome deal on a jersey. So awesome that the guy isn’t even listing a price, just asking you to pay what you can. There’s only one small catch.

You might also want to know that Jonas V won an award(s) of some sort in Europe. Actually, this is like an Employee of the Month type award more than anything. Still, though. We might want to hang that in the rafters at the ACC.

Basketball Gods Draft Choice for Raptors - Jared Sullinger

Source: Raptors HQ by Adam Francis

SB Nation has been rolling out some pretty entertaining mock drafts over the past few weeks.

They looked at the NBA draft lottery through the eyes of an optimistic "upside" GM, and also through the inverse, the cranky pessimistic one.

Now, SB Nation's Tom Ziller takes a new approach - how the NBA draft lottery would look if controlled by the Basketball Gods.

While I'm not sure I'd agree with his top choice, Brooklyn (wouldn't the Basketball Gods smile on a team like Charlotte or New Orleans after all they've been through?) his take on the Raptors' result admittedly made me smirk:

Look What Canadian Basketball Stuff I Found On Ebay

Source: Raptors HQ by rbala

Avid basketball jersey collector Can Ball Ray has located another set of great items on Ebay that would make anyone's jersey game turn heads of basketball fans, sports memorabilia collectors and uber hipsters alike. Happening upon these great finds has made him not only curse the online gods for showing them to him but for making them available when pay day is two weeks away. Check out what item he found in Big Ebay Country ...

Item #1 - A Vancouver Grizzlies Bryant "Big Country" Reeves Champion Game Jersey

Now this is a find right

NBA Rumors: Raptors Must Bring Jeremy Lin to Toronto

Source: Bleacher Report

The Toronto Raptors are one of the NBA's least popular teams because of their location and marginal success. According to the New York Daily News, Toronto will pursue restricted free agent Jeremy Lin this offseason in an attempt to curtail their recent woes.

Lin would not necessarily boost their win total by himself, but his popularity would pay huge dividends to the Raptor franchise.

New York Daily News writer Mitch Lawrence believes the Raptors will have to back-load a contract in order to lure Lin from the Knicks' grasp. Paying Lin a lot of money at the end of his contract will be a tough offer for the Knicks to match.

Raptors' management should already be familiar with Lin's immediate impact on their television ratings. The Raptors played the Knicks on February 14 this season on TSN.

TSN had this to say after the contest.

Basketball fans cozied up to Canada’s Sports Leader on Val-LIN-tine’s Day as preliminary data from BBM Canada confirms an average audience of 342,000 viewers watched New York Knicks sensation Jeremy Lin sink a thrilling three-pointer with 0.5 seconds left on the clock to defeat the Toronto Raptors 90-87.

Last night’s Toronto Raptors game marked the team’s most-watched game on TSN since April 2010. It also delivered the highest average audience for any Raptors game since the 2009-10 NBA season.

As Lin’s “LIN-derella” story continued, audience levels peaked at 571,000 viewers at 9:36 p.m. ET when the Knicks’ point guard secured New York’s come-from-behind win with a three-point shot.

Overall, 1.8 million unique viewers watched some or all of last night’s hoops match-up on TSN.

Tonight, the Raptors return to the hardcourt at home when they take on the San Antonio Spurs live at 7 p.m. ET on TSN2. TSN’s NBA package also includes exclusive coverage of NBA All-Star Weekend in Orlando, FL from Feb. 24-26.

That sort of popularity does not grow on trees in Toronto. Grabbing the interest of the fans and improving the talent level on the team should be Toronto's primary goal at this point.

Lin can do both of those things.

 

Jose Calderon's Contract

Jose Calderon averaged over 10 points per game this season and nearly nine assists. He is a solid catalyst, but he is owed $10.5 million next season.

Lin would be a cheaper option, but you would be sacrificing Calderon's talent and familiarity with the Raptor players.

Calderon has asked for trades in the past, and wishes to join a contender. Regardless of Toronto's performance in free agency and the 2012 NBA draft, they will not contend next season.

The Raptors would be smart to cut ties with Calderon's cap hit and move in a new direction. Lin's popularity is maximized by New York's bright lights, but Toronto fans would welcome the hype with open arms.

Lin's production moving forward is tough to predict, but the accompanied ratings are not.

 

Will Fit Toronto's Current Group of Players

Lin is used to playing New York's wide open, transition game. Toronto has the players to run that same system.

The Raptors have open-court threats in DeMar DeRozan and James Johnson. Ed Davis and Andrea Bargnani can also run the floor from their forward spots.

Lin struggled with turnovers in 2012, but he is still a solid option to run the break. He knows how to find open teammates on the break, or through the half-court pick and roll.

The Raptors need an affordable facilitator for their offense. They will have a lottery pick to add another piece in the 2012 NBA draft, but an offense starts with the point guard.

Lin is not a superstar, but he makes perfect sense for a team starved for excitement.

Read more Toronto Raptors news on BleacherReport.com

NBA Rumors: Toronto Raptors Must Pursue Jeremy Lin to Boost Star Power

Source: Bleacher Report

The Toronto Raptors would be wise to make a strong push for Jeremy Lin this summer and attempt to steal the restricted free agent from the Atlantic Division rival New York Knicks.

According to Mitch Lawrence of the New York Daily News, the Raptors are actually more interested in attempting to acquire Canada’s favorite son, Steve Nash.

Unfortunately for the Raptors, they do not have the pieces to actually contend for an NBA championship in the limited amount of time that Nash has left in his career.

The man has accomplished everything with the exception of raising a banner and will be hard-pressed to sign with a rebuilding club.

That is why they must have a back-up plan to put butts in the seats and get fans interested in the only Canadian team in the league.

Here is what Lawrence has to say about Lin possibly being the Raptors’ Plan B after Nash:

They like him and what he'd do for their attendance, but Toronto would have to "back-load" an offer to the restricted free agent, paying him gazillions in the final couple of years of a deal, and hope that the Knicks would not match. According to league sources, that's what the Raptors just might do if their Nash plan falls through.

As a huge international city with a major Asian population, Toronto would be a great second stop on the Linsanity tour. It just might not be in the cards.

It will be tough for the Raptors to procure Lin, even if Nash or another major free agent decides to take his talents to the Big Apple.

Jared Zwerling of ESPN New York found that the Knicks could possibly sign Lin and another marquee FA, provided that Lin would be willing to take a pay cut from the maximum $5 million he could make as an RFA down to $3 million.

If he were to do that, the Knicks front office would have a lot more cap flexibility to add another marquee free agent, and there is no way they would let one of their biggest marketing opportunities walk for anything beyond an insane back-loaded deal.

Toronto has got to decide if they want to take that risk, as it just might be worth it to add a star they have lacked since Chris Bosh moved to South Beach. 

Read more Toronto Raptors news on BleacherReport.com

Dyshawn Pierre is the Latest D1 Commit to Our Updated List

Source: Raptors HQ by rbala

Whitby, ON's Dyshawn Pierre is officially heading to a Division 1 school. As of yesterday, Pierre has signed his letter of intent to play basketball for the University of Dayton beginning next season.

Pierre is a dynamic all around talent who will be able to help the Flyers on both ends of the floor. He's a great rebounder and can score in a variety of ways. He was a member of both the U17 and the

Poll - Success or Failure? How Would You Rate the Raptors' 2011-12 Season?

Source: Raptors HQ by Adam Francis

Yesterday I argued that the 2011-12 season for the Toronto Raptor was a failure.

Sure, Dwane Casey had made huge strides in terms of getting the club to play defense, and changing the team's overall culture, but to me, from a big picture perspective, a failure to secure a top 3 lottery spot combined with very little in the way of individual improvement from key players, meant this was an F when all was said and done.

The post touched off a solid discussion on the topic, both on the site and on Twitter, and some great points were made regarding not only the idea of the season being a success or failure, but also in terms of the whole notion of tanking

Will Raptors Fans Ever Give VC the Ovation He Deserves?

Source: Raptors Republic by Forum Crew

Is it about time we get over feeling like a jilted lover and just give Vince the credit that he deserves. Get over the way he left us and thank him for helping put this franchise on the map? Come vote and share your two cents.

Should the Raptors “Linvest” at All Costs?

Source: Raptors Republic by Forum Crew

Speak up Raptornation! Do you want to see overnight superstar Jeremy Lin as a Toronto Raptor? If so, at what cost?

It's travel time for the Raptors talent evaluators

Source: TheStar.com by Toronto Star

Lewis and Clark time for Bryan and The Henchman.

While we’ve been waiting – impatiently, in many cases – for the May 30 lottery to find out how easy it’s going to be for them to trade the pick for a three who can help now, the lads have been out scouring the continent watching kids work out and doing some of their pre-draft due diligence.

Florida. L.A. Vegas. Chicago. Jersey. Minnesota. And who knows where else.

It’s mostly unofficial individual workouts set up by agents, a guy or two in a gym working on their own skills, because all the top picks are waiting for the lottery results before they decide which teams they’ll grace with their presence in private workouts leading up to the draft.

But it is part of the process and it drones on.

As I recall, it was in one of these road visits that the Raptors brass fell in love with DeMar DeRozan, seems to me that he wowed them out in L.A. and they had pretty much made up their minds on his selection long before the draft actually rolled around.

I’m not saying that’ll happen again – and the folks who I talked to yesterday didn’t even provide specific names – but the more information you can glean, the better off you should be when it comes time to make the pick, if indeed they make it.

Now, these workouts are indeed informal and since the teams have little or no control over what happens, it’s not like they are seeing all the warts on the potential picks.

If a kid can’t go left, he’s not going to go left an awful lot in a workout run by his agents for specific teams. If the kid can’t make a 22-footer to save his soul, he’s not going to be standing out beyond the arc firing up jumpers with abandon.

Those kinds of workout specifics happen when teams gets guys in their own gyms in the period between the lottery and the draft. That’s when all the stuff GMs and Henchmen and scouts have seen over the course of the college season can be explored and, perhaps, unearthed.

For now, it’s getting more information and keeping busy until it really gets time to be busy.

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You know me and fashion, right?

Hardly a good mix most of the time. But, I tell ya, I may not know anything but I do know that whoever decided it’s cool for guys to wear black-rimmed glasses without, you know, glass in them really might want to find another line of work.

Silly?

Oh yeah.

Silly to the Nth degree, methinks.

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I would say we in the PBWA got our awards right this year, wouldn’t you agree?

Steve Nash as the Magic Johnson winner for combining on-court excellence with gold standard co-operation with media, Doc Rivers as the Rudy Tomjanovich winner for doing the same thing among coaches and, believe me, the Milwaukee Bucks media relations staff does an historically great job the led to it being awarded the Brian McIntyre award.

Well earned awards all around.

Nash and Rivers are indeed outstanding in dealing with us, they provide great insight and good quotes; they take the time to answer repeated questions with patience and good humour and if you need them, they’re there.

Sounds simple, right? Well, you’d think so but there are far too many players who simply don’t get it, or won’t do and it’s ridiculous to some degree. It’s not a hard part of the job, I do think it’s part of the responsibility that goes with being an athlete and if they put half the effort into answering questions with insight and respect as they do either hiding from us or telling others to tell us they “aren’t talking” it’d be to the benefit of all.

But that’s just me.

And Nash’s post-award quote to the one and only Paul Coro of the Arizona Republic kind of sums up what he’s all about:

“It’s a privilege and honour to be recognized by the pro basketball writers, whose passion and skillfulness present the frontline of how our game is understood and perceived by our fans. Their role in our sport can’t be underestimated and it’s an honour to be recognized by them along with the past recipients.”

The past five?

Kevin Durant, Chris Bosh, Brandon Roy, Grant Hill and Luol Deng.

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Do me a favour?

On behalf of all the Buggy Boys at all the gin joints supermarkets in all the world after you dump your stuff in the car, take the buggy back to its little pen there in the middle of the parking lot if you won’t take it back into the store. That way, when Super Son gets fetched from a hard day (well, four hours) of work, the first words out of his mouth might not be:

“People are annoying.”

Some, yes; not all, but some.

Thanks.

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All I know is that when Kevin Garnett was called for setting an illegal screen on an out-of-bounds play that cost Boston a chance to tie or ultimately win its game with Philadelphia last night there were 29 NBA coaches scattered around the league who said, in unison, “it’s about freaking time.”

I’m not saying the Cs are the lone offenders in sticking out hips or elbows when they set screens but they have perfected it and I’m kind of glad it bit them in the bum.

Sure, it was a ballsy call but it was the right one, one of the few times officials don’t ref the situation but ref the call.

Flopping is one of the biggest scourges on the game right now, on that we can all agree, but illegal screens – more like football blocks, actually – might be a close second and maybe having a call all but decide a playoff game will give officials the confidence to call them more often and let players know they can’t get away with it.

Yeah, right. A guy can hope, I guess.

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I officially decree Birth Week to be upon us.

Figure it should end the day of the actual event so let the hilarity and hijinks commence.

Suggestions?

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Goran Dragic to the Raptors: Why It Could Happen

Source: Bleacher Report

The Toronto Raptors reportedly have interest in adding a guard to their roster for next season through free agency. Specifically the Raptors have keen interest in veteran Steve Nash of the Phoenix Suns and youngster Jeremy Lin of the New York Knicks.

However, the Raptors may not be the first option for both guards.

Nash is 38-years-old and could seek to join a contender in hopes of winning a possible NBA championship, while Lin is a restricted free agent and after proving to the basketball world that he can be a future NBA point guard, has a great backing in New York.

Jose Calderon will be entering the final year of his contract and could be a possible trade candidate. As an expiring contract there should be some interest as he will come of the salary cap for a team at the end of the 2012-13 NBA season.

Could there be another free agent point guard that the Raptors should consider signing?

One name to consider is Slovenian point guard Goran Dragic of the Houston Rockets who is an unrestricted free agent and showed that he is worthy of a long-term contract after his performance late in the season.

He is a decent three-point shooter and can use his speed to get by opponents and is improving on the defensive end at the age of 26, meaning that there is a lot of room for improvement.

The Houston Rockets would like to re-sign him but there could be many others and being an unrestricted free agent, the Rockets would not be able to match any offer Dragic receives.

That could put a team like the Raptors at an advantage on the open market.

Read more Toronto Raptors news on BleacherReport.com

Toronto Raptors: Would Fans Accept a Vince Carter Return?

Source: Bleacher Report

Vince Carter and the Toronto Raptors date all the way back to the late 1990s and the early 2000s. Those few years were easily some of the best in the history in the franchise.

After going down the standings slowly, Carter decided that Toronto was not the place for him and demanded a trade. Carter at the time was a superstar, and would continue to be one for a few years later, but what Toronto got in that trade for Carter was just atrocious.

He was traded to the New Jersey Nets for Alonzo Mourning—who never played in a Raptors uniform and later signed with the Miami Heat—Eric Williams, Aaron Williams and two first-round draft picks (one of which was used to draft Joey Graham and the other traded to New York for Antonio Davis). Talk about lopsided.

Ever since that day, the Raptors never had a true leader until Chris Bosh stepped up as he matured, but that is a completely different story.

I have said many times before, had it not been for Carter, the Toronto Raptors would have had the same fate as the Vancouver Grizzlies: relocation. Carter's electrifying dunks and his moves on the court made the Raptors the team to watch.

Carter even admitted to not trying 100 percent in his last years as a Raptor, mainly because he was not getting significant playing time and not the best shots, as can be seen from his career low 17 PPG as a Raptor.

Despite admitting to those claims, Carter has said before that he loved and still loves Toronto, and he does not care that the fans hate or love him, because he will still be a huge fan of the city and the team, which should give him respect points.

Many teams have made mistakes in the past (i.e. the Knicks selling Julius Erving), and although they can make a person rage inside, they have to be forgotten, although not always forgiven. 

The Carter trade is without a doubt one of the most lopsided trades and worst moves in history. Carter definitely did some questionable things as a Raptor, but should a fan seriously be complaining about something that happened almost seven or eight years ago?

The Raptors should go for Carter. He may not be the same Carter fans knew and cherished, but he could provide valuable scoring off the bench, even though he has become a streaky scorer.

I say welcome Carter back to Toronto if he wants to sign with the team.

The most important thing though, is to not remember the bad things he has done, but all the amazing and great things he did for the city of Toronto and basketball in a city where hockey and the Toronto Maple Leafs rule. 

Read more Toronto Raptors news on BleacherReport.com

Could Lin Be Plan B for Raptors if Nash Pitch Falls Through?

Source: Raptors HQ by Adam Francis

Jeremy Lin was one of the biggest stories of the NBA season.

Maybe the biggest story.

Maybe the biggest story in sports!

Maybe the biggest...anyways, you get the idea.

Linsanity was everywhere this past February and while it died off towards the end of the season, especially after he suffered a season-ending injury, that didn't stop speculation as to what team Lin would play for next season.

The Knicks are obviously an option, and at the end of the season it sounded pretty clear that Knicks' coach

NBA Free Agency 2012: 5 Teams Steve Nash Could Sign with

Source: Bleacher Report

With the 2012 NBA free-agency period coming up, Steve Nash must decide what team he wants to play for next season. The long-time point guard is without a ring at 38, and he would prefer to go to a team where he could win a title within the next couple years before he retires.

Here are five teams Steve Nash might be interested in.  

Begin Slideshow

This Is Getting Linsane

Source: theScore by Joseph Casciaro

Even the most optimistic of Raptors fans probably thought that between the season finale on April 26 and the Draft Lottery on May 30, there wouldn’t be much in the form of interesting or intriguing Raptors news. But as Manchester United supporters are painfully aware today, assuming makes a big pretty big ass out of everybody.

This time last week, I thought we’d have to pass the time with things like Jonas Valanciunas’ birthday.

How quickly things change. Since then, we’ve discussed DeMar DeRozan’s place on the U.S. Select Team, the possibility of Steve Nash playing for the Raptors next season and we’ve given you our interview with Mr. Ultimate Raptor himself, Vince Carter.

Those are so last week though. Now? Just a small matter named Jeremy Lin.

In a Saturday column by Mitch Lawrence of the New York Daily News (that somehow flew under the radar until guys like CBS, Business Insider and USA Today ran with it on Monday), the Raptors were mentioned as potential suitors for Lin’s services. Here’s some of what Lawrence had to say:

After writing that “Toronto will be in direct competition with the Knicks for Steve Nash,” Lawrence writes about how the Raptors “like” Jeremy Lin and that they’d obviously like “what he’d do for their attendance” (though as most of us in Toronto know, attendance and fan support isn’t really an area of concern right now). Lawrence goes on to write that in an attempt to keep the Knicks from matching an offer for Lin, back-loading a contract would be a good option for the Raptors.

The most interesting line, though, is Lawrence following up with this, on the possibility of Toronto submitting a big, back-loaded contract offer for Lin:

“According to league sources, that’s what the Raptors just might do if their Nash plan falls through.”

The Raptors being interested in guys like Nash and Lin shouldn’t really be considered news, and if the source of the chatter was simply bloggers in Toronto or elsewhere coming up with “hey, this makes sense” kind of posts, then we’d simply acknowledge the post, perhaps discuss it, and then move on.

But what makes the last week so interesting for Raptors fans is that credible NBA writers and reporters like Sam Smith and now Mitch Lawrence aren’t just saying that it’s a miniscule possibility that technically “could” happen, but rather that it’s something league sources and other people in the know believe might actually happen. There is a difference between the two, and right now, that’s the difference between this being just another summer of dreaming for basketball fans in Toronto, and being an off-season in which we’re all rightfully anxious to begin.

If any of these reports end up coming to fruition, then I think we’ll all understand what exactly Bryan Colangelo meant when he foresaw an “exciting and active” off-season.

A Quick Look at Pangos, Sacre and Olynyk With The Slipper Still Fits

Source: Raptors HQ by rbala

After winding down the college season some, I was able to track down our man Zach Bell, one of the managing writers from one of our SB Nation colleague The Slipper Still Fits, to get an idea on how our Canadian boys did this past season for the Zags. Despite being occupied with a busy Gonzaga recruiting season, and his life outside of the blog, Zach gave us a quick rundown on how he felt Kevin Pangos and Robert Sacre did this season but also a quick projection on how Pangos and

Golf needs something and OKC has something to prove

Source: TheStar.com by Toronto Star

Another in our series of relatively unrelated notes because, well, partly because there was too much going on over the weekend and partly because not one thing truly stood out.

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Is this just a changing of the times or what?

I used to consider myself a pretty big golf fan; I knew most of the key players, knew who was going well and who was scuffling and looked at least once a day Thursday through Sunday to see who was winning whatever tournament was on.

And majors? I’d be in pools and conversations about them and would be sure to be near a TV when it came back-nine-on-Sunday time.

Now?

Now they have The Players – great tournament, tries to hard to be The Fifth Major – and the only reason I know who won is that I clicked up one station at the end of the Heat-Pacers and watched – and it was more like white noise, actually – the final three holes.

Why?

I can’t figure it out and judging by conversations I have, I’m not alone.

It is the absence of Tiger, who evokes passion on both sides of the ledger?

Is it because these guys are simply too good and it’s boring to see fairway-green-birdie chance?

Is it because these guys are, for, the most part, horribly bland? Everyone’s a good guy, lots of smiling urchins and adoring wives waiting for the winner at the 18th green. Everyone had “a good day” even if it included three bogeys and a fifth place finish; there are “lots of positives” they can take away from whatever they’ve done.

Sports – and, yes, I see golf as a sport – is at its heart conflict-based. It’s my team against your team, me against you, there should be a clearcut winner and a loser.

You don’t get that in golf, unlike any other sport. Everyone seems relatively happy, there are no black hats, there are seldom any built-in human dramas that make the games we watch so often so compelling.

Or maybe it’s just me. Maybe you still love the game played at the highest levels by the best practitioners of their craft in the world.

Me? I want to either cheer for Tiger or cheer against him, I want man-to-man competition, I want some drama that unfolds in front of my eyes, not some competition that unfolds kilometers apart, with one guy not knowing what the other guy is doing.

Sure, I’ll back – I love The Open championship for the conditions they have to fight; I love the U.S. Open because it reduces many great players to mortals and that’s enough of a narrative to draw me in.

Week-to-week? I don’t get it any more.

-

As more than a few people pointed out in various locations, Heaven’s band got a little bit stronger on the weekend and, man, do I wish I were in Memphis to hear some music on the weekend.

Would have been all kinds of tributes to Duck Dunn; great with The Blue Brothers, great on almost everything he did.

Like this ..

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I know there are those among you dying for some Raptors news.

Sorry.

But …

Giorgos Printezis hit the game-winning shot at the buzzer as Olympiacos beat CSKA to win the EuroLeague Final Four on Sunday in Istanbul.

Oh, wait. Printezis is no longer Raptors property so I guess that doesn’t count.

Never mind. Carry on.

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So the L.A. Clippers move on to the second round of the playoffs, just the second time they’ve ever done that, with the Game 7 win in Memphis on Sunday.

One thing struck me as the game was unfolding; well, two actually.

The first: Can’t anyone here make a shot????? Really, that was some simply atrocious offence from start to finish. Now, I know collars get a bit tight and defence gets a bit more aggressive in deciding games of playoff series but, man, watching that game unfold was almost retina-burning and having watched the HOTH for 17 years, I’m one of the world’s leading authorities in retina-burning offensive basketball. I’m all for seventh games, there’s nothing like it in sport, but they need to be played at some higher level than that mess Sunday afternoon.

The second: I picked the Spurs in five, they’ll probably win in four and should win in three.

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Okay, advice time.

There’s a whisper around Casa Doug about the need for new deck furniture. Deck’s about 1,000 square feet, has a 40-year-old maple rising up through it, a couple of nice benches for relaxing and, thanks to some Irregulars, a big ass Napolean barbecue that wintered well and did a great job on the burgers, chicken and sausage yesterday afternoon.

Now, what do you have for me in the way of furniture sets?

Thanks.

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In all the years I’ve been going to games in Oklahoma City – and it goes back to when New Orleans moved up there post-Katrina – the crowd has been almost as much the story as the team.

Great people, unfailingly polite, entirely supportive, quite collegiate and far more interested in cheering their team on than worrying about what the other team does. I’m not sure I’ve ever heard a boo.

That said, it will be interesting to see how they react tonight to Metta World Peace, who faces the Thunder for the first time since his thuggish attack on James Harden.

World Peace, because he’ll never quite get it, shows no contrition and, in fact, exacerbated the situation on the weekend by telling anyone who’d listen that he’s not sorry, he won’t shake Harden’s hand and then going off on some diatribe about Brooklyn or somesuch and his music. Yawn.

Anyway, I have a feeling there will be – and should be – a large measure of animosity among the faithful towards him. Not that it’ll matter, World Peace seems quite happy to play the villain, but the reaction of a normally happy-go-lucky audience will be something to see.

So, too, will the reaction of the Thunder players. I’ve often wondered about how tough that team was up and down the roster, we know Kendrick Perkins can be a hard-ass and I’m all right with that, I want to see Durant and Harden and Westbrook and the rest of them have that physical edge and determination that comes with a pure dislike of the players they are going against.

I do think the Thunder will win the series – they are simply more talented and they match up well with the Lakers – but tonight might be about sending a message.

It’ll be fun to see what it is.

-

 

 

Was the 2011-12 Raptors Season A Failure?

Source: Raptors HQ by Adam Francis

23 wins in 66 games was an improvement over the Raptors' 2010-11 campaign. But as Franchise notes, that doesn't necessarily make this past season a success.

Let's go back a year.

The Toronto Raptors had just come off an atrocious 22 win season, one of the worst in franchise history. Their key building blocks, Andrea Bargnani and DeMar DeRozan had again, showed little progress in terms of being franchise centerpieces. The lone bright spots came via the gritty intensity and athleticism of youngsters Amir Johnson and

We Have Nash, Bennett, Thompson, the Senior Women, Kabongo's Mixtape and More in Canadian Content

Source: Raptors HQ by rbala

Today we have some Steve Nash, Anthony Bennett chooses UNLV, Tristan Thompson, the Senior Women's Team now has an A and B team, Rob Sacre on NBA.com, Myck Kabongo's mixtape and a lot more in this edition of Canadian Content ...

First we start off with some National Program news ...

SENIOR WOMEN'S ROSTER TRIMMED TO 16 | Canada Basketball

CANADA BASKETBALL ANNOUNCES INVITEES FOR THE SENIOR WOMEN’S "B" TEAM, STAFF AND SCHEDULE | Canada

The Vicious Cycle

Source: Raptors Republic by Arsenalist

From an X’s and O’s point of view, the thing that sticks out for me from this weekend is Philly’s decision to have a guy guard the inbounder when they knew the Celtics were going to looking to throw it in the back and run the clock out. In that situation I’m a believer that you get all your guys in either a deny position or a fouling position. Granted, Philly did have a foul to give so it was going to be tough to get the ball back for a chance to tie with three seconds left, but still, in theory you don’t guard the inbounder there. IMHO.

On the Raptors front, things are dead quiet as you can tell by glancing at the Latest Web Articles section. The next date of significance is the lottery on May 30th, which will provide the Raptors with a sense of what players they should be bringing in for workouts. A nice enough piece speculated on some options the Raptors might have if they get creative with the draft. If I know my Bryan Colangelo, he’s no good at that so there goes that. I expect him to draft a shooting guard with the pick because we got nothing there right now.

I sense it’s going to be a positional pick, which could be a mistake as this humble servant of yours believes that the Raptors definitely have to go the “best player available” route and not the “needs” route, so if it happens that Jared Sullinger is available, you grab him and figure out your options. Targeting positions in the draft is risky with higher picks, because you’re essentially acquiring fit at the expense of talent. Looking at the draft from a position point of view, there are arguably needs at the 1, 2, and 3 positions, leaving the Raptors with a range of options. If you subscribe to the theory that the 4 is up for grabs too, you’re not alone on that either and here’s why.

Remember all those years we spent building around Chris Bosh, knowing fully well that he’s not actually a centerpiece to build around? We kept plugging away, drafting around him, signing free-agents around him and it never quite worked. We hoped that he would somehow transform into the player we wanted him to be, when his ceiling had long been hit and he was what he was. We wasted five years in that process, knowing deep-down that it was a fruitless proposition to begin with. Now, here’s what I don’t want: I don’t want the Raptors to repeat the same mistake with Andrea Bargnani.

We drafted Bosh to play alongside Carter, hoping it would be the combo to take us forward. We then drafted Bargnani to play alongside Bosh, thinking that was the answer. We then drafted DeRozan to play alongside Bargnani…in each combination, there’s been a lead man and a secondary option. Batman and Robin type deal, except it’s more like Beavis and Butthead, but you get the point. In every mini-rebuild the Raptors have undertaken, they’ve carried forward a remnant of the past which has more often than not been, well, overrated.

Back to the point about the PF also being open. The main argument for that is that if the Raptors truly want to turn a new leaf they should shred the tie to the past, and if that’s not feasible (and it might not be), management need not make the mistake of portraying Bargnani to the fans and to themselves as something he’s not: a franchise guy. We’re still looking for our franchise guy, it doesn’t look like it’s DeRozan, and the hope has shifted to Jonas Valanciunas. Casey recently said that at the worst he’s a Joakim Noah, so we have a high enough starting point for him. In two years, though, he better be the clear-cut best player on this team, or this vicious cycle only bears to repeat.

Was the 2011-12 Season a Success for the Raptors?

Source: Raptors HQ by Adam Francis

The Toronto Raptors won 23 games during the abridged 2011-12 season.

At face value, this was not a successful campaign. The club missed the playoffs yet again, saw fan interest continue to dwindle, particularly in terms of in-game attendance, and key players like Andrea Bargnani missed huge stretches of games due to injury.

However the club made major strides forward defensively, seemed to respond to new head coach Dwane Casey in terms of the culture he was trying to implement, and the 23 wins that the club ended

Golf need something and OKC has something to prove

Source: TheStar.com by Toronto Star

Another in our series of relatively unrelated notes because, well, partly because there was too much going on over the weekend and partly because not one thing truly stood out.

-

Is this just a changing of the times or what?

I used to consider myself a pretty big golf fan; I knew most of the key players, knew who was going well and who was scuffling and looked at least once a day Thursday through Sunday to see who was winning whatever tournament was on.

And majors? I’d be in pools and conversations about them and would be sure to be near a TV when it came back-nine-on-Sunday time.

Now?

Now they have The Players – great tournament, tries to hard to be The Fifth Major – and the only reason I know who won is that I clicked up one station at the end of the Heat-Pacers and watched – and it was more like white noise, actually – the final three holes.

Why?

I can’t figure it out and judging by conversations I have, I’m not alone.

It is the absence of Tiger, who evokes passion on both sides of the ledger?

Is it because these guys are simply too good and it’s boring to see fairway-green-birdie chance?

Is it because these guys are, for, the most part, horribly bland? Everyone’s a good guy, lots of smiling urchins and adoring wives waiting for the winner at the 18th green. Everyone had “a good day” even if it included three bogeys and a fifth place finish; there are “lots of positives” they can take away from whatever they’ve done.

Sports – and, yes, I see golf as a sport – is at its heart conflict-based. It’s my team against your team, me against you, there should be a clearcut winner and a loser.

You don’t get that in golf, unlike any other sport. Everyone seems relatively happy, there are no black hats, there are seldom any built-in human dramas that make the games we watch so often so compelling.

Or maybe it’s just me. Maybe you still love the game played at the highest levels by the best practitioners of their craft in the world.

Me? I want to either cheer for Tiger or cheer against him, I want man-to-man competition, I want some drama that unfolds in front of my eyes, not some competition that unfolds kilometers apart, with one guy not knowing what the other guy is doing.

Sure, I’ll back – I love The Open championship for the conditions they have to fight; I love the U.S. Open because it reduces many great players to mortals and that’s enough of a narrative to draw me in.

Week-to-week? I don’t get it any more.

-

As more than a few people pointed out in various locations, Heaven’s band got a little bit stronger on the weekend and, man, do I wish I were in Memphis to hear some music on the weekend.

Would have been all kinds of tributes to Duck Dunn; great with The Blue Brothers, great on almost everything he did.

Like this ..

-

I know there are those among you dying for some Raptors news.

Sorry.

But …

Giorgos Printezis hit the game-winning shot at the buzzer as Olympiacos beat CSKA to win the EuroLeague Final Four on Sunday in Istanbul.

Oh, wait. Printezis is no longer Raptors property so I guess that doesn’t count.

Never mind. Carry on.

-

So the L.A. Clippers move on to the second round of the playoffs, just the second time they’ve ever done that, with the Game 7 win in Memphis on Sunday.

One thing struck me as the game was unfolding; well, two actually.

The first: Can’t anyone here make a shot????? Really, that was some simply atrocious offence from start to finish. Now, I know collars get a bit tight and defence gets a bit more aggressive in deciding games of playoff series but, man, watching that game unfold was almost retina-burning and having watched the HOTH for 17 years, I’m one of the world’s leading authorities in retina-burning offensive basketball. I’m all for seventh games, there’s nothing like it in sport, but they need to be played at some higher level than that mess Sunday afternoon.

The second: I picked the Spurs in five, they’ll probably win in four and should win in three.

-

Okay, advice time.

There’s a whisper around Casa Doug about the need for new deck furniture. Deck’s about 1,000 square feet, has a 40-year-old maple rising up through it, a couple of nice benches for relaxing and, thanks to some Irregulars, a big ass Napolean barbecue that wintered well and did a great job on the burgers, chicken and sausage yesterday afternoon.

Now, what do you have for me in the way of furniture sets?

Thanks.

-

In all the years I’ve been going to games in Oklahoma City – and it goes back to when New Orleans moved up there post-Katrina – the crowd has been almost as much the story as the team.

Great people, unfailingly polite, entirely supportive, quite collegiate and far more interested in cheering their team on than worrying about what the other team does. I’m not sure I’ve ever heard a boo.

That said, it will be interesting to see how they react tonight to Metta World Peace, who faces the Thunder for the first time since his thuggish attack on James Harden.

World Peace, because he’ll never quite get it, shows no contrition and, in fact, exacerbated the situation on the weekend by telling anyone who’d listen that he’s not sorry, he won’t shake Harden’s hand and then going off on some diatribe about Brooklyn or somesuch and his music. Yawn.

Anyway, I have a feeling there will be – and should be – a large measure of animosity among the faithful towards him. Not that it’ll matter, World Peace seems quite happy to play the villain, but the reaction of a normally happy-go-lucky audience will be something to see.

So, too, will the reaction of the Thunder players. I’ve often wondered about how tough that team was up and down the roster, we know Kendrick Perkins can be a hard-ass and I’m all right with that, I want to see Durant and Harden and Westbrook and the rest of them have that physical edge and determination that comes with a pure dislike of the players they are going against.

I do think the Thunder will win the series – they are simply more talented and they match up well with the Lakers – but tonight might be about sending a message.

It’ll be fun to see what it is.

-

 

 

The Viscous Cycle

Source: Raptors Republic by Arsenalist

From an X’s and O’s point of view, the thing that sticks out for me from this weekend is Philly’s decision to have a guy guard the inbounder when they knew the Celtics were going to looking to throw it in the back and run the clock out. In that situation I’m a believer that you get all your guys in either a deny position or a fouling position. Granted, Philly did have a foul to give so it was going to be tough to get the ball back for a chance to tie with three seconds left, but still, in theory you don’t guard the inbounder there. IMHO.

On the Raptors front, things are dead quiet as you can tell by glancing at the Latest Web Articles section. The next date of significance is the lottery on May 30th, which will provide the Raptors with a sense of what players they should be bringing in for workouts. A nice enough piece speculated on some options the Raptors might have if they get creative with the draft. If I know my Bryan Colangelo, he’s no good at that so there goes that. I expect him to draft a shooting guard with the pick because we got nothing there right now.

I sense it’s going to be a positional pick, which could be a mistake as this humble servant of yours believes that the Raptors definitely have to go the “best player available” route and not the “needs” route, so if it happens that Jared Sullinger is available, you grab him and figure out your options. Targeting positions in the draft is risky with higher picks, because you’re essentially acquiring fit at the expense of talent. Looking at the draft from a position point of view, there are arguably needs at the 1, 2, and 3 positions, leaving the Raptors with a range of options. If you subscribe to the theory that the 4 is up for grabs too, you’re not alone on that either and here’s why.

Remember all those years we spent building around Chris Bosh, knowing fully well that he’s not actually a centerpiece to build around? We kept plugging away, drafting around him, signing free-agents around him and it never quite worked. We hoped that he would somehow transform into the player we wanted him to be, when his ceiling had long been hit and he was what he was. We wasted five years in that process, knowing deep-down that it was a fruitless proposition to begin with. Now, here’s what I don’t want: I don’t want the Raptors to repeat the same mistake with Andrea Bargnani.

We drafted Bosh to play alongside Carter, hoping it would be the combo to take us forward. We then drafted Bargnani to play alongside Bosh, thinking that was the answer. We then drafted DeRozan to play alongside Bargnani…in each combination, there’s been a lead man and a secondary option. Batman and Robin type deal, except it’s more like Beavis and Butthead, but you get the point. In every mini-rebuild the Raptors have undertaken, they’ve carried forward a remnant of the past which has more often than not been, well, overrated.

Back to the point about the PF also being open. The main argument for that is that if the Raptors truly want to turn a new leaf they should shred the tie to the past, and if that’s not feasible (and it might not be), management need not make the mistake of portraying Bargnani to the fans and to themselves as something he’s not: a franchise guy. We’re still looking for our franchise guy, it doesn’t look like it’s DeRozan, and the hope has shifted to Jonas Valanciunas. Casey recently said that at the worst he’s a Joakim Noah, so we have a high enough starting point for him. In two years, though, he better be the clear-cut best player on this team, or this viscous cycle only bears to repeat.

Toronto Raptors: Adding Steve Nash Would Be Dream Scenario for Canada, NBA

Source: Bleacher Report

Steve Nash has had one amazing NBA career that went from struggling early on when he first entered the league to entering the prime of his career where he won back-to-back MVP awards and continues to perform at a high level.

Nash is a special player in that he can be an asset on any NBA team as he is the true definition of a professional that is more about others than himself.

The 38-year-old Nash is set to become a free agent officially later on this year and could be an underrated pickup no matter where he chooses his next destination to be. He is still in search of an NBA championship and could look to join a contender—or would he feel a different sort of pressure to join the only professional basketball team north of the border?

Nash choosing to play in Toronto would indeed make him a basketball legend throughout Canada, and it would also help the Raptors a lot in terms of PR status. Steve Nash wearing a Toronto Raptors jersey would be a dream come true for Raptors fans as he would be a great veteran addition to a team that is relatively young.

Nash would definitely make the Raptors better, but it would be awfully tough for him to win a championship in Toronto in two years.

However, the Phoenix Suns, who had Nash for two separate stints, may not be ready to let him go elsewhere just yet. The Suns could be willing to offer the veteran point guard a two-year, $20 million contract offer to keep him on board for some more time.

Will Nash ultimately choose Toronto as his new destination? We should know the answer sometime in July.

Read more Toronto Raptors news on BleacherReport.com

Raptorblog Talks to Vince Carter

Source: Raptors HQ by Adam Francis

See what happens when you get behind in reading?

Was going through some linkage here tonight and ran into the great post Scott Carefoot and Joseph Casciaro did at Raptorblog on Friday that I completely missed. The duo did an interview with the one and only Vince Carter, whom they had recently voted as the greatest Raptor of all time.

It's an interesting read and Scott and Joseph do a nice job mixing in a number of different style questions, from ones regarding his past with Toronto, to even getting his take on the

The Nash Effect - Part 3 - The Money

Source: Raptors HQ by rbala

If you haven't heard by now, and you all should have, Steve Nash was named the General Manager of the Senior Men's National Team Tuesday. In what was long speculated and hoped for, Canada's golden boy has returned to the National Program that he grew up in and helped take to lofty height just at the turn of the century. So what does this mean for Canada Basketball? Can Ball Ray continues looking at three aspects that the Nash Effect will have on the program here continuing with the money ...

So far

Bennett Runnin' With the Rebels

Source: Raptors HQ by rbala

So it looks like there will be a Canadian frontcourt playing in the Las Vegas desert this coming NC-Double-Eh college season.

McDonald's All American Anthony Bennett announced yesterday that he'll be suiting up for the UNLV Runnin' Rebels next season putting to rest the long debate to where he was heading. Narrowing down the schools to UNLV and Oregon after waiting out the year to make his choice late in the signing period, Bennett can now focus on getting fitted for his new red, white and black jersey.

Bennett committing now puts to former

The end of the weekend mail

Source: TheStar.com by Toronto Star

You did it again, fine people.

Lots of good stuff in here and if you can pull yourselves away from various Mother’s Day celebrations (and a sincere Happy Mother’s all of you out there) you might be entertained and informed.

Or not.

See you in the morning.

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Q: Hey Doug: Being of a certain vintage myself, I was wondering about your opinion on two related topics: What did we have/do in our youth that today's youth doesn't have/do? And what do they have/do that you'd wish we'd been able to have/do?

Thanks for all the work that you. I am sure other writers at the Star feel pressured to write blogs and do mailbags because of what you do. But, we're glad that you all that you do!

Tim H, Windsor

A: You know what we had that kids don’t have today and what might be the most important thing:

Time.

Remember just going out after school or on the weekends and in the summer and playing? Baseball with the neighbourhood kids at the park, soccer, hockey, kick the can, hide and go seek, whatever. Just playing. No lessons, no practices, no clubs, no nothing, just time to be kids. Bet they’d like that but in the often over-structured world they inhabit, they don’t have it. Too bad.

Now, what I wish we had that these kids have? Hmm. You know, I’m trying to come up with one or two and it’s hard. I guess facilities and equipment and the tools needed to learn are better but I wonder if computers and video games and the like aren’t making our kids lazier.

Yes, times have changed and there must be all kinds of wonderful opportunities for youngsters today, better coaching, more clubs to join, a wider variety of choices. Guess that’s a good thing?

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Q: Is Bill Caudill still available?

It has been 50 years since the lads from Liverpool put out their first hit. In 1962, did you listen to any music from 1912?

In lieu of the current financial mess, what kind of toilet do you prefer to throw your money into? I find the Toto the best. (Not Dorothy's dog)

Enjoy the weekend!!

Bob E, Kanata

A: I don’t remember 1912 too well but with a little bit of research (what I don’t do for Irregulars) found out this little ditty was popular.

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Q: Here are some games started/complete games stats of great pitchers of my youth: Drysdale 1964, 40/21; Koufax 1965, 41/27; Marichal 1968, 38/30; Gibson 1969, 35/28; Jenkins 1971, 39/30. Each logged more than 300 innings in the cited seasons. A baseball question inspired by the Jays' problem finding a so-called closer: Is too little expected of starting pitchers in this day and age?

James A, Victoria

A: Oh, yes, sadly it is. With pitch counts and “improvements” in medical diagnostics and the financial investments teams have in players, those days are long, long gone. And I don’t know that it’s a better thing; let’s just say it’s different.

How I’d love to see a four-man rotation, for instance, and see how it would work out in his era.

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Q: Hi Doug. Just reading in your blog that Kobe played through a flu yesterday. Another good performance by a sick star after, to name but two, Dirk last year in the Finals and Jordan in '98, also during the Finals.

Just a bit curious to know what's exactly meant by "flu" because it seems to me that when a normal person has one, she or he is absolutely unable to do anything apart from staying in bed. Furthermore, a flu lasts at least a week whereas in Dirk's and Jordan's case, they were fine 2-3 days after. Are then NBAers really superhuman?

Cordialement

Matthieu B, Bern

A: Not sure “super human” is the right phrase but their bodies are in better shape than ours to fight off stuff like the flu and they have so many more, and better, medical remedies at their disposal it makes it a bit easier to recover.

I know if I’m down with some bug some night I can’t call a guy and magically get three or four bags of intravenous fluids in me to hasten the recovery period.

And, frankly, some athletes will just play through feeling crappy and once they’re on the court or the field or what have you, adrenaline flows and they can block out feeling like poop for a short time.

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Q: Hi Doug. Kenny (The Jet), during the half time of the Clippers v. Grizz game five, discussed the need for the Grizzlies to attack Foye when the Clippers are in the 2-3 zone, since Foye was considered the weakest defender on the floor at that time.

So here's the question: where would you hide your weakest defensive guard/swing man in a 2-3 zone? At the top of the key (one of the '2') or in one of the corners, baseline (one of the corner '3')? What factors might determine the answer one way or another?

Thanks, Diego

Diego S, Toronto

A: Here’s the thing: Most zones now are of some kind of hybrid matchup kind so one guy is never really in one place. But after talking to a couple of coach friends I have, the consensus would be to put the weaker guy at the top where he has more access to help.

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Q: Happy to oblige. Don't follow the Raptors that much but knowing you as a "well-rounded" scribe (ha ha) would appreciate your thoughts on Leafs' boss Brian Burke.

'YEA OR NAY.’

Robert M, Owen Sound

A: Ooh, goodie.

My thoughts are a Nay.

Although in the few times I’ve had any interaction with Burke he’s been fine, a bit gruff but I like that and he certainly does give a good press conference.

But to me – a total outsider – he seems to be making it up as he goes along, not sure what he wants from his coaches, players and himself. I don’t know that there’s a lot of truculence or size or grit; he’s had almost half a decade to fix a glaring deficiency in net and hasn’t and he talks a better game than he plays so far.

Now, before you all get riled up, this is not a comparison to the basketball or the baseball but, whether you like it or not, I think the “plan” in each of those sports is being carried out like it was supposed to be and I don’t think you can say that about the pucks.

(And nice cheap shot about “well-rounded” by the way).

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Q: Hi Doug. What has been the biggest surprise so far in this year's playoffs for you? What are your thoughts about this year's San Antonio Spurs versus last year's team that had a quick exit from the playoffs? They look really good so far.

Thanks as always for the great work!!

Monty M, Toronto

A: Realize, please, that I’m typing this on Saturday morning so I can’t foretell what might happen tonight but, to me, one of the biggest surprises has been the inability of the Lakers to deal with the Nuggets defence on their two big men and the lack of production they’ve been getting from Gasol and Bynum. They’ve been, for the most part, awful because they can’t shake free of JaVale McGee and Kenneth Faried.

Other than that? Things are progressing as I expected; the biggest difference between the Spurs this year and last is that everyone’s healthy and rested. Manu’s 100 per cent, Duncan is entirely fresh and the addition of Stephen Jackson and the play of Kawhi Leonard makes them deeper than they’ve ever been.

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Q: Greetings, from reading the account of Steve Nash's new involvement with Canada's national basketball program I am left with a question. I would be curious as to the number of NBAer's (or any other professional sports league)who truly are able to see beyond what to some anyway, is "just a job"? My sense of the situation is that there would be more than a few who don't connect the power that the stardom brings. While it may not be fair to say that a player MUST do something for the game outside of fulfilling their contract, doing something for the game should only improve the opportunity for those that follow. Secondarily, I would guess that post playing careers could conceivably prove very satisfying for those that embrace the opportunity.

As always, thanks for what you do.

Doug T, Brantford

PS...Super Wife away I would expect extended life intervals for things like socks etc.

A: I agree wholeheartedly and wish more players, when they were done, were to work more closely with charitable foundations or causes that are close to them or their families rather than simply go into TV or coaching so they can continue to live the life. Many do, though. Jalen Rose, for instance, works tireless with his educational foundation and I’m sure he finds it rewarding. Ditto for David Robinson and his work with schools. I’m sure there are others, and will continue to be, but more should.

And socks lived forever last week but now we are paying the piper, there is a major cleanup scheduled for Super Son and I as soon as I get this done; it’s about 9 a.m. Sunday, I bet I’m cleaning countertops by 10:15.

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Q: Hey Doug. I know there is a lot of love for Reggie Evans around here. And I applaud what he does that other players won't - he's made a great name for himself on that account.

I have to say though that he came down a few notches in my book after the end of season flop against Vasquez. No one really spoke about that, but it was pathetic and unprofessional. How can you be a 'good guy' and do crap like that?

Do you see the NBA cutting down on flopping with video reviews, fines, etc.?

Thanks!

David W, Toronto

A: You can be a good guy and have a blip every now and then quite easily, I think we all do it. That said, Reggie’s become one of the worst offenders in one of the worst aspects of the game, the incessant flopping that’s ruining some moments. I’m sure the league is taking notice – it’d be impossible for them not to be – and I would think when the competition committee next meets it will be near the top of the agenda. But other than insisting that referees crack down on it, I don’t know what they can do. This is an officiating problem; fines are so miniscule they have no impact. More fouls called on floppers is the way to make it go away, penalize players and their teams during actual games.

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Q: Hey Doug: What's your opinion on whether baseball needs 'closers' or not?

Thanks again for all that you do!

Tim H, Windsor

A: It’s tough to make a blanket statement because teams with guys like Axford in Milwaukee or Valverde in Milwaukee would say they are needed. But, basically, I think more managers need to manage ninth innings by matchups and who has the hot hand rather than simply anointing one guy as the team’s closer.

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Q: Doug. With basketball waiting until May 30 for anything to happen (and I don't see any Raptor trades before than,) a Smith question:

Are you considering writing a book about your life as a Raptor reporter? While I would actually spend hard cold cash on it or at least a pin controlled credit card (I am a Smith mark,) you might consider a couple of additional books.

Some examples:

Doug Smith's tour of Eateries and Drinkeries. The blog has brought this into the reader's view; it would be a fun thing for those heading south on a vacation. Do I see a Cdn Food Network show there?

A simple book on the life a reporter. I can imagine that it would be very interesting and help those with aspirations. Would fit with the modern school curriculum.

Finally Top Raptors. I watched the NBA TV (still prefer Raptor TV,) version and think Tracey gets too much credit for two developing seasons and one OK season. Maybe an article about the top 20 in the next month?

Maybe see what your readers think. Otherwise, I am waiting for the lottery.

Bruce M, Winnipeg

A: Hmm, books, eh? Well, books are hard, actually but as I get closer to my dotage it might be a fun project; now all I have to find is a publisher who thinks like you do and I don’t know that there are any of those around. But it sounds like a good idea in theory although I remember vaguely the workload with the couple I’ve done and it’s not easy.

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Q: Hello Doug. Does an NBA Champion team get paid for winning it all? Mark Cuban held a party for the Mavericks in Miami after they won the championship. He also through a parade for the city of Dallas to celebrate.

I am wondering if the team actually made any money for winning the championship or did it put them in the red?

Thanks for answering my question. Great blog Doug.

Greg H, Toronto

A: They to get paid, every playoff team – and player on that team – gets money depending on how far they go. There was a total of about $12 million divided between the teams last year; the Mavs got just over $2 million to split between the players.

And I believe teams are able to leverage championships into financial windfalls.

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Q: Hey Doug, at first I was quite surprised that Harden wasn't an unanimous choice but then I was shocked that he wasn't listed at all on one ballot! Do some journalists thinking really baffle you? So any series you'll soon be attending?

Scott M, Ilderton

A: I’m totally baffled by some votes this year. Derrick Rose, who missed so many games this year, got an MVP vote (which is ridiculous); and Harden being left off a ballot is a travesty. I chalk it up to (a) homerism and (b) some people perhaps rushing through their voting with little or no thought.

The PBWA has made – and will make again – a push for more transparency in the voting, like being able to find out who cast such odd ballots and we’ll see where that goes.

And I'm not sure when I'm going back out on the road; I do know I'll be in New York for the lottery after a quick trip to Montreal for some diving as part of my pre-Olympic duties but I should get to the bosses and figure that out, shouldn't I?

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Q: Hello Doug! Greetings from the home of not only the NBL Champions London Lightning - but also the OHL's best team, the London Knights. Whew. It's not easy being us! :) And now, another local team to support: it's baseball season and after years of intending to follow the local IBL team, the London Majors, (and I will definitely NOT be attending games of our Frontier League team for reasons you may recall) Mother's Day is Opening Day and I'll be down at our historic Labatt Park to take in the action.

However, I need your help - if you don't mind putting on your baseball manager's hat for a moment - about the rules. I know the MLB rules fairly well, but are these the same rules for the Intercounty Baseball League? Are there significant differences in rules between the two leagues that I should know about? (And are there key subtleties I should watch for as well?) I don't want to embarrass myself - nor those with me - by cheering for that 3rd out when there are actually 4 required. (Dopey example, I know, but you get my drift!) Thanks!

Lorie P, London

A: Nah, it’s good old-fashioned hardball and I kind of miss the days from eons ago when I’d sit at Labatt Park, or the field in Brantford, or the one in Kitchener and take in a game. Should get down to Christie Pits and sit on the hill and watch one soon.

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Q: Hi Doug. A couple of baseball questions for you. Why is everyone making such a big deal about Adam Lind being moved down in the Blue Jays order? He hasn't really deserved to be the cleanup hitter for a couple of seasons. And he only really had one great season. It's not like he is a multi all-star.

Second, have you noticed the number of pitches that are up at Bautista's head? I thought last night he might charge the mound after the brush back pitch and then the hit by pitch.

Richard H, Whitby

A: I don’t know that too many people are making a big deal about the Lind move other than wondering why it took so long to be made. They need someone behind Bautista to protect him a little bit more, Lind hasn’t done that in a while and if I’m Alex, I’m looking for a power hitting first baseman somewhere. Not sure you can win consistently getting that kind of pop-gun offence out of that position.

And I haven’t noticed Bautista seeing more stuff up and in; on the contrary, actually, because he seems to me to be flailing more often at stuff down and away.

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Q: Hi or something Dougie. I'm hearing alot a talk of new personnel hiring all over the NBA. Ewing in Charlotte. What do you think? I say its time he got a team of his own and see what he does with it. And working for MJ, seems kinda surreal. Imagine it's 1985 and someone tells you Jordan will own a franchise in his home state and its coached by Patrick Ewing.

And where is Sam in all this? Former COY and I haven’t heard his name mentioned for any interviews? Come to think of it, I don’t think I read anything on him this time last year either? How’s he doin? And I'm missing the IGBT. Mothers day eve? Nuggets/Lakers? Whattya say?

Marcus T, Newmarket

A: I think Ewing will get interviewed for a lot of jobs that come open and since he wouldn’t command a huge salary, Charlotte might be a good fit. They’re also talking to our old friend Michael Malone and I think he’d be a better hire, teaches defence better, has had more responsibility that Patrick and would be equally inexpensive.

Sam? He’s messing around the Atlanta area quite happily, doing some business, the odd gig with NBA TV and living a nice Sam Life. He had a bit of a sniff at the Sacramento job when it came open early last season and I imagine someone will give him a call this summer, when there might be six or seven gigs open.

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Q: Hi Doug. I read the article you posted about Greg Oden. I also read one of the articles linked to it about the Blazer's medical staff.

I was wondering a few things... Do you have an opinion on the Blazer's medical staff? You have to admit, that this article says some pretty damning things about them. Is the author of this article a person of note in sports medicine? It seems to me between the two articles I read that someone could and should be sued if its accurate.

Just for fun...JJ Redick seems to meet the requirements The Raptors are looking for, do you know if they have any interest?

Cheers,

Timothy H, Toronto

A: I don’t have any first-hand knowledge of the Portland medical staff but if you look over the years, it’s hardly a history dotted with greatness, going all the way back to Bill Walton, for goodness sake. I do know, anecdotally, the players and agents are a bit leery.

And given the great success they had signing a free-agent shooter out of a Florida franchise a few years ago, why not give Redick a call.

(I keed, a bit)

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Q: Hi Doug. Just in the zone saying hi, as you requested =D. Do you think Philly has a chance against the Celtics in the next series? If Iggy could contain Paul Pierce and Jrue Holiday does his best to keep Rondo ahead of him, I think this might be a good match up for the 76ers.

Have a wonderful day,

Alex H, Toronto

A: I had Boston in seven in the paper on Saturday and my mind hasn’t changed. Not sure the offensively-challenged Sixers can score enough.

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Q: Having Nash take over as GM of the National Senior Mens team feels a lot like when Gretzky took over the national pucks. The sentiment at that time was how much players wanted to play for Wayne. Do you get the sense that people have the same feeling about Nash?

Also, will the GM role be focused on signing players and coaches, or does his scope cover more?

One more. Jay has been touted as the front runner to return as coach. Any idea if he wants the job?

Terry M, Antigonish

A: I think Nash’s reputation and accomplishment and the fact he’s already reached out to some of the younger players will make it hard for anyone to say no. And while he’ll be asked to lend his name to some fund-raising initiatives, the majority of his focus will be on getting players and helping devise things like training camps and exhibition tours.

Spoke to the Jay issue yesterday; if he’s interested there will be mutual interest but I think he’s got other fish to fry first.

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Q: Long time reader, first time asker. I don't know when the change occurred, but why did the NBA move away from the 1-shot bonus / 2-shot double bonus rule that is still in place in the NCAA? It's a great part of the college game as it adds an element of strategy to the end of close games. And it punishes players who can't shoot FT's (a pet peeve of mine). Is there any support for bringing it back?

Ted P, Toronto

A: I’m not entirely sure precisely when they got away from it but there is no support to make any changes now. There are many, many more significant issues to tackle.

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Q: I've got nothing for mail, but I saw this, and thought, who else would appreciate a TV clip from the 60's.

So... tell me... is this what you did before video games?

Peter L, Toronto

A: Ha! No, not quite.

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Q: Hey Doug. Help me out will you? A favor for a long time reader. Did send out a few questions in the past, some saw print, some did not.

Have been content to just read the past couple of months, but have fallen behind on your many acronyms.

Maybe a clickable link which would have the meanings of the acronyms available at all times?

Just a thought. Thanks.

Peter M, Toronto

A: Not sure we can set up what you’d like us to set up but, really, there are only three that get major use now (which reminds me to come up with some others)

Team Of Destiny, the Jays.

Heroes Of The Hardcourt, Raptors.

He Who Shall Not Be Names, Vince.

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Poll - Which NBA Playoff Semi-Finals Are You Most Excited About?

Source: Raptors HQ by Adam Francis

With the effects of the compressed season still lingering, the second round of the NBA playoffs got underway last night even before the first round had come to a conclusion. It sounds like we might get a lot more of this too, The Boston Celtics started their second round match-up against the Philadelphia 76ers before the Los Angeles Lakers and Denver Nuggets finished off their Western Conference Quarter Finals series.

The Celts won, putting them up 1-0 now, and the

Vince Carter: VC's Top 10 Career Dunks

Source: Bleacher Report

While Vince Carter might not be the most popular former Raptor player, there is no question the guy could fly. Arguably the greatest dunker of all-time, VC helped save basketball in Canada because of his the highlight reel dunks he threw down game after game.

Here are Vince Carter’s most vicious throw downs, the majority of which took part in a Raptor uniform. Enjoy. 

Begin Slideshow

Poll - Raptors vs Jazz - Which Team Currently Would You Rather Be?

Source: Raptors HQ by Adam Francis

The Utah Jazz's current talent versus the Toronto Raptors' potential future talent.

The Dinos' favourable cap situation versus a well-balanced Jazz financial layout.

Norma Wick vs...well...

It's a bit of a different situation from Thursday's look at the Dallas Mavericks vs the Toronto Raptors and again, we want to hear your take. Would you prefer to be in the Raptors' shoes as they face the upcoming off-season, or those of the Jazz, fresh off a surprising playoff appearance and chalk full of prospects like Favors, Burks and

Raptors vs Jazz - SLC Dunk Weighs In on "Who They'd Rather Be"

Source: Raptors HQ by Adam Francis

We gave you our thoughts on which team we'd rather be earlier today, the Jazz or Raps, but what did the opposing team's blogger think?

Check after the jump for SB Nation's Utah Jazz Blog, SLC Dunk's take on the situation...

I appreciate having the opportunity to do this, particularly because I think I'm in a unique position to not only be accurate about this as a Jazz fan, but also as a huge supporter of the Raptors. Yes, I am a Jazz fan; however, I'm not initially dismissive about the Raps like some other NBA fans are.

The Nash Effect - Part 2 - The Fans

Source: Raptors HQ by rbala

If you haven't heard by now, and you all should have, Steve Nash was named the General Manager of the Senior Men's National Team Tuesday. In what was long speculated and hoped for, Canada's golden boy has returned to the National Program that he grew up in and helped take to lofty height just at the turn of the century. So what does this mean for Canada Basketball? Can Ball Ray his look at three aspects that the Nash Effect will have on the program right here continuing with the fan support ...

The

Who'd You Rather Be? Raptors vs Jazz

Source: Raptors HQ by Adam Francis

Jazz vs Raps, which team would you rather be as of now? The HQ's Sean Tepper takes a look and gives his thoughts...

The Toronto Raptors haven't exactly been playoff contenders for the better half of the last ten years.

In fact the club has averaged 32 wins over the last four seasons and with win totals of 33, 40, 22 and 23, it's pretty hard to say there's been much trending towards a future playoff birth.

Yet when we kicked off our "Who'd You Rather Be?" series on Thursday and asked fans if they'd rather be in the place of the Dallas Mavericks, a perennial playoff team and recent NBA

The start of the weekend mail

Source: TheStar.com by Toronto Star

Another late rally by you folks so enjoy these and if a few of you come through today there’ll be about the same amount here tomorrow.

Me? My first baseball practice of the year is today, can’t wait to see how the talented urchins have improved over the winter and I can feel the old rotator cuff getting sore already.

(Hey, did you see the Clippers turn back in the Clippers last night? What a transformation!)

If you want to get in on the fun and frivolity here, you know how to do it.

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Q: One of the basketball websites speculated that, with Steve Nash's appointment as GM of the national senior team, there was a high likelihood of Jay Triano returning as coach. Would you agree or disagree?

David H, Mississauga

A: High likelihood? I wouldn’t put it at high at all. For one, there’s a very good chance when it comes time to hire a new coach – and I cannot see that happening before 2013 – Jay may be otherwise employed in the NBA as an assistant and may not have the time to do the job.

That said, if he wants it, he vaults to the top of the list, as Nash said on Tuesday, but he’s always been coy whenever I’ve talked to him about it.

Could it happen? Sure. It is a slam dunk today? Not even close.

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Q: In an effort to help you out in a slow mail week, I have a basketball venue type question. Some time ago, in this blog an Irish Pub in the vicinity of Madison Square Garden was recommended by yourself and others, I cannot for the life of me remember the name of the place. What is the name of the place and any others you might know of?

Roy D, Thunder Bay

A: It’s Tir Na Nog and it’s right at Penn Plaza, you can’t miss it. Good selection of drinks, good food, nice atmosphere.

Now, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention PJ Clarke’s at 3rd and about 53rd, another landmark, and Jack Armstrong wouldn’t speak to me again if I didn’t tell you to find McSorley’s Ale House and stop by there.

Thank me later.

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Q: Hi Doug. Can you give us some insight into the master plan of uber-trainer Alex McKechnie during the off-season? Does he keep in touch with the HOTH between now and training camp and if so, does he focus on the "keepers" or does he also spend time with, say, Solo? Does he have pet development projects beyond the obvious ones? Packing some more muscle on Demar, ensuring Andrea's calf/thigh issues are fully rehabbed, and beefing Jonas up are the obvious ones, but is McKechnie also (say) secretly planning to add a foot to Aaron Gray's vertical jump to facilitate putback dunks?

On the same topic, does the training staff also work with the Chicken to rehab the occasional sprained wing and bent beak or does he/she/it deal with those injuries outside MLSE?

Mike D, Toronto

A: Oh, he’ll be in touch for sure and last I heard was he planned at least one visit with everyone under contract, apart from having already given them some kind of off-season regimen to follow. But don’t forget he can only talk to or deal with guys who are Toronto “property” so there are some he’ll let slide.

And, no, the staff lets The Chicken be The Chicken, who, I’m told, spends a lot of his/her/its summer working on getting the handicap to a lower number whilst teaching youngsters how to play softball. But that’s just between you and I.

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Q: All right Doug, you said you are in need of some mail. I guess the question that I have most is, "What do you honestly think the chances are for the Raptors landing Steve Nash?" Knowing both Steve and Bryan and also the recent news of Steve taking on the GM duties for the Canadian National Team do you really think that it's possible. Personally I would love, but I'm a bit of a homer that way. Thanks

Tom H, Guelph

A: Oh, I think realistically the chances are a bit slim but that doesn’t mean they shouldn’t try everything in their power to make it happen.

And I think they need to heed Steve’s words on what will go into his “decision”:

“Dig into rosters and situations and even cities and just see what would fit me and what situation I’d fit best in. I haven’t even started.”

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Q: Dear sir/ Madam. I am Nirman Acharya of age 16 years old. I am a Basket Ball players in my School. I won several school level matches held in my country. I am 11 graded science student in my country. I want to enroll with in the school/ college in Toronto where I can study as well as I can play the Basket ball with the fellowship. Please suggest me the best way to fulfill my desire. My height is 5.9 and the weight is 140 lb. Regards,

Nirman K, Acharya, Nepal

A: You know, we do a lot of things here and serve a few purposes but I’m afraid immigration issues aren’t something I’m well versed it. Tell you what: Go find your favourite teacher or coach or guidance counselor and tell them your dreams; they’ll be able to help.

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Q: Hey Doug, Just saw that another paper will start charging for its internet use after a computer visits so many articles in a month. Although I would like to continue reading the news for free I certainly understand the necessary charge.

In this set up do you feel a blog should be counted the same as an article?

Also if we are going to start paying for news on the web, will the papers start doing some fact checking instead of just posting immediately and how about some spell check, if I'm paying, I expect more than a draft copy.

Robert M, Charlottetown

A: Now, you know I’m putting this entirely off on Tall Foreheads to decide what this is but I would suspect we are like everything else on the website and would count. But we’re nowhere near that, I don’t know that we ever will be so I don’t think you should lump us in with that other paper in any way, shape or form. And I believe my feelings are shared by those waaaaaaay above me.

And you never, ever get “draft” stories here. Yes, there are more typos than you ever occur and we all – writers, the few copy editors we have, bosses – share in that shortcoming but they are not “draft” stories.

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Q: Hey Doug. I keep getting hit over the head with "Jonas Is Coming" TV promos, and it has me wondering about the Raptors PR department. How many people work full time on the Raptors PR team? Is there a PR firm that handles all of MLSE's PR? Can you point to anything that is the obvious result of the Raptors PR machinations? I have the impression that the PR team coaches players on what to say in exit interviews so that the "message is consistent". Thanks,

John J, Victoria

A: The HOTH have three of the hardest working guys in showbiz handling their media, ably led by J. LaBumbard, who is among the absolute best in the NBA year in and year out; and that’s a league-wide opinion, not just mine, since he and his staff were one-time winners of the Brian McIntyre Award as the best media relations department in the league in the opinion of the Professional Basketball Writers Association.

Now, as for MLSE, they have a “corporate communications” staff that handles all that kind of stuff, quite separate from Jim and his people and the folks who handle media for the Leaves and the TFCs. No hiring out goes on.

As for “message is consistent” I can tell you the Raptors people may make players aware of the issues of the day and what might come up in conversation with reporters but they are not presumptuous enough to tell anyone what to say.

I’m sure there are corporate “talking points” or “key messages” but on the day-to-day team things, they don’t tell players what to say at all.

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Q: Hello Doug. I will be visiting New Orleans at the end of May with my wife for a week. I know you have been a few times, so, any recommendations of things to do, places to see, and local establishments for an adult beverage or two?

Thank you!

Kevin L, Toronto

A: Oh, man. So many places.

A few hints: Not sure of your age or marital status or “situation” but walk Bourbon Street once at night and get out; see the sight and then leave them. Actually, stop at Cajun Cabin for the alligator bites, they’re not bad; and if you get far enough up the street, there’s a placed called, I believe, the European Jazz Club that’s pretty good.

But get on to Frenchman Street (near top of Bourbon) and find any live music place, you’ll enjoy it. And whatever you do, go to Café du Monde and have a beignet breakfast. Like the guy with the New York question, you can thank me later.

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Q: Hi Doug. I know you won't talk draft until after the lottery, but this question is more about you (and we all know it's all about you). How do you go about covering the draft? Talk to Raptors scouts, the coach and GM, I assume. Who else is important? Do you get a chance to talk to many scouts and execs from across the league? And do you get much opportunity to evaluate potential draft picks for yourself? To what extent do you try to look at the draftees and decide who's going to be a player and who's not, and to what extent are you out there gathering information about what teams think and who they're going to pick?

Thanks, and keep up the good work!

Tim M, Kingston

A: Of course I seek insight and information from Bryan and the Henchman, some of it for attribution, most of it for background and to have a sense of what’s going on. But because they have a vested interest in the team and this is always the age of misinformation and some mis-direction, there are a handful of other scouts, execs, college baskeball experts and, yes, writers I’m in touch with on a regular basis.

Sadly, we don’t get to see nearly enough in-person work with these kids so I – and everyone else – has to go off video for the most part.

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Q: All right a draft question to please the readers. Not about this draft, to pad the mailbag and to please you. In the past, people have constantly pointed out how we could have drafted this or that guy who turned out to be a star, a pick or many picks later. It's all a crapshoot generally, guys like Ginobili went in the second round and who knew how good they'd be.

So, my question is, what players did the Raptors not take who they were legitimately interested in, who were distinct possibilities? For example, I remember you mentioning they had interest in Biyombo last year, and Jrue Holiday the year before. Are there any agonizing picks where they missed out on someone they were seriously considering taking? Or any close calls where they almost took someone stiffer than Hoffa? Cheers.

Jonathan M, Toronto

A: I’ll preface this by saying there is always some level of hindsight that creeps in immediately after a selection, it’s human nature that at least one of the Henchman would wonder if they made the right choice.

And while, yes, there was some interest in Biyombo last year as soon as it became apparent Valanciunas was going be there, the decision was made.

Holiday was an intriguing prospect in his year but Bryan had his mind set on DeRozan early in the process.

One that I recall from the past concerns Zach Randolph. Yes, he could have been had and might have been a more inspired choice than Michael Bradley but they had compiled a very thick dossier on off-the-court issues that shooed them away. Makes sense, too; no way they would have had the patience to wait until he finally grew up a bit, just as a handful of other teams didn’t.

So, yes, there is some to and fro after the fact, most times in my history the pick has been the guy they wanted, rightly or wrongly.

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Q: Hi. What everyone really would like to know is what free agent the Raptors are interested in. Is it too early to speculate? Do you have any ideas?

Who would you like to get for the team?

Most importantly, are you going to the summer Olympics?

Thanks

Dave B, Victoria Mines

A: It’s far too early for any specifics, actually. While there are some preliminary thoughts rolling around, any final prioritizing of free agents won’t happen until after the draft and any deals that are struck around them. I’m all in favour of throwing substantial money at Steve Nash, as regular readers know; other than that, it’s a somewhat underwhelming free agent class. I am a big fan of Gerald Wallace and, to a lesser extent, Nik Batum so they’d be on my list. Bryan hasn’t shared his with me, yet.

And, yes, I will be in London for sure.

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Catching Up with Vince Carter

Source: theScore by Joseph Casciaro

On Thursday night we unveiled Vince Carter as the No. 1 Raptor (surprise, surprise) in the finale of our Ultimate Raptors Rankings.

What I didn’t mention in that post is that Scott and I actually had a chance to talk to Vince a couple of weeks ago, during the final week of the regular season.

Vince was great to chat with, as he was friendly, courteous, honest with his answers when we got to the tougher questions about the John Thompson interview, and seemed like an all around good guy. It was kind of interesting to hear him say “oh, wow” when we explained that the reason we wanted to interview him was because we were naming him the best Raptor in franchise history for our Raptors-related blog. He sounded genuinely surprised and flattered, which kind of caught me off guard. The fact that something as small as a couple of bloggers in Toronto naming him the best Raptor would surprise him, makes me think that Carter is humbler than people give him credit for. Heck, he thanked us for our time at the end, when in reality, we were the ones that were lucky to be granted a few minutes with Vince Carter for RaptorBlog.

Anyway, here’s the interview:

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RaptorBlog(Joseph): What’s it like to be the new guy on a team that’s won a championship, where they’re trying to defend their title and repeat, but you haven’t won with these guys and you’re still looking for your ring?

Vince: It’s kind of weird because when I was traded to New Jersey they had just left the Finals. When I was traded to Orlando they had just left the Finals. And now coming to Dallas they were just in the Finals. I just missed them all by a year or so. But it’s great to be a part of this team. To actually see them with the ring ceremony, actually see them with the trophy, in person, really just ignited the hunger for a ring even more than every other year. You want that opportunity. To see the reaction, to see the actual ring. Man, this is what I’ve been wanting since day one and now to get the opportunity to play on a team that’s a contender and just won it, so they all know what it’s like and they want it again. The guys who won it before, want it again, so it just makes it a great mesh.

RaptorBlog(Scott): There’s a lot of speculation from fans and media about your plans beyond this season. The next two years of your contract are only partially guaranteed, so do you think you’d consider re-entering the free agent market again if the Mavs don’t pick up the next two years, or have you given some consideration to retirement?

Vince: I’m definitely not looking into retirement right now. I’m just going to see how it plays out first and foremost and see where it goes from there. I haven’t really looked that far ahead. I just want to complete this season. I feel like if good things happen with the team and I play well, and do what needs to be done and do what’s asked of me, then you know, it will take care of itself.

RaptorBlog(Scott): One of the reasons a lot of Raptors fans might be interested in your possible free agency plans is that a lot of fans hold on to the hope that you’ll finish your career in a Toronto Raptors uniform. Assuming the Raptors submitted an appealing offer in that situation, is that something you would consider?

Vince: Of course it’s something that I would definitely consider. And it’s something in the free agency this year, once everything was worked out with Phoenix and I was a free agent, that was a question I was asked by my family and by my agent. He’s like ‘what if?’ and I was like, ‘hey, definitely, we’ll hear what they have to say.’ So I never rule it out.

RaptorBlog(Joseph): Vince, the reason we actually wanted to talk to you is because we’re doing something for RaptorBlog called the Ultimate Raptors Rankings. We’re ranking the top-30 Raptors of all time, and the reason we’re talking to you is because in the next couple of weeks, we’re going to unveil you as the top Raptor of all time…

Vince: Oh, wow…

RaptorBlog(Joseph): Yeah. And obviously what most of our readers want to hear you talk about is the Toronto Raptors and your time as a Raptor. And there were a lot of good times. Looking back now, we’re eight years removed from the situation. If someone asked you to sum up your time in Toronto, as a Raptor, what would you say?

Vince: It’s where it all started for me, my opportunity. Glen Grunwald, Butch Carter gave me the opportunity. I remember day one, Butch Carter comes to me and says ‘Vince, we’re gonna show the world what you’re made of, who you are and what you’re about.’ Day two, Charles Oakley puts his arm around me and says ‘Hey, I’m gonna show you the ropes.’ And from there I felt comfortable. It was a young kid coming to a new city, just growing up in front of millions of people. It was just an unbelievable experience. You’re going to go through ups and downs in your life, in your career, that we all go through. That’s understood. But they were all worth it, because it adds character. It was just phenomenal. You can learn. Eight years removed from it, you’ve seen so many things happen to other players, and you can kind of really enlighten them if ever asked. It’s been a wonderful ride. It’s just hard to believe it’s been 14 years now, and I’m still playing the game I love.

RaptorBlog(Scott): I wanted to get your take on the Dwight Howard situation in Orlando. You played with Dwight, so you’ve seen first hand how important he is to that team, but his public image has taken a serious hit this season with the way he’s appeared to lead the team on with his future plans, and his falling out with Stan Van Gundy. Since you had a similar experience with how things ended between you and the Raptors in 2004, what advice would you give Dwight about how he should handle the situation going forward?

Vince: It’s a tough situation either way you look at it. He wants to make the best decision for him and that’s fine. I think right now, I think too many people have their hand in to the situation, and I think that’s where the problem lies. And I think Dwight should just take a step back now that he’s out of this season, to really think about what he wants to do. It shouldn’t be friends and the other bodies or representatives. He should sit down with the organization and they should just talk it out. And talk it out meaning say what you have to say, they say what they have to say. And a decision can be made from that. Because I feel like when you get other people involved, words get twisted. And that’s where things tend to go left, if you understand what I’m saying. So if they’re both sitting there, all of the outside speculation doesn’t really matter, because you’ve said it to the player or to the organization, and pretty much cleared the air. So I think that’s what needs to happen.

RaptorBlog(Joseph): Vince, you had a major role in putting the Raptors on the map in the NBA. I’ll never forget as a kid in Toronto, growing up watching the NBA on NBC, that Sunday when the Raptors were going to be on NBC. Hearing that music hit and knowing it was the Raptors who were going to be on, it was surreal to me. And I’m sure it was a big deal to Toronto basketball fans and fans around Canada. In the years since you’ve left, even through some successful seasons, the Raptors have never really grabbed the NBA spotlight like they had when you were here. And there’s this perceived notion out there that Toronto’s like this little team on an island, and even if players have great seasons here, they still can’t get recognition. As someone who never seemed to have a problem getting that recognition while you were here, what are your thoughts on that perception?

Vince: Toronto is one of the best kept secrets, and that was one of the tough things about convincing other players to come play for the Raptors at the time is that they didn’t know. And that was one of the things I was trying to push at the time with the NBA, along with the fans and the organization, help Toronto gain recognition and put us on the map. Let the world see who we are and what we’re about and what the city of Toronto is about. I can speak on behalf of some of my friends, basketball fans, when they come to Toronto, they fall in love with it. They say ‘Oh man, I love Toronto, I love Toronto.’ It’s just that on a national level, it wasn’t known and it didn’t gain that recognition. We had some pretty good teams, but we had to get into the playoffs to be recognized. And it was just tough. And that was one of the things I talked about when people said ‘your team is underrated.’ I used to say ‘hey, give us a shot. Let us put Toronto and Canada on the map. Let us be seen.’ It’s unfortunate. It has happened, but it just hasn’t happened consistently. And I still think the younger players in the league now have no idea how great Canada is.

RaptorBlog(Joseph): Well no one in Canada forgets what you did for the franchise, or your role in the most successful period in franchise history, but there’s still a lot of bitterness from the fans over how things ended, and you still hear the boos when you come here. There is that perception that you could have given more, because of the John Thompson interview. Do you see why some fans see it that way, based on the interview?

Vince: I don’t see it, because the interview was definitely taken out of context. For those people that were sitting in that interview room that day, they’ll tell you the same. I just find it hard to believe that people say I didn’t play hard for the franchise. I loved being there, they gave me my opportunity. That was how my career started. I was able to become Rookie of the Year, I was able to help that franchise win and make it to the playoffs, along with everybody else. I got into the All Star Game, which also helped gain recognition for Toronto, and that’s all I wanted. And that’s everything I put forth to do each and every night, just play the game that I love. So it was unfortunate that the interview turned out like it did. You only saw one side of the story and it was unfortunate that the other side didn’t really come out. People just hear what they hear on the interview and it’s unfortunate, like I said. You know, you just take the hit, and you just keep moving. I know deep down that people really know who I am and what I’m about and my love for the game. And if I didn’t have that love for the game, I wouldn’t be in it this long.

RaptorBlog(Joseph): Do you think if Raptors fans could have seen the interview from your side, the way you intended it to be seen, do you think the reaction would have been a lot different?

Vince: Sure, but you know that’s just the way it goes. I mean even now, some interviews that you do that don’t come off like that, you still say ‘hey, I wanted them to say this or why did they edit out some of this, I thought that was a good line that I said,’ so on and so forth, but you know that’s just editing, that’s just the way it goes. And it was edited that way. And it’s just really nothing I can do. I just hope people forgive and forget and move on. Like I said, of course it’s unfortunate that it happened that way.

RaptorBlog(Joseph): Do you think there will be a time, either when you come back as an opposing player or maybe in retirement, years down the road, where you step out on to that Air Canada Centre floor, and you get an ovation? Do you see Vince Carter ever receiving that in Toronto? Do you even hope for it?

Vince: Yeah, of course you hope for it. You know, that’s where I started. I have so many memories. Like with the questions you’ve asked, it’s brought chills because you just think back to where it started. I was able to play in a time in this city where it was, it wasn’t known, it wasn’t a popular place to be. But at the same time, there was love. When we were able to beat the Knicks for that first playoff win, I recalled making the first basket in the Air Canada Centre. That’s something that I’ll never ever forget. So I do hope for it because every time I walk in there now and I look up there, I just say, ‘Hey man, I made history here.’ You know? I won Rookie of the Year here. I won the slam dunk contest representing Toronto. That’s never been done. I have plenty of memories and you definitely hope for it.

RaptorBlog(Scott): Alright Vince, that was fantastic. Joseph and I both really appreciate you giving us your time.

Vince: Yeah, no problem.

RaptorBlog(Scott): As I said, you’re still a significant figure here, and I think deep down inside, all of us hope that there’s that sort of full reconciliation and that maybe your jersey will be hanging from the rafters of the Air Canada Centre one day.

Vince: Hey, I hope so.

RaptorBlog(Joseph): Thanks a lot, Vince

Vince: Thanks guys. Thanks for your time.

Look What Raptors Stuff I Found On Ebay

Source: Raptors HQ by rbala

With the start of the new series of Look What Canadian Basketball Stuff I Found On Ebay, we decided to include the Raptors in on the set. Can Ball Ray begins this new regular entry with a blast from the past jersey that will really bring you back to the days when the team played in a baseball park ...

Item #1: A Toronto Raptors' Damon Stoudamire Champion Game Jersey

Check this gem of a find: .An authentic Champion Toronto Raptors Damon Stoudamire game jersey. How often do you find a jersey like this

Today We Have Nash, National Program News and a Lot More in Canadian Content

Source: Raptors HQ by rbala

Today we have some National Team news from both sides, it seems Steve Nash is a wanted man ... in New York, Barry Hayes at Hoopstars Canada and Tariq Sbiet have some great info on our high school kids more a whole lot more in today's edition of Canadian Content ...

First we start off with some great National Program national team stuff ...

PHOTO HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE MEDIA CONFERENCE – GM ANNOUNCEMENT | Canada Basketball

Grange on Nash: The saviour of Canadian