Fantasy Basketball

Blogs and Bloggers

by James Borbath… Last November I entered into the brave new world of Blogs and Bloggers. I honestly did not know much about it. My background was in television and radio. I had paid good money to learn about those traditional media forms. But the world is changing and it is not just in sports but in politics and elsewhere. Blogs have challenged the main stream media for your attention. That is why you will see all the main stream media outlets having their people blog as well. The Pros vs Joes version of media combat so to speak. I was never exactly a pro and I don’t think I am exactly a Joe given my experience. I am somewhere in the middle. It is a pretty cool place to be.

I value what the traditional media brings to the table. They have something that the majority of bloggers do not. That is access to events, players and the people that make the news. That is not to mention they have a huge budget and resources to support what they do. The average blogger has to fight and struggle to build respect and an audience. When a regular media outlet advertises what they do they have access to large numbers. Bloggers mean time are accused of being Spam creators and get shot down when they try to display their hard work. I have never understood why this is so. I have yet to go to anybody’s home and force them to click on a link be it here on T.O Sports or on my own Dino Nation Blog. But people seem to have a backlash to it that I have never understood. It is not like bloggers are looking to sell you online Porn they just want to share what they do with you.

But the Blog community is growing and it is no different from the regular media in some ways. You will find people that are good and people that are bad. You will find a variety of ideas as to what is actually news worthy. I mean if you are sick and tired of hearing about Brett Farve maybe someone out there has something else to say. That being said I just drafted Farve for my fantasy team despite that. You have some blog sites that are like the stuff you see at your grocery check out line. Others try their best to responsible journalists. I am one of those. I had the chance to work at a Major Sports Network(TSN) for a brief time. It was a really good learning experience of what big time sports networks are all about. I may not always agree with what they do and have to say. That being said there are many hard working people both in front of the cameras and behind them that work hard and most are generally fans of sports.

The problem with the main stream regular media is they become jaded and arrogant to a degree. They sometimes feel that whatever they sell you the general public will buy it and like it. I mean the over kill of hockey in this country has turned me from a casual hockey fan to someone that could careless about it. I am sure that makes me in the minority but the point is that major networks can take things and based on the overkill of coverage they provide turn people off sports as much as they can make them excited about it. Truth is the networks are not always right. Want an example of that. I give you the UFC. Now sure you see a ton of the stuff on T.V. But there was a large growing fan base for it long before the networks took it seriously. They were the last to join the party that Dana White and the UFC had created.

Blogs can be an alternative to what you get in the mainstream media. But the one thing that is truly different is I think Bloggers for the most part are fans.” You can’t be a fan and cover sports with objective eye.” I have heard this one from many people in the media that I respect greatly. I don’t know if I buy that. I think you can be a fan and still know enough to be objective about what you are watching. Fans are not stupid and they understand the game. If you can take your passion and set it to the side and be objective I think you can be both.

All of this is a product of the Internet. It is the life blood to allowing the bloggers to live. I will paraphrase Sammy Sosa and say “The Internet has been very good to me”. It is how I have been able to do some of the great things I have been able to write and share. I contacted people in Australia and wrote a feature on Nathan Jawai. Have had interviews with people in the main stream media. I would say that 95% of all the contacts I have been fortunate to make come from the Internet. It has allowed me to continue to do what I love and that is talk about sports. Ok I guess technically most of the time it is typing. But many now can easily do podcasts and post videos on websites. So really it is not unrealistic to think that we can do almost anything that the real media does.

Except that whole access thing. That is hard to pull off and you may think it is out of fear of pro sports teams. I admit it is likely a factor. But it really comes down to the fact there is little to know regulation and structure to blogs. In real media a story will pass through may hands prior to you seeing it at home. Edited and takes into account any legal issues that may or may not apply. A Blog is really in most cases a one man operation or like here on T.O Sports a collection of people from all over. It is not set up like a major media outlet. I don’t think T.O Sports has a legal department I know the Dino Nation Blog does not. I have about 3 years of Media Law and that is all. Enough to know what I should and should not do. But there is no confidence from pro sports franchises that they can trust blogs and bloggers that are not run by main stream media. It takes a lot of effort to prove to people and teams that you are on the level and they can trust you. I have worked hard at that and had some success in forming relationships with people.

What is the end game of all of this? I think The Score has the closest handle on it right now. They have the entire Bullhorn section on their website and it allows people to post videos and blogs and whatever they like. In a sense they have turned a section of their website over to the general public. It is a neat idea and is the closest thing to acceptance of the new generation media I have seen. Will a day come when people that blog can become a part of the accepted media? I think it can and will. I work hard at trying to represent the Blog world in a good way. The major Networks are starting to realize that bloggers are a factor and can’t just be dismissed as a fad or a trend. They are not going away and more are coming everyday. If a day comes that you will see Bloggers break down the doors to access to games, players and events it will be the start of a new age media. Some already have done that and slowly Bloggers are getting respect. It is a brave new world for everyone so enjoy it and take advantage of both sides of the media. They both together can help you be entertained and informed and that is what sports fans want. Right?

Check out James at Dino Nation Blog

NBA @ The Olympics

by James Borbath… When the NBA first decided to send it’s stars to the Olympic Games it was all about the “Dream Team” but it was about more than a Gold Medal for the United States in Basketball. David Stern saw it as great chance to get the Stars of his league on the biggest sports stage in the world. The U.S.A would crush the teams they would face and it was really from a basketball stand point almost like watching the Harlem Globetrotters. The game of basketball was growing in the world and Stern and the NBA were aware of it. At the time of the first “Dream Team” there were few international players in the NBA. But as time marched on this would change and basketball would become a truly global game.

The NHL and Gary Betman would also send it stars to the winter Olympics. Although the games on the ice were exciting and made for much more competition in who would actually win, the fact is the NHL was doing this for same reasons as the NBA. The success that the NBA has enjoyed from it becoming part of the Olympic family has been far greater than the NHL. The NBA is huge in the global marketplace. China is a shining example of that fact. Who do you think is the largest selling jersey in China for the NBA? Yao Ming? Nope he is sixth behind names like Iverson, James and Anthony. That speaks to the success the NBA has had in marketing it’s game. I don’t thing many kids in China are rocking NHL Jerseys or could even name you a single player in the NHL.

Did Stern ever imagine a day he would see the United States lose at the Olympics? I am not sure about that. But even in defeat the United States and the NBA would still get the same boost in global marketing. The addition of international stars like Yao Ming, Dirk Nowitzki, Jose Calderon and many more have only increased the interest in the NBA. The Olympic Basketball Tournament has become the single greatest marketing tool for the NBA beyond it’s own All Star Game and the NBA Finals.
The whole concept has come a long way from a guy from Angola asking for Charles Barkley’s autograph at halftime of a game he was playing against him. The rest of the world is no longer afraid to battle America’s best and the odd time they will win. The last time the U.S.A won an Olympic Gold was in 2000 in Sydney. The one image of that team was Vince Carter dunking over top of a 7 foot plus french guy that was a draft choice of the New York Knicks. But what was forgotten was how close that moment came to never happening. The United States almost lost to Lithuania and if not for a missed shot they may not have ever played France and won a gold. The reality would hit home in 2004 and the Americans would lose and fail to win gold.
It has caused the U.S program to change and look at what they needed to do to be better. Jerry Colangelo the father of Raptors G.M Bryan was the man put in charge of doing that. This team in China right now is a product of that work. But some other things have changed to as far as the players and attitudes. It has been refreshing to see the NBA stars embrace the Olympic Experience. Kobe Bryant marched along with many athletes that he and most Americans likely did not know. Chris Bosh wanted to get a picture with swimmer Michael Phelps. Phelps is looking to make history and win 8 gold medals in Swimming. The U.S Team has also come out and supported the American stars of the WNBA when they are playing games. In the past the U.S “Dream Team” was not really a part of “Team U.S.A” but this version of the post era dream team has been. It is a refreshing change and does nothing but add to the mass marketing it does for the players and the league.

In the Opening Ceremonies you also saw several international players carrying the flag for their respective nations. This is one of the most watched events around the entire world. Speaking of large television audiences the game between the U.S and China was said to be the most watched game in the history of the sport. Over a billion people watched China and U.S play the game invented by a Canadian James Naismith. Could Stern or Naismith have imagined that? It is truly an amazing moment in the history of the sport.

So in a summer that has seen a lot of bad things for David Stern. This is something that must have brought a smile to his face. The NBA Ref Scandal and an ugly franchise move out of Seattle can not take away from this moment. It has been a great success for the NBA in taking part in the Olympics and I can not see that changing anytime soon. It has been a huge success for the NBA in global marketing and is the shining example for all leagues to only hope to do half as well.

If the NBA ever one day has European Expansion it is born of the entire dream team concept. David Stern is one of the most intelligent people in sports today. He has done a great job in marketing the NBA and bringing to the level it is at today. He deserves a lot of credit for having the vision to see what bringing the NBA to the Olympics could be. It may have grown far beyond what even he had thought it would be. But if not for coming up with the idea to begin with none of it ever happens.

Check out more James at Dino Nation Blog

When Europe comes calling!

by James Borbath… I love to write about sports because it can be an escape from everything else that goes on in the world. But sometimes issues of the “REAL WORLD” invade into pro sports. There have been obvious ones that come to mind. When athletes get arrested like Michael Vick last summer. But there are lots of examples of those almost daily. You have major earth shaking events like September 11th in the United States. Also you have an event like the hurricane that took apart New Orleans. But the focus of today will be about economics.

When I write here it is mostly about Basketball. In fact 98% of the writing that I do is basketball related. So that is where we will start with this story. Josh Childress, Carlos Delfino, and several others have all said yes to Europe. Part of the reason for that is simple economics. Former Raptor Jorge Garbajosa said in signing in Russia with the same team as Delfino that he would not lie money played a role. The money being paid is euros. There is also none of that being paid in taxes. There is also the issue of the fact the NBA operates under a cap system. So there is only so much money that you can spend. Europe does not work under a cap system and can pay whatever amount they feel like.

Brandon Jennings is a name you might know if you are a hoops junkie. This young man decided to sign in Europe instead of going to the NCAA and pretending to be a student. He will be collecting a pay check instead. This could have a major impact on the NCAA. The NBA put in place a rule to block high school players from entering the NBA draft. Forcing them to play a year in college before they can leave to enter the draft. But Jennings has decided to create his own euro loop hole. If he is successful he could become a trailblazer that is not anything to do with Portland franchise. I am not a huge hockey person but could this have an impact on the CHL at some point? The chances are less likely as the NHL does not have as high an age to enter the draft.

There is much made of the 2010 free agent class that could include names such as Lebron James, Chris Bosh, Wade and others. Some people are even starting to talk about what if Lebron or some other big name took the big money and went over to Europe? This would mark a historic moment in Basketball and would truly make the game global. It is a problem that would rock the NBA to it’s core.

The NHL faces this same issue with the development of a new league based out of Russia. The NHL has also lost it’s share of talent this off-season to this new league. The same things apply as this new league does not have a cap and can offer whatever they see fit. The NHL does not have the big money T.V deal in the states that the NBA has. They struggle for attention and getting considered in the United States as being considered a “Major Sport”. Losing talent to a new league will not help matters.

These issues have yet to impact Baseball and Football. They may not have to face these challenges. The NFL really does not have another league in a global sense that will have the money and fan base to fight with them for talent. Baseball is also far stronger and even though more global leagues are out there, none have the money of the MLB.

Ultimately the globalization of the world as a whole is entering the sports world. If the economics remain the same this could mean a whole new type of sports world. David Beckham came to the MLS in soccer. It was seen as a major step in establishing soccer here in North America and these signings in Europe could mean a whole new world for Basketball and Hockey. What has been taken for granted for years may become a point of conversation. The NBA and NHL have always had the unofficial titles of best leagues in the world. This still is the case but if big names should make the jump to Europe that status of best league in the world may be up for debate.

It is not something that could have been imagined by many sports fans. But it could actually be the start of a very different sports world. The idea of a global free agent is becoming a reality. So the folks at MLSE that run the Raptors and Leafs will have a lot more people they must consider when they have players that go on the market. That market now is expanding well beyond just the NHL and NBA. It really makes sports fans have to stop and think. The cap systems that were introduced to help make teams able to compete on even terms. But that same system is actually keeping them from being able to do that on a global level. It is interesting to see what the future holds. It is actually a little scary for the NHL and NBA. It makes you wonder if you favourite player, who ever that is, went to Europe would you attempt to follow him? Would we see coverage of these leagues on Television or on the Internet? At the end of the day there are a lot of questions and few answers. But it is clear a challenge lies ahead for the NHL and NBA. It could all change if the economics were to change. However if they remain this is a legit concern for these leagues, and teams, and fans of those teams.

A brave new global sports world is here and it is not going away.

If this topic interested you. I have wrote one in the blog I write awhile ago mostly focused on basketball. Euro Impact on NBA and the folks here at T.O Sports are always welcome to read my site The Dino Nation Blog. Share your thoughts on what you think about this topic of the Globalization of the Sports World.

Malice At The Palace - Cat Fight!

by James Borbath…

Despite being a basketball fan, the WNBA has never been high on my sports radar. I think when they stopped a game based on a dunk being performed be Lisa Leslie. This to me was total BUSH LEAGUE(NO PUN INTENDED) move. Heading into this WNBA Season I admit the Candace Parker debut got me interested. I watched her debut which was impressive. But my interest faded out fast. I also just this past weekend watched the outdoor game between the New York Liberty and Indiana Fever. Honestly the most interesting thing to me was the fact Johnathan Coachman was calling the game for MSG. Yes wrestling fans it is the “Coach” from WWE. I wondered why he would be covering WNBA. But the answer came last night in Detroit. He must be scouting for the next WWE Diva. After the brawl that happened there could be some strong contenders. But seriously for those who don’t know Coachman was a sports broadcaster in Kansas City prior to being part of the WWE.

So what do you make of all of this that went on? I mean the WNBA struggles for attention. The outdoor game they put on didn’t draw the major attention that they would have hoped. But this brawl is all over everywhere on sports shows,blogs,YouTube and anywhere you can think of. Is this how the WNBA wants to get attention. I am guessing probably not. But they have likely got more attention from this single event than anything in the leagues entire history.

What does all this mean at the end of the day. Candace is tougher than her older brother Anthony? But seriously it is another ugly incident that has happened in Detroit. Ironically there was a rumour at the same time that Ron Artest could be traded to Detroit. The guy at the heart of the Original Malice At The Palace it is all to strange.

In the dog days of summer this will get even more attention based on the fact there is not a lot of news at this time of year. It is going to be interesting to see if this helps or hurts the WNBA. I mean what is going to be the new WNBA slogan? Come watch the CHICK FIGHT? That seems to go against what they have been trying to sell. Women as talented athletes and skilled players. But that hasn’t exactly worked out to well. Vince McManon the W.W.E Chairman has always been one who believes that any press is good press. I do not think the WNBA Commissioner( who’s name I have no idea ) will feel the same. I could have looked up her name but I didn’t too prove the point how little I and most people know about this league. One thing is certain WNBA has never got this much attention EVER

Canada’s Olympic Dreams Are Dead For 2008

by James Borbath… The debate on Sam Dalembert situation going on back at home. Team Canada marches on without Dalembert into the Quater-Finals vs Roko Ukic recently signed Raptor and Team Croatia. Even with Dalembert Canada would be an underdog in this game. Both teams would get off to a slow start. Croatia would make 1 of 2 free throws to break the scoreless start. Rowan Barrett would open up scoring for Canada nailing a 3 point shot. Joel Anthony drew a third foul on a Croatian player Barac just 3 minutes into the game. Canada was sticking with Croatia off the start. Olu Famutimi would hit a 3 to tie game at 10-10. Croatia would extend to a five point advantage on an easy lay-in to go up 18-13. Andy Rautins who has not been impressive to this point in the tournament nailed a 3 point shot to draw Canada back to with in 2 at the end of the first quarter down 18-16.

Could Canada continue their strong play into the second quarter?  A turnover on the first offensive trip was not the way to do it. Maurizio Gherardini Raptors Assistant GM did some colour commentary and he talked about Roko Ukic. who had yet to see the floor for Croatia. Joel Anthony had a dunk to draw Canada back to with in 2. Rans Brempong would score to tie the game at 20-20 and Roko Ukic was on the floor for Croatia. Roko took and missed his first attempt on the day. But after that Roko’s team scored the next 2 times down the floor with no reply from Canada. Gahradini talked about how Anthony is improving and his play last year with the Heat. Rowan Barrett ended a 7-0 run for Croatia with a two point shot for Canada making the score 27-22. Gherardini was a welcome edition to this broadcast as the announcer they have had is to say the least poor. More talk on Roko as Gherardini feels that the major adjustment for Roko in the NBA will be on defense. Canada would give up a foul and the basket and one gave Croatia their largest lead of 7 points. The lead would be extended further to 10 points on a 3 point shot for Croatia. Canada would respond with a 3 pointer of thier own putting it back to a 7 point lead. Roko Ukic would hit a 3 point shot to bring the lead once again back to 10 points. Another adjustment Roko will face in the NBA is adjusting to the the NBA 3 point line. This is something that Jose Calderon had to do when he first arrived in the NBA. Levon Kendall split a pair of free throws taking the lead down to single digits at 36-27. Canada had several chances to leading to a foul and Canada would make both shots from the line. Croatia would have one last chance to add to their lead now down to 7. They would have a turnover and a last second half court pray by Canada would not fall. So the score at the Half was 36-29 Croatia.

Gherardini was done as colour commentator he did a great job. He really is so informed as he had info to share on ever player in this game on both sides. He truly is a basketball database. The Raptors organization is very lucky to have him based on his knowledge of players outside of North Americia. Maybe Canada should have him on the bench as a consultant it sure couldn’t hurt them at all. The second half was on the way.

Ukic got the start for Croatia in the second half. He would make a pass to a team mate who would draw a foul and head to the line extending the lead to 8. Ukic would miss a lay-up the next trip down but the Croatians would end up with a 4 point play chance nailing a 3 and the foul. But they would miss the free throw. Joel Anthony would get a basket and one on the other end. Only to see Croatia come back down and make a 3 point shot extending the lead back to 10. Croatia would push the lead up to 12. Canada would come down and Rowan Barrett now would have a chance at a 4 point play which he would convert to make the score 44-36. But Croatia would go on a run of 5 straight points to extend the lead to 13 the largest of the day so far. The lead for Croatia was growing and hope was growing faint for Canada with the score 53-38 with under 5 minutes left in the 3rd quarter. Roko Ukic checked out for Croatia as Joel Anthony split a pair of free throws. To understand how talented Croatia can be they had a win over Spain in the Euro Basket Tournament last summer. So if you are thinking Canada has another comeback in them it is not going to be near as easy for them to pull off. Croatia would get there largest lead of 18 late in the 3rd quarter on a 3 pointer. A foul on Levon Kendall would add to that advantage as Croatia hit both free throws to have a 62-42 lead heading into the 4th quarter.

Croatia was not leaving anything to chance as they were still looking to build on their 20 point advantage. The would get it up to 23 points and just a reminder that quarters in International play are only 10 minutes not 12. Not saying that the extra 2 minutes would help matters. At the 6 minute mark Canada was trailing still by 22 points. Levon Kendall would foul out and with no Dalembert this would make it even more of an impossible task for Canada. The clock could not move fast enough as Croatia now lead 79-51. Many questions need to be answered for the future of Canada Basketball. For the players that were here it will be good experience but the shadow of the events with Sam Dalembert will be large. Olu Famutimi is a guy that should have a bright future in the program. He had a highlight reel dunk in basically garbage time but he is a very athletic kid and may even have a very small chance at getting to the NBA some day. As for Roko Ukic there was not a lot of him to see in this game for Raptor fans. But he did play well in the game that got Craotia to this game. Rowan Barrett played very well for Canada in likely his last run for team Canada. But when your best player is a guy in his mid thirties not named Steve Nash that really is not a good sign. Joel Anthony is a guy that should be a big part of this program going forward. The final score was 83-62. Olu Famutimi had 14 to lead Canada in scoring. Roko Ukic had the lone 3 pointer as his only scoring on the day.

Boxscore Canada vs Croatia

So what will be the future for team Canada now that China is not in the plan. Well there is a match-up with Team USA. That is going to be an ugly thing to watch as the United States will look to tune up for China by putting the boots to Canada unless something truly amazing were to happen. Chris Bosh will be on the Roster for the Americans so that is some reason to watch from a Canadian perspective. The Future for Leo Rautins is something that will be debated as well if not with in Canada Basketball in the media and court of public opinion. Some praise Leo for how he handled the Dalembert affair. Others say it was a huge mistake. Dalembert’s agent said good luck trying to get NBA players to come be a part of team Canada in the future and that could be a problem that will need to be addressed going forward. One thing is for certain everyone is disappointed in how Canada has performed in this tournament.

Not The Titanic Division Anymore

by James Borbath…

Not to long ago, the Toronto Raptors raised the first banner to the ACC rafters.Raptors Never guessed how hard number two was going to be to get. The Atlantic Division was the joke of the NBA. It had the New York Knicks who found new ways to spend more and get less. The Sixers who were still searching for a way to win with AI and ran out of ideas. The Boston Celtics once proud franchise reduced to a training school for the NBA youngsters. The New Jersey Nets who are finding out the reason that we all LOVE VC so much. There Big 3 of Carter, Kidd and Jefferson were not working out as well as many had thought it might. You also had our very own Toronto Raptors who thanks to Bryan Colangelo had become the surprise of the NBA.Since that time the Atlantic Division has changed and continues too. Boston in an attempt to save Paul Pierce would give him his own Big 3. Garnett and Allen came, they saw and the did indeed conquer. They will have the rings and banner to prove it. The Nets have blown apart the big 3 and now are left with just V.C and a core of youth to rebuild. The Sixers are doing just fine in the post Iverson Era. They shocked everyone last year and the move to sign Elton Brand has opened eyes wide. The Knicks have new management and a new coach that is said to have the system behind the Suns success. But I think a system still needs the players to run it. But that process is underway. Chris Duhon of the Bulls is the first part to the D’antoni puzzle. You may have heard are own Toronto Raptors made a trade? They have visions of a new Duncan/Robinson duo in the form of Bosh and O’Neal. That would be Jermaine not Shaq who is still the Big Cactus and still not on Kobe’s Christmas card list.

Even more is coming in 2010. An Arms race of sorts for cap space is on between 3 of the teams Atlantic Division. Toronto, New York and New Jersey have all made moves that will free up room for the 2010 off-season. What is so the big deal about that? Two words…King James. But not just Lebron will be up on the market. Chris Bosh, Dwyane Wade and a number of major league stars will be in play. Many will laugh at the idea the Raptors could seriously be in the mix for a guy like Lebron or even Wade. But don’t laugh to hard because the world is changing and Bryan Colangelo knows that it is.

Lebron James is on record that he does not want to be like Mike. He wants to be like Tiger Woods. No Lebron is not heading to the PGA tour but he does want to join the Billionaire Athlete Club. Woods is likely to get their before Lebron but he wants in. That is why many see New York and New Jersey (who may move to Brooklyn by this time) as logical landing spots for the King. New York City is the place to be for making all those great ad dollars. Those dollars are in U.S Currency. Have you noticed the U.S Dollar is not what it use to be? This is how the Raptors fit into the mix.

The Toronto Raptors despite being a ratings loser in the United States. They are big in Europe. They do very well based on Jose Calderon and Andrea Bargnani. They sell lots of jerseys and product. That is not paid for in U.S dollars but Euros. The Euro is doing very well. So who is to say the a guy like Lebron could not come to Canada and make is money in ads and marketing in Europe? Lebron has made attempts to further his fame in China. He sees the value in world wide marketing. He does or his people do. So with the Raptors already established in Europe it would make sense. Is this crazy and out of the box thinking? As the way things stand today likely it is. But if the economy continues in the same direction or gets worse in the United States this idea starts not looking so crazy. Even if there is no King at the end of the rainbow for the Raptors they still will need the money to re-sign Bosh and if O’Neal works out him too.

Regardless of that the most likely division for Lebron to Call home will be the Atlantic. Dwyane Wade would also make a nice consolation prize for the teams that miss on Lebron James. By 2010 it could just be that the division that you once laughed about will be the toughest and most star filled in the NBA. The idea of that second banner to hang in the A.C.C is going to get tougher and tougher to pull off. But the nice thing might be that if the Raptors do get banner number 2 in a Division stacked like this on is getting and will be, It likely won’t say Atlantic Division Champions. It is more likely to say Conference Champions or dare to dream but NBA Champions.

Bryan Colangelo knows his neighbourhood just got a lot tougher and he like he always has done is trying to stay one step ahead of the pack. Taking chances and thinking outside of the box. Doing everything he can think of to win that NBA Championship. Some how I can’t see Rob Babcock having that kind of deep thinking strategy. Bryan Colangelo is earning every penny of his paycheck from the folks at MLSE.

Rap Up Of A Big Day

Canada Basketball Needs You

by James Borbath…

The title might suggest I am saying you should go try-out for the team. But that’s not what I’m saying at all. They need your support. It seems clear the message is not getting through. This past weekend Team Canada took over the Ricoh and 4,000 people decided to show up. There was room for about 10,000 over the two nights. You could have even said hello to Matt Bonner, who was there and cheering for Canada. The ex-Raptor is marrying a girl from Toronto this summer and is often here in town since his trade to the Spurs. We all know anything to do with a national team for hockey would have filled the place. But basketball despite being invented by a native of this country will always be at best the second sport in Canada.

The people at MLSE do not get a lot of love from most folks. But I have reason to give them some so I will. Not only did they give their floor, from ACC to play on, they opened up their check book as well. Bryan Colangelo the Raptors President when called by Canada Basketball stepped up to the plate and created a relationship with the national program. The Raptors gave money for the 3 year relationship up front. This is said to be an amount that is a few hundred thousand dollars. Not a lot of money to an NBA player as it would not even be a low level contract, like the one Jamario Moon has currently. But for Canada Basketball it is huge.

The media has done a solid job in trying to promote the recent games played in both Hamilton and Toronto. I was in attendance for both here in Hamilton. I had a great experience and was even able to chat with Sam Dalembert of the Sixers and a member of team Canada roster. He became a citizen right here in Hamilton last summer. He is proud to be a part of the program and like me wants to see it grow and have success.

The most success this program had is when Steve Nash was a part of it. He played for several years with the program and I think still should. I mean he has time to attend Yankee games and play in charity soccer events why not get his butt out on the floor. Many think Nash has done enough for the program and that may be true. But I fail to see why he can’t still be part of that. There have been lots of reasons given by all sides but in the end to me it’s all excuses. Let’s face facts if Nash was a hockey player and turned down the chance to play, he would be trashed from coast to coast. It’s not the case with basketball. In fact many choose to sing his praises and not say a bad word against him. I respect all that Nash has done and he will go down as the greatest basketball player this country has produced. But I will also have an empty spot for him not making one last run with team Canada.

I think Steve Nash would put more butts in seats. But beyond that he improves a team that really is already talented. Joel Anthony of the Miami Heat is also on this roster. I think he is a guy that will grow in the NBA. Pat Riley is said to love this guy. He was one of the few players that stood out on a pathetic Miami Heat Basketball team. In fact in my own blog I wrote about the idea of him becoming the first Raptor from Canada. That is how much I like this guy. Having watched him play for myself convinced me of this.

It only cost me 12 dollars to see the game by the way. I was sitting right behind press row. How much would that ticket run you for a Raptor game? Big dollars, for sure. There are other guys that you may not have heard off that are good basketball players. They may not be on an NBA level but they are still very skilled and play professionally around the globe. Levon Kendall, Carl English and a bunch of others.

The team is off to Europe looking to make it to the Olympics in August. The task will be tough but they could make it, out of the last chance tournament in which 3 of 12 teams will advance to China. I would think we will get to see these games on T.V, somewhere. The fact that I am uncertain about this speaks to the problem. So I encourage you to support this team and the Canada Basketball program. If they do make the games in China stop and think you could have seen these guys for the price of some take-out food pretty much. So, if you consider yourself a basketball fan? Invest some of your time and go to www.basketball.ca and read up on YOUR NATIONAL TEAM. I will be writing about them as well in my Dino Nation Blog. I would love to hear what people think about the national program. How can they do a better job to make you a fan? Leave comments here and maybe together we can figure out why Canada Basketball is not getting through to folks. I know they are trying!

The Raptor Civil War Is Over

by James Borbath…

This is my first time writing for T.O Sports. I am happy to have the chance to do so. So who am I? To some I am your friendly neighbourhood Dino Blogger. I write the Dino Nation Blog on a daily basis which is part of the blog roll here. I just wanted to introduce myself to you all here. Now on to why I am here.

In the blog I mentioned above like everywhere in Raptorland the topic of Jose vs. T.J was always a major topic. If I every felt the need to boost my ego and get a few more readers and comments it was a ratings winner. I early on in this saga called it the Raptor Civil War. As of July 9th 2008 the war will officially be over. T.J Ford will be a Pacer and Jose Calderon will remain a Raptor and have a lot more cash (Expected to be about 45 Million Dollars) so it is safe to say who won this war.

I happened to be on the losing end of this conflict. I was a fan of T.J Ford since well back to his days as a Texas Longhorn. He was national player of the year back in those days and drafted by the Milwaukee Bucks. Is time with them was much like his time in Toronto. A major injury at the hands of Mark Madsen. It put him out of basketball for an entire season. Raptor fans are aware of his injury in Atlanta at the hands of Al Horford last year. Ford is for whatever you make think of him a brave guy to battle back from both injuries. It is that same determination and grit that is at the heart of why he is now becoming a Pacer.

Both Ford and Calderon wanted and in the end demanded that the Raptors pick one or the other. Ford did it in the bright lights of the Toronto Media. While Calderon would do it in Spain after the season was over. Jose is no doubt a stand-up person and his team first actions are something that should be applauded. Ford meanwhile was given the tag of “ME-J” by fans and media. I have said that this was not really the case. Ask D.J Augstine now of the Charlotte Bobcats he will tell you that Ford is one of the people that helped him get ready for the NBA and being drafted. Not exactly the move of a guy that is a bad person or someone with a me first outlook on life. If T.J is guilty of anything it is the fact he wants to win and tries to hard to do so.

In the end Ford’s time in Toronto will be cast with a misconception of who and what he was as a person and a player. In a recent interview on local radio station the Fan 590 Ford expressed that. He also said he never wanted to leave Toronto and was happy as a Raptor. The key of all of this was that he was not willing to surrender the job of starting point guard. Something that is at the core of why most seem to dislike Ford. However for me personally I think it is why I do and continue to like him. If a guy is happy with being #2 that is not someone I want on my team.

Looking to the post Civil War and Jose Calderon coming out the clear winner, what is next? Well it will be interesting to see. Calderon has always been the hero and for the most part has not got much in the way of negative written or said about him. But there is a long list of former Raptor Point Guards that can tell him that is about to change. From the franchise first ever point guard Damon Stoudamire to now it has always been a hot topic with fans. The first thing that will get talked about is Jose Calderon on the defensive end of the floor. While he has improved by leaps and bounds on the offensive end from his first year. His defensive skills are down right brutal. He is not a good on the ball defender and really gets exposed on a night to night basis. Least this season he will have Jermaine O’Neal backing him up and blocking some shots.But it is a flaw in his game that is not talked about enough.

More minutes and playing in August for Spain. No really back up to this point to push him like he did Ford. If you say Roko Ukic is that guy…go look up Jose and his stats year one in the NBA. They are not that good. In fact if anyone saw the improvement of Jose coming the trade that brought Ford here never would have been made. So it will be a new challenge for Calderon that he wanted and asked for. This is what the majority of Raptor fans wanted as well. Now you have it. I just want to make Jose aware that remember all of those fans you have here? Some of them or going to leave you at the first sign of trouble. They will call in on radio and rant about what is wrong with you. Hope you are ready for that too. In all honesty playing in EuroLeague prior to coming to Toronto he likely has experienced much worse.

In the end the Toronto Raptors are banking on Jose being able to handle everything. I don’t dislike Jose in fact he is a hard guy for anyone to not like. But I have concerns about what will happen going forward. I am not saying he will end of being like Mike James. The former Raptor point guard that had a career year in his lone season as a Raptor. Only to sign in Minnesota to be the last nail in the coffin of K.G saying he had to go. But it is reasonable to think Jose may be in for an adjustment in his numbers to at the very least level off. But more likely will be a bit behind those of last year. Many fans were saying he should have been an all-star last year. I was not one of them. But if fans are saying that this year the Raptors will be in good shape. If they are calling in to radio programs talking about how good T.J Ford is doing as a Pacer that is not a good sign. Bryan Colangelo and Sam Mitchell both have agreed Jose is the man. Well being the man is a different job and we will see how Jose handles it. This is a new challenge for Jose Calderon and not as easy a one has people seem to think.

The only other question is what will Raptor Fans debate about now? It was something that you could count on being there. But now with T.J gone the debate is over and the war with it. Who is better and will be going forward is something that will no doubt be talked about. But it won’t be the same as it has been the last 2 years.

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