Before I get started with today’s blog. I have to make note of a truly historic moment. If the Toronto Raptors are to ever reach the goal of winning a NBA Championship in the next 4 years. They will be heading to the White House at some point to be the guest of the 44th President Barack Obama. On the day he made history Obama played a game of pick up basketball. The White House is going to have a basketball hoop. But more important it will have something that many people thought they would never live to see. In a campaign that was all about “Change” and “Yes We Can”. It has been an inspiration to so many including me. I hope this can be something that can make this world a better place for all. We have a President in the United States that shares a love we all have for basketball. But he also offers hope for the future.
I am always working hard at expanded on the guests I talk with for the blog. It allows you as readers to get a number of opinions from a variety of people. It also allows me to only call on people individually not as often. They all are very busy folks covering the Raptors. Sherman Hamilton is among those busy folks. He can been seen doing lots of stuff. The pre and post game coverage on Raptors T.V, Raptors Today and he is working on The Score on some of their NBA stuff as well. I was pleased he was able to make time for me and the Dino Nation Blog. In the Starting 5 Sherman tells us his thoughts on trade for the Pistons, He breaks down the match-up for Raptors versus this new look Pistons team. He also talks about who and what needs to happen for the Raptors bench to improve.
Sherman Hamilton In The Starting 5.
I started the rest of my conversation with Sherman Hamilton talking about the fact he is an ex-player turned broadcaster. Sherman due to injury was forced to cut his playing career short. He played professional basketball in Europe and was a proud member of our National Team. I asked him to tell us about both the challenges and advantages of going from on the floor to covering others playing the game in broadcasting.
The Challenges
Sherman Hamilton- For me the main thing when I got into it. Yes I know about the game and I have experienced basketball at a high level. But I needed to figure out how to operate in the media. I took voice lessons, and did things in terms of getting in touch with people that I thought were good in the media. Really taking a lot of note and being a sponge around them and listening to them and hanging around them. Just trying to get all the information that I could. We have seen it out there, some very good players who have played at a high level. But when it came to being on air they have struggled. I did not want that to happen to me. I worked at speaking clearly. I really have worked at trying to project when I started that was a problem. In terms of on camera stuff you got to learn to be yourself. If humour is a part of who you are, you want to show people that you have that. I think overall the main thing was just look like you belong. I think that the stuff behind the scenes in putting in the reps. At home I will tape myself on camera and looking at that stuff. I think all these thing are invaluable in terms of improvement.
I am a graduate of a Broadcast Journalism Program. All of the things that Sherman has mentioned are things I have done myself in my working in broadcasting. Just like Sherm’s experience this whole blogging thing was something new for me. I am learning to get better in this form of media. So I can relate to a lot of this. I feel that people do not understand how much work goes into broadcasting in general. In my blog I have done my best to get people to share and show you how much work it takes to work in the broadcasting world. I hope you enjoy this kind of information. But the one thing I will never know is the advantage of being a high level athlete and the advantages of that in working in broadcasting. Sherman does have that advantage and I asked him about that aspect in working in the business.
Advantages
Sherman Hamilton- I think one of the things I am able to do. I have been in situations not in the NBA, but I have been in situations that I have had to run a pick and roll. I have to figure out how to execute a pick and roll both offensively and defensively. It gives me an insight into what players are trying to attack the pick and roll. The way the help side works, the technical aspects of the game. Being a point guard, you know that you are a coach on the floor. You have to know positions and plays from every position on the floor. So you can use them effectively. I think that attention to detail as a point guard really helps me in the broadcasting field. Not only can you see a play when it happens. But because of my background I can see it developing. So that way I can tell what went wrong right away if it didn’t work, or what went right if it did work and why it worked. Knowing what to expect from each position and each player you can break it down on the fly. Part of playing is action and reaction and I think the same thing holds true for me in broadcasting. See it, and access it and you have to break it down right away. That really helps me in terms of being a former player.
That does make a lot of sense. I have always said that point guard is the hardest position to play in the sport. When you look at football as an example some of the best athletes turned broadcasters are ex-quarterbacks and coaches. I hope that was as interesting for you as it was for me. But we do shift are attention to Raptors basketball. The one thing the Raptor fans may still be concerned about is the bench despite the 3-0 start. Yesterday we had Jack Armstrong and his take on the bench. Today Sherman Hamilton shares his views on the topic. I asked how the Raptor bench can improve. Is it a case of improving form with in or do changes have to happen?
Sherman Hamilton- I think a little bit of both. I think this bench is going to play an important role for the Raptors. I do think this bench can be good for the Raptors. A lot of it hinges on how well Andrea Bargnani plays. But, I think it is about time that he takes that next step in his career. The truth of the matter is he has got to play at a higher level. He had a disappointing year last year. He has gotta be a better player for the Raptors. But having said that, I think if the situation arises that they have the opportunity to upgrade that bench based on trade or finding some free agents out there. I think that is something the Raptors have to consider. The bottom line at the end of the day is for this team to get better.
If there is a lack of something on the bench. I think that it is Bryan Colangelo’s job to find out where to improve this team and if it is on the bench, find the players to improve that. But I do think the Bryan Colangelo is a proactive G.M. He is going to search thing out. If that deal is there to make the team better he will make it. But I do think the bench has to get better as you mentioned, has to get better. So the quality of play improves from with in. It comes from practice and getting on the floor and doing what your suppose to do. If that bench is clicking and getting consistent production from that bench. I think it can be a pretty solid bench.
My feeling has been that the Raptors will need to try to find a way to upgrade. Bryan Colangelo will be challenged by his cap situation but I think he will find a way to make it happen. But I do think as well you can not count on that happening and Sam Mitchell must get the most out of the people he has and improve from with in.
Improvement has been a staple of Chris Bosh and his rise to NBA stardom. In an interview with Sherman Hamilton, Bosh said that he wanted to be the M.V.P. He talked about the things it would take to get in that M.V.P conversation. It has been an interview that I have mentioned several times in this blog. So I wanted to ask Sherm if he was surprised by the comments of Bosh and if he could indeed follow through and get into that M.V.P conversation.
Sherman Hamilton- I was not surprised. Sam Mitchell last season had talked about getting across to Chris that he belonged among the upper echelon of NBA players. Being an All-Star that is just something that is going to happen. His next step for his development is to get in the conversation for being an M.V.P candidate. I remember him(Sam) saying that. Chris had a great summer as you know with the U.S Olympic team and became a vital part of your success. People probably thought that he would be just another big guy another NBA player on the team. But he ended up being on of the big factors for the U.S Dream Team.Coming Back(This Year) there is this air about Chris, you talk to him, the way he is talking, he just walks around differently. He just basically said that I have to make that move. I’ve got to all the work to put myself on that level. He talks about it, in terms of being a practice player everyday. Working out as hard as he can. Making sure his body is right and taking care of it. Understanding that his leadership is not just how he does it on the court but it is being vocal as well.
He has been very vocal in these first few games. He has been very aggressive and vocal especially in late game situations. So there is a lot of things about Chris Bosh that I have seen different this season. For me, he can take that next step and get into that M.V.P conversation if he is healthy. Because his work ethic I do not question. His ability for him to improve and build on his skills on a year to year basis I do not question. So it is just about health for Chris Bosh. Now that he has some defensive toughness with him. I think that his defensive game can pick up as well. If Chris Bosh is going to give you 23-25 points a game, 10 rebounds and a couple of blocks. We are talking M.V.P numbers.
That defensive toughness Sherm is referring too is of course Jermaine O’Neal. I have spent a lot of time talking about how Jeremaine O’Neal has impressed me personally. I have not been worried about what he will bring offensively. It will be great if J.O can have nights where he can contribute that is great. But what the Raptors truly need is that defensive presence. He has been bringing that and I asked Sherm if that was good enough for him to be successful regardless of what he provides offensively.
Sherman Hamilton- I’d like to think so. When Bryan Colangelo decided to bring in Jermaine O’Neal on of the big things he needed to address was interior toughness. Which includes, blocking shots, just being physical in the paint and not allowing people to just walk into your paint and set up shop. Also getting on the glass and helping out in the rebounding department. I think he has a player in Jermaine O’Neal that addresses all of those areas. I am a firm believer that a tough guy coming into a situation can help a lot. He can bring some players along. But if they don’t buy into it, they are not going to be tough enough. Right now the Raptors are buying into what Jermaine O’Neal is selling. That’s a good thing. We are seeing a team who due to Jermaine O’Neal is playing better defense because they know they have someone back there that is going to be accountable. Who is going to be there if they get beat. He is going to sacrifice himself to take offensive fouls as well.
I think it is one thing to talk about that kind of thing in the pre-season. Saying that is what I they want to do. When he was saying all of that I could just see Raptor Fans eyes just lighting up, when he was talking about defense and toughness and that kind of stuff. In the first 3 games we have seen all of that stuff. The shot blocking, the aggressive play in the paint and trying to take charges. Now he has gotten into foul trouble. But I can live with that because I think at some point he is going to make the adjustment. They are not major just slight adjustments. To keep himself in the game longer without getting into foul trouble. But I think yeah, when you bring in a guy like Jermaine in. Other guys there shoulders raise up, their chests stick out a little more. There is a bit more swagger when they step out on to the court. We can mix it up a little. We can make it happen if it gets physical out there. I think that is something that the Raptors have not had in A LONGTIME.
So for Jermaine O’Neal that is a lot of pressure to be that tough guy night in and night out. But he accepts that role. He wants to be that guy for his team. The best thing about Jermaine O’Neal right now is he is focused on winning. He knows that defense wins games and he talking the right stuff and he is doing it so far.
I have heard over the history of this blog one name when this topic of toughness comes up. That name is retired NBA Player and former Raptor Charles Oakley. I asked if Jermaine could fill that long lost role that Oakley filled for this modern version of the Raptors in Sherm’s opinion.
Sherman Hamilton- I think he has that Oakley effect. Now Oakley was just a straight up tough guy. I don’t think he gets enough credit for his intellect. He was a physical, rough house player. He wanted to mix it up and he wasn’t afraid to mix it up with anybody. I think Jermaine O’Neal is a bit different, a bit more in terms of talent, in scoring the ball in different ways. But I think Jermaine O’Neal is kind of what you said, the Charles Oakley for this team. That Oakley was for his teams back then. That is a good thing. I am sure you agree James in past few years, toughness was not on the list when you thought of the Raptors. You thought about finesse team, a jump shooting team a skill team. But when it came to getting physical in the paint and throw some elbows the Raptors were not going to able to stand up to that. But now things have changed. The Raptors have a guy that is down there who can be physical and can demand respect from the referees for playing that physical way. I think yeah that is a good comparison bit of a different style of game. The Charles Oakley for the Raptors of 2008.
I think J.O gives the Raptors a respect that was just not there these past few years. But from tough guys to the man who survived the point guard civil war. Jose Calderon has a brand new challenge and to this point early on he has responded. I asked Sherm if was was surprised at all that Jose has made such a clean transition into the the starting point guard role.
Sherman Hamilton- I am not surprised. I think Jose has proved to us that when asked to he can step his game up. Jose given another opportunity as he was last year, a time that he stepped up and took advantage of it. The fact that he is being success now is not a surprise to me. I think Jose has a hard season ahead of him being the lead point guard. The guy is going to be depended on for a lot of quality minutes. I think teams are going to go after him and try and wear him down during the season and he is going to have to step up to that challenge. I think his confidence is high. Jose is playing with a bit of an edge, because I think he wants to prove to everyone that he deserves to be a starting point guard in the NBA. Prove that the Raptors didn’t make a mistake. One way you can help a point guard is putting quality players behind him. Bryan Colangelo has put a defensive player that can also score behind him in Jermaine O’Neal. I think that can help him because now he doesn’t just have to depend on Chris Bosh he has got someone else to throw the ball too. For Jose Calderon I think that is good. He needs to have those releases because he is such a good passer. I think Jose is going to have good season. Teams are going run at him. But if he can stay healthy and does not wear down, I expect big things from Jose.
That is the trick though. Granted Jose has not had a history of injuries. But how do you stay healthy and log all of those minutes. I asked Sherm how you can keep Jose healthy and fresh if you are Sam Mitchell?
Sherman Hamilton- That is the tough job that Sam Mitchell has. He has got to find a way to keep both Jose Calderon and Jermaine O’Neal both fresh for the middle to end of the season. I think you have to be creative. You will have to play some different combinations on the floor. Give Roko Ukic some more time. When Will Solomon is healthy you put him in there to spell Jose for some time if you choose too. I just think you have to give Jose some breaks during the game. So that he is fresh later on in the season. That is going to take some creative coaching.
But for Jose coming into this year. There was an understanding that he was going to have to play a lot of minutes. He is going to have to play a bit injured sometimes. he is going to have to do some things that will extend him physically. When you sign that big contract you know they are going to be coming for you. He will just have to figure out ways to fight through. Sometimes it is about coaches trying to figure out how to get players breaks. But sometimes players just have to figure a way to mentally dig deeper and step up to the challenge. I think it will be a bit of both.
This has been a great conversation with Sherm. There was more to our conversation. We had a long chat about Canada Basketball and Canada as it relates to the NBA and the Raptors. But I am going to save that stuff for another day. All of that will make for a whole different topic for another day very soon. I did ask Sherm for his thoughts on the upcoming schedule. He talked about how the Hawks and even Bobcats will be tough challeges for the Raptors based on their athletic abilities. But He had an interesting take on the Celtics vs Raptors coming up on November 10th. It was to good not to share with you.
Sherman Hamilton- Boston is more suited to the Raptors style of game with Jermaine O’Neal. Boston is not necessarily going to run up and down the court. They are going to try and play you in the half court. Now with Jermaine O’Neal in the front court for the Raptors. Kevin Garnett is a handful for anybody. But I tell you want if Chris Bosh is going to have to guard Kevin Garnett and you have Jermaine banging with Kendrick Perkins. It is a bit better of a match-up than it was last year for the Raptors. That is not taking anything away from Boston. They are still a great team. I have them coming out of the Eastern Conference as Champs. So take this for what it is. The Raptors are better suited to play against a team like Boston than they were last season because of what they have done in the front court.
We talked about the overall improvement of the Eastern Conference as well. There will not be those easy nights for the Raptors in playing teams in the East. But that challenge should the Raptors make the playoffs as expected , the Raptors should be better prepared for the challenge of the Post Season. Sherm pointed to the game vs. Golden State as a game that was very playoff like in nature. The more games the Raptors play like that the better prepared they will be. On this night the challenge is going to be the new look Pistons. I want to thank Sherman Hamilton for visiting and I hope he will come visit again when he has the time to share with us. Remember to check back tonight for the Raptor Rewind of what happened with the Pistons and Raptors.
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