Dino Nation Post Office Re-Opening

3rd Time Is The Charm?…Dino Mail Bag Day V3

O.K here we go again. I have tried this a couple times before and the response has not been good enough to make it work. But since the last time I tried the numbers of people that are coming to Dino Nation Blog has grown. What am I talking about. Your questions for me. All the big blogs have a mailbag in some form. I want to be a responsible blogger like Doug Smith and Eric Smith. So I want to hear from you. Send me your questions on Basketball. I will attempt to answer them. Be it on the Raptors, The NBA, Canada Basketball or even stuff about me you might want to know. About the only thing I am not doing is giving relationship advice. For that you are on your own. Be it funny or serious it is all good. Just keep in mind it has to be published so keep it clean and make sure you have looked it over for obvious errors. I know I make a few so if you do no worries just do your best. For this to work it will take YOU THE READERS OF THE DINO NATION BLOG. So I am counting on you folks. If you know me on facebook or have my personal email you can send your questions their. For anyone else send your questions to dinonationblogger@hotmail.com Please make all E-Mails/Messages titled: Re: Dino Nation Mail Bag. I think we are finally ready to make this a weekly or bi/weekley feature. So send me your mail. Your odds of getting it answered are highly improved over if you e-mail Doug or Eric. In fact I will do my best to answer all the questions that come in. So get on your thinking caps and ask away. I really want this to work. It will help me to get a chance to know some of you better hopefully and vice versa.

Also I need a name for this feature as well. I will come up with something but if you have a suggestion feel free to pass it along with your question. I think until the season starts it will be sometime on the weekend I put this altogether. So any time till Friday send your questions,comments or whatever you want to know.

Looking Ahead to Next Week

FINALLY we will hear from Bryan Colangelo. July 9th which is a Wednesday we can all hear his thoughts on what he has done. Most likely will hear from Jermaine O’Neal, Jose Calderon, Chris Bosh, and Hassan Adams as well as get to know AUSSIE Shaq AKA Nathan Jawai. It will be interesting to say the least. Especially to hear from Colangelo and O’Neal. May even hear from Sam Mitchell as well who will be coaching all these folks. So it should provide lots to write about and talk about.

Also Canada will be off to Europe and getting prepared to play in Athens Greece. The road to China will be right in front of them. So as I have been I will be following the progress of Canada’s second team beyond the Raptors. By the numbers who have been viewing the stuff I have been writing about it you seem to be enjoying it. Regardless of how Canada does I plan to cover the Olympics as well. After all Raptors have a couple key parts to the future playing in them. Only makes sense to stay on top of things.

So get ready for what should be one of the more important weeks of the off-season here at the Dino Nation Blog and in Raptorland in general.

Canada Rebounds Strong

Canada Wins Without Juan

Team Canada was back in action tonight at Ricoh. But Eric Smith reported during his live blog that Juan Mendez the former Niagara Purple Eagle has been cut from the Canada Roster. This is the second of two key players from last year’s team in Vegas to be left off the roster. The first was Toronto native Denham Brown who no showed at the start of camp. There has yet to have been any explanation from him as to why this happened. The story on Juan Mendez Eric Smith said he will expand on it and if I hear anything I will update you.

As for the game itself. Coach Leo Rautins called last night’s performance an embrassment and his team came out looking like it as well. Rautins no doubt had some harsh things to say about the performance of last evening and the boys in the Red,White and Black responded. They had a 30-17 lead after the first quarter. Keep in mind that is a 10 minute period  not 12 like in the NBA. From that point the beat down was on.  The lead by halftime had grown to 57-35.

By the way, Last night Eric Smith estimated only about 1,500 people in the house. Tonight he said roughly 2,200 folks and a much louder and vocal crowd. Having attended the game verus Lebanon here that is not surprising as the had a great deal of supporters at that game as well. Glad to see the bump in numbers being a Saturday night in Toronto I was worried. Eric said it was actually about 1,800 in reality on Friday. So if Eric is off by same amount that would be about 2,500 but that is still only half full for the 5,000 seat set up they have for the basketball configuration they designed. This has been first time basketball has been played at the Ricoh. They got use of the Raptors court from over at the ACC to be but in for these games.

The second half was more of the same as Canada would push there total to triple digits. PIZZA!!!!! ok maybe not Canada Basketball does not have the deep pockets of the folks at MLSE running the Raptors. Dave Thomas was the leading scorer with 17 ponts. 4 other Canucks in double figures: English, Anthony, Kendell and Famutimi. Sam Dalembert did not play and is said to be just resting some minor bumps and will likely play in tune-up games in Germany.

Juan Mendez spot on the roster has been filled by Rans Brempong. I admit I have some homework to do on this guy. You can too:

Rans Brempong Bio on Canada Basketball Website

For the record make the FINAL 100-68 for Canada. Next Stop Germany and then it is off to Athens, Greece.

Update(Early Sunday): E Smith had some wireless internet issues at the end of the game. I had asked about why the move with Juan Mendez. Leo Rautins felt that Brempong added more hustle and attitude. But he feels Juan will still have a role with the program going into the future.

For Eric’s Complete Live Blog Click It Here

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The First Raptor From Canada Should Be….

As the regular readers of the Dino Nation Blog are aware, I have been spending sometime watching and covering Team Canada. In doing so I have found another cause of sorts. Seems I come up with ideas that I fall in love with. Ron Artest as a Raptor. My support of T.J Ford and some others. But this one may be the most important of all to me. I have always wanted and craved the idea of a Raptor from this country. I hope in the past for guys like Juan Mendez and Denham Brown to find a way on to the Raptor Roster in their draft years. But they were not good enough to make the grade in the NBA as of yet. But a guy that is already crossed that hurdle of making the NBA is their team mate on team Canada Joel Anthony. He caught on with the Miami Heat and in a year where Pat Riley found little to be excited about, he is a fan of Joel Anthony. He is currently under contract to the Heat. I think the heat have an option on him for upcoming season. I do not think they will be willing to move him in a trade based on Riley and his feelings about him. But the Raptors should keep this guy on the radar as a player to add to the mix. He is a good athletic talent. Watching him play for Canada he has no problem with contact and getting to the free throw line. Making those attempts is another thing but it is something he can improve.

I really have always felt that if the Raptors can go after a talent from Canada that is equal to any other talent of better, they should make it happen. So when I look at this Raptor roster and I look at guys like Joey Graham and Kris Humphries do I think Anthony is equal or better? I do indeed think that and there is the added bonus that he is from Canada and a proud member of the national team. Sam Dalembert and Steve Nash are not going to be coming to the Raptors anytime soon if ever. But Joel Anthony is a guy that likely could be part of this team if not now but in the future. Anyone that say the name Jamal Maglorie at this point, please go shake your head. Maglorie is never coming and I think honestly does not want too. Based on his play of late and the way he treated Team Canada through his career I am not the least bit sad about that fact.

Maybe this is all me dreaming in print. But I really have always been very passionate about the idea of having a live breathing native canuck on the Raptor roster. I still say the biggest mistake beyond drafting BIG COUNTRY for the Vancouver Grizzles was not finding a way to draft Steve Nash. I firmly believe if they had we would still have a team there to this day. Sure no one could have known just how good Nash would become. But the fact he was a legit first round pick and was from B.C should have been enough to make the Grizzles move Heaven and Earth to draft him. But this is the same team that drafted Steve Francis when they knew he would not play for them. The list of draft failures in Vancouver was long for sure.

It is not to say the Raptors need to do this to save their franchise. But could Joel Anthony be a improvement to it on and off the floor? I think so. The other thing I am left to wonder is if this matters to all of you. I would like to think it does but maybe not. The world seems to be global now and things like nationalism here in Canada seem not to be as big a deal as elsewhere. I still think people would want to see this happen. I think it does matter. Why else would we still keep hearing people bang the drum about Jamal Maglorie on a regular basis. It would seem clear to me as I stated that he has little interest in playing for Toronto and does not have a great deal of value in being from Canada. I only met him once back at one of Vince Carter’s Charity games. So I have no idea what he thinks about these things but his actions suggest it doesn’t matter much.

Same goes for Joel Anthony as far as what he thinks about the idea of playing here. I never did get a chance to speak with him down at Mac. But what I did see was a slam dunk that was highlight reel worthy. A lot of effort and energy and that was enough to sell me on the idea of him as a Raptor in the future. Bryan Colangelo I am sure is at least aware of Anthony. Raptors are partners with Canada Basketball and Colangelo would pay attention to the program if for no other reason.

So add another dream to the Dino Blogger’s wish list: Joel Anthony of the Miami Heat. Here are the stats of his brief NBA Career so far:

Joel Anthony Bio Page

I will tell you about Anthony and the rest of his team Canada crew later tonight as they look to take on Lebanon. If you are in the Toronto Area don’t wait for me go to the game yourself tip time is 7pm at Ricoh!!!

One other thing I wanted to mention. I was offer the chance to write for T.O Sports Magazine and have taken them up on the offer to do so. If you would like to read what I write for them here is a link:

Dino Blogger on T.O Sports

My first article is up there now on the whole Raptor Point Guard Civil War of Jose vs T.J. I am going to add a link to my articles on the blog to make them easy to find. Thanks to the folks @ T.O Sports for the chance to write for them.

Canada Fails To Come Through With Win

(Photo From Hamilton Spec of Joel Anthony vs New Zealand on July 1st @ McMaster)

Team Canada was debuting in Toronto and it was not a good night all around. I was not in attendance for this one. In fact the first disappointment was not a lot of folks were. Eric Smith estimated the crowd at around 1,500. The set up at the Ricoh Coliseum was set up to hold 5,000 for this game.

The game itself was a game of runs based on the accounts of Eric Smith and his Live Blog from Courtside. There is even a little colour commentary from yours truly from my home in Hamilton. In the end based on Eric’s account of the game it was clear the foul line did in Canada. Rowan Barrett the returning vet for the National Team lead the men in red with 18 points. But in the end after hammering the Kiwi in Hamilton by 27. Canada would drop their T-dot Debut 77-69.

Here is a link to the Stats of this one: July 4 Canada vs New Zealand

Canada will look to rebound with a win tomorrow over Lebanon who they also beat fairly easy in Hamilton in their opening game a week ago this evening. But if they make same mistakes they did in this on it may be tough. Lebanon had a great deal of fans at the game in Hamilton and you can expect a crowd of them to make thier way to Ricoh tomorrow.  Canada has just 9 days till they open up in Athens Greece playing for the right to move on to China and the Olympic games in August.

Chuck Swirsky’s Replacement Has Been Found

<<<Matt Devlin…No stranger to television, He most recently was T.V play by play for Charlotte Bobcats. Devlin has also worked with the NBA and its national television partners, serving as a play-by-play announcer and sideline reporter for TNT’s coverage for two seasons. He also worked for NBATV when the league launched its network in October 1999 and served as the regular play-by-play voice for the network on its game broadcasts of the regular season, playoffs, summer leagues and the WNBA. Devlin has covered many events for the NBA, including the 2003 All-Star Weekend when he co-hosted several shows live from Atlanta.

The summer of 04 he worked for NBC broadcasting the Olympic Games in Athens, Greece. Devlin did play-by-play duties for track and field and diving for the network’s high definition telecasts.

Prior to joining the Grizzlies, Devlin handled the play-by-play duties for the New York Liberty of the WNBA for the MSG Network, and also was the pre-game and post-game host for the network’s broadcasts of the New York Knicks and New York Yankees. For three-straight seasons Devlin was the host for the WNBA Draft on the event’s live broadcast on ESPN2.

In addition to his NBA and WNBA experience, Devlin also called college basketball games on ESPN, the Atlantic 10 basketball network and the MSG Network. Moreover, Devlin has announced games for the St. Louis Cardinals, the University of Connecticut Huskies, ESPN Regional, ESPN International and four minor league baseball teams.

Devlin is a 1990 graduate of Boston College and attended high school in Nashville, Tennessee. He and his wife, Erin, they have three sons.

He was let go by the Bobcats as they did not renew his contract. In doing a little research I found an article back from 2006 that really took him to task. He was given a grade of D+ in the article that I will post. In the same article Swirsky got a B. There is a funny story about Chuck and Leo in the Review. I will post that as well.

Devlin Review (Bobcats 2006)

Chuck And Leo From Same 2006 Article

We will all judge him ourselves come next season. But after reading this I have to say it was not encouraging. It was 2 years ago and people can improve. But you have to keep in mind he was also in a sense fired from the bobcats. Replacing Chuck Swirsky is going to be a very hard task. If Raps keep both Leo and Jack perhaps they can help this guy not get run out of town. Anyway we will wait and see. I don’t envy him in any way shape or form. In my interview with Paul Jones awhile ago he talked about replacing Chuck on Radio. But before Jones had the job the raps had Ex-TSN play by play man Paul Rominuck who only lasted a season. So good luck to Matt I think he may need it.

Doug Smith says the Raptors should be making this announcement very soon that they have hired Delvin.  By reading his resume above I have to say it sounds impressive but to be honest I would not have known this guy if I ran into him at the mall. But we will see how he does it is obvious he has a great deal of experience.

MONEY MONEY MONEY!!!

The Washington Wizards have lost it. Seriously how else can you explain the contract they have agreed to with Gilbert Arenas. 111 Million Dollars? To use an old Swirsky Line…ARE YOU KIDDING ME?  6 years??? For a guy that struggled all last season with a bad knee? Good luck with that one Washington. Signing Jamison was right move being  held hostage by Agent 0 not so much. Baron Davis was out their for less money. Why not make a run at him and tell Agent 0 that it has been fun and have a nice life. This is not just a cheap attempt by me to get in his blog. I think Arenas is just not worth that amount of cash and sure would never agree to a term that long on any player with a bad wheel. Arenas claims the team wanted to offer him the max of 128 million and he left 17 million on the table. Whatever the truth is Wizards are nuts cause Gilbert is not worth it.

Chris Paul may be worth that kind of money that Arenas got. But he did  still get a massive amount of cash to remain with Hornets. Somewhere in the 68 million dollar range. Well deserved and well earned. CP3 is rapidly making the argument he is the best point guard in the game today. Chris Paul is worth all of that 68 million and a lot more. His deal is said to be for just 3 years, going the same route as NBA stars like Lebron James,Chris Bosh and others did when they resigned couple years ago.

Canada Invades Toronto

Just a reminder that Canada Basketball is taking over the Ricoh for the next few days. At 4pm as a bonus you can watch the Junior Men’s Team in Action. Followed by the Big Boys at 7pm. This goes for today and tomorrow. Don’t expect to see much of Sam Dalembert in these games as it looks like he will be resting for the qualifier in Greece. But if you have not seen Joel Anthony play he is worth the price of admission all on his own. I recently added the basketball Canada website to my links, So if you want to learn more about your team you can check it out.

Toronto Bills and Buffalo Raptors…Oklahoma City_______?

I had ment to talk about this yesterday. Let’s start with a little NBA History 101 for you younger fans out there or older folks who can’t remember the 70’s. The modern day L.A Clippers were orginally called the Buffalo Braves and were part of Western New York sports scene in the 1970’s. The Franchise would eventually leave and become the Clippers. San Diego was the home of the Clippers before a move to L.A.

The History of Buffalo Braves

Most folks are aware that the Buffalo Bills have cut a deal to play games at the Rogers Centre for several seasons. It is being done to help the Bills from a economic stand point. Buffalo was once a proud city and it still is but has fallen on some serious issues as a city. Many jobs have left the town and it is really a sad state of affairs. I do not follow hockey much at all anymore but when I did, I cheered for the Buffalo Sabres. I really respect the people of Buffalo and they are good people and love their sports teams. It would be sad to see the Bills or Sabres leave that city and it is a blow that I am not sure it could handle.

So now some local and state politicans are looking for some free trade of sorts. Seems they would like to see the Toronto Raptors do a simlar arrangement that the Bills have in Toronto. Having the Raptors play a number of games each year in Buffalo. Both regular season and exhibition. It should be noted that it is an election year in the United States and this idea is about as safe a political move to support this as you could make in Western New York.

But this would be more charitable of the Raptors to do as opposed to being profitable. Besides there is a much greater need to build a fan base through out this country. I love Buffalo and if the Raptors could help that city it would be nice of them to do so. But I am not crazy about the idea of playing a regular season game in Buffalo. If the Raptors are going to play a game away from A.C.C as a home game. It should be at one of the many other cities in this country. It is not like MLSE is really all that concerned with helping out Buffalo. The head of MLSE is part of the group looking to bring the Bills here in the first place. He also wouldn’t mind seeing a team be it the Bills or anyone else re-locate to Toronto. If they are not concerned about the CFL and Toronto Argos, I can’t imagine the people of Buffalo are high on the list of concerns as well.

Buffalo does have a great arena to host the Raptors. The stadium in Buffalo that is home to the Sabres has also hosted NCAA Tournament games as well as the local schools in the area like the Unversity of Buffalo Bulls Basketball. Still that really is not the point. It is also a major headache to cross the border these days. It just does not seem like something that the Raptors would be interested in. After all the fan base of the Raptors in the Toronto and GTA area has been strong the last few years.

I will say if they do make this thing a reality which I see as unlikely. I want to suggest what it should be called. ” The Jack Armstrong Buffalo Classic” after all who do Raptor fans love more in the Western New York area? I would have contacted Jack and got his feelings on this idea. But Jack is on holidays. I am sure knowing his feelings on that part of the world he calls home he would welcome the idea of Raptors coming closer to his home. It would make a shorter drive to work for a game or two. But I know Jack has strong ties to that community and would want to see this happen for good folks in Buffalo. He would not be a fan of my name suggestion but you could even make it Jack Armstrong Bobblehead night in Buffalo. I really got a lot out of the lone marketing course I took back in college. Not really but I am always coming up with ideas.

I do think that Buffalo could make a nice city for a NBDL team in the future. Perhaps for the Nets, Knicks or even the Raptors. But if Raptors go this route they would likely perfer Hamilton(Not that I live here but) based on being closer to Toronto. But if Raptors were to do that the league would need a team at least in the same area. Buffalo would seem a logical choice. The Buffalo Bisons the Triple A baseball club have always got fan suppot to the best of my knowledge so the idea of a minor league sports franchise would work in a city like Buffalo.

In the end I hope at least something can happen in form of exhibtion game in Buffalo at some point.

Sonics Are No More

Add Seattle to that list with the Buffalo Braves. The terms have been set for the moving of the franchise from Seattle to Oklahoma City. The terms of the move are as follows:

75 Million Dollars will be paid to allow the team to break the lease at Key Arena

The team gives up the rights to the name and colours of current Sonics

This will allow the Franchise To Relocate to Oklahoma City for the 2008-2009 NBA Season

I know many folks will be sad about this news. But I choose to take the good side of this issue. The people of Oklahoma City embraced the team I once cheered for before the Raptors. They took in the homeless Hornets and made them feel like they had a home. These people desereved a NBA team for what they did. I feel bad for the people of Seattle but these things happen. Ask people in Vancouver who lost the Grizzles to Memphis. It is an unfortunate reality of sports. It is the worst possible thing that can happen to a fan of a franchise in their home town.

If you want all the details on this here is the complete story from ESPN

I admit this is a pretty down way to end the blog. But there are some things we can learn from all of this. Enjoy your team and support it because you have no way to know if it will be their forever unless it is named the Celtics, Knicks and a few select other iconic franchises. You just have to love it while you have it. I hope the Toronto Raptors are here for a long time. Even after I am gone from this world I hope the Raptors remain. I hope that is long way off too. But you can never perdict what lies ahead and that is why you should embrace each and every game. It is easy to become very apathetic about the franchise at times. But this is a wake up call to you not to be so for too long. Live and enjoy the moment. Think that is some solid advice and a bit better ending for today’s blog.

10 Questions On Raptors 08/09

After a few days of covering Team Canada it is time to get back to the main focus of this blog. The Toronto Raptors and the NBA. It is said the Raptors are going to look to sign Hassan Adams. The former Net was part of the free agent camp recently held by the Raptors. Also finally coming to Toronto it seems will be Roko Ukic. Raptors are said to be going with a light roster this season. Teams in the NBA can carry up to 15 players on their roster. But the Raptors are said to be looking at carrying just 13.  Nathan Jawai the second round selection that is coming back as part of the Ford/O’Neal deal is also going to get a chance to make the roster. Some had thought he may remain in his native Australia or perhaps Europe. But it seems that will not be the case. Aussie Shaq will be heading to Toronto and in fact as already been here. Eric Smith had the chance to meet the man. Here is a link to read about it.

So here is 10 Questions I have based on what we know so far:

1. Injuries are a real concern for this team should this be the plan going forward. Can they remain healthy through this season?

2. Jose Calderon is now the man, how will he respond to it?

3.  Jermaine O’Neal and Chris Bosh together will be interesting to watch but what will be their impact together?

4. Last chance for Andrea Bargnani, will he respond to his new role as the Raptors 6th man coming off the bench?

5. The Defense should be improved but is it enough to win in the post season?

6. Something about all of this says to me their will be a move made in the season to complete this whole make over. Who will come and who will go?

7. Roko Ukic, How good and how fast will he fit into the NBA?

8. Who is going to step up for Raps? Kris Humphries and Joey Graham this means you.  Graham especially as he has never lived up to his prior billing when he was drafted.

9. Will the Olympics have impact on Bosh and Calderon?( Also Delfino should he return which is not likely at this point )

10. Sam Mitchell how will he address this new group on the offensive end of the floor?

These are key questions that all we need to be answered before anyone can figure out what this new pack of Raptors is going to be. Last year the Raps were a team that had a lot of depth in the eyes of many. They now seem to be very thin and have to hope for people to remain injury free. July 9th we will finally get to hear from Bryan Colangelo on what he has been doing. It will be interesting to hear what his thoughts are FINALLY.

What Is Going On Around The Rest Of The League?

Davis Heads South To The Clippers?

The Golden State Warriors were surprised that Baron Davis opted out for free agentcy and they now will be with out the star point guard. He said to be taking his show on the road to L.A to play for the Clippers. There is a 65 millon dollar contract that has been agreed too. For More Read Here

Maggette To Celtics?

Keeping with the Clippers. Cory Maggette is on the way out and could be heading to Boston if he wants too. The defending Champion Celtics have said to have offered him a contract for the full mid level they have to offer (5.7 million). Maggette seemed surprised to have Celtics interested in him. For More on this story Click Here 

Sixers In Talks With Josh Smith

The Sixers are now a playoff team and looking to stay that way. Josh Smith is a Restricted Free Agent and it is thought the Sixers may try and increase cap space to make an even larger one from what they can currently offer. The Hawks still could match any offer the Sixers put out there. Read More On This Topic Here

That is a quick tour of what is being talked about around the NBA. One thing that everyone is starting to think is the NBA needs to fix the rules to allow these deals to be announced when they happen. Instead of this waiting till July 9th and learn about all of the things we already know. It is becoming something that needs to get fixed. Yesterday the NHL was announcing deals being signed and teams talking to the press. This needs to be the case in the NBA as well. It is something David Stern should look to address so we do not have to go through these things next season at this time of year. We Want The Truth and We Can HANDLE IT…the same day it happens!!!

Jose and Sam(Not Mitchell) and Another Canada Win.

Before we get to Team Canada and the Dino Nation Blogger being at the event. We are called the Dino Nation Blog for a reason. So we must start with the Big Raptor News of the day. I am sure most of you heard while I was off watching Team Canada that Jose Calderon has said he is returning to the Toronto Raptors and that he has come to a basic agreement with the Raptors. On his Website is says I Will Stay In Toronto. Basic as you can get. I think most know I have concerns about Jose and his future. I will never question his charcter as a human being. He went out of his way to make sure it was clear he had no intention of leaving Toronto. We will not know the amount that he will be getting but I think it is safe to say that Jose Calderon has left some money on the table that he could have got had he wanted to do so. He will be getting a huge raise though. I would not say this about many guys in sports but I will about Jose, I think money is not important to him. I think it matters more to him the people that he is around and the fact that they all want to win. That is a really old school way of thinking. But it is something that we frankly could use more of in sports. So good for Jose Calderon. On another day we can look at the very real challenges that he will need to address in his new found role. But on this day I want to keep it on a complete positive frame of mind. Many of you do not understand during all of the Jose vs T.J stuff it was not a case of not respect or enjoying Jose as a player and a person. I do and always have. If I was going to rank my favourite Raptors prior to the Ford Trade. It would have been as follows:

1. Bosh
2. Ford
3. Calderon

It may not have been possible to keep both in the minds of many and of the Raptors. But it was in my case not hard to like and respect both for who they both were as people. I respect different things about both guys and none of that has changed. Jose has always shown a great amount of loyalty towards this franchise and I am truly happy for him getting his new deal.

Canada Playing On Canada Day

Now a few things before we get to today’s Canada Basketball Game. I first want to say that Canada Basketball got in touch with me and unfortunately I got this e-mail after the fact. But they took the time to e-mail me and say that they were sorry for the lack of communication on their part. They also welcomed me to move up a row for today’s game. I was not aware they had contacted me as I had already left for the game. I respect them for taking the time to write me. They went on to say they enjoyed my work on the game from yesterday. I am glad of to hear that. I will look into a way that the Dino Nation Blog can work with them in the future. I think in the end we both want the same thing which is a higher profile for Basketball in this country. I am hopefully that we can work together in that goal in the future in some way that benfits everyone including you the readers.

Dino Blogger Says Hello Sam

That leads into something that happened and had nothing to do with a media pass that was waiting for me that I was unaware of. In the past when I was working in radio and T.V, I was always a nut for being extremely early. I always felt it was a good idea and allowed me chance to talk with people and for lack of a better term network. I was a young kid looking to get ahead. Today I showed up maybe around 2:15 or so. The tip was at 4pm. I happened to notice a very large guy in the upper area of the gym. I took a closer look and it was Sam Dalembert of Team Canada and the NBA Sixers. He seemed to be relaxing and had his phone so I respected that and did not go over. But when he was done on his phone and I walked over. He said hello and we began a very informal conversation. I am going to keep the contents of it between him and myself. I did tell him I was a blog writer but this was what we call in media a “off the record conversation”. Some of it was just personal stuff about me and the rest just general stuff. But I do want to say 2 things based on that conversation. Both are very positive in nature and I would think Sam would have zero issue with being shared. The first is that he is a very nice guy and was very kind and a joy to talk with. I have interviewed a lot of folks over the years and just talked informally so I have seen cases from other side of things. Sam was as nice as could be. The second thing I got from talking with him is that he really wants to help grow the profile of basketball here in Canada. I was happy to share some time with him and I wish him the best going forward in his career. It is funny that I had just mentioned a couple days ago about wanting to talk to NBA players and a few days later it happened. This blog truly is leading the charmed life and has really grown beyond my own high expectations. Sam would not be a big factor in today’s game as he was rested and played only a few minutes and did not score. But make no mistake the Big Man will be a huge part of any run Canada will make to reach the games in China.

2-0 For Canada in Hamilton

The Game itself. I know it took awhile to get here but I think the stuff in front was all worth telling you first. Rowan Barrett has not lost his jump shot in his time away from the national team. He was making 3 point shots from the international range at a comfortable rate. The other 2 players that stood out in a general sense for me were Joel Anthony of the Miami Heat. Honestly this guy is far greater talent to me after having watched him. I understand this was at a level that is below what he faces in the NBA or will face later this month in Greece but still. There is all this talk of Raps need for an athletic option to play at the 2 or 3. He could be one the Raptors should look at in the long term. He has a skill set that could meet the needs of Raps in the future. I may be just dreaming to think finally a person who is a native of this land could be a actual option for being a Raptor. But I will take that dream over the one many fans have had about Jamal Maglorie. A guy that has rejected the national team at every turn. I can’t say that the fact is career has went downhill has been something that makes me sad at all. He never has answered the call of his country. I respect the way Leo Rautins has dealt with the topic of him since he became the coach of team Canada. We should not have to beg anyone to represent their country. I look at the guys that do make up this team and see a common desire to build this program and make it something that they all can be proud of and we all can be proud of.

Lastly Levon Kendall is a guy from a solid NCAA back ground at Pitt. I was impressed with him last year in Las Vegas and in the last 2 days have seen even more from the native of B.C. I could mention other players as well but these 3 guys stood out to me over the span of the 2 contests. Much like the contest with Lebanon, Canada controlled this game from start to finish. The built lare leads of 20 plus points and worked hard throughout the game to earn a 90-63 win over New Zealand.

Rautins Seems Back On Track For Syracuse This Fall

For those of you that may be fans of Syracuse Orange, you would be interested in the progress of Andy Rautins. I will say I am far from an expert in some ways. But as someone that does watch a fair bit of basketball, I saw little to no effect on Rautins who is coming off a major injury suffered last year vs Brazil. He is wearing a brace on the repaired knee. But he seems to be moving without issue or concern. I also noticed him in today’s game playing at times as a play maker as oppossed to a shooter. He made several nice passes and was setting players up with easy scoring chance. Rautins would look for his own offense after the game was long decided in the 4th quarter. It is a good sign that he was able to play a great deal of minutes in a quick evening to late afternoon turn around. So I would say if you are a fan of the Orange it seems you will have your player back at a level that is not unlike when you last saw him.

Canada Day Thoughts From Dino Blogger

So in closing this has been a great couple of days having team Canada come to visit the home base of the Dino Nation Blog. I have had a great time at these events despite the fact the games have not been close. But the right team was winning so that is good. Before I close off this blog for another day. I want to wish everyone a Happy Canada Day. Be proud of you country it is a great place to be. I also want to aknowledge two great people on this day tied to basketball and Canada.

James Naismith he invented this sport and without him there is not a Dino Nation Blog. Sam Mitchell would be doing who knows what? Not to mention Jordan shoes would never have been made. We owe it all to a man who called this country home. Never forget that. Dream Team’s in the United States would never have been if not for this man. Every person that has made or tried to make a dime connected to this sport on a day like this one should give him thanks.

The second is who these Exhibition games are named after. Jack Donohue was the long time coach of Canada’s National team and was really in my opinion the grandfather that made this program able to be where it is today. Leo Rautins the current coach of Canada played under him and based on his past comments I know respects him greatly. Which is something all of his former players like Raptors coach Jay Triano would also say the same. He like Jack Armstrong of Raptors broadcasts was a person from the N.Y.C that found his way to Canada and the program of basketball in this country is all the better for it. He was a great sporting figure in this nation and is a true icon to the sport in this country.

So hope you all have enjoyed the last few days. I know that I have been thrilled. Thanks to everyone that was part of that. If you are in Toronto area I encourage you to catch all of this for yourself on July 4th and 5th at the Ricoh Coliseum the home of the Toronto Marlies of the AHL. I think this is the first time basketball will be played at this venue. Hope you all had a SAFE and Great Canada Day. I know the Dino Blogger sure did.

Canada Wins In Hamilton

Before I get to the game I wanted to share with you all a few things. First off some of you may recall that I wanted to cover this event for the blog and attempted to do so through the proper way one would go about doing that. It was not successful and to be honest about things I did not even get an email to confirm that I was not going to get access. I won’t lie I found it very annoying as it is the least that they ( Canada Basketball) could have done. The last contact I had was only that they would consider it over a month ago and had zero contact since.

I had no plans to go to this game tonight or the one tomorrow afternoon at 4pm @ McMaster. Thanks to the encouragement of my mother I decided to change my mind and go. I am glad that I did. After all I have in this blog said that Steve Nash needs to look past any issues he may have with Canada Basketball and come play for Canada. So, if I paid this event no or little attention based on their lack of respect for this blog would I be doing basically the same thing? That is what I think I would have been doing. So I rushed off to McMaster and made it just in time for the tip of the basketball game.

I had a great time and enjoyed the game. I was also able to chat with a good friend to this blog in Eric Smith. He was there as was Doug Smith from the Toronto Star. I was happy to have the chance to thank Eric for all his help and support of the Dino Nation Blog. It was great to see him covering this event for the FAN 590. Eric and Doug both have used their blogs to make people aware of these games and they made trip down the highway to my hometown of Hamilton to cover it.  I had never met Doug Smith prior to this evening so the conversation was more it is nice to met you and enjoy your work but still it was nice to do that as well.

Now getting to the game after all of that on how I came to be there. Just one last thing. I paid to go no freebie for me to go. I put my own 12 dollars down and will put another 12 tomorrow. That is a pretty good value to sit one row behind the media. Eric Smith had said to me no reason you can’t cover the game also as I was one row behind him. Which was true. I will admit that it was last minute thing so I didn’t have a note book, laptop or any of that. So basically I was just a fan for most part on this night. It was the first time I had got to see both Sam Dalembert and Joel Anthony up close.( Sixers and Heat players in NBA). Sam looked a little bit rusty as this was first game for him since the Sixers were put out of playoffs at hands of the Pistons. Still he had a double double of 10 and 11 rebounds. Not a bad performance he will have a stiffer test tomorrow against New Zealand. Tonight Lebanon was the match-up to face. Canada at times looked very dominant and Joel Anthony is a guy that has some serious talent on a team in the Heat that had very little of that. I made sure with Eric Smith and sorry Raptor fans he is still under contract to the Heat but I would suggest that he has a chance to be someone that Raptors may want to look at in future. Beyond the obvious attraction of the fact he is from Canada he is also very good. I was impressed.

The supporting cast beyond the NBA talent was also impressive. Juan Mendez the Niagara product in the NCAA that was the program once coached by Jack Armstrong Raptor broacaster.  Andy Rautins of the Syracuse Orange currently coming off a medical redshirt year based on his injury verus Brazil last summer playing for team Canada. Good news for fans of the Orange and Canada is that the son of Coach Leo Rautins looked good in this game and was playing with a knee brace but seemed to move well and made his open looks when they came his way. Carl English sporting a blonde mohawk of sorts was playing much better than his new hairstyle choice. In short many of the players from last year’s team in Las Vegas are back. With one that is not and one key addition. The Addition is Barrett who is a veteran of the national program and despite being in his late thirties did not seem out of place. The player not in the mix is former UCONN star Denham Brown. I mentioned his no show after reading about it in Eric Smith’s blog. Eric in his blog today mentioned that since the no show their has yet to be an explanation of any knid on behalf of Brown to Canada Basketball Head Coach Leo Rautins. It is too bad cause I liked Brown a lot in his time at UCONN and thought he might have had chance to make NBA. But he was unable to catch on with the Seattle Sonics when they drafted him in the second round. He was also a key contributor to the team that was able to get Canada into this last chance tournament to get to China.

Like I said this was a last minute choice of mine to go. So I didn’t take any notes or anything. But in general Canada showed that they were the better team in this one and any time Lebanon would make a push, Canada would push back stronger. They would control this game from the opening tip and did a solid job getting everyone on their roster a chance to get some time on the floor and most took advantage of it. The one thing that was disappointing to me was in the stands. It has I would say about 3/4 full and of that there was a large group of folks cheering for Lebanon and not Canada. I am not against those folks at all. What was unfortunate was the fact that they were louder and more vocal. This gym should have been full and loud of people cheering for Canada and making some noise. Everyone needs to come out and support our country for more then just Hockey. Had this been any kind of hockey event there is no way that any country would have supporters that were louder than a group of Canada supporters.

That is why I am putting in extra work and burning the midnight oil to make you all aware of this. I take it as something I have a lot of pride in. Basketball is a sport that was created by a person that was a native of this country and I think in part it is why I am such a supporter of the sport. Despite what I said in the begining of this blog. I am still a supporter of Canada Basketball and will always be regardless of any dealings I have with the program good or bad. I respect a guy like Sam Dalembert that became a member of this country just about a year ago. He came back to the place where that happened playing for his new country. He wasn’t off playing in a charity soccer event. He was hear working up a sweat and wearing a team Canada Jersey. I will not change my mind on the fact Steve Nash should have been there too. If he had been that gym would have been full and loud. I have heard all the excuses as to why he is not and I am sorry but to me that is not good enough. If he can play in a charity soccer game he can play for his country. He could have just as easily tweaked an ankle or been at risk playing soccer as he would on a court for Canada. Nash will go down as the greatest basketball player this country has ever produced. But I think that is why he needed to be part of this. Canada Basketball owes him a lot and may not want to rub him the wrong way. But myself I do not have those concerns. I am hurt by the fact that Nash has chosen the Suns over Canada. Yes it is the right thing to do for the Suns. But is Chris Bosh saying no thanks to team U.S.A for the Raptors? When he was injured he did. But at 100% healthy he did not. Which is fine with me. I understand what a thrill it is for him as it is for Jose Calderon to do the same for Spain and many other players of many countries.  Yao Ming will play in China and nothing on the planet earth will stop him. I respect that and look at what Steve Nash is doing and just feel frustrated.

So if you can make it to McMaster you can buy tickets at the door and see some great basketball. 4pm is the scheduled tip time and the New Zealand team should provide a bit better challenge for Canada. The Dino Nation Blogger will be their on his own dime again and I encourage all of you that are able to do the same. It is a great chance to see basketball at a reasonable price and a high level in a very small venue that allows you to be very close to the action.

A Recap Of Tonight’s Game an 89-67 win For Canada

Tomorrow I will be a bit more prepared to recap the game myself. It is unfortunate I will not be able to talk with players and be able to get more out of this for you folks but as stated in the start of this blog the effort was made. Hopefully the time will come that Dino Nation Blog can be able to get more access to events like this. I will never stop trying to represent you fine folks that make the Dino Nation Blog what it is. Thankfully people like Eric Smith take the Dino Nation Blogger seriously and it was great to get a chance to thank him for all of his help. He has done a lot for this blog and me over the years and I will always be greatful. I look forward to having a chance to see Eric again tomorrow as well as some more basketball.

NBA NOTE: While I am writing I should mention that Antwane Jamison re-signed with Washington Wizards for a 4 year deal. So he is off the market before it gets started tonight at midnight. Over the next 8 days you will hear about guys making deals in free agentcy but much like the Ford trade for O’Neal these will not be made legal till July 9th at the earliest. The reason is the NBA will not release the Salary Cap number for the upcoming season on July 8th.

Who Is Bryan Colangelo Talking With At Midnight?

Bryan Colangelo has never been one to take his time when free agent peroid hits. We all have heard the story about him leading an entire team down to talk with Steve Nash about returning to the Suns. Last year he wanted to acquire Jason Kapono and he was on the phone with him at 12:01 am. It is what makes Colangelo one of the better people at his job. He has a plan and goes out and makes it happen. Sure he may not always have the right plan but he is never fearful of that. He hits the ground running and works on making what he wants happen. Bryan Colangelo has never been afraid to take a risk and his latest trade for Jermaine O’Neal which will become legal on July 9th is another example of that. So who is he putting his chips on for his choices from the free agent pool. The fact he has made this trade is no doubt a selling point as many around the NBA seem excitied about the prospect of a JO and CB4 duo on the Toronto Raptors.

Raptors would need some extra selling points. Most NBA teams will have to be creative as there is few teams with any extra money to spend beyond the mid level exemption under the collective bargining agreement. There is also the issue of restricted free agents as well. There are many attractive options in that market as well. But just like with the Raptors own restricted free agents, Jose Calderon and Carlos Delfino, others team just like the Raptors have the right to match any offer their restricted free agents should get. So it is a much more risky to target these players. Teams have 10 days to match offers on restricted free agents and during that time other options can slip through a team’s fingers. It is all part of the game that is free agent peroid that starts at midnight tonight.

Raps Search To Replace Ford

The Raptors shopping list is pretty basic. A back-up point gaurd that is experienced would be nice. Damon Stoudmire would be a excellent option and he does like Toronto already so it is not a case of selling him on the city or the idea of living in Canada. Another option could be Chris Duhon of the Bulls who at one point had signed an offer sheet with Toronto as a restricted free agent. This was prior to Bryan Colangleo under the Rob Babcock era. But much like Morris Peterson once signed an offer sheet with the Hornets when full free agent rights came his way he still considered the Hornets as an option and of course did sign with them last year. These are just 2 of several options the Raptors could use to fill the role of back-up to Jose Calderon. Many seem to think that Roko Ukic can be that option. But having never played an NBA game in his life it is wishful thinking. Jose himself struggled in his first year in North America. At some point Ukic could be that back-up point guard for the Raptors. But it will not be in November of 2008.

Who Can Solve the Swingman Problem

The other major need that is widely talked about is the need for an athletic, slashing and attacking small forward or shooting guard. The name that gets most often mentioned in regards to the Raptors is Cory Maggette. But he may not be able to be signed this off-season unless it was part of a sign and trade deal. Many of the big name free agents that had player options have decided to use them feeling that the free agent market next season will have much more money to be spent in it. Also teams with better chances of winning a NBA Championship. Ron Artest is another of these players that has decided to wait till next year to shop his services. This could make this year’s trade deadline a very interesting one. It will also make this off-season much harder for teams to find impact players on the free agent market.

Global Free Agents?

There is also a new problem for NBA teams. The Euro Factor is starting to become a very real one for the NBA in reverse. The economics in the world have changed in a major way. We here in Canada now have a dollar that is almost equal to our neighbours to the south. But also the EURO has grown against the United States Dollar. It has gotten to a point that Europe who has long watched it stars go off to North America for Basketball and Hockey, now have the resources to offer some pretty larger dollars to attract players. So the free agent market is becoming a global market beyond just the 29 other teams that make up the NBA. The Raptors no this first hand as both Anthony Parker who is still under contract and Carlos Delfino who is not have been rumoured to be targets of several teams in the EURO league. The world is changing and so is how free agents may view it. At this point it would seem insane to think Lebron James would go to Europe. But that being said older players that still could be veteran options in the NBA. We here so much about the global economy well we may be starting to be on the verge of a global sports market as well. Bryan Colangelo is well aware of what is going on and he understands the new challenges that will lie ahead.

Raptors In Search of A Warrior

Golden State may have an answer for the Raptors. Bryan Colangelo in the past has expressed interest in Mickeal Pietrus. He is an interesting option for Toronto and seems to be a guy that would fit the Raptors well. He is often a favourite to be interviewed when the Raptors have played the Warriors in the past. He seems to be a good person and fits the idea of the Raptors wanting players of high moral charcter. As a basketball player he still has room to grow and expand on his game. He plays in a high up tempo system with the Warriors and those skills can help the Raptors who would like to expand the amount of running they do. He is also a guy that could come for a reasonable salary price. All good things if he is on the Raptors wish list.

End Of The Honeymoon For BC?

Colangelo has always been able to find players that are able to find success for his clubs. He does not always target the names that first come to mind. He has had his share of misses in his time of Toronto as well. Fred Jones who is now on the market again was one of those. But if he makes a mistake or things change to the point the circumstances of his team do, he has shown the ability to respond to that as well. I still have faith in Bryan Colangelo and think he can press the right buttons to build the Raptors into a contender in the Eastern Conference when all is said and done. We have to remember where he started from with this basketball team. They were a complete mess under Rob Babcock and he left a real team in need of a leader with vision and direction. Which Bryan Colangelo is without question. Some people have started to make rumbles about Colangelo and his performance. But I think this is just the end of what has been a long honeymoon peroid that is coming to a close. He has not changed at all, the way he has been treated has. He is still respected but their are some that are now not afraid to question the man that is rightfully thought of as a savior of this franchise. The second phase of the Bryan Colangelo era is underway.

If I was making up a list of Free Agents that I would want to add it would be impacted greatly by the fact many have decided not to opt out of their contracts. I think not just this off-season but the trade deadline combined will be the final product of what the new look Raptors will look like. It is not to say that what is about to happen is not important. It will be important and it will lay the foundation for the upcoming season. But I feel that their will be need to upgrade on what the Raptors do this off-season at the trade deadline and at that point names like Maggette and Artest will be in play as well as a number of other big names to be available. This is something that Andrea Bargnani should take note of. If he does not produce this season it could mean the end of his chances. It may make sense for Raptors to use him as part a deal to acquire someone that they may need. If he does start to show growth the Raptors still would have other options they could package together. But Bargnani needs to play his way out of being one of them.

So get ready for a lot of changes as the Raptors look to make the push to that next level. They do not want to be a franchise that is just happy with making the playoffs and going down to defeat every year in the first round. That is not acceptable to the fans or Bryan Colangelo. This is also something Sam Mitchell knows and if he wants to remain here with the Raptors from start to finish in it’s growth to contender, he too will need to continue to improve and develop in his job and role as well. It is great for any fan of any franchise to honestly have reason to believe that the franchise that they cheer for will not just accept being good enough. That is not a concept in Bryan Colangelo’s vocabulary. He wants to WIN and not just win enough to make the playoffs but to win ultimately in the sense of a championship.

So begins another off-season of Raptors Basketball. If you want to create your own off-season wish list for the Raptors there is a list of all the free agents from ESPN. You are free to share it with everyone in the comments section of this blog:

ESPN Complete List Of Free Agents