Dino Blogger Quick Shots

For today I just thought I would put together a lot of little things. I am going to take tomorrow off. I worked Canada’s holiday so I thought I’d take the American holiday off. It will give me a chance to relax and follow up on some stuff I have been working on for the blog. Today I thought I would start with my top ten Raptors of all time. This is not based on anything, just guys over the years that the Dino Blogger has enjoyed.

Dino Blogger’s Top 10 Raptors

10. Muggsy Bogues….I was a Hornet fan and this guy was one of the reasons why. Would he even rank in the top 5 Raptor Point Guards of all-time? Not a chance, but was he one of the most loved Raptors in his time here? No doubt about it.

9. Dell Curry…. Another former Hornet who may well be the best shooter that has ever put on a Raptor Jersey. The second generation of the Curry family is ripping up the NCAA @ Davidson. He got his start shooting jumpers on a Raptor Court in his dad’s time in Toronto. Dell Curry was a class act and still is.

8. Charles Oakley…. He to me helped the Raptor Franchise grow up and Vince Carter grow up. He was never afraid to say what he thought and was one of the most colourful Raptors of all time. The Raptors have missed his type of accountability ever since he left.

7. Jerome Williams “JYD” …. He drove through a snow storm to get to Toronto and he brought so much fun and hustle to the Raptors. I had the chance to meet him several times and he is just on of the best guys I have ever been around as far as athletes go. I am a loyal member of the DAWG POUND and always will be.

6. Alvin Williams…. Was there a tougher guy ever to play for the Toronto Raptors? He never wanted to take a night off. In the Vince Carter era in which many questioned Carter on his durability but no one questioned his. When he came as part of Damon Stoudamire Trade nobody knew who he was. After a long career with the Raptors he was known to all who cheer for this franchise. He was a key player in this team’s most successful playoff run.

5. T.J Ford…. You knew he would be on this list if you know me at all. I wanted Raptors to draft him out of college. I was unaware of this young kid out of Georgia Tech who we will talk about later. But Ford would make his way to Toronto and even though the list of people that are happy about that fact shrinks my name will never be off the list. T.J is a fun player to watch for me. On the nights he is on his game he is truly great. We just need to see more of them. Well hopefully we will.

4. Morris Peterson…. I love this guy. He is just a great person. As a basketball player you can debate his ability. I just don’t care, Morris Peterson was a good person and a friendly face in some dark days for this franchise. He always made things fun with his energy and spirit. I am a Michigan Wolverine fan and I can’t hate this guy even if he is a Michigan State Grad. That tells you all you need to know of what I think about him.

3. Vince Carter …. Boo at your Computer screen if you want too. I enjoyed the Vinsanity of Vince Carter. I was a huge fan of this guy as were most Raptor Fans. I hate him 4 times a year but that is all. I am sorry his place in this franchise will always be based on his exit. It should have been about his entrance. He put the Raptor Franchise on the map south of the border and is at this point the greatest Raptor player ever. I did not always enjoy many of things that people did not like about Vince. The smiling when losing, the injury overkill and all the non-sense. However I also remember the good Vince Carter did for this franchise and the City of Toronto even if most do not. I can’t hate Vince as much as I feel sorry for the fact he has all this ability and seldom uses it to it’s full capacity. That is his fault but it is sad. Still there was a time he was “GREAT”.

2. Damon Stoudamire…. He was booed on draft night and I was in his corner. Maybe it was because I was a Mighty Mouse Fan as a kid, or the fact I had seen him play a couple times at Arizona and knew how good he was. But the point to it all is he was the first star type player the Raptors had and will always hold a place in my memory when I think of this team and it’s history. The sad thing is he could have stayed longer if not for Thomas and his departure. It would have been nice if Raptors could have brought him back. Come to think of it he will be a free agent. Maybe there still is hope for THE RETURN OF MIGHTY MOUSE. But even if there is not he will be always on this list somewhere.

1. Chris Bosh…. I feel like I have watched him grow up in front of my eyes. He has taken what could have been a tough deal and made it work. When Vince Carter was shipped to New Jersey he was given the Title of the Face of the Franchise. It took him some time but he has embraced that and become the best leader this team may ever have. He works hard and wants to win badly. He also has shown an ability to have fun and embrace this Fan Base and I think that is great. But most of all why he is number 1 to me is something he said. I want to be part of the solution here in Toronto. That is something Vince Carter and his highlight reel never included. Chris Bosh is a guy of high charcter and high ability to match.

Some Playoff One Liners

Kobe Bryant is amazing to watch

I just can’t like the Spurs

Bill Russell is a great man and the Grandfather of the NBA

Boston must have read me saying I don’t Believe they Can Win on Road

Celtics vs Lakers modern version can never match the 80’s battles

Aww Spurs have injury I am sure the Suns are crying for you.

David Stern LEAVE MY INTROS ALONE

I wonder what Hugo the Hornet does in Offseason in fact all mascots. do they go to mascot training camps? Pump Iron?

Trade Rumours are just getting out of control these days

That’s About all I have for you folks today. See you Tuesday. If you want to share your Raptor Favourites be it 10 or 5 or 1, Leave a comment and I will be happy to post it. I will be around tomorrow I just won’t be writing anything. But I am willing to post what you write even on a day off

Tags: Alvin Williams, Chris Bosh, Damon Stoudamire, Dell Curry, Jerome Williams, Morris Peterson, Muggsy Bougues, Raptors History, Vince Carter