Toronto Raptors V Spain, Celtics Rule World

Bryan Colangelo made a quick trip to Spain. He was there to wrap up some business matters. First on the agenda was the buyout of Jorge Garbajosa. It is said that Garbo will return to play in Spain next season rather than the NBA. The second issue was the lawsuit against the Spainsh Basketball which seems to have been settled as well. The Raptors were looking to recover the insurance money on the policy that was taken out on Garbo for the Euro Basket Tournament last summer in which the Raptors claim was the cause of further damage to Garbajosa.

So all of Spain can now count on both Garbajosa and Calderon being in the line-up for the World Champions at the Olympics this summer in China. Calderon would have been in a tricky situation had this suit not been settled and with the matter of his new contract being worked on this summer it will take one less possible issue out of the talks. So the Raptors have one less player from Spain but have made peace with the country’s basketball organization. So all is good as for international basketball relations.

Colangelo is now back in Toronto and getting ready to watch 3 of the most named players in Mock Drafts at number 17. Roy Hibbert of Georgetown is a big man that has a post game and some defensive skills. If you have read the article in this blog you are well aware of his resume by now. Donte Greene played a season for Hibbert’s rival in the Big East Syracuse. He is a small forward but is really big for the position at 6 foot 10.  Most see him as a guy with most upside for being a star in this league at this point in the draft. I will be getting Jack Armstrong’s thoughts on him as he covered Greene in his work with ESPN. The wildcard is the french kid Batum. A big man like Hibbert matching up against him will give the Raptors a good idea of if he can hold his own in North American style basketball. This is the super workout as far as Raptors are concerned. If they remain at number 17 if one or all of these players show well they will likely be the selection of the Raptors in my opinion. I have made it no secert that I am hopeful that Roy Hibbert comes out on top. The word on Hibbert out of his earlier workouts is all good things and people seem to be very impressed with where he is at since he finished his career with the Hoyas.

Celtics Rule The World

That is what Kevin Garnett said and I can’t argue based on the performance last night. Garnett has been taking some flack in the media for his actions down the stretch of this blow out. I am not of that thinking at all. I think he was truly happy and I thought it was a great moment to see him embrace with Bill Russell the Celtic Legend. It was classy of the Celtics to include the legend in the team’s championship photo. He has given back a lot to so many players in today’s NBA. I still remember him being up here in Toronto for the playoffs last year and taking the time to share his time with Chris Bosh. I am sure Bosh is greatful to have had a chance to talk with a true giant of this game.

Paul Pierce was the the Finals M.V.P and he earned it by beating the regular season M.V.P in this series. Rajon Rondo I just got Rondoed for doubting you. Rajon Rondo has come a long way and is an NBA Champion and it is well deserved. I also have to give mention to Ray Allen who started off in these playoffs horrible. But last night on about 3 hours sleep because he had to fly back to L.A to be with his ill child he made 7 shots from 3pt range. Impressive and inspiring that he was able to put his family first and still do his job. Speaking of family, Doc Rivers was right here in Toronto when he found out the tragic news of the passing of his Father. It was very emotional for him to win this Championship after that loss. I having lost my father can relate to the emotions he was going through on some level. Doc Rivers did T.V up here in Canada for a year and really was good at it. I like the guy and am happy for his success. He out coached a guy that is though of as a hall of fame coach.

The Lakers really looked awful and I am not sure if just the return on Andrew Bynum is going to be enough to make the Lakers good enough to recover from that. Phil Jackson and Kobe Bryant with both need to do some soul searching on what went wrong here. Kobe could be right back to where he began wondering if the Lakers are good enough to win a title with. But he really should start with looking at himself. The Boston Fans started his self evaluation for him by chanting at him “Your Not Jordan”. Ouch but it is true he is not Mike. But that is problem with all sports, Why must there always be the Next anyone. Enjoy Kobe, Lebron,K.G and Everyone else for the great players they are and don’t compare them to the past. It just is not fair to compare generations.

I will be doing my Interview with Jack Armstrong late Tomorrow afternoon so hopefully the blog based on that interview will be up tomorrow night. I am excitied to have Jack back on the Dino Nation Blog.

Tags: Batum, Bryan Colangelo, Doc Rivers, Donte Greene, Jack Armstrong, Jorge Garbojosa, Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, Rajon Rondo, Roy Hibbert, Spain Basketball