One of the things the Dino Nation Blog takes pride in bringing guests to our readers and Raptors fans. Today, we have Eric Smith who has been a part or the Raptors Media for quite some time. The fact he does his own blog “The Rap” but still takes time to visit here is something I value as I hope you all do.
I am lucky to have been able to make contacts with folks like Eric and think it is important to have them in this blog. Some blogs do their own thing and like to establish their own point of view. I have no problem with that. But for my blog I am lucky enough to have the contact with folks that are connected to the Raptors. I welcome the chance to hear from them and hopefully ask some questions that will get some opinions on the Raptors that you will not find elsewhere.
In this visit with Eric, we talk about a bunch of topics, Bosh, Calderon, The Raptors overall look and expectations, as well as some other things. I hope you will enjoy it and find it of interest to you.
Recently I wrote a blog on the comparison of Chris Bosh winning his Gold Medal in Beijing and Vince Carter winning his in Sydney. I asked Eric for his thoughts on the comparison and what it could mean for Bosh:
Eric Smith-”To be honest, I’m not sure I understand the comparison. I guess it depends on what you mean by the “impact the Gold medal has”. I suppose VC was already on top of the world and one of the poster-boys for the NBA … whereas Bosh is/was a 3-time All Star but this Olympic experience has raised his game and his recognition factor. And it should do a ton for his confidence as well.”
Everyone, or almost everyone has raved about the defense of Chris Bosh at the Olympics for team U.S.A. So I asked Eric based on that and the addition of Jermaine O’Neal what he thought it would mean for the Raptor Defense:
Eric Smith- “They’ll have one of the best 1-2 punches in the league. O’Neal can muscle-up against some of the bigger opposing forwards and centers, while Bosh can use his speed and versatility to leak out on guys that are stretching out towards the perimeter; or stick down to come from the weak side with some help D (and a big block?) for O’Neal. They should compliment each other well as two big men with different defensive styles and strengths.”
Many have seen my concerns about Roko Ukic. I asked Eric if Calderon playing well and staying healthy was key to any Raptor success. Eric seems to think that people like yours truly are not giving Roko his due:
Eric Smith- I don’t think folks are giving Roko Ukic enough credit … and Parker, Adams, and maybe even Solomon (?) could play the point in an absolute emergency. However, there’s no denying that Ukic – a rookie – handling the load for a long period of time would not be as preferable as having Calderon log 35+ minutes each night … playing 75 games or more”
We have seen some of the early looks at where the Raptors may end up this year. Some are highly optimistic about the Raptors others are not so much. Eric was not ready to put a number on it just yet. I respect that because I feel the same way. But here is Eric’s general thought on where the Raptor rank in the Eastern Conference this season:
Eric Smith- “It’s not fair to put a number on the team yet. I mean, we’re still a month away from Training Camp and 6 weeks from their first pre-season game; two months from the regular season! On paper, I don’t see why they can’t be a top 5 team in the East.”
If you want to say the Raptors have a “Big 3″ it would be Bosh, O’Neal and Calderon. Beyond those obvious 3 choices I asked Eric who he thought could have the largest impact on the Raptors this season:
Eric Smith- Jason Kapono. If he can play – this season – like he did in the playoffs against the Magic … Kapono could be huge for the Raps. Plus, with O’Neal and Bosh down low, opposing defenses will not be able to risk doubling-up on either one of them too often … ’cause that’ll leave the perimeter open for Kapono and others.
The number one concern for this Raptor team is HEALTH. So, I thought the better question to ask of Eric would be what would be number two on the list of Raptor concerns:
Eric Smith- Rebounding. I think they have enough offensive weapons. Defensively, they’ve been “good” (not great) and they should be better with the addition of Jermaine O’Neal. But they’ve got to get it done on the glass. O’Neal will help with that as well.
I am hopefully that Nathan Jawai could help with that. I know that I have taken to Nathan Jawai and his story. I am not sure if I am being totally objective in looking at what he will be able to do. So, I decided for myself and some of our new friends in Australia, I would ask Eric his thoughts on a what a great or best case season would be for Big Nate:
Eric Smith-Best case? He plays consistent minutes in the rotation of bigs … behind Humphries and Bargnani. But I have a feeling that year 1 could be more about learning and watching. I am pulling for the guy though; he’s a genuine person and I think he has a future on this team. If he can make an instant impact in his rookie year, that’ll be an added bonus.”
Last season there was a lot of debate heading into the season on if Andrea Bargnani would start or not. After the season was over a lot of fans were just frustrated and angry with Andrea Bargnani. This season no such worries of Andrea Bargnani as far as being a starter. I have been of the opinion that it will help Andrea. I asked Eric if he shared that opinion:
Eric Smith- Absolutely. It should. I think folks have been too hard on Bargnani. People have forgotten about his solid rookie season. If he didn’t miss a month late in the year – after having his appendix out – he may have seriously pushed Brandon Roy for Rookie of the Year honors … because he was a main cog/reason in Toronto winning 47 games that year and making it to the post-season. He was one of the better Raptors in that playoff series against New Jersey as well. He took a step back last year and he did not live up to expectations. But let’s look at it like this: He had one good year and one bad year … so let’s see how things average out in Year 3. Playing against reserves and being the go-to guy in the Raptors 2nd unit should help in many ways.
Last season we saw Jamario Moon rise to amazing levels. He truly had a tremendous rookie season with the Raptors. So what has to happen to make season number two continue the story in a positive way for Jamario Moon:
Eric Smith- “A commitment to driving to the hoop and using his athleticism … and a refocus on the defensive tenacity he brought during his first couple of months as well. I think his jumper got better as the season went on and was very impressed with his rebounding throughout the year. If he can continue to add to those components, he’ll be a valuable piece for the Raps.”
I have been of the opinion that Raptors may look a bit different on the offensive end of the floor this season. I asked Eric what he expected to see on the offensive end of the floor from the Raptors this season given the changes to the roster:
“Eric Smith- Too early to tell. With Jermaine O’Neal in the mix, you’d think this team wouldn’t be as up-tempo as they have been in the past. But to be fair, I don’t think this team was “Phoenix East” (as they’ve been dubbed by some) for most of last season. They have their own style. They’re not a club that’s running a track meet every night. I have a feeling a lot of the offense will continue to be focused on the pick and roll (Calderon and Bosh; Calderon and O’Neal) as well as simply dumping it into the post and letting Bosh and O’Neal make the plays from their. Parker, Kapono, and Calderon should see a lot of open looks on the outside.”
Eric Smith as many of you know does a lot of different things with the Raptors in the media. So I asked for an E-Update. What Eric will be doing this season as far as the Raptors go this season:
Eric Smith- “Status quo as far as I know. I’ll be back on the Raptors radio broadcasts with Jonesy as well as hosting Hoops every Thursday night. Double Dribble will be back as well and there may be the odd appearance on Raptors Today, Full Court Press, and the Raptors TV pre and post game shows. I’m looking at some other television work as well, but we’ll see. The blog will continue on both Fan590.com and Raptors.com too. In fact, there may be some video content on Raptors.com this year as well (interviews, reports, fun pieces) … we’ll see.
I recently read an article that I found in the Raptorblog. Which is a good read for anyone that is looking for more Raptor Blogs to enjoy. Anyway this article talked about the Philadelphia 76ers holding a conference call with Ed Stefanski for Sixers Bloggers. I felt it interesting based on what I do each day. I wanted to get the take of Eric, on the thought of Raptors doing something of a similar nature here.
Eric Smith- “There are a lot of great blogs and bloggers out there. There are some that provide good content and analysis. However, there are others that are juvenile and weak on quality and overall professionalism.
I also believe that blogs have opened up a dangerous precedent. An internet connection and a computer (and a little free time) should not automatically turn somebody into a legit “writer” who is afforded the same rights, privileges, and access as a trained journalist or broadcaster.
I’m not AGAINST the Raptors having a conference call. If it happens … I’m fine with that. You know I’ve supported you James and I respect the fact that you went to school for journalism and you’re trying to re-ignite your career.
I have mentioned it many times how much I am grateful for the help and respect from Eric and others. I also feel the same when it comes to blogs. I think we have our share of good people and others that are not. It is true that nobody can fire me beyond my internet provider. But what I do and I think Eric would agree is try to be as professional as possible. I understand the challenge that people like myself face in getting access to cover teams and have the same right to access as folks in the main stream media. But I hope for a day that teams will understand the difference between the folks that try the best they can to be professional and let them have a chance to expand on what they do. I think people like Eric and his media colleagues have earned the right to have access just by being hired by the companies that they work for.
I do my best to embrace and respect those people. I understand the way things go in the media a bit. But I am hopefully that teams will make the effort like the Sixers have done to reach out to the blog community. It is a bold move by them; but it is a changing world and it is all about trying to embrace your fan base. Building a relationship with bloggers is a way for teams to do that. I think at the heart of blogs like this is someone who is a fan. I have said before that I do what I can to represent my readers and get as much quality info as I can. Eric has always been someone that has been kind enough to embrace that by taking the time to help and that is a credit to him as a person and professional.
I have a lot of pride in doing the best I can for myself and the readers of this blog. I think it is an interesting time to being doing this and do my best to do a good job regardless. So as always thanks to Eric, I look forward to his work and thoughts in the future.
Tags: Andrea Bargnani, Chris Bosh, Double Dribble, Eric Smith, Fan 590, Hoops, Jamario Moon, Jason Kapono, Jermaine O'Neal, Jose Calderon, Nathan Jawai, Raptor Blog, Raptors 08/09, Raptors TV, The Rap
August 28, 2008 at 1:05 am |
Nice interview! I’ve always respected what Eric has to say about the Raps and hoops in general. I appreciate that you bring us the fans all of these interviews with the media people that cover the Dinos. Back in the mid nineties I would never have thought such coverage was just around the corner! Blogs like yours are better than mainstream stuff in alot of ways.You don’t have to worry about towing the company line. Plus the passion alot of serious bloggers have trumps the hackwork of guys like Marty York who do it (or in Marty’s case did it) to feed their egos and earn a paychequet. Keep it up!
August 28, 2008 at 2:40 am |
Thanks I think it is important and there are some people in main stream media that don’t do a great job as well. The example you used is a good one. But Eric is very good at what he does I understand what he is saying totally. He has been very good to me and I respect him a great deal.
August 28, 2008 at 10:24 am |
Hi !
There are two things I thought I would comment on concerning your article/interview. First, thank you ! It was a good read and it shows some integrity on your part to invite another blogger (and a well-known one at that) onto your site for an interview.
Secondly, I may not be completely clear on what your intentions are for your site, but Eric implied that you are a journalist looking to get something going for yourself, possibly through your blog. I wish you good luck in your quest ! My only negative comment is that, if you hope to be seen by professionals as a serious journalist then you must be more dilligent about your grammar and punctuation. Don’t just rely on spell-check, go over it yourself and have someone else proof-read it for you as well (we can NEVER see ALL of our own mistakes !). There were a distracting number of grammar/punctuation problems in the article. Most readers won’t notice or care. But professional journalists will, and they will mentally put you in the “amateur” category to a certain degree because of it.
Other than that one thing I enjoyed your article. Sorry if my comment seems negative, but I hope you accept in the light of constructive criticism.
August 28, 2008 at 10:38 am |
Thanks Dave:
Eric meet me when I was doing college radio. I am much happier talking basketball than writing about it. The Dino Nation Blog could also benfit from an on staff editor. Trouble is who is carzy enough to work for free. I do the best I can to be a decent writer. You are not the first to take issue with my writing in this way but I do the best I can. The focus of the Dino Nation Blog is providing great content. It is not to say I dismiss people’s concerns about my writing but I do what I can to keep improving at it.
August 29, 2008 at 1:41 pm |
I agree that there are alot of great people that write/broadcast etc, that do it for a living. Guys like Eric, Jack Armstrong, Paul Jones, Doug Smith, etc. Let alone heavies like Marv Albert, Johnny Most or Chick Hearns. One guy I really miss is Bob Costas. I lament the fact that NBC dosen’t cover ball anymore. They helped bring such an EPIC feel to every game they did especially the playoffs. Plus Roundball Rock is the greatest intro music to a sporting event ever! Thanks John Tesh! Hopefully when ABC’s contract is up NBC covers ball again along with TNT who do a fantastic job as well. Just had to get that off my chest lol!
August 29, 2008 at 1:53 pm |
Glad the Dino Nation Blog can give you a forum to vent. I think ESPN will continue with basketball coverage unfortunately for you. I think we have great independent people as well as great folks in the traditional media. I think we are heading to an exciting new time in which both of those can do what they do. You see the signs of bloggers being acknowledged as a legit force in the media. But I share Eric’s concern and it should be the people that take what they do seriously that do the work to show they are acting in the spirit of “TRUE JOURNALISM” not just someone expressing a point of view. There is a big difference.