Back To School On Raps With Paul Jones

Seems fitting that someone who worked in education would be our guest on first day of school for some. He now does his teaching through his work on basketball with the Fan 590 and Raps TV. If you read the interview with his partner Eric Smith recently a lot of the questions are on the same topics. But this time it is Paul and his take on these issues.

First had Paul look back on Spain and United States Gold Medal Final. Paul agrees that Jose and Raptors did what was best in terms of his injury. As well as some thoughts on Jose in his new role as the undisputed point guard in Raptorland.

P.Jones-I think Jose and the Raptors are looking long term after they held him out of the Gold Medal Game. By the way, it was nice to see the USA pushed a little bit but they had too many guys that were used to “big game moments” to lose that game. As a sports psychology guy, it just seemed Spain was too far past the peak of the aggression-performance curve. They just wanted every call and play so badly in the moment, I think they lost track of the big picture.

It’s going to be a tough year for Jose because he’s “on the radar” again but this time without a back up. It means more minutes and I would not be surprised to see his production drop initially until he becomes comfortable with his new role. He has GOT to stay healthy!!

After the press conferences of Jermaine O’Neal and Jose Calderon I have spent a lot of time wondering what the Raptor attack will look like on both ends of the floor. Paul Jones has chatted with Sam Mitchell and shares what he thinks we might see based on that.

P.Jones-Have chatted with Sam a couple times this summer but nothing about strategy or how he’s going to play. I suspect from what he said the day they introduced Calderon and O’Neal, Toronto may employ more traditional sets with an inside presence like O’Neal. He’s a guy that commands a double team and will help spread the floor even more for their 3 point shooters. O’Neal’s presence will be felt more on the defensive end. He’s a good shot blocker and that will help big time.

Awhile back I wrote about Chris Bosh taking the step from star to mega star. I asked Paul for his thoughts on Bosh given all the media attention and praise is he ready to jump to the next level?

P.Jones-I think Bosh is already at a high level of “stardom” in the NBA. Heck, the guy is a three time all-star and has been voted there by the coaches, not the popularity contest that is the NBA ballot for fans. Look at what he did for Team USA. The only way to get to the level of LeBron and Kobe is to win more

I asked Paul about his thoughts on The Raptors Schedule and his general impressions for the Raptors and himself as a broadcaster.

P.Jones-The schedule is very reminiscent of two season ago when the team just felt they needed to get to January and things would turn in their favour. That was a tough start to the season but they ended up with 47 wins. IF….IF they can get a few games out west before those teams solidify roles and a home court comfort level it could be a good year. One would hope as a more experienced team particularly in key positions, they can win on the road if they are healthy. The schedule is always tough on the family. Anyone in the broadcast business owes a debt to their family. You miss a lot of family time as the trade off for your job.

Many of us, media and fans alike have been trying to figure out just what the Raptors can expect from Roko Ukic. After an Olympic run playing for Croatia we got to see a bit more of him. So I asked Paul for what he felt we could expect from Roko in year 1 of his NBA Career.

P.Jones-I don’t think you can expect much from Roko Ukic in the initial stages of his first season. There will be all kinds of barriers to overcome – language, culture and most of all…playing more games against better players. Many international players have found the speed and athleticism of the NBA game a big adjustment. After speaking with some scouts he’s not getting glowing reviews. You’ll have to wait for my previews to hear what some are saying. In fairness though. I’d like to see him play LIVE myself before simply believing what others are saying.

I really am excited to see what Nathan Jawai can do. I think eventually he can become a banger on the glass for the Raptors. But he is lacking some overall basketball experience. So I asked what Paul thinks about the big fella from Australia

P. Jones-Sounded like Jawai was impressive in workouts. It may be easier for him than Ukic as he may have a more limited and defined role. But hey, he has to win over Sam Mitchell. I think a player like Humphries may see an opportunity for more playing time in the same role as Jawai. Nothing like internal competition.

Most feel the addition of Jermaine O’Neal instantly made the Raptors a better team on defensive end of floor. I said just by showing up in Toronto the Raptors improved in that area. I asked Paul if he agrees with that.

P.Jones-Yep. Just look at his shot blocking and rebounding numbers when he was healthy. The guy is a 6-time all star who is motivated to play. Even though it’s Chris Bosh’s team, I really think O’Neal, with his experience will become a leader in the locker room while still deferring publicly to Bosh who most people see as the face of the franchise.

From an SI article that says Raptors are 7th best in the East, to Jarmario Moon saying the Raptors are second best team in the Eastern Conference. The expectations are all over the map. I asked Paul Jones for his thoughts on the early expectations for the Raptors.

P.Jones-Still remains to be seen. When the deal was first made, I spoke to a Western Conference assistant that thought Toronto was now #3….yes #3 ahead of the Orlando Magic that ousted them in 5 games last spring. I don’t think its out of line to expect them to have home court in the first round. Regardless, to consider the season a success, they MUST get out of the first round.

I asked Paul for the biggest keys for Raptors heading into this season. What will be key for Success? and what could lead to their downfall?  The answer to both begin with H….

P.Jones-Health is the biggest key and it is something that you have no control over. Look at what happened when Bosh was injured last season and the team didn’t win a game out west at a key time in the season. This team has to become hungrier and I think some players may find it in themselves with a little help from O’Neal.

Many Raptor Fans were hoping or expecting to see the Raptors add a new small forward for this season. It didn’t happen so who is the front runner of the returning options for the Raptors at the Small Forward. That is what I asked Paul….

P.Jones-Don’t think there is a front runner right now. Kapono brings you offense, Moon brings you defence against front line players and Joey Graham could do both but fans have been waiting for him to do it for a while. Maybe this is his year with some of the other competition departed as he may get some more time

I am not sold on Joey. But don’t ever tell Joey I said that he could kill me. The honest truth Is Joey frustrates me to the point of insanity. Maybe Paul is right with no more Carlos that does give Joey at least the chance to play more. He did have a great summer league I will say that. Paul knows that too having covered all the games from studio for Raps TV.

I wanted to get Paul’s thoughts on blogs and what he thinks about them. It is something that is of personal interest to me. But I think it is interesting times as the lines between traditional media and the Internet are changing almost daily it seems. So I asked Paul if he likes blogs and what his general thoughts were on all of this.

P.Jones-I like the blogs and “new age media” It’s simply an expansion of the talk that we used to have in bars and sitting around as hard core fans. As someone who has been covering the team since day 1 and having seen things like the “one and only Dream Team in Barcelona in 1992″ I love to talk hoops. Some of the people think I’m crazy with all the little trivial facts that I have in my head or how I have had the chance to be involved with the game at all levels and still can’t get enough. At some point in every day I end up on the phone with a coach, a player, another broadcaster and we’re discussing or debating an issue. I see blogs and the new technology just making it easier. Of course, you need to have your bogus meter turned on or else you could find yourself in trouble.

I try to keep this blog as bogus free as possible. Having guest like Paul helps in that regard. As mentioned in the Interview with Eric Smith, Paul and Eric will be back doing all the usual things they do this basketball season. Which is good news for people that love their basketball because they do a great job. I said this before I wrote a blog and have only had that made clear to me even more since doing it. I learn a lot in talking with them as I hope you all do in reading them when they pop by for a visit here.

So in the spirit of BACK TO SCHOOL on behalf of students of the Dino Nation Blog (including ME) thanks to MR. Jones for teaching class today. There won’t be a quiz tomorrow. For all of you that are in school I wish you the best of luck in your studies. I have a lot of fun here but know that your education is very important. A lot of the skills I use to make this blog what it is are based on my education. Not just the writing but all the research and hustle that goes into getting guests and coming up with good content. My homework each day is a blank page and filling it with stuff that is interesting, informative and entertaining. It is a great challenge and one I enjoy. So good luck to all the Dino Blog readers that are in school this year.

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Tags: Chris Bosh, Fan 590, Jamario Moon, Jason Kapono, Jermaine O'Neal, Joey Graham, Jose Calderon, Kris Humphries, Nathan Jawai, Paul Jones, Raps TV, Raptors 08/09, Roko Ukic, Sam Mitchell