Score one for the little guy. No I am not talking about my Dallas Cowboys win last night. America’s Team is far from the little guy. The Dino Nation Blog was right about the Pre-Season coverage of the Raptors based on the Matt Devlin Interview. Doug Smith had this to say in Today’s Blog From Toronto Star Website:
Oops, I have to correct a mistake here the other day.
Seems RaptorsTV will be showing the four home pre-season games and the big tilt in Edmonton against Denver. And, if the past is prelude, somewhere on a satellite the games in Los Angeles will get on the tube, making it seven of the eight available for viewers.
So, yes, you can see delightful NBA pre-season action if you subscribe to the network.
And anything on there is better than another Miami-New York playoff game.
My humblest apologies.- Doug Smith Toronto Star Sept.16th
So here is the Official Info from the Raptor’s Website:
The Dino Nation blog is happy to accept Doug’s apology. However to be serious about all of this I want to say that I enjoy Doug Smith’s work. I had a chance to say hello to him this past summer when he was in Hamilton covering team Canada. The reason I have brought up this topic was not to bring down Doug in any way. It was to support what I do and that the work I had done was correct. I also felt it was important in the sense that Matt Devlin being the new guy in town and all could be seen in a bad light. So that is why this has lead off the blog for a second day. If you have learned anything from reading this blog I take what I am doing very seriously.
Speaking of Doug he was co-hosting Prime Time Sports last night with Bob McCown. It was interesting to hear his thoughts on the Raptors. He seems very interested in what could happen this season as I think we all share that same feeling. But Doug in general based on his many years covering the team can sometimes not share the interest and excitiment of the fan base.
Team Dino Nation Blog is # 61 in the CB4 Fantasy League. If I win anything I think I may for go my prize and ask for a CB4 interview. Maybe we can give the prize away to a lucky Dino Nation Blog reader. Now you are cheering for me to win right? I am having a lot of fun playing Fantasy Football in a league with CB4 and a bunch of Raptor Fans. That is why I look forward to the Dino Nation Blogs Fantasy Leagues this year for Basketball. Sorry I don’t have any prizes to offer. Just the pride of victory at this point. But still it should be a lot of fun.
Why I Believe in Nathan Jawai
Many have said that Nathan Jawai will not be much of a factor for the Raptors this year. I have firmly stood behind my thought that he will play a bit more of a role than most people are willing to say. Here is a bit of an explanation as to why I think this will happen. Kris Humphries has been a basic hustle guy for the Raptors in his time here. But on occassion he will force his game and try to do things that he is not expected or wanted to do on the offensive end. Nathan Jawai has only played basketball for about 5 or 6 years. However the two skills he seems to have mastered in that time are rebounding and setting good solid picks. That is the 2 skills he will need to be on the floor for Sam Mitchell. In a recent interview on the Fan 590 Sam Mitchell said his major need for his team is for rebounding and wants to see the team improve in that respect. Jawai is going to be able to help in that way. I think he can work his way into a role on this team. If you have you doubts in this I can not blame you. However how many folks were saying Jamario Moon would have a role for this Raptor team last season at this time? I think the answer was pretty much zero. In fact some wondered if he would even make the team at all. Luke Jackson would lose his spot on the roster in pre-season to Jamario Moon. Jawai is not having to earn a spot on the roster as Moon did. But make no mistake that this guy is motivated to succeed for himself and a whole lot of folks in Australia that believe in him. Well I believe too and maybe I am one of the first to jump on the Jawai bandwagon but I am confident that I will have lots of company before all is said and done. He is the type of player the Raptors have needed for a long time.
Raptors Or Sixers
It seems that many of the Raptors fans have locked in on this idea of who is better the Raptors or the Sixers. I have my money on the home team in the Raptors. I think they have more proven quality outside shooters and will be able to take advantage of that. I also am gambling that Bosh and O’Neal will be more healthy than Brand and Dalembert. Even though I do feel that the Raptors are the better team, I also think the margin of error for Toronto is much smaller than it is for the Sixers. The Sixers have a lot of young and talented players. It is not to say that the Raptors are old. But they have guys that have moved further along in the process of building their careers. I see more players on the Sixers that have a higher room to grow their games. But I am more confident in betting on the more established talent than what could be or might be.
Oden Finally Going To Debut
I am beyond the Raptors excited about other NBA things. Maybe at the top of that list is to see if Greg Oden was indeed worth all of the hype. I was one of a small few folks that thought I would take Kevin Durant of the Oklahoma Thunder over Oden. Just for anyone doubting how excited they are in Oklahoma City about NBA coming to town they sold out their tickets in 5 days. But back to Oden and Durant. Many folks will say I am nuts to think Durant is the better pick. But the fact we have waited over a year to watch Oden debut is part of the reason I would have went with Durant. Talent is great but if it is not on the floor it really doesn’t matter much. I am not sold that Oden can be healthy and productive over the long run. But the young giant is ready to prove me wrong. Here is an Article I found in my morning reading that you might want to check out if you are a Greg Oden fan or not.
Not Exactly FLASH Gordon in Chicago
Ben Gordon remains in limbo in Chicago. The Bulls restricted free agent still remains unsigned and has even been thought to be considering options beyond the NBA according to some. It will be interesting to see what happens to a guy that was once thought to be a big part of the puzzle in Chicago. Now he seems to be a round peg in a square hole. Last season all the rumours of a trade for Kobe Bryant to Chicago seemed to just send the Bulls into a tailspin and Gordon was part of that as he was rumoured to be one of the players that would be part of that deal that never happened. It will be on of the interesting things to follow as all NBA teams are about to begin training camps very soon. For more one what may happen with the former U-Conn Huskie from someone Raptor fans know well:
Lakers Are Doing This?…No Way
Ex-Laker and Raptor Jelani McCoy could be going back to the Lakers? This is proof that as long as you are a big body you will get lots of chances to fail in this NBA. I mean you only need to look at the Miami Heat adding Toronto Native Jamal Maglorie as proof of this fact. It also is proof of the fact that the #4 has got a huge upgrade in Toronto. By the way a little Dino Nation Blogger info is that is my favourite number 4. As for McCoy and his possible return to the Lakers here is a link to the source of this info:
That is a Rap for this edition of the Dino Nation Blog. See you tomorrow. Oh wait one last thing. The Dino Nation blog is now on Twitter. So that is another way you can keep in touch with the blog. The link is listed among the Dino Nation Blog Sites. But seeing as it is new I will post it in this Blog.
Dino Nation Blog Home on Twitter
It is just one of the many ways I look to interact with you the readers of the Dino Nation Blog. We also have our facebook group as well. If you haven’t checked out these things you are welcome to and be a part of our little family.
Tags: Ben Gordon, Bulls, Chris Bosh Fantasy Football, Chuck Swirsky, Dino Nation Blog, Doug Smith, Facebook, Greg Oden, Jelani McCoy, Kevin Durant, Lakers, Matt Devlin, Nathan Jawai, Oklahoma City Thunder, Raptors, Raptors Pre-Season, Sixers, Trailblazers, Twitter
September 16, 2008 at 7:12 pm |
I hope you’re right about Jawai. He’s a guy I’m looking forward to see play. Hopefully he’ll show enough promise and get that 12th spot.
Man, I can’t believe McCoy used to be our starting centre for a bit
September 16, 2008 at 7:22 pm |
I really value being RIGHT so I am very careful in what I choose to comment on. I admit the amount I have personally learned about Nathan may be clouding my judgement. But having watched the last couple of efforts in the summer league by Nathan I was very impressed. It reminded me of watching Moon last year in Europe as part of Euro live.
Nathan is a tremendous guy and easy to get behind. I just think he is a player that gives the Raptors something that they have not had with all do respect to Kris Humphries who I think is a fantastic guy. But Jawai has much more raw talent and ability. But he does not have the ego to go beyond what he is asked to do.
I totally forgot McCoy wore #4 as a Raptor. Not till I looked up that photo did I realize the Raptor last to wear 4 prior to Bosh was Jelani McCoy. Feel free to stump your friends that don’t read the blog with that one. Not that you should have any because you have told them about Dino Nation Blog Right?
I am hopefully Nathan will be better faster than most expect but what everyone does agree is this guy is a raw talent and will be an important player moving forward for the Raptors.
September 16, 2008 at 8:53 pm |
Jelani McCoy is repeating Corie Blount a few years back. Signed by the Lakers for a couple of days in the summer and then waived before training camp begins.
September 16, 2008 at 9:11 pm |
I think ure rite about Jawai. I picked him as my Moon of the 08-09 season.
Do you think the Sixers aree overated or properly rated?
September 16, 2008 at 10:11 pm |
I think it is a case of the media getting a bit of a crush on the Sixers. They have become that sexy sleeper pick. Ultimately they and the Raptors are very close to me a 4 vs 5 series between the 2 teams seems a real likely option.
This why I wrote about the chance of these 2 teams being Rivals again I think based on the spread out nature of the match-ups between the two it will make this games very important for both teams.
So yeah the Sixers to me are slightly overated but not by a lot they are going to be good just not quite as good as people seem to think.
September 17, 2008 at 12:05 am |
Well Elton Brand is extremely overrated. The Sixers really remind of the Chicago Bulls 2 seasons ago. I see the Sixers doing absolutely nothing.
The Raptors just don’t look good to me. I think this Jermaine O’Neal experiment is going to fail for sure. And I’m wondering if Jamario Moon
isn’t a (one hit wonder).
September 17, 2008 at 7:45 am |
[...] – Dino Nation Blog [...]
September 17, 2008 at 10:58 am |
hahah the lakers wanna motivate pau
September 17, 2008 at 3:44 pm |
The Bulls swept the Heat in the first round two years ago
September 17, 2008 at 5:01 pm |
And what happened just last year?
September 17, 2008 at 6:08 pm |
Kobe Trade Rumours Killed The Bulls…they did not show the professionalism and chracter to deal with it and ultimately failed badly. This is why they went out and hired Mr. Optomistic in Chuck Swirsky. O.K last part is just funny about Chuck but the rest is valid
September 17, 2008 at 10:34 pm |
If memory serves me right, the Bulls didn’t live up to expectations.
But there’s no correlation between the two teams. I don’t understand how you can come up with a conclusion like that
September 18, 2008 at 1:31 am |
The Sixers are young and they have no huge star on their team. Same thing as the Bulls the last two years. Andre Miller, Willie Green, Andre Iguodala, Elton Brand, Samuel Dalembert does that even look like a championship team ? I mean don’t put your hopes on winning a championship on two former LA CLIPPERS.
September 19, 2008 at 4:56 am |
Oh ok got ya. When you mentioned you don’t see the Sixers doing anything, I didn’t think you meant it as in winning a championship. On that level I agree with you.